Fall Apart

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/52924198.

Rating: Not Rated

Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Category: Gen
Fandom: Outer Banks (TV)
Relationships: Sarah Cameron & JJ Maybank, Rafe Cameron & JJ Maybank, JJ
Maybank & Luke Maybank
Characters: Sarah Cameron, JJ Maybank, Rafe Cameron, Luke Maybank
Additional Tags: Good Friend Sarah Cameron, Sarah Cameron & JJ Maybank are Best
Friends, Sarah Cameron & JJ Maybank Friendship, Protective Sarah
Cameron, Rafe Cameron Being an Asshole, Rafe Cameron Redemption,
Soft Rafe Cameron, Rafe Cameron is Bad at Feelings, Rafe Cameron
gets therapy, Protective Rafe Cameron, JJ Maybank Needs a Hug, JJ
Maybank-centric, Abused JJ Maybank, Hurt JJ Maybank, POV JJ
Maybank, Protective JJ Maybank, JJ Maybank Deserves Happiness, JJ
Maybank Gets the Love He Deserves, JJ Maybank Being an Idiot, JJ
Maybank Deserves Better, Luke Maybank Being an Asshole, Bad Parent
Luke Maybank, Mentioned Luke Maybank, Child Abuse, Abuse,
Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse,
Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Blood
and Injury, Rivalry, Enemies to Friends, Enemies
Language: English
Series: Part 3 of JJ Centric One-Shots
Stats: Published: 2024-01-09 Words: 3,795 Chapters: 1/1
 Fall Apart
by Jason_Todds_Thigh_Holster

Summary

''Either way, you think I care how stupid it is when you look like this?'' Fair point. ''Tell me, I
want to know what happened to you, JJ,''

''With how you're talking it up and making it sound I wish I had a better story for you,'' JJ
grinned self-deprecatingly. ''But it's not a big deal, not really. Wasn't much for me to tell you
either was just — just my dad,''

''Just your dad?'' Rafe repeated incredulously. Suddenly looking at him like he's the insane
one out of the two.

''Yeah, I'll admit it was mainly my fault this time,''

''I fail to see how anything, that even you, could've done warranted this, Maybank,'' Rafe
argues. ''Truly, is there even any part of you that isn't bruised? There isn't. Damnit, Maybank,
you're a goddamned mural of bruises,''

Notes
See the end of the work for notes
There had been a time when JJ was younger where he'd truly wondered if he was a
destructive, bad kid. One that was unbearable and troubled enough that not even a father
could manage to love — after all Luke Maybank clearly did not. Not in any way that was
normal or could be considered as adoration. No, Luke Maybank wanted control, nothing else.
His father had never once shown JJ an ounce of warmth or serenity beyond manipulating him
into compliance.

And while there was no warmth within their connection there happened to be a few scarce
moments that JJ had with his father where everything hadn't hurt. There were inklings of
laughter of normalcy between them. JJ always held those moments close wishing for more of
them. Also used them as ammunition and proof that his father wasn't all bad...that maybe it
was him.

Maybe he was the problem. It wasn't exactly hard for him to come upon the conclusion that
JJ was a bad kid while being treated as the very scum that littered his father's shoe.
Sometimes JJ had wondered if him misbehaving every so often is why his father left him
bruised and bloodied. As though it was justifiable.

It wasn't.

When he'd been younger he'd seen others misbehave so often, there were always punishments
for it. At the time It'd make sense, really - his father's treatment that is. He'd always tell
himself that it was because he was a bad kid, don't misbehave - don't get beat. But that wasn't
true then either, wasn't true now.

As a kid, he'd needed a reason why his father was doing these things to him. He'd wanted a
reason. Always asked himself why his father resented him so.

Now he didn't. Because now it was just a routine. The abuse was normal, and expected. It
was all he knew. JJ knew the mistreatment as well as he knew the back of his hand.

It was a Saturday morning. The sun had dawned on them and it isn't long after when JJ's door
was thrown open, hitting the wall with a loud bang. A few shreds of light splinter into his
room at the hurried entry. It doesn't have him stirring out of his sleep. Luke stoops down to
the floor, crouching onto one leg as the elder kneels beside JJ's mattress.

''Hey, there you lazy ass,'' Luke calls, sickeningly sweet sounding. The tone's mocking at
best. ''Rise and shine JJ, hello,''
Still half asleep JJ only complained, giving a groan of retaliation. Before turning over to face
away from the figure of his father. Luke's expression dims. Probably taking his involuntarily
reaction as outward disrespect.

