daisyswedding

Daisy's Wedding

Daisy is getting married. Who will comfort Enos?

A note on 'canon' - apparently Enos has lived in Hazzard since he was a kid, but no family is ever mentioned. So I have assumed he grew up in the town orphanage ...

It was a day of celebration, and for many a day of mourning. Half the men in Hazzard County were getting their fondest dreams broken today, the day Daisy Duke got married.

Bobby Taylor had left Hazzard eight years ago to go off to college and ultimately to medical school. He had promised that when he became a real doctor, he'd come home to Hazzard and take up practice with Amos Appleby, who was getting a bit long in the tooth these days. But nobody really believed that after all those years in the big city, he'd be coming back to a hick town like Hazzard.

Daisy had been 16 when Bobby left. They had known each other, even dated a couple of times. But under Uncle Jesse's watchful eye, Daisy hadn't let any relationships get serious.

Now she was 24, and Bobby was back home in Hazzard. Somehow, Bobby had kept the heart of a country boy, but picked up some of the polish of the city. He took her to shows in Atlanta � always careful to get her home by a decent hour. He respected Uncle Jesse, hung out with Bo and Luke at the Boar's Nest, and had become a part of the Duke family. When he asked Daisy to marry him, nobody was really surprised that she said yes.

Oh, now, there was one little thing that made Daisy hesitate. Everybody in town knew that Deputy Enos Strait was sweet on her. And the two of them had been friends since they were kids. She'd always expected him to be the one she'd finally marry. But despite many opportunities, Enos had just never made a move on her. She thought about it long and hard, and finally decided that if Enos wasn't man enough to ask her out, how would he ever be able to ask her to marry him? No, she'd waited long enough. Bobby was everything she'd ever dreamed of. It was time.

The day of the wedding was one of those spring days in Hazzard where you just knew God himself had set the weather. Warm, sunny, but not too hot. Just perfect.

The wedding was held in the church they'd gone to every Sunday since they was kids, and the reception afterwards was in the social hall built on to the back of the church. Uncle Jesse gave her away, and Bo and Luke stood as Bobby's groomsmen along with Bobby's kid brother Dale. Daisy wore the most beautiful wedding dress ever, and looked absolutely radiant. Everybody in town was there, even Boss and Lulu Hogg. Boss was annoyed at losing his best waitress from the Boar's Nest, but Lulu was joyfully crying as if Daisy was her own daughter.

Everybody was having a wonderful time at the reception. Everybody, that is, except one. When they had stood in the receiving line, Luke had seen the sadness in Enos' eyes as he kissed Daisy chastely on the cheek and told her she looked beautiful. He kept his eye on the deputy on and off through the rest of the afternoon, and got more and more worried. It was pretty obvious that Enos' heart was breaking. Luke wasn't at all surprised when he saw his friend slipping out the back door. While he wanted to stay and enjoy the celebration, he knew that Enos needed a friend right now. So he detoured to where Bo and Uncle Jesse were taking a few moments rest from the festivities.

"Hey," Luke said, coming up behind Bo, gently squeezing his shoulders.

"Hey, cuz. So, you gonna dance with Sally Mae, or what?"

Luke chuckled. Bo was so predictable. "Nah, you go ahead and keep her busy, Bo. Actually, I'm gonna disappear for a while. I just saw Enos slip out, he looked pretty depressed."

Jesse sighed. "He had his chance, many times. I don�t understand why he never even asked her out proper-like."

"I know, Uncle Jesse. Even so, right now it looks like he needs a friend."

Jesse nodded. "You do that, Luke. He's been a good friend to this family, it's the least we can do for him."

Luke nodded and made his way out the same back door Enos had, luckily avoiding Daisy's glance. It had been more than a couple of minutes; the deputy was nowhere in sight. But looking around, Luke immediately knew where he'd go. They were just a couple of blocks from the Hazzard Park.

A few minutes later, he found Enos sitting alone on a park bench. Normally the park would have been crowded on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, but today everybody was at the wedding. Enos was just sitting there, staring out into the distance, looking so sad it all but broke Luke's heart. He was so far away, he didn't even hear Luke coming up and sitting down beside him. The hand on his shoulder startled him.

