#li:tg

"...Bruno."

You had finally, finally, reunited with Bruno again (it was really barely one whole day) and things could not be better. It was about thirty minutes ago when the recoupling happened, but things happened so quickly after that that the events still felt fresh. Honestly, as bad as you felt for leaving Tom when he'd been so vulnerable, it was nowhere near as happy as you were to just be able to hold Bruno's hand again.

Once everyone had finished up, you convinced Bruno to stay around the fire pit for awhile and squeezed his hand twice so he got the hint. Once you were sure Angie wouldn't be popping out for a surprise anytime soon, you barely got in a single word before you were practically engulfed by Bruno's larger frame.

He wasn't even kissing you, just hugging you tight and nearly popping your back in the process. You hugged him back, of course, fingers dancing over the muscle of his arm pressing out from under his sleeve, before you felt something warm on your shoulder as you processed Bruno was... crying? Crying.

"Babe?" You asked as you pulled away, and sure enough, he was teary eyed and his bottom lip was wobbly. "Is something wrong?" You asked, and he shook his head before swooping you up in his arms again, head buried in your neck as he gathered himself.

"No, I'm just being a melt. You know me, can't even..." He didn't finish his sentence as you started shaking your head, pulling away to wipe along his water line with your thumb wordlessly. "'S okay babe, I get it," You told him, even though you weren't 100% sure, you had a good idea. It killed you to see him like this, but you reminded yourself these were tears of joy (hopefully) and this is such a delicate moment to be apart of.

He smiled at you sweetly, his frosted tips slightly downturned as you two started to feel the heat near the literal flame of the fire pit. He wiped at his eyes with the palm of his hand, about to speak before you cradled his head into your chest, running your hands through his hair and massaging as you rocked back and forth slightly. He hiccupped every now and then, and you felt him press a kiss to your forearm as your ministrations stopped, pulling away to look at you again, broad smile still on his face.

"I missed you." You said first, slotting your hand into his. Your hands fit perfectly together, and his hands were just as warm and soft as you remembered them (two days feel like so much longer in the Villa, doesn't it?). "It was the weirdest thing ever, not sleeping next to you. I didn't even have a dream, and I felt like my side of the bed was so much heavier," You rambled on, absentmindedly talking as Bruno just watched adoringly.

"I know what you mean. I hope you know how much it means to me that you waited for me, MC. I saw how thick Tom was laying it on, and with that fancy candlelit dinner you guys had last night, I was wondering if all our time was out the window.

"But I'm glad it wasn't."

You smiled at him, and finally, finally, kissed Bruno. It was one simple peck at first, the both of you pulling away and smiling nervously, before he cupped your jaw and kissed you with again.

Bruno very rarely took control of the kisses you shared, always too nervous he'd mess up, but for the first time since being in the Villa it dawned on him that you're here now, and he needs to be there too because it could always be gone in a second. He didn't want what happened two nights ago to happen ever again, but incase it did, he wanted to know that the two of you would always have this moment.

When he pulled away, pupils blown and lips shiny and slightly puffy, you took the time to straighten out his collar. "You make me insane, did you know that?" He asked, smoothing his shirt down as he leaned back. You smiled coyly, fixing the bracelet on your wrist before batting your eyelashes at him. "Whatever do you mean, good sir? A delicate woman such as myself couldn't possibly-"

He broke out in laughter before you could finish, not sure what exactly he'd just witnessed but so glad he got to see it.

"I'm so happy, MC. I can't even tell you how beautiful you are to me right now," He started, meeting your eye and not looking away. "I don't think I know the words to tell you what I'm feeling right now, but I know I'm feeling." To emphasize, he took hold of your hand and placed it over his heart. "Feeling?" You asked teasingly, circling your finger to tickle him, and he laughed with you. "Yes, feeling. I don't know what it is about you, but I feel like I'm on 12 whenever we're together." You thought about where his nipple was, but remembered this was a nice moment and you shouldn't be thinking about his nipple. Later. Definitely later. You carefully looked up, and sighed happily seeing his eyes were clear as he met your gaze.

"Maybe it's just your burning desire for me, babes. I have that effect on people,"

He snorted, removing your hand from his chest to hold it in his lap. "Absolutely, I can't believe that didn't cross my mind," He went along, nodding along rhythmically as you laughed with him.

