feathersandpen

[feathersandpen]

Be kind.

Be happy.

Chose love.

[feathersandpen]

see, at the end of the day — that’s what really matters.

what a great role model for women.

what a beautiful way to empower them.

what a powerful message to send to all the bigots out there.

may you continue, dear nicola, to portray strong, complex, flawed women — and to use your platform to fight injustice wherever it shows up.

we’ll be right beside you.

the rest? Just noise.

congrats on this achievement.

[feathersandpen]

you know what?

i’m tired.

i’m tired of fans acting like they have the right to have these super harsh opinions about the personal lives of the actors from their favorite shows.

i’m tired for the actors too, having to read horrible stuff about themselves online, written by people who don’t even stop to think for a second about what they’re saying. or who they’re saying it about.

i get the disappointment.

really, i do.

we all witnessed a beautiful story last year.

and yeah, it’s kind of a bummer how things turned out.

but at the end of the day? we’re still talking about real people here. no matter how famous they are.

i’m not gonna lie, after the SAGs, i struggled too.

i stayed stuck in that little shipper bubble for a while.

but honestly?

i think we need to accept that we don’t understand everything about this story.

there are things we’ll just never know.

what we saw, what we still see when Luke and Nic are together…

maybe it’s just too complicated to be fully understood by eyes that are way too far outside of it.

i’ve decided to be happy for nicola.

because that’s what she deserves.

i’ve decided not to judge the way she lives her life, because honestly? i have zero right to do that.

and honestly?

i kinda like jake.

he seems to share a lot of the same values that made me admire nicola so much — especially when it comes to her social and political activism.

and yeah, like i’ve said before…

i still think there was a timing issue.

like the greatest poet of our time says : the Goddess of timing once found us beguiling

and if that’s true, if there really was something there but the timing was just off —

then having a bunch of fans constantly dragging them back to a story that maybe never even had a real chance…

that’s gotta be rough.

so yeah.

i’m choosing to be happy for her.

because if that famous Goddess failed them in this story, i’m just happy that nicola is finally able to take back control of her own journey.

i’ll always have that little “what could’ve been” thought tucked away somewhere.

but honestly?

let’s just collectively be happy for people who are happy.

[feathersandpen]

Okay, here we go again. What did we see? Was it a fever dream? Everyone who was there for the world tour is not surprised at all by this. Even though I didn't think we'll have another occasion to witness that.

I watched the red carpet live, and let me tell you—I was so giddy when Luke and Nic arrived a few minutes apart. I was absolutely down bad for Luke’s look and completely mesmerized by Nic’s. They were the stars of this red carpet; everyone wanted a piece of them. Even the interviewers were gagged by their unhinged behavior.

To be honest, I didn’t expect a red carpet reunion; I wasn’t expecting joint interviews either. If they wanted to untangle everything around them, they could have just taken a few pictures together, a few with the whole cast. Done, easy, nothing to talk about. To be totally fair, I was expecting Antonia on the red carpet with Luke. It made the most sense after the Boss event and the BAFTA after-party. Again, I’m a low-key, not very vocal Lukola shipper, but I really think Luke is with Antonia, and I truly believe she was in LA with him. Why she wasn’t shown at the SAG Awards remains a mystery to me. I can understand why Luke wants to keep this relationship under the radar after what went down last year. But keeping her locked in a hotel room when he could have at least brought her to the after-party makes it seem like he’s trying to hide her. Sweet Luke, this is a messy thing you’re trying to do.

I know what you’re thinking: Why is she talking about this under this tag? What the hell is she trying to prove? Sorry, I needed a little introduction to my long demonstration.

So here’s what I think about this. I think that when they say they’re friends, they genuinely believe it’s true. Friendship can be the strongest bond two people can have when it’s full of respect and trust. And I think they have that. But for me, it doesn’t fully define their relationship—or at least, not the entire spectrum of it. And that’s the tricky part.

