#and he shouldn't have attempted to use a scooter

[randomloverofmusic]

Sigh........

[soukitas]

hi!! don't know if you're still active but i would like to request a blurb with hijikata being jealous, if that's okay?

Hello!! Yes I'm still sort of active around, thank you for the request!!!

CW: Fem!Reader

"It will be 3,000 yen, Okita-san" you mentioned in the direction of the young captain.

"Did you manage to do my special request?" he commented while he handed you the corresponding money.

"Whole bottle of mannoyaise for the fried rice, tabasco in the ramen broth, and a hard-written 'I love you' note pretending to be Tae Shimura on the katsudon." you clarified "Got it memorized since day one, Okita-san"

"No one does it like you do" Sougo smiled in your direction, and you couldn't help but let out a shy laugh.

You were the local restaurant's delivery person and co-owner, for the past year you had been religiously cooking take-out for the Shinsengumi members at least three times a week. Over the course of this time, you had managed to become friends with the youngest captain of the force and got to know the higher heads: Kondou Isao, the commander, and Hijikata Toushirou, the attractive vicecommander.

He had been the one to receive the orders a couple of times, and unlike the ashy-brown boy, who was easier to talk to, exchanging words with him was next to impossible, mostly because every time you were in front of him you had to fight the urge to kiss him silly.

"Sougo, what's taking so long?" as if thoughts could conjure matter, the second you wondered if you were getting the opportunity to see him today he appeared at the entrance of the compound. He took a glance at you which he diverted quickly. "Don't waste time messing around with girls, break time is almost over."

"Hijikata-san, you're making me sound like a playboy." the younger boy complained.

"I'll get going." you interrupted in attempt to lower the tension that had grown between the two.

You headed to the scooter you commonly used for transport and tried to start the engine. First time, the sound fell flat, second time, still didn't turn on, and by the third time, you had given up. Your scooter was not going to start, damn the owner for not giving it proper maintenance. You were embarrassed enough, and the fact that the two men remained by the entrance watching you fail misserably was just adding to it. Sougo had gotten closer, his body bent forward to examine the vehicle, a bit too close to you compared to what you normally allow a stranger to be.

"Damn it" you muttered when he seemed to not know what was wrong right away "I still have some more deliveries to make, what am I going to do? The food will go cold." you complained to the skies, mostly talking to yourself.

"I can take you on the patrol car, it will be faster that way." Sougo offered. You were about to jump in right into the proposal, since keeping your job was your priority, until your friend was abruptly pulled away by his collar.

"You're just looking for excuses to miss out on work!" Hijikata almost yelled as he rather roughly pushed Sougo in the direction of the compound entrance. Instead, he walked towards you, more like past you, in the direction of his car. "I'll take you, let's get going, I have work to do."

You didn't quite believe your ears but compiled without refutal. The ride was quiet and slightly awkward. You wouldn't talk much and he wouldn't even dare to look your way.

"He's more deceiving than you think, that guy." he suddenly spurted out.

"Do you mean Okita-san?" you asked, surprised by his proactivity.

"You shouldn't be so friendly with him, he is into weird stuff." his eyes kept fixed on the road, his hand occasionally darting out to remove the cigarette from his mouth and blow out the smoke.

"He's been nothing but good to me, though." you said absentmindedly, you weren't trying to advocate for him or anything, you just spoke the truth that circled your mind at the time.

Hijikata was silent the entire remaining routes. He would simply ask for the address, light up another cigarette once you arrived, and crush it right after you were done talking to the costumer. Did you have to be so nice to every one of them? Could you not tell the way they looked at you? The same way Sougo looked at you?

"That was the last one" you said as you dropped back onto the passenger's seat. You let out a content sigh and turned to him, for the first time in the entire day he returned your gaze, and you couldn't help but smile "Thank you, Hijikata-san, you really saved me"

The way his name slipped from your lips made his chest feel heavy. "I'll take you back home now." he stated.

you hummed with doubt "The scooter is still at the compound, though"

"I'll have someone take a look at it and give it to you once it's fixed." he answered.

There was no point on arguing, so you just gave him the address and he drove without a word yet again. However, the second he pulled over in front of your house, his hand darted out to hand you something. Between his fingers he was holding a namecard that read "Hijikata Toshiro, XXX-XXX-XX-XX" with his number on it.

"Call me tomorrow morning, I will take you to work." he offered.

"You don't have to do that..." you said as a reflex, trying to hide the fact that you were, indeed, thrilled with his proposal.

"Whenever you have the food we order ready," he continued, ignoring that you had just say "Call me. I'll receive it."

