My Lucky Charm

Notes:

Thanks a lot for all the kudos on first part, I'm sooo glad you're enjoying it ^^ , it means a lot to me.

Hope you'll like this new part too.

Not so confident to manage to update the very last one on time, but I will try, LOL

Important: The underlined ‘... ‘ part is Gossip Girl’s voice over or posts, just like it happens in episodes.

II: Stubborn Girl

Good evening, Upper East Siders,

I don’t know about you, but late Spring makes me so hyper active and after all there's so many things to do, so many people to keep an eye on…
Maybe not B, since she’s so stressed after what happened , or rather DIDN’T happen with a certain Royal, that now she’s seeking shelter in the green Devon countryside, far from anything that could pique my interest.

And neither Lonely Boy proves to be any stimulating, now that he’s heading to Brighton, to improve his poetry skills, or rather to become an outsider in another Continent as well. Uhmm, maybe it’s time to start calling him Loser Boy.

Let’s skip to the juicy stuff, such as the new love triangle C and N are trapped in, but this time there’s the gorgeous R in the middle.
Or let’s have a look on S and her -once again - broken heart, will she give thread and needle to the first man she sees to have it mended or will she finally learn how to lick her wounds on her own?

And now that also V is back in town, will she have more secrets to spill out, more friendships to crush?
So many irons in the fire that I don’t even know who I should roast first.
Or maybe I just won’t do anything, you know how unpredictable I can be!

“Geez, looks like Gossip Girl is out for blood!” Blair commented, after checking her phone.

“Really? I haven’t checked her last blast yet.” Dan shrugged with nonchalance, as they both waited for their flight to start boarding.

Cleverly hidden from too curious eyes.

“She has been particularly mean to you and has gotten into it pretty bad with Serena, too… which seems to leave me free from her clutches. Let’s enjoy it as long as it lasts!” She smirked, pushing Dan towards the flight attendant because finally they were boarding.

“I’m really astonished. How can it be that my seat is not three rows behind? What about the procedures?” Dan sarcastically asked Blair who was sitting beside him.

“Oh, shut up, Humphrey!” She scoffed.

Apparently she felt so relaxed that she managed to fall asleep in the middle of the flight.
Dan considered it a little victory, also because she was resting against his shoulder.
But that also gave him a lot to think about.

A caduta libera

(In free fall)

In cerca di uno schianto

(Looking for a crash)

Ma fintanto che sei qui

(But while you're here)

Posso dirmi vivo

(I can say I'm alive)

-For someone who promised to himself he had to forget her, spending so many days alone with her it’s just brilliant! - He sighed, fighting the urge to caress her hair.

-And I know how dangerous this is for me: the higher I go, the more painful the crash will be and now I’m already in free fall. But if this is the price for having your pretty little face always sulking be enlightened with a smile of yours, then I'm willing to pay it. After all, I never feel more alive than every time you’re with me. -

Tu, affogando per respirare

(You, drowning to breathe)

Imparando anche a sanguinare

(Learning also how to bleed)

Nel giorno che sfugge

(In the day that slips away)

Il tempo reale sei tu

(The real time it’s you)

Dealing with Blair Waldorf wasn't something easy, it surely taught him how to become resilient.
He had lost count of all the times that Blair hurt him with a look, a one word too many, a gesture, a wrong behaviour.

But he had also lost count of all the times he found out how fragile she was, how sweet she could be, how good she managed to make him feel.
And as that day turned into night kept slipping away, Dan had the certainty he was doing the right thing.
Because she was his certainty.
Blair was all that mattered.

Dan managed to fall asleep as well, but woke up first, in time to warn Blair about the landing.

“We’re almost there.” He gently shaked her, waking her up.

She stretched out, extremely rested.

“Thank you for warning me, I love the landings.”

Dan stared at her very amused.

“What?” She frowned.

“It seems you really had a good nap.” He noticed, smug.

“Okay, Humphrey, you have very comfortable shoulders, but let’ s not make a big deal out of it!” She scoffed, amusing him even more.

