Outer Banks Imagines ~ JJ and Rafe

Rafe ~ late night

POV: You're staying with the Camerons and on the first night, you can't sleep

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The Cameron estate was eerily quiet at night, a stark contrast to the chaos it housed during the day. You tossed and turned in bed, but sleep refused to come. The house felt unfamiliar, too big, too empty in all the wrong ways. Giving up, you slipped out of bed and padded downstairs, hoping a glass of water or a midnight snack would help.

The kitchen was dimly lit, the only light coming from the open fridge as you searched for something—anything—that would bring comfort.

"Couldn't sleep either?"

You jumped slightly, spinning around to see Rafe leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching you with an amused smirk.

"Jesus," you exhaled, pressing a hand to your chest. "You scared me."

He chuckled, stepping closer. "Here I thought Y/L/N's don't get scared."

"Well, we're not all emotionless with an ego the size of Jupiter, Rafe Cameron."

"Ouch." His eyes flickered to the fridge. "Find anything good?"

You grabbed a carton of orange juice and held it up. "Breakfast of champions."

Rafe snorted, shaking his head as he grabbed two glasses from the cabinet. "Not exactly what I had in mind, but sure." He poured a glass for you, then one for himself before hopping onto the counter, watching you with an expression that made you feel like he was seeing straight through you.

It was in that silence, in the way his gaze lingered, that he suddenly remembered something.

"So where's your sister?"

You raised your brow at him confusedly.

"You know, the one who used to have the headgear and braces?"

You froze for a moment, the glass hovering near your lips. A smile tugged at your lips, but it was small, hesitant.

"Yeah," you murmured. "Uhm, I don't have a sister."

Rafe's smirk faltered, his brows knitting together as it clicked. "Oh... that was you." His voice was quieter now, the teasing edge gone.

You nodded, giving him a tight smile. "Mhm."

A slow breath left him as he leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "Damn."

"What?" you asked, taking a sip of your juice.

He studied you for a beat, then shook his head. "Just... I didn't put two and two together before. You've changed."

You raised a brow. "Well, yeah. That's kind of what happens when you grow up and don't see each other for over 15 years."

He chuckled, nodding. "Guess so."

Silence settled between you, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was the kind that felt weighty in a way neither of you were sure how to navigate.

"You don't have to pretend you didn't think I was a complete loser back then," you finally said, breaking the silence.

Rafe tilted his head. "I don't think I thought that."

You shot him a skeptical look.

"Okay," he admitted, smirking. "Maybe I did. But I was an idiot back then."

"Back then?" you teased.

His mouth parted in mock offence, but his smirk deepened. "Careful, princess."

You laughed softly, shaking your head as you recall the childhood nickname. "God, if I hated it back then, I hate it even more now."

The conversation shifted into something easier after that—reminiscing about old memories, joking about the ridiculous things you both did as kids, confessing dumb secrets neither of you had ever shared before. The longer you talked, the more the walls between you seemed to crack, letting something warmer slip through.

At some point, you slid onto the counter next to him, your knee brushing his. Neither of you pulled away.

By the time the first rays of sunlight crept through the kitchen windows, you had forgotten why you couldn't sleep in the first place.

Rafe nudged you lightly. "Guess we pulled an all-nighter."

You hummed, resting your head against the cabinet behind you. "Wouldn't be the first time."

His gaze lingered on you for a second too long, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.

"Yeah," he murmured, his voice softer now. "But this time, I don't mind."

The blue hues of the rising sun spilled into the kitchen, casting a soft shadow over the two of you. The sight of it made you sleepy, but you didn't want to leave—not yet. There was something about this moment, sitting next to Rafe in the quiet of dawn, that felt... different. Almost like something was shifting between you, something unspoken.

Rafe stretched his arms over his head, muscles flexing under the fabric of his t-shirt before he exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face. "So, you gonna crash now, or should we keep this all-nighter going?"

You smirked, tilting your head. "What, you got another thrilling carton of juice to crack open?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "No, but I have something else in mind." He smirks, grabbing you by the waist so your bodies were pressed against each other

You blinked but maintain your cool expression. You wanted to play into his little game, "something about the sunlight against your face really turns me on."

"So then your room or mine?"

"Too bad the sun isn't up yet."

He smirked, tilting his head. "That's not an answer, princess."

You held your ground, despite the heat creeping up your neck. "Maybe it's just not the answer you want."

His tongue ran over his bottom lip, his smirk growing. "You're messing with me."

You grinned. "Maybe." You push yourself off the counter and onto the floor. You just needed to get away before you made a mistake you'd regret.

He wraps his hand around your wrist to pull you back into him, your faces now inches apart, his breathe on your cheek, his lips brushing against your ear, "Fine, play hard to get. Two can play that game" He whispers that sent a chill down your spine. He leans back and moves a strand of hair from your face and slides the tip of his finger down your jaw and neck, leaving tingling electricity where his touch lingered. "But we both know you'll come looking for me."

You met his gaze, something electric sparking between you. You couldn't comprehend the words coming out of his mouth. You didn't know if it was the lack of sleep or if he was like this with every girl he came across. His reputation wasn't exactly a secret.

"Goodnight Rafe," you whispered, forcing every part of yourself to move far away from him.

No. You definitely weren't going to chase him. But you were scared if he continued to chase you wouldn't be able to resist it.