"You almost weren't." JJ softly protested. "You could've easily died today. And for what? Schoupe didn't believe us. I can't lose you, Colls. You saw what a wreck I was after John B. I don't think I could ever recover if you were gone."
Collins bit her lip, the thought of what that might look like striking her in the chest. She didn't want to think about it. She hated to dwell on the 'could haves' when they still had reality to live in. And she didn't want JJ to beat himself up over this. She was fine, not even a scratch on her from the day.
"The only time I'd ever be afraid of that happening is if you weren't there for me." Collins brought their faces closer together so her forehead was resting against his. He smelled so clean, like her shampoo and soap, and there was such a sadness in his expression that killed her to see. "Don't tell me you forgot what I told you. I'm never safer than when I'm with you."
JJ closed his eyes as she placed a soft kiss on his head. How was it possible that she was the only one who could calm him down and yet she was the reason for all of his stress? He would always worry about her. If it wasn't one danger it was another and it was like the universe was testing him to see if he had what it took to deserve this girl that'd been gifted to him. He didn't even want to think about what the consequences would be if he were to fail that test. 
He caught her lips to kiss her gently. It was short, but still conveyed the passion that he felt for her. He didn't understand why she felt so safe with him. All he knew was that he was going to do everything in his power to keep it that way. 
As they slowly pulled back from each other, JJ looked her in the eyes and focused on her warm brown irises. "Next time, I'll go in the drain." He told her, making Collins laugh because on what other possible occasion would they have reason to go into another drain? She appreciated his initiative, though. 
"But the worms!" She reminded him, throwing her arms around him to pull him into her embrace. JJ smiled with his chin on her chest as he held her by the waist and cuddled her on the bed.
"Oh, hell no, if anything, you've got them now. Guess that means I better stay away from you." JJ snickered as he tried escaping from her hold, but with every attempt to pry her hands off of him, they just seemed to get tighter.
Wrapping her legs around his body to secure her hold on him, Collins continued to play along and tease him. "It's too late. You already kissed me. That means you've got the worms now, too!" She attacked his face face with more kisses, peppering the side of his head from his jawline to his brow bone with her lips while he smiled through suppressed laughter. 
Just as JJ was about to reply with another protest of his own, a third voice interrupted them, shaking them out of their fun. "Heads up, big brother's home in case any boys that shouldn't be are in my little sister's bed."
The two immediately separated, Collins remaining where she was and organizing her school things so they didn't look like they'd been pushed around as an afterthought. Meanwhile, JJ scrambled to her reading nook, stretching out on the floor and clearing his throat so casually like he'd been there all along. They both looked up at the door as Charlie pushed it open, hands covering his eyes before he peeked through his fingers to examine the scene before him. 
"Hey, what's up?" Collins smiled innocently at her brother. 
Charlie just looked back and forth between them, practically tapping his foot in sync with JJ's racing heart. He sort of liked that he scared him. "Oh, you know, just got off of work. How was school today? Getting your homework done?"