Chapter Text
The days passed by like sludge.
Noah was apathetic to most of the chaos happening around him, the aftermath segments were mostly uneventful and treading on boring. Despite his views they had forced him to sit in the audience watching each and every contestant tell their tale of woe. Noah couldn’t care less about anything, he was simply thankful that they didn’t push him to talk about his time on the competition. The strange looks were enough to silence him on their own.
While allowing the eliminated competitors to take the back seat during Total Drama Action the producers had forced all of them to stay on set this time this time around. Apparently, according to Courtney, it was all in the contracts they had signed but, Noah was doubtful they had thought that far ahead. Being forced to take part in the competition meant watching what was happening up on the plane. Noah hated every second of it, every episode he got more and more annoyed as Alejandro climbed his way to victory.
That smug bastard.
More than anything Noah felt homesick. What was he doing sticking around the studio when he could be at home weeding his way through his bookshelf or studying for the various tests he would eventually have to pass to have a shot at something.
When he told people he had been accepted on a reality show they had been so excited. Noah didn’t know what they would say now having watched the most recent season. He had tried his best but, something told him they wouldn’t be focusing on that aspect of the competition.
No matter what anyone said he didn’t regret the kiss. In fact whenever he was finally left alone away from the show he thought about it and imagined doing it again. It was nothing more than a fantasy of course, the idea of having something. Alejandro wasn’t how he imagined he was manipulative and they clashed often about little things. Noah knew better. Besides that he was a realist. Most likely he would never see Alejandro again unless Chris decided to bring them all to the finale. Even if he did that Noah would simply avoid him. It would be that easy and then he could get back to his life. His real life not the one that involved sitting around for hours a day while Geoff and Bridgette delved into shallow drama.
It was only the night before the big finale that Noah began to grow worried.Worried that maybe what they shared was something real. Alejandro had said so but, Noah didn’t believe a word that came out of his mouth. But, what if he had meant it, then what? Did It really change anything. Or what if he was just beating himself up over feelings Alejandro didn’t even share. It wouldn’t have surprised him, after all he seemed to take joy in toying with people, he hadn’t even skipped a beat when he kissed Bridgette.
Once he arrived back he did try to collect as much information as possible about Alejandro’s meddling. Before that it had taken days of public transport to get back home, only to be picked up by the studio and shipped off to god knows where to film the aftermath segments. He hadn’t even gotten to see his family. His hand had hesitated on the door handle for a second to long.
The studio had been a bitter sweet reunion full of hugs and some interesting stories. Bridgette had explained how awful she felt after Alejandro had kissed her, Leshawna recounted bitterly how much she wanted to shove him into a volcano, and even Harold had told Noah that Alejandro had talked with him right before he chose to eliminate himself.
Hearing everything still didn’t manage to change his opinion much. Something about feelings were simply irrational and the fuzzy feeling he got anytime Alejandro was speaking only grew as the show neared its finale. He managed to ignore it even when people continued to bug him about what had happened but, now that he was 12 hours away from seeing him the emotions finally clawed their way to the surface. He liked Alejandro. Really liked him. He enjoyed their banter and he missed him. Begrudgingly.
It would be stupid to entertain him but, Noah felt himself coming up with excuses for talking to him whether he won or lost.
Of course there were still three competitors but, Noah knew that Alejandro was determined. If the next challenge was physical Cody would most likely be eliminated and Alejandro and Heather would duel it out for the million dollars.
That was how things would go down there was almost no denying that fact. Cody had survived further than he had imagined but, only because Sierra was there to boost him up at the expenses of herself. Their dynamic always managed to concern him in new ways every time they were on screen.
Noah groaned into his sheets and laid his head back on his pillow. The producers had provided all of them rooms near the studio so they couldn’t go escaping and spilling all the shows secrets. Noah didn’t mind the peace and quiet even if they were located right by a busy intersection.
It wasn’t fair to continue to think about it Alejandro had done enough damage to him he wasn’t going to prevent him from sleeping.
