#.✰* 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 : rafe cameron - unitcd

[storminmyveins-archived]

"please don't be in love with someone else." Kie to Rafe

He remembers the first time he met Kiara ; that weekend that Sarah was insistent on having her over. Rose told her 'no' a few times, but all she had to do was beg to Ward and suddenly they were having company that day. Being the odd one out in more ways than one he kept from the girls and let them do what they were going to do but from the moment his eyes fell on her he knew.

Her hair with lose curls that fell around her face no matter how hard she tried to tame them with the hair tie she wore against her wrist with the number of leather and beaded bracelets. Her shirt , one of those souvenir airbrushed shirts with her name and 'save the turtles' underneath a cartoony looking turtle with large eyes and a doofy smile. The colors were faded, which told Rafe that must have been her favorite shirt along with the hole in the collar. Her turquoise pants that hung loose from her legs with large pockets that she and Sarah shoved a number of sea shells into from along the shore line. He remembers how they'd annoyingly clank against each other when they ran by. Rafe also remembers the ugly flip flops she wore that she kept losing off of her feet until she finally decided she'd run around barefoot instead.

He remembers how they would laugh, and Kie's would stand out over Sarah's. It was louder, happier, somehow more genuine and when she said 'hi' to him it was friendly on it's own merit. Not simply because he's Sarah's brother.

He also remembers the very moment he looked at this girl and thought that he could love her if he was ever given the chance. Something he never thought would happen because why would it? Sure, he's Rafe Cameron but that holds different meaning to different people and he wasn't sure which side of the fence she sat on.

Not until now when he sits with his head in her lap, looking up at her as she speaks those words to him.

" Unlikely. " Rafe smiles. " Kie, there is no way I could ever be in love with anyone else. You are one of a kind and I'd be a fucking fool if I let you go for someone else. "

[inbeautifulruins]

He emphasizes how she fucked him over -- and that's fair. She did. She did so in one of the worst ways when he only tried to help her. That's on her and she knows it. But at least he is aware of why Topper won't work, the last thing she needs is to babysit his ass while trying to rescue her friends.

And he's also right about that, she wants to punch him but she keeps herself calm, cool, collected in the moment as she takes a heavy breath and slowly lets it out. He says it's going to take more than the nugget and she raises her brow. ❝ Are you aware of how much that little nugget is worth ? ❞ she asks him. ❝ To the right seller, you'd be set for a long time. ❞ but what more could he possibly want...?

She'd rather not ask.

❝ ... I admit, I was hoping you'd have a way to get there - if not, we'll figure it out. ❞

He's not taking it, he's looking, examining. . . It looks real, but he'd have to have it tested. If these pogues have fucked him over once, they'd do it again in a heartbeat he's pretty damn sure. "Do I have to remind you that you're the one that fucked me over multiple times? 𝓨𝓸𝓾, Kie." Her friends weren't smart enough, but she played the part so damn well.

The cops, right. These idiots here on Kildare? They can't even catch a simple thief, let alone some psychopath who kidnapped three fairly grown dudes. "Yeah, Topper doesn't have the balls or the mind for it." Top isn't stupid, he's easily squeamish though. Not good in high intensity situations. . .

"I can see, you're about having an aneurysm trying not to punch me in the face at the moment." He can tell. An eyebrow quirks at her next statement and then that smirk of his grows. "Mmm, alright, fine. It's gonna take more than this little piece of shit nugget, though." Rafe informs her. "You got a way to get back to El Dorado or are you counting on me having the transportation?"

[storminmyveins-archived]

There was this feeling in his gut that was just a sudden onset. Was it out of nowhere, or was there a build up to that moment in which he finds himself at John B's house looking at Kiara with JJ. Arms wrapped around each other, lips on each other and he's left standing there watching this display feeling like a fucking idiot.

The idiot everyone claims he is ; she just proved that to be right didn't she? Even as she says it's not what it looks like Rafe's blue eyes go wide with disbelief. " Really ? " He laughs, but it's so disheartening, hollow.

" Not what it looks like ; well then explain to me, Kiara what it is because I don't see what else this could possibly be." The hurt is there in his words, in his eyes as he looks at her the way he does. He's hurt people it's true and people have hurt him. But he truly thought she would be the last person to ever do that. And yet she's just inflicted a pain worse than anything he's ever felt. He can feel it in his chest and in his lungs. As though they're tightening unable to function correctly.

This is when he would move quick and launch his fist into JJ's face but he doesn't move. There was too much effort into getting better, getting his shit in order and with her help he managed to keep it going. But this display in front of him he can feel the cracks in the foundation starting to grow wider and yet he still doesn't act. Go back to that place? Oh, it's tempting even as he sees JJ's smug face sitting on that couch.

