#mcarfield

[mcarfield]

Andrew Garfield’s full Evening Standard speech is lovely and I’m a monster for just clipping the part of it where he talks about how he’s fucked James McArdle the cast of Angels in America is one giant orgy. 😂

[fictionality]

I have joined the world’s tiniest fandom and I LOVE IT

[mcarfield]

Andy Garfield arriving at the Drama Desk luncheon like “hi, you’re too kind, thank you, I’m here to collect my Oscar”

James McArfield arriving at the Drama Desk luncheon literally in the middle of saying “What is happening?!?!”

[mcarfield]

Get you someone who looks at you the way James McArdle looks at all of his fictional romantic partners <3

[mcarfield]

Harry Styles and the OTP

HI SO IDK HOW THIS WORKS BUT ahaha @earlgreytea68 literally submitted this masterpiece to me, and i wish i could say i knew how we got here but in truth i do not, we were just talking about how Andrew Garfield runs in this hilariously nerdy Brit Pack (of RPatz, Eddie R, Jamie Dornan, and Tom Sturridge), and she was like, “This checks out and also Harry Styles should be a scotch-drinking sexual guru sage master” and then she just handed me this GLORIOUS THING and I mean………

THANK YOU, EGT, NONE OF US ARE WORTHY OF THIS AND I HAVE TO HIT POST AND GO DIE OF HILARITY BYE

“Oh, no,” says Rob, and shakes his head violently. “That is not good.”

“What?” Andrew says. “Why isn’t that good?”

“You got invited to Harry Styles’s house,” Eddie says, and purses his lips like that’s enough for Andrew to know.

Except Andrew already knew that. “Ye-es,” says Andrew. “Why is that a bad thing?”

“Do you know what Harry Styles does?” Eddie asks him.

“Yes?” says Andrew. “I mean. He’s, you know, a musician. One Direction. That’s what makes you beautiful,” he sang.

Eddie and Rob stare at him.

Rob says, “Christ, do not do that when you go to Harry Styles’s house.”

Eddie says, “He’s not in One Direction anymore.”

Andrew scowls. “I know that. Look, what is with you two? I just got invited to hang out at someone’s house. I’m sure it’ll be some kind of low-key evening. We’ll chat about avoiding paparazzi together or something.”

“You really don’t know what Harry Styles does,” Eddie says sadly.

“Well, I sure do wish one of my best friends here would tell me,” says Andrew impatiently.

“He gives love advice,” Eddie says.

“Love advice?” Andrew says blankly. “Like an advice columnist?”

“Yeah,” Rob says. “Harry Styles has an advice column.”

“Wow,” says Andrew.

“No,” Rob says. “Obviously Harry Styles doesn’t have an advice column. Harry Styles is a sexual sage.”

Andrew has no idea what that’s supposed to mean. “He’s a what?”

“He pulls you aside when he thinks you’re mucking up your love life,” Eddie says, “and he gives you advice.”

Andrew tries to process this. “What, he does this regularly?”

“Oh, yes,” says Rob. “And in great detail.”

Eddie winces. “Yeah, it’s really not necessary for him to go into such detail.”

“Yes, it is,” says Rob. “He’s got some tips that changed my life, I swear to God. Did you not listen to his tips, Eddie? You should have listened to his tips. Hannah would have thanked you. He told me to do this thing with my dick where I—”

“No,” Andrew and Eddie say simultaneously.

Rob makes a face but falls silent.

Andrew says, “So let me get this straight. Harry Styles is some secret sex sage who’s been taking people aside to fix their love lives?”

“Yes. And he’s coming straight for you, apparently,” says Eddie.

“Hmm.” Andrew mulls this over. “Do you think he’s going to have advice about Emma?” he asks brightly.

“I think he’s going to knock you upside the head,” says Rob.

***

Harry Styles’s house is exactly what Andrew would have expected the house of a sexual sage to look like, had he ever stopped to think about sexual sages existing in the world before. Every square inch of it is draped in impossibly lush and loudly patterned fabrics, from the cranberry velvet lining the walls to the zebra print fur sprawling on the floors to every rollicking chair in between. The curtains are black and crimson harlequin print, and they seem to be eight times longer than they need to be. All of the lamps are draped in fabric, so that the lights all around them are garishly colored. Harry is standing in a suit that seems to have been crafted entirely from a Turkish carpet. Andrew is envious of it, actually. Harry’s got a great stylist.

Andrew says, “I love what you’ve done with the place.”

Harry looks unamused. He sips from a tumbler that contains some indeterminate liquid and says, “I wasn’t sure you’d come.”

“Oh,” says Andrew. “I thought I had to come. I thought if I didn’t come you’d track me down and have me kidnapped so you could bring me here and save my love life.”

“I would have,” says Harry.

Andrew laughs.

Harry does not.

So Andrew stops laughing.

“Andrew Garfield,” Harry says, and reaches behind him. There’s a bookcase there that’s carpeted in lurid, hot pink tiger print. Harry pulls out a binder, except someone’s literally pasted fluffy white fur onto the binder. Andrew wonders idly if Harry can’t have any sharp surfaces around him.

And then Harry opens the binder and there’s a picture of…Andrew. A fairly old picture, actually.

“Hang on,” Andrew says. “Is that from Lions for Lambs?”

Harry ignores him, flipping through the binder. There are more pictures of Andrew, scattered through pages and pages of text. Harry glances through it, going hmm and huh at various places.

Andrew says, growing a little irritated, “What is all that?”

“Your blind items,” Harry replies without looking up.

“My blind items? Aren’t those blind?”

Harry looks up then, fixes him with a stare. “Blind items are never blind, to those with the sight.” Then Harry sips from his tumbler. Then he looks back down at the binder.

“Oh,” Andrew says, because he’s not sure what you can possibly say to that. “Okay, then. So you have the sight?”

Harry closes the binder and looks up at Andrew. “Your blind items are a fucking mess.”

Andrew bristles. “Well, I mean, they’re not that—”

“Andrew. Which of us has a house carpeted entirely in faux furs so soft, it had to be specially manufactured for me by Dior?”

Andrew looks around the house. “I think that’s you.”

“Exactly,” says Harry, and turns back to the bookcase.

“Is this about Emma?” Andrew asks.

Harry suddenly flings his tumbler entirely across the room, where it strikes harmlessly the heavily padded wall and lands on the soft carpet with a thud.

Harry says, “Pretend that shattered.”

“Okay,” Andrew says.

“The shattering of that glass is how you should feel about Emma.”

Andrew looks at the intact glass. “It didn’t shatter, though—”

“I said pretend it shattered!” Harry says.

“Okay,” Andrew agrees again.

“So, how do you feel about Emma?”

“…Shattered?” Andrew guesses.

“Yes. And what do we do with a shattered glass?”

“…Clean it up?”

“Wrong. We forget about it.”

Andrew considers. “That seems dangerous.”

Harry’s eyes glitter at him. “Oh, does it?”

“You could be walking around barefoot and forget you never cleaned up your shattered glass and then you’ve got glass in your foot—”

“You shouldn’t be walking around barefoot,” Harry says. “What the fuck. Why would you be walking around barefoot?”

“You never walk around barefoot in your house?”