"Enos? You ok?"

"Oh! Luke! What're you doin' here? Shouldn't you be back at the reception?"

Luke smiled softly. "I saw you leave a little while ago. Figured you could use somebody to talk to."

Enos took a deep breath and let it out in a sigh. "Not much to talk about, Luke."

Luke shook his head. "You really do love her, don't you?"

Enos nodded sadly.

"Then why didn't you ever do anything about it, Enos? For the longest time, she was just waitin' for you, you know that, don't you?"

This time the bowed head shook. "It couldn't have worked, Luke ..." His voice trailed off, and once again Enos looked off into the distance.

Now Luke was confused. He'd always known Enos was shy, especially around Daisy. But he was getting the feeling there was more involved here. Now, normally, he wasn't one to pry into another man's business. But sometimes when somebody was hurting, you had to push to get them to let go of what was really hurting them.

"Why wouldn't it have worked, Enos?" Luke asked softly.

Enos had known Luke would ask that; he couldn't not, after starting like that. His gut clenched with fear. He'd have to tell now. And in a way that was a relief. He'd carried this around alone for so long. Today, in his pain, he wanted somebody else to know. Wanted to know that there was one person who understood his pain, truly. Not for what they thought it was, but what it really was. Luke was a good man, fair and honest and everything that Uncle Jesse had taught them all. If anybody could understand him and not hate him, it would be Luke.

He licked his dry lips and swallowed nervously. "I figured out a long time ago that I just ain't interested in girls ... you know ... like that ..."

Luke's eyebrows arched in surprise. He certainly hadn't been expecting THAT answer! But the way Enos talked around the subject, afraid to use anything even resembling a dirty word, he had to be sure. "You mean, like ... the way a man is supposed to be interested in a woman? Sexually?"

Even hearing Luke use the word sex made Enos blush. "Yeah ... don't get me wrong, Luke. I DO love Daisy with all my heart. I just don't ... want her. Not like that. I tried, Luke, Lord I tried! When we went on the hayride, she held my hand ... I wanted to like it, but it just didn't ... oh, heck, you know ..."

Poor Enos' face had turned about seven different shades of red at this point. No wonder he'd never talked to anybody about this � he practically couldn't have the conversation with himself! But underneath the embarrassment, Luke could also see fear. Enos had revealed his deepest, darkest secret, and Luke had to let him know it was ok. He laid his hand on Enos' shoulder and squeezed gently.

"It's ok, Enos. I ain't mad at ya for bein' gay." Luke couldn't help the smile that tugged at his lips. He decided it couldn't hurt to lighten the mood. "You know, that's kinda funny. A gay man named Strait."

For a moment Enos just stared at him, more than a little shocked. But then the pun hit him and he also couldn't help smiling, then laughing, and soon both of them were wiping tears of laughter from their eyes.

When he finally caught his breath, Enos looked up at Luke and smiled. "Thanks, Luke. I needed that."

Luke chuckled and smiled back at him. "Glad to be of service." Luke knew that he could leave now; Enos would be all right, now that he had gotten this secret off his chest. But he found he didn't want to leave. And it seemed Enos didn't want it to end yet either.

"Luke? Is that what I am? Gay?" He looked genuinely confused.

Luke thought about it. "Well, you ain't interested in girls. I guess I kind of assumed you WERE interested in guys?"

Enos blushed again, but by now he was feeling more comfortable with Luke. "I ... back at the orphanage, me and Johnny Evans used to fool around once in a while. You know, just kid stuff ... I ain't never really done nothin' for real ..."

// He really IS Hazzard's oldest virgin! // Luke felt embarrassed that he'd even think such a thing. Especially since he really figured that title probably belonged to Enos' boss, Rosco P. Coltrane. Who still lived with his Mama. Running away from that train of thought, Luke focused back on the matter at hand.

"Well, do you ever think about bein' with a guy? Like, when you're jerking off?"

Luke's direct language again embarrassed Enos, but the deputy managed to nod.

