chapter twenty:

shark

~💚~

madigan lay draped over billie, her head resting on billie's chest, listening to the steady rhythm of her heartbeat. her arms wrapped securely around billie's waist, feeling the rise and fall of her breathing. billie, stretched out on the couch, had her head resting against the armrest, looking totally at ease. her legs were slightly apart, cradling madigan's body between them, while one arm was slung around madigan's neck, holding her close in a loose, comfortable embrace.

the other hand, absentmindedly, played with madigan's hair, twirling strands around her fingers. every so often, billie's fingers would brush lightly against madigan's scalp, making her sigh softly in contentment. they were watching the movie on screen, but neither was really that invested, both more focused on each other. occasionally, they'd exchange small comments or laugh at something absurd that happened in the movie, but mostly, they were just enjoying being together like this—quiet, close, and completely at ease.

madigan shifted slightly, burying her face deeper into billie's chest. she couldn't help but smile when she felt billie's chest vibrate with a soft chuckle. "you comfortable down there?" billie asked, her voice teasing but warm.

"mmm, yeah," madigan murmured into billie's shirt. "way too comfortable."

billie grinned, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of madigan's head. "good."

as they settled back into the quiet of the movie, billie's phone buzzed from its spot on the coffee table. she lazily reached for it with her free hand, lifting it up to glance at the screen. it was a text from finneas:

finneas: "yo, i'm dropping by with shark in about an hour. just fyi."

billie smiled at the message, feeling a little flicker of excitement at the thought of seeing her dog, shark, again. she glanced down at madigan, who was still lying on her chest, clearly in no rush to move.

"fin just texted," billie said casually, her voice soft as she stroked madigan's hair. "he's bringing shark over in about an hour."

madigan lifted her head slightly, looking up at billie with a sleepy smile. "shark?" she asked, her voice curious.

"my dog," billie explained, smiling fondly. "he's been staying with finneas for a bit, but he's bringing him over today."

madigan nodded, her smile widening. "i wanna meet him."

"you'll love him," billie said, leaning down to press another soft kiss to madigan's forehead. "he's the best."

with that, they settled back into their cozy position, neither in any hurry to move. billie's arm stayed wrapped around madigan's shoulders, holding her close, while her other hand continued its gentle movements through madigan's hair, brushing and twisting the strands idly.

they stayed like that, quietly watching the movie until it eventually came to an end. the credits started rolling, but neither of them made a move to get up, content to just stay wrapped up in each other for a little longer. the room was filled with a comfortable silence, the kind that only comes when two people are completely at ease with one another.

as the credits played, billie turned her head slightly, pressing her lips softly to madigan's hair once more, feeling completely content in the moment.

as the movie credits rolled, billie let out a content sigh, her arms tightening around madigan. she shifted beneath her, a playful glint in her eyes as she swung madigan gently from one side to the other, her legs adjusting to make room. she let out a quiet squeal of excitement, her lips curving into a wide, almost childlike smile.

madigan raised her head slightly, looking up at billie with a curious smile. "what are you doing?" she asked, a soft laugh escaping her.

billie's eyes sparkled as she hugged madigan even tighter, her arms wrapped firmly around her waist. "i'm just sooo happy to have you here," she said, her voice high-pitched with excitement, the joy bubbling out of her uncontrollably. "like, you're mine, and i get to hold you, and... i don't know, i just feel like i'm gonna explode from how happy i am."

madigan's cheeks flushed, her heart warming at billie's words. she leaned up slightly, pressing a soft kiss to billie's jawline, her lips brushing against the warm skin there. "well, i'm happy too," she whispered, her voice soft but filled with affection.

billie grinned, her lips finding madigan's in a gentle kiss. they lingered there for a moment, just enjoying the closeness, the warmth that came with knowing they were both finally together. when they pulled back, billie's fingers ran through madigan's hair, pushing it back from her face. "i still can't believe you're mine," she murmured, her voice tender.

madigan smiled, her hand resting against billie's chest, feeling the steady beat of her heart beneath her palm. "i can't believe it either," she admitted, her voice quiet but sincere. "i didn't think this... us... would ever happen."

billie's lips curved into a soft smile, and she leaned down to press a kiss to madigan's forehead. "well, it did. and i'm not letting you go now," she teased, her voice full of affection.

madigan laughed softly, resting her head back against billie's chest. "i guess i'm stuck with you, huh?"

"forever," billie replied with a playful grin, her fingers tracing light patterns on madigan's back.

they lay there in each other's arms, exchanging little kisses every now and then—on the lips, the cheeks, madigan reaching up to kiss billie's jaw or chin, while billie leaned down to press soft kisses to madigan's forehead. the warmth between them was undeniable, and they stayed wrapped up in their little world, oblivious to everything else.

just as madigan was about to speak again, they both heard the distinct sound of the front door opening and closing. madigan's head lifted slightly, her eyes widening. "is that...?"