Noah turned to his side and squeezed his eyes shut. All he could picture was Alejandro and his devilish smirk. What was it about him? Noah wanted to scream but, he remained still focusing on his breathing until his brain slowly erased the image.
Alejandro didn’t care so he shouldn’t either.
It was how things should be and how he was going to force them to be.
___________________________________
The day of the competition had them all loaded onto a plane like cargo. The producers refused to tell them where they were going until the plane landed in Hawaii and they were kicked off onto a secluded beach with towering palm trees and salty waves that washed up to shore eroding the sand.
Noah felt the suns rays the second he stepped out onto the ground. Maybe wearing three layers was a poor idea but, it was what everyone expected him to wear so he didn’t complain.
“It is hotter than a sauna right now..” Leshawna complained waving her hand up and down like a fan.
“Oh no not a sauna I’m getting wrinkles already...” Lindsey said, eyes growing wide.
“It’s a figure of speech..” Courtney snapped with her arms crossed tightly.
“Hey at least we’re not up there.” Noah deadpanned pointing to a volcano that sat above them.
“Don’t give Chris any ideas..” Gwen said as they all gathered near the shore. Along the way one of the producers had explained the challenge to them. A race to get to the island first by whatever means necessary. Noah wasn’t particularly invested but, he was at least curious to see who would win.
Besides Chris had said something about a vote that would determine the winner. Noah was skeptical but, he would entertain the idea if that meant finally getting Alejandro to crash and burn.
Speaking of Alejandro, Noah noticed the three competitors approaching in the distance. Heather leading the pack while Alejandro and Cody were sparring with swordfish in the background.
A blinding light suddenly coated the beach as Alejandro’s boat was blown sky high. Heather smirked as she arrived triumphantly at shore, Cody lingering behind her as his boat sputtered towards the shoreline.
Within a split second Alejandro’s boat crashed on top of Cody’s sending them both sailing towards shore.
Noah blinked as his ears rang. Why was he even surprised anymore.
“Well looks like it’s a tie you know what that means!” Chris said suddenly as Alejandro and Cody stood up.
Noah quickly ducked behind Owen as Alejandro turned his gaze towards the group. Why was he bothering to hide from him what good what it do? It was only that the thought of Alejandro seeing him again made his heart beat faster. Why did he suddenly want to kiss him again.
“Little buddy are you doing okay?” Owen asked.
“I’m fine.” Noah snapped quickly recovering.
“Okay well Al was looking over at you were you hiding from him?” Owen asked.
Noah hadn’t said a word about the parting kiss since getting back from the competition. Countless people had asked and he hadn’t provided them with any answers. It wasn’t their business and he didn’t want his words to be twisted over and over again until he was throughly humiliated.
“No.” Noah said not offering any explanation and going back to staring at the three competitors.
Chris was explaining that they would need some sort of tie breaker and Heather looked less than happy to be picking it. A few loose teeth later and Chris had Heather tied up on a pole as Alejandro and Cody stood around her- paddles in hand.
“Who green lighted this..?” Noah asked to no one in particular. He only spoke to stop the blood rushing to his cheeks. Why was Alejandro so physically attractive? It was getting increasingly harder to ignore him as every active thought in his head was telling him not to look at his now exposed chest. It was so easy and yet sweat was dripping down his face- either from the three layers of clothing or the mental strain.
“Oh no Sierra just rolled into quicksand!” Heather cried out to distract Cody. Somehow it worked and Cody fell into the water with one finally swing.
Just like that it was over and he had barely paid attention. Alejandro was now one step closer to winning. Noah wasn’t sure how to feel about that- he had wished for his demise.
“Well looks like we know who’s going to the finale!” Chris announced.
Noah stared at Alejandro as he and Heather made their way back to shore. For a moment their eyes met. Alejandro’s gaze didn’t look as ruthless as he expected but, Noah frowned and looked away before he could do anything else. Alejandro was going to loose. He had to for everyone’s sake. It wasn’t fair how far he had come off the backs of everyone else.
