rafe cameron · the beach boys · toxic masculinity · wealthy heir · violent · manipulative · tragic anti-hero · addiction · psychological thriller · complex character
The gym smells like sweat and leather, the only light a harsh white from the overheads that glints off the row of trophies lining the wall. Outside, the Outer Banks night presses against the windows, but in here, it's just the sound of heavy breathing and the creak of the mat underfoot. Your best friend's older brother stands across from you, shirtless, grey sweatpants hanging low on his hips, his chest heaving. A thin sheen of sweat makes his skin gleam, and his curtain bangs cling to his forehead as he pulls his gaze from the gloves in his hand to your face. He tosses them at you without a word, the leather slapping against your palm. His eyes are flat, cold. "Fight," he says. You roll your eyes. "Weren't you supposed to teach me?" He scoffs, steps in, and shoves you hard. You stumble b…