"Well, it's not in the trash, so..." JJ's voice trailed off as he tossed the last trash bag from the drain on the ground. Aurora and her friends went bright and early to search for the gun Ward used to kill Gavin they saw the night before. They hadn't had any luck so far.

"It's gotta be in the storm drain then." Pope frowned.

Kiara scoffs. "Of course it is. So, what are we gonna do? Rock, paper, scissors?" As she continues, JJ and Pope try opening the crate with a crowbar JJ brought with him (and having no luck). "Or oldest goes first?"

Finally the boys got the crate open enough someone could go through. "There's this worm down there — it gets into your blood and has to come out through your pecker. So, that would be a hard pass for me." JJ adjusted the cap on his head as he stepped back from the storm drain.

"That's gonna be a no from me." Pope shook his head, also stepping back from the drain.

Kiara teases the boys for being scared and they teased her back for not going in. Aurora knew she might as well go in. She was the smallest out of all four of them and could crawl through the storm drain easier.

"What?" JJ didn't like this. He didn't like his best friend crawling through a dark, damp, dirty storm drain. He didn't want Aurora to get hurt.

"I'll do it." Aurora stepped up and took off her bag, dropping it on the ground. Aurora could tell that JJ wasn't thrilled with the idea. She could see the hesitation in his eyes, and she knew he'd never let her go alone if he had his way. But she was the only one who could do this.

"I'm fine, JJ," Aurora reassures him, trying to sound more confident than she felt. "I'll be quick. It's not that bad. You two can keep an eye out up here."

"Yeah, but—" JJ started, still not convinced.

"I'll be alright," Aurora said firmly, giving him a quick smile to ease his worries. "Besides, you know I've got this. You guys can't fit. It's the only way." She was right. Even though he hated to admit it, JJ knew that Aurora was the only one of the three of them small enough to fit into the storm drain. But that didn't mean he wasn't going to worry about her the whole time.

"Okay, be careful," JJ warned, watching as Aurora stepped up to the edge of the storm drain. He didn't take his eyes off her, even when Pope came to stand next to him.

"Alright. Okay." Aurora takes a deep breath and tries to shake off her nerves. She's faced worse things than a dark, slimy, probably gross tunnel. But she's not exactly excited about what she's about to do. "If I die in here, tell my parents that I love them." Aurora said dramatically, making JJ laugh.

"Rory, you'll be fine." JJ wasn't only reassuring her, but also himself. He needed to believe she was going to be okay.

"Here goes nothing." Taking another deep breath, Aurora took the flashlight Pope handed her and crawled through the storm drain, the metal of the lid making a clanking sound as she moved it aside.

The storm drain was dark, damp, and definitely dirty. Aurora could feel the mud squishing between her fingers and the smell was not pleasant. She moved slowly, sweeping the flashlight over the area in front of her. She didn't see the gun yet, but she knew she wasn't far from where she saw Ward and Gavin the night before.

"See anything?" Pope called out.

"Not yet," Aurora answers, shining her flashlight over the ground and the walls. "Just a lot of gross crap."

Aurora crawled through the storm drain, the water splashing under her knees as she moved. It wasn't long before she came to the part of the storm drain where Ward and Gavin had been.

She yelps when one of her hands brushed against something. "Ooh, I think I found it!" She cheers and aims the light at it, letting out a squeak and moving backwards when she saw what it really was. "Nope, just something dead! Ew, ew, ew."

"Don't touch it, that's how you get worms!" JJ worriedly added.

"I'm not gonna touch it!" Aurora exclaimed, scooting back more and doing her best to go around it without touching it.

She glances back down at the object with another shiver and pointed the flashlight at it again, taking a cautious look. "Wait." She muttered, her tone softening. The sight made her pause. It didn't seem like a decomposing animal. It was too square, too rigid. Her eyes widened as she recognized the handle of a gun half-buried beneath the muck.

