The cast members that had come to the premiere decided on having a long brunch before going their own separate ways. It wasn't until Nikolaj and Gwendoline were seated that they realized that they were among the last to arrive. And it was horrifyingly obvious that all eyes were on them. Though, of course, they weren't being discreet anymore. Hands brushing against one another, walking shoulder to shoulder, he even kissed her cheek after they were seated.
"Well I'll be damned," Isaac breathed, breaking the silence. "Peter said it was true."
Nik shot a glare to Peter. "You didn't."
The shorter man snorted and shook his head. "I had a few drinks, I'll admit. I let it slip that you two were busy at one point."
Gwendoline felt blood rush to her cheeks, but she kept an easy and neutral face.
Natalie leaned forward, her elbows on the table and her chin on her fists. "How long has this been going on?" She smirked.
Even Nik began to turn a little pink. God, her and that little smirk. She could get any little secret out of anyone. Think of something faster. He shot a glance to Gwen, his eyes practically begging for help. She'd always been a better liar than him.
"It must have been for quite a while," Natalie continued. "You two have always been rather... close."
There were a few quiet snickers and huffs of laughter from around the table.
Maisie was quick to pipe up next. "I was under the impression we all knew? We did all share a floor in the hotels." She covered her mouth with her hand to hide a girlish giggle. She nudged Sophie beside her, who was able to contain herself only marginally better.
"Not like those walls were very thick." She muttered into her glass, a grin creeping across her lips.
Gwen shook her head, keeping her calm with a gentle smile. "Okay, okay. It's been... some years since we started." She was quick to continue before anyone could chime in. "It's not my place to say what changed with Nikolaj's relationship or when, but we're here now and, well that's that."
Conleth rested a hand on her shoulder. "We don't need an explanation. These things happen all the time. And while it's," he searched for the right word. "Surprising, but also not at all, we're all just glad that everyone's happy. For now, at least." He shrugged with an easy smile.
Somehow those words had melted a small amount of Gwen's worries. Nik wasn't entirely convinced that everyone felt that way, but they all nodded in agreement and kept their significant others close. A certain weight had been lifted from their shoulders, even if they now knew that they were the worst secret keepers in the universe.
Perhaps this isn't the worst thing in the world , Nik thought. These people are my friends, and I trust them to stay quiet on the matter. It's not like any of them had grown close with Nukaaka - that he knew of.
Conversation had returned to the table, the quiet murmuring moved in a crescendo to the familiar chatter they'd grown to love. The laughter and joy was contagious, most everyone smiling and floating around the group to include each individual.
Kit had migrated over to Nik and Gwen, plopping into a chair beside Nik. "So, how are you two going about this? Keeping it quiet? Posting publicly on social media?"
Gwen's eyes widened at the thought of openly exposing her relationship with Nik on any social media network. "No, god, we're just going to - I don't know - go to an event together. We're not going to address it."
Kit nodded in understanding, clapping Nik gently on the shoulder. "If you do post things about each other, just don't read the comments, trust me." With that, he left and returned to his wife's side.
