tenderness

"See!" Miami was a very colorful world growing up in, yet she wanted to break away from the scene for the longest time. "Oh, I would love to! I go back and forth about it, but I haven't taken the leap of faith yet, considering my family, friends, and career are there." The show felt like her first step in truly doing so. "Kaan!" she playfully hits him on the arm. "You're supposed to be agreeable about our fashion choices." It was egregious to think your partner couldn't read your mind all the time. His exes truly passed up on someone level-headed, who knew what they wanted, and could communicate confidently.

"Once you take the leap, you'll find that it's not actually that bad." Kaan said, nodding his head before smirking slightly. "Even when I don't agree with them and I'm not as clueless at fashion as some people believe? I have this suspicion that the angrier they get, the more right I actually am, the sooner they realize it." He chuckled lowly. "You don't have to thank me at all, Vale." Kaan said as he stared at her levelly. "I'm glad I'm having this conversation with you. It's refreshing. Like I don't have to think too hard about letting it flow, or feeling like I'm pushing it. It's nice." He added, nodding his head. "I really don't think that's a tough task, if I'm being completely honest with you. I just feel like that's what partners in general are supposed to do and the fact that it sounds like someone has made you feel like it's not okay for you to take up space is... ridiculous." Kaan said, shaking his head but his smile was growing the more he listened to her.

"They do tend to say moms know what's best." He can only laugh, imagining the little he's gleaned from Candy, what their interaction with their mother reveals about her past selection of suitors. "Shit, did I? Let's just say my dating life has been lackluster and hoping I find someone that makes life a little less dull." Cam thought Candy's vibrant spirit very well could be that. "Hey, I'm not one to presume, let alone want to look like a fool in front of a beautiful woman," he concedes. "I'm not afraid of a challenge. I promise you won't send me away running in tears."

"I'm not ready to admit to her yet but usually, that's accurate." Candy said with a laugh of her own. "You want a little fun in your life, Cam?" She asked, smirking slightly. "Because I think you came to the right girl for that." She added before letting out a laugh. "You don't look like a fool but even if you did, I'd think it's kinda cute." Candy murmured as she took a step towards him. "I'll hold you to do that, Cam. I've been told I can be a bit... much but will I blame myself for that? Absolutely not. I need a man who knows what he wants. Who can handle me and what I want. Do you think that could be you?"

"I mean, you're handsome, which makes this far more enticing for me. You give off the aura that you could be a good partner. Why not put you up as an option?" After all, if this did go well, maybe she'd be as lucky as their host, Bella, in marrying the love of her life. "Can I not hypothetically enjoy all the potential kissing and fucking in the interim?" she raised a brow. "Just for curiosity's sake, what would a married world look like with you? Who is King?"

"And you're drop dead gorgeous, so I'm honored." King said with a warm smile. "Well maybe the kissing doesn't have to be potential." He said, letting the words hang in between them for a moment, heavy with the possibility as he took a step towards her. "I live in Canada. Far cry from Miama, that's for sure." King chuckled, as a hand tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I still live in the same town I've lived since I was younger, but I've traveled plenty. I'm close to my family. I used to be in the NHL, and now am a hockey coach. I like to cook in my spare time because I had to learn when preparing my own meals. Married world with me will probably look like nights in after work, dinners together then dancing in the kitchen, low music playing. Friday and Saturday nights can be reserved for going out, maybe with your friends, maybe with mine, maybe just the two of us as a nice date night. Sunday will be family day, a tradition my mom has instilled since before I was even born. Lots of sex where we can take our time. Lots of kissing." King murmured as he looked down at her, his thumb playing over her lips lightly. "Does that sound like something you'd like?"

"Well, if you need a refill at any point or water, I'd be happy to grab you one." He wasn't naive to the world he just entered. His sisters schooled him on all things reality TV dating, and the biggest takeaway was to pace himself in all respects. "Yeah, I get that. Sorta like a weird first day of school and everyone is the new kid?" Plus, with every second of your life being clipped and broadcast to the greater world as a cherry on top. Giving her a gentle squeeze of the arm, he hoped she knew she wasn't alone. "Hey, I'm here if you need someone to sort this whole thing out with," he smiles. "I'm good so far, although haven't fully registered what we've all willingly agreed to. Feel like I'll end up learning a lot about myself in the process, which is a bonus."

