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rudybarnes · 2 years

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SOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOD! Super excited for the rest of the series and how their relationship will develop!

We Tried The World CH1.

THE MASTERLIST SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, 287 MILES FROM HOME.

Steve picked you up a few doors down from your house at six o’clock in the morning the next day.

Hawkins was still asleep, the whole town nursing a sleepiness that only came from a party that everyone had joined in on the night before. The morning air smelled like old bonfire smoke, the leftover fizz from fireworks and the sky was lilac and peach, the air hazy.

You didn’t say much when you walked towards his car, the BMW idling by the park on the corner of your street. You’d told him to park away from your house, to let your aunt sleep through what would’ve been an awkward goodbye.

You left a note on your bed instead, one that you knew she’d understand. After all, she’d been there through everything. Hawkins wasn’t home and you were never supposed to have ended up there.

Steve hopped out and put your rucksack in the trunk for you and when you dropped yourself into the passenger seat beside him, he smiled and handed you a couple of cassettes to pick from. The windows were down, his tank was full and the height of summer was creeping into the car. Everything smelled like cut grass and coffee and boy.

When you chanced a glance at your driver, he looked the way you felt, like he was at peace with what was about to happen, like it was all finally okay.

His cheek was still angry, pink and lilac turning to blue and red overnight and he licked his split lip a little self consciously upon feeling your eyes on him.

You thought he might tell you to quit it, to stop staring but Steve was soft around the edges, maybe from sleep, maybe from the relief you both felt when you approached the edge of town. The sign that told you both you were leaving Hawkins edged closer as Steve drove, the mocking “come back soon!” staring at you both.

It felt like a challenge, it felt like a dare.

Steve spoke then, the engine thrumming underneath you both as he flicked honey brown eyes towards you.

“You sure?”

You stared at the road ahead before finding the boy’s gaze, a quiet determination coming over you. You think he saw it, or maybe he felt it - like the air around you both changed - because he smiled, a little crooked because of his cut but it made you grin back.

The sense of adventure overpowered the unknown, the thrill of something new and all of the what ifs made your heart beat a little faster and for the first time in the longest time, you felt like you weren’t sleepwalking through the day.

Morning had hardly broken and the sky was still a watercolour wash of pastel, but you were wide awake.

You nodded and Steve’s grin was blinding, summer and sun in a smile.

You drove as the sun came up, until the skies turned from peach to blue, the air growing warmer and the view outside your window had less houses. Steve hit the highway and picked up some speed, windows still down and the wind rushing at your faces as you left behind the old water tower, the trailer park on the outskirts of town, Mr Lumson’s old farm.

Hawkins led out into open fields, green and gold and yellow, flat land broken up by old barns, forgotten tractors, a paddock of horses and cows. The road took you through other towns, some smaller, some bigger, gas stations with only one working pump, a vendor on the side of the road selling fruit and homemade iced tea.

It all felt a little surreal, like you were daydreaming in the best kind of way. Because the wind threaded through your fingers as you held your hand out of the open window, it nipped at your open palm and you could smell the fresh air, the pine trees. Because you were sitting in the front seat of Steve Harrington’s car and he was driving you far away from home. You weren't even sure where you were going, you didn’t think Steve really knew either, but everything you loved was packed into the duffle bag in the boy’s trunk - and there wasn’t much.

Some clothes, a few mixtapes, a few half empty toiletries in a make up bag you’d taken from underneath your aunt’s bathroom sink. A tin of pencils, your sketchbook, a few rings - all gold, some important, some not. All the money that you had. It wasn’t like the boy was a stranger, he wasn’t, not really. No one could feel like a stranger in a town like Hawkins, it was too small, people were too close and someone’s grandma always knew someone else’s cousin. You’d grown up with Steve, not by his side, but in the same circle - he’d been in all your classes from kindergarten to high school, sharing friends and the same drug dealer.

You were friendly with Robin Buckley, your aunt and you lived a few doors down from Nancy Wheeler, you babysat for the Sinclair siblings before Lucas moved up to high school and you were both invited to the same parties. You knew he worked in Family Video, you knew he’d chosen not to go to college after graduation. You knew his parents were always gone, you knew he was softer than he seemed and you knew that the reason for his back eye was most likely his father.

You knew he kissed like he wanted to steal the breath from your lungs, like he was trying to tell you all his secrets.

And maybe, despite not knowing his favourite colour, his favourite food, his favourite song, you had the feeling you were more similar than you ever would’ve guessed, that you both shared that awful pulsing ache in your chest that there wasn’t a home for either of you anywhere.

So when Steve pulled into a parking lot just off of the highway, somewhere near the edge of Illinois, you didn’t hesitate to nod when he asked if you were hungry, to follow him into the old diner with its neon sign and pink walls. It was nearing eight o’clock and the world was a little more alive now, the roads busier, the diner smelling like coffee and maple bacon.

You found it easy to slide into a booth across from the boy, easier to let your gaze meet his, small smiles playing on both of your mouths. You ordered a tea, Steve a coffee and a plate of pancakes each and when the waitress scratched down your choices, she clicked her tongue, smiled and called you both a ‘cute little pair.’

No one really spoke until there was caffeine in your systems, bones warmed by hot drinks and the drizzle of syrup that you licked from lips and forks. It was a nice kind of silence whilst you ate, the kind you were sure you could get used to, the kind that could carry you across states, across the country.

It was even nicer when Steve wiped his mouth with his napkin, tapped your foot with his underneath the table and raised a brow in question.

“So, where d’you wanna go?”

“Don’t you have somewhere in mind?” you asked him. This was his plan after all, he’d been the one to ask you, to invite you along.

Steve shook his head slow, shoulders shrugging as if the destination had never occurred to him.

You sipped the last of your tea, watching the boy over the rim of the cup and he could tell you were taking your time to think. There was an ache in your chest that felt like the answer, that felt a little like the idea of home.

“California,” you said, voice softer than you wanted it to be. “Carmel-by-the-Sea.”

The sounds of the diner filled the silence between you two as Steve considered your response. The jingle of the cash drawer, spoons stirring in sugar, the pop of the grill behind the open kitchen window.

But then the boy nodded and took another sip of his coffee. There was a soft sincerity colouring his voice, his pretty features, when he asked you: “What’s there?”

You felt a little embarrassed, so you looked at your almost empty plate, sticky syrup on the cheap ceramic, a quarter of your last pancake that Steve had helped you eat.

“The ocean,” you mumbled, nose scrunched as you chanced a glance back up at him. “Never seen it before.”

You didn’t want to tell him that you hadn’t actually left Hawkins since you moved there when you were three years old. You thought that maybe Steve knew that, that he could tell, that he could guess. Because you were living with your aunt, a woman who didn’t really care, but the only family member left in your life that cared enough. Holiday’s weren’t a thing.

“There’s a lot of ocean before Carmel-by-the-Sea,” Steve smiled, a little teasing, a little curious. “What’s there?” he asked again.

Your lips twisted, a downturn of your mouth that you tried to hide because he had figured you out way too quickly. This stranger who wasn't a stranger, this boy who wasn’t really a friend. He was your last kiss though, your companion for the next who knew how many weeks.

But still, it was day one and you were still guarding your secrets, yourself. So you shrugged as if you didn’t know the answer, like there wasn’t one to give and Steve was smart enough not to press. You turned to him instead, sticky fork in your hand, wielded like a weapon that you needed to protect yourself with.

You thought of all the questions you wanted to ask him and they rattled in your head, in your chest, making you feel panicked. You didn’t want to upset him, you didn’t want to cross any lines that hadn’t been set yet.

Why are you leaving town? Does your parents know you’re gone? Do they care? Did your dad hit you? Why did you kiss me? Are we gonna talk about that?

“Why me?” you asked instead and you cringed a little when it came out like an argument, voice a little too hard and harsh.

But Steve just smiled again, fingertip tracing around the rim of his now empty mug and you were almost sure that there was a faint flush of pink high on his cheeks. He shrugged a little shyly before he flicked honey brown eyes up to yours. There it was again, that look, that unbearably soft sincere look, like he wasn’t about to judge you.

“You’re the only other person I know with nothin’ to lose.”

You were a little speechless.

Another half shrug, a lopsided smile that matched the morning sun that was rising in the window behind him.

“The same as me.”

Something in your chest stuttered. Maybe your heart stopped, just for a half a second, maybe less, because something skipped a beat at the realisation that the boy knew you more than you thought he did. It’s why you told him yes, why you nodded your head in that strangers kitchen the night before, lips a breath away from Steve’s, both of you lit up in red, green and gold.

Because with a dad that wasn’t around when you were born, a twenty something stoner with three jobs and no time for a kid, you weren’t sure you knew what it was like to have something that you’d miss when it was gone. It only took three years for your mom to feel the same way, bored of her daughter and the life in a small town in Virginia. You weren’t even sure which town.

Too young to remember it as a home, your mom had dropped you with her sister in Hawkins, an aunt that had no time for a kid, but took you in nonetheless. You were sure there had been a false promise of a quick return. Your mom telling your aunt that she just needed a minute, just some time to get her head straight, didn’t she understand? You were too much hard work. You were difficult.

She told the other woman a week, two tops. And then you were celebrating your fourth birthday, your fifth, your sixth and every one after that with your aunt who never wanted you but never had the heart to say. She bought you a cake from the bakery on Main every year, bought you a new book wrapped in red paper and some cash in a card.

And every year you smiled and thanked her, brushed a kiss across her cheek and took a slice of cake to your room, where you watched the sprinkles melt and colour the white icing, where you pushed the dollars into the tin underneath your mattress.

It had never been enough to buy a car, or a plane ticket. It wasn’t enough to take you where you wanted to go, not even close. But it could help you buy gas and food, maybe a motel room here and there. ‘Cause now you had Steve and that was a statement that you were sure you’d never get used to saying.

You smiled at the boy, a soft laugh leaving your lips in a humourless huff and you nodded, pushing the last square of pancake around your plate.

“Yeah,” you agreed, “nothing to lose.”

“Do your parents know that you’re doing… this?” you gestured between the two of you, glanced out of the windows to his maroon coloured car sitting in the dusty parking lot. You were already both two hours from home, maybe more. “Do they know you’re gone?”

Steve grinned and you could tell it was sharp, without any happiness. The boy sat opposite you with his still sleep mussed hair, big brown eyes and nothing more than a similar sized rucksack in his trunk, right beside yours.

He thought of his room, empty and blue, a couple of books taken from his shelves and a pillow from his bed - the flattest one, old and in a chequered case, smelling like a home that was only really a house.

The kitchen was empty when he left, the living room too, the only framed photos were shots taken in a studio, white backgrounds, pressed shirts, his father’s cold hand on his shoulder. Steve stopped smiling in the third one.

He’d locked the door, stared at the key as he stood on his porch and toyed with the idea of taking it off of the chain it shared with the key to his car. He could post it, leave it on the doormat in the hall for his parents to come home to. He didn’t know when they’d return. He didn’t know when he’d come back, if he would at all.

Steve didn’t know where he was going.

He posted his resignation into the letterbox of Family Video on the way to your house, slowed down when he drove through Robin’s street, wondering if the upset would be worth getting to give her one last hug. He’d spent the night before on the phone to her, hours and hours of frustration and a little anger, upset and unshed tears before he finally got his best friend to understand.

