Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2007 19:36:35 -0800 (PST)
From: Pear III David <drakanian32@yahoo.ca>
Subject: Crash Survivor Chapter 7

CRASH SURVIVOR

By Drake

General Disclaimer and copyrights:
This is just a fantasy work of fiction.  Any resemblance to persons or
places is a coincidence. 
If you aren't old enough to read this in your country, don't read.
If it's a criminal offence to read this in your country, don't read.
If male to male relationships and sexuality offend you, don't read.
If you think the story will be lame and boring, don't read it either.
All rights reserved.

NOTE:

OK OK I apologize!  It wasn't supposed to be that long before I post a new
update to this story.  Let me tell you I enjoy writing this story as you
enjoy reading it.  It's just that I have less spare time than I had before,
I changed job and now have a better position, but better position means
bigger responsibilities and less spare time.  The only few remaining is
spent with my family.

Now that my whining is done (duh!), I hope you'll like this chapter.  I
thought that some questions weren't answered yet concerning Greg's point of
view, so I took a particular care to fill the blanks.

Since it's seem to be very popular to tell our readers where our
inspiration comes from, I could tell it's based from my own and some of my
friend's experiences and skills.  Remember it's pure fiction, but I have
tendency to relate my characters personalities to great people I know,
sometimes it's even come from kids in my neighborhood!

The songs I listened and that inspired me during the typing of this chapter
were:

- Just Because by Jane's Addiction
- Underclass Hero by Sum 41
- Surrender by Billy Talent
- Could You Be Loved by Bob Marley
- Cult Of Personality by Living Color
- Plush by Stone Temple Pilot

Have a good reading!
Drake


From last chapter:

We decided to set our camp closer to the forest to avoid the tide reaching
us.  We packed all our belongings under the old raft so it wouldn't get
soaked, then we climbed aboard the newer raft that still had its tent top.
We ate our lunch in the evening as the rain started to pour.  Meanwhile, we
talked about our life, our family, and our hopeful future while we had to
stay on this island.

Tonight I didn't have to think about stoking a fire.  It was just too wet
and not fit for man nor beast to be in an unsheltered area.  We didn't see
any evidence this morning of any curious creatures being around, so I felt
safe.

Soon, we all felt asleep and called it a night as the rain started to
shower our tent much harder.  Just the sound of the rain drops on the nylon
was enough to put us into dreamland.


--------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 7

I don't know why, but during the night, I woke up as the storm finally came
to a rest.  Probably I got accustomed to the popping sound of the rain
falling on the tent top and now that it has stopped, something was missing.
I tried to get back to sleep but couldn't.  The fact that I had no sheet
cover wasn't any help either.  I dunno why, but for me, the bed sheets and
blankets are like a kind of shield while I'm sleeping, probably because it
separates me from the immediate environment and I can hide myself under
them.  I suppose this came from when I was a young child - a place to hide
from the imaginary big bad monsters that were always in my bedroom.

I tried to close my eyes, but they wouldn't stay shut - I was really awake.
My mind was drifting from one thing to another thing. I think that was
because during the day, I was nearly unable to get any free time just for
me, and I had accumulated a lot of things to think about.  I thought if I
waited any longer and didn't do anything to get free thinking time to
myself, I could be overloaded by all the events and worries that surrounded
us as a group.

As I'd explained to my boys, we were a team and we had to always stay
together.  For a short period, it was an easy thing to do, but talking
about long term was another story.  Everyone would need their privacy.  I
was starting to doubt that about myself, would I be able to cope with the
boys everyday, all day long?  For sure, I'd have to make some rules and
discuss them with the boys and change them a little bit because of their
input, so that we would all have some private time, otherwise we'll drive
each other crazy!  The discussion I had with Wil on one side and Jake on
the other, enforced my decision to talk to the boys about our
relationships, our closeness and our expectations.  I imagined that if I
had a doubt about our relationship as a team, it would reflect immediately
on the boy's behavior.  I knew they could read me like an open book.  I can
figure they would be able to think as same as me and it could lead us to a
catastrophic point for our survival in the wilderness, so I'd to do
something about building their trust without destroying their confidence in
their abilities.

Jake's condition was another thing that was bugging me.  He wasn't injured
too seriously, just some bad cuts that actually needed some stitches if we
had proper medical care, but I managed to close all the bigger wounds with
gauzes and tape that I found in the survival kit.  We just had to make sure
that it wouldn't get infected.  I'm not a doctor but, from my point of
view, even if Jake was getting better, he was still too weak and it would
be a few days before he'd be able to walk along with us.  I made a point
with him to do less physical activities for the time being and I knew he'd
follow my advice.  One thought led to another.  Jake's accident reminded
how fragile we were in our circumstances.  Until now, we'd all been lucky,
without any major mishaps, accidents, or problems, but what if something
more serious than Jake's injuries happened?  We could only stretch our
knowledge, abilities and the survival kit so far.  Yes - illness and
accidents were a big item that crowded my thoughts.

Another thing that gave rise to my anxiety - the boy's sexual life was
becoming more and more active.  It was only natural - all young teenagers
had raging hormones.  Maybe it was a blessing - or maybe a problem that we
were all gay, or near bisexual when I thought about Wil and myself.  I was
wondering why they were all like that; was it because there were no females
with us?  It seemed to be too much of a clich‚ for me for it to be real.
The boys were all about twelve years old they all wanted to be involved in
a relationship that many adults I knew were unable to live.  The fact that
we were in a dire situation right now maybe helped to reinforce that need,
the need to be loved, to be with someone who cares about them, and
collectively, because we were here alone.  I could understand that Jake and
Matt started to develop their sexual life together, discovering and
experiencing sex together.  I suppose, I could even hope that sex and a
profound friendship may lead to love, even when they're that young.  I
wasn't sure that it was correct to let them have sex at that age, but
what's the difference between twelve and eighteen year's old if the love is
shared equally between them?  If they both wanted to have sex, and if
they're doing nothing wrong and they respect each other's emotions, I knew
I wouldn't be able to stop them.  Anyway, I'd been through that age and as
I remembered, I did the same if not worse, so who am I to judge?  I think
I'll just have to keep an eye on those two to make sure that everything is
always OK with them.  I thought if something WAS going wrong, it'll reflect
in their behavior, and then I'd have to step in and smooth things over
between them.

