Disclaimer: I still don't own them and I make no money.
Note: This story is slash. You have been warned. Takes place early in the first season. Thanks to my reviewers BlueStarGirl and umlautless – you two rock!
On with chapter 4.
**************************************************************************** **************** "Check it out, instant coma in a bottle," Seth said holding up a bottle of thick, teal liquid as he entered the pool house. Ryan eyed it suspiciously for a moment before he started sneezing again. After a half a dozen rapid sneezes in a row he held his hands up motioning for Seth to toss him the bottle. Seth tossed him the bottle, which he managed to not quite catch and that just pissed Ryan off way more than it should have. Slugging back the vile stuff Ryan coughed and nearly gagged in surprise.
"Yuck! Why didn't you warn me, Seth? That's awful," Ryan said grimacing. He was suddenly reminded of the time when he was 7 and he'd accidentally drank from his mom's glass. He'd thought it was cola but it must have been about 90% alcohol. He nearly choked then wound up spitting it all over the table. That was the only time he didn't get in trouble for spilling something or making a mess since they were too busy laughing at him to care.
"Yeah, it's always bad isn't it?" Seth asked. "Oh, wait, don't tell me you managed to make it to the ripe old age of 16 without discovering the wonders of Nyquil?"
Ryan responded with a shy half smile.
"Oh, right the whole poisoning thing. Sorry. I guess I should have told you how nasty it is. Well, on the plus side you are now T minus about 15 minutes and counting till the coma hits."
"Coma?"
"The Nyquil coma, man. It's like the only way to sleep when you're sick and it kicks in really fast."
Ryan wasn't about to argue since he could swear he was already starting to feel it. It kind of reminded him of the time Trey had convinced him to do whiskey shots on an empty stomach. Well, before he'd thrown up anyway.
A few minutes later Ryan was lying on the bed with a look on his face that bordered on blissful. Seth was having an increasingly hard time staying in the chair. He knew he really didn't need to get on the bed with Ryan but he just couldn't help but feel like if he didn't he'd be passing up a perfect opportunity. He'd planned it, made up what he thought was a pretty damn good excuse and Ryan looked like he'd be cool with it. In fact, if he didn't know better, which of course he did, he'd swear Ryan had been checking him out for the past few minutes. There was just something about the way he kept glancing over, looking at Seth through lowered lashes. It wasn't exactly a "come hither" look but it sure seemed damn close to Seth from where he was sitting.
'Okay, dude. It's show time. Remember it's worth a shot,' Seth told himself.
"So Ryan," Seth began, his voice a lot more steady than his heartbeat. Ryan snapped his around and his slightly glazed eyes locked onto Seth. "I grabbed some Vicks stuff when I was in the house. Do you want to uh, or, or do you want me to um..."
Ryan just gave him a slightly confused expression but trusting nod as well. Seth plopped down to sit on the bed beside where Ryan was lying.
"So, yeah, you gotta take of your shirt." Seth said.
Ryan slowly sat up, yanked off his wife beater then flopped back bonelessly on the bed.
'Yeah, well, he's the ONLY one who's boneless here,' Seth thought as he shifted position. Yup, the second that shirt came off that was it. Seth was seriously starting to wonder if maybe he shouldn't do this.
Offering the container to Ryan, Seth asked, "Do you want to...?"
When Ryan didn't move to take it Seth silently cheered. 'Oh this is too perfect. I can't believe he's letting me do this. God, the way he's looking at me ... it's just so ... yeah, wow.'
Seth rubbed some of the eucalyptus scented stuff on his hands then slowly began running them over Ryan upper chest. 'This is SO awesome! He feels so great. So hot. Better then I'd have ever imagined. Of course this would be easier if I could straddle him but, oh man, that's just, whoa! Down boy!' Seth continued his inner chattering, gently running his hands from Ryan's neck down his chest.
Ryan couldn't believe what was happening. He wasn't sure what was in that Nyquil stuff but he just couldn't help wonder how it could be legal. 'How can I go from wanting Seth to leave me alone so I can curl up and die cause of this stupid cold to THIS? His hands are amazing. I guess all that sailing really gives you strong hands. Oh, that feels so good,' Ryan thought.
