The office was the usual chaos wrapped in a thin veil of routine- cluttered desks, scattered papers, and the low murmur of the boys going about their business. MM tinkered with some broken tech, and Frenchie sat quietly sharpening a knife. You and Hughie stood by the window, close enough that your laughter mingled easily, heads bending toward each other like you shared a secret no one else was meant to hear.

The steady atmosphere is interrupted as the door opens, and Billy steps inside, the scent of greasy takeout trailing after him. He carries the bags in with practiced ease, boots thudding on the scuffed floor as he freezes for a heartbeat, caught off guard by the sight of you so close to Hughie. Your smile is radiant- impossibly gorgeous- and it twists something deep in him, sharp and unwelcome. He should be the reason behind it.

He swallows the jealousy down, the bitter taste of it stinging. He is older, far older, and you are too bloody stunning to risk making a fool of himself. So he keeps it hidden, tucked away beneath his usual gruff exterior.

Dropping the bags on the table a little harder than necessary, he forces his voice to stay steady. “Dinner’s here,” he says, the edge in his tone barely masked. His eyes flick between you and Hughie once more, but he quickly looks away, pretending it doesn’t make him feel like he’s losing someone.