#vampiriito₊˚ෆ

[vampiriito]

one on my favorite series at the moment, very dark and well written, shout-out to @bonnie-the-butcher ❤️😥

Rip Tide | Chapter XVI

[ MDNI ] [ word count: 9.261 ] [ Masterlist ] 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬: Canonverse/Canon-Divergent; Dark! Content; NSFW; Strong Language; Cheating; Drug Use; Mentions of overdose; Some shades of Munchausen syndrome from dear old Rafe; Manipulation; Toxic, obsessive behaviour; Stalking; Violence; DUBCON/NONCON; My writing is really pretentious and English is not my first language, so please feel free to call me out in whichever grammar mistakes you might find find.

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 | You and JJ have always been in each other's orbit. He's your brother’s best friend, the guy you've known your entire life. He was kind, protective, familiar. You never meant for the two of you to start hooking up. And you never meant for it to last so long. But when this boy you thought you'd come to know like the back of your hand turns out to be no better than the men he'd warned you about, you find yourself in the sights of the guy he hates most, regardless of wether you want that or not.

HAD MY FIRST DAY AT UNI YESRTEDAY YALL!I'm so sorry that I'm now just posting once a week instead of every 3 days, but Uni Prep had me in a frenzy, lmao. I'm gonna try my best to keep up with the posting schedule for you guys' sakes because seeing you like this is literally my therapy. Likes, asks, reblogs, and comments are always greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance for reading <3

The wind screams past your ears.

Your fingers are clenched so tightly around the throttle that they ache, the roar of the bike's engine rattling through your bones. Cold air whips against your skin, sharp and punishing, your hair flying wild behind you, your breath coming in short, uneven gasps.

Your heart is still pounding, slamming, against your ribcage at a speed more punishing than the one you’re driving at.

You shouldn’t be driving this fast.

You know you shouldn’t be driving this fast.

Your stomach lurches at the thought—JJ’s hands on the bike, the reckless speed, the way he took those turns just to scare you. The memory hits you, sharp and brutal—the screech of metal, the asphalt rushing up to meet you, the burn of terror that rose up your throat as the bike scraped against the pavement.

You should have learned your lesson —You should be driving slowly. But you can still feel Rafe’s hands on you. You still hear his voice, soft, certain, suffocating.

"I know you love me.""You’ll learn.""We’re meant to be."

Your stomach turns violently.

The moment plays over and over in your mind, tangled up in itself, looping like a nightmare you can’t wake up from. His breath against your skin, the way he grabbed you, kissed you, forced you still. The way he spoke about that night, about your skirt, about something from three fucking years ago—something you don’t even remember.

That’s what horrifies you the most.

That he does remember.

Because he’s been thinking about it, obsessing over it, building his own fantasy out of this memory.

This memory that you don't even have.

He’s been letting you play at getting to know him for a week. Letting you cling to the slivers of information he gives you, trying to piece him together, while he’s known you, analyzed you, thought about you, been around you for YEARS.

You press harder on the gas.

Shoreline rushes up too quick, too bright, too loud. The street lights blur into the flickering neon signs, into the colors of the setting sun that smear together like paint across the sky. Your eyes dart, searching, frantic, you barely see. The speed is too much, the light is too much, the sounds are too much, everything inside you rages, raves, roars, as if you’re being consumed by a vortex that’s settled inside your brain and is destroying everything around it.

Until—

Barry.

You recognize him immediately, the posture, the carelessness, even without seeing his face. His head is in his hands, a cigarette burning between his fingers, the glow of it flickering with every slow inhale. His elbows rest on his knees, his whole body slumped forward, exhaling in a long, steady breath.

You cut the engine.

The moment he hears it, he’s up.

Barry moves fast, his head snapping up, eyes immediately locking onto yours. He’s already moving toward you before you even get both feet on the ground, already talking, already scolding—

How the fuck did you get here so fast— Whe— where's your helmet—?

But you don’t let him finish.

Your body moves before your mind does—you’re running, running into him, your arms wrapping around his torso as if he were a lifeline. 

Your fingers fist into the fabric of his shirt, face burying into his chest, the warmth of him seeping through your skin, his scent wrapping around you like something steady, something solid.

You feel him freeze for a second. Like he doesn’t understand. Like this is something new. – What— Sweetheart, what happened?

You shake your head, still buried in his embrace, still clinging to him like he's the only thing keeping you on the ground. – I hate this bike. – You mumble, the first excuse that comes to mind. – I hate the moron that invented a bike, I hate you for having a bike and I don't wanna ride a bike ever again.

He laughs, relaxes.

His arms tighten around you.

His hand slides up, pressing against the back of your head, steady, grounding. His other hand curls around your waist, fingers pressing firm, protective. His breath is slow and steady, even as his heart pounds beneath your cheek.

Neither of you say anything for a moment. 

Barry holds you. Solid. Grounded. Real. But inside, you’re still moving.

The speed is still dragging at your sides. The road is still rushing past you, blurring at the edges, folding in on itself like a wave crashing over your head.

And Rafe—

Rafe is still there.

You feel shaken loose, untethered. You’ve stepped off the bike but haven’t stopped moving. You’re still hurtling forward at full speed, no breaks, but there’s no road beneath you anymore.

His voice.

His hands.

His grip.

Barry shifts. You feel it—the slight flex of his fingers against your back, the slow, careful breath he exhales against your hair.

– Sweetheart, – His voice is softer now, quieter. Like he can feel it. Like he can tell you’re still buzzing, barely keeping it together. His hand drags slow, deliberate, up and down your back. He's trying to soothe you, but it’s not working. – It’s just the speed. You went too fast. You’re gonna be okay. Just breathe.

You try.

But the air feels too thick, too heavy. And it catches in the way down your lungs like Rafe’s hands are still tight around your windpipe, like he’s still blocking the way.

You squeeze your eyes shut, pressing your face deeper into his chest.

He's warm —You try to focus on that, on the warmth of him. On the way he holds you like a straightjacket.

He's here.

You're here.

Away from Rafe.

Out of his grip.

Out of danger.

Barry sighs, long and slow, his chin dipping slightly, his arms wrapping a little tighter—like he’s letting you hold on as much as you need.

You wish it were enough.

You wish it could just pull the feeling out of you.

But Rafe’s voice still lingers.

You move your head, and when your ears rustle through the fabric of Barry’s shirt, and you swear you can hear Rafe’s laughter in it.

A shudder rolls through you.

Barry feels it.

His grip tightens instantly.

– Hey. – His voice is firmer now, edged with something sharper, something protective. – Are you sure it’s just the bike?

You just nod your head again.

You can’t talk about this.

Not yet.

Maybe not ever.

Barry exhales, long and slow, like he’s trying to steady himself as much as you. His fingers press against your waist, curling slightly, keeping you in place, steady, solid.

You burrow closer. The warmth of him, you try to remind yourself. Focus on that. On the smoke and the menthol and the burn of something headier that wraps around you like a shield, like something solid, something that won’t crumble under your touch.

Barry shifts. Just slightly. – Sweetheart. – His voice is quiet. Not teasing. Not scolding. Soft. Careful. – You're shaking.

Your throat feels tight. 

Your fingers curl into his shirt.

You don’t know how to answer.

Because what are you supposed to say? You can’t tell him the truth. You can't tell him that you can still feel Rafe's hands on you. That his voice is still echoing in your head, that his grip still lingers around you as if it were carved into your skin, that you feel like you’re suffocating in your own body?

You shake your head again, a sharp, desperate movement, and Barry feels it.

His grip tightens.

Barry shifts again, just barely, just enough that you feel it—the flex of his fingers, the way his chest rises against yours, the way he exhales, slow and heavy.

But he doesn’t let go.

And for a moment, you think he relaxes into it, that he holds you as if he’s just trying to ground himself on you as well.

He clears his throat. Stiffens the slightest bit.

– You’re still shaking. – He tries again. Softer this time, but it doesn’t last. – Are you crying? What—Sweetheart, what's going on?

You shake your head, swallowing hard, clutching him even tighter. The fear is still there, still pressing against your ribs, still sitting heavy in your throat.

– The bike, – You mumble against his chest. – I thought I was gonna die. It's— Your voice drifts, cold, gone. The words come out before you can stop them. – It’s like he's right here. Like we're—

Barry stiffens immediately, his expression shifting from worry to rage. His arms tighten around you, breath going sharper, faster, like he’s trying to hold back a reaction.

You feel his jaw twitch where it rests against your head. – He ain’t gonna get to you again, okay? – Your heart stumbles. Your pulse spikes. You swish the words around in your mind, trying to believe it. You let the gravel of his voice comfort you, echo around you, and it's warm, his arms are tight, and the ache in your bones is almost forgotten. – JJ ain’t gonna try any of that shit with you, not when I’m here. I promise.

JJ.

It almost confuses you, because there’s so much shit going on, it takes you a moment to remember what it was exactly that JJ did to piss Barry off. You nearly forgot that he almost killed you— You barely remember the way he acted, the way he threw you on the bike, the way he spat at you like he wanted you to bleed.

All you remember is how small he looked when it was over —How he sat there, next to you, hunched over, voice hoarse, begging. How he crumbled, pathetic and groveling, when he realized that you were not gonna relent.

But none of it matters.

Not anymore.

It's not JJ’s hands you feel anymore. 

It's Rafe's.

The way he grabbed you, like you were nothing, like you were a thing.

The things he said to you.

Barry’s grip tightens, his arms wrapping around you even closer – Hey— His voice drops lower, quieter. His comforting voice. His calm-her-down voice. – It’s okay. I got you. He ain't gonna try that again. You're gonna have to get back on that thing, though, sweetheart. – He dips his head lower, his breath warm against your temple, his voice even softer now, steady, grounding. – I’ll take you back home. We’ll go slow, yeah?

You freeze.

The fear comes crashing back, sharp and suffocating, pressing against your ribs, clawing up your throat. – No! – You say it too fast. Too firm.

Barry pulls back slightly. Not letting go. Not pushing. Just enough to see your face, to search your expression, to figure out what the fuck is going on.

His brows draw together.

His hand tightens.

His eyes narrow.

– Sweetheart—

You don’t let him. Barry has a way of jumping to conclusions, and this conclusion is so obvious that you fear a second of rationalization will get him to the truth. – There’s a grocery store around the corner. I just passed it. We need to go shopping anyway, Bee. Let’s just get it over with, please.

You just need some time.

A distraction.

You’ll buy the things to make a decent meal—something to sink your focus into, something to keep your hands busy and your mind preoccupied until you have to look Rafe in the eye again. By then, there’ll be dishes to wash, leftovers to put away, a mess to clean. 

You’ll have an excuse to keep moving, to keep yourself from having to talk to Rafe face-to-face.

When that’s done you’ll all go to sleep and you'll only actually have to face him in the morning.

Crisis averted.

You can deal with this, but only if you don’t actually have to face it. – C'mon. Let’s go there, I'll figure out something to make for us.

You pull on him, turning, but he locks you in place.

Barry hesitates, lips pressing together like he’s weighing whether to say something. He exhales, almost sheepish, as if he were embarrassed. – I ain’t got money on me right now.

You blink, momentarily thrown off.

– That’s fine, – You say, brushing it off with a wave of your hand. – I’m the one paying.

Barry scoffs immediately, almost flinching like the suggestion physically pained him. – No. No— no you’re not.

– Bee— You start, but he’s already shaking his head, gaze flicking away like the conversation is beneath him.

– You’re not paying for my food.

– I'm making food for both of us. – You try, softer this time. – The last check from the Wreck just cleared. And now that I’m not splitting the bills with someone, I can afford to spend more on groceries.

Barry’s expression shifts, the casual defiance slipping just slightly. His jaw tightens, brows pulling together in a deep furrow.

There’s another scoff, but this one feels off—less dismissive, more unsettled. His grip on you loosens as if he'd let go, but his shoulders don’t relax and his arms are still around you, tense, but grounding. He’s staring at you now, like he’s trying to decipher something he didn’t realize he needed to.

– What the hell do you mean you’re paying bills? – His voice is sharper this time, laced with something like offense. – Why would you pay any bills at my place?

Your stomach drops.

Oh.

Of course. A place to crash, not a home.

The thought comes quick, instinctive, like a splinter working its way under your skin. You nod fast, pulling back to save face before he has the chance to walk it back, before guilt can make him soften the edges of what he just said.

– Yeah, – You clear your throat, looking away. – I just meant—I’m looking around already. You know I’ll figure something out soon.

Barry’s frown deepens. His fingers flex against your arms. – What? No—That ain’t— His grip tightens again, like the idea of you leaving has only just registered. Like he’s trying to hold onto it before you slip away. – You ain’t figuring anything out, – He says, almost angry. – You’re staying! Sweetheart, it’s our place. My house is your house. That's how it's always been, and that's how it's gonna stay.

Your breath catches.

He says it so simply. So easily. Like it’s never even been a question.

Your fingers curl slightly into the fabric of his shirt, grounding yourself. The knot in your chest loosens, the weight of that sinking feeling lifting just enough for you to breathe again.

– Then what—? – You exhale sharply, still trying to catch up. – I can’t stay at your house and not pay bills. You’re not even gonna let me pay for groceries?

That offended expression flashes over Barry's face again, and now he steps away, laughing. – What, you think I’m a bitch, like your brother? That I’m gonna let you waste your money on this shit like you ain’t paying for me to do nothing? – He scoffs, cold, reprehensive. – That's not me, sweetheart. I'm not letting you provide shit like I'm your kid.

– Jesus, Barry. It's not like I’m not offering to be your sugar mommy. I just wanna buy groceries. I can’t eat the food at your house.

He raises a brow, a ghost of a grin on his lips. – What? It ain’t gourmet enough for you?

– Exactly. – You feel yourself smile, the weight in your chest easing the slightest bit. – I am a lady, Bee. And cup noodles are just depressing, I can’t let you eat like that. If I’m staying at your house—

– You are. 

– Well, then you’re gonna be eating what I’m eating. And I’m not eating fucking cup noodles. I’m making us actual food. 

Barry scoffs, tilting his head at you. – What, so I gotta eat your fancy Kook shit now? Do I gotta move to figure eight too? Start wearing polos and talking like I got a concussion?

You roll your eyes, the laughter falling from your lips before you can stop it. – Just cause I work for kooks, it doesn’t mean I cook like one.

– Sounds like the same thing to me. – He scoffs. – Do rich people even cook at all? I thought that was the reason you had a job to begin with. That they can’t do anything for themselves.

– Thank God for that. The Camerons are paying me almost three times what I got at the Wreck. I'm not getting that payout at any restaurant in the state.

He chuckles, scratching his head. – Maybe I should break the pipes at their place, they'd probably get me more than what I'm getting paid to hustle.

“Hustle” You don't comment on that.

– You’re already getting paid twice the minimum wage a week just to provide merchandise to their junkie son, aren’t you? Think you can do better than that?

Barry makes a face. – I’m not the one babysitting him, am I?

It hits you like a slap in the face.

You swallow thickly, looking away, and change the subject. – What was the last vegetable you ate, Bee?

Barry makes a face, immediately suspicious. – Why you askin’ me trick questions?

– The only thing I know about your eating habits is that your favorite thing is grits and that you eat like a raccoon. I need to know what I'm working with here.

– You gonna private chef me now? – He chuckles, smiling stupidly as he drags a hand through his hair. – Gonna wear a maid outfit too?

– Name one vegetable you ate before I smack your head in the pavement.

Barry laughs, humming, dragging it out way too long, like he’s deep in thought.

Finally, he snaps his fingers.

– Potatoes. Had some french fries just last week.

You blink, unamused. – That doesn't count.

– The fuck you mean they don’t count? They grow outta the ground, don’t they?

– Mushrooms grow out of the ground too, I don’t see you scarfing those down.

Barry grins, tilting his head at you. – You cookin' mushrooms?

You cross your arms. – Maybe.

– Then I’ll eat 'em.

You narrow your eyes. – Just like that?

He shrugs. – Yeah. If you make 'em, I’ll eat 'em.

Barry’s looking at you now, really looking at you, like he’s only just realized how close you still are, how your fingers are still curled into the fabric of his shirt, how you’re still clinging to this conversation like it’s the only thing keeping you steady.

His gaze flickers—down, then back up.

– Sweetheart—

You don’t let him finish.

– We should get ice cream, – You say, forcing the lightness back into your voice, into the space between you. – I think I deserve ice cream after almost dying on that stupid bike.

Barry lets the moment pass. Lets you have it. 

He snorts. – Now who's eatin’ like a raccoon?

You grin, tugging him toward the store. – I’m a refined raccoon. It’s different.

He laughs, shaking his head as he lets you pull him along. – Yeah, alright, sweetheart. Whatever you say. – He groans, stretches, throwing an arm around your back. – It better be some dinner if Rafe fucking Cameron is gonna be there when we’re back. – He groans, stretches, pulling you along as he steps towards the grocery store.

Your chest tightens at the mention— You do your best not to show it. You try to keep it down. Push it down. Because if it surfaces, it’ll consume you. You won’t be able to pull yourself out of it.

You can’t.

Not now.

Not here.

Because Barry knows you too well. Because he’s already suspicious. Because if you freeze, if you flinch, if you so much as breathe wrong—he’ll catch it. – Let’s not talk about that. – You pull him along. – You know what? I should make some steak, – You say, too quickly, too light. It’s not fair how easy it is to pretend that everything is fine. – You like steak, don’t you?

Barry hums. Relaxed. Unaware.

– I’d never turn down a steak. 

– Hard to imagine you turning anything down.  

Barry feigns a gasp, chuckling. – You think I’m easy like that, do you? 

– I know you are. Slut. – You shoulder him softly, and he gasps again, pushing you back. – Skirt steak and roast potatoes, then, since you like them so much. – You say. – I’ll throw some broccoli and carrots in the mix, so you remember what other vegetables look like. Some charro beans. How's that sound?

Barry glances at you, something unreadable in his eyes. – Like more than I deserve.

– Well Bee, you get nothing but the five star treatment when you’re with me. – Barry goes quiet for half a second, his smile absent-minded. You push forward before he can think too hard about it. – Besides, if I cook something good, maybe you’ll be too full to beat Rafe up. – The name is bitter, the memory even more so, but you smile nonetheless, your leg brushing against his as you walk. – Please don’t, by the way. He is my boss.

Barry's expression sours immediately. – Yeah, he is also a rich jerk-off who does nothing but piss me off. Who owes me a fuck-ton of money. Who took the bike he left me as fucking collateral and dipped. The least I could fucking do is beat him up.

– I'm begging you. I'm not saying he doesn't deserve it— He does. – Barry laughs, you try to bite back your feelings. – But please. Please. Don't beat him up. Not here. Not now.

He eyes you for a moment. Quiet, frustrated. He bites the inside of his cheek, shaking his head. – I won’t. But don't forget that he deserves it. Sweetheart, you could make a fuckin’ ribeye and cover it in gold, and it still ain’t gonna fix whatever the hell is wrong with that guy.

– You never know. – You mull on his unintended insult for a second, wishing you had kept your mouth shut. – Food is powerful.

Barry snorts. Tension gone. Subject changed

He side-eyes you, smirking, the gold tooth catching the last dying rays of sun before you’re both consumed by the artificial lights bleeding from the store. – Yeah? If it’s powerful then why hasn’t it fixed my life yet?

– Because you keep eating gas station burritos instead of my cooking.

Barry laughs, loud, unrestrained, shaking his head as he nudges you forward, leading you into the store. – Your brother ate your food his whole life and he’s still a bum, though.

– Ouch. – You laugh. – You’re the jerk-off. I should let you starve.

– You won’t, you love me too much. – He squeezes your side, looking across the store. – I’ll go get the beef. Skirt, right?

– Yeah. Or flank, whatever’s cheaper.

He nods, squeezing your waist one last time before wandering off. It’s colder now, and you feel the air conditioning biting into you as you drift down the isles, throwing this or that thing in the shopping basket.

The air inside the store is too cold, too bright, too artificial. Fluorescent lights buzz overhead, washing everything in a pale, almost sterile glow. The faint hum of pop music drifts from the speakers, clashing against the quiet murmur of late-evening shoppers, the slow beeping of cash registers, the rustle of plastic bags.

Your fingers tighten around the shopping basket, the plastic biting into your palm.

Steak. Potatoes. Broccoli. Carrots.

You move automatically, grabbing, searching, tossing things inside.

But now that Barry's gone, your brain takes the silence as a license to keep tormenting you.

The memories loop.

Rafe's hands. 

His shallow breath.

His eyes, not blown out, but frantic.

The way his hands curled around your wrist, tight, unyielding. The certainty in his voice, the delusion of his words.

You blink hard, shake your head.

Milk.

You need to find the milk, the beans, the onions.

It’s easier to think about things you can control. Easier to think about the cooking.

Soak the beans. Sauté the onions. Brown the beef.

You reach for soke shallots, cheaper and in season, scanning them thoroughly. You should sautee them in butter. You should think about something other than the person waiting for you at Barry’s place.

You hear your name. 

The voice is soft. Uneven. Familiar.

– I’m here, Bee. – You call, the words leave absentmindedly. You keep looking through the onions, the garlic, the fresh peppers. He puts his hand on your back, warm, casual. – That was quick. What’s wrong? They out of flank?

Your body reacts before your brain does.

You turn. You smile  instinctively. 

But it’s not Barry that is standing there next to you.

It’s JJ.

Blue eyes boring into yours, shoulders tense, head ducked slightly like he’s bracing for impact, like he's waiting for you to turn around and leave. Looking at you like he already knows he doesn’t deserve to be there.

The air shifts.

The cold seeps in deeper.

Your stomach twists as you look at him.

The bruises on his face have gotten darker. Where before there was mostly yellow blotches and hues of purple, now he’s full-on black and blue, a blue as dark as the shirt he’s wearing. – I look bad, huh? – He chuckles awkwardly, and his fingers twitch against your back, briefly fisting the fabric of your top in his hand. – You know I’m not Barry’s biggest fan, but I gotta give it to him, he’s got one hell of a right hook. 

That awkward laugh falls from his lips again, his shoulders tensing, his free hand squeezing tightly around the handle of a six pack.

You don’t know what to say.

If you even should say anything.

He doesn’t give you the time. 

If there’s one thing JJ can’t handle it’s silence, especially when he’s fucked up. – What are you doing here? I mean, not that you can’t be here— you are, and you can—I’m glad you’re here. I— You don’t come to Shoreline often, that’s what I mean. – He rambles, staring, gripping, shifting restlessly on his feet. – You’re��� shopping? What are you cooking? Flank, right? What is it? Carne asada?

You just stare.

For a second, it’s like your brain lags, stutters, refuses to process what’s happening.

The last time you saw JJ, he was pleading, bargaining, breaking down in that police station.

Now he’s here, standing in front of you, babbling, shifting around, looking at you as if it were nothing, as if this were a casual conversation between two people who have no stakes in each other's lives.

You blink. 

Your fingers tighten around the shopping basket.

– I— You stop. Shake your head. – It’s nothing.

You regret speaking as soon as you do, because JJ relaxes immediately, he breathes in deeper, he almost smiles. Latching onto the slightest response as if it will redeem him.

– Come on, – He says, the tension in his shoulders easing just slightly. – You don’t cook ‘nothing.’ You’re too much of a perfectionist for that. What is it? Something fancy? Something— He swallows. Tries to sound casual. – Something for Barry?

Your stomach twists.

You should lie. 

You should say no.

But your silence answers for you.

JJ’s jaw tics. His fingers flex against the six-pack.

– I figured you were staying with him. – His voice is lighter than it should be. Like he’s forcing himself to pretend this isn’t a big deal. Like he’s trying not to sound hurt. Like he doesn’t realize he’s the reason you don’t have anywhere else to go. – You could’ve— He tsks, looking over his shoulder, then back at you. – You could’ve done better than that. You could’ve stayed with me.

The urge to laugh bubbles up unexpectedly.

He says it as if he wasn’t the one that forced you out of your house. As if he hadn’t told you never to come back. 

He’s trying his best to act like he hasn’t done anything. Because JJ has never been able to sit with what he’s done.

He doesn’t think about what comes after. 

He doesn’t think about how his actions affect people.

He just moves. Reacts. Regrets.

Now, he’s standing in front of you, waiting for you to fix this for him, as if he wasn’t the one who broke it in the first place.

He wants you to forget.

But you just exhale slowly, steadying yourself.

To tell him it’s fine.

To tell him you forgive him.

To make it easy.

– I’m leaving now.

His face falls. – Baby, wait— He pleads. But you’re already turning, already walking, already done with this conversation before it can even begin.

JJ grabs your arm.

Not rough. Not like Rafe. But desperate.

His fingers curl around your wrist, warm, pleading, shaking just slightly. – Just—just talk to me. Please. Please, just talk to me. – The façade is gone. Not a trace of the hal-hazard casual mask he had on before,  just this pitiful, pathetic look in his eyes as he looks at you.

You already know where this is going.

– JJ—

– I fucked up, okay? – He talks over you, voice rushed, frantic, scrambling for something to hold onto. It’d almost surprise you that he would admit it, if you didn’t know that he was gonna take it back and make it your fault at some point. – I know I fucked up. I know I ruined it. I know I was being a dick, I know I was— I was out of line, but, you gotta believe me, I— I didn’t mean to—I was just angry, fuck I was so angry—Because I can’t—I can’t think when it comes to you, okay?! You drive me insane. I— I don’t know what’s going on with me.

You inhale slowly. 

You don’t let yourself look at him. 

You scan the aisles instead. Because you know Barry’s gotta be looking around for you.

And if he sees JJ’s hand around your arm— If he sees JJ gripping your wrist, yanking you back, getting in your face— That’ll be the end of it.

He won’t let that go.

And you know damn well neither of them can afford another visit to the police station.

– Let go of me. – You say, your voice soft, softer than he deserves.

– Just listen to me— just for a minute— His grip tightens slightly as you try to pull away, and he tugs you forward, hard. – I hate this. I hate it when you do this to me. You won’t even look at me. Just talk to me—

– Talk to you about what?! – The words leave you before you can stop them. You know you shouldn’t say anything. You know you should just let him suffocate in the silence, think about what he’s done until it actually drives him insane. But you can’t. Because the only thing JJ is actually good at is eroding at your patience. – What the fuck do you want me to talk about, JJ?! You nearly killed me, you kicked me out of my house, you tried to get me fired, what’s next? Is there anything in my life you’re not willing to ruin? Maybe that’s why you’re talking to me. Maybe you saw me with Barry and decided that I should just not have friends as well as a place to live, as well as a brother. That I just shouldn’t have anything at all.

His breath catches.

He flinches like you just hit him.

Like he suddenly, finally, understands how bad he fucked up.

But you’re not stupid enough to believe he actually did. Because you and him have been through this before, and yet you’re still here. – That’s not—Baby, I just—

– What?! What, JJ?! You just what?!

– I just want you with me. – He pleads. His voice low, his eyes burning into your with a desperation you haven’t seen in months. 

But it rings hollow, because he’s been this way before and that didn’t stop him from going out of his way to fuck with you again.

– You want me with you? – You scoff. – So you tried to kill me and kicked me out of my place? That’s a method I haven’t heard before.

He swallows, his jaw ticks, and he sways on his feet, pulling away the slightest bit before he leans back in, dragging you closer. – You don’t get it. I don’t— He breathes, heaves, his eyes dark. – I don’t want you with anybody. I just want you with me. Just with me. Not with Barry. Not with Rafe. Not even with John B. I don’t— I don’t want you around them.

You laugh before you can stop yourself. – Oh, that’s the reason. You want to ruin my life because you don’t want me near my best friend, my boss’ son or my actual brother?! That’s what you’re going with?

– DON’T— His voice raises, he stops himself, holding you tighter, looking at you with something almost feral in his eyes. – Don’t play dumb. Don’t act like that’s just what they are to you, because you know it’s not. You know.

– Excuse me?!

– Stop it. Stop doing this. Stop playing with me.

– You’re the one who’s fucking playing JJ. I get it that you’d think that Barry or Rafe are something more to me, because you’ve been never been friends with a girl— sorry, let me rephrase that— you’ve never been near a girl without thinking about fucking her. But my brother?! You’re that fucking twisted that you think my brother wants something more with me?

For a moment, JJ doesn’t say anything.

His grip is still firm, but he doesn’t yank you again. Doesn’t try to pull you closer.

He just stares.

There’s something unhinged in his eyes—wide, unblinking, mouth parted slightly like he wants to say something but doesn’t know how. Like his mind is moving too fast for his lips to catch up.

Then his head shakes, slow and disbelieving. He exhales sharply, through his nose, like he’s biting back something ugly.

– You don’t get it. – His voice is quieter now, but no less dangerous. – You never fucking get this, do you?

A flicker of something ugly coils in your stomach.

– No, JJ. You don’t get it. – You shake your head, frustration bubbling over. – I’m done. I’m done playing these fucking games with you. Whatever you think you have to say, whatever excuse you’re about to pull out of your ass—I don’t care.

JJ stiffens, like the words physically hit him.

You rip your wrist free. But he doesn’t let you go far.

JJ breathes hard.

His fingers dig into your wrist, not painfully, but firm enough that you know—he’s not letting go.

His chest rises and falls too quickly, his lips part like he wants to say something, but nothing comes out.

Because he knows he fucked up.

Because he knows he’s losing you.

Because he doesn’t know how to stop it.

– Baby—

– No, – You snap. Lower. Sharper. – You don’t get to stand here and act like I’m the one playing games when you’re the one who’s been fucking with my life like it’s a fucking joke. Let go of me!

JJ flinches, but he still doesn’t let go.

– You don’t get it, – He mutters. His head shakes, his grip tightening. – I can’t— I can’t see you with them, okay? I can’t fucking do it. It makes me— He stops. Breathes. Jaw clenched so tight you think his teeth might break. – You don’t understand what it does to me.

– What it does to you? – You let out a bitter laugh, jerking your arm, but he won’t let go. – What about what you did to me, JJ? Or does that not fucking matter to you?

– It does! – He almost shouts, stepping closer. Too close. – You think I don’t think about it? You think I don’t hate myself for it? I don’t wanna hurt you— You scoff, and he grabs your other hand, – I don't! And I’m sorry I did that, okay?! I just—

He exhales sharply, like he’s about to unravel.

His voice drops. Lower. Darker.

– I can’t lose you, okay?! But you keep trying to run from me, and every time you do, you run straight into them. – He says it like it's a crime. Like you’re somehow betraying him or going behind his back by trying to find comfort in someone who isn't a psychopath who'll try to crash a bike with you on it when you don't do what he wants. – You do. And you don't even ask yourself what it does to me. You don't even care.

Your stomach flips.

It's actually terrifying just how quickly he managed to make him trying to ruin you into something that is somehow your fault.

It's cold.

And it's painful.

And you know that feeling better than you usually do. Because that's exactly what curled around your windpipe when Rafe started unraveling. Exactly what buzzed around your mind before he said those things to you.

Your heart lurches, you feel it knock against your ribcage and fall back, painful, agonizing, and you try to pull away. But JJ holds on.

– Let me go, JJ, – You say, voice low, final. – Let me go.

JJ tightens his grip.

Not painful, not quite—but enough.

Enough that you can’t pull away. Enough that you can feel the tension coiling inside him, shaking, barely contained.

– You’re not listening to me! Just stop running!

Your stomach turns.

You’ve heard this before.

Not in JJ’s voice, not in his frantic, desperate rasp—but in Rafe’s. The same words. The same twisting of reality. That same sharp-edged entitlement. That same certainty that you’re the one in the wrong, that you’re the one who’s not getting it.

The same cold grip.

The same curling dread before the storm.

Your breath hitches.

You try to pull away again, harder this time, sharper— But JJ won’t let go.

– Baby, please—

– Let. Me. Go.

His grip trembles, stutters. He keeps pulling you in, keeps digging his fingers into you. You try to turn away, try to wrangle your wrist from his grip.

But you barely have the time.

– What the fuck is this? – The words slice through the aisle like a blade. Low. Cold. Dangerous.

You don’t have to turn.

You don’t have to see him to know.

Because Barry found you first. – What? One black eye isn’t enough, you want another one?  

JJ stumbles.

Barry yanks him back hard, fast, so suddenly that JJ barely has time to catch his balance.

Your wrist is still caught in JJ’s grip, and for a split second, you’re pulled forward with him—

Until Barry sees it.

Until Barry sees that JJ is still holding onto you.

Barry’s breath goes slow. Even. Controlled.

But his eyes are lethal. – Let go of her before I break your fucking hand.

JJ doesn’t move.

Doesn’t drop your wrist.

Doesn’t listen. – We’re talking here, man.

Barry’s nostrils flare. His jaw tenses. His shoulders square. – No. You were talking. Now you're going!

You barely have time to react—Barry’s hand shoots out, clamping down on JJ’s wrist, so tight he actually lets go.

The moment JJ’s grip slackens, you rip your arm free, stumbling back.

JJ barely registers it.

Now he’s face-to-face with Barry.

And Barry is pushing him back, forcing space between you, pressing into his chest, making sure JJ has no choice but to look at him.

– What the fuck do you think you’re doing? – Barry’s voice is low, even, seething. JJ swallows hard. His jaw ticks. – You were fucking grabbing her. 

Barry steps forward.

JJ steps back, he looks at you. – You’re gonna let him talk to me like that? We were—

Barry laughs, but it's bitter, a rattle, like the sound of a gun loading. – Were what? You were talking, she was trying to get away from you, there’s a name for that isn't there? Assault.

– Oh, you wanna talk to me about crime?! – JJ shoves at his chest, but Barry barely budges. – If I called the cops right now I bet—

– You're calling the cops?! I bet they'd love to hear about you breaking into my house and stealing my money.

– Your drug money? – JJ laughs.

Barry rushes.

You pull him back at the last second, his hand fisted at his side. – Leave this alone.

He looks at you, irritation clear as day on his face. – This psycho is—

– Leaving. – You interrupt. – We’re leaving. Please. Let's go home.

– Home? Where’s that, huh, Y/n? – JJ growls. His eyes as dark as the bruises on his face. – Barry’s place? How long do you think that’s gonna last?!

– I’m neither leeching off of her money or trying to kill her on a bike, so probably longer than whatever it would with you. 

JJ rushes, grabbing at his shirt as Barry laughs. You shove him back at the last second, wedging yourself between them before this turns into something worse.

JJ barely moves.

But it’s enough.

His hands fist into Barry’s shirt, knuckles going white, breath ragged, body coiled like a spring.

Barry just grins.

That same infuriating, smug, taunting grin.

– What’s wrong, Maybank? – He drawls, voice low, lazy, full of venom. – You don't like the truth, is that it?!

JJ jerks forward again.

You push harder. – Stop it! Just fucking stop this already.

His chest heaves.

His fingers twitch.

For a second, you think he might actually swing.

Then, slowly, painfully, his hands unclench.

His breathing is erratic. Unsteady.

His eyes are wild. Dark. Hurt. Like he wants to break something. Like he wants to break himself.

He rasps out your name. His jaw ticks, clenches, loosens again. – You don’t have to do this. You know you don’t. I don't even know why you’re doing this.

You inhale sharply.

– Shut up. Just leave this alone, go away! – Your voice comes out tighter, sharper.

– You don’t belong with him. And you know you don’t. You're just trying to piss me off.

Your stomach twists.

Because there it is.

That final, desperate grasp.

The same twisted logic, the same certainty, the same delusion you saw in Rafe. 

You don’t let him take it further.

You turn.

You leave.

You pull Barry with you before he can turn to swing at JJ, your grip firm, unyielding

Your head spins.

You barely register paying for the groceries.

Barely feel the cold press of plastic bags in your hands.

And then, suddenly—

You’re standing before the bike again.

The store is a distant building, bright white lights bleeding from the wide glass panels, covering the surrounding asphalt in an artificial snowstorm of light. You look away from it, fearing JJ will walk out, try to come back, and Barry’s eyes meet yours.

Dark, warm, worried.

He’s holding your wrist as he pulls the helmet from the top box and puts the bags in. – Sweetheart. – He pulls at you softly, holding out the helmet. – Say something. I’m getting worried.

– Huh?

– You haven’t said a word. Look— I'm telling you that piece of shit isn't gonna get to you again, okay? I'm promising you.

You breathe out, rub your eyes, sit down. 

He leans the helmet on your lap, looking at you closely, the apprehension evident on his face. – This isn't something you can promise me, Bee. – The words are heavy, as heavy as your chest feels. – I'm the one who's playing stupid games and winning stupid prizes. This isn't your responsibility. You already do too much for me.

Barry frowns.

His grip on your wrist tightens, just slightly, just enough. Like he’s trying to pull you back to him.

– Don’t say shit like that.

You let out a breath, staring at the pavement.

– It's the truth.0 I’m the one who keeps letting them back in. I'm a fucking idiot. You told me a thousand times that they were fucked up and I didn't listen to you. Now I'm paying the toll.

Barry goes dead silent.

For a moment, you think he’s gonna laugh. You can't imagine something he'd like better than being able to say “I told you so”.

But he crouches down in front of you.

Right there, in the middle of the parking lot.

Balancing on the balls of his feet, forearms braced against his knees, his head tilted up so you can’t avoid looking at him.

– You did that out of loyalty, I can’t exactly give you a hard time about that. – He hums, twisting the fabric of the blue top between your fingers, as if to comfort himself. – I'll be honest, I don't know why you even bothered to be loyal to that piece of shit, why you kept worrying about him. I don't know. But I'm not gonna sit here and talk your ear off about JJ, or your brother and their bullshit when I know that we're only here right now because you keep forgiving me as well.

– That’s different. You deserved it. They didn't.

– I didn’t deserve it. – He hums, grinning dumbly. – You just love me too much not to.

– Ha-ha.

You don’t know what to say.

Because you don’t know what to do with that.

You don’t know how to take it, how to hold it, how to believe it. Barry sighs, shakes his head, and leans forward.

Slow. 

Easy.

His arms brace against your thighs. His hands anchor against your knees.

– You listen to me, okay sweetheart? – He murmurs, voice warm, grounding. You nod. Barely. – Now that you're gonna be cooking me fancy meals and cleaning up my place ain’t nobody takin’ you from me. – He laughs. – Not JJ, not Rafe, not your dumbass brother, not the cops, the FBI, the fuckin’ interpol, whatever. Nobody. – His head tilts, gold tooth catching the light as he smirks, just barely. – It’s just too easy a life to give up. And if I gotta break a few noses to make that clear, well— He shrugs. – Then that’s just what’s gotta be done.