He could feel Seth's hands gentle massaging his chest. As his nose finally cleared Ryan inhaled deeply in pleasure. Seth's gentle strokes went from his neck down his chest over and over again. Ryan couldn't remember another time he was touched when it felt better than this. He looked up into Seth's face.
Seth worked his way back up Ryan's firm chest and when he reached his neck he noticed he was being watched. The look of trust and pleasure made him stop. If he was always amazed by Ryan's puppy dog expression then the effect of this look was nearly paralyzing. 'How could anyone look at ME like that?' Seth thought. Then he stopped thinking.
Seth leaned over and kissed Ryan. It was soft at first but deepened quickly. All too soon it was over and Seth felt himself pulling away for air, looking at Ryan, still too close.
"Um, I, I'm, uh, sorry I just, and I kinda, then..." Seth stammered sitting up quickly, putting a bit of distance between himself and Ryan.
"Don't do that again," Ryan warned, looking up at him.
Seth moved to get off the bed. He was about to run out of the pool house and maybe into oncoming traffic, if he could find any nearby. Ryan sat up, grabbed his wrist and stopped him.
"Germs, Seth. I don't want you getting sick too," Ryan said sincerely.
"Okay, you know what? Can you not scare a guy like that? I mean I thought you meant you didn't want me to like ever do that again. Do you? Do you want me to do that again? I mean, you know, when you're not all, um, bleck. I mean not that you're bleck or anything, far from it. But you, when your not feeling all-" Seth cut himself off. He'd gone past the point of being embarrassed and straight into mortified. Plus, he knew if he could just shut up for like five seconds he might just get an answer. Judging by the look on Ryan's face Seth suspected he just might like the answer.
"Yeah, I want you to do that again. I want you-" Ryan stopped mid-sentence letting it hang there. It was true but he felt so strange saying it. He'd spent so much time keeping himself from saying it, from saying anything. He'd tried so hard to keep from doing something like that. But Seth had done it. It wasn't what Ryan expected and it made his head spin. Of course that could have also been the Nyquil but he suspected that wasn't it. It was so strange. He hadn't done anything or said anything but here they were, having kissed Seth in his bed. By not doing anything or saying anything Ryan realized he might just have got himself in more trouble than he could handle.
"Okay, if you're cool with that then why do you have that, "I'm seriously afraid this could blow up in my face look"?"
"Seth," Ryan began, only vaguely aware that he'd changed from clutching Seth's wrist to running his hand up and down his arm. "I just ... your parents-"
"Aren't here," Seth filled in.
"I know but, when they get back," Ryan sighed and closed his eyes for a moment trying to collect his thoughts. After a moment he opened them again and looked into Seth's nervous face.
Ryan reached out, and pulled Seth to him, locking him in a deep kiss. A surprised squeek from Seth soon turned into moan and Ryan would have smiled except his lips were otherwise occupied.
Breaking away Seth took a deep breath before saying, "I thought you told me not to do that, germs and all that."
"I did. Maybe I just wanted to lead," Ryan said with a half smile. "Plus whatever I've got, I'm pretty sure you've got it too by now, since we've been together all day."
"Oh, well in that case," Seth said as he leaned forward. Ryan did the same and they found themselves yet again joined at the lips. It lasted longer this time and now Seth was certain he'd end up with Ryan's cold, considering how much time their tongues had spent on each other's mouths. 'Oh, but it's SO worth it,' Seth thought. He let his hands roam over Ryan's back and shoulders as he held him close.
When they finished he ducked his head, hiding his smile. "So, um, is this always going to be some kind of a competition thing with us?"
"Do you want it to be?" Ryan asked, a teasing half smile playing on his lips. Then he completely killed the make-out, flirty mood they had going by letting out a huge sneeze followed by several deep, nasty sounding coughs. Sniffling, Ryan gave Seth a sheepish look and apologized. "Sorry. What do you say we put this on hold for now?"
"Sounds like a plan. So, um, can I sleep in here tonight?" Seth asked hopefully. 'Wow, go me. I'm just all about the forwardness tonight,' he thought.
Ryan scooted over and made room for Seth in the bed.
