Archive of Our Own ^beta

1.

JJ Maybank was the luckiest man alive.

This was a proven fact, he knew it. Fuck, he felt it every night; or, tonight, at least. You see, he had felt it previously, but with work, effort. Tonight, he was laying in bed, staring at a half-naked, perfect , curly haired goddess who had happened to be his girlfriend, his Kie; in her– his favourite set of lingerie, dark red, lacy with rhinestones all over the hip bones and the bra-strap, and just perfect. 

She had him straddled, pinned to the bed, an act he’d performed before and dreamt of seeing way too many times than he’d ever admit; yet here it was, it was real. She was planting sloppy open-mouthed kisses everywhere; his lips, cheeks, jawline, behind his ear, down to his collarbone, and then down his chest. 

“Y’know Kie, you might wanna speed this up if you actually want me to last” He said with a dry chuckle, fearing she might not realize the weight of the situation on their hands– or, well, in his briefs. “I know what I’m doing, JJ, relax” She had said with a smile, oh that little minx. 

“Take your time, I’m lovin’ this, actually, domestic Kie? Sign me up! Hell, I’ll even start calling you mommy if it earns me–” He was cut off by a kiss, something he would’ve been extremely offended by if she didn’t taste so fucking good. What was he even tasting– honey? Mint? Heaven? All valid answers. “Just shut up and let me do my thing or I swear to God, JJ, I will put a muzzle on you” She breathed against his lips, and then, before he could comment on that last sentence, “And not in a sexy way.” Hands began to roam all around his body, and he had caught on, slowly yet just as eagerly mirroring her and touching any and every part he could. Then, she finally reached her destination. Eyes rolled and hands gripped onto perfect hair as she began to descend and–

“That’s it, JJ. I swear to God, if you don’t make a move, I’m doing it for you. Get up, now!” Fuck him. 

Of course this was happening; of course he was having the best dream of his life and like everything else she touches, Sarah Cameron had to fucking ruin it. Sue him if he was literally dreaming of some extracurriculars. He was in love, okay? And yet kook princess Sarah was always finding some way or another to keep his girl from him. 

“Fuck off Sarah” He said, pulling the sheets over his head before the Cameron girl went over and ripped those away too. “Okay, seriously, what is your problem Sarah? Is it shark week ?!”

“Okay, A) fuck off, and never say shark week again, and B) you’re my problem, JJ. So come on, get up, we’re having a talk.” She said matter-of-factly, as if he should already know why she’s mad at him. Sitting up, he asked, “Okay, if this is about telling John B to break up with you because you don’t like Coronas I was joking for fuck’s sa–” 

“It’s not about that, JJ, just shut up and let me speak!” She snapped, clearly irritated and serious. Usually, he’d expect Sarah to look at him this way, but he’d kept out of trouble for weeks now, he swears. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry, Princess. Please, tell me, I’m all ears” He replied, propping himself up and rubbing the sleep away from his eyes, sitting up more than he had been initially.

“It’s about Kie” She finally gave in, giving him a look insinuating he should somehow know what she was talking about; which– he didn’t. Brows furrowed with confusion as he tried to catch on, giving her a blank stare. “Sarah, I literally just woke up, I’ma need a bit more” He began, making circular motions with his right hand, asking her to carry on. “Okay, dude, seriously, I’m not stupid. We all know you like Kie, you’ve liked her for years. Don’t deny it!” She said, raising her hand in disapproval, even though he hadn’t even tried to interrupt her. “And JJ I’m sorry but it’s so painfully obvious that she likes you back– I mean, dude, she’s literally always giving you eyes”

“She’s giving me what now?” He asked, getting even more confused with every word she spoke. “Eyes, JJ, like the eyes ! She looks at you like you’re the only person in the world, you’d have to be blind not to see it, man.” She continued, and he smiled. He couldn’t lie, he loved where this conversation was going. “Does she now?” He questioned, clearly amused and gloating. “Oh shut up” Sarah said, gently hitting him on the leg near the spot she was now seated on, uninvited, he might add.

“Alright, I’m sorry. But what are you asking me here? All I’m hearing is you saying Kiara wants to fuck me, and if you want a show or somethin’ I can’t exactly guarantee she’d be into tha–” He was cut off yet again– Jesus, this was becoming a thing with Sarah. “Ew, what?! No, JJ. I want you to make a fucking move, please! She’s depressed, I mean, look at her!”

“Oh, is she?” He asked, brows furrowing again. “She totally is, have you seen her lately? You’re all she talks about, or looks at, and she’s supposed to be my wife! Ask her out already so she can get bored of you and start loving me again.”

“Now why would I do that if not asking her would earn me eternal love and admiration?” He asked, clearly taking the piss and enjoying getting on the blonde girl’s last nerve. “JJ, enough with the jokes, I’m serious.” And this time, she actually was. He could see it in her eyes, Sarah was so obviously concerned, even worried about Kie; and it was way too early to be having this talk, so he decided to meet her halfway. 

“Fine, okay, I’ll see what I can do–” He began, immediately raising a hand to mirror her movement from earlier the second he saw excitement on her face. “Don’t get your hopes up, I’m not makin’ any promises, princess.” 

“Y'know what, fine, I’ll take it” She had said with a smile as they did the pogue handshake, a ritual that had soon begun to become their version of a promise bet. “Anyways, get decent and come downstairs, everyone’s waiting for you for breakfast” 

“I’m sorry, get decent ? I am decent.” He said defensively. “Uh huh, sure you are, I noticed your little situation the second I walked in here, looks a little hard to deal with” She replied with a giggle before walking downstairs with a quick “Toodles!” Well, she got the hard part right. 

After dealing with his situation, JJ hopped in the shower, thinking about the conversation he had just had with the Cameron girl. It had been three months and counting since they had gotten the El Dorado money, and everyone had grown painfully aware of his thing with Kiara, not that they hadn’t already known before that. For the record, he and Kie were dating. They had been since the day he snuck her out of Kitty Hawk; and yes, he had actually asked her instead of calling her his girlfriend out of nowhere, he wasn’t an imbecile . So then why was Sarah still asking him to make a move? Well, here’s the thing– when you ditch your friends, break in and break out of a wilderness camp, take a drug dealer’s plane to south America, witness both your best friends’ fathers die, and find the city of gold, you kinda forget to tell your friends that you’re in a relationship now.

Now, it had been three months, but it was complicated, okay? The first week or so was simply bad timing, with the deaths and all. They had spent the majority of it with stolen kisses in the dark and secret hookups when everyone else was too busy to see them hop in the shower together; Kie sneaking into JJ’s room in the middle of the night and wandering out at 6:30 am dressed with nothing but his shirt and a smile. And yeah, he meant nothing. 

Then, it had reached a point where the timing wasn’t off anymore. Their honeymoon phase was over ( Which, was it really? ) and they could’ve easily told everyone; except, this was JJ and Kie. As much as they’ll deny it if you ask them, those two are the biggest freaks known to man; so yeah, the sneaking around may or may not have added a certain thrill to it, to them. Fucking psychopaths. 

So in conclusion, it was complicated; but it was also right, simple , and they were in love. So, he could take the occasional– nay, constant, nagging from Sarah and the others. Just think about that red se t, he’d tell himself, it’ll be worth it, dude.  

JJ made his way downstairs, all dressed and ready to take on the day. As he stepped into the kitchen, he noticed all the pogues sitting around, doing nothing (as usual) as Kiara made breakfast for all of them. He took a better look and damn near stopped in his tracks– actually, he probably did, seeing her in his Kildare County T-shirt with everyone around; this was new, they never did this. As he walked in, she looked over her shoulder, shooting him a smile. “Look who’s finally awake” She said, and he almost thought she had done it on purpose.

“Yeah, morning guys” He replied, and then, when he leaned in closer to grab a cup of coffee, “You miss me last night?” It was barely a whisper, one the others couldn’t hear if they tried to, which they weren’t. Eyes rolled and cheeks darkened as she turned her head around, pretending to focus on the bacon she was prepping; extra crispy, just how he liked it. “Alright guys, here we go with the debate again; which one is it gonna be today, pancakes or waffles?” Kie asked, looking at them expectantly with hands on hips, having seen this film unfold at least a hundred times already.

“I vote waffles!”

“No, what?! Pancakes, c’mon John B!”

“Nahh, I have to go with pretty boy on that one, it’s waffles”

“Waffles are messy, I agree with Pope, pancakes all the way!”

“Well?” Pope had said, looking at JJ. He was the breaking vote, considering Kie had decided months ago she would go all Switzerland on the situation. He knew he was going to get his way anyways, even if he was the only one to vote. Kie would find some way to get him what he wanted, duh. 

