Rafe Cameron Imagines

As Long As I'm Here🤍

The weight of the world felt suffocating tonight, the darkness of your mind heavier than usual. You sat in your room, knees pulled to your chest, eyes fixated on the window as you tried to gather your thoughts. But everything felt like it was slipping away from you—like you were drowning in emotions you couldn't control.

The door creaked open softly, and you didn't need to look up to know it was Rafe. You could always tell when he was around, even when he didn't say a word. His presence was like a pull, magnetic and steady, and you found some small comfort in that.

You heard his footsteps approach, slow and deliberate, and then the soft rustle of his jacket as he sat next to you.

"Hey, love," he said quietly, his hand resting lightly on your shoulder. "What's going on?"

You didn't answer at first, the lump in your throat preventing you from speaking. It was like your heart and mind were waging war against each other, and you didn't know how to quiet the chaos.

Rafe didn't press, though. He just stayed there, close enough to let you know he was there but not forcing you to talk before you were ready.

But then, the door to your room creaked open again. This time, it wasn't Rafe.

It was Topper.

You froze, your whole body going tense as his voice rang out with that unmistakable cocky edge.

"Rafe, I need to talk to you about something."

You didn't know why, but you felt your stomach turn at the sound of Topper's voice. Maybe it was the way he always seemed to act like he had some kind of claim on you. Or maybe it was the way his presence always made you feel small, like you were just an accessory to their world.

You tried to ignore him, turning your gaze back to the window. You didn't want to deal with him tonight. You didn't want to deal with any of it.

But before you could even take another breath, Topper was standing next to you, too close. He was leaning down, his hand reaching for your shoulder as if he were about to comfort you.

"What's going on with you?" he asked, voice overly familiar, like he had a right to ask.

The air around you seemed to thicken with discomfort, and you instantly recoiled, inching away from him. But Topper wasn't backing off. His fingers brushed lightly against your skin, a touch that made you flinch as if it burned.

"No, Topper," you said sharply, your voice trembling with a mix of irritation and fear. "Please, just... don't."

Rafe's head snapped around at the sound of your voice, his eyes darkening when he saw what was happening. He was on his feet in a heartbeat, his jaw clenched as he moved toward you, his posture protective.

"Get your hands off her," Rafe's voice was low but deadly, and you could hear the dangerous edge in his words.

Topper froze, his fingers still hovering just above your skin. There was a brief moment of silence, thick with tension, before Topper smirked and slowly pulled his hand back.

"Relax, Cameron," Topper said, a laugh escaping his lips. "I was just checking in on her. Don't get so worked up."

But Rafe didn't seem to care about his words. He moved closer, his body pressing protectively against yours as he reached out to pull you into his arms.

"Don't ever touch her again," Rafe said, his voice firm but not harsh, as he wrapped his arms tightly around you. "I don't care what you think you're doing, Topper. You don't get to make her uncomfortable like that."

You felt the weight of his words sink in, his protective presence wrapping around you like a shield. You knew Rafe wasn't blaming you, but the reassurance in his voice—his promise to never let anyone hurt you—made you feel safe in that moment.

Topper didn't argue further, instead choosing to throw a last, cold glance at Rafe before turning and leaving the room. The door clicked shut behind him, and the tension in the air seemed to dissipate, but you could still feel the remnants of discomfort clinging to your skin.

Rafe's hand stroked your back gently, grounding you in the moment. "You alright?" he asked softly, his voice tender as he pulled back just enough to look at you.

You nodded, but you could still feel the unease in your chest, the residue of what had just happened lingering like a bad taste in your mouth.

"I don't want you to ever feel like you have to deal with him or anyone else alone," Rafe continued, his hand gently cupping your face as he made you look at him. "Not while I'm here. You don't deserve to be put in that position."

You swallowed hard, the weight of his words sinking in. "I don't want to feel like this anymore," you admitted, your voice breaking slightly. "Like I'm constantly looking over my shoulder."

Rafe's gaze softened, his thumb brushing over your cheek as he wiped away a stray tear. "You don't have to feel that way," he said softly. "Not while I'm here. I'll protect you, no matter what."

You took a deep breath, finally letting go of some of the anxiety that had gripped you all night. Being in Rafe's arms made everything feel lighter, more manageable. "I love you," you whispered, feeling your heart swell with gratitude.

"You'll never have to find out," Rafe replied, his tone filled with certainty. "Because I'm not going anywhere. As long as I'm breathing, you're safe. You hear me? You're safe, and no one—no one—will ever hurt you again."

You shifted again, looking up at him. His eyes, usually so intense, were soft with affection, and for the first time that night, you felt a weight lift off your chest.

"I love you too," you whispered, your heart full as you gazed up at him.

Rafe's lips curled into that small, knowing smile of his. "And I love you," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "You're mine to protect. I won't let anything happen to you, not now, not ever."

The intensity of his words held you in place, and for a moment, the world outside of this room didn't matter. There was just you and him, and everything felt right. With Rafe by your side, you knew you could handle anything.

The night stretched on, but you weren't afraid anymore. Not with Rafe's arms around you. Not when he had made it clear, over and over, that he would always be there to protect you.

You rested your head on his chest, the steady beat of his heart syncing with yours as you whispered, "I'm safe here."

Rafe's arms tightened around you in a silent promise. "Always, love. You're always safe with me."

And for the first time in a long time, you allowed yourself to truly believe it. No matter what came your way, no matter who tried to hurt you—Rafe would be there. And as long as you were together, you knew no one could touch you.