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Title: Bittersweet [Part 9 of the "Heal" series]
Paring: Eventual Seth/Ryan, all other canon-things.
Rating: R for now.
Word Count: 2,108 (this chapter)
Summary: A hypothetical fourth season, continuing all current storylines, with eventual Seth/Ryan.
Disclaimer: Me = Poor. Josh Schwartz = Both very ballsy and extremely rich. Note the difference.
Spoilers: For everything. Literally.
Notes: Thanks to [livejournal.com profile] dancinbutterfly for her help/beta on this chapter, and also for kick-starting my muse. Also, I'm writing this to prove that Seth/Ryan is still possible, now more than ever, so it'll continue ALL the storylines from the season 3 finale, meaning it does not focus TOTALLY on Ryan/Seth, though it mostly will. Please enjoy.
Part One can be found HERE
Part Two can be found HERE
Part Three can be found HERE
Part Four can be found HERE
Part Five can be found HERE
Part Six can be found HERE
Part Seven can be found HERE
Part Eight can be found HERE



There's a fine, fine line between a lover and a friend
There's a fine, fine line between reality and pretend

- "There's a Fine, Fine Line" by The Original Broadway Cast of Avenue Q






Ryan watches Seth through the window for about a day and a half. That’s when Seth starts crying and Ryan can see him shaking from head to toe, and Ryan can’t stand to see Seth cry, so he finally pulls the door open and lets Seth in. Seth curls up into a ball on the floor and whispers, “She dumped me. And she’s dating someone else.”

Normally Ryan would take heart in that, but he’s too busy thinking that now he’s going to be stuck here until January with Seth whining and bitching about Summer and whoever this new guy is, not to mention that he has to deal with the trial and what he knows will have to come out.

“Sorry,” Ryan says finally, sitting down on his bed.

“No, you’re not.” Seth laughs bitterly. “By the way. That kiss? Was goodbye.”

Ryan looks down at his hands and glances back at Seth.

Then he looks out the windows to the world outside. He hasn’t been out there in the entire month it’s been since Marissa’s funeral.

“You wanna go down to the pier?” he asks finally.

“What?” Seth asks, looking up.

“Do you want to go down to the pier?” Ryan enunciates.

Seth nods slowly and Ryan goes to the bathroom to get dressed. He hasn’t worn anything other than a wife beater and sweats in a long time, and his jeans are loose from the fact that he hasn’t been eating properly or regularly since the accident, so he puts a belt on and tightens it.

When he gets out of the bathroom, Seth is sitting in the chair, waiting. They head into the main house, and Kirsten nearly faints when she sees them.

“What are…what are you doing?” she asks, gasping in surprise.

“Going to the pier, apparently,” Seth shrugs.

“I need a job,” Ryan says. “Since I’m staying.”

He hasn’t told Seth about that yet, so Seth looks confused, but Ryan just shrugs at him and mouths, “I’ll tell you later.”

When they get to the pier, Ryan tells Seth about the trial and how he’s staying, and Seth says, “That’s…that’s cool, dude.” Then he pauses and says, “Oh. Right. You and me. A whole semester.”

“That gonna be a problem?” Ryan asks, trying to sound off-hand, but knowing that he doesn’t.

“I dunno, man. That was…”

Ryan doesn’t want to have this conversation, not now, not ever, but he knows he eventually will have to. That doesn’t mean he can’t stall it though. He points to the Crab Shack and says, “I’m gonna go see if I can have my old job back,” and heads inside.

He fills out the application and gets hired on the spot. He can start tomorrow.

When he finds Seth, Seth is standing stock-still, staring in shock at something Ryan can’t see. He follows Seth’s eye-line and finds it.

About ten yards away, Summer and Luke look like they’re trying to swallow each other whole, oblivious to the world around them.

Ryan puts his arm around Seth and leads him away, feeling like the world’s biggest ass for dragging Seth out here. Clearly, from now on, they should just stay in the pool house like they have been. His stomach growls and he mentally adds, “But with food.”

*


Julie sits at her meeting, hands in her lap. She’s been more talkative in these since the first time, but there’s a lump in her throat that she can’t speak around.