“Waffles, the chocolate chip ones” He said with a grin, expecting the Yes’es and No’s he’d be showered with. “Alright, pancakes it is!” Kie said, causing everyone to turn to her in confusion, and two of the pogues to burst in joy. “I’m sorry, what? Are we not a democracy, Kie?” He argued

She simply hummed, “Not anymore, it’s a dictatorship now, baby .” She smiled as his eyes widened at the familiarity of the name and unfamiliarity of the context. He took a look around, realizing no one had even flinched at the name, too used to their constant flirty banter. Then, she got closer, until she was centimeters away. She turned around, then, and got on her tippy toes, reaching for the flour in the cabinet. And, yep, he could see from here there wasn’t much under the shirt, that little minx.

He knew this was on purpose, she could’ve literally asked anyone for the flour, but no. The pancakes, the shirt, baby, and now this? She was playing a game, he had no idea what it was or what the rules were, but he was in it, and he couldn’t say he hated his situation. But fuck , was it hard.

Hard. 

The next 30 minutes were a blur; pogues fighting over pancakes or waffles, then syrup or honey being the best topping, then– yeah, he couldn’t care less. All he could see was her, everything else didn’t matter. Just look at her, she was totally trying to do something with him, no, to him ? Only God knows what goes on in that woman’s mind. 

“Alright, everyone come sit!” Kiara said, plating the food up for everyone. This was going to be a long morning. 

Breakfast was mainly quiet, or as quiet as a pogue breakfast could be. It had been two weeks since John B and Sarah’s make-shift wedding ceremony/ celebration party since the chateau had been rebuilt, except much bigger, three stories, with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and definitely not fancy enough to be considered kook-y but too new and refurbished to be on the cut. 

The party had been beautiful, sharing vows in front of their tree as Pope officiated, with Kie as the maid of honour and JJ as the best man making speeches that either led everyone to laugh their asses off or cry rivers, it was perfect . 

“So what’s everyone doing today?” Kie asked, pouring honey (way too much, he might add) onto her pancakes. “Oh, Pope and I were just going to take a walk around the dock, maybe grab some lunch, go for a little boat ride” Cleo replied as the curly haired girl hummed in response, turning towards the other three pogues who remained quiet.

“Sarah and I are going to the record shop, we wanna get the vinyl for our song” John B said, shooting Sarah a smile as she rested her head on his shoulder in response. “I’m sorry, your song? ” JJ damn near spit his coffee out at the words. “What have you done to him?” He asked, directing his attention towards Sarah.

“Oh calm down, JJ, it’s just that we picked a song to be ours and now we want to buy a vinyl so we can maybe play it on Kie’s record player occasionally” She explained, waving him off. “Oh, you know what, I might come with you guys. I’ve been wanting to get a few new records for ages now” Kiara said in response, choosing to switch the topic. “Yeah, sure why not” John B replied with a smile before Sarah quickly changed their plans. “Oh, uh, you can’t, actually.”

“I can’t?”

“She can’t?” Her and John B spoke at the same time, cocking their heads towards the blonde girl in confusion. “No, you can’t.” She was quick to retaliate, “You actually have plans.”

“I do? Since when?” She asked, confused as she tried to remember if she had anything planned. “Yep, you’re going out with JJ.” She simply stated, as if it were a fact. “Wait what? I’m not goin’ out” JJ replied, now equally confused as to what the girl was brewing up. “Yeah, you two are going grocery shopping, we’re low on a lot of stuff. JJ offered he’d go with you this morning when I went upstairs to wake him up, right JJ ?” She spoke with a smile, but her eyes were shooting him daggers. That fucking blonde was creepy as shit.

“Yeah, I must’ve forgotten I said yes to that. Guess we’re goin’ to the farmer’s market, Kie” He replied and Kiara nodded as Sarah hummed in response, being content in the fact her plan worked. “Okay, now that that’s over, can we circle back to your song ?” He said with a laugh, because he needed to know more, needed to piss John B off just a tiny bit. 

“It’s perfect!” Sarah said, and everyone laughed in response. An abundance of “Corny” and “That’s some sappy married couple shit right there”’s could be heard as everyone gagged at the couple’s cuteness, causing John B and Sarah to turn a little defensive.

It was perfect– like, literally. Their song was Perfect by Ed Sheeran. He couldn’t say he was surprised, but it was definitely a tad bit too romantic and cutesy, even for them. Whatever though, he wasn’t one to judge. 

–

“Hey, great pancakes this morning by the way” JJ had said when Kie got in the car, tone teasing, he knew what she had been doing earlier and he wanted to make that very clear and known. “Glad you liked them.” She shot him a smile, buckling her seatbelt and connecting her phone to aux. “What do you wanna hear this time?” She asked.

They had a pretty similar music taste– identical, actually. Sure, JJ listened to the occasional country song which Kie hated and she listened to a few disney songs which was just weird behaviour at their grown age; but apart from that, there was never truly a huge debate when it came to music. Except today, Kiara wasn’t the only one who woke up in a teasing mood. Blame it on their recent extracurriculars– or, more specifically, the lack thereof; but he wanted to joke around a little bit, too.

“Our song” He said plainly. 

“Our what?” She responded with a laugh, “First of all, that’s corny as fuck. And second of all, we don’t have a song.” She stated as she watched him take her phone and unplug it from the cable, placing it in his pocket. “Alright well, I know both of those things, but we’re a couple, are we not?” 

“Yeahh?” She responded with a raised eyebrow, trying to follow along. “Yeah, so if couples have songs, so can we. Here, let’s see what comes on the radio. It’ll be like that thing you talk about, chisme or somethin’?” He explained. “ Kismet , JJ. It’s Kismet. Chisme is gossip in spanish.”  She rolled her eyes at the very obvious difference between the words. “Yeah, yeah, kismet, whatever.” He replied, turning on the radio on the first music station he saw, waiting for a song to play.

We're both throwing smoke into the night

It's raining I suppose that you need a ride

“Oh, this is perfect.” He said with a grin, recognizing the song immediately, nodding as he tried to remember the lyrics to one of his favourite songs. “Oh my God this is totally not our song, JJ. I refuse!” Kiara shook her head, going to turn the radio off and getting caught off guard at the sudden hand tightening around her wrist to stop her.

She said I’ve got nothin’ to do, and neither do you

There’s a place down the road where we can waste the whole afternoon.

“Oh, but it so is.” He said with a smirk, turning the volume up to the max as he began singing along dramatically, changing up the lyrics to match his girlfriend a little better. “I overheard that she was eighteen, she’s got a fake ID and a.. Dolphin tattoo?” He said with a laugh, as she began to laugh along, swatting his head away when he leaned in closer. “Those kinda girls tend to know things better than I do.” 

“Oh my God, JJ stop!” She said as chocolate eyes rolled. “And I’m dying to figure out what she’s hiding, she’s playin’ it cool but she’s lyin’ better than I do.” He continued, smiling as he drove off. 

Feels like a night to carry a tune

I’ve been carryin’ yours since you wrecked my room

And I’ve got nothin’ to do, and neither do you

So we chase jack with love, and waste away the whole afternoon.

I overheard that she was nineteen, she’s got a fake ID and a nose ring

Those kinda girls tend to know things better than I do

And I’m dying to figure out what she’s hiding

She’s playin’ it cool but she’s lying better than I do. 

2.

Kiara’s alarm rang at 6:30 am, waking both her and the blonde boy she was fully sprawled over on the double bed in his bedroom. They had been together for four months now, and still somehow managed to keep it a secret, sneaking out of each other’s rooms at hours like these so nobody suspects a thing. Sure, four months was getting excessive, but they were in too deep; it was too late to tell the others now, so they accepted their fate. Plus, they liked it this way.

“Mm, five more minutes.” JJ said as she turned her alarm off, wrapping his arms around her and locking her in place as she went to get up. “JJ come on, the others will be up in like an hour, I have to get started on breakfast and shower and everything.” She replied, trying to fight his grip and eventually succeeding at doing so, then standing up and holding a hand out to help him. 

“C’mon, you’re helping me with breakfast.” She said matter-of-factly. He thought about it for a minute, hand lingering in the air and unsure if it should connect with hers. “Y’know what, fine. But only because you asked so nicely.” He said, taking her hand. 

Then, with a quick movement, he pulled her back down on the bed and over him, locking her in place with the force of his arms as veiny hands reached under her– his shirt, reaching her sides and beginning to tickle her. Kiara’s laughter erupted as she began trying to fight his arms, which was obviously no use.

“JJ stop it!” She said breathlessly as she continued to laugh. “Fifteen more minutes, Kie” He replied, enjoying this way too much. “No!” She said, and he began to increase the speed at which his hands were moving while locking her tighter in place. “Fifteen minutes or I don’t stop.”

“JJ the others will he–” He cut her off, “Fifteen!” He said, acting serious as he hid a smile of his own. “Five!” She meddled, attempting to compromise almost as much as she was attempting to catch her breath. “Ten minutes or no deal.” He said, knowing he’d get his way. “Fine! Fine, just stop, please!” She practically yelled, wanting this to be over with as soon as possible.

“Deal.” He said, and fingers stopped moving as her body relaxed into his. He made no attempt to loosen his grip on her, though, and she didn’t fight it, taking in the comfort of his body against hers and his arms around her waist, cold, freezing , yet still the closest she’s felt to warmth in her entire life. It was the moments like these, the ones stolen and muffled, that made them fall in love all over again, that made them feel the way they did and love the way only they knew how.

