Title: Better Next Year
Fandom: The O.C.
Characters:, Ryan, Cohens+1
Spoilers: up through 4.7 The Chrismukk-huh?
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I own nothing related to The O.C.. No profit taken.
Description: Four scenes with Ryan, one for each of the four Chrismukkahs he has spent with the Cohens.

2003: The Best Chrismukkah Ever

Ryan's first Chrismukkah was not so bad, all things considered, especially in comparison to previous years. Eating Chinese food and watching Christmas movies (plus Over The Top) sure beat the Atwood version of the holiday.

Ryan was thinking just that as he got ready for bed two days after Christmas. Chrismukkah was officially over (finally) since Hanukkah had ended that day at sundown. Ryan sighed as he sat down on the side of the bed. He really hoped this meant that things would finally quiet down. And that Seth would finally calm down from his Chrismukkah-induced hyperactivity.

And, speak of the devil – Ryan looked up to see Seth barge into the pool house (as usual, uninvited and without even knocking) and flop down, draping himself over the chair and ottoman as if he didn't have the energy left to sit up properly. He let out a huge sigh, as if channeling the pathos of the world.

"Ryan, buddy, I really hate when Chrismukkah ends." Another sigh.

Ryan couldn't help but smile at his friend's antics. "You said that before. No more snowflakes and latkes, huh?"

"You said it, dude."

"You sure it's not just that you lost both Summer and Anna?" Ryan didn't understand how Seth could tell both of them he just wanted to be friends. Why didn't he choose?

That got Seth's attention. "Um, well, yeah, you might have a point there." He sat up a little straighter. "How about you and Marissa? How's her therapy going?"

Ryan noticed the not-so-subtle subject change. Usually Seth liked to go on and on, especially about Summer and/or Anna, but Ryan figured he just wasn't ready to talk about it yet, and he wasn't about to push.

Ryan sighed himself. Right. Marissa. "Um, well, she's going. We haven't really talked about it."

Seth shrugged. "That's good, I guess. That she's going, I mean. Maybe it'll help." Another shrug.

Ryan nodded, pensively. Yeah, he really hoped so. The day of the Newport Group's holiday party, with the shoplifting and drinking... well, that day, Marissa had just reminded him too much of his mom. And he couldn't handle that again. He really hoped that the therapy would help her and she'd quit drinking and things would be okay again. He couldn't help but think that maybe there was something that he could do or say that would help, too. He'd have to give that some thought.

After a minute, Ryan noticed that while he was lost in thought, Seth hadn't said anything, either, which wasn't like him. He caught Seth's eye and raised his eyebrows in inquiry.

Seth took a deep breath. "Ryan... I mean..."

Ryan waited patiently for Seth to continue. It also wasn't like him to have to search for words.

Finally, he just blurted out, "This year, Chrismukkah, it was okay? Wasn't it? I mean, I know you hate the holidays and all because... well, you know..." Seth looked down, embarrassed, took another moment to compose himself, then started again, slower. "I mean, this year wasn't too bad for you, was it? There was that Chrismukkah miracle with the cop, and you hung your stocking and all –"

Ryan smiled gently at his friend. "Yeah, Seth, it was fine."

Seth gave a relieved sigh and smiled at Ryan. "Good. Great." He sat forward, eagerly. "And you know, the countdown has already started for next year. Only 346 more days."

"346?"

"Hanukkah comes early next year." Seth stood up and started to head for the door. "And you'll see. Chrismukkah will be even better next year."

Ryan grinned. You just couldn't keep Seth down for long. "I thought you said this year was the best Chrismukkah ever."

Seth smiled broadly. "Every year is, Ryan, every year is." And with that, Seth bounded out of the pool house, calling back, "Happy Chrismukkah, dude!"

"You, too!"

After he was gone, Ryan lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Unlike Seth, Ryan couldn't even start thinking about next year yet. Sure, this year was pretty good, entirely different, new memories like Kirsten said. But one good year did little to make up for all the bad ones. And this one wasn't all good, either. With Marissa's troubles and all. What Seth thought of as a Chrismukkah miracle (when they got stopped by the cop, and got off with just a warning) was too close a call for Ryan's comfort.

No, Ryan had enough to deal with right now, just trying to keep the demons from his past at bay. He'd think about next year, well, next year.