The late afternoon sun cast a warm golden hue over the crowded lakeside park, where families and friends had staked their spots for the Fourth of July festivities. Blankets sprawled across the grass, picnic baskets lay open, and laughter mingled with the scent of barbecue drifting through the air.
Y/N sat cross-legged on a faded quilt, her cheeks flushed from the heat and excitement. Miko, sitting beside her, absentmindedly traced patterns on Y/N's arm with her fingertip—a teasing swirl that sent shivers dancing down Y/N's spine.
"You're distracted," Miko teased, her silver-blonde hair pulled into a messy bun and a navy bandana tied around her head, tiny fireworks earrings dangling from her ears.
"I'm not," Y/N protested, though her gaze had been flickering between the boats drifting on the lake and the people lighting sparklers nearby.
Miko's lips curled into a mischievous smile. "You are. You keep looking over there." She leaned closer, her tattoos peeking out from under the sleeves of her tank top. "Expecting someone else?"
"No," Y/N blurted out, heat rising to her face. "Just... waiting for the fireworks."
"Oh, right," Miko drawled, eyes sparkling like the sparklers in the distance. "The fireworks." She paused, lowering her voice. "Or maybe you're just waiting for an excuse to hold my hand."
Y/N let out a soft laugh, her heart doing an excited somersault. "Maybe."
The sun slipped below the horizon, and lanterns began to glow all around them, their warm light reflecting in Miko's blue eyes. Nearby, a group of kids giggled as they waved sparklers, drawing shapes into the evening air.
Miko nudged Y/N gently. "Wanna go for a walk? I think there's a spot by the dock where we could see the show better."
Y/N nodded, grateful for the escape from the crowd. They rose together, the quilt forgotten behind them, and wandered toward the dock. The wood creaked softly under their feet, and the lake shimmered under the first bright bursts of fireworks.
They stopped at the edge, shoulders brushing. Miko pulled a small box from her pocket. "I got these earlier," she said, revealing two sparklers. She lit them carefully, shielding the flame from the breeze.
"Happy Fourth of July," Miko murmured, handing one to Y/N.
Y/N held the sparkler, sparks falling like tiny comets, lighting up their faces. "Happy Fourth," she whispered back.
As fireworks boomed overhead, Miko leaned closer until their foreheads touched. The world around them seemed to fade, replaced by the echo of crackling sparks and the soft rhythm of their breathing.
"I'm glad I'm here with you," Y/N said, her voice nearly lost under the sound of the finale—a cascade of red, white, and blue bursting in the sky.
Miko's fingers found Y/N's free hand, lacing them together. "Me too," she whispered, pressing a soft kiss to Y/N's temple. "Best fireworks show I've ever seen."
They stood there until the last spark faded, the smoke drifting lazily across the lake. And even as the crowd cheered behind them, all Y/N could hear was the quiet thud of her heart.. beating in perfect time with Miko's.
