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Landslide
by bigboobedcanuckChapter Two
Disclaimer: I shockingly still don't own these characters, Greg Berlanti and the WB do.
Rating: R, for sex and language.[ * ]
Ephram looked up from his burger and fries as the door to Mama Joy’s opened, letting in a gust of hot air. The unusual heat hadn’t let up, the only relief coming at night.
Bright walked through the door, his father in tow. Ephram’s stomach clenched and he froze as he watched them make their way into the restaurant.
“Why is your face all red?” Delia looked at him quizzically.
“What? It isn’t! Shut up.” Ephram blushed even more.
“Are you feeling okay, Ephram?” Andy reached over and put his hand on Ephram’s forehead.
“Yes!” Ephram batted his father’s hand away. “I just had too much hot sauce on my burger, I’m fine.” He gulped down some Coke and returned his attention to his lunch. Of course, the truth was he was anything but fine. He hadn’t left the house much at all since the party. He’d spent the week inside at his piano, pleasing his father to no end with his diligence.
Ephram figured he’d rather stay indoors all summer than risk running into Bright. He flushed again. He had no idea what had gotten into him, why he’d let Bright…do that. All he knew was that he was never, ever drinking again.
“Treating your children to a nutritious lunch, Dr. Brown?” Dr. Abbott stood by their table. Ephram took a quick glance around and was happy to see Bright seated at a table across the room.
“Why of course, Dr. Abbott, you?” Andy answered with a smile.
Ephram groaned internally; his dad and Dr. Abbott were so weird. He scraped his chair back. “I’m going to the bathroom.” Delia nodded, but didn’t look up from the happy face she was crafting on her plate with ketchup.
He was just finishing up at the urinal when Bright walked in. Ephram zipped up quickly. “What?” Bright stood just inside the door and said nothing. “Can I help you?” Ephram crossed his arms impatiently.
“Um, hey.” Bright fidgeted with his hands and looked at the floor.
“Is that all?” Ephram’s tone was aggressive.
“Look—” Bright looked up at him. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry about…you know. That thing.”
Ephram walked to the sink and turned on the tap. “Let’s just never speak of it again.”
“Yeah, okay. I mean, I don’t know why I…” He trailed off and examined the tiles.
“Look, it doesn’t matter,” Ephram huffed. “Just forget it, I certainly have.” He dried his hands quickly.
“So, you won’t tell anyone, right?”
Ephram snorted in disbelief. “Yeah, that was just what I was going to do! Are you fucking nuts? You really are dumber than you look.”
Bright’s jaw tightened and he stood up straighter. “Screw you, Brown. How the hell do I know what you’re going to do? You’d better not tell or I’ll kick your fucking ass, just remember that.” Bright slammed out of the bathroom.
Ephram shook his head and sighed. When the hell had his life become so complicated?
--------------------------------
The sun was still high in the sky, but everyone at the swimming hole was packing up and heading home for dinner. Bright floated on his back and closed his eyes. He had no intention of going anywhere.
“Bright!” Amy’s voice rang out over the water.
He pulled his head up and began treading water. “What?”
“Are you coming home for dinner?” Amy stood at the water’s edge. Colin was in his father’s truck already, waiting.
“No, tell Mom I’ll grab something later.”
“Okay.” Amy still hadn’t moved. “Are you coming in now?”
“No.” Bright took a few lazy strokes across the water. She still stood on the shore, biting her lip. “What, Amy?”
“Well, you shouldn’t swim by yourself.” She looked around and waved her arm. “There’s like, hardly anyone left here.”
“Jesus, I know how to swim, don’t worry.” Colin leaned on the horn. “You’d better go, don’t want to keep the master waiting,” Bright said.
Amy’s face hardened. “Fine, drown. See if I care.” She turned on her heel and headed towards the truck.
Bright floated on his back again, his eyes closed. He heard Colin’s truck drive away, along with a few other cars. Before long, all was quiet and Bright floated peacefully. Eventually he opened his eyes and realized that he’d drifted down the lake a few hundred feet, around a small bend. He started to swim back slowly.
Bright came around the corner and stopped short. Ephram stood on one of the higher rocks at the edge of the water. The lake was deep, and most people used the rocks as a jumping-off point. He seemed to be contemplating whether or not it was safe to take the leap. Finally, he sat down and just slipped into the water.
Bright hadn’t seen Ephram since the incident at Mama Joy’s a few days before and he had no desire to talk to him again. He considered going back around the bend and hiding, but then bristled at the thought. Why the fuck should he run and hide like a little girl? Everwood was his town and this was his swimming hole. He picked up his pace, his long arms slicing through the water.
Ephram had moved out from the shore into the lake before he noticed that he wasn’t alone. He stopped suddenly and treaded water. Bright continued towards him and pulled up about ten feet away.