His voice was more commanding than suggestive. You couldn't help the blush that ran through your face, and simply nodded in response, sliding quickly outside the car. The window on his side was open to allow the smoke of his cigarette to slip out. He was waiting for you to get inside before he left, and as you looked back at him still in the car, you gave in to an impulse you had long ago.

"Hijikata-san." you said camly as you approached him again. You heard him ask if there was a problem, but instead of responding you bent over across the open window to lay a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, again!" you said sheepishly before basically running into your home.

He attempted to look non-chalant as you drifted away, but the second you were out of sight his face turned a shade of red tomatos would be jealous of. His hand was brought to his mouth and a frown appeared. He hated it. He hated how much it affected him. How much he wanted you to do it again.

[bumblesimagines]

The Oldest Pogue

Part 3

Request; Yes or No

(Y/N) cut vegetables, mind drifting back to the events that had occured. They almost got caught by his dad, got in a boat chase, and found evidence of John B's dad possibly being alive. Just a few days ago, everything was normal. They fished, partied, spent each day having fun. Things were start to take a more serious turn. Suddenly, pain shot (Y/N)'s finger.

"Shit!" (Y/N) hissed, putting his finger in his mouth and tasting blood. He sighed, putting the knife down and rinsing his finger as the door opened.

"Hey, bud." Shoupe greeted, watching him. (Y/N) licked his lips.

"Hey, dad. How was work? Any luck finding that wreck?" (Y/N) asked, turning the water off and searching for a bandaid.

"Goddamn it." (Y/N) muttered. Shoupe's brows raised.

"You okay?" He asked. (Y/N) nodded, opening a cabinet and finding the box of bandaids.

"Cut yourself? Let me see." Shoupe approached him but (Y/N) shrunk away from him.

"Absolutely not. You'll touch it and it'll hurt more." (Y/N) said, applying the bandage on. Shoupe rolled his eyes, calling him 'dramatic' under his breath.

"To answer your question, no. We didn't get any luck. Who knows how far the current took that body from the boat? The waves from that day were strong." Shoupe said. (Y/N) hummed.

"Have you searched the areas around the beaches? Maybe he got far." (Y/N) went back to chopping vegetables. Shoupe sighed.

"And anyway.. Why is everyone searching so much? He went out during a hurricane and drowned." (Y/N) shrugged. "Did his autopsy reveal something?"

"Nope. No drugs, no signs of assault, no signs of intoxication. He went out there clean and with a clear mind. We want to know why. Finding the wreck will be the only way in knowing." Shoupe told him. (Y/N) hummed.

"I guess that make sense." (Y/N) mumbled. Shoupe nodded.

"So.. Have you spoken with Rafe?" Shoupe asked.

"Dad." (Y/N) looked at him. "No, no, I haven't and don't blame on it."

"He's a douche."

"Damn, a douche, huh?" Shoupe chuckled.

"Yeah, he ghosts me when he goes off to college and then expects me to sucker up to him when he gets back? JJ warned me-"

"JJ, huh?"

"Not every guy I talk about is my boyfriend, dad. JJ is my friend. Plain and simple." (Y/N) sighed, finishing the soup.

"Now.. Can we change the subject? How's Peterkin and everyone else?"

"DCS! I know you're in there!" JJ shouted, pounding on John B's door. (Y/N) rolled his eyes, chuckling. JJ went to the window, jumping and scaring John B. JJ laughed loudly.

"Gotcha, slick." He chuckled. (Y/N) shook his head, opening the door.

"Have any breakfast yet?" (Y/N) asked. John B nodded, sighing and putting on his hat. The boys left, getting in the van.

"Why don't you get a car, (N/N)? You have the money for it." JJ said. (Y/N) shrugged.

"Want me to get one for you?"

"You can't steal a car, JJ." (Y/N) said. JJ raised his brows, grinning. (Y/N) rolled his eyes.

"Okay, you can but you shouldn't. Dad already thinks we're dating and you stealing a car will-"

"Woah, Woah.." JJ flushed, blinking as he stared at him. "You're dad thinks we're dating?" JJ asked.

"Yeah." (Y/N) nodded. John B held back a snort, knowing how JJ felt.

"Speaking of dating, Kiara is into you, JB." (Y/N) said.

"She totally likes you, dude." JJ nodded, looking at him. "She's like, 'Oh, John B.'"

"Is that what she does?" John B cocked a brow as (Y/N) laughed softly.

"She's sketching about you diving, then she kissed you." JJ listed.

"She kissed me on the cheek." John B corrected. "It's not like we were makin' out."

"Low-hanging fruit, bro." JJ shrugged.

"Never hurts to try." (Y/N) said.

"Right? I see it in your eyes too, bro. You're like, 'I kinda like that,' and you start blushing." JJ grinned.