That's not too far off if what his father says next is anything to go off of.

''Come on you worthless piece of shit can't you see I'm talking to you, get up,''

When JJ doesn't get up that instant Luke does it for him. Fisting a hand in his hair and
wrenching him up by the grip. His scalp burns at the action, protesting at the hold.

''Dad?'' JJ groaned tiredly, peeking his eyes open. His hands go to try and pry the grip away
although they drop when nothing works.

His dad neither lets go of the grip on his hair nor replies. Luke instead ignores him. And he'd
continued to be ignored so long as Luke was too amidst the man's own tirade.

''I know you heard me when I said to get up already, I don't have time to wait on you. Come
on, up and at 'em, boy,''

Mercilessly Luke yanks him up, out of his previous slumber and into a standing position, he
whines at the pain in his skull but JJ has just enough time to glance at his alarm clock.

''Huh, wait, wait a minute what time.. Oh, you're kidding me — Seven. Dad, it's seven in the
morning,''

It's the wrong move, the wrong thing to say. Because his dad's head turns toward his alarm
clock at the indication. Seeing the time only has a shit-eating grin on the man's face. If
anything his father seems with himself.

''Yeah, so what if it is kid? Am I interrupting your beauty sleep,'' Luke sneered. ''Because I
couldn't care any less about what fucking time it is,''

JJ glowered.

''Will you listen to me already when I say I don't even know,'' JJ ground out. ''I don't know
what's going on, I'd just like to go back to sleep,''

''I'm sure you would, boy. But I was actually hoping you could fill me in on somethin',''

''Okay,''

''Great, now I'm going to ask you this real nicely JJ, but I'm not going to ask you again, so
you better be a real nice boy and answer me,'' Luke says, tugging him closer to the man's face
by his hair. ''You got that?''

''Yes, sir,''

Ferociously his dad smiles at the term. More than happy at his abidance.
''I'm glad we're on the same page,''

Ever so slightly JJ nodded even as the subtle motion caused pain in his tender scalp. It was
unavoidable. Feeling it easier than it would be to force words through the sudden lodge in his
throat.

''That being said are you going to tell me where it is?''

JJ's coy about answering honestly.

''You're not making any sense where is what, Dad?''

''Goddamnit, son, you know what I'm talking about,'' In reply, JJ blinked slowly. Luke huffs,
''The goddamned liquor, that's what. What else would I be talking about, now where is it?''

''That's what this is about? How am I supposed to know where anything of yours is?'' JJ
mouths off. ''It's not like I keep track of your —''

Whatever else he'd been meaning to say goes unvocalized. Luke cuts him off by swiftly
backhanding him. JJ's head jerks to the side at the intensity of it. Lip splitting open with it.

But he supposes he's grateful for the hit seeing as his dad's hands are no longer in his hair.

''You want to try answering that again fucker? You might find it to be easier to lose your
smart-ass comments while you're at it,''

''Okay, I'm sorry,'' JJ forces out, his dad seems appeased by it. ''Your right, what I meant to
say was that I don't know where it's at because once again I don't keep track of your shit,''

Defiantly JJ looks up at his senior.

''Is that any better for you, is that what you wanted to hear Dad?'' JJ smirks.

He thinks that's what does it. That one display of disrespect is enough for the elder to snap.
His father is on him immediately, launching at him so quickly that it knocks them both to the
floor. He's rendered breathless, stunned even though he knows he shouldn't be.

The barrage of blows following do little to remedy that. Blood, his blood spews about
senselessly. And he's helpless to stop it.

''Oh, so this is how it's going to be JJ? That so,'' Luke grunts, throwing yet another punch at
his face. ''Well then, that's just fine, that's just perfect with me,''

''However I think my boy deserves a lesson taught on respect, now doesn't he?''

At the last moment, JJ regained enough sense to catch his father in the gut with his knee. The
action caught the elder off guard and against all odds JJ himself managed to stumble away.

Gliding through the house, and in turn away from his father, JJ tried to put as much distance
in between them as possible. Headed toward the front door albeit feeling more than a little
disoriented — he still knew his way around.

If JJ knew anything it was that he needed to find help, that much was clear. But JJ Maybank
also didn't know where he was going to get that.

Without a second thought, JJ hopped on his dirt bike, pulling out of the driveway as quickly
as possible. His dad's voice screaming incessantly at him as he left had his shoulders tensing.
Did the exact opposite of having him turning back — he knew what would happen if he did
at this point and none of it looked pretty.

