Danny woke to a seagull cawing in his ear. He jerked awake with a startled scream and waved his arm around to scare it off. A hat fell from his face, and he scooped it up.

His chest heaved, and he flopped back down on the poor excuse of a cushion on the stern, waiting for his heartbeat to return to normal. He covered his eyes with his arm to shield the sun while he grumbled curses about the birds.

He was exhausted. He sat up and ran a hand down his face, dying to fall back asleep. Well, not really. He just wanted to be unconscious.

The boat was stopped and docked. He glanced around and saw nothing except tall grass for miles. The boys gathered around in a group at the bow, but Kie and Sarah were missing.

He stumbled his first few steps and nearly ran into the beams. "Ouch, fuck," he grumbled to himself at the new ache in his shoulder. He was so grounded.

The sun was harsh on his eyes, making him squint. "Sup?" he said and yawned when he arrived.

"Dude, were you fighting a bird?" John B asked. He walked over and slung his arm around Danny's shoulders.

He winced and stepped out of John B's hold.

Luckily, he didn't think anything of it and instead rested his arm against a beam. Danny walked to the controls and squatted before the storage compartments. He opened the doors and searched for meds or booze or anything that would numb him.

"What're you looking for?" Pope asked and walked behind Danny.

"Oxy, Percs, fuckin' Tylenol, I don't care."

"Yeah," John B said. "You're shit out of luck, dude."

"Great," he grumbled and rubbed his forehead. He stood and sighed. "Where are they at?"

He looked down the length of the dock but saw no sign of them.

"Lookin' for food," Pope answered.

"You look like shit, dude," JJ commented. He motioned to his own face and then pointed at Danny's face.

Danny placed his hand over his heart and said, "Be still my beating heart."

He reached out to JJ and placed his hat back on his head. When he was close enough, he tugged on the visor and stole a kiss on JJ's cheek.

Danny walked to the bow and sank onto it, then slid down to the floor and tilted his head back to rest against the edge. He kicked his legs out and let the sunlight warm his skin.

"So, uh, what's up with this Kiara stuff there, big guy?" John B asked from Danny's right.

"Uh, honestly, I don't know right now, man. I mean, I definitely like her."

"Sure."

Danny was mystified that John B could pick up on the thing between Pope and Kie in less than a day, while it had to be spelled out to Danny for him to even notice.

"And I'm pretty sure she likes me."

"Seems like it."

"Right now, there's a lot of conflicting information going on. Like, I'm trying to gather all the data and put it into a folder in my mind—"

"Folder?" John B mouthed, and Danny snorted.

"All right, man, look, women, all right, like, they're just not consistent," JJ said.

Danny furrowed his eyebrows. He did not agree with that statement at all.

John B interrupted, "All right, we're not gonna take girl advice from JJ." He changed the subject to more pressing matters. "What's the deal with this Limbrey chick? You think she knew my pops?"

"I don't know," Pope said. "But I do think that she has the information that could exonerate you."

"That'd be ideal."

"Not to throw a monkey wrench in the entire thing, but she did just try to kidnap you. How many times do I gotta say this?" JJ said.

John B sighed. "Here we go."

"Why are we going back? Why don't we go south? Why don't we go to Yucatán? Coast of Broken Dreams, baby!"

"No, no, dude!" John B insisted. "I'm not running anymore. Look, OBX is my home. And besides, if I go back, I get another shot at Ward."

"Really, dude?" Danny asked.

"You can't tell me you don't want a shot at Rafe."

Danny turned his head and looked past John B to the water. He couldn't tell John B that. Rafe changed the trajectory of his life forever. Every aspect of his life was tinted because of him. Danny never used to be scared, but now it follows him around every corner.

He needed to get even.

"Hi," Sarah said suddenly.

Danny turned in her direction. She and Kie stood on the dock holding Watermelons.

"What y'all talking about?"

"Uh," John B mumbled. "Fishing."

"Dropping lures," JJ added. "That's that, you know?"

"Okay."

"Need help?" JJ offered.

Sarah dropped the melon into his outstretched hands. "Thanks."

"Goodness gracious."

"What's that now?" Pope asked.