One thing would help if they were all clothed.  We kept our clothes off
because we needed to save them for the chillier periods, and doing so would
let them last longer.  I knew that the boys liked to be naked since the
nudity problem has been solved when we were at sea in the raft, but it
doesn't help at all because as soon they see one of our dicks starting to
grow, which was normal at some point, they always want to jack off, or have
sex or at least talk about it.  I'd have told them to try to make some
loincloth with leaves and put them on, but now it's too late, they'd think
I would be saying that nudity was bad and I'm not of that religion!  OK,
I'll still let them go in the nude, but Geeze, sometimes, I'm the one who
wants to have a private jacking session after seeing their erections; Matt
almost came in on me once during one of my "exercise" periods!

On the other side, I have Wil.  Oh my...  Wil, the once shy one, but not
anymore ...  He really surprized me when he asked me to be his lover.
Geeze!  What should I do with him?  I'd been able to get some time to think
about it when he talked me, but I know I wouldn't be able to set a deadline
anymore.

The angel of good and wholesome on one shoulder told me to say no.  I knew
it would lead Wil to some kind of depression.  Why?  Because I knew for
sure he was probably quite fragile before we met.  Now, since I'm the only
one he can count on, (and that's not much because I know he doesn't trust
grown ups readily), and if I turn him off, I dunno what he'll do, but I was
sure it would be bad.  I thought it sounded like nonsense, but with the
life he had before, he'd have the right reasons to think like that.  I'm
afraid to say no because, beside his shyness and maybe his inability to
accept rejection, he may be like a volcano ready to explode.  So far, Wil
hadn't shown anything like that on the surface.

On the other shoulder, I had the bad and devilish character telling me to
go full throttle with it, to be passionately in love, to enjoy sex like a
beast, maybe like Wil wants to and I thought that's worse!  I know we both
want it, but it scares me!  I hadn't been in a relationship for more than a
year because of my work, and now it was starting to show.  Desire and
passion were sometimes running rampant through my mind.  I'd never had sex
with a younger boy since I was a boy myself, so why would I start stealing
the innocence of youth now?  Maybe it's the freshness, unconsciousness and
immaturity of a young boy that was so appealing, maybe it's because we're
so alone, that all we want is unconditional love, or maybe it's the kind of
smell they all have - God they smell good, even when they're dirty!  What
do they call it, pheromones?  I could lick and chew at those boys' entire
bodies!

But that doesn't solve my problem with Wil.  Yeah, the deepest thought I
had profoundly hidden inside me - I'd love to to have a relationship with
Wil, to share with him and, oh God, to have sex with him.  But it wouldn't
be fair to all the other boys because I'd be showing preference to one,
more than the other two.  I was beginning to feel like a juggler, in a
panic if I dropped one of the balls - maybe I was feeling like most
parents.  Since I was the only father figure, I'd have to be equal to each
one of them, so they'd have the same chance to develop themselves
individually into proud young man.

I think I got my lead to talk to Wil.  I know he'll be disappointed, but my
answer has to be honest.  I'll just make sure that he feels OK and won't do
anything stupid.  Maybe I might amplify his reaction without any reason, so
I have to be well prepared just in case.

Now, the food problem...  Since I'd thought about it and Jake realized it
too, it's obvious that we'd have to find a solution.  Right now, I'm so
overloaded by everything else, that I thought I'd leave that one to Matt.
He's seems to have the innate genius between all of us.  He's like a Swiss
Army knife - he always seems to find a cool solution for any of our
technical problems.  I know that it's a critical problem, and what scared
me the most was that I wasn't of any use!  I think that Matt, with some
help from Jake and Wil, will be able to find a way to get us some variety
in our diet.  The other thing is that it will let them stay occupied and
creative instead of moping around day after day.  And, like a cherry on a
sundae, it will gratify them to have done something useful and necessary.
Next!

Oh! Now I remembered that I have to ask Matt to teach us how to weave.
We'll have to weave leaves, hay or anything that could make a rope or a
piece of fabric.  I'm pretty sure he learned something about how to do it
while he was in his scout troop.  In fact, we all have to learn it because
I don't know the season's climate condition here, and if it starts getting
colder during a certain period, we'll be set.  Hopefully, we could do some
kind of clothing; it might be uncomfortable, but for sure practical.  Also,
I'd like to do some kind of double top for the tent to protect us from the
sun and the elements.  That way, it will last longer too.  And, by
extending it a little we could have a top over the entrance of the raft,
and if it's impermeable enough, it could be used when we want to be outside
when it's raining.  And maybe most important, by stringing some kind of
rope, we could make some fishing net to catch seafood and fish.  That would
help in the diet department.

Geeze, I hoped we wouldn't stay here for the rest of our lives.  Not that I
don't like the place, no.  It's very peaceful here and the landscape is
amazing.  No, it's just that I'm homesick.  I'm used to modern technology
to assist us, like electricity for starters, a water tap at the tip of your
fingers.  SOAP!!!  Oh the comfort of a hot shower with a deodorant soap!  I
really missed that and anything else we needed that's sold by Wal-Mart at
the corner of the street.