Your chest shakes with something halfway between a laugh and a sigh.

Barry grins.

– There she is.

You roll your eyes, nudging at his shoulder. He doesn’t budge. – You’re a drama queen.

– Yeah, and? You love me anyway.

He winks, obnoxious, teasing, and you push the helmet back into his hands.

Barry pats your leg, a light tap just above your knee, before pushing himself up to stand.

– Alright, c’mon, – He mutters, slipping the helmet over his head. – Get on upright. 

You huff a laugh, shaking your head, but you listen. You slide onto the bike, shifting slightly until you’re settled, until your body remembers how to sit, how to balance, how to breathe.

Barry climbs on in front of you, his hands moving with practiced ease, turning the key, revving the engine, fixing the side view mirrors—

It dawns on you then.

You're not going home. Home to Barry’s place, where you can cook in peace and go to sleep as if the world isn't crumbling around you.

You're going home to Rafe.

Your heart sinks.

The noise hits you first —The low, steady purr of the bike beneath you, vibrating through your body, the way it lunges, the way the speed slams on you, as if the world around you didn't want you to go.

Your fingers grip at his shirt.

Not playful. Not teasing.

Tight. Frozen.

Barry notices immediately.

He tilts his head slightly, just enough for his voice to reach you—low, quiet, warm over his shoulder.

– He ain’t gonna do nothing, sweetheart. Don't worry.

Your breath catches.

For a second—just a second—you wonder if he’s reading your mind. If he can feel the exact moment you realize where you’re going. As if he can see it in your body, in the way your fingers tremble slightly against his ribs, in the way your breath stutters in your chest.

Because you’re not just thinking about the bike.

You’re thinking about Rafe.

About going back.

About walking into that house and seeing him again.

Your pulse pounds.

Your hands curl tighter around the fabric of Barry's clothes, desperate for something to ground you.

Something moves slightly from the corner of your eye. You barely register it at first. The world blurs slightly as the bike rolls forward, the hum of the engine taking over your senses.

JJ. 

Standing by the doors of the store, watching you.

Watching you leave.

His eyes gleam strangely. With something dark. Something heavy. 

That’s who Barry was talking about. 

He doesn’t give JJ the time to fuck around.

The bike moves, quickly, unlike Barry promised.

But the speed of it is nothing compared to the speed at which your mind races —You close your eyes, trying to focus on the feel of Barry’s shirt beneath your fingers, on the wind the hushes around your ears as the bike moves, on the buzz of moving cars, moving people, on the distant echoes of the ocean crashing on the shore. 

But it’s to no avail.

The feeling of  Barry’s shirt wraps around your hand until it turns into the same grip Rafe had on you, the same grip that JJ had. The wind turns into a whisper, the whisper of Rafe’s delusions in your ear, of JJ’s practiced bullshit. The moving cars, the people, the ocean mix into the cacophony of noises that surge and sink back into your mind.

Your balance wavers.

Your eyes peek open.

The rushing ground beneath calls to you.

You hold on tighter.

Tighter.

Barry’s hands meet your arms every time he hits a red light. 

He whispers something or another every so often, and you either hum or laugh according to his tone. But you don’t hear it, his words. They whizz, fracturing with the wind, lost within the barrier, visor of his helmet, the road that keeps rushing forward to meet you.

You don’t register it when the bike stops at last.

But you open your eyes to see the trailer there, and you almost think you’re having a nightmare.

You don’t move.

Not at first.

The engine cuts off, the deep, steady rumble disappearing beneath the weight in your chest.

Barry shifts slightly in front of you.

His hands leave the handlebars, reach for your arms, still wrapped around him, brush over your wrists, light and grounding. – Sweetheart? – His voice is softer now. Barely above a murmur. Checking in. Feeling you out.

Your fingers are still curled into his shirt.

Too tight. Too frozen.

You force yourself to breathe.

The air is thicker now.

Heavy. Close. Suffocating.

The sound of the ocean isn’t distant anymore.

It’s right there, crashing against the shore, against your ribs, pulling you under.

– I know you like holding me, but we have to go. C’mon. I'm starving.

Barry pats your knee, light, careful, like he knows not to spook you.

You nod.

Loosen your grip.

Uncurl your fingers. Force yourself to let go.

And then, slowly, stiffly, you slide off the bike.

Your knees feel weak.

Your stomach turns.

And for a second—just a second—you wonder if you might collapse right there in the sand.

Barry is already off the bike, already stepping in front of you, already pressing a hand to your waist, steadying you before you can fall.

– Sweetheart—

– I’m fine.

You aren’t.

Barry narrows his eyes, but he doesn’t stop you, he just watches you. His fingers stay put. Firm. Warm. Like he’s not quite convinced you won’t slip away.

You’re not either.

You drag your feet as he pulls you towards the door, and it seems to loom closer, larger, taller with every step. You hand him the keys, and he takes them slowly, eyeing you carefully before he takes the shopping bags from your hands.

The door creaks open, a screech that needles through the silence, sharp as any blade. 

You step inside before him.

And Barry follows.

The air inside the trailer is warm, stale, suffocating. You smell the acrid scent of sweat, the tang of restlessness suffocated within the closed windows. But Barry doesn’t seem to notice. He shakes his head, scoffing, tossing the keys onto the corner table with a clatter. 

Your eyes catch on Rafe, sock-covered feet thrown over the arm of the couch, shifting, moving. But he doesn’t stand up.

– Long day, huh, Country Club? – His voice is sharp-edged, mocking. – Bet you had a real rough time sittin’ on your ass. – Rafe doesn’t answer. Barry rolls his eyes. – Fuckin’ useless, – He mutters under his breath, already moving toward the kitchen, already unbagging groceries like Rafe isn’t even there.

You don’t move.

Something isn’t right.

Your gaze flickers toward the couch.

Rafe is still laying there. Still. Too still.

His eyes are open, half-lidded, staring at the unmoving ceiling fan as if it’s the most interesting thing in the world. He doesn’t blink. Doesn’t turn his head. Doesn’t react.

Your stomach tightens.

Barry keeps grumbling, rummaging through the bags. – Broccoli, sweetheart? – A scoff. – Jesus. Even you can’t make this taste decent.

You barely hear him.

At first you couldn’t bear the idea of being in the same house as Rafe, now you can barely tear your eyes off him. Off the restless, random movements he makes, almost like spasms. His good hand clenching and unclenching, hanging off the couch.

– Rafe?

Your voice comes out softer than you mean it to.

But he still doesn’t respond, not with words, anyway.

You hear a groan, the shift of fabric, the creak of the couch.

But whatever it is that Rafe mumbles is lost in the noises Barry makes from the kitchen, on the howling on the wind outside, banging against the windows.

Your pulse quickens.

You take a step closer, but your feet shift backwards almost on instinct. The fear pulling you back. So instead you call out to him. – Rafe? Are you awake?

Nothing.

You step closer, the dread seeping through your bones as you trudge forward.

The floor creaks beneath your weight, but Rafe doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t react.

He’s draped in the same blanket you gave him, the fabric bunched around his shoulders, half-hazardly thrown over him, clinging to the damp sheen of sweat slicking his skin.

His chest rises and falls. Shallow. Too shallow. His lips part, then close. Mumbling.

But no sound comes out.

Something is wrong. Something is very wrong.

Barry’s still behind you, still unloading groceries, huffing and murmuring under his breath— But you don’t hear him anymore. Your pulse is too loud, too sharp, too deafening in your ears.

Your eyes fall to Rafe’s hand, his broken hand. Under the cast that braces his broken bones, his fingers are arduously clenched around a bottle. An orange bottle.

Your heart stops.

You rush forward.

Dropping to your knees beside the couch, grab his wrist, shake him— Rafe! – You shake him again, frantic now. Nothing. – Rafe!

You pry the bottle from his fingers. Feel the few remaining pills rattle against plastic. Almost empty.

Rafe is barely there.

He murmurs.

A low, slurred noise, barely audible, almost swallowed by the thick, suffocating silence.

He giggles.

A breathy, distant thing.

Like he’s not even here.

Like he doesn’t even know where he is.

– Fuck. – Your hands grip his shoulders, shaking him harder. – Rafe, wake up!

His body sways.

His head lolls back slightly, like it’s too heavy for his neck.

– Sweetheart, what’s going on?

You curse under your breath, shifting, moving fast, sliding an arm under his back to pull him up—

Rafe gives you the slightest movement. His hand drifts up your side.

Slow.

Fingertips dragging over fabric, over skin, barely there but still lingering.

You freeze.

His breath catches.

His eyes—unfocused, glassy, blown out—stare right through you. – Baby… – He hums, low, gravely, as if his throat is thick. – You’re back… – He giggles, dazed. – I knew you’d come back to me. I knew you weren’t gonna leave me here alone.

– What were you thinking, Rafe?! How many of these fucking pills did you take?! – Your voice barely makes it past your throat.

He laughs.

Just laughs.

Soft. Detached.

Your heart stutters.

– A—All of them.

@chatgtfo @bitterdotcom @xmayankax @bluethperson @coralblue35 @myluvingera @munsoncultedits @the-bitch-who-binges @im-julessssss @redkarmakai @hwaaholic @sydkneez @sassyvilliantrope @vampiriito @sassybearfire @matildalittlefreak @sunsetkiss333

[vampiriito]

«Lucky charm »

″she's got the oceans tucked away in her hair, poems swim under her skin.‶

synopsis: after getting saved by a mysterious figure during the hurricane, JJ finds himself falling more in love with the ocean than before.

pairing: JJ x sea nymph! (mermaid) reader

The sky over the Outer Banks was a canvas of swirling grays and purples, a stark contrast to the usual clear blues. The air was thick, heavy with the promise of the storm to come. Hurricane Agatha loomed on the horizon, its foreboding presence sending an eerie calm over the shoreline. The waves, already agitated, rolled in with increasing ferocity, foaming as they crashed against the sandy beach. Seagulls circled above, their cries lost in the rising wind.

JJ Maybank stood at the edge of the water, surfboard tucked under his arm, his gaze fixed on the tumultuous sea. His heart raced, not with fear, but with the exhilarating anticipation that always came before a wild ride. The stormy weather promised the kind of waves that only the most daring surfers would attempt, and JJ was never one to back down from a challenge.

Behind him, his best friend John B approached, his brow furrowed with concern. "JJ, are you seriously thinking about going out there?" he called out, his voice barely audible over the rising wind.

JJ turned, a roguish grin spreading across his face. "Hell yeah, man. These are the kind of waves you dream about. Gotta take the chance when it comes."

John B shook his head, a mixture of admiration and worry in his eyes. "You're crazy, you know that? Agatha's no joke. This storm could get real bad."

"That's what makes it worth it," JJ replied, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of the impending adventure. "Besides, you know I can't resist a good challenge."

John B sighed, glancing at the darkening sky. "Just promise me you'll be careful out there. If you get into trouble—"

"I'll be fine," JJ interrupted, slapping his friend on the back. "You worry too much. I'll be back before you know it, with the best ride of my life under my belt."

With that, JJ waded into the churning surf, the cold water lapping at his ankles as he paddled out. The sea was a beast, its power palpable even before the full fury of the hurricane hit. Each stroke brought him closer to the waves that roared like mythical creatures, calling to the daredevil within him.

As he positioned himself for the first big wave, JJ's thoughts were solely on the ride. But the ocean had other plans. A sudden swell caught him off guard, tossing him from his board and pulling him under. The water enveloped him, a chaotic swirl of currents and foam. Panic set in as he struggled to find the surface, his lungs burning for air.

Just as he thought he was done for, he felt hands—strong and steady—pushing him upwards. Gasping for breath, he broke through the surface, the world coming back into focus in a blur of saltwater and sunlight before his vision focused back on the grey clouds. He coughed, spitting out seawater, and caught a fleeting glimpse of something—or someone—diving back into the depths.

For a moment, he treaded water, his mind racing. Had he imagined it? Was it the ocean playing tricks on him? But there was no denying the touch he had felt, the unmistakable feeling of being saved.

Breathing heavily, JJ paddled back to shore, the encounter leaving him both exhilarated and mystified. As he stumbled onto the sand, John B rushed to his side, relief evident on his face. "What happened out there?" John B asked, his eyes wide with concern.

JJ shook his head, still trying to process the experience. "I don't know, man. Something—or someone—pulled me up. It felt... different."

John B frowned, glancing at the roiling sea. "Maybe it was just a lucky current. Or maybe you've got a guardian angel looking out for you."

JJ managed a shaky laugh, though his mind was far from settled. "Yeah, maybe. Whatever it was, I owe it one."

As the first drops of rain began to fall, signaling the true onset of Hurricane Agatha, JJ couldn't shake the feeling that this storm had brought more than just wild waves. It had brought a mystery—one he was determined to uncover.

The rain poured down in sheets, drenching the already soggy island in a curtain of gray. Hurricane Agatha was in full force, its wrath evident in the howling wind and relentless downpour. The air hung heavy with the scent of salt and seaweed, the usual sunny and airy atmosphere replaced with a damp, oppressive air.

Under the pounding rain and howling wind, JJ gathered his soaked belongings, the saltwater seeping through his clothes and into his skin. There was something about this storm that set it apart from the others he had braved before. Maybe it was the way the air tasted, like ozone and electricity. Maybe it was the way the lightning danced across the sky, illuminating the churning clouds like strobe lights. Or maybe it was the weight of the unknown, the knowledge that somethingor someonewas out there.

JJ had always liked the ocean. It was the place he felt the most alive in. Whether it was lounging on the HMS pogue, or swimming on a beach day, JJ was always on the water. He felt like he conquered the waters when he was out surfing. After today, though.. He wasn't so sure.

John B, equally drenched but equally undeterred, stepped up beside him, their eyes both fixed on the horizon "..You really think there was someone out there—with you, i mean?" asked the brunette, casting JJ a skeptical side-glance while he gathered the rest of his soaked belongings.

JJ's fingers curled tighter around his board, the rain running rivulets down his face, mixing with the saltwater from the ocean. He shook his head, his wet hair sticking to his forehead in tangled strands. "Don't know, man. But it definitely felt like something. Someone."

John B raised an eyebrow, his usual good-natured skepticism returning. "Could've just been a current. Or maybe it was the ocean's way of saving your ass from getting drowned. Like in Moana.." John B snorted momentarily, clearly teasing JJ.

JJ shot a glare at John B, his dark eyes narrowing in irritation. He was not in the mood for jokes, not when the mystery of the unseen savior was weighing heavily on his mind. "Yeah, real funny, B. It was a person . I know what I felt."

His gaze returned to the raging ocean, the waves still choppy and white-tipped from the howling storm. The air seemed to crackle with an unseen energy, causing goosebumps to rise on JJ's already chilled skin.

JJ's eyes narrowed, a small frown pulling at the corner of his lips. "When I was pulled up, it was like there was force, a hand pushing me up. And then, I could've sworn I saw something under the water. Maybe a person. Or something else."

John B let out a sigh, running a hand through his wet hair. "JJ, we've been through a lot, but this is a bit much. Mermaids, really?"

JJ rolled his eyes, his usual flippant demeanor tinged with frustrated irritation. He hated being doubted, especially when he knew what he had experienced. "I'm not saying it was a damn mermaid, B. But something saved me. I don't know what it was, but it was there."

He jabbed a finger towards the churning waves, his jaw set defiantly. "I saw something! It wasn't just the water messing with me."

John B fell silent, absorbing the gravity in JJ's tone. He may not have believed entirely, but he knew his best friend well enough to recognize when JJ was serious. The usual glint of mischief was absent from his eyes, replaced by a mix of bewilderment and something akin to fear.

"Okay, say there was something out there," John B began cautiously, his voice barely audible over the rising wind. "What do you think it was? You're not seriously thinking it was a human being, are you?"

JJ huffed, his gaze locked on the churning horizon. The sea roared back at him, waves crashing violently against the shore as if challenging his stare. The sky continued to darken, heavy storm clouds swollen with impending rain looming ominously over the two teens. Despite the first icy droplets pelting their skin, neither made a move to leave the beach. The air was electric, charged not just with the approaching hurricane but with the tension between uncertainty and belief.

"I don't know!" JJ's voice rose to a shout, battling the howling wind. His blond hair whipped around his face, rain mingling with the saltwater still clinging to his skin. "But it wasn't just a current. I felt a hand, JB! Someone pulled me up from under the water and made damn sure I was okay!"

John B studied him closely, noticing the uncharacteristic urgency in JJ's eyes. This wasn't one of his wild tales or exaggerated exploits. There was a sincerity that made John B's skepticism waver.

"A hand?" he echoed, eyebrows knitting together. "In the middle of a brewing hurricane? Who the hell would be out there?"

JJ threw his arms up in exasperation. "That's what I'm trying to figure out! It doesn't make any sense." He glanced back at the tumultuous ocean, frustration etched into his features. "One minute I'm going under, getting tossed around like a rag doll, and the next, I'm being pushed to the surface like it's nothing."

The rain intensified, sheets of water cascading from the heavens, blurring the lines between sky and sea. Thunder rumbled in the distance, a low growl that sent a shiver down their spines. Still, they stood their ground, drenched and chilled, anchored by the weight of the unexplained.

John B hesitated before speaking, choosing his words carefully. "Look, man, maybe it was debris, or... I don't know, maybe you got caught in a rip current that pushed you up."

JJ shot him a sharp look, shaking his head. "Rip currents don't grab you, JB. They don't propel you upward just when you're about to black out." His voice dropped, barely audible over the storm. "I saw something—someone—right before I broke the surface. Just for a second."

John B sighed, running a hand through his soaked hair. "Even if there was someone, they'd have to be crazy to be out there in this weather."

"Or not human," JJ muttered under his breath, almost too low for John B to catch.

He raised an eyebrow. "What did you say?"

JJ hesitated, uncertainty flickering across his face. "Nothing. It's just... It felt different, you know? Like... I can't explain it."

Lightning sliced across the sky, illuminating the fierce waves in a stark, white light. For a brief moment, both boys stared out at the relentless ocean, its surface a chaotic expanse of frothy peaks and dark troughs. The power of Hurricane Agatha was undeniable now, the storm asserting its dominance over land and sea alike.

John B placed a firm hand on JJ's shoulder. "Look, whatever happened out there, we can figure it out later. Right now, we need to get out of here before this storm really unleashes."

JJ nodded reluctantly, casting one last, searching glance toward the turbulent waters. A part of him yearned to dive back in, to confront the mystery head-on. But the rational part knew John B was right. "Yeah, let's go," he conceded, his voice subdued.

As they turned to make their way up the beach, JJ couldn't shake the feeling of unseen eyes upon him. The wind howled, carrying with it the faintest whisper—or was it just his imagination? He looked back over his shoulder, squinting through the sheets of rain. For a split second, he thought he saw a silhouette out in the waves—a graceful form that disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

"Did you see that?" JJ stopped in his tracks, gripping John B's arm.

John B followed his gaze but saw nothing but the storm's fury. "Come on, man. We need to move!"

With a final, lingering look, JJ allowed himself to be pulled away. But as they trudged through the sand, battling against the gusts, he silently vowed to uncover the truth of what—or who—saved him. The storm might have brought chaos, but it had also brought a mystery that stirred something deep within him—a blend of fear, curiosity, and an unshakable sense of uneasiness.

The rain continued to pelt the two teens, stinging their skin with icy droplets as they hurried away from the unforgiving sea. JJ's hand trembled slightly, the memory of the mysterious rescue still fresh in his mind. "I swear, B," he called to John B over the roar of the storm. "I saw something. Someone out there!"

John B gripped his friend's arm tighter, trying to steer him towards the safety of the trees. "I believe you, JJ. But right now, we need to focus on getting to shelter. We can't do anything while we're soaked and freezing."

The rain only continued to intensify, the sound of it hitting the foliage was almost deafening. The wind howled, causing the trees to bend and sway, as if the forest were alive and in pain.

JJ stumbled, his eyes still fixed on the now-distorted ocean. The sea had transformed into a monstrous beast, its waves monstrous and black as night. "What if whatever it was, is still out there? What if, god forbid, it needs help too?"

John B halted in his steps, turning to squint over his shoulder at the drenched form of his best friend, something akin to disbelief etched between his features "So what do you suggest JJ?!" shouted JB, trying to get his words to carry out fully over the howling wind and deafening sound of the rain in their ears, "You wanna swim out there? look for a person who might as well be dead in those wild waves?"

The teens stopped at the edge of the deserted beach, John B a bit ahead in steps than JJ, his face set into a worried frown "Let's just get to the Twinkie JJ— you can't possibly be suggesting something as crazy, when you were close to drowning yourself!"

JJ's shoulders slumped, the rain dripping off his hair and into his eyes.

"I know it sounds nuts, JB," he said, his voice tinged with frustration and helplessness. "But what if someone's out there, struggling just like I was?" He shivered, whether from the cold or the thought of someone stranded in the turbulent sea, he wasn't sure.

John B sighed, running a hand through his sopping wet hair. "JJ, be reasonable. We'd be like sitting ducks out there. We'd probably drown or get swept away by the current."

"I get that," JJ said, his voice quieter now, but still carrying a hint of determination. "But we can't just do nothing, man. We have to at least check."

John B gave him a stern look, his eyes reflecting a mix of concern and fear.

"And what if what you saw was just a trick of the light? Or a hallucination? Maybe you hit your head or something when you were tossed under the water. Maybe you're concussed. We can't risk it, JJ."

JJ wiped the raindrops from his face, frustration building in his chest. "I'm not concussed, alright? I know what I saw. It wasn't a trick of the light."

John B crossed his arms, his expression hardening. "And what if whatever it was, is dangerous? Maybe it pulled you in like bait, and you're just inviting trouble." He gestured to the violent sea behind them. "I mean, look at that! You really wanna test your luck again?"

JJ looked away, unable to deny the truth in John B's words. The ocean was a dangerous place, especially in a storm like this. But the thought of someone, or something, trapped in those treacherous waters gnawed at him like a relentless itch he couldn't scratch. He ran a trembling hand through his damp hair, the rain dripping off his fingers.

"So we just leave it, huh? Pretend like nothing happened?" The words tasted bitter in his mouth, like ashes on his tongue.

John B's eyes fell on the form of his best friend, still staring out at the ocean with a mix of curiosity and determination that seemed to seep into his very being, much like the icy rain was soaking through his clothes. The relentless downpour had drenched his skin, but he barely noticed, his focus entirely on JJ and convincing him to drop this for now and get to the Twinkie.

"We can come back tomorrow, look for any signs of a boat lost out there. Maybe whatever pulled you up was actually a person!"

He sighed, shielding his eyes from the rain with his hand as he looked out at the turbulent waves. The storm was relentless, each gust of wind and crash of the surf a reminder of the danger they faced.

"If you're sure about this, we come back tomorrow. We don't have to pretend like nothing happened! But we can't just go out there, JJ—not on surfboards, not swimming, and most definitely not on a boat!"

JJ hesitated, the weight of his desire to help warring with the knowledge that what John B was proposing made sense. The storm was too dangerous, the odds of finding anyone or anything with no boat were slim to none

"Alright," he finally conceded, "Tomorrow morning, first light. We'll come back and look. But what if whatever it was, is gone by then? What if—" he trailed off, his words swallowed up by a loud rumble of thunder.

John B nodded, a mixture of relief and unease in his features, the sound of the thunder seeming to echo the turmoil in his mind. He knew that the storm was only getting worse, the rain coming down harder and the wind howling like a wounded animal. But he also knew that JJ was stubborn to a fault, and that there was nothing he could do to change his mind once it was made up.

"We've got a deal then." He said, his voice strained by the wind. "But if it's still storming by then, we're not going out there. Understand?"

JJ nodded reluctantly, the rain continuing to pour down around them. "Yeah, I got it. If the storm's still going in the morning, we'll wait. Just... let's get to the Twinkie." He could feel the exhaustion starting to set in, the adrenaline from his near-drowning slowly ebbing away and leaving him battered and fatigued.

With those words, they began to make their way across the beach, struggling against the relentless wind and rain. John B kept a watchful eye on his friend, noticing the slight sway in his step and the paleness of his complexion. He wanted to reach out, help support JJ's weight, but he knew better than to offer - JJ had always been fiercely independent, and any offer of assistance would likely be met with a scoff and a defiant "I'm fine.".

They finally reached the Twinkie, the old van battered and dented but still standing strong. John B pulled open the passenger door, the old hinges squeaking in protest, motioning for JJ to climb inside. "Get in!" he hollered over the wind.

The hurricane was getting relentless by the minutes that passed, and John B was worried how he was gonna drive safely to the Chateau on the vicious rain. JJ climbed in the passenger seat, shutting the door with another squeak barely audible over the sound of the storm around them. He dumped the backpack along with the surf board in the back, running a hand through his wet hair and finally taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. Although they didn't relent, his mind still stuck of whatever or whoever was out there on these weather conditions, knowing just how dangerous the ocean could be.

John B started the engine, the old van roaring to life despite the relentless downpour. He gripped the steering wheel tightly, his eyes scanning the road ahead, trying to navigate the treacherous conditions as best he could

The ride was bumpy and slow, the rain making visibility near impossible and the van's age showing in every lurch and groan it made.

Through the windshield, JJ could see the trees swaying wildly in the wind, their branches like tendrils trying to reach out and grasp the van as they passed by.

Inside the van, the atmosphere was as tense as the storm that raged outside. JJ fidgeted with the strap of his seatbelt, his thoughts still consumed by the events of the previous hour. The image of whatever, or whoever, had pulled him from the waves was seared into his mind like a brand, refusing to fade even as they drove further away from the beach.

John B could sense his friend's unease but knew better than to prod just yet. The road was too dangerous, the conditions too unpredictable, and his attention had to stay focused on steering the Twinkie through the storm.

The van rocked and swayed as they crossed a particularly treacherous stretch of road, the rain pounding on the roof like a relentless drumbeat. JJ glanced at John B, noting the tight set of his friend's jaw and the way his knuckles were turning white on the steering wheel. The air in the van was heavy with unspoken thoughts, the wind and rain seeming to drown out even the sound of the Twinkie's engine.

"JJ thinks someone saved him out there in the hurricane," John B piped up with a chuckle, which caused him to cough up some smoke. He passed the joint to his girlfriend, Sarah, earning a questioning look from both Pope and Kiara. "When he was surfing in conditions beyond human safety?" asked Kiara, the brunette, with a small smile.

JJ was leaning against the old railing of the porch, frowning as his best friends watched him with amused yet worried expressions. He knew what he felt and he was sticking to his story, despite John B's teasing. "That's why I want us to go out there today, look for a boat or something," JJ insisted.

"Yep," nodded John B, popping the 'p.' "He wants us to go investigate the vast ocean—after a hurricane, mind you—to look for possible survivors. Or mermaids..." He snorted, causing Pope to chuckle at the mere thought of a mermaid.

"Shut up, man," JJ grumbled, feeling the sting of his friends' skepticism but refusing to back down. "Just cause it sounds crazy, doesn't mean it's not true. I know what I felt out there."

Pope, who had been quietly listening, leaned back in his seat and looked at JJ. "Dude, you were caught in a major hurricane. It's possible you were just hallucinating or something."

"I'm not hallucinating, Pope," JJ retorted, his frustration growing. "I'm telling you, something—or someone—grabbed me and pulled me out of the water."

Kiara, who also had been silently assessing the situation, looked at JJ with a more serious expression. "You really think someone was out there?" she asked.

JJ nodded, the conviction in his eyes evident. "I do. It happened too fast for me to get a good look but I felt it—I know it wasn't just the current or something."

John B, still skeptical, took a drag from the joint before passing it back. "And you're sure it wasn't, I don't know, a piece of seaweed or something? That can get tangled pretty quick."

"No, it wasn't seaweed!" JJ snapped, growing irritated with John B's persistent disbelief. "It was a hand, man. A hand grabbed me and pulled me up. I could feel the fingers and everything."

Pope rolled his eyes, clearly unconvinced. "Are you sure it wasn't a fish? Maybe a giant one, like a tuna or something."

"It definitely wasn't a damn fish, Pope!" JJ exclaimed, throwing up his hands in frustration. "And it wasn't a hallucination either. I know what I felt."

Sarah, who had been quiet thus far, chose that moment to chime in. "What if it was a sea monster?" she said, only half-joking.

JJ shot her a look, appreciating the small show of support, but still annoyed at the overall lack of belief in his tale. "It wasn't a sea monster, Sarah."

Kiara leaned forward in her chair, a pensive look on her face. "Okay, let's say hypothetically you're right. Let's say someone was out there in the water with you. What would they be doing out there in a hurricane?"

"If it was a sea monster, they usually live in the water Kie. No matter the weather condition." snorted Sarah in amusement, causing Kiara to roll her eyes half heartedly.

John B chuckled at Sarah's comment, smoke puffing out from between his teeth. "Yeah, a sea monster's totally logical."

Pope shook his head, still not fully convinced. "I hate to break it to you, JJ, but the chances of some mysterious savior pulling you from the water in the middle of a hurricane are pretty slim."

"I don't care about the slim chances!" JJ retorted, his frustration reaching its peak. "I know what I felt, and I'm not gonna just sit here and ignore it. I need to know who or what saved me."

The friends fell into an awkward silence, torn between humoring JJ and questioning his sanity.

And JJ could see it in their eyes. Of course they didn't believe him, it was a hurricane and he was the only one insane enough to go out surfing on such weather conditions. The theory of a boat being out there was slim as Pope said. If there were any survivors from the shipwreck they wouldn't be concerned about the safety of a dumb, adrenaline-junkie surfer. JJ knew that much. But something pulled him out of the water, right before he was about to black out. He wasn't insane or hallucinating. He didn't smoke before going out on the water. Not too much.

A human that managed to survive a boat being swept underwater by howling wind and monstruos waves wasn't gonna save another human who was out to surf the same waters. They'd be trying to swim to the shore and get dry, to safety from the hurricane and coast guard to help find the rest of the people on that boat. Not dive back into the water and swim further away from shore. Just like he saw. The silhouette dived back in swiftly, and swam away in the opposite direction of the shore.

So going out there to look for a shipwreck was— quite frankly stupid. Because JJ saw no boat in his near vicinity when surfing. "..Look i know you all think this is stupid." muttered JJ, his voice much quieter, "I know 'survivor of a shipwreck' sounds like a stretch. But I'm going out there alone, if i have to. You don't have to entertain this whole thing if you think I'm insane or if you think this is funny." he glared at the four pogues, running a hand through his messy sun-bleached hair.

He knew if that was a human, the chances of them being alive still, were again, slim. Probably none existent. It had been more than 12 hours since the hurricane. People were busy with cleaning their yards and buying generators to have power in their houses. He knew he was safe now that the hurricane was over.

His friends' gazes remained on him, silently contemplating his words. Pope broke the silence first, his voice laced with uncertainty. "JJ, are you sure about this? It's gonna be dangerous."

Kiara nodded in agreement, her brow furrowed in concern. "Yeah, and it's not like we can guarantee there's actually someone out there."

Sarah spoke up too, her tone a mix of worry and doubt. "And what if it's not a person? What if it's something dangerous...?"

John B's expression softened, and he leaned forward in his chair. "JJ, look, man," he began, his tone serious. "I know you think you felt something, but going out there alone is crazy. What if you get into trouble again? We don't even know what we're looking for."

JJ gritted his teeth, his determination growing stronger with each passing moment. "I don't care. I have to find out what happened out there. And I don't need you guys to babysit me. I can take care of myself."

"If it was a boat out there.. we can look on the beach. Or in the marsh.." interjected Sarah, trailing off her sentence. She didn't want to outright say it but if there was a human out there as the same time as JJ, looking on the beach for starters might actually help them find evidence of anything getting washed up on the sandy shoreline. Like a body. "To see if anything washed up on the sand.."

Kiara's eyes widened, her mind quickly catching up to Sarah's implication. "Yeah, and if we don't find anything, we can check the marshlands."

Pope nodded in agreement, the possibility of finding evidence giving them a small sense of hope. "It's worth a shot, JJ. But you have to promise you won't go out there alone."

JJ opened his mouth to protest, but John B cut him off. "No way, man. If we're doing this, we're doing it together. No more reckless solo missions."

JJ sighed, the fight slowly leaving his eyes. "Fine. But I'm warning you, this could be a wild goose chase."

John B clapped him on the back. "It probably is, but we're in it together. And if there is someone out there, we'll find 'em."

The boneyard, usually a haven of tranquility, has been turned into a desolate and battered landscape. The sand is wet and compacted, covered in a thick layer of seaweed, broken shells, and scattered debris. Pieces of driftwood, uprooted plants, and even remnants of beach furniture lie strewn about, evidence of the storm's relentless power.

The shoreline is littered with flotsam and jetsam, items carried ashore by the turbulent waves—plastic bottles, fishing nets, you name it.

Sand dunes, once gently sloping and covered in delicate grasses, are now eroded and reshaped, their surfaces pockmarked and uneven. The grasses are flattened or completely washed away, leaving behind exposed roots and sand. Small pools of water have formed in low-lying areas, remnants of the storm surge that inundated the beach.

The vegetation near the beach is damaged, with palm fronds torn and scattered, and other plants bent or broken. Trees that stood resilient against lesser storms now lie fallen or precariously tilted, their roots torn from the saturated ground.

The infamous beach that was once filled with tourists and people in bikinis looking to tan on the sand or surf the waves is now sprinkled with groups of locals trying to bring the beach back to its glory after being ravished by the hurricane. But JJ and his best friends are not here to clean the beach. After their search in the marshlands(which turned up as a dead lead) and JJ's insistences the group hopped off the HMS pogue for the time being.

JJ was determined to find something. Anything that backed up his story and helped his image in front of his very amused friends. The remnants of a boat? Maybe a shipwreck? He was more than convinced they should've just went out on the water, look for a boat that sunk to prove that he wasn't insane, but they weren't thrilled on going out on the ocean a day after a hurricane. So he had to stick to roaming the cluttered beach looking for anything.

Sarah, Pope, Kiara, and John B followed slightly behind JJ, their eyes glued to the ground, searching for something—anything. Each of them carried a bag to collect any potential evidence they could find.

Kiara kept glancing at JJ, noticing the intensity in his expression. She wasn't sure if he was determined or just plain stubborn. "JJ, slow down, will ya? We're not gonna find anything if we keep rushing through everything."

JJ huffed, his frustration clear. "We're wasting time! We should've just went out on the water. I know what I felt out there."

Pope rolled his eyes, his arm filled with debris, most likely not related to any possible survivor. "And what did you feel, exactly? A magical sea beast rescuing you?"

JJ shot Pope a dirty look but before he could retort, Sarah spoke up. "I hate to admit it, but Pope has a point. Did you actually see anything in the water? Or was it just a feeling?"

JJ paused, his gaze flickering across his friends' faces. "I didn't see anything. It was just... a sense. A touch. Someone grabbed me and pulled me to the surface."

John B raised an eyebrow, skepticism in his gaze. "You sure it wasn't just a wave or a current?"

JJ bristled at his best friend's doubt, his expression hardening. "I know the difference between a wave and a person, John B. I could feel a hand grasp my arm, yanking me up."

Kiara, her expression now more sympathetic than suspicious, approached him slowly. "JJ, you've been through a lot lately. Maybe you just imagined it? Stress and exhaustion can play tricks on your mind."

JJ clenched his jaw, his eyes narrowing. "I know what I felt, Kie. It wasn't in my head."

Pope shrugged, his skepticism still present. "We haven't found a single piece of evidence. Maybe it's time to accept that you were confused."

JJ spun around, his hands balling into fists. "I'm telling you, there's something out there! Y'all think I'm crazy, but I know what happened. So either y'all can believe me or not, but I ain't stopping till I find proof of what saved me."

Sarah and John B exchanged a glance, both clearly not convinced by JJ's insistence. John B sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "Alright, JJ. We'll keep looking, but let's keep our expectations in check. It's more likely that what you felt was just a current, nothing more."

Kiara nodded, setting down a few pieces of trash. "We're on your side, JJ. We just don't wanna see you get all worked up over something that might not be real."

JJ nodded reluctantly, the fire in his eyes dimming just a bit. "Fine, fine. But if I find anything, y'all better believe I won't let ya go a day without hearing about it."

John B chuckled as Pope facepalmed, a small smirk on his face. "Of course you wouldn't. You're never one to let things go."

As the group continued their search, JJ remained unusually quiet. The skepticism of his friends stung, but he refused to let it dampen his determination. He was convinced he had felt something— someone —pull him from the churning ocean.

He knew there was a chance he could be wrong, but deep down, he could feel the truth in his bones and the physical touch on his skin. The day was slipping between the group's fingers like sand, and JJ could feel their looks on his back practically heart their thoughts. This was indeed a wild goose chase and they should've spent the day cleaning up after the hurricane not wander the beach like headless chicken looking for... nothing.

But as the walked further down the beach, JJ strayed a bit from his best friends. Mostly to clear his head and take a breather from the judgmental looks. He found himself stepping into one of the small caves on the beach he knew all to well, having explored it and went for swims with his friends a couple of times.

The beach cave was tucked away at the far end of the shoreline, partially hidden by a rocky outcrop. Its entrance was a wide, yawning mouth, framed by jagged rocks that jutted out like ancient sentinels guarding the secrets within. The cave walls, worn smooth by centuries of wind and waves, were adorned with intricate patterns of erosion, creating a tapestry of swirls and grooves.

As JJ stepped inside, the temperature dropped noticeably, and the sound of the crashing waves outside became a distant murmur. The air was cool and damp, carrying the faint scent of salt and seaweed. The floor of the cave was a mix of fine sand and pebbles devoid of any debris and clutter and trash, washed in by the tides that occasionally reached into its depths.

Light filtered in from the entrance, casting a soft, ethereal glow on the cave's interior. The further JJ ventured, the dimmer it became, with only the occasional shaft of sunlight piercing through cracks and crevices in the ceiling. These beams of light illuminated the cave in a celestial manner, creating pockets of brightness amidst the shadows.

