The 2021 Grammy's had approached faster than Leia had anticipated.

Before she knew it, she was standing in her hotel suite, staring at herself in the mirror as Georgie ran around behind her, frantically searching for her missing face mask. They didn't have to wear them on the red carpet, but everyone had been asked to wear one while seated at the outdoor ceremony.

Leia's was matched perfectly to her black dress, and unfortunately for Georgie, her sister's matching green one was blending in with the other clothes she'd left strewn across their room.

Riven was somewhere downstairs, getting the car sorted with Azul and meeting with some of the other publicists before they would head from the hotel to the venue. Leia was actually really looking forward to the night - although she'd be lying if she said she wasn't nervous.

She wasn't even nominated, but she was performing her new single - which she hadn't even released. It was one thing to perform when you're not nominated but debuting a new song was something that she was sure was remarkable risky - especially since she'd been out of the song-sphere since early 2019.

The song had been pretty out of nowhere. One of the demos that she'd sent to Jack had caught his eye and a somewhat depressing song had blossomed into a genuinely great pop track, something that Leia was actually really proud of. They'd originally pencilled the name as "All Is Well That Ends Well", but Leia had felt that firstly, it was too long, and secondly, it sounded too much like that line from Lover.

So they'd met half-way and settled on 'ends well'. Casual, less intense and much easier to remember.

Did it help that Taylor was attending, and it would be the first time she'd actually seen her since that night that she'd help them finish Mr Perfectly Fine? Probably not.

Jack had at least text her to give her the heads up that Joe wasn't coming with her, which kind of had frustrated Leia to an extent. Taylor was nominated for Album of the Year, and if she won, would be making history again... and Joe wasn't even here? Sure, she knew he had other commitments, but that kind of settled poorly in her chest.

She had to remind herself that it wasn't her responsibility to think about that.

Taylor was her friend - they were in that middle ground. She would respect that, even if that meant keeping her negative opinions about Joe (which she suspected Jack shared, considering he was spilling this gossip to her) to herself.

Leia was surprisingly also presenting! She'd been surprised at the idea that she was performing and presenting but since it was a remarkably quieter ceremony than usual due to the pandemic restrictions in LA, she figured that it made more sense for the organisers to double up on uses of her since she wasn't even nominated.

"Found it!" Georgie exclaimed, emerging from beneath the hotel bed with her green mask dangling victoriously from her fingers. "It was under the bed. Of course it was under the bed."

Leia smiled at her sister's reflection in the mirror. "We're going to be late if you don't hurry up."

"Says the woman who spent forty-five minutes deciding between two identical black dresses," Georgie retorted, fastening the mask around her ears and adjusting it to fit comfortably. The emerald fabric complemented her eyes, making them appear even more vibrantly blue than usual. "Which is so stupid since you've got another quick change once you've finished your performance."

The sisters made their way through the hotel corridor, Georgie practically bouncing with each step while Leia tried to calm the flutter of butterflies in her stomach. The elevator ride down was a blur of last-minute preparations, Leia checking her lipstick one more time, Georgie adjusting the strap of her sister's dress.

"You're going to kill it tonight," Georgie said, squeezing Leia's hand. "The song is incredible."

Leia squeezed back. "Thanks, G."

The SUV ride to the venue was surprisingly quiet, with Riven and Azul going over logistics and timing, occasionally interrupting the silence with questions about interview preferences and performance details. Los Angeles slid by outside the tinted windows, palm trees swaying in the early evening breeze. The sky was painted in strokes of pink and orange, as if Mother Nature herself had dressed up for the occasion.

She hadn't been to LA in a while. It was weird to be here.

"Remember," Azul said as they approached the venue, "E! wants an exclusive about the new single, and specifically requested to talk to you about your hiatus and comeback. We've allocated extra time for that."

Leia nodded, her throat suddenly dry. The car slowed as they joined the line of vehicles waiting to drop off their celebrity cargo at the red carpet.