You're not sure when it stopped, but soon all that you could feel was the warmth of the fire, the sweet smell of his cologne, and the buzz of pure joy to be sat with Bruno again. You leaned over again to pull him into another embrace, wrapping both arms around his middle and just leaning your head on his shoulder. You sighed in content, closing your eyes and letting yourself just be at peace as you lightly scratched all around where you could reach on his back.

"I'm so lucky," You mumbled, not moving as you began to lightly massage the best you could at the spot on his lower back. "So lucky to be here with you, Bruno. Thank you for being someone to wait for." You finished, voice crackly a bit as you tried to keep your composure. "I'll always wait if it's you. As long as you want me to, I promise." You added on, and finally let him free from your grasp. He didn't move much, pulling you into him as he leaned back in the bench.

"I promise you babe, you're the only girl for me here. If I say any different, I'm being sabotaged." He said, and you laughed along with him. "Sure, whatever you say. I missed you," You said again, and he put two fingers on your chin to lift your gaze to meet his. He didn't say a word, but pressed one kiss to your forehead before rubbing his thumb over your cheekbone. "I missed you more. Never again, MC. I'd rather walk than be in this Villa without you." He said, and you both shifted to stare at the stars above.

You two didn't have to say anything else after that, and a smile was on your face for the rest of the night. He soon led you both inside, and things were perfect; until a distinct text ping went off.

an: WOWWWW it's been awhile since i've typed for a video game character i really want to be more active in this community! i'd say my writing style has changed a little in the past few years but i have LOADS of drafts that i never posted lol. anyways i have a few more things in mind for bruno some are SAD some are happy (1).. we'll see

it never gets less beautiful, you think, looking out towards the pool area of the villa from the outdoor bar. the perfect glimmer of the chlorinated water, the bright blue endless sky, the green faux grass and flawlessly placed lawn decor are all part of the experience. but, you know the real reason you love the pool, and took off to find it.

you handed will the pina colada, and he smiled at you gratefully before kissing your hand as they took the glass. your smile was warm, as was his face when you gently swiped over their cheekbone.

"cheeky." you'd said, laughing before settling on the lounger next to your partner, and they in turn hummed thoughtfully.

"you love it," he mumbled, turning slightly to face you and also because they wanted to face away from the sun for a bit. "thank you, by the way. for this," will said, lifting the glass before taking a sip. you looked at him before sighing happily, sipping your own drink as well. "'s no problem, babe. don't want you to have to lift a precious finger," you said jokingly, and will laughed before pulling their straw hat off to place onto your head.

you giggled as it fell over your eyes slightly, and before you knew it you heard the telltale -click- noise as your picture was taken. you faintly lifted the hat up to see will better, and they took another picture. you posed slightly, angling your glass as you both laughed by the pool together.

you rearranged the hat back on your head properly, and fully laid on the lounger. you looked over to see will going through the pictures, no doubt adding some to the album they'd been cultivating over the summer. just the day before, will had gone on the date with valentina, but you weren't worried in the slightest. part of you thinks the reason you two click so well is because of this- you make drinks, they lay down by the pool, you join your beautiful partner, and that's it. that's all you want it to be, that's all they want it to be, and that's that.

will turned to see you looking at them, and smiled cheesily as they caught you staring. "am i getting red?" he asked, and you shook your head. "you're getting a good tan, actually. just thinking that i'm pretty happy here, honestly. happy with you," you said simply, and they put down the phone to reach for your hand. "you're worth getting out of bed for, mc. thanks for choosing me," they'd said, and you two remained holding hands as you laid back in your respective loungers to catch some sun or some sleep.

you were fine when will had said he'd considered cracking on with other people a few days ago, and told them you'd be happy if they found someone other than you who made him happy. all of this was a lie, obviously you didn't want your partner to be looking elsewhere, but there wasn't anything you could do and you were not going to beg him on national television to stay with you. but within five minutes, he sat himself down near your feet and didn't say anything.

according to will, within a few seconds of walking away they'd realized they'd made a mistake, and went right back to you.

when you got will to look you in the eye again, he had a very sad and watery look to them. "i almost ruined everything, mc," they said, and you pouted at him before putting two comforting hands on both of his shoulders. "babe. i'm not going to fault you for being curious. you tried it, you didn't like it, no harm done. we're fine!" you said sweetly, kissing the top of his head as they didn't reply.

a part of you knows that really, it would have always been like this. knowing will's flighty attitude, you were just surprised they didn't act on the impulse sooner. but, he was still here, and that's all that matters. you wanted to be supportive no matter what, and that's what you did.

the night that cora and tom arrived and the whole villa had that party, you and will happily watched from the sides. you watched as everyone jumped and flailed about, overjoyed to see your friends having a good time.

