the soft hum of the studio filled the background, a low buzz under billies laughter. you were sitting next to her on a comfy studio couch, mics clipped to your shirts and headsets covering your ears. billies electric blue hair tumbled over her shoulder as she leaned back with a wide grin on her face, nearly burying her face in her hand to hide her laughter

"shes been like this all day" you said to the host with a fond smile, nudging billie with your knee "i swear she gets extra giggly when shes talking about us"

the host, some middle aged music journalist with a smooth voice and too many questions, chuckled "i can see that. so let me ask again for the listeners. how long have you two been together?"

billie sat up slightly, still smiling so hard her cheeks were pink "since i was fifteen" she said, glancing at you sideways like the memory was a private joke only the two of you were in on "she was sixteen. we met at a weird little backyard show in silver Lake-"

"your set got rained out" you added, finishing the story youd told a dozen times "she was in the middle of singing and didnt stop even when water was pouring down on her"

the host leaned forward, clearly loving every detail "and you just knew?"

billie giggled again, curling her fingers over her mouth "she gave me her jacket after. it was leather. i still have it actually"

you blushed at the memory "she told me my eyeliner was running and that i still looked cool"

"you did" billie said quickly, turning toward you and half tackling you with her grin. her head pressed into your shoulder and her hand brushed your chin before she pulled away just slightly

"she still tells me i look cool even when im a mess" you said into the mic, your voice dropping slightly into a little more serious

the host smiled "its sweet. you two seem.. real"

"yeah" billie said quietly "its been a while. weve grown together"

"fought too" you added "not everything is perfect but we always come back"

the host nodded, moving on to another question but for a moment billie was still looking at you with that quiet smile. the one you had first seen through streaks of eyeliner and a downpour