SUNBLEACHED

Now I think I come across cooler than I already, but I promise behind the facade is the most painfully awkward person you'll ever meet. It's so nice that you think I'm cool though, that's made my life. Even if you were just chilling at home, that's busy. You have a life and I'm just happy you're doing stuff that brings you joy. I'd never judge you for saying off social media when you can. Thank you for watching the eras tour movie! Hopefully you didn't hate if if you were subjected to it six times. I'll be real, to prepare for the eras tour, I would run on a treadmill and perform all the songs for 3 hours straight just to get my stamina up and ensure I could do it. That's my secret, so feel free to do it, I'm just not so sure how fun it would be for you. Just let me know, I'll give you tickets to whatever show. Are you on the West End? That's so cool! I'll have to try and make a show! Honestly, after tour I'll probably sleep for like a month straight and then go straight back to writing. I can never stay away for too long. Do you have any plans after your play concludes? Or is it running for a long time so you don't have to worry about that right now?

I didn't hate it! I think it helped me learn a lot of the songs I wasn't already familiar with. I think I'd listen up to Lover some years ago and I had no clue that Folklore and Evermore existed until I saw the movie but I do think that Folklore would be my favorite, if I had to name a favorite. Run a treadmill for three hours? I'll pass on that but goodness, at least we know your heart is in great shape. If you're in London between the end of September and early November, come on out! Just a month? After two years of three hour treadmill running essentially? You should hibernate for a good decade, no one would judge you. I probably won't add anything to my plate because we're allegedly to start filming season 3 of HOTD soon after. Then, I'll be very exhausted and also might sleep for a month straight. Do you have any fun vacations planned in your head for when you're wrapped from tour?

Olivia couldn’t help but notice the way Emma's eyes darkened with a certain kind of hunger, their gaze lingering a little longer than usual as they took in the sight of her in that green dress. She knew the effect it had on them—it was a quiet power she wielded, a subtle but undeniable pull that seemed to wrap around Emma the moment she stepped into view. As Emma made a teasing remark about what the color did to them, Olivia’s lips curved into a slow, knowing smile, a soft hum of contentment escaping her. But beneath the playfulness, Olivia could sense something else—a tension, a quiet storm gathering just below the surface. It was subtle, the way Emma’s thoughts seemed to drift, their mind momentarily wandering off in the middle of a shared glance or a soft touch. Olivia didn’t need words to pick up on it; she could feel the weight of it hanging in the air between them, like the delicate surface of a bubble on the verge of bursting. Her intuition, sharp as ever, told her there was more to this than just the logistics of the trip, the cooking, or the day’s events. There was something deeper in Emma’s mind, something stirring behind those quiet moments of distraction. Still, Olivia didn’t push. To not pressure them, she held back, not questioning or drawing attention to it, trusting that whatever was weighing on Emma’s heart, they would share it when the time felt right.

Emma watched Olivia’s eyes light up, the soft shimmer of the necklace reflected in her teary gaze. Every moment of planning, every detail—sourcing the metals from antique shops, collaborating with their jeweler friend—had been worth it just to see this reaction. The quiet anticipation of the night had finally given way to something real, something tangible, and Emma’s chest swelled with affection as Olivia admired the gift.

As Olivia stood at the edge of the boat, wrapped in the warm glow of the setting sun, Emma’s words and the intensity of their kiss still lingered in her mind. The raw passion and the way Emma had held her so firmly made Olivia’s pulse race, her body humming with a blend of desire and deep affection. But even in the midst of all that fire, there was a softness—an unspoken understanding between them that went beyond just physical attraction. It was the way Emma looked at her, like she was something precious, something to be cherished. Olivia stayed there for a moment longer, her eyes fixed on the endless horizon, her thoughts swirling. 

Emma’s smirk deepened at Olivia’s playful response. “That’s a good girl,” they teased, reaching out to grab her, but Olivia had already danced out of reach. Chuckling to themselves, Emma returned to their task, the weight of their meticulously planned evening settling in. They didn’t have much time to get it right. This moment had been in the making for weeks, and tonight, everything needed to be perfect.

Olivia stirred at the sound of Emma’s voice, her eyes fluttering open to find them standing over her, bathed in the soft, golden light of the late afternoon sun. There was a dreamlike quality to the moment, the gentle sway of the yacht beneath her and the faint hum of the sea stretching out endlessly around them. For a second, Olivia thought she might still be dreaming. A lazy, contented smile spread across her face. “Probably the best nap in some time,” she murmured, her voice still heavy with sleep. She could feel the warmth of Emma’s kiss lingering on her skin, and it sent a familiar flutter through her chest, the kind that always seemed to rise whenever Emma was near.

