#and have you SEEN luke newton

[doomed2repeat]

People posting body language “comparison” photos of Luke smiling on the world tour vs Luke smoldering at the Boss event, and haters picking it up and using that to say he doesn’t look the same to validate their surgery accusations is why I say that these shippers never have Luke’s back like WHY TF would you do that????

[hunterbloodknight]

Pookie

[pensbridge]

No one knows the amount of hate like Nicola and Luke for 2 years because the last thing a character said was not nice, but plot essential and that he's not an emotionally-stunted toxic Regency man; nor will they for the fat-shaming of a mid-size woman, who just so happens to play an established plus-size character all because some fans think they're retaliating for some undoubted (I wasn't here to witness) own set of hate in their favorite season when newsflash: it doesn't make you better, like at alllllllllllllllll.

[pomegranatesarchive]

broken up? no, engagement! | max verstappen

pairing: max verstappen x actress!reader

summary: y/n l/n has a weird way of announcing hers and max’s engagement.

liked by, danielricciardo, charles_leclerc, and 602,927 others!

yourusername: i no longer have a boyfriend.

view comments below!

user1: wait what

user2: i’m sorry???

user3: DID YOU AND MAX BREAK UP???

user4: no no no

user5: this CANNOT mean what i think it does

user6: you’re kidding me right

charles_leclerc: please answer my messages!

user8: no way

user9: THE CAPTION???

danielricciardo: ?

danielricciardo: answer my messages please

landonorris: mine too?

user10: does anyone know what is going on?

user11: so you’re available now 😏

user12: you were too pretty for max anyways 🙄

landonorris: um what’s going on?

user13: lando just being as lost is so??

user14: wait but why would she and max break up

user15: i’m so…confused?

user16: MAX ISNT IN THE LIKES??? OMG NOOO

— f1gossip has posted new pictures!

f1gossip: y/n l/n was seen cozying up with cast mate, Luke Newton amidst breakup rumors between her and max verstappen. thoughts?

view comments below!

user17: “cozying up” and it’s her taking a picture of him ??? 🙄

user18: admin is acting like they were making out in front of everyone…

user19: oh!

user20: users on twitter were saying max was THERE with them so??

user21: she moves on fast!

user22: this sounds wrong…

user23: we literally know NOTHING about hers and max’s relationship or WHY they broke up. let’s not assume.

user24: my heart just broke

user25: okay but her and luke are kinda cute together? no? just me?

user26: HER AND MAX WERE CUTERRR

user27: i’ll start foaming at the mouth if y/n l/n doesn’t come out and say her caption was just a joke.

user28: HER AND MAX WERE SUPPOSED TO GET MARRIEDDDD!!!!!😓😓😓

user29: i can’t do this rn. i just can’t.

liked by yourusername, danielricciardo, landonorris, charles_leclerc, and 962,028 others!

maxverstappen1: I understand that, without my agreement, my lovely finance has put out a instagram post this morning indicating that we have broken up. This is wrong, we have not broken up. We got engaged. We are to be wed.

view comments below!

yourusername: i thought they would understand what i meant 😞

user30: GIRL ALL YOU SAID WAS YOU NO LONGER HAD A BF???

user31: you did NOT phrase your words correctly

user32: gave me heart attack and for what 😐

user33: don’t play with me like that ever again.

danielricciardo: i love you @/yourusername, but please do not play with my heart like that again.

danielricciardo: BUT YAY!!!! WEDDING OF THE CENTURY!!

user34: OMG ???

user35: I KNEW IT!!! I FUCKING KNEW IT!!!

user36: AHHHHH AHHHHH AHHHHH AHHHH

user37: oh thank GOD

user38: pls don’t ever scare me like that again 💗

landonorris: OMG OMG OMG OMG ???!??!??

landonorris: AND YOU LOT DIDNT TELL ME ?!?!?

landonorris: YNSTAPPEN WEDDING!! AHHHH

user39: congratulations!!!

f1: about time you proposed 😒

maxverstappen1: ?

redbullracing: so excited for the red bull themed wedding!! ☺️

yourusername: yeah that won’t be happening

redbullracing: i understand.

user40: i’m crying??

user41: does this mean i don’t have a chance with y/n anymore ?? ☹️

user42: THAT SHOULDVE BEEN MEE

charles_leclerc: congratulations too you both 💗

maxverstappen1: thank you charles 💙💙

user43: omg just ask him to be your best man already 🙄🙄

oscarpiastri: it is an honor to have my tweet used as your engagement announcement 🧡🧡

yourusername: max couldn’t resist 😒

user44: i just know this wedding is going to be GORGEOUS

georgerussell63: congrats too you both! ❤️

yourusername: you’ll sing at the wedding right?

georgerussell63: duh 🙄

yourusername: perfect!

lewishamilton: so excited 💗💗

yukitsunoda0511: can i cook?

yourusername; of course you can yuki!!

user45: i’m so excited and it’s NOT EVEN MY WEDDING??

schecoperez: did you tell her how you were shitting yourself with nerves this entire week?

maxverstappen1: no 😒

yourusername: aw max 🥹🥹

liked by, maxverstappen1, georgerussell63, oscarpiastri, and 1,238,028 others!

yourusername; i got married today. it was cool. 10/10 would do again!

view comments below!

user46: was the wedding 10/10 or was the groom 10/10??

yourusername: both!

user45: OMG ITS HAPPENED??

user46: so happy for you both 🥹

maxverstappen1: 💙💙

georgerussell63: i personally think my singing brought everything together…

yourusername: it really did george, it really did

charles_leclerc: so incredibly happy for you both ❤️

user47: we all saw the video of you sobbing during the ceremony charles…

user48: to be fair, EVERYONE was sobbing

user49; their vows even made ME cry

landonorris: amazing wedding, 10/10 would attend again!

yourusername: thank you little lando 🧡🧡

oscarpiastri: i would like to request the video of my dancing to be scrubbed off of the internet.

maxverstappen1: no chance mate 😂

yourusername: it’s okay oscar, i thought your dancing was adorable!!

lewishamilton: me and roscoe had the times of our lives ❤️❤️

user50: ROSCOE WENT TO THE WEDDING ?? 😭

user51: not only roscoe, but alex and TWO of his cats 😭😭

liked by, yourusername, danielricciardo, yukitsunoda0511, shecoperez, and 1,629,028 others!

maxverstappen1: i married my bestfriend today. it was amazing. 10/10 would do again!

view comments again!

user52: he’s officially off the market ladies 😒

user53: he’s been off the market for 4 years ???

user54: if my man doesn’t love me as much as max loves y/n i don’t WANT HIM

user55: ever since y/ns “i no longer have a bf” post i’ve been thanking the gods that this is how it turned out

danielricciardo: bestfriend? wow, you get married and suddenly you forget who raised you.

maxverstappen1: y/n is my bestfriend. she always will be.

danielricciardo: JUST RUB IT IN THEN.

user56: omg her dress 😍😍

user57; them >>

user58: did you guys see that they BOTH took each others last name??

user59: wait really?

user58: yeah 🥹 it’s y/n l/n-verstappen and max verstappen-l/n

user60: that is the cutest thing ever

user61: the matching captions 😞😞

user62: remember last year when y/n made everyone believe they broke up??

user63: thank GOD that wasn’t true

yourusername: i love you mr l/n

maxverstappen1: i love you more mrs verstappen

user64: WHEN IS IT MY FUCKING TURN

[lukolathoughts]

Nicola loves the girls, the gays, and Luke Newton.

Dearest gentle readers,

Well! What an interesting few days. I'm not sure where to even start. I just want to let Jakeholes know, this isn't the blog for you, so it's best you move along now before you start foaming at the mouth.

In my first blog, I touched on subtext and reading between the lines. This is something I teach to my students and encourage their critical thinking skills. I will give out a photo and ask my students to 'infer' from what they can see in the photograph. 'Inference is a process of deriving logical conclusions from premises known or assumed to be true. It is also a guess or an opinion that is formed based on the information that you have.' In an exam, if I gave the students a photograph and they simply told me that all they could see was that the sky was blue, the grass was green, the lady is wearing a green coat and the man a hoodie and a baseball hat, they would not get very many marks.

