#bobby mckenzie x mc

[thatwheelchairchick]

After The Villa - Chapter 3

[lucas-koh]

I wrote three little fics for @mrsbsmooth for Christmas ! Happy holidays to you and ily 💞

Gold

Lewie x MC

This guy is incredibly cute. His eyes are blue and his hair is blonde—no, wait, golden —and he’s got that lean muscular figure a lot of footballers do. Sweet and handsome and charming at just one glance. She doesn’t know if she’s found someone this cute, this quickly, since Idris Elba in The Wire.

Frankincense

Bobby x MC

Unfortunately for her, or for Bobby, or for both of them; Aisling is too horny and too tipsy to not be feeling a little flustered about this position. He’s… His body parts fit nicely into hers, and he’s harder than she expected because—my god, does Bobby McKenzie have muscles? Shit. That’s the last time she drinks dark ‘n’ stormies and lets her brother’s best friend take her home.

Myrrh

Hamish x MC

He’s working her harder than she’s ever worked for him for real; he’s relentless, uncompromising, determined. Just like he is behind the desk in those glasses, chewing on that pen, spreading his legs as he leans back in his big leather wheely chair.

[longbobmckenzie]

I've written for Bobby, Henrik, Lucas, Levi, and more! Mostly S2 with some S1 and S6 sprinkled in (and a few fics featuring S3 characters in minor roles). Bobby is heavily featured since I had a lot of ideas for him, but I think I've retired from him now!

Under the Influence - A series of fics featuring my OC Josie, including 2 full-length villa fics (one complete, one in progress) and multiple oneshots. Some of these are alternate timelines.

Whiskey & Scotch | Bobby x MC | Explicit - the OG. A slow burn villa fic that takes canon and twists it to create a fresh new story. Ranks 3rd in the fandom in kudos! Complete, 230k

One for the Road | Bobby x MC | Mature - a post-villa oneshot set around Christmas after W&S

On the Rocks | Bobby x MC x Lucas | Explicit - an in-villa threesome in an alternate universe. Explicit

Another Round | Bobby x MC x m!OC | Explicit - sequel to On the Rocks, also a threesome, this time featuring a male OC. Explicit

Worth a Shot | Lucas x MC | Explicit - a separate alternate timeline, in which Josie picks Lucas over Bobby. Explicit/Mature

Whiskey & Wildflowers | Henrik x MC | Explicit - alternate timeline villa fic with Henrik as endgame instead of Bobby. plenty of changes to the original but still the same basic storyline

The Adventures of Long Bob McKenzie - pirate!Bobby, anyone? These are all complete and all rated Explicit. The first 2 are short chaptered fics.

Edge of the World - inspired by the boys' pirate chat at dinner, a swashbuckling tale of adventure and romance

Sails on the Horizon - a sequel with a new villain, new adventure

Dead Men Tell No Tales - a oneshot set in between the events of EOTW and SOTH

Fix Me - a series of 4 fix-it fits for various S6 scenes featuring Roberto as the love interest. 3 are with the same MC, the other is unrelated

Convince Me | Roberto x MC | Explicit - A steamy hot tub date gets even steamier

Join Me | Roberto x MC | Explicit - A rewrite of the recoupling when Elliot steals MC, and the daybeds scene with Roberto

Choose Me | Roberto x MC | Teen - A Stick/Twist ceremony rewrite

Love Me | Roberto x MC | Mature - A rewrite of the terrace date

These are all chaptered fics ranging from ~20k to ~120k words...

cashmere & cocoa | Henrik x MC | Explicit - a short, smutty chaptered fic in which MC finds shelter in a snowstorm at Henrik's cabin. Henrik x MC, Explicit

not the only one | Henrik x MC | Mature - a truncated villa fic starting with the aftermath of the disaster recoupling. Henrik x MC, Mature

it's just a crush | Bobby x MC | Mature - a slow burn Bobby AU in which Gary's younger sister has a crush on Bobby for years. Bobby x MC, Mature

Bobby, meet Lucas | Bobby x Lucas | Explicit - an in-villa fic in which Bobby's got it bad for Lucas, but Lucas can't stand him. Bobby x Lucas, Explicit

(Help) Wanted | Levi x MC | Mature - a short Levi AU in which he goes on the run for a murder he didn't commit

Amelia Can't Win (WIP)| Marshall x MC | Mature - After finding out the truth about Zeph, MC plans her revenge against her sister

Luc & Hen's Sexcellent Kinkventure (WIP) | Lucas x Henrik | Explicit - Kinktober 2023 fic in which Lucas and Henrik are porn actors who are also dating each other

Bobby

saving the best for last | Bobby x MC | Mature - basically what Bobby gets up to on a hoe route

first impressions | Bobby x MC | Mature - Bobby regency fic

lights, camera... love? | Bobby x MC | Explicit - pornstar Bobby falls for his scene partner

anatomy of a heartbreak | Bobby x Lucas | Mature - Bobby has a crush on Professor Koh

Henrik

under my skin | Henrik x Bobby | Mature - Henrik's in love with Lucas, who's dating Bobby. Bobby is a little shit. Lucas forces the two of them to spend a weekend together...

one last good thing | Henrik x MC | Explicit - Henrik has a healing cock. don't ask.

When the Dead Come Knocking | Henrik x Lucas | Mature - LITG x The Walking Dead

doggy fashion | Henrik x Arjun | Explicit - Arjun and Henrik meet through their dogs (sorta?)

the stars shine bright | Henrik x MC | Mature - Henrik camping fluff

cocked and loaded | Henrik x Lucas | Mature - Henrik/Lucas forbidden romance mafia AU

kaleidoscope | Henrik x MC, Lucas x MC | Mature - MC meets her soulmate... days before she's supposed to marry his best friend

Other

someone like me | Lucas x MC | Teen - Friends to lovers

the lengths we go to | Mature - MC plans to win and steal the money

regrets | Teen - Rohan regrets not confessing his feelings

Jo & Tim & Blake & Rohan | Explicit - bang-or-die foursome. don't ask

dewey decimal system | Noah x MC | Explicit - Library smut

Wings of Fate | Roberto x MC | Teen - Fake Dating/Childhood friends reunited

work for it | Marshall x MC | Explicit - one night stand

dream hunter | Song of the Crimson Nile | Titian x Eva | Explicit

things you said when you were drunk Magnus x Josie | Bobby x Josie | Bobby x Scarlet

things you said after you kissed me - Bobby x Lucas

things you didn't say at all - Lucas x Josie

things I wish you'd said - Lucas x Josie

things you said over the phone - Magnus x Josie

things you whispered in my ear - Bobby x Magnus

things you said through your teeth - Henrik & Magnus

“I’ll keep coming back for as long as you want me to.” - Bobby x MC

“Stop being so hot, please.” - Bobby x MC

“I love you, but I love her more.” - Bobby x Lucas

[queen-of-boops]

Fic Summary: 1940s Chicago. It's a place ruled by the dueling McKenzie and Doyle families. The mafia has the entire city under it's thumb, the rivialry between the families the only thing that endangers their seemingly unlimited power.

Detective Elizabeth Barnes has the potential to change all that. But when she goes deep undercover inside the McKenzie crime family, the black and white lines she's used to define her morals start to blur.

Pairing: Bobby x MC

Rating: E

Read here on ao3.

PLEASE CHECK THE TAGS BEFORE READING!!!!

Tag list: @future-mrs-suresh @0shewrites0 @kunepie (let me know if you want to be added!)

[thebonnielass]

so i was in the middle of class, daydreaming about fake dating bobby au! where he pretends to be mc’s boyfriend to deter her ex from forcibly taking her away from a party.

then they have to keep the whole charade going bc her ex was not convinced in the slightest that they’re actually together so before he knew what was happening, mc was already coaxing him closer by the chin and they end up kissing in that crowded bar, in front of her ex, with bobby not even knowing her name.

butterflies fluttered around in his stomach at the slightest touch of her fingertips on his arm and he pulled away from the kiss just. dazed. finally, ex begrudgingly left her alone, and they found themselves enjoying each other’s company the rest of the night, dancing and having fun, getting to know each other. and y’all, by the end of the night, he is absolutely whipped.

but after the party, it was as if she never existed. he never got her number because the words tipsy and bobby together did not bode well. so there was no way to contact her. he moped about it for a few days bc he was an absolute melt who met the most awesome girl in the world and he didn’t even know who she was!

his friends have had enough of his pining. so, like all good friends do, they investigated. they decided to go to the host of the party and ask about bobby’s mystery girl, and even the host didn’t seem to have an idea. they checked in with everyone they knew, to no avail.

feeling defeated, bobby decided that okay, maybe it wasn’t just meant to be, y’know? it’s not like he deserved to find love anyway. not with the rate he was going in his love life, and how immature and insecure he already was. no need to drag another person into his mess. right?

so he was going to do what he could do: grab a cuppa, swallow the feelings and move on with life. he trudged on over to the first coffee shop he could spot and grumpily ordered a hot tea to go.

“oh, hey, it’s you.”

bobby blinked at the sound of a familiar voice, his pulse increasing with every second. he slowly raised his head to meet her eyes and it’s like the butterflies all over again. she smiled, “i didn’t expect to see you again. thanks for…y’know, the party.”

she was here.

“wow! it’s actually you!” he grinned widely. “and no worries. the guy was being a proper bellend.”

they shared a laugh.

“so,” she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and asked, “what can i get you?”

bobby gave her his order and watched as she punched in his order. to his surprise, she offered him the receipt.

he arched an eyebrow at her. “i didn’t pay yet.”

she winked at him. “on the house. anything, for my knight in shining armour.”

he couldn’t help the rising blush on his cheeks. bobby cleared his throat with a boyish grin, gesturing to the receipt. “thanks for this…” he glanced at her nameplate. “mc.”

so she was called mc.

mc.

what a nice name.

“i’m bobby, by the way.” he offered her his hand and she shook it, her wrist much slimmer than his. “nice to meet you.”

“nice to meet you!” then, she shook her head. “and really, it’s my pleasure. i really didn’t know what i’d do without you.” she sighed. “he was awful. i didn’t even know they were going to be there!”

bobby frowned. “where were they going to take you?” he looked behind him. the coffee shop was relatively uncrowded today; for once, the universe seemed to be on his side. thank god it was a slow day.

