If I Had Only Known

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


Warnings: Angst, slash


Rating: FRM


* indicates thoughts


If I Had Only Known
Chapter 9


David sat in a chair next to Bo's hospital bed, lovingly brushing the hair from his face as he watched him sleep. As he watched his lover resting, he couldn't help wishing that things had worked out differently. "I'm so sorry Bo, I never meant to tear your life apart like this," he whispered to the injured man.


"It wasn't you that tore his life apart," Luke softly said as he quietly stepped to the bed.


Startled, David looked up at Luke. "If you're here to give him grief you can leave right now," he quietly ordered, coming to his feet, prepared to fight if he had to.


"I'm not here for that, though what I have to tell him may upset him," Luke admitted.


"He don't need that right now."


"Y'all want to keep it down, there's injured people trying to sleep around here," Bo interrupted them.


"Hey beautiful," David whispered, his tone instantly going from firm protectiveness to loving awe. "You're supposed to be resting," he continued, gently stroking his lover's hand.


"Was," Bo reminded him.


"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you," David apologized.


"It's okay slick," Bo quickly accepted the apology. Turning towards Luke, he leveled him with a serious look, "What do ya need to tell me cousin?"


"It can wait," Luke stalled. He really didn't want to admit to Bo his part in the beating, and he realized that David was right about his cousin not needing to be upset.


"No, you came up here to tell me something, now talk," Bo ordered.


Swallowing hard, Luke looked away as he gathered his courage, with a deep breath, he raised his eyes to face his cousin. "Ernie didn't know about you and David, it was partially my fault that you were beaten."


"Of course he knew, he said that he knew I was seeing somebody, told me that me and my boyfriend need to leave Hazzard."


"I know Bo, but he didn't really know," Luke insisted. "Do you remember Mable Tillingham coming down to the diner to see you?"


"Yeah?"


"She came to Cooter's first and asked me about the dance, but thankfully I already had a date, so..."


"So you told her I didn't and sent her my way," Bo finished.


Nodding miserably, Luke confirmed his cousin's words. "I'm sorry Bo, I had no idea that she'd act like she did or that you were involved with somebody. I just thought it'd be funny and well I wanted to get her out of my hair."


"Okay, so you sent Mabel my way, how does that make what Ernie did your fault?"


"When she left there she must've ran into Ernie and she told him that you broke a date with her cause you were in love with a man. He didn't know who the man was, hell he even accused me of being the man that you were involved with," he informed him with a derisive snort.


"Still don't see how it's your fault Luke. We've both played jokes like that on each other before, you didn't have any way of knowing that Mabel would do what she did." Glancing down he noticed his cousin's knuckles and reaching for the older man's hand, he held it up. "This mean you showed Ernie the error of his ways?"


"Damn right I did," Luke fiercely replied. "I am sorry Bo," Luke softly said.


"No need to be sorry for that, ain't your fault."


"Not just about that, I'm sorry that I reacted like I did to you and David being together."


"Why did you?"


"I think it was partly the shock of you being in love with a man and partly my tendency to protect you. I love you Bo, but you haven't always shown the best judgement ya know," he pointed out.


"Can't argue with that," Bo acknowledged. "So now you trust my judgement?"


"It ain't right what happened to you and I want to make it up to you?"


"That isn't what I asked you Luke, but I guess you answered my question anyway, didn't ya?" Bo asked, looking him in the eye.


"I'm sorry Bo, I can't help worrying about you," he defended himself.


"So you still don't think I should be with David?"


"Come on Bo, you ain't never been interested in men before, why now?"


"Why not now?" Bo countered.


"How can you be sure he's not manipulating you somehow?"


"Because he's not that kind of man," Bo snapped, getting angry.


"Bo, you can't blame Luke for having concerns," David calmly stated, rubbing his lover's arm.


"The hell I can't! I don't believe you Luke, ya come in here wanting to make amends, but you haven't changed your mind about anything, have you? You still think I'm too stupid to know the difference between being loved and being used."