However, if they described what they could 'infer' from the photo, such as that handhold does not look genuine and his fingers are stiff, their laughter seems over the top, the man isn't wearing a coat in January. They seem to be looking directly at the photographer, they never make eye contact in any of the photos. This would get them some more marks. Then if they went that one step further and asked WHY to all these points and backed it up with a statement explaining why - they would get even more marks. For example, why isn't the man wearing a coat in January? This could suggest the weather is not that cold in London at the moment, or the this picture might be from an earlier time period. They could look at the shop displays for evidence. Why does the lady never make eye contact with the man, could it infer that she is uncomfortable doing so or the thought never occurred to her? Why are they looking directly at the photographer? Could it possibly indicate they knew the paparazzi were there? And why would they want the paparazzi to take their photo's? What do you say to that class? Are they a couple happily in love? Write me a story on it, one, two, three go! They say a picture paints a thousand words.

Now since Deux Moi dropped the photos just as I was cooking the kid's tea (British slang for dinner) I have once again been glued to Twitter. I had to take a break for a bit and ensure my offspring didn't starve, but I thought oh god another shitshow and the day isn't even over. But I open Instagram and I swear I had the best laugh I have had all day really. I'm not sure when these photos were taken. The weather does look mild to be January and Jake is wearing a hoodie, but my husband is stupid like this and walks around in board shorts. In January. In Wales. When I tell you it's baltic cold, I mean it. But men apparently don't feel the cold especially if you're 24 and plastered to the side of your bestie or PR girlfriend, however you prefer. Us Brits love analysing the weather, probably because it's so shit here. So the timing is not really the issue for me. What made me laugh was was those two belly-laughing in some London alleyway looking like, 'look at us, we're so funny, everything is hilarious haha.' This was quite surprising to me as I genuinely did not realise Jake had a sense of humour, especially around Nic. What did she say that was so funny? We know she has the ability to make Luke belly laugh just by scratching her nose really. It was almost as if it was all a bit orchestrated for the cameras they were staring directly at. 'Smile and laugh for the camera Jake! You've been framed!'

So what was this? A PR set up that Nic and Jake were clearly aware of? Call me sceptical, but I've never seen anything so obviously fake and staged in all my life. Well except the motorbike segment on Graham Norton on the 13th of December last year. I have thought a lot about this and I know I might get some hate, but it's my opinion and I'm sorry Nic if you ever read this. Another thing us English teachers like to do is DESCRIBE things. Describe it to me Peter, or it didn't happen. Touch, smell, sound, taste, sight. Those are the five senses and if you write me a story, you bet your ass they better be in it or it's an F for you. So Nicola, describe to me how it felt racing through London on the back of a motorbike driven by a geriatric, Guinness drinking granddad (do you like my use of alliteration here fellow English teachers?). Graham Norton - 'we have a picture of you on the bike!' Erm, no you have a picture of Nicola stood next to the bike with her thumbs up. There was a video released by her PR company simultaneously that shows Nicola in a STUDIO sitting on the bike and it moving very, very slowly. We do not see her whizzing away up the road on the back of said bike into oblivion, screaming like Michelle Phieffer in Grease 2, clutching on to cool rider Guinness granddad for dear life. In fact, when asked about the experience she recalls literally nothing. If it was me, I'd have been like OMG Graham I almost died! The wind was howling, I was freezing, all I could hear was the rush of wind and the honking horns of cars. All I could see was the glare of lights and traffic and I tasted my own tears through fear.

Watch it if you don't believe me. There was nothing. Am I positive it didn't happen? Actually yes, show me the footage and I'll believe. Why did she go through this elaborate scheme? I have my theories and I will not share them here. I have said enough. But I did get an image in my mind of Luke in Rome rubbing his forehead and thinking, what is she up to now? He was probably secretly a bit proud.

Ok back to tonight's debacle. After the shit show that was Luke's disastrous family weekend than had more taps dripping than the Leaky Cauldron in Harry Potter, I find it highly convenient these photos drop today of all days. I know that Nicola HATES Deux Moi and the feeling I believe is mutual. Wouldn't DM have looked at these photos logically and thought, well these two look like besties out for a stroll? I suppose she does not care, whatever sells right? Was this to yet again spite Nicola?

Or was this Nicola who saw everything that Luke endured this weekend, and quietly told her PR team to 'drop' the photos of me with Jake to divert some attention away. Did she come charging in on her white horse (motorbike) to save the day? There is also the highly suspicious tanned photo of Nic at the WT premiere and then Luke's photo from the funeral, (I do not condone this by the way and I was upset for him this morning and his invasion of privacy) which also shows a bit of a red, sunburned face. Did Nicola once again panic and try to control the narrative? I am lately still picking up on her nervous, scared energy in my readings. She is very nine of swords in her head. Losing sleep etc.

I do love a good mystery and folks, I guess if you are reading this and nodding and not screaming obscenities at me through your screen, I guess you are stuck here with me on the ship for the long haul. I actually loved these photos tonight as it gave me a good laugh and and it proved to me even further that Jake is to Nic what Kurt Hummel is to Rachel Berry. Besties. It is also quite ironic that the first pap pics of them last October dropped the week his trailer for WT dropped and these photos land the week his film is released! What are the chances! Coincidence, Sherlock?

PS. No I do NOT believe Antonia was at Luke's family member's funeral. We have to stop treating this girl like the bogeyman. Let her go and live her life. Luke is living his I have no doubt.

PPS. It is not homophobic to recognise someone is gay. I INFER this from his own Instagram and his friends and partner's posts. I am fed up of being called homophobic when I have a lot of gay friends and two gay cousins.

PPPS. Luke and Nic sitting in a tree, KISSSING. I see you Nic, you savvy little mamma ;,)

[dollypopup]

#colin having a voyeurism kink is so in character like this man LOVES watching penelope receive pleasure he wanted her to see it too#aka MIRROR#him having a threesome with two women which is just him sat there watching them have sex is kinky as hell which is his thing#we've stated before that book colin is one of the kinkiest so a voyeurism kink isn't impossible like??#even though reviewers have debunked the article bc it's a fucking s*n article and no one should believe that#i would be fine seeing it because it's LUKE FUCKIN' NEWTON @starryspindel

as always, the most amazing tags ever, Starry. The world must see them, I demand it

Like. . .I just feel like the backlash (at a fake ass article, I maintain that) is predominately disappointment that this is something that is 'robbed' from Penelope. But it isn't. It's just. . .a storyline that happens to be Colin's and has nothing to do with her. Someone was like 'No one is talking about Penelope's perspective in this'.

Because. . .it isn't really. . .a matter of her perspective? Colin discovering what he does and doesn't like sexually can happen outside of her, especially since he also explores what he likes WITH her. The same way she explores what SHE likes with HIM!! Penelope has a lot of storylines that happen outside of Colin, and that's what makes her a full character. Do I think sex being one of the only storylines Colin might have just for him is a perfect way to handle his character? No, but I do think it can be a portion of him discovering himself. This fandom telling on ourselves HEAVY. Like why exactly is it so 'icky and gross and weird' that he has a voyeurism kink? He's a dirty talker canonically and he's into fucking in carriages (with a driver right there and lord knows who in the vicinity) and watching him and Pen have sex in a mirror? Half our archives are porn. We're literally drooling to watch him blow Pen's back out on camera. How is it so different? He's into watching women getting off. He's into watching PEN get off. What's wrong with that?

Idk, I just think with the rise of anti-sex discussions on the internet and real life, and people being increasingly hostile to kink, I'm seeing just how catholic on main this fandom is and how we're following a lot of really frustrating rhetoric. Do I want to see it necessarily? No, because I love Polin and I really just wanna see THEM fuck, but has seeing the overwhelming and honestly ridiculous levels of backlash to (i reiterate, a totally bogus article) being things like 'How will Colin EVER deserve Pen NOW that he's a filthy little pervert!?' like

I'm rooting for the threesome and watching. Let him be kinky. It's okay.

