first time smoking with pogue!rafe
warnings: substance use, dealing, tension, fluff
wc 1024
the screen door at barry’s place slams behind you before you get a chance to knock.
“well damn, if it isn’t my favorite delivery girl..” he grins, already halfway across the room, keys in hand and energy buzzing like he’s late for something, which knowing him— he probably is. his place smells like smoke and cheap cologne, music low in the background, some old r&b song humming through the walls. he tosses a small wrapped package onto the table, then points at it without even looking.
“listen, when you see rafe, give him this. don’t open it. alright princess?” he orders, suddenly serious. eyes flicking up to meet yours. “i mean it.”
“wasn’t planning on it.” you raise a brow.
he nods. “good. i gotta run outta town for a bit, you know.. business stuff. you’re doing me a favor here. i’ll make sure to pay you back someday.” he flashes that crooked smile. “oh and, tell rafe he owes me again.”
“when does he not..” you smirk, grabbing the package and tucking it into your tote bag. barry laughs at that heading for the door. “yeah well tell him to not act stupid. he takes you serious.”
your place is too quiet. parent’s gone to work. you drop your bag by the door and kick off your shoes. flopping your back onto your bed and fixing your top that rolled up. music playing from your cd player— fleetwood mac, angel. your eyes are staring at the ceiling as you pick up your bear laying beside you. a little lopsided, worn out with one eye you had to stitch back on after your dog ripped it out.
a knock breaks the silence. you roll on your side and glance toward the window. another knock, sharper this time. “yeah,yeah” you mumble. pushing yourself up and fixing your skirt. when you open it, there he is. your best friend rafe.
his hair is messy, and he’s wearing a flannel over a grey shirt. his eyes scan your face quickly before allowing himself to walk in, without even saying anything. “well you seem happy to see me.” you mutter. “sorry, did you get it?” no hello. typical rafe. you step close the door behind you. “nice to see you too.. and yes i did. he said you owe him and to not forget this time. k?”
“yeah okay, thanks. i owe you” seems like everyone does today. you flash him a shy smile. what are ways rafe can pay you back? no. don’t think about your friend that way. you shake your head. shake your silly thoughts away.
you grab your bag and pull out the package, tossing it lightly toward him. he catches it easy like you’re playing hot potato.
“you wanna smoke?” he asks.
now you’re both sitting on your bed, window cracked open, the night air slipping in between the slow curls of smoke. rafe leans back against the wall, head tilted, eyes half lidded. “so you’ve never done this before?” he asks. “nope.. i’m scared i’ll get a hole on my neck.” he laughs.
rafe turns the blunt between his fingers for a second, watching the ember glow, then dim. his eyes flick up to you, making sure you seem comfortable. “you sure?” he asks, quieter this time. not teasing but genuinely checking on you.
you shrug, trying to play it off even though your fingers fidget with the wrinkles on your skirt. “yeah. i’m sure.” “i just want you to be comfortable and not pressured.” he sounds so worried about you. “rafe. i have no experience with anything i think its time i try new things. trust me im sure.” he shifts closer, to the edge of your bed. “alright… just take it slow.” he presses it into your fingers, not letting go right away. his thumb brushes lightly against yours and you swear your stomach did a flip. “don’t rush it.” he adds.
he laughs, shaking his head. “thats not how it works.” you narrow your eyes at him. “how would i know?” “you wouldn’t.” he says, softer now, like he actually realizes this is your first time doing this. there's a small pause before he lifts it again, then hesitates for a second. deciding something. “you don’t have to,” he adds, quieter. “seriously.”
you glance at him, then back at it, then shrug a little. “i mean.. i already said yes. and i’ve been curious for some time” rafe studies your face, making sure you’re not just saying it to impress. when he doesn’t see any hesitation, he nods. “okay. don’t over think it” he shifts closer, you can feel the warmth of him beside you, his fingers brush yours while the other rubs your back sending chills down your body and making your cheeks burn. “small,” he says. “you don’t gotta prove anything.” you let out a quiet breath, trying to act like you’re not nervous.
for a second, nothing happens. then you pull back a little too fast, coughing lightly, eyes watering as you turn away. rafe huffs a laugh, a surprised laugh.
“yeah.. that’s about right.” he mutters, reaching over to take it from you before you completely lose it. you glare at him through the cough. “shut up.”
“i didn’t say anything.”
“you laughed.”
“a little..”
you nudge his arm, still blinking the sting out of your eyes. a smile smile creeping its way through. he notices. for a second—or more— he just looks at you. “you good?” he asks. “yeah, i’m glad i did it with you.”
he leans back against the wall a gain, taking another slow drag.
“see? no hole in your neck.” he teases and you roll your eyes, laughing.