She made him promise he’d come back. She begged him. So Steve nodded even though the girl couldn’t see. He swallowed the lump in his throat and told her yes, that he’d come back, that he promised.

Steve really hoped he didn’t break it.

He thought about telling you that his parents wouldn’t care, that his parent’s probably wouldn’t even notice. The landline could go unanswered for weeks on end and his parent’s wouldn’t think to get an early flight home. He could drive to Europe and back, take some trains, some boats, swim across the English Channel and return home before they noticed he was gone. But all of that sounded a little sad, and Steve reckoned there was plenty of time for sadness later.

So for now, he shrugged, waved a hand dismissively and tugged his wallet from his jean pocket. He smiled when you chucked a few bills on the table first, not bothering to argue or play polite, ‘cause you were both more than aware money was going to be tight if you were going to make it across the country together. And besides, he told himself, this wasn’t a date. This was an escape and it didn’t matter if he knew that you kissed like you wanted to prove something, that you tasted like cherries and something else sweet.

He wasn’t gonna talk about that.

You both crossed the border into Illinois without much fanfare, the windows rolled down and the highway stretching out long ahead of you. The fields on either side of you were undisturbed, the sun blazing down on wide, green pastures, acres of gold wheat and every now and then, you’d pass an old barn that sat forgotten. The sign that welcomed you to the new state seemed a little monumental, despite the fact that the green backing of it was sun bleached and faded, but it meant that you and Steve were no longer in Indiana, no longer home.

It felt good, it felt dizzying and with every mile Steve drove you both across the state line, your smile grew and so did Steve’s. He was beaming when you glanced over at him, hair wild from the wind that funnelled through the open windows, the car going just a tiny bit faster that it was supposed to. But you merely turned up the music, fingers gentle on the dial, whatever mixtape Steve had made pumping through the speakers with static and crackles.

It made the boy beam, and he matched the summer outside, warmth and sunshine in his chest, a new heatwave trapped in his eyes, an adventure waiting on his lips. He was a sight to behold and it made your chest burst, so you blinked, turned back looking out the window instead.

But you couldn’t help the burst of laughter that ripped prettily from your throat when Steve started singing, not all that badly, you noted. He garnered your attention once more, like he wanted it, like he liked it. He didn’t care that you were watching, that you were staring, his hands drumming out a beat on the wheel, a little off rhythm, his hair in his eyes, chin tilted up to the sun as he crooned.

“There's a room where the light won't find you!” The boy was almost yelling to be heard over the roar of the car, and you were laughing through strands of wind whipped hair. “Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down!”

You sang the next line with him, much quieter and shyer than Steve did. But the words held the same weight to them whether they were whispered or yelled, and goosebumps tracked up your bare arms as you let them leave your lips.

“When they do I'll be right behind you.”

Maybe it meant nothing, maybe it was just a song, just a band that Steve liked, that he put on a mixtape. He was just a boy, an almost friend, someone you kissed just once. Just a boy who asked you to run away with him, a boy with honey brown eyes, messy hair, freckles that looked like the start of summer on his cheeks.

Maybe it meant nothing. It was just a song, you told yourself again. But then Steve looked over at you and grinned again, that same slow, soft smile you were already becoming so used to. Maybe it could mean everything.

You rolled through small towns and dust roads, listening to Tears For Fears and wondering if your aunt had woken up and found your note yet. The morning became afternoon and the heat rose with the sun, heating the asphalt, the air, you.

It had been over an hour, almost two, when you turned to Steve, cheek pushed to the fabric of the seat. Your gaze settled over him, familiarising yourself with the slope of his nose, the line of his jaw. He had some stubble now, a shadow to his cheeks that hadn’t been there the night he kissed you. Pouty lips, impossibly pink and soft - easy to kiss, you remembered. Eyes that kissed in the corners, always sleepy looking, thick lashes, honey and brown sugar in the sun. Hair that was always a little wild, curling at the nape of his neck, around his ears.

Steve Harrington was a very pretty boy, you summarised.

You cleared your throat when he caught you staring, a pair of Ray-Ban’s perched over his eyes now and despite the dark glass, you could see the way his eyes stuck on yours for just a second, before the road stole back his attention.

“So uh, what’s the plan?” you asked, trying for light and casual.

“Cali, remember? Carmel, the ocean, right?” Steve looked confused, and the pucker between his brows only deepened when you laughed, not unkindly.

“We’re a long way from there, hot shot,” you smiled, gesturing to the road ahead of you both. “What’re we doing in the meantime?”

Steve parted his lips, thinking. Then he laughed too, soft like you did, and waved a hand. “Shit, yeah, you’re right. Why, uh, why don’t we stop at town soon? We can get some supplies, take a walk, find somewhere to stay and figure out where we wanna go?”

You nodded before rooting around in the glovebox, nosy and entirely unapologetic about it. You scoffed, eyeing the boy with an air of disbelief.

“What?” Steve asked.

“Do you even have a map, Harrington?”

“No.”

----------

It’s how you and Steve found yourselves in Springfield, a bustling town that was the second choice to Chicago, or first, where Steve was concerned. The boy had wrinkled his nose when you’d suggested it offhandedly, and he’d made a comment about avoiding the cities that were too big, too loud, too much.

Steve wanted quiet, he wanted something slow, peaceful. He wanted rolling hills, he wanted valley’s, he wanted to see green and blue, he wanted sunsets, sunrises, he wanted to see the stars, home cooked meals in tiny diners, coffee on the hood of his car in front of a lake.

He wanted everything his own home couldn’t offer him, he wanted to get away. He smiled when you just nodded and said ‘okay’, like giving the boy what he wanted was the easiest thing in the world.

So Steve parked up on a street corner in the middle of town, the sidewalks busy enough that no one stared at the two of you, busy enough that no one realised that you didn’t belong. But the crowds and bustle meant that Steve stuck close to your side, a hand always hovering over the small of your back, scared to touch but unwilling to lose you in a new place.

The streets were lined with diners and some small businesses; hairdressers, barbers, bookshops and nail salons. There was a fancy restaurant or two, a dentist's surgery, a pharmacy that looked straight out of the 1950’s and a car garage that sat on the other corner, four gas pumps and a bored looking attendant.

The sidewalks were lined with small trees, striped canopies over the window displays, neon signs over twenty four hour diners and motels showing their vacancies.

It was enough for the first day, you thought. Enough to keep you busy, enough to get started. So you tapped Steve’s shoulder and pointed to a small store across the street, one that looked like you could find what you needed in it.

It seemed like a knee jerk reaction when Steve’s fingers slid gently around your wrist as you crossed the road. You didn’t pull away, you didn’t say anything but he was blushing when you looked at him, the skin where he’d touched you burning in response.

He gave you a sheepish smile when he let go, pink on his cheeks and one hand scratching awkwardly at the back of his neck. He didn’t look at you when he explained, “sorry, I uh, I hang about with kids too much.”

There was no time to respond before Steve was shuffling into the shop, the bell above the door tinkling gently. You managed to find a roadmap of the states, each major highway inked in bright red and you traced route sixty six, a small smile on your face.

Your finger ran over the folds and creases, found the Pacific Coast highway and stared at the blue on the page, the dips in the lines that showed off beaches and coves.

Steve came to stand at your shoulder, head above your own as he watched you stare. He saw your smile, the almost hopeful look in your eyes.

His voice was quiet and soft when he said, “it’ll take us what, two weeks? Maybe three depending on where you wanna stop off?”

“Me?” You scrunched your nose, embarrassed to have been given so much say in a trip that wasn’t ever really your idea. “What about you? Aren't there places you’d like to go to? To see?”

Steve looked a little taken aback, like he’d never really thought about it. He shrugged, gazed back down at the map in your hands and moved a little closer so he could stare at the states, the roads, the lakes marked out in patches of blue.

“I didn’t really think of where I wanted to go,” he told you quietly, “just that I knew I wanted to leave.”

You were quiet as you processed the boy’s words, your eyes a little sad as you looked back over your shoulder at him, at his bruised eye and cut lip. So you nodded, like you understood, folded the map back up and placed it on the cash desk before you grabbed a small book from the display next to the till, one that was titled ‘1001 Things To See In America.’

Steve didn’t say anything but you saw him smile, that shy stretch of his lips, the same one he gave you after he kissed you. It showed off a dimple on his right cheek, it made his lashes kiss at the corners, nose a little wrinkled.

He looked really pretty.

He grabbed some bottles of soda as you wrestled with your purse, stretching over your shoulder again to place them on the corner, a big bag of chips quickly following with some dollar bills. Steve grabbed the bag of snacks, took the book you picked and tucked it under his arm, grinning at you as he headed for the door.

“Ready?”

The question took your breath away, because it was so much more than one word. It was possibilities, it was a leap of faith, it was a new state, a different adventure. It was mountains, valleys, lakes, oceans, wide roads, wider canyons, the chance to see something new.

It was absolutely terrifying. But you nodded and followed Steve out the door.

—————

“Did you know that Kansas has the biggest ball of twine?”

Steve was stretched out on the grass of Lincoln Park, the book you picked in his hands as he grinned at you over its pages.

You snorted. “Sounds riveting. Here,” you threw him a pen from your bag, taking your sketchbook out with it. “Start circling stuff that you wanna see, but no fifty foot balls of twine, please.”

“It’s actually only ten feet,” Steve told you, flicking through the pages absentmindedly.

“That’s disappointing.”

It was the boy’s turn to laugh and he took a sip of his soda before he tilted his chin at the paper you were holding, craning his neck to inspect.

“D’you draw?”

You flushed: your immediate reaction to being asked that question because it wasn’t something you showed off. You shrugged, held the pages a little closer to your chest and leaned back against the oak tree behind you.

“Not well,” you muttered, squinting your eyes against the sun. You watched as Steve watched you, how he took in your closed off body, the protective hand you held over the blank page. “S’just something to do, y’know?”

So he didn’t press, didn’t push, just merely nodded and went back to the book, tracing the letters of a title you couldn’t see. It was peaceful, easy, a bag of spicy chips laid open between you, your knees tucked up so you could put pen to paper and sketch out the mess of the boy’s hair in secret.

If Steve knew you were drawing him, he didn’t say. But he had to know, ‘cause your gaze was on him as much as it was your book and every now and then, your eyes met and he smiled.

“What about The Ozarks?” He said, pushing the book over to you, his finger tapped a photo of sprawling forests, cerulean blue springs hidden amongst them. There were people in kayaks, swimming, jumping from cliff tops. “Looks nice, right?”

You hummed in agreement, nodding. “It does, it looks super pretty.” You twisted your pen to your paper, drew in the small mole on his cheek. “That’s Missouri, yeah?”

He nodded, taking the pen you’d given in and circling something on the page, bookmarking it for later.

“About six hours away, if you wanna take the scenic route,” he mumbled, the map in his other hand, the edges of it curling in the light breeze.

“Always take the scenic route, Harrington,” you commented lightly, your lips twisting in concentration as you shaded in the slope of the boy’s jaw. “That sounds like a plan though, at least, a good start to one.”

“Noted,” he smirked and after a few beats of silence, he stretched his leg over the grass to yours, nudging at your foot with his trainer. He nodded at the paper that was still tucked against your knees, hidden against your chest. “Do I get to see?”

You baulked.

“Since it's me and all,” he grinned.

