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0shewrites0 · 2 years

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ONE MORE CHANCE

S2 | Lucas x MC | 2.500+ words | @0shewrites0

My gift to @doulyeah for the litg s2 tumblr gift exchange! I really hope you like it 🥹🤍

(also tagging @sunshinejihyun & @justtuesdays )

synopsis | "I'm going to miss you," she whispered so quietly Lucas thought he hadn't heard her properly.

"I'll miss you too," he replied softly, giving her one last smile before turning and heading back to the villa to pack his suitcase and prepare to leave Mallorca.

Lucas' time in the villa had been far too short and now he had to go back home. Would he ever get a second chance with her or would he forever be the one who had got away?

genre | light angst. mutual pining. second chances. eventual fluff. eventual happy ending. the one that got away.

Read here or on ao3

June 29th, 2019

Lucas sat on his black leather couch watching the latest episode of Love Island and thought, I wish I could have stayed a bit longer.

As he watched the islanders having fun, falling in love and engaging in all the drama, one person in particular stood out to him.

She was with Gary now and he could see that she was trying, but he could also see that she wasn't really into it. Her eyes looked dull, they had somehow lost the spark they had had in the first week of the month. They had still had that when Henrik and he had entered the villa on the fifth day.

He hadn't even had the chance to couple up with her, to do more than just hold her after Rocco had played her so badly. And what he would have given to kiss her, to hold her in his arms as they fell asleep side by side. Like a real couple.

But somehow the public hadn't been confident in him leaving the show with a girlfriend by his side, so they'd dumped him.

When Lucas thought back to that night, he was overcome by a sadness that could only be described as a strange homesickness. Homesick for a person. For her.

10 days earlier

"Lucas?" Her voice sounded hesitant as he turned back to face her.

"Hmm?"

"Can you...," her voice trailed off and she averted her eyes and stared down at her shoes. "I'm going to miss you," she finally whispered so quietly he thought he hadn't heard her properly.

Part of him wanted to go back and hug her again, hold her one last time, but the sensible part of him knew that would only make everything so much more difficult. So much more complicated.

As much as he'd wanted to be the one to couple up with her at the next recoupling, he wasn't going to get the chance now. And he wanted her to be happy, to forget him and move on with her life.

But the selfish part of his heart wanted her to suffer as much as he knew he would. He had thought this was going to be the summer of his life, but it turned out to be just another bittersweet summer. One of missed opportunities and chances. One of irrational feelings for a girl he would probably never see again.

Because there was no way he was going to that afterparty just to see her laughing happily alongside another one of those lads. No, he would do everything he could to spare himself that pain.

"I'll miss you too," he replied softly, giving her one last smile before turning and heading back to the villa to pack his suitcase and prepare to leave Mallorca.

June 29th, 2019

But now she would probably settle for Gary and end up with him. That bloke adored her, anyone could see that, and he would give her the world. But it was supposed to be him. He couldn't forget the way she used to look at him with her deep blue eyes that now seemed grey. So lifeless. Empty.

Henrik had coupled up with her before the girls had been taken to Casa Amor, and even there, with a whole new set of boys, the spark hadn't returned. She had seemed so out of place. Almost as if she missed him too.

And then Henrik had come back with Blake on his arm, and she had been left alone. All on her own. Henrik was his buddy, but at that moment he would have given anything to slap him. It was beyond him how no one but Gary could see that she deserved the whole damn world. As a result, Henrik and Blake had been dumped, which Lucas thought they deserved anyway.

His phone buzzed in the pocket of his jeans, interrupting his bitter thoughts and he took it out and sighed deeply, The producers? Huh, maybe they need me for another interview?

He picked up, "Yeah? Koh here."

But what he heard next made his heart stop beating for a little moment.

"Yes! I mean, of course. I'd love to. Thanks for the opportunity!"

5 days later

He was back in the beach hut and couldn’t believe his own eyes. He had been given the chance to return to the villa, and although the month was almost over, he was sure that it wouldn't take him more than a day to make his shot at love.

She was still there, and he couldn't wait to see her again.

"Why did you decide to come back when the producers called you a few days ago?"

Lucas grinned and raked his right hand through his gelled hair. "Well, I always thought my time at the villa was far too short. I didn't even get to couple up before I got booted out of the show three days after I moved in. And I feel like I deserved it."

"Who do you have your eye on coming back to the villa?"

He shrugged. "I think it's pretty obvious. She and I got along super well before I got dumped, and now that she's still part of the show, I just have to take my chances. Properly this time."

"What are you most looking forward to when you get back to the villa?"

"I'm looking forward to seeing her eyes light up again. I just know they will."

The guy asking the questions chuckled slightly, "Sounds pretty vague for now."

"What can I say?" Lucas grinned. "I said it when I first entered the villa and it's still true. Gotta maintain a bit of mystery, eh?"

The guy waved his hand dismissively and laughed, "Alright, Lucas, you're ready for your date. Please send me a message with her name and she'll be with you shortly after."

________________________

Lucas sat on a white chair next to a small table covered with a white cloth, a few snacks and bright yellow orange juice, the Spanish countryside stretching out before him. The morning sun warmed his back and he waited for her to arrive at the location. He was unusually nervous and even a little afraid that he had imagined it all. That she was actually happy with Gary and didn't want to be with someone she didn't even really know.

But now it was too late. All that was left now was to hope that she had missed him as much as he had missed her.

"No way!"

He heard a soft voice gasp behind him, and he recognised her voice immediately. Still so velvety and soft. Grinning, he turned and couldn't stop a smile from forming on his lips when he saw the expression on her face.

She was wearing a stunning deep blue dress that hugged her body just right and brought out the blue of her eyes amazingly well. Her brunette hair was straightened and framed her beautiful diamond-shaped face. Her eyes were wide and her lips slightly parted, but as soon as her eyes met his, she closed her mouth and swallowed, her cheeks taking on a delicate coral hue.

"Lucas!" she squealed, a happy smile settling on her face as she rushed to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, catching him off guard. But he quickly returned the hug and squeezed her tenderly, trying to ignore the butterflies in his stomach that made crazy somersaults as soon as her body touched his.

God, how he had missed holding her like this.

Before he could get carried away, he quickly cleared his throat, pulled back slightly and looked down at her. When she looked up at him, giving him a toothy grin, and he looked into her eyes, he almost choked on his own saliva.

He hadn't imagined anything, he'd bloody known it wasn't just his brain playing tricks on him.

The spark had returned, the spark he had missed all the time he had been away from the villa.

"You look happy to see me," he said carefully.

The blush on her cheeks deepened and she glanced down and nodded shyly, "I didn't think I'd see you again so soon."

Lucas pulled out the chair for her and beckoned her to sit, then pushed the chair back in before taking his own seat. He picked up the jar of freshly squeezed orange juice and poured them each a glass, then looked back at her.

"Well, isn't there anything you want to ask me?" He smirked at the look on her face. She still didn't seem to know if this was real or just a dream.

"Pinch me?" she breathed, and he reached out and placed his hand gently on hers. That seemed to do the trick, because she took a deep breath and then quickly shook her head.

"I'm sorry, I'm just a little confused. Why did you come back?"

Lucas pulled his hand away, reached for his glass and took a sip of the cool juice. "I felt like I didn't really have a chance the first time around."

"Yeah, I guess you could say that," she giggled and rolled her eyes. "So what have you been up to the last two weeks?"

Lucas smiled at her, "A bit of this and a bit of that. Since I was on paid leave for the month anyway, I wasn't needed at the clinic, so I spent most of my time visiting family and friends, a bit of alone time to sort my head out, and then I was also approached by a magazine for a photo shoot."

"Sounds fun!" She returned the smile and took a sip of her own orange juice.

"You're with Gary now, huh?" asked Lucas, watching her closely for a reaction, but she just shrugged nonchalantly.

"Yeah."

"So how's that going? Are you happy?" he inquired.

She shrugged again. "I think so. It's going well so far."

It didn't exactly sound enthusiastic. Or madly in love.

On the one hand it made him sad because he wanted her to be happy, on the other it gave him a nervous twinge in his abdomen because it just meant he still had a chance.

One more chance.

"Doesn't sound like that's all you’ve ever wanted," he added tentatively.

She snorted sarcastically, "Yeah, because it's not. But I guess you can't get everything you want, huh?" Suddenly she looked up, eyes wide with shock, and slapped her hands over her mouth, "Shit, forget what I said. I didn't mean it like that."

Lucas took a deep breath and propped his forearms on the table between them, leaning forward slightly and looking at her intently as he asked, "How did you mean it?"

She avoided eye contact and fiddled with the silver rings on her fingers. "It doesn't matter. I shouldn't have said that."

Before Lucas could stop himself, he had placed his index finger under her chin and lifted it slightly so she was looking at him again. Realisation flashed in her eyes, as she probably remembered how he'd always done that when he'd comforted her after Rocco had screwed her over.

"What are you doing?" she whispered, nervously wedging her lower lip between her teeth.

"You asked me why I came back, right?" began Lucas, and when she nodded slowly, he added, "Well, I didn't tell you the whole truth."

Her eyes widened again, but she remained silent, so he swallowed hard and continued, "I came back for you."

Then three things happened, and one was sweeter than the other, making Lucas' heart beat so fast he thought he would faint.

First her eyes widened, then they glazed over ever so slightly, and the smile that lit up her face afterwards was enough to make his knees go as weak as goddamn custard.

"Thank fuck I'm sitting down right now," he muttered softly, but she heard him and her cheeks flushed so hard she covered her face with her hands and backed away.

"You... you came back for me?" she finally breathed, peeking out from between her fingers, and it looked so adorable that Lucas had to bite his cheek to keep from bursting out laughing. Instead, he nodded reassuringly and said, "Yes, I did."

"B-but why?" She stumbled over her own words, and it was the cutest thing he had ever heard come out of her mouth.

"Because I can't get you out of my head," he answered in a firm voice, and her eyes glossed over again.

Finally, she cleared her throat, put her hands in her lap and said softly, "That's good to know … Because I couldn't get you out of my head either."

A grin spread across Lucas' face and he clicked his tongue, "I know."

She raised her eyebrows and narrowed her eyes, "You... know? How would you know?"

"I saw it in your eyes. You weren't happy. And your answer to my question about how things were going with Gary only confirmed it." He shrugged, but couldn't wipe the probably stupid grin off his face.

"I…," she interrupted herself, shaking her head slowly, "so you've known all along?"

Lucas nodded wordlessly.

A pained expression settled on her face and she asked, "Why didn't you come back sooner if you knew?"

"I couldn't. Believe me, if there had been a way, I wouldn't have left in the first place." He sighed, but his eyes never left her face.

She nodded sadly and mumbled, "For the record, I would have liked that."

"You know what I would like right now, though?"

When she said nothing and just stared at him questioningly, he added in a lowered voice, "I don't think I can stand not kissing you any longer."

She gasped softly and blushed again, but then smiled and, looking him straight in the eye, blurted out, "Then why don't you kiss me?"

And Lucas didn't need to be told twice. He pushed back his chair and stood up, pulling her to her feet by her arms, pressing her body against his and leaning in towards her. He felt her heart hammering in her chest and heard how shallow her breathing was, and he wrapped his arms around her waist, closing the tiny gap and finally capturing her lips in a soft, sweet kiss.

As she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, the butterflies in his stomach went completely amok, and the desire he'd felt for her since the first moment he'd met her finally flowed out of him and poured over her. He couldn't suppress a soft groan when she tightened her grip and deepened the kiss.

She tasted like a promise, like a second chance, and adrenaline coursed through his veins as he realised that this was it. This was the second chance he had needed. Nothing else mattered from now on out.

He’d taken the risk, had taken his shot, and he hadn't missed.

Maybe this could still be the summer of his life.

author’s note | To all my Lucas stans:

Please ignore the game for a second. I know Lucas canonically won't stay with you if you decide to cheat on your current partner with him, but that's irrelevant to this fic. In this fic it's all about the fluff and the romance and him finally getting the girl.

I don't care about the details at this point and neither should you. Just enjoy this little thing for what it is and don't complicate it ❤️

#litg #litg s2 #litg fanfic #litg ff #ao3 fanfic #litg lucas #lucas koh #returning lucas #litg light angst #second chances #eventual fluff #eventual romance #eventual happy ending #mutual pining #s2litgexchange

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longbobmckenzie · 2 years

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dewey decimal system - noah/mc

Written for @0shewrites0 as part of the gift exchange organized by @justtuesdays and @sunshinejihyun!

I've always kind of wanted to write for Noah even though the idea sorta scared me, so I really hope I did him justice, and I hope you enjoy this!

Rating: Explicit - 18+ only, minors DNI

Wordcount: 6,515

Summary:

Noah loves his work at the local library. He prides himself on keeping it pristine and organized, so that everything is easy to find and nothing is out of place. Which is why it drives him nuts every time she comes in and puts everything in disarray. He’d love nothing more than to put her in her place, but he’s just a mild-mannered librarian… or is he?

Wordcount: 6,515

Read on AO3 or under the cut!

dewey decimal system

She’s doing it again. That thing where she absentmindedly strolls up and down the library aisles, picking up any book that catches her fancy and putting it back again — but in the wrong spot. Noah would swear that she does it on purpose, but she never looks back over her shoulder to check if he’s watching the way her hips sway as she moves along, her fingers trailing lightly along the shelves, searching for their next victim.

But he does watch, and he never fails to hate himself for it.

Noah Alexander doesn’t hate anyone, but dammit, if she doesn’t come close.

Every time she walks in the front door, he has to stifle a groan — one, because he knows he’ll be spending the rest of his shift following after her, putting each book she picks up back in its proper place, and two, because of the way his trousers always seem a little bit tighter when she’s around.

Alina is her name, according to her library account. Alina Pullman. Which is extra annoying, because she shares a surname with one of his favourite authors. They’re now forever linked together in his mind by association, and he can’t pick up a Philip Pullman book without automatically thinking of her, which never fails to lessen his enjoyment in the book in question. With golden blonde hair that falls in soft waves over her shoulders, the most stunning amber eyes that sparkle like stars in the night sky, and curves that could cause traffic accidents, she spends far too much time invading his thoughts.

He’s dreamt about having her plump red lips wrapped around his cock on more than one occasion, waking up with a raging hard-on that won’t go down until he takes care of it, no matter how hard he tries to resist.

And he might be harbouring a little fantasy that involves him pinning her against the library shelves and making her scream his name… but he would never admit it, of course.

He certainly wouldn’t ever act on it.

It’s quiet in the library tonight, and Noah’s unsure whether or not to be grateful for that. On one hand, it means he’s free to keep an eye on her and rescue each of the books she touches from their misplaced fate. On the other hand, it means he’s free to keep an eye on her and imagine all the nasty things he’d like to do to her.

And it’s a long list. He has quite a few thoughts that aren’t entirely appropriate for the quiet library setting. Thoughts that would likely shock most of his patrons, who see him as a quiet, mild-mannered literary type, one who wouldn’t be out of place in one of their regency romances. The old ladies like to tease him with talk of setting him up with their granddaughters; the young mothers who bring their kids to his reading times like to watch and swoon.

But Alina? Alina acts like she doesn’t even know he exists. There are no glances snuck in his direction, no lowered eyes and flirtatious hair tucks while he checks her books out for her. Their interactions are quick and business-like, with friendly smiles just like those you’d give to any random stranger.

And it drives him crazy. Because while she’s firmly burrowed her way under his skin, he can’t say the same thing about himself. He seems to have no effect on her. None, zilch, nada. If she saw him in the street, she might not even recognize him.

She places a book on one of the shelves, wedging it between two others in a too-tight space where it doesn’t belong before sashaying down the aisle and disappearing around the corner. He’s about to go find the book and return it to its correct place when a mother and her three kids approach the counter carrying a stack of books.

Fighting the frown that tugs at his lips, he instead gives the woman a smile and a friendly comment, asking if she found everything she was looking for. She did, of course — Noah is proud of how well the library is kept organized, and he impresses the importance of putting everything in its proper place on all the new staff when he trains them. One of her kids hops up and down on one foot and asks if he can have a piece of candy from the jar on the counter, and Noah nods and tells him he can, as long as his mum allows him.

She does, so he holds out the jar, and all three kids swoop in towards it, fighting over which colour they each want.

Noah likes kids; he really does. But he’s itching to get away from the desk and back to the aisles, so it would be nice if they would settle on a piece of candy each and let him get back to checking out their books. Who knows how much damage Alina is doing to his perfectly organized shelves while he’s occupied elsewhere?

The kids finally pick out their candies, he gets back to scanning their books, and it’s with the greatest relief that he watches them make their way out the door.

Now to follow Hurricane Alina and set the library back to rights.

To Noah’s trained eye, it’s not hard to figure out which shelves have new gaps in them where books have been removed and which ones contain books that don’t belong. It’s not a large library by any means; after a few years of working there, he knows every inch of the place. So, it doesn’t take long to make the rounds through the aisles and pick up after her. There are also a few other books left here and there by other patrons, but those are more obviously askew or left on their sides in front of the neatly lined row of books. He doesn’t mind those as much, because they’re easy to find, instead of having to go searching for them.

Carrying the stack of discarded books reverently in his hands, he goes back up and down the aisles, returning everything to its place. What he doesn’t find, though, is Alina, and that’s what scares him. Is she up to more mischief?

He has to assist another patron before he can go looking for her, but he eventually finds her in the children's story area, which has been set up with cushioned benches and plenty of brightly coloured throw pillows. It’s a popular reading spot when there are no children around, and this close to closing time, it’s empty besides her.

She’s so engrossed in her book that she doesn’t seem to notice him watching her. Which is good, because what he’s doing could probably be called staring. It’s hard to look away when she looks so damn hot, with her bright eyes, rosy cheeks, and her bottom lip pulled between her pearly white teeth. Noah’s eyes drop to the book in her hands. He can’t tell exactly which one she’s reading, but he has a good idea what’s caused her skin to flush so delightfully. It’s one of those romance books with the cute illustrated covers that are great at hiding the often downright raunchy content inside. On the outside, it looks like an unassuming Hallmark-esque romance novel. On the inside, smut that would make even a fanfiction writer blush.

He wonders what’s happening on the pages of that book. What kind of fantasy is playing out in her mind as her eyes take in the words. What she’s going to do about it later in the darkness of her bedroom.

That’s a thought he didn’t need right now, but his body reacts before he can chase it away — his dick twitching in his pants, his heart rate quickening, and a soft moan that turns into a choked sigh as he tries to keep it from escaping his throat.

Too late, as Alina looks up from her book, and even from this distance, a spark seems to pass between them.

Noah clears his throat to cover his embarrassment at being caught. “Good book?”

Her blush deepens as she looks down at her book, keeping her finger between the pages to keep her place as she closes the cover and holds it to her chest.

“Um, yeah. It’s great so far.”

She seems a little flustered — at his presence, or simply from being interrupted during what must be a particularly saucy scene, he’s not sure — and it gives him no small amount of satisfaction. For months, she’s been plaguing him, with no outward sign that she even knows what she’s doing. He’s convinced that she does; he just can’t work out why.

“Which one is it?” he asks, deciding to take advantage of catching her off-guard.

“Oh, just a romance!” She clutches the book tighter as she flashes him her most innocent smile. “I’m sure you wouldn’t be interested.”

She’s wrong — very wrong — but he’ll let it slide.

He takes a look at his watch. “Well, I just wanted to let you know that it’s almost closing time, in case you want to check that book out.”

“Thanks! I’ll be right there.”

Taking that as his cue to leave her alone, he returns to the counter, ignoring the twinge of disappointment that he felt when he saw the time. He ought to be glad to see the back of her. He usually is — in more ways than one. But something’s different tonight, and he’s not sure why.

Reading erotica in the kiddie section; Noah shakes his head. He should be scandalized, but he’s turned on by her complete lack of regard for convention. That doesn’t stop him from wanting to punish her, though, by lifting that short skirt of hers and spanking those deliciously round cheeks until they bear angry red imprints of his hand. He’d love to hear her whimper with each strike and feel her tremble at his touch.

Noticing someone standing at the counter waiting for him, he adjusts his trousers to hide the evidence of his thoughts and greets them with a smile. For the next several minutes, he’s kept busy as the few remaining patrons make their way to the front and check out their stacks of books, until it’s finally closing time and he locks the door behind the last departing customer.

It’s only after the bolt clicks shut that Noah realizes he never saw Alina leave.

He should be annoyed — after all, she’d promised to check her book out while there was still plenty of time to do so — but the only thing he feels is intrigue. He makes his way back to where he’d seen her last, but finds the children’s area empty. Several cushions are strewn across the floor, so he picks them up and sets them back in place, ready for the kids to make a mess of them all over again the following day.

