Time had been flying by in the blink of an eye. 

One moment, Leia and Taylor had been celebrating New Year in Leia and Georgie's apartment, and the next they were knee deep in press planning and tour rehearsals. Leia's rehearsals were obviously a lot more relaxed and less gruelling than Taylor's, since she was only performing an opening set on around 35 of the shows but nethertheless, it was still busy.

Taylor and her team had finally decided on three support acts; Leia, Camila and British singer Charli XCX. Leia didn't know much about the girl as she seemed to keep to herself, but she at least knew one or two of her main hits. Georgie had been obsessed with 'Boom Clap', so Leia was sure that the song would forever be engraved into her head.

Charli would start with seven songs, Leia would go in the middle with six and Camila would perform nine. Leia knew that she could have easily done more and matched Camila's numbers, but she figured that she would rather just play the bigger ones from her album and take the extra time to get changed, wish Taylor good luck and head to wherever she was allowed to watch from. It wasn't like she'd be able to catch her backstage during the show - not when Taylor had eight costumes changes and not a moment to catch her breath.

Tree announced to the press Charli and Camila at the start of March, the publicist deciding to hold off on announcing Leia until a little bit closer to the start of tour to keep the publicity momentum going. Riven loved the idea, pleased that Leia was going to have her own opener announcement rather than sharing with the other two. 

The anticipation for the tour announcement was building, and Leia could feel the electricity in the air. She sat in her rehearsal dressing room in early April, nervously tapping her foot as she scrolled through her phone, waiting for the right moment to share her big news with her followers.

She slumped onto the plush sofa, her fingers absently tracing the intricate patterns on her guitar case. The weight of expectations seemed to settle on her shoulders like a heavy cloak. A soft knock at the door jolted her from her reverie.

"Come in," she called, her voice slightly hoarse from hours of singing.

Taylor slipped inside, her presence immediately filling the room with warmth. She took one look at Leia's furrowed brow and crossed the room in three quick strides.

"Hey gorgeous," Leia murmured, smiling gently as Taylor sat down next to her, sensing that Leia was overthinking again.

"Hey, you okay?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Leia managed a weak smile.

"Just... overwhelmed, I guess. It's all becoming so real," Leia admitted, shrugging a little as she leaned her head against Taylor's shoulder. "I guess I just wonder if we're pushing our luck. Everyone has believed Zaria and Joe so far but-"

"But you're worried the conspiracies are going to start back up now that we'll be together every night?"

"Yeah," Leia mused, realising now that the thought had clearly crossed Taylor's mind more than once. "You know I don't care about that, but I care about you and I don't want there to be any leaks or anything."

Taylor wrapped an arm around Leia, pulling her closer. "I know, love. I worry about that too. But we've been so careful, and Tree has everything under control."

It was true - Tree had been a powerhouse in the lead up to the tour so far. With just over a month to go before the first date in Glendale, Tree had been working overdrive to keep Taylor's name in the press - and in a good light. It had been public hike dates with Joe, getting Ed to talk about how good Joe and Taylor were for each other, making sure no photos of Leia and Taylor alone were released... she was all over it.

Riven had been following in her lead too. Leia and Zaria had ramped up their PR dates, going on almost one a week and had introduced more PDA to it. Taylor hated it, and Leia did too - but they didn't have much choice. While Taylor and Joe had been able to fall into the 'private but not secret' bracket, Leia's public persona along with Zaria's past relationships had meant that no PDA would easily have been flagged as a PR stunt.

Leia had just kept reminding Taylor - Zaria might be kissing her on the lips in public, but it was Taylor who slept in Leia's bed every night. They'd all but moved in together at this point, switching time between Leia and Georgie's apartment and Taylor's Cornelia Street rental.

"Besides," Taylor continued, a mischievous glint in her eye, "think of all the secret moments we'll get to steal backstage. It'll be like our own little world within the chaos."

Leia smiled gently.

