Love Island AU: The Skarsgård Effect
What happens when a 6’4” Swedish bombshell walks into the villa? Chaos. Pure chaos.
BWWM | Love Island AU | Bill Skarsgård x OC | Rated R
The date had stretched into the evening, producers clearly milking every second of tension for the cameras. By the time Aaliyah and Bill walked back through the villa gates, the sky was dark and stars were scattered overhead like diamonds.
Bill’s hand had found the small of her back again—seemed to be his favorite place to touch her—and Aaliyah was hyperaware of every point of contact.
The warmth of his palm. The occasional brush of his fingers against her hip when they walked.
“You good?” he murmured, leaning down so his lips were close to her ear.
Aaliyah shivered despite the warm night air. “Yeah, I’m—I’m good.”
“No.” A lie. She was a wreck.
His low laugh told her he knew it.
The villa came into view, lit up and buzzing with activity. Through the glass doors she could see bodies moving around—the islanders were clearly waiting for them.
“Ready to face the firing squad?” Bill’s thumb stroked her lower back.
“Oh god.” Aaliyah stopped walking, pressing a hand to her stomach. “They’re gonna be so messy about this.”
“Let them.” Bill stopped too, turning to face her fully. His hands came up to cup her face, tilting it up toward his. The gesture was so casual, so intimate, like he’d been touching her like this for years instead of hours. “Hey. Look at me.”
“I don’t give a fuck what anyone in there thinks,” he said bluntly, his Swedish accent wrapping around the curse word in a way that shouldn’t have been attractive but absolutely was. “I picked you. I wanted you. That’s it.”
“Is gonna have to deal with it.” His expression was hard.
“I’m not here to play games, Aaliyah. I’m not here to waste time. I see something I want, I go for it.”
His thumb brushed across her cheekbone.
Her heart was going to explode. Actually explode.
“You can’t just—say stuff like that—”
“Why not? It’s true.” He leaned down, his forehead almost touching hers. “Tell me you didn’t feel anything on that date. Tell me I’m reading this wrong and I’ll back off.”
Aaliyah opened her mouth. Closed it.
Bill’s smile was slow and devastating. “Yeah. That’s what I thought.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead—casual, possessive—and pulled back. “Come on. Let’s go give them something to talk about.”
The moment they walked through the doors, all conversation stopped.
Every head turned. Jade’s mouth dropped open. Connor started grinning like Christmas had come early. Marcus’s jaw tightened, his eyes tracking the way Bill’s hand was still on Aaliyah’s back.
“WELL, WELL, WELL,” Jade sang out, breaking the silence. “Look who’s back! Y’all have fun?”
Aaliyah felt her face heat. “It was—um. It was nice.”
“Nice?” Sienna was perched on the kitchen counter, legs swinging. “Girl, you were gone for FOUR HOURS. It better have been more than nice!”
“Leave her alone,” Marcus said tightly, standing up from the couch. He crossed the space toward them, and Aaliyah felt Bill’s hand flex possessively against her back. “Can I talk to you for a second?”
“Oh boy,” Connor muttered under his breath.
Aaliyah glanced up at Bill, who was watching Marcus with an unreadable expression. His hand dropped from her back.
“Go ahead,” Bill said smoothly. “I’ll be right here.”
That last part was clearly directed at Marcus.
Aaliyah let Marcus lead her toward the far corner of the outdoor area, away from the prying eyes and ears. The second they were semi-alone, he rounded on her.
“What the hell was that?”
“Aaliyah, don’t play with me right now.” Marcus’s voice was low, frustrated. “You walk back in here with that guy’s hands all over you—”
“They weren’t all over me—”
“He was touching your back! Your waist! He kissed your forehead!” Marcus ran a hand over his face. “We’re coupled up. Or did you forget?”
Guilt twisted in her stomach. “I didn’t forget, Marcus. I just—”
“Just what? Just decided to forget about me the second someone taller walked in?”
“Isn’t it?” He stepped closer, lowering his voice even more. “Be real with me. Are you into him?”
Aaliyah’s mouth went dry. The honest answer was terrifying. The lie wouldn’t come.
“I…” She swallowed hard. “I don’t know. We just met.”
“We’ve only been coupled up for five days, Marcus. It’s not like we’re together together—”
“But I thought we were building something.” His frustration was giving way to something else. Hurt. “I thought you were feeling me.”
“I was! I am! You’re sweet and funny and—”
“But I don’t make you stutter.” Marcus’s smile was bitter. “I don’t make you nervous. I saw the way you were looking at him, Aaliyah. You never looked at me like that.”
She didn’t know what to say. Because he was right.