But where’s Alina? Noah tilts his head as he listens to the silence of the almost-empty library. He loves this time after closing, when it’s only him and the books. The scent of the old pages and bindings always seems a little richer, and the silence feels more comforting when he’s there alone.

Tonight, though, he’s not alone. He strains his ears for any sign of his hidden companion — the rustle of pages, soft footsteps on the carpeted floor, even the sound of her breathing — but all he can hear is the pounding of his own heartbeat.

Until a book falls to the floor a few aisles over, the sound followed by a mumbled curse.

His pulse quickens as he follows the sound, finding her trying to wedge a book with an illustrated cover into a too-tight gap on the shelf.

“You’re still here,” he says, and she jumps as she turns to him with wide eyes and flushed cheeks.

Noah quickly closes the distance between them and plucks the book from her fingers. Her breath hitches softly as she backs up against the shelf, and he realizes how close he’s standing. He lies the book down on its side as he takes a step back, fighting the urge to move closer instead.

“It doesn’t go there.”

Alina chuckles, one corner of her lips slanting upwards. “I know.”

“So you are doing it on purpose.”

The smirk deepens. “You noticed.”

“Of course, I noticed — I’ve been cleaning up after you for months!”

“You never said anything.”

Is it his imagination, or has the space between them shrunk again?

“I…” His voice trails off, and he rubs the back of his neck, perplexed. It’s true; so many times, he would follow from a distance and move the books she displaced to their proper homes, but never once did he approach her and politely ask her to desist. Almost as if he didn’t actually want her to stop, despite the annoyance that would always rise up inside him. Like he was addicted to the frustration that she brings. “What would you have done if I did?”

She shrugs. “Probably would’ve asked you out.”

Noah practically chokes on the matter-of-fact way she delivers that bombshell. “Wait, really?”

Her smirk returns as she steps closer, and he catches a waft of her perfume. Something warm and cozy that makes him feel at home but also intoxicates him and leaves him craving more, and he finds himself leaning in as his eyes lower to her plush red lips.

“I was trying to get your attention,” she says, her voice dropping to a low murmur that sends a shiver through him. His arms stretch out on either side of her, trapping her between them as he supports his weight on the shelf behind her, and she places a teasing hand on his chest. “You seem like such a friendly, mild-mannered librarian, but I bet you’ve got hidden depths beneath the stoic exterior.”

He groans as her hand slowly lowers, tracing the muscular abs beneath his shirt, and a satisfied smile crosses her face. All at once, a flip switches inside him, and he backs her up against the shelf, his body hovering mere centimetres from hers. If she wants to see his hidden depths, he’ll show her — but instead of following her lead, it’s going to be him that dictates how the rest of the evening is going to go. And after spending months watching that sweet ass walking away from him, the only way he wants to see it tonight is if it’s bent over for him to apply punishment.

Noah steps even closer, until there’s just a trace of contact, delighted by the way she shivers at his nearness. He lowers his voice, taking on that husky, sexy tone that has never failed to melt the panties right off the women he’s been with. “I’m more interested in your… hidden depths.”

By the soft whine that escapes her lips and the fluttering shut of her eyes, he knows he has her. Perhaps she’s been fantasizing about this very moment, spending her nights with her fingers between her legs as she thinks about him. Dreaming about him replacing her fingers with his own and making her come before bending her over and taking her from behind. And now he’s going to make those dreams come true.

Removing one hand from the shelf, he glides it slowly over her body, memorizing every curve on the way down. She gasps when he flicks his thumb across the hardened peak of her nipple, which strains for his touch through the thin fabric of her blouse. He continues down, enjoying the way her taut stomach quivers under his fingertips, and dips his fingers into the waistband of her skirt, using it to pull her against him so she can feel how much he wants her.

“I’m going to keep going,” he rasps, “and see what’s under this pretty skirt. Hmm? You want that?”

Alina can only nod, and it fills him with pride to see how quickly she’s submitted to his leadership. Perhaps, if all goes well, they might explore this dynamic again some day. But for now, he needs to sample those luscious red lips, more tempting than any forbidden fruit from the Garden of Eden.

They taste as sweet as sin, rich and honeyed. They’re soft and plump, and they move slowly against his at first, before pressing harder as she wraps her arms around his neck, pulling him in closer. His hands slide further down over her round bottom until he reaches the hem of her skirt, and he teases the edge of the fabric as her lips part for his tongue.

All at once, the kiss grows deeper and more passionate, and Noah groans into her mouth as she rolls her hips into him impatiently. His fingers finally dip beneath the skirt, and he grabs handfuls of her ass and holds her steady as he ruts against her. Her little pants and moans fuel him on, and when her fingernails dig deep into his shoulder, he nips at her lower lip.

“You like that, don’t you?” he growls. “You like my hard cock rubbing against you.”

“Yes,” she whispers, before licking her lip where he bit it. “So big. So fucking hard.”

“Bet you’ll like it even more when it’s in you.”

“Oh, god—Please!”

Releasing his hold on her ass, he pushes her roughly against the bookshelf, and she cries out in surprise and a little bit of pain at the shelf digging into her back. He shuts her up with his mouth, kissing her hard as he cups between her legs, finding her hot and wet. Locating her clit beneath the lacy fabric, he starts rubbing it with his thumb, and she jerks into his hand.

“You’re fucking soaked, babe. Is it the library? Do you come in here every week thinking about how much you’d like to be fucked against these shelves? To try to be quiet while you’re getting your back blown out?” He shoves her pants aside and drags his knuckles through her slick folds, evoking a gasp from her lips. “Or is it because you know I’m gonna fuck you right?”

“Mmm,” Alina moans as he teases her. “B-both.”

Noah chuckles, watching her face contort with pleasure as he alternates between rubbing circles around her clit and stroking it firmly. She’s gorgeous like this; she was anyway, but seeing the way her lips have swollen and her cheeks have flushed because of what he’s doing to her is doing something to him. His balls ache, reminding him just how much he’d like to see those full lips of hers around his cock and those pink cheeks hollowed out as she sucks him.

He finally plunges two fingers into her. She’s so drenched by this point that there’s no resistance, yet so tight that he wonders how his cock will ever fit. He stifles a groan, biting his lip as he presses his body against hers, his hand in between them working her over until her trapped body is writhing and shaking with need and she’s begging him to make her come.

He can sense how close she is, and it would be so easy to give in and send her over the edge, but the book she’d been reading is just visible out of the corner of his eye. It taunts him, just like she’s done so many times with her little jaunts around the aisles moving books out of place, and he’ll be damned if he lets her get off so easily.

She lets out a frustrated whine when he pulls his hand away, a whine that’s cut off by those same fingers being shoved into her mouth. Her eyes widen in surprise before she relaxes somewhat and sucks her juices right off of him.

“How do you taste?” he asks, pulling out so she can speak.

Alina smirks and licks her lips, running her tongue slowly over them. “Why don’t you try for yourself?”

Noah dips his head until his mouth is hovering just a hairsbreadth away from hers, inhaling her sweet scent. He smiles as her breath hitches, but instead of closing the distance between them, he pulls back sharply and pushes her head down until she falls to her knees before him.

"I’d rather you taste me. You can tell me which of us tastes better.”

With no hesitation whatsoever, she reaches for his belt. The tip of her pretty pink tongue pokes out of the side of her mouth as her fingers tug on the leather to unclasp the buckle, and Noah’s mouth salivates at the thought of that tongue running along the underside of his cock and massaging his head. He grabs the shelf to brace himself as she works his zipper down and unbuttons his trousers, and his fingertips brush against something.

Tearing his eyes away from the picture at his feet, he sees the book that he’d taken out of her hands earlier, and he tries unsuccessfully to stifle a laugh. Alina’s movements pause, and he glances down to see her staring up at him with her fingers tucked into the waistband of his boxers, her head tilted in curiosity. Wondering what he finds so funny, no doubt.

“Keep going,” he says gruffly, and in one swift motion, she tugs everything down. Noah chuckles again as her eyes grow wide at the sight of the hefty cock that slaps against his stomach as it springs free. Forgetting the book for a moment, he hurriedly unfastens the buttons on his shirt and tears it off, then wraps a hand around himself. “Think you can take it?”

Alina licks her lips as her expression morphs from one of surprise to one of sheer lust, and she nods. “I’ll do my best, sir.”

That sends a rush of blood straight to his already-hard cock, and he groans as he places a hand on top of her head, firmly directing her towards him. He can’t wait any longer.

Her lips obediently part, and he watches with rapt attention as his tip disappears between them. Her mouth is warm and wet, a preview of what’s to come when he fucks her tight little pussy, and he has to hold himself back from bucking his hips and fucking her in earnest.

Placing both hands back on the shelf, Noah moans and drops his head back as Alina sucks on the head of his cock, her fingers wrapping around the shaft and twisting as she starts to move her head back and forth. His eyes flutter closed as he revels in the sensations she’s eliciting within him. Maybe it’s her, or maybe it’s the illicit nature of doing it in his library — especially while he’s technically still on the clock — but he’s not sure a blowjob has ever felt this good.

With his eyes still closed and only the sounds of her slurping around him reaching his ears, he remembers the book again and smirks. The latest from a popular romance author known for including steamy smut in her novels, it’s about a big city girl who moves to a small town and begins a torrid affair with the male lead, who just so happens to be a sexy librarian with a dominant streak. He hasn’t read it yet, and is actually surprised Alina was able to find it in stock, considering there’s supposed to be a long hold list. Perhaps someone misfiled it.

He can’t be too upset, though, considering the error led to this moment.

Looking down again, he finds her staring back up at him, and the sight is enough to make his hips jerk. Her eyes are watering, her cheeks are hollowed, and she’s taken him even further than he would have thought possible. She swallows around him as he gathers her hair in his hands, and Noah hisses at how tight everything feels.

Seeing her snake one hand down between her legs, he pulls her head back and growls, “Did I say you could touch yourself?” When she shakes her head, he brings her back toward him, and she flicks her tongue over him. “Hands on me.”

She grips his thigh with one hand, digging her nails into his skin, and fondles his balls with the other as he feeds her his length again. Her tongue works wonders as he rolls his hips back and forth, taking control of the pace. When she squeezes his thigh, he takes it as a sign to move faster and go deeper, hitting the back of her throat with each thrust.

“Good girl,” he says, and her hum of pleasure sends vibrations through him. “You take me so well. Fuck, I love your throat. Is this what the guy from the book did? Huh? Is this what you wanted?”

With Noah’s hands on her head, Alina’s nod is barely imperceptible, but it’s enough. Mascara trails down her cheeks as he fucks into her mouth, saliva running down her chin. She takes it like a champ, gripping him tightly and keeping her eyes trained on his. She looks fucking gorgeous with her swollen lips wrapped around him, taking him as well as anyone ever has, and it’s all combining to drive him closer and closer to the edge.

He’s not ready for this to end yet, so it’s almost a relief when Alina releases her tight grip on his leg and taps his thigh, signalling she needs a breather. He pulls her off him, and as she gasps for breath, he lifts her by the armpits to her feet, ignoring her choked whimpers as he spins her around to face the bookshelf. Her legs shake as she stands, so he keeps an arm wrapped around her until she regains her composure and braces herself against the shelves. When she pushes her ass back into his crotch, he hisses and steps back.

“You ready for me?” Noah smooths his hand over her bottom, revelling in the delicious curves that remain hidden beneath her skirt.

“Oh my god, yes!” she responds with a breathy voice.

“Yes, what?”

“Yes, please—sir!”

He flips her skirt up around her waist and yanks down the thin strip of fabric that passes for underwear, sucking in a breath at the sight of her. Her soft, pale skin beckons to him, and before he even registers what he’s doing, a sharp crack fills the air as his hand comes down hard upon it, followed by a yelp that turns to a soft moan.

“You deserve to be punished,” he snarls as he repeats the motion, delighting in her hums of pleasure. “All those months of teasing me, making me clean up after you. If you wanted me, you could’ve saved yourself the trouble.”

Alina looks over her shoulder, the smirk on her face temporarily interrupted by a flinch as he spanks her again. “But then you wouldn’t have needed to punish me, sir.”

He groans as he leans his body over hers, wrapping a hand loosely around her throat to pull her back towards him. “I’m sure we could’ve made something work.”

Her logic is sound, though, he thinks as he shifts his hand down to pinch her nipple through her shirt, earning a curse from her lips. The months of jerking off to the fantasy of teaching her a lesson have done their work to build up the tension between them in a way that wouldn’t have been possible if she’d simply slipped him her number. She’d read him like a book, seeing beyond the gentle, professional front he put out to the debased depths within him. Somehow, she figured out exactly which buttons to press to get him to this point.

Noah might be the one doling out punishment, but Alina is firmly in control.

And he loves it that way.

He’s struck with the urgent need to be inside her, only to realize that he wasn’t exactly expecting to be engaging in these types of activities at work today.

“Fuck… Please tell me you have a condom.”

“Purse,” she replies, pointing to the handbag that lies on its side on the floor, having been knocked over at some point. “Front pocket.”

Easily accessible. That’s good, and it doesn’t take long for Noah to find one.

“I’m going to make you scream so loud, the shelves shake,” he rasps as he rips open the foil packet and rolls the protection on.

“Aren’t you supposed to shush me?” Alina teases, giving her ass a jiggle.

“Maybe next time.” He gives it another slap, deepening the red mark that’s formed on her skin. “If that’s what you’re into.”

Before she can respond, he glides the tip of his cock up and down her slit, covering it with her wetness, and she visibly shivers, her back arching as she rocks back against him. It’s so tempting to just fill her and proceed to fuck her brains out, but after all the teasing she’s been doing to him, he can’t resist holding out just a little longer.

Slowly, he pushes in until his cockhead is swallowed by her warmth, and then he stops, holding her hips in place. She whines, begging him for more, trying to fight against his powerful grip to take more of him.

“You want me to go deep, do you?” he growls.

“Fuck, yes! I need you!” Alina’s eyes are pleading as she cranes her neck to look over her shoulder at him, her lips full and pouty. “God, I need to be fucked so bad.”

Noah sinks in just a tiny bit further, not even an inch. “Have you thought about this moment? Dreamt of it?”

“Yes, oh my god, fuck yes — every fucking night since I first saw you!”

“And you’d get yourself off fantasizing about this? About me taking you against these shelves?”

“Urnnggh—yes!”

They’re both trembling now with anticipation and the need for more. Noah’s cock is throbbing, aching to be inside her, and Alina is bent almost in half, her fingers white as they clutch the shelves. She’s practically sobbing as she begs for him to move, to seat himself fully within her and fuck her until she can’t walk straight.

Noah can’t wait anymore. But instead of thrusting his hips, he yanks her roughly back onto him. Alina screams as he plunges all the way into her with no resistance, then again as he pulls out and slams into her again. He doesn’t give her any time to adjust to his size, just relentlessly pounds into her, fuelled on by the strangled curses and guttural moans that fall from her lips.

Thrusting sharply into her, he wraps a hand around her throat again, making her arch her back so deeply as she turns her head in his direction, her mouth gaping and her eyes rolling into the back of her head. Her hair is mussed up and her blouse is soaked with her sweat, making her almost unrecognizable from the woman who came into the library earlier in the evening, all sweet and innocent. He almost wishes he’d stripped her before fucking her, but her dishevelled look is incredibly sexy.

Drawing her back against his chest, he lowers his hand from her neck to her breasts, kneading the soft flesh and pinching her nipples, making her gasp. God, she’s trembling, crumbling in his arms, and it’s addictive. He fumbles with the buttons on her shirt before giving up and yanking the fabric until they fly off, scattering on the floor. Shoving his hand inside, he pulls down the lacy bra cups, freeing her hardened peaks and tweaking them as he rocks his hips into her.

Noah knows he’s not going to last much longer, and from the way Alina’s clenched tightly around him, her body quivering, he can tell she’s right there with him. Moving his other hand from her hip around to her front, he finds the heat between her legs and thumbs her clit, pressing hard until she’s writhing in his embrace. He does his best to keep up his steady pace, but it’s so hard to concentrate when she’s practically falling apart in his arms.

Bending his knees to get a better angle, he gives her a hard thrust, and she breaks. Her walls spasm around him and her knees buckle as she reaches the peak, her choked cries filling Noah’s ears as he rocks into her again and again, not letting her come down until she’s sent right over the edge again. His hips stutter, and he’s pretty sure there’s blood running down his chin from biting his lip so hard because she’s so fucking tight around him that it all becomes too much, until finally, with a loud grunt of his own, he lets himself go.

His knees buckle beneath him as he empties himself, and together they fall against the shelves, panting and shaking with the aftershocks of what was, for him at least, one of the most earth-shattering sexual experiences he’s ever had. All the months of his annoyance and desire warring within him were worth it for the way everything boiled over into such mind-blowing sex as he’d previously only read about in novels and fantasized about in the dead of night.

It takes him a moment to register the fact that being pinned between a hard body and a hard bookcase can’t be comfortable, but when he finally comes to his senses, he pulls out of her and makes sure she’s steady on her feet. Alina looks well and thoroughly fucked, and if he weren’t so sensitive, he’d be stroking himself to the picture she creates. Her blouse gapes open, and the soaked fabric does nothing to cover the dark, still-hard nipples beneath them. Her hair is wild, matching the look in her eyes, and her swollen red lips are somehow still turned up into a mischievous smirk.

Despite his previous opinion of her, it makes him want to know more. To understand who she is on a deeper level, to add context to the list of random facts he knows about her — her name, address, the books she likes, the fact she always returns them on time, and her ability to understand what would make him notice her and act on that instinct. For the first time since their initial meeting, Noah wants to know everything about Alina Pullman.

After tying off the condom and tucking his softening cock back into his boxers, he pulls up his trousers and hastily loops his belt back through the buckle, leaving it hooked on one of the holes — the wrong one, judging by how unusually tight it is — and sticks out his hand.

“I’m Noah, by the way,” he says. He smiles gently as she glances at the offered hand with a raised eyebrow. “Perhaps I should’ve introduced myself before shoving my dick down your throat.”

She laughs and returns his handshake, and he’s pleased to note that it’s just right — not limp, but not too firm.

“Alina,” she responds, her eyes dancing with mirth.

“I know.”

She laughs again, nodding. “Of course.”

“So, how did I compare?” Noah asks as he fixes his belt, stealing a glance at her.

“Huh?” She tilts her head as she tries to right her own clothing, though there’s no way she’ll be able to go out in public with her blouse in the state it’s in.

“To the guy in the book.” He nods toward the shelf, before bending over to pick up his shirt.

“Oh!” A soft blush forms on her face, deepening the redness that still lingers from their tryst. “Pretty favourably, I think.”

“Oh, yeah?” Noah straightens, the corners of his lips twitching in satisfaction. “I imagine that’s quite a compliment.”

“Yeah…” Alina plays with her hair, twisting the ends around her fingers as she bites her lower lip.

“Look, I… Would you like to go out? For a drink or something to eat, or something?”

“Um…” She looks down at her clothing. “I’m not really in any shape to go anywhere. Another time, though?”

Guilt and shame wash over him as he realizes she still has to get home looking like that. He’s not sure if she has a car or takes transit, but there’s no way he’s going to take what he wants from her and then let her do the walk of shame with her blouse ruined by his hands.

He squats down to search for the fallen buttons, placing them in her hand when he stands up again.

“I think I have a jumper in the back, if you’d like to borrow it.”

A relieved look crosses her face. “Really? That would be great.”

Intertwining his fingers with hers, he leads her to the employees-only section of the building, pointing her to the loo to clean herself up while he heads to the staff break room. There, he finds one of his favourite knitted jumpers on a hanger. It’ll be far too large for her, but his heart skips a beat anyway at the thought of her wearing it.

Noah knocks on the bathroom door, and when she opens it a crack, he pushes the jumper through the gap. Alina takes it from him, and when she comes out a short time later, his breath is swept away. She looks just as good as expected, with the jumper swallowing her and reaching to mid-thigh, where just the hem of her skirt is visible beneath it. Her ruined blouse is draped over her arm, and he raises an eyebrow at it.

“It’s too wet to wear,” she explains.

Somehow, that only makes her look even hotter, and his cock strains against his trousers once more.

“Let me take it,” he offers, holding out his hand. “I’ve got a great dry-cleaner. They can fix the buttons, too.”

“Oh, I couldn’t ask you t—”

“I’m not asking,” he says firmly, and she stops short with eyes wide. He extends his palm, face-up, and she wordlessly places the buttons into it before handing him the shirt. “Now we definitely need to see each other again. To give each other back our belongings.”

“Oh?” Alina wraps her arms around herself. “And what makes you think you’re getting this jumper back?”

He growls, lunging forward, but she simply laughs him off and steps back with a gorgeous smirk.

“Come,” she says. “I believe I was promised a drink? And then maybe you’d like to come back to mine?”

