Warning: zero
Summary: JJ and Ellie tell the pouges they are together and get to know Ellie better (ps This is quite long)

After the conversation JJ had with John B, JJ felt a slight weight off his chest but the idea of the others finding out about his girl made him feel nauseous, like he was on the edge of a cliff waiting to fall of.

He and Ellie had been caught in their own little world for so long, and now it felt like everything was about to come crashing down.

- JJs POV

The next day, I sent Ellie a text.

JJ: We need to talk. Meet me at the dock?
He didn't have to wait long for her reply.

Ellie: Be there in 15.

As soon as I hit send, my nerves went into overdrive. I have no idea how I am going to explain everything to Ellie.

I have been caught between two worlds for so long my friends, the Pogues, who are my family, and Ellie, who has somehow become the one person I can't get out of my mind, she's my safe place when things get all to much.

When she finally arrived, looking so calm, I felt my stomach drop. She deserved better than this. Better than the constant hiding and the lies I have been telling.

"What's going on, JJ?" Ellie asked, stepping closer. Her eyes, were now filled with worry. I hate making her worry.

I forced himself to stop pacing and face her. My hands began to tremble before she could tell I shoved them deeper into my pockets, trying to keep them steady.

"John B found out about us. Kind of. He knows I'm seeing someone, and that I've been lying to him. I didn't tell him it was you, but I think they're all gonna start asking questions."

I watched as Ellie processed my words, her face remaining calm, but I could see the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. I hate myself for putting her in this position, but i don't known what else to do.

"What did you tell him?" she asked, her voice soft, stepping closer.

My throat started to feel tight. "That I care about you. That it's serious." I swallowed, my voice quieter now. "But I didn't tell him who you are. I didn't want to drag you into all this unless you were ready."

Ellie looked at me with those eyes, and I felt the fear grip me again. What if this was it? What if she was about to tell me she didn't want this anymore? I have been holding onto her too tightly, hiding our relationship, and now she is going to break up with me. I am so stupid.

"What are you saying?" I asked, trying to keep the desperation out of my voice. "That like you don't want this anymore or something?"

Ellie's quick response made my heart leap with relief. "No, that's not what I'm saying. I care about you, JJ, more than I thought I would."

"Ouch" I said as I clutched my chest faking the pain of her words.

She let out a little giggle "you know what I mean" but then went back to her serious face. "But you've been lying to your friends... and I don't want to be the reason you lose them."

She can't really believe that she is the problem. I grabbed her hand, holding it tightly. "You're not. I made those choices. I wanted to keep you for myself because I'm scared shitless of what happens if I don't. I don't want to mess this up."

Ellie looked at me for a long moment, and in that silence, I felt my world on the edge of falling apart. But then she stepped closer, her expression softening.

"You're not going to mess this up, JJ," she said, her voice gentle but strong. "But you need to stop hiding. If you want me in your life, I have to be a part of all of it, it's starting to eat you alive all the lies I can see it on your face."

Her words hit him hard. JJ knew she was right. He couldn't keep her in the shadows, hidden from the people who mattered most to him. If he wanted her in his life, he had to let her be a part of it completely.

"I do want that," I said softly, my heart pounding. "I want you. All of you."

Ellie smiled, and that smile God, it felt like hope. "Then let's stop hiding."

My heart swelled, and without thinking, I pulled her close, pressing my lips kiss against hers.

I pulled away from her "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure," Ellie said, her voice steady. "I'm tired of pretending I don't care. Let's just be honest for once."

I pulled her into my arms, pressing a graceful kiss on her head. "Okay. We'll do this together."

- 3rd person

Later that evening, JJ and Ellie made their way to the Chateau. JJ's was nerves as hell. Ellie's hand was warm in his, her grip reassuring.

But he knew that as soon as they went into that house, there would be no going back.

The Pogues were all gathered on the porch, laughing and talking. Their conversations died down as they saw JJ approaching, with Ellie by his side. John B stood up, his expression a mix of surprise and confusion.

"JJ, what's going on?" John B asked, his gaze flicking to Ellie and back to JJ.

JJ took a deep breath, squeezing Ellie's hand before stepping forward. "This is Ellie. She's the girl I've been seeing. The one I've been hiding."

The silence that followed was deafening. The Pogues exchanged glances, their expressions ranging from shock to curiosity. Finally, Kie broke the silence, a grin spreading across her face.

"Wait, you're the one who's been keeping JJ on his toes? Nice to finally meet you," she said, holding out her hand.