The dark nights laced with red and mischief, tracking on no sleep, shared joints, and a dream. Staying up until 3:00 in the morning, fighting each other’s demons and studying bodies like mad scientists, tracing skin as if it were art. But it came with mornings full of love, monologues spoken in simple looks, songs written in each other’s eyes, universes and endless futures of love behind them; that’s what JJ and Kie were all about.

Love. Forever. 

– 

As promised, the couple made their way downstairs after spending an extra ten minutes in bed, walking to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. JJ sat on the counter, playing 80’s music on the record player at the lowest volume as Kie brewed some coffee for the two of them. “Hey, are you coming to my room tonight, too?” JJ questioned, watching her move around the kitchen with such expertise, blindly knowing where everything was placed. “JJ, it’s not even seven in the morning yet, why are you thinking about that already?” She said, annoyed he would even mention it this early in the day. “Oh, c’mon, Kie, can’t expect me not to ask. I just wanna ensure I get my daily dose of heaven. A kiss a day keeps the monster away or whatever.” He replied with a chuckle.

“That’s nowhere near being even remotely similar to the actual saying, JJ” She spoke as her eyes rolled for what must’ve been the hundredth time that day. “Also, daily dose of heaven? Ew, stop, like seriously.”

At that, he laughed, and an idea struck him. “Yeah, y’know like the song” He said plainly, rushing over to the bookshelves filled with records and going back with a Bruno Mars one, putting it into the record player and turning it up.

“Oh my God, JJ.” 

Oh, yeah, yeah

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah,

Oh, yeah, yeah

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah

And there it was, another JJ special, just for her, “Never had much faith in love or miracles!” He began, using a random wooden spoon as a fake microphone. Kiara was quick to act, laughing as she ran over and placed both hands over his mouth. “Seriously, stop!” She said with a laugh, “The others will wake u– ew JJ!” 

Of course he licked her palm, he was a fucking danger hazard to the human race, that one. “Come on, baby, it’s our song!” He spoke, laughing at her reaction. “It is not, I refuse. Also, we don’t have a song!”

Cause your sex takes me to paradise,

Yeah, your sex takes me to paradise,

And it shows

Yeah, yeah, yeah

The blonde ignored her, choosing to focus on the task at hand, starting to sing along to the next verse, “Cause you make me feel like I’ve been locked outta heaven for too long, for too–” And now he was the one being cut off before he did something to further embarrass the couple. Kiara had noticed two girls walk downstairs– Sarah and Cleo, obviously. So, she made a swift move to stop the record and take it out of the record player, walking over to the shelves.

“What the Hell is going on down here?” Sarah said, rubbing the sleep away from her eyes. “Living room dance party!” Kiara was quick to think, grabbing a strategically picked record and going near JJ again to put it in. “How’s this for our song?” She whispered, playing the track.

You walked into the party like you were walkin’ onto a yacht

Your hat strategically dipped below one eye

Your scarf, it was apricot

You had one eye in the mirror, you watched yourself gavotte

His girlfriend jumped over to the girls, who had begun to shake the sleep away from their bodies ( quite literally ) by jumping around. Kie began moving with them, choosing to point towards him as she sang, “And all the girls dreamed that they’d be your partner, they’d be your partner and–” Messy curls roamed as she began moving her head from side to side, dancing with her girls like there was no one else around, occasionally looking at JJ and she sang with the girls. 

You’re so vain

You probably think this song is about you

You’re so vain

I bet you think this song is about you

Don’t you, don’t you?

And JJ was a simple guy who most definitely was vain, whatever the fuck that meant, because this song was definitely about him. 

3.

The annual bonfire had been a tradition the pogues had loved, and having missed it the last two years due to impromptu gold hunts and far more important affairs, they definitely weren’t missing this one.

Everyone had been ready on time to go together– except for Kie, too busy trying to pick an outfit and choosing to tell everyone to just go without her, that she’d take a cab. JJ had tried protesting, but there isn’t much you can say when you don’t want to just plainly state “You guys go ahead, I’ll wait for my girlfriend.” So, here he was, tapping the keg and looking around, scanning their surroundings like a hawk, looking for caramel skin and beautiful curls.

He had ignored the girls who were gawking at him, uninterested and frankly quite disgusted. Sure, a year or two ago, he would’ve given them the time of day– and night. But now? He had everything he ever wanted, his wish , why would he ever ask for anything more, or fuck up the one perfect thing he had in his life, for that matter? 

Forty five minutes must have passed by before he finally located her, and as she always did, she took his breath away. She was in a jean mini skirt, one he knew would be showing miles of long legs and, when she turned around, would give him a perfect view of– well, everything he would ever want to see. His eyes trailed up her body, seeing the paired top: a brown top with a butterfly pattern around, a low-cut top– too low. She was wearing an orange bikini underneath? Overtop? Her shirt was so low that it covered nothing, not that he was complaining. Her hair was down and untamed with two little braids at the top that turned into pigtails, blending in with the half that was loose. She looked perfect, her outfit, her hair, her ti–

Her face. Her face was beautiful. 

“Yo, dude, what the fuck?!” Someone yelled at him. He had overfilled someone’s cup of beer, clearly focused on something else. “Oh, my bad bro” He said, going back to the task at hand, haunting image still stuck in his head of her perfect boo–

“Boo!” 

And, there it was, he spilled the man’s beer, again . In his defense, it was John B’s fault this time. “My bad man, let me get you another one of those” He said, choosing to ignore his friend and cursing under his breath when the man chose to leave instead, clearly pissed off. “Why are you tapping the keg alone, man? Let’s go get you some touron to mack on or something” John B pressed, placing a hand on his shoulder. 

“Nah, I don’t know about finding a hookup.” JJ responded, moving away from the keg, his friend by his side. His eyes were darting around the bonfire, looking for a familiar face. “Damn, okay, look who’s pussy whipped now” The brunette said, teasing JJ with his own words. “Oh shut up, you know it’s not like that, Kie and I are just friends, is it that hard for y’all to comprehend?”

John B chuckled at that, “Hey, I never mentioned Kie” He stated. “Yeah, but you were thinkin’ it” The blonde said, attention still elsewhere, where was she? “Dude, I mean, that door is clearly wide open, it’s like, not even a door at this point, it’s an empty doorway. We got the money, we’re all in happy relationships, just swoop on that while you still can.” His friend tried to advise him, ‘cause of course, he gets married and he’s suddenly the fucking king of relationships, John B the wise.  

“Yeah, yeah, we’ll see.” JJ said, brushing him off. And then, trying to sound as unbothered as he could possibly be, “Where is Kie, anyway? She make it here yet?” Fuck, his tone definitely betrayed him. “Oh, you haven’t seen her yet?” His friend said with a laugh, “That’s going to be fun to witness. Yeah, she’s around, last I saw she was talking to Kelsea about zodiacs or crystals or something. Want me to help look for her?” The brunette boy offered. “Nah, I’ll manage. Thanks man.” He said, walking to the cooler to grab two beers, placing a hand in his pocket to ensure he still had a joint in there. 

When he finally found Kie, he saw her from the back; and even though he hadn’t seen her from that angle yet tonight, he still immediately recognized her, because how couldn’t he? She was having a conversation with someone, a dude, to be exact, but who? He looked up, only to see the last person he would ever want Kiara in a 10 foot radius of, let alone having a full on conversation, no, laughing with. 

Fucking Ryder Grant.

Ryder, or Ryde, as she used to call him, was Kiara’s first boyfriend. He was also the first boy JJ ever beat up, but that was a story for another day. See, Ryder had gotten with Kie when they were fourteen– it was known, he had bagged the hottest girl in their middle school.

Come spring break, Kiara caught him talking to his teammates before his basketball game, on her way to surprise him, wearing team colours and all. The boys never quite got the full story, considering it was spoken between long sobs wiped away by Pope as John B fed her big spoonfuls of mint chocolate chip ice cream and JJ passed her his flask and a joint in alternation, but it was along the lines of him saying he only wanted her for her body, how he wanted to hook up with Elaine, the cheer captain, next. How Kiara was just easy , surrounded by boys.

Kiara was anything but easy, trust him, JJ had tried. That was first.

And second, who the fuck would want to get with Elaine? 

He couldn’t believe Kiara had ever dated him, or that she was talking to him right now– seriously, why the fuck? He took a closer look at the guy’s face and, yep, as he had suspected, his eyes weren’t exactly meeting Kiara’s. He was looking down, who the fuck gave this man the right to do that? Her eyes aren’t down there, bud. Pack it up, she’s spoken for.  

Fuck, Kiara would hate him if he said either of those things.

He made his way over, no plan in mind, but definitely one ambition: show Ryder who was with Kiara tonight. Remind him he fucked up. If the night ran long, and he hoped it would, maybe ever smash his head in the sand until he loses his memory, until he has no recollection of how good his girl looks right now. His girl. Not anybody else’s.

