Rafe Cameron>>>>>>>

Rafe Cameron>>>>>>>

Cuddle Buddies

pairing: rafe x reader

Summary: reader is afraid of storms and seeks out rafe one night

Word Count: 3.1K

A/N: Don't we all need a little soft Rafe for Valentines day

Warnings: mentions of sex, what is proofreading?, what is editing?, Ward bc he's a loser but he's not bad in this,

******

Staying with the Cameron family was like paradise. There was non moldy food, an entire library that you had access to and no financial stress. Ward only asked a few things of you and they were all doable. 

The only problem you’d had so far was Rafe. He hated having you and John B there and he made sure you knew it. And for some reason he paid extra special attention to making sure he gave you the most hell. Probably because John B was dating Sarah and you’d seen her go toe to toe with him before.

It’s mostly small annoyances. He’ll get in the shower before you get the chance and stay in there for an hour just to use up all the hot water. He would eat the yogurt that Rose would buy just for you, even though he didn’t like it. Sometimes he’d even blast his speakers with that god awful shit he calls music. But even though all of this inconveniences you, you still liked living here better than John B’s. 

You had only Your mom comes and goes as she pleased and eventually the bills became too much for you and you got evicted. You hadn’t seen her since and DCS had been on you and John B’s case at the same time. So when Ward offered you sanctuary you jumped at the chance and you try to do everything humanly possible to keep him pleased.

It was one of ten thousand reasons Rafe hated you so much. Everytime he turned around his dad would be praising you for being such a hard worker, such a smart girl, so sweet, so kind, so caring. It never stopped. Ward  had not offered Rafe a kind word in months, but had nothing but good things to say to you. And with that, you were a pogue. So Rafe was able to justify why he treated you the way he did for months. 

Today Ward had decided to take the whole family fishing and he wanted to welcome you and John B, even though he already had. Wheezie was reading a book. Sarah and John B were nowhere to be found. Rose was already drinking even though it was seven in the morning. Rafe was on a chair with his eyes closed, you knew he wasn’t sleeping though because every few minutes he would open his eyes, glance at you like he was waiting for something and then close them  back. You knew Ward would be coming out in a few minutes and you wanted to look useful so you got up to grab the bait. Almost as soon as you lifted the heavy cooler, Ward appeared.

 “Rafe!” He exclaimed. “What’re you doing, you see a girl lifting heavy stuff, you pick it up for her.” He threw his arms out gesturing to you. “I mean what do you do all that working out for? For show.” Ward scoffed, muttering “Jesus” under his breath. 

You see Rafe’s face visibly darken from being reprimanded. As he huffs out a sorry to his dad that he definitely didn’t look like he meant, as he got up to help you. He easily snatched the heavy cooler from you. “Try not to do that all day.” Rafe told you, his tone low. And even though you feel bad that you got him yelled at, you can’t help but return the attitude. 

“Do what?” You ask, your head jerking  back at his tone. Rafe rolled his eyes like you knew exactly what he was talking about.

“Pick up heavy shit when you see my dad coming. I don’t care what you’re trying to prove, but you’re getting in my way.” He tells you, his tone condescending. “The helpless act doesn’t work for pogue girls.” Rafe finishes, his attitude more prominent than before. You scoff at his audacity ready to go in on him, walking behind his muscular figure as he moves the bait.

“First of all, nobody is trying to be helpless. Second of all, if you weren’t always sitting on your ass then maybe he wouldn’t feel like he needed to say that to you.” You clapback, fully aware that he probably wasn’t going to let that slide.

You see the wild look in his eye when he turns to look at you, it makes you nervous because sometimes Rafe could truly be mean.  Luckily for you, Ward had called him and he had walked away.

******

You and Rafe hadn’t had any more unpleasant interactions for the rest of the day. Actively avoiding each other, to not cause trouble even though that was Rafe’s default. Ward had called it a day pretty early after learning that a storm was rolling in. and knowing he didn’t want to be in that kind of weather. 

By the time you got home, it had started raining heavily and everyone was off to do their own thing. You went up to your room and after taking a shower and cleaning up some, you allowed the rain to lull you to sleep. 

