"And I did just say it wasn't your fault." Eddie huffed a little. Because it wasn't. It was a lot of other things that just sort of kept building up. It was his past and the way he was raised. It was the town he grew up in and a number of other things that weren't Bill's fault but that he'd never actually understand. That wasn't Bill's fault either. There were probably a number of things in his past that Eddie wouldn't understand. "So. It's not your fault. You don't have anything to apologize for. Stop doing it."
He pinched the bridge of his nose at the idea of Bill being less familiar with Richie. At the idea of him treating Richie any differently because of Eddie. "I don't fucking want that!" And, okay, maybe he shouldn't be raising his voice around someone he didn't know at all. Maybe he should just go back to being distant and standoffish and let Bill think whatever the fuck he wanted. The idea of anyone treating Richie differently because of him didn't sit well. "That's not what he needs. He needs friends. He needs people who aren't me or Stan. Who didn't grow up in a fucking nightmare. He needs someone... better."
And that was sort of the problem here. They'd grown up in a nightmare that had left them all lacking in some way. They had both spent so much time scared of themselves and who they were. Bill wasn't like that. He was confident in who he was. Comfortable. And, maybe, maybe Richie deserved someone more like that. Those thoughts were the real issue. Not the flirting. Not really.
"I know he does but I don't know why..." That baffled him. It would probably always baffle him. He was sure Bill was just as confused as to why because Eddie wasn't making the best first impression. Maybe he should try harder. He'd already told Bill that he didn't want him to treat Richie differently. He wanted them to remain friends and that meant he'd be in Eddie's life even if it was from a distance. "I'm sorry I wouldn't shake your hand." He said. "I'm just..." He didn't know how to explain it. He doubted Bill would want to hear it. "Sorry. I'm just sorry."