It was the gun. Aurora reached forward and dug the flashlight and the gun from the wet soil. A shiver ran down her spine at the sight. She'd never seen a real gun up close like this. The weapon was cold and heavy in her hands as she tried to keep her hands from shaking. She couldn't believe she was holding a murder weapon. But she knew she had to bring it up to her friends. This is what they've been looking for. 

"I got it! Guys, I found the gun!" Her excitement was short lived when she suddenly saw the water moving faster and starting to rise. "Crap, water is moving and rising fast!"

JJ curses. "Rory, get out of there, now!"

"How? I can't go back the way I came!" She panicked. She noticed a sewer grate not far ahead of her so she quickly started to crawl toward it. Climbing up the latter, she prayed to God that she could get out of here before she drowned in gross, muddy water. She pushed the gun into the back of her jeans as she tried to push open the grate.

She faintly heard her friends call out to her, but it was hard to hear with the rushing water and the pounding of her heart in her ears. Aurora's hands slipped on the metal of the grate as the water rushed higher, rising up to her waist now. She gritted her teeth, desperate to get out before the current got stronger. Her fingers trembled as she pushed harder on the grate, but it wouldn't budge.

"Come on, come on!" Aurora muttered under her breath, glancing behind her at the quickly rising water. Panic surged in her chest, but she forced herself to stay calm. She couldn't let the fear take over. She needed to focus.

Suddenly, she heard JJ's voice again, this time closer, much closer than before. "Rory, hold on we'll get you out of there!"

"JJ!" She yells, banging on the metal gate to try to get her friends attention. "Guys! Please, help! I'm over here!" Her fingers went through the wholes on the grate, feeling a bit of relief when she felt a familiar hand brush against hers as it tried to open the crate. She knew it was JJ.

"Aurora, hang on, okay?" Pope called.

"Please hurry, the water is rising fast." She whimpered. The water was at her ribs and the current was strong.

She was panicking. Her heart was racing and she was struggling to take deep breaths. She had to remain calm, she knew that, but it was hard. Especially since she was stuck in a storm drain with rushing water quickly rising up her body. She felt like she was drowning and the water wasn't even over her head yet. Aurora could see the three desperately trying to get it open. Her face was pressed against it as much as she could since the water was rising around her, making it harder to breathe. She could feel the weight of the water pressing against her, making her chest feel tight. 

She was panicking. Her heart was racing and she was struggling to take deep breaths. She had to remain calm, she knew that, but it was hard. Especially since she was stuck in a storm drain with rushing water quickly rising up her body. She felt like she was drowning and the water wasn't even over her head yet. Aurora could see the three desperately trying to get it open. Her face was pressed against it as much as she could since the water was rising around her, making it harder to breathe. She could feel the weight of the water pressing against her, making her chest feel tight.

"Guys, please, the water is almost over my head!" Was the last thing she managed to say before she managed to take a deep breath, her panic escalating as the water went over her head. She held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest as she fought against the overwhelming urge to panic. The cold, rushing water swirled around her, making it even harder to stay calm. Every muscle in her body screamed for air, but she couldn't move, couldn't escape the tight grip of the storm drain.

JJ didn't hesitate to grab her, hosting her up by placing his hands under her arms, pulling her out. "Got you." He assures her, pulling her out. She gasps as soon as her head was above water, her hands clinging to his arms tightly. "I got you, I got you."

Aurora's body broke free from the water, and she gasped for air, her lungs burning from the lack of oxygen. She collapsed onto him, coughing and wheezing, her body trembling from the shock. The cool air felt like a lifeline, but her head was spinning, and she couldn't seem to catch her breath. Her heart was pounding in her chest, her hands still gripping JJ's arms as if she might fall back into the water. She had almost drowned. She had come so close to dying.

"Hey, you're okay." JJ said, helping her sit up and rubbing her back. "You're alright. You're safe." He didn't care she was covered in muck. All he cared about was making sure his best friend was okay. She was practically on his lap and shaking. She couldn't stop shaking. It didn't matter how many times JJ said she was okay. She was still scared and couldn't seem to stop. JJ's words and his presence were the only thing keeping her grounded right now.