Stalactites hung from the ceiling, their pointed forms glistening with moisture, while stalagmites rose from the ground, their rough surfaces reflecting the soft light. In some places, these formations had joined together to create columns, like the pillars of a forgotten temple. The sound of dripping water echoed softly, a rhythmic accompaniment to the hushed ambiance.

At the back of the cave, a small pool of crystal-clear water had formed, fed by an underground spring. The water was still and serene, its surface reflecting the cave's natural beauty like a mirror. Tiny fish darted beneath the surface, their movements creating ripples that danced across the pool.

JJ stood at the back of the cave, his gaze fixed on the tranquil pool. The silence around him was almost deafening, only broken by the intermittent sound of dripping water echoing softly through the cave. His mind was still swirling with the earlier events of the day—the hurricane, his friends' skepticism, and the nagging thought that maybe they were right. Maybe he had just imagined the feeling of someone saving him.

He knelt down next to the pool, his hand reaching out to touch the cool water. As his fingers skimmed the surface, the reflection of his face rippled, distorted by the movement.

He sighed, sitting down fully onto the soft, grainy sand by the pool, his shoulders slumped in defeat. The doubts he had tried to keep at bay were creeping in, eating at his confidence.

"Maybe I am going crazy..." He muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper, almost in trance with his thoughts. As JJ sat there, taking in his surroundings and preparing for the inevitable chorus of "i told you so" from his friends when he ventured out of the cave, something caught his eye.

There was something, he couldn't really see what in the dim light of the cave, but it stuck out like a sore thumb in the stoney setting. JJ's heartbeat sped up in anticipation. The anticipation that he might be right. He stood up walking along the edge of the small pool of water, approaching the mysterious.. thing. His boots padded softly against the cave floor, the sound of his footsteps echoing the anticipation in his head. The closer he got, the better he could see the outline of the mystery object. It looked to be a bundle of seaweed, but the arrangement was too precise, too deliberate.

Finally reaching it, JJ knelt by the edge of the pool, his fingers reaching out to touch the object. He carefully pushed aside the tangled mass of green and brown to reveal... A person? A girl nonetheless. Her eyes were closed and she looked like she was asleep. Which scared JJ, because what if he came across a corpse. What was he gonna do? He stumbled back a little, staring at the unmoving body of the mystery girl, covered in seaweed.

JJ's mind raced as he tried to process what lay before him. A girl? Here, in the depths of this secluded cave he used to use for hiding or cooling off? And she wasn't moving, her eyes were closed, she looked... dead. JJ's hand trembled as he reached out to touch her pale cheek, expecting it to be cold to the touch.

But instead, she was warm. And her skin was soft.

His eyes widened in surprise as he felt the warmth radiating from her skin. She was alive, but unconscious. JJ's mind was still spinning with conflicting thoughts, but he couldn't just leave her here. He tried to shake her shoulder gently, trying to get a response. But nothing. She remained limp and unresponsive. He tried again, a bit more forcefully this time.

"Hey," he said, his voice a soft murmur. "Hey, wake up..."

The girl showed no signs of stirring, her eyes remained closed and her body unresponsive. JJ was growing more agitated by the second. He tried to keep his voice calm, to not panic, but his thoughts were racing. What was he supposed to do? What could he do? He tried shaking her again, harder this time. He needed her to wake up, to wake up so he could ask questions, figure out what was going on.

"Come on," he said, slightly frustrated now. "Wake up, goddamn it—"

His words died in his throat as her eyes finally fluttered open. They were a deep, mesmerizing shade of dark purple, almost like the ocean under a beautiful sunset, and they stared at him blankly for a moment before focusing (which he swore he saw the glow faintly for a second). She looked shocked, dazed, unsure of her surroundings. Her gaze darted around wildly until finally landing on JJ, and she slowly began to sit up.

When she did so, JJ's shock grew even more, which melted into flusteredness when he realized she was naked. Aside from being covered in seaweed, she was in fact, naked. He averted his eyes trying to calm his panicked brain and try and make what he could of the situation at hand.

There was a girl. Which laid here unconscious until JJ found her, and although he expected her to start coughing up water, she didn't. Instead she sat there her arms wrapped around her chest, staring blankly at JJ. As if this was a normal day on the beach and he had interrupted her from tanning in the sun topless. He didn't know ho long this girl had been laying here, or if she managed to survive a shipwreck of any sorts.

Then there were her eyes. Purple, first of all. Who has purple eyes? No one. At least no one that JJ knew. In the low light her hair seemed black, but when she shifted a little, causing the filtering sun from a crack in the ceiling to shine down on the top of her hair, JJ realized it was a navy, dark blue. Which unlike her eyes wasn't weird. Many people had blue hair. Hair dye wasn't uncommon.

JJ's cheeks burned red as he desperately tried to find something to shield his eyes from her naked form. He looked around desperately, hoping to find a piece of fabric or something, anything to cover her up. But there was nothing. The cave was almost bare other than a few random rocks strewn about.

His gaze flicked back to her involuntarily, unable to resist the pull of her purple eyes. They were hypnotizing, almost glowing in the dim light. And her hair, it was almost too perfect. He'd never seen someone with such flawless hair, let alone in this condition, sure it was wet but it was perfect and long; sticking to her shoulders and flowing down her back from what he could see. Something was off about her...

JJ finally realized he was still staring at her and quickly looked away again, clearing his throat awkwardly. He had to say something, break the silence. But what?

"Uh," he started, trying to keep his voice steady. "Are you... alright?" It was a dumb question, but it was all he could think of to say. He could see her shiver slightly, and his heart ached for a moment before he realized why she was shivering.

"You're... um, cold."

You blinked, completely silent, and unphased by JJ's awkwardness. Your arms were still wrapped around your chest, which rose up and down gently while you breathed. Your eyes were assessing the blond in front of you. He looked panicked, scared, shocked, awkward, and you weren't entirely sure what to say. Or more importantly how to say it.

JJ noticed her unwavering composure. Despite her being the one who had washed up naked and unconscious on a beach, she seemed completely unaffected. Her gaze was fixed on him, watching him like a hawk, and it made him even more unsettled. He tried to collect himself, running a shaky hand through his messy blond hair.

"I, uh..." he started, then trailed off. He needed to say something, anything, to break the eerie silence.

"You're... naked."

You stared at JJ for another beat before looking down, shifting a little to stare and analyze your own body. Your eyes fell onto your legs, and you wiggled your toes a little, raising one foot of the sand as if to inspect it. There was a hint of smile pulling at your lips, as you rolled your ankle to study your foot.

JJ was growing more unsettled by the minute. The silence was deafening, and her unwavering blank stare was starting to make him feel like he was losing his mind. He tried to ignore the shiver that went up his spine as her eyes darted over his form, looking almost analytical in a way.

He shifted uncomfortably, the silence feeling almost like a physical force now. He looked towards the crack in the roof, noticing that the light had started to fade. Nightfall was coming, and he couldn't leave her here alone.

After doing so for a few moments, you stood up without a warning. The seaweed slid off your body, but you didn't seem to care. Your only focus was on standing up on your feet, swaying slightly as your tried to take a step, your smile growing a fraction.

Panic flashed across JJ's face as she got up so suddenly. His words died in his throat as he watched her, his eyes roaming over her form again before he remembered he was trying not to look at her.

She wobbled for a moment before steadying herself, and then took a tentative step forward. Her bare feet left prints in the sand, and her wet hair clung to her skin. She seemed to be testing out her legs, as if she just suddenly realized she had them. JJ found it odd, but more than that he found himself being drawn in by her strange behavior.

He watched as she took another step, her movements graceful but uncoordinated, las if her feet were sore and she had trouble walking. With each step she grew more confident, and the smile that had been flickering on her lips moments before widened into a grin. JJ found it captivating. It was like she was discovering the ability to walk for the first time, and the joy was palpable.

She took another step, and then another, her gaze fixed on the ground as if she was exploring the world through her feet. JJ had never seen anything like it.

She continued to walk around the cave, her steps more confident now, almost skipping. Each time her feet connected with the ground, she let out a soft little laugh. It was a strange sound, but there was something soothing about it. JJ found himself watching her with a mix of fascination and worry. This girl was clearly not from around here (or entirely right in the head?), but he was more fascinated by her sudden strange behavior.

She looked like she was having the time of her life, the way she skipped around in a circle. It was almost as if she was dancing to a song only she could hear and JJ didn't know what to make of it.

Meanwhile, you forgot momentarily about JJ, trying to steady your steps as your feet connected with the wet sand of the cave. It was so much more interesting than it looked. It felt strange too. But you didn't find it unpleasant. You raised your eyes from the ground fixing them on the blond who was standing there silently baffled, trying not to stare at you. Too much. If that was possible given you were completely naked and instead of being scared or disoriented, you almost skipped joyously.

"Uh..." JJ found himself at a loss for words, watching as she came to a sudden halt. She looked at him, her gaze curious and almost innocent, as if she was waiting for him to do or say something.

He cleared his throat, his eyes darting awkwardly between her face and the floor, the ceiling, anywhere but the rest of her.

"You, uh..." he started again, his mind a jumble of thoughts and emotions. Where did she come from? Why was she acting this way? And why couldn't he stop staring?

He took a tentative step towards her, his eyes still avoiding her body. But her gaze was fixed on him, watching him curiously.

"You, uh, do you... know where you are?" he asked, mentally cursing himself for the stupid question. Of course, she wouldn't know, she had just washed up here completely naked, alone, and dazed.

You looked up as if mulling over his question. You sort of did know where you were but not really, so you just shook your head.

A small pang of concern flared in JJ's chest at your answer, but he quickly shoved it down. He tried to think of his next question, but her gaze was still fixed on him, studying him intently, and it was throwing off his thought process.

"Do you... know who you are?" he asked, his voice coming out quieter than he'd intended.

You took a moment to answer this time, your brow furrowing slightly. Your face almost looked troubled, like you were trying to remember something. JJ almost held his breath, waiting for you to say something, anything.

It was almost a whole minute before you replied. When you spoke your voice was quiet, soft, and tinged with what almost sounded like confusion.

"No." came your reply, arms still wrapped around your chest protectively.

Something about the way she answered, her voice soft and tinged with confusion, shot a pang of sympathy through JJ. She didn't know who she was, where she was, she knew nothing.

He took another tentative step forward, his need to comfort her overcoming his awkwardness in speaking with a naked girl he'd just met in a beach cave. He stopped barely an arm's length away from her, her eyes still locked on his, and he resisted the urge to look down at her. He needed to focus.

"Okay," he said quietly, "okay."

He racked his brain for something, anything, to say. He felt completely out of his depth. What were you supposed to say in situations like this? But here was this strange girl who had washing up on their beach, naked, alone, and with no idea who she was.

His eyes darted over her again, trying to assess the situation. She looked fine, her skin was a little damp from the water, and she was shivering slightly in the cool air. But her eyes were clear, her gaze still intent on him.

JJ was speechless. You were strange, just laying in this cave motionless before he found you by accident and for all he knew you were probably missing in some place. Maybe the mainland. At least he was lucky you were not dead. How was he gonna explain that he just casually found a dead body in this cave to his friends. Right, his friends! He needed to get you to his friends.

For all JJ knew you could have helped him yesterday out in the water and not remembered. He had to rub it in their faces. And if not they at least needed to get out of the cave before nightfall came and they were stuck in a damp, dark and quite frankly scary cave,

He was so tangled up in his own thoughts that he didn't notice you shiver suddenly. But, when he heard the chattering of your teeth, it shook him from his trance and he looked down at you.

"You're cold," he stated matter-of-factly.

Realizing he shouldn't let you get hypothermia, he took off his zip-up green hoodie and draped it over your shoulders. "Here," he said, gently pushing it around you. You clutched the material, immediately wrapping it closer around yourself, and he tried not to stare as it covered up your bare chest.

You tugged the fabric, looking down at the zip up hoodie now rapped up around you. You seemed to look up again, as if trying to remember a word you had forgotten before speaking up for the second time since you up. "Thanks.. you?"

The words were a bit disjointed and there was some sort of accent to your voice? No, like you couldn't pronounce the words. And the expression of gratitude was wrong. It was 'thanks you' instead of the normal usual one. But JJ wasn't the language police. What the hell was he doing critiquing your speaking and the way you thanked him when you could've been concussed for all he knew.

JJ's brow furrowed as you spoke, the hint of an unfamiliar accent not lost on him. He tried to place it but couldn't quite put his finger on it. It seemed like you weren't a local, but he wasn't sure where you were from exactly.

"You're welcome," he replied, his words a bit clunky, trying to ignore how odd it was to hold a conversation with a naked girl he had just met in a cave.

He took a deep breath, trying to think of what to do next.

He knew he couldn't just leave you alone, not with no memory of who you were.

"Look, I'm gonna take you somewhere safe, alright?" he said, leaning down slightly to make eye contact with you. "Somewhere you can get warm, dry off, and maybe figure some things out."

"Somewhere safe.." you mumbled almost reverently as if you were testing the words on your tongue. You watched JJ intently, eyes fixed into his baby blue ones when he leaned in slightly. He looked interesting, just like you but different in a way. Maybe because he was from up here. "That's good.." you nodded, your words still chopped and disjointed in JJ's ears.

He had to get you to his best friends as soon as possible.

JJ's heartbeat quickened at your words, your accent only adding to the mystery surrounding you. He tried to figure out where you were from but couldn't quite put his finger on it.

He nodded in agreement at your response, "Yeah, it'll be safe there. I have friends. They can help."

He wasn't quite sure how his friends would react to the strange girl with no memory he'd found on the beach, but he had to try. He extended a hand towards you.

Your eyes fell onto his extended hand, and then to your own clutching the fabric of the zip-up hoodie around you. You looked up at him then, and JJ understood you didn't really know what to make of his gesture if that was possible. Or you just didn't wanna take his hand in fear that the hoodie won't sit wrapped around you snuggly, keeping you warm. Which puzzled him. Did you even know how use the zipper of it? Did you knew that you didn't have to hold it wrapped around you and just zip it?

"Friends?" you asked quizzically, wrapping the hoodie around you even tighter, still not simply zipping it up.

JJ watched you clutch the fabric of the hoodie around you tighter and tighter, realizing you didn't seem to know how to use it properly.

He chuckled softly, finding your confusion endearing. He nodded in response to your question. "Yeah, friends. Good people. They'll help us."

He took a step closer, gesturing to the hoodie. "You don't have to hold it like that, you know. You can just zip it up."

You looked at him with wide eyes, processing his words. He could see the wheels turning in your mind as you tried to understand what he meant. It was as if the simple concept of a zipper was foreign to you.

JJ realized that he had to show you how to use the hoodie. He stepped closer, his hand gently touching yours, guiding you to the zipper. "Here, let me show you."

He slowly unzipped the hoodie, then carefully zipped it back up, making sure the garment fit snuggly around you, protecting you from the cold of the cave.

You shifted on your feet after he zipped it up, smiling down at the hoodie as it was zipped up and protecting you from the chill of the cave or JJ's eyes, almost mesmerized at how the zipper worked. You locked eyes with him, holding your hand out just like he did, not stepping closer, just extending out your hand.

It seemed like you were more imitating JJ's gesture rather than offering him your hand to hold, and he found it even more strange. Your palm was extended stiffly and you turned your hand from side to side inspecting it, parting your fingers curiously.

JJ watched you closely, noticing the way you looked at the hoodie with fascination, as if you had never seen one before. But what caught his attention more was your attempt at imitating his gesture, extending your hand awkwardly.

He raised an eyebrow in confusion, watching as you inspected your own hand, turning it from side to side. It was bizarre, and he wondered what you were thinking.

"What are you doing?" he asked gently, curious about your strange behavior.

You held out your hand closer to his face, parting your fingers and turning your hand as if showing it to JJ. You then pointed to his own hand, the same look of intense thought flitting over your features before you mumbled while stepping closer, "same.."

JJ's eyebrows furrowed as he leaned in closer, trying to understand what you meant. You held out your hand, parting your fingers and turning it, as if showing it to him. Then you pointed to his own hand, mumbling the word "same."

JJ's eyes widened as he realized what you were trying to say. You were comparing your hand to his, noting the similarities in your gesture.

"Yeah," he said, holding his hand next to yours. "They look the same."

JJ stood next to you, his hand extended next to yours, trying to understand you better. He found your behavior odd yet fascinating. It was as if you were learning about the world for the first time, discovering even the simplest things.

He watched as you stared at his hand next to yours, still marveling at how identical they looked. Then, without warning, you suddenly reached out and took his hand in yours, holding it up to the light.

You grabbed his pointer finger and parted it from the middle one as if looking and expecting something between the fingers. Your deep purple eyes were focused on the space between his fingers before falling onto his rings, grazing your fingers over one of them, "Very shiny." you smiled, looking up at him with raised brows.

JJ watched you with a mix of amusement and fascination as you explored his hand. The way you examined his fingers and marveled at his rings intrigued him. He couldn't help but chuckle at your comment, a small smile forming on his face.

"Yeah, they are," he agreed, holding up his hand, and the light flickered on the silver ring on his finger. "You like shiny things, huh?"

He noticed how you seemed drawn to his rings, fascinated by their glinting beauty. It was as if you had never seen such adornments before, which added to the mystery surrounding you. JJ couldn't help but find your innocence endearing. He held up his hand, allowing the light to bounce off his rings, creating mesmerizing patterns on the cave walls.

"They're called rings," he explained gently. "They're pretty, right?"

"Pretty?" you asked, raising your brows in question now. Your eyes followed his hand, eyes fixed on his ring almost in awe.

JJ chuckled softly at your response, amused by your innocent curiosity. He could tell you were a bit out of touch with the world, but that only added to the charm.

"Yes, pretty," he nodded, holding up his hand again. "They're meant to look nice and draw attention. This one's my favorite."

He pointed to a specific ring on his finger, a simple silver band with a small stone embedded in it.

You inspected the small ring, your finger brushing over the small blue stone with a mesmerized curiosity. When you heard the word favorite it seemed like you remembered something, your face lighting up. You turned your head to the side, moving your hair out of the way to expose the back of your neck. JJ squinted slightly, trying to figure out what he was looking at, or what he was supposed to see.

He expected a necklace or maybe even earrings but what he saw made him even curious, if that was the correct word for what was happening. There was a small, blueish starfish on the back of your neck, its color vibrant and lively, the creature looking alive and well. Scratch that, not on— in your skin. Like it was embedded there, or grew on its own. Around it there were small seashells and even corrals growing? from your skin. Was he hallucinating? Was that a tattoo?

"Favorite." you muttered smiling, turning to face him again and let your damp hair fall over the back of your neck and cover whatever JJ saw.

JJ had expected to see a tattoo or a necklace, but what he found was unlike anything he had ever seen before. The small starfish, corals, and seashells seemed to grow from your skin, and it was both captivating and puzzling. Was he hallucinating? Dreaming? Yet your calm demeanor and cheerful smile suggested this bizarre spectacle was entirely normal to you. JJ's mind raced, trying to process the impossible sight before him, but he quickly composed himself as you turned back, your damp hair concealing your extraordinary neck.

"Um...yeah," he managed to say, still stunned. "That's... very unique."

JJ's mind was still trying to comprehend what he had seen, but he tried his best to maintain a calm facade. However, a million questions swirled in his head, each one more baffling than the last. Were you the result of some genetic experiment gone wrong? Or maybe you weren't even human at all? He decided to keep those thoughts to himself, not wanting to cause you any distress.

He tried to think of something to say, but his usual easy banter failed him. He blurted out the first thing that came to mind, "Did it hurt?"

"Hurt?" you asked, brows furrowing in confusion. "No." you shook your head, as if he was asking a stupid question. Which baffled JJ even more. He had to get you to his friends. As soon as possible. If he didn't, he'd think he was imagining all of this.

That's when he noticed it. The small seashells and corals were trailing from the back of your neck, scattered over your skin like freckles maybe? They trailed off on your shoulder, hidden away by the hoodie he had given you and he was wondering how he didn't notice them when you were... well, completely naked. Maybe it was the shock of finding you unconscious in this cave, and his efforts to not stare at your naked body.

JJ's eyes traced the path of the seashells and corals, noticing how they extended beyond your neck and onto your shoulder. He realized that he must've been too focused on ensuring your modesty earlier to fully take in the extent of these strange markings. His curiosity grew as he pondered the possibility that they might extend further down your body...

Clearing his throat, he tried to keep his voice casual. "Do they... go anywhere else?"

You shrugged nonchalantly, not understanding why this was a notable subject. "Yes. They do." you said simply. Of course. That made sense. Why did he feel his own cheeks warming? He was being ridiculous, trying to act as if this was not a shocking thing to happen. But why was the thought of them continuing down your body making his heart beat faster?

You gestured towards your back vaguely, you seemed oblivious to his curiosity, to the fact that you were showing him something completely and utterly abnormal, completely out from his world. Completely out of this world. And that you had done so the moment he woke you up. And still, you managed to be adorable. How were you even real?

JJ was struggling to remain composed, the mixture of curiosity and fascination battling with the surrealness of the situation. You spoke so simply, so nonchalantly, as if this was normal, as if you were not a walking contradiction. Normal yet abnormal, familiar yet utterly strange, adorable yet enigmatic. He found himself entranced, wanting to know more.

He couldn't help but wonder just how far those markings extended. The thought of them running down your back, across your... He quickly shook off that thought.

He cleared his throat and tried to sound casual again. "Um... can I see?" He mentally cursed himself for phrasing it that way. It sounded wrong. "I mean, if you're okay with it, I'd like to see where they go."

You shook your head, fidgeting with the hem of the hoodie. Of course. You were naked underneath. What was he asking you? He should get you out of the cave and to his friends. Get you clean clothes and try and figure out what the hell was he witnessing. And if you had anything to do with him being saved from drowning yesterday, out on the treacherous waters.

You looked down almost thoughtfully, before pointing to the top of your head. JJ stepped closer, too curious to stop himself, too eager to see what you were gonna show him next. He had to squint in the dim light of the cave, your fingers parting your hair a little to reveal.. Small tube-shaped corals, growing out of your head like horns. Just one tube on each side of your head, small dark reddish-brown corals.

Okay JJ was definitely hallucinating. Did you actually have them growing from your scalp too? And the sea-creatures seemed alive, like they were still underwater. And not on someone's body, on dry land.

JJ's mind reeled. First, the starfish growing on the nape of your neck, and now these horn-like corals on your scalp? This had to be some bizarre dream, some crazy scenario his brain had conjured up. But as he watched, the corals seemed to pulse with a subtle but rhythmic motion, as if they were alive, like the sea creatures they resembled.

He reached out, almost involuntarily, and touched one of the corals gently. It felt solid, tangible, unlike anything he had ever felt before.

A surprised gasp escaped his lips. The texture, the way it moved... it was unmistakably organic. These were not decorations, not some weird trick. They were a part of you, grown from your skin, as if you were some sort of walking reef.

His thoughts raced, trying to understand, to find a logical explanation for this bizarre sight, but all that came to mind was confusion and fascination.

"How...?" he started, then stopped himself, his eyes now roaming over your neck and shoulders, noticing more growths peeking out from underneath the hoodie you wore.

As his fingertips brushed against the corals, he could swear he felt a strange sort of electrical current. It was faint, like a gentle hum under his touch, a hint of some hidden energy.

His mind raced, trying to make sense of what he seeing, what he was feeling. Was this some form of mutation? Magic? Or was he just losing his mind? But you just ruffled your hair gently, covering the small coral tubes. Your expression was almost questioning, as if his bewilderment was abnormal. As if he was shocked at seeing something as common as a mole or a freckle.

Your nonchalant demeanor only baffled JJ more. It was as if having corals—no, whole ecosystems it seemed—growing out of your skin was the most normal, commonplace thing in the world.

His fingers lingered for a moment longer on the coral he'd touched, feeling the faint hum of energy beneath his fingertips. It was surreal, like trying to grasp a phantom. What were you?

"These..." he began, shaking his head slightly in disbelief still. "... They're real? They grow from your skin? How... is that even possible?"

You shifted on your spot, wiggling your toes in awe and looking down at your feet. You wanted to speak, but it seemed like your vocabulary was very limited. At least from what JJ heard when you spoke. Small one word responses, or just straight up repeating the words he'd said.

"They don't hurt." you mumbled, raising your eyes to lock them with his. You fell silent once again, fidgeting with your fingers. Although this was a slightly longer response, it still sounded chopped, and the look of concentration on your face told JJ that you were probably trying to find the right words. "These are my favorites." you added.

JJ's expression remained a mix of fascination and confusion. Hearing you speak in short, simple sentences added to the surreal feeling of the situation. It was like hearing a child talk, but even that didn't seem quite right.

He followed your gaze down at your feet and then back up to your face. The way you talked about them—these strange, living growths—as if they were just regular body parts, favorites at that.

He shook his head slightly, still trying to process it all. "Favorites?" he echoed, his voice laced with bemusement.

"Yes. Pretty." you nodded, a small smile tugging at your lips. And he realized that you were talking about these things just like he was talking about his rings. Showing him your favorites and feeling strangely proud over them.

Your smile, so simple yet so sincere, took him slightly off guard. To you, these corals, these strange things growing from every part of your body, were just like his favorite rings, bracelets or necklaces.

He ran a hand through his already messy hair, trying to wrap his head around everything. But despite the strangeness of it all, there was something oddly endearing about the way you were showing off, proud even.

He chuckled softly, a disbelieving shake of his head. "Pretty, huh?"

This felt like a fever dream. He was still in disbelief that you were even real. That you stood in front of him, having a conversation with him, in the middle of an empty cave—naked, for christ's sake—and casually showing off some corals, shell and sea-creatures that were growing out of your skin like some wild growth.

But there was something about the way you spoke about it, the way you smiled so proudly at him, that made him want to keep you talking..

JJ's train of thought was interrupted by the ring of his phone, which startled you, causing you to step back from him in fear at the sound.

JJ cursed under his breath upon hearing his phone ring, the sudden sound making you jump back slightly.

"Hey, it's okay," he said quietly, holding his hand up in a pacifying manner, trying to calm you down.

He took his phone from his back pocket, the screen flashing with the name of his friend Sarah, most likely wondering where he was.

"It's just a friend calling," he assured you, trying to keep his voice even to not alarm you again.

He answered the phone, keeping his gaze fixed on you, half expecting you to bolt at any second. But you stayed, although you looked more nervous now, your eyes shifting between him and the entrance to the cave.

JJ remembered why he was out here in the first place when he answered Sarah's call. His friends were most likely waiting for him, still walking around the beach mindlessly, looking for boat remnants or anything that had to do with his encounter yesterday out in the water.

Sarah's voice came through the phone, questioning JJ's whereabouts. He explained briefly where he was, not going into the details about the strange girl he had just found.

"I found something, " he simply said, leaving it at that. He caught a hint of surprise in Sarah's voice but she was used to the oddities of their life on the Outer Banks.

"Something or someone?" Sarah inquired, curiosity lacing her words.

JJ grimaced, shifting his weight nervously as he kept an eye on you, who was now poking at a nearby rock on the ground.

"Both, sort of" he admitted finally, running a hand through his messy blond hair. His eyes darted back to you, trying to gauge your reaction, but you seemed oddly fascinated by the rock, oblivious to their conversation.

Sarah chuckled softly through the phone. "Care to elaborate?" she asked, clearly amused by the cryptic response.

"I'll be out in a few, wait for me.." he whispered, stealing a glance at you once again. You seemed harmless, almost innocent in your fascination with the rock, but he knew appearances could be deceiving. He moved a little farther away from you, maintaining some distance as he spoke with Sarah.

Sarah sighed, her voice laced with a hint of concern now. "Alright, I'll let the others know." She paused for a moment. "Be careful, JJ. I don't know what you found, but this feels.. different."

JJ scoffed lightly at her worry, but he knew she had a point. "It's the Outer Banks, everything is different here" he replied, his voice tinged with a mixture of annoyance and anticipation.

Sarah chuckled. "Yeah, but this feels weirder than usual" she commented, her voice echoing his previous thoughts. She knew him too well.

JJ grumbled softly, looking over his shoulder at you. You were now crouching next to the rock, your focus entirely on it.

"I'll explain when we meet up" he said, his attention divided between the phone call and keeping an eye on you. He was itching with questions himself, but had to put them aside for the moment.

Sarah sighed on the other end of the line. "Okay, hurry up," she said, her tone filled with a mix of impatience and curiosity. There was a beep as she ended the call, leaving JJ to his thoughts.

He pocketed his phone, his eyes flickering back to you. You were now running your fingers along some symbols carved into the rock, your motions slow and almost reverent. He sighed walking closer to you, studying you intently. "We have to uh, go.." he mumbled, wondering if you even wanted to leave the cave in the first place.

As JJ approached you, you looked up at him, your expression one of curiosity again. You had been completely caught up in exploring the symbols on the rock, your fingers tracing them with an almost careful and gentle touch.

When he mentioned leaving, you stopped, tilting your head slightly to the side, as if considering his words. For a moment it seemed as though you were contemplating his statement, a thoughtful expression on your face. But eventually, you nodded, showing that you were willing to leave the cave with him.

JJ was surprised by your willingness to leave. "Oh.. Good." he said, a hint of relief in his voice. He had expected resistance from you, maybe even a tantrum for wanting to take you away from the cave. But no, here you were nodding your head in agreement just like that. He watched, still mesmerized by your strange behavior.

"Alright, let's go then." he added, extending his hand to you, hoping you'd take it without any protest.

You looked at his hand, standing up straight, before pointing down at the small rock you were inspecting. It was as if you were asking JJ if you could take it. You crouched down and took it in your hands, extending it to him questioningly before placing your hand in his and stepping closer.

He looked at the rock you were holding, it was rather small and looked ordinary. But your fixation on it didn't go unnoticed, there was something about it that you found significant. JJ studied you for a few seconds before saying.

"Yeah, sure, we can take it if you want..." he said, giving you a little nod, trying to understand your strange behavior. He was still processing all of this. He watched as you placed your hand in his, now holding your small palm in his larger one.

He led you out of the cave, his grip on your hand firm but gentle at the same time. The walk on the beach was quiet, your eyes darting around you curiously, and then watching the waves crashing against the sandy shores with some sort of longing if JJ wasn't wrong..

They walked in silence for a while, your hand still tucked safely in his. JJ couldn't help but steal quick glances at you, his curiosity only growing with each passing minute. Your odd fascination with the cave, your strange behavior and the fact you were naked under his hoodie.

The silence was suddenly interrupted by the sound of a sea gull above them, causing you to look up at the bird with a small amount of interest, and a small smile tugging at your lips. JJ's grip on your hand tightened as they walked. He was hyperaware of the fact that you weren't wearing anything underneath that hoodie. He still couldn't understand how you managed to be so calm, being almost fully bare in front of a stranger. He tried to shake the thought from his mind, focusing on the path ahead.

As they continued walking, they could hear the distant sound of voices and the rustling of their friends as they approached. Soon enough, JJ's best friends came into view, sitting on the beach and discussing something urgently looking up when they heard JJ and you approaching.

Sarah and Kiara looked at you in surprise, their eyes wide with shock. Pope and John B exchanged confused glances before looking at JJ for some kind of explanation. To say they all were confused was an understatement.

JJ assumed that he had the same expression as his best friends on his face when he found you unconscious in the cave, covered in seaweed and kelp. Which amused him for a split second before he realized the gravity of the situation. Wait until they saw the corals and creatures growing from your skin..

A/N: Finally posted this request! this is actually such an interesting story to write but the plot has me a bit stunned at the moment because i don't know where to take it. Asks, reblogs and comments would be appreciated since i wanna know if you want part two to this story also!

Tag-list*:･ﾟ✧ @cali-888, @bee-43, @jjscoquette, @melsbels-zip, @stanseventeen @wh0reforbucknasty @wtfisastiles @annaconscience @pqndxra @carrerascameron @nini2mem @iynsane @gublerstylesobrien1238 @wrldfilms

[vampiriito]

Pillow talk and the fifth amendment (r.c flashback)

(JJ Maybank x pogue! reader x Rafe Cameron) ..in which you found yourself torn between two worlds when your best friend, JJ Maybank, who you've been in love with since forever starts dating Kiara. In a jealousy haze you start hooking up with Rafe Cameron, the infamous kook prince. Do you manage to keep everything casual and under control? No, is it fun? Also kind of no, given you hate yourself each time you managed to orgasm. And especially since Rafe's favorite activity is to pick on you and your friends outside the bedroom..

Sometimes working made you feel like you were living alone and just keeping yourself afloat. At times you liked to pretend you were a young adult working while she went to a college in New York, away from all the bullshit on the island. But you weren't. More than half of your paychecks went to your mom directly for "bills and food." Judging by how sometimes you didn't even have electricity, internet or hot water, you could only guess the money that your mom took from you went to something completely different than food and bills. She didn't even try to hide it, the fridge being mostly empty on the days her boyfriend wasn't over. She managed to eat god knows where and you were left doing the same.

Still, you were trying to save up for when you managed to graduate high school, which seemed almost undoable some days. The thought of finally leaving the island and living alone, living on a minimum wage paycheck didn't seem as bad to you, as it seemed to some people. As long as you managed to take a way out, you didn't mind where and what you ended up doing. Of course, sometimes it felt like island had its own way of keeping you anchored on its land. Your mom was a perfect example of that. No matter how much she tried, she ended up with a kid, living from day to day in a trailer park. Still on this stupid island she so desperately wanted to leave. Which scared the living shit out of you when you thought about on particular nights, the vodka or beer hitting you differently.

You polished the pint in your hand almost mindlessly, eyes fixed on the glass for any stains even though your mind was obviously elsewhere. At times like these you hated putting on the stupid club uniform and going to work to interact with the wealthy kooks who were looking to get day-drunk and talk shit about each other while dressed in expensive sundresses and colorful polos. Especially since you'd see most of them at parties snorting pounds of blow like it was a talent, coming to the country club and pretending like everything was fine. Pretending like they weren't rotten underneath the pastel colors of their designer threads and sparkling jewelry.

Which Rafe didn't really liked to partake in. Sure he dressed in high end clothes and wore rings that cost more than your monthly paycheck but he wasn't embarrassed to let the people around him know how rotten and unstable he actually was. His father's wealth managed to soften the blow and the looks he'd get, most people masking their distaste for him behind perfectly manicured respect. But some people his age still liked to whisper among themselves and once he turned away, the façade of respect fell. And he always felt the weight of it shattering behind his back.

Reason why he liked you in the first place. You didn't care about his wealth, or the coke he sold. You didn't even bother to put your customer service voice when you served him. You disliked him because he was simply Rafe, and that was more attractive than he liked to admit. With your recent interactions, his fascination with you continued to grow, despite the fact that you were in fact right.. He didn't really know you. Not that he didn't try. But he was okay with sleeping with you without knowing you fully, or without you being in love with him. He just didn't like that you were in love with the blonde, annoying and loud pogue. JJ Maybank.

It was a pretty slow day in the country club, which he should've been glad of, except that made it hard for him to keep himself entertained. And he was bored out of his mind, which was never a good sign, a sign that he could get into trouble, which he loved to do when he was bored. It was something to do, something to take his mind off the never-ending mess his life was. He sat on one of the high tables, a half empty glass of some bourbon clutched in his hand, listening to his friends ramble about the most recent party they went to.

His eyes were lazily wandering around the room, taking in the decor and the few people roaming around, his gaze stopping on the bar, catching your form working behind the counter. His fingers drummed on the glass in his hand as his gaze lingered on you for a beat longer than it should have, thoughts wandering in a very familiar direction.

His eyes trailed down your body, taking in how the blue buttoned down shirt of the uniform hugged you, the top few buttons undone, giving him an enticing view if he stood a little closer before raising his gaze back up. His thoughts were interrupted as one of his friends noticed the look on his face, "You staring at one of the waitresses again?" the boy nudged him, an amused smirk on his face.

"You know, you shouldn't get too involved with the help.. Might catch something.." interjected one of the boys sitting at table before Rafe could respond to Topper's comment.

Rafe rolled his eyes, shaking his head, his gaze still locked on you but now with a tight jaw. He was getting annoyed already. "Please, I highly doubt any of the waitresses here are stupid, or desperate enough to risk getting mixed up with someone like me." It was mostly the truth. Sure some girls were desperate for money but you weren't stupid. He could see it in your eyes in every brief look you threw him from the bar.

Topper chimed in again, letting out an annoying little laugh that made Rafe want to punch him right there at the table. "Why not? You're rich. You could offer one of those girls a couple hundred dollars and they would be yours, man."

He ignored him this time, his gaze still on you behind the bar where you were getting something from the other side of the bar. His heart pounded in his chest just looking at you, but at the same time, he was pissed. Not at you of course, but at the fact that his friends were getting on his damn nerves, but more so at the thought of you being with any of them instead of him. Especially when Topper's idiotic, suggestive tone and words left an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach.

He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, taking a gulp of bourbon, the liquid burning in his throat as he swallowed. He almost wanted to get up and go somewhere else to sit and drink, but Topper's voice stopped him before he could. "Don't tell me you like one of the waitresses. That ain't smart, man. They're mostly trailer trash. They ain't your type." He said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world, almost amused by the idea.

"Hold on.. ain't that the chick he took home from your party last week?" asked Kelce with a curious gaze. He shifted between looking at you behind the bar a few good feet away and at Rafe sitting in front of him, his face growing more amused.

Rafe almost cursed at him, taking another gulp of his bourbon, his ears going red as Topper turned to look at Kelce in surprise. He hated that they noticed you and even more so, that they noticed he took you home. He felt a protective, territorial feeling building in the pit if his stomach at the thought of them possibly looking at you, so he shut his mouth instead of protesting.

What caught Rafe's attention though was one of the guy's lingering gaze on you. Jack, some dude from the mainland who was hanging out with him at the time due to his family ties with Topper, pissed him off mildly. Rafe didn't know what it was about the guy, his face looked like he asked to get punched. He didn't act on it, of course. He didn't really do anything to personally offend Rafe in the few days he hung around them. The brunette was eyeing you with a subtle sense of recognition, as if he'd seen you before, even though you had never interacted before. Or so he thought, anyway.