“Ohh he better not win.” Eva said voicing Noah’s exact thought while pounding her fists together.
“If we don’t want him to win then that means we have to help Heather..” Noah explained.
“Ha I don’t like either of them but, I suppose she has tried to be nicer this season.” Leshawna said.
“As long as you figure out a way to make him loose..” Noah said letting anger deep into his words.
Leshawna gave him a look and put her hand on her hip.
“Are you sure you want him to loose?” She questioned with an eyebrow raised.
“Obviously why wouldn’t I he got me out..” Noah said silently cursing himself for even entertaining a conversation.
“You know what I mean I watched the show..” she said.
“I think what she means is that you kissed Al.” Owen said louder than Noah would have liked.
“I don’t want to talk about it and I don’t see why I have to Bridgette kissed him to and no one’s making a big fuss about it.” Noah said trying to remain expressionless.
“Al was trying to manipulate her you were already eliminated when you locked lips.” Harold said also chiming in. It seemed like everyone was suddenly aware of the conversation.
“It doesn’t matter.” Noah said knowing he had no other defense.
“Well why else would you kiss him?” Leshawna asked knowing she had got him pinned.
“I’m not talking about it..” Noah said turning away defensively. His cheeks felt warm as everyone’s eyes bored into his back.
“Aw I think he likes Al.” Owen said ruffling his hair.
“I do not like him..just how I didn’t like Cody first season.” He said knowing how weak the argument sounded.
“Sure..” Leshawna said before turning back to the competitors who had arrived on shore.
Noah sunk lower to the ground as Chris continued talking.
He just wanted to go home.
Noah knew he should have just read the stupid contract.
___________________________________
The volcano began to explode, droplets of lava rained down on everyone as they ran from the top of it.
Alejandro had won. So much for getting revenge. It was merely a consolation prize when his million was thrown into the lava.
He had also kissed Heather.
Not that Noah cared or even acknowledged the fact. It was practically his forte.
He was more focused on pumping his legs as fast as he could to keep up with the others. They were all scrambling to get down the steep rock cliffs that a couple of them nearly stumbled over the side. Noah was no different as he had nearly tumbled down the mountain multiple times even with his thick hiking boots which now had layers of dust on top of them.
As he sprinted further down the mountain he noticed Alejandro running upwards yelling at Chris and Chef who were headed in the complete opposite direction.
“Where’s my prize money I want what’s coming to me!” He demanded before being crushed by the rest of the eliminated competitors.
Noah continued forward until he neared Alejandro who was face down in the rock pathway.
“Hello?" Alejandro questioned, glancing upwards.
A smile suddenly coated his face as he saw Noah.
“Come on do you want to be boiled alive?” Noah asked offering his hand to help him up.
“You still care?” He said almost sounding surprised.
“No…I’m just the only one thinking rationally..” Noah muttered as a drop of lava fell onto his shoulder.
“Ow..” he said quickly putting out the fire before it burnt a whole in his jacket.
“Rational huh..?” Alejandro said.
“Let’s go Al.” Noah said snatching his hand and pulling him forward like Alejandro had done all the way back in London.
The mental image made him feel happier than it should have.
“Don’t call me that.” Alejandro snapped back following after him as they were now linked.
It wasn’t long before Alejandro took the lead as they stepped over crumbling rock and dodged lava droplets. He refused to let go of Noah’s hand no matter what, even as they neared the bottom of the mountain.
“It’s about to blow!” Noah said as rocks started to rain down around them. He felt adrenaline surging through him as he continued to run faster. That was when his shoe caught on a rock and he stumbled, stopping Alejandro with him.
Noah let go of his hand and tried to pick himself up only to find that his ankle was throbbing painfully.
“I can’t walk..” he admitted gritting his teeth. This was just great he decided to save Alejandro and now he was the one that was going to get burnt.
“Just go I’ll figure out.” Noah said knowing that it was exactly what Alejandro wanted to do.
