Ben was in no small part relieved that he wasn't the only Loser here, but also worried, really worried that Richie had been in this place alone. None of them should have been alone for any length of time, not after having lost what they had, lived through what they had, and everything they'd needed to come to terms with.
He honestly couldn't help but worry about the others, wondering if maybe they'd been caught up by another entity and had been flung out into another universe alone and struggling to cope. It hurt his heart and Ben had a big heart, too big at times.
It would seem that he was actually going to be rooming in the same apartment as Richie which meant that he'd at least be able to keep an eye on him and provide whatever support the other man needed. Seemed to be his role in the Losers, to be a backbone and solid steady support that wouldn't waver despite the adversities that he faced on a daily basis.
He was glad he had called out the tone of Richie's messages, to get the clarity that his friend wasn't pissed, just struggling. Helped Ben understand where Richie was at mentally and emotionally. Dialogue was and would always be important to Ben because it was a keystone to any successful friendship and relationship, if you couldn't talk to the people close to you then what was the point?
Ben barely had any time to take in the pale almost haggard appearance of one Richie Tozier before the other man had launched himself into his arms, arms which immediately came up and wrapped tightly and firmly around Richie. Ben had always been good at giving hugs ever since he'd been younger but even more so as he'd gotten older, healthier, and developed defined muscle. This meant that a hug was no longer just a hug and something more of a tight embrace more reminiscent of how you might imagine a bear would hug you if there was no risk of mauling and well, death.
"Hey, man," he murmured as he reached up to squeeze the back of Richie's neck.