Weirdly, you knew that if you said no, Steve wouldn’t protest or argue. You weren’t sure how, but you were so, so sure of that. Maybe that’s why you chewed at your lip and turned the page, letting him take in the dark lines and soft shadows of his own face.

You’d drawn him from the torso up, t-shirt crumpled against the grass, hair wild from the drive, from the wind, his eyes downcast at the book he was holding.

Steve stared, silent before he coughed out an almost embarrassed sound laughing, eyes flicking between you and the page.

“Wow,” he mumbled, leaning closer to look. You could feel your cheeks heat up, the flush spreading across your chest. “Bruises and all, huh?”

You grimaced, regretting shading in the cut and marks around his eyes and lip, pulling back the paper and wondering if you’d crossed a line.

“Sorry! I’m- fuck, I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have-” you were rambling and it was awful. God, you felt awful.

“No! No, no,” Steve assured you, “don’t be, it’s amazing, shit… it’s really good.”

You were burning. “Thanks,” you mumbled, staring at anything but the boy. “You have a good face.”

Steve grinned.

“To draw,” you told him, voice a little too sharp and high. “Fuck.”

But Steve was already laughing, although it didn’t feel like it was aimed at you and the sound wasn’t cruel. He didn’t really look at you when he gathered up his things, the map and the book, his empty soda bottle.

“You have a good face too.”

You were pretty sure you were still flushed by the time late evening crawled around, dinner was in an old diner with sticky leather booths, a fuschia sign outside that blinked and flickered as the sun went down. It took a little while after that to find a motel with vacancies, the two of you driving around in the warm night air, the windows still rolled down.

The town smelled like leftover cinnamon from bakeries that were closing, fumes from exhausts, garlic and rosemary from the restaurants that only got busier the more you drove around the block.

Eventually you spotted a sign a few streets down, close to the park you’d spent your afternoon in. A pretty, baby pink building with a red sign above it, green curtains lining the windows and the word “VACANCIES” flashing at you both from the main door.

So Steve parked the car and brushed you away when he took both your bags out the trunk, slinging them over one shoulder like it was no big deal. Night was stretching in and despite not being all that far from home, the excitement of a new town, a new state, was starting to wear you both down.

Sleep tugged at your eyes as the stars came out and once again, Steve guided you into the quiet motel with a gentle hand that didn’t quite touch your back.

He spoke quietly and politely to the woman at the desk, looking at you questioningly when she asked how many rooms. The boy sputtered and stopped, eyes in yours as he let you take the lead.

There it was again, that heat in your cheeks that seemed to be becoming a frequent feeling around Steve Harrington. But he waited patiently, the woman less so, and you sounded far too quiet when you said, “one, please. A twin.”

Steve didn’t say anything as you took the keys from the desk, slid the money you’d both put together into the woman’s hand. It wasn’t until you were both standing in the too small elevator that you smiled at him a little sheepishly, arms crossed over your chest and said:

“I didn’t wanna be in a room alone.”

The boy nodded and smiled, like it was okay, like it was fine. And maybe it was. ‘Cause he put your bag down on the single bed for you when you entered the room, his on the other and told you that you could use the shower first, like this was the most normal Tuesday night.

The summer heat, leftover sunscreen and the hours in the car were sticking to your skin and the thought of a cool shower and some fresh pyjamas seemed far too enticing, so you did just that.

The spray was a welcome sensation, a little weak, a little pour than a dribble but it was better than you could’ve hoped for considering you had no plans to even be in a tiny motel in Illinois until yesterday at ten o’clock.

The party seemed an age ago, in someone's kitchen on Hawthorne Street, groups of strangers, some friends, colours in the sky and spilled beer on the kitchen tiles. A boy, familiar face, a new kiss, asking you to leave town.

You stared at the baby pink tiles, eyes a little wide as the reality of the situation set in. Guilt rolled in your stomach as you realised your aunt would have most definitely found your note by now.

Maybe she’d feel as free as you did.

The buzz of the television played through the thin walls as you got dried and dressed, skin still damp as you pulled on old shorts, a too big shirt that had a photo of Prince on the front, some splashes of dried paint on the hem.

Steve was lounging on his bed when you padded out barefoot, suddenly a lot more shy than you thought you would be. But he smiled and gestured to a bottle of water he’d left on the nightstand for you, brushing gently past your shoulder with his own towel as he went to wash the day away.

The low lights in the room were a little too warm, pink tinged and making everything look rosy. Steve had cracked a window, enough to let the summer air in, a cooler breeze now the sun had gone down, the sky streaked with leftover indigo clouds and you could hear the buzz of cicadas from the park behind you.

It felt a little dreamlike, a little surreal.

And then as you were tucked into bed, the sheets a little scratchy, Steve walked back out in shorts and a threadbare shirt, hair damp and falling in his eyes.

He pulled a pillow from his bag, a sad, flat looking one that still had its pillowcase on it from home. He chucked it onto his bed before tumbling in after it and he turned to look at you, expression almost unsure.

“You okay?”

You shuffled, cheek pressed to the motel pillow and between you both, the light flickered once, twice, sending peach coloured shadows across the room.

“Yeah,” you whispered, scared to break the silence that surrounded you. “How come?”

Steve shrugged, body lazy against the mattress and he stretched, humming in content as he did. “I dunno,” he whispered back, voice scratchy and soft with sleep. “I guess I just wanted to ask. Make sure you still want to do this, y’know?”

You smiled, appreciating the gesture, and you blinked at him, sleep tugging at you more and more. “Yeah, ‘course. The Ozarks right?”

The boy grinned and nodded, eyes shy and gazing at you from under his lashes. He pushed at his sheets with his toes, too warm, shoving them down his legs. You tried not to stare, not at the muscles in his thighs, the small scar on his ankle that shone silver in the low light.

It was quiet until Steve whispered ‘goodnight’, leaning out of his bed to flick the light off, bathing you both in black. Outside, the town kept going, soft music coming from somewhere unknown, the murmured conversation from some people at the vending machines in the parking lot below your room.

You don’t know why you asked it. Maybe it was because it was dark and you were suddenly a little unsure, maybe you just wanted to know a little more about the boy in the bed next to you - like you could collect some more pockets of the boy’s life, like you could find out enough to call him a friend, maybe, eventually.

“Hey Steve?” You waited until the boy made a little noise in the dark, signalling that he was still awake. “Tell me a secret?”

There was a beat of silence, one that made the room feel warmer, summer sneaking in from the outside. You heard the sheets shuffle, the rasp of skin on cotton.

“My dad gave me this black eye.”

His words were heavy, the way only a secret could feel. But it sounded like there was some relief colouring Steve’s whisper, like he felt lighter the minute he said the words.

“I’m sorry,” your response felt silly no matter how much you meant it.

“Tell me one too.”

You swallowed, paused, thinking. The hot prick of tears wet the corner of one eye and you were thankful for the dark, for the night. You brushed it away until it smeared into the mess of your hair, right by your ear.

“Uh, I realised last week that,” you coughed, cleared your throat, sounding more strained than you wanted to, “that I can’t really remember what my mom looks like. Not unless I looked at a photo.”

More silence, still warm, maybe hotter from the burn that lit up your skin. It felt a little like shame, maybe guilt, like your three year old mind was supposed to cling to the memory of the woman who left you, like you were supposed to remember the shape of her nose, the smell of her perfume, the colour that hid in the middle of her eyes.

“I’m sorry,” Steve said too, and he sounded like he meant it as much as you did.

You both slept after that, each other’s secrets clutched to your chest and you dreamt of roadmaps and a blue, blue lake, where a brown eyed boy was waiting for you.

----

KO-FI ♡

#stranger things

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rudybarnes · 2 years

Text

Girl, You Really Got Me Goin’; Steve Harrington x reader

Part 2/6: Five times you and Steve get ✨ interupted ✨ in public, and one time you don’t…

Read part one here!

“Jeez, ‘so bossy,” Steve pretended to complain, pulling your shirt up and over your head and dropping it on the floor at his feet, revealing an adorable scowl on your face. “It’s like, really hot, though.” “Yeah?” You asked, hair tousled from where your shirt was pulled over it, cheeks flushed and your lips kiss-bitten. You turned away from him, sauntering towards the table where you’d sat with Robin less than three hours ago and innocently ate lunch and chatted nonsense. You planted both palms flat on the table, your back arched slightly as you gazed at him over your shoulder. “How about you come show me how hot you think it is?”

Keep reading

#stranger things

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rudybarnes · 2 years

Text

wow, this was hot!

The Shift - Part 2

Steve Harrington x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 9k~

Read Part 1 Here

Note: You can blame @millenialcatlady (lovingly) for the angst in this part. She is reminding me daily to appreciate a wider range of emotions in fic (i.e. more than horniness) and that spilled out big time here. You can also thank her for the length, because without the part that happens mid way, this part - as originally planned - would have been literally half as long lmao

Warnings: NSFW, 18+ ONLY, PIV sex / Unprotected sex / Car sex / semi public sex, fingering, teasing, dirty talk, slight degradation, slight praise kink, kinda inappropriate PDA in a grocery store, brief mention of masturbation (m), mentions of food and food consumption, Angst with a capital A (you are pretty mean to Steve at a certain point but then we realize you might have intimacy issues), enemies to lovers continuation

Steve is fucked. He knows it from the minute he touches you that he’s crossed a line he’s not going to be able to uncross. But you just got under his skin so much and on his nerves so frequently and the heat in that back room had been so unbearable he wanted to rip his clothes off - and yours in the process.

And that’s what’s got him banging his head against the counter today, while he sits overly early for his morning shift. He almost could have gotten away with blaming the heat - both the heat of the moment and the heat in that damn back room. He almost could have been able to chalk it up to a mix of repeated-bad-date-blue-balls and a hyperactive sex drive in need of an outlet.

But then he’d called you sweetheart. And you’d reacted like that.

And he’d said what he said.

Keep reading

#stranger things

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rudybarnes · 3 years

Text

My heart!

gorgeous

jj maybank x reader

summary: jj maybank is just so gorgeous that you can hardly say anything to his face…

wc: 1.5k

warning(s): none?

feedback and reblogs are always appreciated!

a/n: hey hey hey, i’m back baby 😙 also ty @pogueszn for helping me out with this one! i hope y’all like it, ik i haven’t written jj in awhile… (also stream gorgeous by taylor swift!! it slaps)

Keep reading

#obx

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rudybarnes · 3 years

Text

“The car is replaceable, Y/n. You aren’t.” Okey that was so sweet🥺

right my wrongs

pairing: jj maybank x fem kook!reader

wc: 3.1k

warning(s): mentions of a car accident, blood, injuries

summary: in a time of need, jj comes to your rescue and ensures your safety, allowing him to make up for the past.

a/n: this was requested, i hope you enjoy it! this was wayyy longer than i was anticipating but i liked how it turned out :)

minor season two spoilers! (mentions of a new character + their occupation but that is it)

jj masterlist

Waves of adrenaline rushed through your body, having just come to an abrupt halt. The seatbelt restricted you like a cobra, the sharp impact forcing air out of your lungs in a quick exhale. The black of the dashboard disappeared as the airbags inflated in an instant, keeping you secure in your seat. It was only when your head hit back on the headrest that you were able to take a look around you.

