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lilstarkeydream · 16 days ago

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Hidden Flames- Chapter 3

Summary: Y/N, a Kook who prefers the company of her Pogue friends, falls for Rafe Cameron. Despite their growing feelings, they maintain a facade due to their conflicting social circles and personal insecurities. Y/N is best friends with Sarah, Rafe's sister, which fuels Rafe's hidden affection. He despises how Y/N hangs out with the Pogues, believing she has more potential, while Y/N can't stand Rafe's for fights and stuck up nature. After a dramatic confrontation, they confess their feelings but must keep their relationship secret, with only Sarah in the know.

Warnings: 18+ only! Fluff, Angst, Smut (p in v), Adult language,

Authors note: Hey guys! Ugh I'm so sorry I made this like crazy long again and that it has been SO long betwen chapters. I've already sort of started working on Chapter 4 so hopefully I'll have it done soon. Anyways enjoy and feel free to message me if you have any requests xoxo.

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The warm sand felt soft against your feet, the gentle waves lapping at the shore. The sun was settling, casting a golden glow over everything. You were laughing, you don’t know what from, but Rafe was beside you, smiling, his eyes filled with softness. Rafe's arms wrapped tightly around you, holding you close as he spun you in slow circles, laughter mingling with the sound of the ocean. He pulled you closed, gently kissing your lips and whispering sweet nothings into your ear. You were dressed in white, almost like ghosts in a beautiful, ethereal world.

Rafe leaned in, his forehead resting against yours, “I want you forever Y/N. Even when I’m gone I’ll still be with you.”

Before you could respond, a loud powerful jarring sound shattered the peaceful scene. The scene faded away and turned black and you groaned and opened your eyes. You padded your bed around you searching for your phone trying to turn off your god-awful 7:30 am alarm. Early mornings are going to be the death of me, you thought.

You instinctively pulled your cover back over your head, dreading the day ahead. Dress shopping for midsummer’s… perfect. With only a week and a half to go, you already dreaded the thought of the superficial conversations that were bound to happen.

You try to hold onto the sweet memories of your dream but it is suddenly ruined when your mom yells down the hall.

“Y/N time to get up! We are already behind schedule, we are leaving in an hour for the boutique”

You groaned, slamming your face into the pillow and then pulling yourself up to start preparing for the day. You can already imagine your mom with her cup of coffee in her hand criticizing every dress you pull off the rack. Your parents were very particular when it came to a lot of things but the main thing was presentation; they hated it when you dressed in “pogue” attire. Hence why dress shopping is so important to your mom, it validates to her that there is still hope for you. You rolled your eyes at the thought of her voice in your head but smiled, knowing it was easier to just go along with her sometimes.

The boutique was glowing with varying colors, patterns, and dress types; it was overwhelming. From rack to rack, your mother picked out various dresses and styles for you, ushering you to the changing room to try on every single one.

You spent what felt like hours trying on dresses, in and out of the changing rooms, accumulating a small pile of maybes. Finally, as you were about to call it a day, your mom came over with a navy satin, backless dress with a bow detail.

“Now I'm not a fan of the backless back but I do think the bow in the back ties it all together,” she said as you slipped it on. But when you turned to the mirror, the fit was perfect. It was the one. Scenarios played in your head on how Rafe would react seeing you in this dress, so tight fitting and revealing, you know it would make him ogle.

“I agree Mom, this has to be it,” you said smiling running your hands down the dress.

Your mom was about to respond when you felt goosebumps begin to rise on the back of your neck like someone was watching you.

You quickly glanced around in the mirror at the surrounding store as your eyes locked with Chris’s.

Oh god, you got to be kidding me, you thought. Out of all places, this is where you see him? He must be with his mom and sister or something.

A twinge of nostalgia immediately began to coarse through you. You quickly looked away, pretending not to notice him, but of course, he noticed you—and began walking over, giving you his typical polite smile.

“Oh my gosh is that Christopher Phillips?!” Your mom whipped around, beaming with recognition. She practically jogged over to greet him, her eyes lighting up with that motherly approval. She quickly pulled him into a hug. “Christopher! How are you? Look at you, still as handsome as always!”

You couldn’t help but roll your eyes, your mom failed to acknowledge boundaries sometimes.

“Hello Mrs. Chastain, it is great to see you, you look fantastic!” he said as he pulled away, quickly glancing over at you as well.

“Oh please Christopher, call me Linda. You're still such a charmer. Anyway, Y/N is just trying on some dresses for Midsummer but I’ll let you old love birds catch up, I’ll just be right over there” She pointed to a random corner, and knowing her we would still be eye-shot. As I’ve said before… she is a huge fan of Chris.

As she eagerly waltzed away, Chris visibly got a bit nervous shoving his hands in his pockets, clearing his throat.

“Hey Y/N, uh, I wasn’t expecting to run into you, you look great,” he said gesturing to your dress, his voice carrying a hint of the awkwardness that hung over you guys even after the breakup.

“Yeah, Chris, good to see you too,” you said, keeping a neutral smile. The idea of catching up as old friends was tempting, but you could tell by his eyes that lingering feelings were still there, and you didn’t want to stir them up.

“So, are you going to Midsummer?” he asked, trying to make conversation.

“Yeah, I am. You?”

“Same,” he replied, nodding with a tight smile.

Silence settled between you. You were about to excuse yourself when he cleared his throat. “Are you… seeing anyone new?” he asked, his voice a bit too casual.

Your heart skipped a beat, and you forced a neutral expression. “Nope. You?” As you spoke, a flicker of guilt stirred. Rafe was still in the back of your mind, his presence lingering, tugging at the corners of your thoughts. The memory of his touch was enough to make you blush, but you couldn’t say any of that—not to Chris, and not to anyone else.

He hesitated, noticing your sudden change in demeanor, then shook his head. “Nope.” He looked away noticing your mom eagerly waiting with prying eyes, “Anyway, it was good to see you, take care. I’ll see you around, I guess.”

“Yeah. See you around,” you said, relieved as he walked away.

God that was so awkward

You stepped out of the boutique with your mom, your newly purchased dress slung over one arm. The bright afternoon sun made you squint, and you took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air after what felt like hours spent in stuffy fitting rooms.

"Well," your mom said, eyeing you with satisfaction, "now that we’ve got that settled, we can get on to the important things, like accessorizing.” She gave a little smile, seeming more pleased with you than usual.

You smiled, barely listening as your mind drifted back to your encounter with Chris. Why here, of all places?

Just then, a familiar voice called out across the street. "Y/N! Hey, Y/N!"

You turned to see JJ striding over, his hands shoved casually in his pockets, but his expression lighting up when he saw you. As he reached you, his gaze darted between you and your mom, a flicker of mischief in his eyes as he took in your shopping bags.

“Oh,” your mom said, straightening, “this must be one of your…friends.” Her voice held that edge she always had when she saw you talking to Pogues. She gave him a quick, tight smile. "Well, Y/N, I'll just grab a coffee down the street. You two…catch up. I'll be waiting in the car." Her heels clicked against the pavement as she walked away, looking back just once before disappearing into the café.

Once she was gone, JJ grinned. “Nice to see I’m still charming the Kooks, as always.”

You rolled your eyes but laughed. “You have that effect.”

“So, what’s all this?” He pointed to the bags with a teasing smirk. “Getting ready for Midsummer? Gotta say, I never pictured you as the ‘princess of Kooklandia’ type.”

“Oh, very funny,” you said, nudging him. “Yes, it’s for Midsummers. My mom practically forced me to come out today.”

“Lucky me, running into you, then,” he said, shoving his hands back in his pockets and giving you an easy smile. “So, how’s it going? You look…like you’ve been through it.”

You shrugged, laughing a little, but your voice softened. “I actually just ran into Chris.”

JJ’s face fell, the teasing look replaced by concern. “Wait, Chris? Like…Chris Chris?”

“Yeah,” you replied, the awkwardness of it making you cringe all over again. “It was…strange. He was trying to be nice, but I don’t know. It just reminded me of how I’ve changed, you know?”

JJ nodded slowly, eyes narrowing as if weighing his words. “Y/N, listen. Be careful with those Kook guys—no offense, but they can be a lot. And Chris…he’s bound to have feelings still, so just, you know…keep an eye out.”

You raised an eyebrow, surprised by the intensity of his reaction. “JJ, he’s harmless. We were just talking.”

“Yeah, maybe,” JJ muttered, rubbing the back of his neck, “but I don’t know. You’ve seemed kinda distant lately. Like…you’re around, but not. Got me worried, is all.”

Just as you were about to respond, your phone buzzed in your pocket. You glanced down, your pulse picking up slightly as Rafe’s name flashed across the screen.

Been thinking about you. What are you up to? The message was simple but meant everything, and you couldn’t stop the faint smile that crept onto your face as you typed back a quick reply, your heart beating just a little faster.

JJ’s voice snapped you out of the moment. “Uh-oh,” he said, smirking as he watched your expression shift. “That look’s usually reserved for the extra-rich Kooks.”

You quickly pocketed your phone, fighting to keep your expression neutral. “What look?”

He rolled his eyes. “Come on, Y/N. I may not be a Kook, but I know you well enough to see when something’s got you all…happy like that.”

You let out a laugh, shrugging it off. “It’s nothing. Just someone I know.”

JJ gave you a curious look, his playful smirk softening as he studied you. “Well, whoever it is, I hope they’re good enough for you. Just don’t go getting lost in Kooklandia too long. Us Pogues kinda need you”

The genuine concern in his eyes made your heart twist slightly, and you nodded, touched by his words. “I won’t, JJ. Promise.”

A flash of relief crossed his face, and he returned your smile with a lopsided grin, nudging you playfully. “Alright, princess, get out of here before your mom thinks I’m corrupting you or something.”

You laughed, shaking your head as you said goodbye, his words lingering in your mind as you headed to the car.

During dress shopping earlier, your phone had buzzed with a text from Sarah, asking if you wanted to hang out. She went on about an argument she’d had with Topper, making it sound both dramatic and all too familiar. You’d texted back, agreeing to come over once shopping was done, already bracing yourself for whatever rant awaited you.

Your mom is currently driving to the Cameron's residence as she droned on about Midsummer's etiquette and the importance of making a good impression.

“Don’t worry, honey, I’ll pick you up in a few hours. We can get lunch and talk more about Midsummers,” she said as she unlocked the car. But her phone buzzed just as she opened the door. She glanced at it, frowning.

“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me…” She sighed, her voice turning business-like. “They need me at the hospital honey. I’m so sorry, would you be able to grab a ride home.”

“Yeah, of course. Don’t worry, Mom, I understand. I’ll ask Sarah if she can drive me,” you replied, secretly grateful for the change of plans. You’d had enough of Midsummer's talk to last a lifetime.

She gave you a sympathetic smile, and as you shut the passenger door, you watched her drive away, feeling relieved. But that feeling quickly gave way to nerves as you noticed Rafe’s truck parked in front of the house. Of course, he’d be here,you thought, trying to keep your pulse steady.

Once your mom was out of sight, you made your way up the Cameron's all-too-familiar staircase. You hadn’t been here since that night—when you’d drunkenly found yourself in Rafe’s room. The memories flickered back, and you thought you caught a faint hint of his cologne lingering in the air. You passed by his door, stealing a glance, but it was empty, the bed neatly made. Maybe he’s out with Topper or Kelce by the pool, you mused, trying to shake the thrill of knowing he was nearby.

Reaching Sarah’s room, you barely had time to knock before she flung open the door, grabbing your arm and pulling you onto the bed beside her. “Finally!” she exclaimed, tossing her phone onto the bed as she settled in next to you. “You have no idea how badly I needed to see you today.”

“Really?” you laughed, stretching out beside her. “What’s going on?”

“Ugh, where do I even start?” She let out a dramatic sigh, flopping back against her pillows. “The guys are outside right now, so I can’t be too loud, but Topper and I had the stupidest argument last night. He gets jealous of everything—it’s unreal. Sometimes I think he’s the insecure one, not me! He saw me talking with John B near the docks and now he’s convinced I’m sneaking around behind his back!”

Your eyebrows shot up. “John B?” That was news to you. John B and Sarah had never shown much interest in each other before—or at least, not that you’d noticed.

Sarah nodded, biting her lip with a mischievous smile. “Yeah, he and I talked a bit last week, and honestly, I kind of liked it. He’s so…different from Topper, you know? But I swear, I wasn’t doing anything sketchy. Topper just freaked out and, ugh, it’s such a mess.”

You couldn’t help but imagine how the Pogues would react if they knew about Sarah’s budding friendship with John B. It was complicated enough with your friendship with them, let alone…well, your situation with Rafe. The Pogues wouldn’t exactly be thrilled to know you were sneaking around with the one person they despised most.

“Wow,” you said, trying to sound casual. “I just can’t picture John B with a Kook like…well, like us, honestly.”

Sarah laughed, rolling her eyes. “I know, right? It’s complicated.”

“Speaking of complicated…” you began, realizing you hadn’t yet told her about the day’s chaos. “I ran into Chris today.”

Her eyes widened, surprise flashing across her face. “Chris? No way. How did that go?”

You gave her a tight smile. “Awkward, mostly. He was…polite, I guess, but I could tell there was something else. I don’t think he’s over it. He even asked if I was seeing anyone new.”

Sarah groaned, shaking her head. “Classic Chris. He’s just trying to find an excuse to come back into your life.”

“Maybe,” you admitted, “but I had to lie and say no. And that made it even worse because…”

You paused, hesitating. Sarah propped herself up on her elbow, eyes narrowing. “Because what?”

You took a deep breath, feeling your pulse quicken. “Because I snuck out with Rafe last night.”

Sarah’s eyes went wide, and a slow smile spread across her face. “Oh my god, what? Go on!”

“He came to my house, tapping on my window like a total maniac.” You laughed at the memory, but your voice softened as you remembered what had happened next. “We ended up going for ice cream and walking on the pier. He…he told me he wanted to try with me, you know? Like, actually give it a shot. And I said yes, Sarah. I told him I liked him.”

Sarah’s expression shifted, a mix of excitement and caution. “Wow…okay, so this is getting serious, huh?”

“Yeah,” you admitted, feeling a flutter of nervousness at her words. “It feels…different.”

Sarah sighed, looking at you with a gentle but wary smile. “I get it. Rafe can surprise you sometimes. But be careful, Y/N. He’s my brother, and I love him, but…he can be unpredictable.”

“I know,” you replied, grateful for her understanding. “But right now, I just…I don’t know. I feel happy.”

Just then, a familiar voice drifted through the open window from the backyard, and your stomach did a flip. Rafe’s unmistakable laugh mixed with Topper and Kelce’s voices, the sound sending a thrill through you.

Sarah noticed, smirking. “He’s right out there, you know.”

You rolled your eyes, feeling a blush creep up your cheeks. “Ugh, I know. But we’re trying to keep things secret, remember?”

“Sure, sure,” she teased, winking.

You both laughed, and the conversation drifted to other things. But as you glanced out the window, you saw Rafe and the guys heading inside, his attention focused on his phone. Sarah’s voice faded into the background as you heard him walk through the house and up the stairs, heart thudding as you wondered if he might notice you.

Excusing yourself with a quick “I got to go to the bathroom,” you slipped out of Sarah’s room, making your way quietly down the hall. Just as you rounded the corner, you nearly collided with Rafe, who looked up in surprise, his lips curving into that familiar smirk.

