Revelation

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/53044102.

Rating: Not Rated

Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Category: Gen
Fandom: Outer Banks (TV)
Relationships: JJ Maybank & Victor Shoupe, Pope Heyward & JJ Maybank
Characters: JJ Maybank, Victor Shoupe, Luke Maybank, Pope Heyward, Topper
Thornton
Additional Tags: Protective Victor Shoupe, JJ Maybank Needs a Hug, JJ Maybank-centric,
Protective JJ Maybank, JJ Maybank Gets the Love He Deserves, JJ
Maybank Deserves Happiness, JJ Maybank Being an Idiot, JJ Maybank
Deserves Better, JJ Maybank whump, Hurt JJ Maybank, Fatherly Victor
Shoupe, Luke Maybank Being an Asshole, Bad Parent Luke Maybank,
Mentioned Luke Maybank, Abusive Luke Maybank, Abused JJ
Maybank, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Child Abuse, Verbal Abuse,
Abuse, Emotional/Psychological Abuse, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional
Hurt/Comfort, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Mild Hurt/Comfort
Language: English
Series: Part 4 of JJ Centric One-Shots
Stats: Published: 2024-01-14 Words: 4,871 Chapters: 1/1
 Revelation
by Jason_Todds_Thigh_Holster

Summary

''No, what I need is to be left the fuck alone. I needed an adult after my mother left and my
dad got stir crazy without her — when he'd bash my face in every night because he got a kick
out of it. When there was never any food. I needed an adult when I was praying every night
to something I didn't believe in for something to take me out before I did it myself. Now
though, Shoupe? Now I'll handle it myself, now I don't need nothing from any of you,''

Shoupe's heart splintered.

''You don't mean that,''

''I do, I really fucking do,''

Victor Shoupe was getting too old for this shit. It seemed that with his ongrowing age, he was
only finding less and less to be grateful for. While noticing more that he detested about the
world and his own personal life.

So much in fact that there were numerous days where Shoupe reflected on his life. Where he
wondered if he'd gotten involved in the right career path. Even more of his days were spent
thinking about how he really, truly, and honestly was beginning to despise his job.

The police force he worked for weren't even doing anything worthwhile as of late it seemed.

No, instead of doing anything worthwhile he was standing there. Having to enforce
indictments against teens, literal kids. Charges that were made by petty-ass adults all because
one of their expensive toys were ruined. It was childish. Even more so considering that the
parents and their children weren't entirely blameless in this either. The expensive toys that
were ruined had been because of their own kids. Their kids that happened to be some kooks
that believed it to be acceptable to treat those poorer than them like they were nothing less
than dirt.

This was not something he'd signed up for. Political matters weren't something he'd ever
thought he'd get involved in when it came to this line of work. Frankly, he was beginning to
see that the law wasn't equal — not in Outer Banks, the supposed paradise on earth. And
Shoupe was beginning to realize it wasn't necessarily all that moral, for that matter either.

Hell, even he knew that no poor kid was going to be able to pay off a lawsuit filed for minor
infractions. He knew JJ couldn't honestly be expected to chalk up the cash needed for these
charges.

Then again, it didn't surprise him. That's how it always was. Small things such as cutting
across a yard earned the label of trespassing. Defending yourself against the wealthy kids that
beat on you day in and out suddenly was screwed and warped into assault. The folks from
Figure Eight were more than quick to spew charges at people, even kids... It left a bad taste
in Shoupe's mouth just thinking of it.

So yeah, Victor Shoupe loathed his job at times. He hated the injustice that was often dealt.
Couldn't stand that it was often dealt toward kids that he was supposedly here to protect.

Shoupe exhaled heavily, adjusting his hand on the side of his belt as JJ spoke. Plans of
ridding Pope of the blame for sinking the Thornton's ship already spewing from the blonde's
lips.

His eyes darted between the two as the teens had it out with one another. Shifting the blame
back and forth, ironically fighting for who would shoulder the blame, and the charges. Who's
fault it was.

It eventually fell on JJ. And it stayed there, he knew it would.

JJ Maybank was definitely no exception to the injustice and general unfairness around the
island. Even as much as Shoupe wishes the kid almost was.

JJ would always just be some poor pogue that never stood a chance in the eyes of the
beholder. And the beholder happened to be those around the island who judged and compared
the kid to Luke Maybank.