"And that works?"

Another nod.

Luke grinned. "Well, then, I'd say I was right, Enos. You're gay. Does that bother you?"

Enos sighed. "I know the preachers say it ain't right. But I didn't choose this, Luke! I swear it. I wanted to be with Daisy, to marry her and have a family. But I just couldn't lie to her like that!"

It was Luke's turn to nod. "I'm glad you felt that way, Enos. You did the honorable thing. You're a good man, and ain't nobody ever gonna convince me different."

Gratitude filled the deputy's eyes. "You mean that, Luke?"

"Course I mean it!"

They sat in silence for a moment, not sure where to go next. Finally, Luke made a decision.

"So what are you gonna do now, Enos? Look for somebody else like you?"

Another shake of the head. "Around here? Come on, Luke! And me bein' a deputy and all ... no, sir, people wouldn't stand for that sort of thing around here. Even if there was somebody else ... like me ... I'd never find him, cause I can't never admit this to anybody ..."

Luke got a strange expression on his face. "You just admitted it to me, Enos ..."

Enos looked at him, scared. 'You ain't gonna tell nobody, are ya, Luke?"

Luke laughed softly. "No, of course not. It's our secret, Enos. And I'll tell you what, I'll share a secret with you, too. One I've never told anybody, not even Bo."

Enos looked at him, wide eyed. Everybody knew the Duke boys were inseparable. A secret Luke had never told Bo?

"You ever wonder why I never seem to get serious with any one girl, Enos?"

"I just figured you wasn't ready to settle down."

Luke shook his head. "I learned a lot of things when I went into the Marines, Enos. A lot about the world outside of Hazzard, and a lot about myself. I'm like you, Enos. I prefer men. But like you said, around here that's kind of dangerous. So I keep goin' out with the girls, but never let it get serious enough that they expect anything to happen. It's a good enough cover, but I gotta admit it's gotten awful lonely ..."

Enos was stunned, he couldn't believe what Luke is telling him. And then, Luke's hand came to rest on his back. At first, he thought it was just the comfort of a friend. But then he heard Luke's voice, soft and low. "You know, Enos ... it would be kind of nice to have a friend ... somebody I could trust ... who felt the same way I do."

The hand on his back became a caress, and Enos' body finally provided the response he'd hoped for all those times he'd held Daisy's hand on the hayrides. His pulse started racing, and he was suddenly nervous. His breath started coming shallow and fast, and in his groin something stirred. He licked his lips and looked up into Luke's clear blue eyes and saw something he'd never expected to see ... desire, directed at him. Desire, affection, friendship all rolled into one package that seared his heart. Finally he found his voice

"Me too, Luke ..." he said softly. The sun had set while they talked, and in the shadows of twilight, his hand hesitantly found Luke's leg. That got a smile that seemed to light up the darkness.

"I'll tell you what, Enos. Let me go back in and tell Uncle Jesse that I'm taking you home. They'll believe that you're kind of broken up over Daisy getting married, and need the company. Then we can head over to your place. If that's what you want?"

Enos swallowed nervously. Was this really happening? He nodded, and watched as Luke disappeared into the night, heading back towards the church. Part of him wondered if Luke would really be back. Maybe this was just an excuse to get away from him. But then he realized that Luke Duke would never do such a thing. He was worrying over nothing. And there were much better things to focus his attention on. Like the feeling between his legs. In the privacy that the darkness gave, he reached down and gently stroked himself. It was going to happen, for real. Tonight was Daisy's wedding night ... and in a way, it was like his too. It made him smile to realize their connection. He really did love Daisy, and all the Dukes. Growing up in the orphanage, they had been like a family to him. Ever since he and Daisy had become best friends in the seventh grade. It seemed somehow appropriate that Luke was going to be the one to take his cherry. // oh my god it's really gonna happen! //

This time he heard Luke coming and got up to fall in step beside him.

"All set. They're not expecting me home tonight."

"Oh! Uh ... ok ..."

Luke could feel the tension in the man walking beside him. Even though they were alone on the street, it wasn't safe to reach out to him out here. The party back at the church had been starting to break up, others would be on the streets soon.

