Disclaimer: I own a copy of the book, and the 1990 version of the movie, but I don't own the rights. ;-;

Author's Note: I would just like to thank everyone who reviewed, because it means a whoooole lot to me. If I could, I would personally come to every one of you and give you a flower or a hug. Whichever you'd prefer.

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"Jaaaack!" Ralph yelled, but it wasn't a real yell. He knew Jack thought he was up on Castle Rock somewhere. His heart stung. If he could get away without Jack knowing, that would be better.

Ralph stopped crying and he thought he heard a small giggle. The first thing he thought was that Roger was sitting there, just outside Ralph's view, watching as he struggled for the past fifteen minutes.

"Roger!" He yelled, more enthusiastically than he called for Jack. "Please, Roger. Please untie me." Did he hear a giggle in reply? Was he going crazy? He burst into tears again. "Roger… Jack can't find me like this. ROGER!"

He slammed his back into the bark of the tree, sobbing. He'd rather die here, by his own hand, than have Jack find him like this. Shame hung over him like a cloud. He should have fought harder. He should have kicked. He should have screamed! His tongue burned like acid had been dripped on it. He licked his lips, trying to get it to feel different, but if anything, the acid felt like it went to his lips.

Ralph felt different toward Roger. It seemed that once their tongue's touched (A fact he'd never let Jack know) he realized all of Roger's motives. He couldn't blame him for being angry with him. Roger was in love, and had someone stole Jack away from Ralph; he knew he'd probably handle it similar to the way Roger was. That, or suicide.

Ralph slammed his back again against the tree, trying to get those thoughts out of his head. "Oh, God. I am like Eric…"

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Jack didn't need to be asked where Ralph was twice. He ran out the door and looked among the boys gathered out there. "Where the hell's Ralph?" He yelled, looking around for him. He didn't see him, but he knew he'd sent Maurice out with him, so he ran to Maurice, grabbed him by the throat and slammed him against the cave.

Maurice shook. He remembered when his chief was like this, but it was under a different second in command. Maurice shut his eyes and opened his mouth, but a gagging noise was all that came out. Jack was pushing too hard, Maurice couldn't breathe.

Jack pushed harder, as a threat, before letting up a bit before he could talk.

"Y-you told him… water…" Jack let go of Maurice and the younger boy's body slid down the rocky wall, grasping his throat, choking and coughing.

"Get up. Go watch Eric… do not let him leave… and don't let anyone else in." Jack grabbed Maurice's hair, forcing his head back, so Maurice was looking at Jack. "Got it?"

Maurice nodded painfully. "Y-yes, Chief."

Jack let go and Maurice stood up and practically ran to the hut. The boys looked at Jack with fear in their eyes, but Jack didn't care. "Stay here. If you leave, I'll personally sharpen a stick at both ends for you."

The boys shuddered as Jack turned and ran down the side of Castle Rock, to the stream. Jack's chest hurt with slight guilt. He didn't need to be that mean with Maurice, but he was worried. "Oh, God, Ralph. You better be alive." Jack wiped his cheeks on the back of his hand, trying to dry them and prepare himself for battle. Halfway to the stream, a little late, he realized he didn't have a spear or any sort of weapon to fend Roger off with.

Jack jumped into the clearing with the stream in the middle, snarling, teeth bared, fist clenched, ready to fight.

"J-Jack?" Ralph whimpered, fresh tears of shame blurred his vision.

Jack's defense dropped and he looked at Ralph. He had wet lines down the sides of his face, from crying, and his chest also glistened with tears. Ralph tried, without success, to wipe the tears from his cheeks on his shoulders, but he only managed to hurt himself.

Jack ran to Ralph, taking his face gently in his hands, running his thumbs under is eyes, to wipe the tears away. Jack's eyes were full of pride and happiness, the complete opposite of Ralph's. "Ralph… I'm…" Jack closed his eyes a little and leaned in to kiss Ralph.

"Jack." Ralph whispered, turning his head away. "Untie me."

Jack nodded and quickly walked around to behind the tree, touching Ralph's arm along the way. Jack worked quickly, trying to make sense of the knot Roger tied and how he could get it untied. Ralph waited, but was getting angrier as time went on. Jack could tell, so he worked quicker. Ralph's hands clenched and he pulled hard against the vines, making it harder to untie.

"Ralph… I can't get it…"

Ralph sighed, trying to calm down, and leaned his head against the tree. He didn't want to get angry and lash out at Jack. "There's a spear… your birthday present… right over there."