“Whoa, well this is a surprise, what are you doing around here, pretty girl?” he murmured, voice low and teasing. “Sneaking into my house just to see me?”

You rolled your eyes, unable to hide your smile. “I’m best friends with your sister, dumbass. You’re the one who’s supposed to be downstairs with your friends.”

Rafe leaned casually against the wall, his hair still damp and tousled from the pool, water droplets catching on his tan skin, his arms toned and relaxed. He flashed you that familiar, mischievous grin. “Kelce and Topper just headed out, so I guess that leaves us. Think you can handle it?”

Your heart skipped a beat as he closed the space between you, the playful glint in his eyes making it clear he knew exactly what he was doing.

You opened your mouth to answer, but his hand was already reaching for yours, pulling you into his room. The familiar thrill of being this close, in a place where you could be caught any second by Ward or Rose, made your pulse race.

“You know,” he murmured sitting on his bed pulling you between his legs, his voice barely above a whisper, “I’ve been thinking about you all day.”

“Yeah?” You tried to keep your voice steady running your hand down his chest, even as your heart raced. “What about me?”

He chuckled softly, his thumb tracing circles on the back of your hand. “Everything. The way you laugh, the way you look at me…” He paused, leaning in just enough that you could feel his breath against your skin. “The way you make it really hard to keep my hands off you.”

You swallowed, feeling the warmth spread through you. “Who said you have to?”

A slow grin spread across his face leaning in to capture a kiss, and for a moment, everything else faded away—the house, Sarah, the risks of being caught. It was just the two of you.

But then, footsteps echoed from the stairwell, and you both sprang apart, glancing nervously down the hall. Rafe gave you a quick wink, his eyes dancing with mischief.

Rose’s voice called down the hall, clear and firm. “Sarah! Rafe! Y/N! Dinner’s ready!”

Rafe pulled back, his lips just inches from yours, his playful expression turning to one of frustration. “Of course,” he muttered, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Before you could respond, Sarah’s footsteps sounded from the other side of the hall, followed by a quick knock on the bathroom door down the hall. “Hey Y/N dinner’s ready! Rafe, dinners ready. Come on, let’s go!”

Rafe raised an eyebrow, smirking as he glanced at you. Then, with his best impression of an annoyed brother, he called out, “I’ll be down in a few, Sarah!”

Satisfied, Sarah’s footsteps faded down the stairs, and in an instant, Rafe’s arms pulled you back toward him. His lips found yours again, the urgency even stronger now. The thrill of secrecy rushed through you as his fingers tangled in your hair, his touch somehow gentle and desperate at the same time.

“Alright, you really need to go now,” he whispered between kisses, his voice thick with reluctance.

“You don’t make it easy,” you murmured, smiling against his lips. Finally, you pulled back, running a hand through your hair as you gathered yourself, fixing your clothes.

Taking a deep breath, you slipped out of his room, glancing over your shoulder one last time to see him watching you with that signature smirk.

When you entered the dining room, the Cameron family was gathered around the table, and Rose flashed you a warm smile. Sarah was already seated, chatting with Wheezie, who was recounting some story with animated hand gestures. You slipped into the seat between Sarah and Rose, offering a polite smile to Ward as he nodded in greeting.

“Glad you could join us, Y/N,” Ward said, his tone warm. “We don’t get to see you around here often enough.”

“Thank you for having me, Mr. Cameron,” you replied, feeling a bit more at ease as Rafe entered the room and took the seat across from you. His expression was casual, but the glint of mischief in his eyes was unmistakable. As he sat down, his foot tapped against your thigh under the table, and your cheeks flushed.

Dinner began with light conversation, Rose asking about school, and Ward making polite inquiries about your family. The food was excellent, and for a while, you settled into the cozy atmosphere, almost able to ignore Rafe’s occasional gaze across the table and the flutter it stirred in you.

“So, Y/N,” Rose began, setting down her fork and smiling at you with that piercing, Kook-perfect smile. “I’m assuming you’ll be going to Midsummers? Did you end up finding a dress?”

“Oh, uh, yes! Just today, actually,” you replied, hoping to sound casual despite your racing heart.

She nodded approvingly. “Wonderful! Midsummers is such an important event, especially for making connections. Do you have a date lined up yet?”

The question caught you off guard, and you took a quick sip of water, trying to keep calm. “Not yet,” you replied, glancing down at your plate to avoid looking at Rafe.

“Oh, what about that young man you were seeing before?” she asked, tilting her head slightly. “What was his name? Chris, right?

The mention of his name made both you and Sarah choke on your drinks at the same time. Sarah quickly recovered, covering her laughter with a cough, but your cheeks burned as you struggled to respond.

“Oh, uh, we’re…we’re not together anymore,” you managed, giving Rose a small, tight smile. You could feel Rafe’s eyes on you, though you didn’t dare look up.

Rose’s eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise. “Oh, I see. Well, no matter. I’m sure you’ll find a date—someone with a good head on his shoulders,” she added, her gaze lingering a bit too long on Rafe as if expecting him to say something.

Rafe cleared his throat, his expression unreadable as he casually picked at his food. “I’m sure Y/N will be the best-dressed one there,” he said smoothly, his tone calm but laced with a subtle edge. The mention of Chris hadn’t gone unnoticed, and a hint of jealousy flickered in his eyes.

The comment hung in the air for a moment before Ward chuckled, drawing the attention back to himself. “Well, I thinkit’s great that you’ll be attending, Y/N. Midsummers is a special event. It really brings out the best in everyone.”

“Yes, sir. My family is excited about it—it’s all my mom has been talking about,” you replied, chuckling as you offered Ward a polite smile, eager to steer the conversation away from your love life, especially with one of the culprits sitting directly across from you.

As the meal continued, Rose turned her attention to Sarah, her smile a little too fixed as she asked, “So, Sarah, I heard you were spotted down at the docks last week with…what’s his name? John B?”

The question dropped into the conversation like a stone, and Sarah froze, her fork hovering mid-air. You felt your pulse quicken as you glanced over at her, sensing the shift in the atmosphere.

“Oh, that?” Sarah laughed, shrugging nonchalantly. “We just ran into each other. It was nothing.” She was doing her best to act casual, but you could tell Rose wasn’t convinced.

“Well, it just seems like…an unusual friendship, doesn’t it?” Rose remarked, her voice light, though her eyes were sharp and watchful.

“Considering his father’s…reputation.”

Sarah’s jaw tightened as she replied evenly, “John B’s not like that. He just…runs with a different group of people, that’s all.”

Ward set his glass down, nodding thoughtfully. “That’s true. John B’s worked well with us, especially on the boats. He’s shown some responsibility.” He paused, looking between you and Sarah. “But I’d hate for either of you to get caught up in their habits—like sneaking around and stretching the truth. It’s just not the kind of influence we want for you two.”

You exchanged a quick, uneasy glance with Sarah, sensing that Ward’s words held more weight than they seemed to on the surface. The underlying warning was clear.

Rose’s attention shifted to you, her eyes narrowing with curiosity. “And you, Y/N, seem to spend quite a bit of time with the Pogues, don’t you?” she asked, gesturing lightly. “How would you describe their…character?”

The question hung in the air, and you could feel the unspoken judgment. You hesitated, thinking about how to explain it without stirring more suspicion. “They’re…genuine,” you said slowly, choosing your words carefully. “They’re rough around the edges, maybe, but they’re loyal, and they don’t pretend to be something they’re not.” You looked down, aware of Ward and Rose’s scrutiny. “They’re just good people, in their own way.”

Rafe cleared his throat, breaking the tension. “Come on, Rose, it’s just a friendship,” he said, his tone casual yet carrying a hint of protectiveness as he glanced at you. “It’s not like either of them are running off with the Pogues and getting into trouble.”

Ward’s silence lingered, his frown subtle but clear. “It’s not the friendships themselves that concern me,” he said at last, eyes settling on Sarah and then you, “but the sneaking around and secrets. That’s what’s…disappointing.”

Just as the conversation drifted back to more mundane topics, Ward turned his attention to you. “Actually, Y/N, there’s something I wanted to ask you about. Your father’s company—he does business in real estate, right?”

Caught off guard, you nodded. “Uh, yes. He’s got some investments around the area.”

Ward nodded thoughtfully, his expression unreadable. “Interesting. I heard he’s been expanding into some new developments recently, some pretty big projects.”

You sensed there was more to his curiosity than casual interest, and out of the corner of your eye, you noticed Rafe’s gaze sharpened. What was Ward getting at?

“Yeah, I think he’s been working on a few,” you replied, keeping your tone light, though you felt a prickle of unease. Your dad had mentioned some big investments lately, but he was always cagey about the details.

Ward gave a satisfied nod, swirling his glass thoughtfully. “It’s good to hear. The market around here’s always shifting, and it’s smart to have eyes on it.”

“Exactly,” Rose chimed in, shooting Ward a supportive glance. “Families that know how to work with each other tend to do better in the long run, don’t they, Ward?”

You nodded politely, feeling Ward’s intent but still uncertain about the details. What exactly was he interested in?

“Tell him he should swing by sometime,” Ward added casually as if it were an afterthought. “We could go over some ideas, and talk business. Who knows, might be a win-win for both of us.”

“Oh, sure,” you said, keeping your tone neutral. “I’ll let him know.”

Ward nodded with a pleased smile, raising his glass in a small toast. “To partnerships,” he said, giving you a look that seemed almost fatherly.

You nodded politely, feeling Ward’s intent but still uncertain about the details. What exactly was he interested in?

Dinner was winding down as everyone began clearing dishes from the table and bringing them to the kitchen. Rose stood at the window, watching the heavy raindrops pelting down outside, her brows knitting together in mild concern.

“Oh, it’s really coming down out there,” she said, glancing back toward you. “Y/N, you have a way to get home, right?I’d hate for you to get caught in this.”

You hesitated, unsure how to respond as Sarah chimed in. “I was going to take her, but I, uh…let Topper use my car earlier.” Her eyes flicked toward you and Rafe, her mouth twisting into a half-smile as if she could sense the tension brewing.

“Oh, that’s no problem,” Ward said, looking over at Rafe, who was lounging casually on the couch in the other room, scrolling through his phone. “Rafe, why don’t you take Y/N home? I’m sure she’d appreciate it.”

The suggestion hung in the air for a moment. You and Rafe exchanged brief glances, each of you caught off guard, but Rafe recovered quickly, nodding with a tight-lipped smile.

“Yeah, I can take her,” he replied, his tone nonchalant, though his gaze lingered on you a second longer than necessary.

Rose beamed slightly taken aback by his sudden willingness. “Wonderful! Thank you, Rafe.”

Excitement and nervousness coursed through you knowing you would get alone time with Rafe without anyone suspecting anything.

Your heart thumped as you ran upstairs to grab your bag and then you said goodbyes to the Camerons. Ward remindingyou again to talk to your father about the business deal and Rose just telling you to tell your mom hi.

Rafe grabbed his keys, and after a quick farewell to Rose and Ward, he led you outside, holding the door for you as you climbed into his truck, his eyes glinting with something you couldn’t quite place. The rain continued to pour down, droplets hitting the windshield in a steady rhythm that enveloped you both.

As Rafe pulled out of the driveway, silence filled the space between you, his fingers drummed on the steering wheel, and his jaw was clenched just enough to hint that something was bothering him.

Finally, he broke the silence, his voice soft but edged with something deeper. “So…looks like you got stuck with me .”

You chuckled, glancing over at him. “Guess I am.”

He shot you a sidelong look, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Doesn’t seem like you mind too much.”

“Maybe I don’t,” you replied, your voice barely above a whisper, “maybe we can finish what we started earlier” your hand resting on the seat between you.

His gaze flicked down to your hand, and then back to the road, dodging your flirty comment. “Seems like Chris came up a lot tonight,” he muttered, his tone casual but carrying a distinct note of tension.

Oh gosh is this what was making him so bothered, you thought

You glanced at him, feeling your heart pick up pace. “Well, it was Rose who brought him up,” you said softly, sensing that this was more than a casual comment.

Rafe nodded, a small frown crossing his face as he kept his gaze on the road. After a moment, you hesitated but felt it better to be honest. “Actually…I ran into him earlier today. At the boutique.”

His fingers tightened on the steering wheel, his expression hardening. “You ran into him?”

You sighed and nodded, feeling the familiar tug of conflict. “It was nothing, Rafe. Just…awkward. He tried to make conversation, and he asked if I was seeing anyone. I told him I wasn’t because…well because we’re supposed to keep this between us.”

Rafe’s grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly, his jaw flexing. “So…he thinks you’re single, then?”

You glanced at him, taken aback by the edge in his tone. “Rafe, it’s not like that.”

“But it sounds like it,” he shot back, his voice soft but insistent. “I don’t like the idea of him thinking he’s got a chance when he doesn’t.”

You looked away, raising your own voice caught off guard by his intensity. “Well, what do you want me to do? Tell him I’m secretly seeing someone who…hasn’t even asked me to be his girlfriend?”

The words slipped out before you could stop them, and you instantly regretted it, resituating yourself in your seat glancing out the window, feeling vulnerable under his gaze.

Rafe’s eyes flickered with surprise, then softened as he pulled the truck over to the side of the road a block from your house, rain pattering loudly on the roof. He turned to you, his expression unreadable. “Do you…want that?”

Your breath caught, and you forced yourself to meet his gaze. The vulnerability in his eyes almost broke you, “Maybe I do,” you said, a faint smile tugging at the corners of your mouth. “But I’m not ready to put a label on it just yet, I like this sneaking around”

A smirk played on his lips as he leaned in, his hand finding yours and giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Fine by me. But you’re still mine, Y/N,” he murmured, his voice low and possessive. “And if I see Chris—or anyone—try to touch you, it won't go unnoticed” His jaw clenched, and he shook his head.

A shiver ran down your spine at the intensity in his voice, but a warmth spread through you at the same time. “Rafe, you know I’m not interested in anyone else.”

“Good,” he whispered, his hand moving to cradle your face, his thumb brushing over your cheek and your lip. “Because I’ve wanted this for a long time.”

“You’ve wanted this for a long time Cameron?” a smile tugging on your lips, “I always knew you had a thing for me.”

“Just shut up and kiss me,” he muttered, his lips curving into a smile as he leaned in.

You felt everything fade away as he pressed his lips to yours, the rain still hammering down. You melted into him, your hands threading into his hair as he deepened the kiss, his grip on you tightening as if he couldn’t get enough. The intensity between you grew, each kiss more urgent than the last, and before you knew it, he was pulling you over onto his lap, his arms wrapping around your waist to hold you close.

You could feel the heat radiating between you, your breaths mingling as he kissed you with a hunger that made your head spin. His hands traced along your back, drawing you closer, as he whispered, “You’re the most beautiful girl in the world, you know that?”

You felt your cheeks heat up, his words making your heart pound as his fingers traced gentle patterns on your back and he began to kiss down your neck hitting your soft spot. “Rafe…” you moaned out.

“And if I see any guy even thinking about getting too close…” He trailed off, his lips brushing against yours as he spoke, a possessive glint in his eye. “I’ll remind you exactly who you belong to.”

His words sent a thrill through you, and you captured his lips in another kiss, feeling the heat between you building.

“Rafe,” you breathed between kisses, “I can’t get enough of you.”

