The cast of Outer Banks is gathered backstage in a bright studio in LA. Cameras are being set up, producers walking around, makeup artists doing touch-ups. There’s that familiar mix of nerves and excitement—the first press day for the new season has officially begun.

Y/N sits in a makeup chair, scrolling through TikTok edits of Rafe and Liv. Every other video seems to be about them.

Y/N: (mutters under her breath) Why are there so many edits of me and Drew? These fans are crazy.

MAKEUP ARTIST: (laughs) Oh, you should see the ones with dramatic music. They act like you two are married already.

[Across the room, DREW STARKLEY is joking with Rudy and JD, holding a coffee cup like a microphone.]

DREW: (mock interviewer voice) “So, Drew, how does it feel to be the internet’s number one bad boy?”

RUDY: (laughs) Please, you love it.

JD: Bro, people literally call you “the softest villain.”

DREW: I’ll take it.

Drew glances over at Y/n, who’s still watching edits. Their eyes meet for a split second before she quickly looks away, pretending to check her phone. Drew smirks.

PRODUCER: Alright everyone, we’re rolling in five! Take your seats!

[THE INTERVIEW]

The cast sits in a semicircle, smiling at the audience and waving to the cameras.

INTERVIEWER: Welcome back, Outer Banks family! The new season is finally filming—how’s it feel to be reunited?

CHASE: Feels like coming home, man. Same chaos, same people.

MADISON: And same jokes. (laughs)

INTERVIEWER: Speaking of chaos, let’s talk about the fans for a second. They’ve been… very vocal online.

RUDY: (grins) Oh, here we go.

INTERVIEWER: Specifically about the dynamic between Rafe Cameron and Liv Routledge. People are begging for an enemies-to-lovers arc this season.

Y/N: (groans playfully) Oh no. That’s been everywhere. I can’t escape those edits.

DREW: (smirks) You can’t lie—they’re pretty well made.

Y/N: (teasing) Yeah, maybe because someone looks way too comfortable glaring at me on camera.

DREW: (mock offense) I was acting!

CARLACIA: (laughs) Acting, right. Sure.

INTERVIEWER: And it’s not just Rafe and Liv the fans are shipping… apparently there’s also a lot of buzz around you two.

[The cast erupts in laughter and teasing.]

CHASE: I’ve seen the edits, man. There’s even a “Drew + Y/n wedding” fanpage.

Y/N: (covers her face) Oh my god, stop!

DREW: (laughing) I’m not saying I’ve seen them… but I’ve definitely seen them.

MADISON: You’re both blushing.

Y/N: No, it’s just warm in here!

DREW: Yeah, super warm. Totally not awkward.

INTERVIEWER: (smiling) So no comment on the rumors?

DREW: I plead the fifth.

Y/N: (shoots him a look) That’s not suspicious at all.

[The cast keeps laughing. The interviewer wraps up with a grin.]

INTERVIEWER: Well, I guess we’ll have to see if that chemistry translates to the new season.

[Drew and Y/n exchange one last glance. There’s a spark—half teasing, half real. The camera pans out as everyone keeps talking and laughing.]