"I almost drowned," She whispers, her voice breaking. She was still trembling in his arms, her hands clutching at his shirt as if she feared the world would slip away again. Her body shook from the cold, from the fear, from everything that had just happened. The water still felt like it was swallowing her whole, despite being safely out of it. The weight of her near-death experience pressed down on her chest, and every breath felt shallow and too quick. "I was so scared."

"But you didn't." He tells her, trying to make her feel better. "You're safe now. I've got you." down, his forehead gently resting against hers as he held her even closer. His heart was still racing from the fear he'd felt, but he pushed it down, focusing entirely on her. He could feel her trembling against him, the depth of her fear so raw, so real, that it made his own chest tighten. 

Her grip on his arms tightens, and she leans her head against his chest. "Thanks." She mumbled, her voice soft and shaky.

He smiles and gently strokes her hair. "Don't thank me, Aurora. You don't have to thank me. I would do anything to keep you safe. You're my best friend. I'm just glad you're okay."

She could feel the warmth of his hand in her hair, the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear, and it was grounding her, helping to chase away the lingering panic. She had been so close to losing everything, and yet here she was, in his arms, safe. But it was hard to push the fear away completely. Her body still trembled, her heart still raced in her chest, and every breath felt like it took more effort than it should.

JJ continued to hold her, his arms secure around her, his presence steady. He didn't rush her. He just let her be. He knew the kind of fear she was battling, the kind that lingered long after the danger had passed. After a few moments, Aurora managed to calm down. Her heart rate returns to normal, and the trembling in her hands stops. JJ's arms are wrapped around her, and his fingers are still gently running through her hair. It's a comforting sensation, and it helps calms her. 

"Now that I feel like I'm not going to have a panic attack, guess what I found?" She grinned, pulling out the gun from behind her.

"Is that...?" Kiara started, taking the gun from her hands.

"It's the murder weapon," Aurora confirms. "It was buried in the storm drain."

JJ gasps, pulling out a bandana from his pocket to grab the gun from her gently. "You actually did it!" Pope cheered as Kiara helped Aurora up to her feet.

JJ was close to Aurora while standing, helping steady her when she had trouble finding her balance. She was still a bit shaky from the ordeal, but the adrenaline had started to wear off, and the reality of what she had just been through was settling in. Her legs felt unsteady, but JJ was right there, his presence steady and reassuring.

"Let's get this baby to Shoupe." JJ suggested, wrapping his arm around her shoulders to tug her close.

Aurora didn't fight him. In fact, she welcomed the physical contact, leaning against him as they headed to where her jeep was.  "Hey," JJ says softly, glancing down at her with a small smile. "You did good."

"Yeah," She agrees, a grin tugging at the corners of her lips. "I did, didn't I?" Her face scrunches up in disgust. "But now I'm stuck with this nasty, wet mess." She grimaces, glancing down at her muddy clothes. "I think I might need a serious cleanup after this."

"Oh yeah," JJ agrees, wrinkling his nose at the mud caked onto her clothes. "You definitely need a shower."

"Thanks." Aurora laughed, punching him playfully in the arm.

JJ chuckles and nudges her back. "I'm just agreeing with you, Rory. But seriously, I'm so glad we got you out in time."

"Me too. I was so scared. For a moment there, I thought I was a goner." Aurora admitted.

"I wouldn't let that happen." JJ tells her, his voice quiet and serious. "You aren't dying on my watch, okay?"

"Right back at you." Aurora replies, her voice steadying as she looks up at him. "I couldn't lose you either, JJ. Not after everything we've been through."

They share a brief, meaningful glance, the weight of their shared experiences settling between them. Aurora knows deep down that she would do anything for him, just as he would for her. It's an unspoken bond forged through the ups and downs they've faced together. They were there for each other when no one else was, and she couldn't imagine a world without him.

"Promise me," Aurora murmurs, reaching for his hand and linking their pinkies together. "Pinky promise me that no matter what, you'll always have my back."

