#ship: jjxsummer

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Continued from here (x)

Summer's eyes narrowed and hissed in response to his sarcasm. "Sheesh, dude relax. It's not exactly sunshine and roses being handcuffed to you either. How Kie puts up with your ass, I'll never know," she muttered. "As much as I hate to admit it, if anyone can get us out of this mess, it's you. You actually have some less stupid ideas from time to time," she offered with a shrug.

@roguexpogue

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More often than not, Summer thought that she could be the dorkiest person ever, with the words that came out of her mouth. Oddly enough, it was always around JJ. Possibly because she didn't know how to act around him now. That their new-found relationship was blown wide open. It was still early days. A soft sigh expelled from her lips as she felt him squeeze a little in return as best he could have given his circumstances. She was unable to stop smiling, hearing his yawn, he must definitely be tired and worn out, and she wouldn't blame him. She appreciated his words very much. "Of course. It's a no-brainer. Aww, bless. Oh. Right, of course, yeah I bet you're feeling a little woozy or high huh? I hope that they're working for your pain. Definitely wouldn't want you to struggle with that," she commented. "Yes, great. I can't wait to see you there. It'll be fun, I promise," she murmured as her grin widened. 

jj didn’t really shy away from physical affection with his friends, but the current state of one side of his body made it difficult. still, he wrapped an arm around summer’s shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze. leaning back, jj nods softly. “yeah i’ll remember,” he assured, stifling a yawn as he leaned back against the counter again. “i appreciate it, y’know, you coming to visit. wouldn’t get sick of seeing you i just, am still a little messed up with the meds and stuff, y’know?” he clarified, not wanting her to think he was pushing her out the door. “but i’ll definitely see you at the party.”

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@jayb4nks ~ ❛ calm down. you're okay, you're safe. it was just a dream. ❜ to summer

Summer found herself spending more time with JJ, so it wasn't any surprise that she had crashed at his place, instead of her own. Lately, the divide between her parents had gotten worse, and she found an escape when she hung around the other blonde. In the months she'd gotten to know him, she felt this weird pull. She could sense the same outrageous energy she had. He did. It made for great fun whenever they were together. She awoke to the sound of his voice, and a hand lightly touched her shoulder. "Jesus JJ" she breathed heavily. "Sorry...I didn't mean to disturb you. It's just been a long day...week," she admitted. "At least I wasn't drooling," she added as an afterthought, though her fingers lightly traced her lips just to be certain.

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This is what Summer lived for. JJ and his wreckless plans. Whilst more often than not it wasn't the wisest and most rational decision-making she'd ever come across, it was better than staying at home. It was the thrill and excitement of the chase she craved. The blonde stepped closer and braced her hands on his shoulders comfortingly. "Hey…JJ. Captain Obvious," she stated with a soft chuckle. "I-It's okay. We're going to be okay. You have another plan, right?" she queried whilst knowing the answer to be 'no'

a quiet sigh escapes his lips , the sound soft yet weighted with a quiet frustration . his hand lifts slowly , as if reaching for the thought of running it through his hair , but it falters , meeting the familiar brim of his cap instead . “ okay ... ” he mutters , his voice low , heavy with a hint of regret . “ guess that wasn’t my best idea . ”

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Summer smiled warmly as he texted the group. The blonde knew it was probably too soon for him to do anything. But, well, it's her birthday and she truly would want him there. Also, she figured he probably was bored out of his mind being as restless as he was recuperating. If only knowing him a little while, she could tell that about him at least. Plus just sitting around at the beach. He didn't have to drink, though she wouldn't stop him if he wanted to. "Excellent. Thank you. I hope they agree," she chortled softly. She nodded her head, her eyes and mouth a hint of amusement at his words. "Well, I did figure as much," she commented with a teasing lilt. A breath she didn't know she had been holding was expelled from her lips. Her eyes blinked rapidly at his agreement, mouth agape, "Oh...of course," as she took two steps forwards and embraced her arms around his good side. Careful not to squeeze too hard, on her tip-toes as he was a good couple of inches taller than her. Resting her chin on his shoulders. "Thank you, JJ," she murmured, as she broke the hug. "I'll..uh...I'll see you at my party, and not before. Wouldn't want you to get sick of seeing me or something," she added lamely, shaking her head. "You take it easy, alright? Remember what I said. I'm here if you need to get away from anything and everything," she said earnestly with a soft smile gracing her lips.