"You'll need to be able to stand with Joe in the VIP tent too, on the nights he's coming," Taylor mused, her thoughts taking off. "They'll think it's him I'm singing to, but it's you. No-one will know any less, especially if Zaria can make it too."

Leia couldn't help but smile at that, feeling some of the tension leave her body. "You're right. I'm just letting my nerves get the best of me."

"It's okay to be nervous," Taylor assured her, pressing a soft kiss to Leia's temple. "This is a big step for both of us. But we're in this together, remember?"

Leia nodded, taking a deep breath. She picked up her phone again, her thumb hovering over the 'post' button. "I guess it's time to give the fans some fuel for the Laylor fire, huh?"

With a surge of determination, Leia hit 'post'. Her announcement, a simple photo of her on stage with the caption "Can't wait to see you all on the reputation Stadium Tour!" was now out in the world.

"Well, there's no turning back now," Leia chuckled, her voice a blend of anticipation and trepidation.

Taylor leaned in, her lips brushing against Leia's ear as she whispered, "You're going to be amazing out there. I can't wait to hear the crowd chanting your name."

A shiver ran down Leia's spine at Taylor's words, and she turned to capture her lips in a quick, tender kiss.

A knock at the door interrupted their moment, and they quickly separated, almost two years of practice allowing them to seamlessly shift into a casual, friendly posture.

"Come in," Leia called out, her voice steady despite the lingering emotion. 

The door opened to reveal Tree and Riven, their expression a mix of satisfaction and determination as the both carried coffees towards the singers. The girls both relaxed once they saw it was just their publicists.

"Congratulations, Leia. The announcement is already making waves. We've got a busy few weeks ahead of us to keep this momentum going."

Leia was pretty sure that they weren't going to have to work hard to make people talk about the reputation tour - she had a very strong feeling it wasn't going to go by silently.

____

"Hey Andrea," Leia smiled, letting the blonde woman wrap her arms around the girl and pull her into a tight hug. She smelled like cinnamon and berries - something Leia knew she would always now associate with the woman.

"Hello sweetheart," Andrea murmured, pulling back and taking a motherly look at Leia. "You look great."

"I'm sweaty and dehydrated," Leia laughed, pointing to the strands of hair that were fraying from her haphazardly tied back hair. "And I look like I picked a fight with a bush... and lost."

Andrea just laughed at that, and Leia took that as a non-verbal confirmation that she did indeed resemble that description. She'd been training for weeks to make sure that by the time her reputation tour debut occurred, she'd be fit and polished to perfection. 

The tour had officially started a month prior, on the 8th of May in Glendale, and Leia had been finishing up her own end of album press trial in that time. Riven had put all of his energy into getting eyes to remain on her as she moved on from her first album era and into her new adventure: one of the reputation stadium tour openers.

Camila was currently in Birmingham, preparing for her second European date on her Never Be The Same tour - which Georgie was planning to attend while touring with them, and Leia wasn't honestly sure what Charli was up to. She didn't have much to talk about with the other tour opener, and hadn't really spent any time getting to know her. She did love a few of her songs though, and was pretty certain they'd get along over the next few months. 

So much so, that she'd flown out to Manchester in England almost a full week before the first date to be in the stadium while they began the set up. That had been a few days ago, and now there was only two days until the Manchester show kicked off the small but impactful UK leg. Taylor had finished her second show in Chicago five days prior, and had arrived into the country that morning. While she was yet to make an appearance at Etihad Stadium, Andrea had gotten up bright and early and came across to see her daughter's girlfriend. 

Her and Scott had stood in the tech tent, smiles on their faces as they watched her do her first run-through on the actual stage. Leia's set was about the same time as Charli and Camila, sandwiched in between them so that she'd have enough time to get changed and rejoin everyone in the VIP tents. She didn't want to miss a second of the show.

It wasn't like Leia hadn't seen the show before - she'd been at opening night. She'd have been at a lot more, if Riven and Tree hadn't decided it would look suspicious if she kept turning up to the tour dates before she officially had taken to the stage as an opener. Valid, to be honest.

