✯ North Star ✯

11 - Shorebreak

The sun dipped low over Poguelandia 2.0, orange bleeding into pink, and all of us moved like the tide — loose, laughing loud. Music crackled through the old speakers as I jumped onto John B's back, my arms tightening around his shoulders while he spun me in a messy circle.

For a moment....it really did feel like old times. No crowns. No curses. No running. Just us, and something in my chest ached at how badly I wanted to hold onto exactly this.

"To the Blue Crown," JJ shouted, raising a beer.

"Save Poguelandia," I grinned, bumping my can to his.

But one by one, everyone drifted away — JJ falling asleep on the couch with Kie. Cleo and Pope doing whatever Cleo and Pope do. And John B and I sat by the fire, the flames throwing warm, flickering light across his face.

He nudged my knee.
"So I... I have something for you." He said

"I have something I wanna give you," I smiled.

He laughs nervously.
"Me too."

"Is it what I think it is?" I grin.

He grinned as well.
"I don't know is it?"

"Do you wanna like um do it at the same time? Do you wanna go first?" He asked

"Same time." I smiled

"Same time. On three?" He counted

"One...two..." I joined

I raise mine before he even hit three. We both burst out laughing as he held up his own.

Our wedding rings.

He slid his wooden ring onto my finger — rough, warm, worn, perfect, and something in my chest went so full it nearly hurt.

"I made it out of the old tree at the Château," he said softly.

I held mine up.
"I made this out of PBR cans." I said

He blinked. Then cracked up, head tipping back, laughter bright and real.
"I love it."

"You can't say I'm not thoughtful." I grinned

He let me slide it onto his finger, and for the briefest second my chest tightened — happy, excited, every emotion possible crowding in at once.

"You may now kiss the bride," I whispered.

"Gladly."