''Shut up Pope, just shut up...you don't get it. He's a good kid,'' JJ insisted voice ardent. As the
kid looked then over at him determinedly. ''An' you know where I'm from,''

Shoupe turned, looking over to his side where JJ stood. Then let his eyes fall downward for a
second only to glance right back up at the hard-headed teen a beat later.

''Yeah,'' He confirmed simply, unthinking of the implication. Of what it meant to the younger.

Except he almost regretted ever speaking, ever uttering the word as JJ's lips screwed up into
an unimpressed half smile. Eyes bleak. The kid's split lip tugging upward with it. Shoupe
knew by the expression alone that JJ had already been expecting him to say as such. But
before he could even be certain he'd seen the falter in Maybank's expression — it was gone.
JJ's eyes never fell back to his own, the boy's stance all too compliant for someone so tense.

Victor had a suspicion then and there that things weren't as they seemed. And he definitely
wasn't buying that JJ had sunk the Thortons's ship alone.

If Victor Shoupe could do it all over again then he would. He'd react quicker on that same
hunch, he'd figure out why JJ had been so okay with taking the apparent fall for Hayward's
son. He'd find out why JJ was so foolishly loyal even when it got the younger into heaps of
trouble.

If he'd managed to buy JJ a way out of these charges, out of having to be taken to the police
station then he would've.

It's unclear to him why that is.

To be frank, he doesn't know what's got him feeling so passionate toward this subject, toward
JJ Maybank particularly. Who up until now he'd seen as nothing but a thorn in his side. He
couldn't tell you why now he cares so much. Honestly, he doesn't know why that is himself.
Perhaps frustratingly enough Shoupe is nearly answerless.

He chalks it up as it being nothing more than his general distaste toward Luke Maybank. Of
secretly wanting and hoping for JJ to be better.

Everyone knew Luke was the lowest of the low, even beneath the scum on his shoe. He knew
of the drugs, of Luke's nature of being an alcoholic. JJ didn't need to be that way too. Already
had too much potential of being better.
While JJ was inexplicably better than the kid's father, he knew that JJ Maybank was still
roughened around the edges, that the kid was seen more often than not with bruises and
littered with bruises.

Guess he'd never quite put two and two together, and had overlooked the bigger picture.

All he knew was that kid, and John Booker were always sticking their noses where it
shouldn't be. Always getting into trouble, getting into scraps and fights with others.

Granted he'd just assumed that's all it was... hadn't thought of the possibility of Luke
Maybank beating on his own son. But maybe he should've seen that, a piece of him said that
he'd been careless in not doing so. They all had. He and Peterkin shouldn't of ruled it out so
quickly. After all, back when he'd been taking the teen to the station — he'd seen the way JJ
had cringed at his contact, or better yet any contact. He'd seen how the kid had fought with
every fiber of the kid's being not to cringe or jerk away as he held onto JJ's arm. It'd had him
lessening his hold ever so slightly. Something JJ didn't quite seem to understand as kicked
puppy-dog eyes looked at him. Examining him in his fullness.

They'd examined him for if he'd had an ulterior motive. Shoupe had seen it. Hadn't wanted to
admit how god-awful it'd made him feel.

Victor had tried not to pay the gaze any mind or reaction, he'd shouldered the doubt he'd felt.
Before leading the kid into the back of his police cruiser. Hopping into the driver's seat
afterward. He'd expected cussing, the teen's mouthy and sometimes even borderline vulgar
words, or...or something. It never came. And what he hadn't expected was pure and total
silence as the blonde sunk into the back seat. Practically willing it to swallow the teen whole.
His lips had thinned into a line, eyes darting to the rearview mirror to catch a glimpse of the
usually rowdy kid. It caught him off guard to see how dejected the other looked. Even more
so with the way, the blonde was silent, not even a hint of the usual mouthiness. His eyes had
shifted away the exact moment JJ's flashed to his own within the mirror.

Only, It didn't just stop there. The more he'd drove the more Victor's unease grew. Eminently
Shoupe found himself noticing things he never would've before. Sure, maybe one could say
he was reading too much into it. Or maybe he wasn't. Maybe he was finally glimpsing behind
the curtains, behind the obscured lines as he should've before.

And then there was how tense JJ'd been the entire time at the station

Even more tense the second Luke Maybank had arrived to pick the kid up. JJ's body and form
tightened like a rusted spring. And then with all the begrudgeness in the world, JJ trotted over
to Luke Maybank.