“i honestly don’t even know,” she grimaced. “and i’m thankful i didn’t have to find out…” then, she shot him a grin. “so yeah, thanks again!”

“oh!” then, as if being struck by realization, she moved to take a cup. “uh, i’ll prepare your drink! you can take a seat over there while you wait.” she pointed to a nearby table for two.

“actually…” bobby swallowed down the growing lump in his throat. “do you mind if i just wait for it here? we could chat…for a bit?”

she beamed at him. “sure!”

while waiting for his drink, bobby found himself talking to her again over the counter, nothing much, just idle chatter about anything and everything under the sun, but bobby was happy about it anyway. he finally found her. the realization hadn’t quite sunken in yet, and he was happy to revel in her presence…that was, until mc’s phone suddenly rang in her pocket.

she smiled apologetically and pulled away momentarily from the conversation, taking a peek at the screen before scowling. she pocketed the phone and groaned.

noticing her sudden change in demeanor, bobby asks them, “what’s wrong?”

“they’re on their way here. again.”

his stomach fell at the sound of that. “they’re still tailing you?”

“i know, i know,” she bit their lip. “it’s honestly gotten even worse after the party and it’s making me think of quitting my job–“

“how much worse are we talking here?”

she cringed. “uh, following me home in their car type of worse?”

alarmed, bobby frowned. “and you didn’t think to call the police on the guy?!”

“bobby, i’m already scared shitless enough. i don’t need you lecturing me right now!”

he breathed out, then smiled at her. “look, it’s going to be fine.”

“ha!” she scoffed wryly. “you don’t know that.”

“i do know that.”

“how?” mc narrowed her eyes at him.

“because your fake boyfriend says so,” he says casually, making a show of staring at his hands when internally, he was already way into bricking it.

“i…” she stared at him incredulously. “what?”

“it worked last time, right?” bobby asked, leaning over the counter. “me pretending to be your boyfriend, that is.”

“but i don’t want to bother you any more than i already have–“

bobby scoffed. “you’re not, lass!”

“but–“

“look,” he started with a crooked grin, “if you really want to make it up to me, just buy me a cup of tea again and we’ll call it even, yeah?”

she worried her bottom lip. “…are you sure about this? because i genuinely don’t want to be a bother or anything like that.”

“i’ve never been surer of anything in my life.”

mc stared at him. seeing the unwavering determination in his eyes, she sighed defeatedly. “okay.”

“okay?” he smiled.

“yeah,” she nodded.

for a moment, silence enveloped them both. bobby didn’t know what to do except sneak glances at her.

were they really doing this? even though he was the one who suggested it and she had accepted his offer, he worried that she was pushing herself.

before he could ask though, she spoke up, breaking the silence. “hey bobby?”

“yeah?”

she held out his cup of tea with a flourish. with a mischievous glint in her eye, she asked, “will you be my fake boyfriend?”

he laughed, taking the steaming cup, their fingertips brushed against each other, sending shivers down his spine.

with a knowing smile, he said, “anything for you, lass.”

—

bobby and mc go on a ton of “platonic” dates after that, majority of them in bobby’s favorite arcade. even after they successfully drove mc’s ex away, they continued spending every minute of their free time talking on the phone or hanging out, doing what it is they had planned for the day.

their feelings for each other grew with every day that passed. bobby was already into her, and it would be a lie if mc said she wasn’t equally attracted in him. but bobby was way too scared to make a move, and mc didn’t think he saw her as anything but a friend.

they were stuck in a conundrum of their own creation.

but it seemed love found its way, anyway.

their first kiss happened while they were messing around in the kitchen, flour covering their goofy faces bobby’s kitchen counter. bobby playfully gave her a nose boop and she responded with a kiss.

and just like that, they weren’t pretending anymore. there was no need to. not when they knew that what they had was real from the start.

—

okay, wow. did not expect this was going to be a whole ass thing. i just rly love this cake boy sm 😭 what a man he is UGH

aight back to hopeless pining over this pixel man kbye

[dawnsbreaking]

cruel summer - chapter one

noah/cmc rose/bobby litg s2 rewrite status: ongoing chapter wc: 3,715

The moment Rose Prichard stepped out of the car and onto the front steps of the Villa, she was completely overwhelmed. More overwhelmed than she had been during the application process where she had barely anything interesting to say about herself, or during the pre-show interviews where she felt that she had to play up her personality so much that it was no longer hers.

read on ao3 series masterlist want to be tagged in future chapters?

The moment Rose Prichard stepped out of the car and onto the front steps of the Villa, she was completely overwhelmed. More overwhelmed than she had been during the application process where she had barely anything interesting to say about herself, or during the pre-show interviews where she felt that she had to play up her personality so much that it was no longer hers. She was even more overwhelmed than she had been during the outfit fittings where they told her that half of the swimsuits she’d chosen were either not revealing enough or didn’t fit right. Rose had never worn a bikini in her life before that day a few weeks ago. And here she was wearing a stringy little thing on television for everyone, her family and friends included, to see.

Another Jeep pulled up and a gorgeous girl, tall and slender, wearing a flashy swimsuit with bright colors that both compliment the villa and contrast her perfect skin, stumbled out. She was unsteady for a half-second before quickly regaining her balance and striding over, walking confidently on high heels, swishing gorgeous braids over her shoulder.

“Oh wow, hi!” The woman threw her long arms confidently around Rose’s shoulders. “That outfit is incredible!”

Rose, overcome with nervous energy, beamed at the woman. She looked down at her own bikini, hardly having the presence of mind to remember what she was wearing. A pretty green that complimented her dark hair and contrasted her too-pale skin, though there was hardly enough fabric for the color to matter. She was certain that eyes would be elsewhere. “Thank you,” she said, her voice coming out quieter than she’d attempted. She was far too soft-spoken for reality television.

“I’m Hope,” she pulled back but kept her grasp on Rose’s arms. “What’s your name, hun?” Hope is Love Island material all over, outgoing and bright with a smooth voice.

“I’m Rose,” Rose said, forcing her smile brighter, making her cheeks ache. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s so nice to meet you!” Hope’s grin widened still. “I can’t believe we’re finally here! And we’re the first two! Where is your accent from, love?”

Rose blinked. That was several sentences said in such quick succession. But, of course, the accent was going to come up. Rose was, technically, raised in Cambridgeshire. She was a citizen with an English father, but she spent the first fifteen years of her life in Texas and took after her American mother. Her mannerisms were English enough, but her accent was fireworks-on-Fourth-of-July American. “I was born in Texas,” she said. The easiest explanation. “Where my mom is from,” She laughed, joking to break the tension, “My dad is from London but he hardly speaks.”

“Ah,” Hope nodded understandingly, grin giving way to a more serious expression. “That’s quite cool.”

Surely, as soon as this episode airs, everyone will be wondering why they had ever let this American on Love Island UK? She could only hope that her fellow contestants won’t be wondering the same.

“I forget that my accent is different sometimes,” Rose said. She waved the subject away with a hand. “Where are you from?”

“I’m from London!” Hope lit up again as she said this. “Shall we head inside? Check out the Villa?”

Rose nodded. “Sure thing.”

The Villa was an assault on the senses, kitschy neon decor, and bright overhead lights. Thankfully, Rose had allowed Hope to lead the way, she found herself following blindly as they traipsed through the fever dream of a building — part vacation house, part TV set. Where Rose would be spending an indeterminate amount of time being filmed 24/7 to be seen by millions of people. She felt sick.

“How are you feeling?” Hope asked as they slid open the bedroom door. Several beds line the walls. Beds Rose will be sharing with strangers.

“I feel sick,” Rose said, surprising herself with her honesty.

“Oh hun,” Hope frowned. “Stick with me and you’ll be fine!”

Rose laughed, worried suddenly that she’ll appear dramatic or whiny or too serious when this episode airs. Quick on her feet, she pulled a joking tone, “Promise?”

Hope laughed, “Promise. You saw me almost trip coming out of the car, right? We’re both a little nervous.”

“Oh my god, I wasn’t going to say anything.”

Hope shrugged, laughing slightly, and Rose took the opportunity to change the subject. “How do you feel about sharing a bed with one of the guys tonight?”

“Fine, it’s what I came here to do, no?” Hope’s answer was that easy confident Rose had already come to expect from her. Presently, she wondered if Hope was putting on a show or if she was truly always this confident.

“I suppose,” Rose said. “I just hope I fancy one of these boys.”

“Agreed!” Hope giggled, “I’m well picky.”

“Me too!” The nervous energy Rose harbored now manifested itself in her becoming more outspoken than she’d ever been. She felt as though she was shouting just to match Hope’s tone.

“I’ll be so disappointed if I’m not into anyone,” Hope said. She laid back on the bed, leaning on her elbows, studying the too-bright ceiling. “It’s been so long since I’ve even been on a date, I’m so busy with work usually.”

“Oh, same here,” Rose’s voice was back in her control now, softer and more steady. “What do you do?”

“I’m a Retail Ambassador for the Squiddles brand!” She launched back up from her lying position as she said this and Rose half expected her to produce a business card from her bikini. “What about you?”

“Still in grad school, studying literature,” Rose mumbled her boring, nerdy answer, feeling Hope’s energy drain from the room.

“That’s so interesting, babes, really! You must be quite smart, then?”

Rose shrugged. “Booksmart maybe, just nerdy. And broke, student teaching doesn’t pay much.”

Before Hope can reply, another voice called from the doorway, in a sharp Aussie accent, “Hey girls!”

A gorgeous girl in a strappy plum swimsuit flowed through the doorway. She’d abandoned her heels at the front door, walking languidly and quiet as a cat on bare feet. Again, all Love Island, glossy hair, and makeup done flawlessly. She looked as though she’d had her own personal stylist that no one else was privy to. At least her skin was as pale as Rose’s, they could share her — likely expensive — foundation.

“Hey!” Hope stood to hug the girl, giving her a tight squeeze and a pat on the back. Rose followed suit, taking care not to smudge her heavy makeup as they embraced.

The new girl looked Rose and Hope up and down in turn. “You two are going to be strong competition!” She sounded just a touch nervous, voice bordering on shrill.

The three girls exchanged friendly compliments, an attempt at disarming each other. ‘I love your eyeliner’ meant: ‘I come in peace.' ‘Your style is incredible’ meant: ‘I mean no harm.' A peace treaty was settled instantly with a couple of makeup tips. More discussion revealed that the new girl, Lottie, was a makeup artist, hence the perfect contour. And that she was from Melbourne, hence the sharp accent.

