Billie was giddy as she stood in the middle of the bustling crowd. The Boygenius show had already kicked off, and the energy in the arena was electric. The lights danced in waves across the sea of fans, and the music pulsed through the air with an intensity that made her heart race. This was exactly where she wanted to be tonight-surrounded by good music, good vibes, and her most trusted company.

She glanced over her shoulder, peeking up at Cedric, who stood behind her like a stone wall. His usual stern expression was present, though it had softened a fraction since they arrived. For once, his balaclava was gone, and Billie couldn't stop stealing glances at his face. The sharp jawline, the specks of stubble growing in just slightly unevenly, the way his lips pressed together in thought-it was distracting. And unfair.

"Enjoying yourself?" she teased, her voice loud enough to carry over the music but still just for him.

Cedric didn't answer right away. Instead, he scanned the crowd, his hands resting on the railings in front of them. They had prime seating in a secluded VIP balcony, far from the swarming fans below, but he didn't relax. He never did.

"It's alright," he said finally, his green eyes flicking down to meet hers.

She smiled and turned back toward the stage. "Liar. You're dying to let loose and sing along. Admit it."

"Sure," Cedric replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Billie laughed, leaning back slightly against his chest. The contact was casual but deliberate. She'd been testing those boundaries more and more lately, and to her surprise, Cedric wasn't pulling away. Not tonight, at least. She reached up, her hands lightly resting on his clothed forearms as they folded over her waist.

"You've been hiding these guns under jackets all this time?" she teased, giving his arm a light squeeze.

Cedric exhaled sharply through his nose, his version of a laugh, but he didn't respond. Billie smirked at his silence, knowing she was getting under his skin just a little.

As the band transitioned into a slower, more intimate song, the mood in the room shifted. The crowd swayed as the opening chords filled the air, and Billie felt her chest tighten at the bittersweet lyrics. Her friends-Lucy, Julien, and Phoebe-poured their hearts out on stage, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion as the love song unfolded.

She tilted her head back slightly, her eyes drifting up to Cedric. His expression was unreadable, as usual, but she could see his jaw tighten slightly as the song played on.

"You're allowed to enjoy the music, you know," she said softly, her voice quieter now.

"I am," he replied, his tone low but steady.

Billie turned back to the stage, her grip on his arms tightening slightly. The lyrics cut deeper than she expected, and before she could stop herself, her thoughts drifted to the man behind her. His presence was constant, grounding, and... something more. She couldn't name it, not yet, but the way her heart fluttered when he was close was impossible to ignore.

The bridge of the song hit, and the emotion in the room was palpable. Billie's eyes welled up slightly, though she quickly blinked away the tears. She glanced back at Cedric again, catching him watching her this time.

"What?" she asked, her voice light but tinged with curiosity.

"Nothing," he said, looking away.

"Don't do that," she pressed, turning fully to face him now. "What were you thinking just now?"

Cedric hesitated, his eyes scanning the crowd below as if searching for an escape route. "It's nothing important."

"Come on, Cedric," Billie said, her voice soft but insistent. "You know I can tell when you're lying."

He met her gaze, and for a moment, the air between them felt heavier. The music swelled around them, but neither of them moved.

"You're enjoying yourself," he said finally, his voice almost too quiet to hear over the music.

"Yeah," Billie replied, tilting her head slightly. "And?"

"And that's all that matters," he said, his green eyes locking with hers for a beat too long.

Billie's heart skipped, and she felt her breath catch in her throat. The way he looked at her in that moment-it wasn't just professional concern. There was something else there, something unspoken but undeniable.

She turned back to the stage, her cheeks warm despite the cool night air. The song was nearing its end, and the crowd erupted into cheers as the final note rang out. Billie clapped along, though her mind was elsewhere now, caught up in the weight of Cedric's words and the way his gaze lingered on her.

As the band transitioned into another upbeat track, Billie decided she needed a distraction. She grabbed Cedric's hand, tugging him toward the exit of their section.

"Where are we going?" he asked, his tone wary but not resistant.

"To get drinks or something," she said over her shoulder. "Come on, live a little."

Cedric followed, his steps steady as always. They made their way to the private lounge area, where Billie ordered a mocktail while Cedric opted for water.

"You're so predictable," Billie teased as they settled into a quieter corner.

"Someone has to be," Cedric shot back, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

She laughed, sipping her drink as she studied him. Without the balaclava, he looked almost out of place-too handsome for his own good, she thought. The stubble along his jaw gave him a rugged edge, contrasting with the sharp focus in his eyes.

"You should smile more." she said suddenly.

Cedric tilted his head, considering her question. "It's not really in my nature."

"Bullshit," Billie said with a grin. "I've seen you smile. You're just stubborn."

"Maybe," Cedric conceded, his tone neutral.

Billie leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand as she studied him. "You're good at dodging questions."

"It's a military skill," he said, his smirk returning briefly.

She sighed, shaking her head. "One day, I'm gonna crack you, Cedric Pierre."

"I'm sure you will," he replied, his voice soft but sincere.

For the rest of the night, Billie tried to push her lingering thoughts aside, focusing on the music and the laughter of the crowd. But every so often, she caught herself glancing at Cedric, wondering what it would take to finally break through the walls he'd built so carefully.

And Cedric, for his part, couldn't stop wondering how much longer he could keep those walls intact.