Between the Lines

Ariana was excited.

She was in her black van, on the way to the Critics Choice Awards.

Her stylist had outdone themselves tonight. Ariana’s look was chic but playful: a tailored black velvet mini-dress with a high neckline and a dramatic bow tied at her nape, leaving a tasteful open-back design. Paired with sheer polka-dot tights, her signature platform heels, and a set of sparkling diamond earrings, the outfit struck the perfect balance between sweet and sultry..

The thrill of excitement that was singing through her veins was about more than the many award nominations she and the other cast and crew of Wicked had received though. She had been making some plans with Cynthia and, tonight, she’d get to enact some of those plans.

She received a message to her phone.

'We’ll meet on the carpet to take a couple of photos.’

Ariana rolled her eyes at Ethan’s message. He was adamant that the public just needed exposure therapy in order to warm up to them. Ariana wasn’t so sure. Usually, she wouldn’t care what the public thought of her personal life. Some things just weren’t their business. But she did think there was something cringy about actually pushing it to the public. Going out together was starting to feel less like a natural thing to do and more like a performance.

‘K,’ she replied curtly.

She was done arguing about it.

She turned her mind to a performance that was about to be more fun. Cynthia.

Cynthia had already shown Ariana designs of the dress she would be wearing. But when Ariana saw her on the red carpet, her mouth dropped open.

Cynthia was a vision in an emerald-green gown that hugged her body like it had been painted on. The strapless bodice dipped into a subtle sweetheart neckline, accentuating her strong shoulders and collarbones, while the fabric flowed effortlessly into a dramatic train that pooled elegantly behind her. The color was rich, bold, and unapologetically daring—a perfect match for Cynthia’s presence. Her makeup was luminous, her skin glowing with a dewy highlight, and her lips painted a deep berry hue. To top it off, her bald head shimmered under the lights, a testament to her undeniable confidence.

She took her own solo shots on the carpet before she turned to Cynthia and jogged toward her with a squeal of, “Cynthia!”

Cynthia’s face lit up when she saw Ariana trotting toward her, and she opened her arms for an embrace. Ariana didn’t hesitate to jump into her arms and get lifted up a few inches from the ground. She laughed happily. Even though she had seen Cynthia two days ago and they had been messaging on the phone every day, she felt like it had been too long since she had seen her.

When Cynthia sat her back down on the ground, Ariana stepped back to take her in fully from up close. “You’re beautiful!” she gushed.

“So are you!” Cynthia exclaimed. Ariana blushed under her up-and-down glance of appreciation.

The reporters and photographers were a cacophony of voices, screaming and yelling to capture their attention. Ariana hadn’t even realized how much louder they had gotten since she and Cynthia had joined forces on the carpet. She’d been too focused on Cynthia herself—her radiant smile, the way her gown shimmered under the lights, and the warmth that radiated from her presence.

The shouts brought her back to reality.

She gave Cynthia a knowing smirk, then turned to face the cameras, instinctively wrapping her arm around Cynthia’s waist.

“Cynthia! Ariana! Over here!”

“Ladies! Turn this way!”

“This way, please!”

The photographers barked their commands, cameras flashing wildly. Ariana and Cynthia followed their cues, turning and posing effortlessly. There was a natural ease between them, a connection that made even the simplest movements look choreographed.

Without giving it too much thought, Ariana leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to Cynthia’s cheek. They had agreed earlier that she’d do something playful at some point during the evening—so why not start things off with a bang?

The flashbulbs exploded, and the shouting grew more frenzied.

When Ariana pulled back, she quickly glanced at Cynthia to gauge her reaction. Cynthia’s expression didn’t falter—her smile was warm, her eyes sparkling with amusement. She gave Ariana a small, reassuring nod.

Ariana’s heart skipped a beat, and she couldn’t help but return the smile. A quiet thrill zipped through her chest, a heady mix of excitement and adrenaline. They continued posing, soaking in the energy of the moment.

