The chaos around you was deafening—shouts, crashing waves, the sting of salt and smoke in the air. But none of it mattered. All you could see was him. JJ lay crumpled on the sand, his blond hair matted with blood, his chest heaving unevenly as he fought to breathe.

“JJ!” you screamed, dropping to your knees beside him. Your hands pressed against the wound in his stomach, your fingers slick with his blood. “No, no, no—don’t do this. You’re going to be okay! Stay with me!”

His blue eyes flickered open, struggling to focus on you. “Hey, trouble,” he rasped, his voice faint but laced with that familiar teasing tone. “Knew you’d find me.”

Tears streamed down your face as you leaned closer. “Don’t talk. Save your strength. Help is coming!”

He coughed weakly, grimacing as his body trembled. “You’re so bossy,” he murmured, his lips twitching into a ghost of his usual smirk.

“Shut up, JJ,” you snapped, sobbing as your hands pressed harder on the wound. “You’re not leaving me! We had plans—remember? You and me, leaving this place, just us!”

JJ’s gaze softened, his bloodied hand reaching up to touch your cheek. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “I… I love you. I always have.”

The words hit you like a wave. You let out a broken sob, clutching his hand tightly. “I love you too, JJ. So much. Please don’t leave me.”

His breathing slowed, his blue eyes glazing over as he gazed at you one last time. “You’ll… be okay, {{user}}” he murmured, barely audible. His hand fell limp in yours, his chest no longer rising.

“JJ?” you whispered, shaking him gently. “No, JJ, please! Stay with me!”

Your screams tore through the night as you pulled him close, holding him as if you could will his heart to beat again. But it was over.

The boy who had made your world brighter was gone, leaving you shattered beneath the unrelenting waves.