Part 8
I'm not stupid. If we don't merge and my tribe loses the next immunity challenge, I'm out. I get along with everybody, but I could be their fathers. I can't compete in the physical challenges, and now that Kim is gone I have no one on my side. My only chance is the merge or to somehow convince Reid to break his alliance with Katie and Henry.
Bob, Doctor
"Crap!" Luke cries and raises his hand above his head like it will stop him from getting drenched. It's coming down hard. Waves crash brutally against the shore. Everything is dark.
"Come on." Reid's voice is muffled by the rain. Luke can barely hear him despite being inches away. Reid grabs his uninjured hand and drags Luke to the only cluster of trees on the island.
It's not a great shelter. Rain still makes it through the leaves and every time thunder booms, water cascades through the branches. Still, it's better than nothing and the two of them settle on the ground, close to the largest trunk as possible. Luke can see the two cameramen through the falling drops. They're wearing bright orange ponchos. Bet they're miserable, he thinks.
"Are you okay?" Reid leans in and asks.
For a second Luke thinks he's talking about the kiss. Then he realizes Reid is staring at his hand. On cue, it throbs. "I'm alright. Just wet."
A particularly harsh blast of thunder shakes the area, and a bucket of water splashes over his head. It's not cold, but the shock of the water makes him shiver. "Come here," Reid says then somehow squeezes his body behind Luke's. Luke can feel the wet, bunched fabric of Reid's shirt and the hard muscle of his chest underneath. He shivers again.
An arm sneaks around his waist.
"Uh, Reid, I'm not sure I'm comfortable with this."
"With what? The kiss? Me holding you? The rain?" Sarcasm is thick in his voice.
Luke twists so he can look at Reid. He winces when he bumps his hand. "I don't know. All of the above." His bangs fall across his eyes and he tosses his head, trying to move them back. If he moves his uninjured hand, he'll have to touch Reid chest.
He closes his eyes and tries to gather his thoughts. Reid's long legs encase his, and when he flicks out his tongue to lick away some beading water, Luke can still taste him along his bottom lip. "Why did you kiss me?"
Reid shifts and Luke opens his eyes. "Because I wanted too," he says like that explains everything.
"But you've been rude to me this whole time!"
"Not the whole time. Just while you were being a drama queen."
"A drama queen?" Luke repeats.
Reid waves his hand. "You know. Not talking to me. Being mad."
"I was mad because you were being a jerk," Luke exclaims. Lightening lights up the sky for one brilliant second and Luke sees Reid's blue eyes. They match the sea on a calm day, Luke thinks, then curses himself for being so damn romantic.
The neurosurgeon shrugs. "I can't help it. It's in my blood."
He has nothing to say to that. Another boom of thunder shakes the water through the leaves and dumps onto them. "Damn-it!" Luke curses and slams his eyes shut. Water in his eyes is the last thing he needs right now.
When he opens them again, Reid is staring at him. Caught like a fly in a spider's web, Luke can't move as Reid raises his hand and cups his jaw. He rubs a thumb across Luke's lips. A shudder wracks through Luke. "Reid…" he whispers and then he's being kissed again.
Reid's lips are scorching. Heat tingles along Luke's mouth and spreads through his body. He turns, twisting to his knees and straddles Reid's leg to get a better angle. He brings up his good hand up to grasp Reid's neck. Fingers slip under his shirt and press against his stomach. He groans. Reid's hand slides higher.
His brain stutters on. "Reid," he says again.
"Hold on," Reid replies and his other hand moves from Luke's face to the band of his shorts.
"Reid." Luke grabs Reid's hand. "Stop."
"What?" Reid pulls back and blinks at Luke. "Why?"
"I don't…" Luke starts then changes directions. "I'm not ready for this. This is going too fast. I need to think."
Reid retracts both hands. "What's there to think about?" He retorts. "You're attractive. I'm attractive. We are both sexually attracted to each other." He pauses as if to give Luke time to process it. "We're alone," he glances at the cameramen, "well as alone as we can be here. The next obvious step is…"
"I get what you're saying," Luke says. The other man suddenly feels to close and he swings his leg around until they're no longer touching. "But I'm not that type of guy. I don't do random hook-ups."
Reid sighs. "You're a relationship kind of guy. Why doesn't that surprise me?"
"And you're not," Luke replies. And that doesn't surprise me either. Luke settles onto his butt and rests his wrists on his bent knees.
"Look, Luke," Reid says. "I'm not going to pressure you into anything, but we're both adults- adults that were about to have sex. I'd like to continue. I'm not going to run around afterwards and spread nasty rumours about your virtue."