“Julie?” the leader says.

“Hmm?” she asks, looking up.

“Would you like to share?”

Julie twists her fingers in the hem of her top. She knows that talking will help, but she doesn’t know what to say. She finally swallows roughly and says, “They’ve found the guy who ran Marissa and Ryan off the road.”

No one asks who Ryan is. She’s said his name so many times in these meetings that it’s become almost a mantra. Everything she can think of that led up to this, everything that brought her here to this meeting, it all came from him. But some of the other things—the happy things she mentions when they share their favorite memories—those come from him, too. It’s a thin line to walk, to hate someone as much as she hates Ryan, but to have to admit that he did good things, too.

Julie remembers telling Ryan that she wanted him out of Marissa’s life after she’d overdosed in Tijuana. She remembers a lot about that year, mostly her trying to get rid of Ryan, and then she remembers the summer after he left. She starts crying because she knows, deep down, that even if Ryan had never came, things still would’ve ended like this. Ryan just gave Marissa three years of happiness. He made her life better while he was in it. And she hates him for making Marissa happy when she couldn’t. She feels several people put their arms around her, and she lets them because she doesn’t have the strength to fight anymore.

*


By the time Sandy gets home from work, Kirsten has already gone to therapy, had lunch with her sponsor, and cleaned the living room. Sandy joins her on the couch and they watch Judge Hatchett together. Finally Kirsten says, “Sandy?”

“Yeah?” he asks.

“Um…listen. I was…I was thinking. About Seth. And Ryan.”

She watches and waits as Sandy closes his eyes and sighs, then says, “Yeah.”

“Do you think they’re…?”

She’s not sure how to say it. How to phrase it. Nothing she can say will ever seem adequate.

“Yeah,” Sandy says finally.

She leans against him and whispers, “What do we do?”

Sandy shrugs. “I don’t know about you, but I haven’t had a meaningful conversation with either of them since the accident.”

“Me neither,” she tells him. “So what do we do?”

“We wait,” he sighs.

She nods and leans against him, swallowing roughly.

Damn therapist.

*


Summer likes new relationships. She’s missed this part. The new, exciting part where it’s all sex and talking. Or she would enjoy it, if they could get past the gigantic Marissa-and-Cohen-shaped elephant on the other side of the room. They’ve been dating for two weeks, and for the most part, things have been good. There have been a few awkward moments, like when they walked in the Crab Shack and found Ryan had gotten his old job back and refused to speak to either of them until Summer grabbed him and threatened a rage blackout unless he told her what was his problem. When he mentioned that Seth had saw them kissing, she had swallowed thickly, let go of him, and stared down at her fries.

“I didn’t want him to find out like that,” she whispered, and Luke gave her this hurt puppy dog look that, combined with his golden retriever status, made her feel like the world’s biggest bitch.

“You didn’t tell him? I thought you said you did.”

“I didn’t tell him who,” she whispered.

She tried to apologize, but Luke was icy with her for the rest of the night. But after a day or so, he was back to his normal self.

Which led to this.

They are sitting on her bed. The doors are locked, Julie is at her meeting, Neil drove her to it, and Kaitlin…well, to be perfectly honest, Summer’s not too worried about Kaitlin’s feelings.

Things should be ready. He should be kissing her now and clothes should start flying, but they’re not, because they can both see the giant elephant, even if they both pretend they don’t notice it tap-dancing and doing the hula over in the corner.

“I expected it to be easier than this,” she finally tells him.

“I didn’t,” he laughs.

“I do want this, you know,” she says finally.

“I know,” Luke says.

“I just…”

“I know,” he repeats.

He takes her hand and she lets herself be led downstairs to the living room, and when Julie and her father get home, that’s exactly how they find them. Curled together on the couch watching I Love Lucy reruns on Nick at Nite.

Summer tells herself that it’ll do.

For now.

*


Seth sits down on the bed next to Ryan and takes his hand. Ryan stares at him for a minute, then asks, “Are you sure?”

“Yeah,” Seth nods, even though he knows he’s not.