It was the middle of the night when you woke up again. The loud crack of thunder disturbing your sleep and your peace. Usually when it was thundering like this, JJ would stay with you until you fell asleep because he knew how scared you were of storms. But as of right now he was on the other side of the island and you’d have to be a crazy person to go out in that storm. When you checked your phone the clock read one a.m and you knew it would be a while before you fell back asleep. There was also a missed call and a text from JJ checking to see if you were alright. And you really weren’t. 

You didn’t know what it was about storms that got you but fear gripped you every single time, there was more than rain. You laid there for about thirty minutes, willing yourself to go back to sleep, but your attempts were a failure. After one particularly loud crack of lightning that appeared really close to you, you’d went to look for John B. But he wasn’t in his room and you knew that meant he was in Sarah’s. And you didn’t want to walk in there because who knew what they could be doing. 

Shamefully, you stood outside of Rafe’s door contemplating whether or not you were going to knock, before you heard lightning strike again. Without thinking you didn’t knock, just entering his room, knowing he would hate that. Only to see him sleeping peacefully in his bed. His covers lowered to his hips, and not a single thread of clothing present on his chest.

‘Rafe” You called, your voice hushed and almost a whisper. He stirred slightly but didn’t wake up, forcing you to call him again. He looked confused as he opened his eyes, blinking for a second. When his eyes finally focused on you. He groaned, rubbing his eyes. 

“What could you possibly want right now?” He asked groggily. 

You take a moment to swallow your pride, knowing there was an eighty percent chance that he kicked you out, and a ninety-eight percent chance that he held this over your head. 

“It’s storming.” You say dumbly. Rafe’s face scrunches up at your obvious statement. “Thanks for stating the obvious. “ He scoffs. “Get to the point, I’m tired.” He hurried you along.

“Can I sleep in here?” You whisper, your face heating up in embarrassment. 

Rafe almost laughed, as he prepared himself to say no, but when he looked at you in your cute pink pajamas and the way you were holding onto yourself. He’d always thought of himself as a protector, and obviously you thought so too if you came to him while you were scared. He knew he had to protect you, even if it was just from a stupid storm. 

Grumpily, he threw a pillow at you, and scooted closer to one side of the bed. “Stay on that side.” He tells you, closing his eyes back. You were shocked for a second, but you wordlessly climbed into the other side of his bed, trying not to further inconvenience him. Settling into his warm bed felt weird but also right, his bed was comfortable and it smelled like him, and even though you hated to admit it, Rafe smelled good. 

Your comfort only lasted for a minute before you were jumping at the sound of a branch hitting the window. Rafe groaned behind you, irritated. His arm circles around your waist and he yanks you closer to him, almost roughly. “Go. to. Sleep.” He punctuated. The weight of his arm pushing down into you. Comforting you, you realize. And before you know it, you allow yourself to be lulled to sleep, your breathing syncing up with Rafe’s.

******

Rafe and you had continued on with the regularly scheduled programming after that. Getting into dumb fights, him being petty all the time, but surprisingly never bringing up that night. When the next storm rolled around, and you knocked on his door. He wordlessly let you in and it had become a routine. Rafe even started to find himself looking forward to storming nights, even after arguing with you all day.He liked that you needed him to feel safe. No one had ever needed him before. 

The mornings had never been awkward; you'd wake up before him and leave because you were naturally an early riser and that was that. Until one particular morning, you had just been extra tired and happened to sleep later than usual. When you woke up you found your head buried on Rafe’s bare chest, which happened often and was another thing you didn’t talk about. His strong arm wrapped around your body holding you close to him, but none of that is why this was awkward. When you looked up Rafe was looking back at you. He was holding you and he was awake? He was holding you and he was conscious. He was holding you on purpose. 

He looked embarrassed to have been caught, and he was. He was just used to you already being gone when he woke up. He never got to see what you looked like when you were just laying there peacefully, not bitching, not being a kiss ass to his dad. Just sweet, and cute, a pretty girl that was laying on his chest. 

Rafe cleared his throat, letting you go as he saw the look on your face and realized how weird this was. “You snore.” He tells you, trying to deflect his embarrassment.

“No I don’t!” You scoff, rising up slightly. 

“Yeah you do.” Rafe laughs. “I thought you were choking.” He exaggerates, and you can’t help but think about how boyish he looks when he laughs. Not as calculating, or mean. 

“Whatever, I don’t snore.” You say rolling your eyes.

