CHAPTER TWENTY
↳ topper's redemption arc (or something like that)

THE SOFT LIGHT OF EARLY MORNING filtered through the thin curtains of Hazel's room, casting a warm glow over the two tangled figures on the bed. JJ stirred first, blinking against the light as his hand instinctively tightened around Hazel's waist. She lay tucked against him, her head resting on his chest, her breathing steady and slow. For a moment, the world outside didn't exist, and JJ let himself savor the quiet.

"You're awake," Hazel mumbled, her voice groggy as she shifted slightly, her hand sliding across his stomach.

JJ grinned, glancing down at her. "Guess that makes two of us. How're you feeling?"

"Like I ran a marathon through a swamp," she murmured, her lips curving into a faint smile. "You?"

JJ chuckled softly. "Like I stole an ambulance and got chased by the cops. Oh wait—"

Hazel groaned, burying her face in his chest. "Too soon, Maybank. Way too soon."

"Sorry," he said, though his grin didn't falter. He ran his fingers gently through her hair, his tone softening. "But seriously... I still can't believe you went along with it. That's not really your thing—breaking the law and all."

Hazel tilted her head to look up at him, her brow arching. "And you thought I'd just sit back and let you do it alone?"

JJ shrugged, his fingers tracing absent patterns on her arm. "I mean... kinda. You're smarter than me, Zel. You know better than to get caught up in my bad ideas."

"Maybe," she admitted, her tone teasing. "But John B's my brother. I'd do it all over again if it meant getting him back."

JJ's grin softened, and for a rare moment, he didn't have a quip or a joke. He leaned down instead, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "You're somethin' else, you know that?"

Hazel let out a soft laugh, her cheeks warming. "Don't get used to it. Next time you try something this reckless, I'm knocking you out before you even get started."

"Deal," JJ murmured, his lips brushing against hers. The kiss deepened naturally, and Hazel melted into him, her hands sliding up to rest against his shoulders. JJ shifted, his body pressing closer, his hands trailing along her waist.

Their breaths mingled, and the room seemed to shrink as their laughter and teasing gave way to something deeper, more intimate. Hazel's fingers found their way into his hair, tugging gently, and JJ let out a quiet groan, his lips trailing along her jawline.

Just as their movements grew more urgent, the sharp, obnoxious sound of a car horn blasted through the air, cutting through the quiet of the morning like a knife. Hazel froze, her eyes widening, and JJ let out a frustrated groan, his forehead dropping to her shoulder.

"Are you kidding me?" he muttered, his voice muffled.

Hazel pushed him off gently, her laughter bubbling up despite the moment's interruption. "Who the hell—"

The sharp honking blared again, cutting through the quiet morning. "HEY! GET OUT HERE!" John B's unmistakable voice boomed from outside. "I'M OUT! GET YOUR ASSES OUT HERE!"

JJ blinked, processing the words as Hazel froze mid-movement, her hand hovering over her hoodie. Slowly, a grin spread across JJ's face. "No freaking way."

Hazel scrambled off the bed, tugging on her hoodie hastily—backwards and inside out in her rush—and grabbed JJ's hand. "Come on!" she urged, pulling him toward the door.

As they stepped onto the porch, the sight of Kiara and Pope already leaning casually against the railing stopped them short. The duo exchanged smug looks, clearly having been waiting for this moment. Pope crossed his arms, his expression practically dripping with mockery. "Well, good morning," he drawled. "Or should I say... good night?"

Kiara snickered, her eyes flicking over Hazel and JJ with a barely restrained grin. "Took you guys long enough. We've been out here for, what, twenty minutes? Didn't want to interrupt anything."

Hazel tugged awkwardly at her hoodie, realizing belatedly it was still inside out. "Oh, shut up," she muttered.

JJ, undeterred by the teasing, threw an arm lazily over Hazel's shoulder, grinning like he hadn't just been caught. "Yeah, yeah. Keep it coming. You're just jealous."

"Jealous of what?" Pope fired back, his grin widening. "The avant-garde fashion statement, or the fact that you're rocking the classic 'fly down' look?"

JJ's grin faltered as his eyes darted downward. "You're messing with me," he muttered, fumbling to check. When he realized Pope wasn't lying, he groaned loudly. "Man, come on."

Hazel couldn't help but laugh, the sound bubbling out despite her embarrassment. Even Kiara doubled over, clutching her sides. JJ shot Pope a half-hearted glare but ultimately smirked, running a hand through his messy hair as if he didn't care.

