Chapter Text
Richie has already had like ten of every pumpkin drink on the menu at Starbucks by the time the first day of fall has rolled around and now all he wants is a slice of pumpkin cheesecake. Stan keeps teasing him about being basic but Richie doesn't give two flying fucks what anyone else has to say about his love of pumpkin. He loves the taste of it and nothing brings back memories of growing up Maine the way pumpkin does.
He and stan had left Derry as soon as they graduated high school and though they may not have had a perfect childhood Richie still finds himself homesick every fall. L.A. has nothing on Maine when it comes to the fall season. It is still too hot for sweaters and there are hardly any pumpkin patches and you can darn sure forget hollowing out giant pumpkins to make into race boats. So, yeah, Richie is determined every year to drink and eat as much pumpkin stuff as possible and this year is off to a great start.
Hes checked every Starbucks, even the two in the mall and none of them have their pumpkin cheesecake out yet and Richie is getting desperate enough to look up how to videos on YouTube. He had woke up this morning at his breaking point and spent hours whining to Stan who had finally suggested Richie try out some independent coffee shops or bakery's. Richie had kissed him sloppily on the forehead before google mapping several places and heading out while Stan scrubbed his forehead in their kitchen sink.
The first cafe had been a small one located in a small store called Bill's books. The owner was friendly and even from Derry as well and while Richie fully planned to bring Stan here at a later date it didn't have what he was craving. He bought a pistachio muffin for Stan and headed on to several more locations. Two hours and Four cafes and one bakery later Richie had obtained some pumpkin sweets for later but still no cheesecake.
The next place on his list honestly doesn't sound promising either. Who the fuck names their bakery Eddie's Edibles? The name made the place sound like one of the many cannabis shops. Richie is pleasantly surprised when he pulls into the parking lot to see a medium sized store front with cute cursive words spelling out the name and windows filled with pastel flowers and images of some of the treats offered inside.
Richie pushes the door open and is startled by the multiple bells tied to the door clanging. A tall blonde man yells out a hello to him as Richie lets his eyes scan around the shop. His eyes land on the chalk board by the end of the check out counter where in bright orange and pastel pink chalk a image of pumpkin cheesecake was accompanied by the words cheesecake made fresh daily. Richie almost ran to the register.
" Hello, how can I help you today? " The blonde cashier asks.
" Can I please get a hot pumpkin coffee and a slice of your pumpkin cheesecake please? " Richie asks with a grin.
" Oh, I'm not sure my boss has finished the cheesecake yet, let me check for you. " The cashier replied and Richie tries not to pout.
" Mr. Kaspbrak, We have a customer who wants a slice of the daily special. " The man says into a blue tooth headset Richie hadn't noticed he was wearing, " yes sir, thank you. ".
Richie looks at the cashier with hopeful eyes as the man turns to speak to him again.
" Mr. Kaspbrak will bring it out to you in five minutes if you don't mind a small wait. " He informs Richie.
" I don't mind. " Richie assures.
" Okay, that'll be seven fifty, please. " The cashier says and Richie quickly hands him a ten telling him to keep the change before moving to a table to wait.
The cashier whipped up his drink with a ease that let Richie know the man has most likely worked here a long time. Richie takes his coffee back to the small table he is sitting at and takes his first sip and moans aloud. The pumpkin flavor is sweet and strong and coats his tongue and he is never going back to Starbucks if he can help it. As he takes a larger second sip he is met with cinnamon topped whip with the coffee and once again lets out a slightly inappropriate noise.
" Well now that is one hell of a compliment. " A cheeky voice from above says and Richie looks up to the source and proceeds to choke on air.
The man standing beside his table is beautiful. His brown hair is haloed in gold from the sun streaming trough the many windows of the shop and he has soft brown eyes to match. He is a sporting a pink and red apron and holding a plate with Richie's cheesecake and Richie finds himself with a new craving.
" Oh my god you're a angel. " Richie blurts and curses his lack of a filter but as the mans face begin to flush he felt less embarrassed about his comment.
" Thank you? ", Handsome man says with a crooked smile, " Henry says you wanted a slice of cheesecake? ".
" God yes, I've been all over town looking for a slice. " Richie groans out and makes grabby hands at the plate before he can think better.
The man laughs fully as he passes it over and Richie wants to hear that sound again, " So am I actually beautiful or do you just say that to all the men who bring you dessert? ".
" Nah, you're stunning the Cheesecake is just a bonus. " Richie replies with a wink, " I'm Richie. ".
" Eddie. " Eddie says as he shakes Richie's out stretched hand, " let me know how you like it? " he says with a nod at the plate now waiting on the table.
Richie nods and lets go of Eddie's hand to pick up the fork and section off a small bite. He rolls the bite on his tongue and the creamy cake begins to melt against and Richie has a moment to think this is better than sex before chewing and swallowing.
" Oh My God you have got to marry me! " Richie moans.
Eddie laughs again and Richie loves the way he throws his head back exposing his long pale neck. Richie can see a dusting of light freckles trailing down over his Adams apple.
" Seriously, if you made this I'm putting in my application for your husband right now! " Richie insists.
" I make everything we sell here. " Eddie says with a soft smile and faint blush, " but I'm afraid I'm not taking marriage applications at the moment. ".
Richie's heart falls but then Eddie is still speaking and Richie's chest warms with hope.
" I am, however, taking applications for a boyfriend in the form of a trail run first date if you're interested. " Eddie whispers.
Richie nods so hard he fears he'll break his neck. Eddie grins and shakes his head as he pulls a small pad and pen from his apron pocket and begins to scribble something down. He rips the paper off and slips it under Richie's plate.
" I've got to get back in the kitchen but give me a call sometime . " Eddie says with a wink and with a swing of his hips he turns to leave.
Richie wipes a napkin over his lips in case hes drooling. He can't wait to brag to Stan that his basic love of Pumpkin just got him a date with the prettiest man Rich has ever seen!