isn't it? [taylor swift]

Chapter 68

February 2023

Leia tugged her coat tighter around herself as they crossed the runway, boots tapping over concrete slick with yesterday's rain. The hangar lights buzzed faintly overhead, casting pale yellow halos across the tarmac, but the jet ahead of them glowed like it belonged to a richer world. 

It was the day before the Grammy's - something she'd been anticipating ever since her nominations were announced back in Fall. Taylor wasn't attending - she had much more urgent things to do with the Eras Tour staring in just over a month - but Leia didn't mind. If she was lucky enough to win any of her nominations, she didn't need Taylor there to thank her - she would know it was about her anyway.

Azul walked beside her in silence, duffel slung over one shoulder, the ever-present weight of awareness in his posture. He never really dropped it, even now, even with no paparazzi at the gate and no itinerary in his hands. Leia could feel the tension in him the way she always did, like a wire pulled tight but silent.

She glanced sideways as they approached the steps. He hadn't asked a single question all morning. She knew he was confused - why were they leaving New York City at almost 3am to go to Los Angeles, when the awards weren't until tomorrow night? 

"I told you to pack your sneakers, so I hope you have," she said finally, voice light but tinged with mischief. "Don't ask questions, remember?"

Azul gave her a look - one eyebrow raised just enough to register amusement beneath his usual restraint - but didn't respond. He'd known her too long to take the bait.

Leia smiled to herself and kept walking, the soft hum of jet engines growing louder as they neared. She felt it under her ribs, that pulse of nerves that only came when she was doing something quietly meaningful. Azul wasn't a man who wanted anything, which meant the things you gave him had to matter. You had to choose well. Deliberately.

As they reached the stairs, she stopped just before the first step, turning to face him. The wind lifted a strand of hair from her cheek and whipped it against her mouth. She brushed it away and nodded toward the plane.

"They're already onboard," she said softly. "Some familiar names, I think."

Azul's brows drew slightly, but he said nothing. Just watched her with that unreadable calm that had once driven her mad - until she realised it was how he protected everything. Himself included.

Leia climbed first, her fingers skimming the handrail, her own Converse clunking softly on the narrow steps. She could hear voices now - low, male, laughing. Someone said something in Spanish and was answered with a curse and boisterous laughter. Leia smirked to herself, turning back to look at Azul who was following her up the stairs with a confused look.

When she stepped through the cabin door, warmth hit her like a balm - soft lighting, leather seats, wood trim polished to a quiet gleam. And five men already scattered across the cabin, drinks in hand, bags shoved into corners, sneakers kicked off with unapologetic comfort as they cheered upon noticing Leia and Azul entering the cabin.

"Boys," Leia said, voice lifting above the chatter as she stepped inside. "We've got a groom incoming."

"Hey!" Raj called, raising his glass like it was a wedding toast. "Finally!"

Azul appeared behind her, stepping into the cabin with that deceptively casual movement that still managed to check every angle of the room in two seconds flat. He scanned the group — familiar faces — and for a moment, Leia saw it. The flicker of something across his expression. Recognition. Gratitude. Surprise, maybe. It passed quickly, but it was there.