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“Tyler time to pucker up!” Chris said handing him a fish that wiggled around in his grasp. He knew it was coming but, that did nothing to prepare him for how slimy it felt. Was he really left with the hardest task? He could feel the rest of the teams eyes on him, expected him to follow through so that they could win first class. Tyler was well aware who would be blamed if he couldn’t muster up the courage to make out with a fish like Chris wanted.
“Remember like you mean it.” Chris said almost taunting him.
“I don’t think I can do this…it’s a fish” Tyler protested.
“I don’t think I can either.” Dj said sharing his sentiments, although it seemed like it was for an entirely different reason.
Tyler turned back towards the fish, swallowing hard as Heather began bargaining with DJ, trying to convince him to pucker up. If he didn’t hurry up she would get her way and he would be left with the teams failure.
“Come on dude do you really want to stay in economy class?” Noah asked eyeing Alejandro who was currently speaking to DJ as well. They must have really wanted the poor guy to kiss the fish, Tyler wasn’t sure what that was all about.
“No but, come on man you don’t have to do it…it’s a fish.” Tyler protested again, eyebrows raising as the fish squirmed around.
“Just suck it up would you rather Chris give the victory to DJ? No offense.” Noah offered as Alejandro walked back over.
“My friend I believe in you.” He said.
Tyler glanced at him wearily and then back at the fish that only looked afraid.
“Listen..”Alejandro said putting his hand on Tyler’s shoulder and whispering into his ear. A shiver ran down his spine, why was Alejandro suddenly getting so close to him?
“Close your eyes-“he purred.
“Think of Lindsay.”
Tyler nodded his head staring back at the fish and trying not to disappoint the guy he had formed an alliance with.
“Oh..I miss her.” He said sadly, still finding himself hesitating.
“I know..”Alejandro said sympathetically.
“Close your eyes and be with the one that you love.” He coached gripping his shoulder tightly.
Tyler tensed up, feeling his heart race. He could do this. Just kiss the fish and be done with it.
He puckered his lips and slowly leaned in. His eyes were squeezed shut and his mind picturing Lindsay standing next to him.
The moment his lips connected with the fishes his mind filled in the blanks. Lindsay was there, lips on his and arms wrapped around his waist. God he missed her, he wondered if he would ever see her again. Maybe on that Aftermath show.
“Yes that’s it my friend keep it up.” Alejandro said squeezing his shoulder tighter.
Tyler nodded his head, mind Instantly picturing Alejandro’s expectant gaze. He couldn’t let the guy down, let his team down.
That was when Lindsay’s face morphed in his mind. Her delicate hands became rough and her soft lips felt different on his. What was happening? Tyler opened his eyes (figuratively) to see Alejandro with his eyes shut and lips on his. What the hell?
Tyler stumbled back, hitting the floor and tossing the fish in distress. It fell into a bucket that sat on the floor of the room.
“What’s wrong with you? Finally realize what you’re kissing?” Noah asked raising an eyebrow.
“I..uh ..I” Tyler stuttered failing to form a coherent thought with the image of him kissing Alejandro glued in his mind.
“Haha this is why I love this show.”Chris said smiling.
“Well since Tyler chickened out to the winner goes the spoils! Team Victory takes first class!” Chris announced as DJ opened his eyes.
“I did it? I won?” DJ asked looking confused.
“Yep congratulations..sorry Team Chris is Really Really Really Really Hot you were close but, not close enough.” Chris said sounding way to happy about it.
“My friend what happened you were so close?” Alejandro asked extending his hand for him to take.
He sounded worried, Tyler swallowed hard trying to muster up the courage to take his hand. All he could think of was Alejandro kissing him. Where did the thought come from and why was it taking over every inch of his mind. What scared him more was that for a brief second he had enjoyed it before coming to his senses. What was he doing? He was thankful no one could read his thoughts.
“Uh thanks dude.” Tyler said taking Alejandro’s hand and standing up. His firm grasp was reminiscent of the feeling of his arms wrapped around his waist. Tyler wanted to hide his face before he could further think about his impromptu make out session with fish Alejandro.
“It’s okay you tried your best.” Owen comforted giving Tyler a smile.
“Yeah..sorry man..”He said sadly.
“It is quite alright everyone makes mistakes at least we didn’t lose.” Alejandro said eyeing team Amazon smugly as they walked through the door.
“Right...” Tyler said scratching the back of his head and staring at Alejandro who had turned away from him.