Then she asks him -- that's classic -- ask him what he means about her having a type. He shakes his head and forces a laugh even if it hurts to do so. " Yeah, you have a type." He motions to JJ. " And it's not me. "

Tongue to teeth he shakes his head as he steps back, his hands up in defeat. " It's whatever, Kie. " but it wasn't just whatever. There is a love for her there ; one he got brave enough to express to her and now he can feel it breaking off piece by piece and it's sharp edges leaving cuts as they fall away.

@unitcd continued from here. ;)

[starkissedscarsarchived]

She thought she had him, and she was happy for that. That is until he manages to lean in and kiss her and she pulls back from him. ❝ Ew! Rafe! GROSS! ❞ She takes the sleeve of her shirt and wipes her lips off after he kisses her. Big dramatic reaction but it's Rafe. Her brother's best friend who is almost like her own brother.

❝ Dammit, why can't I ever get one up on you ? ❞ she asks, making sure her lips are now clean of his as she pulls out her Chapstick since she dried out her lips just getting any hint of him off of hers.

❝ You kiss like a fish, by the way. ❞

When Juni switches up and places her hands on his shoulders, he looks at her with contemplation in those blue eyes. If she's going to fuck with him, he's going to do the same, but ten fold. "Mhm, really?" Rafe nods his head.

"Well, Juni. You've come to me at the right time then." He tells her, and she can't tell whether he's serious or not in the way he answers. "BUT, I can do this." He leans in a kisses her, just for the Hell of it. Maybe it'll teach her not to try and troll him again. Rafe goes for it, knowing it's going to scar his best friend's sister for life. When he pulls away, he takes a step back and laughs. "You really should have stopped whil you were ahead, Juniper."

[inbeautifulruins]

He felt a connection with JJ, unlike one he's had with anyone else. So when he asks if if that's all it was to him - just the sex - he looks hurt and offended that he would even suggest that. Part of him wants to say 'yes' on the grounds it'll make JJ hate him and he deserves that. But does he want to do that to JJ, to himself...? Have him be someone else who hates him? Even if he's already slowly getting there with every word he says.

❝ I'm more fucked up than I realized.❞ he says, frowning at JJ. ❝ And the last thing I want is to hurt you ... not... I don't want to snap and put my hands on you, physically hurt you. But sometimes I can't control that shit, Jayj. ❞ he wants him to open up, he gets a little bit at least. ❝ I don't want to hurt you like that...❞

He doesn't believe that it's not about peer pressure, not at this moment. He's not really thinking that hard, though, Rafe really could have hit JJ with this at a better time. Maybe when he wasn't buzzed, on the verge of being high. "Right. . . " He shrugs.

There's a moment or so when he stares at the blunt in his hand and then he looks at Rafe. "You're fucked up? And you're just now realizing this?" Here JJ thought it was common knowledge. "I knew that, but I was still interested in you." Because, he's fucked up too. Maybe not in the same way, but just look at him.

"What does that mean?" He flicks the roach onto the ground and stomps it out before his attention is on his - -- ex? He's not even sure what the fuck he is at this point in time. "You won't talk to me, I didn't know how you felt. I can't get into your head, Rafe. If you don't TELL ME, how do I know? Especially when we just jump in bed - - - That's not all I was to you, was it?" He'll be more hurt than mad if he says yes.

[storminmyveins-archived]

" Pretty much. " He says as he looks back at her. " It's not to say you don't deserve shit like that Kie. You deserve whatever you want. If it's flowers it should be flowers but I can't. " he shakes his head. But he does reach over and carefully poke at the necklace around her neck with a faint smile. " I can do that though." And then he carefully takes her chin in his hand and turns her face toward his, kissing her softly against her lips. " And that. "

Maybe one day he could come to her door with flowers and it mean something. Not an apology or a cop out but something just to make her smile if she ever needed it. But right now it's still something else to work through, and for him to keep washing Ward out of his personality.

When he begins to speak again, Kiara listens. "So, flowers are just a cop out." She concludes. Maybe in that family they are, so that's fair. She won't hold it against him, especially not after what he tells her next.

"She told her friends how ugly they were?" Rose had always been a bitch, but that's just over the line when a twelve year old is trying to do something NICE when they don't have to. "Okay, so I won't be expecting any flowers from you and John B is going to get a piece of my mind, don't worry about that either." She shakes her head. They were beautiful, though, she wonders where he got them from.

[starkissedscars]

𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒈𝒐 𝒂 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 without letting him touch her ? At this rate, no. She really couldn't. She laughs as he gives her backside that smack as she goes off to get ready. A little black dress is calling her name because one, you can't go wrong with it and two...it's one of the very few club dresses she owns. And by few, there are two. This, and some holographic number she got at a thrift store one year that is very trippy. A bit of make up and she's ready to go.

