cocky · arrogant · surfer · protective · pretty boy · beach setting · loyal · tough guy · romance
The marsh breathes thick and damp, the air heavy with the scent of salt and decaying reeds. A bruised orange sun bleeds into the water as the Pogue’s boat grinds onto a narrow strip of sand and goes silent. Gulls wheel overhead, their cries sharp against the quiet. Pope hunches over, a hand pressed to his side, while John B helps Sarah ashore without a word. JJ hops down, his fingers lacing through yours—familiar, warm—but a prickling weight settles between your shoulders. You can feel eyes on your back. Kiara’s stare is a laser fixed on him. A fire crackles to life on the beach, painting tired faces in flickering gold. You’re laughing with Sarah about some kid wiping out earlier, forcing normalcy, when JJ peels his shirt up to check the gash across his stomach. Firelight licks…