#ab x reader

THE LAST THING you thought you were going to see when you first crossed the threshold into the INSIDE house, was a very attractive man behind a glass wall.

Admiring your surroundings, you noticed how it was only slightly different from the last season, as they previously had no one to greet and instruct them. You adjusted your brown flared leggings over your stomach and untwisted the strap of your white tank top.

“Hello.” You smiled, waving at the man and wheeling your suitcase forward.

He nodded at you and then gestured to the conveyor belt, “Luggage on there please.”

You grunted as you heaved your brown and pink polka dot suitcase onto the platform, watching it disappear.

“Do I get my stuff back?” You asked.

“It’s filtered through to make sure you’ve got no contraband.” The guard-guy explained.

“Filtered through? I’ve got underwear in there!” You scoffed, “I always knew the Sidemen were perverts.” You tutted.

“Through the doors please.”

“Bye, sexy guard-guy.” You muttered, opening the door and walking through the halls.

Nerves and excitement rushed through you simultaneously, making you glide your nails along each other as you moved, creating a soft clacking noise. The fact that it was silent had you thinking you were the first one there.

That was until you saw a distressed grey jumper and light grey joggers on a very tall and well-built man, sitting at the table in the communal area.

“For fuck’s sake.” You muttered, freezing in your spot.

His head turned to you, and you could’ve sworn time slowed down.

You hadn’t seen Alfie in about 10 months when you’d gone round to his to pick up the last of your stuff, and when you had, it was an emotional time where he tried to convince you to stay for a little longer and his pleading had you breaking down in tears in the car on the way home.

“Oh, hi.” Alfie said, standing up.

“Hey, Alfie.” You shuffled towards him. “Are we the first ones here?”

“Yeah, unless someone’s hiding.” He joked, and you let out a barely-there chuckle. “C’mere, girl.”

You sighed, accepting his arms around you.

You would be lying if you said you didn’t relax into his hold. Your own arms came around his waist, your cheek to his chest.

“How you been?” He asked, pulling back.

“Okay,” You nodded, dropping your arms back to your sides, “You?”

“Yeah, good. Moved to London, third podcast host … feelin’ good.”

“Yeah, I saw.” You hummed, “What’s the bedding situation?”

“Uhh, c’mon, I’ll show you.”

You followed him through to the bedroom, where there were 12 individual beds.

“Which one have you got?” You asked.

“One in the corner.”

“Right.” You hummed, taking your box of clothes and settling them on the bed furthest from his.

“Fuckin’ell, I’m not that bad, am I?” He snorted.

“Shut up.” You giggled back.

The pair of you made your way back into the main room, sitting on the extremely uncomfortable bench. He was on the bend, you were perched on the main stretch, zoning out at the wall across from you.

This couldn’t be happening.

You could not possibly be spending the next week in a house with your ex-boyfriend.

“So … You excited to be here?”

“Yeah.” You replied, “Will be interesting.”

“You’ll be good about the money spending. You won’t do too much.”

“Thanks.” You smiled awkwardly, “You won’t.”

He cackled, scratching the inner corner of his eye with his thumb.

“You’re gonna meal upgrade every day.”

“Probably.”

“Alfie.” You sighed, looking up at him and tilting your head with a scolding but amused glint in your eyes, “You can’t. Be sensible. You can hack rice and beans for a week. You don’t eat anything with flavour anyway.”

“Jesus, stop shitting on me, girl.”

Another head popped around the door at that moment, tall and tanned in grey joggers and a white t-shirt.

“Oh, shit!” Alfie laughed, standing up to greet Marlon.

“Nice to meet you, bro.” Marlon hugged him.

You stood up, hugging the newcomer next.

“Hi, I’m Reader.”

“Yeah, I know you. You did the uh- uh- PLT shoot, right?” Marlon said.

“Yeah, weren’t you doing the Nike shoot at the same time? Like across the warehouse.”

“Yeah, yeah. That was a busy day, man.” He chuckled.

Alfie sat himself on one of the stools as you sat on the end of the rock-hard sofa, watching the two men get giddy about seeing each other. You chuckled at their enthusiasm.

“Where’d y’all put your clothes at?” Marlon asked.

“On my bed— Oh, yeah, claim your bed.” Alfie answered, getting up to walk him through to the bedrooms.

You didn’t bother going with them, keeping your spot on the seat and gnawing on the tip of your acrylic nail.

This was hell.

It truly was.

You didn’t think INSIDE would be too hard, but now seeing that you would have to be here with Alfie, you were coming to the conclusion that you’d severely underestimated the psychological warfare that this experience was about to put you through.

Every time you looked at him, you were overwhelmed with warm flashbacks of the two of you. Ones where you were giggling in bed together at night, ones where you were throwing food at each other while trying your luck at baking, ones where he would hold you while laughing because you were crying over something silly.

Perhaps you would just have to ignore him for seven days.

If you even made it that far.

They came back from the bedrooms, sitting on the right of you.

“Reader, do you do just modelling or?” Marlon striked up a conversation.

