The thing about JJ Maybank is that he’s rough around the edges. He comes from a line of fishing, alcoholic smugglers.

He’s the type of Pogue that Kooks tell their children about, the ones that are trouble makers, criminals. The one they tell their precious children to stay away from.

But with her?

With Y/N Y/LN?

JJ Maybank is another person.

He’s kind, gentle. He’s understanding in a way no one else is with her. He loves her, despite the fact they’re total opposites. She’s Kook royalty, and he’s, well, he’s JJ Maybank, nothing but a lowlife Pogue.

He’s never told her that he loves her. They’ve been dating for a year and half and he hasn’t said it yet. Y/N has said it on several occasions. And she gets it, she does. The idea of love for JJ is hard, especially when his own father, the man who’s supposed to love and protect him, is abusive.

Love was hard for Y/N at first too. When she was fifteen, she got into a relationship with Kook Prince, Rafe Cameron. He was two years older than her and already on cocaine at the time. At first, Y/N looked past his addiction. She loved him. And he loved her, in his own fucked up way.

It was the first time that Rafe wrapped his hand around her throat and squeezed until she saw black spots that she realized she was dating an abuser. Her first love, first real boyfriend, first boy she’s ever loved, was an abuser.

It took her eight months to finally walk away from him.

And when she did, JJ and the rest of the Pogues welcomed her with open arms.

And ever since it’s be her and them. Y/N and JJ and John B and Pope and Kie.