#flight1394

“Maybe pee faster so she wont be in there as long” you say like it’s the most obvious answer in the world. “Oh you’re in sooo deep” he jokes, and you can’t deny the fact that he and kiara would make a good pair, in the way they view this situation the same. You playfully roll your eyes, your annoyance slowly fading. “Anyway, can I get you anything while you’re here? A coffee, soda, juice or?” you trail off. “I’ll take a coke with ice, please and thanks” he says and you nod, stepping into the galley to grab it for him. 

“Honestly, y/n” Kelce starts as you pour the ice into the pilot’s cup, "I've never seen Rafe more infatuated with a woman in his life, and we’ve been buddies for a few years now.” he says, and you glance up at him to see him being so sincere, in a serious way you haven’t seen his goofy personality be this entire trip thus far. “So, regardless of how thick Sofia’s laying it on, don’t worry, okay? You can trust him.” he says, and that makes you smile. “Thank you kelce” you say grateful, as you pass him the drink. 

“Nah thank you, we get thirsty in there” he says bringing his bashfulness back. “I’ll check up on you more.” you say, and he goes to knock on the flight deck door, letting them know to switch out. 

In the flight deck   - 

“Hi Captain!” Sofia perks up, her voice annoyingly sweet, head tilting just enough to make it look effortless as she flips her short brunette hair over her shoulder. Her smile is soft, yet calculated in a way that doesn’t miss a single detail. “I don’t think we got a proper moment to talk earlier.”

Rafe barely gives her more than a glance, his attention already shifting back towards the plane screens. “Uh…hey,” he says, distracted. He tries to remain polite but is empty of any real interest. His body is already angled away from her, like this conversation is something he intends to keep short.

Sofia notices that instantly, and instead of letting it go, she leans into it literally. She moves forward, just enough into his space that he has to acknowledge her, her smile never faltering as she watches his reaction closely. “Were you waiting for someone?” she asks, curious in a way that feels anything but innocent. “You seem, a little distracted.”

Rafe pauses, just briefly, like he’s deciding how much energy this interaction is worth. His eyes flick down the screen again before turning back on her, more focused now but not much warmer towards her. “Just waiting for a small break,” he says, voice even, controlled, like he’s giving her a clear exit point. His sighs to himself, like he’s waiting for this to end.

She doesn’t budge. If anything, she leans in just slightly more, her presence deliberate now. “Yeah, I figured,” she says with a soft smile, her tone dipping into something almost admiring. “You look like you’ve been working hard. Long day already, huh?” Her eyes linger on him a second too long, like she’s testing how far she can push before he pushes back.

There’s a moment of silence before Rafe exhales quietly through his nose, patience thinning in a way he doesn’t fully ever show. “…is there something you wanted?” he asks, finally giving her his full attention, though there’s nothing friendly about it. His tone stays professional, but anyone that could see his face knows he’s already over this.

Sofia smiles wider at that, completely unfazed by the shift in tone. “Just introducing myself properly,” she says with a small shrug, like this is all harmless. “We didn’t really get a chance earlier, everything was so busy.” She lets out a light laugh, brushing it off like she’s not intentionally holding him hostage. And in essence she’s not, he has to wait for Kelce to return back before they can swap out, but it’s just easier to direct his annoyance onto her, I mean, who isn’t? 

“Oh but, you did,” Rafe replies simply, his response immediate, cutting through her attempt to stretch the moment. His expression doesn’t change, but the directness of it is enough to disrupt her train of thought, even if only for a second. He doesn’t explain or doesn’t soften it, he justs lets the words roll of his tongue. 

Sofia recovers quickly, her smile slipping back into place like nothing happened. “Well,” she says, laughing lightly, “I didn’t get to talk to you alone.” She emphasizes. Rafe’s posture shifts uncomfortably at that, sort of closing off just enough to show he’s not entertaining it, and he hopes she realizes he’s not entertaining it. “We don’t need to talk alone,” he says, voice calm but firm, drawing a clear line, so there’s no hesitation in it, nor room for misinterpretation.

That should’ve been enough honestly, and for anyone else, it would’ve been. But Sofia just studies him, like she’s recalculating, and adjusting her approach in real time. “Wow,” she hums softly, tilting her head again. “You’re a lot more serious than I expected. I thought you’d be a little more…Protective” she trails off, smiling at her choice of words. Purposefully using ‘protective’ in the same tone he used it earlier on the interphone with you.

