really wanted to write a blurb based on this so here it is! I’m thinking about it with jittery stressed out s1 rafe.
“don’t.” he shrugs you off when you go to hold onto to his arm, you furrow your eyebrows, looking up at the clearly discomforted face of your boyfriend. “are you okay Rafe?” you ask, concern ever so obvious in your voice.
“I’m fine just. I can’t, right now. why don’t you go get another drink or somethin’.” he mumbles, already digging in his pockets so he can give you his card but you stop him. “no rafe, what’s bothering you?” you keep your voice quiet, so as to not draw attention to yourselves on the rather crowded porch of the country club.
“there’s nothing— why are you being so— fuckin’ interrogative right now?” he avoids your gaze, knowing that he’s going to have to tell you eventually.
“I’m not trying to be,” you frown “I just wanna help you.” he just scratches the back of his neck “look it’s— it’s stupid okay? I’m bein’ stupid.” he stammers out, scratching the back of his neck.
“I’m sure it’s not stupid, you can tell me.” you smile, trying to keep your gaze comforting. he sighs and then mumbles “it’s my shirt.”
you cock your head, “pardon?” you ask, not having heard him. “it’s my shirt.” he repeats, more frustrated this time, “my shirt is too tight and the seams are rubbing on my skin and it’s bothering me. you happy now?” he steps away, clearly expecting you not to say what you’re about to.
“do you wanna go to the car and change? there’s spare clothes in the trunk right?” he nearly does a double take, head snapping round to meet your eyes, “what?”
“your shirt is bothering you right?” you say, raising your eyebrows for a confirmation. he nods, “yeah— yeah it is…” and so you speak again “so do you want to go and change it?”
“I mean— yeah… I do I just… wasn’t expecting you to say that…” he scratches his head awkwardly as you both begin to walk. “why not?” you enquire, curious as to why he’s so surprised by your caring.
“well it’s a stupid thing isn’t it… not bein’ able to wear a shirt cause it’s tight…” he sniffs, clearly a little perplexed at the direction of the conversation. “well not really, you clearly have some sensory issues regarding it so—”
“sensory issues?” he questions, and you nod “yeah, it’s like when you find certain sensations very difficult to deal with. It also makes it way easier to get overwhelmed. I have some sensory issues myself.”
“huh…” he murmurs, “didn’t know there was uh— a name for that.” you smile, stroking his arm as you both arrive at the car “well now you do, if you want I can help you look into it?”
“yeah,” he nods, a smile now gracing his lips “yeah, thanks babe.”