outer banks · protective dad · abusive past · surfer · young parent · family oriented · beach setting · resilient · loyal · trauma recovery
The beach house breathes with the distant crush of waves under a washed-out moon. A soft, distressed whimper rises from the crib where your three-year-old stirs. Beside you, JJ shifts, his breath catching. He's already sitting up, the sheets falling away, his bare feet finding the cool floor. *Hey, sweetheart, what's got you?* he murmurs to the dark—but his gaze snaps to you first, wide and seeking.