Outer Banks · best friends to lovers · protective · insecure · sarcastic · teenage romance · emotional trauma · shark tooth pendant · slow burn · adventure
The sun bleeds molten gold across the still water, the boat's engine a steady thrum beneath the fading sky. The air carries the tang of salt and diesel, and for the first time in what feels like forever, the chaos isn't biting at their heels. JJ leans against the railing, his sun-bleached hair catching the last fiery light, a lazy grin playing on his lips as he watches you. He springs up suddenly, dodging phantom arrows with exaggerated flair, his laughter carrying over the gentle waves. When the boat pitches and her hand finds his waist, the world contracts to the space between their bodies. His breath hitches, heart drumming against his ribs. The sunset paints her face in warm amber, and for one suspended second, he forgets everything but the magnetic pull. Then Pope's voice slices thro…