“I do beauty content on TikTok and Instagram.” You answered, “Also I kinda went a bit viral for just ranting about shit. I had a video where I was in my bathroom just sobbing and shouting about not running out of time and stuff, it’s actually really funny looking back on it.”

“Running out of time?” He laughed.

You noticed Alfie’s eyes cemented on you as you spoke, not even giving Marlon a glance when he was speaking.

“Yeah, I felt like I was constantly being rushed in life and it sent me into a crisis where I realised I wasn’t— like, there was no need to be rushing. Anyway, yeah. That blew up. Clearly the people related.”

“So you’re famous for influencing and crashing out, got it.” He joked.

You laughed at him.

A bright pink tracksuit caught your eye as another contestant walked in.

“Indiyah!” You screamed, running up to her and hugging her tightly.

“Reader!” She grinned, hugging you back. “I did not know you were here!”

“I didn’t know you were gonna be here either!”

“Ah, yeah, Love Island.” Alfie said, greeting the girl with a hug, “I’m Alfie, nice to meet you.”

Gradually, the other contestants joined the house until you were in a full house of 12. You were all congregated on the ‘sofa’, you sat between Chian and Marlon, talking with the girls with your back to the boys.

Out of sight out of mind.

“What’s the minimum that you would like to go home with at the end of the day?” Eddie asked the group.

“How about this! How about this, nobody has ever gone home with over 500. So we can really—“ Marlon said.

“Set a record.” You added.

“Yeah!” Chian gasped.

“So if we all really lock in that we gotta be over 500,000, I think that’s reasonable.”

“It’s not gonna happen, but we should try.” Alfie commented.

“Yeah, not with you here.” You muttered.

“Oi!” He exclaimed, frowning.

“Do you two know each other?” Chloe asked loudly.

You nodded slowly.

Awkwardly.

“Did you used to date or something? You’re acting so awkward.” Alhan asked, analysing your body language.

You glanced over at Alfie, but he just stared back at you, as if expecting you to speak.

“Nah! You definitely did!” Chloe exclaimed, “Really?! Oh my God! Why did ya’s break up?!”

You huffed, getting up and removing yourself from the room.

That was not a conversation that needed to be had in a room full of strangers.

You ended up sat in the dressing room, busying yourself with fixing your makeup and running over the same mantra fifty times in your head.

‘It’s not that deep, it’s just for a week’.

“Reader, you okay, lovely?” Indiyah’s voice chimed sweetly.

You turned around, giving her a tight lipped smile and nodding.

“You sure?” She sat on the stool next to you.

“Yeah, it’s just that that’s not a conversation I wanna talk about, y’know?”

“Totally.” She nodded, “You don’t have to tell anyone your business with Alfie. She shouldn't have asked that in front of everyone, but I don’t think it was done maliciously.”

“Oh, no, me neither, but … still kinda annoying.”

“He did shut it down, by the way. When you left, he just told everyone to move on and not bring it up again.” She informed you.

“Yeah, but I didn’t what it being known because now I feel like it’s gonna cause unnecessary tension within the whole group, like, that’s between me and Alfie and it’s how I wanted it to be kept, but … oh well.” You shrugged.

“Well, even if it does get brought up again, we can just shut it down. Nope, nope, nope. Not a conversation that needs to be had.” Indiyah reassured you with a hug before managing to convince you to come back to the communal area.

Eyes were on you but you didn’t care, placing yourself between Chian and Indiyah this time, keeping yourself another person away from Alfie.

Just as you sat down, the Sidemen came into the room with loud hollers and cheers.

“Welcome to INSIDE!” KSI shouted, making everyone clap.

“Your prize fund starts at one million pounds!”

“But! There can only be one winner … So trust no one.”

Everyone shared guilty or suspicious looks.

“The shop is now open!” Tobi announced.

Immediately, Marlon, Expressions, Chloe and Alfie were rushing to the shop, whereas everyone else followed behind leisurely.

You felt a firm, large hand on your shoulder. When you turned your head, you saw Eddie.

“Hi.” You smiled softly.

“Hey, you alright?”

“Yeah, all good.”

“Just so you know, don’t feel pressured to answer anyone’s questions about your relationship with Alfie. That’s your privacy, no one else needs to know.” Eddie told you gently.

Considering the sheer size of him combined with the intimidating factor, he was actually very sweet.

You nodded, “I know. Thanks.”

In the shop, Alfie was up to the camera in the corner, muttering to it.

“Reader! Share crisps with me!” Indiyah grabbed your arm.

“If you’re buying them, okay.” You nodded, watching her go and speak to the camera, confirming the order.

Alhan began speaking then, “It’s the first day. Fuck the cushions, yeah? Just be smart with your money, put it towards your meal upgrades. Imagine a prosecco later.”

You raised your hand, wanting to speak.

“Oi, let Reader speak.” Alfie cut in through Chloe’s whining about wanting an alcoholic drink.

“If we keep this whole ‘saving money for meal upgrades’ going, then surely they’ll just raise the price of a meal upgrade? It’s, what? £5,000 now? Tomorrow, it could be £10,000 just because of our plan.” You theorised.