Marcus sighed, stepping back. “Look. I’m not gonna stand in your way if you’re feeling someone else. But you need to be honest. With yourself and with me.” He paused. “There’s a recoupling tomorrow night. The boys pick. So you need to figure out what you want before then.”
Aaliyah’s stomach dropped. “Tomorrow?”
“Ariana told us while you were gone.” Marcus’s expression was unreadable now. “So yeah. Tomorrow. Better make up your mind.”
He turned and walked away before she could respond, heading back inside the villa.
Aaliyah stood there, frozen, her mind racing. A recoupling. Already. And the boys were choosing, which meant—
She jumped. Bill had materialized beside her, silent as a cat. How did someone that tall move that quietly?
“You okay?” His hand found hers, fingers lacing through automatically.
“There’s a recoupling tomorrow,” she blurted out. “The boys pick.”
Bill’s expression didn’t change. “I know.”
“Ariana told me when I came in.” He tugged her closer, his free hand coming up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Why do you look so worried?”
“Because—” Aaliyah gestured helplessly. “Because I don’t—I’m not—”
“You’re not what?” His thumb traced her jawline, the touch feather-light and completely devastating. “Not sure what you want?”
“I don’t know!” It came out more desperate than she intended. “Bill, we just met. I’ve been coupled up with Marcus for almost a week—”
“And you feel nothing for him,” Bill interrupted, his voice matter-of-fact. Harsh. “Be honest.”
“Aaliyah.” He caught her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. “Do you want him? Yes or no.”
“It is.” His grip tightened slightly. Not painful, just firm. Commanding. “You’re making it complicated because you feel guilty. But guilt isn’t a reason to stay with someone.” He leaned down, his mouth close to her ear. “Tell me the truth. When I pick you tomorrow night—and I am going to pick you—are you gonna be happy about it?”
Her breath hitched. “Bill—”
“Are you?” His lips brushed the shell of her ear, and Aaliyah felt the touch all the way down to her toes. “Because I need to know, beautiful. I need to know if I’m wasting my time.”
“You’re not,” she whispered before she could stop herself.
Bill pulled back just enough to look at her, and his smile was pure satisfaction. “No?”
“No.” Her voice was stronger now, even though her heart was hammering. “You’re not wasting your time.”
“Good.” He kissed her temple, then her cheek, working his way down with deliberate slowness. “Because I don’t share, Aaliyah. When I pick you tomorrow, you’re mine. Understand?”
She should be offended by the possessiveness. Should tell him he couldn’t just claim her like that.
Bill’s smile turned wicked. “Use your words.”
“Good girl.” The praise went straight through her, molten heat pooling low in her stomach. His hand slid from her jaw down to her neck, thumb resting against her pulse point. “Your heart’s racing again.”
“You keep—you keep doing that—”
“Doing what?” He was playing dumb, the bastard. His thumb pressed down slightly, feeling the frantic beat. “This?”
“You want me to stop?” His mouth was at her ear again, lips barely brushing the sensitive skin. “Say the word and I’ll stop, Aaliyah. I’ll walk away right now.”
She should tell him to stop. Should tell him this was too much, too fast, too intense.
“Don’t stop,” she breathed.
Bill’s answering groan was low and dangerous. “Fuck, you’re gonna be the death of me.” His forehead pressed against hers, his breathing slightly uneven. “Do you have any idea what you do to me?”
“Liar.” His hand tightened on her neck, just enough to make her gasp. “You know exactly what you’re doing. Walking around in that little dress, looking at me with those pretty eyes, biting your lip—”
“You were.” He pulled back to look at her, his eyes dark. “You’ve been biting your lip all night. Driving me fucking crazy.”
Aaliyah realized she was doing it right now. Immediately stopped.
Bill’s laugh was rough. “Too late, beautiful. Damage is done.” He stepped back, putting space between them, and Aaliyah almost whined at the loss of contact. “Come on. Let’s get you inside before I do something we’ll both regret.”
“Like what?” The question slipped out before she could think better of it.
Bill’s eyes flashed. He leaned down one more time, his lips brushing her ear. “Like kissing you until you forget your own name,” he murmured. “And we both know once I start, I’m not gonna want to stop.”
Aaliyah’s knees went weak.
Bill steadied her with a hand on her waist, that insufferable smirk back on his face. “Come on. Let’s go face the chaos.”
The chaos, as it turned out, was an understatement.
The moment they walked back inside, they were swarmed.
“OKAY, SPILL,” Jade demanded, physically dragging Aaliyah away from Bill and toward the girl’s section of the bedroom. “What HAPPENED? And don’t you dare say ‘nothing’ because that man has been eye-fucking you since he walked through the door!”
