#i just want them all to stand closer on the stage so the proshots can have multiple people in them without being tiny. pls

[on-this-day-mcr]

On this day, June 17

In 2022: My Chemical Romance performed their twentieth show of the 2022-2023 Swarm tour in Bonn, Germany. At this show, Gerard Way wore a light pink linen shirt, and "It's A wonderfull LIFE" was written on the drums. (🖤)

Watch the show here!

LAURA KEIMEL

[aestheticdumpp]

thanks.

At 7am, the new Broadway cast of Hairspray had gathered in a recording studio in New York City. They were sitting in a green room, waiting to warm up, spread out across the floor, across chairs and benches, and in the middle of it all was Holly, curled up in between her fellow cast mates Thomas and John, listening to them talk absently about how early it was and how cold they were. She was half asleep herself, wearing her show jacket to lock in some sort of warmth, and was drinking her second cup of tea of the day when their musical director came in.

After a vocal warm up, the order of songs to be recorded was passed around. Holly and Thomas, not needed for a good three hours, returned to their spot on the floor without John, who had disappeared to record. She leaned against him as he scrolled through his phone.

"Hey, Thomas?"

When she thought about her friends, Thomas was her best. They had done her favourite show together, taking to the Broadway stage for the first time side by side. Madison, she would clarify before anybody asked, was more of a sister to her than a friend, and so she didn't count.

"Yeah?"

He wraps his free arm around her waist, pulling her closer. He could feel how cold she was through their many layers, and felt bad for her. She'd never experienced a New York winter before, and had only seen snow once when she was on holiday in Italy, and it was already melting, so he didn't count it.

"Can I ask you something?"

The man looked up from his phone, frowning. Thomas never knew Holly to be nervous about a conversation. He put it down.

"Yeah. You alright?"

Holly hoped that he called her a good friend. She didn't assume she was his best or most favourite friend, but sometimes she wondered if she appreciated his company more than he did hers. 

The young redhead sighed, leaning into him. She shrugged, fiddling with her sleeve.

"I don't know. I don't know about this. I've never recorded anything for an album. I've done like, videos. The Sweeney tour got a proshot for some reason, and I know there's a Heathers bootleg. But, like, this is different. What if-"

"If the words that are about to come out of your mouth are 'what if I'm not good enough' I might have to have you put away."

"Madison said something similar."

He huffed. "We ain't never agreed on much. But she's right."

"Why?"

Thomas raised an eyebrow. "Why she right?"

"Nah, why haven't you agreed on much?" Holly asked, leaning back a little to look at him properly.

Thomas wondered why. Why did Madison irritate him? Why did they fight? No — she started it. But why did she always start it? He didn’t have an answer for her, but she smiled anyway, as if she knew something that he didn’t.

Bitch.

Time flew and it was the night of the Tonys; Thomas was warming up backstage, dressed in a brightly coloured, silken forest green suit. He was humming a few bars and blending his foundation into his neck when there was a knock at the door.

“Yo, John, you left your—“

“It’s Madison.”

Thomas stopped, standing straight, and opened the door, suddenly conscious of how dumb he looked in the suit. Madison had seen the suit already when she saw the show, but it was different seeing it up close. She spoke first.

“Green like seaweed?”

His mouth went dry. “Uh. Yeah. It’s also opposite pink on the colour wheel, so it’s— it’s complimentary to Holly’s dress.”

Madison beamed. Fuck, it was radiant, the way she lit up when she smiled. He huffed, but smiled a small smile in her direction.

“Are you looking for Holly? She was with George last I saw. Talking... Something about that drag show they watch.”

Madison shook her head. “Nah, I seen her already. I wanted to say break a leg. You’re gonna be great.”

“I know it.”

She smacked his arm and he laughed, unapologetic as she laughed along with him. “I’m trying to be nice, Thomas, this is hard for me.”

He raised his eyebrows, looking down at her. She was so small, even with her heels on. Fuck, it was too cute. “Nah, you ain’t cold or bad. Stop it.”

It was silent for a moment, before she grabbed his arm and pulled him down to her height, and kissed him. It was fleeting, soft, on the mouth, and very real. Thomas felt like he was twelve.

“Good luck, asshole.”

He grinned. “Sorry, I can’t hear you down there. Get out of my dressing room. I’m an icon, you don’t have a wristband for the meet and greet—“

“Fuck off.”

“Thanks.” He said seriously, smiling at her. “I needed something… Calming. Distracting. Whatever, thanks.”

She winked at him. “Any time, old man.” Madison laughed, before slipping out of his dressing room and disappearing into the halls of the theatre.

Later on, when Holly saw him just before they danced onto stage, she gave him the same knowing smile as the pink sequins reflected in the dim lighting.

“What?”

“Nothing, darl’. Madison’s lipstick looks great on you, though.”