Author: Saklani
Title: Strange Bedfellows
Codes: Bud White/Ed Exley
Series: LA Confidential
Rating: NC-17
Beta: CousinDream(rich) and Kit <SMOOCHES>
Summary: Bud White returns from Arizona, looking for the one person he cannot get off his mind, Ed Exley.
Disclaimer: Regency, Warner Brothers and James Ellroy own the characters.
Feedback address: rmkent@ucdavis.edu or FCanon
Author's Notes: My Muse is a strange and terrifying thing. She leads me off on tangents purely because she wants to. This is one such instance of Muse run wild. I watched LA Confidential, saw the end scene where Bud and Ed gaze at each other, and my Muse ran rampant. So, this is the little PWP that came of it. I hope you enjoy!
URL: FCanon

Strange Bedfellows

Bud White gazed with excitement, hope and not some trepidation on the small, frame house of Detective Lieutenant Edmund Exley. He wondered vaguely if he had the courage to do this. Could he really tell Ed everything he wanted to? How would he respond?

The burly, tall man stepped out of his car and slowly walked up the cement path toward the house. He gazed at the neatly trimmed lawn, the tall palm tree and the freshly painted house. Bud smiled inwardly; Ed kept his house as tidy as he kept himself.

He raised a large fist and knocked on the front door. Part of him hoped Ed was at work, even though this was his day off. Ed always did overwork. Bud almost jumped out of his skin when the door opened.

"Bud!" Ed exclaimed in delight. "It is great to see you! When did you get back to LA?" He laughed suddenly. "Fine host I am. Please come in."

Bud smiled at him. "Thank you, Lieutenant." He followed the shorter, slighter man down the entrance hall and into the living room. The room was comfortably furnished, with very few extraneous items. It also looked polished and carefully dusted.

Exley frowned at him. "Lieutenant? Call me Ed." He pointed Bud to a large, comfortable easy chair. "Can I get you a drink?"

Bud sat down. "I'll take a scotch, straight, Edmund." He grinned as Ed glared at him through his small, wire framed glasses.

"Ed," he repeated firmly. He poured the drinks and handed Bud one. Then, Exley sank into the couch opposite the former officer. "So, how is Lynn?"

Bud shrugged uneasily. "It didn't work out."

"Aw man, I'm sorry."

"Don't be. We weren't really suited for each other. The parting was without any bad feelings, after all we did save each other. Lynn really is much happier now."

"Does that mean you are back for good?" Ed asked with a touch of anticipation.

Bud nodded. "I plan on rejoining the force, if they will have me."

"Damn right they will," Ed said forcefully. "You're an excellent cop, Bud."

"You were not always of that opinion," Bud said, gazing intensely at his friend.

The younger man dropped his brown eyes. "I learned better."

For a moment, silence fell between them. They remembered all the things they had been through together. The Nite owl, the death of Jack Vincennes, the mess with Lynn, the Victory Motel... all of it.

"You know, I have never been more frightened in my life than the day you burst into my office and started beating me. Even the shootout at the Victory Motel did not compare," Ed admitted softly.

Bud closed his own eyes. "I wish I could undo my actions."

"I deserved it," Ed muttered, downing the rest of his drink. "Refill?"

"No, you didn't!" Bud growled vehemently. He flushed scarlet, remembering his hatred of Ed for fucking Lynn. He had been jealous, insanely jealous, that someone else dared touch her. When he went after Ed, he fully intended to kill him. Only Exley's explanation about Dudley prevented him from doing it.

"I'm sorry," Ed apologized. "I never should have brought that up." He took Bud's glass and gave him another shot of scotch.

After receiving his drink, Bud said, "I really don't mind. I just get upset when I think how many terrible things I did when I was angry. I am better at controlling my anger now, thanks to Lynn... and you." He gave Ed a small smile.

Truthfully, the thought of Ed and Lynn together still upset Bud. However, he no longer felt jealous of Exley. Instead, he felt envious of Lynn.

Ed returned the smile. "You saved my life, so we're more than even. So, where are you going to stay now that you are back?"

"I haven't decided yet. Right now, I'm staying at a motel on the outskirts of Arcadia."

"Why don't you stay here until you can find a full time place?"

A surge of heat charged through Bud's systems. He desperately fought to control his reactions. "Won't your wife mind?"

Ed raised his eyebrows. "Wife?" He laughed painfully. "I don't even see anybody regularly."

"Why?' Bud blurted before he could think better of it.

The other man's shoulders slumped. "I wish I knew. I guess I don't have anything to offer." He took a gulp of his drink to hide his bitterness.

Bud sighed again. "I really do have a talent for hurting other people," he muttered. "I was just surprised to hear you say you are alone. I thought lots of woman would swarm over you. After all, you are a hero."

Ed snorted. "Some hero. I get a medal of honor for shooting the wrong men, then one for letting a bastard like Dudley die a hero's death. Keep the LAPD clean from scandal." He got up, poured himself another shot, downed it, then poured another.

Bud stood quickly, walked to Ed's side and gently pried the glass from Ed's hand. "No more. You did what you had to, Ed. Dudley framed the Negroes, and he did a damn good job of it. There was no way you could have known."

"You did," Ed murmured despondently. "You thought something was wrong long before I did."

"I knew things you didn't, things you couldn't have known. What is important is that you put it right. You pursued the truth even though it nearly cost you your reputation and your life."

Ed hid his face from Bud, so the other man could not see the tears welling in his eyes. He hated being weak, especially around other men. "I cannot restore the Negroes their lives, I shot them, Bud." He sobbed on the words, cursing his foolishness inside. Why did he have to act this way?

