Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was six days after the competition, two days after being released from the hospital for his injured foot and three days until they had to go home and here Alejandro was, sitting on the roof of the hotel gazing at the stars. He knew it was cliché, but he was a sucker for dramas and when characters self-reflected, they always looked at either the sky or a body of water. He didn’t feel like dealing with people or walking too far so the stars from the hotel roof it was. It made him feel like a main character in a novel and honestly, he could see why they did it.

It was peaceful, looking at a sky that ranged in its wisdom and age for thousands of years and knowing that it was almost immortalised centuries later. It made him feel slightly better about how the season had gone. He had spent so much time and effort in perfecting the perfect play, playing the perfect ‘love to hate’ villain just to win the stupid million only to lose it because he couldn’t resist playing up the bit like some estúpido aspirante a estudiante de Teatro. Mierda, he practically physically handed José more ammunition against him.

There was little about his actions that he regretted though: the ending? he definitely should have ignored Heather and finished the challenge; spending an unnecessary amount of time trying to suck up to his competitors? he probably didn’t need to as much as he did; eliminating a certain sabelotodo? essential to the game but still cost him someone he had grown to care about.

The last one wasn’t as bad when he was in the game, not really thinking about the consequences outside of it. But the lack of people on his side at the finale and the fact that he hadn’t talked to the boy -Noah was practically always with his friends and Eva (the one who saved him from the volcano, he only found out her name when he asked Heather what had happened in the hospital) didn’t seem to like him much, or he was just never around like he was avoiding him- made him realise that he may have hurt his feelings by getting him eliminated.

It was a shame, he really felt like the snarky boy knew him. It was why he wasn’t actually upset about the eel comment, it wasn’t entirely wrong after all. He feels like he would have been disappointed if the self-proclaimed genius hadn’t picked up on his true nature, especially with how close they’d become. Despite it all, it seemed like Noah had really understood him.

It reminded him of something his father always told him and his brothers, ‘your efforts and actions may not be appreciated or understood by the common populace, but somewhere out there, there will be people who treasure you for it. Find and surround yourself with those people- that is what will make you successful mis hijos’

His parents both have public personas, as people in the limelight (an actress and a diplomat) there are always people who try to bring them down. They told him it was the safest way to keep the outside world away from their personal life. His mother is known as an ice queen, something she said was necessary to make sure her coworkers and co-stars remained professional to her and his father is seen as an uptight and devious diplomat, twisting the public opinion and charming his way into deals. But Alejandro knows better than to listen to scandal seekers and gossip columns. His mother was one of the most affectionate people he had ever met, and his father was nothing more than a kind man wanting to do well for his family. So, he knows quite a bit about acting in public and mastering facades, something that he utilised in the competition. It did make it harder to find people who truly enjoy his company though.

Despite all the problems their relationship had caused them from the media, his parents were utterly devoted to each other. His mother was the one who taught him the importance of having a partner who would love and support him through everything, someone he would cherish and devote himself and his actions to that he would know without a doubt was doing the same for him. That there was truly someone out there for everyone.

It really was no wonder that he grew up as a romantic.

.

His attention was reeled back by the slightest hint of jasmine in the air that set every nerve alight and filled him with a giddy warmth. His thought process switching almost instantaneously back to the snarky boy.

He hadn’t taken much notice of Noah at first- then he dropped his book while they were in economy after the first challenge and well, Alejandro couldn’t pass up the opportunity to possibly win over his teammate. The book was a collection of Jane Austin novels, and he soon found himself drawn in to a conversation. It was just so surprisingly endearing to see the stoic boy light up at their discussion and Alejandro was relieved to find a fellow intellectual on the team.

It was also when he first noticed the subtle smell of Jasmine, as he was leaning towards the other boy to look at a passage in the book. Sure, it caught him off guard at first but well, he did weirdly suit it. Once he became aware of it, it was like he could smell jasmine everywhere.

It was hard not to find comfort in the cerebrito- whenever Alejandro broke character in front of him, like when they discussed their fellow competitors, he didn’t admonish or look at him with disgust like many seemed to once they realised he wasn’t the perfect prince charming they desire him to be. No, he noticed that Noah tended to smile more at him the more genuine he was. So, if he accidently let his charade slip a little behind the scenes when they were alone well, nobody else really needed to know now, did they?

They had many conversations off camera, it was like they were in their own world, a refuge from anything total drama related and with the idiocy he had to put up with, could anyone blame him for craving more?

Alejandro didn’t notice how often he sought Noah out at first. At the first sight of trouble, he was there. The number of times he had to save the boy or his property from his friends was a tad bit ridiculous. But it did give him an opportunity to converse with him more, and an excuse to stay near, merely as a precaution of course.

It all came ahead one night on the plane where he had taken the seat next to him on the bench, hoping for some quiet from their… louder teammates. He then felt a head fall against his shoulder, surprised as though he was used to certain people being bold, no-one of the sort were near him at that moment and he really just wasn’t expecting it. It was only thanks to the gentle scent of jasmine that he didn’t immediately ‘accidently’ push the offender off. His suspicions on who it was were proven correct when he turned his head and noticed a block of dark brown hair. He tested the consciousness of the cynic, shuffling ever so slightly only to freeze when arms wrapped around his and he got a grumble in response as Noah seemed to press his face into his shoulder. It was, well, adorable for lack of a better word.

Then the big oaf caught his attention with a barely smothered chuckle “good luck getting him off Al! Noah clings tight when he’s asleep.” He couldn’t find it in him to be annoyed with the oaf for once. The weight pressed against him was calming in a way.

“Yeah! I can’t get him to move, Eva can’t get him to move, its funny cause he latches onto the closest warm thing when he’s cold which is like aaaaall of the time. He’s like a barnacle, or like a parasite, or like a-” he didn’t know who Eva was then, but he still presumed she was incredibly strong if the way loca emphasized her name was anything to go by.

