Foreground
~ i've been saving all my summers for you.
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There's something about his back – well, she can't pull her eyes away.
She rolls her eyes because she is in completely over her head and, somehow, she couldn't care less. It's the way he is sprawled on his stomach, arms lazily wrapped around her waist (even in his sleep, he manages to hold her) and eyes closed, breathing slowed that makes her linger in bed when she's been alert for at least fifteen minutes.
Dan Humphrey is a sight to behold, always calm day and night. If it's what Serena saw all those years ago, Blair begins to understand the infatuation. He's different from what she's known all her life; he's the soothing smell of earth after the rain. Perhaps Serena thought it would rub off on her, maybe Vanessa thought she could do better.
Blair only thinks about that damn chocolate cake and how that smile makes her cheek hurt and it's so unlike her. She's a romantic, she's always been – but she'd also wasted time on unrequited passion and lust that had left a hole so deep she'd carried it with her to another continent.
But with Dan, there's no hole – only uncomplicated affection. He doesn't play the games Chuck is so fond of and he doesn't cheat and pretend to love. And for once, she has no clue how to go about it.
"Go back to bed." He mumbles, eyes open and studying her face. She hadn't even realized he was awake. His arm has tightened on her waist and she meets his eyes sheepishly.
"Can't. I have a chocolate cake to make." But he doesn't let go, even pulls her closer to kiss her forehead and bury his face in her hair.
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At some point he does let her go – she promises breakfast and coffee and with a groan he watches her as she slips on one of his shirt. It's white and too big, reaching just above her knees.
"You're beautiful." Blair is used to compliments – her mother is a fashion designer after all. But it catches her off guard and she smiles back at him. He's beautiful too.
"Be up in thirty minutes." He groans and puts a pillow over his face. She leaves quickly – she feels too overwhelmed and when she does, she needs to cook.
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Lunch with Serena is, as always, something to behold.
The blonde is wearing a baby blue dress, too short and showcasing every bit of her long legs that go on and on forever. One of the waiters, no older than eighteen, keeps sending looks her way.
"I'm so happy we get to do this, B." And the blonde seems sincere, doesn't even pay attention to the waiter's clear admiration. Blair wonders if it's always been that way, Serena's eyes sparkling in her direction and Blair ignoring it because of her jealousy.
"I'm happy too, S." And it feels like forever, since she meant it. She doesn't feel threatened anymore by the blonde curls or the water blue eyes.
And even as the waiter passes by them, sending a glance towards their directions and Serena talks about the latest YSL sunglasses she bought and how Blair must buy a pair so they match, the brunette is just glad to have a friend, a best friend.
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"My mother invited us to lunch." He looks up from his book with a raised eyebrow. It's not a joke. Apparently, words of they're 'dating' has even reached Eleanor Waldorf's ears and now she wants to try and play hostess. It's a classic Upper East Side move.
"I'll go if you want to, Blair." He agrees so easily and then goes back to his book. For a moment, she can't help but stare at him. He put up no fight; ready to please her. They give each other space, even if they live together.
And if she's noticed small changes, like the way his hands linger on her every chance he gets or the way they kiss each other goodbye, they still argue about old cinema and literature, go out to cheap restaurants in Brooklyn that make her roll her eyes and he still groans whenever she mentions shopping.
She takes a deep breath and stands very still merely a few feet away from him.
It hits her, just like that.
"What's wrong?" She hasn't noticed that he's closed his book and is studying her face. She must look like an idiot, almost gaping at the thought that's crossed her mind. "Blair?" He says, when she doesn't answer. She hasn't said it since Chuck and wonders if she should wait or maybe he should say it first and then she could play it cool and make him wait for it. But Dan doesn't play games and he would never ridicule her for her feelings. He's patient and kind to her, he offered escape when she had no one else in mind, he's willing and eager to be with her, to make her happy.
"I just love you, Humphrey." It's not the best declaration, she admits. His eyes go wide for a second, maybe two, and then his expression softens, almost to the point where she can't think of anything else but to kiss him. He beats her to it, marches right up to her and seals his lips firmly with hers. God, it's never felt this good to love someone.
"I love you too, Waldorf." He says, short of breath. And his hands slide down her back, pulling at her shirt while her own hands take time popping the buttons of his shirt.
And when they lie in bed, him hovering on top of her and her hands sliding down his back he keeps repeating it, like a mantra he doesn't get bored of.
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She's putting a final coat of mascara on her already done lashes when he walks inside the bathroom. Blair isn't nervous, no, she's scared shitless. Her mother's invitation to lunch turned out to be a social gathering at some expensive restaurant that served more space than anything on their plates.
It's sad, but Blair didn't expect anything else from her mother. She'd changed her outfit three times, first deciding on a navy dress, than on a peach-pink one and than going back to the navy one when she'd noticed Dan's blue dress shirt. She sighs and puts the mascara wand back into the tube - Marc Jacob's cosmetics not easing her nerves one bit. She's ready to put on more eye shadow on her already painted eyes when she feels a pair of arms sneak around her waist.
