GLITTER GULCH

Chapter 8: Under the Cover of Darkness

"Why whatever do you mean?" Damon blinked innocently, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

"You son of a bitch!" Cale drew back his fist.

"Cale. Stop." Cale let go of his shirt. The sheriff's jaw was rigid and his fist smashed into the wall next to Damon’s head. "If you kill him, we won’t know if this can be reversed." Dais crept from around the corner, his pale skin shimmering in the darkness. "What have you done to us, Damon?"

Damon dusted off his shirt and began smoothing the wrinkles. "Only what Ringmaster Talpa wished."

"And what was that?" Dais was incredibly close to Damon. He chuckled and smiled, staring at the patch covering the judge’s white eye.

"Why should I tell you?"

Dais’ face was only inches from his own. "Because I have a thirst for blood right now, and you are the closest thing to me."

He reached out and touched Dais’ face, rubbing his thumb on the pale chin. "You can’t do anything to me, my friend. I have made certain of that." He tightened his grip and Dais winced. "You have failed the master. He has found it appropriate to punish you accordingly. Even Sekhmet didn’t escape the lord’s anger. I only carried out his wishes." He forced Dais onto his knees and rooted Cale where he stood with merely a glance. "Now that I have your undivided attention, you will carry out your master’s bidding. These new ‘additions’ to the Wilkerson ranch are dangerous. They must be taken care of, immediately." Both Cale and Dais nodded. He released his hold. They gasped and Cale rushed to Dais’ side. "Carry out Ringmaster Talpa’s commands and he might be persuaded to allow me to reverse my spell." He turned his back on them. But I doubt it. Damon slowly walked down the hallway and had to concentrate on not giggling.

Sage laid in bed listening to Rowan breathing. He’d been contemplating all the things that had happened to him since his arrival in Glitter Gulch yesterday. Never in a million years did he think he’d get married his first day in town. Or become a landowner. Or get into a fight and get arrested. Or receive a little glass ball that had all the answers to life’s questions if he could just figure out how to use it. Or fuck another man, his mind added. Shut up. He rolled over onto his side.

They’d all managed to get the schoolhouse repaired for the most part. He’d even enjoyed the trip into town with Kento. He chuckled to himself. Now there was a character. He could see why Kento and Rowan had been good friends. The big man was funny and had a lot of charm. He was a little loud for Sage’s taste, but that was all part of the package. Kento had managed to talk Smitty into charging the purchases to the city as well as ordering more windowpanes to replace the broken ones. He laughed at the stories Kento’d told about Rowan and his antics together. He’d even promised to take Sage to the swimming hole that he and Rowan had found when they’d gone hunting for a bear. Sage had actually relaxed a little and began to think this thing with Ryo might work out, but it would take time. Then he’d returned to find Ryo holding another man in his arms. But I brought it upon myself. If I’d only stopped him…

Sage wanted desperately to take Ryo into his arms and tell him how he felt. He wanted to be with the Indian for the rest of his life. He was going to protect him and keep him safe, no matter what the cost. Sage knew he would gladly give his life if it meant keeping Ryo alive. My narrow-minded, pissant little life means nothing without him. It revolves around him. He’d watched Ryo all day from the corner of his eye. Ryo’d played with Ulee and White Blaze, and helped repair and paint the outside of the schoolhouse. After the Indian had taken his shirt off because of the heat, he’d been unable to keep his eyes off the tanned chest. Ryo’d almost caught him staring a few times.

Sage groaned inwardly. I have got to quit thinking about him like that, before I lose all self-control. I already have a hard-on that won’t go away. He’d managed to hide it most of the day with carefully placed boards at the schoolhouse or his napkin at mealtimes. On the wagon, he’d put his hat in his lap. No one seemed to notice.

Why did it have to be you, Ryo? Why couldn’t it have been someone else? Someone I didn’t truly care about… Sage snorted. Because if it had been someone I hadn’t cared about, it wouldn’t have happened. I would have stopped it one way or another.