Kie smiled. "I got breakfast."

***

It took three more hours to make it home, but time flew by. It was laughter after laughter and countless stories being told. It distracted Danny from the pain and reminded him how lucky he was to have these people in his life.

John B slowed the boat as they closed in on the Chateau.

"There she is," John B whispered.

"Bet it is good to see her old bones," JJ said and patted John B's back. "Welcome home, guys."

He slowed the boat along the dock. Pope and JJ jumped onto the dock and tied it off.

"I'm glad you're back, JB," Danny said with a soft smile. He squeezed John B's shoulder and then jumped onto land.

"You know, I gotta be honest. Not exactly looking forward to a check-in at home," Kie said blandly. "My parents probably already arranged my funeral." She leaned against the railing with a frown on her face.

"I predict unpleasantries at the Heyward household after I left the truck in Charleston."

"No one knows we're here, right?" JJ noted, looking on the bright side. "And you two aren't gonna get into any more trouble for showing up 12 hours later. Am I right, or am I right?"

Pope conceded, "You're not wrong."

"So that means we have twelve hours to do whatever we want. Huh? A little Pogue fellowship. How does that sound?"

"Let the shit hit the fan tomorrow," John B added.

"Yeah!"

Sarah shook her head. She sat on the railing of the walkway leading to the Chateau. "The cops could be looking for us. It could be really stupid."

"Sarah Cameron," JJ said with a smile. He walked toward her. "You've heard of my philosophy, right?"

"No," she answered, attempting to smother the smile on her lips.

"Stupid things have good outcomes all the time. Who's with me? Let's get some beer!"

He started in the direction of the house, half skipping, half walking. Danny could clearly note the excitement pouring from JJ in waves. It brought an involuntary smile to his face.

Danny was the first to follow. He paused in front of Sarah and held out his hand, "Ma chérie amour, what do ya say about finding some painkillers, huh?"

She slipped her hand into his grip and slowly lowered herself to the ground. They walked hand and hand into the Chateau. Danny's seen this place nearly every day, but Sarah took her time to bask in the surroundings.

He let her go and ambled to the bathroom. He could hear his friends already planning their party step by step. They'd first be stopping at Geechie's for some much-needed beer.

Danny opened the medicine cabinet looking for some pills. So far, the only labels he read were John B's allergy meds or expired prescriptions from Big John. "Mother fucker," Danny grumbled and placed it all back.

He made his way to the kitchen and opened the cabinets but ended up growing more frustrated when he only saw plates or cereal boxes. He couldn't even find fucking Advil.

"I'm changing," Kie yelled, "Close the door!"

"Sorry!" JJ said and latched the door. He walked to the kitchen and leaned against the counter.

"You ready?" JJ asked. "Pope and John B are already in the Pogue."

"Yeah, yeah," he replied absentmindedly. He nodded and brushed past JJ to knock on the bedroom door. "Sarah? Did you find some? Did John B give you any?"

"No, sorry," she called, and Danny had to refrain from punching the door. He was a lot of things, but a wall puncher was not one of them.

"Dude," JJ prompted.

Danny ignored him and walked back down the hall to the bathroom. Maybe he missed something. He squatted and opened the doors under the sink. He searched desperately as he lifted the spare towels and knocked over the extra shampoo bottles. They rattled around his feet, and he dropped to the ground and leaned against the tub, feeling a toxic combination of desperation and hysteria.

"Danny?" JJ said hesitantly from the doorway. He looked down the hall and waved someone on. "You guys go without. Yeah. I'm sure."

He swallowed and clenched his eyes. The pain's been steadily eating at him for the past two days. They were only supposed to go to Charleston for a day, so he didn't bring his meds with him. Now, about sixty hours without a pill, on top of the added injury, he was increasingly losing his mind.

It was like a serrated knife jammed in his socket. With every slight movement, he felt the teeth of that knife cut into his flesh, tearing it from his bone inch by inch. He was without reprieve for even a second.

"JJ, please," he said, voice hoarse. "Do you have a joint or something?"

"No."

A tear managed to slip from his clenched eyes, and he quickly wiped it away. He heard JJ's retreating footsteps and honestly debated walking home to get his medicine.