Andrea smiled as she passed a water bottle to Leia, reaching and brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"You know, I'm glad you're here. We've missed having you around."

Leia wasn't sure if she just meant her and Scott, or if that included Taylor too - but she figured it was a whole family statement. She was sure Austin was around somewhere, and hoped it included him too.

Regardless, her heart swelled with warmth at Andrea's words. She had grown close to Taylor's family over the past two years, but hearing that they had missed her presence still filled her with a sense of belonging.

"I've missed you all too," Leia replied softly, taking a sip of water. "It's been a whirlwind these past few weeks."

As if on cue, Scott appeared from behind one of the tech tents, his face breaking into a wide smile when he saw Leia.

"There's our rising star!" he called out, joining them. "How are you feeling about tomorrow night?"

"Excited. Nervous. A little terrified," she admitted with a small laugh. "Overall excited, though."

Scott placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Sounds about right. But you've got this, kiddo. We'll all be right there cheering you on."

As if on cue, Leia's phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out to see a text from Taylor.

Coming in now, and should be at the stadium in five - provided no fans realise. See you soon, love 🥰

Leia couldn't help the smile that spread across her face as she read the message. She looked up to see Andrea and Scott exchanging a knowing glance.

"Taylor's on her way," Leia explained, trying to keep her voice neutral despite the excitement bubbling inside her.

Andrea's eyes twinkled. "Well then, we should probably let you get back to your preparations. Is there anything you need from us?"

Leia shook her head, overwhelmed by their kindness.

"Oh - before I forget - I spoke to your dad this morning, and I've briefed our team and prepared them for their security passes," Scott explained, gesturing to a bunch of lanyards he had wrapped around his arm. "They've got Georgie on the list already for all of the shows, so she's good to go. Seems she even has her own personalised lanyard..."

Leia sighed in a mix of laughter and exasperation as Scott plucked one out of the bundle in his arm, the pass attached to the lanyard having a photo of her and Tate stuck to the front. The letters "T.S.G.S" were printed on the badge, and Leia could only guess what that even meant.

"I'm... confused?"

"Our team have informed me it stands for Taylor Swift Guest Specialist," Scott told her, making Leia continue to look at him in confusion. "However, a special source told me the G.S actually stands for girlfriend's sister - not that anyone else can know that."

"I feel that's a bit on the nose," Leia admitted, laughing as her and Andrea chuckled at the badge. "Feels very unsubtle."

"Well, subtlety has never been Taylor's strong suit," Scott said with a fond eye roll and a chuckle. "I'm just glad your sister is going to be able to join us for all of the shows until October."

Andrea squeezed Leia's arm gently. "We're all looking forward to having her around. She brings such energy - and Austin wants to finally meet her properly."

Leia nodded in agreement, a wave of affection for her sister washing over her. As much as Georgie could be a handful at times, Leia was grateful for her unwavering support. She loved her parents, but they didn't care much for the life Leia lived - whereas Georgie was always there in the heat of the moments with her. She'd be forever grateful to her for that.

"Me too," Leia agreed, her heart warming at the thought of having her sister nearby during this whirlwind adventure. "Though I'm a bit worried about the trouble she might get into with that 'special' pass of hers."

"Don't worry, we'll keep an eye on her," Scott winked at her and Leia knew fine well that Scott and Georgie were going to be throwing guitar picks at people by the time the next tour date rolled around. "Now, you should probably head back to your dressing room. I'm sure Taylor will want to see you as soon as she gets here."

Leia nodded, giving both Andrea and Scott quick hugs before heading off. As she walked, she couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for how easily Taylor's family had welcomed her into their lives. It was nice to have another set of parental figures in her life.

She had just reached Taylor's dressing room when she heard the telltale sound of Taylor's security team standing in the corridor. Leia's heart quickened as she rounded the corner, her eyes looking for the blonde as soon as the dressing room entrance came into sight. And there she was.

