Misunderstanding

Disclaimer: I don't own the Dukes of Hazzard, not making any money, just cheap thrills.


Warnings: Angst, Slash, Violence


Rating: FRM


* indicates thoughts


Misunderstanding
Chapter 17


Five days after coming out of his coma, L.B. was allowed to go home. Though it was to Cooter's place he went, not his folks', even though they'd tried to convince him. He had talked until he was blue in the face, trying to convince them that he'd be fine at Cooter's, but nothing was working, until Bo walked in the room.


"Hey L.B.," Bo greeted, a grin spreading across his face and his eyes sparkling with love as he looked at the man in the bed.


"Hey Bo," L.B. returned, wearing a matching grin and a similar sparkle in his eyes. "How you doing?"


"I'm doing fine, but ain't that supposed to be my line?" Bo teased as he moved to the bed. Oblivious to Rosemary and Hal's presence, he took L.B.'s hand in his own.


"I'm fine, better now that you're here," L.B. softly said, having forgotten that his parents were there.


"Would you boys like to be alone?" Hal asked, grinning at the blush that covered the faces of both young men.


"Mr. Davenport, Mrs. Davenport, I didn't see you," Bo yelped in surprised.


"We noticed," Hal said, still grinning. It wasn't until Rosemary jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow that he noticed the look of near panic on Bo's face. "You okay Bo?"


"Bo?" L.B. called, worried when Bo didn't answer but only stood frozen like a deer in the headlights. "Daddy could you get a chair for Bo?" he asked, never taking his eyes from the man he loved.


Grabbing the more comfortable of the two chairs in the room, Hal placed it directly behind Bo before gently guiding the younger man into it. "We'll just give you two some time alone," he said, giving his son an understanding look. Leaning down, he gave Bo's trembling shoulders a gentle squeeze. "You don't have to worry Bo, we're not mad at ya," he whispered into the younger man's ear. Standing back up, he took his wife's hand and quietly moved towards the door. The sound of their son's voice stopped them for a moment.


"Mama, Daddy, don't tell anybody what you saw okay?"


"Why not? Is Bo ashamed of you?" Hal demanded, the need to protect his child rising to the surface.


"No sir, he's just been through a lot and well he's not ready to have anybody else know just yet."


"We understand son, don't worry we won't say anything," Rosemary assured him. Pulling on her husband's hand, she quickly led him from the room.


"Bo, please talk to me angel," L.B. plead, unnerved by Bo's continued silence.


With a shudder Bo finally came out of his stunned state. Glancing around the room, he realized that they were alone. "Your folks left?"


"Yeah, they wanted to give us some time alone."


"They're not mad?" Bo asked, surprised and pleased.


"No of course not, why would they be?" L.B. asked, genuinely confused.


"Cause I..." Bo colored and looked away, unable to hold the other man's gaze.


"Cause you what? Bo, they've told you they don't blame you for what happened."


"I know," Bo quietly said, studying the floor as though it were the most fascinating thing he'd ever seen.


"They know I'm gay, have known for a while now, so what else could it be? Bo, please tell me what's going on, I'll get on my knees if I have to," L.B. threatened, beginning to sit up.


"No!" Bo cried out, horrified at the thought of L.B. begging him for anything.


"Then tell me Bo, tell me why you think my folks would be mad about us getting together?"


"Cause I let that man use me!" Bo snapped, jumping to his feet. "Cause I acted like a whore in that alley and out there in the woods!" he accused himself as he looked out the window. "Cause you almost died, thanks to me!" he threw out as he spun back towards the stunned man in the bed.


"Bo come here," L.B. quietly requested. Taking a deep breath, he didn't release it until Bo finally stood at the edge of the bed. "Sit down," he softly ordered. "No not there, here," he instructed, patting the mattress when Bo moved towards the chair. He waited, unsure if Bo would do as he asked, sighing with relief when the blond finally sat down on the bed. "First of all, you ain't a whore and I don't ever want to hear you talking about yourself like that again!"