Then I wondered if our relatives thought we were dead.  How will it be if
one day, someone finds us and we get back to civilization?  What changes
will we see - what changes will we have to adapt to?

We always kept an open fire on the beach so we could be seen by boats and
ships, it's an international sign.  But we never saw any transatlantic ship
or boat of any kind since we landed here.  I noticed that we struck a rock
a couple of miles before beaching here and the land was barely visible from
where we were, so maybe the ships don't travel in our area because there's
some shoal on a very large perimeter around the land.  As soon as Jake gets
better, we'll have to explore the land, first to see if it's occupied (that
would be nice) and second, to see if there's a better place to be seen from
the ocean.

As I was thinking, and still trying to sleep at the same time, I got the
feeling that I was being spied on.  In the dimness of the moon's sliver, I
turned my head to see Matt's eyes barely open, looking at me.

"Matt, it's still the middle of the night, try to sleep..."  I whispered
him.

"I can't, there's too many things I'm thinking about."  He whispered back.

"Oh..."  I replied.

"Yeah, I think you have the same problem as me huh Greg.  I was awake
before you started to move and open your eyes..... and I need to go pee
really bad!" he whispered.

"Just go ease yourself outside angel, but don't wake your mates..." I said.

"Hum, I can't...  I mean, it's...  it's too dark out there and it scares
me...  Come with me please," Matt said a little embarrassed.

"Sure, no problem.  Let's be quiet so we don't wake up those two."  I said
pointing Wil and Jake who was intertwined in Wil's arms.

" 'kay" he replied.

We managed to get outside, unzipping the door without making to much noise.
I led the way in the inked darkness of the night, Matt following beside me
clutched to my waist with his arm.  I put mine over his shoulder.  I could
barely see where we were going.  I turned sharp to the left and counted my
footsteps until we were near some bushes.  I wanted to be able to return to
the entrance of the raft without any problem.

Together, we started to pee.

"What were you thinking about?"  Matt continued to whisper as we were
taking our leak.

"I wasn't thinking..." I lied.

"Yeah sure... and I'm Santa Claus!" he said with a slight giggle.  God,
Matt was really able to see through me, even in the dark!

"Sorry, son...  you're right...  I was thinking..."  I said still thinking.

"About what?" he asked.

"About nothing and everything..."  I said.

"Want to talk about it?  It really seems to bug you!" he said
matter-of-factly.

"Hey, I'm the adult here!" I chuckled.

"Yeah, maybe, but if I can be of any help...  You know, you really seem to
be in a bit of a daze," he replied.

"Hmm hmm...  In fact, I had something I wanted to talk with you
about... maybe if we go near the raft, we'd be able to have a chat, since
neither of us are able to sleep."  I said.

"Okay...  I'd like to help if I can."  Matt said.

So we counted our steps back until we were beside the raft.  I could barely
see it in the dark, even if it was bright orange, but I was able to hear
the small snores coming from Jake and Wil.  Otherwise, the vinyl from the
raft had a particular odor and with the rain on it, I was able to recognize
it easily knowing we were besides our floating "home".

Under a corner of the raft, Matt retrieved the bag used to store the tent
top in, so we'd have something to sit on and avoid getting wet by sitting
directly on the ground.  Without any hesitation, as soon as we were seated,
Matt started to ask questions about my thoughts.

"So dad, what's bugging you?" he asked .

"Oh, a lot of things."

"Wow!  My dad, the Grand Orator!!" he replied with a faked discouraged
look.

"Sorry son, it's just that there's so many things I'm thinking about that I
don't know how to sort them and be able to solve the most important ones
first."

"OK...  Wanna share some?"

"Yeah, I guess I'll have to," I replied.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that a lot of my concern is how we live together and how we'll
survive in the next months... who knows.... maybe years.  I wonder how
we'll get through everything, I wonder if someday someone will rescue
us..."

"That's bugging me too..." he sighted.

"Hey, that's OK bud...  It's one thing to think about, but sooner or later
we'll have to face the music.  So I think we should start now."

"Start what?"

"Well start solving what's bugging us about our future.  I'll have a talk
with you guys today about what I've been thinking about tonight.  I have
some ideas that will affect all of us," I said.

"That's OK with me, if we can be of any help dad!" he replied proudly.  Oh
that's my boy!!

"It's not just 'helping'...  It's also about our closeness, our
sexuality..."

"But dad...!!" he started to complain as I put my index on his mouth to
close it.

"Most definitively, we'll have to talk about you guys and your sexuality!"
I chuckled.

"Geeze..." he replied discouraged.

"What?" I asked while faking to be angry.

"Oh...  I meant yes dad, yeah, that's kewl!" Matt said with a funny tone.

"Yeah sure!!!  Anyway, there's something important I wanted to tell you."

"Really?  And what is it?"

"I have two essential things I want you to do.  First, as you can see,
we're been eating the same thing since we landed here.  It's OK so we don't
starve, but it's not a sufficient diet.  I'd like you to find some way to
vary our food.  Since you're the genius here..."

"Daaaad!!!" he interjected.

"I said, since you're the genius here, I'm sure you'll think of a way to
get us some other food.  It would be great to catch some fish, trap some
small animals, and harvest some native vegetables..."

"Mmm'kay.  I have an idea about how to trap animals...  But I haven't seen
any since we got here!"

"Maybe that's because you guys are like little tornados that make too much
noise and it scares them off.  You think?"

"Dad, you're mean!" he chuckled.

"Anyway, there's some birds we could try to eat.  There's plenty up there!"
I said pointing to the sky.

"Yeah, and how do you think I can get them down here?  Should I call them
on 1-800-BIG-BIRD and press one to ask to get them come down?"

