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Landslide
by bigboobedcanuck

Chapter Nine

Note: "The Saloon" is a real place that my friends went to in Denver. They think that's what it was called, at least, they were pretty drunk. *g*

[ * ]

Ephram looked the menu over and stole glances at Bright across the table. He could hardly believe they were finally in Denver; all alone for once, no parents or sisters to bug them.

“What are you going to have?” Bright was reading the menu and scrunching his face in concentration.

“I’m not sure. Maybe the rack of lamb. What about you?”

“The steak sounds pretty good. Are you sure your dad won’t mind?”

“Nope, he gave me the credit card for the hotel and he said we could go to a restaurant for dinner. It’s not like this place is that expensive. We might as well enjoy something that’s not Gino Chang’s for a change.”

“True. But I’m glad I’m not paying for it.”

Ephram laughed. “If we were paying, we’d be eating in close proximity to a pair of golden arches.”

The waiter arrived with their Cokes and took their orders. After he left, Ephram asked some questions about Denver, and listened contentedly as Bright told him about the city, and more importantly, about the city’s sports teams. Ephram loved to listen to Bright talk about things that he loved. His eyes lit up and he gestured excitedly with his hands.

Bright had been quiet on the rest of the drive to Denver, carefully focusing on the road. But once in a while he’d reached over and touched Ephram’s leg or arm; it was like he was reassuring himself that Ephram was still there. Ephram had kept up a steady stream of patter, blathering on about manga and anything else he could think of. He knew that Bright had been unnerved by the mishap with the tire, and he’d tried to get his mind off it.

They’d arrived at the hotel a couple of hours later than they’d planned, but still with plenty of time to have dinner before the concert. When they went up to their room to drop their bags off, they both had grown quiet.

Standing in the room, with its two queen-sized beds at the centre, Ephram’s thoughts had immediately jumped to what they would be doing on one of the beds later that night. Though they hadn’t actually discussed it, the air was thick with intention.

For the first time, they’d really be sleeping together. They’d jerked and sucked each other off more times than Ephram could count, but they’d never actually done anything on a real bed. In the back of their minds, they’d always had to worry about being discovered.

But not tonight.

Ever since they’d stumbled upon the scene of two men having sex on that cable show, Ephram had wondered what it would be like. He already felt closer to Bright than he ever had to another person, except maybe his mother. But he wanted to know what it was like to go all the way. Part of him couldn’t believe he was even considering it, yet his curiosity had just grown stronger and stronger.

Ephram snapped back to attention as Bright finished telling him about how the Avalanche were going to have their best season ever, Ephram nodded and buttered a roll.

“Sorry, this must be boring for you,” Bright said, with a sheepish expression.

“No! I was just thinking about something.” Ephram felt a blush spread over his cheeks.

“Oh yeah? Come on, tell me.” Bright’s eyes twinkled and he waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Ephram blushed even more. “I was just thinking about tonight. You know…later tonight. We’ve got the hotel room all to ourselves. It’s just going to be…different.”

Bright looked thoughtful for a few moments and said, “Yeah, I know. It’s going to be…um…cool. Have you thought about…” Bright trailed off and smiled uneasily.

“Have you?” Ephram fiddled with his butter knife and straightened the napkin in his lap.

“Yeah.” Bright’s cheeks flushed red, too.

Ephram took a deep breath. “So, you want to, right?” Bright nodded and Ephram barked out a laugh. “God, this is so stupid, if we can’t talk about it…”

Bright shook his head. “I know, we’re pretty sad, huh? Okay, well…here’s a question. I’ve been reading some stuff on the internet, and there’s something I don’t really get.”

“What?” Ephram had been surfing quite a few sites himself recently, and he was relieved to know that he wasn’t the only one a bit unsure of things.

“Well…how do you decide who…you know…pitches…and who…catches?”

Ephram snickered. “Leave it to you to use to a sports metaphor.”

Bright smiled. “Sorry, I’m all out of like, history metaphors.”

“Well, I’m not sure any of them would be quite so…apt.” Ephram buttered yet another roll as he tried to formulate an answer. It was definitely weird to be talking about it out loud. “Well, I always kinda figured you’d be the…starting pitcher. It just seems logical. Or something.”

“Okay. Then we can switch and…I was thinking we could just try everything.” Bright took a big gulp of Coke.

