I tried my best with this one. All sick fanfics are kinda the same so mines pretty basic lol but i tried.
Happens right after Season 2 Episode 14.
Disclaimer - I don't own any characters
"Where's Ryan?" Seth asked walking into the kitchen expecting to see him at the table with a book in his hand.
"Don't think he's up yet. I even had to make my own coffee" Sandy says as he took a bite from his bagel. Sandy was used to seeing a fresh pot of coffee ready when he got back from his surf and seeing Ryan reading. It was like a routine.
"I'll go check. I have much to fill him up on" Seth says pouring a cup of coffee for Ryan and leaving
He walked in to see Ryan asleep in yesterday's clothes on the sofa. He placed the coffee down on his bedside and moved towards him "Ryan!" he said loudly.
Ryan was normally a light sleeper "Ryan" he said again shaking his shoulder.
Ryan groaned and opened his eyes "Seth?"
"Yeah. Dude beds are normally more comfortable you know" he said sitting down on it "See. So much more space" he added gesturing. Ryan was slightly pale and still a bit dazed so Seth carried on "what happened? Did you get in really late?" he asked.
Ryan looked up at him "erm yeah. I'm gonna shower" he said standing up.
*Achoo*
"Bless you"
Ryan made it all of two steps before sneezing again "bless you" Seth said again.
Ryan just groaned at his headache and walked into the bathroom before Seth got to speak. "okay then. Weird" Seth said to himself.
Ryan stood in front of the mirror for a few minutes staring at his pale face. 'Great I'm sick' he thought. His throat ached if he swallowed and he could barely breathe from his nose anymore. The last time he was sick it was because Theresa and him had spent all night by the beach in an attempt to both avoid home for a while. The memory came to an end when he sneezed again. He groaned 'at least you'll be distracted from thinking about Lindsey' he thought before finally entering the shower.
"Where's Ryan?" Kirsten asked when Seth walked in
"He's in the shower" Seth said as he grabbed his breakfast. Leaving out his thoughts on the fact that Ryan looked off.
"He must be really upset about Lindsey leaving. Did he say anything?" Kirsten asked putting the newspaper down.
"Lindsey left?" Seth said confused
"Yeah, she went back to Chicago"
"But I thought she was part of the family or whatever" Seth asked
"I guess she just needed to get away from all the drama. She just wasn't ready"
"Ugh well I can't tell him now" Seth said frustrated. He was trying to learn to be less self-centred after what Summer had told him about only thinking of himself. He had tried to wait up for Ryan last night but fell asleep and now was probably crushed about Lindsey, especially considering he put himself out there, and he defiantly wouldn't be in the mood to hear Seth's story on how Summer came running back to him.
"Tell him what honey?" Kirsten asked
"Me and Summer are back together!" he answered instantly, excited to tell someone at least.
"That's great. When? Is that what the boat in the living room was for"
"No. But oh it was perfect-" he was cut off by the door opening
"Hey Ryan. Do you want any breakfast?"
"No im-" *Ahcoo* Ryan coughed a few times before looking up slightly embarrassed
"bless you" she smiled
"thanks" he said grabbing the cereals and a bowl
"Sorry about Lindsey man. I didn't know"
Ryan shrugged "what did you want to talk about" he asked as he poured some milk over his cereals. He knew Seth had his Seth/Ryan time face earlier.
Seth considered telling Ryan about his and Summer's epic make up. How it was the perfect level of cheesiness and romance. "Nothing its fine" he said instead knowing Ryan wouldn't fully appreciate the story right now.
Ryan simply nodded and went back to the pool house with his breakfast
"wow I've never seen him so down"
"yeah me either maybe we should do something. Cheer him up somehow" Kirsten said standing up clearing the table
"Cheer who up?" Sandy asked walking in
"Ryan" Seth explained
"oh" sandy realised Ryan but be upset about Lindsey leaving. He had the worse luck, but they all knew Ryan preferred dealing with his feelings himself "Just give him some space I'm sure he'll back to himself in no time" Sandy assured
He walked over to Kirsten and wrapped his arms around her waist "honey I've made us dinner reservations for eight. A nice quiet romantic evening" Kirsten smiled. after the whole Rebecca debacle her and Sandy needed a night to bring them back together. "that sounds great sandy" she said kissing him. Both of them ignoring Seth over exaggeration of how he's blind and needs a therapist now.