pulling out his phone, jj shot a text to kie and then the rest of the group chat about the party. the three dots on his chat with kiara popped up almost immediately. he knew what she was going to say. are you sure? because in reality he hasn’t done anything more strenuous than walking down the hall in a few days. but if he was going to get back to normal, he had to start doing normal things. which included ragers on the beach. “i let them know,” jj told summer — his sister, another thing he had to start getting used to in his new normal — as he pocketed his phone. “i’m sure they’re all down. hard to keep a pogue away from a party.” shifting his weight again an eyebrow arched up at summer’s question. “hm? oh. yeah of course,” he said, holding his right arm out to her. “just gotta stick to this side,” he admitted with a quiet laugh.  

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A slight frown marred Summers' features before she quickly recovered, it was glaringly obvious just studying his features. Unable to stop the small smile from gracing her features as her eyebrows quirked in question. Doubting that to be true, but she didn’t want to overstep her boundaries. "If you say so," she answered knowingly with the shake of her head. She had probably overstayed her welcome already as it looked as if he wanted to be anywhere but with her. Although she could say he was probably tired and needed the rest, as her eyes caught him picking at his thumb. The blonde nodded eagerly with her smile widening. "Of course, I really would love it if you were there, and the others too," knowing he’s on a strict regime doesn’t mean he couldn’t have a little bit of fun, right? Even without alcohol. "Sure that’d be perfect thank you very much," she stated. Her hands reached to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ears. "Great, well. I’ve probably took up enough of your time. So I’ll leave you to unpack the little that you have, and I’ll see you at my party?" she started to stand. "Can I give you a hug?" she asked out of the blue. Her eyes closed at how desperate she sounded, not to mention stupid as the awkwardness returned.

luke told me plenty what he’d do without me… it was sitting there, on the tip of his tongue, but jj swallowed it back. there was enough melancholy in the air for right now, and he didn’t remind anyone about how his adopted — was he even officially adopted? knowing so little about his own life was starting to make his head spin -- father treated him. so instead he just shook away her concern. “nah, ‘s alright. i should probably keep standing y’know? get the strength back.” it was almost the exact opposite of what his doctor said but hey, the only one that was in that room with the doctor and this room right now, was jj. and he wasn’t about to snitch on himself. picking at a hangnail on his thumb, jj raised an eyebrow. “wait really? yeah that would be cool…” he wasn’t really sure he could drink, but a party was a party. “i can tell kie and everyone else if that works.”

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Summer truly appreciated her adoptive parents she really did. Despite going through a manic and slightly destructive phase towards them, not fitting in and constant arguing over the past years. They had treated her kindly and never laid a hand upon her. Even though she probably deserved it for what she put them through. The blonde had come to an understanding with them after the truth despite being hurt for kept hidden when she could’ve spent years getting to know JJ if they were aware. She nodded and smiled shyly at his words. A low giggle escaped at his short while that may be the case. "Bless, it’s okay what would they do without you if you weren’t the way you are? They love you for it, I’m sure. Never dull or boring with you," she teased. "Are you sure you don’t want sit down?" she questioned as she noticed him shift to his good side. He had to have been in pain standing. "Yeah, it falls on the Friday so that’s good. I’m thinking perhaps my parents could do without the carnage as to what transpired last year," she chuckled at the memories. While the alcohol was flowing they certainly didn’t appreciate broken windows and ornaments. "Do you…. Would you like to come? I can also invite the others. Nothing too mental this time. It’ll just be on the beach to so you can relax all you want? A change of scenery from the hospital and this place," she offered.

