Yeah, it wasn't really a secret -- Richie was a sap if the carving on the door and his endless dreamy expressions had any say in the matter at all. But years of pining sort of just made him want to say so all the time, because he hadn't for so long, because he'd nearly missed his chance at all. So he just. Made sure Eddie knew. Even if sometimes I love you came out more like Hey, asshole, your face is pretty alright today. It was the meaning behind it that mattered.
"Oh good," he said, muffled by Eddie's shoulder but not exactly quiet so much as more nasally than he normally was. "That's a big fucking relief for when I propose." The knowing and the staying forever bits both, in fact. Of course, that was a topic for some other day. Maybe after he fretted in both Stan and Beverly's general directions for a bit, trying to figure out a proper plan or whatever. Today was just for sleeping while his brain oozed out of his ears.