Chapter Text
This season on Temptation Island: ‘You two have not passed Temptation Island,’ Pandora announces/ Marlene sits crying at the campfire, being hugged by the others/ ‘Behaviour like that is disgusting, and to do something like that to a person you supposedly love is despicable,’ Alice says/ Remus says gravely, ’What’s happening right now crosses every boundary that has been set.’/ ‘There’s a Temptation there for sure, and that’s going to hurt,’ Regulus explains/ ‘I just don’t think that they are really good for each other, and I think that’s what has come to light here,’ Frank announces/ James shouts, ‘Fuck this shit.’ And shatters his glass against the wall
Tenerife, beautiful black volcanic beaches, the highest mountain in Spain, and four couples that want to face the ultimate relationship test. Two weeks faced with temptation in two beautiful mansions. And the question stands: which of the four couples leaves Temptation Island together?
The first to arrive are James Potter and Regulus Black, marvelling at the beautiful mansion overlooking the sea.
James turns to Regulus, “Look at that infinity pool. I hope that this is my villa, I wish I could just jump in right now.” Regulus rolls his eyes at his partner playfully but leans further into his side, “Let’s look at the inside first before you say that too loudly.”
“Hello, I’m James Potter, and I’m twenty-three years young. I met my boyfriend Regulus, a little over a year ago.”
“I’m Regulus Black; I’m twenty-two, and I’ve been together with James for almost eleven months now.”
James interjects laughingly, “Yes, because you tried to deny your undying love for the first two months, and you needed convincing that we’re perfect for each other.” To that, Regulus just huffs a laugh but doesn’t deny it or move away as James puts an arm around his shoulder.
“We met at my cousin’s wedding, where James’ family and the groom’s family are old friends. And ever since then, I haven’t been able to get rid of him,” Regulus explains, making James laugh. “And we’re at Temptation Island because I want to be sure that James’ past is behind him. He was never able to say no to a party, and at those parties, he used to find many an ‘acquaintance’. I want to see that he won’t fall back into old habits when there's a party and Temptation at the same time. I trust him one hundred percent that he won't cheat, but I just want to see how he acts without me there.”
James kisses the side of Regulus’s head and says, “You don’t have to worry, darling. I’m going to show you that you’re the only one who could tempt me.”
“Our boundaries are definitely no kissing, no one sleeping in the same bed with someone else, and too much physical and emotional contact,” Regulus says.
James adds, “For me, building an emotional connection would probably be worse than being too physical with someone, but obviously kissing and sleeping in the same bed is crossing a boundary.”
James and Regulus are in the living room now after exploring the house, opening a bottle of champagne, and toasting. “To a good time, “James says.
“But not too good,” Regulus jokes.
And that’s when the next couple arrives: Dorcas Meadows and Marlene McKinnon, walking with their arms linked.
The two couples spot each other and introduce themselves with hugs.
Regulus invites them to a glass of champagne, and they readily accept.
“I’m Dorcas Meadows. I’m twenty-two, and I’ve been with Marlene for more or less four years.”
“And I’m Marlene McKinnon, and I got with Dorcas the last year of school. Since then, we’ve had our ups and downs.”
“What that means is that we’ve broken up and gotten back together more times than both our hands can count,” Dorcas adds, and Marlene rolls her eyes. “Anyways, we’re at Temptation Island because as soon as we’re not officially together, Marlene searches for the next thrill from other people, and even sometimes when we’re on, she gets too close.”
Marlene is quick to butt in, “But I’ve never been unfaithful.”
“Perhaps, but sometimes what you do is just as bad,” Dorcs is quick to point out.
Marlene doesn't say anything to that, and the air is almost awkward between them.
“That’s why we’re here, because Marlene wants to prove that she doesn’t need that and that we’re capable of the next step now that we’re adults. So that means no touching, no one getting too close, and not even looking at anyone. Marlene can’t afford anything else.”
“I just want to see from Dorcas that she misses me and that she doesn't try to get close to anyone emotionally.”
Third to arrive are Alice Abbot and Frank Longbottom.
“Look how beautiful that mansion is,” Alice says hand with her hand intertwined with Frank’s.
“Beautiful…man, it’s big, you can throw some great parties here.”
“You and your parties,” Alice teases.
“You know me,” he replies, opening the door.
The others spot the newcomers, and James enthusiastically calls, “Welcome to my home.”
“Possibly,” Regulus remarks as he hugs Alice. “Nice to meet you, I’m Regulus.”
“Hey, I’m Frank, and the person you’re hugging is my beautiful and marvellous wife, Alice.”
“Wife? You’re married?” Dorcas asks, startled.
“Oh no, no, we’re not even engaged yet,” Alice laughs, hugging Marlene.
