Us
by M. F. Luder
It's all in the way they handle each other.
They each have a part to play. They each have their own characters Maybe it's because they've known each other so long, so much, so deep. Or maybe it just has to be with them. Because, it's them.
For Seth, that has always been a reason.
They first kissed late at night as they sat on the edge of the pool, just talking, before it started to rain for the second time that September. When they pulled apart, thick droplets of water falling on their faces, they grinned.
Ryan couldn't help it, and asked, "Why?"
Seth just shrugged. "Because it's us," he said.
There were times when they would look at each other, and Seth would reach out to touch Ryan's forehead and ask him not to worry about their future, about his own future. Ryan never understood how Seth could know what he was thinking.
"It's us."
It was their answer.
And then, when Seth couldn't sleep and minutes later Ryan would appear in the doorway of his bedroom, shrug and climb into the bed, there would be no reasoning behind it. Seth told himself that maybe Ryan could predict Seth's insomnia because they had been watching horror movies. Still, for Seth, the answer was because it was them.
It's all in the way they glance at each other.
For Marissa, it was almost obvious when they got together. They didn't change their demeanor, or how they moved, or touched even. It was just... there.
She realized it during a Charity ball. Her mom was hosting it, and she was there because she had to be. Standing by the side of the bar, waiting for Summer to get them drinks, she saw them walk in.
Sandy and Kirsten by either side of them, both boys dressed in tuxes. There had always been something that drew her to Ryan. It had more to do with than the bad boy image. There was this something about him that was special, and it called out to her.
However, and she was the first one to acknowledge this, they weren't good for each other. As Summer had said one day, they just didn't fit.
And then, she saw it.
Ryan whispered something into Seth's ear, and Seth nodded, following his parents. Seth lifted his chin, smiling at Ryan. Ryan ducked his head, shaking his head.
And she saw it.
It was there.
When Summer arrived at her side, and then Ryan joined them, she couldn't help but grin. Marissa smiles at the memory as she sees them jumping out of Kirsten's car. They don't hold hands, they don't kiss in public. They are just them. Ryan chuckles, Seth shrugs, grinning.
And when they gaze into each other's eyes, Marissa sees it again.
It's all in the way they are
They sit in front of each other, the space between their crossed legs filled with wrapping paper and boxes of all sizes. Their parents' anniversary is in two days, and they've been getting presents for the past three weeks. At the end, they've decided on five items, each one of them more perfect that the one before.
"I'm telling you dude, we should have gotten them the espresso machine."
Ryan raises an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Why? Why?" Seth rolls his eyes. "Why? Dude, it's so obvious. Like, yeah, totally obvious. Really obvious dude."
"Then enlighten me."
"Because..." Seth frowns. "Well, I think they would have liked it. Yeah, that's it."
"The coffee maker works just fine."
"Dude, you're ruining the atmosphere here."
"And what's the atmosphere?"
Seth doesn't say anything, just leans over and kisses Ryan. Ryan can only smile. "This."
Ryan snorts, closing his eyes slowly as he leans in for another kiss.
Seth is tender and charming, nice and sweet, gentle and loving, all those things Ryan never dreamed of. Ryan is quick and forceful, strong and logical, confident and protective, possessive and overwhelming, things Seth never thought could be found in one single person.
And, together, they are tender and forceful, logical and sweet, confident and loving, possessive and overwhelming.
They are one, but they used to be two. Their love is not practical, nor is it usual or normal. Their love is just theirs, and it's great and perfect the way it is.
Their love can be summed up in one word: us.
Finished: May 23rd, 2004.