"there's no way i could move that much." will said out of nowhere, and you laughed as you leaned back into him, their arms meeting in your front to hold you closer. you two swayed side to side at your own rhythm, content just to be people watching. "imagine how sore they're gonna be tomorrow babe. we could never," you said, feeling will laugh above you. "yeah. guess we're the only ones who plan ahead." they said, and you both giggled to yourself before will spun you around gently to face him.

"hey there," they said, raising your wrists to put them over his shoulders as the song changed to a slower pace. "hey yourself," you said back, and squealed slightly as will put his hands on your waist. "you always look so good under the moon. are you sure you didn't put a spell on me?" they asked, and you rolled your eyes comically before laughing a little. "are you saying i can only be pretty if i put a spell on you? and i thought we had something special," you said back, aware that you two were in your own little bubble which was dangerous in this game but you loved it nonetheless.

will smiled down at you, and you're sure your reflection looked just as his did. "you're everything to me mc. i hope you know that." they said softly, and you stuck your tongue out at him before resting your head on their chest as you continued swaying. "i know that. wouldn't want to be here with anyone else, hun." you said back, knowing he likes affirmation just as much as you do. they laughed, and you two didn't say anything after that, just taking everything in.

you're not even sure what day today is, but it's particularly cloudy today so you and willem decided to sleep in- after brushing your teeth of course. but, you laid together still, arms wrapped up in one another as you smiled at each other. you ran your fingers through their hair, lightly twisting some into groups and laughing when he said it tickled. their hands were firm around your waist, chest to chest with them, and you had your head buried into the crook of his neck. you loved the way he smelled in the morning, which they thought was gross but still indulged you regardless.

you felt them gently scratching at your back, the slightest pressure as his hands wandered. your breathing slowed, soaking in the moment as your mind emptied. you hadn't realized you were humming until will giggled because the vibrations were tickling his ear. you both finally looked at each other, and you raised your hand to cup his cheek as you admired them. will's own hand reached up to cover yours, tattooed thumb rubbing over your knuckles as you two continued staring in your own state of paradise.

"i'm so glad to be here with you. everything is so easy, no bills, no deadlines, no noise complaints.."

"we can easily change that last one."

you two broke out into giggles, huddling into the other as you tried to catch yourselves. everyone else was in the kitchen eating breakfast, but the moment felt so intimate all the same. "i'm serious. you make it so easy... thank you. this is all i ever wanted."

you preened, batting your lashes at your partner as you flipped your hair over your shoulder. "'s what i do babes, glad someone appreciates me around here," you said, breaking character almost immediately as will tackled you into his arms yet again. you both laughed again, a little louder and unabashedly. he pressed kisses all over your face, leaving no spot un-kissed as you could only shriek and giggle in defense.

"you." "are." "too." "cute." each word punctuated with another kiss- "please, have mercy! this moisturizer was expensive!" you pleaded, still playful as will finally pulled back. finally your lips met and you both practically melted, sighing dreamily as you pulled away.

they were surprisingly energetic at the moment, but you still appreciated it and let it happen. he smiled at you, before kissing you once more. you felt them smile during the kiss, lips parting slightly as your tongues found each other in the middle. your hands found their way into his hair again, beginning to slightly pull- but just as you moved to wrap one leg around his waist they groaned, pulling away breathlessly.

"i take back what i said earlier. you are dangerously seductive and i need to keep an eye on you." they said, breathing hard as your gazes met. "babe, you haven't seen anything yet. wait until i get my hands on some candle wax and a feather" you said, and he burst into laughter. "okay, okay, whatever you say. shall we get up?"

