EVERFiC _______ quality 'everwood' fanfiction archive
home * new * fanfiction * mine * quote me! * submit * links * contact
Landslide
by bigboobedcanuckChapter Eight
[ * ]
Ephram perched on the edge of the bleacher, riveted to the action unfolding on the court below him. The Miners were having a tougher time than expected against Coleman, and Ephram’s stomach knotted anxiously.
“You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this interested in a basketball game before.” Andy said. “Or any kind of game, for that matter.”
“Huh?” Ephram’s eyes never left Bright, who was dribbling up the court with the ball. He passed the ball to Jeff Wilby, who got fouled by one of the Coleman players.
Andy laughed. “I said, I’ve never seen you so interested in sports before.”
Ephram looked at him and blushed when he saw his father’s quizzical expression. “I’m just trying to have some school spirit. What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing, nothing at all. I’m just surprised.”
Ephram turned his attention back to the game. Bright had scored a bunch of times, and Ephram had to admit that Bright and Colin made quite a team on the court. Even though he trusted Bright and believed him when he said Colin was just a friend, Ephram couldn’t help but still feel a twinge of jealousy.
Bright went for a lay-up and scored again. Ephram cheered, along with the packed gymnasium. Bright looked great on the court, in control and confident. Ephram felt a surge of pride. His boyfriend was pretty amazing.
He blushed again, and ducked his head. It was still strange to think of Bright in those terms, and even stranger when he thought about how everyone would freak out if they knew.
Bright got the ball again and passed it to Colin, who scored easily. Ephram clapped and stamped his feet, and decided not to think about anyone else for the time being.
------------------------------------
Harold cheered as the Miners scored again. They seemed to be taking control of the game, and it looked like they’d be victorious after all. Bright had played extremely well, and Harold was proud, naturally. All in all, a good night. In fact, there was only one thing bothering Harold.
Ephram Brown.
Harold had noticed him come in with his father just before the game started. Dr. Brown had waved hello, and Harold had reluctantly done the same. At one point, Harold had glanced over at them, and noticed how intently Ephram was watching the game.
How intently he was watching Bright, to be exact.
For some reason, Harold’s gaze kept returning to Ephram as the match went on. There was something unnerving about the way Ephram watched Bright so closely. Harold knew he was probably being ridiculous, but his instincts kept telling him that something was not quite right. Perhaps the Brown boy had developed a bit of a fixation. It wasn’t uncommon for the less…popular children to want to be like the star athletes.
But now that Colin and Bright were friends again, there was really no need for Ephram to keep hanging around; it wasn’t like they had anything in common. Perhaps he should mention it to Bright. Harold pondered it a bit more, and decided to keep quiet for the time being. It was likely that Bright would be far too busy with basketball to spend much time with Dr. Brown’s son.
----------------------------------
“Hey man, where you going?” Colin’s voice rang out across the diner.
Bright turned at the door to see Colin coming towards him. “I’m beat, dude. I’m gonna jet.”
“Aw, come on, the night’s young! We won, let’s celebrate.” Colin slapped him on the shoulder.
“Nah, I’m done for the night. I’ll see you tomorrow at school, okay? You guys have fun.”
“Yeah, okay. See ya.” Colin shrugged and headed back to Amy and the other guys from the team.
Bright walked out into the crisp autumn night. He’d parked his truck on one of the side streets off Main, out of the way. As he neared it, he could see Ephram leaning against the side door.
“Great game tonight, superstar,” Ephram said.
“Thanks. I’m glad you came, it was cool knowing you were watching. Inspiring, or something.” Bright smiled and ran his hand down Ephram’s arm. He started to lean in for a kiss, but then remembered where they were when Ephram backed away.
“Well, I’m nothing if not inspirational. Come on, let’s go somewhere. We don’t have much time, it’s a school night and all.”
They hopped in the truck and Bright drove them up to one of their favourite spots, on an old logging road. They got out and Bright spread a blanket in the back of the pick-up. It was a nice night, and the stars shone brightly in the sky. They sat close to each other and gazed upwards.
“This is one thing I love about living here. You could never see the stars like this in New York.” Ephram absently ran his hand up and down Bright’s thigh.
“Which one’s your favourite? Which…um, con…”
“Constellation?”
“Yeah, that. Which one do you like best?”
Ephram surveyed the night sky. “I know it’s probably a common answer, but I have to say the Big Dipper. It’s just so…I don’t know. It makes an impression.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean. But, I don’t know if that’s what everyone says, I’ve never asked before.”