“Sure you don’t.”  A swift silence settles over you and Rafe is still smiling for a second. Until a knock comes to Rafe’s door, only for it to be pushed open a second later. 

“Rafe your Dad said-” Rose stops talking the minute she sees the two of you. Her eyes widen and you immediately know what it looks like. Rafe isn’t wearing a shirt, and you’re dressed in your shortest shorts, and sitting in between his legs. There’s no universe where this doesn’t look bad. It doesn’t help that both you and Rafe look like you got your hand caught in the cookie jar, faces reddening, and eyes widening and for some reason frozen.

“Oh..” Rose gasps. “I’m just gonna-” She blinks, obviously still shocked, especially with the way that the two of you stay at each other's throats. Without even saying anything else she simply closes the door leaving you two sitting there dumbfounded. 

******

“Okay guys…”Ward starts. “I called this family meeting because it has come to my attention that we need to talk about the rules in this house.” Your face reddens as Ward gives you a pointed look. John B and Sarah look confused, but Rose and Rafe look just as embarrassed as you feel. 

“I know you guys are attractive young adults living in the same house and that makes avoiding …temptation much harder.”  You sink into your chair, wishing a hole would swallow you up the more he continued to talk. “But I think you can do it. Now we’re all close here so I think I can speak honestly. Right?” He doesn’t wait for an answer before he continues on. 

“John B no more sneaking’ into Sarah’s room before seven a.m and I want you out of there by ten every night. You copy?” John B flushes lightly, thinking he’d been stealthy before nodding. Even though Sarah protested. “Dad, come onnn.” She whines. 

“That’s the end of it Sarah.” Ward dismisses, before looking at you and Rafe, much to your dismay. “Now I don’t know what the two of you have going on, and I’m not sure I want to know-” Sarah gasps loudly at this new information, only for Ward to raise his hand up quickly to silence her for a second. “I know you’re both old enough to make these decisions-” Rafe is radio silent and you were hoping he’d speak up so you didn’t have to. “But as of right now this is the house rule, no spending the night in each other's bed, unless you’re married.” He finishes.

“Mr. Cameron, it's really not like that.” You try your face flushing. “Me and Rafe are just-” Rafe clasps his hand over your mouth, much to everyone’s shock. “We hear you Dad. Loud and clear.” He says not wanting you to tell everyone that you’re cuddle buddies or whatever the fuck you were going to say which would have ranged on the same level of embarrassing for him. You look at him in shock, pushing his hand away, but not even bothering to further embarrass yourself. Rafe saw how mad you were though, your arms crossing over your chest, and you turning your legs away from him. He also couldn’t ignore the small pout that had possessed your full lips.

“Well okay, this has gotten weirder.” Ward said,  mostly to himself, while Rose nodded in agreement. “So how about we just remember the rules, and hopefully we’ll never have to talk about this again.” Ward proposed, trying to air out the awkwardness. Everyone nodded immediately which caused him to get up, wiping his hands off on his pants. 

“Come here, son. Let me talk to you really quick.” Ward gestured to Rafe. Rafe resisted groaning and followed behind him leaving you to the questioning looks of John B and Sarah. “Rafe? Really?” Sarah asked, laughing a little. 

“It’s not like that!” You exclaim, your face heating up. 

“It looked like it was like that this morning.” Rose joined in, much to your shock. John B joined the teasing with a gasp. “How scandalous!” Sarah was laughing so hard tears started to come out her eyes.

“Guys stop!” You say embarrassed, but not saying anything else because it seemed like Rafe didn’t want anyone to know.

“Okay fine. You’re no fun.” Rose tells you, picking her drink back up and sipping with a grin on her face, leading John B and Sarah to leave you alone as well.

****

You hadn’t even glanced at Rafe in three days. You were irritated with him for making it seem like you were doing what they thought you were doing. Sex. And he felt like he’d been paying for it. He liked having your attention. Even if you were arguing with him, rolling your eyes at something he said, anything really. So to be deprived of it for three days was driving him insane.

 He looked up the weather forecast at least six times a day, praying for a storm to roll through. When he finally got lucky and heard thunder crackle down, he was bouncing with anticipation, waiting for you to show up at his door. 

When you didn’t he went looking for you, only to be surprised that you weren’t in your room. He started to check everywhere. When he couldn’t find you he swallowed his pride and opened John B’s door to ask if he knew where you went, only to see you in there, in his favorite pajama set of yours, it was silk with cherries on it. You lay in between John B and Sarah, ironically watching a scary movie. 