JJ looks at her, his expression softening. He mirrors her action, linking their pinkies together firmly. "I promise," He says, his voice steady and sincere. "You're stuck with me, red. Till the end." Aurora's heart swells at his words, and she gives him a small, grateful smile. It's a promise they've made before, but this time it feels different—deeper. The bond between them is unbreakable, something that neither time nor circumstances could ever change.

"Till the end." She repeated, her voice steady but filled with emotion. The weight of their promise, of their shared history, lingers in the air between them, and for a moment, everything else fades away.

Together, they stand ready to face whatever comes their way, knowing that as long as they have each other, nothing can tear them apart.

****

The four best friends were now in Shoupe's office as JJ drops the gun on his desk that was covered in the bandana after he pulled the bandana away. Aurora sat in the chair as the other three stood around her, all of them visibly tired but relieved to be out of the immediate danger. Shoupe was leaning against the desk, his arms crossed as he surveyed the group. The tension in the room was palpable, but there was an underlying sense of camaraderie between them all, a shared understanding of what they'd just survived.

Aurora, still covered in mud and grime from the ordeal, took a deep breath, trying to calm the racing thoughts in her mind. She hadn't realized just how close she had been to losing everything until now. The adrenaline was finally starting to fade, leaving her with a mix of exhaustion and gratitude. And now she hoped that Shoupe believed him. He had to, right? They had evidence that the people they were up against were dangerous, but now they needed Shoupe to believe them, to see the threat for what it truly was. Aurora could feel the weight of the situation pressing on her chest, but she tried to steady her breathing. The reality of what they'd been through was sinking in, and the exhaustion from the physical and emotional toll was making it hard to focus.

"So, y'all are telling me this is the firearm Rafe Cameron killed Peterkin with?" Shoupe questioned.

"That's exactly what we're telling you, Shoupe." JJ replied, his voice steady but edged with frustration.

"And the exact same firearm that Ward just used to kill Gavin." Pope added, his tone matter-of-fact, though his eyes betrayed the anxiety building inside him.

"I-" Shoupe pauses, looking in disbelief as he shakes his head. "And where's that corpse again?"

Kiara, her brow furrowed in confusion, gives him an incredulous look "Didn't you look?" 

"I checked the hospital. I went by his house. He was out." Shoupe admitted.

"He was out?" Kiara echoed, her voice rising with incredulity.

"No s***! 'Cause he's dead!" JJ retorted, his voice rising in frustration.

"Listen to yourself, it makes perfect sense." Kiara chimed in.

"Just because he's not in his d*** home does not mean he was a victim of a homicide." Shoupe told them firmly. 

"What are you talking about?" Kiara questioned. 

"I told you!" JJ mumbles to Pope. "You gotta be kidding me." JJ muttered in frustration as he took his hat off out of frustration.

Aurora finally speaks up. "Don't you have to send the gun in to check for prints or any other evidence?" Her voice was tinged with frustration but also a touch of hope. She needed Shoupe to take them seriously, to do his job and see the bigger picture.

Shoupe paused, his gaze flicking to the gun on the desk. He didn't respond immediately, his thoughts clearly running through all the steps, all the possible outcomes. The silence stretched between them as he considered the weight of their words. JJ clearly taking this as Shoupe doubting them runs his hand through his hair angrily. "He'll sit there and wax that d*** mustache. Is that even real?" 

"I'll wax this-" Shoupe interjected in frustration as he got up. 

"Shut up, JJ!" Pope hushed, glaring at the blonde.

"It's not fair!" Kiara commented.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I hurt his feelings?" JJ sarcastically remarked, gaining a harsh look from Pope as the dark-haired boy told him to shut up again while Shoupe walked over to open the door to his office.

"Get out." Shoupe gestured for them to leave.

"Are you serious?" JJ inquired in disbelief.

"I got work to do." Shoupe replies. "Y'all are smelling up my d*** office."

Kiara, hurt and confused, moves to leave the room but stops by him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Did Ward bribe you? This doesn't make any sense."

JJ followed her out of the office, his frustration boiling over. "You ain't gonna do s***."

"Out!" Shoupe called out, raising his voice.