"Ryan. Honey. Are you okay?" Kirsten asked walking into the pool house in the afternoon
She saw the bowl of cereal untouched on Ryan's bedside table which was near a bin overflowing with tissues. "oh honey are you sick?" she asked walking over and touching his forehead.
Ryan's eyes fluttered open from the cool feeling "Kirsten?" he whispered "I think I'm sick" he admitted half asleep. Kirsten smiled at how young he sounded and looked
"Yeah honey you feel warm. I'll bring a thermometer and some medicine okay" she said softly.
"We can't go to dinner" she said walking into the den.
"what? Kirsten I thought we were moving past everything. What happened? I know-" Kirsten cut him off by placing a hand in the air before Sandy's rant.
"No Ryan's sick"
Sandy sat up "Sick? How?"
"I don't know but he's got a slight fever. I think we should stay home"
"Honey he's a big boy I'm sure we can still go to dinner"
"We'll see based on how he's feeling" Kirsten hesitated
"I'm okay" Kirsten and Sandy turned to see Ryan walking in. He was wearing sweats and a plain white t-shirt, his hair was all over the place and his face obviously clammy.
"God kid you look awful" Sandy commented
"Thank Sandy" he said sarcastically dragging his feet "erm where do you keep the Tylenol" he asked looking around
Kirsten opened a cupboard and gave it to him "Ryan I said I'd be there in a minute you didn't have to come out here"
Ryan took the Tylenol "oh sorry" he murmured. He honestly didn't remember Kirsten coming into the pool house but now he knew who woke him up.
Seth came running down and jumped on the couch in the den. "hey dude wanna play" he asked setting up the play station, he looked up and saw Ryan "woah you look horrible"
"So I've been told" Ryan replied *achoo* *achoo* and then came a violent coughing fit that caused Kirsten to go stand behind him with a hand on his back. Once he was done he looked up to see all eyes on him concerned. "I'm going back to bed" he croaked walking out.
"I don't know if anyone's noticed. But I think he's coming down with something" Seth said busy in his game.
"wow Seth nothing gets past you" sandy commented rolling his eyes.
Once he was in the pool house Ryan ate two Tylenols and tried to go back to sleep but was having difficulty breathing because of the congestion. He made a mental note to be more grateful to his nose when he could finally breathe through it again. Breathing from his mouth was only triggering more coughs which only made his headache worse and his throat more sore.
'Like I'm not miserable enough I had to go and fall sick' he thought 'it was definitely the rain so I can blame Lindsey right. I mean she was the reason I was out in that storm.'
'Yeah but did she make you stand on the pier for an hour in the rain or fall asleep in those wet clothes' he asked himself
'I guess not but I'd sure as hell wouldn't have done it if she hadn't abandoned me'
'She didn't abandon you. Not everyone's your mum'
His mental discussion with himself came to a halt when he broke into another coughing fit. He groaned out loud. His body ached as he reached over for a tissue and blew into it, he just wished he could sew his nose close. He got under the covers and tried to warm himself up 'why is it so cold in here' he thought
"Do you want another blanket" Ryan's eyes snapped open quickly darting around the room confused. 'Did I said that out loud?'
"You're shivering" Kirsten said grabbing a blanket from the cupboard and putting on top of him. She brushed his hair back "can I check your temperature Ryan?" he knew she wouldn't leave him be until she knew
"If you promise you'll still go to dinner?" he negotiated. Kirsten smiled
"We'll see. Now open up" as much he'd like to be alone and sleep off whatever he's caught he couldn't help but be glad she was here. Ryan didn't fall sick often in Chino and when he did he had learnt, the hard way, that Dawn was no help whatsoever. If anything she probably made him feel worse with her whining about how she never wanted kids and this was why. Her whining only led to an angry boyfriend. So when he would catch anything he'd avoid home; mostly stay with Theresa.