And then Ethan arrived.

Ariana leaned toward Cynthia and whispered, “I’ll catch up with you in a bit.”

Cynthia nodded, her demeanor as calm and collected as ever. With one last smile, she made her way further down the carpet, stopping to greet fans and begin interviews.

Ethan took some solo shots. And when he was finished, Ariana waved him over. She tried to keep her gesture casual, but there was an edge of impatience she couldn’t quite conceal. Cynthia was steadily making her way down the line, already giving interviews, and Ariana was eager to join her again.

Ethan reached her, wrapping an arm around her waist with a stiffness that made Ariana want to sigh. For someone so adamant about being seen with her, he always acted like the cameras were weapons aimed directly at him. His discomfort was palpable—his shoulders hunched, his jaw tight, his expression wooden. It was as if he was bracing himself for the inevitable wave of criticism that would flood social media.

Ariana shifted her body toward Ethan, offering her best practiced smile to the photographers. She posed dutifully, though the spark of excitement she’d felt moments ago had dulled.

When she figured they’d taken enough pictures to satisfy the press, she turned her face up to Ethan, her smile still firmly in place for the cameras. “I’ll see you inside,” she said, her tone polite but resolute.

When Ethan nodded his acknowledgment, Ariana turned and walked away, her focus already shifting ahead. She didn’t notice him leaning in to give her a kiss on the cheek—she was gone before his lips even brushed her skin.

Ariana wasn’t able to catch up with Cynthia on the carpet for a joint interview. Her team was ushering her forward, and she had to stay poised, gliding along as expected. But inside the venue, she finally managed to reconnect with her.

Their table was near the front since the Wicked cast was nominated for several awards. Ariana took her assigned seat next to Cynthia, who was already settled and chatting with Jonathan Bailey. Ethan would be sitting on her other side, though he hadn’t arrived yet. Lena wasn’t able to attend due to a prior commitment, so the remaining seats were filled by Jon M. Chu and Michelle Yeoh. The rest of the cast sat at the adjacent table.

“Do you have your speech memorized for when you win?” Cynthia leaned over to ask, her lips curling into a teasing smile.

Ariana gave an exaggerated pout before breaking into a shy grin. “Stop it,” she said, batting Cynthia’s arm lightly. “One, I’m not going to win. Two, even if I was, you totally jinxed it just now. And three…” She smirked. “I should be asking you that question.”

Cynthia waved the idea away with a dramatic flick of her wrist. “Oh, please. Demi’s going to sweep. I’m just here to be your plus one.”

Ariana’s cheeks warmed, a blush rising despite her best efforts to contain it. She bit her lip, trying to suppress a giddy smile.

Ariana loved to flirt. It was one of her favorite pastimes and had gotten her into trouble on more than one occasion. Usually, she took it too far. She was starting to believe her current relationship might be an example of that.

Now that she practically had the green light to flirt with Cynthia from the woman herself, she felt a rush that emboldened her. “Plus one?” she asked with a coy shoulder shrug. “If this is our first date, I gotta ask—are you the type to put out on the first date, or do I need to pace myself?” She wiggled her eyebrows for extra effect, her teasing tone impossible to mistake.

Cynthia’s mouth fell open and she snapped her head in Ariana’s direction. “Whoa!” she laughed. “Wait. Hold on. You just went from zero to one hundred.” Ariana smirked at Cynthia’s flabbergasted expression. She loved catching her off guard. Cynthia continued: “I’m at a .5, and you’re here!” She put one hand far above the other to show the level Ariana was at. “The night just started, babe. Let’s simmer down.”

Ariana gave another lackadaisical shrug as if to say she would think about it but she’d make no promises. Cynthia stared at her affectionately, happy that Ariana understood that she was joking. But she expected nothing less. They read each other’s vibes really well and were on the same wavelength much of the time.

“What’s going on over there, you two?” Jonathan asked from across the table.

Cynthia waved her hand as if to shoo away the attention. “Nothing,” she said. “Just being silly.”