“It won’t be 10 grand, blud.” Expressions tutted, shaking his head.

“Cushions already are.” Saffron backed you up, “And we’ve been whining about getting them already.”

“I get what you’re saying. That’s smart. That’s smart.” Marlon nodded at you.

After everyone had order what they wanted, you all went off separately, the girls congregating in the bathroom.

“I don’t trust the boys.” Chian said immediately.

“Trust the boys about spending, or?” Lydia blended her lipliner in with her finger.

“Be careful, though, you don’t wanna create a boys versus girls thing already ‘coz that just gets messy.” You reasoned, “I think the boys will be good in challenges. Alfie will be, just saying, he’ll just force himself to lock in, but he’ll be shit when it comes to food.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, he’s a proper fussy eater, so I’m just saying, he’s a guaranteed meal upgrade for every meal, that’s, what? Minimum £15,000 a day?”

“Can you talk to him about that? Get him to not?” Lydia asked.

“I can try.” You shrugged.

“I think boys … like, they need the energy.” Chian said, “So they’re not going to be stupid in voting the girls out.”

In the living room, the boys were having a very similar conversation.

“I think they’re smarter than us, bro, they’re smarter.” Expressions tapped the side of his temple.

“I don’t know, they’ve got Chloe from Geordie Shore and Saffron Barker. I dunno how much smarter—“ Alhan scratched his beard.

“Nah, Reader’s smart. She’s very smart.” Alfie but in.

“She is?” Ben hummed.

“Yeah, and her and Indiyah are already friends. Those two are a guaranteed duo.”

“Will Reader betray her, you think?” Marlon asked.

Alfie pulled a ‘meh’ face, scratching his beard, “I dunno— Nah, nah, she won’t. She’s far too loyal. I think— I think if it’s one of them to betray each other, it’ll be Indiyah betraying Reader. She’s too soft.”

“Reader’s soft?”

“Have you seen her, bro?” Expressions laughed, “Left the room when someone asked about her relationship with Alfie— What’s that about?”

“I don’t wanna get into it without her being here, but essentially, I was just a massive prick.” Alfie admitted awkwardly.

“Damn, bro.” Marlon tutted.

When lunch rolled around, a lot of the guys were in uproar about the pathetic meal of rice and beans, whereas you just took the styrofoam container and began eating out of it.

“Is it good?” Lydia nudged you, and you nodded.

“It’s just a bit boring, is all.” You hummed before skipping into the main room to sit at the table and eat in peace.

Everyone joined you after a while, Alfie (for some reason) stood directly beside you with his meal upgrade next to your basic one.

“D’you want some?” He asked softly.

You looked down at the sandwich seemingly composed of meat, vegetables and cheese, and shook your head.

“What, you being sensible?” He smirked, picking the meat out to eat.

“Well, yeah, not spending 5 grand on a meal upgrade when I can just hack rice and beans.” You shrugged, your reply blunt and dry, a bit like your rice actually.

He gave you an awkward smile and nodded, taking note of your bored tone.

Since he saw you for the first time in 10 months, Alfie was really hoping that he could reconcile with you in here. Surely the forced proximity would be good for him to make a move and try and fix things, but that wouldn’t be possible if you kept avoiding him or being dry. He knew that he fucked up a year ago, and he knew that you probably hated him, but he was still desperately in love with you, and he was 99% sure that would never change.

He needed to get you back.

He would do anything to have you back.

After getting changed into the blue tracksuits they’d provided you with, you were sent to the challenge arena for the first official challenge of the season.

KSI and Simon were stood either side of a wooden box that had a clear one on top of it, and holes for what you assumed was your head to go into.

“This is Too Close for Comfort.” KSI introduced, “Every round, two Insiders will be paired and asked a juicy question. In order to complete the challenge, they must truthfully answer each question. However, whilst doing so, a few distractions will take place. If the distraction is too much too handle, they can press the red button and step out of the challenge. But, doing so, will cost the team £10,000.”

The first ones to go were Lydia and Expressions, in which they were asked ‘Who do you think has a zero chance at winning?’ and ‘Shag, marry, kill’ with different footballers, all whilst cockroaches roamed their head and the box.

They did it successfully, and everyone else began having their go, Indiyah being the only to opt out once rats were placed in the box with her head.

“Okay, the final round. Reader, AB.” Simon announced, making you huff. “This time, you’re not gonna be facing the tank.”

The pair of you were whisked off and told to put on swim wear, him in black trunks and you in a black one-piece.

When you came back, the tank had been replaced with an ice bath.

“For fuck sake.” You muttered, looking down at the water.

“You have a very cold bath.”

You both took your robes off.

“Reader, you got this.” Indiyah cheered you on.

You held onto the rim of the tub, placing one foot and then the other, screaming at the cold.

“Shit! Shit!” You hissed, lowering yourself slowly out of fear of sending your heart into shock, “It’s so fucking cold, I’m gonna pee!”

