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Alec's elimination was surprising, at least that's what he wanted to believe. Unfortunately, as much as he wanted to believe he was wronged, deep down he knew it was coming. He saw it coming from a mile away; misfortune always seemed to find its way back to him and linger over him like a black cloud.
Everything was going perfectly, but as always, something had to go wrong. That was the story of Alec's life. His villain's alliance, which he had worked so hard all season long to keep together, would not turn out to be an exception, it seems. It would be quite funny if it weren't so sad.
Stepping onto the bus, Alec sat in quiet contemplation. Though perhaps it wasn't so quiet when thoughts were rapidly racing around his head, playing his mistakes over and over again like a broken record. Thoughts of what he could have done differently. Perhaps slowly distancing himself from Riya after that regretful kiss could have stalled his inevitable downfall. Alec, once again, was feeding himself lies he wanted so badly to believe; he wanted to distract himself from the painful reality of once again letting his feelings get the better of him and losing his way as a result. After all, feelings are for weak people. However, there was no escape from the feelings of frustration at yet another failed attempt added to his ever-growing collection.
Funny how the sting of those words still felt fresh even after two years had gone by. Even after everything, even after he had forgiven her, Fiore's words still haunted him.
The bus came to a sudden halt as the tires screeched.
"Alrighty friend, we're here," The bearded blond bus driver stated, opening the doors of the bus.
Snapping back to reality, Alec looked up tiredly.
"Ugh, stop your moping and get off the bus already!" The puppet accompanying the bus driver sneered.
Alec closed his eyes, letting out a long sigh as he slowly rose from his seat.
Well, this is it, he was back at the Losers' Motel once more. A place that brought back unpleasant memories from the last time he had played.
Stepping off the bus, Alec quickly paused as he caught a glimpse of a silhouette briefly in one of the windows.
Huh? He furrowed his brows in confusion. Maybe it was one of his fellow campers watching with satisfaction at his loss. Whatever, not like he cared, as far as he was concerned, he was heading straight for the bar anyway. Alcohol had been the key to dulling the pain and lulling him to sleep after being stuck in his own head for too long. Even if it was unhealthy, even if it really did more harm than good, being able to briefly escape his harsh reality and not having to feel the pain temporarily was fine by him.
As he stepped foot into the motel, a shadowy figure lingered in the stairway.
Alec clicked his tongue in annoyance. He was in no mood to deal with getting chastised over his gameplay right now. Seriously, don't these people have anything better to do?
"Look, whatever it is you clearly can't wait to say it to me right now, I'm really in no mood; it can wait until tomorrow." He said crossly.
Just then, he heard the sound of light footsteps making their way down the stairs. Appearing before him was a tiny girl wearing purple pajamas with the outline of a cat's head on the shirt.
"Jesus, took you long enough," The girl said, folding her arms as she stood on top of the steps.
Alec gritted his teeth at her choice of words. "I suppose that means you were expecting me to end up here again, huh?" He frowned.
"Well, let's face it, after all the crap that happened with Riya-"
"Fiore," he quickly interrupted. "First of all, shouldn't you be asleep by now?" He said, raising a brow. "Secondly, to put it simply, I'm exhausted. Could we maybe take a rain check on the mockery for the night?" He asked.
The girl opened her mouth to retort, but quickly fell silent. She looked around their surroundings for a moment before once again opening her mouth to speak.
"You were robbed, you know," Fiore mumbled softly, rubbing the back of her head awkwardly.
Alec quickly looked at the girl.
"I thought maybe you had a good shot at winning for a while, until you let Riya screw you over." She said, staring down at the floor steadily.
Alec chuckled in amusement. "I take it you wanted me to win then?" He questioned. He then paused. "Apologies for letting you down, Fiore." He said, smiling sadly.
"Oh, please!" Fiore huffed, rolling her eyes. "Be for real, Alec, it's not like there were any better choices for me to really choose from."
Alec let out a hearty laugh. "I'll take that as a compliment, I guess."
An awkward silence filled the air briefly, as the pair stood there, each trying to find the next words to speak.
"Alec," Fiore began rubbing her hand up and down her wrist.
"Hm?" Alec's attention was quickly grabbed by the girl.
"I..." She began hesitantly, staring down at her feet. "I'm sorry for what happened during our season..." She mumbled, her arm now bright red from furiously rubbing it.
Alec's eyes widened.
Fiore bit her lip. Was she trying not to cry...?