“I’m not an animal,” Harry says. “Christ. You’re a disaster.”

“I’m not a disaster,” Andrew protests.

“The girl broke up with you, she’s making out with other costars, she’s chasing Justin Theroux around. You’re a little bit of a disaster here.”

“Okay,” Andrew allows. “When you put it that way.”

“Who the fuck is Justin Theroux anyway?” asks Harry.

“He’s in this show,” Andrew says. “The Leftovers? And he used to be married to—”

“Never mind,” Harry says. “I’ve lost interest.”

“Okay.”

“But the important thing is…I haven’t lost interest in you.” Harry points to Andrew. “You’re a fucking disaster, but I haven’t lost interest in you.”

“Thank you?” says Andrew.

“I wish I had my drink,” says Harry.

“You threw it,” says Andrew.

“I know,” says Harry. “I’m just saying. I wish I hadn’t done that. But I think it made an effective point.”

“Sure,” says Andrew. “So is this about helping me get over Emma?”

“Why do you still remember Emma’s name?”

“What?”

“We were supposed to forget about Emma, like the shattered glass.”

“But you were just talking about the glass—”

“You’re the one who needs to forget. Forget about Emma. It’s like she never happened.” Harry snaps his fingers in Andrew’s face.

Andrew wonders if Harry genuinely thinks he’s a sorcerer. Maybe no one’s told Harry he can’t erase people’s memories. Andrew’s certainly not going to be the one to break that news.

Harry says, “Okay, I’m going to solve your love life with one photograph.” Harry waves a manila envelope around. “Are you ready?”

Actually, Andrew is kind of desperately curious. “Yes,” he says.

Harry hands him the envelope, and Andrew opens it, and it’s a photograph of… “James,” Andrew says.

“Mmm,” Harry says.

Andrew looks at him. “This is James McArdle.”

“Yes.” Harry nods.

“What am I supposed to do with this?”

Harry leans closer and drops his voice. “Shag him.”

“He’s—I mean—What?”

“Shag him,” Harry says.

“But…” Andrew looks back at the photograph. “This is James McArdle,” he says again.

“Shag him,” Harry says.

“I…” Andrew looks at Harry, who nods encouragingly at him, then looks back at James’s photograph in his hands. He narrows his eyes. He thinks.

Harry says, “Would you like some tips?”

Andrew tucks James’s photograph into his pocket and says, “Yes.”

[mcarfield]

5 times Andrew and James were totally platonic boyfriends (and the first time they weren’t)

(#1) (#2)

3) 

The final night of the NT production the signing line outside the theatre is exhausting, and it’s only adrenalin that keeps Andrew on his feet.

That’s probably why he doesn’t really think about what he’s doing when he feels James’s hand sliding lightly over his back — and how he knows it’s James he couldn’t say, only that somewhere over the last nine months they’ve become imprinted on one another, apparently even down to the slightest touch. Andrew, tired and triumphant and giddy and more than a little punch-drunk, thinks, “Oh, it’s James,” and turns away from the line of fans and wordlessly asks for a kiss, as though it’s something they do every day.

And in a way, it is, but there’s a moment of startled hesitation in James’s face when he realizes what Andrew wants. It recalls Andrew to his senses, to the practical reality of where they are; but by then it’s too late to back out, of course, and James is leaning forward with a look of bemused befuddlement on his face, dear and gorgeous and the best... best. They kiss, and it’s oddly perfunctory: the kiss of two straight men kissing and being all hetero about it, not the kiss of two lovers who’ve been bound up in each other day after day for month after month, and... Andrew’s so tired, god.

James teases him and deflects, because that’s what James tends to do when Andrew gets too close to, to, whatever weird nebulous line he sometimes puts down between them. Andrew, because he can, because it’s the last night, because they won’t see each other for four months after tonight, pushes it a little anyway.

“I’m going to ask for a redo on that kiss later,” Andrew tells him saucily. “That was terrible.”

James swats at him. “I needed prep time, it was an ambush,” he says.

“Fine,” Andrew says. “Here’s your advance notice.” He leers, and James snorts. He’s only shown up to give Andrew directions to the impromptu meetup before the cast party, but Andrew doesn’t miss the way his smile lingers, bright and sweet, after the kiss.

They don’t really have a chance to talk or even to really interact until much later in the night. There’s too much activity, too much energy, too many people to hug and kiss and say goodbye to and get drunk with one last time, and every time Andrew finds James in the crowd he’s surrounded by a bevy of eager girls and looking as strung-out as Andrew feels, like he’s one bob away from keeling over where he stands. At one point Andrew gives up and texts him from across a giant living room full of people at Marianne’s house.

Would that I were a bird so that I could fly to you across this great divide, he writes, and hits send with an aggressive feeling of smug rebellion.

He watches James dig his phone out and smirk at the text, then look up and find Andrew’s face in the crowd. He blows Andrew a kiss, and Andrew, on cue and out of habit, catches it and deposits it in his breast pocket.

James doesn’t answer right away, but a short while later, as Andrew is listening to Nathan Lane tell an anecdote about Matthew Broderick that he’s told at least three times before, and trying to keep his eyes open, his phone vibrates.

You can barely stand, much less fly, big bird, do u need a lift back to your place?

Big Bird doesn’t fly, pick a better avian, Andrew sends back, unable to mask a yawn.

Whatever, swan princess, I’m taking you home

Promises, promises, Andrew texts. 

He looks over to where James has been crowded for half the night near the door, but he’s vanished. A moment later he materializes next to Andrew, wobbly on his feet. Andrew pats the empty space on the sofa where he’s been curled up for the last half hour or so, mostly immobile. James swings his feet over the back like a hoodlum, and Andrew pulls him down on the cushions next to him. For a moment they sort of collapse against one another. Andrew’s already leaning against the corner and James wraps his arms around Andrew’s waist and scoots in close so he can use Andrew’s side for a pillow. Andrew cards his fingers through James’s hair. Like his own, it’s drenched through with sweat, and James shifts and sighs pleasantly, arching into the touch.

“Baby, this was a mistake,” Andrew murmurs. “You’ve trapped me.”

“Mmm,” James agrees. “I’m not moving until December.”

“Good,” Andrew says nonsensically, and then his eyes flutter shut, and the next thing he knows is the intrusive glare of a camera flash going off above his head. He cracks an eye groggily open, sleep-hazy and annoyed, and finds an angel looming above him.

“Sorry,” Amanda says, with Denise giggling at her side.

“Not sorry at all,” says Denise.

“You two just looked so adorable,” Amanda says. Andrew cracks the other eye open and realizes he’s somehow managed to wind both arms around James, who is firmly tucked along his side and stubbornly refusing to open his eyes. He turns his head into Andrew’s shoulder, and Andrew obligingly shifts to make him more comfortable.

“You’re both sadists,” he mutters.

“Wake up,” Denise says, poking him. “It’s a party, you can’t sleep through it. I need to get four months’ worth of teasing you both into the next half hour or so.”

“No,” Andrew grouses. “Go away, this is torture.” Above him, James flings a hand out and shoos Denise away, then wraps his arms around Andrew again, all without opening his eyes.

“Ha, we’ve got you awake now,” Amanda says. “You might as well get up and rejoin the party.”