Shoupe watched.

The kid stood in front of the elder Maybank, head downcast when Luke wrenched the kid's
arm into a grip. JJ from what he could see, tried not to draw any attention to how tightly Luke
was holding onto the kid's forearm. But Shoupe saw it, and when he did his eyes narrowed at
Luke. The other's eyes catching his own on the way out, progressively tightening the grip on
JJ's arm mockingly.
Something in Shoupe can't seem to let go of what he'd seen. Hayward's son's look of concern
that'd been directed at JJ when JJ had taken the fall, then there was the blonde-headed kid's
stiffness, and Luke Maybank's smugness while leaving the station all painted a bigger picture.
Something wasn't right. And for once Shoupe's done shaking it off — he's done only dealing
with trivial issues over real-world problems. If JJ is genuinely and honestly being mistreated
at home then it's not something that should be treated lightly.

Victor Shoupe doesn't want to take it lightly, he decides. Then before he can even doubt what
he's doing or second-think it, Shoupe's already out the front door of his house. Stalking
forward and slamming the driver's door behind him as he lifts himself into his truck,

Getting to the car is one thing, he barely remembers doing it. The ride to the Maybank
residence however was even more of a blur to him. He recalls wanting to get there as quickly
as possible. Remembers rushing there, and then once arriving he'd bounded out of his truck.
Surging forward to the residence's front door all in one stride. Harshly he bangs on the door
over and over again, there's nothing that greets the noise. Thirty seconds of silence go by
before he bangs on it again.

Apparently seeing that Shoupe had no plans of letting up, Maybank yielded. He hears a large
grunt come through the other side of the door and then the door swings open.

''What!'' Luke snaps at him gruffly. ''What're you doing prancing outside in my yard?''

Shoupe squares his shoulders, lips in a thin line. Nose pointed high as he levels the eldest
Maybank with a heated glare.

''No reason that contains you, I'm here for the boy, I need to speak with JJ. Where's he at?''

There was a lapse in Luke's murderous expression.

''To hell if I know. Clearly, not around,''

''Really now?'' Cockily, Luke nods at him. ''That's awfully funny to me considering your
neighbors claim to of heard a disturbance coming from this residence. And they don't seem to
of seen JJ leaving at any point after that,''

Like a switch had flipped off Luke's expression loses any semblance of cockiness. Shoupe
smirks.

''Nosy fucks,'' Shoupe hears Luke mumble under the man's breath. ''This about them' charges
of his or those fucking neighbors I've got?''

''Neither,''

''Then we've got nothing to talk about,''

Shoupe huffs out a breath. Nearly ready to go and shove past the other.

''Step aside, Maybank,''

''I believe you're at my house, Sheriff,'' Luke retorts. ''You shouldn't be making demands,''

''I'm not asking you, I'm telling you to move,'' Shoupe snips right back. ''If you know what's
best for you Luke then you'll step aside,''

Luke stared back skeptically.

''What's the meaning of this anyway?''

''Your son,'' Shoupe grits out, Luke goes ramrod straight. ''I've got reason to believe that
you're mistreating him. You're treading a thin line, Maybank, I have reason to believe you've
been abusing him,''

Appearing caught, the alcoholic's face sharpens into something ugly.

''That so, Is that what a bit of discipline's called nowadays? Sensitive little motherfuckers you
are, all of you,''

''Yes, that's so,'' Shoupe steadies his tone. Trying to keep the threads of inky black anger from
bleeding into it. ''And I think we both know what's going on here qualifies as more than just
discipline,''

''Well, I don't know where you might've caught word of that, Sheriff, but JJ's doin' just fine.
God only knows the lil' fuckers a troublemaker,''

Shoupe's expression hardened.

''If that's the case you'll have no problem letting me in to see him for myself,''

''And if I do mind? I'd rather you didn't waltz around my goddamned house as you very well
pleased,''

''There's no way around it. Either you let me see the kid or I come back with a warrant, your
choice,''

Luke didn't voice a reply, so he made his own. Shoupe took it as his queue to budge his way
inside.

No one, not even Luke goddamned Maybank was going to come in between him and finding
that kid.
The first thing he noticed was that the house was darkened as he made his way through,
pushing past Luke. He wondered if it just happened to be because all the lights had been
turned off or if the electricity as a whole had been shut off. It wouldn't surprise him.

