DISCLAIMER: No, I still don't own LOST, just meddling with the characters; so much fun.
A/N: Thanks to caro for reviewing; any feedback is nice. My first attempt at slash, so any pointers would be nice.
SPOILERS: Hearts and Minds, Outlaws, Confidence Man, and anything before Numbers, after which this takes place
Boone treaded through the jungle from the caves to the beach; Shannon still refused to move to the caves, and Boone felt it was his duty to check up on his careless sister on occasion. Although, ever since Shannon had gotten together with Sayid, Boone had felt less and less inclined to check up on her. He still worried (a worry possibly brought on by jealousy), but he figured that Sayid would keep on eye on her.
No, there was another reason Boone trekked down to the beach; a much more selfish (and surprising) motive drove him down there. For a little over a week, Boone had been unable to push Sawyer from his mind. Boone at first had thought that Sawyer had just pushed his buttons one too many times; first with Shannon's asthma medication and second just being an all around jackass, Boone figured that he was frustrated with him.
Time had disabused that notion, and Boone now saw that he had, uh, feelings, for Sawyer. Boone could not place an exact gesture or expression that had caused his reversal of feelings towards Sawyer, but something had, and now Boone could hardly get him out of his head.
Boone walked onto the beach; Shannon and Sayid were sitting very close together, chatting. Boone turned his head away in disgust; his eyes falling on a much unlikelier pair, Claire and Locke. Boone knew that Locke had been spending some time with Claire, he had told Boone as much, but Boone hadn't realized how close the two of them had become, much to Charlie's chagrin, he noted amused.
Boone walked out to the ocean and let the sound of the waves watch over him. Possibly the waves would cleanse him, get the constant thoughts of Sawyer from the back of his mind. Unfortunately, a drawling Southern accent interrupted his peace. "Looks like sis found herself a man, kid."
Boone turned to see Sawyer standing a like ways down the beach, the setting sun surrounding him. He struggled from making a strangled noise; he knew men weren't supposed to be beautiful, but it was the only adjective Boone could come up with to describe Sawyer. "None of my business," Boone said dismissively, hoping that Sawyer hadn't noticed the slight red tinge his cheeks had taken on and his breathlessness.
Sawyer moved a few steps closer, apparently intent on nettling him. "Not what Muhammad said, mentioned somethin' about giving him a warning. Now, to an outsider, one might question, your concern might be interpreted as something else, considerin' you and her don't exactly have a touchy feely relationship; or at least in that way…" Sawyer trailed off, and Boone was incensed.
"What the hell are you insinuating?" Boone demanded, flushed deeper, but in anger not embarrassment; well at least a healthy combination of both if not strictly anger.
"I ain't insinuating nothin', chief," Sawyer said easily, each word layered with a strange tinge of sensuality. Boone knew part of Saywer's draw was his loose sexuality and own self-confidence in himself. The way he could make almost any line sound like a come-on was a strange gift. "But I ain't the only one that's read Flowers in the Attic."
Boone lost it at that. He took two steps and punched Sawyer in the face. Sawyer reeled back, laughing. "Hell, boy; I was just guessing," Sawyer admitted, holding a hand to his lip where a red smear had appeared. "No need to confirm my theory." Boone blanched; oh God, the last thing he needed was for Sawyer to know about his relationship, or whatever it was, with Shannon.
"She's my step-sister," Boone immediately defended; face bright red and wishing he could be anywhere but right here.
There was a new light in Sawyer's eyes, as if he was seeing Boone for the first time. Sawyer nodded slowly. "I see." There was a momentary pause where Boone tried to sort out his emotions. He was angry, embarrassed and strangely attracted to Sawyer all at the same time. "You're a peculiar one," Sawyer finally said, breaking the uneasy silence.
"What do you mean?" Boone asked uncertainly. He wasn't sure what Sawyer meant by his statement. Was it possible that he had suspected what Boone felt?
Sawyer eyed him for a moment longer, eyes scrutinizing him. "Nothin'," Sawyer finally muttered. "Nothing at all." A smile replaced the look of intense concentration and he winked. "Don't worry, kid. Your secret's safe with me."
Sawyer wandered off, and Boone wondered what the meeting meant. Had Sawyer picked up on his attractions? Boone could not tell; Sawyer had narrowed his eyes at him and apparently had come up with some kind of conclusion but––
Someone tapped Boone on his shoulder, and he spun around, nerves tingling with adrenaline. Boone hardly had a second to register that Sawyer stood in front of him, before Sawyer's lips crashed down on his, catching him in a passionate kiss.
The kiss ended as abruptly as it had started, with Sawyer pulling away before Boone could do much more than reciprocate the feeling and taste the salty blood still wet on Sawyer's lips. Sawyer gave him one last look, his eyes lust filled. "We all have desires, kid," Sawyer drawled softly. "Some of us just don't wear it on our sleeves."
Sawyer turned again, heading back to the roaring blazes that stood out starkly in the twilight. Boone wondered again if Sawyer saw him as anything more than an opportunity, but Boone wouldn't think too hard on it. He had received everything he wanted (well, at least part of what he wanted), and it was everything he had hoped it would be.