“But my pillow,” James says, muffled against Andrew’s shirt. Andrew sighs and relaxes beneath him. “I thought you were a bird,” James insists, tightening his hold. “Let’s fly away.”

“Where to, poppycake?” Andrew says, kissing the top of James’s head.

“Glasgow,” James mumbles. “Or Bethesda. Or the universe. Don’t care.”

“A trip to the moon on gossamer wings,” Andrew murmurs. “Get up, Pal Joey, your adoring public needs you.”

“Has anyone ever suggested to you that you know far too many obscure musical references to be straight,” James says, reluctantly releasing Andrew and sitting up.

“And yet you recognize all my obscure musical references,” Andrew says, unable to repress a smile.

“What can I say? I am what I am,” James says, coming fully to life at last and sending him a wink.

“I’ll take that kiss now, by the way,” Andrew says. “I ordered a do-over.”

“No,” James says, waving him aside.

“No?”

James shrugs. “Too many people, and —” he eyes Denise. “Too many cameras.”

“That was Amanda’s camera!” Denise says.

“And I sent you both copies,” Amanda says, unrepentant.

“You’re zealots,” Andrew says. He ruffles James’s hair. “Are you really going to deny me my rights as your temporary life partner?”

“You know I won’t,” James says, yawning. “Just need a bit of privacy to do it properly.”

“Ooh,” says Andrew. “If no one is around you, say, ‘baby, I love you?’”

“Something like that,” says James, sliding off him and pulling Andrew to his feet. Andrew sways and wobbles into him.

“Seriously, we should get you home,” James says.

“No, not yet, I want selfies of all of us,” says Denise, tickling Andrew and snapping a picture of the three of them.

“I am putting a moratorium on selfies,” James says, “you woke us up, don’t ask us to smile, too.”

“You two suck at this,” Denise says, examining the photo. Andrew is smiling groggily against her shoulder; James has his arms looped around Andrew and is side-eying the camera.

“I’ll wake up, I promise,” Andrew insists, stifling a yawn. “Just.. need some air, is all.”

“Right,” says James. “Same.”

“Whatever, the selfie train is leaving without you,” Denise says. James flips her off and tugs Andrew by the hand past the crowd and out onto Marianne’s oddly deserted patio, which opens onto a tiny cultivated garden and then the street a few steps beyond.

“Hullo, here’s that privacy you wanted,” Andrew says. James comes forward and tucks an arm around Andrew’s waist, propping him upright.

Andrew sways into him. “I’m ready for my closeup, Mr. McArdle.”

James rolls his eyes. “Has anyone ever told you, you’re very dramatic?”

“Hmm.” Andrew leans into him. “No, but they did leave me orphaned on a theatre doorstep with a sign around my neck saying, ‘he belongs here, raise him well.’”

James considers this. “I’d’ve pegged you as having been raised by pixie sprites.”

“Oh, I was,” Andrew says, “but we all lived in the theatre.”

“Under the boards?”

“Right, exactly,” Andrew laughs. “I came out at night and stole trinkets from the prop tables and the dressing rooms.”

“And you still have a small hoard of hat pins and lapel mics hidden away somewhere.”

“To remind me of my origins.” He giggles. James’s hand tightens around his waist.

“You’re delirious,” James says. “Honestly, you should cry off and go sleep. God knows I should, too.”

“Can’t, there’s too many people to say goodbye to,” Andrew says. He looks at James. “I’m going to miss you terribly.”

James makes a face. “You’ll see me again before you know it. And then you’ll be sick of me before you know it.”

“Are you sick of me?” Andrew asks, and James flinches.

“No,” he says, abruptly breathless. “No. Never.”

Andrew smiles at him. “This is your last chance until December to have a confusing sexual tryst with me that we never talk about again,” he says.

James laughs. “Come here,” he says, and he cups Andrew’s face and kisses him, lingering and slow, with just the right amount of tongue, deepening the kiss on cue when Andrew sighs and smiles against his lips. Andrew takes a moment to marvel at how easy this is, at how easy it is to have intimacy with someone when neither of you have anything to lose.

He pulls back at last, taking a mental snapshot of James’s eyes, glittering and fine in the lamplight.

“Was that kiss better?” James asks him mildly, smiling a little.

“Quite satisfactory,” Andrew says, running his hand over James’s stubble, thinking about how familiar it is, how strange it will be not to touch it for months.

“You know,” he says, “I’ve not had many fake boyfriends, but you’re by far my favorite.”

James flushes, pleased and pink. “Really,” he says. “Because I’m the best?”

Andrew grins and laces his arms around James’s neck. “Because you’ve lasted the longest,” he says. “You’ve gone and Stockholmed me.”

“Ruined you for all other comers, have I?” James’s smile is soft and fond, and god, Andrew is really, really going to miss him.

“You may have ruined me for all other actors,” Andrew admits. James blinks. Andrew sighs and leans against him. “You’re such a fucking game changer, I can’t believe you’re only 28, Jesus,” he says, smoothing James’s shirtfront. “How is that even — god, and I can’t believe you lost the Olivier to Bertie fucking Carvel.”

“Rubbish, you’re just, you’re being dramatic again,” James says, ruffling his hair.

“No one who sees you onstage can stop talking about it,” Andrew says. “I’d’ve burned down the theatre if they didn’t let you transfer.”

“Andrew,” says James, and then he looks as if he doesn’t know what to say.

“Don’t throw me over for Lee Pace,” Andrew says. “I want to be your number one fake boyfriend.”

James reaches up and drags his thumb over Andrew’s cheekbone, which Andrew has to admit is a good, smooth move. “If it helps,” he says, “I’ve never kissed any of my other stage boyfriends like that.”

“Like how?” Andrew says. “I’ve already forgotten, I think I need a reminder.”

James chuckles. “You just want everyone to love you,” he murmurs, reeling Andrew in.

“Guilty,” Andrew admits, “but I play favorites,” and then they’re kissing again, and James’s arms are tight around him, and Andrew is flush against his chest, and he can feel James’s warmth bleeding into his skin, and he drags his lips against James’s stubble and slides his tongue against James’s, suddenly wanting him to remember this for months, to really, really think of this moment as theirs, to make it count.

He feels a strangely intense thrill at the idea, and just as he’s wondering at it, James cups Andrew’s chin and shifts against him and deepens the kiss, making the most of their fractional height difference so he can possess Andrew’s mouth, and Andrew lets out a tiny appreciative gasp and arches up into him. He winds his hand into James’s hair and savors the way he tastes, the way he smells, his sweat and his heat and all those rum cocktails and the goodness of him, and he takes James’s lower lip and draws it into his mouth, and James shudders and Andrew thinks, yes, and somehow by mutual assent Andrew tilts his head back at the exact moment James moves to kiss his throat, and he ends up tugging James closer just as James reaches Andrew’s collarbone and nips it with his teeth before he finally pulls back.

Andrew follows him, feeling bereft of his mouth and his stubble and his closeness and not wanting any of it to end. He leans up and brushes his lips against James’s, and it’s meant to be something light and teasing, but the moment they touch it’s another open-mouthed kiss, firm and deep and seeking. James reaches up and laces their fingers together and sighs into Andrew’s mouth, and Andrew responds with an answering moan, curling his tongue against James’s.