Jack looked around the tree to where Ralph was motioning, with his head, and ran over to the sight where Ralph had gotten his brand. The grass had grown back up, from where Ralph had laid, but there was blood in the grass. Jack ran his fingers through it, trying to find it. He looked over, and Ralph's hands were turning purple as he struggled to free himself. Ralph stopped, with a small cry of pain, and started to slam his back against the bark, cutting it further.

Jack watched some blood run down from Ralph's back. "Ralph… Stay still."

Ralph turned his head so he was looking at Jack, and Jack could see the fury in his eyes. "I'll tie you up to a fucking tree, Jack. And we'll see how long you can stay still."

Jack felt his heart sink into his stomach and he went back to looking for the spear, as tears came to his eyes. He hadn't meant to make Ralph upset… he only wanted to help.

After a few seconds, he felt something slice his hand. He moved his hand down, grabbing the wood part of the spear, and held it up. As he stood and walked behind Ralph's tree, he stared, at amazement at it. The tip was covered in Ralph's blood, as this was the spear that Roger made his mark with, but it was dried. Now, a small fresh drop ran down, from where Jack had just cut himself.

He ran his finger along the sharp edge and his flesh sliced without much pressure and his hand bled further. "Wow… You made this?" His voice showed his amazement, even if Ralph couldn't see it.

"Jack…" Ralph's voice was pleading. He tried to pull his hands apart again, to show Jack that he wanted to be free. Jack's left hand went up to Ralph's hand and held it lightly as he began to cut, so if the spear missed the vine, it would hurt him and not Ralph. Ralph squeezed Jack's hand back, hard, and Jack could feel that Ralph was shaking.

Jack went slow, making sure not to slip and injure Ralph. When the last cut had been made into the vine, and Ralph felt his hands go free, he released Jack's hand and brought his arms from around the tree, to in front of him, smiling. He rubbed his wrists painfully, and Jack walked around to the front, afraid to say anything and upset Ralph. Ralph smiled at him, and started to roll his shoulders, to work out the kinks in it.

Jack got on his knees in front of Ralph. Ralph blushed as Jack started to work the strip of vine that held Ralph's legs together, and around the tree. Ralph watched, as he continued to rub his wrists, but he got distracted. Jack's back muscles rippled as his strong arms worked on slicing the vine, and he grunted every so often. Sweat glistened from Jack's back. Ralph swallowed and saw a tear or two land on Jack's back. He hadn't even realized he was crying.

Jack felt the tears and finished the last slice to free Ralph at the same time. Jack looked up at the fair haired boy, still on his knees before him. Ralph used the back of his hand to rub away the tears before Jack saw, but it was too late. Ralph's knees gave and he crumbled to the ground beside Jack, sobbing, burying his face in his hands.

Jack leaned over, hugging Ralph around the shoulder, pulling the shaking body closer to him. Ralph rested his head on Jack's chest, his hands moving around Jack's waist, feeling safe in his arms.

"I… I'm sorry." Jack said, his voice was shaking and Ralph felt Jack's tears fall onto his forehead. "I'm so sorry Ralph. I'll never let you out of my sight again. I swear…"

Ralph's hands ran along Jack's sides, his skin was burning from the sun being on it. "R-Roger…"

Jack leaned his head over, resting his head on Ralph's. "You don't have to say anything…"

Ralph swallowed and held onto Jack. Ralph licked his lips, trying to decide what to say. Jack's hands ran, comfortingly over Ralph's back and he kissed the top of his head. Ralph sighed. "He… he kissed me, again."

Jack sighed, and Ralph could tell he was relieved that he didn't do to him like he did to the pig. "Nothing you could have done." Jack said, quietly. "You were tied to a tree, for God's sakes."

Ralph frowned, but didn't go farther with it; he was hoping Jack would let it drop too. Both boys were quiet for a couple of minutes before Jack said. "W-what was it like?"

Ralph thought that was a strange question and he moved back, looking at Jack. Jack tried to hide the curiosity in his eyes, but it was beyond hiding. Ralph saw it. "What?"

"What… what did he do? Did you like it?" Shame filled Jack's face as soon as the words came from his mouth. "No… sorry, you don't have to answer that."

Ralph grinned and stood up, grabbing Jack's shoulders and pulling him into an awkward standing possession, before he pushed Jack roughly against the tree, bringing his finger's to Jack's jaw, and pushing his fingers into it, forcing his mouth open, like Roger had done.

Jack groaned as he tried to shut his mouth, biting his inner lip, the same problem Ralph had. Ralph moved in and kissed Jack similar to the way Roger kissed Ralph. The only difference was when Ralph touched his tongue to Jack's, Jack's gladly pressed back. Ralph removed his fingers from Jack's jaw a little, and Jack's mouth closed. Ralph moved Jack's head, like Roger had moved his, and pushed in farther, except their kiss really did mean something.

