Chapter Text
CHAPTER 1
Luke had been up most of the night already, anxious of the first kissing scene fast approaching between Pen and Colin. He was still getting used to the life of an actor, despite the fact he had been performing and acting for many years- this was on a whole other level in comparison which made him feel overwhelmed at times. He was grateful for the love and support throughout his time working on the set of Bridgerton, however he could not help but get in his own head. He could be his own worst enemy if he let his thoughts spiral for longer than necessary. He checked his phone- how is it 3am already? he thought. He decided to force himself off from his bed that was still made and get some fresh air to clear his head. He opened his trailer door and stepped down only to be met with a clear crisp breeze hitting his skin. He had been so consumed with worry that he completely forgot it was the middle of winter and there he was- stood in nothing but a white fitted t shirt, black joggers and some black crocs he slipped on last minute. He noticed a gentle glow coming from the trailer opposite his- Nic's trailer. Nic must be up as well he thought to himself and with that, he walked over to her door, giving a gentle knock. He felt like he was waiting for a lifetime, until finally the door opened and there she was. She stood there wearing an over-sized white t-shirt that came up just above her knees. God help me if she is not wearing anything underneath that he thought to himself as he admired her for a split second. Her eyes looking tired and her face slightly concerned
"hey, is everything okay?"
"errr, yeah, I errm" he looked down twiddling his fingers trying to find some words, any words...
"Luke before you say anything else, come on in, it's bloody freezing outside and you're shivering" Nic stepped backed allowing Luke to enter. He stepped inside, closing the door behind him. He hadn't noticed how bitter it was outside until he stepped into Nic's trailer. She had a small round salt lamp by the side of her sofa, bringing a warm pink gentle glow to the room. It felt warm, enchanting and inviting.
"Come on, let's go get all snuggled and toasty" she said leading him to the sofa
"Now that sounds like a wonderful idea" his face lighting up as he sees the large fluffy grey blanket covering most of the sofa.
They both sat down, facing each other, leaning back casually in the corners of the sofa, with the blanket laying on top of their laps.
"So, you're anxious about the scene as well, huh?" Nic asks
"How did you know?"
"I just gathered considering you came knocking on my door at 3am on the day of our rehearsal. Either that or you have insomnia"
"As usual, you're spot on! I came to check if you were...well, maybe nervous as well?"
"Oh absolutely-you know, it's a lot of pressure" she reassured him
"Exactly!" he said in relief "for me-its the pressure of delivering the emotions. It is such a big moment for Colin, realizing his feelings for pen, all being captured within such a short moment"
"I completely understand" she shuffles closer to him and reaches over, placing her warm hand over his rubbing her thumb to comfort him. He meets her gaze "we''ve got this, lukey, I promise" Her sweet Irish voice, the love in her words, the support of her hand, the wisdom in her eyes- he couldn't help but be taken back a little by the wholeness of her. He looked at her in complete admiration.
"Do you know, i am beyond lucky to have you by my side throughout this, Nic...actually...I am beyond lucky to have you in my life as my best friend. Honestly, I...I could not imagine doing this with anybody else..anybody, but you. You will always be my pen"
She felt the heat rush to her cheeks, her heart skipping, her smile growing "and you will always be my Colin"
They stared longingly at each other, the room was deafening. Their smiles faded as the tension was building between them. Nic started to feel slightly uncomfortable by the seriousness of it all. She had no idea what was happening but all she knew was that she needed to snap out of it and switch on her work mode.
"Okay" she puffed out as she let go of his hand and slapped her thighs, knocking luke out of his trance from her. "so, moving forward in regards to our big scene coming up, we have some time before we meet with the intimacy coordinator to practice later this morning..so...here me out"
"oh god, okay" he held his breath in preparation for whatever she was about to throw at him
"shall we have a practice now, whilst it's just you and me? i know its not what we should be doing without a professional here with us, but i think it will help ease the pressure of us having to perform so to speak?"
Luke felt his throat drying up. His stomach doing somersaults at the thought of kissing her- alone-in her trailer- especially because it was something they shouldn't be doing. It was nerve-racking, thrilling, arousing and...kind of in character. He couldn't help but cling to the idea the more he thought about it.
Nic interrupted his thoughts "it's cool if not, i don't want you to be uncomfortable"
"No, I think its a good idea, it can only but help us, right?"
"right, that was my thought process"
She observed his face, feeling like she spotted some hesitation.
"are you sure, because we can always wait till later?"
"I am certain, Coughlan!" he says with a bit of force
"Alright Newton, calm down" raising her hands up in front of her.
They both laughed and then proceeded to discuss how to deliver the kiss.
"Okay, so-as we know from the script, we need to deliver a gentle and tender kiss"
Luke nodded in agreement "Are we standing up for this?"
"Hmm..yes it might be more fitting if we do"
They both shove the blanket to the back of the sofa and stand up, facing each other
"Wait-are we doing this with our lines or is it just practicing the technique of the kiss?" Luke asks.
"Let's just practice the kiss itself first"
"right"
"Are you ready for the best kiss of your life, Newton?" she says with humor to her tone as she prods his chest with her finger.
Luke laughs "woooow, is that what i'm about to experience, Coughlan? he smirks
"Damn right" she teases
"well then, bring it on!" he wraps his arm around her waist, she gasps at the surprise of it all happening quite fast as he pulls her close to him. Their eyes locked on to each other, their smiles slowly fade. The flirty banter between them just moments ago seemed to have passed whilst something else was becoming. He gently moves his hand up to the side of Nic's face and cradles her cheek in the palm of his hand. Her skin so incredibly soft and warm. His heart racing as he looks into her ocean filled eyes-so deep, she was like a siren, luring him further and deeper into her, until he could see the true depths of her. Something so familiar and comforting, like in some weird cosmic way, he had always known her. Before he was Luke and she was Nic. The purest and truest forms of themselves, reuniting. "Oh my god, Nic" he lets out a sigh through his parted lips, closing his eyes and brushing his nose against hers "you are home to me, do you know that?" he whispered. She closed her eyes and allowed his words to ripple through her, making her heart flutter. For the very first time in their friendship-she found herself lost for words. She never knew that Luke Newton- her costar, her best friend, could ever make her feel this way. She loved their friendship. They could be silly, playful, flirty and serious and yet she never considered it could ever be something romantic-but THIS- THIS moment WAS romantic. It was romantic as hell and yet somehow...it felt right. And with that, she nudged her head forward and pressed her soft lips onto his, giving a beautiful tender kiss.