The squeeze is reassuring, not least because it helps keep Richie aware of where he is in space. Being blind is fucking weird - it's not just that he can't see, but that he's lost all sense of depth perception, so he has a much harder time telling up from down. His own body feels foreign to him - where are his fingers? His feet? His limbs seem to be floating in space. With Eddie to hold on to, it's easier to keep himself oriented.

It's also pretty nice to be able to listen to Eddie speak. His voice acts a bit like sonar, telling Richie how close or far away they are from one another. And, even though Richie knows his responses will go unheard, he can't help but chuckle a little as he listens to Eddie rant about his condition. Some things never change.

He gives his friend's shoulder a double tap in response to his question about loudness. He really doesn't sound all the different, just a little disjointed. The next question makes Richie frown, his mind casting back to that moment in his room with Mad March, and he knows that even if Eddie could hear him explain what happened he still wouldn't bring it up. He doesn't want to freak the poor guy out any more than he already is.

So he just gives another double tap, followed up by another squeeze of Eddie's shoulder. It doesn't mean anything; he's just glad they're together again, glad that he can at least try to protect Eddie if any more weird shit starts happening.