“Yeah, totally. That sounds good.” Ephram stuffed some bread in his mouth so wouldn’t have to talk for a minute. After he swallowed, he cleared his throat. “So, on the internet? I was reading about how you…do things…and I brought some stuff that I bought at the drugstore in Coleman last week.”

“Cool. Yeah, I brought some stuff, too.” Bright drained the rest of his drink loudly. “So, um, Ephram…you’ve never done anything with anyone else, right?”

“Well, aside from kissing your sister a couple of times, no.”

“Dude! Ew. Just…ew.”

Ephram laughed. “Sorry, but it happened. It was nothing though, those kisses lasted for like, three seconds—”

“Okay, I so never need to know any details. Like, ever,” Bright said, with a shudder.

Ephram grinned. “Fair enough. You know, we’ve never really talked about this. Do you have an unsavoury past I should know about?” Bright looked around the restaurant, avoiding meeting Ephram’s eyes. Ephram shifted uncomfortably in his seat and a coil of tension formed in his stomach. “Bright? Have you been with a lot of girls?”

“Um, no. I mean, I’ve made out with some, but I’ve never really gotten past second base.” Bright began tearing his remaining bread into little pieces. “I know, everyone thinks I’m some big stud…”

Ephram felt a surge of relief and realized that Bright was embarrassed, not hiding something. He put his hand on Bright’s knee under the table. “Well, they may think you’re a stud, but I know you are.”

Bright smiled softly and interlaced his fingers with Ephram’s under the table. “You’re not so bad yourself. So, do you think we should still…you know…use condoms?” Bright asked, in a whisper.

Ephram contemplated it for a few moments. “I guess it’s a good habit to get into, right?”

“Yeah, that makes sense.”

The waiter suddenly appeared and they both snatched their hands back from under the table in unison. The guy smirked slightly and served their food. Bright and Ephram smiled at each other and talked about school and basketball and the piano and everything but sex. And for the rest of the meal, they kept their hands to themselves.

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

Bright’s ears were ringing as they filed out of the arena in a sea of humanity. “Dude, that concert was awesome. That chick can really sing.”

“I know, she totally rocks. The encore was so cool.” Ephram was shouting a bit, so Bright figured that his ears were probably ringing, too.

“Thanks for taking me, man. Every once in a while you get pretty good ideas.”

“Well, even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.”

Bright laughed. He loved the way Ephram talked; he always said simple things in complicated ways. “So, you brought your fake I.D., right?”

“Oh course. What would a trip to the city be without trying to get into a bar? Where should we go?”

“Well, there’s this place a few blocks away that might be cool. I read about it on the net.”

“Lead the way.”

They tried to extricate themselves from the crowd flooding the sidewalk and Bright headed down a side street. Soon they found themselves approaching a bar with a wooden sign that read “The Saloon.”

“You’re taking me to a country bar? Bright Abbott, you’re definitely full of surprises.”

“Yeah, well…even a blind squirrel…um, has a few tricks up its sleeve.”

Ephram chuckled and clapped Bright on the back. “Truer words have never been spoken.”

They approached the large man standing at the door and showed him their I.D. Bright’s pulse raced, but the bouncer waved them in after just a cursory glance. The interior of the bar was smoky and strewn with sawdust. On the dance floor in the centre of the room, couples two-stepped to the lively country music playing.

“Uh, is it me…or is almost everyone in here a guy?” Ephram had stopped in his tracks. He took in the sight of the men on the dance floor. “This is a…gay bar.”

“Uh, yeah. I just thought it might be fun, or whatever.” Bright swallowed nervously.

“It’s weird,” Ephram said, as he looked around warily.

“I thought it would be cool to hang around other people that are…you know…like us.” Bright’s heart was pounding. Ephram didn’t look happy.

Ephram’s head snapped around. “We’re not like…this.”

“Um…how are we so different?”

“In like, a million ways! I mean, it’s fine for them, there’s nothing wrong with it, but we’re…” He trailed off.

“We’re what? Ephram, you called me your boyfriend. We suck each other’s dicks. It doesn’t get much gayer than that. I mean, come on. I guess I don’t know about you, but…I’m gay.” There, he’d actually said it out loud, once and for all. He took a deep breath. “I just wanted to go out somewhere where we could act like ourselves without worrying about anyone seeing.”

Ephram shook his head. “But…we have our own thing. And it’s great…but…it doesn’t mean we’re like these guys. I mean, look at them.”