Before any of them could fire off another comment, the honking resumed, louder and more insistent this time. John B's voice rang out again, irritation and amusement mingling. "Are you done yet? I'm out of prison, and I'm just gonna leave if you guys keep messing around!"

The teasing stopped cold as all four Pogues turned toward the driveway. John B was standing on the hood of the Twinkie, his arms spread wide and a triumphant grin plastered across his face.

"Surprise!" he shouted, jumping down with an energy that defied the circumstances.

Hazel didn't hesitate. She sprinted toward him, the tension in her chest snapping like a rubber band. She threw her arms around him, holding on tight. "You're really here," she whispered, her voice cracking as tears blurred her vision.

John B hugged her back just as tightly, his grin softening. "I'm here, Zel. I'm here."

The others hung back, giving the siblings their moment. Finally, JJ sauntered forward, his arms crossed and his grin wide. "Alright, Routledge. Enough of the Hallmark moment. Spill it. You bust out or what?"

John B laughed, shaking his head as Hazel reluctantly let him go. "Nope. Charges were dropped."

JJ blinked, his grin freezing before he turned to Hazel. "Wait, wait, wait. Charges dropped? You're telling me we did all that illegal shit for nothing?"

Hazel, still reeling, could only gape at her brother. "You're kidding."

John B shrugged, his grin not faltering. "Dead serious."

JJ threw up his hands, pacing in a small circle. "Unbelievable. Freaking unbelievable. You're out here strolling out of jail like you just won a lottery, and we—" He pointed dramatically at Hazel. "—risked everything. Do you know how close we came to getting caught? Twice!"

Hazel groaned, burying her face in her hands. "God, JJ, stop. I can't even think about it."

Kiara snorted, crossing her arms as she leaned against the porch railing. "You mean we risked everything. Pretty sure Pope and I were part of the plan too."

John B tilted his head, looking between them. "Wait. You guys actually went along with JJ's insane plan?"

"Long story," Hazel muttered quickly, her voice muffled through her hands.

Pope, shaking his head with an exasperated sigh, clapped a hand on JJ's shoulder. "Let it go, man. He's here. That's what matters."

JJ didn't look convinced, but his grumbling was cut short by John B. "Okay, seriously, though. Where's Sarah?"

The group exchanged looks, and Kiara spoke up. "She went to go meet her sister earlier. Said she wanted to try and smooth things over. She hasn't come back yet."

John B's expression darkened with concern, his earlier lightness dimming. "And none of you have heard from her?"

Kiara shook her head. "No. But you know Sarah. She can handle herself."

John B didn't look reassured, his jaw tightening as he scanned the horizon, as if willing her to appear. Hazel touched his arm gently. "She'll be okay, John B. She always is."

For a moment, the group was silent, the weight of Sarah's absence settling over them. Then JJ clapped his hands together, breaking the tension. "Alright! Enough doom and gloom. You're free, man. Let's figure out how to celebrate before somebody changes their mind."

John B let out a reluctant chuckle, ruffling Hazel's hair as he stepped past her toward the Twinkie. "Sounds like a plan. But first, someone's gotta catch me up on whatever disaster you guys pulled off this time."

JJ slung an arm over Hazel's shoulder, smirking. "Oh, you're gonna love this. Let me tell you about the time we became paramedics for an hour..."

As the group followed John B toward the house, their laughter carried through the warm morning air, a brief reprieve from the chaos that seemed to follow them everywhere.

It was a mess, like everything else they did, but somehow, it always worked out.

* * *

The HMS Pogue bobbed gently against the dock, the warm sun glinting off the water as the group lounged in their usual spots. Pope leaned back, his feet propped up on the edge of the boat, while Kiara sat cross-legged, picking at a thread on her shorts. JJ was sprawled across the bench, lazily tossing a bottle cap into the air and catching it. Hazel sat on the bow, staring out over the marsh, her knees hugged to her chest. John B was perched near the wheel, his leg bouncing with restless energy.

"So," Pope began, breaking the silence, "how exactly did you get out? I mean, charges don't just drop out of nowhere."

John B sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Shoupe said they're going after Rafe and Ward instead. Apparently, there's enough evidence now to pin Peterkin's murder on Rafe, and Ward's got his own pile of crimes they're digging into."

JJ let out a low whistle, leaning back. "Finally. Feels like karma's catching up."

Kiara glanced at Hazel, her expression wary. "What's Ward even been doing since the island? Laying low?"