Leaves and branches limited your view through the passenger’s side window, or what was left of it. But the grey skies were visible from outside of the driver’s side window. At least you weren’t completely trapped, you told yourself, removing the keys from the ignition of your surely dented Range Rover.

With shaky hands and tingling legs, you got out of the car as safely as possible, taking one last look at the cracked windshield. You walked around the car once to inspect— it was off the side of the road and adjacent to the forest of trees spreading for miles.

Dried tears decorated your cheeks before they were washed away and coated with a fresh set. “Shit.” You cursed under your breath at the set of circumstances.

Small cuts from glass littered your right arm, ones drawing blood that cascaded down your skin. Each step hurt to make, your legs feeling heavy as they fell numb all the way down to the tips of your toes. Not to mention the sharp pain shooting through one of your ankles with the slightest movement.

Your head spun with dizziness from the whiplash, sending flashes of nausea straight to your stomach. A ringing sound went off in your ears as you tried to focus on something else besides your physical ailments, now attempting to find another human being in a reasonable radius. After all, you were in the middle of nowhere, so cell reception wasn’t really a thing.

If it wasn’t for your body dragging you down, you would’ve ran for help. Anything to put your rampant nerves to bed. The two lane road seemed to stretch forever as you walked alongside the shoulder. Luckily there were no cars coming.

Somewhere along the winding path, the trees dispersed further away from one another as the sight of a small house came into view. The grass was unkempt along the gravel driveway, as a figure sat in a plastic lawn chair to the side, beer in hand. You squinted to make out who it was, but to no avail. Your senses weren’t doing you many favors right now.

Whoever sat in the chair turned his head at the sound of sticks snapping under a set of footsteps, smirk pulling at his lips as he identified the culprit. “Well, look what the tide washed up. What brings you all the way out here, darling? Community service project?”

Fucking JJ. Of course he would be the first one you’d come across in this state. Not only were you not in the mood for games, but you weren’t sure how much more walking you could handle. Your body still felt like it was on fire, bruises surely forming all over.

“Actually, no. Just trying to find another normal person around here so I better keep looking.”

There wasn’t much conviction behind your words. In fact, your tone was breathless. As you came closer he noticed your bruises and cuts, as well as your limping. One of your hands rested on your cramping back in an attempt to suppress the discomfort. His eyebrows moved into a furrow and he placed his beer on the ground beside him, quickly standing up and approaching you.

“Woah, are you okay?”

“Do I fucking look okay?” You spat, eyes glazed over with tears from the emotional and physical toll of your recent accident.

“So.. I’m taking that as a no.” JJ noted to himself, hesitantly stopping you by placing his hands on your shoulders. “Do you need some help? I think you need some help, Y/n.”

“Move out of the way, JJ. I don’t have time for this.” You griped, eyelids shutting in relief but now annoyance as your movements finally came to a slow. But it didn’t look like you would be resting for long.

“Will you come inside? Please?” JJ proposed, ignoring your protests. A sudden feeling of concern came over him as his eyes scanned over you. Seeing someone in physical pain had a negative connotation for most people, but for JJ especially. He felt compelled to extend the offer.

JJ watched you ponder over your response before deciding to persuade you again. “Come on, Y/n. There’s no other neighbors home around here and I bet you it’ll start raining again pretty soon. And it’s clear you’re hurt, anyone could see that.”

“Like you did 5 minutes ago?” You chided, referring to his oblivious opening remark towards you.

The blond uttered a string of responses under his breath, fed up with your stubbornness. He lifted one of your arms around his shoulders while one of his circled your waist, allowing you to shift some of your weight onto him.

“Where are you taking me?” You questioned, finally catching your breath again. “I told you I don’t need your help.”

“Ricky!” JJ called out as he led you in the house, ignoring your queries. “Ricky? We need your help.”

“Huh? Who’s we?” A curly haired man replied cluelessly, not looking away from the Family Feud episode playing on TV. Out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of JJ, and you in JJ’s arms, standing in his living room. His eyes then went wide as they darted to the blood and bruises on your body.

“Who’s this, JJ?” Ricky interrogated as he hurriedly made room for you to sit on the couch.

“My… A girl I know. Her name’s Y/n.” JJ answered, unsure of how to introduce you. The two of you weren’t friends by any means, but definitely weren’t the worst of enemies right now either.

“Whose house did you just break me into, JJ?” You urged, looking between both of them.

“Relax, this is my cousin Ricky. He’s an EMT, so he can help you.” JJ explained, giving his cousin a look of expectancy. “Won’t you, Rick?”

“Of course.” Ricky affirmed, already retrieving his medical supplies. “So, if you don’t mind me asking Y/n, what happened?”

“Well.. I got into a car accident a few miles down the road.” You told him as he began wiping away the dried blood from your arm.

“Okay. Did you hit your head? Can you tell me what hurts?”

“Uh.. I have a bit of a headache. My ankle hurts. But nothing too serious.” You specified in a perpetually tired voice, JJ offering his hand for you to squeeze for some kind of pain relief.

Ricky nodded. He seemed to have treated and bandaged your cuts in no time.

JJ sat on the couch cushion beside you, hunched over with an elbow resting on his knee as he tapped his boot-clad foot on the floor. “Aren’t you gonna check her vitals or something?”

“JJ, I don’t come to the country club and tell you how to make your Mai Tais.” Ricky jeered. “In fact, you probably shouldn’t even be in here right now. Most patients like privacy.”

“But I brought her in!”

“How do you know JJ, Y/n?” Ricky inquired cordially. “Friend.. co-worker.. boyfriend..?”

“What? No!” You dropped his hand almost immediately, feeling embarrassed in forgetting there wasn’t a solid reason to hold it anymore. “JJ and I just know each other. We’re not really friends. Acquaintances maybe.”

“So, you kidnapped this girl?” Ricky accused his cousin, now feeling your ankle for swelling.

“She looked hurt so I did the logical thing and invited her in. Plus, I was right about the storm.” JJ reasoned, gesturing towards the window as a flash of lightning struck and rain began to drizzle for the second time today.

“Go grab Y/n a glass of water.” Ricky instructed.

“What’s the magic word?” JJ taunted.

His cousin didn’t respond, but glared, as he told him everything he needed to know in one look.

The simple action earned the smallest chuckle out of you, followed by a sharp hiss as pain shot through your ankle when he touched a certain spot. “Shit, that hurts.”

“You were walking on it right?”

“Mhm.” You admitted reluctantly. “Had no choice.”

“Can you move your foot in a circle for me?”

You shook your head, wincing as soon as you attempted to. “No. I’m sorry.”

“That’s okay.” He reassured, just when JJ returned and handed you that glass of water, as well as an Aspirin for that headache you mentioned. “Looks like you’ve got a sprain, though.”

“So.. can I still walk?” You queried, taking a big gulp from the glass. Until it was two or three, and pretty soon the water was gone. But you surely needed it.

“You won’t be running any marathons. Have you ever heard of an acronym called RICE?”

The blank stare you gave Ricky was enough to tell him that he should probably elaborate.

“Rest, ice, compress, and elevate.”

“Hold that thought.” JJ interrupted before either of you could say any more, getting up to grab an ice pack. With JJ staying around at Ricky’s fairly often, they sure needed them around the house.

“Anything else bothering you besides the ankle?”

JJ held the flexible ice pack around your ankle while Ricky wrapped a bandage around it several times to secure it. Your body shuddered at the cold feeling.

“No, I don’t think so.” You mumbled as your head felt like it was throbbing. “But it does kinda hurt to breathe. And are we spinning? Because I feel like we might be spinning.”

At that, both sets of eyes snapped up to yours, worrisome at your revelation. Ricky pulled out a small flashlight, forcing your eyelids up with his thumb as the light shone into your irises.

“Um. Little bright.” You uttered with a slight flinch.

“So… is she gonna live or..?” JJ piped up out of curiosity.

“She’s just having some vertigo, and she’s a little listless. Possible rib contusion.” Ricky observed.

“Could you tell me in English please? How would I know what any of those fancy ass medical terms mean?” JJ stressed, frantically running a hand through his hair.

“It means her rib might be bruised, which explains why her breathing hurts. Vertigo means she’s dizzy. And by listless, I mean she’s unenthusiastic. Lacking energy. Synonymous for not in the mood for your bullshit.”

JJ scoffed. “Well, no shit, she just brushed death! Is she supposed to be jumping for joy?”

“Can I just go home? Or do I need to go to the hospital?” You implored, using as much volume as you could at the moment to interject into the conversation.

“I would offer you a ride home, but I can’t risk an accident in this storm.” Ricky concluded. “And you don’t need to be rushed to the hospital. Rest would do you more good than anything right now. I don’t mind if you stay the night. JJ’s already invaded the guest room so… good luck.” Ricky waved you two off, nodding at JJ to take it from here.

“Oh! Another thing.” He added, turning around once more. “Make sure she sleeps either upright or on her right side.”

“But her right is her hurt side.” JJ reminded him.

“I know what I’m talking about. I’m the licensed professional here.” Ricky remarked. “Take care of your friend, JJ.”

“Thanks again!” You spoke up after him, reaching for your pockets. “Do I owe you anything? I’m not sure if I have cash on me but I will pay you as soon as I do.”

Ricky exchanged a look with JJ who was closely behind you, before meeting your eyes and shaking his head. “Nah, you don’t owe me. Just let me know if you need anything else.”

The brunette winked at his blond haired cousin before exiting the room with his bag of medical supplies, leaving the two of you alone. JJ helped you walk just like he helped you in the house, and led you into his the guest bedroom.

“Excuse the mess.” JJ muttered, throwing some of his things to the side and made room for you to sit up on the bed.

“Don’t worry.”

“I know it’s not what you’re used to, but you’re okay to stay here right? I’ll take the couch or something.” JJ offered.

“Not what I’m used to?” You repeated his words, letting him hear what they implied. “Relax, JJ. I have far bigger problems right now.”

“Care to share?” JJ suggested, taking a pillow and gently placing your foot on top of it. Next, he came closer to fluff the pillow that would be supporting your neck.

“Well, for starters. I crashed my Range Rover, which’ll send my insurance through the roof, as if it wasn’t already. And my parents will most likely make me sleep in there for the next year for being so irresponsible.” You ranted, surprising yourself. Who knew you’d be sitting here, in pain, while venting to JJ Maybank about your problems.

“They’re gonna be so upset.” You reiterated. You spoke barely above a whisper as you tried to swallow the lump in your throat, but nevertheless, your eyes became watery. “And I don’t know what to do.”

Just as a pair of tears dribbled down your cheeks, JJ’s arm swung around your shoulders, giving you a soft nudge. “Hey. You’re gonna figure it out.”

“No, you don’t understand. I left in a hurry because I got in a fight with my mom. And then I was crying, the roads were wet, and I took my eyes off for a split second and before I knew it I was swerving to avoid hitting a tiny deer.”

“A fawn.” JJ muttered to correct you, pursing his lips together right after.

“A fawn! Whatever the hell they’re called!” You cried, throwing your sore arms up. “But most of all, I panicked and crashed my car. That just won’t be enough for them. I have no excuse.”

“Look on the bright side. At least you’re alive.” JJ cooed thoughtfully. “And I know it might be hard at first but you know what? The car is replaceable, Y/n. You aren’t.”