“ohhh, that’s why he slept cuddled with Cody! I thought he just liked him, especially because he kissed him” the jock laughed out, and it made Alejandro pause.

Que? “Kissed him?” since when did Noah kiss someone? Since when did Noah kiss Cody? Of all people to kiss, the scrawny geek? Was that his type? No, that couldn’t be right.

“Woah, did you not see the first season dude? Noah totally made out with Cody’s ear! They both screamed a ton when they woke up as well! It was hilarious!”

“Haahaha, that was funny! But do you wanna know a secret?” La chica loca stage whispered.

“Sure señorita” Alejandro decided to amuse her, if not to get away from the conversation. He knew the cynic wasn’t too close with the geek based on how much he made fun of him, and it just made him feel uncomfortable to think about- for Noah’s dignity of course. At least hearing his reaction to the apparent incident made something settle in his chest.

“It’s cause Noah is secretly a total softie”

“Woah, really?” the jock sounded unconvinced which wasn’t surprising considering the cynic had turned his sharp tongue on him multiple times already. Alejandro couldn’t help himself from yawning.

“Yeah! He’s like totally weak to his dog, she shares his bed, and he kisses her on the head every night and everything! But don’t tell him I told you because he will try to make me disappear.” Ah Dios mío, that was adorable. Not the disappearing bit, the seriousness she said that with was a tad bit concerning. But he hadn’t taken the other as a dog person, his actions reminding more of his family’s cat.

Still, he couldn’t stop the thought, would he kiss him in his sleep as well? so soft and unguarded and truly a precious moment… or would he while awake with that infuriatingly enticing smirk of his or would he- and, yeah, he was not going to have a sexuality crisis on international TV, instead he focused on the actual person currently using him as a pillow -or an oso de peluche he thought, chuckling internally-, the random hums he made as if enjoying a nice dream and his rhythmic breathing lulling Alejandro into a sense of comfort. His eyes growing heavy and his head drooping, resting on the other’s (Noah’s hair brushed against his cheek and part of him was confused as it didn’t feel right, it was quickly forgotten about in his half-asleep state).

Alejandro fell asleep quicker than he had so far on this game with the chattering turning into background noise and jasmine filling his senses.

-

On the last day in Jamaica, they were all out on the beach. Of course Alejandro had taken off his shirt as the heat was truly magnificent. They had played a couple of friendly matches of volleyball between the more athletic members of the teams- splitting the teams at random to make it more fun (and fair) and as it turns out, he and Courtney were practically in sync which was interesting, and he could potentially utilise it later.

Eventually, in the afternoon, they all split off and when he went back to figure out where the cynic was currently hiding, he had found him under a parasol with a book on his chest (Shakespeare collection this time, he noted absent mindedly) napping with a familiar red peeking out below him. He must have fallen asleep without realising Alejandro’s shirt was under him. Thus, begun a special, new, kind of torment.

-

He had gotten him eliminated after the next challenge, had cornered him in the cargo hold before the ceremony wanting nothing more than to see something other than smug or blasé…. and to gloat to the only other person (Heather didn’t count, they made a deal) who knew. Instead, with jasmine overwhelming him, the cynic staring at him with that blank face (only betrayed by an almost gleeful glint in his eyes that left Alejandro partially confused, the other part longing to see how it would look smeared across the rest of his face) and riling him up in a way that had to have been done one purpose (as if he had to have the last hurrah), Alejandro was the one to lose his cool.

-

He thought he had finally got rid of all traces of his internal tormentor, but his shirt seemed cling to the scent (it had to have been from his nap in Jamaica, it had to be), it became a source of comfort in the madness. Even after it should have long faded, Alejandro swore he could still smell it, it was as if Noah himself was haunting him, pushing him to win the challenges so he could just go back and see him. And yet he had ruined it by getting the boy eliminated. He was sure to have joined the many contestants that were surely rooting for his downfall. But still, he couldn’t help the almost raw comfort it provided when he was getting sick of everyone else on that stupid show. How he could practically smell it when thinking of the other boy.

It made him seem obsessive; he knew this. It reminded him of that one psychological experiment with the dog. Except instead of salivating at the sound of a bell, his thoughts became all consumed at the slightest whiff of jasmine. He was truly a mutt, yearning to seize something that doesn’t belong to him. His basic instincts wanting nothing more than to latch on tight and not let go, absolute and utter loyalty for a master who probably wants nothing to do with him.

He had given up his initial denial by the merge. He was but another man left weak to the throws of love without his partner there to embrace. It was selfish to long for someone who he could never hold, who he himself caused the downfall of, who he knew was pretty petty when it came down to it (okay, perhaps petty with a pretty face: the hooked nose, the usually half-lidded eyes that would widen when shocked or excited, his lips) and could ruin him (oh what a fate) with mere words but he would still gladly feed that flame if it meant he had his attention. He had never felt this intensely towards anyone in his life, even the girls he had once fancied when younger.

It had brought back memories of when he and his brothers had made fun of their father for his belief in ‘the family magic’.

The Burromuerto blessing: an old tale his father and uncle liked to go on about it. How once a Burromuerto man found his love it was as if outside forces were pushing for them to be together, as if fate aligned itself so they could love each other for eternity and beyond. There was a childish part of him that prayed for it to be true. Prayed for this to be it. After weeks away from him, he didn’t know if he’ll survive only getting the slightest taste of him, even if it were just a passing glance and then never be in his life again. It sounded like torture. Dios mío, he was an addict.

As the saying goes, distance makes the heart grow fonder after all.

A scuff of shoes against pavement caught his attention and he turned to the source of the noise only to realise it wasn’t another fantasy or moment of olfactory hallucination, Noah really was there, and he made his way over to where Alejandro was sitting. It was like a dream. A dream that could end in two ways: a chance at peace and refuge or, more likely, it would turn into a moment of heartbreak and a life full of disappointment and regret. Either way he had to try, had to become part of Noah’s life somehow.