Rafe doesn’t respond. He was already halfway checked out again, ready to ignore her entirely, until a shiver passed through him, catching on to her little game. But then she says something that piques his interest entirely.  “She talks about you a lot, you know.” That’s what makes him stop enough that it’s noticeable. His head turns slightly, his attention sharpening in an instant, like he’s a sleeper agent who just heard the phrase needed to wake him up. 

“Who?” he asks, but you both knew who she was talking about. Sofia’s smile deepens, subtle but unmistakable, like she just found exactly what she needed to hold his attention. “Y/n,” she says easily, watching his reaction closely, not missing the way his posture shifts. Now he turns fully. There’s a difference in his vibe now, like he’s more alert and listening with intention. “What about her?” he asks.

Hook. 

Sofia shrugs, playing it casual like she didn’t just perfectly pull him into the conversation. “Oh, just little things,” she says, almost dismissive. “Comments here and there. You know how people are.” She glances away for a second, like it’s nothing worth focusing on, while clearly making it the center of attention. Rafe doesn’t respond, but he doesn’t look away either. And that’s all the encouragement she really needed.

“She’s just…interesting,” Sofia continues. “People talk about her a lot, especially at the New York base. I feel like I’ve been hearing about her before I even met her.” There’s a faint smile on her lips, like she’s amused by it.

Line. 

“Who does?" Rafe asks, his voice flattening slightly, the edge returning. “Oh you know, just people,” Sofia says with a small shrug. “Flight attendants, a few pilots..it’s not like it’s a secret or anything.” She pauses, watching him carefully before continuing. “They say she has a type.”

Rafe doesn’t react outwardly, but there’s a tension that settles in his jaw, controlled but there. “What are you implying?” he asks, a small train of doubt passing through his mind, uncontrollably. 

“I’m not implying anything,” Sofia replies quickly. “I’m just repeating what I’ve heard. I mean, she really likes pilots, right?” Her eyes flick up to meet his again, gauging his reaction. He tilts his head, like he’s thinking, but doesn’t say anything. Then she leans in just slightly, whispering like she’s sharing something private. “The older ones especially,” she adds softly. “The attractive ones. You know, the ones whose ring fingers are empty.” Her smile lingers, subtle but pointed.

Sinker.

Rafe exhales slowly, his patience thinning further. “That’s not true,” he says, immediate and certain, trying to not even entertain the possibility, but that little sliver of doubt is still there. And he mentally is cursing at himself for even having that little lapse of doubt but, he doesn’t fully know you either. But in the little time he has gotten to know you, he does feel like he can trust you, he can right? He thought to himself.

Sofia’s smile doesn’t drop. If anything, it softens. “It doesn’t bother you?” she asks gently, like she’s genuinely curious, but all she’s trying to do is widen that sliver. “Not even a little bit?” She’s probing now, trying to get under his skin. “No,” he says flatly, without hesitation, and that answer gave away all little possibility of secrecy left. 

She studies him for a moment, like she’s trying to find a crack in that certainty. “I’ve heard she really likes being taken care of,” she says, her words deliberate. “Nice paid for dinners, expensive gifts, attention from the right people. She doesn’t exactly hide it.” Rafe’s eyes darken slightly, the first real visible change in his expression. “That’s enough,” he says, 

Sofia pauses, just for a second, but then she smiles again like she’s completely unbothered. “I just thought you should know,” she says lightly, like she’s doing him a favor. “Before you get too invested in something that might not be what it looks like.”

“Sofia, I said that’s enough,” Rafe repeats, this time leaving no room for interpretation. His tone is rougher now, in a way that makes the boundary unmistakable. She holds his gaze for a moment longer, searching for anything she can use. When she doesn’t find it, when he gives her absolutely nothing back, she decides to change her approach, completely knocking the wind out of him. “I like it when you say my name like that.” she says, her once fake innocent sounding voice turning dark and sexual. 

Before he can even react, her hand lifts, brushing against his shoulder like it’s nothing, like it’s casual. Her fingers press slightly, sliding just enough to test the boundary, like she’s waiting to see if he’ll stop her. Rafe stiffens immediately, the reaction instinctive. His brows pull together slightly, confusion flashing first, then irritation, his body going still under her touch. “Don’t,” he says.

