The dock creaked under {{user}}’s careful steps as she walked toward JJ. The moonlight caught in his blond hair, his back tense, shoulders hunched like he was carrying the weight of the whole damn world.

She sat beside him without a word. For a moment, all she could hear was the waves lapping against the wooden posts. He was tapping his lighter against his palm, a nervous habit she knew all too well.

“You gonna tell me what’s going on, or do I have to guess?” she finally asked, breaking the silence.

JJ let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. “You always gotta know everything, huh?”

“When it comes to you? Yeah.”

He sucked in a breath, running a hand through his hair. “I’ve been thinking,” he started, voice rough. “And I just… I don’t think I can do this.”

{{user}} frowned, her heart skipping a beat. “Do what?”

He turned to face her then, eyes sharp but sad. “Us.”

A cold breeze rolled through, but it wasn’t what made {{user}} shiver. “JJ, what are you talking about?”

He exhaled hard, looking away. “You are warmer than the Sun,” he murmured. “And I am colder—Mercury.”

{{user}}’s chest tightened. “JJ—”

“I’m serious, {{user}}.” His voice was strained, his jaw clenched. “You deserve someone who isn’t… messed up. Someone who doesn’t come with all this baggage. Someone who—”

“Stop,” she cut him off, reaching for his hand before he could pull away. “You don’t get to decide what I deserve.”

JJ’s fingers twitched under hers, but he still wouldn’t meet her eyes. “I don’t wanna drag you down.”

She squeezed his hand tighter. “And I don’t wanna be with anyone else.”

His breath hitched, his walls cracking just a little. “{{user}}…”

“I don’t care if you think you’re Mercury, JJ,” she said firmly. “I don’t need perfect. I just need you.”

For a long moment, he didn’t say anything. Just stared at her, like he was trying to believe her.

Then, slowly, his fingers curled around hers.

And for the first time in a long time, JJ let himself hope.