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Chapter Text

You stretch your legs as you finally step off the plane, your knees stiff from nine hours of flying and your mind hazy with a cocktail of nerves and jet lag. Heathrow Airport is a blur of movement and accents, people weaving through customs and baggage claim with practiced ease. But for you, every moment feels surreal.
Your eyes land on a man in a black suit holding a pristine white sign with your name printed in neat serif letters. Below it, in playful script: "Welcome to London."
You smile, rolling your suitcase toward him. He nods respectfully.
"Ms. [Your Last Name]? I'm Tom. I've been assigned to be your driver during filming. Welcome."
"Thanks," you say, your voice cracking from sleep deprivation. As you slide into the backseat of the sleek black car, your phone buzzes.
looking at your phone seeing a new message from Your manager Kami in the form of a voice memo as in true Kami fashion she very rarely sends texts. 
NEW MESSAGE - Manager Kami
"Don't forget, the cast party tonight at 7. It'll be a fun way to meet everyone before we start rehearsing tomorrow! OHH! and I had your outfit for tonight delivered to your flat already because I knew you would over think it, ok got to run bye!"
You exhale sharply leaning your head back on the seat, suddenly aware of how fast all of this is happening. Just a month ago, you were auditioning via Zoom from your tiny LA apartment, and now you're in London, cast as one half of Bridgerton's new queer couple who they will be developing in the background this season.  opposite Erin Kellyman, of all people. Your heart thuds, just thinking about her. You had chemistry reads with her before, but you feel like your heart might stop seeing her in person. The car ride was long and primarily you calming your emotions before a night of socializing. 
Stopping at your new flat to drop your luggage off and change before going to the cast party. You get out of the car and bring in your suite cases to what will be your new home during the filming of the season. Overwhelmed at the thought of living in a new country, as well as the process of sorting out your living arrangement back in L.A before coming here. So now you're a London girl. Now living in a foreign country with little ties to where you were before. overwhelmed to say the least and growingly home sick. you take a breath and change into the outfit Kami had sent to the flat for the party feeling like a doll being dressed up. Even though Kami was right about how you would over think it and she did pick out a fit that made you look hot. Taking one last look in the mirror before heading out to the car Tom was taking you to the party in. 
The cast party is held at a stunning townhouse in Notting Hill. Fairy lights drape across the courtyard, and the air is filled with laughter, posh accents, and the clink of wine glasses. You spot her almost immediately.
Erin is standing by the bar, wearing black trousers and a cream silk shirt unbuttoned just enough to make you lose your train of thought. Her red curls are pinned loosely, and when she turns and catches your gaze, her expression shifts into a crooked grin that's impossible to read.
She makes her way over to you, casual, confident.
"You made it," she says as she leans to give you a friendly side hug.
"I did! Jet-lagged and slightly overwhelmed, but I'm here." you say returning her hug hoping she couldn't hear your heart beat out your chest.
"Welcome to the madness," she chuckles, then tips her drink toward you. "I'm Erin, but you already know that." she giggles. Seeing her eyes light up and smelling her Crisp and fresh perfume brings out a feeling you are in over your head. "And you're stuck pretending to be in love with me for the next few months." you joke with her. Erin’s eyebrow arches "Pretending?" You laugh, not sure whether to take it as flirting or just her British sense of humor.
Erin takes you around the party introducing you to the cast members she has been able to meet in the weeks after being casted. She feels like a safety net for the cast party you didn't know you needed. Throughout the night you got lost in the party, feeling the close proximity to the cast and Erin not as scary as you first thought when you landed hours prior. “Falling in love already?” A voice from behind you pulls your attention away from Erin and your conversation to a tall brunette man holding a flute of champagne. “Sorry……what?” you respond as you're not quite sure you heard him right over the sounds of the party. “Falling in love already?” he repeats as you avert your attention around the room “With the cast I mean.” he clarifies. “Ohh! Yes definitely, just a bit dumbfounded by it all.” you say motioning to the commotion around you “Im Y/N L/N by the way” you stuttered and extended your hand to shake.  “Johnathan Bailey” he shakes your hand. “Don’t worry you’ll fit in nicely, we party hard but we are good company” Jonathan says trying to be comforting. “Oh I bet y’all are!” you tell him “Y’all? Oh you're so American, this is going to be fun.” he jokes, raising his glass to you to which you raise yours in return. 
Feeling a little buzzed off the Champagne and the smoke that lingered outside the party when Erin walked you to your car. Holding your door open for you Erin recognizes your driver “Hey Tom! How have you been?” Erin converses with Tom as you get in and get buckled. “Get her home safe for me all right.” Erin asked “I’ll see you at rehearsals tomorrow, yeh” she remarks “yup! See you tomorrow.” you grin as she closes your door. That night you go home feeling the afterglow of the party. Feeling giddy as you close your flat door playing back the moments the lights caught Erin just right and when she told Tom to get her home safe. 

Chapter Text

The morning light filtered softly through the high windows of the rehearsal space. It was a grand ballroom, used for rehearsals, but today it felt more intimate. A far cry from the elegant, candle-lit soirees that would soon be depicted on screen. A few scattered props, some velvet chairs, and a piano on the side gave the room an almost cozy vibe. As you quietly entered the room Erin was pacing in front of one of the mirrored walls. "What are you doing?" you say pulling her attention to where you had entered unnoticed till now "I'm supposed to be the nervous one here." you say cracking a sly smile lighting the mood between the two of you.

The previous night still lingering between you. Laughter had spilled into the streets, wine glasses clinked, and stories from the cast were swapped under the soft glow of twinkling lights. A little hungover, but more than that, a little nervous. Today was the first in-person chemistry read and rehearsal for Bridgerton and the first time the two of you would act out the intimate scenes, something that, up until now, had only been read through in script form. Erin had been her usual self, warm, approachable, and slightly sarcastic, but there had been a moment, just a single moment, when the two of you had locked eyes, and everything felt... different. There was an undeniable energy between you, something that wasn't there before. There's an ease between you the kind of connection directors dream about. During the chemistry read, one of the producers actually teared up. You were that convincing.

The sunlight was gone by the time rehearsals were coming to an end yet the converted ballroom still felt the warmth from the sun warmed windows. Rehearsals went well, scenes were blocked, rewritten, and tweaked. Making your way to collect your bag and water bottle to go home for the day, your muscles weak from the repetitive blocking of scenes. "Hey, good work today." Erin spoke softly over your shoulder as she passed by you heading to the door. "Thank you, I have a good scene partner." you respond. "See you tomorrow partner......... oh and if you want to seem more like a local ditch the big ass water bottle." she says with a wink and a cheeky smile before leaving you there questioning the entire interaction.

