Outerbanks Imagine

Drowning - Rafe Cameron

The sun was shining bright over Figure Eight Beach, casting a golden glow on the waves as they crashed rhythmically against the shore. You laughed as you and Sarah stood by the water, your surfboards under your arms, the salty breeze tousling your hair.

"Last one to catch a wave owes the other a drink!" Sarah shouted playfully, grinning at you as she splashed into the ocean.

"You're on!" you called back, following her into the water.

On the shore, the guys had already set up their spot—Rafe, Topper, and Kelce lounging under the sun with a cooler of beer beside them. Rafe's eyes tracked your every movement, a soft smile on his lips as he watched you wade into the waves.

"Man, you've got it bad," Topper teased, nudging Rafe with his elbow.

Rafe chuckled, taking a sip of his beer. "Can you blame me?" he replied, his gaze locked on you. You looked back at him over your shoulder, waving with a bright smile that made his heart flip in his chest.

Kelce rolled his eyes. "You two are disgusting, you know that?"

Rafe just smirked, raising his bottle in a mock toast. "Here's to being disgustingly in love," he said, making Topper and Kelce groan in mock annoyance.

---

You and Sarah paddled out, the sun reflecting off the water in a dazzling display. The waves were strong today, but you felt confident. You were a good swimmer, and you loved the thrill of surfing—the way the ocean seemed to lift you up, making you feel weightless and free.

"Let's catch this one!" Sarah yelled, pointing to a wave rolling in. You nodded, paddling hard to get in position. Sarah managed to stand up quickly, riding the wave with a laugh, while you struggled to keep your balance. The board wobbled under your feet, and before you knew it, you were tumbling into the water.

The cold shock of the ocean hit you, and you were suddenly submerged, spinning as the current pulled you under. You tried to surface, but another wave crashed over you, pushing you down deeper. Panic set in as you realized you couldn't tell which way was up. Your lungs burned as you fought to hold your breath, but the ocean seemed to grip you tighter, keeping you trapped.

---

Back on the beach, Rafe was laughing at something Topper said when he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. He looked out at the water, searching for you and Sarah. He spotted Sarah paddling back towards the shore, but you were nowhere in sight.

"Where's Y/N?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry.

Sarah glanced over her shoulder, her smile fading when she realized you hadn't come up. "She was right behind me," she said, her eyes widening in alarm. "I don't see her!"

Rafe didn't wait. He was on his feet in an instant, sprinting towards the water. The beer bottle slipped from his hand, forgotten, as he plunged into the waves. He swam out with powerful strokes, his heart pounding in his chest, his mind racing with fear.

"Y/N!" he shouted, his voice almost drowned out by the roar of the ocean. He dove under the water, searching desperately. He could barely see through the murky blue, but then he spotted it—your limp figure, sinking slowly, your hair floating like a halo around you.

Rafe's heart dropped. He swam down, his arms reaching out for you, his fingers brushing your skin as he pulled you into his embrace. He kicked hard, propelling you both upwards. He broke the surface with a gasp, holding you tightly against his chest.

"Y/N, come on, breathe," he muttered, swimming back towards the shore as quickly as he could. He could feel your pulse, weak but there, and it gave him a sliver of hope.

Topper and Kelce were already running into the water to help, their faces pale with fear. They helped Rafe carry you to the shore, laying you gently on the sand. Rafe dropped to his knees beside you, his hands shaking as he cradled your face.

"Y/N, baby, please," he whispered, his voice breaking. He pressed his lips to yours, starting CPR, his breaths frantic as he tried to push air into your lungs. He counted, his hands pressing down on your chest, willing you to wake up. "Come on, Y/N," he pleaded, tears streaming down his face. "Please, don't do this to me."

Sarah knelt beside him, her hands covering her mouth, tears streaming down her cheeks. "She's gonna be okay," she whispered, almost like a prayer. "She has to be."

And then, finally, you coughed, water spilling from your mouth as you gasped for air. You blinked up at the sky, disoriented, before your eyes found Rafe's. Relief washed over his face, and he let out a choked sob, pulling you into his arms.

"Thank God," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I thought I lost you."

You clung to him, your body trembling from the cold and the shock. "I couldn't get to the surface," you rasped, tears slipping down your cheeks. "I thought... I thought I was going to drown."

Rafe held you tighter, his hand cradling the back of your head as he pressed his lips to your forehead. "You're safe now," he murmured. "I've got you. I'm not letting you go."

Topper and Kelce exchanged relieved looks, giving you both space as you caught your breath. Sarah wrapped her arms around herself, wiping away her tears as she knelt down beside you.

"Are you okay?" she asked softly, her voice shaking.

You nodded weakly, still clinging to Rafe. "Yeah," you whispered. "Thanks to him."

Rafe pulled back slightly, his eyes searching your face. He gently cupped your cheek, brushing away the salty tears with his thumb. "Don't scare me like that again," he said, his voice raw with emotion. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

You managed a small, shaky smile, your fingers curling into his shirt as you held on to him. "I'm not going anywhere," you whispered back. "I promise."

Rafe pressed his forehead against yours, his eyes closing as he took a deep, shuddering breath. The fear and relief tangled together in his chest, but he knew one thing for sure—he'd never felt more grateful to have you in his arms.

As the sun began to set over the ocean, casting a golden glow over the beach, Rafe held you close, his arms wrapped around you as if he'd never let go. And you knew, in that moment, that no matter what happened, he'd always be there to pull you back from the depths, to hold you tight and remind you just how much he loved you.