yet another litg side blog

“What’s wrong?” You asked, softly.  He shook his head, kissing your shoulder tenderly.  

“Nothing.” 

“It’s not nothing.” You wriggle so that you’re facing each other, and you run a finger down his side, delighting in the shiver and soft giggle.  “You’re holding back.” 

He sighs, unable to hide a smile, but it fades quickly.  “You know me too well, MC.” He teases.  “It’s about the recoupling, the other night.  Wait!  Don’t get me wrong, I’m beyond thrilled that we’re back together, but it was just...it was really hard.” 

You take his hand in yours, squeezing reassuringly.  “I know how badly you just want to keep everyone happy, Bobby,” you breathe, leaning forward to kiss his cheek.  “And I love that about you, but it’s near impossible here.” 

“I know.” His eyes are dark, and as much as you want to hold him and kiss away his pain, to make him forget, you also know it’ll be better to talk it out.  “I just wish no one had to go, you know?  Like, we’d all just live here for the summer, together, and…” He hesitates, sighing.  “But I had to send two girls home.  I know how Gary felt, now.”

“None of this is your fault, Bobby,” you say, running your thumb along his cheek gently.  “That’s the way it has to go.  I’m here, though, and I’ll be here anytime you need me.” 

“Thank you,” he says weakly, and you lean forward to kiss his forehead gently.  “I think the reason I’m always trying to keep everyone happy is one of my exes.” He furrows his brow, and you squeeze his hand again.  “Maybe you don’t want to hear about this…” he trails off. 

“If it’ll help you to talk about it, I want to hear it.” you whisper, before looking around to see if anyone is awake.  From the sounds of Noah snoring, even if someone’s awake, they won’t hear your conversation.  Bobby seems to be deep in thought, but you’re patient.  

“I was with this girl for a long time, and she was great in the beginning.  But after a while, it seemed I couldn’t do anything without making her mad.  So I just tried everything I could to keep the peace, to make her happy, just in hopes that she’d care again.” He’s quiet for a long moment, and instinctively you draw him to you.  “It wasn’t the first time that’s happened to me, and it happened a lot, not just with girlfriends.” He shudders, and you just trail your fingers down his back in a soothing gesture.  

“I guess I thought that if I could keep everyone happy, things would be okay for me.  I wouldn’t get shouted at anymore.  I wouldn’t…” he buries his face in your hair, and you hold him a little tighter.  

“None of that is your fault, Bobby, none.  And I’m not the type to constantly shout someone down.” You bring his face up to yours, nuzzling your cheek against his.  “I don’t ever want to hurt you,” you breathe, and he relaxes in your arms.  “You’re amazing, and I--well, I care deeply about you.” 

He’s quiet again, but he’s gently making circles in your back with his thumbs.  You nearly doze off before he says “I knew you were the one…” you think he’s going to continue his sentence, but maybe he’s drifting off.  He pulls back to look at you, smiling shyly before continuing.  “I knew you were the one I needed by my side.  Honestly, that part of things was too easy.” 

“Oh?” You raise an eyebrow, leaning closer to his face.  

“Hands down.  Even if I’d gone first and had everyone to choose from, it always could only have been you.” His eyes widen.  “You haven’t changed your mind, have you?” 

“Mmmm, Bobby?” 

“Yeah, MC?” 

“You’re in my bed, aren’t you?” You tease him by rolling away and shaking your hips a little at him.  

“Yeah, but sometimes I just wonder.  You’re constantly spoiled for choice yet you always come back to me.” 

You groan softly as you press your body against his, taking his hand in yours to study it.  “There’s one key ingredient there, Bobby.  I’m the one with the choice, and I choose you.” You squirm so that you can bring his lips to yours.  He kisses you, and when he pulls away, you move to kiss his neck.  He tries to stifle his moan, but you grin. 

Bobby had pinched a couple bottles of champagne and hid them on the rooftop terrace.  He’d even managed to sneak a couple glasses up there.  Half of his plan was complete.  

“If you want to know how she really feels about you, get her drunk,” Graham told him earlier.  Bobby felt inclined to believe the sailor, for whatever reason, and even if he had his misgivings about it, he was determined to try.  

“MC!” He exclaimed when he saw her swaying on the lawn to some music that drifted across the villa.  She turned, eyes huge, a grin replacing her shocked look.  

“Hey, Bobby!” She stretched her arms out, and Bobby indulged her in a sultry slow dance.  Sultry for him was just swaying back and forth with her.  

“Do you fancy a chat on the rooftop?  Just you and me?” He asked, and she nodded, letting him take her hand and lead her away.  She was tottering on stilettos, and he made sure to balance her out.  She bit her lip, flushing as she realized she was walking like a newborn deer.  

Once they got to the stairs, she kicked off her shoes and left them in the dressing room.  Finally, they were on the terrace, and Bobby locked the door behind them and popped a bottle.  

