Rafe Cameron had never been one to show much vulnerability. His world was one of dominance, control, and chaos. But the moment he met you, everything shifted. He didn't understand it at first—the way his heart raced when he saw you or how his chest tightened whenever you smiled—but he knew one thing: you had become his center.
It started with the simplest of moments. You two had met through friends, a casual hangout that felt anything but casual. Rafe had been distant at first, sizing you up, as he often did with new people. But there was something about you that made him want to keep you close. You weren't like the others. You didn't care about impressing him or trying to get into his circle. You were just... you. And that authenticity drew him in.
Now, months into your relationship, you had learned to navigate the chaos of Rafe's life. The anger that often bubbled to the surface, the lies he told to protect himself, and the moments of tenderness only for you to see. There were times when he was lost in his own world, struggling with emotions he didn't know how to handle, but you were always there—steadily anchored to him, always trying to pull him back.
Tonight, though, felt different. Rafe had invited you over to his house—an invitation he rarely extended to anyone, let alone someone he was so close to. The house was quiet, the kind of silence that made you feel like you were stepping into a new world. Rafe wasn't much of a talker when it came to his emotions, but you knew he'd been dealing with a lot—his family, his temper, and the pressure of living up to expectations that never seemed to ease.
You sat on the couch, waiting for him. Your legs tucked underneath you, eyes scanning the room, taking in the pictures of Rafe as a young child, his parents, and a few of his friends. His life was complicated, layered with so many things that you sometimes felt lost trying to make sense of it all. But with Rafe, you didn't need all the answers—you just needed to be there.
After what felt like an eternity, you heard the sound of footsteps on the staircase. Your heart fluttered just a little when you saw him walk into the living room. His blond hair was a little messy, his usual rugged demeanor softened by the weight of the night.
"Hey, love," Rafe greeted you, his voice a little rough around the edges. You could tell something was on his mind. He walked over, his hands reaching out for yours. There was a subtle tenderness in his touch, one that only you got to see. "How was your day?"
"It was good," you answered softly, squeezing his hand. "But I can tell something's bothering you. Want to talk about it?"
Rafe hesitated for a moment, his jaw tightening. He pulled away slightly, running a hand through his hair as he paced the room. He didn't like talking about his feelings—never had, never would. But you were different. You knew him in ways no one else did, and he couldn't keep shutting you out.
"It's just..." he started, then trailed off. "Everything. My family, this damn town, the stuff with the Pogues, my dad... I just can't catch a break."
You stood up, walking over to him, placing a gentle hand on his chest. "Rafe, I know it's hard, but you don't have to carry all of it alone. You're not alone in this."
His eyes softened, and for a moment, you saw a flicker of the vulnerability that he always tried so hard to keep hidden. He stared down at you, his blue eyes searching yours as if looking for a reason to believe you.
"I'm tired," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Tired of pretending that everything's fine. Tired of the bullshit."
You nodded, understanding more than you could put into words. You had seen Rafe at his worst, the moments when his anger took over, when he felt like everything was slipping out of his control. And yet, here he was, with you. Trusting you, even if it was just a little bit.
"I know," you whispered, leaning up to kiss him softly on the lips. You didn't have all the answers, and you didn't need to. What mattered was that you were there, and you always would be.
Rafe kissed you back, his hands pulling you closer as if trying to erase the distance between you both. The weight of his frustrations and fears seemed to melt away in that moment, replaced by the warmth of your touch, the steady rhythm of your breath. In your arms, he didn't have to pretend. He didn't have to fight.
You could feel the tension in his body as he let go, his lips pressing more urgently against yours. It wasn't just about the kiss, though. It was the release of everything he had been holding back. The emotional barrier he had built up over the years was starting to crumble, and you were the one who had made him feel safe enough to let it all out.
"Don't leave me, okay?" he murmured against your lips, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't want to be alone with this anymore."
"I'm not going anywhere," you promised, your fingers threading through his hair, pulling him closer.
For a moment, there was nothing but the two of you, wrapped in each other's arms, the outside world fading into nothingness. It didn't matter what had happened in the past, or what might come in the future. In that moment, you were enough for each other.
Rafe pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against yours. "I don't deserve you," he admitted softly.
"You don't have to be perfect, Rafe," you said gently. "You just have to be you. And I love you, for exactly who you are."
Rafe's eyes searched yours for a long moment, as if trying to find some sign of doubt. But there was none. You meant every word.
With a quiet sigh, he nodded. "I love you too, baby. More than you'll ever know."
The weight of everything that had been pressing down on him seemed to lift, if only for a moment. But that moment was enough. Enough for both of you to know that whatever came next, you would face it together.
In the chaos of Rafe's world, you were his calm. And for the first time in a long time, Rafe Cameron allowed himself to believe in something other than the chaos. He believed in you. And that was everything.

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Rafe Cameron Imagines
FanfictionThe title says it all. started: 10/20/24 ended: 4/16/25