He sat down next to him, wincing and shuffling so his weight was tilted away from Alejandro in what he knew must’ve been discomfort or disgust.

.

.

Alejandro broke the silence.

“I must admit I did not expect to see you up here, especially without your current shadows.” he got a little snort for that one. Perhaps he had a chance for redemption after all.

“Yeah, I had to sneak away from Eva and Izzy, neither of them are letting me have a moment of peace” he said, rolling his eyes in a way that could only be described as fond. From the passing glimpses in the hall, it seems like the three are attached at the hip and yet, he did not know the true nature of their relationship. Yet.

“I see, between us amigos, are you, well, you know with either of them?” he just needed to know, not caring if it made him look stupid. Or desperate.

“You know? Wait-dude no, they’re my sisters, that’d be gross.” Ah, he didn’t know they are that close. Sure, he knows that they are friends (Sierra had referred to them as team elope? …..no, e-scope at some point), but he hadn’t really seen all three of them interact much, especially due to Eva not being on the show. Though that does add context as to why they’re constantly together, Izzy’s lack of personal space with el cerebrito on the show (which is saying something, he seriously questions if loca even knows what boundaries are) and, even more telling, Noah’s lack of reaction to it.

“I see”

.

.

.

.

There was a stilt in conversation as the silence stretched and Alejandro- Alejandro just needed to know. Needed to know far the others opinion of him had sunk so he could figure how to fix it. Before he could speak up about it, Noah started the conversation again.

“So, what are you doing moping up here then Casanova?”

“Why do you care, I thought you hated me?” perhaps a tad bit defensive but he really, really needed to know.

“Hate you? where’d you get that from?” that was honestly not what he was expecting, perhaps the other wanted him to admit to his shortcomings?

“The eel comment, and the fact I got you eliminated in the game for it”

“Yeah, a game. It’s something that no-one here seems to understand, it’s a game show, you got to do what you have to do to win” it seems he and Heather weren’t alone in those thoughts after all.

“I lied to you; I fooled everybody just to win a million dollars and I didn’t even win it. Barely anyone likes me right now, surely you must’ve heard their opinions mi amigo.” While he didn’t really care what those… those… el tontos think of him, he’d have to be naïve to think that their opinions cannot affect someone else’s, like Noah’s.

“I mean, yeah you pretended to be someone you’re not for the sake of cash, but who here hasn’t. Anybody on that show who says otherwise is just a hypocrite.” he scowled as he said that, and Alejandro wanted nothing more than to wipe it off his face.

“They’ll lie, cheat, blackmail, steal and harass each other but as soon as somebody else does it to them, they’re suddenly the poor virtuous victim whose done no wrong. At least I know I’m an asshole and I don’t pretend to be anything else; they just like to act like everything is innocuous and in good fun until the tables turn. It’s plain double standards at this point.” He ranted bitterly, he then sighed and offered Alejandro a half smile like he was trying to comfort him. “Just take anything they say with a grain of salt. Anyways, you’re definitely not the only person who has had everybody fooled, you just exposed yourself by being all dramatic.” It truly was like back on the plane. The teasing remarks, the half smirks and the start of witty banter- oh how he missed this, it just wasn’t the same with Heather (she had taken to teasing him about his... feelings as if he hadn’t caught her mediocre flirting with one of the intern’s multiple times- the hypocrite). Plus, well, perhaps he wasn’t hated as much as he thought.

“You’re calling me dramatic, señor ‘beware of eels’?” he teased back with a cocked eyebrow.

Noah minutely flinched before he glowered out his defence. “Hey! It’s not like I was wrong; you really were acting slippery.”

“Perhaps not mi amigo, but that does not mean that it was not dramatic, no?” he added, good naturedly.

“I don’t know what you’re on about.” He turned his head slightly away, but Alejandro could see the little grin he was attempting to hide.

“I’m sure you don’t,” he beamed at him, getting a huff in response. “But still, that does not change the fact that we met on a game show where I purposely seduced and embarrassed our competitors, I can understand if you do not wish to associate with me after how I acted.” He really did, doesn’t mean he’d be happy about it but at the very least he should give Noah a way out before anything else. Before he got his hopes up.

That seemed to get his attention as he turned to face him properly, staring before stating, “How about this, meet me outside the hotel doors tomorrow morning at 9:30. It’ll be like a second first meeting- we can get to know each other outside of the game with no masks. How about it?” he asked with a pointed look.

“Sí, sí! I’ll meet you there” It was almost too perfect, like the universe’s way of apologising for the pain he’s been in since the volcano, since he joined that ridículo show.

“Alright,” another small smile. “I’m going to head off to bed now before the girls hunt me down and drag me back, goodnight eel.”

“Buenas noches mi sabelotodo.”

With that Noah knocked his shoulder against his with a small smirk and slowly got up, making his way over to the door and left. As the door closed, he could hear his muffled voice and a female voice reply, presumably one of the said girls, that gradually quietened as they walked away.

Alejandro couldn’t get the grin off his face as he stared up at the sky. Gracias a Dios, he was really given another chance to not screw things up.

……

…...

……

……

Ha.

A hopeless mutt indeed.

He finally got up after a while and headed back to his room, wincing as his foot throbbed. His mind already running around in circles on how to woo Noah, too engrossed in his thoughts to hear the rattling above him.

When he finally got to his room he rummaged through his suitcase and found a mint green dress shirt and cream trousers, laying it on the desk for tomorrow. Perfecto.

Now he just had to get some beauty sleep.

Chapter Text

“HEY ALE-DORK-O YOU BETTER BE DECENT, I’M COMING IN” Alejandro was very rudely interrupted from where he was currently applying the final step of his routine (body lotion, carefully selected for how well the scent complemented his favourite cologne- and the final touch for his already perfect outfit) by an insistent pounding on his door. Resigned to his fate he called back.

“As if that would stop you, no?”

