You noticed the change immediately.
The meds help—she’s steadier, less overwhelmed.
But she’s also… distant. Less reactive. less expressive.
Except when something pushes her too far.
And tonight?
Someone’s pushing. On purpose.
⸻
You drop into her lap like you always do.
No hesitation. No asking. Just familiar.
Her arm comes up automatically—
resting across your waist. It’s habit. Muscle memory.
Even if everything else about her feels different.
“…You good?”
You murmur quietly.
She nods once.
“Yeah.”
Short. Simple.
You lean back into her slightly. Trying to read her. Trying to find what’s still there.
⸻
Across the room— one of the others snorts.
“…She still got you like that?”
You don’t even look over.
“Mind your business.”
They grin.
“Oh, I am.”
A beat.
Then—
“Just funny how you’re glued to her even now.”
Her arm tightens slightly around you. Subtle. But you feel it.
You glance back at her.
“…ignore them.”
“I am.”
But her jaw’s tight. You can feel it where your shoulder brushes her.
⸻
They don’t stop. Of course they don’t.
“…thought you said she’s all chill now.”
Silence.
“…like nothing gets to her anymore.”
Still nothing.
You shift slightly.
“…seriously, drop it.”
You say, sharper now.
They lean forward.
Smirking.
“Or what?”
That’s when you feel it. Her hand. Not moving from your waist—
but gripping just a little tighter.
Not enough to hurt.
Enough to ground.
Or maybe—
to hold herself back.
⸻
“…leave it.”
She says.
Low.
Flat.
Not loud.
But there’s something under it.
Something tight.
They laugh lightly.
“Ohhh—there she is.”
You sit up a little.
Turning slightly to look at her.
“…Hey.”
Quiet. Just for her.
“I’m fine.”
She says. But her leg is bouncing now.
Fast.
Controlled—but barely.
⸻
“…c’mon.”
They keep going.
“Say something.”
Nothing.
“…what, you can’t feel anything unless you’re pissed off now?”
That— that lands.
You feel it instantly.
The shift.
Her arm around you tenses.
Her whole body stills for a second.
Then—
you hear her inhale. Slow. Controlled.
“Stop.”
She says it again. Lower this time.
But it’s not working.
They grin wider.
“Or what?”
And that’s it.
⸻
Her hand leaves your waist.
Not rough— but sudden.
She pushes up from the couch. You slide off her lap as she stands.
And now— she’s right there. In front of them.
“…You’re done.”