With that offer in mind, Noah rushes to finish up his closing tasks as Alina waits for him. After locking the library door behind them, he wraps an arm around her as he leads her to a nearby pub.

It occurs to him as they’re walking that the book she’d been reading still lies on its side on the shelf, out of place.

But it’s fine — it can wait until tomorrow. Someone else can clean it up.

#litg #litg ff #litg fanfic #litg fanfiction #longbob writes #litg noah #s2litgexchange

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mercedesdecorazon · 2 years

Text

Hello! This my submission for the LITG S2 Gift Exchange! My giftee is the awesome @lucolestead .

I hope you like my take on the lovely Ms. Rose Prichard🌹

I also want to thank @sunshinejihyun and @justtuesdays for organising this event and for having me! So thank you 😊

And I would like to especially thank @justtuesdays for your advice, patience and for keeping me in the loop. Thank you 💓

Please enjoy 😉

~~~

Bobby had liked Rose Prichard for as long as he could remember.

Since secondary school, Bobby had a crush on her.

It was cliché: he, the resident class clown, had a crush on the most popular girl in school. Typical.

"Dude, she is way out of your league," Felix said, as he, Bobby, and their friend Hope sat at their regular table in the cafeteria for lunch.

Bobby rolled his eyes, "I know."

"Crap! Here they come!"

The popular rich people walked into the cafeteria in slow motion.

So typical.

Elisa Bowens was the daughter of a famous model and a famous influencer on Instagram.

Talia Lopez was the daughter of a rich attorney.

Lucas Koh, whose father owned a famous hotel chain.

Levi Garrett was the son of famous Olympic swimmers.

Jen Hart was the daughter of famous socialites.

And Rose Prichard, who was the daughter of two famous actors.

The cheerleaders and the jocks. The rich kids. Typical.

Even though they were in college now.

"Bro, seriously. She's one of those rich kids. She won't look at you twice," Felix continued. "And she's dating that Levi guy."

Bobby sighed. Of course. Rose and Levi were the power couple in the school. Couple goals and all that.

The popular students sat at their designated tables, all of them chatting to themselves.

"Geez, who are you texting anyway?" Felix asked Hope, who was on her phone as usual. "Can't you talk to us for once?"

Hope glared at him, "It's none of your business, and I talk to you two every day already."

Bobby rolled his eyes at his friends' antics.

Anyway, Bobby knew that Rose was out of his reach. He knew. He wasn't as tall as Levi and wasn't as athletic.

Still, his heart longed for Rose.

~~~

Being with Levi was hard for Rose. Being around him, it was hard for her to breathe.

Everything was about looks and status for him. Having to update their social media every second to show off their relationship. Rose knew that their dating was great for their families and for their own fame but... Rose wanted something real.

Rose knew that Jen liked Levi. She knew. And whenever she and Levi showed any PDA, she could feel the jealousy radiating from Jen. She and the other popular people weren't really friends, they were all simply playing a part in public.

She hated it.

~~~

"Alright idiots, you have an essay coming up that's taking up 30% of your grade," Bobby's Literature professor, Mr. Mitchell stated. "And don't even bother trying to choose your partner because I already did."

The whole class groaned.

Despite most of them having different majors, most of Bobby's college mates shared some classes.

"These are the groups: Talia Lopez and Mason Culhane, Marisol Hernandez and Blake George..."

"Aw man, I wanted us to be together," Felix complained.

Bobby glared at him playfully, "Just so you can sit and eat cake while I do all the work?"

"Yes!"

"Felix Cunningham and Charlotte Andrews, Lucas Koh, and Hope Biala..."

"That's my cue! See ya!" Felix got up and left to where Charlotte, also known as Lottie, was seated.

"Levi Garett and Jen Hart, and Bobby McKenzie and Rose Prichard."

Bobby's heart jumped at that announcement. He was partnered with Rose! With Rose!

Rose sighed, worry burning her heart. Levi and Jen were partners. Great. While she was partnered up with that weird bloke.

He sat next to her and Rose fought the urge to roll her eyes.

He opened his mouth to say something but she stopped him.

"Look, I just want to get this over with and done," she snapped. "Just pull your weight, get your part done, take this seriously and we'll be fine. Got it?"

Bobby nodded wordlessly, looking dumbfounded.

"Good. Give me your phone."

He obeyed and he watched in anticipation as she saved her number on his phone.

"Don't text me later than 10 pm, okay?" she told him and he nodded. "Now, are you available tomorrow afternoon?"

He nodded.

"Good. See you then."

She got up and walked away as soon as the bell rang.

~~~

When Rose caught up to Levi after school, he and Jen were talking quietly to themselves, standing very close to each other by Levi's car.

Rose walked over to them, plastering a fake smile.

"Hey!" she called to them, doing her best to keep the hostility out of her voice.

The two jumped at the sound of her voice and immediately stepped away from each other.

"Hey babe," Levi greeted her awkwardly, while Jen avoided her gaze.

"Hey sweetie, can I talk to you?" Rose asked, through clenched teeth.

"Sure," Levi nodded and glanced at Jen. "See you later, J."

Jen nodded, her cheeks pink.

Rose clenched her fists in rage. How dare she?!

The two then walked off, heading over to Levi's car.

"Is there something going on between you and Jen?" Rose asked immediately when they were alone.

"Seriously?!" Levi snapped. "Are you for real?"

"Yes, I'm for real? Are you really going to jeopardize our relationship like this?!"

"You need to trust me, okay?! You can't just go around accusing me of things like that! I know our roles in this relationship!"

Rose flinched at his shout, shame filling her heart. Okay, maybe she did jump to conclusions a bit. So far, Levi hadn't done anything to make her think he was cheating or anything. He was loving to her, for the most part.

"You're right. I'm sorry. Seeing you with her... it just-"

Levi sighed, taking her hands in his, "I know. But you have to trust me, okay?

Rose nodded. Despite Levi's reassurances that nothing was going on between him and Jen, she still felt a way about them working together.

~~~

Bobby had been excited to be working with Rose at first, but after her attitude in class, he wasn't so sure.

He didn't appreciate her rudeness at all, so he resolved to talk to her about it the next time they met.

Besides, he had to find a date for the Dance.

~~~

"So Elisa, is Lucas asking you to the dance?" Talia asked, the next day (Saturday), in Rose and Jen's room.

Rose wanted to be anywhere else, but she had to maintain her 'friendships' with Jen, Talia and Elisa sadly. Not to mention, they were living in the same sorority, and because of that, they lived in the same dorms: Elisa and Talia shared a room and unfortunately, Rose and Jen shared another.

"Gosh, I hope so. I've been hinting at it but he doesn't seem to get it."

"Maybe you can just ask him yourself," Rose stated.

Elisa glared at her, "But that's his job!"

"Yeah, Elisa can't go around asking a guy that, it'll look tacky." Talia agreed.

"It was just a suggestion," Rose rolled her eyes and grabbed her bag.

"Where are you going?!" Jen protested.

"To start my Literature project," Rose walked away, without looking back.

She heard Elisa mutter "What's going on with her?" And sighed. She was sick of this.

~~~

Rose had told Bobby to meet her at a Cafe near his apartment and near the college. She wanted to start this project as soon as possible.

Bobby arrived minutes after she did, looking tired.

"You look awful," Rose stated, as he sat across from her on the table.

"Had a long day." He snapped.

"Well-"

"Look, before we start this thing, I want you to know that I didn't appreciate how you spoke to me yesterday. I understand that you're not happy being partnered with me but that doesn't give you the right to be so mean. So I would like for you to get over yourself and let's just get this done." He stated.

Rose gaped at him, not expecting him to go off like that. Shame filled her heart. He was right. He hadn't done anything to her at all. It was all her insecurities about Levi and Jen.

"You're right and I'm sorry. I shouldn't have acted that way. Can you forgive me?"

He smiled, "Of course."

She smiled back at him, "Alright, let's get started then."

For the next twenty minutes, Rose and Bobby made plans for their project and assigned one another to different parts of the essay. Rose seemed more relaxed than before, smiling and laughing.

"So Bobby," Rose began. "What do you do for fun?"

"I love going to the arcade. It's my favourite place to go. And I absolutely adore baking and cooking."

"Oh really?" Rose laid her hand on his, making his heart race. "Would you bake something for me, Bobby?"

He blushed, "Maybe. If you're nice."

She grinned.

Later on, the two headed to the arcade nearby and they both had a blast together. Bobby felt like he was living a dream. He never thought that he would be in an arcade, playing Tekken 3 with Rose Prichard. And Rose didn't think that she would be having so much with Bobby but she was.

Being with Bobby was surreal. She hadn't been this comfortable around someone in such a long time. She didn't have to pretend or anything.

Being with Rose was awesome. He never thought that he'd be in this moment with her but he was. And he was happy.

It was not typical of them.

~~~

On Monday, during lunch, Rose invited Bobby to sit with her and her friends.

"I'm not sure about that, Rose," Bobby replied uneasily.

"I know but you're my friend. My first real friend."

"What about your popular friends? Surely you like them."

Rose shrugged, "I like you the best."

Bobby blushed again.

"Please? If they say something about it, I'll take care of it, okay?" Rose would.

She grabbed his hand, "Please."

Bobby sighed.

~~~

Talia and Elisa's jaws dropped, and Lucas blinked in confusion. Jen covered her mouth in shock and Levi's eyes narrowed.

Rose walked into the huge cafeteria, with Bobby by her side.

Felix and Hope were sitting together on their usual table, both of them gaping at Bobby in shock. And as usual, Hope started texting on her phone.

The other college students looked on, in confusion and disbelief.

Rose and Bobby walked up to the table.

"Hello everyone, This is my friend Bobby and he's going to sit with us today," Rose stated, unapologetic.

There was silence for a moment before Lucas spoke.

"Nice to meet you, Bobby," Lucas said pleasantly, much to Rose's relief.

"Thanks," Bobby felt uneasy. A part of him regretted doing this but the other part of him felt happy being close to Rose.

Rose and Bobby sat down.

Levi glared at Rose hard and Rose ignored him. Jen's eyes were on Levi, Elisa sniffed at Bobby distastefully, Lucas was on his phone and Talia looked at Bobby in interest.

"So Bobby, I heard you like to bake, is that true?" Talia asked.

"Sure. I love to bake cupcakes and brownies," Bobby answered carefully, keeping the nervousness out of his voice.

"Oh, can you bake me some?"

"Um sure, I can bake some for everyone..."

"Sorry but I don't eat sugar," Elisa stared at Bobby in disdain.

Talia side-eyed her, "Speak for yourself, honey."

"Rose, can I talk to you?" Levi hissed, through clenched teeth.

Rose sighed, got up, and followed Levi.

Jen stared after them, her eyes on Levi of course.

~~~

"What do you think you are doing with that weirdo?" Levi snapped as he and Rose stood outside the cafeteria.

"He's my friend. What's the problem?" Rose asked in annoyance.

"He doesn't belong with us, Rose and you know that."

"And? None of us belong together and yet we're still hanging out! Just let it go, Levi," Rose walked back to the cafeteria.

Levi clenched his fists in rage. He had seen the way that bloke looked at Rose and he wasn't pleased.

~~~

After school, Bobby and Felix were in the parking lot, outside the college, waiting for Hope to come out of her class.

"Bro, you sat at the popular kids' table," Felix stared at Bobby in shock. "How?!"

"Rose invited me. I don't know why but she did."

"Hey, weirdo!"

Bobby jumped at Levi's shout. The brunette boy strode over to them, his blue eyes cold.

He glared at Felix, "Scram."

Levi expected the blue-haired guy to run away but no. Instead, he glared at him, "No way."

Levi got angrier, "Excuse me? Listen here, you-!"

"Felix go."

Felix turned to his friend in shock, "But-"

"Go. I'll be fine." Bobby stared at Felix pleadingly.

Felix huffed and walked away from the scene, upset.

Bobby then gave Levi a leveled stare, "Yes?"

"Listen loser, Rose is mine. Got it?"

Bobby nodded.

"And you don't want to start something you can't finish. My family has eyes everywhere so I'll know if you do something to Rose."

Bobby nodded, "I know but Rose and I are working on our essay together so I have to talk to her."

"And?"

Bobby looked at him in confusion and anger.

"Look, I don't care if you have some little project, you will stay away from Rose!" Levi stomped off, bumping his shoulder against Bobby's shoulder, hard.

~~~

Rose stood in her dorm, fuming. Bobby had just canceled on her at the last minute. What the heck?! They had a project for goodness' sake!

"You pissed Levi off Rose."

Rose glared at Jen, "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. You made Levi angry so he went after your little friend. You should've expected something like this."

Rose smirked in disbelief, "Why exactly do you care about Levi so much, huh Jen? Do you really like him that much?"

Jen glowered, not rising to her bait.

"I know you like him. That's why you look at him so longingly and look at me with such jealousy. What, do you want him?"

Jen gave her a furious look, "You don't deserve him. You only care about yourself!"

"And? Just because I made a friend, he gets to be up in arms about it, all while he's frolicking with you?" Rose chuckled mirthlessly. "At the very least if he's going to cheat on me, do it with someone who has some dignity."

Jen stood up in a rage, "I don't have to listen to this!"

"So you don't deny it then? Some friend you are!"

Jen huffed and started walking out the door, "We were never friends Rosie."

Rose growled in fury. Jen knew very well that she hated that nickname.

I'll deal with her later. I just need to talk to Bobby.

~~~

Bobby was not good at confrontation.

When Levi stepped to him yesterday, he should've fought back but Levi's family was powerful and he was bigger, taller, and stronger than him, and because of that he froze.

He was ashamed and the fact that everyone around chuckled at his humiliation made it worse.

He canceled his plans with Rose so that he could hide away and lick his wounds for a while.

Levi had come after him to remind him of his status as the unpopular class clown and that Rose was not for him. He already knew that but it still hurt him deeply.

He texted Felix so that the bluenette would at least know that he was alright.

He then checked his watch and noticed that it was time to leave, "Crap. I'm late."

He called a taxi and headed to the hospital.

~~~

Bobby wasn't answering his phone so Rose headed to the college library where she would find Bobby's closest friend - Freddie, Felix? Anyway, he was there, studying with a blonde girl.

"Hey," Rose greeted as she walked up to them.

The blonde girl raised an eyebrow while the blue-haired guy looked annoyed.

"Yes?" He asked, clearly bothered.

"I need to know where Bobby is."

The guy looked angry now, "Haven't you caused enough trouble already?! That Levi guy totally ambushed us yesterday because of you! Are you trying to get him into more trouble?! Because he doesn't need it! Especially with-" he then stopped his rant, realising that he was going to say the wrong thing.

Rose's face fell. She didn't blame him for feeling that way about her. It was her fault that this whole thing happened. She knew that.

"You're right. It's all my fault," she said, ashamed. "But I do want to make things right with him. So please, can you help me?"

The guy looked thoughtful.

~~~

"Mum, I bought you some cupcakes."

Bobby's mother, Alice smiled, as she laid in her hospital bed in the cancer ward. Bobby's father, Hector sat beside her, a book in his hands.

"Thanks, baby," Alice smiled. "I've always loved your cupcakes."

"Honey, it's not good for you," Hector protested.

"Aw, relax Hector. A cupcake is the least of my problems."

Hector sighed as Alice bit into a strawberry cupcake hungrily.

"Don't worry Dad, it's sugar-free," Bobby explained.

Suddenly, there was shouting outside the room.

Hector looked annoyed, "What in the world?"

A girl's voice rang out and Bobby knew that voice anywhere.

Why is Rose here? How is she here?

Bobby got up and opened the door.

Outside the room, two security guards and the receptionist were arguing with a disgruntled-looking Rose.

"I just need to talk to him, okay?" she protested.

The receptionist opened her mouth to argue back but Bobby stopped her.

"Hey, it's fine. I know her," he said.

The security guards and the receptionist looked surprised while Rose looked relieved.

Bobby grabbed Rose's arm, pulled her into the room, and shut the door.

"What are you doing here?!" he hissed.

"I wanted to see you! I heard about what Levi did," she whispered back. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen."

"Look you-"

"Robert, who is this?" Alice called out, making them both jump.

Rose turned to see a red-haired woman lying on a hospital bed, looking amused. Next to her, a dark-skinned black man with dreadlocks sat beside her bed, looking confused.

"Mum, Dad, this is Rose," Bobby introduced. "Rose, these are my parents."

"I'm Alice, and this is Hector," Alice grinned, looking very pleased. "Are you my son's girlfriend?"

"Mum!" Bobby protested.

"It was just a question!"

Rose blushed, much to Bobby's surprise, "Hopefully." she said.

Bobby's jaw dropped, What?

"Oooh!! This is so exciting! Right, Hector?" Alice nudged her husband.

"Yes honey," Hector patted his wife's arm.

Bobby sighed, "Mum, Dad, I'm going to talk to Rose for a moment, okay?"

"Of course dear, you two go ahead," Alice smiled.

Bobby and Rose walked out of the room and stood in the hallway.

"Look Rose, my mother... she's been struggling with breast cancer for the past two years. It's been so hard on our family and I can't do anything to distress my family right now."

Rose looked saddened, "I'm so sorry Bobby I-"

He dug into his shirt pocket and produced a hard drive. He handed it to her.

"What's this?"

"The essay. I finished it. That way we can go our separate ways for good."

"But Bobby-"

"I can't, Rose. Levi's family is powerful and I can't afford to agitate him more. I'm sorry but this, whatever this is," He gestured between them. "It's over."

Rose looked teary-eyed, "Bobby, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen."

He gave a small smile, "I know. See... see you around then."

He turned and walked back into the hospital room, closing the door behind him.

And she cried.

~~~

Rose drove back to her dorm in the rain with a heavy heart. She just lost someone she cared so much about. In the short time that she's known Bobby, she felt the happiest she's been in a long time. Losing him was... it was hard.

After she arrived at the dorm building and parked her car in the parking lot, she walked through the yard in the rain and entered the building.

Now when she opened that door to her room and saw Levi and Jen kissing, she was numb.

When Levi made excuses about him kissing Jen in her room and why he cheated on her, she was numb.

When Levi vehemently broke up with her and tried to blame her for what he did, she snapped.

"SHUT UP!" she screamed in rage, making both Levi and Jen jump in fright. "Just shut up! You sat here and gaslighted me when I told you that I wasn't comfortable with you and Jen being partners! You sat here and threatened my friend because you were jealous of our friendship! You're a terrible person Levi! And I want you out of my life! Both of you!"

Levi's face grew red in anger, "Fine." He grabbed Jen's arm, pulled her out of the room, and slammed the door behind them.

As soon as they left, a heavy weight lifted off of Rose's heart and mind. She could breathe again.

Finally.

~~~

On the day of the Dance, Felix dragged Bobby out of his bed, into a suit, and to the party. It was so funny and sad that Felix had a date and he didn't but it was fine. Lottie seemed like a cool chick and Felix did like her so he was glad that his friend was happy.

With everything that happened, he hadn't wanted to go to the dance at all. He didn't have a date and he felt down. But Felix had other ideas.

"Come on! Dance and get loose!" Felix called as he and Lottie danced to the music that played.

Bobby sighed and decided to dance along, just to have some fun at least.

Hope then walked up to them... with Lucas!

Bobby blinked and looked at Felix in confusion.

"Hey everyone, this is my boyfriend Lucas," Hope introduced.

Lucas smiled, "Hey."

"What?" Bobby and Felix chorused in shock.

~~~

Talia, Elisa, Jen, and Levi sat at a table. Jen and Levi talked quietly to themselves while Elisa glared daggers at Lucas and Hope who were dancing together.

Talia texted Rose, asking where she was. She didn't answer.

Jen and Levi kissed and Talia gagged.

"I can't believe this! I thought Lucas fancied me!" Elisa complained loudly.

Talia sighed and texted Rose again.

'Where are you?'

~~~

Rose stood outside the Campus Hall, where the Dance was taking place. She didn't know what would happen but she hoped for the best.

She entered the Hall, dressed perfectly: she wore a beautiful dark blue dress that highlighted her pale skin, brown hair, and grey eyes. Her hair was down and wavy, and she wore matching silver jewelry and light makeup

Everyone's jaws dropped as she walked past them and she paid them no mind. She also saw Levi and Jen glaring at her and she paid them dust as well.

She only had eyes for Bobby.

~~~

"Wow," Felix spluttered and next to him, Lottie looked shocked.

"What?" Bobby asked as Lucas and Hope looked surprised as well.

"Bobby?"

Bobby felt shivers go down his spine when she said his name. He turned and saw her.

Rose... she looked ethereal. Like a princess. Wow.

Bobby felt his heart flutter at the sight of her.

"Hello Bobby, can I talk to you? Please?"

"I-"

"Of course! Go! We'll be fine!" Felix shoved Bobby roughly towards Rose. Bobby glared at Felix for a moment before he gave Rose a small smile.

