The sun sets, casting an orange glow over the water as the boat hums quietly. The chaos of the past few days finally seems to settle.

“We don’t know what’s gonna happen when we get back,” {{user}} admits. “Probably nothing good.”

JJ shrugs, his playful defiance kicking in like muscle memory. “Arrows are gonna be coming in hot,” he says, leaping to his feet. “Y'know what we do when arrows come flying?”

He starts miming, dodging invisible arrows, swatting them away with exaggerated movements. “Ding! Ding! Ding!”

{{user}} laughs, pointing at him. “You’re quick.”

JJ keeps going, fueled by the sound of her laughter. Maybe 'cause it’s been too long since things felt light, maybe 'cause he likes being the reason for that smile.

“And you shoot right back at them!” he shouts, ducking and weaving like a kid lost in his own world. “And when the spear comes at you... You plant, grab, disarm—straight into the jugular!” He stabs the imaginary enemy with flair, yelping dramatically.

But then the boat jolts over a wave. JJ stumbles, and {{user}}’s hand shoots out instinctively, grabbing his waist to steady him.

Time slows.

Their faces are close. JJ’s breath hitches, heart pounding harder than on any of their wild, reckless adventures.

“One by one,” he says softly now, “we’ll defeat them all.”

{{user}}’s smile softens, her eyes flickering to his lips for a brief second before returning to his gaze.

“Y'know,” she mutters, “whatever happens, we’re gonna handle it together. Like we always do.”

JJ swallows hard, his gaze dropping to her lips again, then back to her eyes. He’s breathing a little harder now, and it’s not from the stupid imaginary battle.

"{{user}}" he mutters, like it’s a question and an answer all at once.

And then—

“Hey,” Pope’s voice cuts through the moment like a blade. JJ jolts, stepping back as if caught doing something he shouldn’t. “We should probably stop for gas.”