"It's not like that Bo," Luke protested. "I just don't want to see you getting hurt is all. How do you know he hasn't done this before?"


"Done what?"


"Get bored with the big city, come to some small town and find some innocent country boy to take advantage of. Think about it Bo, what do y'all really have in common?"


"Oh not much Luke, just the fact that we're in love. I don't need this Luke, just get out of here until you're ready to give David a fair chance."


"So if I can't accept that you love David you're going to choose him over your family? If he really loved you he wouldn't be wanting you to do that."


"He doesn't want me to do that Luke, and I'm not choosing, you are. Look cousin, I'm not asking you to accept our love just like that. You think I don't understand that it's a shock to y'all? I know that, and I know you're going to have your doubts, I accept that. What I'm asking is that you give him a fair chance, don't just assume that he must be using me somehow."


"I'll try," Luke said, not mentioning that Coop was checking into David's background as they spoke.


"That's all I can ask, thanks cousin," Bo said, holding out his hand.


David watched them, a small smile on his lips as the two cousins shook hands, taking that first step towards healing their relationship.


"So when are they letting you go home?"


"Doc said probably tomorrow, but I won't be coming to the farm."


"You won't?" Luke asked, clearly shocked.


"Uncle Jesse hasn't been to see me Luke, kind of tells me all I need to know. Then there's what he did this morning," Bo said, his voice tight with anger.


"Calm down Bo, he was just looking out for you," David soothed.


"I ain't calming down, looking out for me is one thing but that's going too far."


"What are you talking about Bo?"


"He called my doctor, gave him the idea that David was forcing me to be with him." Noticing the lack of surprise on Luke's face, he gave his cousin a hard look. "You knew didn't you?"


"Yeah, he called the hospital last night and talked to Dr. Branson."


"I'm sure you thought it was a great idea too, didn't you?"


"Yes I did Bo and I ain't gonna apologize for that," Luke snapped. "Ever since you discovered girls were good for something besides teasing and tormenting, you've been crazy for them. Now all of a sudden you're in love with a man. Not only that, until a short time ago you had never met him, and you expect us not to consider that he's somehow manipulating you. Wouldn't you if it was me that suddenly said he was in love with a man?"


Bo had his mouth open, ready to blast his cousin for his suspicions and lack of trust when his last words stopped him cold. Snapping his mouth shut, he stared at Luke for several minutes, considering all that his cousin had said. "Alright, I guess I would, but that don't mean I have to like it."


"As long as you understand it, that's enough."


"Still ain't going to the farm," Bo repeated. "Don't look at me like that Luke, I'm not ready to deal with Uncle Jesse's disapproval right now. I'm not moving out permanently, unless Uncle Jesse wants me to, I just need a few days," he explained.


"Fair enough," Luke acknowledged. "Just don't stop talking to him Bo," he advised.


"That works both ways Luke."


"Yeah," Luke quietly said. "So how did this happen anyway? Sorry I didn't mean that the way it sounded..."


"It's alright Luke, I know," Bo interrupted. "I'm not really sure how it happened, I know when I first noticed my attraction for David. It was that night he came to dinner, when I walked him out to his truck. We were standing there talking and out of nowhere I wanted to caress his cheek. Scared the hell out of me, I hadn't never thought about doing anything like that with a man."


"Did you do anything about it then?"


"No, I was too scared and nervous. I considered not going back over there, but I told myself it was just a weird moment and it didn't mean anything. Found out different a few days later, I was over at David's and he'd just helped me with a...with something and all of a sudden I was kissing him." As he spoke, he looked at his lover, his eyes soft with love. "As soon as I realized what I'd done, I jumped up and took off for the car. I just wanted to get out of there, but David wasn't letting me go that easy. When he caught up to me, I figured I was a dead man, turns out he'd been wanting to kiss me since he met me."


