Rafe, Topper, and Kelce were lounging at the dock, soaking in the warm afternoon sun. The atmosphere was filled with laughter as Rafe animatedly recounted a recent adventure. His enthusiasm was infectious, his hands moving expressively as he described a particularly hilarious moment from their last outing.
"And then he slipped right off the boat! I swear, it was like watching a cartoon!" Rafe laughed, his eyes sparkling with amusement. Topper and Kelce leaned back against the dock, their laughter echoing in the air.
"Dude, you should've seen the look on his face! Priceless!" Topper chimed in, still chuckling, while Kelce added, "I thought he was going to sink!"
You had been feeling off all day—head pounding, throat scratchy—but you didn't want to miss out on being with Rafe and his friends. So, you pushed through the discomfort, determined to join them. As you approached, a wave of dizziness hit you, and instinctively, you tucked your head into Rafe's shoulder, seeking comfort.
Rafe immediately noticed, his laughter fading as he turned his attention to you. "Hey, babe," he said softly, wrapping an arm around your shoulders. "You alright?"
You leaned into him, your voice barely above a whisper. "I don't feel good," you admitted, feeling vulnerable. The warmth of his body was comforting, but the nausea was persistent.
Rafe's brow furrowed in concern as he sensed your discomfort. "You don't look good. Are you sure you're okay?" His playful demeanor shifted to one of genuine worry.
"Yeah, I just... I didn't want to ruin your fun," you said, your words muffled against his shoulder.
Kelce and Topper exchanged worried glances, the playful atmosphere around them dimming. "Maybe you should've stayed in bed," Kelce suggested lightly, but there was a hint of seriousness in his tone.
"Come on, she's tougher than that," Rafe replied defensively, though his attention remained solely on you. "You should have told me you weren't feeling well, my love." His fingers gently brushed through your hair, a soothing gesture that made you feel a bit better despite everything.
You sighed, feeling guilty. "I didn't want to be a bother," you murmured, looking up at him.
"Ruin our fun? We'd have way more fun if you were feeling better," Rafe said, his voice firm yet gentle. He turned to his friends, determination in his eyes. "We're heading out. She needs to rest."
Topper nodded, his playful nature replaced with sincerity. "No problem, man. Take care of her."
"Yeah, we'll catch up later," Kelce added, giving you an encouraging smile.
With Rafe's arm securely around your shoulders, he helped you to your feet. As you walked away from the dock, Rafe glanced back at his friends. "I'll talk to you guys later," he called, his focus completely on you.
"Take care of her, Rafe!" Kelce shouted back, a hint of genuine concern in his voice.
As you and Rafe made your way back to Tannyhill, you felt a mix of comfort and gratitude. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow around you, but all you could focus on was the way Rafe held you, his presence a protective barrier against the world. You leaned your head against him, grateful for his care.
When you arrived at the house, Rafe immediately ushered you inside. "Let's get you comfortable," he said, his voice serious yet tender. He guided you to the living room, where he grabbed a soft blanket and draped it over your shoulders.
"Do you want something to eat? Maybe some soup?" Rafe asked, watching you closely for any sign of discomfort.
You shook your head, "I don't think I can eat right now."
"Okay, just rest then," he replied, sitting next to you on the couch. He took your hand in his, gently rubbing your palm with his thumb. "I'm here, alright? Just relax."
Rafe turned on the TV, picking a light-hearted show to distract you. He kept glancing over at you, making sure you were comfortable. Every now and then, he would lean in closer, resting his head on yours or planting soft kisses on your temple.
After a while, you felt your eyelids growing heavy. "I'm sorry I ruined your day," you murmured, guilt creeping in again.
"Hey, you could never ruin my day," he reassured you, his tone firm. "You matter way more to me than any outing with the guys. I just want you to feel better."
Feeling safe and cherished, you closed your eyes. Rafe continued to stroke your hair, and the sound of his voice as he talked about random things helped lull you into a peaceful state.
Eventually, Rafe got up to grab some water and medicine for you. "You should take this, babe," he said, returning with a glass of water and a couple of pills.
"Thanks, Rafe," you said softly, taking the medicine with a grateful smile.
He sat back down beside you, draping the blanket over both of you. "If you need anything, just tell me, okay? I'll take care of you," he said, wrapping his arms around you.
As the show played in the background, you felt the warmth of his body envelop you, and despite feeling unwell, you knew that with Rafe by your side, everything would be okay. The love and care he exuded made it easier to forget the discomfort, at least for a little while.
Before long, you fell into a light sleep, feeling Rafe's protective presence keeping you safe. He glanced down at you, his heart swelling with affection. "Sweet dreams, my love," he whispered, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead. He settled back against the couch, keeping watch over you as you rested, ready to take on anything that came your way together.