“So, what about you? What’s your favourite?”
“I always liked the guy who’s hunting. He has a dog with him, too. He’s Irish.” Bright pointed up, and Ephram followed his finger.
Ephram laughed softly and said, “Orion. I think the name actually goes back to ancient times. Yeah, he’s definitely cool.”
“Yeah.” Bright looked away from the stars and found Ephram’s eyes on him. Ephram leaned in and kissed him, his lips warm and inviting. His hand still trailed up and down Bright’s thigh, and his body pressed closer. As Ephram sucked Bright’s tongue into his mouth, Bright moaned softly.
After a few more minutes of Ephram’s teasing kisses and caresses, Bright said, “we have to go soon, come on,” in a whining tone that would have embarrassed him if he wasn’t so horny.
Ephram pulled away completely, his face a mask of perfect innocence. “What?”
“You know what.” Bright motioned to the bulge in his pants.
“Oh, that. What do you expect me to do about it?” Ephram’s eyes were wide and Bright could see him trying to stifle a grin as he feigned ignorance.
“Ephram, stop being a shit. Just do it,” Bright said with a pained laugh.
“Do what?”
Bright sighed loudly. This game was quickly losing its charm. “You know.”
“Say it.”
“What?”
“Say it. Tell me what you want me to do.” Ephram wasn’t smirking anymore, and his voice had taken on the gravelly tone it had when he was turned on.
Bright felt his dick twitch in his pants. His throat was suddenly dry and he swallowed. “I want…” Bright felt his face flush. It felt weird to say it out loud.
“What? Tell me.” Ephram kissed the spot behind Bright’s ear.
“I want you to suck my cock,” Bright said, the words rushing out of him.
“You like it when I do that?” Ephram’s hand ran up Bright’s chest, under his sweater.
“Yeah, of course.” Bright gulped for air as Ephram suddenly straddled him and pushed him back against the blanket. They kissed again, tongues tangling. Bright grabbed Ephram’s ass and pulled him closer.
“Say it again.” Ephram took each of Bright’s hands in his and put them over Bright’s head. He held Bright’s wrists tightly and pressed them into the blanket.
“I want you to suck my cock,” Bright said, breathing heavily.
Ephram let go of his wrists, but Bright didn’t move his hands. Ephram pushed Bright’s sweater up and licked his way down his chest and stomach, his tongue dipping into Bright’s belly button.
Finally, Ephram opened Bright’s pants and took his cock into his mouth, swallowing it deeply into his throat. Bright moaned and he could have sworn the stars in the sky weren’t the only ones he saw.
------------------------------
Ephram was just gulping down the last of his orange juice when he heard Bright’s truck pull up. He took a quick look out the window to be sure.
Ephram yelled up the stairs, “Dad, I’m going! See you tomorrow.” He headed into the living room, where Delia was watching Saturday morning cartoons. “Hey, I’m going. See you tomorrow night, okay? Don’t get into too much trouble.” He leaned down and kissed Delia on the top of her head.
“I wish I could come with you. You’re so lucky, spending the whole weekend with Bright.” Delia pouted up at him.
“I wish you could come too,” Ephram lied. “But you’ll have plenty of fun with Dad, right?”
“Not as much fun as you’re going to have with Bright.”
Ephram couldn’t help but smile. “Well, maybe not quite as much.”
“Knock, knock.” Bright opened the screen door and poked his head around. “Hey, Delia. How’s it going?”
“Fine,” Delia said, in what Ephram knew was her “shy” voice.
Ephram rolled his eyes. “She’s great, she’s getting rid of her annoying older brother for the weekend.”
Bright came over and ruffled Delia’s hair. “Yeah, and I’m stuck with him.” He winked at Ephram over Delia’s head.
Andy made his way down the stairs. “So, you boys all ready to go? Ephram, did you remember everything?”
“Yes, Dad,” Ephram said, with a long-suffering sigh. “I’ve got the cell phone, and I’ll let you know when we get to the hotel. Meanwhile, I have the numbers to call for every conceivable emergency we might encounter. Bright, if you happen to ingest any poisonous substances on the ride down, I’ll have it all under control.”
“You can never be too cautious, Ephram,” Andy said. “Now, Bright, I know you’re going to drive carefully, but just be aware that not everyone on the road will be doing the same. You know, statistically speaking—”
“Dad! We’re going. Don’t worry, everything’s going to be fine.” Ephram picked up his bag and headed for the door.