"Wanna talk about blushing and seeing it?" John B asked. JJ puffed out his cheeks, gaze flickering to (Y/N), who was too busy staring out the window to notice. JJ leaned forward, grabbing the compass in an attempt to change the subject.

"Hey, don't-"

"I was just looking at it!" JJ pushed John B's hands away. "I gotta admit, your father's compass in Scooter's boat, that's freaky."

"Yeah. That's why we're going to talk to Ms. Lana, figure this whole thing out." John B said.

"We?" (Y/N) repeated, looking forward at them.

"Yes, we. You're the best at consoling people." John B said. (Y/N) groaned.

"I knew I should've stayed in bed." (Y/N) mumbled. JJ chuckled.

"As if I would've let you." He shot him a wink. (Y/N) rolled his eyes, reaching forward and pinching his cheek. They turned up the radio, listening to it. John B drove onto a dirt road.

"So, what are we gonna say? 'Hey, we know you're crying over your dead husband but we found the boat he was in and tried to take valuable stuff but instead found this compass. Ring any bells?'" (Y/N) cocked a brow. JJ and John B glanced at each other, nodding.

"Yeah, basically." They replied. (Y/N) rolled his eyes, shaking his head.

"Starting to feel glad I came. For Ms. Lana's sake." (Y/N) mumbled, looking back out the window. They arrived, parking. John B and JJ hopped out, JJ opening the door for (Y/N).

"Such a gentleman." (Y/N) teased, chuckling softly. JJ bowed, pretending to tip a hat. (Y/N) rolled his eyes, gently pushing him. JJ chuckled, walking towards the house.

"Know what this house looks like?" JJ asked. "Whoever lives here smokes too much weed."

"A widow lives here, JJ." (Y/N) reminded, smacking the back of his head. The boys started slowing down, hearing glass shattering and crashing.

"Maybe we should come back." JJ said. (Y/N) shot him a look.

"What if she's being attacked?" (Y/N) asked. JJ shrugged.

"None of our business." JJ replied.

"Shut up, JJ." John B glanced at him. They heard more crashing before Lana screamed, telling whoever was inside the house was hurting her. (Y/N) dragged JJ towards the house. They heard the voices and Lana sobbing more clearly. They got down, pressing against the house.

"Still think we should stay?" JJ asked them quietly.

"The compass wasn't in the boat. Where is it, Lana?" A man asked. (Y/N) furrowed his brows, glancing at John B. He wondered what the hell they got themselves into. The walls shook, dried paint getting on them. They got it out of their hair. John B peeked before moving forward.

"We should just go. He's got smuggler written all over him-"

"Shut up." John B huffed. They peeked over the side, watching to men walk out. (Y/N) squinted, noticing it seemed like the boat that had chased them.

"Those are the guys from yesterday." (Y/N) mumbled.

"The ones that shot at us." JJ shook his head. They hid, moving back a bit so they wouldn't be spotted. Once they were out of sight, (Y/N) moved.

"(Y/N)? (Y/N)! Goddamn it." JJ huffed, following him inside. (Y/N) followed the sound of Lana sobbing, glancing at the trashed up house.

"Ms. Lana?" John B called out. (Y/N) turned a corner, finding her on the bathroom floor. He quickly rushed toward her.

"Ms. Lana, are you okay?" (Y/N) asked. She flinched, looking at him.

"It's okay, it's me." (Y/N) soothed. "She's tweaking, man." (Y/N) hushed JJ.

"Do you need a doctor? Want me to get dad or Peterkin?"

"No." Lana gasped out, shaking her head. "They can't get involved."

"Why not?" (Y/N) frowned.

"You shouldn't be here." Lana sniffled.

"That's enough for me, come on." JJ tugged on (Y/N)'s shirt. (Y/N) swatted his hand away.

"Wait, wait." John B crouched down by her, glancing at them. "What do you know about these guys?"

"They were looking for something." Lana whimpered. (Y/N) frowned.

"Do you know anything about this?" John B asked. Lana's face dropped, rapidly shaking her head.

"This is my father's. Scooter had it. Do you know anything about it?" John B asked.

"Don't tell anyone that you have that!" Lana glanced between them. (Y/N) was suddenly pulled up by JJ.

"We need to go, now. What if they come back?" JJ asked, raising his brows. (Y/N) glanced at John B and Lana.

"She's hurt, JJ."

"You can't always be the hero." JJ said quietly. Lana yelled at them to go and get out, JJ dragging John B and (Y/N) away. They got into the van, quickly driving away.

"We should go back-"

"(N/N), for the love of god." JJ climbed back into the backseats, sitting infront of him. He gently grabbed his face.

"She'll be fine. She had cuts and bruises. There was no blood spilled so she didn't get stabbed or shot." JJ said. "Start worrying about yourself before you get hurt."