Emma followed Olivia to the edge of the boat, their gaze fixed on her as the setting sun bathed her in an orange glow. The sight of Olivia standing there, taking in the endless horizon, made Emma’s chest tighten with an overwhelming sense of love and possession. They approached quietly, their arms sliding around her waist from behind, pulling her close as the warmth of their bodies melded into one.

portofino, greece, a brat summer—had to Google the term because i’m not fluent in gen z either—and a play coming up? darling, you’re living quite the dream. i’m not even sure i could keep up with that whirlwind. you’ve been hopping from one picturesque spot to the next while i’ve been busy making a fool of myself on portuguese beaches. if you’re serious about this paddleboarding comedy show, i’m so in. we’ll give the sun something to really laugh about. i can already picture the lifeguards watching us, torn between saving us and just letting us provide the entertainment. it’ll be less of an athletic feat and more of a testament to our determination—and our questionable balance. but at least we’ll go down with style. and hey, if we’re going to make fools of ourselves, at least we’ll have each other for company. seriously, we do need to catch up soon. pints soon, yeah? let’s make it happen. the brat summer might be winding down, but we’ve still got some mischief to cause. 

very much so, life has been too good to me lately. i have to soak it all in before jumping back into a play or other project because my life just becomes all consumed by them. i've seen some paddleboarding goers around the st katharine docks, we should check those out when you're free. i know they have beginner classes, so perhaps we won't be the only ones humbled. how hard can it be though, right? just don't get any ideas in that head of yours about pushing the other off, yeah? i'm always free for a beer, you know that. brat summer might winding down matt but i've been informed that demure autumn is just around the corner, so we've got time to catch up with the kids.

As Emma’s words lingered in the air, Olivia felt her heart ache with affection so deep it nearly overwhelmed her. The way Emma looked at her, the tenderness in their touch, in their voice—it was enough to make her feel as though the world had shifted, narrowed down to just the two of them. Olivia's breath hitched slightly as Emma cradled her face, their thumb grazing her cheek in the most delicate, reverent way. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, letting herself feel the weight of everything that had passed between them. It was true, they hadn’t just fallen into this effortlessly; they had navigated their way here, through the uncertainty and the fear of what might happen if they crossed the line from friendship to something more. But now, looking into Emma’s tear-bright eyes, Olivia knew they had made the right choice. Every struggle, every doubt, had been worth it for this.

Emma felt a familiar warmth bloom in their chest as Olivia’s words sank in. There was something about the way Olivia looked at them, the way her soft gaze made everything else in the world fall away, that made Emma feel like the luckiest person alive. They had navigated this love—carefully, hesitantly at times—but now that they were here, basking in the light of it, nothing had ever felt more right.

Olivia smiled softly, leaning in to take the bite Emma offered, her eyes never leaving theirs. The tiramisu was sweet, decadent, but it wasn’t the dessert that had Olivia’s heart racing. It was the way Emma looked at her, the way she felt so effortlessly woven into each moment they shared. As the flavors of the dessert melted on her tongue, Olivia’s thoughts drifted to all the moments they had spent together—their laughter, the whispered conversations late at night, the way Emma held her as if she was something precious. 

Emma’s gaze lingered on Olivia as she finished the last bite of tiramisu from the spoon, their eyes tracing the delicate movement of her lips. A teasing grin played on Emma’s face, but beneath it was a tenderness they couldn’t hide. As Olivia spoke, her voice soft and full of warmth, Emma leaned in, resting their chin in the palm of their hand, savoring every word that fell from her lips, every smile that lit up her face.

Olivia felt her heart stir as Em spoke, their words weaving themselves into the soft morning air. Sitting across from her, in the golden light of Portofino, was the person who had, without a doubt, become her safe harbor. The playful lilt in Em's voice, the way their eyes lingered on her as though she was a painting to be savored—these small moments filled Olivia with a warmth she couldn't put into words. — With a playful pout, Olivia let out a soft sigh, her eyes twinkling as she leaned into Emma's compliment. “You’re thanking me?" she teased, her voice light but laced with affection. "You whisk me away to this dream, and you think I’m the one who deserves the thanks? You must be out of your mind, darling." Her tone softened, a touch of sincerity slipping through as she gently squeezed Emma’s hand. "I should be the one thanking you, you know that, right?” As their fingers met, Olivia felt that familiar electric spark, the kind of feeling that had woven itself into every corner of her being since they had started this journey together.