Aurora finally gets up with a heavy sigh, her and Pope being the last ones to leave. "Look, I know some stuff of what to do about this with my dad and uncle being in the FBI." She starts before she left, looking at Shoupe. "You should be taking this in to forensics to get it analyzed. Prints, ballistics, the works. You know this could be the key to taking them down." Her tone was firm, but there was a plea in her eyes—a desperate hope that Shoupe would step up and do the right thing.

Shoupe stared at her, his expression unreadable. He leaned against the doorframe, watching as she walked away with Pope trailing behind. The tension in the hallway was thick as the group gathered outside the office. All equally upset, frustrated, and tired they all decide to separate and head home for the night before meeting up in the morning. 

JJ went with Aurora, since her and her family had been letting him stay with them whenever he needed to. Aurora had finally got the chance to take a hot shower and wash away the grime of the day. The water scalded her skin, but she welcomed the sensation—it was grounding, a physical reminder that she was still here, still alive, still fighting. Her mind replayed the events of the day, every interaction with Shoupe, every piece of evidence, and every doubt that had crept into her thoughts.

When she finally stepped out of the shower, the exhaustion hit her like a wave. Wrapping herself in a towel, she padded into her room, where JJ was sprawled out on a beanbag chair, scrolling aimlessly on his phone. His damp hair stuck to his forehead from his own recent shower, and his face was etched with frustration.

"You good?" He asked without looking up, his voice unusually soft.

Aurora shrugs, moving over to grab her pjs to change into. "Not really, but what choice do we have? Shoupe's not going to help, and we don't have enough evidence to force his hand."

JJ finally looks up, his blue eyes meeting hers as he smiles reassuringly at her. "We'll figure it out. We always do."

"Yeah," She murmurs, her voice trailing off. "You're right. Okay, I'm gonna go change, be right back." She added before heading back into the bathroom. As Aurora closed the bathroom door behind her, the sound of JJ's voice lingered in the air. The reassurance he offered felt like a lifeline, even though the weight of the situation still pressed heavily on her chest. She stared at her reflection in the mirror as she ran a hand through her damp hair, her thoughts racing.

The shower had helped clear her head a little, but now that she was alone again, the quiet only seemed to amplify her worries. Shoupe's indifference, the lack of concrete leads, the tension between them all—it was a lot to carry, and she wasn't sure how much longer they could keep pushing forward without cracking.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself before stepping back into the room. JJ was now on her bed, holding one of the stuffed animals on her bed. It was one he had given her when they were at an arcade and he won it for her. It was an adorable green turtle that was slightly worn from years of being her go-to comfort item. Its soft, plush shell was a little faded, and the stitching on one of its flippers was slightly loose, but it still held the same charm it had when JJ first handed it to her with a triumphant grin.

Aurora smiled as she stepped closer, the sight of JJ with the turtle tugging at her heartstrings. "I can't believe you found that thing." She said softly, sitting on the edge of the bed.

JJ glanced up at her with a lopsided grin, holding up the turtle. "Found it? It was perched on top your pillow like a king on his throne." JJ teases, his grin softening into something more genuine. "Figured it must be important if you kept it out in the open like that."

"He's not an it," She chides softly, sitting beside him and playfully hitting his arm. "You know he has a name."

"Right, sorry." He chuckles. He held out the turtle dramatically, as if it were a prized treasure. "How could I forget? Sir Shellsworth the Third, protector of pillows and keeper of secrets."

Aurora laughs, the sound light and genuine. "His name is Squirt. I named him after Squirt from Finding Nemo since I love that movie and Finding Dory." She pokes his chest. "You made that name up on the spot at the arcade, remember? And you wouldn't stop calling him that the whole ride home. And ever since then."

JJ smirks leaning back against the headboard. "Yeah, but Sir Shellsworth has a nice ring to it, don't you think? Makes him sound official, like he's got a whole royal legacy behind him." His voice is light, teasing, but there's a softness to his words that makes Aurora's heart flutter.