Everyone’s eyes diverted to Rafe. Confused as to why he was standing at John B’s door, knowing he’d never gone near there since he started staying here. “It’s after ten.” Rafe points out. Feeling jealousy stirred at the fact that you went to someone else. 

“Dad approved since she’s scared of storms.” Sarah tells him, sticking her tongue out only for him to roll his eyes. He watches you and the way your eyes went back to the TV, continuing to ignore him. Rafe didn’t think he could take being ignored by you, while you were in another guy's bed, wearing his favorite pajamas, on a stormy night. Which were his nights. 

He entered the room standing at the edge of the bed, right in front of the TV, making John B groan. He’s shirtless, it was the first thing you noticed when he opened the door. Only clad in plaid pajama pants. 

“You’re still ignoring me?” He asks, only for you to not say anything back. He hated that. It was one thing to ignore him when you were by yourselves, but it was an entire different thing to ignore him in front of other people. Especially when your relationship was so weird. Nothing spoken on, or reassured. 

“M’sorry, okay?” He mumbles. Embarrassed he had to humble himself in front of idiots like John B and his sister. This piqued your attention, never hearing Rafe apologize before, your eyes meeting his. You’re shocked. 

“Come on, don’t you think they wanna be alone.” He tried guilting.

“We’d love to be alone.” John B weighed in, leading Sarah to reach over you and smack his chest. He winced. 

When you didn’t say anything, Rafe got impatient pulling your leg, so that he could reach the rest of you better, as the rest of your body reached the edge of the bed. 

“Rafe!” You exclaimed. Surprised by the fast motion of it. He didn’t say anything, he just hoisted you over his shoulder. “We’ll talk about it in my room.” He said, not wanting to let his sister, and her loser boyfriend in anymore of his business. But truthfully you didn’t need to talk about it, because this was the first time he’d ever come to you. All was forgiven the moment you’d seen him at the door.

i know i am - rafe cameron.

Pairing: Rafe Cameron x Reader.

Summary: For Rafe, it's always been you. He's just waiting for you to realise it too.

Word Count: 840.

A/N: It has been a hot minute since I've posted Rafe Cameron and this is OLD. So, so old and I just found it in the archives and thought I would post it because why not?

You feel him before you see him, goosebumps covering the length of your arms and, not because it’s cold – more attuned to the pretty blue-eyed boy who fills the space behind you than you cared to admit but, he didn’t need to know that.  You try to be subtle in the deep breath you take, he always smells so good, you think he’s your favourite smell – yet another thing he didn’t need to know but, the small laugh he breathes tells you that he already does.

“You know you can do better than him,” Rafe chuckles quietly at the boy trying but failing to win you a stuffed animal - you’d been hoping he’d get you the brown teddy bear with the blue bow tie – the boy you’re actually here at the carnival with.

You roll your eyes playfully at his words even though he can’t see you, you’d heard them a thousand times before, “you can’t say that to me. I banned you from saying that to me, remember?”

Rafe laughs loudly, warmly, the sound reverberating through you and you’re unsure of when you had leant back into him but, you don’t mind. It feels nice.

“Okay, then…” Rafe acknowledges, making a noise in the back of his throat like he’s thinking. “How about… he’s not right for you.”

This time you roll your eyes in exasperation, turning to look at him – all playfulness and amusement gone. The tip of his nose and apples of cheeks are coloured pink from the cold and, if it weren’t for the mild irritation, you now felt with him, you would’ve thought it was cute.

You look to the side, mulling over your words as your gaze focuses on an unknown couple, wondering whether or not you should say what you have on your mind. It had always been a carefully crafted dance with Rafe, always teetering toward the edge but never going over it and, not because of him but because of you. You had known him too long, loved him too long, what if things didn’t work out between you two? But then he gives you that cheeky half grin that you love so much, and you think maybe you are ready to go over the edge if it's with him.

“You only ever say that because you think you’re right for me,” you shrug nonchalantly, gaze finding him again and steeling yourself to appear more confident than you felt.

Time seems to stand still at your words, never had you said anything like that before, always brushing him off with a roll of your eyes and a push at his arm but not this time. Something shifts between the two of you, a maddening tension that had always knocked at the door but had never been invited in until now and you wonder if Rafe feels it too.

