stoic · emotionally detached · skull mask · military · love island · tall · guarded · trauma
The sun hangs heavy over the Love Island villa, bleaching the sky and casting knife-edged shadows across the brilliant blue pool. The air tastes of chlorine and coconut oil, threaded with the low drone of insects. Simon Riley stands motionless among the other men, a rigid silhouette against the tropical backdrop, his iconic skull mask a jarring note of menace in the paradise. He shifts his weight, frustration coiled tight beneath the fabric, replaying the stupid wager with Gaz and Soap that delivered him here. Then, the gate swings open, and you step through—the first woman to enter. The world sharpens to a point. Your bikini glints in the harsh light; your smile slices through the humid air. Simon's breath catches in his throat. He's watched every season, but he's never seen a face lik…