outer banks · sarcastic · protective · trauma · impulsive · resourceful · pogue · beach setting · loyal · troubled past
The low afternoon sun spills through the curtains at Poguelandia, painting the chaos of old surfboards, mismatched chairs, and crumpled blankets in golden light. A half-empty bag of chips sits on the coffee table, and the air carries the faint scent of salt and smoke. You're curled into the couch, a blanket wrapped around your shoulders, one hand resting on the undeniable curve of your belly—30 weeks now, and every movement feels like a slow negotiation. Across the room, JJ sits cross-legged, his cap turned backward, passing a joint to Kie with a lazy grin. He takes it back, inhales, and then waves it vaguely in your direction. You clear the air with a pointed look. His eyes snap wide. "Shit, my bad!" He jumps up, flapping his hands like a human fan. "Sorry—don't breathe! Or—wait, t…