all credits to @/erwinsvow on tumblr!!
"i told ya to stay at home," rafe says, fingers gripping the steering wheel of his truck tightly, knuckles turning white before your eyes. you don't look up at him—your moody gaze focusing out of the window instead, staring at the trees and the pavement instead of your boyfriend.
maybe you shouldn't have complained so much. you know he's right, because after all, you had begged to tag along with him for the day. normally rafe can hold his own—can refuse and let you down easy with a promise to come back later and spend the rest of the day doing whatever you want, which is more often than not just crashing at tannyhill and watching a movie. you inevitably fall asleep and stay the night, just like what had happened last night.
and then this morning, clad just in rafe's button-up and some socks, you pad up to him and look at him sweetly.
"no, no, you're jus' gonna start complainin' the second you get bored-"
"i won't! no complaints here, none," you had insisted, giving him your best pout and puppy eyes.
"i have real shit to get done today, kid, important business-"
"i won't say anything! you won't even know i'm there, rafe-"
rafe had given in eventually—squeezing your cheeks together with his hand before you got in the passenger seat of his car, after opening the door for you.
"when you start complainin', i'm gonna make you regret it. hm?" you had squeaked out an agreeing noise, quickly following up with a promise to stay quiet before climbing into your seat.
that had been hours ago. in that time, rafe had stopped at several houses, gone inside and spent time talking to other people—some you recognized, others not so much—and ended up here, with you waiting, your feet on his dash while he was inside with barry. the minutes were dragging into hours at this point, your entire body feeling tired and achy from the position. the air in the car felt a little suffocating and paired with the heat of the sun pouring through the windows, nothing you could do would make you feel comfortable.
rafe's one rule had been not to get out of the car while he was inside. in your attempt to follow his instructions, you felt yourself getting more and more frustrated, a certain crankiness bubbling up inside you, making one of its rare appearances.
you tried to scroll through your phone and play music—which failed immediately since there was no service out here. you tried to eat the candy you kept in his glovebox, but it was melted beyond the point of remaining edible. you tried, you really did, but just like rafe had predicted, you started complaining the second he got back in the truck.
"you think, what? that i say that shit for me? no, kid, i'm saying it for you, 'cause i know you get fed up in the car when i'm fuckin' busy tryna make some money, being fuckin' proactive for us-"
"but i-"
"no excuses. i told you to stay home. you gonna get an attitude with me? huh?"
"you're not even-"
"shoulda tied your ass to the bed. that's what i'll do next time."
it doesn't take much longer for the tears to come to the surface, your face falling into that sad look that makes him mad at himself for even ever yelling at you. you cry silently like that until he parks at tannyhill, and when he looks at you, regret washes over him. your pretty makeup all messed up, body heaving with sobs, staring down at your feet because you felt too ashamed to look him in the eyes.
"hey, hey," he starts, a hand resting on your shoulder to get your attention. it moves deftly to your chin, titling your pretty, teary face up at him. "c'mon, don't cry. it's nothin'."
"you got mad," you say, voice broken up with a sob, blubbering on. "i'm sorry, i am. i just hate being all alone here without you, it's the worst-"
"come on, kid."
"jus' wanted to hang out with you," you sniffle. he runs a hand through his hair. he needs to get better at not getting frustrated with you just because he's not used to your affection.
"i know, baby. we're home now so get inside, hm?" you comply with his instructions, walking into tannyhill and heading towards the couch in the living room, like you always do when the two of you curl up to watch a movie.
"where you goin'?" he calls after you. you stop in your track, turning around to face rafe.
"i thought we're hanging out? the living room?"
"and i said this morning that i would make you regret complainin'. so get your ass upstairs first, now."
