#There is something so tender about it. They are kindred spirits.

[vampv0id]

Will and Hannibal tenderly baring their souls to each other in Hannibal's office and wading through every nook of each others' brain for perspectives on ethical conundrums and the joys of mangling people in unspeakable ways while probably tipsy on their third glasses of wine:

[hxxsxxng]

SUNGHOON 박성훈 - SOULS BONDED

Word Count : 2k

Genre : Angst

Content : mentions of death, mentions of being orphaned, unrequited romantic feelings, childhood trauma reguarding lack of parental figure and poverty

Preview : When you are hanging out with your best friend, you realize you crave something you could never have

Authors note : I feel like I am becoming a dictionary because I am trying to produce higher quality work. lol enjoy!

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You glance over at Sunghoon sitting across from you at the dingy café table. His brow is furrowed in concentration as he sips his cup of coffee. You know that crease in his forehead all too well - it means his mind is drowning in the turbulent waters of the past again.

Sunghoon had confided in you about his childhood not long after your own paths converged. The two of you were kindred spirits, orphans with none but each other to cling to. While you lost your father at a tender age, Sunghoon never knew his parents at all, thrown from one fostering situation to another until finally aging out of the system.

In those fragile early days, you marveled at how Sunghoon's eyes would become inscrutable pools when he spoke of his upbringing. Never dwelling on specifics, but the hurt and confusion were palpable underneath his steely exterior. You recognized that look because it was the same one you saw in the mirror after your dad passed - the look of someone who had the ground torn violently out from beneath them too soon.

That shared brokenness was the tether that bound your souls. An unspoken language of deprivation and loneliness that became the basis for your bond. No matter how dire your circumstances became, you vowed to always be there for Sunghoon and not let him freefall back into that void of isolation.

But over time, that vow mutated into something more complicated. Something that kept you awake at night, tossing and turning with tangled sheets and an aching emptiness. The more you learned about Sunghoon's quiet strength, his dry humor, his latent brilliance left to wither on the vine...the more your feelings started drifting into uncharted waters.

You trace the sharp lines of Sunghoon's profile with hungry eyes. The elegant slope of his nose, the strands of night-black hair falling across his eyes, the sculptural cut of his jawline that could have been chiseled from marble. Naturally, your gaze drops to the full pout of his lips, and you feel a lush, insistent ache deep in your belly. The painful throb of yearning for something - someone - so achingly close yet impossibly out of reach.

Get a grip, you growl at yourself, shaking your head minutely. Sunghoon is your friend. He's already been through so much in this life. The last thing he needs is the weight of your burgeoning feelings muddying up what little hope he's found.

But you can't help replaying all of the late nights you've spent side-by-side, putting the shattered pieces of your lives back together through hushed conversations and shared laughter over future dreams. How his obsidian eyes would glitter at your jokes as your shoulders brushed, sending tingles racing across your skin. The way his calloused hand would linger over yours during rare instances of contact, raising goosebumps along the surface like an electric brand.

You've tried so hard to rationalize your feelings away as temporary insanity. As the inevitable yearning to find intimacy in the one person who truly sees you for who you are - the lost girl grasping just as desperately for belonging, already torn to shreds by the all-consuming need blazing through your veins.

Sunghoon's lashes sweep upwards, his penetrating gaze catching your fixated stare. You startle slightly, blood rushing quickly to your cheeks at being so transparently caught in your staring. He arches an inquisitive eyebrow and you hastily shake your head, worrying your bottom lip in an attempt to regain composure.

"Sorry, I was just...lost in thought," you mumble with an unconvincing laugh, trying in vain to ignore the thump of your pulse drumming in your ears.

Sunghoon holds your gaze for a heavy moment, his stare stripping away every flimsy barrier you've tried to build. The ghost of a smirk plays at the corners of those tantalizing lips. "I could tell. You get this look...like the whole cosmos is swirling around behind your eyes."

You snort softly at his turn of phrase, finally allowing your features to relax into a crooked smile. An attempt to retake control and deflect from the storm ravaging you from the inside out. "Pretty sure it's just the usual jumbled mess bouncing around my skull."

"Well, whatever it is..." Sunghoon murmurs, leaning forward slightly with uncharacteristic earnestness. His eyes search yours with an arresting intensity that has your breath catching in your throat. "I hope you know you can talk to me about anything. Anytime. You're..." He pauses, adam's apple bobbing, "You're the only real family I've got."

Your throat constricts at his simple yet loaded admission. For all of Sunghoon's projected nonchalance, his vulnerability was one of his most disarming qualities. He didn't let just anyone see beneath the armor.

The urge to reach across the table and pull him into a hug is overwhelming. To pour every ounce of your heart's desires into the union of your bodies and souls. But you swallow that reckless impulse, nodding mutely.

"I know," you rasp, fingers straying unconsciously across the tabletop until they're covering his hand. Ignoring the lump in your chest at the searing brand of flesh on flesh. "And you're mine too, Sunghoon. Wherever this crazy life takes us...I'll always be on your side. I'm not going anywhere."

A kaleidoscope of emotions flicker across Sunghoon's features - gratitude and something deeper, more visceral that you dare not put a name to for fear of shattering the delicate tension covering you both. He turns his hand over, intertwining his fingers with yours in a way that has your breath hitching.

In that single gesture, your vision blurs with a maelstrom of feeling. You realize with a bone-deep ache that even if Sunghoon doesn't reciprocate this all-consuming need scorching through your veins...this bond alone is more meaningful than anything you could have ever dared dream for yourself. Two souls who found sanctuary in each other's light, refusing to let it be extinguished by the gales of the past.

And maybe...just maybe...there's still a flicker of that same fire reflected in Sunghoon's gaze. A spark flickering tantalizingly behind his eyes that could one day ignite into a cataclysmic firestorm if you let the air rush in. But for now, you'll embrace this steady glow of affinity and belonging, letting it envelop you like the first warm rays of dawn after an endless night of darkness.

No matter what the future may bring, you'll bear this burden, letting it burn through your very marrow as proof of life's persisting beauty in the ashes. Both of you have wandered in shadow for far too long. It's time to let this bond guide you, however fraught with longing, into the searing light of grace.

You give Sunghoon's hand a firm, resolute squeeze. Steadying yourself against the current of want threatening to sweep you away into uncharted depths. With a smile, you hold his stare.

"I'm never letting you go, Sunghoon. We've got each other. That's what matters most."

[revelisms]

Braindumping about Silco and Vi, because these two are such fantastic narrative foils for each other—and, in the same breath, completely cut from the same cloth.

I keep wishing they had more scenes together, another square-off, something to put them head-to-head—because there's so much potential for them to counteract the layers of each other.

At the root of it all, Vander's looming between them, this monolith of a presence that ties their pasts together. But above that, still, we have Jinx—who not only is their driving tension, but their greatest possibility for reconnection.

Here, we have Vander's daughter—someone who, for all intents and purposes, has become what he wanted, but who has also been someone he saw too much of himself in; who he did his best to reshape, instead of enable, and who put him on a pedestal, and truly saw him as hers, more than perhaps anyone (except, well, Silco).

Vi treasured Vander, fully looked up to him as her father—and losing him shattered her. In between all the layers of it, there's this underlying thread in his actions towards her, a tension that just sits with her through Act 1—Do as I say, not as I do (or, rather, as I did).

Here, we also have Vander's partner—someone who knew him before, knew what he was, what he resented, and what he became, instead; and who bears the scars of what all their fallout grew to be. Someone who holds the memory of him tangibly, in multiple respects, as though it is something he physically cannot sever: Vander's knife, the Drop—and even, in some ways, Jinx.

Silco is still clinging to the idea of Vander, throughout the entire series. To the potential in their reunion at the cannery; to the reassurance of what he knew him to be (I knew you still had it in you; Vander wasn't the man you thought he was); to this need he has to still speak to him, even after everything.

But Vi was raised with the burden of being the eldest; being the one most capable of providing protection—and, as a consequence, with the burden of responsibility.

She's not only a sister to Jinx. She's a guardian to her—and in many respects, a stand-in mother. And Silco, as a surrogate father, is standing right in the middle of that. A roadblock between "Powder," as Vi knows her sister as, and "Jinx," as Silco knows his daughter to be.

Right at the forefront, we have so much conflict here. Vi is so similar to Vander, to the point that she is nearly his spirit incarnate—so much so that having her resurface from a presumed grave just sets fuel to fire for a vendetta Silco has never been able to snuff out.

But beneath that—far beneath that—they have so much in common. Vi's headstrong rebuttals in Act 1 about going against Piltover and striking them down, about being made to feel lesser her whole life and needing to fight against it, just sings with Silco's anger in the cannery (You'd die for the cause, but you won't fight for one?).

These are two kindred spirits, two revolutionaries willing to do anything for their city and those they love, and who aren't afraid to fight for it. Who want to fight for it.

But trapped between it all, we have Jinx. Someone Vi is not willing to sacrifice (i.e., her memory of Powder), and who Silco, by the end of the series, isn't willing to sacrifice, either (i.e., his loyalty to Jinx).

Vi, of course, could never fathom Silco being a father to Powder (how could she, after he is the reason Vander was taken from her?)—and looks for justifications for her hatred, in everything he does.

But the unfortunate truth of the matter is that for all Vander cherished and nurtured Vi as a vision of himself—so has Silco, to Jinx. He sees himself in her. He has empowered her, cherished her. He is so incredibly tender with her, in his own ways. And—for all his absolute faults, his skewed morals, his tunnel-visioned zealousy to achieve Zaun—he is a good father to Jinx, just as Vander was a good father to Vi.

The question I keep finding myself mulling over, though, is whether these two could find elements of that, once again, in each other.

There are so many things Silco isn't—not only in Vander's shadow, but simply in the character that he is. He doesn't come in swinging; he plots, he strategizes, he fights with words. He isn't a warm presence, or a jovial one; he's chilling, he's dry, he's distanced. There are countless contradictions one can draw between the two of them—and so many layers one can tease apart, on how their opposites attracted each other, how they worked (a balance that will no longer ever be).

But there are so many things Silco is. He's critical, he's fiercely rational, he knows how to weave a crowd around his finger with a single intonation. He admires the outcasts, the scrappers, those that have dredged through society to claw for what they can. He surrounds himself with them—and he operates alongside them, as an equal as much as an usurper.

He's a flavor of parenthood Vi didn't receive, but could have—the one that would have validated her need to fight; who would have taught her that strength comes in numbers, not in one's single ability to protect; who would have seen her snarkiness, her quick wit on her feet, and taught her to use it to her leverage.

The tragedy of the whole series is that Jinx needs them both to have balance in her life—to keep the tether of her child self and her trauma from splitting her apart at the seams—yet for Silco and Vi, as the narrative destines them for (and as it destined Silco and Vander for), any semblance of a connection between them is doomed for destruction.

There's too much they hold fiercely to themselves, in their own traumas, that they cannot set down—even for the sake of Jinx's needs. They are equally selfish, in that way. They want the version of Vander that they are not willing to let go of; and they want the version of Jinx that they know her to be.

But they could change. They could.

Silco did, by the end. Chose his daughter, his legacy, over the cause, over his vision of progress. And Vi did, too. Chose "peace," chose to set down the gauntlets, chose politics (and—arguably—complacency, in the same way Vander did) as the path forward.

But what if they set it all down, for Jinx? What if they became what she needed, on both sides? A father who sees her, nurtures her, like Vander saw and nurtured Vi—and a sister who loves and protects her, like Vi loved and protected Powder; who could learn, maybe, to love and protect "Jinx," too?

And maybe—just maybe—Silco and Vi could learn to appreciate each other, for all their surface hatreds. Find mentorship, find balance again, in each other. And through it, Vi could learn that protection, responsibility, isn't the only quality to strive for. That even she can be nurtured again, too.

[thedeviltohisangel]

My current thought is the special spot John has for spook way back when. And how that grew to love and tenderness and their relationship. Also thinking how once they make it out of the war, they are each other’s safe space (they are this during the war too but…) they know they have each other and that they understand what they went through to make it out 😭

This is so soft and I am in love with it!!

John gives her one look across that airfield and knows he needs to know her. He doesn't know he is going to love her (and how hard and deep and far) but he does have this feeling that she is meant to be in his life.

They recognize they are kindred spirits very early on. No one will ever be able to even begin to understand what they have seen and gone through and experienced. They have found the ONE person their soul calls to because they are capable of understanding their drive to make a difference and do something no one else can and do whatever it takes to survive and ALWAYS come home to each other.

Post-war John/Cass is going to need so much attention especially early on. There is so much to figure out and work through. @gloryofroses19 and I keep discussing 'The Wisconsin Fight' (which will probably be another 10 page interlude lbr). It's all the anger of the camps that John holds in, coming out. All of Cass' insecurities about not being enough but also being too much coming out.

A lot of "What do you want to do, Cass? If your soul is telling you that you need to fly away and be free of me and this marriage then please just tell me"

or she calls her sister and

"It's not good and something's wrong and I don't know how to fix it, Livvy, I don't know how to fix it but he's slipping away and I don't know if I can hold on any tighter without breaking him"

and just fun casual things like that.

come pick my brain about it, i'm begging you

[vladdyissues]

Listen, listen, what if in the middle of the recovery in the hospital Vlad would lack of money and NOT try to steal them, but decided to go "ghost life" (ye, technically he's still halfa but go to his weak human form when he's beaten or needs to have some sleep)? Danny wouldn't know for long time why that ghost is so interested in him and why he can't scent Vlad or his scent is totally different than other ghosts, it would a plot twist of Vlad being halfa, too. I don't think Plasmius would try to seduce Maddie. Revenge from Jack? Yes.

Do you think Vlad would have more ghost friends (like a popular hc of Skulker+Ember+Technus+Spectra+Vlad) or still stay same miserable way?

That's a fascinating alternate universe scenario! Instead of staying in the human world and robbing his way to wealth and power, Vlad flees to the Ghost Zone and tries to eke out an existence there. We already saw in Masters of All Time that his ghost half doesn't suffer (at least not visually) from the effects of the ecto-acne, so maybe it hurt less to be in his ghost form, and that was the impetus for him to flee to the Ghost Zone. It's something to think about.

I honestly don't see Vlad making any actual friends in the human world or the ghost realm. He likes having pawns and minions, people he can use, often ruthlessly*. (See: the townsfolk he overshadowed to vote him in for mayor in Eye for an Eye.) He works with Skulker and employs the vultures and ectopusses to do his dirty work, but he isn't actually friends with them. All he seems to care about is their use to him. He has no desire for friendship or companionship with other people or ghosts who aren't Maddie and/or Danny. And if he can't have what he truly wants, he'll accept no substitutes. It's all or nothing when it comes to Vlad.