Taylor was looking effortlessly beautiful despite the jet lag that Leia knew she was suffering from, her blonde hair tied up and a familiar black and green sweater hanging over her shoulders as she chatted with Mark, one of her security team.

"Hey, you," Taylor said softly, her eyes lighting up as she saw Leia. Mark smiled, excusing himself and stepping away from the pair.

Leia grinned, fighting the urge to run into Taylor's arms. She knew Taylor's close security knew about them, but Leia wasn't sure how private they were right now. Some of the stadiums had external cameras, so Tree had pre-warned them that unless they were in the dressing room with the door shut, there was to be no PDA. Therefore, instead of jumping into her arms, she casually leaned against her dressing room door. 

"Hey yourself. Good flight?"

Taylor nodded, glancing around quickly before stepping closer. "It was fine. But I'm much happier to be here now."

They shared a meaningful look, both acutely aware of the eyes that could be on them at any moment. Leia could almost sense Riven and Tree's presence - despite both of their publicists not even being in the same corridor as them. Leia swore they had a sixth sense when it came to their clients.

"Well, come on in," Taylor said, opening her dressing room door as she adjusted her backpack. "I've got some ideas for the show I want to run by you."

As soon as the door closed behind them, Taylor pulled Leia into a tight embrace. Taylor pulled back slightly, cupping Leia's face in her hands as she looked her up and down for a moment.

"I see someone's been working hard," she said with a playful smirk. 

Leia laughed, running a hand through her messy hair. "Just trying to make sure I don't embarrass myself out there tomorrow night."

"As if that were possible," Taylor scoffed, her tone warm and encouraging.

Taylor leaned in and kissed Leia softly, her lips lingering for a moment before pulling away.

"I've missed you," she murmured.

Leia sighed contentedly, wrapping her arms around Taylor's waist. 

"I've missed you too. It feels like forever since Chicago."

"Less than a month..." Taylor mused, her eyes twinkling a little. "Don't think I'll be able to handle the end of this tour if less than a month felt this hard."

"Well, we'll just have some time to make up for then," Leia teased with a mischievous smile. Taylor slapped her arm lightly, rolling her eyes as she chuckled at her girlfriend. "But definitely not now, this room is so fucking cold. We need to get you like a heater on your rider from now on."

"You've already made me put an extra tub of Ben & Jerry's on there for you. I think Tree has already had enough of your input on my tour rider."

Leia sniggered, Taylor playfully rolling her eyes at the noise.

"You know," Leia began, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "Camila's playing in Birmingham tonight. It's not that far from here, and I was thinking..."

Taylor's eyes widened. "Are you serious? Leia, we can't just-"

"But we could!" Leia interrupted, her excitement building. "Think about it. We put on some disguises, maybe wigs and glasses. No one would ever know it was us. We could blend in with the crowd, enjoy the music, support Camila..."

Taylor bit her lip, considering the idea. Leia could see the wheels turning in her head, a familiar glint of adventure sparking in her eyes.

"Tree would absolutely hate us if she found out," Taylor said, but there was a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Then we make sure she doesn't find out. We'll be back before anyone even realizes we're gone. Plus, it'll be fun to surprise Camila. You know it would mean the world to her - and Georgie can make sure we've got backstage passes incase we need to slip away from the crowd..."

Taylor ran a hand through her hair, a habit Leia knew meant she was seriously contemplating the idea.

"And you're sure we can pull this off without being recognised?"

"Positive," Leia assured her, already mentally planning their disguises.

___

"What were you thinking?"

"That's a stupid question, because they clearly weren't thinking at all Riven," Tree snapped, although her annoyance wasn't with the man sitting across from her.  

It wasn't like they'd been caught. Leia and Taylor had sneaked into the show, managed to stand in the middle of the crowd with some pretty decent wigs that Taylor's tour stylist had managed to get their hands on last minute, and survived the whole show without being detected.

