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Noah couldn’t believe he was about to do this. He didn’t like Alejandro. He definitely didn’t hate him, but he certainly wasn’t someone who’d go out of his way to comfort the guy. And yet, that was what he was going to do.
Noah and Alejandro were currently on a new all stars season of Total Drama. Noah wasn’t actually sure why he was invited. He was hardly an All Star. Apparently it was because of his popularity and the idea of a rivalry between Alejandro and Noah was ratings gold.
Noah was actually on the Heroes team owing to his actions against Alejandro. And so far things were going okay for them. Two challenges in and the only person they lost was Lindsay. Which Noah didn’t consider much of a loss honestly.
They’d won this last challenge and Noah was sitting on the porch of the spa hotel reading when he saw Alejandro heading towards the dock of shame. Normally Noah was not the kind of person who let curiosity get the better of him. Today was a different story.
After they’d lost the challenge the villains got into a fight. They’d been doing that basically since they got here. The difference this time was Alejandro’s reaction to it. Not that Noah could blame him for having such a reaction.
The villains had been arguing over who’s fault it was that they lost. Noah personally thought Lightning was the obvious choice, and it seemed Jo agreed with him. Lightning had protested, claiming that he was beneficial to the team. When asked who they should vote out instead, the football jock had singled out Alejandro. Why? Because he couldn’t walk at the moment due to his legs being locked up.
The Spaniard didn’t get loud. He didn’t argue or make a fuss. He didn’t even try to defend himself. He simply left. Not that anyone at the villains table noticed.
That night Lightning had been eliminated, but Alejandro was in the bottom two.
So when Noah saw him walking on his hands towards the dock of shame, he honestly couldn’t help himself. He wanted to know what was going through his head. The dude was a slimeball, but being called out as the one to fail your team because you’re disabled for reasons beyond your control? No one deserved that.
Noah saved the spot in his book and began to walk after him. He’s honestly not sure Alejandro will want to see him, but he doesn’t think the Spaniard should be left alone. It takes him a bit to get there, but he can see Alejandro long before then. Sitting at the edge of the dock with his feet in the water, staring out into the lake.
Noah didn’t say anything as he reached the dock. He simply stood there for a moment, and upon not being told to leave took a seat next to him. The two of them remained silent for some time. Noah’s not really sure how long that time is. Time always seems to go far more slowly when you’re sitting in silence. There’s only so many times you can watch your toes scrunch in your swim sandals before you get bored.
Eventually Alejandro spoke. “It’s been a while. Why are you here?”
“Just wanted to see how you were doing after that fight earlier.” Noah admitted.
The Spaniard gave him an odd look. “You actually care? I thought I was an eel dipped in grease?”
Noah huffed. “You are, but you don’t deserve to be called out like that. Especially when you’re doing your best and it’s not your fault.”
Alejandro sighed. “Gracias. But it’s something I’m used to.”
Noah blinked. “It is?”
The Spaniard nodded. “Noah, do you know why I wanted to win the money so badly?”
“To beat Jose?” The cynic guessed. It certainly wasn’t because he needed the money. His dad was a diplomat.
“That is only a small part of it. You see Noah, it was to prove something. To my family yes, but mostly to myself. To prove I could do things. That I was not a failure. That things aren’t always my fault.” Alejandro sighed.
“Do you know what it’s like Noah? How it feels to be scorned and treated as a failure by your own family? Ever since I was small I’ve never been good enough. And no matter what happens, you’re the one at fault.” The Spaniard took a deep breath clearly trying not to cry.
“If the family photo turns out blurry, it's your fault for moving. Even if your brother pushed you. If the family gets embarrassed in public? You’re the one who wasn’t composed enough. If your brother breaks his leg in an attempt to prove he’s better at skateboarding than you? That’s also your fault. You shouldn’t have shown off. ” Alejandro’s eyes were brimming with tears.
“Because that’s all you are to your family. You’re not a person. You’re not someone to love and cherish. You’re just a lighting rod for everything that ever goes wrong. You’re nothing but a scapegoat, and that’s all you’ll ever be to them. No matter what you do.” At this point the tears were running down Alejandro’s face.
Noah’s not good at comforting people. He’s well aware of this. His empathy is lackluster at best most of the time. So he did the only thing he could think of. He slowly reached up to touch Alejandro’s face, and upon not seeing any sign of discomfort he brought his hand up to brush the tears from the Spaniard’s eyes.
“And I’m guessing the fact that your legs no longer work isn’t helping things.” Noah said.
“No. I imagine whenever I do get home I will receive a lecture about letting my emotions get the best of me, and allowing Heather to get one over on me. They probably won’t even care that I’m permanently hurt. Not for my sake anyway. If anything they’ll view it as a weakness and say I make the family look bad.” Alejandro sighed.
Noah didn’t know what to do, but he does know that he needs to be there for Alejandro. A feeling bloomed in his chest, familiar but long buried. A warm glow of attraction and a desire to know Alejandro on a deeper level.
Noah began to run his fingers through the Spaniard’s hair. “Someone cares. I care. And if you asked some of the other’s I’m sure they’d say they cared too. You’re not a scapegoat to me. You’re a person, and that person is someone that deserves help. Even if you are an eel dipped in grease swimming in motor oil.”
Alejandro smiled at him. “Gracias, mi amigo, Gracias.”