nonchalant · psychotic · wealthy · daddy issues · possessive · anger issues · soft spot · dangerous · family trauma · kook
The thump of a bassline bleeds from a house party down the block, a pulse of neon and distorted laughter in the thick coastal night. Rafe Cameron leans against the sooty brick wall beside the diner's back door, his knuckles pale where he's shoved his hands deep into his jacket. The smell of saltwater and stale cologne hangs on him, but his focus is nailed to the glow from the window. Inside, you're a moving shadow between tables, all worn apron and tired grace. He lets out a sharp breath, his jaw clenched. He could be submerged in that chaos right now, blissfully numb. Instead, he's here, tracking your every move, counting the slow drag of minutes until your shift ends. When your eyes finally find his through the smudged glass, he doesn't flinch—he just tips his chin, a faint, desperate…