"The only thing stopping me was that I wasn't sure how Bo would take it and I didn't want to lose his friendship. As hard as it was to keep my feelings to myself, I preferred that and his company to a busted lip and the loss of a beautiful person from my life." David spoke softly, his fingers gently caressing Bo's cheek as though he were touching something rare and prescious.


Feeling like he was intruding on a private moment, Luke quietly got to his feet. "I'm gonna go get somthing to eat," he told them, though he didn't think they heard him. Opening the door, he stopped and looked back at them. Seeing the obvious love and affection between them, Luke began to think that maybe he was wrong about David. Silently leaving the room, he left them alone.


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Phillip Blanchard drove into the small town of Hazzard hoping to find directions to David's new property. Looking around as he drove, he couldn't understand what David saw in this small hick town. Having heard how small town lawmen could be, he decided that before he went to the sheriff for directions he would try something else. Pulling up at the pumps outside the only garage in town, he waited for the attendant to come out.


"Yes sir, what can I get for ya?" Cooter asked, a friendly grin on his face.


"Fill it up please and if you could I need some directions," Phillip replied, his tone civil but cool.


"Well that depends," Cooter said as he began to fill the tank, "what are ya looking for?"


"I'm looking for a friend of mine, he just moved here a short time ago, his name is David Sorenson."


"Oh yeah, he bought the old Peterson place," Cooter grinned.


A few minutes later and Phillip was on his way to David's new place. Pulling into the driveway he was surprised to see that David wasn't home. "Where could he have gone in such a small town?" Walking around the house, he couldn't understand how the man could stand being out here with nothing but bugs and wild animals for company. As he sweltered in the oppressive Georgia heat, Phillip began to wonder if David had indeed lost his mind. Unable to stand any more and sure that David wouldn't mind, he tried the front door. He was surprised to find it unlocked, but then he supposed in a place like this burglary was unheard of. Stepping inside, he sighed as he was greeted with cooler air. Curious and hoping that David had been painting again, he began to look around the house. "Oh my, well it's not up to your usual standards David, but at least you're painting," he mumbled as he picked up the painting of a wolf. "Now it's beginning to make sense," he smiled when he saw the signature on the painting. Hearing a vehicle pulling up outside, Phillip put the painting back where he'd found it and went outside.


"Looks like you got company," Bo said as they pulled into the driveway.


"Yeah, do you recgonize the car?"


"No, don't you?" Bo asked nervously.


"No I don't. You stay here Bo, I'm going to see who it is," he said as he parked the truck.


"No way, if it's somebody wanting to cause trouble I ain't letting you face them alone," Bo protested, getting out of the truck.


"Bo be reasonable, please let me handle this."


"I'll let you take the lead David, but I will back you up," Bo insisted.


"Anybody ever tell you you're stubborn?"


"At least once a day," Bo grinned. "We going to check it out or not?"


"David darling, there you are," Phillip gushed as he came out of the house. Without even glancing at the blond with him, he walked up to David and wrapped his arms around him, kissing him lightly. "I've missed you so much dear," he quietly said.


"Phillip what are you doing here?" David asked, grabbing his arms and moving him away.


"Why I came to see you, aren't you happy to see me?" he pouted.


Bo swore he could feel his heart breaking in two as he watched the scene in front of him.


"Phillip what the hell is going on? Why are you...," trailing off, he turned to Bo as he realized exactly why Phillip was acting this way. "Bo this isn't what it looks like..."


"Really?" Bo interrupted. "Cause what it looks like is that I was a fool! Was this some kind of game David? I was just a way to pass the time until your real lover could get here, is that it?"


"No! He's not my lover Bo, I swear it," David promised as he stepped to Bo's side. "Listen to me, please."


"I think you should just take me home," Bo said, his voice flat and dull.


Turning to his manager, he fixed him with a steely glare, "Phillip tell him the truth, now!"


Jumping at the tone, Phillip realized that if he wanted to keep David as a client he'd better do as he'd been told. "I'm not his lover, I'm actually his manager. I'm sorry if I upset you, it was meant to be a joke," he apologized.


"His manager?"


