Note: Usually, in the real shows, the contestants get a note in rhymes every morning telling them what the day will be about, but I tweaked that to have mostly Mello coming to announce the schedule, for some more interaction and because consider me as the producer of the show so I decide of the rules, bwah! XD
Don't expect too much development concerning the other contestants except for the ones I really need, it would have been uninteresting anyway because most won't stay long.
DAY TWO – 15 contestants / 2 to be eliminated
It was past 10am when the redhead opened his eyes again, awoken by noises. Talking, showers running, teeth being brushed... Not really happy to find himself in an unknown bed surrounded by boys getting ready, he comforted himself with the knowledge that every day started in the mansion was paid, so that was still one more on his account. One day here paid as much as a week at his previous job anyway.
Sitting on the border of his bed, he pulled his suitcase from under it, picked up clothes and his wash bag, and barely spared Lou a look as the boy tried to sit in his bed and grimaced because of the pain. Chuckling, he headed for the bathroom. Looked like someone would have difficulties to sit today.
A rock tune, the same as the first day, when Mello had made his first appearance, resounded a few minutes later. It was the signal for the boys to gather in the main room, and the madness that ensued only made the redhead take even more his time. He rinsed his mouth as he had just finished brushing his teeth, gathered his stuff, threw his wash bag on his bed as he walked past his bedroom, and entered the living room where all the others were lining up, still in the process of putting his tee-shirt on as he stopped at the far right of the line. Lou almost tripped on him as he arrived running, still with pyjama pants on, shirtless, obviously just out of bed.
The musician, who was standing facing the line of boys, his attire barely different from the day before, only the grey shirt replaced by a black one with a Motörhead logo, his hair falling on his shoulders contrasting with the garment, barely acknowledged the petite latecomer, his eyes focused on something else.
The redhead quickly combed his damp hair with his fingers as some locks fell in his eyes, looking at Mello come his way, wondering what the musician wanted, so close to him all of a sudden, under the others' gaze. The attention he was getting was becoming an habit it seemed, and he was far from liking it. Neither did the other contestants for that matter.
Mello crooked his index under the hem of the redhead's tee-shirt, pulling it upward, staring a few seconds at that particular area, then giving an approving smile to the boy before letting the back of his fingers stroke his abs slowly while he pulled the garment downward, back in place. The redhead felt the fine line of hairs between his navel and crotch raise with goosebumps.
Bending slightly, Mello approached his lips to his left ear.
"I'll do this redhead." he whispered out of the others' reach, before straightening with a sly smirk.
"You wish." the redhead retorted, keeping his poker face.
The other didn't reply back, his expression full of confidence in the fact that he'd get what he wanted. And the redhead was even more determined to show him that things wouldn't go the rockstar's way this time.
"Look at Cry baby... hard night babe?" Mello chuckled, as he shifted his attention to the boy at the redhead's right. That's when the redhead noticed bruises on the boy's hips, as he gave him a glance. Mello sure hadn't been gentle, not that it surprised him. That went with the character. "Go get ready, you look like you've been run over by a train."
Some of the other contestants laughed at that statement, but the singer was already moving on.
"Okay guys, we're having some fun together today so I can get to know you a little bit more, and see how combative you can be. I'm not spoiling the surprise so you'll have to wait till we get there, but I can already tell you that the winner of today's challenge will get to have a one on one with me tonight at my favourite place..."
"The Whisky A GoGo!" a few guys shouted.
"I see some of you have learn their lessons." Mello chuckled, "That's right, greasy burgers, loud music, and a special booth for two, so you'd better be good this afternoon boys! I'll give you fifteen minutes to join me in the bus that's waiting outside, lunch is ready in there, it will take around one hour to get there so you'll have time to get stuffed before the competition begins. No waiting for the latecomers so hurry up! And make sure to put on your best jeans!"
Mello turned around and left by the front door, all the boys already throwing ideas as to what was expected from them, except for Lou that had run to the shower and the redhead that simply went to put his shoes on, grab a pack of cigarettes, and head outside. Lighting in front of the main door, he rested his back against the wall and smoked peacefully, eyes closed, far from the buzzing in the mansion.
"Care to offer me one?" a voice rose from a few feet away, steps coming closer.
"I thought you could at least buy yourself a pack with all the money you're making." the redhead pulled the pack out of his pocket and handed it out blindly in front of him, not even opening an eye.
"Spent it all on girls."
The redhead laughed softly.
"Damn, a positive reaction, who would have believed!" Mello exclaimed cheerfully.
The redhead opened his eyes to glance at the musician, who had, for once, a genuine smile on his lips. It really did change all of his features, he noted.
"So, puppy, not really getting along with the ladies in there I assume?"
"I'm not really a people person."
"No shit..."
They smoked in silence for a while, still hearing shouts and stomping coming from the mansion.
"Do you really need money that badly? I mean, to do something that's obviously not like you, you must need it pretty badly..."
"Lost my job, although I suppose that I will find another one."
"Let me guess... Mario tee-shirt... that's quite nerdy... computer techie?"
"Game beta."
Mello laughed loudly. "Is that even a job? Damn, you were paid to play all day!"
"Says the guy who makes a living playing music." the redhead mocked him.
"Touché."
The boys were starting to exit the mansion, interrupting the little aside, so Mello hopped in the bus, leaving the redhead be last to come inside. The latter spotted the two only available seats quickly, one right next to Mello, and another at the far end, next to a guy whose name he didn't even know, a tall and well built brunette with a tribal tattoo on his arm. He opted for this seat and sighed, knowing he wouldn't be able to have a smoke until they reached their destination. They were allowed to smoke in the mansion, but not in the bus.