Fortunately, it was only a few blocks to his apartment. Enos' hands shook as he unlocked the door and they walked in.

Luke watched with an amused smile as Enos fluttered nervously around the tiny apartment. The deputy went straight to his dresser, parking his hat on top, then taking off his gun and holster and stashing them inside the top drawer. His hands nervously went to loosen the necktie of his uniform, hesitating as if he wasn't sure how much he should undress. Settling for just taking off the tie and opening his collar, Enos then turned toward the small window and carefully drew the shades so nobody could see in.

There wasn't much furniture in the room; just an armchair and ottoman, a small table, and the TV on another small table. Then there was the bed. It was a standard double bed, the kind that supposedly was big enough for two people � if one of them was a rather tiny woman. Enos and Daisy would have fit there fine. Tonight, it was going to be a little crowded ... but then, Luke mused, that might not be such a bad thing after all.

After closing the curtains, Enos turned to face Luke, his face a mask of confusion, his arms wrapped around his middle as if he was holding himself together. But Luke's gentle smile and soft words comforted him.

"Easy, Enos. I promise I ain't gonna do nothin' you ain't ready for, ok? We've been friends a long time; you know I'd never hurt you."

Somehow, Luke had stepped close, his hands coming to rest on Enos' arms. The warmth of the physical contact stirred something inside again, and Enos smiled shyly back at Luke.

"I know that, Luke. I ... I want this, I just don't know how ..."

Luke's arm slid around his shoulders as he steered Enos toward the bed. They sat down, side by side, much closer than normal, legs touching, Luke's right arm still draped around Enos' shoulders.

"There, that's better. OK?" Luke asked as his hand began gently rubbing over Enos' back.

Enos closed his eyes, letting himself feel the warmth of Luke's hand, and the response of his body. Just like out in the park, that caress stirred something deep inside him.

"Oh, yeah, ..." he breathed softly.

Luke couldn't help the soft chuckle that escaped his lips. The dreamy look on the deputy's face encouraged him. It was so obvious that despite his nervousness, Enos was enjoying himself. And so was Luke. It really had been a long time since he'd felt like this. His fingers tugged at the fabric of Enos' uniform shirt, pulling it out from his pants so his hand could slip underneath, touching the warm flesh. Enos let out a soft gasp of delight at the touch, and much to Luke's amazement, the deputy's hand found its way onto Luke's thigh.

Luke reached around with his left hand and began unbuttoning Enos' shirt, bending down to kiss the side of his neck. Enos shivered and let out a soft moan. Encouraged, Luke worked at that tender spot, licking and sucking as his hand finished opening the shirt. He only let go to pull the shirt off, leaving Enos sitting there in his undershirt as he cast off his own shirt and undershirt.

Enos couldn't believe the feelings coursing through his body as he sat there watching Luke undress. He felt so alive ... so ... aroused! He was nervous and excited and happy and scared all at once. And he found he couldn't take his eyes off Luke's powerful naked chest. Without thinking, he raised his hands to touch it, running them over the broad pecs, feeling the smattering of fine brown hairs against the warm skin. He was surprised when Luke gave a little gasp as his fingers brushed over the tight brown nubs of his nipples. Until that moment he really hadn't been thinking that Luke was getting pleasure from this too. Wanting to give something in exchange for his own pleasure, Enos ran his thumbs over Luke's nipples again.

Luke smiled encouragingly at him. "Suck on them ... that feels really good."

Surprised and a little scared, Enos bent his head and did what Luke asked. He'd always figured this was something you did with a girl, not another guy. It had never occurred to him that his own body could find pleasure there. But as he licked and sucked on Luke, he became aware of a tightness over his own chest.

"Mmmmm .... oh, yeah, that's good, Enos!" Luke's deep voice purred at him, as his big hands pushed up the deputy's undershirt and returned the caress.

Surprised by the jolt that touch sent through his system, Enos suddenly sat up.

"Oh!"

Luke chuckled softly again as he took the opportunity to remove Enos' undershirt, then gently urged his friend to lie back on the bed.

