liviqcc

summary - where all you want to do is spend the rest of your life on the beach with rafe cameron.

It was the perfect summer evening—warm enough to feel the sun still lingering on your skin, but cool enough that the air didn’t weigh you down. The sun had just dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange, pink, and purple. You were walking along the beach, the soft sand shifting beneath your feet, a gentle breeze playing with your hair.

Rafe Cameron was beside you, his hand brushing against yours as the two of you strolled in silence. The kind of silence that wasn’t awkward but comfortable. The kind of silence that made your heart flutter, knowing that just being near him was enough.

You’d never expected this. Rafe Cameron, the Kook with a reputation, the guy you thought would never notice you, had become someone you couldn’t imagine your life without. And today, as you walked side by side, the world felt like it was exactly where it was meant to be.

“Hey,” he said suddenly, his voice breaking the peaceful quiet of the evening. “Do you ever just think about how crazy life is?”

You turned to him, catching the soft glint of the fading sunlight in his eyes. “What do you mean?” you asked, the corners of your mouth curling into a smile as you looked up at him.

Rafe shrugged, giving you that casual, half-smile that you’d come to love. “I don’t know. Like, how we ended up here, like this. Walking along the beach, no one else around, no one judging us. It just… feels right, you know?”

Your heart warmed at his words. There was something about Rafe that was so different in moments like this—vulnerable, open. You could see a side of him that no one else ever really got to. And it was in these moments, these quiet ones, that you fell for him all over again.

“I think we’re just lucky,” you said softly, glancing up at him. “Lucky to be here, lucky to have each other.”

He slowed his pace, his hand finally brushing against yours before his fingers intertwined with yours. The simple touch sent a rush of warmth through you.

“You know,” Rafe said, his voice lower now, a playful edge creeping into it, “I think we should make this evening even more memorable.”

You raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh? And how do you plan to do that?”

His lips curved into that mischievous grin you loved. “Well, there’s something I’ve been meaning to do for a while now. Something I think you’ll like.”

Before you could even react, he stopped in his tracks, pulling you gently to a halt. His gaze softened as he took a step closer, his thumb brushing the back of your hand. “You’re beautiful,” he said, his voice so sincere, it made your heart skip a beat.

You felt your cheeks warm, a smile tugging at your lips. “You’re not so bad yourself,” you teased, leaning in closer.

Rafe chuckled, his breath brushing against your face as he took another step forward, closing the gap between you. He paused, his eyes searching yours, and for a moment, the entire world felt like it disappeared. There was no one else around. No beach. No sunset. Just the two of you.

“I’ve been waiting for this,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “Waiting for the right moment…”

You felt the air between you crackle, every second stretching out longer than the last. His lips were so close, so close that you could almost taste them. And then, without another word, Rafe leaned in and kissed you.

It was soft, gentle, like the way the ocean waves kissed the shore—slow, warm, and full of longing. His lips moved against yours in a rhythm that felt like it had always been meant to be. Your heart fluttered, your body humming with the sweet sensation of his kiss, and you couldn’t help but smile against his lips, knowing this moment was perfect.

When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against yours, and you both stood there, basking in the warmth of the kiss, the evening air, and each other’s presence.

“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that,” Rafe said, his voice low, filled with that sweet, playful tone you adored.

You laughed, your hand still holding his. “I think I have a pretty good idea.”

His grin widened, and he brushed a strand of hair behind your ear. “Well, now I’ve kissed you, we should probably do it again,” he teased.

You raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile playing on your lips. “I think that sounds like a great idea.”

And so, he kissed you again, this time a little deeper, a little longer, and in that moment, you knew that no matter what life threw your way—whether it was the beach, or the Kooks, or anything else—you would always have these moments. These perfect, unforgettable moments with Rafe.

As you pulled away, he kept you close, his arms wrapping around your waist as you both laughed softly. The stars were beginning to twinkle above, and the sound of the waves lapping at the shore created a peaceful backdrop to your shared laughter.

“Okay,” Rafe said, after a long pause. “One more kiss?”

summary - you’re forced to marry rafe, but you know he’ll never be the one for you.

