𝗐𝖾𝗂𝗋𝖽𝗈!𝗋𝖺𝖿𝖾 𝗑 𝗌𝗎𝗀𝖺𝗋!𝖽𝗂𝗍𝗓𝗒!𝗀𝗂𝗋𝗅𝗇𝖾𝗑𝗍𝖽𝗈𝗈𝗋!𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ masterlist
cw: if you don’t like ditzy readers(don’t read!), Rafes odd, like reallyyyy odd. Super duper odd. A tad bit of stalking, soooo if that’s too much, don’t read!!! Nothing gross tho :)
You were just pulling up to the gate of your neighborhood when your car gave a sad, sputtering cough and died right there—like it knew it had to pick the absolute worst moment. You popped your palm against the steering wheel with an exaggerated sigh, then threw the car in park and hopped out, arms crossed and bottom lip pouting like a toddler denied candy.
Right then, from the corner of your eye, you noticed him—Rafe. Your weird neighbor with the haunted eyes and the silent stare. The one the old ladies whispered about at the neighborhood potluck months ago. “Ex-military,” Mrs. Harper had said, her voice lowering as if sharing a secret. “He lost his family, poor boy. His mother died years ago, then his dad not long ago. Stepmom took the youngest sister, and the other one ran off with her husband. He’s all alone now, he said to Ms. Candy he joined the army for his mom’s sake to to prove to his father he could be worth something.”
You’d never asked him much—he never spoke, never came to block parties or bake sales, just kept to himself like some strange shadow with hands that fixed things.
And that was something you didn’t know: Rafe was a mechanic and a tech nerd, buried deep in his world of wires and grease. Useful.
He was already walking toward your car when you popped the hood, making a dramatic whine. “Ugh, seriously? Come on, car. Don’t do this to me now.” You took a long sip from your bright pink cup—because, obviously, it was filled with something ridiculously sweet—and smiled at Rafe, batting your eyes,”Yoohoo!! Rafeeeee!!! Wouldn’t you like to help a poor girl out?” He was silent except for a low grunt as he crouched and peered under the hood.
You babbled on, half to yourself, half to him. “So, I saw the cutest puppies today at the park! Like, actual baby fluffballs chasing each other and tumbling over. And I scored a free iced coffee—can you believe it? They messed up my order, but I’m not complaining. Also, Angelcake, my kitty? Got her this adorable new collar with little bells, and she hates it, but she looks so fancy! Oh! And I found the best sale on catnip toys, so yeah, I’m basically a crazy cat lady now.” You grinned, sipping again, eyes sparkling in the evening sun.
Rafe didn’t say much, just worked. Hands moving with surprising gentleness and precision for someone so quiet. When he finally sat back, wiping grease off his workout shirt, he gave a small nod. “Try it.”
You slid into the driver’s seat, rolled the window down, and carefully started the engine. It purred like a kitten now. You smiled at him through the glass. “Thanks, Rafe. Seriously.”
He grunted.
You took a slow, cautious drive down the block, chatting at him like you were old friends. “You know, you could come to one of the neighborhood barbecues sometime. No pressure, though! Just saying, you’d fit right in with the weirdos.” You winked.
He didn’t say anything, but you were already making your first mistake: inviting him in.
When you pulled up to your driveway, you noticed the grease stains on his shirt and frowned. “Come on, I have to clean you up!” Before he could refuse, you were unlocking your door, dragging him inside.
Your house was everything pink, fluffy, and girly. Lace curtains, scented candles shaped like cupcakes, fluffy rugs—basically a sugar-coated fantasy world. Rafe’s brow furrowed as he stepped inside, but he didn’t complain.
You offered him lemonade and a snack board you’d thrown together—slices of strawberry, a few cheese cubes, and some tiny sandwiches. He ate silently, eyes scanning, but you were busy heading upstairs.
“My poor baby has separation anxiety,” you called, already opening the door to your office where Angelcake—the fluffiest, most spoiled little kitten in the world—waited. You crouched, cooing softly and stroking the tiny creature’s fur, whispering nonsense in that high-pitched baby voice you knew made Angelcake purr,”There’s my pretty baby!!! Awww you’re so cuteeee!”
Downstairs, Rafe was anything but idle. You didn’t know it yet, but the quiet mechanical tapping you heard was him fiddling with your internet router. He snapped a picture of the back—ports, cables, serial numbers—like a little blueprint for something, he’d track down who’d been here, and anyone new connected to Wifi. Then, with stealth that would put a cat burglar to shame, he linked your security cameras to his phone. The feeds blinked, rewired under his control.
He found the water pipes and subtly messed with a valve near the kitchen sink. A window latch got loosened, so it wouldn’t lock properly. When you were upstairs cuddling Angelcake, he slipped into your bedroom—tall and burly, but with the grace of a feather. He studied the layout, then quietly unscrewed a door hinge.
By the time you came back downstairs, Rafe was back to his silent self. He nodded once, muttered a low “Thank you,” and headed out.
You waved from the porch, kitten in your arms, using her hand to wave ,chirping, “Bye-bye, neighbor!” in your highest, chirpiest voice.
He grunted and disappeared into the twilight.
⸻
Back inside, the pink glow of your living room lights felt safe and sweet. You danced around in your fuzzy socks and baby tee, sipping your pink coffee—yes, pink coffee—and playing with Angelcake. You FaceTimed Cade, your boyfriend, giggling as you told him about your day.
But unseen, Rafe sat in his darkened room, watching your cameras. He traced Cade’s phone from your router history, marking his hangouts and habits. Cade was just another obstacle. A selfish guy who didn’t deserve you.
Rafe slipped into the neighborhood gym, where Cade worked out. He sabotaged cameras, erased footage, and messed with the pipes so the sprinklers would flood the place before opening.
That night, Rafe watched your bedtime ritual: peeling off your robe, slipping into pajamas, the soft voice calling Cade goodnight, and then silence.
He smiled a little. He liked how you behaved. Like you had absolutely no cares in the world…cute.
Taglist: @peakysgiri @rafesbabygirlx @harkovsangel @drtyelvisfantasy @rafehoneymoon @cameronsbabydoll @strawberries-and-lots-of-kisses @countryclubwhore
