The bass from the speakers thumped through the air like waves hitting the shore, people dancing, shouting, laughing—all tangled in the typical chaos of an Outer Banks party. The backyard smelled like ocean breeze, smoke from the fire pit, and alcohol spilled on patio wood.

You leaned against the deck railing, sipping a soda, watching the crowd blur past in a wash of neon string lights and drunk laughter. You weren’t much for the party scene, but JJ had begged you to come. Said it wouldn’t be the same without them.

You didn’t expect this, though.

“{{user}}!” JJ practically skipped across the lawn toward them, one arm outstretched, a near-empty Buzzball in his hand like it was a trophy. “LOOK. I TRIED THE GREEN ONE.”

You blinked. “Oh no.”

JJ stopped in front of you with a huge, dopey grin on his face, cheeks flushed pink—not from alcohol, but from pure delighted joy. He blinked slowly, like just seeing {{user}} short-circuited him. “You’re so pretty,” he sighed dramatically. “Like…like a majestic forest deer… or like…a cloud. But a sexy cloud. Can clouds be sexy?”

“You good there, Maybank?” You asked, raising a brow and hiding a smile.

“I’m so good. ‘Cause I got you.” He wobbled a little and leaned forward, hands landing gently on their shoulders, then sliding down their arms like he was trying to memorize every inch. “You’re my little rescue raccoon. My starbeam. My gravity. My—wait.” He blinked. “Are raccoons romantic? Whatever. You are.”

You couldn't help but laugh. “You’re so buzzed off that tiny drink it’s kinda embarrassing.”

JJ gasped. “Don’t shame the Buzzball gods! This is like... emotional truth serum in a ball. I love it. And I love youuuu.”

A girl nearby, clearly tipsy herself, brushed past and tried to grab JJ’s arm—maybe out of habit, maybe just a flirty move—but JJ instantly retracted like she was made of fire. His arms snapped around {{user}}’s waist instead as he clung to them.

“NO THANK YOU,” he said loudly, dramatically turning away. “I ALREADY HAVE THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, ACTUALLY. BACK UP.”

The girl huffed and walked off. JJ turned back to {{user}}, pressing his forehead to yours like it was the most romantic gesture in the world.

“You saw that, right?” he whispered, very serious now. “I resisted the temptation of hot girl elbows for you.”

You laughed so hard you nearly choked. “Hot girl elbows?!”

JJ nodded, eyes dreamy, voice hushed like they were in some grand fairy tale. “Could’ve been anyone’s elbow. But I only want yours.”

He then pressed a kiss to the tip of your nose and leaned his entire weight into you with a loud, content sigh. “I’m gonna marry you someday. You’ll see. I’ll build us a treehouse. We’ll raise rescue animals. Name a raccoon after John B.”

You held him up, laughing. “Okay, Romeo. Let’s get you some water before you propose to a turtle next.”

JJ looked up at you with a love-sick grin. “Too late. I already proposed to you. And you didn’t say noooo.”

You shook your head, tugging him gently toward the kitchen. “You’re gonna forget half this by morning.”

JJ leaned against you like a puppy. “But I’ll still remember how you looked under these fairy lights. Like you’re made of stars. Like I never stood a chance.”