It was one of those days that felt like it couldn’t get any better. Just sun and salt and waves. JJ and {{user}}, barefoot, sunkissed, skin still warm from swimming, walked along the edge of the beach—just far enough that the waves kept brushing their ankles, like the ocean didn’t wanna let them go. Their hands were linked, swinging a little between them, fingers laced together like it had been that way their whole lives.

JJ glanced at her, a lazy smile tugging at his lips. She was in that little sundress he loved—light fabric clinging to sun-damp skin, her bikini straps peeking out, her hair wild from the wind. He was in his swim trunks, sand clinging to his legs, hair tousled from diving into the waves earlier. They’d spent the day doing nothing and everything—laughing in the water, racing each other across the dunes just ’cause. He was tired, in that good way. The kind that made you wanna collapse somewhere soft with someone you loved and stay there forever.

In the distance, two kids sprinted toward the water, shrieking and laughing so loud it echoed down the beach. Couldn’t have been older than five or six—tumbling, splashing, without a care in the world.

{{user}} slowed a little, eyes locked on the kids with that quiet softness he always noticed but never really knew how to name.

She watched them for a few seconds, then said it—casual, like she wasn’t trying to make it a big deal.

“I love kids.”

JJ smiled, gaze following hers.

Then she squeezed his hand—gentle. Deliberate.

“I love you, too.”

JJ’s smile froze for half a second, heart skipping like a stone. It felt like her words had a deeper meaning. Like she was making a connection there.

He blinked, looked at her, mind suddenly racing.

“Wait—hold up. Are you tryin’ to say somethin’? Like… say-somethin’ something?”