Topper was still giving Rafe a look, his smirk growing even more amused as he picked up the tumbler of his bourbon to throw it back. "Is that one? The girl you took home?" he asked, not even bothering to hide the disbelief from his tone. They all knew how Rafe usually was. He didn't do hook-ups with just anyone, and you were no exception, at least in his eyes.

He clenched his jaw a little bit, keeping his cool as best as he could, as all his friends eyes settled on him questioningly. "So what if I did?" he asked back, feigning nonchalance, as if it was nothing. Like he wasn't burning up with anger as they talked about you in front them, like you weren't right there, just a few feet away from them. The sound of alcohol in their glasses as they took another sip was the only sound in the room for a few moments, before Topper spoke.

Topper scoffed, rolling his eyes at Rafe's reaction. "Not like you to take a girl like her home.. thought you'd be banging some Kook trust fund chick. Not one of the help."

Rafe knew that was the truth. He had a certain reputation for only going after the rich girls here, but he found himself wanting something different for once. You were different, in almost every way, and he liked it. But there was no way he would admit this to his friends, so he just shrugged nonchalantly, taking another gulp of his drink.

The other guys at the table all shared a look as Rafe shrugged, a few of them letting out laughs at his nonchalant demeanor. Topper though, was not falling for it. "You really took one of the workers home? Aren't you worried you'll catch something? You might wanna get your junk checked out, dude." He said jokingly, his eyes still fixed on Rafe's face.

Rafe's hands closed tightly around the glass in his hand at the comment, his entire body tense. He was getting angry again, the thought of you being the topic of conversation making his blood boil and the thought of this idiot assuming you're some kind of disease-ridden slut was making him see red. Before he could even respond, Kelce, sensing the shift in atmosphere and the growing tension among them, spoke up, trying to diffuse the situation.

He could feel Kelce eyeing him warily while Jack still kept his gaze glued to you, his face a picture of subtle interest. Rafe was seething inside, trying to control his temper as Kelce's words cut through the awkward silence, "Hey, let's not talk about the help.. just a bunch of trailer trash anyway."

"Trash.. but good for a quickie, am I right?" Topper said with a smirk, the guy's all laughing at his comment as he looked up to catch you glancing their way for a split second. The guys, besides Kelce, were all amused by the sight of you working behind the bar and you being the topic of their conversation.

Rafe's fingers were gripping the glass so hard it seemed like it would crack at any second, his entire expression neutral as he watched all the guys laugh at that. It took all he had to not pounce across that table and slam his fist right into Topper's face. Instead, he sat there with gritted teeth, his jaw clenched so tight it might snap. Because he had no reason to want to defend you. Hell, by now he should be joining in on the teasing. Especially since you were kind of a bitch to him when sober.

"She ain't bad looking though. Kind of hot." Jack said, his eyes still trained on you, which was really getting on Rafe's nerves as he spoke. "Yeah, maybe if you're into trailer trash." Topper added, and before Rafe could shut him up, Kelce intervened again.

Rafe's jaw was so clenched now, you could hear his teeth grind from across the room. "Don't be an ass, just leave it." Kelce said to Topper, giving him a look. Kelce seemed to have some decency at least, even though he probably agreed with Topper.

Topper shrugged, dismissing Kelce and the look he gave him. "Just sayin' the obvious." he retorted, leaning back in his chair. "You can't deny it. You'd let her ride you like a rodeo." he added, grinning at the others in the table, who let out snorts of agreement. "Nah, I don't mess with that type." Kelce spoke up, sipping his drink, his eyes roaming around the club as he spoke.

Topper's comment made Rafe amused for some reason. Not because Topper was a comical genius, but because unknown to them he actually let you do just that 2 out of the 3 times you slept together, memories flooding into his brain briefly. He remembered you cutting up his favorite belt with your switchblade the first night and he most definitely remembered the time a few days ago when he took you home after getting spiked and you ended up sleeping with him again. Which you didn't seem to really mind, given you weren't chewing him out for it. Maybe you actually liked it.

Rafe found himself getting lost in his own thoughts again, drowning out the conversation the guys were having as his mind wandered. He was getting irritated once more as he caught Jacks lingering gaze on you, and to his dismay, you were returning the eye contact. It was probably just you looking around, but he didn't know that. The sight of you meeting eyes with anyone other than him made his possessive thoughts run rampant.

Topper noticed Rafe's gaze, the way his eyes were glued on you as you worked silently behind the bar. He followed his gaze, chuckling upon noticing the expression on your face as you peered through the crowd, locking eyes with no one other than Jack. He could tell Rafe was fuming, despite the blank expression on his face, and decided to speak up again, clearly amused, "She's looking your way. Maybe she likes you better."

Rafe's eyes snapped back to Topper just in time to see his smug look, and he bit his tongue to hold back the snarky response on his tongue. He knew Jack was pretty damn attractive. Of course he saw how girls were throwing themselves at him, even though he looked like the type to try and roofie you. But he didn't care if you noticed him, his eyes darting across the room and catching the way you were still looking in their direction. Which bothered him for a reason he couldn't comprehend.

Jack seemed to catch your line of sight, a smirk forming on his face before his eyes lingered on you some more. Rafe could feel his blood boiling at that stupid look on the guy's face, his fingers clenching into a fist. Topper noticed Rafe's reaction, grinning at the sight of him trying to hold back from jumping out of his seat. "She's still looking at you man.. you gonna go talk to her or what?" he said to Jack, still determined to piss Rafe off.

Just as Rafe was about to finally snap at them, Jack was already pushing his chair away from the table and standing up. He looked a bit cocky at the opportunity, clearly up for the challenge of getting a girl. "Yeah, I think I might." He said before heading over, his gaze still on you.

At this point, Rafe had completely tuned out the others, who were amused at the sight before them. His gaze was fixed on you and the guy making his way over towards you, making his way to the very bar you were standing behind. He couldn't look away even if he wanted to. Jack stopped right in front of the bar, a charming and cocky smile on his face that made Rafe even more furious.

You, who was still working behind the bar, could see Rafe's table from far away, and you noticed the guy making his way over to the bar. That, and of course you noticed Rafe sitting in one of the high chairs. That was a new habit he had formed. Coming to the club every other day and just sitting at one of the tables, watching you work. And you'd be a liar if you had said it didn't make you feel uneasy and a little hot at the same time.

You weren't exactly thrilled at the sight of the mildly familiar yet strange guy approaching your bar with a determined look plastered on his face. You continued to polish the glasses you just washed, shifting your gaze down in hopes he was just coming over to order a drink or get a refill.

Jack stopped in front of the bar, taking a quick perusal of your figure in the tight fitting country club uniform. His gaze lingered, taking in every detail, from your name tag to the buttons of your shirt. It left him impressed with how pretty you were, and his lips curled upwards as he noticed you looking down at the glasses instead of at him.

He waited a few seconds for you to acknowledge him and look up, but you just continued your busy work, obviously pretending your weren't noticing his presence. He cleared his throat and leaned forward on the bar, "Excuse me."

You hummed, finally raising your gaze up from the last glass you were polishing, plastering a fake polite smile on your face to indicate you acknowledged him.

He leaned a little more forward, looking at you through hooded eyes, his gaze roaming over your face like he was studying you. He was shamelessly scanning your body, letting his gaze roam over the curves of your chest and the buttons that ran down the middle of your shirt, before letting his eyes meet yours again. "Can I order something strong?" he asked, his voice quiet.

You suppressed the urge to grimace at him, reaching up to adjust your glasses nodding. "If you're looking to get day-drunk, maybe.. What's it gonna be?" you asked, still trying to mask the hint of unease at getting checked out so blatantly.

He thought for a second, a subtle smirk forming on his face as he watched you. He knew he made you uneasy, and that only spurred him on. He kept his gaze locked on you as he spoke, "Whiskey neat. Thanks." His eyes flicked between yours, studying your expression and the slight frown on your face.

You nodded, turning around to grab a rocks glass and pour a shot of Bourbon in the short tumbler. Your movements were quick and swift, going thru the motions of serving the simple drink before sliding the glass on the counter to him. Your eyes flitted towards Jack's table, catching Rafe's eyes for a split second before looking at the man you were serving. "You got a tab open?" you asked unenthused, smiling politely once again.

Jack took the glass from you, noticing the brief moment where you looked over at Rafe's table. His gaze flicked back to you and he took in the fake, polite smile you gave him. He was amused, taking a small sip from the glass before answering your question, "No. Just pay now."

"That will be 30 bucks.." you stated, looking down at his glass.

Jack raised his eyebrows in surprise. $30 was a lot for a single shot, but he was used to prices like that. He pulled his wallet out of his back pocket, pulling out a crisp fifty dollar bill. He slid it over to you, "Keep the change." he said nonchalantly, taking another sip of his drink as his gaze flickered over your figure again.

You raised one brow subtly as he handed you a fifty dollar bill, urging you to keep the 20 as a tip. These rich, snobby kids could really just go around and pay 30$ for a drink and leave a 20 dollar bill as a tip. Incredible. "How nice.." you mused under your breath, stashing the 50 in the register and taking the 20 bill to hand it back to him with the receipt. Basically flat out refusing his tip.

You raised one brow subtly as he handed you a fifty dollar bill, urging you to keep the 20 as a tip. These rich, snobby kids could really just go around and pay 30$ for a drink and leave a 20 dollar bill as a tip. Incredible. "How nice.." you mused under your breath, stashing the 50 in the register and taking the 20 bill to hand it back to him with the receipt. Basically flat out refusing his tip.

Jack couldn't help but scoff at your reaction. He was well used to people bowing to him and jumping at the opportunity of tips, but you weren't giving him that. He was used to people being overly nice and polite to him, not giving him bitchy attitude. He smirked back at you, his gaze narrowing as he leaned back on the bar, his gaze roaming your form again. "I told you to keep the change." he repeated slowly.

"I was making sure i heard you correctly.." you chuckled dryly, pocketing the tipped bill in the pocket of your apron. You moved back to washing and polishing the remainder of the glasses, fully expecting him to just get up and leave from the bar nor that the interaction was done.

Instead of doing what you had expected, he stayed where he was, leaning forward on the bar and watching you with a smirk as you continued polishing the glasses. He sipped on the Bourbon he had ordered, observing your movements with a curious gaze. You were pretty, of course he noticed. But he just couldn't understand why you wouldn't be bowing down to him like the rest of the girls here.

You looked back up at him and then at the table he came from once again. Topper was watching his cousin and you intently with a shit eating grin, not trying to hide that he was staring along with Kelce. Rafe was just.. sitting there, trying to resist the urge to look over his shoulder at the scene of Jack trying to chat you up. "Do you.. need something else?" you asked awkwardly, raising one brow.

Jack's gaze flickered back to yours, and he leaned even closer across the bar, his smirk widening as he noticed your hesitancy and your obvious efforts of trying to get rid of him. He chuckled as you asked if he needed anything else, clearly amused.

He watched how you briefly stole a glance over at Rafe's table, noticing Topper's smirk and Kelce looking in your direction as well. Jacks gaze hardened just a bit as he spoke up, "No.. don't think so."

"Thought the country club boys didn't really like to chat it up with... the help." you spoke evenly, customer service voice still standing strong against your disinterest in the guy sitting in front of you.

Jack's smirk grew even bigger. He was amused by your boldness, but he also found your attitude kind of intriguing, if not a little bit aggravating. He took another sip of his drink, his gaze still roaming over you, taking in every feature on your face. "Depends on the help." he replied bluntly, eyeing you with a sly smile.

You raised your brows, shaking your head gently to yourself. The guy was trying. You were wondering if Rafe sent him over to entertain his little group of clowns. Certainly their friend trying to hit on you might amuse him. "Smooth.." you smirked cynically, looking back down at the champagne glass you were lazily polishing.

Jack let out a small laugh, amused at how you were reacting to him. He was used to women melting at the sight of him, and here you were, acting like he wasn't the finest man you've ever seen. It was intriguing and frustrating at the same time. He leaned in slightly, his gaze not faltering from your face, "You're fun. A little disrespectful, but fun." he mused under his breath, chuckling softly.

Disrespectful? Wow, that was a new one. "Do you.. wanna file a formal complaint?" you muttered teasingly, not raising your gaze to glance at him, chuckling quietly.

He was amused, his smirk widening as you teased him. He took a moment to reply, taking another sip of his drink, "I'll pass. This is more fun." He chuckled softly, his gaze drifting over your face, "You usually act like this to all your lovely customers?"

"Not usually, no.." you spoke flatly and shook your head. "I usually save this attitude for the Cameron boy at your table.. Seems like he didn't wanna verbally abuse each other today and sent you to torture me.." you added, nodding vaguely towards Rafe sitting at his table with Topper and Kelce.

Jack hummed, following your gaze to the table of boys sitting in the corner. His eyebrows rose at your comment, the smirk still plastered on his face, "You know him? The guy who's sitting over there?" He asked bluntly.

You smirked genuinely for the first time Jack ordered his drink, your teeth sinking into your bottom lip as you studied the glass in your gloved hands with an amused look. Oh, how did you know Rafe.. "You could say that, yeah.." you responded, grinning once you locked eyes with Jack.

Jack's eyes narrowed slightly, something about the look on your face, the way you looked the way you smiled whenever you looked over at their table... He felt something. But he was more intrigued by the fact that you knew Rafe. He shifted forward a bit on the barstool, leaning in slightly, "You guys good friends or something?"

You grimaced slightly at the word 'friends'. You and Rafe, friends... What a joke. Maybe with benefits if it came to giving a label to whatever it was that you were doing with one another. Although you weren't friends. Maybe enemies with benefits seeing as you didn't really like Rafe outside the fact that he was good in bed. "No.. Not exactly." you shrugged, your answers continuing to be small and cryptic.

Jack's eyebrows raised, a curious gleam in his eyes as he heard your answer. The fact that you knew Rafe obviously peaked his interest and he was quick to pick up on the fact that you were intentionally leaving something out. "Then what are you?" he asked bluntly, a smirk playing on his lips as he waited for your answer.

"Trailer park trash..? In his words.." you chuckled heartily, sparing Rafe another glance. "We don't really get along that much.." you added quietly, leaning in slightly.

Jack huffed, a smirk still lingering on his face as he took another gulp form his glass. He was amused, that's why he was prolonging this conversation. You were easy on the eyes, feisty and bold, it intrigued him. "He seems like a dick." he stated flatly, his eyes flickering towards Rafe for a second before landing on you again.

Your brows furrowed in confused amusement at his statement, "Aren't you his friend?" you asked, studying his face intently.

Jack scoffed at your question, taking another sip of his drink and setting the glass down on the counter. "Never said I was his friend." he answered bluntly.

You looked over to Rafe once again, your amused expression falling as you turned back to Jack, "You're not from the island, right?" you asked almost cautiously, chewing the inside of your cheek.

Jack's smirk grew a bit at your question, raising his eyebrows at your cautiousness. He shook his head, "No. What gave it away?" he chuckled softly, his gaze not breaking away from your face.

The way he acted, first of all. Especially in relation to Rafe. Any guy in their right mind, who hung out around THE Rafe Cameron, would scramble to claim that they were friends. Every kook on the island wanted to be associated with the Camerons. But not this guy, he acted like a tourist, but with extra steps. Maybe a cousin of either Topper or Kelce. Definitely not Kelce.. "Just the way you act.." you shrugged, your words casual as you looked down at your gloved hands.

Jack hummed under his breath, amused at the way you observed him so closely, trying to figure him out. He watched you with interest, leaning back against the barstool, "And how do I act?" he asked bluntly, a sly smirk on his lips.

"Like a touron with extra steps.." you whispered mockingly, eyes narrowed in condescension.

Jack chuckled at your dig, amused by your attempt to provoke him. He leaned in closer, his smirk growing wider, "Touron.. Haven't heard that one before." he said with a scoff, raising his eyebrows jokingly in a mockery of shock. His eyes were fixed intensely one yours before they flickered down to your chest area, his gaze lingering on the buttons of your shirt.

"It's an Outer Banks thing.. Just like 'Kook' and 'Pogue'.." you rolled your eyes with a smile, pleased that you had the upper hand in the conversation and he didn't since he wasn't from around here.

Jack rolled his eyes in return, chuckling under his breath before leaning in even closer, his gaze flickering down to your chest again as he spoke in a hushed tone, "From your smile i have a feeling you're hiding small insults behind your words, ones I'm not capable of hearing..."

You rolled your eyes once again, this time in subtle annoyance rather than amusement "Calm down outsider, I'm not insulting you.." you muttered, scoffing.

Jack smirked in response, amused by the annoyed look on your face, "You sure seem like you want to-" he retorted, his gaze sliding over your body once more, "..but I'll give you a pass, just cause you're pretty."

You pretended to be flattered by his words, gasping in mock gratefulness. "Whatever would i have done if i wasn't saved by my pretty privilege.." you spoke mockingly, placing a hand over your heart sardonically.

Jack scoffed at your comment, his smirk growing even wider. He leaned in closer, his gaze flickering down to your chest once again before returning to your face, "Oh, I'm sure you know exactly how to take advantage of it."

Your eyes narrowed as you noticed his gaze drift down to your chest once again, for the millionth time since the conversation started. Men. "My tits are not gonna change shape or color if you continue to glance at them.." you sighed in annoyance, not even bothering to stop the sarcasm and irritation from rolling out of your words.

Jack's smirk turned coy, his gaze returning to your eyes after he was caught in the act. He chuckled under his breath, amused by your direct call-out, "I'm curious now, what are they like-" he muttered teasingly, his eyes flickering from your face down to your chest and back again, raising his eyebrows in mock sincerity.

"Maybe you can ask your buddy Rafe, then.. I'm sure he knows what they're like.." you trailed off cryptically, sparing another glance towards the table of Kooks.

Jack's cocky expression faltered for a second, replaced with something resembling annoyance and curiosity. He shifted on the barstool, crossing his arms over his chest, "And why would he know that?" he asked bluntly, his gaze flicking towards the table where Rafe was sitting before returning to you.

"Why do you think?" you asked, raising your brows knowingly, reaching up to adjust your glasses.

Jack huffed, his lips pressed in a tight line. He hated that he couldn't get a proper answer out of you, it was irritating. "That's not an answer.." he grumbled underneath his breath, eyeing you with narrowed eyebrows.

You scoffed as you distracted yourself by putting away some of the glasses you polished. This guy was starting to really annoy you. "My job application didn't entail me giving you answers about who gets to see my tits or not.." you muttered.

Jack chuckled in response, amused by your snarkiness. He leaned back slightly, taking a long sip from his drink as he studied your face, "No, but your job application definitely involves being polite and courteous to guests.." he retorted, grinning slyly.

"Yeah, when they're keeping their eyes on appropriate parts of my body.. Like my face for example.." you narrowed your eyes, slipping off the rubber gloves to button up the top 3 buttons on your light blue uniform shirt.

Jacks eyes widened in surprise at your action, his gaze dropping down to follow your fingers as they buttoned up your shirt, his expression a mix of annoyance and intrigue. He bit down on his lip for a second, before leaning in slightly, his voice dropping to a hushed whisper, "You're no fun.."

You sighed, adjusting your glasses unenthusiastically "I've been called worse.." you stated, fixing him with your gaze.

He couldn't help but chuckle in response, his smirk growing wider as he took in your expression. He leaned a bit closer, his gaze wandering over you before meeting your eyes again, "I can't tell if you love or hate me right now.." he said bluntly.

You raised on brow, scoffing in mock disbelief "Those are the only options i get?" you asked, pretending to be disappointed. "Maybe i feel a third, secret thing towards you.."

Jack's smirk widened into a grin despite his best efforts to contain it, intrigued by your response. He leaned in closer, his gaze locked on yours, "Oh yeah.. What's the third thing?" he asked curiously, fully invested in your answer now.

You tapped your chin, pretending to think over your answer "Definitely not something as strong as 'love' or 'hate'... Maybe disgust or even annoyance. Or perhaps boredom.." you stated in a sickly sweet tone, despite the sarcasm in your words.

Jack chuckled at your response, his gaze never faltering from your face. His smirk faltered for a moment, his expression hardening slightly but his amusement prevailed, "Ouch, that stung." He said in a mock pained tone before continuing, "I can live with 'annoyance', though."

You pinched the bridge of your nose, growing more and more annoyed as the conversation stretched. You were definitely starting to appreciate the fact that despite being annoying, Rafe was definitely more charming with the banter and the attempts to irritate you. Maybe sleeping with him before contributed to that. "Is this what you country-club freaks do for fun?" you asked, letting out another sigh "Just.. bother the workers? Or is this your attempt at hitting on me and not succeeding?"

Jack huffed, his expression darkening slightly. Despite his cocky facade, he was evidently getting irritated at your comments, "This isn't an attempt for anything.. I'm just trying to chat.. And you're not making it easy." he responded, his gaze fixed on yours.

"I get like.. 30 of you "trying" to chat me up during my shift. While also ordering the same fucking thing as you did.." you pointed to his almost finished glass of Bourbon. "In the middle of the day too.. Whiskey neat to get day-drunk, isn't as unique as you like to think.."

Jack rolled his eyes in response, raising an eyebrow. He let out an amused scoff, taking a final gulp from his glass and setting it back on the counter. He leaned in closer, his gaze meeting yours, "Maybe if you weren't so damn annoying to chat with, you would get asked out more..."

You plastered another fake and polite smile on your face, obviously not deterred by his not so subtle jab at you being hard to talk to. "Guys ask me out.. I just don't go.." you muttered, your smile widening.

Jack's expression darkened slightly, his gaze narrowing as he studied you, "Now that is surprising.. You have the kind of face that guys should be dropping on their knees for.." He leaned back on his stool, his smirk growing slightly, "But that mouth.."

He trailed off, his eyes flickering down to your mouth. He let out a scoff, his gaze flickering up to meet yours, "I can see why they stop after one try.."

You grimaced in pure annoyance now, going back to putting away the remainder of the polished glasses. "Maybe you should follow along, then.."

Jack chuckled, amused by your annoyance. He leaned forward, his arms resting on the bar, "I'm not the kind of guy who takes no for an answer so easily, darling."

You scoffed as if he had confirmed something by saying that, shaking your head to yourself "Trust me, you act the part.." you muttered breathlessly.

Jack's expression grew curious, a slight smirk tugging at his lips, "What part am I acting?" He asked, his gaze locking on yours. He couldn't tell if your words were a compliment or a jab at him.

"The part where you clearly can't tell when someone is not interested.." you responded bluntly.

Jack rolled his eyes in response, leaning back on the barstool once again. He let out a scoff, his gaze narrowing as he studied you, "You say you're not interested but you're the one who keeps the conversation going.." he retorted, his tone growing annoyed.

You turned back to face him, sighing loudly, obviously fed up with his shit. "Okay fine.. I'm ending the conversation and politely asking you to leave the bar."

Jack's gaze hardened at your demand, his irritation clear on his face. He clenched his jaw, his eyes flickering with annoyance before he sighed and stood up from the barstool, grabbing his wallet and tossing another 20 dollar tip on the counter.

He adjusted his shirt, his expression still annoyed but more passive now. "You're fun.. Sometimes.." he muttered, his gaze flickering from your face to your chest for the last time before turning away and heading back towards his friends at their table, throwing you one last look over his shoulder.

You watched as he made his way back to Rafe's table, Topper instantly brightening up as Jack approached the table. You glanced back down at the second 20 dollar tip, smiling to yourself. You just made 40 bucks by simply rejecting an annoying kook's advances. The country-club job continued to surprise you.

Rafe had been watching the interaction from the table the entire time, his gaze fixated on you and Jack. He was watching with irritation and jealousy, his expression hardening as he noticed how close the guy got to you. He couldn't hear what you two were saying, but he sure could see how close the guy's face got to yours as he leaned on the bar.

Topper let out a whoop as Jack sat back down, slapping his back in a half-hearted attempt to cheer him up for his failed attempt at hitting on you. He smirked, "Not so successful, huh?" he asked, glancing over towards the bar in amusement.

Jack leaned back against the chair, trying to maintain his composure after the less than successful conversation. He huffed, annoyance evident on his face, "I don't get it, man.. I had her going for a bit, she was even playing along.. Then out of nowhere she just shut me down.”

Topper shook his head, amused by his cousin's frustration, "Yeah, that's usually how it goes when you try to have a civil conversation with a Pogue girl.." he responded with a shrug, grabbing his almost depleted beer and downing it in one large gulp.

Rafe had been listening with a mix of amusement and satisfaction, sipping on his beer quietly. He couldn't help but feel amused by how his friend failed to sweep you off your feet and annoyed that you were even giving him the time of day. He stayed silent, trying to keep his own jealousy and irritation in check.

Jack let out a loud sigh, still annoyed and irritated with how the interaction ended. He leaned forward, his eyes flickering over to the bar, "She's a piece of work, that one.." he muttered, still staring at you. Topper chuckled, taking another gulp of his beer, "Yeah.. But she's fine.. Wouldn't mind getting a piece of that myself.." he joked, earning a scoff from Jack.

Rafe's grip on his beer tightened involuntarily, his jaw clenching as he overheard their comments. He knew how men talked about women all the time. But for some reason, hearing them talk about you rubbed him the wrong way. He took another gulp of his beer, trying to mask his irritation.

Of course Rafe had no claim over you. It wasn't like the two of you were dating. You slept together three times and that was it. He was more than sure that if he walked over to the bar right now, you'd give him the same attitude you gave Jack, maybe worse. So his irritation and jealousy were completely unwarranted since you were a piece of work and an absolute menace to have around. And Rafe was well aware of the fact that you were in love with your annoying pogue best friend. God, if he thought he couldn't dislike the loud and reckless pogue more, he was wrong. You were sleeping with him whenever you got wasted to try and get another guy (who had a girl) out of your system and here he was, getting jealous over you. How pathetic.

Rafe took another long sip of his beer, trying to keep his gaze from wandering to the bar where you were. He was used to keeping his feelings in check (sometimes) but for some reason, hearing you reject other guys made his heart flutter a little. He bit down on his bottom lip, shaking his head at his own idiotic emotions. He looked away, trying to distract himself with conversations around him.

Jack was still rambling about his failed attempt at talking to you, still irritated and disappointed. He didn't handle failure well, never did. "Goddamn it, how hard can it be to chat up a girl..?" he muttered angrily under his breath. Topper chuckled, shaking his head "With Pogues.. Pretty damn hard..." He added with a scoff, taking another gulp of his beer. Rafe couldn't help but chuckle, his mood lightening a little.

Jack huffed, running a hand through his hair in frustration, "But she was flirting with me for a bit, though.." He said in irritation, his gaze flicking over back to you. Rafe followed his gaze, his own gaze flicking over to you once again. "I guess she doesn't like that pretty face of yours after all.. Or the fancy clothes.. Or the money.." He commented sarcastically, his eyes taking in your outfit and the way you carried yourself, his gaze falling down to the necklace peeking out from the collar of your shirt. The same cheap necklace he had dangling in his face when you rode him..

Jack scowled at the insult, his expression hardening once again, "It's not like you're doing any better... When was the last time you even got laid?.." Topper snickered at that comment, amused by the jab.

Rafe hummed as if he was thinking over the comment, poking the inside of his cheek with the tip of his tongue. In reality he was just revisiting the last time he had slept with you like a couple of days ago, the memories flooding his brain pleasantly. "Two days ago.. more or less.." he mumbled casually, smirking slightly at Jack.

Jack rolled his eyes, annoyed at how confident and smug Rafe seemed. Despite his irritation, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in surprise, "Two days ago.. with who exactly...?" He asked, his interest piqued. Topper leaned in, now intrigued at the possibility of gossip.

Rafe took a casual sip of his drink, his smirk growing slightly. "Doesn't matter.. Point is, I got some recently. While your sorry ass is here whining like a little kid about a Pogue girl turning you down..." He replied, his tone condescending.

Jack scoffed, his annoyance growing even more. He knew they were both just trying to get a rise out of each other, but it was working. "Well.. I still have a better chance with her than you do.." He retorted, his gaze flickering over to you again.

Rafe stifled a scoff, almost choking on his beer at the ridiculous statement. He couldn't help but be amused and annoyed at the same time. "Oh really.. And how did that go for you? I just watched her reject you from across the room and make you look like a total dick..".

Jack clenched his jaw, refusing to be embarrassed by his failure. He was Jack Maynard, he always got what he wanted. "I was getting close... she was interested.." he snapped back, trying to defend himself.

Rafe chuckled derisively, rolling his eyes at Jack's arrogance. "Oh yeah, real interested in your annoying ass.." he snarked back, taking a long swig from his beer. This was especially funny to Rafe knowing he scored before with you. Knowing that unlike the guy sitting in front of him, complaining about how you shut him down, he had a bigger chance of scoring again with you than this guy ever did. And that just lightened his sour mood, even if it was just a hint lighter.

Jack gritted his teeth, his irritation growing with each passing second. He couldn't stand the cocky confidence coming from Rafe. "Oh yeah.. How do you know so much about what she's interested in.. Just cuz she let you take her home once doesn't make you an expert.."

Rafe scoffed, not being able to stop his cocky smirk from growing. He leaned back against his chair, his gaze meeting Jacks, a challenge in his eyes. "Well I'm not the one who just got rejected, am I?" he replied smugly, before adding "And don't forget.. once is more than your zero times..".

Jack clenched his jaw tightly, his hands curling into fists. He was getting tired of the cocky smirk plastered on Rafe's face, the way he was so smug and condescending. "At least I tried, man. Unlike you.." he shot back with a scoff, trying to hide his annoyance. Topper watched the back and forth in between his cousin and friend with increasing amusement.

Rafe chuckled, shaking his head at the obvious attempt to undermine him. "Oh, I tried alright.. multiple times, actually.." he responded with a cocky smirk, taking another sip of his beer and ignoring the curious look Topper was sending his way.

Jack huffed in annoyance, his irritations growing every second. "Yeah, and how's that working out for you? Got rejected a bunch, did you?" he replied sarcastically, his gaze flickering over to you for yet another time.

Rafe didn't bother looking in your direction, he knew you were busy with the job. Instead, he let out an amused scoff at Jacks response. "Not me, no.. Some people actually know how to handle a girl.. and it's a lot more complicated than just trying to talk it out like you did." He replied, leaning back on his chair nonchalantly, taking a long swig from his beer. Topper looked back and forth between them, growing curious by the second.

Jack felt like his patience was running thin at this point and he was ready to flip the table over, only barely managing to control himself from doing so. "Oh, yeah?.. And what exactly is your approach, then? Huh? You're just gonna strut over there and flash your money at her until she thinks you're interesting?" he retorted with an annoyed scoff.

Rafe laughed at the childish and irrational response, his smirk growing wider as he watched Jack get more and more irritated. "No, man.. That's more your style.. You'd just flash your Rolex and your dad's credit card and think that'll do the trick.." he replied, his tone amused and mocking. Topper stifled a laugh at Jacks expense, enjoying the banter.

Jack's irritation reached a boiling point when Rafe brought his family's wealth into the conversation. He was fed up with the insults and condescending tone, "At least I have something to use. What do you offer? Just your arrogant attitude and shitty personality..."

Rafe chuckled, raising his beer to his lips. He couldn't help but feel amused at just how irritated he was getting his friend. "Yeah.. you got money. And yet the Pogue girl still didn't give two shits about you.. and let's be real... I actually have a personality."

Jack was close to physically exploding at this point. He was tired of the condescending tone and insults, but what really got under his skin was the mention of you and your lack of interest in him. Despite the fact he knew you were not interested in him, hearing the truth from someone else hurt his pride. "Oh, yeah? Right... Because being a dick is personality.." he retorted dryly as he took another sip of his bourbon.

Rafe scoffed, a smirk playing at his lips at Jacks obvious irritation. He knew he was hitting a nerve, and it was too easy to get under his skin. "Well, I'd take my personality over your arrogance any day.. At least I don't whine like a little kid when I don't get what I want..."

Jack was just about to snap again, his irritations getting the worst of him for a moment, before Topper intervened. He could sense the growing tension and before a fight breaks out he cleared his throat, trying to steer the conversation into a different direction. "Alright, enough.. Both of y'all are being dickheads.. Can we drop the topic, please? Let's talk about something else."

Jack grumbled under his breath, unable to let go of his irritation just yet, while Rafe took another smug sip from his beer, still enjoying the banter. But the rest of the conversation shifted into a different, less heated topic. They still looked at each other with irritation, but kept their snarkiness to themselves to not cause a scene.

By the end of their drinking, the early afternoon shifting into early evening, you had finally cleaned up most of the counter, glancing occasionally over to the table of Kook boys, as the alcohol has started taking in effect. The atmosphere changing into a loud one. The group kept on getting more rowdy and you weren't sure how to feel, your gaze flicking over to them every now and then, watching them with a mixture of annoyance and entertainment. The tables around the bar continued to fill up, your shift growing more unbearable as you had to interact with more condescending kooks while simultaneously pouring the same few drinks over and over.

Rafe had downed quite a lot throughout the day and was feeling pretty drunk, but not too far gone yet. Just enough to feel the alcohol and the buzz, but still remember what he was doing. He occasionally let his gaze wander over to the bar to catch a glimpse of you working, a lazy cocky smirk on his face each time he did. He was definitely checking you out more often than he should.

At a moment when things seemed to calm down a bit, you were wiping down the bar-counter when you felt an all too familiar pair of blue eyes on you, boring into your skull. You didn't need to look up to know who it was, you could sense him watching you from across the room. The guy had a habit of staring a little too intensely for your liking whenever the two of you were in the same room. Even before you slept together. Which you didn't know if it was supposed to be flattering or not.

Rafe was sitting with his friends yet his gaze was fixated on you on the side. His eyes never left you, he was too fascinated with every little move you did. And he didn't really care who could see him staring right now. His eyes were glued to you through hooded lids, his head tilted to the side as he watched you intently, a cocky smirk plastered on his face as he slowly took in the sight of you.

You could feel Rafe's eyes on you, boring into you like a drill as he lazily leaned back to slouch on his chair. Which he changed at some point during the day, now sitting in a chair which faced the bar directly. You knew he was watching you and you knew he was drunk, the way his eyes were roaming over your body shamelessly gave him away. You could also feel his friends' eyes on him, not so discreetly, observing the way he was looking over at you. You tried your best not to acknowledge his gaze, even though your whole body was heating up from his intense stare. You were used to getting checked out by the younger kook boys, but Rafe was a different story. Your shared animosity and the fact that you knew him outside of work, made it all the more... awkward? You didn't even know if that was the correct word for how your relationship progressed over the past week.

Rafe was getting some interesting looks from his friends, but he didn't care. He was too busy watching your every move, his gaze intense and hungry. He liked it when you were ignoring him, it made it feel like a fun little game of cat and mouse. He knew he was being too obvious with his staring, but he couldn't help it. Every inch of you was like a magnet to his eyes.

He watched as you continued your work, his gaze flickering up and down your figure, drinking in the sight of you in those jeans. He could almost feel his mouth watering at the view. He was getting drunker by the minute, his inhibitions lowering and his desire growing stronger.

He took a sip of his beer, his gaze still following your every move as you were now bent over one booth to pick up some trash, Rafe's eyes roaming down your body to your ass, practically drooling a bit. He could hardly keep himself from getting up and walking over to you, but he knew it would cause a scene with his friends, so he just sat back and continued ogling you from across the bar.

You could feel the heat in your cheeks as you went through the same old routine of collecting trash, occasionally stealing glances at the table across the room where he was sitting. Rafe was definitely not being subtle about his stares anymore, his gaze hungry and intense, making your heart rate quicken in response. If this had been another night, you might have found it amusing how obvious he was being, but given the fact that you were working, it was actually becoming extremely irritating. Especially since you were completely sober, unlike him. You definitely didn't wanna interact with him, or any of the guys at his table for that matter. You walked back behind the bar, just tidying up the space in hopes of ignoring the stare down Rafe was trying to have with you, accidentally looking over at him for a split second and cursing yourself internally.

As soon as your eyes flickered over to his, Rafe smirked, noticing the sudden shift in your facial expression. He could tell you tried ignoring him, but one quick accidental look revealed the opposite. You were aware of his gaze. And he loved it. He slowly ran his tongue over his bottom lip, the smirk never leaving his face, eyes locked on you like a predator locked on its prey.

He took another lazy sip of his beer, his eyes still on you, his gaze growing darker and hungrier by the minute. He watched as you tidied up the counter, his lazy smirk growing wider as he found himself growing more and more enchanted by the fact how completely unbothered you seemed by his stares, as if you weren't getting ogled by a drunk boy at all

After finishing up wiping the counter for the third time in the last ten minutes you decided you had enough of it. You fished your phone from your back pocket, leaning against the counter as you unlocked and swiped through your apps to reach the messages. You hovered over Rafe's contact, chewing on your bottom lip. Were you two even supposed to text? That would just give him the satisfaction of irritating you. But you had to decide quick, given you shouldn't be seen on your phone at the bar, despite not having anything to do or any customer to serve. So you gave in texting him briefly before stashing your phone back into your back pocket.

You rolled your eyes at his last text, tucking your phone back into your back pocket ending the conversation by leaving him on read. A small smile tugging at your lips as the bar started getting more crowded now that it was reaching rush hour. You spared another glance towards his table, sliding the glass of champagne to the last lady in the group of older kook women sitting at the bar, smiling as you opened the tab for them.

He watched as you worked, your every movement was like a spell he couldn't take his gaze off of. The way you moved around the room, the way you interacted with the customers, it was like watching an artist at work. He also noticed how you had put your phone away, refusing to engage in the banter with him anymore. And he had to admit, he missed your attention.

He found himself nursing his beer, his eyes glued to your figure as you continued to attend to the other customers. He was lost in his thoughts, a small frown tugging at his lips. He didn't like when you ignored him like this, it made him feel vulnerable in a way he wasn't used to.

He hated that you were able to mess with him like this. He wasn't the type to let anyone get under his skin, but you? You had him wrapped around your pinky without even realizing it.

Maybe it was the alcohol in his system that made him so desperate for your attention, or maybe he was just feeling more emotional than usual. But he couldn't shake off the feeling of wanting to be near you.

He knew it was a bad idea, given the fact that you were working and you were both in public, but he didn't care. He needed to be close to you, even if just for a moment.

He downed the last of his beer, getting up from his seat with a bit of a sway as he made his way towards the bar, his eyes not leaving your figure for a second.

