Fic - The OC - Another Day (Chapter Seven)
Oct. 1st, 2006 12:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
missmara13Title: Another Day (Chapter Seven)
Author: Mara
Rating: R
Warnings: Language. Discussion of Suicide and Depression. AU. Spoilers for Seasons 1 to 3, especially the Season 3 finale. Possibly sex and violence in later chapters.
Summary: Ryan tries to move on with his life, but it's not always easy. Good thing he still has the Cohens and Summer to help him.
Chapter Seven
It was almost 3 in the morning when Ryan went out to his rover to make a call. He took a seat in the passenger seat, so he could comfortably stretch his legs out in front of him, and dialed his cell. "Pick up," he mumbled as the phone rang.
"Better be good," came a groggy voice as the phone was answered.
"Nice phone manners," Ryan replied with a slight smile.
"Hey, little brother," Trey said, his voice going from groggy and annoyed to awake and concerned in an instant. "What's up? You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," Ryan said. "Been on Winter break awhile already."
"Uh-huh..." Trey said, clearly not buying Ryan's explaination of everything being fine.
"Okay, I... I'm arguing with Seth, but then sometimes I'm not, and it's driving me crazy so I thought I'd call the brother who actually gives me a chance to talk sometimes."
"Wait, he's not ignoring you anymore?" Trey said.
"No, we talked that out," Ryan said. "Now I'm ignoring him most of the time."
"Why?"
"He cheated on Summer. With 3 different girls. And Summer is one of those few people who I trust completely, and who's been there for me, and it pisses me off that he couldn't handle being a couple hours away from her."
"He's an ass," Trey said, and Ryan could almost hear his brother's shrug.
"That was Summer's assesment."
"She's a smart girl."
"But neither of us can bring ourselves to hate him, which makes it really hard," Ryan continued. "I tried having a conversation with him tonight, told him up front he wasn't to mention Summer or that whole situation or I'd kick him out of my rover. But sure enough, he brought it up." Ryan sighed and shook his head as he settled further into the seat and pulled his legs up against his chest. "Did I wake you up?" he asked.
"Nah, I always answer the phone sounding half asleep," Trey replied with a snort.
"Sorry."
"You know you can call me anytime, Ry," Trey said quickly. "I've been a lousy brother, but... you can call me anytime you need me."
"I have some good news."
"Oh yeah?"
"Sometime after break ends, I'm gonna get an apartment in LA. Start spending the occasional night there, and next fall I wanna be living in LA most of the time, just coming home on the weekends and breaks."
"That's great," Trey said. "You ready for that?"
"Yeah, I think so," Ryan said. "Kirsten and Sandy are okay with it, and they aren't being so..."
"Suffocating?"
"Yeah."
"Anything happen between you and nude girl since the last time we talked?"
"I knew you were going to ask that," Ryan said, laughing. "And the answer is no, because I'm not interested in her."
"It pains me to know my brother has given up on girls," Trey joked.
"Not forever," Ryan said. "I'm just... I don't know if I'm ready."
"How are you suppose to know?" Trey asked.
"I think I just will. One day, I'll look at a girl, and I'll know."
Trey was quiet for a minute. "I worry about you sometimes, little brother," he finally said quietly. "You take too much responsibility for stuff that isn't your problem, and it scares me that you're not even gonna realize how bad it is until it's too late."
"Kirsten and Sandy keep a close eye on me," Ryan replied.
"And when you're spending more time away from them?" Trey asked.
"Summer has already made it her mission to have at least have coffee with me every afternoon," Ryan said. "And she's already invited herself to hang out at my place all the time, even though there isn't a place yet."
"Good," Trey said. "I wish I could be there, too. I know it's better if I don't come, because seeing me will bring up issues that talking to me doesn't. But I... I still want to be there."
"I'm more worried about the fact that if you came back to California, you're more likely to get spotted and arrested," Ryan countered. "You've still got warrants out on you."
"Always the responsible one," Trey said with a snort.
Ryan smiled slightly. "I'm gonna wanna see you someday, Trey. I'm gonna be able to handle it, and I want us to be okay again. I want my brother back."