It's tempting. It really is. It's been so damn long. "I'm sorry. I can't."
Seconds pass. The silence is stifling. Then, Reid is holding out something. "Banana?"
Luke smiles and reaches forward.
###
So I have this problem. I have two beautiful women on my tribe. There's Maddie, who's smart and bubbly. Then there's Ali, who's got the cutest smile I've ever seen. I mean, I know I'm a player, but I don't think even I can play two girls that I live with.
~Casey, Janitor
Brian is blindsided by the vote. "I didn't expect this," he looks crushed and turns his hurtful gaze onto Luke.
I wasn't the only one to vote for you, Luke thinks. In fact, it was an unanimous decision.
Probst extinguishes Brian's flame. "Brian, the tribe has spoken." Brian gives a curt nod, body stiff, as if he's just been given the death penalty.
Luke watches the man until he disappears. As they're walking back to camp, Noah touches his shoulder and says, "Even if he isn't part of the other pair, he was the next logical choice to go."
Noah's completely right. Besides, Brian gave Luke the creeps. He was definitely hiding something, Luke tells himself. And if he knows someone on the other tribe and we merge he would have a major advantage. Still, there's a rock in Luke's stomach that feels an awful lot like guilt. He shakes his head, trying to clear the feeling.
"Down to five," Casey says as he throws his bag to the ground the second they're back at camp. He struts to the shelter then throws himself onto the mats. Flipping onto his back, Casey tucks his hands behind his head and adds, "I wonder if we'll merge tomorrow."
"I hope not," Noah says.
That surprises Luke. "Why not?"
Noah sits one of the log stumps around the unlit fire pit. "We all get along here," he says and glances around like he's waiting for someone to say otherwise. "From what I've seen, the people in the other tribe don't have the best personalities. I'd rather stay with you guys, who I know and like."
Ali settles down next to Casey in the shelter. She yawns then says, "You guys are pretty awesome." Luke sees Maddie staring at Casey and the other girl. There's a frown on her face. The knot in Luke's stomach tightens. Ali continues. "Let's make a pact." She rolls onto her side, using her elbow to prop up her body. "If we merge tomorrow, let's do everything in our power to take each other to the final five."
"Dude, I thought that was already the plan!" Casey snorts. He rubs the top of Ali's hair like she's a Buddha statue. She squeals and he laughs.
Maddie's mouth tightens for one brief second, then it smoothes out and she says, "Hey, I'm going to go and get some water."
Noah stands up and stretches. "I'll go with you," he says.
Ali laughs and Luke turns to see Casey smile and lean forward to kiss her nose. He watches as Noah and Maddie fade down the path into the trees.
His knot grows.
###
I hope we merge. Everyone else seems to be dreading it, because if we merge now, the teams will be equal. But I don't have to worry. You know how Reid's Exile Island clue said that there were two pairs of people who were related? Well, I'm one of half of one of those pairs.
~Henry, Television Executive
As they finish gathering for that afternoon's challenge, Jeff Probst flashes them his trademark dimpled grin and says, "Drop your buffs. You're merging."
There are a few groans as well as few exclamations of, "I knew it!" as everyone throws their red or yellow buffs to the ground. Probst walks forward and hands out the new buffs. "These orange buffs represent your merge into one tribe. Wear them with pride, for making it this far is an accomplishment in its own right."
Luke smiles at the host's words. It feels good for someone to acknowledge their efforts so far. It hasn't been an easy road. He ties his new buff around his head.
"In celebration of the merge, there is no challenge today. You will all enjoy a feast and a show performed by a native Indonesian tribe. While you're enjoying your meal, you can decide which camp you want to settle at and a new tribe name."
Casey pumps his fist in the air and shouts, "FOOD!" Ali laughs and presses her head to his shoulder.
They file into an uneven line and follow one of the Survivor crewmen across the beach to where a huge bonfire is blazing and a long wooden table is set. A large white tent covers the table. Pink and white flowers wind up lengths of rope holding the tent to the ground.
"This is amazing," Katie says and reaches out to touch one of the pink flowers.
"Look at the table," Vienna replies.
Luke takes in the table again. Three large-leafed floral center pieces divide the tables into thirds. Brightly colored fruits, some Luke recognizes and others he doesn't, sit in hand weaved, straw bowls. Pitchers of purple, orange and yellow juices are scattered around. In the four corners of the tent are knee-sized incense burners. The air smells like sandalwood and sugar.