Just as he began to stand, JJ reappeared with a bottle of Vodka.

He thrust it in Danny's direction, and he gladly accepted. "Where did you get this?" he asked and took a long pull from it. He had checked every usual spot, but nothing appeared. They drank this place dry a long time ago.

"Stashed it under the bed in the spare room."

Danny huffed in amusement and took another drink. He closed his eyes and focused on the burn in his throat rather than his shoulder.

"Should we go to the hospital?"

Danny glanced up. JJ's eyes were blown wide with concern, and his brows pinched together. Danny could understand his distress. He never openly expressed his discomfort like this before, not even when he woke at the hospital or when he fell on it at the storm drain.

It's just been hurting so long at such a high intensity that he couldn't hide it anymore. But it wasn't so bad as to warrant a trip to the emergency room. "No, it's fine."

"Are you sure? Because this doesn't seem fine."

Danny shrugged. He supposed it wasn't fine, but it will have to be. He took another long drink and then coughed, looking at the bottle. It was a cheap bottom-shelf brand, but exactly what he needed at the moment. A few more shots, and he'd be well past numb.

"We don't have any ice packs."

"Peas or some shit?"

"You think John B really ate peas?"

"Guess not," Danny mumbled and tried to rub his shoulder.

JJ stepped farther into the room and then into the tub.

Did he want a shower? Danny started to stand, but JJ said, "Hold still."

JJ sat along the edge and motioned for Danny to lean back.

At Danny's reluctance, JJ added, "Come here."

He took a sip and then leaned back between JJ's legs.

JJ looped a finger through his sling strap. "Off?" he questioned.

Danny thought for a second. Maybe a good stretch would be beneficial. "Yeah."

JJ loosened the strap and guided it over his head. Danny unclipped the additional strap around his waist and pulled his arm free.

He tensed when JJ placed his hands on Danny's shoulder. He took another shot and hissed through his clenched teeth. He straightened it out slowly and then bent it snugly at his waist.

"You good?"

Danny dipped his chin.

JJ started to delicately knead the front and back of Danny's shoulder with both hands. Danny took another sip for courage, expecting it to hurt, but pleasantly surprised when it didn't.

He sighed in contentment and leaned his head to rest on JJ's left thigh. "Oh, my God, JJ. That feels so good."

JJ chuckled quietly. "That's what she said."

"Shut up," Danny said. He kept the rest of his praises to himself to save his pride. After a few more minutes, Danny felt total euphoria. Warmth bloomed in his stomach, and JJ's fingers felt as if his tendons were joining together once more.

"Merde," he whispered. He was putty beneath JJ's hands. "You keep this up, and I'll fall in love with you."

"That is the master plan."

Danny laughed. He wrapped his free hand around JJ's ankle and rested his forehead against JJ's thigh. He closed his eyes and sighed.

***

"I'm just saying—"

"Pope, shut the fuck up."

"It's been a while so—"

"Oh, my God. Leave."

"Just—If he takes it, then he'll—"

"If he wakes up, I swear—"

Danny stirred awake and furrowed his eyebrows. He didn't remember falling asleep. He slowly sat upright and squinted against the bathroom overhead light.

"Dude," JJ complained, and Pope winced.

Danny cleared his throat and blinked slowly. "Hey, Pope."

"Hey, man," he said and stepped into the bathroom. He shook the bottle of pills in his hand and said, "We got you Advil from Geechies."

Danny smiled. Honestly, he felt amazing right now but appreciated the gesture. The combination of cheap booze and JJ's magic fingers coursed pleasure through his entire body.

He caught the bottle and said, "Thanks."

JJ wordlessly plucked it from his hand and twisted the cap off. He poured three into Danny's palm and then closed it.

Pope leaned against the corner of the sink and asked, "You good now?"

Danny nodded. He tossed the pills into his mouth and washed them down with the Vodka. "How much was it?" he asked. He reached for his wallet but paused when he saw his drool on JJ's leg. "Oh, my God." He wiped it away hastily. "Dude, I'm so sorry. That's nasty. What the fuck."