“Oooh, fancy!” MC exclaimed, laughing softly.  It was music to Bobby’s ears.  He handed her a glass, and she downed it without thinking.  

“Thirsty, are you?” He teased, and she blushed as she held out her glass. 

  “I know why you’ve got me up here,” she said, winking. 

“Do you?” He raised his eyebrows.  

“You want to get me drunk!” She giggled, and he sighed, shaking his head. 

“Who told you that?  I do not!” He protested, and she shrugged.  It was Marisol, but she wasn’t going to tell him.  

“Don’t remember.  But I’m game, if you’re patient enough.” She downed the second glass, and he chuckled as he filled it up again. 

“With the way you’re throwing these back, I don’t think it’ll be long.” He teased, and she laughed as she threw back yet another glass of champagne.  

“I have a ridiculously high tolerance, Bobby,” she said, and as he pulled at his glass of champagne, she nursed hers, slowing down just a little bit.  She was tipsy already, and she’d miscalculated her tolerance.  

“Do you now?” he raised an eyebrow, and she glowered at him.  She couldn’t keep a straight face for long before she dissolved into giggles, covering her face.  

“You’d better be ready to take care of me in the morning!” MC playfully jabbed him in the chest, and he grinned, blushing. 

‘I’d be happy to take care of you for the rest of your life,’ he found himself thinking.  She waved her empty glass in front of his nose, and he laughed as he filled hers and then took a long drink of his own champagne. 

“Y’know,” she said lazily.  “This?  This is bliss, Bobby.” She slid to the floor, leaning against the wall.  He sat beside her, hugging a mostly empty bottle of champagne to his chest.  MC pointed at it, blushing.  “I wish that were me.” 

“Are you drunk already, MC?” He asked, and she laughed softly, shaking her head as she pushed the bottle aside and replaced it with herself.  He couldn’t resist wrapping his arms around her, breathing in her sweet scent as she rested her head on his chest. 

“Tip-shee.” She mumbled into his chest, and he ran his fingers down her back, and then up and into her hair.  She hummed contentedly before drawing back and grabbing the discarded bottle to finish it off.  He watched her as she put her lips to the mouth of the bottle and threw her head back.  

“You are something else, MC.” 

“You’re going to regret this in the morning, Bobby,” she said teasingly, and he laughed and plopped a pillow on her head.  She batted it away and made a move for the other bottle.  

“It’s a marathon, not a sprint!” Bobby protested, but she just grinned back at him as she popped the bottle open, yelping in surprise at the pop it made.  He couldn’t help laughing at her antics.  “At least save some for me!” He pouted, and she held the bottle up, a hand on her hip. 

“Bet I could drink this whole bottle!” She exclaimed, and he shook his head, prying the bottle from her grip before she could demonstrate. 

“I’m sure you can, MC!  Hand on heart, I’ll never forget what you did to that cake!” 

“That poor cake never saw it coming!” She tries and fails to be serious.  He can’t help but laugh with her, but when it subsides, he brushes a strand of hair out of her eyes, coaxing her chin up so she’ll meet his eyes.  

“But really, I’m not going to let you get that drunk, lass,” he says quietly, and she nods gravely before holding out her glass.  He fills it again, one hand still on her cheek.  The skin just beneath his fingers is flushed red and she’s hot to the touch.  She pulls away to take a drink.  

“You’ve been quieter than usual,” She says, frowning.  “Is everything alright?” 

He brightens, leaning in to pull something from behind her ear.  “Yeah, I just remembered I left something here.”  He pulls a cupcake from thin air, setting it before her.  She throws her free hand to her face, her mouth falling open.  

“For me?”

“A sweet for my sweetie,” He says as she giggles and downs the rest of her champagne.  She licks the frosting off of the cupcake seductively, but she just ends up with frosting all over her face.  He can’t help laughing, and she flushes under his gaze.

MC finishes the cupcake, setting the wrapper down and going to stand and look over the terrace.  She wobbles, and Bobby rushes to catch her by the elbow to keep her from falling.  “I’m good, I’m so good,” she says, but she’s slurring her words. 

“You’re so drunk,” Bobby breathes, and she turns, melting into his arms. 

“Yeah,” she breathes, before pushing back.  “No!  I’m not drunk!” She protests, and Bobby laughs softly, downing his glass of champagne.  MC sways, and he sits her down on a bench.  “Bobby, why’d you get me drunk?” She asks suddenly, and his eyebrows nearly fly off his face.  

“No reason, really, I thought you could use some fun.” He’s scratching his nose. 

“You’re a bad liar, Bobs,” She slurs, and he laughs softly.  

“Alright, you caught me,” He says, taking her hands.  He’s suddenly shy, biting his lip and blushing.  “Hey, MC?” 

“Yeah?” 

“How do you uh...how d’ya feel about me?” He asks, looking slowly at her.  Her eyes are wide in realization and something he doesn’t quite recognize, possibly amusement, and she smiles sweetly.  