---------------------------------------------------


Dan was sitting on the comfortable sofa of the Covent Garden Hotel, on the roof terrace.
Not that the suite wasn’t amazing, with that color Tiffany on the walls, those large windows, elegant curtains anywhere, comfy sofas, double beds - two separate ones, at opposite sides, of course - and every sort of prosperity, but... the skyline of that terrace was priceless.
And the day was perfect to stay en plein air.

And that’s where Blair reached him, once she was done unpacking her stuff.

“Oh, you’re writing, I see.”

“I’m practically breathing inspiration. It’s impossible not to write here.” He beamed. “But don’t worry, I won’t try to isolate myself. I’m utterly yours.”

And it was a statement more sincere than how Blair could ever imagine.

He closed his notebook and placed the pen inside it, for good measure.

“Awesome. You know, my session with Madame Le Destinéè is on the third day. For this afternoon I was planning this: we could start with Baker Street 221B, because something tells me you wouldn’t mind seeing Sherlock Holmes’ fictional address.”

“Of course, I don’t!” He grinned, excited.

“Right. Then, crossing Hyde Park, we could head to Harrods where I know for sure I wouldn’t mind having a long stop.” She made him giggle. “And who knows, Humphrey, maybe we can also find something proper for you, when we’ll go to the Royal Opera House, tomorrow.”

Dan was beyond thrilled.

“Are we really going to the Royal Opera House?”

“You can’t expect me not to go to see ‘La Tosca’. And I’m going to astonish you again, because we have close seats.” She made him giggle. “Consider the ticket and the coming-soon outfit as my way to thank you for coming here with me.”

“You know, Waldorf, I could grow fond of this way you have to thank someone.”

- Not anyone, only someone special… - Blair mused.

But she would eat her own tongue, rather than saying that out loud.

-------------------------------------- 

They spent a very nice afternoon, although to take Blair out of Harrods turned more difficult than expected, but Dan managed to do it, with the alluring promise of a dinner at The Ritz.

Not that Dan could complain, he felt almost privileged having seen Blair trying on so many clothes, one more beautiful than the other. And the one she had chosen for the Royal Opera House was simply astonishing: a Chloè short and strapless dress, revealing but not in a gross way, pleated in every of his yellow, green and black layers, which gave it a playful sense of movement.

A satin black ribbon around the waist was the final elegant touch.

Also Dan was more than satisfied with his choice: a Calvin Klein suit made of pants and jacket of a powder blue that gave a shiny effect, with a matching tie and a matt white shirt.

They left their bags to the chauffeur Blair had rented and after the dinner they enjoyed the rest of the night at Piccadilly Circus, choosing to end the night seeing a Burlesque show in Soho.
And this time Blair got content to be only a spectator, rather than going on the stage to give her show.

When they reached the hotel, they were so tired they barely managed to reach their bed.

-------------------------------------------

Blair realized she was sleeping more in that day and half than in the previous two months.
She was unsure if she should attribute the pleasant effects to London… or to Dan.

Dan, who was sleeping at the opposite side of the suite.

Once she was ready, she reached him, but she found out he was already more than awake.
And very inspired.

“I can’t believe you’re still writing.” She snorted, reaching his bed.

“Good morning to you, too, sunshine…” Dan sarcastically replied, without stopping writing.

“Now I’m curious, let me read it!” She tried to grab the notebook, but he was faster.

“No bloody way, until it’s done!” He retorted.

“Listen to you, already so British!” She giggled. “At least would you bother to tell me what it’s about?”

Dan closed his notebook, placed it in a drawer and turned to her.

“All right, that I can do.” He shrugged. “It’s about a beautiful, stubborn girl who goes on looking for the love of her life, not realizing how happy she could be if only she could really see who she keeps mistaking for a friend.”

Blair was anything but stupid and she immediately caught the message between the lines.
 

“Interesting plot, yeah. But maybe all the stubborn girl needs right now is just a friend.”
 

