A/N: Last chapter was mostly set up so get ready for the meat of the fic!
He was outside walking around the lake again. The crisp night air felt amazing as he set a brisk pace. It wasn't long until he began to hear that singing again. This time he was even more taken in. He couldn't think straight as he walked towards the notes, not even pausing as he walked into the shallows of the lake.
In the center of the lake Noah floated, clearly the source of the singing. His eyes were half lidded as usual, a playful smirk on his face as he beckoned with a finger. Alejandro felt compelled to continue, and stepped forward again, the water rose to his chest. Noah's teasing smirk seemed to ask if was scared. Obviously he wasn't, he could swim well, so he swam further into the lake towards Noah. The lanky teen's smirk widened as he drew close, and then he dove into the lake.
Alejandro looked around, trying to find him. Where had he gone? No matter, he'd surface soon enough. A minute went by, then two, by the third minute Alejandro was starting to worry. Had he drowned? He decided to check and dove into the lake himself.
He struggled to see in the water, it was dark, and he found himself feeling around more than anything else. He couldn't find Noah and he was struggling to hold his breath. He moved to surface when something grasped his ankle. He couldn't see what it was, but it had a strong grip on him. He flailed more than aware how little air he had left in his lungs, but despite his attempts the things grasp would not weaken. Eventually he couldn't hold his breath anymore and his mouth opened. Water flooded in and Alejandro started to choke. He was drowning. He was going to die. He was on the floor of the cabin?
Alejandro blinked. It had only been a dream? Geoff was looking at him nearby, the blonde's eyes were half open and he looked tired. "Dude, you good?"
Alejandro nodded and Geoff closed his eyes again. He checked his watch. Seven A.M. he'd only had about five hours sleep. That wouldn't do. He needed at least seven to get proper rest. He got back on the couch and closed his eyes. He felt bemused at himself. The stories about the lake must have affected him more than he had thought.
When he next woke the sun was streaming in through the windows, far too bright to sleep through. The smell of coffee was in the air, along with the sizzling of bacon in a pan. He sat up to find DJ cooking breakfast. "Morning sleeping beauty." The brickhouse greeted him.
"Buenos Dias to you my good friend." Alejandro said he checked the time, nine A.M. Just enough sleep. He glanced over at Geoff to see he was still sleeping. "Are the other's awake?"
"Nope, I didn't sleep too soundly last night, so around eight thirty I figured I'd make everyone breakfast. If I know Owen, he'll be out here soon." DJ said.
Alejandro sighed. Of course he would be, still, this was a pleasant surprise. "That's very gracious of you mi amigo."
"No big deal. I like cooking anyway." DJ pointed to the full coffee pot, a half full plate of bacon sat next to it. "Feel free to help yourself. I should have pancakes and eggs made soon." He poured himself a cup of coffee. It was good strong stuff, and DJ had made it perfectly. The coffee was good enough that he almost didn't mind when Owen burst into the kitchen screaming about Pancakes. Almost.
DJ had just barely started on the pancakes and Owen scarfed down the few he had made in two seconds. Owen reached for one of the pancakes cooking and Alejandro chuckled as DJ hit his hand with the spatula. "Ow that smarts!"
"Wait until they're done cooking at least!" DJ scolded. The ruckus woke Geoff, who hopped to his feet quickly.
"Sweet DJ's making breakfast!" The party dude cheered.
It wasn't long before Duncan was awake as well. Owen got his pancakes and eggs first, and while he went to get seconds, DJ didn't let him have anymore until everyone else got some as well, which Alejandro was grateful for. As everyone began to eat their food, and Owen started on his seconds, Geoff spoke.
"So what are you all doing today?" The party dude asked with his mouth full. Alejandro shuddered at the poor manners on display.
"Might explore the lake, check out the woods." Duncan smirked.
"Cool, met this cute blonde chick in a wetsuit yesterday. I'm hoping to spend time with her today." Geoff said.
"I'm gonna go for a walk and take in all the beautiful sights nature has to offer." DJ said.
"What about you Al?" Owen asked, not bothering to stop eating. Truly he had all the manners of a pig.
"I met a girl yesterday as well. I may speak with her about some things." He admitted. "Though I'll likely spend time in the lake as well. "
"Sounds like we've all got plans then." Geoff said.
"DJ I must say these pancakes are marvelous. What mix did you use?" Alejandro asked.
DJ looked taken aback. "Do I look like the kind of cook who'd use pancake mix? No, I made' em from scratch."
"Of course, I should have expected as much." He replied.
The rest of breakfast went by with the usual idle chit chat and it was not long at all that they all headed out to do their own thing for the day. Alejandro looked over the lake and easily spotted Gwen. A spot of black amidst the color. He approached her with a smile. "Buenos Dias Gwen."
