Don’t Flatter Yourself: Rafayel
The finaalll one!!!! @scentedrebelcat I kind of strayed away from your prompt a little bit idk it just made more sense for this. ALSO i need everyones help. I read a fic a while ago about Caleb you and mc being best friends and you love Caleb but he's honestly just using you then when mc begs you to be part of her movie project thing you meet Sylus. Then during a thunderstorm, you get lost on the beach or something and you try to call Caleb but he's busy comforting Mc but then sylus finds you and yeah... i need to find it again... i've spent so much time trying to find it but i've been weaving through so many things THAT AREN'T NON MC SHIT IM TIRED OF IT.... anyways, can someone help. please.
->Starring: Soulmate!RafayelxMc, Soulamtes!RafayelxSoulmates!non!mc!Fem!Reader, non!Mc!Fem!ReaderxCaleb, XavierxMc
->Genre: Angst, with a little comfort???
->Words: 2.17k
->Cw: Explicit language, rejection, almost cheating, Raf is reeeallllyy shitty, Xavier mentioned, mentions of drinking (just wine), Mc is besit girl fr
Xavier | Zayne | Rafayel | Sylus | Caleb
You loved being a hunter. Ever since you were young, you dreamed of defending your city from the Wanderers that lurked beyond the walls. The Hunters’ Association had become more than just a workplace; it was like a second home, filled with people who understood the same hunger for danger and the same desire to protect.
At the center of that new life was Mc. She had been the very first person to welcome you, her grin wide and warm as she all but dragged you to her side. From that day on, she insisted on being your partner.
The mission that morning had been smooth, pretty easy. Nothing but a low-grade wanderer on the southern perimeter. Now, the sun was shining brightly overhead with a comforting breeze flowing through the trees. The two of you walked side by side down the sidewalk, silence resting comfortably between you.
The buzz of Mc’s phone cut through the stillness. She glanced down, smiled faintly, then lifted it to her ear. A few short words later, she tucked it back into her pocket.
“Hey,” she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, “do you mind if we make a quick stop? My boyfriend needs something from his studio.”
You shook your head with a smile. “Yeah, that’s no problem. I’ve got nothing to do for the rest of the day.”
Her face lit up in relief, and the conversation between you sparked to life. She told you about a movie she wanted to drag you to this weekend, and you teased her about her awful coffee addiction. She nudged your shoulder playfully as you walked the rest of the way.
But the second you stepped over the threshold of the studio, a searing pain flared along your wrist, sharp enough to make you hiss.
You clutched at it instinctively, hoping that you could rub the pain away.
“Hey, are you okay?” Mc asked quickly, turning to you with concern lacing her voice.
But before you could even open your mouth to answer, Rafayel emerged from the far side of the room, brushing his hands on a paint-smeared rag, and the moment your eyes met, the world seemed to shatter into silence.
Your lungs forgot how to work. His gaze sharpened, widened, then dropped to the inside of his wrist. You followed the movement in disbelief, only to see a pearly mark blooming across his skin, identical to the one searing into yours. Your soulmark.
Mc’s gasp filled the room. Her head whipped from him to you and back again, her expression folding into shock, confusion, disbelief.
Rafayel scoffed. He tilted his head with an almost bored sort of disdain, like this was little more than an inconvenience. “Oh, don’t think this will make me want you,” he said, voice smooth and sharp as glass. “Please. You can clearly see I’m taken.”
He gestured casually toward Mc, who stood frozen, her mouth parted as if the words were lodged somewhere in her throat.
“I don’t think you could ever compare to my cutie.” His lips curled into something like a smirk, “So please, don’t flatter yourself.”
The words hit harder than any Wanderer ever had.
Your chest tightened painfully, the floor tilting beneath your feet. Tears blurred your vision before you could stop them, hot and humiliating. Every instinct told you to stay strong, to not let him see how much it hurt, but your throat burned too much to speak.
“Sorry,” you choked out, the word small and strangled. You turned on your heel and ran before anyone could stop you,
The sound of your boots against the pavement echoed, but not as loudly as the rejection replaying in your head.
Behind you, Mc’s voice cut sharply through the air, her anger trembling. “Rafayel! What the hell was that? You didn’t have to be so cruel!”
“I love you,” he replied simply, with a careless shrug, as though the soulmate bond was nothing more than a trick of light. “Nothing, not even a soulmate, will change that.”
Mc’s expression hardened, a mix of disbelief and fury. “That doesn’t give you the right to treat people like dirt,” she snapped, shaking her head before rushing out the door.
But when she stepped into the street, you were already gone.
The week after was torture in its own quiet way. You buried yourself in paperwork, volunteered for missions with anyone except her, and ducked into side hallways whenever you caught sight of her. You couldn’t stand the thought of seeing pity in her eyes, or worse, disappointment.
Every time your phone buzzed, you prayed it wasn’t her, and every time it wasn’t, the relief was tangled with guilt. But Mc wasn’t stupid. She noticed.
