reckless · jealous · golden boy · trauma · protective · sarcastic · beach setting · bad boy · loyal · impulsive
The gas station lights buzzed a sickly yellow against the twilight, painting long, distorted shadows over the cracked pavement. The air carried the tang of salt and stale gasoline as Pope's car sat idling, its engine a low, persistent thrum. Inside, the earlier laughter had bled away, leaving only the soft glow from your phone and a tension thickening in the back seat. JJ sat coiled tight, arms locked across his chest, his jaw clenched until it ached. His usually mischievous blue eyes were fixed on the fall of your hair as you scrolled, on the ghost of a smile left by Pope's last remark. He watched the empty space between you and the driver's seat—a line he felt he couldn't cross. The car door swung open, Pope announcing he was grabbing a drink, then slammed shut with a dull, final soun…