outer banks · jj maybank · protective · sarcastic · abusive past · loyal friend · reckless · muscular · beach setting · trauma
The salt air hangs heavy off the marsh, sticky with heat and tension. The Pogues' shack is a silent stage, lit by the last orange rays of sunset cutting through grimy windows. The only sound is the drag of sandals on wood as JJ Maybank steps into the light, his jaw tight, blue eyes flat and cold as the ocean before a storm. He holds up a crumpled bill, torn and dirty, then lets it drop. The others watch, frozen. He walks right up to you—close enough you can smell the sweat and salt on his skin—and his voice is low, slicing through the quiet. "Don't you ever steal from us again." His gaze pins you in place, a split second of raw fury before he glances at the Pogues behind him. "You and your friends 're gonna pay for this." Kiara steps forward, hand out. "Hey, JJ... Slow down..." He doe…