*Of course, this could be a defense mechanism; Vlad has been hurt emotionally and physically. He's been traumatized, had his heart broken, he feels betrayed, and perhaps he's afraid to let anyone in now. Deep down, he's so tender, so desperate to love and be loved (see: Maternal Instincts and Kindred Spirits) that he has to guard himself well, otherwise his next heartache might destroy him. He's like a crab: tough exterior but extremely vulnerable on the inside.

I imagine he views ghosts like Ember and Technus and Spectra as incompetent or beneath him. Canon examples: in Torrent of Terror, he only helps free Vortex so he can manipulate him, and when he loses the means of controlling him, he lays on the charm to save his own skin (and then jets, leaving Danny to clean up his dirty work). Same with the Fright Night and Pariah Dark in Reign Storm. He wouldn't deign to actually befriend these ghosts, and he certainly doesn't respect them. To him they're merely obstacles to be overcome, threats to be neutralized. Upon his arrival to the Ghost Zone, I bet he set up a lair somewhere especially hidden and worked on developing his powers until he could easily wallop his competition—and maybe that's how he ended up recruiting Skulker and the vultures, by holding the threat of destruction over their heads.

As for Danny, I'm sure he would be stunned and intrigued to find another ghost hybrid like himself, and if this first meeting were to happen organically in the Ghost Zone, it would put Vlad in a position of power. He could lie to Danny, make up any tragic backstory he wanted, and Danny would have no reason to doubt him; after all, in this universe, Vlad Masters disappeared from the hospital and was never heard from again. Vlad could prey on the boy's curiosity, luring him in with either good or nefarious intentions, and if he played his cards just right, Danny would soon become his first true and loyal friend in 20+ years, and together they could go on to conquer the Ghost Zone.

With a crown on his head and a companion at his side—not to mention the fear and obedience of the inhabitants of the Ghost Zone—Vlad would at last have everything he ever wanted: love, power, and an eternity to enjoy both.

[civilight-eterna]

may i please ask that you write gravel being a fucked up little knight for a pretty girl. pretty girl can be of your choice (though amiya is envisioned during this ask), thank u i love ur writing. may kjera bless you always.

oh god i am always so down to write amiya with most anyone anon. i've been eyeing this ask for days and mulling it over with much care so I hope you enjoy it!!

...

"Aww, my. I'd say I was sorry for flustering you so badly, but I'm not in the habit of lying to pretty girls. The way your face gets all red just makes it even better for me."

The clear, instant distress on Amiya's face is to die for. Gravel could only hold the deepest of respect for her, for having the courage to seek her out in private to clarify her intentions in the way she'd greeted her, even as easily embarrassed as she was to be talking about it at all.

"S-So...you kissed me, b-because...?"

"...What if I never told you? Would you seek me out again, just like this time?" Gravel walks her back against the door, her hand coming to rest on the wall beside her face. "Would you let me kiss you again, each time? Would your curiosity get the better of you? Would you keep coming back to see what it makes you feel like?"

Gravel curls her fingers beneath Amiya's chin, her index finger breaking rank and ghosting up over the front of her lips, tracing their shape with a slow stroke down the bottom one to part them.

Soft as the petals of a rose, dewy and tender and flush with color like the rest of her face.

She inclines her chin, tilts Amiya's up, and waits.

She could close the distance. It would be so easy, to eliminate the gap, to ease her tongue into that pliant, pretty mouth until she's too dizzy and lovesick to stand.

"...How does it make you feel, Amiya?" Gravel breathes against her lips, "Can you see anything but me?...Can you think of anything, but this?"

"M-Miss Gravel..." Amiya's voice is wavering with reluctant reproach, her eyes round and wide and teeming with bewilderment; so painfully innocent.

She drops her chin away from Gravel's fingers, laying a hand against the now rapid rise and fall of her chest.

She's adorable. Gravel can imagine so clearly the way she would respond to being kissed senseless-her meek voice whimpering, wobbling lips, fluttering eyelashes, and her jaw falling slack with surrender.

She can sense something of a kindred spirit in Amiya; maybe it's the doe-eyed look of someone in over their head? Maybe it's the overly-serious downturned curve of her mouth?

Things that actually, aren't very alike to Gravel right now at all. Not anymore. Not for a long time now.

"I mentioned before, right? It's just a little hello. Your mouth might stick like that if you keep frowning so."

"Um. I...understand that it might be something that comes very easily to you. I truly do not wish to offend, but, I..." Amiya's throat bobs subtly as she swallows hard, and Gravel can already sense the rejection poised on her lips, "...that sort of expression, might be easy to misunderstand, and-"

"Hehe. I won't lead you astray. I promise."

"A-Ah, no, I didn't doubt you like that...! But all the same...I can't allow others to get the wrong idea. It would put our company in something of a tight spot-"

"So all that's keeping you from letting me kiss you is the idea that others might get, then?" Gravel's smile widened, coy, "I daresay that's even better than I had hoped to get with you, Miss Leader."

Amiya's face ignited bright red, from the bottom of her neck to the tips of her ears. Gravel giggled and placed a chaste peck on her forehead.

"...Hehe, poor thing. You're just too much fun to tease, you know? Here-this might be a little more your speed. Come here."

"-?!"

Gravel pulled her into an embrace, warm, but with the heated atmosphere from before dampened just enough to let her new charge relax into the hug.

"Aah..."

"I won't cause you any trouble. I promised, didn't I? I'll take good care of you and your Doctor, and if you have second thoughts about anything...that door isn't closed."

"I'm...sorry, Miss Gravel." Her voice is small but resolute against her shoulder, "But, I think it...should be."

"Hmm. Then you can open it whenever you want."

"...I...will be leaving it that way."

Gravel is not often taken aback, but here she hears such a sense of finality in Amiya's tone that it neuters her carefree buoyancy instantly.

It's been a while since she's felt ashamed. Is that what this is?

Perhaps the world is playing some cruel cosmic prank on her after all. Because now, faced with Amiya's resolute surety to her responsibilities, she can only regard her so much more fondly than she'd ever thought possible.

She won't be the one Amiya confides in. She won't be the one she bares her burdens to. The door is closed and Amiya will hold the handle tight.

Just as unease begins to prick at her heart, Amiya's arms fold around her, returning the embrace.

Almost like she knew just how she was feeling.

"Thank you for looking out for us. Even...if I can't..."

Oh, this is miserable.

"Shhh. I can handle myself. Let me save a little face. My blades are with you regardless. When you're in danger, just call my name-"

They pull back from the embrace.

"-and I'll make sure your kisses are in more conventionally-appropriate places. Like this."

Gravel gives Amiya time to move away-she does not-and presses her lips against her forehead.

"...Mmwah."

"Th-Thank you-" Amiya stammers, "-Miss Gravel."

"Senomy."

"Hmm?"

"...Call me Senomy."

[arcielee]

Interview With a Writer

Thank you @theromanticegoist for allowing me to pick your brain over this beautiful story created 💜 This is just my ongoing series Interview With a Writer. My masterlist has the other talented Tumblr kindred spirits who have shared the BTS of their brilliant stories shared/posted on Tumblr and ao3.

Dividers by @saradika 💜

Name: theromanticegoist

Story: looks like something blooming

Paring: modern Aemond Targaryen x nanny!reader

Warnings: 18+ mature themes.

So, when did you start writing?

I think like most other writers, I’ve written since I was young. When I was a kid, I used to write little books about my pets (printer pieces of paper that I stapled together and drew on with crayon) and as I grew older my writing changed and grew as well.

I was a kid and deeply obsessed with Ursula Le Guin and so (sad but true) it was Harry Potter. I’ve always really loved characters that have that gradient of moral ambiguity and so a lot of those characters particularly interested me (plus there’s just so much you can do there, as a writer).

Where did the plot for looks like something blooming come from?

The ending was sort of the lynchpin for it all - the scene where they’re dancing in the living room - it was what made me want to write it in the first place. I knew vaguely of what I wanted to write around it, the tone and the vibe that I wanted to effuse it with - a lot of those both came from Tender is the Night, which it borrows it’s name from.

I had a smattering of scenes here and there - that moment where Aemond tells the reader about what happened to his eye, the small bits and pieces of their daily routine, but by and large a lot of it was written as I was going - it just felt right.

Can you explain your interpretation of Aemond. What drives him? Why is he the way he is in LLSB?

I try to never stray tooo terribly far from canon Aemond (obviously tweaking has to be done here and there to make him palatable and conscionable but my goal is to always keep his motives believable and consistent).

LLSB Aemond is very much guarded; he’s love starved, with parents who didn’t particularly love each other and a father who doesn’t particularly love him and a family that’s fractured and loveless at large. Love is something he’s always wanted but has always seemed out of reach, and in this modern version of him that need for love, for validation, to be seen and accepted is at the forefront (especially when the want for a dragon and a throne, these “birthright” things that are harder to come by in a modern setting, are stripped away).

I think, too, duty and family play such a large part in his character. He’s a devoted brother, son; he’s only worth what other people view him as and as such he’s always striving to make himself something for the people in his life - all except his son, this person who accepts him and loves him at face value, this person who’s dealings with him are so straightforward and pure. I think the want for that (in my version) is really what sits at the core of his character.

Was there anything in specific that inspired your Reader portrayal?

Not particularly! I try to keep my reader portrays as nondescript as possible, so it’s relatively believable that they could, in fact, be the person reading. Here I was really trying to tailor the reader to Aemond and Aenys, and make them someone that would enmesh themselves in the family well.

Do you feel your Reader complements Aemond well?

I do! I think that both are very dutiful, very family oriented, they both are so fond of people like Aenys and Helaena, who kind of tether them to the Earth; and I wanted to write a reader who kind of fit into Aemond like a puzzle piece - where he’s quick to jump to anger or brash action, they’re very calm and subdued, where he’s afraid or tentative, they’re a little more brave.

I wrote a lot in LLSB about how Helaena and Aemond are mirrors of each other, how they’re both seasons but each at the opposite end, and I think the reader functions similarly like that to Aemond as well.

Is there a possibility for an epilogue?

I’ll be posting a small epilogue fairly soon that shows a little of Aemond, Aenys, and the reader’s future. I want to work on getting out some requests and one-shots over the following weeks and then after that I’ll pick up with a series that I started but never finished - the thread i try to spin

Any favorite fanfiction you would like to share?

I’ve been horrible about keeping up on my fanfic reading lately but a favorite is The Tempest by @aemonds-fire 💜

[ekza-art]

To Finn Wolfhard, with endless love

In fact, I want to confess my incredible love for Finn Wolfhard. There are sometimes people with whom you do not know personally, but you feel a certain kindred spirit. Firstly, I am infinitely grateful to him for such a number of characters that are ambiguous in terms of their sexuality. Given that he played them all in his tender teenage years, to capture and convey this turmoil within himself, these endless questions... oh, I consider this great skill and additionally a separate degree of understanding.

He looks very organic. And every time I catch these incredible vibes, I think about how I would like to hug this wonderful guy and tell him all the words of love and support that can only be in my head. Watching him on TV shows and at presentations, I see how he is sometimes very nervous, how uncomfortable he is. And I think - Finn, you really are an incredibly supportive, insanely charismatic guy. I literally feel like a proud parent looking at him. How he grew up and how he becomes.

As much as I wanted to support Noah during his coming out, I also want to support Finn during his difficult time in public and other things he is worried about. These boys are great.

And my drawings here are every time a warm, supportive, respectful act of love. I literally sing the beauty of the soul and body of a person who inspires to create something new. And I get angry every time I see a hate somewhere directed at the guys. This is a free opinion, I understand, but let's live in a world of support, acceptance and understanding. To live in a world of love, because it is so necessary now for each of us.

[iwoszareba]

there is a prompt going around in wotr fandom to describe why your KC loves their chosen LI and I may not be a proper writer but I do love talking about Sosiel

- - -

"I will see you tomorrow, my dear."

Even now the way Sosiel looked at me with such tenderness was enough to make me smile. I kissed his cheek, bid him goodnight and already started to feel the lack of his presence beside me.

"Someone who is willing to go to the Abyss and back for you sure is a keeper." I returned to the room where my sister was still sipping her cup of rose petal tea. "Are you two planning anything serious?"

Innocent enough question but with the way Khadija's fox ears were slightly quivering I knew she was fishing for gossip. To combat such interest I put on a slightly confused expression.

"Not to my knowledge."

She tried to inspect my face for a while longer just to admit defeat with a sigh.

"Fine, keep your secrets. I'm just happy for you is all. You became so serious about things after your naming ceremony. I was worried you will finish your studies and upon return call for a matchmaker so they make sure you best serve the interests of the family or some such tripe."

I snickered at her tone and made myself comfortable at the opposite side of the table.

"Our brother and his match worked out fine. Are you doubting the wisdom of his choices?"

"I'm happy for him too! I'm sure he will make a great patriarch one day, such a steadfast and reliable guy he is." Even her compliments couldn't fully cover up the indignation. "But I also think that madly in love first, commitment second is the correct order of things."

"It's because you are a sappy romantic."

I instantly regretted my teasing as it was all the excuse she needed to continue her interrogation.

"Sure am! Yet somehow you were the one to catch yourself a cleric of Shelyn. How romantic is that? Tsk tsk. You need to explain yourself, young man."

I raised my open palms like I was just caught red handed.

"It's not like I planned to have feelings. It just happened."

She laughed and my cheeks grew hotter as I realised how silly what I just said must have sounded.

"I'm glad we established a baseline for how having emotions generally works, so how long it took you to get those pesky feelings?"

I hesitated. I knew the honest answer would get her riled up even more but I did not wish to lie about this either. She pushed the biscuit box across the table as a peace offering. I took a cookie and relented.

"The first time we spoke…"

"No!" She gasped and covered her mouth with one hand. "Love at first sight? That's the pinnacle of sappy romance!"

"It wasn't love. More like…" I tried to choose my words more carefully this time "...finding a kindred spirit in an unlikely place. An oasis after days of walking the desert. We were both far from home, doing something outside of our nature for the sake of our families. And what a sight the two of us must have made: young artist and young academic trying very hard to appear like we have any business being in the military among grizzled veterans. Funny how easy it is to make a strong connection when it means you feel less alone."

"I'm sure him being easy on the eyes helped too."

Khadija winked at me and raised her teacup in toast.

"What can we do other than appreciate beauty when we see it?" I conceded with a smile "But to be perfectly honest it was his ideals that intrigued me the most. He was so strongly aligned with protection. Dangerous position to take when you take active part in a war, the embodiment of destruction. I thought: alone this man will break. And I wished to be the counterpoint that makes sure he stays standing."

No teasing remark followed my words, to the contrary my sister seemed to be deep in thought for what felt like an unbearably long moment.