He could remember every little detail of that night. The way the firelight danced over Ryo’s elegant features. His ice blue eyes partially closed in passion. His pink tongue darting out of his mouth. The mark on his chest rubbed onto Sage’s skin like a brand of ownership. Sage imagined the scene once more, reveling in the smells and sensations. He closed his eyes and imagined Ryo leaning over him, his long black hair sweeping across Sage’s chest. He reached out and lightly touched Ryo’s chest causing him to quiver. He arched his back to press their bodies together. He wriggled against Ryo’s hardening cock. He wanted to feel Ryo inside him. He wanted to taste the salt on the Indian’s skin. He reached out and wrapped his fingers around Ryo’s shaft, stroking him. Ryo’s eyes opened and he looked at Sage and said, "What the hell is this? National Grope Rowan Week?"

Sage blinked and Rowan’s face came into focus. "Rowan?"

"Yeah. At least the last time I checked."

Sage shook off the effects of his imagination.

"Uh, Sage, do ya plan on doin’ anythin’ with that hand? Or what?"

Sage’s face grew hot and he looked down at his hand. It was wrapped firmly around Rowan’s penis. "Oh! Uh, I thought you were…" he stammered and jerked back his hand.

"You’re amazin’. Ya know that? Ya never want anythin’ to do with another man’s dick and all of a sudden, ya got mine in a death grip. And ya managed to get my shorts down without my knowin’. What gives?"

Sage rolled away and sat up. He swung his feet off the side of the bed and put his head in his hands. "I wish I knew, Rowan."

"Who’d ya think I was anyway?"

"What?"

"You said that ya thought I was somebody. Who’d ya think I was?"

"Oh, uh, nobody. It’s not important."

"What do ya mean it’s not important? My best friend gropes me because he thinks I’m somebody else, and that’s not important? I didn’t think we had secrets, Sage. What aren’t ya tellin’ me?"

"I told you, it’s not important." Sage made to stand up but Rowan grabbed his wrist.

"It’s buggin’ ya, so it’s important. What’s the matter?"

Sage took a deep breath and turned to face Rowan, sliding one leg back on the bed. "I don’t know how to say this."

"Just say it. That’s how you say it."

Sage shook his head. He wanted to tell Rowan. He really did. And of anyone, Rowan would be the first to understand his feelings for Ryo. But…what if he doesn't understand? He’s been nagging me for years about having sex with him, and I’ve turned him down every time. How would he feel about Ryo? Would this change our friendship?

"I, uh, Ryo and I, uh…"

"Ryo? So ya finally went and done it with Ryo? Is that what you’re tryin’ to tell me?"

Shocked, Sage looked into Rowan’s midnight blue eyes. Rowan’s voice softened and he smiled. "That’s it. Isn’t it? Ya finally acted on your impulse." He clapped Sage on the back. "So how come ya ain’t in bed with Ryo? How come you’re sharin’ a room with me?"

Sage didn’t expect Rowan’s reaction. "You mean, you’re okay with this?"

"Sure. Why not? You been moonin’ over that Indian for a while now. It was about time ya did somethin’ ‘bout it."

Sage hung his head. "But I didn’t do anything about it."

"You were on the receivin' end, then?"

"The receiving end?" Sage felt his face grow hot. "Uh, yeah. But Ryo…He'd eaten a few of my peyote buttons and he…well, he got a little carried away…"

Rowan's eyes narrowed. "What do ya mean, 'carried away'?"

Sage searched for the right words. How can I…

"He raped you?! Is that what you're tryin' ta tell me? Why that little…" Rowan made a move for the door.

"No! Rowan…" Sage grabbed Rowan's arm.

"Let me go, Sage."

"No! It wasn't like that. I…I liked it."

Rowan sat back down. "So, did he or didn't he…"

"He did, but…" Sage lowered his eyes. "…he offered to stop…I didn't…I didn't want him to." He stared at his hands.

