You were stretched out on the cool grass outside Rafe’s house, pointing up at the night sky and rambling endlessly about the stars. You loved the way they glimmered against the vast darkness, the quiet beauty of it all. Your voice was soft but filled with excitement as you traced imaginary lines between constellations, naming the ones you recognized and speculating about the others.

Rafe was lying beside you, one arm propped behind his head, but he wasn’t looking at the sky. His attention was entirely on you. He watched the way your lips moved, the subtle glow of the moonlight reflecting off your face, and the enthusiasm lighting up your eyes. You looked so alive, so carefree, and even though you weren’t talking to him directly, he found himself captivated by every word.

Still, he couldn’t help but smirk at the fact that you were completely oblivious to the effect you had on him. You kept talking, your voice filling the quiet night as though the stars themselves were listening.

“You’re really not gonna shut up, are you?” Rafe teased lightly, a mix of amusement and something softer in his tone.

You turned your head to look at him, raising an eyebrow but still smiling as you opened your mouth to respond.

But before you could, Rafe leaned in, his gaze dropping to your lips. His smirk widened for just a second. “Oh yeah?” he whispered, almost like he was challenging you.

Then, without giving you time to answer, he closed the distance and kissed you. His hand moved to cup the side of your face as his lips captured yours, silencing you completely. The world around you faded—the stars, the night, the grass beneath you—and all you could feel was him.