Ariana noticed that Cynthia didn’t quite know how to respond to Jonathan’s prying, so she joked, “Um…Excuse you? Keep your ears on that side of the table.”

Jonathan turned his ears toward them playfully and pretended to listen in. “I can’t. It looks like you two are having too much fun.”

Thankfully, they were saved from answering anymore questions because their peers in the industry began to drift over to their table and engage them in quick conversations of introduction and mutual praise.

When Ethan returned to his seat, he ran his hand across Ariana’s back and pressed a kiss to her cheek. Ariana smiled, knowing cameras were everywhere.

She was grateful when the lights dimmed as the ceremony started. She was aware that the cameras could still pick everything up, but she allowed herself to enjoy the sense of safety that the dim lights provided.

As the ceremony began, Ariana focused on the stage, clapping politely as the first award was announced. She stole a glance at Cynthia, who sat poised and graceful, her hands clasped lightly in her lap. But even in her composed demeanor, there was a glimmer of anticipation in her eyes.

Cynthia caught her looking and leaned in, whispering, “Even though these awards are very anxiety-inducing, I can’t help but love them.”

Ariana brought her hand up to cover her mouth as she whispered back, “And I can’t help but to love watching you love them.”

Cynthia’s lips quirked, but she shook her head slightly and dismissed the flirtation. “Clumsy attempt. A for effort though.” Still, Ariana noticed the faint blush that crept across her cheeks in the dim light.

The ceremony carried on, award after award being announced. The Wicked table erupted in cheers when Paul Tazewell - their costume designer - took home an award for his designs. Ariana was the loudest of all, clapping and hollering with unrestrained joy. She even stood for a moment, earning a grin and a mock bow from their friend as he walked past their table on his way back.

Ariana sat down, and she found herself fidgeting in her seat, her nerves mounting. Her category was coming up. She glanced toward Cynthia, who reached over under the table and squeezed her hand reassuringly. The gesture was subtle, unseen by others, but it grounded Ariana in the moment.

When her category was finally announced, Ariana’s heart pounded so loudly she barely heard the nominees’ names being read. She braced herself, gripping Cynthia’s hand tightly under the table.

“And the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress goes to…”

The pause stretched for what felt like forever.

“…Zoe Saldana for Emilia Perez !”

The room erupted into applause, and Ariana exhaled a quiet breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. A small pang of disappointment shot through her, but she didn’t let it show. She clapped along with everyone else, keeping her expression light and gracious. Cynthia’s hand tightened around hers, grounding her.

“You were phenomenal,” Cynthia whispered in her ear, her voice steady and sure. “Sorry I jinxed it,” she added with a bit of a teasing tone.

Ariana turned to meet Cynthia’s warm gaze, and the reassurance there was enough to ease most of the sting. “Oh, please,” she whispered back with a smile. She was grateful to have Cynthia by her side.

By the time Zoe had finished her heartfelt speech and the applause died down, Ariana had already begun to look forward. She leaned into Cynthia slightly, whispering, “Guess I’m saving my speech for next time.”

“Absolutely,” Cynthia replied with a teasing grin.

The next category came quickly: Best Actress. Ariana felt her grip on Cynthia’s hand switch to one of support.

“And the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actress goes to…Demi Moore for The Substance !”

Cynthia clapped as gracefully as Ariana had, her smile unwavering. But Ariana could feel the slight dip in her energy, and she leaned close. “Guess you’re saving your speech for next time too.”

Cynthia chuckled quietly, her lips brushing close to Ariana’s ear. “Looks like it.”

Soon enough, Wicked began its sweep. Best Adapted Screenplay. Best Production Design. Best Acting Ensemble. One by one, they were called to the stage to collect the trophies, and by the end of the night, their table was buzzing with excitement.