“I love you, Bobs!” she exclaims drunkenly, throwing herself into his arms.  He catches her, and she can feel his heart pounding a million miles an hour in his chest.  She lets him hold her for a long moment before pulling back.  “Gonna leave me hangin’, then?” She’s swaying, and he pulls her back to him. 

“Of course I love you, MC,” he says softly, kissing the top of her head.  

“You didn’t have to get me drunk to ask me this.” She returns, pouting.  “I mean, I’m having fun, but now I can’t have more fun with you.” She folds her arms over her chest, but she sways a little before falling over.  He catches her again, holding on tight. 

“I don’t know if I could have mustered the courage otherwise!” He protests, and she laughs softly.  It’s music to his ears. 

“You’re meant to be the one drunk, then, Bobs!” She clings to him.  “Have you any water?” Her slurs are making her sound almost Scottish, and for a moment Bobby feels homesick and like he’s found home all at once.  Or maybe he’s a little drunk, too, and hearing things.  He passes her his water bottle, watching as she drinks greedily.  Her face is covered in water droplets, and under the moonlight, she looks magical.  

He can’t stop himself from leaning in, and she closes the gap, kissing him deeply.  Just as he’s starting to get lost in the kiss, she pours the rest of his water on his head.  He pulls away, laughing.  “Why would you do that?” He snorts, and she shrugs. 

“Thought it’d be funny!” She giggles, before pushing off of him and running to the door.  

“Wait!  Where are you going?” He asks.  

“To bed!” She stops, looking back at him.  “Why?” 

“I uh...I still wanted to talk,” he says, a little sheepishly.  “Maybe give you a chance to sober up before bed.  I know how you hate going to bed drunk.” 

She totters back to him, throwing herself into his arms.  “You are too good to me, Bobby,” she murmurs dreamily into his chest.  

“You deserve the world, gorgeous.” He returns, passing her his water bottle.  “You should drink this, you’ll feel better in the morning.” 

“I don’t know what I’d do without you.”  She sits down on the bench, her back stick straight.  Her expression is gravely serious, and she seems sober, but Bobby knows she isn’t.  At least, she’s got plenty of alcohol in her bloodstream.  “I mean it.” 

“I know, babe.” he sits beside her, rubbing her back. 

“Is it okay if I…” she trails off, wringing her hands nervously.  He waits patiently.  “If I pour my heart out to you?” 

“You don’t even need to ask, of course it is.” He squeezes one of her hands reassuringly.  “It’ll never change how I feel about you.” 

“When I first got here, I didn’t think I’d meet anyone I even fancied a little.  I figured it would be the same type of men I’ve always been around.  I’ve kept my walls up, and stayed guarded as much as I could, but as soon as I saw you, I knew I was in danger.”  She takes a deep breath, meeting his eyes.  He’s quiet, hanging on her every word.  She continues. 

“And with you, at first, I could not for the life of me figure out if you really liked me, or if you were just playing the game.  I won’t lie, sometimes I still wonder, but tonight has become a turning point for me.  I feel like I shouldn’t be scared anymore, and that I’ve found someone who really gets it.  I love you so much, Bobby, and even if you didn’t feel the same, I feel better for having told you.” 

She squeezes his hand, batting back tears with her other hand.  “I honestly can’t believe how lucky I am to be with you, Bobby.  We’ve been through a lot in here, but the fact that we’re still here, despite obstacles keeping us apart sometimes, tells me we have what it takes to make it on the outside.” She sighs, biting her lip.  

“MC, I love you, too.” He throws his arms around her, and she sniffles against his chest.  “And a lot of it was the same for me, too.  But being with you here, now, I know this is where I’m supposed to be, and it’s exactly where I want to be.  I didn’t think I’d ever meet anyone like you, I didn’t even know if I could ever fall for someone again.  But when I think about leaving the villa without you, it makes me fall apart a little.  

“You’re the only girl in here, in the world, for me, MC, and I want to do everything I can to keep you smiling.  Maybe I should be saving this speech for when we’re in front of everyone, but I can’t help it, I’ve never met anyone like you.” He holds her a little tighter when he feels her shoulders shaking.  “Are you...MC...are you crying?” 

“No!” She exclaims, but her voice wavers.  He leans back and tilts her chin up, wiping her tears away with his thumbs. 

“What’s wrong, cutie?” He asks, frowning, and she smiles, shaking her head. 

“Nothing, I’m just overcome with emotion.  I’m happy.” She cups his face and pulls him to her for a kiss.  He runs his fingers through his hair as he deepens the kiss, but he keeps it short.  

“You’re so beautiful,” he breathes, running his thumb along her cheek gently.  She shuts her eyes, and for a moment, she dozes off before jerking awake.  “I reckon we ought to get to bed, MC.” He tells her, and she nods regretfully.  

“I wish this moment could last forever,” she whispers, and he grasps her hand, pulling her to her feet.