Heather barged in, opened her mouth as if she were about to say something in reply then stopped and stared at him in barely concealed shock. How amusing.

“Alejandro”

“Heather”

“Don’t start that with me,” she snapped back and gestured to where he was sat facing the room’s vanity. “How come you’re prettying yourself up. I thought you’d still be moping around”

“I was not ‘moping around’ thank you very much and I’m going out” he couldn’t help the smug smile at that nor raising his perfectly pruned eyebrow, practically begging her to question him.

“Wait, really? since when were you going out and about.” And honestly, he couldn’t care much for her disbelieving tone. He is a free man and can do whatever he pleases. Still, he is in a good mood today and is willing to play around.

“Since Noah invited me out” he bragged.

“Really?” it was as if she thought he was lying.

“Sí, he asked me last night.”

“Noah invited you out, and you’re sure it’s not a prank or revenge or anything that?” while he had questioned it at multiple points, he is sure that Noah is above that kind of pettiness.

…..

Okay.

He hopes Noah is above that kind of pettiness with him. Though it would be a sight to see released on another soul. Alejandro wonders what it would take to push him to that point. Noah is rather blasé after all, it’s hard enough to get a reaction other than mild surprise, smug or annoyance especially when the cameras were rolling or around the others. But then again there was something admittedly soft about him during their off-screen conversations and during the prior night, something the others fortunately weren’t privy to. Alas, as much as he would adore to reminisce back, he had company right now. And today was a new first, Noah had said so himself, so there would be little use on relying on the past couple of months.

“I’m sure, though I will stay wary for your sake, your concern is greatly appreciated.” He grinned back, mainly to annoy her.

“No point, I wasn’t worried anyways, jerk. Have fun on your date, guess I’ll just take Courtney out. Have a girl’s day, get real fancy.” It was like she was expecting him to get jealous.

“It’s not a date” oh how he wished it were, perhaps the next outing. Or the one after. It entirely depended on how this one goes. “And what’s the occasion? Not that you need one of course.”

“Guess who finally got her 1.3 million” she smugly preened, and it was about time. She and Courtney were working together with the latter’s lawyers to sue the show and ensure Heather actually got the money she won, and a little more as compensation. It appears they were successful, surprising considering the short amount of time.

“Congratulations senorita”

“Yeah well, I was going to take you two losers out to celebrate but somebody is apparently busy,” she glared at him like he had personally offended her especially as he didn’t rise to the bait. “Whatever, you can hang out with us later. I’ll probably take little miss lawyer out for some shopping and dinner, apparently there’s a place nearby that’ll meet my standards.” She haughtily sniffed at that.

“Be nice then, do try not to push Courtney away.” He felt like he should warn her. Partly as a joke and partly because he and Courtney had developed some weird form of camaraderie, both using each other in the game while pretending to be interested in each other without prior discussion as he did with Heather. Like recognises like after all. They were birds of a feather, quite similar to each other with the main difference being Alejandro could keep a lid on his real feelings. Courtney… not so much.

“She’s tough, if she can handle being in a relationship with Duncan, she can handle being friends with me” wow, she actually admitted they were friends.

“Are you insinuating that you are like Duncan?” he was well aware that is not what she meant, did not mean that he couldn’t poke fun at her.

“No, I’m saying that I’m far superior to that freak.” She rolled her eyes. “What time are you meeting up then?”

“9:30 AM is what we agreed on.” Which should be quite soon, the last time he checked the time it was around 9ish.

“you’ve got five minutes then” she was holding his watch in front of his face and mierda she was right. He grabbed it from her hand and put it on making his way to the door. He did a quick once over: he had his watch, his wallet, they still weren’t allowed their phones, he had his room key, and it was too hot for a jacket. It felt like he was forgetting something, but he didn’t have time to try and remember. It probably wasn’t important anyways.

Heather was still in his room looking like she was going to start laughing. He raised his eyebrow. “Are you going to get out of my room so I can lock up?”

“Well aren’t you desperate.”

“It’s unbecoming to be late. Get out.”

“Fine” Heather finally got out of the room and he locked up, pocketing the key.

Alejandro started down the hall to the stairs, he didn’t know how long the lift would take and he wasn’t willing to risk it.

“Stop running, you look insane.”

“I am not running, I’m walking.”

“Yeah, speedwalking. God, you’re like a dog when their owner gives them a scrap of attention. Its sickening.” He did not appreciate Heather calling him out like that. He is well aware of his…proclivities.

“Shut up,” they had managed to get down to the lobby and towards the doors when a voice called out from behind them.

“Ah, friends! How fortunate for you that we ran into each other.” It was a guy that he hadn’t spoken to before. Based on the fact he was in the hotel and looked vaguely familiar, he must have been one of the contestants that hadn’t made the cut that season. How tragic.

“Go meet with your date, I’ll keep mister photoshop face over there busy so you don’t have to deal with him.” Yeah, he still doesn’t know who the guy was. Except that he was clearly trying hard to be him. And failing. Like a cheap copy. Alejandro just can’t help his superiority.

“Hey Justin! Can you hook me up with your agent? Thought I could use some extra cash and it’s not like it’d be hard if you can do it.” Heather antagonised, strutting her way over.

“Heather, I’d be happy to help but unfortunately, they look for very specific traits like pure perfection. I won’t stop you from trying” he flashed a smile that was all teeth, and Alejandro heard a squeal from somewhere in the area. He took advantage of the distraction and dipped out, waking out the doors.

Alejandro noticed Noah leaning against one of the pillars outside. It was like he was trying to look cool. How cute.

“Hola amigo,” Noah jumped at that before freezing and looking at him with wide eyes. Alejandro soaked up the attention.

“…. You look nice.” Noah assessed him again with a slight furrow of his eyebrow before he seemed to relax with a slight sigh.

“Yeah, the shirt really suits you” he admitted with a slight flush, something Alejandro had already known but it just felt so much better having Noah acknowledge his efforts.

