Rafe Cameron Imagines

Dusk Till Dawn🤍

The storm outside was relentless, rain pounding against the windows in sheets, and lightning illuminating the dark sky in sharp bursts. But it was nothing compared to the storm brewing inside you.

You sat curled up on the couch, knees pulled tightly to your chest, tears streaking silently down your face. The soft hum of the TV in the background did little to distract you from the heaviness pressing against your chest, the overwhelming weight of trying to hold it all together.

You'd always been the one to carry the load—to smile through the cracks and reassure everyone that you were fine, even when you weren't. But tonight, you couldn't do it. You couldn't pretend. It felt like everything had caught up to you at once, and now you were crumbling under the pressure you'd tried so hard to ignore.

The door creaked open, and you heard Rafe's familiar footsteps before you saw him. You tried to compose yourself, swiping hastily at your tears, but when you glanced up, his eyes had already locked on you.

"Hey," he said softly, his brows knitting together as he took in the sight of you. He didn't ask what was wrong—not yet. He knew you well enough to recognize when you needed space before you could find the words.

Rafe moved closer, sitting down beside you on the couch. His knee brushed yours, his presence steady and grounding. "What's going on, baby?" he asked gently, his voice low and careful, like he didn't want to scare you off.

You shook your head, biting your lip to keep from breaking down completely. "I don't even know where to start," you admitted, your voice barely audible over the rain battering the windows.

"Then don't," Rafe said, his hand reaching out to cover yours. "You don't have to explain anything right now. Just... let me be here with you."

His words cracked something inside you, and the tears you'd been holding back spilled over. Your shoulders shook as you tried to keep it together, but Rafe didn't let you retreat. He shifted closer, wrapping his arm around your shoulders and pulling you into his chest.

"I've got you," he murmured, his voice soft and soothing as he rested his chin on top of your head. "I'm right here."

For a while, you stayed like that, curled against him as the storm inside you raged on. He didn't push, didn't try to fix everything or offer hollow reassurances. He just held you, his presence solid and unwavering, like an anchor in the middle of a chaotic sea.

When your sobs finally began to quiet, you pulled back slightly, your face red and blotchy, but your breathing more even. Rafe's hand came up to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear, his fingers lingering against your cheek.

"Talk to me," he said softly, his voice full of concern. "Whatever it is, you don't have to go through it alone."

You hesitated, the words sticking in your throat. "It's just... everything," you finally managed, your voice trembling. "I feel like I'm failing, Rafe. Like I can't keep up with everything. Work, family, life—it's all just too much, and I don't know how to fix it."

His eyes softened, a mix of empathy and frustration—frustration not at you, but at the weight you'd been carrying alone. "You're not failing," he said firmly. "You're doing your best, and that's all anyone can ask of you. You don't have to fix everything, love. You're allowed to lean on me."

You shook your head, tears pooling in your eyes again. "But I'm supposed to have it together. I'm supposed to be strong."

"Strong doesn't mean never falling apart," Rafe said, his tone unwavering. "Strong means letting someone catch you when you do."

He reached out, his hands cradling your face as he looked at you with a seriousness that made your chest tighten. "I know you think you have to carry the world on your shoulders, but you don't. You're not alone, okay? As long as I'm here, no one—nothing—can hurt you."

His words settled over you like a warm blanket, the promise in them wrapping around your heart. You leaned into his touch, closing your eyes as his thumbs brushed gently over your cheeks. "I don't deserve you," you whispered, the guilt of your vulnerability weighing heavy on you.

"Stop that," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "You deserve everything, and I'm going to remind you of that every day if I have to. You mean everything to me, and I'll be with you through all of it. The good, the bad, the messy—I'm not going anywhere."

You opened your eyes, meeting his gaze, and for the first time in what felt like hours, you let yourself believe him. "I love you," you said, your voice breaking but full of sincerity.

"I love you too," he replied, a small smile tugging at his lips. "And I'll keep proving it to you, from dusk till dawn and every moment in between."

He leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead before pulling you back into his arms. His hold was strong and steady, and for the first time that night, you felt like you could breathe again.

The storm outside continued, but in Rafe's arms, you were safe. The weight of the world hadn't disappeared, but it felt a little lighter now, knowing you didn't have to carry it alone.

Because as long as Rafe was with you, from dusk till dawn, you knew you'd be okay.