Xue Dingfei being the MVP

Story of Kunning Palace (2023)

Fourth

Summary: 4th of july Scott/reader being bff’s and planning a fourth of july trip; it rains so they’re stuck in a tent and realize they have feelings for each other.

When Scott had asked you about going away for the fourth of July you’d squashed down the feelings you’d felt and grinned. Fourth of July was no time for romance; it was fireworks and BBQ’s and family getting slightly too drunk and panicking at the sparklers your family had lit; as far as Clay was concerned which is why he avoided the invitation. You had some thoughts that Scott had only said it since Clay had been sitting next to you when he asked and they way Scott looked sort of sick when he offered had you worried he was jealous of Clay; you decided to talk to him on the drive out of town; it was only a half hour to the firework stand but then another almost two hours to the campsite.

”You really had to pick this playlist?” Scott gestures to the stereo and you grin nodding feverishly. “It’s our playlist! You really think I’m going to miss the chance to blast all of the best hits and memories we’ve had?” You can see him smiling as he drives and you pretend to be asleep. You can catch him watching you and you wonder what you look like to him because all you see is one of the most beautiful people and kind souls; despite everything he’d done in the past; you’d stood by him and helped him relearn proper behaviour. You can’t count the number of times he’d thanked you; or his parents and other people had thanked you. You weren’t really sure why what you had said had gotten through to him but you were relieved he wasn’t making shitty jokes or being creepy towards any girls. You tried to avoid thinking about him with other girls; not that he seemed to date anyone recently.

”So we want three black cats, seven bottle rockets and fifteen sparklers?” “Fifteen packs of sparklers??” You stare and Scott furrows his brow. “They don’t sell them individually?” “No they sell them in like packs of thirty.” “Holy shit that’s awesome!” You laugh at Scott smiling and gathering the fireworks he’d paid for before putting them into the car. “So we can stop for food in a few miles?” He grins and you point out the signs you can see; the last town area before the campground. “So umm burgers, burgers, or burgers?” You point to each of the signs as you drive by; he circles back and pulls into the burger joint you’d both passed last; you had a soft spot for their malts and it seemed Scott remembered when you told him two years ago the last time you’d both gotten to go out here. Of course that was before Hannah; and before the school fell apart and you push away the rest of that train of thought focusing on the malt you have left to finish. “You okay Y/N?”

“Yeah just thinking about the last time we were here. It feels like a lifetime ago; I mean two years a lot can change..” You force a smile and Scott grins back; you can feel the false smile you’ve given getting a little more real as he nods; eyes lighting up with a memory. “Yeah; remember your hair back then; you’d done it the night before because you wanted a change.” “Oh my god; nooooo Scottt shut uppppppppppppp.” You whine and shove the malt he’d gotten slightly so he frantically grabs at it; he saves his but of course yours spills down your front.

He laughs and you frown grabbing the jacket he’d taken off and marching to the bathroom to wipe the melting malt from your front. You manage to get most of it off but your shirt is soaked so you peel it off and try to dry yourself off with the paper towels in the bathroom and then zip up Scott’s jacket over your bra and sigh knowing the spare clothes you’d packed are at the bottom of the trunk in the car. You resign yourself to the rest of the drive being wrapped in Scott’s hoodie which you don’t really mind. “Oh you didn’t use it as a rag.” he grins and you nod furrowing your brow when Scott’s eyes land on your shirt in your hands. “We should get going.” He mumbles and you nod confused at why he’s suddenly so closed off.

The drive is the same way and you manage to change; deciding that you’re going to make him go swimming before lighting the fireworks off later. “We should go swimming.” You echo the words from before you’d left the diner and then offer out his jackers to try to make peace. “Oh um thanks..” He nods and you gesture from the tent frowning when Scott flicks water onto your face. “Can’t go swimming in the rain.” You pout and then sigh, nudging him over in the tent; you still end up sitting next to him and he offers his jacket back out to cover the shirt you were wearing over your swimsuit. “Sorry; we can’t even do the fireworks; this is such a shit fourth of july.” You pout and Scott shrugs. “I mean I get to spend it with you so it’s not that bad.” “We’re stuck in a tent.”

“Yeah we are; I’m not just out here by myself looking like an idiot.” “Glad I could save you from looking like an idiot then.” You grin and him but he doesn’t smile back. “Aw come on Scott; it’s not that bad; I’m sure it’ll stop raining soon and then we can actually go swimming and light fireworks.” “No I think I’d rather this..” “Being stuck in a tent with me?” “Being with you.” “Oh.” You scoot closer to him and he grins shyly; wrapping his arm around you. “I’m sorry about the diner; I think you thought I was upset at you; I wasn’t; I just; you looked really cute.” “I was just wearing your jacket?” You prompt, confused at what he’d find cute about that. “Yeah; you were wearing my clothes; it was cute.” “Since when has me wearing your clothes been cute?” He shrugs again and you shove his shoulder. “Seriously; you’re not just messing with me are you?” “No; I just; I think I always thought you were cute? I mean like I admitted that I liked you to myself a while ago.” He freezes slowly, turning to you in horror, his face bright pink.

“Like me?” “No; um maybe; yeah; I’d like to date you.” “Wait we went from liking me to dating me?” “If you want?” “Why wouldn’t I?” He responds and you know your face now looks like his did moments ago. “You like me back?” “Well technically I like you first and; wait; what do you mean back?”

“Umm like an exchange? You like me and I like you back..” “Oh.” “This still isn’t the worst thing I can imagine; it’s actually turning out to be a really great fourth of July.” “How? It’s pouring rain outside.” “Yeah;  and we’re sharing a tent. Here, so we don’t get any wetter; unless you want.” He grins and you flush at the implication as he zips the opening up.

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