"You're a sweetheart." Ava said, showing him a grateful smile. "I just might take you up on that soon. I'm not really much of a drinker too, at least not usually in public. I know, I know, that makes me sound like such a prude." She sheepishly said. "That's exactly it! It's just a new environment right now, so I'm sure once we all get to know each other more, feel more comfortable and familiar, things will feel a lot better, but I do feel like one on one conversations are a lot better." Ava said, nudging him playfully with her hip, his touch already feeling like a source of comfort. "As am I, for you." She smiled. "You like learning about yourself?" Ava asked as she turned towards him. "Tell me, what made you get on the show?"

"Losers from the cesspool that is Miami," she chuckles. It is slightly embarrassing, but they were fun and easy. It wasn't practical in the long run, but it served its purpose with the ever-so-slight tangible feeling that there could be more. It never was. "Ouch," she grimaced as he relayed his pain points. "Calling them out on their BS?" Cheaters were honestly the worst. Just break up and leave the others' emotions from being obliterated wasn't a big ask. "No, no…I hate small talk. I'm just not used to a man being direct beyond wanting to fuck me," she states blatantly. "So, beyond non-cheaters, what do you want?"

"Miami." Kaan repeated, almost with a wince. "Great party place, but I can only imagine what the dating pool is like there." He added, shaking his head. "You ever think about moving away from there?" Kaan asked curiously. "Yeah. Which is crazy because they knew who they were getting into a relationship with. It doesn't even have to be big things, but for example, if you're going to ask me what goes better with your outfit, you can't get mad at me if I don't choose the magical choice you think I was going to choose in your head." He shrugged. "But that's the small things. The worst part is the cheating and the trying to excuse it and then making me feel like I'm crazy for not wanting anything to do with them. I hate liars, so you can imagine how all that played out." Kaan smirked. "Don't get me wrong, I'm sure fucking you would be great too, but isn't this conversation a lot better? You get to know me, I get to know you. No bullshit." He said with a nod. "Loyalty, respect, communication... and maybe a little crazy. I like it when a girl's clingy, within reason, of course. I know it sounds stupid but feeling needed? Kind of feels good most of the time." Kaan said, chuckling lowly. "What about you?"

"She's been waiting for you to find the right one, huh?" It was probably what any mother would want for their child. He knew the sentiment was the same on his end, with the never-ending questions of presenting kids to his parents, too. "I couldn't agree more with you, Candy. Hell, if we somehow nail all three, I'd think I'd be the happiest I've been in a long time," he chuckles as he brings his beer bottle to his lips. "So, what's this ideal boyfriend of yours look like? I can try my best to keep an eye out for them."

"Oh, absolutely. She thinks my worst trait is my taste in partners. I'm trying to prove her wrong." Candy said with a giggle. "You make it sound like you've been miserable for a really long time, Cam." She teasingly pointed out, raising an eyebrow at him. "What makes you think he's not standing in front of me already? I do love someone tall, dark and handsome. I don't know just yet if you can handle me, though."

"Well, I'm honored. We'd have a spectacular time," she says, resting a hand on her heart. "I would fuck Wyatt…he seems like he would be fun to break. Kiss Cade and Bella. And if you're lucky enough to marry me, you'd get the pleasure of doing the other two as much as you would like with me. Not a bad deal King."

King couldn't help but laugh. Maybe because he wasn't really expecting her words but he found her refreshing. "Not a bad deal at all." He smirked. "You already thinking about marrying me, Val? Or just enjoying the thought of all the potential kissing and fucking?"

WHO: Anyone! WHERE: Anywhere in the villa!

"A boyfriend would be ideal. That's what my mom would want, at least," Candy laughed. "But really, for now, I'm here to ride that wave. See where it takes me, you know? I've always believed that if you put too much pressure on something or someone, then it'll ruin it, so I'm having fun for now, getting to know everybody. The end goal is for all of us to find love, to win this money, and to have the best summer of our lives. You?"

WHO: Anyone! WHERE: The Pool Deck

"Ooh, I like this game." King grinned. "Fuck... you. Marry, nobody just yet because- Well, you get why. Kiss... you. Or the host but she's married so I can't. What about you?"