“Doing makeup is not exactly the best way to meet boys, though,” Lottie joked. “Are there not any hot boys in grad school?”

Rose let out a surprised giggle, loving how Lottie was straightforward and casual so quickly, she could see them becoming great friends. “Not really. But I’m mostly here because I needed a break from everything. The way I see it, finding a boyfriend would be a bonus.”

Hope nodded her head once, an exaggerated bob. “Good way to be.”

As the other girls — a mousey redhead named Hannah and a snarky law student named Marisol — came into the Villa and introduced themselves, Rose felt herself settling into the atmosphere more and more. She wasn’t sure she’d ever be accustomed to the bright colors or all of the cameras, but she could easily imagine becoming attached to this group of girls.

When she’d watched past seasons on TV, Rose had always wondered why they brought each girl in one by one. Now, she understood that more useable footage was likely produced that way naturally. She’d had the same conversations about her job and her accent now four times over, only one instance of which would be used in the final episode.

She wondered if she’d ever be able to forget the way she was being watched.

“Oh!” Lottie jumped at the sound of the phone in her little fanny pack. She was the only one the black bag suited. “I’ve got a text!” She relished the words as she said them, clearly chuffed to be the first to get to say them.

Rose’s stomach turned again as Lottie read. They would be choosing boys.

“And the first to choose is…” Lottie read, looking up and around the room expectantly. “Well, probably not me.”

Dreadfully, Rose heard a little ding from the phone in her hands. A text, instructing her to go downstairs to the back garden, she would be chosen first.

“It’s me,” Rose squeaked, rising from the bed. “Wish me luck, then?”

She could hear the chatter of the girls behind her as she walked out of the bedroom. She carefully followed the cameraman down to the back garden, grateful that the sparse crew seemed to know where they were going. Over the back porch railing, she could see that five men were standing out by the pool, but she didn’t stop to look. The camera was following her closely and she didn’t want to seem over-eager.

As she came to stand on the platform, she heard the show’s host trilling on about her, giving the short bio and fun fact she’d provided in one of her auditions. Each sentence sounded like it ended with a bold exclamation point. “Rose is a 23-year-old literature student, born in Texas! Currently studying at Cambridge! The daughter of two professors, she’s a booksmart broad! Her fun fact: She’s got a twin brother, but we couldn’t get him on the show!”

For his part, John Prichard would have been on the show in a heartbeat if it weren’t for prior obligations. He was an actor, loud and easy-going where his twin was not, that would have jumped at the chance to be on television if only he weren’t already acting in a television series.

“Hello!” Rose remembered to smile brightly as she spoke to the boys. “Nice to meet you all.”

As the boys introduced themselves, Rose only caught about half of it. She smiled warmly at Noah on his turn, who was easily the prettiest of the bunch, and laughed at Bobby’s joke because he was last in line and the only one speaking loud enough for her to hear clearly. The others had passed in a blur. Gary seemed a nice, normal bloke but definitely wasn’t her type, another boy — whose name she didn’t catch — didn’t appeal to her at all, and Ibrahim was good-looking but she didn’t get much else from his fumbled introduction. When the host asked the boys to step forward, though, all five of them did so with little hesitation.

“Wow,” Rose faltered. As much as this was flattering, it made her choice that much more difficult. “Um,” She thought hard to remember their names. “Gary, why did you step forward?”

“You look great,” Gary said, before hastily adding, “I mean! You look my type, I love a girl that puts a bit of effort into her appearance.”

That settled Gary into a ’maybe’ column, he was sweet enough but she wasn’t the type of girl he was describing. She’d never wear this much makeup off camera. It was still yet to be seen whether she’d keep up this appearance for the cameras past day one.

“Fair enough,” she smiled. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t catch your name,” She looked hopefully at the next boy, going in order of where they were standing because it seemed the most polite way.

“Quite alright,” the boy said, ruffling his messy brown curls in a nervous shake. “It’s Rocco. And I feel like you and I could have something special.” He gave a practiced wink.

Rose nodded politely and settled him into a ‘no’ column in her mind. Way too full-on.

Ibrahim gave a noncommittal answer, making Rose think that perhaps he had just stepped forward on principal. Another no…

“Noah,” Rose said, smile softening. She felt as though she’d have to handle this one with care, he struck her as quite shy. “Why did you step forward?”

He smiled in kind. “I feel we’d have a lot in common.”

Of course, a literature student and a librarian would have a lot to talk about. He would be a solid choice. And he was gorgeous.

She couldn’t help but agree. “I reckon we would,” she said.

Before she could ask, Bobby jumped in. “Saving the best for last, then?”

Rose giggled, surprised at his boldness and at how easily he made her laugh. His tone and timing made it clear he was naturally funny, something Rose could appreciate.

“Bobby,” she asked, “Why did you step forward?”

“You seem like the type of girl that isn’t too concerned with looks, I rate that. Don’t need the competition when we stand together, you know?” He laughed, throwing her an over-the-top wink that did its job to show he was kidding.

She laughed, nerves making the sound come out just a bit louder than she’d like. The joke wasn’t great, but she appreciated his assessment of her looks a bit more than Gary’s.

“Attagirl,” he grinned. “If you pick me, you’ll be laughing all the way to the bedroom.”

That sentence, beginning to end, made Rose blush.

Gary grumbled, “And in it.” Which got a laugh from the boys and a polite giggle from Rose, still distracted by Bobby’s words prior.

“Now’s the time to choose, Rose,” the host said, “Go on, then.”

“I’m spoiled for choice, really,” she said, this is something she had heard lots of girls say on the show before. It seemed fitting. Bobby was probably a safe bet, he struck Rose as someone who didn’t take things too seriously and would be a fun partner. However, it was clear that casting had set her up. Noah was exactly her type on paper, choosing him seemed the obvious thing to do. Wouldn’t step on any toes. “I think you’ve all made a wonderful impression.” A white lie. “But I’ve always believed that a great foundation to a relationship is common interests. For that reason, the boy I’d like to couple up with is Noah.”

Noah grinned easily, stepping back into place as Rose came to stand next to him. On first, second, and even third dates in the past, Rose had been uncomfortable with physical contact. Not that she minded it, but she was never sure when it was alright to initiate it, so she usually reserved herself to waiting for the other person to take the lead. Thankfully, Noah wrapped a strong arm around her shoulders, gently pressing his weight into her in a protective gesture. Now, settled in the arms of a very pretty man, Rose could feel her nerves calming.

“Are you happy that I picked you?” Rose asked, just above a whisper, as they waited for the next girl to make her way down from the house.

Noah looked into her eyes, a deep gaze that felt almost too intimate somehow came naturally from him. “I’m excited to get to know you.”

A tactful response that Rose could respect. Perhaps she’d already met her match. “Good answer.”

The standing and waiting while other girls picked was much more exhausting than it looked on TV. By the time Hope was coupled with Ibrahim, Lottie with Rocco, Marisol with Bobby, and Hannah with Gary, Noah had looped his arm around her waist and allowed her to lean her weight into him. He was soft all over and smelled like sunscreen, a nice distraction from being baked in the sun.

Rose had never understood how people on Love Island could be so intimate with one another on the first day before. But this kind of closeness was just what was done on Love Island. Not out of the ordinary. She felt as though she’d stepped onto an alien planet or into an alternate universe. One where Noah, gorgeous Noah, gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek and led her towards the poolside without a second thought. One where he held her tightly by the waist as if they were a couple — a real couple — when he’d only just learned her name.

“That takes much longer in real life than on TV, no?” Rose joked as she removed her heels, finally, and dipped sore feet into the cold water of the infinity pool. “I don’t know why I expected it to be so much quicker.”

Noah lowered himself to the edge of the pool, his gaze flickered between her and the camera crew descending upon them. “Showtime,” he said, and then, “How are you feeling? About the couples?”

Rose smiled charitably despite his non-sequitur. “About our couple?” She asked, trying once again to get something out of this mysterious librarian.

“Hm.” He grinned and leaned back on his elbows, clearly enjoying their game of Who Will Admit They Find the Other Attractive First. Terrible game.

She sighed, giving in, “I picked you so obviously I’m glad that we’re in a couple.”

“You could regret your choice,” he said.

She raised an eyebrow. “Are you trying to make me regret my choice?”

Blessedly, his smooth grin broke into a chuckle. Progress, at last. “No, god no. I’m just—“

Rose interrupted him, teasing, “Looking for validation?”

Another gentle laugh. “Something like that.” He sat back up and took her hand in his, settling it on his lap. Eyes reaching for her with that deep gaze again. “I’m excited to get to know you. I think you and I will get on well.”

She nodded, satisfied. “That’s all I need, really. What do they say? It’s ‘early days’? I’d like to know where your head is at while we’re coupled up but I don’t care if you’re ‘grafting’.” The classic Love Island UK slang sounded odd coming from her, perhaps it would have been best not to use it at all, keep her slightly southern — very not from the UK — American accent from being the center focus.

“Your voice is cute,” Noah said, face serious again. He never holds onto smiles for long, does he? “Where did they say you were from, again?”

“Texas.” Her face felt warm at the compliment, easing her insecurity in an instant. “Were you not listening during my introduction?” She was not sure why teasing was always her preferred method of flirting, but it was, and there was no changing that now that nerves were getting the best of her.

“Right. And you’re here studying…”

She nodded. “Literature.”

“You have a favorite book, then?”

Rose scoffed. “I have several. You of all people should know that you can’t just pick one. Librarian.”

He shook his head at her, a slight upturn at his lips. “What book did you bring with you, then?”

This year, contestants had been allowed one book for recreational purposes and one religious text if they felt so inclined. Though it was promised that there wouldn’t be much time for reading.

“I brought two,” Rose said. “My Siddur and Dune by Frank Herbert.”

Noah raised a questioning eyebrow. “Sid…?” He trailed off.

“It’s a Jewish prayer book.” She suddenly felt exposed under the harsh light of the sun and the harsh glares of future viewers.

“Ah.”

From her research, (binge-watching) Rose knew that most Love Island contestants were either vaguely culturally Christian or not religious at all. She’d worried this would be another strike against her. She was Jewish, not from the UK, not much of a drinker, not much for casual sex… An impressive list of differences between her and other Love Island contestants. Why had they cast her in the first place?