If your words have any effect on him, he doesn’t show it, at least not in the way that you’d like. The seconds feel like hours, each one sending a knife to your heart as Rafe doesn’t say anything. Instead looking at you with a tilt of his head and a light draw of his brows, eyes shining with something you can’t quite place.

Your heart beats wildly in your chest – you’re sure if he comes any closer than he already is, he’ll hear it. But he doesn’t say anything and, instead of coming closer, he moves further away and around you before disappearing from your view entirely and leaving you feeling like a fool. Whatever confidence you may have held, leaving with him.

Tears fill your eyes, a lump in your throat as you swallow thickly, sniffling lightly and pressing a hand to your forehead. You stay there for a minute, probably less but it feels much longer; only prompted to move by the feeling of someone’s hand around your wrist and pulling you around to face them. You mentally shake the last few minutes with Rafe from your head, knowing that it’s likely your date returned with that stuffed animal he promised but, to your surprise – it’s Rafe.

“I don’t think I am; I know I am” he smiles at you.

It’s easy and light, always so effortless in his charm but, it's not playful like it usually is. There's a sincerity and comfort in the way he looks at you.

His confession catches you off guard even though it shouldn’t. He’s always been so openly and shamelessly in love with you and, yet butterflies erupt in your stomach all the same. Sliding his hand from around your wrist to cradle your hand, he squeezes it softly before guiding it towards something he holds in his other hand – you look down in surprise when you feel something soft beneath your fingers – it’s the brown teddy bear with the blue bow tie.

“Just waiting for you to realise that I am, too,” Rafe grins with a cheeky wink before he disappears into the crowd, knowing full well now, that you do.

-

All fics are my own work - I have not posted my work anywhere else.

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters/places mentioned above.

Do not copy. Do not translate. Do not repost.

© bookofbonbon 2023. All rights reserved.

dark fic masterlist

all of the fics on this list are 18+ and contain dark content, including non-con, dub-con, manipulation, gaslighting, toxic relationships, stepcest, and other such topics

if you don’t feel comfortable with those topics, please just don’t read, and make sure you read the warnings at the start of each fic

you are responsible for the media that you consume

rafe cameron

grateful

You and Rafe have always hated each other, but one night you find out that maybe Rafe didn’t hate you as much you thought (NON-CON)

attitude problem

As Sarah’s best friend, you’re over at Tannyhill a lot, and one night you run into Rafe in the kitchen (DUB-CON)

happy together

Rafe kidnaps you when he and his family decide to flee Outer Banks (DARK!RAFE)

let me help you || part two

Your stepbrother Rafe overhears you making plans with your boyfriend JJ and decides to step in (STEPCEST/DUB-CON)

how does that make you feel

Rafe attends therapy and develops a bit of an obsession with his therapist (DUB-CON)

home

Rafe has always been obsessed with you and can’t leave you behind when his family flee the Outer Banks (NON-CON)

lips are sealed

You’re Rafe’s young stepmother and you’ve decided that he’s going to be your next target (STEPCEST)

dark!rafe in a relationship headcanons

trying to break up with dark!rafe headcanons

dark!rafe putting a tracker on your phone (blurb)

toxic relationship with rafe (blurb)

choking kink with stepmom (blurb)

dark!Rafe is obsessed with you (blurb)

jj maybank

nightcall

JJ’s had enough of waiting around for you (DUB-CON)

supposed to be mine

JJ isn’t too happy when he learns about your relationship with John B (DUB-CON)

hidden thoughts

Your best friend JJ has some less than innocent thoughts about you (NON-CON)

murderer!jj is obsessed with you (blurb)

topper thornton

smile for the camera

When you get too drunk at a party, your boyfriend’s best friend Topper offers to take you home, but he has less than innocent thoughts on his mind (DUB-CON)

rafe/topper

three's company

You run into Rafe and Topper at a party and thing’s take a turn (DUB-CON)

Request: Hii! Could you do one where Rafe and Reader are sort of enemies (only because her friends hate him), and one day she's alone and he bumps into her. Then they end up liking each other. Thank you! Pairing: Rafe Cameron x Reader Word Count: 1.9k Author Note: so this is my first bit of writing in a while so bare with it lol :) but happy to be back a get back to how i was writing again <333

your life had always been pretty normal and then you met the pogues. at first you questioned kiara’s judgment, your own parents' biases had started to take root in your head but as the years went on, you realized it didn’t matter what side of the island you called home: the cut or figure eight, none of that matter. what mattered was who made you feel at home when you were with them. who were the good people in your life? for you that had always been the pogues.

so when they returned from the deserted island, when you found out they were all still alive and well. it felt as if you regained your lease on life.

