Canon

The drive home had been quiet, the soft hum of the engine and the low music on the radio filling the space between them. It was one of those evenings where the world seemed to slow down, and all that mattered was the drive, the comfort of being together, and the exhaustion that seemed to settle in with the sunset.

Ariana sat in the passenger seat, her head resting against the window. Her eyes were half-lidded, but the weight of the long day still seemed to weigh heavily on her. The table read for Wicked had drained her more than she’d expected. Hours of deep concentration, intense focus on her lines, and the strain of being in the spotlight had left her fatigued. Cynthia could see it in the way her shoulders were slumped, her body language closed off, a stark contrast to the usually upbeat and energetic Ariana she was used to.

Cynthia stole a glance at her every so often, her heart softening at the sight of Ariana’s sleepy form. She’d been so absorbed in her thoughts all day, running through lines and checking last-minute details for her own part. It was a lot to juggle, but as she looked over at Ariana, her mind cleared.

By the time they pulled into the driveway, the house was quiet except for the sound of the engine turning off. Ariana barely stirred. Cynthia turned off the ignition and stepped out of the car, walking around to the passenger side. She opened the door gently. “We’re home, baby,” she said softly.

Ariana let out a small hum, her eyes fluttering open. She smiled sleepily at Cynthia, her lips forming a lazy grin. Then, as if on instinct, she held her arms out, like a child asking to be carried.

“Carry me,” she mumbled, her voice thick with exhaustion.

Cynthia laughed softly, shaking her head. “You’ve got legs, don’t you?”

Ariana pouted, still holding out her arms. “But I’m tiiiired,” she whined, her voice barely above a whisper.

Cynthia rolled her eyes, a fond smile curling her lips. “You’re something else,” she said, walking over and coming to Ariana’s side. “Come on, princess,” she teased, holding out her hand.

Reluctantly, Ariana took it, letting Cynthia help her out of the car. She leaned heavily against her as they made their way inside, each of Ariana’s steps slow and dragging, the weariness of the day evident in the way she moved. Cynthia kept her arm around Ariana’s waist, steadying her.

Once they were in their bedroom, Ariana kicked off her shoes with a sigh of relief, her shoulders slumping forward as she shuffled to the bed. She turned to Cynthia, her arms already outstretched. “Hug me.”

Cynthia chuckled, stepping forward to wrap her arms around Ariana’s tired form. “Rough day, huh?”

Ariana didn’t respond immediately. She just buried her face into Cynthia’s shoulder, letting out a soft sigh of contentment. Cynthia held her close, one hand gently rubbing soothing circles on her back.

“Don’t let go,” Ariana mumbled, her voice muffled against Cynthia’s shirt.

“I wasn’t planning on it,” Cynthia whispered, her voice tender.

But before she could say anything else, Ariana shifted. She tightened her hold around Cynthia’s waist and, with surprising strength, pulled Cynthia backward. Both of them tumbled onto the bed in a heap of limbs and laughter.

“Really?” Cynthia said, half-laughing, half-exasperated, as she landed on her back. Ariana was still clinging to her, her face pressed into Cynthia’s side.

Ariana giggled, snuggling into her side. “I wanted to lie down, and you were coming with me.”

Cynthia shook her head fondly, brushing a stray strand of hair out of Ariana’s face. “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”

“Mm-hmm,” Ariana murmured, her eyes beginning to flutter shut. “But you love it.”

“I do,” Cynthia admitted, her voice soft and genuine.

For a while, they lay in silence, the weight of the day pulling Ariana closer to sleep. Cynthia’s heartbeat slowed, matching the calm rhythm of Ariana’s breathing. But then Ariana stirred, her voice small and muffled against Cynthia’s shirt.

“Will you take my makeup off?” she asked quietly, her words slow and lazy.

Cynthia tilted her head to look down at her, gently brushing her fingers through Ariana’s hair. “You want me to do it while you’re lying down?”

Ariana nodded, her lips curling into a lazy smile. “Don’t make me move.”

Cynthia rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the affection in her expression. “Fine, princess. Stay put.”

She climbed off the bed, retrieving the makeup remover and cotton pads from the vanity. When she returned, Ariana hadn’t moved an inch, her eyes half-closed as she waited patiently, her body sinking deeper into the mattress.

Cynthia knelt beside her on the bed, gently cupping Ariana’s face. “You know, this would be easier if you sat up,” she teased lightly, her voice soft.

Ariana’s lips curved into a pout. “But this is cozy.”

Cynthia chuckled, shaking her head. “Of course, it is,” she muttered under her breath, before getting to work. She dabbed at Ariana’s face with the cool cotton pad, wiping away the layers of foundation and eyeliner. Ariana’s eyes fluttered shut, and she let out a contented hum, leaning into Cynthia’s touch.

“You’re so dramatic,” Cynthia murmured with a smile, her fingers brushing softly against Ariana’s cheek as she continued wiping away the makeup.

“And you love your dramatic princess,” Ariana mumbled, her voice drowsy and full of affection.

Cynthia couldn’t help but smile, her movements gentle as she worked. When she finished, she set the used pads aside and leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Ariana’s forehead. “There. All done.”

Ariana opened her eyes slowly, blinking up at Cynthia. “You’re the best,” she said, her voice still soft, tired.

Cynthia climbed onto the bed beside her, pulling the blanket over them both. “And you’re the most exhausting princess I know,” she teased, her voice warm and playful.

Ariana giggled, curling into her side. “But you love it,” she repeated, her voice fading as sleep started to claim her.

Cynthia smiled softly, her arms wrapping securely around Ariana as she whispered, “I do.”

Ariana’s body was warm against Cynthia’s, her breathing steady and slow as she melted into the embrace. Cynthia continued to hold her close, her fingers gently stroking through Ariana’s hair, the silence between them so comfortable it felt as though time had slowed.

“You know,” Cynthia began softly, unable to help herself, her voice filled with warmth, “I was thinking today, with everything going on, how easy it is to get lost in all the noise. The rehearsals, the table read... but then I look at you, and it’s like everything else falls away.”

Ariana let out a small hum, but her eyes stayed closed, and her breath was beginning to slow, though Cynthia didn’t notice.

“I mean, I keep thinking about how lucky I am to be here with you, to have these moments where it’s just us, no rush, no pressure. Just... us. And it’s so simple, but it’s the best thing in the world. And I don’t even care if you fall asleep before I finish talking because I’ll still say it. I just don’t want to forget to tell you how much I appreciate this—appreciate you.”

Cynthia paused, her hand stilling as she realized that Ariana hadn’t responded. She frowned slightly, her fingers brushing through Ariana’s hair one more time before she whispered, “Ari?”

She didn’t hear anything for a moment, then—snore.

Cynthia blinked, her heart melting as she realized Ariana had already drifted off to sleep. She couldn’t help but laugh softly, a fond smile spreading across her face.

“Guess I’m boring you, huh?” Cynthia murmured softly, her voice filled with affection. “I was pouring my heart out and you’re already snoring. Typical.”

Cynthia adjusted herself, gently wrapping her arms around Ariana as she pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head, her smile softening even more. “I love you, Princess.”

She settled back into the bed, pulling the blankets around them both, her heartbeat slowing in sync with Ariana’s peaceful rhythm. The night stretched on, the weight of the day finally lifting as she relaxed into the quiet of their shared space.

Ariana was asleep, her breathing deep and even, a soft smile still on her lips. Cynthia could feel the exhaustion in her body too, but she stayed awake for a little longer, just listening to the peaceful sounds of their home, the gentle rhythm of Ariana’s breath, and the soft hum of contentment in her chest.