I'm sorry, but this is THE most vanilla fandom ever. Oh my goddddd. The entire lot of us freaking out over *checks notes* Colin watching porn. like i have legit seen takes of people being like 'Penelope should know his kinks before he CORRUPTS her' and 'won't anyone think of Penelope's perspective in this!!!' and 'she needs to know and agree to his fetishes'

like I'm SO sorry peeps are pearl clutching over Colin being a kinky little freak (allegedly) but like the man BEEN had a thing for watching and a filthy mouth, sorry not sorry, but I'm kind of loving the idea that he's joining the battle against kink and debauchery on the side of kink and debauchery and frankly I think Penelope would, too

[aeternallis]

Colin's "entrapment" line was hard to listen to, but it was most definitely a sign of how unhinged he really is for Penelope.

Ok but for reals, I'm not sure how everyone else reacted when Colin said his now infamous "entrapment" line, but I just love how if one looks at this line a little more closely, it was definitely some semblance of an underhanded (and also a bit silly, lol) attempt to actually keep Penelope entrapped. Haha, the irony of it all. Idk, at least that was my read on it!

Like, it was definitely said in anger as well; he's hurting, and he’s hurting badly, so of course he wants to hit back in some way, however he can. Luke Newton absolutely meant it when he said that Colin reacts to the reveal in the worst way possible, alas.

My very first reaction to that scene: //pauses the screen to yell at Colin at 4am in the morning, “Entrapment????! If you feel trapped, then why the hell are you still going along with it, ya dumb ass!!!

Because really, think about it: Colin was definitely within his rights to call off the wedding, especially when he'd mentioned that Violet had noticed that he and Penelope had not seen each other for some time. It would have been the perfect time to reveal Penelope's secret to his mother, if indeed he felt entrapped by the LW of it all. Violet is family; if he wanted to still protect Penelope but no longer wanted to marry her, he would have been able to count on Violet's discretion. I'm sure she and Lady Danbury would have come up with some sort of plan to deal with the aftermath regarding the Bridgertons’ reputation, as we'd seen with Anthony and Edwina's botched wedding.

Furthermore, it would have probably been the better option to reveal it to her, since the existence of LW does put his family in danger; Penelope herself knows this. Every decision she makes post-LW reveal to Colin is due to the Bridgertons being in danger. Lady Danbury makes a point of this when she said in the last episode, “There is only one other person who loves the Bridgertons more than I.”

Eloise was able to keep the secret with no real consequences because although Penelope was her ex-bff, El still loves her, and besides that, nothing legal binds them as Colin's marriage to Penelope would.

Even when he was getting ready to talk to Benedict about getting funds to fulfill Cressida’s demands, he insisted on making up a lie to shield Penelope’s identity as LW. He knows more than anything that fulfilling a demand like this, all for the sake of his wife and at the cost of using a substantial amount of Bridgertons’ financial assets, may not put his marriage in the best light within his family. He doesn’t want to be forced to have to choose between his wife and his family, so he’s keen on keeping the lie going.

So for all intents and purposes, he doesn't tell his mother, or any of his other siblings (besides Eloise, who already knew); this in and of itself is hella fucking risky. The fact that Colin is willing to take this risk of withholding Penelope's secret identity from his family, the fact that he doesn't think to jeopardize this potentially risky betrothal—already goes to show the measure in regards to how much he wants Pen for his wife. We the audience know this because he waits until the very last minute to tell Violet, and even then, it's not Colin who chose to reveal it to her, but Penelope herself.

Another point: arguably, we can also say that Colin has a lot more wiggle room with his engagement to Penelope to call off the wedding, much more than he ever did with his engagement to Marina.

"A man of honor"? Exactly what "honor" are we talking about here? Colin claimed that he would have married Marina had she just told him the truth, yet when push came to shove and the truth of her pregnancy was revealed for all the world to know, he still chose to take the out Penelope gave him through LW. It’s easier to make a declaration like that when it’s all said and done. Lol Sure, he regretted it and apologized for his behavior later on, but he had made his choice regardless. Y’all can just feel Marina and Lady Danbury judging this dumb ass (affectionate) for dwelling in the past. Silly young man! XD What's stopping him this time around?

"We had been...intimate." Are you talking about the mirror scene, sir? Because let me assure you, you and Penelope have long been "intimate" way before you decided to buy a love nest and take her V-card the very next day you proposed to her. In fact, this is where the significance of their first kiss in 3.02 rings so, SO importantly and WHY it was vital that it was Penelope who asked and said that it would not have to mean anything. Colin knows Penelope would never use their first time together and/or the heated moment in the carriage as a way to entrap him. That first kiss alone should have already warranted that they get married, but Penelope makes it clear that it’s simply a favor, nothing more.

Oddly enough, I’m surprised Colin doesn’t bring up the idea of a long engagement (yknow, as he initially wanted with Marina, but who’s keeping track at this point), considering that would have potentially benefitted their situation. 🤔 His dumb ass (affectionate) was more than willing to stick to the wedding schedule…huh.

Besides all that, I don’t think it’s the showrunners’ intent to “taint” those special moments between them by changing the context through Colin’s (very biased) POV; to believe that to be the case would be, imo, just a bad faith argument. The genre is romance, y’all; these intimacy scenes are on an entirely different pedestal.

Because remember, that “entrapment” line of Colin’s only came about due to Penelope starting the conversation with, “Are you going to call off the wedding?”

Didn’t it almost seem like an afterthought, that he just came up with it on the spot? Hahaha.

I can bet y’all Cressida’s fake ass €20,000 blackmail money that before they’d met up to discuss wedding breakfast plans with their mamas, it had probably never even occurred to Colin to cancel their wedding. Angry and furious as he was, it was never a question of whether or not he still wanted Penelope for a wife.

The fact that it’s Penelope who begins that conversation and opens that Pandora’s box possibility is so, so damn important. Because not only does it show how much Penelope truly loves him in that she would never trap him, it also shows her maturity, in that she’s willing to face the consequences of her actions. She’s willing to give Colin the choice to back out, heartbreaking as it would be to face it, even if she herself would not be the one to pursue that choice.

She gives him the choice a good number of times: the wedding breakfast plan scene, the wedding day itself when she hesitates on the aisle, and the annulment offer after the butterfly scene.

Penelope defends herself softly, but truthfully: she never meant to entrap him, because she really didn’t. And Colin knows this; he would not still love her and want her if he honestly believed she wanted to entrap him. Hell, even if she did, the audience knows it’s a desire that comes from a good place: she loves him, so of course she doesn’t want to lose him. She wants to marry him, because she loves him. That’s all there is to it.

But despite knowing this (imo, anyway), we can also say that this conversation may have contributed to Colin’s downward spiral during the majority of episode 7 and 8, and why he becomes hella fucking desperate to be “useful” to her.

Because unlike himself, Penelope has now begun to entertain the idea of living a life that doesn’t include him—at least, not as her husband. Penelope is brave and strong enough to let him go due to the pain she caused him for her lies and her actions as LW, and as for Colin…well…

(I love it, it’s the same conundrum that Anthony faced in S2: Kate is strong enough to leave him behind and return to India, but Anthony…well…)

TL;DR, Colin’s entrapment line was literally an excuse he gave himself to keep his betrothal to Penelope intact. It’s a line that works in two ways simultaneously: it’s a painful, childish, underhanded thing to say in order to hurt Penelope’s feelings, to get back at her for the anguish he’s suffered. Yet at the same time, it’s also another excuse he gives himself in order to push through with the marriage, to tie Penelope to himself forever.

Because unlike Penelope, the very idea of living without her as his wife, of not having her in his life, is and always will be an impossible notion for Colin to ever entertain.

[alwaysalir]

Can we talk about the first kiss because it was soooo fucking good. I have seen critiques about Penelope begging Colin but I feel like if you’re just focused on that, you’re kind of missing what this means. In the previous season, we have seen moments where she has this opportunity to open up to Colin but she shuts it down and never says how she feels. So much about part one was about Colin figuring out his feelings, but in this one moment, it was about Penelope voicing her needs. I also think the fact that she felt comfortable asking him for this, just speaks to the intimacy of their relationship before it gets romantic. It takes a great amount of trust to even be able to ask him to do this.

Colin gently approaches and he gives her a soft peck. I think Luke Newton even said it was framed in a way that it could have ended there but they go back in and Colin’s expressions are sooo good. You can see how into the moment he is.