"Fiore," Alec spoke softly, making his way over toward her. "It's okay, really; I thought you knew by now that I've already forgiven you." He said, smiling warmly as he knelt in front of the girl.
"We both said and did some things I'm sure we regret, at least I know I did..." He continued, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.
Fiore still had her eyes fixed on the floor in front of her.
"It's okay, Fiore, really," Alec said, placing a hand on top of the girl's head almost instinctively.
Fiore flinched at his touch, causing Alec to quickly pull away.
"I meant what I said back then, you know," Fiore whispered.
"What, that you don't need me anymore?" Alec teased.
Fiore growled in annoyance. "Ugh! Not that, you jerk!" She cried out angrily.
"Kidding, I'm only kidding," Alec reassured with a chuckle.
Fiore looked up, glaring at him as she puffed her cheeks in annoyance. "I meant that I really liked you..." She mumbled. "And it was just, I don't know, weird?" She frowned. "I've never really felt that comfortable around anyone before, you know, until I met you, I guess..." She paused, once again not daring to break the steady focus of her gaze on the floor. "I'm the one who said emotions are for weak people, and back then, I really thought that was true," she clenched her tiny hand into a fist. "But after our season I..." she paused, falling silent for a moment. "I hated it, I hated that I missed you, Alec..." She whispered, her eyes beginning to fill with tears despite her valiant efforts not to let that happen. "Fuck!" She cried out angrily, sniffling. Making every effort to hold back the dam in her eyes, as if her life depended on it.
"Fiore..." Alec whispered, taking a handkerchief out from his pocket, gently dabbing the girl's eyes.
"Back off...!" Fiore hissed. "I don't need you to pity me, you know!" She exclaimed, her voice cracking.
"It's not pity," Alec reassured, putting the handkerchief back in his pocket. "I appreciate your apology, Fiore..." He whispered, pausing for a moment. "I guess I owe you an apology, too, huh?" He said, narrowing his eyes.
Fiore quickly looked up at him in confusion.
"Huh? For what...?" She questioned.
Alec sighed, furrowing his brows. "I think you know what..."
Fiore's eyes widened as she quickly looked down. "Oh that..." She mumbled. "Listen, Alec, it's fine, you were right..." She whispered.
"No, Fiore, I wasn't," Alec quickly responded. "What I said was inexcusable," he sighed. "And even though truthfully I was still upset with you come the start of this season..." He paused, narrowing his eyes. "I missed you too..." He mumbled.
Fiore looked up at him with a twinkle in her eyes. "Really, even after all that?" She questioned. "Eh, can't say I blame you, I'm pretty great, you know," she grinned.
Alec chuckled in amusement. "Yes, I know." He replied.
Fiore quickly blushed. "I don't need your affirmation, asshole..." She huffed.
"Well, looks like you got it anyway," Alec said with a laugh. "Anyway," he began, rising to his feet. "It's late, Fiore, you should really go get some sleep," he said.
"Oh my god, what are you, my dad?!" Fiore huffed in annoyance. "Remember how well that worked out for you last time?" She said, sarcastically rolling her eyes.
"Well, ouch..." Alec said, chuckling awkwardly. "Just go get some shut-eye, I'll see you tomorrow." He said.
Fiore's eyes twinkled momentarily before catching herself. "Yeah, I guess as long as you're not feeling too shitty from your hangover," she smirked.
"Fiore!" Alec cried out in alarm.
"Ha!" Fiore grinned, proud of her little dig. "Fine, whatever, I'll go to bed." She said, rolling her eyes as she turned back towards the stairs. She then hesitated for a minute. "You better not get too wasted, that old guy and his freaky ass puppet are hosting a scavenger hunt tomorrow, and I need a partner," she paused. "I mean, not by choice, but whatever," She added.
"Yes, fine, sounds like a plan," he said impatiently. "Well then, goodnight, Fiore," Alec continued. "Rest well." He said with a smile.
"Yeah, well, I kind of have to if we want any shot of winning," Fiore stated. "Goodnight, Alec." She said, beaming as she made her way up the stairs.
*
Alec hovered hesitantly in front of the entrance of the bar for a moment. "You know what," he began. "I'm exhausted as it is, maybe I won't have too much trouble falling asleep tonight..." He said, turning away as he headed towards the stairs.
He may have lost the competition and his shot at three million dollars, but hey, you win some, you lose some, and maybe if you're lucky, you get some back.