They’re friends, they’re colleagues, they see each other every day, and they’ve spent two years of their lives attached at the hip for filming and the press tour. So why do we witness such unhinged behavior from them again and again? Because underneath their not-so-straightforward statements, there’s something lingering. Something you cannot say, something that cannot be addressed, but also something that cannot be ignored.

I’m not going to dwell on the why—I have no idea. It could be a multitude of reasons. But the way they act around each other is so telling. They’re so happy to be together. They said they were filming, but they act like it’s been a zillion years since they last saw each other. It’s like every moment they spend together has to be memorable. Like they’ve lost control over how they behave, and they just want to make the most of it. The more I try to make sense of this, the more I realize this is the only way to understand those moments. When you have lingering feelings for someone, when you can’t be with that person, every time you see them has to be the best. That’s why Luke is yapping about her (favorite moment: him calling her “our fearless leader.” This was supposed to be his season—he’s the Bridgerton one—but he lets her shine. Because, as Nic has already said a few times now, “He has no ego.” I think that’s when I started giggling in my bed uncontrollably). That’s why her eyes lit up when she saw him on the red carpet. That’s why he had to interrupt her interview. That's why they have no sense of personal space , just being so close to each oher all the damn time, not wasting a moment together. This can’t be stopped—it’s like a mystical force pulling them toward each other.

I really and dearly hope they can sort this out—for themselves and for the people around them. A situation like this can be tricky to navigate. I don’t have any right to tell them what they should do or who they should be with, but something like this—a bond like this—could be a beautiful thing to explore. The only thing I know is that, whether it's friendship, something more, or something else altogether, they love each other so much. I'm grateful they're willing to share that with us and allow us to witness just a little piece of that love.

[feathersandpen]

It’s been a year now that I’ve been reading countless opinions, theories, and speculations about Nic and Luke’s relationship. After so much time watching the conversations unfold, I feel the need to finally share my perspective on all of this.

What We Know, What We Speculate, and What Belongs to Them

Some stories seem to slip through our fingers, leaving us with unanswered questions and unresolved mysteries. That’s how I feel about everything surrounding Nic and Luke during the world tour and their relationship. The truth is, no one—not us, not the media—knows what really happened and what is really happening atm, except for them and the people close to them. Maybe one day they’ll choose to tell their story. Maybe they won’t.

It’s been a year now that we’ve been following their relationship—its highs and lows, the hints and the silences. What we saw is two people, colleagues and dear friends caught in a whirlwind, thrust into the spotlight with immense pressure on their shoulder who decided to be a team in a moment where support was crucial. It’s natural, deeply human even: in intense moments, the person sharing that experience with you often becomes the most important person in your life.

Connection and Doubt

Watching their interviews and the moments captured by cameras, what strikes me most is their connection. The way they always stayed close, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. The glances they exchanged, the gestures that seemed sometimes deliberate, often instinctive. There was something there—something that went beyond professionalism.

Were they together? Did they consider it? Honestly, I don’t know, but it’s hard to imagine the thought never crossed their minds. Maybe the question lingered, even if it was never spoken aloud. What’s clear is that those moments of closeness, doubt, and vulnerability tell a story, even if it’s one we’ll never fully know.

The Reality of Timing

What we do know is simple: Nic and Luke shared six intense months together, balancing work and what seemed like a growing bond. But by June, it was clear that something had shifted. Antonia's presence at the London premiere speaks volumes, even though this whole paparazzi photo situation still feels strange. And then, the chaos of summer followed.

Here’s my take: at some point, one or both of them likely grew tired of it all. Defining a relationship is hard enough, let alone doing it under the watchful eyes of the entire world. The whirlwind of the media tour probably brought too many questions, too many doubts. Sometimes, things get too complicated. And when things get that complicated, stepping back can feel like the only viable choice—even if it’s just to protect their own feelings.