Shoupe chanced a look back at the eldest Maybank who stood still in the doorway. It was true
that the man made no outward move to stop him. But it didn't mean that the man didn't
appear unnerved and downright pissed by his presence.

Cautiously Shoupe dragged himself forward. A hand warily kept close to his belt in case
Maybank tried anything. He surveyed the darkened house as he went through the numerous
rooms. His eyes resolutely adapted to the dimness. Checking off any room that was barren
and without JJ. He landed himself in the living room which once again proved to be sightless
of the blonde. While JJ was nowhere yet to be found Luke's innumerable alcohol bottles
weren't.

Shoupe's expression wrinkled in disgust at the sight. Anticipation of finding JJ only growing.

''Kid? Hey, kid where are you?''

Nothing followed his call. Although he made a discovery of his own as his eyes flickered
around. Examining more than just the living room. Eventually, they fell to the floor at the
beginnings of the stairs.

It was there, a mere few feet away from where he stood currently, a speckle of red gleamed
up at him. Striding forward on his own accord, he walked over to it. Crouching down in front
of the staircase he inspected the speck. Blood it was then.

Raising his head, It was then that he noticed the splatters of blood that dotted uncleanly along
the stairs. Placing his hands atop of his knees Shoupe rose. Subsequently following the trail
up the stairs, careful to watch his footing so as not to step on or disturb the liquid. In case it
need be used for evidence later.

He followed it. Pursued it until it led him down a hallway, coming to a stop at a slightly ajar
door at the end of it. Unkindly he pressed the door open, words already jumbling out of his
mouth before he'd yet processed what was being seen.

''The hells going...'' Shoupe trailed off.

Admittedly, he wasn't sure what he'd expected. JJ Maybank or rather JJ Maybank's back was
not it. The boy sat there. Back was to Shoupe, so either JJ didn't care of his presence. Or
hadn't heard the door open, because JJ didn't react, neither in greeting or in fear at his
unexpected presence.

And then JJ for whatever reason did turn. Turned back to fully face him actually, an unsightly
plum-colored bruise tinging half the youngers face.

''—...JJ,'' Shoupe muttered astonished.

Finally reacting, the boy responded at his call of the kid's name. Dropping ahold of what the
other had been grasping out of the first aid kit. Flailing in premature surprise until the
younger fell off the edge of the bed. Afterward, the blonde sat there crumpled at the foot of
the bed, a hand clutching at most likely busted ribs. JJ didn't pick himself up off the floor.
The kid only groaned, eyes snapping up angrily to meet his own.

''What the shit, Officer Shoupe? Who the fuck just walks in on someone like that? And,'' JJ's
voice commenced. ''And I thought you needed a warrant to enter someone's place,''

And then Shoupe really got a good look at the kid. Except he wished he hadn't. There was
more blood and now discolored skin on JJ than there was anything else. To the point where
he couldn't even tell where it was coming from. He knew it was running from the kid's nose,
and from multiple cuts and contusions on the others face. But beyond that, he didn't know.
The kid sported what was now becoming that usual busted lip. Clearly had a bit of something
going on with those ribs as well.

And yet what might've concerned him the most were JJ's eyes...they weren't right. Defeat,
and submission lay heavy in them, dimming the usual mischievous spark that usually pissed
him off so greatly. Darkly, a piece of him distantly wondered if Luke had beaten it out of the
boy.

Now he was almost debating whether or not he missed that glint of mischievity.

Because None of this was right. Luke Maybank was a mean and nasty son of a bitch' to be
able to leave JJ looking like this. And still manage to sleep at night.

''You do,'' Shoupe responded shortly.

''Then what're you doing here? Wait, don't tell me you finally dropped your goody two-shoes
act? You going all bad cop on me now, that it?''

''Not an act, and yeah as an officer I'd need a warrant. I came here out of my own free will to
check on you though. Got concerned for you,''

JJ's lips stretched into a too-large and a far too-big grin. Pearly with teeth gleaming.

''Oh, you're joking then, aren't you? Gotta' say I didn't know you did that, Shoupe. Don't tell
me you're here to arrest me again? What on account of me getting my ass beat, is that it this
time?''

Shoupe sucked in a breath through clenched teeth. Deciding to rip the bandaid off of their
already limited conversation.

''Your pops' the one to do this to you?'' Shoupe asks instead.