"Sure."

She led him away to a secluded table on the dance floor, feeling nervous that he would reject her. And if he did, she would be okay. She just had to let him know.

"Is everything okay?" He asked, a bit uneasily. "I mean I know you and Levi just broke up so um..."

"Yes. I just need to tell you something and please hear me out," He nodded and she continued. "Ever since I met you, my life has turned upside down. I feel like... when I'm with you, I feel like I don't have to pretend. I don't have to act. And I feel so comfortable being around you and I feel so safe." She took a deep breath. "I like you, Bobby. I do. I mean it. And Levi won't bother you again, I promise. I'll make sure of it. And I know it sounds weird but-"

He kissed her, cutting her rambling off, and kissing her felt like a dream come true - no, it was a dream come true. How many times did he fantasize about something like this? How often did he hope?

He couldn't believe it.

He pulled away and looked into her eyes. She blushed heavily, looking very pleased.

"I like you too. For a long time actually," he looked embarrassed. "Ever since I saw you in that Romeo and Juliet play in Fifth Form."

"That long?!" Rose looked aghast. "Why didn't you say anything then?!"

"I thought I wasn't good enough. That a beautiful, gorgeous, popular rich girl like you wouldn't look my way."

She grabbed his hands and stared at him in earnest, "Bobby, if you confessed to me then, I would have accepted you and dated you anyway! You're the sweetest, most thoughtful guy I know. Why wouldn't I look your way? And if you dated me back then, I wouldn't have dated Levi at all because I had you!"

He looked sheepish now, feeling embarrassed again, "Better late than never right?"

"Definitely," she kissed his cheek lovingly.

Bobby blushed and wrapped his arms around her waist, "So Rose, would you... would you be my girlfriend?"

Her face lit up, "Yes!"

He grinned, grabbed her hand, and pulled her to the dancefloor where everyone else was, with their partners. The song Saving All My Love by Whitney Houston played loudly and the song was perfect.

Bobby held Rose close, ignoring everyone's (Levi and Jen's especially) looks. He felt so joyful and ecstatic that this happened. That he liked Rose for so long only to find out that she liked him as well! It was unbelievable!

He leaned in and kissed her deeply. She kissed him back, her cheeks pink.

They continued to dance, enjoying each other's company and kissing one another all night long.

They're an odd couple yes but Bobby didn't care anymore. He was happy to be with her and with the way Rose looked at him with love in her eyes, she definitely felt the same way.