“What, are you stalking me?” Ephram asked, angrily.
“No, are you stalking me? I was here first, asswipe.” They glared at each other.
“I thought everyone was gone, I was trying to get some peace and quiet. Clearly that’s not going to happen.” Ephram turned and headed back to shore.
“Well, I was just leaving, so don’t worry.” Bright headed after him.
“No, really, I’m going.” Ephram was surprisingly fast in the water.
“No, I am, you can stay.” Bright kicked hard with his legs.
“I don’t want to stay.” Ephram clambered out of the water onto the large, smooth rocks that served as a beach. Bright was right behind him. He reached out and grabbed his shoulder.
“I said I’m the one who’s going!” He spun Ephram around.
Ephram shoved Bright away with both hands and he stumbled back. “Leave me alone!”
Bright shoved him back. “I am leaving you alone!” Suddenly Ephram charged him and tackled Bright to the ground. They rolled around for a few seconds before Bright quickly pinned Ephram beneath him.
“Let me go!” Ephram squirmed and tried to dislodge Bright. They stared at each other, chests heaving. Suddenly Bright’s dick started to get hard and he rolled off Ephram and leapt to his feet. He ran up onto the higher rocks and jumped back into the water.
He didn’t look back as he swam out into the lake again.
---------------------------
Ephram looked up at the sky. The sun was beginning to sink and evening was closing in around him. He peeked out around the rocks and looked at Bright in the middle of the lake. Bright was floating, and Ephram squinted to make sure he was on his back.
Ephram once again told himself to leave. But…but what if Bright drowned himself or something stupid like that? He didn’t need the guilt. He shook his head and sighed.
Was Bright really…gay? Ephram hadn’t wanted to think about it and had done everything he could to avoid it. But now his brain wouldn’t shut off, no matter how much he wanted it to. Ephram wasn’t usually one for self-delusion.
They’d both been drunk the night of the party, true. But they were sober now and Ephram knew that he’d felt Bright get a hard-on when they were fighting. And the truth was…Ephram had, in turn, felt a surge of excitement.
If he was being honest with himself, Ephram knew that he had to admit something else, too. That night up on the rock, when Bright had jacked him, it had felt good.
It had felt really good.
Sure, Ephram had jerked off before, but this had felt a million times better. It hadn’t just been Bright’s hand; it was his breath close to Ephram’s ear, his body pressing against him. Ephram’s dick twitched at the memory.
“Jesus, what the fuck is wrong with me?” Ephram spoke aloud and shook his head. He’d never thought about guys like that before. It was crazy. Completely crazy. He looked around the rock at Bright and realized with a start that he was almost back at the shore.
Bright hauled himself out of the water and started to head towards his truck. He ground to a halt when he noticed Ephram. He looked around quickly, as if making sure there was no one else there.
“What…what are you doing?”
“I don’t know. Making sure you didn’t drown, or whatever.”
“Oh.” Bright started walking again.
Ephram didn’t know what to do, what to say. He followed, tentatively. It seemed dumb not to talk, since he’d waited around so long. Bright got to his truck and opened the door, pulling out a towel.
Ephram stood a few yards away. “So, listen…it’s stupid to fight. Right?”
Bright didn’t look at him, just focused on drying himself off. “Yeah. Look, we’ll just go back to the way things were before, when we ignored each other. Things were much better then.”
“Right.” Ephram tried to think of something else to say, but failed miserably. He walked over to his bike and pulled his shirt out of his knapsack. He put it on and slung the pack over his shoulders, then hopped on his bike.
Ephram was struggling up the hill to the main road when Bright barreled past in his truck, leaving a cloud of dust in his wake.
-----------------------------------
“Bright, be careful, the roads are slippery.”
Bright rolled his eyes. “Yes, Mom, that’s what happens when it rains.” He picked his keys up off the table in the hall. “Don’t worry, I’m just going to a movie with the guys.”
This was a lie, of course. Bright didn’t have any guys to see a movie with these days. In fact, he didn’t have any friends at all. But he didn’t want his mother to worry about him. She’d noticed that he’d stopped going out with Colin, but Bright had reassured her that it was just so Colin could spend time with Amy.
“Later, Mom.” He closed the door behind him and hurried out to his truck, the rain soaking him quickly. He backed out of the driveway and headed up his street. He had no idea where he was going; he just needed to get out of the house.
He drove out of town and headed into the mountains. He had no destination, but thought about going up to the lookout. After a mile or so, Bright began to regret his decision: the rain pounding down made it hard to see, even in the early evening light.
Bright came around a corner and saw a cyclist coming down the road. His heart jumped into his throat when he realized it was Ephram. Suddenly, Ephram skidded on the slick pavement and toppled over, sliding to a rough stop on the shoulder.
Bright swore and slammed on the brakes. He jumped out and ran across the road to where Ephram laid, motionless.
