Forgiveness

Chapter Two

Jack's eyes widened in shock, completely dumbstruck at the urgency and reality of Ralph's kiss. 'How can this be happening?' He wondered, his body still frozen in surprise. 'This can't possibly be real, it has to just be another dream, but...' he felt a hot blush spreading across his cheeks. '
I can feel him here. And his lips are so warm...'

Embarrassed and unsure of what to do, Ralph pulled away almost immediately and stared down at the ground. 'Goddammit,' he thought 'Was that the right thing to do? What's he going to think of me now?'

Jack watched him with breathless caution, attempting to hide his emotions under his usual harsh demeanor."Wh-wh-what the hell was that for?" He stammered, looking away.

"Well w-what do you think it was for, Jack?" The fair haired boy responded, his face now consumed in a violent blush. He waited until the other boy looked back up at him and met his eyes. He hesitated, still scared of Jack's reaction even though he already knew how he felt. "I like you too, Jack."

Jack's eyes widened, still not expecting this answer. His heart pounded to the point of shaking, his tanned cheeks grew hot, and before he could stop it, he felt himself starting to cry. He... He likes me. How could Ralph, perfect wonderful Ralph like a monster like me? This is all I've ever wanted and dreamed of, wishing for this and not getting it drove me insane, but still...
"I don't deserve this," Jack muttered under his breath, staring down at his feet."

"What?" Ralph asked.

"I said I don't deserve this! I don't deserve you!" The red-haired boy snapped. "I've killed people, Ralph. Hell, I almost killed you! I'm not worthy of you, so don't tempt me like this!"

"What do you meant don't tempt you?" Asked Ralph, staring intently into Jack's eyes.

Jack, now past the point of being embarrassed, sighed and allowed his shoulders to drop as he told the other boy the truth. "I want you, Ralph," he admitted. "I want you so goddamn badly I can't think straight. I couldn't have you before, I couldn't get your approval, and I lost all control of myself. You have no idea how hard it is not to pounce on you and do everything I've wanted to do to you for so long right here and right now, no matter who sees, but I can't because I'm a murderer and you're too bloody good good for me, okay? So why don't you just leave me alone and go talk to someone who's more worth your time?"

Ralph let out a tired sigh before taking hold of Jack's shoulders almost sternly. "You can't keep beating yourself up about this forever, Jack," he told him. "Yes, you did horrible things that I'll never forget, but it's not all your fault. We're still just kids. We don't know how to live on our own nonetheless govern a bloody island. After what we went through, we all went a little crazy, but we have to get past that so we can move on with our lives. We have to learn to be sane, normal, and happy again." He looked down at his feet and collected his breath before saying the words he knew would be the hardest. He looked back up at Jack, blushing fiercely with a proud, earnest look in his eyes. "And right now, despite it all, the only thing that could make me happy and sane again is you, Jack. You can do whatever you want to me, I don't care." He sighed and shook his head. "I just need you."

Jack breathed in deeply, allowing Ralph's words to soak into his skin. I can't say no. He thought. If this is what Ralph truly wants, then I swear to god I'm not giving this chance up. He gritted his teeth. "God damn you." He muttered, and without any further hesitation, Jack gripped Ralph by the waist, pulled him close, and locked his lips with his own and kissed him with the almost violent hunger that had boiled inside of him far too long.

When the shock wore off, Ralph closed his eyes and smiled into the kiss. He moved his lips rhythmically with Jack's and laced his fingers into the other boy's messy red hair. He felt himself go rigid from the feeling of Jack's hands roaming his back and tongue roaming his mouth. This is was what he needed, this was the only thing that would make him feel steady and help him forget everything, even for a little while. Finally. He thought. I've needed you just as much, Jack.

Jack didn't care what the other boy did. Ralph could just stand there and do nothing for all he cared, as long as he got to release some of this passion, this urgent need to love him. But Ralph didn't just stand there, and it was the feeling of the fair-haired boy's gentle hands caressing his hair, arms, and back that made Jack feel like he would cry again. Hesitating to let go of Ralph's lips, Jack slowly pulled away and started working his mouth on the side of his neck, softly biting at his skin with his teeth and sucking on it tenderly with his mouth. When a stifled moan escaped Ralph's lips, Jack thought he would faint, but he continued to show Ralph how much he had wanted him and how long he had waited for this.

The red haired boy stopped to catch his breath and leaned his forehead against Ralph's chest. This had better last. He thought. Now that I have you, Ralph, I'm never letting go.

To be continued...