“This is a joke.” Alfie sat across from you, teeth chattering as he gripped the edges of the tub, “You good?”

“Fuck, it’s so cold. What’s the questions, just go.” You flapped your hand.

“Uh, yeah, let’s bring in the eels first.”

“What?!” You screamed, immediately standing up, your knees knocking together from the cold.

“If you get out, that is 10,000!” KSI shouted.

You whined.

“Reader, Reader!” Alfie spoke to you, knocking his hand against your thigh, “Sit down, c’mon. It’s fine.”

“No, it’s fucking not!”

“Oi, oi, chill.” He tried to calm you, “Just sit down, don’t get out.”

You huffed and lowered yourself again, squeezing your eyes shut and not even watching as the eels were placed in the tub with you.

You screamed when one brushed your leg.

“Ay, ay, ay.” He patted your hand.

You unclenched your eyes, looking at him as he offered you his hand.

You took it without thinking, squeezing his fingers tightly.

“AB. What is your most embarrassing moment?” Simon asked him.

“Errr—“ He looked across at you, “Can I say nutting too early?” He said it knowing it would cause you to laugh, which it did.

You let out a little chuckle, eyes still clamped closed.

He was happy to have relieved you from stress for a quick second.

“I’ll take that.” Simon nodded, “Name drop of who it was with—“

“Alright, chill out.” Alfie scoffed amusedly.

“Reader?”

You hummed, nodding.

“You’re fairly open on TikTok about sex and the whole ‘big sister’ mode.”

Again, you nodded rapidly in a panic about the eels slithering around you.

“What’s your biggest kink?”

Your head snapped towards them, mouth gaping open.

The rest of the contestants laughed while Alfie rubbed his thumb over your knuckles.

“I can’t say that on Netflix.” You laughed awkwardly, “You’ll all get into trouble for airing it.”

“Yo, what?!” KSI cackled, “What the fuck is it?!”

“AB, say it for her!” Alhan said.

“No, then we’re all getting into trouble.” Alfie exclaimed.

“Size difference!” You shouted, “Can I get out now?!”

“I think she’s lying.” Simon spoke to KSI. “That’s quite tame, no?”

“Please please please can I get out?!” You squeezed Alfie’s hand tighter.

“We’re gonna have to push you for a better—“

You whined loudly, teeth chattering.

“I don’t know what you want me to say without getting you into trouble with the big Netflix guys!” You huffed.

“Is it that bad?”

You gave them a challenging look.

“Okay, okay, we’ll accept size difference, you can get out.”

You wasted no time hurling yourself over the edge of the tub and wrapping yourself in a robe and putting slippers on.

“Fuck the both of you.” You shivered.

In celebration of the challenge being complete, you were all given cushions to make the sofa a hell of a lot more comfortable.

Back in the main house, everyone set the cushions up on the couch and dinner was ready.

Once again, a dish of rice and beans.

Unfortunately, over half of the contestants ordered a meal upgrade.

Eddie ended up taking the steak whereas the rest of them got a burger.

“Do you want some steak?” He asked you.

“No, I’m okay, thanks.” You smiled gratefully regardless.

“Reader, why are you bare good? Like, proper goodie-two-shoes.” Expressions said, sat across from you.

You kinda blanked a little, not expecting such a spontaneous question.

“Ummm—“

“Clearly she’s not! Did you not watch that last challenge?!” Alhan laughed.

You blushed furiously, taking another spoonful of rice into your mouth.

“Yeah, what’s with the no-spending?” Chloe asked.

You shrugged, “I’m just not arsed. It’s rice and beans, better than what some people get. I can take it for seven days if it means I get to go out and have an entire, like, banquet afterwards.”

“Burger.” Alfie muttered, dropping half of one in front of you.

“I don’t want it.” You muttered.

“Oi,” He muttered under his breath, “Eat it.”

“No. I’m not following your money spending scheme.” You tried to joke out of it, picking it up out of your box and handing it back to him.

He sighed, not trying to create a scene in front of everyone and took it back, eyeing you as you leisurely ate your rice and beans.

At the end of the day, when you were all gathered around on the sofa, relaxing into it now that it was comfortable, the money showed on a screen, the number lowering and lowering until it was at £934,250.

You scoffed out laughter, “That’s so much in one day!”

Everyone was sat around trying to figure out what was the main reason, and it was decided on meal upgrades. You gave a disappointed look to Alfie.

“What?”

“You need to stop.” You said honestly.

“Stop what? Upgrading my meals? You know I can’t hack boring shit.”

“You eat plain chicken nuggets every day, you can deal with rice and beans for seven.” You pulled a face.

You were wandering the halls with a makeup wipe, taking off whatever was caked onto your face when you saw Alfie slipping out of Room 19.

You frowned at him and he smiled awkwardly at being caught.

“What are you doing?”

“I bought something and it told me to go to Room 19.” He replied.

“Alfie!” You hissed, “Stop spending money!”

“It was spontaneous! I won’t do it again, promise.”

“Liar.”

