duchess → outer banks

EPISODE VI.

[diver down]

The morning after the disaster at the kegger, Duchess and JJ were sitting on the roof of her Jeep, hitting a bong and watching the waves roll in on the beach.

It had become some sort of ritual for the two of them. Something that started in school when JJ had found out that Duchess did in fact smoke weed. On Wednesdays and Fridays, the two of them would leave last period early to go and smoke before they had to go to their respective jobs.

"So are we going to talk about what happened last night," Duchess questioned, blowing smoke of out her mouth and nose as she talked. She was still trying to understand what the hell her friend was thinking when he pulled the gun on Topper.

JJ took a rip, then blew out the smoke. "I don't know what to say, Lydia."

That was something that was just theirs too. One day after getting stupidly high with her, JJ admitted his true feelings about her nickname. "I honestly didn't think it would catch on," he admitted," I thought it was just gonna be my thing. Me calling you Duchess."

Duchess had smiled at him, wondering how one boy could make her feel so special. "Well how about you just call me Lydia. No one calls me that now."

"Just tell me what the hell you were thinking," Duchess demanded, bringing JJ back to present day.

"I was thinking I was going to save John B's life," He replied. "I know it was stupid." His voice was softer. "But I was drunk, and you know how protective I am of The Pogues."

He was right. When it came to The Pogues, JJ was like their guard dog. They were his family, and he wanted to do whatever he could to keep them safe, no matter the consequences.

Duchess gave him that smile, that damn smile he knew was reserved only for him. That smile that had his stomach twisting and heart pounding. That smile that only allowed for one thought in his head: Lydia. She put her hand over his, rubbing her thumb over his knuckles. "I know that," she said," But you need to protect yourself. I don't want you to wind up in a jail cell because of this shit."

JJ rolled his eyes and smiled. "I'm not going to wind up in a jail cell, Lydia."

"Promise?"

"Of course."

❁

Later that day, The Pogues were gathered at John B's ready to discuss their plain of action in terms of the sunken Grady-White wreck.

"Look, I'm calling it off. Alright," John B said to the other Pogues. "Peterkin said, if I stay out of the marsh, she'll help me with DCS."

"And you believed her," JJ asked.

"Yes, I believe her, JJ."

"An actual cop, John B. You believed a cop."

"The cops aren't your friend, John B," Duchess interjected," They may promise you something, but if its not in writing, they can switch up on you at any moment."