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Landslide
by bigboobedcanuck

Chapter Ten

Thanks once again to everyone for all the feedback and support, this is the best fandom evah. *g*

[ * ]

Bright woke gradually, slipping back into dreams a few times before fully opening his eyes. He blinked and focused on the head of brown hair resting on the pillow beside him. He flexed his arms, which were curled around the body pressing into his chest.

Everything came flooding back in a rush of image and smell and sound and taste. A twisting steering wheel and expensive steak and ears ringing in a crush of bodies and the blare of country music and anger and laughter and Ephram’s tangy sweat on his tongue as he sank deeper and deeper into him.

A thrill ricocheted through his body as he remembered. Ephram was still sleeping, his back pressed against Bright’s chest, their legs entangled. Bright felt his dick stiffen as he remembered the heat of Ephram’s body surrounding him: his laboured breathing, his trembling lips, his grunts and moans. He could hardly believe that they’d actually done it. He’d been inside someone else. At it was Ephram Brown, of all people.

And he remembered what Ephram had said after.

Of course, Bright had said it first, but his heart still beat a bit faster when he remembered Ephram’s serious expression. He’d reached up and touched Bright’s hair and face, like he was memorizing him, or something.

Bright tightened his arms around Ephram’s body, drawing him even closer. He kissed the back of his neck softly. Ephram stirred and muttered something Bright couldn’t make out.

“Morning,” Bright said, as he kissed Ephram’s shoulder. Ephram groaned slightly and stretched his legs. Bright caressed Ephram’s stomach in big, lazy strokes. Finally, Ephram turned in his arms and stretched out flat on his back.

Bright propped himself up on his elbow and said, “Hey.” Ephram grunted, his eyes still closed. “Well, someone’s just a pleasure in the morning,” Bright said, laughing. Ephram yawned and licked his lips. Bright swooped down and kissed him soundly.

Ephram yelped in surprise, but soon his tongue darted out to wrestle with Bright’s. They kissed deeply, their limbs coming to life again, muscles extending and then wrapping around each other again. After a few minutes, Bright pulled back and rested his head on his hand, lying on his side.

Ephram opened his eyes and smiled. “Hey.”

“He speaks! I was beginning to worry,” Bright said with a wink.

“Sorry, I’m pretty nonverbal when I first wake up.” Ephram stretched again and winced slightly.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Bright felt a stab of guilt. He knew that what they’d done had been painful for Ephram.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just a bit sore, it feels…I dunno. Weird,” Ephram said, and a blush coloured his cheeks.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Bright bit his lip and rubbed Ephram’s chest gently.

“I know, it’s not your fault.” Ephram smiled reassuringly and pulled Bright’s head down for another kiss. When they broke apart, Bright shifted down and laid his head on Ephram’s chest. He listened to the sure and steady heartbeat below his ear. Ephram’s arms wrapped around his back securely.

“So, this is pretty cool. Waking up together.” The words rumbled in Ephram’s chest.

“Yeah. It’s so…I don’t know. Grown up,” Bright said.

“It’s weird, you know.”

“What?”

“This. This whole thing. I mean, I always liked girls. I just...never thought about the possibility of something else. But now that seems so long ago. Like someone else’s life.” Ephram drew absent patterns on Bright’s back with his fingertips.

“You’re not sorry, are you?” Bright held his breath, as Ephram’s chest expanded.

“No. I’m not sorry at all. It’s just…surprising. It’s weird that you can think you know everything, but not even know yourself.”

Bright raised his head and peered up, his chin resting on Ephram’s chest. “Yeah, I know what you mean.” He lowered his ear to Ephram’s chest once more. He took a deep breath, and asked, “Did you like it?”

“What? Liking girls?”

“No, last night. Did…did you like it?” Bright’s stomach tightened as he waited for Ephram’s response.

Ephram tugged Bright upwards until they were eye to eye, their faces close together on the pillow. “Yeah, I liked it. Don’t you know that? I mean…couldn’t you tell?”

