#she'd prefer not to commit violence on someone that her people are currently helping to rescue lol

[bravelywego]

Tahirah looked legitimately disappointed at the mention of Edea or Denys not coming over. "Aww...well, okay, that makes sense. But it would be nice to see them for tea sometime."

"I could try to contact Nobutsuna and see if he's up for murdering evil dragon people." Geist mused. "No guarantees that he'll say yes, though - I don't know how busy he is right now."

"Really?" Janne looked toward Yew. "That could work - hopefully Paige doesn't mind."

"Does that mean you're visiting after all!?" Tahirah's eyes immediately brightened, a smile spreading across her face. "That would be wonderful!"

"Feel free to slap DeRosa if he's being too flirty or whatever, Countess." Geist stated bluntly. "I know he tends to be like that."

Tahirah sighed, but there was still a little sheepish smile on her face. "Honestly, Geist, there are plenty of flirty people in Melodia anyway. He'd fit right in with Lukas."

Geist decided not to dwell too long on that subject. "We can talk later when we see each other in person...I'm sure you have a lot to work with before then."

"Of course! I'll try to keep all of you updated on what happened with things, and on that note, I'll see you very soon~!"

Janne just waved at her. "Bye, Countess. See you soon."

The image in the crystal faded, and Mona sighed.

"...Yeah, this just confirms that all of you are weird." She peered up at Geist. "Kamiizumi's the one with the katana, right?"

"Yes, that's him." Geist verified. "Maybe I should make a call to him just after we're done dinner...hope he's interested in a last-minute trip to Melodia."

[ Yew Finds a Wild Janne and Geist! ]

[luvzxr]

Little Pougie

I'm gonna try to make this a little more formatted but I also enjoy writing these little notes for the chapter so I can interact with people!

Summery; In which fem!reader is the little sister to John B Routledge. Sweet, gentle and innocent. The complete opposite to JJ Maybank but he finds himself falling for her and he can't stop himself doing so.

Pairing; Fem!reader x JJ Maybank

Word Count; 2,473

Masterlist to find previous chapters all together or previous to read chapter 3!

Next chapter.

04. Safe and Sound

"He didn't hurt you, right (Y/n/n)?"

JJ didn't want to seem too obsessive for his own good. He didn't want to confuse the poor girl as to why he was suddenly so frantic- she just went through what he could only imagine was pure hell and here he was causing more stress for her. But he couldn't help it; that was what he was turning into.

He needed to know that she was okay. That was his priority. He didn't know how long this had been going on before he walked in or if the scumbag had ever touched her way before the previous events.

JJ just beat the man senseless for simply having (Y/n) in his grasp. He should have killed him, no one would miss scum like that. He almost scoffed at the thought he let the man off easy, but he couldn't commit murder in the middle of Mr. Carrera's restaurant.

All (Y/n) could do was nod lightly.

He lost control- Right in front of her. The violence he condemned inside of him was now all out on the table and he could see just by how soft her voice was, the way she refused to look him in the eye, or the way she couldn't say a word to him that she was terrified.

He gulped, murmuring lowly, "come with me, Pougie. Please?" placing his hand on her arms, holding them firmly. His eyes bored into her own.

She seemed hesitant. She wanted to leave and be anywhere but here- she wanted to go home, but going home with JJ is what currently caused a mental battle between herself. The boy had just let lose years' worth of rage out onto the poor bastard who made the first attempt to scramble to his feet after a brutal beating, and Sophie practically saved his life from ending.

"Princess," JJ softly spoke, bringing his index finger to lift up her chin, "I would never hurt you."

"I know," her voice was small. She had no reason to fear JJ- he was protecting her, just like he always had and she knew that.

"Come on."

JJ's home was roughly the same size as her own; small but it would do. She found comfort in the mess inside considering she had to deal with it at her own home, so it hadn't made much of a difference.

She had been to his place countless times with John B but had never stayed the night due to the simple fact that JJ preferred to stay with them, for obvious reasons- That being back when his father was still on the Island, of course. As for now, (Y/n) wasn't too sure why he still chose to stay with her and JB- not that she didn't mind- but, he had the place all to himself now.

Empty glass bottles and aluminum cans littered the place, not a single spot wasn't covered by an empty bottle or can that once was filled to the brim with a certain beverage. The place looked completely discarded, which made sense- he didn't necessarily live here, he'd just stop by to pick up whatever he may have needed and leave again.