“Good,” he whispered, his voice rough as his hands explored you, pulling you closer. “Because I don’t think I could stop, even if I tried.”

He held you close, his lips moving from your mouth to your jaw, then along your neck, each touch igniting sparks across your skin. You felt as though you were lost in him, the way he looked at you as though you were the only person in the world.

“I can’t wait to see you in that Midsummers dress,” he murmured, his voice rough with anticipation, his hands lingering at your waist. “I can only imagine how good you’ll look.” he continues to whisper, “and how good it'll be when I take it off and fuck you.”

His words made you blush, a smile playing on your lips as you gazed at him. “You’ll just have to be patient.”

He grinned, capturing your mouth again in a kiss that was anything but patient, his hands roaming up your back, pulling you closer. Without thinking, your fingers drifted to the buttons on his shirt, fumbling slightly as you began to undo them, feeling the heat of his skin beneath your hands. He exhaled sharply, his grip tightening as you pushed the shirt off his shoulders, running your hands over the hard lines of his chest.

You pull away quickly, and Rafe can sense your reason for hesitation.

“Don’t worry, baby. It’s raining so hard, and my windows are too tinted,” he says confidently, immediately going back to attacking your neck.

Rafe’s hand slipped under your shirt, tugging it off with a swift motion, his fingers exploring the newly exposed skin with an intensity that left you breathless. His hands cupped your breasts, and you shivered at the sensation.

“God, Y/N,” he murmured, his lips pressing against your collarbone as he pulled you flush against him. His mouth left a trail of fire along your skin, kisses becoming more insistent as he marked you with small bites—a silent declaration that you were his.

Your hands drifted down, fingers skimming over his toned chest before finding the waistband of his shorts. You felt his body tense under your touch, his breath hitching, eyes darkening with a fierce, barely restrained desire as he looked down at you.

“Careful,” he whispered, his voice low, almost a warning. But the challenge in his gaze made it impossible for you to hold back. You pressed

closer, letting him know you were just as ready for this as he was.

You locked eyes with him, a smirk playing on your lips as you took your time grinding your hips down, feeling his hardness beneath you. Rafe let out a low groan, his hands instinctively gripping your waist, urging you to move. His grip tightened, one hand sliding over your thigh and pulling you closer, making you roughen the kiss as his touch neared the edge of your skirt.

A shiver ran through you as Rafe’s hand inched along your inner thigh, each slow movement sparking anticipation. When his fingers brushed over your panties, you caught your breath, your heart pounding as he pulled the fabric to the side. His fingers found your warm, wet center, and he sighed against your mouth, his arousal pressing insistently against you.

A low moan escaped your lips as his fingers entered you, the roughness of his touch making you grip his seat for support. You’d craved this feeling, the way only Rafe could make you lose yourself, and every lingering memory of your first night together flooded back, more intense than ever.

You let your lips drift down to his neck, biting and sucking as you went, intent on leaving a visible reminder. Your body was moving on instinct, grinding against his hand as he picked up the pace, each thrust of his fingers igniting you further. When he angled his fingers just right, your body tensed, and a choked gasp escaped you, urging him on as he went deeper.

You rocked your hips against his hand, feeling the pressure building, each movement pushing you closer to the edge. The pleasure built steadily until you felt it crest, your entire body shuddering as you surrendered to the intensity of it. The truck windows fogged up, trapping the warmth between you as the rain pattered on the roof outside.

Rafe’s fingers slowed, coaxing the last waves of pleasure from you, and you moaned softly, holding tightly to his arm. Just when you were catching your breath, he slipped his fingers out, leaving you with an ache at the sudden emptiness.

With a sly smirk, Rafe reached down, pulling his boxers lower to reveal himself to you. The sight made you bite your lip, but he didn’t leave you much time to dwell on it; his hands tugged at your hips, guiding you over to your knees. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a condom and tore it open, sliding it on in one smooth motion.

Breathless with anticipation, you steadied yourself above him, slowly lowering your hips as Rafe guided you down. A gasp escaped both of you as he filled you completely, the world around you fading away as you moved together, lost entirely in each other.

As he entered you, a shared moan echoed between you, raw and unfiltered. “Holy shit, you’re so perfect,” Rafe breathed, his head falling back, his voice laced with awe.

He leaned forward, capturing your mouth with his, his breath mingling with yours as he deepened the kiss, sending a rush of pleasure straight through you.

You began to move, adjusting to his size. Each new rise and fall brought a wave of intensity that heightened your pleasure. His hands gripped your hips tightly, guiding you as you took him in fully, and you wondered if his fingers might leave marks.

Your own hands curled around his arms for support, gripping tighter each time he filled you, your bodies falling perfectly in sync.

As you grew more comfortable, your pace quickened, driven by the sheer pleasure that neither of you could hold back.

“Rafe…” you whispered, your voice trembling as you began to falter, feeling yourself edging closer. No one had ever made you feel this way before, and you could sense you wouldn’t last much longer, each movement pushing you closer to the brink of release.

“You just feel so good. You’re so perfect, princess,” he murmured, trailing kisses down your neck and onto your breasts. With each thrust, he guided your movements, pulling you down harder onto his lap, as if channeling the jealousy he’d felt over Chris into each motion.

Rafe’s arm tightened around your waist, drawing you in deeper, the pressure becoming almost unbearable in the most addictive way. The sound of your pleasure filled the small space, mingling with the sound of the rain pounding against the truck. You swore that if it weren’t raining so hard, anyone nearby would hear the sounds of your moans. Soft whimpers and moans spilled from your lips as Rafe continued, making you completely his. He groaned, his voice low and rough, as your moans nearly sent him over the edge.

You were lost in the rhythm of it all, overwhelmed by the sensations as you neared your peak once more. Rafe’s thrusts became more intense, and you felt the tightening of your walls around him, a telltale sign that you were on the brink.

“Rafe!” you gasped, feeling your climax wash over you in waves, pulling a deep moan from your throat. “I want you so bad,” you murmured,

“Come inside me, baby…” Your words seemed to ignite something in him, his eyes widening as he watched your body react, his arms wrapping around you, holding you close as he thrust deeper.

You could hardly breathe, your body trembling as the overwhelming pleasure intensified. It felt like you were floating, the world outside fading until only he remained—his touch, his heat, the way he made you feel. Rafe groaned, a low, desperate sound as he felt your walls tighten around him, his own release fast approaching.

With a final thrust, he buried himself deeper, his hips moving sloppily as his climax took over. His hands gripped your waist as he moaned against your skin, his lips finding your chest as he rode out the last waves of pleasure. For a moment, both of you remained still, panting as you caught your breath, hearts racing in unison. Rafe whispered sweet nothings in your ear as you caught your breath, Rafe fixing your hair.

“You okay pretty girl?” he asked leaning in to kiss you.

“More than okay, Rafe,” you say between kisses, smiling more and more. You swear you've never felt so happy.

You pull back slightly, and he does too, your eyes meeting in a moment of vulnerability. You can't quite put your finger on why kissing him feels so different—so much better— so right.

You kiss him once more, instantly melting into his warm touch. You want to stay in his arms forever until your moment is interrupted by the buzzing of a phone. You glance over and it's Rafe's phone on the dashboard, Dad.

Rafe answered the call, his voice shifting to a more serious tone. “Hey, Dad,” he said, leaning slightly away from you as he focused on the conversation. You watched as his expression darkened, his jaw tightening at whatever his father was saying.

“I told you I’d handle it,” Rafe snapped, frustration evident in his tone. You could see the tension building as he rubbed a hand over his face. “No, I’m fine. Just… give me a minute. Just dropped Y/N off. I drove extra slow since the rain was so bad.”

Your heart sank as you realized your time together was slipping away. Rafe looked back at you, his expression apologetic, but you could see the stress brewing in his eyes. “I have to go. I’ll call you later, Dad” he said, clearly trying to wrap up the conversation.

You sat back slightly, feeling the warmth of your earlier intimacy fade, trying to give him space while the weight of the moment lingered between you.

Rafe ended the call and exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. “Sorry about that. My dad’s being… well, you know how he is. Just pissed off about some investment bullshit,” he said, frustration still etched on his face.

“It’s fine,” you replied, trying to sound more upbeat than you felt. “Family stuff comes first.”

“Yeah, but I was really enjoying… this,” he said, with a smirk on his face but his voice still lingering with regret.

“Me too,” you admitted.

He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to your lips, and for a moment, everything felt perfect again. “Let’s go do something this week, okay? I’ll take you out on a real date.” His words wrapped around you like a warm embrace, promising more to come.

You nodded eagerly, giving him another soft kiss, cupping his cheeks as you savored the moment.

He helped you swiftly off him, both of you collecting your scattered clothing and attempting to put it back on correctly.

“I should get you home before your dad starts worrying,” Rafe said reluctantly, the reality of the situation settling over you both.

You nodded, feeling a mix of disappointment and understanding that this moment together was ending. “Yeah, let’s go.”

Rafe started up his truck, creeping closer to your house. He pulled over in front of your home and parked.

As you climbed out of the truck and into the pouring rain, Rafe came over to the other side and offered you his hoodie to protect you from the rain. You swiftly put it on, feeling its warmth envelop you.

“Do you want me to walk you to the door?” he asked, his eyes searching yours, finding any reason to spend more time with you.

You didn’t really have a choice but to nod. “Yeah, that’d be great,” you replied, a flicker of anxiety rushed through you at the thought of getting caught but it out to be rainy and dark enough, no one could make out his figure.

As he walked you to your front door, you said a quick, discreet goodbye, not wanting to raise any flags or cause your dad to look out the window. You took one last glance at him, watching him walk back to his truck, his shoulders slightly hunched against the rain.

As you slipped inside, your heart raced as you stood in the hallway, the familiar sounds of your home bringing you back to reality as you tried to shake off the lingering adrenaline from your time with Rafe.

“Y/N?” your dad called from the living room, pulling you out of your thoughts. You took a deep breath, mentally preparing yourself as you approached.

“Hey, Dad,” you replied, forcing a casual tone. He was sitting on the couch, the TV flickering in the dim light.

“Where have you been? You got home a little late,” he said, looking up at you and the clock with a hint of concern.

“Oh, I was just with Sarah,” you said quickly. “Her brother drove me home since she didn’t have her car.” The words felt slippery, but you hoped they’d hold.

He raised an eyebrow, clearly gauging your sincerity. “Okay, just make sure you’re careful out there, especially with the rain coming down so hard.”

You nodded, relieved that he seemed to accept your explanation. “I will, Dad. I promise.”

He glanced at the hoodie now draped on your arm, his brow furrowing slightly. “That’s a nice hoodie. Is it new?”

“Yeah, I just borrowed it,” you replied, trying to sound casual as you fiddled with the fabric. “I got cold, so… you know how it is.”

Your dad nodded but remained silent for a moment, his expression thoughtful. “Just remember honey, I worry about you, sometimes I don’t know if you’re out with those pogues or not. I’d rather you be safe than sorry.”

“Of course,” you said, forcing a smile to reassure him. “I’m always careful Dad, I promise.”

He smiled back, his worry easing a bit. “Good. Now go wash up and get some rest. You’ve had a long day. I love you”

“Okay, night Dad, love you too,” you said but right before you headed up the stairs you turned around, “Oh Dad, Ward Cameron wanted to meet with you about some business investment stuff”

He simply chuckled and said “Okay” before you continued heading up the stairs towards your bedroom.

Once back in your room, you collapsed onto your bed, burying your face in the pillow as a muffled scream escaped—equal parts frustration and exhilaration. The adrenaline started to fade and the memories of Rafe’s touch, his kisses, and that promise of a real date whirled through your mind, making it hard to catch your breath. Excitement buzzed through your veins, filling you with a warmth that felt as surreal as it was intoxicating.

None of tonight felt real.

You could still feel the comforting weight of his arms around you, and his hoodie was still curled up in your arms, smelling strongly of his cologne—a lingering reminder of everything that had happened.

Your phone buzzed on the nightstand, snapping you out of your thoughts. Reaching over, you saw a message from Kiara.

Hey, Y/N! The Pogues and I are hitting the beach tomorrow. The waves are supposed to be crazy good. Wanna come?

A grin crept across your face as you quickly typed a reply.

Oh, hell yes! That sounds perfect!

But as soon as you hit send, another notification flashed across your screen. This time, it was your manager, Lance.

Hey Y/N! I’m so sorry it’s late, but could you pick up a morning shift tomorrow? We’re short-staffed, and I could reallyuse your help!

Your heart sank as you rolled your eyes in frustration. Taking an early shift meant skipping the beach day you’d just agreed to. You hesitated, caught between the thought of spending time with the pogues or actually making some money.

With a reluctant sigh, you typed out a response to Lance,

Sure! What time?

Then, biting your lip, you shot a follow-up message to Kiara.

Shit, Ki, I’m so sorry! My manager just asked me to work tomorrow morning, so I’ll have to miss out. But maybe I can meet up later?

After a few seconds, you saw Kiara’s text bubble pop up.

Ugh, bummer. Don’t let those Kooks work you too hard! We’ll be at the Chateau if you wanna swing by later. I’ll even save you a drink. Plus, we have some stuff to catch you up on.

You tossed your phone on the bed with a sigh, the weight of the skipping out kind of making you upset but you’ve called off so many shifts these past few weeks. Plus you know there will be a party this week to make up for lost time. You kicked off your shoes and pulled the covers over you. Your body was utterly exhausted.

As you settled into bed, Butters, your cat, jumped up and curled himself beside you, purring contentedly. You ran your fingers through his soft fur, letting the rhythm of his purring lull you into a sense of calm.

"I hate skipping out on the Pogues," you muttered to Butters, who responded with a contented purr. "But, hey, at least I won’t be broke."

You sighed, snuggling into the covers and letting the warmth of your cat and the quiet of the room start to ease your mind. Just as you were starting to drift off, a new notification buzzed on your phone.

You picked it up, blinking at the screen in surprise.

Goodnight beautiful

A small smile tugged at your lips as you stared at the text. You couldn’t help the flutter in your chest, even though you knew you'd have to face the consequences of whatever you were getting yourself into with Rafe. For now, though, you let the words settle in and your exhaustion wins, letting sleep pull you under.

--——----------————- ❥・-------------------------

Taglist: @rafesno1bae, @drewsphswife, @maybankslover

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lilstarkeydream · 22 days ago

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Do y’all want a part 3 to Hidden Flames 👀

I’ve been busy with college BUT I can definitely write more or even do small little imagines.

I really like the concepts of jealous!Rafe or thornton!reader x Rafe.

Let me know pleaseeeee xoxo

#rafe cameron #drew starkey #drew starkey x reader #outer banks #topper thornton x reader #drew starkey imagine #rafe cameron imagines #jealous rafe cameron #rafe cameron fanfiction #rafe obx #rafe cameron smut #outerbanks rafe #rafe smut #rafe x you

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lilstarkeydream · 22 days ago

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FUCK YALL 😭😭😭😭😭😭 LMFAO UR HONOUR I LOVE HIM

he’s so tall i need him

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lilstarkeydream · 5 months ago

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Hidden Flames- Chapter 2

Warnings: 18+ only! Fluff, Slight Angst?, Adult language, Slight Substance use

Authors note: Hey guys! I hope you like this... I'm sorry its so long and Im sorry if theres slight writing mistakes, I just kind of wanted to get it all finished :')

9.6k words

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ*:･ﾟ

The sunlight filtered through the gaps in the heavy curtains, casting slivers of light across the room. You blinked awake, your head pounding from the aftermath of last night's alcohol-fueled decisions.