So when you rounded a corner in the Hunters’ Association, your arms full of files, and found her leaning against the wall like she’d been waiting for you, your heart sank. There was nowhere to run this time.
“Why are you avoiding me?” she asked. Her voice was firm with just enough softness to make it clear she wasn’t here to fight.
Your grip tightened on the files. You couldn’t bring yourself to meet her eyes, staring instead at the floor. “I figured…” You swallowed nervously. “I figured you didn’t want to talk to me. After… that whole thing.”
Silence stretched for a beat. Then her footsteps approached, slow and deliberate.
When you finally glanced up, her expression wasn’t angry or pitying. Her eyes held warmth and softness.
“That wasn’t your fault,” she said gently. “It’s not like you went looking for him; it just happened, and it doesn’t change anything between us.”
The weight you’d been carrying all week slipped, your shoulders sagging as relief washed over you. Still, the words tumbled out in a whisper, “I don’t want anything to do with him.”
“I know.” Her lips curved into a small, reassuring smile.
Everything seemed to go back to normal after that. Until a knock at your door startled you from the quiet of your evening.
You froze, frowning. No one ever came by unannounced. Cautiously, you made your way across the room and opened it.
Rafayel stood on your doorstep.
His dark eyes were restless, ringed with exhaustion. He looked nothing like the composed, cold man who’d dismissed you that day. Instead, he looked like someone unraveling.
“I can’t stop thinking about you,” he said, voice low, hoarse. He stepped closer, too close, and your pulse spiked.
“You’ve been on my mind every day since we locked eyes, and I can’t take it. I need to get you out of my system.”
Before you could move, he leaned in. It was as if he were moving in slow motion. His lips hovered inches from yours, and the soulmate bond roared to life, pulling at your senses, clawing at your willpower. Your wrist burned, your breath stuttered, and for one terrifying moment, you almost let it happen.
Clarity soon snapped back to reality, and you shoved him hard in the chest. “You’re a sleezy ass-face, Rafayel,” you spat, your voice shaking but firm.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?”
He stands there speechless
“Get the hell out of my house.”
The look on his face twisted, half-surprise, half-scorn, but you didn’t give him the chance to answer. The door slammed shut with a final, echoing thud.
Your heart thundered, hands trembling as you locked the door.
For a second, you just stood there, listening to your ragged breathing. Then, as you reached for your phone with shaking fingers, tears pooled in your eyes.
“Mc?” Your voice cracked as soon as she answered. “I- I’m so sorry. He came here. Rafayel was just here.”
You explained everything: his words, his attempt, your refusal.
Silence hung for a beat on the other end, and your anxiety spiked. Her voice came out low and angry. “I’m sorry,” she said, fury barely restrained. “Thank you for telling me. You’re a good friend,” her voice gentler.
She quickly hung up, and you were left sitting in the silence. Disgust and shame bubbled within you, and you didn’t know whether to cry or laugh.
The next day Mc wasn’t at work, and you sent her a text asking where she was. She replied that she was taking a personal day and that she’ll see you later. You frowned and asked if there was anything you could do but she told you no, that she appreciated you so much.
That night, she was at your door. Her eyes were red, her smile fragile but determined as she clutched a bottle of wine, a bag of snacks, and two pints of ice cream.
You quickly step aside, motioning for her to come in, while she gives you a sheepish smile
“I broke up with Raf,” she said simply, dropping onto your couch.
“Oh! I’m so sorry.” You say while going to the kitchen to grab two wine glasses.
She shrugged, “It’s whatever. Couldn’t stay with him, especially not after you… and me. But it’s okay because we’re going to have a girls’ night.”
You set the glasses out, but before you could respond, her lips curved into a mischievous grin. “Also… you remember Caleb?”
Her grin widened. “Yes. Caleb. The one I told you all about. The one I grew up with.”
You look at her quizzically “I guess. What about him?”
“Oh, nothing. I swear you two would be perfect for each other.” She paused for a second
“Please let me set you up.”
You stare at her, surprised, and then laugh nervously, shaking your head. “Mc-”
“Please,” she begged, clasping her hands dramatically. “Just one date. You’ll love him, I promise.”
You resisted for an hour. She countered every excuse, every doubt. Finally, with an exasperated sigh, you caved.
“Okay, fine, if it gets you stop,” you huff out dramatically.
She squealed triumphantly, grabbing her phone. The phone, on speaker phone, rings a couple of times before a voice answers
“Hey, pipsqueak. Whatcha doing?” His tone is casual but cheerful.
She completely disregards his words, “Caleb! You’re going on a blind date. No excuses.” She demands.
You could hear his laugh through the speaker, warm and amused. “Alright. Sounds fun.”
“Good. K byeee” She laughed as she hung up.
The rest of the night was filled with cheesy rom coms, a few tears shed, and lots of glasses of wine.