After a few more seconds, Ralph backed away, but Jack's hands on his waist were keeping their bodies close. Jack grinned, with a small blush on his face and said. "At least Roger knows how to kiss…"

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Roger couldn't believe it. Ralph took something that was supposed to be psychologically devastating and turned it into a nice reason to kiss Jack. Roger snarled and started to storm away until he heard Jack's words. "At least Roger knows how to kiss…"

He stopped and looked back at Jack. The way his hands rested on Ralph's lower back seemed strange to Roger. Jack's thumbs moved, creating a stimulus for Ralph's sense of touch, and the look in his eyes were such an over powering look of love that it almost made Roger sick. Ralph's back had been to Roger, an easy shot with a spear, really, but Roger didn't want the blonde boy dead. Ralph leaned back, pulling Jack with him, forcing him into another kiss.

Roger scoffed and walked away.

He gathered some fruit on the way back to his hideout, not feeling like seeing Eric. If he went to see Eric, he'd end up hurting him again… he could feel it. Whether it was through anger, or through a kiss, he didn't know. But he knew he'd mess up again… like he always did. He bit into one of the pieces of fruit, and the juice stung his throat as he swallowed.

"Jack…" Ralph's voice echoed from behind him. Roger yelled and chucked the fruit as hard as he could into the ocean. It went pretty far, for someone of his age, but he didn't care. He yelled again, trying to get Ralph's voice from his head, and he punched a tree. He didn't feel anything, but the bark sliced his knuckle, and blood trailed down his wrist.

He started calming down, when Jack's happy voice said, "I love you, Ralph."

Roger's knees gave out, and he sat, leaning against a tree. He knew how angry he should be, and he knew how angry he was. His heart felt like it was being ripped in teeny tiny pieces. He leaned his head back, putting his hands over his face, waiting for tears. But tears never came, and all he could think of was Eric. His new scratches, all the pain he'd caused Eric, and the way Eric always looked at him. He had the same look… the same look that Jack had had, when he found Ralph, alive.

Roger stood and started walking back to his cave, waiting for the boys to settle down, so he could go see Eric again.

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Jack blushed softly and hugged Ralph tightly, so he could hide his face from the younger boy. Ralph's arms were just as tight around Jack. "I love you, too." He whispered, sounding like he was on the verge of tears again. Jack smiled and kissed Ralph's bare shoulder, as his hands slowly rubbed Ralph's back. Ralph put his forehead on Jack's shoulder, closing his eyes, relaxing.

"Are you ready to go back up? I sort of… I was really worried when I left… and I think I might have hurt Maurice." Jack's voice was quiet.

"What?" Ralph moved back, looking at Jack. "What'd you do to him?"

Jack shook his head and kissed Ralph gently on his lips, the same way Roger had done before he left. "Let's just get back."

Ralph nodded and the two boys separated from their hug and stood up, Jack grabbing the spear Ralph had made him in one hand. They started walking, quietly, almost awkwardly, until Jack looked over and smiled at Ralph, taking hold of his hand. Ralph smiled back, and gladly held Jack's hand.

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Maurice was trying hard to stop crying, but he was afraid. He wasn't afraid of Jack, he wasn't scared that Jack was going to come back and beat him more, because he could understand. If Robert was taken away from him, he'd have probably done the same. But what if Roger had really done something to Ralph? What if Ralph was dead?

Eric was watching him, which made Maurice nervous. Eric didn't even seem upset to know that Roger was off with Ralph. "I'm sorry he hurt you, Maurice." Eric's voice did sound sympathetic, but it didn't make him feel much better.

"It's fine. I'm use to it."

"No your not. He's never hurt you before." Maurice frowned a little. That was true. He was always in Jack's in crowd.

"He's just worried for Ralph. Why aren't you worried?"

"Ralph's not dead. Roger won't kill him… not yet." Eric's eyes grew distant, like he was thinking. "He… he won't kill Ralph, because Ralph is as close to Jack as he's going to get for now…"

Eric fell quiet and Maurice watched him. Something about Eric seemed different. He wasn't the type to talk, really, and he was usually silent about Roger. Most of the boys were. It was taboo. The two sat for a while in silence, until he heard Jack's voice yell. "Maurice. Get out here."

Maurice went to his Chief, thinking the worse, regardless of what Eric said. But Ralph looked fine. Jack had an arm around Ralph, like he was afraid to let go. Ralph was blushing. Ralph wasn't use to walking around with someone's arm around him. He wasn't use to being kissed in front of other boys, and Jack had that look in his eyes, that all the boys knew.

