the lights were blinding, the bass was thundering, and billie was in her zone until she wasnt

halfway through 'therefore i am', just as the crowd was screaming along to every word, something flew out from the pit. it was a white sneaker. it hit the edge of the state and skidded straight towards billies feet and she stopped cold

you saw it happen even before she fully registered it. her posture stiffened, her jaw clenched, and her microphone lowered just enough to break the illusion for anyone paying attention. her fingers twitched at her side like she was deciding whether to pick the damn thing up and hurl it back

you were already moving with your guitar slung low against your hip as you stepped forward without missing a beat. the lights cut across your face for a split second as you approached from behind. without drawing too much attention, you turned your body slightly and gently slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her back against your chest after you angled your guitar out of the way

she was tense like stone and her breath hitched through her in ear. you swayed with her like it was part of the choreography as the fans kept screaming

your lips were close enough to her ear that no one but her could hear you "dont let them get to you. youve got twenty thousand people here who love you. dont give that one dumbass the power."

for a second she didnt move. her fingers twitched again at her side like she was fighting herself but then you felt the slow exhale, her weight leaning into you