It was the summer of your life, the summer you were supposed to remember forever. But you didn’t want to. Not this one.

You were a Kook—one of the privileged, the elite, the ones who always got what they wanted. But for the first time in your life, you didn’t get to choose. Your heart wasn’t your own.

Rafe Cameron, your family’s choice for you, was the man they wanted you to marry. But he wasn’t the one you wanted. Not even close. Rafe was cold, distant, and, in your eyes, everything your soul craved to escape. But there was no escaping him. Not when your parents had already made the arrangements, already had the wedding planned for months. You were a Kook, and Kooks followed rules.

But your heart had already given itself away to someone else.

JJ Maybank.

A Pogues. A wild, carefree boy from the wrong side of the tracks—who had a heart of gold and a smile that made you feel alive. From the moment you met, you knew. You knew there was no one else in the world who could make you feel the way he did. But you weren’t supposed to fall for him.

You were supposed to marry Rafe. That was what your parents had decided for you.

It started in the summer heat, when the days were long and the sun felt like a burning reminder of everything that was slipping through your fingers. You had snuck out, as you often did, to meet JJ at the old dock by the water. The salty air always made you feel free, like you could breathe again after being suffocated by the expectations of your life as a Kook.

JJ was waiting there, his feet hanging over the edge of the dock, the same mischievous grin on his face that had always made you forget about everything else.

“You look like you’re running away from something,” he teased, his voice low but full of warmth.

You sighed, sitting beside him, letting your legs dangle over the water too. “I am. From everything,” you said softly, the weight of the truth settling heavy in your chest.

“You can’t run forever, you know?” JJ said, turning to look at you, his eyes holding something deeper—something you didn’t want to acknowledge.

“I know. But I can try.” You glanced at him, searching his face for the comfort only he seemed to give you. “JJ, I don’t want to marry Rafe. I don’t love him. I never will.”

JJ’s smile faded, his expression becoming serious. “I know you don’t. I know you never will.” He hesitated, the words hanging between you like a threat, a promise. “But I’m not a Kook. I can’t give you the life they want for you. I can’t give you what he can.”

You turned to face him, your heart hammering. “I don’t care about that. I just want you, JJ. I want to be with you.”

JJ’s fingers brushed against yours, the touch electrifying. He leaned closer, his breath warm against your skin. “You can’t. You’re not allowed to. You have to do what your parents want. You have to marry him. That’s your life, no matter what you want.”

“I don’t want this life, JJ,” you whispered, your voice breaking. “I don’t want to be trapped in a world that isn’t mine. I want to be with you, where I feel alive.”

JJ closed his eyes, his jaw clenched. “I know. But I can’t give you everything you deserve, not like Rafe can.”

You gripped his hand tighter, desperation rising in you. “What if I don’t want what he can give me? What if all I want is you?”

JJ’s eyes were pained as they met yours, his lips trembling like he was trying to hold back the words he wanted to say, but couldn’t. “I wish I could give you everything you deserve, but I’m not enough. I’ll never be enough for you.”

You leaned forward, pressing your forehead to his. “You’re everything. You’re everything I need.”

And for a moment, there was no Kook, no Pogues, no expectations. There was only the two of you, caught in a world where nothing else mattered except the love you shared.

But it wasn’t enough. It could never be enough.

The night before the wedding, your mind raced as you walked into your family’s mansion, the cold marble floors beneath your feet echoing through the empty halls. You should’ve been preparing to marry Rafe. You should’ve been practicing your smile, rehearsing the vows you didn’t believe in. But instead, you found yourself at the one place you knew you could always find solace.

The dock.

JJ was there, just like always. He turned to you as you approached, his eyes tired but full of that same spark that had always made you feel like everything was worth it.

“You shouldn’t be here,” he said softly, his voice full of sorrow. “You should be with him. You should be getting ready for tomorrow.”

“I don’t want tomorrow,” you whispered, your eyes burning with tears. “I don’t want any of it, JJ. I just want you.”

JJ stepped forward, his hand gently cupping your face, his thumb brushing away a tear. “I wish I could give you everything you need, everything you deserve, but I can’t. I’m not the right guy for you. You know that.”

