the warm sheets twisted around your legs as you shifted further down the bed, nose brushing across billies stomach. her skin was soft beneath your lips, her breathing uneven, and hands tangled in your hair like she needed something to anchor her

the room was dim with only the pale spill of afternoon light coming in through the blinds. your phones lay discarded on the nightstand, buzzing every few minutes with texts you were both ignoring. the last time either of you checked, her mom had messaged 'Do you know what’s going on online???' and yours had sent something along the lines of 'We love you both, just maybe stay off Twitter for now.' you hadnt touched your phone since

billie lay on her back, fingers sliding through your hair with the heel of her palm brushing your cheek now and then. she wasnt saying much but you could feel the tension in her body, her stomach tightening when you kissed it then relaxing again when you whispered to her

"youre okay" you murmured softly, lips pressing beneath her navel "you didnt do anything wrong"

her hand curled a little tighter in your hair, guiding you just the way she liked "i wasnt thinking" she said, voice raspy with her chest rising and falling "it was just a photo dump. i didnt think it would.. fuck"

"i know" you said, kissing her again a little lower "its okay"

you could still remember the photo. it was one you had taken of her on your couch, wearing your favorite hat with your name stitched across the side. she was holding your dog, grinning without even knowing you had took it. there was also the hickey on her neck. it was faint but unmistakable and that was the final clue. the internet didnt miss anything and neither did her fans

"theyre going crazy" billie whispered, voice a mix of disbelief and awe "people know baby. i cant.. i cant stop it"

"let them know" you breathed, kissing under her bellybutton now with your voice low and grounding "weve been careful for so long. you didnt do anything wrong"

she let out a shaky breath, thumb brushing your cheek "its just.. i didnt want this to be what messes us up. i dont want the world to ruin us"

you stilled for a second and looked up at her. her lashes were damp but she wasnt exactly crying. her voice was strong beneath the worry as you climbed back up her body slowly, kissing her skin along the way, her ribs, her sternum, and her collarbone. her hands slid from your hair to your shoulders, pulling you into her with your foreheads together

"they wont" you whispered "were stronger than that"

"i dont care if they hate me" she muttered, eyes fluttering closed "i just dont want them hurting you"

your lips brushed hers gently "they wont touch me. not as long as youre here"

she laughed, breathless and almost disbelieving "youre saying all the right shit right now"

"thats because im right" you smirked, kissing down her jaw again then back to her stomach just the way she liked "youve got me. im not going anywhere"

her hands tangled in your hair again, tugging softly "say it again"

"youve got me" you whispered against her skin, your voice nothing but truth "always."