"mmm, ten more minutes. that was very exciting and i'm very tired," you said, and tugged on his pant leg as you fully laid down again, and they got the message- your legs slotted between each other, cuddled up as your limbs crossed over the other's. your head rested against will's chest, one of their tattooed arms resting protectively across you as you both fell asleep once more.

will thinks to themself about the exact moment they knew they'd went down the wrong path. maybe things would have been better if mc had never coupled up with them in the first place, because at least then will wouldn't have to know what they're missing out on.

but, his favorite moment has to have been on that first night they met, after mc'd won the heartrate challenge and got kobi to dance on them. will liked that even though mc didn't dance on him, they still took him aside to talk after everything settled down.

"it's crazy, you in here now when we're all just getting used to each other."

"i can gladly leave if that's what you're saying here will," you'd said back in a snap, making will laugh before they'd knew what was happening. "funny gal you are, mc. don't leave me so soon though, you haven't even seen us shirtless yet." they'd slyly flirted, which didn't go unnoticed by you. "oh, i've been watching the show so far. can't say i'm too impressed, really." you'd said, eyes low and inviting.

"i'd say it's better in person, right?" he'd asked, not at all insecure and shifting slightly to face mc better. "you tell me," you'd said back, fully facing will now and your faces inches apart. will would have kissed you then, someone so similar to him and enthralling and everything he thinks he'd wished for, but loved the tension and pulled away.

and you'd stayed up there for so long with each other, the two of you talking about work and family and your relationship values and what you want to gain out of the summer. will wasn't sure when they'd got to this point, but you were talking about your high school experience and how you'd knew you wanted to be a performer.

"okay, you know katy perry right? well i saw her in concert, and she performed this one song that changed my life. the one that got away, acoustic version. it was like, the prime of songwriting to me- there had never been a written piece that resonated so strongly with me, that even now i reference to in my romantic relationships. it's totally weird, but it's my favorite song in the world ever." you spoke on, and will watched in admiration. he'd told you that it is weird yes, but it's sweet that you liked the song so much and they respected how strongly you stood behind it. they saw you for the first time, he thinks, especially when you'd talked about your sleeve tattoos after that.

you'd pointed to an innocent seahorse, outlined in purple and blue. you'd explained to will that the colors matched your ex's own tattoo of a starfish and that, if you two stood next to each other, would almost perfectly fit with the other. "maybe the artist knew something we didn't, by not making the tattoos line up. either way, i don't regret a thing. i like the ocean, so no harm done." you'd said dreamily, not bothered in the slightest. will then, almost in disbelief, pointed out a tattoo they have of a starfish on his back- you two had howled in laughter, doubling over and faces red as you both reached for the other amidst all the laughing.

"in another life..." he'd joked, both about the song and your seemingly matching tattoos. you nodded along, catching your breath as you smiled at them. "maybe. at least now we have halloween costume ideas, right?" you two were calming down, and will thought about their future in the show for probably the first time ever. and he liked it.

things went so smoothly after that, and coupling up with mc felt like the first right thing that had happened that summer. it scared will. what if you really were too good to be true, and you two hurt each other in the end? it's always like this, will thinks, where he doesn't want a good thing to end so he ends it first.

they remember mc's reaction when they said they wanted mc to not pick them at the recoupling. mc got out of the lilo, threw her hands up and said 'lovely will, have a great rest of your summer!' and walked off dramatically. at the time, will thought they'd dodged a bullet seeing mc so childishly end the argument. but now they know it was a moment of passion- they understand that more than anyone in the villa.

they also remember when mc washed their hair after the hotdog challenge, and when she'd explained all of that to them.

"i'm sorry will. for how i acted towards you and thabi that day in the pool. i have no excuse other than that i was upset at myself for having fallen so hard for you, and clearly put my eggs in the wrong basket. it wasn't anything personal, and i'm sorry if it made you or thabi uncomfortable. that's the last thing i'd want; you're a good pair."

will had told you about their thabi troubles then, and felt your hands stop in their hair briefly before continuing your ministrations. "well, i'm sorry to hear that then. at least you gave it a shot, right?" will wasn't sure if you'd said that bitterly or not, and the way you chuckled didn't help, but he found the humor in it all the same. "yeah.." they'd trailed off, not sure if this was a good time to apologize as well until you told them you'd finished up with their hair. will was suddenly very aware they were naked, and wasn't sure how things were so casual up until that moment. will knew they absolutely could have done something at that moment, but instead gave you a pat on the shoulder before shuffling away.

why was he so nervous? willem kimura did not get nervous. ever.

but when they saw the way you'd sprawled yourself out on the couch, he figured it was now or never. 'what's the least creepy way i can wake mc up?' they questioned, before eventually just leaning down to put a hand on your shoulder and seeing if fate would be on his side.

