Eddie nodded in agreement when Richie said they'd figure it out. A great sense of relief washed over him as he continued to listen. Richie really did love him, not some idealized version of him. He was tempted to kiss him again to try to express the love and acceptance he felt in the moment physically, since it was hard to find the right words. He settled for squeezing Richie's hand gently and smiling at him.
"I take a risk when it's worth it." Eddie told him. "You've seen me take more risks, because you're worth it." He was literally worth dying for. He gave Richie a skeptical look. "You? C'mon. You didn't run from anything. You ran towards it. You made yourself famous." He smirked. "Well, you and whoever writes your material." The smirk changed to a slight frown. "I even run away from myself, from my feelings." He was so deep in the closet, he could have met Aslan. "I,um, I've never had a relationship with a guy,beyond friendship."