Alejandro really couldn’t help himself from preening.

“I see you are in your usual getup. If I had known that was the plan, I would have worn mine. Do want me to change?” he would rather not, but it would still be polite to offer, and his mother raised a gentleman.

“No, there's a less chance of being recognised. I was planning on getting changed once we were away from the hotel.” Noah confirmed, raising up a shopping bag Alejandro somehow didn’t notice he was carrying. “I really want to avoid the others as much as possible and knowing my luck I would’ve been followed. Which is why we should really get going before we run into anyone we know.”

Alejandro looked back at the hotel doors, remembering his near confrontation. Today was going to be a perfect day and he was not going to risk any of those tontos ruining it for him. “Lead the way mi sabelotodo.”

“This way is the mall.” He pointed slightly to the right. “I think. They’ll have toilets there that I can get changed in.” he paused and looked at him for confirmation. “If you don’t mind waiting of course.”

“Of course not,” they started walking in the direction Noah had indicated. “Take as long as you need” while he was uncertain on why Noah needed to get changed away from the hotel, he couldn’t deny the thrill of the idea that it’ll be something only he would be able to bear witness to.

It hadn’t taken long to reach the mall at all, and barely any time from that to find public toilets.

“Are you sure you’re okay waiting?” it seemed almost like Noah was nervous and as adorable as he would usually find it, something felt off.

“Sí, I’ll just stay here” he gestured to the seats that he noticed when they first walked in.

“Alright. Great. I won’t be long and then we can do the whole start over, new first meeting thing, that cool?”

“Sí, that is… cool”

