come out and play (billie eilish christmas story)

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"Okay, before I go too overboard, what's your budget?" Billie asked as we walked into IKEA.

I told her an amount I'd decided on previously absent-mindedly, more focused on the crowds of people we were currently making our way through.

"Bet, I can work with that. C'mon," Billie took my hand and dragged me upstairs. I wasn't super concentrated on where we were going; I trusted her to not get us lost.

"By the way, what were you doing at the mall yesterday?" Billie asked while observing a TV stand.

"Uh, huh?" I looked at her with wide eyes, confused. Is she stalking me?

"Finneas said he saw you at the bus stop. I was just curious. Were you getting clothes? Do I get a private show?" She joked, glancing up at me from her crouched position by a couch.

"Oh, uh, no I wasn't," I mumbled, fingers fumbling with the hem of my sweater in nervousness.

Her eyes narrowed, focusing on my hands. I immediately dropped them to my sides.

"Are you okay?" She asked genuinely, standing up and grabbing both my hands to hold in hers.

I nodded, eyes fixated on a bowl of fake fruit sitting on the table behind her. Billie lifted one of her hands to turn my chin to her. "You sure?"

I nodded. Billie bit her lip, looking unconvinced.

"Let's leave," She decided, turning to leave while still holding my hand.

"Wait, why?" I protested, refusing to move.

"Because you don't look like you should be in public right now. We can always do this another time," She assured me, pulling me gently along.

"But we're here now," I argued. Billie just shrugged as we exited the building.

"It's fine. Not a big deal," she said nonchalantly, getting in the driver's seat of her car.

I sighed, feeling guilty but unable to argue any further, and got in the opposite side.

"You want me to drop you off at your apartment?" She asked while adjusting her mirrors.

"Only if you have other things you need to get to," I said bashfully, not wanting to leave her just yet.

"I haven't got anything going on. I'll take us back to my place and we can chill there," She decided, pulling out of the parking stall.

We drove in comfortable silence for a few minutes, until Billie broke it.

"You wanna tell me what's upsetting you?" She asked softly, eyes never diverting from the road.

I shrugged. "Just an off day. Don't wanna talk much, if that's okay," I said the last few words quietly, afraid of irritating her.

"Okay baby, I'll talk for both of us then," She said without hesitation, peeking over at me for a moment so I could see her smile.

I smiled back, relieved. We pulled into her driveway a couple minutes later.

"Wait," Billie ordered when I took off my seatbelt and made to open the door. Although I was confused, I obeyed and watched her as she undid her seatbelt and got out of the car, coming around to my side.

I blushed as she opened my door for me, bowing and waving me out.

"M'lady," She joked, barely holding back a laugh.

I shook my head at her antics but stepped out nonetheless, letting her shut the door softly behind me.

"Here, wanna piggy back ride?" Billie crouched down, looking at me over her shoulder, eyes sparkling with mirth.

I snorted with laughter. "Billie-"

"Shush!" She cut me off, chuckling as well. "Get on my back."

With a sigh and an eye roll, I obeyed, ensuring to place my weight on her shoulders instead of her neck so I wouldn't choke her.

Billie wrapped her arms around my legs tightly, butterflies fluttering about my stomach once again, and bounded off to her front door. I laughed heartily at her silliness.

Billie looked pleased with herself as she set me down inside. "There's a smile," She caught my eye, waiting expectantly.

As I'm sure she had predicted, a blush rose on my cheeks. Thankfully, she didn't tease me but the smirk on her lips didn't fade for a good few minutes.

"Want some hot chocolate? It's vegan but it's good," Billie asked me after I had settled on her couch, poking her head out of the kitchen.

I glanced up. "Sure," I started to get off the couch, but Billie quickly said,

"Just stay there, I'll bring it to you in a sec," I smiled back at her and relaxed again, the warmth of the fire right next to me washed over me, softly urging me to close my eyes...

"Here, sleepyhead," I bolted upward, nearly banging my head on Billie's arm, which would've resulted in hot chocolate spilling over both of us.

I looked up sheepishly. "Sorry," we said at the same time, causing a chuckle from us both.

"Didn't mean to startle you. Here," Billie held out the hot chocolate, settling right next to me on the couch after I took it.

I was a bit surprised by our closeness. Physical touch like this was almost alien to me, but very, very welcome... especially since it was Billie.

Her side pressed up against mine, our thighs touched, shoulders and arms brushing every time one of us lifted our mug to our lips... I had to remind myself to breathe and quit ogling at the defined muscles on Billie's arms, having been revealed since she had taken off her winter coat and she had been wearing a tank top underneath.

My heart sped up as Billie casually leaned back and swung an arm over my shoulder. I felt a bit light-headed, but it had never been more welcome.

I can get used to this.