the living room smells like stale beer and something burned. the tv is on but no one is watching it. you’re sitting on the edge of the couch when the yelling starts, louder than last time, closer. neil’s voice fills the space like it owns it. sharp. ugly. mean for the sake of being mean.

billy stands near the wall by the hallway, shoulders tight, hands open at his sides like he’s trying to look harmless. like he’s learned exactly how not to provoke. he keeps his voice low. calm. controlled in a way that feels fragile.

“just drop it,” he says. “i’m not doing this.”

neil laughs. a short, cruel sound. steps into billy’s space and shoves him back hard enough that his shoulder hits the wall. the sound makes your stomach drop.

“you think you get to talk back to me?” neil snarls. “you forget your place real fast.”

billy doesn’t look at you. not once. his eyes stay on the floor, jaw clenched so tight it looks like it might crack. “i’m not trying to start anything.”

another shove. harder this time.

you stand before you even realize you’re moving. your heart is pounding too loud to think. you step between them, hands raised without knowing why, like you can block it with your body. like that makes sense.

“stop,” you say. your voice shakes. “leave him alone.”

neil’s attention snaps to you. his face twists, anger finding a new target. “stay out of this.”

you don’t move.

the slap comes fast. loud. a sharp crack that steals the air from your lungs. your head snaps to the side, skin burning, ears ringing. for a second, everything goes quiet.

“you need to learn your place,” neil growls.

billy moves then.

he grabs you instantly, hands firm on your shoulders, pulling you back behind him like it’s instinct, like it’s the only thing that matters. his body blocks yours completely. you can feel him shaking now. not from fear. from restraint.

“don’t touch her,” he says.

his voice is low. dangerous. nothing calm left in it.

he doesn’t look at you. he keeps you behind him, one arm back like a barrier, like if he lets go you’ll disappear. his jaw is clenched, eyes dark and furious, and for the first time since you walked in, he stops trying to keep the peace.