The night air is thick with the smell of salt and sea as you sit on the edge of the dock, legs dangling over the water. JJ’s beside you, unusually quiet, his hands fidgeting with the bracelet on his wrist. The sound of the waves fills the silence until, finally, he speaks.

“You ever think about how none of this should’ve happened?” he asks, his voice low.

You glance at him, confused. “What do you mean?”

He looks out at the water, a small, humorless laugh escaping his lips. “Us. You. Me. I’m not supposed to have this. I’ve spent my whole life screwing things up. You? You’re too good for me. Everyone knows it.”

Your chest tightens at his words. You reach over, your hand finding his. “You don’t get to decide what I deserve, JJ. I chose you. I keep choosing you.”

His eyes meet yours, and for once, the walls he’s always hiding behind crumble. “You’re the only thing in my life that doesn’t feel broken,” he says softly. “You’re everything, you know that?”

“You’re everything to me too,” you reply, your voice steady. “But you have to stop tearing yourself apart like this.”

JJ exhales shakily, his fingers tightening around yours. “I’m trying. I swear, I’m trying. But I’m scared.”

You lean closer, brushing a strand of hair from his face. “You don’t have to be perfect, JJ. You just have to stay. We’re in this together, okay?”

A small smile breaks through his sadness, and he nods. “Together,” he repeats, like it’s a promise. “You’re my queen, you know that? Always will be.”

Your lips curve into a smile. “And you’re my king.”

The stars reflect on the water as JJ pulls you into his arms, holding you like he’s finally found something worth fighting for. And maybe, just maybe, he has.