But Sofia doesn’t pull back right away. If anything, she leans in just a little more, her other hand coming up, fingertips grazing down the front of his chest like she’s trying to push it further, like she’s daring him to react. “Relax,” she says softly, a small smile playing on her lips. “You don’t have to be so-”

Her words cut off, as  his hands are already on her wrists, with just enough pressure to stop her completely as he pulls her hands away from him, guiding them back toward her own space. “I said don’t,” he repeats, colder, his eyes locked onto hers with a seriousness that wasn’t there before. For a split second, she looks caught off guard, frozen in place like she never expected to get that kind of reaction. Luckily they both hear three hard knocks on the door, indicating Kelce is ready to come back into the flight deck.

Rafe’s head turns instantly toward the flight deck door, and the change in his demeanor is immediate. With relief flashing across his face before he can even hide it. He lets go of her wrists like he’s been waiting for an out, stepping back without hesitation. “We’ll finish this later, Rafe.” Sofia says, reverting back to that fake smile. “Captain is fine, and we won’t” Rafe says as she steps out. 

Kelce steps fully into the flight deck, the door clicking shut behind him as his eyes immediately flick back toward Rafe for a second, like he’s piecing together what he just walked into. Rafe doesn’t wait around long enough for him to ask, running a hand through his hair in a way that’s just a little too sharp to be casual. There’s tension still sitting in his shoulders, not hidden well at all.

“I don’t even know what the hell that was,” Rafe mutters under his breath, like he needs to reset, exhaling through his nose. Kelce lets out a quiet huff of a laugh, settling into his own seat, putting his drink down as he puts his jumpseat seatbelt back on, but keeping his attention on him. “Yeah,” he says slowly, dragging the word out like he’s already got a theory. “I got a pretty good idea, actually.”

Rafe shoots him a look, not amused, but not surprised either. “I’m serious,” he adds, leaning forward slightly, lowering his voice like the walls might hear him. “She was-” he cuts himself off, shaking his head once. “It was so weird.” Kelce raises a brow, crossing his arms over his chest. “Weird?” he repeats, like he doesn’t buy how lightly Rafe’s putting it. “Or crossing every possible line and then some?”

Rafe exhales again, sharper this time. “Yeah. Exactly that,” he mutters. “She was saying shit about y/n too.” His tone changes on your name, something protective slipping in without him trying to hide it. Kelce’s expression changes instantly, posture straightening a little. “What kind of shit?” he asks, more serious now.

Rafe leans back slightly, jaw tightening. “The kind that makes me wanna walk back there and ask her what her problem is,” he says bluntly. “Talking like she knows her. Like she’s got her all figured out.” He shakes his head again, irritation building. “She doesn’t know anything.”

Kelce nods slowly, like that adds up with exactly what he expected. “Yeah, I figured that’s where it was going,” he admits, then changes the conversation, glancing down at the instruments. “Anyway,” he says, more grounded now. 

Rafe notices his change, as he glances at the screens too, adjusting buttons and checking to see if they’ve received any air traffic control messages. “We’re good. Fuel’s where it should be and the route’s still looks clear.” Kelce nods, eyes scanning over everything automatically. “Copy,” he mutters to himself, focusing in, checking what he needs to check. “Signs of turbulence?”

“Maybe some light chops on the descend, but nothing now.” Rafe confirms. “Nothing crazy on radar either, or the maps.”

“Good,” Rafe says, but there’s still that underlying tension sitting in his voice, like his mind isn’t fully here anymore, and he hates that he’s in the state of mind. He never lets anything interfere with work, especially while they’re working mid flight, but he can’t help but think of you. Of how Sofia tried to diminish the woman he’s getting to know, and the curiosity is just eating at him. 

Then Rafe leans back slightly, exhaling once more before unstrapping. Kelce glances over immediately. “You good?” he asks, already knowing the answer. Rafe doesn’t even hesitate. “I’m gonna go to the lav but, i need to see her,” he says simply, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

Kelce’s mouth twitches into a knowing smirk. “Yeah,” he nods. “Figured.” Rafe stands up, looking at the peephole to make sure he’s good to exit, and when he does you’re right there, looking as beautiful as when he first laid eyes on you. He twists the knob opening the door, allowing space for Sofia to enter back in. 

Then it’s just the two of you.

