Aurora's Pov

I have lived on the Outer Banks my whole life and I know every inch of this island like the back of my hand—the hidden coves, the quiet beaches, the spots no one else would think to explore. Growing up here meant salt in my hair, sand in my shoes, and the constant sound of the waves crashing against the shore. It was like the island itself was woven into me, as much a part of me as my own heartbeat. For as long as I can remember, this little slice of paradise has been my home. It's where I first learned to talk, walk, and everything in between. It's where I grew up with the best friends a girl could ever ask for. This place will always have a special place in my heart, no matter where life takes me.

Growing up, my parents were as much a part of this island as the dunes and driftwood. My mom, Farrah Kincaid, has this fierce yet gentle energy—like the ocean on a calm day that could turn stormy in an instant. She's strong and fearless, with a beauty that seems timeless, like the sea itself. She embodies everything I aspire to be, she makes me believe I can do anything I put my mind to. She taught me how to navigate the waters with confidence, how to swim without fear, and how to ride the waves. As a marine biologist, she loved sharing her knowledge and passion for the ocean. I still remember sitting at the kitchen table, listening to her tell me about the different species of fish, sharks, and other creatures that live in the ocean. She was so animated and full of joy, it was impossible not to get caught up in her excitement. She was a natural teacher, and I was an eager student, soaking up everything she had to share.

She owned a marine biology center near the harbor, and it was filled with all sorts of amazing things. A few times a year, she would host special events such as tours, beach cleanups, and educational workshops for kids in the community. I loved helping her with these events. Seeing her talk about the ocean with such passion, watching her light up when she got to share her knowledge—it was inspiring. She had a way of making science fun and interesting, and I was lucky enough to grow up with a front-row seat to her passion.

My dad, Dawson Kincaid, was the opposite. He was the epitome of stability, the solid rock you could count on when times got rough. He's reserved, with a calm intensity that makes him seem like he's always thinking a step ahead. He works for the FBI, alongside his older brother, my Uncle Nolan. While mom brings warmth and brightness wherever she goes, dad was like the eye of a hurricane. He was steady and unwavering, a force to be reckoned with. He always seemed to know exactly what to do, even in the most difficult situations. 

It was easy to see why he was so good at his job. His ability to stay calm and collected in any situation is a trait I hope to one day master. He was always the voice of reason in our household, the one who kept us grounded and on track. But despite his serious demeanor, he was never afraid to have a little fun. I still remember him teaching me how to ride a bike when I was five years old, the way his eyes lit up with pride when I finally managed to stay balanced on my own. Or how we would play pranks on each other and laugh until our sides ached. He was even the one who taught me how to sail and how to surf. These are memories I will cherish forever.

My dad is often away on assignments, dealing with investigations that I can only imagine. He doesn't talk much about his work—something about keeping us safe by keeping us out of it. But I know that his cases are complicated, often involving things like organized crime, smuggling, or high-profile criminals who think they're above the law. He doesn't let the dangers of his job get to him, though. Instead, he uses it as motivation, pushing himself to keep going, no matter what. It's an admirable trait, one that I hope to have one day.

Even with his demanding career, he always made sure to be present in our lives. He would come home from work and ask us about our day, and then he'd listen with genuine interest. We had movie nights and game nights, and he even let me stay up past my bedtime once or twice when he was working on a particularly big case and couldn't be home much. Despite his busy schedule, he was always there for us, and while he often didn't outwardly show his emotions, we knew that he loved us dearly.

It's a strange mix, really. My parents are opposites in so many ways, but somehow, it works. They balance each other out, keeping the peace and making our little family run like clockwork. I've always wanted a love like theirs, a connection that's deep and lasting. It's the kind of love that withstands the storms, the kind of love that never falters, no matter what. It's the kind of love worth fighting for, and I'm lucky to have been raised by two people who embody it. They may be complete opposites, but they were soulmates.

Their love was infectious, and growing up, it was impossible not to believe in happily ever after. I remember them dancing around the kitchen to cheesy music and laughing together like they were teenagers in love. There were countless evenings spent out on the porch, watching the stars and talking about anything and everything. Even when they fought, which was rare, they always made up quickly. They showed me that true love can withstand anything, and it's something I hope to find one day. My mom has always been the open book, the heartbeat of our family, grounding us here on the island, while my dad is more of a mystery, with this hidden world he doesn't let us fully see. 

Sometimes I catch him staring out at the ocean, lost in thought, like he's carrying the weight of something only he understands. He's not one to let his guard down easily, but when he does, it's always a sight to behold. I never really was a daddy's girl or a mommy's girl. I loved both of them equally, and while they were polar opposites, I admired them for the unique qualities they brought to our family. They both inspired me to be the best version of myself, and I am forever grateful for the lessons they've taught me. They're the reason I'm the person I am today, and I wouldn't trade them for the world.

Uncle Nolan is around sometimes, too, though he's a bit more lighthearted, with stories of their FBI cases that always get me thinking. Dad would probably kill him for telling me half of them, but Uncle Nolan knows I've got the Kincaid spark for adventure and curiosity. He's similar to my dad though too with not opening up. He has this quiet confidence, always careful with his words, but there's a lightness about him that makes him easier to talk to. It's like he's always ready with a joke or a quick-witted comeback, a stark contrast to my dad's more serious, reserved nature. Still, there's a mutual respect between them. When Uncle Nolan comes over for dinner, it's a bit like having an extra parent. And his wife, Ainsley, is an absolute gem. She is kind, funny, and always willing to lend a helping hand. She makes the best apple pie and gives the best hugs. We're very lucky to have them in our lives.

