Chapter Text
Topper was tired, his body was worn. That whole week was filled with practices and complaints from his parents, nothing else. He finally got a day off and God, he was begging for it. The only problem was that he used it for what? A Kegger that ended up badly.
He didn't want to do it. What the hell was wrong with him? Was he really about to drown a Pogue over some stupid fight? He was really questioning his own sanity at that moment. Topper closed the door of his room and slipped off his shoes throwing them in a random direction while the loud noises of his parents fight downstairs came crimpling through the walls as if they were made out of paper. He started to unbutton the blue shirt, keeping it closed near the belly button area, his fingers playing with his white belt while he moved through the bedroom. Outside the ocean moved quietly and predictably, it crashed with the dock moving the new boat from side to side. His eyes gazed at the guy sitting at the dock playing with his feet in the water.
Wait. A guy in his dock?
His eyes narrowed slightly, pressed his hands against the sill and ventured a bit forth. Yeah, there was a person indeed out there where it shouldn't. Quickly his mind started thinking about who could that be, there was no way it was his father, he could still hear him screaming at his mom downstairs and the stranger was very peacefully sitting there. "Damn, this is private property, what's this idiot doing here?" Closing his shirt again walked to find his shoes that to his surprise were in opposite sides of the room, he tried not to hurry but the suspense was about to kill him, he needed to know who would be so stupid as to invade his property with everyone in. If he had done it during winter perhaps would've been easier to steal something, but it was the middle of the summer.
Topper got out of his room through a set of French Doors next to the white bay window where he leaned on before. Right under that window is where the exterior stairs started, he always kind of loved the idea of being able to escape his house through there if there was ever the need. It was perhaps his anxiety talking, but he felt that it would not be a safe place for long. At least for him. While still thinking about it, Topper climbed down the stairs and stealth his way through the backyard, he walked next to the pool's blue water over the concrete border, then climbed down another set of five steps to the dirt road that lead to the dock. As he got closer the human figure started to get a bit of more shape. It was a lean man, perhaps his own height but it was hard to tell as he was still sitting down, and what was very noticeable was the blond hair.
He slipped his feet out of the shoes for second time in the day and kneeled down to pick them up. "And what am I supposed to do now? I will get near the guy and then, what? Will I just sucker punch him or what?" Stood up with both shoes on his right hand and continued his way.
"Took you long enough..." The guy said. Topper was about four feet away from the intruder when he spoke, his plan to do whatever to the guy disappeared from his mind as he froze. He recognized the voice, he knew that voice, and his owner was the guy who almost killed him earlier that day.
"Maybank" Topper whispered feeling a sudden clarity invade his eyes. The lean figure took the shape of the one JJ Maybank so clearly now. The blond turned his head and faced him. Frantic eyes peering this way and that, his feet barely touching the water underneath them. Right next to him, under his right hand the black gun he used before with him.
"Surprise, Kooksie" JJ waved the hand with the gun. Topper noticed a beer on his other hand, perhaps already half empty and by the sound of his voice, not his first that night. "Missed me?"
"What the fuck are you doing here, JJ?" The Kook tried to be extra careful with his words. Though, in his mind he was cursing JJ in every possible way he knew of. He knew that that Pogue enjoyed immensely ruining his life but this was a new whole level, even for him.
"Actually..." JJ stumbled as he tried to stand up. "... I came here to kill you, Kooksie" Topper frowned, both hands pressing at either side of the boat shoes. The Pogue smiled at the blond Kook, but it was not a happy smile, it was actually one filled with pain and sadness, Topper acknowledged that when he noticed the single and lonely tear escaping his right eye. He felt a slight tremor run through his body when he heard JJ saying that, a shiver ran down his spine and lodged in the back of his neck. JJ made the attempt to throw the now empty beer can to Topper's yard, failing miserably for it to finally land in the pool. "But then I thought, and listen to this, sweet Kooksie..." And then JJ started a senseless ramble.
For that moment in the night Topper was definitely certain that JJ had never been that drunk ever. It would've been so easy for him to just grab the gun from the drunk Pogue and drag him home so his parents could call the police, though for some reason it didn't feel right. Topper released a long tired sigh.
"So, you came to kill me?" Blurt out. He really didn't mean to. His life was not that great, he was his parents only son, their biggest disappointment and for sure a problem they didn't want to deal with most of the time. He was also pretty sure that his girlfriend didn't love him and the amount of true happiness he could achieve while being still there was minimum. He even got to the low point of almost drowning a guy with his own bare hands, he knew that he was already becoming a problem for everyone. "Please, go ahead. It won't be a great loss for anyone." Topper grabbed JJ's hand very softly, almost as if trying to be tender and pointed the gun at his own forehead. At that moment he felt for the first time in his life, control over his decisions "Just, please... Shoot."