It was not typical of them.

~~~

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this!

#litg #litg season 2 #litg s2 #litg mc #litg bobby #litg gift exchange #s2litgexchange

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whatisreggieshortfor · 2 years

Text

Surprise?

For @rebelrayne

Lucas x MC

Angst to fluff

Life should’ve been perfect.

They won Love Island. They were making time for each other in their relationship in the real world. They were growing closer than ever.

But then Lucas’s parents began digging into his brain. They fed him doubts.

Making him second guess every decision he’d made, had him questioning Penelope’s loyalty, left him wondering if they were seeing something he wasn’t.

He wasn’t naive enough to believe his parents outright. They never supported the way he lived his life, the plans he’d made for himself. But they’d liked Penelope so much when they first met her. Always asking him to bring her back for another visit, always asking how she was when they talked. If they liked her, they wouldn’t lie…right?

His parents had made comments about her traveling for her job as she toured with her band, how she spent more time away from him than home. Made comments about her being too close to the other Islanders even after their time ending, but he thought it was fair to be close to them. But then the more he thought about it, the more he realized that for the past month she’s been whispering with Bobby and they’d both stop whenever he walked in. Hope wouldn’t look him in the eye when he mentions her. Gary always has some place to run if he tries to talk about it. Chelsea won’t even answer him. He reminds himself that he trusts Penelope more than he trusts his parents about her. But then why were the things they said becoming clear as day with the distance she was making between them? She was spending more nights at her own flat than at his, and when he would offer to stay with her she would make excuses that she needed to be up early for work. They were supposed to be looking for flats together- it was what she said she wanted. But even Priya was ducking his calls to see if she was still speaking to her about it.

He was facing what he was already afraid to realize. Maybe Penelope just didn’t love him anymore. Maybe it really was just a summer of love and she was too afraid to break it off.

He turned to the only person he could think of with Henrik also blowing off his calls.

Blake was confused when her phone rang, Lucas’s name lighting up across the screen. They had long gotten past the infatuation they had with each other, and she and Penelope had gotten past her mean words at the finale, but it wasn’t often either of them reached out to her. Blake was never offended by that, she understood why it would be awkward. Lucas had brought her back to the Villa, essentially telling Penelope that he didn’t trust her to stick with him. She could see why that would make a close friendship hard.

Still, she answered the call expecting news of an engagement or one of them getting a promotion. She didn’t expect to be met with what he said.

“Could you meet me for coffee? I think I’m being dumped.”

Blake sat at the cafe table, tapping her stirrer against the rim of her cup as Lucas recalled everything that had been happening. How their friends were brushing him off, Penelope being more guarded about her phone, always rushing off when Bobby called. When he finished, she hummed.

“Do you trust her?”

“Well, yeah, but-“

Blake shook her head. “Babes, look deep in your heart, right now. Ignore what your parents said, ignore everything but your gut feeling here. Do you trust her?”

“Yes.”

Blake shrugged, “I’m sorry but that’s all you can do. She’ll either hurt you, or she won’t. And- I don’t say this to be mean- but you didn’t trust her once and I saw the way it almost broke her. Even with that brave face she put on saying she was happy for us. Rewatch that episode if you don’t believe me. I know tensions were high, and you might not have noticed it at the time, but you’ll see it.”

They talked a bit more about various things before Lucas decided to head home and take her advice. He queued up the episode with the stick or switch, watched the way Penelope was clearly upset, tears filling her lash line even as she smiled at him and offered her support. The way she needed to brace herself before approaching him on the roof terrace.

It made sense. Lucas knew he could trust her. She wasn’t a mean person. If she moved on from him, she would tell him.

He decided to head to her place, not something they usually did. His place was usually the go to, and he wondered how long she’d been accommodating him when he didn’t for her.

He had his own key, so when he saw her car he left himself in, catching the end of a conversation, “You can’t tell him. It’ll ruin everything.”

“He’ll find out eventually, babe.” That was Bobby, but it wasn’t in person. She must’ve been FaceTiming him.

“I just need a week. Then it won’t matter anymore, the secret will be out.” Then they said their goodbyes, and Lucas shut the door a little louder than necessary.

She ran into the living room to find him, and he gave her a smile and a hug, “Hey, love. I missed you so I thought I’d come to you this time.”

Penelope’s eyes shined with surprise and affection as she excitedly returned the embrace and launched into telling him about her day.

A week, huh? Lucas guessed that if that’s how long he got her, he’d make the most of it and deal with the pain later.

The Sunday dinner with his parents was rough. They kept making not so subtle digs at both of them, and Penelope didn’t offer up much resistance because she had repeatedly made the point that she didn’t want to be labeled as the over defensive girlfriend. She wanted their approval. She didn’t look to him for help, like most would expect. She had told him to just let what they say go. But Lucas tried where he could, and their doubts started creeping back into his mind as the night wore on. He might only have her until the end of the week, then they could say ‘I told you so’ and go back to only questioning his professional choices.

That Saturday, it was coming. Whatever it was, he knew by the end of the night he’d end up in tears that he would hide away.

When Penelope picked him up, she wouldn’t tell him what they were doing. She drove just a few minutes from his flat, pulling up outside a building only familiar because he passed it every day. He knew what it was, flats that were a cross between her low rent style and his posh style, but he couldn’t think of anyone he knew that would be living there. None of their friends had mentioned moving, let alone so close to him. They entered the lobby, and he registered how nervous she seemed as she pressed the button to call the lift, before hitting the floor button. She led him down the hall, raising her fist to knock on a door, but he stopped her.

“Am I supposed to be meeting the guy?”

She blinked, her brow furrowing, “What? Meeting who?”

“I-“ he shook his head, “It’s going to sound even stupider if I say it out loud. My parents were pointing out the distance between us, and you’ve been so secretive, and I just thought-“ her eyes widened in realization but he continued, “It’s daft to think. Even more so when I realize you wouldn’t be bringing me to meet him at his place, but-“

She pounded on the door quickly, effectively shutting him up, before grasping his hand like she was afraid he’d pull a runner. The door swung open a second later, Priya beaming from the other side, “Glad you two could make it! Come in, come in.” The entry of the flat was decorated, but it was sparsely furnished, and as soon as they crossed the threshold all of the Islanders jumped out, “SURPRISE!”

Lucas damn near had a heart attack. “GAH! What the hell is happening?”

“House warming party, babes!”

“House warming-“ he glanced at Penelope, who was nervously twiddling with her rings.

“I kind of, might’ve, maybe, definitely already leased this place for us. I was trying to make it a surprise, but instead I had you second guessing everything and I’m sorry but-“

Lucas cut her off with a kiss, “I’m sorry, love. I wasn’t trying to doubt you, but I was having trouble coming up with alternatives. Like why you were so sneaky about talking to Bobby of all people.”

“Oi! I’ll have you know I was busy making a cake to her exact specifications!” The baker called out, wheeling out a cake that was an edible replica of the Villa.

Blake waved from the corner, “Sorry I couldn’t be more reassuring. She called me the day after we talked and let me in on the secret.” Lucas just held his girl tight as the others got the party moved going.

Lucas was right. He did end up with tears in his eyes that night. But not because his heart was broken. Instead it was because it had never felt more full.

Masterlist

@justtuesdays @sunshinejihyun

#litg #litg season 2 #litg lucas x mc #litg lucas #post villa #established relationship #s2litgexchange

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dawnsbreaking · 2 years

Text

hello! this was written for the LITG exchange for the lovely @sunshinejihyun. I hopefully incorporated two prompts here, so I'm really happy with how it turned out. especially having never written for Gary before. I think I might be a convert, though, writing Gary is super fun.

thank you so much to @justtuesdays and @sunshinejihyun for organizing the exchange, I had so much fun writing with ya'll and I'm so excited to see everything posted this weekend.

READ ON AO3

Bobby Mckenzie hadn’t set out to win Love Island. He hadn’t even really set out to be on Love Island. He never thought that he would meet someone like Margot. His first real love, his best friend, his favorite person, his best and worst breakup. He’d never imagined he could fall in love with someone over one summer, then be happy to see them with someone else the next.

Such was the way the cookie crumbled.

When he first saw Margot, he felt a sort of vertigo. Though Bobby wasn’t a serious person, he wasn’t the type to be a lovey-dovey hopeless romantic, either. He thought himself not quite a pragmatist, but something nearing it. Though he loved the idea of falling head over heels for someone, he’d never really felt any of those sweeping, tumultuous, unambiguous feelings.

Maybe it was the Mallorca sun in his eyes, maybe it was nerves from being on TV, perhaps the cameras pointed at him made him feel like the lead in a John Hughes movie. Maybe it was truly her. He’d never know, he’d given up trying to know.

Something made his heart leap when he first laid eyes on her. He remembered how his mind reeled to find a joke funny enough to catch her attention, remembered hoping she wanted someone funny. He needed her to love him too.

And she did, for a little while.

Gary Rennel set out to win Love Island.

“Go big or go home, right?” He’d told his Nan, folding and packing the same ripped jeans and button-down he’d worn to his local the weekend before. He was making a thing of signing up for the show, sound and fury for the sake of distraction. Nan was worried about him, he could tell. And the boys at work were relentless in their teasing.

“They’re doing a random draft for reality television, then?” Was the joke that his foreman made when he asked for leave from work. That joke became the joke, repeated almost daily by one or two of the boys. All of them asked the same: What was a normal, boring bloke like Gary gonna do on Love Island anyway?

Not win, it seemed. Come out the other end slightly more hopeless, slightly less lonely, a little less sane. Not even 25,000 pounds richer for his troubles.

When he realized he couldn’t be with the girl he really liked, he put one-hundred-and-ten percent into being in a couple with Lottie. He complimented her hair at the right times and backed her up even when he thought she was being catty. His efforts were not entirely wasted, they made it to the final together. When the show was over and real life crept in, they separated painlessly. He went back to work, and so did Lottie. No big fuss.

Gary hated when things were a fuss.

When Bobby broke up with her, he was surprised to find that Margot felt the same way. He was worried she’d be crushed, that he’d break her heart and feel terrible about it forever.

“I care about you so much,” she said, tears welling in her eyes already. He hated to see her cry. His sweet girl, not his anymore. “But you’re right, we’re so much better now just as friends.”

Bobby was used to being just a friend, so he expected that to sting. It didn’t, though, because she was right. They were better as friends. All he felt was relief.

“I care about you too,” he said. “Proper love you, like.”

“I know, Bobby.”

Those were the sweetest three words he’d ever heard her say.

It was Gary’s idea to get the group back together this time—and the impulse surprised him as much as the group text he sent surprised everyone else. It was the first anniversary of the final this week, they had to do something. He’d met up with the guys here and there and had dutifully attended the last silly, themed party Chelsea put together, but it had been at least six months since he’d spoken to any of his fellow former-islanders.

You would think that after a whole summer of sharing a bedroom they’d manage a few nights a year in the same postal code, but the likelihood of another reunion dropped by the minute.

At Chelsea’s party, Priya had joked that maybe the next time they would all get together would be for the winners’ wedding. The table toasted to the thought and to the happy couple.

Gary had spent many sleepless nights since then wondering if he’d imagined the pained look in Bobby’s eyes as they clinked their glasses.

It wasn’t that Gary wished he could switch places with Bobby in the villa. Love Island made him realize that he was a slow-and-steady type of bloke. He would have never been able to move at the lightning pace that the winning couple had.

No, he’d envied Bobby for the girl he was holding hands with, the way he helped Margot out of her coat at the door, the way she rested her hand on his thigh.

When Gary first met her in the villa, he hadn’t felt anything special at first. She was pretty enough that he stepped forward for her when prompted, but he wasn’t immediately shocked to his core with desire for her like Bobby had been. When she chose Bobby on the first day and stuck by his side, Gary couldn’t imagine trying to get between them, even when he started seeing her smile behind his eyes at night.

After the villa, Gary swore off social media. Partly because he wasn’t the type of guy to post #sponcon for vitamins and dating apps, and partly because he wanted exemption from all of the post-Love-Island-break-up-announcements. It wasn’t a secret that most reality TV relationships ended quickly, but the statistic was more heartbreaking when it applied to his and his friends’ relationships.

He was almost tempted to check Instagram before sending a text to the group chat, but he resisted. Everyone should know that he wouldn’t see anything online.

The breakup post on social media was brutal. Bobby knew that the public felt a sort of ownership over the relationships that came from Love Island. He also knew that, no matter how much he meant his statement, ‘it was an amicable breakup and we are still great friends,’ would always sound insincere.

All things considered, his Instagram followers seemed more outwardly devasted about everything than he did. He was relieved that the news was out and excited for the next chapter in his life.

Moving on from the breakup and moving on from his time in the villa became one and the same. He stopped checking his socials and allowed himself to ignore requests for interviews and participation in brand deals, letting his time with Margot and his time on TV fade into the background of his daily life.

He’d used his half of the prize money to start a café and it was finally making enough to do more than just break even on his expenses. He had that to be proud of.

By the time he and Margot got over the awkward period and were able to proceed as friends, the café was a marked success. He was proud of himself whenever she dropped by, and could tell she was proud of him, too.

When Gary blew the proverbial collected dust off of the former islanders’ group chat and suggested a year anniversary reunion, Bobby’s impulse was to ignore the text. He’d loved the people he’d met in the villa but, as time passed, he found himself more and more protective over the parts of his life that the villa had never touched. His café, his new friends, his privacy. He worried that bridging the gap again would undo all of the progress he’d made and break down all the boundaries he’d set up.

“Why don’t you invite them to the café?” The way she said it—like it was a no-brainer—made him consider. Margot had dropped by with a few cartons of strawberries and was tidying behind the counter as an excuse to stay and gossip. She’d been helping here and there, since Bobby had yet to hire any staff.

Bobby began washing the strawberries immediately. The shop was closed but he was behind on prep for the next day. “You think?”

“It would be nice to show off.” She picked up a dish rag and gave his arm a playful smack with it. “You deserve it.”

Bobby smiled, pride swelling in his chest at the thought. “I’ll think about it.”

Gary checked the address three times over and, yes, this was the spot. The cute little shop he passed by almost every weekend on his way to visit his Nan. He would have never known it to be Bobby’s café from the pastel signage and classy striped awnings. Hell, there were well-tended flower boxes in the windows.

That’d be her, he thought, Margot had the aesthetic eye of the two of them.

“Gary!” A familiar voice met his ears and twisted him around. He grinned, despite himself, opening his arms wide to greet her with a hug.

Margot was as radiant as ever, smiling at him like no time had passed at all. She had a way of making the people around her feel at ease, Gary very much included.

Gary squeezed her quickly and let her go, missing her warmth as soon as it was gone. It was almost a shame that wasn’t the type to come onto someone else’s girl.

“How are you?” Margot took a half step away and smoothed her blouse. The two of them were blocking the café door, but it didn’t matter—Bobby had closed it for their private event.

“I’m doing well, same old work, y’know…” Gary ran a hand through his hair, certain that he looked scruffier since the last time she’d seen him. He’d started going longer between shaves. Nan said he looked more grown-up that way, whatever that meant. “How are things with you? The shop looks great!” He gestured at the flower boxes. “This looks like your doing.”

“Oh, yeah…”

“Hey you lot!” Priya’s heels clicked against the pavement as she strutted toward the café. She raised her eyebrows somewhat suggestively at Gary but he ignored her—completely unsure what the woman was getting at. “Did Bobby lock you two out?”

“Nope.” Margot laughed. “Just catching up! How are you, love?”

Bobby thought that it might be hard to see Gary flirting with his ex, but—like everything else in this relationship—his reaction was a surprise. Bobby loved Margot and he loved seeing her happy. Even if she was laughing at another bloke’s funny story. Even if that bloke was Gary Rennel.

If he couldn’t be a good boyfriend, he was going to be a damn good wingman.

“I’d like to propose a toast,” Bobby said, raising his mug of steaming cocoa to the ceiling like a glass of bubbly. He made eye contact with Margot, winked. “To new beginnings,” he said.

The islanders raised their mugs and drank.

“Shame Lottie couldn’t make it,” Margot said. She and Gary had ended up on a bench seat and were isolated together when the main group separated into smaller circles. From the way she’d been speaking to everyone else, though, it seemed to Gary that Margot was keeping in contact with almost everyone but him. He’d be offended if he weren’t guilty of closing himself off from her.

“She’s doing quite well in the states.” Gary shrugged, putting on a show of just how little he was worried for his ex-girlfriend. “I’m sure she hardly misses us.”

She gave him a puppy-eyed look. “You don’t mean that.”

“I mean, she’s doing well. I don’t know, we hardly speak.”

“So that’s done, done?”

Gary wished he could wipe the frown from Margot’s face, there was really nothing about his relationship with Lottie to be frowning about. “Ah, that was just a villa fling.”

“Hm.” Margot gave him a good once-over like she was administering a visual lie-detector test. He passed. “Glad to hear she’s doing well, then.”

“It’s odd seeing everyone together again, no?” Gary asked. He watched Chelsea across the room, prattling on to Bobby and Noah as she gestured excitedly. She was surely suggesting tasteless decór that she thought would improve the café’s atmosphere.

“It’s a bit odd,” Margot agreed. “But nice. I’m glad you suggested it.”

“Yeah?”

She bumped his shoulder with hers, leaving her hand on his thigh where it fell for just a moment. His whole body burned at her searing touch.

“I’ve missed you,” she said.

Gary turned, almost lurching away as he came to his senses. “I’m sorry to keep you from Bobby all night. I mean…” He felt awful for how close he’d been to her, how close he’d come to making a move on his friend’s girl. How she’d basically just come onto him.

He expected her to come to her senses, too. To remember herself and apologize. Instead, she looked at him like he’d gone mad.

“Bobby?” She asked, incredulous as if she’d never heard of the man. “What about him?”

“Aren’t you two…” Gary felt like maybe he had gone mad. He’d been there when Bobby and Margot won Love Island. They were running a café together, for christs sakes.

Margot’s eyes widened with surprise, then crinkled with mirth as she let out a laugh. “Oh, god. I’m so sorry-“ She set her cocoa down on the table for fear of spilling it as she giggled. “We broke up like months ago! Good terms, I mean…” She shook her head. “Great terms, even. I help with the café, like.”

“Oh.” Gary blushed. He knew he should have checked Instagram before catching up with everyone. “I’m sorry, I had no idea.”

“I forgot that you don’t check your phone.” She laughed. “God, Gary.”

He scooted close again, no longer guilty. “It’s my fault for living under a rock, I s’pose.”

“That it is.” She let her hand fall back to his thigh.

Emboldened by his relief, Gary laid a hand over hers. “There something here, then?” He squeezed her hand, clarifying his question. She hummed, affirmative.

The two of them fell silent, smiling as they listened to the idle chatter of reunited friends around them. Gary felt like he was pulling off a heist. There he was, holding Margot’s hand, and the other islanders were none-the-wiser.

There were no cameras, there was no drama, no one would be tweeting about this moment later. It was all he could have hoped for.

28 notes · View notes

rebelrayne · 2 years

Text

My Moodboard was made by the beautiful and talented @csmicletters 🤍🤍

As part of a gift exchange, I wrote this (long) one shot! Thank you @sunshinejihyun and @justtuesdays for setting this up 🤍

title: TAKE A RISK (SFW)

for: Tuesdays 🤍

word count: 6k even

pairing: OC x Henrik

triggers N/A

summary: Isabel Romero had never taken a single risk in her entire life. But when she finds an incomplete bucket list, she's determined to prove that she can be adventurous and spontaneous. With the help of her best friends, Shannon and Henrik, she's ready to cross off the last three items, come castle or behind a waterfall.

Under the cut or AO3

Isabel Romero had never taken a risk. She’d always played it safe, no matter what. She’d chosen a steady career in finance and she never colored outside the lines. She only wore neutral colored clothing, never anything brightly colored. She was as bland as could be, but it felt safer that way. At times, she wished she was more like her brother, Rafael, who was a daredevil. Rafael Romero never went into anything with a plan, flying by the seat of his pants any time it was even remotely possible. He even made jumping out of a plane seem easy, he made it look fun. Of course, Isabel knew that skydiving couldn’t have been that exciting. Who in their right mind would jump out of a perfectly good plane to plummet down towards earth?

Although the two could not be more different, they were still very close. The only thing that Rafael wished was that Isabel would do something unexpected with her life. It wasn’t that she particularly enjoyed being a “stick in the mud,” as Rafael had lovingly put it. No, it was more that someone had to be the responsible one growing up, one of them had to have a good head on their shoulders, didn’t they? The two of them ran in the same crowd growing up, as strange as that may sound. It was a small town though, there weren’t many options when it came to peers the same age. Isabel’s best friend, Shannon, was always quick to call out any excuse Isabel had. She’d say it didn’t matter how big or small the town was, Isabel would still want to hang around her older brother so she could get to know Noah Alexander.

Rafael and Noah were a year ahead of the two girls. She’d never actually told him how she felt, she was too afraid to do anything like that. Although he was quiet, Noah Alexander was the guy all the girls wanted and all the boys wanted to be. There was no way someone like Isabel could ever be with someone like him, it was just too risky. Her crush started at just 13-years-old, but thankfully, she’d moved on. Now at 26, she was content in a job that was stable and in a relationship with an equally career-ambitious man named Carl Sullivan.

She and Carl had a great relationship. They communicated well, they shared many hobbies, and they had common goals for the future. But, she wasn’t sure they agreed on the topic of children. Then again, did she really want to risk having children? The divorce rate was quite high, perhaps Carl had a point in not wanting them.

“Are you going to stare at that dresser all day, or are you going to help me move it into your bedroom?” Shannon’s irritated voice rang in her ears. The redhead stood with her arms crossed, her eyes narrowed as she watched Isabel’s movements.

Isabel knew she needed to finish moving everything into the apartment she had gotten with Carl, but her tired limbs were too heavy to lift from her sides. “Yeah,” she said, “sorry, Shan. I got lost in my own thoughts for a moment.”

She watched Shannon quirk a brow in confusion. Isabel should have known better than to have said something like that, to have said something that was a lie. “You can contemplate the consequences of your terrible life decisions on your own time.”

Ouch. Shannon never really liked Carl, she wasn’t exactly shy about it. Isabel knew that Shannon only stuck around because of their history. They’d been best friends since they learned how to speak. The only other person who could handle the constant friendly bickering of the two was Henrik Bergstrom. Isabel was always the shiest of the three friends and she was certain that Shannon’s permanent sour expression couldn’t have enticed the Swede to approach them. Isabel had inquired more than a few times. Henrik would just laugh or shrug politely. He’d say they just seemed cool, or he liked the color of Shannon’s hair. He seemed to be exactly what the girls needed in their friendship. He was sweet, but goofy. The three unlikely friends made it from just 6-years-old to 20 years later.

Henrik’s hand found its way onto Isabel’s shoulder. He smiled down at her. “Lighten up, Shannon! We’re supposed to be celebrating this day with Isabel.” He squeezed her shoulder before releasing his grip. He placed both hands on the surface of the dresser and started to push it towards the bedroom door.

“What are we celebrating exactly?” Shannon asked as she leaned her right shoulder against the wall. She crossed one foot over the other then rolled her eyes. “The beginning of the biggest mistake of her life?” The redhead wrapped her arms tightly across her chest then shot a glance Isabel’s way. “He’s a nice guy, I’ll give you that, but what else is there, Isabel? He’s not even here.”

“Well, he’s–”

Shannon released her arms and waved her hand in dismissal. “He’s on a business trip,” Shannon said, completing Isabel’s sentence. “I’m not knocking him for it. He’s fine, Isabel, but that’s all he is. You’re not well suited together. You’re two of the most boring people I’ve ever met. The fact that you’re in a relationship makes it worse. Hanging around the two of you makes sitting in back-to-back traffic sound fun.”

Isabel’s mouth opened but no words came out. She quickly pursed her lips back together and pushed past Shannon, knowing her best friend knew she had put her foot in her own mouth. “I can take it from here,” Isabel said as she gripped her hands around the edge of the dresser. “Thanks for helping out today, you two.”

“Iz,” Shannon started. The tone of her voice sounded pleading and sympathetic. “I’m sorry. It’s just… When was the last time you did something impulsive? Or, at the very least, something fun? You live in this little bubble and I thought you might grow out of it eventually but you act like a 40-year-old woman who's been eating the same breakfast for the better half of her life and goes for a walk at the same time, on the dot, every single day. You’re completely content in your life, fine, I get it. But are you really happy with that?”

It was a question she’d never admit she’d asked herself multiple times. No matter how hard she tried, she’d never been able to do anything even remotely risky. She couldn’t tell you the reason behind the fear, although she wished she knew why. She felt as if her body was completely made of stone, her hands practically super-glued to the piece of furniture. She felt herself shifting forwards and backwards, but her feet stayed planted.