Enos squirmed around to lie lengthwise in the middle of the bed, looking up at Luke with anticipation. He wasn't disappointed. Luke crawled over him, straddling his legs, and bent his mouth to Enos' chest. With hands and mouth, tongue and even teeth, he attacked the smooth skin and tight pink nubs.

It wasn't long before Enos was writhing around, moaning with the pleasure. When it seemed he just couldn't take any more, Luke's hands began moving down over his stomach until one hand slid over the edge of his pants, coming to rest over the bulge there. A long, low moan came from deep in Enos' throat.

Luke smiled as he palmed Enos' dick through the thin material of his uniform slacks. His friend's enjoyment was quite obvious, and it was turning him on beyond belief to know that he was the one giving Enos his first taste of real pleasure. Unable to resist, he bent down again and kissed the soft skin of the exposed stomach, swirling his tongue into the hollow of the 'innie' belly button that was just barely visible under the waistband of the slacks.

Eager for more, Luke tugged at Enos' belt and opened the zipper. The simple white cotton underwear was straining to contain a nice sized dick. A wet stain was already visible at the tip. Luke felt his mouth watering at the thought of what was coming. His own pants were feeling uncomfortably tight. He was glad he was dressed in a suit for the wedding; his jeans would have been downright painful right about now. Deciding it was time for both of them to get naked, Luke suddenly backed away, standing up to cast off his pants.

When Luke suddenly let go, Enos finally opened his eyes to see what was going on, and was treated to the sight of Luke Duke standing there in all his male glory. His dick was hard and swollen, leaving no doubt that he was enjoying this as much as Enos was. He smiled down at his friend and reached for the waistband of his pants. Enos realized what he was doing and eagerly lifted his hips so that Luke could draw away both pants and underwear.

There was hunger in Luke's eyes as he sized up the deputy's equipment, and a deep growl of appreciation started in his throat. Enos wondered just what he was going to do, it couldn't be, no, he wouldn't, would he? And then all thought was driven out of his head as Luke's warm lips wrapped around his dick. Luke was sucking him off!

Later on, Enos tried to remember the details, and couldn't. All he could remember was a warm wetness enveloping him, sending tremors through his whole body. The pleasure was like nothing he'd ever felt before. He was helpless, his whole being given over to that amazing sensation.

Luke realized that Enos was all but overcome by sensation. The deputy's eyes had rolled up as high as they could go, no longer seeing what was happening, just focusing on the feeling. Knowing this was Enos' first time, Luke was determined to make it memorable. Even though it had been a long time since he'd done this, he remembered to watch for the signs that his friend was getting too close, and managed to back off just enough to hold off the coming explosion. He kept it up until his jaw was just too tired for any more. Only then did he intensify his actions, speeding up, sucking harder, now doing everything he could to push Enos over the edge.

Somehow, Enos sensed the change, realized that something was happening. His hips seemed to have a life of their own, bucking up to meet Luke's mouth, thrusting into the warm cavity, setting his own pace. He was surprised to feel one of Luke's hands cupping his balls, rubbing them, encouraging the tightness that was forming there. And then it hit, as every muscle in his body contracted. Each contraction came with a grunt deep in his chest, as he filled Luke's mouth with his cum.

When it was over, he lay there gasping for breath. It had never been like this before. Not with Johnny, and certainly not the few times he'd taken matters into his own hand. Of course, he'd never been so turned on before. He'd been to afraid to let himself fantasize about being with another man, but once in a while he managed enough to jerk off. But it had never felt like this. He felt like his whole world had been turned upside down.

Luke didn't let go until he was sure the last of the spasms had ended. Only then did he release Enos' softening dick and sit up to look down at his friend. Enos lay there, breathing like he'd forgotten how, his eyes still glazed from the intensity of his orgasm. Luke smiled, glad that he'd given his friend such a memorable first experience. He was surprised by the feeling of tenderness he felt toward Enos right now. It hadn't been like this in 'Nam. Then it had been just about the sex; a way to feel something other than fear for a little while. This was different. This was important. His own cock was screaming for attention, but he could wait a little longer.

