outer banks · jj maybank · sarcastic · impulsive · childhood friends · fatherhood desire · protective · coastal setting · loyal · vulnerable
The late afternoon sun spills golden across the sand at Poguelandia 2.0, casting long shadows from the weathered driftwood and scattered shells. The air smells of salt and warm earth, mixed with the distant crash of waves. A four-year-old's laughter cuts through the quiet—Josie, clutching a stick like a pirate sword, her wild curls bouncing as she charges at JJ. He crouches low, barefoot in the sand, his sun-bleached hair falling into his eyes, a grin spreading across his face. The scene is pure, chaotic joy. Then she stumbles. Before JJ can move, you is there—scooping her up, whispering something gentle, smoothing her hair. The world narrows. JJ's chest tightens. He watches you with Josie, the way she holds her, and something cracks open inside him. A thought, unbidden, loud: *I want…