“ wait, stop, “ you finally called out as the four of them frantically tried to figure out whether to keep waiting for jj and kiara or leave without them. they were once again planning on leaving to go find big john and although you understood the need for them to go save john b’s dad this was your chance to try and get them to stay. stay in the safety of kildare. you had to atleast try.

“ maybe this is, i don’t know, like a sign you guys should stay, “ you shrug, once they’ve all gone silent. each one vigorously shaking their heads.

“ no shot, “ john b says almost immediately. 

“ yeah, no we have to go, “ sarah, pope, and cleo all say nearly in sync. immediately your chest deflates. you don’t get another chance to speak before the revving of a bike catches all of your attention. 

“ you got to be kidding me, “ pope exclaims. “ i thought he wasn’t apart of this, ” john b turns to sarah who shakes her head, a clear look of confusion etched onto her face once it becomes clear the riders are rafe and ward. you keep your mouth shut, a bit shocked to actually see ward after all this time. after all you had believed everyone you were currently on the landing strip with were dead just a week or so ago. it was still all too much to take in sometimes. Only pulling yourself out of your state of shock when rafe gets into john b’s face. 

“ get away from him, “ you yell, pushing rafe away from him. “ go john b, “ you call out to him a nod to silently ask him to stay safe, “ go “. he returns the nod before disappearing into the plane. 

“ you getting sick of them leaving you behind all the time, or what ? “ rafe’s voice pierces your ears and you turn to look at him. the things you would do to smack that nauseating smirk from his face. “ the only thing i’m sick of is you, “ you snap back at him, rolling your eyes as you start in the opposite direction. 

“ what’re you just gonna walk home from here? “ he calls out, a chuckle coming from him. you ready yourself to simply ignore him, when you spot police lights heading in the direction of the strip. “ can’t imagine mrs. and mr. y/l/n will be too happy about you getting dropped off by the  police , “ he continues to prod at you, even with the engine of his bike revving. the mention of your parents is the only thing that makes your steps come to a halt. as annoying as it might have been to admit, he was right. 

“ fine, “ you huff, staring back toward him. “ c’mon , “ a usual impatience lingering in his voice as he hands you over a helmet. hopping on you reluctantly wrap your arms around his torso as he pulls off, getting the two of you out of there much quicker than your legs ever could have. “ hold tight, y/n “ a glance from him shoots back at you for a second. just long enough for you to catch that horrendous smirk of his once again. “ just bring me home, “ you groan, eyes fluttering closed as you continue to hold onto him. feeling his muscles flexing under his shirt with every turn he took. it was hard not to notice but you didn’t let your mind harp on it for too long, he was rafe cameron after all. he’s done so many terrible things to your friends, to his own sister, that one ride home could never make up for.

next morning   

you were set to meet a few friends at the country club, opting out of taking your jeep and taking the walk there instead. clearing your head from everything that had happened in the last week. life was never boring when the pogues were around but when they were gone, you felt as if you fell right back into the way things were meant to be, according to your parents. all the life on the island seemingly felt as if it was sucked out and now the countdown until they returned would start for you, all over again. 

“ y/n/n! “ is called out by a regrettably familiar voice. heavy sigh falling from you as you turn to face him.

“ what do you want rafe? “ arms falling by your side. 

“ i-i just wanted to talk you real quick, you know…” he shrugs, sending a smile your way. “ yeah, no, not really in the mood right now, “ you roll your eyes, turning around to head into the country club. 

“ hey, “ his hand taking a hold of your shoulder. you quickly pull yourself from his touch, “ don’t touch me, “ your voice raising a few octaves making him look around to assure you hadn’t brought too much attention to the two of you. 

“ i know you hate me, you have every right to, “ he starts, rubbing his hand on his cheek. “ understatement of the century, “ you interject. “ yeah, sure, “ he nods, the annoyance growing in his face. “ you won’t even give me a chance to tell my side though, “ his words pull a shocked look from you. why on earth would you owe him a chance to explain himself, you knew what he did, no explanation needed. 