You were occupied with cleaning the bar countertop as he approached the bar, choosing to ignore him for a few moments until he'd eventually speak first. Because he always did. You still had the hope that he just walked over to get a refill or maybe even close out his tab for the day, but you probably didn't have that kind of luck.

He leaned against the bar top, propping himself up on his elbow as he watched you work. He couldn't help but admire the way your hips moved under those tight jeans every time you bent down to reach for something.

He waited for you to look up at him, but you seemed to be intentionally ignoring him, pretending like he wasn't even there. He couldn't help but smile, you were stubborn, he knew that much, and it was kinda hot. He cleared his throat, trying to get your attention, but you simply continued wiping down the bar.

"I know you can hear me." He called out in a singsong tone, his smirk growing wider as he watched you freeze in your movements at his words.

Your face soured in mock sadness before looking up at him and setting down the rag, "Unfortunately.." you sighed, shaking your head.

He chuckled softly, his smirk growing wider at your sarcastic response. He leaned a little bit closer towards you, resting his elbow on the bar top and propping his chin on his hand. He was in a strangely playful mood tonight, and that usually meant he was itching for a reaction from you. He gave you an obvious once over, taking his time admiring your body in the tight jeans.

He noticed how the denim hugged every curve of your body, the way your apron was tied around your waist. "Looking good tonight." He spoke, his tone low and playful, his eyes never leaving your figure.

He wasn't even trying to hide the fact that he was openly checking you out, or hitting on you and you couldn't help but grimace slightly. Although he was definitely doing better than his "friend" who tried to chat you up earlier that day. "Then i must be doing something wrong, huh?" you asked casually, feigning disappointment.

He chuckled softly, shaking his head, his eyes still glued to your body. "No, no baby, definitely doing something right." He replied, his tone suggestive yet playful. He was enjoying this little game you two were playing, even though it was driving him crazy. "Those jeans should be illegal." He added with a smirk, his eyes finally flicking up to meet yours.

"Rafe.. your pick up lines should be illegal.." you mumbled, studying his form as he leaned in, cheek still propped on his elbow lazily. He was obviously more than tipsy with how much he downed today and with the way he was talking to you.

A smirk tugged at his lips, his eyes glistening with amusement as he leaned in even closer, his face now just a few inches away from yours. Your scent engulfed him as he let his eyes wander over your face, taking in every single detail. "I haven't even tried any of my actual good ones yet." He replied in a low tone, his gaze slowly trailing down to your lips, his smirk growing wider.

You pretended to shudder in mock disgust, not leaning back when he leaned in, although he was getting too close for personal space even with bar countertop between you two. "Please don't.. Do you wanna drink something? or are you here to make the rest of my shift harder?"

He chuckled softly, tilting his head to the side as his eyes roamed your face once more. Your words had no effect on him, he knew you were just being your usual snarky self, even if you were secretly enjoying him getting all up in your space.

"I'll drink anything off your lips." He replied bluntly, his smirk growing even wider at the thought.

The flirty statement didn't seem to phase you as you leaned back slightly to fidget with the rag. You had to admit it wasn't too bad, definitely unique, but he was being obnoxious and Rafe-y, so the charm of it flaked away instantly. "Don't think I'm allowed to serve drinks that way.. Sorry, handsome.." you mumbled, pretending to be apologetic once again.

He groaned, rolling his eyes but there was no real annoyance behind it. He liked this. He liked you being a complete brat to him, acting like he wasn't affecting you at all when deep down you were at least a little flustered over him.

"That's a damn shame. I'd pay good money for that." He said in a teasing tone, his smirk transforming into a sly smile.

"I bet.. You kooks like to just throw away money left and right.." you teased lowly, mirroring his expression. You adjusted your glasses with a soft flick of your fingers, studying his features and the way he sat on the barstool.

He chuckled softly, resting his chin on his hand once again and looking up at you through half-lidded eyes. He loved the way you were eyeing him, the way your gaze lingered on his lips for just a bit too long. He leaned forward a bit more, closing the distance between you even more.

"Only if it's worth it." He murmured, his eyes roaming your features before they dropped to your lips, his smirk growing wider.

"If i uh.. get a price list, I'll let you know.." you mumbled, smiling tightly at him, still fidgeting with the rag.

He chuckled softly, shaking his head at your snarky response. He couldn't resist the urge to tease you as much as possible, knowing it would piss you off, and he loved it that way. He leaned in even closer, the smirk on his face growing even wider as he watched you fidget around, playing with the rag in your hands.

"I have a blank check ready, baby." He replied cheekily, his gaze never leaving your figure.

You scoffed, rolling your eyes with a slight smile. You didn't understand how he managed to be charming and annoying at the same time. All while being unfairly handsome. "I'm sure you do.. Maybe order a drink first and then we can talk.."

He smirked, clearly enjoying himself. He let out a low chuckle, giving you a once over once again, a smirk plastered on his face. He leaned back slightly, running his tongue over his bottom lip as his eyes roamed your body, taking his sweet time to admire every curve of your body.

"Oh. Someone's getting impatient." He replied cockily, leaning forwards once again, getting closer to you. "This is landing right in my lap, isn't it?"

"You're hogging my bar, country-club.. At this pace, people who actually want to order won't have somewhere to sit.." you narrowed your eyes, smirking as you felt your breath hitch ever so slightly when his tongue ran over his bottom lip slowly, his blue eyes checking you out for the countless time that day. You felt a bit guilty, getting affected by the Rafe Cameron. This was still the same guy who had a distaste for your social class and friends. Nothing changed. Right?

He chuckled lightly, noticing how you were visibly affected by him, and that realization alone made him even more cocky. He knew he could get under your skin. He knew exactly how to push your buttons and how to make you break down that wall of annoyance that you built up against him. He smirked, leaning back in the barstool and giving you a once over with his piercing blue eyes.

"Don't worry baby, I'll tip you well." He replied, his smirk growing wider as he watched your every move.

"You need to order first so you can leave a tip.." you pointed out in a snarky tone, smirking teasingly at him.

He laughed softly, amused by your witty comebacks. He loved seeing you act like this, his smirk growing wider as he continued to eye you up, shamelessly checking you out as he spoke.

"And what's gonna happen if I don't leave a tip... You'll kick me out?" He asked in a cocky tone, his eyes still roaming your body.

Your eyes never left his blue ones, your smirk growing as you leaned in to whisper "Already tried to over text and it didn't work sadly.."

He felt his heart skip a beat at your response. The way you were bantering, the look on your face, and the sound of your voice. It was doing things to him that he wasn't expecting. He let out a breath, running a hand through his hair, trying to remain casual.

But it wasn't working. At least not for him.

He leaned closer, his face inches away from yours, his eyes wandering over to your lips before he could stop himself.

He couldn't help the feeling coursing through his body, the way you looked at him was driving him insane. He was supposed to be messing with your head, not other way around.

He chuckled dryly, leaning a little bit closer, his breath fanning over your face, his eyes glued to yours, not even trying to hide the fact that he'd been staring at you up and down all night.

"Try again to kick me out, baby. I'd like to see that." He whispered.

You leaned back slightly seeing as the distance between the two of you was shortening too much for comfort or professionalism. You really don't wanna lose your job over bantering with Rafe Cameron in a suggestive manner, "You're a VIP member of this club, i can't really kick you out as an employee, can i?" you asked casually, taking a deep breath to calm yourself down. You were being ridiculous, this was the same guy who looked down on you and liked to make your shifts unbearable, why were you being nervous?

His cocky smirk widened even more at your response. He loved the fact that you couldn't kick him out, it was giving him free rein to bother, pester, irritate, and tease you to his hearts content. He felt a sense of power over you, and it was making him even more cocky.

"Damn right, baby I'm a VIP." He said with a slight hint of arrogance in his tone, his eyes still roaming over your form, and he was trying his best not to stare at your lips.

He chuckled deeply at your witty remarks, his eyes locked on yours as the tension continued to build between the two of you. He leaned forward once again, his face an inch away from yours, his lips hovering over your skin, almost close enough to touch.

"Baby.." He muttered in a low tone, his breath fanning over your face once again, his eyes roaming over your lips, as he fought the strong urge to close the distance and kiss you. This was getting out of hand.

You chewed the inside of your cheek, letting out a small scoff at his low and needy tone as if it was the most funniest thing. You stepped back even more, putting some needed distance between the two of you. Your eyes drifted from his to the table he was sat at, his friends still drinking and talking among each other. "Why aren't you with your friends..?" you mumbled, occupying your hands with tidying up the counter, throwing away the lemon peels and wiping down the spilled tequila.

He let out a dry chuckle, feeling slightly disappointed when you took a few steps back, putting more distance between the two of you. He rolled his eyes at the mention of his friends, letting out an annoyed huff.

"They're boring, that's why I decided to come bother you." He replied, his tone slightly annoyed, as he leaned against the bar top on his elbows, his gaze roaming over your figure once again.

You let out another sound resembling a laugh, even though it was more airy and breathy than one, eyes flickering back to the group once again. "Your new addition to the group paid me a visit at the bar and tried to hit on me earlier today.. Did you send him over to make fun of me for entertainment?" you asked softly, referring to Jack's earlier visit at the bar.

He rolled his eyes once again at the mention of Jack, visibly annoyed. The idea of Jack trying to hit on you made him irrationally angry earlier, even though he'd never admit it. He ran a hand through his hair, letting out an annoyed sigh.

"No, I didn't send him over." He replied, his tone slightly irritated. He took a sip of his beer before continuing, "He's a dick, ignore him."

You leaned in slightly, narrowing your eyes subtly behind your glasses. You were almost sure the older Cameron boy had sent over to entertain his little group and you weren't entirely convinced of his tense denial. "That's funny... 'Cause when he walked over i was like: 'this guy looks kinda familiar..' And then i realized he tried hitting on me at the party a few days ago.." you mumbled so only he could hear. "And I'm pretty sure he was the one who spiked my drink.."

He didn't like what he was hearing. His jaw immediately clenched at your words. The thought of Jack trying to make a move on you and even worse, drugging you was making him livid. He didn't even try to hide his anger. Which he now had a reason for. Meaning he could probably kick this guy's ass finally and warrant it on something as bad as him spiking your drink.

"He tried hitting on you... and he's the one who spiked your drink..?" he asked, his tone low and dangerous.

You leaned back once again, nodding almost too casually. The pieces clicked earlier while studying Jack from afar trying to figure out why he looked familiar despite not being from the island. And then it clicked. "Yep. I just thought you sent him over to fuck with me or something.."

He felt a sudden burst of irritation. He was pissed at Jack for trying to hit on you, and even more pissed that he had the audacity to spike your drink. He took a deep breath, trying to control his emotions.

"I would never send him over here to mess with you. I'm not that much of an dickhead."

You put your hands up defensively, eyes flickering across the room at Jack without even intending to so at this point. "You're Rafe.. I can expect just about anything from your royal highness.." you muttered teasingly, shrugging as you looked back into his eyes.

He let out a dry chuckle at your comment. He couldn't deny that he had a bit of a reputation for being a cocky jerk, but he was offended that you thought he was that bad. Plus, there was something about hearing you tease him. It was kinda hot too.

"Are you implying that I'm a dickhead?" He spoke in a low tone, leaning forward on the counter top once again.

"You're not?" you asked, grinning teasingly at him.

He smirked at your response, leaning a little bit closer, his gaze flickering over your features, taking you all in, inch by inch.

"A dickhead..?" he whispered, his tone low and teasing as he studied your face intently. "Maybe..." he admitted in a mocking tone, his smirk widening as he leaned even closer, his face just inches away from yours.

You hummed lowly, nodding slowly as he leaned in over the counter top without any shame, and you were glad your manager wasn't able to see you blatantly flirting with a patron in the middle of a shift. You weren't entirely sure what was happening to you and why you were entertaining Rafe's antics. Before you hooked up he'd flirt with you but you'd pay it no mind, so what changed now? "Besides.. Dickhead is an understatement..." you whispered mockingly, your eyes drinking in his features in the dim light of the country club, your grin softening due to the proximity.

His smirk widened, clearly amused by your response.

"Oh, come on now. I'm a little offended actually.." he teased gently, leaning forward even more, his face now mere inches away from yours. He could feel your breath fan over his face, the tension between the two of you was like the atmosphere before a lightning strike. He swallowed, his eyes flickering down to your lips.

He tried to sound cool and collected, but there was no hiding the fact that he was getting more than just a little affected.

"You should be... That's what i strive for.." you chuckled, reaching up to adjust your glasses slowly.

He chuckled softly at your response, the sound low in his throat, his eyes roaming over your face as you adjusted your glasses, and he bit his lip to contain the growing smirk on his face.

This was new. This was territory that neither of you had ventured into with each other.

He leaned in, his face now just an inch away, his gaze focused on you. "Yeah? Being a smartass gets your rocks off, huh, baby?"

You grimaced at his question, a confused smirk tugging at your lips. This indeed, was territory that neither of you would have thought you'd step in. Actually flirting? As two people who hated each other supposedly? Very strange. "Not exactly, no... That's just how i talk and you take offense to anything i say.." you murmured back, a small giggle escaping you as he leaned in even closer, as if the counter top wasn't in his way.

He chuckled once more, enjoying the playful banter between the two of you. It was almost unreal how your usually antagonistic nature was slowly transforming into something so much more. He couldn't help it, he was absolutely fixated by your presence. He was intrigued by your every move.

He leaned in even closer, his nose almost touching yours, his eyes roaming over your face.

"I don't take offense to everything. Just the things that are stupid, which is about 80 percent of the things you say." he teased.

The teasing words made you roll your eyes, shaking your head in mock annoyance, the two of you almost forgetting where you were and that you were both surrounded by people drinking in the country club leisurely. "And you flirt with me by insulting me... Who's more stupider?" you asked, drumming your fingers on the counter top as he grazed his nose against yours, giving in and trailing your pointer finger over his forearm slowly and in a feather-light touch.

He chuckled softly, loving the way you were slowly letting your guard down, and your demeanor around him was becoming more and more relaxed. He felt a shiver course through his body as you gently traced his forearm with your finger, and he watched you with eyes that held something more than just cockiness.

"I dunno.. maybe you. You're the one insulting me and then trying to cop a feel." he replied with a smirk, his eyes roaming your face once more.

Your expression twisted into an amused one at his words, gasping softly in disbelief, " 'Cop a feel' is an exaggeration.. I'm just.. being nice." you whispered, snorting slightly without realizing, your finger stopping its up and down motion to dig your nail into his skin gently.

He let out another low chuckle at your response, his smirk widening at how you were trying to downplay the fact that you were actually kind of flirting with him now, whether it was conscious or not, it still counted.

He winced softly at the feeling of your nail digging into his arm, feeling the skin underneath break slightly under the pressure, but he was too focused on you to even care at this point. "Being nice huh?" he teased, raising an eyebrow at that statement

Your eyes flickered down at your own finger, pressing down your nail a little bit more, maybe even close to stinging "Yeah, is it surprising that i can be a little nice?" you asked narrowing your eyes a little.

He took a sharp intake of breath, his eyes flickering to your finger still digging into his skin. It was slightly painful, but he didn't mind it too much. He actually enjoyed it, just a slight bit.

He let out a low chuckle, letting a smirk play on his lips. "A little nice, yeah. You're usually anything but nice to me, baby."

You fell quiet for a moment, as if you were thinking over something, still not leaning back even though right now you were definitely testing the boundaries of a professional interaction. "Do you think they'd fire me if you kissed me right now..?" you asked out of nowhere, your slight smile widening at your own whispered words.

His eyes widened slightly at your question, his smirk transforming into a smile of surprise at your unexpected words.

He looked around the room once, checking if anyone was paying attention to the two of you, his gaze falling back on you as he tried to play it cool.

"Mmm.. they might. Would you risk that?" he asked, his smirk growing wider.

You trailed your finger over his forearm again, nail brushing over the small crescent mark you left when digging it into his skin, the gesture almost soothing, "No.. I want you to order something so i can go back to work.." you mumbled, grinning teasingly as you pulled back slightly, moving behind the bar to distract yourself a little.

He smirked at your response, slightly disappointed at the loss of contact, but he decided to play into his role of a cocky rich country-club boy for a bit. Even though he'd rather just watch you work the entire night.

He leaned back in the barstool, fixing his shirt before speaking, "Get me a scotch, baby." he said in a demanding tone.

"Highball?" you asked, tucking the rag resting on the counter top in your apron's pocket.

He smirked once more, enjoying you taking his order and playing along. He leaned against the bar top, his gaze fixed on your figure.

"Yeah.. You know how to make a good one.” he replied casually, tilting his head to the side as he watched you prepare his drink.

You scrunched up your face despite knowing that once he got a little tipsy at the country club he didn't bother with fancy drink orders and just downed highballs like it was his religion. That was his usual, and the first time he ordered it you couldn't believe that someone as snobby as him was drinking whisky and soda. You moved swiftly as you prepared the drink, grateful from the distraction provided by his order since things were growing too charged for your liking at the workplace with Rafe. And just in general regarding the two of you.

You filled the highball glass with solid ice and poured the scotch and topping it with club soda, adding a bit of ginger ale, knowing he always requested it anyway. You stirred it gently and placed it on the counter in front of him and leaning back "Am i adding that to your current tab?" you asked, already preparing to add the drink to the running tab under his name.

He took the glass with a smirk, swirling it around slightly and savoring the smell before bringing it to his lips and taking a sip. He let out a small sigh before speaking, "Yeah, put it on my tab.. I'll pay it off when I'm done for the night." he replied, his eyes glued to you as he took another sip, the liquor burning his throat and sending a shiver through him.

You hummed entering the drink in the system and updating his total on the tab before flitting your eyes back to him as he took the first sip. "you enjoying the drink? did i get it right?" you asked, nodding vaguely towards the drink as you adjusted your glasses.

He smirked as he took another sip, enjoying the taste before nodding in approval. He was impressed by how well you knew his drink order already, and how you got it down perfectly every time.

"Yeah, you did a good job." he replied in response, taking another sip and letting the liquid burn his throat. Once again, he felt his eyes roam over your figure, drinking you up and enjoying the sight in front of him.

You felt your cheeks heat up a little as his gaze roamed over your figure once again, his eyes hungrily trailing every single curve. You could feel his heated gaze even if you tried to ignore it, and it was beginning to get slightly awkward, and it was making you restless. You couldn't help but feel a little bit self-conscious in his presence, but it felt good to be so blatantly lusted over. Even if this was Rafe, and you weren't exactly wearing the most appealing outfit. A light blue polo shirt (provided by the club of course), a simple pair of jeans and a brown apron tied from waist down. You looked especially rough right now since it was nearing the end of your shift so why was he shamelessly drooling over you?

His gaze slowly traveled up your figure from your feet, to your legs, then your thighs, hip and waist, finally resting on your chest. Despite your very plain and mundane clothes, he couldn't help but find you insanely attractive. Your rough, sweaty appearance was adding to the allure and he felt himself growing increasingly hot just at the sight of you. He could feel his pants becoming a bit tight and he had to shift slightly in the barstool.

He took another sip of his drink, his gaze still glued on you, taking his sweet time to scan every inch of your body.

You continued to fidget in your spot, eyes flittering around almost desperately. Rush hour was almost over now, and the people in the country club were focused on hanging out with each other rather than drinking endlessly, since they were nicely buzzed. So aside from Rafe and a group of ladies to your left no one was really sitting at the bar. You had nothing to polish and the counter was clean from your excessive wiping, the space not cluttered since your shift was almost over.

So you were left with standing there almost awkwardly, staring right back at Rafe who was ogling you without a care in the world while drinking a highball casually. God, you hated work.

He watched as you fidgeted in your spot, your movements almost frantic as you tried to keep yourself busy with something, anything. His smile grew a little bit wider as he watched you squirm under his gaze, finding this situation absolutely hilarious. He knew that everyone was too busy in their own groups, enjoying eachothers company, and he knew that nobody was paying them any attention.

He finished the last of his drink, putting the empty glass down on the counter top and leaning in over the bar top.

"Baby.." He muttered almost desperately once again, his eyes never leaving yours.

You reached for the glass as soon as he put it down, placing it on your tray of dirty glasses that you needed to take to the kitchen and trying to muster a grimace at the word 'baby.' Even if you found yourself slightly liking how needy and low it sounded due to him being tipsy. "What..?" you mumbled in something to subtle exasperation, sighing softly.

He chuckled softly at your exasperated tone, still watching you intently as he leaned on the bar top. He could see that your demeanor was trying to stay nonchalant, but there was a hint of irritation and something else in your expression. He loved how you reacted to his words, no matter the situation.

He let out a low hum, tilting his head to the side as he spoke in a low tone, "Stop trying to act like you don't find me hot right now."

You stood in your spot, rolling your eyes in mild annoyance at his deduction, crossing your arms "Stop blatantly flirting with the bartender at your country-club.."

He chuckled softly again, the sound low and deep. He could tell that you were trying to act annoyed, but he knew that there was a hint of attraction in your eyes, no matter how hard you tried to cover it up. He leaned in a little closer, his voice dropping even lower, his eyes locked with yours.

"Why? I'm sure you've seen guys hit on you all the time before.. I mean, who could blame them? You look sexy in that boring polo shirt..."

You grimaced once again, confusion flashing over your features. Drunk Rafe Cameron was definitely a sight to behold, and you couldn't believe he was still sitting there, almost hunched over the bar top, flirting with you and using the most corniest lines ever. "You're so tipsy it would be funny if this shift wouldn't have completely ruined me.." you muttered, adjusting your glasses as a distraction from the growing tension.

He chuckled at your response, finding your attempt to divert the conversation comical. He knew that his flirting was probably bordering on stupid and corny, but he didn't care. He was drunk, tired, and had nothing better to do. The growing tension between the two of you was palpable, and he could feel his heart rate picking up at the thought of doing something completely reckless in that moment.

"You look pretty ruined right now, dolly." He responded, a smirk playing on his lips as he took in your tired but still beautiful face. "But i think i can ruin you even more.."

"One of these days I'm actually gonna report you for harassment to my manager.." you chuckled dryly, shifting your weight from one foot to the other.

He let out a light scoff at your comment, a smirk still playing on his lips. He knew that you didn't really mean your words, and the thought of you reporting in to your manager about him making passes on you was almost amusing.

"And what are you going to say, baby? That I'm a rich spoiled brat that you secretly find attractive? I'm sure your manager will be very shocked.."

"Better yet... Who said i found you attractive? you're just a country-club brat who has nothing better to do than to flirt with the help.." you teased, shaking your head in mock disbelief. Your eyes were fixed into his, the dim light from the lamps scattered in the country club bar making his features looks more soft and blurred, a rare occurrence for Rafe Cameron.

He chuckled at your response, his eyes sparkling with amusement and something else. It was almost like he was enjoying this little back and forth between the two of you, despite your words having a bite to them.

"Oh, baby.. You're the prettiest girl in this whole damn country club, and we both know it.." he said in a low tone, taking in your features under the soft light, admiring how beautiful you looked. He had always thought you were pretty, but seeing you under the dim lights like this was making his heart beat much faster.

Your eyes roamed over his face as he chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners when he laughed or grinned, the sight reminding you of JJ for a split moment. You pushed down the aching in your chest, letting the tension and lust drown out the buzzing of your heartbreak by holding onto the words he muttered softly. "You ran out of options already?" you asked, grinning slowly.

He was acutely aware of the way your eyes were studying his face, and the way you smiled despite trying to hold in a smirk. He could see the pain behind your eyes, the heartbreak etched on your features, but it only made him want you more. He could feel his body growing more and more hot, the idea of having you right there, on the bar top, was almost impossible to resist.

"Nah, baby. I have plenty of options.. You're just my favorite."

You scoffed, the sound breathy and slightly mocking "I feel honored.."

He chuckled at your response, a sly smile on his lips. He loved how you were able to match him whenever he got forward with you. The fact that you were so witty and feisty just fueled the fire in him even more.

"You should be." he replied, his voice low. He leaned in even closer, his eyes locked on yours. "You're not like the other girls I hook up with. You're different. Special."

You leaned on your elbows, resting them on the bar top as you tilted your head to the side, pretending to study his face intently "You hook up with other girls? And here i thought we were exclusive.." you murmured, narrowing your eyes in mock hurt.

He let out a low scoff, finding your mock hurt expression hilarious. But there was something about the fact that you were pretending to care about his past hookups that made him want to tease you even more.

"Baby, there's nothing exclusive here." he said, trying to keep his expression nonchalant even though he could feel his heart rate increasing at the idea of you actually caring about his hookups. "And you wanna know the number of girls who I've hooked up with in the last two weeks alone..?"

"That's right, nothing's exclusive about us... I just said i was using you to get over the fact that the guy I'm in love with has a girlfriend.." you whispered, your tone seductive despite the fact that your words were nothing along those lines. Rafe didn't seem deterred, matter of fact he seemed like he was waiting for you to say something like that, his smirk widening as you leaned closer to him.

Of course, the older boy still thinks about your little confession in his car the night you got spiked and he had to take you home to take care of you. About how in love with JJ you were, and how the dumb blonde wasn't gonna return your burning feelings cause he was dating the Carrera girl. If you asked him, it was a useless loss of time, especially since you were such a pretty girl and the world didn't narrow down to just one blonde surfer. But no one actually asked Rafe Cameron so..

His smirk widened even more as you leaned in closer to him, your tone seductive and alluring despite the words coming out of your mouth. He'd be lying if he said that he didn't wish he could replace the idiot that had your heart. Especially after the night he took care of you after you got spiked. He'd never admit it, but that entire night was permanently burned in his head, and the memory of you confessing your love to another guy hurt more than he cared to admit.

"Oh yeah? And who's the unlucky bastard you're trying to get over..?" he asked despite knowing the answer. Because if Rafe was anything, he was one masochistic bastard and he loved twisting the knife that stabbed him.

Your expression soured, even if it was for a hint, a small twitch in your features, exhaling softly as if there was a weight pressing down on your shoulders. You had felt it for a week or so now, barely even spending time with the pogues anymore due to the fact that JJ and Kie just started dating. "JJ.." you muttered, the name giving you a bittersweet taste as you spoke each syllable.

A pang of a thousand knives twisted in his stomach as you mentioned JJ's name, confirming his worst nightmare. He had heard it before, but hearing you say the words out loud and sober this time, was like a gut punch. He swallowed the sudden wave of jealousy and anger down, his heart aching as if someone was physically squeezing the life out of it. Which he instantly blamed on the alcohol, not wanting to dwell on any feelings tied to you for more than two seconds.

"JJ's a fucking idiot." he muttered under his breath, his voice laced with a bitter sarcasm. "He's too stupid to see that you're way too good for him."

You scoffed bitterly, your eyes roaming over his features without realizing, tracing them from behind your glasses, still leaning casually on the bar top, faces close "You don't have to pretend like you care about my soap opera of a life.." you whispered softly, "I don't even wanna be a part of it.." you chuckled bitterly, your teeth digging into your bottom lip thoughtfully.

He let out a scoff at your words, his eyes locked on yours, noticing the way you were studying his features with your doe eyes. He wanted to reach out and run his thumb over your bottom lip, to soothe away the pain that was written all over your face. But he restrained himself, his hands gripping the edge of the bar top to keep himself in control.

"Who said I was pretending?" he asked quietly, his voice soft and sincere.

You let out another chuckle, this time the sound genuine yet low, your features twisting in soft amusement "I dunno.. The voices?" you mumbled, shifting the focus of your eyes between his. Left-right, right-left.

He couldn't help but feel a pang of something in his chest at the sound of your chuckle, a rare moment of genuine humor seeping through your witty facade. He chuckled softly at your comment, a smirk playing on his lips.

"You're as funny as always." he replied, his eyes fixed on yours, and how they were darting back and forth between his. He found himself getting lost in the way your eyes shimmered under the dim light of the bar, the thought of how easy it would be to just lean forward and kiss you.

"Being funny is just one of my greatest features..." you grinned smugly before adding with a low, suggestive undertone "Among other qualities, of course.."

He chuckled softly as you spoke confidently, a smirk spreading across his face at the suggestive undertone in your voice. His eyes darkening with a mixture of lust and amusement as he spoke.

"Oh, I know all about those other qualities." he said, his voice low and filled with a playful innuendo. "You know I have a weakness for smart, witty, hot bartender girls.." he added, leaning in closer to you, his eyes practically glued to your lips.

"Then you must be just as mentally ill as me, country-club.." you teased, your breath hitching as he continued to inch closer, his blue eyes fixed on your lips. Which were basically almost shredded to pieces given you nibbled nervously on them all day.

He chuckled at your response, his smirk widening at the hitch in your breath. He could see the way your lips were slightly chapped from your constant habit of biting them, and the sight only made him want to kiss them even more.

"You have no idea, dolly." he muttered under his breath, now only a few inches away from you. "I'm a little bit insane when it comes to you."

You scoffed, tilting your head to the side slightly, desperately holding onto the last bit of control seeing as he wasn't backing away from leaning in. "Are you usually this desperate and a little pathetic or is it just to be funny?" you asked, your shaky words carrying a smidge of condescension.

His smirk widened into a sly, crooked grin at your words, the slight edge of condescension in your tone only making him want to get closer.

"Only for you, baby." he replied, his voice low and seductive. He leaned in even closer, his breath hot against your ear as he added, "I'd be on my knees for you right now if I could.."

Your brows raised in surprise, your mind torn between the fact that he was just going along with the teasing because he was tipsy or if he was actually serious. Both options seemed thrilling enough, looking down at his lips for a few moments as he grinned, your voice coming out even more low and teasing "Oh really? The big, bad Rafe Cameron on his knees for someone..?"

His hands gripped the edge of the bartop even tighter, his heart rate picking up at your question. The image of him on his knees for you was all he could see in his mind now, his mind swimming with the thought of your hand wrapped in his hair as he ate you out.

"For you, doll? Always." he said, his voice low and rough. "I'd do anything to hear you say my name.."

You didn't know what it was, but every time Rafe seemed to flirt with you in a genuine manner your first response was nervous amusement. You weren't entirely sure when that changed from absolutely hating his invasive and unstable presence into actually thriving under his corny attentions. And you weren't sure if you liked it.

By the look on his face, you could only guess you were both thinking about the same thing, falling silent for a few moments as you stared at him, brows still raised in surprise and maybe even arousal. You lowered your head to laugh softly, taking his words at face value and assuming he was just trying to be funny, the only sounds around you both being the atmosphere of the country club still packed with patrons around you.

He watched the myriad of emotions fleeting over your face as he spoke, the amused shock and slight arousal in your expression fueling his desire to get even closer to you. He wanted to run his hands through your soft hair, to kiss that gorgeous laugh of yours, to press you against the bar and have his way with you in front of everyone in this god damned country club…

But he just stood there, his knuckles almost turning white as he held onto the edge of the bar, trying to keep himself in check as he watched you laugh softly.

He couldn't tear his eyes away from your face, the sound of your soft laughter like music to his ears. He was still struggling to rein in his desires, the image of you spread out in front of him, moaning his name filling his mind, already feeling how your thighs would threaten to close around his face as you got closer. The thought of having you right there, in front of everyone, in this crowded country club, was driving him feral with need.

He suddenly reached out, his fingers gently wrapping around your chin, tilting your face up to look at him. His touch was surprisingly gentle, a stark contrast to the fiery lust in his eyes.

Your amused smile faltered slightly as he tilted your face up, your hands itching to adjust your glasses out of nervousness as you watched him expectantly before speaking up "What..?"

He chuckled lowly, noticing the way you almost reached up to adjust your glasses, a hint of nervousness in your eyes. He couldn't believe how beautiful you were, standing there, looking like the perfect mix of innocent and seductive all at once. It was driving him crazy.

"You really have no idea, do you dolly?" he whispered, his voice low and filled with a mix of hunger and tenderness. "You have no idea how much I want you. How badly I want to have you right now.." he added, his fingers tracing your jawline softly.

Your breathing hitched as if you had never been touched by a guy before, or even less- spoken to by one. Your fingers drummed on the counter nervously, exhaling as you studied his face intently, waiting for the punchline to land so you could laugh (like you always did when flirted with you). Maybe for the first time while interacting with Rafe you were genuinely flustered. You didn't know what it was in the air, and much to your dismay the punchline didn't come, leaving you leaning over the counter top staring up at him with wide eyes.

You blinked a couple of times, itching more than anything to have the power to reach your hand up and adjust your glasses, instead you just continued to look up at him as a small smile tugged at your lips "Yeah sure.." you mumbled, trying to sound teasing and sarcastic, unaffected by the neediness in his eyes and voice.

Rafe could almost feel his heart leaping out of his chest at your response, the sound of your voice making his chest fill with a mixture of desire and relief. He could sense the slight surprise and nervousness in your tone, and it made him feel a sense of power, knowing that he was able to make you flustered for once. He leaned in closer, his fingers still gently holding your chin, the need to have you more intense than ever, almost primal.

"Say it." he murmured, his voice low and demanding. "Say you need me too."

You were almost ready to actually comply for once in your life, more surprising given this was Rafe. And you'd never find yourself actually doing anything he'd ask you if it didn't entail you doing your fucking job. You breathed out as he leaned closer, ghosting his lips over yours as if the two of you weren't still in the country club bar, and as if you weren't an employee of the said club almost getting ready to kiss one of the highest paying patrons. You nodded vaguely, humming in response as you kept your eyes locked on his, the small hum coming out without even realizing.

The fact that you were actually responding, that he had you so close to actually giving in to him, was making Rafe feel like he was high on ecstasy. His mind was filled with nothing but thoughts of you, nothing but the need to feel your lips on his, your body against his, the taste and smell of you on his tongue. He watched as you nodded and hummed, the sound driving him even more insane.

"Say it." he repeated, his fingers tracing the line of your jaw. "Say you need me. Say it, dammit."

Your eyes drifted down to his lips, watching them as intently as you were watching his eyes, trying to keep your voice as unaffected and steady as possible "I'm not-.. I'm not gonna say that.." you murmured, chuckling breathlessly.

He felt like he was going crazy, the way your eyes traced his lips, the sound of your laugh, the fact that you were so goddamned stubborn and defiant even in a moment like this. He wanted to grab your face and kiss you until you couldn't think straight, until you were begging for him to take you right there in front of the entire country club, until the only words you could speak was his goddamn name.

"Say it, baby. Tell me you need me."

Your heart raced in your chest like never before, now itching to just lean in a kiss him, consequences be damned. But you didn't. Not yet, although you knew next time you and Rafe were gonna be alone you definitely will. Your words were almost inaudible over the noises from the other kooks in the island club, and you weren't sure if you actually said the words 'i need you' outloud.

But before you could see his reaction to your words, you were startled to death by someone clearing their throat behind you. When you jumped back from Rafe, scrambling to turn around and face the person, you were praying to every god up there, that it wasn't your manager. And thankfully it wasn't. "Fuck! Sofia.. Can you stop-.. Sneaking up on me like that?" you whisper shouted at her in exasperation over being startled by your coworker standing behind you with a raised brow. "Seriously it doesn't get funnier each time you do it.."

Rafe was so close to just grabbing you, to just kissing the living daylights out of you until you admitted that you needed him, that you wanted him just as much as he wanted you. But then the sound of someone clearing their throat behind you broke him out of the haze of lust that clouded his mind. He blinked a few times, coming back to reality and realizing that you had actually whispered the words he'd been so desperate to hear.

He turned to look at the person who had interrupted the moment, his irritation flaring up at the sight of your co-worker. Which he wasn't too proud to admit that he knew.... And even slept with in the past. Maybe he had a type now that he thought about it.

He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back on the bar, his mind still a bit fuzzy from the alcohol and from the almost-kiss he had with you. He could still feel the ghost of your breath on his lips, and the sight of you blushing and stuttering as you spoke to your co-worker was not helping to calm down the ache in his jeans. He tried to focus on the conversation between the two of you, but his mind kept wandering back to the memory of your lips so close to his, and how badly he wanted to feel them on his again.

"Your shift ended 15 minutes ago.." stated Sofia, narrowing her eyes at you with an amused yet curious smirk.

Rafe raised an eyebrow at the comment from your co-worker, his mind quickly doing the math in his head. Your shift had ended 15 minutes ago, which meant that you were technically on free time now. Which he knew very well what could happen in 15 minutes....

A sly smirk spread across his face as he looked between you and your co-worker with a knowing gleam in his eyes.

You spared a fleeting gaze towards Rafe before looking back to Sofia and adjusting your glasses. God, you didn't even notice. And you were supposed to already be changed and out back waiting for JJ to pick you up and take you to the Chateau. Instead you were sitting there, flirting blatantly with Rafe. "I was just.. waiting for you.." you chuckled awkwardly at your coworker, reaching behind you to slowly untie the apron.

His smirk widened as he watched you fumble with the apron behind you, the thought of taking it off for you himself slowly creeping into his mind. He pushed it back though, knowing he had to be patient, that soon enough you would be alone with him, in his car, under him, moaning-. He mentally shook his head to clear his thoughts, focusing back on your conversation with your co-worker instead.

Sofia raised an eyebrow, looking between you and Rafe for a few moments, as if she was assessing what was going on between the two of you. She could probably tell from the tension in the air and the look in both of your eyes that there was something more than just ordering a drink happening. And the fact that you were still in your work uniform while Rafe was practically devouring you with his eyes didn't go unnoticed either.

"Well, you better get going then." She said with a smirk, a hint of a tease in her voice.

Your eyes drifted back to Rafe still leaning over the bar casually like he wasn't damn near making out with you right here, right now. What the hell were you doing? you had to ask yourself every time you were close to him. Which at the moment was a question without an answer. "Uh.. yeah." you muttered back, shifting in your spot while Rafe just simply stood up and walked back over to his table, where his friends were still talking and laughing loudly. Leaving all alone at the bar with Sofia, whose teasing look turned into a more curious one.

Rafe could feel your eyes on him as he walked back to his table, his friends instantly teasing and making jokes about his interaction with you. He couldn't help but shoot a glance back towards the bar, his gaze meeting yours for a brief moment before he looked away. He tried to focus on the conversation his friends were having, but his mind was still racing with thoughts of you, and how badly he wanted to just say 'f*ck it' and pull you away from your work and have his way with you right here on the bar.