that was where summer and jj’s similarities ended, really. she had parents that cared about her, even if there were tensions there when it came to the adoption, while jj was kind of lost in the middle of the water with no paddle when it came to parentage. he had his little family in his friends, but there weren’t any shoe boxes full of photos of him growing up. and his childhood home was torn away from him by someone who he was pretty sure lived down the street from where he stood, for no real reason besides the fact that kooks had money to burn and they were bored of their side of the island. it had been almost two full months but it still seized something in his heart. but he focused back on what summer was talking about. “that’s great,” jj said with a genuine smile, though it was a small one. “yeah i get being a pain in the ass kid,” he snorted. “still don’t think i’ve grown out of that yet.” shifting his weight so he was leaning almost all of it on his good, unstabbed, side, the blonde nodded. “oh yeah, your birthday’s soon…simple hm? why no rager?”

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"Anytime," Summer answered quietly. The blonde meant every word she said. No matter how long it takes for them to adjust to the new family dynamics. Sure, at first it's going to be awkward as heck, to go from one to the other. There are so many questions gone unanswered surrounding their birth parents. Her eyebrows raised at his question, her lips turned upwards into a smile. "Right, right. Yeah, kook territory now," she stated with a chuckle. While even her adopted parents had been kooks, she identified as a pogue. Just generally found people who were that much more interesting, and friendlier. "Well, actually I'm getting along much better with my parents...adoptive ones at least, since I know the truth. Can't tell you how much of a pain in the ass I was towards them. Even as a kid I was a little hell-raiser," she chuckled, shaking her head. Always causing mischief she was. "Oh..my birthday's coming up, so I'm thinking about having a few friends over. Keep it simple for once," she replied with a small smile. A low hum expelled from her lips as she nodded and listened. "Oh goodness. Sounds rough," she winced. "No doubt you're going to smash it though...but don't rush yourself, okay. Otherwise, you might end up back where you started," she advised gently.

“thanks,” he said. it meant a lot that she would be there if he needed anything, even if they didn’t know each other that well. but they were siblings now, jackson assumed. now? always have been? it was a weird middle ground when you just learned about a family that you were a part of in your twenties. which was why jj didn’t really know what to say to summer. how do you go from casual friends that hung out in a group to siblings. especially when jj didn’t know how to be a brother. clearing his throat he settled on asking “what else do you have goin’ on? i know we’re in your part of town up here, big plans or anything?”  laughing quietly, jj nodded. “oh yeah, they gave me a long list of things i need to do. i’ve got my physical therapist appointments every week though. but yeah, pretty strict, considering i’m not allowed to work until i get cleared so i’ve been trying to get it done fast.”

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Shaking her head, she apologized again, "Sorry, I don't know," Summer answered with a low chuckle. "No, I know you were. It's okay," she stated softly. Still, she was just a little sad about everything really. JJ's unfortunate circumstances. But, hopefully, now he will be able to let her into his life a little more. Become a family they should have always been. Obviously, it would be baby steps, and she would take all the bread crumbs he had to offer. A wistful sigh expelled from her lips, an appreciative smile etched upon her features. Noting his smile, no matter the size, made her feel ecstatic."Don't mention it. I'd do anything for you, you know," she replied with a shoulder shrug. She felt like now that everything was out in the open, she needed to protect him at all costs. He was her younger brother, after all. She hummed softly as she listened intently, "well, I'm glad you're out too. And that you're okay and good is the main thing. I knew you could do it JJ. I had the utmost faith in you," she admitted honestly. "I have no doubt you'll be well looked after. I bet they've got all the tv channels you could want here, right? You're all set to be in bed in your coming days," she teased badly. "But hey, if you need a personal trainer, I offer my services. They wouldn't have released you without some sort of regime, right? Hopefully not too strict or anything like that."

watching summer in front of him made jj falter. “why are you apologizing?” he asked quietly. “was just messin’ around.” it had always come up with some of the outliers of the pogue friend group, who saw him outside of school wearing his backpack everywhere, even outside the halls of kildare high, would ask him what was in the backpack. and he would always laugh and say just my life, man. people would chuckle with him, not realizing he meant literally that. it never bothered him, not when he saw first hand just how crazy greed could make some people — chandler groff, for example — but there was something about summer’s response that made him pause. smiling a little, jj nodded. “thanks, that means a lot.” he would love it — running away for a day or two, escape the glances of the carrera’s neighbors who were still worried that he was probably going to sneak in and rob them blind. as if he could even get up the stairs to their possessions. “it feels good…weird, but good. almost felt kinda like i was never gunna get out of there.”