“And that very patient  guy is willing to play any role as long as he can stay close to her.” Dan smiled at her.
 

“So she’ll never lose him, no matter what?” She looked at him, in a mixture of hesitation and expectation.

“He’d rather die than lose her.”

She was impressed, very, by such a devoted answer, but decided to play defense, abruptly changing topic.

“However, it’s getting late, we still have to have breakfast and the day has plenty of things to do. Hurry up, Humphrey, leave the stubborn girl alone and go get dressed!”
 

---------------------------------------------

Of course, the National Gallery had to be one of their goals and they spent a remarkable amount of hours there, basically challenging each other about who knew more about a specific topic.
The Virgin of The Rocks, by Leonardo da Vinci, Venus and Mars, by Botticelli, the Madonna of the Pinks, by Raffaello, the Basin of San Marco on Ascension Day by Canaletto, The Sunflowers of Van Gogh and many other masterpieces.

They were so good in their observations that two groups of tourists preferred to join them from afar during their item, rather than following the guide they had paid for.

"Well, it's clear that you have a plan B as touristic guide, Humphrey, if your career as writer should be an epic fail!" Blair stated, as they strolled through Tower Bridge, enjoying their long coffees.

"And the same can be applied for you, Waldorf, if you should get sick of conquering the Empire of Fashion!" He struck back, stopping just to give some pounds to a street artist -a guitar player and singer - who was amazingly skilled.

And he had enough knowledge to figure that out.

"Who knows if us following this plan B would bring us to be colleagues, again!" He chuckled.

"I've survived the first time, I could do it again!" She shrugged, as she opened her purse, in order to mirror his actions.

That musician was really good, indeed.

"Thank you so much,guys. May the good luck be always with you!" The artist thanked them both, before they walked away.

"Did you hear him, Blair? Maybe that's all you need, instead of your super expensive sorcerer!" Dan teased her.

"Oh, shut up, Humphrey!" She pushed him forward, playfully.

------------------------‐-‐-

After visiting Westminster Abbey, they decided to take a walk through St James Park, where Blair ended up feeding the local ducks.

Certain habits die hard even in other continents.

She was the portray of quiet and serenity, so much that Dan couldn’t resist the urge to frame that moment in some pictures, hidden from her sight.

They headed back to their Hotel, getting ready for the night.

They both were handsome and many people turned to look at them, they seemed such a pretty happy couple.

From the balcony, as he stared at the Orchestry, Dan was musing about the perfection of that night. 

It wasn't just the sumptuous Royal Opera House in all its magnificence.

It wasn't just the charm of the italian bel canto and prose that made the Tosca tragedy even more intense.

It was having Blair so close to him, catching every change of her expression, as the opera captivated both of them more and more.

- The hell with sitting behind her! This way… it almost feels like a date. Everything we are doing here in London feels like a date. A date with no making love, nor kissing... but a date, nonetheless. - 

------------------------------------ 

They were back in their suite and Blair kept talking about the Opera, ecstatic, lingering on every detail that had impressed her.

Dan could have listened to her for hours, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t interrupt to contradict her on some points, because, no matter what, arguing with Blair about anything was just too much fun.

“These days are flying, don’t you think so, too?” She commented, as she took off her shoes.

“I sadly agree with you. I’m having such a good time here.” Dan replied, mirroring her actions.

-With you.- He added in his mind, as he also was taking off his clothes; remaining in black boxers and a grey T-shirt .

“And tomorrow it’s the big day, you’re gonna have your revelation!”

Blair nodded, heading to the bathroom to change her dress.

“What time do you have the session?” Dan asked her, once she was back, wearing a blue and white silk nightshirt, kimono effect.

Dan had to drink some water because he had a dry mouth.
 

Blair was simply divine.

-Please don’t say in the morning, please don’t say in the morning! - He wished, as he was waiting for her answer.

“It’s at 6:00 p.m., at the Hall of Riu Plaza London Victoria.”She informed him, sitting on her bed.

