[decline] []

Hello!

Heyo! What's up? What are you doing?

[August laughs when she finally sees the screen and notices Taylor far off in her kitchen with her back turned. Taylor then walks back over to her phone, bowl in hand]

I'm just making dinner and I needed some background noise!

So you called me?

You're the greatest background noise, bub.

Aw! I'm touched!

[Taylor bends down to shoot August a playful grin before standing up]

You couldn't have put on some music?

It's not the same.

Turned on the TV?

There's nothing fun that's on. And it's too distracting. I'd end up burning down the house.

Called your other famous friends?

I'm sorry, are you busy right now, August?

[Taylor stops what she's doing and laughs awkwardly, glancing at the screen].

No, I'm just messing with you.

[August shoots her a grin in return]

I mean, you could have just ignored the call and not answered—

Just get back to your cooking, Swift. What are you making, anyway?

Just a vegetable stew. I'll probably make some rice on the side.

That actually sounds pretty great. I'm gonna play you some live music while you cook then, shall I?

Ooh, this must be my lucky day!

[When Taylor glances at the screen, she catches August sending her a subtle wink before moving to sit at her keyboard]

Any requests, milady?

Hmm, something soft, maybe.

You got it!

[August begins to play a tune that sounds a lot like Autumn Leaves]

That sounds nice

Yeah?

Mhmm

The falling leaves

Drift by the window

The autumn leaves

Of red and gold

I see your lips

The summer kisses

The sunburned hands

I used to hold

Since you went away

The days grow long

And soon I'll hear

Old winter's song

But I miss you most of all

My darling

When autumn leaves

Start to fall

I really like that!

It might be one of my favourite songs

Really? So, you like jazz?

I love it! Unironically

It's pretty great, isn't it?

Absolutely!

So, what else have you got?

[August's fingers fumbled over the keys, playing random melodies, improvising and figuring it out as she played]

Like I said, you're the best background noise

[August smiled and started humming along to the tune, writing a melody on the spot]

[Taylor looked up from her food for a moment, watching August who was too focused on her piano playing to realise. She smiled, watching the other girl figure out the song].

I can see you standing, honey

With his arms around your body....

[August slowed down for a moment, thinking about the next words before singing...]

Laughin', but the joke's not funny at all

[When August had stopped singing but played the melody again on the keyboard, Taylor hummed the same tune again as words started pouring into her mind]

And it took you five whole minutes

To pack us up and leave me with it

Holdin' all this love out here in the hall

[August looked up, her eyes wide]

Are we writing a song?

I think so, [Taylor laughed softly and August joined in]

It has a little bit of, uhm... Bon Iver vibes, doesn't it? Very indie

Yes, it does, actually! It's beautiful. So, you really like Bon Iver?

Yeah, he's pretty chill! How about this for a chorus?

Yes! Wait, play it again!

[Taylor holds her wooden spoon up in the air and leans over the counter, deep in thought. She fumbles around the kitchen for a moment until she returned with a pen and a piece of paper. August watched her scribble a few lines down all the while looping the same chords over and over again until Taylor looked up again, her eyes bright.]

I think I've seen this film before

And I didn't like the ending

You're not my homeland anymore

So what am I defending now?

[August grinned brightly, nodding her head enthusiastically]

I think you're onto something!

[As Taylor continued humming, adding a new melody, August attempted a few lines]

You were my town

dududu duuuduu mhmmm

I think I've seen this film before

How about...

You were my town,

Now I'm in...

Now I'm in exile, seeing you out!

[They both started jumping in excitement]

I think I've seen this film before!

Taylor, what the fuck? This is amazing!

I'm literally shaking right now with excitement— OH MY GOD, MY DINNER!

[August watched horrified as Taylor tried to salvage her food that had been forgotten on the stove]

Did it burn...?

No, no, we're good, thank Fuck!

We need fo finish this song and I am sending it to my producer as soon as it's done

Wait, are you serious?

Auggie, this is an album worthy track. I'm deadly serious.

AHA! SO YOU ARE WORKING ON A NEW ALBUM!

[Taylor closed her eyes and grimaced as she found it harder and harder to lie about it to August]

It's a whole thing... it was pretty out of the blue and unexpected, and I'm not even sure how it's gonna turn out. It's been such a weird process for the past month and just... It's been so cathartic, fuck!

I'm happy for you, Tay! I'm sure it's gonna be an awesome album!

I know... I feel it. How would you feel about adding this song to it?

The one verse and chorus that we just wrote...?

Yes?

You really think it's worth it?

With a little bit of producing on Aaron's side.. yeah, of course!

I mean...

[she giggled softly, covering her mouth with her hand]

Sure... yeah, of course. Shit, yeah. That'd be amazing.

Awesome! Let me just finish this food and then we'll sit and work on it seriously. Do you... Wanna come over? Maybe if we're in the same room.

It's pretty late, isn't it?

I— Yeah, sorry. I hadn't noticed the time. But, if you're fine with it, the offer still stands! I'm not gonna be sleeping any time soon, anyway.

Alright, then! Let me get dressed.

Just come in your sweats or whatever! It'll be a long night

You're dressed though...

I was just in the mood for a change this morning. I'll get in my pyjamas now if it'd make you feel more comfortable!

oh my god! A pyjama party with Taylor Swift?

[Taylor rolled her eyes at August but couldn't fight back her grin]

Yeah, it'll be great. I have a bunch of different ice cream tubs. It's gonna be a whole night!

Alright, I'm on my way!

I'll be waiting!

———

👀 👀 👀