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Summer took tentative steps inside the Carrera household and sat timidly on the sofa. JJ guided her towards. It was plush and elegant and unlike her usual surroundings, noting he himself didn’t do the same but instead leaned against the countertop. His questions and the sound of his voice brought her out of her reverie and caused her cheeks to tinge a light rosy hue with embarrassment. The amused look he showed while she studied him said everything. Shaking her head. Her mouth opened and closed, lips pursed unsure what to say. A slight grimace etched upon her features as her nose scrunched. "I’m sorry, I didn’t think," she muttered as she shook her head. What a stupid question, she thought. She knew he had very little to his name. She’d seen the Maybank residence. She breathed deeply to try and calm herself. "Okay, sorry to have asked, silly really," she uttered shyly with an awkward chuckle escaping. "Not really, but I’ll take it. It's just a little something," she replied with a soft smile gracing her lips as he then proceeded to devour one of her croissants, thoroughly pleased with herself. "Oh really. Perhaps I need to step up my game, but at least you’ll never go hungry again. Is there anything else you need?" she offered, but a soft 'awww' was expelled from her lips at his next words. A frown briefly marred her features before she hid it. It truly broke her heart how people were with JJ, the blonde man definitely didn’t deserve it. "So…how does it feel to finally be free? I know you’re not out of the woods completely, but don’t be afraid to call, if you’re lonely in this huge house. Or if you want to escape from here for any reason. I’ll drive you anywhere, no questions asked, alright," she offered. Living here for his recuperation was bound to feel anything but normal. She just wanted her brother to be at peace as he started his new journey.

summer was a tornado of questions, which wasn’t fully a bad thing. but most of the visitors who came with covered casserole dishes and offers of help weren’t directing those offers at him. figure eight still didn’t know how to feel about jackson james maybank, which was fine by him. he didn’t really know how to feel about it either. he still felt a little bit like an interloper in this house when kie wasn’t around, so when he led summer in, instead of sitting in one of the seats he directed her to, he leaned most of his weight on the marble counter of the island. As if his pougeness would rub off onto the soft fabric of the couch and make it rough and torn apart with the touch of an ass cheek. “unpacking?” he asked, coming back to the conversation at hand when she asked about lending a hand. “how much stuff do you think i have?” he asked with an amused eyebrow arched at her. he definitely had more than he used to, but going from one backpack full of stuff to two wasn’t a huge difference. “i’m all set though, you’ve done more than enough,” gesturing at the bag of baked goods he was putting on the counter before promptly shoving a croissant in his face. non hospital food was something that he didn’t think he’d ever take for granted again. “you’re like the eighth person to come by with food today,” he noted, moving into the kitchen to get them both glasses of water. “first one to actually ask me how i am though,” most of the visitors before her put most of their focus on the carreras and how good of them it was to bring him in to heal. which it was, but jj considered it one step in the long walk to reconciliation with their daughter and accepting her for who she was. 