(Y/n) hadn't forgotten about the numerous altercations she'd witnessed over the years. The beatings JJ had taken right in front of her eyes. And she hadn't forgotten about the hundreds of bruises that formed all over his body afterward.

Over time, the girl slowly grew to despise the older man.

Perhaps 'despise' wasn't a strong enough word to use. She felt she wasn't being cynical enough. His father had no clue just how special his son was- he never gave JJ the chance to show his full potential.

JJ was a quick-tempered and erratic man, hell would break loose around him. Punches would be thrown, blood would be shed and, someone would be twitching and writhing on the floor. That was just part of who JJ was which often seemed to be the only part of him that others noticed, But he had another side to him. The side where he'd take liability for someone else's mistake, and he'd take the downfall because he felt he'd end up in jail sometime down the line, anyways.

He had an overwhelming amount of loyalty to the ones he loved. He'd take the dodged bullet without a single second thought. He'd fight for the things he felt closest to because that's all he had left to fight for. He had nothing to lose.

JJ also held onto the part of him where he knew how to make a bad situation something worth celebrating. He knew how to have a good time, and he knew how to make sure others had just as much of a good time. He was a goofball, something that (Y/n) took an immediate interest in.

"Sorry the place is a wreck," JJ apologized. He didn't know what else to really say because a part of him felt embarrassed. The place looked like the inside of a dumpster- smell and all. He didn't have the time to clean up beforehand because he didn't think they'd have to be staying at his place for the night.

He threw what he could away at the last minute into a large trash bag, wiping his arm smoothly across the coffee table- bottles and cans tipping over and tumbling into the bag. Eventually, he discarded the bag in the kitchen before returning back to the living area.

(Y/n) was placed on the couch, knees tucked to her chest. She was still quite shaken up from the previous encounter she had at her work with the creepy, old man. If JJ hadn't shown up a second later than he did, she wasn't sure if she'd safely be in his care or if she would have been dragged off the property in the grasp of the other man.

"(Y/n)?" JJ's voice was low, jaw clenched in order to bite back a more harsh, but natural sound. It wasn't his fault that his voice was much more deeper and intimidating. He didn't want to make the girl more timid than she probably already felt. His hand was placed gently on her shoulder.

"Hm?"

"Are you... okay?"

He wasn't too sure if this was a bad time to ask, for it was only moments ago she was put in a situation that no woman should ever be put in. He wanted her to open up, and maybe he could get her to. Or maybe he'd get the cold shoulder just like he would do himself whenever someone tried to get him to open up. And in hindsight, he didn't know (Y/n) and she didn't know him. Not properly, that is.

And even though he was the very person who defended her, he wasn't going to take that as an invitation to push past her boundaries.

(Y/n) shook her head no, turning to look at him, and rested her cheek against his hand that still rested promptly on her shoulder.

He shook his head before all together letting it drop and hang. feeling hopeless.

He failed her. He failed John B. That promise he made to protect the girl when John B could not. Over the years he made an internal promise to himself that he'd watch over the girl as long as she was on the Island and he wouldn't let a single soul handle her the way she was handled tonight, and he failed.

"I'm so sorry, Pougie. I... I should have been there sooner. If I had been there sooner then none of this would of happened and you'd be okay," He took careful steps around the couch toward her small figure. Guilt was evident but oblivious to how to express it.

"JJ-"

"I could of prevented it altogether," He gulped, taking his seat next to her. His head shook side to side endlessly.

"JJ-"

"You would of been okay,"

"JayJ-"

"I shouldn't have been so careless-"

He felt soft, gentle hands cup his face, "JJ! For once in your life; don't blame yourself."

JJ's head shot up, shoulders relaxing once his gaze landed on the soft smile of the girl sat in front of him. Sometimes he wondered how she could be so happy after traumatic situations.

"You saved me, and for that, I'm very grateful,"

JJ found his disheartened expression slipping into a small smile. She was so soft and gentle with not only her words; but her touch as well. She knew all the right ways to ease his racing mind.

They had yet to find out more about one another, yet here he had the girl sitting in his horribly trashed living room; feeling at ease from her touch and words- trying desperately to study her face, her emotions, her expressions. Trying to figure out why his heart was racing, and why he felt like if he didn't slow down he'd only crash and burn. Which, at the time, he felt completely okay with doing.

He was protective over the girl, but rightfully so. She'd done so much in his life he hasn't had the chance to thank her for. He wanted to give back, he just needed to figure out the right ways to do so.

But he shook his head. He stood up, giving her a small smile.

