Aubrey was the first to arrive.
Stepping out of a sleek black car with practiced grace, she was immediately met with flashing cameras before her heels touched the red carpet. Her black gown, clinging to her frame in all the right places, with a neckline that dipped daringly low, and adorned with intricate gold embroidery cascading down the bodice and the hemline shone brightly under the lights of the cameras and the venue as she made her way toward the center of the carpet along with the rest of the presenters, joining Anthony and Ariana for a few photographs. They exchanged a few jokes until Anthony turned his attention specifically to her.
“So Aubrey, where’s the missus?”
“She’ll be here soon I imagine.” She didn’t even blink at the joke. It was a universally acknowledged truth that she and Kathryn always acted like a married couple.
“Oh I can’t wait for Kathryn to arrive. You know we were talking about you and Cynthia at lunch the other day” chimed Ariana.
“Dare I ask?” deadpanned Aubrey.
“Just how lucky we are to have our green witches”.
“Wonder what you would do without us.” Aubrey laughed as she remembered Kathryn saying that she had the better green witch by her side. At the thought, her smile softened. That woman was the best part of the show and she’d never felt closer to her. Their on-screen chemistry had only made their relationship stronger; she mused as she thought about the poems and songs they shared in the middle of the night, their scenes, the soft touches they exchanged between takes, and the endless affection they poured into each other. From long hours on set to the emotionally charged premiere, their connection had deepened in ways neither had expected. And yet, something felt unresolved.
Until tonight.
As she continued making her way toward the venue amidst the buzz of photographers, organizers, and fans, she felt a mix of awe and excitement growing with every step. Yet, as she enjoyed all the attention, she found herself constantly scanning the newly arrived artists, searching for one person. And then she spotted her.
Kathryn stepped onto the carpet, the light catching the purple sheen of her dress. The fabric draped elegantly off her shoulders, accentuating her collarbones, and cinched perfectly at her waist. A slit along her left leg revealed just enough to leave the rest to the imagination, and her signature bold lipstick added the perfect touch of drama as she posed for a few pictures, twirling and extending her arms in a true Agatha-like manner.
Aubrey froze for an imperceptible moment, her confidence faltering as she took in the sight of her costar. Kathryn’s gaze moved along the audience and the paparazzi until they made eye contact and a slow smile spread across her face. She made her way over to Aubrey, with a confidence that sent the younger actress’s pulse racing.
“Plaza.”
“Hahn”.
They both leaned in for a hug as the cameras flashed around them, and they turned together toward the photographers screaming their names. Kathryn turned to her costar, her voice low and teasing.
“You’re truly leaning into the whole golden goddess thing huh?” she murmured, referencing Aubrey’s extravagant gowns in Megalopolis.
“And you are obviously channeling that old Hollywood glam. That What-If episode really rubbed off on you.” Aubrey replied, her eyes lingering on Kathryn’s exposed body, and then her red lips, before flicking back up to meet her gaze.
“It’s…working for you.” She added after a moment. She stepped closer to the older woman, her hand finding her waist as they turned toward the cameras. Kathryn’s hand slipped around Aubrey’s back, her fingers brushing against bare skin, her touch lingering as Aubrey’s fingers moved to rest at the ends of Kathryn’s hair, gently playing with the brown strands. The flashes were blinding, but neither woman seemed to care. As they were wrapping up and turned to leave, Aubrey leaned close again, her breath warm against her friend’s ear.
“Good luck tonight sweetheart. You’ve already won in my book.”
Kathryn shivered, her laugh a little too nervous due to their proximity and Aubrey’s words.
“Thanks Plaza. You’re going to make me cry before the show even starts.”
Aubrey laughed freely this time and then leaned closer once again.
“You know, you’re going to be the death of me. Especially in that dress.”
“And here I thought Death was your specialty. Now move it Plaza, we’ve got a long night ahead of us.”
Inside the venue, the atmosphere was electric. Aubrey quickly found her assigned table with some of the other presenters near the front, but her eyes kept drifting towards Kathryn, seated a few tables away, laughing with Ariana and Cynthia. Kathryn was trying to focus on her colleagues and the show, but she couldn't help but feel the weight of a familiar gaze. Every time she glanced in Aubrey’s direction, she found her staring, her expression stereotypically unreadable yet intense.