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Summer was excited beyond belief for him to finally be out. If there was anyone that deserved to be free and happy, and able to move around more, it was JJ. Him now living in figure eight with Kie wasn't all that surprising to her. He had mentioned briefly how her parents behaved around him after the accident. Everyone. All the pity he's received from people and his so-called enemies. But, here and now, on their doorstep with some treats in a bag, she thought he might enjoy it. Her smile widened as soon as she saw him, noting his own grin to no surprise. As she stepped inside, her hues took the time to let everything sink in. The Carrera's hospitality was outstanding, but in her mind there was no other choice for JJ to be, knowing Kie would want him near her. A low chuckle came from her lips, with an eager nod in understanding. "I can't say I blame you. You've spent way more time than anyone should," she offered her opinion. "I'm good. I'm actually here to offer my services. I hope you don't mind? Do you need any more hands unpacking? Do you need me to go out and get some extra things for you…or I'm guessing they have everything already you could ever need," she stated knowingly. In all honesty, the blonde just wanted to spend time with him. The fear of losing him had almost been too much for her. She just needed some constant reassurance that he was here. "Oh…and these are for you. I hope you like," she lifted the bag towards him. "Freshly baked. There's a mixture of all sorts, donuts, croissants, muffins, brownies, you name it," another low giggle fell from her lips, as with her other hand, she brushed a stray strand of hair out of her eyes.

he had been a little dramatic, when he got out of the hospital. the first — staggering — steps he took out of the emergency room, jj had taken a deep, dramatic breath, as if he hadn't inhaled fresh air in years. it was nice though, feeling the breeze on his face, compared to the recycled stale air of the hospitals that he’s been stuck in for months. it was the first day of the after portion of his life. after he found out about his non-relation to luke, after the closed the book on the treasure hunting, after he almost died by his father’s hand and things were already different. weirdly so, as well. considering him and kiara were currently unpacking what little stuff jj had to his name into the guest room of her parent’s house on figure eight. 

it had been unexpected, waking up to mike and anna carrera hovering over him, letting him know that they didn’t believe what was being spread around the island. that they believed he was a good kid. good for their daughter. that had been shocking in itself, but then the insistence that they move into their ground floor guest room while jj heals more, almost sent him into shock. he thought he was dreaming, but after letting kiara pinch his elbow to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. he wasn’t. and now he was sitting on an extremely plush mattress in a room decorated in a beach theme. he had been setting the paperwork that his physical therapist sent him home with — do these at least once a day and you’ll be able to get back to work faster — on the dresser when there was a knock at the door. mike and anna were working and kiara was upstairs packing more of her stuff from her childhood bedroom to bring down to the guest room, so jj took his time getting to the front door. leaning heavily on the door as he opened it and saw summer’s face. “oh hey,” he said with a grin as he stepped to the side to let his sister — a word that sat weird on his tongue still, not used to it — into the house. “happy?” jj asked. “i mean an eleven to be honest. i don’t think i wanna see the inside of a hospital again. how are you?”

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Being in a hospital and having to do physical therapy was obviously draining for him. As Summer was talking, she noticed him being fatigued and trying his hardest to keep his eyes open. Experiencing such trauma would take its toll on anyone. "Oh yeah? Hopefully not a bad thing anymore," she answered softly as her eyes sparkled under the blinding lights of the room. If this proves anything, it's how the blonde knew that she needed him to be in her life. If he'd let her. He's her brother, for Christ's sake. She hummed lowly, with a nod as she folded her arms across her chest. "I'm the same. God, if I didn't have my privacy I'd scream. So all in all, you're doing amazing being in here," she offered kindly. A deep sigh expelled from her lips, she knew it was the right time to leave. He was exhausted and rightfully so. "Thanks. I definitely. No...no you're not," she stated with a frown. "You're welcome," she murmured with a bright smile. His words meant the world to her. Their blue orbs locked hers, showing affection. Her hand reached out to give him a squeeze. "I'll be back. I promise. Please try to sleep," she uttered finally before she left.

*1½ MONTHS LATER*

True to her word, Summer did return, not every day as she had hoped. But, she doubted he'd want her company all the time, when he'd got Kie and the others. Still, she visited at least a couple of days a week. Becoming more comfortable being around him, and not being so much of a nuisance anymore. She felt relieved whenever she went to see him. There were days she'd come, and he wasn't awake, in which case she only stayed no longer than ten minutes watching him peacefully sleep. Didn't want to be a creep. This time on her visit she came with goodies again. It was an extra special day as he was finally getting out of this prison, bless. She was extremely relieved and excited for him. To not be constantly monitored, and gaining his ability to walk without help, was a trendous feat. Honestly, he deserved a medal for his hard work and determination. As she knocked on his door, she whistled, she was full of enthusiasm, her body was bursting with enormous energy. "Well, well, well. On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you today?" she teased knowingly. The blonde was buzzing for him.

