The Master [MxMxM+]

54

After the disqualification...

"Welcome to my humble home."

The five men sat huddled together on the couch and on the floor. "Why are we here?" Asked Mason. "It's not part of the game is it?"

Hades fell asleep while Jet held him, his hand absentmindedly stroking his black fur.

"No," Tadashi answered him. "But I'd like for us to play a game."

"I'm not sure what you're trying to get at but we've sort of had enough of games," said Riley. He'd lost the easy smile that had almost seemed permanent on his face.

Tadashi made them all tea and handed each one a cup, then sipped on his own.

No one looked sadder than Zel did as he sat with his legs folded on Mason's lap, a protective arm wrapped around him as he looked a little stressed.

Tadashi settled across from them. "I know," he said. "But I want you to listen to what I have to say, if you all don't like it then I'll drop it and each of you will be home in no time."

He could tell they didn't like that idea. They wanted to be together, as unhappy as they looked.

They seemed skeptical after hearing what he said. As if weighing the options and trying to decide what was worth it.

Jet finally broke the silence. "If you're going to talk about Alexander then... I think we'd rather not," he said.

"Well...sort of," confirmed Tadashi and he noticed Mason already looking angry. "I just want us to...kind of make a deal." He shrugged.

He'd try again if they didn't want to hear what he wanted to say. But he had a pretty good feeling.

"I think...maybe we should," said Pierre. He seemed so shy as everyone listened. "I know we're all angry but it won't hurt to hear him out."

Before Pierre even finished speaking, everyone was already on board with him. Tadashi was glad.

"Fine. What?" Asked Mason.

Tadashi set his cup down and leaned back. "All of you need to talk."

"I'm sorry but if he wanted to hear us out then we wouldn't be here. You realize he's the one who disqualified us right?" Countered Mason.

"I know, but the reason why he did that was only because of the rules, it had nothing to do with his feelings," said Tadashi.

"What?" Asked Mason.

"It's true, Alexander is just..." Tadashi drifted off then went straight ahead.

"Is just what? Finish the sentence," said Mason.

Tadashi shook his head. "He'll open up to you guys, I know it."

"I'm fairly convinced he doesn't feel anything for us. He'd have said so if he did," said Pierre. He was clearly affected more than he was showing.

"I wouldn't say so," he replied. "You haven't seen him lately," Tadashi shook his head. "He hasn't even stepped foot back in the mansion."

That had faces of surprise from everyone. "Is he okay?" Jet asked.

"It's what I'm trying to say, he really isn't doing well but he'd rather deny it, that stubborn..."

Tadashi didn't complete his sentence yet again.

"Either way, I don't think any of this matters to him, from what I've gathered, he'll just get more of us the next year. You know... replacements."