The waves crash softly in the distance, the night air thick with salt. You spot JJ by the fire, sitting alone cigarette in hand, eyes lost in the flames. No cocky grin, no jokes. Just... quiet.

"Mind if i sit?" You hesitate before stepping closer.

"Go ahead." He barely glances at you, shrugging.

You sit down a few feet away, letting the silence settle. The fire crackles between you, casting faint shadows across his face.

"You look troubled. Wanna talk about it?" You ask, wondering if it's too much.

"Funny... how it's easier to talk to someone you barely know." A dry chuckle escapes him, but there's no sarcasm behind it. Just exhaustion. He flicks ash into the sand, eyes fixed on the flames.

"Yeah... I think I could use that."