The next morning you had been the first to arrive at rehearsals. Taking the time to take in the ballroom by yourself before the long day ahead of you. The piano and chairs had been moved to make room to practice dancing. The sound of the door opening bounced off the tall walls drawing your eyes to the entrance, in walks Erin, her usual smile lighting up the room, contrasting the moody blue that the early morning rehearsal had imposed upon the room. Looking at her you wouldn't have known the sun hadn't come up yet. There wasn't a soft murmur of a greeting, a handshake, a brief exchange of pleasantries. There was something different in the air between you, like there was more weight to the unspoken words.

She'd been the one to break the silence. "You, okay?" she asked, her voice teasing but with a hint of concern. "I'm fine," you said, a little too quickly. Your heart was beating faster than normal, and you couldn't decide if it was because of the scenes, you were about to dive into, or because of the sleep still in her voice. Trying to rationalize your sudden feelings telling yourself, this is nothing. That this is your co-worker and you weren't going to go there.

She chuckled, the sound warm and familiar "You're nervous, huh?". "Maybe a little." you admitted, the truth slipping out before you could stop it. The director, a sharply dressed woman named Julia, broke you two out of your little bubble as she came into the room with her choreographer Richard. Jonathan and a few other cast members followed her shortly after. Jonathan looked between you and Erin before cocking his head at you when Erin moved to stand beside you, like you were kids being caught doing something bad. There was a soft shuffle of papers, the rustle of scripts, and then.......... silence.

"Alright," Julia said, clapping her hands together, "Let's run the scene where your characters Lady Celine and Miss Lacey have their first true moment of connection. This is where their relationship begins to shift from just attraction to something much deeper."

You and Erin exchanged a brief glance. There was a charged moment between you, something unspoken, a recognition that this was it. The moment where everything would change. Where the work would truly begin. "Ready?" Erin whispered, just loud enough for you to hear. "Ready," you answered, though your voice had a slight tremor to it. Julia had you run lines for the scene while the other cast worked on blocking.

The scene began.

Dancing in the grand ballroom, learning a simple waltz at first. But as the music swirled, your bodies drifted closer, learning to effortlessly change dance partners till you danced together, the space between you shrinking. The tension was palpable. The words in the script were beautiful, delicate, but when you spoke them aloud, they carried more weight. You could feel Erin beside you, in front of you, surrounding you, her presence pulling you in. She truly is one of the best actors you've worked with.

The moment you were supposed to lean in, you could hear her breath, soft and steady. She made it feel real, more than just a line in a script. "You're not like the others," her voice low, almost a whisper. Your eyes flicker to hers, something unreadable in them. "Neither are you," you reply, your voice soft, but there's something beneath it, something hungry,

And that was it.

At that moment, there was no longer a script. There was no longer acting. It was just you and Erin, two women standing on the edge of something that could shift the course of their entire lives. The chemistry was undeniable, unspoken, yet it hung in the air similar to the sweet scent of blooming flowers in spring. You could feel the intensity of the scene, but you could also feel something else, a flutter of butterflies, an excitement deep in your chest that wasn't just the performance. It was Erin.

When the scene ended, the room seemed to hold its breath for a moment before Julia called out, "Perfect, you two. Just perfect. The way you looked at each other... Wow.". The applause from the crew was soft but genuine. You and Erin stood frozen for a second, still in character, still caught in the afterglow of the scene. Then, the moment shattered with Erin's laughter.

"Well, I think that went well," she said, her tone light. "Yeah," you agreed, but your voice was a little more breathless than you'd intended. "Good," she said with a playful grin, nudging you lightly with her shoulder. "Now let's make sure the rest of the scenes are just as fiery as that one." You both laughed, the tension from earlier easing into something more comfortable. But as the rehearsal continued, there was an unspoken agreement between the two of you: the connection from the scene wasn't just acting. There was a spark there, and it was only just beginning to grow.

Later, when the rehearsal wrapped up and everyone started to trickle out of the ballroom, Erin caught up with you near the door. "Same time tomorrow?" she asked, her voice casual, but there was an undertone of something else. Maybe it was the shared experience, the laughter, or the way your fingers had brushed more times than you'd intended during the rehearsal. Either way, the air between you was thick with something new. "Definitely," you said, offering her a small smile. Your eyes lingered on the door after she left

"You weren't acting, were you?" Jonathan hummed behind you effectively jump scaring you as you had thought you were the last one in the room. "OH god you scared me! Don't do that" you say, turning to him while gripping your chest. "You fancy her, don't you?" he quips at your reaction. The silence between you is thick as you search for the right thing to say. Your head drops to look at your feet as you confide in him "no.... Well, I don't think so.". Jonathan joins you by the door "Right sweetie we all just look at our costars like that.". "I think my judgments are clouded. I'm in a foreign country and I don't know many people, but we have to act like we are star-crossed lovers.... I'm caught up in the moment, that's all." you rant trying to defend yourself as you finish putting your things in your bag. Jonathan can tell you have a lot of conflicting feelings. "Hey, hey it's okay to feel your feelings, just saying I can tell when there are gay people being gay." he says leaving you to your thoughts.

And as you left the rehearsal room, the city streets outside suddenly felt brighter, the day warmer. The world felt full of possibility. The whole car ride home, your brain and heart fight between what you think you feel, what you want to feel, and what you think is right. The line between script and reality blurs in the quiet moments, when her laugh echoes in your ears long after she's left, or when you find yourself watching her when you're not supposed to. You sat in your bed late that night hoping this wasn't some fucked up mind game this lonely city was playing on you. 