And they’re both very good kissers who are very good by now at kissing each other, but they’ve never just explored one another like this, and Andrew is just wondering how long James would be willing to stay here like this, just enjoying each other, when James issues one final sweep of his tongue against Andrew’s and pulls away.

Andrew breathes in, breathes out. James tilts his forehead against Andrew’s and doesn’t speak, just looks at him. Andrew brushes James’s nose with his own. James flexes his fingers between Andrew’s where their hands are still laced together, and kisses the tip of Andrew’s nose, then kisses Andrew’s lips softly.

“Baby, I love you,” James whispers, and suddenly Andrew’s stomach feels like it’s made of jello.

“You know I love you, too,” he answers, and he thinks that if James were to kiss him again, now, he might — that they might —

But James is stepping away, raising Andrew’s hand to his lips and kissing it like a proper gentleman.

“I know,” he says, and Andrew isn’t going to cry, he’s already cried earlier today. Don’t be ridiculous, he orders himself.

“And you’re properly awake now?” James asks.

“Oh,” Andrew says, dazed. “Oh. Yes.”

“Good,” says James gently. “I’m going to go catch Denise’s selfie train. You coming?”

Andrew looks at him searchingly. He thinks for a moment that if he sees anything like hunger in James’s face that he might actually do this, that he might actually take James home with him and unpeel that ridiculous blue shirt and see what happens and fuck what it all might mean.

But he only sees James’s typical expression when he looks at Andrew: affectionate and pleasant, but opaque, too, and ever so slightly withdrawn. Andrew wants to be frustrated with him for that, but he can’t be, because James just made out with him like a teenager, solely because he wanted to share in some kind of intimacy with him, as much as he could.

He let Andrew through for a moment, Andrew realizes. But that was all: it wasn’t an invitation to more.

How could it be? They’re both straight.

He laughs a little — mostly at himself. “I am going to make my own selfie train. No, I want a selfie conga line.”

“I think a conga line might make the quality of the selfies a bit suspect,” James says.

“Let me show you how wrong you are,” Andrew says, taking his hand and leading him back inside. James is warm at his back, and it’s still a tight crush of people when they re-enter, but James keeps his hand tucked in Andrew’s until it’s time for him to walk the selfie conga line.

And for the next four months, when he thinks about James, that’s what he thinks of first: not the actual moment when they say goodbye, or the way James’s mouth felt against his, or the way his stubble felt against Andrew’s cheek; it’s just this: the two of them, standing in that crowd, holding hands for no reason — fingers laced together, bodies curving towards each other, like partners drawn together by instinct.

He’s not sure whether he’s being ironic or teasing or facetious or entirely sincere when he texts James one late night in November: I can’t wait to kiss you again.

James writes back, a few moments later: Cocktease.

And Andrew doesn’t overthink the flash of real arousal he gets at that, nor does he overthink what he says in response, because they’re going to be back together soon, and they’ll have the next six months to unpack what it all means.

But for now, there’s just Andrew’s text, hanging between them like a possibility, if not a promise:

I hope so.

[mcarfield]

oh my god, dear anon, you don’t even know how bad i am at games, ahahaha, i had to watch a tutorial just to remember how to play Munchkin. So I apologize for how little actual gaming there is in this game night, lol, but look, thank you for giving me an excuse to write what seems to be the only thing i ever want to write: a totally drunk and/or high Andrew Garfield and a James McArdle in varying degrees of sobriety, platonically not-platonically being boyfriends in love.

Game nights are supposed to be full of rousing competition, but apparently, game night among the Angels in America cast just means that instead of sitting around exhaustedly in dressing rooms, everyone sits around exhaustedly at Andrew’s house.

It’s honestly quite relaxing, James thinks, though that has quite a lot to do with the blunt he and Andrew have been passing back and forth. It has even more to do with the warmth of Andrew at his side, leaning his head on James’s shoulder, even though James’s side has kind of gone numb from trying not to dislodge him.

The group is playing Munchkin, and considering how lifeless they all are, it’s actually going quite well.

“No!” Nate shrieks and throws his cards on the table as Denise takes all his treasure, cackling, and adds it to her growing pile of loot. Everyone groans, and James glances quickly around the room to assess how everyone is doing, out of killer competitive instinct that won’t quit just because he hasn’t slept properly in a few days.

They’re spread out, sitting crosslegged around Andrew’s giant coffee table. Lee looks mildly depressed over the state of his hand, but then Lee tends to look mildly depressed about most things. Beth isn’t even looking at the game; she and Susan are giggling into their martinis, but Susan keeps glancing back at her cards. Shrewd, that one, James notes. One to beat.

Next to him, Andrew stirs briefly from his position against James’s shoulder. "How long has this game been going?” he asks blearily, arching his perfect neck and exhaling a plume of smoke. “How has she not won yet, she’s got all the cards!”

James seizes the opportunity while Andrew isn’t leaning against him to jostle some feeling back into his shoulder. He stretches, then slips his arm around Andrew’s waist and shifts to settle him more comfortably against his side.

“Is it because you keep using all your moves to keep her from reaching the last level?” Andrew yawns, running his hand lightly over James’s chest. “Is that why this twenty-minute game has taken us nearly an hour?” James swats his arm, and Andrew hums and tucks himself into the curve of James’s body.

“I take issue with your framing of the situation,” James says.

“Oh, Louis,” Andrew says.

“I’m just saying,” says James, “I’m keeping Denise from winning, but I’m also keeping everyone else from losing.”

Everyone else groans.

“You’re incorrigible,” Andrew says. He picks up the blunt he’s been smoking and places it between James’s lips. “And now it’s your turn,” he says as James takes the hit, “and you don’t have any cards left to fight your own monsters. Typical.” James’s lips brush Andrew’s fingers, and Andrew takes the blunt back, watching James through hooded lids as he exhales.

“You know you’re not technically supposed to be a team,” Denise says pointedly. Nate snorts. “They’re not!” Denise protests. “You’re not supposed to be able to see his cards!”

Andrew sticks his tongue out at her. “You should be happy,” he tells her. “You’ve robbed him of his dignity and soon your path to the crown will be clear.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” says James, confident as only the pleasantly stoned can be, “I’m not going to get any monsters,” and he kicks open the door and promptly meets a plutonium dragon.

Andrew bursts into a string of giggles.

“Oh, noooo,” James says, and he’s probably snickering too much because of the weed, too. “This is your fault.”

“How is it my fault? I’ve been trying to save you from yourself.”

“You jinxed me. Somehow.”

“I thought I was your lucky charm.”

“Not lucky enough,” James says, glancing over at Andrew’s cards. He looks around the room.

“Don’t you dare, you cutthroat,” Nate says.

“You have nothing to give me anyway,” James reminds him. “You’ve been razed to the ground.”

“I’ll help you,” Beth says from her corner, “I’m only on level 3, I have nothing left to live for.” She hands James a few cards.

“Don’t encourage his folly,” Andrew says disdainfully.

“Don’t listen to him,” James says, pressing a kiss against Andrew’s temple. “He always encourages my folly.”