"Okay, give me a minute to get changed and stuff," Seth said as he ducked out of the pool house. He was happily bouncing along when he realized what had just happened. 'Oh my God. That was amazing. I gotta go tell Ry- Oh, no wait, heh. I don't have to tell him. Wow.'
He went into the main house, a huge smile on his face and his mind going a mile a minute.
By the time Seth returned to the pool house Ryan was dozing. Hearing the door open Ryan perked up enough to mumble, "Seth, can up turn down the air before you come to bed?"
"Yeah, sure thing," Seth said heading back outside. For some strange reason the air conditioning adjustments had to be made from the outside of the pool house. 'Probably wasn't meant to have somebody living in it all the time,' Seth thought. As he walked around the side of the building he couldn't help but think how cool it was to hear Ryan so casually say, "before you come to bed." 'Man he's so cool with this. Wait, am I cool with this? Hmm. Yup. Well, THAT was a hard decision.'
Seth reached for the dial to fix the air when he noticed that it wasn't even turned on. He headed back into the pool house.
"You fix the air?" Ryan asked lazily as he rolled over to watch Seth come over to the bed from behind half lowered lids.
"Wasn't even on, man. It's not exactly cold in here you know. It's really, kinda stuffy," Seth said just then realizing the temperature in the room.
"Yeah, well, I'm freezing over here," Ryan said in almost whiney tone.
"I think we can fix that," Seth said, his voice full of new-found confidence. He got into bed beside Ryan then nudged him to roll over so his back was to him. Seth yanked up the sheets and curled around Ryan. He could feel him shivering, feel Ryan's strong back muscles flexing with each shake. Seth moved a hand up to feel Ryan's forehead and wasn't surprised how by how hot it was.
"I think you've got a fever, Ryan. Just go to sleep and if you don't feel better in the morning we'll go to the doctor's."
"No, can't go there. Can't do that, Seth," Ryan mumbled sleepily. He cuddled into Seth's warm arms. He felt comfy and safe snuggled in his warm human blanket. Seth. His Seth. HIS Seth. Ryan thought how liked the sound of that as he drifted off to sleep.
Note: This story is slash. You have been warned. Takes place early in the first season. Thanks to my reviewers BlueStarGirl and umlautless – you two rock!
On with chapter 4.
**************************************************************************** **************** "Check it out, instant coma in a bottle," Seth said holding up a bottle of thick, teal liquid as he entered the pool house. Ryan eyed it suspiciously for a moment before he started sneezing again. After a half a dozen rapid sneezes in a row he held his hands up motioning for Seth to toss him the bottle. Seth tossed him the bottle, which he managed to not quite catch and that just pissed Ryan off way more than it should have. Slugging back the vile stuff Ryan coughed and nearly gagged in surprise.
"Yuck! Why didn't you warn me, Seth? That's awful," Ryan said grimacing. He was suddenly reminded of the time when he was 7 and he'd accidentally drank from his mom's glass. He'd thought it was cola but it must have been about 90% alcohol. He nearly choked then wound up spitting it all over the table. That was the only time he didn't get in trouble for spilling something or making a mess since they were too busy laughing at him to care.
"Yeah, it's always bad isn't it?" Seth asked. "Oh, wait, don't tell me you managed to make it to the ripe old age of 16 without discovering the wonders of Nyquil?"
Ryan responded with a shy half smile.
"Oh, right the whole poisoning thing. Sorry. I guess I should have told you how nasty it is. Well, on the plus side you are now T minus about 15 minutes and counting till the coma hits."
"Coma?"
"The Nyquil coma, man. It's like the only way to sleep when you're sick and it kicks in really fast."
Ryan wasn't about to argue since he could swear he was already starting to feel it. It kind of reminded him of the time Trey had convinced him to do whiskey shots on an empty stomach. Well, before he'd thrown up anyway.
A few minutes later Ryan was lying on the bed with a look on his face that bordered on blissful. Seth was having an increasingly hard time staying in the chair. He knew he really didn't need to get on the bed with Ryan but he just couldn't help but feel like if he didn't he'd be passing up a perfect opportunity. He'd planned it, made up what he thought was a pretty damn good excuse and Ryan looked like he'd be cool with it. In fact, if he didn't know better, which of course he did, he'd swear Ryan had been checking him out for the past few minutes. There was just something about the way he kept glancing over, looking at Seth through lowered lashes. It wasn't exactly a "come hither" look but it sure seemed damn close to Seth from where he was sitting.
