My second book in my imagines collection. With characters from all fandoms, ranging from Satoru Gojo to Violet Baudelaire, and more! (With stories for both male and female readers!)
The golden sun hung low on the horizon, casting a warm, amber glow across the shoreline of Figure Eight Beach. The rhythmic crash of waves against the sand was interrupted only by the occasional laughter and shouts of beachgoers enjoying the perfect summer day. Y/N adjusted the strap of her bikini, shielding her eyes as she scanned the crowd for her best friend. Rafe Cameron had promised he'd meet her here, and she knew he wouldn't back out—not when it was her asking.
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Rafe wasn't one to show up for just anyone these days. His relationships with others were fragile at best, volatile at worst. But with Y/N, it was different. She'd been by his side for as long as he could remember, through every fight with his dad, every reckless mistake, and every tear he refused to shed in front of anyone but her.
"Y/N!" His voice cut through the din, and she turned, spotting him walking toward her. He was wearing a white t-shirt and swim trunks, his usual cocky swagger tempered by the soft grin he reserved for her.
"You're late," she teased, brushing a strand of hair out of her face.
"You're lucky I came at all," he shot back, though there was no malice in his tone. "This place is crawling with Kooks I can't stand."
"Not everything's about you, Rafe," Y/N said, giving him a playful nudge. "Now, come on. I didn't drag you out here to sulk in the sand. We're going to have fun whether you like it or not."
As they made their way toward a spot near the water, Y/N noticed the way Rafe's eyes darted around the beach. His jaw clenched, his lips pressing into a tight line every time a guy's gaze lingered on her for more than a second. She didn't miss the way his shoulders tensed when a group of surfers whistled from a distance.
"Relax," she said softly, touching his arm. "It's just a bikini, Rafe."
"That's the problem," he muttered under his breath, but she heard him anyway. His stormy blue eyes met hers, a mix of frustration and vulnerability flickering in their depths.
Y/N sighed but didn't press the issue. She knew him well enough to understand that this wasn't about her swimsuit—or the guys on the beach. Rafe's jealousy wasn't rooted in anger or possessiveness for the sake of control. It was fear. Fear of losing her, fear of being replaced, fear of not being good enough for the one person who always made him feel like he was.
"I'm here with you," she reminded him, her voice gentle. "No one else. That's not going to change."
His expression softened, the tension in his posture easing just slightly. "I know. It's just—"
"Stop thinking so much," she interrupted, grabbing his hand and tugging him toward the water. "You're going to fry your brain."
He let out a reluctant laugh, letting her lead him. The cool waves lapped at their feet as they waded deeper, the sun reflecting off the water in shimmering streaks. Y/N splashed him without warning, and his startled yelp quickly turned into a grin as he retaliated. For a moment, they were just two friends having fun, the weight of Rafe's insecurities melting away under her radiant laughter.
"You're going to regret that," he warned, scooping up a handful of water and flinging it at her.
"Not a chance!" she shot back, dodging as best as she could. The playful banter escalated until they were both soaked, their laughter mingling with the sound of the waves.
Rafe paused, his gaze lingering on Y/N as she tilted her head back, the sunlight catching the droplets of water on her skin. She looked so carefree, so effortlessly beautiful, and for a moment, he couldn't believe she was his to have—even if only as a friend. But that wasn't enough anymore. It hadn't been for a long time.
Y/N noticed the shift in his expression and stepped closer, her brow furrowing in concern. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," he said quickly, but his voice lacked conviction.
"You're a terrible liar, Cameron." She reached up, brushing a wet strand of hair from his forehead. "Talk to me."
He hesitated, his jaw tightening as he debated whether to say the words that had been on the tip of his tongue for months. But before he could decide, Y/N's hand lingered against his cheek, and something inside him snapped.
"You drive me crazy, you know that?" he blurted, his voice rough with emotion.
"What?" she asked, startled.
"I can't stand it when other guys look at you," he admitted, his eyes locking onto hers. "I know I shouldn't feel like this, but I do. You're the only person who's ever really been there for me, Y/N. The only person who doesn't treat me like a screw-up. I can't lose you."
Her heart ached at the raw vulnerability in his voice. She had always known Rafe was troubled, that his demons ran deeper than he let on. But hearing him lay it all bare like this was something else entirely.
"You're not going to lose me," she said firmly. "I'm not going anywhere, Rafe. Ever."
His lips curved into a small, almost disbelieving smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "You say that now, but what happens when someone better comes along? Someone who doesn't have all this—" He gestured vaguely, as if encompassing his entire existence. "—baggage."
"There's no one better," she said without hesitation. "You're my best friend, Rafe. And more than that... you're you. That's all I need."
Her words hung between them, heavy with unspoken meaning. Before she could second-guess herself, Y/N closed the gap between them, her lips brushing against his in a kiss that was both tentative and electric. Rafe froze for a split second, his mind reeling, before he kissed her back with a fervour that left no room for doubt.
His hands came up to cradle her face, pulling her closer as the waves lapped around them. Y/N's fingers curled into the wet fabric of his shirt, anchoring herself to him as their kiss deepened. It was messy and desperate, years of suppressed feelings spilling over in a rush of emotion.
When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless, their eyes locking with one another as they tried to process what had just happened.
"Y/N..." Rafe began, his voice barely above a whisper. "Are you sure about this? About me?"
"I've never been more sure of anything," she replied, her gaze unwavering. "You're all that matters, Rafe. You always have been."
A slow, genuine smile spread across his face, one that made her heart skip a beat. For the first time in a long time, Rafe looked at peace.
"Good," he said, his voice steadier now. "Because I don't think I can let you go."
"You don't have to," she promised, wrapping her arms around his neck as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the world in hues of pink and orange. In that moment, with the waves crashing around them and the weight of unspoken words finally lifted, nothing else mattered.
For the first time, Rafe Cameron felt like he belonged. And it was all because of her.