He needs this like he needs air. Needs Ryan to be safe, needs Ryan to be whole in a way he hasn’t been for a long time. He needs Ryan to be okay. Most of all, he just needs Ryan.

Their lips meet for the second time this summer, and Seth tangles his free hand in Ryan’s hair, pulling him closer, trying to devour him whole.

It’s breathtaking, and not just from the kiss. Just that it’s real and it’s happening, and Seth’s been waiting for this his whole life, and until he met Ryan, he didn’t even know what he was waiting for.

Just that he was waiting.

It feels like everything he’s done in life, all the mistakes and bad choices, all the good ones, they’ve all been preparation for this, to get him ready.

To get him ready for Ryan.

They part for air and his breath comes out in short pants, mingling with Ryan’s as they both exhale their lust.

“So long,” Ryan whispers against Seth’s cheek as he kisses his way down Seth’s neck.

Seth’s pretty sure he’s died and gone to some sort of Heaven. A Heaven filled with nothing but gay sex and Ryan, and he’s pretty sure that however painful his death was, it was worth it, because Ryan’s tongue is in his mouth now, and if that isn’t just the greatest thing in the world, Seth will eat his hat. Not even his hat, his sombrero from Tijuana, and from what he’s heard, hats tend to be tastier than sombreros.

Ryan tastes bittersweet, which Seth finds fitting. That’s what Ryan is. Seth’s not sure what he tastes like, but he thinks maybe cotton candy. He’s more than a little bit pink and fluffy and you can pull him apart easily. Also, he melts in your mouth, and that’s definitely what he’s doing right now—melting in Ryan’s mouth, starting at his tongue and just becoming Jello all over until all he can do is hang on for the ride.

Ryan pushes him back against the mattress and straddles him, their hips aligned. Seth tries to thrust up against him, but Ryan holds his hips down and grins mischievously before kissing him again. He vaguely feels Ryan’s hand on the zipper of his jeans, then yeah, oh my God, that’s Ryan’s hand on his dick.

It’s better than when he does it himself, better even than the handjobs he’s gotten from Summer, because Ryan knows exactly what to do.

He gasps out Ryan’s name, panting like a puppy dog and chanting the name like a mantra, and comes way too early.

He reaches for the button on Ryan’s jeans to return the favor, and Ryan gasps, “Seth. Seth…


...Seth. Seth. Seth! Hey! Hello? Seth! I said I’m going to work now.”

Seth opens his eyes and finds himself in his own bed, Ryan standing in the doorway in his Crab Shack shirt.

“Oh. Ryan.”

“Uh…yeah. Listen, I’m going to work. I just wanted to say good-bye. I’ll see you this evening, all right?”

“Yeah. Right. Bye.”

Seth watches as Ryan leaves, then stares down at his hands.

He wants it. So help him Jesus and Moses and Deity of Your Own Personal Choosing, he wants it. He wants Ryan more than he’s ever wanted anything in his life, Summer included.

But how do you tell your best friend that you’re in love with them? And what if you break up later? Seth’s not stupid. He’s seen Friends. He knows how awkward Ross, Rachel, and Joey were with each other, and he knows that he doesn’t want things with Ryan to be like that. Even if they eventually get better, one of them would still have to move to Hollywood and star in a mediocre spin off, and Seth would really hate to see that happen.

His biggest problem is that he knows Ryan wants it, too. He knows that all he has to do is say the words and he can have Ryan, but damn it, the shadow of bad sitcoms hangs over him and he can’t have that. He can’t let it get that way.

Besides, if Ryan weren’t thinking the same thing, he’d speak up.

Right?





Sorry this chapter took so long. I...well, I had problems trying to decide how much to put in this chapter. I debated leaving Sandy and Kirsten's talk out (and the dream, it felt...meh to me) and went back and forth to the point that I'm still paranoid about it, but...hm. I dunno. After about the twenty-fifth re-read of anything, no matter how bad it may be, you can convince yourself that it's okay. Well, I've convinced myself. With any luck, I'll convince you, too. ;-)

Date: 2006-06-06 12:13 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] krippity.livejournal.com
ooooh! more!