"Look," Georgie whispered, pointing out the window at the crowd that had gathered despite pandemic restrictions. "They're all here for you."

"They're here for Taylor and Harry," Leia corrected with a nervous laugh.

"Don't sell yourself short," Riven said, looking up from his phone. "Social media has been buzzing about your performance all day. #LeiaIsBack has been trending for hours."

The pandemic might have changed everything about award shows, but the flutter of anticipation remained the same. Leia breathed deeply as Azul hopped out the car, crossing around to get ready to open the door for her.

"Ready?" Georgie asked, squeezing her hand.

"As I'll ever be," Leia replied, returning the squeeze.

When the car door opened, the world erupted into a controlled chaos of flashing lights and distant calls. The red carpet, though modified for social distancing, still stretched before them like a crimson river. Assistants with clipboards and earpieces directed traffic, ensuring celebrities were spaced appropriately for photos and brief interviews.

Leia stepped out, the cool evening air kissing her bare shoulders. Her black dress caught the light, the subtle beading along its neckline sparkling like captured stars. She'd chosen it for comfort as much as style – it needed to transition from red carpet to performance with minimal fuss.

"Leia! Leia Hudson! Over here!" The calls started immediately, more enthusiastic than she'd expected.

Leia plastered on her media smile and turned toward the first bank of photographers, muscle memory guiding her through practiced poses. The cameras clicked in rapid succession, capturing her from every angle. She felt Riven's reassuring presence at her back, ready to usher her forward when needed.

As Leia adjusted her stance for another set of photos, she caught a glimpse of a familiar blonde figure out of the corner of her eye at the start of the carpet.

Taylor had arrived.

The realization sent a jolt through her, momentarily throwing off her practiced composure. She forced herself to keep her expression neutral as she turned slightly, allowing the photographers to capture a new angle. But despite her best efforts, her gaze kept flickering in Taylor's direction, drawn to her like a magnet.

Taylor was further down the carpet, standing poised in front of the backdrop as the cameras flashed around her. She looked stunning - radiant in a multicoloured, floral-embroidered dress that hugged her figure, the intricate detailing catching the light with every movement. Her signature red lips curled into a warm, practiced smile as she waved to the cameras, her honey-blonde waves tied up above her shoulders in effortless perfection.

Leia hated that she could still make her feel like this without knowing it.

"You're staring," Georgie murmured under her breath, nudging Leia's side with her elbow from where she had been posing beside her sister.

Leia blinked, snapping her focus back to the cameras, forcing herself to shift her weight and continue the sequence of practiced poses. "I am not."

"You so are," Georgie smirked. "It's okay. I'd be staring too."

Leia rolled her eyes but didn't argue. There was no point in denying it.

Just as she was about to turn away, Taylor's gaze flickered over to her.

Taylor's lips parted slightly, her red-painted mouth curving into something softer, something almost knowing. Leia felt a sudden rush of heat to her face, her fingers tightening instinctively around the clutch in her hand. Taylor gave her a small nod - subtle, almost imperceptible to anyone else, but to Leia, it spoke volumes.

Tree smiled from next to Taylor, also nodding in her direction. Leia smiled back, having not seen the red-head in a long time. She wondered if her and Riven had spoke often while her and Taylor had been distant, and wondered if that was another relationship that needed mended too.

"Miss Hudson! Over here, please!" The voice of an E! correspondent pulled her attention back to the task at hand.

Leia inhaled sharply, smoothing her dress as she stepped toward the interviewer waiting just off to the side. The cameras followed her every movement as she came to a stop in front of the mic.

"Leia! It's so good to see you!" The interviewer beamed, microphone poised. "First of all, you look incredible tonight."

"Thank you," Leia replied with an easy smile, still trying to shake the lingering effect of Taylor's gaze. "It's good to be back."

"And back you are! The internet has been buzzing about your return all day. You've been out of the spotlight for a little while so how does it feel to be here tonight?"