For Penelope, it was so important for her to say what she wants, but for Colin it was sooooo important for him to experience this type of intimacy with someone he actually cares about. We know up until this point he’s only experienced this kind of intimacy with women who he has no feelings for. It always been super casual. this moment, forces him to realize that sexual intimacy does not need to leave him feeling lonely and distant that it can have a deeper meaning and invoke actual feelings of passion 

I think one of my favorite parts in this is after her Penelope pulls away from the kiss they both just stay in the embrace for a couple beats. The intimacy of that moment is so beautiful and really shows how deeply affected they both are by the kissand neither one of them can just end it.

After Penelope finally pulls away we are left with Colin who been shookth to his core by a kiss. Everything about this scene was exactly what I wanted. not only is it beautiful and intimate, but it allows both Colin and Penelope to grow as individual characters 

[theunsinkableship1]

LUKOLA: STEALTH MODE ON

⚠️DISCLAIMER: The following is for Lukolaland only. Skip if you don't believe or ship.

Whatever their relationship status may be, one thing is clear they seem to be operating in full stealth mode, keeping their connection private and their interactions deliberately low-profile. The last time Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton were seen together publicly was on a post in October 2024, when they shared a coordinated photo on both of their Instagram Stories. Notably, this post did not appear on their grids, which sets it apart from their traditional Lukola’s Polin’s pictures. Over the years, Nicola and Luke have built a well-documented history of sharing behind-the-scenes moments during filming whether in costume or not and this post feels familiar yet distinctly different.

Considering that this is the first photo of them together since June 2024 and the Bridgerton premiere, it stands out because it breaks a long period of visual absence. Unlike previous posts showcasing more overt camaraderie or fun behind-the-scenes moments. In the past, their posts of each other have been more direct and sometimes playful, showing them in costumes or candid moments on or off set. This one feels slightly different, perhaps more understated or reflective, suggesting a shift in how they share their connection publicly. By posting it on their Stories rather than their grids, Nicola and Luke seem to emphasize its fleeting nature perhaps signaling a desire to maintain an air of mystery, a desire for control over how their connection is presented or perceived or to subtly reconnect with their fans without drawing too much attention.

The timing of this post is significant; It broke a long silence in their public interactions; Given their history of regularly sharing glimpses of their partnership during filming, this sparse but deliberate post raises questions.

The caption accompanying the image “New year, same hoodie” adds a playful, lighthearted vibe, suggesting a shared in-joke or familiarity. It’s not flashy or promotional but feels intentionally low-key. It is playful on the surface but invites interpretation when viewed in the context of their dynamic and timing. The idea of a "new year" hints at fresh beginnings, while the “same hoodie” represents familiarity, continuity and comfort, a metaphor for their enduring bond despite changing circumstances, perhaps a subtle nod to their long-standing relationship, whether professional, platonic, or otherwise.

Posting this on their Stories instead of their grids may indicate a desire to keep it more fleeting and private, though they still wanted to share the moment.

The hoodie showcased by Nicola is one of the hoodies they wear during their "Champagne Fridays" tradition, where the cast and crew gather after filming to unwind with champagne. The mention of the hoodie in the caption highlights continuity in their bond and shared rituals. However, the lack of champagne or celebration in the photo is notable. Instead, the image feels quieter and more reflective, like a nod to those traditions without fully engaging in them. It’s as if they’re acknowledging the past while signaling that things have evolved.

Hoodies themselves carry cultural symbolism: In the beginnings, wearing a hoodie meant you were keeping a low profile. The hoodie represented discretion, dignity, and defiance in hip hop culture. Youths who were particularly marginalized from society donned a hoodie to feel safe and cocooned. The hoodies are part of the stealth mode attire and are used for discretion, a low-profile demeanor, and for safety and privacy. In a context like this, it could hint at their efforts to keep certain aspects of their connection shielded from public scrutiny. Whether intentional or not, this choice of attire, paired with the phrase, creates an image of quiet solidarity and shared understanding.

What stands out immediately is that while they appear close in proximity, they are not visibly touching, a departure from their usual dynamic, where physical closeness was part of their photos together even before the world tour. The casual intimacy of the photo, paired with the setting evokes a certain nostalgia for fans who have followed their behind-the-scenes friendship closely.

Nicola looks genuinely happy, with a soft, natural smile that suggests comfort. Luke’s expression is more neutral but attentive, looking directly at the camera. There's no exaggerated posing, which gives the image an unguarded feel, as if it’s meant for a specific audience or insiders.

Nicola, with her pursed smile and sparkling eyes, exudes the kind of energy that could favor someone who knows or is part of something not fully visible, a secret kept just under the surface. Meanwhile, Luke’s expression is more neutral, but his relaxed demeanor reinforces the casual intimacy of the moment. The photo itself feels warm and candid, capturing a moment of simplicity between two people who share a deep familiarity.

Some have speculated that this photo was shared as damaged control to quash rumors of tension and falling out. However, this theory feels inconsistent with their approach. If the intention had been damage control, the photo would likely have been more prominently displayed on their grids or accompanied by more overt messaging. The fact that it was shared on their stories fleeting and understated suggests a more deliberate choice to share a moment that reflects their connection without making it performative. It feels less like an act of appeasement and more like a quiet reaffirmation of their bond a way to say, “We’re still here, still us,” without needing to overstate it.

The photo encapsulates the essence of Nicola and Luke’s dynamic: close, playful, and grounded in shared history, yet it also reflects a shift toward more privacy. The subtle distance between them, the nostalgic reference to the hoodie, and the simplicity of the post all point to a deeper story beneath the surface. Whether or not it was meant to address fan speculation, it feels authentic to their friendship and shared journey. Nicola’s sparkling, knowing expression and Luke’s relaxed demeanor convey more than words ever could. This post feels layered with meaning, intentionally or unintentionally. Whether it reflects a conscious strategy to keep their bond private or is simply a playful nod to fans, it speaks to the depth of their dynamic and invites those who follow their journey to read between the lines.

[biancadoes1]

FAVE ANON HERE 😏

It’s been a minute since I’ve submitted but after the vitriol I have seen on Twitter this weekend, I felt the need to speak…

First things first, all of us are brought here with one definitive common thread - we are all fans of Bridgerton. If we were not, we would probably not find ourselves in this fandom at all.

With that being said, if you’re on this blog you are probably a fan of both Nicola AND Luke. More than likely, you want them to be together romantically or believe they already are. And if you don’t want any of that, I don’t know why you’re here reading this posts. This is how you become a troll.

You are allowed to be a fan of one and not the other. This is not a dictatorship and no one is holding a gun to your heads. But this is the point where it is VITAL for me to remind you how many times Nic and Luke have a real love for each other and at the core are best friends. WHAT THIS MEANS IS you cannot call yourself a fan of one of them while simultaneously spreading hate and contempt and overall nastiness about the other one all over social media.

Now I have approached the topic of the RUMORED insignificant others. Did you know that there is no general rule of fandom that states if you are a fan of a character performer that you must also become a fan of any performers they may date now or in the future? WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT no one is required to become Jake’s #1 fan just because the rumor mill wants to say Nic is dating him. Hell no one has to become his #1 fan if Nic herself came out and said she was dating him. Again, there is no need to speak with malice about his looks or his talent all over the internet but you do not have to be a fan. Same goes for the dancer who shall not be named (I know it’s a trigger for many around here). And if they act in deplorable ways - such as the dancer has displayed in the past - you are allowed to speak out on it while using decorum.

This is ultimately bringing me back to why I wrote this today. Tell me why I’m seeing tweets talking about how Jake is a more successful and more talented actor than Luke. Tweets saying Luke can’t act and how amazing Jake is. These tweets are from Bridgerton “fans”. These tweets are from Nicola “fans”. Based on everything I’ve written up until now, the math ain’t mathing on the word “fan”.

