Life on the cut (JJxReader) OuterBanks Fanfic

The Aftermath.

(A/N: OOpy doopy here it is pals :3)

Sarah cycled home to figure 8 in darkness, each streetlamp sending cascading reflections across her tear-strained face. Her dreams of a selfless and true love had shattered. A love where someone would always look out for her... The wind had died down at least, the warmth the sun had left lingering in the air. She took a turn on the way to Tanny-hill, arriving at a white weather board with tall black gables. A small fountain trickled gently outside on the pebble driveway, lit up by a small yellow lamp. Sarah got off of her bike, leaning it against a tall black fence encasing the house. Sarah turned towards the gently cascading fountain, reaching in and retrieving a small stone. She started at it in the wavering light from the fountains depth, distorted by the passing water. She looked up at a sheltered balcony. A full length banister surrounding it. Sarah reached into her wet hand, and took a stone, throwing it through the open door of the balcony. It clattered loudly.
A light flicked on, brightening up the outside. Sarah saw a shadow move, and then Topper appeared through the doorway. Wearing grey boxers and a white t-shirt. 
"Sarah?" He asked through the dimly lit atmosphear.
"Hey." She said softly.
"Sarah, Hey!" 
She walked up slowly, "I'm so sorry, can I stay again?" She asked him. She felt strangely at home here... Back on figure eight. 
"Yeah of course." Topper replied instantly, "Uh, I'll be right down." He rushed down the large staircase and to the wooden front door, drawing it open silently. "Come in." He beckoned her.
Sarah did, "Thank you... Thank you.." She uttered, before he shut the door behind her.
"You need a drink?"
"No, thank you."
"Okay, let's uh- Let's get you upstairs." He took her and gently and lead her up the stairs.
"Actually-" Sarah stopped him, "You think we could go to the beach house?"
"Oh yeah. Yeah yes of course." He nodded, grabbing a jacket and some shorts, leading Sarah outside with him to the pretty wooden beach bungalow.

Rafe was also awake at this hour, tracing his hand along the watches in his fathers closet. Wearing just black boxers, he stood out drastically from the suits that surrounded him. All finely woven and very smart. Each one held its own portentous aura. He reached for them, running his hand along the shoulders. Each fabric felt slightly different under his fingers. He stopped on one, his hand lingering there for a moment. Pulling on the suit, bringing it out to him, he saw it was the jacket of a black three piece. Branded with a crest. Rafe rustled the fabrics as he unhooked the suit gently, drawing it over himself, each arm held tenderly by smooth silk. Three golden button adorned each sleeve cuff, as well as three evenly spaced, and identical buttons, down the middle of the suit. Rafe adjusted the collar and turned to a full length mirror, nestled in the back of the closet. His eyes slowly rose to look at himself. Rafe took a deep breath, basking in the image of himself. He was picturing the new head of a happy family. He would make his father proud. This had been a plan in the back of his head for... a while now. But now Ward was- gone. Rafe knew he had to force this plan into action soon. If he squinted, his brain could conjure the image of Y/N on his arm, three little children running around their legs and clinging to a summer dress, hanging at Y/N's knees. He would replicate his father's dream within his own, and make better on his mistakes. 

"Seriously," Topper told Sarah, settling her down in the beach house. "Stay as long as you need, okay?"
"Thank you." She said weakly, "I just can't go home..."
"I can't imagine what you're going through." Topper said sympathetically, fluffing up a pillow for Sarah.
Topper had given Sarah a thin jacket, as the air was still warm, but developing a chill. She wrapped it around herself tightly and walked towards the sounds of water through the balcony. She wiped her eyes with the jacket, whimpering "I can't believe he's gone."
"Look..." Topper sighed, looking for the right words to say, "Ward wasn't perfect by any means but, um, I mean y'know.... He was still your dad." He walked up to the door frame and stood next to her, "I think it's... probably hard to be just simple and happy now. And I wish I could help you."
Sarah sighed and sniffled, "Nothing feels simple."
She looked up at Topper quietly, sitting in silence for a moment or so. She appreciated him more than ever right now. Topper had been nothing but good to her lately.
"Um.." Topper clicked his tongue, "I got school tomorrow-"
"Right, it's late." She began walking to bed.
"No no. I was gunna say, there' a bonfire after school tomorrow. Kegger at the boneyard, if you wanna go. You remember?" He chuckled.
"It's tomorrow?" She sighed, thinking of how much it had changed, but in the same way... It had come full circle. 
"Remember the bonfire? The annual one?" He asked her.
"Yeah." She chuckled.
"We could uh- we could take the Malibu. Couple mai tais... y'know." He joked and chuckled, making Sarah laugh for the first time in a while. 
"Shotgun a few beers." He kept joking, making Sarah giggle more. It was music to his ears. "Uh, I think it might be good for you. To, y'know, take your mind off of things. If you're down."
"I'll think about it." She nodded gently, retreating to the bed Topper made for her. "Maybe."
"Okay." Topper nodded, he was happy with that maybe. "Okay cool well, get some sleep yeah? Let me know if you need anything."
"Yeah I will, good night."