"Hey," She replied, much more at ease with him now that she knew he had no intention of hitting on her. "So, seen anything strange?"
Alejandro smirked. "As a matter of fact, I was going for a walk last night when I heard the most enchanting singing, but it turned out to be a young man sitting on the edge of the lake. He tried scaring me with some talk about dragging me into the lake, but I'm certain he was merely messing with me."
Gwen looked intrigued. "What did he look like?" Alejandro gave her a description of Noah, down to the fact he was dripping wet. She pointed a bit down the lake shore. "Is that him?"
To Alejandro's surprise it was. He didn't know why he was surprised to see Noah. After all, he was here on vacation as well. He was just as dripping wet as when he'd last seen him.
"Yes actually. Can you believe he was trying to scare people last night?"
Gwen frowned. "Just be careful. Something about him feels off."
Alejandro rolled his eyes. "I will." He walked a bit down the shore to the lake to where Noah sat.
The smaller male smirked up at him. "Back for more are you?"
Alejandro smirked. "Please, you couldn't scare me in the dark of night, no way you're going to be able to during the day."
"Think whatever you wish." Noah shrugged.
"So do you come here every summer?" Alejandro asked.
"I live here." the cynic said.
"I didn't know you could live in the cabins here." He said.
"Who said anything about cabins?" Noah smirked.
He chuckled. "Let me guess, you live in the lake itself?"
"Yes." the brunette deadpanned.
"I have no idea how you say that with a straight face." Alejandro said. "You really should give it up. You're far too cute to be a monster." He froze up as he realized what he'd just said. Had he just admitted to finding Noah attractive?
Now it was Noah's turn to chuckle as he slid closer. "Cute huh? Appearances can be deceiving. I could be a serial killer for all you know."
"Well, I find that very unlikely." Alejandro replied, struggling to think straight. Had Noah's eyes always been that rich a brown? "I uh," He looked for some distraction from his now very apparent attraction towards Noah. He found it in the form of something green. "Hang on, you've got something in your hair." He said, pulling out a long green weed from Noah's hair. "You really should be more careful swimming in this lake."
"Whatever." Noah said. There was a tense silence. Alejandro had leaned forward to get the weed out of Noah's hair and as such he was much closer to the male than before. Close enough to notice how smooth his skin was, how the light glinted off his still dripping wet form. The water flowing down the planes of his chest. A coy smile was on Noah's face now. "See something you like?"
Alejandro swallowed. He was trying to stop his mind from imagining his tongue running over those trails of water. Not only because that would be an admittance to the fact he was attracted to the male in front of him, but because it would be very forward of him considering they'd not know each other for more than a day if that. In fact Alejandro couldn't think of another time he'd wanted to do something so intimate so quickly. Certainly he'd gotten more than a little frisky with some girl's mere hours after meeting them, but that never went further than some necking.
There was just something so mesmerizing about the way the water flowed over Noah's supple body. Noah continued to look at him as he slid into the water of the lake below, his coy smile only growing on his face. "Are you joining me?"
Without much thought Alejandro slid into the water next to him. Noah tread water as moved closer and closer, until Alejandro could feel his hands on his bare shoulders. Alejandro wasn't really thinking at this point, too wrapped up in the moment to remember that he was feeling his way towards a guy. He didn't know when it happened, if he'd leant forward or Noah had, but his lips were on Noah's and he didn't mind.
The smaller male's hands toyed with his hair as Alejandro ran his hands down Noah's chest. His skin was clammy from the water and his lips tasted of lakewater. There was something ever so slightly off about all of it, but Alejandro was too overcome with desire to take notice of that. Nor did he realize that he was very much making out with another man in front of a large group of people.
When he finally pulled away from Noah Alejandro was gasping. He was in disbelief of his actions. Had he really just kissed Noah in front of all of these people?! What if his 'friends' saw and mistakenly said something in front of his parents? He wouldn't put it past Owen.
These thoughts were driven from his head as Noah leant forward. "Alejandro? I'd love to see you tonight. If you want?"
Alejandro nodded. "Alright." Noah swam away and Alejandro closed his eyes and breathed in. Once he'd gotten his bearings he opened his eyes. To his surprise most of the lake had gone back to doing whatever it was they were doing before. He made his way back to Gwen and sat down next to her. "I can't believe I just did that."
"Neither can I." Gwen said, looking serious. " Alejandro, didn't you find it odd that Noah was still dripping wet the entire time you were sitting on the side of the lake?"
"It takes a while to drip dry." He pointed out.
"But it never slowed, he never seemed to get dryer. He just kept dripping." The goth frowned.
"Did he?" Alejandro asked. He'd been too distracted to notice whether he had or hadn't. "Are you sure you're not seeing things? You have heard a lot of those stories about this lake."