The day of the date came, and your nerves had you pacing your room, changing outfits three times, and smoothing down your skirt until you thought you’d wear out the fabric.
The café buzzed with the hum of chatter and the clink of coffee cups when you finally walked in. You look around, scanning the room, trying to find the man who fits the description Mc texted you.
You found him right away. Brown hair, sunset eyes, and a boyish smile.
With a deep breath, you made your way over to him. Your footsteps felt too loud as you approached, but when his gaze lifted and he smiled at you, something inside you eased.
He greeted you with a wide smile, shooting up out of his seat to pull yours out for you. You breathe out a small thank you.
Conversation flowed effortlessly. He told you about growing up with Mc, how she was basically his little sister, how he’d always kept an eye on her. You told him about Raf, about the cruel rejection, the desperate visit to your door.
Caleb’s jaw tightened, his expression darkening. “You know. I never liked him,” he admitted. “I’m glad Mc’s done with him.”
You nod in agreement, “She’s better off without him.”
He blinked when he finally glanced at the clock. Two hours had passed like minutes. He sighed softly. “I have to go. But I’d love to see you again.”
Your chest fluttered as you nodded. Numbers were exchanged, phones buzzed with confirmation.
When you arrived back home, you stood in your living room for a moment before letting the breath you didn’t know you were holding.
On Monday morning, Mc was practically vibrating with energy the second you walked into the Association lobby. She bounced on her toes, eyes gleaming.
“Tell me everything!” she squealed, catching your arm.
You laughed, trying and failing to hide your grin. “It was… good. Really good. We talked for hours.” You lowered your voice, “We’ve been texting nonstop since.”
She clapped her hands together, her excitement contagious. “I knew it! I knew you two would click! Okay, okay, listen, double date. Me and Xavier, you and Caleb. It’ll be perfect.”
You looked at her like she had grown a second head. “Since when were you and Xavier seeing each other?” You questioned. Of course, you knew your fellow hunter had a crush on your best friend, but you didn’t think he would actually make a move.
“Since like… 4 days ago,” She shrugged like it was nothing.
You slowly nod and hesitate for half a heartbeat, but her hopeful grin melted away any doubts. “Alright,” you said.
She squealed again, already pulling out her phone.
The night of the dinner, the restaurant was cozy and softly lit, filled with the scent of sizzling food and the quiet murmur of conversation. You smoothed your hands over your lap as Caleb held your chair out for you.
Mc and Xavier sat across from you, bickering playfully over the menu, their laughter filling the space. Caleb leaned close, murmuring a small joke that made you stifle a laugh into your wine glass. The night was light, warm, and easy.
Your stomach dropped as you saw him, Rafayel. His sharp features, his restless energy, the way his eyes immediately found you like magnets snapping together. His face darkened the instant he saw Caleb’s hand resting casually near yours on the table.
He stormed over, stopping at your table with his arms crossed. Conversations around you stuttered to silence.
Xavier leaned back in his chair, his posture loose but his gaze sharp. “Can we help you?”
That single question lit the fuse.
Rafayel snapped. His voice rose, words spilling fast and jagged, a tirade laced with venom. He ranted about bonds, about betrayal, about how ridiculous this was, how ridiculous she was, sitting here pretending with someone else like they hadn’t been together for 2 years. His words tangled into nonsense, desperation bleeding through his anger.
Every pair of eyes in the restaurant turned toward your table. Heat crept up your neck, shame pressing against your ribs even though you’d done nothing wrong. Caleb’s jaw tightened, but he stayed silent, his hand brushing yours under the table in a quiet reassurance.
Finally, Rafayel’s rage zeroed in on you. His eyes burned, his voice dropping low. “You think you can run from this? You think a mark can be ignored? You’re mine whether you want it or not—”
The words sent a shiver down your spine, your pulse spiking.
But Caleb’s chair scraped back slowly, the sound slicing through the tension. He rose to his full height, his presence steady, commanding. The restaurant seemed to hush around him.
“Leave, now.” he said calmly. His eye twitched slightly when Rafayel stayed in his spot, almost challenging, “You can either leave willingly, or forcefully.”
The challenge hung in the air.
Rafayel faltered. His mouth opened, then shut again, his rage stuttering against the wall of Caleb’s composure. For a long moment, silence stretched. Then, with a scoff, he looked away.
“Whatever.” His shoulders jerked as he spun on his heel, storming out the door, leaving a trail of tension in his wake.
For a beat, the table was silent, the echoes of his outburst lingering. Then Mc exhaled sharply, muttering, “What an ass.” Xavier reached over to squeeze her hand, his thumb brushing comfort into her skin.
Caleb sat back down, his hand finding yours again.
The laughter returned slowly, and the rest of the dinner smoothed into comfort again.
After the dinner, you and Caleb built something real, not based on marks or fate. Mc and Xavier did too, their bond deepening now that the shadow of Rafayel was gone.
For the first time in a long time, you were happy.