Mind solely running on autopilot he drove. As he drove he couldn't help but realize he didn't
know what to do, where to go. Who to turn to.

He could run this thing out of gas and it still wouldn't give him enough time to know what to
do.

But John B's name always popped up in his mind at times like this. John B was there, and
John B always wanted him to go to the brunette with this kind of thing. The reminder of his
best friend was enough for him to decide to pull off to the side somewhere. That somewhere
happened to be the nearest gas station.

He parked in the parking lot. Kicking off of his seat and standing there, phone in hand.

Instantaneously he tried his best friend's cell. Sent to voicemail. Again. Voicemail. Okay,
Kiara, it was then. Oh, she's busy too. That's okay, that's fine, JJ was fine. He'd thought of
trying Pope. No, there was no chance the more he thought of it considering Pope had to of
been working for Heyward. Then...

Then that left Sarah. The newest addition to their group, of course, Sarah Cameron. That still
at the very least left the blonde-headed girl.

With a baited breath JJ's fingers fumbled with his phone, almost debating whether he even
wanted to do this or not. Nobody else had answered him as of yet though. He didn't have
much else he could try.

Before he could allow himself to either think or regret it — JJ tapped on Sarah's contact.
Instantly, he called. Listening as his phone began ringing the blonde girl, the call being set
into motion.

It rang once, twice, and by the third time it did, JJ was steadily losing hope. Impulsively he
almost hit the end call button when miraculously the Kook turned Pogue answered.

''Heya, JJ, did you need something or — '' Sarah's delicate voice started, only to get cut off by
his own.
It's not that he's trying to interrupt her at all it's just that he's so fucking overjoyed at having
someone answer him. Especially when he was beginning to wonder if Sarah would.

''Sarah,'' JJ noted simply in relief. ''You answered,''

A second went by of nothing, JJ bit his lip, irritating it more. Thoughtlessly, he kicked at the
pebbled ground.

''Of course, was I not supposed to?'' Sarah called into question.

''No, no, it isn't that,''

He heard as Sarah hummed back at him.

''Alright..that's good,''

''Cause' you know I'm actually glad you did, that you picked up and all,''

JJ just focused on his breathing that'd picked up. Slowing it down.

''Me too,'' Sarah amends. ''Is there something more going on with you though?''

''No, I — it's not that,''

''Okay, because if it's about the others not answering you I know John B is — ''

JJ's breath hitched, Sarah must've noticed seeing as the blonde cut off.

''...JJ?'' Sarah's voice hesitantly asked, sounding about as meek as he suddenly felt. ''What's
going on, you sound off, are you doing alright?''

Was he? He couldn't even be sure of that himself anymore.

"Hey now, JJ, It's going to be alright, if you aren't okay or maybe if things aren't right now it
will be eventually. We'll make it okay, and you know we always figure things out,'' Sarah's
concern was discernible even through the phone. ''You know that, I know you do you told me
that before,''

''I know,'' JJ admits fondly. ''I know I did,''

''And,'' Sarah paused seemingly gathering her thoughts. ''Lucky for you I'm here to listen,
always, so just talk to me when you're able,''

Silently JJ nodded uncaring that Sarah couldn't visibly see the gesture.

''Or I can talk to you if that's easier. Did something happen today that's got you like this?''

This was a mistake. All of this was a mistake.

''Nah, I uhm — you know what now that I'm thinking about it it's really not all that
important,''
''Sure it — ''

''It was nothing, was just me thinking it'd be funny to give you a call. Prank you and all, you
so fell for it,'' JJ chuckles.

It must sound too unconvincing or too wet. Because somehow the oddity that is Sarah
Cameron catches on.

''Oh god, no, JJ your dad,'' Sarah breathes out. Simply dismissing his attempts at brushing her
off. ''This is about your dad, isn't it? Tell me are you hurt,''

''No, that's not.. that's just not it. Everything isn't always about my dad Sarah,'' Frustration
welled up.

He waits for Sarah to object, say that's not what she meant, quarrel with him about lashing
out — pushing others away like Kiara does. Except she just...she doesn't.

She's understanding, all too knowing of why he does it. Soft-spoken when she responds. And
maybe that's what JJ needs at the moment.

''But this time is, isn't it? Which means you're hurt, aren't you, how bad is it JJ?''

Yeah, he needs it. He sure as hell doesn't deserve It though.