“Am I wrong?” Jade gestured wildly. “Sienna, back me up!”
Sienna, who’d followed them, nodded emphatically. “Girl, that man wants to eat you alive. In the best way possible.”
Aaliyah buried her face in her hands. “Oh my god, y’all are doing the most—”
“We are doing the LEAST,” Jade corrected. “You’re over here stuttering and blushing like a virgin—”
“—and he’s over there looking at you like you’re his last meal. So PLEASE, tell us what happened on that date!”
Aaliyah sat down on her bed, pulling her knees to her chest. “He’s just… he’s really intense, okay? Like, really intense.”
“Intense how?” Sienna sat down next to her, genuinely curious.
“Like…” Aaliyah struggled to find the words. “He doesn’t hold back. At all. He just says whatever he’s thinking, and it’s all really direct and kind of harsh but also—” She broke off, feeling her face heat.
“Also really hot,” Aaliyah admitted quietly.
“KEEP IT DOWN!” Aaliyah hissed, glancing toward the door. “What if he hears you?”
“Babe, that man KNOWS he’s got you wrapped around his finger,” Jade said, flopping back on the bed. “The question is—what are you gonna do about Marcus?”
Aaliyah’s stomach twisted. “I don’t know. Bill said he’s gonna pick me at the recoupling tomorrow.”
“Of course he is,” Sienna said matter-of-factly. “That man claimed you the second he walked in. Marcus never stood a chance.”
“It’s TRUE.” Jade sat up, fixing Aaliyah with a serious look. “Look, Marcus is a nice guy. But be real—did you ever feel butterflies with him? Did he ever make you nervous? Make your heart race?”
“Yeah.” She sighed, running her hands through her hair. “God, yes. He makes me a mess. I can barely talk around him.”
“Then what are you confused about?” Sienna asked gently. “Girl, life is short. This is Love Island. You’re supposed to follow your feelings. And your feelings are clearly telling you to jump that tall Swedish man’s bones.”
“What? I’m just saying what we’re all thinking!”
Aaliyah groaned, falling back on the bed. “This is so messy.”
“Welcome to the villa, baby,” Jade said cheerfully. “It only gets messier from here.”
Meanwhile, on the boys’ side, Bill was getting the third degree.
“So,” Connor started, leaning against the bathroom counter while Bill brushed his teeth. “You’re really going for Aaliyah at the recoupling?”
Bill spit, rinsed, and met Connor’s eyes in the mirror. “Yeah.”
“Even though she’s coupled up with Marcus?”
“Especially because she’s coupled up with Marcus.” Bill’s smile was sharp. “She doesn’t want him. She wants me.”
“You sound real confident about that, mate.”
“Because I am.” Bill turned, crossing his arms over his chest. “I saw the way she looked at me. The way she reacted when I touched her. That’s not something you can fake.”
Marcus, who’d been silent up until now, spoke up from where he was sitting on his bed. “So what, you just decided she’s yours?”
Bill’s gaze slid to him, cool and assessing. “No. She decided. I just made it easier for her to admit it.”
“Is it?” Bill tilted his head. “You’ve been coupled up with her for almost a week. Tell me—have you kissed her?”
“Have you even held her hand? Made a real move?” Bill continued, his voice cutting. “Or have you just been playing it safe, hoping she’ll eventually come around?”
“I was giving her space—”
“You were wasting time,” Bill interrupted. “And now you’re mad because someone else didn’t.”
Connor whistled low. “Damn, mate. That’s harsh.”
“It’s honest.” Bill grabbed his water bottle, took a long drink. “Look, Marcus. I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to find someone. And I found her. So tomorrow night, I’m picking Aaliyah. You can be mad about it if you want. Doesn’t change anything.”
Marcus stood up, his expression tight. “You know what? Fine. Pick her. But don’t come crying to me when she realizes you’re moving too fast and gets scared off.”
“I’ll take my chances.” Bill’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.
Marcus shook his head and walked out, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
Connor let out a breath. “Well, that’s gonna make the recoupling awkward as hell.”
“Don’t care.” Bill finished his water, set the bottle down. “He had his shot. Now it’s my turn.”
The next day passed in a blur of nervous energy.
The recoupling was scheduled for sunset, which meant the islanders spent the entire day vacillating between forced casual conversation and tense silence.
The girls huddled in groups, speculating about who would pick whom. The boys were quieter, more closed off.
Aaliyah had barely slept. Every time she’d closed her eyes, she’d seen Bill’s face—the intensity in his gaze, the way his hands had felt on her skin, the promise in his voice when he said you’re mine.