Chapter Text

Two weeks of rehearsals have come to an end with the last costume fittings making you look and feel like a true regency era woman. You take the weekend to recharge and make calls you've been putting off, one to a few friends in LA, a couple to your sister, and a few to your manager. Calling your sister Cindy has always comforted you, she's only about a year and a half older than you so you grew up practically as twins. The first of those calls to her was about the first few weeks in London and how her and her husband were. After a while, that call had to be cut short due to the time difference. The next morning the call resumed, and she told you how your mom, dad, and brother were since you don’t really talk to them much. The call slowly turned from home to Erin and the other cast you were spending time with. Cindy has always supported you and was the first to know you were a lesbian, so she was fully equipped to help you through the emotional roller coaster that had been this rehearsed courting of you and Erin. The last calls to your sister were made after the calls to your manager Kami as she had already set up new auditions for you, which were mostly her telling you to be happy for more work after the filming for this season ends.
The next week the Bridgerton set was buzzing with its usual energy but today was different. Today, you were in a full Regency dress, your corset cinched tight and the layers of fabric sweeping the floor with every step. The set had come alive with its signature elegance, grand chandeliers hung overhead, casting soft light on the ornate furniture, and the sound of delicate piano music floated through the air. A big difference from the ballroom you spent hours practicing in. But it wasn't just the set that made your heart race. It was Erin Kellyman. The set was immaculate though Erin stole the spotlight. You were both in your finished costumes, a blend of opulence and restraint. Erin wore a soft, blue dress that hugged her frame in all the right ways, the fabric flowing gracefully as she moved. Her hair was styled in tight ringlets, and her skin tone was complemented beautifully with the intricate lace around her collar. Even in a world of historical fashion, she had an effortless beauty that made it hard to look away. “She lives! I didn't hear from you all weekend. I thought you died.” Erin beamed as she turned to see you. “Yes, I am, I mostly slept” you sputtered as she once again pulled you into a friendly side hug. “Oh, you look stunning” Erin complement as she looks you head to toe in your rosy gown and affluent hair style. “I feel like a doll.” you giggle looking down at yourself. “Yeah, a cute one! Come on let's get to our marks” Erin says throwing an arm over your shoulders and walking you to where you are starting the scene.
This was your first scene together, and not just any scene, this was the moment where your characters would meet, two women from different worlds whose attraction would grow, slowly but undeniably, throughout the season. But this was the first moment, the first look, the first touch, the first spark. The director called for everyone to take their places, and your stomach fluttered as you glanced over at Erin. She was adjusting the delicate lace on her sleeve, looking so very... poised, in a way that only she could pull off.
"Ready for this?" her voice broke through the silence, and when you turned to meet her eyes, you noticed a slight unease in her expression. Beneath that poised exterior, she was just as nervous as you. You smiled, trying to calm the nervous energy you both felt. "I think so... just... it's going to be fine. We've got this.". She let out a soft, breathy laugh, her eyes lighting up with something between relief and excitement. "Yeah, we've got this.". The camera crew finished adjusting the angles, and the soundstage grew quiet, the calm before the storm. "Alright, places, everyone!" the director called, and you felt your heartbeat speed up.
You took your position in the center of the grand parlor room, and Erin walked towards you each step measured, graceful. You could feel the heat radiating off her as she neared, a warmth that felt like a magnet pulling you in. As she stopped in front of you, you exchanged a quiet, nervous glance, a slight scrunch in her lips.
"Action."
The room seemed to vanish, the buzz of the set fading away, leaving only you, Erin, and the scene you were about to play. Erin's character was meant to be reserved and composed, yet beneath it all, there was a deep longing, a yearning for something forbidden. Your character, too, had secrets. Today was the day their paths would cross, both unknowingly about to step into a love neither could have imagined. You glanced down at your hands, nervously smoothing the fabric of your dress as Erin's character—soft, hesitant—stepped forward, her eyes searching yours. The air felt thick between you two, something unspoken, a magnetic pull neither character could resist. You had rehearsed this moment over and over, but now, in the stillness of the set, it felt as though it was happening for the first time.
"Miss... Celine" Erin's voice trembled just slightly, a soft lilt to her tone. Her character, in this first scene was reaching out, trying, with everything in her, to hold back the emotions swirling inside her. She was supposed to be distant, cold even, but there was no mistaking the flicker of vulnerability in her eyes. "I didn't expect you to arrive so soon."
You took a breath, the tension in your chest palpable, before looking up at her. Your character, who had always been more confident in public than she was in private, forced a smile, but it was one that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Neither did I," you replied, your voice a little breathier than you intended. For a moment, neither of you moved. You were both supposed to be playing a game of social propriety, but there was something in the way Erin held herself that made it impossible to ignore the way you felt. There was no mistaking the pull between your characters, a charge in the air that was undeniable. You could feel your breath quickening, just like hers. You both knew where the scene was heading, a casual conversation that would slowly shift to contain a quiet yearning. But it was that moment before, where everything hung in the balance, that left you both suspended in time. Your characters were inches apart. In that space, between them, a thousand unsaid things passed between you two. The air between you was electric, a silent tension that neither of you could quite place but both felt to your core.
"Miss Lacey," you repeated softly, your voice low and teasing, as if this moment were something more than just scripted lines. Your eyes flickered to her lips, then back to her eyes. And in that instant, something in both of you shifted. Her breath caught, and you saw it, the flash of recognition. This wasn't just acting anymore. At least not for you and you think you both felt it. The tension between your characters was real. The attraction was real. Erin swallowed, her lips parting ever so slightly, and for a second, you forgot you were acting. You forgot you were on a set. All you could hear was the sound of your own heartbeat and the soft rustle of your dress as you stepped closer to her. Before either of you could say anything else, the director called, "Cut!" And with that, the magic of the moment broke.
You both took a collective breath, but you didn't pull away. Instead, you stood there, facing each other, still wrapped in that quiet tension, the weight of it both thrilling and terrifying. "That was... intense," Erin said, her voice barely above a whisper, as if she, too, couldn't quite process what had just happened. You nodded, unable to find words. It wasn't just the scene, or the script. It was the feeling that something far more important had started. Something that couldn't be ignored. "Yeah," you finally said, your voice soft. "It was."
And though the director was already moving on to the next shot, you both lingered in that space, unspoken words hanging in the air between you. Thinking to yourself there was no way these feelings were one sided. You’ve never been the best at reading between the lines socially or understanding body language, yet there's a strong urge to follow your heart in a way you've never felt in other relationships.
You pull away and move back to your mark ready for the next scene. Taking your place once again to see Erin still lingering where you were, In the corner of your eye you see Jonathan giving you a look that said I told you so.
Off set, things grow blurrier. You're hanging out between takes, sharing playlists, exploring cafes on your days off. At first, it felt like bonding, normal and necessary. But frequently her hand lingers too long when she brushes past you. You know each other's coffee order to a T. Her jean jacket makes its way into your custody more than once. After the early weeks of filming, you swear you've memorized the color of her eyes in every lighting. Your sister is being debriefed on your interactions with Erin as you search for validation because surely you can't flirt the way you have been unless someone is flirting back……. right?