“Did you bring a book?” She asked, desperately pulling herself from the depths of her self-consciousness. She was meant to be flirting and performing a carefree summer attitude. Not worried whether the viewers will think less of her for her religion.

“I brought Anna Karenina,” Noah said, lighting up just a bit. “I thought I should do a reread. And I’m agnostic so I only got one, figured it better be a long book.”

“We had the same thought process, then,” Rose laughed. “Book we’ve already read so it’s a comfort and long enough to last a month if we’re careful.”

“Presumptuous of us to prepare for a month, yeah?”

Rose shrugged, laughing. “We packed a month’s worth of clothes too.”

“Hah,” Noah pulled back and studied her. “Right.”

The two of them were silent for a moment, feet kicking in the water, hands still intertwined. Rose couldn’t decide whether the quiet was nice or not. It usually took much longer with someone before she allowed herself to settle into a familiar peace. She cleared her throat carefully, testing her voice to speak again.

“Do you mind the silence?” It appeared that Noah had been on a similar train of thought. “I think it’s nice,” he said, “good sign if you’re comfortable quiet with someone.”

Rose smiled, she’d always thought the same. “I don’t mind it at all. It’s a nice respite.”

With a gentle squeeze of her hand, Noah reassured her without saying a word that he found her company enjoyable. It was nice. It was warm and safe. It was… Short-lived.

“Rose!” Lottie shouted from the bar where the other islanders were gathering and chatting amongst themselves. “Come on, you two, get involved!”

Noah stood and helped her up by the hand, looping an arm around her waist before dropping the hand, a wordless exchange that made Rose blush.

“We’ll have more time to sit in silence together later,” she said, hopeful and only half-joking. “If you’d like that.”

He nodded. “I would.”

-

thank you so much for reading! if you enjoy this, please let me know. i wrote this completely on a whim after replaying s2 and being /again/ disappointed by Noah's route and Bobby's lack of character development. this work is focused on the two of them and I'm not sure if there will be a Bobby or Noah 'end game', I want us to find out who is right for Rose together! but there will be plenty of fun and flirting along the way. (i may even write multiple endings) stay tuned!

[solllaris]

boys like you — bobby mckenzie. 

summary: despite only knowing him for a week, it never entered fallon’s mind that bobby might not be as genuine of a guy as she thinks he is. but that’s before the mean tweets challenge and now her mind is completely consumed with thoughts of him being a player. 

pairing: bobby/mc, mentions of bobby/lottie

word count: 2424

note: i cannot even tell you how long this has been sitting in my drafts just collecting dust. but!! the release of s3 really gave me the inspiration to finally finish it and after some editing i’m pretty proud of it! pleeease go easy on me b/c it is my first bobby fic so if he’s ooc please tell me and i’ll work on it. anyway i hope you guys like it!! :)

The strings of words on the page before her blurred together as her mind continued to drift. She was stuck in a never ending cycle of rereading the same lines over and over again, her brain never quite able to comprehend their meaning. The unwarranted, dangerous thoughts seared through her as her eyes, once again, shifted to the gentle lapping of the clear pool water against the coping. On any other Spanish night the sound of tranquil water would’ve soothed her to no end but the claws of self doubt and anxiety had sunken into her too deeply and there was no way for her to return. She was at their mercy and she despised it.

A loud resigned sigh huffed between the redhead’s lips, her berry colored lipstick having faded from the nights earlier festivities. She tipped her head back until it rested on the lounge chair she sat upon as she attempted to relax and loosen her tight muscles. The days busy events of the ‘mean tweets challenge’ and two boys — Rocco and Lucas — being dumped from the island had successfully wound her up until her nerves were shot. Yes, she was admittedly a bit sad to see the latter leave the Villa so soon but she was not as concerned about that as she was the challenge.

Her belly fluttered and twisted painfully as the tweet plastered onto the board flashed behind her eyelids. The words “player” and “Bobby” were never ones she’d even considered putting together before that challenge; but suddenly the ginger couldn’t drive them from the forefront of her mind and the seed of doubt in her body couldn’t be unplanted. It had sprouted its roots into her gut and raised tiny red flags where they hadn’t been previously.

Before, the teasing and little touches with Lottie had been easily brushed aside, reassuring herself that they were only friends; Bobby was a very friendly and affectionate guy to begin with, so it came as no surprise he was the same with his mates. However, as the redhead watched the way his muscular arms wrapped up her friend, peppering kisses to the top of her head to comfort her as Rocco left the Villa behind, she couldn’t stop herself from wondering. Was it all platonic? Did he really need to kiss into her hair? Did that simple act of affection mean anything? The questions were never ending, bouncing and ricocheting off either side of her skull until a dull ache began to split across her forehead.

Just when she’d snapped her book shut, the pages thumping together harshly as she swung her legs off the side of the chair, a tanned and defined chest came into view. He was still dressed in one of those wacky printed button-downs that only he could pull off. Only four buttons were done up, the remaining ones popped open and left his delectable pectorals on display for everyone to admire. His freckled cheeks were tinged pink from probably one too many drinks and she kind of hated how good he looked; it made it all the more difficult to be a bit distant and leery of him — especially with the way he gazed down at her, hazel irises holding all the affection and tenderness in the world.

With downcast eyes, she watched his feet move until he settled onto the lounge chair beside hers. He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his widely spread knees and he was close enough to reach out and touch. The twitch of his clasped fingers suggested that the same thought had flitted through his mind, so she was a bit disappointed when he didn’t move towards her.

“Hey,” Bobby murmured in his sweet Scottish twang that the redhead absolutely adored. “Fallon, are you feelin’ okay?”

Fiddling with the paper cover on the hardback book in her lap, Fallon hesitantly glanced upwards to look him in the face. God, he looked so, so pretty in his outlandish shirt that hugged his biceps perfectly — like the seams around the arms would burst and unravel. His short dreads were a little disheveled from who knows what and although all of his physical attributes were beautiful, Fallon was always utterly enamored by his eyes. They spoke the words he couldn’t illiterate, the vulnerability that he found it difficult to express oftentimes. As he looked at her by the pool that night, the twinge in her chest worsened because how could he be a player and look at her like that?

“I’m fine, love, I promise,” Fallon reassured and forced a smile that she hoped solidified the white lie she’d told.

Bobby cocked his head a bit to his right and studied her, his gaze flickered over the entire expanse of her face. She knew he could see straight through her; he always could. “Are you sure?” A mischievous, teasing smile stretched across his face. “Usually I can’t keep you off me, lass. Practically jumping my bones all t—“

Fallon’s foot knocked against his leg, shoving him back lightly as she laughed for the first time in a while. “That is so not true,” She giggled.

He beamed at the sound of her musical laughter, his lone dimple cratering itself deeply in the surface of his flushed cheek. He quirked a brow and his innocent grin morphed into a lopsided smirk, “S’not what it looked like this morning in the sh—“

“I will shove you in the pool, Bobby, I swear.”

Chortling, he caught her hand that had shot out to strike his shoulder and ran his thumb along her skin delicately. The playful pool-side atmosphere slowly filtered itself out as the couple fell into a few beats of silence and his smirk faded into something softer, something that Fallon quickly picked up as concernment. The gentle but firm squeeze he gave her significantly smaller hand had her heart thrumming a bit more heavily against her rib cage and she knew the conversation she had been dreading was looming over them. Truthfully, she had hoped their short moment of joking with one another had successfully diverted the focus off of the distance she’d put between them the entire day, but she should’ve known better; he was a person of validation, craving it to ease the insecurities in his mind from past relationships, so of course he’d picked up on her guarded behavior and wanted to fix it.

Dipping his head low, Bobby pressed the softest of kisses to each of her knuckles and she couldn’t help but watch in awe of the man across from her. His lips lingered against her last knuckle for a few seconds longer than the rest and with a cute nuzzle of his nose to the back of her hand, he rose back up to look at her properly. Vulnerability was written all over his normally smiling face, brows drawn together to form a tiny crease between them, and Fallon despised the fact that she was the cause of his worry.

“What did I do, lass?” He asked quietly, barely to even be heard over the lapping pool water.

The clear-cut sadness in his voice sent a ripple of a throbbing ache through Fallon’s chest. She suddenly felt really silly for worrying about that stupid tweet because how much could an absolute stranger know about someone they’d never met anyway? It was complete stupidity on her part for believing a random person on the internet over the man she was undoubtedly falling for after only eight days.

Fallon set her book aside and dropped Bobby’s hand just long enough to move to the lounge chair opposite her, sitting so close to him that every inch from their knees to their hips touched. She pressed her cheek against his left shoulder as their hands found each other’s again, digits slotting together like they were drawn back by an invisible force.

“It’s dumb, really,” She admitted shyly, a tinge of shame coating each word. “I feel stupid for worrying about it.”

“M’sure it’s not dumb.” He shifted his body to face her a bit more, his free hand cupping her jaw reassuringly. “I never want you to feel like you can’t talk to me about how you feel.”

She tilted her head to the side and pushed her lips to the warm skin on the inside of his wrist where his hand held her cheek. “I know,” She hummed softly. “I just… I dunno why I didn’t pull you aside to chat about it. I guess I just needed some time to clear my head. Figure out what I wanted to say and how to say it.”

Bobby’s heart plunged dangerously low. The cogs in his head whirred startlingly fast as he immediately assumed the worst. He wore his fear and insecurity plainly on his freckled face and Fallon instantly squeezed his hand, beginning to backtrack before the poor Scottish boy had a heart attack.

“Hey,” She whispered as his hand dropped from her cheek. “I’m sure it’s nothing, okay? It’s just about that stupid challenge…”

Her soft, musical voice trailed off and loud bursts of laughter from somewhere in the Villa carried across the lawn to fill the deafening silence. The ginger haired girl studied the side of Bobby’s face and watched as his slender fingers slid over his plump bottom lip. His dark brows scrunched together in contemplation, recalling the mean tweets they’d read earlier in the day before realization dawned on his face. When he turned his face to look at her again, there was a subtle glint of disbelief twinkling in his amber colored eyes.

“Ah. The infamous player tweet, huh?” His bare knee knocked against hers and a small amused grin ghosted across his mouth in spite of himself. “You know me. Player is my middle name.”