Desperately needing a Tylenol to ease the pain, you struggled to piece together the fragmented memories of the previous night. As your eyes adjusted to the brightness, you recognized the room – it was Rafe's. The events of the last night came flooding back, causing a mix of emotions to swirl in your chest: the party, the fight, the kiss.

As anxiety began to build, you turned your head and saw Rafe, still asleep beside you. His face, usually set in a smirk or scowl, was relaxed, almost peaceful. You took a moment to take in all his features, his chest still bare from last night’s activities. The sight of him like this, vulnerable and serene, was disarming. You carefully slipped out of bed, trying not to wake him. You grabbed a discarded piece of clothing across the floor to cover your chest – it was Rafe’s shirt from last night, oversized on you. Grabbing your phone, you tiptoed to the bathroom, needing a moment to collect your thoughts.

Your phone was lit up with missed notifications from the Pogues and Sarah. The half-assed lie you texted them last night, a futile attempt to assure them you were okay, now seemed laughably mediocre. The worry you had caused them only added to the weight of your guilt. In the harsh bathroom light, you examined your reflection. Your hair was slightly messy, and your cheeks were flushed. But there was something else you couldn’t quite put into words – a newfound intensity in your eyes, a hint of confusion and vulnerability.

You splashed cold water on your face, trying to wash away the remnants of last night. Not knowing how to feel, you reflected on the fact that you slept with someone you swore you hated, better yet your best friend’s brother, and worse than that, your friend’s least favorite person ever. The most confusing part was that you didn’t feel regret; the feelings you felt last night were indescribable. He made you feel a way you’ve never felt before. None of your previous boyfriends ever made you feel that way. Your only long-term boyfriend, Chris, loved you of course but he never once looked at you like Rafe did.

You thought Chris was your high school sweetheart, the kind of guy who seemed perfect on paper. He was always polite, and well-mannered, never got into trouble, and had a bright future ahead of him. Basically, he was the kind of guy parents adored and it was true your parents loved him. They still ask you how he is doing- hell do you know?

At the beginning of your relationship together, Chris’s predictability and dependability felt like exactly what you needed. He was kind and reliable and provided a sense of balance in your life. However as your time went on, that same predictability began to feel stale. His calmness started to make you feel emotionally isolated, causing distance between you. His steadiness felt more like stagnation.

Despite the good qualities you saw in him, Chris never made your heart race or feel special; you wanted him to look at you like you were the only girl in the world. But he rarely looked at you with passion or desire. It always felt like something was missing. His love was nice, but there were moments when you craved more—something you couldn’t quite put your finger on—until your kiss with Rafe.

You tried to talk to Chris about your feelings, hoping he would understand. But every conversation seemed to hit a wall. Chris would insist that everything was fine and that you were overthinking things. He was blindsided, and you felt stuck; his lackluster effort to address your concerns only intensified your frustration. You wanted him to fight for you, to show some sign that he was willing to put in the effort to make things work, but he remained passive.

Long story short, you ended up breaking up with him one day after school, telling him you didn’t love him anymore and couldn’t keep doing it. The look of hurt and confusion on his face was something you would never forget. You haven’t spoken to him since, hoping you’d never have to again.

Rafe looked at you last night in a way that made you feel truly seen like you were the only person in the room. His gaze held a depth of emotion and desire that Chris’s never did, making you feel alive in ways you never thought possible. Rafe made your heart race and your pulse quicken. His presence was intoxicating, drawing you in despite all the reasons you had to stay away. Every touch, every whispered word, felt charged with a passion that was both thrilling and terrifying. In the few hours you spent with Rafe, you experienced highs and lows that Chris’s steady demeanor never brought. It was messy and complicated, but it also felt real.

Though you knew Rafe came with his own set of dangers and complications, you couldn't deny the way he made you feel. Rafe gave you a sense of excitement and passion that you had been missing. The way Rafe looked at you, with a mixture of longing and intensity, was something Chris never did.

After borrowing some mouthwash and quickly splashing some more water on your face, you made your way back out.

As you returned to the bed, your slight indent in the bed made Rafe stir. Seeing him slightly open up his eyes giving you a sleepy smile. You offered him a warm smile back, getting back into bed Rafe instinctively pulled you up to his chest, resting your cheek on his warm skin. Everything still seemed so perfect, but knowing you had to face your friends today, your guilt only grew

Rafe was the first to break the peaceful silence. "Good morning, you look beautiful," he murmured. You looked up at the sound of his voice, locking eyes with him. There was a secure feeling in his gaze, yet a flutter of nervousness stirred within you.

“Good morning” you replied, your voice barely above a whisper, a smile tugging on your lips.

An awkward silence followed as you both struggled to find the right words, knowing that the events of last night needed to be addressed. Your heart raced, anticipation and uncertainty mingling in the air.

"About last night," he started, sitting up and running a hand through his hair. The morning light streamed through the window, casting a soft glow on his features. He looked a bit disheveled, his hair tousled and also dealing with a massive hangover headache. "I'm sorry if things got...awkward."

You shook your head, feeling the warmth of the sunlight on your skin. "It wasn't awkward, Rafe, just... very unexpected. I need some time to process it all." The room was quiet, the only sound was the gentle rustling of leaves outside the window. You could feel your heart still beating a little faster than normal.

Rafe nodded, looking relieved yet apprehensive. He glanced around the room, his eyes briefly resting on the discarded clothes on the floors and the morning light spilling onto the floor. "I get that. Just...what does this mean for us? For you and me?" His voice was soft, almost hesitant as if he was afraid of your answer.

You looked down at your hands, avoiding his gaze. "I don't know, Rafe. I really don't know. Everything is so confusing right now."

His face fell slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper, and you could sense the tension building between you. "I just need to know if you regret it. If you regret being with me." You could feel his vulnerability in that moment, you were used to him being the most confident man on the island but here he was, seeking your validation- reminding you he is only human.

You met his eyes, the intensity in your gaze matching his. "I don't regret it, Rafe. But that doesn't mean I know what to do next." You weren’t lying, you had the best night of your life, you only remembered some of it but the way he made you feel, the way he touched you, the way he held you, was a feeling you never wanted to let go of.

Rafe sighed, the tension in the room palpable, his brows furrowed in confusion, it was obvious he wanted a straightforward solution to something so complex. "So, what? We just go back to pretending nothing happened?"

You shook your head, feeling the weight of his words, slowly rubbing your hands on his chest trying to get him to calm down. "No, I just... I need to clear my head. Please understand."

Rafe looked down, his frustration evident but tempered by understanding. "I want to understand. I do. Just...don't shut me out, okay?" He gave you a pleading look, knowing the vulnerable side he gave you last night, something no one else had seen before.

“Rafe it was just a lot that happened ok, even you can’t deny that. You fought with me and my friends at the party, you ran after me on the beach and kissed me, and then I came over to your house and we ended up sleeping together.” You sighed in defeat, letting your hands drop from his chest, pushing yourself off, almost making your way off the bed.

The vulnerability in your voice seemed to soften him. He reached out and took your hand trying to pull you back towards him, his touch gentle. "We'll figure it out, okay? Together."

You nodded, appreciating his attempt to reassure you but still feeling the weight of uncertainty. "I have to go. My mom needs me back before noon," you lied, needing an excuse to get away and clear your head.

Rafe sensed your uncertainty and urgency in your response but knew it was probably best not to push this too far. "Okay," he said softly in defeat, letting go of your hand. "Here, let me put my phone number in your phone, in case you need anything."

You handed him your phone, and he quickly entered his number and texted him. As he finished, you started putting on your clothes from the night before. The awkwardness of dressing in silence was palpable, but neither of you knew what to say. You felt his eyes on you, not daring to look over.

Rafe walked you to the front door, both of you trying to hold onto the brief sense of normalcy. "Take care," he said, his voice tinged with concern. "And don't hesitate to call or text, okay?"

You nodded, forcing a small smile, even though all you wanted to do was cry, scared you made everything awkward" I will. Thanks, Rafe."

With that, you walked to your car, still parked where you left it the night before. The drive home was filled with a mix of relief and confusion. You swiftly got out of your car, making your way into your house and upstairs, without raising any suspicion from your parents. The last thing you want is your parents questioning your whereabouts last night.

Your room was the same way you left it on Friday afternoon. Your neatly made bed, your overflowing laundry basket, your makeup scattered across your desk; everything untouched.

You quickly got refreshed, taking a warm shower and letting the water wash away the undeniable bubble of emotions you were feeling after leaving Rafe's house. You felt like everything happened so fast, not knowing what to make of your new feelings towards him and not knowing if it was right. Everything seemed so confusing, you know you couldn’t avoid Rafe and you’d run into him eventually. You just needed time to sort out your thoughts, to convince yourself that seeing him again doesn’t make you a terrible friend. Seeing him again meant you’d be forgetting about all your previous resentment towards him, it meant putting to the side your friend’s absolute hatred towards him. You couldn’t deny how he made you feel and the different side of him you saw, you craved to see that side again- his smile, him holding you, him whispering in your ear. Your mind only wandered to the possibilities of what other sides of Rafe you haven’t seen. There was so much you didn’t know and it only made the pit in your stomach grow.

After dressing in fresh clothes and a swimsuit, you made your way to the Chateau, remembering your promise to go boating with the Pogues that afternoon. The weight of the morning’s events still lingered, but you hoped the distraction of the day would help clear your mind.

—

After a quick drive, you arrive at the Chateau, basically another one of your second homes where you spend a lot of your time. Sometimes spending the nights when you just couldn’t be around your nagging parents, or when you were too drunk or high to even think about driving.

You jumped out of your Jeep, and made your way into the chateau, already being able to hear your friend's stupid laughter and JJ’s stupid jokes. Knowing that as soon as you walked in, the atmosphere would change and questions would arise.

As you slowly opened the door they all looked up from each other at the squeaking door, their eyes landing on you now in complete silence, knowing that questions would soon follow.

Kiara was the first to break the silence, instantly coming and giving you a bear hug followed by JJ giving you a big hug and saying “Y/N Holy shit, we thought you died, we got your text last night but something seemed off. Are you doing ok?” John B and Pope joined in the hug.

Your gut instantly fell, knowing that was going to be one of the first questions they asked, so you sucked up your breath and again lied, “Yep I’m doing ok, just still really shaken up from that fight you know. Just need to clear my head. But I missed you guys, I’m sorry I left the way I did.”

All of them were relieved and content with your answer and released you from the tight hug. Letting you take in a nice deep breath. Finally taking into vision both JJ’s and John B’s bruised cheeks and eyes. Your hands instinctively go up to caress their face, worrying filling your eyes. Your best friends have bruises because of you- well not you specifically but you felt responsible.

JJ winced back as the cut on his cheek hurt when your hand brushed over it, “Y/N, it’s not as bad as it looks, I’m okay. We’d do it again in a heartbeat”.

You felt instant guilt, they stood up for you yet you slept with the guy who did this to them. All you could muster up to say was “Thank you guys for helping me in that fight last night, you didn’t have to do that."

John B gave you a loving look, “Y/N of course we did, that bitch Rafe Cameron had it coming. He’s constantly on your ass. We tried our best to put him in his place.”

Your eyes fell, hiding behind the actions of last night, “I truly love you guys, thank you. I’m sorry again for just leaving. My mind was racing.”

Pope was the next to chime in, offering you his sympathetic tone, “Don’t even worry about it ok Y/N, plus we totally beat the shit out of those Kooks. I’m sorry you have to deal with those assholes.” Causing you to chuckle at his response, already lighting the mood.

“Alright guys, no more moping about those asshole Kooks, we got a boat to catch and some tanning to do,” Kie said with an uneasy attitude throwing her hands in the air, trying to make sure our pity party doesn’t last until the sun goes down.

“You’re damn right Kie,” you say, pulling her into a side hug.

The group headed out to the pier, the sun casting a golden glow on the water. JJ walked beside you, nudging you playfully.

“You know, Y/N, if you ever need a distraction from all the Kook drama, I’m always available,” he teased, winking.

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t help smiling. “JJ, you’re always flirting. We both know you’re just looking for an excuse to show off your abs.”

He laughed, flexing exaggeratedly. “Guilty as charged. But seriously, you okay?”

You nodded, appreciating his concern. “Yeah, just a lot on my mind.”

As you approached the boat, John B. and Pope were already getting things ready. “Hey, Y/N,” Pope called out, “you seeing anyone lately? We noticed you’ve been kinda distant.”

Your stomach tightened at the question. “No, not really. Just dealing with some stuff. You know my parents are always on my ass.” You gave a half chuckle, a dead giveaway you were lying.

Kiara gave you a knowing look. “Is it because of how Rafe treats you? Why do you still hang out with his sister if he’s such an asshole?”

You sighed, the weight of their concern pressing on you. “Sarah’s my friend Kie. I just can't. It’s complicated. But yeah, Rafe’s been... difficult.” It was much more than difficult, it was complicated now since you

slept with the man.

JJ pulled out a blunt, lighting it up. “Here, this will help you relax.” putting it up to his mouth to take a drag before he continued, “Y/N it’s simple, just don’t let that dick make you feel like that.” You chuckled at his lackluster response, grabbing the blunt from him.

You took a hit, feeling the tension ease away slightly. “Thanks, JJ. I needed that.”

The boat ride was also just what you needed. The Pogues' laughter and banter filled the air, the sun warmed your skin, and for a while, the worries of the morning melted away. JJ made more flirty comments, which you brushed off with ease, knowing it was just part of your normal dynamic. The boat sped across the water, wind in your hair, and you felt a sense of freedom you hadn’t felt all day.

You all took turns diving into the water, the cool waves washing away the last remnants of tension. When you climbed back onto the boat, the sun was still still beating down on you, casting a beautiful golden hue over everything. You lay back on the deck, closing your eyes, feeling the warmth of the sun and the companionship of your friends.

JJ lay down next to you, his hand brushing against yours. “You know, if you ever need to talk about anything, I’m here. We all are.”

You turned your head to look at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. “Thanks, JJ. That means a lot.”

The day ended with everyone lounging on the boat, the last rays of sunlight disappearing over the horizon. As the boat made its way back to the pier, you felt a sense of calm. You knew you had to deal with your feelings for Rafe eventually, but for now, you had your friends, and that was enough.

—

You docked the boat late afternoon, the golden hues of the sunset arrest casting a serene glow over the water. The calmness of the moment was enhanced by the Pogues' laughter and light-hearted teasing. You felt so calm with them, completely carefree; living for all their antics.

“Thanks for an awesome boat day, guys. You have no idea how much I needed this,” you said, feeling your nerves settle into a peaceful calm.

“Anytime, Y/N,” John B replied with a grin. “We’ve always got your back. Pogues for life remember”

You mirrored his grin, “Pogues for life”

Back at the Chateau, everyone gathered in the living room, munching on leftover pizza and catching up on each other's lives. Pope was anxious about his upcoming interview for a prestigious scholarship, sharing his worries with the group. It was always safe to say that Pope was the brains in the group. John B on the other hand, still living alone since his dad's disappearance ten months ago, talked about how he thought his dad was still out there and picking up on his research where he left off, as well as getting threatened multiple times to get thrown into foster care.