Bright stammered and licked his lips. “Well…I…I knew that I was hurting you, but it felt so awesome…I could barely even think about anything else. I just wasn’t sure how it felt for you. I mean, I thought you liked it, but I…I just wanted to make sure.”

“It felt…painful at first. Really painful. But then…but then it started to feel good, too. It was like both pleasure and pain, at the same time. It was…amazing. I can still feel you there,” Ephram said, ducking his head.

“Do you want to show me? I mean, what it feels like?” Bright felt strangely nervous.

Ephram looked up and exhaled a shaky breath. “You sure?”

Bright’s heart began beating a bit faster, and his skin tingled where they touched. “Yeah, I’m very sure.” They kissed again, and soon they were breathing hard, their hands roaming and cocks hard.

Bright rolled over on his stomach and when Ephram was finally inside him, he thought he might break in two. But Ephram’s hand held onto his, and his breath was in his ear, and their sweat combined in the slippery confusion, and Bright knew that he was whole.

----------------------------

There was a firm, loud knock on the door, and Ephram jolted awake. He heard Bright gasp beside him, and they looked at each other with wide eyes.

“Who do you think it is?” Bright whispered.

Ephram was about to reply when the knock came again, followed by a stern voice. “Housekeeping. Check-out time was noon.”

They both peered over at the clock on the nightstand, which read twenty after one. “Shit!” Ephram rubbed his face and sat up straight. He cleared his throat and spoke loudly. “Sorry, we overslept. We’ll be out as soon as we can.” There was some indistinct grumbling from the hallway, and then silence.

Ephram looked over at Bright and they dissolved into giggles. “Man, for a second I was thinking that it was our dads out there,” Bright said.

“Oh my god, don’t even joke, Abbott.” Ephram shook his head, trying to clear the cobwebs. They’d fallen asleep again after…after they’d had sex. Again. Ephram smiled to himself as he remembered it. It had been unreal to actually be inside Bright, to feel him so closely. He was sure that it had been awkward and not exactly the most commanding sexual performance ever, but it had still been pretty amazing.

Ephram leaned over and kissed Bright slowly. “Good afternoon.”

“Dude, if you keep kissing me, we’re never going to get out of this hotel room.”

“Mmm. Tell me again why that’s a bad thing?” Ephram sucked and nibbled at Bright’s neck.

“Uh, the hotel’s going to charge another night to your dad’s credit card and he’ll want to know what we were doing to miss the check-out time.”

Ephram sighed heavily and pulled back. “You make a good point. Okay, let’s get out of here.”

“We definitely need a shower,” Bright said, as he stood and stretched his arms over his head. “Think you can keep your hands to yourself?” He bounded into the bathroom and Ephram heard the water turn on.

He eased himself up off the bed and padded over to the bathroom. Bright was already in the shower, and Ephram stood for a moment, watching his shadow behind the frosted glass. His stomach did that girly fluttering thing and he thought about the fact that Bright had said he loved him. And that he had said it back.

His life was officially unrecognizable, yet he didn’t want to change a thing. He got in and closed the door behind him with a thunk.

Bright pulled him under the spray of the hot water and, despite his challenge to Ephram, was soon kissing him languidly. Ephram ran his hands up and down Bright’s broad back and over his firm ass. His fingers danced lower, and Bright hissed in discomfort.

“Sorry. Hurts a bit, huh?” Ephram didn’t like the idea of causing Bright pain, and he knew just what he was feeling.

“Yeah, but it’s no big deal. Like you said, it’s normal.” Bright opened a bottle of shampoo and lathered Ephram’s hair. “Besides, it was so worth it.”

Ephram poured the shampoo into his own hand and went to work on Bright’s curls. “Yeah, totally.”

They smiled, and took turns rinsing under the water. Ephram closed his eyes and wondered if his father would notice the extra day’s charge on his card after all.

------------------------

As they drove back into Everwood, Bright sighed loudly.

“Home sweet home,” Ephram said, sardonically.

“Yeah. Don’t you wish we could just like, rob a bank and head out on the road?”

Ephram snorted. “As tempting as it sounds to do a Bonnie and Clyde, I really don’t want to end up biting it in a hail of bullets.”