Every time they rose to accept another award, Ariana and Cynthia naturally gravitated toward each other. Ariana looped her arm through Cynthia’s as they walked up the steps, or Cynthia reached back to guide Ariana as they took the steps onstage hand-in-hand. When they stood onstage with their cast, Ariana found herself leaning into Cynthia instinctively. Cynthia, without missing a beat, would either place a hand on Ariana’s waist or glance down with a smile that looked a little too fond.

The cameras loved it, and so did the fans. The flashes were blinding, and Ariana could practically feel the social media frenzy that was brewing.

During their final trip to the stage for Best Acting Ensemble, Ariana turned to Cynthia and whispered, “I feel like we’re giving them way too much tonight.”

Cynthia laughed softly, her hand sliding around Ariana’s waist as if on autopilot. “We’re just standing here. Let them have their fun.”

Ariana smirked. She loved when Cynthia was in her I-don’t-give-a-fuck mood. Many people thought her co-star was serious and uptight, but she had found within half an hour of meeting Cynthia that she was actually very nonchalant and easygoing.

Ariana decided to really give their fans something to theorize about. She stepped behind Cynthia and wrapped her hands around her waist while simultaneously resting her chin on her shoulder. Cynthia, of course, went with it naturally because she was amazing. She gripped Ariana’s arms, and they swayed gently together - their fingers briefly interlacing - as they listened to Jon M. Chu give his thanks to everyone. Their laughter mixed with the applause as their cast wrapped up their collective thank-yous.

By the time they returned to their seats, Ariana’s earlier disappointment was a distant memory. They’d lost their individual awards, sure, but the night was still a massive celebration of Wicked . And as Cynthia leaned into her to whisper some snarky comment about the after-party, Ariana couldn’t help but think this was a win in its own right.

***

The after-party was hosted at an exclusive estate, the kind of place where only the most elite of Hollywood’s inner circle could set foot. Security at the gate was tight, and a small tent was set up just outside the entrance where NDAs were signed and phones were surrendered, tagged, and stored individually in sleek black pouches with numbered tags for retrieval later. The process was seamless, but the unspoken expectation was clear: no one brought a phone inside, period.

“Phones, please,” the security guard said, his voice as gruff as his appearance.

Ariana gave him her most dazzling smile and shrugged. “Oh, we didn’t bring ours.”

The guard’s eyes narrowed, lingering on the small clutches both women were carrying. “Really?” he asked.

Cynthia leaned in with her trademark charm, her voice warm and smooth. “Promise we’re not trying to break any rules. We left them in the car. We know how these things go.”

The guard didn’t look convinced, his gaze flicking between them, but after a long moment, he sighed and waved them through. “Fine. But don’t let me catch you sneaking any pictures.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Cynthia said with a wink, pulling Ariana through the door before he could change his mind and search them in order to confiscate the phones that they definitely still had on their persons.

The two of them had stopped at their places to change after the awards ceremony, each emerging with a new look that suited the carefree yet exclusive vibe of the afterparty. Cynthia wore a short but elegant dress made of black silk, the asymmetrical hem and high neckline adding an edgy sophistication. The dress hugged her toned frame, and the cut allowed her thigh tattoos to peek out, drawing subtle attention as she walked. Ariana, meanwhile, had swept her hair into a sleek, high ponytail, the style accentuating the graceful lines of her neck and shoulders. She wore a soft mauve slip dress that shimmered under the low lights, the delicate straps and understated sheen perfectly complementing her effortless charm.

As they entered the sprawling mansion, the energy of the party surrounded them—laughter, music, and the hum of mingled conversations filling the air. The other guests were already deep into the night, too caught up in their own revelry to pay much attention to two more arrivals. And that was just how Ariana and Cynthia liked it.

Ethan was already there, seated stiffly near the bar. He’d come straight from the awards, having opted not to change. He was searching the crowd, most likely looking for her. When his eyes finally found them, he immediately started walking over to them.

“Hey,” he said curtly, ignoring Cynthia entirely.

Ariana blinked at his tone but smiled anyway. “Hey, babe. You good?”