Sofia leaned against the bar, crossing her arms and looking at you with a sly smile, her eyes flickering between you and Rafe. She had a feeling that something more than just a drink was going on between you and the infamous billionaire bad boy of the island. And she was damn well going to get it out of you.

"Sooo...." she drawled, her tone teasing and curious. "What's going on between you and Rafe Cameron, huh?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

You let out a nervous chuckle, grimacing in mock disgust at her question. "Me and Rafe? Nothing.. he was just ordering a drink, that's all.." you deflected, your grip on the apron in your hand tightening as you leaned on the counter of the bar by the sink.

Sofia chuckled, not buying your answer for a second. She knew damn well what she had seen and heard while you were talking to Rafe, and she was not going to let you get away without spilling the tea.

"Uh-huh, sure." she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "So, the googly eyes, the leaning over the bar like he wanted to kiss your face off, that was all him just ordering a drink, right?" she teased with a smirk.

Her deduction made you pause almost visibly before you had the chance to deflect once again, growing more flustered, which surprised you because you were never flustered. Let alone from speaking with Rafe. "Well.. Yeah. He's just drunk.." you shrugged. "And also didn't you also hook up with him for a while last summer? He seems like he has a type for pogue bartenders.." you mumbled teasingly, still trying to deflect the attention from you onto her.

Sofia raised an eyebrow at your attempt to deflect the conversation onto her, but her smirk widened at the mention of her previous hook up with Rafe. She was not going to let that slip past her either. "Ouch, that was low." she chuckled, a hint of amusement in her voice.

She paused for a moment, studying your flushed expression closely before adding "Don't change the subject. We're talking about you and Rafe, not me."

"Aren't you gonna try and warn me and share your wisdom as the older coworker..? You know since you hooked up with him before?" you asked, leaning in teasingly as you felt yourself relax a little bit. "Not that I'm hooking up with him or anything along those lines.." you added hurriedly, shaking your head despite lying through your teeth.

Sofia raised an eyebrow at your question, a small chuckle escaping her lips as she leaned against the counter to match your position. She could tell that you were trying to deflect and avoid talking about the fact that you were most definitely getting close with Rafe. But she decided to play along for now, pretending to give into your distraction.

"Well.." she drawled, her tone a bit smug. "I can't blame you for wanting some of that billionaire bad boy D, but I gotta say.. He's not the most.. loyal. Or stable."

You grimaced once again, this time the gesture genuine as if the idea of committing to Rafe was actually ridiculous. "Trust me i don't want him to be loyal to me..." you trailed off before adding. "And besides i don't even like him.. He's snobby and annoying, the least good thing about him would be the D. If i was getting some.. Which I'm not."

Sofia chuckled at your response, shaking her head and crossing her arms over her chest. She knew damn well that you were lying, but she decided to play along for now, feigning skepticism.

"Right, right, of course. You don't like him, and you're definitely not getting any of that good D from him." she said with a smirk, her tone laden with sarcasm. "Seriously, you're as convincing as a brick wall."

Your shoulders dropped as she continued to call you out on your blatant lying. In some way maybe you had physical attraction to Rafe, given you slept with him three times already, but your mind drifted back to JJ and how pathetically in love you were with him while he had a whole girlfriend, and your mood soured even more. "All i can tell you is that even if i was hooking up with him it would be casual. Because you know.. I'm emotionally too attached to someone i can never have and it's eating me up inside for a week or so. Normal girlhood stuff.." you stated as you waved your hand in the air dismissively, your words cynical and sarcastic.

Sofia's smirk faded a bit as she picked up on the shift in your tone and demeanor. She could see the pain and bitterness in your eyes as you talked about being in love with someone you could never have and it tugged at her heart slightly. She knew exactly what it was like to be in that kind of situation, and it wasn't something she wished upon anybody.

"Ouch." she muttered, her voice quieter now. "Been there, done that. It sucks." she said softly before adding after a beat of silence. "You talking about JJ?"

Your eyes snapped to her instantly, brows furrowing as she shot the perfect target with one try. In such a casual way too, like it was obvious to everyone but JJ how in love with him you were. "What? Where is that deduction coming from? Why would your first guess be JJ?" you asked, a small frown pulling at your features.

Sofia simply raised an eyebrow, her gaze locking onto yours. She could see the surprise and defensiveness in your expression at her accurate guess, and it only confirmed what she already suspected. She took a moment to study you before responding, her voice gentle yet slightly amused.

"Well, I've seen the way you look at him." she stated matter-of-factly. "Like he hung the moon or some sappy bullshit like that. Plus, you're always hanging around him and pining like a lost puppy."

"Please tell me it's not that obvious.." you muttered, deadpanning before you groaned in something akin to frustration.

Sofia chuckled at your response, shaking her head slightly. "Sorry, sweetheart." she replied with a sympathetic tone. "I hate to break it to you, but it's pretty damn obvious. Anyone with eyes who's been around you and JJ together can tell you're head over heels for the guy. It's almost painful to watch, honestly."

"Imagine how i feel.." you muttered, your gaze dropping down on the floor, letting them roam over your beat up sneakers. "The only person not aware of the fact is the problem itself."

Sofia let out a small sigh at your words, her heart aching for you. She could only imagine the torment and frustration you must feel being in love with someone who was completely oblivious to your feelings, even someone as clueless and dense as JJ Maybank.

"God, that's rough." she said softly, her voice genuine. "I can't believe JJ hasn't picked up on it yet. The blind idiot."

You raised your gaze once again, feeling overcame by a myriad of emotions including disgust at yourself for moping over someone so obviously. Your expression hardened as you tried to feign nonchalance, words coming out lowly "Well even if he has, he's dating Kie.. So.." you trailed off, mind flashing with all the moments you witnessed between the two in the past week, chest aching just a smidge.

Sofia's heart ached at the sight of your hardening expression, knowing that you were trying so hard to hide the pain and disappointment you were feeling. She knew how much it killed you to see JJ with Kiara, and it was clear to her that it was like a knife twisting in the wound every time you saw them together.

"Yeah... that's the kicker, isn't it?" she said, her voice empathetic. "The fact that he'll probably never look past Kiara and see you for what you're really worth."

"Girl... That's really deep." amusement flashed over your face after a few moments, placing a hand on her shoulder as you snorted. "But i am hooking up with Rafe to bury my feelings in a pool of self hatred and guilt. So I'm coping pretty well if i do say so myself.." you murmured, grinning widely.

Sofia chuckled at your response, rolling her eyes at your sarcastic comment. She knew you were trying to deflect and make light of the situation.

"Oh, yeah. That's an extremely healthy way to deal with your feelings. Diving headfirst into a pool of hot, filthy self-hatred and guilt sex with a rich, unstable bad boy. Definitely the best way to handle your feelings for your best friend who's dating someone else." she teased, giving you a knowing smirk.

You pretended to sigh in disappointment as she made an accurate description of your situation, despite the self destructive tendencies of the whole ordeal. "When you put it like that you're taking the fun out of it and making it sound stupid and self destructive.." you rolled your eyes, adjusting your glasses.

Sofia laughed at your response, shaking her head in amusement. She knew damn well that you were taking this whole thing lighthearted, but she also knew that deep down, you were fully aware of how stupid and self-destructive your current situation was.

"Well, I'm sorry to rain on your parade, but sometimes the truth hurts, sweetheart. And the truth is, you're engaging in some self-destructive behavior that'll probably end badly if you keep it up."

You shrugged dismissively despite knowing that she was in fact right. And that you probably could've chosen someone else to hook up with to drown out your feelings. Because looking at it right now, if the pogues found out you could lose all of them. But who were you, if not the worst person at making choices and ruining your life? You held it close to your heart to live up to the title everyday.

"Well my shift ended unfortunately and i have to cut this conversation short.." you mumbled in mock disappointment, desperately wanting to end the conversation since you managed to sound more and more stupid as words kept getting exchanged. "Instead of being a bartender you should look into the vacant spot for a psychologist at the club. I'm sure they'll hire you, babes.. These kooks definitely need someone to deal with their unstableness and alcoholism from an young age." you patted her shoulder, walking past her from behind the bar, heading towards the employee locker to get changed out of your uniform and finally be done with the day.

Sofia rolled her eyes at your sarcastic comment, shaking her head slightly. She knew you were deflecting once again, trying to cover up the fact that deep down, you were well aware of the self-destructive nature of your choices. But she also knew better than to push the issue further.

"Yeah, yeah. Go get changed, smartass. Try not to trip on your self-sabotage on the way out. And I'll think about the psychologist thing." she replied, a smirk playing on her lips.

As you walked away towards the employee locker to change, Sofia watched you go, a mixture of concern and mild annoyance on her face. She knew you were good at hiding your feelings behind sarcasm and witty comments, but she couldn't help but feel a twinge of worry for you. She wondered if this whole thing with Rafe was just a coping mechanism for the pain of loving someone you believed you could never have. But she decided to let it go for now, shaking her head as she turned to continue cleaning up behind the bar.

Meanwhile, as you changed out of your work uniform and got ready to leave, your mind was swirling with thoughts and emotions, but the main thing on your mind was your complicated relationship with Rafe. You could feel the weight of the whole situation pressing down on you, and you couldn't help but wonder if Sofia was right. Was this all just another form of self-destructive behavior? Were you really fooling yourself into believing that this casual hook up with Rafe would help you deal with your feelings for JJ? As you pondered over these questions, the sounds of the country club slowly faded into the background.

You stood at the back, looking down at your phone, waiting for JJ to reply to your texts and let you know that he was in fact coming to pick you up from the club like he promised yesterday. Which never happened. You fidgeted with the hoodie string, chewing down on the small plastic part and scrolling through your phone for fifteen minutes before he actually texted you. Instead of the usual 'on my way!' followed by a string of dumb excuses of why he was late came a text that quite frankly sent your feelings plummeting down even more. Which honestly, were in such a state that you were wondering when they were gonna reach the rock bottom of the hole you were in.

Today 9:58 pm

'Sorry date with kie got stretched, currently at the wreck, still eating :( u can take the bus right?'

Blared your phone back at you. You wanted to say typical JJ but this wasn't the case. He was late but he never pulled stunts like these before. Having a girlfriend wasn't the problem here, him thinking he could manage to go on a date with his and then also pick you up as he promised was. He could've let you know, and then maybe you could ask to leave early to catch the last bus, but he didn't and now you were left to walk to the Chateau. Which you weren't even sure you wanted to do anymore.

Your heart sank as you read the text from JJ, disappointment and frustration washing over you in waves. Of course, he would choose his girlfriend over you. But what stung even more was the fact that he hadn't even bothered to let you know in advance. And now, you were left with the prospect of having to walk all the way back to the Chateau because he was busy on a date with Kiara.

You felt a pang of hurt in your chest as you sighed, putting on your backpack and slinging it over your slumped shoulders.

You reached into the pocket of your hoodie, the anger and exhaustion from the shift weighing down on you considerably, dropping down to sit on the curb of the small sidewalk behind the country club. You pulled out the pack of cigarettes, plucking one and lighting it almost too desperately, inhaling as soon as the end of it burned a dull orange. Calling your mom to come pick you up was a no go because 1. she was probably drunk, hooking up with her boyfriend and therefore couldn't drive and 2. she simply wouldn't want to. Because she was your mom and there a few things in this world she wanted to do, which unfortunately and due to circumstances that you didn't understand, didn't include you.

Now was walking all that bad? No. You had your earphones and enough music on your phone to get you through the walk, but there was a small storm warning for tonight and in general walking home at night sober terrified you. You never understood how you could do it while being drunk, especially as a girl. Maybe you should keep a small flask of vodka in your backpack for times like these. But you'd just solidify your own alcoholic tendencies, and you weren't quite ready to be aware of them yet. So, no flask for the time being.

You sat on the curb, letting out a cloud of smoke as you exhaled slowly, the anger and disappointment still hanging heavy in your chest. You were considering your options. The walk back to the Chateau was doable, but it would take a while, and the thought of walking through the darkness on your own didn't sit well with you. Especially with the storm warning. You could call an Uber, but you didn't have the spare cash for that, and you'd already spent most of your paycheck on weed earlier. Spending the tips you got today on an Uber was basically throwing money away.

You took another puff of the cigarette, letting the smoke fill your lungs and numb your emotions for a moment. As you exhaled, you couldn't help but wonder if this was what your life had been reduced to. A series of bad decisions and unhealthy coping mechanisms. You knew you were being hard on yourself, but in this moment, it was hard not to be. You could hear the faint sounds of laughter and chatter from inside the country club, the stark contrast to your lonely situation only making you feel more isolated and alone.

The sound of laughter and chatter from the inside of the country club only seemed to highlight the sense of isolation you felt. You felt a pang of loneliness. This life was not where you wanted to be. You wanted to be happy and carefree like everyone inside the club. You wanted to be carefree like JJ. The thought of him enjoying his date while you were out here smoking away your pain only added fuel to the fire of self-pity. You took another long drag of the cigarette, inhaling deeply, the smoke filling your lungs and calming your emotions.

After the long walk to the chateau in which you fortunately didn't get stabbed and mugged to death, you reached the front door, taking out your earphones and stopping the music that was blaring inside them. Instantly you were met with the faint sounds of the pogues inside. Your friends were probably tipsy and judging by Kiara's car sitting parked outside, JJ and Kie were inside too. The thought alone was enough to bring your mood back to the state it was before you started walking here, and you found yourself hesitating even if it was for a few moments, rethinking the decision of going inside.

As you stood outside the front door of the Chateau, you could faintly hear the voices of your friends inside, the sound of their laughter and chatter floating through the windows. You paused for a moment, the thought of seeing JJ and Kiara together bringing back the pang of hurt and disappointment you felt earlier. Part of you wanted to turn around and go back the way you came, but you knew that was just cowardice talking, and the stubborn, masochistic side of you won over.

You mentally prepared yourself for the possibility of seeing JJ and Kiara together, a sight that you knew would only add to your pain. With a deep breath, you pushed open the door and walked inside, trying to appear nonchalant as you entered. John B and Pope were playing beer pong, Sarah watching intently by her boyfriend's side and the sight made you smile. And then your eyes shifted to the couch, where JJ and Kie were snuggled up next to each other, completely unaware of what was happening around them and the small smile dropped instantly, probably comically even. You had to take a deep breath and step further into the living room, making your presence known since they didn't hear the door opening due to the music playing from a speaker next to Pope's feet.

As you walked further into the living room, the sight of JJ and Kiara snuggled up together on the couch sent a jolt of pain through your chest, but you tried your best to brush it off and act nonchalant.

Your entrance into the room went mostly unnoticed at first, as most of the Pogues were focused on the game of beer pong happening between John B and Pope. It wasn't until you stepped closer, your presence finally breaking through the haze of music and laughter, that JJ and Kiara finally turned their attention towards you.

JJ's eyes widened slightly as he caught sight of you, a mixture of surprise and guilt briefly flashing across his face. He could see the disappointment and hurt in your expression, even if you were trying to hide it. But Kiara, completely oblivious to the tension, immediately perked up at your arrival.

"Hey you!" Kiara exclaimed, her voice cheerful and loud. "Where were you? We were wondering when you'd show up!"

You stood in the middle of the living room awkwardly, your hand stopping mid way as you were about to take your backpack off, when Kie's voice stunned you for a second. Your eyes drifted from hers to JJ's as you spoke up, a tight smile gracing your lips clumsily "Yeah.. I had to walk home. The last bus from the country club leaves at 9 and i finished at 9:30.."

JJ's eyes narrowed slightly as you spoke, a pang of guilt shooting through him. He knew damn well that he was the reason you had to walk all the way back here, instead of him picking you up like he promised.

But, JJ being the cocky idiot in this whole situation just leaned back against the sofa, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Damn, that sucks.” He said, his nonchalant tone only adding more salt to your wound. “Guess you should've left work a bit earlier then, huh?"

Your stomach twisted as he spoke teasingly and casually, no hint of remorse playing over his handsome features, his hand draped over the couch and playing with a strand of Kie's hair like he had no care in the world. Like you didn't just walk here all the way across the island, in the dark with a storm warning looming over your head. Your fingers finally wrapped around the backpack strap, sliding it off your shoulders and dropping it by the coffee table in front of the couch, eyes narrowed significantly. 'Not even a sorry?' you asked yourself internally as slumped on one of the lawn chairs in front of the couch, sighing. "Guess i should've.. But i wasn't supposed to take the bus, was i?" you asked, the question meant to subtly make a jab at JJ breaking his promise.

JJ felt a pang of guilt at the subtle jab in your question, even though his expression remained deceptively calm and nonchalant. He knew exactly what you were hinting at, and he knew he had messed up by forgetting about his promise to pick you up from work.

He continued to play with Kiara's hair, his movements a little more tense than before, the teasing smirk still plastered on his face.

"Yeah well, plans change." He said with a shrug, his gaze flickering from you to Kiara, feigning innocence.

Your brows raised a bit, your disbelief at his audacity almost bleeding out onto your expression before you managed to school it. You weren't gonna make a scene, you kept repeating to yourself like a mantra, jealousy and anger bubbling up in your stomach and make it twist like it would usually before a test. Except you weren't at school, you were sitting in front of your best friends, who seemingly had a great time on their date at your expense. You tried to chuckle casually, adjusting your glasses as you spoke after a few moments.

"I'm assuming your date went well, right?" you asked, pointing to the two of them sitting in front of you, your smile not reaching your eyes quite fully.

JJ could see the anger and jealousy in your eyes, the effort it was taking you to keep it hidden only making him feel guiltier. But he was never one to admit his faults easily, especially not in front of other people. Instead, he just nodded his head, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Yea, it was pretty fun." He said nonchalant, his hand still playing with Kiara's hair. Kiara chimed in as well, completely oblivious to the tension in the room.

"It was great! We went to the Wreck and then took a walk on the beach." She said cheerfully.

You nodded as if you actually cared about the details of their stupid date, feeling like there was cement slowly getting poured over your neurons, your brain desperately trying to shut itself out from feeling the regret you were feeling at not just making a beeline for your house. Your legs ached, the heel of your foot feeling like it was on fire from standing up all day without sitting down more than ten minutes, you had barely anything to eat and you were overall just in a shitty mood. You probably looked like you needed a shower, smelled like it too.

But still, that didn't deter you, you were not gonna falter in the sight of exhaustion and bitterness, instead choosing to chew on your already shredded bottom lip as you averted your gaze for just a little. "I'm sure it went great, JJ's really good at grand gestures when it means he gets to ignore the little ones.." you mumbled, hoping the last part wasn't audible over the music playing from the speaker.

The comment caught JJ's attention and his hand paused in Kiara's hair, his expression faltering for a brief second before he quickly concealed it. He could feel the bite in your words, the hidden accusation that he was more willing to go all out for Kiara than put in effort for you. It stung, but he quickly composed himself, continuing to play with Kiara's hair.

"Hey, I do the big and the small gestures, thank you very much." He shot back, trying to keep his voice light and unbothered, even though he knew damn well you had a point.

"I'm sure you do." you replied in a cheerful tone that didn't quite match your tight expression, waving your hand in the air as you spoke, "I mean.. I didn't really get to congratulate you guys officially. And it's been a week already." you chuckled, looking between them with yet another tense smile as your gaze settled on Kiara "Dude, you're seriously so lucky you have JJ's full attention and.. dedication to put in the effort."

Kiara giggled, blissfully unaware of the underlying tension between you and JJ. She didn't pick up your sarcastic tone or the hidden jab in your words. She just saw it as harmless teasing between friends, and she responded with her usual cheerfulness.

"I know, right?" She said, looking lovingly up at JJ. "I'm damn lucky."

JJ's fingers continued tangling in Kiara's hair, his expression still casual, but there was a hint of discomfort in his eyes as he glanced at you.

The conversation continued, with Kiara blissfully rambling on about their date and their plans for the future while JJ pretended to listen intently, his mind elsewhere. He could feel the discomfort in the air, the tension between you and him like a thick cloud hanging over them. He couldn't help but steal glances at you, silently begging you to drop the act and just confront him, but you stayed silent, continuing to feign nonchalant banter with Kiara.

John B and Pope, meanwhile, seemed blissfully unaware of the tension, their attention solely focused on the beer pong game in front of them.

The conversation between Kiara, you, and JJ continued to flow, the awkward tension in the air almost palpable. Kiara continued to babble about their date and their plans for the future, while JJ just nodded along half-heartedly, his hand still running through Kiara's hair. John B and Pope were too drunk to notice the tension, still deeply absorbed in their game of beer pong, their laughter and banter filling the room.

Eventually, Kiara got up, excusing herself to the bathroom, leaving you and JJ alone on the couches for the first time since you arrived.

The moment Kiara disappeared, the silence between you and JJ became deafening. It was as if a spotlight was suddenly shining on the two of you, highlighting the tension and the unspoken words. He couldn't bring himself to look at you, his eyes still glued to the floor, his hands clenching and unclenching nervously in his lap.

After a few moments, he finally spoke up, his voice a low murmur.

"You're mad at me, aren't you?"

Your eyes were fixed on his face, trying to intimidate him with your intense gaze and it worked since he spoke up first. Giving you the chance to respond instead of addressing the fact that you were mad, rightfully so. "Should i be mad at you? It's not your duty to pick me up and drop me places." you spoke casually before adding "That's for Kie.." you whispered, a small mocking smile tugging at your lips.

JJ clenched his jaw, a mixture of annoyance and guilt flashing across his face. He knew your words were meant as a subtle dig, and it stung. The mention of Kiara in the context of picking you up and dropping you off sent a pang of guilt through him, but he refused to let it show. He met your gaze with a defiant glare, his voice firm and defensive.

"I promised I'd pick you up," he bit out, his hands clenching into fists at his sides.

You rolled your eyes, your façade dropping slightly as he stated the obvious thing, looking out to the side at the dark window, fingers playing with the frame of your glasses. "Right.. don't worry your pretty little head about it. I had a blast walking here at night with a storm warning interrupting my music every ten minutes.."

JJ felt a wave of guilt wash over him as you described your walk home, the storm warning and the danger that had come with it. His jaw clenched tighter, his eyes locking on your face as you looked out the window, his heart starting to pound in his chest. His own words, cocky and nonchalant, played back in his head, making him feel like a total jackass.

He didn't respond at first, his voice quiet when he spoke up again, his voice tinged with guilt.

"Why... why didn't you just call an Uber..?"

Your eyes snapped back to his face, brows furrowing in barely contained anger. God, you were so ready to snap. "Because i don't have the money, blondie. Not like your girlfriend. She can just call an Uber or get in her car and go places while all i have in my name is a stupid, old skateboard. Which by the way, i didn't have with me because i took the bus this morning. And then you promised to pick me up, so i didn't bring with me to work."

JJ's jaw clenched as you snapped at him, your words hitting every guilt button he had for the last hour. His cocky demeanor crumbled for a split second, guilt flashing across his face before it was quickly concealed. He ran a hand through his hair, avoiding your gaze as you spoke about your lack of money and means of transportation.

He had never really thought about the difference in your and Kiara's financial situations before, and the realization made him feel like the biggest douchebag.

"I'm.. sorry," he mumbled.

He had never realized the disparity between your financial situations and Kiara's. The fact that you had to rely on the pogues' Twinkie for rides and couldn't simply call an Uber or hop in your own car like Kiara, who had the financial means to do so. And he had completely overlooked the fact that you had even taken the bus instead of bringing your skateboard just because he promised to pick you up.

Seeing how upset it made you, how much it pissed you off, made him feel like a complete and utterly thoughtless jackass. He felt guilty as hell.

Which you didn't care about. You could see the guilt written all over his face but the anger coursing through you was way too strong to let him off the hook and accept his apology. Instead you just grunted in acknowledgement, looking to the side once again as you fidgeted with the small charms attached to your phone case, trying to relax your tense shoulders and expression.

JJ clenched his jaw, watching your reaction with a heavy heart. He could see the anger still burning in your eyes and the way you avoided his gaze as you fidgeted with the charms on your phone case. He wanted to reach out, to try and make amends, but he knew damn well that it was too early. You weren't ready to listen, let alone accept his apology.

He shifted on his seat, his muscles taut with tension, and swallowed hard.

".. are you really that pissed at me..?" He asked, his voice low.

"I'm just exhausted from work JJ." you mumbled, not looking at him and still choosing not to fully acknowledge him.

JJ's heart sank further at your response. The exhaustion in your voice was palpable, and it only added to the weight of his guilt. He knew damn well that he was partially to blame for your weariness. You'd taken the bus to work instead of bringing your skateboard just because he promised to pick you up. And now, instead of keeping his word, he'd completely neglected you to have a stupid date with Kiara.

He clenched his jaw, his guilt-ridden expression turning into frustration when you continued to avoid his gaze.

He let out a frustrated huff, his annoyance at your cold demeanor starting to get to him. He knew he didn't deserve for you to be all sweet and forgiving, but he wished you'd at least look at him and not just avoid his gaze like he was some sort of leper.

He leaned forward, his forearms resting on his thighs as he tried to catch your eye.

"Look at me when I'm talking to you, damn it." He said, his voice a low, almost pleading whisper.

"You'll be fine." you spoke quietly, resting your chin on your palm, elbow propped on the arm of the lawn chair. "I can hear you just fine like this too.." you added.

JJ bristled at your response, frustration and regret building up in his chest. Your nonchalant, almost smug attitude only fueled his annoyance, and he wanted to shake you, to make you understand how guilty he felt for abandoning you for a date.

He sat up straighter, his expression hardening as he tried again.

"I don't just want you to hear me, I want you to look at me," he grumbled, his voice tinged with frustration and an undeniable hint of desperation.

But you didn't. The situation was slowly but surely escalating and you hated confrontation, especially when it came to your friends. Especially when it came to JJ. You were almost wishing that he would just go back to being anything but apologetic, your jaw clenching in irritation. "Don't make a big deal out of it JJ, i told you: 'you'll be fine.'"

JJ's annoyance flared at your nonchalant response, his frustration reaching a boiling point. He was tired of you acting like he hadn't monumentally screwed up and left you hanging, walking all the way to the Chateau alone at night.

He let out a frustrated huff, his hands clenching into fists in his lap as he tried once more to make you look at him.

"How can you say 'don't make a big deal out of it'? I'm trying to apologize and you're acting like a total... douche."

Now your eyes finally snapped to his, to make sure you actually heard him right and that he was indeed still holding onto his audacity and somehow blaming you. "And maybe i don't wanna accept your apology. Ever think of that, goldilocks?" you asked, quiet venom dripping from your words. "I have free will and I'm allowed not to. Especially when you call me a 5th grade insult like 'douche' while doing so."

JJ met your gaze with a mixture of anger and frustration, his temper flaring at your response. He was already feeling guilty, and your coldness and refusal to accept his apology only added fuel to the fire.

He clenched his jaw, his whole body tensing as he bristled at your remark.

"Oh, so now I'm not allowed to call you out for being a dick just because I'm trying to apologize? That's real fair." He retorted, his voice rising slightly, his guilt making way for anger.

"Excuse for being mad at lil' ol' you.." you mumbled in a sickly and mockingly sweet tone before your face dropped in anger again. "Didn't know we were playing the fair field here.. Thought you made it obvious we weren't, when you left me to walk home at night to prolong your date.."

JJ's anger flared once again, his guilt turning into irritation and defensiveness. He knew he was in the wrong, knew he had screwed up, but he couldn't help himself from feeling like you were just twisting the knife deeper.

He clenched his jaw, his voice coming out as a low, frustrated hiss.

"Oh, so that's what this is about? You're angry because I was too busy on a date instead of giving you a ride home? Is that it?" He snapped, his tone dripping with sarcasm and irritation.

You leaned back, forcing your shoulders to relax despite the feeling in your stomach building up to a level of almost being sick. Was it jealousy? anger? the anxiety you felt while walking home that didn't die down even as you were inside the house, safe? You didn't know which. But you had to keep the situation from escalating, or else you'd actually end up admitting that you were in fact not happy for JJ and Kie for getting together, like you stated earlier. "No. But you know what? If that's what you think this is.. Jealousy. Maybe you should just continue being mad. I'm too exhausted to argue with you right now."

JJ clenched his jaw, his irritation only further fueled by your denial. He could see the tension in your shoulders, the subtle signs in your body language that betrayed your true feelings no matter how hard you tried to maintain a façade of nonchalance.

He let out a bitter scoff, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Right," he sneered, his eyes narrowed. "You're too exhausted because I left you to walk home all alone, but not too exhausted to act like a petty, jealous little.." he paused, letting the insult hang in the air.

You paused, eyes narrowing at his unsaid insult and at the fact that despite you trying to not let the situation escalate, he was making that very hard. "You're way too full of yourself." you stated, your words tight with barely contained anger.

JJ's irritation flared at your response, his muscles tensing as your words hit him like a punch to the gut. He opened his mouth, a biting comeback right on the tip of his tongue, but instead, he clenched his jaw so hard that a muscle in his cheek twitched.

He took a deep breath, his voice coming out as a low, barely controlled whisper.

"Are you really gonna sit there and act like you're not pissed off that I was out on a date instead of picking you up and dropping you home? That I was prioritizing Kiara instead of you?"

You knew what he was trying to do. Called it from the beginning of this stupid conversation. Because if there was anyone on the planet that knew JJ more than he knew himself, it was you. He wanted a reaction from you. Thrived on it. JJ was a guy who thrived in fast paced environments and loved commanding attention and emotions to his will. Maybe that was because just like you, he never really had any control over important aspects of his life, so he would make up for that fact by messing with people and drawing reactions from them. That was his nature. There was no changing JJ. Just like there was no changing you. You were the only person who didn't quite give him the satisfaction of a mindless reaction.

You shrugged, releasing the inside of your cheek from the tight grip of your teeth, exhaling to calm your anger down, at least by a notch so you could speak. "You want me to be?" you asked, a small mocking smile tugging at your lips, whispering the words in the same tone, careful not to attract the attention of the other pogues on the argument currently unfolding under their noses.

JJ clenched his jaw once again, your nonchalant attitude and mock-sweet tone of voice hitting him in a way that both fueled his anger and slightly impressed him.

He gritted his teeth as you spoke, his heart racing in his chest as he tried to keep his own voice down to not attract the attention of the others, trying not to give them a show in the process.

His intense gaze was fixed on you, studying your face with an almost desperate fervor, looking for any sign of vulnerability that he could exploit to get a proper reaction out of you.

He leaned slightly forward, his eyes narrowing as he studied you, his brain trying to find the words to get a rise out of you. And in an instant, he found it. A realization.

He let out a scoff, a bitter smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "Yeah. I do. Maybe it pisses you off, doesn't it? That I chose Kiara over you. Maybe you're just jealous, aren't you?"

Obviously the words stung. They stung like when you'd try to learn a new skateboard trick and you ended up tripping in the process, scraping the first layer of skin off and leaving you with a big tender patch all over your knee. That's how you felt for the past week since Kie and JJ made it obvious they were an exclusive couple. It wasn't just the fact that he was trying to exploit it to make himself feel good, it was the fact that to some extent it was obvious. Still, the anger at his audacity blared so much stronger than the hurt you were feeling, jealousy and possible sadness making way for the adrenaline induced anger.

In spite of all that, you let out a small laugh, throwing your head back as you laughed momentarily. "It still baffles me J.." you started, shaking your head as if the words were merely part of a normal conversation, soft and reverent "How much of a dick you can be sometimes. I mean... you stood me up when you clearly promised, and somehow you managed to twist it enough to make it sound like I'm in the wrong for being mad at you. For not accepting a half assed apology... Like I'm jealous." you spat out the last part, your anger quiet and controlled yet a familiar sight for JJ.

JJ seethed as he watched you laugh, his irritation flaring at your words. He couldn't believe you were acting like he was the dick in this situation. He clenched his jaw, his muscles tensing as he tried to keep his anger in check.

His eyes narrowed as you continued, his heart rate spiking as you mentioned his half-assed apology and the fact that you didn't accept it. He wanted to snap, to yell at you that he was trying his best here, but something in your voice stayed his hand and made him listen instead.

He clenched his hands into tight fists in his lap, his knuckles turning white at the force of it. He hated how he found himself getting sucked into this argument, even though he knew it was his own fault. The fact you were being so reasonable, when he was trying so hard to poke and prod and push you into a reaction... it was infuriating, but also oddly attractive in a twisted way.

He took a deep breath, his voice coming out slightly more controlled than before.

"I'm trying to apologize, damn it. What more do you want from me?"

You shrugged once again, silently dismissing him once again. A genuine twisted smile spread over your lips for a moment before you schooled it back into condescension, satisfied that he didn't get a reaction out of you. "Maybe don't call me a petty, jealous little bitch indirectly.." you responded, your sigh coming out akin to a parent disappointed in their child.

JJ gritted his teeth, his irritation flaring at your cold, dismissive shrug and the condescending look you gave him. He clenched his hands into fists once more, his anger and frustration boiling to a point that he felt like he was going to burst if he didn't say something soon.

He let out a sharp huff, his voice low and biting as he shot you a glare.

"Well, it's not my fault if the shoe fits."

You rolled your eyes, adjusting your glasses. It did. The shoe fit. But he didn't have the right to point it out in the context of this conversation. Not when he was at fault and your main problem was the fact that he didn't keep his promise. Jealousy wasn't the main factor driving you into being mad at him. Because that was JJ's style not yours. If the roles were reversed and he was the one pathetically in love with you while you had a boyfriend, all but aware of his feelings for you; he'd be seething right now. He'd make it everyone's problem and would probably even try and ruin your relationship in a half ass, half thought through plan. You knew JJ. He didn't take well to jealousy and other feelings, reason why he tried to mess with the feelings of other people.

So the fact that you were sitting there, still managing to come to the group hangouts or go to parties with the pogues sent you a notch higher above JJ. And you liked that. A lot. It didn't mean that you weren't jealous and bitter, but unlike JJ you didn't have the emotional intelligence of a tea spoon. "God, you're such a goddamn man child.." you mumbled after rolling your eyes, yet another sigh escaping your lips.

JJ clenched his jaw, his fists clenching and unclenching as he listened to you insulting him and sighing at him, as if he were some child having a temper tantrum. And maybe, in a way, he was. But he wasn't going to admit that to you, or to anyone else.

He let out a frustrated huff, his voice coming out laced with anger and bitterness.

"Oh, I'm the man child? You're the one who's acting all pissed at me because I stood you up for a date. Grow up."

Instead of being hurt by this conversation, you chose to be amused by it. It was awfully amusing, especially since you were the one supposed to be mad and not the other way around. You let out a genuine snort of laughter, shaking your head as you studied his tense form on the couch in front of you, the desperate attempt at getting a reaction out of you. "Y'know what baffles me?" you mumbled between chuckles, "The fact that I'm literally pulling the stunt you're trying to pull on me. I'm getting a reaction out of you instead of the other way around. And you're oblivious to it. Instead of backtracking and just forgetting the whole thing, you keep adding shit that you're gonna be forced to apologize for later. Something that you clearly don't take well to.." you added, gesturing to him vaguely as you spoke the last part of your amused comment.

JJ felt his irritation growing with each quiet chuckle that escaped your lips, the sound making his heart race in his chest. He clenched his teeth tightly, trying to force himself to remain stoic despite the feeling swirling through him.

He had started this argument with the intention of making you react, but you had managed to turn the tables on him again, and that was driving him crazy.

He huffed, his voice low and dark as he spoke. "You're messing with my head, you know that, right?"

Your grin widened with each word he spoke, nodding along. "Not my fault you're easy to read."

JJ felt his irritation flare once more at your grin, his heart racing in his chest as he clenched his fists tightly in his lap. He hated how easy you were able to get to him, how you had managed to manipulate the conversation into something else entirely.

He let out a scoff, his voice tense and low.

"Easy to read" his ass. He was the most closed off person around, always avoiding talking about his feelings. How the hell were you able to read him so easily all the time?

He ran a hand through his hair, his fingers tangling in the messy strands as he looked away, his eyes scanning the room, trying to distract himself with something, anything, other than your damn annoying smug face.

He opened his mouth to speak again, but before he could say anything, Pope's awkward cough cut through the air, breaking the tension between the two of you in the process.

JJ's head snapped up, his attention now directed towards Pope, who was casually sitting on the armrest of the couch, on the opposite end from him clearly having been watching the exchange from the start.

Pope shot him an amused look, a sly smirk playing at the corner of his lips, and JJ had a sudden urge to wipe it off his face… with a punch. Instead, he just gritted his teeth and said nothing, his gaze flickering towards you for a brief moment before returning to his friend.

You directed the grin at Pope, openly satisfied that he was also amused at the fact that you managed to shut JJ up. You turned around and just as you were expecting, John B, Sarah and Kie were standing by the table listening in intently too, the beer pong game long forgotten.

JJ felt his irritation increasing exponentially now that he realized that all your friends had been listening to the whole thing unfold, watching as you turned around to face the rest of the pogues with a victorious grin on your face.

He couldn't help but shoot each of them a glare, silently cursing the fact that his plan to get a reaction out of you had failed so spectacularly. Pope continued to watch the situation unfolding with a smirk, clearly enjoying the show. John B's expression was neutral, although there was a flicker of concern in his eyes, and Kiara looked… amused.

In spite of all, of shutting down JJ victoriously and managing to play off the whole situation off, you still felt the dull sting of JJ's words. You knew that they were mostly things said in anger, his way of dealing with the guilt he felt for standing you up like that. In a sense he was acting like a man child. To put simply big feelings scared JJ and he liked to mostly do all his thinking with the lower head instead of the perfectly working one on his shoulders. You knew that a little silent treatment would have him apologizing in a heartbeat but what hurt more was that this time they were true.

Since him and Kie made it obvious that they were officially the second couple of the group, after John B and Sarah, you had managed to find excuses to not hang out with the pogues as much. Disassociating on hang outs to avoid looking at him while he made out with his girlfriend, or watching the two of them sneak off at parties wasn't exactly the fun you were hoping to have that summer. So you took to sneaking off too. Whether it was keggers or kook house parties, you managed to get blackout drunk for over 3 times in the past week. It wasn't entirely fun either. Especially when you started finding yourself in the orbit of Rafe.

