Big Blue Sky | JJ Maybank x Male OC

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The next day JJ and John B had picked me up on the HMS Pogue as we went somewhere to chill and hang out. As I stepped into the boat I examined their clothes, which were soaked from the neck down.

"What, did you guys get a rainstorm on the Cut?" I said sarcastically.

"Someone's watching the Chateau," John B said. "We hadda swim through the water to get to the boat unseen so we could slip away."

I sat down next to JJ and kissed him immediately. He put his hand on the side of my face, holding me close.

"I missed you," I said. "I was worried."

"I told you not to worry," he said.

"Yeah, but when do I ever listen?" I said.

Once he started to pull away I lightly touched his cheek and turned his face a little bit. I scanned a welt on the side of his face, one I hadn't seen previously.

"Where'd this come from?" I said.

He hesitated a moment, then met my eyes.

"From the fight with Topper and Rafe," he said.

"No, it's not," I said. "I saw you last night and that wasn't there. Believe me, I remember."

"I'll tell you later," he said, then tossed a glance over to John B.

He didn't need to, though. I already knew who gave it to him.

"You guys done smooching?" John B said. "We're here."

We got out of the boat and tied it up, making our way onto the land. I sat down near JJ as we began to talk.

"First I almost get strangled to death by Kooks, and now I'm on the hook for 30 grand. We should just dip."

"Okay. Where do you wanna go? Hm?" John B said.

JJ thought about it for a moment.

"Yucatán," he finally said causing me to chuckle.

"Yucatán," John B repeated with a chuckle.

"No, I'm dead serious right now. Surf all day, and then we can just live off lobsters we catch with our bare hands."

"You just wanna leave cause you got your ass beat?" John B said.

"You didn't see the photos."

"Think about it. They're willing to kill for the gold, then it's gotta be out there."

"Have you lost your mind? One hundred years. One hundred years, people have been trying to find this Royal Merchant, and no one succeeded. And you think you are gonna be the one that actually finds it? When will you get it in your thick skull if you keep going down this road, you're gonna end up just like your dad!"

I looked between them carefully as John B pushed him. I decided it best to stay out of this.

"The last time I saw that dude, we got in an argument, and then he took all of our rent money and dipped for this Royal Merchant. And then I told him he was a shit father, and you know how the rest of the story goes."

"That wasn't your fault," JJ said.

"It doesn't matter who's fault it is, JJ! Do you not understand that? I can't give up on the hunt, man. I don't care who's out there, who's gonna try to kill us. Do you understand that?"

JJ didn't respond and refused to make eye contact for a moment. I sighed and pushed myself to my feet as John B stormed off and grabbed his backpack.

"Look, I've got a plan. Are you coming or what? Four hundred million, JJ. How much do you owe in restitution?"