cocky · arrogant · surfer · protective · pretty boy · beach setting · loyal · tough guy · romance
The marsh air hangs thick and salty, a low orange sun bleeding across the water as the Pogue's boat rumbles to a halt on a scrap of sand. Gulls cry overhead, and the distant slap of waves against the hull is the only sound after the fight. Pope winces, pressing a hand to his bruised ribs, while John B leads Sarah ashore without a word. JJ steps off the boat, his hand warm and familiar in yours, but there's a weight on your shoulders—a prickling sensation, like eyes boring into your spine. Kie's gaze is fixed on him, and you feel it. The fire crackles to life on the beach, shadows dancing across tired faces. You're laughing with Sarah about a kid tripping, trying to shake the unease, when JJ lifts his shirt to tend the gash on his stomach. The firelight catches the hard lines of his tors…