a soft hum left his throat as jj listened, leaning back in the bed, trying his hardest not to close his eyes. if he did, he’d be asleep in a second, today’s physical therapy really took him out. “sounds like we are related,” he mumbled, recognizing some of that anger in summer, quietly glad that that wasn’t something he picked up from luke. “don’t like…being observed,” he said, in explanation about why he didn’t like hospitals. “no privacy here,” he was ready to tell summer not to worry, she could stay if she wanted, but then he was yawning loud and long and rubbing at an eye. maybe he did need rest. “come by anytime,” jj assured. “i’m obviously not goin anywhere…i’m glad you came by though. it meant a lot,” blue eyes lifted up to summer’s, genuinely grateful that he hadn’t burned the bridge of apparently one of his only biological family members. 

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"Oh no, no. I understand that," Summer offered with a half smile. With a nod. "I get that, and I am...being honest. It doesn't matter now. All that matters is that you're here, and alive," she confessed quietly. Despite only knowing him for a few months, as a potential friend at best, then realizing he's her flesh and blood. Honestly, she's just so thankful he survived. "I think Kie has more to say about you behaving like that," she teased. As his question floated in her ears, she breathed deeply. Inhale...exhale. "Well, to be honest..I was a little shit," she stated as a matter of fact, with a low giggle escaping. Shaking her head at the memory. "It definitely wasn't my finest moment. I had so much anger, mainly with my parents. Well, adoptive for keeping this a secret for so long. Believing that I was a lonely child. I went of the rails. I trashed our house completely. Shattering some extremely valuable possessions, and then I went on a drinking binge and got wasted. For at least a few days, it could've been more," she answered with a shrug.  The blonde hummed softly, "yeah I would be too. Hospitals give me the heebie-jeebies," she muttered with a shudder. "Any time," she reassured. "I know it feels like that now. Shit, it has been that long since...I think you're making good progress. But that's just my humble opinion. I-I think I should leave and let you get some much-needed rest, hmm. Helps the body heal and all that," she added with another soft smile. Her hands grasped his tightly. "I promise to visit, if you want me around, that is."

“i’m not tryin to make you feel bad,” jj said, watching summer react to his half hearted attempt at humor. “i’m just sayin’ would rather you be honest with me about it, i know i’m…too much sometimes.” an understatement — half the time, jj was overwhelming for himself, and he couldn’t ever walk away from that annoyance. — “how’d you react?” he asked, curious what level of upset the other blonde got. because now that he’s thinking back, destruction of public property at the level he did seemed like an over reaction. “oh thanks,” jj murmured. “i appreciate it, but honestly i just want to get out of here…” there was no way out of here early though, and he was just going to have to suck it up. nothing’s going to stop jj maybank. “the faith in me is appreciated,” he said quietly. “but i don’t really feel…like i’m capable of any of that right now.”

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Summer winced at her poor attempt of humor, shaking her head at his question. The blonde could hear and see the tiredness within him. "No...no. It's okay. I'm kidding. I suck at this, but seriously, it's forgotten. Like I said, I would've reacted the same if someone had told me my parents weren't my real parents. Hell, I did do exactly that," she admitted with a soft chuckle falling from her lips. It may not have been one of her finer moments. She behaved badly for days...weeks even. As she stood with her arms around her for comfort, listening to the machines beep. Her eyebrows raised at his honesty. She was surprised herself, but it made sense, everyone being on edge and the pity he must've received from everyone, considering he had almost fricking died. "Huh. I can imagine, but at least it's better than hospital food. Listen, if you need me to come with anything, you just let me know. However, I'm sure it's already been covered," she stated, with a shy smile gracing her features. "Aww bless. Yeah I bet she's not left your bedside once. I've no doubt they'll give you one too." Her eyes darted around the room a final time. As his words resonated in her ears, she turned to study him again. It broke her heart the state of him, nodding, "That makes sense. It's got to be tough, even for the strong-willed. But if anyone can do it. It's you, JJ," she assured him with the warmest smile, even going as far as to finally grasping his hand as he lay in the hospital bed, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Nothing's going to stop JJ Maybank doing anything. Am I right?" she answered playfully.