The beep made Ryan open his eyes, even though he didn't remember closing them. Kirsten pulled it out and saw the screen flashing '102.5' "that's pretty high Ryan. Maybe we should get you to a doctor"
"No, Kirsten, really, I'm okay. It's just the flu. It'll pass" he tried convincing her.
"How's the patient?" Sandy asked walking in. Ryan was pale and shivering under the blankets. His eyes were glazed and nose was bright red.
"Not good. He has a fever. Fluids and rest. Doctors orders" Kirsten said leaving.
"Aw kid I'm sorry" sandy sighed sympathetically sitting down next to his legs
"My fault" Ryan said shrugging "I fell asleep in wet clothes" Ryan explained at Sandy's confused face
"Oh yeah well that'll do it" Sandy nodded
Kirsten walked in her hands full of supplies. "I brought you some water and 7 up. Try and keep hydrated okay" she said placing the can and bottle on the bedside beside the Tylenol. She then began wetting a towel to put on Ryan's head and bring the fever down "Kirsten you really don't have to do all this. I can just sleep it off" he said again
"Not point arguing kiddo. She's in the zone now" Sandy laughed at Ryan's attempts to stop The Kirsten.
Kirsten sat on the other side of the bed, she placed her elbow propped on the pillows and leant her head on her palm. She then placed the folded damp towel on his forehead.
He leaned into it "what time is it?" he mumbled
"Quarter to four" Sandy said checking his watch.
Ryan nodded and then was instantly asleep. Sandy and Kirsten smiled to each other. They missed out moments like this not being able to raise Ryan themselves. Even though they hated seeing the kid miserable they would savour a moment like this.
Sandy was told to stand guard and make sure Seth didn't disturb Ryan. Seth hadn't gotten so used Ryan being around that one day away made him stir crazy. Fortunately, Summer had called him and so he could take a break from listening to Seth ramble as he played video games. He went back into the pool house at half past six and smiled when he saw Kirsten fast asleep next to Ryan her hand still on his hair. They both looked so peaceful. Kirsten stirred and sat up "what time is it?" she whispered seeing Sandy standing at the door.
Before he got the chance to answer her Ryan began speaking "please stop" he whispered
"Ryan" Kirsten called.
Sandy stepped forward and Ryan began fighting against the sheets and sweating even more "no, no, no" he was chanting.
Kirsten shook him gently "Ryan, honey, wake up. It's just a dream" Ryan sat up panting
"Ryan it's okay. You're okay" Sandy said kneeling down to be at eye level with him.
"I'm gonna be sick" he said before running to the bathroom and shutting the door behind him.
"Ryan" Kirsten called again.
Kirsten tried opening the door but it was locked "Ryan" she said knocking
"Give him a second" Sandy said knowing how Ryan can be
"I'm okay" Ryan mumbled before they heard him heave again
"What could he possibly be throwing up. He hasn't eaten anything" she said, "do you think we should get him checked out?" they heard the flush and the door unlock
"I'm okay really." He assured before sneezing
"Yeah clearly" she said giving him a tissue.
"thanks" he whispered.
He was getting slightly annoyed by the lack of personal space. He hated being so vulnerable and weak in front of them. He had learnt to keep his walls high and living here had broken them down and that's how he kept getting hurt by people like Lindsey and Marissa.
"You guys go to dinner please. I'm okay" He began to make his way back to the bed but his body caught up with all the activity he had just done and his knees got weak.
Sandy saw Ryan sway and instantly ran to him. He grabbed his arm "I'm fine" Ryan spat freeing himself from Sandy's grip. And moving to the bed. He hated this, being such a burden.
"Ryan you're sick. Just let us help you a little" Sandy tried.