Leia considered the question for a beat, then smiled. "It feels... surreal, honestly. A little nerve-wracking, but mostly exciting. I've missed being part of nights like this."

"Well, we've missed having you! And, of course, you're not just here to attend—you're also performing later! Can you tell us anything about the new song you're debuting?"

Leia exhaled a small laugh. "Yeah, no pressure or anything, right? It's called ends well, and it's really special to me. It started off as something completely different—kind of a sad ballad—but it took on a new life during the recording process, and now it's this upbeat, almost anthemic track. I can't wait for everyone to hear it."

"We can't wait either! And speaking of powerful music, you're in the same room tonight as some major talent, including your friend, Taylor Swift, who's up for Album of the Year. I know you two have been spending time together again recently—how does it feel to see her here, on such a big night for her?"

The mention of Taylor caught Leia off guard, but she recovered quickly, the smile on her lips turning genuine.

"Oh, I mean—" she let out a small breath, glancing instinctively toward where Taylor was still taking photos down the carpet. "She's incredible. She's always been incredible. It's funny because no matter how many times she gets nominated, or wins, she still works like she has something to prove, and I think that's why she's as legendary as she is."

The interviewer nodded enthusiastically, sensing the sincerity in Leia's words. "That's high praise coming from you!"

Leia chuckled, tucking a strand of auburn hair behind her ear. "Well, it's well deserved. Folklore is one of the best albums I've ever heard, and I think it really changed the game last year. So, yeah, I'm rooting for her."

As the words left her mouth, she stole another glance toward Taylor, only to find that Taylor was already looking at her.

Their eyes met again, and this time, Taylor's smile softened, a quiet sort of appreciation in her expression.

Leia felt her stomach do an entirely unnecessary flip.

She is with Joe, Leia reminded herself. She is no longer yours to stare at.

Middle ground, she reminded herself.

They were in middle ground.

And yet, standing there under the bright lights, the cameras flashing, the weight of Taylor's gaze still warm on her skin, Leia wasn't sure if middle ground had ever felt so unsteady.

____

She'd not had any time to speak to Taylor. She'd arrived, said her hellos to a few other familiar faces and had gone straight to get changed into her performance outfit - since she was actually opening the show.

The performances weren't happening on the small stage outside, but rather in a small inside space. She was kind of grateful for that because she knew if she caught Taylor's eyes during the performance she might have just died on the spot.

It had felt like an out of body experience - she'd hit all her choreography marks, which there were an insane amount of, and hadn't missed a single note. She'd been wanting when she finished, but a thumbs up from Riven and her team cheering had confirmed to her that she'd done it - she'd aced her comeback performance.

By the time she had gotten changed, and calmed down, they'd missed the first award and had just settled in as the next awards were coming through.

Leia and Georgie were seated at a small table near the front, alongside Riven and Azul. The black mask secured over Leia's nose and mouth matched her dress perfectly, the subtle beading along its edge mirroring the detailing on her neckline. She kept fidgeting with it, adjusting the fit behind her ears as her eyes scanned the room.

"Stop fidgeting," Georgie whispered, nudging her sister with an elbow. "You're making me nervous, and I'm not even the one who just killed it on stage."

"Sorry," Leia murmured, forcing her hands to settle in her lap. "Just... taking it all in."

What she didn't say was that she was looking for Taylor. She'd spotted her earlier, seated at a table about thirty feet away, her floral-embroidered dress making her easy to identify even from a distance. Tree had been beside her when she'd seen her last, along with Jack.

The second award presentation began, and Leia tried to focus as she headed to the stage to announce the nominees for Best Pop Solo Performance. Her eyes continued to pan across the audience, catching brief glimpses of the nominees' reactions. When she finally landed on Taylor, Leia found herself holding her breath.

She was smiling at her from behind her mask; Leia could tell from the way her eyes crinkled at the corners. Leia smiled for a second before remembering she was live on camera with a task in hand.