"How can you..."


"Hush," L.B. interrupted. Bringing Bo's hand to his mouth, he brushed a gentle kiss against the palm. "You didn't let him do anything angel, he took what he wanted and there was nothing you could do to stop him. Don't say it Bo, if you had resisted you'd be dead and we both know it. We've already figured out that my folks don't blame you for what happened to me and neither do I. Bo, the only reason they left was cause they could see you were upset and they thought we needed some time alone."


"They did?"


"Yes, you okay now?"


"Yeah, I'm sorry L.B.. I guess when I saw them standing there I forgot that they knew about you. I just kept remembering the way Chris' folks acted when they found out about him, and the things those men did cause of what they thought about me, and I panicked."


"You don't have to apologize to me Bo, believe me I understand," L.B. assured him. Pulling on Bo's hand, he drew him down until his head was laying against L.B.'s chest. "Guess what?" he asked as he ran his hand through Bo's blond curls.


"What?"


"The doctor's releasing me today."


"That's great!" Bo cried out as he sat partially up so he could look L.B. in the eye. As he looked into the other man's eyes, he was surprised by the intense love and need he saw staring back at him. Without a conscious thought, he leaned forward and placed his lips against his lover's, beginning a passionate kiss that they were both soon lost in. Finally the need for air forced them to break the kiss, "Wow!"


"Yeah, wow," L.B. agreed with a gentle smile.


"So, you gonna be staying in Hazzard or you going to..."


"I'm staying here, at Cooter's." L.B. interrupted. "Ya don't think I'm gonna leave now that I've found you?"


"I hope not," Bo replied quietly.


"I'll never leave you angel, not unless ya want me to."


"Guess we're stuck with each other then," Bo said, a grin lighting his face.


A knock on the door ended their conversation.


"Come in," L.B. called out.


"Everything okay?" Rosemary asked, as she and Hal came back into the room.


"Everything's great!" L.B. happily answered.


"You okay Bo?"


"Yes ma'am," Bo quietly replied. "Sorry about earlier."


"It's alright son, guess we took you by surprise," Hal assured him.


"Yes sir," Bo agreed.


"We talked to the doctor L.B., he just signed your release papers, so as soon as you're ready we can get you out of here." Rosemary said, deftly drawing attention away from an uncomfortable Bo, who flashed her a grateful smile.


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Over the next week they quickly established a pattern, making sure to schedule their physical therapy appointments for the same day and time. They would drive to the hospital together, meeting afterwards for lunch. Because it was easier for L.B., he would bring the sandwiches and side dishes, while Bo would buy the drinks. Leaving the hospital, they would drive to a secluded spot halfway between Tri County hospital and Hazzard. In the calm privacy, looking out over a beautiful canyon, they would have their lunch while getting to know each other in a way neither had ever expected.


Bo lay on the blanket, his head cradled on L.B.'s lap, he couldn't help smiling at the feel of his lover's fingers combing through his hair. "We're not really though," he whispered, not realizing he'd spoken out loud.


"We're not what angel?"


"Huh?" Bo asked, opening his eyes in surprised confusion.


"You said we're not really though, not really what?"


"Oh," Bo replied, blushing slightly. "I was just thinking how good it felt to have my lover's fingers running through my hair. But we're not really lovers are we?"


"Bo, just because we haven't had sex yet doesn't mean we're not lovers," L.B. softly answered.


"It doesn't?"


"You love me?"


"You know I do L.B."


"And I love you, so we're lovers," he explained with a soft smile that only Bo ever saw.


"Still, I know it's got to be difficult for you, having to wait for me," Bo said, turning his head to the side, he looked away from L.B..


"Bo look at me please," L.B. asked, waiting until his lover had done as he asked before continuing. "I won't deny that I'd love to take our relationship to the next level. I'm not going to though, because you are no where near ready for that and we're taking this as slow as you need."