“Nonsense..” he began.
“Allow me to pay back the favor.” Alejandro said giving him a wink. Without a second thought, he picked Noah up bridal style and sprinted towards the beach, volcano errupting in the background. What was he trying to do? The competition was over, Alejandro had won, so why was he being so nice?
The rest of the contestants gathered on the beach to watch the firework display that the volcano spewed into the sky.
“Congratulations on surviving thanks to your quick thinking I won’t have to handle anymore lawsuits!” Chris announced to the group with a small tuff of his hair missing.
“What about my million dollars?” Alejandro questioned still holding onto Noah who wanted to be anywhere but there.
“Well it did fall into the volcano..whoops..” Chris said.
“I guess you got what was coming to you after all.” He said grinning wide.
“Do you mind putting me down?” Noah asked unimpressed. His ankle felt like fire but, it was nothing compared to the feeling of everyone staring at him.
“Ah apologies.” He said setting him down.
Noah instantly winced as weight was placed on his Injured leg.
“Not to worry I was a CIT!” Courtney explained pushing through the crowd and forcing Noah into a seated position.
As she got to work pulling bandages out from who knows where Alejandro stepped back looking pissed off at Chris. Noah was actively trying to ignore the way his stomach had flipped when Alejandro had picked him up. It was a stupid feeling. He was supposed to ignore him and yet they had talked more than their entire museum tour back in London.
At least the competition was finally over. Noah felt relieved that he would finally be free from his binding contract. The endless hours of show biz were getting tiring and he didn’t exactly like every interesting part of his time on the competition broadcasted to the entire world. He already wasn’t prepared for what everyone would say about him when he arrived home.
Noah looked back down at his ankle and tried to discern exactly why he had thought a reality show was a good idea.
What good had it done him?
___________________________________
The producers quickly shipped them back to the main studio to avoid any legal complications that may have arrised from exposing teenage contestants to an active volcano.
Courtney had bandaged Noah’s ankle tightly and he was ordered to not walk on it for a couple days while it healed. That meant that he was stuck in his hotel room until the plane home arrived.
It was boring sitting in silence with nothing but, the crappy TV channels and hotel manuals to entertain himself.
Others had visited him and said their goodbyes promising to stay in touch. Owen first and then a swarm of others who were probably just trying to keep in touch with everybody. Noah didn’t mind it but, he wanted to put being famous behind him. It was to much of a hassle and he wasn’t that big of a star anyways. That was reserved for Gwen and Courtney, along with Duncan, who he assumed were being swarmed with fans due to their infamous love triangle.
Noah had settled into a routine in the mean time as the hours ticked away and he got more and more antsy to see his family again. He would watch whatever he could find in TV until it bored him and then he would pull out the only book he had brought with him and read it for the 60th time, then once that got stale he would read over the breakfast menu making sure to memorize every appetizer on the list.Rinse and repeat until he heard a knock at his door.
It had barely been a day since they had gotten back. Already his room had been flooded with people, who else was left?
Noah grabbed the crutch provided by one of the medics and walked over to the door.
He peered through the small hole in the wooden door to see a blob of red. The glass was too smudged to make out anymore but, he could already infer who it was. He had been dreading the conversation but, he supposed it was now or never.
Noah opened the door slowly, careful to not trip over his injured leg.
“Alejandro.” He deadpanned, staring at him with empty eyes that hid how happy he was.
“I guess we should talk.”
___________________________________
Alejandro was furious. First he had been kicked in the kiwis and then he had landed face first in the dirt as everyone trampled on top of him. The icing on top was when Chris lost his million dollars. It was his and no one else’s he had worked hard and sacrificed so much to get to the top.
More importantly why did everyone then insist on rubbing the fact in his face.
Everywhere he went people were giggling about how he had lost the million to the volcano. It only made him more annoyed when he couldn’t find Noah anywhere.
He had meant nothing when he carried him to safety, just like he had felt nothing when he kissed Heather. It was meant to be a taunt as he flaunted his victory in both of their faces. Why then did he feel so conflicted?