Why had he agreed to kiss a fish? Tyler sighed feeling dejected. He had never even thought about kissing anyone other than Lindsay, he hadn’t wanted to. Why then did the transition from Lindsay to Alejandro feel so flawless, like he had been dreaming about it before. Tyler smacked his head, groaning when it hurt.
“Come on focus.” He muttered as the rest of his teammates stared at him.
“I think the fish gave him some sort of disease.” Noah commented.
“Hey..” Tyler said, eyes snapping over to him.
Noah shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.
At least the challenge was over.
Even thinking about it brought back the recent memory. Tyler sighed all over again.
This day wasn’t exactly going in his favor.
______________________________
Tyler was acting weird. Weirder than normal anyways.
Alejandro had observed that the behavior started after the most recent challenge, Tyler was avoiding him. It worried Alejandro, had someone talked to him? Was he trying to scheme under his nose? Tyler wasn’t the brightest but, if someone else was controlling him then there would be conflict. Alejandro still wasn’t done using him, he wasn’t sure exactly what he intended to use him for but, he wanted to keep his options open.
After around a day of his quick glances and unsubtle whistling when Alejandro looked his way he had had enough. He would confront him. Tyler wasn’t good at keeping secrets if he applied pressure then he would crack like an egg. That was why he had made an alliance with him and it was the reason he was going through all this effort to keep him around.
He was a vote, an easily changeable vote that he had to keep an eye on if he wanted to continue his clean run.
That was why he was prowling the halls in between the dinning hall and economy class- the place they had been stuck in with the Amazons because of Tyler’s less than stellar performance. He had wanted to win DJ over but, the guy was sitting pretty having first class all to himself. Alejandro hadn’t managed to sneak away without Heather calling him out, he wasn’t about to make anyone suspicious- no he could talk to DJ when night fell.
Tyler had gone to the confessionals ages ago so Alejandro was outside the door, waiting. He wouldn’t be able to escape him, whatever was bothering him would soon be revealed. Alejandro couldn’t hide his smile when Tyler stepped out of the confessionals, anxiety worn on his face. There was no doubt now- he would find out what he was hiding.
“Ah Tyler.” Alejandro said casually.
“Oh..uh hey dude.” He said, eyes instantly widening like there was a ghost behind him.
“What are you doing here..” Tyler asked, fumbling with his hands like he didn’t know what to do next. Interesting, he looked almost flustered? Alejandro leaned against the wall next to him, arms crossed and eyes trained on Tyler.
“I was simply wondering how you were doing..seeing as you did have to kiss a fish.” He asked trying to make his voice appear empathetic.
“Oh uh..fine man sorry I don’t know what happened one second it was Lindsay and then..”Tyler made a quick glance over at him, it wasn’t intentional but, Alejandro noticed how guilty he looked.
“And then Uh it was a fish again so I freaked out..”he said scratching the back of his head. Alejandro narrowed his eyes. He was close to the crux of the issue.
“I see..it happens of course you tried your best..does there happen to be anything else bothering you?” Alejandro asked raising an eyebrow.
“Uh no..nah I’m good I think.. I’ve tried washing my mouth out a million times but, I can still taste the scales..I don’t even like sea food..”Tyler said sighing.
Alejandro stood up, leaning in towards him slightly- if only to test his theory. Tyler stepped back, unsure. Alejandro was intrigued. He had never seen Tyler act hesitant around him, nervous even. In fact he knew almost for sure that he was blushing.
“Are you okay my friend..you look like you’re holding something back..”Alejandro asked slowly stepping forward as Tyler stumbled back, shoes nearly catching in the floor before he caught himself. Alejandro was surprised he didn’t fall over from how unsteady his posture looked.
“Uh no.. dude I promise ..I-“ he stammered, hitting the wall and swallowing hard. Alejandro knew he was close, whatever it was had to deal with him, he knew that. What exactly was he trying so hard to keep in, knowing Tyler it must have been something good or he would have blurted it out already.
“It’s Just Uh..I..Uh..I swear I like girls!” He exclaimed, eyes shutting and hands flying out like he was swatting flies away.
Alejandro only looked at him confused.
“What are you talking about my friend?”Alejandro questioned.
Tyler glanced to the side.
“I didn’t mean to say that..”he said shaking his head like he was internally telling himself to shut up. Knowing him it would be a couple seconds before he was spilling his guts.
“Look don’t tell anyone okay please I’m begging you man but, I have to tell someone..”he said.