"I don't like to see you doing without just for me," Bo protested.


"So what? My needs are the only important ones, is that what you think?"


"I didn't mean it like that babe, oh heck I don't know what I mean," Bo snapped as he sat up and turned away.


"I know you didn't angel, and I love you for wanting to please me. You can too, by taking however much time you need."


"What if I'm never ready?" Bo finally voiced the fear he'd been hiding.


"Bo your only sexual experience with a man was a violent assault, I don't expect you to be ready for more than kisses and cuddling, not for a while. You shouldn't be thinking that just cause you ain't got to that point yet that you never will. It's just going to take time and it happens that I've got plenty of that," L.B. assured him, wrapping his arms around his lover, he laid his head against Bo's back.


Turning around, Bo wrapped his arms around L.B.'s waist. "I love you," he whispered huskily, before leaning forward to claim his lover's mouth in a deep, loving kiss.


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Luke was worried. After L.B. was released from the hospital, he and Bo began to drive to Tri-County for their appointments, refusing all offers of help from their families. He wasn't sure what was going on with his baby cousin, but he knew Bo was hiding something from them all. In spite of his best efforts, he hadn't been able to convince his cousin to confide in him. Finally after three weeks of this, Luke decided that if the mountain wouldn't come to him, he'd just have to go to the mountain.


In a borrowed car from Cooter, Luke followed his cousin to Tri-County, relieved to see that the two younger men were at least going for their therapy. Given the improvement he'd seen, he hadn't really thought Bo was skipping therapy but it had been his first suspicion. Knowing how long the therapy sessions typically lasted, Luke took the opportunity to grab a bite to eat.


Walking back to the borrowed vehicle, he slid behind the wheel just moments before Bo and L.B. emerged from the hospital. Climbing into L.B.'s pickup, they stopped at a small grocery, where Bo disappeared inside. Coming out a few minutes later, he climbed back into the truck and they drove off, unaware that Luke was following. He was surprised when they pulled off the highway about midway back to Hazzard. With the need to keep his cousin in sight, Luke followed as closely as he dared. Luckily, neither of the younger men seemed to notice his presence behind them. When they parked the truck and climbed out, Luke waited for them to do whatever they were going to do.


He didn't have to wait long. Grabbing a basket from the bed of the pick-up, L.B. took Bo's hand in his and they walked off into the woods. Sitting in his car, Luke stared after them, his mouth hanging open in shock. "What the hell?" he finally sputtered as the shock receded. Luke stayed where he was for sometime, he wasn't sure what to do now. After about forty-five minutes, he slowly opened the door and got out of the car. Slowly walking up the trail the two younger men had taken, he crept up on their picnic spot.


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"L.B., would you do something for me?" Bo nervously asked.


"Anything angel, you know that," L.B. softly replied, nipping playfully at Bo's neck as he spoke.


"Would you, I mean could we...dang it! L.B., what I'm trying to say is I want more than just kisses and cuddling today."


"Are you sure you're ready?" L.B. asked, immediately concerned that Bo was pushing himself.


"Not that, I ain't ready to go that far, I just want more," Bo tried to explain.


"Well how about we just let things lead where they will?" his lover asked, again nipping at Bo's neck.


"Mmmmmm, yeah, sounds good," Bo replied, warmth flooding through him as L.B. worked his magic.


"What the hell is going on here?" Luke demanded as he stepped into the clearing.


Jerking away from each other, the two younger men turned towards Luke. Instinctively, L.B. placed himself slightly in front of his lover, keeping himself between the man he loved and the angry man who had interrupted them.


"Luke, it's alright, L.B. wasn't doing anything I didn't want," Bo tried to explain.


"Oh I could tell that," Luke snarled. "So you been lying to us all this time?"


"Lying to you?" Bo asked, confused by the accusation.


