"Chasing Tides"

It was a quiet evening on the Outer Banks, the golden hour lighting up the beach with a soft glow. The Pogues had spent the day looking for clues to the lost treasure, but now, they were taking a break, letting the ocean air settle in.

Alora sat on the hood of JJ’s truck, her legs hanging over the side, while the others were scattered around, talking and laughing. But JJ was quieter than usual. He leaned against the truck, his eyes fixed on the waves, his mind somewhere far away.

“You okay?” Alora asked, sensing the shift in him.

JJ glanced over at her and shrugged, his usual smirk replaced by something softer. “Yeah. Just... thinking.”

Alora raised an eyebrow. “About what?”

He hesitated, then shoved his hands in his pockets. “About how much I don’t want this moment to end.”

She blinked, unsure of what he meant. But JJ didn’t wait for her to ask more. He walked over to where she sat, his boots kicking up sand, and stopped right in front of her.

“You fit in with us, Alora,” he said, his voice low but clear. “More than I thought you would.”

Alora’s heart skipped a beat. JJ was never serious, but this... this felt different.

“I’m not just talking about the treasure hunts and all that,” he continued, his gaze not leaving hers. “I mean, with me.”

Alora’s breath caught in her throat. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. JJ wasn’t the type to get caught up in feelings, and hearing him speak like this made her feel like her world had just shifted.

“JJ...” she started, her voice barely above a whisper.

Before she could say more, JJ stepped forward, his hand reaching out to gently touch her cheek, his thumb brushing softly against her skin. “You’re not just part of the crew anymore, Alora. You’re... something more.”

She could barely breathe. The chemistry between them had always been there, but this moment felt like it was finally real.

Slowly, she leaned into his touch. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

And then, in that way only JJ could do, he grinned that trademark mischievous smile. "Well, I’m not one for wasting time."

Without another word, he leaned in and kissed her—soft and quick, like the tide washing over the shore.

It was all the answer she needed.