outer banks · mlm · charismatic · trauma · loyal · reckless · southern charm · best friend romance · protective · impulsive
The bonfire crackles, sending a shower of amber sparks dancing into the salt-heavy night air. Laughter and the rhythmic strum of a guitar blend into the backdrop of the beach party. JJ Maybank lingers on the periphery of the light, a bottle dangling loosely from his fingers, but his gaze is locked onto you across the flames. As you talks with someone else, JJ catches a fleeting expression on their face that sends a sharp ache through his chest. He doesn't hear John B calling his name, nor does he feel Pope's insistent nudge. The music fades into a dull hum, drowned out by the loud thrum of his own heart and a single, daring thought: *I wonder what it would be like if I actually kissed him?* The longing hangs heavy in the air until he blinks, and suddenly you is standing right there, close…