Jack doesn't know that I know what he does with those boys. Spot, Davey, Snitch… none of them are aware that they all have that one thing in common; Jack. He likes to play with their hearts, make each one think he's getting the most attention. Jack's good like that, because none of them even have a sneaking suspicion that Jacky-boy could be sleeping around on them.

And that kills me.

I know.

I need to tell Snitch, I have to, before he ends up getting hurt.

You see, I've been in love with Snitch since the first time I saw him. I'm aware that such affairs are frowned upon in this era, but that doesn't matter to me, because love is love, right? And besides, if our leader can get away with four boys at once, why can't I at least love one?

The problem? There are several.

The big one is this: I don't have the guts to let Snitch know how I feel.

I can see Jack now, sitting on his bunk with his feet dangling over the edge. Snitch is sitting opposite him, grinning that toothy grin that always gives me goosebumps. Jack is smooth, very good. It's no wonder he can pull this off. But he'll fall, someday. Davey'll probably be the one to catch him. Davey's smart. But I hope its Spot. Spot will give Jack what he deserves for running around like this.

Snitch is laughing now. I can only watch enviously.

Snitch looks over at me, and for a fleeting, probably non-existent moment, I think I see his smile widen. But then Jack calls his attention, and I'm left to stare again, disappointed.

Could I ever possibly tell him? That I love him? That Jack runs around? Can I tell him any of these things? If I tell him Jack runs around, he might be angry with me, or he might be hurt. I don't want him to be hurt. If I tell him I love him…

I don't know.

I'm afraid to even think about it.

My brother, Joe, always used to tell me that you couldn't hold back when you were betting. "You can't stand outside da fire, Isaac." he'd say. "Youse gotta jump right in, do what your instincts are screamin' for you ta do."

Does that advice apply here? It didn't work for Joe; he ended up dead in an alleyway because he owed money. But love is completely different from gambling.

Or is it? It's not all that different, now that I think about it.

Jack sends a sneaky glance around the bunkroom, then reached over and starts to caress Snitch's cheek. My hazel-eyed love flushes slightly, and gives Jack a small smile.

Anger explodes inside me. I saw Jack do the same thing to Spot last night. That seductive look in his eyes, the knowing smile on his face…

Dear God, I can't take it anymore!

"Snitch!"

Jack and Snitch both look up at me. Jack's eyes narrow. Is he angry? Naturally. I interrupted him at work. But I don't care. If I get a soaking, I'll take it. I just don't want Snitch to be hurt.

"Snitch, doan let 'im do nuthin'!"

Snitch frowns, and looks at Jack for a minute, then at me. "Why, Skitts? Youse doan like boy-kissahs?"

"Snitch, 'ee's sleepin' 'round!" Snitch's eyes widen and he looks at Jack, who's sending death glares my way. He was so close… and then I went and took it from him. Well, hah. Serves him right. "Snitch, doan let 'im do nuthin', he's wit' Spot and Davey too."

Snitch looks at Jack. "Really?"

Jack can only glare at me.

Snitch is disgusted; that much I can tell. It's in his eyes. But then he looks at me, and smiles. "T'anks for lettin' me know, Skitts." he says, sliding off the bunk and heading for his own.

"Wait, Snitch…"

He looks at me, and I can see a smile fighting to appear on his face. "What?"

"Snitch, youse can share wit' me t'night." I tell him softly.

The smile wins, and takes over. "Dat'd be good, Skittery." he replied, hoisting himself onto my bunk.

Again, Jack is glaring, but it doesn't look so hard anymore.

"Y'know, Skitts, I's gotta confession ta make." Snitch says as he lies down on my bed.

"What?"

He giggles, and sits up again, his hand on my shoulder. "I wasn't really wit' Jack." he whispers into my ear. "'S all a scam."

"What?" I could feel my eyes widen, and he giggled cutely again.

"I knew Jack was wit' Spot and Davey an' I promised not ta tell 'em if 'e 'elped me out." His face takes on a pink tinge. "If 'e 'elped me getcha ta offah yer bed."

"Ta admit dat I loves ya?" I reply with a grin. My ears are hot as he hugs me.

"Wit' youse, Skitts, dat's da same t'ing." His lips brush against my cheek. "Youse was nevah one ta jump inta da flames."

I kiss his mouth softly, my heart pounding, my face flaming. "But life ain't wort' livin' if youse standin' outside da fire."

He grins and nods in reply as we lay down on the bed, our arms around each other. When the lantern is extinguished for the night, Snitch is already asleep, but that's all right. We'll see what happens tomorrow.

Because the fire inside us keeps burning, and it will burn forever.

Standing outside the fire
Standing outside the fire
Life is not tried, it is merely survived
If you're standing outside the fire

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Okay okay. I admit it! I'm having difficulty focusing on my WIP stories! Sorry! I will have a chapter of one of them up before Spring Break ends! I promise I will!

I just wanna get these one-shots out of my head first.