Fallon’s stomach twisted and she was sure her expression mirrored the irritation she felt. Moving her leg away from where it was pressed against his, she pulled her body up off the lounge chair with a frustrated sigh but she didn’t make it very far. She’d taken maybe half a step towards the villa when his warm fingers latched onto hers, gently tugging her back.

In his haste to get her to stay, Bobby had quickly stood up to catch her. The hand that wasn’t softly stroking over her knuckles came up to rest on her jaw, tilting her head up slightly to meet his gaze. Fallon felt a tug at her heart when she saw how alarmed and afraid he looked, a vulnerability that she caught quick glimpses of in only the mere week they’d known each other. It made her physically ache to consider the woman before her and what she had said or done to make him feel so afraid to lose what they’d built together.

Her resolve softened and her very short-lived irritation melted away; she could never stay upset with Bobby for long. It was like attempting to be mad at a puppy—a physically impossible feat.

“That is why I’m upset about it,” Fallon said quietly, making a conscious effort to keep her voice calm and level. “You keep cracking jokes about it but it’s not funny to me.”

His pretty, freckled face pinched in shame at the prospect of his thoughtless actions hurting her the entire day. “M’ sorry, lass,” He murmured. “It's just the idea of me being a player is so off-base that I thought it was funny. I forget sometimes we’ve only known each other for a week and you wouldn’t really know that about me.”

The redhead’s stare fell to the exposed skin of his chest where the top buttons were popped undone. She found herself instinctively tracing the clusters of freckles scattered along his sternum, collarbones, and pectorals—as if it were second nature and she’d been doing it her whole life; maybe she had been in another life and the familiarity of it bled into the one she was living.

When Fallon spoke again, she noted how her voice sounded tired. “You should’ve just told me that instead of laughing about it.” And then even weaker— “I was starting to believe that maybe you were just playing the game after all.”

Bobby’s thumb stroked along the curve of her cheekbone attentively. “Hey,” He hummed and the tenderness in the way his Scottish twang caressed that one word was enough to draw tears to her waterline. “Hey, baby, look at me.”

Embarrassment crept onto her cheeks and she felt her sun kissed skin burn against the palm of his hand but she obliged and the second her watery blue eyes peered up at him, all rounded out and doe-like, he felt like he’d been kicked in the gut. His brows scrunched together and his heart tugged. Seeing her cry because of him was absolute torture.

“I’d be the dumbest bloke around if I screwed us up.” The tip of his thumb caught the one stray tear that slipped over the rim of her lower lash line and he dipped lower to kiss it away. “I decree that you let me see that pretty smile of yours right now.”

The tiniest of smiles quirked up the corner of Fallon’s lips at his silly decree and Bobby frowned, clearly unsatisfied.

His expression softened into a loose smirk that reeked of mischief and the glint in his pretty eyes had her stomach flipping in anticipation. “Shame. I guess this calls for more extreme measures.”

With a brow arched in confusion, she started to curiously ask what these extreme measures were but the question died in her throat when he stooped to press his forehead against hers. The pace of her heart picked up in her chest and she was pretty certain she was holding her breath until the tip of his nose bumped hers. Fallon’s  breathy, blissful laugh filled the silence between them and his grin only grew wider as nuzzled her nose with his, back and forth a few times like an Eskimo kiss.

For a few content moments, her eyes fell shut and the worry weighing her down lifted. Bobby’s gentle Scottish lilt whispering a cheeky ‘boop’ had her lashes fluttering and she was met with one of his radiant smiles. There was no doubt in her mind that his smiles could rival those of the sun.

A boy like him with sunshine for smiles could never be a player.  He was sunshine embodied and he was the sweetest, most beautiful boy she’d ever known.

[lovelylilies]

A Perfect Storm (Lucas Koh x MC)

Summary: MC is coupled with Bobby and all it takes for that spark to fizzle out is a storm. The quiet heartbreak that comes with realizing you have no future with someone. Everyone hates the rain and it makes MC sad. Well, almost everyone. Lucas x MC. Implied Bobby x MC

Word Count: Like 1k, I wrote this after midnight, I have no clue.

A/N: Wrote this because I was turned off Bobby during the whole rain episode and it's why I decided to finishing the game off with Lucas. Yes, I am that flip floppy.

It's raining.

It's been so long since you've seen rain.

Everyone is ducking for cover, rushing into the villa, and you stare at the ripples that flood the pool, vaguely aware of Bobby dragging you inside.

"C'mon, we're going to get soaked," he yells, voice barely breaking through your trance. With a gentle shake of your head, you let him drag you inside, his warm fingers laced with yours and you feel so cold, so so cold.

Inside the villa, the Islanders are grumbling. Lottie and Bobby, in particular, are very vocal of their distaste for the change in weather. As they rant and rave, you pry your hand from Bobby's grip, and he doesn't even spare you a glance. The villa is frigid and your hair stands on its end as you watch everyone fuss.

Lucas catches your eye, frowning as you curl into yourself. You flash him a slight smile, before turning away to focus on the main conversation.

"How could anyone like this weather?"

The question hits you, a bullet finding its bullseye. Your entire body tenses as you turn directly to Bobby. "What's wrong with the rain?"

He looks at you, incredulous, and you refuse to shrink back under his stare.

"It's rain," he speaks slowly, and you frown, causing him to frown in turn.

You straighten, brushing a strand of your soaked hair from your face.

"I like the rain."

Lucas.

You turn to face him as he moves to your side, resting his hand so that it barely brushes the small of your back. It surprises you to see just how much he towers over Bobby. His shoulders are tensed and he stands with his legs parted ever so slightly.

You wonder what will happen if you let this carry on.

"I'm going back outside," you mutter, turning away from the glances of your fellow islanders. Chelsea watches you warily, searching for your reason of escape with a touching amount of worry. You give her the slightest shake of your head and pull open the door.

The rain has only gotten heavier. It falls in sheets, dropping as if a barbell someone has just let go of. You step out of the cover of the villa.

Warmth clings to you, each drop hugging you with days worth of sunshine. The goosebumps that had coated your skin ease away under the rain's embrace and you take a few more steps forward.

A smile graces your face.

How can anyone hate something so utterly pure?

The rain has been your comfort for as long as you can remember. It rained the day you failed your first test, an English test from elementary school, and you walked home without an umbrella, soaking it in. When everyone but your parents forgot your birthday, the rain fell by your side reminding you that misery loves company. You nearly dropped out of university while it rained, and you let the water dilute your misery and take in all your fears and insecurities.

Some of the most pivotal moments in your life happened while it rained.

But that could never be the only reason you love when it rains. Your life was not a case study on pathetic fallacy.

You love the rain because it brings life to the earth, and in turn it brings life to your soul.

Reaching your fingers to the sky, you sigh deeply, and let your body relax. All the stress of Love Island falls into the background as you are consumed in the purity and bliss of the tropical storm. Drops splatter against your closed eyelids. You breath deeply.

When the next recoupling comes, you will not be by Bobby's side.

The thought is sudden, but you know it is true. It's not as if you don't care for him, in another life you could be happy together, in another life you'd fall in love with him at every turn.

This is not that life.

Bobby is a wonderful person, but he does not stand his ground where it matters and he does not know when his words scream in silent rejection. He does not communicate where it matters and he bathes in his insecurities.

This is not the first time you've thought about it. From day one, you'd wondered if you'd made the right choice. He'd seemed like your type, caring, good spirited, and always willing to joke around. But the more time you spent with him,the more you realized you'd never be able to love him the way he wanted you to.

You don't know why.

With a sigh, your arms fall to your sides, and you let your head drop to tuck into your chest. You lower yourself to the soaked ground, curling your legs into yourself so you can move your chin to rest on your knees.

The rain does not let up.

You don't care.

Someone sits down beside you.

You don't look up.

"I've always liked the rain."

Lucas.

"It's peaceful, the whole world slows to a stop and it's just you and nature."

You tilt your head to face him, finding him watching you with inquisitive eyes. His jaw is unclenched and his lips are parted ever so slightly. The rain rolls down the sides of his face, and then his arms that are splayed behind him to carry the burden of his weight.

You meet his eyes.

"My mum thinks it's because it rained when I was born. I think it's because the rain brings time to a stand still. Anything is possible in the rain," he murmurs, eyes darting around your face.

You pause, breathing in the moment. "Everything is overwhelming until you stand in the rain and realize just how small you are in the grand scheme of things."

Lucas frowns ever so slightly, a soft furrow decorating his brows.

"You are anything but small."

"I feel so small and out of control," you whisper, "but maybe I should change that."

You uncurl yourself and stand, holding you hand to Lucas.

"Dance with me," you say, the words dripping from your lips like a prayer.

He watches you for a moment and you hold your ground. A soft smile graces his lips as he wraps his large hand around yours and you pull him to stand. You maneuver your hand so to interlock your fingers and you breathe in his warmth. His free hand comes to hold your waist, ghosting over your bare skin and pulling you close. In turn, you rest your hand on his chest and gently bring him to sway.

You've never danced in the rain with a partner.

Why have you never done this before?

You lower your head so it rests against his chest, the soaked sides of his button up grazing your cheeks. Almost instantly you melt into him, unwilling to look up so you can meet his eyes. In turn, he rests his chin atop your head.

"Thank you for this," you breathe into him, before lifting your head to watch him with care.

The look in his eyes sends you heart racing and your breath hitches. It's not the first time he's had this sort of affect on you, but it's certainly the first time you've allowed yourself to bask in it. You soak in his longing and the rain.

"Bobby was worried about you," he starts, trailing through each word. "You should check in with him."

Everything shatters around you, pulling you from the moment and sending chills down your spine. But you don't move.

"I should." You don't bother prying yourself from his hold. "But I'd rather stay here with you."

"I'd like that."

[boopiest-of-boops]

Location, Location, Location

request:  Awesome! Could I make one where Bobby and MC go looking for houses together after the finale?? My MC’s name is Galileo and she’s a drummer lol here you go @bobbyisbabey

warning: none lol, just some cute fluff and house hunting

note: this was actually so short but cute, i hope you like it!

word count: 1,075 words

Even before they both won love island, they had promised that they would buy a house with each other as soon as they got out of the villa. But, it did help they got the cash prize and could now put all that money to buying a house.

They had both agreed earlier on that they didn't want those big flashy houses that previous love island contestants had. Bobby had requested a cosy kitchen that was not too big and not too small but was just perfect. Whilst Galileo had requested for a room that was soundproof to keep her drum set safe and to make sure she didn't annoy Bobby with her playing, (but he had told her countless of times he'd never get annoyed because "you're doing what you love").