a blonde eyebrow arched upward. “maybe somethin’ else, huh?” he asked. “go ahead, summer. let it all out.” he was grinning tiredly, knowing that it was better to just get it out there instead of letting it fester just because he technically died a few times. the food — except for the jello, because how do you fuck up jello? — wasn’t all that great, but the thought of it just made jj shrug. “honestly,” he said, “i’ve had shoupe sneakin’ shit in for me…it’s been weird.” the chief of police has been hovering more than normal, and it made something in jj antsy. as did the idea of a surprise party, but in a different way. “eh, i dunno about that,” he admitted. “i’ve practically had to bully kie into going home for a few minutes at a time. but honestly, a party sounds great.” the timeline of his release has been something on his own mind a lot too, and it made jj falter just a little bit. “uh, i mean it’s up in the air,” he explained. “but they’re not letting me leave until i can walk at least a little bit on my own.”

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Summer was as nervous as hell to see him again, but the blonde was oh so ecstatic for him to be alive right now, as the other alternative was just too damn heartbreaking. She was a little on edge and hyper-aware of her surroundings. Standing in his doorway, her body hummed with uncertainty and how to act. To be honest, all she really wanted to do was to walk up to him, hold his hand, embrace him. Do something. Hospitals put her on the edge as well. Surrounded by illness and people being on their last hope of survival. As his words floated in her ears, she cracked an all-knowing smile. True to JJ fashion, or what she at least assumed to be. Nodding her head, she was far too quick to agree. "Alright. Yes, yes you were a dick...maybe something else," she added softly with a slight chuckle escaping. "But it's okay. Honestly, I probably would've acted the same," she offered with a shoulder shrug. She felt sorry about his whole ordeal, finding out the truth and then this shit happens. Not wishing that on her worst enemy.

Her arms tightened around herself as she listened. "That's good. I'm glad they're doing their job properly and looking after you. "Aww no, poor thing," she stated lightly. She hummed at his question. "I meant the food, but I hope whatever drugs they're giving you are working?" she hated to see him like him, in pain. Hearing his wince, she rushed to his side. "Hey...hey. Be careful. You okay?" she queried hurriedly, her hands reached for him, but then quickly placed them by her side. "Me? Oh uh-yeah. I'm good. All school and work make for a dull life. Keeping free from trouble. Totally less eventful than yours," she muttered. The noises the machines made echoed through the room. "So...do you know how much longer you have to stay here  for? I bet the others are just itching and planning your surprise welcome home party as we speak," another round of laughter fell from her lips.

jj didn’t like hospitals — that much was always obvious to anyone around him for longer than a week, since that’s how long it usually takes for him to get injured again — and he spent a good amount of time recently in two separate ones. so safe to say he wasn’t doing great, but in the grand scheme of things, it could be worse. he could be dead in a desert far away from everything he knew. deep down, he knew that this was the best outcome, but god he wanted to be as far away from these overly sanitized walls as he could get. he just had to relearn how to walk. the blonde in his doorway was way too forgiving of him, but he’d been getting a lot of that lately. a visit from shoupe, where he said that his debt to the town had been taken care of, floated past his brain. he had been high on painkillers and in and out of sleep so he didn’t really remember the reason, but jj assumed it was because of his pitiful state. “you can say i was a dick, it won’t like — restab me in my vital organs,” 

a weak attempt at humor that jackson knew wouldn’t land, but he had to at least try. “they’re pretty good here, yeah,” jj hummed. “my night nurse keeps bullying me into going to sleep when i don’t want to,” which is never, but he’s not really interested in another lecture. “the good stuff? do you mean food or drugs because either way — not really.” he didn’t say the painkillers were also his doing. he had seen what some of the drugs could do to a person and even though luke wasn’t his biological father, he didn’t want to go down that path. trying to sit up and wincing a little bit, jj raised an eyebrow at summer. “how have you been? life less eventful than mine, i hope.”

