Title: Leaving.
Ships: Ryan/Seth
Notes: one-sided, angst
Disclaimer: The O.C. isn't mine.
He's leaving. No one has told you yet, but you know. And you're surprised you didn't realize it sooner, because anything this perfect can't last. You're surprised you weren't already waiting for the end to come because, with you, it always does eventually.
You know he'll call every now and then and you'll stay friends, but it won't be like this. It won't be this close, lazy relationship you have now. You're not sure what to call it, because you're not sure what it is.
The taste of regret is bitter on your tongue, but you're not sure yet what it is you're regretting. You know you should have done something, said something, but you're not sure what it was you were meant to have done. You quietly curse your slow mind and wait for the realization that will come too late.
When he does tell you he's leaving, you're not surprised, you're ready for it. He assures you you'll always be friends, because, after all, you're the best friend he's ever had. You smile and nod and say it's not a big deal; everyone moves on eventually.
You have Summer, and you love her. She's all you need.
Only…
She's not, not anymore.
You need something else, something you can't name. Something you've been longing for for a long time and you have no idea what it is.
The day he leaves, you're left alone at the airport. You watch him enter the boarding terminal and suddenly, you know.
"Oh," you sigh, surprised. "It's you."
But now he's gone.
And you wait.
And wait.
But he's not coming back.
A/N: Review, because I'm obviously a depressed and deeply sad person. Reviews make me happy.