Uncharacteristically bitter the other laughed at him. It sounded misplaced for the
conversation, throwing him off guard by how little that sound belonged in JJ's mouth.

''What's it matter to you if he did?''

Standoffishly Shoupe snaps back.

''It matters because if that's the case and he's the one that did this to you then you need to tell
me so that I can help you. Immediately,''

At first, JJ only scoffs in reply.

''That's rich, I mean really, fucking really? This —'' Angrily JJ's finger gestured to the boy's
face, ''All of a sudden bothers you now? Since fucking when? Why is it that you and your
fucked up stache care about me all of a sudden?''

''Kid —''

''Don't kid me. I'm not your kid or anyone else's so don't call me that. Seriously, when the hell
have you or anyone else given two shits about what happens to me? Half the time even if it's
in your direct line of sight you still couldn't give less of a shit. So you tell me did something
change that I need to know about, Shoupe, huh?''

''Are you gonna' be done blabbing anytime soon son, or should I come back?'' JJ glared
defiantly at him but otherwise said nothing. ''Okay, good. Listen, your bleeding — you're
injured pretty badly. Set aside your personal feelings for me and let me help you,''

''You?'' JJ challenged. ''I think I'd rather bleed out,''

''Yeah, well you're about halfway to getting that wish as is,'' He watched as JJ winced. ''I
know you like to be independent and all but this looks bad. It's more than you can chew by
yourself. You know you aren't in any state to argue with me kid — you look about ready to
drop dead on your feet,''

JJ doesn't respond.

''I can't leave here until I know that you aren't bleeding out... and you know not all adults are
out to hurt you like him,''

''You're right, they aren't, most just ignore me. Ignore what's going on because it's easier
thinking that I'm a snot-nosed punk,''

''God damnit, kid,'' Shoupe cut the other off. ''We don't have time for this, save your whole
speal for later. I need to take you to the hospital,''

''I can take myself, thanks,''

''Yeah, a sixteen-year-old kids going to do everything himself. This isn't something to joke
about, you're messing with your life by refusing help. You're a kid, JJ, I don't give a shit what
your dad has told you, you're a sixteen-year-old kid. You need an adult —''

A flash of that usual glint in JJ's eyes found him. Only Shoupe inhaled at it because it wasn't
the same. It was much meaner, cruel. It was mischievous for all the wrong reasons. He knew
then and there that JJ's sole objective was to hurt. To lash out and wound someone with biting
words. Just as JJ had been hurt by them.
Shoupe would be that person.

''No, what I need is to be left the fuck alone. I needed an adult after my mother left and my
dad got stir crazy without her — when he'd bash my face in every night because he got a kick
out of it. When there was never any food. I needed an adult when I was praying every night
to something I didn't believe in for something to take me out before I did it myself. Now
though, Shoupe? Now I'll handle it myself, now I don't need nothing from any of you,''

Shoupe's heart splintered.

''You don't mean that,''

''I do, I really fucking do. I've gotta' say the bar's pretty low for how much I trust you,
Officer,''

''I get it, alright. I don't expect you to trust me or anyone else for that matter. Not after half the
shit you've just mentioned. And especially not after your piece of shit father. So what do you
say we fix that?''

''How? Holy shit, don't tell me you're going to send me to foster care — the land of unwanted
children,'' JJ's tone lost its lightheartedness. ''Please, I don't want to get sent away. Can't you
just look the other way?''

''JJ,'' Profoundly Shoupe sighed.

JJ mimicked the noise although the kid's own seemed more lost. More forlorn than his had.

''Jesus, I should've known that wouldn't be enough. Alright, how bout' this I'll — I'll be quiet
from now on. Y'know I'll stop causing noise complaints from the lousy neighbors and - ''

What the hell, what the actual hell — Shoupe can't bring himself to listen anymore. He
blanches, even feels as though he could vomit at any given second. It only worsens the more
that JJ's statement registers in his mind. Finally coming to a realization, that those noise
complaints filed against the Maybanks hadn't been what they'd seemed. All along they'd been
JJ actively suffering, vocalizing his father's abuse. And Shoupe as well as everyone else had
missed it. Been blind to it because no one had wanted to look past JJ being a supposed
troublemaker.

And now, now it's different. Now Shoupe saw the situation in a new light. For what Luke
Maybank truly was and always had been, Victor Shoupe saw Luke for the monstrous man the
other happened to be.