Grabbing her shoes she slips them and she looks in a mirror to make sure she looks good.

❝ Ready ! ❞ She steps out and does a little turn hoping to get his approval.

"Then that would suck the fun right out of everything." He chuckles, reaching down to give her ass a playful smack. "I'll do the same, I'll meet you back here." He tells her. He knows the shirt he wants to wear, at least, and that's hanging in the laundry room so he goes to grab it and change before heading up to his room and grabbing a pair of dark washed jeans and shoes to pair it with. "You ready, babe?" @starkissedscars

[storminmyveins-archived]

" Then what ? We just pretend for...?" He asks. " As long as you want to keep this under wraps? I get it, Kie, I get it. But they're going to find out sooner or later. "

"Okay, so I'm lying. What's your point?" She asks. "I can't just go out there and tell people that I suddenly don't hate your guts anymore."

[inbeautifulruins]

She can't blame him for the distrust, but at the same time she's here and she's on the verge of begging -- something Kiara would never do especially for the help of Rafe Cameron. But here she is.

He asks that question and she wants to snatch the gold back out of his hands and tell him to forget it, but while there are a list of negative things she could say he is there are things he is as well. Resourceful, cunning...Does she have to say that to him though?

❝ Why would I try to use fake gold to get you to help us? ❞ The frustration is there on her tongue and on her face.

❝ I can't go to the cops because we know this is beyond their paygrade , and as far as I know a guy like that probably has his thumb on them anyway. ❞ she huffs. ❝ I'm not going to ask Topper because...Do I really need to spell that one out for you ? ❞ she asks. Fuck, as she said there is no strong enough word so that will have to do.

❝ It pains me to ask you for help but I'm willing to swallow my pride here. You're the only one I know who...❞ just swallow it all down like a bitter pill, Kie. ❝ Because you're actually smarter than I give you credit for. ❞

She 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀𝓼 he won't? Cute. . . She doesn't know him. . . Fingers tap along the glass before he sets it down on a coaster on the table next to the container. "And how do I know this is real?" He asks her, a frown to accompany his shrug of distrust.

"Okay?" He still doesn't understand how this involves him. "He kidnapped the stooges?" Rafe can't help but laugh. "That does not surprise me." Honestly, it doesn't. "And how do you figure that I'm the only one that can get them back?" Is it because he has the means or the funds? Casually picking up the container with said gold in it, he peers into it and then looks back at Kie.

[inbeautifulruins]

❝ Because I know you won't.❞ At his words she's tempted to reach over and snatch it back, but she wants to show that there's some trust there even if her hands are itching to just grab it back and put it back in her pocket, far from him. But if she's going to ask this of him - there has to be something of trust there. Even if it's hard, and it's hard. What does Sarah think about all of this?

She didn't even tell her she'd be coming here. She was sure Sarah would give her fifty reasons not too and she wants to start listing all of them off in her own mind. But she doesn't.

❝ There's this guy, hellbent on us taking him back to El Dorado. So much so he took the guys -- no matter what we say he won't listen. And if anyone can help us get them back -- it's you. ❞

She says she knows that he's not their friend, yet here she is standing in his house spewing some bullshit about how she needs his help to save 𝓱𝓮𝓻 friends. . . "You are right." And even then, he might not help. What incentive is really going to be large enough, important enough, to get Rafe on board?

Stormy blue eyes fall upon the container and he scratches his cheek. "Hmmm. And if I just take it?" He asks. "What are you going to do, Kie?" Rafe questions, fingers itching to grab the container. . . He can definitely use that gold for his own good, and the good of his family. What little he has left, at least. "What do you want from me?"

[inbeautifulruins]

Trust this is the last thing she wants to do, but what choice does she have with the shit they managed to get into now. And she knows -- oh she knows that he isn't going to just help with the kindness of his heart. Because how much kindness is there, really?

Kie sighs knowing he'd react that way. Asking her what part she thought would work out and, truly, none of it. But she has something in her pocket. Literally.

❝I know you're not our friend, and I know you won't help without an incentive. ❞ She knows damn well the boys are going to kill her for this but she's going to do it anyway.

Out of her pocket she pulls out a container and sets it on the table in front of Rafe. What's in it? Their last bit of gold.

❝Help me, and it's yours.❞

Okay, this waiting is getting annoying. Sitting up, he looks up at Kie. He's about to tell her to spit it out when she does and there's a second or two where he thinks that she's joking . . . She's gotta be joking with this shit.

A heavy sigh is exhaled before he gets out of his chair and goes to pour himself some more bourbon. "And what 𝓮𝔁𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓵𝔂 makes you think that I give a shit about what happened to the three stooges?" He shrugs and turns around, fingers tapping against his glass. "You really came here, to my home, to ask me to help you save your idiot friends? What part about this did you think would work out, Kie? I'm not their friend, I'm not your friend." What did she take him for? A 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓽𝔂?