"And the Grammy goes to..." she paused dramatically, tearing open the envelope with a flourish. "Harry Styles, for 'Watermelon Sugar'!"

The audience erupted into applause as Harry, looking dapper in a leather suit and feather boa, made his way to the stage. Leia was disappointed for Taylor but was also kind of glad that their first proper meeting of the evening wasn't about to be behind the award podium.

As the applause continued as she passed the award to Harry and took steps out of the limelight, she felt a prickling sensation at the back of her neck. The familiar feeling of being watched. She turned her head slightly, scanning the scattered tables, and found Taylor looking directly at her.

The ceremony progressed, a blur of acceptance speeches and musical performances. Leia tried to focus on the show, applauding politely as winners were announced, laughing at the host's jokes. But her awareness of Taylor remained, a constant hum beneath everything else.

The commercial break came as a much-needed breather in the midst of an otherwise whirlwind evening. Leia took a sip of water, grateful for the moment to reset before the final stretch of the show. She leaned back in her seat, eyes flicking around the venue, catching glimpses of other artists chatting quietly amongst themselves.

Then she noticed.

Taylor was making her way toward her.

Leia straightened, trying to ignore the way her pulse kicked up a notch. Jack was hot on her heels, following along with a spring in his step. As she reached Leia's table, she pulled down her mask slightly, revealing a bright smile that crinkled the corners of her blue eyes.

"Okay," Taylor began, voice full of breathless excitement, "I have to say it now before I explode—you were absolutely insane out there earlier. Like, what the hell? I knew you were going to be amazing, but that? That was next level."

Leia felt a laugh bubble up, tension easing slightly at Taylor's enthusiastic energy. "You really think so?"

Jack gave her a look.

"Leia, you owned that stage. You looked confident, you sounded incredible, and don't even get me started on the choreography. I was watching like, 'Oh, this girl is not playing around. She's coming back with a vengeance.'"

Taylor softened, tilting her head slightly. "You looked like you belonged there. Like you never left."

Leia's heart did an unnecessary little flip at the sincerity in Taylor's voice. She let herself hold Taylor's gaze for a second longer before shaking her head with a small chuckle.

"Well, if we're trading compliments, I think we can all agree that you've got Album of the Year in the bag."

Taylor let out a laugh, rolling her eyes. "Oh, come on. Don't jinx it."

Leia smirked. "I'm just saying. folklore was a cultural reset. There's literally no way you don't win."

Taylor gave her a playful, knowing look.

Leia studied her for a moment, noting the peace in her eyes. It was a stark contrast to the Taylor she had known years ago - the one who had always felt like she had to prove herself, like she was constantly fighting against invisible forces.

"You seem different," Leia mused, almost without thinking.

Taylor blinked. "Different?"

Leia nodded, swirling the ice in her water glass absentmindedly. "Happier. More at peace."

Taylor's smile softened, something thoughtful flickering behind her eyes.

"I think I am. At least, I'm trying to be."

Before Leia could respond, the overhead lights flickered, a signal that the show was about to resume. The buzz of conversation around them began to die down as people settled back into their seats. Taylor exhaled, adjusting the hem of her dress as she took a small step back.

"I should probably get back to my table before Tree starts sending me warning looks," she joked, glancing toward where her team was seated.

Leia smiled, nodding. "Wouldn't want to get you in trouble."

Taylor hesitated for half a beat, like she wanted to say something else, but then she simply reached out and gave Leia's hand a quick, warm squeeze.

"I'm really glad you're here tonight."

Leia's fingers tingled where Taylor had touched her, but she kept her voice even as she replied, "Me too."

____

"Do you want me to pass her a note?" Georgie teased, an hour later as she continued to notice how Leia and Taylor were shooting each other looks during commercial breaks, since their exchange. "Like we're in middle school? 'Are you still in love with Leia? Check yes or no.'"

"I will literally murder you in your sleep," Leia threatened.

