"Do we really need to arrive separately?" August asked, knowing the answer to the question already. She was seated at the foot of the bed in their hotel suite, already dressed and ready to go, save for the heels she was currently bent over trying to buckle them.

"I mean, unless you want the whole world talking about us," Taylor laughed, rummaging through her clutch. "Have you seen my lipstick?"

"Bathroom, I think," August replied without looking up at her girlfriend. "Not like you're gonna have to reapply it."

"What?" Taylor chuckled, reappearing from the bathroom with the lipstick she already had on in her hand. She stuffed it in her purse and August finally looked up to find Taylor watching her funny.

She grinned cheekily, standing up once her shoes were on. "You're not gonna be kissing anyone tonight."

Taylor pouted and walked over to August, crossing her arms over her chest. In her low-cut crop-top, Taylor looked absolutely heavenly. It was taking all of August's strength not to wrap her arms around the blonde and kiss her senseless. Plus, they'd paid a good amount for professionals to fix their make-up for tonight. She wasn't about to ruin all of their hard work.

"Hm, when they give me the award, I'll be sure to make-out with Tree," Taylor said with a little smirk, her face inches away from August's.

"See, personally, I would love to see that happen, but I don't think Tree would appreciate it all that much," August responded, her grin only widening as she imagined that scenario. Tree would probably be so shocked and pissed off and August would probably be watching from her own table, laughing her ass off.

"Eh, it's a small sacrifice for the fans at home," Taylor grinned, her hands settling on August's waist.

August wiggled her eyebrows playfully, beaming up at Taylor as their eyes met. "We could give them a show," she murmured, her eyelids fluttering as she gazed down at Taylor's plump red lips.

Taylor seemed to notice her gaze wavering to her lips and she ran her tongue ever so slightly over them. She knew exactly how to drive August crazy.

She wasn't going to survive the night.

"Mhm," Taylor hummed, a small rasp in her voice as she spoke low. "I do love keeping you to myself though. I wouldn't wanna share this with the rest of the world."

Her nose bumped against August's, her thumbs drawing circles on her waist and August felt the goosebumps rising all along her bare skin. The dress she wore didn't leave much for the imagination.

Just as their lips were about to touch, a knock came at the door. With a small groan, Taylor sighed and went to open the hotel room's door.

August smiled amusedly, grabbing her matching yellow clutch from the bedside table and joining Taylor outside. Tree and Jamie were waiting for them, both publicists dressed beautifully.

"We're gonna be late if we don't get going," Jamie said, typing away on her phone.

"Yes, mom," August mocked her playfully and all four women started heading toward the elevators where two of Taylor's security team were waiting.

"You two better not pull anything funny tonight," Tree said as they walked through the hotel's underground parking toward the SUVs waiting for them.

"We're gonna be like miles apart, practically, you have nothing to worry about!" Taylor reassured her.

Their tables were in fact pretty close, with August seated one row behind the blonde, two tables to the right. They could probably silently interact quite easily, but they wouldn't exactly be able to pull any funny business as Tree was claiming. As far as anyone was concerned, they would just be very good friends reuniting at a public event. They could afford to show a little bit of affection. Plus, they did have to social distance anyway.

"With you two?" Jamie chuckled, heading toward the car waiting for August. "We always have to worry."

"Did you really have to sneak off to that ice cream place last night?" Tree muttered, shaking her slightly.

August and Taylor shared a look, smiling to each other. They had both agreed that having Jamie and Tree become good friends was their worst nightmare. Their two respective publicists would simply gang up on them but they still found it amusing anyway.

"I had midnight cravings," August explained with a light shrug.

"Taylor didn't have to tag along," Tree pointed out, sliding her phone into her purse.

"Of course, I did," Taylor interjected. "I love ice cream!"

The two older women sighed heavily and slipped into the two cars without another word.

August and Taylor burst out laughing, sharing knowing grins.

"Hey, come here," Taylor said, still standing on the sidewalk. August walked over to her, eyebrows raised questioningly. "We'll probably talk again out there but just in case, good luck, gorgeous."