“You said yet, but don’t worry, soon, love.”
“Hi, Temptation Island. We’re Frank Longbottom and Alice Abbott, and we’re both twenty-five years old. We’ve been a couple for one and a half years,” Alice says.
“We’re here because we want to prove that our love is as strong as we know it is and that when we leave here together, we’re ready for the next steps in our future,” Frank declares.
“Our boundaries are basically just that you don’t do anything you don’t want your partner doing,” he goes on.
Alice announces, “I’m not worried at all that something will happen, and I have faith in our relationship and trust Frank completely. We just want to each have a good time and hopefully Frank doesn’t have that last drink.”
Frank nods at the statement.
Everyone in the mansion is getting to know one another when Marlene asks, “Aren’t we supposed to be four couples? One is still missing.”
And that’s when the last couple arrives: Bonnie Smith and Remus Lupin
“Hello, I’m Remus Lupin. Twenty-four years old and I've been with my girlfriend Bonnie for a year now.”
“Hey, I’m Bonnie Smith. I’m twenty-six, and we’re at Temptation Island because we want to reignite our spark.”
“We met when she started working at the same bookstore as me, and we hit it off from there, but in the last few weeks, we’ve become almost too complacent in the comfort of our relationship, and we just want to find the excitement again,” Remus says.
“For us, crossing the boundaries would be building an emotional connection with a Temptation or becoming physically intimate; if Remus were to start cuddling with someone, for example, that would be too much for me.”
Remus agrees and reiterates the same for her.
Everyone introduced themselves one last time and started talking about themselves and their lives together.
Frank tells Remus, “Yeah, Alice and I met at a work event, and we just hit it off immediately and started seeing each other.”
“Bonnie and I work at the same place, and we’ve been living together for like two and a half months now.”
“Oh wow, that was fast, we moved in together after one year of dating, so six months now, exactly.”
On the other side of the room, Dorcas and James are chatting.
“So you and Regulus were getting to know each other for three months before becoming a couple, right?” Dorcas asks.
“Yes, and we’ve been together ever since,” James proudly proclaims.
“I honestly can’t relate to that, Marline and I have broken up and gotten back together so many times it's lucky if we manage three months in a row.”
James answers, surprised, “I honestly don’t know how you do that. I couldn’t imagine not being at his side.”
Dorcas laughs a bit, “But you needed three months to make Regulus give in, so let's wait and see how that goes in here.”
And that’s when our beautiful host, Pandora, enters the mansion.
“If everyone could come out here, please, and gather round,” she calls.
The couples dutifully make their way to the outside patio next to the infinity pool and take a seat on the sofas.
“Hello and welcome to Temptation Island, everyone,” Pandora greets.
They all greet her back.
“You all look great, how do you guys feel being here? Remus and Bonnie?”
Bonnie answers, “Thank you, Pandora. We’re excited to be here, and we look forward to a great time.”
“I’m glad to hear. What about you, Frank and Alice, the two of you look very much in love. What brought you here?”
“Oh, you know, we just want to see if we’re ready to take the next step in our lives and want to do that test now.”
“That's good to hear, and how is it with you two, Marlene and Dorcas, you’ve been together the longest out of all the couples?”
“So we’re here to build back the trust that’s gotten lost in our relationship, and Marlene has something to prove to me.”
“Okay, so that for sure sounds like a challenge for you two, you’ve come to the right place, then. And now for the last two, James and Regulus, your relationship is the freshest. Why come here now?”
“Sometimes, I’m a bit insecure and mistrusting, especially with James’ past, so this seemed like the best place to see if we could work and for me to get over those issues.”
“Honest and aware, that's always a good place to be. And James, does Regulus have anything to prove to you?”
“No, because he has never given me anything to doubt.”
“Then you are ready for the test to start. So sadly, I’m going to have to break you lovelies up now because the following four are going to be moving to our second mansion. Leaving are Frank, Marlene, Remus, and James.”
At those words, Regulus turns to James and says, “I guess it’s my infinity pool and my mansion.”
James puts on a face of mock despair and proclaims, “So now I’m losing you and the infinity pool? Life is too cruel, what did we get ourselves into?”
Regulus laughs at his boyfriend, and they embrace each other while they share loving kisses.
“Have fun and a good time, and don’t worry, we are going out of this stronger than before,” James whispers in Regulus' ear.
Regulus nods at James’ shoulder. “I trust you, and I love you. Don't forget it. Just have some fun.”
“It’s not going to be the same without you there, but I’ll try. I love you so much. I will show you we are meant to be.”
Next to them, Alice and Frank whisper tearfully, “You’re the love of my life, and I'll miss you so much. I know it’s going to be hard, but our future is ahead of us after this.”