They'd even made it backstage and surprised Camila without being caught - until it just so happened that Riven had attended the show with Georgie that evening and rounded the corner just in time to see the duo hugging Camila in her dressing room.

Leia shifted uncomfortably in her seat, feeling the weight of Tree and Riven's disapproving stares. Taylor sat beside her, her face a mask of calm despite the tension in the room.

"Look, we know it was risky," Taylor began, her voice steady. "But we were careful. We had disguises, we kept a low profile-"

"A low profile?" Tree interrupted, her voice sharp. "You two are some of the most recognizable faces in the music industry right now. There is no such thing as a 'low profile' for you."

The whole thing would have been remarkably intimidating, but the camera crew in the corner filming the 'inside' look at Taylor's life was making it all seem a little bit less real and a bit more like reality TV.

Despite that, Leia still found herself wincing a little at Tree's words, knowing she was right. It had been Leia's idea, after all, and now they were both facing the consequences despite the fact they weren't even recognised by anyone except Riven.

Leia kind of felt like their telling off from Tree wasn't really over, since it wasn't like she could bring up their PR relationships in front of the camera in the corner - which is why Leia was pretty sure Taylor had encouraged them to come in and capture a 'real discussion' between the girls and their publicists.

"We just wanted to support Camila," Leia said softly, trying to explain. "And have a night where we could just be... normal. Together."

Riven's expression softened slightly at Leia's words, but Tree remained unmoved.

"I understand the desire for normalcy," Tree said, her tone slightly gentler but still firm. "But you both know better. The risks you took tonight... if even one person had recognised you, if one photo had leaked..."

She didn't need to finish the sentence. They all knew what was at stake - their careers, their privacy, their relationship. The camera's didn't need to know - there was an easier conclusion that viewers could take from Tree trailing off and it was the idea of the press and fans mobbing them - not the idea of a secret relationship being discovered.

Leia nodded anyway, feeling a mixture of guilt and defiance. She knew they had been reckless, but part of her couldn't regret the night they'd had - the freedom, the joy of being just another face in the crowd, sharing that experience with Taylor.

"What's done is done," Riven said, breaking the tense silence.

"Now," Tree said, her tone becoming warmer once more as she smiled across at them, "let's focus on tonight's show. Leia, are you feeling prepared for your debut?"

As the conversation shifted to last-minute preparations for the tour, Leia caught Taylor's eye. They shared a small, secret smile, both knowing that despite the scolding, their adventure had been worth it. The thrill of doing something just for themselves, of supporting their friend, and of simply being together in a crowd of unsuspecting fans – it was a memory they'd cherish.

____

"Thank you all so much!" Leia yelled out into the microphone as the crowd roared, the seats gradually filling up as her set went on. Camila was warming up behind the stage, and Charli was already cooling down after her own set.

Leia's heart was racing as she took in the sea of faces before her. The energy in the stadium was electric, and she could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins. As she finished her final song, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause.

"Manchester, you've been incredible!" she shouted, her voice slightly hoarse from singing. "I can't wait to see you all again soon. Have an amazing night!"

With a final wave, Leia jogged off stage, her ears ringing from the roar of the crowd. As soon as she was out of sight, she was enveloped in a tight hug.

"You were amazing!" Georgie squealed, practically bouncing with excitement. "Did you hear how loud they were cheering for you?"

As they made their way backstage, Leia was met with a flurry of congratulations from the crew and dancers that were doing their warm-ups. Camila gave her a quick hug before rushing off to kick off her own set. Taylor would currently be finishing up her Rep Room experience, having planned to meet fans before and after the show at every tour stop. Leia knew she wouldn't see her now until she was on stage in front of thousands.

"Leia!"

She turned to see Taylor's parents approaching, both wearing proud smiles.

"Oh sweetheart, you were wonderful," Andrea said, pulling Leia into a warm embrace.

Scott clapped her on the back. "You really owned that stage, kiddo. Taylor's going to have to watch out, or you might just steal the show."