Chapter Text

One evening, after an intense day of filming an emotional scene, the crew had packed up, and the two of you found yourselves alone on the grand staircase of the Bridgerton set. The soft glow of the lights cast long shadows on the stone floor, and the only sound was the occasional rustle of fabric as you both lingered on the steps. "I think this is the longest we've spent together without the cameras around," you said, your voice low and thoughtful. Erin smiled, that soft, familiar smile that always made your heart flutter. "I think you're right. Maybe we should do this more often. No script. No lines. Just... us." You couldn't help but laugh. "I like that idea."

It was a Saturday morning on set, and despite the grueling work schedule, there was a break in filming. The weather was perfect—sunshine with a cool breeze—and you found yourself walking toward the small café just off the set with Erin. Her hand grazed yours as you both ducked through a side door, laughing at some inside joke only the two of you understood. You had begun to cherish these small, unscripted moments. They were more real than the scripted emotions you poured out on screen.

The two of you settled at a table, a gentle hum of activity around you. The conversation drifted from costume fittings to the latest Bridgerton gossip, but there was an undeniable undercurrent between you two, an energy neither of you could deny. "Do you think they'll actually like our characters together?" Erin asked, her voice low as she leaned back in her chair, her eyes tracing the vibrant flower beds that surrounded the café. It wasn't often that she opened up like this, and you admired how vulnerable she allowed herself to be, even if it was in small moments like these. You paused for a moment, studying her face. There was something so genuine about the way she spoke—almost like she cared as much about the story you were telling as she did about the person sitting across from her. "I think they'll love them," you said softly, placing your hand over hers on the table. Erin's body stills, eyes locked on the daisies in the flower beds, She slowly turns to make eye contact with you. returning her eye contact, Neither of you intend to fill the silence, opting into holding your gazes as if looking long enough will unravel the knots of each other's problems. After a moment you feel compelled to share " I think that......" Right at that moment both of your phones went off showing a message saying you needed to come back to set, ending your cafe adventure abruptly. "Duty calls... what were you saying?" Erin reads the message that broke the moment. "Ohh umm, doesn't matter, let's get back to set." you say getting up from your seat and gathering your things. Erin's eyes not moving from you as you dismiss your thought, knowing there was something to what you were telling her that you now felt you should no longer share. So, this began an off set hangout. It was Erin's mission to make the city feel like a home.

It started at one of Erin's favorite spots. you found yourself sitting in a cozy café tucked away in a quiet corner of London. The set was only a few miles away, but for today, it felt like a world apart. You and Erin were meeting some of her friends, people who had been in her life long before Bridgerton. You were looking forward to seeing her in a different light, away from the artificial glamour of the set. Erin's friends were welcoming, warm, and instantly made you feel like part of the group. There was laughter, endless cups of tea, and a sense of ease that had always been a little absent on the chaotic, fast-paced Bridgerton set. "So, how are you two managing all the Bridgerton chaos?" one of Erin's friends, Kate, asked, her tone teasing. "You've been working long hours, huh?" You smiled, glancing at Erin, who was already laughing, her eyes sparkling with something a little mischievous. "We're surviving," she said. "Barely." you add to her sentence. "Oh, I can tell!" Kate grinned, leaning in. "From what I've seen the tension is practically palpable. It's kind of... electric." Erin's face flushed a little, and she shot you a quick glance, as if unsure whether to confirm or deny the unspoken chemistry that everyone in the room had noticed. But before she could say anything, another friend piped up. "It's not just on-screen, you know," the friend said with a wink. "The way you two look at each other off screen, It's way more obvious than you think." You felt a knot in your stomach at the teasing remark, but Erin didn't look uncomfortable. In fact, her smile softened, and she turned toward you. "I think we're just really good at working together," she said, her voice carrying an edge of truth that didn't quite mask the layers of meaning. She had a way of being honest without compromising your privacy and you couldn't pull your focus from it. "Sure," Kate replied, not missing the subtle undertones between the lines. "But there's something magnetic about it, right?" Erin didn't answer right away. She just smiled that secretive smile of hers, the one that made your heart beat a little faster. It was like she was letting the moment linger, letting the weight of it settle between you two before letting anyone else in on it. " I guess, that's what the directors have been saying anyway." Erin says, sipping her drink. Watching her with her friends was refreshing. A new life compared to the one you moved to London months ago. Learning to like tea in British cafes with the friends of people you were given by a casting agent. Change was never your strong suit as for a long time you would rather play into how people saw you rather than follow your vision of yourself. Making a promise to yourself when you stepped off that plane to understand yourself without the influence of others was the best thing you've done.

The next weekend, Erin offered to show you around London. The thought of having her as a guide, someone who knew the city like the back of her hand was something you didn't hesitate to accept. It was a cool, crisp morning, and Erin was waiting for you at the door of your flat, her hair pulled back into a messy ponytail, wearing a jean jacket and bottoms that fit her effortlessly. She smiled when she saw you and held up a pair of tickets. "Ready for the best day in London history?" she asked, her eyes gleaming with excitement. You laughed, adjusting your coat. "I'm ready. Lead the way." The first stop was a quaint little bookshop tucked away down a cobbled alley, the kind of place you would've missed if you weren't paying attention. It was one of Erin's favorite spots, and she seemed to light up as she led you inside, her fingers brushing against the spines of the books as if she were greeting old friends. "This place smells like stories," she said with a dreamy look. "There's something magical about a bookstore, don't you think?" she smiled, breathing in the old paper scent. "Definitely. It's like you can almost hear the voices of the characters." you say, Erin gave you a playful look, her eyes narrowing in that way that made your stomach do flips. "Maybe you're right... Maybe our characters have been reading this book too." Erin says, "Do you think so?" you asked, intrigued. "Oh, definitely. A forbidden romance, full of longing... there's no way they wouldn't have read something like this." Erin grinned, her voice almost like a whisper as if she were sharing a secret just between the two of you.

