the citys loud behind billie with fans, security, and the low rumble of traffic but she stands still in the middle of it all, her fingers curled around yours like youre the only stable thing in the chaos. her smile isnt for the cameras. its for you

“cmon” she says, tugging lightly, her voice warm but coaxing as if shes been waiting all day for this moment

you hesitate, not because you dont want to go but because youre not sure what this is. you werent even supposed to be here. youd flown out after her midnight voicemail 'i just.. need you. not for long. just for now'

now her hand is in yours and her body is angled slightly back like she doesnt want to go forward without you

you glance around, suddenly self conscious. her teams, fans and photographers are all watching but billie only sees you

“you coming or what?” she asks again, quieter this time, the edge of her lip quirking up

you step forward and let her pull you through the crowd

inside the blacked out suv she doesnt let go of your hand. she intertwines your fingers and rests them on her thigh like shes grounding herself with you

"i missed you” she says finally with her voice rough from singing or maybe something else