#cleo obx smut

[bunnyscryptarchived]

just imagining jerking off to the sight of cleo and sarah kissing….sarah sitting back against cleo’s chest while cleo runs her hands up and down sarah’s body. telling you how sexy and wet she is, hands going under her shirt to cup her tits. “you seeing how fine our girl is, bebe” sarah giggled as she tilted her head up, kissing under cleo’s jaw, whose eyes bore in to yours and all you could do was whine and grind against your hand— fingers rubbing your clit, wet and throbbing, bottom lip tucked in between your teeth. cleo’s hand reaching down in to sarah’s shorts, back arching as her breath hitches when cleo’s hand makes contact with her cunt. eyes never leaving yours. “don’t worry. i’m gonna take good care of you next.”

꒷꒥꒷‧₊˚︶꒷꒥꒷

tags: @juniebugg

[rothpie]

❝FIDELITY❞ |part10

MASTERLIST -`✮´- Rafe Cameron x Kook!Reader x JJ Maybank

Summary: Kook!Reader’s world is upended by betrayal, and her only way forward might lie with the most unlikely person—JJ Maybank. But as they build a new life together, old flames and past mistakes refuse to stay buried.

Warnings: mentioning miscarriage, mentioning abortion, kind of depression, pregnancy symptoms, pregnancy cramps, mentioning blood, mentioning losing someone, daddy issues, mentioning violence.

Selly’s note: I cried while writing this. Sorry not sorry.

previous - next

Everything that happened was terrifying. Waiting for the ambulance while covered in blood, the fear of not knowing what would happen—it left you feeling like you wouldn’t be able to shake it off for a while. 

You were trying to piece your life back together. The loneliness here, the ever-present ache in your heart, had never really left you. Rafe wanting you to go through with the abortion, the struggle to embrace the idea of motherhood, knowing you’d have to do it alone, the hormones—everything about that time had been suffocatingly stressful. 

Moments where you felt normal were rare. You couldn’t even remember if there were any times you truly enjoyed this pregnancy. It was just stress. Always stress. 

You waited, you hoped for the stress to pass. You longed for a time when you’d leave it behind and start building better memories. But all that remained was the stress. And then you found yourself covered in blood, desperately searching for someone to help. 

You thought all that stress might have been for nothing. 

Was "nothing" even the right word? You hated yourself for even thinking about your baby in that way. But wasn’t it true? 

You’d left everything behind. Rafe, your friends, your family, your home… everything. All to start a new life with just your baby girl. 

Was everything you did leading to this—losing her? 

“Stop stressing out.” You squeezed your eyes shut, trying to shut down the relentless thoughts. You couldn’t stop blaming yourself, your stupidity, your mistakes. Your hands instinctively rubbed your face, and for a moment, it felt like you’d never pull yourself back together. You felt like you needed a slap—maybe from yourself—to snap out of it. 

JJ’s grip on your arm didn’t loosen. His other hand rested against your back, steadying you. “I hate this,” you murmured. 

You felt drained. Your lower abdomen ached, waves of pain pulsed through your belly, and you’d lost so much blood. You knew you were on the verge of passing out but somehow managed to stay awake. The image of your blood on the floor was burned into your mind, dragging you back to that moment over and over again. 

“Everything’s fine. I told you. Just stop stressing out.” But a gnawing feeling inside you said otherwise. It felt like you didn’t believe him. Like they weren’t telling you something—that you’d already lost the baby. It was paranoia, of course. Your obsessive, overthinking mind had a knack for showing up at the worst possible times. 

Your hand rested on your belly. You wanted to feel her, even though you knew it was too early. Yet the faint swelling beneath your palm gave you some reassurance. “I can’t get it out of my head. It just—won’t go away. I’m scared.” 

Admitting it out loud was never easy. But it was true. You were scared. Terrified. 

You were scared you’d lose your daughter before you even had the chance to hold her. Scared that the life you’d imagined with her might never come to be. 

The sound of ambulance sirens carrying you away from your home to the hospital sent chills down your spine. Knowing it could all end in an instant consumed you. 

You hated it. You hated every ounce of it. God, you wanted this baby. You wanted to be a mother. You wanted to erase that brief moment when you’d considered an abortion from your memory. 

For the first time, you felt like you had something to hold onto. You felt what it was like to love someone without even knowing them, seeing them, or meeting them. Listening to her heartbeat, staring at her ultrasound image, you felt that love. You saw it. Not Rafe, not anyone else. You saw how happy it made you. 

You’d never felt so happy in your life. It was the happiest time you’d ever known. You loved your daughter unconditionally. You thought about her constantly—what she’d look like, her eye color, her nose, her tiny hands, how she’d look in the little outfits you’d bought—everything. 

You wanted her. With all your heart and soul, you wanted her. You longed for the days when she’d be in your arms. You wished time would fly so those moments could arrive. 

You loved someone without expecting anything in return. 

The idea that she wouldn’t give you anything was ridiculous. 

She was everything. She was already giving you the world. How could you not love her? The world might not revolve around you, but your world, your tiny, fragile world, was ready to revolve around her. 

Rafe’s betrayal, the inability to trust anyone enough to share this pregnancy, had already shattered you. You’d hit rock bottom. And the only thing that could pull you out was clear—your little girl. 

You lived for the thought of her. You woke up every day with her in mind. Even through the stress, you thought of her. Of your future together. 

In this place, she was the only thing you had. 

You couldn’t lose her. You didn’t want to. You were already bound to the idea of being her mother. She was the reason you got up every morning. 

You hated this. You hated everything. You hated everything that threatened to take your daughter away from you. You hated how easily she could slip through your fingers, how a single moment could take her from you. 

The hardest part was sitting in the hospital, bloodied and waiting for results. Your phone sat nearby, and you waited for any call other than JJ’s. 

You felt like throwing up at the thought of having no one else to call. The person you reached out to, the person who tried for you, had only been in your life for four months. You weren’t even close. Barely a friend, certainly not a best friend, and definitely not a boyfriend. 

He was just a kind-hearted guy. 

The Kook-Pogue divide was real for you. They had money, power, influence—whatever. Not one of them had been there to catch you when you fell. Not one of them had reached out a hand to help. 

What looked best on people, you’d decided, wasn’t jewelry or designer clothes. It was compassion. 

You didn’t want to call yourself helpless, but you were. Struggling was normal. Flailing, failing to stand, that was normal. Accepting help was just as normal. It didn’t make you look foolish. 

You didn’t regret calling Rafe. You weren’t even sure if you were angry at him. You couldn’t think about him when your whole body was screaming in pain. He wasn’t the focus. 

Your mind was on your baby. On the results. 

It took JJ two hours to show up. To be fair—this wasn’t to insult him—he didn’t have a penny to his name. Yet he still came. He left the island for you. You felt a twinge of guilt, but it blended with all the other things weighing on you. You couldn’t stop overthinking. 

At some point, you felt like you’d turned to stone. You couldn’t cry. You could only breathe, think, exist. Until you saw JJ. 

Was four months enough time to feel close to someone? You didn’t know. Especially considering the “friendship” you had with him. But the second you saw him, tears streamed down your face. 

Seeing someone who made you feel safe, someone you didn’t have to hide your fears from, made you feel less alone. 

In what felt like a moment meant to be, JJ wrapped his arms around you like it was the most natural thing in the world. He didn’t say a word. As you sobbed uncontrollably into his chest, you didn’t care how you looked. You saw warmth and security in the embrace, and you dove into it without hesitation. 

Having someone there for you filled your heart with a quiet kind of comfort. 

You cried and sobbed in his arms without shame. JJ didn’t seem to mind. You couldn’t see his face or hear his voice, but you felt his fingers brushing through your hair, his hand moving gently across your back to soothe you. 

He held you. He didn’t let go. He just let you feel his presence. With every passing second, he slowly pulled the fear out of you. You didn’t need to say a single word—he understood. 

You didn’t need to speak. Your actions said it all. 

Crying in his arms during such a painful moment didn’t make you feel weak. Quite the opposite—it made you feel stronger. It gave you hope that somehow, everything would be okay. 

He held you close until you calmed down. Maybe it was gross—perhaps you smelled of blood—but he didn’t care. When your sobbing turned into a quieter, monotonous rhythm, he pulled a chair beside the bed. Sitting next to you, he stroked your arm gently. He made sure you felt his presence—not just physically, but emotionally too. Whether he did it consciously or not, you couldn’t tell. But you felt it. He seemed to have a natural ease about him in moments like this.

Finding out it wasn’t a miscarriage brought relief. Knowing your baby was still there, still growing inside you, gave you a renewed sense of hope for the future. But with every piece of good news, there always seemed to be a shadow of bad news lurking. 

The doctor explained that your pregnancy carried a higher risk of miscarriage. “It doesn’t mean you will,” the doctor clarified. “It’s just a possibility.” 

Even so, the news left your mending heart with a fresh wound. You didn’t want to go through that same pain again; the thought terrified you. JJ stayed by your side, his reassuring touch grounding you, his hand resting firmly on your shoulder.

You felt as though you were observing the moment from the outside, watching the tension in your body slowly unravel. Like the fear was being drawn out of you, little by little. 

The doctor’s words about potential causes lit up something in your mind. 

Deli meats, infections, alcohol and smoking, certain herbal teas— 

Your thoughts drifted to all those teas you’d sipped to ease your nausea. You felt like a complete fool. 

You tried not to dwell on it, but the guilt still gnawed at you. 

The doctor prescribed some vitamins to strengthen your pregnancy and support the baby’s health. After that, it was just a matter of waiting for the IV drip to finish. JJ insisted you try to sleep. You doubted you could, and you were right. You drifted in and out of restless slumber. 

By the time you left the hospital and arrived back at your house, dawn was breaking. 

“I’m throwing out all the herbal teas in this house,” you muttered, reaching for the flowerpot where you hid your spare key. JJ stopped you midway, brushing past to reach the pot himself. He dug through the soil, found the key quickly, and turned toward the door.

“I’ll take care of the trash,” he said, struggling to unlock the door while you lingered behind him, taking deep breaths and letting your eyes wander. It didn’t help. You just wanted to peel off the hospital clothes clinging to your skin and step into a shower to wash away the ache.

When JJ finally got the door open, your eyes darted skyward. The air was cool in a way you loved, and the crispness of the morning felt oddly soothing.

The sound of the door closing snapped your focus back to JJ. He was looking at you too. You opened your mouth to ask why he’d shut the door when you remembered what the inside must look like. There was probably blood on the floor. Maybe he was grossed out—

“Oh…” Your eyes widened as you reached for the key in his hand, but he moved it behind his back. “I—I forgot all about that. Look, let me—let me just… I’ll take care of it.”

You watched his face shift into something complicated as he blocked your attempt. “You sit,” he said quietly, his hands guiding you gently but firmly toward the steps. You blinked at him, confused.

You really didn’t understand.

“It’s not the first time I’ve had to clean up blood,” he muttered. When the meaning behind his words clicked, you tried to get up quickly but winced as a sharp pain cut through your abdomen. You slumped back down, clutching the nearest surface. You hadn’t even realized it was JJ’s arm. 

“Easy,” he said, crouching instantly to check on you. “Are you okay? I can take you right back to the hospital if—”

“I’m fine,” you interrupted, shaking your head even as the pain subsided. You exhaled deeply and leaned back. “I just forgot what the place looked like inside. If you help me up, I’ll go in and—”

JJ’s gaze stopped you mid-sentence. It was the kind of look that made you question whether he thought you were serious. His hands stayed firm on your arms, scanning your face for any sign you weren’t okay so he could haul you right back to the ER.

“Stop,” he said, his voice leaving no room for argument. It froze you in place. “Do you really think I’d let you clean that up? Not a chance.”

Your eyes flicked from the closed door back to him. You hadn’t realized his thumb was tracing a soothing pattern on your arm. “But when you closed the door, I thought—”

“I didn’t want you to see it again, that’s all.” His voice softened. “Just that.” 

It wasn’t something you were used to—this kind of kindness, this tolerance. As the silence stretched between you, you looked away, unsure of how to respond. His thumb kept moving in steady circles against your skin.

“Here’s the deal,” he said, his grip on your arm briefly tightening to get your attention. JJ took a deep breath and glanced at the key in his hand. “You tell me where the cleaning supplies are. I’ll go in, clean it all up, and you sit here until I’m done. Got it?”

Gentle parenting. Again. 

Your head nodded on its own, and JJ’s face lit up with a small smile. His dimples caught your eye before his touch slipped away and he stood.

“Under the kitchen sink,” you murmured. JJ nodded as if committing your words to memory before heading to the door. “Be right back,” he said, disappearing inside and leaving the door ajar.

The feeling that bubbled up in you was impossible to describe. Strange. Having someone step in to help, to take charge of something for you—it was unfamiliar. JJ, of all people.

Sure, you were friends, but this? This was something else. You didn’t know how to feel or what to say, only that it left you warm despite the chill outside. 

You’d expected to clean up the mess yourself, even for a moment. You weren’t lying; the thought made your stomach turn. Cleaning someone else’s blood? That wasn’t your thing.

But your stomach hadn’t turned when it came to JJ. When he’d been lying in your guest bathroom, covered in blood, you hadn’t flinched. Bandaging his wounds, cleaning him up so he wouldn’t get an infection—it hadn’t fazed you. 

You found yourself wondering what he thought about you. You were just a kook girl—Rafe’s ex, rich, golf clubs, parties. You weren’t anything special. The most notable thing about you right now was being pregnant. 

It was weird that JJ would even want to be friends with you, that this was what had brought you together. Would he treat you the same if you weren’t pregnant? Would he still be so kind, so compassionate?

And what about you? 

Would you have been this open to befriending a troubled guy if your circumstances were reversed? 

The thought didn’t sit right with you. It wasn’t fair to boil it down to pity or your pregnancy. Your friendship felt real. JJ wasn’t risking his neck for some random pregnant girl—he was doing it for a friend. 

JJ would do anything for his friends. That’s just who he was. 

And you were his friend. At least, that’s how you saw him. But what about him? Did he see you the same way, or had you misread everything? 

“Nice place you’ve got here.” His voice startled you. You jumped and turned to see him standing close, smiling faintly. “All done. Let’s get you inside before you freeze.” 

JJ held out his hand to help you up, and you wondered how long he’d been there. You didn’t hesitate to take his hand, and he quickly offered the other to steady you. “Slowly,” he said, helping you to your feet with careful precision. He didn’t let go, watching your face closely for any signs of discomfort. 

“You good?” he asked, his tone uncertain. His hands stayed firm, waiting for confirmation. His eyes were searching yours. 

You nodded. “I’m good,” you murmured. 

JJ’s face broke into a proud smile. “I left the place spotless. You could eat off the floor,” he said, chuckling as he released one hand to rest the other gently on your back. He guided you through the open door, and you couldn’t help but notice how clean the floor really was. Not a single stain remained. 

You let him lead you inside, wanting to thank him but unable to find the words. 

“Hungry?” you asked, desperate for a distraction. His eyes met yours, his brows lifting in surprise before he shrugged. 

“Not really. Are you?” 

You shook your head, but deep down, all you wanted was to find a way to repay him. 

JJ stepped back a bit and quickly shut the door. You watched him as he scanned the room. His eyes didn’t linger on you for long; instead, they wandered around your living room. “Nice place.”

You nodded in agreement. You liked your home. It wasn’t big, but it was enough for you. “I like it too.”

When JJ placed his hand on your back, you walked together. You needed a shower, but the dull ache in your stomach made you feel uneasy. “I’m going to shower.”

When you said it, looking at him, JJ quickly nodded. He stayed by your side as you made your way to the stairs, helping you up to the second floor. But a sharp pain in your stomach made you stop dead in your tracks. Your hand instinctively went to your stomach. Everything still felt terrifying.

JJ’s protective instincts kicked in immediately. He stepped in front of you, holding your hand, leaning down to catch your gaze as if to check if something was wrong. “Shit…”

As JJ stared at you with wide, worried eyes, you squeezed his hand. It felt like a heavy period cramp, but after what had happened, you couldn’t treat it as just normal. “Shit. What do I do? Do you need me to do something—?” You shook your head. You opened your mouth to tell him you’d be fine, but JJ kept rambling. “Do you want to sit? Let’s sit. Or I can bring you water—damn it. Just tell me. Tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.”

“JJ, baby is okay, calm down.” When you looked up and spoke, you met JJ’s worried gaze. He’d stopped talking, but you could still see the panic in his eyes.

You steadied yourself, gripping his hand for extra support, and took a deep breath. “I’m more worried about whether you’re okay.” JJ placed his hand on your back again, opening the bathroom door with the other hand, while his brow furrowed. The silence in the house as he moved around felt eerie to you. “I’ll wait by the door until you’re done, okay? Just call out if you need anything. I’ll be right here.”

He looked at you as if seeking confirmation. “Okay.”

Your response seemed to satisfy him. He quickly stepped back, holding the door. “I’m right here. Just say my name.” Then, he closed the door.

You weren’t sure how to feel. Honestly, you didn’t want to feel anything. This shower wasn’t about comfort; it was about necessity. It was a mission to wash away the filth you felt clinging to you.

So the shower was quick.

You cleaned yourself up and stepped out, wrapping yourself in a robe. Before leaving the bathroom, you caught your reflection in the mirror one last time. Your face was almost ghostly pale.

When you opened the door to leave, you found JJ sitting on the floor across from the bathroom, leaning against the wall. He was nearly dozing off, but the sound of the door opening made his eyes snap wide open. He rubbed his face quickly and pushed himself up with the wall for support. “You okay?” he asked the moment he got to his feet. He was standing right in front of you.

You nodded. “I’m going to set up the guest room for you.” You didn’t want him sleeping on the floor or wherever he might end up. You both needed rest. He’d stayed awake the entire evening. You’d tried to sleep but hadn’t really managed to. Rest was overdue for both of you.

As you crossed your arms over your chest and took a step toward the guest room, JJ’s hand on your arm stopped you. “I’m fine. I don’t need to sleep.”

Liar. He looked like he could barely keep his eyes open.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m going to sleep too.” JJ shook his head as if he didn’t hear a word you said.

“Doesn’t matter. You might need me. What if I don’t wake up? What if I don’t hear you—” JJ ran his hands through his hair, glancing around, visibly anxious.

“I’m going to sleep too. If I need anything, I promise I’ll call for you. Please.” Your words, especially the plea, seemed to break through to him. He dropped his gaze to the floor, weighing your words.

“Fine,” he mumbled, his tone almost defeated. Then, he looked up at you. “But only after I know you’re asleep.”

You had no idea where this sudden surge of protectiveness had come from, but—it wasn’t unwelcome. Damn.

You were surprised he gave in so quickly. You thought he’d argue longer. Nodding, you agreed. “I’ll show you your room.”

He followed you to the guest room silently. Afterward, you didn’t exchange many words. You went to your own room and shut the door.

The doctor had mentioned there might be some light spotting for a few more days. It was unnerving, but they assured you it was normal. Just small amounts, they’d said, but if it got heavy, you’d need to go to the hospital. That would be a warning sign.

You slipped off your robe and put on fresh undergarments. The mirror in front of you offered a full view of your stomach. Your hand drifted over the slight swell, and you couldn’t help but smile.

Knowing they were still there was everything.

And the small bump—it looked so perfect. You loved it. Pregnancy suited you in a way you hadn’t expected. You felt—beautiful. Just...different, but in the best way.

Was this a pregnancy kink? 

No. Definitely not. But seeing yourself like this made you feel strong. Attractive.

You pulled your gaze from the mirror and grabbed a T-shirt and sweatpants from your closet. After getting dressed, you stepped out of your room, wanting to check on JJ. “JJ?” you called out. His door was open.

“What happened? Shit—” A loud noise came from his room, and your brows furrowed. JJ rushed out of the doorway, looking frantic. “What’s wrong? God, did something happen?”

On any other day, you might’ve laughed at this, but now didn’t seem like the time. To calm him down, you placed a hand on his chest. “JJ, relax. I’m fine, okay? I just wanted to see if you were okay.”

JJ closed his eyes for a moment, realizing nothing was wrong. He let out a deep breath, shoulders sagging slightly.

With a grin, you teased, “Could you maybe dial down the panic a bit?”

JJ ruffled his hair. He opened his mouth to speak but then stopped, shaking his head. “You scared me,” he said finally, his voice serious enough to wipe the smile off your face.

His eyes locked onto yours, and you could hear the heaviness in his breathing. “God—you really scared me. I just—I don’t know. The thought of something happening and not being there...” His hands moved nervously, and he didn’t blink.

“Getting a call like that, in the middle of the night, from a friend—do you know how terrifying that is? Don’t expect me to be calm, not right now. Do you know what went through my head in those two hours it took to get to you?” His voice wasn’t angry, just filled with a kind of helplessness. You stayed quiet, letting him get it all out.

“Not being able to reach you during those minutes... God—when you told me you were alone here, my only thought should be to get to you. If I had been here sooner, maybe... maybe it wouldn’t have happened.” He shut his eyes tightly. You shook your head and grabbed his arms to stop him.

“This was my choice,” you said, watching the sorrow in JJ’s face like a weight pressing on your chest. “Moving here, deciding to be on my own—that was my choice.”

“As your friend, I shouldn’t have let you be alone. Especially now, when you’re so vulnerable. I should’ve checked on you—” JJ seemed bent on blaming himself. Despite knowing it was your decision, he couldn’t shake the thought that he should’ve been there for you.

As your friend.

You hadn’t expected it to feel this heavy. This feeling, of having a real friend—it was weighty in a way you hadn’t anticipated. Not painful, just...profound, because it was the first time you’d truly had it.

Having someone who genuinely cared—it was overwhelming.

“JJ, I chose this. None of this is your fault.”

“I should’ve been there.”

For a moment, you thought you saw JJ’s eyes glisten, but he quickly turned his head away. Even if he had been there, there was nothing he could’ve done, and he didn’t seem to understand that. You hadn’t fallen, you hadn’t hurt yourself. There was nothing to save you from.

JJ ran a hand through his hair, as he always did. “Oh God...” Then, you felt his hand settle on your back, pulling you into a tight embrace. Without hesitation, you wrapped your arms around him.

When one of JJ’s hands moved into your damp hair, you closed your eyes tightly. For a while, neither of you said a word. You just stayed there, holding on. 

“You didn’t dry your hair again, did you?” His words came in one breath, followed by a small smile tugging at his lips. You pulled back slightly to look at him. JJ’s hand slid away from your hair, but the one on your back stayed firm. Your arms had loosened just a bit, yet the two of you remained close enough to touch. 

“Old habits.” You noticed his lips curling up too, though his eyes were a little red. 

“That’s a habit we’ll have to break. I’m drying your hair—no way am I letting you get sick.” 

You stepped back, nodding at him. When he gestured toward the bathroom with his head, you laughed and walked ahead, leaving him to follow. He really was going to dry your hair, huh? 

What a gentleman. 

You were too shy to offer, too worried you’d say something dumb and ruin the moment. But the way he acted—so considerate—made you feel seen. 

Maybe you shouldn’t let him. It felt like crossing a line. Then again, he’d called you his friend. Confirmed that you were his friend. 

“Would you stay with me for a few days?” The words tumbled out before you could overthink them. If you hesitated even a second longer, you would’ve said nothing at all. You’d only mull it over and eventually bury it in fear. 

JJ glanced at you while plugging in the hairdryer. “I’m not leaving you. Honestly, even if you hadn’t asked, I was already planning to stay.” His dimples appeared with his grin. 

Your lips mirrored his, stretching into a big smile. JJ turned on the dryer and began working on your hair. 

-

"Is this my shirt?" 

Your eyebrows furrowed as you quickly turned your gaze toward JJ. He was standing at the bottom of the stairs, holding up a shirt—the one he had given you at the beach. That day you both fell asleep on the boat. 

"I figured you’d have tossed it by now," he said, spinning the shirt lazily in his hand, a grin tugging at his lips. Even from a distance, you could see his dimples. 