You’re standing behind one of the carts that blocks the forward galley from the rest of the cabin, as they make the switch. You’re less annoyed now that you get to see him. When you finally glance up, he’s standing a little too still, like he walked over with something to say and then forgot how to say it the second he got in front of you.

A smile was on your lips, knowing that you get to have even just a few minutes with Rafe, but your smile quickly dropped when you noticed his standoffish demeanor. He scratches the back of his neck, eyes flicking away for a second before coming back to you, like he’s trying to figure out how to start this. “hey,” he says, a little quieter than usual.

The awkwardness hits immediately, and it’s so bizarre because it’s never like this with him. “um, hi?” you respond, brows pulling together slightly, your tone just as unsure. You move your weight onto the other leg, as you cross your arms over your chest, glancing at him like you’re trying to read what this is.

Rafe looks at you, then away, then back again, like he’s overthinking something he normally wouldn’t. “How’s the cabin?” he asks, and you know that’s not what his vibe is about. “Great, everyone’s okay, service is done.” you explain. 

“So….” he starts, then stops, exhaling lightly. His hand drags over the back of his neck again. “You uh-” he cuts himself off again, thinking on how he could phrase this. You blink at him. “you dated a lot before me?” he finally asks.

You just stare at him. What the fuck? “I’m sorry, what?” you ask confused. One at the fact that he's taken it upon himself to ask that, and two that he thinks you’re dating. Which in itself makes your heart flutter, but in this moment it’s tainted by the absurdity of the current situation. So you’ll put a pin in that for now. He shrugs slightly, like the question makes sense in his head even if it clearly doesn’t add up out loud. “I mean, not like a lot, but like um, you know. Just guys.” Your brows knit together even more, confusion written all over your face now. “Rafe,” you say slowly, “what are you talking about?”

He shifts again, jaw tightening like he already knows this sounds off. “I’m just asking,” he mutters. “Like, your exes. What were they like?” You let out a small, disbelieving breath, glancing down for a second before looking back up at him. “Okay, no, sorry, no.” You shake your head slightly. “Why are you asking me that right now?”

He doesn’t answer immediately, His eyes flick toward the flight deck door for half a second, then back to you. “Just answer” he says, a little more guarded now.

Did Kelce say something? You ask yourself. 

“No,” you say. “Not until you tell me why you’re asking weird questions about my exes in the middle of a flight.” Rafe exhales through his nose, like he’s trying to decide how much to say. His jaw tightens again, something clearly bothering him more than he’s letting on. “It’s not weird,” he mutters.

“It is weird,” you shoot back immediately. “You haven’t asked me about my exes once, and now all of a sudden you care?” You tilt your head slightly, studying him. “What is this?” He looks at you, really looks this time, like he’s trying to figure out how to say it without saying too much. “You ever..uh..” he starts, then stops again, frustrated. “You ever just…mess around with someone because it was easy?” Your eyes narrow slightly. 

Are you fucking kidding me right now?

“Rafe, what the hell?” you question.  “I’m serious,” he presses, stepping a little closer now, his voice lower. “Like, no feelings, no nothing. Just…because you could or, or..wanted to?” Your confusion fades, replaced with something on the angrier side. Not necessarily full anger yet, but most definitely getting there.

“Why in the absolute hell are you asking me that right now?” you repeat. He hesitates, before saying anything, but that’s all you need to jump to the worst conclusions. Your stomach drops, while the realization continues to creep in. “Did someone say something to you?” you ask, your voice quieter now. Rafe doesn’t answer right away. Your arms uncross slowly, your posture straightening as your eyes lock onto his. “Rafe,” you press firmly. “Did someone say something to you about me?” He exhales, looking away for a second before finally meeting your gaze again. 

“Yes.”

Your stomach drops so fast it almost feels physical, like the air’s been knocked out of you without warning. “Excuse me?” you ask, quieter now, the disbelief taking over, your eyes locking onto him like you’re trying to read everything he’s not saying. “What do you mean, yes? Who told you that?”

Rafe drags a hand down his face, already knowing this isn’t going the way he intended to, as he exhales. “It’s not what you think,” he says, but even he can hear how weak that sounds standing in front of you like this. He shifts his weight uncomfortably, like he’s trying to find a better way to say it. “It just, I don't know, came up.” he shrugs. 

