Salvation in All Forms - Lost - Gen (Ben)
Title: Salvation in All Forms
Characters: Ben, Jacob (some unrequited Ben/Juliet)
Word Count: 363
Rating: PG
A/N: Written for lostfichallenge's loose ends challenge - "Why didn't Jacob cure Ben's cancer?". Also for writing_rainbow's "Neutral" prompt.
Summary: He bit back the panic and the empty horror: they wouldn't get him anywhere.
Ben sat on the bed, his hands folded in his lap. His eyes were wide as they stared blankly at the opposite wall. He imagined that he could feel the lump on his back like a parasite sitting there, leeching the energy from him. He had never been ill since he'd come here. No flu, no colds, not even a blocked nose.
He'd angered Jacob. That much was clear - he'd neglected him. Since Juliet had come to the island it was impossible to think of anyone else. Her golden hair haunted every dreaming moment. Thou shalt have no other gods before me, whispered in his mind. He could laugh; he wanted to. Dry laughter burrowed in his chest; chalk would burst through the air if he could release it.
"I'm sorry," he whispered to nobody. "I'll do better. I swear - I will do better."
He could feel inky blackness spreading from his tumour. Invading him. Overtaking him. How would his daughter survive without a father? He had to fight to keep his hands from trembling as the images from the x-rays danced through his head.
His breath caught and he closed his eyes. He needed to stay in control. He needed to be brave, neutral, strong - he needed to be every inch the leader that his people deserved.
"Jacob," he whispered. Here, alone in his bedroom, he could be afraid. Nowhere else. "Please. Give me a second chance. I'll prove myself to you."
No response, just the ticking of a clock. He stood up and made himself breathe. He'd failed; it wasn't right to question Jacob's judgement. He started to walk down the stairs - but the world began to shake. The pictures on the walls rattled. He stumbled and reached out for his own safely; frantically, he managed to scramble outside.
A plane crash, breaking apart in the sky. White against blue. A man-made cloud.
A new beginning.
He stared at the warm sky above him as his people gathered - and where others saw death he saw hope.
Determination settled in his chest as he gave orders, made plans: redemption could still be achieved, he realised now. His life could still be saved.
Characters: Ben, Jacob (some unrequited Ben/Juliet)
Word Count: 363
Rating: PG
A/N: Written for lostfichallenge's loose ends challenge - "Why didn't Jacob cure Ben's cancer?". Also for writing_rainbow's "Neutral" prompt.
Summary: He bit back the panic and the empty horror: they wouldn't get him anywhere.
Ben sat on the bed, his hands folded in his lap. His eyes were wide as they stared blankly at the opposite wall. He imagined that he could feel the lump on his back like a parasite sitting there, leeching the energy from him. He had never been ill since he'd come here. No flu, no colds, not even a blocked nose.
He'd angered Jacob. That much was clear - he'd neglected him. Since Juliet had come to the island it was impossible to think of anyone else. Her golden hair haunted every dreaming moment. Thou shalt have no other gods before me, whispered in his mind. He could laugh; he wanted to. Dry laughter burrowed in his chest; chalk would burst through the air if he could release it.
"I'm sorry," he whispered to nobody. "I'll do better. I swear - I will do better."
He could feel inky blackness spreading from his tumour. Invading him. Overtaking him. How would his daughter survive without a father? He had to fight to keep his hands from trembling as the images from the x-rays danced through his head.
His breath caught and he closed his eyes. He needed to stay in control. He needed to be brave, neutral, strong - he needed to be every inch the leader that his people deserved.
"Jacob," he whispered. Here, alone in his bedroom, he could be afraid. Nowhere else. "Please. Give me a second chance. I'll prove myself to you."
No response, just the ticking of a clock. He stood up and made himself breathe. He'd failed; it wasn't right to question Jacob's judgement. He started to walk down the stairs - but the world began to shake. The pictures on the walls rattled. He stumbled and reached out for his own safely; frantically, he managed to scramble outside.
A plane crash, breaking apart in the sky. White against blue. A man-made cloud.
A new beginning.
He stared at the warm sky above him as his people gathered - and where others saw death he saw hope.
Determination settled in his chest as he gave orders, made plans: redemption could still be achieved, he realised now. His life could still be saved.