'Okay, dude. It's show time. Remember it's worth a shot,' Seth told himself.
"So Ryan," Seth began, his voice a lot more steady than his heartbeat. Ryan snapped his around and his slightly glazed eyes locked onto Seth. "I grabbed some Vicks stuff when I was in the house. Do you want to uh, or, or do you want me to um..."
Ryan just gave him a slightly confused expression but trusting nod as well. Seth plopped down to sit on the bed beside where Ryan was lying.
"So, yeah, you gotta take of your shirt." Seth said.
Ryan slowly sat up, yanked off his wife beater then flopped back bonelessly on the bed.
'Yeah, well, he's the ONLY one who's boneless here,' Seth thought as he shifted position. Yup, the second that shirt came off that was it. Seth was seriously starting to wonder if maybe he shouldn't do this.
Offering the container to Ryan, Seth asked, "Do you want to...?"
When Ryan didn't move to take it Seth silently cheered. 'Oh this is too perfect. I can't believe he's letting me do this. God, the way he's looking at me ... it's just so ... yeah, wow.'
Seth rubbed some of the eucalyptus scented stuff on his hands then slowly began running them over Ryan upper chest. 'This is SO awesome! He feels so great. So hot. Better then I'd have ever imagined. Of course this would be easier if I could straddle him but, oh man, that's just, whoa! Down boy!' Seth continued his inner chattering, gently running his hands from Ryan's neck down his chest.
Ryan couldn't believe what was happening. He wasn't sure what was in that Nyquil stuff but he just couldn't help wonder how it could be legal. 'How can I go from wanting Seth to leave me alone so I can curl up and die cause of this stupid cold to THIS? His hands are amazing. I guess all that sailing really gives you strong hands. Oh, that feels so good,' Ryan thought.
He could feel Seth's hands gentle massaging his chest. As his nose finally cleared Ryan inhaled deeply in pleasure. Seth's gentle strokes went from his neck down his chest over and over again. Ryan couldn't remember another time he was touched when it felt better than this. He looked up into Seth's face.
Seth worked his way back up Ryan's firm chest and when he reached his neck he noticed he was being watched. The look of trust and pleasure made him stop. If he was always amazed by Ryan's puppy dog expression then the effect of this look was nearly paralyzing. 'How could anyone look at ME like that?' Seth thought. Then he stopped thinking.
Seth leaned over and kissed Ryan. It was soft at first but deepened quickly. All too soon it was over and Seth felt himself pulling away for air, looking at Ryan, still too close.
"Um, I, I'm, uh, sorry I just, and I kinda, then..." Seth stammered sitting up quickly, putting a bit of distance between himself and Ryan.
"Don't do that again," Ryan warned, looking up at him.
Seth moved to get off the bed. He was about to run out of the pool house and maybe into oncoming traffic, if he could find any nearby. Ryan sat up, grabbed his wrist and stopped him.
"Germs, Seth. I don't want you getting sick too," Ryan said sincerely.
"Okay, you know what? Can you not scare a guy like that? I mean I thought you meant you didn't want me to like ever do that again. Do you? Do you want me to do that again? I mean, you know, when you're not all, um, bleck. I mean not that you're bleck or anything, far from it. But you, when your not feeling all-" Seth cut himself off. He'd gone past the point of being embarrassed and straight into mortified. Plus, he knew if he could just shut up for like five seconds he might just get an answer. Judging by the look on Ryan's face Seth suspected he just might like the answer.
"Yeah, I want you to do that again. I want you-" Ryan stopped mid-sentence letting it hang there. It was true but he felt so strange saying it. He'd spent so much time keeping himself from saying it, from saying anything. He'd tried so hard to keep from doing something like that. But Seth had done it. It wasn't what Ryan expected and it made his head spin. Of course that could have also been the Nyquil but he suspected that wasn't it. It was so strange. He hadn't done anything or said anything but here they were, having kissed Seth in his bed. By not doing anything or saying anything Ryan realized he might just have got himself in more trouble than he could handle.