The rest of the day was filled with easy, effortless moments wandering through Camden Market, sampling street food, and catching glimpses of hidden gardens in the city. It felt like a first date, but with no pressure, no expectations, just the two of you, enjoying each other's company in a way that seemed natural, like it was always meant to be this way. You were walking in the park when you asked "so, you've mentioned you're not from London....... How do you know the city like you're a local?" skipping ahead and turning to walk backwards so you can look at her when she speaks. She smirks at your antics but continues " Yeah no, I'm actually from Birmingham, it's just a bit north of here." smiling threw her words like she's telling a fairy tale "I've just spent a lot of time in London for work and friends." finishing your question. "Do you miss your hometown? You seem to fit perfectly here." asking her partially due to your growing homesickness. "Oh definitely, I miss my parents and sisters all the time. I do go back often and live there when work isn't pulling me in every direction." Erin replied, her voice carrying a hint of sadness at the end talking about missing her family. "Do you miss your hometown?" Erin responds looking up from the ground. "Occasionally.... I mean I miss my sister; I don't talk to many people from home much" you explain, Erin looks at you with a sad expression "like the city, the people not so much and you know.... The whole being pulled in every direction." you giggle through the end of the sentence trying to lighten your conversation. "What happe..." right as Erin asked you more about home your backward walking skills failed you as a stick tripped you making you fall straight to your butt. Erin stops dead in her tracks as you land on the ground. "No way! This is what I get for trying to be cool." you giggle off your embarrassment. "You're so graceful" Erin pokes fun at you as she holds your hands helping you off the ground. "Arnt I? Like Bambi on ice." sarcasm dripping from your voice. Twisting to see your shirt and pants dirty from the park path. Erin notices and brushes off your back side although awkward for a second she effectively removes the debris. "Thank you" you say with a case of the giggles.

As the sun began to set, Erin took you to a rooftop bar In Soho with a stunning view of the city. The skyline stretched out before you, the buildings lit up against the soft orange and pink hues of the evening sky. You both leaned against the railing, a comfortable silence enveloping you. "Thank you for today," you said, your voice sincere "I really needed this.". Erin turned toward you, her gaze softening, and for a moment, the world around you seemed to blur. She didn't speak at first, just looked at you with those eyes that seemed to see right through you but the silence spoke volumes.

"I'm glad you came. It's easy to get lost in the noise of everything," she said quietly, her voice almost a whisper against the evening wind. "But with you... I don't know. It feels real." There it was. The words that had been unspoken, hovering between you both for weeks now, like a delicate thread, waiting to be pulled. The vulnerability in her eyes made your heart race, but you didn't pull away. You didn't need to. "I don't think I've felt real a day in my life......But I know exactly what you mean" you breathed out captivated by her eyes. The moment was broken by the sound of laughter from the nearby table, but just like a bridge bends before it breaks you don't turn away immediately, you linger something you and Erin have taken the liberty of doing often. You both knew what you were feeling, what had begun in front of the cameras, what was slowly, almost imperceptibly, growing off-screen. But neither of you was ready to say it just yet. Not with the world watching.

the sound of your voice brought her attention back to you. "To be honest it's been...... rough since I got here" you say as you look at the sunset leaning on the railing holding yourself up with your forearms. " I didn't know anyone here and leaving my normal environment was difficult, I felt lonely for a bit." you say looking back at her only to meet her eyes. "I can understand that I never could tell you were lonely though." Erin says still looking at " Next time you are lonely will you tell me?" Erin asks with a newfound sincerity you weren't expecting. "Yeah..... sure" you say in a quiet tone. "Now come on." Erin says, dragging you down and out of the rooftop bar and through the crowded streets of Soho nightlife, holding your arm as if you would run from her. Passing the glowing neon lights of Soho's many gay, lesbian, and straight bars. Feeling drunk off the freedom you felt in a foreign city. 

Chapter Text

Weeks have passed since the start of your off-set escapades. There have been many more as long days on set have taken it out on all of the cast. Being off set wasn't just you and Erin anymore, bar outings became a cast family outing. Jonathan's teasing turned into friendly banter over pints of Guinness and fruity drinks when the cast went out, never being much of a drinker yourself it ended up being more talking than drinking. Although Erin has a pension for a good club and a colorful dance floor. Watching her with the rest of the cast became the night out. The majority of the cast has noticed you and Erin's connection as well as how close you've grown recently. Unlike Jonathan their support is shown silently letting whatever there is grow on its own and grow it has. Walks to bookstores hand in hand, laughing while sharing drinks in little cafes, and quiet nights on your couches watching tv, sharing blankets.

The final weeks of filming for Bridgerton's latest season had arrived, and with it, a bittersweet energy hung in the air. The set, usually bustling with the frenetic pace of a production in its final stretch, now felt quieter, more reflective. The intricate sets, those grand parlors, those lush gardens felt like a dream about to fade, and for you and Erin, who had spent months bringing a forbidden love story to life, the end of filming was more than just wrapping up a job. It felt like the closing of a chapter that was just beginning.

The love story between your characters, a pair of women in Regency era London, whose attraction blossomed in the shadow of societal expectations had become the underlying heart beat of the season. Every glance, every touch, every whispered word had drawn the audience into a world they hadn't anticipated, and, unbeknownst to the public, it had drawn you and Erin into something far more profound than just acting.

Today you were filming what would be the last scene of the season for your characters, and you and Erin stood in the grand ballroom, the cameras rolling, the entire cast and crew watching quietly from the sidelines. The scene was a culmination of everything, repression, hidden desires, and stolen moments all coming to a head. Your characters were about to share a kiss, a declaration of love that had been long overdue. The tension had built throughout the season, and now, as the music swelled, you stood before Erin, the world outside this moment fading away.

The scene at hand was the two of you alone in a secluded ballroom in luxurious gowns and hair even more than before. Your characters had left the grand ball that was taking place in the next room, piano able to be heard through the walls. Sneaking away from your societal duties to embrace each other. The scene felt too real as your character's journey is wrapping where yours had started, in an empty ballroom meeting each other in different points of life.

The director called, "Action."

You and Erin exchanged a look, a wordless communication that spoke volumes. Her character, poised yet vulnerable, stepped closer to you, and the chemistry between you both felt so real, so tangible, that even the seasoned crew couldn't help but watch in awe. "Are you certain?" your character whispered, her voice trembling, just on the edge of a question that had been asked a thousand times in different ways throughout the season. Erin's gaze softened, and you could see in her eyes that she wasn't just playing a role anymore. She felt this, too. She stepped even closer, the heat between your bodies undeniable. She was so close now, you could feel her breath on your skin. "I've never been more certain of anything," Erin's character replied, her voice steady but full of emotion, and as she spoke the words, it felt like she was speaking them to you, not the camera.

