Outer Banks Imagines ~ JJ and Rafe

Rafe ~ at least he doesn't hurt me

Scandal and Oceans Eleven inspired

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Rafe's gaze was intense, trapping you against the wall with nowhere to escape. His presence loomed over you, and every part of you tensed, heart pounding.

"Y/N, sit down," he said firmly, his eyes piercing into yours.

You folded your arms, chin raised defiantly. "No, what do you want?"

"I want you to sit down," he repeated, voice unyielding.

"Well, that's not happening," you shot back, narrowing your eyes. "So what do you want, Rafe?"

The air grew thick as he took a step closer, his gaze softening but holding an intensity that sent chills down your spine. "I want you."

You pressed yourself against the wall, trying to create some distance, but he stepped in close, hands on either side of you, caging you in. "This can't keep happening, Rafe," you murmured, the frustration and pain you'd been bottling up finally spilling over. "I'm done. I'm exhausted with you following me around like some sick puppy who needs attention."

His eyes flashed with determination, a hand brushing dangerously close to your cheek. "No, we're not done. I'm not done. I am never going to be done with you."

Your throat tightened as you forced yourself to hold his gaze. "You're still with her, Rafe. God, does that not ring any bells? Do you ever think about what you're doing?"

He let out a harsh breath, his jaw clenching. "Forget about her. You mean more to me than anything. I hate myself for who I am when you're not around." His voice was raw, almost desperate. "Just give me a chance, Y/N. Love me."

You swallowed hard, his words cutting deeper than you wanted to admit. "I can't."

"Yes, you can," he said softly, leaning in just enough to brush his forehead against yours.

You shook your head, refusing to let yourself fall into that dangerous space. "No, I can't... because I'm in love with JJ."

His expression twisted, eyes darkening as he processed your words, his voice dropping to a pained whisper. "No, you're not," he muttered, as if trying to convince himself more than you. "I can see it in your eyes. You hate yourself because you care about me despite everything I've done. You look at me like I have a chance to be better. Just give in to that feeling, Y/N."

Your hands pressed against his chest, weakly trying to push him away, but he held his ground. "Stop, please just stop," you said, voice barely above a whisper.

He ignored your plea, a slight tremble in his voice as he asked, "Does he make you laugh?"

You exhaled, closing your eyes against the overwhelming emotions flooding over you. "At least he doesn't make me cry, or hurt me, over and over and over again."

For a moment, Rafe's hand hovered in the air, reaching toward you before it dropped back to his side. The silence between you was thick with all the unspoken words, and you could feel him, struggling, fighting against himself.

With a heavy sigh, you finally pushed past him, your hand briefly brushing his arm, the contact electric, painful. He turned, watching you go, the words you left hanging in the air carving themselves into his mind as you slipped from his grasp.