"That’s mine now." 

JJ’s eyes snapped to yours, his eyebrows shooting up in mock surprise. He gestured at the shirt dramatically. "This? This has always been mine. And it will stay mine." 

Without a second thought, you placed the fruit bowl from your lap onto the couch and stood up. As you walked toward him, you couldn’t miss the playful smirk on his face. 

"Not anymore," you replied, yanking the shirt from his hands. After all, it was given to you, and you had no intention of giving it back. Besides, it was soft, and you liked it. That was that. Turning on your heel, you headed back to the couch, ready to resume eating your strawberries. 

"Possessive, huh? Hot." 

You paused mid-sit, narrowing your eyes at him, his mischievous smile still plastered across his face. "You’re disgusting." 

You settled into the couch, the sound of JJ’s laughter echoing as you tucked the shirt behind you, out of his reach. The fruit bowl returned to your lap, and you focused on the reality show playing on TV. 

A moment later, you heard JJ’s footsteps. He vaulted over the back of the couch and sprawled lazily a short distance away from you. Half-reclining, he tilted his head to look at you, propping it up with his hand. "You mad at me?" 

You shrugged as you pulled your legs up onto the couch. "What would I even be mad about? Don’t flatter yourself." 

Apparently emboldened by your response, JJ reached for the fruit bowl in your lap. Without missing a beat, you swatted his hand away. 

"Because you’re not worth it," you added with a smirk, knowing it would sting. 

JJ’s jaw dropped in exaggerated shock, his hand clutching his chest dramatically as he gasped, loud and theatrical. What a drama queen. 

You pressed your lips together, trying to suppress a smile, but it was hard—especially with him acting like this. 

JJ had been staying with you for a few days now—nearly a week. He’d told his friends he had "stuff to do," but really, his only task had been keeping you company. Not that he admitted it outright. 

The first few days had been awkward for both of you. You were tense, and he was, well, JJ. But by the third day, you’d fallen into a rhythm. 

Turns out your family hadn’t been ignoring your calls—they were simply on a flight. That made sense, so you didn’t hold it against them. You didn’t even tell them about the scare. You just mentioned a bad dream, said you’d worried about them. It wasn’t exactly true, but there was no point in alarming them over something that had already passed. 

So, you acted like nothing had happened. 

Talking to Rafe, though? That had been strange. Hearing his voice after so many months had stirred something in you—a wound you’d thought had healed. 

At first, you hadn’t planned on answering his call. You wanted to ignore it, let it ring out. But when he called a second time, you couldn’t stop yourself from picking up, even though part of you wanted to tell him to leave you alone. 

You didn’t regret it. Even now, if you were in the same situation, you’d do it again. It wasn’t stupidity—it was necessity. Back then, you’d needed all the help you could get. 

You’d lied to him, claiming you were drunk. It wasn’t the most believable excuse, given your condition, but it had slipped out before you could think. After that, you ended the call and prayed he wouldn’t bother you again. 

He didn’t. 

Rafe didn’t call or text again—not that he ever really had before. 

So, you pushed him from your mind, or at least tried to. You focused on JJ instead, and it helped. 

With him, you laughed, watched movies, and, for the first time in weeks, you didn’t feel so alone. 

The sound of someone else’s voice in your house, the way he teased you, the comfort of knowing someone cared—it made you feel lighter. Happier. 

You even found yourself enjoying little things: the morning sounds of the TV downstairs, the smell of something burning as JJ attempted breakfast, the way his footsteps echoed through the halls. It felt… normal. Like how things were supposed to be. 

Could you manage on your own? Sure. But having someone there? That felt better. 

And the house was big—plenty of room for two. Maybe even three. 

In just a week, you’d laughed more than you had in all the time you’d lived there. Maybe it was JJ’s personality, or maybe it was simply having someone around. Either way, you weren’t complaining. 

You especially appreciated his presence during the harder moments. Like when nausea hit, or when you needed something and he showed up with hot chocolate instead of tea, filling the house with its sweet smell. 

It was a rhythm you hadn’t known you’d needed. Even mundane things, like ordering takeout because neither of you felt like cooking, or going on morning walks together, had a way of making everything seem a little brighter. 

You’d never spent this much time with him before. And yet here he was, nearly a week in, and it felt… easy. 

But there were moments, fleeting as they were, when you couldn’t help but wonder how he treated his other friends—John B, Kiara, Pope, and Sarah. You didn’t like the feeling it gave you. You weren’t usually the jealous type, but it burned in the back of your mind. 

Did he treat them like this? Were they as close as you two had been these past days? You hated the thought, not because it was JJ, but because you’d never had that kind of friendship before. 

That kind of closeness, the ease of it—it was foreign to you. And you wanted it, even if you hated admitting it. 

JJ poked your exposed stomach, snapping you out of your thoughts. His finger traced lazy circles on your skin as his eyes met yours. "Did I interrupt something?" 

You shook your head, grateful for the distraction. "Not at all." 

When you smiled at him, he grinned back without hesitation. JJ’s smiles were contagious, impossible to resist. 

"You were zoning out," he said. "I called your name a couple of times, but you didn’t answer." 

"I didn’t even notice." You straightened your posture slightly, meeting his curious gaze. 

JJ’s eyes dropped back to your stomach, and he smirked as he poked it again. "Your mom says I can’t eat the fruit. Hey, you hear me in there?" 

He was speaking to your bump now, as though he expected a response. You couldn’t help but laugh, shaking your head. 

"When will she start kicking?" he asked, glancing up at you. 

You pulled the hem of your shirt higher, resting your hand on your belly. "The books say around five months, so… anytime now, I guess." 

JJ nodded, his hand resting next to yours, a soft grin tugging at his lips. 

“Are you going to share your fruit with me now?” JJ smirked as he asked, and when you started laughing at his words, he straightened up, sitting upright on the couch. You adjusted your shirt slightly, and you could feel his eyes lingering.

You turned your head toward him. “Are you going to tattle on me to my daughter again?” You asked him seriously, raising an eyebrow. JJ shook his head dramatically.

“Not if you hand over a few strawberries.” With a sigh, you gave in, holding out the bowl in your lap. He snatched a strawberry quickly, as if he’d been waiting for it.

“You can be so stubborn sometimes.” You grabbed a strawberry yourself, mirroring him. JJ leaned over to grab the remote from the table, letting out a small chuckle.

“Me? Stubborn? Please. Not when you’re around—impossible.” He leaned back into the couch, flipping through channels like he wasn’t just going to end up opening YouTube anyway. 

The past few days, all he’d done was either watch movies or binge random YouTube videos. It was official—he was an iPad kid.

“Me? What stubbornness are you even talking about?” He finally turned his gaze away from the TV, arching an eyebrow at you. His expression practically screamed, ‘Seriously?’.

“From the moment we met, all you’ve done is argue about everything. Don’t even try to deny it; I know you too well for that.” His tone was calm, but there was a teasing edge to it, one he clearly added on purpose just to get under your skin. And it was working. You were sure of it.

“And all you ever do is... complain,” you shot back, saying the first thing that came to mind. JJ laughed dryly, his attention drifting back to the TV.

Of course, it wasn’t entirely true. Sure, he was as stubborn as you, but still. 

“This debate is officially over. You’ve lost. Completely.” You couldn’t help but laugh again before lunging forward, trying to snatch the remote from his hand. “Hand it over.”

JJ, startled by your sudden move, tried to pull away quickly, but he was already at the edge of the couch with nowhere to go. It didn’t take much effort to grab the remote from him.

He could’ve made it harder for you. He could’ve easily hidden the remote or kept it away. But you knew JJ well enough to know he’d never risk accidentally hurting you, not even slightly. Instead, as you leaned over him, he instinctively steadied you with one hand to make sure you didn’t fall.

“Whoa, claws in, tiger!”

With the remote firmly in your grasp, you plopped back onto your spot on the couch. You grabbed the bowl of strawberries sitting between you two and moved it to your other side for good measure before immediately exiting YouTube. “We’re watching what I want. You— you—”

“What about me?” JJ’s tone was playful, his eyes fixed on you with an amused look. He was clearly enjoying this—watching you get all flustered. You wanted to smack that grin right off his face. Preferably with the remote.

“You don’t deserve it.” JJ’s laughter echoed so loud you felt like it could’ve been heard across the whole street. It sounded... annoyingly fun. But you didn’t look back at him. You flipped through channels until you landed on some trashy reality show. That’s what you’d watch, whether he liked it or not.

“A dumb reality show deserves your attention, but I don’t? Really, princess?” You nodded furiously, biting into another strawberry for emphasis.

Damn hormones. They were driving you crazy.

“Alright, white flag. Let’s call a truce. Deal?” He extended his hand toward you, his grin still smug. He looked like he was thoroughly enjoying messing with you.

For a brief second, you considered ignoring him. Leaving his hand hanging and pretending you didn’t notice. Just keeping your focus on the TV.

But it was only a fleeting thought. Before you knew it, you were shaking his hand. “For now,” you said, your tone warning. JJ just nodded, satisfied.

He opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, your phone buzzed on the table, grabbing both your attention. John B’s name and picture lit up the screen. You pulled your hand back from JJ’s as he adjusted his posture, glancing at the phone for a moment before picking it up, slow and deliberate. Holding it in one hand, he rubbed the back of his neck with the other.

“I’ll take this outside,” he said, standing up and waiting a beat, as if for your approval. When you nodded, he gave a short nod back and headed for the porch.

You watched through the glass door as JJ paced back and forth, phone pressed to his ear. It was strange, watching him like this—like you were peeking into a part of his world you didn’t belong to. There was a tension in his posture, something that contrasted sharply with his usual carefree energy. 

As he talked, you busied yourself in the kitchen, cleaning up just to give your hands something to do. But your mind kept drifting back to him. Watching him through the door felt like glimpsing a piece of his life he hadn’t shared with you.

When you finished, JJ came back inside, closing the door quietly behind him. His eyes immediately found yours, and he hesitated for a moment, like he was trying to figure out how to tell you something. Hands shoved in his pockets, he took a few steps closer.

“What is it?” You dropped the cloth you were holding, giving him your full attention. JJ shrugged, his expression suddenly unreadable, but it gave you the sinking feeling something was off.

“John B and Sarah are getting married in two days,” he said finally, his voice low but clear.

You stared at him for a moment, processing his words. “Seriously? I mean, I figured this day would come, but—cute.”

JJ nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. But there was something behind it, something you couldn’t quite place, like a shadow lingering just out of sight. “Yeah, John B proposed a while back. They had to delay it because of... stuff, but I guess it’s happening now.”

When JJ scratched the back of his neck, you could feel his unease, though you couldn’t pinpoint why. The news brought a strange ache to your chest—a reminder that you weren’t really a part of his world, his friends. You didn’t even know them. And the thought of JJ not being here... it crept in before you could stop it.

“You’re going, aren’t you?” The words slipped out before you could catch them, sounding more like an admission than a question, like you were bracing yourself for the inevitable.

You’d known this day would come. But still—whatever.

JJ looked at you, caught off guard by the question. He hesitated before answering. “Yeah, I’ll be there,” he said slowly, his tone hinting at reluctance. “But... what about you? Have you reached out to your mom? Can she come here?”

You shook your head, your hands gripping the marble counter instinctively. “I don’t know. I didn’t tell them about the hospital thing, so… they might find it weird.”

JJ nodded. His hands were in his pockets, and he nudged at the floor with his foot like he was playing with something invisible. He looked uncomfortable.

“John B still doesn’t know you’re not living with your dad?” The question slipped out before you could stop it. Maybe you shouldn’t have asked, but if he was planning to go back to the island, you had to know. You didn’t want him living on the streets—or worse, finding him bloodied and bruised again. Especially now that you weren’t there on the island, the thought of him sleeping out in the open sent a pang through your chest.

The silence between you was brief, but it hung heavy. JJ’s furrowed brow made it clear that he was just as unsettled as you were. He took a long breath, his head tilting slightly downward. “John B doesn’t know I don’t talk to my dad,” he said suddenly, his voice quiet but resolute.

His words tightened something deep inside you. When you looked at him, you could see the tension etched on his face. “Only Pope knows,” he added, his shoulders tensing slightly as if bracing for a reaction.

That revelation only deepened the stillness between you. Seeing the cracks in JJ’s life hurt you and confused you at the same time. But you didn’t want to make it worse by pointing it out. You held back, careful not to say anything that might hurt him further.

You hated the silence that lingered between you two. It wasn’t like either of you to leave things hanging like this during tense moments. It felt... wrong. 

“I could leave tonight if you want,” JJ said after a while, his tone still calm but firm. “Or… tomorrow. Whatever works for you.”

His words stung, fanning the ache that was already growing inside you. You knew he needed to leave, but you still wanted him to stay. You’d grown so used to having him around—spending time with him had been comforting in a way you hadn’t expected. The idea of him leaving now made something in you twist uncomfortably.

You closed your eyes tightly, gripping the edge of the counter like it was the only thing keeping you grounded. When you opened them and looked at him, you hesitated, weighing the words you wanted to say. Was it selfish? Too much to ask? What if he said no? You knew he had to go, but you couldn’t stop yourself from wanting him to stay.

Taking a deep breath, you turned your gaze to him. “Maybe…” you started, your voice dropping to a near whisper, “maybe you could think about staying here after— wedding?”

JJ’s head snapped toward you, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise. For a moment, he just stared at you, his eyes scanning your face as if trying to figure out what you really meant. The room was so quiet, you could hear the sound of both your breaths.

He said your name softly, like he was testing the weight of it. Then he paused, his lips parting as if to speak before closing them again without saying anything.

His surprise was written all over him. His lips slightly parted, his gaze locked onto yours, JJ looked completely unsure of what to do. Slowly, he pulled his hands out of his pockets, rubbing his fingers together nervously.

“I know…” you said, dropping your gaze to the floor. Your voice was shaky and gentle, laced with a vulnerability you weren’t used to showing. It felt ridiculous to even have this conversation. You hadn’t realized you could be this bold. “I know you have to go. Your friends are waiting for you. But… if you wanted to, I mean—” You hesitated, your words barely audible now. “I’d be happy to have you stay here.”

JJ stayed quiet for another beat, his expression distant but conflicted. Whatever you’d said had clearly struck a chord with him. The idea seemed to catch him off guard but also made him think.

He said your name again, softer this time. His gaze dropped to the floor, and he hesitated for a long moment. “It’s… not that simple. I mean…” His hand went up to his hair, fingers pushing through it as he rubbed the back of his neck. “My friends are there. My life’s… there. You know?” He exhaled deeply, clearly struggling to find the right words.

Seeing the indecision in his eyes made your chest tighten. Am I asking too much? Am I a burden? The thought of him choosing you over everything else felt naïve. Not that it was about choosing you exactly, but still… expecting him to stay felt foolish.

His friends had been his whole world for years. Would he really leave them behind just because you asked? Would he abandon everything like you had, even for a little while?

For JJ, staying meant leaving his friends behind. Watching everyone’s lives from a distance instead of being part of the chaos. And coming back afterward? It might make things even messier.

But then again… he knew things weren’t the same anymore. They weren’t high school kids chasing trouble anymore. They’d grown up, and with that came responsibilities. Responsibilities that seemed to pull them all in different directions, slowly but surely.

Pope and Cleo were working for Pope’s dad, figuring out their own lives while enjoying being together. Kiara was helping her parents with the family business. John B and Sarah were preparing to start a family. And JJ… JJ felt like he was drifting. Like the ties that once bound them together were fraying. 

“They all seem to have something,” JJ said suddenly, his voice distant. He wasn’t even looking at you now, his thoughts clearly spiraling. He didn’t know what answer to give you. Honestly, he didn’t even know what he wanted for himself. He just… didn’t want to keep drifting.

“You have something too,” you said firmly, your tone gentle but sure. “You’ve been here for me. You helped me when I was alone. When I was scared… you were here.” When you finished, you looked at him, watching closely for his reaction.

JJ shifted uncomfortably at your words. His eyes seemed to weigh them carefully. There was still hesitation in his expression, but something else was there too. Maybe guilt. Maybe understanding.

He didn’t really have anywhere to go. His relationship with his dad was a disaster, and he had no intention of fixing it. He couldn’t crash at John B’s place forever—gosh, the guy was getting married. Sarah would probably put a lock on their door. He couldn’t just hang around like their adopted kid. 

Pope’s house? Already too crowded, with Cleo practically living there at this point. And Kiara’s parents? Yeah, they absolutely hated him. Living on the streets forever wasn’t an option either...

The silence stretched on. Time seemed to slow, pressing down on the two of you like an invisible weight. The only sound was the faint rustling of the trees outside in the wind. JJ looked at you, and when his eyes met yours, something inside you cracked. Asking him to stay felt like you were adding to the burdens he already carried. But it wasn’t selfish—you weren’t demanding or desperate. There was a fragility in the way you asked, a quiet understanding between the two of you. In that moment, JJ realized you were just as lost as he was.

“I’ll stay,” he said finally, his voice quiet and hesitant. “But—” He paused, his gaze locking onto yours again. “It’s not forever. Just… for a while. We’ll figure out what comes next together.”

The wave of relief that washed over you was overwhelming. A grin spread across your face, and you shifted in place, resisting the urge to throw your arms around him. 

JJ deciding to stay wasn’t just about his circumstances—it was about trust, about the connection you shared. But you could also see that it wasn’t an easy decision for him. He felt alone, in a way that mirrored your own loneliness. 

He leaned against the kitchen counter, staring into the distance for a moment. “Sometimes,” he started softly, “I feel like I don’t belong anywhere. So… maybe this isn’t such a bad idea.”

You smiled at him, your lips trembling slightly at the edges. “JJ,” you said gently, your voice steady but warm, “We’ll be okay.”

JJ didn’t respond right away, but after a moment, the faintest smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He shook his head lightly and said, “Yeah. We will.” There was something different in his eyes this time—something warmer, more at peace.

You couldn’t put into words the happiness you felt in that moment. This was what communication was about. If you hadn’t asked, you would’ve been left feeling miserable, JJ would’ve walked away, and you’d have been alone. But now… 

He was staying. With you. 

[gallavichsreddie1128]

What would they do (Rafe Cameron)

Description: Y/N is now keeping 2 secrets from the Pogues. what will they do when they find out?

Word Count: 1,384

Author’s note: I love Pogue!Reader with Rafe

Y/N stared down at the test in her hands that read positive. Tears welled up in her eyes that were far from joy. What was she supposed to do? She was pregnant with Rafe Cameron’s baby and she was a pogue. Not only that but she was friends with his sister who hated him and had no idea that they were even together. It was already so hard to keep their relationship a secret but now? There was no way. Once the baby bump started to show they would find out and hate her forever. As she sat in the bathroom at John B’s house she knew that there was no way she could leave the bathroom without looking like a mess. They were all out there and she wouldn’t make it past them without them noticing her tears. She luckily had her phone and texted Rafe that they need to meet up later. She had to clean herself up before going out there. She had to stop thinking about it.

As her shaky hands went into her mini backpack to grab the test. Rafe didn’t know what to expect. She seemed off and nervous about whatever it was she was pulling out of her bag. Without looking at him she handed him the test. He looked at it immediately and knew what it was. The 2 lines indicate that she was pregnant brought him to a pause as he stared at the test. She didn’t say anything except silent cries. They were young and definitely not ready to be parents yet. He looked up at her and noticed that she was crying. “Baby look at me.” He said and she turned towards him. The sight was heartbreaking. She had puffy and tear stained eyes, her breathing was hard as she tried not to cry anymore. “This is pretty crazy.” He had no other words. “Rafe, they don’t even know about us.” She said, talking about the Pogues. He let out a sigh and set the test down. “You think I care what they think?” He asked her. She looked down at her hands. “I don’t.” “Well I do, Rafe.” She whispered, more tears streaming down her face. She looked up at him again, “They are gonna hate me forever when they find out.” Rafe, not being the smartest person in her life, had a “bright” idea. “So move in with me and they won’t know.” She looked at him like he was ridiculous. “Rafe the baby bump will show. What are they gonna not see me for 9 months? That would be suspicious and on top of that I would be living with you.” She exclaimed. Rafe didn’t care if they knew about them. He had no shame being with her but Y/N felt different with the pogues. “The only thing you can do is tell them.” She rolled her eyes at his words but he was right. He said it wasn’t a big deal. It wasn’t, for him. “Do you want me to be there?” He asked after a long period of silence. She looked at him.

Y/N had never felt nerves like this before. She was so nervous to tell them what she had discovered within the past few days. Rafe would come in later but she had to ease them into it. JJ and Kie were already in the living room with her while they waited for the others. “You look like you killed someone.” JJ joked. She couldn’t even crack a smile at that. Her face was stoned and nervous. She looked like she had been hiding something, which she was. After the others arrived she took a deep breath before speaking. “I know that you guys are going to look at me differently and I haven’t accepted that yet but I have to tell you guys.” She couldn’t look at any of them, only the ground as she spoke. They wondered what she could have done to be this shaky. “For the past year and 7 months I have been seeing someone and I never told you guys. I never told you because I knew that you would hate me and possibly never speak to me again. But I learned something a few days ago that I won’t be able to hide.” Her voice breaking and tears streaming down her face as she said the last sentence. “I’m with Rafe Cameron.” She looked up at the group. Their faces were a mix of shock and anger. John B looked more pissed than anyone. “And I’m pregnant.” She said. The room was silent for a while. Everyone is processing her words. JJ was the first to speak up, “When did this happen? The relationship.” “He has never been mean to me or said anything vicious to me. I have no idea why until we started talking and began dating.” She looked at Sarah who looked down, “My brother’s been in love with you for years.” She said. “What?” John B asked and looked at her. “You knew about this?” Pope asked her. She shook her head, “Not about the relationship but about his feelings.” Y/N looked down, waiting for the next person to speak up. “Y/N how could you?” John B asked. “I know you hate him John and I understand that-” “Hate him? He tried to kill us Y/N!” He yelled and she nodded. “I know and that’s why I never wanted you to know.” “So you don’t feel bad for being with him?” He asked her and she shook her head, “Of course I do John. But it’s not like I have a choice now!” She yelled back at him. “You had a choice and you made it a year and a half ago.” He said. It was clear that John B didn’t feel bad about any of this. “Y/N none of us like that you are with him and that you’re having his baby but we don’t hate you.” Kie said and that made Y/N smile. “Speak for yourselves.” John B said and left the room. Y/N started crying again and Sarah hugged her. “He’s just in shock. He’ll come around.” Sarah told her. “I don’t deserve you guys.” She cried. “Y/N you may have made a dumb decision, still making one but we love you and that won’t change.” JJ said. 

Rafe sat in John B’s living room with the others, minus John B. The room was silent as nobody knew what to say. “I know you guys hate me and the feeling is mutual but there needs to be a common ground here.” Y/N agreed with him and looked around. “John B is probably going to kick her out.” Kie said. “That’s fine you’ll live with me. It’ll be better for the baby.” Y/N sighed and looked at him. “I don’t wanna live with 3 other people.” “Then we can find a house and buy it.” “You’ll still come around?” Sarah asked her. “Yeah if you guys will still have me.” “Of course we would.” Pope said. John B didn’t come out of his room until Y/N left. 

John B never really came around. Y/N invited him to their wedding a few months later but never heard from him. Only the pity looked from Sarah as she explained that he wasn’t over it and maybe he never would be. It hurt her a lot but one hating her was better than all of them hating her. She wanted Kie and Sarah as her bridesmaids and even invited Pope and JJ. They showed up and told her that they were happy for her. Rafe shocked everyone when he shaved his head for the wedding. He had a buzz cut now and Y/N loved it. Y/N’s baby bump was showing and Rafe couldn’t stop smiling. Sarah and the others felt like Rafe really loved her and that maybe this wasn’t such a bad thing after all. Topper and JJ kept the peace at the wedding. 

Though Y/N was a pogue she had a kid to raise as did Rafe but the news of Ward’s passing was something Rafe didn’t take lightly and though Y/N hoped but couldn’t be certain that he would keep the pace with the pogues. Especially after finding out he died around them.