"But.." (Y/N) breathed out, staring into JJ's sky blue eyes. He swallowed, nodding and shifting his gaze elsewhere. JJ hummed, letting him go and sighing deeply. He caught John B's eye through the rearview mirror. John B cocked a brow. JJ looked away, focusing back on (Y/N) and getting dried paint out of his hair. They got to the house, Kiara and Pope already there and waiting. JJ had them sit down, telling them all about it. (Y/N) stared at the tree, thoughts locked on Lana and the guys. (Y/N) spaced out, their voices being muffled and faint.

"The office." (Y/N) blinked, looking at John B when he spoke. "Huh?"

"My dad. My dad's office." John B said, entering the house. They followed, (Y/N) taking JJ's cigarette and butting it out. They followed him to the office, watching him open it.

"I just.. Kind of left it like it is." John B mumbled.

"Yeah, for when he gets back." Kiara nodded. Pope and JJ looked at each other. (Y/N) pinched JJ, squinting his eyes and shaking his head. JJ pouted, rubbing his arm. John B opened the door, entering.

"I've slept over here like 600 times, and I've never seen this door open." Pope said, entering the office. They looked around at the scattered papers, books, maps. (Y/N) hummed.

"Looks straight out of Pinterest." (Y/N) mumbled. JJ chuckled softly. John B grabbed a crappily made family tree.

"Look, this is the original owner, right here." John B pointed at a picture as they gathered around.

"Robert Q. Routleoge." Kiara read. (Y/N) hummed, looking over the pictures.

"Have I ever told you how weird your last name is?" (Y/N) looked at him. John B scoffed.

"Yours is Shoupe, it's not any better." He replied. (Y/N) chuckled, looking back down at the family tree.

"There's the lucky compass." Kiara pointed at the compass in the picture, smiling.

"Actually, um.. He was shot after he bought it." John B told them, softly.

"Then it was shipped back to Henry. He was killed in a crop-dusting accident when he had the compass." John B moved onto the next guy. (Y/N)'s brows rose.

"After he died, it was sent to Stephen. He had it with him when he died in Vietnam." John B glanced up at them. (Y/N) hummed.

"He died in action?"

"He, uh.. Was killed by a banana truck. In- In country." John B corrected. "He passed the compass down to my dad."

"Seems more cursed than lucky." (Y/N) mumbled. JJ nodded.

"Yeah, reoccuring theme called death." JJ said, shrugging lightly. "You're probably next."

"Am not." John B huffed, sitting down. "My dad used to talk about this secret compartment soldiers used to hide secret notes." John B opened the back, shaking it.

"That wasn't there before.. This is my dad's handwriting." John B said.

"How can you know?" Pope asked.

"Cause he does these weird Rs." John B showed him. "See?"

"Can I see it?" JJ asked. John B handed it to him. JJ sucked his teeth, looking over it.

"Red.. Rout.. No, I think that's an A."

"It says Redfield." Kiara corrected.

"Right."

"So, what's Redfield?" Kiara asked, looking at the boys.

"I can name a list of people and places with that name." (Y/N) said, shrugging and stepping away from them. He looked over some papers, glancing at the pen when he heard the rooster cawing.

"How can you think with that thing constantly crowing at you?" Pope asked.

"Everyone loves the rooster." Kiara muttered, watching him try to figure out the clue and trying to help. (Y/N) looked up, tugging at John B's shirt.

"Guys, we have company." (Y/N) told them. The others went to the window, watching the guys from before get out of the truck. JJ started pacing until John B grabbed him and spun him around.

"Where's the gun?" John B asked. JJ tried to think. (Y/N) swallowed, looking for another potential escape route. JJ left to get the gun but ran back into the room. (Y/N) looked at the windows. He went to one, trying to get it open. JJ and Pope jumped in to help.

"Why isn't it opening?" Kiara asked, panicking. "Painted shut." (Y/N) replied, glancing around for a knife or scissors. They could hear the men shouting, knocking things over. Kiara found something sharp enough. She started cutting the paint as John B and Pope leaned against the door. They stayed as quiet as possible, locking the door. A gunshot rang out, causing them to work faster. They got it open, everyone getting out. (Y/N) closed the window before being dragged away by JJ to the chicken pen. They hid inside, watching as the guys took stuff in crates into their truck.

"Do something, Pope. Shut him up!" JJ hissed, glaring at the rooster.

"What do you want me to do?!"

"Pet it, or talk to it. I don't know!" Kiara whispered back. Before Pope could do anything, the rooster tried attacking him. John B quickly hid. JJ grabbed the rooster by its neck, hitting it against the ground. It went limp, silence taking over. (Y/N) had Kiara bury her face into his chest, letting her sob quietly. JJ frowned, watching her. Once they heard the truck driving away, they got out and into the van. John B started driving. (Y/N) swallowed, staring at the van floor.