JJ was angry, not just angry, was filled with the desire of revenge, that plus he had a boat, a gun and basically never ending beers, so it was just natural for him to come to the great realization that he would finish with his friends and his own problems. He was just another Kook who would crush him at any moment just like many other men in the past did by considering them as inferior people just for not living in the stupid Figure 8. Who would want that stupid Kook life with their stupid Kook friends and their Kook houses? ... Yes, he would fix everything for everyone.
He hopped on the boat and cruised for a few minutes until he started to notice the change in scenery between The Cut and Figure 8. It was more than obvious which side of the island had the money. These Kooks had long docks and yachts parked outside their homes, and the more he drove, the wealth only increased. To his right, he could see Tanny Hill, the plantation-style home that was supposedly one of the oldest on the island, and then, after a few more minutes of cruising, he came across the imposing Thornton residence. From what he read in one of the magazines they used to show at the restaurant where he worked at, that place was kind of Hampton-style or something, he didn't really understand the term but it was surely fancy shit. And, OH MY GOD, these Kooks had their homes photographed for magazines! Talking about idiotically spending money. He killed the boat's engine and parked it next to the new red one that he was pretty jealous of. The lights were on, and thank goodness these Kooks thought no one would see them at night, that way they have gigantic windows that let you peek inside without being noticed. On the first floor were Mr. and Mrs. Thornton, apparently yelling at someone sitting on the couch because they were gesticulating a lot at the large off-white piece of furniture with a head of blond hair sticking out of it.
JJ climbed onto the dock and sat with his feet almost touching the water underneath. If he kept himself quiet enough, he could hear the angry shouts coming from the house. Out of curiosity, he looked back and saw Topper standing from the couch and walking toward the stairs and following him were his parents yelling and insulting him. "Feel you bro, I've had enough too... Just let me finish my beer and then you, my gun and I will have a little chat." The blond started laughing. JJ frowned, folded his arms over his chest feeling quite annoyed. He then toss the can towards the sea, it floated a bit and disappeared under him, he was still able to see it floating through the wood planks. He was focused on that when he heard footsteps coming down the terrace stairs. There was no need for JJ to turn and see who that was, he knew for a fact that Topper would be able to see him from his window but wouldn't know who he was until he came closer, the Kook was a very curious and territorial guy, wouldn't allow anyone to be in his land without consent. Now, he's embarrassed to accept that what happened after that became a bit of a blur, he just remembered a small chat and tears and when he was back his gun was pressed against Topper's forehead. The Kook had his eyes closed and "Just, please... shoot."
"Yo, bro, wait" Topper then opened his eyes to face JJ. Here the Pogue was standing on the dock looking at him with pity and worry.
"Please..." JJ never considered himself lucky enough to live a sort of historic moment in person, he'd never been before at a tsunami or perhaps a tornado, but now it was something greater than anything nature could cause, the fall of a Prince. A Kook Prince. This guy that JJ always pictured in his mind as a perfect ass that never had any problem bigger than wind moving his perfect hair to cover his perfect face. Though, now he didn't seem as perfect. John B's almost killer was now begging to be killed, was that, ironic?
"Wait, Topper" JJ pulled his hand back. Topper frowned and folded his arms over his chest, grabbing his elbows as if the weather was freezing. "Are you okay, dude?"
"What the fuck? You can't ask me that, you idiot, you have no right! You're here to kill me, so do something right in your pathetic Pogue life and just finish what you started! Promise I won't yell, just don't fucking miss the shot" Topper's hands were applying a big amount of pressure to his own elbows, JJ had always admired Topper's hands. They were strong but built for delicate jobs, perhaps working on his surf board or even maybe painting, he could do art or play the piano if he wanted to. Topper had been pinching the bridge of his nose, gesturing and talking when JJ snapped out of his trip through Pogue-land. The blond's eyes looked back up at his blank face, his brows raised as if he had been waiting for some sort of answer to a question that JJ certainly did not hear.
"Sorry, what?"
"Just... Fuck you!" JJ hadn't noticed before but Topper was shaking really bad now, his breathing started to pace up and hell, JJ knew a panic attack when he met them, he had them pretty often back in the day when good ole daddy Luke played with him. Topper's eyes started darting around and the shaking became even worse.
"Bro, you're not okay" If JJ didn't calm the Kook he'd have to pick the blond out of the water, he was so close to the edge and the way his mind was tricking him, he'd fall soon. "Top, hey, Top, look at me," JJ began whispering to the blond while gently massaging his back. "You are okay, do you hear me? I'm here with you. You're not alone."