[blondieeu]

self righteous. rafe c.

rafe, who’s got an idea when he catches kelce's pretty little pouge sister sneaking back into the house in the middle of the night after a halloween party.

he sits with his arms crossed, leaning against your marble island counter as he waits for you to finish struggling through the window. the kitchen being only lit by the stove light made his figure seem a little more intimidating.

when you think the coast is clear and dust the spider webs off your tight, skimpy shirt, you start into the kitchen and are met with one of the biggest shit eating smirks you think you’ve ever seen.

“so, where’d you end up runnin’ off too?”

your heart drops into your chest as you look back at your elder brothers best friend, as well as your friend groups worst nightmare. dressed up in a plain white t-shirt, and some plaid pajama pants. why the hell was he up this late anyway?— and who was he to ask you that question!?

“or—who’d you end up runnin’ off with? oh no, let me guess, the good for fucking nothing pouges.”

rafe, was only supposed to be staying over your house for the weekend. he and your brother, just crashing here for the night since their car broke down on the way to somewhere else, that’s all! so why is he all up in ur grill?

“don’t be an asshole rafe”

"oh well I don't know," he started off, condescendingly "pretty sure your little friends acted like assholes to me when they sunk my boat." he leaned his head down like he was about to take a peak under it. "wonder what your brother would do if he knew you were back with them"

with a sigh you furrowed your eyebrows to give him the best puppy dog face you’ve ever put on for absolutely anybody. he still stood there though, uncrossing his arms and even going to make a movement to tell you to come a little closer—you oblige him.

he put his hand on his trap and rolled his neck around. rafe already looked like he was about to start spouting some bullshit, like he always does. at around this time he also started to really look at what you were wearing too, you were dressed up like a damn hoochie.

“please please rafe, be cool? just this once” you pleaded with him trying to think of any way he could just not be an asshole and be cool for once. the male chuckled and put his hands on the counter, he’s so antsy, why?

"alright-i'll make you a deal, alright?" rafe wiped his nose with his thumb and crossed his well built arms once again. he paced around the kitchen like he was trying to hype himself up to ask the question. "I won't say anything if you let me fuck you."

you laughed nervously, looking around for a couple of seconds with a awkward smile on your face before coming to terms with the fact that he's being serious. you could almost feel your heart dropped as you looked for any playfulness in his face.

“are you fucking serious?! no??-what the fuck”

"hey-hey I should be sayin' that, alright?" rafes brows pushed down as he angrily pushed his finger into his chest. "you're the one out fuckin' around at night, not me ok?! and don't act like you don't like me, I read it in sarah's diary."

you watched as rafe tried to come up with some insane explanation for why he's in the right, as per usual. "are you forreal?" he shrugged. "gonna do this or not?" you quietly weighed your options.

•••

a mean chuckle erupted from the man behind you, "you cryin' ?" he asked teasingly, just from his tone you could hear the shit eating grin on his face, he was never gonna stop holding this over your head.

sobs poured from your mouth like a facet with every thrust as the he fucked you from behind, both of your hands tightly pinned behind you from rafe getting quickly irritated with you trying to stop his movements.

the couch. thats how far he made it on the very short walk to the bedroom before getting impatient and just ripping your clothes off you right then and there; your white skirt laying on the foyer floor as proof.

he had you pushed right into the piece of nice furniture- your white leather family couch. your hands rested on the crest rail of the couch and your knees were widely spread out on top of it, from when he pushed his knee in between yours and forced them open.

"cryin' cus you know you got no business letting me fuck you" he mocked you as he pressed all his body weight into your lower back. rafe whispered into your ear while he gifted you full strokes of his cock. "what if I tell your friends you let me fuck you, what if I tell my sister hm? what's she gonna think?"

"i-" just as a breather loud yelp escaped your throat your brothers best friend wrapped a hand around your mouth, swiftly muffling all your sounds. "be-quiet"

blondieeu xx

[insidekatmind]

When everyone's asleep-Pope Heyward

Wearning: +18,smut, english is not my first language.

The night had fallen on John B’s cottage, enveloping everything in a silence broken only by the chirping of crickets and the rustling of waves in the distance. John B and Sarah had taken refuge in their room, leaving the rest of you to settle down in the kitchen, which had been converted into a makeshift camp. Thin mattresses and blankets spread on the floor welcomed Kiara, Cleo and JJ, already immersed in a deep sleep.

You, on the other hand, couldn’t sleep. You felt your heart beat faster than normal, but it wasn’t the waves or the wind that shook the windows. It was him. Pope.

He was lying beside you, his face relaxed as he pretended to sleep. But you knew him too well. You noticed the way his hand barely moved, looking for yours under the shared blanket. A slight smile curled your lips as you let your fingers intertwine.

"Don’t you sleep?" he whispered, his voice a breath in the silence.

"And you?" you replied in a similar tone, the smile evident even in the dark.

The others were all too tired to notice what was going on between you. Pope came a little closer, his warm breath caressing your cheek.

"You’re the one keeping me awake," he admitted, with a glimmer of malice in his dark eyes that you could glimpse in the dim light.

"I didn’t do anything," you replied quietly, trying to keep an innocent tone.

But it wasn’t entirely true. The tension between you had been building up for days, weeks perhaps. You were always close, but lately every touch, every look seemed to carry a deeper meaning.

"You don’t have to do anything, Y/N. I just look at you," said Pope, the sincerity in his voice making your heart beat even faster.

You did not answer, but let your face draw near to his until your lips touched. It was a soft kiss, almost shy, but the way Pope drew you closer made all doubts vanish. His hand gently laid on your cheek, his thumb drawing imaginary lines on your skin.

"They’re sleeping," you murmured against his lips, your hands clinging to his shirt.

"I don’t care," he replied, the voice charged with a sweetness that made you tremble. "I’ve waited too long for this."

The kiss grew deeper, and each touch seemed to set the air between you. Your hand slid down his chest, feeling the muscles tense under the cloth, as he left a trail of caresses along your side.

"Pope..." his name slipped away in a whisper, a mixture of desire and uncertainty.

"Shh..." he silenced you, his smile lighting up his face. "You must say nothing."

It was not easy to remain silent with the way his lips explored your skin, descending down your neck. You would sometimes glance at others, but they were completely unaware of what was happening. JJ snored slightly, while Cleo and Kiara were wrapped in their blankets, lost in their dreams.

"Promise you won’t regret it tomorrow," you whisper, biting your lower lip as his eyes met yours.

"The only thing I would regret is not having done it," said Pope, his voice full of determination.

Your heart seemed to explode at those words, and you let the moment overwhelm you. It was risky, crazy, but every second with him made you feel alive like never before.

As the night continued, it seemed that the world outside the chalet had vanished, leaving only you two, your whispers and kisses exchanged, as if the rest did not matter.

Pope’s breath deepened as your lips continued to search for each other, hungry but slow at the same time, as if you wanted to savor every second of that stolen moment. His hands gently slid on your hips, drawing you closer.

"Come here," he whispered with a thread of voice, and before I could answer, you felt his strong hands guiding you, gently sliding on him.

Your heart seemed to beat so fast that it could wake up others, but at the time you didn’t care. His hands were on your sides, holding you with the right pressure, while his gaze was lost in yours.

"You’re amazing, you know?" Pope whispered, his tone loaded with a sweetness that made you melt.

You looked down, a shy smile curving your lips. "You shouldn’t say that so often, I could get my head blown."

"I’ll stop saying that when you stop driving me crazy," he replied, a flash of fun in his eyes before drawing you back to himself.

The kiss became more intense, and your body instinctively responded to his. You felt the warmth that emanated, the way in which his hands explored the curve of your back, going up and down with a delicacy that contrasted the obvious desire that you felt growing between you.

"Pope..." whispered against his lips, your hands clinging to his back, trying to balance.

"Tell me," he replied, his voice low and crusty, as his fingers brushed the skin of your bare side.

"If anyone wakes up..." you started, but his lips settled on yours again, interrupting you.

"They won’t wake up," he assured with a mischievous smile, his eyes shining bright as they were looking for yours. "And even if they did, I don’t care. I want you."

Those words made you shiver, and without thinking too much, you let go completely. Your hands moved towards his face, caressing his jaw as your lips continued to move in perfect harmony.

Sometimes you would glance at others, but their sleep seemed deep and peaceful. JJ was curled up under a blanket with a peaceful expression on his face, while Cleo and Kiara were not even making the slightest movement.

"See? Everything under control," Pope whispered, noticing your worried look.

"You’re too sure of yourself," you replied, trying to keep a firm tone, but the smile that formed on your lips betrayed your true mood.

"Only when it comes to you." His words left you breathless, and you felt the need to reciprocate the gesture. You bent down again to him, your lips finding his neck, leaving light kisses that made him barely shake.

"You’re torturing me," Pope muttered, his voice broken by pleasure as his hands clenched even tighter on your hips.

"I didn’t think you were so sensitive," you joked, but the smile on your face turned into a slight moan as he decided to counter-attack, his lips moving down your neck, leaving a trail of heat that made you tremble.

The moment seemed eternal, a mix of audacity and desire that completely enveloped you. For a moment you forgot everything: the chalet, the others, the possible consequences. There was only you and him, the dark accomplice of that night, and the desire to continue discovering every nuance of each other.

Your movements started almost without thinking about it, slow and uncertain at first, but soon the need to feel more, to be closer to him, took over. Move your hips against him, creating a slight friction but enough to make him jump under you.

"Y/N..." Pope whispered at your lips, the tone charged with a mixture of surprise and pleasure.

You noticed the way he clenched his teeth, desperately trying to hold back a moan that could have broken the silence of the chalet and attracted the attention of others. But the way his hands clung to your hips made you realize how much it was making him lose control.

"Is something wrong?" you asked with a whisper, a mischievous smile curving your lips as your hands flowed on his shoulders.

"You... know it exactly," he replied with a clenched teeth, a flash of fun mixed with desire in his eyes.

You kept moving, your hips following a slow but steady pace, while he tried to keep control. His hands guided you, holding you tight enough to make you feel the warmth of his skin through your clothes, but never too much to be intrusive.

"You’re incredible," he muttered, interrupting the kiss to stare at you with eyes that shone in the twilight.

"You’re not bad yourself," you joked, but your voice betrayed the effect he was having on you.

He bent forward, his lips finding your neck, and this time did not hold back. He left a more determined, almost possessive kiss, followed by a trail of light bites that made you shiver. Your movements became more fluid, more natural, while his breath became irregular.

"If you keep this up, I can’t guarantee that I’ll be able to hold back," Pope whispered in a husky voice as his eyes settled on yours with an intensity that made you tremble.

"Who told you I want you to hold back?" you said with a whisper of voice, your hands sticking in her hair.

The way his body reacted to those words was enough to make you realize how close it was to the limit. He moved just below you, trying to make more contact, while his lips returned to urgently seek yours. Every kiss was an unspoken promise, an invitation to let go completely.

For a moment, you forgot where you were. There was no longer the risk of being caught, or awareness of how risky what you were doing. There were only you and him, lost in a vortex of emotions that seemed to grow with every movement, every whisper, every kiss.

You started to lower your pyjamas and thongs and then do the same thing with his shorts and boxer shorts. Pope was already shirtless and having Pope all naked and needy under you was a sight.

You joined your lips with hers while you lined up your pussy on her cock and sank in it while trying not to moan. Pope was going crazy: your pussy was squeezing his dick and the fact that he couldn’t moan was killing him.

Your lips kept searching for hers with increasing urgency, the kisses getting deeper and more messy, while the heat between you increased inexorably. Your movements on his hips became more determined, the rhythm you followed sent shivers down your back and, judging by the way Pope clenched his jaw, also along his.

"God, Y/N..." He whispered with a thread of voice, his hands clenching even more on your hips, as if trying to control what was happening, but without really being able to. " You’re riding me so well"

Every movement of yours was a sweet torment, and you felt it in the way his breath became more and more irregular, his eyes closing for a moment before opening again and looking for yours.

"Pope..." you murmured, his name coming out almost like a moan as you felt the growing warmth between you. Your hands clung to his hair, the touch that seemed the only way to anchor yourself in reality as you lost yourself in him.

"You’re playing with fire," he said in a hoarse voice, the tone that had a warning note, but his smile betrayed how much he loved everything that was happening.

"I see you more than comfortable with the fire," you replied, your voice a mixture of provocation and desire.

Pope laughed softly, a muffled sound to not wake up the others, but immediately after his lips returned to yours, hungry, as if he needed that touch to breathe. Each of his kisses was deep, slow and incredibly intense, and the way his hands held you made you feel wanted in a way that you had never felt before.

Your movements became more natural, as if your bodies spoke a language you had never learned but instinctively knew. Every touch, every pressure created a crescendo of emotions that left you breathless.

"I can’t think of anything but you right now," Pope confessed, his voice broken by pleasure as his gaze waned into yours.

Those words made you melt, and you returned with a long kiss and full of feeling, your hands slipping down her back, wishing the moment never ended.

"Neither did I," you replied in a whisper, your foreheads touching as you both tried to catch your breath.

The sound of a slight movement from the sofa made you freeze for a moment. You both turned your head towards JJ, who turned under the blanket, mumbling something in her sleep.

You both held your breath, holding up a nervous laugh when he showed no other signs of awakening. Pope looked at you with a complicit smile, the desire in his eyes now mixed with a touch of fun.

"You’re too dangerous," he quipped softly, putting one hand on your back and moving closer to him again.

"Yet you don’t seem to want to stop," you replied with a mischievous smile, your lips resting on hers again in a long and sweet kiss. And as palpable as the risk was, neither of you seemed willing to give up that stolen moment.

You started rolling your hips on his cock feeling how his dick went on your g-spot and you lowered your head biting his neck not to chase the moan that was coming out of you while he left a small moan at impact.

"shit y/n" he murmured as you left him sucking his neck, leaving a mark. " you’re my death" said Pope as he put your hands on your ass and squeezed it to make you move more against him.

You bit the inside cheeks of your mouth not to groan but always small groans were coming out so Pope joined his lips with yours swallowing all the groans.

"you’re holding it so well to me" I whispered near your lips and then kissed you again while you groaned.

You both came to the climax and Pope cum inside of you while you were still kissing.

After a while you recovered you adjusted and fell asleep hugged.

The next day you were all out and only JJ was still sleeping. When he came out, he seemed amused." Guys I had a strange dream... I dreamed that someone was fucking while I was sleeping, what a cool thing" said JJ amused and unaware of everything.

You and Pope looked at each other and were holding back a laugh amused.

[eternalxvenus]

POV: The pogues went full kook

this is so bad i’m sorry i don’t really make mood boards 💔

[cakesunflower]

lovelorn (and nobody knows) [rafe cameron au fic] chapter 16

Summary: Isla Carrera had planned for the summer before college to be focused on three things: helping out at her family’s restaurant (the helpful daughter), preparing for college (the good student), and having fun with the Pogues (the loyal friend). But one fateful night, where her car breaks down and her rescuer is none other than Rafe Cameron, seems to send her summer down a path she didn’t see coming–one teeming with a secret, illicit romance with the last person she expected. And if her friends and sister found out, Isla isn’t sure they’ll be so understanding, no matter what her feelings are.

Previous Chapters: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 15

A/N: I might start being silly and include fake instagram posts for this fic, one of them included in this one. I just hope it shows up LOL. Of course, I can't find exact pics for the situations I need them for, so the pictures in the posts are just there for you to see the poses/style of the pics I have in mind, and you picture the cast + Isla for them.

“Now this is what I’m talkin’ about,” Cleo coos, the satisfied smile evident in her voice as she stretches on the chair, dark skin glowing under the sun.

Isla grins from her own chair, laying on her stomach with the sun on her back, mostly exposed thanks to her bikini, while she reads the latest Emily Henry book laying before her. Music plays from a speaker somewhere, burgers and hot dogs being cooked on the grill manned by John B, as the rest of them lay and laze around on the deck of The Druthers, Sarah’s dad’s yacht.

It’s not often they hang out at Sarah’s house, and even less so on Ward’s yacht. Most of their time is spent on The Cut, at the beach, the Chateau. It’s where they’re most comfortable together, as a group. But when it’s just them, with no one else disrupting them, moments like these where they can use the yacht and it just be their group, they take advantage of being on Figure Eight. The Cut is their side of the island, no doubt, but between Sarah’s, Isla and Kie’s homes being on Figure Eight, Cleo coming over all of the time for girls’ days, JJ and Pope making deliveries on Figure Eight for Heyward, and John B, of course, spending time at Sarah’s place, they all end up spending time on this side of the island, too.

Isla knows, though, some of her friends aren’t always totally comfortable being here, since The Cut is what they truly know. Sometimes, if they’re feeling particularly stubborn—especially JJ—it’s like pulling teeth trying to get them to hang out somewhere on Figure Eight, or even just Sarah’s house. And Isla gets it; Kooks are assholes and when they see outsiders—or Pogues—they get all righteous and pick fights. Isla knows that Pogues can sometimes be just as bad over on The Cut, but at the same time, no one really kicks out the Kooks when they crash Pogue parties. So Isla can’t really blame her friends for not coming to Figure Eight if they don’t have to. It feels too Kook-like, according to JJ, and Isla agrees sometimes.

But today is an exception. It’s a beautiful day and Sarah had asked Ward if they could use the Druthers; not to take it out or anything, but leave it sitting at the Camerons’ dock while the Pogues hung out on it, grilling food and drinking, ahem, responsibly. 

They wanted to just have a chill hang out following JJ quitting his job, even though he didn’t want to be in Kooklandia. But Sarah had given him puppy dog eyes and Kie had smiled flirtatiously, and so he had joined them on the yacht, too. Plus, with enough beers and a few hits of the joint Kie had rolled, JJ has mellowed out.

Kie hasn’t said if anything happened between her and JJ when she left the yacht club with him, despite Isla questioning her. Isla hopes that her sister would tell her if something did happen, but that hope itself seems a little hypocritical, coming from her. So, Isla doesn’t push.

“How much longer on the food, John B?” Kie asks where she sits on the cushioned bench stretching along one side of the deck. She plucks the strings of her ukelele, playing the tune of the Arctic Monkeys song playing through the speakers.

“Two minutes,” John B calls back, waving at the smoke rising from the grill. Next to him, Pope had sliced tomatoes and pulled lettuce leaves, and is now slathering mayonnaise on the burger buns. They both stand shirtless in just swimming trunks, though John B wears a Kiss the Cook apron that Sarah gave him to shield his bare chest from potential oil splatters. 

Before lunch is served, Isla places a bookmark in her book before getting up, heading inside the lodge to go to the bathroom. She sees Wheezie on the couch, laying comfortably and seemingly playing a game on her phone. She had asked to hang out on the yacht with them today, and since they all like Wheezie, there was no reason not to invite her.

After Isla quickly uses the bathroom, she walks back out and smiles at the youngest Cameron. “How’s it going, Wheezie? Why’re you sitting in here?” Isla asks, sitting at the end of the L-shaped couch to face Wheezie laying on the other end.

“I get burnt too easily, no matter what kind of sunblock I use,” Wheezie says as she sits up, back resting against the arm rest.

“Well, the food is about to be done,” Isla says, glancing over her shoulder out the sliding glass doors. Looking back at Wheezie, she grins teasingly. “Want me to bring your food in here for you?”

Wheezie rolls her eyes, but she grins. “I think I’ll survive.”

Isla laughs as her gaze shifts, catching sight of the few beaded bracelets Wheezie wears on her wrist. Isla’s smile turns softer, Rafe’s face flashing through her mind. She drags her teeth across her bottom lip before commenting, “I like your bracelets. They’re pretty.”

“Oh, thanks,” Wheezie smiles, raising her wrist to give it a little shake of her bracelets.

“You make them yourself?” Isla asks, despite knowing the answer.

“Yup,” Wheezie answers, pushing up her glasses. “I have a huge bead collection. I even sell them online sometimes.”

“Yeah?” Isla grins, eyebrows rising. “Can you make me one? I’ll pay,” she adds, wiggling her eyebrows.

“First one’s free for friends,” Wheezie replies, which only widens Isla’s grin.

Just then, John B’s voice calls out, “Food’s ready! Come and get it!”

As she and Wheezie get up, the younger girl asks, “I have, like, a crap-ton of colored beads and different shaped beads, like stars and hearts, stuff like that. Is there anything you want specifically?”

Isla considers for a moment, biting the inside of her cheek. Rafe’s eyes flicker through her mind. “Baby blue beads, if you have them? And heart beads.”

Wheezie nods a couple of times. “I can do that!”

“Thanks, Wheezie,” Isla smiles as they step back out onto the deck, catching sight of her friends gathering towards the food.

Isla helps herself to a burger, piling on some lettuce and slices of tomatoes before stepping over to the cooler to grab a drink. Except when she opens it, her eyebrows furrow together. “Hey,” she calls over her shoulder. “Where are the sodas?”

“No sodas!” JJ shouts where he sits towards the front, raising his can of beer. She doesn’t need to see his eyes, which are shielded by sunglasses, to know he’s drunk as she catches sight of that lazy grin on his face. “Beer day only! You think Kooks drink Coke or water when they’re chilling on their yacht?” he snorts, patting the ledge of the boat.

“Seriously?” Isla groans. She’s already one beer in and isn’t particularly in the mood for another. “There was supposed to be water in here, too.”

“Come on, man,” Pope sighs in exasperation towards JJ, hand resting on the top of his cap.

Isla puts her plate down, taking another paper plate to cover her food from potential flies or bugs. “I’m gonna get the drinks,” she says, huffing out a breath as she reaches for her denim shorts and pulls them on. She knows the soda cans and water bottles are in the fridge at the house.

“I can go,” Pope says. “It’ll be heavy.”

Isla scoffs, throwing him a look. “I’ve lifted heavier shit at the restaurant,” she reminds him in a deadpan tone, pocketing her phone. She squints at the length of the dock leading to the Cameron estate, cracking a smile. “I’ll be back in ten.”

She walks off the Druthers and begins the trek down the dock. The music from the yacht grows more and more distant as she walks further down the dock, pulling out her phone and going to her texts.

To: Rafe

you back home yet?

Four steps later, his response comes in.

From: Rafe

Yeah, just got back in. You guys still on the Druthers?

To: Rafe

yeah but i’m coming into the house to get some drinks

From: Rafe

Thought you guys would be stacked up on alcohol

To: Rafe

alcohol, yes. but we need water and sodas too lol

She pockets her phone, getting off the dock and approaching the back glass doors of the house and walking inside. Isla hears someone moving around in the kitchen and when she walks in, she grins at the sight of Rafe. He’s in the process of making a protein shake, it looks like, dressed in gray pants with a light blue button down tucked in, sleeves rolled to the elbows. 

Isla bites her smiling bottom lip, crossing her arms and leaning against the wall on her side as she watches him. She knows he’s just coming back from some meetings that he sits in on with his dad, already having a place in Ward’s company for him to one day take over. Rafe’s watch shines on his wrist and her smile widens when she sees one of the beaded bracelets on his other wrist, the beads dark in color.

“Hi there,” she greets, catching his attention right when he puts the lid on the blender.

Rafe looks up, gaze finding hers and a smile instantly finding his face. It makes her heart flutter, how quickly the smile appears when he looks at her. It lights up his entire handsome face, his feelings so evident, and a comforting fire spreads through Isla—to know she’s the reason for that smile.

“Hi, pretty girl,” he says, blue eyes dipping down the length of her, her skin electrifying with delicious awareness everywhere his gaze touches. He rolls his bottom lip into his mouth as she walks over, and Rafe nods towards the box of Coca-Cola and some water bottles sitting on the counter. “Got your drinks out for you.”

“Why, thank you.” The corners of her lips dip downwards in a teasing grin, cheek turning into the shoulder she lifts. “You—” Her hand reaches forward to hook a finger through his belt loop, closing the gap between them while tilting her head back to smile at him as he looks down at her, eyebrows raised. “Look ridiculously handsome.”

