You didn’t mean to get drunk.

You really didn’t.

It just… happened. One drink turned into two, which turned into a mystery cup someone handed you, and now the room was tilting like a slow, spinning carnival ride.

You were gripping the edge of the couch when Rafe finally found you.

“Where have y—”

He stopped mid-sentence.

You blinked up at him with a loose, crooked smile. “Rafe! Hi. You have… two faces right now. Maybe three. Wow.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Okay. What the hell.”

You giggled.

He did not.

Rafe crouched in front of you, eyes scanning your face like he was trying to solve a puzzle he didn’t know he was taking home.

“You’re drunk,” he said flatly.

“Nooo,” you slurred, waving your hand. “I’m… floaty.”

“That’s drunk.”

“I’m fun.”

“You’re drunk.”

You squinted at him. “Why’re you mad?”

“I’m not—” He shut his eyes for half a second, regrouping. “I’m not mad. I’m just… confused. You said you weren’t drinking tonight.”

You leaned forward and poked his cheek. “You look cute when you’re confused.”

Rafe froze.

Actually froze.

“Okay,” he muttered under his breath. “Great. Awesome. She’s affectionate drunk. That’s… fantastic.”

You giggled again, leaning so far forward he had to catch your arms before you fell face-first.

“Easy,” he said, steadying you. “Who gave you the drinks?”

“Umm…” You looked very seriously at the ceiling. “Yes.”

He groaned. “That wasn’t even a yes-or-no question.”

You suddenly frowned. “Are you gonna be mad at me?”

His expression softened instantly — frustration melting into something gentler.

“No,” he said quietly, brushing your hair away from your face. “I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at everyone else.”

Your lips parted. “Oh.”

“You’re not supposed to be like this your first time.” His voice dropped, more to himself than to you. “You’re supposed to feel safe.”

“I do feel safe,” you said, wobbling slightly as you reached up to touch his shoulder. “Because you’re here.”

Rafe’s jaw tightened — not in anger this time, but something closer to overwhelmed.

“Yeah,” he murmured. “I’m here.”

Your eyes drooped. “Can we go home?”

He exhaled, relieved you asked instead of him dragging you.

“Yeah, sweetheart,” he said, slipping his arm around your waist and pulling you against him. “Let’s get you out of here before you fall asleep on somebody’s floor.”

“I might still fall asleep,” you whispered.

“I’ll carry you if I have to.”

“You’d do that?”

Rafe didn’t hesitate. “For you? Yeah.”

And if the way he lifted you up like it was nothing said anything… He wasn’t confused anymore.

He knew exactly what he felt.