Kiara described her latest environmental conservation project, everyone playfully rolling their eyes, and she mentioned the numerous shifts she had to pick up at her father's restaurant. Her dad was similar to your parents, hated the Pogues- thinking they were bad influences- as well as being super hard on Kie.

JJ told us he had landed a new job at Pelican’s Nest, an up-tight Kook club where he waited tables and tried to avoid getting into fights with all the Kooks. As he spoke, you could sense his underlying frustration with the job, though he tried to play it off with his usual toughness.

The conversation and familiar banter between you and your friends provided a much-needed distraction from the pressure you were feeling inside. When they asked what was new in your life, you managed a casual response, explaining that you were stressed about the upcoming

Midsummer's event, the big Kook gathering of the year. You mentioned the annoyance and pressure of picking out a dress your parents put on you, all while pretending to enjoy yourself. You managed to keep your real concerns to yourself, not giving them away from any body language, knowing they'd flip out if they knew what happened with Rafe.

You checked your phone and saw missed texts from Sarah, asking how you were doing and how you were feeling after the party. Your heart quickened at seeing her text, somehow thinking if she already knew- maybe Rafe told Topper and Topper told her. God, you hope not. You quickly texted her back, saying, “Hey, I’m okay. Can you come over to my place in a bit? We need to talk.” She quickly texted you back telling you she’d be there soon. You knew this text would cause her to worry about you.

You turned to the Pogues, smiling despite the turmoil still lingering beneath the surface. “I’ve got to head home. My mom needs me back before dinner,” you lied, not ready to admit the real reason you needed to leave. “But I’ll be back tomorrow for some more shenanigans. I promise, okay. No random ghosting” All of them signed at this comment, but knowing how controlling your parents could be, always made the perfect excuse.

“Alright, don’t keep us waiting too long,” JJ said with a wink. You rolled your eyes, at his flirty gesture. JJ’s carefree attitude was something you always loved about him. He can be erratic and quick-tempered but would always take a bullet for his friends.

You said your goodbyes, hugging each of them tightly, promising not to ghost them again. JJ and Kie walked you out to your car reminding you again that they were there if you needed anything.

The drive home was filled with mixed emotions. You were grateful for the distraction but knew you had to face what happened with Rafe. You debated multiple times today if you should text him, but you were so lost on what to say.

Pulling into your driveway, you saw Sarah’s car already parked there. Guilt starting to eat at your stomach, knowing there was no turning back from telling her. How is your best friend going to react to your sleeping with her older brother? How would that make your conversation on Friday before the party sound, you previously vented to her about how Rafe only makes you feel bad but somehow at the party all of this changed. The complete situation was too much.

She met you at your front door, her face etched with concern. “What’s going on, Y/N?”

You led her inside, to the privacy of your room, the place where you always felt safest. “Sarah, I need to tell you something about last night.”

Her eyes widened slightly, a mix of curiosity and worry. “What is it?”

You took a deep breath, gathering the courage to speak. “I... I slept with Rafe.” You began burying your face in your pillows, not daring to see your best friend’s reaction.

Sarah’s expression shifted to one of shock and anger. “What? How the hell did that happen Y/N? Jesus Christ you slept with my fucking brother. After everything he’s done?”

“I know, I know, I know Sarah,” you said quickly, tears welling up in your eyes, on the verge of a panic attack. “It just happened. I don’t know how to explain it. It was unexpected, and I’m so confused about Sarah. It just happened” you began sobbing into your pillow, “I don’t know what to do Sarah” your voice slightly muffled

Sarah’s anger softened into understanding as she saw the distress on your face. She took a deep breath, calming herself, reaching her hand out to comfort you, “Okay, tell me everything.”

You recounted the events of the night, from the fight to the kiss to waking up in his bed. Sarah listened intently, her initial anger giving way to concern and empathy but confusion still evident on her face.

“I’m mad, Y/N, but I also get it. Rafe can be... different sometimes. I’ve seen it. But you have to be careful. He’s not exactly the safest bet.”

You nodded, relief washing over you as she spoke, not completely tearing you to shreds. “I know, and I’m not sure what to do next. But I couldn’t keep it from you and I just can’t tell the pogues for obvious reasons.”

Sarah hugged you tightly. “You both will figure it out, ok? It’ll stay between me and you. Just promise me you’ll be careful, Rafe can be unpredictable and the last thing I want is you getting hurt”

“I promise,” you whispered, feeling a weight lift off your shoulders.

Sarah sighed, pulling away slightly. “You know, I’ve noticed how he looks at you sometimes. It’s like he’s trying to figure something out, or maybe he’s just... drawn to you. It’s weird.”

You looked up from your tear-filled eyes, surprised. “You’ve noticed that?”

She nodded, smiling, “Yeah. It’s subtle, but it’s there. I always thought it was just him being his usual creepy self, but now...”

“But now?” you prompted.

She sighed again. “Now I’m not so sure. Look, this needs to stay between us, okay? Rafe’s got a lot of issues, and again I don’t want to see you get hurt. But if you think there’s something worth exploring, and if he makes you happy... I guess that’s what matters.”

You hugged her again, feeling a mixture of relief and trepidation. “Thanks, Sarah. I really needed to hear that.”

After a bit more talking, Sarah glanced at her phone, rolling her eyes at a text message she got. “I promised Topper I’d go to this house party with him. Are you going to be okay?”

You laughed and then sighed while rolling your eyes, knowing you’d be alone with your thoughts again, but understanding. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. Topper would hate it if you weren’t there.”

You walked her out to her car, and she gave you one last, serious look., “Y/N” she paused and then continued, “Just... be careful with Rafe, okay? I don’t want to see you get hurt and if he hurts you I'll beat his ass I swear to god.”

“I will,” you promised full honesty in your chest. You didn't want to get hurt either.

As Sarah’s car disappeared down the street, you took a moment to breathe in the evening air, feeling a mix of relief and lingering anxiety. You hadn't been sure how Sarah would react to the news of you and Rafe, and her initial shock and anger had been expected. But It had gone better than expected, and for that, you were grateful. You knew it wasn’t easy for her to hear about her brother, especially given Rafe’s reputation and the history between your groups. Sarah’s words echoed in your mind: “Just be careful.” You knew she was right. The fact that she was willing to support you gave you a breath of fresh air.

—

Back inside, you took another shower to wash off the day. Putting on your favorite pajamas and grabbing your favorite snacks from your kitchen, you settled back on your bed, grabbed your TV remote, and settled with a rom-com, hoping it would distract you. Romcoms were usually a comfort item for you, but your mind kept drifting back to Rafe, and the conflicting emotions swirling inside you. Seeing the characters kiss and go on romantic dates only confused your mind, wondering if that could be you and Rafe.

It annoyed you how he was suddenly taking up so much space in your thoughts. You had always thought he was attractive ever since you’d known Sarah, but he was her off-limit older brother. It felt like such a forbidden crush, one you never allowed yourself to fully acknowledge or entertain because of how he acted.

Your mind wandered back to an older memory from a couple of summers ago. You and Sarah were at her pool, lounging and chatting about the latest drama at school. The sun was blazing, the water shimmering invitingly, and everything felt easy and carefree. That was until Rafe walked out with his friends, Topper and Kelce. They were loud and obnoxious as always, but your eyes were immediately drawn to Rafe. He was shirtless, and his toned, athletic body caught your breath for a moment. You swear you have never seen a man look so good.

But then, as if to remind you exactly why you kept your distance, he made one of his usual snarky comments. “Nice swimsuit, Y/N. Too bad that’s the only nice thing about you.” The words stung, and the momentary attraction you felt turned into irritation and anger. He had this way of ruining things with his cutting remarks, making sure you never got too close.

You remembered how Sarah had rolled her eyes and muttered an apology on his behalf, but the damage was done. The butterflies you felt were squashed under the weight of his arrogance. It was moments like those that solidified your belief that nothing could ever happen between you two. He was a jerk, plain and simple, and any attraction you felt was overshadowed by his cruel behavior.

Yet now, as you lay in bed, those memories mixed with the recent, softer moments you’d shared with him. It was confusing to reconcile the Rafe who had hurt you with words and the Rafe who had held you tenderly, whispering sweet things in your ear. It felt like he was two different people, and you didn’t know which version was real.

As you tried to focus on the movie, your thoughts kept drifting back to him. You couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like if things were different. If he wasn’t Sarah’s brother, if he wasn’t such an asshole sometimes, could there be something real between you?

The conflicting emotions swirled inside you, making it hard to focus on anything else. You sighed, frustrated with yourself for even entertaining the idea. But no matter how much you tried to push the thoughts away, they kept coming back, stronger and more persistent.

You had always been careful to keep your feelings in check, to not let your crush on Rafe become anything more. But now, after everything that had happened, it was getting harder and harder to deny. The way he looked at you, the way he touched you, it all felt so different, so real.

With a groan, you turned off the TV, unable to concentrate on the movie any longer. The rom-com only makes you more frustrated, no longer an escape. You lay back on your bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to make sense of your tangled emotions. You knew you had to talk to Rafe, to figure out what this all meant. But the thought of confronting him, of possibly getting hurt again, made your heart race with anxiety.

Maybe Sarah was right. Maybe you did need to be careful. But you couldn’t deny the pull you felt towards Rafe, no matter how much you tried. It was confusing and scary, but you knew you had to face it, to see where it might lead. Maybe that's why you pushed him away this morning, you were scared of getting hurt deep down, even though the boy was confessing his heart out. Your cat, Butters, a fluffy orange tabby with big green eyes, jumped up on your bed, sensing your distress. He purred close to you, his warm body a comforting presence against your side. Butters always seemed to know when you needed him the most, his purring a soothing balm to your frazzled nerves.

Your eyes started to feel heavy, and the magnitude of the day started to weigh on you. As you lay there, you could feel your body relaxing, the tension slowly melting away. Your thoughts began to blur and fade, replaced by a serene drowsiness. With Butters nestled beside you, his purring like a gentle, reassuring heartbeat, you allowed yourself to sink into the embrace of sleep. Your eyelids fluttered shut, and you let out a final, contented sigh. The last thing you remembered was the comforting warmth of Butters and the gentle glow of the salt lamp before you drifted off into a deep, peaceful slumber.

—

A bit later in the night, you heard taps on your window, stirring you out of your sleep. Butters also perked up in defense. Your heart raced as you got up to investigate, knowing it was probably not smart or safe for you to. Pulling back the curtain, you saw Rafe standing there, his soft features illuminated by the streetlight in front of your house. You quickly opened the window, anger and confusion bubbling up at his reckless actions.

You whisper-yelled at him, not daring to wake your parents, “What the fuck are you doing here, Rafe? And why are you tapping on my window like a total creep? My parents could’ve called the police on you!”

“I needed to see you,” he said, his voice earnest. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about last night.”

You rolled your eyes at him, secretly excited to see him, moving over so he could climb in through your window.

You stared at him, your emotions in turmoil. “You can’t just show up here like this, Rafe. You should’ve texted me. What do you even want?”

As Rafe climbed through your window, making a slight thump as he made his way in, he stood in your room looking more vulnerable than you’d ever seen him. The moonlight streaming through the window cast a soft glow on his face, highlighting the uncertainty in his eyes and the slight tremor in his hands.

“I don’t know, okay? I just... I can’t stop thinking about you.” he confessed, his voice raw and filled with a mixture of confusion and determination. His eyes, usually so guarded, now revealed a depth of feeling that he rarely allowed anyone to see. There was a certain restlessness in his stance, a fidgeting with his hands that betrayed his inner turmoil.

He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous habit you had noticed he did when he was unsure of himself. His breathing was slightly uneven as if the weight of his feelings was almost too much to bear. It was clear that he had been wrestling with these emotions for a while, trying to make sense of them and find the courage to express them to you.

Rafe took a hesitant step closer, his eyes never leaving yours. “I know this is complicated, and it’s risky... but I don’t care. I just want to be with you, even if it means sneaking around and keeping it a secret.”

You took a step back, trying to process his words, actively stressing over the fact that he showed up at your house. “Rafe, this is crazy. You hated me less than two days ago, and now you’re crawling through my window.”

He stared at you, at a loss for words. He knew the change in his behavior was a lot for you to process, but he was determined to show you a different side of him.

Your heart pounded in your chest as you looked into his eyes, feeling the pull between you. “Rafe, this is complicated. I don’t know if I can do this.”

He reached out, gently cupping your face. “I know it’s complicated. But I don’t care. I want to figure this out with you.”

You took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on you. “But what about everyone else? The Pogues, your family, my friends… they’re all going to freak out if they find out about this. They’ll never understand.”

You looked down, feeling tears well up in your eyes. “I’m scared, Rafe. I’m scared of getting hurt, of hurting others. What if this doesn’t work out? What if we’re just fooling ourselves?”

He lifted your chin, forcing you to meet his gaze, wiping the tears that escaped from your eyes. “I get it. I’m scared too. But I’ve never felt like this about anyone before. I’m tapping on your window in the middle of the night, Y/N, goddamnit.” He paused, lowering his voice to make sure his words came out correctly. “When I’m with you, it’s different, Y/N. I feel things I’ve never felt before.”

You felt a wave of emotions crash over you, the fear, excitement, and hope all mingling together. “I just… I need to know that you’re serious about this. About us.”

Before Rafe could respond, you both heard footsteps approaching your room. Panic surged through you as you quickly gestured for Rafe to hide in your closet. He barely managed to conceal himself before your mom knocked on the door, opening the door to you sitting on the edge of the bed, your face flush.

“Y/N, is everything okay in there?” she asked, her voice filled with concern. “I heard some noise.”

You took a deep breath, trying to steady your voice. Cursing yourself that you didn’t lock your door, “Yeah, Mom, everything’s fine. I just had a weird dream and Butters knocked something over. Sorry if I woke you and Dad up”

Your mom hesitated for a moment, scanning around your room for any sign of trouble. Her eyes landed on the open window, raising an eyebrow. “Why is your window open?” Your heart dropped, remembering you left it open.

You quickly responded, smiling, “It was just hot in here, and Butters likes to sit by the window. I’ll close it now.”

She gave you a disapproving look. “You shouldn’t leave the window open at night, Y/N. It’s not safe. Get some rest, honey, you have to go dress shopping tomorrow. Love you lots.”

“Yup, thanks, Mom. I love you too, Goodnight,” you said, waiting until her footsteps retreated down the hallway before letting out a sigh of relief.

Rafe emerged from the closet, a sheepish grin on his face. “That was close.”

You couldn’t help but laugh softly, the tension momentarily easing. “Yeah, it was. My mom is like a hawk sometimes, she has crazy hearing.”

Rafe chuckled again before his expression turned more serious as he stepped closer to you. “Look, I know this is a lot. And I know I’ve been a jerk in the past, and I will always be sorry for that, I can’t take back that hurt. But I’m serious about this, Y/N. I want to try, even if it’s complicated.”

You looked into his eyes, searching for sincerity. “Okay. But we need to take this slow, Rafe. We need to figure things out together, and we can’t let anyone else know for now.”

Rafe nodded in understanding. “I get it. Let’s not talk here though, in case we wake your parents. I know a place we can go.” You hesitated, not sure if you should sneak out.

“Okay,” you said, surprising yourself with how simply you agreed. He had a presence about him that just made you feel so comfortable.