It’s unfair how nicely the button down stretches across his broad chest and shoulders, strong forearms shown off with how the sleeves are rolled up. “Oh, yeah?” Rafe murmurs, his one hand leaning against the counter while the other slides up her long dark hair, threading through the strands before his hand cups the back of her head. He applies just the slightest bit of pressure to pull her head back while dipping his head, Isla’s eyes fluttering shut when his lips press to her smiling ones.

She hums into the kiss, chest against his torso and lips parting against his. “Mm, I can’t stay for long,” she murmurs, laughing breathlessly as Rafe trails kisses along her jaw, down her neck. Her head tilts back, eyelashes fluttering in response to his lips working along her neck, a breath shuddering out of her. “Rafe, your parents—”

“Dad and Rose are at work,” he tells her. Isla’s thighs clench when his teeth graze against her skin.

“Okay, but don’t—” Isla laughs when he teasingly, lightly, nips at her and her hands press to his chest. “Do not leave any marks.”

Rafe groans. “Boring,” he says, but when he pulls back he’s grinning. His hands shift so he’s cupping her cheeks, thumbs lightly digging into the dents of her dimples when she grins up at him. “Your cheeks are flushed,” he comments with a chuckle.

Isla hums. “Hot day. Are you going back to work?”

Rafe nods. “Yeah, got an hour and a half to kill though,” he tells her with a meaningful raise of his eyebrows.

“Oh-ho, don’t look at me,” Isla laughs, shaking her head. “I gotta get back to the others.”

But Rafe wraps his arms around her waist, hugging her to him with a burgeoning grin. “I’m sure you have some time to kill,” he muses, and Isla yelps in surprise, hands gripping Rafe’s shoulders, as he lifts her and sits her on the counter, the cool marble chilling the bare skin of her thighs. He kisses her again, hands sliding down her sides, teasing the band of her shorts. “We can be quick,” he says, each word emphasized by a kiss as his fingers brush over the button and zipper of her shorts, but he doesn’t go any further. “Hmm?”

He pulls back to look at her questioningly, but Isla chases his kisses, making him grin knowingly, and she groans because of course she can’t say no to him. “We really will have to be quick,” she says breathlessly, heart thumping at the thrill of anticipation.

Rafe’s smirk is wicked and eager, fingers working to undo her short’s button and zipper. And it’s risky—oh, it’s so risky, but cautious is thrown out the window the second Rafe tugs her shorts off, taking them off all the way and dropping them to the floor. Isla kisses him again, eager to feel the softness of his lips and taste him, as she feels his fingers work at the bows on one side at her hip of her bikini bottom, undoing it to pull it off.

His kisses trail down her jaw, her neck, and Isla’s head tilts back as his lips travel down her sternum, her stomach as he pulls her closer to the edge of the counter before he drops down. Isla’s heart is thunderously in her chest, lips parted as she watches Rafe part her legs further, an eager gleam in his eyes that meet hers as his tongue licks a stripe up her center.

“Oh—God,” Isla shudders, one hand finding the back of his head and the other gripping the edge of the counter, watching and feeling as he licks at her. Electricity shoots through her veins, watching her boyfriend who is dressed up the way he is, as he eats her like she’s his last damn meal, holding back nothing.

Isla’s breaths come out sharply, a moan escaping when Rafe’s teeth graze her clit, the moan becoming a cry when he sucks her clit into his mouth, his fingers digging into the flesh of her thighs before his tongue does something—alternating from fluttering and fucking her, making Isla throw her head back as stars begin to dot her closed lids. Her fingers tighten in his hair, no doubt messing it up, but neither of them seem to care as her hips start moving at their own accord, her breaths coming out like whimpers as she looks down at Rafe, watching him lick and kiss and suck at her.

He looks like he’s in fucking heaven, which only makes her skin fire up more, desire and exhilaration and the slight alarm of potentially getting caught mix together to make her head spin even more. Over the thundering of her heart, Isla can hear the crude sounds of him eating her out, sucking at her lips and tongue licking into her. Rafe knows exactly what to do, showing just as much attention to her clit, and it’s enough for Isla to feel that familiar tensing, electrifying sensation low in her abdomen.

“Oh, God, Rafe—I can’t—I’m gonna—Please.”

Rafe hums against her, giving her clit a slow, wicked suck, and Isla is falling apart with a sharp cry of his name. White flashes across her closed eyes as her climax wracks through her, shaking as Rafe lets her ride through it on his tongue, taking in whatever she can give him.

She’s seconds away from collapsing on her back on the counter—oh, she can’t believe they just did that on the Camerons’ kitchen counter—but Rafe’s arm is around her waist, holding her up as he rises to his feet. When Isla looks at him, trying to catch her breath, a smirk dances on his lips, sinfully shining, as his hand presses to the small of her back, his skin hot against hers.

“Look at that,” Rafe muses cockily as Isla’s slightly widened eyes meet his. “Knew you’d be a good girl.”

Isla exhales sharply, her racing heart only just beginning to settle. “You’re crazy,” she remarks. “And a menace.”

He grins shamelessly. “You like it, though.”

She shakes her head, but smiles nonetheless with heat in her cheeks as Rafe gets some paper towels and helps her clean up. When he helps her off the counter, Isla’s knees shake only a little bit, but she’s able to stand as Rafe ties the strings of her bikini bottoms against her hip. “I can’t believe we just did that,” Isla whispers, hands on her warm cheeks as she watches Rafe tie a cute little bow before he bends to grab her shorts. “On your kitchen counter.”

“It’s no big deal, Isla,” he tells her with a light chuckle, holding her shorts up by the band for her to step into. 

“Your family cooks and eats here!” Isla hisses, one hand on his shoulder to keep her balance as she puts her right foot into the shorts and then the left. “I mean, that’s—”

“Baby, baby, stop worrying,” Rafe cuts in with a gentle laugh, buttoning and zipping her shorts before cupping her cheeks. Despite her mild freak out, she’s more than a little endeared that he practically dressed her after making her see stars. Chivalry isn’t dead, afterall. “I’ll clean up, if that helps.”

Isla’s eyes widen. “You better,” she says before reaching for the long box of Coke cans. “I gotta get back before they start asking questions.”

He nods to the water bottles. “Let me get you a bag for those.” He opens one of the lower cabinets and pulls out a plastic bag, putting the water bottles in there before handing her the bag. “You sure you don’t need help?”

Isla smiles, stepping over to him. “I’ll be fine, babe,” she says, rising on her toes to give him a quick kiss. “I’ll call you later?”

Rafe grins. “Looking forward to it.”

*****

The yard of the Chateau, with the view of the water, looks gorgeous.

Under Sarah’s leadership, the girls had transformed the outdoor space into a pretty, Pinterest-inspired dinner area. Isla and Kie had borrowed their dad’s pick up truck and used it to bring the bigger supplies, like folding tables and extra chairs. The sunset makes the sky bleed orange into red, reflecting off the water, and the fairy lights that are stretched along above them and tied around the trees and back porch pillars add a fantasy-like glow. 

The tables, just two and big enough to fit all seven of them, are covered with a rustic linen tablecloth that will probably get stained by the time dinner is over. There are two cute centerpieces of vases stocked with wildflowers that Isla had picked. The girls all each cooked multiple things—especially given there will be three teenage guys with them who can each eat two people’s worth of food. There’s lasagna, chicken pot pie, Cleo’s famous sandwiches, stuffed peppers, garlic bread. Not to mention the other bits of dessert to go with the birthday cake. Over the screened in porch, facing their set up, a custom made Happy Birthday John B! banner hung, along with balloons tied to the tops of their chairs.

“Okay, Pope just texted,” Cleo announces, her phone screen lighting up her face. “They’re ten minutes out!”

“Okay, okay,” Sarah rushes and Isla smiles in amusement because her friend almost resembles a headless chicken. But she looks pretty, unsurprisingly, in a pale yellow summer dress and sandals, hair in loose waves with the front braided back. “We’ve got everything, right?” she asks, her eyes critically looking over the table set up.

Kie nods, brushing away a fallen leaf from the table. “Good to go, dude,” she confirms, grinning excitedly.

They go inside the house and begin bringing the food out, which they made sure is warm and set it out on the table, though they don’t take off the lids or Seran wrap off the top of the dishes so flies or bugs don’t get into the food. Soda and beer bottles are also brought out and Isla bites back a smile as she watches Sarah needlessly—and nervously—straighten out the utensils placed by the plates.

“We’re good, right? This is good?” Sarah asks, looking around.

“Would you calm down?” Isla laughs, walking over and gripping Sarah’s shoulders from behind before hugging her. “John B’s gonna love it.”

Sarah’s nervousness is only a sign of how much she loves John B, and this is totally not the right time or circumstance to suddenly feel the dull ache of yearning deep in Isla’s chest as she thinks of Rafe. It’s accompanied by the sharp sting of jealousy that comes with witnessing her friends be so openly in love and together, while Isla feels as though she can’t share the beginning bloom of her new relationship with Rafe.

Maybe cowardice is holding her back. No matter when or how Isla tells her friends, she knows that their reactions are not going to be good. The guys and Rafe, with his friends, have gotten into plenty of fights and spats over the years, and Isla isn’t sure her friends are willing to move past that. Part of her worries that Rafe could spend the next few years being civil and, hell, even nice to them without their relationship being revealed, and it would still take a while for her friends not to hate him. Sarah would be the easiest to win over, Isla figures, because her relationship with Rafe has gotten better over the last couple of years.

But the Pogue versus Kook mentality that smothers their island is the root of the resentment between them. Perhaps it’s a bit delusional, but Isla hopes that if she can see Rafe has changed, that he’s a better person than the asshole who used to get into fights with JJ, John B, and Pope, then her friends can see it, too. They would just have to get past, well, the past. And that, she fears, isn’t going to be easy.

“What’s with all the lights?” Isla hears John B’s voice, and she pulls out of her thoughts quickly enough to join the others in exclaiming, “Surprise!”

She sees John B’s eyes widen, hands up in front of him as he says, “Oh, shit,” while a grin grows on his face as he looks at them all with shock lighting up his eyes. “What?” He laughs as JJ grabs his shoulders and gives him a shake, grinning, while Pope steals a page out of JJ’s books and gives John B a noogie.

“Happy birthday, John B,” Sarah smiles, walking over to him and throwing her arms around his neck. His arms instantly wind around her waist, and Kie whistles when the two of them share a kiss. When they pull back, Sarah’s smile widens. “Hope you’re ready to eat,” she says, fingers interlacing with his as she pulls him towards the tables.

She lets go of his hand long enough for the rest of them to step in, and Isla grins at her friend as she wraps her arms around him. “Happy birthday, buddy,” she murmurs, giving him a squeeze that he returns. “Feeling old yet?” she laughs as they pull away, patting his shoulder. 

John B’s grin is wide and smug. “Nineteen and never felt younger,” he chuckles, hooking his arm around her neck before they all make their way to the tables. John B lets out a laugh, rubbing his hands together as he says, “Guys, this looks amazing.” To JJ and Pope, he smirks. “No wonder you boys kept me out all day.”

JJ grins, tipping an imaginary hat to Sarah. “We were under strict orders,” he says with a wink as they all sit down.

John B sits at the head, Sarah to his right with Isla next to her and Kie on the other side of Isla. JJ sits to John B’s left, and Pope and Cleo are opposite of Isla and Kie. Among the dishes, there are two three-wick candles adding to the ambiance provided by the fairy lights. “Wow,” John B says again when he sits, smiling in awe as he observes the spread in front of him. “You guys went all out, huh?”

Pope shoots him a grin. “Anything for you, Grandpa,” he says, everyone’s laughter ringing when John B throws him a feigned glare at the knock at his age. Comes with the territory when he’s the oldest of their group.

“Let’s eat!” Sarah says, gesturing for everyone to begin helping themselves.

Their chatter fills the air, along with the clinking of utensils against plates as they serve themselves, piling up their plates with the home cooked dishes. Cleo, having hooked up her phone to the Bluetooth speaker sitting at the base of the tree nearby, plays music in the background, not too loud to overpower their conversation but enough to add to the atmosphere. Dishes are passed back and forth, drinks are poured, and smiles are ever present as the seven of them get lost in this small world they’ve built for themselves. 

The guys regale their adventures from today, which was really just an average day in OBX for them. Out on the boat, fishing, surfing, their usual activities that they never get tired of. It’s why John B didn’t suspect the surprise dinner because nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Isla knows that Sarah also has a romantic dinner planned with him tomorrow, but she wanted all of them to spend his actual birthday together, as a family.

And that’s exactly what they do, constant laughter ringing out in between eating and drinking and taking pictures for their memories. “Yo, we should do these more,” John B comments at one point, reaching for his glass. “Like, these family dinners,” he clarifies, gesturing to the table with the glass and a smile.

Cleo points a fork at him, arching an eyebrow. “You say that now because you and the boys did none of the cooking,” she points out.

Isla snaps her fingers, nodding. “Exactly.”

“Next time, y’all are cooking,” Kie says, raising her eyebrow at all three of the guys. 

“You trust us in the kitchen?” JJ grins at her, leaning back in his chair with an arm thrown over the back of Pope’s chair. Isla doesn’t miss the way JJ is looking at Kie, a dimple in his cheek and his blue eyes glinting with something far more than something that can be clocked under the guise of a platonic relationship. 

Isla rolls her smiling lips into her mouth, hiding it behind the rim of her glass as she sips the Coke. Her gaze flicks to her left, catching Sarah’s own knowing, smiling gaze. On the other side of Isla, Kie snorts out a laugh. “I’m sure you boys are capable,” she muses and oh, man, those two are definitely flirting, whether they realize it or not.

Now Isla is really wondering if something did happen between Kie and JJ, and her sister just hasn’t told her about it. 

When they finish eating dinner, they all take the time to take some pictures before Sarah heads inside. She’s only gone for a few minutes, but Isla sees John B’s gaze constantly going to the house, like he’s looking out for her. It makes Isla smile, even as her phone vibrates and she checks to see a text from Sarah.

From: Sarah👸🏼🩵

coming!!!!

Isla thumbs up the message and goes on her phone’s camera, getting to her feet and wiggling her eyebrows at John B’s questioning look right as the backdoor opens and Sarah walks out. “Happy birthday to you. . .” She starts singing with a laugh, and with Isla recording, the rest of them join in on the singing as Sarah walks towards John B, holding the cake with two candles, reading 19, are lit on top and make Sarah’s smiling face glow.

The group of them sing happy birthday to John B as he laughs, delight lighting up his face as Sarah puts the cake in front of him on the table, her smile wide as JJ hands him a knife to cut the cake. “Cut it, old man!” JJ says over the rest of their cheering.

Isla records John B blowing out the candles before he cuts the cake, Sarah standing next to him with her hands pressed together after clapping, pressed against her smiling lips as she watches John B cut the cake. He takes a slice, then, and offers it to Sarah, and Isla and Kie whistle as he feeds it to her. And Isla is so glad she has that video to play it at their inevitable wedding, where they recreate that very moment with their wedding cake. Isla can already, so easily, picture it as she posts one of the photos they took tonight on Instagram.

“Alright, alright, step aside,” Pope says once they’ve finished, taking the knife from John B. “I’ll cut.”

Cleo slides up next to him. “I’ll give it out,” she says, grabbing the pile of small plates.

They get to work, with Pope cutting slices and placing them on plates, which Cleo hands to the rest of them. When Isla notes that JJ is occupied with Sarah and John B, she quickly but casually makes her way to where Kie is cleaning up more of the table and bringing dishes inside. Isla grabs the lasagna dish and hurries after her sister into the house, and Kie glances at her over her shoulder.

“What’s up?” she asks as they enter the kitchen, as though she knows Isla is after something.

“Come on, be honest,” Isla starts, placing the dish on the counter. “Did something happen between you and JJ the other day?”

Kie presses her lips together as she places the pile of dirty plates in the sink. With her back to Isla, her shoulders seem tense, bracing her hands against the counter before she slowly turns to face Isla. Isla, on the other hand, is watching her with eyes slightly widened with anticipation, biting back the urge to yell I knew it! before Kie even has had the chance to say anything.

“We’re going on a date,” Kie slowly says, lips twitching as though she is struggling not to smile.

But Isla’s jaw has dropped, eyes even wider as she stares at her sister in disbelief. So many thoughts run through her head in response to Kie’s words, her pulse racing in excitement, but the first thing she blurts out is, “And you didn’t tell me?!”

“Shh! Keep your voice down,” Kie hisses, widening her eyes as she walks towards Isla. “We didn’t wanna say anything to anyone until, you know, after. We don’t wanna bring any attention to it because we kind of just wanna see for ourselves, you know, if anything is there.”

Isla scoffs, forehead creasing as she shoots Kie a really? look. “There’s something definitely there,” she states as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world—because it is.

Kie rolls her eyes before letting out a breath, her shoulders sinking. Her expression shifts, then, and Isla recognizes the guilt that softens her dark eyes, the downwards tilt of her lips. “I know I should have told you. I’m sorry I didn’t.” Isla’s lips part, but Kie’s hands suddenly find Isla’s, cutting Isla off. “You’re my sister and, y’know, we tell each other all the shit. You’ve been trying to get me to open up to JJ about my feelings and I finally took your advice, and you’re the first person I should’ve told instead of keeping you in the dark.”

Isla can’t lie—the second Kie had told her about going on a date with JJ, Isla had felt a pang of hurt that Kie hadn’t said a word. That she had purposefully kept it a secret even when Isla questioned her about it earlier. Except. . . That’s hypocritical of her, isn’t it? Isla can’t truly, genuinely, be angry with Kie about this when she is keeping an even bigger secret about her own love life.

So whatever guilt Kie is feeling right now, Isla suddenly gets wracked with it tenfold, her throat drying and stomach bottoming out at the expression Kie wears. At this moment, Isla so badly wants to come clean. She wants to tell her sister about her own love life—her boyfriend. And yet, Isla doesn’t feel ready, and she doesn’t think Kie and their friends are ready to hear it, either. Never mind that it’s John B’s birthday and Isla doesn’t want to take the attention away from her friend and his day. 

That doesn’t stop her stomach from twisting, though, or feeling her skin prickle with guilt as Kie holds her hands. Kie’s secret with JJ is nothing in comparison to what Isla is hiding from everyone.

“Hey, no, stop,” Isla says with a shake of her head, forcing out a laugh through her bone dry throat. She squeezes Kie’s hands reassuringly. “I’m not upset, alright? I get it. You didn’t have to tell me anything until you were ready to.”

Kie blinks a few times, still looking worried. “Are you sure? Because, like, I know we don’t keep that many secrets from each other, if we even do, you know? I just—”

“Kiara,” Isla says, and the use of her full name has Kie pausing. Resisting the urge to swallow the guilt-laden lump in her throat, Isla smiles again. “You don’t owe me anything. I’m just glad you and JJ finally got your heads out of your asses,” she adds playfully, trying to lighten the burden on her chest. It only works a little when Kie laughs.

“Yeah, me too,” she smiles, nodding. To Isla’s surprise, Kie pulls her in for a hug, her arms tight. “Thanks for talking some sense into me about JJ.”

With her chin resting on Kie’s shoulder, Isla’s expression falls and her eyes squeeze shut, feeling like an absolute ass for the hypocrisy that tightens her stomach. Especially with Kie mentioning the lack of secrets between them, which has always been true—except this time. Isla tries reassuring herself that it’s for good reason, that Kie and everyone else aren’t ready to hear the truth that they don’t know even exists. 

Still, with her eyes squeezing shut, Isla pushes back the burning sensation. “Anytime,” she responds to Kie.

Thankfully, her sister doesn’t notice the way Isla’s voice has become hoarse with guilt in just that one word answer.

-----

taglist: @talkfastromance4 @you-got-me-starry-eyed @invisiblexcth @freshsturniolo346 @theafournier97 @danismyth04 @perfectprettypisces @pameluuu @melsbels-zip @gabrielapereze11 @katieeeeb @diary-of-jj @cenzie811148 @hangmanscoming

[bbearthyy]

JJ Maybank is a Mama’s Boy

CW: dom!reader, sub!jj, mommy kink, handcuffs, blindfold, using a gag? i dunno how to word that, sex toys (plug, cock ring), overstim?, edging, use of safe word, aftercare

-ˋˏ ༻𖤓༺ ˎˊ-

Everyone knew it. The pogues did, the kooks did, his boss, the cops, all of OBX knew that JJ didn’t take shit from no one…except his Mama.

“Jackson James Maybank get your ass over here now!” The boy froze, wincing as he knew he’d been caught. The boys had promised that they wouldn’t go fishing this morning, the shop was closed for the day and they were all supposed to sleep in and relax. So one can imagine how pissed the girls were when they woke up to empty beds. You stood on the porch, arms crossed, between Sarah and Cleo; Kie stood in the doorway giggling behind you. The three of you giving your boys the meanest looks you could muster.

John B was the first to surrender, walking up to Sarah and gathering her in his arms. “Mornin’ pretty girl.” He walked inside, knowing that he’d be forgiven as soon as he got between her thighs.

Pope went next, slightly more hesitant. Giving Cleo a shy smile he wrapped his arms around her waist, “‘M sorry baby,” he mumbled, hiding his face in her neck. “Peer pressure y’know.” The girl sighed, pulling her boyfriend inside, already folding.

Kie held in her laugh as she watched JJ, clearly scared to see his girls angry face, walking as slow as possible towards the porch with his head down. She walked towards the shop, going to check inventory, shouting to JJ on her way past, “Good luck Jayj!”

When he finally made his way to you he was tense, bottom lip trembling, tears already pooling on his lash line. “Mama-,” he begin, reeling back as if he’d been hit when you immediately cut him off. “Don’t, ” you began, tone biting, “Bad boys don’t get to talk to me. Go inside and sit on our bed. I want you naked by the time I make it in there.” The boy began scurrying inside, trying to save his ass as he went, “Mama please it was John B’s idea I swear!” But you didn’t care to hear it.

-ˋˏ ༻𖤓༺ ˎˊ-

JJ cried, trying his hardest to apologize to you through the gag. He couldn’t see you, eyes shielded with the blindfold, but he could feel you watching him. The two of you had been in your bedroom for the past three hours now, and you hadn’t let JJ cum once. He was getting desperate, legs trembling and kicking all over the bed, trying to pull away from the overstimulation. After multiple hand jobs, and almost an entire hour of fingering, you’d left him. (You hadn’t actually, you were sitting on the dresser at the end of the bed, watching closely if he needed to tap out) His arms were handcuffed to the bed frame, wrists red and no doubt bruising from how hard he was pulling on the restraints. He had a bandana over his eyes as a blindfold, a similar one in his mouth to gag him. A plug pressed deep into him, all 7 inches of it making him feel so full. You’d put a cock ring on him as well, vibrating on the lowest setting, though it still felt like torture.

You watched silently, biting down the urge to praise him, to pet his legs gently and press them onto the bed, to assure him that he was almost done. But this was a punishment, and you weren’t going to indulge. Suddenly, his legs stop kicking, instead curling up into his chest. He’s stopped trying to speak through the gag, and is now shaking his head repeatedly. You tilt your head, watching him closely but still not speaking, when it happens. He starts snapping the fingers on his right hand quickly, his nonverbal safe word, and if you could tell anything by the swiftness of it, he needed out now.

You were quick to grab the remote for the cock ring, turning it off immediately and swiftly but gently removing it as you began speaking, crawling over his body to straddle him as you go to remove all of his restraints. “It’s okay baby, sh sh sh, Mama’s right here. Hold on sweet boy lemme get you down. Take deep breaths.” JJ was falling into subdrop, and he was falling fast. As soon as you pulled the gag out of his mouth he was crying out, “MAMA!” You snatched the blindfold off next, quickly unlocking the handcuffs as your baby cried. As soon as the cuffs came loose he flew into your arms, burying his face into your chest as he sobbed, struggling to breath. “No more mama, n’ more please. Ah- I can’t mommy i’m sorry, ’m sorry, ’m s’rry.”

