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“Madeline, you know I love you and love when you do that.” The feeling of Madeline’s lips curling into a smile against the bare skin of her neck made her shiver slightly, but she kept herself in check. “It’s just, we’re not going to get anywhere if you keep it up.”
The gentle berating caused Madeline’s perfect lips to leave her. “You’re no fun.” Perfect lips pouting at her as she moved to face Helen.
Helen had rolled her eyes in amusement before placing a chaste kiss on the other woman’s lips.
“Go get ready. Or at least leave me alone for a bit so I can get ready.” Madeline was still pouting at her. “Let me know if you need help with anything.” She tucked a stray strand of hair behind Madeline’s ear.
The blonde nodded, very clearly trying not to sulk, as she was gently shooed away.
As much as Helen enjoyed holding Mad’s hand and being close to her, it was proving to be a futile attempt at getting ready for the night. It’s hard to do one’s make up when you have a Madeline Ashton breathing down your neck with that look in her eye. It is even harder to continue your make up when Madeline Ashton is wrapped around you from behind, and pressing her lips against your neck and behind your ear.
Close up: Madeline Ashton running around the upstairs of their spacious house in nothing but matching pretty pink lingerie, her long, satin robe, untied at the waist and curlers still in her hair. Running around in her state of undress as if they both didn’t have to leave the house in half an hour to walk the red carpet of the award ceremony that had nominated the blonde for the coveted ‘Best Leading Actress in a Musical’. In all the years Helen had known Madeline (and she had known her for many years...) very little had changed.
“Madeline? Are you nearly ready?” Helen called in a sing-songy voice that you would perhaps use with a child, knowing full well her blonde best friend was nowhere near ready.
All Helen needed to do was step into her dress, zip it up and slip into her shoes. Hair was done. Make up finally finished. Clutch bag packed.
“Mad?” She called again. “I asked if you were-”
“Hel, it’s going to be fine. I still have- oh…”
Madeline’s eyes are wide as she enters the room. She can't help but stare at Helen. Helen’s mouth was moving, but all she can think about is the beautiful sight before her.
A nude pink, sparkly gown with a mermaid hem that fits around her so beautifully. Long, wavy auburn hair cascading down her back as she uses the end frame of their bed to keep her balance as she steps into her heels. Helen looks up from where she is standing, tucking her hair behind her ear, out of her face. She looks ethereal.
There is something about the way this specific gown compliments everything about Helen. Sure it looked beautiful on the hanger; it was pink and sparkly, of course Madeline thought it was wonderful. What she hadn’t anticipated was the way it would cling to Helen’s curves, how the neutral pink tone of the dress heavily complimented those long auburn curls and dusting of freckles that she adored so much…
“Mad? The redhead smiles in knowing amusement, gently waving Madeline out of her trance.
“Hmm? Yeah. Sorry, Hel. What was that?”
“I was saying, when you were done gawking at me” — there is an air of teasing about her as she looks at the blonde — “could you please help me?” She pauses and turns slightly so Madeline can access the zip to her dress. “I can’t reach.” She turns again slightly to playfully pout at the blonde.
Helen watches through the mirror as Madeline does as she’s asked. Which is a rare occurrence because Madeline can never do anything she is asked to do without some fuss or resistance. The blonde gently pulls the zip up whilst Hel fusses with how she wants her hair to sit. When she’s done she leans her chin on Helen’s shoulder and wraps her arms around her waist. Helen smiles at the blonde through the reflection.
“Thanks, Mad.” She says quietly, leaning her head against Mad’s and covering her hands with her own.
“You look lovely, Hel. I don’t think I tell you enough.” There was dirty, flirty Mad, which Helen enjoyed a lot. Then there was sincere, infatuated Mad, who Helen loved most.
“You tell me plenty, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy hearing it.”
Mad laughs softly into her shoulder, pressing a gentle kiss there before she lets her go.
They have twenty minutes, Hel reminds her.
At least Mad’s make up was done, and she only had to put her dress on and remove the rollers from her hair. Helen realises she could be in a situation much worse, and much more usual for Madeline. So, she’ll take this as a somewhat win in the grand scheme of things.
The moment she steps out from the car she instantly changes from Mad to Madeline Ashton. It fascinates Helen how quickly she can switch it up. She can cope with the performance of Madeline when there are people shouting for her attention, flashing cameras at her or handing her pens for her to sign something for them. It was the part she had to play in order to succeed in the business she called show.
Everyone, as expected, is squealing and shouting out for Madeline to pose in their direction on the red carpet. The perfect shot of the actress was the prize of the photographers for the evening. Hel is only a few steps behind her, watching on with genuine happiness for her.