"Sure, but didn't you find it odd how quickly he came on to you?" She asked.
"No?" Alejandro frowned. People came on to him very quickly, and he came on to others just as quickly. So this was in no way strange to him.
"I'm just saying something feels off about him. I'd be careful if I were you." Gwen warned.
Alejandro rolled his eyes. "Fine." Gwen didn't look too convinced.
"I'm serious. It's all fun and games, but something or someone is responsible for the disappearances over the years. I don't want that happening to you." The goth said.
"I can take care of myself, but I will use caution." He told her. He got up, and decided to sunbathe on the cabin deck.
The rest of the day was relatively uneventful. He sunbathed for an hour or two. He ate lunch, read his book and went for a swim. Overall it was a very nice day, but he couldn't stop thinking about Noah. Was Gwen right? Was there something off about him? Alejandro didn't think so.
Around seven DJ made some of the steaks they'd packed for dinner and roasted some potatoes in the fire. Truly they were getting the best food on this trip. As they ate Geoff spoke up. "So I was talking to the girl I met, Bridgette, when I saw someone making out with a guy in the lake." Geoff teased.
Duncan smirked. "So Alejandro the woman whisperer turns out to be bi. Didn't see that coming."
Alejandro sighed. "I would appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone back home. Particularly my family."
DJ gave him a sympathetic look. "Dude we won't out you."
"Yeah what happens at the lake stays at the lake." Geoff said. "Right Owen?"
"Of course! I won't say anything! Just uh, you're not alone." Owen said.
"What do you mean?" he frowned. The other three boys stared at him in disbelief.
"Dude, does he really need to spell it out for you?" DJ said.
"I thought it was pretty obvious." Geoff agreed.
"It is." Duncan nodded.
"How did you know?!" Owen gasped.
"Justin." All three boys said.
Alejandro was still confused. "I have no idea what's going on."
"Seriously? Dude Owen is the most obviously closeted bisexual I've ever met." Duncan said.
Alejandro blinked. "Owen you're not into me, are you?" He said, hoping with all his heart Owen wasn't.
"No. I mean you're hot, but I really only see you as a friend." Owen replied.
"Gracias a dios." He muttered.
"Sorry if that upsets you." The blonde continued.
"No, I really only view you as," An oaf? An Annoyance? The bane of his existence outside of Jose and his parents? "A friend as well."
"Oh good." Owen sighed. 'That's a relief."
They finished dinner and as the others were trying to convince DJ to watch another monster movie, he decided it was time to head to the lake. He stepped out into the night air, breathing deeply. It was just as nice as it had been the previous night, and just like the previous night, the most mesmerizing singing reached his ears. He'd almost forgotten how beautiful it sounded, and having heard it before did nothing to make it less so. In fact if anything he was even more entranced. He followed the singing more than willing to do so. It was not long before he reached Noah, sitting on the side of the lake. This time he was looking at Alejandro expectantly, that coy smile on his face as he continued singing.
He slid into the water, still singing as Alejandro drew close. Alejandro was utterly taken in by the sight, not even noticing as he too entered the water. He joined Noah easily. The cynic stopped singing.
"I was hoping you'd come." He whispered. "After your friend warned you about me I was afraid you might have changed your mind."
"Who? Gwen? She's just a little concerned because of all the people that have disappeared from the lake. I told her I'd be cautious."
"And yet here you are in the lake with me, and not another soul in sight." Noah smirked.
"I'm not worried about you." Alejandro said.
"No, of course not." Noah said, a teasing look on his face. "A logician like you would never be scared off by something so silly." He swam around Alejandro and wrapped his arms around him from behind.
"It really is silly isn't it? The things humans come up with to explain the unknown." Alejandro said.
"Indeed," Noah whispered into his ear. "Too bad I'm very real." And with that Noah was dragging him into the water.
"Very funny Noah you can let go now." Alejandro chuckled.
Noah's smirk became very malicious. "I don't want to." He kept dragging him down and Alejandro decided enough was enough. So he shrugged off Noah. Or at least he tried to. For someone so skinny Noah was remarkably strong. Alejandro began to struggle.
"Noah! What are you doing?!" He screamed.
"What do you think?" Noah replied. Alejandro was fighting to stay above the water. He reached behind him to attempt to loosen the smaller male's grip. It was dark and he couldn't see where Noah was grasping him. Even if he had succeeded in grabbing Noah's hands he would not have been able to free himself. Sometimes however, fate decides to give you a hand, and it did so in Alejandro's case. He didn't know what he'd grabbed, but suddenly Noah was no longer standing there, and in his place was a pitch black horse, dripping wet with water.
A/N: Okay tell me honestly. How many of you figured out what Noah was before the reveal?