They'd promised themselves they would not go on another t.v series after love island. That meant no live t.v talk shows and no press. Because honestly, both of them had enough of the spotlight.

So, when they both began to shoot for their episode of "Location, Location, Location" it surprised even themselves.

"We are so impulsive," spoke Galileo to Bobby as they walked up to the hosts of the show.

"I don't even remember applying," mumbled Bobby.

"Hi, I'm Kristie Alsopp," spoke the host with a smile.

"Phil Spencer," spoke the other host with a grin.

"Galileo and Bobby," spoke Bobby politely as he shook her hand.

"We'll be airing soon, so..."

And then the hosts began to explain exactly what they would do. The general basics of the show 'Location, Location, Location' was that they would view six houses. Three of them would be shown by one host whilst the other three would be shown by the other. They'd ask questions about the type of house both of them wanted as they walked around the houses and it was like a generic house hunt except camera's would be following them. But was that really anything new to Galileo and Bobby? I mean, they'd spent practically a month in the Villa with microphones strapped to them along with camera's following their every move.

"Welcome to the sunny seaside of Cornwall!" said Kristine with a smile to the camera before she turned to the couple, "so, what are you two looking for in a house?"

Bobby looked at Galileo, moving his head in a way to show that she could answer the question for them both.

"Uh, well... I'm a drummer so there has to be at least one soundproof room in the house for when I practise," spoke Galileo, trying to pretend the cameras weren't there (which wasn't actually that hard, she'd had practice), "and Bobby and I both want a somewhat large kitchen for us to be able to cook in together."

"Hm," spoke Kristie, "ok, and how many bedrooms?"

the couple looked to each other, shrugging slightly before they turned back to Kristie and Bobby spoke, "uh well, we think three is like an average number."

"And what's your budget?"

"Around £350,000 to £450,000," spoke Galileo, "we aren't looking for anything too big."

"And the location?" spoke Kristie.

"We aren't that fussed," spoke Galileo, "but maybe somewhere in London?"

"Well, looks like we got some work to do, guys," spoke Kristie with a rehearsed smile, before walking with them, "come on guys!"

The houses were all nice. Galileo would give them that, but none of them felt like a house she would live in. Kristie was lovely, of course. She was good at helping both of them with the house hunt as she kept asking helpful questions.

Soon, it was Philips turn and he drove them to the outskirts of London which didn't look as busy as they assumed it would be. In all honesty, the location was perfect for both of them. There were still their usual shops, but they had there own little area where they could just be them. And it didn't hurt that the house was a cute cottage.

Both of them realised that this was the final house they would be viewing, and they weren't mad about it because the house was gorgeous. It was a two-story cottage with well-insulated walls, along with a shed at the back that was already a music room that had been left there by the previous owners. What was even better was that there was a little chicken coop that made Bobby grin like a child.

"Think about it, Lass!" he said with a large grin, "chickens!"

"And there's a music shed!" she responded with a smile.

"It's practically perfect!" she said with excitement.

"It is perfect," spoke bobby with a smile as he wrapped his arm around her waist, "like you."

She blushed slightly before snuggling into his side, "you're cute."

He smiled at her before poking her nose lightly and letting out a quiet, "boop."

She laughed at him before they both walked outside to meet Philip again.

"So?" he asked, towards them, projecting his voice for the microphones to hear, "how was it?"

"the inside is amazing," spoke Bobby with a grin, "I think we found our perfect house."

Philip let out a cry of success, "Yes!"

And, it actually did turn out to be the perfect house, because almost a week later Galileo had posted on her Instagram story a boomerang of her jumping in front of the house with the caption "home sweet home!"

And they really did mean it when they said home sweet home because even before you stepped in the house, there was a sweet-smelling aroma wafting around the house. And if you ventured out to the small quaint garden you'd hear the clucking of hens and roosters (which had all been named by Bobby).

"I still can't believe you named a chicken Jerald," snorted Galileo as they put the cookies into the oven.

"Why wouldn't I?" spoke Bobby, "it's a great name."

"Sure," she laughed with a smile.

The two stood there for a moment in silence before they stared out the kitchen window into the garden, Galileo let out a quiet, "it's perfect.... home sweet home."

"Anywhere is perfect with you, Lass," said Bobby as he nuzzled his face into her neck, placing a sweet and short kiss there, "because you'd be there with me,"

"You big sop," she said with a quiet laugh.

"Your big sop," he corrected.

"My big sop," she smiled.

[boneandfur]

A Thousand Years

Coming soon.

Bobby x MC (yeah yeah I know I'm a Gary stan, but I just did Bobby's route and it was amazing)

[thatwheelchairchick]

After The Villa - Chapter 2

[lucas-koh]

“Say the words and I’m there.”

SO!!! A couple of months ago I commissioned the lovely @aelwen-art for this piece of Bobby and Lexi, and I’m still not over it😭😭😭 this is the scene in chapter 31… one of my faves! but here I am posting as a celebration for finally finishing Whiskey on Your Lips 🥲 I’m grateful and emotional and a whole number of things, so I’ll sum it up in two words: thank you 💙

[queen-of-boops]

Are You The One?: If your perfect match was right in front of you, would you even notice? Twenty sexy singles have undergone rigorous compatability testing in their quest for love. They will spend the next ten weeks getting to know each other in an attempt to answer the question: Are you the one? (completed, 23k, Henrik x MC)

Choppy Waters: Harry and Piper won Love Island one year ago and it's been anything but smooth sailing. (completed, 11k, Harry x MC)

Dead to Rights: 1940s Chicago. It's a place ruled by the dueling McKenzie and Doyle families. The mafia has the entire city under it's thumb, the rivialry between the families the only thing that endangers their seemingly unlimited power. Detective Elizabeth Barnes has the potential to change all that. But when she goes deep undercover inside the McKenzie crime family, the black and white lines she's used to define her morals start to blur. (completed, 30 k, Bobby x MC)

Deep Dive: There are three things Quinn Andrews knows with absolute certainty. 1) Levi Hastings might just be the most arrogant prick she's ever met. 2) Unfortunately, he's also insanely hot and even better in bed. 3) There is absolutely no way she could ever, ever fall in love with him ...Right? (completed, 50.5k Levi x MC)

Diamond in the Rough: Kinsley De Luca is, simply put, a thief. She relies on her own instincts and skills to get ahead in life. But when she runs into a handsome stranger in the middle of a job, things have the potential to get very complicated. (completed, 9k, Roberto x MC)

Leather and Lace: Lucas Koh, Billionaire Playboy. It's a well-deserved title that Lucas has been sure to maintain. But the world, and his father, have other plans. (completed, 28k, Lucas x MC)

Like No One's Watching: Ozzy Singh is on a pursuit to find the one. He's confident that he'll know her when he sees her, that everything will fall into perfectly into place. But he forgot to take something into account: this is Love Island and nothing is ever that easy. (completed, 92k, Ozzy x MC)

Panem et Circuses: Ladies and Gentlemen... welcome to the 74th annual Hunger Games. (completed, 28k, Gary x MC)

Too Hot To Handle: Bri thinks she's signed herself up for a brand new dating show full of sun, sand, and more boys than she can get her hands on. Little does she know, this isn't just any dating show, this is Too Hot To Handle. The rules of the show are simple: no kissing, no sexual touching, no self-gratification, and no sex of any kind. It's going to be a long, hard summer. (In progress, unknown x MC)

Truly, Madly, Deeply: Bobby McKenzie wasn't sure if he would find love on the island, that is until he met Katie Wicker. Will his own issues stop him from experiencing romance? (completed, 95k, Bobby x MC)

Uninhibited: There's something about vacation that makes you want to let loose, to get rid of the standards you use in your day-to-day life. And this trip is no exception. (completed, 76k, multiple pairings)

Wild Child: From the moment his eyes meet hers across the crowded club, Henrik knows that Autumn is special. He just has no idea how true that statement really is. (completed, 34.5k, Henrik x MC)

Zero Hour : Jake's life has been aimless for as long as he can remember. And then two things happened: he meet Miss Gwendolyn Thorne and the Germans started the largest war anyone has ever known. (completed, 19k, Jake x MC)

[feymaid]

boop boop

[garlickk]

i found a super cute picture on pinterest so i thought i'd redraw it with Bobby and my MC Rosetta to practice lighting🥺🌻✨

[dawnsbreaking]

cruel summer - chapter two

noah/cmc rose/bobby litg s2 rewrite status: ongoing chapter wc: 4,350

“Islanders,” Gary read, “it’s time to find out who’s… er…” He paused and cupped a hand over the screen to see the text better. “Hot under the collar, and who’s playing it cool. Head over to the fire pit to play a game of Truth or Dare.”

The concept alone made Rose flush with embarrassment, so certain she was that Truth or Dare would push at the edges of her comfort.

read on ao3 series masterlist want to be tagged in future chapters?

When Rose and Noah finally caught up to the other islanders, Hannah was in the middle of a cute soliloquy about how she hoped to find her prince among the ‘eligible bachelors’ of the villa. She was a little full-on, but Rose found it sweet. And she’d be lying if she said she hadn’t romanticized Love Island the same way once or twice during the application process.

“Noah and I were just chatting about the books we brought along,” Rose piped in, filling an awkward silence left at the end of Hannah’s declaration. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you brought something by Austen.”

Hannah gave a sheepish smile, clearly thankful for Rose humoring her when the rest of the islanders had left her out to dry. “I’m not that predictable,” she said. “I brought Anne of Green Gables.”

“You lot brought books?” Rocco interjected. “I thought that was just something they made up in the welcome packet. I thought: Surely no one actually brings books to Love Island…”

Gary knitted his brows and looked between Hannah and Rocco. He mumbled, “I didn’t bring a book either.” So much for that couple.

“Show of hands!” Bobby called. “Who brought a book?”

Rose put her hand up and watched Noah, Marisol, and Hannah do the same. The rest of the villa gawked.

“Really?” Marisol asked, sounding genuinely surprised. “Not even a bible or anything?”

“Babes,” Lottie laughed, “this is Love Island, not a reading retreat.”

“I’m saying, like, when do you suppose we’ll have time to read?” Bobby snickered, looking to Rose as if positing the question to her specifically. It almost felt like flirting but she couldn’t quite make out whether it was for sure. Probably for the best, as it wouldn’t be a good look to flirt right in front of her current partner. Even if they had all just met.