“I could help you,” Denise says, wagging her eyebrows and fanning her giant pile of cards.

“You are not helping me!”

“What?” Andrew swats at the hand James has curled around his waist. “Let her help you! Take away her power, profit from her bleeding heart.”

“I can’t do that, babe,” James says, pinching Andrew’s stomach in retaliation. Andrew jumps and elbows him, so James reaches up and tickles the back of his neck.

Andrew squeaks and turns to him, grinning. “Why not,” he says, in a tone that’s either long-suffering affection or the sound of someone very high, or possibly both.

“Because,” James says, wrapping his other arm around Andrew’s waist and tugging him closer, “if we take things from a powerful sorceress, we get cursed. Powerfully.”

“I thought she was an elf,” Andrew says. He’s frowning, but he’s looking at James and his eyes are soft. “She drew the elf card!”

“I did, but I’m still a sorceress,” Denise says, grinning.

“You have to help save me from getting cursed,” James tells him.

“I stopped paying attention to my cards like ten minutes ago,” Andrew says, leaning forward to brush his nose against James’s, like that’s just a thing they do — and James supposes when they’re both this stoned, maybe it is. “I have no idea if I have anything that can help you fight the, the whatever it is.”

“Plutonium dragon,” says James, letting their foreheads drift together, aware even in his haze that they probably are crossing all manner of inappropriate public displays of affection right now. “And you have two cards that could help me very much, if you wouldn’t mind donating them.”

“Poof,” Andrew says, shrugging. “Take them, they’re gone, they’re yours.”

“Beautiful,” James murmurs, and he doesn’t mean to kiss Andrew, not then, not in front of everyone, not ever, but it happens without his conscious thought: he cups Andrew’s chin and kisses him briefly but firmly on the mouth, because they’re partners and, and, because that’s the only natural response. Isn’t it?

Andrew kisses back and then blinks at him, blank shock in his eyes. James stares back, grateful that the light fog in his head is keeping him from immediately panicking too much. He searches Andrew’s face for any sign of panic or revulsion, but Andrew just looks startled and surprised and otherwise unreadable.

“So you are dating, then,” says Nate. He looks at Lee. “You owe me five bucks.”

“They’re not dating,” Lee says boredly. “That’s not how you kiss someone you’re dating.”

“You’re both ridiculous,” James says hurriedly. “Susan, do you have a card? I only need one more level to defeat this dragon and plunder Denise’s treasure, which would let me win the game.”

Susan narrows her eyes at him.

“What do I get in return?” she says.

“You can win with me!” James says eagerly, desperate to keep the conversation going. “I’ll give you half Denise’s treasure and we can level up together.”

“We know you’re just playing dirty right now to distract us from the fact you and Andrew just lost a round of gay chicken,” says Denise. “And I’m your friend, so I’m going to let you, but just be aware, we all know what you’re doing!”

“I am going to demolish you and burn and pillage your castle and keep,” James says calmly.

“So,” says Susan, even more calmly. “If I give you this card, you beat Denise and win the game, and I get…. a consolation victory, is that it?”

“Er, well, it seems that way,” says James, laughing shrilly. Beside him, Andrew has gone still, and that’s probably not a good sign, but James can’t look back at him right now or he’ll be absolutely sunk.

“Right,” says Susan. “Well, for starters, I want you to kiss Andrew again before he starts getting that dejected puppy look he gets whenever he thinks you don’t love him, and then I want the two of you to go somewhere and figure out whether or not you’re dating, because my lord, it’s game night, not an orgy.”

“I,” says James.”What?”

“We’re not dating,” Andrew blurts, and James turns to him and now he does look a little mortified. James takes his hand and laces their fingers together, because obviously Andrew can’t look like that, he mustn’t ever, and Andrew sends him another startled confused glance.

“We’re not dating,” James says, face turning red, gazing back searchingly at Andrew. ”We just…” he swallows and tries to figure out what on earth to say. “We maybe skipped that part.”

“We just,” Andrew stammers. “We just…” he looks at James and smiles at him slowly, helplessly.  “We just belong to each other.”

“Right,” James adds, dizzy. “Because of the play.”

“Yes,” says Andrew, and then, “No. Not because of the play.”

“No?” James blurts.

Andrew gulps and shakes his head, and then they’re kissing for real, a proper Prior-and-Louis kiss, only somehow it’s nothing like Prior and Louis, it’s Andrew, Andrew who smells like his favorite ridiculously citrusy aftershave and  tastes like salt and grass and vermouth, Andrew who melts into him completely, Andrew who belongs to him and always has.

Another moment, and they’re on the verge of deepening the kiss when they both seem to abruptly recall where they are. They break apart with a gasp and stare at each other, slow dawning smiles replacing their stunned dazed looks.

“Don’t kiss like that onstage,” Lee says dryly. “My sanity can’t take it if they were to extend the run.”

Andrew lets out a hysterical giggle.

Susan says, “That will do, I suppose,” and tosses her winning cards over. James reaches up and thumbs Andrew’s cheek, and Andrew covers James’s hand with his own.

“Look at that,” says James, smiling at him. “Seems like I’ve won.”

Denise sets all her cards down on the table. “Not so fast,” she says. “I think you’ll find I have enough cards to quadruple the fighting power of the plutonium dragon, which means that not only do you not win, you end up with negative levels.”

James blinks at her. “You cheeky bastard.” She sends him an exaggerated courtly bow. “You could have just beaten me and saved me the confession.”

Denise grins slowly, and then sends Susan a thumbs-up. Susan laughs.

“I could have,” Denise says. She crosses her arms, smug. “But I like this way much better.”

James splutters.

“Shh,” Andrew says, brushing a kiss over his cheek and leaning his head against James’s temple. “Just let her have this.”

“I’m a terribly sore loser,” James murmurs, pulling him close. ”You’ll have to console me very hard.”

Andrew smiles and presses his lips to the curve of James’s jaw.

“I think I can do that,” he says. “After all — she might have won the game.” He raises his head and winks, and James’s stomach somersaults.

“But I’m pretty sure you’re the one walking away with the flawless victory.”

[mcarfield]

This utter self-indulgence has been sitting in a word doc for days. I have no idea how Tony commentary and livestreams work and none of these reporters would be talking this much about a nominee and his “friend/date” but honestly whatever, it was a delight to write. I know nothing about Peer Gynt either, so all that commentary is probably woefully wrong. It just fit with the timeline. This fic was not written with accuracy in mind so suspend your disbelief for a bit. It was meant to be at least somewhat serious but somewhere along the way became a parody of social media eh.

LITERALLY I CANNOT WITH THIS FIC. I WOULD READ 80 DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF TONY NIGHT LIKE THIS AND 80 DIFFERENT RED CARPETS WITH THESE TWO AHHHHHHHH

ALSO:

@mcarfields  WHATEAHGDAJKGHK WHAT JTUST HAPPENDNE

^ THIS PERSON IS ME LOLOLOL <333333333

The Tony Awards @TheTonyAwards  And the #TonyAwards Red Carpet has officially begun! Tune in to @NY1 to see arrivals, interviews and more Red Carpet coverage.