"I don't need it. Just go to dinner you guys" he said. He took a sip of the water wincing slightly at the pain in his throat probably from coughing so much
"is it your throat? I have-" Kirsten stopped at the glare she got from Ryan. "Okay. We're going. Call us if you need anything" Sandy said grabbing Kirsten and practically dragging her out. He crawled back under the pile of blankets. Now he felt like a jerk. They were only trying to help. He groaned.
"Why won't he just let us help him" Kirsten asked frustrated
"Ryan's not used to people hovering over him and being so vulnerable. And he's hurting right now because of Lindsey. It's just bad timing." Sandy explained
"I just – I forget how different he is from Seth. I forget he has a past. Do you think he gets nightmares often?" she asked worried
Sandy sighed "it was probably just the fever honey" knowing he had the same thought.
"How do you do it?" she asked looking at him "you've read his file. You know so much more about his past than I do. And you don't show it. All I saw was Dawn leave and it completely changed the way I saw him"
"I've seen so many kids like Ryan. So many full of potential that just get stuck with a life they don't deserve. You realise, that treating them differently, seeing them with pity or like charity cases is one of the reasons so many struggle to ask for help. Make's them feel weak and vulnerable."
"Hey, how's Ryan" Seth asked walking in
"Still sick" Kirsten answered
"You guys still going to dinner?"
Sandy looked at his watch and saw it was 7:15. They could still make it, he looked over at his wife and saw she wasn't in the mood "I don't think so" Sandy replied. 'There was no point in going if Kirsten would just worry all night and be distracted' He thought
"erm Marissa called, worried about Ryan, said she saw him in the rain last night down at the pier and now he wasn't answering his phone. And then Summer told her what I told Summer about Lindsey and him being sick. And then Marissa, even though she's with Alex, was even more worried and then Summer-"
Sandy put his hand up "Seth. The point. Please"
"Right erm they're coming over. So we can take care of Ryan, maybe cheer him up" Sandy looked over at Kirsten and she frowned. She hated the idea of leaving him right now. but she knew Ryan would blame himself for them not going to dinner.
"Okay. But you call us if anything happens. Please Seth. I'm serious"
"I know, I know mum." He turned before leaving to the pool house "he's not like super contagious right?"
Kirsten scoffed and shook her head.
"Is he puking because if I see him puking I'll puke and-"
"he's not puking Seth. Just go" Sandy laughed "wait til he's a father" he said once Seth way out
"Oh god, can you imagine little Seth's running around rambling non-stop" she groaned
"Hey Ryan" he walked in to see Ryan sitting up, leaning on the head board with his eyes closed
Ryan didn't move or open his eyes "what" he croaked
"erm how you doing buddy?"
"fine" he grunted
"Well you should tell your face because it looks horrible"
Ryan opened his eyes "what do you want Seth?"
"I figure since your bed bound and the 'rents are leaving we could have some good old Seth/Ryan time" Seth moved to the couch and sat down "and you can't avoid it. Because you're sick"
"So I know you're down in the dumps because of Lindsey and being sick doesn't help. But we're gonna cheer you up a bit okay."
*Achoo*
Ryan grabbed a tissue "We?"
"Yeah Summer's coming over. And so is erm Marissa" he hesitated not knowing how Ryan would react about Marissa.
Ryan stared at him "isn't summer in Italy?"
"Oh My God I forgot I haven't told you yet. That's so weird because I've wanted to tell you all day but then-"
Ryan lifted his eyebrows up and Seth understood
"Right the point. We're back together man. I got her back. Sorry I know it's not what you want to hear right now"
"Nah that's great man. I'm happy for you. How'd you do it? Coffee cart?"
"No she came running to me from the airport all wet in the rain and I opened the door and said, 'it's too late summer' and she said 'no Seth please I need you' and I said 'nu huh summer' and then-"
Ryan laughed before coughing
"what?"
"you expect me to believe that?"
"that's how it happened" Seth defended
"okay guys we're off" Sandy announced as they got into the pool house
"I'm sorry about before" Ryan said, his head slightly bowed
"If you're really sorry. You'll let me check your temperature before we leave" Kirsten smiled. Two can play at this game.
