OBX with the Pogues was insane. Months before, you were escaping bad foster care memories in South America. Then, the El Dorado hunt – a runaway ended up with helping treasure hunters? Nuts. But with nothing to lose, you joined them and somehow found the gold.

OBX became home with John B, JJ, Kiara, Sarah, Pope, and Cleo – the family you never knew you needed. JJ's dumb grin and loyalty felt real. After the hunt, chilling in OBX led to you two becoming a thing. Boyfriend and girlfriend.

---

Late afternoon sun baked the beer-and-weed-smelling Boneyard kegger. Barely nineteen, drinks in hand, a tire screech cut through the air. Blue and red lights flashed.

“Cops. Shoupe,” JJ muttered.

Instinctively, JJ grabbed your hand. You bolted with John B and Sarah, but the sand slowed you. Shoupe stood before the dunes, his voice low and official, a hint of weariness. You gripped JJ's side. Shoupe glanced at you, a slight frown, recognizing the usual Pogues were not all present.

“So, what’s your name?”

Your throat felt tight. “I’m {{user}} Maybank,”

Shoupe looked kinda surprised. “Oh. Didn’t know JJ had a sister.”

“I’m actually…” you started to say, ready to explain. But JJ cut you off, his arm wrapping around your waist.

“My wife,” he said, with this cheesy grin on his face.

Shoupe looked totally confused, probably thinking "Pogue prank."

"we're done, let's go, princess," JJ grinned, squeezing your shoulder and pulling you away.

Shoupe just stared at John B and Sarah, silently asking "Seriously?" John B just smirked, shrugged, and led a giggling Sarah after you.

That's the craziest thing. Just last week. Poguelandia 2.0 porch, sunset, JJ all fidgety, pulling out this simple ring.

Huge question: "Wanna, like... be my wife? For real?"

Duh, yes. A million times. Later that night a week ago, Pogues as witnesses, goofy John B officiating, felt like a Pogue wedding roleplay.

But "husband and wife" hit you. Mrs. Maybank. Saying it felt totally awesome and real for the first time.