- rafe would do anything to see you happy
- he would do things that he never thought of doing in a million years
- but if it brought a smile to your face, he was satisfied
- hot air balloon rides
- rafe called around in the outer banks
- finding an availability for a hot air balloon ride for two
- he wanted it to be a surprise
- which was hard given the fact that he could barely keep a secret from you
- but he knew keeping this would be worth it
- he took you out to dinner rather early, telling you to be ready around 4:30pm
- "for dinner? are you sure that's all we're doing?" you asked over the phone.
- "you'll just have to see about that, babygirl."
- he hung up shortly after, trying to get ahead of your many queries
- but even then he couldn't escape them
- he couldn't help but chuckle when a text from you popped up on this screen
- y/n ❤️: well what do i wear? at least tell me that much
- rafey 🧸: preferably nothing
- y/n ❤️: RAFE
- y/n ❤️: be serious please. will we be out late? will i need a jacket?
- rafey 🧸: you can wear mine :)
- rafey 🧸: now stop asking questions, i already told you it's a surprise
- y/n ❤️: you're no fun :/
- rafey 🧸: hmm we'll see about that. i'll be there at 4:30
- and at 4:30, he was there
- he rang the doorbell, unbuttoning another button on his white shirt as he started feeling hot
- he gripped the bouquet of flowers in his hand as he waited for you to open the door
- almost nervous like he was taking you out for the first time again
- "hi." you chirped upon greeting him, taking his free hand to welcome him inside
- "for you." he offered, handing you the bouquet of your favorite flavors
- "aww, rafey. you didn't have to." you grinned, kissing his blushing cheek softly
- soon enough, you were off to dinner
- you still felt like it was quite early, and that rafe had to have something else up his sleeve
- and he did
- he didn't drive the way back towards your house, confirming your suspicions that you weren't going home
- when he pulled off into a random parking lot, looking out onto a field of grass with a basket attached to a deflated balloon, you knew your dreams were coming true
- "no!" you exclaimed in disbelief. "rafe? are you kidding me? we're taking a hot air balloon ride?!"
- he smiled at your reaction, parking his truck. "only if you want to."
- you clicked the seat belt latch and threw the car door open, rushing over to the other side and hanging your arms around rafe's neck
- "of course i want to! this has been my dream since like... forever!"
- and rafe knew that
- which was the whole point of him setting this up
ever since the obx had a hot air balloon show, you'd always wanted to go up in one
- but rafe was a bit of a wimp when it came to heights and stuff
- so you thought it would be impossible to get him up there
- let alone for him to plan it all on his own
- you grinned the whole way to the balloon and the whole way up
- rafe held you from behind, his arms circling around you firmly
- you swore you could feel his heartbeat, and it only escalated as the balloon did
- "this is beautiful, rafey. i love it." you raved, admiring the colorful hues of the evening sky
- rafe was really admiring your eyes as they sparkled in the sun, your face radiating a glow of happiness as a result of the golden hour
- "you're beautiful, y/n. and i love you."
- "i love you, too."
- once you had landed, the sun had fully set and the sky was darkening with minutes
- "did you enjoy it?" you asked him. "i know you were a little bit nervous."
- "ehh, i like the ground." he answered, earning a laugh out of you
- midsummers
- as an obx power couple it's only a given you and rafe attend midsummers together every year
- one year, you weren't the happiest because of something that happened earlier in the day
- rafe had promised he would wear something to match your dress
- even if it was his pocket square
- but no
- he switched it up entirely at the last minute without mentioning a thing
- saying: "oh, sorry. i thought i told you babe."
- so that kind of put a damper on your mood because you were really looking forward to coordinating
- but he was forgiven by the end of the night
- it didn't take much begging to get you to dance with him
- and to kinda make up for the miscommunication, he led you away from the party way earlier than you both were supposed to
- and took a walk with you on the beach
- "here." he muttered, slipping his suit jacket around your bare shoulders
- he noticed you wobbled a bit in the sand at first, holding your hand for stability as you took off your heels and let them dangle at your side
- he interlocked your fingers as you strolled down the beach, the waves crashing calmly against the shore
- "you know i'm sorry for earlier, right?"
- "yeah. it's not really a big deal."
- "i know, but you were looking forward to it." rafe noted. "next time, i'll wear whatever you pick out for me. i'll even wear a trash bag if you decide to dress me in one."
- you giggled, picturing your rafe in a trash bag. it was far fetched of course, but his attempt to lift your spirits was appreciated. "oh, i'm not that cruel. but you'd still look smoking hot in a trash bag, so don't tempt me."
- rafe would definitely accompany you to anywhere you usually went with your girlfriends
- for example
- the spa
- the nail salon
- the mall
- especially if they canceled plans on you for whatever reason
- in this case, 15 minutes before you were supposed to leave rafe's house
- he could see the disappointment in your features as you reread her text over and over, mumbling an: "i guess i just won't go then."
- "huh? why not?" he inquired. "didn't you book the appointment weeks ago?"
- "yeah. for two. but now meredith can't go so i might as well stay here."
- "oh. why can't she?"
- "she said she's really sick. i guess she didn't know she was sick until 30 minutes before our appointment." you blunted. "i can go home if you made plans." you told your boyfriend, just in case he had other plans while you were supposed to have some of your own.
- "you're fine, sweetheart. you don't have to leave." he reassured, gazing at you sympathetically.
- "ok. well let me call the place and cancel real quick, i'll be right back." you informed him, thumb already typing the number of the nail salon as you left his room.
- "no, no— wait!" rafe stopped you, standing from his bed and grabbing your hand, now facing you. "what was it for again?"
- "mani pedis."
- "we could go..." rafe trailed off, scratching the back of his neck. "if you're still up for it."
- "really?!" you gasped in awe, eyes lighting up again.
- "yeah, why not? it's something new for us to try together, so i'm down." he added.
- which is exactly how rafe cameron ended up in a massage chair, feet soaking in a small tub of hot water
- he didn't get his nails painted any colors, claiming it's only his first time and he needs to work his way up
- even though you insisted black nails would look sexy on him
- he compromised for a clear coat and made you swear not to tell anyone
- you had to take this to the grave or your spa days together would be no more
- "am i a better spa buddy than meredith?" rafe questioned, the vibrations of the massage chair sounding through his voice.
- "you're the best spa buddy, rafe. who knew."
- golf dates
- now we all know rafe loves a good game of golf
- and looks good playing it
- which is really where he got you hooked because you couldn't resist his golf looks
- if you didn't know how to play, he'd for sure give you lessons
- wrapping his arms around yours to help you swing
- he'd give you a kiss every time you made a really good swing
- sometimes better than his once you got the hang of it
- but for his ego, you let him believe he was the tiger woods of the outer banks
- cheering him on and making a big scene whenever he has the slightest victory
- one time, you did a whole cartwheel for him and some high kicks like you were a cheerleader
- the only thing missing was some pom poms to be honest
- rafe stood there, beaming as he watched you
- "are you blushing?" you asked once you came closer to him
- "what? me? blushing? no." he scoffed. "it's the heat."
- you chuckled, poking his sides playfully. "sure it is."