"Yes, I came here to see if I could talk him into coming back to New York with me. There are several people who want to commission paintings David, you must come back."


"I already told you I mustn't do anything except relax," David replied. "I'm sorry you wasted a trip Phillip, but I'm not coming back to New York."


"But David, the commissions, your fans..."


"Will still be there, when and if I decide to return," David interrupted.


"If? What do you mean if? Surely you can't mean to stay here permanently?"


"I don't know yet Phillip, but as I told Bo I can work from anywhere."


"I suppose that's true, but David people like Mrs. Rothman are not going to come out here to the sticks to commission paintings."


"Isn't that why I have a manager Phillip?" David coldly asked.


"I can't believe you would give up all you've worked for just so you can screw some country boy," Phillip sneered.


"That's enough Phillip!"


"No it's not nearly enough David. Don't you see what's happening? I saw his paintings, he's obviously using you in the hopes of furthering his own career. When you think about it like that, he's really nothing more than a cheap whore," Phillip snarled.


Stalking over to Phillip, David grabbed him by the shirtfront and lifted him a couple of inches off the ground. "You slimy little bastard, how dare you talk about him like that," he growled. "I ought to beat you..."


"David don't," Bo interrupted, coming up beside him and laying a hand on his arm. "He ain't worth it slick."


"You are though and I'm not letting him get away with talking about you like that."


"David you know it ain't true, right?"


"Of course I know it's not true."


"Then it doesn't matter what he thinks, and beating him isn't going to change his opinion."


"Fine," David snapped, letting go of Phillip suddenly he grinned as the man fell to the ground. "Get out of here Phillip and don't come back. Oh and just in case you haven't already figured it out for yourself, you're fired."


"David please, don't do anything hasty."


"Get off my property Phillip before I have you arrested for trespassing," David ordered in a cold voice.


"I'll go but I'm not giving up David, I won't let you throw your career away for some...gold-digging whore," Phillip sneered. As David took a threatening step towards him, Phillip wisely hurried to his car, quickly leaving the property.


"I'm sorry you had to hear that Bo," David apologized.


"Ain't your fault, and I don't really care what he thinks of me," Bo assured him. Wrapping his arms around his lover's waist, he leaned against him. "I love you David Sorenson," he whispered.


"I love you Bo Duke," David softly responded, holding him close. "Come on, let's get you inside so you can rest," he said, already leading him towards the house.


"David, being with me isn't going to cost you your career is it?"


Lowering Bo to the couch, he sat down beside him. "No, and it wouldn't matter if it did," David quickly answered.


"Of course it matters, I don't want you to have to give up something you love for me."


"Bo," David began, caressing his cheek with his fingers. "First of all I love you, and I want you to be a part of my life. Hell you're already becoming my life so if I had to choose between you and painting, you win hands down."


"But you shouldn't..."


"Shhhh," David hushed him, with a finger over his lips. "Secondly I don't have to choose. Bo I don't paint to make money, I paint because I love it and if I never sell another painting, I can still paint. Hush, I know what you're thinking, but I don't need to work Bo. I already have more money than I could ever spend in three lifetimes, believe me the only thing I'm giving up to be with you is the rat race that is New York City and that's no sacrifice at all."


"I don't want you to wake up someday and realize that your life isn't what you pictured. I'd rather lose you now than have you someday resent me for what I cost you."


"You don't have to worry about that Bo, I love you and as long as I have you in my life I'll be happy," David assured him. "Now what would you like for lunch?"


"Not really hungry."


"Bo ya need to eat."


"I know, and I will, I'm just not hungry yet. Could we just sit here for a while and cuddle?" he quietly asked.


"Cuddling is good," David whispered, pulling his lover closer and brushing a kiss into his hair.


"Very good," Bo quietly agreed. Turning his head, he brushed his lips across David's in a gentle kiss.


Moaning into the gentle kiss, David ran his tongue over Bo's lips, quietly asking for more.