"Thanks," August blushed softly, pressing a chaste kiss to Taylor's lips. "You too, blondie."

As she turned to walk away, Taylor wrapped her fingers around August's wrist and pulled her in, kissing her deeply. August smiled against the blonde's lips and kissed her back until she was left dizzy and breathless.

"Love you!"

"Uhu," August breathed out, finally heading to the car.

"See, now, was that really necessary?" Jamie said as August closed the door and Miles, the driver, started the engine.

"Absolutely!" August confirmed only for Jamie to shake her head at her for the billionth time that day.

They made it to the venue pretty quick, right on time, maybe a few minutes late. August walked her first red carpet with Jamie hanging behind. She knew Taylor had opted to skip the red carpet but she had spent weeks encouraging August not to, claiming this one in particular would be easier than most seeing as it was socially distanced and many precautions were being taken, so she wouldn't be overwhelmed and it would be one to remember. She was right.

August was still nervous, stopping when Jamie told her to, smiling and waving at cameras, and walking whenever she was told to. She really was ecstatic.

Finally she stood in front of a microphone, with an interview standing a few feet away.

"I'm here with the wonderful August James, all the way from America! Hello! Wow, you look amazing!"

August grinned wide at the woman with the microphone, staring down at her yellow dress. "God, I feel amazing. Thank you..."

"Nervous? How are you doing today?"

August let out a small, shaky laugh and nodded. "Yeah, hella nervous actually. This is my first official red carpet, actually!"

"Oh, wow! I hope it wasn't too overwhelming!"

"Nah, I had a good pep talk from a good friend this morning. It was pretty cool, actually. I just hope I wasn't blinking in all my pictures," August said and the interviewer laughed at her joke.

"I'm sure they'll come out gorgeous. How excited are you to be here, at the BRITS?"

"Oh, god! So fricken excited. It's just... wew, fantastic to be dressed up, all the way across the globe, surrounded by amazing people... I'm literally shaking with excitement!"

"Yeah, absolutely! Are you ready to sing your way through the BRITS?"

"Oh, yeah! We've got a uh, we've got a special show for you all, so, stay tuned," August announced, making sure to wink playfully at the camera.

"I can't wait to hear your performance! We're finally getting to listen to live music again—"

"Yes! Exactly! I've missed it so much."

"Who are you most excited to see?"

August let out a heavy breath, deep in thought. "Well, there are a lot of exciting acts, aren't there? But... I think, Elton John. And Arlo Parks. She's amazing."

"Absolutely! Absolutely! Do you have a special message for your fans out there?"

"Just, thank you for all the incredible support on the album. In the weirdest of times, you guys still showed your utmost support and, well, I'm here performing tonight, so that's just fucking awesome. Thank you!"

"Well, it was an absolute banger of an album! Congratulations, again, August. One last question, before you go, Taylor Swift's here tonight—"

"Oh, is she?" August played coy, trying to bite back a grin.

"She's winning the global icon award," the interviewer continued and August couldn't help but beam this time, so incredibly proud of her girlfriend.

"I know! First female!" August exclaimed, unable to contain her joy.

"How excited are you about her being here and winning it?"

"Super excited!" August said, as though she hadn't just spent the last week stuck to her hip and making out just a few hours ago. "I mean, we're always in contact but, she deserves this award. I'm so proud of her. No one's as iconic as Taylor Swift, anyway."

"I think you're right," the interviewer laughed. "Any chance of another collaboration soon?"

August smirked, trying to look mysterious while shrugging. "I don't know! We'll see," she said, winking at the camera playfully.

"I hope so! Well, thank you August! I'm really looking forward to your performance! Best of luck!"

"Aw, thank you!"

August walked away and had another interview, which was pretty much the same. Everyone seemed to want to know about her "friendship" with Global Icon Winner Taylor Swift! And All August could do was beam proudly and express how happy she was about that.