I’m not spreading hate to Jake. Fact of the matter, he’s a 24 year old kid almost fresh out of drama school. He has had one season of a failed show on a streaming network riddled with failed shows. He now has a small part in a movie that probably is not even recognized yet out of this fandom and extreme movie fans - if we’re being honest. Luke is 31 and is on his 4th season of one of Netflix’s top shows. He was the male lead last season and the season broke records. He was on a Disney channel show when he was younger. He was on multiple stage shows on the West End. He’s had many other roles in smaller projects and just picked up a lead role in a new film. While it is considered an independent film, it is a LEAD role.

With that evidence laid out, how can anyone actually say with their full chest that Jake is the better and more successful actor? Oh right they can’t. What it comes down to is the fact that the “Jakola shipping” movement is not based on anything more than being an Anti-Luke Newton movement and it is GROSS. No matter what they tell you, there was no “relationship” being universally talked about prior to late summer. On August 25 those festival pictures were released and some very twisted narcissistic people in this fandom took them and ran with them. They created a narrative to help dictate what and who people in this fandom are allowed to discuss online. They’ve bullied creators off of TikTok and Twitter and gaslight the hell out of everyone when called on it. A 24 year old gay man (OMG I SAID IT) is being bullied on the internet and the blame is fully being put on “Lukolas” when the truth is that no one would be paying any attention to him if this narrative wasn’t perpetuated in the first place. (Side note: if you’re sending hate to Jake on behalf of being a Lukola, please stop. Please treat him like you treat every other one of Nic’s male friends. No one should be getting hate.)

The majority of the hate and toxicity in this fandom stems with the Jakolas Jackholes and those who blindly follow and defend a certain creator. I’m not going to say her name because I know how much she gets off on people talking about her (even when it’s bad) AHAH. This is the shit that everyone else is afraid to say out loud but it’s true. And for those of you in that discord reading this to report back, hiiii!

Oh and if anyone has a problem with this and wants to call me out for being on Anon, let me know and I’ll DM you because I’m not afraid. I’m grownup.

Xx

Finally seeing people with common sense!

My fave anon pulls through yet again.

Everyone say thank you fave anon.

[ptej1980]

Well isn’t this interesting….

A creator on x decided to use AI to ask some Questions about PR relationships…

💀 GPT chat

Explain to me in 10 steps what a successful PR would be for a hidden relationship between two famous actors.

Successful PR for a hidden relationship between two actors follows a careful strategy to maintain mystery, generate interest, and control the narrative without completely exposing them. Here are 10 well-structured steps:

1. Define the purpose of the PR

Why keep the relationship a secret? It could be to protect their careers, avoid disrupting a film they're working on together, or simply to fuel the mystery and media attention.

2. Design an official story

Establish how you'll explain your relationship if questions arise. Are you just friends? Do you have mutual friends? Did you meet at an event? Your answers should be consistent.

3. Create strategic meetings

Situations are arranged where they can be seen together without raising suspicion: parties with other celebrities, group gatherings, or events where they both "coincidentally" meet.

4. Manage social media with subtlety

They may not interact too much, but they can leave subtle clues: liking specific posts, wearing similar clothes at different times, or sharing photos from similar locations without making it obvious they're together.

5. Control leaks

They carefully choose which details to leak to the media: someone saw them speaking at an event, a blurry photo at a dinner, a gesture that seems intimate but ambiguous.

6. Use allies in the media

Publicists work with trusted journalists and media outlets to influence how rumors are reported, ensuring the narrative remains under control.

7. Deny without denying

If you ask them directly, they can use answers like:

"We get along incredibly well, he's a great coworker."

"Don't believe everything you read, we're just friends."

"It's funny how people invent things."

These answers maintain the doubt without completely confirming or denying it.

8. Distract with other headlines

To prevent rumors from spreading too far, alternative news is generated: new projects, interactions with other actors, or even false rumors of relationships with other people.

9. Prepare a contingency plan

If a compromising photo is leaked or the relationship is accidentally confirmed, you should have a strategy ready:

"Yes, we are dating, but we want to keep it private."

"We're very close, but there's nothing romantic about it."

"We have nothing to say about it."

10. Decide the end of the PR

Over time, they may choose to reveal the relationship with an interview or a social media post, or they may quietly "break up," letting the media attention fade without explanation.

This type of strategy is frequently used in Hollywood to control the public narrative.

Do you have a couple in mind who you think follows these steps?

Why yes we do thank you chat GPT….

Me: Yes, Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan.

Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan have generated quite a bit of speculation about their relationship, especially due to their chemistry on Bridgerton and their off-set interactions. If they were following a PR for a secret relationship, it might look something like this:

1. Official narrative: They would say that they are "very good friends" and that their chemistry is only a result of their work as actors.

2. Strategic appearances: They would be seen together at group events, award ceremonies, and interviews, but never in overtly romantic situations.

3. Social media with subtle clues: Likes on posts, photos from similar locations without showing them together, ambiguous comments in interviews.

4. Controlled leaks: Some tabloids would publish that "a close source" has seen them very close, but without conclusive evidence.

5. Denial without denial: In interviews they would say things like: "We had a lot of fun working together, we have a great connection."

6. Media allies: Some more reliable media outlets would handle the issue with caution, while tabloids would exaggerate rumors.

7. Distraction with other rumors: They would be linked to other actors or attention would be focused on their upcoming projects to divert attention.

8. Crisis control: If a compromising photo were to come to light, they could say it was a moment between friends or an off-camera scene.

9. Possible revelation: If the PR works well and generates enough interest, they could make the relationship official at an event or on social media.

10. If they decide not to go public, they would simply stop interacting as much until the rumors die down.

Hmmmm Chat GPT interesting 🤔 what do you think?

[fiamat12]

RE: Luke's Rebellion

(Not to be confused w/ Luke's Defiance post - which is part of the rebellion 😉)

This is an IG account I do NOT recommend you go to because it's very trolly but I am posting this to make a point... ⬇️

1- Free Luke Newton:

2- 2007 PR strategy - what does it mean? For that, we defer to the robot:

3- Are the PR teams deliberately sticking to an outdated playbook so we can see the real story?

• The silver lining to Part 2 of the NDA obligations is that it made it obvious that A was never a real gf like some might have thought after Round 1.

• Are they smart enough to meet the obligations of Round 2 whilst making the puppet strings obvious? A subtle rebellion? Hence why L looks miserable. Another subtle rebellion.

4- It's almost like they want the fake PR gf strategy to fail

• As long as it's not violating the contract, it's actually brilliant.. and maybe why we've seen a "split" L at times - doing enough when he HAS to (faking a smile or hand hold) but then looking flat out angry, muttering words of defiance and looking disinterested (nose picking etc.)

• "Maybe under the guidance of her parents, A is requesting a very '2007' PR strategy. And L’s team is like alrighty then if you insist, but fans are going to see straight through it 🤣. Or maybe his PR team really is sh*t 🤷‍♀️" @jmuz09

Lastly, not only could it be a subtle PR middle finger to the whole thing, but if no one buys the gf story anymore, she can’t make demands for a 3rd round...

[gemmablue-blog1]

I recently started a brand new adventure of being a “shipper”. I believe this is karma because I judged those who were obsessed with Taylor and Travis. 😬

I have fallen hard into my shipping era and it is not for the weak. It is so mind consuming I at times worry for my mental health.

Hi my name is Gemma and I am a Lukola shipper. My god, the chokehold Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton have on me should be studied. I cant help but be in complete awe of the relationship they have. These two humans share an undeniable other-worldly connection. I have never seen anything like it, the way they look physically different in the presence of one another is something else, their whole existence changes. They shine brighter, they appear more at ease and just blissfully in-tune with one another. Like they physically look different around each other (in a good way) it is wild, I am completely mesmerized. If they are not a couple or never become one, it is really unfortunate because what they have is rare and special. Many will spend their whole lifetime searching for what they have.

I was kind of late to the shipping game so I joined TT to assist in my obsession and do my research. It was fun to see all the edits of the WT and join in on some lives to dissect some clues Nicola was dropping that they could possibly be a couple. I have to admit at times the dissecting was a little “creepy”, but I was still watching! So obviously I wasn’t that creeped out, I was just letting others do the dirty work so I didn’t come off creepy.