Deadline Hollywood Livestream of 2020 Tony Awards, courtesy of Nordstrom and hosted by Maya Reynolds and Michael Thomas:

MR: And the Red Carpet has officially begun. 

MT: Various members of New York theater and arts elite have begun to arrive at Radio City Music Hall in New York City for the 74th Annual Tony Awards wearing stunning ball gowns and tuxes. Who should we look out for this year, Maya?

MR: This year’s a competitive one, Michael, but it’s certain that all eyes are on the Scottish James McArdle, this year’s breakout star in a Jonathan Kent adaption of Ibsen’s Peer Gynt. McArdle won American acclaim in 2018 for his performance as Louis Ironson in Tony Kushner’s epic two part play Angels in America but this is the first year he’s been recognized by the American Theater Wing… [Goes on to discuss other stars and favorites]

MT: Thanks, Maya, for the brief summary of who to look out for. Let’s take a look at the Red Carpet to see who’s arrived.

prior walter stan @andygarfields  OMG OMG I THINK I SAW ANDREW ARRIVING

lizzy @rainyday  anyone happen to see who james mcardle arrived w?? saw him putting his hand out to someone in the car but the stream cut before i saw who it was :/

emily @bwaystan  @rainyday didn’t see who it was but was definitely a guy. wearing a black suit i think? ugh did anyone see his face?

James McArdle News @jmcardlenews James has arrived at the Tony’s in a stunning dark blue tux [Attached: Two photos of James leaving his car and walking to the Red Carpet]

MR: And some of the Best Leading Actors in a Play have arrived. Leading the pack is Nathan Lane for his…[Goes on to discuss Lane’s role]. And here comes James McArdle, greeting Lane with a hug. Lane and McArdle were co-stars in the 2017 National Theatre production of Angels in America and both were involved in the 2018 Broadway Transfer. Warm smiles all around. 

MT: Andrew Garfield is not far behind McArdle in greeting in Lane. Curious that Garfield is in attendance tonight. He is not nominated for anything this year and isn’t presenting, but there is Oscar buzz for his performance in Guillermo Del Toro’s upcoming project. 

MR: Garfield and McArdle have remained close friends since working together in 2018. They have both become regulars at each other’s premieres and performances. 

emily @bwaystan  DID ANYONE SEE IF JAMES ARRIVED WITH ANDREW? he’s wearing blue but cant find any pictures of the guy who got out of the car with james so annoying

Andrew Garfield Source @agarfieldsource  @bwaystan Can confirm that James and Andrew arrived together. 

prior walter stan @andygarfields  HOLD UP JAMES TOOK ANDREW AS HIS DATE??? im dead

MR: Thanks for the fashion update, Michael. Back to the Red Carpet interviews. James McArdle is now reaching the step and repeat. Michael, care to tell us about what he’s wearing?

MT: Sources tell us McArdle is wearing Versace tonight and looking very dapper in it. Dark blue seems to be his signature at these events.

MR: And here comes Michael Arden with husband Andy Mientus on his arm. Tell us about what they’re wearing, Michael.

TONYS TONIGHT @jamesmcardles  JAMES KILLED THE STEP AND REPEAT LOOK AT HIM IM SO EMOTIONAL [Attached: Three photos of James, looking stunning in deep cobalt blue with hair artfully disheveled]

MR: McArdle has returned to the step and repeat with Garfield, posing for pictures together.

MT: They’re rather touchy tonight. Garfield is wrapping his arms fully around McArdle now, clearly saying something to make McArdle laugh.

MR: Garfield just adjusted McArdle’s bowtie in a touching show of affection.

MT: Garfield has gone off to make small talk and McArdle is finishing up his photos, making his way to the gaggle of reporters clambering for an interview with the actor. 

MR: Is it me or does he look somewhat surprised at how many people want to talk to him?

MT: He definitely does, Michael. McArdle of course looked criminally handsome at the step and repeat but you can tell he is not yet accustomed to this attention. Just another reason why he’s so likable. 

MR: McArdle sidesteps reporters to rejoin Garfield, who has been standing off to the side chatting with good friend Carey Mulligan, who is presenting tonight. 

MT: Garfield dutifully kisses McArdle on the cheek in a show of support. It seems McArdle and Mulligan have met before, judging by their familiar greeting.

MR: Ah, Ben Platt has arrived. He’ll be presenting… [Goes on to discuss other arrivals]

TONYS TONIGHT @jamesmcardles  DID ANYONE ELSE SEE THAT CHEEK KISS?? 

emily @bwaystan  y’all know I’m not one for conspiracy theories…but andrew and james are awfully cuddly tonight…

Vanity Fair @VanityFair  Watch our interview with Best Leading Actor in a Play nominee, James McArdle, on the Tonys Red Carpet. [Attached: Video, James standing with reporter in crowd on the Red Carpet] Transcript of Vanity Fair Interview: Interviewer: Congratulations on your nomination, James! JM: Thank you, thank you. Interviewer: How does it feel to be here at the Tony’s with a nomination? JM: Well, I try not to bog myself down with awards and all that, focus on the work. But it does feel brilliant to have the recognition, I’m very grateful the play is getting the attention it deserves. The cast and crew is truly just so talented and they work so hard, so I’m very pleased that this is all happening. Interviewer: You’re based in Glasgow still, correct? How does it feel to live in New York again? JM: Much better than it did last time, to be quite honest. I’m stayi—I’ve got a nicer apartment now, I made the mistake of living uptown last time. Downtown is calmer, to me. I don’t like the crowded streets, the smell, eurgh. Interviewer: Thinking about staying longterm? JM: [Laughs but does not answer the question] Interviewer: What do you like about New York? JM: Well, often I’m really here for the people, or specific people. I do like the anonymity you get in a crowd here. And the food! So much cheap food everywhere. Hazardous to my health, but… Interviewer: You’ve attended the Tonys once before, yes? JM: [Nods] [Behind him, Andrew appears, whispering something in his ear. James grins and says something back, his hand over his mouth. The interviewer watches, rapt.] Interviewer: What’s changed between now and then, apart from the obvious? McArdle: [Clearly distracted] Umm…Well…Sorry, what was the question? Interviewer: Does it feel different to be here now with a nomination than before when you were not nominated, in what felt to many like a mistake? McArdle: Oh, it absolutely feels different. Lots more attention on me now, which is something to adjust to. I try to keep my head down, do my work, but with all the cameras and everything…Well, it’s a lot. Last time, it was more relaxed, I wasn’t in the spotlight. I quite enjoyed the parts where there weren’t cameras in my face. Interviewer: [Laughs] Well then, one more question before you go, so we don’t keep this camera in your face for too long. Any advice for struggling, aspiring actors and actresses? JM: Don’t take roles because they’ll make you famous, take roles that mean something. Of course, sometimes you’ve got to take roles because a role is a role and you need rent. I’ve done that a lot through my career. But once you have the privilege of choice, prioritize the work, not the career. Interviewer: Thanks so much, and good luck tonight! James: [Absentminded, already turning away to talk to Andrew] Thank you!

