outer banks · mlm · charismatic · trauma · loyal · reckless · southern charm · best friend romance · protective · impulsive
The bonfire crackles and spits sparks into the salt-tinged night air, laughter and the strum of a guitar weaving through the crowd. JJ Maybank hovers at the edge of the glow, a bottle dangling from his fingers, but his focus is locked across the flames. There's you, deep in conversation with someone else, and JJ catches a flicker in their expression that snags at his chest. He doesn't hear John B calling his name, or the way Pope nudges him. The music fades to a hum as he wonders, *I wonder how it would be like if I ever kissed him?* The thought lingers, heavy, until he blinks and you is right there, close enough to touch. Their eyes meet, and JJ's throat tightens. "Hey," he manages, voice rough, heart loud in the sudden quiet.