“What are we talkin’ about?!” JJ yelled as he got closer, speaking way too loud considering the music was pretty low in their spot. He put an arm around Kiara, and, as he expected, she shrugged it off and laughed, taking a step away. “Get off me, dude” She said. Yep, predictable.

“Oh, shit, Kie you feel cold.” A half lie. She probably did feel cold, but the only reason behind that would be the thin film of sweat on her skin from the summer night humidity and intolerable Outer Banks heat. “Here, put this on” He said, taking his shirt off and making a move to slip the neck hole over her head before she got the chance to protest. “JJ, I’m not cold” She spoke, looking up at him with a raised eyebrow.

“You are, I felt it. Plus, it’s flu season. Can’t be gettin’ sick now, none of us can cook for shit” He laughed, and at this, both eyebrows shot up. “It’s flu season ? In August?” She questioned with a tight lipped smile. She caught on to what he was doing. “Yeah, baby , climate change or whatever. It came early.” He rubbed a hand on the back of his neck, looking into her eyes.

“Uh huh, okay, JJ” She said, amused; and then, after Ryder said a quick goodbye and left, “Jealous much?”

“What? Me? Never” He said, tone so offended you’d think she just accused him of murder at the first degree. “Yeah, sure you aren’t”

“I’m not.” He affirmed. “But, care to explain why you were even talkin’ to Ryder? I mean, he’s an asshole. And by the way, he was starin’ at your tits, like, the whole time. I mean I can’t really blame him, look at you, they’re fuckin’ perfect, but like, I can’t have people lookin’ at my girl like that. He so clearly wants you back it’s–”

“Oh my God shut up” She laughed, “First of all, Ryder? His name is Flynn, JJ”

“Okay, he’s not a fuckin’ Disney character. His name is Ryder, stop with the nicknames”

“JJ, Ryder has a twin brother, Flynn. That was Flynn.” She said with a laugh, and at this, JJ raised an eyebrow. “No he doesn’t” He spoke, unconvinced. “Look over there, idiot.” 

So he did, and lo and behold, two Ryders. Fuck, okay. “Okay, so then Ryder’s twin brother wants you” He continued, refusing to give up.

“JJ, Flynn is gay. He was asking me where I got the top.” She spoke, motioning towards where he was again. This time, when JJ turned, he saw the proof he needed. A guy (Flynn’s boyfriend?) went up to them, and he and Flynn shared a kiss. Yeah, he was gay.

“If anything, he was looking at you weird when you took your shirt off” She laughed. “I mean, Kie, c’mon, can ya blame him?” He replied, showing off his abs. “So, perfect tits, huh?” She smiled teasingly, she was never letting this go, was she? “Okay, so I said that part out loud, great” He rolled his eyes, taking a step back.

“At least I know you like the outfit now” She said, hearing a song come on: Promiscuous, one of Kie’s party favourites. “Oh look, it’s our song ” She teased. “Okay, no. That is not our song, Kie.” He began shaking his head, as he saw her take a few steps backwards, in direction to the crowd.

How you doin’ young lady?

That feeling that you given’ really drives me crazy

You're dope have a player 'bout to choke

I was at a loss of words first time that we spoke

You looking for a girl that'll treat you right

Have you looking for her in the daytime with the light

You might be the type if I play my cards right

I'll find out by the end of the night

With that, she was taking off his shirt as she swayed to the rhythm of the music. Making a show of it, which– of course she was, she threw his shirt at him, and he made a quick move to catch it, slipping it back on.

You expect me to just let you hit it

But will you still respect me if you get it?

All I can do is try, gimme one chance

What's the problem? I don't see no ring on your hand

I'll be the first to admit it

I'm curious about you, you seem so innocent

You wanna get in my world, get lost in it

Boy, I'm tired of running, let's walk for a minute (hey)

Kiara smiled at him, fading into the crowd of people dancing, an unspoken invitation clear as ever and written on her forehead. He stood back a bit, searching for her in the crowd with his eyes, smirking when he found her dancing with Cleo, completely engulfed by the music and whatever she’d already had to drink this early on into the night. She looked fucking perfect. His , and perfect. 

Promiscuous girl, wherever you are, 

I'm all alone and it's you that I want

Promiscuous boy, you already know 

That I'm all yours, what you waiting for?

Promiscuous girl, you're teasing me, 

You know what I want, and I got what you need

Promiscuous boy, let's get to the point 'cause we're on a roll, you ready?

4.

JJ Maybank hated Christmas.

He hated the whole month of December, at that. First of all, Christmas, the holiday of gifts, family and love, yeah, not a Maybank family specialty. And then, the cold. It was too cold to be surfing, or wearing shorts, or doing literally anything fun. 

So, in JJ’s world, December was the worst month. His dad’s work would be slow, meaning they wouldn’t have as much money, and he had to work and feed himself. It also meant Luke would be home way more often. And, considering JJ’s friends were all with their families and it was too cold to do anything during winter break, so would he. 

Oh, and, another fun fact: he couldn’t even eat. He would work, yeah, little busboy shifts at the country club and help out at  Heyward’s as much as he could; but he also needed money for gifts, gifts for his friends, gifts for her . 

So yeah, December was, among other things, cold, full of starvation, loneliness, and getting beat up, then blackout drunk so the pain didn’t sting, blackout drunk to the point he could see his mom on the wall. Then wake up, rinse, repeat. This was normal for him, though. A person born in a burning house believes the world is on fire. 

Yet somehow, he found himself dating the biggest Christmas psycho in the history of the world. It was December 3rd, and she was already dragging him to town at nine in the morning to go gift shopping. What the Hell was wrong with this girl?

“Oh my God, JJ, look at this! It’s perfect for Pope” She said, breaking him out of his thoughts. “Kie, we’ve bought Pope like twelve gifts already. Actually, we’ve bought everyone so many gifts, can we leave already? We’ve been here for six hours.” He groaned. He wanted to be home, in bed, with a cup of eggnog, was that too much to ask? 

The one thing he loved about Kiara during the Christmas season was how clingy she became. “Cuffing season” as she called it, was her prime. She was all over him; in bed, outside, behind closed doors, even in public sometimes. The pogues had an ongoing joke they’d probably kiss under a mistletoe come Christmas Eve, so yeah, she was definitely getting touchy if those idiots were finally getting the hint.

No, they hadn’t told them yet, are you stupid?

“Okay, Mr Grinch, I wanna stay, this is fun!” She exclaimed, sipping on her third gingerbread sugar eggnog something something extremely long jingle bell-y name latte of the day. “Okay, yeah, no. Enough of this” He said, taking the drink from her hand, earning a groan on her part. “But I want to keep shopping!” She said, frowning. “Nope, no more” He replied, earning a pout, and fuck , he couldn’t handle her puppy dog eyes. “Please?” She pleaded.

“Fine” He breathed and she immediately leaped in joy, placing a kiss on his cheek. “ But , you can only buy five more things and then we’re out.” He stated. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She smiled, taking his hand and beginning to walk around. “Okay, Cindy Lou, slow your horses!”

“Oh c’mon it’s perfect, look around, JJ, it’s Christmas!” She smiled, “The music, the people, the scent, it’s all perfect” She continued, picking a random sweater up. And just as she said that, some bum-ass Taylor Swift song came on, like clockwork.

We could leave the Christmas lights up 'til January

And this is our place, we make the rules

And there's a dazzling haze, a mysterious way about you, dear

Have I known you twenty seconds or twenty years?

 “The music ?” He raised an eyebrow. “Yep, I love this song, it fits the vibe” She spoke, and he knew it was bullshit. “You hate Taylor Swift, Kie. You make fun of Sarah for listening to her all the time” He stated matter-of-factly, calling her bluff. 

Can I go where you go?

Can we always be this close forever and ever?

And ah, take me out, and take me home

You're my, my, my, my

Lover

“No I don’t, I love her, and this song!” She lied, turning around to face him. “It’s our song!” She exclaimed and he laughed at that. “Our song?” He asked amusedly, raising a teasing eyebrow. “Yep, our song” She placed an elf hat on his head, smiling.

We could let our friends crash in the living room

This is our place, we make the call

And I'm highly suspicious that everyone who sees you wants you

I've loved you three summers now, honey, but I want 'em all

“This is not our song” He snorted, and she brushed him off, walking around a bit more. “Well I say it is” She replied as she picked up a candle to smell, as he followed her around like a puppy dog following its owner.

Can I go where you go?

Can we always be this close forever and ever?

And ah, take me out, and take me home (forever and ever)

You're my, my, my, my

Lover

“You don’t even know the lyrics, Kie” He rolled his eyes, laughing at her. “Yes I do!” She said in defense. “Fine then, prove it!” He crossed his arms, leaning against a pillar and waiting for her to admit defeat. What he didn’t expect was for his girlfriend to start singing the full bridge, bar for fucking bar. Fuck you, Sarah Cameron. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, will you please stand with every guitar string scar on my hand? I take this magnetic force of a man to be my lover!” She sang dramatically, laughing as he tried everything to stop her. Eyes were on them, but his girl couldn’t give less of a shit. “Please, Stop.”