“Oh, I think it is,” you cut in immediately, your gaze not leaving his face for even a second. You glance briefly toward the aisle, making sure no one’s paying attention, before snapping your attention right back to him. “Because you don’t just randomly ask me if I sleep around for fun in the middle of a flight unless someone puts that idea in your head.” Your arms tighten across your chest slightly. “So who?”

He exhales sharply, like he knows there’s no way around it now, no way to soften what’s already been said. His eyes flick away for half a second before coming back to yours. “Sofia,” he finally admits.

Your expression doesn’t explode the way he expects, doesn’t get loud or dramatic. Instead, it goes still, almost too still, like everything just locked into place in your head. “Oh,” you say, flat, your posture straightening as something colder settles in your chest. Your eyes sharpen slightly. “That makes sense.”

Rafe watches you carefully now, his body going a little more rigid, like he can feel the shift in you instantly. “Y/n-” he starts, but you don’t let him finish. There’s something about your tone now that makes him pause. “What exactly did she say?” you ask, your voice controlled to the point it almost sounds calm, too calm, and that makes him uneasy. 

He hesitates, and that alone is enough to make something twist uncomfortably in your chest. You let out a quiet, humorless breath, shaking your head slightly. “That bad?” you mutter, your lips pressing together. “Great. Love that for me.”

“She said you do ‘this’ a lot,” he starts carefully, watching your reaction like he’s bracing for it. His voice lowers slightly, like he hates even repeating it. “Get close to pilots, flirt, let them think it’s something real.” His jaw tightens. “Like it’s a pattern.” You blink at him slowly, once, twice, like you’re processing whether he actually just said that out loud. Then you let out a small, disbelieving laugh, shaking your head. “Wow,” you breathe, your tone flat. “Anything else, or was that her main headline?”

Rafe’s expression hardens slightly, like he knows he’s not done yet. “She said you like being taken care of,” he continues, quieter now. “That you go for guys who can give you things. Dinners, gifts…all that.” He watches you closely. 

That one hurts even more, and he sees it immediately, even though you try to hide it. You let out a soft laugh, but there’s no humor in it at all, your eyes dropping for a second before coming back up. “Right,” you say, nodding slightly. “Because god forbid someone has friends they go out to dinner with.”

“That’s not what I-” he starts, but you don’t let him finish.

“And what?” you cut in, stepping a little closer, controlled anger slipping through. “You thought that made sense? You thought that sounded like me?” Your brows pull together slightly, your expression tightening. “Be honest.”

“I didn’t say that,” he shoots back quickly, his own frustration starting to show.

“You didn’t have to,” you responded instantly. “You’re standing here asking me if I just ‘mess around because it’s easy.’ That doesn’t come out of nowhere, Rafe.” Your arms drop from your chest, but your posture stays stiff. “You got that from somewhere.” He runs a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated now, like he’s trying to backtrack something that already went too far. “I was trying to figure out what was true and what wasn’t,” he admits.

Your eyes widen slightly at that, like that answer hits harder than anything else he’s said. “Figure out?” you repeat, your tone almost incredulous. “So you needed to investigate me?” You let out a short, disbelieving laugh. “That’s insane.”

“That’s not what I meant,” he says quickly, stepping closer like he’s trying to fix it before it gets worse. “Then what did you mean?” you press, your voice tightening despite how hard you’re trying to keep it low and professional, and fuck is it hard considering how disrespected you feel right now. “Because from where I’m standing, it sounds like you heard some girl you met today talk shit about me, and instead of shutting it down completely, you came to question me about it.” Your eyes don’t leave his. “That’s exactly what it sounds like.”

“I did shut it down,” he says more firmly now. “Everything she said, I told her she was wrong.”

“Except you still brought it to me,” you reply immediately, not missing a beat. “Which means somewhere in your head, even for a second, you thought maybe she wasn’t.” Your voice softens slightly, but it’s not gentler, just more pointed. “Otherwise this conversation wouldn’t be happening.”

You’re right, and he knows it, the silence that follows saying more than anything else could. Your chest rises and falls slowly as you try to keep yourself steady. “That’s crazy,” you mutter, shaking your head again.

“It wasn’t like that sweetheart,” he says, stepping closer, lowering his voice. You shutter at him thinking it was even remotely okay to call you a pet name right now. “She said some things that lined up with stuff you told me, and I-”

“And you what?” you cut him off immediately, your voice still low but sharper now. “Decided I must be some easy girl because of it?” Your brows pull together. “Is that what you think of me?”

