the morning light filters in through the thin hotel curtains, brushing over the tangled sheets and the soft mess of billies black hair splayed across the pillow. her mouth is slightly open, a light snore leaving her lips and her hand is curled near her chest, still wearing the oversized shirt she pulled on after the show and everything else

you shift slowly beside her, your body stiff from the awkward angle youd both collapsed into. the night had been long withlaughing, drinking, and kissing like you had all the time in the world but now her breathing is heavier than sleep. its the unmistakable thrum of a hangover settling in

you brush the hair off her cheek and lean in “bill” you whisper against her temple “baby you gotta wake up. ive got water and ibuprofen. youre gonna hate yourself if you dont take it now”

she groans, low and dramatic, rolling away and burying her face in the pillow “nooo” she mumbles, her voice hoarse “mdying. let me.”

you laugh under your breath and press a kiss to her shoulder “youre not dying. youre just a lightweight when it comes to tequila”

“rude” she croaks

“ill let you sleep after. swear” you promise as you run your fingers gently along her back under the blanket until she finally turns her face just enough to peek at you with one swollen eye, her eyeliner smudged from last night

“youre too pretty for me to be mad at” she says weakly, a smirk twitching at her lips “but i still wanna die”

you sit her up slowly, one arm around her waist, guiding her into your lap. she leans into you immediately, head lolling onto your shoulder and mutters “you smell like hotel soap and sex”

you grin “and you smell like regret and sweat”

“god i love you” she groans, accepting the water and painkillers like its her last meal

you press a kiss to her temple, your lips lingering against her skin “i love you more. now drink that so you can come back to life rockstar”

she downs it and sighs dramatically, falling back into your arms “can i perform in bed tonight?”

“no but ill carry you to soundcheck if i have to”

“good” she whispers, curling up into you again “because im not leaving this bed unless you drag me”