Alex couldn’t help the smile that crept onto his face as she spoke about travelling. He loved the way she projected so much passion about everything she did “It would be about time for us to do it right? I remember joking around about it when we were younger” he chuckled “but you actually did it..” he nodded, looking over at her. “I’d like that… to run” he nodded at the thought. It was no secret Alex had been cursed with a pretty shitty childhood, he would’ve done anything to get away. Now he was old enough and independent enough to actually do it - there is no-one he would rather do it with. Shaking the thought aside for a moment, smiling at her “Look at you Miss Reality TV Star/Travelling Gypsy” he chuckled “I’m glad you’re here..” he nodded “I really did miss you, Ariel” he admitted, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. His eyebrows knitted together as she spoke about the expectations of the show “Do you really think they’d ask that of you?” he asked curiously. In all honesty - he didn’t even watch reality tv so he wasn’t quite sure what to expect. 

“let’s make a pact then? we’re going to save all the money we earn while on this show and we’re going to pack our bags and flee in the dead of the night. we’ll spin the globe, close our eyes and let fate pick our destination” she said to him, the smile on her lips never faulting. “now that i know i have you here, i’m glad that i am here too” she could feel her heart melting at those simple words he spoke, she’d be lying if she denied the fact that the thought of pressing her lips to his didn’t cross her mind. but yet again, as always she held back. “i really missed you too, alex. more than you can imagine.” the truth flowed from her lips as she glanced away from him. “it’s reality tv. i’ve heard a lot of it is fake for the cameras. producers setting you up in situations that you wouldn’t normally find yourself in.. editing content to make it sound like you said things you didn’t or did things you didn’t..”

“You of all people would know, i honestly think theres more places now in the world that you have been as opposed to not.” he admitted “You say you bounce back quickly but is that always true Ariel?” he joked. He smiled down at her, giving her a playful nudge with his elbow. At the mention of his invitation to reckless, he couldn’t help but smile and nod slightly “I know - i’m with you” he admitted “Especially considering we’re supposed to be entertaining..” he pointed out “However i heard the words free holiday and decided it was about time i took one..” he admitted “How about you - what bought you here? i honestly didn’t even realise you were back just yet..” 

“one of the greeks at the hostel i stayed at called me a travelling gypsy. i sang and danced my way around for a few free drinks, but there is still so much i haven’t seen. the world is wide and incredibly magical, you need to run away with me next time alex. drop everything and just run” she said smiling softly at him. she rolled her eyes as he doubted how entertaining he was, she wasn’t sure what it was the producers had planned for him but she has never had a boring moment with the dork in front of her. “well, i appeared in a few episodes years ago since my brother ben was a massive fan favourite and like they documented him finding me and reconnected with me briefly. they contacted me on instagram after they realised i had connected with cassidy in london a few months ago and travelled europe with her so they asked me to join her and the rest of the cast this time round i guess? honestly i hope they don’t expect me to do anything too drastic as that just ain’t me”

Alex couldn’t help the smile that lingered on his lips - he had, in black and white honesty, longed for the moment he got to see her again. He hadn’t expected it to be now - here. But it all made sense - the producers knew what they were doing, throwing him into a house with her, her brother - his best friend, and his tour buddy. It made sense to him why he was becoming entertainment value - viewers had to pity someone why not the guy hopelessly infatuated with his best friend. Grade A television. “I mean you said it was messy not me..” he joked, nudging her shoulder softly “Hibernating?” he chuckled “Makes sense i guess” he nodded, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly “And now we’re here to make boring television..” 

"jetlag definitely isn’t the kindest thing in the world that’s for sure, it’s a good thing i bounce back quickly though” she looked at him, admiring his quirky smirk that seemed plastered on his face. god, how she missed him during her absence. “gotta be honest though, you’re the last person i expected to be here of all places.” 

“You should have known I’d be back in this place one day.” Benji laughed as he closed the space between him and his sister and wrapped his arms around her. “He is. He’s up in his room right now, so when you’re ready….we can go surprise him.” he released her from his arms and stepped back to look at her again. “Alright, come on— I know this mansion like the back of my hand. Tours cost $50 though so….pay up.” he teased.

