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The bruising had started just over a year ago.
Around the wrist, scattered across the stomach, on the legs sometimes, and even around the neck one or two times. All of which had become consistent for more than a year. All of which did not come from Alejandro himself.
Therefore, Alejandro could only draw one conclusion from this- his soulmate was being abused.
They were far too frequent to be a coincidence, far too suspiciously placed to be an accident, far too new to be common clumsiness. It was all something Alejandro knew plenty about.
Just like how he knew his own soulmate would have had the marks José was so fond of leaving on him since they were children. He hoped his soulmate didn’t think him weak to have them. They were his soulmate after all, someone who ought to complete him, to balance him in ways he couldn’t on his own, to love and cherish him no matter what, to understand him in a way others could not. His other half.
Not many would agree with him on that, however. It was not uncommon for people to ignore the concept of soulmates- out of those who had one in the first place. For instance, his parents weren’t soulmates- that’s where Alejandro thought they went wrong.
It was seen as a low-class thing- only they were unfortunate enough that their love was prepicked out for them with no say in the matter. Only those with money and power were able to pick and choose whoever they wanted and buy the affection that didn’t belong to them. It was a status symbol, not being with your soulmate.
But Alejandro never agreed with that notion: he was a romantic down to his very core. The thought alone that he had one of his own inspired hope, and it was what got him through all the difficult days (and months) of his life.
It was because of this that he owed a great deal to his soulmate- whoever they were. He could not assume after all, not like his parents did whenever they referred to them (it was always ‘her’ s and ‘she’ s).
Alejandro knew of his attraction to the same sex, just as his attraction to the opposite. He also knew of his family’s beliefs and views of same sex relationships. He had seen what had happened with Carlos and his soulmate. So, there was a high chance that his soulmate would be male, and Alejandro did not want them to go through the same scorn or psychological torment Carlos’ had to attempt to break them up so he could find a more ‘suitable’ partner. Alejandro refused to let that happen to his own- to his precious soulmate.
And now, there was physical proof that his soulmate was being abused. His soulmate was being abused and Alejandro could do nothing about it, just watch as the bruises and injuries appeared on his own skin. It wounded him more than any superficial wound could, knowing that his person, the one who his literal soul belonged to, was being hurt like that and Alejandro could not even sooth it for them.
Maybe that was the catalyst for this all, or maybe it was the way José treated him and how his parents did nothing about it. Alejandro simply could not stand it anymore- he needed to escape.
However, he was well aware of his lack of freedom. He was monitored by his mother, he was not allowed to take up a job (too low class for his age he was told), and his free time was taken up by studying, clubs, and José and his shenanigans. To remove himself from that situation, he knew he would need money, even if was just small enough to run away so he could stay with Carlos.
However, to be able to provide a safe haven for his soulmate so that they would also no longer have to worry or be bound by any form of abuse, Alejandro needed a lot of money. And in a short timeframe too, he did not know when he and his soulmate was destined to meet after all, and the longer he went without this financial security for their eventual future together, the more likely it was he would meet his soulmate and be unable to help them. So when he saw the casting call for total drama dirtbags and the prize money? Alejandro just knew what he needed to do.
Of course, he was surprised when it turned out that the host had been planning a different show all together. Even more so when it appeared that his fellow contestants did not remember his stunts with the bus. But well, that worked in his favour.
Alejandro was willing to do whatever it took to win that prize money- it was for his soulmate’s sake after all. There weren’t any levels he wouldn’t stoop to, including seducing, using, then discarding other contestants. What did he care? They weren’t his soulmate.
Sure, he did always feel slightly guilty at the flirting, it was like he was being disloyal to his soulmate. However, he did also reason that since he was still unaware of the identity of his soulmate, there was a chance that they were the one he was flirting with.
But still, Alejandro had a code. He would not flirt or seduce anyone who has already found their soulmate, anyone in a relationship. It was the honour of it all, he knew he would be fuming if anyone did the same to his soulmate after all.