You told him you just needed to change really quickly. Slipping into your bathroom, you opted for simple leggings and a t-shirt, quickly putting on some mascara, letting down your hair, and spraying on your favorite perfume. When you exited the bathroom, he was sitting on your bed, Butters cuddled up by his side, melting your heart. You were surprised Butters accepted him so fast; usually, she didn’t like many people. Maybe it was a sign.

When he heard you shut the bathroom door, he looked up at you, a small smile forming on his face as he took in your beauty. Heat rose to your cheeks, and you looked down sheepishly, telling him you were ready to go.

You both sneakily and quietly crept out your window, him helping you a little bit by grabbing your hand, causing your heart to skip at his warm touch. You made sure to leave your window open just a little bit for when you snuck back in. You had to be careful; some parts of the sides of your house lit up due to motion light cameras. You also had very noisy

neighbors who loved to gossip with your mom daily, you would never hear the end of it if she caught what you were up to.

Once past all the obnoxious obstacles, you made your way to Rafe's truck, which was parked just a little bit down the street. You were happy it was dark out, concealing the identity of both you and Rafe, just in case of any prying eyes.

Rafe once again opened the passenger door for you, waiting for you to get in before gently shutting it. Your heart warmed at his sweet gesture. You couldn’t help but keep your eyes on Rafe as he made his way to the driver’s side of the truck. There was something about him that you never noticed before; you don’t think you've ever seen Rafe's face in so much detail.

In the soft moonlight, his features seemed even more striking. His jawline was strong and defined, giving him a chiseled, almost classic handsomeness. His hair, slightly tousled, framed his face perfectly. But it was his eyes that truly captivated you. They were a deep, mesmerizing shade of blue, like the ocean just before a storm. There was the same intensity in them that you felt Friday night, a mix of vulnerability and determination that made it hard to look away.

You noticed the small, almost invisible freckles scattered across the bridge of his nose and the way his lips curved into a genuine smile when he looked at you. His smile reached his eyes, crinkling them at the corners, adding a warmth that contrasted with his usual rugged appearance.

As he climbed into the truck and started the engine, you couldn’t help but think about how handsome he was. There was a depth to his features, a blend of softness and strength that made your heart race. And those eyes—they seemed to see right through you, making you feel both exposed and understood in a way you hadn't felt before. They made you feel like you could never hide anything from them, even if you tried

Rafe glanced over at you, catching you staring. “Everything okay?” he asked with a hint of amusement in his voice.

You quickly looked away, embarrassed, a shade of pink rushing to your cheeks.

“Yeah, everything’s fine.” Thankfully, it was dark enough that he couldn’t see the full effect he was having on you.

He chuckled softly as he drove, the sound low and comforting. “Good,” he said, his eyes briefly meeting yours again, making your heart skip a beat.

The car ride settled into a comfortable silence. You kept sneaking glances at him, taking in his features, not sure if you could ever get enough. His focused expression as he drove, the way his fingers gripped the steering wheel, and the occasional sideways glance he gave you—all of it made you feel a mix of excitement and nervousness.

After a short drive, you pulled up to a cute little ice cream shop. The neon red signs on top highlighted the shop's name, and a few neon signs in the window, one saying “Open,” cast a warm, inviting glow. Despite living in the Outer Banks for years, you realized you had never been inside this place.

Rafe parked the truck and quickly came around to open your door again. “I thought ice cream sounded good,” he said sheepishly, a small smile playing on his lips.

You couldn’t help but smile back. “It sounds perfect.”

He guided you inside, and the shop was just as charming as it looked from the outside. Only two other customers were there, an elderly couple sitting in the corner, sharing some ice cream. The sight warmed your heart, and you couldn’t help but hope that you might have something like that in your future.

You looked at all the ice cream cases, feeling not only indecisive due to the variety of choices but also because of the man standing next to you. The fact that he was taking you to get ice cream felt surreal in a way.

He interrupted you out of your thoughts, “So, what are you thinking?” Rafe asked, his eyes twinkling as he watched you deliberate.

“There are so many options,” you said, laughing softly. “What do you recommend?”

He leaned in slightly, scanning the flavors with you, his arm going to the small of your back making your heart jump. “I usually go for mint chocolate chips or cookies and cream. But honestly, everything here is good.”

You finally decided on cookies and cream, and Rafe placed the order, paying for both of you despite your protests. It was another small gesture that made your heart flutter, only making it harder for you to deny your feelings for him.

“Thank you for this,” you said softly, taking a bite of your ice cream. The flavors melted in your mouth, swearing it was the best ice cream you've ever tasted.

After finishing your ice cream, Rafe suggested taking a walk along the pier. The night air was cool, and the soft sounds of the waves crashing against the shore added to the serene atmosphere. As you strolled together, the conversation flowed effortlessly, touching on everything and nothing in particular. Through these moments, you learned more about Rafe. He confided in you that he often comes out here to clear his head when he needs to escape.

Rafe began to open up about his relationship with his dad, revealing that his father is very hard on him and doesn't listen to him much. This was something you were somewhat aware of from your time at the Cameron residence. However, you never fully grasped the depth of their issues or the impact they could have on Rafe. Whenever you and Sarah talked about it, she would casually brush it off. Sarah's dad always showed love and affection towards her and Wheezie, but he seemed to have a different, much harsher approach with Rafe- that was something you couldn’t even deny.

Your heart pangs at his words, feeling helpless for his dad's impossibly high standards and the lack of emotional support Rafe had in his life. Making it evident his father contributed heavily to Rafe's inner turmoil and confident persona he always tried to display, even due to his inner low self-esteem.

You took a deep breath and shared, "I'm sorry Rafe you don't deserve that.” You paused for a moment, then continued, “My parents put a lot of pressure on me too. They have these expectations for me to act a certain way, hang out with the 'right' people, and excel academically. They want me to be at the top of my class and have my future all planned out. But half the time I just don’t know what the fuck I'm doing you know.”

Rafe nodded, his expression softening as he listened. “I get that. It's like no matter what you do, it's never enough for them."

“Exactly,” you said, it was like a breath of fresh air, having someone feel the exact way you felt.

You walked along the pier a little bit more, the mood shifting as the subject changed to something more light-hearted.

Rafe’s perfect smile and the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he laughed made you feel at ease, and you couldn’t help but be drawn to him more and more. As you continued to walk, you couldn't help but wrap your arms around yourself to keep yourself warm, the cold draft of the night flowing through the wind.

Rafe took immediate notice of this, taking off his gray hoodie, revealing a simple t-shirt underneath, offering it to you.

“Here, take my hoodie, it’s getting cold” he insisted, his voice gentle yet firm.

“No, I’m okay,” you insisted, though you were visibly shivering, cursing yourself for not wearing something heavier, knowing that the Outer Banks gets cold at night.

You couldn’t help but smile at his insistence as you pulled the hoodie over your head, savoring the warmth and the faint scent of him that clung to the fabric, bringing your mind back to memories of his room.

As you reached the end of the pier, Rafe suddenly scooped you up, causing you to squeal in surprise and curse at the sudden movement. You playfully hit his chest, telling him to set you down, laughing as he gently set you on the rail of the pier, standing between your legs and holding you steadily, making sure you didn’t fall.

Your heart raced as he held you, the warmth of his hands on your waist grounding you. The moment felt surreal, a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling inside you. You were very aware of his closeness, the way his breath mingled with yours in the cool night air, and the protective way he made sure you were safe.

“I’m serious, Y/N,” he said, his voice soft but earnest. “I want to try with you. Give me a chance.” His words hung in the air, and you could see the sincerity in his eyes.

Your heart swelled with emotion at his confession. The rawness in his voice, the openness in his gaze—it all made you realize how much this meant to him, there was no lie behind his face. You both knew the complications that lay ahead, the secrets you would have to keep. The thought of having to hide this from everyone, especially the Pogues, weighed heavily on your mind. Yet, at this moment, none of that seemed to matter. The only thing that did was the way Rafe looked at you, his eyes full of determination and sincerity.

Leaning in, you closed the distance between you and Rafe, your lips meeting in a tender kiss. Rafe brings his right hand to the back of your neck, deepening the kiss. The air around you seemed to be still, the soft sounds of the waves merging with the quiet rustling of the night breeze through the pier's wooden planks. Above, the stars twinkled in a vast dark sky along with the bright moonlight, illuminating the scene below it.

Rafe’s lips were warm against yours, his touch both cold and gentle, yet undeniably sure. It sent shivers down your spine and raised goosebumps on your arms, intensifying the sensation of his closeness. It was a kiss that felt like a beginning, a promise of something deeper and more meaningful between you both. As you melted into each other, the world around you faded into the background, leaving only the sensation of his closeness and the beat of your racing heart.

At that moment, all your doubts and uncertainties seemed to melt away. The kiss was more than amazing—it was transformative. It showed you a different side of Rafe, one that was caring and vulnerable, he had opened up to you in a way you hadn’t expected.

After the kiss, you both stood there for a moment, breathless and lost in each other's eyes. Eventually, Rafe broke the silence with a gentle smile, his hand still resting on your neck.

"Come on," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Let's get you home."

—

Rafe slowly pulled back into your neighborhood, his truck coming to a halt. Feeling sleep wanting to overtake you, but adrenaline keeping you up, this new feeling with Rafe was electrifying. Rafe turned his truck off, creating defying silence between you, no longer the quiet hum of the engine allowing for both of you to process what just happened.

"You know," Rafe finally spoke, breaking the silence as he glanced at you briefly, "I meant what I said back there. I want to try, Y/N. With you."

His sincerity warmed your heart, and you smiled softly. "I want to try too, Rafe. I'm serious.”

A small smile played on his lips as he leaned closer, brushing a strand of hair away from your face, taking in your features. "Good," he murmured, his breath warm against your cheek. "Because I really like you, Y/N."

Your heart skipped a beat at his confession, warmth spreading through you, for the first time feeling confident in your answer. "I really like you too, Rafe."

The moment hung between you, filled with unspoken promises and the quiet assurance that despite the confusing road of the head, you both had deep feelings for one another. Rafe leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to your lips before pulling away, signaling it was the end of your night together

"Goodnight, Y/N," he said softly, his voice carrying a mix of fondness and reluctance.

"Goodnight, Rafe, thank you for tonight,” you replied, pulling away from his touch and letting yourself out of his truck, watching him as he drove away into the night, sneaking your way back into your room.

—

The house was quiet, everyone else already asleep, oblivious to the evening you had just experienced. Closing your window softly behind you, you leaned against it, replaying every moment with Rafe in your mind, your smile still dancing on your lips.

Setting his hoodie gently on your desk chair, you couldn't help but smile as you caught a whiff of his cologne still lingering on the fabric. It was a comforting reminder of the night, of Rafe's warmth, and the stolen moments you shared. The scent was intoxicating, a mix of his favorite cologne and the sea breeze from your walk along the pier. You made a silent promise to yourself not to wash it anytime soon, wanting to preserve that connection just a little longer.

Climbing into bed, you felt a new sense of relief and thrill wash over you. The sheets were cool against your skin, but your heart was warm with the memory of Rafe’s touch. Despite the need for the secrecy that lay ahead, having to keep this from your closest friends, the thought of stolen kisses and secret hangouts with Rafe made your skin jump; tonight was just a little taste. You imagined the thrill of sneaking around, the excitement of quick, whispered conversations and stolen glances when no one was looking. The risk suddenly felt worth taking.

You were unsure if you even would want to tell your parents about Rafe, you knew they'd be questioning your sudden giddiness. Even though you were always out doing something with friends, it would be weird for them to see you coming home extra late, always texting on your phone. But you guess you'll get there when it happens, knowing you'd have to throw in a couple of white lies here and there.

As you snuggled under the covers, hugging your pillow, a giddy excitement bubbled up inside you. The nervous energy from earlier was now accompanied by a comforting warmth, similar to the feeling you get when you know Christmas is coming; the anticipation of what's to come made you feel more excited than ever. Your mind couldn’t help but wander to the way Rafe’s eyes had softened when he looked at you, the sincerity in his voice when he confessed his feelings and the gentle yet firm touch of his hand on your neck. You wondered who else had seen this side of Rafe, knowing it was rare. Has Topper or Kelce ever witnessed this caring, soft-spoken, vulnerable side of him? Did his family ever see it? Have any other girls experienced Rafe this way? The usual outward persona of Rafe was always blocked off and cold, making it seem crazy that you were getting to see something more, something everyone wondered if Rafe even had in him. Your mind continued to race with a million thoughts, all of them not seeming to have a definite answer.

As you eventually drifted off to sleep, a smile still sat on your lips. Tonight had been the beginning, a taste of the hidden affection and shared secrets with Rafe.

--——----------————- ❥・------------------------

Chapter 3

Taglist: @rafesno1bae

#rafe cameron imagines #drew starkey #drew starkey x reader #rafe cameron #rafe obx #rafe x reader #rafe imagine #rafe outer banks #outer banks #rafe cameron x reader #rafe cameron x y/n #rafe cameron smut #rafe cameron angst #rafe cameron fanfiction #enemies to lovers

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lilstarkeydream · 5 months ago

Text

Hidden Flames Series

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Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4 (Coming soon)

204 notes · View notes

lilstarkeydream · 5 months ago

Text

Hidden Flames- Chapter 1

Warnings: 18+ only! Angst, Smut, Adult language, Violence, Alcohol use

Authors note: Hey guys! This is my first time writing any fan fiction, so go easy on me but I hope you enjoy. I am hoping to have another chapter up within the next week, as well as a series navigation. Feel free to send requests if you have story ideas for Rafe (check my bio).

7.1k words

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It was 9 o'clock on a Friday night. Nightfall had crept up before you knew it, and the island was alive with the buzz of another wild party. After a long day working at the golf course, you headed straight to your best friend Sarah Cameron’s white mansion. Known as the Kook princess, Sarah had welcomed you into her world since you moved to the island in middle school. The Cameron residence had become your second home, between sleepovers, getting ready for parties, and just gossip sessions. Despite the bitter fallout between Sarah and Kiara, which shattered your once inseparable trio, you managed to stay close to both, splitting your life between Kooks and Pogues.

Sarah's boyfriend, Topper, was a constant presence. As her older brother’s best friend, he was also practically part of the family. You weren’t super fond of Topper, as he could be a self-entitled asshole, but he made her happy for the most part- besides their weekly fights and Topper getting mad at Sarah for the littlest of things. He made her happy that’s all that mattered. Rafe Cameron is Sarah's older brother and Topper's best friend, he was also a self-entitled asshole, who you, unfortunately, had to see on a weekly basis, due to the mutual connection. Topper and Rafe also golfed a lot, leaving the interactions unavoidable since you worked as a Bev cart girl for extra cash. Rafe was insufferable, to say the least, he always found a way to make your life a living nightmare.

Your other time is spent hanging out with the Pogues- JJ, John B, Kiara, and Pope. Both you and Kiara are technically Kooks, but honestly, that lifestyle became too much for you both all the time. Hence how you found your best friends, the Pogues. The Pogues offered freedom, adventure, and a sense of belonging you hadn’t found anywhere else. Your parents disapproved, deeming your Pogue friends as bad influences. They never understood why you would want to degrade your self-worth and reputation, but they don’t understand how intoxicating Kook life can truly be. Your life felt like a constant balancing act, a war between the adventurous and fulfilling life as Pogues and the obligations of being a Kook.