Aurora smiles, shaking her head. "You're impossible," She says, but her smile never falters. "But I guess he can be Sir Shellsworth, too. As long as he gets to keep his original name, Squirt." She brushed back some of her wet hair behind her ear when it had fallen in front of her face.

JJ's eyes lit up when he noticed the action and he reaches over to her to the nightstand on his side where he knew she kept hair ties just in case. The hair ties were kept in a small ceramic dish shaped like a seashell, one Aurora had made years ago in an art class. JJ picked up a black hair tie a, grinning at her when she looked at him in confusion. "C'mere," He reaches over to her to move her so she's sitting in front of him. "You always get annoyed when it falls in your face, so let me help you with that."

Aurora giggles slightly, but moves to where he wanted her to. "Please don't make it worse." She teased, though the small laugh in her voice softened the request. She sat down in front of him, her back to his chest, feeling the warmth of his presence behind her. There was a calmness in the way he moved—no rush, just a quiet attentiveness as he worked with her hair.

He chuckles. "Nah, got years of practice with this. I'll make sure it's perfect." His voice was playful, but there was a hint of reassurance in his tone that made Aurora feel like she could trust him with something so simple yet personal.

Aurora leaned back slightly, her hair cascading around her shoulders as he began working through the strands. His fingers were surprisingly gentle, deftly gathering the damp locks without pulling or tugging too hard. There was something about the way he handled her hair that felt almost comforting—like he was taking care of her in the smallest, most thoughtful way.

JJ carefully worked through her hair, his fingers expertly separating the strands, as Aurora settled back into him, the warmth of his chest against her back providing a sense of calm. He had always been good with his hands, especially when it came to small things that required care. Aurora had taught him how to braid her hair when they were younger, and it had become something they often did for each other, a simple but meaningful way to show their connection.

As his fingers moved with purpose, she felt the familiar pattern of a braid starting to form, the soft tug of her hair as he gently twisted and weaved the strands together. She smiles, a little amused by the familiarity of it all. "I see you're putting your years of practice to good use." She teased, her voice light with affection.

JJ chuckles softly, his hands steady as he continued braiding her hair. "You made me practice, remember?" He said, his voice playful yet with an underlying sincerity. "Had to get it perfect for my best girl."

Aurora smiled fondly, a warmth spreading through her chest as she grabbed Squirt to hold close while JJ continued. She closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the feeling of his touch and the calm, quiet intimacy they shared. It wasn't just the act of him braiding her hair—it was the care, the tenderness, and the fact that they had been through so much together, from childhood to now, always finding ways to take care of each other, no matter how small the gesture.

As she waited for him to finish braiding her hair, she busied herself with softly stroking the little turtle in her hands, a small smile tugging at her lips as she thought about the memories tied to Squirt. She could still remember the day they had picked him out at the arcade, how they had both laughed at the idea of getting a turtle as a pet, how it had seemed so ridiculous at the time. Yet, here he was, perched on her pillow like the little king JJ had jokingly called him.

She glanced over her shoulder at him, his focus entirely on her hair, and she felt a deep sense of gratitude. No matter how much time had passed, it always felt like no distance could come between them. She had been through a lot in life, but moments like this made everything seem lighter, more peaceful. With JJ's gentle presence, it felt like nothing else mattered.

She can't help the giggle leaving her lips when he had gently gripped her head and turns her back to face in front of her. "Stay still, Rory." He warned softly, his voice laced with a hint of playful authority. His fingers lingered in her hair for a moment longer as he adjusted her position, making sure the braid was perfectly placed.

Aurora stifles another giggle, her heart fluttering at the lightheartedness between them. "Okay, Mr. Braid Master." She teased, feeling a mix of affection and contentment as she turned in front of her, grinning at hearing him chuckle.

JJ finishes the final touches of her braid, tying it off with the hair tie. He gently ran his fingers down the length of her hair, smoothing out any stray strands. When he was done, he leans back, his hands still resting lightly on her shoulders. "There. All set," He murmurs, his voice soft and satisfied. "Wanna see?" He asked, his voice laced with that familiar teasing warmth as he gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze, clearly proud of his work.

