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As JJ and Sarah struggled against the weakening storm, they held tight to each other and the lifebuoy, each wave pushing them closer to the shore. It felt like an eternity before they finally staggered onto the sand, their legs wobbly and breaths heaving.
JJ reached out, gently gripping Sarah's shoulders as he tried to catch his breath. "Are you okay?" His voice was soft but laced with genuine concern, his brows furrowed as he looked her over, searching for any sign of injury.
Sarah, drenched and shaking, managed a weak laugh. "Yes, I'm fine... I think I'm going to die, though."
JJ couldn't help but chuckle, though his laughter was thin, exhausted. When he saw Sarah raise an eyebrow at him, he cleared his throat, trying to cover it with a cough. "Sorry, I think I'm still a little drunk," he admitted, giving her a crooked grin.
Sarah shook her head, smirking but not amused. "Well, come on, we need to find the others."
She took a step forward, but JJ grabbed her hand, pulling her back gently. "Wait, wait, let's just... sit for a minute. I'm beat," he said, bending over and dramatically stretching his back as though every bone in his body ached.
Sarah rolled her eyes, trying to pull him forward. "Don't even try that, JJ. I know you. You're not tired—you're stalling."
"Hey, maybe I am tired! Maybe nearly drowning takes it out of you," he teased, but then he saw the lingering tension in her eyes and softened. "Look, just... sit down with me. You've been through a lot tonight, and you could use the rest. And," he added, almost as an afterthought, "you know, with... you know, the baby and all."
At that, Sarah's expression shifted, a bit of the exhaustion catching up with her. "Fine. But just a little bit," she muttered, sinking down onto the sand reluctantly.
As Sarah sat next to JJ on the cold, damp sand, she tried to keep her hands still, not wanting to make him worry. But the trembling wouldn’t stop; the night air was biting against her wet clothes, and she felt it all the way to her bones.
JJ noticed instantly, and his gaze softened as he reached for her hand. "Are you sure you’re okay? You’re shivering." Before she could protest, he shrugged off his shirt, his expression firm as he wrapped it around her shoulders.
Sarah smiled, feeling the warmth of his shirt against her skin, even though she was still shaking. She’d seen this side of him before, the one that cared fiercely and would go to ridiculous lengths to look after her. She pulled his shirt tighter around herself, touched by his thoughtfulness, even if she couldn’t get warm. It was always like this with JJ—he had this kindness that ran so deep, sometimes hidden beneath his jokes, but always there, ready to emerge at the smallest sign she needed him.
The shivers wouldn’t stop, though, and she could see the worry tightening his face as he glanced at her. Then, without a word, he stood up and started digging a hole in the sand.
Sarah watched him, puzzled. "JJ… what are you doing?" She tried to keep her voice steady, but she couldn’t hide the curiosity—and amusement—in her tone.
He kept digging, barely glancing back. "I’m gonna bury you. You know, to keep you warm."
For a second, she thought he was joking, but he didn’t stop, his face determined as he scooped out more and more sand. She laughed, a real laugh that caught her by surprise and lifted some of the weight of the night off her shoulders. Only JJ could make her laugh when she felt half-frozen and worn to the bone. "JJ, stop! Why don’t we collect some wood and light a fire instead?"
He paused, his hands covered in sand, and she saw a flicker of surprise cross his face, as if the idea of fire had completely slipped his mind. Sarah knew him too well not to notice the faint blush rising on his cheeks as he turned away, pretending to be busy with his imaginary grave for her.
Living in Boglandia had taught them both a thing or two about surviving in the wild. She watched as he tried to brush off his embarrassment, smiling to herself as she thought about all the times he’d made a fool of himself just to make her laugh. But that was JJ for you—never too proud to be a little ridiculous if it meant seeing her smile.
JJ cleared his throat, avoiding her gaze. "Good idea. Let’s get that fire going, then," he said with a forced casualness.
With the fire crackling between them, warmth began to seep into Sarah’s bones, a relief after the icy waves they’d fought all night. Just as she was settling into the quiet, JJ suddenly plopped down beside her and—with his usual lack of subtlety—dropped his head into her lap, completely ignoring her half-hearted attempts to push him away.
"JJ, move your fat head," she muttered, trying to nudge him off. But he only laughed, shamelessly shifting to get even more comfortable.
"I think we should just stay here until morning, wait for some light and warmth before we look for everyone else," he said, his voice muffled. "Trying to move around in this cold and dark would be… well, pretty much a death sentence. That’s something pope would say."
Sarah couldn’t help but chuckle at the way he mimicked Pope’s stern, know-it-all voice. "Guess you’re right," she sighed. "But are you gonna put your head back where it belongs now?"