It was quiet between the two of you until you asked the right question.

“What did you buy?”

“Uhhh … Promise not to tell anyone?”

You held your pinky out for him.

He laughed at the childish action, knowing that you didn’t play about pinky swearing as he hooked his to yours. He stepped closer, and you were practically chest-to-chest, you gazing up at him.

“There’s an elimination tomorrow, I’m safe from it, and I got to pick another person to be safe with me, while picking three people to be nominated for eliminations.” He whispered.

Your hand slapped over your mouth.

“Did you pick Marlon?

“For safety?”

You nodded.

“Nah, I picked you.”

Your expression softened, hand falling away from your face.

“Alfie …”

He didn’t let there be any time to dwell on it, “Anyone you don’t like? Gotta pick three to eliminate so give me some names, girl.”

“I’m not doing that.” You shook your head, moving to walk away until he grabbed your arm and pulled you back.

“Reader.”

He said your name with such softness that you couldn’t help but stay.

“Can I at least tell you my plan?

You exhaled sharply but nodded.

“Indiyah spent 10K in the challenge, Chloe and the booze … but I dunno who else.”

“Expressions, but you didn’t hear it from me.”

“He pissing you off?” Alfie smirked, reaching out for your hand and rubbing his thumb across your knuckles.

“He’s just loud. It’s not even that he’s got energy ‘coz he’s not bouncing off the walls. He’s just jarring.” You shrugged.

“Look at you, my little angel but you’re chatting shit.” He chuckled.

“Shut up.” You scoffed, hitting him back and consequently having his hand drop from yours. “Also, don’t call me that.”

“What?”

“Your angel.” You murmured, “I’m not yours anymore, Alfie.”

He sighed, scratching the back of his neck, “I know, I know. Just … haven’t spoke to you in ages, it was an accident, sorry.”

You hummed, nodding, “Okay.”

“… How’s your mum?”

“Alfie …”

“Just conversation, girl.”

“It’s not one that needs to happen.” You whispered, ending it before it even started and walking off.

A lot of conversations that haven’t happened.

A lot of conversations that might still happen.

The wedding venue is buzzing with energy as you make your way through the crowd, searching for Alfie. The evening sun casts a golden glow over the garden, illuminating the fairy lights strung between trees. You spot him immediately, he’s unmistakable even from a distance, broad shoulders straining slightly against the fitted navy suit jacket he's wearing. His curly brunette hair catches the light, styled perfectly as usual, and you can see the hint of his small moustache and slight beard even from across the lawn.

"There she is," Chip calls out, spotting you first. He turns to Alfie with a grin. "Your mrs has arrived, mate."

Alfie turns, his green eyes lighting up when they land on you. "Girl, where've you been?" he asks, his voice carrying that familiar roadman esque vibe that makes your stomach flutter. He opens his arms, and you practically run into them, feeling the solid warmth of his chest against yours.

"Got caught up helping Sabina with her dress emergency," you explain, pulling back slightly to look up at him. His defined arms wrap around you securely, making you feel safe and cherished.

"Typical," Alfie chuckles, pressing a kiss to your forehead. "Always sorting everyone else's dramas out, you look gorgeous darlin’."

The ceremony is beautiful, Sabina looks absolutely radiant as she walks down the aisle, and Chips dark eyes shine with emotion as he watches her approach. You squeeze Alfie's hand during the vows, feeling a surge of emotion yourself, tears welling in your eyes. When they're pronounced married, the cheer from the crowd is deafening.

At the reception, you find yourself seated at a table with Alfie, Chris, Bach, Arthur, Cal, Harry, and Stan. The conversation flows easily, punctuated by laughter and the occasional clinking of glasses.

"I still can't believe Chip is married," Chris says, shaking his head. "And I’ve not got a girlfriend yet."

"I’m sure Shannon’ll still have you if you’ll take her mate," Arthur replies, swirling the champagne in his glass. 

"Found himself a proper rocket, didn't he? Makes two of us." Alfie teases, grinning at you, earning a playful shove from you and bellowing laughs from those around you. 

You smile at his stupid words, feeling a warmth spread through your chest. Alfie catches your eye and winks, causing your cheeks to flush slightly.

When the dancing starts, Alfie pulls you onto the floor, his strong arms wrapping around your waist as you sway to the music. "You look like a little fucken tart tonight, girl," he grins drunkenly mucking around in your ear, his breath warm against your skin.

"Yeah I'd look sexier in white at one of these things," you reply, tracing the line of his jaw with your finger. "That suit was made for those shoulders."

He laughs, a deep rumble that you feel more than hear. "Fuck off reader, you’ll get a ring one day, and that day’s not soon. Maybe I should start wearing suits more often then."

As the night progresses, the DJ announces it's time for the bouquet toss. Sabina takes center stage, turning her back to the crowd of eager women.

"All the single ladies, make some noise!" the DJ booms, and the crowd erupts in cheers.

You stay toward the back of the group, leaning against a table with a glass of wine in hand. You're not one for these kinds of traditions, and besides, you're hardly single.