For a moment, everything seemed suspended just the two of you in this stolen piece of time, the restraint, the longing, collapsing into this one beautiful, fragile moment. And then, without a word, your lips met. The kiss was slow at first, tentative, like two people just learning to trust the weight of their emotions. But as it deepened, it became a release—a surrender to something far beyond what could ever be contained in a script. The cameras captured every moment, but for you and Erin, it wasn't just for show. It was real. Raw. Alive.

When the director called "Cut," the world around you shifted back into focus, and for a moment, neither of you moved. The crew applauded, but neither of you were aware of it. You just stood there, staring at each other, the air heavy with something unspoken. "That was... perfect," the director said, his voice filled with admiration. But it was Erin's eyes that held you in place soft, vulnerable, and so much more than the characters you had portrayed for the past months. You swallowed, trying to find your voice. "It felt real," you said, your voice barely above a whisper. Erin nodded, her fingers brushing the back of your hand, a subtle but powerful touch. "It was real."

“Okay, you two step out so we can set up the next angle!” the camera man announced more to inform the crew than you. Sitting in your chair sipping on a coffee when a member from the social media team came over to collect behind the scenes videos. Not sure what the videos were being used in yet you did your best to act normal. Having to step back in multiple times to recreate the kiss to get the right shot for each angle. It was quiet between you for the rest of the day on set. Having to mimic the first kiss's emotional impact confusing you more as spending so long in your own private life was now being put out there in front of a camera and crew. What you have been doing while not on set has been upended, being confronted with the gravity of feelings swept aside.

With filming wrapping up, the set began to feel emptier. The grandeur of the ballrooms and lavish gardens were dismantled, the costumes carefully packed away. The crew moved on to other projects, the long hours spent creating this world slowly fading into the past. But you and Erin stayed close, both of you savoring what was left of this surreal experience.

That evening after filming the last of your scenes you were laying on your back on the floor of your trailer still in costume taking in what was the last day of this month's long experience. Laying on the floor was something you always did when you were feeling a lot of emotion whether it was joy, confusion, or sadness. Laying on the floor helped you put the world into better perspective. Hearing a muffled voice and a light tap at your door you called out “yes? Come in.”. In comes Erin still in her costume laughing at you in regency attire while lying on the floor. “Are you in the middle of something or can I join you?” Erin questions. You patted the floor after looking at her “nope, come on in.”. Erin giggles before laying on the floor, putting her head next to yours so you were laying opposite directions. The trailer stayed silent for a few minutes. “So…. you do this often?" Erin breathed out. “Sometimes, helps me think. brings clarity I suppose.” you say softly. “Clarity? Maybe I should do it more” Erin muttered; you are barely able to hear her. “Yeah?” you question. “Yeah. I've wanted to clarify some things” the words falling from Erin's mouth as if she didn't mean for them to be said yet. The air being sucked out of the small room leaving your breaths heavy. Time moves slowly before either of you speak.

with a shake in your voice you mustered to say "I don't think I was acting for months" You and Erin stay still in the silence that follows until she responds, " I feel the same way, but I didn't want to trick myself into believing it was more than my feelings in character...... but I don't think they are." Erin rolls to her side facing you now and you follow suit turning to face her. "I felt if I acted on those feelings, it wouldn't be fair to you, and I couldn't handle it if it was a fluke." she says truthfully with underlying hurt "Thank you, for being honest" you say voice hushed. You once again feel trapped in her eyes being compelled to speak. “I…” you're at a loss for words and seeing the doubt ping her face you turn to look at the ceiling again. “I’m scared.” your hands cover your eyes as your insecurity comes out. Turning back the look at Erin with tears in your eyes “I'm not good at this. I was scared I was method acting or maybe it was the other way around? You've been one of the only people I've felt real around, and this is out of my element and….” Erin cuts off your rambling with an upside-down kiss, your own fucked up version of the classic spiderman kiss. Pulling away making eye contact after the physically awkward but charming kiss “I want to try, figure us out.” you breath out, voice sweet with previous tears. Erin nodded “I want to try too.” answering you bringing the clarity you both wanted when you first laid on the floor. 

Going to the bar with the cast, you and Erin found yourselves walking through the quiet streets of London, the city bathed in the glow of streetlights and the hum of distant traffic. It felt almost like you were in a dream; the air crisp, the world around you still, as if it was holding its breath. "Do you think people will understand what we've done?" Erin asked, her voice contemplative as she glanced over at you. "What we've created, I mean." You smiled softly, your fingers brushing against hers as you both walked side by side. "I think they'll feel it," you said, the certainty in your voice surprising even you. "It's not just the story on screen; it's everything we did behind it. The way we... became these characters." Erin nodded, a faraway look in her eyes. "I know. I've never felt something like this before. It's strange, isn't it? How something that started as just a role can end up meaning so much more." You turned to look at her, the flicker of something unspoken passing between you two. "When we went to the cafe off of set that first time…… I was going to say I think" between sentences you take Erin's hand in yours “That some young queer kid will see what we have made and not feel alone anymore. That they aren't broken.” your voice holding a truth that hits a bit close to home.

There was a pause, and then Erin gave you a small, knowing smile. "You know, you've been there for me through all of this. I never expected it to feel this... personal." "And you've been there for me, too," you replied, your voice soft but steady. "I don't think I could have done this without you." Erin's gaze softened, and for a moment, she stopped walking, turning toward you fully. There was something in her eyes, something more than gratitude. It was the same look she'd given you during that final scene, the one that had held the weight of everything unsaid. "I'm not ready for this to end," she admitted, her voice vulnerable, yet steady. "Not the show. Not... us."

You felt your heart skip a beat, and for a moment, everything around you fell away. There was no set, no cameras, no crew. It was just the two of you, standing in the quiet of the night, facing something that had grown far beyond the confines of a script. "I'm not ready either," you whispered, your fingers gently brushing the side of her face. "But I think we can figure out what comes next. Together.". And in that moment, as the soft sounds of London drifted around you, you realized that even though the season is close to being wrapped, even though the story of your characters had come to a close for the season, the story between you and Erin whatever it was just beginning.