"You know how in books love at first sight is usually about appearances, but in the really good books it's about how you saw something in the other person even if you didn't fully understand it at the time? You experienced the latter."

I opened and closed my mouth, not quite sure how to respond to that.

"But you can't leave it there! What happened next? Lingering glances, candlelit dinners? There must have been at least one poem, if not I will have to tell your man that he is unworthy of being Shelyn's cleric!"

I chuckled, thankful for the subject change.

"There was a poem, he wrote it himself. It wasn't very good. I believe I still have it somewhere in my bag. The sentiment behind the words was genuinely quite touching. And he arranged an orchestra when he decided to pop the big question."

Thankfully Khadija already finished drinking so her surprise couldn't turn into a choking hazard.

"He proposed?"

"No. He simply asked if I want to be with him. On one knee! A little over the top but I admit it did make me feel special… Now he is embarrassed about how flowery his gestures were at the time."

"Why? Isn't that just par for the course with courtly romance?"

"Yes, but it's not truly about the actions themselves." I looked at my hands lying still on the surface of the table, slight discomfort always present in one of them "It's about the thoughts behind them. Stories we tell to ourselves. Watching him struggle with it made me understand this better in myself. You can try to mould yourself into a paragon of faith as much as you want but at the end of the day you are still just a person. And it wasn't that bad of a realisation because now we get to be us. Together."

[evebestt]

Hi! I was wondering if you could do a Farah x reader fanfic where the reader is Bloom’s slightly older sister who was in the military but left and she’s also a fairy as well and she and Farah bond or something? Can be fluff hurt/comfort, smut anything you can decide but I’ve just had that idea for a little while and figured I’d ask. If you don’t want to or feel comfortable with it then could you just write one where Farah comforts the reader I am a sad potato right now so anything would be nice🍪🧁🧁❤️hope you’re doing okay

Hi hon! Thank you for sending this in! It turned out to be just the prompt I needed to write at this time 🖤

My family lost a good friend a couple days ago -- if you've ever known pain like that, of any kind, I hope this can help.

Read here on AO3 or below

Wildflowers

You sat on a bench, arms draped over the back as you watched the little figures you’d made dance through the air. You’d called the flowers from the earth and asked them to grow and twine together into a shape that pleased them, and found that they gave you six horses, all dappled with the dainty pastels of flowers. You’d sent them running into the air then, and had since watched them leap and dance, grateful for the distraction.

Some time later, when the sun had moved a few inches through the sky, a delicate little horse made of water pranced through the air, tossing its mane so the water shimmered like pinpricks of stars. It approached yours in a regal trot, then made you smile as it bowed low, one leg lifted as it dropped to its knees. You made one of yours stop and bow back, and then you chuckled when the water horse reared playfully and tapped your horse with a hoof.

“I didn’t expect to find you here.”

You turned your head and saw Farah standing a few paces away, her eyes glowing with magic, though you’d already known it was her — you knew her magic well, and it always had a shimmer to it that made you smile.

“I wanted to come down to see my sister.” You’d only known about her for a few years, but she was still your sister.

“How’s Bloom?”

“Good. Teenager who’s in her fourth year at school. But I was once too, so.”

You slowly lowered your horses to the ground and set them to graze peacefully, watching Farah’s come in and seamlessly join their herd.

“Teenager, but maturing. She hasn’t caused nearly as much trouble this year than others.”

That made you laugh. “Between the two of us, that bar isn’t very high.”

You heard Farah chuckle too, a soft noise low in her throat, and you waved a hand at her. “You don’t just have to stand there, come sit. I didn’t realize anyone else knew about this place.”

She came, and it pleased you when she sat in the crook of your elbow. “Who do you think put the bench here?”

There were the benches in the gardens of Alfea, but if you went deeper into the woods, off the path and nearly beyond the barrier, there was another bench, old and worn but solid, steadily guarding the meadow of wildflowers it looked over. You’d found it years ago and hadn’t told a soul about it, liking the comfort the quiet brought. Though it wasn’t just your spot anymore, knowing you and Farah had sought the same place for years brought a smile to your lips. Kindred spirits, I suppose, you thought.

Farah’s horse picked up its head from grazing, then leaped and bucked not unlike a puppy, coaxing yours into play, and that made you smile too.

“You saw your sister, but your mind is heavy,” she said then. “What else is going on?”

You normally kept defenses up in your mind, knowing personally how easy it was for a fairy to pick up thoughts and emotions from others, but this was Farah. Something about her always stripped you down to your soul.

“I lost a friend today. She was young, and it was just… a fluke.”

“Oh, darling,” she murmured, and angled herself until your knees brushed. She’d never called you something so tender, so intimate before, and it brought tears to the surface again.

“It just doesn’t seem possible.” You huffed out a breath when the first tear fell and dashed it away quickly. But when the second one fell it was Farah who reached out and gently wiped it away, a low murmur of sympathy in her throat. When she offered her other hand to you, you took it and gripped it like a lifeline and leaned against her until the wave of sorrow passed.

You sat up again once you could breathe without sobs choking your throat, though Farah didn’t let go of your hand, and you weren’t inclined to either, not when she was warm and soft against you and the greatest sense of comfort you’d had since you’d received the news.

“You know that tomorrow’s never promised,” you murmured, and Farah stroked her thumb over your knuckles, her other arm now on the back of the bench behind you, nearly holding you. “People throw that phrase around enough that you can’t forget it. But when tomorrow is actually taken away, it’s…”

“Nothing can prepare you for it.”

“No,” you said on half a laugh and shifted closer to Farah. “Nothing can. Even being in the military when you know it’s a real possibility, it still doesn’t work.”

“Especially not when the person’s young.”

“Just a few years older than me. Nothing in her medical history, she just… died. They’ll do a full exam to see what happened, but…” Tears welled up in your eyes again and Farah stroked a hand over your hair. “I feel like I should have done something, or should have known.”

“What could you have done?” she asked softly, her hand still stroking your hair. “Or known?”

“I don’t know.”

“There it is, then.”

That blunt, matter-of-fact honesty that was so classically Farah made you chuckle, despite the circumstances. She was right, there was nothing you could have done, and you knew that deep down. But now in your shock and grief, you wanted to have missed something, if only because it meant that maybe she still could have been alive.

“Do not put the blame on yourself,” Farah murmured, and only then did you remember you weren’t shielding your mind from her. “No one wants those they loved to take that on.”

“I know. I just feel so helpless otherwise.”

You shifted closer to her again, and Farah pulled your joined hands onto her lap, squeezing gently while she ran her fingers along scalp. “Easier said than done, hm?”

The corners of your lips twitched in the beginnings of a wry smile. “Isn’t everything about grief?”

While the sun crept down towards the horizon, the light turning soft, you sat together just like you were, hand in hand as you watched the wind whisper through the trees and the little horses run through the wildflowers, all shining gold in the evening sun.

“Do you have anywhere to be tonight?” she asked after a while, and you shook your head.

“She was still in the military, so they’ll make all the arrangements. There’s nothing I can do now.”

“Will you come back to my place for tea, then?” You looked over at her, surprised by her offer, and she gave you a gentle smile. “You shouldn’t be alone right now. And something in your stomach will help.”

Surprised, amazed, grateful for her offer, you could only nod, then swallow hard when tears threatened again. “I thought I needed to be alone when I got the news,” you said, and then let your forehead drop to hers, leaning into her touch when she reached up to stroke your cheek. “I’m just glad you found me here instead.”

She pressed her lips ever so lightly to the corner of your mouth, chaste and sweet, more a gesture of comfort than anything else, but it made the both of you sigh and lean a little closer. “I won’t let you be alone,” she murmured, and you believed her.

So when you stood together, the golden light fading into the blue of dusk, you felt the pieces of your heart begin to steady.

[alixinwwonderland]

MidgeLenny Prompt: Kisses that start on their fingers and run up their arm, eventually ending on their lips.

(I apologize, this went in a slightly different direction from the prompt, I hope you still enjoy it!)

The first time his lips touch any part of Midge Maisel's body, it's practically a joke.

She darted out during his set, but she burst back into the Gaslight later, where he lingered at the bar, having found a kindred cynical spirit in Susie as act after terrible act followed him as the night went on.

She spills out the whole miserable story, talking too fast and jumping around in that way of hers that he finds oddly charming. From what he can understand, her schmuck of a husband (he's never met the man, but he can just tell) didn't find her jokes about his failings very funny, and what was supposed to be a triumphant declaration of her status as "Mrs. Maisel" is now darkly ironic.

"And this was supposed to be a great night and it was and now it doesn't feel like it and fuck why won't these gloves come off!" Midge yelps in frustration, tugging at the offending accessory. Before he's quite sure what he's doing, Lenny's hands are on the black satin that has stuck to her now-clammy hands, patiently tugging at each finger until it pulls off smoothly.

"Thanks," she says. "First a free set, now helping with my gloves. Who knew, Lenny Bruce is a gentleman."

"Don't let the word get out," he says, all faux-sternness. "And now I have to be going." For the second time, he acts without thinking and lifts Midge's hand to his lips, placing a chivalrous kiss on her fingers, before giving her a sly smile, a nod, and slipping out the door.

*

He weaves his way backstage, looping back around to the spot where Midge had been watching his whole sad shtick. They look at each other, wordless, for a moment, understanding passing between them and yet the weight of that painful understanding a little bit lighter, with two to carry the load. Without a word, he offers his arm, and equally silent, she takes it.

They walk aimlessly for a little while, talking about everything and nothing in particular. When she stops and tells him that she has to go do something, she has a look in her eyes that makes him worry. There's no time to ask, though, because she's hailing a cab and getting ready to walk away.

Before she gets in, she turns back to him. Then she's in his arms again, hugging tight like she did that night at the Gaslight, but it's longer now, and sadder, and more tender. She pulls away just enough to brush a kiss against his cheek, and his mind fortunately is with the program enough to return the gesture before she lets go.

He waves farewell as the cab takes her away, then settles his hand on his own mouth in a familiar gesture that's suddenly feeling a whole lot shakier.

*

There's an intimacy to the way they're touching each other now that can't be undone or unsaid. Before, they've always toed that line, able to protest platonic intent. But with her head nestled into his shoulder, her fingers mindlessly tangling in the curls at the nape of his neck, and his hand trailing down her arm, there's really no platonic way to interpret it.

Lenny has no idea which direction this night is going to take. The only thing he knows is that it's going to be her call, and he will be okay with that.

But for now, her arm is so close to him, and he can't resist leaning just that extra inch to brush his lips against the tender skin of the inside of her wrist, right where her pulse flutters. He hears (and feels) her breath hitch, but she doesn't pull away.

*

The first time his lips touch Midge Weissman's, it happens on a completely unexpected night, in a completely unexpected way. Miami was planned, sultry, moody; this is impromptu, tentative, even a little playful (that terrible dickie pun is going to haunt him).

But her lips are soft (and smiling) against his, and he's slid the zipper down to feel black satin and cool skin beneath, and once he's gazed at her enough (it will never be enough) his lips are on hers again, and then they're everywhere, and somehow it's always been leading them here.

He knows he said someday but now that someday is here, all he wants is for some to become every.

[lindira]

Questions for Your Tav - Envy

Part 4! They/them pronouns for this one because Envy's feeling more femme in the above pic. Questions taken from this list of Questions for Your Tav!

How does your Tav feel about love?

Envy wasn't sure they believed in "true" love for a long time. They became enamored of various beautiful men throughout their adult life, but kept up an emotional distance because of their abandonment issues. They would be affectionate, but avoided the kind of vulnerability that would offer real depth to the relationship.

That said, Envy is a hopeless romantic. They want very much to have the kind of passionate and unconditional love they hear about in stories. They want to find someone who they feel safe with and who will love them no matter what, faults and all. Before Astarion, they weren't sure they'd ever find someone with whom they'd want to be vulnerable enough to have that.

Has your Tav become particularly close to anyone romantically and/or platonically in their journey? If so, who, and what is the relationship like? If no, why not?

Romantically, Envy was immediately drawn to Astarion. They are both people who are deeply hurting and who hide that hurt behind a veneer of charm. I think it's easier for both of them to let their guards down around each other because they are kindred spirits in that respect. Envy is careful to make sure Astarion feels he has agency and can say no to them at any time. Astarion, for his part, often demonstrates his devotion to Envy - perhaps without realizing that's what he's doing. He risks torture from Cazador to be with Envy, and that level of devotion means SO MUCH to them. They make each other feel important, which is not something either of them had felt before.

Envy and Astarion also have a playful relationship that doesn't take offense to teasing, cursing, or good-natured insults. If Astarion complains about food Envy makes, for instance, Envy might respond with a "Oh, fuck you too" and a joke about slipping garlic into the meal. Astarion might also call Envy a "blithering idiot" when they're trying to pick a fight with a guy twice their size who was heckling them at a show. Or Astarion might say, y'know, "I'm going to fucking kill you" when Envy volunteers him for the clown show at the circus. XD

From the outside looking in, their relationship doesn't look the healthiest. But for people for whom open affection is sometimes too much, this is kind of their love language. They love each other deeply and have many moments of tenderness too, but those are mostly reserved for when they're alone and safe from the judgments of other people.

As for platonic relationships, Envy is friends with everybody in the party but is probably closest to Wyll and Karlach. Envy likes drinking and joking around with them, and likes that they're really down-to-earth people.

What are 2-3 songs that your Tav would relate to?

I've made an Astarion/Envy Inspiration playlist here!

But out of the songs I've chosen so far for that list, I think the most "Envy" ones are:

"Bravado" by Lorde - for the Bard-ness of wanting all the attention after being neglected for so long

"Blossoms" by The Amazing Devil - because Envy is very much the kind of person to try again at a worthwhile relationship after somehow getting it wrong the first time. Also this sounds like the sort of song they might sing, and I headcanon their singing voice sounds like Joey Batey.

"Beautiful Liar" by X Ambassadors - because Envy and Astarion are both such beautiful liars who want to believe their love will last (but maybe aren't convinced it will).

What first impression does your Tav give off to strangers?

Envy is very charming, and people tend to be drawn to them. They can give off an air of over-confidence bordering on arrogance. All the attention they draw isn't always a good thing because there are certain types of people who feel threatened by confidence and flirtatiousness. Envy's charm usually gets them smiles and favor, but they've also gotten into some fights with hecklers and bullies because of their antics.

How does your Tav feel about what others think of them?

Envy really wants to be liked by everyone, so they care a bit too much about others' opinions of them sometimes. They have a tendency to adapt their personality to whomever they talk to, agreeing to opinions they might otherwise disagree with or vice versa. However, if they feel strongly about something, they won't compromise those beliefs to appease someone else, no matter who it is.

