Title: Of denial and others demons.
Summary: Series of independent memories of people who knew Bruce Wayne and Blair Waldorf were meant to be.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Gossip Girl belongs to Cecily von Ziegesar; producers and a lot people in CW.
The Dark Knight trilogy and Batman belong to their respective owners, and I can only thank Christopher Nolan for choosing Christian Bale as Batman.
Author's Note: English isn't my first language, I am so sorry if I made grammar mistakes.
Nathaniel Archibald was the first to admit he was not the smartest person in the world. Chuck used to taunt that he and Serena were the epitome of blondes. He would not deny it either.
He might not be the most perceptive person either, but if there anyone he could read, it was Blair Waldorf. Chuck could say that he was the only one who really knew her all what he wanted, the truth was, Nate Archibald was the only one who could claim to know her. Years being her boyfriend granted him notice subtle changes in her, so it was no surprise for him to be first to notice that between Blair Waldorf and Bruce Wayne was something more than a friendship.
It was easy for him to know that because Blair saw Bruce as she used to watch him and but there was more. It was cruel to compare, but it was true. There was a familiar twinkle in her eyes when she was talking to/or about Bruce Wayne.
Blair never saw Chuck like that. With Chuck, things were always more intense, darker... passion and pain and it were in their peak expression. Blair was good for Chuck, but that did not mean he was good for her.
He was not one to say it out loud, but since Blair was with Chuck, her world fell apart.
First: her reputation. There was nothing more to say about it; he also had a lot of guilt about it.
Her dignity. When he did not answer that he loved her, she left him. When Chuck refused to say it, she chased him. And Queen B doesn't seek boys; they persecute her.
Yale. Well, it was unfair to say that Chuck was the cause, Blair lost for herself and her dark side, but Chuck was who drew her darker side.
Herself. Since Chair came into existence, there was no Blair Waldorf, because they two were converted into a single element. Blair and Chuck. Chuck and Blair. But most of the time Chuck consumed Blair. That never happened when they were together. Both were pillars to sustain their lives and expectations.
And now that she was a friend of Bruce Wayne, she was again the strong and independent Blair Waldorf.
And when she looked at Bruce Wayne, he could see the familiar glow of comfort and stability, but could also see respect and admiration. Blair had never looked at anyone like that (no to mention Audrey, of course), least no so openly.
Nate didn't know Bruce Wayne beyond all the rumours that ran about the playboy eccentric billionaire and the few times he had coincided with him because of Blair, but if Blair saw him like that had to be for something. Blair has always been the best to see the best in people, even when they themselves didn't see it.
"Serena probably already asked you about this but..."
"Bruce and I are just friends". There was the defensive. She still was in denial.
"I was going to ask about Columbia but now that you brought the subject..." and they said he could not manipulate, after spending almost his whole life with Blair Waldorf as girlfriend and Chuck Bass as best friend, he had to learn something.
"Why would anyone believe me?" She asked, rolling her eyes.
"Well, you two spend a lot of time together and since you met you are the only woman whom everybody see him out..." He knew he said the wrong words when he saw the hurt expression on her face.
"Why is everyone so skeptical about me conquering Bruce?
"Blair, I did not mean it that way".
"Really Nate? Just because you and Chuck did not love me it does not mean nobody can do it. But for your information, Bruce and I are just friends".
"I did love you and you know that Chuck did too".
"Seriously? It's quite a funny because I had always wondered how it was possible that you and Chuck were best friends, but you both are very similar. You two have a very twisted way of showing love".
The atmosphere had become dense under the weight of those words. It was true. Neither of two had known how to love to Blair Waldorf.
"Yes Dorota, do not worry, I will look for her". A voice called entering into the room where they were staring at each other. "Blair, there you are. Oh, Nate right?I hope you don't mind I steal Blair". Bruce Wayne, the Prince of Gotham was there so carefree, not noticing that the atmosphere could be cut with a knife.
"Bruce" Blair declared, calling attention of Gotham's prince before Nate could respond.
"Oh I know you're a strong and independent woman and you are whom decide with who go, we've had that talk. Now, can we go? And no, you do not need your bag".
Nate observed fascinated as Blair turned her eyes but still take Bruce Wayne's arm. They left the penthouse but not before the Prince of Gotham dedicate a nod to him.
It was not until Nate took his jacket and saw a package of Ladurée's macarons on top of Humphrey Bogart's film on the hall table to know that Bruce Wayne was fully aware of what was happening between Blair and him before, and all was intended to interrupt.
And then he knew. Blair was not the only one who cared, the Prince of Gotham looked after Blair too.