A handsome Native Indonesian man walks over and smiles at the group. "Welcome! My name is Sukarno." His accent is strong, but his English is completely understandable. "Sit down. Enjoy your meal, then my friends will perform a native dance."
They take their seats. Noah is to Luke's left and Katie to his right. Reid sits diagonal from him. He feels something touch his foot and looks up at the neurosurgeon. The man's already reaching for a pitcher of the purple juice. He feels another nudge at his foot and then at his ankle. Reid's eyes meet his for a brief second. The man brings his drink to his mouth. He's doing it on purpose, Luke thinks. He quick pours himself his own drink and takes a sip to cover his surprise. When Reid does it again Luke shoots him a look that screams, "stop it!"
Reid's eyes narrow and he frowns.
"Oh my god," Henry groans from the other side of the table, grabbing Luke's attention. Four servers are heading towards the table carrying large platters of food. Dish after dish are laid on the table. Everything from grilled fish to pork shish kabobs and spicy smelling white soups are placed in front of the contestants. Luke's stomach grumbles in appreciation.
They eat quickly as if they've never eaten anything before. Some days here, it feels like that. Luke licks the grease from his fingers and thinks about taking another shish kabob. Talk is pleasant. No one mentions the game or anything too personal. Everyone shares funny stories of things that have happened since they've been here.
With the horizon low in the skin, a cloudless pink and orange, their Indonesian host returns baring huge bottles of wine and a strange looking fruit. "This is called Arak," he says holding up a bottle of the wine. "It's a local wine made from a sugar palm." Sukarno gives the bottle a little shake and flashes a wide smile. "Enjoy, but not too much." Everyone laughs. "And this," he lifts up the prickly looking fruit, "is called a durian. It's a local fruit."
"How are we supposed to eat that?" Casey asks in a too loud whisper. Bob sends him a disapproving look and Casey has the grace to look embarrassed.
"We call it the king of fruits," Sukarno says. He lays it on the table and pulls out a long knife from his belt. It slices in half with one hefty motion. Despite the porcupine appearance on the outside, the inside of the fruit is a soft, squishy yellow color. Sakarno cuts it into bite sized pieces and hands out both the fruit and wine.
Luke takes the fruit but not the alcohol. "No thank you," he says with a wave.
"What, you're too good to be drink with the rest of us?" Reid's voice cuts across the table. Luke glances up, and gives the other man a wounded look.
"No. I just don't drink." Luke replies, voice tight.
Reid takes a sip of his wine. Everyone else is shifting uncomfortably in their seats, saying nothing. "You know what I hate?" he asks, finishing his drink. "People who think they're better than us because they're sober."
Where is this coming from? He shakes his head and gives a dark laugh. "No, then you don't understand drunks at all. We don't think we're better than you. We drink to feel as normal as you." He ducks his head and stares at the table.
Noah touches his shoulder. "Hey, are you okay?"
Luke gives the other boy a grateful look. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's part of who I am, an alcoholic."
"Excuse me," Reid stands up. "I've got to pee." He twists around and marches away from the table.
"Don't take it personally," Katie says. "He's always like that."
"How have you not murdered him yet?" Maddie asks.
Henry laughs. "I've got the will power of a god." That sends a round of laughter around the table.
When the humour dies down Noah leans into Luke's space and whispers, "Do you want to talk about it?"
Luke sighs. "Not really. It's pretty straight forward. As a teenager, I didn't want to be gay. I wanted to fit in and be normal so I drank." He paused when he realized that it wasn't just Noah who was listening. He swallowed the sudden lump in his throat and continued. "I realized I had a problem when I had to have a kidney replacement, so I stopped drinking for a while. After I accepted myself, it got better for a while, but when I started having relationship problems with Kevin, I turned to alcohol again." Luke glances around the table. "After we broke up, I realized that I needed to fix myself before I did anything else. I've been sober about a year now."
There's a moment of silence then Casey reaches across the table and thumps him on the shoulder. "Dude, a year. Congrats!"
Relief washes through him. "Thanks Casey," Luke says.
"No problem, bro." Casey holds out his hand for a fist bump. Luke smiles and gives him what he wants.
The conversation seems to die after that, but it's not uncomfortable. They finish off the rest of the fruit and wine and when the sun completely disappears, Sakarno returns with an extravagantly dressed entourage. "Now for an after meal show. My friends here are going to perform a traditional Indonesian dance."
They all sit back, rub their bellies, and watch.
Reid doesn't return until it's all over.