"You wouldn't dare," Georgie whispered back, her eyes twinkling with mischief behind her green mask. "You need me to zip you into that ridiculous dress for the after-party."

Leia rolled her eyes, but couldn't suppress the smile tugging at her lips. "It's not ridiculous, it's Valentino."

"It's ridiculously Valentino, then," Georgie countered, reaching for her champagne flute. The bubbles caught the light as she took a delicate sip.

Leia shifted in her seat, the beading on her dress catching the soft glow of the overhead lights.

"Middle ground, Georgie," Leia reminded her.

"Ah yes, the fabled middle ground," Georgie said with exaggerated gravity. "That magical place where you both pretend you're not still completely -"

"If you finish that sentence, I swear to God -"

"Ladies," Riven interrupted smoothly, leaning in from Leia's other side as he stormed across the room as soon as the commercial break started. "Perhaps we could save the sisterly death threats for when we're not on international television? The cameras keep panning over the audience during these breaks and your masks are not sound-proof. I've already seen one viral tweet where the cameras picked up on you saying 'I will cut holes in your socks' to Leia, Georgie. I hate to think what else you're talking about that we cannot have public."

Leia straightened immediately, plastering on her media smile and adjusting her mask. Across the venue, Taylor was deep in conversation with Jack, her animated gestures suggesting they were discussing something musical.

"Riven, please tell her to stop staring at Taylor then," Georgie whined under her breath.

"Leia, please," Riven scolded. "Control yourself."

"You're imagining things," Leia whispered back, though her heart quickened at the thought.

"Am I?" Georgie challenged, arching an eyebrow. "Because I'm pretty sure I've caught you looking about seven - oh, here we go again."

The lights dimmed once more as the commercial break ended, the host's voice booming through the venue as they introduced the next presenter and Riven sighed, scurrying back off to join Tree backstage. 

Leia's eyes flickered over Georgie's shoulder, noticing the three Haim sisters sitting a few tables away. She'd seen them once or twice throughout the night, and was proud that they'd been nominated too, but she was still hesitant about approaching them. They'd always been more of Taylor's friend than hers and Este had been the only other one who had seen her with Dylan and Niall, had seen her coked out of her head and doing lines before the police had barged in.

She wasn't scared of speaking to her - she was just simply embarrassed.

Regardless, Leia found herself genuinely enjoying the ceremony despite her earlier nerves, laughing at the host's jokes and applauding sincerely for each winner.

And then, it was Album of the Year.

"The albums nominated this year represent the very best of what music can be," the presenter began, her voice commanding the room. "In a year when the world needed art more than ever, these artists created works that transcended entertainment to become lifelines, connecting us when we were forced apart."

Leia felt her hands grow clammy as the girl began listing the nominees. When Taylor's name was announced, the camera panned to her table, capturing her composed but slightly tense expression. Even behind her mask, Leia could read the subtle signs of Taylor's anxiety – the way her fingers curled slightly into her palm, the barely perceptible straightening of her shoulders.

"And the Grammy goes to..." she paused, opening the envelope with deliberate care, her eyes widening slightly as she read the name. "folklore, Taylor Swift!"

The venue erupted in applause. Leia leapt to her feet, clapping so hard her hands stung, a surge of pride blooming in her chest as she watched Taylor's reaction. For a moment, Taylor sat perfectly still, shock evident in her wide eyes. Then she was rising, accepting hugs from Jack and Aaron Dessner, her movements almost dreamlike as she made her way to the stage.

Leia was yelling out, her cheers merging in with Georgie and the three Haim sisters, amongst others in the venue.

"I told you," Leia whispered to Georgie, unable to keep the smile from her voice. "I knew she'd win."

Georgie nudged her, grinning behind her mask. "You're beaming under that mask like you won the damn thing yourself."

On stage, Taylor accepted the trophy with trembling hands, pulling her mask down to reveal that signature red-lipped smile. The golden gramophone gleamed under the lights as she adjusted the microphone.

