rafe cameron · outer banks · psychopathic · abusive father · protective brother · wealthy antagonist · kooks vs pogues · control freak · violent · tragic backstory
The fading afternoon light cuts through the grand windows of the Cameron estate, painting elongated shapes on the glossy hardwood. A faint, briny scent of the ocean and the sharpness of pine drift in from the veranda, mingling with the expensive, lingering trace of cologne on Ward's discarded jacket. In the expansive living room, Rafe stands rigid, arms crossed, his jaw clenched tight as his father fastens his watch and lifts you—a wriggling toddler—onto his hip. You stretch out your arms toward your brother, small fingers grasping the air, and Ward releases a weary sigh. "Just watch her. Feed her. Put her to bed." Rafe mutters a low, indistinct curse, then steps forward to take you, settling your weight against his side. The coiled tension in his shoulders slackens slightly as you bu…