This is the first part of the fic finale (oh, the melodramatic me ;) Thank you all for the lovely reviews! Enjoy!
Cosmic Love
It was 9pm in the next day, and Blair was sitting on Dan's lap. They were watching a movie, at least he was. She wasn't watching, in fact, she was far away from even being there. Her mind was entirely focused on Nate and his upcoming meeting with Epperly. She tried to ignore the fact that she cried all night long after he left, but she regained her composure eventually and texted him with the time and place to meet Epperly, like he asked her to before he left. She was trying to convince herself that after the whole Epperly thing is over, so does her relationship or friendship or whatever that was she had with Nate. The strokes of Dan's hand on her thigh snapped her back to reality, and she noticed that the movie was about to end. Good thing she already saw it twice, so Dan wouldn't notice she's lagging behind on the plot lines in their usual post-movie discussions. She leaned her head on his chest and tried to focus on the movie instead of Nate. She failed.
Nate buttoned his shirt slowly as he studied himself in the mirror. He could get anyone he wanted, but all he wanted was a dark eyed gorgeous brunette who was his long before Dan and even Chuck stepped in. And now she wanted nothing to do with him. He seriously felt like a home wrecker. Not only he ignored his best friend's honest request, he also went behind his back and almost slept with his girlfriend. He was never the guy to do any of those things, but love proved him wrong, and he felt like a mess. He finished buttoning his shirt and checked his reflection in the mirror; he looked pretty decent, if he was obnoxious, he would also say fuckable. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed heavily. He didn't want to sleep with Epperly what so ever, but he was willing to do just about anything for Blair. Anything that might make her happy. Nate shook his head and smiled sadly at his reflection. He didn't sound like a man, he sounded like one of those obsessed rag-boyfriends. He practiced a manly look at the mirror before heading down to hail a cab. D-day.
Blair took a hesitated bite on her pizza slice. She was trying to get all Brooklyn-style comfortable for Dan, but it was harder than she thought, and the pizza still grossed her out. At least Dan found it amusing and laughed at her from his corner of the couch. "It's so greasy, how can you eat that twice a week?" she protested and tossed the pizza on the plate with disgust. No use in pretending, right? Dan just laughed harder at her and shook his head; he found her disgusted full of horror face hilarious. Blair tried to glare at him, but his laugh eventually caught up on her, and she began laughing with him. She imagined Nate stepping out of the cab right about now. He was never late. Her imaginary camera focused on Nate's perfect baby blue eyes, and she completely forgot to laugh along with Dan for a second, which caused him to frown at her with confusion. She noticed his gaze right before he managed to say something about that, and smiled widely at him. He shrugged as if he was imagining things and took a bite on his pizza.
Nate got out of the cab and stood outside the Oak Bar, surveying the transparent windows for Epperly with his eyes. She was no where to be found yet, so he decided to get in anyway, maybe have a drink or two. He really needed some. He sat heavily on the bar stood and signaled to the bartender. He might as well get drunk beforehand, it might numb him and make his heartache go away. He downed his drink and a picture of Blair's dimpled smile flashed before his eyes and reminded him that when it comes down to it, it's all for her, always were. It wasn't long before Epperly arrived. She immediately took a seat by his side and ordered them both a drink. He was supposed to wait twenty minutes before doing the mad boyfriend act, and then make a move on her. Oh joy!
Dan spun Blair around and around while they were dancing to an old Frank Sinatra song. It was her idea to dance, even though Dan protested a few times, claiming he was never the dancing type. She laughed at him and reminded him that Serena is still her best friend, and she told her all about his magic appearance in their first cotillion, and his dancing moves weren't less than perfect. He blushed and a sad look crossed his face before he took her hand and lead her to the living room. Blair wasn't naïve, but she did something cruel. She brought up Serena just to feel better with herself and her Nate situation. Dan's sad look didn't even bother her. She was pretty sure he wasn't over Serena even before they started dating (which was what, two weeks ago?) and the way they eyed each other in the restaurant that day, proved her assumption correct. They danced quietly when she started to question his 'I love you' statement.
Nate didn't feel like talking, luckily for him, Epperly did, and she was rambling about work for fifteen minutes now. Five more and he were supposed to be pissed on Blair's no show incident. He was pissed five minutes earlier. He wanted Blair to show up even though he knew she wouldn't. He wanted to exclaim to the world and tell her that he doesn't believe her act for a second, and that he loves her. The more he thought about that impossible scenario, the more he was depressed. He downed his third drink and nodded when Epperly asked him something. Four minutes left.
The song was over a long time ago, but Dan and Blair were still dancing. She was going to ask him. Hopefully, she won't regret it. "Did you… did you mean it when you said you love me?" She asked gently, not stopping the dance just yet. She could feel him stiffen under her arms while they kept dancing. He was awfully quiet. "I don't know", he confessed quietly after a minute of silence. "Why did you say it then?" She asked, trying to understand his motives. "I honestly don't even know. I'm not the one to say it without meaning it, just like you. I guess I just felt intimidated…" He said and spun her around, catching her in his arms right after. She didn't answer; she just buried her head in his neck. It was over, neither of them needed to say anything else. "You okay?" he asked. "Nate's with Epperly right now, and he better not mess this up" she replied. He stopped dancing.
Nate was pretty sure his mad boyfriend act went well and Epperly bought it. She was getting tipsy, and it was his signal to make a move. He placed his hand over hers while she was talking about her ex boyfriend. She pulled her hand away immediately and continued talking. She was a talkative drunk alright, but he was determined to try again.
"He came to your apartment that night didn't he?" Dan asked.
"Of course, I asked him to", Blair said, trying not to turn herself in. If only that night wouldn't end the way it did. Dan shook his head in response and smiled bitterly. Blair released her arms around him and sent him a puzzled look.
"I told him not to, I told him to back off" Dan said bitterly and walked over to the kitchen.
"He never said a word" Blair mused out loud and caught the bottle of water Dan threw in her direction. "He refused to listen though, he must really care about you", Dan shrugged and studied her. Blair just stood there and imagined Nate kissing Epperly passionately. Definitely unacceptable, even in her mind. "I should go", Blair muttered while buttoning her coat quickly. She sent Dan and apologetic look, but he just shrugged and smiled at her. He knew, and he wanted her to be happy no less. "Hey, I'm not even sad", Dan winked at her and raised his bottle of water in her honor. Blair rolled her eyes and laughed "I'm flattered, but offended in the same time". Dan laughed back in response and nodded at her in approval. "By the way, I heard that the Ben is back in Cornwall minus Serena. I would check on her, but I'm super extremely busy. You would do that, won't you?" Blair winked at him before she closed the door behind her. It was the weirdest breakup she ever had, but the best one yet. It was a welcome change. She hurried down the street, not a single cab in sight. Time was playing against her.