“Hey, come on, Shannon,” Henrik finally spoke up. “Back off a bit. As long as Isabel is happy with her life, we should be happy.” Isabel wasn’t sure how poor Henrik had ended up becoming the voice of reason between the two girls, but he often needed to play peacemaker and it seemed to be happening more and more.

“I have to say all of this because if I don’t, who will? No one else is going to tell Isabel the truth, no one else is going to tell her the concerns.” Shannon let out a loud tut after she finished speaking, which told Isabel even Henrik wouldn’t be able to stop her from spewing out all of her opinions. While her friend could keep her cool in a high-stakes poker game, she was as hot-headed as they came.

Isabel heard Henrik sigh. She still hadn’t found the courage to force herself to turn around. “It’s not your place to tell her that her life is bland and boring.”

“I never said her life was bland and boring,” Shannon replied, “but you just did!”

Isabel had finally reached her limit; she lifted her hands from the dresser and pounded on of her fists on the top surface of the furniture. “Would you two just shut it?!” She spun around quickly, glaring at her two friends with a menacing look. Henrik and Shannon had shocked expressions, mouth agape and eyes widened. Before she could say anything else, a soft click caused her to turn around.

“Did that dresser just make a sound?” Henrik asked in a confused tone. She heard his footsteps coming closer up behind her. Isabel peered down at the back of the dresser, noticing a compartment had opened. “Oh man, it’s broken. Um, I can try to fix it if you want, Isabel.” Henrik walked around to the back and tilted his head.

She shook her head and moved over next to him. She kneeled down, looking inside the small secret drawer. “I don’t think it’s broken,” she said. She placed her hand inside and pulled out a sheet of paper. She leaned back, sitting herself down on the floor and opened up the old, crinkled sheet.

“So? What is it?” Shannon inquired. She’d made her way over and looked down at Isabel, trying to catch a glimpse of the paper.

Isabel could barely make out the title. It’d been written in pencil while the rest of the words below were written in blue ink. “I think it’s someone’s bucket list,” Isabel said. She lifted the paper closer to her face and squinted her eyes as she read off the title. “Bobby’s List of 24 Things To Do Before Turning 24.”

“Looks like Bobby did a pretty good job,” Shannon pointed out. She used her index finger to motion to the list. “They seem to have crossed most of it off.”

“Most of it?” Henrik added. “What did they have left then?”

Isabel’s eyes scanned the list, finding only three bullet points left unmarked. “It looks like there’s only three they didn’t get to.”

Shannon tutted a few times. “That’s a shame. They should have finished the whole thing.”

“Maybe something happened and life got in the way?” Henrik said as he sat down on the floor next to Isabel.

Isabel looked down the list, thinking about how ambitious this Bobby character must have been. Attend the olympics? Check. Ride an elephant? Did it. Ride a mechanical bull? Done. He’d even written how long he lasted, which Isabel must have thought was wrong. She was barely listening to her friends anymore as the two just continued to playfully bicker in her ears. “I’m going to finish the list.”

Shannon snorted. “Excuse me? You? You’re going to do the three things that are left on this list?”

“Yeah,” Isabel nodded as she met Shannon’s eyes. “You just said I never do anything impulsive or fun so I’m going to finish Bobby’s list.”

“Hey, that sounds cool! What are we doing first?” Henrik asked happily.

Isabel looked over at him and pointed to the paper. “Number 7, visit a castle.”

—

Shannon let out a roaring yawn in the back seat of Henrik’s car. Although Isabel had insisted she wanted to do the last three items on the list on her own, her two friends refused to let her. Henrik explained that his mate, Lucas, had done work with a man who had injured himself rebuilding a castle. Henrik called Lucas the night before as a favor, asking if there was any way the three of them would be able to get in touch with the man. Thankfully, the man obliged.

Isabel was a bit shocked how quickly they would be able to cross off the first of the three things on the list. A lot of the items were messy and obscure, but she hadn’t looked past the first one that hadn’t been crossed off, or rather, she just hadn’t read what the other two were yet. “How long until we get there?” Isabel felt bad to ask, but they’d been stuck in the car for three hours with their drive starting at 5 o’clock in the morning.

Henrik was clearly a morning person. He’d been whistling to himself for the first half of the trip until Shannon couldn’t take his chipper attitude anymore. She kicked at Henrik’s seat until he finally stopped the irritating tune, but he’d yet to allow the smile to wipe from his face. “We’re here!” He took one hand off the steering wheel and pointed up ahead.

Isabel squinted her eyes, noticing a half-built castle stood in front of them. “That’s it?” She was a bit disappointed. The castle didn’t even seem to have a roof… “Does this even count for the bucket list?”

“Why wouldn’t it?” Henrik asked as he threw his car into park. He was always so optimistic, she thought. There was barely anything that could make Henrik bat an eye; he was always so kind-hearted and positive about absolutely everything. Isabel was so different from him, but maybe that’s why they made such a great team. “Well, what are we waiting for?” Henrik unbuckled his seat belt and opened the car door. “Let’s go!”

Henrik hopped out of the car joyfully and quickly headed towards the beaten down pile of rocks. “Does he ever get tired?” Shannon groaned. She slowly got out of the car, leaving Isabel inside by herself for a moment.

Carl couldn’t make it, he said he needed to go into work. Isabel thought so many great things about her boyfriend, but he hardly ever had time for her. The only thing they seemed to even have in common was their complacent feelings towards their relationship. It was a safe choice for both parties, but they did care about one another’s well-being. But was that enough?

A tapping on the passenger window caused Isabel to gasp, sucking in a sharp breath. “Hello?” Shannon yelled as she peeked through the glass. “Are you coming or what?”

She let out a slow exhale as she freed herself from the seatbelt. She opened the door and rolled her eyes as she passed Shannon. “What? You’re the one who let Henrik drag us out here at the crack of dawn.”

“Are you girls ready? Jasper said we’re welcome to explore inside and all around the castle,” Henrik yelled with his hands cupped around his mouth. He waved for Shannon and Isabel to follow him inside.

Shannon groaned again as she shoved her hands into her jacket pockets. “Please don’t let there be anything about mountain hiking on that list,” Shannon muttered. “There isn’t enough caffeine in the world to keep me from strangling Henrik if he pounds on my door at 4:30 am again.”

“It’s all a part of his charm,” Isabel laughed, “you knew what you were getting into the moment he jumped up from the floor last night and screamed that he had to make a call then sprinted to another room.”

Shannon scoffed. “His charm,” she chuckled sarcastically. “Seems like it’s always the way you defend him. Maybe you should think about that.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Shannon was always quick on her feet, but she never gave anything away. “I have a serious boyfriend, Shan. You know that.”

“I’m not saying you don’t,” she answered. Shannon began to walk off, taking big and confident strides as she looked over her shoulder. “Let’s get to it, wet blanket. Before the boy scout comes out and starts pushing us inside.”

Isabel followed shortly behind Shannon. Although the castle seemed to be under construction, it was still breathtaking inside. The cobblestone floors had seen better days but it was clear that there was so much time taken to create the pattern at the entrance. There were bits and pieces of the ceiling that were missing, but the walls were beautifully and authentically intact; the gorgeous silver stones looked untouched, even though they looked as if they needed renovating outside the castle doors.

She didn’t know what she was expecting, but it wasn’t this. “Wow.” She stepped further into the castle, staring up at the top of the walls and at the ceiling as she moved closer to Henrik. “I suppose I can see why Bobby wanted to visit a castle now.”

“Want to go upstairs?” Henrik pointed to a corner of the caste behind him, where an elegant staircase Isabel hadn’t noticed stood. “Jasper said there’s a balcony up there!”

“You’ve been on one balcony,” Shannon said as she turned towards the door, “you’ve seen them all. You two go on ahead. I’ll be taking a nap in the car.” She waved her hand behind her and allowed the large, wooden doors to close shut with an echoing slam.

Henrik grabbed Isabel’s hand enthusiastically. “Guess it’s just us,” he said with a smile. “Come on! I bet there’s an amazing view of the mountain line.” She felt him tug at her hand as he pulled her along. She’d never been able to be so carefree in her entire life. How did he do it? She’d never actually noticed how quick he was to do things for her, to offer his help to her.

She followed behind him, feeling a smile creep onto her face. He pushed the large, wooden door open with his free hand and gasped. The sun caused Isabel to close her eyes for a moment. She slowly tried to open them, blinking a few times. Henrik released her hand and walked out onto the balcony. “This is…” he paused as he moved his head, panning from left to right.

Isabel shuffled her feet as she walked towards Henrik. She looked out to the horizon and her mouth opened in shock. “Beautiful.” The sun was nestled between two mountain peaks in the distance. The gorgeous trees stood tall, their limbs swaying in the wind as birds flew happily past.

“You took the words right out of my mouth,” Henrik said. She glanced over at him, finding that he was already looking down at her. He quickly averted his eyes and cleared his throat. His cheeks seemed to have a rosy tint, but she figured it may have been the sun beating down. Or, perhaps she was imagining things. “So, what’s the next thing on the list?”

She shook her head, trying to pull herself from her overthinking. “Oh, right,” she said. She fished into her pocket and dug out the folded notebook paper. She scanned down the list then pointed at one that wasn’t crossed off. “Number 13, swim behind a waterfall.”

–

After the three had piled back into the car, Henrik had started to type furiously on his phone. He threw it back into the cupholder and explained they would be making a pit stop at a store a few miles back. He fought back a smile as his hands gripped the steering wheel. The two girls shot a look at one another. Isabel knew this meant they were in agreement: Henrik was up to something. Although the two inquired and pleaded, he refused to say and declared it was a surprise. If he hadn’t had them stop to get swimwear and towels, he may have been able to keep up the charade. Shannon snickered in the backseat at his mistake when they got back in the car as the Swede sighed out a breath of disappointment.

“Are we at the ‘surprise’ yet, Henny?” Shannon’s mocking tone called out from the back. Isabel heard a thump as Shannon’s cackling laughter grew louder. She turned around, finding Shannon doubled over and leaning against the window as she lost herself in a fit of giggles.

“As a matter of fact,” Henrik said, “we are!” He leaned over and grabbed the bag at Isabel’s feet and reached inside it. He tossed a suit to both girls, a bit carelessly. “Find somewhere to get changed.”

Isabel glanced down at the one piece in disbelief. She moved her attention slowly back to Henrik. “Here?!” she exclaimed. “Like, find a place outside and change into this?” She knew she shouldn’t be surprised, of course; Henrik loved the great outdoors, she shouldn’t have been shocked that he wanted them to change outside in the trees.

Henrik tilted his head and gave her an awkward smile. “Only if you’re comfortable.”

“No,” Shannon interrupted. “No way. Iz, you did not just drag us out to see a castle at the asscrack of dawn just to back out because you have to get naked outside. Come on, let’s finish this list.” Shannon groaned and mumbled to herself as she opened her car door and slammed it shut behind her.

Henrik cleared his throat. “Do you think she’s angry about waking up early? Or is it just me getting that impression?”

Isabel let out a small chuckle as she turned to Henrik. A loud knock on the window made the two move their attention to an irritated Shannon. “I know you’re talking about me,” Shannon yelled loud enough for them to hear inside the car. She rolled her eyes as she sauntered off with her black swimsuit in hand.

“We better get out there,” Isabel laughed. She unbuckled her seatbelt and placed her hand on the door. “But, uh, I wanted to say… Thanks for doing all this. You didn’t have to go through all this trouble for me.”

Henrik gave a goofy half-smile in return. “Of course,” he said with a nod. “I was happy to. I’d do anything to help you.” He looked as if he wanted to say more, but he bit down on his bottom lip and forced a large grin. “Besides, you can thank me later when we have all three bucket list tasks completed!” He jumped out of the car quickly, almost tripping over his own feet as he got out. He seemed to be in a hurry, maybe he had something better to do later on.

She watched him walk off, disappearing behind a thick tree. She sighed to herself as she got out of the car herself and attempted to find a tree with as little dirt around it as possible. Apparently, a very difficult feat. She settled for one with a pile of leaves at the bottom, which was probably the worst choice she could have made. She shook her clothes, trying to get the leaves out from inside her shirt and jeans. “Great,” she mumbled to herself as she walked towards the car again.

“Look who finally decided to show up,” Shannon snickered. “Were you looking for a getaway car out there in the woods?”

Henrik leaned against the car, one leg propped up carefully with his foot pressed against the door. He had his arms crossed until he noticed Isabel had walked up. He slowly let his arms fall as a genuine and excited smile formed. “She’s just fashionably late!” Henrik laughed.

“She’s fashionably late wearing my nan’s one piece from 40 years ago?” Shannon raised a brow at him.

“Sure,” he said with a nod. “Isabel always looks great!” He pushed himself off the car and stood straight up.

Isabel’s cheeks flushed red. Henrik had given her compliments before, it wasn’t like this was anything new. It was the way he seemed so focused on her, how he seemed so hellbent on helping her cross off things on this list. “Thanks, Henrik.” Her eyes lingered. She noticed his green eyes sparkling in the sunlight that peeked through the trees. He’d always been gorgeous, but she’d never so been entranced by him.

“You two can gush about how great the other looks later,” Shannon said. “The waterfall is right over here, innit?” Shannon had already started to walk. She turned her head, looking over her shoulder as she continued on.

The two followed behind her, but Isabel stopped in her tracks. She took in the scenery, slowly moving her eyes upwards. The sound of the rushing water was quieter than she thought it would be, but the rocks surrounding the mouth of the waterfall made it all picture perfect. “Whoa,” she said softly. “Bobby seemed to have really good taste in bucket list items with gorgeous views, huh?” She turned to Henrik, who was already glancing down at her.

“Ready to cross off 13?” He gave her another smile before rushing off and leaping into the water.

She twisted her body away from the splash, covering her face with her hands at the same time. “Hey! Watch it!”

Henrik laughed as he ran his fingers through his hair, pushing it back from his face. “You can’t swim behind the waterfall from land, Isabel! Come on!” She wondered if her friend ever ran out of energy, but his infectiously positive attitude was easy to follow.

She carefully slipped into the water, a little nervous she would slip and bust her lip open on a rock. She swam over slowly to Henrik who just shook his head like a dog. “After you,” she said, hoping he’d take the lead again.

He moved quickly through the water but paused at the waterfall. Shannon was already sitting on a rock right on shore. “Are you ready, Isabel?” Henrik yelled over the sound of the water beating into itself. She looked at the beast of nature, nervous he would force her into making the first move. “We’ll do it together!” He grabbed her hand. “On the count of three, okay? One… Two… Three!”

She took a deep breath and swam around it with him. She kept her eyes closed at first. What if there was a weird looking fish that was poisonous or something? She shot her eyes open, realizing she’d probably want to be able to see it, but instead was surprised at the sight. She’d almost missed it, but she was glad she didn’t. Everything seemed more peaceful behind the waterfall. She moved her head around, trying to take it in. She realized she’d had her eyes closed in a sense for too long. If she’d almost missed out on this, how many other things had she not seen?

They emerged on the other side, hearing a faint clapping from the shoreline. “I can’t believe I did that!” Isabel screamed excitedly. “We just swam behind a freaking waterfall!”

“Yeah we did!” Henrik laughed as Isabel splashed around. “Do you think you’d be up to do the last one today?”

“Absolutely! I’m on top of the world! What could go wrong?”

–

Apparently, a lot could go wrong. The car ride home was silent, it was uncomfortable. The three friends were lost in their own minds. Number 24: Tell her how you feel. Isabel would have thought this one would have been the easiest had you asked her that morning. Telling Carl how she felt? Simple, right? They’d been together for two years, of course she loved him and cared about him. But was she in love with him? How could a mere 24 hours change the course of her life? How could it have had such a bearing on her thoughts and feelings?

She quietly opened the door to her new apartment, to her new life. She felt sick to her stomach. Her new life? Isabel made her way to the kitchen, where she found Carl organizing the cabinet she had already set up. She groaned internally, remembering that both of them had wanted to put things in certain places but didn’t always agree on it. “Hey,” she said as she leaned against the counter. “How was your business trip?”

Carl turned around, but his face didn’t light up. A charming smile didn’t form, a sparkle wasn’t shining in his eyes when he looked at her. “Great,” he answered. “You had that day trip with Shannon and Henrik today, right? How did that go?”

At least he was nice enough to ask, she thought. “It was,” she paused, “it was great. I had a lot of fun. Do you think we could chat about something?” She started to fiddle with a hair tie that was wrapped around her wrist. Shannon was right; this relationship was fine, but that’s all it was. “Do you love me?”

Carl turned around, but his facial expression stayed the same. He tilted his head a bit, seemingly confused. “I love you, Isabel. Where is this coming from?”

“But are you in love with me? Or do you see yourself ever being in love with me?” She corrected the question, but she already knew the answer. Neither of them were in love, and neither would ever be with the other.

He sighed. “I care about you,” he started, “but if I have to be honest, no, I don’t think I’m in love with you. I don’t know what the future has.”

“I–” she shook her head. She tried to keep her eyes on Carl, but had a hard time looking at him as she continued, “You’re a great guy. I have a lot of respect for you and I care about you, but I think we both know we picked one another because it was a safe option.”

There was a deafening silence, but it spoke more volumes than anything he could have replied with. She knew she was right, and he knew it, too. He breathed in sharply, then exhaled with a low whistle. “I’ll come back for my things tomorrow,” he said. “I just need to process this.” He walked past her. She swore a cold draft followed behind him as he moved. “For the record,” he said as she turned to face him at the door, “I agree with you. I just wish I didn’t in a way.” He tapped his fingers on the opened door a few times. “I do want you to be happy, Isabel.”

She frowned slightly and nodded her head. “I want you to be happy, too.”

He moved himself into the doorway but before he closed the door, he said one last thing: “Goodbye, Isabel.”

–

Isabel felt a bit frantic as she drove down the streets. Her heart pounded, but she wasn’t sure if it was excitement or nerves driving it. The car’s speaker rang loudly until Shannon’s voice finally came through on the other line. “Well? Did you finish number 24? Did you tell Carl how wonderfully boring and bland he is?” She chuckled on the other end.

“I broke up with him,” Isabel answered. She turned a corner sharply and pressed firmly on the gas pedal.

“You what?!” Shannon exclaimed loudly. Isabel could imagine her face: shocked, mouth agape and brows furrowed together. “I did not expect cautious little Izzy to go and do something like that. Why did you do that?”

Isabel parked her car. Her hands were glued to her steering wheel and her eyes stuck glaring at her knuckles. “I think I want to be with Henrik…”

“You? Henrik? Who? What?” Shannon tripped over her words. It wasn’t often Isabel saw Shannon in a shocked state, but this was most certainly one of those times. “Oh my gosh, are you in your car? Isabel, I can hear the humming of your engine. Are you in your car driving to talk to him?”

“Uh…”

“You’re at his flat, aren’t you?” She sighed loudly into the phone. “Well, I can’t say I didn’t see it coming eventually. Do you know what you’re going to say?”

“Not a clue,” Isabel admitted. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

Shannon laughed. “You know, I think it’s almost better that way. You can do this, Isabel. If I can tell Blake how I feel, you can tell Henrik how you feel.”

“You told her? Did she–”

“Feel the same way?” Shannon finished Isabel’s sentence. “She does. It’s your turn now. Go cross off number 24. Tell me how it goes and if I should bring over rum, wine or ice cream.”

Isabel hit the end button on her car’s screen and readied herself to get out of the car. No, wait, she was not getting out. What was she thinking? There was no way Henrik was into her. She was play-it-safe Isabel, she wasn’t fun and adventurous. She could never be his type. She shook her head and decided it was best to leave, it was best to keep her friendship intact.

She went to put her car back in drive but heard a tapping on her window. She looked over horrified to find Henrik standing outside. She sighed as she got herself out of the car, knowing she needed to either play it off, or get brave enough to say what she came to confess. “Hey Henrik,” she said with an awkward wave. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it.

“Hey, what are you doing out here this late?” His tone sounded concerned. “Did you get to cross off the last thing on the list yet?”

But this was it, this was the moment. She’d either go back to her safety net, never crossing off Bobby’s final item, or she’d change the course of her life forever. Did she really want to go back to keeping her eyes closed? Return to the life where she didn’t stand beside Henrik as they looked out at a beautiful landscape? “No,” she answered. She swallowed hard, there was no turning back now. “I don’t want to play it safe anymore. I want to live life, see amazing things. I want to cross more things off a stupid bucket list.” She stopped and looked into his eyes, which seemed to be full of confusion and shock. “I want to take a risk…” she paused, “with you. I want to be with you.”

And that’s when it all started to move in slow motion. Had she done the wrong thing? Had she completely messed up? He was going to reject her for sure, but at least she could cross off the last item… If that even meant anything. She almost turned around and opened her car door, but Henrik grabbed her hand. “I haven’t crossed off number 24 yet either,” he said. “I wasn’t going to do it, but after hearing yours, I think I should.” He was going to go talk to someone else. Of course he was.

The sheer embarrassment she felt was incomparable to anything she’d ever felt. This is why she didn’t color outside the lines. “Remember when I first moved here? I didn’t know anyone so I picked to try to be friends with you and Shannon?”

“Um, yeah,” she answered with a shaky voice. “You’ve never said why you wanted to talk to us.”

“It’s because you were the first person to smile at me,” he said. Was she? She didn’t remember. “I guess I could tell you were shy, but you still tried to make me feel welcome.” He gave her a large grin then moved his head softly from left to right. “I like adventure and I want to live life. I want to see amazing things and cross silly things off a bucket list,” he answered. “I want to take a risk here, but I’m happy to not take a risk and play it safe sometimes, too.” He cupped her cheek in his large hand. He took a step closer then wrapped his other arm around her waist. “As long as it’s with you, Isabel.”

She felt tears prickling at the back of her eyes. She’d never been this happy, not even when Carl had said sweet things. “Can I kiss you?” Henrik asked, leaning into her. But he didn’t get a word of response, because this time, it was her that made the first move. Isabel Romero? She’d never taken a risk in her entire life. She’d never colored outside the lines, she never wore bright pink or lilac purple. No, she’d never taken a risk before, not until today when she was standing outside with her childhood best friend. And she couldn’t wait to take more as long as Henrik was by her side.

#litg ff #litg fanfic #litg henrik #s2litgexchange #tuesdays #you asked for slow burn?#you got it 😂

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mrsbsmooth · 2 years

Text

The Alps

One Shot | Link to Ao3

Henrik and Lucas cross paths in The Alps. It's almost as if the universe is trying to tell them something.

for @longbobmckenzie (for the litg gift exchange)

Or Under the Cut

Lucas rounded yet another corner, the crisp autumn morning almost making him want to take his hands from the handlebars and spread them wide. The cold wind nipped at his neck, and he let it rush in through the opening under his jawling.

He could breathe out here. He could think out here. He could ride forever, and never have to plan anything other than what might be around the next corner. It was solitude. It was beautiful.

It was freedom.

But there was one last restraint. Some last shackle of control that he couldn’t shake off. He pushed the thought from his head, refocusing on the scenery around him, and it truly was magnificent. The mountains loomed over him like an omniscient God, blessing him with perspective. With humility, for how small he really was. The mountains were incredible, here, snow-capped for now. He wondered if, in the warmer months, they’d be greener.

But for now, all the mountains did was bring him that same feeling in his gut. All they did was remind of–

Lucas’s eyes darted back to the road as a flash of white stepped onto the road, directly in his path. He swerved, and his heart practically leapt from his chest as the bike wobbled beneath him, inching ever closer to the guardrail. He hit the brakes so fast he almost went over the front wheel, but the bike came to a screeching stop. His grip on the handlebars was so tight that his hands were already cramping, every muscle in his body shaking with adrenaline as he tried to come to terms with how close he just came to going over the side of a mountain.

And that some idiot had almost sent him over it.

As he stepped off the motorbike, Lucas heard rushing footsteps behind him, and he pulled his helmet off, outwardly calm but inwardly seething, already preparing to rip them a new asshole. Of all the irresponsible, idiotic, imbecilic–

“Lukey?”

His head snapped up, and he froze.

There was absolutely no way.

His eyes went wide, and there was another flash of white. A flash of blonde. A flash of a huge smile, and a flash of rushing Swede as limbs tackled him in an all-encompassing hug from every direction.

Lucas couldn’t help but laugh, dropping his helmet to the ground as he threw his arms around Henrik in return.

“What are you doing here?” Lucas asked, absolutely incredulous.

“I’m hiking! What are you doing here?” Henrik laughed, still not releasing him from the hug.

“I’m on a road trip!”

And that was where it began.

Lucas offered Henrik a ride into town, and he accepted, happily jumping on the back of his bike before Lucas even had a chance to insist he put on a helmet. But as Henrik wrapped his arms around Lucas’s waist, the butterflies in his stomach turned to cockroaches.

He couldn’t do this.

Not again.

Lucas sat across the table from Henrik, watching as he flirted with the elderly Austrian waitress in broken German. Lucas couldn’t help but chuckle at the effort they went to understand each other. He brought up an app on his phone, switching it to German, and typed in what he assumed Henrik was trying to say.

“I would like to order some breakfast”

