Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

55

Rafe and I sat on opposite ends of the couch watching Top Gun on Blu-ray. I cuddled with a pillow as I curled into my blanket enjoying the movie. Leaning back on the couch as Maverick flew with Goose. I spared a glance to my right and saw Rafe lounging comfortably as he too got lost in the film.

However I must have stared at him a little too hard as I caught him raise an eyebrow before turning to look at me. I snapped my head back around embarrassed I had been caught in the act.

But he didn't say anything so we left it be. However a few moments later and it was my turn to look at him and catch him staring. Although, he didn't look away.

"You're missing the movie." I mocked, not looking away from him.

"So are you." I rolled my eyes making him grin. "What's going on inside that head of yours?"

"Other than the sudden urge to go drive really fast and pretend I'm flying?" I admitted as a repositioned myself to face him. He brought his left leg on the couch so he could do the same.

"Yes. Other than that." I shrugged.

"I guess I'm still trying to process this." I gestured towards the two of us and the television.

"Yeah, it's a little odd considering."

"Rafe, you know how you'd make those choking jokes or play on the words of me saying fuck?" He nodded slowly, wondering where this was going. "Those pissed me off." He scoffed, grinning as he ran his hand through his hair.

"They were meant to. But why'd you bring them up."

"I dunno. Guess I was just replaying some of our interactions." A smug smirk played on his lips.

"Oh, yeah like what?" I cleared my throat as I deepened my voice ready to mock him.

"No disguise could cover your movements that are unique to you." He chuckled as I switched scenes, "Did you-- seriously? Koala-ing?" I got him to laugh loudly at that one making me smile before I shook it off getting serious, "You've got a problem with being reckless, Darling. That's what'll get you hurt." He smirked sitting up slightly.

"I vaguely remember there being a promis-"

"Shush, I'm not finished." I cut him off tossing my pillow at his face, "Sweetheart, I own this place. Outer Banks, is my city." I stood from the couch drawing an invisible line with my foot. I pointed downwards towards it as I spoke, "Listen here, this is my territory. You step a foot out of line," I got caught off by the pillow being thrown back at me.

"I get it, I'm a douche." He groaned getting ready to launch another pillow at me.

"Wait, I've got two more, I swear then I'm done." Rafe rolled his eyes, unamused, I took a deep breath stepping closer until I sat down on the couch right in front of him. Not touching him but close enough. I was going to get my answers, "If you were any other girl, I'd have kissed you already," His eyes widened as he scanned my face, my eyes not wavering from his, "you have no idea, Xena Tallen." I whispered the last sentence, afraid to speak too loud.

It was quiet as he sat up straighter, his eyes closed as I fiddled with the hoodie sleeve I was wearing.

"We are assholes." I voiced standing with him as he ran his hands through his hair again. "But I want, no, need to know what it is I don't know, Rafe?" He turned to look at me, a hand rubbing his jaw.

"Xena, if you can't figure it out then maybe you aren't as smart as everyone thinks you are." I narrowed my eyes putting a finger into his chest. The subtle dig at my intelligence lighting me up.

"Okay, first, don't be a jerk. Second, what does that mean?" He scowled grabbing his phone out and scrolling, before he pushed a button and shut it off. Music slowly began playing from his speaker.

"What are you doing?" I asked as he grabbed ahold of my hand and spun me around so my chest was against his back. His body swaying mine.

I jerked once to get out of his hold but when his hands tightened I knew I'd have to do more than just pull.

"I ask the questions, and you answer them." He murmured as he held me hostage. "No one for one deal."

"Whose hoodie are you wearing?" He asked as I sagged backwards knowing if I wanted answers it would be his way.

"I asked Wheezie if I could borrow one of Sarah's sweaters." I whispered back my hands over his as he held my hips. He made a noise that could only be described as the wrong answer on a game show.

"That wasn't my question." Rafe hummed expecting me to respond.

"You didn't answer min-" he cut me off spinning me back around to face him. Tutting as he shook his head.

"You want answers so badly, yet you already know them, Xena." He turned me back around, pulling me to him. "Now answer my question."

Uh, T, why are you wearing a guy's hoodie?

One minute, we're fine, the next you're coloring my car, then you're wearing my hoodie before getting into a fist fight...

"It's.. it's yours." I whispered my eyes widening as I felt him grin against the side of my face, his lips at my ear.

"Ding ding ding. Correct. Now, who has won all of our fist fights?"

Flashes of the fights drifted in and out of my focus. Bruises, blood, arguing.

"Me. Are you saying you purpo-" he squeezed my sides pushing my feet into the ground. The action comforting as I felt my feet meld with the carpet. Grounding myself as I ran through scenarios.

"Shush. When I get done if you have any more questions I'll answer them. But it's your turn."

I nodded staring at the window to the street as Top Gun continued to play in the background along with the song from Rafe's phone.