''Forget it, I'm sorry, probably shouldn't of called,''

''I'm not asking because I like hurting you JJ, I don't like to hear about the things your dads
done to you, none of us do. I'm asking because I don't want you out there hurting and alone,''

''I know,''

''So, don't do that, not to me, don't hang up. I'm glad you did call me, it's nice to hear from
you,''

''JJ, you should always call if you need,'' JJ's finger lingers over the end call button. ''Okay,
you should,''

''M'not okay, Sarah. You were right, you're right about everything about... — about my Dad.
It's just that he uh,''

''It's alright, I'm listening what happened with him JJ?''

''A lot. Things all went to shit and all I know is It's bad, real bad,'' There's a hitch in Sarah's
breath at that. ''And I don't know if I can — I'm not sure if I can fix myself up this time. I
was wondering if I could...''

JJ couldn't finish, not when he hated asking for help. He was being too demanding by what
he was asking, needy, and was no doubt coming off too... vulnerable. Sarah expresses
otherwise.
''Of course,'' Sarah interrupted his inner turmoil without an ounce of hesitancy. ''You already
know you're more than welcome, where are you right now though?''

''Thank you, Jesus, thank you, Sarah,'' JJ utters. Then looks around sheepishly at the parking
lot he's in. ''And I think I'm already nearby kinda' where you live,''

''Don't thank me, oh wait, there's something I do need to tell you though — ''

Whatever it was, was cut short as the call promptly lost its trek. He wasn't even sure if it was
caused on her end or his own. JJ was willing to bet it was his piece of shit phone that'd been
responsible for it.

Regardless of whose fault it was. The call cut outs, Sarah's voice going with it.

Which meant that Sarah had never gotten to inform him that she wasn't home just yet; that it
was only her brother home for now.

It doesn't take him long to get to Sarah's neighborhood, it takes him even less time to arrive at
the girl's house. It does however take him more time than it should to chalk up the nerve to
actually knock.

''Sarah are you there?'' JJ called out, rapping his knuckles against the door once more. ''Look I
know my phone kinda' decided to cut out on you but still, you'd said it would be okay for me
to come here,''

Nervously he peeks at the girl's neighbor's house. Relieved to see that nobody was outside to
take notice of him. With how beat up he currently looked he'd immediately raise attention if
someone saw him. Suspicion even as to what he was doing there, and the last thing he needed
was that.

''Uh, please Sarah come on,'' He dubbed again, rapping his knuckles harder on the door this
time. ''Y'know I'm just saying it'd be pretty shitty of you if you weren't here and you'd just
sent me to an empty house,''

''Then again who am I to judge?'' JJ muttered. ''Wouldn't be the worst thing to happen today,''

On queue to his statement, things got inexplicably worse. The door slid open, only Sarah's
shorter form didn't meet his vision the way he thought it would. Her brothers did, Rafe's taller
one met him. JJ looked up at the elder and willed himself not to stumble back in the sheer
unexpectedness of it all.

''Maybank,''

Fuck, fuck, fucking fuck. His day hadn't been bad enough apparently, no he apparently had to
run into Rafe fucking Cameron to top it all off.
''Oh, fuck,'' JJ swore. Swearing yet another time, JJ had to admit he was on a roll. He was
good at cussing. ''Fuck,''

''Is that all you Pogues are capable of saying?'' Rafe asked, condescendingly.

JJ was still stuck on who'd answered the door.

''It's you, but,'' Rafe maintained eye contact with him as JJ spoke, and holy shit Rafe thought.
The way JJ stared back, all saddened eyes and dejected posture — made it seem as though
Rafe was going to kick the younger out. ''But Sarah said it was okay for me to be here, that I
could — ''

''Come here, and yeah believe me I already know. My sister told me one of you would be
stopping by before you even showed up here, just didn't mention who,''

''Ok, yeah I'm just going to go then. I don't need the Kook princess himself finishing me off,''
JJ quipped, making a move to turn and retreat. It was intercepted immediately as Rafe
reached out and pulled at his wrist.

''I wouldn't. I'm only contemplating it,'' Rafe remarked dryly. ''Now get your ass back in here
already. I didn't get up and answer the door for nothing,''

''Fine, how comforting of you,'' JJ ripostes. Following the elder inside nonetheless. ''Well,
since you're obviously here and Sarah well... isn't where's she at now?''

''You're asking me? To hell if I know. All she said was that she was on her way home,''

Wonderful.

He was here by himself with someone who most definitely hated his guts. And It was getting
harder to keep his head from lulling off to the side. JJ only nodded in response.