“Can we talk for a second?” he asked, his voice clipped.

Ariana glanced at Cynthia, who gave her a small nod and a reassuring smile. “I’m going to get some water at the bar,” she said quietly before stepping away, giving them space.

Ethan didn’t waste any time. “What was that tonight?” he asked, his frustration barely contained.

Ariana frowned. “What was what?”

“You barely paid attention to me the whole night,” he said, crossing his arms. “You didn’t even act like I was your boyfriend. It felt like I was just…there.”

Her frown deepened. “I don’t know what you want, Ethan. I took pictures with you like you wanted.”

“I don’t want pictures, Ariana,” he said, his voice rising slightly before he caught himself and lowered it again. “I want to feel like your boyfriend, not like some extra in your entourage.”

Ariana sighed, already feeling the exhaustion of the conversation creeping in. “You’re the one who wanted to come to these events. But then you just stand there, looking miserable, like you hate every second of it. What do you expect me to do?”

“I expect you to…not be all over someone else when you know the rumors that are going around,” he said, his tone sharper now.

Ariana felt her temper flare but forced herself to keep her voice steady. “A girl can’t have friends now?” She was being dismissive, and she knew it. But she really didn’t feel like engaging in this at the moment. She was still feeling the buzz of the awards night, and she didn’t want it to be ruined by Ethan’s mood.

For a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension thick between them. Finally, Ethan shook his head and stepped back. “You know what? Forget it.”

Ariana watched him walk away, her jaw tight. She took a deep breath and turned back toward the bar, where Cynthia was waiting.

“You okay?” Cynthia asked, handing her a water.

Ariana forced a smile and nodded. “Yeah. Let’s dance.”

The two of them moved toward the dance floor, where the mood was lighter, the music slow and sultry. At first, they kept it casual, their movements easy and playful as they let the rhythm guide them. But as the song shifted into something softer, their bodies naturally drifted closer.

Cynthia allowed her hands to slide down Ariana’s sides until they rested at her hips. Ariana stepped closer into her and moved her arms around Cynthia’s shoulders. It felt nice to be dancing so closely with someone. Ariana couldn’t remember the last time she had done it. Their foreheads brushed briefly, and neither of them pulled away, the touch feeling as natural as their laughter.

With their chests flush together, Cynthia’s hands shifted slightly, her thumbs brushing lightly along the curve of Ariana’s hips as if following the rhythm of the music. Ariana felt a shiver run down her spine, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she moved even closer, their bodies completely in sync as they swayed together. Her fingers toyed idly with the back of Cynthia’s collar before slipping down to rest against her shoulders, tracing soft, lazy patterns there.

Their foreheads brushed again, lingering this time, and the warmth of Cynthia’s skin felt grounding. Ariana tilted her head slightly, her gaze meeting Cynthia’s, and for a moment, the noise of the party faded into the background.

Cynthia’s hands traveled further, settling firmly at the small of Ariana’s back. Her touch was steady, but there was a tenderness to it, as though she was holding something delicate. Ariana exhaled softly, her breath grazing Cynthia’s cheek, and she let her fingers wander downward to brush along Cynthia’s upper arms.

“I’m having fun.” Cynthia murmured, her voice barely audible over the music.

“I am too.” Ariana smiled, her lips curving in a way that was playful and warm all at once. “A little too much, maybe.”

Cynthia chuckled, the sound low and rich, and the vibrations of her laughter seemed to hum between them. Their movements slowed slightly, and without realizing it, Ariana’s fingers found their way to the back of Cynthia’s neck, where her thumb absentmindedly traced the base of her skull.

Their bodies stayed close, their hands drifting every so often as if testing boundaries they weren’t even sure existed. Around them, a few curious glances lingered, the kind of speculative looks that might turn into whispers later. But Ariana and Cynthia didn’t notice. They were in their own world, their movements instinctive and unselfconscious, their laughter blending into the music as they swayed together.