“My heart’s been borrowed and yours has been blue, all’s well that ends well to end up with you. Swear to be overdramatic and true to my lover” She laughed, pointing at him, and to this, he only had one logical response. “I do not know her!” He told the shoppers around them with a laugh, yet she still continued. “And you’ll save all your dirtiest jokes for me. And at every table, I’ll save you a seat, lover!” She sang, wrapping her arms around his neck with a smile; as he, very embarrassedly, laughed, kissing her on the head. “Alright, baby, c’mon.” 

Can I go where you go?

Can we always be this close forever and ever?

And ah, take me out, and take me home (forever and ever)

You're my, my, my, my

Oh, you're my, my, my, my

Darling, you're my, my, my, my

Lover

5.

The rest of December had gone by pretty smoothly, and JJ would quite literally never admit it, but maybe he didn’t hate Christmas or December all that much anymore. Him and Kiara had spent the most of their days watching old Christmas classics cuddled up whenever the others weren’t home, a good part was also spent outside, shopping for Christmas gifts, watching the lights ceremonies, visiting new Christmas markets or cafés, or going ice skating. 

There was another side to their days, a little part they’d have as often as they could and whenever possible. He couldn’t tell you much about those times if he wanted to, only that they were fast.

It was Christmas Eve now, and JJ had made it by some miracle. The pogues were all sitting around in the living room, chit chatting after dinner. Pope and Cleo were sat next to each other on the loveseat, John B was on the beanbag, a very wine drunk Kie was laying in Sarah’s lap on the sofa and JJ was on the floor, sitting criss-cross applesauce with a plate of cookies in his lap.

Wine drunk Kiara was everyone’s favourite. You see, beer drunk Kie was a wreck, yelling and dancing and picking fights; vodka drunk Kiara was just clingy and hyperactive, always wanting to dance; Kie on any sort of rum or gin was just diabolically depressing. Then, there was wine drunk Kie, a new addition to the collection. It was something new every time, either spilling secrets, hugging everyone in sight, singing, sleeping, or crying tears of joy; Kiara red wine Carrera did it all.

Spilling secrets.

As ‘Rockin’ around The Christmas Tree’ faded away, the Christmas Classics vinyl Kiara had put in the record player earlier began to play a new song: All I want for Christmas is you. Kie’s favourite. 

At the sudden change in tune, she jumped up in excitement, and everyone immediately knew what was coming. A private concert for the pogues, and a moment Kie would never, ever live down or hear the end of.

“Guys, this is my favourite song!” She exclaimed with a smile, as if it were new information to any of the people around her. “Yeah, we know, Kie, trust me” John B chuckled as Kiara began to attempt singing the riff. She could do it awfully well, actually, just not when she was wasted. 

I don't want a lot for Christmas

There is just one thing I need

I don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree

I just want you for my own

More than you could ever know

Make my wish come true

All I want for Christmas is you

“Oh my God, wait, baby, this is it!” She yelled, turning to look at JJ. “This should be our song!” Well, the night had just gotten ten times more interesting and Kiara’s Christmas morning got all that much shittier. “ Baby? ” Sarah questioned, confused, “We’ve never had drunk Kie call anyone that before. Hey Pope, add it to the list!” 

“Well yeah, of course I wouldn’t call anyone else that, only JJ’s my boyfriend” Kie said, as if it were common knowledge to everyone around. “I’m sorry, boyfriend ?” Pope was looking at JJ now, and so was everyone else, question and intrigue in their eyes.

“Oh, nah, we’re n–” She cut him off before he got the chance to cover anything up. “We’ve been together for seven months, since we got the gold. Yeah, we’ve been seeing each other in secret .” She explained, whispering the last part with a hand covering her mouth like some sort of shield. If this wasn’t the situation they were currently in, he would think that was adorable.

I don't want a lot for Christmas

There is just one thing I need

Don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree

I don't need to hang my stocking there upon the fireplace

Santa Claus won't make me happy with a toy on Christmas Day

The pogues looked at JJ for confirmation, and he was too stunned to even say anything at that point. Apparently, that was all the confirmation they needed. “Holy shit, dude, seriously?” Pope said, clearly happy for his friend. John B reached over from the beanbag to pat him on the back. “Damn, rude boy, didn’t know you had it in ya” Cleo said, impressed. 

Sarah was obviously pissed, at both of them, but that was a conversation that was going to be had another day, maybe when Kiara was less–

“I just want you for my own more than you could ever know, make my wish come true!” Yeah , a little less that . 

All I want for Christmas is you

You, baby

“Okay, so, tell us everything” John B spoke, sitting up. “Yeah, from the second it started” Sarah agreed, mirroring him. “Okay, I am not telling you how we got together” JJ rolled his eyes at the fact they would even think he would do that.

Oh, I won't ask for much this Christmas

I won't even wish for snow (and I)

I'm just gonna keep on waiting underneath the mistletoe

I won't make a list and send it to the North Pole for Saint Nick

I won't even stay awake to hear those magic reindeer click

'Cause I just want you here tonight

Holding on to me so tight

What more can I do?

Oh, baby, all I want for Christmas is you

You, baby

The others gave up on asking JJ, and instead focused on another individual who happened to be perfectly under the influence; and clearly, had a big mouth. Almost in sync, all four pogues cocked their heads towards Kiara in question, and she was more than happy to respond. “Okay, okay, gather around, guys. So, it all starts when–”

Oh-oh, all the lights are shining so brightly everywhere (so brightly, baby)

And the sound of children's laughter fills the air (oh, oh, yeah)

And everyone is singing (oh, yeah)

I hear those sleigh bells ringing

Santa, won't you bring me the one I really need? (Yeah, oh)

Won't you please bring my baby to me?

The night faded away as stories were told and retold from JJ’s perspective when Kiara mentioned anything sappy that may or may not have been true, but that was besides the point. Laughs, drinks, and stolen moments were all shared. As well as some secrets, but Kie and JJ swore they were sorry for hooking up in John B and Sarah’s bath that one time, swearing it would never happen again. (It did happen again, the next Sunday, actually.) Overall, it was a Christmas for the books, at least on JJ’s end. The best Christmas Eve of his life, with her.

His life with her.

Oh, I don't want a lot for Christmas

This is all I'm asking for

I just wanna see my baby standing right outside my door

Oh, I just want you for my own

More than you could ever know

Make my wish come true

Oh, baby, all I want for Christmas is you

You, baby

All I want for Christmas is you, baby

All I want for Christmas is you, baby

All I want for Christmas is you, baby

All I want for Christmas (all I really want) is you, baby

All I want (I want) for Christmas (all I really want) is you, baby

6.

A winter camping trip was the last thing any of the pogues wanted to do that January, but when John B suggested it, saying they had to start a pogue Christmas tradition, even though Christmas was over, JJ immediately agreed. 

Pope was hesitant, but he figured they could use the team building exercise, and the girls were hard to convince, but they got there after offering them a beach day soon after, with seashell collecting and tanning and everything else they cared about. Women, amiright? 

Don’t ever tell Kie he said that.

So there they were, out in the woods, staring at a fire under the moonlit sky. Pope, Cleo and John B had put the tents up as JJ started a fire and Kie and Sarah, well, no one really knew what those two were contributing with. Kiara was now tuning her ukulele, and as everyone watched the beautiful stars in the sky, mouthing words of awe and admiration, he watched her, watched the glimmer of the stars in her eyes, and traced their constellations.

Beautiful, indeed.  

She began to play a song, eventually, a Christmas one, he just couldn’t quite pin his finger on which one. That was, until she began to sing, a soft hum to her words to match the calm of the night sky they were under. “I really can’t stay.” Oh, so that’s what song it was. She shot him a look, a small smile on her face, and he knew what she was insinuating.

“But baby, it’s cold outside” He sang along, his smile mirroring hers as she went back to looking down at her instrument in a soft concentrated gaze. 

I’ve got to go away

Baby, it’s cold outside

This evening has been

Been hoping you’d drop in

So very nice

The others began to watch them, laughing as JJ took Kie’s hand as he sang, “I’ll hold your hands, they’re just like ice” Making a move to drop it as soon as the lyric was over, earning an eye roll from his girlfriend and a giggle from Sarah.

My mother will start to hurry

Beautiful, what’s your worry?

My father will be pacing the floor

Listen to that fireplace roar

So really, I’d better scurry

Beautiful, please don’t hurry

But maybe just a half a drink more

Put some records on while I pour

Everyone smiled, watching the two, but they weren’t even looking. It was like nobody else mattered, no one else was around, it was her and him and it was them and that was all there was in this make-shift perfect universe. They were lost in it. 

The neighbours might think

Baby, it’s bad out there

Say “What’s in this drink?”

No cabs to be had out there

I wish I knew how

Your eyes are like starlight now

To break this spell

I’ll take your hat, your hair looks swell

I ought to say ‘No, no, no, sir’

Mind if I move in closer?