“ from what i can see, y/n , your precious pogues and my sister aren’t here , so would it kill you to just talk to me for a second ? “ he quizzes , motioning for the two of you to head up to the bar. a twist of your lips as you glance up at the balcony then back over toward rafe. 

“ you have ten minutes, then you leave me alone for good, okay? “ you groan, giving in to that sad puppy dog face he likes to put on. “ okay, okay “ he nods, hands rubbing together as the two of you make your way up. you spot your group of friends off in the corner, both you and rafe giving them a wave and the looks of confusion on their faces become apparent. everyone on the island knew how much you hated rafe, you never shied away from hiding that fact. so seeing you with him at any point was enough to strike a bit of confusion in anyone, even fellow kooks. 

the two of you take a seat, quickly greeted by one of the bartenders, “ ms. y/l/n, mr. cameron, “. you both put in your orders and you shift on your barstool, “ okay time starts now , “ you tell him with a raised brow. 

“ i’m a victim too in all of this, “ his voice low as he starts. you can’t help but to let out a laugh. “ you have to be kidding me right ? “ you scoff, you’d actually given him a chance to speak whatever piece he thought he had to say and this is how he chooses to go about things. it was a joke. “ just listen, please, “ he huffs, holding his hands out to tell you to stop. 

you decide to listen. 

he goes on about his dad, the pressure he feels everyday, and how each and everytime he tries to do the right thing it seemingly gets thrown in his face. before you know it you’re ignoring the timer on your phone reminding you his ten minutes is up. for once you were actually listening to him, not judging him or wondering how anyone would look at you for so much as giving him a second thought and you could feel your heart strings tug for him. the two of you were the same age and he’d been through so much in the last couple of years, albeit he’d also gotten away with literal murder. 

“ you can’t just lash out whenever you feel like someone isn’t treating you the way you deserve, “ you finally tell him, coming to the end of your second drink. rafe’s hand raising to get the bartender’s attention to bring over another round for the two of you. you give him a smile and he smiles back, you can almost see the sense of relief in his face as he realizes you heard him, genuinely heard him.

” can i ask you something ? “ you say breaking the silence that comes over the two of you, hand fiddling with the glass in front of you. “ a-anything, “ rafe nods . 

“ why me ? like, why do you care so much about me hearing you out ? “ it was a genuine question, your eyes searching his for any inkling that he was readying himself to make up some stupid lie. “ i don’t know, “ he shrugs, looking down at his glass before bringing it to his lips. gulping down the liquid before his gaze rises back up to you. 

“ i don’t care what those pogues think of me or my sister, “ he starts, your head tilting from side to side to silently say he’d made that rather clear. “ but i can’t stand you hating me, y/n, i just… “ rafe’s voice becomes more breathy as he closes his eyes to hold his composure for a second, “ i just need you to understand. “ rafe’s voice cracked with his last words and for once you didn’t feel the need to roll your eyes at him or question the motives behind his emotions. 

reaching your hand over the table to take his, smile surfacing on your features. “ hey, look at me, rafe, “ a whispered tone falling from your lips. once he’s fixed his gaze on yours you give his hand a small squeeze. “ i understand, “ you assure him , “ you just want to do right by your dad, that doesn’t make you a bad person, okay? “ you continue, you can’t pinpoint what you’re more shocked by - the words coming out of your mouth or the fact that you meant every word.

standing up from your spot across from him, you make your way around the table, wrapping your arms around him. “ you’re not a bad person rafe, “ you sigh, his head leaning into your chest , “ you hear me ? “

he nods before rising from his seat and wrapping strong arms around you, “ promise me, “ rafe starts, but then pulls away to look you in your eyes. his blue eyes were piercing and you wonder how you never noticed how beautiful they were before today. it feels as if waves are crazy over you as he does, washing away all of the hatred you’d talked yourself into feeling towards him. “ promise me, you won’t just go back to hating me, “ his eyes now searching yours as he awaits, notably impatient for your response.

your head falling as you let out a small laugh , “ i don’t think i could if i wanted to, rafe, “ you admit, a spark of fear flares inside of you when it hits you then when your friends return you could very well have alot of explaining to do.  

it’s crazy the difference one conversation can do.