Bud placed his hands around the shoulders of Ed Exley. "I hit Lynn. I beat up innocent men at the behest of Dudley. I shot a naked, unarmed man watching TV. I hurt you. I know how you feel, Ed. I know."

Ed still kept his face averted from Bud. "You did not profit like I did from your own evil."

"You deserve your promotions and your medals," Bud repeated firmly. He let go of Ed's shoulders and grasped his chin. With gentle pressure, Bud forced the other man's head around till they were looking into each other's eyes. Bud used his free hand to wipe away the tears trickling down Ed's face.

The younger man's eyes widened, and his breathing quickened. He held still and let Bud finish removing the water. "I... I... thank you," he finally got out. "I apologize for my behavior. I am not making this evening very pleasant am I?"

"I don't mind," Bud assured him. He reached out and removed Ed's glasses. He placed them carefully on the side table.

"What are you doing?" Ed whispered.

"Making a terrible mistake." Bud leaned forward and pressed his lips to Ed's.

Ed's whole body tensed, jerking ramrod straight. For a moment, Bud was sure he would pull away, angry and disgusted. Then, he tentatively returned the pressure.

Ed brought his hands up and slid them around the taller man's waist. He clutched the small of Bud's back and pulled himself closer. His body leaned heavily against Bud's own. He felt something big and hard press firmly into his middle.

Bud pulled back and gazed into Ed's stunned face. "Do you want me to stop, Ed? I will if you want. I'll even leave if you think it best."

"I...I..." Ed swallowed heavily. "I never kissed a man before."

Bud laughed, the rumble shaking his huge frame. "Neither have I. In fact, I spent my whole life up until a few months ago despising 'fags'. You have no idea how many times I insulted other men by calling them things like 'cock suckers'."

"Then what happened, a few months ago?" Ed asked breathlessly.

"I found myself thinking about you day and night. I began wondering what you smelled like, tasted like, felt like. I couldn't get you out of my head. Finally, I had to tell Lynn it wasn't working out. I didn't tell her why though." He laughed again, softer this time. "She might have been insulted."

Bud kissed Ed again, thrilling to the other man's responsiveness to this second kiss. Ed pressed against Bud, rubbing himself against Bud's thigh. His hands roamed freely around Bud's broad back. By the time they pulled away, he was rock hard and ready.

"Godssss," Ed moaned, "I never knew kissing a man could be so good."

"Neither did I," Bud growled, before swooping down and capturing Ed's mouth yet again. This time, he pushed his tongue against Ed's lips until they parted for him. He tenderly explored the younger man's mouth. Ed lifted his own tongue and lightly flicked it across Bud's.

Bud maneuvered them backwards, then gently lowered Ed on to the sofa. He covered the man's slender frame with his own large one. Ed cried out softly when Bud's body was spread over his own.

Instinctively, the two began thrusting their hips together. Their erections ground against each other, sending jolts of pleasure through both. Their clothes became sticky with sweat and pre-cum.

"Bud," Ed groaned, "if you don't take my clothes off, I am going to make an awful mess of my pants."

Caught up in his own spiral of pleasure, Bud almost missed the words. Finding the willpower to slow down, he pushed himself up. He grabbed the front of Ed's shirt and tore, pulling all the buttons off. He yanked the pants down Ed's slender frame as fast as possible, and the boxers soon follwed them.

Meanwhile, Ed grabbed Bud's shirt and fumbled desperately with the buttons. Finally giving up, he too ripped the garment off. Bud got to his own pants before Ed could , and he wasted no time yanking them off. His own undergarment soon found its way on to the pile of shredded clothes on the floor.

Now fully naked, Bud pulled Ed up to kneel in front of him. "You are beautiful," he murmured, before biting Ed's neck.

The other man moaned. "I could never compare to you. You are all muscle." He began rubbing his sex against Bud's.

With a hoarse snarl, Bud began bucking wildly. He felt the beginnings of orgasm and worked toward his completion. His partner's own enthusiastic cries carried him over the brink, and he sprayed seed all over both of them. Ed followed seconds later.

Both men slumped together in a pile of sweaty limbs. Their breathing slowed into a more normal rhythm. Finally, Bud wrapped an arm around Ed's waist. The smaller man rested his head on Bud's shoulder.

For a long time neither man spoke. Finally, Bud said, "I never enjoyed myself more. You are truly an amazing lover."

"That was just the beginning, then?" Ed asked carefully.

"Unless you never want to do this again," Bud answered.

Ed thought for a long moment. "I do, but..."

Bud nipped the nape of his neck. "What?"

"What if somebody finds out?"

"I'll beat the crap out of anybody who says anything about you," Bud vowed.

Ed smiled. "If somebody finds out, we would be fired."

"At this moment, I have no job to be fired from."

"Bud, I'm serious!" Exley said indignantly.

The older man smiled. "I know. Why worry about what might be? I want you, like I never wanted anything. We can make this work."

Ed sighed and rolled over. He looked into Bud's eyes. The other man held his gaze, trying to convey how much he felt for Ed , trying to convey all the things he could never put into words.

"I want this, too. I never knew how empty my life was until you offered to fill it. Damn, I sound like a bad novel," Ed grumbled.

Bud grinned again. "You and me, Lieutenant Detective Edmund Exley, we will go a long way. Speaking of which..." The large man rolled on top of the smaller one again and leered down at him. "...I am gonna take you somewhere right now."

THE END

Sequels?