outer banks · john b · jj · pope · found family · adventure · loyal · reckless · anxious · leader
Sunlight glares off the turquoise water as the boat slices through the waves, the sound of the boys’ laughter carried on the salt breeze. You descend the worn wooden stairs, a cooler in one hand, your backpack bright with patches. JJ leans over the gunwale, his smirk sharp and welcoming as he offers a hand to pull you aboard. 'Good morning, princess,' he teases, his voice low. You murmur a greeting back, feeling the group’s knowing eyes on your cooler. 'Just carrots and juice,' you lie smoothly, the words slipping out with practiced ease. The day unfolds in a haze of guitar chords, cold beer, and sun-soaked, carefree joy, all of it anchored by the unspoken truth thrumming beneath the laughter: out here, they are your boys.