He sat up and shifted around, lying down beside Enos as the deputy started becoming aware of his surroundings. One hand gently caressed Enos' cheek as his eyes focused on Luke.

"You ok, Enos?" Luke asked, his voice husky with tenderness.

"Dang, Luke! I ... that was ... oh, gosh!"

Luke laughed gently at his friend's innocent astonishment. Enos blushed deeply, but he started laughing too. "Guess I'll never be the type to talk dirty, huh Luke?"

Luke leaned up on one elbow. "Enos, don't you dare change. You're perfect just like you are."

Their eyes met, and then Luke bent down and so did their lips. The kiss was gentle, tender. Luke was surprised to find Enos' lips open, inviting him in. Accepting the invitation, he plunged his tongue into that open mouth, tasting, exploring. Enos' arms wrapped around him, pulling him close until he was all but lying on top.

When he had to break the kiss to breathe, Enos looked up at him with wonder in his eyes. It took a while for it to register with Luke that that had really been the first kiss for both of them. Oh, Luke had kissed lots of girls, but never before a man. In 'Nam, that was the one thing that just wasn't done. It was about sex, not love. This ... was different. Luke wasn't sure he was ready to name what he was feeling, but it was definitely an emotional response.

"Luke?" Enos' voice interrupted his reverie. "You ... I can feel you ... you're still ... do you want me to ...?"

The look on Enos' face made it clear that whatever Luke was feeling, Enos felt it too. He wanted to give something back to Luke. Luke knew what he wanted, but he didn't want to push Enos into something he wasn't ready for. Instead, he tossed the ball back to Enos.

"What do you want, Enos? There's lots of ways we could continue. I don't know how much you know about this."

"Luke? I don't know if I could do what you just did ... I wouldn't know how ... and I hate to say it but I wasn't paying much attention to the details just then, you know?"

Luke reached out and tenderly stroked Enos' cheek again. "That's ok, Enos. Trust me � there's no such thing as a bad blow job. Good ones and great ones, yeah, but nothin' that feels that good could ever be bad. But if you ain't ready for that, don't worry about it."

Was it possible to look both relieved and crestfallen at the same time? Enos was doing a pretty good imitation.

"Luke, I don't want to let you down ..."

"You ain't gonna let me down, Enos ..." Luke smiled and bent down to kiss him again. This time they found the way to breathe without completely separating, their arms and legs twining around each other, holding close, letting the kiss bind them together.

Kissing Enos was definitely doing something to Luke. He'd never felt this close to anybody. And to top it off, his dick was throbbing ecstatically. Without even thinking about it, his hips began working, thrusting gently, rubbing his dick against Enos' body while they kissed. It was the most amazingly sensual thing Luke had ever felt. And then Enos started to respond, his dick hardening and joining the party, nestled against Luke's. Luke moaned as he felt that hot hardness rubbing against his.

Kiss after kiss, Enos felt like he'd died and gone to heaven. Luke tasted so good, felt so good pressed up against him like this. His hands rubbed over Luke's back, strong and muscular, from years of working in the fields of the Duke farm. They slid down over Luke's butt, pulling him closer as Enos began thrusting back against Luke.

Luke wanted desperately to come, but he didn�t want to be too far ahead of his partner so he held back as long as he could, giving Enos time to catch up. Both of them were covered with sweat, writhing together on that small bed, panting and moaning and kissing. Finally it was too much and Luke cried out, spilling his load over Enos' belly.

Enos watched, totally taken in by the look of rapture on Luke's handsome face as the orgasm took him. // God, he's beautiful! // The thought came unbidden to Enos' mind. Followed quickly by // I wonder if I looked like that when I came? // He quickly rejected that thought; he was just ordinary and plain, he could never look as beautiful as Luke.

When it was over, Luke collapsed over him, still breathing heavily. He lay there for a couple of minutes, his head on Enos' chest, the deputy's hand weaving gently through his thick dark curls. He gradually realized he was putting his full weight on the smaller man, and managed to slide off, snuggling in beside Enos. Realizing that Enos was still hard, his right hand found his friend's prick, now slick with Luke's cum, and started jerking him off.