Date: 2006-06-06 12:26 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kaci-jabeth.livejournal.com
I'm trying. :)

Date: 2006-06-06 02:02 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ladyrocketdale.livejournal.com
*sighs*
Okay, yeah, well, that *points* is fantstic. Really fan-fucking-tastic.

The dream-sequence was perfect, and so full of emotions.
Seth's thougths (the comparation with Friends) are very, very Seth and that's great too.
Good Kirsten and Sandy talk, I like them so pacefull. Is a good thing, I mean they love their sons. :)

Wating for more. Totally.
And this is my perfect way to start a morning. Thanks for doing it :)
*hugs*

Date: 2006-06-06 02:09 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kaci-jabeth.livejournal.com
Oh thank you. *sigh of relief* I'm so glad you liked it because I was worried more about this chapter than almost any other. *squee* I'm glad you like it, hon! *mwah!*

Date: 2006-06-06 04:20 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rockinhamburger.livejournal.com
Don't be worried about this chapter at all. It was totally wonderful. The dream sequence was hot, but I couldn't really get excited about since I knew it was a dream. Know what, though? I really, really like how you're writing this.

So, um, did Ryan hear Seth making sounds when he was waking Seth up? 'Cause that would be cool. :D

Date: 2006-06-07 01:26 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kaci-jabeth.livejournal.com
Thank you! And...*dons Britney Murphy-eqsue circa "don't say a word" voice* I'll never tellllllll! :)

Date: 2006-06-06 05:11 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] november-muis.livejournal.com
You convinced me! The dream was hot. I liked the Sandy and Kirsten talk, I mean, they are not blind or stupid.

Date: 2006-06-07 01:26 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kaci-jabeth.livejournal.com
Thank you! ♥

Date: 2006-06-06 07:11 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jcmchan.livejournal.com
So, yeah, i'm sorry for like never giving feedback, but i've been reading your story and i like it very very much.

So, all i have to say is, "PLEASE...MORE!!!!"

Thanks! it's an awesome read!

Date: 2006-06-07 01:27 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kaci-jabeth.livejournal.com
Thank you so much! ♥

Date: 2006-06-06 09:06 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cutiecay22.livejournal.com
Well I loved it just how it is. Cant wait for more!
-Caitlin

Date: 2006-06-07 01:27 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kaci-jabeth.livejournal.com
Thank you! ♥

Date: 2006-06-07 04:04 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] millstone1005.livejournal.com
I'm glad Ryan's feeling better and is getting out of the pool house and on with his life. It's good that Ryan's staying home with Seth for the semester. Hopefully that means they'll be able to work it out. I like the idea of Summer with Luke. I think they make a good couple, if they can clear the air with the Seth-elephant and everything.

good chapter

Date: 2006-06-07 04:20 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kaci-jabeth.livejournal.com
"Seth-elephant" haha, yes. :-D

Thank you! ♥

Date: 2006-06-07 04:16 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] 60schic.livejournal.com
How stupid am I for not realizing it was a dream until he woke up? Probably because I was too busy enjoying the analogy: Seth’s not sure what he tastes like, but he thinks maybe cotton candy. ;)

Date: 2006-06-07 04:21 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kaci-jabeth.livejournal.com
Heeheehee. I thought a long time about what Seth would be. I almost went with M&M's, for the "Melts in your mouth, not in your hand," but as we saw, he melted in Ryan's hand, too, so...;-)

I'm a pervert. *snort*

Thank you! ♥

Date: 2006-07-06 05:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] john1987.livejournal.com
Damn, stupid, f*cken job. I don't want any job that prevents me from spending my time reading fanfics - especially good ones!
Unfortunately, if fics were money then I'd make Bill Gates look like middle class, but otherwise, I'm poor.

Sorry it took me forever to get here - but I'm glad I did. This is wonderful and my only wish is for it to continue :) (Which I know it did! Yay!)

Date: 2006-07-06 06:18 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kaci-jabeth.livejournal.com
Aw, thank you! Jobs suck, but they pay the bills (too bad fic doesn't!). :)

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