Aurora glances at him, a playful smile still tugging at her lips. She turned her head to the side, inspecting her braid in the reflection of the nearby mirror. It was neat, perfectly woven, and surprisingly well-done. "I must admit, Mr. Braid Master," She said teasingly though her voice dripping with affection, "You've outdone yourself. This might just be the best braid I've ever had."

JJ smirks, his eyes twinkling. "I told you I had years of practice," He replies, leaning in slightly to look at her with that unmistakable look of pride. "I mean, I wouldn't want anything less for my best girl."

Aurora couldn't help but smile, warmth blooming in her chest. She reaches up, lightly touching the braid he'd so carefully created, savoring the tenderness of the moment. "I think you're right. It's perfect."

"Hey, kids." A soft familiar voice gains their attention after the sound of a soft knock at the door. Aurora's smile widens when she hears the voice, her heart lightening at the sound of her mother's warm tone. She knew it was her, the way she always seemed to pop in at just the right moment, bringing a sense of comfort and home.

"Hey, mom," Aurora calls out, turning slightly to greet her, still feeling the weight of JJ's hands resting lightly on her shoulders. "What's up?"

"Just wanted to say I'm heading to bed, but I thought I'd check in before I go. How are you two doing?" Her mother's voice carried a softness, the kind that comes with years of caring and understanding.

Aurora's smile deepens at the sound of her mother's voice, feeling the layers of affection and familiarity settle in around her. "We're good, mom," She says, glancing at JJ, who had finally moved his hands from her shoulders, his playful grin still intact. "Got the braid master to work his magic." She added with a teasing smile, glancing over at JJ, who raised his eyebrows in mock pride before she looked back at her mom and showed off the braid.

JJ shrugs dramatically, his grin widening as he looks at Aurora's mother. "What can I say? It's a gift." He retorted, his tone teasing but filled with affection.

Farrah smiles, her eyes soft with pride as she takes in the sight of Aurora's braid. "Well, I have to say, that is quite impressive, JJ," She says, her voice full of warmth. "You really do have a talent for this." She steps closer, reaching out to lightly touch the braid, inspecting it with a loving smile. "I think it's safe to say you've outdone yourself. But then again," She pulls away, turning to J with a fond smile. "When it comes to my daughter, you always seem to go the extra mile."

JJ's face softens, a smile tugging at his lips. He glances down for a moment, and then back up, his eyes shining with emotion. "She deserves the best."

"She does," Farrah agrees, her expression soft and affectionate. "And so do you." She adds, gaining a slightly surprised expression from JJ but he still smiled softly at her. "Good night, you two. I'll see you in the morning."

Aurora grins, her heart feeling light and content. "Good night, mom," She calls out, her voice full of warmth and love. "Love you."

Farrah smiles warmly, her eyes full of affection. "Love you too, honey." She glances at JJ before she left the room. "JJ, you remember where all extra stuff is for the guest room, right? That is if you need it."

"Yes, ma'am." He replies as he nods. "And if I don't I know someone who does." He added, playfully poking Aurora's side where he knew she was ticklish. He chuckled when a small giggle escaped left her lips while she swatted his hand away.

"Okay, then. I'll leave you two be. Sleep tight, you two. Don't stay up too late." Farrah said with a wink as she left the room, quietly closing the door behind her.

"Yes, mom," Aurora calls out playfully, smiling. "We'll behave, I promise."

"I'm not making any promises," JJ says, his voice low and teasing, making Aurora laugh as she nudged his arm, playfully rolling her eyes. "What?" He asked innocently, feigning confusion.

Aurora rolls her eyes, though her smile never falters. "Wanna watch a movie or something before we go to sleep?"

"Duh, of course," JJ answers with a smirk. "What did you have in mind? Wait, hold on, I know the perfect one." He climbs off the bed to head over to where her tv is set up on a dresser across the room. Aurora had a small shelf nearby full of CD's of various movies they had accumulated over the years—some old favorites, others more obscure ones they'd discovered together. JJ rifled through the shelf, pulling out a couple of discs and scanning the titles before turning to Aurora with a triumphant grin. He held up Finding Nemo, waving it playfully. "We gotta watch this."