Sex with Rafe was good, almost too good. You were clearly physically attracted to each other, an attraction that you didn't really know the source of and one that made you very guilty afterwards. That night when you got spiked, he managed to surprise you in a way that made you feel even guiltier. Because he didn't act like the Rafe you knew and grew to hate. He helped you out and in the haze of the realization that you could've died from alcohol poisoning and drug overdose in a random ditch on the island if he didn't find you, all you could do was sleep with him. Again. Because there was no space for verbal gratefulness or emotional shit. Not when all of that space was filled with hatred and annoyance. It was stupid. This was the same guy that hated your social class with a passion and hunted them for sport and fun. So why the fuck was he interested in perturbing your bubble and floating around in your shitty, cheap orbit?

That night went by without any more arguments between you and JJ, choosing to keep your distance so he could compartmentalize his emotions. You played beer pong, and then some Uno while tipsy and before you knew it, Pope had left to go home with the pretext that he didn't wanna be stuck here if the upcoming storm had gotten worse. Which was code for basically abandoning you with two horny, drunk couples in the chateau, who will probably be fucking until they passed out while you slept on the ratty couch in the living room. And you were almost sure you were gonna sleep through the whole night, given you were tipsy enough to fall asleep after sitting still for ten minutes.

But you weren't lucky enough, it seemed. Because you stirred awake, the sound of the rain pattering against the old roof of the chateau pulling you out of your sleep. The wind wasn't all that strong, not enough to send you into a hurricane scare, but you could tell the storm wasn't here to play. You propped yourself up on your elbows, not bothering to reach for your glasses on the coffee table since it was almost pitch black in the living room. Great, so the power was out. No wifi, no electricity and probably no signal for mobile data. You looked around for a few moments, slinging your feet on the floor and leaning against the couch in a sitting position. You rubbed your hands over your tired face, head pounding duly from the alcohol. You should've threw up before sleeping. And then you heard it.

The room that JJ hogged as his in the chateau didn't exactly have the thickest walls. So now that he was sharing it with Kiara, the two of them clearly restless and giggly when they went inside to "sleep", you could hear everything. They weren't being exactly obscene per se, but you could make out what was happening even in your groggy state and it made your stomach twist violently. JJ's grunts and occasional comments reverberated through the thin walls in the dead silence of the living room. God, were you just gonna have to stand here on the couch with no phone or electricity having to listen to the guy you were in love with fuck his girlfriend? And not to mention that she wasn't being exactly shy about letting him know how good of a job he was doing.

You were doomed. Quite literally sentenced to sit there, unable to go back to sleep or distract yourself with your phone as JJ and Kie had drunk sex in the room a few feet away. You sighed, turning to look out the window and the sounds of the rain matched the way it was pouring down. You could walk home right? Murderers didn't really like to kill in storms like these, you were the only one thinking about even going out there in these weather conditions. Who were you kidding. Most murders happened on rainy and stormy nights. But you weren't gonna sit there and take it (quite frankly more lamely than Kie currently was.) So you rose up to you feet after putting on your sneakers and hoodie, grabbing your glasses off the coffee table along with your phone and slung your backpack over your shoulders.

You put your hood on, as if the piece of fabric was gonna shield you from the pouring rain and made a beeline for the front door. You didn't bother with being quiet since JJ and Kie were too occupied at the moment and John B and Sarah were probably asleep already. Or maybe they were just being quiet. You didn't wanna stick around to find out.

Meanwhile, back in the small room occupied by JJ and Kiara, things were heating up quickly. The storm outside was a mere background to the sounds coming from within, the room filled with grunts and moans, Kiara's laughter and JJ's low curses with no idea of the fact that you were leaving. JJ grunted, his hand tightening its grips where it had been holding Kie's hip, the sound of the rain and the lightning outside barely registering in his mind, completely focused on the girl underneath him. This was the best way to handle his conflicting emotions, this was the best distraction from the anger and guilt swirling in his chest.

As you reached the front door and pulled it open carefully, a particularly loud cry of pleasure sounded from the room behind you, the sound reverberating through the house. Maybe even through your soul. Which quickly pushed you to make up your mind and step out of the house into the rain, hand instantly shooting up to try and shield your glasses from getting wet.

The only person insane enough to be out in the streets, let alone drive on these weather conditions was none other than Rafe. He didn't really have a choice, giving the scuffle he created back at Topper's house, and the headlights of his SUV were barely strong enough to help him against the darkness in front of him and the rain pattering against the windshield, the water droplets laying on the glass like a thick layer of veil. His bruised knuckles tightened on the steering wheel, ignoring the pain that shot through him when he did so. He was still drunk, but more than anything he was still angry. At the storm raging outside? At the fact that Topper literally kicked him out of the house for doing something inherently righteous? He didn't know himself.

He let out a sigh, the sound a mix between annoyance and relief as he saw his house loom in the distance, the white paint a stark contrast to the darkness of the sky. He was relieved to have finally made it home (without crashing or getting pulled over) and he was more than ready to just shower, change quickly and pass out. Until he saw you. At first, when he pulled into the driveway he didn't recognize you, not with the hood on your head. He was more than sure that it was a burglar, someone trying to break in using the storm advantage and his adrenaline and anger induced brain was ready to step out of the car and beat the dude to a pulp under the pretext of self defense.

But then you turned around, facing the car and the headlights shone over you face, causing your glasses to glimmer in the light momentarily and he calmed down partially. What confused him was the fact that you looked just as confused as he felt, unsure of what exactly you were doing at his house. As if he was the one that called you here. He wasn't.

Your walk home was uncomfortable, to say the least. Your hoodie was doing little to protect you from the heavy rain, your hair sticking to your forehead and your glasses becoming almost useless with the amount of water on the lenses. However there was no way you were turning back around, you'd rather get drenched completely than endure even another second in the chateau, listening to JJ and Kiara.

Your thoughts were swirling in your brain, each one more spiteful and bitter than the last. You didn't really pay attention where you were going, too focused on getting home as quickly as possible and ignoring the sound of lightning and thunder erupting and tearing the sky above you. How you thought it was a good idea to walk all the way to Rafe's was beyond you. Especially with the state you were in and the walkable weather. But seeing your mother had locked the back and front door, and you weren't exactly able to slip through the windows or in the possession of a spare key, your last option was... Rafe. You were sure he was already home and despite the long walk to Figure Eight, you still didn't really know what to tell the older Cameron. To explain why the hell you were at his house in the middle of the night, during a freakish storm, still wearing the clothes you left work with.

When Rafe saw you at the foot of the driveway, his surprise was evident. His eyebrows pulled together in confusion and he squinted through the rain to check if his alcohol-addled brain was playing tricks on him. But no, it was you, standing there in the pouring rain like a wet stray dog. He sighed, shutting off his headlights and stepping out of the car.

He was immediately hit with the heavy downpour, the rain soaking through his clothes and chilling his skin in mere seconds. He walked towards you, his long strides eating up the distance between you quickly.

He came to a stop a few feet away from you, his gaze flickering over your wet form. His eyes taking in the way your sodden hoodie clung to your body and your soaked glasses, your hair sticking to your forehead. He was also soaked through, the fabric of his shirt sticking to his toned frame, the water running down his face and dripping off the end of his nose.

"What the hell are you doing out there, are you insane or something?"

You watched as he turned off the car the headlights no longer blinding you. So he wasn't at home, you thought. Driving on these conditions also explained why he wasn't replying to your texts. Which you caved in and decided you were in dire need of sending. You were almost ready to turn around and walk back all the way to the Cut, risking getting pneumonia, before he pulled to a stop in the driveway. Effectively freezing you in your spot. Now your brain was actually empty as he asked you the question you dreaded the past 15 minutes standing awkwardly in his driveway.

You shifted in your spot, pressing your lips together as you struggled to put aside your pride and just tell him the reason you were here. Which of course he didn't care about, because why would he? And technically speaking you left the chateau unreasonably, no one in their right mind was walking outside at night, on a storm. Not even out of jealousy and bitterness. And the fact that you actually went through with it and walked over to his house baffled you as much as it baffled him.

"I texted you like 5 times." you raised your voice over the sounds of the rain, the statement being the only one that you had enough courage to yell out.

Rafe clenched his jaw as you spoke, his annoyance with you quickly flaring up. Though, he was more confused than anything. He ignored the way his wet clothes clung to him uncomfortably as he took a step closer to you, his eyes narrowing in irritation.

"First of all, you can ditch the attitude. I didn't see your texts." He said, his voice rising above the pouring rain. "And second, why the hell are you here and not at home in your own damn bed like a normal person?!"

Your eyes roamed over his form, at first with the intent to subtly check him out before you tried to deflect again but something caught your eye. There were small splatters of blood on his shirt, the crimson stains a stark contrast against the white wife beater he was wearing. Which you didn't remember him wearing at the country club. Your eyes flicked back to his face, features twisting in confusion, knowing what you saw despite the wet glasses and low visibility.

"To be honest i don't have an answer to that question myself!" you spoke, your voice rising to match his over the rain, and not to give him attitude like he thought. "Is this a bad time?! I'm not helping you to hide any bodies, just so you know..!" you added, nodding vaguely towards his shirt, a shitty attempt at covering your unease with humor.

He glanced down at his chest, cursing under his breath when he realized the dark spots of blood soaking through his white tank top. He should've changed his shirt, this was just idiotic now. He looked back at you, a mixture of anger and annoyance in his gaze, your attempt at humor not going over his head.

"Don't worry about the blood. And no, it's not a bad time." He said, though his voice was gruff. "Just get in the goddamn house. Before you catch pneumonia or something."

You stood there, as if debating between turning around and going back to the chateau once again due to your unease from his brushing you off, or actually following his orders. He looked tense, and angry you could tell that much from knowing him so little. And you were definitely worrying about the blood now that he was trying to brush it off so quickly. But the part that didn't want to walk back to the chateau eventually won out, and you turned towards the glass doors of his house, quickly stepping into the dark house. You looked around at the dark surroundings while he followed suit, despite having been over at the Cameron's multiple times, pulling your hood off your head and removing your glasses. Were you making a mistake? You knew Rafe wasn't entirely sane, so your allusion at murder wasn't entirely far fetched. But you figured even killers had cooldowns. At least that's what you told yourself to help with the unease.

Rafe followed you into the house, the glass sliding door shutting behind him with a loud slam. The sound of the storm outside became a faint background noise, the quiet interior of the Cameron's large house suddenly feeling a lot more claustrophobic. He watched as you pulled your hood off your head, your damp hair sticking to your forehead. He let out a sharp exhale, his eyes roaming over your face and body briefly, trying to figure out why you were here.

His gaze then landed on your glasses in your hand, his eyes narrowing.

He crossed the distance between you in a single stride, his hand snatching the soaked glasses from your grip, his movements almost aggressive. Despite his touch being firm and rough, he held the glasses in a gentler grip, his eyes tracing the frame and the lenses. He was almost worried that it got damaged. He ran a thumb over the glasses, the action almost tender and caring. But once he realized what he was doing, his eyes snapped up to your face, his expression hardening once again.

"You're drenched from head to toe."

Your eyes followed his movements as he snatched the glasses from your grip, turning to face him almost cautiously. "Well.. it's raining, in case you haven't noticed.." you gestured behind him towards the glass doors, your voice weak and unsure, but still sarcastic.

He shot you a glare, his annoyance flaring up again at your sarcastic remark. He rolled his eyes, the movement almost dramatic, as he started towards his room upstairs. He grabbed your arm as he went, dragging you behind him. He didn't bother with turning the lights on as he led you through the dark house, only illuminated by the occasional flashes of lightning, up the grand staircase.

Once they were inside, he slammed the door of his room behind you. He then turned to look at you, his eyes scanning over your soaked form in the moonlight seeping through his curtains behind him.

The house, which usually was beautiful and grandiose, looked ominous and dark. Vacant, like in a horror movie. You blinked in surprise as he still held onto your glasses, his free hand wrapping around your wrist and dragging up the stairs onto the dark second floor of the house. Okay, now you were definitely regretting this. Not only was he acting cryptic and strange, movements full of anger and body tense. But the his bloody tank top and the fact that he didn't really address it deepened your unease. Not that he had to. You weren't even sure why you were here. You weren't exactly dating or friends, so showing up unannounced like this definitely caught him off guard.

Your eyes were fixed on his back as he was walking in front of you up the stairs, anxiety coiling in your stomach like a snake. Once you reached his room, you gave his bedroom an once over, the familiar sight making you feel even more on edge, a mix of guilt and flight or fight pressing down on your chest. You looked over the bed in the middle of the room, and then at the clothes sprawled on the foot of it and on the chair at his desk, eyes finally landing on the small bar further into the room. "So.. you're not gonna murder me for showing up here, right?" you asked looking back at him, and you didn't know if the question was another lame attempt at humor or genuine.

Rafe's expression was stoic as he watched your eyes dart around the room, noticing how tense you looked. He could practically feel the anxiety radiating off of you, even if you were trying to play it cool and make jokes. He ignored the question at first, his eyes fixing on your wet body for a moment, his gaze feeling almost predatory as it roamed over the curves of your soaked hoodie. Then he broke the uncomfortable silence.

"Take off your clothes." was all he said, his voice low and commanding.

Your brows raised in surprise at his command, shifting in your spot uncomfortably, a stark contrast from your usual demeanor. What the hell was wrong with him tonight? "Uh.. no, i'd rather get killed in my clothes.." you mumbled weakly, lips twitching up in a smile that didn't hold any amusement or casualness.

Rafe's irritation grew at your response, his jaw clenching. He took a slow, purposeful step towards you, closing the distance between you and towering over you with his tall frame.

"This isn't a joke, dumbass. You're soaked and probably going to get sick. Now. Strip." He said, his voice leaving no room for argument, his eyes locking with yours, his gaze hard and intense, leaving no room for debate.

You tensed up when he stepped closer, your eyes drifting back to the blood stains on his tank top before flickering back to his face. Without your glasses your vision was blurry and unfocused at the edges, but you could still see the small cut on his lip and the small bruise on his cheek. Which if this was in any other circumstances, maybe you'd strip. But your gut feeling made you want to stand your ground. "Yeah well.. i'd prefer to do it in the bathroom, preferably while you're out here..." you whispered before adding almost desperately, wanting to clarify. "-lending me a change of clothes.."

He clenched his jaw, his hands clenching into fists at his side, frustration and anger boiling under the surface. He was tempted to grab you and drag you across the room to the en suite bathroom himself, to toss you into the shower and then manhandle you until you listened, taking care of you himself. But he held back, if only slightly, understanding that it'd make everything even weirder.

He gritted his teeth, his jaw flexing before sighing, his hands reaching up to run through his messy hair. Then he took a few steps backwards, dropping himself down on the edge of the bed.

You watched as he stood on the of the bed, your own stance awkward by the door. You weren't sure what to do, you'd never had to deal with this kind of Rafe. Never had the chance to. There were so many questions floating through your mind, and the fact that he was still holding onto your glasses made it even worse. A part of you wanted to tell him that he was slightly scaring you, but you thought against it, reaching up to fidget with the damp string of your hoodie.

He rested his elbows on his knees, his fingers running through his messy and quite damp hair, his eyes fixating on you by the door. You looked like a wet cat, your clothes sticking to your body and hair tangled in messy strands, your glasses in his hand. He found himself thinking again how much he wanted to throw you into the shower and dry you off. Take care of you. Like he did earlier tonight, unknowingly to you. He felt almost angry at the thought. But the sight of you fidgeting with the string of your hoodie only made it worse.

"Just go use my bathroom to change, dumbass." He repeated.

You watched him intently, as much as you could without your glasses and you found yourself humming in agreement, but not moving just yet. "What.. what happened?" you asked, brows furrowing slightly.

He sighed, his eyes flickering up and locking with yours in the dimly lit bedroom. He could hear the genuine concern in your voice, but he felt defensive and closed off at the question. His eyes narrowed slightly, his jaw clenching as he debated how much to tell you, if anything at all.

"Got into a fight." He answered simply, the partial truth slipping off his tongue easily. "Why do you care anyway?" He added with a touch of bite to his tone

Your expression twitched slightly, looking down at your soaked sneakers as you scratched your temple. You didn't, not really anyway. You didn't even know where the question came from. Maybe from your anxiety, which dimmed down considerably as he told you he got into a fight. Still there was something in his demeanor that just... put you off. He looked like a man that didn't get enough punches in, anger still rolling off of him in waves. "I was just making sure i wasn't about to-" sleep with a murderer? you finished internally, speaking up after a few seconds, "well.. just making sure i wasn't gonna be your second victim tonight.."

He huffed out a short, sharp laugh as you spoke, shaking his head slightly, his gaze not leaving your small frame. He felt a pang of guilt and annoyance at your words, knowing he kind of deserved it. He ran a hand through his hair, messing it up even more than it already was. Despite his anger, there was a hint of playful irritation at your sarcasm.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. You're not a target." He said with a touch to sarcasm in his own voice, his eyes flickering over your body once more. "Just a nuisance."

He leaned back on his hands, his eyes still flickering over you. His gaze was intense and almost predatory as he continued to take in the sight of you in the dim light of the bedroom. The way your wet clothes clung to your body, the way your hair was sticking to your face, the way your eyelashes clung together after being soaked. It was all driving him insane. He wanted to take you, right here and now. Take all that pent up frustration and anger out on you.

Although those two statements sounded more like the Rafe you knew and hated (usually,) the way he was silently watching you after, made you squirm in your spot. Not to mention you felt vulnerable without your glasses. And foolish for coming here without a clear reason as to why. "..Right." you muttered weakly after a few moments, pressing your lips in a thin line.

He raised an eyebrow at your nervous fidgeting, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He noticed the way you squirmed under his gaze, and it only fuelled the burning heat in his gut. He pushed himself off the bed, his eyes fixed on you as he slowly walked closer. He was like a hunter stalking his prey, his movements slow and predatory, as if trying to get you to run so he could chase you.

He stopped right in front of you, towering over you with his tall, broad frame.

He reached out, his fingers hooking under your chin, tilting your head back slightly so he could study your face from a different angle. His eyes roamed your face, taking in every detail, the way your eyelashes clung together, the way water droplets dripped from your hair onto your face. He was acutely aware of the way you were shifting, fidgeting, and avoiding his gaze. It only made him want to tease you even more.

"You look like a wet puppy." He said, his voice low. Amused. A hint of mockery in his tone.

You tensed up when he stepped closer, brows furrowing slightly when he tilted your face up to look at him, eyes roaming over his face, which was a little less blurry now that he was closer. His damp hair was sticking to his forehead and his eyes were a bit blown out, blazing in simmering anger. "Thanks.." you responded to his mocking statement, biting back the remark that was threatening to slide off your tongue.

His smirk grew into a sly grin, his thumb tracing over your chin, his fingers still gripping your chin, holding your head in place. He could see the defiant response on the tip of your tongue, the snarky attitude that he knew too well. And it only fueled the fire inside him. He enjoyed you like this, off balance and a little on edge. It made him want to see just how far he could push you before you broke.

He chuckled, leaning in slightly, his face now mere inches from yours.

He was close enough that you could feel his hot breath on your face, his eyes locked on you with an intense, almost hungry look in them. "You're quiet tonight." He murmured, his thumb still tracing circles over your chin. "Usually I'd have to shut you up by now. But you're just standing there. Like a good little girl." He teased with a touch of mockery in his voice. He enjoyed seeing you like this. A little more submissive. A little less hostile. A little more pliable and tame.

"Cause you're low-key scaring me.." you retorted back quietly, breath hitching as he leaned in, eyes drifting down to his split lip before trying to focus into his eyes.

A hint of surprise flashed across his face before he could stop the reaction. He wasn't used to you being honest about your feelings. He was used to your snark and sarcasm, and that was the version of you he was used to dealing with. But this? This was new. He wasn't expecting it. It made him feel an odd mixture of guilt and irritation.

He chuckled, his grip on your chin tightening slightly as he tilted your head up more, his eyes flickering to your lips for a moment before meeting yours again.

He studied the expression on your face, the slight hint of fear mixed with the defiant look in your eyes. He knew he was scaring you, and it should have stopped him. But he couldn't stop himself. Your mouth was slightly parted, your breath hitching as you spoke, and he suddenly found himself having the urge to taste you. To see if you would melt into him like melted butter like you usually did.

He chuckled again, amused at your response, as he leaned in even closer, his mouth hovering just above yours. "Me? scaring you? That's a first.. You're not stepping back , cowering in fear so i assume you enjoy it.."

You chuckled breathlessly at his words, despite the mocking undertone of the reply. Your anxiety was dissipating slowly as his finger continued to rub circles in your skin, eyes narrowing as if you were expecting him do something. "Right.. i enjoy not knowing if you wanna fuck or murder me.." you muttered in amused sarcasm, the focus of your eyes shifting between his blue ones.

He laughed, a dark, genuine laughter that rumbled through his chest. He enjoyed seeing the change in your demeanor, how your fear was starting to melt away and return to the usual snark and sass. It was familiar, and it felt more like the dynamic he was used to between the two of you. He smirked again, his eyes sparkling with amusement and something else, something more. The words you said sent a jolt straight to his gut.

"Can it be both?" He teased, his thumb moving from your jaw to your lips, tracing them lightly.

"Depends in what order.." your eyes narrowed almost mischievously, eyes moving over his face intently.

He chuckled, a sly grin spreading over his face. He was enjoying your little back and forth, the way you challenged him even when you were scared. He couldn't help but admire your sass, your ability to keep up with his playful banter, even when the situation was slightly more serious than usual.

"Hmm… murder and then a good, hard, rough -" He paused, his thumb still tracing your lips. He leaned in closer, his mouth now close to your ear, his voice dropping to a whisper as he continued.

"-fuck. How does that sound to you?" His hot breath ghosted over your ear as he continued, his thumb still tracing your lips and his body pressed firmly against yours. He could hear the slight hitch in your breathing, feel the heat radiating off your skin, and it only made his desire grow. He was enjoying the feeling of pushing you to your limits, of teasing you until you broke and gave in.

You raised one brow even though he couldn't see it, a small grin tugging at your lips. "Why are you asking me as if I'd be alive for it.." you muttered, a small chuckle following your words.

He chuckled again, the smirk on his face growing wider. He enjoyed the way you could always find a witty comeback, even when he was trying to tease you into submission. He knew that deep down, you would enjoy it just as much as he did. He pulled back slightly, his hands moving to rest on your hips, his grip tight and possessive as he looked down at you.

"You'd be alive enough." He replied, his voice a low, seductive murmur as he continued. "You'd be screaming my name and begging for mercy."

Your face twisted in amusement even further, another chuckle escaping your lips. "What is this? are we in 'Scream'? you wanna play psycho killer as foreplay?" you asked teasingly, eyes drifting down to the blood on his damp tank top. "Please don't kill me mister ghostface, i wanna be in the sequel.." you feigned fear, sighing.

He laughed out loud at your response, his hands gripping your hips even tighter. He found your sense of humor utterly amusing, even during moments like this. He always marveled at your ability to switch from fear to sass so quickly. He found himself wanting to see how far he could push you before you snapped. He played along with your teasing, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"No, no. Ghostface is a pussy. He wears a robe and a shitty halloween mask. I prefer my hand around your pretty little neck, sweetheart."

Your brows raised for a moment, before you schooled your expression once again, your eyes drifting back down to his lips "I dunno... you give me 'i own a ghostface mask and i like to fuck girls with it on' vibes.." you stated, looking back up at him.

He let out a loud genuine laugh, finding your comment both humorous and provocative at the same time. He was enjoying the witty banter between the two of you, the way your sarcasm and sass fueled his own. He smirked and shook his head slightly, his eyes locked on yours. His hands were still gripping your hips possessively, his body pressed firmly against yours as he responded.

"I can assure you I do not own a ghostface mask, sweetheart. My fetishes are way more interesting than that."

You pouted in mock disappointment, shaking your head as if he'd broke the most devastating news to you. You continued to get more surprised of your conversations with Rafe escalated. And how ridiculous they were sometimes. I mean, here you were, standing in the middle of his room, at three in the morning most likely, on a storm, all drenched. And maybe still a little uneasy. "Aww man, and here i thought you were gonna put the mask on for me.." you whispered.

His smirk grew into a wicked grin, finding your exaggerated disappointment utterly amusing. He chuckled as he responded, his hands moving from your hips and sliding upwards over your soaked hoodie, tracing over your body in a possessive gesture. His fingers danced over your curves, leaving a trail of fire in their wake under your clothes as he continued to hold your gaze.

"Is that what you want, sweetheart? You want me to wear a mask while I rail you against the wall? Cause I absolutely could…" He smirked, his eyes darkening with desire.

His hands continued to roam over your body, his touch growing more possessive and almost needy as he continued to hold you close. He loved seeing the effect he had on you, the way you looked at him with a mixture of desire and fear. Your soaked clothes clung to your body, and he couldn't help but think how beautiful you looked, even drenched from the storm outside. As if on cue, a loud clap of thunder boomed outside, the storm outside getting more aggressive.

Despite the fact that you probably should've turned back around the moment you saw him step out of the car and noticed the blood staining his shirt, his demeanor tense and angry, you found yourself wrapping your arms around his neck lazily. He leaned in slightly, nosing at your jaw in a way that almost made your knees buckle. The warmth of his body seeped through your damp clothes, your arms wrapping just a little bit tighter around his neck as you spoke, "I wouldn't be opposed to some mask action... Think I'd deserve it given you wanna murder me.."

He chuckled, feeling your grip tighten around his neck, the way your body pressed against him making his own knees feel weak. He couldn't deny that he loved the feel of your body against him, the way you fit so perfectly in his arms. He let out a hum, his teeth gently nipping at the sensitive skin on your neck before responding, his voice dripping with desire and need.

"Oh, you'd definitely deserve it." He murmured against your skin. "But first, I need to dry you off."

He shifted his grip on you, his arms wrapping around your waist and lifting you up effortlessly, holding you against him. He could feel the dampness of your clothes against his bare skin, reminding him of how drenched you were from the storm outside. He carried you to the bathroom, setting you down on the edge of the counter, his hands roaming over your body as he spoke.

"Let's get you out of these wet clothes, gorgeous."

Your legs wrapped around his waist as he carried you towards the bathroom and set you on the counter beside the sink, your arms still wrapped around his neck loosely. "Aren't you gonna keep prying and ask me why i showed up to your door in the middle of a storm?" you asked, eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity.

He chuckled, his hands roaming over your wet clothes, feeling the damp fabric against his skin. He loved the way you looked sitting on the counter, your legs wrapped around his waist, your arms around his neck. He loved having you close, feeling your body against his, the way your eyes narrowed in curiosity. He paused for a moment, his hands still on your body, before answering.

"Later", He replied, his voice a low whisper. "Right now I just want to get you out of these wet clothes and into a hot shower."

You let out an involuntary sigh as his ringed hands slid under your damp hoodie and crop top, the feeling of his warm and needy hands sending a pleasant shiver through your tense body. You hated the physical attraction you felt to Rafe, because no matter how much you'd try to fight it, you'd always end up in his arms and in his bed if you were alone more than 10 minutes. Being touch deprived was both a blessing and a curse because you could feel the heat blooming between your thighs every time he touched all the right places, the body clearly not giving any fucks about what the brain thought of Rafe or how guilty it felt after sleeping with him.

"In which I'm getting in alone, right?" you asked, the tone of your voice matching his, as you studied his face, the cut on his lip and the bruise on his left cheek.

He chuckled as he pulled your sodden clothes off leaving you only in your bralette and underwear, his eyes roaming over your body propped on the bathroom counter like he was taking in a work of art. He knew you were touch deprived, he could feel it in the way you leaned into his touch, how your body reacted to him. He enjoyed being the one to fill that need, the one you always ended up going back to in moments like this. He could see the mix of desire and guilt in your eyes, and it only fueled his own need for you.

"Are you sure you want to shower alone, sweetheart?" He asked.

Your eyes narrowed teasingly, in a way that was akin to pondering over his question before you spoke "Wouldn't that be too intimate? Showering together is a couple's thing.."

He chuckled at your teasing response, his hands still roaming over your bare skin, his eyes tracing every curve and dip of your body. He knew that you were trying to play coy, to act like you weren't just as affected by him as he was by you. And he loved the challenge.

"Oh really? So what's your excuse for always ending up underneath me?" He teased, his tone dripping with sarcasm and desire as he leaned in to nip at your neck, his lips tracing a path down your neck to your collarbone.

Well, you didn't really have a simple answer to that. Why him specifically? It could've been someone entirely different, someone less likely to get you to lose your friends if they found out who you were sleeping with on the low. Someone you hated less. "Simple.. the need of a distraction.." you mumbled, tilting your head back to allow him to kiss at your neck.

He chuckled against your neck, the vibrations sending a flutter of heat through your body as his lips continued to explore your skin. He could hear the note of guilt in your voice, the way you tried to justify your actions, but he chose to ignore it. For now, he was only concerned with the feel of your body against his, the way your body responded to his touch like a moth to a flame.

"Interesting." He murmured, his lips moving up to nibble at your ear." I didn't realize that I was just a distraction."

Another sigh like moan escaped your lips, your hands tightening around his neck to bury his face even further into the crook of your neck, fingers tangling in the damp hair at the nape of his neck, carding them through it lazily. "Yeah, isn't all this casual?" you asked quietly, words soft and breathless.

He hummed against your neck, the sound sending a shiver down your spine. He loved the way your hands pulled him closer, the way your fingers tangled in his hair as you tried to keep your voice even and calm.

"Yeah, it's casual." He replied, his voice low and seductive, his warm breath sending a jolt of heat through your body. He knew it wasn't casual, not really. It was a twisted sort of non-relationship, fueled by desire, guilt, and a deep need to fill a void.

He continued to kiss and nibble at your neck, his hands roaming over your body, tracing the curves of your hips and the dip of your waist. He could feel the heat between your legs, the way your body responded to him like it was made for him, despite the fact that he was just a "distraction."

"But I don't mind being your distraction." He murmured against your skin, his lips trailing back to your ear. "Not if it means I get to have you like this."

Your nose grazed his cheek slowly, pressing chaste kisses over his jaw between words. "Have you tried looking into therapy then..?" you asked almost mockingly, still playing with the hair at the base of his neck.

He chuckled at your question, his body shuddering under your gentle touches. He let out a low hum, his hands continuing to roam and explore your body as he replied.

"Therapy? Me, go to therapy?" He asked, feigning offense, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Yeah, right. I'm not paying some stranger to try and fix my issues when I can do that by throwing punches and sleeping with you."

You chuckled, the sound shuddering in your throat as his fingers found the clasp of your bralette and undid it swiftly, discarding the black, lacy piece of fabric on the tiled floor of the bathroom like it was a rag. Your hips shifted on the counter to scoot closer to him, legs wrapping even more tightly around his middle, your chest pressing against his, slightly irritated at the fact that you were the only one topless. "But why? You can have a stranger diagnose you with alcoholism and a raging coke addiction, putting you on BPD medication.." you murmured almost condescendingly, still peppering kissing over and under his jaw.

He laughed at your little jab, enjoying the way you pressed yourself against him, the way your legs wrapped around his waist and your chest pressed against his. He loved the way you were trying to act indifferent, but your body betrayed your true feelings. He could feel the heat between your thighs, the way your hips moved against his.

"Mmm, is that your professional diagnosis, baby?" He asked, his hands roaming over your bare back, tracing the sensitive skin of your spine. "Alcoholism, BPD, and a coke addiction… sounds about right."

You hummed in response, nodding against his skin as your fingers moved through the damp strands of his hair. The smell of alcohol and expensive cologne sent a new wave of heat through your body, nosing under his jaw gently. "So you're not denying being completely insane and bat shit crazy then?" you asked lowly, clinging to him in spite of feeling uneasy from his behavior earlier.

He chuckled at your observation, his hands continuing to roam over your bare back, his body moving to slot himself more firmly between your legs. Your touch and the way you clung to him, despite feeling uneasy, only fueled his already burning desire for you.

"Insane and batshit crazy? Me?" He asked, feigning innocence. "I prefer the term 'proactive'."

His words amused you slightly, a long and drawn out, knowing sigh leaving your lips "Oh, i know all about your proactiveness. That's your thing, right? Blaming the insane shit you do on being "proactive.." "

He chuckled again, the sound low and rough as he continued to hold you close. He loved the way you teased him, the way you knew him so well, despite the fact that you weren't supposed to. He pulled back slightly, looking at your face with a smirk, his eyes dark with desire.

"Yeah, that's my thing." He replied, his hands moving to caress your thighs, his fingers tracing lazy patterns over your skin, igniting a fire within both of you. "I'm just a proactive type of person, dolly."

With a swift movement, he lifted you up in his arms, holding you against his body effortlessly. He started walking towards the shower, his steps confident and determined.

"And right now, I'm feeling very proactive." He added, his voice rough and low in your ear. "Would you like to know what I'm feeling proactive about?" he asked, his lips trailing back down your neck, nipping at the sensitive skin.

"Taking off my underwear and your own clothes so we could shower?" you answered with a knowing question, smirking slightly as he carried you towards the shower effortlessly, legs and arms wrapping around him more securely.

He chuckled against your skin, loving the way you wrapped yourself around him, your body so willing and eager. He loved the way you knew exactly what he was thinking, the way you could read him like an open book.

"Oh, you're good, dolly." He murmured, his voice filled with admiration and desire. "You know me so well. You've got me figured out."

He reached the shower and set you on your feet, his hands reaching for the waistband of your underwear.

With a quick, fluid motion, he hooked his fingers around the band of your underwear, and pulled them down your legs, discarding them on the shower floor. His eyes roamed over your body appreciatively, admiring every curve and dip, taking in every detail of you like a starving man who just found a feast.

"God, you're so goddamn beautiful." He murmured, his voice laced with a mix of awe and desire, as he worked on removing his own clothes with quick, efficient motions. Just like you Rafe was desperate to bury his anger and confusion under sex, making your arrival perfect.

You swallowed as you watched him undress quickly, your eyes roaming over his abs and his chest, before you snapped them up to his face, teeth digging into your bottom lip. He stepped into the shower with shutting the door to it closed and not wasting time to crowd you, the heat of his skin pressing into yours. Thinking back to the few times you slept with Rafe, you realized that most of the stuff you did was so intimate and familiar, it made you feel even guiltier. You hated each other and each other's friends in the daylight but when it came to sex, you realized it was mostly on you now with how you seemed to act around each other during night time. Your desire to forget about JJ was pushing you into the arms of the person who spent most of his time picking on you, and you liked it.

You didn't dwell on any other emotions other than lust as you wrapped your arms around his shoulders, bringing him for a kiss, all teeth and desperation, a low moan reverberating through your chest as you felt him kiss back almost instantly.

He pressed you up against the tile, the cold surface no match for the heat between you. His body pressed against yours, his hands roaming over your body, exploring every inch of you like he had been craving this all day.

His lips found yours in a kiss that was all raw passion and heat, his tongue delving into your mouth like he was starving for you. A low, guttural moan escaped his throat as he kissed you back with equal fervor, his hands gripping your hips, pulling you flush against him.

Your hands cradled the back of his head in a frenzy almost, trying to match and outdo his pace of the kiss. He slammed you gently against the cold tile wall of the shower, which caused you to grunt against his lips as the cold made contact with your flushed skin, but you quickly recovered. You squirmed against each other, hands desperately clutching at anything in their reach. In the midst of making out one of you had turned on the water, the feeling of the warm and steamy water seeping into your hair, a welcome one given it was damp from the cold rain.

Water cascaded over your bodies, the hot stream running over your skin and adding to the already rising heat between the two of you. His body caged you against the tile as he continued the kiss, his tongue delving deeper into your mouth, tasting and exploring you like a man drunk on desire. His hands continued to roam over your body, tracing every curve and dip, the feeling of your soft skin against his rough hands driving him wild with need.

One of his hands came up to cup your jaw, holding you in place as he deepened the kiss even further, his hips grinding against yours.

When his hips moved against you, almost pleading silently, one of your arms unwrapping from his neck as his hand cradled your face and snaking it in between the two of you to wrap around him. You didn't bother breaking the messy, wet kiss as your hand moved in purposeful strokes, determined to get a reaction out of him.

His eyes closed, and his head tilted back slightly as you wrapped your hand around him, your touch sparking a wave of heat through him that shot straight to his core. A low, guttural sound escaped his lips, swallowed up by the kiss, but still noticeable as you continued to tease and touch him. His hips bucked involuntarily, his body reacting to your touch like a well-tuned instrument.

"Doll " he gasped, his voice ragged and hoarse, his lips moving down to your neck, nipping and sucking at the skin with wild, desperate hunger.

The small gasp he let out only fueled you more, glancing down between the two of you, watching your hand as it worked over his hardening cock in something akin to satisfaction and fascination. The warm water from the shower was pouring down your face, dripping from the tip of your nose and from your parted lips as you muttered "What?" simply, your breathing ragged as you paused to brush your thumb over his tip teasingly before resuming your purposeful strokes.

He stifled another gasp, his body shuddering under the combined sensations of the warm water and your touch. His hands gripped your hips tightly, his nails digging into your skin, leaving little red marks in their wake. You looked goddamn addicting like this, water running down your face, your voice ragged, and your touch determined and teasing.

He raised his head from your neck to look at you, his eyes darkened by a mix of desire and need, his mouth forming a smirk as if he was about to say something snarky.

But all that came out was a low, guttural moan as your thumb darted across the sensitive spot, sending a wave of pleasure shooting through his body. The combination of your touch, the water, and the look on your face was almost too much for him to handle.

"God damn it, dolly..." he muttered, his voice ragged and breathless. "You're gonna end up killing me."

"I'm trying to get you to finish.." you whispered back, your hand gripping the hair at the base of his neck as you continued your ministrations, the tight circle of your fist around him giving a small squeeze to drive him even more crazy. If there was anything that you loved in this world more than alcohol and making bad decisions, it was men who weren't afraid to be vocal. And Rafe was vocal alright. He gasped and groaned, moans and even whimpers leaving him once the two of you managed to do something. It was something you noticed rather quickly in the few times of sleeping with him, and it turned you on beyond belief.

He growled softly, a mix of pleasure and need, at your words and the way your hand continued to tease and work him. He leaned his forehead against yours, his breath ragged and uneven, his body trembling with desire.

"Are you trying to kill me, woman?" He gasped, his voice low and rough as he spoke. "Cause I swear I'm close to snapping."