Instead of answering, JJ dug his face into her stomach, his voice muffled but cheerful. "Not a chance. I’m keeping close to my little nephew," he said dramatically.
She snorted, exasperated but amused. "Fine, have it your way." She started to absentmindedly comb her fingers through his sandy, messy hair, figuring if he was set on this ridiculous position, she might as well make herself comfortable, too.
He stayed quiet for a moment, letting her brush his hair as he leaned against her, and she could tell he was trying to distract her. The waves, the terror of almost drowning—it was all fading, little by little, thanks to his antics.
But then her laughter slipped out, unbidden, and she covered her mouth, trying to keep quiet, which only made it worse. JJ immediately picked up on it, raising his head just enough to look up at her, his expression suspicious.
"What?" he asked, his brows scrunched in confusion. But her laughter only grew, spilling over as she shook her head, her hand covering her mouth.
"What did you do?" he pressed, a grin starting to tug at the corners of his mouth as he sat up.
She bit her lip, trying to hide her amusement as he got up to check the shadow cast by the firelight. He turned back, confused, until he caught sight of his shadow on the sand—and then he saw it.
His hair, tousled and twisted from her fingers, now stood up in two little points on either side of his head, like devilish horns or some strange pigtails.
"Oh my god, I look like a little girl!" he burst out, and laughter erupted from both of them. He plopped back down next to her, clutching his stomach, the two of them nearly doubled over in laughter, the kind that kept echoing long after the joke was over.
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As dawn broke, soft light filtered through the haze, casting a golden glow over the beach. JJ blinked awake, feeling the warmth of the sun on his face. He glanced over at Sarah, who was curled up beside him, still asleep, her face relaxed for the first time since last night’s storm. The fire had burned out hours ago, leaving only cold ashes behind, and a chill ran up his spine as he remembered the long night they’d spent fighting waves and cold.
He nudged her gently. “Hey, Sleeping Beauty, it’s morning. Time to get moving.”
Sarah stirred, stretching and rubbing her eyes as she sat up, taking in the peaceful shoreline. The sea looked calm now, the wild, churning waves of last night reduced to gentle laps against the sand. She gave him a sleepy smile, grateful to see the warmth and familiar grin on his face.
They got up, dusted the sand off their clothes, and began their trek along the beach, the ocean to one side and endless stretches of sand to the other. JJ made a few attempts at whistling, but it came out as more of a tuneless hum that had Sarah rolling her eyes.
“So,” JJ said, sidestepping a patch of seaweed. “How long do you think before we find the rest of the gang? Maybe John B’s face will be plastered on every coconut tree, and we’ll find them in no time.”
Sarah chuckled, even though fatigue was starting to pull at her limbs. “If John B had half a brain, he’d be out here looking for us, with breakfast in hand,” she teased, glancing down the empty beach.
JJ snorted. “Don’t you mean trouble? That guy’s a magnet for it.” He looked over at her and noticed her slowing down, her steps growing heavier. Without missing a beat, he stopped in front of her and squatted down. “Alright, hop on.”
Sarah’s eyes widened. “What? JJ, I’m not climbing on your back!”
He turned to look at her, his face comically serious. “Yes, you are. You’re slowing down, princess, and we don’t have food. So, unless you want to start munching on seaweed, I suggest you let me carry you until we find someone with a bagel.”
Sarah tried to protest, but he was already waving her forward. “C’mon, don’t make me beg. Just climb on already.”
Reluctantly, she gave in, laughing as she climbed onto his back. JJ hoisted her up, grinning. “There we go! This is like training for a marathon, except with way more whining involved.”
She playfully smacked his shoulder. “I’m not whining.”
“Oh, really?” JJ shot back, his voice dripping with mock disbelief. “Every two seconds it’s ‘JJ, slow down,’ ‘JJ, I’m tired,’ ‘JJ, are we there yet?’ Just like a kid on a road trip!”
Sarah couldn’t help but laugh, knowing he was exaggerating, but she played along. “Fine, I’ll be quiet. But if you drop me, I swear I’ll haunt you.”
“Deal.” He adjusted his grip and continued walking, his footsteps rhythmic as they moved along the beach. Occasionally, he would break the silence with a random comment or a corny joke, and Sarah found herself smiling at his ridiculous attempts to lighten the mood.
After what felt like an endless trek, JJ’s feet began to drag a bit, though he kept going, determined to keep her from noticing. Just as Sarah was about to suggest another break, she saw a figure in the distance.
“Wait, is that…?” Sarah squinted, recognizing the unmistakable, frantic run of John B.