WARNINGS:no comfort, unrequited love, no use of y/n
GENRE:ANGST
SONG INSPIRATION:bored by billie eilish
WORD COUNT:568
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
you and jj sat on the beach, the sound of waves crashing gently in the background. the atmosphere was relaxed, but tension simmered just beneath the surface.
you had been friends for years, but lately, something had shifted. every laugh felt a little more meaningful, every glance lingered a moment too long. you couldn't shake the feeling that you wanted more.
"hey, jay?" you started, your heart pounding as he turned to you, curiosity in his eyes. "can we talk about something?"
"sure, what's up?" he replied, a playful smile on his face.
you took a deep breath, gathering your courage. "i've been thinking a lot about us...and, well, i really like you. like, a lot."
his expression faltered for a moment, and you could see the gears turning in his head. "come on. we're best friends. you know that."
"i know, but i can't help how i feel," you insisted, your voice firm but gentle. "it's not just a phase or a crush. it's real."
jj rubbed the back of his neck, looking away as if he was searching for the right words. "but... what if it doesn't work out? what if it ruins everything between us?"
you felt your heart sink. "jj, it doesn't have to ruin anything. i just wanted to be honest with you."
he shook his head, a frustrated laugh escaping his lips. "you're talking about feelings like they're so simple! you know how things are around here. i can't just—"
"can't what? acknowledge that we have something special?" you interrupted, unable to hide the hurt in your voice. "i thought you felt the same way."
jj met your gaze, his expression conflicted. "i do, but it's complicated. we're...we're a mess as it is. i don't want to screw this up."
"you said it, it's already a mess," you argued, feeling the heat of frustration rising. "but we can figure it out together. isn't that what we do?"
he sighs, running a hand through his hair. "i just can't wrap my head around it. i don't want to lose you, and...i'm scared."
"you won't lose me. but if we don't try, we might lose something even better."
jj looked down, his shoulders slumping. "you won't lose me, but i can't deal with the risk right now. i'm sorry."
you took a step back, feeling a mix of disappointment and heartbreak. "so what? you want to pretend that this doesn't exist? pretend i didn't just tell you how i feel?"
"don't say it like that!" he snapped, frustration creeping into his voice. "i just...i'm not good at this stuff, okay?"
taking a deep breath, trying to process his words. "maybe you need more time," you say quietly, fighting the tears that threatened to spill. "but i can't just sit here waiting for you to figure it out."
jj's expression softened, but you could see the conflict growing within him. "i want to, y/n. you have to believe that."
"i wish i could," you replied, your voice trembling. "but right now, it feels like you're pushing me away. and i can't do this if you're not all in."
you wouldn't let this define you, but you couldn't deny how much it stung. the connection you shared was real or at least you thought it was, but if he wasn't ready to embrace it,
maybe it was time to think about starting to let go.