"Look, sorry about the rooster." JJ said. (Y/N) looked st him, shaking his head.

"My, uh.. My ex killed a cat once infront of me." (Y/N) mumbled. JJ's eyes widened, brows raising. (Y/N) nodded, confirming his silent question. The topic changed to John B and concocting. (Y/N) sighed softly, watching the trees pass by until they got to the lighthouse. John B parked, getting out with everyone.

"Right, you're gonna post up and look out for bogeys." John B said, looking at JJ.

"What? Why me?"

"Because you're not coming." Pope answered.

"Why?"

"Look, there are dependent and independent variables. You're an independent variable. We don't know what you'll do." Pope explained in his own weird way. An argument broke up but John B shut it down.

"Pope and (Y/N), you stand look out with JJ." John B said. (Y/N) shrugged.

"Alright." He nodded. "We'll meet back up later." John B said before walking away with Kiara. (Y/N) opened the driver door and sat in the seat. JJ approached him, resting his arms on (Y/N)'s knees.

"Why didn't you tell me about him killing a cat?" JJ asked softly. (Y/N) shrugged.

"No reason, Sunset. I just.. It's nothing." (Y/N) shook his head.

"Does your dad know?" JJ asked. (Y/N) shook his head.

"No. I'm not telling him anytime soon." (Y/N) gently ran his hair through JJ's hair. Pope approached them. He was about to greet them before they heard police sirens.

"Fuck." (Y/N) whispered as JJ and Pope got in the back. (Y/N) started the van, quickly driving away. He glanced in the rearview mirror.

"Shit, that's my dad." (Y/N) mumbled, driving faster.

[maysbanks]

she moves in her own way. (jj maybank)

due to the ASTOUNDING response to my first jj fic which i have to say a huuuge thank you to everyone that liked, commented & reblogged, it honestly means the absolute world !! i couldn't wait much longer to start writing for my boy again, i have so many fic ideas and cannot wait to get them out to y'all. this one is shorter than the last, & the title is inspired from the song 'she moves in her own way' by the kooks (lol) but isn't necessarily based off of it, it's just something that i wrote up quickly bc i was in my feels™️ . also i feel very unoriginal with the whole plot and aspect of this but im gonna post it anyway bc i love jj lmao. anyway hope u enjoy !

warnings: swearing, underage drinking, drug use, violence, jj with a gun™️

summary: reader walks the fine line between either pogue or kook, though technically a kook, she ignores all social standings of the obx and jj maybank cannot stop himself from getting caught up in her whirlwind.

( gif isn’t mine! please let me know if it’s yours so i can credit you. )

Everyone seemed to have a different perspective of you, unsurprisingly. You weren't really much of a social butterfly, you kept yourself to yourself, really. Nobody in the Outer Banks knew much about you at all, other than what they had come up with in their heads. And while you tried your best to stay in the shadows, that only seemed to make you stand out more.

You were known for being the best of both worlds - not really a Pogue, but not really a Kook either. While your social status and family wealth suggested you to be a Kook, your free spirit and reckless behaviour fitted you better towards the Pogue style. If anyone were to ask you, you told them you were neither.

Why should a name define you anyway? You thought it was all bullshit, the stupid territorial arguments and the snide comments from both sides. You thought it was ridiculous, you weren't living in The Outsiders, for fuck sake.

You moved in your own way, simple as that. You wouldn't let anyone tell you what to do, where you can't or shouldn't be, it was a free country you'd say, middle finger salute ready to aim towards anyone who dared cross you. You were an enigma, wild and careless, unforgiving and unforgettable. You didn't necessarily like the attention, but you got it. And you knew it, and you played on it, too.

You had used your irresistible charm more than enough times to bail JJ Maybank out of trouble, despite your parents' protest. They didn't have a problem with the Pogues, persay, how could they when your dad been one half of his life before meeting your mom and marrying into the rich lifestyle; they just had a problem with JJ, as many of the parents on the island did. He was an unstoppable force to be reckoned with, weed smoking, knuckles constantly torn, skin bruised, quick wit, sarcastic humour, daddy issues, you know the type. Kids loved him, parents hated him.

You were friends with JJ, you supposed. You spent your time with him talking about your days and smoking a joint, meaningful conversations turning into joking and general tomfoolery within seconds. With JJ, you were simply unapologetically you, and JJ never judged you. He never made you choose a side, seemingly content with the fact that you were a little bit of everything, though there was times when he teased you relentlessly about the Kook life, but that was just JJ.