“I don’t care,” you said, your voice cracking as you stepped closer, closing the gap between you. “I don’t care about anything else. All I care about is you.”

But JJ shook his head, pulling away from you, his chest heaving with unspoken pain. “You have to marry him. You have to live the life they’ve set for you. It’s what you’ve always known, and it’s what you deserve.”

“Please, JJ.” Your voice was desperate now, your hands clutching his arms as you looked up at him, begging him to understand. “I don’t want that life. I want you.”

He looked away, his jaw clenched as he fought against the pull of his emotions. “I can’t. I’m not good enough for you. I never was.”

Tears streamed down your face as you clung to him. “JJ, you are everything I’ve ever wanted. Don’t you see that? I don’t want to marry him. I want you. I’ll run away with you, I swear I will.”

But JJ pulled away, his hands trembling as he stepped back. “I won’t be the reason you ruin your life. You have to do this for your family. You have to do this for you.”

With one last, painful glance, he turned and walked away, leaving you standing there, broken and alone. You watched him disappear into the distance, your heart shattering as the realization set in—he was right. He was always right.

You couldn’t have both.

7 years later

The wedding had happened the next day, just as planned. You married Rafe, and life had gone on, but you had never forgotten. Never stopped loving JJ.

Now, years later, as you sat in the quiet of your mansion, looking out over the ocean, you knew it.

You’d never forget him. You’d never stop loving him.

Rafe was beside you, but your heart was still with JJ. Always would be.

You had never been able to let him go, no matter how many years had passed. The world had changed, you had changed, but your love for JJ was the one constant in your life. And it always would be.

summary - you always say it’s the last time, but you know it never is.

Your phone lights up at 2:43 a.m.

You don’t need to look at the screen. You already know who it is.

The phone rings once. Twice. Three times.

You let it go to voicemail.

You stare at the cracked ceiling of your room, heart thudding. You promised yourself the last time would really be the last. No more 3 a.m. calls. No more cleaning up his messes. No more holding him together just for him to fall apart again in someone else’s arms—or worse, back into that hollow, numb version of himself.

The phone lights up again.

Rafe Cameron (2) missed calls

New Voicemail

Your thumb hovers over the screen, shaking.

You tap play.

“I—fuck. I didn’t know who else to call." His voice is low, shaky, slurred around the edges. “I’m not... I’m not okay. I’m in that place again. The one you always pull me out of."

A pause. You hear him sniff, then laugh—bitter and broken.

"Bet you’re sleeping like you’re supposed to. Bet you’re not still messed up like me. But... I just needed to hear your voice or something. Pretend for a second that someone gives a damn."

Click.

You’re already out of bed before the voicemail ends, shoving your hoodie over your head, slipping shoes on without socks. You don’t think—you never do when it comes to Rafe. That’s the problem. You feel too much and think too little, especially when he’s hurting.

He’s sitting on the curb outside Tannyhill, head in his hands, cigarette burned down to the filter between his fingers. His eyes flicker up when you pull up in your car, red-rimmed and glassy. He doesn’t say anything as you walk over.

You don’t either.

You just sit down next to him, close enough that your knees brush. His shoulder slumps against yours like muscle memory.

Minutes pass.

Then, softly: “Didn’t think you’d come.”

You stare straight ahead. “You always think that. But I always do.”

He turns his head, eyes scanning your face. There’s something pathetic in his voice when he says, “Why?”

You laugh, but it’s hollow. “I wish I knew.”

Another beat of silence.

Then his voice, almost a whisper: “I’m sorry I only call you when it hurts.”

You turn to him now, meeting his eyes. “No, you’re not.”

And the worst part?

summary - you write a letter to jj maybank, never expecting him to find it.

You and JJ Maybank had been best friends since third grade.

From building sandcastles on the Outer Banks shoreline to getting into trouble with teachers for passing too many notes, the two of you were inseparable. You shared scraped knees, inside jokes, and way too many secrets that lived in the space between late-night calls and whispered conversations under the stars.

And somewhere around seventh grade, your heart caught up with your head.

You wrote him a letter.