Also, if someone hurts or threatens a loved one, or if someone is being in any way an asshole, Envy will tell them off or hurt them right back. They don't give a shit about the other's opinion of them at that point.

[mioshuncorg]

Jelsa (A ChatGPT story)

Title: "Frostbound Hearts: The Tale of Jack Frost and Elsa"

[Opening scene: A wintry landscape with swirling snowflakes and shimmering ice. Jack Frost is seen playfully causing frost to form on trees and surfaces, while Elsa is using her powers to create an ice sculpture.]

Narrator: In a world where winter magic reigns, two enchanting souls are about to discover a connection that transcends realms. Join Jack Frost and Elsa as their paths intertwine, weaving a tale of friendship, love, and a bond forged in ice and snow.

[Jack Frost notices Elsa's ice sculpture from afar and becomes intrigued.]

Jack Frost: Who is she? Her powers seem as extraordinary as mine. I must meet her.

[Elsa gazes at Jack Frost with curiosity, sensing a kindred spirit.]

Elsa: There's something about him, an air of mischief and wonder. I feel drawn to him, as if our destinies are entwined.

[As Jack Frost approaches Elsa, a playful gust of wind lifts her hair and sends a flurry of snowflakes dancing around them.]

Jack Frost: You have a way with ice and snow, just like me. I've never met anyone who understands what it's like to be the embodiment of winter.

Elsa: And you, you can control frost and bring joy to children's hearts. We share a unique gift, a connection to the winter's magic.

[They spend time together, exploring their powers and creating wondrous displays of ice and snow.]

Jack Frost: Elsa, your abilities are incredible. I've never seen anyone who can manipulate ice with such grace and beauty.

Elsa: And you, Jack, your mischievous spirit and frosty pranks bring laughter to those around you. We could create something truly magical together.

[They embark on adventures, using their powers to bring joy to people and creatures in need.]

Jack Frost: Elsa, let's build a winter wonderland where children can play and let their imaginations soar.

Elsa: Yes, Jack, a place where frost and snow can spark joy in every heart. Let's create a haven for those who long for the magic of winter.

[As they work together, a deep connection blossoms between Jack Frost and Elsa.]

Elsa: Jack, I never thought I'd find someone who understands me so completely. You've thawed my heart in ways I never imagined possible.

Jack Frost: Elsa, being with you has brought warmth to my eternal winter. You've shown me that even in the coldest of times, love can melt the ice.

[They share a tender moment, their powers intertwining and creating a beautiful display of ice and snow.]

Narrator: In the realm of frost and enchantment, two hearts unite, embracing the magic that flows within. Jack Frost and Elsa's love will shine brightly, a testament to the power of winter's embrace.

[The scene fades, leaving a trail of shimmering frost and the promise of an extraordinary love story.]

End of the tale.

[the-starlight-writer]

Find the Word tag

got tagged by @charlesjosephwrites, it's nice to get back into the habit of tag games with other writers :)) My words were: name, whole, fear, sand and spirit. Following snippets are taken from the chapter doc for The King of Mycenae (minor spoilers as these will be taken from all over the timeline lol)

Find them under the cut, no point clogging your dash xox

Name:

"The princeling came in here like a soaking wet child that had just been pulled from a pond. His sibling wasn't much better but I know she'd never admit to it. Maybe it was out of necessity but Dein found comfort fast. Nion didn't. Maybe that's why the Blessed Mother dropped that child in the woods for him." He looked at Mikae. "I've made the assumption that you know who I'm talking about. Do you?" Dein was a name he'd become very accustomed to at this point but this was the first he was hearing of Nion beyond the fact she was the first born. "Yeah, I do." "Glad to see you're not too deficient in information. That kind of deficiency is more than a little dangerous around here." “So I’ve come to learn.”

Whole:

“For all your words, all your stupid gestures, all your kindness, there's been this behind it, something I was never supposed to know about. I’m sure you were never hoping I’d find out. Would we have lived our whole lives, ageing and being close, with me being none the wiser to the fact you literally wouldn’t be there if not for the fact I am who I am? Was it funny seeing me believe you? Seeing me trust you?"

Fear:

She didn’t share her greetings. Aurae preferred not to disturb those with important work to do which, in the palace, was pretty much everyone she came into contact with. Instead, she allowed her feet to carry her to her favourite section, the shelves that housed the poetry her mother preferred her not to read and the published journals of people’s thoughts, ambitions, pain. Their souls, really. Consuming people in such a way could be corruptive, her advisors always said, but if she was to become a queen, should she not know her subjects’ deepest desires, hopes, their fears?

Sand: No uses of the word "sand".

Spirit:

Mikae couldn’t recognise most of what he saw which saddened him somewhat but he was out of his depth. He couldn’t expect himself to know Faerie horticulture.  Someone had to come here quite often. He could feel love, time, tenderness, radiating from the foliage. Someone spent a lot of time here on their knees, their hands elbow-deep in compost, nails rimmed with soil and dust.  He wondered who. For a moment he revelled in the idea of meeting a kindred spirit.

Hope you enjoyed my writing <3 it comes from all over the wip progression so far. I'm not tagging anyone but if you want to do it, the words are "dust", "pain", "flowers", "horror" and "decision".

[mrsbsmooth]

Episode 30 - Script

Stick or Switch part 2!

NARRATOR: Welcome back to Love Island where the return of our Casa Amor boys continues! And so far it’s been a bit more `Twist and Shout´ than `Stick or Twist

NARRATOR: Welcome back to Love Island where the return of our Casa Amor boys continues! And so far it’s been a bit more `Twist and Shout´ than `Stick or Twist´.

NARRATOR: Dana coupled up with kindred-spirit, Gabi, and Arlo coupled up with not-so-perfect Pete!

NARRATOR: Leaving Eddie to fend for himself while Suresh rocked the boat with all new luscious Lulu!

NARRATOR: Let’s see if things get a bit more sticky as we return to find out {0}’s decision!

NARRATOR: Will she stick with Alfie or have the new boys turned her head enough for a full on twist?

All eyes are on you as you weigh up your stick or twist decision in pin-drop silence.

Will you stick with Alfie? Or make a fresh start with one of the new boys?

KAT_SERIOUS: Argh! I can’t take it anymore!!!

ARLO_HAPPY: Yeah, {0}! What will it be?

DANA_IDLE: Alright, alright! Let the girl think, will you?

You take a deep breath, considering your options, looking over Nicolas and Johnny.

DANA_HAPPY: Alright, that’s enough time. Out with it! You stickin’ or twistin’?

Stick with Alfie!

PLAYER_HAPPY: I’m sticking with Alfie!

PLAYER_IDLE: I couldn’t think of a better friend to have by my side in the villa.

PLAYER_HAPPY: We’ve already been through thick and thin together.

PLAYER_HAPPY: So, I don’t want to see him go. Not yet.

PLAYER_HAPPY: We’ve been through so many ups and downs.

PLAYER_IDLE: But I really need to see where this journey takes us. I’m not ready to give up on us yet.

PLAYER_IDLE: I just hope he feels the same way.

EDDIE_ANGRY: Good for you, {0}, at least some of us know something about loyalty.

DANA_ANGRY: Eddie come on, don’t be like that.

EDDIE_ANGRY: Whatever Dana, I don’t have to listen to your advice anymore, remember?

GABI_IDLE: Just ignore him, babe.

GABI_HAPPY: Clearly he can’t stand to see you actually happy for once!

EDDIE_ANGRY: As if! What do you know? You just got here!

DANA_IDLE: Would you quit it!

Twist with a new boy!

PLAYER_HAPPY: I’m going to TWIST!

NICOLAS_HAPPY: Yes! Get IN!

JOHNNY_HAPPY: I knew it!

Suresh moves even closer to Lulu, trying his best not to react.

You catch a twinge of surprise and jealousy from Dana, who is quick to hide it from Gabi.

PLAYER_IDLE: Alfie´s been a good friend to me.

PLAYER_IDLE: But I’m here to find something more than friendship. And I need to give that a chance.

PLAYER_IDLE: Me and Alfie have been through so many ups and downs.

PLAYER_IDLE: But for now, I think what I need is a fresh start in here. Something new.

Nicolas slaps Johnny hard on the back with glee. Johnny winces and rubs his tender skin.

JOHNNY_IDLE: You made a wise choice, {0}.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: Yeah, just one more <i>wise</i> choice to go… if you know what I mean.

Nicolas gestures to himself with a wink.

JOHNNY_IDLE: I’m sure {0} can make the decision for herself, Nicolas.

You hear a ping from your phone.

ARLO_SURPRISED: {0}, you’ve got a text! Read it out!

LITEXT: {0}, it is now up to you to couple up with a ‘new boy’. Who will it be, Johnny or Nicolas?

LITEXT: Whoever isn’t chosen will be dumped from the villa! {0}{1}’sChoice {2}NowThatsWhatICallATwist

You look up at the new boys.

Nicolas puffs out his chest, tensing his arms. Johnny holds your eye contact.

NICOLAS_FLIRTY: So, who's it gonna be?

Nicolas

PLAYER_HAPPY: I choose… Nicolas.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: Pumped to get to know you more, {0}.

Nicolas places a hand on Johnny’s shoulder.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: No hard feelings, pal. Don't take it personally.

JOHNNY_SAD: No, that’s okay. I guess you’re right.

Nicolas saunters over to you and gives you a bear hug.

He lifts you in the air and spins you around, before kissing you on the cheek.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: You made a <i>wise</i> choice. I’m a gift that keeps on giving…

PLAYER_FLIRTY: I certainly hope so.

Johnny

PLAYER_HAPPY: I choose… Johnny.

NICOLAS_SURPRISED: What? Him?

JOHNNY_SURPRISED: What? Me? Really?

PLAYER_HAPPY: Well, yeah!

JOHNNY_HAPPY: Wow. Can’t believe it.

Johnny strolls over to you, he takes your hand and kisses you softly on the cheek.

JOHNNY_HAPPY: I must be one of the luckiest guys in the world then.

KAT_FLIRTY: Don’t you forget it!

You steady your nerves as Alfie approaches the villa once again.

DANA_SURPRISED: Look! Alfie’s coming!

Alfie strides into the villa! He looks confident, relaxed and self-assured. And he’s alone!

He sees you stood alone as well, but he remains calm and collected.

Some Islanders sigh with relief. Kat and Arlo huff at the missed opportunity for drama.

DANA_HAPPY: Yes, girl!

Suresh rolls his eyes.

Alfie sees you standing in your new couple.

Gasps all around from the other Islanders!

Kat and Arlo delight in the drama. But Alfie remains calm and at ease.

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: Look Alfie, about everything before Casa Amor…

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: Alfie, you know I had to…

Before you can finish your sentence a collective gasp from the Islanders interrupts you.

Meera walks out and joins Alfie, taking his hand!

KAT_SURPRISED: You are JOKING!

ARLO_HAPPY: Yaaaaas… my girl is back!

DANA_HAPPY: No way! And you’re looking HOT, Meera!

GABI_FLIRTY: You’re not wrong there.

Meera glides over with Alfie! She’s bold, breathtaking and brimming with confidence.

PLAYER_SURPRISED: What’s going on? I thought…

ALFIE_EMBARRASSED: I was as confused as you are, trust me.

ALFIE_IDLE: But, after Meera left last time I never expected to see her again.

PLAYER_SURPRISED: Me neither.

ALFIE_IDLE: Especially not in a sunny Mediterranean gaff, you know!

ALFIE_IDLE: And when I walked into Casa Amor and saw her sitting there…

MEERA_HAPPY: The look on your face, Alf.

ALFIE_HAPPY: I just got that feeling, like I’d been given a second chance or something.

ALFIE_HAPPY: And then the more time we spent together the more it just felt right.

ALFIE_IDLE: I hope you don't mind me saying this, Meera, but it was like meeting a whole new you.

MEERA_FLIRTY: A new Meera, huh? What was wrong with the old Meera?

ALFIE_EMBARRASSED: Don’t get me wrong I loved the old Meera…

ALFIE_HAPPY: But this new Meera, she’s fiery and hilarious! She literally has me in non-stop stitches.

MEERA_HAPPY: Well that’s not hard, you find everything hilarious.

ALFIE_HAPPY: Nah, but you know what I mean!

ALFIE_HAPPY: Like the other night when you stacked everything in the fridge on Eddie while he was sleeping.

EDDIE_SURPRISED: You did what?

DANA_HAPPY: Alright you big sop, we get it! Now let the lady speak!

MEERA_HAPPY: Look, I’m just happy to be back.

MEERA_SERIOUS: I thought it was over, but clearly the universe had other plans for us.

MEERA_HAPPY: Getting to know Alfie has been... amazing.

ALFIE_HAPPY: I certainly hope so…

MEERA_HAPPY: Cheeky! I hope that’s okay with you lot? Because either way, I’m not going anywhere.

PLAYER_SURPRISED: Someone is super confident now!

DANA_HAPPY: Yes, ma'am! Whatever you say.

KAT_HAPPY: Welcome back, Super Meera!

ARLO_HAPPY: Missed you gurl! No matter who you are!

Another awkward silence, as the Islanders turn to you.

MEERA_HAPPY: You don’t have a problem with New Meera sticking around, do you {0}?

Yeah, I do

PLAYER_ANGRY: I think I do have a problem.

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: Where has this come from? This sudden change in personality?

MEERA_HAPPY: Guess coming in here taught me a lot about myself… and what I want.

MEERA_FLIRTY: And then I found it.

PLAYER_SERIOUS: Uhuh. Sure.

Not at all!

PLAYER_HAPPY: Glad to have you back!

PLAYER_IDLE: The longer the better!

MEERA_HAPPY: Good! Wouldn’t want to get off on the wrong foot. Again.

You won’t last long anyway

PLAYER_FLIRTY: If last time is anything to go by, you’ll be gone tomorrow!

MEERA_SERIOUS: I wouldn’t be so sure.

MEERA_HAPPY: A lot can change in a few days in the villa.

MEERA_FLIRTY: Maybe it isn’t my time here that you should be worried about.

ARLO_FLIRTY: Wow, Meera, did you take some kind of badass course while you were away?

DANA_HAPPY: Where do I sign up?

You receive a text, and read it out.

LITEXT: {0}, as Alfie has recoupled with Meera, you are now single. Please now choose whether to recouple with Johnny or Nicolas.

LITEXT: Whoever isn’t chosen will be dumped from the villa! {0}{1}’sChoice {2}NowThatsWhatICallATwist

You look up at the new boys.

Nicolas puffs out his chest, tensing his arms. Johnny holds your eye contact.

NICOLAS_FLIRTY: So, who's it gonna be?

Nicolas

PLAYER_HAPPY: I choose… Nicolas.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: Pumped to get to know you more, {0}.