TONYS TONIGHT @jamesmcardles  lol did anyone see that vanity fair interview? james was so out of it, whats up w him lmao?

tony night!! @mcarfields  @jamesmcardles andrew was totally distracting him, what did he say to him?

prior walter stan @andygarfields  andrew and james look sooooo good tonight holy shit?? and what did andrew say to james in that interview, can anyone read lips?

emily @bwaystan  ok someone has to find out what andrew was saying to james I’m dying of curiosity!

Andrew Garfield Source @agarfieldsource  Andrew has yet to have an interview, but he did crash James McArdle’s interview with Vanity Fair, though we can’t determine what he said to James.

TONYS TONIGHT @jamesmcardles  also, anyone else notice how james didn’t answer when they asked if he was staying in nyc longterm? hmmm…

MT: I hate to bring up the dreaded internet, but it seems that Twitter has blown up with speculation about Andrew Garfield and James McArdle since Garfield interrupted McArdle’s interview and distracted McArdle quite noticeably. Questions about the nature of their friendship have been raised over the past two years, but have never been taken very seriously.

MR: Garfield has hinted that he is perhaps not straight in several articles this year, including one with OUT Magazine, but has yet to confirm anything explicitly.

MT: Looks like a new hashtag has surfaced tonight: #McArfield

MR: Moving away from rumors…

MT: Kelli O’Hara has arrived, looking gorgeous in red [Goes on to talk about O’Hara]

tony night!! @mcarfields  ok i slowed down some gifs from the vf interview, but still can’t tell what andrew said to him!

emily @bwaystan  @mcarfields wait is that james blushing?

tony night!! @mcarfields  @bwaystan YES I THINK IT IS

emily @bwaystan  @mcarfields WHAT DID ANDREW SAY

tony night!! @mcarfields  @bwaystan lets make #WhatDidAndrewSay trend tonight lol

BroadwayWorld @BroadwayWorld  Eight times James McArdle stopped our hearts at the Tony’s Red Carpet [Attached: link to article including various pictures of James looking incredibly handsome on the Red Carpet]

Entertainment Weekly @EW  Surprised to see Andrew Garfield at the Tony Awards tonight? So were we! Check out our interview with the Tony winner here. [Attached: video, Andrew on the Red Carpet with reporter] Transcript of EW interview: Interviewer: Andrew, good to see you here tonight! AG: Good to see you too, good to see you too… Interviewer: Last time we saw you at the Tony’s was when you were nominated for your performance as Prior Walter in the 2018 revival of Angels in America. What’s it like coming without the stress of a nomination? AG: Oh, well I was just happy and lucky enough to be nominated then, and I’m equally happy to be here now, supporting my—erm—friend James McArdle. Interviewer: You and James became friends during Angels, right? AG: We did, we did. That play really bonded us all together, I think we became a peculiar type of family, really. Of course, after it ended, we didn’t want to see each other ever again. [Laughs] But then after a bit of a break from each other, when we see each other again, it’s like we’re one big family. I love them all very much. And I’m really just so proud of James and so happy he’s getting the recognition he deserves. Interviewer: I’ll bet. Have you seen the show? AG: Oh yeah. I’ve seen it about five times now. It’s a truly amazing production. Interviewer: So, are you presenting anything tonight? AG: No, I’m not. Just here for support. Interviewer: You’re such a good friend. AG: [Laughs] Well, thank you, I suppose? Interviewer: No problem! What’s next for you? AG: Well, I’ve got Guillermo’s movie coming out soon and after that’s finished, I’d like to return to theater, so I’ve got a few things lined up. Interviewer: In New York? AG: Afraid I can’t say… Interviewer: Such a tease! AG: Sorry, sorry! It’s all very secret right now. But I am very excited for the project. Interviewer: What’s your one piece of advice for award shows, whether you’re nominated or not? AG: Eat! Eat lots of protein. There’s so much champagne at these things and you end up forgetting to eat and then it’s past midnight and you’re at the Carlyle and well…I won’t get into it. Interviewer: The afterparty is quite famous… AG: Oh it’s a good time. Interviewer: Are you going to attend? AG: Tonight? Who knows? As I get older, my energy for those things wanes…The person I’m seeing and I, we’re much more inclined towards dinner parties and movie nights now. It’s quite boring. Interviewer: You’re seeing someone? AG: [Nods, looks around] I am. Interviewer: Is it recent? AG: [Smiles at someone behind the camera] Not really. Interviewer: You don’t look like you’re going to tell us. AG: [Laughs] I probably won’t. Interviewer: [Laughs] That’s cruel! AG: I’m sorry! Interviewer: Well, I’ll pester you about it later. Have a good time tonight. AG: You too, thanks.

Andrew Garfield Source @agarfieldsource  CONFIRMED: Andrew is seeing somebody, it isn’t new, but he has yet to say who it is.

tony night!! @mcarfields  i cant be the only one who picked up on the lack of gender in andrew’s answer right?

MT: Andrew Garfield has created a bit of a stir tonight by admitting he’s in a relationship but has yet to say who it’s with.

MR: Looks like the guests are streaming into Radio City Music Hall now. The show starts in about ten minutes.

MT: Let’s take a look inside the theater where guests are taking their seats.

The Tony Awards @TheTonyAwards  Welcome to the 74th Annual Tony Awards! Tune in only on @CBS for the whole show.

Andrew Garfield Source @agarfieldsource  Andrew is sitting in the center left beside his friend and date James McArdle. Look out for a blue tux and you’ll find him. [Attached: Two screenshots of a stream, zoomed in on Andrew and James, heads bent together. The second photo reveals Andrew to be beaming at James.]

tony night!! @mcarfields  holy shit when the camera panned across the theater i screenshotted james and andrew and i swear that’s james’s hand on andrews leg [Attached: Very blurry photo zoomed in on James and Andrew. James’s hand is just barely noticeable on Andrew’s knee.]

TONYS TONIGHT @jamesmcardles  I’m so relieved james’s award is early I can’t handle the stress

MR: Our first award tonight is Best Leading Actress in a Play. A very competitive category this year.

[Twenty minutes later]

emily @bwaystan  AHHHHH HERE IT COMES

TONYS TONIGHT @jamesmcardles  if james doesn’t win i’ll eat my own foot then the entire american theater wing

tony night!! @mcarfields  I’m so nervous and excited james better win ugh

MT: And one of the hotly anticipated awards of the night approaches: Best Actor in a Play. We’ve got some great contenders in his category.

MR: Here comes Bernadette Peters with the envelope…

The Tony Awards @TheTonyAwards  Congratulations to James McArdle for his first Tony win! [Attached: Photo of James in character with loopy type beside it reading: Winner! Best Leading Actor in a Musical James McArdle, Peter Gynt

TONYS TONIGHT @jamesmcardles  TONY AWARD WINNER JAMES MCARDLE

MR: McArdle really did have a spectacular performance this year.

MT: Agreed. He does deserve this award. And—

MR: Oh, that was unexpected.

MT: Quite.

tony night!! @mcarfields  WHATEAHGDAJKGHK WHAT JTUST HAPPENDNE [Attached: Four screenshots of stream, close ups of Andrew leaping to his feet at the announcement, followed by James joining him in standing. The last one is Andrew with his arms wrapped around James in a deep kiss.]

emily @bwaystan  holy fucking shit.

prior walter stan @andygarfields  did that just happen.

