By; Exchanged
Fandom; The O.C.
Pairing; Ryan/Summer
Rating; PG13
Summary; When Ryan comes to visit Summer in 2x02, things don't go exactly as he had planned.
"Come on, Summer. You know how he feels about you," Ryan said, looking over at her intently.
She lowered her eyes to the floor. "I know, but I've moved on."
Ryan looked surprised. "Oh. You have?"
"Yes!" Summer started. "Well, no, not exactly. But I'm ready to. Me and Cohen just aren't going to work. Ever."
Ryan moved a little closer to her. "You are, though?"
"I am.. what?"
He moved his face closer, reached up and touched her face. "Ready," he said. "To move on."
Summer slid a little bit closer as well, so their faces were just an inch away from eachother.
"Yes," she whispered.
When their lips met, Summer shivered a little. She suddenly became hot. Very hot. She parted her lips and invited him in. His hands ran down her cheek to her back.
Finally, they both broke apart, gasping for air.
She looked up and into his eyes. "Ryan, we can't. We need to stop. What if Marissa-"
She was cut off by his lips being pressed against her neck. She lost all thought. She knew they shouldn't be doing this, at least on some level. He was Seth's best friend and she was Marissa's. 'But god, nothing has ever felt this good, and this right.' Summer thought to herself as a gasp escaped her lips. She reached up to undo the buttons on his shirt when his hand stopped her.
"Ryan, I want to."
"No, you don't. You love Seth and I can't do this to either of you."
"I spent the entire summer getting over him," Summer replied, sadly.
"But you still aren't," He said.
Summer dropped her hand from his. He nodded in understanding, stood up and reached a hand out for her. She grasped it and allowed him to pull her up but she avoided his eyes.
"Summer," he said, placing his hand under her chin, forcing her to look up at him.
Ryan caught his breath. He hated himself for losing control and hurting Summer like this. She had tears in her eyes but she still looked so beautiful.
"I'm fine, Ryan. Just go," she said. "Please."
He dropped his and from her face but stopped when he reached for the doorknob. He stood with his back facing her, because he knew that if he glanced back, even for a second, that he wouldn't be able to leave.
"I care about you, Summer. I really do, but I can't do this to Seth and we can't do this to Marissa. It just wouldn't be right. And if this ever happens, I want it to be right. Even if I have to wait a while."
He opened the door and slipped out.
Summer watched him until he was out of sight before she allowed herself to collapse onto the floor as fresh tears sprung to her eyes. Something was different, though. She wasn't crying because she was sad, she was crying out of happiness. Ryan was right, though, they couldn't be together. God, the way he looked at her! That was exactly how Cohen used to look at her. Ryan was also right about her not being over Cohen. She wasn't.
'Give me time,' she thought to herself as she smiled through her tears.