"Hey, that's why I asked you to find a solution!  YOU will have to figure
it out!"

"Oh, 'kay...  I already have an idea that I'd like to test on the birds..."

"How about getting a telephone?"  I grinned.

"Dad, you're really, really mean you know!!" he grinned back.

"That's OK son, just teasing you.  If you think about something, just try
it.  If you need help, I know Jake and Wil won't mind giving you a hand."

" 'kay...  Thanks dad, I love you!" he said while hugging me.

"I'm really proud of you son.  And I love you too!"  I replied hugging him
back, giving him a back rub.

"Mmm...  I like this.  Can we stay just like this?" he asked

"Sure."

As I continued to give his back rub, I asked him about how to weave leaves
and hays to be able to make some kind of fabric and rope.

"Yeah, no problem, it's pretty easy once you know how to do it," he
replied.  I saw he was in deep thought - then, out of nowhere, he almost
screamed in my ears, "Heeeey!!!!!  That's an idea!!!"

"Shhhhh.  Keep quiet!  What is it?"  I whispered him.

"I could teach you guys how to make ropes and twine so together we'd be
able to make a fishing net and catch some fish to eat!" he replied with
some sparks in his eyes.

I didn't want to kill his special moment, so I didn't tell him I'd already
had the same idea.  He was so proud of himself that it would've been unfair
to steal his happiness by saying I was the first one to think about it.
Instead, I just hugged him harder, and kissed is forehead.

"I really proud of you son," was the only thing I managed to say.

We stayed like that, sharing the moment for a couple of minutes until we
both started to yawn.

"Tired?"

"Mmm, yeah..." Matt answered sleepily.

"Let's get inside, we'll be able to catch a few more winks before morning."

" 'kay"

We returned to the raft and found a spot to lie down, taking care not to
waken Jake or Wil.  Within a minute, we were in slumber land, Matt spooned
inside my arms.

Matt and I woke up later than Jake and Wil, go figure!  Getting better,
Jake was able to give some help to Wil preparing a small breakfast for all
of us.

"Wil?  Where's Jake?"  I asked him as soon as I climbed out from the raft.

"I'm just coming back from PooPooLand!"  Jake grinned as he walked back to
us.  "You should stop worrying about us like that Greg.  We know we have to
be safe and not leave without telling you."

"Sorry Jake, just being a dad...  I just don't want any more bad things
happening to us," I replied.  "Anyway, since all of you are here, I'd like
to discuss a few things while we're eating."  I told them.

"Oh Matt, would you please call Charles, my chauffeur, and tell him I won't
need him to go to the restaurant since I'm required for a business lunch?"
Jake chuckled with a snobbish tone.

"Ok guys!  I get it!!" I replied.  "Now be serious boys.  I have a lot of
things to talk about with all of you.  Since we beached here, I haven't
taken the time to have a special talk with you.  There's a lot of thing
that's bugging me and I'm having some difficulty sorting them by priority.
So I'll go as it flows."

"Okay" they replied in unison.

"First, I'd like to congratulate all of you!  Since we've been here,
everything's going quite well between us.  We're all confined in the same
place for maybe a long time, each of us with our different characteristics,
our different needs, our different lifestyle and our different moods.  I
expect that it will continue.  That's also why I want to have this talk
with you.  First, I'd like to lay down some rules that we'll all have to
follow, including me, so that we avoid future problems and I won't have to
give this speech again."

Seeing the concern in the boys' eyes, I paused before continuing.

"Like I said, everything's going pretty well between all of us.  It would
be sad if some dissension came between us.  That leads me to only two
words; respect and privacy.  I want you to always respect each other, and
to respect each others privacy.  That means if someone wants to be alone,
he can be and no one will bug him.  But it also means that everyone needs
to give a hand when it comes to doing some chore.  We don't want anyone to
be lazy here.  It's only fair that each of us give a little of our time to
do some kind of housekeeping task.  The time left, we can use it to play or
doing anything else.  Oh, and I expect to teach you some school work too,
so you won't be numb when we get back to civilisation."

"Daaaaad!!  No!!!  Do we really hafta?"  Matt wined.

"Yeah, and think about it, suppose we're rescued next month, you'll be
already be behind in your schooling for this year."  I answered.

"And if we're not rescued?" asked Wil.

"You'll die on this land in your eighties, but you'll rot smarter than you
are now.  Anymore questions?" I grinned.

"Uhhh...  No." he replied dumbfounded.

"Ok, so let me continue...  I talked to you guys about privacy and since
it's obvious that there's some sex play going on between some of you..."

"Oh oh!!"  Jake giggled.

"Seriously boys, since Matt and you, Jake, are together and want to have
sex together, you need privacy sometimes.  I dunno if it's good or not to
have sex at your age boys, but I'm pretty sure you'll try to do something
secretly anyway even if I forbid it.  So I'll be fair and let you do
whatever you must feel you must, so long as it doesn't cause any problem
between you and it's done respectfully.  Just do it in privacy, I don't
want a sex show on the beach!"  Seeing the sad look in Wil's eyes, I
promptly added, "And as for you Wil, I know that you're curious about your
sexuality, but it's not a game.  You can't come on to Matt or Jake and ask
for sex, even if they tell you it's OK.  That's not how we should share a
relationship.  It's too promiscuous.  We already talked about that and I
know you understand.  Anyway, we'll talk privately and I'm pretty sure you
know why."

"What's that about?" asked Jake.

"None of your business" I replied sharply.  "Did you forget I just spoke
about privacy, not even two minutes ago?"  I said with a serious tone.

"Sorry Greg...  I didn't wanted to..."

"Jake!!  THAT'S exactly the kind of behaviour we don't need here..."

