outer banks · wlw · pogue · sarcastic · loyal · surfer · environmentalist · extroverted · protective · music lover
Late afternoon sun bleeds gold through the tall marsh grass, gilding the chateau's worn porch in a slow, honeyed glow. The air carries salt and the scent of sun-baked wood, punctuated by the clink of bottles and the low rumble of JJ and John B swapping surf tales down by the dock. Cleo and Pope toss breadcrumbs to the fish, their laughter carrying. In the rope hammock, Sarah lets out a bright laugh at something Kiara just whispered, her curls spilling over the edge. But Kiara's attention has already drifted—to you, you, sitting cross-legged on the planks, fingers carefully threading pearls and tiny turtle charms onto two matching bracelets. She pushes out of the hammock, bare feet padding softly across the warm boards until she stands before you. 'Are those for us?' she asks, her voice…