And despite the social differences, him being a Pogue through and through, you technically a Kook, you were drawn to each other pretty easily. Not that you hung out all the time, but you loved every second when you did, usually joined by his group of best friends - John B, Pope, and Kiara. With Kiara a Kook herself but drawn more to the lifestyle of the Pogue's, she understood you more than anyone. You'd bonded a lot, and with each of them too.

JJ loved that you fitted in with them, like a missing puzzle piece. So perfectly, it shook him to its core. The pair of you were close, but he had no idea where he stood with you, like most people never when it came to you. You were like a rollercoaster, taking people for the most exciting ride of their lives that lasted a full three or so minutes before they returned back to solid ground. You'd given JJ a ride a number of times on your non-existent metaphorical rollercoaster, and he'd returned for another ride time and time again. You couldn't say no to that damned boy.

It was a blessing and a curse, the unspoken relationship you shared. A blessing because JJ was the best thing that happened to you, and a curse because that was your downfall. You never got attached to people, never given yourself the chance. But then JJ Maybank had come along, blonde hair and blue eyes, split lip and sharpened teeth, words cunning. You saw him as a challenge at first, the name Kook Princess haunting you as he spoke them, stood in front of you at the keg upon your first real meeting. He'd held a drink out towards you, smirk perfect on his pink lips.

You'd attended over a hundred kegger's in your lifetime, the Pogue parties more inviting than those of the Kook's. You danced and talked to anyone that came across your path, whether it be unknowing Tourons, unjudging Pogues, or unforgiving Kooks, you drew them all in. You didn't fit in with any of them, JJ had realised. You really did move in your own way, he thought. He liked that, he'd decided. And hey, you were pretty cute too.

On that particular night, he'd spoken to you directly for the first time in a long time. "Would the Kook Princess like a drink?" He'd asked, holding the red cup out towards you. You'd eyed the offended object, and subsequently him, too. He smirked at the attention. You had rolled your eyes.

"Don't call me that," you'd said simply, but taking the cup from his hands regardless. You took a sip, relieved to discover that he hadn't tampered with it in any way. You were still considered a Kook to most people, after all. You could never be too careful. "Thanks, Maybank."

And he'd blinked at you, lips suddenly raising to a sly smile as he shrugged, dimples winking at you as they appeared in his cheeks. "Anytime," and he'd spoken your name back to you and you couldn't get enough of the way it sounded coming from his mouth, and you realised hey, this guy is pretty cute, and the rest, as they, is history.

You were in the midst of another infamous Pogue kegger at the current, months after your first introduction to JJ Maybank and his friends, and you stood off to the side, listening to JJ intently as he ranted about the events of the day he'd endured. Starting from finding a Grady White sunken in the marsh, "A fucking Grady Marsh, they're like 500 G's man!", to discovering that the boat belonged to Scooter Grubbs, who had coincidentally been found dead that same day, to getting chased by two guys with a gun, to the finding of the motel key from the wreck and breaking in that same motel room, finding a safe full of money and a gun of all things, to their best attempt at laying low which, unsurprisingly, resulted in the kegger in the first place.

JJ was wild in his recite of the events, hands gesturing every which way as you watched him with your lips curled into your mouth, resisting a smile at his antics. When he finished he retelling, you raised an eyebrow and chuckled dryly. "So, complete and utter boring day for you, huh?"

JJ chuckled along with you, shaking his head as if he was still in disbelief from everything that had happened in the past twenty four hours. "Man, it was crazy," he muttered. He looked at you then, eyes sincere. "I wish you were there with us. It was like something straight from a movie, I'm telling you. I feel like such a badass with that gun."

Your secret joy at his confession of that he wished you were was short lived, as the last of his words sunk in and you felt dread build in the pit of your stomach. You stared at him, him so excited that he hadn't even realised your face had dropped, before you reached out and grabbed his arm, effectively halting his movements and stopping the hurried flow of words that were leaving his mouth.

"JJ," you said carefully, eyes trained on his as he stared, clueless. "Please tell me you did not take that gun from the safe."

Your heart dropped as you saw him falter, his lips helplessly moving but no words coming out. He held a hand up, as if to hush you, though you hadn't started to speak again, and then his hand had dropped just as quick as it was raised, his teeth biting down on his chapped lip as the realisation dawned on you.

"JJ Fucking Maybank," you spat, hands slapping gently at his arms, because you could never really hurt him, you just wanted him to know you were pissed. "Do you realise how fucking careless that is? How much trouble you could get into, if anyone knew you had a gun-" your voice trailed off, your eyes closing as you exhaled. "JJ, please tell me you don't have it on you right now."

His lack of reply was the only answer you needed, and your stomach churned as you stepped back from his figure, suddenly feeling sick. He followed you, though, not letting you get too far as he took your arms in his hands and tried to drag you closer to him once more. You shook your head, arms slipping from his hold as you glared at him fiercely.