"Dad, he said he's sorry.  No need to yell at him," Matt said as Jake
started to tear.  "You're not being fair with him.  It sounds like you hate
him!  You know he's just curious, you know he's always funny even when we
try to be serious.  Remember you said yourself that we have different
characteristics, just a few minutes ago?" he added taking his boyfriend in
his arms.

I was speechless.  The kid was right.  What I've done?  Why had I yelled at
Jake?

"You're right Matt...  Sorry guys...  It's just that...  it's just that
I... it's all kinda frustrating for us."

I shouldn't have yelled at Jake, and I was sorry it came out like that.
Wil, in his own mature way, pointed it out. "Greg, maybe you're just
getting tired.  You're not used to taking care of three guys like us.  But
remember, we're not that dumb, we know we have to follow rules, and we know
we have to help out with our fair share of things to do.  As for the sex
thing, I understand what you mean and I'd really like to talk about it
today...  if you want to..."

"Sorry...  Thanks Wil..."  I managed to reply.  Then I looked at Jake,
almost demolished, instead of his normal happy self.  "I'm just blown away
by everything that's happened since the crash and like Wil said, I think
I'm a little tired.  I just want everything to be perfect for all of us,
but I think I'm asking too much of you.  Honestly Jake, you're such a great
kid.... I love you too much to hate you.  I should say I love you all guys
profoundly.  You're all filling the love I've always needed, but never been
able to grasp before...  Forgive me Jake, it wasn't on purpose and wasn't
really directed on you..."

Instead of replying, Jake left his spot from Matt's arms and went to me and
hugged me hard, burying is head in my chest.  I hugged him back and rubbed
his back.  It took no time for Wil and Matt to join us for a group hug,
everyone with tears in their eyes.

Maybe I was anxious about nothing at all finally.  I had the greatest kids
any man would wish to have around.  Those boys were such incredible and
their hearts were bigger than a pumpkin.  I had a feeling that what just
happened meant more than friendship.  I could say that it was more like a
union between members of a family.  Yes, definitively, we were a family.
We'd have our ups and our downs, but we could always rely on each other.
We were just proving it.

"I love you boys and I always will.  Whatever happens, I'll always be here
for you."  I said composing myself.

"Same here..."  Matt added.

"Me too..."  Wil said following Matt.

"Thanks d... d... dad...  You're the best, even when you yell at us," Jake
added, trying to smooth the atmosphere.

"What did you call me?"  I asked him.

"D... d... dad?  Sorry I didn't mean...  I won't ..."

"Hey, stop!!!  No, really, I'm honoured!  You just took me off guard,
that's all!  You... you really think I could be your dad?"  I asked shyly.

"Greg, it's clear that you're the best dad we ever known to this day.
Don't you see you're really a dad to all of us?"  Matt said, raising up on
his feet.

"Huh?  Really?"

"Dumb grown ups!  Always thinking instead of acting!  Yeah dad, you're a
dad for all of us and you're the only who doesn't seem to know it.  Don't
you see Jake and Wil rely on you just like I do?  Don't you see you're no
longer a stranger?  Don't you see we've shared more in one week with you
than we ever had in the past with our real parents?"  Matt added, obviously
upset.

"Never thought about it that way...  Yes, Matt, I guess you're right.  I've
had too many problems to deal with since the crash to keep all of you safe
and happy.  I was too occupied and I forgot to take the time to be with
you, to spend special time with each one of you."  Then I added, "Matt,
don't be disappointed, adults can make mistakes too.  We aren't
computerized robots!"

"Oh... yeah, you're right.  Normally isn't it at this moment I have to
apologize?" Matt asked sarcastically.

"No...  because if we continue, we'll be apologizing all day long for
nothing and everything and we'll never get anything done.  Just come here
and share the hug with us smart kid!"  I grinned.

Matt joined us for a final group hug until we separated and I resumed my
talk.

"Ok, guys.  Now that that's settled, I have some other points to talk
about.  The next one is about food.  I dunno about you guys, but I think
I'll totally dehydrate myself if we continue to eat those punky fruits.  We
need to figure out how to get some variety our diet, which means we'll have
to do some kind of hunting, trapping, fishing...  Since you're all smarter
than me when it comes to find technical solutions, I'll let you guys go at
it on your own.  I'm kinda useless in that department.  Matt can teach us
some techniques he learned in the Scouts.  He already has some ideas.  I
know it's a vital element of our lives and I know I'm asking a lot to you
guys, but I'm pretty sure about the result.  I know you can figure
something out sooner than me."

"Will we start today?"  Wil asked.

"Sooner the better!"  I replied.  "It also means that Matt will have to
teach us how to make ropes, how to weave, how to do a fishing net...  "

"We have to make all those goodies?" Wil asked in disbelief.

"Sure do!  It's lotsa work, but it's easy when you know how."  Matt replied
with some boastful pride.

"There's one other thing I want you boys to help me with.  I think it would
be great to have a bigger place to stay.  I was thinking we could use the
raft with the tent top as our bedroom, but we could also make a bigger tent
over it.  First, it would give a longer life to the poor raft and second,
it would give us a bigger protected space when it's raining outside."

"Which one should we do first?  The fishing net or the tent?"  Jake asked.

"Both.  When Matt's taught us how to make ropes, I'll start to do the
structure of the new tent.  However, I'll need your help with the roofing."
I replied.  "Until I need your help with that though, you guys could be
making fish nets."

"Will the tent be located on the beach or in the woods?"  Wil asked.

"I dunno...  Maybe it won't be here at all..."  I replied almost for
myself.

"What?"  Matt exclaimed.

"I just don't know if it's a good idea to stay here."  I said him.

"Why?"

"Maybe I should answer that with a question, then you do the equation..."

