Souls Tied: A Love Island Tale (Aaron x Rob)

Body Count Doesn't Define You

Aaron felt a bead of sweat trickle down his face. Although he felt safe during the recoupling with Kaylor already by his side on the couch, he had some anxiety about the fate of the rest of the guys in the villa. Kordell and Kendall were already chosen by Serena and Hannah respectively, but Rob, Coye, Connor, and Hakeem stood next to Ariana by the firepit, each of them wishing they were not the one going home.

"Okay, Liv, we're coming to you next," Ariana instructed in her usual game host-like manner, "Who would you like to couple up with?"

As Liv stood up, Aaron's eyes drifted towards Rob. It had been a day since his suspected conversations with her and Leah.

Wonder how that went...

"I would like to couple up with this boy," Liv monologued, "because over the past, like, few chats we've had, it's gone really well. I feel like he knows what he wants, and that's, like, a massive thing that I look for. He also likes a very traditional kind of romance style, like, he likes to be a gentleman. I've had some ups and downs in the last couple of days, but I feel like this could grow to something. It's been intense, I mean, coming in having to steal someone's guy and getting to know everyone. One thing I really don't like is when people aren't straight up and honest with their feelings because I have low respect for you, and that's something that I feel like the person I'm gonna couple up with does. So, the boy I'd like to couple up with is..."

She grew quiet like everyone else, with only the sound of cicadas chirping and the fire crackling. Aaron watched a lump travel down Rob's throat as he tried to imagine what kind of fiery outburst Leah will break into if he gets chosen, despite both connections only having lasted for a few days. Maybe. Unless there was an instant soulmate spark with any of them.

"...Hakeem."

A light applause from the rest of the villa sounded as Hakeem smugly made his way over to Liv. They briefly hugged and he swept her off her feet for a few moments before sitting down. Rob still stood like a deer in headlights, but Aaron no longer interpreted fear from his facial expressions, but now he looked monotone.

Perhaps there's something he wishes was different...

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A chorus of disappointed sighs sounded as Coye trudged by the flickering neon "Loves Me Not" sign by the exit, rolling a grey suitcase behind him. JaNa chose to couple up with Connor, therefore sending the gentle giant home. After a moment of silence in response to the loss of the fellow islander, the others began to part ways in preparation for bedtime. However, losing Coye was not at the top of the list of Aaron's worries.

"I'll see you later," he whispered to Kaylor, quickly kissing her on the shoulder.

He jogged through the crowd and spotted Rob sitting alone on a porch swing. Aaron was shocked to see that he was not with Leah, who had chosen to couple up with him again.

"So, I've been meaning to ask you," Aaron started as he settled next to him, shaking the swing slightly, "How did those chats go the other day?"

Nothing.

"How are you feeling right now?"

Still no answer. If one thing's for sure, Rob definitely had a hard shell to crack when it came to small talk. Aaron couldn't help but wonder how he would have navigated discussing similar situations like suddenly having to balance two girls. Suddenly, he remembered the game that he played with the rest of the islanders earlier that day, which was a variation of High Card Low Card that revealed some bizarre statistical information about each islander.

"So... you obviously think if a girl has had over 500 sexual partners, that's too much..." Aaron attempted to change the topic and hopefully lighten the mood, "Have you actually been with a girl who's slept with that many people?"

"I don't know..." Rob shrugged, "I mean, that was kind of a weird question..."

"Yeah, I just put ten when they asked me that. I mean, for me personally, I would never ask a girl that question, but I thought it was a reasonable answer."

"Yeah, that question's kinda immature and unimportant..."

Rob stopped staring at his feet and locked eyes with Aaron before asking, "So, your body count is 75?"

Aaron froze and his heart pounded in his chest.

"Um... to be fair, I was brokenhearted..." he nervously chuckled.

After the Love Island application had asked him that question once and it was brought up in the game, he did not imagine that it would resurface again.

Maybe I picked a big number just so I could get on this show... sh*t...

"I mean, I thought Kaylor's was pretty high, too," he continued after briefly forgetting to stay in the moment, "But, like, having banged 24 guys doesn't change my feelings for her or anything. Body count doesn't define you!"

"At least you'll get spoiled at Christmas," Rob laughed, "It's crazy she spent 5000 on a guy, she will 100 percent spend more on you!"

"Yes, and JaNa and Coye's numbers pissed each other off, I guess. I'm kinda glad they're done."

"Yeah... and I thought the recoupling was scary, but also a little weird. The way that Hannah picked a fight with Liv after she chose Hakeem was, like, I don't know, unnecessary."

"So, like, are you happy that Leah chose you?"

Rob's eyes drifted away, and he looked back down again. He took a deep breath before facing Aaron again.

"Yeah... I was kinda leaning towards her anyway."

Aaron was dissatisfied by the lack of information that went with his reply and it clearly showed on his face.

"Um..." Rob, taking a hint, leaned closer to him, "Do you promise not to tell anyone?"

Aaron raised an eyebrow and nodded. Rob inched closer to his ear so he could feel every warm, tingly breath down his neck.

"I told both of them that we don't really vibe that much, but last night... you know, when it was super rainy... before anyone was asleep... I took Leah to the dock and... and... we kissed..."

Aaron's jaw dropped as he gasped.

"Does Liv..." he began before remembering to lower his voice, "Does Liv know?"

Rob shrugged. "I don't know... who knows what the f*ck the girls talk about..."

"Ah, I see..."

After that exchange of news, Rob grew flustered, and Aaron just let it all sink in. Conflicted by how the snake wrangler seemed to handle the situation, he tried to picture himself in his shoes... or boots. In his defense, they had only been on the island for a few days, which would allow less time for him to piece together his feelings about every woman he talked to. Aaron yawned and stood up.

"Well..." he said before heading upstairs with the rest of the group, "I'll see you tomorrow, Rob."