Sometimes, I wonder if growing up with them shaped me in ways I can't even fully understand yet. My mom gave me my sense of place—she taught me how to listen to the rhythms of the island, to feel grounded here. But my dad taught me to see beyond it, to respect that there's always something hidden beneath the surface, whether it's in the depths of the ocean or in the lives of the people around us.

In a way, I think that's why I've always been drawn to JJ. He's got that same restlessness that my dad has, that quiet urge to go deeper, to search for something beyond the island's edges. JJ has this way of making me feel like I can be both the grounded girl who belongs here and the one who's ready to chase after whatever's just beyond the horizon. My parents don't completely understand my friendship with him; my mom sometimes looks at me like she's afraid he'll lead me down a path too dangerous or wild. But my dad? He gets it. I think he sees a bit of himself in JJ's recklessness, a bit of that same longing to break free from the confines of the world around him.

When my dad isn't away on a case, he'll sometimes take us out on the boat, showing JJ and me how to read the waves, navigate the currents, and find the hidden spots only seasoned locals know. He always has this way of turning an ordinary outing into something special, something that feels like a lesson wrapped in adventure. My dad doesn't say much during these trips, but he doesn't need to. He just watches, guiding us with subtle nods and gestures, letting us make our own way. And when I manage to read the waves just right, or when JJ figures out how to angle the boat against the wind, there's this look of pride in his eyes that I know he doesn't share easily. It's his way of connecting with us, being on the boat, teaching us about the balance of freedom and responsibility.  

But then, there's the part of him that's always watching over his shoulder, the part of him that's lived through things I can't begin to imagine. I think he's seen things in his line of work that have made him cautious, even fearful, for us. He's hinted at how the island isn't immune to the same dangers he deals with on the mainland, how the Outer Banks' beauty and isolation can sometimes draw in trouble. Maybe that's why he worries about me and JJ, why he sometimes warns me to be careful around the friends I choose, to be cautious about the risks I take. Yet he still trusts me, trusts that I know who I am and where I come from.

Uncle Nolan, on the other hand, encourages my sense of adventure. He's got a bit more of that wild Kincaid streak, the one my dad doesn't show as much. He's told me stories about the cases they've worked on, about secret trails and hidden treasures people would kill to find. Uncle Nolan is the one who sparked my imagination, who taught me to look for the beauty in the unknown. He's a lot like my dad in the way he doesn't talk much about his life or work, but when he does, I always feel like I'm getting a glimpse into a world far more exciting than my own. 

He's the one who instilled a sense of wonder in me, a desire to explore and discover what lies just beyond the horizon. He keeps his emotions close, but there's a warmth to him that makes you feel safe. Whenever he comes to visit, he always seems to know how to make me laugh, usually with some wild story from one of his investigations. He's a big kid at heart, and his sense of humor is contagious. Sometimes he can be a bit overprotective but so can my dad. But, despite the worry, I know they want the best for me, and their concern comes from a place of love.

From as far back as I can remember, JJ has always been by my side. We've been through everything together: scraped knees, endless summers, midnight swims, and secret spots that only we know. JJ is wild, free, unafraid of anything, while I've always been the one who plans, who thinks twice before jumping. But JJ? He doesn't care about rules or boundaries. He'll do anything, just because he can. He's the thrill seeker, the one who takes risks. I guess that's why we work so well together—he gives me a taste of adventure, a rush of adrenaline, while I ground him, remind him that there's more to life than just the next thrill. I couldn't imagine a single memory of my childhood without him in it. 

We were like the sun and the sea—constantly moving, changing, yet always bound to each other. He was the one who dared me to dive from the highest cliffs, who coaxed me out into the ocean in the middle of a summer storm, who convinced me to climb higher up the trees or sneak down the beach past curfew. He had this magnetic energy, drawing me in, making me feel like I could do anything as long as he was by my side. We were partners in crime, two souls intertwined, a perfect match.

Despite our differences, we understood each other in a way that no one else could. We spoke a language only we could understand, a silent code built from years of friendship. From the time we were young, we shared a special bond, one that grew stronger as we got older. Our connection was unlike anything I'd ever experienced. It was deep and intense, yet comfortable and safe. We could talk for hours about anything and everything. We knew each other's secrets, hopes, and dreams. And through it all, we always had each other's backs, no matter what. Our bond was a constant, an anchor in a changing world. With JJ by my side, I felt like I could face anything.

But now, standing on the cusp of something more, our friendship feels like the shoreline—where the sea kisses the sand, in a constant push and pull, neither wanting to give an inch. The feelings that had once felt easy, like breathing, now seemed tangled and complex, as if we were caught in a current we couldn't control. It was exhilarating, but it scared me too. I was afraid of losing the friendship that had meant everything to me. Yet a part of me couldn't help but wonder: if we were brave enough to risk it, could we be something even more beautiful?

The adventure we'd both craved was right here, within reach. All we had to do was take the leap.

A/N may have inspired dawson's & nolan's personalities by sam & dean tbh for my supernatural fans lol ANYWAY so excited i love aurora & jj so much already get ready for a wild ride y'all <3