Topper opened his eyes. He didn't feel dead, and if he was dead then definitely this was hell because it looked just the same as his room. The door to the terrace was open, Topper gave an angry look at the curtains flying ceiling-high as if there were no worries in the world.
"Hey Top"
Topper immediately looked left. JJ smiling at him while he was resting his head in one of his hands laying on the left side of his bed. The blond felt a shiver creep through his spine, the Pogue was basically naked next to him, he only had on a pair of... He stole PJ's from him! How did he get in? Was he stealing stuff? Was Topper now kidnapped? Perhaps he was dead! What the fuck is going on?!
"You're seriously having a Kook-like breakdown," Topper jumped when he heard JJ's voice. This wasn't right, why was he at his house? Damn it, his parents would kill him, "Hey, Top, listen," Topper looked back at JJ and couldn't help but notice how good the Pogue looked, completely disheveled, freshly woken up, and with a light layer of sweat covering his entire body. All of this was beautifully complemented by the huskier voice he had woken up with. "Mr. and Mrs. Kook left town this morning, I heard them saying something about Charleston or some shit."
"Shit, they're gone already?" Topper blinked a few times, trying to remember if there was perhaps like a sound of them getting into his room to let him know or if they just left without any warning. Wouldn't be the first time they did this but still, he had a bit of a spark of hope of them not hating him that much. His left arm tingled a little when he tried to move and face JJ that was still with that stupid big smile on his face. "They're pissed then, like very" Topper was suddenly more aware, feeling JJ breathing and that same air brushing through his own abdomen until got lost somewhere in the middle of the stomach.
"Is this something common?" JJ asked lifting a bit his head to rest it on his hand. Topper was surprisingly enjoying this weird interaction, he was not able to recall when was the last time that he woke up with another person and feeling this... calm.
"They do this at least once a year, so yeah... But I mean, they just need a break from me. I understand it, really." Topper closed his eyes and sighed. Returned to his initial position on his back and started rubbing his eyes, it was rather unnerving having JJ laying next to him. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"You asked me to stay," JJ said with a slight smile, he allowed his head back to the pillows and extended his arm, which fell right next to Topper's, touching slightly. The smile wasn't devilish or mean; Topper felt it with more of a degree of tenderness and understanding that he himself didn't fully understand. "But I'm leaving now. I hope I don't try to kill you again soon, Topper. It's so damn easy to break into your house."
"Is that a threat?" Topper looked at the Pogue waiting impatiently for his answer. JJ got out of bed and started undressing in front of Topper, who was not able to take his eyes away from the very lean and well formed body of the Pogue. He took off the pajama pants that Topper had lent him, and to the Kook's surprise, JJ wasn't wearing anything underneath. Topper closed his eyes and punished himself for allowing himself to think that JJ actually had a great body. He could still notice that his clothes were a little tight on the Pogue, but he couldn't be that big, right? He was more on the thin side, and Topper always boasted about having an amazing body thanks to his endless hours at the gym and surfing. There was no way that a Pogue had such a great body and it was even less possible that he felt attracted to it.
"It's a fact, Kooksie... You can't really sleep in The Cut with unlocked doors and windows. It's not exactly a good thing for your well-being." JJ finished putting on his boots and turned to face Topper, still laying on the bed, his shoes resting right next to the Kook and lots of awards on floating shelves over the bed. "So, are you going to join me at the pier, or are you just going to let me wander around your nice house alone?"
The Figure Eight Country Club was a place where Topper could find relative peace, and it was also a place where he would occasionally meet up with Rafe or Kelce to maybe play some golf or whatever they felt like doing at the time. But that particular day wasn't like the usual, and Topper couldn't get the idea of him spending the night with JJ out of his head. They didn't have sex or anything, thank God, but he actually slept in the same bed as the Pogue, and weirdly enough for him, he wasn't bothered by the idea of sharing the bed again! But, why? Topper stared at the glass of soda in front of him and just hoped the drink was something stronger, something that would make him forget this strange feeling inside him. He'd had this weird tension building inside him and he was pretty sure that the cold Coke in front of him was not going to help with that either.
"A penny for your thoughts" Topper forced his eyes away from the glass, rubbing unconsciously the area where JJ's arm touched him that morning. Topper straightened himself as soon as he noticed who that person was, punishing himself almost immediately after. JJ Maybank, the guy he woke up with a couple hours ago, was standing in front of him wearing black pants and a white shirt that only made him look even better to his eyes.
"So... Are we friends now or why are you talking to me?"