At least I’m gonna say that I tried

What’s the sense in hurting my pride?

I really can’t stay

But baby don’t hold out

“Oh but it’s cold outside” They finished with a laugh as the others began to applaud and cheer. “Kie, ten out of ten performance. JJ, bro, you gotta work on that voice” John B said as everyone else laughed, and JJ made a swift movement to hit the back of his head. “Thank you” Kie had said afterwards, pulling JJ back down to the log they were sitting on, draping the blanket they had been sharing back over his shoulder as he wrapped an arm around hers. 

Ugh, you're very pushy, you know?

I'd like to think of it as opportunistic

“Guys, this has to be your song, it’s adorable!” Sarah spoke, gushing with joy. She had been that way ever since she had found out she was pregnant, two months ago. Hormones, or whatever. “Oh, fuck off, Cameron” JJ spoke, earning a laugh from everyone but her. 

I simply must go

Baby, it's cold outside

The answer is, "No"

But, baby, it's cold outside

The welcome has been

How lucky that you dropped in

So nice and warm

Look out the window at that storm

And even though it was extremely corny and disgusting to have a couple’s song, JJ and Kiara’s eyes lingered on each other for a bit longer than usual, a soft smile lacing his girl’s lips as her eyes glistened, shining brighter than the moonlight. Fuck, did this girl do things to him. 

My sister will be suspicious

Gosh, your lips look delicious

My brother will be there at the door

Waves upon a tropical shore

My maiden aunt's mind is vicious

Gosh, your lips are delicious

But maybe just cigarette more

Never such a blizzard before

He couldn’t believe he had her, that she was his, and they were here, and they were happy. So yeah, call him fucking stupid for taking this song joke a little seriously, but you would too if you were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Kiara Carrera.

I've got to get home

Baby, you'll freeze out there

Say, lend me your comb?

It's up to your knees out there

You've really been grand

I thrill when I touch your hand

But don't you see?

How can you do this thing to me?

The night slipped away in laughs, drinks, and horrible karaoke, and it was one for the books. The perfect camping trip, a new pogue tradition they would repeat every single year; or at least, for as many years as they could, as many years as they’d be lucky enough to have. JJ didn’t care, even if he died tomorrow. As long as he was dying next to her, with her, he’d die with a smile. He would have longed and loved and lived a happy man.

There's bound to be talk tomorrow

Think of my life-long sorrow

At least there will be plenty implied

If you got pneumonia and died

I really can't stay

Get over that hold out

Baby, it's cold

Baby, it's cold outside

He finally spoke, because he wanted to, because he felt it. He was here, and he was happy, and he was done denying it, only thinking he deserved jack shit. He had her, and apparently, he deserved her, so he was going to make it worth it, for both of them. He was going to love her, love her yesterday, today, tomorrow, forever. He was going to love her now and hard and soft and right. Love her the way she deserved to be loved.

Okay, fine, just another drink

That took a lot of convincing

“I love ya, Kie” 

7.

JJ Maybank was born and raised on good old Kildare island, so was Pope Heyward, and so was Kiara Carrera. 

Now, why only Cleo knew that there was an annual Caribbean themed festival held every year in July, that was a mystery. She had told the others about it the week prior. John B and Sarah said they couldn’t attend, which made sense considering Sarah was six months pregnant by now, so it wasn’t like they could drink or dance, so what was really the point?

So, that’s how he and Pope had ended up on a double date at a nightclub, watching over drinks as their girls were dancing the night away in yellow and mint green mini skirts with ruffles and matching halter tops. Cleo was the one in yellow, of course, leaving Kiara in his favourite colour, doing the thing he loved to watch most. Yeah, he didn’t mind double dating at all.

Make me sweat, make me hotter

Make me lose my breath, make me water

Make me sweat, make me hotter

Make me lose my breath, make me water

As the Tyla song came on, Kie and Cleo both shared an excited look before walking over to their boyfriends in an attempt to drag them to the dance floor. Pope had given in immediately, placing his beer and Cleo’s bloody mary on the bar before taking her hand, blending into the crowd, leaving JJ alone to argue with his extremely stubborn, extremely tipsy girlfriend.

Normally

I can keep my cool, but tonight I'm wildin'

I'ma be (yeah)

In a dangerous mood, can you match my timing? (Mm, mm)

“Come dance!” She yelled, getting closer to the blonde. “I can’t!” He responded, lifting his glass of Jack Daniel’s on the rocks, “Haven’t finished my drink yet!”

Telling me (yeah)

That you really 'bout it, why try hide it? Ooh

Talk is cheap, so show me

That you understand how I like it

With that, she walked even closer, taking the drink from his hand and downing the rest, making sure to look him in the eyes as she did so. So basically, as he liked to call it, Kiara made a show out of it, as she did with everything when she was tipsy. “No excuses, Maybank, come on.”

Can you blow my mind?

Set off my whole body

If I give you my time (ooh)

Can you snatch my soul from me?

I don't wanna wait, come take it

Take me where I ain't been before

Can you blow my mind?

Set off my whole body, whole body

With that, she set the empty cup down on the bar he was leaning against, then she grabbed his arm, pulling him to the middle of the dance floor. Then, she turned around, moving his hands to rest on her hip bones as she began to wine against him. 

Make me sweat, make me hotter

Make me lose my breath, make me water

Make me sweat, make me hotter

Make me lose my breath, make me water

“Damn baby, okay, I’m liking this.” JJ said, a grin forming on his lips. “Oh shut up” She spoke, moving to the beat. “No, I’m serious. Actually, can this be our song? ‘Cause frankly, Kie, I’m enjoying the show” He continued, knowing exactly what he was doing. 

Hopefully

You can last all night, don't get too excited (ooh)

Oh, privacy (mm)

You ain't gotta go nowhere, you can stay inside it

“Shut up, JJ.” At this, she turned to face him, rolling her eyes as she continued to dance and he replaced his hands on her waist. Her hips continued to move to the music, swaying as her waist moved in sync, melting into the rhythm in a way so mesmerising he could’ve gotten hypnotized by it.

Can you blow my mind? (Oh)

Set off my whole body

If I give you my time (if I give you my time)

Can you snatch my soul from me?

I don't wanna wait, come take it

Take me where I ain't been before (before)

Can you blow my mind?

Set off my whole body, whole body (hey boy)

“What?” He replied with a dry laugh. “I’m just sayin’, baby. You’re a great dancer is all, and doin’ that shit’s pretty hard.” She rolled her eyes again at that, but with a smile this time. Then, something flashed in her eyes, then all over her face. A hint of mischief, informing him he was now participating in a game he hadn’t even signed up for or agreed to play. “Interesting choice of words there, JJ.” She turned back around, arching her back as she dove a bit lower, wining and grinding against him. 

Make me sweat, make me hotter (hotter)

Make me lose my breath, make me water

Make me sweat (sweat), make me hotter (hotter)

Make me lose my breath, make me water (make me sweat)

Make me sweat, make me hotter (hotter)

Make me lose my breath, make me water

Make me sweat (sweat), make me hotter (hotter)

Make me lose my breath, make me water

8.

Never in JJ’s life would he have expected that he would be rich, in a happy, stable long-term relationship with Kiara Carrera, and the owner of his own surf shop, JJ Maybank’s Deep Sea Charters. Yet somehow, his life had taken a turn overnight, and here he was, at work, on a Friday morning. Kie, his girlfriend of two years, as of March fifteenth, sat on the counter, ukulele in her arms and a fussy Valerie Routledge on her lap. She began to play a familiar lullaby’s tune, in an attempt to calm the nine month old down. She sang with a voice so angelic, so soft it almost sounded like a whisper.

You are my sunshine

My only sunshine

You make me happy

When skies are gray

You'll never know, dear

How much I love you

Please don't take

My sunshine away

As she began to sing the second verse to the song, Kie noticed a middle-aged man walk into the shop and was quick to stop. “Sorry about that” She said with a soft giggle, breaking JJ out of his trance as he turned around to salute the man. “Hey, holler if you need anything” JJ spoke, and the man– Mr Larson, waved him off, “I’ll be fine, but please, I didn’t mean to interrupt, feel free to keep playing. I love that song.” He said with a smile at the couple, making a move towards the cooler to grab a twelve pack. At that, JJ shrugged and Kie offered him a smile, proceeding to play her ukulele, singing a tad bit quieter this time around.

The other night, dear

As I lay sleeping

I dreamed I held you

In my arms

When I awoke, dear

I was mistaken

So I hung my head and cried

Mr Larson was quick to finish shopping, heading towards the front counter and offering a smile as he put everything he had picked out. JJ mirrored his expression as he began to scan everything he had gotten, making sure not to leave anything out. “That’ll be 23.99 for ya”

You are my sunshine

My only sunshine

You make me happy

When skies are gray

You'll never know, dear

How much I love you

Please don't take

My sunshine away.

With the end of the song, the man offered JJ a twenty and a five dollar bill, insisting he keep the change. “So you’re a fan of live music, I take it” JJ offers, and at this, the man laughs. “Oh, well who isn’t? If I had known you guys offered live performances for customers, I’d be here every day” He replied, and Kie smiled.