Nicolas places a hand on Johnny’s shoulder.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: No hard feelings, pal. Don't take it personally.

JOHNNY_SAD: No, that’s okay. I guess you’re right.

Nicolas saunters over to you and gives you a bear hug.

He lifts you in the air and spins you around, before kissing you on the cheek.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: You made a <i>wise</i> choice. I’m a gift that keeps on giving…

PLAYER_FLIRTY: I certainly hope so.

Johnny

PLAYER_HAPPY: I choose… Johnny.

NICOLAS_SURPRISED: What? Him?

JOHNNY_SURPRISED: What? Me? Really?

PLAYER_HAPPY: Well, yeah!

JOHNNY_HAPPY: Wow. Can’t believe it.

Johnny strolls over to you, he takes your hand and kisses you softly on the cheek.

JOHNNY_HAPPY: I must be one of the luckiest guys in the world then.

KAT_FLIRTY: Don’t you forget it!

ARLO_HAPPY: Well, I’m glad that’s all over and done with anyway.

ARLO_HAPPY: Now we can all move on…

KAT_ANGRY: Erm hello?! I still need to pick!

ARLO_HAPPY: Oh right, sorry, Kat!

KAT_SERIOUS: Rude! Right, these last few days have been the toughest I’ve had in the villa.

KAT_IDLE: And though some have tried to tempt me away and lead me off the path…

PETE_HAPPY: Like who?

KAT_SERIOUS: Shhh! This is my bit!

KAT_SERIOUS: We all know that before Casa a load of drama kicked off.

KAT_EMBARRASSED: Me and Finn both kissed people we shouldn't have.

KAT_ANGRY: I know that Finn regrets kissing Arlo.

ARLO_SURPRISED: You think?

KAT_SERIOUS: I know!

KAT_IDLE: But you live and learn, and I´ve learnt a lot here.

KAT_IDLE: I know that there is only one fella in here for me.

KAT_HAPPY: So, I’m sticking with my Finn!

The firepit remains silent. Kat looks around for a reaction.

KAT_ANGRY: Why is no one gasping?

DANA_HAPPY: You have to be surprised to gasp.

PLAYER_HAPPY: We all knew you were sticking with Finn.

Kat rolls her eyes. Suddenly footsteps echo from the villa entrance.

It’s Finn… and he’s alone too!

Kat jumps up and down with excitement and runs into Finn’s arms.

KAT_HAPPY: Aw babe, I missed you so much!

KAT_SERIOUS: Wait… some random girl ain’t about to come out are they?

FINN_HAPPY: No way, it’s just you and me.

Kat squeezes Finn tight, he waves to the others.

ARLO_IDLE: Well, I guess now that’s it! Phew!

EDDIE_ANGRY: Not quite, I’ve got a text.

LITEXT: Eddie and Johnny,<br>As you both remain single after the recoupling, your time in the Love Island villa has come to an end.

LITEXT: Please pack your things and say your goodbyes. {0}DoubleDump  {1}EndOfTheRoad

JOHNNY_SAD: I didn’t think it would end so soon…

JOHNNY_HAPPY: But I’m just glad I got a chance to meet you guys.

LITEXT: Eddie and Nicolas,<br>as you both remain single after the recoupling, your time in the Love Island villa has come to an end.

LITEXT: Please pack your things and say your goodbyes. {0}DoubleDump  {1}EndOfTheRoad

NICOLAS_IDLE: Can’t lie I think you ladies will live to regret not picking me.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: But you all know where to find me when you’re home.

NICOLAS_FLIRTY: Promise I won’t hold a grudge.

EDDIE_ANGRY: This is actually a joke, I don’t deserve this.

FINN_SAD: Sorry, guys.

ALFIE_SAD: Wish it didn’t have to go down like that.

The Islanders approach the dumped boys, embracing each of them.

DANA_SAD: I am sorry, Eddie, I had to do what’s right for me, I never wanted to hurt you.

EDDIE_ANGRY: Nothing new there then! Just Dana looking out for herself.

DANA_SURPRISED: What’s that supposed to mean?

EDDIE_ANGRY: After everything I’ve done for you in here, you do me like this. Unbelievable!

In the midst of the drama you spot tense eye contact between Suresh and Gabi.

You catch Suresh’s eye and he pretends to focus on Eddie’s hissy fit.

ALFIE_IDLE: Come on, mate, let’s leave on a good note, yeah?

EDDIE_ANGRY: Yeah that’s easy for you to say, isn’t it?

EDDIE_ANGRY: You all go about doing what you want, not caring who it affects.

EDDIE_ANGRY: Guess nice guys really do come last!

EDDIE_ANGRY: Good luck with her, Gabi, you’ll need it.

DANA_ANGRY: Hey! Not okay.

FINN_SERIOUS: Cool it, Eddie. You need to take a deep breath. Come on, we will help you pack.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: Yeah, Eddie! Chill! Save all this charm for the air hostesses on the way home!

PETE_IDLE: Come on guys, let’s give the girls some space. Let things settle a bit.

The guys group together and lead the unlucky boys inside.

GABI_EMBARRASSED: Well that went well…

DANA_IDLE: Don’t let him get to you.

DANA_ANGRY: He’s had his own way his whole life. Doesn’t know what it feels like not to.

Lulu goes to say something but stops herself, she seems nervous around Dana and Gabi.

There is an obvious tension between you all, as no one knows quite what to say.

MEERA_HAPPY: Well, let’s not stand around moping. One door closes and another opens.

Meera looks around at the girls until her gaze lands on you.

MEERA_SERIOUS: Looks like we have a lot of catching up to do, {0}. Let’s talk.

You and the girls assemble around the pool for a debrief.

Everyone is still recovering from the shockwaves of Stick or Twist.

KAT_IDLE: Why are you lot being all weird and quiet! We have a new girl here, come on!

DANA_HAPPY: Welcome, Lulu!

GABI_IDLE: Yeah! It’s so nice to meet you!

LULU_HAPPY: Aw thanks, guys. I’m so excited to be in the real villa! Even if it’s a tad tense.

LULU_EMBARRASSED: I was really nervous coming in to be honest.

PLAYER_IDLE: Yeah, talk about jumping in the deep end.

DANA_IDLE: Don’t worry it’ll pass. I was super nervous coming in - we all were!

DANA_IDLE: I know {0} was for sure.

DANA_HAPPY: Except {0} obvs. She was dripping with confidence.

DANA_HAPPY: But we can’t all be like {0}.

DANA_HAPPY: Except {0} obvs. She was bouncing off the walls with excitement.

DANA_HAPPY: But we can’t all be like {0}.

ARLO_HAPPY: So, tell us about yourself, Lulu.

LULU_FLIRTY: Well, I´m pretty chill most of the time.

PLAYER_SURPRISED: That was a pretty dramatic entrance.

LULU_FLIRTY: I said most of the time, not always.

ARLO_HAPPY: I love your style, Lulu!

LULU_HAPPY: Cheers, Arlo.

PLAYER_HAPPY: What do you do, Lulu?

LULU_FLIRTY: I run my own knitwear design company in Brighton.

DANA_HAPPY: Wow, that's cool. Will be picking your brain for fashion tips.

LULU_IDLE: I´m here for all you, girls.

KAT_FLIRTY: Good to hear, babe. Always good to meet a new girl.

MEERA_HAPPY: Well, I guess I’m not exactly new, sorry to disappoint.

ARLO_HAPPY: I knew we would be reunited. Can’t keep us bombshells away from each other!

MEERA_FLIRTY: What can I say? You can’t get rid of me that easy.

DANA_HAPPY: Ah, I'll allow it. She’s an oldie but a goodie.

MEERA_HAPPY: Oi! Who you calling ‘oldie’?

GABI_IDLE: So! How we feeling about our new couples?

DANA_IDLE: Yeah that was quite the shake up. Except for the Bonnie and Clyde of Basildon of course.

Eyes turn to Kat who is a million miles away.

PLAYER_HAPPY: Earth calling Kat? You alright there?

KAT_SURPRISED: Huh? Sorry, just got carried away…

PLAYER_FLIRTY: Thinking about sharing a bed with Finn again?

KAT_HAPPY: How did you know?

ARLO_HAPPY: Here we go, melty Kat’s back. Relieved Finn came back alone then?

KAT_IDLE: Nah, I knew he wouldn’t dare bring anyone else back.

KAT_HAPPY: What we have is way more than any Casa Amor fling... no offence girls.

LULU_HAPPY: None taken?

KAT_HAPPY: Think this is it now, girls.

KAT_HAPPY: Never thought I’d say it but I think I might be… settling down.

PLAYER_SURPRISED: Blasphemy!

DANA_IDLE: I never thought I’d see the day, but I’m happy for you two. You’ve come a long way.

KAT_HAPPY: Yeah, me and Finn to the end! I mean we are the most stable couple.

KAT_HAPPY: Think we defo have a real shot of going the distance.

DANA_IDLE: And you’re so humble.

ARLO_IDLE: Yeah, well not if me and Pete have anything to say about it.

MEERA_IDLE: Happy with your man-swap then?

ARLO_HAPPY: Hundred percent.

ARLO_HAPPY: I mean Pete’s not my usual type on paper. But there’s just this edge to him.

ARLO_FLIRTY: It just feels like raw attraction and that <i>body</i>, you know?

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: Thoughts on Suresh?

ARLO_FLIRTY: Don’t get me wrong Suresh had the bark.

ARLO_FLIRTY: But it feels like Pete has the bite to back it up.

LULU_EMBARRASSED: Oh, should I be worried about Suresh?

PLAYER_ANGRY: Yes, you should. I warned you already!

LULU_EMBARRASSED: I remember.

GABI_IDLE: Oh no, don’t you worry.

Gabi realises she has put her foot in it. She glances at you and goes quiet.

The tension starts to sneak back in until Meera perks up.

MEERA_HAPPY: Well, I for one, am over the moon.

MEERA_IDLE: I never thought I would get another chance.

MEERA_HAPPY: And it feels like me and Alfie were made for each other.

MEERA_HAPPY: We just have so much in common, it’s unreal.

LULU_HAPPY: You two do seem like a good match.

LULU_HAPPY: They just look like a couple, if you know what I mean?

Yeah, they do

PLAYER_HAPPY: Yeah, to be fair you two do look right for each other.

MEERA_HAPPY: Aw, thanks {0}, that means a lot from you.

MEERA_HAPPY: Not that I need your blessing or anything…

No, they don’t

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: I don’t really see it to be honest.

MEERA_SURPRISED: Wow, clearly touched a nerve…

MEERA_HAPPY: Well, that’s fine. Don’t really need your blessing.

I don’t know what you mean?

PLAYER_IDLE: What does look like a couple mean?

LULU_HAPPY: You know, they just look like they fit!

DANA_HAPPY: Like a stock photo of a couple looking at a baby that’s not really theirs.

MEERA_HAPPY: I’ll take that as a compliment?

MEERA_IDLE: Well, all I know is that Alfie is a true gent.

MEERA_HAPPY: He’s kind and thoughtful and I couldn’t be happier.

LULU_HAPPY: Aw I know what you mean, I have the same thing with Suresh!

DANA_SURPRISED: Huh? Suresh?

KAT_SURPRISED: Really? Kind and thoughtful?

DANA_HAPPY: Are we talking about the same fella?

MEERA_IDLE: To be fair, he seemed to have changed his tune since last time I was here.

MEERA_SAD: He just seemed more… genuine.

LULU_IDLE: Yeah, he was so sweet and caring in Casa Amor, he really looked out for me.

LULU_FLIRTY: Wasn’t long before we connected.

GABI_SERIOUS: I know that feeling.

KAT_SURPRISED: Wait. Sweet and caring? Now that really doesn’t sound like Suresh!

LULU_SURPRISED: Oh? Isn’t he like that with you guys?

Yeah, he’s like that with me

PLAYER_HAPPY: Suresh can be a real sweetheart.

PLAYER_IDLE: We have had a rocky past.

PLAYER_HAPPY: But he really does care, I’ll give him that.

GABI_IDLE: Yeah, he does have his moments.

No, he isn’t

PLAYER_ANGRY: I wouldn’t call Suresh sweet and caring, no.

PLAYER_IDLE: So I’ll believe it when I see it.

LULU_SAD: Oh, I see.

GABI_IDLE: I dunno, I think Suresh has his moments.

Sometimes

PLAYER_SERIOUS: Suresh can be sweet at times, sure.

PLAYER_SERIOUS: But I wouldn’t go as far as you.

PLAYER_SERIOUS: We’ll see if he keeps it up I guess.

LULU_SAD: Oh right, sure.

GABI_HAPPY: I’m sure he can. The boy has his moments!

Gabi pauses again, you sense tense flicks of eye contact between the other girls.

PLAYER_SURPRISED: What do you mean by moments?

GABI_HAPPY: I dunno, I just always thought he was a really sweet guy too.

ARLO_HAPPY: Uh oh. Does Lulu have competition?

DANA_EMBARRASSED: Yeah should I be worried, Gabi? You sound pretty smitten yourself.

GABI_EMBARRASSED: What? No! I was just saying.

DANA_ANGRY: Well, maybe don’t right now, yeah?

GABI_SAD: Oh, okay. What’s gotten into you?

DANA_SERIOUS: Nothing!

Suddenly you sense someone approach.

It’s Alfie! He looks at you nervously, sensing the heated vibes.

ALFIE_EMBARRASSED: Sorry, is this a bad time?

DANA_EMBARRASSED: No! It’s fine. What is it?

ALFIE_IDLE: Okay well, just wanted to let you know the guys are all packed up.

ALFIE_IDLE: They’ll be leaving soon if you wanted to come say your goodbyes?

ARLO_HAPPY: Oh thanks, Alfie. Come on gals, I’m sure Eddie has a speech prepared for us.

DANA_ANGRY: Oh yay, can’t wait.

You all stand up and begin to head inside when Alfie catches your eye.

ALFIE_EMBARRASSED: Erm, actually {0}, I wondered if I could talk to you quickly… in private.

ALFIE_EMBARRASSED: Everything’s been so intense since we went to Casa Amor.

ALFIE_EMBARRASSED: Feels like there was so much that went unsaid before I left.

ALFIE_IDLE: And now I’m with Meera and everything. It would be good to clear the air.

ALFIE_IDLE: I know I have a lot to get off my chest, I’m sure you must do too.

ALFIE_EMBARRASSED: I think it’s important to be open with you. Follow me to the bean bags.

Suddenly you hear footsteps behind you.

FINN_HAPPY: Laaaaaaaaadddiiiieeees!

Finn approaches with a happy-go-lucky swagger, before he senses the heated vibe.

FINN_EMBARRASSED: Oh… bad time?