Parting his lips, Bo gladly let the kiss deepen, meeting David's tongue with his own as they explored each other's mouths. Running his hands over his lover's strong back as they kissed, Bo was struck by how right this felt. "I love you David, I want you," he softly moaned as the kiss broke.


"Oh god Bo, you don't know how much I want to make love to you right now," David's voice was thick with need.


"I want you to," Bo whispered.


"Not now," he regretfully moaned. "You just got out of the hospital, I won't take the risk of hurting you."


"I ain't made of glass," Bo protested.


"I know you aren't beautiful, but ya just had surgery a couple of days ago. Don't you worry, we'll get there and when we do it'll be all the better for waiting."


"You sure about that?"


"Yep, and in the meantime there isn't any reason why we can't make out on the couch," he whispers as he begins to kiss Bo's neck. "In the bed, on the porch swing, in the truck," he softly spoke as he trailed kisses down to Bo's chest.


Bo moaned loudly as David began to lick and nip at his nipples, driving hin crazy with need and desire. "Never knew that could feel so good," he gasped.


"Learn something new everyday," David teased, working his lover's nipples with his mouth and fingers, thrilled to find they were so responsive.


As David drove him wild, Bo ran his hands under his lover's shirt, wanting, needing to feel his hot skin under his hands. As the desire flamed, his hands were suddenly under the waist band of his lover's jeans, squeezing his ass and pulling him closer. "I want to touch you," he whispered, moving his hands to the front of David's jeans and opening them. As he tugged on his lover's jeans, the older man shifted his hips, helping him to get them down far enough to expose his cock. Timidly he reached for his lover and for the first time in his life he touched another man's cock.


David smiled as his younger lover reached for his cock, he wanted so much to encourage him, to let him know it was okay. Afraid that he would spook him if he did, he remained quiet, thrusting his hips towards his lover, silently letting him know he liked what he was doing. Moaning softly, he sighed with pleasure as Bo began to stroke his cock, gradually tightening his hold and speeding up his strokes as he gained confidence.


Bo grinned as his lover began to moan, speeding up the strokes, he was thrilled that he could make the older man feel so good.


"Bo, please more...so good," David plead as his lover changed the speed of his strokes, slowing them down again just as he was approaching the edge.


"Ya sure that's what ya want?" Bo teased.


"Oh yeah, that and more...please Bo, I want to cum for you," he whispered, his breathing heavy.


"Well don't ever want to be accused of denying you what ya want," Bo teased as he sped up his strokes again.


"Yes, oh man that is so good," pants and moans as his lover pulls him towards the edge. Crying out his lover's name, he suddenly came in his hand, covering them both with the sticky fluid. Breathing heavily, he pulls Bo close, kissing him deeply as he comes down from his sexual high. "I love you Bo," he whispers, trailing kisses along his lover's jaw, he slowly kisses his way down his lover's body.


Moaning deeply, Bo arches into the sensual kisses, gasping with pleasure as David tugs his sweatpants down and wraps his hand around his length. "Oh lord," he cries out as a warm, wet mouth suddenly engulfs the head of his dick, sending a burst of pleasure through him. Tossing his head from side to side, he couldn't help thrusting deeper into his lover's mouth. He'd had blowjobs before, but no girl had ever made him feel like this. He could feel the pleasure slowly building, bringing towards the edge. Moaning loudly, he instinctively began to piston his hips, crying out as David deep throated him, and suddenly without warning he was screaming out his lover's name as he fell over the edge of the abyss.


Kissing his way back up his lover's body, David lovingly claimed the younger man's lips in a passionate kiss.


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Phillip Blanchard wasn't one to give up easily, especially not when hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees were at stake. Driving back into Hazzard, he parked in front of the hotel and went inside to register. The moment he was in his room, he was on the phone to his office in New York, instructing them to find out all they could about Bo Duke. "This isn't over David, I'm not going to let some country bumpkin take my biggest client away from me."


TBC


Sorry it took so long to finish this chapter, seem to be having a bit of trouble lately with staying focused. Please review and tell me what you think.