Heather had been so easy to talk to. She simply slapped him and called him a couple of creative nicknames. He had realized long ago that she had developed a crush on him and he had tried to play it until it broke. It was clearly a mistake that almost cost him his victory.
Noah on the other hand he couldn’t find anywhere on the studio lot. The planes that would fly them all home were set to arrive in a day and a half and he had nearly looked everywhere. He had tried asking Noah’s entourage of acquaintances but, each one of them refused to even entertain him. In fact it seemed like most of the competitors avoided him like the plague. He was indifferent to it all but, it made tracking Noah down annoying.
He had almost given up when a producer let it slip that Noah was staying at a hotel near the filming studio. It was obvious, Alejandro could have facepalmed. They had all been given quarters to spend the night why would Noah be any different? Aside from that he had a sprained ankle that Alejandro had inevitably caused, not ideal conditions for walking around a TV set all day.
That was how Alejandro found himself staring down Noah’s hotel room door. He knocked against the hard wood and waited as the handle jiggled, giving way and revealing Noah standing there -a crutch in hand.
“Alejandro..” he said.
“I guess we should talk..” he admitted stepping aside to let him enter.
Alejandro obliged, glancing around the room to find it as neat and impeccable as ever. It barely even looked like he was residing in it.
He found a beige chair and took a seat. Opposite of him, Noah sat down on his bed, tossing his crutch aside carelessly.
“Are you alright?” Alejandro asked trying to maintain the polite façade he always hid behind. It was comfortable to him, like a second nature. This time he meant no ill intent behind it.
“I’m fine just sprained it..Courtney for once put her CIT skills to use I guess..” he explained, drawing silent to ready his next line.
“Look......I don’t really feel like talking about anything else so can we just pretend this whole thing never happened..” Noah blurted out shifting uncomfortably.
“But, it did happen.” Alejandro said. He didn’t want to forget about it, in fact a foolish part of him was egging him on, telling him that this time he really had nothing left to loose. He could actually be with Noah without alternative intent or cash prizes to get in the way.
It was foolish, Noah was smarter than that he was clearly done entertaining anything Alejandro wanted- it was only fair after all . A part of him still felt accomplished for making it all the way. His manipulations had worked in his favor but, what good was it now Chris wasn’t giving him the million- at least not for a while. Why did he really expect to get rich on a reality show.
He knew what mocking awaited him back home.
‘Oh Al you were so close but, I would have won’
‘How could you loose it all like that?’
‘How did you get distracted?’
Alejandro shook off the thoughts and turned back to Noah.
“I don’t care..” Noah said. Clearly the butterflies he felt had long since died.
“That wasn’t what I came here for..” Alejandro said trying to remain neutral.
“I simply wanted to apologize to you my friend for messing up your ankle, you were saving me and that caused you to trip.” He said, words sounding false as they came out of his mouth.
“You’re lying..again.” Noah said sighing.
“I do..like you..that’s the only reason I saved you in case you think otherwise..I just wasn’t thinking straight.” Noah said trying to defend his actions.
“You’ve got that right mi amigo.” Alejandro said winking.
Noah rolled his eyes at what Alejandro viewed as a clever pun.
“Regardless there’s no exploding volcano now I’m not going to waste my time trying to decode your every word..” he explained.
“I can’t trust you.” He clarified bluntly. Alejandro knew it was true. Every single conversation they had was always a chess match between two players of equal strength. Alejandro could tell distinctively when Noah was hiding something and Noah could pick apart Alejandro’s carefully placed manipulation. They were the perfect pair.
An unobtainable pair.
“I won’t bother denying it, you won’t believe me if I say I’m not always like that anyways..” Alejandro said leaning his arm on an oak table next to the chair.
“So then why did you visit me..I was trying to ignore you..” he admitted honestly. Alejandro could tell by the way his eyes reminded glued to him.