But then the “adjacent” shippings began and it all just became a game of “who is right”. Don’t get me wrong, I want my ship to be right but the constant attacks between the different groups of shippers has become toxic and it is unnecessary. Why can’t we just stay in our belief lanes, we’ll be much happier. Isn’t it best to all stay in our own little ship bubbles and just have some light hearted fun?

Then there is this whole side of people preaching a moral high ground and demanding people to stop their shipping… why? Because you think that shipping is going to hurt/ruin Nicola and Luke’s relationship? I am almost certain fans views, beliefs, words, shipping etc. has no effect on Nic and Luke’s relationship, it will only affect how they share it publicly. We are not that important. Then we have the people who feel that they need to defend Nicola and Luke from whats being said or shared, is that needed either? Celebrities don’t need your defending and they don’t ask for it. And sometimes in defending it actually makes things worse. There is no such thing as the best fan award.

Personally, a lot of Lukola blogs I have seen on here have been as respectful as they can be in sharing their thoughts and opinions. They aren’t out there spreading hate towards Nic and Luke, if anything I see them just wanting the best for them. Even if I don’t agree with everything they say, I move past it, it is very rare for people to see things 100% the same, especially when we actually know nothing to be definite. What I do see is just plain hate in their ask calling them names and even demanding they “shut down this blog now!”… Why? Because they believe something you don’t? Notice when I talk about blogs I only have reference to Lukola ones, because those are the ones I read because I am a fan of Luke and Nic and their relationship. I don’t go to ones who are part of other ships and try to convince them of other things, there is no point, thats what they want to believe and be a part of and thats their right.

Anyway, I am in no way above sharing my opinions on the Lukola situationship, and would like to share some thoughts. If you have made it this far and are not a Lukola or will be offended by things I say about the “adjacents” stop reading because all it will do is anger you and most likely prompt you to send me a hate message. Nothing you say will make me stop shipping them.

My beliefs are:

Without a doubt Nicola loves Luke and is highly protective of him. This girl was ready take on a bee who was threatening her buddy Luke. She was not playing. I love that interview, she was so distracted because Luke was being threatened by a bee he is supposedly “allergic” to, that she even moves herself closer to him so she can defend him better 😩... The interviewer is like “i feel like a third wheel” 👀. I can’t, could this be any cuter. We have seen many instances where Nicola has defended Luke directly and indirectly, because you fiercely protect those you love. I feel everything we have seen from her (non-professional) stems from that protectiveness she has for him.

Then there is Luke towards Nicola. I am sorry anyone who says this man is not completely infatuated by that woman is lying. He is an awe of her. Just look at the tapes for evidence, when I said earlier about looking physically different, Luke is literally night and day from what he physically looks like in the presence of Nicola to not. You can’t convince me that man is not madly in love with that woman.

Antonia. I am not a fan. Yeah, I have tried to take the mature approach and be like “oooh she’s young” “i don’t know her” “people hate her for no reason” “accept she is with Luke”… blah, blaaaah, blaah. No, Antonia wants to be noticed. She has done stuff to troll the fans of her supposed bf. The insinuation post are purposeful, with intent to rile up the crowds. Anyone who says otherwise is lying to themselves. All she has done is cause more harm than good to Luke, shouldn’t a good gf want to do the opposite? She should have used her extra social media exposure to her advantage of showing off her talents and work, but instead she chose to post pictures to prove she was in the presence of her famous bf. You shouldn’t have to try so hard to prove you are in a relationship with someone. Isn’t it interesting that any time Luke and Nic could possibly be linked together, an ambiguous pic drops to hint she is/was there. Why does she have to stay so hidden? Those who say it is to keep their relationship private, then why does she try so hard to publically prove she was there? I am done trying to be mature, the only things I have to go on for my decision to like people I dont personally know is the public image they present, and I don’t like hers.

Jake at times can seem to be stirring the pot, but he has used a lot of his extra exposure to highlight his career. Just through his socials I have come to realize that he is a very talented young actor. I do not believe Jake and Nicola are a couple, it is that simple. I think they were somehow linked together, and then just went with it because of certain cicumstances. I do get frustrated at times because I do feel the dating narrative is pushed by Nicola and it is frustrating to me because I have to read Jakola BS. But then I remember that Nicola is a sassy queen and that’s why I love her and move on. The fact that some can’t see the satire being shared by them of the relationship, is confusing to me. But, we all believe what we want to believe. I do think Nicola and Jake are good friends.

The parallels between Luke and Nic’s lives at this point are too coinsidental to make me believe it’s 100% truth. Both of them date young 20 year olds and receive hate for dating them. Not only do they receive hate for dating but for hanging out with them in their friend groups and get blamed for being immature or creepy because they choose to party or vacation instead of being a grown-up. 🙄. Nah, something just isn’t adding up for me.

Listen, I really know nothing about these people. I just love Luke and Nicola’s love, I just want them to be happy together forever and ever, is that such a bad thing? In the grand scheme of things is it really that bad to want people to be in a relationship that you feel will make them happy…isn’t that shipping? I will be rooting for them until i’m dead and buried.

Until the wheels fall off. Lukola forever ✌🏻.

[somedayillbepeterpan]

Ahh, Luke. Lukey. Newts.

Have some laughing Lukey pookie, everyone.

For Bonus Polinweek Day 6 | Double date + Luke appreciation Day | Bridgerton BTS videos in Shondaland youtube channel

This man. THIS MAN ❤️

For as long as Colin Bridgerton has plagued my mind (since June 13) so too has this man.

Let me start this appreciation by saying an apology for ignoring Luke Newton for a very long time. And also for doubting him before the S3 release. I have been sleeping on (and most likely blinded by Nicola) that I never noticed this beautiful, talented man who, if not for him, the Polin story wouldn't have had the magic that it profoundly has.

Along with rewatching S3, I'm also rewatching S1 and S2 to fully catch the brilliant performance that Luke has been displaying as Colin Bridgerton. Truly, S3 has made me confront my personal biases and it made me realise how I was projecting my own ideas of what a man should be like on Colin Bridgerton when he is a distinct character in his own right. A lot of what makes Colin such an interesting character for me is how subtle Luke plays him.

There are this tiny inflections in the way Colin talks that is so particularly him. Even the way Colin moves/walks and his mannerisms changes from each season. The ground work Luke put in on Season 1, where Colin is particularly charming and naive, paved the way for this realistic (at times, heart wrenching) maturing that Colin goes through after learning that Pen is LW in S3 giving the Polin love story this weight of authenticity that we have not seen on Bridgerton.

Luke made Colin, a privileged, white man, so endearing that we feel that we are robbed of what Colin's character could have been in his own season (I have a counter-argument on this topic but I'll focus on Luke Newton). He may not be as talkative as Nicola but I think one of his nerdy alter-egos is one who loves to deep dive into character work and that is why him and Nicola get along so well.

I am a forever fan and I've put him on my list of actors that I have followed since their breakout roles (like Josh Hutcherson and Tom Holland). I do hope that he gets to build a strong screen portfolio (I remember he said that he loves doing screens more compared to live performances as he loves the subtleties of the screens). But I'll manifest a Broadway musical for him just so I can hear him sing again.

To Luke Newton, thank you for giving and sacrificing yourself for the past 5 years for Bridgerton. I hope you are surrounded by good people who will equally push you and ground you.

I hope you get all the best chances the industry that you love has to offer because you deserve to continue waking up being thankful that you get to act for a living 🥰

[waitingtobreatheagain]

One of my favorite parts of the argument outside the Modiste scene is one although it starts harsh/angry…it becomes vulnerable and communicative very quickly. This is due to the core of their relationship. They are each other’s favorite person. No one understands the other more or in the way they do. Even through the hurt, the love is so so apparent.

It is a great example of how anger is a secondary emotion and in this case the primary emotion are emotions related to feeling emotionally hurt.

People say all they had was miscommunication and that is absolutely not true. You wanted them to be all good in five seconds and that was never going to be the case. Two weeks to process what felt like a betrayal, work through it, and work through your own insecurities that could impact your relationship in the future is NO SMALL THING. Not to mention, Colin repeatedly shows his love even in his anger hurt and confusion.

