You were curled up next to Rafe on the couch, legs tangled under the blanket, just rambling—about something dumb, like the dream you had last night or the weird girl in your math class.

“…and then she had the nerve to say my answer was wrong when it literally wasn’t, and I know it sounds petty but like—”

You stopped mid-sentence, eyes flicking up to his face. He was quiet. Just… staring. Not nodding. Not reacting.

Your stomach dropped a little. “Sorry,” you muttered, voice smaller now. “I’m being annoying, huh?”

Rafe blinked like he’d just snapped out of a trance. His brows furrowed. “What?”

You gave a weak laugh, shrugging. “I don’t know, you’re just quiet. I’ll shut up.”

But he shook his head, leaned in, and tilted your chin so you’d look at him.

“Don’t do that,” he said softly, almost like it hurt to hear. “Don’t shut up. I was listening. I was just…” He exhaled, gaze flicking between your eyes. “{{user}}, you talk and it’s like the world calms down for a second.”

And just like that, the nerves melted. He pulled you closer, pressing a kiss to your hair. “Keep yapping, baby.”