"Oh come on Bo, I know ya ain't that innocent. You said ya weren't gay, told us you were just in Cedar City to meet Chris and his boyfriend. Obviously that was a lie, makes me wonder what else you've been lying about," Luke accused, taking a few steps towards them.


"Back off Luke!" L.B. snapped when the other man moved towards them. "You don't know what you're talking about," he said.


"Stay out of this L.B., it's between me and my cousin."


"L.B. please, Luke's right this is between us."


Turning towards his lover, L.B. grabbed Bo's face between his hands and drew him forward until their foreheads touched. "No it's not angel. I love you and I'm not going to let him hurt you."


"Thank you babe, but he's not going to hurt me."


"He already has," L.B. gently pointed out.


"Bo?" Luke asked, a hundred questions contained in that one word.


"I didn't lie Luke. When I went to Cedar City it was to meet Chris and Ray, and I sure didn't lie about what Mark Dawson and his pals did to me," Bo insisted.


"So what? You liked it so much you decided you wanted more?"


Bo's pained gasp at the cruel words was all L.B. needed to hear to ignite his temper. Running forward, he slammed into Luke, bringing him to the ground. Straddling the older man, he began to batter him with his fists, unaware of the blows Luke was reigning on him in return. "You bastard! How dare you say that to him! How could you hurt him like that?"


"L.B. stop! Please stop, don't do this!," Bo begged as he struggled to pull his lover off of his cousin. In a moment of desperation, Bo wrapped one arm around L.B.'s throat, cutting off his oxygen, forcing him to stop his attack on Luke. When he felt L.B. weakening, Bo loosened his hold and pulled the other man from on top of his cousin. "L.B.? You okay? Talk to me babe, please," Bo plead, worried that he'd hurt the other man more than he'd realized.


"I'm okay," L.B. rasped out finally. "Why did you stop me?"


"I couldn't let you hurt him. No matter what he's still my cousin and I love him," Bo explained.


"I don't know how you can forgive him after what he said, but if you want me to I'll let it go, this time. Shh, don't cry Bo, please I promise I won't hi..."


"That's not why I'm crying," Bo said. "I just realized that it may not matter if I forgive Luke, not if he still hates me."


"Aw Bo," L.B. whispered as he wrapped his arms around his lover and gently rocked him as he ran soothing hands over his back.


Laying on the ground, Luke watched the touching scene, seeing something he'd missed when he'd first spotted them together. *I can't believe I didn't see it before. God, I'm such an idiot! How can I ever expect Bo to forgive me?*


"Bo?" Luke called as he began to sit up. He stopped instantly when L.B. turned towards him, a low growl sounding from his throat. "I'm sorry cousin, I had no right to say that."


"Why did you?" Bo asked, the hurt and betrayal easily heard.


"I don't really know," Luke honestly replied. "I guess I was just shocked. I mean, after all that happened to you, the last thing I expected to see was you making out with another man."


"No."


"No? What do you mean no?" Luke asked.


"I mean, that kind of nastiness didn't come from shock."


Thinking about it, Luke realized his younger cousin was right. "You're right Bo, but I don't have any other explanation. I just hope that someday you can forgive me," Luke softly said, with a sincerity that was plain to hear. Slowly climbing to his feet, Luke began to walk away, stopping at the sound of his cousin's voice.


"Luke?"


"Yeah Bo?" he asked, turning to face the younger man.


"I want to forgive you, but I can't, not until you're honest with me and yourself."


"Fair enough," Luke sadly agreed.


"Luke, one more thing."


Luke gave Bo a questioning look, cocking his head to one side.


"Please don't tell Daisy or Uncle Jesse about this? I'd rather do that myself."


"Alright Bo, that's the least I can do," Luke promised. With a heavy sigh, he turned around and walked away, praying for the answers that would allow Bo to forgive him.


TBC


Well when I started this, I was sure it was the last chapter. But then muse Luke decided that he just had to know what was going on and ya see the result. Please review and tell me what ya think.