The Defenders Set Photos: Luke & Claire Have an Intimate Reunion

[SPOILERS for Luke Cage season 1 ahead.]

Not too long ago, Marvel and Netflix rolled out their third joint series, Luke Cage, that brought Mike Colter back as Power Man after first appearing in Jessica Jones. Despite Luke’s connection with Jessica (Krysten Ritter) and their romantic ties in the comics, he continued to “have coffee” throughout his solo series. While it started with Misty Knight (Simone Missick), Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson) was the one who he ultimately fell for.

Unfortunately for Luke and Claire, just as things began to calm down for them, Luke was taken back to prison. For viewers who ship this relationship, it appeared as though they would have to wait some time before seeing the couple back together. However, new set photos from The Defenders mini-series appear to reveal their romantic reunion.

Netflixdefenders, a Tumblr fan account, have posted four new photos from the set. The photos offer up the first chance to see Dawson on the set, and shows that Luke and Claire are not wasting anytime picking up the relationship from where it left off. The pair can be seen kissing in every photo – which should indicate that of the three women he has had romantic relations with, it will be Claire who is by Luke’s side throughout the mini-series.

These photos arrives shortly after Colter’s first appearance on the Defenders set, in photos where he appears alongside Misty instead. If there is anything else to take away from these new photos outside of the romantic relationship between the characters, this could be the scene where Luke is released from prison. He was taken back because he escaped years ago when he got his powers – though Bobby Fish (Ron Cephas Jones) was shown finding the file that will clear Luke’s name, at the end of Luke Cage season 1. If these photos are from when Luke has just been released, it would explain why he and Claire are so happy to see one another.

If Claire is going to be Luke’s main love interest throughout The Defenders, it could make for some interesting moments between Claire, Misty, and Jessica, should they ever be in the same room with one other. Claire and Misty were pretty friendly with one another in Luke Cage season 1, even knowing of the other’s past with Luke. However, the addition of Jessica to that equation could make for some comedic moments and/or introduce additional dramatic tension.

Daredevil seasons 1 and 2, Jessica Jones season 1, and Luke Cage season 1 are now available on Netflix. Iron Fist will premiere on March 17, 2017, with The Defenders and The Punisher arriving later that year. Premiere dates for the next seasons of Jessica Jones season 2 and Daredevil season 3 have not yet been announced.