Now, you were at Sarah’s house, frantically trying to find the perfect outfit for the party, rummaging through her expensive wardrobe. You were caught between wanting to look sexy or slutty, and trying to distract yourself from the anger simmering from your encounter at work earlier that day. Every dress you held up seemed to fall short of the image you had in mind. Rafe Cameron had made yet another one of his insufferable comments, making it impossible to focus. You tried to shake off the previous encounter from the golf course.

Earlier that afternoon, the golf course was bathed in golden sunlight, creating the perfect atmosphere for your shift. As the beverage cart girl, you were used to dealing with the occasional lewd remark or entitled attitude from the Kook golfers, but Rafe always took it a step further. You had just finished serving drinks to a group of older businessmen when Rafe called over, his smirk as infuriating as ever, signaling he only wanted to cause you chaos

"Hey there, service girl," he said, leaning against the cart with an exaggerated casualness with the usually smug grin hung on his face. "Nice to see you finally doing something useful for once."

You forced a tight smile, hoping to get through the interaction without causing a scene. "Can I get you anything, Rafe?"

"Yeah, how about a little respect?" he sneered back, his body language reeking of mockery. "Or is that too much to ask from a Pogue-wannabe like you?"

Your hands instantly tightened on the steering wheel of the cart, every muscle in your body screaming at you to say something back, to put him in his place. If anything he was even worse. But you knew better. Engaging would only escalate the situation, and Rafe thrived on conflict, he wanted you to respond with a snarky comment. Instead, you focused on the task at hand, preparing his drink and handing it to him with forced politeness and a tight-lip smile on your face.

"Here you go, Rafe. Enjoy your day."

He took the drink, his fingers brushing yours in a way that felt more like a taunt than an accident. "Don't screw it up too badly tonight, alright? Wouldn't want you embarrassing Sarah in front of everyone."

The comment stung more than you cared to admit. It wasn't just his words; it was how he always managed to make you feel small and insignificant- solidifying your existing insecurities. As he walked away, laughing with his friends, you felt the familiar mix of anger and frustration bubble up inside you.

As you were brought back from daydreaming your anger only grew, causing you to blurt out your day's frustration, "I fucking hate him, Sarah. All he does is go around doing drugs and causing fights. I was so close to flipping out today." pacing around Sarah’s room, venting. You already debriefed Sarah on the whole incident, but you couldn’t help but talk about it again. Your usual thick skin was not feeling so intact.

Sarah looked at you with her empathic face, sighing, trying to calm you down "Y/N, you know he just tries to get under your skin. It’s what Rafe does."

Frustrated, you rolled your eyes, "He doesn't care about my feelings. He thinks I’m a total disgrace to the Kook name. Maybe he’s right. I don’t give a shit about the Kook life and do half of what I do to please my parents."

You continued pacing, finally settling on a black dress that hugged your curves, pairing it with your simple burgundy swimsuit underneath. Leaving your hair down, you opted for simple strap sandals, finally feeling ready for the night.

Rafe Cameron is a special kind of infuriating. You try to tolerate him, you do, but his constant snarky comments about every aspect of your life makes him incredibly punchable. No matter how tall and handsome he might be, it didn’t matter in this instance. You could handle some comments, but you weren’t a complete pushover.

Sarah trying to steer the conversation to a happier note, in an attempt to diffuse your anger “Let's just go to this party, get blasted drunk, meet some people, and forget about tonight. Rafe isn't worth the stress."

Taking a deep breath, you knew she was right, momentarily letting go of your anger “You’re right. I’m not going to let him ruin our night. Let’s go have some fun." Finally settling down from your pacing, you put the final touches on your makeup sitting down in front of Sarah’s mirror.

“I know I’m right Y/N” giving me a loving side glance “Plus why does it matter what he thinks anyway. He’s always high and pissed off”. She paused for a second, finishing up her hair. “Alright, we're all ready to go and get drunk as fuck?” she said with a smug look on her face.

You took a deep breath, letting the tension of the day slip away. Sarah's carefree attitude was contagious, and despite everything, you couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. She might be a little blind to her brother's flaws, especially since she was dating Topper and their worlds were so intertwined, but she was still your best friend.

After a quick car drive and lots of shuffling through Sarah’s mixed-genre playlist, you arrived at the more-than-alive scene of the party. You weren’t even sure whose house it was but hell that didn’t matter. A party is a party. Music instantly fills your ears as soon as you step out of the car. The front yard was packed with people, a mixture of Kooks and Pogues mingling together, the tension of their social divide momentarily forgotten. Almost serving as a symbol for what your pogue-kook life looked like.

Walking through the front door, the house was a blur of lights and laughter. You made your way to the kitchen, the center of every good party. You hugged Sarah as she wanted to venture off to find Topper, as usual, but you didn’t mind. You needed a little break to gather your thoughts anyway. The familiar scent of expensive cologne and perfume mingled with the heavy aroma of alcohol and smoke, creating an intoxicating atmosphere. Grabbing a red solo cup from the stack, you filled it with a generous amount of a strong mix of whatever was handy—tonight was about forgetting the week’s frustrations. You took a small sip, wincing slightly at the strong taste, but internally smiling at the immediate warmth of the alcohol that spread through your chest.

The drink was strong, probably vodka, but you needed it. As you leaned against the counter, you took a moment to take in the scene around you. The living room was a blur, with loud music thumping in conjunction with conversation and laughter.

Despite the alive atmosphere, the exchange between you and Rafe still lurked in your mind. Sometimes you felt like a Kook who didn’t quite fit in, you have well-off parents and a promising paved future with privilege and opportunity. Your parents envisioned you with a successful career, bringing pride and status to the family name. Yet, you were never a huge fan of the behavior the Kook lifestyle manifested, often self-centered, ignorant, asshole-like individuals. Rafe is a great example of that.

With your drink secure in your hand, you pushed yourself off the counter and made your way through the house outside to the bonfire. You felt a wave of relief as soon as the fresh ocean air hit your face, heat from the fire mixed with the ocean breeze creating a perfect party atmosphere. You spotted your friends - JJ, John B, Kiara, and Pope, sitting around the fire, laughing about something stupid JJ said. The genuine joy is clear on their faces, contrasting with the pretentious kook attitudes.

With a big grin on your face, you called out, “Hey guys, mind if I join you?”

Kiara’s eyes lit up in recognition of your face, “Y/N! Get over here, come sit down. We were just talking about crazy stuff JJ pulled off last week. “

As you settled in, the warmth of the fire continued to provide comfort as well as your friends began to ease your previous tense state. JJ went into vivid detail about his last mischievous adventure, our expressions displaying a mix of disbelief and laughter at his antics. The conversation effortlessly flowed, sharing jokes and stories that had everyone laughing until their stomachs hurt. I could feel the effects of the alcohol starting to take effect. In other words, the night was perfect. For a moment, it felt like everything in the world was right. These moments with your Pogue friends were ones that you cherished most. They made you feel alive, grounded, and understood; something you missed out on in your Kook life.

Eventually, you reached the bottom of the solo cup, signaling a refill was needed. Standing up, you navigate your way back to the kitchen, passing both Kooks and Pogues you couldn’t put a name to. The house became a maze, with more people filing in as the night was still young. As you reached the familiar environment of the kitchen for the bottle of Vodka, you suddenly bumped into someone. Looking up, you found yourself face to face with the one and only Rafe Cameron, his ocean-blue eyes, slightly glazed with alcohol and god knows what other drugs, looking down at you. His presence was overwhelming, you could smell a mixture of his cologne and the sharpness of vodka.

Rafe smirked down at you drunk, “Well, well, look who decided to slum it with the Pogues tonight. Have you decided you're finally trying to find yourself a real man, Y/N?”

His words were a direct hit causing you to look away, annoyance taking over your face, however, you kept your cool, “Just enjoying the party, Rafe. Not that any of it is your business”

Rafe took a step closer, lowering his voice for only you to hear, “Everything you do is my business, Y/N. Don't you forget that?” His sudden proximity made your heart race, you felt a mix of anger and something else- something else you wouldn’t dare to acknowledge.

Flustered, you shot back, “Fuck off, Rafe. You don’t care about me.” You angrily push him away, your hands firm against the muscles of his chest, and quickly turn around, making your way back to your friends. The interaction with Rafe left you shaken, the interaction making you once again feel so small yet so noticed. You quickly downed two more drinks, trying to steady your nerves. Taking in Sarah’s words from earlier to just try and enjoy the night.

As the alcohol coursed through your veins, you started to feel a pleasant buzz, hoping the tension was behind you. You felt engulfed by your friend's laughter with the warmth of the fire.

Suddenly, your mood shifted once again, as you saw Rafe Cameron making his way towards the bonfire. This time more drunk and agitated.

As Rade approaches he spits "Y/N, you think you can just walk away from me like that?"

You stood up, the alcohol giving you a false sense of courage. "What the hell do you want, Rafe? Can't you just leave me alone?"

Rafe rolled his eyes, continuing to mock you “Oh, look at you. Acting all tough in front of your Pogue friends. You’ll never be a pogue Y/N, just give it up!"

The Pogues immediately rose to your defense, with John B stepping forward. "Back off, Rafe. She doesn't need to deal with your shit tonight." John B stepping between you and Rafe.

Topper, along with a few other Kooks, approached to back up Rafe. "Stay out of it, John B. This is between Rafe and Y/N."

Tensions escalated quickly as insults were thrown back and forth. You could feel the eyes of everyone around you, the entire party was now focused on the showdown. Anxiety coursing through your body, unsure of why Rafe had a sudden interest making his hatred for you a public display.

Rafe's voice grew louder, more aggressive. "You're just a joke, Y/N. You’re pathetic. You don’t belong with us Kooks, and you never will."

Your anger boiled over, you began to raise your voice. "And who are you to decide where I belong? You’re just a spoiled brat who thinks he can control everyone."

Rafe's eyes flashed with anger, and he took a step closer. "You’re going to regret saying that."

Before you could react, Rafe shoved you. The force of his push sent you stumbling backward. The Pogues immediately rushed to your side, while the Kooks moved in to support Rafe. The scene erupted into chaos, with shoving and shouting escalating into a full-blown brawl.

John B and Topper exchanged punches, while JJ and Pope tried to hold back the other Kooks. Even with the chaos, Rafe's eyes remained locked on yours, his anger still burning.

You struggled to regain your balance, your head spinning from the mix of alcohol and adrenaline. Kiara was at your side in an instant, helping you to your feet. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.

You nodded weakly, brushing off your clothes and fixing your hair. "I think so. I didn’t hit my head or anything. I’m just really drunk." You instantly are brought back to reality realizing there’s still a fight going on, in an attempt to break it up, you make your way to John B. and Rafe.

"Stop it, Rafe!" you shouted, trying to pull him away from the fight. "This isn’t worth it!"

Ignoring you, Rafe lunged at John B again, but you stepped in between them, pushing Rafe back with all your strength. "I said, stop it!"

Sarah appeared behind Topper, her face prominent with both frustration and concern. She darted between the fighters, yelling at Rafe and Topper. "Stop it, you idiots! This is so stupid!"

Sarah was still trying to break up the fight, her voice cutting through the air. "Rafe, Topper, knock it off! You're acting like complete assholes!"

Breathing heavily, Rafe finally relented, his eyes still locked on you. He remained silent putting his hands up. Before turning around and walking away he muttered, “Dirty pogues.” You glared back at him, your chest heaving, at a loss for words.

As the thrill from the fight finally died down, everyone began to disperse, the calming party atmosphere now shattered. You turned away from the bonfire, heading toward the beach to clear your head. JJ tried to stop you from leaving telling you to stay with them, all you could do was shake your head, knowing the complexity of your emotions was too much right now. The cool night air did little to calm your racing heart. You began to feel tears prick in your eyes, the emotions of the recent events starting to overtake you. Your chest tightened as you began to silently cry, tears streaming down your face. The alcohol did little to nothing to suppress the storm.

You were still wondering about Rafe's sudden outburst of emotion aimed toward you. He’s said many rude comments to you in the past about you hanging with the Pogues, and how it’s like you aren’t a real Kook. But never this confrontational. Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe it was the drugs. But his anger was more intense, more personal. The same feeling as earlier began to rise, the one you don’t dare to acknowledge, was there another reason for his sudden interest?

You walked along the shoreline, the sound of the ocean filling your eyes, the waves crashing against the sand. The consistency of the ocean brings you a brief sense of relief from the chaos you were wrapped up in. Despite the beauty around you, the moonlight reflecting on the water, you felt the rage boil inside you, coming with another wave of tears.

Rafe's actions tonight suggested something more, tonight hinted at a complexity you hadn’t quite considered before. You wiped your tears with your arm, frustration continuing to bubble up within you.

Why did he care so much about who you spent your time with? Why was he always your prying eyes, always judging? The more you ponder these ideas, the more confused you become. You couldn’t deny a spark you felt when he was close, but even if that was true, it was too deeply buried underneath many layers of anger and resentment.

As you were still deep in your thoughts, staring out into the ocean, looking for some sort of answer, you heard footsteps approaching from behind. You turned to see Rafe following you, his expression unreadable. "Y/N, wait," he called out, his voice softer now, almost vulnerable.

You crossed your arms, the moonlight glowing over your soft features. Rafe could see your clear hurt expression and tear-stained cheeks. “What could you possibly want Rafe? Haven’t you caused enough trouble tonight” You demanded, despite your voice trembling due to hurt and sorrow

Rafe sighed, looking away, running his hand through his hair, “I don’t know, I don’t know Y/N.” he paused for a second, words hanging heavily between you “Maybe I just… I just wanted to talk”

You scoffed at this almost instantly, and you began to turn around and walk away “You have a weird way of showing it? Insulting me, pushing me, hurting my friends.” you spat back, nothing but bitterness in your voice, unwillingly for him to truly see how deeply his actions hurt you.

But his footsteps continued to follow you, “Please” he pleaded, reaching out to grab your arm gently, causing you to turn around to face him. Your heart skipped a beat despite your anger still present. “Just… give me a chance y/n”

Your mind raced, surprised by his vulnerability, you paused and looked up into his eyes. In this moment, the resentment you too held for each other seemed to melt away, leaving something raw and unspoken in its place. You hated the way he made you feel so small and judged yet here he was at the same time, his vulnerable voice struck something else in you, making you hesitate. Quickly second guessing if you’d regret giving him a chance to talk to you. Opening the possibility of finding out the motives behind his spite and arrogance. The scene from earlier races across your mind.

All you could do was mutter softly, “What could you possibly want to talk to me about, Rafe? To hurt me again? To prove that I don’t belong? I thought you made it clear your feelings towards me.” your voice breaking even more with every word.

Rafe's grip on your arm tightened slightly, just enough for you not to walk away. He took a deep breath, his eyes searching yours. "Y/N, I know I've been a complete asshole. I know I've hurt you and pushed you away, but... it’s because I didn’t know how else to handle this. Handle us."

"Us?" you echoed, confused and overwhelmed.

"Yes, us," he said, stepping closer. "I can't stop thinking about you. It drives me crazy seeing you with them, with the Pogues. I hate it because I... I care about you." You searched his eyes, looking for a sense of truth behind his words. Could it be that all his hostility was masking something deeper he felt?