Munching on his food, Mello was staring at the redhead, realising that he already knew all the names (even if he couldn't remember them all, he had had them all at one point) but he had no clue about that boy. He was about to ask Danny, who was sitting next to the bus driver, eating a sandwich, but changed his mind.
Said redhead was focused on something that looked like a small gaming device, so he made his way to him, waving at the brunette to move from his seat, and plopped down right next to him, his arm encircling the redhead's shoulders as he bent over to peer at the console.
"Nice stuff you got there." Mello said casually.
"I hope you're only talking about my Vita." the other retorted, trying to ignore the arm and the scent that was coming to his nose, a mix of leather, smoke and probably perfume.
The musician chortled.
"Funny thing, I don't even know your name."
"Probably because you didn't ask."
"So, care to tell me or do I have to keep on calling you Puppy?"
"I'd rather like you not to call me at all, to be honest."
"And to think I can't even threaten you to throw you out of the bus because you'd like that." Mello sighed heavily, retrieving his arm, "So, Puppy it is, then?"
"Matt."
"Nice to meet you, Matt." Mello smiled in victory, "And this is probably the first time I mean it since the show began..."
"Oh please, keep that cheesy shit for Lou." Matt replied, rolling his eyes.
"I was being honest." Mello stood up, getting back to his initial place, leaving Matt with a feeling that Mello was actually sulking. It made him smirk, as he resumed his game. Spoiled brat.
Voices started cheering as a huge field came into view. Various activity poles were set but only few of them could actually be defined from the distance. There was a brick wall, a pool, the rest slowly appearing as the bus stopped on the parking just before the field.
Once everyone was out of the bus, Mello started to explain.
"Guys, you're probably able to guess that life with me is a roller coaster, and the first things you need to have to keep up with me are stamina and strength, so I'm gonna test these abilities of yours with an assault course. Some of the obstacles are pretty simple to figure out, but I've added some that are a bit more rock 'n'roll just to add to the fun. First thing, I want everyone shirtless. For the eye candy, of course, but also because you will have to get wet in the pool as you are. No taking pants off, that's why I asked you to wear jeans today."
"Hey, I proved myself last night! Do I still have to do this?" Lou exclaimed suddenly, almost pouting.
"You only proved that you can wake up the neighbours sweetheart." Mello dismissed him with a mocking voice, the others laughing their ass off. "And don't start crying." the singer added, not needing to look at the chestnut haired boy to know tears were threatening to fall.
Followed by the group, he started walking toward the field and the first activity: a huge wooden pole secured with four ropes tied to metal rings inserted in the ground, with scarves tied from yard to yard from the third one onto the top.
"Eleven yard guys, I hope you're not afraid of heights! Each colour of scarf equals a certain amount of points, according to that chart." Mello pointed out to a white panel at his left, "You go by two teams, and the one with the highest score wins, then I divide the winning team in two and there we go again, until there's only one of you left. I shall add that the pole has been covered in soap, so how you get the scarves is up to you, only the result counts. Only rule, you have to actually grab them with your hands only, no teeth, no belts, nothing. Jump, climb, crawl, I don't care. Just try to preserve your dignity." Mello chuckled, ready to enjoy the show.
The first boy to attempt the pole climbing ended up flat on his ass, followed by a good share of the next ones, the soap being a traitor, as expected. Most scarves were of the first colour, but few were brought back due to the failure of many of the boys to reach the first mark at least. No dignity was preserved at that point, but everyone stayed in a good spirit and the whole place resounded with laughters. Surprisingly, the last ones to go of each team were the ones that did best.
"It's no surprise, twigs are lighter than us!" the tall brunette complained, earning himself a dark look from Mello. "I didn't say that for you Mello, you're thin but you're..."
"Shut up." the musician spat, irritated. He had already faced a good amount of asses in the music business because he was openly gay, his stature was second in topics not to be brought up.
Mello was by no means skinny but his 5"7 and lightweight, although toned body had earned him quite the nasty comments related to the usual gay equal girly cliché. His long hair didn't help, although it was pretty common in the rock industry.
But if Mello was something, it was manly. Some had learnt it at their expense after being introduced to the singer's right hook.
And indeed, Lou and Matt, both for their respective team, managed to reach the second mark, Lou's team losing by one point.
The game went on until only two boys were left, a tall guy that bragged about being a model, and the redhead, who started to be exhausted with all this climbing.
"Ooh, Puppy versus Catwalk, nice." Mello cheered, quite satisfied with the sight of shirtless boys covered in soap, hair tousled and sweaty skin glistening.
There was actually more soap on the eliminated boys' chests than the pole at that point, rendering things a lot easier for the ones that remained in the run, and as the self proclaimed model took his turn, he managed to reach the second last mark, under Matt's disabused look.
Not that he particularly wanted to win a one on one, but still, he didn't like to lose a game and decided to take Mello's words literally when he said that how they got the scarves was up to them. Unsecuring one of the nooses, he stepped aside, imitated by all the other boys when they realised that the pole was now unbalanced and starting to wither, finally falling the opposite way in a deafening crash.
Matt slowly walked to the other end, unfastened the last scarf, and brought it back to Mello, who was laughing and clapping loudly.
"There sure is a brain under that insane wig of yours. I was wondering when someone would actually notice the easy way." He took the scarf from the redhead's hand, grabbing his fingers in the process and pulling him so he could whisper to his ear: "I hope you're as inventive in the bedroom babe..." in a sultry tone.
Matt straightened, regaining his balance, unfazed. "You call me Puppy, but you're the one who's acting like a bitch in heat." he murmured back.
Mello looked taken aback, but he quickly regained his composure to announce the next activity.