And They Finally Cross That Thin Line
Disclaimer: I've begged and begged but all they'd give me was Blair's headbands and Chuck's favorite scarf.
Summary: Eleven years after their first meeting Dan and Blair are both still living in New York with successful careers and… in a steady, loving relationship. But how on earth could this happen to two people that couldn't have hated each other more? This is their love/hate story from beginning to end. Obviously this story will include many AU moments but majority of the plot will remain canon and everyone will stay in character (to the best of my ability). The first chapter will take place pre–season or pilotish so it's AU.
Year 2: Falling in Love at a Coffee shop: Blair huffed in annoyance as she stood in the absurdly long line. Normally one of her minions would do this but with the first day of school looming she had them all on more important tasks. The thing was Blair didn't even really like the coffee here near as much as some of the other shops but this was the A-list place, the coffee shop you went to be seen. And Blair Waldorf needed to be seen, that was if she planned on keeping her throne as Constance Billard's Queen B.
This would be her junior year, her last chance to impress Yale and her time to leave a lasting legacy at Constance. Sighing impatiently she adjusted her headband with one hand, the other holding Crime and Punishment. Blair had to be the epitome of perfection this year and at this moment she felt like all these people were personally trying to get in the way of that goal.
"Excuse me! There are people who actually have things to do today!" she yelled out. Her voice only joined the cacophony though. In particular the two in front of her were really having it out. The guy looked to be her age and he would've been hot if weren't the flannel shirt and unstyled hair. At his side was a young blond who was wearing all knock-off clothing. Blair guessed by the way they were yelling at each other that they were siblings.
"There are at least two other coffee places on this street alone. Why do we have to go here?"
"Because Gossip Girl always has eyes on this place and I'm starting at Constance in a couple of days and unlike you I don't want to be a nobody," the girl hissed vindictively.
Blair couldn't help but listen. Drama drew her in whether or not it was any of her business. Plus the young girl in front of her reeked of desperation, was going to be a freshman at Constance, and clearly cared about popularity. She had all the qualities Blair looked for in her followers (servants).
The girl had turned away from the boy for a moment as if she was gathering her thoughts but returned now with less spite but more determination. "Anyways I know you look at Gossip Girl too. I saw you reading about her return. So don't be such a hypocrite Dan. Hey, she might even come in here."
Blair shuddered knowing exactly who the her they referred to was. She was nowhere near ready to see the girl who had once been her best and only friend.
"Jenny, I don't care. I'll wait outside for you," he said turning abruptly to stalk out. And that would've been okay if in her curiosity Blair hadn't moved so closely behind the siblings.
-XOXO-
Dan couldn't bear it any longer. The claustrophobic feelings were making him feel insane. I mean, honestly, he was standing in the middle of a coffee shop yelling at his sister.
"Jenny, I don't care. I'll wait outside for you," Dan attempted to say with some sort of control. He turned with full intentions of making a beeline for the door only to crash into someone.
"Hey!" the brunette he slammed into cried indignantly.
"Sorry, my fault. Of course if this place were a little bigger I could have made my perfect angry exit and avoided hitting you," he rambled while he grabbed her book off the floor.
"Oh, nice choice. I love this book," Dan continued straightening up.
"Well that's wonderful!" She said voice dripping with sarcasm. She was not one to trade the courtesy "Sorry. Oh no it was my fault" or have casual conversation with strangers or anyone for that matter.
Dan wasn't all that surprised by the response though since the moment he had straightened up and returned the book, he'd recognized her. It was the girl who was with the very drunk Serena van der Woodsen last Thanksgiving. She was also one of the main subjects of Gossip Girl, the Queen B of Constance, and the epitome of everything he hated about the Upper East Side. And lastly she was Blair Waldorf, Serena's best friend.
"Ok," Dan brushed past her deciding that Serena deserved better friends. But he didn't really know what he was talking about. First impressions are often wrong and judging people is generally a stupid action.
-Ten years later-
"You're adorable," Dan laughed pulling her closer and planting a soft kiss to the top of her head.
"Shh. You're going to destroy my credibility as the Ice Queen. I'm serious though when I asked her what she thought about the book she gave me this blank look and said, 'You actually wanted me to read that. It's really long and old.' So I…" Blair's voice trailed off a little sheepishly.
"What did you say, Blair? I didn't catch that last thing," Dan teased holding the door of their favorite coffee shop opened for her.
"I told her Crime and Punishment was a classic and anyone who couldn't recognize that was an idiot and unfit for any career exceeding minimum pay," Blair huffed with renewed effrontery.
