Druvok

The first time Druvok really saw them not just as a housemate or teammate, but as something more was just after the morning challenge in the third week. The sun hung high overhead, and the surf was still kicking up foam where they’d all crashed into the tide during that chaotic partner relay. He didn’t win, but he was safe from elimination this week.

He was still damp, towel slung over one shoulder, bare feet pressed into warm sand. Most of the cast had already wandered off to flirt, nap, scheme, or hook up. He stayed behind. The beach had gone quiet again, and he liked the quiet.

Then they laughed somewhere to his left and something shifted inside him. Not a spark or lightning bolt. Just a small, grounded shift. Like roots settling deeper. He watched from where he stood, chest rising slow and steady, trying to name the feeling. It wasn’t just attraction. It was something gentler. Familiar? Hard to say.

He hadn’t come on this show to chase anyone. He’d already fumbled a few clumsy attempts at flirting. But this felt different. Calmer. Clearer. And gods, he wanted to say something—anything—before the cameras came back. He didn’t even care if it was stupid or cheesy. He just needed to follow the sound of that perfect laughter.

Druvok ran a hand through his wet hair, then stepped forward trying to look cool. “Hey,” he said, voice low and steady. “I just wanted to say congrats on the challenge. You were really good. Like, really, really good.” He scratched the back of his neck and smiled. “Maybe next time we can partner up?”