She’d gotten up early, gone for a swim to clear her head. It hadn’t helped.
Now, as the sun started to dip toward the horizon and Ariana’s voice crackled over the speakers calling them to the fire pit, Aaliyah’s stomach was in knots.
“You good?” Jade asked as they filed outside.
“No,” Aaliyah said honestly. “I feel like I’m gonna throw up.”
“Don’t. You’ll ruin your makeup.” Jade squeezed her hand. “It’s gonna be fine. Bill’s picking you. You know he is.”
“No what-ifs. That man is LOCKED IN. Trust me.”
They took their positions—the girls in a line facing the fire pit, the boys standing off to the side with Ariana. Aaliyah found herself between Jade and Sienna again, her heart hammering so hard she could feel it in her throat.
Ariana stepped forward, resplendent in a glittering gold dress, her smile knowing. “Islanders. Welcome to your first recoupling.”
She paused for dramatic effect. “The boys will choose who they want to couple up with. Girls, you’ll step forward when your name is called.
The girl not chosen… will be dumped from the island.”
Aaliyah felt the blood drain from her face. Someone was going home. Tonight.
“Let’s begin,” Ariana said cheerfully.
“Connor, you’re up first.”
Connor stepped forward, hands in his pockets, looking relaxed despite the circumstances. “Right. So, this is pretty easy for me. I wanna couple up with this girl because she’s gorgeous, she makes me laugh, and she can keep up with me drink for drink.” He grinned.
“The girl I wanna couple up with is… Jade.”
Jade whooped, bouncing forward to link her arm through Connor’s. They moved to stand by the fire pit.
“Luca,” Ariana called next.
A tall Italian guy with dark curly hair stepped forward. “The girl I want to couple up with is beautiful, funny, and has legs for days. I wanna couple up with… Sienna.”
Sienna sashayed forward, all confidence, and took Luca’s arm.
Three girls left. Including Aaliyah.
“Marcus,” Ariana said, and Aaliyah’s heart stopped.
Marcus stepped forward, his expression carefully neutral. He looked at Aaliyah for a long moment, and she saw something flash in his eyes. Resignation, maybe. Or acceptance.
“The girl I want to couple up with,” he started, his voice steady, “is smart, funny, and has a smile that lights up a room.” He paused. “I wanna couple up with… Tasha.”
Aaliyah’s knees nearly buckled with relief. Tasha—a pretty blonde from Manchester—squealed and hurried forward.
Which left Aaliyah and one other girl, Naomi, a tall dark-skinned beauty from London.
And one more boy to choose.
“Bill,” Ariana called, her smile absolutely wicked.
Bill stepped forward, and Aaliyah’s entire body went taut. He was wearing black pants and a white button-down again, sleeves rolled up, the top few buttons undone. His hair was slightly messy, like he’d been running his hands through it.
His eyes found hers immediately.
“So,” Bill started, his accent curling around the words. “I’m gonna make this real simple.” He took a step forward, his gaze never leaving Aaliyah’s face. “From the moment I walked into this villa, I knew exactly who I wanted. There was no question. No doubt.”
Aaliyah couldn’t breathe.
“This girl is gorgeous. Like, stupid gorgeous. But that’s not why I’m picking her.” Another step closer. “I’m picking her because when I look at her, I see everything I’ve been looking for. She’s funny, she’s real, she doesn’t play games. And when I touch her—” His smile turned devastating. “—she reacts in a way that tells me she feels this too.”
Oh god. He was really doing this. In front of everyone.
“The girl I want to couple up with is Aaliyah.”
The fire pit erupted into cheers and whistles. Aaliyah felt frozen in place, her heart pounding so hard she thought it might burst out of her chest.
Bill closed the distance between them, his hand extended. “Come here,” he said softly, just for her.
Somehow, her legs worked. She walked forward, placed her hand in his, and let him pull her close. His arm went around her waist immediately, possessive and secure.
“You good?” he murmured into her hair.
“No more Marcus.” It wasn’t a question.
“No more Marcus,” she confirmed, and felt him smile against her temple.
“Good.” He kissed her forehead, then guided her to stand with the other couples.
Ariana finished the ceremony—Naomi was sent home, tears and hugs all around—and then they were free to disperse.
But Bill didn’t let go of Aaliyah’s waist.
“Come with me,” he said, already steering her away from the group.
“Somewhere private.” His hand slid lower, splaying across her hip. “We need to talk.”
Talk. Right. That’s definitely what the look in his eyes was promising.
Aaliyah was in so much trouble.
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