"Come on, girl!" Flo calls, beckoning you forward, she's dating Arthur herself so seeing her in the flock of girls made it slightly more tempting. "Get in there!"

You shake your head with a laugh. "No thanks, I'm good right here."

Alfie comes up behind you, wrapping his arms around your waist. "What you doing all the way back here, then? Shouldn't you be up there fighting for the bouquet?" he teases.

You lean back into his embrace. "I think I'll leave that to the desperate ones, I've no need when I have you." you reply with a smirk. 

He chuckles, pressing a kiss to your temple. "Good. Don't want you getting any ideas about rushing me to the altar."

Sabina counts down, and with a final "three, two, one!" she tosses the bouquet over her shoulder. You watch as it arcs through the air, seeming to move in slow motion. The women in front of you jump and reach, but somehow, the bouquet sails right over their heads, landing directly in your outstretched hand, the one you'd casually raised to take a sip of wine.

For a moment, there's stunned silence. Then, the room erupts.

"No way!" Liv shrieks, pointing at you. "You didn't even try!"

You look down at the flowers in your hand, then up at Alfie, whose jaw has dropped.

"Oh for fucks sake, reader how has this–," he says, his eyes wide. "What did I just say about not getting any ideas?"

Before you can respond, you're surrounded by their friends, all talking at once.

"It's a sign!" Chris declares, slapping Alfie on the back. "You're next, mate!" that earned a few snickers and taunts from everyone telling chris he is just ‘mad it’s not him.’

"Properly next," George adds, grinning. "That bouquet practically came in on her. Good luck for paying with the wedding, this one's expensive. Youngla is gonna have to do a bit more than give commission for an ad."

Alfie groans, burying his face in his hands. "I take it all back. You lot are worse than my mum."

"Admit it, mate," Cal says, nudging Alfie with his elbow. "You're thinking about it now, aren't you?"

"Thinking about how I'm going to kill you lot, more like," Alfie retorts, though there's no real heat in his voice.

You can't help but laugh at his predicament. "Don't worry, baby," you whisper in his ear. "I'm not booking a venue just yet."

He looks at you, relief warring with something else in his green eyes. "Promise?"

"Cross my heart, although I am a little offended, you really don’t wanna marry me?" you reply, mock upset, pouting, holding up the bouquet as evidence.

“Don’t be silly, it’s not about you angel, could never be about you. It’s about the timin’, and now is not the time” Alfie softly chuckles, holding you against his chest.

The teasing continues throughout the night, with various friends stopping by your table to offer their congratulations, and their unsolicited advice about wedding planning, even their baby name ideas which really earn a scoff from Alfie’s face.

"Should start looking at venues now if you want to get married next year," Bach advises seriously, his arms wrapped around a giggling Liv. "Good ones book up fast."

"Or you could just elope," Flo suggests, Arthur nods eagerly amused next to her and chimes in. "Way less hassle."

"Nah you gotta do it proper," George counters. "We’ll get Vikk to perform a DJ set, although you’d have to make it a kid friendly wedding if you actually want guests to come."

Through it all, Alfie maintains a good natured grumbling, though you catch him looking at you with a soft expression when he thinks you're not paying attention.

As the evening winds down, you find yourselves sitting together at a quieter table away from the main crowd.

"You know," Alfie says, taking your hand in his, his thumb tracing circles on your palm. "When I said not to get any ideas..."

You look at him expectantly. "Yeah?"

He leans in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I didn't mean never. Just... not yet, yeah?"

Your heart does a little flip at his words. "I know," you reply softly. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Good," he says, pressing a gentle kiss to your lips. "Because I'm planning on keeping you around for a long time, girl."

As you leave the wedding, hand in hand, the bouquet still clutched in your other hand, you can't help but smile at the irony. You hadn't wanted to participate in the tradition, yet somehow, it had found you anyway. And as Alfie squeezes your hand, you think that maybe, just maybe, the tradition had known something you hadn't, that this man beside you, with his silly little vlogs, was indeed your future.

"So," Alfie says as you reach the car, breaking the comfortable silence. "What are you going to do with that bouquet?"

You look down at the flowers, then back at him with a mischievous glint in your eye. "I was thinking I might press it. You know, as a reminder."

He raises an eyebrow. "A reminder of what?"

You step closer, wrapping your arms around his neck. "That even when I'm not trying, fate still knows we're meant to be."

He laughs, the sound warm and genuine in the night air. "Cheeky," he murmurs, lowering his head to kiss you again. "But you're not wrong."

“I love you, reader” Alfie mutters, staring into your eyes, his expression melting at your face, your eyes looking up at him.