"Really?" she scoffs, not even wanting to open that can of worms, let alone on night one. "More invested than I should be from the start? Piss poor decision making at who I think can handle me..so I end up looking like the unhinged one. You?"

"Sounds like you just haven't found someone who can handle you. What kind of losers have you been dating?" Kaan asked, eyeing her for a moment before letting out a small laugh. "I somehow attract cheaters who won't let me go because they like my wallet more than they like me. I've been called heartless, but I think that's just because they don't like what I have to say, despite it being true." He shrugged. "And yes, really. I know it's night one, but would you rather want the small talk first? Are you a fan of small talk in general? Because I definitely am not."

"I'm sure it's to help with the nerves, amongst other things." Free-flowing alcohol could only lead to chaos over time. Time would only tell when the dam began to crack. "Sure," he nods, following them in suit. "One, you look beautiful tonight. Two, how are you feeling right now?"

"Happy to report it's working." Ava said with a small smile that just grew the more she listened to him. "And you look really handsome tonight. I'm... I'm okay. It's just a lot, and I'm not really used to it." She admitted. "The concept itself I definitely like and I know I'm feeling the excitement, but the cameras? All the questions these producers ask, all while I'm still trying to find my footing, everyone being completely new? It's all just a little intimidating. What about you, how are you holding up?"

solely based on first looks, who would you say is your type?

"zoran, wyatt and nolan, but don't quote me on that because i don't know their vibes just yet. they are pretty, though."

solely based on first looks, who would you say is your type?

"i think cameron's really cute. cade is too. also does this mean if i find one twin cute, that means i automatically find the other one cute as well?"

"you're asking the wrong person. i make entire playlists before i decide whether i like someone. but no, you're right. i'd rather know the real stuff." she appreciated the directness. most people spent the first night collecting surface-level facts like they were filling out a questionnaire. kaan, for better or worse, seemed determined to skip that entirely. she nodded at this question. "yeah, i think so. i don't need perfect. i think i'm finally old enough to know perfect doesn't exist. but i'd like someone who is who they say they are, someone whose actions catch up to their words." as he spoke about his ex, her expression softened slightly. "you know, i don't actually think being blunt is the same thing as being heartless. some people use honesty as an excuse to be cruel. that's different. you don't strike me as someone without a heart." the cheating part made her wince. that was harder to shrug off. "yes, once. he spent months making me feel crazy for questioning things. turns out I wasn't crazy." looking back up at him, she raised an eyebrow. "we skipped favorite colors and got straight to the trauma. i think we're doing this show correctly."

"making entire playlists before deciding whether you like someone? how does that logic play out? like, make it make sense to me because i don't really get that. probably because i don't think i've ever made a playlist for someone in my life." kaan admitted, more curious than anything. "and that's a tough lesson to learn. i know i had to learn that the hard way too, but i agree. i'd even go so far as to say that's the bare minimum because if your actions don't match your words, then you're really just a liar. or a politician in the making. both are pretty much the same thing." he shrugged. "you're sweet." kaan said, smiling a little. probably the first organic smile he'd made in the house. "no, i think anyone who makes you feel crazy in that sense should immediately be written off, but i think that's also because i have zero tolerance for liars." kaan admitted. "let me guess, you started feeling some type of way and instead of just being upfront about things or giving you reassurance, he made you feel like you were crazy to even ask to begin with?" he asked, raising his eyebrow at her. "yeah, i think this is better. i'd rather skip over the bullshit and just get straight to it, you know? i want to see what you're about, and why you're here. try to see if this could be something, and i honestly also want to win this whole damn thing. i know it's early, but i'd rather know." kaan said before gesturing to her hand. "you want another drink before we start talking about family trauma this time or you want a breather?" he jokingly asked.

solely based on first looks, who would you say is your type?

"sutton and serafina." kaan immediately said. "they look like they know exactly what they want and how they carried themselves seems effortless and i definitely like that but i also think valentina and mila are cute."

solely based on first looks, who would you say is your type?

"everyone here is gorgeous." king said. "immediately, though? my eyes went straight to tala, libby and genevieve."