“Well you did a very poor job my friend when you saved me from an active volcano.” He said flashing one of his signature smiles.
“It’s called being a decent human being..” Noah quipped.
“And what of my heroic effort?” Alejandro asked.
“Thanks..” Noah said sincerely for a moment.
“But, that doesn’t change anything I just..”
“I can’t risk this..” he said, a genuine emotion filling his voice although not one Alejandro particularly wanted to hear. Pain.
“It was supposed to be over after that kiss in the elimination room ..I wasn’t supposed to see you again.” Noah ranted, eyes growing shifty as he looked anywhere but at Alejandro.
“I shared the same sentiments.” Alejandro said after a moment, leaning his head into his hand.
The room drew quite as they both avoided the others gaze.
“I don’t want this to end.” Alejandro admitted.
“I thought that the feelings would go away but, I couldn’t stop..thinking about you..” he said, a scowl planted on his face as his eyebrows crinkled up in annoyance.
“It was idiotic..the whole point of the kiss was to alleviate everything.” He exclaimed before drawing a breath.
“I blame you entirely.”he said.
“You blame me? You eliminated me because you couldn’t deal with your little crush!” Noah snapped rubbing the bridge of his nose in annoyance.
Alejandro let out a long sigh before standing up. He felt uncertain about how he should proceed.
Maybe it was because Noah’s gaze was enchanting, he was staring right at him with his brown eyes that nearly made him melt. The look in them reminded him of the ferris wheel before they started arguing.
Alejandro frowned.
“Give me a chance.” He said, making it sound like a question.
“I want to try everything again.. a true first date and a true first kiss.” He said raising his eyebrow in a seductive manor.
Noah looked unconvinced.
“Why would I bother I already signed up for mocking online when I kissed you…how do you think everyone will react if they discover us in public..” Noah questioned looking like he was coming up with excuses.
“Do you really care about that my friend?” Alejandro asked looking doubtful.
“Fine..okay I’ll give it a shot as long as no one finds out.” He said defensively.
Alejandro couldn’t wipe the smile from his face as he uttered the words.
“You really are quite magnificent the way your eyes sparkle..” Alejandro commented as Noah glared at him.
“You really are nice to look at when you aren’t being an eel.” Noah said as a backhanded compliment.
“The plane leaves tomorrow you know..” Noah said still looking hesitant.
“Plenty of time for a quick rendezvous to a coffee shop," Alejandro said trying to sound as charming as possible.
“I thought you were Spanish," Noah said as a smile grew on his face.
“I didn’t know you were the language police.” Alejandro said standing and, moving closer to him
“Just because I agreed to this doesn’t mean I think it’s going to go anywhere..” Noah clarified.
“Is that so because you are blushing an awful lot.” Alejandro teased feeling a smirk worm it’s way onto his face.
“You are three inches away from my face what do you expect?” Noah said sounding exasperated.
“Want to make it zero inches?” Alejandro questioned.
“I think I instantly lost all my attraction to you with that one liner.” Noah said giving him a playful smile before closing the gap for real. It was a quick peck but, the feeling was addictive. Alejandro couldn’t stop smiling as they both pulled back.
“You are quite an amazing kisser.” He commented before he could even think about what he was saying.
“Yeah sure..” Noah said reaching down and grabbing his crutch that had fallen onto the carpeted hotel floor.
“Oh it is quite true.” Alejandro said.
Noah rolled his eyes.
“I’m already regretting this..” he said although Alejandro could tell he was lying even if his eyes remained focused on him.
“We’ll see about that..” he said with a mischievous smirk.
He was excited but, also scared at the implications of what he had just asked. He was letting his guard down. It felt unnatural but, also more comfortable.
Maybe that was the point after all, having someone who you didn’t have to act around. Alejandro wasn’t really sure and he didn’t really care about his reasoning.
All that mattered was the outcome and, even though he wasn’t sure of anything at all he had a strange sense of hope that however things went at least he tried to mend things.
After all, he had been the one to break them in the first place.