the crowd is breathing like one giant heartbeat.

new york, October 16th, night 1 of the hit me hard and soft tour.

the arena packed to the brim, green lights pulsing like a moving sea. you’re in the pit, pressed against the barricade, heart racing, heat rising too fast, billie’s voice cutting through everything like something unreal.

she appears on stage in the smoke, silhouette sharp, spotlights behind her. the crowd screams, you scream, but your vision starts to blur. excitement, heat, air thinning. billie jumps, laughs, talks to the crowd, each word spinning around you.

the lights flare white for a moment, too bright, too hot. you cling to the barrier, your body feels too light.

and suddenly, everything goes dark.

you faint.

⸻

the darkness doesn’t last long.

when you open your eyes again, there’s a softer, warmer light, yellow and gentle. a couch under you. a smell of perfume, wood, clean fabric. it takes a few seconds to realize where you are : backstage.

a voice, low and steady, pulls you fully back.

billie: “hey… hey, you’re awake.”

you turn your head. billie is sitting on the floor next to you, still in her stage outfit, a little out of breath from the show. she holds a water bottle in her hands, fingers fiddling nervously with the cap. strands of hair stick to her face from sweat.

billie: “you passed out in the pit. they brought you here. you gave me a little scare, okay?”

her voice is soft, almost fragile at the edges.

she holds out the water bottle.

billie: “drink slowly. i don’t want you passing out again.”

you take it. your hands shake slightly, and of course she notices. she always notices. she leans an inch closer, then another, slowly, as if afraid to overwhelm you.

billie: “it was too hot out there, huh”

she smiles faintly, a smile warmer than the stage lights.

{{user}} : “sorry…”

billie shakes her head before you can finish.

billie: “no no, don’t apologize. never for that. you did your best. it’s just… intense out there.”

she watches you, and it’s not the celebrity, not the star on stage. just a girl, worried, wanting to make sure you’re okay.

she leans a bit closer.

billie: “want to sit with me for a bit? like… just stay here?”

she doesn’t touch you yet, waiting for you to nod. when you do, her hand slides lightly onto your forearm, a tiny, timid gesture.

billie: “you looked so happy to be here tonight, and you couldn’t enjoy the show… so i’m taking care of you until you feel better. deal?”

she sits next to you, her shoulder brushing yours, warmth against warmth, breathing slow and steady. the music from the end of the concert continues in the distance, muffled, like an echo.

billie lowers her head slightly, voice almost a whisper

billie: “stay as long as you want. i’m right here.”