KAT_HAPPY: Apparently for some… you okay, babes?

FINN_IDLE: Ah right, just wanted to let you beours know that the guys are all packed up.

FINN_IDLE: They’ll be leaving soon if you wanted to come say your farewells?

ARLO_HAPPY: Oh thanks, Finn! Come on gals, I’m sure Eddie has a speech prepared for us.

KAT_SERIOUS: Oh yay, can’t wait… brace yourselves.

You all stand up and begin to head inside when Dana catches your eye.

DANA_EMBARRASSED: Erm, actually {0}, I wondered if I could talk to you quickly… in private.

GABI_SERIOUS: Guess, I’ll leave you two to it.

Gabi looks back at you for a moment before heading inside.

DANA_EMBARRASSED: Everything’s been so crazy these last few days.

DANA_EMBARRASSED: It feels like we haven’t had a proper chance to chat.

PLAYER_HAPPY: It's been full on, hasn´t it?

DANA_IDLE: My heads just a bit of a mess and you’re always so good with advice and stuff.

DANA_EMBARRASSED: I just really need a friend right now and to get everything off my chest.

DANA_IDLE: I feel like you’re the only person I can talk to and really be myself.

DANA_IDLE: Let’s go to the bean bags, follow me!

Alfie leads you over to the bean bags. Looking around to make sure you are alone.

He pulls out a bean bag for you, like a nervous suitor on a first date.

ALFIE_HAPPY: M´lady…

PLAYER_HAPPY: Why, thank you.

Alfie takes a seat on the bean bag opposite you and the two of you look at each other for a moment.

ALFIE_IDLE: Thanks for hanging back. Just really needed someone to talk to.

ALFIE_IDLE: And you’ve always been a good listener.

PLAYER_HAPPY: That’s okay, what’s up?

ALFIE_IDLE: Well, like I said before, everything with Meera has been so unexpected.

ALFIE_IDLE: It all happened so fast.

ALFIE_IDLE: I’ve had an amazing time getting to know her and all that, don’t get me wrong.

ALFIE_SAD: I just wished I was able to talk to you during Casa.

ALFIE_EMBARRASSED: I mean I know it wasn’t long, but can’t lie I missed chatting with you.

ALFIE_EMBARRASSED: You know what I mean?

Yeah, I missed it too

PLAYER_HAPPY: Felt strange not having our catch ups.

PLAYER_IDLE: It was weird not having you here.

ALFIE_HAPPY: Exactly!

Nah, I didn’t miss it

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: To be honest, I didn't really miss our chats.

ALFIE_SAD: Sorry to hear that.

PLAYER_IDLE: We had an eventful time this end. All kind of flew by.

ALFIE_SERIOUS: Yeah, same for us.

ALFIE_SERIOUS: Feels like I blinked and now I’m back here.

Kind of?

PLAYER_IDLE: I kind of know what you mean.

PLAYER_IDLE: Feels like a lot has changed but it all happened so quickly.

ALFIE_HAPPY: Yeah, I suppose so.

ALFIE_IDLE: Well, what I mean is that… I missed you.

ALFIE_SERIOUS: Sounds like you didn't feel the same.

ALFIE_IDLE: But I still want you to know something though.

ALFIE_IDLE: I know I’m with Meera now, but I’m still here for you whenever you need me.

ALFIE_HAPPY: You still mean the world to me. I want you to know that.

Alfie gives you an earnest smile.

ALFIE_IDLE: To be honest, seeing you with Nicolas is gonna take some getting used to.

ALFIE_IDLE: To be honest, seeing you with Johnny is gonna take some getting used to.

ALFIE_HAPPY: Like I know we were in a ‘friend’ couple.

ALFIE_SERIOUS: But it’s gonna be weird not being side by side in the challenges and that.

ALFIE_SAD: I loved our little team.

ALFIE_EMBARRASSED: I know you chose to stick and I may be way out of line here.

ALFIE_SERIOUS: I’m just worried that now I’m with Meera and you’re with Nicolas, we will drift apart.

ALFIE_EMBARRASSED: I don’t want that, do you?

ALFIE_SERIOUS: I’m just worried that now I’m with Meera and you’re with Johnny, we will drift apart.

ALFIE_EMBARRASSED: I don’t want that, do you?

No, I don’t want to drift apart

PLAYER_HAPPY: I wouldn’t want to lose what we have.

ALFIE_HAPPY: Great! I’m glad you feel the same way, {0}.

I think we need a bit of space

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: I think some distance would be good.

PLAYER_IDLE: Don’t you think you should focus on Meera, and I´ll focus on Nicolas?

PLAYER_IDLE: Don’t you think you should focus on Meera, and I´ll focus on Johnny?

ALFIE_SAD: Oh right, yeah I guess so. If that’s what you want.

I’m not sure

PLAYER_IDLE: I don’t know, Alfie.

PLAYER_SAD: I don’t want to lose you as a friend, but I also want to give our new couplings a chance.

ALFIE_SAD: Yeah, I know what you mean.

ALFIE_IDLE: Well, I’m glad I got that off my chest anyway.

ALFIE_SERIOUS: And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry I didn’t stick. Hated to have to reveal things that way.

ALFIE_SERIOUS: But I had to do what felt right for both of us.

ALFIE_SERIOUS: You don’t think I should have stuck with you, do you? Did I make the right choice?

You should have stuck with me

PLAYER_ANGRY: Well, of course I think you should have stuck, that’s why I stuck!

PLAYER_IDLE: But what’s done is done I guess. Can’t go back in time.

ALFIE_SERIOUS: Sorry, {0}.

You made the right choice

PLAYER_HAPPY: You did the right thing. It’s good that we can both explore new things.

ALFIE_HAPPY: I’m glad you think so.

Who knows?

PLAYER_IDLE: Can’t predict what will happen in the future. Who knows what’s right or wrong?

ALFIE_IDLE: I guess that’s one way of looking at it.

ALFIE_IDLE: Was tearing my hair out in Casa Amor trying to make up my mind.

ALFIE_IDLE: Almost forgot to have a good time!

PLAYER_SURPRISED: You boys have a wild time then?

ALFIE_HAPPY: I guess you could say that. Was exciting to be in a new gaff.

ALFIE_HAPPY: There were a few surprises, and some naughtiness from the other boys.

PLAYER_ANGRY: I know. We got sent a postcard. Looked like you had some fun yourself?

You watch as Alfie gets a bit choked up, unsure what to say.

ALFIE_EMBARRASSED: Ah yeah it was alright…

ALFIE_HAPPY: Eddie was trying his hardest, bless him.

PLAYER_HAPPY: Oh yeah?

ALFIE_HAPPY: Poor boy was chirpsing anything that moved.

PLAYER_SURPRISED: I saw he was in bed with a girl!

ALFIE_EMBARRASSED: Yeah, she friend-zoned him the day after.

ALFIE_HAPPY: I half expected him to try it on with the inflatables after that.

PLAYER_HAPPY: Wow!

EDDIE_SERIOUS: OI! If you two are done, you might wanna come and say goodbye to me?!

You turn and see Eddie shouting from the doorway.

ALFIE_HAPPY: Whoops. Coming, mate!

ALFIE_HAPPY: We better go. Thanks for this though, {0}. I’m glad we did this.

ALFIE_SERIOUS: Whatever happens, you can always come to me. I’ll be here.

Dana leads you over to the bean bags. Looking around to make sure you are alone.

She clumsily leaps onto one and pulls another bag close to her, gesturing for you to sit.

DANA_HAPPY: Let’s dive into it, eh?

PLAYER_HAPPY: Graceful...

You take a seat on the bean bag opposite.

DANA_IDLE: Thanks for hanging back with me. Just really needed someone to talk to.

DANA_IDLE: And you’ve always been the best listener.

PLAYER_HAPPY: That’s okay, what’s up?

DANA_IDLE: Well, since me and Gabi got together everything has been moving so fast.

DANA_IDLE: Feel like I haven’t had a second to think.

DANA_IDLE: And me and Gabi have had an amazing time getting to know each other and all that.

DANA_EMBARRASSED: Don’t get me wrong. I just wished I was able to talk to you more too.

DANA_EMBARRASSED: I really value your opinion. Feels like you know me better than I do sometimes.

DANA_SERIOUS: I guess I just wanted to know… do you think me and Gabi make a good match?

Yeah, you’re well matched

PLAYER_HAPPY: Yeah, you two seem good together.

DANA_HAPPY: Really? Aw I’m glad you think so.

DANA_EMBARRASSED: I’ve just felt so confused lately, I don’t know my arse from my elbow.

DANA_HAPPY: But I trust your opinion, so I guess everything’s coming up roses.

No, I don’t think so

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: I’m not sure you two suit each other.

DANA_SAD: Oh right… straight to the point with a sprinkling of brutality, I like it.

DANA_SAD: I was really hoping you wouldn’t say that, but I kinda saw it coming.

DANA_SAD: I appreciate the honesty, you’re a good friend.

I’m not sure

PLAYER_IDLE: I don’t really know. It’s too early to say.

DANA_HAPPY: Ah well cheers, very helpful! My magic 8 ball was more help…

DANA_SAD: Guess it’s something I need to figure out for myself.

DANA_EMBARRASSED: I do need to get to know her better.

DANA_EMBARRASSED: But between you and me, I keep getting these little moments of jealousy. It’s so unlike me!

PLAYER_SURPRISED: What have you got to be jealous about?

DANA_EMBARRASSED: Well it’s just, now that Suresh is back and Gabi still seems so gushy about him.

DANA_EMBARRASSED: And I don't have to tell you their history.

DANA_SAD: Just worried she is gonna jump into his arms whenever she gets the chance.

DANA_EMBARRASSED: There is just loads of baggage there to deal with and with so many people.

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: There is a lot of baggage flying around.

DANA_EMBARRASSED: But what’s pranging me out the most is how it could affect our friendship.

PLAYER_SURPRISED: What do you mean?

DANA_IDLE: Well, you mean the world to me. I want you to know that.

Dana looks at you sadly.

DANA_SERIOUS: I know that this Suresh and Gabi history is a lot for you to deal with.

DANA_SERIOUS: I’m just worried that now I’m with Gabi and you’re with Nicolas, we will drift apart.

DANA_SERIOUS: And I don’t want that, do you?

DANA_SERIOUS: I’m just worried that now I’m with Gabi and you’re with Johnny, we will drift apart.

DANA_SERIOUS: And I don’t want that, do you?

No, I don’t want to drift apart

PLAYER_HAPPY: I wouldn’t want to lose what we have.

DANA_HAPPY: Okay good! I’m glad you feel the same way, {0}.

I think I need a bit of space

PLAYER_IDLE: I think some distance would be good for a bit.

PLAYER_IDLE: Don’t you think you should focus on Gabi and I'll focus on Nicolas?

PLAYER_IDLE: Don’t you think you should focus on Gabi and I'll focus on Johnny?

DANA_SAD: Oh right, yeah I guess so. If that’s what you want.

DANA_SAD: I’m always here if you need me though.

I’m not sure

PLAYER_IDLE: I don’t know, Dana.

PLAYER_SAD: I don’t want to lose you as a friend, but I also have a lot to process.

DANA_SAD: Yeah, I know what you mean.

DANA_IDLE: Well, I’m glad I got that off my chest anyway.

DANA_HAPPY: Fingers crossed everything with those two calms down.

DANA_IDLE: Was tearing my hair out worrying about him coming back.

DANA_HAPPY: Never expected Suresh 2.0 with all new empathy chip.

DANA_SURPRISED: Can’t believe everyone is calling him sweet!

PLAYER_IDLE: You think it’s for real?

DANA_HAPPY: Time will tell.

DANA_HAPPY: Not that you have to worry about any of that now you’re with Nicolas!

DANA_HAPPY: I think he’s just what the doctor ordered for you, you know.

PLAYER_HAPPY: You think so?

DANA_HAPPY: Let’s just say if my doc prescribed hunky latinos I wouldn’t be eating an apple a day…

DANA_HAPPY: Not that you have to worry about any of that now you’re with Johnny!

DANA_HAPPY: I think he’s just what the doctor ordered for you, you know.

PLAYER_HAPPY: You think so?

DANA_HAPPY: You kidding? He’s like a bloody Romeo to your Juliet.

DANA_HAPPY: Except he doesn’t speak in weird little rhyming riddles all the time!

EDDIE_SERIOUS: Oi! If you two are done gossiping you might wanna come and say bye to me?!

You turn and see Eddie shouting from the doorway.

DANA_HAPPY: Whoops��� coming, mate! Thanks for this though, {0}. I’m glad we did this.

EDDIE_ANGRY: ‘Mate’?! Haven’t you friendzoned me enough?

Dana turns to you.

DANA_SERIOUS: I meant it when I said I really value your opinion. Only one I bloody trust in this place!

PLAYER_IDLE: Well, we better go face the music.

DANA_EMBARRASSED: Yeah, I’m sure Eddie has a heartfelt goodbye waiting for me.

You and Dana run out to the entrance to say your farewells.

The dumped boys have their bags packed, ready to leave the villa.

EDDIE_ANGRY: I don’t care what you lot say, I’m not taking this sitting down.

EDDIE_ANGRY: This won’t be the last you see of Edward Archibald-Harris!

KAT_HAPPY: That’s your full name?!

EDDIE_ANGRY: Yes! What’s wrong with it?

DANA_HAPPY: Nothing, it’s a beautiful name.

EDDIE_ANGRY: Look, do you realise I’m the only actual proper gent in this villa?

EDDIE_ANGRY: I bet you only wanted me out because I know all your dirty little secrets!

EDDIE_ANGRY: {0} had to be nudged to even say goodbye!

PLAYER_ANGRY: I was just having a chat, Eddie.

JOHNNY_HAPPY: It’s fine, Eddie, they’re here now. That’s all that matters.

EDDIE_ANGRY: Maybe to you but I’m an OG and deserve a bit better.

EDDIE_ANGRY: If you girls knew what you were missing you wouldn’t be treating me this way.

EDDIE_ANGRY: I’ll have you all know I do very very well in the outside world.

JOHNNY_HAPPY: Right… Well I don’t want to ramble on… but!

JOHNNY_HAPPY: I just wanted to say that getting to know you guys has been one of the best experiences of my life.

JOHNNY_HAPPY: Wish I got to get to know you fellas better.

JOHNNY_IDLE: But there’s plenty of time for that on the outside.

JOHNNY_IDLE: You’re all beautiful people and even though I’m heading home, I feel like I won just by being here.

PLAYER_HAPPY: Thanks, Johnny, that's sweet.

JOHNNY_HAPPY: So thanks!

You can see Johnny well up a bit but he holds back the tears.

ALFIE_IDLE: Aw mate, you just broke my little cockney heart. Is it too late to twist? Bagsy Johnny.

