𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐁𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐍 ᯓ outer banks

chapter eighty-four

POGUELANDIA, THE DEFINITION of paradise. Their home. The land of the pogues.

Brooklyn found happiness in walking along the shore, collecting seashells and throwing them across the water to watch the ripples. She found happiness in eating fish with her bare hands and sitting around the fire with her best friends— her family. She found happiness when she looks over at JJ and sees him smiling.

JJ hoists up the flag. The flag of a chicken smoking a joint, with a coconut bra and crocs. Brooklyn cheers, she smiles, she applauds his efforts as she watches the beautiful POGUELANDIA sign move against the wind.

His arm falls around her shoulders, his lips meet her forehead and for one shining second, Brooklyn feels alive.

Ever since she was shot, she's felt as if she could drop dead at any given moment. Death was at her door and she was ready to let it take her weeks ago. However, a month has passed and she's alive, her wound healing slowly, her arm finally having movement. She was starting to be okay.

Her and JJ catch fish together, sometimes with bare hands, sometimes with spears that they craft themselves. They always, always, bring food back for the family, as do Cleo, Pope and Kiara who scavenge the jungle for berries and fruit.

Over the last month, the pogues have had to entertain themselves. They've had to make up games, some games that were ridiculous while some, like Truth or Dare were classics that would entertain them for hours.

At night, the group sit around the fire until they fall asleep. Brooklyn finds herself with her head on JJ's chest, her fingers tracing his hand in small, delicate circles. He'd whisper sweet nothings into her ear at night, often telling her that he loves her, no matter what.

Sometimes, they'd sneak off while the pogues were sleeping. JJ would pull her up the mountain, just above where they set up camp. He'd sit with her, her head on his shoulder, his hand in hers and they'd talk.

"Baby, I'm never leaving," JJ tells her. She knows he never wants to leave, she didn't want to leave either. Shockingly, she was happier here than back at home and it was because of him. "This is paradise right here, Brooke, all this is ours."

She squeezes his hand and whispers, "I know." 

Brooklyn feels his lips touch her shoulder and she shivers. His lips run up her skin towards her ear, but doesn't quite make it that far. She tilts her head and after hearing a deep breath leave his lips, he bites her shoulder gently.

She turns to face him. She lifts her hand up, tracing her fingers along his cheek and smiling. His two hands grab at her hands and he places her open palms against his heart, and he holds them there. She watches his eyes, his eyes that are full of love, protection, safety and respect. JJ smiles at her and lets go of her hands, and with one hand he runs his fingers through her hair and guides her face closer to his, eventually leaning her in to rest her head on his chest. His other arm wraps around her, and she hopes he never lets her go.

He leans her cheek into her hair and whispers, "You're my forever girl, Brooklyn."

He kisses her hair. So, so soft. "I'm yours forever," she replies, kissing his hand. "I love you."

"I love you, darling," he kisses her again.

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The next morning, the worst happened.

Brooklyn was awoken by Pope who was shaking her awake going, "Guys. Guys, guys, wake up. There's a plane."