“Well, I never said there wasn’t a downside.” Bright grinned in the fading light. He made the turn onto Ephram’s street and slowed as he neared the Brown’s house. He put the truck in park and let the engine idle.

“So. Here we are,” Ephram said.

“Yeah.” Bright swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. Everything had been so perfect in Denver, but now that they were back in Everwood, it was like a spell was breaking.

“Well, I’d better go in. Delia probably heard us pull up.”

“Yeah.” Bright felt Ephram’s hand on his thigh, and he covered his hand with his own. He looked over.

“I had a great weekend. Really great. I…I’m glad we went,” Ephram said, and leaned a little closer.

Bright smiled. “Me, too. I’m really glad. About everything. You know?” He squeezed Ephram’s hand.

Ephram returned his smile. “Yeah, I know.” He looked out the window and then quickly leaned in and pressed his lips to Bright’s. “See you tomorrow,” he said, and then he was gone, the door slamming behind him. He grabbed his bag out of the back of the truck and waved from the sidewalk.

Bright wanted to wait until he was inside before he left, but he realized that it might look weird, so he put the truck in gear and rumbled up the street. He watched Ephram in the rearview mirror until he turned the corner, and he was gone.

-----------------------

Harold uncrossed his legs and put his crossword down on the coffee table with a huff. He just couldn’t seem to concentrate. Rose and Amy had gone out to a movie, but he’d wanted to make sure Bright came back from Denver on time. He glanced at his watch again. Bright was soon going to be officially late.

At that moment, he heard the truck pull up in the driveway. Harold quickly picked up the crossword again and settled back into his chair.

Bright opened the front door and dropped his bag with a thud. “Hey, Dad. I’m home.”

“Well, it’s about time,” Harold said. “I trust you didn’t get up to too much trouble in Denver?”

“Nah, just a bit,” Bright said, as he walked past Harold into the kitchen.

Harold sighed. He’d been pondering the situation all weekend, and the more he thought about it, the more he was sure there was something not quite right about Ephram Brown. Bright wasn’t always so sharp and Harold was certain that he wouldn’t pick up on anything out of the ordinary.

Harold was also fairly certain that the Brown boy was a homosexual. He had grown up in New York after all, and dressed in those strange clothes. His hair had been an odd shade of purple when the Browns had first moved to town, if he recalled correctly.

But most of all, Harold recalled the intense way Ephram had watched Bright playing basketball, the way it had made the hair on his arms stand on end. Something was not right there. The image of Ephram and Bright on the driveway with tangled limbs sprang to his mind again.

Not that Harold had anything against homosexuals, but he had a feeling Ephram was becoming a bit too attached to his son. It was better to nip it in the bud, before things became…uncomfortable. Yes, this was definitely the best thing to do. He’d been feeling uneasy for week’s about Ephram’s continued presence in Bright’s life, and it was best to trust his instincts.

Harold resolutely walked into the kitchen, where Bright was rummaging through the fridge.

“Bright, I think we need to talk.”

Bright froze, and then stood up straight. He still peered into the fridge, and didn’t look at Harold. “Why? What’s up?”

“I think it might be best if you didn’t spend so much time with Ephram Brown.”

It was a few moments before Bright replied, “What? Why?” His voice was unusually flat and he still didn’t look at Harold.

“Well, I’m going to frank with you, Bright. And what I have to say might come as a bit of a shock, but I think you need to hear it.” Bright nodded jerkily and closed the refrigerator. He leaned against the counter, his eyes still downcast.

“I know that you’ve had a tough year, with everything’s that happened with Colin. But things are getting back to normal now, and I think that’s good. And although I’m sure Ephram is a very…nice young man, I’m not sure you should be spending so much time with him.”

Bright looked up, his brow creased. “Why? Ephram’s my friend.”

Harold searched for the right words. “Well, yes, I know he’s your friend. But, Bright, I think he might be getting a bit too attached to you.”

Bright’s expression tightened. “What do you mean, Dad? Like I said, we’re friends.”

