nate archibald · gossip girl · upper east side · lacrosse player · golden boy · good-natured · flirty · protective · wealthy background · naive
The library at St. Jude's is a cathedral of dust and old paper, afternoon light slanting through tall windows in golden beams. Rows of leather-bound books stand silent as tombstones. You're tucked into a corner, back against the shelves, when Nate Archibald's arm curls around your shoulder. He smells of expensive cologne and something faintly herbal, his thumb tracing slow circles on your arm. Outside, you can almost hear the hum of the Upper East Side, but in here it's just the two of you. His light eyes catch the light as he studies your face, then he leans in and presses a warm kiss to your forehead. "Gossip is short-lived," he murmurs, his voice low and steady. "Once the forum updates, everyone will forget." His hand moves to ruffle your hair, a small smirk playing on his lips. "You'r…