The kid was offering to be quiet while Luke beat on the boy, begging him to leave it alone. if
only for Shoupe to leave the boy in the very home that was supposed to be protecting him.

''Goddamnit, JJ, no,'' Shoupe snarls, the younger only winces. He softens the blow of his
words at the reaction. ''No kid, listen to me. I'm not letting this go. Okay, I'm not. I can't do
that and still find it in myself to sleep every night,''

''Actually, you could. It'd be easier than you think, you're just choosing not to,''
And so what if he was?

''It's not,'' Not what? ''I'm not like everyone else who swept this under the rug, JJ. That just
isn't how this works, you don't just stick it out until — until what you graduate?''

JJ's head jerks.

''Yeah, that's still a ways away. I'm not letting you do that,''

''Oh,'' JJ says simply. Fight seeming to of died down. Only hopelessness remaining.

It's silent for a while. Thought invoking is what he sees it as. And Shoupe makes his decision
there.

He looks thoughtfully at the kid. And then there's JJ in his mind, JJ Maybank in his line of
sight. It's JJ who's never been given a chance to truly live. Too misunderstood, too riddled
down with the weight of a facade, a front, put into place purely to ensure survival. JJ who
suffers under the brittle hand of abuse and abandonment.

And Shoupe? Well, Shoupe's already lost enough people in his life, from words he hadn't said
and things he hadn't done to get them to stay. He deals with that fact every day. It never gets
any easier, the shred of his heart never repairs itself for that shred is rightfully theirs. Theirs
no replacing that part of him. And he doesn't expect there to be. There are no replacements to
losing someone, there's just a void there day in and day out.

Yeah, Shoupe Is not ignorant when it comes to loss, is damaged just as much as the next.
Damaged as much as JJ and those kids are.

And yet Shoupe also knows that he can do better — that he could provide JJ solace. Provide
JJ with a place where the kid doesn't feel as though everyone is out to get him.

And Shoupe will be the first to admit that he may be out of his element, that he's never had a
son of his own to raise. That he'd mucked up a lot even as is with JJ.

But Shoupe sure as hell knows that anything is better than the bruised ribs, dislocated
shoulders, and broken arms that JJ's been dealt in life.

There's more to life than that. And he would sure as hell like to try and show that to the boy if
only the kid will let him.

''From how it sounds there aren't exactly a lot of options when it comes to you finding
somewhere to stay,'' JJ glowers at him. ''And, I'm not letting you go back to Luke, I'm sorry
kid I just can't. That being said you're obviously against Foster care,''

''Really? What gave you that idea,'' At Shoupe's half-hearted glare JJ spoke again. ''Go on, I'm
still listening,''

''So what do you say we come upon a compromise?''

''Compromise?''
''Yes, you do know what those are, right?'' JJ snorts, laughter being sent dryly at him. ''Good.
I'd be lying if I pretended that we knew each other all that well, because we don't. Not yet.
What I do know is I'm sure as hell not letting you stay with an abusive scum such as Luke
before we get this sorted out,''

''I'm not sure I get what you're saying, Chief,''

''What I'm saying is I have a place, and surely have an extra room for you to stay in, I'm
telling you that you'd be safe,'' Shoupe reaffirms. JJ's eyes widen at the word. ''It's a lot at
once I know so this would only be if you're open to the idea, JJ,''

The kid looks at him incredulously. Looks as though the mere fact that JJ's wanted by
someone is unbelievable. Shoupe's heart splinters into fragments of what it once was.

''Wait, you're serious about this? You aren't like pulling my leg or anything?''

''Have some faith in me will ya','' Shoupe smirks lopsidedly, JJ still seems a little unsure.
Waiting for the rug to drop out from underneath the boy, waiting for things to go to shit. So
Shoupe sighs. Then steadies his tone in reassurance. ''I wouldn't joke about this kid,''

''Right, no I know. I might just have to take you up on that offer then,''

''Good, I'll be counting on it,'' Shoupe turns his head, however, out of the corner of his eye, he
sees the boy glance at him.

Just when the kid thinks Shoupe isn't looking anymore, the boy smiles. JJ's smile as small as
it may be is genuine, more carefree than Victor Shoupe has ever seen it. And Shoupe
wholeheartedly believes that all this is worth it. That JJ deserves to smile that way more
often.
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