Which was why, when he saw that clumsy one attempt to impress the dumb blonde and crash to the ground and witnessed a bruise forming on the blonde’s arm, he immediately abandoned all plans he had for her. The other blonde however seemed safe, she did enjoy his flirting, and she was eyeing up his arms like she was looking for any trace of a mark. Although she did also look guilty, but Alejandro put it in the back of his head, she likely just felt bad about being so blatant to check if they were soulmates. He might humour it once the teams had been decided, if not just to rule another person out.
~~~
Alejandro was unsure what to feel about his team. Their first impressions had certainly made them seem… interesting.
The clumsy one (Tyler, he reminded himself), looked to be useful. The rather large one (Owen, he believed) looked like he would be rather annoying. The other newer one, Sierra, unnerved him. The grumpy one seemed, well, Alejandro did not know what he seemed like. All he had seen from him so far were a few snarky comments, and then being manhandled by their fellow teammate.
It was odd of him, to have a favourite already, but the man with the far too many layers on for the climate they were in had definitely caught his attention with his wit. The comments he had made thus far, as sarcastic as they might have been, were certainly amusing. Even while they were directed at Alejandro.
“Yeah. This is gonna work.” And speak of the devil. Noah truly could not help himself, could he? Not that Alejandro minded, he had a feeling that it would make the team a lot less stressful to deal with.
“Have faith, Noah.” He replied almost cheekily. “Believe, in us.” Then just as he was about to jump, Sierra twitched, leg thumping slightly into his teammate’s side.
Alejandro watched (jump now abandoned) as the man in front of him winced slightly, a hand almost twitching towards his side, the very same one that Alejandro had a bruise that was not his own and a twinge of phantom pain.
Alejandro wasn’t stupid- but he was certainly hopeful. Could it be a coincidence that his soulmate would be on the very same team he were to compete on, or fate? It would certainly complicate things. Was he even his soulmate or was it all just circumstance?
But then again, if it was truly him… perhaps they could run away together during or after the show. Perhaps he would allow Alejandro to bundle him up in everything soft where he’s safe and away from harm.
“Dude, if you’re gonna work your magic shit then you better do it quick, I don’t think I can hold her up much longer.” He whined and Alejandro had to contain himself from dragging him away and coddling him until he no longer felt uncomfortable. Which would only be appropriate if he was his soulmate. Of which he was not yet certain of. Unfortunately, they had a challenge to win.
So he jumped up and beamed when he heard a “colour me impressed” from beneath him.
And well, unlike earlier with Bridgette, or any of the other contestants, this was not a slight chance. There was at least some proof that the man below him was possibly his soulmate and Alejandro would not be able to concentrate on the challenge until he knew the truth. In fact, the whole outcome might change depending on how true it was.
Which meant he needed to test it. Alejandro did not want to hurt him, no, not if he truly was his soulmate. So instead, he chose the other option. Alejandro scratched his own hand gently as small as he could until a drop of blood welled up and looked down at where the other’s hands where they lay on the camel.
He smiled in satisfaction at the red mark on his teammate’s corresponding hand that formed and was definitely not there before. So he was correct after all, Noah was his soulmate. Of course he was, he did seem intelligent, and he did have that adorable type of charm about him. Only his soulmate could have caught his attention so quickly.
However, that did mean that Alejandro would have to change his tactics for the season then. He would not tarnish their bond like that by allowing his eyes to stray while he knew who he was, even if it was just for strategy. The sanctity of soulmates was too sacred for him to even dare entertain the thought. But that did not mean his plans for the season had changed. He was going to win the money and finally move out, providing his soulmate with the perfect future and the opportunity to pursue whatever they pleased without the burden of finance. It just seemed that Noah will be doing so with him, by his side, for as long as Alejandro could keep him there (though perhaps it would make the perfect confession and reveal as a big romantic gesture at the end of the competition). He still did not know the cause of the abuse after all, it could be family, it could be friends, it could even be a lover of sorts. He despised the thought.
No matter who it was though, Alejandro would be his sanctuary- he had sworn that he would protect him after all.