You wanted to smile, but your lip trembled at his words, the sudden comfort throwing you off. When JJ couldn’t read the look you gave him, he panicked, clearing his throat to avoid tripping over his words.

“I mean, that’s what they will be saying once they come to their senses. Y’know?”

You nodded, wiping your tears away with a tissue JJ handed you from the box on the nightstand. “Yeah. I hope so.”

JJ couldn’t help but notice the goosebumps littering your arms, removing his heavy tan jacket and slipping it around your shoulders. He retrieved a clean blanket from the dresser, unraveling it from its fold and letting it fall on your body.

“It’s true, actually. Because who else would I have to fight with, huh?” He pondered aloud, letting the door stay cracked open as he left you to yourself.

Letting your eyes flutter closed, his words were all you could wonder about. If JJ believed in you, how hard would it be for your own parents? It seemed crazy to compare the two, but you never thought he would be the one to plant that seed in your mind. You’ve never had a conversation that didn’t include bickering and shooting empty insults at each other.

JJ could’ve easily ignored your presence tonight as you trudged down the street, but instead he welcomed you with open arms. Or more so insisted that you put a stop to your search and come inside, letting you trust that he’d keep you safe in vulnerability.

The Maybank boy had gone to heat you up something to eat, but by the time he’d gotten back to let you know, you were out like a light. Your features stilled with peace as your body worked in the direction of healing itself. And how could he dare disrupt that? He knew you needed the sleep.

He was unsure of why he felt sympathetic towards you so suddenly, but maybe his ill feelings weren’t so real in the first place. Or rather in his head, feeling no different than he was supposed to feel for just another kook. But then again, this new discovery could be all over in the morning and things would go back to the way they used to be.

With a sigh, JJ took a seat in the armchair in the corner of the room. From here, he’ll make sure you don’t accidentally roll over on the wrong side. He’ll make sure your breathing doesn’t sound unsteady or troubled. He’ll wake you up in a few hours so you can get some food in your stomach, but tuck you back in bed and then lounge in the armchair until dawn.

Sleepless or not, he’d pinch himself to stay awake. After all, you were relying on him. Not to mention it was his idea to bring you inside. What kind of host would he be?

Maybe he’ll turn on the TV, and lower the volume immensely as his eyes burn with exhaustion through watching Friends reruns. If he had a glass of water beside him, he should be able to stay awake, right? It’s certainly not the first all-nighter he’s pulled.

His spacing off came to a halt as he heard the blankets shuffle, or rather his jacket that surrounded you from the shoulders down. JJ smiled softly, swearing he watched your fingers grasp the edges of the fabric a little tighter, allowing his jacket to keep you warm.

He almost admired the sight. A sight that most would label as romantic or gentlemanly, a far fetched picture for someone like JJ. Never in a million years would he even want to give up his jacket. And for you especially.

The saying ‘I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy’ came to the forefront of his mind. He was probably cheated out of worse experiences, sure. But someone definitely wished this on JJ Maybank. The tight feeling in his chest at the sight in front of him was one he couldn’t seem to shake, only making him feel all the more smitten.

How could he be looking at you and feel anything other than disdain? If this really was in his head, all over and done with in the morning, he’d be upset. And not because his time would be wasted and his wall would go back up. But because feeling like this a little more often— wouldn't be so bad after all.

taglist: @ilovejjmaybank @missevi @nxsmss @cameronsrafe @msgorillagripcoochie @bibliophilewednesday @tovvaa @rudybarnes @annab-nana @babeyglo @reawritesthings @moniamaybank @outerbankspreferences @laneybobeczko-g @jjpouggues @j-j-may-bank @heartdose @eifhames @outerbankies @pogueslandia @k-roleplay20 @mildkleptomaniac @professional-busboy @mrs-cameron @maybanksslut @it-was-never-meant-to-be-boys @alanniys @imjustanothernerd

#obx

612 notes · View notes

rudybarnes · 3 years

Text

excuse me? who allowed you to end it like this?

this part is one of my faves because it just have vulnerable indie and it feels like their relationship got so much stronger🥺

the walls come crashing down

gif by @toesure.

the romantic tirades of indie routledge series masterlist

the domestic pleasure of indie routeldge series masterlist

add yourself to my taglist

summary: whilst working at the salon, indie gets hit with a sudden realisation that could potentially tear both her and jj apart for good. as she confides in jj later that night, things don’t quite go as she had hoped as jj’s left reeling with an insufferable amount of anger.

warnings: angst. swearing. underage drinking. mentions of pregnancy. mentions of abortion. graphic details of abuse.

author’s note: i would just like to remind everyone that as this chapter specifically mentions abortion, that these are both fictional characters, this is a work of fiction, and their views/opinion do not represent your own. you are entitled to your own opinions and this is merely used within a plot.

Keep reading

#obx

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rudybarnes · 3 years

Photo

1x09 / 2x10

That’s the dream.

Sounds perfect.

#jiara #obx spoilers #I can’t believe season 2 got me to ship these two

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rudybarnes · 3 years

Text

Okey but why are JJ and Kie actually pretty cute together this season?

#jiara #I think I ship it #obx #obx spoilers

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rudybarnes · 3 years

Text

JJ looks so good this season

#jj maybank #obx

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rudybarnes · 3 years

Text

I am sensing a baby is coming soon😌😌

tired eyes and loving arms

gif by @johnbroutledge.

the romantic tirades of indie routledge series masterlist

the domestic pleasure of indie routledge series masterlist

add yourself to my taglist

summary: both tired, frustrated and overworked, indie and jj find comfort in one another’s arms to get one another through the difficult days.

warnings: swearing. mentions of abuse. slut-shaming, slight sexual content.

Keep reading

#obx

246 notes · View notes

rudybarnes · 3 years

Text

I am once again saying TOPPER REDEMPTION ARC SUPREMACY.

#obx

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rudybarnes · 3 years

Text

edge of the earth | j.m.

summary: with things changing around the island, you can’t help but think of how it will effect your life.

pairing: jj maybank/f!reader

word count: 1.6k

a/n: i got this idea last night and today i sat down wrote it. it’s nothing much! just some feelings.

enjoy <3

With summer coming to a close soon the impending reality of.. Well, reality was starting to settle in. And not just for you.

Kiara was helping out more at the Wreck and Pope was busy helping his dad make deliveries around the island while John B. and Sarah were spending even more time than usual attached at the hip.

That left you and JJ as the odd ones out.

Of course that had never fazed you two before.

Suddenly growing bored of the movie playing, you sighed quietly. Moving to check the time on your phone.

“Hey, J?” you say quietly as you turn your head to look over at the blonde sitting on the couch next to you and his eyebrows shot up, but his eyes never leave the screen in front of you.

“Yeah sweets?” His voice sounding distant due to half of his attention being on the movie and half of it being on you. Your face scrunches slightly in silent thought.

“Remember when we used to go surfing and watch the sunset from the ocean? How it looked like if you swam out far enough you’d paddle off the edge of the earth?” Your voice quiet as the corner of your lips turns up in a reminiscent smile and he turns to look at you, watching you for a minute before he turns his head to the side, laying it on your shoulder.

“You want to go surfing?” He raises an eyebrow in question as he waits for your response and you laugh. The faint smell of your shampoo in his hair makes your smile grow slightly.

“I want to go surfing.” You nod as you look over at him. He takes your hand in his and turns it over. Studying your palm for a few seconds,

“Who am I to deny you a sunset surf with the best surfer on the island?” JJ sounds almost philosophical as he speaks. You turn towards the tv and rest your cheek on the top of his head.

“I thought John B. was with Sarah? How can he go surfing with me?” JJ’s hand stills in your and he slowly retracts it.

“Oh that’s cold.” He shakes his head as he sits up straight and you smile at him “Just for that one you're carrying your own board down to the beach.” His tone was serious but his eyes had a playful glint in them and you couldn’t hold back your laugh.

“Oh come on, J.” You fake whined as he moved to stand up and you laid your head back on the couch cushion behind you.

✶✶✶

The sun was just beginning to start setting as JJ and you arrived at the beach. The waves were surprisingly calm as the two of you walked down towards the ocean. You glanced over at him as you walked, finding him already watching you with a curious look in his eyes. The corner of your lips turning up slightly.

“What?” You raised your eyebrow slightly and he simply shook his head.

“Just wondering what's going on in that head of yours.”

You nodded as you turned to look back over the ocean as the two of you came to a stop. The easier question to answer would be what isn’t going on in your head. You could still feel his eyes on you as you looked out on to the vastness in front of you.

The ocean always poses more questions than it gives answers. Something you could relate to, especially in this moment. Uneasiness of expectant change. Excitement of new experiences. Grieving over letting go of old ones. Hope that things won't change all that much. Knowing they will.

Looking at it you felt— At home.

“What are we waiting for?” You raise your eyebrow as a small smile pulls at your lips. Looking back over at JJ before pulling your shirt over your head and throwing it on to the sand, adjusting your swimsuit top before heading for the water and walking in with your board.

JJ moved to hold your board so you could get on it easier and you mumbled a thank you as you got situated, then it was your turn to hold his beside you as he got on it. The familiarity of the exchange made you feel bittersweet.

You couldn't help but wonder how many more times this would happen before it simply wouldn’t anymore. You sighed as the two of you took off, paddling toward the horizon.

As you paddled out you tried to just let go of all the thoughts in your head, let them wash away with the water passing by but you could shake them. No matter how hard you pushed they were still there. In the corner of your mind, reminding you.

The two of you went for what seemed like half an hour, when really it was only about ten minutes. JJ stopped just ahead of you and sat up straight on his board. When you caught up you stopped directly beside him. Sitting up, mimicking his posture, turning to look back towards the beach.

It’s funny how now matter how far you go into the ocean the horizon never gets closer, but after while the shore disappears completely.

“Ground control to Major Tom, over.” JJ made a static noise as his voice broke you out of your thoughts and you turned to look at him, his hand up at his mouth like he was talking into a radio.

“Sorry, J.” You smile tiredly at him as you lean back on the palms of your hands. He reaches over and pulls your board up right next to his,

“You know that whatever is going on up there, you can tell me? Right?” His eyes search yours and you nod.

“Of course. I just— It’s stupid.” You shake your head as you move to look at your hands in front of you. JJ grabs one of them, causing you to look up at him. His eyes clouded with worry for his best friend.

“Nothing you ever say or do could ever be stupid.” He shakes his head as he speaks, his eyes never once leaving yours. “Except maybe when you said John B. was the best surfer on the island.” You can help but laugh, the sound of it making him smile as he watches you. He bumps shoulders with you.

You sit there for a second, trying to find the right words to convey what you’re feeling, while JJ sits and patiently waits for you.

“I just- I can’t shake the feeling that everything is fixing to change.. Like for good. It’s weird.” You shake your head as you look down at his hand and yours. How his completely wraps around your own.

“Not weird.” JJ shakes his head and you look up at him,

“No?”

“Not at all.. Maybe everything is fixing to change. But we’ll always have each other.” His eyes were honest, almost as if he’s trying to convince you of something he already knows is true. You frown.

“Will we though?” You ask sheepishly and he nods.

“Hell yeah we will. There’s a few things in this world that just go together- Like peanut butter and jelly. Baseball and hotdogs. And me and you. Can’t have one without the other.” A cheesy smile on his face that reaches his eyes. Smiling, you shake your head.