“I happen to think that reading together is a great couples activity,” Rose answered. “But it seems like just Hannah, Marisol, or Noah would be able to participate.” She threw a glance back at Noah, standing just behind her, and he grinned like he would be up for it.

“Right.” Hope put her hands on her hips, looking tense. Perhaps she was already unhappy with her couple. “Have we got any drinks at that bar or is it for show?”

In a little shuffle and posturing of the boys trying to be chivalrous towards the girls, it was decided that the boys would find champagne while the girls got settled on the loungers. That was until Bobby asked Rose to stay with them.

“Wanna make sure we get the drinks right?”

Rose smiled at him and nodded, grateful for the excuse to escape from the girls for a moment. They were sweet, but it was clear that some of them were about to take the opportunity to complain about their couples and Rose had nothing to contribute.

“One of the boys, eh?” Gary chuckled, bumping Rose’s arm with his elbow.

“I just want to get to know everyone,” she said.

Bobby smiled at her, clearly glad he’d asked her to stay. “I respect that. You didn’t look like you fancied a girls chat.”

Rose shrugged, neither denying nor confirming.

“I’m glad to get a little break, Hannah’s already winding me up. All that talk about eligible bachelors and love and princes…” Gary rolled his eyes. “I’m afraid we don’t have much in common.”

“Oh but we can’t all be experts in heavy machinery,” Bobby laughed.

Noah said, “She’s not wrong, we are all eligible singles.”

“Bar Bobby,” Gary chuckled, earning an exaggerated glare and muttered protest.

“I’m pretty sure no one has used that language since, like, the olden days…” Bobby pouted. “But I’m plenty eligible.”

“How is everyone else getting on with their partners?” Ibrahim asked, eager to change the subject. His brows had started automatically furrowing every time Bobby opened his mouth. “Noah and…?” He looked at her with wide eyes.

Gary frowned. “Rose, mate.”

Ibrahim muttered a flustered apology, but Rose breezed right past it, smiling. “No worries, and… No comment on the couples. We’ve all just met.” She turned to Noah, smiling wide. “That fair?”

Noah nodded. There was a beat before everyone realized that he had nothing to say and Bobby smoothly veered the conversation in another direction. It felt strange to Rose that they were supposed to be talking about each other and their feelings the way they were. She was used to playing her cards close to her chest, but Love Island was all about the bold moves.

And then there was Noah, sweet Noah. She felt like she’d lucked out finding someone as reserved and bookish as herself. Casting had either done a great job or made two terrible mistakes for their ratings.

“I dunno,” Bobby said thoughtfully as he trifled through the bar looking for champagne flutes. “Love ain’t all rose petals all the time. I think it’s about finding someone who makes you toast when you’re sad.”

Rocco laughed, too loud. Rose didn’t take him as the nervous type but perhaps the cameras on them were getting to everyone. “Toast?”

Bobby frowned, scrunching his nose and pursing his lips cutely. “Yeah like…” He trailed off.

“Casual intimacy,” Rose supplied.

He beamed at her, grateful. “Right. Exactly.”

Rocco shook his head, laughing again. “Nah mate, you’ve got it all wrong. Love should make you sing and dance. Love should make you write poetry even if you don’t know how.”

“So love is like an English teacher?” Noah chimed in with a sly grin. He’d been quietly searching for a corkscrew and the rest of the group had all but forgotten his existence, making his sudden joke that much funnier.

Bobby laughed, clapping Noah on the back. “My man with the one-liner! Come to think of it, I think I always know I’m falling for someone when I check to see if they’re laughing at my jokes.” He threw a meaningful glance at Rose who blushed and looked at her feet.

Noah shifted his weight, looking between Rose and Bobby as if sizing up their chemistry. “I don’t think I’ve ever done that,” he frowned. “Maybe I’m not a romantic.”

Rose felt suddenly like she’d been caught, this was a kind of flirtation that happened without much effort on her part but it made her feel like she’d been shameless all the same. She reached for Noah’s arm, desperate to reassure him — if not just to assuage her slight guilt. “Everyone has their own ways of feeling and expressing things.”

“Love languages,” Rocco added unhelpfully, oblivious to Noah’s quick glare at Bobby. “Yeah?”

Before anyone could entertain Rocco’s tangent, there was a blessed little text chime from the mic bag strapped across Gary’s back. “Thank god,” he muttered. “I got a text! Would one of you er…” He pointed to the bag, just out of his reach since he wore it behind him.

“Got you.” Noah ducked behind Gary and unzipped the little pouch, freeing the phone and handing it to him.

“Challenge,” Gary explained. “Let’s go, then.”

Champagne and glasses secured, the boys and Rose followed Gary over to the loungers to read the text out to the girls.

“Islanders,” Gary read, “it’s time to find out who’s… er…” He paused and cupped a hand over the screen to see the text better. “Hot under the collar, and who’s playing it cool. Head over to the fire pit to play a game of Truth or Dare.”

The concept alone made Rose flush with embarrassment, so certain she was that Truth or Dare would push at the edges of her comfort.

Noah poured her and himself each a glass of champagne, silent as the other islanders tittered with nervous excitement. “Let’s just have a laugh,” He handed her a glass, letting their hands brush in the exchange.

She smiled, grateful for her choice of partner once again. Grateful that he seemed to be looking out for her, easily sensing her discomfort. “Right.”

As they walked arm-in-arm to the fire pit, Rose could not decide whether she felt relief or anxiety at the sight of official Love Island Truth or Dare cards. Relief stemmed from knowing that the questions and challenges were pre-determined and controlled. Anxiety came from knowing that the producers likely knew best how to create chaos. A controlled flame burned with the most heat.

As soon as the islanders were seated, Hope immediately took control of the game, pulling a card from the pile of dares without much preamble. Lottie and Rose exchanged a small glance as she began reading the card, a raised eyebrow from Lottie was met with a small shrug from Rose. Someone had to go first and Rose was glad it hadn’t been her.

“Give a foot massage to one of the other Islanders,” Hope read. She frowned as she set the card back down. “Okay…”

Rose watched Bobby tease Hannah, joking about other dares that could be in the pile, as she tried her best to ignore the way Hope was eagerly descending upon Noah’s bare feet.

“I think it’s time we get you out of your shell a bit.” Hope kneeled below Noah, smiling up at him. “Alright?”

Generally, Rose was not the type to be jealous. Especially so early in the game when she had no ownership over Noah and no reason to rightfully be upset. But the way Hope seemed to ignore her altogether coupled with the notion that Noah needed to ‘come out of his shell’ made her stomach turn. She liked that Noah was quiet and reserved, it was what she’d been attracted to in the first place. The implication, it seemed, was not just that Hope could make him better by bringing him out of his shell but also that Rose ought to leave hers as well. She stiffened, staring down at the ground in front of her, vaguely aware of Hope’s hands massaging Noah’s calves in her peripheral.

“This is officially the weirdest holiday I’ve been on,” Gary laughed.

Rose chuckled slightly, attempting to distract herself. “Seconded.”

“Alright,” Marisol said, smiling. If she was privy to the tension between the other couples, she didn’t show it. “I think that’s enough, Hope. Who’s going next?”

Hope smiled up at Rose from her place at Noah’s feet. “I know of another shell that needs cracking,” she said. “Ro?”

There it was. Of course, Hope, dazzling and outspoken as she was, would see nothing wrong with coaxing Rose and Noah’s quiet personalities out into the open. It shouldn’t hurt Rose’s feelings, but it did. There was that sinking feeling like she wasn’t good enough or interesting enough to be here. Like she’d get sent home first recoupling because she wasn’t shiny in the way the other girls were.

Bobby jumped in, too, saying, “Alright, Ro, pick a card then!”

Since when had any of them had permission to call her ‘Ro’?

Between Hope’s kind smile — as if she hadn’t been massaging Rose’s partner seconds prior — and the back and forth that had begun between Ibrahim and Rocco over whether she should choose truth or dare, Rose was overwhelmed. She picked a truth card off the top of the pile wordlessly and waited for the other islanders to quiet.

“Who do you think is the most attractive person in the villa?” She read, voice monotone, and set the card face-down in her lap. The obvious answer would be her own partner, but she could also lighten the mood by picking one of the girls… She shook her head. Easy answer, easy answer. “Noah,” she said. “Or I wouldn’t have coupled with him.”

“Makes sense,” Hope laughed. “Thought about it for quite some time, though.”

“She’s a diplomatic one,” Marisol laughed. “Right, Rosie?”

First ‘Ro’ now ‘Rosie’. Love Island fostered overfamiliarity in platonic relationships just as much as romantic ones, it seemed.

She nodded, laughing along in an attempt to hide her discomfort. “Right. Bobby, why don’t you go next?” She’d practically picked his name out of a hat, choosing him because he was the first person she made eye contact with. And from the meaningful glances Marisol had been throwing Gary throughout the game, Rose assumed this wouldn’t cause any jealousy.

“I hope I get a foot one,” Bobby joked as he picked up a dare card.

Rose giggled at his comment, immediately feeling better now that the main camera was off of her and her partner for a moment.

“Damn, no feet. But still juicy!” Bobby read, “Kiss the islander you fancy most.” A sweet blush spread across his freckled face as he set the card down. “Gettin’ right in there, then…”

As Bobby stood, appearing to weigh his choice carefully, Rose had a sinking feeling in her stomach that he would kiss her. He’d not been particularly close with his partner, and the only other girl he’d chatted with thus far had been herself. Her fears were realized as he turned and began making his way towards her.

This was Love Island, Rose reminded herself, she should expect kissing during challenges. She had known what she was getting into when she signed up, but it was becoming increasingly obvious that she was a chaste-kiss-on-the-third-date kind of person to her core.

Bobby, for his part, seemed completely calm and collected in the face of a challenge kiss. But as he bent towards her and leaned in, Rose was surprised to see him stop dead a few inches from her face. He smiled and held so still that Rose could count the freckles dancing on his face.

“May I kiss you on the cheek?” He asked.

She could have fainted with joy and relief all at once. So hung up on the logistics of kissing Bobby, she’d failed to recognize just how much she would like to kiss Bobby. The gentleness of him stopping in her discomfort and asking permission was pleasant surprise enough to cement her desire to get to know Bobby better. She nodded, a smile overtaking her face as she turned to offer a cheek.