The waitress looked amused, but Henrik looked somewhat disappointed, as he reluctantly told Lucas what to type in. Lucas raised an eyebrow, but typed it in with his own order, the waitress laughing heartily and patting Henrik on the head. She muttered something mildly affectionate, and shuffled off toward the kitchen.

“Do you really think they’ll know how to make Scotch eggs in Austria?”

Henrik grinned. “You’re kidding, right? They’re famous for sausage, here. All it is is an egg and some breadcrumbs.”

Lucas smiled at him. “You haven’t changed a bit, you know.”

“Lukey, it’s been like, two months.”

“Has it really?” Lucas frowned. “Gosh, it feels longer.”

Henrik’s face curled into a smile, and Lucas laughed, knowing precisely what we was about to say.

“Awww, did you miss me? ” Henrik grinned, his adorably boyish smile making his eyes crinkle at the sides.

Lucas couldn’t help but match his smile, chuckling to himself.

He had.

Their breakfast arrived, and Lucas’s stomach almost rumbled at the sight of it, Lucas’s smoked salmon and poached eggs looking far more sensible than the crumbed monstrosity that appeared in front of Henrik. It was twice the size of a regular Scotch egg, and Henrik immediately tucked into it, barely swallowing the first bite before complimenting the waitress and shooting her a big thumbs up.

She chuckled to herself, turning back to the kitchen, and Lucas couldn’t help but smile, too.

Henrik was shovelling sausage and egg and breadcrumbs into his mouth like he hadn’t eaten in days. Despite it being a maximum of eight degrees, he was in his favourite greyed singlet, a light jacket tied loosely around his waist, and Lucas had to admit, he looked great. Fitter. Healthier, even. Being outdoors seemed to agree with him.

Henrik had always been a good-looking guy, though. Lucas couldn’t pretend he’d never noticed. But he shook it from his mind.

“So, are you going to tell me what you’re really doing up here?” Henrik asked, shooting him a knowing glance over his scotch eggs.

Lucas frowned to himself. “Oh, you know. Just… getting away.”

“From?”

“Everything, I suppose.”

“What’s everything?”

Lucas shot him a look. There was no way that he didn’t know exactly what he was getting away from.

Henrik shook his head, tutting gently. “If you’re going to come hiking with me, you have to tell me.”

“If I’m what?” Lucas’s mouth almost fell open.

Henrik nodded. “We combine our trips - it makes sense! You can take us on your bike, and then we can cover it up and hike for a few days, before moving on to the next mountain. It will save us so much time!”

Lucas’s stomach flipped at the thought of honest to god hiking in the Austrian alps in Autumn, when he had absolutely none of the equipment he’d need. He opened his mouth to decline, but something stopped him. And that something was a pair of wide, honest green eyes, sparkling in his direction as if he held the key to all the world’s happiness.

As if they were begging him to say yes.

Every bone in Lucas’s body was telling him it was a mistake. He’d be an idiot. He was opening himself up to look like even more of a fool. Every muscle, every reaction, every instinct was telling him no.

“Alright, fine ,” his mouth said, completely against his will.

Henrik beamed impossibly wider, hissing a ‘ Yes!’ . “But now, you have to tell me what you’re running away from.”

Lucas frowned to himself, not understanding why Henrik was pushing this so hard. He knew why.

Surely, he knew?

“Just… needed to clear my head,” he grumbled, pursing his lips at the acceptable answer. “And try and pull myself out of it.”

Henrik nodded. “I think you just need to relax a little. Like before, when you used your phone to translate. That’s no fun. Me and Margheurite forming a common ground over trying to explain scotch eggs? That is fun.”

Lucas’s face fell a little. “Oh, sorry, I…”

Henrik waved him off. “Nothing to be sorry for! But you should try and let go a little. Be a bit less in control, and a little bit more present. Don’t worry. You’ll get the hang of it, I’ll show you.”

And show him he did.

Stopping in the local town to pick up some warmer gear for Lucas, the two of them set off, Henrik pointing out some beautiful landmarks he’d already spotted on his travels. Henrik tested him, giving him a full-blown wilderness lesson. Lucas was good at tracking animals, he found. The attention to detail coming in handy as he spotted snapped branches and partially-hidden prints. But he still had a lot to learn on everything else; how to find water, how to build a makeshift fishing net, and how to figure out if a cave will be safe to sleep in. Henrik was just like the chap on TV, but without the piss, having particular talent for filtering stream water for an almost constant supply.

He was, quite frankly, amazing.

They hiked for days, Henrik showing Lucas how to forage, and smacked him lightly on the back of the head when he started stressing about not finding shelter or food.

“Stop worrying , Lukey!” Henrik teased, his wide grin melting Lucas’s heart a little. “I know what I’m doing!”

Lucas supposed that was fair. This was Henrik’s job for God’s sake. But there was something about being shown two identical mushrooms, and being taught that one was delicious in a stew, and the other was a lethal fungus that would have you dead in forty minutes, that had him… somewhat anxious.

The edible one was delicious , though, and Henrik was a bloody incredible cook, doing more with a bit of salt and soy sauce than most chefs had done in restaurants. And as they sat around the small fire, drinking delicious beers out of recyclable cans, Lucas couldn’t help but feel like things were maybe… starting to get back to the way they had been.

Almost like Henrik was willing to just pretend it had never happened.

And Lucas was grateful.

Lucas could barely remember how many days they’d been camped at this site, but there was so much to explore that they’d decided to stay a little longer. They’d been settled in this clearing for so long that it almost felt like home, now.

He stretched his arms and legs out as he sat up, warmed by the gentle haze of the morning light. He unzipped the flap of the tent, and got to his knees to shuffle out, but the sight that greeted him from across the campsite made him freeze.

Henrik had dragged a large branch to the far side of their campsite, and was quietly hacking it into smaller pieces with a compact axe he’d brought along. His long hair was tied back, exposing his clenched jaw, sharp as the blade he was cutting with. His skin was glistening with sweat, dripping down onto his exposed chest, the effort making his arms tremble as he swung the axe over and over.

Lucas inhaled sharply, and Henrik turned, walking silently toward him.

He didn’t hesitate for a moment, dropping to his knees, pushing Lucas onto his back as he crawled on top of him.

Henrik lay his body along his, looking down at him, his body slick with sweat.

“You never could keep your eyes off me, Lukey.”

Lucas nodded, and Henrik leaned down, his long hair tracing the side of Lucas’s cheek. He shuddered, his hands practically twitching to take handfuls of it. But Henrik read him perfectly, and pinned Lucas’s wrists above his head, smiling seductively.

“Relax, Lukey.”

Henrik’s weight on his wrists was intoxicating, and his breath hitched as Henrik leaned in again.

“Let go. Be present.”

Their lips were millimetres apart, and Lucas tilted his head back, relinquishing all control as he closed his eyes.

And he woke up.

The sun was well and truly warming the tent around him, and he sat up with a start. His cock was so hard it was aching, throbbing in his sweats as he took deep breath after deep breath. He cursed himself silently. He couldn’t allow himself to lose it like this. Not again. Not after last time, when everything had just…

He had to push it back down.

He hadn’t meant to kiss Henrik. It just… happened. Right after the finale, as they lay on their backs on the roof terrace. Henrik had pointed out Leo in the sky, and Lucas couldn’t see it. So Henrik had taken his hand, leaning his face in to Lucas’s, and pointed his fingers toward the stars from his point of view. Lucas had inhaled sharply as he saw it, and Henrik had broken into a soft, enthusiastic smile. Lucas turned his head to look at him, the moonlight illuminating his features, the shadows forming dimension after dimension and trapping Lucas’s gaze.

And it just… happened.

Lucas had pulled him into it, pressing his lips to Henrik’s with an anxiety he’d never known before. It was fast. Probably far too hard. It wasn’t a good kiss. And before he realised what he’d done, he pulled back, practically shaking.

What had he done?

Henrik’s eyes had sat wide on his face, his lips parted in shock. “Lucas… I…”

Lucas hadn’t waited to hear the end of the sentence, he just got up and left. He knew he’d been feeling weird things for Henrik since the first day they’d met. But he’d pushed it down, and managed to ignore the weirdness up until that moment. Lucas hadn’t been sure why he’d picked that moment to react to the weird feelings. Heck, he still wasn’t sure. He’d just seen Henrik in that light, his soft features illuminated by the gentle moon, and he’d just… had to.

But now, they seemed to have gotten over it. They seemed to have silently agreed never to speak of it, a fact for which Lucas was extremely grateful.

So these dreams absolutely had to stop.

He composed himself, pulling on a hoodie, grateful for the extra layer of clothing as he stepped out into the camp. But instead of the heavy thud of an axe, he heard… nothing. Henrik’s pack and belongings were all there, but his boots, jacket and the axe were gone. He must’ve gone to fetch some firewood, and so Lucas decided to wait.

And wait.

He checked his watch. It had been almost an hour. There was absolutely no way that Henrik was taking this long to get firewood. If he’d gone anywhere else, like into town, he would’ve woken Lucas up first. But as Lucas pulled his boots on, he heard a happy whistled tune.

Henrik trudged over the crest, his head tilted back to the sunlight. He must’ve chopped the wood elsewhere, because he had a huge bundle of it slung over his shoulder, his jacket tied into a makeshift bag. He was shirtless underneath it, and Lucas realised that the dream he’d woken up from hadn’t even scratched the surface of what Henrik really looked like these days.

His biceps were rigid under the strain of the heavy wood, a slick sheen of sweat over his brow. So content, so completely in his element, the smallest smile on his face as he basked in the early morning rays.The gentle smile into the sunlight became a dazzling grin, his eyes crinkling at the sides as he spotted Lucas, calling out a cheery ‘good morning’ as Lucas’s heart pounded in his chest. His jeans sat low on his hips, the deep v-shaped line like an arrow for Lucas’s gaze, his lean, muscular body completely flexed as he dropped the bag of wood in the middle of the campsite.

And as he did, he leaned back, his fists in his back, leaning over them and stretching out with a gentle groan.

Lucas almost moaned, his cock twitching in his sweats, as he had to bite his lip.

He wanted him. He still wanted Henrik. God, he might even want him more than he had in the villa.

Henrik was always going to look more beautiful in the sunshine.

Lucas barely spoke a word all day, and Henrik left him to his thoughts. He was good like that, never pushing him to do anything he didn’t want to do.

Well, mostly.

Night fell, and the two of them sat under the stars, wrapped in their coats, and silently gazing up at the sky. Lucas knew he’d have to say something eventually. But maybe, just maybe, that wouldn’t have to be tonight.

“So,” Henrik spoke, his voice like a song through the silence. “Is it about time I asked you why you kissed me?”

Okay. Perhaps it would be tonight.

“I… uh…,” Lucas started, the panic rising in his chest. “Sorry.”

“Why?” Henrik smiled

“Why did I do it, or why am I sorry?”

Henrik chuckled softly. “Both.”

Lucas sighed. “I just… I don’t know. I didn’t mean... I guess, I always… well… it just… happened. ”

“It did,” Henrik smiled. “But that doesn’t answer either of my questions.”

“Can we not do this?” Lucas frowned. “I don’t really want to talk about it. I feel weird about…”

Henrik got to his feet, and took a few steps toward him, his feet scuffling in the grass as he sat down at his side.

And before Lucas could even react, Henrik tilted him back, and kissed him.

Lucas inhaled sharply, completely frozen, as Henrik’s hand traced the back of his neck. The kiss was gentle. Intentional. Intimate. Henrik’s tongue teased at his lips, and he opened them, moaning softly as their tongues met. It was so much better than the first time, God , they were worlds apart. But as soon as it began, it was over.

“There,” Henrik smiled. “You’ve kissed me, and I’ve kissed you. Now we can talk about it.”

Lucas sat, verging on breathless, and it had nothing to do with how high up in the mountains they were. He wondered whether the altitude had him lightheaded, or if he really was this badly affected by Henrik’s kiss.

“Why did you do that?” Lucas whispered.

Henrik laced his fingers into Lucas’s, and smiled.

“Because I wanted to. Why did you kiss me?”

Lucas froze.

It all seemed to surround him in a vortex. The rush of his blood when he saw Henrik for the first time. The way he felt when Henrik held his gaze as they shook hands. The first morning they’d entered the villa, nervous, but smiling at each other. Every single moment he’d shared with someone in the villa was a blur, except for the ones with Henrik. Those were clear as crystal. Clear as the water on these mountains. Clear as the crystalline green of Henrik’s eyes, as they’d gazed into his after he’d kissed him on the terrace that night.

After Lucas had pulled away.

Henrik didn’t pull away.

Lucas breathed deeply. “Because I wanted to.”

Henrik beamed at him, and Lucas’s eyes widened, as he tried to wrap his head around it all.

“But I dont know what that means,” Lucas said. “Am I…?”

He couldn’t wrap his mouth around the word.

Henrik lifted a hand to Lucas’s face, stroking his coarse fingers across the light stubble that flecked his cheek.

“Lukey,” he whispered. “It doesn’t matter. It’s just words. You don’t have to pick one right now. Just let go . Be present.”

Lucas closed his eyes, and focussed his attention on the feeling of Henrik’s hand in his. It made his breath catch. His cheek tug into a smile.

It made his heart race.

Lucas opened his eyes, and released Henrik’s hand, lifting both of them instead to his face. Henrik smiled softly, and tilted his head back, his eyes narrowed and heavy as he waited to be kissed.

He pressed his lips to Henriks’, his heart pounding so hard he was sure it would burst. But as their lips met, the vortex returned, swirling around him as he felt the urgency undeniable need rush from his body. Henrik’s lips were soft as silk, as was his skin. His hair. The pressure of his hands as they glided up Lucas’s arms, pulling him ever closer. Softer than anything he’d ever felt. More electric. More intoxicating. More him.

He hadn’t even realised, but Henrik was somehow on his back, Lucas on top of him, kissing him gently as Henrik’s hands gently traced along the back of his neck. Lucas relaxed, slowing his pace, his body melting under Henrik’s touch. It felt as if every muscle in his body was falling apart, every knot of tension crumbling, and all Henrik was doing was caressing a sliver of his exposed skin.

He let one hand fall to Henrik’s chest, tracing lower until he found the hem of his hoodie. He slipped his hand underneath it, and sighed as skin met skin, his hand gliding over Henrik’s waist. He moved his surely icy hands higher, tracing his fingers over his ribs, and Henrik jolted, pulling away.

“Ahhhh!”, he gasped. “ Sorry, ticklish.”

Lucas looked down at him, and couldn’t help the soft sigh of awe that escaped his lips. Henrik’s face was flushed pink, his lips red and swollen, his pupils wide as the night sky that surrounded them.

He wasn’t sure he’d ever seen anything as beautiful as Henrik looked in that moment.

He leaned down to kiss him again, but there was an urgency in his gut that hadn’t been there before. He didn’t know how far to take it. He didn’t know how far Henrik wanted to take it.

He hesitated.

Henrik pulled back again, and tilted Lucas’s face toward his.

“Just let go,” he whispered.

Lucas nodded, bringing his lips to Henrik’s neck instead, trailing a small line of kisses down his collarbone as he tugged at the neckline of his jumper. Henrik sighed a breathy moaned, and Lucas’s cock twitched at the sound, groaning as he realised how bloody hard he was.

So he let his hand slip lower.

Henrik’s loose sweatpants offered very little resistance, so Lucas swallowed hard, and lifted them gently, slipping his hand inside them. His fingers brushed against it, and he would’ve hesitated again, if it weren’t for Henrik’s reaction. He practically shuddered with need as Lucas traced his length, breathing every-so-slightly heavier as Lucas’s hesitation faded. He wrapped his hand around him, brushing his thumb gently over his tip, and Henrik’s head fell back. Lucas pressed his lips against the freckles on his exposed throat, as his grip tightened slightly, the slightest of teasing motions as he began moving his hand.

Lucas dropped his head to Henrik’s shoulder, practically leaning across him as he tried to kiss every inch of his exposed skin. There just wasn’t enough of it.

He withdrew his hand from Henrik’s sweats, instead getting to his feet.

“Come with me,” he demanded, and Henrik smiled, following him into the tent. Lucas zipped it closed, and turned to Henrik, who was sitting on his knees, waiting to be told what to do.

Lucas could’ve passed out from how much it turned him on.

He shuffled toward Henrik, pulling his jumper over his head, and taking his shirt with it, throwing them onto Henrik’s pack as he lay him back down. Lucas took his time, running his lips and tongue over every tiny mark on Henrik’s body. Every freckle, every scar, kissing and nipping at every inch of the body he’d never been able to tear his eyes away from.

But he still wanted more. He felt a tug at the back of his jumper, and he lowered his head, allowing Henrik to slip the garment over it. His jumper, his shirt, and the tank underneath it, the feeling of the fabric leaving his body driving him wild. Henrik’s hands traced his abs as he leaned back, gliding further down until he reached Lucas’s waistband. He hooked a finger into it, and pulled him back toward him, and Lucas smiled. He lay back down, the feel of Henrik’s bare chest underneath his even more exhilarating than riding with his eyes closed. It was warm in the tent, but it only heated further as he kissed him again. And again. And again. Until he slipped his hand back into Henrik’s sweats.

Lucas moaned into Henrik’s exposed neck as he took him in hand again, gently stroking him as he pressed his lips over and over to Henrik’s skin, inhaling the scent of him as their breathing fell heavier once more. He listened to the movements of Henrik’s body, the twitches of his cock as he stroked his fingers over the underside. The subtle intake of breath as he ran his palm over the tip. The pressure he liked. The movement he liked. The speed. The roughness. Henrik’s breathing was starting to deepen, and Lucas groaned softly into his neck, silently screaming at how excited he was by the thought of Henrik’s cum pulsing over his hands.

But before he had a chance, he felt Henrik’s face turn toward him. He paused as he felt a hand press at his shoulder. Henrik rolled him onto his back, kissing his neck softly as he did. The kisses trailed across his jaw, down to his chin, and onto his throat. They trailed down his collarbone, over his chest, and onto his abs before he realised where Henrik was going.

He inhaled sharply, and glanced downward, finding Henrik’s green eyes sparkling with mischief as he flicked open the button on his jeans, and pulled the zipper downward.

Lucas lay back as Henrik pulled him free, a soft curse in Swedish as he realised Lucas’s size.

“Shut up,” Lucas chuckled, but Henrik didn’t seem worried at all. Lucas closed his eyes as Henrik ran his hand up and down his cock, his lips parting in pleasure as Henrik’s parted to take him inside.

He could barely believe this was happening, and he wasn’t sure how to react. He felt like a teenager again, getting his first blowjob, nervous and excited and unsure of what to do with his hands. But as Henrik’s tongue gently caressed his tip, the anxiety rushed out of him like the wind through the trees. He pulled himself to his elbow, letting one hand caress Henrik’s hair, as he watched him gently work his way down Lucas’s length.

How many times had he caught himself daydreaming about seeing Henrik like this? How many times had he found himself on the edge, trying to stop his mind from jumping to precisely this daydream? It was even better than he’d imagined, the unbelievable softness of Henrik’s mouth giving him exactly what he needed, reading him like he already knew exactly how Lucas would like it. Every stroke of his tongue, every press of his lips over the sensitive tip, every graze into the roof of Henrik’s mouth, every gentle hit to the back of his throat as he tried to take more of him, it was ecstasy. He could never have imagined how incredible it would feel, how incredible it would really look, to have Henrik sucking his cock as if he’d been dreaming of this moment, too.

Henrik gently sucked in his cheeks, and Lucas jolted, realising for the first time how bloody close he was.

“Henrik, I’m… I’m getting…” he whispered, and Henrik pulled away. He gazed up at Lucas, his hand still gently wrapped around Lucas’s cock, the visual almost enough to have him on the edge.

“Do you want to fuck me?” Henrik whispered. “I’ve got lube.”

Lucas furrowed his brow. “Why on earth do you have lube?”

Henrik grinned. “It’s good for chafing!”

Lucas couldn’t help but laugh, especially once he realised he actually had condoms in his wallet. The universe had aligned, once again.

It took them only a moment, and Lucas was practically shaking he was so nervous. But as Henrik lay on his back, and Lucas pressed his tip to him, the nerves dissipated again. It was as if a part of him knew he had nothing to worry about, that he was safe with Henrik.

Because he was.

It took a moment for Henrik to adjust to his size, his lithe body was practically shuddering beneath Lucas’s hands as he entered him. But as Lucas felt Henrik relax, he withdrew, rolling his hips gently back in. Henrik’s head fell back with a gasp, his back arching deliciously in Lucas’s hands. His hair was splayed out, his cheeks already flushed, his lips parted and wet. His breathing was heavy as the mountains that surrounded them, solid and firm, each thrust drawing a deeper moan from those beautiful, plush lips.

Even in his wildest dreams, Lucas hadn’t expected Henrik to look so God damn perfect underneath him, his legs over Lucas’s arms, as he tried to hold himself back from fucking him as hard as he wanted to. But it wasn’t long until Henrik demanded it, his gentle curses in Swedish making him sound possessed as his eyes began to roll back.

Lucas was close. God, he was close. He could feel the knot twisting in his gut. A bead of sweat trailed from his brow as he held off, forbidding it from himself until he had Henrik exactly where he wanted him.

Henrik’s eyes widened slightly, and Lucas took it as a sign, bringing his hand to Henrik’s cock again, and stroking it in time with his thrusts.

Henrik’s hands fell to the sleeping bags below them, scrunching the fabric in his fists, as his eyes fluttered once more.

“Lukey,” Henrik gasped. “ Like that.”

Lucas moaned softly, and held his exact pace, his own cock throbbing with need as more and more sweat gathered at his brow. He curled his toes into his feet, desperately trying to distract himself, to hold off, to wait, praying to whatever God was this high up that he could hold on long enough.

“Yes,” he gasped, “ Lukey, I’m c…”

Henrik’s eyes rolled back, and Lucas breathed a deep groan, as he felt it. Henrik tightened around him, the thick, white ropes coating his hands the way he’d pictured, and he was done for.

Lucas let himself go with a cry, his thighs contracting him into a final deep thrust, his entire body collapsing as he followed him over the edge. His vision went completely white, and every muscle in his body convulsed, pulling Henrik’s body closer to his as he emptied inside him. Throbbing. Pulsing. Shuddering as his body took control, his mind overwhelmed by the incoherence of pleasure.

He was still in a haze of ecstasy as they came down, almost drooling onto Henrik as he tried to find something to hold on to. But his instincts took over, and he reached for his tank, cleaning both him and Henrik off with it, and reaching for Henrik’s water bottle to make sure he had something to drink.

If Henrik was surprised by the acts of care, he didn’t show it, laying contentedly back on his sleeping bag, and smiling subtly.

Lucas lay down next to him closing his eyes, and Henrik rolled over closer to him. Lucas felt a soft tickle on his arm, and smiled, as Henrik traced his finger over his motorbike tattoo.

Finally feeling like he could let go.

“I’d decided to go biking in the Alps after the show. To clear my head and get away for a while. One day, I’m riding down this beautiful big mountain road, when all of a sudden this guy walks out of a bush in front of me.”

“It was me!” Henrik laughed.

Lucas smiled. “Babe, dramatic tension! I was getting to that. But yeah, it was Henrik.”

Josie and Bobby smiled knowingly at each other, as Henrik continued the story.

“I’d decided to go climbing in the Alps. After bumping into each other, we decided to do a roadtrip.”

“That’s so sweet!” Josie smiled.

Lucas grinned at her. “It was pretty great, yeah. We… we had an amazing time.”

He reached over, and took Henrik’s hand, prompting a blush from him, and an excited smile from almost everyone else in the room.

Josie beamed at both of them. “You guys have been head over heels for each other since the minute you met. I knew you’d figure it out eventually.”

Henrik smiled back at her, before turning his eyes to Lucas. He lifted his free hand, stroking his fingers through the shorter hair on the side of Lucas’s head.

“I knew he would, too.”

#litg gift exchange #litg lucas #litg henrik #litg s2 #litg #litg ff #s2litgexchange

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queen-of-boops · 2 years

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Psst @lasswithumor I made you something! Thanks @justtuesdays and @sunshinejihyun for organizing this!

Read here on Ao3.

Summary: Carl's got it bad for Naleah and everyone knows it. There's not a chance she feels the same... is there?

Tag list: @kunepie and @future-mrs-suresh

#litg fanfic #litg ff #litg fanfiction #litg #litg s2 #litg carl #love island the game season 2 #love island the game s2 #love island the game #s2litgexchange

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narcissasdaffodil · 2 years

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This is for @queen-of-boops for the LITG gift exchange. I hope you like it! Thanks @justtuesdays and @sunshinejihyun for organising this!

Summary: Olivia is doubtful that soulmates even exist. Her common soulmate words mean the chance of her finding her one true person are rare. But what if she finds the one despite the odds?

#litg gift exchange #s2litgexchange #litg #litg lucas #lucas x mc #love island the game #soulmates after all #soulmates au #coffee shop au #soulmate coffee

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whatisreggieshortfor · 2 years

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Renewed Fancy

For @sunshinejihyun, MC left unnamed as requested

Gary x MC, former Bobby x MC

She shouldn’t be surprised by the number of people they met that were shocked at the fact that she and Bobby stayed friends after they fell out of love.

At the fact that they kept their place together in Rochester and took up separate bedrooms now.

At the fact they were able to coparent their son, who was starting first grade in a week, without questioning each other’s decisions.

It wasn’t that they didn’t love each other. They loved each other a lot, actually.

They had just fallen out of love.

It was two very different things, and a point she often made known.

Bobby had even gotten a new girlfriend just before their son turned one, and Tuesday had become her second best friend in the world. Only after Bobby himself.

And their son seemed to understand. They had decided to separate the relationship before he was born, before they even knew about him, so by the time he turned six he understood why his mum and dad weren’t together anymore.

But it had been nearly ten years now since the Villa, and they’d had no contact for the most part with more than half of their fellow former Islanders. Social media became a lost option, after a deletion years ago, for keeping up with their lives when the media and the public kept scouting and scouring their pages for any sign to tear them down. Texts came every now and then, but hang outs hadn’t happened in a few years- not since before Nero. She had lost a good bit of her friends from before the show after it ended, they claimed it changed her. But at least she still had a friend in Bobby. It was easy to figure what the others had been up to in their own heads. They knew Lottie was off in America working her make up artist dreams. They knew from the internet that Chelsea, Lucas, Henrik, and Rahim had kept up their old jobs but with more notoriety now. They’ve seen Priya’s name on a clothing brand. Bobby had seen Noah at work in his library, and just a quick search of Hope’s company showed her as the thriving VP. Gary was their biggest question mark. His Nan must not have come around to the idea of a talk show, but they wondered if he was still working with cranes every day.