Mad expertly tilts her head, pouts her lips, angles her body in a way that she knows she looks best for photos. It had always been something Helen had envied, mostly because she had been unsure of how to find her own. At least until Mad had taught her when they had gotten dressed for a party way back when.
The demand for Mad is slowing up the rest of the carpet so Hel decides to finally catch up with her and gently lead her inside. Helen reminds her that she has indulged the press and her own ego long enough. The blonde laughs as she playfully swats her in response. Mad hooking her pinky finger with Hel’s as they make their way into the building.
“And the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, goes to…Madeline Ashton.”
The nerves that had paralysed Helen had drained out of her the moment Mad’s name was called out. Madeline was a wonderful actress, and it was so satisfying that she was finally given something tangible in recognition for it. A final bow indeed (not that the theatre guild or audiences were aware of that). She had done it. Helen always knew she would, even if she had made catty comments in the past.
Madeline was frozen still in her seat; eyes wide and shaking slightly. Mouth slightly agape as she turned to Helen who was sat next to her. Stunned that someone had opened the all important envelope and finally read out her name. She had been squeezing Helen’s hand the moment the category had been announced. It was a good thing she was unable to feel pain anymore, she knew how strong Madeline’s grip could be.
“Mads!” Helen beamed, as she immediately pressed her lips to the blonde’s cheek, leaving a very obvious red lipstick mark behind.
“Oh my God…Hel, I-” The delayed smile finally reached her face and she turned to kiss Helen square on the lips in front of everyone. Making sure to look right into the redhead’s eyes before finally making her way to the stage to collect the coveted trophy that she had spent her entire adult life working for, and entire childhood dreaming about.
“Oh wow.” The blonde sniffed, running a finger under her eye to catch the few tears that had already begun to fall. “This is…I can’t believe it. I would like to thank the incredible cast and crew behind this gorgeous show. I’m so grateful to get to do it eight times a week and that you all put up with me for that long too.”
That got the audience roaring with good natured laughter. It wasn’t a secret that Madeline Ashton could be a lot to work with. At least Mad had some self awareness surrounding it and was secure enough to poke a bit of fun at herself now.
Helen smiled with pride as Madeline quickly went through some of the notable professionals who helped her with this comeback to Broadway. Reacting accordingly to Madeline’s charismatic speech.
The blonde took a quick breath to calm herself before she searched the sea of people for Helen, giving her a watery smile as she continued.
“But most of all, I want to thank Helen Sharp.” The redhead in question found herself holding her breath at the unexpected shout out. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all the times you ran through my lines with me when we were younger, kept me going when I wanted to give up…” Helen returned the smile as Madeline took another deep breath. “Hel, you’re my best friend and my person. I love you. Thank you for always believing in me.”
The blonde actress was now sobbing on stage with genuine happiness. Before she picked up the award to leave the stage, she made a point to blow Helen a kiss. Helen couldn’t help but shake her head and smile as she joined the rest of the room with wild applause.
The rest of the evening had gone by in a whirl. Helen was grateful for it, in a way. She was far too introverted for events like this, and as much as she enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate Mad doing what Mad did best, she would have been much happier with Madeline cuddled up into her side as they watched an old romcom under a blanket together. Mad would always choose something like When Harry Met Sally or Pretty Woman. Whereas Helen, whilst she also enjoyed those, was more of a Casablanca and Charade kind of girl. Madeline would always manage to get her way in the end and, by this point, Helen is sure she has seen enough of Meg Ryan and Julia Roberts’ filmographies in the romantic comedy genre that she could probably play their parts for them.
Getting dressed up was a rare treat though. A glimpse into Madeline’s world of glamour was often interesting, but she was glad this wasn’t her world. There were moments where Hel stood off to the side with her glass of champagne, watching Madeline perform socially for her peers. She was fascinating sometimes — Helen would never tell her that though. It was these moments where she would also catch Madeline staring at her.
Being the object of Madeline Ashton’s desire and affection was always thrilling. It made her feel rather powerful, especially in a room full of important industry men who spent most of the night leering at the blonde. It made her skin crawl, but Madeline was able to hold her own. She’d had enough practice, she’d supposed. When it would get too much, she would stand closer to Helen, make a show of the fact that she only had eyes for the redhead with a dramatic, but sincere, kiss on the lips.
Hands possessively cupping her jaw as she deliberately smudged their lipsticks together creating a new shade of red and pink. Helen was sure she was blushing a shade not too different to the colour of her hair, but she couldn’t help the subsequent butterflies that had begun their assault when Madeline looked at her like that. As if she was the only person in the world. The blonde had always been very good at that.