It was at that moment that Rafe seemed to of finally gotten a good look at him. Eyes
muddying at the sight of him.

''Jesus Christ, the fuck happened to you — I've got to ask what'd you do to yourself anyway,
Maybank?''

''Nothin', didn't do anything to mys'lf,'' JJ slurred in outrage. ''Stupid — prick,''

''Funny, that isn't what it looks like, you fool,'' Rafe insulted sharply. ''Take it you got your ass
kicked in another fight, again? Too proud to admit it,''

''Mhm, sure, guess you could say it's somethin' like that,'' JJ winced. ''You think Sarah's g'nna
be here soon?''

Rafe's eyes widened at his response

''Wow, way to be cryptic. And you just asked about my sister. Obviously, she's not here, as in
not present at the moment. And no I'm not sure when she'll be back. Wait shit, shit, no,'' JJ's
eyelids were beginning to grow heavy. ''JJ don't you even think of passing out on me, Don't,''

''Rafe, m' tired, only wanna sleep,''

''I know, alright, I know you are, but you can't sleep just yet. You can sleep later, not in my
kitchen. Say it, JJ,''

''Can't sl'..sleep,''

''Good enough, now hold on a minute,'' Rafe demanded. Going to go get the first aid kit.
''Let's get you sitting up, can't have you slouching right now,''

JJ seemed to sober up from the pain a bit, raking a hand through his blonde threads of hair.

''Fine,'' JJ swatted at Rafe's hands. Sitting up now. ''Fine, man, I'm up already,''

''Good,'' The elder says shortly. ''So, what the hell happened to you, anyway,''

JJ isn't sure when exactly the other had begun tidying up his wounds. All he knows is that at
some point Rafe had started to. They occupy themselves with the steady thrum of
conversation as Rafe fixes him up.

''What didn't happen?''

''Honestly fair point,'' Rafe affirms. ''That might just be the smartest thing I've heard you say,''

''Oh, I'm sure it is,''

''Really though, Pogue, what's going on, I'm not exactly your first choice of people to come
to, now am I?''

''I didn't come to you, I went to Sarah,''

''I live here too, Sarah isn't here. Therefore you came to me,''

''Guess so, surprisingly you aren't the last person I'd go to either,'' Rafe's expression lifts up in
surprise. ''It's stupid though,''

''So is the rest of the stuff that comes out of your mouth,''

''Likewise,''

''Either way, you think I care how stupid it is when you look like this?'' Fair point. ''Tell me, I
want to know what happened to you, JJ,''

''With how you're talking it up and making it sound I wish I had a better story for you,'' JJ
grinned self-deprecatingly. ''But it's not a big deal, not really. Wasn't much for me to tell you
either was just — just my dad,''

''Just your dad?'' Rafe repeated incredulously. Suddenly looking at him like he's the insane
one out of the two.
''Yeah, I'll admit it was mainly my fault this time,''

''I fail to see how anything, that even you, could've done warranted this, Maybank,'' Rafe
argues. ''Truly, is there even any part of you that isn't bruised. There isn't. Damnit, Maybank,
you're a goddamned mural of bruises,''

''No, really you don't get it this time — this time I had it coming,''

Rafe looked mortified.

''He'd been doing so well. Like I hadn't even seen him drink in a bit. It'd been the first time I'd
seen him like that in forever, I thought..I thought he was serious about it this time. About
getting sober so I — ''

''So you hid it,'' Rafe finished for him. ''That's it. You hid his alcohol, didn't you?''

''Yeah, yeah I ended up hiding it, bright idea, right? Long story short he didn't exactly like it,
got in a bit of a fight, had my ass handed down to me, yadda I'm sure even you get the gist of
it,''

''Know more than you think about that, doesn't mean you deserved any of this though,''

Noncommittally JJ nods. He doesn't ask more on what Rafe means, he thinks he knows
enough.
End Notes

First off I literally adore Sarah. Second off this would most likely take place sometime in
season one at least that's what I envisioned. Preferably before they had as much bad blood
between them.

I've had people before who've wanted me to try and include Rafe in something and write him.
So here's my attempt at that. It's definitely not fully accurate. The way I wrote him is more of
a Rafe Cameron goes to therapy version of himself. Lmao.

Then again he's honestly a pretty difficult character to get right.

Anyway, look at me — I made JJ and Rafe hate each other a little less.

Please drop by the Archive and comment to let the creator know if you enjoyed their work!