“Great,” and with that Noah headed into the bathroom and Alejandro went to sit at the closest empty bench in the middle of the hallway.

~~~

Alejandro had been sitting there for about ten minutes now and he was seriously starting to consider the possibility that Noah had just ditched him. He had unsuccessfully been trying to tame the hope that was growing inside him ever since last night. He really was looking forward to getting a new beginning and the opportunity to actually get to know the snarky boy in a more natural environment without cameras watching their every move.

He was brought out of his inner panic when he smelled Jasmine again, just like the prior night except that it was stronger now. Not even seconds later he felt something drop on his head. He lifted his hand up to feel at it- fearing the worst. Alejandro would not be happy if something ruined his hair. But, it just felt like hair. So he took it off and stared at it. It was a wig. A wig styled in a very familiar hairstyle with a very familiarly coloured netting. He felt his body move on autopilot as he whipped round and saw his companion for the day who had somehow snuck behind him.

Dios Mio.

He didn’t know what he was expecting but it definitely wasn’t this. ‘Noah’ had certainly changed his? clothes in the time he? went to the bathroom. Instead of the outfit that ‘Noah’ had started the day in (the one he’d become accustomed to seeing), the cerebrito was wearing a white blouse and nude tights (only noticeable by the slight sheen) that was mostly covered by a knee-length mint green dress (it was the exact same shade as his shirt he noted, which in itself was one hell of a coincidence, they look like a couple and wasn’t that a satisfying thought) that highlighted his?-wait.. were those-…?

He blinked once.

Twice.

His brain rebooting. It quickly turned to shock because yes, those were definitely boobs. Nothing large or over the top in fact they were quite small but still, noticeably boobs.

The entirety of the upper body – down to the hips he barely registered- was practically framed by hair which, despite being a bit frazzled, still looked soft (no, he wasn’t jealous, his hair is always coarse, no matter what he tried…he wanted to run his fingers through it) and somewhat put together.

‘Noah’ had stepped closer at some point and seemed to be saying something, which he’d only caught the latter part.

“-llo earth to eel” it was like whiplash, Noah still sounded the exact same and it made things just that bit easier to process. Or not. It was a little hard to tell.

“Noah?” he finally managed to speak. Huh, his throat was a little dry.

Relief practically flooded the other’s body. “Gotta admit you had me worried there for a bit, I thought you had a stroke or something. Or that you’d been spending too much time around Lindsay and Tyler.”

“I-but-yo-“ he sputtered.

“Am female? Congratulations Sherlock; you’ve earned yourself a gold star. Are you going to give me my wig back now?”

He cautiously handed it over as if it would bite him and took a moment to mentally compose himself.

“I take it that this is what you meant last night when you said I wasn’t the only one who has had everybody fooled then” Alejandro replied, watching as she stuffed the wig into the side of her dress, it disappeared like it never existed in the first place. Odd. It must have been where the bag went.

“Yep” she said popping the p and looking awfully smug. Like when a cat was caught doing something it shouldn’t have been doing but knew that there was nothing you could do about it.

Alejandro had to admit that it was clever, how she had clearly blindsided them all. It was rather sneaky, and impressive. She had managed to fool him despite Alejandro having a great read on everyone in the show- he had to have to do the things he did. But still, there was only one thing that he could properly think of right now-

“I hate you so much right now.”

All he got in response was a raised eyebrow and a “really?”

“Yes! I had a whole sexuality crisis over you.” He hissed out and noticed her dumbfounded face, which was so not fair, did she not know how attractive she was? Without thinking about what he was admitting to, he continued to his brewing rant. “Do you have any idea how rough it is going your whole life knowing you are interested in girls only for it to get flipped around by one person?! It was so frustrating. You’re smart, funny, understand me in a way I never thought possible and, worse of all, a distraction. I couldn’t keep my attention on the competition knowing I could just spend my time talking with you, I tried so hard, and then after I got you eliminated I thought I didn’t have to think about it again but it was like you were haunting me!” he took a breath and continued.

 “All I could think about was ‘oh Noah would like this’ or ‘Noah would despise this challenge’ or ‘Noah would totally make fun of this moment’ all. of. the. time. It was maddening!” he hissed out.

“The number of confessionals they had to edit out because I couldn’t help myself from bringing you up when it wasn’t relevant! And then I finally came to terms that maybe I’m not as straight as I thought because I was a tad bit obsessed with you and liked you in a way I’ve never liked anybody, not even the girls I flirted with, before.” He admittedly probably sounded a bit delirious.

“Only to then realise that I probably ruined any chance with you when I got you eliminated and then, it turns out you don’t actually hate me and wanted a fresh start. I don’t think I had ever felt more hopeful in my life. Then lo and behold it turns out you were a girl all along and somehow, SOMEHOW you’re even more attractive! It’s not fair! You’re not fair mi zorra.”  She really was a cunning sneaky little vixen, and it just made him fall for her more.

“uhhh, thanks?” he came back to his senses at her response realising with a growing sense of horror what he’d just said and admitted to. He must’ve sounded like a buffoon, not like his usual suave gentlemanly self and he mentally kicked himself for it. He could practically hear distant snickering from his blunder.

“You like me?” and wow, he couldn’t help but memorise how red her face had become and how quiet her voice had gone. It was truly precious, as if she was rewarding his momentary vulnerability with her own. It was truly too late to deny everything and turn back now.

“Sí”

“If you’re being all mushy and honest right now- which totally does not count as starting over by the way- then I guess its only fair for me to do the same.” She grabbed onto the corner of her skirt and tugged it almost absentmindedly.

“Look, honestly, I didn’t think much of you first, in fact you just looked like another Justin, and I hate that guy,” he winced slightly at the admission, that must have been the same guy from earlier. “But then you showed me that you were actually intelligent back in Egypt, so I grew curious.”

“You were so obviously hiding something, and I don’t like it when people aren’t upfront about who they are.” She paused and gave out a little huff. “Hypocritical, I know. I just found it weird how everybody was fawning over something that was clearly fake. And then I started to see glimpses of your real personality, how smug you got after your plans worked out, how you’d laugh at my remarks- and not that fake chuckle either, that just sounds so empty- and you let me trash talk the other contestants, even joining in despite it contradicting your persona, and how hard you tried to hide how annoyed you got at the idiots on the show and I kind of got it.”

“I just… I just needed to see more, to unravel you and find out who was actually under all of the fakeness… So, I planned to make some comments behind your back just to see how you would react.” She admitted hesitantly as if expecting him to start yelling at her for it. Alejandro just felt too curious about where she was going with this to even respond. He knew the snark had been unnaturally perceptive towards him, especially since that comment in Germany but he hadn’t expected it to run so deep. Looking back he shouldn’t have been too surprised.

“I was planning on saying it in front of Tyler due to the guy’s loyalty to you, I knew he would immediately report what I said back to you especially since he can’t keep a secret.” She … she wasn’t wrong about that, at least he would have at the time, probably not after the finale though.

“There was still a chance that he wouldn’t say anything though, I probably would have had to stage a confrontation. But then Tyler got captured by the ripper and I realised just how similar the challenge was to one in season one where the taken contestants could watch.”

