~𝒪𝓊𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒷𝒶𝓃𝓀𝓈~
I never knew it could feel so good to be somebody's Star
John b x OC
Cover made by @disney_fanatic36
Season 1- ✅
Season 2- ✅
Season 3- ✅
Season 4- ✅
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We sit lined up on stage like we're part of some school assembly- except instead of getting yelled at for dress code violations, we're being recognized for finding El Dorado. Yeah. That El Dorado. Still doesn't feel real.
"An expedition of one man John Routledge and a group of teenagers who are with us today. Locals who grew up here and who succeeded where centuries of conquistadors explorers and admirals failed. Today we come together to celebrate these teens friends from both sides of the island who came together to solve this 500-year-old mystery. Let's hear it for them!"
The man at the podium says, and the crowd actually cheers. For us. For the Pogues and...well, whatever I am now. A Pogue by fire, I guess.
I glance down the row-
Sarah's blinking fast like she's trying not to cry.
Pope is standing tall like he's trying to pretend he wasn't surprised we actually pulled it off.
JJ's tapping his foot like he wants to bolt.
Kie is smiling away because she knew all along we could.
Cleo looks like she's already planning where she'll hide snacks from the after party.
And John b... he squeezes my hand. I squeeze back.
My thoughts keep drifting- to the cave, to the gold, to the people we lost. To dad. To big John. It's crazy how grief and pride can live in the same chest and not rip you apart.
"Okay I need a reset. I need a reset right now. This is a lot. It's time to celebrate." JJ says, running his hands through his hair.
"I'll take one hit. One." Pope mutters
"Bad man now" Cleo laughs, shoving him.
"I'm in" I say- because why not? After everything, we deserve a second to breathe.
Later, John b and I stand at a small cocktail table, away from the noise. The lights made everything glow gold. Funny. I used to think gold was magical. Now I know it's just metal. People are what makes things matter.
"Big John would've thought this was all bullshit" I say, laughing because it's true.
"Yeah he kind of hated this side of the island." John b laughs.
But I can see it- the way his jaw tightens when he looks at the empty space beside us. The space where his dad should be standing.
"But I know you're thinking about him" I say softly.
He nods. "I don't know. After everything that's happened it's just... it's just different. It just feels so normal. You know? Kie's saving turtles Pope's going away to school and JJ bought the charter boat. And we have a killer surf shop." He says
"Yeah that's all good, right?" I ask, nudging him with my shoulder.
"Yeah." He says, smiling- but it's the kind that comes from something tender, something still healing.
Before I can say anything else, an older man walks up to us. "Excuse me. I... I don't mean to interrupt." He said
Pope joins like he sensed danger- which, honestly, is valid for our group.
"Uh can we help you?" Pope asks
The man smiles politely. "Yes. I wanted to tell you all it's remarkable what you all did. Royal Merchant El Dorado Denmark Tanny. Impressive résumé impressive. I was wondering if you would all be so kind as to look at an item of mine." He says
Cleo crossed her arms. "Oh yeah? What type of item is that?" She asks
"It's a manuscript. I would investigate it myself but I'm too long in the tooth. I need partners and you all were first on my list." He says
He pulls out a worn, ancient looking document.
"May I?" Pope asks.
"I was hoping you would" he nods.
Pope takes it like it's a new born baby. "1718. Jeez this is old. Exhibition notes dates." He says
"This is a captain's log. This shows the exact position of the ship." John b says, leaning in.
"The exact location where the ship sailed and where it stopped" the man confirms.
JJ narrows his eyes. "Who is the captain?" He asks
The man smiles like he's been waiting for that question.
"Edward Teach. Blackbeard." He says
"Hot damn" John B says.
We all look at each other- the spark already catching. I feel it too. The old itch. The one that whispers: What if there's more?
"So we're really doing this?" Sarah asks
"Oh yeah. We're doing this." I say, smiling.
Later, I sat with John b, the world is quiet again. Just the two of us. The wind blowing, the ocean murmuring outside.
"Hey, star?" He asks softly.
"Yeah?" I turn toward him.
"Can you sing that song?" He asks
I smile because of course he asks for that one. The one he always asks when he's trying to say something without saying it. I nod.
I sing, soft and slow.
"City of stars Are you shining just for me? City of stars There's so much that I can't see..."
Every line feels heavier than it used to. Maybe because we've lived whole lifetimes in a year.
By the last line, he joins in. "You never shined so brightly..."
We're looking at each other, and for the first time in a long time, I feel something unclench inside me. Like maybe we can finally stop running.
"I love you, JB" I whisper
"I love you, my beautiful Star" he says, and then he leans in and kisses me- gentle, grateful, like he can't believe me made it out alive.