“maybe just add visiting noah on to the tour program” she said with a smile. she rolled her eyes at his comment. “$50?? how about i give you a stick of gum and a hi-five instead?” she responded letting out a small laugh. “come on, lead the way mister” she said, looping her arm around her brothers. 

Alex didn’t hesitate, wrapping his arms around her in a hug, a smile creeping onto his lips as he exhaled a breath he hadn’t realised he’d held in. “oh please you didn’t miss me and thanks for the brutal, hurtful, honesty” he chuckled as he gave her a gentle squeeze - letting the hug linger a little longer before he pulled back to look at her “I missed you too..” he nodded. “Definitely weird having one less nagging voice around..” he joked. “You look great..” he played off subtly When did you get in?” 

she looked back at up at him as she pulled away from the hug, alex was her best friend and ow she wished he could have traveled europe with her. he would have loved it, and she would have loved having him along side her as she drank, danced and sang her way across the continent. “it’s called having a tan and untameable beach hair, but thank you” she said her fingered brushing through her messy blonde locks. “i got in the other night, and been hibernating ever since”

“Oh come on now, it’s not that bad.” Benji smiled as soon as he saw his sister. He’d only found out he had a sister during the show, over five years ago, but since then….the two had gotten closer. Benji had always wanted a sister when he was younger, and now he had one. She was so similiar to him, personality wise so it was easy for them to get along. “Noah’s going to be excited to see you again. It’s been awhile since he’s seen you…”

“benji, i wondered if i was going to see your face around here” she smiled as she rushed over wrapping her brother in to a hug. “noah is here too?? i can’t wait to see him, i have a few things i’ve collected from my adventures for the kid too!” she said as she stepped away from him. “come on now, give your baby sister the grand tour!”

Alex had been wondering why he’d been asked onto the show. Ever since he’d gotten the call - he’d kept mulling it over. Why did anyone in their right mind think that he would produce worthwhile content? Yet here he was - in the reckless mansion where some of his friends had launched their careers. Then he heard it - the familiar voice. It all began to dawn on him. Thats why he was here - Surely - it was because of her. As if the producers had known. Of course she was here. God he had missed her. Alex stuck his head around the corner, eyes landing on her as she sat behind the piano. He couldn’t help the warm smile that crept onto his face as he made his way into the room. “You’re telling me” he nodded “We can battle over who’s more irrelevant but.. we both know i’d win, Ariel” 

she had only just flew back in to new york city a few days ago, only just adjusting back to the timezone difference when she had gotten to invite to join the reckless mtv family reunion. she wasn’t too sure as to why they are bringing in intruders, she assumed her connection with her brother benji was the reason she was here. her attention quickly changed as she saw one of her favourite faces right in front of her. “alexander morris” she almost sang his name. she quickly rushed over to him and pulled him in to a hug. “gosh, i missed you and you’re irrelevancy” 

Zeke was wandering around the house, trying to ignore the annoyance he felt from yet another article that had been posted when he heard the piano in one of the common rooms being played. Following the sound he smiled gently as he watched the girl lost in her music. He knew that feeling well, it was the reason why he wanted to play for the world. It was both saddening and refreshing at the same time. As she stopped playing he was snapped back into reality. “Oh, no you were fine. Sorry I didn’t mean to startle you.” 

she looked at him, giving him a smile. he looked so familiar, she knew he was a returnee of the show but she felt like she knew him from elsewhere. “no, no it’s okay. i was just-- messing around really” she said looking back at the piano, her fingers tapped down on the keys. “it’s been awhile since I was able to play around on a piano like this. unless you count the ones i danced around in croatia and greece” she smiled softly at the memory. “sorry sugar i am being so rude, i’m ariel. newbie to this place.” 

she mindlessly played with the keys of the grand piano that she had found in one of the common rooms. her eyes were closed as she hummed along with the familiar old tune of black bird by the beatles. she had always had a soft spot for old songs such as. she opened her eyes only to look at her finger placement on the ivory keys in front of her. “oh, shit” she said softly when realising she wasn’t alone anymore. “hey, sorry was i making too much noise..?”