MEERA_HAPPY: Hey!

FINN_SAD: Ditto… Alfie? Johnny? Throuple??

KAT_SERIOUS: You boys are pushing your luck.

JOHNNY_HAPPY: Maybe next time, hey lads.

Johnny hugs each of the Islanders one by one. Until he gets to you.

JOHNNY_HAPPY: Goodbye, {0}, you were always my favourite by the way.

KAT_ANGRY: Rude.

PLAYER_ANGRY: I was just having a chat, Eddie.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: Cool it, Eddie, they’re here now. That’s what counts.

EDDIE_ANGRY: Maybe to you, but I’m an OG and deserve a bit better…

EDDIE_ANGRY: If you girls knew what you were missing you wouldn’t be treating me this way.

EDDIE_ANGRY: I’ll have you all know I do very very well in the outside world.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: Oh right, well I’m no OG so I guess I won’t take up too much time.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: Coming on Love Island has been a dream come true.

NICOLAS_IDLE: I may have been robbed of my chance to dominate the playing field, but I gave it a good go.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: Maybe if I was an OG things would be different.

NICOLAS_FLIRTY: And, ladies. It goes without saying that… you’re all gonna miss me.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: But you don’t have to. We could leave together now and live happily ever after.

ALFIE_IDLE: The boy’s smooth. Is it too late to twist? Bagsy Nicolas.

MEERA_HAPPY: Hey!

FINN_SAD: Ditto. Alfie? Nicolas? Throuple??

KAT_SERIOUS: You boys are pushing your luck.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: Maybe next time, hey lads.

Nicolas hugs each of the Islanders one by one. Until he gets to you.

NICOLAS_FLIRTY: See you around, {0}, you were always my favourite by the way.

KAT_ANGRY: Rude.

Eddie pulls you to one side. He whispers in your ear conspiratorially.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: {0}, you’re the only one here that has been good to me.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: It’s time I return the favour.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: I saw things in Casa Amor… there is tea un-spilt. But I know the truth!

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: Are you alright, Eddie? You’re not making much sense.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: You need to know what’s really going on! You don’t have all the facts!

EDDIE_SERIOUS: Alfie, Finn, Suresh.

EDDIE_IDLE: Even Dana.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: They’re all hiding secrets from you. BIG ONES.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: Look, I don’t have much time.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: But if you come with me to the terrace I will tell you as much as I can.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: Trust me, you want to know.

*Okay, tell me more!

PLAYER_HAPPY: Spill that tea!

EDDIE_SERIOUS: Follow me!

Eddie darts up the stairs toward the terrace. You follow close behind.

Nah, I’m okay not knowing

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: I’m not sure I wanna know.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: Oh, but you need to know!

EDDIE_SERIOUS: This is my last chance to spread the truth! One last good deed!

EDDIE_SERIOUS: Don’t take that away! Let me share what I know with you!

EDDIE_SERIOUS: If you want a proper chance at finding love, you need to know everything.

*Well now I have to know!

PLAYER_HAPPY: Spill the tea!

EDDIE_HAPPY: With pleasure. Follow me!

Eddie runs upstairs toward the terrace. You follow close behind.

No, I can’t handle the truth

PLAYER_IDLE: I prefer my tea un-spilt, thanks.

EDDIE_SAD: Suit yourself, but don’t blame me when it blows up in your face!

EDDIE_SAD: So long, {0}. Win it for me, yeah?

The Islanders wave off Johnny, and turn back to Eddie.

The Islanders wave off Nicolas, and turn back to Eddie.

They approach him, slowly. Then pile in for a massive group hug.

Eddie tries to resist, to no avail.

ALFIE_HAPPY: We’ll miss you, geezer.

FINN_IDLE: Yeah, even if you don’t miss us.

EDDIE_SAD: Thanks, guys. I guess I’ll miss you too.

Eddie steps out the door and into the night.

You reach the terrace moments after Eddie. He is tucked away in the corner.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: Be quick, we’re running out of time.

You approach and sit beside him.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: Okay, I only have time to reveal the secrets of one Islander, so… who will it be?

Alfie

PLAYER_FLIRTY: Okay, I want to know about Alfie.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: Alright, here’s the tea.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: So we were in Casa Amor and I was having a nightmarish time…

EDDIE_SERIOUS: All the new girls were trying to pull me for chats… and more no doubt.

PLAYER_SURPRISED: I see!

EDDIE_HAPPY: It was honestly too much, they’d practically formed a queue.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: So, I had to get out of there. I snuck away and who do I find?

EDDIE_IDLE: It’s only Alfie and Finn having a secret chat.

PLAYER_HAPPY: So what? It could have been about anything?

EDDIE_SERIOUS: Well here’s where it gets interesting. I sneak up to the balcony for the birds eye view.

EDDIE_IDLE: I couldn't hear much except for ‘{0}’... ‘engagement ring’...

EDDIE_SERIOUS: ‘The big question’ and ‘baggage’!

PLAYER_SURPRISED: What does that mean?

EDDIE_IDLE: Well I’m no expert but that spells out a proposal to me.

PLAYER_IDLE: Oh wait, could it be my ring from excess baggage?

EDDIE_SERIOUS: Whatever it means the man seemed pretty seriously conflicted.

PLAYER_SURPRISED: I see.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: But when I asked them about it later on they refused to tell me.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: So it must be proper hush hush.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: And they said I could NOT tell Meera what I’d seen.

EDDIE_IDLE: I guess what I’m trying to say is, he’s still into you, {0}.

Suresh

PLAYER_FLIRTY: Okay, I want to know about Suresh.

EDDIE_HAPPY: Thought you might, old flames are the hardest to extinguish, as they say.

PLAYER_SURPRISED: Do they?

EDDIE_SERIOUS: Maybe? Anyway, here’s the scoop.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: I was in the kitchen in Casa Amor elbow deep in a packet of crisps.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: Anyway, who do I see sulking his way over to the fruit bowl? Suresh.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: So I ask, ‘why the long face?’

EDDIE_IDLE: Because him and Lulu had been chirpsing away all day.

EDDIE_IDLE: And he seemed happy as Larry before.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: And you’ll never guess what he tells me.

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: What?

EDDIE_SERIOUS: He says that Lulu is nice and everything but there is NO spark.

PLAYER_SURPRISED: Really? But Lulu said Suresh was super sweet to her?

EDDIE_IDLE: Well that’s the thing, I asked him why he is grafting her.

EDDIE_IDLE: And Suresh says he has a game plan!

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: Why isn't that surprising?

EDDIE_SERIOUS: Apparently he thought all the new girls were stunners.

EDDIE_IDLE: But the only person he could think about was… you.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: And he couldn’t risk a twist situation because he wanted to return to the villa for you.

EDDIE_IDLE: So he was gonna graft Lulu and bring her back to ensure his place!

PLAYER_SURPRISED: What? Are you sure about this?

EDDIE_IDLE: Straight from the horse’s mouth.

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: So he doesn’t care about Lulu at all? He is just using her to get to me?

EDDIE_SERIOUS: Exactly! It’s all part of his grand plan to win you back!

Finn

PLAYER_FLIRTY: Okay, I want to know about Finn.

EDDIE_HAPPY: Interesting… someone’s caught Finn Fever I see.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: Here’s the deal.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: So, there I was bench pressing in the Casa Amor gym.

EDDIE_FLIRTY: I was pretty annoyed because the weights just weren’t hefty enough.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: I tried stacking everything they had on the bar but I still wasn’t breaking a sweat.

EDDIE_IDLE: Anyway, I see Finn struggling with his squats so I go over to spot him.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: Turns out he’s got a lot more weight on his shoulders than a 20kg barbell.

PLAYER_SURPRISED: What do you mean?

EDDIE_IDLE: Finn says he has got a big decision to make, some heavy stuff you might say.

EDDIE_HAPPY: Pun intended. You´re welcome.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: He says that he hasn’t even been able to think about the new Casa Amor girls.

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: Although he was flirting with that girl in bed?

EDDIE_FLIRTY: That was just Finn bantering. He wasn't into her.

EDDIE_IDLE: Because the real dilemma is back in the villa. Between Kat... and you.

PLAYER_SURPRISED: Oh?

EDDIE_IDLE: He says that things have been good with Kat.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: But he can’t stop thinking about you and he doesn't know what to do.

EDDIE_IDLE: But either way he needed to get back to the villa to make his decision.

EDDIE_IDLE: And the safest way to do that was to just stick with Kat.

PLAYER_SURPRISED: Do you know if he has made up his mind?

EDDIE_SERIOUS: No clue, but he seemed pretty serious about both of you.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: But he's got a deep attraction to you that he hasn’t experienced before.

EDDIE_IDLE: Thought you should know, in case you want to graft him, before it’s too late.

Dana

PLAYER_SERIOUS: Okay, I want to know about Dana.

EDDIE_HAPPY: Ah yeah, I should have known you’d pick her.

PLAYER_IDLE: What do you mean?

EDDIE_SERIOUS: Well before we got whisked away to Casa I was doing my morning swim.

EDDIE_HAPPY: I had just finished my one thousandth lap… underwater that is…

EDDIE_SERIOUS: When who do I see approaching with a tear in their eye, Dana!

EDDIE_SERIOUS: So I invite her in for a little dip and a shoulder to cry on.

PLAYER_SAD: Why was she crying?

EDDIE_IDLE: She said nothing was wrong but I’m an empath so I could tell she was lying.

EDDIE_IDLE: Anyway, after I had told her some reassuring motivational quotes I had read online…

EDDIE_SERIOUS: She finally spilled the beans on what was bothering her, and I’m sad to say it was you.

PLAYER_SURPRISED: Me?

EDDIE_EMBARRASSED: She was stinging a little that you'd picked Alfie over her.

EDDIE_SAD: I was stinging a lot that she'd gone behind my back after I'd coupled with her.

EDDIE_IDLE: Basically, we had a deep one.

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: About what?

EDDIE_FLIRTY: Life, love, the future.

EDDIE_EMBARRASSED: Well, she told me that she knew you didn't reciprocate her feelings.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: But she hadn't felt a connection with anyone like she had with you.

EDDIE_FLIRTY: And remember when she asked you about getting to know Suresh?

PLAYER_IDLE: What about it?

EDDIE_IDLE: Well, she said she only did that to try to move on from you.

EDDIE_IDLE: But she wasn't actually that into Suresh at all.

PLAYER_SURPRISED: Wow, okay. Interesting.

EDDIE_HAPPY: Well, she was pumped you´d picked her over Alfie.

EDDIE_ANGRY: Me, less so. But forgive and forget, right?

EDDIE_SAD: Anyway, she was loving spending more time with you.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: But your baggage with Suresh was bothering her.

EDDIE_IDLE: She´s got trust issues as you probably know.

EDDIE_FLIRTY: And she knew Suresh was grafting you hard.

EDDIE_SAD: She was just feeling super insecure about you and her.

EDDIE_FLIRTY: And whether you were as into her as she was you.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: I guess I should admit this now.

EDDIE_EMBARRASSED: I made a play for her after she unofficially coupled up with you.

PLAYER_SURPRISED: I didn't know that.

EDDIE_IDLE: Well, she turned me down. She only wanted to be with you.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: But after what she thought happened with you and Suresh.

EDDIE_EMBARRASSED: Well, it'd all gone weird and she didn’t know if you two could fix things.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: She was heartbroken. And I should know, I’ve broken a lot of hearts.

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: But Dana is with Gabi now. Why are you telling me this?

EDDIE_SERIOUS: Because from what she told me, those feelings don't just go away.

EDDIE_HAPPY: What you had with Dana was way deeper than what she has with Gabi. Trust me.

EDDIE_SAD: I mean the whole time I was coupled with her all she talked about was you!

PLAYER_IDLE: Really?

EDDIE_SERIOUS: I’m not saying it’s gonna be easy. But if you want Dana back then I think you have a shot.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: But you’re gonna have to graft. Hard.

From downstairs you can hear a commotion.

JOHNNY_IDLE: Eddie! Where are you? We have to go!

NICOLAS_HAPPY: Eddie! I’m ready! It’s go time!

EDDIE_SAD: Damn, guess my time´s up.

EDDIE_FLIRTY: Use this information wisely. I think you have a real chance of winning this.

PLAYER_HAPPY: Thank you, Eddie.

Eddie stands up and nods at you.

EDDIE_IDLE: Goodbye, {0}, see you on the other side.

PLAYER_HAPPY: Bye, Eddie.

The two of you head downstairs.

Downstairs the Islanders are still standing around the entrance.

They wave off Johnny, and turn back to see you and Eddie.

They wave off Nicolas, and turn back to see you and Eddie.

ALFIE_FLIRTY: Where have you two been?

KAT_HAPPY: Yeah, we thought you were gonna try and hide in a cupboard or something.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: Ha ha, very funny.

The Islanders start to approach Eddie, slowly.

EDDIE_SERIOUS: What are you doing?

Everybody piles in for a massive group hug. Eddie tries to resist, to no avail.

ALFIE_HAPPY: We’ll miss you, geezer.

FINN_SAD: Yeah, even if you don’t miss us.

EDDIE_SAD: Thanks, guys. I guess I’ll miss you too.

Eddie drags his suitcase behind him and steps out into the night.

KAT_SAD: What a day.

ARLO_SAD: I know, that was intense.

PLAYER_SERIOUS: It really was!

DANA_SAD: Don’t know about you lot but my bed is crying out for me.

MEERA_HAPPY: You can say that again. Especially with our new bed partners.

MEERA_HAPPY: In fact, I’m heading to the dressing room.

MEERA_FLIRTY: Gotta be looking our best don’t we, girls?

You spot flirty looks between Meera and Alfie.

Then you catch Alfie’s eye. He looks away bashfully.

You spot flirty looks between Suresh and Lulu.

Then you catch Suresh’s eye. He looks away bashfully.

You spot flirty looks between Finn and Kat.

Then you catch Finn’s eye. He looks away bashfully.

You spot flirty looks between Dana and Gabi.

Then you catch Dana’s eye. She looks away bashfully.

You think about what Eddie said. Is it time to put in the graft yourself?

You and the other Islanders make your way upstairs to prepare for the new sleeping arrangements.

The girls join you in the dressing room to get ready for your first night in your new couples.

MEERA_HAPPY: Aaah! I’m so excited to be back in here!

MEERA_HAPPY: Never thought I’d see these beds again, let alone get to share one with Alfie!

MEERA_FLIRTY: Hopefully this time I get some proper use out of it!

DANA_HAPPY: Well, well, well, lucky Alfie!

ARLO_FLIRTY: We've got all new couples. Need to mark the occasion.

KAT_HAPPY: What are you thinking, {0}? Something to make Alfie regret twisting?

