Nobody Wins

Part One – The Past Remains to Haunt Us

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Summary: Maybe somewhere on the line, people changed, but the game always remained the same.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gossip Girl.

Spoilers: Episode 220.

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It was the first time Blair Waldorf could say Nate Archibald and her were strictly platonic with complete truth.

Going back to her roots was some sweet form of reminiscing, and it was nice to have him as a friend again. They hadn't been talking for weeks at a time, and for a close-knit bunch that was meant to be friends forever, they honestly were the worst friends to ever grace this planet.

So, in order to find her new self, she went back to the past.

She wasn't sure if she wanted to change herself anymore. She liked being with Nate; hell, she even liked being nice.

It was some sort of miracle.

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She yanked Dorota's arm out of its socket and nearly ran to the duck pond at Central Park when Nate invited her.

Being with Nate felt like last year, before everything fell apart and she had to pick up the pieces.

The snow began falling ever so softly. Snow in the city was beautiful until it hit the ground and became black ice.

Blair scrunched her nose at the thought. Negativity was uncalled for.

"Nate." She beamed as she saw his beautiful face, smiling and welcoming.

His smile disappears. "I actually wanted to talk to you."

"Oh?"

"Vanessa and I broke up."

She frowns. "Any specific reason?"

"Family problems." He sighs. "They always get in the way."

"Your relationships can't suffer because of what your grandfather thinks."

"I thought I could handle it." He admitted. "But he told me Vanessa was nothing like you. She wasn't classy enough…She wasn't good enough."

She blushes. "I don't want to be held accountable for one of your numerous breakups."

He smiled. God, she always did love those dimples.

The snow is falling harder now, getting caught in her hair. Nate's hair is nearly frozen.

"Blair…" He sighs. "You look beautiful."

She scoffs. "Nate, I'm wearing a peacoat and beret."

"You always look beautiful." His eyes. Those persuasive eyes.

He grabs her hands.

"Nate." She catches her breath. "What are you doing?"

"This." He kisses her full on the mouth, beneath the city snow, where beauty is evident.

"Blair."

She doesn't hear Nate's voice.

Their lips break apart. She turns to see a broken-hearted Chuck Bass, holding a bouquet of red roses.

The roses fall to the ground.

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In this alternate world, she and Chuck never happened, and were never meant to be.

She loved Nate and she only smiled. He loved her and only saw her.

This alternate world didn't exist.

But she only wished that one day, it would.

Because reality was filled with broken hearts and choices.

Those choices were too difficult to make.

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Time froze for a moment. She just stared at Chuck.

Nate stared at her, watching her next move, as if the kiss was meaningless.

Someone was going to end up broken-hearted in this battle.

Whether things ended well, that was to be decided.

He just shakes his head in disbelief. He didn't witness that kiss between once happy lovers, didn't realize that the love of his life had turned her back against him, didn't feel his heart break slowly as the seconds passed by.

He only sees Blair.

Blair only sees him.

And then he begins to run when he can't look at her anymore, can't face the fact that history is repeating itself.

She finds herself running after him, looking for that place where reality is intertwined with her fantasy world, where things are so much less complicated and the choice is clear.

It was obvious where her heart lied.

It was less obvious where it was supposed to be.

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TBC