Outerbanks Imagine

Caught in the crossfire - Rafe Cameron

The sky was painted in shades of deep orange and purple as the sun set over the Outer Banks. You were curled up by the campfire on the beach, your legs stretched out as you leaned against John B's hammock, feeling the warmth of the fire kiss your skin. Sarah, John B, JJ, Pope, and Kiara were scattered around, laughing and catching up. The air was filled with the smell of burning wood and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore.

It was the first night in a long time that things felt normal again—like old times before Sarah and John B left for the Bahamas. They were back now, and you could see how much they had missed being with everyone. You had missed them too.

"This feels like a fever dream," Kiara said, hugging her knees to her chest. "Having you guys back feels like a miracle."

John B grinned, his arm wrapped around Sarah's shoulders. "We've got a lot to catch up on," he said, his voice filled with a mix of relief and excitement.

You smiled, feeling the same sense of peace. But it was short-lived. You heard the faint sound of an engine approaching, cutting through the laughter. You glanced over your shoulder and felt your stomach drop when you saw who it was.

Rafe and Barry.

"Shit," you muttered under your breath.

Everyone turned to look, the atmosphere changing instantly. JJ's smile disappeared, and he stood up, ready to defend himself and the group.

"What the hell are they doing here?" Pope hissed, his jaw clenched.

"They must have seen the fire," John B guessed, his eyes narrowing. "We need to hide. Now."

Without another word, you all scrambled to your feet and darted into the trees, the light from the fire casting long shadows as you crouched behind the thick foliage. You pressed your back against a tree, your heart racing.

"Does Rafe know about John B and Sarah being back?" Kiara whispered to you, her voice barely audible.

You shook your head. "No, and we need to keep it that way," you replied. You peeked out from behind the tree, watching as Rafe and Barry approached the campfire. Rafe's face was twisted in anger, and Barry looked ready for a fight.

"Where the hell are they?" Rafe growled, looking around. "I know those Pogues are here somewhere."

Barry smirked, his eyes scanning the dark trees. "Cowards," he sneered. "They probably ran off the second they saw us."

Your heart was pounding so loudly you were sure they could hear it. You took a deep breath, trying to steady yourself. You knew Rafe had beef with the Pogues, especially after everything that had gone down recently, but this was escalating too fast.

"Rafe, we don't have time for this," Barry said, pulling out his gun. "Let's make this quick."

Your eyes widened as you watched Barry hand Rafe the gun. You swallowed hard, your pulse spiking with fear. You knew Rafe had a temper, but you never thought he'd go this far.

"Rafe, don't," you whispered, even though he couldn't hear you.

"Come out!" Rafe shouted into the trees, his voice echoing across the beach. "I know you're here!"

Silence.

Rafe's frustration boiled over, and he fired a shot into the air. The sound was deafening. You flinched, squeezing your eyes shut.

"Rafe, stop it!" you thought, willing him to calm down. But then another shot rang out, and this time, you felt a sharp, burning pain in your upper arm. You gasped, stumbling back, clutching at the wound as blood seeped through your fingers.

Kiara grabbed your shoulders, her eyes wide with horror. "Y/N, you're bleeding!" she whispered urgently.

"I'm fine," you choked out, even though you felt dizzy from the pain. "We need to get out of here."

---

Later that night, you found yourself standing on Rafe's porch, your arm bandaged up but still throbbing with pain. You were shaking—not just from the injury but from the anger boiling inside you. You had never been this furious with Rafe before. You banged on the door, not caring if Ward or anyone else heard.

Rafe opened the door, his face lighting up when he saw you. "Y/N, hey, what are you—"

You shoved him back with your good arm, storming inside. "What the hell were you thinking, Rafe?!" you shouted, your voice trembling with rage.

Rafe's smile faltered, his brows knitting together in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"On the beach tonight," you snapped. "You and Barry showed up and started shooting. You could have killed someone!"

Rafe's expression changed to one of shock. "Wait, what? No one was supposed to be there. We were just trying to scare off the Pogues."

"Scare them off?" you repeated, laughing bitterly. "Rafe, you shot me!" You pulled back the sleeve of your shirt, revealing the bandage on your arm. "Your stupid, reckless shooting grazed me. It could have been so much worse!"

Rafe's face went pale. He stared at the bandage, his mouth opening and closing as if he was trying to form words but couldn't. "Y/N, I—" He took a step towards you, but you moved back.

"You don't get to come closer," you snapped, tears of frustration welling in your eyes. "Do you even realize how dangerous you've become? I was hiding in those trees with our friends, Rafe. With Sarah, your own sister. What if you'd hit her instead of me?"

Rafe's eyes filled with tears, his hands trembling as he reached out for you. "Y/N, I'm so sorry," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I didn't know. I never would have... God, I can't believe I did this."

You watched as he sank to his knees in front of you, tears streaming down his face. You had never seen him this vulnerable, this broken. He looked up at you, his eyes pleading. "Please, Y/N, I'm so sorry. I swear I didn't mean to hurt anyone, especially not you."

You swallowed hard, feeling your anger waver as you saw the raw pain in his eyes. You wanted to stay mad, to scream at him for being so reckless, but the sight of him like this made your heart ache.

"Rafe," you said quietly, your voice softening. "You need to get your act together. This—this isn't you. I love you, but I can't keep doing this if you're going to put me and everyone I care about in danger."

He nodded, tears falling onto the floor as he hung his head. "I know," he whispered. "I know I've messed up, and I don't deserve your forgiveness. But I'll do whatever it takes to make this right. I'll change. I swear."

You knelt down in front of him, taking his face in your hands. He looked at you with such desperation, like you were his only lifeline. You brushed a tear away with your thumb, your own tears mingling with his.

"I want to believe you," you whispered. "But this is your last chance, Rafe. You need to choose—me or this violent path you're on."

Rafe nodded frantically, grabbing your hands and holding them tightly. "I choose you," he said, his voice fierce with conviction. "I'll do anything to prove it. Just don't leave me, Y/N."

You let out a shaky breath, pressing your forehead against his. "Okay," you whispered. "But this is your last chance, Rafe."

"I won't let you down," he promised, his voice breaking as he pulled you into his arms. You clung to him, feeling his heart beat against yours, hoping this time he'd keep his word.