You removed your shirt and bra, knowing he’s going to need that skin on skin contact. Pulling him into your lap and against your chest, you mumble out constant praises, gently rocking him side to side. “It’s alright baby boy, you’re okay. Hush now little one. We’re all done. No more Jay. Just breathe. Deep deep breaths. Mama’s right here.” He nestled into your chest, mouth moving over your right nipple as he began to suck, his right hand coming up to hold your left breast, soothing himself. “Do you wanna cum baby? Mama’ll make it quick.” You weren’t surprised to see him shake his head no, he usually denied an orgasm if he had to tap out, feeling too worn out to want it anymore.

“You still have the plug in, honey, do you want me to take it out?” Your comment seems to remind him that it was there in the first place, his shoulders tensing, before he shakes his head ‘no’. His eye lids flutter shut, body fully relaxing against yours as he soothes. He trusts his Mama, and knowing that you’ll take care of him is the last thought he has, smiling softly around the breast in his mouth as he falls asleep.

-ˋˏ ༻𖤓༺ ˎˊ-

[iitslera]

Baby on the way : JJ Maybank x reader

Summary:  JJ and his girlfriend (reader named Grace) become young parents.

Warnings: English is not my first language (use of iphone translator), I don’t use y/n (reader is called Grace or Gigi as JJ calls her), Other than that, I think it’s pure fluff.

A/n: I’m receiving requests from JJ and Rafe, (im hoped to improve my level of English soon to stop using the iPhone translator) Based on S4 after buying the house from the bank, enjoy.

𖹭.ᐟ pt2

I held the test in my hands, with the words confirming what I had been feeling for days: Positive. That word seemed so small, but it carried an immense weight. My mind was in chaos. 

I didn’t know whether to cry, scream, or just stay silent until the world stopped spinning.  

How was I going to tell JJ? I couldn’t imagine his reaction, and that terrified me. We had been through so much together, but this was different. This was... too real.  

I closed my eyes for a moment and tried to calm myself. The sound of the birds outside the house helped a little, though not enough.  

I walked toward the dock, hoping the salty breeze would clear the knot in my throat. I saw him from a distance, laughing with Pope and John B, as if the world were simple, as if nothing mattered more than the moment. For a second, I wished things could stay that way, uncomplicated. But then, JJ saw me.  

His smile slowly faded, and his expression turned serious. He knew me too well. He could tell something was wrong.  

When he reached me, I felt like I could barely breathe. My heart was pounding so loudly I thought he could hear it.  

“Is everything okay?” he asked, with that mix of concern and tenderness that always broke me. I shook my head because I knew I couldn’t lie to him, not this time.  

“You’re worrying me, Gigi…” he said, stepping closer.  

My hands trembled. I tried to stop them, to stay strong, but I couldn’t. I had to say it. There was no other choice. I took a breath, though it felt like I was running out of air, and finally, I let it out.  

“I’m pregnant…”

I said it so softly I almost didn’t hear myself, but he did. I saw it in his eyes. His expression changed in an instant. First, surprise, then confusion, and something else I couldn’t identify. I wasn’t sure if it was fear or something like happiness, but it was clear he didn’t know what to feel either.  

“Are you... sure?”he asked, his voice trembling.  

“Yes… I’m sure. I took a test, and... it’s positive.”

When I finally dared to look at him, I found those blue eyes that had captured me from the beginning. This time, there was no trace of the confidence he usually projected. It was like he was as scared as I was. But then, something changed. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close.  

“Wow…” he murmured, as if trying to find the right words. “This is unexpected, but… we’re in this together, right?”

The knot in my chest loosened a little, and for the first time, I felt like I could breathe. I didn’t know how we were going to face this or what it meant for us, but at least I wasn’t alone. JJ was here, and that was all I needed at that moment.  

I never thought JJ would be capable of transforming the way he did. Being young parents wasn’t something we had planned, but seeing him so committed and dedicated made me feel that, maybe, everything would be okay.

He made the hardest days more bearable, and even when I felt exhausted or sick, his presence always gave me strength.

Morning sickness became my constant enemy in the early weeks. Every morning I woke up with that nauseous feeling in my stomach, and although just the smell of food made it worse, JJ was there, patiently trying to get me to eat something.

He would wake up earlier than I did to prepare toast or crackers, whatever I could tolerate. He never complained, not even when I asked him to move anything with a smell I couldn't stand.

Today was a calm, sunny day. I sat in the porch hammock, enjoying a bit of peace as a book rested in my lap and the wind tousled my hair. My hands instinctively rested on my growing belly. I couldn’t help but think about the little life growing inside me. It was a strange and wonderful feeling all at once.

Suddenly, JJ appeared with a smile, holding a bag in his hand. As soon as I saw what was inside, I knew what it was: strawberries with cream. My favorite craving of the past few days. I laughed, surprised and grateful at the same time.

“Hi, beautiful”he said with that smile of his that always disarmed me. “I brought you your strawberries with cream.”

My eyes lit up when I saw him, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“You’re the best, you know that?” I told him as I made space in the hammock for him to sit next to me.

JJ set the bag on my lap and sat beside me.

“Anything for you, babe” he replied, winking at me. “You and she deserve the best.”

“she?” I asked, raising an eyebrow, amused. “How do you know it’s going to be a girl?”

He shrugged, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“I have a feeling” he said, with a confident smile. I laughed, both amused and surprised by his certainty.

“Now you can guess the baby’s gender too?“ I joked.

He simply smiled with that mischievous look he was known for, took a strawberry with cream, and brought it to my lips. I took a small bite, savoring the sweet flavor. It was so simple, yet so special.

“And what will you do if it’s a boy?” I asked with a playful smile as I chewed.

“Then I’ll have guessed wrong” he said, shrugging before bringing another strawberry to his mouth. “But I don’t think so. My intuition never fails me.”

“You’re impossible” I replied, laughing. “And if you’re right? What will we call her, if it’s a girl?”

JJ paused for a moment, then his eyes lit up.

“Kai”  he said, with a mix of excitement and tenderness. “It means ‘Sea’ in Hawaiian."

I felt something stir inside me when I heard that name. I repeated it softly, savoring its meaning, imagining our daughter and how it would feel to call her that.

“It’s perfect” I told him, with a smile I couldn’t hide.

At that moment, with the sun shining down on us and his presence beside me, I felt that despite the fears and doubts, we were building something beautiful. Kai. Our little Kai.

“What about you, little one? Do you like Kai?“ JJ asked with a smile, gently rubbing my belly. His voice was soft, as if he were already talking directly to her, as if they already shared a special bond.

And then, I felt it. Something moved inside me. It wasn’t the first time, but this time it was different, stronger, clearer. My breath caught for a moment, surprised by that small but powerful connection that reminded me our baby was there, growing, becoming a part of us.

JJ looked at me with wide eyes, surprised and excited at the same time.

“Did you feel that?” he asked, his tone full of awe. I nodded slowly, still processing the sensation.

“Yes... “  I murmured, my voice filled with emotion. He couldn’t hide the smile that spread across his face. He placed his hand back on my belly, as if he expected to feel it too, as if he wanted to make sure he hadn’t imagined it.

“It’s amazing...” he whispered, almost to himself, as his fingers traced small circles on my skin. “Our Kai... she’s already here, making herself known.”

Tears filled my eyes, but this time they weren’t out of fear or uncertainty. They were tears of pure happiness, of gratitude for this shared moment, for knowing that, despite everything, we were in this together.

JJ looked up and saw my teary eyes.

“Are you okay?“ he asked, his voice filled with concern for a second.

“Yes...” I replied with a smile I couldn’t contain. “It’s just that... all of this makes me feel that, really, everything is going to be okay.”

He hugged me, pressing his forehead against mine.

“ It’s going to be more than okay, Grace. We’re going to be an amazing team. You, me, and our little Kai”

And in that moment, with his hand still on my belly and the sensation of the baby moving inside me, I knew he was right. Everything would be okay.

We didn’t live in a huge house with hundreds of rooms in Figure Height, yet we put all our effort into making the place where the baby would sleep special. We started with the smallest details, choosing each object and color with such care, as if we were creating our own home within that space.

Our room, though not very big, was cozy and perfect for what we needed.

JJ was so involved in the process that he couldn’t stop commenting on the "perfect touches" he had chosen. We created a place where she could grow up surrounded by love and tranquility, and although it wasn’t easy to make decisions, every choice seemed to fall into place little by little.

Once we placed the crib next to our bed, we began working on the small details: soft white curtains that let in natural light, one of those crib mobiles with sea animals because JJ loved the idea of our baby growing up surrounded by those little marine touches, something that connected him to his own roots.

The shelves were filled with children's storybooks that Pope had given us, some soft toys, and several stuffed animals we had started collecting thanks to the rest of our friends.

Every time I walked into the room with all these new changes, I couldn’t help but smile. It felt like a dream come true. Everything was ready to welcome our little baby, a place filled with love and hope.

[miazetomer]

Heartless | Rafe Cameron x pogue(ish)!fem!reader (Epilogue)

Warnings: 18+ MDNI, angst, fluff, smut, alcohol use, drug use, the usual

Summary: Your life with Rafe Cameron after finally getting back together

a/n: guys im so sad this is the last part to this series i’m like actually crying. i just want to take a very quick second to say thank you for all the live you guys have shown this series, from the reblogs to the likes to the new followers it literally means everything to me. now i don’t want to say this is the end for sure because i could still write blurbs here or there for this reader and rafe because i just love them that much together

prev

♡♡♡

4 years later…

You paced around your hotel room as you tried to commit your vows to memory, mentally slapping yourself for not doing it before. You had curlers in your hair and your makeup wasn’t even done yet.

“Sweetie, please sit down.” Your mom said from her spot in her makeup chair as she was getting her own hair done.

“Mom, I have a process.” You muttered out, taking a deep breath as you read your vows off your notes app in your phone. You needed this day to go perfect, everything had to be perfect. You had waited for this day for so long and now that it was finally here, you were so nervous you could throw up.

You would’ve kept pacing around the room if there wasn’t a knock on the door. You walked over to the door and opened it up, the shock evident on your face as you stared at the man on the other side of the door.

“Dad?” You said, only keeping the door open enough so that he could see you. If Kie saw him, you were certain she would drag him out by his ear.

“Hi, Sweetheart.” He responded softly with a smile. He looked good, healthy even.

“W-what are you doing here?”

“Um, your mom told me you would be here.” Your dad answered and you turned around to look at her. She sent you a smile and a small shrug. “Don’t worry I’m not staying. I brought you something.” You sighed as you watched your dad pull out a jewelry box, your eyebrow cocking at the sight of it. Luke opened the box and showed you the necklace in it. “It was your grandmother’s. It’s real so you won’t have to worry about your neck turning green.”

“Dad, it’s beautiful.” You smiled, turning around so he could put it on. Your hand touched the pendant as you looked down at it.

“I was saving it for a day like this.” He explained when you turned back around. “Listen, I know I haven’t been the best dad and I’m sorry for that. I’m just glad you had such a great mom and step-dad to raise you so you could turn into the fantastic woman you are today.”

“Thanks…Dad.” You said hesitantly with a small smile.

♡♡♡

You were surrounded by your bridesmaids outside the chapel as you went over your vows for the last time. Sarah, Kie, Cleo, Wheezie, and Lily all watched you nervously as you paced, your heels clicking against the tile.

“Hey.” John B said with a small smile as he walked up to you.

“What are you doing out here? You’re supposed to be in there.” You complained, pointing towards the chapel.

“Relax, Sarah told me you were kind of freaking out. I just came out here to talk to you. Today is your day, y/n. The day you’ve been waiting for, for years. But, if you aren’t ready or you feel like you need to run, the Twinkies’ ready. Me, JJ, Pope, Sarah, Kie, and Cleo are all ready to run with you.”

You took a deep breath and hugged John B, placing a kiss on his cheek.

“Thank you, but I think I’m ready.” You said when you stepped back.

“I’ll see you in there, yeah?”

“Front row?”

“Front row, right next to JJ. Just like I promised.” John B smiled and entered the chapel.

You walked over to your flower girl, Lola, Sarah and John B’s three year old daughter, and squatted in front of her with a smile.

“Hey bug.” You smiled, fixing the girl’s hair. “Are you ready for your big debut?”

“Yes.” She nodded with a big smile.

“Okay, give me a hug.” You reached your arms out and she stepped into them as you wrapped your arms around her, cradling her head.

You stood up and walked next to your step-dad, linking your arm through his. He cried when you asked him if he would walk you down the aisle.

“The Routledge boy is right you know.” He whispered to you. “I don’t care how much money your mother and I have to put into this. If you aren’t ready, we don’t have to do this today. We can wait two weeks, a month, a year. It doesn’t matter.”

“Today’s the day.” You assured him with a smile.

When you walked into the chapel and saw Rafe standing at the altar, it was like every worry, every thought, every seed of doubt was washed away from your mind. All you saw was him, not the hundreds of people staring at you, not your family, but him.

When your step-father handed you off to Rafe and you took his hands in yours, you squeezed his hands, a way to tell him everything was going to be okay and a way to assure him that this was really happening. Not some daydream you had when you were a kid or some fantasy the two of you talked about in bed. It was really happening, the day was finally here.

You looked to your right and as promised, John B, JJ, and Pope sat in the front row all with smiles on their faces and subtle thumbs up. You smiled and tried to suppress the giggle that was trying to escape from your throat. Everything would be alright. You had your boys to your right, your girls behind you, and the man that you’ve been vining after your entire life was standing right in front of you.

“I believe the couple have written their own vows.” The priest said with a smile.

You looked towards Rafe, ready to hear whatever he had written, but when he didn’t say anything confusion washed over your face, then you watched as it washed over Rafe’s face.

“Oh, right, I go first.” You laughed as Rafe looked relieved, cracking a smile at your mistake. You took a deep breath and looked into Rafe’s eyes. “Rafe, I knew you were the love of my life when I first met you. I’ve dreamed of this day since I was four years old and now it’s finally here. There is no one else I would rather take this jump with than you. I promise to love you unconditionally, no matter what, even during basketball season. I promise to be open and honest at all times. And, finally, I promise not to spend too much of your money. Well, I’ll do my best.”

“Y/n, I remember seeing you for the first time like it was yesterday. Even though we were kids, I knew then that I wanted to make you my wife someday. It was like I saw our future flash before my eyes the first time I saw you. I vow to stay by your side at all times. I vow to always love you. I vow to support you throughout life, just like you have for me. And I vow to protect you from all the bad that comes your way.”

Rafe’s vows made you tear up, a single tear dripping down your cheek.

“You may now kiss your bride.” The priest announced.

Rafe dropped your hands and rested them on your waist, pulling you towards him as he leaned down and landed his lips on yours. Your hands moved to cup Rafe’s face gently as you kissed him back, smiling against his lips.

♡♡♡

You had changed for the reception, a short, white Christian Dior dress that you had flown in from Paris. It was the perfect reception dress and you would’ve gone to Paris yourself if you needed to. You sat next to Rafe at a table in front of everyone, his groomsmen to his left and your bridesmaids to your right. Rafe’s hand was on your thigh, rubbing small circles with his thumb into your skin. Your own hand was on his arm as you listened to Sarah give her Maid of Honor speech.

“Y/n and I met when we were four. We met in preschool and we both wanted to play with the same Barbie. I was ready to fight for the doll, but y/n said ‘Here you can play with her, I have tons of Barbies at home. You’re pretty, you should come over to my house and play Barbies with me after school.’ I knew from that day on she would be my best friend. I was surprised when we arrived at her house later that day after school because my house was right next door. I’ll never forget the look on her face when I told her we were neighbors. She said ‘You live in the house with the boy who keeps throwing water balloons at me.’ When I explained that it was my brother throwing the water balloons, I was terrified she wouldn’t want to be my friend anymore, instead she said ‘Let’s do it back, we can work as a team against him.’ That was the day I knew I was in for a long ride with Rafe and y/n. That day became known as ‘The Great Water Balloon Fight of 2006.’ Rafe recruited Topper, who we later found out was y/n’s cousin, and y/n had me. For three hours we launched water balloons over our shared privacy wall, only taking breaks to fill up water balloons. The next day, y/n came over to our house and we decided to play hide and seek. Naturally, I was the seeker. I found y/n and Rafe under Rafe’s bed. Rafe had his hand wrapped around y/n’s mouth and I wasn’t sure if he was trying to suffocate her or keep her quiet. That was the day it became my mission to make sure they got married. I didn’t realize how hard that mission would be. Every day they fought over something new. They bickered like an old married couple. When we were fourteen, I convinced Rafe to ask y/n to go to Midsummer’s with him. I thought it would be smooth sailing from then on out, boy was I wrong. Whatever color y/n picked for them, Rafe would say no to. But, eventually y/n broke Rafe down and they agreed on light sage green, y/n’s favorite color. And if you notice, it can be found around the room tonight. When we went over to y/n’s house later that night before Midsummer’s and she came down the stairs, I’d never seen a man look more in love than Rafe that night. It was very rare that Rafe stumbled over his words or got nervous, but he could barely get out two words when she walked up to him. When Rafe and y/n told me they were getting back together after two years apart, I was ecstatic. I always believed in soulmates and that they always found their way to each other and I truly believe these two are soulmates who found their way back to each other. Y/n, you’ve always been like a sister to me and I’m so glad it’s finally official. Rafe, I was lucky enough to grow up with y/n, but now you’re lucky enough to grow old with her. Congratulations to you both.”

Sarah’s speech had you in tears by the end of it. Some tears were from laughing so hard you thought you were going to pee yourself, but most tears were for the love you felt not just for Sarah, but for Rafe. When Sarah returned to her seat next to you, you gave her a tight hug and whispered an ‘I love you’ in her ear. You watched Topper as he stood up and made his way to the floor for his Best Man speech.

“Don’t know how I’m gonna top that.” He started, clearing his throat, earning a laugh from you and Rafe. “But, I’m going to give it my best shot. Um, I met Rafe when we were in kindergarten. Obviously, I met y/n when she made her glorious way into this world. Y/n was always like the little sister I never had and Rafe was like the cool older brother that I also never had. One day, when I went over to Rafe’s house he showed me this cool water balloon launcher his dad had just gotten him. He then proceeded to launch one over the wall. At the time, I was too stupid to put two and two together to realize he was launching them at my little cousin. He told me he thought he was launching them at nothing. It wasn’t until we had a barrage of water balloons being launched back at us, that we realized he was actually hitting y/n. Like Sarah said, thus started the ‘Great Water Balloon Fight of 2006.’ At the end of the fight, y/n stood on a step stool to reach over the wall and pour a bucket of water over the top of us, effectively concluding the water balloon fight. From that day on the four of us formed a seemingly unbreakable bond. And then, little Kelce found his way into the group and our group of four quickly became a group of five. Every day our little group was lucky enough to witness the relationship that was quickly growing between y/n and Rafe. Sarah kept telling me that she hoped they got married someday and I would quickly shut down the idea, because the thought of my little cousin getting married to my best friend was disturbing, I mean I was five at the time so the thought of marriage as a whole weirded me out. But, eventually, it became more and more evident that these two would in fact end up together. Rafe, thank you for taking care of the closest thing I have to a little sister and y/n I couldn’t be happier that you got the happy ending you always dreamed of. Rafe, welcome to the family. Congratulations.”

♡♡♡

During the father daughter dance, your step-father held you close.

“Does this mean I have to give up my credit cards then?” You asked, looking up at your step-father, half joking, half serious.

“No, Sweetie, you can use those as long as you need.” He responded with a smile.

“Oh, thank God, because I think me and my black Amex card have formed a bond.” You sighed, earning a laugh from Doug. “I love you, Dad.”

It was the first time you had called Doug ‘Dad’ and you watched as tears formed in his eyes as he held your hand just a little tighter.

“I love you, too, Sweetie.” He said, placing a kiss on top of your head.

♡♡♡

It was your first dance with Rafe and you leaned your head against his chest as he looked down at you.

“So, what website did you use to write your vows?” You smiled and looked up at Rafe. “I’m not mad, I know you meant everything you said.”

“ChatGPT.” He confessed with a smile and you laughed as you shook your head. “What did you use for yours?”

“Rafe Cameron, I am appalled that you would even suggest that I would do that.” You joked and lightly slapped his chest. “GoogleAI.”

You could feel Rafe’s laugh in his chest as you leaned your head back against it.

“What website do you think Topper used for his best man’s speech?” You asked.

“Topper told me that came directly from his heart.”

“Did Sarah help him? They both used the water balloon story.”

“I think she may have helped him here or there, but I think they both used the water balloon story because that’s where our story started.”

“When did you become so wise?” You asked, looking up at Rafe.

“I think it comes with age.” He smiled before giving you a quick kiss.

“I found a house.” You blurted out. “It’s perfect, it has everything we want, it’s on the same street as my parents. Ten bedrooms, each with their own bathroom. Ten bedrooms Rafe. And a large dock. We can pay for it in cash tomorrow. There’s already another couple looking at it.”

“What about Tannyhill?”

“We give it to Sarah, just like we talked about. It stays in the family. Someone who loves it is getting it, not some randos who are looking to move onto Kildare.”

“It’s the perfect house?”

“Absolutely perfect.”

♡♡♡

You sat outside the venue with your friends passing around a couple joints. Rafe was off with Topper and Kelce somewhere and you just wanted to spend these moments with your friends before you left for Greece for a month. The reception was over, everyone had gone home. The only people left were you, JJ, John B, Pope, Sarah, Cleo, Kie, Topper, Kelce, and Rafe, and maybe Wheezie.

“Here.” You said to Sarah, handing her the joint that was in your hand.

“I don’t know.” She responded hesitantly, looking at the joint.

“Come on Sarah, Lola went home with my parents. It’s time to have some adult fun for the first time in four years.”

“Alright, alright.” Sarah said, taking the joint from you. Everyone watched as she inhaled and then quickly coughed afterwards, earning a laugh from everybody. “It’s…been…a…while.” She said between coughs.

“I have a gift for everyone.” You announced, pulling two cases of your group’s favorite beer out from behind you.

“How long have you been hiding those?” JJ asked, gladly accepting a beer from you.

“Not very long.” You answered, cracking open your own beer. “I’m gonna miss you guys so much.” You admitted. Your honeymoon is the longest you’re going to be away from your friends for the first time since college.

“You’ll only be gone a month.” Kie smiled. “How about we throw a homecoming party for you the day you come back. It’ll be at Poguelandia.”

“Ooh, can I come?” Wheezie asked, coming outside.

“Wheezie!” You all cheered as the younger girl joined your group. You grabbed a beer from a case and handed it to her, holding a finger up to your lips.

“Y/n!” Sarah scolded.

“Come on, we did the same thing at her age.” You protested. “It’s one beer, Mama Bear.”

“Let’s play Never Have I Ever.” Kie offered, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Oh, God.” You groaned.

“It’ll be fun. Tonight’s our last night before we officially enter adulthood. We’re all officially married now, which means we have one night left before we start living our lives.” Kie said, trying to convince everyone to play.

You sighed and took a sip of your beer, looking around at everyone. “Okay, let’s do it. But, just because we’re all married now, doesn’t mean we aren’t going to be friends anymore and can’t have fun.”

“I’ll start.” Kie smirked. “Never have I ever drunk called my ex.”

Everyone looked at you as you took a sip of your beer.

“Not fair.” You muttered, remembering that time you got drunk at school and called Rafe from a blocked number, but you chickened out and hung up. “My turn! Never have I ever gotten lost in another country.”

You raised your eyebrows as everyone except Wheezie took a sip of their beer.

“That was targeted.” JJ mumbled. “I have one. Never have I ever driven over a curb.” JJ’s eyes darted over to Kie as she took a sip of her beer, Wheezie following suit.

You laughed as you watched Wheezie drink her beer.

“I’m a bad driver.” Wheezie admitted, trying to hide her face as she blushed. “Okay, I have one. Never have I ever kissed another girl.”

