Outer Banks Imagines ~ JJ and Rafe

Rafe ~ you'd have me fry

Notes:

Y/S/N = your siblings name

S/P/P = siblings preferred pronoun

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

"Y/S/N?" You called out while wandering the wharf. "Dude, where are you?"

"Y/S/N isn't coming."

You whipped around, the color draining from your face. "Rafe... where's—"

"S/P/P is fine. I just wanted to talk."

"I'm not talking to you."

You turned on your heels, but Rafe was quicker, blocking your path.

"Listen to me, okay? The cops are going to talk to you, and... and I need to make sure the story's straight because—"

"You killed Peterkin. I think our story's pretty straight."

"Y/N..."

Rafe's gaze fell to the bandage peeking over your shorts. He took a step forward, but you held up your hand, your voice steady. "Don't come near me. Just stay there, Rafe."

He froze, nodding slightly. "You affect me, Y/N. You're in every thought of my mind. Everything you do affects me, okay? You don't think about that, do you?"

"You shot me, Rafe," you said sternly.

"That's it, right? It's always my fault. I want to keep what's mine, what I've worked for. And I'm the bad guy for trying to hold on to it?"

"It's not yours to keep, Rafe."

He ignored your words, anger simmering beneath the surface. "Like I'm wrong for wanting to protect what's mine, huh?"

"I'm just trying to do the right thing."

"Doing the right thing? Really?"

"I can't—"

"You doing the right thing is the reason you got shot—because you were following John B."

"John B might get the death penalty because of you!" you yelled.

"Exactly! That right there, Y/N. You've always been against me."

You shook your head. "You haven't given me much reason to stand with you."

"Don't shake your head. You're not just against me; you're against us. You're supposed to be with me, not against us. Listen to me, Y/N. I'm a proactive person. We have a problem, and I need to solve it tonight. Do you understand?" He yelled, "Do you understand?!"

In a sudden move, he grabbed you, pulling you into a tight embrace.

"Rafe, let go of me!" you shouted, flailing to get free.

"I don't care anymore!" he spat, his face twisted in anger as he pushed you against a barrel of water, forcing you to face him.

"No, you don't mean that! Rafe! Stop! Rafe, Rafe, stop! It's me... it's Y/N. I'm the girl you love. You won't hurt me. Please!"

"You're right about one thing. I do love you, Y/N, but I can't look at your face anymore, knowing you will never feel the same about me." A tear slipped down his cheek, his grip around you tightening.

"Please... please don't," you begged, desperation clawing at your throat.

"What about me? Huh? You'd have me fry," Rafe said, his voice dripping with resentment.

"No!"

In one swift motion, he shoved your head into a nearby tub of water, holding it down as you thrashed violently against him. Your muffled screams echoed in the chaos, but Rafe was unfazed by the turmoil around you. The weight of your struggle only seemed to fuel his rage, each second stretching into a dark abyss of fear and despair.

Just as the darkness began to close in, a sudden weight lifted off you as someone yanked you back to the surface.

You gasped for air, choking on the salty water, and looked up, your vision still blurred.

"JJ?" you managed to say through staggered breaths.

He dropped the metal bat he was holding to the floor.

"Y/N, are you okay?" he asked, concern etched across his face as he rested his hands on your jawline.

"Yeah, yeah." Your voice trembled, the fear still palpable.

"Are you sure? Can you breathe?"

Once JJ was sure you were okay, he moved to stand over Rafe, his fists clenched tightly, a storm of fury brewing beneath his calm exterior. With a swift motion, he dropped to his knees, delivering a powerful punch that connected squarely with Rafe's jaw. Rafe's fell to side and didn't fight back.

JJ got up from the floor, pointing a finger at Rafe, his voice low and menacing. "If you ever touch her again... if you ever touch her again, I swear I'll kill you. You got that? You got that, Rafe?"

Rafe lay on the ground, seething with rage, his breathing heavy as he glared up at JJ. The chaos of the moment faded into a tense silence, the weight of their animosity filling the air.

JJ sighed, finally releasing Rafe from his heated glare and turning his attention back to you. He made his way over, pulling you into a protective embrace.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly, concern etched on his face.

"Yeah," you whispered, your voice trembling as you tried to steady your breathing. "Thank you."