A bark of laughter escaped Dan's mouth. He had to take breath before even attempting his next question. "What did she say?"
"I think she was a little stunned at first since I had previously been making an effort to be polite but then she glared and stalked off. She didn't even fight me, no comeback, nothing. It was actually a little disappointing. People are so weak," Blair tilted her head in thought then looked up at Dan.
As if she had perceived a look of judgment from him Blair conceded, "So I was a little nasty but really, admit it she deserved it."
Dan chuckled again. He couldn't help it with the way she pouted her lip poking out provocatively. As they stepped forward in the line, moving as one Dan said, "I never said anything. You were right on the Crime and Punishment front- It's a must read classic. But I'm not sure not reading it qualifies a person for idiocy."
"But you don't think I sounded too egotistical or witchy?" Blair questioned hopefully, "I've been working on being nicer," she rolled her eyes, "or at least faking it for the good of the company."
Dan looked down at her sharply then. She was not the same girl he knew from high school yet she was still Blair Waldorf. She was beautiful and self-conscious, she was startlingly intelligent and unconcerned, she was proud and meek, she was truthful and deceptive, she was loving and callous. She was a paradox and sometimes he forgot that. Sometimes Dan made the terrible mistake of forgetting just how complicated Blair was.
"I thought it was the perfect mix of witchy and egotistical. And she should find another job if she can't meet the boss' standards," Dan replied sincerely.
After hearing the laugh he was waiting for he leaned down to whisper in her ear, "Some people deserve to be a little egotistical."
She grinned back at him wickedly, "Too true. Us for example."
Daniel Humphrey was different too. He was older now, still sarcastic, but more open to people's opinions. He only wore flannel shirts on the weekends now opting for a more distinguished look at work. He was more sure of himself only rarely succumbing to his nervous habit of rubbing the back of his head. He made more silly jokes but was still prone to introspectiveness.
They were at the front of the line now so Dan gently shoved Blair in front of him so she could order first. He always did this- it had started years back when the two were trying to spring Serena from the Ostroff Center and get their vengeance on Juliet- letting her order first. Because Blair was one of those customers, the kind that warrants a little spit in their order and Dan thought it was a riot. Plus now that he was the boyfriend he kind of felt like he had an obligation to apologize on her behalf.
So while Blair launched in on the young man behind the counter, Dan mouthed the words, "I'm sorry."
Once Blair had caught him apologizing and where he had expected anger instead she burst out laughing. Apparently her dad used to do the same thing for her.
"-and please for all that is sacred do not use that disgusting spray can whip cream on my coffee. I know you keep the real thing back there for those of us with any taste. Oh, and just one nice neat dollop of it not some messy scoop. That's all."
She slid out of the way eyeing the barista who was completing her order. "Medium, 1 cream, 2 sugars," Dan said holding back his laughter.
"So what did you do today?" Blair questioned when he also moved out of the line.
"Worked on my short story a little. Talked to my editor. Stopped by the office to approve my column. Went to the grocery store and got the essentials and what we need for Thanksgiving at your mother's," Dan listed off.
Blair held her tongue cutting of the tired statement "You know there are people who can shop for us." No matter how many times she told him Dan told her emphatically that he preferred shopping for himself. Once or twice he had even dragged her along with the quip, "Why Blair Waldorf, I do believe you are becoming more human."
Sitting down at their regular table Blair nodded instead and asked, "How many people are going to be there?"
"I don't know. I thought you were going to call your mother," Dan said taking a tentative sip of his coffee.
"No, you said you would ask Cyrus since you had to call him about that thing in your story," Blair corrected.
"Right, then last night I told you I ran into someone at the paper who had everything I needed so you were going to call your mother," Dan replied smirking.
"I don't remember that," Blair remarked even though she now very clearly recalled the conversation. And Dan knew she did.
If it was anyone else, anyone else, they would've backed down. I mean this was Blair Waldorf but it was not anyone else, it was Dan Humphrey, and he was not backing down. Perhaps that was part of the reason their relationship worked so well- they were each so stubborn and strong minded, so sure of themselves. They were undefeatable.
"Yes, you do. You can call her when we get home," Dan smirked again, "I still love you."
To Anyone Who Cares: I hope you like it! Chapter 2 will obviously take place in episode 2 where Dan and Blair make formal introductions. Although I do love Chuck and Blair (and agree with Chuck that they're inevitable), I love the possibility of Dan and Blair. The title is a reference to the song and saying "The Thin Line Between Love and Hate". Anyway let me know what you think.