Author's Note: First Rufly fic. This is for all of you who thought that the way Rufly ended in the series finale was horrid. My first chapters are always a bit rough so trust me okay? (: Read and Review. 3

It had been two years since that faithful day when a Van der Woodson became a Humphrey. Since Thanksgiving became more of a family ritual instead of a coincidental gathering of two separate families. Since the tension between Rufus and Lily had to be pushed beneath the surface; never to come up again.

The two shared small talk every holiday and every gathering they both had to attend that Serena and Dan threw, but they never spent more than five minutes talking, the subjects never going past business as usual. The last words they had said about their feelings towards each other were those Rufus had declared putting their relationship at a permanent stop. Since then, they'd never spent one second alone together.

Rufus had thrown himself back into his music, ringing up Lisa Loeb for the occasional booty call and Lily had placed herself in a relationship with William, Serena and Eric's father. Although this time she didn't rush into marriage like she would have, no matter how many times William asked for her hand. She was surprised he was able to wait for her, even though she never planned on marrying again. Unless it was to a certain dark-haired musician.

Now that both of her kids were out of the house and grown, Lily had gotten herself back into photography. She hadn't picked up a camera in twenty-some, so she was pretty rusty. That's why for the last month or so she had spent every afternoon in Central Park taking pictures of anything that caught her eye. Today was no exception.

She spun slowly in a circle a few times, trying to find a new thing to take pictures of when her eyes caught something familiar. Or someone. She zoomed in on the face of the man that had once been the love of her life but was now such a stranger. She felt the part of her heart that would always be in love with him break a little more as she snapped a picture of him. Taking a look at the picture, she smiled. He's still so photogenic, she thought.

Deciding that it was time to stop being awkward towards each other, she took a heap of courage and began walking towards him. She could no longer take this small talk thing. She missed him more than she was ready to admit.

Rufus looked up from his feet just in time to catch Lily walking towards him. Immediately a lump formed in his throat as he tried to think of a reason to leave. He smiled slightly as she finally approached him. He only hoped whatever she wanted would be quick and that he could leave swiftly.

"Hello Rufus." Lily said, forced confidence in her voice. She'd always been the best actress all her friends knew, and they never neglected to tell her that.

"Hey Lily," He replied, the tone of his voice proving how awkward he felt in this situation.

They stood in a silence that neither one knew how to break. Being alone with him like this, Lily had lost all of her confidence and was now feeling like a coward. Rufus noticed the camera bag at her side and felt himself smile a little more. She'd always been happiest when she was involved in photography, and he knew that.

Lily picked up on his looking at it and smiled. "I've started taking up photography again."

"That's great Lil. You've always been so good." He said.

She laughed softly. "I'm not so good anymore. I'm so rusty from not having picked up a camera in so long." She said.

"I'm sure you'll get the hang of it again. All that talent didn't just go away." He said. Even though they weren't really friends, he still had tremendous faith in her talent.

She smiled. "Well, I can say that the camera still loves you!" She exclaimed, pulling out her camera and showing him the picture she had taken of him.

He chuckled as he leaned towards her to get a good look at the picture. "Wow. That's a fantastic picture," he said, "I knew you still had talent Lil, this is truly amazing."

She felt her neck turn a little pink as he had moved closer to her. She beamed when he complimented her picture. William hadn't said much of anything when she showed him her pictures; nothing like what Rufus had said anyways. "Thank you." She said.

He nodded. "No problem." He said, knowing that the awkwardness was starting to go away.

Lily put her camera back in the bag and looked over at him. "So how've you been?" She asked.

"I've been great. I started working in music again. I even wrote a new song." He said.

She smiled. "That's wonderful. Maybe I could hear it sometime." She suggested, hoping that he'd be willing to spend more time with her.

"I haven't played it for anyone yet, but maybe. You've always been one of my biggest fans." He said.

She beamed. "I suppose I have. And I'm sure it's great, you're songs always are." She said, knowing that no matter what she'd love it.

He immediately found himself looking forward to the day he showed her his song. If he were completely honest with himself, she was the first person he wanted to share it with when he finished it a week ago. "How are you and William doing..?" He asked, a little curious to know how her relationship was going.

"Things are going great." She said, being as vague as she possibly could have.

"Not married yet?" He joked.

"Hey!" she laughed and whacked him playfully with her hand. If it were anyone else joking around about her many marriages she would have stormed off, but it was Rufus and he always brought out the best in her.

He laughed. "I'll take that as a no." He said, still laughing. He had this strange feeling that he was happy she wasn't married to him. Or married to anyone for that matter.

"Yes, that's a no. Gosh Rufus," she said, rolling her eyes. She had promised herself she wouldn't get married to anyone unless she knew it was forever, and with William she had a feeling it wasn't.

He smiled. "I have to admit I'm a little surprised. How long have you guys been dating? I think it's been about the right time for a Lily Van der Woodson marriage." He said.

She crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head. "Rufus, really, maybe I'm not so quick to marriage anymore. There's more to life than being a housewife."

He nodded. "Or being a trophy husband." He said. He had nonchalantly made a reference to their marriage and hadn't realized how hard Lily would take it until he looked her in the eye.

Lily faked a smile and nodded before looking at her feet. "Yeah… I should really be going now. William is waiting for me at home. He's making dinner I believe. It was great talking to you Rufus." She said, walking away from me.

"Lil, come on. I was just kidding around." He said, rubbing the back of his neck.

She looked back at him and nodded. "Call me about that song. I'm really curious about it." She said, continuing to walk away.

Way to go Rufus, you really screwed yourself this time, he thought. He sighed and walked the other direction, hoping all could be mended over a song and if he found a way to watch his tongue.

Eww, wasn't that bad? I hope not. I'll update tomorrow if it's worthy. (: