There was no one else out there that could call Richie an asshole and have it feel like a term of endearment. It was like Eddie's secret talent and Richie was incredibly fond of it, even if it probably came across as weird to others. But there was no one around to observe them just now anyway.
Rich huffed out a laugh, and half of it got stuck in the stuffiness of his nose but it didn't send him into a burst of coughing or anything so it was a win. Not as much of a win as Eddie's fingers in his hair -- or the fact that he was here at all, despite being pretty averse to situations like these. Rich probably should have felt worse about it, but it was hard not to be pleased when all he really ever wanted was Eddie to be around in the first place.
"Stan is a delight," he agreed after too long of a time to really consider it a reply so much as Richie zoning in and out. "I get it." He did. Richie also loved Stan and Beverly with all of himself. But it wasn't Eddie style love. Hell, Stan could wear whatever short shorts he wanted and Richie would probably just make fun of him.
"Sleep's dumb." Sure, being sick made him tired but Richie'd never been all that great at sleep in the first place. It was hard to shut off, hard to be still for so long. "Tell me stuff. What's goin' on out -- there? Has the war ended?"