“At least one of us is feeling positive about the future.” You mumble as you look back. Noticing how the different shades of bright pink are now changing over to darker oranges.

“Positive it scares the shit out of me.” JJ chuckles to himself as he shakes his head and you turn to look at him. He looks up from the water to look at you and his face softens. “But one thing I do know, is that no matter what fucky shit life throws at me.. As long as I have you by my side, we can make it through anything.” He nods and you smile tiredly.

“Ditto.” You nod your head and he smiles. You being your hand and his over and rest in on top of your thigh before reaching over with your free hand and wrap it over top of his. The two of you turn back to look at the sunset. You knew the two of you would follow the other to the edge of the world if you had too.

Hell you had. With JJ’s dad. Jail. The pogues and the gold. Whatever one of you went through, the other did too. And you were grateful you had someone you could depend on when the world felt like it was crashing down around you. And the look on JJ’s face told you he felt the exact same way.

The golden rays of the sun bounced off the waters and cast glittering shadows on his face. You felt your heart constrict in your chest as you looked over at him. Letting yourself drink in the sight of him.

In that moment you realized what, up until that point, only those who were on the outside looking in on yours and JJ’s relationship had always said.

You loved him. You had for a while. And it was the least terrifying and most certain feeling you’d had all day.

#obx #so good!!

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rudybarnes · 3 years

Text

not the same anymore | j.m.

summary: moving to the other side of the island wasn't your choice. hopefully it won't be the down fall of you and your life long best friend.

pairing: jj maybank/kook!reader, alluded to rafe cameron/kook!reader

inspired by: not the same anymore by the strokes (mainly just title inspiration)

word count: 7.1k

a/n: i know it’s been forever since i wrote on this blog and i have wanted to write something for obx ever since first watching the show. and with the trailer yesterday and season two premiering in a little over two weeks and my writing muse trickling back slowly.. i wrote this!

enjoy <3

It was movie night at the chateau— John B, Pope Kiara and JJ were all waiting on you when you got there. Running late because you had lost track of time with Sarah and Wheezie in town.

The thought of just messaging on the group chat and telling them you weren’t going to be able to make it crossed your mind when you realized just how late you actually were gonna be.. But John B. had texted just as you were unlocking your phone to tell you Kie had insisted on waiting for you to get there to even pop the popcorn. Making you immediately feel guilty for even thinking about canceling in the first place.

That was twenty minutes ago. Now you had just parked your car in front of the chateau, next to Kie’s green Xterra.

Stepping foot into the house, all eyes instantly fell on you. Sighing as you made eye contact with Kie, smiling at her tiredly.

“Well! Look what the kooks threw back.” JJ spoke with a hint of venom in his words, causing you to look over at him. His eyes wide with a sarcastic smile on his face.

“Dude.” John B and Pope spoke at the same time as Kie shot him a glare. This wasn’t the first time lately that JJ had gotten an attitude with you. But with you literally just having stepped foot in the door, to say you were surprised would be an understatement.

“Excuse me?” You shake your head as you look between the four of them. Surely he’s joking..

“You’re only here when they don’t want you around, you never come around except for when you're not with them.” You stood there frozen in your spot as you listened to him. Definitely not joking. “Hell just last week you canceled on Kie and me! The week before that you ghosted all of us and then that night we saw you in town with Topper and Rafe Cameron.”

“It was dinner at the country club. Mom’s a new committee member— I couldn’t miss it J.” You stared back at him, standing your ground. “I already apologized.” Sitting your bag down on the couch next to Pope.

“Yeah well I never accepted it.” JJ shook his head and you snapped your gaze back over to him.

“Sounds like a you problem.” You laughed, hoping he was just drop it like usual. But he scoffed instead.

“You are my problem.” JJ folded his arms over his chest as he spoke. The obvious frustration with your presence is ever evident on his face.

“JJ!” Kie scolded and he shrugged. You stood there, the bubble in your throat moving up, making it feel as if it were choking you, blinking at him.

“You really want to do this right here? Can we go outside and talk, JJ?”

“Oh so you really are a kook now, is that how they initiate new members? By having them beat up a pogue?” He laughed bitterly. Pope, JB and Kiara’s eyes all went wide. “I just don’t understand why the fuck you would want to be friends with assholes like that, y/n. You see how they treat people like us!”

“I didn’t want to be at first J! But they’re actually decent people, you just got to get to know them.” You shrugged.

All along you had known this conversation with him wouldn’t go over easily. But it had to happen. All you wanted were your friends to get along. And maybe even not try to kill each other everytime they see one another.

Just never pictured that the conversation would be had in the middle of John B’s living room surrounded by the rest of the pogues.

“Yeah? Well I don’t want to get to know people like that! Okay? And you shouldn’t either!” Well this is going great.

“I didn’t have a choice JJ! I was practically thrown into the ocean and told to sink or swim.”

“Well you went straight from swimming with the sharks to being one of them.”

With that Kie, John B and Pope all stood slowly and silently exited the house. Leaving you standing in the middle of the living room and JJ still sitting on the couch. The two of you are practically having a standoff.

“You think this transition has been easy for me? I went from living five minutes down the road from my best friends my entire life to living on the opposite side of the island!”

“Yeah well maybe you should stay on your side now.” JJ nodded and your heart felt as if it had sunk like a rock down to sit in the pit of your stomach.

“You don’t mean that J.” Your eyes burnt as you blinked away tears, “You’re my best friend.”

“I’m not the one who up and left.”

“I didn't have a choice!” You yelled back as you looked over at him. “You’re acting like I moved across the country, J.”

“You might as well have.” He shook his head slowly

The ridiculousness of this argument finally getting the better of you as you look over at him.

“What makes it so different for me, then? Can you tell me that? What makes my situation so different than Kiara’s?” You shrugged your shoulders as you spoke, almost sheepishly.

“Kie never abandoned us.”

“Neither have I!” You throw your hands up at your sides in defense.

“And yet here you are defending the kooks! Sounds to me that your choice is made.” JJ stood up at that. His anger had finally gotten the best of him.

“It was made for me!” Your fist balled up at your sides as you tried to stand your ground.

“Oh bullshit!” You shake your head. Standing there looking at him for a minute. At this point he isn’t even looking at you— he was just staring at the floor with his arms crossed. And that almost pisses you off more, “What makes Kie so different? Why does Kie get a ‘Pogue Pass’ in your brain and I don’t? You know, you could just say that you have a thing for her and that you hate me and it would make all this so much easier for all of us.”

“I don’t have a thing for Kiara.” JJ’s voice is small when he speaks, completely ignoring the second half of your statement.

You shook your head as you walked back over to the couch, “Fuck this.” Rolling your eyes as you moved to grab your bag and leave. You looked back at him over your shoulder to see him sitting there, still staring at the floor in front of him. Shaking your head as you walked out the front door. Immediately met with the concerned look of Kiara while John B and Pope both tried to look as if they didn’t just hear everything that was said between the two of you.

Walking out and blowing past the three on the porch, almost making it to the steps before a gentle hand stopped you by grabbing your wrist.

“He doesn’t mean it.” Kiara spoke softly as she tried to help defuse the situation.

“He’s just upset you missed last weekend. He’ll get over it. He always does.” John B spoke up from behind Kie.

Of course this wasn’t the first fight you two had ever gotten into. Especially since you had moved over to figure eight.

But this was the first time he had ever told you to go back and stay there.

“I’m sorry I’ve been a shit friend the past few months.” You spoke to the three of them collectively as you glanced between them. Sniffling as Kiara rubbed soothing circles on the inside of your wrist.

“You haven’t been a shit friend. You’re just trying to navigate being here and being there at the same time. I know.” You could feel the tears coming as you looked into Kiara’s eyes as she spoke, causing you to look away quickly. Over to the water in front of the chateau.

“I should go.” You nodded. Kiara slowly let go of your wrist and you looked back over the three of them one last time before turning and walking down the steps over to your car.

You made it a few miles down the road before you could no longer hold the tears in.

✶ ✶ ✶

You’d spent the last week hulled up in your house. Perfectly content with sulking in your room until summer was over and school was back, then you’d have no choice but to face everything. But now? The comfort of your own bed and the depression pit as Kie had so enthusiastically named it when she facetimed you over the weekend was all too welcoming.

That was until Rafe, Topper and Kelce showed up to your house around ten thirty this morning and practically dragged you out of it.

They were insistent on knowing why you suddenly were avoiding everyone's phone calls and texts. Apparently the straw that broke the camel's back was when Rafe overheard Sarah talking to John B. about how she hadn’t heard from you in almost a week. It was normal for you not to respond to Rafe’s annoyances as you liked to refer to them. But not talking to Sarah was actually concerning because, besides Kiara, Sarah was your best friend.

So when he picked you up from your house this morning he practically demanded answers. Which you were reluctant to give, understandably so. But after your mood had somewhat improved thanks to being at the beach, you unloaded just some of what you’d been holding in the past week.

“I can’t believe Maybank just blew up on you like that...” Topper shook his head from the opposite side of the blanket you had half hazardous thrown across the sand. Rafe scoffed from where he stood a few feet away, throwing a football back to Kelce.

A few days had passed since the failed movie night at the chateau and you had yet to hear from JJ. Which is unusual given the fact that the day after you two fight he’s always calling. Giving some lame excuse like ‘Oh I was just checking to see if you made it home.’. In all actuality he couldn’t stand not talking to you for that long.

But this time? Radio silence. Even the group chat was dead. Or maybe they removed you from it? Who knows.

Kie and John B had text you before you even made it home that night and Pope the next morning. Apologizing for what JJ said. He wasn’t completely wrong though. You have been a shit friend to the pogues lately. You knew that. They knew that.

But that’s just how friends are. Sometimes they’re shitty.

“I saw it coming from a mile away.. He's nothing but a no-good pogue.” It sounded as if venom dripped from his words as Rafe spoke. Causing you to shield your eyes from the sun as you looked up at him, eyes narrowed.

“I am a no-good pogue, Rafe.”

“No you’re not. You’re nothing like them. Pogue isn’t just a way of life, it’s who you are. You babe are not a pogue. You’re too much like us.” A cocky smile made its way into his face as he threw the ball back to Kelce. You looked over to Topper, who simply shook his head and you sighed.

“Just because I’m too much like you guys doesn’t mean anything.”

“Means you’re a kook.” Kelce said as he walked closer, still throwing the football back and forth with Rafe.

“Yep. Full kook.” Rafe nodded.

“What about Sarah? She’s the kookiest of kooks.. The kook princess, even!” You counter and Rafe just shrugged his shoulders.

“And yet she hangs out with trash.” Rafe said over his shoulder

“Rafe.” Topper and you said simultaneously.

“Sarah’s your sister.” Rafe mumbled something about how great a sister she was before you could continue, causing you to roll your eyes. “This Pogue versus Kook thing is the fucking dumbest thing to ever exist and I hate the classist asshole who came up with it.”

“What’s the difference between you and Sarah anyhow? I mean.. She gets to ride the fence on this whole thing, why can’t you?” Kelce asked as he finally walked over to where Topper and you were sitting. You furrowed your eyebrows at that.

“Easy! She’s fucking John B.” Rafe said as he sat down next to you. Your eyes grew wide as you looked over at him.

“That’s your sister you dipshit.” You rolled your eyes as you looked up at Rafe.