“Bright, I know this may be hard for you to understand…but I think Ephram might be gay. Now, there’s nothing wrong with that, but I don’t think it’s fair for you to…lead him on.”

Bright stared dumbly at Harold.

“I know, it’s a surprise. I just think it might be best for you to keep your distance for a while. Best for everyone.”

When Bright finally spoke, his voice trembled slightly. “Dad, I’m not going to stop being friends with Ephram.”

“Bright I think it would be better for you. You have Colin, and basketball. This is your senior year, you really don’t need any other distractions.”

“Ephram isn’t a distraction. I…I’m not going to stop hanging out with him,” Bright said, and Harold recognized the stubborn tone.

“Bright, be reasonable. Like I said, there’s nothing wrong with being gay, but this is a small town, and people are bound to talk.”

“So let them talk! I don’t care.”

Harold sighed. “Bright, it’s best for Ephram to spend his time with…other people like him.”

When Bright finally spoke again, his voice was shaky. “I am like him.”

Harold’s breath caught in his chest. “Pardon?”

Bright looked him in the eye and firmly said, “I am like him, Dad.”

“What? Bright, don’t be ridiculous.” Harold felt as if he were suddenly on the edge of a cliff, fighting for balance. His mind spun. “You’re not…”

“Yeah, I am. I’m gay, Dad.” Bright gulped and swallowed nervously.

Harold felt himself fall off the precipice. “No, you’re not.” It was impossible. Simply impossible.

“Yes, I am. I know it may be hard for you to believe, but it’s true.”

Harold felt a surge of anger. “This is his influence, isn’t it?”

“You really do think I’m stupid, don’t you, Dad? Ephram didn’t brainwash me or anything. This is who I am. And it’s too bad if you don’t like it. I’m not going to stop seeing Ephram.”

“Yes, you—” A horrifying thought suddenly took form in Harold’s mind. “You and Ephram…is there…has something…happened?” His face creased with disgust.

Bright crossed his arms and his voice was steely. “Yeah, lots of stuff has happened. He’s my boyfriend, Dad.”

Harold felt the shout surge up through him like a geyser. “Your boyfriend? My god, Bright, what’s the matter with you? That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard!”

Bright looked back at him with wide, hurt eyes. “I don’t expect you to understand. But yes, he’s my boyfriend.”

“Oh, this just keeps getting more and more ludicrous!” The same image of Bright and Ephram on the driveway sprang to Harold’s mind again. Their closeness had been unsettling, but he hadn’t allowed himself to think for even a second…. “Bright, this is just impossible!”

“No, Dad, it’s not. This is the way I am. Okay?”

“No, it’s not okay!” How could this have happened? Bright was athletic and popular and his son. It just wasn’t possible.

“Well, it’s gonna have to be, Dad. Can’t you just accept me the way I am?”

Harold snorted. “Just when I thought you couldn’t be more of a disappointment.”

The words hung in the air, heavy between them. Bright’s eyes widened and he stepped back. He shook his head and then strode out of the kitchen.

“Bright! Where do you think you’re going? Come back here, young man, we’re not done talking!” Harold quickly followed him into the hall. Bright was pulling his Miner’s jacket off a hanger in the closet. “Look, I didn’t mean that.”

Bright laughed hollowly. “Yes, you really, really did, Dad.”

“Well what do you expect me to say? I find out you’ve been lying to me all this time, did you expect me to be happy about it?”

Bright jammed his arms into the sleeves of his coat. “This isn’t about me lying, and we both know it.”

Harold clenched his jaw. Bright was obviously right, but there was no way Harold would admit it. “Just where do you think you’re going? You’re grounded, you’re not going anywhere.”

Bright shook his head incredulously. “What, you think you can ground me and that’ll somehow make me straight? You can lock me in my room forever, but I’ll still be gay. Go to hell, Dad.” With that, Bright slammed from the house. Harold stood motionless in the hallway as he heard Bright’s truck roar to life and screech out of the driveway.

It wasn’t until Rose and Amy pulled later that Harold could force his limbs to move again.

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