When she finally entered the venue and she was escorted to her table, she spotted Taylor coming in from another door. Their eyes met across the room and Taylor winked subtly before she was stopped by the Haim sisters. August smiled to herself, watching her girlfriend worm her way around the room, occasionally say hello to the random celebrity. August herself had a few people stop by as they were walking past her and congratulate her on her newfound fame and successful debut album.

By the time the show had started, her cheeks hurt from smiling so hard. That was Harry Styles sitting a few tables over, wasn't it? Jeez. She was going to be performing in a room full of all the best artists of this generation. That definitely did not make her feel better.

Her performance was scheduled in the middle of the show. As she slipped out to get ready about twenty minutes before, she passed by Taylor's table, making sure to run her hand over her bare shoulder. Taylor shivered at the touch, looking around in surprise only to find August already walking away. She narrowed her blue eyes playfully before grinning and saying, "give 'em hell!"

August gave her two awkward thumbs up, making Taylor laugh and lean back in toward Tree to listen to whatever she was telling her.

She performed Moral of the Story. To her surprise, so many of the people there were singing along. She didn't trust herself to truly look at her audience until the very last few notes she sang. She was grinning widely, seeing most people up on their feet, singing the last few "Ohs" she did. She genuinely didn't mean to, but her gaze gravitated to Taylor who was beaming brightly, arms in the air as she practically screamed the lyrics and August's voice wavered as she swallowed back a laugh. God, she was so in love.

"Thank you," she breathed out into the mic as everyone clapped. Taylor had her hands cupped over her mouth, cheering her on the loudest and August didn't stop herself from laughing this time, the blush in her cheeks prominent.

Taylor blew her the subtlest of air kisses just as August was walking off the stage. She went back to her seat eventually and once again, as she passed by Taylor and Tree's table, the blonde had her hand out and August didn't hesitate to grab it and give it a squeeze.

As Tree let out a tired sigh at them, Taylor squeezed her hand back before letting go reluctantly.

"That was fucking amazing," Taylor said, her eyes shining in adoration for the girl towering over her. "I'm so damn proud of you, baby."

"I love you," August squealed excitedly. She couldn't resist leaning down and squeezing Taylor in a quick hug before rushing back to her seat.

"We literally said nothing stupid," Jamie muttered and August rolled her eyes.

"It was just a hug!"

"And stolen glances, and touches, and, yekh, you're like horny high schoolers at their prom," Jamie continued, the whole time her eyes glued at the stage as the next category of the awards was being introduced.

"It's like we're in love or something," August teased her publicist who had quickly turned into a very good friend over the course of them working together. Jamie really did care about August and what was best for her, and August loved giving her a hard time.

"Disgusting," the publicist groaned making August giggle softly.

The rest of the night was all a blur until the famous Game of Thrones actress, Maisie Williams, walked up on stage and the video started playing. There were so many people praising Taylor and though August wasn't in the video, she agreed with everything that was said. She was close to tearing up for her girlfriend. She kept glancing at her to watch her reaction and it was priceless. She managed to pull out her phone and film her, smiling amusedly at her. Taylor was too cute with her hand covering her mouth and her eyes wide open.

She didn't make out with Tree. She did however hug her tightly before heading toward the stage. August was up on her feet, clapping as hard and fast as her hands could. Even Jamie next to her couldn't help but smile and cheer the blonde on.

"Wow," was the first thing Taylor said and August had never wanted to kiss her girlfriend more than she did watching her in that moment behind the podium in all her glory.

The next thing her nerdy ass did was gush over Maisie Williams and August couldn't help but roll her eyes even though she was pretty sure she would've done the same thing. Still, she was going to tease Taylor about this till the end of time.

August knew that Taylor had a whole speech prepared and she had read it before but Taylor was going way off this time, rambling on and on about some nonsense surprise and it was dumb and absolutely adorable and August was completely smitten.

Taylor went on to thank everyone for presenting her with the award and the NHS for making it possible. She thanked her fans, and her British fans, and talked about her albums even. I mean, she did release three number 1 albums in the short span of a year. Some would say she was completely insane (August) but still, it was definitely also iconic (August thought so as well).