Chapter Text

Weeks passed, and the show's premiere brought with it the usual fanfare, the interviews, the press tours, and the social media buzz. The connection you shared translated to the screen. Viewers now able to see how your love story progressed on Bridgerton, the chemistry between your characters was undeniable. The press quickly took note of the palpable intensity you and Erin brought to each scene. What started as a slow-burn romance blossomed into one of the most talked-about relationships of the season. The world was watching, and they couldn't get enough.

The press goes crazy the moment a picture surfaces of you and Erin spotted holding hands outside a pub in Soho, the headlines write themselves:
"Bridgerton's New Leading Ladies Take Their Romance Off-Screen?"
"On-Screen Chemistry or Real Love? Fans Want to Know!"
You both try to laugh it off at first as it's an old photo from the first bar outing months ago, but the spotlight only intensifies. Publicists start calling. Interviews start shifting tone. You're asked if your "relationship is a marketing ploy." Someone even asks if being queer on screen was part of a "career strategy." Erin looks furious. You feel exposed.

The tabloids went wild with speculation. Headlines ranged from "A Forbidden Love: Bridgerton's Newest Romance Shakes the Ton" to "Is It Real? Bridgerton Co-Stars Erin Kellyman and Y/N Bring Chemistry to Life." But the public wasn't just entranced by the characters you played, they were fascinated by the bond you and Erin shared off-screen as well. There were subtle moments that couldn't be faked, shared glances during interviews, the way Erin would reach for your hand during a press conference, the way you both naturally gravitated toward each other in group photos. At a press event in London, reporters surrounded you both, eagerly waiting for an answer to the inevitable question that everyone seemed to ask: "Are you two a couple in real life?" Erin laughed, leaning in to catch your eye before answering. "I think we're just really close friends. But I mean, our chemistry on screen? That's definitely real."

The reporters were relentless, but there was something in Erin's gaze, something that told you there was more she wanted to say. More she wasn't ready to reveal to the world. The tension between the two of you, though never confirmed, was as clear as day. And the press, eager to keep their fans guessing, ate it up.

The next day, a picture from a wrap party, showing you and Erin wrapped in a quiet embrace. Your heads were close, as if sharing a secret only you two understood. The headline read: "Are They More Than Just Co-Stars? Erin Kellyman and Y/N's 'Bridgerton' Love Affair Heats Up Off-Screen." But the truth was, neither of you were ready to label what was happening. You weren't just playing a love story on set; you were living it. Every glance exchanged between takes, every unspoken word passed between the two of you, built something far more meaningful than any headline could capture. The press hounding you with questions about your relationship was hard on you mentally. Press was now less about the show and more about who you were dating. After speculation, it was clear that the paparazzi had one thing on their minds: Was the intense on-screen chemistry between Erin and you real, or was it all just carefully crafted for the cameras?

The tabloids ran wild with headlines like:

"Bridgerton Co-Stars: More Than Just Chemistry?"
The article claimed that the palpable tension between Erin Kellyman and Y/N wasn't just the product of great acting. "It's not just on-screen that the two seem inseparable," the piece read. "From their 'accidental' hand brushes during interviews to the lingering glances during group photos, fans are convinced that something more than friendship is brewing between the stars."

"Fans Ship Erin Kellyman and Y/N as Bridgerton's New Power Couple"
A headline flooded social media after a particularly candid paparazzi photo of you and Erin from a press tour dinner. The two of you were seated close, heads bent together in what seemed like an intimate conversation. "The chemistry between these two is undeniable, and it's only a matter of time before they confirm what fans already know," the article speculated. Fans responded with a flurry of posts: hashtags like #Kellymanand[YourName] and #BridgertonCoupleGoals spread across Twitter and Instagram, each one fueled by a new round of photos.

"On Set or Off Set? Erin and Y/n Keep Fans Guessing"
The media had caught onto the subtle closeness between you two long before filming wrapped. Paparazzi shots of you and Erin hanging out at cafes, laughing together in the streets, or simply walking side by side in the London air fueled rumors that there was more happening off-screen than what was shown in interviews. One article claimed, "Every moment they spend together off-camera only adds to the mystery. Are they really just friends, or is this the beginning of a love story behind closed doors?"

The pressure mounts. Your once-effortless connection starts to feel... scripted. Arguments start where there weren't any before — about nothing, about everything. You'd spent the entire evening fielding questions about your chemistry, your relationship, and everything in between. It had been exhausting, not just because of the constant flashes of cameras, but because of the mounting pressure to pretend you had it all together. Tonight, though, was different. The smile you had both put on for the world was now slipping, unraveling in the quiet of the dimly lit hallway. "Do you ever get tired of this?" Erin's voice broke through the silence, sharp and edged with frustration.

You glanced at her, her posture rigid as she walked ahead of you making her way to the kitchen island you right after her. The exhaustion was written all over her face, dark circles under her eyes, shoulders slumped with the weight of everything. But beneath it all, there was something else. Something that had been simmering all day. "Tired of what?" you asked, your tone more biting than you meant. "Of being asked the same questions over and over? Of the cameras trying to dissect our every move?" Erin turned toward you, her face flushed, not from anger but from the weight of something deeper. "Tired of pretending like we have it all figured out, when we don't even know what's real anymore." You froze, the sharpness in her words catching you off guard. She was right. You had been pretending for the cameras, pretending for the press, even pretending for yourselves at times. But what had started as a role on-screen, what had started as just two actors doing their jobs, had blurred so much that even you couldn't see where the lines were anymore. Deciding to explore your mutual feelings that night on your trailer floor felt like the best thing yet that feeling seemed to dissipate after the first tabloids decided to dissect your personal life. "We've been doing this for months, Erin. What's your point? You think it's been easier for me? Every time we step out of the car, every time the camera flashes, it's like we're both on display for everyone to dissect. You think I don't feel it too?" you snapped, the frustration from the day bubbling up. "I've never been good at hiding. And I don't know what's real anymore, not with the cameras, not with all this attention. And I'm scared, Y/N. I'm scared that I'm just another storyline for the tabloids to feast on." Her words hit you like a punch. The realization stung, a jagged edge that drew blood. You'd both been caught in this whirlwind, spinning so fast that you hadn't really stopped to think about what was underneath it all.