"hey..."

you leapt up comically, and dazedly mumbled about being queen of the couch. you looked pretty sleepy, but still were open to forgive him for interrupting your precious nap. they grinned bashfully, and crouched into your eye-view.

"i didn't mean to scare the queen of the couch. i just have some urgent business with her, if she'll allow it." he said, and once you granted him an audience, he continued.

"it's kinda serious... like, the ocean breeze in the morning kind of serious. the first dusting of rain after a hot summer day, every drop with its own purpose to serve until it hits the ground."

"ocean breeze sounds serious."

they nodded solemnly, tenderly fixing a gaze on you as your eyes began to clear up. "yeah. the ocean breeze, it's cool and refreshing, yknow? makes you more aware of things and feel more alert.. which is relevant to what i want to say. which, uh, which is... that i feel something with you still. that spark, you know? i can honestly tell you that it never went away, no matter what happened between us or not. and... when you washed my hair yesterday?" they paused for effect, hand touching their chest and a small smile playing on his lips.

"i liked the way your fingers moved, like if you were washing all the stress from me."

"i guess i was, in a way. your hair had loads of stuff in it."

"so true. i guess, it's just like... it makes me feel like there could still be something between us. something that could like, blossom into more.. like a well-rooted tree. do you know what the isu tree is?"

"sure."

"oh, cool! so you know that when it's fully grown, the roots sink into the ground and live for a long time- you just need to give it a chance to grow." they finished with a nod. "just think about it, and do whatever feels right, okay? i'll be off at the pool for today, if you want to find me again."

they walked away before you could respond, and sat on the lounger with a huff.

will tried not to be bitter. he really did. he didn't own you, he had no claim on you whatsoever. so why do they feel this way?

he'd even told you before he was not the jealous type, and that's true. the more the merrier! but for the first time, seeing you with bruno as his arm wrapped around your middle and your head laid on his shoulder, the same day as will'd confessed to you.. they didn't like it.

maybe will was too late? he had no regrets in anything ever, but they were thinking back on the summer and everything they'd gone through. leaving for thabi, getting stolen by valentina, getting back with thabi... and now here. alone. thoroughly crushed as he witnessed you pick bruno again.

will tried not to be creepy about it, they really did. he couldn't help staring, a million thoughts going through their head. he'd watched the way bruno's hand basically caressed your upper arm, right over your tattoos and will saw the way bruno lightly pressed on them, making you giggle and turn slightly. will's eyes narrowed on your seahorse that was practically glaring at him, and looked away before things got too weird.

will wanted to talk to you again, to apologize for putting you on the spot again and to let you know they had no hard feelings over not getting picked again. and, he knew it was bad, but maybe he could turn the tides just a little in their favor. maybe. all to be seen, and he wanted to see you right away. before he could, he stopped by the dressing room to put on just two more spritzes of his cologne, and ran his fingers through his hair. he looked at himself blankly in the mirror, wondering how it got to this point, and then set off to find you.

easier said than done, because will could literally not find you for the rest of the evening.

as the night came to a close, will finally spotted the top of your head near the daybeds, but heard you and bruno speaking to each other and forced himself to walk away as to not intrude. will would've kicked themself if they could, losing all momentum as he turned to walk away. before he could though, he heard six words from bruno's voice that let will know they'd lost.

"us against the world, right babe?"

will didn't have to see to understand how happy that probably made you, both because that's your favorite song (had bruno seen that part you'd shared to will on tv before he came in?) and because will remembered you value devotion above all. he stopped in his tracks, in the doorway entering the inside of the villa, and felt heavier than ever as they made their way inside finally.

it was over.

there was no coming back from that.