Hostage to you

19 birthday!!!

Sorry for the late chapter! Last week was my birthday (dec 18) 😘
Here's Billie's birthday chapter!! (Also dec 18) because I have no accurate timeline at all but next chapter is going to be a Xmas one!!!
Have fun reading!

Raven's POV

The early winter sun filters through the curtains, soft and pale, casting golden streaks across Billie's bedroom. I stir first, blinking against the light, and become aware of the warm, familiar weight of Billie's arm draped over me. Her face is tucked into the crook of my neck, her breathing slow and even.

Today's her birthday—her 22nd.

I lie there for a while, just enjoying the quiet moment. It's rare for Billie to look this peaceful, to be completely at ease. Her world is so full of motion, noise, and people constantly demanding her attention, but here, in this bed, it's just her and me. I turn slightly to get a better look at her, her messy hair splayed out on the pillow, her red roots catching the light.

"Morning, birthday girl," I whisper, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.

She stirs, mumbling something unintelligible as she burrows closer. Her grip tightens slightly around my waist, as if she's trying to keep me there. I can't help but smile.

"Billie," I say softly, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Time to wake up."

She groans, her face still hidden against my shoulder. "Five more minutes."

I laugh, running my fingers lightly through her hair. "It's your birthday. Don't you want to start celebrating?"

Her head lifts slightly, her eyes half-open and still heavy with sleep. "I'm too old to celebrate," she mumbles, her voice raspy.

"You're 22, Billie," I say, grinning. "That's hardly old."

She rolls onto her back with a dramatic sigh, her arm draped over her face. "Feels old."

"Well," I say, propping myself up on my elbow, "I guess I'll just have to spend the whole day reminding you how amazing you are."

Her lips twitch into a lazy smile, and she moves her arm to peek at me. "You're going to hype me up all day?"

"Damn right I am," I reply, leaning down to kiss her nose. "Someone's gotta make sure you feel like the birthday queen."

Her laugh is soft, warm, and unguarded. "You're ridiculous."

"And you love it," I tease, sliding out of bed before she can argue.

"Where are you going?" she asks, her voice still thick with sleep.

"Stay here," I call over my shoulder. "You'll see."

When I return, I'm balancing a tray with coffee, orange juice, and a plate of pancakes topped with whipped cream and strawberries. Billie is sitting up in bed, her hair messier than before, her oversized sweatshirt slipping off one shoulder. Her eyes light up when she sees the tray.

"Breakfast in bed?" she says, raising an eyebrow.

"Only the best for the birthday queen," I reply, setting the tray in front of her.

She laughs, picking up her fork. "You're spoiling me."

"That's the point," I say, sitting cross-legged beside her. "You're not allowed to lift a finger today. It's the rules."

She grins, taking a bite of pancake. "I could get used to this."

"Don't," I warn, stealing a strawberry from her plate. "This is a once-a-year deal."

She nudges me playfully with her elbow, her laughter bright and contagious. "Noted."

We eat together, the conversation light and easy. She talks about how weird it feels to be 22, making jokes about how she'll have to update her song lyrics. I remind her that she's still young and, more importantly, ridiculously talented.