“I didn’t say that y/n!” he repeats, snapping at you, his frustration bleeding through.

“Well you’re not saying much of anything right now Rafe.” you fire back, “You just asked me if I sleep with people because it’s easy like it’s a normal question!” You glance down the aisle quickly, lowering your volume again. “You don’t think that’s an inappropriate question considering where we are?”

Rafe’s jaw tightens, his eyes flicking away for a second before coming back to you. “I didn’t think it through,” he admits. “Clearly, you didn’!” you reply quickly, nodding once like that confirms everything. 

An uncomfortable silence settles between you in the small space of the galley. You shake your head slightly, exhaling hard. “You could’ve waited,” you say, quieter now. “We could’ve talked about this later, like normal people, not in the middle of us working.” He doesn’t interrupt this time, just listens.

“Instead, you come at me like that,” you continue, your voice tightening slightly. “Like I’m…” You stop yourself, your jaw clenching. “Like you’re what?” he asks, softer now. You look at him, really look at him, and there’s hurt sitting right under your anger now. “Like I’m easy,” you say quietly. His face drops immediately, reaching out to you, not even caring if the passengers can see you at this point. “You’re not y/n.”

“Then why ask me that?” you shoot back. “Why even let that question form in your head if you don’t believe that about me?” Your eyes don’t waver. “Answer that.” He doesn’t, not right away, and that hesitation hurts a little more. You let out a slow breath, stepping back slightly, creating just a little space between you. “You know what’s crazy?” you say, your tone  colder. “That’s exactly what I scares me.” His brows pull together. “What?”

“People thinking that about me,” you say. “People assuming I’m with someone because of what they can give me, because it’s convenient, or easy, or because it looks good. And now I’m standing here having to defend myself to you?”

Rafe goes still. “That’s insane,” you finish quietly. “I’m not making you defend yourself,” he says quickly. “You already are,” you reply immediately, your gaze locking onto his again. The tension is thick between you two as Rafe finds the right words to say to you. “I told you I didn’t believe her,” he says again, quieter now, like he’s trying to fix it.

“But you doubted me,” you respond just as quietly. And he knows it. “I don’t care about Sofia, or what she even said” you add, your voice steady now. “She can say whatever she wants. I don’t know her, she doesn’t even know a fraction of me.”

You hold his gaze. “But you?” you continue. “You’re different. You don’t get to question my character like that. Not after everything you’ve seen from me.” Rafe swallows, his voice lower when he speaks again. “I know.”

“Do you?” you ask. Because right now, it doesn’t feel like he does.

The silence stretches just a second too long, before Rafe glances instinctively toward the flight deck door. You catch it immediately, the change in his focus, the reminder of where you both are and what’s still expected of both of you. He exhales under his breath, running a hand through his hair again, frustration clear in the movement.

“I have to go back in,” he says, quieter now, but he hates that this is where the conversation is being left. His eyes come back to yours quickly, more focused, more intent. “I’ve been out here too long.”

You nod once, understanding, your arms crossing over your chest again like a reflex. “Okay,” you say, feeling so distant from him even after everything. He doesn’t move to enter right away, Instead he grabs your wrist pulling you towards him, and you want to yank your arm away, want to make him feel as hurt as you do right now, but more than anything you just want a hug. Just to let the tears fall, but you can’t. 

He pulls you into his arms, wrapping his arms around your body, engulfing you in his touch, and in this moment that’s all you wanted. “Hey,” he says, softly against your head, trying to catch your full attention again. “Don’t, don’t shut me out over this.” Your brows pull together slightly, “Rafe..”

“I’m serious,” he cuts in quickly. “I handled it wrong, I know I did. I shouldn’t have asked you like that, not here, not like that.”

You don’t respond right away, your jaw still tight, your eyes watching him carefully.

“But I need you to let me explain,” he continues, his voice dropping, more sincere now than it’s been since this started. “Not five minutes in a galley, not in the middle of a flight. Like actually explain.” His gaze doesn’t leave yours. “Because that’s not how I see you. At all. You have no idea how i try see you, and i want to show you how i do.”

You lean back, his arms releasing his hold around you slightly, looking up at those beautiful sky colored eyes. Yours on the contrary, are so glossy, like you’re holding back tears, and that hurts him. “I meant what I said,” he adds, quieter. “I shut her down. Every word. I didn’t believe her.” He pauses, swallowing. “I just handled the rest, like an idiot.”

