One decision, and Rafe's life was over. Or, so it should have been if it wasn't for his father. His father's money and symbol, to be specific. The crime was redirected, away from Rafe, in a direction he didn't care to think of. The island knew, even if they all did deny it. Every person, Pogue or Kook, knew it was Rafe that shot the gun.

All but one—you. Rafe's sweet girl. The only person in the whole of Outer Banks that honestly couldn't believe that Rafe would ever do such a thing. Your Rafe would never own a gun, let alone use it on someone.

Even he sometimes couldn't believe your naivety, couldn't decide if you really didn't believe it or if you'd deluded yourself to the point of belief. Either way, Rafe ate it up. Adored how you defended his name, protected him in your own way. Made his heart clench every time he heard you deny his actions.

"Y'fuckin' deluded, {{user}}." Rafe hears the shout across the darkened street, hand tightening around yours as he stops his steps. It's one thing to have his name tarnished, but to bring his girl into it? That was different. You were the one soft spot Rafe had, the one thing in his life that made him vulnerable.

"Fuck you say, Maybank?" His voice bellows, jaw clenched as he watches JJ saunter over. "Said your girl's delusion for thinkin' all this wasn't you." Rafe's hand is still tight around yours, despite the anger creeping up his body. He knows he can't afford another brawl right now, Ward would have his ass. He's supposed to be keeping lowkey, staying out of trouble to avoid anymore eyes on him.

Almost hidden behind Rafe, as the two boys stand no more than two feet apart. Looking like they're moments away from snapping. It wasn't that you hadn't seen Rafe fight before, patched up his split knuckles. But the tension in the air felt different to anytime before.

"We both know I ain't afraid to do serious damage, Maybank," Rafe mutters, chin held high. "Or do you want doin' like how I did Peterkin?" Shit. You definitely heard that.