[The woman turns into a cannonball. As she rockets closer the shadows part, the pelting rain stops obscuring the fine features. Just waters them up, logging that mop of curls into bedraggled rust-colored twists.

His heart leaps. She careens into him and he loses the jacket, loses air, loses a bit of his footing and has to scramble to regain it before they tumble. His arms are full, wrapping tight around the payload that just launched into his chest.

He's stunned too. Laughing, but it's thick and warbled with emotion.]

If I just said hello you'd know it was a fake, wouldn't you? [Richie shivers. His hands find the sides of her head and he leans back to look at her. His eyes are hot and prickling around his contacts, his smile broad but brittle, lips quivering.]

...Beverly.

[He sounds small. Like he too had been transported to the past, that it was some buck-toothed loudmouth with knobby knees and no social grace quivering in her arms, staring at her like a dream come true. Too good to be true, and yet it is.

He can't help it. The dam has snapped, looking into those big doe eyes and hearing her voice, feeling the warmth of her solid body against his. Richie breaks into a sob, burying his face into her shoulder. His arms are chains around her back, not one inch of leeway given. His shoulders shake.]

You've been looking? Baby, I've been waiting. I've waited for-fucking-ever, Christ Beverly, you have no damn clue! I never thought you'd wake up...