The Chief's Lover (Lord of the Flies) [JALPH]

Chapter 6.

Eight Months Later
Jack was out hunting with Roger and a few other former choir members. They had to at least attempt to make more clothing because of how cold it was. Since they didn't have any plants growing, they primarily fished and hunted. Despite how short the winter seemed, the hunters were still worried about causing one of their food sources to die out.

The group continued to scout around for something. Nobody was talking, so Jack ended up thinking about Ralph. They were going to be found out very soon, and Jack could only hope that Ralph was ready for it.

To be fair, they were both surprised as they realized they went two years with nobody suspecting them even liking each other. Well, they knew they tolerated each other, but nothing more than that.

Everyone knew about Ralph's condition now, except they didn't know who the other parent was.

They were going to one way or another very soon, however.

Roger looked pale during the walk. And it even started worrying everyone else. Jack eventually deciding to pull him aside and talk to him privately. For whatever reason, Jack had a suspicion that it was related to Simon.

The pair walked a good distance into the forest, to make sure nobody could hear. Which was also helped by the fact that the rest of the group was then preoccupied by trying to catch a pig they spotted a distance away from them.

Jack: Roger? What's had you looking so pale today? Are you sick? Cold?

Roger shook his head, finding a spot to sit down, Jack deciding to do the same as neither had sat down the whole hunt to find food.

Roger: No, it's... I—It's about Simon...

Jack tilted his head, surprised that he was right in his immediate assumptions of the situation.

Jack: Oh? What about it? Is he sick?

Roger shrugged.

Jack: Did you have an argument? What's the matter, Roger?

Roger took a deep breath, putting his head in his hands as he finally spoke up a second time.

Roger: Well... this morning... Actually, for the sake of admitting context, Simon and me, we haven't just been talking and being romantic... We've gotten intimate together multiple times over the past two years... and...

Roger sharply sucked in a breath. Jack didn't push him. Though he was nervous as to where this was going.

Roger: And... This morning... Simon and I were getting water from the river. Normal, right?

Jack nodded, visibly confused.

Roger: Well, that stopped when Simon suddenly got dizzy... not just dizzy... full on nauseous. I had to help him put the shells down so he didn't spill all the water... And then help him to a place a distance away so nothing got in the water. He wound up throwing up so much he started looking pale and like he was beginning to choke... I got so scared...

Roger took a deep breath and calmed himself before continuing.

Roger: So, after all that... I took him to talk to Piggy... You know, to see if he would know what was wrong... and he did. Simon... Simon is in the same condition as Ralph now.

Jack blinked.

Jack: Is, is that bad news, Roger?

Roger shrugged.

Roger: I don't think so... but it looks like this situation is harder on Simon than it ever was on Ralph and Maurice... Even Piggy is worried about him not being healthy enough to make it through—

Roger buried his head in his hands then. Jack went forward to try and comfort Roger.

Jack: Hey, we don't know that for sure... I think it's normal for people to have excessive nausea... Ralph and Maurice had it easy in comparison. Simon is tough, just like you. And we have time to prepare for a negative scenario. Don't think you'll lose him just yet.

Roger: It's not just that... I'm upset because of how I reacted, I might have caused Simon to fear for his life, or even think I don't love him anymore. I've wanted to go back and talk to him all day, but a part of me is worried it'll be hard to do that. And I felt bad for wanting to leave the hunt for something that might not even be that important.

Jack patted Roger on the back.

Jack: Hey, Simon is an understanding person. Why don't we catch up with the others? Or, I'll catch up with them and explain you had something important to do. And you can go talk to Simon?

Roger smiled.

Roger: You're really okay with that...?

Jack nodded. However, that was when Simon was heard running and yelling for Jack.

Jack: Simon? We're over here! What is it?

Simon ran over and pointed behind him frantically. Roger went over to hold him steady as he was shaking from the cold as well.

Simon: It's Ralph! You know...?

Jack's eyes went wide and he nodded.

Jack: Okay, thank you for telling me.

Jack started running down the mountain, stumbling a few times and needing to regain his balance. Leaving Roger alone with Simon to talk, still holding him close for warmth. Hoping he wouldn't be too late and not be able to help Ralph through it.

A small thought crossed Jack's mind as he ran, if everyone down at the beach saw Jack running desperately to see Ralph. Or, even that Simon thought it necessary to go alert him in the first place, they would have suspicions of who the other parent was even before they could see the child.

Eventually, Jack made it to the tent where he knew Ralph was. And, it turned out he did miss the whole thing. Still, Ralph looked happy that Jack came.

Jack immediately went to Ralph's side while Piggy cleaned them and wrapped them up.

Jack: Sorry I didn't get here sooner...

Ralph: It's fine... you clearly ran as fast as you could.

Jack pulled Ralph into a warm hug. Piggy looked over, figuring it out instantly and looking surprised.

Piggy: Oh, that explains how you both act around one another. Um, here. It's a little boy.

Piggy handed the bundle to Ralph, and he and Jack looked at their son. Who had freckles like Jack, red hair, and they later learned, green eyes.

The pair had already thought up potential names, and they were glad that the one they had in mind fit.

Piggy: Uh, do you two have a name...?

Jack nodded.

Jack: Yeah, Louis.

To the pair's relief, everyone on the island handled the reveal well. Especially as several months later, Roger and Simon had a little girl together.

They were ultimately never found, however, as their society kept evolving, and they found it less necessary to go home to where a war was. They didn't mind.

The End