"We're going to get a pig tonight, hunters!" Jack threw up his hands, and the hunters cheered. Ralph tried to move away, but Jack grabbed his arm and pulled him closer. "Maurice, Robert, Bill and Sam. You four go down and get us clay. Be careful. The rest of you, stay here and sharpen your spears."

Jack clenched his spear in his hand, and let go of Ralph, making a gesture for him to go inside the cave. Ralph obliged, and Jack followed him in.

Jack grinned at Ralph when they got in, and Ralph expected Jack to pin him against the wall, but instead, Jack pulled out the coconuts of clay. "You'll paint them for me again, right?"

Ralph grinned back at Jack. "Of course."

Ralph leaned his hand over, to put it in the white paint, when Jack grabbed his hand. "You don't have to put my normal mask on… if you don't want."

Ralph laughed and said. "How about I put your normal mask on, and then you can get out your creativity on me?"

Jack looked excited. "You mean you'll come?"

"Well you said you weren't ever going to let me leave your eyesight again… or have you forgotten already?" His fingers played in the red paint, before holding his fingers up, and drawing the red part of Jack's mask. Again, he felt something stir in Jack, so he quickly added the white. Then he finished with the black slash.

Jack grinned, his eyes still shown with lust as he looked at the blonde boy, and not just his face. His eyes traveled mercilessly over the wounded body. Ralph didn't mind, there probably wasn't a spot from his waist up that Jack hadn't touched. After a few more seconds, Jack looked back up and grinned at Ralph.

"I got it. Close your eyes." Ralph let his eyes close and a few seconds later he felt Jack's wet hands brush over his face, but he didn't know what the pattern was, every few seconds there was a pause as he switched colors, but then there was a longer pause. He heard Jack groan slightly, Ralph gulped in delight. He felt Jack's hands on his chest, and he opened his eyes.

"J-Jack! What the hell did you do?" Jack's chest was bleeding, not in a line down, but a gash just under his right collar bone. It was bleeding slightly, just enough to have gotten some on his hands, and Ralph looked down at himself, as Jack's hands pulled away. He had two bloody handprints, on his chest, similar to Roger's, except the blood looked different.

Jack's fingers moved up to his mouth as he licked the blood from his fingers. Ralph watched, excitedly. He felt his heart racing, just from watching the boy.

"What does my war paint look like?" He managed to gasp.

Jack's eyes, now seemingly less savage, fell on Ralph's. "You know, it's weird. But there's a difference between human blood and pig blood. How they taste… how they feel… the symbolism it can hold." Jack's eyes fell onto Ralph's chest. "Roger thinks he's special… but he's just got pig blood. My handprints with pig's blood is completely different than my handprints with my own blood… giving willingly." Jack's eyes fell on Ralph's again, as he gave his finger another lick.

Ralph shook slightly, as he leaned over Jack, kissing his shoulder. Jack closed his eyes, and tilted his head back. Ralph moved closer to Jack, moving his hands around Jack's waist, pulling the older boy closer. Ralph kissed down Jack's chest a little way, until he was looking at the drop of blood that dribbled from the wound. He watched the drop slowly roll down Jack's tanned chest.

"Go on…" Jack whispered in a slight moan.

Ralph closed his eyes and licked the droplet, catching it midway to Jack's stomach, and licked up the trail, leaving no trace that the blood ever escaped.

Jack leaned back, grabbing onto Ralph's shoulder and pulling him on top of him. Ralph didn't need to be pulled; he straddled Jack's hips with his own, leaning over him, pressing his lips into Jack's. Ralph could taste more of the coppery blood on Jack's tongue. Jack moaned again, and Ralph answered with one of his own.

After a time frame that neither boy knew exactly. (All they knew was it was way too short.) Ralph sat back up to take a breath, sitting higher on Jack's stomach. Jack opened his eyes, panting, and watched the blonde boy move hair from his face.

"I guess we should get going, eh?" Jack said, sounding like he'd rather stay here. "Better get a pig, cook it, and eat it quickly… then we can come back in here and finish up."

Ralph laughed as he stood up, holding his hand down to help Jack up. Jack took his hand, and Ralph pulled the older boy to his feet, looking at Jack's self-inflicted wound. "It doesn't hurt." Jack assured Ralph, then he grinned, "I'll do anything to get you to lick me again."

Ralph blushed as Jack laughed and led the way out, to the group of hunters, with painted faces, sitting patently with spears in their hands, ready for some meat.