Leia watched with a grin as Aaron started off the acceptance speech, tears of pride prickling in her eyes.

This was history in the making. Leia knew it. Everyone knew it. Taylor would be the first woman to win Album of the Year three times. The significance of the moment wasn't lost on anyone in the room. So Leia, like everyone else, held their breath as she stepped up after Aaron to speak.

"Oh god," Taylor breathed, and Leia smiled behind her mask at her excitement. "I want to thank all of my collaborators, and uh, all of my collaborators who are on the stage... Serban Ghenea, Justin Vernon - I'm so excited to meet you someday - uhh Joe..."

Leia's smile twitched ever so slightly.

"...who is the first person that I play every single song that I write and I had the best time writing songs with you in quarantine..."

Just like that, the bucket of cold water had been dropped on her head. She had allowed herself to forget for just a moment that Taylor might have been harbouring the same feelings for her that Leia had been holding on to - but Taylor had moved on. She literally had spent years with Joe now, and they'd been writing songs together.

Taylor wasn't hers.

The vinyls and cardigan weren't a sign. They were simply just a gift.

Leia barely listened to the rest as Taylor thanked Blake and Ryan, her fans and then stepped off the stage. The ceremony wrapped up shortly after Taylor's historic win, the crowd dispersing in a controlled chaos of congratulations and well-wishes. Leia found herself being ushered backstage by Azul, who was already coordinating their transportation to Jack's after-party while simultaneously fielding text messages about the positive reception to Leia's performance.

"The streaming numbers for the single are already climbing," Riven reported, his fingers flying across his phone screen. "We're looking at a potential top ten debut based on early projections."

Leia nodded, only half-listening as they navigated the labyrinthine corridors behind the main venue. The backstage area was a maze of temporary walls and makeshift rooms, humming with the electric energy of post-show adrenaline. Production assistants darted between artists and their teams, Grammy winners clutched their golden trophies while posing for official photographs, and everywhere, the air buzzed with excited chatter.

"You should be pleased," Riven commented, appearing suddenly at her side again. "The performance is trending, the reviews are glowing, and -"

"I am pleased," Leia interrupted, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Just... processing everything."

She was pleased with her performance - truly. But Taylor's acceptance speech had left her feeling strangely hollow, a reminder of all the ways their lives had diverged. The mention of Joe, the casual revelation that he was the first person to hear Taylor's songs now... it shouldn't have stung, but it did.

Middle ground, she reminded herself again. They were in middle ground.

"Where's Georgie?" Leia asked, glancing around.

"Bathroom," Riven replied. "She said she'd meet us by the exit in five. We need to get you changed for Jack's party anyway."

As they rounded a corner, heading toward the area where several temporary dressing rooms had been set up, Leia nearly collided with someone coming from the opposite direction. She stepped back reflexively, an apology already forming on her lips - and then froze.

Taylor stood before her, the Grammy trophy cradled in one arm, her mask pulled down to reveal her full face. Her cheeks were flushed with triumph, eyes bright with unshed tears of joy. Tree stood a few paces behind her, deep in conversation with someone on her phone, while Jack hovered nearby, his own Grammy clutched proudly in his hands.

"Leia!" Taylor exclaimed, her voice breathless with excitement. "I was hoping I'd see you back here!"

"Taylor, I - congratulations," she managed, gesturing to the trophy. "I told you it was in the bag."

"Are you coming to Jack's after-party?" Taylor asked, shifting the Grammy to her other arm. "He's insisting everyone comes to celebrate. It's going to be small... pandemic and all but..."

"Yeah, we're heading there after I change," Leia said, gesturing vaguely toward the dressing rooms. "Georgie's probably already picked out which champagne she's going to steal."

Taylor laughed again.

"Some things never change."

"Taylor," Tree called softly from behind. "We need to get to the press room in two minutes."

Taylor nodded in acknowledgment, then turned back to Leia. "I should go. But I'll see you later?"