“Nah, we don’t actually. It’s just what happens when you’re sleeping with the boss” The Maybank boy joked, and Kie smacked him on the back of the head. “So it must bring your wife and kid to work day pretty often for you then, huh?” The man laughed, and at this, both of them were caught extremely off guard.

“Oh no, we’re n–” Kiara began, yet JJ cleared his throat. “Yeah, yeah, somethin’ like that” He smiled, offering the man another two finger salute as he wished them both a nice day and left.

“So, wife and kid then, huh?” Kie teased, and JJ rolled his eyes, laughing. “You should’ve seen his face, we couldn’t tell him the truth, it would’ve broken his heart.” JJ replied, clearly exaggerating. “I’m sure he would’ve been fine!” Kie laughed, putting her instrument away.

“Y’know, he did have a point though, we kinda look like a family, like with Val and everything” JJ offered, trying to sound as unbothered as possible, as if the image hadn’t been haunting his wildest dreams. “Oh, so you’ve thought about it?” Kie teased, and he rolled his eyes again. “Course not, Kie”

He had, though. Many, many times. He had always dreamt of a perfect life, a house by the beach, Kiara Carrera and a mini version of her by his side, maybe a dog he’d name Rocky, the dream. However, Kie was the most anti-marriage person he had ever met. She was the queen of feminism monologues, having muttered words like patriarchal bullshit and controlling women’s intellectual power at least a hundred thousand times to him since he’d known her. Who ever said that had stopped him, though? 

“I’m just sayin’, we are the only pogues who haven’t gotten married yet, is all” He explained. He had a ring, actually. And a whole proposal, at that, written the day he got the ring, two years ago. He remembers it like it was yesterday. 

They had just gotten the transactions into their bank accounts, the gold money. He had gone off the rails, become untraceable and unreachable for six hours; everyone had thought he’d be buying flat screens or hot tubs, but no, he was buying something much more important.

It took him hours, finding a perfect diamond band, simple and elegant, eighteen carats with a beautiful yet simple ethically sourced diamond– perfect for Kie. 

So yeah, he had thought about it once or twice.

“Oh, we are?” Kiara teased, breaking him out of his train of thought. “Yep, as of six months ago, actually” He replied, making reference to Cleo and Pope’s wedding that took place on Valentine’s day. As he said that, they heard a car honk from outside, Sarah’s. She was there to pick her daughter and his girlfriend up for a girls day or whatever. At that, Kie made a move to hop down from the counter, grabbing her stuff and kissing him on the cheek. “Well, we better get working on that then.”

“Wait, what?” Shocked was an understatement, JJ was flabbergasted, left immobile and speechless. What did she mean, she hated marriage. “Wait, no, don’t leave! What does that mean?!” He continued. “Don’t overthink it” She said with a giggle, walking away. And then, as she stepped outside, “See ya!”

What the fuck?

9.

The July sun was setting beautifully over the beach as the day came to an end. The sunsets were one of their favourite things about Greece, besides the people, the food, the colours, and its overall charm and exceptional beauty. 

They had been on vacation for two months now; Spain, Italy, France, and now Greece, their final destination. It was their second week there, and they had spent the day surfing the waves and speaking to some locals they’d made friends with, because of course JJ Maybank and Kiara Carrera would make friends wherever they fucking go.

Now, as he drove their rental Tesla (Kie insisted it be an electric car, if one at all) back to their hotel, she began to plug her phone into aux when he stopped her. “Nah, I think today calls for it, Kie. We should finally have the radio pick our song” He said, pushing her phone away and placing a hand on the radio button.

“Fine, but I swear, JJ, if it’s fucking thong song –” He cut her off, “It won’t be thong song!” He laughed, turning the radio on at max volume, making a move to roll both their windows down at the same time. And then, a familiar tune began to play.

It's a beautiful night, we're looking for something dumb to do

Hey, baby, I think I wanna marry you

Oh, this was perfect, he had just the opportunity to tease her with the lyrics. So, in true JJ Maybank fashion, he made a show out of it. “Is it the look in your eyes, or is it this dancing juice? Who cares, baby? I think I wanna marry you.” He sang along dramatically, laughing. She began to laugh, too, letting the summer breeze hit her face, pushing her hair back.

“Well, I know this little chapel on the boulevard we can go. No one will know, oh, come on girl!” He sang, alternating between looking at her and straight at the road. And sure, maybe his eyes did linger on one of those things longer than the other one, but fucking sue him.

Who cares if we're trashed? Got a pocket full of cash we can blow

Shots of Patrón and it's on, girl

Don't say no, no, no, no, no

Just say yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

And we'll go, go, go, go, go

If you're ready, like I'm ready

“'Cause it's a beautiful night, we're looking for something dumb to do. Hey, baby, I think I wanna marry you” He was a bit extra dramatic with that line, placing a hand on his chest and everything. “So do it, then!” She yelled over the music, and he looked at her. “What?!” He asked, and Kiara turned the music down. “Do it, marry me.”

Is it the look in your eyes, or is it this dancing juice?

Who cares, baby? I think I wanna marry you, oh

“Kie, I– are you for real?” He asked, a little intimidated and taken aback by the lack of wit in her eyes. “I mean, I’m in white,” She was, “I’m sure we could find some jewelry store around, get a little ring or something” She continued.

I'll go get a ring, let the choir bells sing like, ooh

So what ya wanna do? Let's just run, girl

“Actually,” He cleared his throat, “There’s uh- no need for that” At this, she raised an eyebrow and he pulled over, pulling a seashell shaped white velvet box out of his left pocket and handing it to her. As she opened it, she gasped and looked back at him. “JJ, how long has that been sitting in your pocket?” She asked, admiring the beautiful ring before her, it was perfect . “Just four years and seven months, why?” He spoke casually, and she laughed in disbelief. “ What? And you never asked?” She clearly didn’t believe him. “Well, I was kinda waiting for you to do that” He teased. Translation: I didn’t want you to say yes and regret it later.

If we wake up and you wanna break up, that's cool

No, I won't blame you, it was fun, girl

“Well, looks like we’re going to the courthouse then” She said, closing the box and handing it back to him as she went to mess with the GPS on the car’s front screen. “Seriously?” He asked, still in disbelief. “Yep, four years seven months too late unfortunately” She replied, leaning back in her seat as he took a turn to follow the directions.

Don't say no, no, no, no, no

Just say yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

And we'll go, go, go, go, go

If you're ready, like I'm ready

“Oh and, uh, you don’t have to become a Maybank or anything. I know you hate that, you can keep your name. Hell, I’ll even be a Carrera if you want” He said, clearly nervous. “Okay, slow down, no one’s becoming a Carrera” She laughed. And then, she looked over at him and their eyes met for an instant, both pairs full of sincerity and undying love. “I want to be a Maybank. I think it has a nice ring to it, don’t you?” She said with a smile, causing his own dimple to show. “Yeah, yeah I do,” He nodded, “Kiara Maybank, huh?” He said, trying to picture it. “Kiara Maybank.” She affirmed.

'Cause it's a beautiful night, we're looking for something dumb to do

Hey, baby, I think I wanna marry you

Is it the look in your eyes, or is it this dancing juice?

Who cares, baby? I think I wanna marry you

“Last chance to back out, stay a single, feminist Carrera your whole life” JJ said as they stood in front of the car, looking at the courthouse a few feet ahead. “No chance” She smiled. “Nothing to lose?” He asked, offering his hand. “Nothing to lose” She repeated, taking it as they made a run across the street, straight to the courthouse.

Just say, "I do"

Tell me right now, baby

Tell me right now, baby, baby

Just say, "I do"

Tell me right now, baby

Tell me right now, baby, baby, oh

It's a beautiful night, we're looking for something dumb to do 

Hey, baby, I think I wanna marry you

Is it the look in your eyes, or is it this dancing juice?

Who cares, baby? I think I wanna marry you

10.

JJ and Kiara had become experts in two fields in the past forty eight hours; Greece, and marriage. 

Sure, they had only gotten married on Wednesday and it was now Friday, but they were also JJ Maybank and Kiara Ca– 

Maybank.

So yeah, it was pretty easy, to say the least.

His wife was sitting in the rental car’s passenger seat, playing games on her phone as JJ drove to a gyro restaurant nearby. “Will you get off your phone, Kie? Look around, it’s Greece!” He said, making an attempt to snatch her phone away from her. “Hey, leave me alone!” She laughed, and he managed to take her phone, connecting it to Apple CarPlay. “Play us something” He said, handing it back.

“Yeah, like what?” She asked, and he didn’t miss a beat before saying, “Our song.” She nodded, scrolling and typing away on her phone before she finally decided on a song, pressing play and leaning back in her seat. 

The moon is high

Like your friends were the night that we first met

Went home and tried to stalk you on the internet

Now I've read all of the books beside your bed

“Oh, no!” He yelled, and she laughed. “Oh, yes!” She mocked, smiling as she nodded her head eagerly. “Kie, please, for the love of God, not fucking Taylor Swift” He complained, and she just turned the music up.