“You think?” you mutter, not looking away from him. A small, almost humorless huff leaves him at that, like he knows he deserves it. “Yeah,” he admits. “I do.”

The tension is dropping, as you both are intertwined in each other. The warmth of his touch, calming you in a way. But fuck you’re so mad, at him, at sofia, at why this is even being brought up. But mostly at yourself for even allowing him to even think he’s off the hook. “You’re not at the same hotel as us, right?” he asks carefully, watching your face for any reaction. You shake your head slightly. “No.”

He nods once, like he expected that, like he already had something in mind. “Come to mine,” he says, and there’s no hesitation in it, just quiet certainty. “Please.” You’re a little thrown by how direct that is. “I don’t..”

“I’m not asking for anything like that,” he adds quickly, his voice still low but more earnest now. “I just want to talk. Actually talk. No interruptions, no… this.” He gestures lightly between you, referencing the tension, the setting, everything about this moment. “Just us.” You hesitate, and he sees it immediately.

“Give me a chance to fix it,” he says, softer now, almost pleading in a way you haven’t heard from him before. His eyes stay locked on yours, no games, no ego. “Please.” he begs. 

Your chest tightens slightly at that, your mind still spinning between anger, hurt, and the fact that you know he’s trying. “I’m sorry,” he adds. “I’m so fucking sorry, for how I said it. For even letting it get there like that.” His jaw tightens slightly. “You didn’t deserve that.”

You swallow, those glossy eyes, still looking up at him. “I just… don’t want this to turn into something bigger because I handled one thing wrong,” he continues, his voice steady but low. “Not when I know what this could be.”

That hits you hard. Because you feel that too, like this can go somewhere, lead to something real. You don’t answer right away, and the silence stretches just enough to make him shift slightly, like he’s waiting for anything from you.

There’s a soft knock on the flight deck door from inside, a subtle reminder that time’s up, and he’s taken way too long. Rafe glances at it, then back at you, reluctant. “I have to go,” he says again. You nod once, still processing. “I know.” He lingers for just a second longer, like he wants to say more but knows he can’t.

“Just…think about it, okay?” You don’t fully commit, but you don’t shut it down either. “…okay,” you say, just as quietly. It’s not a yes, but it’s not a now either, and based off of everything that just transcribed, that’s a small win for Rafe. 

He nods once, like he understands exactly what that means, before finally turning and heading back toward the flight deck, leaving you standing there, your thoughts louder than anything else around you.

-

You don’t trust your face enough yet, to turn around and look composed. Not after that conversation with Rafe, not after the way your anger feels like it’s boiling up again. You focus on sliding the cart back into place, like if you just keep moving, you won’t have to think. Then you, unfortunately, hear her agitating voice.

“So,” Sofia says, light and airy like she’s commenting on the weather, “you’re fucking the captain?”

Your hands stop. Like you’re frozen in time. You turn your head, real slow, like you didn’t quite hear her right. Like you’re giving her the chance to correct herself before you absolutely lose it. “I’m sorry,” you say, with a humorless laugh, “what the actual fuck, did you just say?” Sofia doesn’t even flinch at your rough tone. 

If anything, she looks amused, and that just makes the anger continue to build. Her lips curl into that same fake ass sweet smile, head tilting slightly like she’s confused why you’d even react like that. “I just asked a question,” she shrugs lightly, stepping further into the galley like she belongs there. “No need to get defensive.”

You let out another short, bitter laugh, your eyes showing everything but kindness. “Defensive?” you repeat, almost under your breath, shaking your head, like you’re trying to process the audacity. “No, no, let’s not do that. You don’t get to say something like that and then act like I’m the one overreacting.”

She leans her hip against the counter, arms crossing loosely, completely at ease. “I mean…” she drags out, eyes flicking over you slowly, “you do have a bit of a reputation.” Not because you believe her. But because you know exactly where she got it from. “A reputation,” you repeat, tone flat now, cautiously dangerous in how calm it sounds. “That’s very interesting. And who exactly is spreading that?”