He leaned forward to stand up, but JJ placed his hand on his chest, caging him in. "It's okay. Pope, we'll be out soon."

He nodded and stepped to the doorway. "Bring your A-game. We're shotgunning."

"Pope, my love, I'm already drunk. You're going down."

"Big talk from someone who puked at the Boneyard."

Danny's mouth dropped open. "Who told you that?"

"Literally, you did, Mr.-I-think-Chris-Flemmings-is-drugging-the-kegs."

"Okay, that was a private conversation."

"Private or not, you're still going down." His eyes flicked to JJ, and he raised his hands. He walked down the hall, singing, "You're still going down."

The screen door slammed closed, and the fan in the bathroom filled the air.

"Sorry about your leg," Danny mumbled. He rested his head against JJ's chest and peered up.

"Don't worry about it. Are you okay? You were kinda acting like a coke-head earlier."

"What!" Danny sprung forward and turned around to face JJ. "No, I wasn't. Was I really?"

JJ scrunched his nose and tilted his head from side to side. He ended up replying, "Yeah. Yeah, pretty much."

"Oh my god," Danny muttered and turned his gaze to the tile. He never wanted to act like his father. That fervent craving was honestly terrifying to witness. He'd tear apart the bedrooms looking for cash or his dime bag he swore he had. He sold his mom's dresses just for a quick buck. "Promise me you won't let me get like that."

JJ nodded. "Promise," he said. He stood and held his hand out to Danny.

JJ pulled him up.

"How long was I out?"

JJ lifted a shoulder and then squatted down to pick up the shampoo bottles and place them under the sink. "Like an hour or something."

Danny's eyes widened. It surely felt like eight. It was some of the best sleep he's had recently. "Tell me you weren't massaging the entire time."

"'Course I was," he said, almost appalled at the accusation.

"Dude," Danny said guiltily.

JJ closed the cupboard and stood. "You needed it," he answered easily. "Do you still? We can go into the bedroom, and you can take a nap. 'Cause you wouldn't've woken up if it wasn't for Pope."

Danny waved him off, even though that sounded exactly like what he wanted to do. "We're here to party. They're waiting for us."

"I don't care about that." JJ stepped close and stared Danny directly into his eyes. "I care about you."

Danny's lips parted, and the overwhelming fondness rushing through his chest brought tears to his eyes. Before he knew it, he was wrapping his arms around JJ in a bone-crushing hug.

JJ stumbled back a step and laughed briefly.

"Thank you, JJ. Really. I owe you one."

"No, you don't."

Yes, he did. Danny couldn't recall a time when he ever felt this cherished and cared for. He could feel himself becoming addicted to it.

He pulled out of the embrace and said, "All right, you win." With JJ's confused expression, he added, "Bet's off. I'm completely melted."

JJ rolled his eyes, but Danny only noticed his smile.

"I'm a simple man, Maybank. You pay attention to me, and I'm putty in your hands."

JJ turned off the light switch and stepped into the hallway. Danny grabbed the booze and followed a step behind.

"That's kind of sad."

Danny could immediately hear his friends' shouts and cheers from outside in the hot tub. Through the screen door, he saw them smiling and hanging from each other's arms, glad to be back together.

JJ stepped out of the spare room and tossed swim trunks at Danny's head. He caught them before they slipped off.

"Bet's not off. You promised I would melt. You still need to keep your end of the bargain."

Danny took a drink and held eye contact. "My pleasure, Mon Coeur."

***

"Danny!" Kie beamed as soon as he exited the Chateau. He stepped from the porch into the yard and directly into her awaiting arms. The rest of the crew each called his name in greeting as well.

"Hello, gorgeous." He pulled away but kept one arm around her shoulder. They walked lazily to the hot tub, trying to step in synchronization with the same leg.

The tree had string lights draped across the length of the low-hanging branches, illuminating the area around the hot tub and fire.

"Wait, wait," she said and tugged on his waist. "Beer stop."

"Shit, you're right," he said, and they turned around as one unit and ambled over to the cooler. He flipped open the lid and grabbed two. He handed her one and then interlocked their arms to drink.

