Keep Me Safe Y/n Routledge x JJ Maybank

part 13- Forgiveness

While Pope and JJ sailed the boat, you sat with Sarah, Cleo, and Kiara, chatting about life. "So, y/n when did you and JJ become a thing?" Sarah asked, her curiosity piqued.
You chuckled. "We kissed the day Sarah and I tried to get the cross back from Rafe. Then we kind of made it official in that stupid shipping container."

Sarah laughed, shaking her head. "So while the rest of us were trying not to get killed, you two were sharing your vows?"
You put on a guilty expression. "We kinda made out in there". The girls laughed at your confession.

"Now i get why he was so worried about you when Singhs men took you" Cleo chimed in.
"He was?" you asked, surprised.
"Yeah, why?" Cleo replied.
"Well, the day the plane came, we were kind of mad at each other and we didn't get to say sorry" you admitted "i hated the fact that we got separated on bad terms" you add.

"Girl, he's definitely in love with you," Sarah teased. "I can see it in his eyes."
"Shut up," you laughed as you gave her a small slap on the arm, feeling warmth rush to your cheeks.

———Later———

After an hour of talking with the girls, you decided to check on JJ, hoping he'd calmed down by now. "Hey sorry Pope, can I have a minute with JJ?" you asked softly.
"Yeah no go ahead," Pope said, heading down to the lower deck.

You settled into one of the chairs, glancing at JJ, who seemed lost in thought. You waited for him to break the silence, but he didn't.

"So..." you began. "Are we going to talk, or just sit here in silence?"
JJ shrugged, then spoke. "Look, y/n, I'm really sorry for yelling at you like that. I didn't mean it."
You nodded. "I know, JJ. It just hurt, you know?"
He nodded back. "You know me y/n. When I get mad, I just lose control sometimes." he said with a guilty tone.

"I get that jayj, but it can't be an excuse," you said gently. "I was just trying to make sure you were okay."
"I know. I didn't like how we got separated on bad terms y/n. I just didn't want John B to be in danger like you were... So, I'm sorry."

You stood up, walked over to him and grabbed his hands in yours. "I know you JJ and i know how you get mad. But i'd just rather you talk to me like we are now instead of whatever happened earlier." you said softly.

He looked into your eyes, his expression serious. "I think I'm in love with you"

Your heart skipped a beat; it was the last thing you expected to hear. But once it sank in, a big smile spread across your face and you cant help but feel the same way "I'm in love with you, JJ Maybank." you said to him.

As the boat rocked gently and the sun began to set, JJ pulled you closer, a smile lighting up his face. Laughter from the other Pogues faded into the background, leaving you both in your own little world.

"I love you so much," he said softly. "Please forgive me."

You stepped even closer to him, pulling him in for a kiss. His arms wrapped around your waist, holding you tightly. When you finally pulled away, you grinned up at him. "Does that answer your question?"

Jj's eyes sparkled as you saw the reflection of the sun in them. He nodded, but before you could say anything again, he leaned in, his lips brushing against yours softly at first, then deepening the kiss as he pulled you closer. The boat swayed gently beneath you, but all you could focus on was the way his hand griped your cheek, and the way the kiss made your heart race. The moment felt magical, the ocean surrounding you both as you lost yourselves in each other.

The moment grew more passionate second by second, his hands tangled in your hair as he held you close. You could feel the waves crashing against the boat and the seagulls squawking, but all that mattered right now was the connection between you and Jj. As you pulled away slightly, both of you breathlessly, Jj looked into your eyes as a grin spread across his face.

"promise me that you'll never leave me" he says, his voice barely above a whisper as he grabs your hands tightly searching for reassurance. "i promise Jj, i'm not going anywhere" you reply, your voice quiet and steady despite the flutter of nerves in your stomach.

He lets out a breath he didn't realise he was holding in "good," he says, a small smile appearing on his face "because you make me a better person y/n routledge and i don't think i could handle it if you did."

You can't help but smile back at Jj, a feeling of warmth spread through you. "your stuck with me Maybank" you tease, squeezing his hands. Jj chuckles "I wouldn't have it any other way". He wraps his arms around your chest, pulling you in for a hug. In this moment, it was just you and him. The worries of the world, the chaos of life, none of that mattered. It was just the two of you.

After sharing a moment that felt timeless, you were both stood at the edge of the boat, taking in the beautiful sunset.

Jj leans back on his hands, his eyes fixed on the colours of the sunset. "Isnt it crazy how something so simple can be so beautiful?" he says. You nod, feeling the warmth of the sunset on your body. "It really is" you reply, stealing a glance at him. He was so beautiful, the way the light catches his features makes him look so delicate, and you can't help but smile.

As the sun sinks lower, Jj reaches for your hand, intertwining his fingers with yours "i could stay here forever" he says softly. You squeeze his hand once again "Me too Jj, just us against the world".

Everything in this moment feels right, you know that no matter what happens, Jj will always be there for you, as well as the others. Sure there may be arguments at times, but you guys are pogues, you always get through them together.

———The next day———

After a long night of traveling back to the Outer Banks, you and the rest of the Pogues split up. Sarah headed back to Tanny Hill, hoping to find some clothes and maybe even a phone so she can reconnect with the outside world. She said she'd come back to the chateau after. Kie was on her way to make amends with her parents, determined to fix the gap that had widened during their time apart. You and J.J dropped off Pope and Cleo at his place, the sound of their laughter fading into the distance as you both made your way back to the Chateau.

Everything felt different after your month away. Although the place stood untouched, it felt strange returning to Kildare after a month of seclusion. It's like everything familiar had suddenly become foreign. The salty air felt sharper, and the colors of Kildare seemed more vibrant, as if the world had shifted slightly while you were gone.

You and jj were extremely exhausted. As soon as you entered your room, you both collapsed onto the bed, the weight of the past weeks finally hitting you. Even though it was the middle of the day, you could both sleep for weeks after everything that had just happened. You nestled against his chest, his warmth wrapping around you like a comforting blanket. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat eased  you, a reassuring reminder of safety amongst the chaos.

"y/n," he murmured softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Mhm," you replied, your eyes fluttering shut.
"I'm sorry again," he said quietly, the sincerity in his tone pulling you from the edges of sleep.
"jj, you don't have to keep apologising. I forgave you," you whispered, feeling the tension in your body begin to ease. But as you listened to his breathing deepen, you quickly realised that he had already drifted off to sleep.

As you repositioned yourself, you searched for the perfect spot on his chest, a wave of comfort washed over you. And with the sound of his heartbeat echoing in your ears, you allowed yourself to drift off to a sleep.