The villa is buzzing when you arrive—doors open, warm light spilling out onto the drive, the bass from someone’s speaker pulsing through the walls. You step out of the car, laughing at something Will just said, his arm draped casually over your shoulders like it belongs there. You’re still holding your phone in your other hand, vlogging a little recap as the camera pans over the front of the house. Will flashes a peace sign over your head.

Inside, Chip and AB are mid-argument about whether the hot tub jets can actually "rejuvenate your soul" when the door opens and you step through.

It takes exactly two seconds for Arthur to clock you.

Three seconds for his gaze to flick to Will’s hand still resting on your shoulder.

Four seconds for him to look away entirely.

“Heyyy, the Monaco celebs return,” Chip grins, standing to meet you, but not before he elbows AB with a low, muttered, “He’s been weird since they left together.”

You don’t hear it. Or maybe you do, but Will’s cracking a joke about how you nearly fell into the harbour trying to take a thumbnail photo, and you're laughing too hard to notice much else.

Arthur doesn't say anything at first.

Not when you greet everyone with that breezy, sun-soaked energy from the yacht. Not when you toss your bag on the sofa and go looking for a drink. Not even when Will steals your phone mid-vlog to give his own commentary on the “state of the influencers' natural habitat.”

He's sunk low on the corner of the L-shaped sofa, beer in hand, flicking through something on his phone without really looking at it.

You finally sit down next to him, nudging his leg lightly with your knee.

“You alright?”

He shrugs. “Yeah. Tired.”

And that’s all he gives you.

You tilt your head, trying to read his expression, but he won’t meet your eyes. A strange sort of ache settles in your chest.

Behind you, Will’s calling your name from the kitchen, asking if you want a snack before he eats the whole fridge. You glance back at Arthur once, but he’s already looking away again.

The villa is warm. Loud. Familiar.

And suddenly, it feels a little strange.