Ellie smiled, shaking Kie's hand. "Nice to meet you too. I've heard a lot about you guys."

Pope raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. "All good things, I hope."

Ellie laughed softly. "Mostly."

John B's gaze remained fixed on JJ, his expression more serious. "So you guys are official then?"

JJ and Ellie exchanged a quick glance, then looked back at the group. "Yeah, we are," Ellie said as JJ reached for her hand again.

Pope's face shifted into confusion, trying to piece together the timeline. "When did this all happen? Why didn't you tell us?"

JJ sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Because I didn't want to screw it up. And honestly, I wasn't sure at first."

"But when did this happen?" Pope pressed, his voice a little louder.

JJ hesitated. "Four months ago," he finally admitted, looking up at Pope, who wore a stunned expression.

"FOUR MONTHS... and you didn't say a word?" Pope's disbelief was clear, making JJ look down like a kid getting scolded.

"Well, me and Sarah didn't say anything right away either," John B chimed in.

"Yeah, but four months is kinda insane," Pope shot back.

"Sorry, man," JJ mumbled, still looking guilty.

Pope softened, sighing. "No, it's okay. I get it, I'm just bummed you didn't feel like you could tell us, dude." He paused, then turned to Ellie. "I'm happy for you, really. You seem really nice, Ellie."

Ellie smiled. "Thanks."

JJ extended his hand toward Pope. "I'll tell you everything from now on, I swear."

"Okay, dude," Pope said, pulling JJ into a quick dap-up.

John B stepped in, his tone gentle but firm. "Just... don't shut us out next time. We're family, JJ. We're supposed to have each other's backs."

JJ swallowed hard, nodding. "I won't. I promise."

Sarah smiled warmly, stepping forward. "Welcome to the group, Ellie. Anyone who can keep JJ in line deserves a medal."

Ellie laughed, feeling relieved as the tension faded. "Thanks. I'm still figuring out how to do that."

-

As the group settled down, the conversation naturally turned back to Ellie. Kie, still curious, leaned forward and asked gently, "So, Ellie, what brought you to the Outer Banks?"

Ellie's smile faltered for a moment, her gaze dropping slightly as she thought about how to explain. JJ squeezed her hand softly, giving her the support she needed.

She took a deep breath before speaking, her voice calm but carrying a weight of emotion.

"I moved here about 4 months ago. I came here with my little sister charlotte, she's 3 years old and a little cutie." she began, a small smile tugging the corner of her lips thinking about her little sister, glancing at the group, who were all listening quietly.

"But ummm Things with my dad... weren't good so one night I decided to pack everything I could in my car when he was asleep and drove here OuterBanks. This is where my mum grew up so I trusted it in a way."

The Pogues all looked at her with sympathy, their faces full of understanding. JJ's jaw clenched at the memory of Ellie telling him the full story.

"At first, we stayed in a motel, but I was able to get a small rental not too far from here actually."

The group sat in silence for a moment, absorbing everything Ellie had shared. Finally, Sarah spoke up, her voice gentle. "That must've been so hard... but you did the right thing. Protecting your sister like that."

Ellie nodded, her expression softening giving a small smile. "Thank you"

John B, always the one to bridge heavy moments with warmth, spoke up next. "So, how'd you and JJ meet again? It's gotta be a good story, right?"

Ellie's expression lightened as she glanced at JJ, who chuckled. "Ah, well, It was in a grocery store, and JJ here was trying to buy alcohol with a fake ID."

Pope grinned. "Classic JJ."

Ellie nodded, smiling at the memory. "The cashier wasn't having it, and JJ was about to get thrown out. I walked up with Charlotte and pretended we were a family.

Told the guy we were just trying to make it through the night, and that JJ was my husband."

The group burst into laughter, imagining the scene.

"Wait, wait," Kie said between giggles, "you pretended you guys were married?"

Ellie laughed along, nodding. "Yup. And it worked. The cashier felt bad for us and let him buy the bottle. We exchanged numbers after that, and, well, the rest is history."

JJ grinned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I definitely didn't expect to meet someone like her that day."

Sarah smiled warmly. "It's funny how things work out. Sounds like it was meant to be"
Ellie's expression softened as she looked at JJ, and she squeezed his hand. "Yeah, something like that."

As the group continued to talk and joke around, Ellie felt herself relax even more. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she had found a place where she and Charlotte could belong, a real family

Word count: 1982