“Ephram!” Bright had to yell to be heard over the driving rain. He knelt beside him and peered down at his face. Ephram looked back at him. He groaned.
“Shit, dude, are you okay?” Bright inspected Ephram’s limbs, which all seemed to be in order.
“Fuck, that hurt.” Ephram had obviously had the wind knocked out of him and spoke with a gasp. “Uhhhh…” Bright leaned in close so he could hear him.
“Did you hit your head?” Bright couldn’t keep the concern out of his voice.
“Um…no, I don’t think so.” Ephram prodded his scalp.
“Come on, I’ll give you a ride.” Bright put his hands under Ephram’s arms to pull him up.
“No, I’m fine.” Ephram winced. “I can ride home.”
“Dude, don’t be a fucking idiot! Come on!” Bright yanked Ephram up, supporting him with an arm across his shoulders. Ephram didn’t resist as Bright walked him back across the road.
Bright helped Ephram up into the passenger seat and then went back for the bike. He threw it into the back of his truck and then hopped back into the driver’s seat. He shut the door and shivered.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, I’ll live.” Ephram’s voice was rough.
“Shit, that rain’s really cold, huh? It’s been so hot lately but you wouldn’t know it today.” Bright didn’t know why he was babbling.
There was only silence in response and Bright glanced at Ephram, who had fixed him with a questioning look.
“What? Aren’t you cold?” Bright shifted uncomfortably. He felt like an idiot.
After a moment, Ephram seemed to relax. “Yeah.” He wrapped his arms around himself. “Thanks for helping me out. This rain is crazy.”
“Yeah, tell me about it. Look, let’s just get off the main road until it stops, okay?”
“Yeah, sure.”
Bright started the truck and made his way up the hill. He knew there was a side road at the top, little more than a trail, really. He turned onto it and drove a few hundred yards in, then put the truck in park.
He turned the ignition off. The rain pelted the roof of the cab, and for a few minutes it was the only sound. Finally, Ephram spoke.
“It’s not better, you know.”
Bright looked at him. “Um, what?” He wondered briefly if Ephram had hit his head after all.
“This whole us-not-talking-to-each-other thing. It kinda sucks.”
“It does?” Bright didn’t know what to think, but his pulse was suddenly racing.
“Well, doesn’t it?” Ephram wouldn’t look at him, just fiddled with his right hand, which was scraped from the gravel.
“Yeah, I guess.”
“You know what? Forget it.” Ephram was suddenly out of the truck, the door slamming behind him.
Bright jumped out of his side and ran around the truck, prepared to give chase, but Ephram had stopped a few feet away. The rain still came down in a torrent.
Bright stood in front of Ephram and yelled, “What’s your problem?”
“Aside from the fact that I’m in too much pain to walk away? You’re my problem,” Ephram screamed back.
“What the fuck did I do?”
“You know what the fuck you did, you made everything weird.”
Bright couldn’t deny that. “Well…I thought we weren’t going to talk about that!”
“We’re not!”
“So why’d you bring it up?”
“Because I can’t stop fucking thinking about it, that’s why!” Ephram seemed to shrink back when he realized what he’d said. He walked gingerly to the back of the truck and pulled down the gate.
“What the hell are you doing?” Bright followed him.
“I’m getting my bike!” Ephram winced in pain as he reached into the truck and cursed when his fingers couldn’t quite grasp the wheel of his bike.
“Would you stop being such an idiot?” Bright’s voice was getting hoarse from yelling and he was really starting to get cold. He shoved Ephram aside and slammed the gate shut. “Get back in!”
Ephram seemed to weigh his options and finally slumped back into the cab. Bright returned to his seat, slamming the door behind him. They both breathed heavily and the silence was thick between them as the rain continued beating down on the roof.
Ephram flexed his right hand and hissed in pain.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Yet Ephram was still clearly pained.
“Here, let me see.”
Ephram looked at him skeptically. After a moment he rolled his eyes and extended his arm. Bright reached out and lightly took Ephram’s hand. The rain had cleaned it slightly, but Bright could still see bits of gravel stuck in Ephram’s palm. “Shit, does it hurt?”
“What do you think?” Ephram leaned his head back against the seat and when he spoke again, his tone was softer. “Yeah, it hurts. Look, I’m sorry I’m being such an asshole. I’m just…I don’t know.”
Bright reached across and took a first aid kit from the glove box. He looked at Ephram. “Yeah, I know what you mean.” Bright swallowed nervously and began dabbing Ephram’s hand with iodine. Ephram sucked in a quick breath. “Sorry, but my dad says it’s important to disinfect,” said Bright.
“It’s okay, I know. Our dads are total dorks.”
Bright laughed. “You know it.” He continued cleaning Ephram’s wounds and cleared his throat. “Look, let’s just be friends again, or whatever. It does suck. You know, this whole thing.”