Dan silently exulted.

He had planned  a surprise for her in the morning. 

“Are you nervous about it, Blair?” He sat on the armchair in front of her bed.

“More than nervous, I’m eager to get free of my hex!”

“Enough with this bullshit, Blair, there’s no hex haunting you; it’s only a matter of bad choices so far!”

“Maybe it’s the hex haunting me that makes me make bad choices!” She proved to be as stubborn as the character in Dan’s latest story.

“I guess we’d better go to sleep now, Waldorf, arguing with you takes a lot of energy!” He made her laugh, but she wasn’t so amused anymore when she saw him walk towards the other side of the Suite.

“Humphrey?” She called him.

“Yeah?” He turned to her.

“I guess that I made an unnecessary addition when I booked this Suite.”

Dan displayed a smug smirk.

“What are you trying to say, Waldorf?”

“I’m trying to say that this comfy bed is big enough for the two of us,” She patted the empty side, inviting him to join her. “And no matter how well I slept last night, there was something missing.”

She waited for him to lay down and then rolled close to him, crouching and placing her head on his shoulder.

“Now everything is perfect.” She sighed contently.

Sai difendermi e farmi male

(You know how to protect and hurt me)

Sezionare la notte e il cuore

(Dissect the night and the heart)

Per sentirmi vivo

(So that I can feel alive)

In tutti i miei sbagli

(In all my mistakes)
 

Dan was not deluded.
He was too clever to figure out that there wasn’t anything sexual in what Blair was doing.
Only tender.
It hurt him and filled him with hope at the same time.
That was the effect Blair had over him, she could have cut his heart up all night and he would just ask her to go deeper with the blade, because it was such a good bittersweet pain, not to ask for more.
And he perfectly knew that it was a mistake, but he just couldn’t help.

“Dan?” She called him, lifting her gaze up.

Yeah, she had called him ‘Dan’, not ‘Humphrey’ and both of them seemed to have noticed that, but both of them preferred acting as if nothing had happened.

“Yeah?”

“Would you tell me more about the Stubborn Girl and the Patient Guy?”

“Sure. As you were getting ready for the night I went on a little more with a chapter where the Patient Guy is teaching the Stubborn Girl about the difference between love and addiction.”

“And what is the difference?”

“Addiction is something that can be easily mistaken for love, but its powerful effect is only temporary, then when it’s gone it leaves you knocked down, making you feel like garbage and yet yearning to feel that temporary effect once more.” He began his explanation, pausing for effect. “Love is something more soothing, like a soft, warm blanket on a cold, winter night. It wraps you, it makes you feel safe. Sometimes you even doubt it’s there but there is. And its main goal is to make you feel good, for an indeterminate time.”

“You’re making it feel so beautiful that it almost scares me.” She murmured.

“I know. It’s one of its characteristics.” He chuckled.

“Dan?”

“Yeah?”

“If tomorrow Madame La Destinéè says I’m cursed beyond any remedy, will you remain my friend anyway?”

He nodded, caressing her hair.

“I’m not going anywhere.” 

Tu, il mio orgoglio che può aspettare

(You, my pride that can wait)

E anche quando c'è più dolore

(And also when there's more pain)

Non trovo un rimpianto

(I can't find a regret)

Non riesco ad arrendermi

(I can't surrender)

A tutti i miei sbagli

(To all my mistakes)

Sei tutti i miei sbagli

(You are all my mistakes)

And he wasn’t lying.
He would have even annulled himself, swallowing all his pride.
Anything to make Blair feel safe.
Even if that would have meant being just a friend, forever.
No matter how painful it was.
Dan wouldn’t have ever regretted that.
He wouldn’t have ever given up his mistakes.
He wouldn’t have ever given up Blair.

Only when he saw she had closed her eyes, he turned the light off, allowing himself to have some sleep too.

If he had managed to keep all his thoughts at bay.

-Maybe I could use some help from Madame La Destinéè as well!-

(End II)