The girl had seen him at the lowest points in his life. The days when his father had beaten him so badly he was practically in shambles on the ground- she was petrified but she always would put him before herself because that was just the type of person she was. She was delicate- it was enough to break her if you truly wanted to, but she was kind.  JJ has never experienced the type of care Sophie has given by anyone else and if he was honest- he didn't want to.

"Where are you going?" he could hear (Y/n)'s soft voice as he stood from the couch, reaching for the garbage bag he left slouched against the wooden doors of the lower cabinets on the floor an hour or two prior.

"I'm gonna take this out and then head to bed," he looked over his shoulder, bright blue eyes glinting in her direction.

"Already?" she frowned, "We just got here a little bit ago,"

"I just wanted you to get some good sleep before I take you back tomorrow," JJ replied calmly, though he unknowingly began to make his way back toward her again.

"But I don't feel like sleeping right now," she reached for him, indicating she wanted him to sit again. He undoubtfully took the invitation.

"No?" Puzzlement growing, eyes fixated on the small girl sitting before him.

"No." she confirmed.

"Well... I don't have to go right now," She immediately perked up.

"Great!" She squeaked, arms flung around his neck, "Cause I have an entire show to watch, and no one to watch it with. But now I do!"

"Oh, I see," JJ gave a slight nod, unable to control the small, slightly uneasy chuckle that fell from his lips, "We're gonna watch an entire TV show tonight?"

"Of course. What else would we do on a Friday night?"

"Actually It's Saturday because it's midnight,"

"Whatever," she crinkled her nose, looking at him as if it was so obvious, "I get to show you the wonderful world of TV,"

TV. That was something JJ didn't exactly have familiarity with, for anymore he chose surfing or partying rather throwing himself up on the sofa and flicking through channels to find something appealing.

"Please?" She was back to being her shy self again, pouting and practically begging him to stay inside for the night, "Netflix would work too, that way we can start something new that maybe you'd like,"

He frowned nonetheless, "I don't have Netflix Princess,"

"That's okay, I'll sign in to my account," She grinned, turning the current network off and switching it to the Netflix program.

"Okay," he nodded, and she just smiled softly.

JJ watched as she selected a program with the title 'American Horror Story' and switched on the Pilot episode. Leaning over and leaving the remote on the coffee table in front of them.

She laid back, her prior position with her arms around his neck was now with her back pressed against the soft cushion

She then looked over at him, expression changing at the hesitant way he was perched up on the couch.

"JJ, come here," she reached her arms out, faking a grab at him with her fingers.

He shook his head, "No, I can't,"

"Yes you can," she nodded, once more making a grabbing motion with her fingers.

"No, I really can't,"

"I know I'm probably not as comfortable as most girls you slee-"

"No, that's not it," his answer was quick, "I just shouldn't lie down."

"Why?"

"Because Pougie," he frowned, trying desperately to dodge her tiny grabs, "I'll fall asleep on you." JJ warned.

"So fall asleep," (Y/n) shrugged, grinning with triumph once he finally sighed and gave in. She held her arms out, moving ever so slightly to give out some more room to him. He removed his snapback, leaning back- to which his head hit her forearm gently.

His tired eyes soon began to flutter shut, ready to fully drown out every possible noise; Including the voices of characters in front of them.

JJ couldn't comprehend the bizarre situation at hand; he was laying down with (Y/n), at his house, and she was voluntarily letting him rest against her. He was breathing in her light scent, listening to a show he assumed was one of her favorites, spending the night with the one person who agitated him the most- and he was enjoying every minute of it.

Something changed. Not enormously, For it was roughly hard to get through to JJ because of the skeptical side of him that refused to let anyone care for him. But the change was significant compared to what most accomplished. He no longer found the way he had to swoop into her rescue irritating. He didn't mind how she questioned everything he's done because in reality; she was curious and nothing was wrong with that.

This situation with (Y/n) was nothing more than a girl caring for a friend who, no doubt, needed the affection but was too stubborn to admit it.

JJ could only envision the small, gentle smile covering her features, imprinting her skin and burning a mark in his mind. He imagined her face as she pressed the tip of her nose against the back of his neck, small arms wrapped around his torso carefully.

He felt himself tense up. He's never felt such a delicate touch before- at least not ones that hadn't led to more than just a chill night on the couch. No, those situations almost always turned into more- to which JJ himself usually initiated.

But this was different because he didn't want more. He wanted to stay right where he was; In (Y/n)'s arms, wrapped up on the couch, drifting off into a much-needed peaceful sleep. And that's exactly what he was doing.

"Goodnight JayJ."