You and Sarah looked at each other with a smile before drinking your beers.

“What?” Wheezie gasped as she watched the two of you drink.

“We were like eleven and we wanted to see what kissing was like. No big deal.” You explained.

“You guys were each other’s first kiss?” Kie asked, smirking.

“We don’t count it.” Sarah laughed.

“John B, looks like your dream did come true.” JJ whispered to John B, but it was loud enough for others to hear. You sent JJ a glare and rolled your eyes.

“What is he talking about?” Sarah asked, looking at you with a confused look on her face.

“You don’t know?” Kie gasped. “John B and y/n used to hook up when we were juniors in high school.”

“What?”

“It was only once or twice.” You lied, taking a sip of your beer. “It never really meant anything. Right, JB?”

“Yeah, definitely.” John B responded. “It only really happened after we drank.”

“Y/n, if I knew you and John B used to be a thing I never would’ve gone out with him.” Sarah explained. She was starting to worry that she took John B from you.

“Sarah.” You laughed. “I’m glad you and JB started going out. JB is like my brother, nothing was ever going to actually happen between us. Besides, you know who I’ve always had my eye on.”

Sarah sighed and hugged you as you laughed and hugged her back.

“I’m sorry I get so emotional when I smoke weed.” Sarah said, tears starting to form in her eyes.

“It’s okay.” You laughed, dabbing her eyes with a tissue you grabbed out of your clutch.

“If the crying is over, I have one.” Pope started. “Never have I ever done the walk of shame.”

You, Kie, Sarah, and JJ all took a sip of your beer. You remembered all the times you walked from Tannyhill back to your house wearing either one of Rafe’s shirts or your clothes from the night before.

“Never have I ever gone twenty four hours without showering.” You laughed, taking a hit from the joint in your hand.

You watched as everyone, aside from Wheezie, took a sip from their beer.

“You get stranded on an island for weeks and see how often you shower.” John B slurred, making you laugh.

“Hey baby.” Rafe said, coming up behind you. “Ready to go?”

“Do we have to?” You asked, whining a little. “Come on, join us.”

You stood up and let Rafe have your seat, before you sat in his lap, crossing one leg over the other as you wrapped your arms around Rafe’s neck, his hands resting on your waist.

“Why is Wheezie drinking?” He asked.

“Because she’s becoming part of the group.” You slurred, smiling at Rafe. “It’s her initiation night.” Rafe nodded in response, his eyebrows raised in interest.

You handed a beer to Rafe, opening it for him.

“We’re playing Never Have I ever.” You leaned down and whispered in his ear as everyone continued the game.

“Never have I ever used a fake I.D.” Wheezie admitted. You laughed as everyone took a drink, Rafe joining in on the game.

“Wheezie, you’re going to college soon you’re gonna need a fake I.D.” You said, Rafe squeezing your waist lightly. “What? It’s true.” You turned your head and looked down at Rafe. “I’ll get you a couple for your graduation gift.” You winked at Wheezie.

“Never have I ever ghosted someone.” Rafe taunted.

“Do you want to go to Greece by yourself tomorrow?” You asked before finishing your beer.

“Who paid for Greece?” Rafe asked.

“Who paid for our wedding?” You responded.

“Aww, their first fight as a married couple.” Kie said, putting her hand over her heart.

“They aren’t fighting, they’re flirting.” Sarah laughed.

You sighed as you checked the time on your watch. “We should probably go. We have an early flight.”

“How do you have an early flight for your own plane?” JJ asked. “Can’t you like pick the time you take off?”

“I wish.” You sighed, standing up. You gave everyone a hug and said ‘I love you’ to everyone. JJ pulled Rafe aside as you spoke to Kie and Sarah.

“Make sure everything goes as she wants, please.” JJ said. “She’s been planning this trip for the last four months. She put a lot of work and planning into it. I just want to make sure everything goes the way she wants it.”

“Don’t worry, man, I got it all under control.” Rafe assured JJ, tapping his shoulder.

♡♡♡

4 months after the wedding…

“I can’t pee if you’re looking.” You explained to Rafe as the two of you sat in the bathroom. It wasn’t exactly like you and Rafe were trying to get pregnant, but you weren’t opposed to the idea of it.

“Okay, okay, sorry.” Rafe apologized, turning around.

You took a deep breath and peed on the test. You stood up and placed the test on the counter, then washed your hands.

“We just need to wait two minutes.” You read the instructions on the box before throwing it in the trash. “Are you nervous?”

“A little. Are you?”

“Well, considering the fact that if it’s positive my body and mind are going to go through intense changes, I’d say yeah I’m a little nervous.” You twisted your hands together as you stared at the test.

“Whatever happens, I’ll be right here.”

“It’s time. Do you want to…?”

“I’m not touching that!”

“Well I don’t want to!”

“W-we’ll do it together.”

You nodded and you and Rafe went to reach for the test at the same time, but as your hand wrapped around the test, Rafe pulled his hand away at the last second.

“Asshole.” You muttered, before turning the test around. You gasped when you saw the two lines on the test. “Oh my God!”

“Is it positive?” Rafe asked, looking down at the test.

“Yes!” You cheered, jumping into Rafe’s arms.

Rafe laughed as he wrapped his arms around your waist, lifting you off the ground.

♡♡♡

You and Rafe sat in your OB/GYN’s office as you waited for your doctor to come into your room.

“Well, the urine test came back positive.” She smiled as she entered the room. “Would you two like to see your baby?”

You both nodded as you held Rafe’s hand. The doctor smiled as she lifted your shirt up over your stomach and squirted some sort of jelly over your bare skin. You watched as the doctor brought the wand onto your skin and found the baby quickly.

“Well, there’s the fetus.” She smiled as she looked at you and Rafe, pointing at the screen. “I’d say you’re about three months along from the look of things. And there’s the heartbeat.”

You looked at Rafe who was looking at the monitor. You could see a tear falling down his cheek, listening to the heartbeat. You cupped his cheek gently and wiped the tear off his cheek.

♡♡♡

You and Rafe sat at your parents house with your little brother and sister for the family dinner your parents had organized.

“We have gifts for everyone.” You cheered as you handed everyone their gift bags.

“What’s this for?” Your mom asked, as she inspected the bag suspiciously.

“Just open them.”

You watched as they each pulled out their individual shirts.

“Is this real?” Your mom asked, tears forming in her eyes.

“Oh my God!” Cecily, your little sister, cheered as she jumped up and down.

“No way.” William said, looking at his shirt.

You watched as Doug walked over to Rafe and shook his hand before pulling him in for a hug. Your sister and your mom walked over to you and pulled you into a group hug.

♡♡♡

You and Rafe were getting ready to head over to Tannyhill, John B and Sarah had invited you, Rafe, Kie, and JJ over. They would’ve invited Pope and Cleo but they were out of town.

“You ready?” Rafe asked you, his eyes meeting yours in the mirror as you applied your mascara.

“Ready as I’ll ever be.” You smiled before turning around and giving Rafe a quick kiss. “Are you ready?”

“The hard part was telling Doug, this is the easy part.” He joked, sending you a small smile.

The two of you made the quick trip to Tannyhill and walked inside.

“Hello?” You called out as Rafe closed the front door behind him. You were greeted by Lola running towards you and Rafe. “Oh, hello there.” You smiled, picking Lola up.

“We’re in here!” Sarah called out from the living room. The three of you made your way to the living room where you were greeted by John B, Sarah, Kie, and JJ.

“I have a stowaway.” You said, tickling Lola, earning a giggle from her. You handed Lola off to John B and sat down with Rafe on the couch, his arm draped over your shoulders.

“I’m sure y’all are wondering why we invited you over here.” Sarah started with a big smile as she looked over at John B. “We have big news. I’m pregnant.”

You gasped and jumped out of your seat, running over to hug Sarah, Kie joining in on the hug.

“Well, Rafe and I have news too.” You smiled as you pulled away from the hug.

Sarah gasped when she picked up on the hint.

“Are you serious?” She asked, her hands clasping over her mouth.

“You don’t even know what I’m going to say.” You laughed.

“You don’t even have to, you’re glowing!”

“No reason to stop the excitement.” Kie said, pulling a bag out from under the chair she was sitting on.

You and Sarah screamed and the three of you hugged, jumping up and down in excitement.

“I know we’ve always talked about this, but I didn’t think it would actually happen.” You smiled, pushing your hair behind your ears. The guys gathered around each other, talking amongst themselves as the three of you rejoiced. “Oh my God, we need to FaceTime Wheezie!”

You pulled your phone out of your back pocket and quickly called Wheezie as Kie and Sarah gathered around your phone.

“Wheezie!” The three of you said when she picked up the phone.

“Hi Wheez.” Sarah smiled as she looked at her sister. “What are you doing?”

“Getting ready to go out.” She explained as she curled her hair.

“We have news!” Kie cheered.

“Oh my God, don’t tell me all three of you are pregnant.” Wheezie said, looking down at her phone as the three of you smiled at each other. Wheezie screamed and pulled the phone closer to her, causing the three of you to laugh. “Are you serious? This isn’t some sick prank is it?”

“No, we’re serious.” You smiled.

“Do you even know how incredibly lucky this is?” Wheezie asked. “Like y’all need to go buy lottery tickets or something. I have to go but I better get bumpdate pictures from all three of you, monthly.”

You all said goodbye to Wheezie and hung up the phone, before storing it in your back pocket again. Kie and Sarah went to go join the boys in their conversation as JJ made his way over to you.

“Congratulations.” He said with a smile, pulling you in for a hug.

“You too.” You smiled, returning the hug. “I’m so happy for you Jay. You know you are gonna have to start saving up for The Academy, right? I’m not letting our kids go to different schools.”

“Don’t worry, Kie’s parents have that covered. Something about ‘There’s no way in hell their grandchild is going to public school.’”

“You know we’re gonna have to get a new car.” You told Rafe when he made his back over to you.

“I have a feeling you already have one picked out.”

“You know me so well.”

♡♡♡

6 months after finding out you were pregnant…

“Get this fucking thing out of me.” You groaned, squeezing Rafe’s hand so tight he was worried you would break it.

“You’re doing so good baby.” He said, an attempt at calming you down.

“I want my mom.” You cried. “Go. Get. My. Mom.”

Rafe let go of your hand and ran just outside your room where your mom was waiting. He quickly came back to your side and your mom hurried to your other side, grabbing your hand with both of hers.

“Mommy, I can’t do this.” You cried. Sweat was forming on your forehead and tears were pouring down your cheeks.

“Yes, you can Sweetie. You’ve been waiting for this moment for months now. All that prepping, all those classes you took, has led you up to this exact moment. Now, I need you to push Sweetheart.”

You groaned as you started pushing again, squeezing both your mom’s and Rafe’s hands.

“Good, Mrs. Cameron.” Your OB/GYN said as she peered up at you. “Just a couple more pushes and your baby girl is out.”

After what felt like forever, you felt relief and then you heard crying.

“A beautiful, healthy baby girl.” Your doctor cheered, holding your baby up. “Ten fingers and ten toes.”

Rafe leaned down and kissed your forehead.

“You did it baby, our little girl is here.” He smiled as he looked at your baby. Rafe walked over to her and cut the umbilical cord as your mom wiped the sweat off your forehead.

“I’m so proud of you Sweetie.” She said, leaving a kiss on the top of your head.

“Are you ready to meet your little girl?” Your doctor asked, walking over to you. You nodded and held your arms out as you took your baby gently.

“She’s perfect.” You whispered, smiling down at her. “Laura Sarah Cameron.”

“You’re giving her my name?” Your mom asked, her hand clutching her chest as tears welled in her eyes.

“Of course, Mom. It was the very obvious choice.”

♡♡♡

It had been one day since you gave birth and you were starting to get visitors. You smiled when a very pregnant Sarah walked in with John B and Lola. Rafe held Laura as you reached down and picked Lola up into your bed.

“Hi, bug.” You smiled, as you took Laura from Rafe. “Are you ready to meet your new cousin?”

Lola nodded with excitement as she peered at the baby in your arms.

“Do you want to know her name?” You asked the little girl.

“What is it?”

“Laura Sarah Cameron.” You replied with a smile as you looked up at Sarah.

“Are you serious?” Sarah asked, the shock evident on her face.

“Yes.” You laughed. “I told you she’d be surprised.” You said, turning towards Rafe.

Not long after, your parents came into the room.

“Mimi!” Lola cheered and climbed off the bed, heading towards your mom. Your mom was the closest thing Lola had to a grandma, so when Sarah asked if she would be her honorary grandmother she was so happy she actually danced.

“Hi, Sweetheart.” Your mom smiled, bending over to pick Lola up.

Doug walked over to you and the baby.

“Hi Sweetie, how are you feeling?” He asked, with a soft smile.

“I’m a little sore but other than that I feel fine. Mostly just a little anxious.” You handed the baby off to Rafe so he could introduce her to John B while you spoke to your step-dad.

“Anxious is good, it’s healthy. If you said you had everything under control I would be a little worried.”

♡♡♡

13 years after having your first baby…

Your family was driving back from your daughter Laura’s early morning volleyball tournament. Rafe was driving, you sat in the passenger seat, your thirteen year old daughter, Laura, sat behind Rafe, your twelve year old daughter, Ava, sat behind you, and your ten year old twins Alexia and Douglass sat in the third row. You were playing your early 2000’s playlist that you thought everyone was enjoying, but Laura definitely had other thoughts.

“Mom do we have to listen to your old people music?” She complained.

“Old?” You gasped, your hand immediately going over your chest as if you’ve been shot. “This is not old. Destiny’s Child and Beyoncé are timeless. Are we—Are we old now, Rafe?”

“No, baby, we’re a couple of spring chickens.” Rafe joked, causing you to slap his arm with the back of your hand.

“Mom, can Avery and Alivia come over to get ready for Midsummers?” Ava asked as she looked at her phone. Alivia was Sarah’s twelve year old daughter and Avery was Kie’s. That time around you three had decided to get pregnant around the same time and also decided to coordinate names. “Lola said she would take us.”

“Yeah, that’s fine Sweetheart.”

“Lola’s taking you losers to Midsummers?” Laura asked Ava.

“Let’s not call our family names, Laura.” You said, turning around to look at your girls. They really did look like Rafe, all your children did, but they definitely got your personality and when you started realizing that, you knew you were in for a long couple of years once they started becoming teenagers.

“It’s so unfair you guys get to go to Midsummers.” Alexia complained from the back.

“I think it’s unfair you get to stay home and I have to go.” Rafe muttered, earning a look from you.

“You’ll get your chance to go next year, baby.” You promised the ten year old with a smile. “You’re just a little young now.”

“I’m ten, that’s double digits.” The girl whined.

“I know, Sweetie, but rules are rules and we have to follow them for a reason.”

♡♡♡

You looked at yourself in the mirror as you finished getting ready for Midsummers. Your dress was beautiful and you looked gorgeous, but you didn’t feel beautiful.

“Everything alright?” Rafe asked, your eyes meeting his in the mirror as he tied his tie.

“Do you…Do you still think I’m attractive?” You asked, watching as Rafe’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “Like you do you still find me beautiful? And I-I know I don’t have the same body as I did when we first got married-”

“Baby, baby, baby.” Rafe said, his hands resting on your hips as he looked at you through the mirror. “I think you’re more beautiful now than the day we met. I think you get more beautiful as the days go on. I never expected your body to stay the same as the day we got married. Our bodies change as we get older; they grow and they shrink. You’ve had four great children—well three, I’m still undecided about the boy. All I’m saying is, I think you are the most gorgeous, wonderful person on this planet and nothing’s gonna change that.”

You turned around and wrapped your arms around Rafe’s neck. “You really have gotten wiser with age.” You smiled.

♡♡♡

“Not having fun?” You asked your daughter Ava as she sat at a table by herself, sulking. Rafe and Topper were off drinking a beer and you were making your way back to Sarah and Kie.

“I just…I want to ask Kai to dance but I’m sure he’s busy with like his parents or something.” Ava sighed as she picked at her nails. Kai was Cleo and Pope’s son who was the same age as Ava.

“Why don’t you go ask Uncle Pope or Aunt Cleo if he can hangout for a little bit?” You offered, fixing your daughter’s hair.

“Alright, I’ll give it a shot.” She sighed, standing up from her seat.

You watched as she made her way over to where Pope and Cleo were cooking and asked Cleo if Kai could hangout. You assumed she said yes because Ava was all smiles as she pulled Kai away from his mom and dad. Cleo looked over to you and sent you a smile, which you returned with a mouthed ‘thank you.’

You walked back over to where you, Sarah, and Kie were sitting, only to see that Sarah was missing.

“Where’s Sarah?” You asked Kie as you sat down.

“I think she’s off looking for Lola.” She answered, taking a sip of her wine.

“Have you guys seen Lola? I can’t find her anywhere.” Sarah said, rushing over to your table. You sent Kie a knowing look and then took Sarah’s hands and guided her to sit down.

“Sarah, you need to calm down. Lola is seventeen now. She probably left to go hangout at a friend’s house or is somewhere around here with a friend. You have to cut the umbilical cord at some point. And I know she’s your baby, but babies grow up, Sweetie. I have something that I think all of us could use.” You stood up from your chair and started to walk away, but when you looked back, both Kie and Sarah were still sitting. “Well, come on, I’m not doing it by myself.”

The girls sighed and stood up, following you to some dark corner that no one would come by. You dug through your clutch and found the joint and lighter you threw in there right before leaving.

“I don’t know if this is a good idea, y/n. What if someone sees?” Sarah asked, looking around.

“Trust me, no one comes over here.” You assured her as you lit the joint.

It wasn’t long before the three of you were giggling, the events of the evening long forgotten.

“What are the three of you doing?” Lola asked as she came around the corner, her arms crossed across her chest.

“Oh, no, the fun police is here.” You laughed as you quickly put the rest of the joint out. “We came over here to have our own fun, because your mother was all up in arms, because she couldn’t find you.”

“I took Laura, Max, and Josie to your house because they said they were bored here.” Lola explained. Max and Josie were Kie and Sarah’s thirteen year old son and daughter.

“You were so worried about Lola, you didn’t even notice Josie was gone.” Kie laughed.

“Well you two didn’t seem to realize Laura and Max were gone either.” Sarah huffed crossing her arms.

“I figured she was with one of your kids. They never seem to stray from one another.” You responded.

“I’m going to get your husbands.” Lola said with a roll of her eyes. “Stay here.”

“No, don’t go get them they’re the real party poopers.” You pleaded, but Lola just waved you off and walked away. “Okay, now’s our chance to escape.”

“I don’t know, I think we should just wait for the guys.” Kie said.

“I agree.” Sarah nodded. “They’re gonna take us home where I can get something to drink. My mouth is really dry. Did it always get this dry?”

“Y’all are used to running away from murders and you’re scared to run away from your own husbands? Sarah, we can get you something to drink at the bar. Now, let’s go.”

Just as you convinced Sarah and Kie to leave your secluded corner, the first two steps you took had you running into your husbands and Lola.

“They’re all yours now.” Lola said, before walking away.

You looked behind you for an out.

“You know you’re gonna have to chase us.” You smirked, looking at Rafe.

“Chase?” Kie whispered, asking for confirmation.

“Yes.” You whispered back.

“We’re prepared for that.” Rafe smiled. “But, based on what Lola told us, you aren’t getting very far.”

“Run, run, run!” You shouted, taking off towards the woods behind you.

“Really? The woods?” Kie shouted as she ran behind you.

“Guys, this doesn’t seem like a good idea!” Sarah added, shrieking when she looked behind her and saw the boys gaining on her.

You screamed as you felt your foot hook a branch on the ground, causing you to fall. You huffed as you turned over and saw Rafe standing behind you.

“Sorry, baby, but I think your fun is over.” He said as he helped you up.

“No fair, I never get to have fun anymore.” You muttered as you brushed yourself off.

“Hey, I think I can be fun.” Rafe protested as you walked back towards the party, Rafe holding your hand.

“I know you think you’re fun, baby.” You joked, bumping your shoulder against Rafe’s as you laughed.

♡♡♡

Taglist: @sabrina-carpenter-stan-account @hotch-meeeeeuppppp

[psychoticfemmm]

family tides

pairing: dad!john b x mom!reader

summary: Life with Ivy, your lively three-year-old, is full of love, laughter, and chaos, with the Pogues always in on the fun

Life at the Chateau was never boring, especially with a three-year-old running around. Ivy, your daughter with John B, was the heart and soul of the Pogues. At just three years old, she had already mastered the art of sarcasm—thanks in large part to JJ—and was a constant source of laughter for the group.

This morning, chaos erupted when Ivy woke up before everyone else and decided to paint JJ’s face with your makeup.

“Why does it smell like lavender in here?” John B asked groggily, stumbling into the living room to find Ivy perched on JJ’s lap with a lipstick in her hand.

JJ glared at him. “Your daughter is a menace.”

“She’s an artist,” Ivy corrected, holding up a makeup brush. “Uncle JJ needed to be fancy.”

John B burst out laughing, leaning against the doorway for support. “You look… beautiful, man.”

“Don’t,” JJ warned, pointing a finger at him. “I’m doing this for her self-esteem.”

“Sure you are,” Kiara chimed in as she strolled into the room. “Let me grab my phone. This is going on the wall of fame.”

“No!” JJ protested, but it was too late.

You emerged from the kitchen, mug of tea in hand, shaking your head at the scene. “What did I miss?”

“Oh, nothing,” John B said, grinning. “Just JJ’s makeover.”

Your eyes fell on Ivy’s handiwork, and you couldn’t help but laugh. “You know, Ivy, I think Uncle JJ would look even fancier with some glitter.”

JJ groaned. “Don’t encourage her!”

“She’s got talent,” you replied, smirking as you kissed the top of Ivy’s head. “Maybe next time, you’ll think twice before teaching her how to ‘prank.’”

John B wrapped an arm around your waist, pulling you close. “You’re enjoying this too much.”

“Oh, absolutely,” you said, leaning into him. “This is parenting gold.”

Later in the day, everyone piled into the van for a trip to the beach. You sat in the passenger seat, Ivy on your lap as John B drove.

“Mommy, can I wear Daddy’s hat?” Ivy asked, reaching for John B’s cap.

“It’s too big for you, kiddo,” he said, adjusting the rearview mirror.

“I don’t care,” Ivy replied, pouting.

“She’s definitely your kid,” you teased, nudging John B.

“Hey, I don’t pout,” he argued.

“Yeah, okay,” you said with a smirk, earning an eye roll from him. He reached over to squeeze your thigh playfully, his grin widening when you swatted his hand away with a laugh.

At the beach, Ivy wasted no time declaring herself “Queen of the Sandcastle” and assigning everyone roles. “Uncle Pope, you get the shells!” she commanded, pointing to the shoreline. “Auntie Kie, you do the decorations!”

“What about me?” JJ asked, crouching next to her.

“You dig the moat,” Ivy said matter-of-factly.

“And me?” John B asked, raising an eyebrow.

“You’re my helper, Daddy.”

“What about Mommy?”

Ivy thought for a moment. “Mommy gets to watch.”

You laughed, sitting back in your chair. “Finally, someone appreciates me.”

The afternoon passed in a blur of laughter and sand. The Pogues built an elaborate sandcastle that Ivy promptly destroyed, claiming it was “time for a big wave.”

“Kid’s got a Godzilla streak,” JJ said, shaking his head as Ivy stomped on the remains of their work.

“She gets it from you,” Kiara teased.

“Excuse me?” JJ replied, mock-offended. “I’m a builder, not a destroyer.”

“Sure you are,” Cleo said, smirking.

By the time the sun began to set, everyone was gathered around a bonfire. Ivy sat in John B’s lap, her eyelids drooping as she tried to stay awake.

“Tell me a story, Daddy,” she mumbled, her head resting against his chest.

“Alright,” he said, brushing her curls out of her face. “Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Ivy who was the bravest and smartest kid in the whole world.”