Bright gazed out at the men whirling around the dance floor, laughing unselfconsciously. “Yeah, you’re right. They’re having fun.”

“We have fun together!”

“But we’re always hiding. I mean, we have to in Everwood. But not here. Here, I can kiss you right in front of everyone.” Bright took Ephram’s face in his hands and pressed their lips together firmly. “Here, I can hug you.” He pulled Ephram close. “Here, I can grab your ass and no one gives a shit.” His hands moved downwards. “Here, I can be me. We can be ourselves. Ephram, this is who we are.”

For a few moments, Ephram said nothing, but then his arms moved around Bright and he hugged him tightly. He buried his face in Bright’s neck.

Finally, Ephram spoke. “I’m scared. I’m really scared, Bright.”

Bright held him close and said, “I know. Believe me, I’m scared, too. But everything’s going to be okay,"

Ephram pulled his head up and looked at Bright. “Can you imagine what people would say if they knew? No one will understand. Our dads will freak out. Everyone will freak out.”

“I know. But we don’t have to tell them yet. In Everwood we still have to be a secret, but not forever. Even though it’s weird…this is who we are. One day, we’ll have to tell them all.”

Ephram sighed. “I can’t even think about telling him. My dad. Shit, I can barely admit it to myself, even after everything. I can talk about…having sex with you, I can call you my boyfriend, but I can’t say that I’m…that I’m gay.”

Bright smiled widely and felt a surge of pride. “Dude, you just did.”

Ephram smiled back, a little shaky. “Yeah, I guess I did.”

“Pretty weird, huh? A year ago I couldn’t stand you and I was trying to get into Gemma’s pants. I had no idea, it was like I was walking around in the dark and then one day, the light just came on.”

Ephram regarded Bright solemnly for a moment, and then kissed him gently. “Yeah, that’s what it’s like. Totally weird, but…it’s the most amazing thing, too.” Ephram hugged Bright. “I’m sorry I was such a prick. This place is pretty cool. You’re right, it’s good to be able to touch you in public.” Ephram kissed him again, his tongue sliding into Bright’s mouth.

Bright thought that if he lived to be a hundred, he’d never get sick of kissing Ephram. He loved the way he tasted, the way he smelled, the way he moaned softly and it sounded like music.

After a few more kisses, Bright pulled back. “So, how about we get a couple of beers and hit the dance floor?”

Ephram snorted and his eyebrows practically disappeared beneath his hairline. “Beer, yes. Dancing? A world of no.”

“What, you scared, city slicker?”

“Since when can you dance? I mean, what is that, the two-step? There’s no way.”

“I never said I could dance, it just looks fun. Fine, we’ll watch. Come on.” Bright grabbed Ephram’s hand and led him to the bar. They both got a beer and surveyed the men whirling around the dance floor. After a while, and a couple of beers, two men in their ‘20s approached them.

“So, you kids gonna just stand here all night?” The dark-haired man who spoke was tall and good-looking, and Bright put his arm around Ephram possessively.

“Yeah, we don’t dance,” Bright said.

The other man, whom Bright was amused to see was actually wearing a cowboy hat, smiled broadly. “Aw, come on now, all you need’s a good teacher. You and your boyfriend can’t be wallflowers all night.”

Bright and Ephram looked at each other uncertainly.

“Come on boys, we’ll show you how it’s done. We’re just trying to be friendly is all,” Cowboy Hat said. He pulled on Ephram’s hand and led him to the dance floor, while the other man did the same to Bright.

“Look, I really don’t know how to do this.” Bright felt awkward and nervous as the man pulled him close and put his hand on his waist. It was the first time he’d ever been so close to another guy who wasn’t Ephram, and it was a strange sensation.

“Don’t worry, I’ll lead, all you’ve got to do is follow.” And with that, they were spinning away, and Bright found that following wasn’t so hard after. He watched Ephram stumbling around the floor with Cowboy Hat. With his long-sleeved Japanese t-shirt and lack of coordination, Ephram didn’t fit in at all.

But he was giggling and his eyes shone as he looked at Bright over Cowboy Hat’s shoulder. Bright grinned at him and later, when he was circling him around the floor himself, he thought Ephram had never looked so at home.

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

The hotel was hushed when they finally returned, buzzed from the beer, but refreshed from the brisk walk back from bar. They were quiet in the elevator, and Ephram wondered if Bright was feeling as nervous as he was.