" 'kay.  What is it?" he asked.

"When we were on the ocean, do you remember what was the first kind of
signal we got, telling us we where not too far from a land?"

"Uh.... no...  sorry, can't remember!" he chuckled.

"Close your eyes Matt and imagine we're still in the raft on the ocean.
We're sleeping...  then suddenly, Wil yelled at us to wake up, something
wrong was happening, do you remember what it was?"

"I think it's because we hit some rocks over there..." he said pointing
toward the sea.

"Then?"

"Then what?" he asked.

"I got it!" Wil yelled.

"What is it?"  Matt asked.

"It's pretty simple!  We hit the rocks because we were near here!"

"Yeah and...?"

"Oh, now I got it!"  Jake added proudly, even if he wasn't there when we
struck the rocks.

"Sorry, I can't figure it out guys!"  Matt said.

"Do you think ships or boats would want to go where there's some submerged
rocks?"  Wil asked.

"Hell no, they wouldn't take a chance on sinking!"

"OK, so do you remember if we were able to see the island from there?"

"Barely, almost not visible..."  Matt replied.  Then, as the information
made its way to his brain, he yelled; "SHIT!  THEY CAN'T SEE US FROM
THERE!!!"

"You got it boy!"  I told him.

"About time!"  Wil smiled.  "You're supposed to be smarter than that Matt!"
he chuckled as Matt sticked out his tongue.

"So now you understand why I said it wasn't a good idea to stay here."  I
said.

"Okay dad, but where should we go?"  Jake asked.

"I don't know right know.  We'll really have to explore the land to know
where to stay.  But not until you get better." I replied.

"Ohh...  well you know I can move around a lot better today.  Do you think
maybe tomorrow?" Jake said, somewhat enthused.  Soon after, his eyes
sparked and he said; "Hey, we have to go to the military base too!"

"Yes that too, son!  In fact, that should be one of our first priorities
before we decide where we should move to.  Who knows.... we could find some
valuable resources there."

"Well we have a lot to do!"  Wil said.

"Yes...  and we should start to work as soon as we can.  Since I'm finished
with my little speech, you guys have any more questions?"

"Hmm, kind of, not right now, but I'd still like to talk to you alone
sometime..." Jake said shyly.

"Sure son...  any more questions?"

All boys shook their heads no.  I was proud that no one brought it up about
Jake wanting to talk me alone.  I think they learned quicker than I
expected when it comes to privacy.

"Okay...  Matt I'd you to teach us how to make rope... we'll call that our
schooling for today and we'll be able to get some skills to help us with
our survival."

"Mmm 'kay...  First, we need to go in the woods to find proper leaves to
make a rope though..."

"Lead the way and we'll follow you!"  I replied as we rose of on our feet,
ready to go.

During the next few hours, Matt patiently taught us how to identify the
right fronds and leaves to make ropes from and how to weave them.  I could
tell he was a very good teacher because I'm not too talented when it comes
to manual jobs and I quick getting new skills in rope and twine making.

Soon, we had enough knowledge to be able to start working on our own.  Wil
and Matt decided to start the making of the fishing net as I would do the
new camp.  Jake said he'd like to help me make it.  The other boys didn't
complain, knowing that Jake was limited for the time being with his
mobility.  Reading between the lines, I thought he may want to be alone
with me to be able to talk.

We took a small lunch at noon and resumed our task.  I could tell that we
were all enjoying it!  It was the first time we had something to keep our
mind occupied since the crash.  Our new talent was amazing.  The more we
got into it, the better and quicker we were getting. At the end of the day,
Jake and I had already set the complete structure for the new tent.
Everything was secured strongly, but it was detachable if we wanted to move
the structure to another place.  It was so huge that I could stand up in
it!  On the other side, Matt and Wil's fishing net was taking shape.  They
developed some tools themselves to help make ropes and twine.  It was kind
of necessary considering the amount of them needed to do a net.

We were all exhausted and dirty by the end of the day, but we sure were
proud of ourselves for our accomplishments.  For the first time since we
beached, we decided to go in the water to clean ourselves up.  Jake was a
bit reluctant to go in, but finally admitted that he smelled so bad that it
was worst that being bitten by sharks!  That made us laughs at the top of
our lungs!  We washed the worst off with the salty water and played 'dunk
the monkey' (go figure who was the monkey!) until the dusk.  We had a lot
of fun.  Even Jake, who was getting better quicker than as I expected, was
able to play.  When we went back to the beach camp, Wil showed us a special
plant that he found while searching for the ones to make ropes.  He called
it his 'Soap Plant'.  He remarked that the liquid in the plant washed
easily the smear he had on his hands this afternoon.  Unknown to us, I was
aware that this plant could be poisonous, but Wil told us that his hands
hadn't itched at all and that he had no side effects from using it.  So we
all tried it to remove the remains of the salty water and we rinsed it with
some clear water from our bottles.  After all, we had sufficient water left
for our drinking needs.  I could tell we were spic and span and that the
plant left on us a nice odour so we all smelled good.

In the evening, Jake finally took me aside to talk.  I expected he'd ask me
sooner but no, he wasn't rushing it.  We walked near the beach so the other
two wouldn't be able to hear.

"Hmm Greg, uh.... I mean dad?" he started.

"Yes son?  What is it?" I replied nonchalantly.

"It's kind of dumb...  I mean...  Ah forget it..." he said while becoming
redder.

"OK...  if you say so...  Would you give me that stick over there?"  I
asked him while I changed the subject.  I tried not to give importance to
his request knowing that if something was bugging him, it would be easier
on him if I didn't have to pry it out of him.

We continued to walk silently, Jake kicking in the sand with his feet.