Enos' eyes had gone wide when Luke's hand wrapped around him; he hadn't been expecting that. But before he could say anything, Luke had leaned up on his left elbow so that he could kiss Enos while his hand worked below. It didn't take much longer before Enos cried out and added his seed to the puddle on his stomach.

Looking down at his friend, Luke again felt that amazing tenderness. He'd always had a strong protector instinct, looking out for Daisy and Bo almost as if they were his children instead of his cousins. They meant a lot to him, and there really wasn�t anything in the universe he wouldn't do for them. But now, for the first time, he felt something special for somebody who wasn't family. Not that Enos hadn't been like part of their family for all their lives, but this was different. And what he felt now, Luke knew, had the potential to grow into something truly special.

Gently, he slipped away from Enos, getting out of bed and finding the bathroom. He found a washcloth, got it warm and damp, and cleaned himself off. He took a moment to relieve himself while he was there, then rinsed the washcloth and took it back into the bedroom. With a gentle touch, he wiped Enos' belly and privates clean, then tossed the washcloth over the back of a chair.

Enos looked up with wonder as he realized the Luke was tugging the bedclothes open. He helpfully rolled out of the way as Luke turned down the covers on one side of the bed, then rolled onto that side to let Luke get the other side. He was even more delighted when Luke lay down beside him, snuggling close in the small bed, and tugged the covers up over them.

"You ... you're staying?" Enos asked, not believing this was really happening.

Luke grinned at him and gently caressed his face. "I'm staying."

Enos somehow realized that Luke meant more than just the night. It made him feel wonderfully warm ... and scared. "But Luke, what will people say?"

Luke sighed and gently caressed his cheek. "As much as I'd like to, I can't stay forever. We'll have to keep this quiet; I might get away with being gay in this town, but you're right, I doubt folks around here would accept a gay deputy. But just because we keep it quiet, that don't mean it don't exist. I'm game ... if you are?"

Enos looked up into Luke's pale blue eyes, shining in the darkness. For the first time in his life, he really had a chance at love ... Enos might be shy, but he wasn't crazy enough to pass something like that up. He smiled at Luke and nodded.

"I�m game, Luke."

Luke smiled back at him. "I'm glad." The dark head bent down to kiss him.

As they settled in for the night, something occurred to Enos. "Luke? I know we're gonna keep this quiet ... but are you gonna tell your family?"

Luke sighed. "I'm gonna have to, Enos. I know I could never keep something like this from Bo ... he's too dang nosy, for one thing!"

Enos laughed. The Duke boys were known for being exceptionally close. He hoped this wouldn't end up being the one thing that could come between them. Suddenly serious, he looked at Luke. "You don't think he'll be upset, do ya?"

Luke shook his head. "I hope not, Enos. Uncle Jesse raised us to judge people by how they act, not who they love. But you never know how some people are gonna react."

Enos nodded. "I ... I'd really like to tell Daisy, Luke. It seems only fair that she know why I never ... you know ... "

Luke chuckled as Enos' shyness reasserted itself. "I think that would mean a lot to her, Enos. And it might just help you two remain friends ... if her new husband realizes you're not tryin' to steal her away from him!"

Enos blinked. "I never thought of it that way, Luke! Gosh, you think it'll work? I mean, losin' Daisy's friendship would be the worst thing in the world!"

Luke rolled over onto his side and pulled Enos close. "Enos, I don't think anything in the world could keep you and Daisy from bein' friends." He gently kissed the deputy's forehead. "Now let's get some sleep, ok?"

Enos hugged Luke tightly, and with a sigh rolled over so that his back was toward Luke. He felt Luke's arm wrap over him as his lover snuggled in close behind him, like two spoons stacked in a drawer. // lover ... that sounds good ... // he thought as he quickly slipped into a sound sleep, safe in Luke's arms.

Return to Dukes Home

Return to Jade Palace Home

Disclaimer: I'm just borrowing them for fun, not profit.