Title: All your choices

Disclaimer: I don't own these boys. I would make good use of them though if I did.

Credit: Billy Joel's- Don't Ask me Why

Summary: In this fic Ryan and Seth have an established relationship that no one knows about. They also have their canon relationships that we all unfortunately know about. With all the love triangles going around what will become of Ryan and Seth? (Takes place at the Rooney show.)

A/N: I left this open for more chapters. (that is why nothing gets resolved) If you like- tell me and maybe I will be motivated to make this my first OC series. As usual please forgive any mistakes.

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The sounds of bass and electric guitar resounded through brick and steel. Ryan Atwood leaned against the heavy door of the club's back exit. He made a silent list of all the decisions that he or others had made to get him here. The clean, crisp California air was a welcome respite after the smoky confines of the random bar. Ryan hated crowds.

He was out here now listening to muffled rock because Marissa had told him he could leave. The relief that he had felt at that statement of release was temporary. It did little to lighten the dark mood that had plagued him for the last few days. He could think of nothing that would. Sighing, he pushed himself off the door and began walking toward the parking lot.

"Where are you going?" a warm and familiar voice called from behind.

Leave it to Seth to follow him. It would work out that way. His girlfriend told him to take a hike and his - whatever the hell Seth was - chases him down. "Shouldn't you be with Anna? Or Summer? Or in this case Anna AND Summer?" His voice held more venom than was intended or deserved.

Seth looked around, an amusing confusion painted on kind features. Turning around in a full circle he stopped when he was once again face to face with Ryan. "Dude what did I do?"

Ryan slowly massaged his left shoulder with his right hand. He tried to force himself to relax but his head continued to throb. "Nothing. I'm just tired of everyone I care about - caring about - so many people."

Seth's eyes rounded melodramatically. "Oh yes - cause you dude - you are a one woman man. Or are you a one man man? I'm still not too clear on that." Sticking his hands in his back pockets Seth began to close the distance between them. "Because you seem pretty enamored of Marissa at the moment but last night..." Seth stopped a hair's breath away from broody countenance. "Well let's just say if you were faking - Meg Ryan has got nothing on you."

Ryan blushed. Seth's bravado, which he usually encouraged, this time only pissed him off more. "Well at least I've limited myself to one of each. You and Marissa just keep picking up stragglers along the way."

Seth shrugged. "Well I won't speak for Marissa, cause although we do share the same taste in music and men, -don't know what the heck she is thinking. But you know if my case, maybe if we weren't the stuff of shame and secrets I wouldn't be wasting my time with the fairer sex."

Ryan rolled his eyes and gave up on his shoulder. The tension was not going anywhere if they had to have this conversation again. Sometimes Seth seemed to think "coming out" was easy, like it came with a cool wardrobe and your own T.V show. Stepping back he glanced to the left. He couldn't look at Seth while he intentionally picked a fight. "Yeah well Seth, I know your parents are rich but I think the tire bills would get annoying."

Predictably Seth sighed. Any reminder of Luke's Big Gay Dad crushed his spirit.

Ryan took in the look of hopelessness and suddenly felt like something you would scrape off a shoe. He really had no right to take out his Marissa anger on Seth. Seth might take the shit but he didn't deserve it. Seth had been trying to spend time with him for days, not getting rid of him the first chance he got.

"Whatever," Seth continued. He must have sensed Ryan's guilt. Or maybe he didn't and it was just Seth's stubborn refusal to give up. "So back to my original question - why with the sudden exit stage left? Or is this the right side of the building. You know I was never really good with spacial..."

"I wasn't feeling very well." Ryan lied to stop the ramble. Seth sentences had a way of swirling around forever like water down a semi-clogged drain.

Seth looked less than convinced. "One too many Mt. Dews? Yeah, caffeine is a bitch. I had like six once in an hour and a half. It was my Bar Mitzvah actually. No lingering side effects but while I was under the influence I got really chatty."

The laugh was unexpected. Ryan felt it rumble up from somewhere down deep. It overwhelmed him making him forget momentarily the claustrophobia of the club.

"What?" Seth asked indignant.

Checking to make sure they were still alone, Ryan stepped into the personal space of his curly headed friend. He placed one hand under the ugly 80's jacket and the other against the hideous 80's tie. "You? Can be more chatty? That I gotta see."

Seth smacked Ryan's hand away from the tie and placed his hands on Ryan's hips. "I thought you liked it better when my mouth was shut."

Ryan cut his eyes. "I like it when you are quiet -sometimes- but I have no complaints with anything you do with your open mouth."

Seth blushed this time.

Ryan took the opportunity to go in for a kiss. He kissed Seth deeply until both of their bodies felt the heat all the way to their toes. Reaching into Seth's pocket he caressed hardening body briefly. He broke away when Seth moaned bringing the car keys with him. This was not the time or place.

"Hey!" Seth whined.

Ryan smiled. He knew at some point this would have to stop. But tonight he didn't have the energy. "Can you and Anna get a ride home with Summer?"

Seth nodded sadly. "What about Marissa?"

Ryan knew that Marissa would get a ride home with Oliver. And for the first time tonight he didn't care. Ryan reached up to cup Seth's face in his palm. Tilting his head to the side he licked his lips watching as Seth mimicked the gesture. He leaned in letting his nose tickle the side of Seth's face. Laughing he whispered "Maybe she can get a ride with the band."

As Ryan walked away from the music and the moment, he couldn't help but think they lived in a world full of beautiful choices. It was no wonder they couldn't make up their minds. He hoped in the end they would all make the right decisions.