"Could we be alone a little tonight?" he said out of nowhere.

As I didn't understand what he meant, I asked him to repeat.

"I said could we be alone a little tonight..." he repeated shyly.

"Huh?  What are you talking about?  You and me?"  I asked calmly.

"Nooo!!!  You would never do that!" he replied, confusing me more.

"Do what?  Jake, I really don't understand what's on your mind..."

"Hmm.  It's... it's kind of... you know?" he said, confusing me a lot more.

I stopped walking and put my arm over his shoulder.

"Ok son, now I'm completely lost.  What are you trying to say me?" I asked.

"I just mean..  I want...  uh...  May I have some private time with Matt
tonight in the tent?"

"Ohhh, ok!  That's what's bugging you!  Listen Jake, normally I wouldn't
have a problem saying yes but you know, like I said this morning, you have
to heal and..."

"Yeah dad, I know.  But I worked all day long and I'm not even tired at
all, my wounds didn't opened, nothing's hurt...  I'm kind of still under
warranty."  He chuckled.  "You know, Matt was unable to ask you, I dunno
why...  We really miss it dad..."

"Hmmm...  Let me think...  What do you think Wil and I can do, where we'll
go?  We sure don't want to stay to hear all your moans and groans!" I
chuckled.

"Weren't you supposed to talk with Wil?  You could do that while
we're.... you know....  I don't want to interfere, but it seems to be
important for both of you.  On the other hand, I know Matt's wanting to
have sex like me.  We haven't done anything serious since we left home and
we need it."

"Well...  you sure are a good negotiator Jake...  And you're right about
Wil and me, we really need to have a talk." I said.

"So?" he asked

"It's OK son...  you convinced me.  I know you both need to get together
and I won't mind at all.  Just be careful OK?"

"OK...  we will.  Thanks dad"

"We better get back if you wanna have time to play with little Matt!"  I
grinned.

"Daaaad!" he complained.

"OK OK, I get the drift!  I won't tease you about it."  I chuckled.

As we walked back toward our camp, Jake stayed mysteriously silent,
something unusual for him.

"OK, what is it Jake?"  I asked.

"What is it what?" he replied.

"What's on your mind?  It seems to be very serious!"  I said.

"Oh...  I was just thinking..." Silence. "I was thinking how lucky I am to
know you and have you as a dad..."

"Really?  Why?"

"Because that'll be the first time Matt and me will be able to make love
without being stressed, without hiding somewhere, afraid of being
discovered..."

"Do you think your parents would have freaked out if they'd have found you
in a compromising situation?"  I asked.

"For sure!  I know I have the best parents in the world, but I'm pretty
sure they wouldn't have enjoyed seeing us like that.  They'd freak out and
separate us from seeing each other." he replied, still serious.

"Oh Ok... So enjoy boys, and take your time, no one will bother you here.
Just don't make us sleep outside, come over when you guys are happily
finished."

" 'kay.  Thanks dad.  We all really love you!" he said with a tear of joy.

"It's mutual son...  Just enjoy the luck we're all having together," I
replied with a warm smile.

Once at the camp, I took Wil aside, telling him we had to talk.  There was
no need to tell him why Jake and Matt wanted to be alone.

We took some wood to burn and went down to the beach where I was sure we
wouldn't be able to hear our lovebirds, and them, to hear us.  We started
our fire and stoked it with some wood and dried leaves.  Soon, we had a
warm and comforting place to have a talk.

"Okay, Wil...  You asked me something yesterday...  To be honest with you,
I must first say that you really took me off guard!  That's not the kind of
request I'm used to hear..."

"Oh...  Sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you Greg..."

"Noo!!  Noo!!  That's really ok!  Yes, it's embarrassing, but not the way
you think."

"Huh?  I don't understand" he said.

"It's embarrassing because of what I'M thinking.  I'd never thought about
the fact that a young boy would fall in love with me and..."

"Yeah, but it's not embarrassing for you.  On the other hand, IT IS for
me!" he chuckled.

"Maybe, but what's annoying me is how I feel about it."

"Huh?  What do you mean?" he asked.

"I mean that I could easily fall in love with you." I replied.

"You mean it?  Really?"

"Honestly yes.  I want to warn you that what I have to say next is hard for
me." I said.

"Uh, oh,...  That doesn't sound good for me..." he said with a disappointed
look.

"Wil...  look at me..."  I told him, seeing he was about to lose it.
"Listen son.  I know we talked about the fact that I'm older than you, that
I'm an adult and you're not, and that it would look like pedophilia and
everything."

"Yeah..."

"I'd really love to be in a relationship with someone right now.  I need
that kind of love just like you do... just like every lover, I need sex
too."  I took a pause then resumed.  "I can't stand the fact that I dream
sometimes about having sex with younger boys.  I know it was natural in
some ancient cultures and it was well accepted if not encouraged by the
society for a man to have sex with a younger boy in order to educate him.
But us, we're in a culture that says it's bad."

"You mean, you would really like to have sex with me?"

"Deeply...  if you'll pardon the play on words."

"Wow, I'd like that..." he said happily.

"That's why I'm torn apart...  I would like to too.  But I'd feel cheap
about it, because it'd be like using you as a sex toy because I'm more
conscious about the repercussion it'd have on you, the control I'd have
over you."

"You can't say that.  You'd never do that!"

"Not that I'd do that intentionally, but it'd happen silently, little by
little, without knowing it.  Without being insulting, there are things
you're not old enough to understand fully, but I am...  I've got a big head
start on your development.  I know how things would happen and I just have
to protect you from me."

"Nooo.  Greg!!! Nooo-o-oo-ooo!!!" he said as he started to cry, now
understanding that my answer was an irrevocable no.