“I know, and I'll miss you too, my love. Have fun, but don’t drink too much,” Alice whispers back.
Remus and Bonnie, on the other hand, are exchanging little pecks. “Don’t forget the life that we built, I love you,” Bonnie tells Remus.
“I won't, I love you too,” Remus replies.
At the far end, Marlene and Dorcas hug while talking. “Prove to me that we have a future and can get through this, I just don’t wanna see you with other people,” Dorcas says with tears in her eyes.
“You won't, I promise; we can make it. I really, really love you,” Marlene replies.
No more words are exchanged except for some little gifts for their respective partners. And then, the four people are called to make their way to the car that is waiting for them.
The newly designated inhabitants of the Infinity Villa sit back down, most with tears still in their eyes, and turn to Pandora, who gives them an encouraging smile.
“Now the party can begin, but what would a party be without the guests? Here comes your Temptation.” With that said, from Pandora, the gates open, and eleven singles, six men and five women, walk up to the pool under watchful eyes.
“So my lovelies, what do you say about your company for the next two weeks?”
“There is definitely something for the eyes there,” Alice smiles, already a bit cheered up, and the others nod.
“I think we are going to have a good time together,” Bonnie says.
Pandora beams at them all, “Then don’t let me keep you, I will see you at the first campfire.”
And with that, the party starts.
Over at the next mansion, the four taken are marveling at their home for the next two weeks.
“There is no infinity pool,” James laments and then jokes, “Regulus is going to laugh himself silly once he sees that at the campfire.”
“But instead we have a waterfall, which is so much cooler,” Marlene exclaims.
In the living room, they find their Temptation: six women and five men waiting for them to get the party started.
Remus:
“The mansion is definitely very nice. We are going to have some great parties in here, and our company isn’t lacking either in any sense,” he says with a drink in his hand and a smile on his face.
Marlene:
“The mood and the atmosphere are great, and the Temptations have greeted us with open arms. And there is no doubt nothing to complain about in the looks department. Everyone looks amazing.”
The champagne immediately starts flowing, and the music matches the vibe out on the patio.
The first small groups gather together and start talking about themselves and their lives. At the table, Marlene and James are already on their fourth drink and enjoying the company immensely.
The heartbreak of the separation from their loved ones seems further on some minds than others, as Marlene is already bumping shoulders with the people close to her and talking animatedly.
Next to James is a red-haired woman with green eyes who is getting along quite well with him.
“So you’re twenty-three, too, right? I’m Lily, by the way.”
“Yeah, nice to meet you, I’m James.”
“Hi, I’m Lily Evens, twenty-three years old. I’m a temptation because of my character and my looks, and I get a lot of compliments, especially for my eyes. I’d say I’m a woman who knows what she wants, and I usually get what I want. I’m here to test how faithful the guys and gals are going to stay when I really give my best to seduce them.”
James already seems quite lost in your eyes, Lily, don’t worry. Meanwhile, his other half is settling in at James’ beloved infinity pool with his own company.
Everyone is gathered on the outside seating and airing their grievances with their relationships, rather than partying; one especially seems to have a lot to say.
“It’s like as soon as the word break is on the table, Marlene is off in the club or some bar, ready to find the next person to be close with,” Dorcas tells them all.
“So she sleeps with them immediately?” Alice asks, astonished.
“I mean, not like sleep with them necessarily, but there’s most of the time making out involved and close dancing amongst other things. So trust is like a big issue at this point and has been for some time,” Dorcas says while smoking a cigarette.
“Because it seems like the relationship can’t mean too much if she can go to other people that fast,” Regulus says.
“Exactly,” Dorcas immediately exclaims.
Dorcas:
“I mean, I know that Marlene loves me more than anything, that’s not the question here. But she just doesn't think about what consequences her actions have, and that’s hurtful a lot of the time. So I’m a bit scared that I’m going to see some stuff where she lost her senses because of alcohol.”
“So this is like the last test to see if we can stay together or if this doesn’t have a future,” She continues.
Bonnie:
“Dorcas and Marlene’s relationship doesn’t seem stable enough for this experiment from what I’ve heard so far. Even after just knowing them for less than a day, I can see that they are going to hurt each other a lot based on what they’ve both said. As sad as it is, I really don’t think that they are going to last through this.”
Next time on Temptation Island: Alcohol is flowing freely and readily at both mansions, and that loosens some tongues and lowers inhibitions at the first grand party of this season.’You should let loose here, Regulus. Have a good time, I mean, isn’t facing temptation the point of this show?’/ ‘Marlene is already starting this strong the way she’s dancing with some of them’/ ‘I can just picture her already giving or receiving lap dances, it’s embarrassing, honestly./ And Remus is already finding one of the singles to be quite the Temptation.