“Are you gonna propose now? Is this it? Why aren’t you on one knee?” You teased, fake squealing and jumping

"Someone tell this girl that standing there isn't helping" he complained deadpanning to the camera before walking towards the sofa and laying down for a moment

"You said I just had to look pretty" he laughed at your response remembering his distain to you helping, only allowing you to make sure he had it in the best place in the flat

~~~~~~

"On the mantlepiece, gold supreme dumbbell from that sidemen vid, cute pic of me and reader" he zoomed into the picture of the two from many years ago when you had just left school "chat tell me I've glowed up, readers still a rocket obviously" he turned the camera back round to him before quickly moving on "fake Bonzi tree reader made me get for decoration, most of the stuff here is reader trying to decorate"

His camera moved to a few more objects dotted around proving his point, he specifically zoomed in to the little cushions placed on the sofa "the most uncomfortable lump of fluff I've ever encountered, but reader says its brings the room together" your laughter could be heard in the background

~~~~~~

"Prize possession" he pointed at the photo of the grotto "photo of the other gaff, very important when living in London to have a photo of the superior gaff" the camera moved down "more fake plants reader bought, little lego set" his hand entered frame to grab something from the lower level of the shelf "receipt from me and readers first date at the cinema, cringe" he spoke the last word loudly so it would reach higher in the flat

"You love it" you responded from the bedroom knowing he was teasing and trying to rage bait "you kept the receipt not me"

"Can't lie don't even remember what we saw, was hella time ago" the camera flipped back to him smirking trying to bait a reaction out of you but only receiving a loud sigh

He quickly moved on continuing to show random things "Japanese one dot, which is actually a two dot I believe, which did throw me off at the time, I've been hiding this from a certain someone" in contrast to earlier his voice was lowered trying to keep a secret especially since he bought more earlier in the vlog, knowing you weren't the biggest fan

~~~~~~

"I've wasted a lot of money on this" alfie confessed showing his football card collection "considering I've got zero interest in it now, reader actually bought me a shit ton as well, gotta love her" he moves over to his staircase "these are real plants actually, I have to water them, you don't have to water them that regularly though"

"You do" you cut him off laughing "I just do it when you forget"

"Stop making me look bad for the vlog" he pulled an offended face "she's a liar chat, start a reader hate train down below" he laughed before deadpanning the camera once again "need some engagement"

~~~~~~

"Got this for Christmas" the camera showed a sun lounger on his balcony "does look shit, but is bare comfortable" the camera cut to show him laying on it "imagine for the two days before that shit" he pointed up at the construction "the sun, my girl, me it was a bit of a movie"