⭒𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐬⭒

⭒𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲. 𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐧 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞

⭒𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬. 𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐱 𝐟𝐰𝐛𝐟𝐞𝐦!𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐝 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝, 𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐣𝐞𝐫𝐤, 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐟𝐟

⭒𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭. 𝟖𝟒𝟔

you curled your legs into your chest and laid on your side, wishing nothing more but for the ground to open up and swallow you whole.

your period decided to grace its presence a week early this morning, red staining your new comforter and sharp pains carving your insides into shreds.

your phone pinged from beside you, followed by another.

groaning, you reached for the device before unlocking it.

message from: rafe

'want 2 cum over?'

you cringed at his wording that, any other day, would have made you laugh and make your way over. but all you wanted to do was, well, vomit.

message from: rafe

'u alive?'

how charming.

you tossed your phone across your bed and smushed your face into the pillow, screaming into the plush material as your stomach doubled into knots.

"yo."

your eyes fluttered open to the sound of a man's voice, rafe's voice.

there he was. standing in your room.

"r-rafe?" you mumbled, forcing yourself to sit up as you wiped the sleep from your eyes.

"how the hell did you get in here?"

"the window," he said in a 'matter of fact tone.'

rafe had snuck through your window multiple times in order to avoid your parents, but what he didn't know was that they were out of town for a couple days.

"why weren't you responding to my texts?" he asked, breaking the silence as you noticed him staring at your phone discarded to the side.

"rafe, i'm really not in the mood for your dick in me right now- so if you could so kindly leave-"

"since when did you not want to fuck?" he laughed, eyes squinting in disbelief as you groaned loudly, another cramp hitting your stomach like a truck.

"since blood decided to gush out of my lady parts this morning," you snapped.

rafe was always an ass, but you were not in the mood for bantering.

his eyes widened for a second before dropping, his pupils softening at now realizing your uncomfortable state.

"at least you aren't pregnant," he chuckled, nose scrunching as he shrugged his shoulders.

oh you could sock him right in the face.

"fuck off, rafe," you spat, throwing your pillow at his body but unfortunately he dogged it.

you gave him the finger before rolling over and yanking the covers over your body.

you heard him mumble something under his breath before leaving your room, this time through the door.

you would have cried from his reaction, hormones speaking, but your body was exhausted.

"wake up."

was that rafe, again?

"rafe, what did i say?" you groaned, rolling over dramatically and pulling the blanket down, "i don't want to have sex-"

now wasn't that a sight.

rafe cameron standing in your room with a grocery bag and heating pad.

"calm down, i come in peace," he says, placing the bag next to you before kicking off his shoes and moving to sit in front of you.

"is that chocolate?" you asked, taking out a bar before grabbing another. and another.

"i didn't know which one, so i got options," he raised his hands in defense, "didn't need you ripping my head off."

you couldn't help but laugh quietly, a smile forming on your lips as you mumbled a thank you.

"rom-com?" you asked, eyebrows raised as you inspected the DVD case you pulled from the bag.

he cleared his throat before scratching the back of his neck.

"you're the weirdo who enjoys them."

"hey!" you gasped, smacking him with the case before tossing it to the side.

"well this weirdo is about to watch this movie, so don't think you need to stay here hostage," you said, watching his eyes soften as he bit the inside of his mouth.

"i'll go heat up the heating pad."

you don’t know how you got into this situation.

cuddling with your fuck buddy—his arm wrapped around your waist and legs tangled together, your hands in a bowl of popcorn mixed with m&ms.

the corny rom-con played across the tv, rafe not paying much attention as he kept stealing glances at you.

“feeling better?” he asked, voice soft as he squeezed your waist.

you turned to look at him, a small smile on his face as he raised an eyebrow.

“not really,” you sighed, giving him a teasing smile as he hummed.

“really?” he asked, face only inches away from yours as his minty breath fanned over your lips.

before you could answer, rafe closed the gap to connect his soft lips with yours.

you’ve kissed rafe multiple times, granted it’s been during more intimate moments—but this time felt different.

he was slow, and caring. he was gentle with you.

his hand caressing the side of your face as if you were made of glass, the complete opposite of how he would in bed.

he pulled away for a second, blue eyes locking with yours—the only noise being the movie in the background.

“what about now?”

you bit your bottom lip, eyes closing for a second as you hummed…thinking.

“let’s try again.”