"I would love the opportunity to thank the amazing creative people that I made those albums with," she continued and August smiled widely at her, knowing what was coming next. "Thank you Aaron Dessner, thank you Jack Antonoff, Auggie..."

The whole crowd went ballistic, cheering and clapping much louder than before. August could feel quite a few eyes on her.

Taylor's gaze found August's in the crowd and she scrunched her nose, closing her eyes in that adorable shining grin of hers. August mouthed the words 'I love you,' watching as Taylor's grin widened even more.

"I'm pretty sure there was a camera zooming in on you,' Jamie muttered but August only shrugged, not even bothering to hide just how in love with her girlfriend she truly was.

"... And Haim!" Taylor finished off her list of thanks, throwing her hands out in the direction of the three sisters. The cheering got louder once again.

Taylor finished off her speech with a lot of pretty wise and deep talk that August didn't really register, too busy staring at her girlfriend to listen. Besides, that bit of the speech she had already heard on the flight over to London.

"I think you're gonna have to tie me down so that I don't run over to her right now," August murmured to Jamie as Taylor got off the stage only for her publicist to roll her eyes and practically drag her back into her seat from her arm.

As soon as she had sat back down though, her phone buzzed and it was a message from Taylor.

💞meet me backstage in ur dressing room pls x

"Hey, I'm gonna go to the bathroom," August told Jamie who looked up with an eyebrow raised.

"August—" Jamie said with a frustrated huff. "You know the rules, with the whole covid restrictions and—"

"I know, I know," August reassured her, already pushing her chair back. "Don't worry, it'll be fine! I really need to pee."

"You're just infatuated," Jamie muttered, getting up and walking toward Tree who was left alone at her table.

August couldn't help but laugh as she rushed toward the dressing rooms. She found Taylor inside pretty quick, wondering how she had managed to sneak inside but she didn't have time to ask questions.

As soon as Taylor saw her, her arms snaked around August and pulled her in for a tight hug. August was taken by surprise. Taylor buried her face in August's neck, inhaling deeply.

"Are you okay?" August asked softly, her arms closing around the other girl's frame comfortingly.

"I'm great," Taylor whispered, her voice muffled with her lips moving against August's skin. "I just really needed this."

August smiled widely, pressing her lips against Taylor's temple in a kiss. "I'm so fucking proud of you, Tay," she whispered into her ear, closing her eyes as they embraced lovingly.

A small, excited bubble of laughter escaped Taylor's lips. "Thank you. I couldn't have done this without you. Seriously."

August pulled away, her smile faltering a little but the glint in her eyes only brightened. She leaned back, closing the door behind her completely and looked at Taylor's face adoringly, cupping her cheek ever so lightly. "I love you, you global icon," she said and with another wholehearted laugh, Taylor leaned in and pressed her grinning lips against August's.

It was short and sweet and with one final quick peck, they pulled apart, their foreheads touching.

"My girlfriend is an official global icon," August whispered again and Taylor smirked, taking a step back to give her a diva pose.

"What do you think?" She asked, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Do I look any more iconic?"

"You're definitely glowing," August told her with a playful spark in her gaze.

"I think it's all this glitter," Taylor answered, waving her hands around her make-up and outfit.

In that moment, August could only watch Taylor. And she was so enamoured, she felt her heart so full, it might burst. She grabbed Taylor's hand in hers and squeezed it gently.

"We should probably head back before anyone notices we're gone," August said softly and Taylor nodded in agreement, lacing their fingers together.

Neither girl made a move to walk away. A few moments later, they both burst out laughing.

"Seriously," August sighed. Her cheeks hurt from smiling so hard but she couldn't stop. "I think Tree and Jamie are about to lock us up."

"As long as we're together," Taylor said and August agreed. It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

Taylor finally started moving toward the door, letting go of August's hand only when they stepped back out into the hall. They walked together back inside, noticing a camera panning on them as they made their way toward their tables.