Bobby’s warm hand found the bottom of her chin and angled her face up ever-so-slightly. The gentle touch of his soft hand coupled with short breaths on her cheek gave her goosebumps. He just barely brushed his mouth against her face, pressing a quick kiss closer to her temple than the apple of her cheek. She could feel the smile on his lips.

As he retreated, they exchanged a shy smile, and she supposed she could no longer be jealous of Noah’s foot massage.

-

“Rocco has an… interesting perspective on bisexuality, but otherwise all of the guys seem quite nice,” Rose said as she arranged her makeup on her section of counter in the dressing room. Dismissed from the challenge, the islanders had been allowed to wander the property and begin unpacking. Rose had settled herself between Lottie’s station and an unclaimed space on the end, offering up some of her storage up as shelter for Lottie’s excessive makeup collection. “Use all the space you like, I’ve got plenty.”

Lottie gave Rose a grateful smile as she began carefully scooting some of her lipsticks around the counter divider and into the shelf beside Rose’s mirror. They were alone, the other girls having left them long ago to get a jump on grafting. “You can totally steal from me if you want,” Lottie said. “Rent payment for using your storage.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Rose laughed. She was almost certain that none of Lottie’s vampy lipsticks would suit her, but it was nice to feel as though she’d made an ally.

Marisol stepped into the room, hands on her hips. “I got a text,” she said through gritted teeth. “They’re dropping the bombshell tonight.”

“You’re kidding!” Lottie tensed and accidentally knocked over one of her lipstick tubes, it clattered and rolled to the ground. “Not even one day in?”

Rose ducked under the counter and picked up the fallen lippy. “I suppose we should all have a chat with our partners, then?”

Marisol nodded. “That would be prudent.”

With a sigh, Rose handed Lottie her stray lipstick. “My cue to stop avoiding Noah.”

“Avoiding already? I thought you two were getting on.” Marisol leaned against the doorway, a questioning eyebrow raised.

“We were, but Truth or Dare was…”

“Odd?” Lottie supplied.

“Odd,” Rose agreed. “I think Hope’s got her eyes on him.”

“And you’ve got your eyes on my partner,” Marisol said. “I never thought a kiss on the cheek could be so steamy…”

Rose opened and closed her mouth like a fish. What was she meant to say to that? She knew for a fact that Marisol and Bobby didn’t have feelings for each other, but she hadn’t considered that Marisol might still be upset with girls flirting with him on principal. And the kiss had been for a challenge, nothing more. Unavoidable.

“I’m kidding, you know,” Marisol said, though she didn’t sound like she was kidding. “I don’t fancy Bobby much.”

“And we know the kiss was just for a challenge, right?” Lottie said, emphasizing pointedly at Marisol.

Rose was grateful she’d given up some of her makeup storage to get a terrifying Aussie in her corner. “I like Noah,” she said. “And Bobby is nice, but I don’t want to step on any toes.”

“You’re not,” Lottie assured her. She gave Rose’s shoulder a pat as she stood from her vanity stool. “Let’s go find our boys.”

Rose followed Lottie as she pushed past Marisol, waiting until they were well out of earshot before saying, “Thank you for having my back.”

“Don’t mention it, you know I’m all about girl code. And there’s a huge difference between someone’s partner coming onto you and you coming onto someone’s partner.”

“Right.”

“Besides, she’s being territorial for the sake of it. Bobby could walk out of the Villa right now and she wouldn’t bat an eyelash.” She slid open the back door and looked out over the lawn. “Ah, there’s Rocco at the bar. That’s me sorted.” She smiled back at Rose. “Good luck with Noah, babes.”

“Good luck with what?” Noah’s voice called up as he climbed up the stairs from the lawn. “You have Rose up there?”

Lottie gave a facetiously serious nod as she passed him. “She’s all yours.”

Noah took the last of the steps two at a time and jogged towards Rose on the deck. “Were you looking for me?” He asked.

Rose smiled up at Noah, enjoying the feeling of being his partner that came from seeking each other out after a bombshell text. It was nice to know that he was thinking of her, even if their current relationship was a postured one. “I was, how’d you know?”

He chuckled, “Little birdie?”

“Little birdie with very good eyeliner and an Aussie accent?”

“The very same.” He took her hand. “Let’s sit.”

Rose allowed herself to be pulled by the hand to the deck steps. From where she and Noah sat, they could see almost all of the other couples also having their respective ‘Where is your head at?’ conversations. Lottie chatting at a disinterested Rocco, Hope and Ibrahim kicking their feet in the pool, Gary and Hannah frowning at each other on one of the daybeds. Things weren’t looking good for the Villa at the moment.

“How are you feeling, now that we’re…” Noah checked an imaginary watch on his wrist. “Surely no more than two hours out from the last time we had one of these conversations?”

Rose smiled, appreciating his humor, but she was beginning to feel the effects of the Villa being a place outside of time. As absurd as it was, they did actually have to have a talk again so soon. “Truthfully, I’m feeling a bit strange about Truth or Dare. Between Hope’s dare and Bobby’s…” She frowned, trying to think of the words, fully aware now of the cameraman that had settled beside Noah, filming their talk up close.

Noah waited for her to finish her thought, his expression betraying nothing.

Finally, she said, “I think I’d like to get to know Bobby more, and I don’t mind if you’d like to get to know Hope more.”

He nodded slowly as if considering her words and weighing his reply carefully against her statement. He said, “I had a nice conversation with Hope earlier, while you were…” He trailed off and jutted a thumb back towards the Villa to indicate her previous location.

As he said this, Rose couldn’t help but feel a touch of jealousy once again. It was absurd, really. Hope had just as much a right to get to know Noah as she did, but the idea of it still made her chest ache. The idea of being *not chosen by someone, regardless of the context, was painful in itself. “But with the bombshell,” she carried on, needing to veer the conversation away from Hope. “If it’s another guy, I’d prefer to stay with you so that you remain safe. If we have any say in it, that is. I’m not expecting the same of you.” She paused, taking a breath. “But, that’s just where I stand.”

“I wouldn’t want to leave you vulnerable either,” Noah said, frowning. “But if it’s their pick?”

“It very well may be.” Rose squeezed his hand. “Then no hard feelings if we get split up?”

Noah laughed, a surprised chuckle but welcome all the same. “Optimistic of you.”

“I’m just saying!” She giggled, happy for the levity brought by Noah’s rare laughter. “Some things are out of our hands, that’s what makes this whole thing interesting. It’s good to discern what we can’t control so we can focus on the things that we can control.”

“That’s wise.”

Rose was unsure whether this was a genuine compliment from Noah or if he was just humoring her, but she continued, “Especially in here, emotions are going to run high because that’s what makes good television. We have to do our best not to let it get the better of us.”

Noah leaned back against the wooden steps and studied the sky. Somehow, the sun was already beginning to sink below the horizon, casting its last bits of golden light across the infinity pool beneath them. The cameraman that had been trained on them pulled away and wandered off, leaving Rose and Noah to settle into another sweet, comfortable silence.

Perhaps, Rose thought, she could keep sane in Love Island by boring the cameramen away at every turn. She may not be a fan favorite that way, but if she was in it for love that shouldn’t matter.

“I’m feeling very lucky to have such a levelheaded partner,” Noah said, finally.

Rose bumped his shoulder with hers. “You’re quite levelheaded, yourself.”

“Just levelheaded?” Noah teased, a hint of a grin playing at his lips. “You’re awful at flirting.”

She giggled. “Okay, yes I am. But you started that.”

Noah pulled back and studied her. She felt warm under his gaze, studied but without the scrutiny promised by the cameras. The observation from Noah’s deep brown eyes was pleasant if only a bit intense. He said nothing for a long beat, so Rose allowed herself to study him in kind. Squaring her shoulders, she let her eyes flicker over his smooth features, wondering how someone could look so perfect. She traced the long eyelashes that fluttered over lovely dark eyes, just above a perfect nose and pretty lips, committing each line and curve to memory.

“You are so gorgeous.” Before she could help it, Rose had lost the quiet staring competition. The smile that her statement got out of Noah was worth it, however. Sweet lips parted just enough to reveal perfect teeth.

Every one of Noah’s smiles felt like a gift.

“Would it be cheesy to say I was thinking the same?”

She turned away, blinded by Noah’s sincerity and his perfect teeth. A soft hand came up to her chin, turning her back towards him.

“Look at me,” he said. And the falling sun burned a few shades brighter. “It is cheesy, but I meant it.”

Rose forced herself to meet his gaze, relieved to see nothing but that intense openness in his eyes, no sign that he was lying to her. “I meant it too,” she said, like it was a challenge.

Noah smirked. “Then we’re in agreement.” Smug confidence suited him frustratingly well.

Below them on the lawn, the other couples were separating and wandering up towards the Villa, someone must have gotten a text instructing them to start getting ready for the night’s party.

“Is there anything else we need to talk about?” Rose spoke slowly, acutely aware of Noah’s hand on her chin, his thumb still hovering below her bottom lip. “There is something I’d like to make right,” he said.

Rose swallowed. “What is that?”

“I’m a bit bothered by the fact that we’re in a couple and Bobby — of all people — has kissed you and I haven’t.”

“A kiss on the cheek,” Rose said, “and I didn’t take you for the jealous type.”

Noah turned her face to the side and leaned in, pressing his lips against her cheek. She felt so dizzied at such a small gesture that it was almost laughable.

“I’m not the jealous type,” he said. “But I do like things to be fair.”

He let her go and stood, waving at the other islanders as they climbed up the deck. The thumb that had brushed Rose’s lips just a moment earlier was hooked in the pocket of his swim trunks like nothing had ever happened.

When Lottie made it up the steps and offered a hand, Rose was still sitting at Noah’s feet, gathering her composure.

“Rocco is going to make me lose it.” Lottie rubbed at her temples. “Debrief in the dressing room?”

Rose pressed a hand absentmindedly to the place where Noah’s lips had been and smiled. “Sure thing.”

-

thank you so much for reading and for all of the notes on the first chapter, i was afraid that the fandom would be too dead for another rewrite fic but it doesn't seem like it is! comments and reblogs are always appreciated!! these chapters keep being so much longer and more difficult to write than i expect them to be, but i do hope to keep updating frequently! <3

tags: @starsarestars