[obxocmuses]

Since that fateful afternoon when the truth had finally been set free. Summer knew that as soon as she had left the store, the blonde wouldn't hear from him anytime soon. She had assumed right. The days turned into nights; weeks turned into months. She had tried to find some normalcy in her life, by accepting her fate. She spent her time keeping out of trouble for once in her life. Becoming sort of a recluse, a fracture of what she once was. Learning that she had a new family had been hard. Realizing that they had wanted to have nothing more to do with her, stung. In knowing that JJ didn't believe it, and why would he? He didn't know her from Adam. He didn't need or want a sister. She couldn’t blame him.

As the news started to hit the town about JJ and the gang in Morocco. His father...her father...stabbed him for the priceless artefact they were trying to find. It made her sick to her stomach. What the hell? Trying to kill your own flesh and blood. You'd have to truly be a sick and twisted monster. But then again the 'accident' with her mother. Yeah, right! It was him all along having fooled everyone. After hearing the news, she desperately wanted to see him. To let him know that she's still there. Will be there for him, but that's not what he needs right now. No, he needed his loved ones, his nearest and dearest-the friends that were a family for him. She would have to be patient. He had to recover after all. He nearly died. Tears started to fall down her face freely. She had nearly lost him. Life is forever precious. She knows this.

After weeks had passed, she decided that now might be okay to pay him a visit. Getting a visitor's pass at the nurse’s station, and finding out his room number, she tentatively made her way down the corridors. Quietly opening the door in case, he was resting and asleep. Lord knows he needed it. With a nervous, crooked smile etched upon her features, her orbs locked with his piercing blue hues. "Hey, back" she greeted him equally lame with a soft chuckle escaping. A low tut fell from her lips as she waved her arms around, "Please, it's nothing. It's water over the bridge...or under. Totally forgotten," she assured him. "I hope they're treating you right here? Looking after you, and hopefully feeding you some of the good stuff?" she queried.

four months later

the quiet sound of a heart monitor had become an unwelcome white noise in jackson maybank’s life. after everything that happened in morocco, after the stress of getting there, they had lost the crown. and worse, jj almost lost his life — according to the surgeon in morocco who took his insides out and put them back together and saved his life — he had died a few times during the surgery. but he’s been stable for awhile now, and was safely airlifted back to the outerbanks, holding kiara’s hand the entire time as shockingly, her parents took over all the hard questions. mike and anna had been a lifeline jj wasn’t expecting through all this, but it just reminded jj that this is what parents did. parents, no matter how many disagreements you had, showed up during the hard stuff. parents didn’t beat you into oblivion. parents didn’t sell your home out from under you. parents didn’t try to kill you.

because as impossible as it sounded, summer had been right. the conversation they had months ago had been regularly echoing between his ears as time went on. between luke confirming the story the way summer had said he would, and then chandler groff himself confirming that yes, jackson was his son. and then immediately trying to get rid of him. his recovery time in both hospitals gave him far too much time to think about his lack of parents and it hit him. he might not have parents, but he apparently, has a sister. a sister that he wasn’t the least bit nice to the last time they spoke. but jj had some sort of hope that maybe there was a chance for him to apologize.

that chance came after another round at his physical therapy. he wasn’t walking the way he used to. relearning how had been stressful, and he felt like an old man as he struggled with a walker, shuffling the hundred or so steps to the nurses station and back. it winded him, but he wasn’t going to let chandler groff and his stupid sweater across the shoulders win. he had eased himself back into his bed when the door opened. blue eyes glanced up as another blonde walked through the door. “hey, summer,” jj greeted lamely. how do you apologize for not believing that you’re related? “i was kind of a dick the last time we spoke, huh?” lame, but it got the job done.