"Definitely," Leia promised.

Taylor hesitated, as if wanting to say or do something more, but then simply smiled and turned to follow Tree. Jack lingered for a moment longer, giving Leia a meaningful look before falling into step behind Taylor.

She paused once more, almost as if contemplating what she was about to say, and turning back around to look at Leia.

"By the way, I don't know if I said it earlier but you look..." She trailed off and Leia smiled softly.

"Sober?" Leia offered, knowing that was not what Taylor was going to say but offering an out for whatever she was thinking about telling her.

"I was going to say gorgeous, but that works too."

Taylor smiled, turning on her heel and walking off. Tree raised an eyebrow at Leia with a smile back and followed with Jack on her heels.

"Well," Riven said quietly once they were out of earshot. "That was interesting."

Leia shot him a warning glance. "Don't start."

_____

The after-party at Jack's LA condo was exactly as expected - exclusive but intimate, the kind of gathering where the energy hummed with celebratory ease. The room was filled with industry insiders, musicians, and close friends, all basking in the afterglow of an awards night that had, despite the pandemic's looming presence, still managed to feel momentous.

Leia had changed into her second look of the night, an emerald green silk slip dress that Georgie had chosen for her. It hugged her figure in a way that made her feel confident, but more importantly, it was comfortable. She had no interest in suffering through the night in something restrictive. Riven and Azul had gone back to the hotel for the night, leaving her and Georgie alone in amongst the industry peers.

Taylor had arrived not long after Leia, a fresh glass of champagne in hand, Grammy still firmly in her grasp. She looked radiant, her floral dress exchanged for something sleeker - black, with subtle sequins that caught the low light. She moved through the room like she belonged there, which of course, she did. Three-time Album of the Year winner. History-maker.

Leia was proud. So proud. But that didn't mean she wasn't conflicted.

Maybe it was the fact that Taylor was here.

Not with her, exactly. But in the same space, close enough that Leia could feel the gravity of her presence even without looking.

Which was why she'd been actively now not looking for the past twenty minutes. She'd been making small talk with some others there - although she would admit that she couldn't really remember their names.

At the other end of the room, Taylor was deep in conversation with Jack and Aaron, her golden Grammy resting on the table beside her, untouched. She was laughing at something Jack had said, head tilted back slightly, fingers wrapped around the stem of a champagne flute.

Leia kept her distance, sipping from a glass she wasn't really drinking, listening half-heartedly to Georgie and a few others talk about something music-related.

Then the song changed.

Leia froze.

It was instant - like a switch being flipped inside her, like a wave crashing over her body before she could brace for it. Her fingers curled reflexively around the stem of her glass.

No. Not this song.

Her head turned before she could stop herself. Across the room, Taylor had gone still too.

Their eyes met.

It wasn't the song - it was more so the fact that it was this song, with them in the same room, with a lot of unspoken tension and words between them. It was the situation and circumstance that made this... less than ideal.

For a moment, neither of them moved. Neither of them blinked.

They both knew exactly what memory they'd associated with this song.

Leia barely had time to register the way Taylor's lips parted slightly, the flicker of something unreadable in her eyes, before the memory hit her like a lightning strike - dragging her back to that night, to that moment, to them.

...

The energy from the show was still thrumming in the air, electricity crackling in the space between reality and whatever magic had just happened on that stage. Leia was wired.

Backstage in Taylor's dressing room, the scent of sweat and champagne lingered in the air, mixing with the lingering scent of Taylor's perfume - something warm, rich, intoxicating. Her dancers had said their goodbyes for the night, and the rest of them were waiting for some of the crowds to die down before attempting to leave the stadium for the night.

Hayley Kiyoko had been incredible tonight onstage with Taylor. The whole stadium had erupted when she came out for her song, curious, and the energy had been unreal. It was a pretty amazing surprise song performance and even Leia was on a high from it.

Taylor was also still buzzing from it.

