𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘺 ~ 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 , 𝐣𝐣 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen: 
Vulnerable 

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

JJ could clearly remember the first time Fallon told him she loved him. It was in eighth grade, right after their first, and one of their only fights to date. now if you asked them what it was about, neither JJ nor Fallon would be able to tell you. It was probably something stupid and meaningless now. He knew she meant it platonically, but those three little words meant more than anything to JJ. He knew that John B, Pope, and Kie loved him. But with Fallon it was different.  Fallon told him she loved him, even if he didn't always believe her.

JJ didn't like to feel vulnerable, he didn't like to be vulnerable. He didn't even like the word. Yet with Fallon, he felt a whirlwind of emotions, including vulnerability. And it was addicting, he could never get enough. He always wanted more, and because of that, he felt selfish. Every time he thought about her in that way, he felt selfish. She gave him so much already. Her friendship, a place to sleep when he didn't want to go home or bother John B, food. He felt selfish for wanting her heart, too. For wanting her. 

But JJ couldn't help it. Something about her was...  so captivating. Even after Jaedyn, and all the shit Topper, Kelce, and Rafe gave her, Fallon was still so pure. JJ wanted nothing more than to protect her from the world. 

~~

Fallon sighed in contentment as JJ ran his fingers through her hair, braiding a small section of it as he gently swayed the hammock the trio laid in. 

Fallon's eyes fluttered shut, the sounds of crickets and the waves crashing against the shore luring her into a dreamful state. JJ worked carefully, sticking his tongue out in concentration as he focused on perfecting the braid. He stuck his tongue out, delicately weaving his fingers through her hair, making sure to be extra careful not to hurt her. 

"You really think it's out there?" Pope asked, breaking the serene atmosphere and causing Fallon to turn her head to look at him. "Like, no bullshit?"

"Stay still." JJ scolded, reaching forward and turning her head to the right. Fallon raised her hand giving the blond boy sitting behind her. She hummed, letting her eyes falling shut again as she rested her legs across Kie's lap. Thunder rumbled in the distance as JJ gently weaved the locks of hair together.

"Right," Fallon murmured, nodding her head. "Staying still." 

"My father thought it was." John B answered as JJ finished off the braid, pulling one of Fallon's hair ties off of his wrist and tying it. Fallon yawned, her eyes fluttering as she adjusted her position so her head laid in Kie's lap and her legs rested in between JJ's.

"But do you?" Pope asked, putting emphasis on the word you.

John B paused, thinking over his response before answering Pope. "After hearing his voice on the tape, I think I do."

"Only one way to find it, you know?" 

"Look, guys," Kie started, tilting her head back as she rested her hands on Fallon's leg, drawing circles with her index finger. "We're gonna find it, you know. Even JJ believes."

"Oh, my God, JJ! Do you really believe?" John B turned toward JJ.

"Totally... Wait, are we talking about four mil?"

"Four hundred mil." Kie and Pope corrected. A warm smile crossed Kie's face as she tilted her head to look at Pope, "Jinx."

"I'm gonna dream about shipwrecks." JJ yawned, resting his head on the hammock. "Goodnight, bird!"