I think Luke was thinking about that when he made that move. Maybe he needed space to breathe, to regain some balance. Taking a step back doesn’t mean forgetting; it’s an acknowledgment that even the strongest connections can falter when the timing isn’t right. It doesn’t mean the connection is lost—it means recognizing that, sometimes, it simply isn’t enough.

Taking a step back isn’t easy. It doesn’t solve everything (or anything), and it doesn’t erase the emotions involved. But sometimes, it’s the only way to gain perspective and figure out what comes next. Think about it: they’re on the red carpet, clinging to each other like their lives depend on it, and the next thing we know, he left the premiere with Antonia. For me, it falls under this particular pattern: the impossibility of denying this connection, the acknowledgment of the complications, and the understanding that taking a step back was necessary.

Let’s talk about Antonia, because her role in all this has been widely discussed—and, unfortunately, often criticized. I have to admit, the narrative surrounding her has made me uncomfortable. Much of what I’ve read about her—the accusations, the assumptions—feels like a reflection of internalized misogyny that pits women against each other.

Does that mean some of her actions—like her cryptic Instagram posts—weren’t puzzling? No, they were, and for that matter, still are. But she was there at the premiere, and she was with Luke in Italy. Maybe they weren’t alone, but the fact remains: she was part of his life at that time.

Looking back, I can’t help but feel for her. Imagine thinking you’d found the next best thing on New Year’s Eve, only to watch them travel the world with another woman, openly flirting under the gaze of cameras. How could that not be painful?

I’m not saying she handled everything perfectly, but it’s important to remember she’s human, Adn she is also young, and maybe wanted to reach the stars a little too soon too fast. Nobody can’t say thay haven’t done some stupid shit for love (or whatever that was) and yes she clearly embarassed herself along the way, but we should be able to understand that. She had to endure harsh criticism and endless speculation from fans, all while navigating a situationship that may never have been clearly defined. And honestly? I don’t know if I wouldn’t have trolled the entire internet if I were in her shoes. It doesn’t mean it was the healthiest way to approach the situation, but it was certainly a human reaction.

As for Nic and Jake, here’s what I want to say: the speculation about his sexuality is even more disturbing than the whole Antonia situation. If he’s not with Nic, he still means a great deal to her, considering she has spent the majority of her time with him the last few months. He seems like a nice guy who shares a lot with her. Don’t be offensive just to prove a point. If they’re just friends, great. And if they’re more than that, great too. Nic has every right to find happiness with someone who seems to share her values and her vision for the world.

And can we stop making their age difference a talking point? Since when has it been a problem for a woman to be with someone younger? Once again, internalized misogyny rears its ugly head.

If Nic and Luke found themselves in a situation that was too complicated to handle, then I fully understand her seeking distractions. And I don’t mean that in a negative way. Beyond her relationship with Luke, the first six months of the year must have been exhausting for her. I think it was healthy for her to reconnect with some semblance of normal life alongside people she values—people who keep her grounded.

What We’re Left With

Months later, we’re still here, wondering what’s happening behind the scenes. But maybe it’s time to accept that we’ll never know wht really happened. All that remains are our speculations, most of which are baseless.

All I truly wish for them is happiness. I hope it becomes easier for Luke; living a life constantly under the shadow of Instagram clues must be exhausting. It will pass I’m sure of it, and I hope to be able to fly to London to see a play or a musical or something he’ll love that will showcase his talents. And I hope Nic can enjoy the recognition she so thoroughly deserves—being able to do what she loves, acting in films because she’s an extraordinary actress. Most of all, I hope she can live her life on her own terms, surrounded by the friends she holds dear. It seems very important for her and it proves of much of a great woman she is .

Would I love to see them together? Yes, of course. Everything we saw during the world tour points to a connection that goes beyond their professional environment. It would feel like such a waste otherwise. But as I said, timing is everything. Maybe the timing just wasn’t on their side. It’s sad, but it can be the harsh truth sometimes.