"yep," billie said, smiling lazily, but she made no move to let go of madigan. she hugged her tighter instead, as if daring her to try and get up.

madigan gave her a playful shove, trying to wiggle out of billie's hold. "i should probably get up, you know? make a good first impression and all that."

but billie just held on tighter, her arms wrapping around madigan like a vice. "nope, you're staying right here," she said with a mischievous grin. "finneas is used to seeing me like this. you're fine."

madigan laughed, rolling her eyes but relaxing back into billie's arms, giving up her attempt to move. they both turned their heads toward the doorway just as finneas walked in, shark trotting happily by his side.

finneas paused in the doorway, taking in the scene in front of him—his sister sprawled out on the couch, with madigan lying on top of her, both of them looking thoroughly comfortable and very much in love. he raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by the sight. "well, isn't this cozy," he teased, his lips quirking into a grin.

madigan blushed slightly, feeling a little embarrassed to be caught like this, but billie just smiled proudly, her arms still firmly wrapped around madigan's waist. "hey, fin," billie greeted casually, completely unbothered. "how's it going?"

finneas chuckled, shaking his head as he bent down to scratch shark's ears. "i'm good. looks like you two are doing pretty well yourselves," he said, his tone teasing but warm.

billie just grinned, her eyes flicking between madigan and finneas. "yeah, we're great," she said, her voice light but full of meaning.

shark, curious about the new person in the room, trotted over to the couch and sniffed at madigan's hand. madigan smiled, reaching down to pet him gently, feeling billie's hand stroke her back in small, soothing circles.

finneas stood up, giving them both a knowing look. "alright, lovebirds, i'll leave you two alone. just dropping shark off." he gave them a wink before turning to head toward the kitchen. "if you need anything, just holler."

madigan couldn't help but laugh softly as she watched finneas walk away, shaking her head. she turned back to billie, her hand resting on her chest again. "he seems nice."

billie grinned, her arms wrapping even tighter around madigan. "he's the best. and so are you," she said, leaning down to give madigan another soft kiss.

madigan smiled into the kiss, feeling completely at home in billie's arms. "you're not so bad yourself," she teased, pulling back just enough to meet billie's gaze.

for the first time in a long time, everything felt exactly right.

madigan smiled down at shark, who was now sniffing her hand curiously. she wanted to get to know billie's dog better, but billie's arms were still firmly wrapped around her, holding her down on the couch.

madigan let out a small sigh, giving billie a playful look. "alright, let me up. i want to meet shark properly."

billie shook her head, tightening her hold around madigan's waist. "nope, you're staying right here with me," she said with a grin, clearly enjoying having madigan all to herself.

madigan squirmed, trying to wiggle free from billie's arms, but billie held on tighter, not budging. "come on, billie! i just want to pet him!" madigan protested, her voice filled with playful frustration.

billie chuckled, her arms locking around madigan. "you're not going anywhere," she teased, pressing a quick kiss to the top of madigan's head.

madigan narrowed her eyes and, realizing billie wasn't going to let her go easily, decided to make it her mission to escape. she started wriggling even harder, squirming against billie's hold just to annoy her. "fine, if you're not going to let me go, i'll just have to fight my way out."

billie grinned, clearly enjoying the challenge. "oh, so that's how it's going to be?" she said, holding madigan even closer. "you'll never win, mads."

now it was on. madigan, determined to break free, started struggling in earnest, laughing as she tried to pry billie's arms away. billie laughed too, holding her tighter, trying to keep her pinned down on the couch.

"you are so annoying!" madigan laughed, her body shaking with giggles as she fought to free herself.

"you love it," billie teased back, grinning down at her.

they wrestled like that, rolling slightly back and forth on the couch, billie doing everything in her power to hold on while madigan fought to get up. the playful struggle continued until, in one unexpected roll, they both toppled off the couch, landing on the floor with a thud. billie ended up on top of madigan, her arms still around her.

madigan let out a small groan, mostly from surprise. billie's eyes immediately widened, and she scrambled to get off her, looking at her with concern. "oh my god, are you okay?!" billie asked, her voice filled with worry as she quickly started checking madigan over, her hands hovering above her as if she were afraid to touch her in case she was hurt.

madigan, who was perfectly fine thanks to the soft carpet beneath them, bit her lip to hold back a laugh. she waited for a moment, letting billie fuss over her before finally pushing herself up and standing.

"i'm fine, billie," she said, smirking as she walked over to shark, who was wagging his tail happily. she knelt down beside the dog and started petting him, completely unfazed.

billie stared at her in disbelief, realization dawning on her face. "you sneaky little girl," she said, her tone mock-scolding, though there was a clear smile tugging at her lips.

before madigan could respond, billie sprang up and darted toward her, ready to tackle her back to the floor. but madigan, quick on her feet, dodged out of the way just in time, causing billie to stumble slightly.

"you're going to have to be faster than that!" madigan called over her shoulder, laughing as she moved around the living room, putting some distance between her and billie.

"oh, it's on now," billie said, her voice filled with playful determination. she lunged toward madigan again, but madigan dodged her once more, dancing just out of billie's reach.

for the next thirty minutes, they played an impromptu game of tag around the living room. shark, picking up on the excitement, started running around with them, barking and wagging his tail like he was part of the game too. billie chased madigan around the room, and every time she got close, madigan would slip away, her laughter filling the air. billie was persistent, though, her grin wide as she kept trying to catch her.

"come on, mads, just let me get you!" billie called, breathless but laughing.

madigan shot her a teasing look over her shoulder, still keeping just out of billie's reach. "you're going to have to try harder than that!"

they continued like that, billie trying to catch madigan, shark happily running around between them, until they were both out of breath from laughing so hard. the whole house echoed with their playful shouts and laughter, and for that little while, it felt like nothing else in the world mattered but the two of them and their goofy game.