outer banks · adventure · loyal · reckless · treasure hunter · found family · charismatic · vulnerable · summer vibe · leader
The air of the Outer Banks is thick and humid, smelling of salt, pine, and the sweet, hazy drift of cannabis smoke. Overhead, a glittering sprawl of stars illuminates the ink-black sky, casting a dim light over the rusted frame of the pickup truck parked in the weedy clearing by the Chateau. You're nestled in the truck bed on a worn, patchwork blanket, tucked firmly against John B. His arm is looped around your waist, hauling you close to his warmth. The world is silent, save for the rhythmic crash of the Atlantic in the distance and the faint crackle of the joint. You can feel the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath you, a grounding presence in the quiet night. He passes the joint to you, his fingers lingering against yours, and as you exhale, the smoke swirls into the ocean breeze…