"You're way too tall," Kie complained as she tried to bring the can to her lips but kept falling short.

Danny shook his head. "Waterfall it," he said and then went in for a sip, but her tug had him spilling it down his chest.

"I'm gonna spill it everywhere!"

He sent her a blank look while the beer dripped down his body. "Mhmm."

With his slack arm, she managed to bring the can to her lips and drink. When she finished, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and said, "You spilled some. Well, like a lot."

"Wanna lick it?"

She shoved his stomach and laughed.

They walked over to the hot tub and jumped in. Kie moved to sit by Sarah, and Danny sat on the edge on Sarah's other side. He dangled his legs in while he chugged the remaining of his beer. He tossed the can over his shoulder. It clashed against the rising number already lying in the yard.

Pope cleared his throat and swayed to the nonexistent beat. "I never made good grades in school. When I get out, I act like a fool. They say I come in the party. And cause a commotion. I'm smooth. Yeah, call me lotion."

Danny clapped while the rest of his friends laughed.

"That could be in a Drake song," John B said. "The flow was amazing."

Maybe it was how the light hit him, or maybe it was the carefree smile, but Danny couldn't stop staring at JJ.

There was something about standing under the twinkling lights, surrounded by his friends that brought a warmth to Danny's chest that he'd been missing for so long.

He didn't even really realize the warmth had been slowly disappearing until it came back with an intensity that nearly made him breathless. It was almost like there was nobody else in the entire world right now; only Danny and his best friends, laughing the night away; only Danny and JJ, catching each others' gaze over the brim of their beer cans.

It felt as if the chateau could hide them away from the world, pick them all up and tuck them away in its breast pocket.

When JJ took four long steps to cross the yard to meet Danny at the fire after wrestling Pope, Danny's fingers twitched beside him. He fought the instinct the reach out and instead rose his beer to his lips.

Turns out, he didn't need to suppresses much at all because JJ reached out for him. He pushed into Danny's space like it belonged to him. And in some ways—every way— it did belong to JJ.

He was a solid line of heat scorching down Danny's entire side where JJ pressed into him. It was all he could focus on. He missed the precious opportunity to tease Kie and Pope as they sailed away on the Pogue because he was too distracted. He blamed the exorbitant amount of Vodka simmering in his veins as the cause of it all. He didn't allow himself to think of another reason.

So instead, he stepped away and announced, "Time to make things interesting."

"What are you talking about?" Sarah asked, clearly confused yet equally amused.

In all fairness, he did begin talking rather randomly. Probably interrupting an ongoing conversation.

"Let's play strip poker," he said, the first thought that came to his head. He took a step toward the house, pretending like he didn't stumble.

"You don't know how to play poker," John B said.

"Yes, I do."

"You don't," JJ added. "We try to teach you every time but you—"

"Well then I guess you all will get to see me naked then, huh?"

"Oh, God," Sarah laughed.

Danny ignored the rest of the conversation about how this always happens and continued into the house. He blinked harshly and entered John B's room. He dropped to his knees in front of the night stand.

"C'mon cards," he mumbled and pulled out the drawer. He shifted through the junk for a few seconds before losing patience and yanking the drawer free. He dumped the contents on the floor and sifted through everything.

"This is mine," he gasped and pocked his miniature flashlight.

The porch door slammed close and foot steps grew closer to the bedroom.

"John B's a thief, man," Danny said. "But I can't find cards. Hey, maybe we can just play truth or strip?"

Hearing no response, Danny turned toward his friend.

The warmth leeched from his chest and the peaceful isolation the chateau brought was shredded to ribbons because Danny was staring down the barrel of a gun.

He was staring down the barrel of a gun again, and Barry's expression did little to ease his nerves.

"Hey, Hollywood."

*****

*over a year later* heyyyy guys lmao.

I'll be super honest, I've been really busy and haven't had the time or need to come on here much. This used to be something of an escape, but I don't need it much in that capacity anymore.

When I did have time, I didn't have enough to get reacquainted with the storyline and my own thoughts about how to write it.

Hopefully this didn't disappoint.

As always, let me know what you think or what you want from this story. I'll try to update more.

Thanks for reading ;) <3

R