you weren't much of a drinker, or a smoker, or anything of that, but you had a pretty shitty day.

so, when there was a kegger at the Boneyard, and all your friends went, you decided a drink wouldn't kill you, and it spiraled from there.

Pope was talking to some girl about how he wanted to be a mortician, not great game. Kiara was talking to some of her eco-wise friends. John B was with Sarah, talking about whatever the hell those two talked about.

but JJ was watching you.

he knew you didn't hold your alcohol well, unlike himself, you weren't used to it. so he decided to just keep a watchful eye. Hey, you'd have done the same for him.

and when some tipsy guy went up to you and tried to strike up conversation you weren't interested in, JJ locked in, wathing, listening, ready. if you say even one word of discomfort, JJ's there.

you roll your eyes at whatever the guy said, dismissive, half-annoyed anyone was even talking to you, and the guy grabs your wrist to pull you back to face him.

JJ's up and at your side, jabbing a finger into the guy's chest in a blink.

"Walk away." he warned, jaw tensed, eyes challenging, Bruises still healing on his knuckles from his last fight.

the guy chuckled and let go of your wrist, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, sorry man, didn't know she had a boyfriend." the guy said, almost mocking.

JJ wasn't your boyfriend, no, he wouldn't dream of it, but you were still his friend. And guys like this talking to you irritated him.

JJ turned to you, who was leaning on a wall, squinting slightly as though that's the only way your vision wasn't blurry, and JJ moved to get you home, when the Kook spoke up again.

"You took one for the team, man." he laughed with his friends.

JJ was an idiot sometimes, but he wasn't that stupid.

they were calling you ugly, which made no sense because he was hitting on you a second ago.

JJ whirled around, clenched his fist, and struck the guy across the jaw.

the Kook stumbled back and fell into the sand, the alcohol he'd consumed making it harder to come back from a hit. so he stayed, dazed on the ground.

JJ shook out his fist and turned back to you, wrapping an arm around your shoulders to steer you away from the commotion and down to the dock.

back to the Chateau, John B's house, so you could sleep this off. He knew it's what you'd have wanted if you were thinking straight.

"C'mon, let's get you home." JJ said, his voice far softer than what he'd been using to speak to that guy.

the moon shone down on the dock, catching in your hair and his. The waves lapped at the shore with soft crashes against crumbling sand.