"You saw that crowd, right?" Taylor asked breathlessly, running a towel over her neck, her eyes still sparkling from the adrenaline as she paced about the room, still in her closing number sequinned dress. "They lost their minds."

Leia smirked, leaning against the counter, arms crossed. "Yeah, they really love Hayley."

Taylor scoffed, tossing the towel onto a nearby chair before stepping closer, her eyes dancing with something playful. "Us, Hudson. Me and Hayley. They loved us."

Leia's smirk widened, but before she could respond, the soft thump of a speaker turning on cut through the air.

Then...

"I need a drink, whiskey ain't my thing..."

Leia blinked as Curious poured from the speaker, filling the small space with its intoxicating rhythm. She glanced up and Taylor was looking at her, that knowing smirk on the corners of her lips. Maybe Leia hadn't been as subtle as she thought about the way she'd looked at Taylor while she was on stage, but how was she to know that the blonde would see that?

Something shifted in the air.

"You're playing this now?" Leia asked, tilting her head. Her voice was teasing, but there was an edge to it.

Taylor just shrugged, stepping closer, the barest smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "What? It's a good song."

Leia swallowed. Her skin was already on fire. She had spent the past hour watching Taylor move on stage, watching the way she commanded the entire stadium, watching her own pulse betray her with every moment of it.

And now Taylor was here, in front of her, closer than she needed to be.

Leia sucked in a slow breath. "Dangerous song choice."

Taylor's smirk deepened. "Why?"

Leia's gaze flickered down - barely a second, but just enough. The sleek purple stage outfit, the sweat-damp skin, the way Taylor's collarbone peeked through the loose neckline of her top - 

Jesus.

Taylor noticed.

She stepped even closer, deliberately, her voice softer now. "Why, Leia?"

Leia felt herself swallow.

She could hear the screaming crowd in her head, could still feel the bass rattling in her ribcage from the performance. And Taylor... Taylor was still running high off of it, her adrenaline crackling in the air like static electricity, her pupils blown just slightly, her chest rising and falling just a little too quickly.

She was close.

Too close.

Leia could feel her breath, hot, shallow, teasing the space between them.

A beat passed.

Then Taylor tilted her head, just slightly. Her voice was barely above a whisper. "Think you can be quiet, Hudson? When everyone's right outside this room?"

Leia's breath hitched.

Her whole body felt wired, drawn so tight she thought she might snap.

Her fingers twitched at her sides, aching, aching—

Then Taylor reached for her.

Slow. Deliberate. Her fingers brushed against Leia's wrist, light as a feather, barely there—

Leia's pulse roared.

Her breath shuddered out of her, sharp and uneven, and—

And then—

...

And then she snapped out of the memory, Georgie's eyes flickering to her sister at the way she was looking across the room at Taylor who was looking right back as if they'd both seen a ghost.

She was still standing at the bar. The song was still playing.

And Taylor was still looking at her.

For just a second, for one second... Taylor's lips parted, something flickering behind her eyes. Like she was remembering too. Then Jack nudged her, pulling her back into the conversation, and Taylor turned away.

Leia exhaled sharply, turning her gaze back down to her drink, fingers tightening around the glass as if that could somehow ground her back in the present. The echo of the memory still clung to her skin like static, heat simmering beneath the surface despite the cold press of reality against it.

It was foolish to let herself get caught up in the past. She knew that. But knowing didn't make it any easier when the weight of Taylor's gaze still lingered on her skin like a phantom touch, when the thrum of Curious still played in the background, taunting her with every beat.

She rolled her shoulders, forced a breath through her lips, and took a sip of her drink. The night wasn't over yet. There were still conversations to be had, people to smile at, an entire evening ahead of them. So, she did what she had always done when it came to Taylor - straightened her spine, fixed her expression into something unreadable, and let the past slip between the cracks before it could pull her under completely.

Taylor wasn't hers. 

And it was time she made peace with that.

.

.

.