Ryan glared but Kirsten ignored it walking towards him and placed the thermometer in his mouth again
"The Kirsten vs Chino's glare" Seth said dramatically
"Now that's a fight I'd pay to see" Sandy laughed
'101.3' "its going down. But I want you to have a Tylenol and keep hydrated okay"
"I've got it mum don't worry" Seth said
"And call if you need something" she said again "and the doctors number is on the fridge"
They both nodded "oh and-"
"MUM!" Seth shouted
"okay, okay. I'm going" she surrendered.
Summer and Marissa showed up not too long after Sandy and Kirsten left.
"Where is he?" Marissa asked sitting down on the single couch in the den
"He was taking a shower. He should be here any second"
"So what happened?"
"Lindsey left him"
"Well I know that Cohen" she smacked him "why?"
"She went to Chicago. I think she just needed space. From everything that happened. Finding out you're a Cohen can be very overwhelming for some people. Not everyone's cut out for it"
"You shoulda seen him at the pier. I think it hit him pretty hard" Marissa said
"And now he's sick"
"Like icky sick?" Summer asked like a child
Seth laughed "I told you he was sick" he defended
"I thought you meant of girls" she said defensively "is he contagious eww"
Seth smiled "I missed you" they started making out again and Marissa rolled her eyes. She got up and went to the pool house getting bored of being the third wheel.
That second shower really did it for him. He could breathe just a little better and his headache was just a light throbbing now. Ryan walked out the bathroom with his hair wet and matted down to his forehead. He was wearing socks, sweatpants and a thick hoodie.
"Hey" he croaked
"Hi. How you feeling"
He coughed and cleared his throat as best he could "better actually"
She smiled awkwardly "I'm sorry about you and Lindsey"
He shrugged. After a moment of silence and wanting to change the topic "How's Alex?" he grinned
"I knew Seth would have told you" she laughed.
Ryan walked out ahead of her "you should see the images I have in my head.
"Hey" she laughed smacking him lightly
"Wow I shoulda brought you sooner" Seth said seeing the smile on Ryan
"Hey chino. I'd hug you. But germs" she said crinkling her nose.
He nodded smiling and sat down on the single couch and sighed. "So what're you guys doing?"
"I say we watch Spiderman. I have a new found love for it and I mean I know someone who's got quite the thing for a man in a mask" Seth said nudging summer.
"Shut up Cohen" she screeched elbowing him in the stomach and then proceeded to make out.
Ryan scoffed "if I wasn't sick before I am now" warranting a laugh from Marissa.
"We're home!" Sandy shouted walking in "Seth? Ryan?" he asked loudly
"shhhh" Summer and Seth said in unison as they looked at Ryan.
"Sorry" Sandy whispered.
There were Chinese boxes scattered around the coffee table. Marissa had left about half an hour into the first movie when Alex called her. Ryan had fallen asleep not too long after that leaving Seth and Summer to cuddle and carry on watching.
"How's he feeling?" Kirsten asked feeling his forehead
"He was doing better. We even got him to have a little soup!" Summer said like a proud mother
"That's good." She smiled "Sandy can you get him to bed"
"Okay now that you 'rents have it handled. We're gonna go up"
"Seth. Door. Open" Kirsten said as they ran up
Sandy knelt down and gently shook Ryan "Ryan" he called.
Ryan sat up sleepily "hey" he smiled
"hey kid, how about we get you to your bed" Ryan sat up and realised he was in the den.
'Oh yeah the movie' he remembered. "How was dinner?" he asked standing up slowly
"It was good. How're you feeling?" Kirsten said walking behind him and Sandy "a bit better" he admitted after a minute. His nose and throat was still giving him trouble but he felt less feverish and he hadn't coughed in the last hour. Hopefully with a couple days this would be completely gone.
Once they reached the pool house Kirsten checked his temperature once more, handed him a Tylenol "thanks" he said barely audible, his voice thick with sleep. He laid down and Kirsten smiled and brushed his hair. "I think I'm gonna stay down here a while. Why don't you go ahead" she whispered to Sandy. Sandy kissed her "I'll stay with you"