JJ snorted and placed the plate of eggs Benedict in front of Topper, then bent down a little getting his face closer to Topper's ear. The Kook felt the tension building in his spine, he grabbed the table cloth and pressed it as hard as possible to ignore the creeping sensations on his body. "Aren't we? We spent the night together and, well..." Topper clenched his jaw and waited patiently for JJ to finish the sentence, though, he was not sure of wanting to hear the end of it, he was worried that he might have done something he could live to regret for a long time.
"Well what, Maybank?"
"And you told me you'd be very... What was the work? Oh, yeah, very grateful if I stayed at your place last night, so yeah, I think we could count as friends now, don't you?"
Topper felt the anger grow inside of him. He didn't know if what JJ was saying was true or not but his ego was being very damaged at this point of the conversation. "You're just a bastard! I didn't mean any of that, you just took advantage of the situation!"
It was time for JJ's smile to disappear. His whole face changed and Topper could feel the indifference taking over the warmth he showed before. Got even closer to the Kook and whispered, almost touching his earlobe "So, I'll let you drown next time, okay?"
Topper felt the cold air brushing against his nape and, much to his dismay, the goosebumps traveled all the way down through his spine. He wasn't used to this kind of tension in his life, he enjoyed actually being on the spotlight but not as much as people thought, he loved way more to be in the shadows and being left alone. While his mind tried to think of a comeback he didn't really notice when his body started to react to that breath so close to his neck and that he could feel getting even closer with every second. Now, the next move was not as smooth as Topper would've liked, but his brain was not working as it should and he was very angry, so the math was easy, it was the best idea he had in the worst possible moment.
Now they were both face to face, Topper was just waiting for the Pogue to give him a reason to hit him, he was really hoping for it, but JJ's reaction was way different than the one he expected.
Silence, pure, awkward, silence. People around them thought a fight was about to break out, but little did they know that there was nothing further from the truth. Topper was breathing heavily, sweat started forming all over his forehead and was just about to say something to JJ when he felt a pair of sneaky fingers press the tip of something that shouldn't be up. A soft moan escaped his throat involuntarily. Topper tried to move away from the Pogue but as soon as he tried to the pressure applied to the tip of his dick grew, freezing him. JJ continued to stare into Topper's eyes, and a slow and mischievous smile appeared on his lips as his pupils dilated slightly.
"Damn, Kooksie... Didn't think you were this big"
To say that he didn't expect to enjoy JJ's fingers pressing his tip would be the understatement of the year for Topper. He immediately looked up, his eyes glassy, sweat coating the entirety of his body now. If this was another time then perhaps he could have considered smiling or pressing himself more against the person grabbing him by his manhood. No, not at this moment though. Time had just frozen for him.
The Kook moved as quick as humanly possible and freed his dick from JJ's grasp. Went back to his chair and just stared at the plate of eggs getting colder every second. With a shaky hand took the fork placed to his left and tried to poke the yolk. Right next to his hand was JJ standing with a huge boner shamelessly displayed under his black pants, and taking care not to be seen, he leaned down a little until it was slightly brushing Topper's hand on the table. Topper felt the heat of that giant, throbbing piece of dick rubbing against him for a few seconds until the stain on the pants became more than noticeable. JJ pulled away leaving the hand a bit wet, covered his dick with a couple of menus and his smile disappeared.
It began to drizzle when Topper left the Club. He retrieved a little umbrella from the Jeep and walked to his house, he didn't want to park the car in the garage that day, he just wanted to delay as much as possible the time alone in there. It was a pretty big place to be all on his own. Instead of going in through the front door, Topper walked on the covered terrace and got to the backyard where the gardener was cutting the roses and the pool guy was cleaning the clear blue rectangle. He greeted both of them and just started walking, wandering in the yard between the pool and the garden and the grill area, it was a gigantic property and he usually loved it. There was a moment when he stopped walking and just stood there, watching the pier completely empty except for his red boat, JJ had caused in him a very strange reaction that no one, even Sarah, caused in him before. Took both of his hands to his hair and pulled the strands of bleached blond with strength, his eyes faced the sky that was turning a beautiful orangy/pink tone and sighed. What the fuck is wrong with me?
After a couple minutes standing there, hoping to die, he heard a pair of footsteps coming from the terrace. These ones continued making the same sound on the wood until they climbed down the stairs and reached the concrete path, where they changed. Topper turned to face the mystery person knowing, deep inside, who he was.
In front of him was JJ, with his shabby clothes and the hands in the pockets of his shorts. He was facing him, Topper knew that the Pogue was as upset as he was, and in a weird twisted way, he was happy for that. JJ got closer to him, they were practically able to feel each other's breathing. The sky up high started turning dark blue.
"I want to sleep with you again."