I'm not sure specifically which 'Stan Kirsch top stories' you are referring to. Stan Kirsch was an actor. Maybe his top stories could be related to his most memorable acting roles, like in 'Highlander: The Series'.
Charlie Freeman is the central character in the novel. But without reading it, we can't say much more about his specific traits. He could be an ordinary person with an extraordinary story or someone with unique qualities.
It could be his friends. In many stories, friends are the ones who come to the rescue. They might have some special knowledge or power that can counter the effects of the Deadlights. Maybe they've been researching about it and find a way to break through the hold it has on Richie.
Well, in such a fanfiction, Richie might experience intense psychological horror. The Deadlights are often associated with mind - numbing fear and chaos in the related lore. So, he could be subjected to terrifying visions, lose his grip on reality, and maybe even have his worst nightmares come to life right before his eyes.
Yes, in the 'It' novel, Richie was gay. Stephen King included this aspect of his character which added depth to Richie's personality and his experiences in the story.