Keep Me Safe Y/n Routledge x JJ Maybank

Part 16- Dissatisfaction

As Topper drove back to Kildare, the cross suddenly fell out of the back of the truck, bouncing onto the road as he sped along. Panic surged through all of you as you jumped out to retrieve it. Pope was the first to reach it, but he noticed the top had been opened from the fall, he slowly opened the box fully, and frustration was flashed across his face.

"Shit!" he yelled, his voice echoing in disbelief.

"What the hell?" you exclaimed, confused by his reaction.

"It's fake! We stole a fake!" Pope said, a mix of anger and disappointment flooding his words.

You walked up to them, and saw a few tyres with cement in them. Frustration spread across your face. "fucking hell" You mumbled

"Of course we did," JJ yelled, his tone sharp. "Of course we stole the fake one."

Kie stepped closer to Pope, empathy in her eyes. "I'm so sorry," she said softly, knowing how much this meant to him.

JJ moved in and wrapped his arms around Pope in a brief hug, but just then, the sound of wailing sirens pierced the air. No one moved though, giving Pope a moment to process the situation.

"Y'all hear that? I can't stay here," Topper said, his voice rising in panic. "My grandfather's a judge!"

"Dawg, would you relax! They're not going to think some guy in flip-flops is part of a robbery!" JJ said, his irritation evident as the two continued to bicker before walking back to the truck.

"Pope! We have to go!" Kie urged, turning back toward the truck. You followed her, glancing back to see Cleo and Pope still standing there, lost in thought. After a few tense moments, they finally joined the rest of you, urgency in their steps as the sirens grew louder.

———Later———

Topper dropped you all off at the chateau before heading back to Figure Eight. The drive home had been filled with a heavy silence, each of you weighed down by disappointment and sadness. You offered the Pogues the option to spend the night, and they all readily agreed. Pope and Kie claimed the couch, while Sarah settled in John B's room with Cleo.

You and JJ made your way to his room, both feeling exhausted from the day's events. As you pulled off your dirty shirt and started to slip on one of JJ's, he broke the silence. "Hey, um, I'm really sorry for scaring you like that. Sarah told me about the panic attack." The guilt in his eyes was palpable as you turned to face him.

"Yeah, I did," you admitted quietly, your voice wavering. "I'm sorry"

"Hey, don't apologise. It's not your fault, I'm sorry I wasn't there" he said, his tone low and sincere. He stepped closer, wrapping you in a tight embrace that felt both protective and reassuring. After a moment, he finally released you, but the concern lingered in his expression.

"It's okay, JJ. Don't worry," you reassured him, looking up into his eyes. He managed a faint smile, but the guilt was still evident.

You gently placed your hand on his cheek. "I'm fine now, JJ okay. I love you."

"I love you too," he replied softly, his gaze locked onto yours. You wrapped your arms around his neck, standing just inches apart.

Leaning in, you pressed your lips against his in a tender kiss that quickly deepened into something more passionate. And within seconds you found yourselves on the bed, you sitting on JJ's lap not removing your lips from one another. His hand moved up to your bra and he started playing with it. "Can I take this off" He said trying to catch his breath.

"Mhm" you mumbled as you kissed him again. "We're not going further though, not tonight" You added.

He then unclasped your bra and you struggled a little trying to take the straps off but once you did, he started touching that area, making you feel butterflies. The two of you continued to kiss for what felt like hours.

———The next morning———

You woke up to the sound of voices drifting from the kitchen. Turning your head, you noticed JJ still sleeping, his arms wrapped tightly around you in a spooning position. His tousled hair and half-naked body were hard to ignore, and you couldn't help but smile as you placed a gentle kiss on his head before slipping out of bed. You quickly changed into a fresh set of clothes and put on a bra—yours was still lying on the floor from the previous night.

As you stepped into the kitchen, you found it empty, but the noise continued. Curiosity peaked, you stepped outside and caught sight of John B and Big John in a heated discussion. You couldn't make out all the words, but you distinctly heard Big John say, "You're not telling your friends."

When they noticed you, the conversation abruptly stopped. John B broke the silence, awkwardly greeting you with, "Hey, y/n" But you felt a surge of frustration; he had disappeared for days without a word, and you weren't in the mood to talk to him. You turned around and walked back inside to your comfortable bed.

A few hours later, everyone—including John B and Big John this time gathered outside to explain their recent adventures, but their story felt hollow. It didn't add up and you instantly knew John B was lying when these words came out of his mouth "we went to the archives and it was a dead end"

"So that's the gold, the cross, and El Dorado—gone," Pope said, his voice tinged with frustration.

"Yeah, thanks for rubbing it in," Cleo shot back. After a few seconds, Pope, Cleo and Kie left.

"I'm going fishing. Thanks for the beer man" JJ said, rising from his seat. He glanced back at you, adding, "y/n? You coming?" Without hesitation, you got up and followed him, leaving Sarah, John B, and Big John behind at the chateau.

Once you and JJ were far enough away to speak freely, you broke the silence. "We're not actually going fishing, are we?"

JJ shook his head. "No. John B just lied to our faces."

You sighed, frustration bubbling up. "I know, but I don't care. He leaves for days without telling us anything, and now he thinks he can lie to us? Not my problem anymore."

You and JJ continued walking, eventually arriving at the Wreck. Kie's parents were kind enough to offer you some free food after finding out everything that happened on the island.

After a one of your conversations died down, you took a deep breath. "JJ, do you think this El Dorado shit is real?"

His gaze looked up to meet yours, concern etching his features. "Honestly, I have no idea. Where's all this coming from?"

You hesitated, then said, "I don't know, it's like we're risking our lives every day but for what. Like we were stranded on a fucking island for a month and I thought everything was gonna be better but now we're just looking for treasure again" You sighed before adding "Like is there even a point"

JJ nodded, understandingly and grabbed your hand trying to reassure you "I know y/n. Like shit I almost died the other night and you were kidnapped by some random guy who probably has no idea what he's talking about. The island was just so perfect."

"Yeah" you said, taking a deep breath. "And now John B is lying to us about it all."

"asshole" he said quietly, and you laughed a little before JJ spoke again, "It's okay, you've got me"

You nodded your head in agreement "I'm so lucky to have you JJ"

"Not as lucky as me. Look, i'm dating the most beautiful girl in the obx" he said, a big smile plastered across his face.

You laughed slightly before saying "I love you"

"I love you" he replied.

Then JJ decided that he was going to try and get his job back. You offered to go with him but he said he would be fine. So, you decided to go over to Cleo and Pope. Since you haven't really hung out with them that much since you guys got back from the island.