“It meant that you had to confront it cause now there were potentially more witnesses to what I said, and I was really curious to how you would go about it. I don’t take back what I said by the way, you really are as slippery as an eel.” She smiled at him slightly, looking almost embarrassed as he took in what she was saying. “You should take pride in it though, it’s definitely far better than being meek, cowardly or even,” her face twisted into disgust, like she was thinking of something that was a stain on her entire existence, “a brainless, egotistical moron with the personality of a beige carpet.” That sounded very pointed.

She shook her head slightly as if snapping out of her thoughts. “Anyways, then I got voted out which yeah, I did have it coming, there were probably sneakier and less insulting ways to go about it -I am sorry for that by the way-, but I was a bit impatient and wanted to see if you’d take the bait and how you’d react. You have no idea how pleased I was at your confrontation in the cargo hold, it just proved to me that it was worth it. It wasn’t until after my elimination when I was watching the previous episodes that I even realised I had a thing for you. What you did to Harold was ingenious by the way, I got a good laugh out of that one and honestly, Bridgette is really undermining the part she played in her elimination, that girl is obsessed with locking lips.” That got a surprised and undignified snort out of him and before he could even think about covering it up, he noticed that she practically lit up at the noise. Just like whenever he broke character in front of her on the plane.

“And then there were your confessionals! You were unfairly hot when you were scheming, gloating and being cunning and ruthless. Then to make it worse you just had to be so… endearing when you were acting dorky”

Alejandro felt like everything was burning up. Like he was a star, soaring high, incandescent and yet in an all-consuming frenzy. For what felt like the hundredth time today he spoke without thinking.

“Is it too late to turn this into a date mi zorra?”

“What happened to starting fresh and reintroducing ourselves?” she asked, unimpressed.

“Fine then.” He stood up in front of her “Hola, my name is Alejandro Burromuerto, may I be graced with yours señorita?”

“People around the world know me as Noah,” her voice then changed and took a far more feminine tint that just sounded so soft and soothing to him and all he could think of was how well it suited her and how much he wanted to hear her talk, “but everybody back at home knows me as Neha Devi. It’s a pleasure to meet you Alejandro Burromuerto.” she stuck her right hand out, clearly for a handshake so he took hold of it with his left and very dramatically kissed it, grinning when she snorted.

“The pleasure is all mine Miss Neha Devi. However,” he paused for dramatic effect. “I must apologise as it appears that I have fallen for you rather quickly considering this is our first meeting” she gave an amused eyeroll at his antics, not even attempting to hide the half grin on her face “will you do me the honour of allowing me to accompany you for a date?”

“Oh, how noble of you good sir, I suppose I must after such a declaration” she drawled out blandly.

He just grinned at her.

“Come on then, I thought we might check out the local museum today, they have a dinosaur exhibit on for the month.” Neha paused, looking almost hesitant. “You are interested in palaeontology, right?”

“Si! Though I didn’t expect you to know about that”

“It was kind of hard not to, I would have voted for yours in that challenge by the way, it looked pretty realistic.”

It took him a moment to remember what she was on about. “Ah, yes, I had forgotten about that to be honest. It is nice to know that there’s another sane person who cares about historical accuracy!”

“Yeah, I don’t actually know much about dinosaurs though, I’m more knowledgeable about more of the human aspects of history. I’m definitely willing to learn though.”

Alejandro physically brightened at the admission. “Well, I’m definitely willing to teach you the wonders of the prehistoric world if you’re definitely willing to teach me about other areas” she caught onto what he was doing and smirked.

“Oh, I’m definitely willing.”

“Lead the way then mi amor” He carefully adjusted his hold on her hand that he only just realised he was still holding onto so that their fingers were interlocked.

In response he got a raised eyebrow. “Pervert. Honestly, holding hands on the first date. How scandalous.” She tugged on his hand slightly as she took off and began to weave through the crowds, Alejandro trailing after her feeling incredibly pleased that she didn’t just let go.

After walking for a couple of minutes and once the crowd had thinned Alejandro started up the conversation again.

“So how did you end up fooling the whole world, mi zorra?”

“You’re gonna find it stupid”

“I assure you that I will not”

“Fine but you have to promise you won’t laugh”

“I promise”

“…I lost a bet to a couple of my brothers and the punishment was to audition to a bunch of reality tv shows as a boy and, if I happened to get accepted onto any of them, then I had to pretend to be a boy until my contract finishes.”

He couldn’t help himself, despite how embarrassed she looked at the admission, he just started cackling.

“Hey! You promised you wouldn’t laugh!” she pouted and Dios mío that was unfairly adorable. He took a moment to compose himself. Again.

“I- ha- I apologies mi amor” he brought their joined hands up to his mouth and kissed the back of hers- again. She scowled at him. “I swear on the Burromuerto’s name that I wasn’t laughing at you I just-“ he chuckled again. “We are much more alike than I thought.”

“Oh?” Neha was clearly curious.

“Me and my brother had both applied to dirtbags since he bet that he would get accepted and I wouldn’t. Of course, I was and then I got told that I would be in a different show, as you know”

“You’ve mentioned having two brothers before, which one was it?”

“Ah, that would be José unfortunately. Carlos is the oldest.”

“José….. José Burromuerto…. Why does that sound familiar….” She muttered. Then her face lit up in recognition.

“Wait! He wouldn’t happen to be pretty tall, acts smug, wears blue religiously and looks -” Alejandro tried to push down the rising disappointment; he knows how this plays out, ever since they were kids José would boast about how everybody preferred him and how much more attractive he was, how he could take whatever Alejandro wanted, it seems that it would hold true yet agai-

“- like he belongs on a sex offender list?”

“Que?!” he couldn’t help himself from sputtering out. Oh, she’s perfect. He really should stop doubting her “ah, sí that sounds like him, have you met him before?”

“Not directly but get this. When I worked as Chris’ assistant, he put me in charge of half of the applications for dirtbags, of course I didn’t know that it was a fake show at the time but José was one of the applicants I was reviewing. I think Chris must have had yours cause I definitely would have remembered if I did. Anyways, he looked all slimy and boring and there was something about him that made me immediately not like him, he gave me the major ick so I threw his application out. Metaphorically.” She paused, wincing slightly “Sorry, I probably shouldn’t have said that in fro-“ Alejandro wasn’t listening at this point and he knew that he must look ridiculous and dopey, but he couldn’t help it. He grabbed her left hand and brought it to the other, clasping it so her hands were sandwiched between his and insisted.

“Mi zorra, marry me” he watched in fascination as her face went red again and he just felt so smug at the amount of expressions he was getting out of the usually blasé girl already today.

“dude- you don’t just ask someone to marry you on your first date!”

He let go of her other hand. “Next time then” he then chuckled at her incredulous expression. “You mentioned also having a couple brothers, no? how many? And Izzy and Eva, you mentioned them being your sisters- unless you meant that platonically?”

“Yeah, we’re actually sisters, they were adopted pretty recently, and I kinda feel like there’s been a little misunderstanding here, I lost a bet to a couple of my brothers, but I have a bit more than a couple of brothers”

“Really?” perhaps three or four then, not common but not out of the ordinary.

Neha looked at him with a deadpan expression “eight. I have eight brothers and they’re all older than me.” His response was a horrified expression and a disbelieving