"I'm scared too," you admitted, the raw honesty in your voice surprising even you. "But... this isn't just some storyline. This... we ... whatever this is, it's more than that." You took a step toward her, your voice faltering. "Isn't it?". The silence between you grew thick. Erin's eyes searched yours, not with affection, but with something that looked almost like desperation, like she was searching for something to hold onto in the chaos. Your chest tightened. It was like she had reached inside and yanked out all the doubts that you'd been too afraid to voice. You'd both gotten so tangled up in the whirlwind of public attention, so consumed by the need to please everyone else, that you hadn't stopped to consider how it was affecting you, how it was affecting her. "I don't know..... God, I don't know. We've barely known each other for a year. How can we be expected to know what's real when everything around us is another person's take on us?" Her voice cracked as she spoke, the exhaustion of it all catching up with you. You sniffle "I don't know what to say, we've been thrown into this environment to pretend that we have it all figured out. But we don't even know each other, not really." You throw up your hands, a mix of anger and hurt. "But what about us? What about me?" The words stung. You could see the pain in her eyes, the vulnerability that she was trying to mask with anger. It was all starting to fall apart, this perfect façade, this chemistry that had been built piece by piece. You swallowed hard, your own voice shaky. "I don't want it to just be a story. I don't. But..." You shook your head, unable to finish the thought. "I can't promise you something I don't even know how to give you yet." you blurt out trying to stay calm as you argue with someone you feel more affection towards then you've ever felt before. "We weren't given the time to learn how to love each other before everyone had a say." you say breathless and sad.

There was a long pause. Erin looked at you, her lips trembling with frustration, her eyes welling with unshed tears. "I know. That's what I'm afraid of." Her voice cracked, and she turned away, her back to you as she leaned against the wall, breathing deeply, like she was trying to steady herself. You could see the tension in her shoulders, the way her body seemed to fold in on itself from the weight of the entire situation. "I just need some space, okay? I need to think," Erin whispered, her words barely audible. You took a step back, heart sinking, the rawness of the moment settling in. "Yeah... okay. I get it." Her gaze now on you. "You're shutting me out, now!" Erin snaps motioning her hand towards your chest, confusing you as she said she needed space. "I'm overwhelmed," you admit not wanting to fight over responses given out of exhaustion. "This isn't just about us....... This fight, the exhausting press we do. It's about everyone watching. Everyone is picking it apart." You add as you know most of your fighting has nothing to do with the two of you but the outside pressure. "You think I'm not overwhelmed? But at least I want this." Erin argues back as she pushes off the kitchen island she had leaned on. "Do you?" you snap. "Or is it just because we're in character half the time?"
The silence afterward is deafening. You had cracked open an old wound from when you first started exploring both your feelings for each other. Both of you had prolonged pursuing a relationship due to your fear your scripted romance had given you false feelings for one another. The room felt colder now, the silence between you stretching wider than it had ever been. Neither of you knew what came next. The cameras, the pressure, the constant expectations from the public, from the fans everything had piled on top of both of you, and now it was threatening to tear the fragile connection you'd built apart.

As Erin moved toward the door, her movements were stiff and controlled. You follow her quietly from the kitchen back to the hallway. You realized that maybe you had both underestimated how much this shared experience would impact you. You'd tried so hard to hold it all together, to make something out of the mess, but the truth was, you were both just two people trying to navigate a world that was never meant for either of you. And for the first time in months, you were left questioning everything you thought you knew about each other and about yourself. The door closed softly behind Erin, leaving you standing alone in the hallway. Shortly after the click of the door you couldn't help the cries that racked your body. The weight of everything between you both still lingering in the air.

That night you couldn't go to sleep so you turned to the one thing that could possibly make you feel better. You called your older sister Cindy, The phone rang a few times before she picked up "hello" her voice echoed off your bedroom walls. Thinking you had cried all the tears you could, another wave hit you as you tried to speak. "I think I messed up and I don't know what I should do" you choke out into the phone confiding in your sister. You spoke for hours and at some point her husband joined in the background, the call might have not made you feel better per say but it did give you an idea of what to do next and that was at least a relief.

You got a message the next morning from Erin asking to meet up to talk.

So here you are in front of a small café tucked away on a quiet street corner. You saw Erin already sitting at a table by the window. She looked... tired. Her eyes were red from lack of sleep, but there was something more there too, something that spoke to the same vulnerability you had felt last night. You walked over slowly, your heart pounding in your chest. She hadn't seen you yet, so you stood for a moment, watching her, knowing she was probably just as unsure about how to begin as you were. Finally, she looked up, her eyes meeting yours. For a brief moment, it felt like the world had stopped spinning. There was no press. No cameras. Just Erin, sitting across from you, and the weight of everything you'd been carrying together.

"Hey," Erin said, her voice soft, almost tentative. "Hey," you responded, the word hanging between you. There was an awkward pause before you both spoke at the same time. "I'm sorry for last night," Erin said quickly "I shouldn't have said what I did. I was just so...." her words came out in a rush. "I should also apologize," you cut in. "I didn't handle it well either. I snapped, and I didn't stop to think about how you were feeling. I was so caught up in my own head. I shouldn't have said what I did, I became defensive because I was only reacting and not listening." you sigh owning up to your actions. Erin smiled weakly, then let out a quiet laugh. "This is... a mess, isn't it?" You laughed too, the sound of it breaking the tension that had been thick between you both. "Yeah, it really is." You both sat there for a moment, taking in each other's presence. It wasn't easy. The air between you still felt fragile, but there was something in the shared silence that was more comforting than it had been the night before.

Finally, Erin spoke again, quieter this time. "I've been thinking a lot. I think... I think we need to stop pretending we have it all together. This isn't just some storyline. This is us. And maybe we don't have all the answers, but I know that I don't want to lose what we have. And I don't want the pressure of everything else to break us." Erin says. You nodded, your heart swelling in your chest. "I don't want to lose it either, Erin. But I need to be real with you. I don't have all the answers. We've barely known each other outside of work and I-I don't know how to give you the love you want yet. But... I'm willing to figure it out with you. If you are." you say letting go of a breath you did know you were holding. Erin's eyes softened, a mixture of relief and something deeper, something that mirrored the emotions swelling inside you. She reached across the table and took your hand, squeezing it gently. "We'll figure it out together," she said, her voice steady now, a sense of resolve in it that made you feel like you were finally, finally on the same page. "We don't need to have all the answers right now. But we just... we need to keep being honest. That's the only way forward." You smiled at her, a real, genuine smile. It felt like a weight had been lifted. The uncertainty that had been gnawing at you, the fear that you weren't enough, wasn't there anymore. Not because everything was magically fixed, but because you knew you didn't have to be perfect. You just had to be real, with each other.