Entertainment Weekly @EW  BREAKING: Andrew Garfield and James McArfield share a congratulatory kiss after McArdle’s Tony win

Olivia @oliviag  is andrew garfield dating that guy or what?

tony night!! @mcarfields  CONFIRM THEYRE DATING YOU COWARDS AGHGHDG THAT KISS

MT: A good speech by McArdle upon winning his first Tony. Clearly a very genuine and humble guy.

MR: I look forward to seeing his future work.

TheaterMania @theatermania  Click here to see pictures of THAT kiss at the Tony’s everyone’s talking about. [Attached: Link to article]

tony night!! @mcarfields  SOMEONE RELEASE JAMES’S POST WIN PRESS CONFERENCE

The Tony Awards @TheTonyAwards  Watch Tony Winner James McArdle’s post-win press conference below! Excerpt from press conference: Reporter: Care to comment on your now viral kiss with Andrew Garfield? JM: Well, I suppose I don’t much of a choice…[Laughs around the room] How d’you mean? [More laughs] Reporter: Are you just friends? JM: No, we’re not just friends. We are together [Shifts uncomfortably] Reporter: How long have you been together? JM: I think Andrew and I would prefer to answer those questions at a later date. Reporter: How does it feel to have won a Tony? [End excerpt]

MCARFIELD CONFIRMED @mcarfields  MCARFIELD IS CONFIRMED WATHT TH FUCK

Andrew Garfield Source @agarfieldsource  Andrew is confirmed to be in a committed relationship with fellow actor and Tony winner James McArdle. [Attached: Four photos. The first: a photo from an EW photoshoot from the 2018 Angels in America press junket. The second: a photo of James and Andrew eating outside in New York, Andrew with his head thrown back laughing. The third: James looking on with a equally proud and fond look in his eye as Andrew is interviewed at his last movie premiere. The fourth: a higher resolution photo of James in Andrew’s arms from that night, eyes closed, lips pressed against each other’s, looking positively in sync and blissful.]

Local New York Trends:

#Tonys2018

#PrideMonth

#USWNT

#Beyonce

#McArfield

BuzzFeed @BuzzFeed  21 Times We Were Totally Blind to Andrew Garfield and James McArdle’s Love [Attached: Link to article] Excerpt from article: 4. [Gif of Andrew smirking on Ellen when she asks if he’s seeing anybody] That time we just thought Andrew was being coy for kicks but was actually seeing someone. 5. [Hi-Res photo of Andrew and James at the Oscars last year, James with a friendly arm around Andrew on the Red Carpet] When Andrew took James as his date to the Oscars and we just thought they were friends. 6. [Five photos taken on different nights on an iPhone of Andrew entering the stage door for Peter Gynt] The fact that Andrew went to Peter Gynt five times and every time went to the stage door and we thought he was just a supportive best friend. 7. [Photo of Andrew and James in the Mediterranean, laughing in the water] When they went on vacation together and we thought it was just a platonic trip. 8. [Two photos of Andrew and James standing outside the IFC Theater, looking up at what was playing that night] All the times they were caught out and about in the city and we never realized they were on a date. 9. [Photo taken on an iPhone of Andrew in a theater, standing and clapping with visible tears in his eyes] That time Andrew cried at opening night of James’s play and we thought it was just because the ending was sad. [End Excerpt]

broadway.com @broadwaycom  Watch our exclusive post-Tony’s interview with James McArdle and Andrew Garfield. [Attached: Video, James with his arm slung around Andrew’s waist and Andrew leaning his head on James’s shoulder, both facing the interviewer with punch-drunk grins on their faces.] Transcript of Broadway.com Interview: Interviewer: So, you two made the headlines today with your confirmation that you’re dating. AG, JM: [Laugh] Interviewer: Did you plan to come out tonight? AG: Not tonight specifically… JM: [Turns to Garfield] We’ve talked about it. AG: [Looks right back] At length. JM: Yeah, we made sure we were ready, and then I heard my name called and Andrew looked at me and— AG: [Shrugs, still looking at McArdle] I had to kiss him. Interviewer: How long have you been together? JM: Two years this… [Pauses] AG: Sunday. Interviewer: Wow, that’s a long time. AG: It feels very long and very short, really. JM: Yeah… Interviewer: Have you put any thought to where you’re going to put your Tony, James? JM: Oh, Christ, no. I just got it! AG: It’ll look quite nicely next to mine. JM: A perfect pair. Interviewer: Andrew, you played an iconic gay character, Prior Walter, two years ago. Why come out now? AG: [Pauses] I know I could have come out earlier. I don’t think my career would have suffered. But it was something very personal to me, how I got to the place where I felt I could acknowledge and embrace those parts of myself. And of course, it coincided with being with James and we felt we wanted to keep this to ourselves for as long as we could. I do feel as though people feel entitled to know things about my personal life that ordinarily no one would really give a s*** about. But with this, if I can set an example to young LGBTQ actors, wherever they might be, then I want to do that. For a long time I fooled myself into thinking I didn’t owe anyone anything. But I do owe the community a lot and I was able to come out and I got to the place where I was comfortable, and I had a lovely boyfriend by my side and there was really no reason not to. James has just been so lovely through it all, I count on him in too many ways and I love him dearly for it. JM: Andrew’s really been very brave through it all. He lives a very high-profile life and we’re very aware of that. Trying to balance it all is just a part of life now and he does it so well. Interviewer: You two are adorable. AG: [Laughs] Yes, I think so. Interviewer: What’s next for you two Tony winners? JM: I just got mine, can’t I breathe? [Laughs] AG: After Peter Gynt closes, we’re going on a much needed vacation. We’ve both been incredibly busy this past year and because we’re both based in different cities, we’ve been moving around. It’s been lovely to have James here for so long. Interviewer: Any thoughts about staying in New York permanently, James? JM: [Turns to Andrew with a smile] We’ve discussed it. AG: Which is really saying something. If James is contemplating moving to New York, you know something’s up. [All laugh] Interviewer: We’d be very glad to have you. JM: Thank you. Interviewer: James, tell us about the moment you heard your named called. JM: Very surreal. I hadn’t really processed it, I heard my name and thought, oh that’s not me but then Andrew was standing and everyone was looking at me and I realized, well, f*** I won, I’ve got to go up there and make a speech. And then I saw Andrew, and suddenly we were telling everyone about us and I had won a Tony and had to go on stage and cobble together my thoughts. Of course, I promptly forgot everything I had thought to say. I can’t remember anything I said up there, actually. Could have all been rubbish but [Shrugs] no one’s said anything about me making an utter fool of myself so… AG: You were very articulate and poised. JM: See, I have him to remember if I cock everything up. AG: We make a great team. Interviewer: That you do. Well, congratulations on your much deserved win, James! JM: Thank you. Interviewer: Have a good night, you two!

AndrewGarfieldOfficial [Instagram post: two photos. The first: James accepting his Tony. The second, clearly taken the morning after: James seated at a kitchen table, his Tony sitting beside the plate of eggs before him, looking at the person behind the camera with an unmistakably loving look in his eye and a soft, bashful smile on his face] Caption: In case you were wondering, I am so in love with this Tony award winning idiot. We are a proud two-Tony household now!