Outer Banks Imagines ~ JJ and Rafe

Rafe ~ break the rules

POV: you and Rafe have a secret relationship but you start to catch feelings

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The silent night washed over Rafe's condo, casting a golden glow over the room. You sat on the edge of the couch, nervously bouncing your leg as you waited for him to return from the kitchen. This was supposed to be simple—no strings, no feelings. Yet, lately, the way your heart skipped every time he texted or the way you lingered in his arms longer than necessary told you otherwise.

Rafe walked back into the room with two glasses of water, setting one on the table in front of you. "You okay? You've been quiet," he asked, sitting down beside you, his familiar smirk tugging at his lips.

You nodded quickly, not trusting your voice. "Yeah, just... tired," you lied, avoiding his gaze.

"Mm-hmm," he hummed, leaning back and throwing an arm over the back of the couch, his piercing blue eyes studying you. "You're a terrible liar, you know that?"

Your stomach flipped under his scrutiny. Rafe Cameron always had a way of reading you like an open book. "I'm fine," you insisted, but the words felt weak even to your own ears.

"Right," he said, unconvinced. He shifted closer, his knee brushing against yours. "Come on, Y/N. Spit it out. What's going on in that head of yours?"

You hesitated, the words bubbling up but catching in your throat. This wasn't supposed to happen. You weren't supposed to feel this way. "It's nothing, really. Just overthinking."

Rafe's brow furrowed, his usual cocky demeanor softening. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from your face. "Overthinking about what? Us?"

Your heart stopped for a beat. "Us?" you repeated, your voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah, us," he said, his voice steady, yet his eyes searched yours as if trying to gauge your reaction.

You swallowed hard, suddenly feeling very exposed. "Rafe, this was supposed to be casual. No feelings, no drama..."

"But?" he prompted, leaning closer, his face mere inches from yours now.

"But..." you faltered, your resolve crumbling under the intensity of his gaze. "I think I'm starting to break the rules a little."

A slow grin spread across his face, but it wasn't his usual smug smirk. This one was softer, almost... tender. "Yeah?" he asked, his hand sliding down to rest on your knee. "Because if you are... I'm not gonna lie, Y/N, I've been breaking them too."

Your breath hitched at his confession. "What does that even mean, Rafe?" you asked, your voice trembling.

"It means," he said, leaning in until his forehead rested against yours, "that maybe I want more than just sneaking around with you. Maybe I like the way you get under my skin, the way you make me forget about all the other noise."

You stared at him, your heart pounding so loudly you were sure he could hear it. "Rafe..."

He cut you off with a kiss, his lips soft but insistent, as if he'd been waiting for this moment as long as you had. When he pulled back, his eyes bore into yours. "So, what do you say? We keep breaking the rules together?"

You bit your lip, a smile tugging at the corners of your mouth despite the storm of emotions swirling inside you. "You're impossible, Cameron."

"And yet, you're still here," he teased, brushing his thumb over your cheek.

You laughed softly, leaning into his touch. Maybe breaking the rules wasn't such a bad idea after all.