“That’s me!” she said sleepily, making everyone laugh.

“Yep, that’s you,” John B said softly, kissing her forehead.

You couldn’t help but watch the scene with a full heart. John B caught your gaze and smiled, tilting his head slightly. “What?”

“Nothing,” you said, shaking your head. “Just… I love you.”

His smile deepened as he reached out to take your hand, threading his fingers through yours. “I love you too.”

When you got back to the Chateau, Ivy was already asleep. John B carried her to bed, tucking her in with her favorite stuffed bunny while you cleaned up the sand-covered bags.

As he came back into the living room, you were curled up on the couch, scrolling through your phone. He flopped down next to you, resting his head on your shoulder.

“She’s got everyone wrapped around her little finger,” he said with a chuckle.

“She’s got you wrapped the most,” you teased, nudging him playfully.

“Yeah, well,” he said, grinning as he pressed a kiss to your cheek. “I’m okay with that.”

You turned to face him, your hands finding their way to his chest. “You’re a good dad, you know that?”

He shrugged, his expression softening. “I try. But I’ve got you, so that makes it easier.”

You leaned in, your lips brushing against his. “We’re a pretty good team, huh?”

“The best,” he murmured, pulling you closer.

The sound of waves crashing in the distance filled the room as he kissed you again, slow and warm. Life with Ivy and the Pogues wasn’t always easy, but it was always full of love. And that was all you needed.

ᡣ𐭩 •｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅ᡣ𐭩 •｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅ᡣ𐭩 •｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅

sorry I haven't been active in a while but thank you all so much for the loveeeeeee please feel free to request stories!!!

[rothpie]

❝FIDELITY❞ |part8

MASTERLIST -`✮´- Rafe Cameron x Kook!Reader x JJ Maybank

Summary: Kook!Reader’s world is upended by betrayal, and her only way forward might lie with the most unlikely person—JJ Maybank. But as they build a new life together, old flames and past mistakes refuse to stay buried.

Warnings: slut shaming(?)

previous - next

Could you really call yourself an adult now?

I mean, honestly, is there some magical age that makes you a certified grown-up?

If it’s all about age, then nope—you weren’t an adult. Maybe a “young adult” at best, but even then, the life you were living? Let’s just say it was… a bit different.

When everything started happening so quickly, keeping up felt impossible. And let’s face it, that was normal. If you managed to juggle everything with calm composure, you’d probably qualify as Wonder Woman. Life came with its ups and downs, but throw pregnancy symptoms into the mix, and things got extra tricky.

You liked to share what you wanted with others. Talking about your plans openly was just how you were. It wasn’t about bragging; you just enjoyed sharing your happiness. But every single time—without fail—whatever you talked about? It never happened.

That Venice trip you’d been set on for the summer? Canceled.

The dream university? Rejected. That car you were this close to buying? Nope, didn’t happen.

It was like clockwork. Every time.

And the thing was, you never learned. Not really. You’d repeat the same mistake again and again. Life’s law, right? Someday you’d figure it out… though that day clearly wasn’t anytime soon.

Pregnancy, though, wasn’t exactly something you could go shouting about to everyone. That was off the table. But moving?

If you weren’t pregnant, there’s no way you’d have kept quiet. You’d have made sure the entire island knew. And naturally, that would’ve meant it wouldn’t happen.

This time, though, you zipped it. The only person who knew was JJ—and, well, he didn’t really count. Or, okay, maybe he did. Of course, he was important, but not the kind of person to stand in your way. On the contrary, he had your back. He even offered to help you with the whole moving process.

Things happened so fast, you could hardly believe it.

Your dad came home from his work trip, you visited the mainland, met with a realtor friend of his, checked out potential homes—it was like someone had hit the fast-forward button.

You couldn’t decide on anything. You were even okay with a cute little apartment. The list of occupants was simple: you and your daughter. You didn’t need much more.

Your mom, however, had her opinions. She didn’t want a mansion either, but she was firm about the house having enough rooms. One for you, one for your daughter, and a guest room—because naturally, grandma duties. And a yard, because she wanted to watch her grandchild play outside.

So apartments were out. Houses it was. After seeing what felt like a million empty ones, you were ready to scream.

But finally, you found it. The perfect house. The yard alone sold it. You could already picture the memories you’d make there with your daughter. Maybe a swing or a hammock… some comfy furniture on the porch.

You never imagined you’d get so close to your dream so quickly.

It had the three rooms your mom insisted on, was two stories, and honestly, it was beautiful. You loved it. But the idea of living there alone was terrifying.

Still, the deal was sealed.

It didn’t take long—two weeks, tops. When your mom insisted on hiring an interior designer, you didn’t argue much. Secretly, you liked the idea. And once your belongings were packed, it was all done.

All that was left was you.

There weren’t many people to say goodbye to on the island, which was, honestly, fine. Who were you supposed to bid farewell to? Rafe? His family, who didn’t even know you were pregnant? Your friends, who’d probably broadcast the news to the world? No thanks.

Except for JJ.

You’d have been a total ass not to acknowledge his help. Even if his support wasn’t entirely physical, his presence had been a huge emotional lift.

So saying goodbye wasn’t hard.

Ignoring the support he’d given you would’ve been dumb. When you decided to give him a nice surfboard as a thank-you gift, you didn’t overthink it. You just thought about who JJ was—someone who loved the ocean and surfing. Beyond that? You didn’t know much. So you kept it simple. Spoiler alert: he liked it.

You hesitated, thinking a gift might make things unnecessarily sentimental, but he deserved it. Nobody else in his position would’ve treated you as kindly. Even Kooks barely treated each other well. Expecting a Pogue to go out of their way for you? Yeah, no.

But JJ had.

You weren’t super close, but during one of your conversations, he’d mentioned how much he liked the rare nights when his shift ended early. He worked at a pub. In your head, you’d given him two weeks before he got fired—or kicked out after starting a fight. You were that sure of it.

A week ago, knowing the end of his evening shift, you parked near the pub, sitting on your car hood to wait for him. The plan? Give him the surfboard. Maybe even give him a ride home if he needed one.

Fifteen minutes passed. He hadn’t come out.

You started questioning everything—maybe you’d gotten the wrong day? Or maybe you’d messed up the time?

Waiting around for nothing felt miserable. You should’ve paid better attention when he’d been talking about his schedule.

Not that the gift had been planned or anything. The idea had hit you on a whim. You just wanted to do something before you left. After all, there weren’t many people to say goodbye to. And texting JJ a quick see ya felt way too impersonal.

“What are you doing here?”

You snapped out of your thoughts, your eyes shooting up from your phone. JJ stood a few steps away, mid-turn before he stopped and faced you fully. His eyes scanned the car before landing on you.

Quickly, you shoved your phone into your pocket. “Making sure you didn’t pick another fight.” Sliding off the hood, you smirked.

JJ rolled his eyes, flashing you a sarcastic smile. “Ha-ha. How funny.”

Unlike him, your grin was genuine. Why should he have all the fun pissing people off? It was your turn.

Unlike him, your lips curled into a genuine smile. Was it always going to be him getting under your skin for his own amusement? No, this time, it was your turn.

You heard him say your name, his tone serious. “No, really. What are you doing here?”

Keeping surprises wasn’t exactly your specialty, but you couldn’t resist messing with him a little. After all, this was the first time in days you’d left the house—and only in your baggiest clothes. Might as well enjoy it.

“Just hanging out.”

He frowned, his eyes scanning the area before gesturing around. “Here? Outside the pub?”

The confusion on his face was nearly comical—borderline annoyed, maybe?

You mirrored his glance at the surroundings, raising your eyebrows. It wasn’t much to look at. Just… a place. “What’s wrong with here?”

JJ let out a frustrated sigh, and for a moment, you couldn’t believe you’d actually managed to annoy him. He genuinely looked upset. “Are you serious right now? You—” He stopped himself, clenching his jaw as he stepped closer. Lowering his voice, he added, “You can’t drink. You’re not even supposed to be hanging around.”

So, he thought you’d come here to drink? That’s why he was so worked up?

It was kind of… cute. But poking the bear was way more fun.

You let out a dramatic hum as you crossed your arms. “Not allowed? Says who?” You tried not to laugh at the look he shot you, a mix of exasperation and disbelief, like you’d lost your mind.

“Me. You’re not drinking. Not here, not anywhere. Have you lost it?”

Your lips pulled into a grin, and despite his attempt to scold you, his irritation only made it funnier. Especially since you hadn’t even done what he was accusing you of.

The second JJ caught onto what you were doing, his annoyed expression melted away. As your laughter echoed, he pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly unimpressed. “Yeah, yeah. Hilarious. Now, can you just tell me what you’re actually doing here?”

You clutched your stomach, your laughter dying down into a lingering smile. Sure, he wasn’t amused, but you were, and that’s all that mattered.

“I’ve got something for you.”

JJ’s eyebrows shot up. He straightened, intrigued. “Yeah?”

You stepped away from the car’s front, glancing back to see him still rooted in place. You gave him a quick head nod to follow. With a sigh, he finally moved. “If this is a gun for self-defense, just so you know, I’m not really clear on the rules here,” he joked with a wink.

You snorted, shaking your head. “Please. If I gave you a gun, you’d be arrested in, like, two seconds.”

He laughed, but you could tell he was curious now. Opening the back door, you reached inside. “It’s a thank-you gift. Kind of.”The surprise on his face was priceless. He clearly wasn’t expecting this. Honestly, neither were you until the idea struck.

JJ tilted his head, his expression skeptical. “Thank you? For what? For telling you not to pick fights?”

You rolled your eyes. He couldn’t be serious. “No, JJ. For helping me out.”

He smiled, but it was that classic, goofy grin of his. Any trace of his earlier irritation had completely vanished. He didn’t even glance into the car. “Oh, I get it. Like a ‘without JJ, my life would’ve fallen apart’ kind of thank you? Go on, feed my ego. I live for this.”

For a split second, you considered slamming the door and driving off. Instead, you laughed. Sure, there was some truth to what he said, but no way were you letting him win.

Taking a deep breath, you opened the door wider and stepped back. “Nope. It’s just a small gesture. Don’t read too much into it.”

JJ walked over and held the door open, his eyes going wide when he spotted the surfboard wedged into the backseat. His fingers ran over the smooth edges and the blue-and-white design. “You got this for me?” he asked, his voice softer now as he inspected it.

You couldn’t suppress your grin. “Yeah. I mean, I know it’s kind of random, but I figured you could use your own board for a change. For everything you’ve done—” You hesitated, trying to find the right words. “It meant a lot.”

JJ’s smile was different this time. It wasn’t cocky or teasing. It was genuine. “If I don’t take this, I feel like you’d be really annoying about it,” he muttered, pulling the board from the car.

“Absolutely. You wouldn’t want to hear me talk about how I poured my heart into its design,” you teased.

He froze, eyes narrowing. “Wait—you designed it?”

You smirked, holding his gaze. “No. But it’s nice that you believed it for a second.”

JJ laughed, shaking his head as he leaned the board against the car. For once, he wasn’t mocking or making jokes. Instead, he looked at you with something softer, something you couldn’t quite place. “This is… perfect. You didn’t have to do this.”

“I know. I just wanted to.”

He hesitated, glancing at the board before meeting your eyes again. “I was just trying to help. I didn’t think it was that big of a deal.”

And that was it, wasn’t it? That’s how it felt. Deep down, you’d even envied the way he was with his friends. He didn’t know you. In fact, he hated your group. But if he treated you like this—who knew how he treated his friends?

You weren’t used to people doing things for you without expecting something in return. Sure, you had a hunch JJ liked money. Not just you—everyone on the island knew that. But still, the way he talked to you, made time for you… it mattered. It broke the prejudice you had against him.

It wasn’t anything grand. He didn’t buy you houses or cars. He didn’t shower you with jewelry. But he talked to you like no one else did. He made you feel—like you were someone. Like someone whose decisions shouldn’t be dictated by anyone else’s words.

And that? That was worth more than jewelry. More than anything money could buy. It was something most people—Rafe included—didn’t have.

From the moment he heard, he didn’t tell anyone. What friend would do that? Ruthie? Sophie? Who?

JJ did.

And he wasn’t even your friend.

That’s why it mattered. He was just being himself, and you needed that.

“It felt like that.” JJ was holding the surfboard, his eyes catching yours. A strange silence fell between you. Neither of you had expected such a gesture—not just surfing, but the support he’d given you.

You hadn’t expected his support; that was his gesture to you. And he hadn’t expected a surfboard from you; that was your gesture to him.

JJ lifted the board to examine it, the usual smirk still on his face. He was clearly trying to ease the tension hanging between you. “So, I have my own board now, huh? I don’t have to give this one back, do I? Because when it comes to stuff like that, you’re pretty stubborn.”

“No, it’s yours,” you said, smiling. You were grateful for his teasing—it cut through the awkwardness. You could’ve stayed silent for hours. “But if I catch you getting into another fight, I’ll beat you with that board.”

JJ laughed, shaking his head. His gaze flicked between the board and you. He was ridiculously excited about the surfboard but trying hard not to show it. “Fair deal. But just so we’re clear, every cool move I pull off with this board? I’m crediting you. ‘Thanks to Princess for this wave,’ that kind of thing. You’re my sponsor now.”

You rolled your eyes, but you couldn’t deny his antics made you laugh. He was fun to be around. You were glad the whole “status” nonsense between you two seemed to be fading. It wasn’t just you—he had his own assumptions about you too. But it felt like you’d both moved past that. “Okay. Sponsorship’s over. Go find your wave.”

JJ carefully propped the board against the wall, his expression softening. “Jokes aside, thanks. I mean it. This means a lot. Just don’t tell anyone I said that—gotta protect my image.” He smiled, dimples showing as he ran a hand through his hair.

You smiled back, nodding quickly. “Don’t worry, your secret’s safe.”

As you both grinned, JJ’s eyes flicked from you to the surfboard. Following his gaze, your eyes drifted to his hands, gently tracing the board like it was fragile.

“I’m leaving the island tomorrow.” The words tumbled out, and you saw his hands freeze. His gaze landed on you, but you kept your focus on the board, pretending to admire its design. It really was a beautiful surfboard. “So—I wanted to say thank you.”

His blue eyes pierced through you as if that was even possible. JJ didn’t say anything to make the moment heavier, just nodded. For several seconds, neither of you spoke. Realizing the air had gotten heavier, you shifted your tone to something more casual. “I could drive you home if you want.”

You weren’t the kind of person to offer, but making him carry a surfboard all the way home felt cruel.

JJ opened his mouth to respond, but a car horn blared from down the street. Both of you turned toward the sound. Outside the car, John B and Kiara were leaning against it, with Pope, Cleo, and Sarah visible through the windows. Pope waved at JJ from where he hung halfway out of the window.

When Sarah’s eyes met yours, you instinctively tugged at your shirt. There wasn’t anything visible, but still—you felt uneasy. “Wow,” you said, feigning amusement. “Your entourage is here.”

JJ hesitated, looking momentarily torn. Finally, he sighed, a guilty smile creeping onto his face. His gaze dropped to your hand still fidgeting with your shirt. For a split second, it seemed like he wanted to grab your hand, to stop you.

“Nothing’s showing,” he said, his eyes lingering on your waist. You knew that, but the idea of anyone finding out still terrified you. Especially someone from Rafe’s family. He didn’t want them to know, and neither did you. That’s why you felt the need to be extra cautious around Sarah and Wheezie.

“I know. It’s just—” You stopped, shutting your eyes briefly before opening them again. It was paranoia, but understandable. “Relax. No one knows, I swear.” His hand almost reached out to your arm, but he stopped, remembering his friends were watching from the car.

“Go,” you said, shrugging. You composed yourself. “Looks like you’ve got a ride after all.” You smiled.

JJ paused for a beat, then flashed a crooked smile. He hated the awkwardness lingering between you. “If this board isn’t as good as you said, you’re getting an earful. I’ll call you.” He walked backward, teasing. You couldn’t help but chuckle at his words.

As you walked toward your front door, you noticed his movements slow. He stopped, turned, and looked back at you. It was like he’d remembered something he’d forgotten to do. Placing the surfboard down gently, his eyes briefly darted away from yours.

Then he walked up to you and stopped right in front of you. After a brief, silent pause, you felt his arms wrap around you. Was he… hugging you? Seriously? The gesture caught both of you off guard. You’d never imagined this kind of closeness. But then again, you hadn’t imagined buying him a surfboard either. So, it didn’t feel wrong. If buying him a gift made you feel this close, then it wasn’t strange that he’d feel close enough to hug you.

You returned the gesture, wrapping your arms around him. His grip was firm, and the scent of salt and ocean filled your senses. How did he always smell so much like the sea?

The hug was short, but both of you felt the strangeness of it. Once again—you felt like you’d crossed a line. Broken some unspoken rule.

JJ shrugged as he pulled back. “Yeah, that’s it. See you, uh… whatever.”

You took a deep breath, watching him stand there. You hated goodbyes. You were going to miss this island, and now—

“Yeah… goodbye.” You pushed your hair behind your shoulders, trying to steady your voice. You didn’t understand why you felt like you were losing a friend. Like you were going to… miss him?

Stop. Don’t even think about it.

JJ nodded, picking up the surfboard as he walked toward the car. You watched him for a moment before turning to the front door and stepping into your car. Through the windshield, you caught a glimpse of Kiara muttering something to Sarah. Whatever she was saying, you couldn’t hear.

When JJ got into the car, he paused, lowering his head for a brief moment before looking outside again.

He mouthed something to the group. Not to you, but to the friends in the car. “Just shut up.”

When he gave you a quick nod, you returned it before starting your car. Watching them drive off, you felt a strange mix of relief and melancholy. You’d thanked JJ, and that was all you wanted. It was done.

Except for the quiet ache of losing a friend.

You’d left only a few clothes back at the house on the island. The furniture and everything else stayed in your room. Your parents insisted the room remain untouched—they wanted you to know there was still a home for you there. They even promised not to change a thing.

The first few months were bound to be hard; you knew that. Living alone was going to take some getting used to. But you hoped it’d all be worth it when you finally held your baby.

Now, you were sitting on the couch in your new place, sipping a green smoothie. You’d have given anything for a coffee, but pregnancy meant sacrifices. A little caffeine might not hurt, but you didn’t want to risk it. The smoothie was healthy, though it tasted awful.

It had only been six days since the move. You’d allowed yourself time to explore the area, taking walks around the quiet streets. Your parents had offered to stay with you for a few days, but you politely declined. You wanted to settle in on your own. Leaning on their warmth and presence only to have it ripped away later would have made the loneliness worse. You couldn’t let that happen.

Morning sickness had eased enough for a few walks, so you’d wandered the calm streets near your house. Quiet, orderly, nothing like Outer Banks. You couldn’t help but compare the two. Everything here was different. The people, the lifestyle—it all felt so structured and tame. But a part of you missed the chaos of the island. The freedom. The absurdity of going to the store in a bikini without anyone batting an eye. That tight-knit community where everyone knew each other’s names.

You’d visited the local park a few times. It was rarely crowded, and you hadn’t met anyone yet. By the time you arrived, most of the adults and kids were just beginning to trickle in.

So, here you were: your own place. Did that make you an adult?

How did adults even make friends? Scratch that—how did anyone past a certain age make friends? As a kid, it was easy. Just ask someone to play with you, and that was it. Middle school? Same thing.

But now? You didn’t know a soul here. What were you supposed to do? Walk up to someone and introduce yourself?

Terrifying thought.

Still, maybe worth trying, right?

-

Socializing wasn’t supposed to feel like this.

Your eyes scanned the park’s scenery. The leaves rustled gently in the breeze, and birds chirped in the branches above. A group of kids played in a sandbox, their laughter mingling with the faint sounds of distant traffic.

You clasped your hands over your stomach, exhaling deeply. “Maybe this is good for me,” you thought.

But the whole idea still felt horrifying. Sitting at home would’ve been worse, though. At least you were out, breathing fresh air.

Introducing yourself to someone, though? Out of the question. No anxiety attacks, but your chest tightened just thinking about it. No, you’d just sit and enjoy the park for a bit. That would be enough.

Your gaze dropped to the book in your lap: Healthy Nutrition and Development During Pregnancy. You fiddled with the corner of its cover. Would someone else find this funny? Carrying a guidebook instead of a novel wasn’t something even you would’ve expected a few months ago. But here you were, on the verge of a whole new chapter. Screw what anyone thought—you were preparing for your future.

Suddenly, the bench shifted slightly as someone sat down beside you. The movement snapped you out of your thoughts. You glanced up to find a middle-aged woman with an energetic demeanor. Her dyed-blond hair revealed a hint of gray at the roots, and a steaming coffee cup rested in her hands.

“Ugh, I hope I can finish this before it goes cold,” she muttered to herself before calling out to the playground. “Tati! No running, sweetheart!”

She waved toward the child before turning back to you with a wide smile.

“Lovely day, isn’t it?” she chirped.

You gave her a polite smile, nodding. “It is,” you replied, subtly shifting your book closer to your lap. Her eyes flicked to the book in your hands, narrowing slightly as if trying to make out the title. “Is that a… guidebook?” she finally asked.

You tilted your head slightly. “Yes,” you said simply, hoping that’d be enough to end the conversation.

“A pregnancy guide?” she pressed, her curiosity accompanied by a cheerful smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “How sweet! Helping out a sister or expecting a niece?—Oh, where are my manners? I’m Viola.”

Her question caught you off guard. You hesitated briefly before giving your name. “Uh, no. It’s for me,” you said with a small smile.

Her expression shifted instantly. Her eyes widened, her grin turning stiff and awkward. “For you? Oh…”

You nodded, feeling heat creep up your cheeks. She had seemed friendly at first, but the subtle judgment on her face now was impossible to ignore.

“How far along?” she asked, as if the question was perfectly natural.

“Sixteen weeks,” you mumbled, pretending to smooth the book’s pages. The weight of her gaze made your skin crawl.

“Ah, so young,” she murmured, taking a long sip from her coffee. When she lowered the cup, her eyes lingered on you, as though dissecting every detail. “How old are you, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Twenty,” you replied, keeping your tone neutral but feeling the words land heavier than you intended. You watched her eyebrows knit together as she took a sharp breath.

“Twenty? You look barely old enough to drive!” she exclaimed, clearly not trying to be subtle. Then, almost conspiratorially, “But… you must be married, right?”

Your hands instinctively moved to rest on your stomach, but you hesitated to respond. The silence must have been answer enough because her eyes flicked from your belly back to your face.

“Oh,” she said knowingly, her smile tightening further. “So… is the father still in the picture?”

What was this, an interrogation?

You swallowed the lump forming in your throat. Was it the tone of her voice? Or the audacity of her questions? Whatever it was, it stung. “That’s not something I need to discuss with you,” you said firmly, fighting to keep the frustration out of your voice.

Viola shrugged, but her scrutinizing look didn’t waver. “Fair enough. But raising a baby at your age, and without… well, you know. It’s going to be tough. Don’t you think this was a bit… impulsive?”

Her words hit like a cold wind. You tightened your grip on your stomach and tilted your head slightly. “That’s none of your business,” you said, your voice harder now.

Viola didn’t back down. “Yes, maybe you’re right. But people talk, sweetheart. And usually, they judge the ones they think made the wrong decisions…” She paused, pursing her lips. “Well, they judge.”

That was all you needed to hear. You tucked your book under your arm like you were putting it in a bag, got up, and said, “I think it’s time for me to leave,” your tone colder than even you expected.

Viola raised a hand as if trying to smooth things over. “Oh, I didn’t mean to offend,” she said, but the look in her eyes betrayed the opposite. “I’m just saying this for your own good.”

You could shove your “thoughts” up your ass.

Turning on your heel, you walked toward the park’s exit. The sound of her coffee cup being placed on the bench and her murmuring words echoed behind you. A fresh start sounded nice, you thought. But a new beginning wasn’t a guarantee of escaping old judgments.