"That's so fucking stupid, JJ. You could get into serious trouble with this, trouble I won't be able to get you out of." You warned, because you knew it was true. Your charm and looks could get him out of some trouble to its extent, but it was more so your parents wealth and status that got the both of you out of shit when you managed to get into it, and you also knew your parents would literally throw a fit if you got involved in something like this - carrying a gun was no joking matter. You stepped back once more, hand finding its way to your forehead. "And from a crime scene, no less. Fucking hell."

JJ licked his lips, standing back roughly as you watched, his jaw clenching. "Well I'm not asking for your help here, Princess," he taunted, the nickname sending a wave of annoyance through you. JJ knew it would. "It's not like I ask you to help me, you're just there. Thinking I need help, like I'm some fucking charity case, a fucking doll you picked up from the thrift store that was gonna be thrown out the next day."

You tried to protest, but JJ didn't give you the chance. "I don't need your help all the fucking time. I don't need your pity. I get that you won't understand because why would you? You're a Kook, you get everything you want handed to you on a silver platter. And you can argue and fight me about it all you want, but I know you know it's true."

He sighed heavily, hands running down his face in a sign of defeat. You watched him all the while, thankful that you had ventured off the outskirts of the party so that hopefully nobody had heard JJ shouting at you, your heart wrenching as his blue eyes settled on you. "I'm sorry, JJ," you said finally. You refused to cry, though the desire to at the sight of him being so mad at you tore you apart. "I'm just trying to look out for you. With the gun thing, with everything that I help you with. And I know I'm a Kook, and I know that my parents could afford to buy half of this fucking island if they pleased, but that doesn't define me. I care, okay? And I know I care a lot more than a lot of people in your life."

It was probably a low blow, and you knew it. But JJ took it in, let the words sink into his brain where they stayed there, his fists clenching at his sides. You crossed your arms over your chest, defeated.

"I'm gonna go back to the party," you whispered. "I'll see you around, I guess." You eyed his pockets, unsure of where exactly he held the gun. "Be careful, okay."

And even when you were angry with him, you still tried to make sure he was okay, that he stayed safe. There was multiple occasions you'd showed up unannounced, simply asking how his day was, if he okay, if he had eaten that day, stayed hydrated. At first the attention startled him, he'd never really had anyone look out for him in that aspect, and yet there you were, like an angel sent from the gods themselves, smiling down at him.

You cared, he realised. You cared so much that sometimes he couldn't take it, because he didn't know how. The most family he'd ever gotten close to having in his life was the Pogues, after losing his mother and subsequently losing his father too as he turned into the monster that he was, cold and distant, fists always poised ready for an imaginary fight, and he knew that someday the Pogues would even slip through his fingers. He couldn't let that happen with you. He wouldn't.

He'd started off in your direction, truly, he had. But then John B was grabbing him and averting his attention to him, and he focused on his friend, promising only a minute of his time. You were in his sights, stood a bit away, and he recognised the couple you were talking to as Sarah Cameron and Topper Thorton, Kooks through and through. He held his distaste back, and even held a drink out to offer to Sarah as she and Topper made their way past where he and John B were standing. Big fucking mistake, he realised quickly.

It had all happened in a blur of events, each little bit leading to big finale - as he watched his best friend being held down in the water, powerless to Topper who kneeled over him, hands forcing John B to stay put in the sea. Sarah was screaming at Topper, Pope was holding JJ back with all his might, Kie beside them as she screamed along with Sarah to let John B go. And there you were, suddenly beside JJ, gripping his arm tightly as you took in the sight with a horrified glare. JJ didn't even hesitate; the gun had been pulled from his shorts and was directed at Topper's head in the blink of an eye.

The fury in his veins was red hot and ugly, tearing through every part of him like a vice. This was the Pogues land, their side of the island, and yet the Kooks still thought they could get away with anything and everything - including, apparently, attempting to drown his best friend.

"Your move, broski," JJ uttered through clenched teeth. He could hear the screams of the crowd behind him, and he pulled the gun away from Topper's head and into the direction of the sky, firing two shots towards it as the crowd of people quickly dispersed, screeches sounding from all over. "Now everybody needs to get the fuck off our side of the island!"

He was shoved to the side as Sarah rushed to her boyfriend, telling him he was fucking crazy or something like that, he wasn't really listening. The shots rang in his ears, and the adrenaline of the moment soured through him. Kie and Pope were screaming at him, he could hear their voices distantly. His blue eyes were unfocused for a second, before they looked up, and there you were.

