The Cousins

Lealand rolled over on his side of the bed, pushing back against the wall of pillows built between him and his cousin.

 

There was a sigh and a forceful shove from the other side, Landon grumbled, "Would you quit Squirming? Go to sleep, Lee."

 

Lealand scoffed, a close imitation of his cousin, "go to sleep, lee Ill go to sleep when you shove over and give me some room."

 

"You have room!"

 

"Do not! I've got a foot to fit my three foot width."

 

"I've got just as little room as you, Lee! Not my fault I've got more muscle mass."

 

Lealand scoffs again, another slight jab at his cousins favorite mannerism, "Muscle? Yeah right. Lannie, you've gotta shove your fat ass over before I fall off this damn bed."

 

Landon's strong jaw fell, shuffling over with a grumble, "Call me fat, just rude. Plain unnecessary."

 

Lealand comfortably flipped onto his back, humming contently, and snidely throwing a statement over the wall at his companion, "I hear you grumbling to yourself over there. Don't worry, if your fatty lumps are hanging over, we'll get you a stool to hold 'em up." The young man burst into cackles, gasping for air and slapping the bed in his amusement.

 

Landon pursed his lips, casting a side glance in the dark at his cousin, Lealands head thrown back in laughter. A thought crossed the forefront of Landon's mind, and a mischievous smile pulled at his cheeks. Landon's long, lean, tan arm was outstretched, squishing the pillow wall, and flat hand landing right on his cousins throat. Lealand choked, coughing loudly, his mop of curls bounced against his tan skin.

 

Landon laughed heartily at his cousins expense. Lealand glared as he coughed, defiantly throwing his own hand out, making a rough connection with Landons groin, the boy bursting out with a groan, "You asshole."

 

Lealand shrugs, closing his eyes to get back to sleep. Landon, knowing that this fight is not over, shoves his cousin to the floor when he recovered, chuckling at the surprised yelp and the thump of a body on the floor.

 

Lealand, with a sneer and a snicker, put two strong hands under the bed frame, yanking up and tipping the bed onto its side. He burst out into hysterical laughter as his thick bodied cousin spilled from the floor, tumbling to the hardwood.

 

The pair caught eyes in the dark, faces shadows with the dusky light, cracking up and clutching their bellies in hearty laughter.

 

A deep voice called from farther into the house, "Shut the hell up and go to sleep."

 

Both boys froze, heads turned to the door. They sat, awaiting another scolding before glancing back, , struggling to contain their snickers.

 

A second voice rang out, more gravelly, "If I have to come in there, I'm whoopin' both your asses!"

 

Landon scoffed, "I'd like to see him try."

 

"You could take him," Lealand supplied, support evident in his amused features.

 

"Appreciated", Landon replied with a smile.

 

"Sure."

 

Then came the 3rd voice, smaller and more feminine, with an edge that neither of the previous had. It was clearer, in just the next room, "If I have to get out of this bed to shut you two up, you're gonna feel it for the next two days. You hear me, Rochesters?"

 

Wide eyed and suddenly pale, both boys scrambled to remake their bed. They jumped between the covers and held their jaws tight, extremely still.

 

The last voice was quieter this time, contented, "That's what I thought."

 

Lealand and Landon peered at one another, "You think you could take her?"

 

Landon paled slightly, he figured that Lealand couldn't see it, as he surely would've teased him if he had, "Of course, she's only fourteen." Landon became painfully aware that he was whispering.

 

Lealands smile was blinding even in the dark, "Wanna Bet?"

 

Landon paled further, knowing that he couldn't refuse, he sighed, "Try me."