Leia laughed, feeling a mix of pride and embarrassment at Scott's words.

"Thanks, but I think Taylor's pretty safe. No one could steal the show from her."

"Look, we're about to head back out before Camila finishes her set - do you two want to meet us there, or would you like us to wait?" Scott continued, checking his watch as Andrea turned to speak to one of the stage managers who had stopped her to ask a question. "Your parents are in the tent already. I think your dad has been interrogating Joe..."

 "Yeah, nah," Leia said, a brief groan falling from Georgie's lips, "if you're fine to wait, we'll be less than five minutes? Probably easier to have our VIP guides with us..."

Scott laughed, patting her on the back and informing them both that they'd be here until they returned.

As Georgie and Leia made their way to Leia's dressing room, she could feel the anticipation building. In just a short while, she'd be watching her girlfriend perform, surrounded by thousands of screaming fans. And while everyone else would be looking at Joe, thinking he was the subject of Taylor's reputation love songs, Leia would know the truth.

She quickly changed into a more comfortable outfit - black jeans, a loose white t-shirt, and a leather jacket. As she emerged from her dressing room, she saw the man himself approaching with a small group as they no doubt planned to head to the tent too.

"Hey, great show out there," Joe said with a friendly smile, giving Leia a quick hug.

"Thanks," Leia replied, grateful for his easy-going nature. She knew how awkward their situation could be, but she wasn't going to not be friendly when Taylor was always so friendly to Zaria, who was already with her friends in the VIP tent.

They made their way through the maze of backstage corridors, Leia's heart rate picking up with each step. Joe and his friends were slightly behind them, and Leia almost felt a twinge of annoyance at the fact she knew what the fans were going to be posting - 'Joe was walked out with her parents!!!' - although she knew she was being irrational.

"Remember," Andrea whispered as she wrapped her arm around Georgie and they began to navigate through the crowds towards the tent, "just act natural. You're here as a fellow artist and friend, nothing more."

Leia took a deep breath as they approached the VIP section, her heart racing with a mixture of excitement and nerves. The energy in the air was palpable, a buzz of anticipation rippling through the crowd. As they entered the tent, Leia's eyes scanned the area, taking in the familiar faces of friends, family, and industry insiders.

Her parents were easy to spot, standing near the front with eager expressions. Leia made her way over, weaving through the small crowd.

"Mom, Dad!" she called out, a genuine smile spreading across her face.

Her mother enveloped her in a warm hug. "Oh honey, you were fantastic out there!"

Her father gave her a proud pat on the back. 

"That's my girl. You really showed them what you're made of."

Leia basked in their praise for a moment before glancing around, her eyes landing on Zaria who was chatting animatedly with a group of friends. Their eyes met briefly, and Zaria gave her a small nod and smile. It was a strange dance they were all engaged in, but Leia was grateful for Zaria's understanding and cooperation.

As the lights dimmed and the crowd's roar intensified, Leia found herself positioned between Joe and Zaria. The irony of the situation wasn't lost on her, but she pushed the thought aside, focusing on the stage as the opening notes of "...Ready For It?" filled the stadium.

Taylor emerged, a vision of confidence and power, her presence electrifying the entire arena. Leia's breath caught in her throat, overwhelmed by the sight of her girlfriend commanding the stage with such ease and charisma.

As Taylor launched into her performance, Leia found herself swept up in the music and energy. She sang along, her voice blending with the thousands of others, feeling a surge of pride and love with each powerful note Taylor hit.

During "Gorgeous," Taylor's eyes scanned the VIP section, and for a brief moment, her gaze locked with Leia's. A subtle smile played on Taylor's lips as she sang, "You're so gorgeous, I can't say anything to your face." The crowd went wild, many assuming the look was meant for Joe, but Leia knew better. Her heart swelled, knowing that in this sea of people, Taylor was singing to her.

Their little secret in a very, very crowded room, after all.