They’d had a great time at the bar, after his initial spaz attack. He couldn’t believe they’d actually done that country dancing, and that they hadn’t been half bad at it in the end. Well, Bright hadn’t been half bad. Ephram knew that his own talents did not lie on the dance floor.

Still though, it had been fun. And it had been really cool to be able to kiss and touch each other and not have anyone care, or look at them like they were freaks. It was cool to be around other…gay people. Ephram still stumbled over the word, even in his head.

Inside their room, they stood by the beds and said nothing. They looked everywhere but at each other, and finally Ephram set about untying his shoes and taking them off. He could see Bright do the same out of the corner of his eye.

Shoes successfully discarded, Ephram stood up straight and faced Bright. “So,” he said.

“So.” Bright smiled nervously.

Ephram took a few steps and put his hands on Bright’s waist. “So…do you still want to do this?”

Bright slowly ran his hands up Ephram’s back. He spoke barely above a whisper. “Yeah. You still want to, right?”

Ephram nodded. “Yeah, I want to.” Ephram pulled Bright’s shirt up and over his head. He ran his hands over Bright’s chest, the firm muscles there so different from his own wiry frame.

Bright took Ephram’s shirt off and then kissed him deeply, his tongue sweeping through Ephram’s mouth. His hands were on Ephram’s belt and soon Ephram felt his pants and boxer shorts being tugged down his legs. He stepped out of them and he was naked. Well, almost. Ephram broke their kiss and leaned down to yank his socks off quickly.

Now he was totally naked. Bright’s eyes swept up and down his body and he licked his lips. Ephram felt his cock get fully hard under Bright’s gaze. He quickly unbuttoned Bright’s pants and pulled them down, and soon they were both devoid of clothing.

They kissed eagerly and Ephram reveled in the feel of their bodies pressing together with nothing in between. He took a few steps towards one of the beds and flopped down on it none too gracefully, pulling Bright down with him.

Ephram stretched out on the bed, and Bright covered his body with his own, their limbs and tongues tangling. Their hands roamed over each other, and Ephram thought that if he could, at that moment he’d climb inside Bright’s skin.

Bright pulled away to catch his breath, chest heaving. “So…how do you want to do it?”

“I want to see your face,” Ephram said.

Bright nodded and reached over the side of the bed, fumbling for his bag. Ephram took a few deep breaths and looked at the ceiling. They were really doing it. He didn’t know how to feel. Bright’s face appeared above him.

“You ready?” Bright’s smile was anxious. Ephram looked down and saw that he had a condom and a tube of lube in his hand.

Ephram smiled back. “Yeah, I’m ready.” He dragged Bright’s head down and kissed him. Bright pulled Ephram’s legs up onto his shoulders and Ephram thought his chest might explode from the pounding of his heart.

It was messy and awkward and contorted and weird and wonderful and it hurt more than anything Ephram could have imagined. But it was worth it, because Bright was actually inside him. Bright was gasping and muttering to god, and moving forward bit by bit. Finally, he hit a spot that made Ephram groan and tingle all the way to his toes.

“Oh, fuck, Bright!” Ephram closed his eyes and moaned. It was still so painful, but at the same time, he’d never felt that kind of pleasure. His cock was rock hard between their bodies, and Bright moved back and forth inside him, beginning to find a sort of clumsy rhythm. After a few minutes, he reached between their bodies and pumped his hand up and down Ephram’s straining cock, and that was all it took. Ephram closed his eyes as he came.

Bright gasped and froze while Ephram shuddered around him. After a few moments, Ephram felt Bright’s hands on his face and he opened his eyes. Bright looked down intensely, beads of sweat dripping down his forehead.

“I love you,” he said, as he slowly began moving inside Ephram again.

Ephram was still panting and just stared up at him, speechless. Bright thrust harder and then he was coming with a shout. Bright collapsed on him and Ephram winced and held his breath. After a minute, Bright pulled out of him and lowered Ephram’s legs to the mattress.

Ephram closed his eyes and after a moment he felt Bright wiping his chest clean. Then Bright’s knuckles caressed his cheek gently. He opened his eyes slowly.

“Are you okay?” Bright’s voice was slightly hoarse and he peered down with concern.

“I love you,” Ephram said, and he knew it was the truth.

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