Other times, Mads would have her hand tightly tangled with hers as she introduced her to all the notable people of the industry, and then stood in less crowded spots of the room to spill all the juicy gossip she was privy to about almost everyone in the room. It was these little moments where Helen felt like she was twenty again and sat on the end of Mad’s bed as they painted each other’s nails whilst gossiping about the people in their classes and the affairs the teachers were absolutely having with each other. Madeline’s actor parties were just the grown up version of that.
The redhead is trying her best to avoid social interaction and just sip her champagne in a corner, when she feels a hand snake to her hip. Ready to elbow a man clean in the ribs, the familiar scent of floral and vanilla engulfs her. Helen stands down.
“Come on, Hel. I know you don’t want to be here any more than I do right now. Let’s go home.” Madeline had popped up out of nowhere, making Helen jolt a little in surprise.
Helen was about to protest, but Madeline raised her eyebrows with a tinge of authority. As if she was challenging her to argue with her, before quickly reaching for her hand and leading her out of the crowded ball room.
They had barely made it through the door before Madeline had kicked off her shoes and headed straight up the stairs to their bedroom. Helen isn’t far behind her, picking up everything Madeline has discarded bringing them to their rightful home in the closet.
Mad’s gown is already draped over the vanity stool when Helen finally arrives to the bedroom. At least she hasn’t left it in a puddle on the floor, she thinks. The woman who was previously in the dress is quietly humming to herself in the ensuite, wiping off her makeup.
Helen attempts to sit in the edge of the bed to take her own shoes off, but is awkwardly reminded of the shape of her dress and the lack of flexible material.
“You know, you didn’t have to leave on my behalf. This was a big night for you, Mad. You deserve to celebrate in style.” She called out, from the other side of the bathroom door.
Madeline, now fresh faced from makeup removal and her elaborate skincare routine, joined her in the bedroom.
She shrugged, making her way over to the redhead, gesturing for her to turn around so she could help her with the zip of her gown again.
Madeline reaches for her hand as she helps Helen step out of her dress. Only letting her go so she can place it over Madeline’s on the stool, a task for tomorrow. She starts to gently stroke her thumb over her knuckles as she pulls her closer.
“You looked very uncomfortable. It wasn’t as fun as I had hoped it to be and besides, I got what I wanted at the end of it. There was no need to stay for insincere pleasantries with people.” Madeline wrinkled her nose in slight disgust.
“Oh?”
“I think I’ve been spending too much time with you, Hel.” She shook her head teasingly. “Imagine, the Madeline Ashton wins the most important award in her career and instead would much rather be sat on the sofa, whilst you spend an eternity deciding which album to put on the turntable, waiting for you to come back so you can play with my hair as you read your book. Or maybe I’m getting old.”
“Oh no, not the ‘o’ word.” Helen cackled as she responded with a gesture of mock distress. She turned her head slightly. The back of her hand against her forehead with the other hand over her heart. Her Madeline Ashton impression was genuinely quite good. Although, she’d had enough time to perfect it by this point.
Madeline knew she was being made fun of, but it was all in jest. She laughed along at her girlfriend’s exaggerated impersonation of herself.
“You’re supposed to tell me I don’t look a day over twenty-five, Hel. You’ve failed.” Madeline tries to keep her tone deadpan, but can’t help the twitching of a smile forming at her lips.
Helen couldn’t help but continue laughing. There was Madeline being dramatic to get her way and there was Madeline being dramatic to make her laugh. It’s so good to laugh with her again.
So she rests her hands on her neck, holding her so she could look at her, thumbs caressing the blonde’s jaw bone. Green eyes gazing into blue. She was so in love with this infuriating woman. She wonders when they both became so soft.
“Well, Mad. You did it.” She always knew she would have her time, one day.
Madeline looked at her with complete sincerity for a moment, before wrapping her arms around the ginger, pulling her into a hug so tight, she was sure Mad was going to hug all the air out of her.
The redhead is suddenly reminded of the evening Madeline had won her first Razzie Award. They were in the living room of their shared apartment when the news had come their way. The way Mad held her tightly in a hug as she sobbed, claiming her career was over before it had even begun. She held her best friend all night. It was so early on in her career that they had still been best friends — before shit had really hit the fan. As Madeline pulls away slightly, it’s clear she’s had the same thought.
“You know, I’m so used to them not calling out my name, after they tear the envelope open, that I think I just zoned out.”
Helen looked at her sympathetically.
“Crazy how it all works out, isn’t it? I got the girl and the trophy in the end.” Madeline quips, before finally leaning into kiss Hel on the lips.