Disclaimer: All characters are property of Josh Schwartz and Fox.
A/N: My favourite boys and my least favouite "pasta" dish.
"You want some?" Seth asks, his arm sticking out of the pantry, Top Ramen package in hand.
Ryan shudders. "No thanks, man. I'm not hungry."
Seth emerges from the pantry and starts filling a pot with water. "Suit yourself. That's just more for me. My parents hate it, too, says it reminds them of college. I, on the other hand, love the Ramen." Seth hummed as he got a bowl from the cabinet, chopsticks from the silverware drawer.
Ryan tries to curb the wave of nausea that hit when he smells the noodles cooking. He doesn't know how to tell Seth about the time that he ate Ramen three meals a day for twenty-two days, until he could run enough errands to afford groceries. How the smell of liquor and vomit and blood and Ramen all ran together for him, smelled like Chino and his past. What broken smells like.
As he watches Seth open the flavour packet and stir, a lump rises in his throat and he knows he's not going to be able to sit here while Seth eats. "Hey, I'm going to go get something from the poolhouse. I'll be back in a minute."
Seth looks up from the stove, startled at the stress in Ryan's voice. "Hey, you feeling okay?" All the color has drained from Ryan's face.
"Yeah, I'm fine." The nausea hits Ryan hard as he runs for the poolhouse, slamming through the door and heading for the bathroom. He vomits once, twice. He leans against the sink as he brushes his teeth, then wipes his mouth as he sits down against the wall, leaning his head against the cool tile.
"Ryan?" Ryan opens his eyes and moves to stand up, but Seth is already in the bathroom and kneeling beside him.
"Are you okay, dude? Are you sick? Do I need to call Mom?"
Ryan shakes his head. "No, I'm fine. I just got a little sick. The smell…Ramen kinda makes me…" Ryan shuddered again, trying not to remember.
Seth's face fell. "Ryan, why didn't you tell me? I could've eaten something else, there's tons of cereal."
Seth lifted his hand to Ryan's forehead, his cheek, feeling for fever. "Are you sure you're okay? You're all clammy." His eyes were concerned, his forehead wrinkled, and sitting there, with Seth's hand on his face, cool and soft, Ryan shivered.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm sorry." Seth didn't move his hand from Ryan's cheek, his eyes still worried, but there was something else there, too. Ryan thought it was understanding, maybe, or realization. Affection.
When Seth leaned down and kissed him lightly on the lips, Ryan didn't move, couldn't move. Seth moved away and their eyes met again. The affection was still there, along with confusion and fear. He stared to speak, but Ryan spoke first.
"Ramen is gross. I hate the Ramen. You're going to have to brush your teeth if you're going to kiss me again."
Seth smiled, relieved. "Can I borrow your toothbrush?"