"Okay, Sage." Rowan made himself comfortable on the bed. "Wanna explain all this ta me?"

Sage sighed and began telling Rowan everything. It felt good to tell someone else. He'd needed to tell someone…not necessarily discuss it. He wasn't sure what Rowan's reaction was going to be, but he trusted him. He knew Rowan would be open and honest with him and most importantly, not say anything to anyone about it. Rowan quietly listened until he finished.

"You haven't talked ta him about this, have ya?"

"No. And I'm not going to."

"What?"

"Look, Ryo was evidently pretty upset about the whole thing. He wasn't himself and I think he regrets it. I don't want to put any more pressure on him. I…care about him."

Rowan ran his fingers through his hair. "I dunno, Sage. What if…"

"Please, Rowan. I need to do it this way, okay?" He managed a small smile.

Rowan shook his head. "All right. But I think you're makin' a mistake. You really oughta talk ta him 'bout it."

"Eventually, maybe. In my own time."

"So until then, I'm gonna have ta put up with a horny roommate who could fuck me in my sleep."

Sage smirked. "Yeah. I guess so."

Rowan stood up, shut the door, and locked it. "Just in case." As he was walking back, he stopped and stared at the window.

"What's wrong, Rowan? What are you…?"

Rowan looked out the window for a second and shook his head. "It's nothin'. I thought I saw somethin' is all." He walked back and sat on the bed next to Sage. He pointed at Sage's groin. "Ya know? I gotta remedy for that." Rowan leaned forward a placed a light kiss on Sage's lips.

"Oh, really?" Sage gulped.

"Yeah." Rowan stood up. Sage heard cloth rustle and then Rowan was at his back. "Just relax." He began rubbing Sage's shoulders and massaging his back, kneading the taut muscles.

"Mmmm…that feels good. Thanks." Rowan put his legs on the outside of Sage's hips and continued rubbing. Sage's eyes slid closed and he gave himself up to the blue haired man's warm, comforting hands. I don't know how this is supposed to help my erection, but… He grunted as Rowan worried at a knot in his lower back.

"This has really been botherin' ya, hasn't it?"

"Mmmhmm." Sage's tongue only seemed capable of sounds not words. Glowing warmth began spreading through his body and he leaned into Rowan's hands.

"Is that good?" Rowan whispered in his ear. Sage nodded.

Rowan watched Sage's long, lean body in the oval, standing mirror. The silver moonlight filtered through the bedroom window, illuminating the chiseled muscles on Sage's chest and legs. Rowan leaned forward and breathed in the fresh scent of lemons from Sage's blonde hair. He inched closer. The cowboy's eyes were closed, his lips slightly parted. His fingers still working their magic, he planted light, feathery kisses on the back of Sage's neck. Sage purred. "So why don't I do somethin' about helpin' ya relieve a little tension?" He put his hand on Sage's groin and rubbed his cock through his underwear. Sage bit his lower lip.

"I don't know, Ro…" Rowan turned Sage's head and covered Sage's mouth with his own, blocking any protest from the blonde. He let his tongue slip between the soft, pliant lips. Still rubbing, he used his other hand to push Sage's underwear down around his hips. He gently nudged Sage who obliged him by arching his back to allow the fabric to slide down the firm legs. With that obstacle out of the way, Rowan draped his legs over Sage's and used his heels to spread Sage's legs open farther. He watched mesmerized. Sage's head was back against his shoulder and his hips were thrust forward into Rowan's palm. He had his own little slice of heaven here. The pressure from his own rigid member begged to be released. He wanted to press himself against the smooth, rounded cheeks of Sage's ass. He pressed Sage harder, forcing him back.

"Let me help ya, Sage. I don't ask for much in return…just let me fuck ya. That's all. Nothin' more. After all, what are friends for?"

His response was a low moan and Sage pressing into his hand. It was all he needed.