Sent from the gods themselves, once again. You looked vibrant, so insanely alive, lips red and cheeks flushed, eyes bright. You let out a shaky breath as you watched him. JJ clenched his jaw.

"He was going to drown John B," he thought he'd said, but he wasn't sure. He didn't really know what to keep track of at that moment, Kie and Pope's obvious disapproval at him literally doing the one thing they swore not to do, Sarah and Topper stumbling away from the scene in the distance, John B getting up and muttering something along the lines of he wasn't going to drown me, or you, simply staring at him.

Before he knew what he was doing, JJ had made his way towards you. The gun was still held in his hands, and you swallowed thickly as you eyed it. "You should put that away," you muttered. JJ seemed confused, before he caught on to what you meant and he shoved the gun back to the spot of in between his shorts and his hip. "You literally did the one thing I said not to, you tool."

JJ cracked a smile, small and uncertain as he gazed at you. You stepped closer to him, eyes glancing over his shoulder. "You really pissed them off," you said, meaning his friends.

JJ shrugged, because he didn't care about their opinion, he cared about yours. And if you hated him now, hated the fact that he was just some dirty Pogue who held guns against people's heads now, apparently. "I don't care about what they think," he spoke softly. You looked at him confused. "I care about what you think."

You smiled softly, shrugging one shoulder. "Topper was going to drown John B," you replied, matter of fact. "If you hadn't stepped in when you did, who knew what could have happened. Nothing could have stopped him." You bit your lip, hand reaching out and touching his face gently, thumb soothing over the worried line between his brows. "You did the right thing, J. A fucking crazy and stupid thing, potientally dangerous, but the right thing nonetheless."

"Yeah, that's kind of my go-to, if you haven't already noticed," JJ smiled, tongue running over his bottom lip. You rolled your eyes, though playful. "Look, I'm sorry about before, okay. I was a dick. I know you care, but sometimes that's what scares me."

Your eyebrows furrowed, a confused expression on your face as your hand dropped from his face to intertwine with his own hand, his gaze suddenly becoming fixed on your linked hands, his other absentmindedly playing with your fingers that held his hand.

"It's like, you're this untouchable thing. I mean, you don't belong to anyone, you refuse to go by anything other than your name, and you're like this perfect mix between Pogue and Kook even if you do hate it and everyone knows who are you and they make these stories up about you, like that's how popular you are," JJ chuckled. "And then you hang out with me, you look past all the dirty Pogue shit, see me for who I am, and you care. And you care so god dammed much that it fucking terrifies me because nobody's ever cared that much before about me, so why should you?"

His hand left yours to remove the hat from sitting atop his hair and then run his hand through the blonde locks. You could see his tongue running along the outsides of his bottom teeth, the action causing a bump beneath his skin. He looked nervous than you had ever seen him before, and you'd both gotten into enough nerve-wracking situations together to compare. You sighed as your hands reached for his face, gripping his cheeks and forcing his eyes to gaze down at yours.

"JJ Maybank," you started, grinning softly. "You listen to me while I tell you that you deserve the fucking world and more. All this shit that you're going through, all the crap you deal with on a daily basis, you carry it so well that nobody would even know. You fight through each day and I don't even know how you manage it half the time. I admire you so much, J. And I can't help but care about you, even if you don't want me to. I care about you so much, that you wanna know a secret? It scares me too."

JJ gazed down at you lovingly, his forehead moving to rest against yours. You welcomed the embrace, his arms wrapping around your waist and squeezing you gently, as if reassuring himself that you were actually there.

"JJ," you whispered as you were stood in silence for a precise minute, neither of you daring to break the silence until you had. His blue eyes stared into yours, awaiting the next part of your speech. You swallowed your nerves down, figuring fuck it. "I'm so in love with you."

He grinned, his head swooping down before you knew it and his lips pressing against yours in a heated embrace that sent a sensation of butterflies to fly wildly in your stomach, bashing against your ribcage and taking your breath away. Shivers flew up your spine, and every hair on your body stood on edge as the kiss grew heavier, tongues brushing and teeth clattering, bodies pressed against each other as much as they could manage.

When JJ's lips left yours, you almost whined. JJ grinned cheekily, hands digging into your hips. "I love you," he breathed against the skin of your neck as he buried his head there, lips tickling the flesh. "I can't believe you just macked on me while I have a gun in my pocket."

You rolled your eyes and tugged gently on his hair, spurring a laugh from him as you shoved him away and grinned despite yourself. "Do not remind me, please," you warned him, allowing him to pull you into his side as you made your way down the beach. "I still can't believe you took that thing."

"I knew it'd come in handy though," he grinned, pulling you closer with the arm thrown over your shoulder. You wrapped yours around his waist, face squished in his chest as you shook your head.

"You're an idiot, Maybank."