There was no way you were going out to socialize again anytime soon. You hated that woman. With every fiber of your being. The way she judged you with that smug little brain of hers—it made your blood boil. You had no memory of how you even made it back home.

You made yourself some hot cocoa, hoping it would calm your nerves. Honestly, lying flat in the grass wouldn’t have been enough to shake off the anger at this point.

Even though you tried to distract yourself—knowing full well that stress wasn’t good for the baby—it wasn’t working. The incident replayed in your mind on a loop. You were certain you’d shiver every time you walked past that park again.

Who did she think she was, anyway? How could someone pass judgment on a stranger like that? The sheer audacity—it was baffling.

The sound of your phone notification pulled you out of your spiraling thoughts. Glancing over, you reached for the phone resting on the couch.

You waited for a reply, but when nothing came, you set the phone down again. At least one of you was having a good day. Even though you felt like you were on the verge of exploding, you took a deep breath, trying to steady yourself.

The sudden ring of your phone startled you. You looked over, eyes narrowing slightly in surprise. JJ Maybank was calling you. Right now.

Pressing the phone to your ear, you grabbed the half-full cocoa mug from the table with your other hand. You weren’t going to drink it anymore. You were too annoyed to even think about washing it, but you figured you could at least move it somewhere out of sight. JJ’s voice came through the speaker, and despite everything, a small smile crept onto your face. For all his antics, he was a decent guy.

Heading toward the kitchen, you heard the cheerfulness in his voice as he began, “Used it this morning.” He was talking about the surfboard, excitement practically dripping from his words.

Frowning slightly, you placed the mug on the counter. This morning? Shouldn’t he have been at work? “This morning? Weren’t you supposed to be at work?”

There was a brief pause before JJ let out a muffled laugh. “Got fired,” he said casually, like it was the most normal thing in the world. Honestly, with him, it kind of was. You couldn’t help but laugh a little.

You weren’t surprised—of course, you weren’t. With the phone still pressed to your ear, you wandered over to the window and glanced outside. “Figured,” you said, your voice laced with playful sarcasm.

JJ didn’t miss a beat, his tone now teasingly accusatory. “Wait a second. Did you bet on me?”

Smiling, you shook your head even though he couldn’t see it, your attention momentarily caught by a cat wandering down the street. JJ cleared his throat, bringing you back. “No, but I wish I had,” you said.

His response came in the form of a dramatic groan. “That’s the meanest thing I’ve heard all week. You’re better than this.”

You turned around and walked toward the kitchen, your tone a little sharper now. “Get used to it.”

JJ responded immediately, his voice carrying a hint of challenge. “Never,” he shot back. Then, after a brief pause, his tone softened, but he added a teasing edge. “Pregnancy hormones have turned you into a completely different person. And it’s only been six days.”

The way he always knew how to push your buttons—and somehow make you smile instead of snap—was maddening. You found yourself tapping the corner of the table with your fingers, a habit you didn’t even notice until it happened. “I take pride in that,” you said, a playful grin tugging at your lips.

JJ came back stronger, more confident this time. “Hey, do you think it’s the hormones, or is it because you haven’t seen my handsome face for six whole days?” There was that familiar cocky tone, but you could tell he was trying to make you laugh. “I’d bet everything it’s because you haven’t seen my handsome face.”

“Even your surfboard?” you teased, your voice lifting just enough to show you were fully invested in the banter now. You moved toward the living room and dropped onto the couch, your gaze briefly flitting to the TV. But your attention was fully locked on JJ.

“Not a chance,” he replied instantly, almost defensive. “The board’s off-limits. Too precious.”

You chuckled, grabbing the nearby blanket and pulling it over your lap. “Then you’ve lost everything except the surfboard,” you said, shaking your head in mock disapproval. JJ’s laugh echoed through the phone, rich and warm, before he quipped, “You’ve been extra rude lately,” his voice carrying a mix of mock hurt and teasing amusement.

You didn’t just roll your eyes—you sank deeper into the couch, grabbing a pillow to prop yourself up. Of course, he’d called just to mess with you. Was he bored? Had he decided you were the best target for entertainment? “I’ve always been like this,” you replied with a shrug he couldn’t see.

“Nope,” JJ shot back instantly, his tone softer but still certain. A brief silence followed, filled only by the sound of your own breathing, before he spoke again. This time, his voice was a little more sincere. “So… how’s it going? Living alone and all?”

You didn’t hate that he asked. Actually, it felt nice to talk to someone. As an adult—or whatever weird in-between phase you were in—socializing wasn’t exactly easy. It hadn’t been easy on the island either, but at least that had been your choice. This wasn’t.

You took a deep breath, realizing the question was harder to answer than you’d expected. “It sucks,” you admitted finally, the honesty not surprising you in the slightest.

“Why?” JJ’s voice was softer now, laced with just enough concern to feel genuine but not suffocating. It was like he always knew how to navigate these moments without overstepping. And honestly, it was strange—good strange.

You tried to sort through the chaos in your head. “I don’t know,” you said with a faint sigh. “I haven’t really connected with anyone. I don’t know anyone here.”

JJ, ever the problem-solver in his own weird way, jumped in with his trademark ease. “Then make friends with the stray cats,” he said, that classic carefree tone of his bringing a smile to your face despite everything.

“I already have you,” you teased back, your voice dripping with sarcasm. “I couldn’t possibly betray you.”

His laugh from the other end of the line was contagious. “Not funny.” 

Fidgeting with the edge of the blanket, you hesitated before mumbling, “Are you okay? How are you?” Somehow, over the phone, it felt easier to ask—less intimidating than it would’ve been face-to-face.

“I’m amazing,” JJ said, his voice taking on a flat, almost robotic tone that screamed deflection.

“Your ego is exhausting,” you retorted, matching his sarcasm. Why couldn’t he just answer the question for once? Did everything have to be a game? “Seriously. How are you? After… you know, that day.”

JJ exhaled deeply, and when he finally spoke, his voice was quieter, almost reluctant. “I don’t live with my dad anymore.”

You sat up straighter, grabbing the remote to lower the TV’s volume. “Wait, really?”

“Yeah,” he said simply, like it wasn’t a big deal. “Packed up my stuff and left.”

It wasn’t exactly shocking. In fact, you were relieved he’d done it. Knowing he’d been living with someone who hurt him was unbearable. But still, you couldn’t stop your brow from furrowing. You couldn’t shake the worry. “Are you staying with John B?”

JJ’s silence was unexpected. You listened to the sound of his breathing, the faintest hitch before he finally answered. “Kind of?”

“What does that mean?” Your voice sharpened with concern. Why was he dancing around the answer when he could just tell you?

JJ sighed again, his tone shifting as though he’d stepped further away from the phone. “They don’t know I left yet. And I don’t want to talk about it.”

He hadn’t told his closest friends? Why? They weren’t the type to judge him. You didn’t know them well, but you were sure of that much. It didn’t make sense.

Even as your worry grew, you knew pressing him wasn’t the right move. “So where are you staying?” you asked cautiously.

JJ’s tone hardened. “I said I don’t want to talk about it.” There it was—his three-year-old tantrum mode. Did he really think people didn’t have the right to worry about him? Idiot.

You pinched the bridge of your nose, already feeling your patience wearing thin. “As your friend, I’m allowed to be concerned about your safety, JJ. Just tell me where you’re staying.”

His tone shifted again, this time lighter, more teasing. “Friend, huh? That’s nice. Kook and Pogue forever.”

“Shut it,” you snapped, your irritation clear. All you wanted was to know he was safe. “Just tell me already.”

JJ paused, then let out a soft laugh—the kind you knew was covering up something deeper. Even a toddler could tell. “I stayed with them for a few days. Been figuring it out since.”

You frowned. That wasn’t a solution. “You need to tell them,” you said gently.

He responded with the same stubbornness you’d come to expect, but his tone hinted at a smirk. “This is my problem, princess.” Then, as if to shift the mood, he added, “This is the first time we’ve talked on the phone. Cute, right? Now, tell me about your day.”

Despite the worry gnawing at you, you relaxed just a little. He wouldn’t be joking around like this if things were terrible… right?

You hoped so cause—JJ is your friend.

[gallavichsreddie1128]

Enemies (Part Five) (Rafe Cameron)

Description: Based off Episode 10!

Word Count: 2,004

Author’s note: Whenever season 5 comes out is when I’ll continue this.

Part One Part Two Part Three Part Four

Y/N sat with her friends around the fire as they had hope that they would turn up to shore. Though Y/N wasn’t so sure. She saw the waves take them, How could they survive? She had been crying for so long that her eyes hurt and she needed sleep. She got up from the pogues and made her way to Rafe who sat by himself. He looked over at her as she came over.

She gave him a small smile they both knew was fake. He opened his arms and she collapsed in them. She groaned against his shirt as she was already falling asleep. He kissed her forehead as she drifted off. 

When she woke it was daylight and the others were awake. Rafe was still holding her and he looked down at her eyes as she opened them. “You stink.” Was the first thing she said and he gave her a sarcastic laugh, “Like you don’t?” He asked. She definitely did.

They all did. She laid in his arms for a few more minutes before walking over to the others. “They have to be around here, there’s no way.” But Y/N didn’t believe that. She accepted in her mind that she lost 2 friends. JJ and Sarah. JJ was a troublemaker and very reckless but she loved him. He was always after trouble and sure that was annoying but he was the best.

Sarah was smart and so beautiful. She accepted people and not based on what they were. Kook or Pogue. She was awesome and her best friend. Tears welled up in her eyes as she thought about them.  John B saw two people and he got the group's attention. Everyone gasped as they saw two people who from a distance looked like Sarah and JJ. “I’ll go check.” “I’ll come with.” Y/N said and they walked to see.

John B’s eyes lit up when he saw them and Y/N let out a sigh of relief. Sarah ran up to hug him and JJ gave Y/N a hug. “I thought you were dead.” She whispered. “I’m immortal.” He joked. They switched and Y/N hugged Sarah.

Rafe looked happy to see that she was alive. They all sat around the fire well sorta. Rafe was on the same side but facing the other way as the others talked. Y/N was holding his arm as they laughed.

“You know what would be a good baby name?” JJ asked. Y/N looked at Rafe confused. “JJ what?” She asked. Sarah was pregnant. “Sarah, you’re pregnant?” Y/N jumped up from the ground. Sarah nodded and Y/N ran over to hug her. “Congratulations!” She said. 

Getting separated from the others was not ideal but she wasn’t about to let Rafe get arrested. For once he didn’t do anything. “Are you okay?” She asked, grabbing his hand. He nodded and started walking the other way of where the pogues went.

“We are finding Groff.” He told her. “What about them?” She asked. “We’ll see them.” Though she was nervous that wouldn’t be the case. Groff wasn’t easy to find but she thought she would find herself stepping on the top of buildings and houses in a foreign country for anyone. Rafe and her had on “disguises” which were just fancy coats.

She felt rich with it thanks to Rafe. Y/N gasps as she sees the dude that was trying to kill her and her friends. She and Rafe had behind a sheet for a second until Rafe threw a punch at the guy. Groff notices him and Y/N could tell that he was nervous. He truly had no idea who he messed with. Y/N couldn’t help but feel super hot seeing Rafe beat the piss out the guy. “Let’s go.” He calls her and takes Groff. 

“You’re lying to me.” Rafe yells at him as he confronts him about the money. Y/N just watches and wishes she had some popcorn. Groff kept looking over at her. “Who’s this?” Groff asked and Rafe scuffed. He ignored the question and kept yelling at him.

Groff didn’t have the money. Though that wasn’t the surprising part. The surprising part was that Sophia (Rafe’s cousin) set him up. Sophia was staying at his place while he was gone and when he and Y/N came back he planned to buy her her own house.

That was no longer on the table and Rafe was pissed. Groff was being very cocky for someone who was about to fall. Literally in a well. Rafe was laughing like a maniac. Y/N leaned over the well and even chuckled herself. “You messed with the wrong guy.” She yelled to Groff. “You tell him baby.” Rafe laughed.

“Let’s get out of here.” He says as Groff is yelling his name. He had the map to the crown now and all they had to do was get it the pogues or at least that’s what Y/N thought was going to happen. “What are we doing?” She asked as Rafe opened the map. “We are finding the treasure.” He tells her. She glares at him, “Rafe, we have to get this map to my friends. You didn’t care about the treasure.” She points out.

He chuckles and looks at her, “yeah well my money is gone sweetheart. You are your friends can get a part of the money.” She wanted to take the map and run but realized what kind of man Rafe was and knew that wasn’t a good idea. “Rafe.” She warned. “I need you to help me read the map.” He tells her, ignoring her obvious anger towards him.

“Promise me that you aren’t going to take it and run.” She growls. He looks at her, “I promise you that you and your friends will get your part.” He says. She looks at him. Though they’ve had fun together these past few days, she’s well aware of what he is capable of. “If you’re lying to me and you take the money and run, you can kiss my ass goodbye and I’ll make sure to hunt you down.” He thinks he just fell in love with her.

They walked through the sand holding hands as she wore the pendant. He holds the map as the walks to the location. “Rafe.” She said and they look over to see a sand storm starting. “Holy fuck.” “We gotta move fast.” They didn’t get a chance to as they ended up being held at gunpoint. Y/N felt her stomach turn as she realized that there wasn’t a way out of this. They were fucked.

“That’s my brother and my best friend.” Sarah said and took the shot. Y/N screamed and Rafe took her hand and ran. The others followed. Rafe was about to shut the door before they all screamed at him to wait. Y/N laughed as she saw her friends. “You’re okay.” She breathed out and hugged Sarah. “Thank you for saving us.” She said. Rafe refused to give the map over.

“Rafe.” Y/N sternly said his name. “You’re gonna betray me just like everyone else in my life has.” He said to Sarah. Y/N saw him tear up. “Rafe no we won’t.” Y/N tried but he stepped away from her. Her jaw dropped. “Rafe…” “Dad would want us to work together.” Sarah said to him. Rafe always thought that Sarah got him killed but she finally told him. “It’s true Rafe. I was there.” Y/N told him, she had tears in her eyes. Sarah did as well.

“Rafe, I'm not going to betray you. Sarah isn’t either.” She walked up to him and cupped his face. “Rafe, I love you. You can trust me. I promise. And you trust Sarah too.” Rafe looked at her with tears streaming down his face. Sarah hugged him and he looked down lost in thought.

The look in his eyes was heartbreaking. “This is nice but we have to go.” Kie said. Rafe gives John B the map and Y/N takes the pendant and helps them. Rafe wasn’t any help other than complaining. “Heaven.” John B said as the other three paced trying to think. “John B hold up the map to the sky.” It was like they shared the idea. He did and she gasped. “Guys look.” He said and they all stared at the map. “What is that?” Rafe asked.

It was like luck was in their hands and they were near the crown. Y/N gasped. The crown was somewhere in the sand statue. They all ran as the same storm got worse. “You guys go back.” Kie said to John B and Sarah. Y/N watched as they ran away. Rafe pulled her along.

The storm was bad. JJ decided he would be the one to get the crown. Y/N gasped as the other people trying to get the crown started shooting at JJ. “I’ll go stop them.” Rafe said. “No.” Y/N grabbed him. “I can’t lose you.” “You won’t. I’ll be back. I love you.” He tells her. “Rafe, they will kill you.” Kie says. “I’m a killer too.” He said and ran off. Y/N was so nervous watching JJ and thinking about Rafe. Her and Kie yelling at JJ to hurry up.

JJ was screaming and yelling about the crown and hoped down to the girls. “Look.” He said and showed them. Kie and Y/N looked at each other and gasped. They had it. 

Y/N ran ahead of them to find Rafe. She yelled his name in hopes that he would hear and that he wasn’t hurt or dead. “Y/N.” He yelled back and she turned and gasped. He was okay! “You’re okay!” She said and he picked her up and kissed her. She smiled against his lips. Tears in her eyes. “I told you I would be.” He said. “I love you so much Rafe Cameron.” She said and nudged his nose with hers.

He set her down and kissed her again. “I need to ask you something.” He said and she nodded. “I haven’t felt this way about anyone and I haven’t been through half the shit we just went through with anyone.” She smiled at his words. He sank to one knee and her smile dropped as her jaw did. “I know this is crazy but so was everything we just went through so I need to know.” He pulled out a ring. Y/N felt tears in her eyes. “It’s my mothers ring.” He states. “Will you marry me?” She let out a sob and nodded.

“Yes.” She said and slid the ring on her finger. He stood up and kissed her. “I love you too Y/N Y/L/N.” He said. “We have to find the others.” She said and the ran in the way she came. Y/N felt so happy about everything. They got the crown and she was engaged to Rafe Cameron. The man she thought she would never fall for. Life was good.

She saw everyone crouched around something. Shoulders shaking. They walked over and she gasped. JJ. “No.” She said and got on the ground next to him. He wasn’t breathing. Tears streaming down her eyes and sobs racked through her body. Rafe fell to the ground to hold her. JJ Maybank, one of her best friends, was dead. 

Y/N watched as Rafe buried him. She couldn’t believe it. Everything was great for like 5 minutes. The crown was gone and so was JJ. Everyone sat around the fire, tears in their eyes as Rafe paced. “If that was my best friend, I would be out for blood.” Rafe said. “JJ wouldn’t sit here and sulk. He’d want to kill Groff.” Y/N said.

Sarah and Kie agreed. Rafe came and sat next to Y/N. He looked over at her and saw that look in her eyes. He knew it all too well. He, himself, has had that look in his eyes. It was the look of blood, the need and urge to kill. “Revenge.” Kie said. “For JJ.” Y/N growled.

[loveesiren]

O͏u͏t͏e͏r͏ B͏a͏n͏k͏s͏ M͏A͏S͏T͏E͏R͏L͏I͏S͏T͏

𝕽𝖆𝖋𝖊 𝕮𝖆𝖒𝖊𝖗𝖔𝖓

Series:

Doing It All For Us (in progress)

Help Me (completed)

Baby Daddy (randomly writing)

Emergency Contact (completed)

One Shots/Drabbles:

Overboard

Ghost

𝕵𝕵 𝕸𝖆𝖞𝖇𝖆𝖓𝖐

Series:

Champagne & Sunshine (in progress)

One Shots:

No Words

[insidekatmind]

INTERVIEW-JONATHAN DAVISS

The interview was scheduled for 4:00 PM, and you had arrived half an hour early. You hated being late, and your team knew it. As soon as you stepped into the studio, brightly lit and adorned with the vibrant colors of the Outer Banks logo, you immediately noticed Jonathan Daviss sitting on one of the stools. He was waiting for you.

With his charming smile and relaxed energy, he greeted you with a wave.

"I thought I was the early bird in the group, but you beat me to it," he said, his contagious laughter filling the space.

You walked closer, feeling a slight warmth creep up your cheeks. Jonathan had this way of making you feel at ease while also leaving you slightly flustered.

"I don’t want to give the press a reason to write about me being the last one to show up," you replied playfully, taking a seat next to him.

Jonathan shot you a knowing look, and in that moment, you sensed something subtle in the air—something that everyone watching the interview was bound to notice.

When the microphones were set up and the host kicked things off, the questions started flowing. They covered the new season of Outer Banks, the bond between the characters, and the challenges of filming. But every time Jonathan answered, his eyes would seek yours, as if to ensure you agreed with what he was saying.

"So, what’s it like working with her?" the host asked, nodding toward you with a curious smile.

Jonathan tilted his head, pretending to think hard about it. "Terrible. Really, a nightmare on set."

"Jonathan!" you exclaimed, laughing as you gave him a light shove on the shoulder.

He laughed even louder. "I’m kidding! Honestly, working with her is like… having a light on set. She always knows how to lift everyone’s spirits, even on the toughest days."

His words caught you off guard, and you felt your cheeks flush. The host, not missing the opportunity, teased further: "That almost sounds like a confession!"

Jonathan shrugged, looking at you again. "Well, let’s just say the chemistry you see between our characters… it’s all real."

You lowered your gaze, laughing nervously. You weren’t sure how to respond, but the studio audience laughed and clapped, fueling the playful atmosphere.

During a break to adjust the lighting, Jonathan leaned closer to you.

"I didn’t embarrass you, did I?" he asked in a quieter, more intimate tone.

You shook your head. "No, you were… sweet, as always."

He smiled, holding your gaze a moment longer than necessary. "You know, I didn’t lie about anything I said earlier."

Your heart skipped a beat. "Not even the part about me being a nightmare?" you joked, trying to lighten the moment.

Jonathan chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No, that was obviously a lie."

When the interview resumed, the host couldn’t help but point out your dynamic again. "So, the question everyone wants to know: are you two this close only on screen, or is there something more off-screen?"

You smiled, trying to keep things professional. "We have a great working relationship," you replied, leaving just a hint of ambiguity in your tone.

Jonathan, however, added: "But I’d say our relationship goes beyond that. We’re great friends, and I think that shows."

The host grinned, clearly pleased with his response. "Well, I can say the fans are going to go wild when they see this interview!"

---

Once it was over and everyone was packing up the set, Jonathan approached you again.

"How about a coffee? To recover from all that attention," he said with a playful grin.

You nodded, feeling a wave of excitement. "Sounds like a good idea."

And as the two of you walked out of the studio together, you realized you weren’t the only one who had felt that spark. Everyone had seen it, but most importantly, you both had felt it.

[slickdickwitchbitchh]

OBX realityshow!au

“Coming Soon: Outer Banks After Dark”

Coming to Netflix this summer !

It’s the show everyone will be talking about—a reality TV experiment like no other. Welcome to the Outer Banks, where the richest of the rich—the Kooks—rule the pristine beaches and country clubs, while the Pogues, the working-class locals, hustle to make a living on the water. The divide between these two worlds has fueled decades of tension, and now, it’s about to hit a boiling point under the summer sun.

This season: Relationships will ignite, friendships will fracture, and secrets will explode.

Meet Y/N: the wildcard in a love triangle that’s shaking the OBX to its core. On one side, there’s JJ—the fun-loving bad boy with a reckless streak and a heart of gold. On the other, Rafe—the reformed kook whose dangerous charm has everyone questioning his motives. Sparks fly as Y/N tries to navigate her feelings, but when a late-night pool party takes a turn, the rivalry between JJ and Rafe threatens to get out of control.

But that’s just the beginning. Sarah Cameron is navigating her own triangle with long-time boyfriend John B and her ex, Topper. "Once a Topper, always a Topper," she teases in her confessional—but John B isn’t laughing. When an innocent game of truth or dare turns personal, things get messy.

And then there’s Sarah and Kiara. Once inseparable, now anything but. Their unresolved tension from Kiara’s kook year resurfaces, threatening to split the group down the middle. "She acts like she’s better than me now," Sarah snaps. "But we all remember who she was."

"I feel like I’m stuck in the middle of this," Y/N admits in her confessional. "I’m friends with both of them, but it’s exhausting trying to keep the peace when they can’t even be in the same room together."

And while Cleo and Pope are the group’s newest power couple, even they aren’t immune to the drama. "We’re just trying to stay out of it," Cleo jokes in her confessional. Pope smirks, adding, "But let’s be real, these people live for chaos."

Friendships will be tested. Lines will be crossed. Hearts will be broken.

So, grab your drink and settle in for the world’s most dramatic beach house experiment. This isn’t just summer in the OBX—this is Outer Banks After Dark.

Author's Note

Hey guys,

Thank you so much for checking out my story! This is my very first fanfiction, and I’m so excited (and nervous) to share it with you all. I’m keeping things open and fun, so if you have any ideas or plotlines you’d like to see, my requests are definitely open. I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions—this story is for all of us to enjoy together!

This will be a love triangle for Y/N, and honestly… I don’t even know who she’s going to end up with yet! I’m just as torn as she is, so we���ll figure it out together as the story unfolds.

Oh, and one last thing! I’ll be posting a moodboard for Y/N and the show tomorrow, so stay tuned for that! I can’t wait to dive deeper into the vibes of this story with you.

Thank you again for all your support, and I hope you love what’s coming!

xoxo, [Z]