Work Text:
Simon thought back to his days at boarding school. When the bright sun dazzles your eyes and the dense jungle beckons with its remoteness, he didn't really want to stay among people. He built huts, carried water, picked fruit, and when Ralph told him that was enough, he went into the woods. Far away from all of them. He loved being alone so much. Surrounded by silence and nature. Lying in a hammock made of vines, Simon thought about the choir and the boarding school. Now they have abandoned Ralph and his rules and become hunters. And Jack Meridew, with his clay on his face, became even more charming. He easily lured the guys from Ralph's side to the fun side. Simon was in no hurry. He didn't see the point of camps at all. He's still a stranger in any camp. Feels slightly separate. He would only be a pain in the hunters. At least he's doing something at Ralph's. Still spending most of my time with nature. He would definitely have chosen this place among all if someone had asked him where he would like to be. Butterflies circled above his head. He kept thinking and remembering, trying not to drown in the beauty of nature.
***
The days at the boarding school were like a dream. This is the perfect daily routine, everything is by the minute. But when breaks or free time started, it started to get stressful. Simon didn't go out, didn't play with anyone, and didn't socialize at all. He walked off to the library in silence. It seemed to be the only place he liked in the entire boarding school. He occasionally saw other names on the painting cards. Mostly Maurice. He signed his name for the tenth time, read and reread books, just to keep himself occupied until a typical daily routine returned. He especially liked the book about Ancient Greek myths. The librarian called it all fiction, but the very concept of mighty Gods on Olympus took Simon's breath away. Perhaps it was a sin. He was afraid of that, too. But he knew it was fiction. The obvious one. That's just how much he liked the Gods. He remembered Apollo the most. The patron saint of everything. His contradictory nature. It all added up to one picture. Simon could endlessly describe this infernally beautiful God, the ideal of male beauty and the whole of Greece, until it would all add up to one picture. How Apollo reminds him of Jack. He often thought about it. I compared them. I often stared at Meridue's sharp nose, trying to imagine Apollo. The book had no pictures, but a detailed description helped. Jack could feel his eyes on him. He ignored it, complacently. Simon tried to memorize some passages. He liked them so much and they ate into his memory. He mumbled a lot. Sometimes, if you go near him, God forbid, he will address you by the name of Zeus, or mutter something about Olympus or Troy. That's how he almost called Jack Apollo.
***
While on the island, Simon fell deeper and deeper into his fantasies. I thought about Demeter, the Goddess of fertility. How she loves him, since she brought him here. To this lovely island. When he was at the feast, all the grace of Demeter seemed to be crushed. The huge pig carcass screamed of Gluttony. But what difference does it make to hunters? They want to have fun. Everything screamed at Simon that this was not the case. But when Jack came out, with his pearl blindfold over his eyes, Simon seemed to be illuminated by a flash of light. Those pearls on his beautiful freckled face, painted in white clay, made him look even more like a God. He looked so inspiring. In a minute, Simon didn't give a damn about their entire hierarchy, the huge pig carcass, Ralph and Piggy's worry, the madness of the hunters, everything. He just wanted to be with him. With God in his eyes. Jack politely gave the first piece to Ralph, and pointedly tossed another thick piece to Simon. Straight to him. It was as if he had been chosen. Simon started, but he wasn't going to eat that pig at all. I didn't want to offend the forest. He gave his piece to the kids, and although Jack didn't show it, he got angry. Didn't Simon really dislike the Hunters' hospitable welcome? Simon got up from the table and wandered into the woods. Gain strength.
***
After the meal, everyone slept. Hypnos inspired them. Jack rushed into the woods, hoping to find Simon. Camborn sat in a tree and pulled at a twig, apologizing to the tree for breaking it off. Simon noticed Meridue hurrying along, but decided not to disturb him, who knows what business the Hunter has? But Simon still nimbly climbed down from the tree and followed him. Eventually, he realized who Jack was looking for and called out to him in his quiet voice.
"Jack?"
The golden-haired man shuddered. Simon was too close.
- Simon.
He narrowed his eyes and held out his hand as if in a gesture of introduction. Simon took it awkwardly, and Jack pulled him closer to himself.
"Why didn't you eat a piece of meat ?" Didn't you like our reception? Don't you like hunters? What's wrong with you? You're from the choir.
Jack peppered Simon with a bunch of questions while he just admired the strands that had escaped from the bandage. Instead of answering, he put his hand behind Jack's ear and cheekbone, cupped his face in his hands, and kissed him on the cheek, whispering that the reception was great. Jack was flushed even under the clay. He wanted to let Simon go at first, but he didn't dare. Meridue confessed that he got lost. Simon laughed, and his hair fell over his face. Jack tucked them behind his ear, and Camborn promised that they would come out of the woods. At first, Meridue did not trust Simon's instincts, but soon realized that the boy knew what he was doing. They went out to the hunters and sat down on the sand. The waves were crashing on the shore, and the sea foam was so light in color, whiter than a foggy morning morning. Jack studied Simon. His swarthy skin color, which still had its pallor, bags under his eyes, deep eyes, and wavy dark hair. He looked so beautiful. The very personification of the forest. His attractiveness. Simon, in turn, was thinking about Jack. About his curls, blue eyes, pointed nose, and that clay all over his body and face. They locked arms and lay there. They lay there until the sun started baking, or until Ralph found them.