[inbeautifulruins]

𝐅𝐮𝐜𝐤. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬. She hates this to the very core of herself having to ask him of all people to help her. He's smirking, she's nearly scowling as she looks at him.

He then asks what she wants his help for. No, she doesn't want it, she sadly needs it.

And she knows that he isn't about to give the help out of the kindness of his heart. He'll want something out of it. And she knows when she tells him the price will be high.

❝ It involves the guys : John B, JJ, Pope...❞ and she knows, oh she knows he will not be so willing to assist, but Kie -- she's desperate.

Enjoying is a gross 𝓾𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓽. Rafe is 𝓽𝓱𝓻𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓭 to have Kiara Carerra here asking for his help. The last person he'd ever think that would stoop to that level. The amusement is clear on his features as he watches her.

"𝓞𝓱." He nods. "Yeah, I got that the first time." A smirk plays upon the right corner of his lips over the rim of the glass. The look on Kie's face is hilarious, he's loving every second of this.

"Oh, I 𝓪𝓶." He informs her. "What do you want my help for?" And what is he getting out of it? It's not like Rafe is about to help Kie, and surely, the pogues out of the goodness of his heart.

[storminmyveins-archived]

How does he tell her he doesn't want to give her flowers ; that he doesn't do flowers. How does he tell her why he doesn't think that flowers are a gift to give. If he can't tell Kie , then what do they have? He's already been open with her about everything else.

" Ward gets Rose flowers when he fucks up. Big things, little things, he gets her flowers. She says she loves them, puts them in a vase and she leaves them to die. Each time, they just die. He fucks up, he does it again. " he moves his hand to motion a cycle that seems to just go on.

" Even one time I got her flowers, mother's day. But they were from me. She smiled, said thank you, then told one of her friends how ugly and stupid they were. I was twelve. So flowers...they're not my thing."

Okay, so John B was just as much of a dumbass for sending the flowers, but he proved a point. "Are you? - - - You almost just had a tantrum over thinking someone sent me FLOWERS."

There's a pause, waiting for him to say something else before she does. "Is it because you don't think about it or because you don't want to? There's a difference." Kie crosses her arms over her chest and she flares her nostrils.

[starkissedscarsarchived]

❝ I can' hope. ❞ she sighs, though after he says that she hurt his feelings and she knows he probably doesn't mean it Juni gets an idea and she grins a little. ❝ You know what? You're right. I'm sorry, Rafe...❞ Juni moves closer to Rafe and puts her hands on his shoulders. ❝ That was mean. I'm sorry...and you're also right about something else...❞

She looks up at him with those bright blue eyes, biting her bottom lip. ❝ I do have a crush on you..I have for awhile...And I have to admit, I'm tired of hiding it...❞ She lets her hands move down along his arms trying to keep her eyes on his ; and keep a straight face.

❝ Shame you can't see yourself with a good girl though...Your loss.❞ Hold it together, Juni...Just for a moment longer.

"You think Top can control me, Juni?" He asks, chuckling quietly. "Please. I'll put him in a headlock and make him cry in five seconds." Rafe is joking, for the most part. "Damn, J. . . I think you might've just hurt my feelings a little with that blow."

[starkissedscarsarchived]

❝ I need Topper to come and get you. ❞ she tells Rafe, shaking her head, even rolling her eyes. ❝ I hate to break it to you, buddy, but you're not even anywhere near my type of guy. And you only became good looking when you got the hair cut. Don't let that go to your head.❞

"Just keep hating, Juni." He grins at her before he chuckles. Rafe is fully aware of just how obnoxious he's being, and he just - - - really doesn't care. "I think it's quite amusing how you have to push that narrative." He's just not stopping, is he? "It's okay, I don't blame you for having a fat crush on me. I am a pretty good looking guy."

[starkissedscarsarchived]

❝ Are you serious? ❞ He has to be ; but now she's turning red in the face. ❝ I can't believe I tried to kiss you...❞she makes the face again and then laughs, but she barely remembers that. So she shakes her head, covering her face and blushing badly. ❝ You both are just terrible. Absolutely , utterly terrible. ❞ This is why she could never have a crush on Rafe. He knows too much.

There's an obnoxious laugh that rings through the air when Juni pushes his head away from hers. "Yeah, you did." He nods his head. "We were in the back of the Escalade, you me and Top and you took my hand because you said you wanted to ride in the middle and my dad said that if we didn't let you ride in the middle that Top and I would be in trouble." He shrugs. "So, you were trying to hold my hand and Top and I were harassing you, as usual, and then you tried to kiss me. You don't remember when Top pinned you down and tickled you until you almost peed?" Needless to say? He and Topper got in trouble.