Multifandom X Reader Stories

Stay out of trouble (Eric Coulter)

The night had started off so normal, so unexpectedly calm, that I couldn't have imagined how quickly everything would go wrong. We were at my house, just a group of Pogues — and, oddly enough, Rafe — playing cards and talking trash over piles of chips and half-eaten snacks. Rafe had been roped into joining after Sarah's insistence, and though it was a little awkward having him around, I'd gotten used to his presence in a weird way. Somehow, his quiet glances and unexpected laughs kept pulling me back, my heart fluttering in ways I'd tried to ignore for weeks now.

But then it happened. A sharp, sudden knock at the door that made all of us freeze. I looked around at everyone; JJ shot me a look like he was about to crack a joke, but something in his eyes said he sensed the wrongness of it too.

"Expecting anyone?" he asked, but before I could respond, the door slammed open, and three men barged in, their expressions dark and all too serious.

The mood shifted, everyone scrambling back as they took in the sight of guns aimed in our direction. My heart raced as I looked from one unfamiliar face to another. One of them was built, solid muscle, and his eyes were fixed on Rafe with a look I couldn't mistake: anger mixed with something more dangerous.

"Rafe Cameron," one of them sneered, and my heart dropped. "Thought you could just keep our cash, huh? Lie low with these... Pogues?" His voice dripped with disdain as he looked around the room.

Rafe stiffened beside me, a flicker of guilt and fear crossing his face. "I was getting the money. I told you—"

But he didn't get to finish. The man's expression darkened, and he raised his gun, slamming the butt of it against Rafe's head. Rafe staggered back, his face twisting in pain as he stumbled to the floor, blood trickling down his forehead.

"Rafe!" I screamed, instinctively moving forward. My heart hammered in my chest, and without thinking, I stepped between him and the man who'd hit him.

"Stay back!" I shouted, the fear coursing through me turning into anger. The man didn't listen, didn't even hesitate. Instead, he grabbed me by the throat, his grip like iron as he lifted me slightly off my feet, squeezing hard enough that my vision blurred for a second. I could hear the others around me yelling, but it was Rafe's voice that cut through.

"Don't touch her!" Rafe's voice cracked, desperation lacing his words. "Leave her alone, she's got nothing to do with this!"

The man chuckled, tightening his grip as I struggled to breathe. "Oh, she's got nothing to do with this?" he sneered, glancing back at Rafe with a twisted smirk. "You sure about that, Cameron? Because it sure seems like you care a hell of a lot about her."

I struggled against his grip, trying to kick out, anything to get free. "Let... me... go," I choked out, glaring up at him, refusing to let him see just how scared I was.

The man finally released his grip, shoving me backward, and I stumbled, my vision spinning as I tried to catch my breath. Rafe was beside me in an instant, reaching out to steady me, his hands shaking as he looked me over, panic in his eyes.

"Are you okay?" he whispered, his face pale, but his touch steady as he brushed a thumb over my cheek, searching my face with a worry that made my heart ache.

I managed a nod, but before I could say anything, the man stepped forward again. "Touching," he sneered. "Real sweet. So she's your little girlfriend, then?"

Rafe didn't respond, but his silence spoke louder than any words could have. And that only seemed to make things worse. The other two men chuckled, a cold, mocking sound, and I could see them exchanging glances, as if deciding how far they were willing to take this.

One of them spoke up, his voice almost amused. "You know, Rafe, we could take her instead. Maybe then you'll get us our money."

My stomach dropped, terror flooding through me as I felt Rafe's grip on my arm tighten, his jaw clenching as he stepped in front of me. "Don't you dare touch her," he growled, his voice low and filled with a fierceness I'd never heard from him before. "I'll get you your money. Just... give me time. Please."

There was a note of desperation in his voice that tore at my heart, and I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes. Rafe had never been one to beg, to show vulnerability, but here he was, pleading with these men for my safety.

The man seemed to consider it, tilting his head as he looked Rafe over. "You know what, Cameron? Maybe I believe you. Maybe I don't." He glanced back at the others, his expression cold. "But we'll be back. And if you don't have the money by then..." His gaze flickered over to me, a silent threat that left no room for doubt.

They turned and left, their footsteps echoing in the silence as they disappeared into the night, leaving behind a trail of fear and tension that hung heavy in the air. I let out a shaky breath, the adrenaline fading and leaving me feeling drained and shaky.

Rafe still had his arms around me, his face pale and his eyes filled with regret and something deeper. "I'm so sorry," he whispered, his voice rough. "I never wanted to put you in danger. I didn't mean for any of this to happen."

I looked up at him, my chest tight as I took in the look on his face, the way he was holding me like he was afraid I'd disappear if he let go. "Rafe... you don't have to apologize. I just... I just want you to be safe."

His hand came up, brushing a strand of hair from my face, and his gaze softened, something unspoken passing between us. "You don't understand," he murmured. "I'd do anything to protect you. I just..." He took a shaky breath, his hand resting on my cheek. "I don't deserve you."

I felt my heart twist, a mixture of anger and sadness swirling in my chest as I placed my hand over his, grounding him. "Rafe, you don't have to 'deserve' anything. I'm here because I care about you. And I'm not going anywhere."

He closed his eyes, a pained expression crossing his face as he held me tighter. "I don't know how to make this right," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I messed up so badly, and now... now you're in danger because of me. I can't stand the thought of something happening to you."

I reached up, gently placing a hand on his cheek, turning his face toward mine. "Rafe, we're going to figure this out. Together. You don't have to do this alone."

For a moment, he just looked at me, his eyes filled with a raw vulnerability that I'd never seen before. And then, slowly, he leaned down, pressing his forehead against mine, his breath warm against my skin as he whispered, "I love you. I don't deserve you, but I... I can't help it. I love you."

My heart skipped a beat, and I felt tears prick at my eyes again, this time from the weight of everything he'd been holding back. I wrapped my arms around him, holding him close as I whispered back, "I love you too, Rafe. And I'm not going anywhere. No matter what."

He pulled me even closer, his arms wrapped around me like he was trying to shield me from everything he feared. And as we stood there, tangled together in the aftermath of fear and adrenaline, I knew that, despite the chaos and the danger, we'd face whatever came next. Together.