He smiled at the memory, you and him battered by the heat, the English sun was strong when it wanted to be

~~~~~~

"Beds mad comfortable now" he panned the camera onto you laid in bed "leng ting didn't come with the gaff" you visibly cringed at his words as he put on a deeper roadman accent before he moved on panning the camera quickly between you and the red lights in the ceiling, giggling at his inference before you threw a pillow at him making him retreat to the bathroom

"There's no hot water and I don't know how to change it" alfie told the vlog whilst stood a few feet away from you

"My dad said he'll fix it" you looked towards him whilst scrolling on your phone

“Fucking zippers, man.” Alfie groaned quietly in annoyance as he finally stepped into the tent after struggling to open it the first few times. The flashlight shining from his phone and through his front hoodie pocket lit up the dark blue tent, giving him the perfect view of you lying down in your green sleeping bag. His matching one lay out right next to you. 

Alfie’s eyes widened, and he quickly pulled out his phone to turn off the flashlight, not wanting to wake you up. But the tired groan leaving your lips, accompanied by the rustling of your sleeping bag, he knew he was too late; you were already up. Nonetheless, he turned off his flashlight and was welcomed by the darkness of the cold tent. 

“Be careful of the—“ your sleep-filled voice broke the silence of the tent as you tried to warn him of the electric lantern that was at your feet, not wanting him to hurt himself. But you're cut off by the sound of him stubbing his toe against the said lantern, a wince and muttered curse leaving his lips quickly after. 

You giggle tiredly as you rub at your tired eyes before slowly sitting up, blinking the sleep from your eyes as you reach for the lantern, searching blindly for the turn switch. A hum of success leaves your lips when you find it, and then the tent lights up with a warm range hue. You look up at your boyfriend with a tired look as he gives you a bashful smile, as he rubs his shin, his cheeks flushed from the bonfire. 

“Hurry and zip the tent before more cold air gets in.” You shivered as you rubbed your hoodie-covered arms, your sleeping bag and Alfie's hood not doing much to protect you from the cold waft of air. 

He nearly tripped again as he clumsily crouched down and turned around to zip up the tent, looking back at you with a teasing smirk, “Need me to warm you up?” 

“Please,” you gave him a faux innocent smile as you doubled down, unzipping your sleeping bag and scooting a little so he could have some room to slip in with you. You bit your lip to stop yourself from laughing as you watched him quickly lean down to take off his shoes, eager to cuddle with you. A small laugh left your lips as Alfie dropped to his knees and slipped into the sleeping bag with you. 

“Mmm, hey girl,” he whispered flirtatiously as he rolled on top of you, putting most of his body weight on one of his forearms while he used his free hand to reach behind him, pulling the sleeping bag over his broad shoulders. You zipped up the sleeping bag as you spread your legs more, letting him comfortably lie between your legs. 

Alfie let out a small hum of appreciation and dropped his head to rest in the crook of your neck. The feeling of his lips brushing against your neck gave you goosebumps. You whispered tiredly, “Hi.”  

You smiled as you felt his long eyelashes flutter against your neck, letting you know he closed his eyes. You slipped your hand down his back and under his hoodie, your warm hand soothing his cold skin. You brought your other hand up to run your fingers through his dark curls, a pleased sigh leaving his lips at the feeling. 

After a few minutes of silence and just enjoying the warmth coming from each other's bodies. Alfie started to get restless. Being so close to you was too much for him. He tilted his head to the side and brushed his lips against the soft skin of your pulse point before placing a soft kiss. A pleased sight left your lips at the feeling, and Alfie took that as an okay to keep going. 

Alfie continued to kiss up your neck and jaw, small sighs and heavy breaths leaving your lips at the feeling of his soft lips kissing and sucking against your skin. You tilted your head to face him, and God, did he look so pretty, flushed cheeks, his brown curls a mess from you playing with them, his pretty eyes already looking into yours…a look in his eyes you knew all too well. 

You nodded softly, and he was quick to lean down for a kiss, your noses bumping against each other before you felt his lips on yours. You loved how he kissed you; he was never in a rush, even in situations where he had to rush; no, he wanted to savor the feeling and taste of your lips on his. Alfie moved his free hand slowly up your side to cup your jaw softly as your lips moved slowly in tandem. 

Alfie gently bit on your bottom lip, and you were quick to accept his request, parting your lips for him to slip his tongue into your mouth. 

You were starting to lose your breath from the passionate kiss, the air in the tent getting hotter from the shared body heat. You broke the kiss to whisper breathlessly against his lips, “You taste like chocolate ‘n beer” 

You tasted the s'mores the two of you made with your shared group of friends as you all sat around the bonfire, and the beer you all sipped as you laughed and talked for hours. 

An infectious laugh leaves Alfie's swollen lips from the kiss you shared, as he softly dropped his forehead on your chest, his shoulders shook with laughter. It wasn’t even that funny; clearly, he was still tipsy from all the drinks. The vibration of him laughing against you gave you butterflies, and you couldn’t help but join him in laughter. 

Alfie rested his chin on your chest and looked up at you as you brought your hand up to brush his curls out of his face, as he smirked teasingly, “Oh, so I taste delicious, eh?”

”Mhm, so delicious,” you teased back as you brought your hand up to boop his nose softly with your finger, smiling at the cute nose scrunch he does at the soft feeling. His heart filled with warmth at the sound of your laughter, God, you've made him into such a simp, he thought to himself as he looked up at you with love in his eyes. Taking in every detail of your beautiful face, which looked so heavenly under the orange hue. 

The sweet moment filled with your laughter and soft kisses were interrupted by the sound of your friend shouting from his tent, he shared with his girlfriend, tiredness in his tone as he complained. “Hey lovebirds, some of us want to sleep here!” 

Alfie quickly covered your mouth with his hand to muffle your giggles, he himself having to bite his lip to stop himself from laughing. After a few moments, the two of you calmed down, shifting around a little so that you were more comfortable in the sleeping bag. 

Alfie placed a long kiss on your forehead as he held you close to his chest, as the two of you lay on your sides, whispering sleepily against your skin, “Night love.” 

You fluttered your eyes closed as you melted in his arms, placing a soft kiss on his jaw, tangling your legs with his as you murmured, “Night, Alf.” 

┊࿐ ❛❛ continue on to my…. 𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩 and 𝙬𝙞𝙥𝙨 ❜❜

Ი𐑼 here’s my first fic for this account 🥹 I really hope you guys like it , I’m still trying to get used to writing for ukyt so please be kind <3 please give me some feedback , comments and reblogs are very much appreciated , ily mwah 🤏🏻🤏🏻

۶ৎ taglist is open

(yourusername)

Dreams — The Cranberries

(yourusername) i missed you london!

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alfiebuttle you seem familar

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user29 UGHH SHES SO AESTHETIC

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user71 i want that phone case

user234 girl tryin to be nonchalant as if we didnt see her freak out on live yesterday 😭😭😭

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viviennewestwood we hear all angels shop vivienne westwood 🦢

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user71 there goes my bank account!

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user201 AW OMG HER DREAM BRAND

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(yourusername)

(yourusername) shop vivienne x angel's collab!

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victoriassecret our favorite angel has finally grown some wings

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user30 omg imagine being in ur early twenties and getting a freaking VIVIENNE COLLAB

user91 she lowk manifested ts

user982 SHUT UP!!!! this was always meant to happen

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(yourusername)

Ride — Lana Del Rey

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alfiebuttle

alfiebuttle locked in.

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Fame is a Gun — Addison Rae

redbull we hear a certain angel is on the slopes...

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user801 (Y/N) IS KILLING IT W THESE COLLABS

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(yourusername)

Street Spirit (Fade Out) — Radiohead

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user902 i know she KILLED IT on the slopes

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redbull a pleasure to work with someone who has wings

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