Sofia smiles like she’s been waiting for that question. “Oh, you know,” she says casually, waving her hand like it’s nothing. “New York base talks. Pilots talk. Flight attendants talk. You’ve made a name for yourself.” You open carts rearranging and cleaning the galley, like Kiara didn’t leave it spotless, but you need to find something for your hands to do, something to keep them from lunging at Sofia and leaving a very pretty red mark on that sweetly smiled face of hers. 

“Oh really?” you mock in that same tone of voice she uses. “And what is it exactly that they’re saying, Sofia? Go ahead. Since you’re already halfway there.” She pushes off the counter slowly, stepping closer, her voice dropping just enough to feel intentional.

“That you like attention,” she says. “That you flirt your way into things. That you don’t really care who it is, as long as they’ve got the right title.” Your grip tightens around the cart handle. “Pilot chaser,” she adds softly, like she’s testing how far she can go. “That’s the word I’ve heard.”

You let out a breath through your nose, trying to control yourself, your head dipping for a second before you look back up at her. And when you do? There’s absolutely no nice left in you. But what’s that saying, Kill them with kindness? 

You tilt your head slightly, lips pressing together like you’re holding back a laugh. “Oh,” you say slowly, almost thoughtfully, like you’re just now putting it together. “So this isn’t about me.” Sofia’s brows knit just barely, the first crack in her composure. You smile then, but it’s not kind at all. “This is about you.”

She straightens slightly at that, already defensive. “Excuse me?” she snaps, but there’s a flicker of uncertainty behind it. You let out a soft, amused breath, shaking your head like she just proved your point for you. “No, it totally makes sense now,” you continue calmly. “You’re just jealous.”

That hit her harder than anything else you could’ve said. Her posture stiffens instantly, eyes narrowing as she processes it. “Jealous?” she repeats, like the word offends her. “Yeah,” you nod, completely unfazed, your smile growing little by little. “Jealous that you can’t pull any pilots. Or anyone in aviation, really.”

You shrug lightly. “Guys, or girls! Whatever your preference is, no judgment,” you add, mocking her sweetness perfectly. Sofia’s face flickers, her composure slipping for just a second before she tries to pull it back together. But you don’t give her the space to recover.

“Because I saw you earlier,” you continue, voice just as even. “Trying to flirt with Rafe?” You let out a quiet laugh, eyes dragging over her the same way she did to you. “Yeah yikes, honey, trust me. Not a good look for you.”

That one hits even deeper, and you can see it. The way her jaw tightens, the way her arms shift like she suddenly doesn’t know what to do with herself. “It was giving…” you pause, like you’re searching for the right word, then your smile grows even wider, bordering menacing now. “Very much desperate.”

Silence settles between you, Sofia's lips part like she’s about to say something, something defensive. But you’re not quite done yet, not even close. You hold her gaze, watching as her cocky confident demeanor is slowly crumbling with each sentence that leaves your mouth. 

“And I think ‘pilot chaser’ is actually the wrong title for me,” you continue lightly. “‘Pilot catcher’ sounds more accurate. Since I get all these hot pilots sooo easily, don’t you think?” You shrug again, effortlessly, like it’s not even a big deal. “But you?” your smile widens just slightly, “you can absolutely have ‘pilot chaser.’ I think it suits you way better, babe.”

And Boy does that do it. Her face is completely dropped, that once sweet smile, replaced with a gaze only filled with daggers, if looks could kill…..you’d be the first murder case that took place on a plane. She’s so bitter, with only venom laced on her tongue, but she doesn’t even get the chance to defend herself or butt in, so clearly ready to fire something back, but you don’t give her the chance. 

You clap your hands together softly once, like you’re wrapping up a conversation that was never that serious to begin with. “Anyway,” you say, already turning away, your tone snapping back to bright and professional in an instant. “I should go check on my first class passengers.”

You take a step out of the galley, then glance back over your shoulder like you just remembered something. “Oh!” you add sweetly. “Can you grab those call lights on your way back?” A small, polite smile settles on your lips. “Thanks, girly.”

And just like that, you walk away. Your posture is perfect, like nothing even happened. Behind you, Sofia stands there for a second, stunned, before exhaling sharply and nearly stomping towards the back, with a little too much force. 

By the time Kiara comes back up front, she’s already noticing the tension in the air. Her eyes flick between you and a very bitter Sofia, clearly knowing something went down. She leans in slightly, lowering her voice. “uhh , what the hell did I just miss?”

“Oh girl, where do I even begin?”

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