☘︎ JJ Centric Centric One-Shots ☘︎

JJ & Rafe // Bodybag

''I've got to say,'' Rafe begins to say, or more so scoff at the shape of JJ's back, it doesn't matter that JJ isn't facing the older boy. Rafe's words still have the same effect on him as they would if he had been. The effect they have on him isn't dulled nor lessened any. ''At this rate, the next time those Pogue friends of yours see you, it'll be in a bodybag,''

The statement causes a reaction just about anyone could guess, JJ stiffens, not turning around. He doesn't react anywhere near the way Rafe had thought he would. Doesn't lash out instantly, and doesn't have a smart-ass comeback on hand. There's just nothing. And when there is finally a visible reaction out of him, it's not just Rafe that it surprises. JJ surprises even himself by the suddenness and intensity of how he reacts next.

Because not a moment after going stiff, he fully processes Rafe's words. Instinctively, his body flinches back at Rafe's voice alone, at the grating words. His elbows press tight into his sides while his shoulders hitch up toward his ears. He looks like he's trying his best to appear smaller, to become so tiny that he disappears. The motion irritates all of the injuries he'd sustained at Luke's hand but it doesn't matter. Because he's curled himself up smaller, and maybe that's subconsciously what a part of him is trying to do. In his mind, the less of him that there is means that there's less of him that can be hurt.

And to Rafe? JJ looks nothing short of fucking terrified. Not just terrified, but terrified of Rafe, if not just of Rafe than of everyone. And for whatever reason that fact doesn't rouse up the bit of pride that Rafe Cameron had figured it would. Instead, it has Rafe freezing too, because JJ isn't meant to be scared of the elder. JJ didn't do scared, JJ fucking Maybank had never backed down from a fight before. And this? This just isn't right.

JJ tries to ease the tenseness out of his form, even let's himself breathe in once, a poor attempt at calming himself.

''No - fuck,'' JJ murmured, and then seems to deflate a little. As though that slight outburst had taken everything out of the blonde. ''Fuck you man, I'm sure you'd like that and all Rafe but it isn't happening,''

''How I'd feel about it is debatable. Answer this though, do you really believe that your luck isn't going to run out at some point?''

''Shut up!'' Immediately, JJ snaps. Not even thinking about it.

Rafe doesn't even hesitate at his words, and if anything the elder does the very opposite of what he'd said. The sandy blonde persists, tone sharp and unwilling to not be listened to. It pierces through JJ, filling his ears even as he tries not to acknowledge what's being said.

''You think that eventually, your old man isn't going to get careless and finish what he'd already started?'' Rafe continues. And god, had Rafe's face always looked so punchable, and had the voice of the other always sounded so condescending, or was it just him?

It's then that the comment registers to him. Unconsciously, JJ clenches his trembling hands into fists against his side.

''Don't you even talk about my Dad, you don't know shit," JJ screamed back, aware that his voice was growing a little more hoarse. ''You don't,''

''Sure I don't,'' Rafe halfheartedly agrees just because it's easier. Because it's what JJ wants to hear. ''When that happens though which it will - when that luck runs out what're you going to do about it, huh?''

''Stop, Stop it, okay, shut up. Just stop talking to me, alright? You think you've made your point but you don't know anything. Christ, I'm sure that It's so easy for you too,''

''Easy, what's easy?

''I'm sure you're so delighted to be able to sit there and pretend like you know my situation. That you know anything about my friends, my father, Me. But you know nothing about any of it,''

Rafe's eyes light up into something menacing before the elder laughs humorously.

''Oh shove off, JJ you aren't so mysterious y'know. And If you really must know it doesn't please me to know about your fucked up life either,'' JJ doesn't respond. It's not exactly surprising. ''I'm aware of what goes on. My sister and those damned Pogues may be blind to what's going on with you but I'll tell you now I'm sure as hell not -''

''Nobodies oblivious to anything. This,'' JJ gestures towards his undeniably bloodied as well as bruised face, and his split lip. ''Isn't what you think it is,''

''Uh huh,'' Rafe replies noncommittally. ''Anyway - I mean, after all, I've known you since you were - what four? Yeah, you were four. It's hard not to notice you painted black and blue more times than not. Besides god only knows that I couldn't avoid you on this island even if I tried,''

''Wow, what do you know? The feeling's absolutely mutual,'' JJ sarcastically ripostes. ''Take my word for it, I would know because I Have tried.''

''Look all I'm saying here is that you can't keep going back to that. You're sitting there waiting for him to cross the line, to end things,''

''Well that's just grand coming from you, now isn't it, Rafe?''

''Oh, and what's that supposed to mean exactly?''

''Means just what it sounds like. That I'm not a Kook. I wasn't fed on a silver spoon so it's not as though I have much of a choice now do I? You think I don't want out? I do. But I stay, I endure it cause' It's not like I have anywhere else to go,''

Rafe's eyes narrow, they fixate on JJ's never-changing expression. Until eventually Rafe nods once, accepting the situation. They're getting nowhere in this, they'll continue to get nowhere. Because JJ just isn't one to budge, isn't one to accept help.

''Your ignorance will never cease to astound me, seriously JJ, your ignorance is unbeatable. I was trying to help you,'' Rafe admits, watching JJ's eyes flash in thinly veiled disbelief. ''But I see now that you clearly don't want my or anyone else's help. So enjoy that bodybag why don'tcha', Maybank,''