Not to give to him, just to get it out. It was middle school, and your feelings felt so much bigger than you were. So you scribbled them onto notebook paper in messy, crooked lines. You even signed it.

Then you folded it and tucked it deep into an old shoebox with movie tickets, polaroids, and friendship bracelets that still smelled like salt water.

That letter stayed hidden for years.

Until today.

JJ was digging through your closet looking for an old hoodie he’d left at your place—probably a hundred years ago—while you were in the kitchen grabbing snacks.

“Dude,” he called out, laughing. “You’re literally a hoarder.”

“Sentimental,” you corrected from down the hall. “There’s a difference!”

He chuckled, rifling through a half-open box when a folded piece of paper slipped out. It was crinkled and aged, like it had been read over and over—though this one hadn’t. Not yet.

Curious, he opened it.

Your handwriting hit him in the chest like a punch.

"Dear JJ,

This is stupid. I know it is. But sometimes I look at you and it feels like my ribs aren’t big enough to hold everything I feel.

You’re my best friend. But I think I’m in love with you. Not in the weird, fake movie way. In the real way. In the ‘I notice how your laugh changes when you’re really happy’ way.

I don’t think you’ll ever feel the same. And that’s okay. I just needed to say it somewhere. Even if no one ever reads this.

I love you. I probably always will.

– Me (but you’ll probably guess anyway)."

JJ didn’t realize he was holding his breath until you walked back in.

“You find the hoodie?” you asked casually, holding up a bag of chips.

He looked up slowly, eyes soft. “No. But I found something else.”

Your heart stopped when you saw what was in his hands.

“JJ—oh my God. That was from, like—middle school.”

“So you did write it.”

You opened your mouth to backtrack, to laugh it off, to say something like ‘I was thirteen, I didn’t even know what love meant,’ but he cut you off.

“I kept everything you ever gave me, you know?” he said quietly. “Every dumb note, every drawing, even that ugly friendship bracelet that fell apart after two days.”

“JJ…”

“I wish I’d seen this back then,” he admitted, holding up the letter. “I would’ve told you I felt the same.”

Your breath hitched. “You’re just saying that.”

He stepped closer. “I’m not. I’ve been in love with you since before I knew what it was. And yeah, I didn’t find the letter until now, but—” He smiled, a little helplessly. “Better late than never, right?”

You blinked back the stinging in your eyes. “You mean it?”

“I do,” he said, voice low. “I love you.”

So you did the only thing that made sense.

You kissed him.

And just like that, all the years between seventh grade and now melted away.

he’s not gone — jj maybank.

summary: jj maybank is dead, and no one can seem to get over it.

JJ was dead. but he wasn’t. that still body back in morocco wasn’t JJ. JJ was somewhere else. maybe back at the chateau or hanging out with us, back at poguelandia where he was happy. i’d go home and walk down the dock, and JJ would be standing there waiting for me.

He’d be leaning against the old wooden post, that same crooked smile on his lips, blond hair a mess from the wind. I could almost hear him—“Took you long enough, sweetheart.” Like no time had passed. Like he hadn't bled out in some dim alley thousands of miles away.

Sometimes I’d close my eyes and let the creaks of the dock be his footsteps, let the waves be his laugh. It was pathetic, maybe. The way I kept him alive in the spaces he loved. But the others weren’t much better.

Pope kept JJ’s surfboard. Wouldn’t even hang it on the wall—just left it by the door like he was gonna grab it any second. Kie still set a plate for him when we had dinner. Even John B, who never said it out loud, always paused when we laughed too hard—like he was waiting for JJ to crack the loudest joke of all.

We all grieved different, but none of us moved on. How could we? JJ wasn’t someone you got over. He was someone you carried—sunburnt and loud, full of chaos and loyalty. A hurricane in human form.

I walked that dock every night. Maybe hoping to forget. Or maybe hoping to remember.

And one night, I swear—I saw him.

Just a flicker. Just a flash.

The gold bracelet I’d given him catching the moonlight. That lopsided grin. And I didn’t run, didn’t cry. Just smiled back.

Because maybe he was never meant to stay.

But he’d never really left, either.