“Your secret is safe with me…we have an alliance after all.” Alejandro said to helpfully remind him of the fact in case he forgot any details.
“It’s about the fish.” He muttered.
“Go on.” Alejandro said backing up to give him some space. His intimidation had done the job, it was subtle enough that Tyler hadn’t commented on the fact that he was practically pressed up against the wall. A smile curled on Alejandro’s lips, everything was going perfectly.
“When you said to kiss Lindsay or picture her I did man I swear but..”he started looking hesitant to finish the thought.
“Are you sure you won’t tell anyone..or laugh..look it was an accident I swear I don’t like..uh never mind.” He said sighing to himself. Tyler was never graceful when he spoke, Alejandro found the fact charming, it meant that he always let secrets slip.
“I promise my friend I will not judge you.” Alejandro said giving him a reassuring smile.
“Okay..”Tyler said back to messing with his hands again.
“I was kissing Lindsay..or fish Lindsay for a little while but, then it did something weird I dunno it morphed or something and instead of Lindsay I started Uh..kissing- I started kissing you instead so I freaked out and made our team lose.” He admitted looking to Alejandro for any response.
So that’s what it was. It wasn’t an alliance, it wasn’t a juicy secret that would turn the game in its head, no it was a stupid fish kiss. Alejandro sighed internally. He could make do, the fact that Tyler was thinking about it meant that his charm hadn’t just extended to the girls, no matter how much it looked like Tyler was trying to deny that fact.
He could work with it all the same, maybe even secure his alliance- ensure that no one else interfered with his set aside votes.
“It is quite alright my friend there is no need to be afraid.” Alejandro said reaching his hand out and putting it on Tyler’s shoulder.
“You’re not like freaked out or anything? I swear I wanted to tell you and just get it over with but, I couldn’t man it was just to weird.” He explained.
“I will not judge you..after all I am very amazing.” He said with a playful smirk.
“Right..I didn’t mean to I swear..it was a one time thing I don’t usually think about kissing other guys.” He said.
“Besides I have Lindsay ..”Tyler said looking determined. Alejandro had to admire his persistence.
“So you didn’t enjoy it?” Alejandro asked pushing his boundaries, he figured Tyler would be more worried about formulating a response then wondering why Alejandro was suddenly flirting with him.
“I..I don’t…uh...”He said swallowing hard and staring into Alejandro’s eyes. He wasn’t bad looking, Alejandro could see why Lindsay fell for him. Alejandro was enjoying the way his cheeks were colored a bright shade of red.
“I don’t know man does it matter..?” he asked clearly trying to deny whatever the truth was. Alejandro knew it was for Lindsay, despite how forgetful she was Tyler remained loyal to her. It was nice to see someone had standards at least, standards that he would slowly break down.
Alejandro slowly leaned in closer to him, face next to his ear as he whispered something to him.
“It’s okay if you did my friend I won’t judge.”he said.
Tyler glanced around, looking for some way to escape as Alejandro smiled.
“It was weird..different I don’t know but, I don’t like guys..no offense man you’re hot..I mean good looking or whatever but, I swear I like girls..” Tyler muttered, Alejandro knew he was stringing Tyler along but, he wanted to mess with him- make it easy to dispose of him if he needed to.
“You’ve said that a lot but, I don’t know if I believe you.” Alejandro purred.
Tyler didn’t say anything, it looked like all coherent thought had shut down in his head. Tyler didn’t need to answer the question Alejandro could clearly see it written on his face.
Without another word he moved his face towards Tyler’s lips, connecting them together while he stared wide eyed. It was a slight tap, nothing like DJ had done to the fish during the prior days challenge. It was meant to confuse him, make him feel guilty for feeling so conflicted, so that Alejandro could hang over his head the fact that he wasn’t pulling back.
The feeling wasn’t uncomfortable to Alejandro, in fact he enjoyed it slightly- not that it mattered what he felt.
He drew back after a moment, removing his hand from Tyler’s shoulder.
“I will see you later my friend..thank you for telling me the truth.” He said nodding his head as Tyler only stared blankly. Alejandro only felt the slightest bit guilty. It was for the million, not because he wanted to try it. He simply wanted something to remind Tyler who exactly was leading the charge- just in case Heather turned her attention towards his teammates.
It was perfect, he was perfect. No one could resist him.
Alejandro gave Tyler a smile as he turned around, hand held up as a parting goodbye.
He had won.
It had been almost to easy.
Everyone fell to him eventually, all it took was time.