Emma raised a hand and waved the waiter over with a smile, their voice soft and fluid as they ordered, “un tiramisù, per favore,” in smooth Italian. As they leaned back, their gaze found Olivia once more, that breathtaking smile still lingering. Watching Olivia now, her beauty magnified in the glow of the late morning sun, Emma felt a rush of warmth spread through their chest.

oh, darling, you're speaking my language. we must give the sun its due, but it seems to have a knack for singling out us brits, doesn't it? step outside for a mere moment and bam—suddenly we're all lobster-red. spf 50? more like a polite suggestion to that bloody sun the moment it catches sight of us. paddleboarding, you say? i'd happily fork out a pretty penny to witness that—i promise, i'd be right there in the water alongside you. balancing acts are reserved for gymnasts and tightrope walkers, not us mere mortals attempting to blend in with nature. we're more in tune with the water, truth be told, considering it's where we find ourselves most of the time. as for myself, well, still pondering why i thought august in portugal was a stroke of genius. beyond that, i've been feigning busyness, when in reality, i've been gallivanting around london with bobby, awaiting for my next project to kick venture. now, do tell, what's the latest in your realm? some escapades afoot, or are you opting for a spell of tranquility?

oh, you’ve absolutely hit the nail on the head. the sun has some sort of radar for us, i swear. the moment we step out, it’s like it says, "ah, fresh brit, time to roast!" i can practically feel the burn just thinking about it. paddleboarding we should try, i'll attempt again but only if you come along for the ride. imagine—us, flailing about, trying to stay balanced while the waves have other plans. i mean, it’d be more of a comedy show than a sport, but at least we’d be in good company. that sounds wonderful. i've been rehearsing for a play, due to start in late september. took a bit of a break, though, and ventured off to portofino with liv. not too long before that we did greece, so it has been an eventful summer. someone asked me not too long ago if i was having a "brat" summer and i didn't understand the reference until someone in gen-z informed me of the reference. so apparently, yes, i am quite enjoying my brat summer escapades. we should catch up soon though, grab a few pints.

There's a certain awe that people take inspiration from the things we do. That's something I've never quite come to terms with fully like. But then I remember all the musicians who have spoken to my soul and it makes sense. It's nice to be in that conversation and if we're able to help people spark their creativity, we must be doing something right. There's not a soul on earth who claimed to want to be a snail. They're tragic creatures the more ya think on it. Though I suppose om lucky they didn't draw me as something worse. Ah, that's normal like. I think people see humans in their natural state and just assume there's something wrong if we're not happy all the time. Happens to the best of us. Do you have any dogs? They're truly the best kind of animal. Though it's an awful shame when they actually are of the anxious variety. Thanks very much. That's a nice thing to hear. Besides, the ability to fly and turn your head 180? That's like a superpower. I'm all om board for that.

you're absolutely right - but when you're an actor, having such a serious, pressing face all the time can become a challenge, especially for the director who has told you five times over to "stop letting your face fall flat." thankfully, it's all helpful critique for the sake of the art. I used to share a dog with my ex, but didn't get her in the divorce. it was for the best, though. i've been way too busy to manage a pet by myself. i love them, though. who knows, maybe i'll strike gold and can retire and have enough time to have six dogs. that's the dream.

You're right about that. Sometimes I really have to check the calander, just to be sure I'm on track with everything. Two years passed by so quick, I really don't want it to end yet, but the end is near I fear. You can always count on me to be a fall lover. It has always been mu favourite time of the year and if anything, I'm just happy you're I'm the same boat as me in regards to it. Right? You understand perfectly. There's nothing like climbing into a warm bed at the end of the night on a chilly day either. I'll try it and give you my verdict. Though I like caramel apples, so I have faith it'll be good. Please, I'm so lame. I think the only people who think I'm cool are the ones that don't know me well. Don't worry, we'll fix thst and you'll realise I'm a weirdo. Hey, you were probably busy, I get. If you're in America anytime soon, I'm still have a few. I finish properly in December, but I assume you're a busy person too. What are you currently doing work wise?

i am highly suspicious the greatest superstar there ever was is anything close to lame. but, i'll let you think i believe it. i was busy- sort of. i just am not on social media unless i'm posting something dumb on instagram so i wasn't even aware that you were in london until it was too late. however, i did watch the eras tour movie about six times with my little cousins and don't know how you do it. give me your workout routine, honestly. i might actually take you up on that offer. i'd love to see the concert in person. for work, i'm just doing a little local play in london. it's cool, theater is where i started so i'm excited to be back to my roots, y'know. whats there for you after the tour ends?