His confession left you stunned. You had always thought Rafe hated you. Ever since you knew Sarah, Rafe was only rude to you. Rolling his eyes every time he saw you, purposefully causing hell for you on the golf course, yet being overprotective when it came to you hanging with the pogues. These new emotions were a lot to take in, something you’d never think for Rafe Cameron to admit.

“Why Rafe?” you spoke, your voice still barely above a whisper, “Why do you care so much about who I’m with?”

He hesitated at this, not sure whether to reveal the truth to his bitterness, “Because… because it’s you y/n” his voice finally breaking at his vulnerability, “Because you’re different. You make me feel things I don’t want to feel. I don’t know how to handle this.”

Before you could process all of it, still looking wide-eyed at Rafe, he leaned in and captured your lips in a kiss. It was soft at first, hesitant, but then it grew more passionate. A knot in your stomach growing, the sensation of his lips felt like none other. You kissed him back, your heart pounding, swearing you never wanted this moment to end. This new side of Rafe was one you never wanted to end.

Rafe pulled away abruptly, his eyes wide with regret. "I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that. I—" Against your best judgment, you closed the distance again, kissing him more passionately this time. The alcohol must’ve taken over the rational thinking of this situation, the four drinks you had taking its full effect. The moment his lips met yours, a surge of heat spread through your body, making your heart race and your skin tingle. His lips were surprisingly soft, a stark contrast to his usual rough demeanor.

His hands gently cupped your face, his touch both tender and possessive, sending shivers down your spine. Every movement of his lips against yours was intoxicating, drowning out the chaos of the party and the world around you. You could taste the remnants of alcohol on his breath, mingling with a hint of something sweet and entirely Rafe.

As the kiss deepened, you felt a mix of emotions – anger, desire, confusion, and an unexpected tenderness. It was as if all the tension, all the animosity between you, had been building up to this moment, where words were no longer necessary. Your mind struggled to keep up with the rush of feelings, but your body responded instinctively, leaning into him, craving more of his touch.

In that kiss, you felt a vulnerability you had never seen in Rafe before. It was raw and unfiltered, a glimpse into the complex layers beneath his tough exterior. The kiss was a silent confession, a bridge between your worlds that had been divided for so long. It was overwhelming, exhilarating, and left you breathless, with your heart pounding and your mind reeling from the sheer intensity of it all.

You both pulled away from the kiss, both breathless, your head swirling with a mix of new emotions.

Rafe still noticed your still drunken state, leaving you in no condition to stay alone, “Y/n you shouldn’t be alone right now. Do you want a ride? You can stay the night at my house.”

Despite your best judgment, you found yourself nodding and smiling. “Sure” is all you could muster out. Even if this was just for one night, you didn’t want these feelings to end. The intimate moment between you and Rafe was far from unexpected, and it was probably the alcohol but hell you didn’t want this night to end. You got out your phone and texted Sarah and the Pogues, letting them know you were getting a ride home and not to wait up for you, telling them you just needed some time to clear your head. You felt guilty for lying to your friends but you couldn’t help but wonder what the night held.

Rafe led you to his truck, and the cold air flushed against your warm skin. Rafe opened the door for you, his touch lingering on your arm, you climbed in, your mind racing. The car ride was silent, but not awkward. You both stole glances at each other, the kiss and the rush of new emotions lingered in the air between you, heavy with unspoken words and possibilities. You couldn’t help but feel torn. On one hand, you saw a side of Rafe that was genuine and sincere, something that made you want to trust him. His body language, the way he carefully watched the road but still glanced at you, and his words from earlier all hinted at a deeper truth.

On the other hand, you couldn’t shake the nagging guilt and doubt. Trusting Rafe felt like betraying the Pogues, your friends who had been there for you through thick and thin. They despised him, and for good reason. His past actions, the way he treated you and others, loomed large in your mind. Was this a mistake? Would you regret this in the morning?

When you arrived at the Cameron residence, you both carefully and silently made your way up to Rafe's room, you were already familiar with the layout of his house due to being here millions of times hanging out with Sarah. Although despite the numerous hangouts, you have never once been into Rafe's room.

When you entered his room, you weren’t surprised by the size but more taken aback by the simplicity yet authenticity of his room. The smell of his cologne filling your nose, being the main aroma of his room. The room was dominated by a king-sized bed, neatly made with dark blue and grey bedding. In one corner stood a large grey sofa, both the bed and the sofa facing a ginormous TV mounted on the wall. His room was so organized, not a spec of clothing on the floor, it seemed like everything had its place. His dresser took you by the most surprise, it wasn’t even the dresser itself but the picture frames scattered on top of it, Rafe looked happy in all of them, yet again a new side of Rafe you haven’t seen.

Pulled out of your thoughts, Rafe comes back from rummaging through his closet and hands you some spare clothes for you to sleep in. You offered him a warm smile in exchange and made your way to the bathroom to change.

As soon as the bathroom door closed behind you, a surge of conflicting emotions hit you like a wave. You stared at your reflection in the mirror, your face flushed from both the alcohol and the events of the night. Questions and doubts flooded your mind. What were you doing here? Why had you agreed to stay? The uncertainty was eating at your stomach, making your heart race.

You began to change into the clothes Rafe had given you, the feel of the soft fabric against your skin oddly comforting. As you pulled his t-shirt over your head, engrossed by his scent, intensifying your internal conflict. Why did his presence, his touch, and his kiss stir such strong emotions within you?

The memory of the kiss flashed through your mind. The vulnerability you had seen in Rafe, the raw intensity of the moment, it all felt so real. The feeling you didn’t want to acknowledge came rising back, feeling uneasy about facing these emotions. You took a deep breath, trying to steady yourself. You were witnessing a side of Rafe that made you question everything you thought you knew.

Once you emerged for the bathroom noticing Rafe already changed into some grey shorts and an old t-shirt, Rafe looked up and said, “You can have my bed tonight.” His voice was low and tired, “I’ll take the Sofa. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

You hesitated at his words, feeling a mix of uncertainty and trust. Despite everything, despite your best judgment and all the hatred you’ve had towards Rafe for years, it all seemed to fade in that moment, you found yourself shyly saying, “Can you sleep in the bed, please? It’s a big bed, plus it would make me feel safer.”

Partially knowing your need to feel safe was a lie, you felt a deeper pull in your gut—a need for his presence. Rafe paused at your response, searching your eyes for any sign of doubt, “Are you sure y/n?”

You nodded at him reassuring him of your answer. Rafe turned off the lights, only the moon illuminating a path to the bed. Both of you got into the bed, lying down side by side. The silence was thick with unspoken words and new feelings, and the room was charged with the intensity of the night’s events. The bed felt enormous with the space left between you, a sharp contrast from your previous closeness.

Lying there, you could feel the heat radiating from his body, a tangible reminder of how close he was. Your mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, trying to process everything that had happened. You had always seen Rafe as the enemy, the source of your frustrations, but now he was something different, something you couldn't quite define. The kiss tonight felt like it changed everything you thought you knew about him. You saw Rafe with lots of girls at parties but never seen him touch them or kiss them the way he did to you.

Rafe turned to you, interrupting your thoughts, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to hurt you tonight. I just... I don't know how to deal with these feelings. I’m sorry"

You turned towards him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes despite the darkness. "Rafe, why now? Why tonight?" The alcohol seemed to be fading from your system.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair and over his face, clearly still confused with his emotions, "I don't know. Maybe it's the alcohol, maybe it's just everything catching up to me. But when I saw you tonight, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. You looked beautiful tonight y/n, I’ve tried to push it away, but I can’t anymore."

Your heart pounded in your chest, the weight of his words sinking in. You reached out, your fingers brushing against his. "Rafe, this is all so confusing. I've always thought you hated me. I’ve been friends with Sarah for so long, and all you ever did was give me death glares"

Rafe shook his head, his hand closing around yours. "I never hated you, Y/N. I was just too scared to admit how I felt. And I didn’t know how to deal with it. The truth is I’ve always liked you. You’re gorgeous y/n, I can never keep my eyes off of you." You could tell this was hard for him to admit, not being of the emotional type, but his confession tugged at your heartstrings.

The raw honesty in his voice stirred something deep within you. Before you could stop yourself, you leaned in, capturing his lips in another kiss. He wrapped his hand around your waist pulling you closer. Your hand resting on the back of his neck, feeling the tension in his muscles. This kiss was softer, and more tender, but still charged with the same intensity and emotions as before.

Rafe pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against yours. "I'm sorry," he murmured, his breath warm against your lips. "I didn’t mean to complicate things."

You shook your head, a small smile tugging at your lips. "It's okay, Rafe. Maybe we both needed this."

Rafe's hands cupped your face, reconnecting your lips with a deeper kiss, and you felt a shiver run down your spine. The kiss was more than just a kiss; it was a confession, a release of everything you both had been holding back. You could feel the desperation in his touch, the way his fingers tangled in your hair, pulling you closer.

"Y/N," he murmured against your lips, his voice raw with emotion. "I need you."

The words sent a chill through you, and you responded with equal intensity. "I need you too, Rafe. I want you”

He could feel the warmth of your body through his fingertips, a reminder of how vulnerable this moment was. His hands were steady, yet there was a slight tremor, betraying the storm of emotions he was feeling. Rafe slept with women before but it was never a feeling like this, he never felt nervous.

As he slid your shirt off your shoulders, his eyes never left yours. There was a softness in his gaze, a silent question asking if this was truly okay. When you nodded, the trust in your eyes sent a wave of relief and gratitude through him. His touch grew bolder, his fingers trailing down your sides, savoring the feel of your skin.

When he finally reached the waistband of your pants, Rafe paused, taking a deep breath. This was it—the point of no return. He met your gaze again, searching for any sign of hesitation, but found only the same longing mirrored in your eyes. Slowly, he pulled your pants down, his hands skimming your legs, committing every detail to memory, not knowing if this moment would happen again. Rafe's breath hitched as he took in the sight of you, every inch of you in this intimate moment.

"You're beautiful," he murmured, his voice filled with sincerity

Rafe's heart raced as he stood back to take in the sight of you, fully exposed and completely trusting. There was a deep sense of awe mixed with desire, It was a connection, a moment of raw honesty between two people who had spent so long hiding their true feelings. He was nervous, not wanting to mess up this chance to show you how he truly felt, and that nervousness translated into gentleness. As he leaned in to kiss you again, his hands exploring your body with newfound confidence, he felt a surge of emotion he couldn't quite put into words—a mix of fear and excitement.

At that moment, Rafe realized just how much he wanted this, and wanted you, and he vowed to himself that he would make this night unforgettable for both of you.

As Rafe reached for the hem of his shirt, you felt a rush of anticipation mixed with butterflies in your stomach. The reality of the situation hit you all at once, making your heart race, but you’ve never wanted him so badly. When Rafe lifted his shirt over his head, revealing his toned chest and muscular arms, you couldn't help but stare. The moonlight filtering through the window highlighted the contours of his body, casting shadows that emphasized his athletic build.

Your hands instinctively reached out to touch him, your fingers tracing the lines of his muscles. His skin was warm and smooth under your touch, and you could feel the subtle quiver in his body, betraying his nervousness. As you explored his chest with your hands, you were overwhelmed by a mix of emotions. There was a deep, unspoken understanding between you, a silent acknowledgment of the complexity of your relationship. You didn’t know if this feeling would be there tomorrow, both of you silently promising to make the most of tonight.

Your breath hitched as you moved closer, pressing your body against his. The feel of his skin against yours was intoxicating, heightening your senses and deepening the connection between you. Every kiss and every touch was filled with a newfound intensity, a reflection of the passion and desire that had been simmering beneath the surface for so long.

In that moment, you realized just how much you wanted this, wanted him. All the years of misunderstanding seemed to fade away, replaced by a powerful need to be close to him, to understand him in a way you never had before. As you lost yourselves in each other, you felt a sense of completeness, as if this was where you were meant to be all along.

Rafe's hands roamed over your body, exploring every inch with a hunger that matched your own. You arched into his touch, your breaths coming in short, sharp gasps as he found all the right spots. It was overwhelming, the sheer intensity of it all, but you didn’t want it to stop. Rafe broke the kiss and began slowly trailing down your neck, his mouth latching onto your breast, swirling your nipple, flicking and sucking, while his other hand cupped your other breast, kneading and teasing until you were a quivering mess beneath him.

He seemed to know exactly how to drive you wild, alternating between gentle caresses and firm, deliberate touches. His hand slowly trailed down your stomach, fingers brushing over your sensitive skin, before finally slipping between your thighs. You gasped as he found your entrance, his fingers stroking and circling, applying just the right amount of pressure.

Rafe's mouth never left your breast as he continued to pleasure you with his hand, his fingers moving in and out in a rhythm that matched the quickening beat of your heart. He added another finger, stretching and filling you, his thumb expertly finding your most sensitive spot. The combined sensations of his mouth on your breast and his hand between your legs sent you spiraling toward the edge.

Just as you were about to tip over into bliss, he stopped abruptly, pulling his hand away. A whine escaped your lips, craving his touch once again. As scanned your eyes from approval one last time, he lined himself up with your entrance. With a gentle touch, Rafe guided himself into you, both of you gasping at the sensation. He moved slowly at first, giving you time to adjust, but soon the urgency took over, and his movements became faster, more desperate. The room was filled with the sounds of your mingled moans and the rhythmic slap of skin against skin.

Pressing his body deeper into yours, you felt instant pleasure. You could see in his eyes that he felt it too—the same overwhelming pleasure, the same intense connection. You swore on your life you never felt something as good as his. Your moans filled the air and he picked up the pace. Rafe has never felt so exposed, yet so open to another person. His hands gripped your hips, pulling you closer as if he couldn’t bear to be even an inch away from you. The intensity of it all was almost too much to bear, but you didn’t want it to stop.

You lost track of time, the world outside fading away until there was only the two of you. Every thrust sent waves of pleasure through you, building higher and higher until you felt like you might explode. Rafe's name spilled from your lips, laced with need and desire. You could feel him getting close, his movements becoming more erratic.

With a final, powerful thrust, you both came undone, your bodies trembling with the intensity of your release. The climax washed over you in waves, each more intense than the last, leaving you breathless and completely satisfied. Rafe collapsed beside you, pulling you into his arms as you both tried to catch your breath. His chest rose and fell rapidly, matching the frantic beat of your own heart as you clung to each other.

The silence was filled with a new kind of intimacy, the kind that comes from sharing something profound. As your breathing slowly returned to normal, you became aware of the lingering warmth of his body against yours, and the sound of his heartbeat beneath your ear. It was a moment of pure bliss, that you wished could last forever.

You could feel Rafe's fingers gently stroking your back, his touch tender and reassuring. The connection between you felt stronger than ever, a bond forged not just in passion, but a sense of trust that had developed between you. A feeling you had never experienced before, a sense of completeness that made you never want to leave his side. Your mind couldn’t help but drift to the complexity of your relationship and the uncertainties that the future held. You tried to push the worries to the back of your mind, savoring the moment of how his body felt against yours.

As you drifted off to sleep, Rafe’s arms wrapped around you protectively, you couldn’t help but wonder what this meant for the two of you. You knew that this moment was fleeting, that the reality of your complicated relationship would come crashing back in the morning, but for now, you allowed yourself to savor the feeling of being close to him. You held onto a string of hold that maybe, this could last.

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Chapter 2

Please like and repost so I know to post more chapters:)🫶 Thank you for reading!

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