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Alejandro had to admit he was not used to feeling sympathy. In fact up until now Alejandro hadn't felt sympathy for anyone in the competition. He didn't care about all the horrible things that he was doing. Even taking advantage of Sierra's desire to be married to Cody hadn't made him think twice. Until last night that was.
Last night Cody had been running from her. Out of first class and into the main area where they took their meals. Alejandro grabbed Cody and dragged him under the table. At the time he'd just figured getting the geek away from Sierra was a good strategic move. That was all it was meant to be. But holding Cody in his arms, seeing how he shuddered, shook, and whimpered at the idea of Sierra finding him, he finally realized just how much her behavior had affected him. How much she affected him. How fragile Cody's clearly traumatized mental state was. Alejandro had felt sympathy like he'd never before. He wanted to help the geek, but he was also keen to take advantage of the situation to his benefit. How did he go about that? Surely there was some way to do both?
And into this came a thought. A simple but clever thought. He already had Duncan on his side, voting with him. Heather had no allies aside from perhaps Sierra herself. If he got rid of Sierra Cody would be grateful to him. He would likely do whatever he wished, and honestly of the four others remaining Cody was clearly the best to take to the finale with him. Alejandro would easily be able to take him down.
First he rids himself of Sierra, gaining Cody's trust. Then he uses his alliances with Duncan and Cody to get rid of Heather. After that Cody would obviously vote out Duncan with him. Not only did Cody hate Duncan, but the geek would feel indebted to him for getting rid of Sierra.
All of this was enough, but with Cody's fragile mental state, he'd be easy to sway. Alejandro could mold him into the perfect peon. There was something compelling in the idea. In having so much control over someone. Alejandro didn't have much control in his home life. The idea of someone listening to him, taking his needs into account, doing what he wanted of them, was an intoxicating thought.
All he had to do was make sure Sierra went home today.
/
The challenge couldn't have gone better. Alejandro had won immunity; Sierra had been given the boot, and no one had any idea what his plans were. Getting Sierra out had been simple enough. Cody had stuck to him the entire challenge, and the girl had gone insane trying to get him away from the geek. So getting her covered in Serengeti blood berry juice was easy.
Cody had acted as bait, and when she tried to pounce she'd landed right in the bush. After that, Ezekiel had attacked her, allowing him to seize victory. With her insane behavior being witnessed by Duncan, who had also been traveling with them, it wasn't hard to convince the punk to vote Sierra out.
Now he was alone in first class with Cody on his lap hugging him. He was crying tears of joy, clearly in disbelief that Sierra was gone. He looked so small in Alejandro's arms. Almost cute even. He paused at the thought, but determined it wasn't important. Now was the time to begin molding him, right as he was so very happy because of Alejandro. It left him vulnerable in just the way Alejandro wanted him to be. Now he need only figure out how to go about it.
He thought about Cody. What was the geek's deepest desire? Aside from being rid of Sierra. He thought back to his behavior when Gwen was around. He'd seemed quite smitten with her. Alejandro smirked as he realized that Cody wanted most. A companion, and deep connection with someone, romantic in nature.
It was an odd premise. Alejandro's expertise lay in seduction that was true, but he'd never used his wiles on a man before. He wondered if it would feel weird. Moreover, Cody seemed to be into women. Still, Alejandro was good at what he did, so perhaps it was worth a shot. If it didn't work out, that was fine. He could use friendship to get Cody's mind in the right place, it just might not be as effective.
Alejandro paused in the stroking of Cody's hair. "You know, I must say, seeing how Sierra's treated you, how much it has affected you, I'm surprised you made it this long. You are strong minded indeed my friend."
Cody hiccupped. "You think so? No one's complimented me on that before. Actually, no one really compliments me all that often about anything."
Alejandro took note of that as he cupped the geek's cheek. "Truly, but there is so much to compliment you on. You're earnest, intelligent, true to your feelings, and kind." To his satisfaction Cody's face turned red. It seemed the geek enjoyed being praised, and if his blush was any indication, he was not averse to Alejandro's advances.
It was strange but though Alejandro had never used his seduction on a man before, it felt surprisingly natural. It wasn't even hard for him to think up his next move. "And that's just your personality, physically there are many things to enjoy. Like your lithe body, and your pale flawless skin. Your slender fingers that seem to have been put to great use. Do you perhaps play an instrument?"
Cody swallowed and Alejandro could tell he was struggling to speak. "I- play the keyboard.”
Alejandro drew closer to the geek, allowing his breath to gust across the small male's face. "Really? Do your talents ever cease?"
Cody was looking into Alejandro's eyes. "But I'm nothing compared to you. You're way more talented and beautiful than I am. You can have any girl you want. Meanwhile, I can't even get a girl to respect me, let alone date me."
He looked so unsure and sweet; his eyes wide as they looked into Alejandro's pleading with him. Please tell me I'm wrong. Please tell me I have worth. Please make me feel wanted. Alejandro held this boy's self-worth in the palm of his hand. It felt so empowering. So amazing to have his opinion mean so much to someone. Alejandro knew what Cody was going through here. He'd felt it enough times on his own.
He could answer Cody's silent pleas. He could give him the validation he so desired. It would be the perfect way to make Cody his peon...and if it helped the poor boy then that was a bonus.
Alejandro leaned forward just the tiniest bit, pressing his lips to the geek's own. Cody kissed back with such fervor and need. Like Alejandro was all that mattered to him in that moment. Like the rest of the world didn't exist. Like he desperately wanted to lose himself in the feeling. Alejandro had the feeling Cody would be willing to do just about anything for him after this.
It seemed pretty obvious what Cody was doing. He was trying to use Alejandro’s affection to forget the trauma Sierra caused him. In part by doing something intimate of his own volition after all the times Sierra had forced him into such intimacy. It was his way taking control back. Obviously this wasn’t solving the root problem, but Cody wasn’t going to be getting help for that on this show. Perhaps after he won he’d use some of his money to get Cody the mental health he needed? That might be a bit too generous though…
They pulled apart, Cody lying his head back on Alejandro's chest as the Spaniard once again began to stroke his hair. Alejandro couldn't help the smirk that spread across this face. His plan had worked, Cody was his. He could do as he wished now...and if he himself had gotten some enjoyment out of that kiss, well there was no reason anyone had to know.
