Title: Touch
Author: ficklemuse
Fandom: Lost
Characters: James Sawyer Ford/Boone Carlyle
Prompt: 028. Touch
Word Count: 527
Rating: G
Author's Notes: For slash_100

Boone prides himself on not blushing when he tells Jack that he'll stay in the hatch and give Sawyer his sponge bath. Someone has to stay while everyone else attends Jin's funeral. Boone knows he should go. But he can't quite face Sun. Not yet. Not when he's so fucking relieved to have Sawyer back. Even if it makes him a horrible person he can't help but be grateful for what he has and it feels as if that makes him grateful for what Sun's lost.

Just thinking about it makes Boone's chest hurt.

So he doesn't dwell on it.

Instead he focuses on getting out a tub of warm soapy water and a washcloth. Pulling back the bed sheets Boone takes in every inch of Sawyer's skin. He catalogs every cut, every bruise that mars his tanned skin. Wringing out some of the water, Boone starts to stroke the washcloth over Sawyer's neck and down his chest.

Sawyer stirs a little in the bunk bed, but not much as Boone continues to wash him slowly and methodically. When the water cools causing little goosebumps to form on Sawyer's arms, Boone sets aside the tub and tenderly dries Sawyer. He applies a thin layer of lotion and pulls on a clean t-shirt and sweatpants before tucking the sheets around Sawyer's still unconscious body.

After a minute though sitting in the chair beside the bed isn't enough. Sliding across the gap, Boone balances on the edge of the bed watching the heavy, labored up and down movement of Sawyer's chest. Reaching out, Boone lays his hand on Sawyer's chest until it's not enough. He needs more. His hand slides up under Sawyer's t-shirt and instantly he feels better. Skin to skin. Boone lets out a contented sigh.

Casting a glance at the closed door, Boone makes his decision. He quickly strips out of his clothes and pulls Sawyer's clothes off as well, leaving them on the ledge by the fake window. Sliding between the sheets with Sawyer Boone is careful not to jostle Sawyer's arm in any way. He feels greedy but he can't bring himself to care.

His hands run up and down Sawyer's arms, his chest and stomach petting him back to sleep whenever he stirs. Tucked away from the world in the narrow bunk bed, Boone lets loose the tears he's been holding back since the raft left.

Not all of the tears are his. Some are for Jin who'd dove in front of a bullet and saved Shannon's life. Some are Sun's loss. The rest are for Sawyer. For getting on the raft in the first place. For getting on the raft for Boone. For getting shot. For ignoring his own advice about being a hero. Boone buries his face in the curve of Sawyer's neck and continues to touch him. Every touch pulling Sawyer closer until they're so tangled together there's no telling where one ends and the other begins.

Later, when Rose comes in to find the two of them tangled together she's a little embarassed and amused. But seeing the peaceful looks on both boys faces, Rose mostly feels touched. She pulls a second blanket up to cover them before turning out the lights.