"I'm gonna be ready when you are," Trey promised. "I know I've said it before, but I'm gonna say it again. I'm clean, I'm not even drinking anymore, and I'm not gonna start that shit again. I'm gonna stay clean now."
"I trust you."
"You always have," Trey replied. "Even when I didn't deserve it. But I'm making sure I do deserve it this time. I'm not gonna screw up again."
"So, what about you?" Ryan asked. "Anything new with you?"
"I'm kinda seeing a girl," Trey admitted. "Met her in NA. Gone out with her a couple times, had dinner, she talked me into going with her to her mom's for Christmas dinner."
"Seriously?" Ryan asked.
"Yeah, except I keep confusing her by calling it 'Chrismukkah' because a couple weeks with your family was enough to warp my brain."
Ryan laughed. "Have you explained about the whole your little brother's foster family are a bunch of weirdos?"
"Eh, I'm saving that until I slip and call it that at dinner, so I only have to explain it once," Trey said.
"Good plan," Ryan agreed. "So, you're doing good?"
"Yeah, pretty good," Trey said. "I got a different job, waiter at this restraunt. Tips are good."
"Good," Ryan said. "So, I guess I should let you get back to sleep."
"I can make do with only a couple hours," Trey said. "You know that better than anyone."
"You remember when you used to sleep sitting next to my bed after AJ or one of Dawn's other asshole boyfriends beat the crap out of me?"
Trey was quiet for a long moment. "Yeah, I do," he finally said. "That was as much for me as for you, Ry. I didn't wanna leave you because I was scared you'd be gone when I came back."
"I wouldn't have left you, Trey," Ryan said. "Just like... even when Dawn kicked you out, you were still there for me. I mean, god, you never said it, but I knew. We were stealing the car that night because we were getting out of there, we were gonna take off."
"I knew, Ry," Trey said. "I knew what AJ did the week before. 'Turo told me about the yelling, and how Theresa brought you back over and you had bruises all over your back. I couldn't leave you there anymore. I'd been trying to save the money and buy a car, but I found out what happened, and I saw the Camaro earlier in the day, and... I knew. It was a sign."
"I would have been fine sharing a shitty Chino apartment with you, Trey."
"Nah, it worked out for the best. You got a good family, one that loves you and doesn't hit you. Man, my little brother graduated high school, and now he's in college."
Ryan smiled. "First Atwood to manage that, huh?"
"Hell yeah, and that's why I'm so fucking proud of you that I brag. Non-stop. Nina knows all about my kid brother the braniac."
"I wanna meet her someday," Ryan said.
"You will," Trey said. "When it's... when it's good for you."
"I'll let you get back to sleep," Ryan said again. "I just... I needed to hear your voice, vent a few things, find out how you're doing."
"Call me anytime, little brother," Trey said. "I don't care how late... or how early... it is. You call me and I'll be here to talk and to listen."
"Thanks, Trey," Ryan replied. "Night."
"Night. Take care."
Ryan ended the call and got out of the rover to head back inside, resetting the alarm once he had the door closed again.
"Everything okay?" Sandy asked, startling him.
"What?" Ryan asked, the question not registering at first. "Yeah, everything's fine. I just... I wanted to make a call in private, without worrying about Seth barging in."
"At 3 in the morning?" Sandy asked. "Have you slept at all?"
Ryan sighed. "Not really. Too wired. But the call helped."
"You wanna tell me who?"
"Trey," Ryan replied bluntly. "I just... with all the fighting between me and Seth lately, I wanted to touch base with Trey, make sure he's doing okay."
"How is he?"
"He's good," Ryan said, smiling. "Sounded really good. Sober. I don't know if I've thanked you for finding him for me, when I was in the hospital."
"I thought maybe he could help us bring you back," Sandy said.
"Yeah, well, you didn't have to give me his number after I started getting better," Ryan said. "You could have pretended you lost it."
"That wouldn't have been right," Sandy said. "Go get some sleep, tomorrow's the day before Chrismukkah, and you know how Seth's going to be."
"Can I wear earplugs all day?" Ryan asked with a quiet chuckle as he started upstairs.
"Only if you have enough for Kirsten and me, too," Sandy replied.
To Be Continued...
