Hostage to you

3 Guitars and tattoos

Raven's POV

The rehearsal space is buzzing with low chatter and the hum of equipment being set up. It's not a huge venue—more of a large, open room with a stage at one end and scattered seating. There's a sense of organized chaos, but it's the kind that feels intentional, like everyone knows exactly where to be and what to do.

I walk in with Luca, who's been filling me in on the day's schedule. There's no sign of Billie yet, but I'm not in a rush. I take a moment to look around, getting a feel for the space. It's definitely different from my usual gigs—there's an energy here that feels more personal, less structured. I can see why Billie wouldn't want a stiff, rigid bodyguard hanging around.

Luca leads me toward a small area off to the side where a few people are gathered. "Billie will be here in a bit," he says. "Why don't you just hang out and see how things flow?"

"Sure," I reply, leaning against a nearby pillar. My eyes drift around the room, taking in the mix of crew members adjusting lights, sound techs setting up gear, and a few people who seem to be chatting just to pass the time.

There's a flicker of movement near the stage entrance, and I see Billie stride in, her red roots catching the light as she pulls her hair back into a messy ponytail. She's wearing ripped black jeans and a loose white tank top that shows off a hint of the tattoos on her arms. The casual way she moves makes it look like she owns the place without even trying.

Her eyes scan the room briefly before landing on me, and for a split second, there's a flash of something in her gaze—curiosity, maybe, or just recognition. She raises an eyebrow slightly, like she's silently acknowledging me, before making her way over.

"Hey, glad you made it," she says, coming to a stop a little closer than necessary. There's an easy smile on her lips, and the way she's looking at me feels more focused than before.

"Wouldn't miss it," I reply, letting my tone stay warm. "I was looking forward to seeing what goes on behind the scenes."

She tilts her head, still holding my gaze. "And? What do you think so far?"

"It's different," I say, my gaze drifting briefly to her tattoos. "But in a good way. It's nice to see a more relaxed setup."

"Yeah, we try to keep things chill," Billie says, her smile widening slightly as she catches me glancing at her ink. "You like tattoos?"

"I do," I reply, leaning in just a bit, the movement almost subconscious. "They can say a lot about a person."

She doesn't step back, and there's a beat of silence where it feels like we're both aware of the space—or lack thereof—between us. Her eyes flicker down to my hands, where the silver rings glint faintly, and then back up to my face.

"You seem like someone who knows how to keep things interesting," she says, her voice dropping just a touch lower, like it's meant for me to hear and no one else.

I give her a small, genuine smile. "I try to," I say, a little softer than before.

There's a hint of amusement in her eyes, like she's enjoying this little exchange as much as I am. Before the moment can linger too long, she steps back slightly, giving me a playful nudge with her shoulder as she heads toward the stage.

"Come on," she says over her shoulder. "Let's see if you can handle the real show."

Billie's POV

I walk up to the stage, feeling the low thrum of excitement that always comes before a rehearsal. It's not the same as a live show, but there's still that buzz in the air, like everything's just about to come alive. I glance back at Raven, who's following me, and I can't help but notice the way she moves—confident, composed, and quietly observant.

It's kind of refreshing, having someone around who doesn't seem fazed by... well, anything. Most people either try too hard to act normal or go the opposite way and start fawning. But Raven just stands there, hands in her pockets, looking at me like I'm just another person. It's a good vibe.

She stops at the edge of the stage, watching as I grab my guitar and adjust the strap. "You've been to a lot of shows?" I ask, glancing at her from under my lashes.

"A few," she replies, the corner of her mouth curling slightly. "But I haven't been this close to the action before."

"Well, you're in for something different," I say, feeling a little bolder than usual. Maybe it's the way she's looking at me—like she's curious in a way that goes deeper than just the surface.

As the crew runs through a quick soundcheck, I strum a few chords, letting my fingers find their rhythm. Raven's still watching, and I can't help but wonder what she's thinking—if she's sizing me up, or if she's just... interested.

I play a few more notes, then glance over at her again. "So, what's your story, Raven? You don't seem like the type who planned to end up here."

She shrugs, but there's a hint of a smile on her lips. "I guess I just go where life takes me."

I find myself smiling at that. "Well, I'm glad it brought you here."

She meets my eyes, and for a moment, it feels like everything else fades into the background. The low chatter, the sounds of the crew—it all blurs, leaving just the two of us standing there, caught in this brief, almost electric silence.

I strum another chord and let the sound fill the space. "Stick around," I say, my voice softer than before. "You might like what you hear."

A/N
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