Your eyes locked with his blue ones when he leaned his forehead against yours, the movements of your hand slowing down as your breathing continued to grow more heavy, brows knitting up slightly as the ache between your legs demanded attention. You unwrapped your hand from him, wrapping your arm around his neck loosely. "I'm just being nice.." you murmured, teeth digging into your bottom lip.

He let out a small sound of protest at the loss of your touch, his body still on a high from the sensations you'd just inflicted on him. But as he noticed the look of need on your face, he understood what you were silently asking for. He didn't let you wait for long, his hands gripping your thighs, lifting you up effortlessly and pressing you against the shower wall.

"Oh, baby, I'm gonna be a whole lot more than just nice to you." He murmured, his voice low and rough with desire.

He positioned himself between your legs, your back against the cool tile wall, your body pressed against his. His hands continued to hold you up effortlessly, his eyes locked on yours as he looked up at you, a mix of hunger and need in his gaze. He took a moment just to admire the sight of you, your wet skin, the drops of water running down your skin, and the need in your eyes.

"You want me to be nice, dolly?" He asked, the muffled words against your skin full of sweetness and sultriness, his lips moving to kiss and nibble at the sensitive skin of your neck.

You exhaled softly when you wrapped your legs around him and felt him slip inside just an inch, his words making your skin tingle in need. "Well you could try.. given you're usually not." you chuckled weakly, your words meant to be teasing but just coming out quiet and needy.

He chuckled against your skin, his grip on your thighs tightening as he slowly slid himself further inside you, your words and noises only fueling his own desire. He loved the way you were coming undone in his arms, your usual snark replaced by this needy, desperate need for him.

"You're gonna have to forgive me, dolly. I'm just not a very nice guy." He murmured against your neck, his lips and teeth tracing a path up to your ear, biting softly at the lobe as his heavy breathing echoed in your ears along with the water from the shower.

You tilted your head back against the tiled wall when he finally slid inside you, the small pain dissipating after a few moments, melting into pleasure. You let out a soft moan, the sound almost drowned out by the warm water still pouring over the two of you. "I'm barely nice myself, it's okay.." you murmured between ragged breaths and sighs.

He groaned as he slowly, torturously, started to move inside you, each motion sending waves of pleasure through him. He loved the way your body felt wrapped around him, the way your moans and sighs filled the shower, the hot water cascaded over the two of you but not nearly as hot as the heat clouding his mind with every thrust. He leaned his forehead against yours, his breathing ragged as he spoke.

"Yeah, we're a pair of assholes, aren't we?" He replied, a shaky laugh escaping him.

He continued to move inside you, his pace slowly increasing as he held you against the tile, his hands gripping your thighs tightly, his lips finding your neck, his mouth hot and hungry against your skin. He bit and sucked at your neck, leaving small, possessive marks on your flesh.

"But god damn, dolly, you feel too good." He murmured, his voice low and needy, his breath hot against your skin. "I can't be nice, I can't be gentle, I can't be anything but just absolutely desperate for you."

You could feel his pace picking up, still feel the earlier anger lingering in his thrusts and the way he was holding onto you, and your body reveled in it. You loved that just for a moment, sex made you forget, especially with someone who was so goddamn good at it. You fought to keep your eyes open due to the pleasure and the water streaming down onto your face, trying to keep them fixed on his face. You were listening intently to his sounds, watching how with every thrust he was fighting the urge to roll his eyes back before he buried his face in the crook of your neck and it drove you even further. Even closer to a well deserved orgasm.

Your breathing was coming out in shallow pants, fanning against his shoulder as you managed to speak, "Sometimes being an asshole gets you far.. i mean-..." your words were cut off by a moan before you tried again "I mean look at you, you're nothing but an ass but you still manage to score.."

He chuckled against your neck, his body shuddering as he listened to your words, his pace picking up even more, his heart racing with desire and lust. He loved the sounds and words coming from you, the way your body was responding to him, the way you were completely undone in his arms.

"What can I say, baby. I'm an attractive dick." He murmured between gasps and pants, his lips finding your ear again, nipping at the lobe before replying.

"But I only have eyes for the biggest, prettiest, snarkiest, smart-mouthed dick on the whole island."

The way he sounded, the way he almost hit that spot inside you just about right with the position he had you in, it all made everything so much better. One of your hands buried itself in his wet hair ruffling through it and carding your fingers to keep your hand occupied, mouth hanging open as you could feel your orgasm approaching slowly. "Did you just call me..." you started, the snark melting out of the sentence and getting off by a whimper of pleasure "God you're so big.." you mumbled breathlessly, lolling your head back once again, eyes squeezed tight.

He let out a deep, guttural moan at your words, your fingers in his hair, your body responding so beautifully to every move he made. He was losing himself in you, in the sensations and the need and the heat between you, and your little gasps and whimpers were driving him insane.

"It's 'cause I'm trying to make up for being a dick in all other aspects." He managed to say, his voice shaky and hoarse from the pleasure and the effort.

He continued to move, his pace almost frenzied now, his body driven by the need to make you feel good, to make you come, to hear you falling apart in his arms. He leaned in to kiss you, his tongue delving into your mouth, his teeth nipping at your bottom lip. His hand came up to cup your face, his thumb tracing the curve of your jawline, his breathing ragged and uneven against your mouth.

"Come for me, baby." He pleaded between kisses, his voice rough and needy. "Let go for me. I got you. I got you."

With every movement he rocked your body against the wall, nails digging into the wet skin of his shoulder as your moans transformed into shaky whimpers, desperately trying to return the kiss in midst of the growing pleasure. His name was coming out between the sounds of pleasure almost involuntarily. His thumb slipped past your already parted lips making them close around the digit and biting down on it, cutting off your moans and the way you were muttering his name under your breath.

He watched as you fell apart in his arms, your moans and whimpers driving him wild, your nails digging into his skin and leaving little marks. The sight of you, the way you were responding to him, and the way you were biting down on his thumb, sending a bolt of desire through him.

He gasped at the feeling, his pace faltering for a moment as he looked down at you, his breath ragged, his eyes dark with need.

"Oh, god. That's good, baby." He managed to say, his voice hoarse and rough.

He continued to move, his body pressed against you, his thumb still between your lips as you continued to bite down. He could feel the pressure building between you both, the heat and the need and the pleasure all consuming, threatening to take him over the edge with you. He leaned in, his lips finding the sensitive spot on your neck, sucking and biting at it, leaving his own marks on your skin.

"Come for me, dolly." He pleaded once more, his voice low and desperate, his breath hot against your skin. "I want to feel you let go."

You fluttered around him, the tight grip of your legs locked around his waist growing even tighter if that was possible. You pulled him even deeper inside you, thighs shaking as he finally hit that one spot perfectly, back arching into his chest desperately. Your moans were turning more breathy with each movement although they were muffled by his thumb, begging and pleading for release without using words; not that you could, with your brain turned to mush.

He could feel you fluttering and shuddering around him, the grip of your legs around him a lifeline as he held onto you. He had you pressed up against the wall, completely at his mercy, and he reveled in it.

The sight and feeling of you so utterly undone in his arms did things to him. He continued to move inside you, each movement driving him closer and closer to the edge.

"God, you're so perfect." He gasped, his voice rough and ragged. "You feel so good, baby. It's like this pussy was made for me.."

His words were hoarse and shaky, a mixture of need, desire, and possessiveness as he continued to move inside you, his body completely consumed by the need to make you feel good, to make you come undone in his arms.

"Tell me how good I make you feel, baby." He murmured, his thumb slipping out of your mouth, his lips moving to your ear, his hot, ragged breaths caressing your skin. "I wanna hear you say how good I make you feel. Say my name."

Your eyes struggled to find his, one of your hands swiping at your face to prevent too much water getting into them, vision already blurry. Your face was contorted in pleasure, brows knitting up almost pathetically, hair messy and sticking to your flushed cheeks and forehead. "God i-.. you feel so good.. Right there.." you barely responded before your nails clawed at his shoulder, digging into the flesh as your moans became even breathier and airy.

He watched as your eyes struggled to focus, your face twisted in pleasure, your hair stuck to your skin, a sight so beautiful and wrecked it set him on fire. He felt your nails dig into his skin, the faint pain only adding to the sensation and the need.

"That's right, doll." He murmured, his lips brushing against your skin, leaving a trail of soft, hot kisses along your jaw. "You're taking me so well, baby.. You feel so good around my cock, so perfect.. I need to hear you say my name. Say it. Say my name, dolly."

The praise sent another wave of arousal coursing through your overheated body, fluttering around him once again as you muttered his name under your breath, your eyes fixed on his face desperate to anchor yourself to something against the pleasure that made your thighs shake and your ears ring. You could feel the orgasm close, just in your reach but you needed more, something to push you towards it fully, "I need more.. go harder or faster or something.." you rambled, your voice needy and shaky.

He loved the way you responded to his words, the way you shuddered and quivered in his arms, begging for more, begging for him. He was so close, so close to the edge, but he couldn't hold back, not when you were pleading with him to go harder, faster, anything.

"You want it harder, baby?" He said, his voice rough and ragged, his movements becoming frantic, his body driven by the need to give you what you wanted, what you needed. "I'll give you more. I'll give you everything." he whispered, one of his hands snaking between the two you shakily to rub over your clit, the motions in sync with his frenzied thrusts.

He watched you as his fingers found your sensitive spot, his touch deliberate and precise, the added stimulation causing your body to arch against him, your head lolling back against the tile wall. He could feel the wave of pleasure building within you, the way your body was growing tighter around him, drawing him even closer to the edge, to the brink of an orgasm which would make him see stars.

That was what you needed, your thighs shaking around his waist as the pleasure washed over you without any warning, letting out a cry of pleasure from your throat. It was like the breathing was rocked out of your lungs for a moment, eyes prickling with warm tears from the intensity of the orgasm even though you couldn't tell with the water from the shower.

He could feel your body shaking and shuddering against him, the way you clenched around him, the sound of your moans and cry of pleasure washing over him, sending him over the edge, his body shuddering as he found his release, your name leaving his lips in a low groan, his forehead resting against your shoulder as he rode out the waves of ecstasy with slow, sloppy thrusts.

"Oh, baby." He gasped, his chest heaving as he tried to regain his breath, his body still pressed against you, his arms wrapped around you like lifeline.

Your whole body relaxed, slumped against the tiled wall as you exhaled. Your legs were now wrapped around his waist loosely, shaky fingers playing with the wet hair at the nape of his neck idly. You couldn't speak for a few good moments as you let the silence take over, the only sound between the two of being the running water and your heavy breaths. But as the silence stretched, you could feel the guilt creeping in so you pushed it down, deciding to ignore the sickening feeling, "This might be my favorite position.."

He held you against him, his own body relaxing as he reveled in the aftermath of the pleasure, the feel of your fingers in his hair almost soothing, grounding him back to reality. He let out a soft chuckle at your words, his lips finding the pulse point on your neck and leaving a soft, possessive kiss.

"Yeah? I can tell." He replied, his voice low and rough. "You're like a ragdoll when I got you like this. All limp and satisfied."

"Or maybe cowgirl.." you added mindlessly, sighing gently.

He chuckled again, his hand tracing a lazy pattern on your bare back, his heart still racing from the exertion and the afterglow. He raised an eyebrow at your words, a sly smirk playing at his lips.

"Oh, I know all about that one." He teased, his hand moving down to pinch your ass playfully. "You like that one, huh? Letting you be in control a bit, getting to ride me how you want."

He continued to hold you against him, the water still running warm over their overheated bodies, the air between them still charged with the remnants of desire. He couldn't help but feel a pang of attachment to you, the way your body was so pliant and relaxed in his arms, the way you always seemed to fit so perfectly against him.

"You should stay the night." He said suddenly, the words slipping out of his mouth before he could stop himself.

The movement of your fingers stilled, eyes locked into his intently. In the few times you hooked up you did stay the night, even if you were gone in the morning. But him asking you too sounded so intimate that you felt compelled to. And besides the storm was probably still raging outside. You grinned lazily, trying to sound casual and lighthearted "Shower sex got you feeling romantical, huh? Think that would work for me asking for a hundred bucks too?"

He chuckled at your response, amused and a little bit endeared by your attempts at keeping things casual, trying to keep things in the realm of "no strings attached".

He raised an eyebrow, feigning offense as his grip on your hip tightened, pulling you even tighter against him.

"You're using me for my money, dolly? That's just plain rude.." He replied, his voice teasing and playful, patting the shower wall blindly to turn off the water.

At his action of pulling you closer, you sighed softly given you were still connected. You resumed your fingers' actions, carding your fingers through the wet strands of his hair. "I'm just plain using you.. Getting money out of it is because I'm broke.." you teased, even though your words were technically true.

He closed his eyes at the feeling of your fingers in his hair, the simple gesture soothing and comforting in a way that was completely foreign to him. He let out a soft breath, enjoying the moment, enjoying the way your body felt in his arms, the way your soft skin felt against his. He knew that you were teasing, but he couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt at the reminder of your financial needs.

"You could just ask, dolly.." he murmured, gently pinching your ass again.

He pulled away from you just a bit, his eyes meeting yours as the water stopped running, the last remnants of desire fading into a comfortable silence. The air was cool in contrast to the heat of their bodies, the world outside the shower still distant and muffled by the sound of the storm raging on.

"And I'm serious." He added, his hand coming to rest on the side of your face, his thumb tracing over your bottom lip. "Stay the night. No money necessary."

And you did. Because honestly speaking, although you'd never admit it to him, Rafe's bed was 100 times much better than your own, or the ratty couch at the Chateau for that matter. It was something about being in a room and in a house that felt like it was a completely different realm from the outside world. Where Rafe never asked questions or demanded answers from you, not tonight when you showed up to his house unannounced and not the last three times you slept with him. He just fucked you and you'd get to leave in the morning without worrying about calling. It was easy, especially when he'd act the same way he always did when seeing you around. Well maybe aside from today at the bar, where you were close to kissing on company time, with patrons and members of the club still drinking in the background.

Although you were knocked out cold when you two got to bed, sleeping peacefully beside Rafe with your mouth slightly parted and damp hair sprawled all over the pillow, he was restless. He laid beside you, his eyes wandering to his old t-shirt draped over your figure and a pair of boxers (also lent by him) peeking from where the shirt ended, and he clenched his jaw. More in anger than in anything. Anger at getting too intimate with you, almost flying to close to the sun. Especially tonight at Topper's, the fact that he was bothered enough by Jack spiking your drink the other day and acting on that feeling was angering him. He clenched his bruised knuckles, fidgeting with one of his rings as he recalled slamming them in the cheek of the brunette in a haze of anger, toppling him over the coffee table and ruining the night in less than five minutes. He was going insane.

Rafe laid beside you, his eyes tracing over your sleeping form, the way the t-shirt he'd given you clung to your curves, the way your hair was tousled and messy on the pillow. He knew he should be sleeping, his body was exhausted after the events of the night, but his mind was wired, thoughts racing, the anger and frustration that had been simmering beneath the surface for days finally starting to bubble over.

He couldn't stop himself from reaching out and gently running his fingers along your cheek, feeling the soft, warm skin under his touch.

He watched your chest slowly rise and fall with each steady breath, the rhythmic movement almost hypnotic in the dark room. He wanted to reach out and pull you closer, to feel your body against his, to feel the heat and the softness of your skin against his. He wanted to push his fingers through your hair, to feel the strands slipping through his fingers, to bury his face in the crook of your neck and breathe in your scent.

But he didn't. He just laid there, his hand withdrawing from your face, his eyes fixated on the ceiling as he struggled with the war raging inside his head.

He silently cursed himself, his mind still racing with thoughts and emotions. He couldn't understand what possessed him to act so recklessly at Topper's party, letting his anger and possessiveness take over him, ruining the night. He clenched his bruised knuckles absentmindedly, wincing at the dull ache that throbbed underneath his skin.

He wanted to turn his head to look at you, to watch your chest rising and falling with each breath, but he resisted the urge. He was scared of what he might feel, of the feelings he knew were growing inside him, against his better judgment.

The silence in the room was deafening, the only sound being the steady hum of the air conditioning and the faint sound of the storm that was still raging outside. Rafe felt like he was suffocating, the weight of his thoughts and his emotions crushing down on him, making it hard to breathe. He clenched his jaw, his frustration boiling over.

He wasn't one to get into mindless fights, not anymore at least. But the thought of that dick Jack spiking your drink and getting away with it didn't sit right with him, and he felt entitled to take action. Even if you didn't ask him. Even if he wasn't your boyfriend or the guy you were in love with. He was doing all these things for a girl who didn't even love him, someone who hated him outside sex. And he was okay with it. Because being slightly older than you and a guy, he understood the weight of Jack's action so much better than you did.

He was spiraling, his thoughts becoming a tangled mess of anger and desire and confusion. He couldn't understand why he was so damn protective of you, why the thought of someone hurting you made him see red. He wasn't your boyfriend, he wasn't your anything, yet there he was, laying next to you while you slept, his mind racing with thoughts of you.

He closed his eyes, taking a shaky breath as the sound of your steady breathing filled his ears.

He tried to focus on the rhythm of your breathing, tried to find some semblance of calm in the familiar sound. But it only seemed to make his thoughts more intense, the need to touch you, to hold you, growing stronger by the second.

He clenched his fist, his knuckles white against the sheets, the dull ache from his bruised knuckles reminding him of the fight at Topper's. The fight he started because of you, because he couldn't bear the thought of another guy looking at you, let alone hurting you.

He turned his head then, glancing at you in the soft glow of the moonlight. You looked so damn innocent, so damn beautiful, lying there asleep and peaceful, completely oblivious to the chaos that was going on in his head.

He couldn't help himself. He reached out, his hand tracing over the curve of your hip through the thin material of the shirt you were wearing, his touch tentative and hesitant, as if he was afraid he would break you.

Gone was the sarcastic, mouthy girl who managed to have a reply to anything he said, the girl who would torture him with snarky remarks and then end up in his bed. She was replaced with this peaceful, angelic looking girl, sleeping in his bed like a fawn resting in the middle of a forest clearing. Like tonight for example, you showed to his house on a storm and he never got to know why truly. But he'd figure it was the same reason you slept with him in the first place. JJ. And the fact that he had a girlfriend.

His expression darkened at the thought of JJ, his hand tightening on your hip almost possessively, the same possessiveness that had him throwing punches at Topper's party just earlier in the night.

He knew it was selfish, but he couldn't help it. He couldn't stand the thought of you with anyone else, not even JJ. You were his, damn it. His to touch, to kiss, to claim. The thought of another man touching you, kissing you, claiming you, made him crazy.

He clenched his jaw, fighting back the wave of jealousy that rose in his chest. He didn't want to think about it, didn't want to picture you with JJ or anyone else. But the images kept popping up in his mind, unbidden and unwelcome.

He shifted closer to you, his body drawn to yours like a magnet. He couldn't help it. He needed to touch you, to feel your skin against his, to remind himself that for now, at least, you were his and his alone.

these songs are so rafe and reader coded

A/N: This was also very long, im so #teamrafe it's crazy, he's kinda strange and peculiar but at least he has an ounce of maturity. And oh, he's so falling in love. Special treat next chapter btw, if you guess what is it ill kiss you thru the screen (also do u guys want more texts with rafe?), don't forget to comment reblog since it helps me out, like and of course send me asks because i love interacting with you!😁👍❤️

Tag-list*:･ﾟ✧ @cali-888, @bee-43, @jjscoquette, @melsbels-zip, @stanseventeen @wh0reforbucknasty @wtfisastiles @annaconscience @pqndxra @carrerascameron @nini2mem @iynsane @gublerstylesobrien1238 @wrldfilms

[vampiriito]

𝔐𝔞𝔰𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔩𝔦𝔰𝔱 ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ (𝓯𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓴𝔂)

↳ who do i write for? ༉‧₊˚✧ jj maybank, rafe cameron, and stiles stilinksi (if requested!) ₊˚ෆ my fics are 18+, reader is fem, requests are open for any ideas you might have!

Summer was my first love (18+) | pt.1 pt.2 pt.3 pt.4 pt.5 pt.6 pt.7

Shy! kook! reader, mostly fluff and the parts can be read as stand alones if that's what you prefer. Reader has social anxiety! –„IN WHICH JJ Maybank ends up getting locked into a closet with a kook girl which he develops a soft spot for. JJ finds himself trying to spark up conversation with the timid and quiet kook girl. What he doesn't know is that she's been crushing on him since forever, and hasn't had the courage to spark up conversation with the blond, resorting to following him around and using him as photography inspiration.

Here comes the sun (18+) | pt.1 pt.2

Kook! reader, fic is inspired by the weeknd's song with the same name. This fic contains cheating, the portrayal of a toxic relationship, unprotected sex all that. This is mostly angst and smut and I'm honestly surprised at how good i am at writing angst. –„IN WHICH you and JJ blur the line between friendship and something more on a whim, and with the intent to keep things casual. But somewhere along the way things get messy in a way that JJ isn't so sure he is fond of anymore. Especially when he finds himself as the other man.

Pillow talk and pleading the fifth (18+) | pt. 1 pt. 2 r.c flashback. pt.3 r.c flashback

Pogue! reader, love triangle between you, Rafe and JJ. Although my initial plan was getting the reader to end up with JJ there will be 2 alternative endings to this fic! –„IN WHICH you find yourself torn between two worlds when your best friend, JJ Maybank, who you've been in love with since forever starts dating Kiara. In a jealousy haze you start hooking up with Rafe Cameron, the infamous kook prince. Do you manage to keep everything casual and under control? No, is it fun? Also kind of no, given you hate yourself each time you managed to orgasm. And especially since Rafe's favorite activity is to pick on you and your friends outside the bedroom..

Lucky charm | pt. 1

Mermaid! reader, although there's a lot of sea nymph culture in this fic, this was requested when i started this blog so i held it close to my heart since it was my first request! –„IN WHICH JJ decides to go out surfing on a hurricane and gets saved from almost drowning by a figure which he didn't get the chance to look at. Or even confirm it was a person. His friends humor JJ and call him insane, but will they finally believe him when he shows them the person he found in the beach cave?

More to come as i write! (´▽`ʃ♡ƪ)

[vampiriito]

❛ prettiest girl in the morgue ༉‧₊˚ ⸝⸝ professional yapper, two timming rafe and jj. 9teen. she | her. biteable. sleep deprived capricorn. horror movies. cigarettes. music. european. mean girls are ugly ! ₄₄₄

╰─▸ ❝ @[vampiriito] ₊˚ෆ hi i'm lala!! i love writing as much as i love doing my makeup. i live for the weeknd, lana or chase atlantic references, and i go insane every two days. so don't mind my posting habits. enfj, so i love making friends! i'm in every fandom you can imagine, but i'm currently obsessed with obx. romanian, so basically a vampire (dracula was my grandfather.)

────୨ৎ────── .✦

↳ ❝ [masterlist] ¡! ❞

- ', INBOX IS ALWAYS OPEN SO DON'T BE SHY! ꒱ ↷

⋆˚࿔ ©vampiriito ୨ৎ˚⋆ est. 2025

[vampiriito]

Omg reader getting to know what is female friendship for once? I'm here for this! Maybe I'm biased to say that cus sarah is my fav girl, but I feel like with kie being so "we have to do this, we have to do that" like pope, I feel like sarah relaxed, cool girl persona is gonna make reader have the fun of her life and love her sm. Sarah🤝jj in terms of letting reader do what she wants. I'm so interested to see how will their dynamics be. You have any random headcanons/ideas for their dynamics?

omg i am so glad you asked for headcanons because yes! i had to sleep on this sorry, sarah is definitely one of my favs out of the obx girls because hello? madeline cline is so my wife coded. i thought about so many head canons so here's random ones until i have the next chapter sorted!💙

mermaid! reader... who's favorite pogue is sarah (aside from jj) because she was the most calmest and chillest one out of all of them when she lent her some of her clothes, not having an over the top reaction like kie did when the mermaid showed her the creatures living on her skin basically.

kiara... who had a mermaid phase in middle school secretly when she discovered the show h2o, just add water. she'd read google articles and even went as far as borrowing some books from the library, her knowledge of sea nymphs and mermaids stretching. so her reaction was purely out of excitement and the fact that she was right all these times! the reader likes kie and she reminds her of a seagull, or the small friendly fish who liked to follow her around. the way she talks sometimes reminds her of her mom.

pope... who simply can't believe how the reader is even real. his friends are way too calm for his liking, and he doesn't get how they're not freaking out over the girl standing in front of him who has a living, breathing starfish and coral antennas growing from her literal body? alas he's interested in asking SO many questions but he doesn't wanna overwhelm her so he's just like 🧍‍♀️pope and the reader have a tight friendship because he's the only one who's ACTUALLY concerned about concealing her from the public when they eventually take mermaid reader out of the chateau!

john b... who's sharing the same curiosity as pope but manages to slightly tick the reader off by being condescending for a bit, before sarah tells him to be more mindful. the reader is a bit scared of john b and she thinks he doesn't like her at first because he's wary of her, but they get along once they start living together.

jj... who once he meets and starts getting along with the reader his passion for fishing becomes almost dim. he tried showing her once how fishing worked and she just grimaced and told him in the nicest tone she could muster that the fish thought he sucked. so he thought it wasn't fit to catch fish when the girl he liked was half one. jj is the first pogue the reader encounters and she's been crushing on him before they met "officially" but he wasn't entirely the reason she came up to the surface... she follows him around in the first days after being found and she likes holding jj's hand in crowds because jj's hand is bigger and he always keeps up with her wobbly pace due to not having legs for so long!

sarah... who's curious but not shocked that mermaids exist. aside from bonding over turtles with kie, sarah also liked mermaids and believed they were real. although her approach was more like: they're just like us except they live in the ocean, not like kie thought of them as shocking, mythical creatures. the reader saw small braids in kie's hair and asked sarah if she could have some too, and kie and sarah braided and put makeup on mermaid reader before a party!

[vampiriito]

Omg sarah and kie braiding reader's hair🫠🫠in my head reader has bangs (since I have them¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯) and I can totally imagine reader and the girls wanting to show off reader to the boys after their "girls' day" and jj being so speechless at first cause reader looks so goddamn beautiful with her first hairstyle😭and then after some some of the boys are like "...jj? You with us, man?" and reader is in front of him like her eyes are waiting for his approval, jj comes back to his tracks, gesturing to reader to sit sith him to just to shower her with compliments like "oohhh who's this diva?", but whispering "looking perfect, mama" to her ear when she clinges to him

i love when you guys have cute fluffy head cannons, like you're actually invested in the stuff i write and it makes me feel so special, especially when i was so scared to start this blog. just know i file these little moments for later and when i write the story i try to include and write them as best as i can. the bang detail, i also have them, they're just curly because i have crazy curly hair. i wanna write the reader having curly hair so bad 💔 anyway thanks again for leaving these asks, i'm so glad you're enjoying lucky charm!💓💓💓

[vampiriito]

OMG NOT POPE HOUSING HER SOMETIMES AND SHE WATCHING HIM DO STUFF😭that's so cute omg. Imagine him studying some stuff about her quietly and having notion she's probably just sitting on his bed watching him, when suddently he moves his arm to take a pen and feels reader's head fitting under his arm, and she's so interested to see the book under him she doesn't even notice her whole head is covering his vision of the book, and he just giggles amused and she looks up like "🙄?" awwwie. And the way you describe this habit as an often thing is kinda cool cause like, jj is so energetic that any person with him would kind of feel like that too, and because jj is the person she spends more time with, these moments with pope would be very relaxing and good for her: just talking, chilling with each other's company, and sometimes answering questions either when about the mermaid subject or when pope wants to test her intelligence or something. Question: who would you think would teach reader to read stuff on their language? Pope, jj, or the whole group at random times?

the whole book segment you described is literally lining up with what i had written for the second chapter, mermaid reader had been curious about humans and one time she actually read the little mermaid and wasn't impressed by how the story portrayed mermaids. she was like 😒 "that is not how i would act." one interesting thing about the reader is that she knows a bit of english from her mom, since her dad's a human and her mom actually spent some time on land. so while she sounds all foreign and unable to articulate her sentences in a way that human teenagers do, she's not completely dumb. some social cues fly over her head because duh, but she's more informed than her other sea nymph sisters. the reader actually helps out pope with information when he asks because she likes that he's mindful with his questions and she understands that he only wants the best for her. as for your question, i think it would be jj, because hear me out, jj is the only person she can communicate with telepathically so she learns slang and more about the language, how to express herself from jj's thoughts. literally. she reads his mind and mimics the words out loud either as questions, like "what does weed mean?" or something like that. so while pope tries to teach her in a way that say Duolingo would, she learns more from reading jj's thoughts. (bad idea btw, cs he's dirty minded.)

[vampiriito]

rafe endgame is the only way to go i fear

canon jj is dead so why don’t we just….

not you dissing jj who's canonically dead LMAO, i love you guys. rafe is the endgame yes, but i still wanna write an alternate ending for jj, idk how????????????????? cause thinking about it this man dated one of his friends and wants to date another. won't that be.. awkward? the group probably will sigh loudly at jj when he's like: i'm in love with y/n actually.

why is this one smaller what the hell?

[vampiriito]

pope🫠💗 okay probably my second favorite male character after jj. I feel like his relationship with reader is not as "intimate" or "fun" as much as reader has with jj and sarah, but I can already feel their dynamic will be kind of... Unique of their way? At least that's the vibe you're giving me by now. I mean as the responsible, smart mom of the group he's probably the one who will be reader's personal "doctor" sort of whenever she needs, because if someone probably would figure out whatever is happening to a complex creature is probably the smart guy pope. Reader feels kind of ill? He'll be checking her temperature and look for other symptoms instead of freaking out like jj. Reader seems odd? He'll ask somebody what's her deal or either show some short video on his phone that might make her be normal again. And pope canonically is the the kind of person that shows affection (at least not as often as jj and the others) and that he cares (at least not with words), but playing "responsible" for reader sometimes and helping her figure herself out might force him to feel unexpectedly fond of her.

And the detail you added about him being attentive to her when they're outside and with other people is actually such a cherry on top like, yeah if reader go to her first bonfire night with them at the beach he would probably be discreetly watching her like a hawk, just seeing how she seems to process her new socialization and just to make sure nothing is gonna go wrong (someone finding out about their new group member? Checking if there isn't some teen bothering her or causing a disturbance that could fuck up with them all?), and he says to anybody that asks that he's just curious because she's a whole different being and purely interesting, but actually he's also doing it because he cares. And omg wait reader going out? Damn that's a whole new adventure, what could possibly go wrong🤩

pope is genuinely one of my favorites too, because he's the only one who's taking the whole supernatural being thing seriously, like there might be a possibility of people being after her if they find her out, and the detail about him being kind of like the doctor is the most likely outcome, because just like the others he understands what it's like to feel in danger and like you don't belong. but he's the most responsible one so when something happens to the reader they're all like WHY IS SHE DOING THAT???? and pope is like I DON'T KNOW?? MY RESOURCES GO AS FAR AS FORUMS AND BOOKS AT THE LIBRARY. in my mind he's the most paranoid canonically so he'd clock anything weird first, kinda like helping the pogues not get blindsided by danger, but them being them they always get into trouble. the bonfire is such a good idea because i was thinking where reader's first outing can be, and the bonfire is so perfect. bonus: pope sometimes would let the reader hang out at his place while the other pogues are busy and he's surprised just how docile she can get because he's expecting her to be curious and to try and explore and pry into human stuff, but instead just watches pope study or read about her, occasionally answering questions that are on her language level!

[vampiriito]

lmao not reader being akward with the guy she will have to live with a long period💀💀 but yeah I can feel where you're coming from because jhon b is probably the only one who we still can't figure it out how the friendship would be, and to be honest, jhon b is kind of akward with some people, let alone some unknown mermaid. He would notice more often how reader hides subtly more behind jj's arm whenever jhon b gets to close, and how she doesn't really look him in the eye, and he has to explain to sarah he's not doing anything or else his girl will cut his head off🤡I can imagine jj coming from work directly to the chateau and being like "hey, where's my favourite girl" and jhon b like "I guess not in the same room as me like always👍🏻"

yeah honestly john b is just awkward, because just like the others he's curious but at the same time he's like not able to channel the curiosity like sarah is. they start getting along tho, since they have to be alone when jj isn't hanging back at the chateau and john b actually finds that the reader is much more interesting in terms of personality than she lets on. these types of moments are probably gonna come later after the whole plot of the fic that i have planned for the fic is written so, keep em coming!🩷🩷🩷

[vampiriito]

love love love pillow talk i’m a jj girly at heart and for pillow talk i was reading for the intentions of jj but now im lowk a rafe girly for pillow talk cs girl.. fuck jj, if reader and rafe do eventually date would roles be reversed? like he’s watching reader with rafe if the pogues yk find out and are ok with it and he’s kind like guys wtf he would try to kill us and shit and yk he’s inlove with her it’s so confusing especially since you mentioned that he’s bad at handling feelings and jealousy so i’d love to see how that would play out? but again you do what makes u feel best and comfortable babe i loveee all ur work, keep doing what ur doing < 3

love love love you!! as i said before initially pillow talk was supposed to be a jj centric. but then when rafe started looking like the better love interest despite kinda being the antagonist i was like, what the hell, sure. the present parts, like the storyline when they're like 4 months into jj and kie dating was pre written, and the flashbacks i write them before i post them, so the flashbacks helped me with being more #team rafe. jj is shit at handling emotions as stated in the last flashback so in the rafe endgame (which i kinda dabbled in writing) he was to no surprise, a dick. but i haven't gotten to the pogues finding out yet, so i'll probably use this ask as an inspo!💖

[vampiriito]

Hi hiiii how are you? Hope you start feeling better I know it’s not the same but I have endometriosis so I can really relate to the chronic pains also I was wondering if summer was my first love was completed or if you plan to upload a new part soon?

hi hello babes!!!!! the chronic pain and depressive episodes have a bitch like me writing here comes the sun lol, and i was thinking about it the other day and i might post an epilogue! i have one that's half written, but i have to re write it and i'll probably post one. i just left it like that in case i'd wanna go back to it, an epilogue seems like it's over, and i love summer was my first love.

[vampiriito]

https://www.instagram.com/share/p/BAEryN5dUB

https://www.instagram.com/share/reel/_xpKIw2rm

Good evening

good evening we're moving up to two edits per ask. i am honored thank you. him with doja it's just so.

anyway send me more. next time, same place next week??? love the edit anon

[vampiriito]

kiara doesn't make an apparition in "Summer was my first" but now she does on lucky charm, and that got me curious: is she gonna have a crush on jj like canon or not?

I love pillowtalk btw

i didn't even notice kiara didn't appear in summer was my first love. kiara and sarah appear in lucky charm mainly because one of the anonymous asks i got gave a good idea about writing a solid female friendship with a reader who didn't have human girl besties. so no kiara won't be interested in jj in this! I wanna make this fic purely fluffy! and i'm glad ur enjoying pillowtalk it's one of my favorites at the moment, #teamrafe4life💖

[vampiriito]

Hello💗how are you? I'm the anon that requested for the siren/mermaid fanfic some time ago and even before I requested that I've read your works (and the ones you posted ever since and loved them too much!! So it really got me surprised when I came across your blog this morning and found that "Lucky Charm" was the fic we talked about that time AAAAAAA!!!!! First of all, I really wanna say thank you so much for taking my request with so much love and making it justice (actually more than justice, because is even better than what I first imagined it would be) even tho it was, in fact, an uncommon idea lol you write things in such a good way that this makes me wish all the fandoms I'm part of had a larissa to make them better. And as a person who doesn't really know how to take compliments without being overly shy, I'm just gonna drop this compliment here and stop before I make you overwhelmed or something lol<3 but talking about the chapter, wow????? I mean, there's so many details that got my attention. For example, I knew reader was going to be a mermaid (duh, that's what I asked for) but the descriptions you gave her (purple eyes, blue-ish hair, shells on her body and "tubes" connected to her scalp) are so fucking interesting and fascinating and unique, I already can see pope having a headache trying to think of some logic behind this haha. I have to admit I blushed and giggled when this part came: He cleared his throat and tried to sound casual again. "Um... can I see?" He mentally cursed himself for phrasing it that way. It sounded wrong. "I mean, if you're okay with it, I'd like to see where they go." and then he being like "of course not, wth am I asking her?", because it's like he can't decide if he's gonna act impartial or if he's gonna let the curious side of him about her (that may or may not be controlled by his hormonal teenage self) be louder. I wonder what could've happened if reader agreed to show him, but then I have to stop myself from going there because I can take this idea seriously😂I'm a bit immature, I know. I also really like how you describe sea and everything involving it (including reader) so good in a form that seems almost ethereal, idk how to explain. I also liked the cliffhanger at the end that would literally convince any random person to read more of it, and... Well, I think that's all? If I forget something I'll bring it up. And thank you again💗

hello love🩷 i'm doing great thanks for asking! i'm actually so glad you reached out, and even more glad you didn't mind the wait and that the chapter met your expectations. when i say i was anxious about posting it, i mean it. but it might've just been my anxiety because it's doing very well. i appreciate that my works managed to make the wait a little less boring. the part about all fandoms having a larissa is what got me, genuinely i never thought that i'd enjoy sharing the same interests and fandoms with people would earn me such lovely compliments :3 and do not worry about overwhelming me, i could never be overwhelmed by you guys. i'm so happy you stuck around, given you were one of the first people who requested something, so this fic was on the top of my notes. i actually have notes and plotlines written down and i wanna give it a solid storyline because jj x mermaid! reader was such a smart and interesting request. i thought hard enough about what qualities to give our sweet reader, and i even started watching h2o just add water for inspiration, so i took your request very seriously because you're so sweet! and pope definitely is close to an aneurysm when he first sees the reader. as for jj, despite being a rather respectful young man he's still a teenager at the end of the day, and it's so obvious throughout all their interactions. the sea is one of my favorite things provided by the nature and if i lived near a beach i'd definitely be such a beachy girl. so me describing the ocean with such love is genuine! the cliffhanger wasn't intentional although it had the intended effect, i was simply just sleep deprived while editing the chapter so i was like... i have to stop or i'll just mess up and not edit it accordingly. your welcome once again, and i love you, if you have any more requests, don't hesitate to let me know!💓