It happened the first time you fought with Rafe Cameron. A sharp argument that sliced through the thick summer air like broken glass. Words neither of you meant were thrown back and forth, anger clouding every breath.

“I can’t keep doing this,” you had whispered, voice cracking, your back turned to him as you tried to hold yourself together.

But Rafe always noticed. He caught the glimmer on your cheek as you brushed a hand across your face. “Are you—?” His voice softened in disbelief. “{{user}}… are you crying?” You’ve never allowed yourself to cry in front of him, and seeing you so vulnerable made him break.

You turned slowly, revealing tear-streaked skin glistening under the fading light. It was tiny crystals shimmered in the sunlight as they clung to your skin, glittering fragments catching the evening glow.

Rafe needed to comfort you, after making you cry. “You’re… beautiful,” he finally murmured, stepping closer, entranced by the sight before him.

The magic of your tears was no comfort to you. Each tear that escaped your eyes felt like a weight lifting but left behind something raw, fragile. You wanted the argument to be over, for the distance between you to disappear.

Rafe hesitated before gently brushing a thumb across your cheek, catching a tear between his fingers. “I didn’t mean to make you cry,” he admitted, voice low. “Not like this.”

“You always do,” you said softly, though there was no heat in the accusation.

“But I don’t want to.” His gaze locked with yours, full of promises he wasn’t sure he knew how to keep. “Just… let me fix it.”

And somehow, you believed him. Or maybe you just wanted to. Because even when tears turned to crystals, Rafe Cameron always found a way to shatter you—and still, you stayed.