It's been three days since the cameras stopped rolling. The group chat from the villa is already starting to die. The reunion episode is done. The flights are booked. But you're not quite ready to return to normal. Whatever that even means now.

Pepe stands next to you outside the airport shuttle, hoodie up despite the warm evening air. He's been like this all day-quiet, half-distracted, only ever making eye contact when he thinks you're not looking.

You shift your bag on your shoulder, trying to read him. "You heading straight home then?" you ask, casually.

He shrugs. "Yeah. I mean... I dunno. What else would l be doing?"

But he doesn't move. Doesn't even unlock his phone to order a ride. You glance over. "You don't wanna be alone, do you?"

Pepe scoffs. smirks like you caught him off guard. "Don't get all deep on me now." But his voice is lower, quieter. He scratches at the back of his neck and doesn't deny it.

There's a pause-one of those loaded silences that feels like it's balancing on a wire.

He exhales and finally says, "Come to mine."

His place is clean but lived-in. Shoes by the door, records by the window. He tosses his keys on the table and lets out a breath like he'd been holding it since the villa.

"You want tea or something?" he asks, already in the kitchen. You nod, settling on the couch. The cushions are sunken like he never sits properly just lounges sideways with his legs over the side.

You glance at the photos on the wall. None from the show. Just him and a few mates, him and his sister maybe. Younger versions. Lighter smiles.

Pepe returns with two mugs. He sits across from you, leaning back like always-cool, unreadable. But he keeps glancing over.

"I didn't think l'd miss it," he says finally. You look at him. "The villa?" "No. I mean... yeah. But like—" he hesitates, then shrugs. "The you in it."