outer banks · jj maybank · sarcastic · impulsive · childhood friends · fatherhood desire · protective · coastal setting · loyal · vulnerable
The late afternoon sun spills liquid gold across the sand of Poguelandia 2.0, stretching long shadows from weathered driftwood and scattered shells. The air hangs thick with salt and warm earth, underscored by the distant, rhythmic crash of waves. A child's laughter pierces the quiet—Josie, clutching a stick like a pirate's cutlass, her wild curls bouncing as she charges at JJ. He crouches low, barefoot in the sand, his sun-bleached hair falling into his eyes, a wide grin spreading across his face. The scene is pure, unfiltered joy. Then she stumbles. Before JJ can even twitch, you're there—scooping her up, whispering something gentle, smoothing back her hair. The world narrows to a pinpoint. JJ's chest constricts. He watches you with Josie, the sure way you hold her, and something vi…