My absolute favorite thing about the scene (and proof of them still having good conversation even while being on the outs) is Colin doing something that Eloise never did. He actually asks Penelope WHY she wrote what she wrote. Even in feeling his most hurt, he seeks understanding. He knows Pen better than anyone (as she does him) and he really needs to identify how and why his most favorite person in the world, the love of his life, could do this. After discussing it, he is still upset which again is fair but he does understand and knows that she is still who he has always know her to be.

To be vulnerable when you’re hurt instead of hurtful also so emotional maturity. Yes, we know their first time seeing each other after the reveal he says something hurtful but he immediately regrets it which is made evident by Luke Newton’s skill in facial expression. He even asks Pen’s questions which she agrees with and identifies why she couldn’t do those things back when she wrote about specific things (I.E. “why didn’t you just tell me to my face” “I know I should have I didn’t have the confidence to then”).

And the part where we see his insecurity about his writing skill and the biggest insecurity being deserving of her on full display. Colin has grown up feeling as if he has to be so many things for so many people to be able to feel worthy. Just being himself has never felt like enough so it makes complete sense that he cannot honestly fathom that his favorite person…the love of his life…loves him simply for being him. That’s beyond belief for him. That is why the “what good am I to you, then (if I can’t protect you) and Pen’s response of I love you is so important. We see Pen’s face go from on guard, defensive, and some indignation to soft and empathetic. She is truly seeing the insecurity and similarly to how Colin couldn’t believe that Pen had no chance of romance when she asked him to kiss her…Pen can’t believe that Colin thinks he can only be loved by her if he is in service of her or has utility. His reaction to her I love you also support Colin is demisexual theories. The affirmation that she does not need him to protect her or do all these things for her and instead just has to be the man she loves is the catalyst for the passion and desire we see him kiss her with afterwards As to say, that’s right. This is the only relationship in my life where I am able to fully be myself, where I am loved for who I am, where I am uplifted, understood, seen, and valued based on my true self not based on who society says I should be, where my vulnerability and emotional intelligence is seen as a strength and not a deficit, etc.

That is so beautiful to me.

This goes back to why for me Polin will always be the pinnacle. The depth of their relationship following years of friends especially as they got closer sets up how they work through conflicts. There are so many parallels when looking at Colin helping Pen work through her insecurity with her confidence and appearance and Pen helping Colin work through his insecurity with self doubt and feeling deserving/worthy of his love.

Truly, a love that is a beautiful as it is rare.

[justalost4girl]

ONE

This fanfic is part of my Taylor Swift coded fanfics. word count: 3186

A girl walks onto the stage with a guitar in hand and a smile on her face.

She greets the band, and they greet her back. The shy girl thanks everyone for coming tonight.

Natasha Romanoff grips her glass tighter and orders another shot of whiskey without looking at the bartender, as she can't take her eyes off of you.

✧ ˚ 　· 　　 .

One year earlier…

She finds you at the café. Natasha hates cafés, but she knows your company's head of security comes at the end of every period to get coffee with you; it's been like this for two weeks.

But today, you're alone at a table, and Natasha needs to adjust the plan. She goes to the counter and orders a cappuccino—the same as yours—and looks for a place to sit.

Your eyes meet hers, and for a moment, the redhead ignores the hot cup she's carrying.

You're beautiful

And shy.

Natasha recalls your file and smiles. You were exactly as Skye had described. She sees a chance to approach in the crowded room and clears her throat; she's done this before but feels the need to focus.

"Can I sit with you?" A soft voice pulls you out of the stupor you entered when you looked into those deep green eyes. Eyes that could inspire symphonies, and you believe she's the most beautiful woman you've ever seen, and your brain can't do more than nod, afraid of saying the wrong thing.

She sits beside you, not in front of you, waiting to analyze your computer. The file didn't mention the software you use, so it's up to her to find out before your friend arrives. She positions her coffee well so her field of vision can see anything that appears on the screen.

"I'm pretty sure I've seen you around here; do you live nearby?" She asks, trying to break the ice as usual, but deep down, she feels strange under your contemplative gaze.

"Yes, I live in the building across from Luthor Corp and work there." Your voice shows pride, and your eyes sparkle, Natasha notices. She wonders if you know what your colleague has been developing and the true nature of your boss.

"And you? I don't think I've seen you around here before," you seem genuinely interested. Natasha likes that. Targets are easy, but you are very easy; with just a few words, she already knows where you live and work. For a security analyst, you are far too naive.

And she puts the plan into practice.

"I just moved to the end of the block. There are so many boxes… I needed the coffee to give me energy." She says with an extremely calculated tone. You smile and notice that she has a beautiful corner smile and really seems tired, so you offer to help.

You always offer to help strangers.

And Natasha celebrates the success of the plan while taking a sip of coffee and leaning toward you, complimenting your screensaver. While you give her an excited explanation, she takes the opportunity to see the type of software used and memorizes the access password when you unlock the computer to show how the galaxy theme expands on your computer.

You exchange names.

She's Natalie. Nickname? Nat. The redhead shares similar tastes to yours, and something tells you that coming here alone was the best choice. After all, Nat would never look at you if Luke were around.

You also have a name, but everyone calls you Newton. In honor of your favorite physicist. A development assistant in the security sector with a desk always organizedly messy, in your words. Your boss, Luke, didn't come today because he had an emergency meeting and gave you the afternoon off. Natasha makes a mental note to understand this.

He didn't have any meetings scheduled.

As the coffee finishes, Nat guides you to her house. You stretch your back and even tie your hair up to help with the boxes. Then, you feel a bit disappointed to find there are only two, but you don't complain.

You never complain.

Natasha watches you help organize the books in the living room, chattering away about how you've read most of them and your opinions. You don't notice, however, that they show no signs of use, and amidst some jokes, for a minute Natasha forgets about the mission. Being with you is comfy.

"Wanna order pizza? I know a good place." You ask, sitting on her floor. Your jacket, backpack, and shoes are at the door. She liked how you took off your shoes to enter her house. It's a sign of respect, you say. The file points out the numerous k-dramas evaluated in your account, but she doesn't comment and even finds it adorable. She finds you adorable. Period.

"Sure, but only if you agree to watch something before we go and let me pay for the snack. You were my hero today." Nat smiles, and all that crosses your mind is how random your luck is. Here, sitting on this floor with the most beautiful woman you've ever met in front of you, the word destiny has a new meaning.

She gives you yoga pants and an oversized Star Wars shirt, your favorite saga, to make yourself comfortable. The pizza arrives while you're changing, and she can't use your laptop, but that loses its importance when your heart warms seeing you wear clothes she bought just for you. You feel like you're in heaven for finding someone as big a Star Wars fan as you, because that shirt was only available by order. Everything seems too perfect, you think, but the thought flies when you find out the theory of olives applies to both of you.

Natasha puts on your favorite movie from the franchise, and what was supposed to be just one movie becomes a marathon. She knows all the lines and jokes from each movie, knows curiosities and book details, and that makes you ignore your phone all night.

That night, you fall asleep on the couch.

The sun hits the window, and the redhead opens her eyes and sees you. Your arms are by your side, but Natasha is practically in your lap. Even in a deep sleep, you respect her too much to touch her.

Natasha is distracted for a moment and wonders how much of a spy she was last night. Here and now, looking at your lips in a half smile and your messy hair. Natasha almost feels bad for getting into this mission.

Almost.

She shakes her head and carefully gets off the couch and goes to your backpack, finding a black-covered book and the laptop. The goal? Install a spy program on the laptop. The problem? Natasha's curiosity gets the best of her, and she opens the book.

Your song lyrics, drawing attempts, and poems are a world for her to explore, and only after ten minutes, Natasha remembers the mission. She plugs in a device, pockets it, and waits for the installation, but when the progress bar is only halfway, your alarm goes off, and Natasha has to improvise.

Two minutes until the program is complete.

"Hello there," she says, smiling softly, throwing herself on top of you.

"Ah, now you're Obi-Wan? I thought you were Jar Jar Binks," you say, rubbing your eye and laughing at her offended expression.

Natasha rolls her eyes and starts a tickle war. You squirm, and she lets herself spin on the couch, ending up underneath you.

"Okay, okay, truce. You're not Jar Jar. You're the face anyone would turn to the dark side for," you say, feeling an unexpected courage.