"Okay, if you're cool with that then why do you have that, "I'm seriously afraid this could blow up in my face look"?"
"Seth," Ryan began, only vaguely aware that he'd changed from clutching Seth's wrist to running his hand up and down his arm. "I just ... your parents-"
"Aren't here," Seth filled in.
"I know but, when they get back," Ryan sighed and closed his eyes for a moment trying to collect his thoughts. After a moment he opened them again and looked into Seth's nervous face.
Ryan reached out, and pulled Seth to him, locking him in a deep kiss. A surprised squeek from Seth soon turned into moan and Ryan would have smiled except his lips were otherwise occupied.
Breaking away Seth took a deep breath before saying, "I thought you told me not to do that, germs and all that."
"I did. Maybe I just wanted to lead," Ryan said with a half smile. "Plus whatever I've got, I'm pretty sure you've got it too by now, since we've been together all day."
"Oh, well in that case," Seth said as he leaned forward. Ryan did the same and they found themselves yet again joined at the lips. It lasted longer this time and now Seth was certain he'd end up with Ryan's cold, considering how much time their tongues had spent on each other's mouths. 'Oh, but it's SO worth it,' Seth thought. He let his hands roam over Ryan's back and shoulders as he held him close.
When they finished he ducked his head, hiding his smile. "So, um, is this always going to be some kind of a competition thing with us?"
"Do you want it to be?" Ryan asked, a teasing half smile playing on his lips. Then he completely killed the make-out, flirty mood they had going by letting out a huge sneeze followed by several deep, nasty sounding coughs. Sniffling, Ryan gave Seth a sheepish look and apologized. "Sorry. What do you say we put this on hold for now?"
"Sounds like a plan. So, um, can I sleep in here tonight?" Seth asked hopefully. 'Wow, go me. I'm just all about the forwardness tonight,' he thought.
Ryan scooted over and made room for Seth in the bed.
"Okay, give me a minute to get changed and stuff," Seth said as he ducked out of the pool house. He was happily bouncing along when he realized what had just happened. 'Oh my God. That was amazing. I gotta go tell Ry- Oh, no wait, heh. I don't have to tell him. Wow.'
He went into the main house, a huge smile on his face and his mind going a mile a minute.
By the time Seth returned to the pool house Ryan was dozing. Hearing the door open Ryan perked up enough to mumble, "Seth, can up turn down the air before you come to bed?"
"Yeah, sure thing," Seth said heading back outside. For some strange reason the air conditioning adjustments had to be made from the outside of the pool house. 'Probably wasn't meant to have somebody living in it all the time,' Seth thought. As he walked around the side of the building he couldn't help but think how cool it was to hear Ryan so casually say, "before you come to bed." 'Man he's so cool with this. Wait, am I cool with this? Hmm. Yup. Well, THAT was a hard decision.'
Seth reached for the dial to fix the air when he noticed that it wasn't even turned on. He headed back into the pool house.
"You fix the air?" Ryan asked lazily as he rolled over to watch Seth come over to the bed from behind half lowered lids.
"Wasn't even on, man. It's not exactly cold in here you know. It's really, kinda stuffy," Seth said just then realizing the temperature in the room.
"Yeah, well, I'm freezing over here," Ryan said in almost whiney tone.
"I think we can fix that," Seth said, his voice full of new-found confidence. He got into bed beside Ryan then nudged him to roll over so his back was to him. Seth yanked up the sheets and curled around Ryan. He could feel him shivering, feel Ryan's strong back muscles flexing with each shake. Seth moved a hand up to feel Ryan's forehead and wasn't surprised how by how hot it was.
"I think you've got a fever, Ryan. Just go to sleep and if you don't feel better in the morning we'll go to the doctor's."
"No, can't go there. Can't do that, Seth," Ryan mumbled sleepily. He cuddled into Seth's warm arms. He felt comfy and safe snuggled in his warm human blanket. Seth. His Seth. HIS Seth. Ryan thought how liked the sound of that as he drifted off to sleep.