“Eight! that’s eleven children, how do your parents manage?”  he could barely manage having two brothers, one Jose was enough to drive him insane and he’s pretty sure that 3 Carlos would be his limit but eight?!

“Just my mama and she has us all on a tight leash” that woman had to be a saint. Eleven children.

“Is she that scary?”

“Not really, but the idea of disappointing her or making her upset is too terrifying.” Something he could understand very well.

With that they stood in front of the museum, it was smaller than he expected and there was a blast of cool air as they walked in. Alejandro took note of their surroundings. There were mainly families and young couples milling around the giftshop and entrance to the museum’s exhibitions. He felt another tug on his hand, Neha was leading him to the receptionist desk where they stood in the queue behind an elderly couple.

Then there was a ruckus. What looked like an older lady had crashed into a cart holding pamphlets and was being helped by someone with an overly large black moustache and an incredibly oversized blue hoodie. It was odd but he was willing to write it off, except that they both looked incredibly familiar. He could have sworn that he had seen them while he was waiting in the mall.

It looked like Neha had taken notice because she looked over and immediately scowled.

“I'm so going to have words with those idiots.”

He swept his thumb across the back of her hand “mi zorra, is everything alright?” she sighed in response looking back at him.

“I’m really sorry, I kind of figured that Izzy and Eva would follow us but I thought they’d be a lot more discreet.” That… that made a lot of sense actually. He could see it now that she brought it up- orange hair barely tucked under a grey wig and a hair scarf, the monobrow and scowl barely covered by the insane moustache.

“You expected them to follow you?” that was genuinely insane. He forgot just how crazy Izzy had been on the show and Eva apparently goes along with it. He honestly wonders how Neha copes clearly being the only sane one in the trio.

“Yeah, I really wasn’t kidding about the whole not leaving me alone thing,” she paused before defending them, “it’s just their way of showing that they care.”

“Do you want me to chase them off?”

“No, its fine, they won’t come over or pester us, probably just stalk from a distance. I’ve already yelled at them about privacy. They’d be worse if you tried to get rid of them anyways.” It was a bit concerning about how used to it she sounded but he was willing to leave it be for her sake. Instead he watched as the pair slinked off into the gift shop.

“As you wish” he winked.

“Did you just princess bride me?”

“maybe”

“y-”

Before she could get a word in they were interrupted by another commotion, this time it was in front of them.

“But sir, your website clearly states that you also take Euros” it was the elder man in front of them, he spoke in an accent that Alejandro couldn’t quite place.

“Look, I don’t know what to tell you man, policy changed a couple of years ago.” The man at the front desk sounded like he hadn’t slept in days.

“But you have not updated the website since?”

“Guess not” he was also rather blasé, which was rude considering he was working in customer service,

“Look, is there any way to get an exchange here?”

“Fraid not man”

“But-“

“Dear, it is alright” the lady next to him reassured, she had the same accent and when she brought her hand up to the man’s shoulder Alejandro caught sight of a wedding ring. They were clearly married.

“No. Sophia, my love, I had promised we would return here, and we may not get another chance.”

Alejandro took this as his chance to step in. “Is everything alright señor, señora?” he took the time to look at the worker’s name. Terry.

“Oh my, I am incredibly sorry young man, we must have been holding back the line.” The woman apparently named Sophia had turned slightly to face him.

“You have nothing to apologise for señora, I simply wanted to see if there was anything we could do to help.” He gestured to Neha and himself, anything to make the process faster, he had a date to enjoy after all.

“What a charming young couple,” she smiled at them before explaining the situation.

“I’m afraid that there has been a mix up, we only have euros on hand right now as our children have the rest of the cash and they are currently filming at an event.”

Surprisingly, Neha stepped forward and directed to Terry, “four adult tickets please.”

“Neha?” it was rather odd; she wasn’t exactly the type to be immediately kind to strangers, or anyone. Perhaps she had a soft spot for the elderly.

“Oh miss, you don’t have to, it’s quite alright” the man protested.

“Please let me pay for all of our tickets” it seemed like she had her mind stuck on it so Alejandro cut in, he is a gentleman after all and what kind of gentleman would let his date pay?

“Mi zorra, I was the one who asked you on this date, I insist I pay”

“I was the one who invited you out in the first place Alé. I’m paying.” That was unfair, bringing in a nickname. He surprised himself by how much he didn’t hate it.

“Allow me to be the gentleman here and pay” he narrowed his eyes at her, refusing to lose this battle. Neha merely blinked in response before smirking.

“Yeah, well equality. So, checkmate.”

“Oh, don’t they just remind you of us when we started dating 50 years ago darling” Sophia cooed at them. It boosted Alejandro’s ego, quite a bit actually since they were being compared to a couple who had apparently been together for five decades. Clearly, they also saw his and Neha’s potential.

“There are an awful lot of similarities.” The man looked around and chuckled. “I do recall you looking very ravishing my dear, clearly not much has changed in time’s hands”

“Oh Gerald, you flatter me so much” and they nuzzled their noses together smiling at one another. It was weird. It was sickeningly cute. He couldn’t help but look at Neha as his thoughts started to spiral only to be met with utter betrayal.

Neha (quicker than she had ever acted in Total Drama) had taken advantage of the situation, of his distraction, and dug into her dress, tapping the reader with a golden card. Successfully paying and repocketing it before he could even register what happened.

“You wound my pride mi amor.” He sighed.

She just squeezed his hand. “Good.”

“Here are your tickets, just follow the signs around the exhibition. Enjoy your visit.” Terry drawled out.

That got the older couple’s attention, Sophia sighed and her husband gave out a good-natured chuckle before addressing Neha.

“How can we repay you young lady?”

“Please, there is no need.” She maintained her stance from earlier, but Gerald evidently wasn’t willing to let it go.

“You’ve helped us out so much, there has to be something we can do?”

“Just think of it as doing me a favour, my boss owes me compensation, so I have plenty to spare. Plenty.” Her smile sharpened ever so slightly as she flashed the card she used to pay with. Wait. Boss… was she on about Chris? Was that Chris McClean’s credit card?!

That got an understanding chuckle out of Sophia “if you’re so sure sweetheart.”

“Of course.”

“Very well, perhaps we will see you two again inside.”

“Thank you once again” Gerald grinned at them

“no, thank you” Neha insisted.

“Please enjoy the rest of your day” Alejandro added.

They left.

Alejandro turned to Neha watching as she pocketed the card again.

“…..did you steal Chris’ credit card?”

“Is it really stealing if he gave it to me months ago for a coffee run and forgot that he did?” well that certainly answered his question.

“Dios mío I’m on a date with a criminal.” Alejandro bemoaned. “So, your act of kindness?” he questioned.

“Imagine how annoyed that selfish manchild will be when he finds out his precious money is being used for good deeds. It’d devastate him.” The grin she wore was down right devilish and he could feel his heart thumping in his throat.

“I still could have payed for our tickets mi amor” was it really that wrong to want to spoil her?

“Well, since you keep on pouting about it, you can pay for the next date. This one is entirely on Chris though.” Oh he will, Alejandro was going to give her another perfect date after this one, and another and another and another until she gives up and just lets him pamper and overindulge her, no matter how long it’ll take- grudges on old psycho hosts be damned.

“I was not pouting,” Alejandro paused, “so you admit there’ll be another date?” he teased.

“Hmmm,” She knocked their shoulders together. “We’ll see.” With that they headed to the first exhibition.