Author: Mara
Rating: R
Warnings: Language. Discussion of Suicide and Depression. AU. Spoilers for Seasons 1 to 3, especially the Season 3 finale. Possibly sex and violence in later chapters.
Summary: Ryan tries to move on with his life, but it's not always easy. Good thing he still has the Cohens and Summer to help him.
Chapter Seven
It was almost 3 in the morning when Ryan went out to his rover to make a call. He took a seat in the passenger seat, so he could comfortably stretch his legs out in front of him, and dialed his cell. "Pick up," he mumbled as the phone rang.
"Better be good," came a groggy voice as the phone was answered.
"Nice phone manners," Ryan replied with a slight smile.
"Hey, little brother," Trey said, his voice going from groggy and annoyed to awake and concerned in an instant. "What's up? You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," Ryan said. "Been on Winter break awhile already."
"Uh-huh..." Trey said, clearly not buying Ryan's explaination of everything being fine.
"Okay, I... I'm arguing with Seth, but then sometimes I'm not, and it's driving me crazy so I thought I'd call the brother who actually gives me a chance to talk sometimes."
"Wait, he's not ignoring you anymore?" Trey said.
"No, we talked that out," Ryan said. "Now I'm ignoring him most of the time."
"Why?"
"He cheated on Summer. With 3 different girls. And Summer is one of those few people who I trust completely, and who's been there for me, and it pisses me off that he couldn't handle being a couple hours away from her."
"He's an ass," Trey said, and Ryan could almost hear his brother's shrug.
"That was Summer's assesment."
"She's a smart girl."
"But neither of us can bring ourselves to hate him, which makes it really hard," Ryan continued. "I tried having a conversation with him tonight, told him up front he wasn't to mention Summer or that whole situation or I'd kick him out of my rover. But sure enough, he brought it up." Ryan sighed and shook his head as he settled further into the seat and pulled his legs up against his chest. "Did I wake you up?" he asked.
"Nah, I always answer the phone sounding half asleep," Trey replied with a snort.
"Sorry."
"You know you can call me anytime, Ry," Trey said quickly. "I've been a lousy brother, but... you can call me anytime you need me."
"I have some good news."
"Oh yeah?"
"Sometime after break ends, I'm gonna get an apartment in LA. Start spending the occasional night there, and next fall I wanna be living in LA most of the time, just coming home on the weekends and breaks."
"That's great," Trey said. "You ready for that?"
"Yeah, I think so," Ryan said. "Kirsten and Sandy are okay with it, and they aren't being so..."
"Suffocating?"
"Yeah."
"Anything happen between you and nude girl since the last time we talked?"
"I knew you were going to ask that," Ryan said, laughing. "And the answer is no, because I'm not interested in her."
"It pains me to know my brother has given up on girls," Trey joked.
"Not forever," Ryan said. "I'm just... I don't know if I'm ready."
"How are you suppose to know?" Trey asked.
"I think I just will. One day, I'll look at a girl, and I'll know."
Trey was quiet for a minute. "I worry about you sometimes, little brother," he finally said quietly. "You take too much responsibility for stuff that isn't your problem, and it scares me that you're not even gonna realize how bad it is until it's too late."
"Kirsten and Sandy keep a close eye on me," Ryan replied.
"And when you're spending more time away from them?" Trey asked.
"Summer has already made it her mission to have at least have coffee with me every afternoon," Ryan said. "And she's already invited herself to hang out at my place all the time, even though there isn't a place yet."
"Good," Trey said. "I wish I could be there, too. I know it's better if I don't come, because seeing me will bring up issues that talking to me doesn't. But I... I still want to be there."
"I'm more worried about the fact that if you came back to California, you're more likely to get spotted and arrested," Ryan countered. "You've still got warrants out on you."
"Always the responsible one," Trey said with a snort.
Ryan smiled slightly. "I'm gonna wanna see you someday, Trey. I'm gonna be able to handle it, and I want us to be okay again. I want my brother back."
"I'm gonna be ready when you are," Trey promised. "I know I've said it before, but I'm gonna say it again. I'm clean, I'm not even drinking anymore, and I'm not gonna start that shit again. I'm gonna stay clean now."
"I trust you."
"You always have," Trey replied. "Even when I didn't deserve it. But I'm making sure I do deserve it this time. I'm not gonna screw up again."
