the second you heard that jesse hit billie everything blurred and you were at billies house in under ten minutes

she hadnt answered your texts in weeks but still you were pounding against her front door

when jesse opened the door you knew he knew who you were

the second you stepped in, he said something you didnt even register before he swung and your body moved on instinct

you ducked as your knuckles caught the side of his jaw. he stumbled but didnt fall. you could tell this was going to escalate fast. the second time he lunged again, you didnt hold back. you grabbed him by his shirt collar and slammed him against the wall and pushed him to the floor

you drew your gun and pressed it to his temple as your voice came out like gravel "touch her again and i swear to god-"

"y/n!" billies voice filled your ears

you felt her hands tug at your shoulder "stop please.. dont do this"

you didnt even think. you turned and pointed the gun at her "back the fuck up"

her breath hitched and she froze. the hurt in her eyes was worse than anything jesse could have done to you but your hands didnt move down

"you dont get to stop me" you muttered with your teeth clenched "not after what he did. not after you let him."

she blinked like she was holding back tears "i didnt let anything"

you looked back down at jesse who had blood running from his nose as you pressed your knee harder into his chest "youre lucky i dont kill you right here"

he tried to speak but you pushed the gun closer to his skin, shutting him up

"y/n" billie whispered "please.."

it wasnt the word that got you, it was how soft it was and how much it sounded like the way she used to whisper it in your ear

you stared at her for a long second then stood up. you didnt take your eyes off jesse though "if i ever hear about you laying a hand on her again i wont aim for your head next time. ill aim for your knees and then ill take everything else from you."

he didnt answer. he just curled up and tried to crawl away

you turned to billie and she looked small like she had folded into herself. her cheek was still red and a bruise was forming under her eye

you hated him more than you thought possible but all you could say to billie was "get your things."

she blinked "what?"

"youre not staying here"

"y/n i-"

"i said" you cut her off with a sharp tone "get your things. youre coming with me."

she stared at you and something shifted in her face. it wasnt fear, it was relief

she nodded slowly and without another word she turned and walked to her room