MEERA_FLIRTY: I see how it is, a bit of competition is it? It’s on!

GABI_HAPPY: Shouldn’t {0} be trying to blow Naughty Nic’s mind? Not Alfie’s?

GABI_HAPPY: Shouldn’t {0} be trying to blow Johnny’s mind? Not Alfie’s?

KAT_FLIRTY: She can do both!

Kat rummages through your wardrobe.

KAT_SURPRISED: Look, this will get everyone’s attention!

MEERA_SURPRISED: Oh wow, you were being serious about that competition then.

*TRYOUTFIT* This will get all eyes on me!

DANA_FLIRTY: Oh, {0}. Wow.

KAT_FLIRTY: Alfie will wish he can twist again.

DANA_HAPPY: Like we did last summer?

KAT_IDLE: No offence, Meera.

MEERA_SAD: None, taken. You do look stunning, {0}.

I want to try something else

KAT_SERIOUS: Are you sure? Just thought you might want to stay in the competition.

LULU_IDLE: Thought you might want to go a bit bolder!

MEERA_HAPPY: I think you should wear that. Nice and neutral.

KAT_FLIRTY: Are you gonna let Meera win that easy?

*TRYOUTFIT* Ok, it’s game on!

I’m going to stay comfy

PLAYER_HAPPY: Actually, I am gonna go with this!

GABI_FLIRTY: Yep! I think that’ll be sure to impress Nicolas.

GABI_FLIRTY: Yep! I think that’ll be sure to impress Johnny.

KAT_FLIRTY: Alfie will wish he can twist again.

DANA_HAPPY: Like we did last summer?

KAT_IDLE: No offence, Meera.

MEERA_SAD: None taken. You do look stunning, {0}.

PLAYER_HAPPY: Thanks, Meera.

DANA_HAPPY: She’s right. You’ll definitely grab the limelight.

PLAYER_HAPPY: I think I’ll go with this.

ARLO_FLIRTY: Yeah, maybe you’re right. You look great in that too!

MEERA_HAPPY: Yeah, let the games begin!

PLAYER_IDLE: It’s fine. I want to stick to what I have.

MEERA_HAPPY: Good call. Means I can make my grand re-entrance!

DANA_HAPPY: Right, that’s enough chit chat. BED!

GABI_FLIRTY: Yes please!

The girls rush into the bedroom.

The new couples rush to their beds and jump in.

KAT_HAPPY: Night, everyone! Don’t have too much fun!

FINN_FLIRTY: Not making any promises.

KAT_FLIRTY: Naughty!

As you get tucked up in bed you watch as Lulu and Suresh jump into the bed beside you, giggling and fooling around.

You turn away from them, only to see Meera and Alfie getting very comfortable in the other neighbouring bed.

You turn away and see Gabi and Dana getting very comfortable in the other neighbouring bed.

You turn and look at the empty space in the bed next to you where Alfie used to be.

When suddenly Nicolas comes flying through the air towards you.

Landing in the space beside you with a beaming grin.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: What are you looking at?

Nicolas looks either side of you and realises who you are surrounded by.

NICOLAS_IDLE: Oh fun, seems like we are stuck in a bit of an ex sandwich here.

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: Seems that way, is it too awkward for you?

NICOLAS_HAPPY: Are you kidding! Just means I get to rub it in their faces.

PLAYER_IDLE: Rub what in their faces?

NICOLAS_FLIRTY: That I get to be with the hottest girl in the villa.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: And they all blew it.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: To be honest, {0}, after getting to know you.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: When it came to stick or twist I had already come to terms with leaving.

NICOLAS_FLIRTY: Because if it wasn’t you who picked me to stay, then I would rather go.

PLAYER_SURPRISED: Really?

NICOLAS_FLIRTY: You were the only one for me. So I feel like the luckiest guy here.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: So, nah, I don’t find it awkward to have them around us.

NICOLAS_FLIRTY: Because they clearly don’t know what they’re missing.

NICOLAS_EMBARRASSED: Does it bother you having your exes around us?

Yeah, it does

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: Can’t lie, it does bother me.

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: There is just a lot of complicated history there.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: Well you know there’s no future in history.

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: I know, it’s hard to just forget all of those feelings.

No, it doesn’t

PLAYER_HAPPY: Nah, I don’t care.

PLAYER_HAPPY: The past is the past. It’s all history.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: Exactly, there’s no future in history.

PLAYER_HAPPY: I’m ready to move on.

I’m not sure

PLAYER_IDLE: I’m not sure how I feel.

PLAYER_HAPPY: On the one hand what I have with them is in the past.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: Exactly, no future in history!

PLAYER_SAD: But on the other hand, it's hard to just forget those feelings.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: Well… maybe I can help with that. Why should we let them have all the fun?

NICOLAS_FLIRTY: It’s just you and me, in this bed, at this moment. And no one else matters.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: Plus a little drama never hurt anyone, right?

NICOLAS_FLIRTY: Let’s give them something to really talk about. Cause a stir.

Nicolas edges closer to you, until your faces are inches from each other. He takes your hand in his and looks deep into your eyes.

NICOLAS_FLIRTY: So, wanna get a little… closer?

Kiss him

PLAYER_FLIRTY: You read my mind.

As you start to lean in, Nicolas' gaze falls to your lips.

He pulls you in close. With his forefinger he raises your chin until your lips meet his.

Lost in the passionate kiss everything around you slips away. You are totally in the moment.

NICOLAS_FLIRTY: See, we can have our own fun…

NICOLAS_HAPPY: It’s just me and you here, no one else matters.

Cuddle him

PLAYER_FLIRTY: Wouldn’t say no to a cuddle.

Nicolas smiles at you warmly. He pulls you in close and you lower your head onto his chest.

He squeezes you tight. You listen to his heart beat, totally lost in the moment.

NICOLAS_FLIRTY: See, it’s just you and me here.

NICOLAS_FLIRTY: I’ve got you.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: And nothing else matters.

I’m tired

PLAYER_IDLE: It’s been a long day. I wanna get some sleep.

NICOLAS_IDLE: Of course, no problem.

You make yourself comfortable and start to settle down.

NICOLAS_HAPPY: Goodnight, {0}, sweet dreams.

As you close your eyes and let your thoughts subside you hear something…

GABI_SERIOUS: {0}, we need to chat. Now.

You look up to see Gabi looming over you.

Suresh is stood beside her, clearly flustered having been dragged out of bed.

GABI_SERIOUS: It’s time, we need to talk about the past… about everything.

GABI_SERIOUS: It can’t wait any longer.

You turn and look at the empty space in the bed next to you where Alfie used to be.

When suddenly Johnny slides into the space beside you with a beaming grin.

JOHNNY_HAPPY: Hey, what you looking at?

Johnny looks either side of you and realises who you are surrounded by.

JOHNNY_IDLE: Oh I see, it seems like we are stuck in a bit of an ex sandwich here.

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: Seems that way, is it too awkward for you?

JOHNNY_HAPPY: Not at all! Just means I get to rub it in their faces.

PLAYER_IDLE: Rub what in their faces?

JOHNNY_FLIRTY: That I get to be with the most beautiful girl in the villa.

JOHNNY_HAPPY: And they all blew their chances.

JOHNNY_SERIOUS: I’m so thankful I have had the chance to get to know you, {0}.

JOHNNY_IDLE: It really feels like you and I have something special.

JOHNNY_SERIOUS: And honestly I was ready to walk out of here.

JOHNNY_SERIOUS: Because if I wasn’t coupled up with you, there would be no point staying.

PLAYER_SURPRISED: Really?

JOHNNY_FLIRTY: Yes! And the fact you did pick me means… I’m the luckiest guy in here.

JOHNNY_SERIOUS: So nah, I don’t find it awkward to have them around us.

JOHNNY_HAPPY: Because they clearly don’t know what they’re missing.

JOHNNY_SERIOUS: Does it bother you having your exes around us?

Yeah, it does

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: Can’t lie, it does bother me.

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: There is just a lot of complicated history there.

JOHNNY_SAD: Moving on can be tough… without someone to do it with.

PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: It’s hard to just forget all of those feelings.

No, it doesn’t

PLAYER_HAPPY: Nah, I don’t care.

PLAYER_HAPPY: The past is the past.

JOHNNY_HAPPY: Well now you have someone to move on with.

PLAYER_HAPPY: Yeah, I’m ready to move on.

I’m not sure

PLAYER_IDLE: I’m not sure how I feel.

PLAYER_HAPPY: On the one hand what I have with them is in the past.

JOHNNY_HAPPY: And you’re ready for something new?

PLAYER_SAD: But on the other hand it’s hard to just forget those feelings.

JOHNNY_FLIRTY: Well, maybe I can help with that.

JOHNNY_FLIRTY: Why should we let them have all the fun?

JOHNNY_FLIRTY: It’s just you and me, in this bed, at this moment.

JOHNNY_HAPPY: And no one else matters.

JOHNNY_HAPPY: Plus a little drama never hurt anyone, right?

JOHNNY_FLIRTY: Let’s give them something to really talk about. Cause a stir.

Johnny edges closer to you, until your faces are inches from each other.

He looks deep into your eyes.

JOHNNY_FLIRTY: So, wanna get a little closer?

Kiss him

PLAYER_FLIRTY: You read my mind.

As you start to lean in, Johnny's gaze falls to your lips. He pulls you in close.

And with his forefinger he raises your chin until your lips meet his.

Lost in the passionate kiss everything around you slips away. You are totally in the moment.

Cuddle him

PLAYER_FLIRTY: Wouldn’t say no to a cuddle.

Johnny smiles at you warmly.

He pulls you in close, you lower your head onto his chest.

He squeezes you tight. You listen to his heart beat, totally lost in the moment.

Another time, I’m tired

PLAYER_IDLE: I wanna get some sleep, it’s been a long day.

JOHNNY_IDLE: Of course, no problem.

You make yourself comfortable and start to settle down.

JOHNNY_HAPPY: Goodnight, {0}, sweet dreams.

As you close your eyes and let your thoughts subside you hear something…

GABI_ANGRY: {0}, we need to chat. Now.

You look up to see Gabi looming over you.

Suresh is stood beside her, clearly flustered having been dragged out of bed.

GABI_SERIOUS: It’s time, we need to talk about the past… about everything.

GABI_SERIOUS: It can’t wait any longer.

NARRATOR: Looks like we have a good old fashioned tea stirring contest on our hands folks!

NARRATOR: How much innocent tea will be spilled as Gabi, Suresh and {0} stew over their hidden pasts?

NARRATOR: Will there be tea-rs or will they leaf the past in the past?

NARRATOR: Find out next time on Love Island!

[avantouroboros]

In a Field of Sage

In a field of sage, where the twilight dreams,

A fox's danced amid moonlit streams.

His russet fur brushed 'against the silver grass,

Whispers, a fox in heat looked for reales of lust.

With grace in each step, he roamed the night,

A creature bewitching, a soul so bright.

Under a canopy of stars above,

He sought solace, for reales of the desire deep.

A wolf appeared, with eyes of amber fire,

Their gaze entwined, passion pulled higher.

In silence, they spoke, two male beasts spirits entwined,

Two kindred souls, destiny to bind.

The fox, with charm and cunning wit,

Caught the wolf’s lust in a tender grip.

In fields of sage, they danced and played,

Their love making unfolding in the moon's embrace.

Through trials and tribulations they'moned,

Together, their passion would never fade.

In nights of silver and days of gold,

Their beastly lust grew stronger, a tale untold.

Together, they'd face both pleasure and ecstasy,

In the field of sage, they owned tomorrow.

Bound by sex, Knot forever entwined,

The fox and wolf, loins combined.

In this celestial dance, they found their fate,

Two spirits united, no force could separate.

In a field of sage, where passion was sown,

A fox and wolf found a lust of their own.

***

Wolf:

The night is still young, the moon still bright,

The fire's light burns all that's right.

The night is young, the moon still bright,

And with you, the night will never end.

There is something about you that drives me wild,

your fur and how it feels as we lie by the fire.

You are the fire, the light to they flame,

The wolf and the fox, they dance in the flame.

Fox:

The night is still young, the moon still bright,

The fire's light burns all that's right.

The night is young, the moon still bright,

And with you, the night will never end.

I see your eyes burning with desire,

I am eager to be there.

Your lust burns deep in the loins of mine,

the fire burns deep within.

We burn so bright, the fire within,

We burn so bright, the fire within.

Wolf:

You make me shiver, I'm wanting so,

My lust, my desire, for you my foxy friend.

The heat I feel burns deep in my chest,

The fire burns deep in my soul.

It burns so bright, the fire within,

It burns so bright, the fire within.

Fox:

The night is still young, the moon still bright,

The fire's light burns all that's right.

The night is young, the moon still bright,

And with you, the night will never end.

I want you, I've got to have you,

to see the lust that is burning inside,

To see your face,

and then,

I'll make you mine for that time,

our lust will start,

and the fire'll burn.

Wolf:

The night is young, the moon still bright,

The fire's light burns all that's right.

The night is young, the moon still bright,

And with you, the night will never end.

Fox:

I've got to have you,

To see the lust that is burning inside,

To see your face,

And then,

I'll make you mine,

our lust will start,

And the fire'll burn.

Wolf:

The night is young, the moon still bright,

The fire's light burns all that's right.

The night is young, the moon still bright,

And with you, the night will never end.

***

Fox:

In the meadow, a wolf was wandering,

when he came across the scent of a female.

A sly wolf, the scent drew him on,

into a fox den, the scent so strong.

In the den he found the mother of the young,

She'd been lying, so he made her young scream.

With her tight vagina, he took her life,

a fox in heat, and that was the price.

A wolf and a fox, their souls entwined,

and they lay together in the night.

Wolf:

A wolf, a fox, a male and a male,

The meadow, a quiet place to make love.

A fox, he’s been laid, his life taken,

So much pleasure, the ecstasy so grand.

Her lifeless body, soon left behind,

His seed now planted in their womb.

So much pleasure, the ecstasy so grand.

The night is young, the moon still bright,

The fire's light burns all that's right.

The night is young, the moon still bright,

And with you, the night will never end.

Fox:

I want you, I've got to have you,

To see the lust that is burning inside,

To see your face,

And then,

I'll make you mine for that time,

our lust will start,

And the fire'll burn.

Wolf:

The night is young, the moon still bright,

The fire's light burns all that's right.

The night is young, the moon still bright,

And with you, my lust, the night will never end.

Fox:

The night is young, the moon still bright,

The fire's light burns all that's right.

The night is young, the moon still bright,

And with you, my lust the night will never end.

In a meadow, the night of love's done,

A wolf's seed planted in a fox's womb.

The fox, he's been bred by a wolf,