“See ya, Delia; Dr. Brown. Don’t worry, like Ephram said, we’ll be fine,” Bright said.
They walked out to the truck and Bright threw Ephram’s bag in the storage bin in the back of the pick-up. He secured the lid as Ephram got settled in the passenger seat. Bright got behind the wheel and started the engine.
Ephram waved goodbye to his father, who was now standing on the porch. “I swear, he’s acting like we’re going to the moon.”
Bright gave the horn a honk as he pulled away from the curb. “I know, my dad was acting totally freaky this morning. It was like he was trying to talk me out of going, trying to convince me that I should stay home to practice basketball.”
“Oh well, here we go, whether they like it or not.”
Bright looked over and grinned. “Denver, here we come.”
-----------------------------
They’d been on the road for about an hour when the tire blew. The wheel jerked under Bright’s hands and the truck began to veer off the road. He hit the brakes and desperately tried to get in control. It all happened so fast, but at the same time it was like slow motion.
After what was probably only a few seconds, the truck skidded to a halt on the shoulder. Bright’s heart pounded in his chest, and adrenalin raced through his veins.
“Holy shit,” Ephram said.
Bright turned to Ephram, who was leaning forwards, his hands braced on the dash. “Are you okay?” A swell of panic moved through him. He reached out and grabbed Ephram’s shoulder.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Are you okay?” Ephram’s brow creased.
“Yeah. You were wearing your seatbelt, right?” Bright anxiously examined Ephram for injuries.
“Um, Bright? I’m still wearing it. See?” Ephram snapped the seatbelt against his chest for emphasis. “It’s okay, I’m okay.”
Bright nodded and leaned his head back, eyes shut. After a few seconds he heard movement and then felt Ephram’s arms around him.
“Bright, it’s okay. We didn’t even hit anything. You did a great job,” Ephram said, his voice at a soothing pitch.
Bright opened his eyes and sat up straight. Ephram was reaching around him and then his seatbelt was retracting. Ephram opened his door and pushed him gently out of the truck. “Come on, let’s get some air.”
Ephram followed him out of the truck and Bright leaned against it, taking slow, deep breaths. Ephram rubbed his stomach reassuringly and put his arm around his shoulders.
“Sorry, I totally freaked out. Again.” Bright rubbed his face and formed a shaky smile. “I just don’t want anyone else to get hurt because of me. Especially not you.”
“Bright, it wasn’t your fault. And we’re both fine. You’re a good driver; you totally stayed in control. If that had been me behind the wheel? We’d totally be in the ditch right now.” Ephram laughed and squeezed Bright’s shoulder. “Come on, DQ, let’s check out the damage.”
Bright chuckled, his tension dissipating. “Don’t call me that.”
“Sure, whatever you say.” Ephram led the way around to the passenger side, where the front tire was clearly blown.
Bright kneeled down and inspected the torn rubber. “Shit. This tire wasn’t even that old. But I’ve got a spare, so it’s no big deal. I can get a new tire in Denver tomorrow before we go.”
Ephram kneeled down beside him and ripped off a piece of fraying rubber. “Yep, I’d say it’s pretty much toast.” He tossed the fragment away and picked up Bright’s hand. “You did great. I wasn’t even scared.” He kissed Bright softly.
Crouching beside the truck, they were hidden from the cars whizzing by on the highway, so Bright kissed Ephram back. Then he pulled away and smiled. “You were too. But thanks.”
They got up and Bright heaved the spare tire out of the back of the truck. “So, you ever change a flat before?”
Ephram raised his eyebrows. “Do I actually have to answer that?”
“No,” Bright said with a laugh. “You want me to teach you?”
“Yeah. That’d be cool.” Ephram grabbed the jack from the back of the pick-up. “We need this thing, right?”
“Uh, yeah, unless you’re actually Clark Kent and you’re going to lift the truck up with your bare hands.”
“Oh no, my secret identity revealed,” Ephram deadpanned.
Bright laughed and motioned for Ephram to get beside him on the ground. As he explained how to change the tire, Ephram listened intently. He insisted on jacking up the truck himself, and Bright sat back and watched him. He thought back to the panic he’d felt when the truck had skidded out of his control. For a second it had seemed like the accident all over again.
Bright snapped back to the present when Ephram told a joke about Superman and grinned at him as he wiped the sweat from his brow.
He grinned back, and in that moment, Bright Abbott knew that he was in love.(c) everfic. cue edna's voice: i don't own squat, private.
gorgeous banner made by the talented cj-same