"Does that go for you, Newton?" Natasha says softly, her eyes fixed on yours, her gaze alternating between your lips and your eyes in an almost hypnotizing manner.

"That goes for me, Nat," you whisper, looking at her lips.

You're not sure who initiated the kiss first, but you like to think it was both. The world seems to stop as your lips meet, each touch filled with emotions and suppressed desires. For you, it's a moment of pure magic and connection, an unexpected paradise. For Natasha, it's a reminder of what she could lose, a conflict between duty and desire.

The day passes slowly. She drags you from the couch to the kitchen for coffee and then back to the couch for a make-out session. Natasha has a dominant and bossy streak, and you feel comfortable and safe beside her, as her hands don’t cross any boundaries and remain on your waist. You try a new recipe, talk about the weather, exchange compliments and kisses. The afternoon arrives, and Luke calls you to the office.

You decide to stop by home first but manage to take one of Natasha's limited edition sweatshirts as a promise to meet again soon.

Natasha leaves you at the door smiling like she hasn't in a long time. All for the mission, of course. At least that's what she wants to believe.

She doesn't realize she forgot to send the report to Fury.

You don't realize your laptop is on in the backpack.

Nat is different from any woman you've ever met.

Not that you've met many.

No, but Nat is different. She's kind. She's everything you could ask for in a person. Nat is too good to be true.

"Newton is smiling today?" Luke says, approaching your desk.

"I found my soulmate at the café yesterday," you say, eyes sparkling.

"Really? What's she like?" he asks, placing some files on your desk.

You describe everything, from her appearance to shared tastes, and he smiles like he does with clients.

"Send me the code by 5 p.m., then you can go see your future wife," he says, typing something on his phone and leaving.

You smile and grab your laptop. It's almost dead and turned on. You find it strange but don't question it; after all, the computer is still locked. The memory of Nat's eyes brings you more inspiration, and you jot down about the new shade of green where you found peace.

The afternoon passes in a blur, the leaves fall, and you finally finish the code. Luke is nowhere to be found, something about an urgent meeting, and you decide to send the code by email.

Natasha is at home, with full access to your computer, celebrating the success of the plan. The virus will accompany the file. Luke will open it on the corporate computer, and she can finish the mission. She watches you through the camera, and Natasha misses you for a moment. You are a beautiful collateral damage. Too kind. Too captivating.

She knows it's wrong, but she lets the idea linger in her mind for more than a minute.

Natasha sighed as she shut down the laptop, feeling the weight of the decision she had made. She glanced at the phone screen, hesitant for a moment before typing a quick message to Newton.

"Miss you, come over?" she typed, her fingers hesitating over the keys. It was the first time in a long time that she allowed herself to be true.

"On my way, General Romanoff," you reply, making your usual path with a smile on your face.

☆。*。☆。 Eight months earlier…

One night, as the soft moonlight filtered through the curtains, you were sitting on the couch beside Natasha. She was flipping through your lyric notebook, and after much persuasion, she managed to convince you to sing one of your songs. With a shy smile, your voice filled the room, bringing life to the carefully crafted words.

Natasha watched you with admiration, her eyes sparkling with each note. When you finished, she applauded enthusiastically.

"You have an incredible voice, you know? You should leave this field and sing in a bar. Become famous and rich," Natasha suggested, excitement gleaming in her eyes.

You laughed, shaking your head. "Maybe someday. But if I do, will you promise to be there?"

Natasha took your hand and looked directly into your eyes. "I wouldn't miss any of your shows for anything in this world," she said sincerely.

Later that night, after waking from a nightmare and seeing Natasha, who was now lying on her side, her hair spread across the pillow, you took a deep breath.

Focusing on the woman beside you, you felt a mix of tenderness and curiosity as you admired the peace on her face. Her gentle features seemed even kinder in the quiet of the moment.

Natasha breathed calmly in peaceful sleep, immersed in a world of tranquility that contrasted with the turmoil of your own thoughts.

For a moment, you wondered about the thoughts Natasha kept, about what she dreamed and what made her smile in the silence of that rest. There was something intriguing about the way she moved in the world, near you, an aura of mystery and serenity that deeply attracted you.

You were in love; you felt it intensely and quickly. And for the first time in your life, you felt that this love was mutual. You lay down beside her, lightly touching Natasha's lips with a kiss. She slowly opened her eyes, meeting yours with a gentle shine of surprise and care.

"Nat," you started, feeling your heart racing with emotion overflowing in your words. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

A radiant smile formed on her lips, her eyes reflecting tenderness and joy. She nodded slightly, without saying a word, but making it clear that her answer was yes.

☆。*。☆。 Six months earlier…

You walked out of the office with firm steps, Luke by your side. For the first time in months, he mentioned it was for security measures, and you didn't mind, too excited to introduce your oldest friend to your girlfriend. The usual café was just a few meters away, and Natasha, watching from afar, noticed the smile on Newton's face as she entered the establishment.

"Hello there!" You exclaimed eagerly upon seeing Natasha, who smiled back warmly as she greeted you. "You're here! I missed you," Natasha said, warmly embracing you. She caught the familiar scent of Newton and momentarily lost herself in the comforting sensation.

"Yes, and accompanied this time. Nat, this is Luke. Luke, this is Natalie," you introduced them, your eyes shining with affection for Nat, your girlfriend.

"Natalie! You're as beautiful as she said," Luke complimented Natasha with a gallant air, earning a playful eye-roll from Newton. Natasha noted the dynamic between the two, the way Luke enjoyed subtly teasing her.

"Maybe Newton is onto something after all," Natasha replied, laughing softly as she observed Newton and Luke interact.

Luke was at ease, responding to Natasha's light questions with calculated calm. He didn't reveal much personal information, maintaining a professional and careful demeanor in his responses. Natasha tried to probe him about his work and interests, but Luke skillfully deflected, keeping the conversation on superficial topics.

During a momentary pause, Luke received a call on his cell phone. He discreetly stepped away to answer it, while you and Nat continued chatting. A few minutes later, Luke returned with a serious expression.

"Newton," Luke began, catching both your attention. "I just received an important call. We need to prepare for a trip to Seattle in a week. We have a client that requires our personal attention. We'll be there for a month."

You nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility on your shoulders. Natasha couldn't contain her excitement upon hearing about the trip. It was the perfect opportunity to gather evidence against Luke's criminal activities. She spoke with anticipation in her eyes. "That's great! I'd love to come along, if possible."

Luke seemed surprised by Natasha's suggestion, his gaze becoming more cautious. "Natalie, I'm not sure if…"

"I have family there, I don't need to know many details, I just didn't want to be away from Newton," Natasha said persuasively, while Luke looked at her with a wary gaze.

You smiled at Nat and kissed her gently. "Of course, you can come, right Luke?"

Luke nodded resignedly but with a faint smile. "Alright, then get ready for the trip."

While observing the tension in his voice, you recalled how meticulous he had been with security recently. First, insisting on buying a new computer for you, claiming it was safer and more efficient. Then, personally supervising the building's security system update. At the time, you thought it was just part of his protective nature as head of security. Now, however, looking at him, there was something in his behavior that made you wonder if he was hiding something.

The idea of betraying you was unbearable. If only she could find something to justify her mission, she could decide what to do next. She could stop everything, tell you the truth, and run away to Greece, or anywhere far from here.

On the flight, Natasha kept herself discreet, but every glance exchanged between you two left her more conflicted. You were excited about the trip, unaware of the internal turmoil Natasha was facing. She wanted to protect you, but how could she do that when she herself was the threat?

Upon arriving at the destination, Natasha checked into the same hotel as you, but Luke made sure she had no access to the meetings. He was vigilant, observing every interaction between you. You, on the other hand, seemed happy with the opportunity to explore the city alongside Natasha, oblivious to her true intentions.

Every night, as you fell asleep, Natasha stayed awake, lost in thought. She looked at you, feeling a mixture of tenderness and guilt. She knew she needed to act, to find something that would change everything. But until that happened, she stayed by your side, cherishing the time she still had.

Natasha Romanoff had no idea she wasn't the only one playing this game.

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Two - July 9, 2024

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Comments are appreciated :)