just escaped back to the uk after a rather ambitious attempt at surfing in portugal—where, as you might guess, every other sun-seeking brit lands up, as well. thought i’d break the mold a bit by not just lounging about but actually taking on the waves like a local. suffice to say, the atlantic had other plans for me. not only did i spend more time wiping out than standing up, but i also managed to turn a vibrant shade of lobster red, despite all the spf 50 i slapped on. it was a stark reminder of why i usually prefer the predictability of our often gloomy, yet comforting british weather over these sunny escapades. plus, nothing like repeatedly bailing in front of seasoned surfers to reinforce my appreciation for a quiet, crowd-free existence back home. anyone else ever ventured out of their comfort zone on holiday, only to regret it almost immediately? / @notoriousstarters

that sounds like an adventure i could get behind! i can just picture you out there, giving it your all, while the atlantic had a bit of a laugh at your expense. gotta love the british determination, though—even when the waves have other plans! i’ve definitely had my fair share of holiday mishaps. there was this one time i tried paddleboarding—thought it’d be a relaxing way to enjoy the water. turns out, balance isn’t exactly my strong suit, and i spent more time in the water than on the board. and don’t even get me started on the sunburn situation—it’s like the sun has a personal vendetta against us brits no matter how much sunscreen we use. but hey, at least you gave it a shot, right? plus, now you’ve got a story to tell, and a good reason to stick to our lovely, predictably gloomy weather. how've ya been other than wiping out in spain?

you'd think but i don't know - maybe it was these people's first time or something. that was the highlight for sure and i know things could have been way worse so trying to focus a little more on that, especially as time goes by a little more. it's always one of my favorite places to be so it works out and then it just so happens my next show is here in a few weeks so i can just chill out until then. it's soo good. different than anything else i've seen but in the best way possible. okay, so then i'm sold on that one. maybe i'll try to catch that sometime this coming week so then that would be one and then i'd probably throw wicked in, too, since i can never pass on that. all it's leading up to is seeing cabaret when auli'i debuts so this month really is about to be broadway filled for me. are you up to anything fun these days?

sounds like you’re making the best of a frustrating situation, which is all you really can do, right? and yeah, focusing on the highlights helps, especially when you’re in a place you love. it’s good you have some downtime before your next show—gives you a chance to reset and just enjoy being in the city. hadestown and wicked? that’s an epic combo. i’m sure you’re going to love hadestown, especially if you’re into something different—it’s so immersive and the music is unreal. cabaret with auli’i is going to be amazing too! your broadway lineup is looking seriously solid this month. as for me, i’m just trying to keep my head above water with everything going on, but i’m also trying to find time to enjoy the little things, you know? i've been in rehearsals for a new play debuting in a few weeks and that has admittedly been rough but nothing too wild, just trying to balance work and life a bit better.

It's wild how fast time really does get away from us. It's weird because I've been on tour for two years at this point and that really does sound like such a significant period of time, but when I think about it, it has passed so quick. Though I can't complain. All the best people love fall and so it just makes so much sense to me that you love it too. There's so much to love, you're right. Nothing brings me more joy than getting to pull out all my plaid stuff. Carmel apple spice? I'll have to try that on your recommendation, it sounds delicious. I barley know you, but I automatically feel like we should be best friends now. It's so cool finding someone you click with so easily.

i know, right? it’s like you blink, and suddenly years have gone by. two years on tour sounds like such a long time, but when you’re in the thick of it, it just flies by. and honestly, fall is the best time of year, so it’s great to know you’re in that camp too. there’s something about pulling out all the cozy plaid and just soaking in the crisp air that feels so comforting. you’ve got to try the caramel apple spice—it’s a game-changer, trust me. and hey, i’m totally on board with being best friends now although i'm definitely not as cool as you. i regret not catching your last show in london, i heard it was amazing!

It's terrifying, isn't it? Diving into the great unknown. I've seen fanart that completely takes my breath away. Seeing so many talented people take inspiration from us truly is a one of a kind feeling, don't ya think? Exactly. The "wait, what?" moment for me took a while, but that snail drawing isn't something I ought to forget anytime soon. It left a last impression on me. It's not like I mind a snail, they're fine but no one ever really looks at a snail and thinks, "ah yes, that's what I'd want to be in another life." Poor things are lucky if they don't get stepped on. An anxious dog? I love that... it's very descript, bt I could see it. The way I'd see it, I'd love to be some kind of owl. The nocturnal part especially speaks to my soul. I'm not a morning person by any means.

t really is, isn’t it? diving into that unknown, not knowing what you’re going to find. fanart has that power—it can be so breathtaking and humbling at the same time. seeing people put their talent into something inspired by us is wild, like, you can’t really prepare for that feeling. the snail thing though, yeah, that’s gonna stick with me for a while. i mean, snails are alright, but who’s out here thinking, “i want to be a snail”? they’ve got a tough gig, just trying not to get squashed. yeah - that's totally me. like an anxious mountain dog or something of that sort. i've been told i have an intimidating resting face but inside, i'm incredibly overthinking. an owl is cool, i could definitely see that. you look wise and your music sounds like an old soul wrote it, so an owl is very befitting.