“And my ex.” Topper reminded everyone. For the third time this week.

“We know Topper.” The three of you said simultaneously. Causing Topper to sigh in defeat.

You looked out to the ocean in front of you as silence fell over the beach. You got lost in thought, of course you had thought about that before.

What was the difference between you and Sarah Cameron? Easy. She was Sarah Cameron.

“Maybe Maybank has a thing for you?” Topper looked over to you with raised eyebrows and you couldn’t help but laugh.

“JJ? Have a thing for me? Yeah! No. Not possible.” You shook your head, the idea already dismissed. Rafe hummed to himself.

“You may be on to something Top..”

“No he’s not on to anything! And I know he’s not because I tried that already. Last summer. He acted like he was repulsed by just the idea of me. Of course his excuse was ‘No Pogue on Pogue macking’ but that’s always been bullshit.” The three boys sat there in silence with you for a minute before Rafe spoke,

“Maybank turned you down?” You simply hummed in response. You could almost see the irritation rise in him. “What a piece of shit.”

“Yeah well. I kinda asked for it.” You shrugged your shoulders as you moved to draw circles in the sand beside you.

The only sounds that could be heard were the crashing waves and some birds chirping far off. Topper's phone buzzed in the pocket of his shorts causing him to jump slightly before pulling it out and looking at it before sighing.

“Are you still heading back into town, Kelce?”

“Yeah, why?” Kelce furrowed his brow as he looked over at Topper on the other side of you.

“Mom wants me at the country club. Figured you could drop me off there on your way in.” Kelce just nodded in response before standing up.

“You two coming tonight?” Kelce asked as he looked down at You and Rafe.

“Where?”

“There’s a kegger at the boneyard… No one told you about it?” Kelce clarifies and you shake your head.

“Probably because of JJ’s ass.” Rafe scoffed and you just tried to ignore him.

“Don’t let that asshole get you down.” Topper told you as he stood and you nodded. Too late for that.

“See you guys later.” Kelce saluted and you nodded towards him. Rafe waved them off.

Sighing as you watched them disappear up the beach towards Kelce's truck. Turning towards the ocean and laying back on the blanket. Staring up at the clouds, you almost felt at peace. But then your mind asked it’s favorite question; I wonder what JJ is doing right now?

You groaned, throwing your arm over your eyes. Growing more aggravated by the minute.

“You want to go to the kegger with us tonight?” Rafe asked suddenly, causing you to lift your arm from over your face and look at him.

“Huh?”

“C'mon. Dress all cute and hangout with me? Piss Maybank off some more?” You could literally feel his eyes on you at this point and you were in half a mind to tell him to fuck all the way off.

“You’d just love that wouldn’t you?” You narrowed your eyes at him and he chuckled before standing up, dusting the sand off himself.

“Seven thirty! Be there.” He pointed back over at you as he walked away and you shook your head.

“In your dreams, Cameron!”

As much as you hated to admit it— You’d be lying if you said you weren’t the slightest bit interested in going to the kegger tonight. Even if it was with Rafe Cameron.

✶ ✶ ✶

“You have to come to the kegger tonight!” Kiara pleaded over the phone and you shook your head.

“I really don’t actually.”

“Come on! We miss you!” Sarah yelled from a distance into the other end of the phone and you sighed.

“I miss you guys too! But, per request, I’m staying on my side of the island.”

“He didn’t mean that.” Kiara sighed and you shook your head.

“Yeah well he still said it.” The line was silent for a minute after you spoke. Kie sighed,

“Well, I’d like it if you showed up.” She sounded defeated. And that stung— Kie was usually the voice of reason. And this instance was no different, her words sat in your chest. Heavy.

Why did all of your friends have to suffer just because JJ Maybank decided to be a dick to you?

✶ ✶ ✶

The last thing you wanted to do was dress to impress Rafe Cameron or JJ Maybank. But still here you were, pulling up beside Rafe, making eye contact with him through the windshield. Standing at Kelces truck with Topper and Kelce. His ever cocky smirk already plastered on his face as he wriggled his eyebrows at you.

Holding back a smile you shake your head. Opening your door, immediately met with a loud wolf whistle as you stepped out of the car. Your outfit was nothing special by any means— Jean shorts paired with a cropped light pink satin cami and some canvas sneakers.

But you could tell that by the look in Rafes eyes, he was going to let everyone know just who he thinks you’re there for.

“Don’t be too excited! I’m not here for you.” You look up at him as you shut the car door behind you,

“Maybe not! But you’re here with me, babes.” He smiled wickedly down at you and you shook your head as he instantly pulled you in for a hug. Taking you by surprise because Rafe Cameron was certainly not one for public displays of affection. Red flag maybe?

“What’s gotten into you?” You chuckle as you wrap your arms around him for a second before you let go, moving back to look him in the eye.

“Just happy to see you, is all.” Okay yeah definitely a red flag.

You stand there looking back at him for a minute before scoffing, “Okay, weird.” You shake your head as you look over at Topper. His eyes already transfixed on a certain blonde down the beach. Walking over to him, patting him on the shoulder lightly. “Time for you to move on buddy.” You sigh and he looks over at you as the four of you make your way down the beach.

“You made it!” Kiara smiled brightly as she walked over to you and immediately pulled you into a hug and you practically melted into her. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too.” You sigh. She squeezes you gently one last time before pulling away and you smile tiredly. Kie smile falters slightly as she looks behind you and you already know what she’s fixing to say, “They said they were coming before you even called and invited me. And I know that with all that’s going on JJ won’t be happy to see me with them but—” You went to go on but she stopped you. Knowing exactly what you were going to say next.

“You don’t need to explain yourself to me, y/n.” She shook her head. An understanding look in her eyes.

“Long time no see Kie.” Rafe smiled over at her as he walked up behind you,

“Could’ve gone longer.. But as long as y/n’s happy you're here, so am I.” She smiles forcefully and Rafe nods. “Drinks?” Kie raises her eyebrows as she looks back and forth between Rafe and you. You nod,

“Please.” You smile thankfully at her as you move from Rafes' side to walk beside Kiara. Rafe following closely behind you.

You’d be lying if you said that his sudden alpha male need to protect didn’t piss you off. Does he not think you can’t handle yourself? Or is he just peacocking around for JJ to see? Almost all of your bets are on the latter.

John B. is doing his normal bone yard duties of manning the keg when your eyes land on him, he’s talking to a touron with Sarah. As if he feels your eyes on him, he turns, immediately making eye contact with you. A smile breaks out on his face as you close the small distance between yourself and the keg and he doesn’t even speak to you before opening his arms for a hug.

“It’s good to see you.” He mumbles into you hair and you laugh as you two pull away.

“You too.” You smile as you look from him to Sarah, her eyes lighting up when you make eye contact with her “And you.” You and Sarah share a giggle as you move to hug her.

She holds you at arms length and looks over your outfit. “That top looks amazing on you, if I do say so myself.” She laughs as she hugs you briefly.

“Why thank you.” You bow your head and she laughs again. The look on her face changes as she sees who’s behind you.

“Why are you here?” Sarah says to Rafe as he walks up to stand behind you.

“Just being a good friend.” Yep. Definitely peacocking.

“He was coming whether I did or not. I didn’t really have a say in the matter.” You clarify. Sarah glances back at you with an understanding look.

“We’re all gonna play nice. Right, children?” Everyone nods and Kiara sends you a wink as she moves to fill a cup for you.

“I have a feeling we aren’t the one you’ve got to worry about.” John B. mumbles as he looks over to see Pope and JJ. If looks could kill—

Of course JJ’s eyes found you the second you walked on to the beach tonight. That’s how it always was, he could be in a sea of people and he would see you instantly. It’s like the easiest game of “Where Waldo” ever. He was drawn to you. Always has been. He couldn’t help the hopeful feeling in his chest when he first saw you walking down the beach toward Kie. But that feeling was very quickly replaced with one of jealousy when he saw just who you were making your way to the beach with.

“In coming.” Sarah mumbled as she brought the cup she’d only been holding for a few minutes up to her lips. Rafes hand ghosted over the small of your back as JJ approached the small group gathered around the keg.

“The hell are you doing here?” JJ spoke to Rafe but the way he said it felt like a finely tuned jab at you.

“Just enjoying the party, Maybank. And yourself?” Rafe smiled slyly at him and you elbowed him in the ribs.

“Was enjoying it just fine until you showed up.” JJ spoke. Not once taking his eyes off of Rafe. It stung a little. But it was to be expected.

“Okay we are not having a dick measuring contest right now.” Kiara piped in and you were thankful for it. Cause for a second JJ wasn’t not looking at you. “Can we just be… People on a beach having a drink and enjoying the sunset for one night? Not in a class war?”

“Can we just be happy on our side of the island and not have to worry about a kook coming around a fucking up everything?” JJ asked, looking back to Rafe. Anger evident in his eyes.

“Hey, take it easy J.” John B stepped in, putting a hand on JJ’s shoulder.

“I’ll leave.” You spoke quietly as you nodded your head, handing the cup she had just a handed you back to Kiara as you spoke.

“What?” Pope, John B and Kie all asked at the same time.

“Best solution for a fight is to take out the common denominator, right?” You looked over at the Pope, “Remove the problem. Fight’s over.” You nodded slowly. “It was nice to see you guys.” You smiled sadly at Kiara, John B., Sarah and Pope as you turned and walked away from the little huddle that had formed around the keg.

Before you could get too far away Pope grabbed your hand and pulled you in for a hug. Releasing you, a look on his face that said, he’s stupid we still love you. You nodded in response before turning and walking away.

Rafe and JJ were in a silent standoff. The two of them want nothing more than to pummel the others face in. Rafe, for once, was the level headed one. Remembering how you just wanted your two friend groups to get along.

Shaking his head. He turned and jogged up the beach trying to catch up to you.

“Hold on just a minute.” Rafe caught up to you as opened your car door holding it shut.

“Just let me go, Rafe.” Your eyes burned as you looked over at him.

“I’m not gonna do what every single one of your friends just did. Those good for nothing P-”

“Would you just stop with the Pogue bullshit? I’m sick and fucking tired of feeling pulled between you guys.” Your fist balled at your sides. Rafes eyes widened in surprise or outburst.

“I’m not trying to pull you anywhere.”

“No?” You shake your head slowly before turning to see Kiara, Sarah, John B. Pope and JJ watching you and Rafe from the beach. Turning back to Rafe. He’s been caught. “Then what would it look like for me to leave with you while they’re watching?” You raise one of your eyebrows. Choosing not to wait for a response. “I’m leaving.” Before you could even open the door fully it was slammed back shut by Rafe.

“Would you just hold on a second?” He mumbled and you furrowed your eyebrows.

“Why? So you can down my friends more? No, Rafe I’m tired of this. All of all of it. The Pogue versus Kook bullshit is just- It’s fucking bullshit! And I can say that because I’ve been on both sides of it. It’s bullshit. This whole argument is bullshit. And I’m leaving.” You moved to open the car door again and he stopped you by grabbing your wrist. Your eyes grew wide as you looked up at him.

“I’m trying to show you who they really are,” The look on his face was… Distant. It was a look that you hadn’t seen since becoming friends with the boy. At which point do you stop accepting red flags and start waving a white one?