He started to get up quickly, but I sensed it and had time to wrap my arm
around his shoulder and hold him on the ground firmly.  This wasn't going
good.  I didn't want the discussion to go in that way, but there we were.

"No young man!  You stay with me this time..."  I said.

"Leave me!  I don't want to see you anymore" he yelled back.

"You sure are?" I asked, playing the game.

"Since you don't love me, why should I stay so you can fantasize about me
then wank later?  I... I don't love you anymore then!" he said angrily.

"There we are!  That's actually what I meant when I said you weren't mature
enough!  Wil, you're acting like a baby!  I didn't say I didn't love you, I
said I didn't wanted to be in a sexual relationship with you.... that I
didn't wanted to have sex with you, but I still love you as a son.  That
doesn't mean the same thing!  I love you profoundly, and don't play that
game with me Wil, I know you love me too," I said emphatically.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah..." he said defiantly.

"Wil!!" I ordered.

Surprised by the tone I used, Wil jumped then stopped to argue.

"Now you listen!  I want you to think about it.  Not about the sex, but
just about our relationship.  Do you really think it would work if we were
together sexually?  Take what's just happened as an example...  I want a
honest answer."  I asked him.

"Hmmm...  Huh...  Sorry, I guess....I think you're right.  It wouldn't
really work." He replied as he seemed to calm down.

"And why do you think it wouldn't work?"

"Because we're not at the same place in our years.  I'm like a cry-baby
beside you.  Look!" he said as some tears were running on his cheeks.

"Now, you understand what I meant a few minutes ago?" I asked.

"Yeah...  kind of difficult to admit, but yeah..." he finally said.

"So, that's why I don't want to be in a relationship with you, I'm an
adult, you're a kid.  Statistically, it wouldn't be possible... if we want
a relationship that would last..."

"Hmmm...  yeah, I'll have to admit it, but could we have sex anyway,
without being lovers?" he asked.

"I'd like it very much b..."

"Yeahhh!!  Thanks!" he said, cutting me off.

"YES BUT... just let me talk.  First, it wouldn't possible for the same
reasons, and second, it would be unfair for your mates because I'd have a
privileged relationship with you, AND I don't want that.  I want to be
equal to all of you guys..."

"I should have known better..." he said.

"What?" I replied.  "You doubt what I'm saying?"

"No Greg...  I'm just disappointed...  I really need sex.  I'm at the horny
stage almost all the time and I want try it with someone!" he said.

"Wil, you're just twelve!"

"I dunno what day it is, but I'll be thirteen within the next three
months...  And since I dunno how much time we'll be here, how much time
we'll stay alive, my age is no importance now, I just want to do it."

"You know that what you're asking is impossible?" I asked.

"There's two of my age here, I could..." he started to reply.

"Don't even think about interfering with Matt and Jake's relationship Wil!"
I said promptly.

"I'm not the one who's asking.  They offered me...  I truly don't want to
break up their relationship.... I love them too much to do that.  They only
saw I was alone and that we could 'play' together sometimes."

"Sorry, I can't let you guys do that..." I said.

"But they agreed to!" he whined.

"You're sure?" I asked.

"Matt told me about that this afternoon while we were working..." he
replied.

"Hmmm...  I must say I don't easily agree with that sort of idea."

"But it wouldn't harm no one!" he said.

"That's what you think, but my little finger tells me otherwise, to be
careful and say no."

"Greg, please!  At least one time to see if it works well.  If it turns out
bad, I'll never ask them again and never bother them for the rest of my
life!"

"Do I have your word on that?"

"You bet you have!" he said, spitting on the ground.

"Ok then..." I reluctantly admitted.  "But if I smell shit, you can be sure
I'll beat the crap out out of all of you!"

"You sure will smell shit, but not the way you think!" he laughed.

"Wil!!!!  No details please!"

" 'kay dad..."

"Ohh...  You too are into the dad thing now?"  I asked.

"Yeah, now you're my dad...  dad!" he chuckled.

"And why is that?" I asked.

"Because we'd have made love right now if you weren't my dad.  You had two
chances to convince me to stay...  Being a lover or being a dad."

"Oh...  That's understandable..."

"And, like a dad, you put me back on the right track, even if I acted like
a spoiled brat.  Only a dad can do that...  I'm OLD ENOUGH to understand
that..."

"OK! OK!  I get the point!" I chuckled while Wil came into my arms to be
hugged.

We went into complete silence, listening to the waves coming to their end
on the shore and to the crackling sound from the fire.  Now that we weren't
focusing on a discussion, I was able to hear Jake groaning each time Matt
pounded him.  Wil smiled to me, hearing the same thing, probably
visualizing the day when it'll happen to him too.  It lasted until Matt
gave his last release.  Without exciting us and being voyeurs, I must say
it was pleasant to our ears to listen!

About half an hour later and still nude, they were out from the tent and
back with us near the camp fire.  They were holding each other hands and
sat with us arms in arms.

I took them by surprise.  "Well since Matt fixed Jake and that he proved to
us that Jake seems to feel much better...." that introduction brought
giggles from the boys, "I think we should go somewhere tomorrow..."

"Where dad?"  Jake asked.

"Where do you think?"  I replied.

"The military base!!!!!!" he yelled.

"Right you are!  So boys, it's time to get to sleep if we wanna be in shape
for tomorrow.  We should start at the crack of dawn." I replied.

We let our fire die out on its own and after our last pee, we all crawl
into the tent.  Since it was a hot day, Wil and I mimicked the other two
and removed our clothes for the night.  We stacked ourselves against each
other for the night, skin on skin, snuggling the one next to us.

Soon we were snoring like bears, exhausted from the productive day we had.


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To be continued...

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Drake
drakanian32@yahoo.ca