Some time later, Aubrey was waiting backstage as the award show started, until an idea struck her. She quickly marched over to an organizer, pulling them to the side.
“I want to switch categories,” she pleaded, her voice low and insistent.
The organizer frowned. “That’s not how we usually do things, Miss Plaza…”
“Please,” Aubrey pressed, trying to hide the nervousness bubbling beneath.
“Just this once. It’ll be worth it, I promise.”
After a few minutes of back and forth, Aubrey got her way. She was now the official presenter for Best Performance in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy.
When Aubrey finally stepped onto the stage, Kathryn’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t expected to see Aubrey up there for her category, and the sight of her in that dress, bathed in the spotlight of the stage, her gaze commanding the crowd, was almost too much. Aubrey’s smooth voice introduced the nominees, her eyes flickering to Kathryn as she pronounced her name with a barely hidden fondness, her lips curving into a small, imperceptible smile.
“And the Golden Globe goes to…Kathryn Hahn, Agatha All Along!”
The room erupted into applause, but Kathryn barely heard it as she made her way up to the stage, her eyes locking onto Aubrey’s, making everything else in the room fade away. She was almost floating. When she reached Aubrey, they embraced, the hug lasting a little longer than either of them realized. Kathryn’s hands rested on Aubrey’s waist, and she felt her costar’s fingers curl against her back. After a moment, they both pulled back just enough for their eyes to meet, both women feeling like they were the only two people in the room.
“Congratulations, my love. You deserve this.” Aubrey said, her voice almost too soft for the microphone to catch.
Finally, Kathryn turned fully to the microphone, her hand brushing Aubrey’s waist one last time as she stepped forward.
“Wow, you guys,” she began, her voice trembling slightly.
“This is overwhelming. I am just so grateful to each and every one of you, our incredible team, this brilliant cast, all the fans who made this possible, you are all the best and you are loved so much. This show has been the experience of a lifetime, and thank you for allowing us witches to share our story.”
Her gaze flickered back to Aubrey, who had been standing backstage, watching her intently.
“And to my costar, my on-screen wife and bane of my existence, and dearest friend, Aubrey Plaza…You’ve been my rock through this whole journey. Your talent, your humor, your passion for this job- you inspire me every single day.”
The audience erupted into applause, but Kathryn barely even noticed. She flashed a quick but genuine smile for the cameras and quickly turned her eyes back to Aubrey, who gave her a knowing smile as she disappeared behind a curtain.
After the next category was announced, Kathryn ran backstage, clutching her award, her eyes looking frantically for Aubrey until she found her standing in a corner.
“You switched categories,” she breathed, her voice low and shaky, a mix of awe and something like exasperation.
Aubrey looked at her and shrugged, her lips twitching into a small smile.
“Guess I couldn't bring myself to let anyone else announce your win. It wouldn’t have felt right”.
“But how would you know I’d even-”
“How could you not? Nobody deserved this more than you.”
Kathryn stepped closer, putting the award at a nearby table, her eyes searching Aubrey’s.
“Why do you always do this? You act so nonchalant, but then you go and do something that makes me feel like...”
“Like what?” Aubrey asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Like you care,” Kathryn admitted, her eyes searching Aubrey’s.
Aubrey’s lips twitched into a small smile. “I do care, Kathryn. More than I probably should.”
Before she could finish her sentence, Kathryn closed the distance between them, her lips capturing Aubrey’s in a soft but insistent kiss. Aubrey froze momentarily, then melted into the kiss, as Kathryn’s hands reached up to cup her face, the movement coming to her naturally, as she had done this a hundred times before. Their lips moved against each other with barely restrained want, Aubrey letting out a small whimper as she gripped Kathryn’s waist to pull her even closer. When they finally pulled apart, Kathryn, despite panting heavily, managed a shaky laugh.
“Well, that definitely answers my question.” Her hand moved to tuck a stray lock of hair behind Aubrey’s ear.
“I don’t want us to pretend anymore.” She continued, her voice returning to her normal cadence.
“Neither do I”. Aubrey’s eyes softened even more as she took in the brilliant woman in front of her. Then she smirked, pulling Kathryn for another kiss before leaning back slightly, her thumb brushing against Kathryn’s cheek.
“Winning looks good on you.”
“Honey everything looks good on me.”
post-credits
“you look good on me too my love.”
“shut up and kiss me, Hahn.”