"Blair, it's going to be ok." She puts down the eye shadow. "You already look beautiful." She steals a glance in the mirror, the picture of them tangled up in each other staring back at her. The navy of her dress matches his shirt to perfection, her straight hair with the bangs pinned backwards completing his longer naturally curled ones. She nods to no one in particular.
"Don't tell me Blair Waldorf is afraid of a little luncheon." He's teasing and she can't help the roll of her eyes. "Besides, you already know that whatever is on our plate today, you can do better." She grins.
"As much as I hate to admit it, you're right Humphrey." They settle in soft bickering about his hair while she puts finishing touches on her face. She breathes – she's alive.
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Turns out Lily Van Der Woodsen and her latest husband, Rufus Humphrey, also happen to be present.
Dan is pleased to see his father and the sentiment is clearly shared. Jenny Humphrey nods at her when she sits down, the blonde's eyes heavily darkened by eyeliner. Eleanor smiles, seems strangely pleased to see her. Blair is wary, but returns the hug slowly, afraid that any sudden moment will cause a shift in the atmosphere in the room.
"Sorry I'm late." Serena seems to appear out of thin air, golden hair curled to perfection and complexion that not even a make up artist could succeed in achieving. She kisses her mother on the cheek, and then Blair and Eric. She's sun in an otherwise blend room of white.
Blair takes her seat between Dan and Serena feeling like something is weird. Dan chats with his father while the older man brushes his hand against Lily's hand any chance he gets. Serena whispers in her ear about the sexy bartender she hooked with last night. Her mother seems content with talking to Lily about whatever gossip and Jenny and Eric seem engrossed in a conversation about whatever topic those two can talk about.
She laughs at what Serena is saying, feeling Dan's leg dangerously close to hers. Everything feels too normal; everything feels like before. She's not sure if she likes this glittery world anymore and, somehow, finds herself missing a loft in Brooklyn.
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She excuses herself to go to the bathroom. Dan sends her a glance, but she smiles. She just needs to leave the table.
"Well, isn't this a surprise."
She stops dead in her tracks, the familiar voice sending very unpleasant chills down her back. She thinks part of the reason she's avoided the Upper East Side since she came back is because she knew she'd run into him eventually.
"You look good, Blair." He looks good too, with his signature smirk and his always-cool presence. The latest Armani suit makes him stand out; he should be on the cover of a business magazine. He's such a contrast to Dan's laid-back look and she suddenly misses his stupid blue dress shirt that matches her dress so well.
She breathes – she can do this.
"Thank you, so do you." She wants to keep this polite and impersonal – he has no power over her anymore. She desperately wants to believe that. But there's one thing, one thing she is sure of and the black hole, the one that kept her from breathing and made her leave, is gone. She wouldn't have come back otherwise. Chuck Bass has power over tons of people; it goes with the name and the stature he holds. She'd wanted him, once, not anymore.
"Blair…" The way he says her name – she doesn't meet his eyes and turns on her heel, the movement jerking her entire body away from him.
"I have to go."
She feels the muscles in her shoulders as she walks away from him, somehow managing to keep her head high. Her bathroom break is completely forgotten as she slides back in her seat, eyes wide and a little disturbed. She hasn't missed Chuck, there is no hole in her chest, but it doesn't she's happy.
Dan leans in, hot breathe in her ear.
"What's wrong?" She grabs his hand under the table, tugs at it as if she's afraid he'll pull back. He doesn't and somehow, their little exchange goes unnoticed by the people surrounding them.
"I saw Chuck." He tenses; she can see it in his shoulders. His hand suddenly grips hers and his thumb strokes her palm in comfort. She doesn't see Bass the rest of their lunch, and she too grateful for that.
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Dan unlocks his front door and steps on the side so she can go in first.
She breathes in relief as she steps into the loft, the furniture comforting and everything exactly the way it was before they left. There is no maid to clean up the mess and no butler to great them at the door – and it's fine. It's perfect the way it is.
"Blair…" He trails off, popping a few buttons of his dress shirt.
"I want to stay here."
"Sorry?" She stands very still, determined. She's decided, she's made her choice and even if she'd somewhat made it before, now she's so sure she can feel it in her bones.
"I want to stay here in Brooklyn. I don't want to go back to the Upper East Side. I want to stay in the loft." He surprises her by laughing. Of all the ways he could answer, this one she definitely did not expect. He can sense it, her surprise. And stops laughing even if there is still a smile plastered on his handsome face.
"I thought you already were." The smile that spreads on her face is slow and warm. She grabs him by the collar and pushes her lips onto his.
They barely make it to the bedroom.
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A/N : It's been almost two years and I feel guilty for that. After watching the finally of Gossip Girl years ago, I was too disappointed. I know Blair and Chuck were always end game, but I hate how the finished the series. I've decided I'm going to make my own ending. Dair is endgame for me, no doubt it and if anyone still reads this stories, I hope you enjoyed it. There isn't much left for this story, but I hope you'll stay for the ending. Thank you for reading and reviewing, it means a lot to me.