"Probably scheming," Pope muttered. "That guy doesn't know how to do anything else."

Hazel shifted uncomfortably, her voice quiet but firm. "We should help Rafe."

The words hung in the air, the gentle creak of the boat the only sound. Everyone turned to look at her, their expressions ranging from surprise to disbelief.

"Help Rafe?" JJ repeated, sitting up. "Are you serious?"

Hazel's gaze remained steady. "He's been trying to fix things. If we help him pin everything on Ward, it'll clear John B's name for good. And maybe... maybe he can get out of all this."

Pope scoffed, shaking his head. "Hazel, Rafe is a murderer. He shot Peterkin. He shot you. How are you even saying this?"

"Because I've seen him change," Hazel snapped, her tone sharp. "He's not the same guy he was back then."

Kiara raised an eyebrow. "And you're willing to bet on that?"

Hazel hesitated, her hands gripping her knees tightly. "I'm just saying we should think about it. If he goes down for everything, Ward gets away with all the shit he's done."

John B stood abruptly, his jaw tight. "No. We're not getting involved in whatever mess Rafe is in. It's not our problem."

Hazel opened her mouth to argue, but John B cut her off, his voice rising. "What is a problem is Sarah. She hasn't called, hasn't shown up. What if something happened to her?"

"John B, it's fine," Kiara said, her tone soothing. "She's probably—"

"No, Kie, it's not fine!" John B snapped, his hands gesturing wildly. "She went to meet her sister, and now she's—"

Kiara rolled her eyes, pointing behind him. "Seriously. It's fine. Turn around."

John B froze, his expression shifting from frustration to confusion as he turned. His jaw dropped at the sight of a sleek, white boat cutting through the water toward the dock. The name "Reef Queen" gleamed on the side, repaired and polished after its infamous sinking. At the helm stood Topper, his hair perfectly windswept, with Sarah beside him, waving hesitantly.

"They've gotta be kidding me," JJ muttered, leaning back with an exasperated groan. "Of course it's Topper."

Hazel elbowed him lightly, but even she couldn't help a small smirk. John B didn't say anything, his eyes locked on Sarah as the boat approached. Topper skillfully pulled up to the dock, tossing a line to Kiara, who caught it with a practiced hand.

"Sarah!" John B shouted, his earlier frustration melting into relief as he jumped onto the dock.

Sarah stepped off the boat, her face lighting up as John B swept her into a hug. She buried her face in his shoulder, clinging to him as if she were afraid to let go.

"You're okay," John B murmured, his voice thick. "God, I was so worried."

"I'm fine," Sarah said softly, pulling back just enough to look at him. "I promise."

John B's eyes narrowed slightly. "What happened? Why didn't you come back last night?"

Sarah glanced over her shoulder at Topper, who was leaning casually against the Reef Queen, his arms crossed as he watched the scene unfold. She sighed, turning back to John B. "It wasn't my sister. It was my dad."

John B's jaw tightened, his arms falling to his sides. "Ward?"

Sarah nodded, her voice low. "He wanted to talk. Said he wanted to make peace, to bring me home. But I didn't trust him. I—I ran. Topper found me, and I didn't know where else to go."

John B's gaze flicked to Topper, his expression hardening. "So you stayed with him?"

"John B," Sarah said quickly, placing a hand on his arm. "I didn't have a choice. I was scared. Topper... he helped me."

John B's jaw worked silently for a moment before he forced out, "Thanks, man."

Topper raised an eyebrow, his smirk faint. "Anytime, Routledge."

The tension between the three of them was palpable, like a storm cloud hovering over the dock. Kiara and Pope exchanged uncomfortable glances, while JJ muttered something under his breath that Hazel couldn't quite catch.

Finally, Hazel broke the silence, her voice hesitant but hopeful. "You're okay now, right? That's what matters."

Sarah nodded, her hand still on John B's arm. "Yeah. I'm okay."

John B didn't look entirely convinced, his eyes lingering on Topper for a moment longer before he pulled Sarah close again. The group stood there, the unease hanging in the air despite the bright sun and calm waters.

"Well," JJ said loudly, breaking the silence. "This has been sufficiently awkward. Who's ready to talk about literally anything else?"

Sarah let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "It's good to see you guys again."

"Yeah," Kiara said, her smile small but genuine. "It's good to have you back."

As the group began to move toward the Chateau, the undercurrent of tension remained, the unresolved threads of the morning lingering like a shadow over the reunion.

* * *