She ended up getting her answer in a way she didn’t expect.

Driving out to her parents to pick up Nero from his weekend with them, her car died. She called Bobby, let him know that she wouldn’t make it and he was immediately ready to run to meet her after picking him up, but she assured him that she called a tow truck already and just needed to wait.

It was only a few minutes before the truck pulled up, and as the driver climbed out, she recognized a still very familiar head of blonde hair.

“Gary? That you?”

His head snapped up from where it was going over his clipboard of the job, and a brief look a surprise flickered across his face before it was overtaken with a beaming grin, “Mate! I thought I recognized the name, but bloody hell I didn’t think it’d actually be you.”

She giggled, unable to keep her own smile from stretching wider as she raced up to give him a hug, “Bloody hell, thank god it’s you. I get so anxious dealing with strangers in these situations.”

“I’ll take a look, see if it’s not something I can fix now and get ya back on the road, but I need you to keep me company and catch me up on your life. Fair?”

“Fair! But you gotta catch me up on yours, too. We thought you’d still be up in cranes!”

He shook his head with a smile, “You got a deal, mate.”

“Great! Well, as for my life let’s see…” She tapped a finger to her chin and he chuckled at it as he got under the hood and started checking for any issues, “Well, I finished my degree since I last saw you. Got a PhD, actually, which wasn’t even the original plan. Got a job offer with the British Space Programme, but I took a remote job working for NASA now.”

He let out a low whistle as he checked the fluid levels, “Damn, mate. That’s impressive. What about Bobs?”

She beamed, “Bobby’s Boops has been up and running for a few years now. I help out there when I can, he actually had to hire on extra bakers to keep up with demand.”

“You tellin’ me ya learned to bake?”

She gasped, smacking his arm as he chuckled to himself, “Excuse you, I make better pies than he does. But no. I actually help with the business side of things.”

“Good to hear you two are still making things work.”

Her brow furrowed before realization hit, “Oh! Oh, no. We broke up years ago. But we stayed best mates. He’s been seeing someone else for a couple years now.” He looked concerned but she waved him off, “Don’t you worry, Gaz. I actually adore her. And it’s not like exes can’t be friends. You and Lottie got along fine at Chelsea’s Murder Mystery party.” He nodded at that, conceding her point.

They kept talking as he fixed the minor issue, he told her about going back to trade school and getting his certification as a mechanic and how proud it made his nan.

Before she knew it, Gary had her on her way in no time. But she desperately wanted to keep in contact again. So she got his new number- he had to change it after productions kept calling him at work. And a day didn’t go by that one of them wasn’t reaching out to the other.

Gary was finally free for a day to make the short trip to hang out, and she was still busy getting ready when the knock came. Tuesday volunteered to get it for her, and she agreed without a second thought. She’d been living with them for close to four years now, it wasn’t something that often occurred to her.

“Oh, hey, are ya Bob’s sister or something?”

“What? Oh, no, I’m-“

“Gary!” She called, finally entering the living room, “This is Tuesday. Bobby’s fiancé.”

“Not yet!” The other girl squawked.

“Mummy! The monsters got daddy!” The interruption called, little feet padded quickly down the hall, and she spun with ease, scooping up the child.

“The monsters? Oh, no, poor daddy. Is it the one under the bed, or the one in the closet?”

“His closet!”

“The ones in his closet? Oh, no!” She glanced at Gary, who looked stunned. “Gary, you mind helping me take down this monster and then we’ll answer whatever questions are brewing in that big brain of yours.” Tuesday took hold of Nero, gesturing them down the hall as she carried him behind them.

They found Bobby ‘dead’, laying on the floor of his closet, half tucked under the clean clothes Tuesday had been telling him all day to fold and put away. She just shook her head, motioning for everyone to be quiet and she took a broom handle and passed it to Gary with a wink, “For our brave knight.”

He raised an eyebrow but then her son spoke up, “You gotta defeat the monsters, knight!”

Gary laughed at the child’s desperate enthusiasm, before ‘charging’ into the closet and attacking the monsters. Bobby sprung to his feet after, bowing deeply, “Sir Gareth, thank you for your pertinent assistance.” Following it up with a cheeky smile, “Good to see ya, mate.”

“Good to see you, too, Bobs.”

Bobby took hold of their son, claiming it was lunch time, and she took Gary back to the living room. She hadn’t planned much for the day, just a few drinks together while they hung out, but as she stood up to get them he stopped her, “I didn’t realize you and Bobby had a kid.”

“Oh.” She blinked, “Well, we didn’t even realize I was pregnant when we broke up. Around four months in I noticed, and we agreed not to be one of those couples that only stayed together for the child. We have this place together, bedrooms on opposite ends, his in the middle. And he absolutely loves Tuesday. She’s been there since he was one, so she’s just…ya know, his second mum.”

“That’s…incredible, honestly, mate.” Gary gave her a soft smile, and she was almost startled at the things it did to her heart. She knew when she saw him again that the feelings that had been long forgotten were brewing back to the surface, only encouraged by every text they had exchanged in between. Then his grin turned cheeky, “Did I see an Alabama jersey on him?”

She flushed, “Guilty pleasure, okay? I have cousins in the states that bleed Crimson Tide, so I always stream the games. He loves watching with me, so for Christmas last year Tuesday got us matching jerseys for his favorite player.”

He laughed, “That’s actually really sweet.”

It became a weekly hang out at some point. Gary was actually an Alabama fan, too, back from his own sports days when he took an interest in American football, so he took to hanging out with the two of them on Sundays to watch the game. She surprised him with how loud and into the game she would get, but then he watched her mini me imitate it and he found himself getting just as intense. Bobby had taken more pictures than Gary would admit he saved to his phone of the scenes, the three of them wearing jerseys with the same number- he’d never tell anyone that he made one his home screen on his phone.

It only took two months before Bobby cornered him in the kitchen during halftime though, “You fancy her again, dontcha mate?”

Gary choked on his tongue, “Fancy- I never said-“

Bobby snorted, “You don’t have to say anything. I can tell. Just like I know she fancies you, too.”

Gary shook his head, “Doesn’t matter much. She’s got enough on her plate. She’s got you, your lass, him, work, your shop. I don’t need to add to it.”

Bobby’s brow furrowed, but Gary bustled passed him before he could respond. So instead he planned. Planned for a day that didn’t take place for nearly another year.

“Gary!” He almost had to pull the phone away from the loud voice as soon as he answered, setting his tools back into his truck after getting a customer’s car to the shop.

“Bobs, what’s up, mate?”

“Dinner, this weekend. Huge news. Think you can make it?”

Gary glanced at his calendar, not that he needed to. He hadn’t made plans with anyone else but his nan since he’d reunited with them. “Should be able to.”

“Perfect. I’ll pick you up at five on Saturday. Pack a bag, please.”

Gary raised an eyebrow to himself, but didn’t protest as the call ended. It wouldn’t be the first time he crashed on their couch lately.

Bobby picked him up that weekend, practically bouncing in his seat, and wouldn’t give Gary any details about what was happening, but he did thrust a bag of clothes at him and told him to change into them.

Gary was confused, but accepted, changing into the dress trousers and button up he’d been handed- much different from his usual style and he wondered how Bobby knew his size before figuring he probably gave nan a call. He’d been talking to her a lot since they started hanging out again.

He was surprised again when Bobby pulled up to a fancy restaurant, telling him to give the hostess his name and saying he needed to park the car.

Again Gary didn’t argue. Offering Bobby’s name to the hostess and following her back to a table with one person sitting at it.

Her.

At a table for two.

Oh, he was gonna kill Bobby.

Just as he depending leaving, his phone pinged with a message from Bobby, telling him that he left him there. And before he could reply, she looked up at spotted him, an embarrassed smile taking over her face.

He approached slowly, much slower than he needed to as he took deep breaths, trying to get over how stunning she looked in her dress. “Hey,” she offered shyly, “I guess you’re the blind date Bobby has been talking up for days now. Everything he said fits.”

He snorted, and several of the other patrons shot short glares in his direction, but she flipped them off. “At least you were told it was date.” He offered as he sat down, but he immediately wished he could take it back when he saw the disappointment and insecurity flash across her face before she gave him a careful smile.

“You don’t have to stay.” She shrugged, “I was gonna bail out anyway if it had been someone else. Claim I wasn’t feeling well or something.”

“Not now?” He really didn’t want to be hopeful. But when she was looking at him with those shining eyes that reminded him of all the times he almost chose her in the Villa, only to end up being too late in the line up… “For the record, I’m not against it being a date.” He clarified, “So long as it’s you.”

“Oh yeah?” She grinned cheekily, the mirth in her eyes making them shine brighter, “So you’ve thought about taking me on a date, have you?”

“Only every day since I met ya.” She was clearly shocked at the statement, or maybe the seriousness in which he said it, he just shrugged, “I told ya back then. I fancy ya. A lot. But you had Bobby. So I didn’t push. And it’s not like I didn’t like Lottie. I did.”

“Just wasn’t the same.” She added, her cheeks slightly flushed, “I thought about picking you a time or two. But I was never sure how you felt. And Bobby was always there, never made me feel like I was a back burner. And after Rocco…” they both winced at the mention of what he’d put her through, “I just didn’t want to risk it being a one way thing between us, I guess. And I did fancy Bobby that way. The years I had with him- I don’t regret them. I just mean-“

“I get it.” Gary interjected, gently placing his hand on hers, “You can care for two people the same way, at the same time.” She nodded.

“I’ve never understood that saying, ‘if they fall in love with two people, tell them to choose the second. Because-‘“

“‘Because if they loved you, they wouldn’t have fallen for them.’” He finished, “Never made sense to me either. Just because I had feelings for more than one person, doesn’t mean my feelings for either were worth any less or meant any less.”

“Exactly.” She smiled, hopeful, “What about your feelings now?”

Gary hummed playfully, wrapping his larger fingers around her slender ones, “Now, I would really like to probably wine and dine you. No pressure, just figure out where we are after all these years. Show ya I still fancy you.”

“That sounds really nice.” She agreed.

Dinner sped by, and when she drove them to the flat that evening, he gave her a sweet kiss. Nothing spicy, or sexy, but it was still intense. All the feelings he’d been holding back since they reconnected.

She didn’t let him sleep on the couch either. While they agreed to take things slow, no big bits happening until they were sure, he had to admit it was nice to fall asleep pulling her into a cuddle.

And when they were together for six months, Nero ran up to him as soon as he walked through the front door, “Papa!” Gary couldn’t even react before the little boy, now eight, was throwing himself at him for a hug. All he could do was catch him. He caught her eye too, wide and obviously terrified for his reaction, but Gary just smirked.

“Hey, how’s my favorite little man? You been good for mummy and daddy?”

Nero nodded, “And mum, too! I promise!”

“You promise, huh? Bloody hell, you must’ve been good, then.” He hoisted the boy up with him as he stood up straight, pulling her into his side and pressing a kiss to her head.

“Mummy, when does Papa get to live with us like Mum does?”

Gary watched her eyes bulge, but he just laughed, teasing, “Yeah, mummy. What about Papa?”

To his surprise, she smirked at him, “Whenever he thinks he’s ready.”

God, he was ready. He wanted forever with her. She wasn’t the one that got away anymore. She was his. And the ring in his pocket meant one thing. He was hoping she stayed that way.

Masterlist

@justtuesdays

#litg #litg season 2 #litg gary x mc #litg gary #post villa #reunion #friends to lovers #s2litgexchange

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justtuesdays · 2 years

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one-shot: noah

One-Shot | Link to AO3

aka First Day of Autumn

When it was time to descend to earth for the first day of Autumn, Aster looked forward to sharing her perennials and seeing the only human she cared for, Noah.

— for @bypine (for the litg gift exchange!)

#s2litgexchange #litg noah #litg #litgs2 #love island the game #greek gods #fluff #i really hope you like it

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whatisreggieshortfor · 2 years

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Overheard

For @lucolestead

Bobby x MC

God, they were roommates.

It was a thought that entered Bobby’s head often, usually because he had to correct people that thought Rose was his girlfriend. Good lord, did he wish. But no. They were only roommates.

There were so many things about Rose that he adored. She didn’t fight, always playing peace maker when someone had a problem. She was funny, always making him laugh about the dumbest things that probably wouldn’t have made sense to other people, like they had a million different inside jokes. She laughed at his jokes just as much. She took care of their flat. He wasn’t messy, refused to be a hard to live with kind of roommate, but she would clean up anything he might have forgotten about or do his baking dishes when he was running late even though she knew he would get to them as soon as he got home. She was always honest. Even when her best mates would wear a dress that was a color that washed out their skin tone, he would see her gently suggest a dress she owned that she thought would suit them better. If they did go for it, she was okay with letting them keep it. If they didn’t, she hyped them up in what they were wearing.

But it was her honesty that led to his undoing on his stance of just roommates.

Bobby had just gotten through the front door, hadn’t even shut it behind him yet, when he heard Priya’s voice echoing with her heels, “Okay, babes, I need to get back to designing this gown, but I love you and I’ll see you tonight.”

“Love you, too, babe. Send me pics when you finish! I know it’ll be gorgeous!”

The heels faltered for a second, “Babes, can I ask you an odd question?” Silence, Bobby set his things down quietly, he didn’t want to disturb them, “Why do you only ever say ‘love you’?”

“What do you mean?” He could hear the shift in Rose’s voice, the tone changing like she knew she’d been caught.

“All of us, when we exchange affections. It’s never ‘I love you’. It’s always ‘love you’. For all of us except-“

“Shh!” He heard the shuffle of heels and light skin smacking, assuming Rose shoved her hand over Priya’s mouth. “He could come home any second.”

Priya giggled, “Just explain it to me, babes. I promise no one’s offended, I’ve just been curious! Honestly, I think I’m the only who’s noticed.”

He could almost picture her shrugging, “You know I adore all of you guys. I’ve just always said that I would only say that to the person I fell for. You know how I feel about Bobby already.”

“So…when are you going to tell him how you feel?”

“Never. He’s made it clear, we’re friends. We’re roommates. I can get my feelings out this way for now, and eventually I’ll be able to move on.”

“Oh honey, we both know that won’t help you move on. You should just tell him.” He heard the heels clicking again, heading his way, so he made a show of shutting the door and letting his keys clack to the counter.

“I’m home, Lass!”

He heard a quickly muttered ‘fuck!’ before the two of them appeared from down the hall, “Hey, Bobs! How’s the bakery doing?”

“Busy as always.” He smiled, letting her ignore the awkwardness of thinking he’d overheard, even though he knew he had. “Hey, Priya.”

“Hey, Bobby,” she grinned, maybe a little widely, “I gotta get going, but you two have a good night!”

She scurried out as Rose tried to stop her, sending her a cheeky wink instead of slowing down. As soon as the door behind her, Bobby blurted out, “I’m not gonna pretend I didn’t hear you.” He watched as her face paled, hurrying to continue, “I didn’t want to say anything in front of her, but I- yeah, I heard all of that. And I’m not- Lass, I always called you my roommate and shut down those comments because I thought you didn’t want that. Not because I didn’t.” He could see the way she was processing, unsure if she should be happy or upset that he’d heard. He could see her mind working through it.

“So…you like me?” Her tone was hopeful, but tentative, like she was afraid he’d say it was a prank. God, he wished she could see how perfect she was.

“Little more than like you, Lass.” Bobby offered, “I’m not sure when I fell, but it’s been a bloody long time. Just didn’t want to be one of those daft mingers that made you uncomfortable living with me if you didn’t feel the same way.”

When her smile finally blossomed, Bobby could feel his heart thumping against his ribs. “We gonna do this then, Bobble? Proper date?”

He laughed, “Lass, I’ll do the proper wine and dine if that’s what you want. I’ll do anything for you.”

Her face scrunched, “That’s neither of our style. How about the arcade and a couple’s baking class?”

He took the few steps to be in front of her, hands reaching out carefully for her waist, “See how perfect you are? That sounds mint, Rose. Let’s do it. Tomorrow. Tonight is our weekly movie night, and I am not about to miss out on making up on lost cuddle time.” She giggled happily as he tugged her over to the couch, telling her to settle in while he changed out of his work clothes. But she refused to let go of him, stating that she’d missed far too much of her Bobby time already, even though he argued he was sweaty from being in the kitchen all day.

She won in the end.

Masterlist

@justtuesdays @sunshinejihyun

#litg #litg season 2 #litg bobby x mc #litg bobby #roommates #roommates to lovers #s2litgexchange

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whatisreggieshortfor · 2 years

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The Doctor

For @mercedesdecorazon

Lucas x MC

Enemies to lovers? I tried, homie.

Rosalia Edwards had not been having a good day. She was scheduled to interview a new candidate for the open slot in her roster and not only had she woken up late, but her coffee maker broke. Then her car wouldn’t start and she missed the trolley which led to her running through the streets of Oxford. She had to wait at every light for the the signal to go, and as soon as she could finally see her office coming into view, she was startled to fall back from her step forward by a motorbike running over her foot. “Oh bloody-“

“I’m sorry!” The driver shouted, pulling off his helmet as he hurriedly pulled over beside her.

But Rosalia was already done with the day, so she ignored the apology, “You bloody daft- don’t you look where you’re going?”

“Can I take you to the hospital or something? Please, what can I do?”

“Nothing!” She winced, limping around him, “I’m already late!”

Rosalia hurried into her office, calling in one of the medical staff to check over her foot, and she was relieved to see she’d made it in with ten minutes before the interview. Once she was wrapped up and advised to ice it later, she sagged into her desk chair out of relief it wasn’t broken. Still, she was annoyed that she wouldn’t be able to get her caffeine before meeting the candidate for her open position, so she settled with pulling out his file. Lucas Koh. Physiotherapist. His references and education were the best she’d ever seen, especially for the relatively small client base they handled, mostly those with low income that couldn’t afford private insurance. Applicants with his kind of resume weren’t looking for such a low paying position, even the ones fresh out of school expected to make better money. But he had applied with her clinic, probably as a stepping stone to have experience listed for a new job elsewhere but she planned to take what she could get.

What she didn’t plan was seeing an infuriatingly familiar face being guided into her office five minutes before the interview started. Still, she was a professional. “I’m sorry, I’m meeting with a potential employment prospect in a few minutes, so if you needed something, I’ll need to direct you to one of my associates.”

She watched as he sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, “Yes, ma’am, uh, I realize this morning probably led us off on the wrong foot, but I’m here for the interview.” He cringed at the choice of words.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, “You are Lucas Koh?” His lips pressed in a thin line as he gave her a nod.

The man who ran over her foot this morning was the same man that was overqualified for the position he was applying for. The man she desperately needed to hire for her patients. Oh, fuck her life.

Rosalia was not going to let her patients suffer, but she also didn’t want to hire someone that couldn’t pay attention to something as serious as pedestrians while driving.

So while she did hire him, she kept one eye on him at all times while he was with a patient.

Lucas could deal with that. He understood why she would be hesitant. He ignored the sense of insecurity it gave him. He knew how to do his job, and he knew he could do it well, so he just needed to wait until she could see that.

It took three months before she stopped watching over his shoulder. Three months of surveys with patients, double checking his notes in files, but Rosalia was finally accepting that it had been a bad first impression that she was holding over his head. She was actually starting to enjoy his company as the days went on. Instead of studiously sitting in her office at lunch, she would go down to the break room and share a table with him like she had the other employees when they were new. Instead of criticizing every note he made, she started letting him know he was doing good work. Instead of scheduling his appointments for the worst times in a social life, she started scheduling them for reasonable times. Instead of glaring at him, they started sharing smiles.

She hated to admit that when she wasn’t actively trying to hate him, she was realizing how much of a catch he was. Both a catch for her clinic, and he could be a catch in a romantic aspect if she ever got over her pride and chose to acknowledge the feelings budding in her chest. Rosalia saw Lucas’s kindness. His optimism and loyalty and humor. She finally saw him.

And then she got the call she’d been expecting, but was terrified of when it was coming. A larger, high scale clinic in the city was calling about a certain physiotherapist that had applied to their facility.

Rosalia had a choice. She could sabotage the reference. She could tell them he ran late to work. Tell them he got snippy with patients, didn’t know how to fill out files.

Or she could tell them the truth.

So she answered their questions. Told the director of the clinic that he was the most skilled physiotherapist she’d ever worked with, how he won the loyalty and affection of his patients with ease, how he was selfless and helpful to his coworkers.

When she finally hung up, she knew he had the job. That knowledge set a burning feeling in her gut, and with it she stormed out of her office.

Lucas’s head snapped up from his paperwork when his office door slammed shut, “Dr. Edwards?” When he remembered they were alone in the office, his voice turned softer than his professional tone, “Rosalia, are you alright?”

“Were you going to put in your two week notice at least?” She bit out. Rosalia wasn’t even sure why her voice was so vicious, but she could feel the anger burning in her face and knew that if it could it would be turning red in her fury.

His brow furrowed, “Put in my two weeks for what?”

She barked out a humorless laugh, “Orenthal Clinic? Did you already forget you applied?”

“Orenthal…” his forehead pinched in concentration before the recognition lit his eyes, “I did apply there. But what’s brought this up?”

She could’ve scoffed at the confusion in his voice. Why did he think she was bringing it up? But instead she asked her own question. “If they hadn’t called, would you have even told me?” Lucas finally stood up from his desk as the anger burned out for something else Rosalia wasn’t ready to identify.

As he crossed the space between them, posing himself on the edge of his desk only a foot away so the wood no longer stood between them, he crossed his arms, “I did apply there. Months ago. I didn’t want your dislike for me to disrupt your clinic- I could see the stiffness it brought to you when you talked to patients and everyone said you weren’t like that before. I thought it would’ve been easier for you if I left.”

“But the patients love you!” She argued, “You were just going to abandon them?”

“No! Never!” His eyes widened, “I planned on utilizing those odd hours you gave me at the beginning to work around the new clinic schedule so I could still help them.”

“So you were just abandoning me.” The statement caught him off guard, but it seemed to surprise her just as much. Suddenly the feeling she didn’t want to identify had a name. Betrayal.

Immediately, Rosalia was turning to leave. She hadn’t planned to say that, she hadn’t plan to feel that way, and she didn’t want to be there when he shot her down. Lucas had other plans, catching her arm quickly before she could make it to the door, “Whoa, whoa. Please, just talk to me. I was going to change facilities to help you. You didn’t like me.”

“No! I didn’t! You ran me over! But-“ she threw her hands up as much as she could while he still held her elbow.

“But what?”

“But you had to be so you!” She shot out. “You had to be so charming and nice and polite and what the hell was I supposed to do? Just hate you so I looked like a crazy person to everyone else?”

“So…you don’t hate me because other people don’t hate me?”

“I don’t hate you because I like you!” They both froze, for only a second. She took the opportunity to yank her arm away, storming out of his office and to the car park as quickly as she could. She wouldn’t be able to avoid the conversation forever, but she figured she might at least be able to avoid it for now.

She was wrong. She hadn’t even made it to her car before Lucas had shaken himself from his stupor and caught up. “Rosalia! Wait, please!”

“No! Just forget it- forget I said anything! The Orenthal Clinic will be great for you- you’ve talked about the Doctors Without Borders thing before. They’ll help you get there! Don’t worry about this place. It’s survived without you before and it can-“

“Rosalia. Please.” He interrupted, gently catching hold of her hand and tugging her to a stop, “I don’t want to leave this place. I really just…I don’t want to leave you. I understand why you didn’t like me at first. I understand why you were hesitant. But when you started to actually trust me to do my job, when you started to open up with me- it made me realize how special this place really is.” Slowly, like he was afraid she’d run away again if he moved too fast, Lucas intertwined their fingers, “You made this clinic knowing you’d be spending more to keep it running than you made. You brought life into it and made it a safe place for patients that wouldn’t be able to get help otherwise. That’s the kind of work I want to be a part of. That’s the kind of help I want to give. I only applied somewhere else because I didn’t want to be a hindrance to you, I applied there before your opinion of me started to change. But I never to leave here. I never wanted to leave you.”

“So…if you aren’t leaving…what now?”

“Well, tomorrow I’ll be checking with HR about the policies here about inter office dating,” they chuckled together, “but maybe you’ll still let me take you to dinner tonight?”

Rosalia was quiet for a long moment, eyes tracing over every inch of Lucas’s face as if she needed to assess the sincerity, “Yeah. Okay.”

Later, while they were sat at a table eating Chinese and laughing at something that had happened to a coworker, Lucas got the call. Looking Rosalia in the eye with a smile, he turned down their offer, stating that he was at exactly where he wanted to be.

Masterlist

@justtuesdays @sunshinejihyun

#litg #litg season 2 #litg lucas x mc #litg lucas #enemies to lovers #No villa au #s2litgexchange

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