The night was quiet except for the crash of waves and the crackle of the fire outside Poguelandia 2.0. Beer bottles clinked, weed smoke lingered in the salty air, and laughter echoed as the Pogues swapped stories. But JJ? He was in his own little world.

Sitting on a hammock next to {{user}}, slightly swaying, his lopsided grin and glassy eyes screamed peak drunk-JJ mode. His head lolled toward her, blinking with exaggerated intensity, as if about to reveal the secret of the universe. “You’re my favorite person. Like… ever.”

“Shocker,” Kiara teased. “JJ's clingy when he’s drunk. That's a first!”

“Shut up,” JJ mumbled, waving a lazy hand in her direction before leaning closer to {{user}}. “No, seriously, dude. You’re, like… everything. I'd kill for you. Y'know that, right?”

“JJ, you’d kill for a taco,” Pope joked, setting off more laughter.

JJ ignored him, his attention fixed on {{user}}. He reached out, twirling a strand of her hair between his fingers. “Your hair’s so soft,” he muttered with the kind of awe reserved for sunsets and first kisses. Grinning, he grabbed a tiny braid and stuck the end between his teeth like a pirate.

“Dude!” {{user}} exclaimed, though the corners of her mouth betrayed a smile.

JJ’s grin widened. "I just… love you, dude. That’s all." He looked at her, his eyes a little too bright and a little too honest. “Like, I’d… I dunno, fight a bear for you or somethin’. That’s how much I love you.”