The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the Outer Banks. The sound of waves crashing against the shore created a soothing soundtrack to the lazy afternoon. Rafe Cameron leaned against the railing of the deck, his sun-kissed skin glistening as he watched his friends, Topper and Kelce, play a heated game of beach volleyball in the sand. You sat nearby on a towel, sketching in your notebook, your playful energy evident in the way you hummed to yourself.
You were Rafe's world. He loved your carefree spirit, your laughter, and how you brought a sense of lightness to his often chaotic life. But today, something felt off. Rafe noticed you were a bit quieter than usual, your brow furrowed as you concentrated on your drawing.
"Hey, babe," Rafe said, striding over to you, a playful smile on his face. "What's going on? You look like you're about to solve a math problem."
You looked up, forcing a smile, but Rafe could see through it. "Oh, just trying to get this sketch right," you replied, shrugging. "It's nothing."
"Don't lie to me," he teased, sitting down next to you and nudging your shoulder with his. "You know I can read you like a book."
You sighed, putting down your pencil. "It's just... you know how your friends can be sometimes."
Rafe's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?" He glanced over to where Topper and Kelce were laughing and joking, their voices carrying on the warm breeze. "Are they bothering you?"
"Not exactly," you said, hesitating. "It's just that... they sometimes say things that make me feel small. Like when they joke about how I'm the 'childish' one in our relationship. It gets to me sometimes."
Rafe's expression shifted from playful to serious. "What did they say?"
Before you could answer, Topper came bounding over, a cocky grin plastered on his face. "Hey, Rafe! You're gonna lose the next round for sure! Your girlfriend is just doodling over there instead of helping you out!"
The comment hit you hard, and you felt a flush of heat rise to your cheeks. "I'm not just doodling!" you shot back, though your voice lacked the usual cheer. Rafe's gaze narrowed as he sensed the tension.
"Yeah, I mean, how can you even keep up with us if she's just sketching all day?" Kelce chimed in, chuckling with the others. "You need a real teammate, bro."
Their laughter echoed in your ears, and you could feel the weight of their words settling on your heart. You tried to shake it off, but Rafe's protective instincts kicked in. He stood up, looking furious.
"Okay, that's enough," he said, his voice low and firm. "Don't talk about her like that."
"Whoa, chill, Rafe," Topper said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "We're just joking around."
"Yeah, man, it's all in good fun," Kelce added, though his tone was softer.
But Rafe wasn't having it. "It's not funny to make her feel bad about herself. She's amazing just the way she is. You guys need to back off."
Feeling a wave of determination wash over him, Rafe took off after you, leaving his friends stunned on the beach. He quickly caught up with you, finding you sitting on a driftwood log, staring out at the ocean. Your shoulders were slumped, and he could see the tear tracks on your cheeks.
"Hey," he said softly, kneeling down in front of you. "Can we talk?"
You sniffed and wiped your eyes. "I'm sorry for ruining your fun," you said, your voice shaky.
"No, don't apologize," Rafe said, his voice gentle as he reached for your hands. "You're not ruining anything. I'm just sorry that they upset you. You deserve so much more than that."
You met his gaze, and the warmth in his eyes made your heart ache. "It just hurt. I love being with you, but sometimes it feels like they don't see how amazing you are for choosing to be with me."
Rafe shook his head vehemently. "You are everything to me. Don't ever let their jokes make you doubt that. You're not childish; you're full of life, and I love that about you. You bring joy and color to my world."
You felt the tension in your chest begin to ease as you absorbed his words. "Really?" you asked, your voice barely above a whisper.
"Absolutely. And if they can't see that, then they need to get their heads out of their asses," Rafe said, a protective fire in his eyes. "I want you to feel safe and loved. Always."
"Thank you, Rafe," you said, feeling a warmth spread through your chest. "I just don't want to be a burden."
"You're never a burden. You're my girl, and I'll always have your back." He squeezed your hands tighter, his gaze unwavering. "Let's go back to the beach, and I'll set them straight. You're not alone in this."
You smiled through your tears, feeling the tension start to fade. "Okay, let's go."
As you walked back to the beach, hand in hand, Rafe felt a sense of relief wash over him. He would always be your protector, ready to fight for you and remind you of your worth. And as you approached Topper and Kelce, you felt a renewed sense of confidence, knowing Rafe was right there beside you.
"Hey, guys," Rafe called out, drawing their attention. "We need to talk."
Topper and Kelce exchanged glances, clearly sensing the shift in the atmosphere. "What's up, Rafe?" Topper asked, though his tone was a little more serious than usual.
Rafe took a deep breath, his jaw tightening. "I need you to understand something. Y/N is not just some joke to laugh at. She's amazing, and I won't stand by while you make her feel small."
Kelce looked taken aback. "Dude, we were just messing around. We didn't mean any harm."
"Yeah, but it's not cool," Rafe pressed, his voice firm. "You don't get to make fun of her and then act like it's all in good fun. It's not funny to her. She's one of the best things in my life, and I need you to respect that."
Topper opened his mouth to argue but then closed it, seeing the intensity in Rafe's eyes. "Okay, man, we get it. We're sorry if we hurt her feelings. That wasn't our intention."
"Just be better," Rafe said, his tone softening slightly. "I care about her, and I know you guys do too. Just think before you say something next time, alright?"
"Yeah, we will," Kelce nodded, a hint of guilt in his voice. "We'll apologize to her."
Rafe turned to you, his eyes softening. "You good?"
You nodded, feeling the warmth of his support wrapping around you. "Yeah, I'm okay now. Thank you for standing up for me."
Rafe smiled, a mixture of relief and affection in his gaze. "Always."
As the sun continued to set, painting the sky with vibrant colors, you joined Rafe and his friends for the rest of the evening. The laughter and playful teasing resumed, but you could sense a change in the dynamic. Topper and Kelce were more mindful, making an effort to include you without making you the butt of their jokes.
That night, as you curled up next to Rafe on the beach, you felt a sense of belonging. His arm wrapped around you, and you leaned into him, knowing that no matter what others said, you were cherished and loved. Rafe would always be your protector, and together, you could face anything.
