VALERIE SETTLED INTO BILLIE'S COUCH, kicking her shoes off and tucking her legs under her. the room was familiar now-warm, dim lights, shark's light snoring, and a sense of calm that felt unique to billie's place.
"so, what's the plan?" valerie asked, glancing over as billie brought over a bowl of popcorn.
billie shrugged, plopping down beside her, closer than usual. "thought we'd just chill... maybe watch something. or i could play you some new stuff i've been working on?"
valerie's face lit up. "new music? you know i'm always down to hear that."
"yeah, i figured." billie grinned, nudging her shoulder gently. "anything for you, vei."
the way billie said the nickname, soft but with that signature smirk, sent a small flutter through valerie's stomach. no one else called her that-only billie. she'd started saying it a few days ago, but it already felt like it belonged to just the two of them.
"you just gonna keep calling me that every five seconds now?" valerie teased, trying to keep things light.
"yeah, obviously," billie shot back, a glint in her eye. "i mean, if you've got a problem with it, i could stop..."
valerie's face softened. "no, i kinda like it."
billie's gaze lingered on her, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "good," she said quietly, letting the silence settle for a beat before picking up her guitar. "alright, here's something i wrote last week. you can tell me if it's trash."
valerie leaned back, crossing her arms with a smirk. "oh, i will."
billie chuckled, starting to strum, her voice filling the room. valerie watched her, mesmerized by the way billie seemed to pour herself into each note. halfway through the song, billie glanced up, catching valerie watching her, and held her gaze for a moment too long. valerie felt her cheeks warm, and she quickly looked away, focusing on the bowl of popcorn in her lap.
when the song ended, billie put down the guitar, scooting a little closer on the couch. "so... thoughts?"
"honestly? it's incredible," valerie replied, looking back at her with a soft smile. "i don't think you can write a bad song if you tried."
billie tilted her head, smirking. "oh, i'm sure i could, but thanks."
they fell into an easy silence, the kind where neither of them felt the need to fill the space with words. but the closeness, the way billie's knee brushed against valerie's, kept valerie hyper-aware of every little movement.
after a few minutes, billie turned to her, a mischievous glint in her eye. "you know, you're way too comfortable in my space now. practically taking over."
valerie grinned, leaning back. "oh, please. you love having me here."
"maybe," billie said, her voice dropping just a bit, a hint of seriousness slipping through. "not everyone gets to take over my couch like this."
valerie looked at her, caught off guard by the way billie was looking back-intense, like there was something unspoken hanging between them. she wasn't sure if she should say something, break the tension, or just let it sit there.
"well, guess that makes me special, huh?" she finally said, her voice a little quieter than usual.
"yeah," billie murmured, her gaze not wavering. "guess it does."
they both laughed, trying to play it off, but as the night went on, the quiet, lingering tension stayed, like an invisible line they were both waiting to cross.