the short road

Ryan is beautiful. It's not the first time Seth has thought this and, if his time aching after Summer is any indication, it won't be the last. Seth has thought long and hard about beauty throughout his life and Ryan has it, in spades.

Even in jeans that are too baggy for such a finely toned body, even in a white wifebeater shirt that's too common for the refined soul found within, it's still a treat for Seth to see Ryan's bare feet peeking out from beneath the frayed jean bottoms, to see those soft patches of skin that make Ryan so breathtakingly perfect in his eyes.

Not only a beautiful person, but, more importantly, a beautiful friend.

Seth hasn't had a lot of experience with friendship. But he knows the real thing when he has it and with Ryan, it's the real thing. Ryan is Seth's best friend, his confidante, protector and more. He knows that Ryan has his back, which makes Seth only more willing to make sure his best, his only, friend has his.

There is no mountain too high, no river too wide, that if they're together, they can't conquer. Ryan knows it too and Seth looks forward to their future journey together, wherever it leads.

He doesn't care where as long as it's them, together, always.

For the first time in Seth's existence, there's no part of another's life that's off-limits to him. He can slip into the pool house at three a.m., just to soothe his wandering mind ... no problem. He can lay down beside Ryan on the long, black futon, elbow arched beneath his head, laughing softly at Ryan's quiet jokes.

He can borrow Ryan's clothes, sort of ... not that he has too.

If anything, material possessions aren't something Seth Cohen lacks.

It's the warmth of Ryan's friendship ... his love ... he craves. The warmth of Ryan's body snuggled against his as they watch the lights reflect off the pool water, the warmth of stolen wine against their lips, and Ryan shaking his head, thinking of all the trouble they'll get in if Kirsten discovers the missing Merlot.

They can talk for hours. Important things, like the way Ryan stopped Luke's bleeding when he was shot, as well as not-so-important things, like if Superman or the Flash could win a race running across the world.

They can be comfortable in silence, something Seth has never known with anyone else. They can be comfortable looking into each others' eyes, reading the secrets within.

They can be comfortable kissing ... touching ... long into the night. Kisses that are hotter than the California sun, giving light to the darkest corners of Seth's battered soul. It's been a hard, long road through this life for Seth, but discovering Ryan ... that's made it all worth it.

Ryan is so beautiful. Inside and out.

He's worth the years of pain discovery might bring. Seth's not sure his parents would understand what he and Ryan have, but then again, they never really knew his needs. To be accepted for who he was, to be understood ... to be loved.

Ryan is his symbol of hope. That all the world isn't like the cruel little town that's choked him since birth. That there's a place for him, and Ryan, somewhere. Where they can live freely, without the constraints of an unforgiving world breathing down their necks.

Thinking about it, Seth smiles. Ryan sits next to him, smiling as well, touching Seth's hand, keeping watch over the night. There's love there, love in the darkness and the power Ryan has, it's returned ten-fold by the power he lets Seth have over him.

They kiss, then grin at one another ... knowing.

It's a short walk to forever from here and Seth Cohen is more than ready for the trip.