a timeline of rafe cameron and obx actress!reader’s character’s relationship (+ their real life one) pt 2
season 2 is where rafe's obsession with iris really grows
he's constantly wondering about her, and how she feels about him. he's so convinced that she hates him and will never speak to him again, but he has this feeling that she won't report him
after john b and sarah 'died', iris spends more of her free time with the pogues. she comforts jj, and often seems to end up bailing him out of trouble
but they don't know that rafe's managed to get her phone number, and he keeps sending her messages trying to explain what happened on the tarmac - she doesn't respond
he even tries to go to her work, but she's not working that day
as rafe spirals, he genuinely feels she's the only one who would be able to understand him
he messages her before he goes to the bahamas
r: "hey, i'm gonna be gone for a few days, but i still really need to talk to you, ok?"
r: "please, i need to explain"
r: "just give me a chance to explain"
iris has him under his first initial in her phone, just in case any of the pogues happen to see her notifications. finally, she decides to respond, if only to understand more (and to get him to stop texting her)
rafe literally shouts with joy seeing her response, no matter how dry it is. she's finally acknowledged him
while he's away, iris goes to see barry. her mom has been getting worse, and in a way, barry understands what she's going through. he's surprisingly good to talk to and the pair end up smoking together more than once, venting about their lives
in his deluded state, rafe truly thinks he will be able to win iris over with the gold. he's dreaming about paying for her mom's medical bills, winning her favour and looking after iris, living their happy little lives together forever
iris and rafe finally talk at tannyhill, rafe pleading that he was just trying to protect his dad. surprisingly, she listens intently, and lets out some small 'hmms' and 'mhms'. they get back to neutral ground, though she's still torn between what to do, but inside, she knows rafe shouldn't go to prison for a mistake
side note: ward oversees the pair talking, noting his son's wildly erratic hand gestures and decides to keep an eye on whatever is going on between the two
they're good for a few days, and then the pogues return to kildare with a very much alive sarah and john b, and everything changes once again
iris was so busy working that she hadn't had much to do with the gang, until jj texts her that john b had been arrested, and that rafe had tried to shoot them all - safe to say she's disappointed
oh but she's so mad when she hears of him trying to drown sarah, and she fully ices him out again
rafe kidnapping iris was not his finest idea, but she won’t listen to him after she hears and he’s just so mad. he’s got her in his car on the side of the road, just trying to get her to listen but she keeps telling him she “knows what he did”
rafe doesn't register what he's done until the sound of her sobs cut through his internal monologue, shamefully apologising and dropping her home, not even trying to say anything more
he’s just mean mean mean in this season bc he's hurt, but also he wants iris so bad and when she won’t even look at him, he can't control his actions
iris hears from the pogues that there is a warrant for his arrest and can't help feel concerned for him, only to be both shocked and concerned at the sight of ward cameron blowing himself up, her being the one to console sarah on the pier
everything is awkward between the pogues now, but it only gets worse once they see the texts on iris's phone following rafe's release from jail, him asking to see her...
they completely shut her out, refusing to even speak to her, and it only serves to push her further into rafe's (extremely willing) arms
he wants her to stay with him for the next few days, unknowingly about to bring her into all the drama with the cross
iris and rafe end up kissing for the first time just before he manages to get the cross for himself, and from then on, it's on between them - they're all over each other. think making out against the wall, in bed, on the couch
they both understand each other, able to see through the tough facade they put on and be vulnerable around each other. at their core, they’re just two hurt kids clinging on to each other
rafe literally thinks he will combust if she ever tries to leave him after he got a taste
unfortunately for him, he tries to get her to come along with him to guadeloupe, but she refuses
"Rafe, I can't leave my mom…. she can't survive without me," Iris whispered.
"No, no, c'mon, we can go together and I'll make sure she's got a carer and everything, the best medical treatment, ok? I just - I just need you with me for this," Rafe pleaded, desperation seeping through his tone.
"I'm sorry Rafe, but I can't."
and just like that, the beginnings of their relationship crumble, leaving rafe feeling betrayed, hurt and angry, spiralling as he lost something he barely had, and leaving iris all alone on kildare once the pogues get lost at sea, vulnerable and hurting
season 2: behind the scenes
season 2 is where rafe and iris get closer, and the flow on effects are felt between drew and obx actress!reader
the kisses they share on screen are so steamy it has fans freaking out, especially at the quick glimpses they get of their tongues melding together. even people from outside the fandom start resharing videos of the kiss with hashtags like #wantthis #hot #menext
like i'm talking hands in hair and 'rafe' gripping her waist like he's about to be torn away, pulling away panting, red lips, etc.
drew and obx actress!reader had both spent time looking forward to the kiss, each secretly reminiscing on the kiss at jd's party. neither objected when they had to redo the take multiple times
the lingering touches shared between their characters are also picked up on, with rafe often touching iris and keeping her close by the end of the season
drew and obx actress!reader spent more time together this season working to develop their relationship after the directors told them more of the series plans, growing their bond even more
the attention on season 2 is greater this time around, with more fans and more people interested in the actors personal lives
obx actress!reader posts a few behind the scenes pictures, but nothing that really gets tongues wagging
it's a picture posted by madison bailey that does, with drew and obx actress!reader lying next to each other on a yacht, the pair side by side as they appear deep in conversation. fans go crazy from all angles, from the tiny bikini she was wearing to drew only in his swim trunks
the pics of them getting clingy and touchy later on in the evening don't ever make it out however….
the cast just sigh, having flashbacks to the 'friendly kisses' the pair always seem to share after a few drinks
in interviews, fans learn of obx actress!reader spending christmas at drew's and they just go wild, convinced the pair are in a secret relationship
with rafe and iris becoming more important characters in season 2, interviewers are lining up to film with the two of them alone, and for the few that manage, the views on the clip are sky high
it's literally just drew and obx actress!reader flirting and giggling the whole time with each other
obx actress!reader 100% simps for drew, complimenting his new look to the interviewer and saying he looks so handsome. drew can only blush and look down at his hands, all shy and cute
ok but lets talk about the bloopers!
it's the scene where they're in the car, rafe begging iris to listen to him after trying to drown sarah, and drew is waving his hands around wildly and accidentally hits her in the head. drew is instantly all over her, tenderly brushing her hair away from her head, checking in on her and apologising so much. it's quiet, but the microphones pick up on drew whispering "are you ok, baby? 'm so sorry"
but yet, they're not in a relationship??? and then drew starts filming hellraiser and people become convinced he's dating odessa??? and everyone is just so confused (including drew and obx actress!reader)
but then? there's pictures posted by paparazzi of drew and obx actress!reader together in new york, seeming far too close to be platonic and cuddling up against each other? queue even more confused fans
Q: if i were to give obx actress!reader a love interest to spice things up and build some more angst, who would you want to see???
romaincrisis
areudirty
jacobvanloon
stormborns
dededos
gummygunk
izzy806