“I know who they are! I've been friends with them my entire life. But you only had an interest in me when I moved from the cut.” The corners of his lips turned up in annoyance as you looked from his eyes down to your wrist, his hand still wrapped tightly around it. “Now, let go of me. I’m leaving, Rafe.” You tried to tug your arm free but he just tightened his grip. Growing more frustrated with you by the second.

“I’m trying to help you.” His voice was quiet as he spoke.

“Let me go.” The panic settling into your chest made it feel like you were suffocating and you froze.

“Why won’t you let me help you?” His face twists as if he’s the one in pain and you shake your head.

“You’re hurting me.” You speak quietly so maybe the two of you don’t draw any more attention than you already have, but his grip just keeps tightening and you start to panic “Let go of me!” You go to pull hard but before either of you could say anything else JJ is on Rafe. You hear the cracking sound JJ’s fist makes against Rafes cheek and you brace for an impact that never comes to you.

“Don’t fucking touch her!” JJ’s voice is loud and he is pissed. John B. had tried to stop him but as soon as Rafe grabbed your hand and he saw how you looked scared the whole beach knew there was no holding him back.

Kiara and Sarah pulled you out of the way while John B. and Pope went in to get JJ and Topper and Kelce moved to pull at Rafe.

After a minute of them struggling to get a grip on either boy, Pope finally got a good enough hold on JJ to put a few inches of space between the two.

“Hey! Woah! Easy J.” John B. Spoke as he stepped between the two of them, putting his hands on JJ’s shoulders and guiding him backwards.

Top sends you an apologetic look while shaking his head, “He pregamed before we got here. Must have just kicked in.” Sarah’s eyes grew wide from beside you as she wrapped her arm around your back.

“You fucking think?” Her voice boomed across the beach. Annoyance and a little bit of embarrassment laced in her tone. “Just.. Take him home Topper.” she sighed and Topper simply nodded. Listening to her without a second thought. Kelce and Toper moved to guide Rafe towards Kelce's truck and your attention turned to JJ.

His lip was busted, he had a cut above his eyebrow and his hands were busted and bloodied.. But that was nothing compared to Rafe, who had definitely caught the worst of the bout. Which, in a weird way, made you kind of proud.

John B. Moved to stand in front of you all. Overlooking the beach and the audience that had accumulated there.

“You don’t have to go home. But you’ve gotta get the hell out of here. Party’s over.” And somewhere someone announced that their parents were out of town so the party slowly trickled down to move to a house down the beach.

The six of you stood there silently for a minute, watching the small crowd dissipate slowly, before Kie turned to John B. silently asking if it was actually time to load up and he nodded slowly.

JJ still wouldn’t look at you. Causing you to sigh.

Pope shot you a knowing look. Nodding from you to JJ and you tried to silently protest it but he just turned and moved to help with cleaning up. You looked over at JJ, he was seemingly very interested in the ground right now.

“Let’s go get you cleaned up, Million Dollar Baby.” You turned to get in your car.

“Where?” He asked before even moving from his spot and you turned to look at him.

“The chateau? So we can stick to the `you stay on your side and I stay on mine’ rule.” You shrugged and he furrowed his eyebrows slightly

“You’d still be on my side.”

“It’s the thought that counts? Just get in the car, JJ. Please?” You ask him nicely. As nicely as you can while holding back tears anyway.

He must have noticed that the past half hour had taken a worse blow on you than you let on to everyone else, because without a word he turned and started towards your car. As you opened your door you yelled over your shoulder that you two were going to the chateau, not waiting for anyone to respond before closing the door and cranking the car.

✶ ✶ ✶

The ride to the chateau was quiet. JJ didn’t even mess with the radio like he usually did. The whole ride there you wanted to say something, anything. But the minute you tried to open your mouth all words left you and you just sat there looking like a fish out of water.

When you pulled the car in park and shut off the car, but you and JJ sat there in silence as the cool air from the a/c dissipated and was quickly replaced by the muggy warmth that was North Carolina in mid summer.

Sighing, you opened your door and got out, not bothering to even look to see if he was following behind you. You made your way up the familiar front steps of the chateau, through the front door and into the bathroom. Pulling the first aid kit Kie had put under the sink two summers ago out and sitting it on the counter beside the sink. Opening it and turning to see JJ standing at the door of the bathroom. Wordlessly you shut the toilet seat lid and motioned for him to sit down on it. The routine is an all too familiar one for the both of you.

He moped passed you and sat down as you grabbed a washcloth and wet it before turning to him, dabbing it on the cut on his lip and he jerked back.

“It’s literally only water.” You showed him the cloth in your hand before going back to cleaning up his face. His gaze still on the tiled floor.

You worked silently as you cleaned up his face. Turning back to rinse the washcloth, leaving it a little more dam than last time, then turning and crouching down in front of him. Grabbing one of his hands. You felt his gaze shift from the floor to your face as you cleaned up the cuts on his hands, but you chose to ignore it.

The whole clean up process went by without so much as a sound from either of you. This silence was more welcome than fighting though, so you were more than okay with it.

Once you were done cleaning, you stood up, threw the washcloth in the laundry basket beside the shower and moved over to the first aid kit. Time to disinfect.

“Are you macking on Rafe?” JJ spoke suddenly and your eyes grew wide, and You know he saw your shocked expression because you made eye contact with him in the bathroom mirror.

“What?” was all you could muster as you turned around a bottle of rubbing alcohol in one hand and round cotton pads in the other. “No.. God no. That’s- That’s honestly disappointing you think I would go with him.” You laugh half heartedly as you hand him the cotton rounds for him to hold as you dabbed some alcohol on one, wetting it and then dabbing it on his eyebrow. Causing him to take harsh breath in. You mumbled an apology under your breath before continuing working for a minute in silence before your curiosity gets the better of you.

“Why would you think that, JJ?” He sighs as you turn around to throw away the first round and grab a second, repeating the process again, this time on his bottom lip.

“The two of you’ve been hanging out a lot.” He mumbles and you shake your head slowly.

“Not really.” You look from his lips to his eyes as you speak and he silently urges you to continue. “When you saw us together two weeks ago, we had been at the country club. Mom had wanted a specific type of cheese for the charcuterie boards and Heyward got it in earlier that day but didn’t have time to deliver it before the garden party. So me and Top had offered to go get it for her. But when Rafe heard we were leaving to go get it, he also volunteered so we all three went there and back.. The whole trip took us like thirty minutes. And today they were just trying to be good friends, or at least Topper and Kelce were. Rafe- He’s… No. I- Nope. That’s just gross. Sorry.” You laughed tiredly as you thought of just the idea of you and Rafe Cameron together.

JJ sat there quietly as you finished up. Content as you stood back and looked over him.

“I don’t have a thing for Kie, you know.” Your movements still as you stood there, not quite knowing what to say. “Not anymore anyways.. Not for a long time.”

“Pretty sure we all had a thing for Kie at some point.” You reasoned with more of yourself than him and he nodded. “What makes you say that?” You asked him as you turned your head as closing the first aid kit and sitting it back underneath the sink.

“During our fight last week. You told me ‘If you have a thing for Kie and hate me you should just admit it and make it easier for all of us.’. I just wanted to let you know you were wrong.” He never took his eyes off of you as he spoke. “About the Kie thing and about me hating you. As much as you piss me off sometimes.. I could never hate you.” A small smile was tugging at the corner of your lips as you stood in front of the sink facing him.

“As a matter of fact— Fuck I’m not good at this.” He chuckled anxiously as he stood up, taking his attention of his hands in his lap and looking up to lock eyes with you. “Y/n. I don’t hate you. I most certainly do not have a thing for Kiara. Not anymore.”

“We’ve established that much.” You nod and he smiles at you. Honest to god, smiles. You could almost cry at the sight. You can’t hold back the small giggle that sat at the back of your throat.

“I have a thing for you. Hell- I don’t just have a thing for you, y/n. I love you. I’m in love with you.” His eyes gloss over as he says it out loud for the first time and you feel like all the wind has been knocked out of you. He moves to stand directly in front of you. “And I have been for a while. I've just been a pussy about it. This.. This love thing scares the absolute shit out of me. Always has. But two weeks ago when I saw you with Rafe I just got so angry I couldn’t see straight. And When you showed up late to movie night I thought you had been with him and it just, it sent me over the edge. And I shouldn’t have let it. But the past week of you not being around- Not talking to you. It made me realize that the one thing I’m more terrified of than this whole love thing… Is losing you.”

By the time he stops talking your throat burns from holding the tears back. You move to put a hand over your heart as you just stare back at him.

“J.” A small smile spreads across your face and you laugh. “I love you too.” You nod slowly and that was all he needed to hear before he closes the small gap between the two of you and wraps you in a hug you’ve wanted for weeks. “I’m in love with you.” You nod into his chest.

“I’m so sorry I've been a dick to you.” He mumbles against your hair and you shake your head.

“I kinda deserved it, I was hanging out with the enemy.” You shrug and he laughs causing you to smile. As he pulls back he brings his hands up to brush a stray hair out of your face before cupping your face in his hands, his thumb gently brushing against your cheek. As his eyes drift your lips and back up to your eyes,

“Can I kiss you?” He patiently waits for you to respond, a look in his eye unlike any you’ve ever seen from him. You nod, a laugh escaping your lips before you can stop it.

“Please.” You just keep nodding as a bright smile breaks out onto JJ’s face and he leaned into and captured your lips in his.

Up until this moment, every time you were watching a movie or show or reading a book where the two lean protagonists kissed you always rolled your eyes at how they described it. Whether it be fireworks. Or floating. Or being encapsulated by the sun. Or just simply being breathless.

Those once empty descriptions, you now seemed to feel all of it all at once.

JJ leaned down, deepening the kiss, as you brought your hands up and wrapped them around his neck, fingers carded through his hair. Wanting nothing more than to just be close to him. Logic told you to pull away but, as cheesy as it sounds, truly you wanted nothing more than to drown in the sea that is JJ Maybank for eternity.

But the all too familiar sound of the twinkie pulling up outside caught both of your attentions as the two of you pulled away.

He rested his forehead on yours. His eyes stay closed for a moment after you open yours, almost as if he's afraid to open them thinking you’ll disappear. You let your eyes wander his face. From his dark blonde eyelashes to the cut on his lip. He had to be the prettiest person you’d ever seen. You smiled brightly as he opened his eyes, meeting yours instantly..

“You have no idea just how long I’ve been dying to do that.” He exhales slowly as he brings his hands down from your face and moves to rest them on your hips.

“I think I might actually.” You raise your eyebrows and he mimics your face.

“Oh is that so?” He asks sarcastically as he pulls your body flush with his and you laugh.

“Yeah I do.” You nod and he smiles brightly.

Before either of you could say anything else a loud knock sounded from the living room.

“Permission to enter?” John B.’s voice booms through the house and you shake your head, resting it on JJ’s chest.

“Request denied! Fuck off!” JJ yells back, not at all serious, and you swat him on the arm before standing up straight.

“Permission granted!” You yell over your shoulder as you throw a glance at the doorway. Making sure the coast was clear before leaning up to press a quick kiss on the side of JJ’s lips that’s not busted. “To be continued.” You whisper to him before winking and walking out of the bathroom with a bounce in your step.

JJ stands there, watching you walk away for a minute with a small but bright smile on his face.

“Oh you bet your beautiful ass to be continued.”

#obx #I just love jealous JJ

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