"So, what about you?" Ryan asked. "Anything new with you?"
"I'm kinda seeing a girl," Trey admitted. "Met her in NA. Gone out with her a couple times, had dinner, she talked me into going with her to her mom's for Christmas dinner."
"Seriously?" Ryan asked.
"Yeah, except I keep confusing her by calling it 'Chrismukkah' because a couple weeks with your family was enough to warp my brain."
Ryan laughed. "Have you explained about the whole your little brother's foster family are a bunch of weirdos?"
"Eh, I'm saving that until I slip and call it that at dinner, so I only have to explain it once," Trey said.
"Good plan," Ryan agreed. "So, you're doing good?"
"Yeah, pretty good," Trey said. "I got a different job, waiter at this restraunt. Tips are good."
"Good," Ryan said. "So, I guess I should let you get back to sleep."
"I can make do with only a couple hours," Trey said. "You know that better than anyone."
"You remember when you used to sleep sitting next to my bed after AJ or one of Dawn's other asshole boyfriends beat the crap out of me?"
Trey was quiet for a long moment. "Yeah, I do," he finally said. "That was as much for me as for you, Ry. I didn't wanna leave you because I was scared you'd be gone when I came back."
"I wouldn't have left you, Trey," Ryan said. "Just like... even when Dawn kicked you out, you were still there for me. I mean, god, you never said it, but I knew. We were stealing the car that night because we were getting out of there, we were gonna take off."
"I knew, Ry," Trey said. "I knew what AJ did the week before. 'Turo told me about the yelling, and how Theresa brought you back over and you had bruises all over your back. I couldn't leave you there anymore. I'd been trying to save the money and buy a car, but I found out what happened, and I saw the Camaro earlier in the day, and... I knew. It was a sign."
"I would have been fine sharing a shitty Chino apartment with you, Trey."
"Nah, it worked out for the best. You got a good family, one that loves you and doesn't hit you. Man, my little brother graduated high school, and now he's in college."
Ryan smiled. "First Atwood to manage that, huh?"
"Hell yeah, and that's why I'm so fucking proud of you that I brag. Non-stop. Nina knows all about my kid brother the braniac."
"I wanna meet her someday," Ryan said.
"You will," Trey said. "When it's... when it's good for you."
"I'll let you get back to sleep," Ryan said again. "I just... I needed to hear your voice, vent a few things, find out how you're doing."
"Call me anytime, little brother," Trey said. "I don't care how late... or how early... it is. You call me and I'll be here to talk and to listen."
"Thanks, Trey," Ryan replied. "Night."
"Night. Take care."
Ryan ended the call and got out of the rover to head back inside, resetting the alarm once he had the door closed again.
"Everything okay?" Sandy asked, startling him.
"What?" Ryan asked, the question not registering at first. "Yeah, everything's fine. I just... I wanted to make a call in private, without worrying about Seth barging in."
"At 3 in the morning?" Sandy asked. "Have you slept at all?"
Ryan sighed. "Not really. Too wired. But the call helped."
"You wanna tell me who?"
"Trey," Ryan replied bluntly. "I just... with all the fighting between me and Seth lately, I wanted to touch base with Trey, make sure he's doing okay."
"How is he?"
"He's good," Ryan said, smiling. "Sounded really good. Sober. I don't know if I've thanked you for finding him for me, when I was in the hospital."
"I thought maybe he could help us bring you back," Sandy said.
"Yeah, well, you didn't have to give me his number after I started getting better," Ryan said. "You could have pretended you lost it."
"That wouldn't have been right," Sandy said. "Go get some sleep, tomorrow's the day before Chrismukkah, and you know how Seth's going to be."
"Can I wear earplugs all day?" Ryan asked with a quiet chuckle as he started upstairs.
"Only if you have enough for Kirsten and me, too," Sandy replied.
To Be Continued...
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2006-10-02 01:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-04 11:01 pm (UTC)AMAZING !!!!!
Date: 2006-10-22 04:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-25 04:47 am (UTC)Okay, the last part sounded too gooey so I better go and read the next chapter.
no subject
Date: 2006-10-25 05:13 am (UTC)