“Yeah.” Ephram was silent for a few moments. “So…you…like me, right?”
Bright dropped Ephram’s hand like a hot potato. “What? No!”
“Look, I’m not saying it’s like…that. It’s just…friends do stuff for each other. It’s not like we have girls lined up around the block to get with us.” Ephram slid across the seat, tentatively. He took a deep breath. “I feel like shit most of the time and I wanna feel good sometimes. Don’t you?”
Bright held his breath. Was Ephram actually suggesting what he thought he was? He was very aware of how close Ephram was now sitting and his nerves sang.
“No one has to know, right? It’s just something guys do sometimes.”
Bright exhaled slowly. “So…it would just be like…our thing, right? A secret?”
“Definitely. It’s no big deal, just…you know.”
“Right.” Bright gulped and drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. They sat in silence. Did Ephram mean right now? Bright wasn’t sure and was afraid to ask him. Finally, he took a deep breath, reached out and unzipped Ephram’s jeans.
Ephram closed his eyes and leaned his head back. “Yeah, just our secret.” He shivered as Bright pulled his cock free. Bright moved his hand up and down the shaft and Ephram moaned softly.
Bright pulled harder and Ephram’s breathing got heavier. He moaned in little gasps as Bright’s hand moved faster and faster. Bright loved the feel of Ephram’s cock and wondered briefly what it would be like to taste it. It was hard and hot and pulsing and Bright’s own cock swelled with desire. His hand pumped faster and soon Ephram was coming in long spurts that covered Bright’s hand. Ephram caught his breath, his eyes still closed.
Bright waited for Ephram to say something or make a move, but Ephram still hadn’t opened his eyes. Bright’s cock was hard and he pulled it out, stroking it. He closed his own eyes and tugged it, his hand still slick with Ephram’s cum. He moaned in pleasure.
Then Ephram was pushing his hand away and he grasped Bright’s cock. He had to use his left hand and his movements were awkward, but he held on tightly and Bright thought he’d never felt anything so good, not in his entire life.
Gemma had once touched his dick, but it had never been as exciting as it was with Ephram. He loved the smell of him near, the sound of his breathing as he concentrated on jerking Bright off, the sight of his moist lips, which Bright really wanted to kiss all of a sudden.
Bright wanted to touch him and he clutched Ephram’s thigh. His hips pumped up and Ephram jacked him harder. Then Bright was coming hard with a shout. “Ohhh, fuck!” He closed his eyes, breathing heavily.
After a minute, he tucked himself back into his pants. Ephram had grabbed some gauze from the first aid kit and wiped his hand off awkwardly.
“Here, let me.” Bright took Ephram’s left hand and wiped it clean. He didn’t let go and they sat there, Ephram looking down at their hands with an unreadable expression. Bright impulsively leaned over and kissed him.
Ephram jumped back and slid back across the seat like he’d been burned. “What are you doing?”
Bright stammered, his face flushed. “Nothing! Nothing!” He turned the key in the ignition and the engine roared to life. The rain had abated and he swung the truck around, heading back out to the main road.
“Look, it’s not like that, right? We’re just like, getting off. Right?” Ephram’s voice was strained.
Bright concentrated on the road. “Yeah, totally. I just wasn’t thinking. You’re right; this is just like…an arrangement. Right?”
“Yeah, exactly. I mean, we’re…friends. We’re just helping each other out. It’s totally normal.”
“Yeah, totally!” Bright navigated the roads back into town. “So, um…what’s new?”
Ephram was silent for a moment. “Uh…not much. Just…you know, same old, same old. It’s Everwood.”
“Yeah.” Bright didn’t know what else to say, so he flipped on the radio. “Man, all we get is country crap out here, you know?” He had no idea what he was saying or why he felt the need to talk.
“Yeah, tell me about it. In New York, they have the best stations.”
“Oh yeah? Like what?”
Ephram launched into a description of New York’s finest radio stations and Bright sighed in relief. Everything seemed to be okay between them again. Before long, he’d pulled up at Ephram’s house.
“Well, here we are.” Bright didn’t know what else to say.
“Yeah. Thanks for the ride and everything.” Ephram got out and Bright went around to the back to help him get his bike out.
“So, I guess your dad can take care of your hand and stuff, right?” Bright pulled the bike out and Ephram grasped the handle.
“Oh yeah, it’ll be fine.”
They looked at each other awkwardly.
“So, I guess I’ll see you later.” Bright closed the gate on the truck and Ephram moved back, pushing his bike towards his driveway.
“Yeah. We’ll hang out, or whatever.”
“Cool. Later.” Bright got back into his truck and gunned the engine. He pulled away, watching Ephram in his rear-view mirror. So, they’d sorted everything out.
So why did he feel more confused than ever?(c) everfic. cue edna's voice: i don't own squat, private.
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