The wine is cold

Like the shoulder that I gave you in the street

Cat and mouse for a month or two or three

Now I wake up in the night and watch you breathe

“Please, turn this shit off, Kie. I’ll pay you!” He yelled over the music, and her only response was turning it up, going all the way to the maximum volume. “Never, it’s our song!” She shouted back.

Kiss me once 'cause you know I had a long night

(Oh) Kiss me twice 'cause it's gonna be alright

Three times 'cause I've waited my whole life

(One, two, one, two, three, four)

And then, as the chorus hit, she began to sing– well, yell along. And sure, he hated Taylor Swift more than anything, but he kinda understood why she chose this song now. It was them, even though he would never admit it out loud, even at gunpoint.

I like shiny things, but I'd marry you with paper rings

Uh huh, that's right

Darling, you're the one I want, and

I hate accidents except when we went from friends to this

Uh huh, that's right

Darling, you're the one I want

In paper rings, in picture frames, in dirty dre–

And indeed, as usual, dirty dreams were cut off, except instead of it being due to Sarah Cameron’s schemes, it was a ringtone this time. Kie was quick to disconnect her phone from the car as she read the caller ID, pressing the phone to her ear.

“Hello?”

-

“Who was that? Is everything okay?” JJ asked, looking at Kiara with worry in his eyes. “It was Anna” She said, and of course it was. Somehow, even on the other end of the world, her parents found a way to ruin fucking everything they had going.

“We have to go home.” She said.

And they did, because he’d follow her around anywhere, across rivers, stars, and the seven seas. Even if he had to take paper planes, and marry her in paper rings, he would.

In the winter, in the icy outdoor pool

When you jumped in first, I went in too

I'm with you even if it makes me blue

Which takes me back

To the color that we painted your brother's wall

Honey, without all the exes, fights, and flaws

We wouldn't be standing here so tall, so

Kiss you once 'cause I know you had a long night

(Oh) Kiss you twice 'cause it's gonna be alright

Three times 'cause you waited your whole life

(One, two, one two three four)

I like shiny things, but I'd marry you with paper rings

Uh huh, that's right

Darling, you're the one I want, and

I hate accidents except when we went from friends to this

Uh huh, that's right

Darling, you're the one I want

In paper rings, in picture frames, in dirty dreams

Oh, you're the one I want

I want to drive away with you

I want your complications too

I want your dreary Mondays

Wrap your arms around me, baby boy

I want to drive away with you

I want your complications too

I want your dreary Mondays

Wrap your arms around me, baby boy

Uh huh

I like shiny things, but I'd marry you with paper rings

Uh huh, that's right

You're the one I want,

I hate accidents except when we went from friends to this

Uh huh,

Darling, you're the one I want

I like shiny things, but I'd marry you with paper rings

Uh huh, that's right

Darling, you're the one I want, and

I hate accidents except when we went from friends to this

Uh huh, that's right

Darling, you're the one I want

In paper rings, in picture frames, in all dreams

You're the one I want

In paper rings, in picture frames, and all my dreams

Oh, you're the one I want

You're the one I want, one I want

You're the one I want, one I want

11.

So, maybe the phone call wasn’t that serious, but they had to have some sort of sense of intrigue to their dramatic comeback, right?

So, he didn’t understand much, but apparently, Kiara’s third cousin from her mom’s side was getting married or something, meaning Mike and Anna Carrera had to travel to Italy that weekend, and they had needed urgent help. See, summer weekends were the best days for profit at The Wreck, and they couldn’t just leave their restaurant behind.

That’s how the newly married couple found themselves working alongside their friends, running a whole restaurant for three days in a row.

It was Sunday night, and they were all closing. Kiara would hand her cousin Marcus the keys the next morning, and they’d officially be done running The Wreck. Hopefully, they’d never have to again, that weekend was fucking Hell.

Sarah had been playing Hostess as Cleo played bartender with JJ and Pope was in the kitchen, leaving John B to be a waiter slash busboy and Kiara to do– well, everybody’s job for them. Yeah, it was a pretty tough weekend for the girl. She had her ring off, obviously, ‘cause she was alternating between cooking, serving, taking orders, making drinks, and handing menus. 

And because those dirty little freaks enjoyed the secret way too much, so they were back at block fucking one.

“Guys, someone tell me they’ll do the dishes” Kie said, exasperated as she leaned against the bar, chugging a glass of ice cold water. “I’ll do it” Pope offered, seeing the look of pure exhaustion on her face. Clearly, the others still weren’t getting the hint, considering JJ was wiping the bar counters as the three others just sat around, ignoring his wife’s requests.

His wife. Fuck.

He had to cheer her up, fast. She was overtired, overworked, dehydrated, and getting more pissed by the second. She was about to explode. When she turned around, he made a move to direct a low whistle over to Cleo, tossing her a quarter and cocking his head towards the jukebox. “Twenty one” He mouthed, remembering it was Kiara’s favourite track, having watched her parents dance around to it countless times throughout her childhood years.

Cleo nodded, slipping the quarter in the machine and pressing on the right track. Everyone looked up from their phones as they heard the music, and JJ poured himself a Jack Daniel’s– on the rocks, of course.

Kiara smiled, hearing the familiar track and looking at Cleo, who was standing right next to the jukebox. “That’s my favourite song to play here” She said, reminiscing, “My mo– Anna would play it every night when we would close, she’d dance her way towards my dad, and then they’d dance along to it right by that table” She said, pointing towards the table numbered twenty one, same as the track’s number. Their lucky number.

With this, Kiara got an idea, walking over to JJ, a mischievous look on her face. “No, nope, absolutely not, Kie” He immediately opposed, lifting the drink in his hand to prove a point. At that, his girl– his wife took the drink, staring into his eyes as she finished it, putting it down afterwards and taking his hand, just like a movie he’d seen before.

You're just too good to be true

Can't take my eyes off you

You'd be like heaven to touch

I wanna hold you so much

At long last love has arrived

And I thank God I'm alive

You're just too good to be true

Can't take my eyes off you

She took him over to table twenty one, placing a hand on his shoulder and interjecting her right hand with his left as he made a move to place his other one around her waist, pulling her in closer as they began to dance to the music. “Oh, barf!” John B yelled, and Kiara flipped him off.

Pardon the way that I stare

There's nothing else to compare

The sight of you leaves me weak

There are no words left to speak

But if you feel like I feel

Please let me know that it's real

You're just too good to be true

Can't take my eyes off you

“What’s going on out here?” Pope asked, walking out of the kitchen after having heard the music and giggles. “Don’t question it” Sarah said, getting up and holding a hand out for John B, who hesitantly took it. When they joined in, Kie and JJ both cheered, and he made a move to spin her around, landing in a kiss just as the chorus started, earning cheers and laughs from everyone around.

I love you baby and if it's quite all right

I need you baby to warm the lonely night

I love you baby trust in me when I say:

Oh pretty baby, don't bring me down, I pray

Oh pretty baby, now that I found you stay

And let me love you, baby

Let me love you

“Come on, you two” JJ spoke, not taking his eyes off of Kie as Cleo and Pope hesitantly joined them, and JJ watched Kiara discreetly try and place her ring back on, taking it out of her apron’s pocket. “Awe, Kie, finally accepting being a Maybank, then?” He whispered, laughing. “Shut up” She said, attempting to hide her smile.

You're just too good to be true

Can't take my eyes off you

You'd be like heaven to touch

I wanna hold you so much

At long last love has arrived

And I thank God I'm alive

You're just too good to be true

Can't take my eyes off you

“Ya know, Kie, this could be our wedding” He spoke, voice low and secretive. “What?” She asked, fishing for more and clearly confused. “Well, you’re in white, all our friends are around, we’re dancing, it’s perfect” He said, and she smiled. “Yeah, I guess so.” She agreed, and he spun her around again at that.

“So wedding, huh? We’re doing that in secret too, now?” She breathed as soon as she landed from the spin, and he simply nodded. “You walkin’ over to me was like walking down the aisle, taking my drink was me offering you my life, so there’s the vows, then a dramatic exit, kissing the bride, putting your ring on– well, we messed the order up there a bit, but then a first dance, and now the others joining the party. See? Wedding” He explained, and she laughed. “Idiot” She spoke, placing a soft kiss on his lips. “See? I just kissed the bride again!” He laughed, and she laughed along, pinching him and whispering to lower his voice.

“Hey, JJ?” She said, moving her head away from his chest to look at him. “Hm?” He looked down at her. “I think this is our song.” She smiled, and he spun her around again, “Yeah, I think so too, Kie” He said, kissing her.

I love you baby and if it's quite all right

I need you baby to warm the lonely night

I love you baby trust in me when I say:

Oh pretty baby, don't bring me down, I pray

Oh pretty baby, now that I found you stay

Oh pretty baby trust in me when I say

Oh pretty baby

THE END. (Thank fucking God)