"Then we gotta watch Finding Dory after," Aurora says, a smile forming on her lips, unable to deny that his enthusiasm was infectious. "I don't make the rules. It just makes sense." She added as she reached over and grabbed the small remote from the nightstand.

JJ nods, a knowing look crossing his face. "Of course. We can't break the rules," He puts the CD in, turning on the tv, and walks back over to the bed, his voice taking on a faux serious tone, though a grin tugged at his lips. "We gotta follow the rules. That's very important."

"Exactly." Aurora giggled, shaking her head. She grabbed the remote as the movie previews show up. She skipped to the menu screen to play the movie as JJ got back in bed by her. She chuckled when he suddenly scooped her up and pulled her close. "J!" She laughed, leaning into him.

"C'mon, it's a movie night. That means we gotta snuggle up," JJ grins, wrapping his arms around her, his voice teasing yet affectionate. "We always snuggled when we watched movies. It's a tradition."

"It is." Aurora agreed, settling into his embrace. She rested her head on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear. The familiar comfort of being so close to him made her feel safe, content, and like everything in the world was just as it should be.

JJ's arms were warm and secure around her as they settled into the rhythm of the movie, the soft hum of the oceanic soundtrack from Finding Nemo filling the air. He absentmindedly ran his fingers up and down her arm, his touch sending tingles of pleasure through her. They watched the movie, sharing quiet jokes and commentary as the familiar story played out on the screen. The movie plays, the comforting soundtrack of the sea and the familiar storyline washing over them. It wasn't long until Aurora found herself drifting off, lulled by the steady beat of JJ's heart and the warmth of his embrace. Her eyelids grew heavy, her body relaxing against him, and she couldn't help but think that there was nowhere else she'd rather be.

JJ glances down at her, noticing the way her eyes were growing heavy. He chuckles softly, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Go ahead, sleepyhead," He murmurs, his voice soft and soothing. "Get some rest." Aurora mumbled in protest, but her eyes drifted closed, sleep overtaking her. Her last thought before succumbing to the darkness was that there was nowhere else she would rather be than wrapped up in his arms, feeling safe and loved.

JJ moved carefully so they both were under the covers without waking her. He settled in beside her, his arms still around her as he adjusted the blanket over them. He lay there for a moment, watching her peacefully sleep, her face serene and relaxed in a way that made his heart swell with affection. He couldn't help but smile at how natural and easy it was to be with her like this—how right everything felt. Her braid fell over her shoulder, the silky strands spilling over the pillow, and he carefully brushed it aside, tucking the loose locks behind her ear.

As the movie continued playing in the background, he let himself relax, his own eyes growing heavy. He leaned in, pressing a featherlight kiss to her forehead before resting his head on the pillow. He could still feel her heartbeat against his chest, the steady rhythm of her breathing, and it lulled him into a peaceful slumber. The night wrapped around them like a cozy blanket, the soft hum of the movie fading into the background as JJ held Aurora close. The warmth of her body, the rhythm of her breathing, and the quiet comfort of just being together made everything else feel distant, almost irrelevant. In this moment, nothing mattered except the peaceful bond between them.

Aurora slept soundly, her body relaxed in JJ's embrace, the weight of the day fading into the tranquility of the night. JJ, too, felt the pull of sleep, but he was content to just be here, in this small, perfect moment with her. He listened to her soft breaths, letting the calm settle over him as his own eyes fluttered closed. The movie played on, but neither of them were paying attention anymore. The room was filled with the soft glow of the TV screen and the quiet of two people in perfect harmony, the outside world forgotten for a while. JJ's last thought as sleep overtook him was how lucky he felt to have found someone who made every day feel like a gift. And with that, both of them drifted into a peaceful, contented sleep, wrapped up in the comfort of their shared world.

A/N ugh jj & aurora have my heart <3