XOXO, A Love That Never Was

Some on-screen couples tend to have undeniable, foreseen love laws that are composed of chemistry, which makes us presume that they’ve transcended the given script. Matthew Settle and Kelly Rutherford, who played pivotal roles in the series Gossip Girl, are truly phenomenal and created a chef d’oeuvre. Even after 13 years, when the show ended beautifully, to this day, the majority of the people in this fandom are still captivated by their smoldering glance at each other.

EPITOME OF A DEFINITIVE LOVE ERA

Gossip Girl debuted in year 2007, it delivered us more than just limitless gossip but also the beautifully made twist and turns of Rufus’ and Lily’s love story. The heartfelt chronicle they pursued the second time around altered the several brains by more complicatedly written serendipity. High school sweethearts torn apart by ambition, class, delusion, and privilege only to be bound to each other a few decades later. Through marriages, secrets, and filled with rollercoaster love affairs, Rufus’ and Lily’s intoxicating timeless romance provided depth and maturity that balanced the youthful romance and chaos of the show’s significant characters.

What made their story more interesting is the effortless and glowing chemistry of Matthew Settle and Kelly Rutherford; it was almost heartbreakingly real that made multiple fans grieve a statement: They were very good friends.” Their glances, stolen moments, and screen kisses made the bond beyond special. Many enthusiasts call them the headcanon of the whole series and root for them no matter the objections thrown their way. Their relationship was transcendent, the two were soul-tethered type of duo. Among all the actors paired in the series and their off-screen relationship, Settle and Rutherford have the most volatile; with their souls alike, their body synchronized like a twin old flames, anenergy uncontrollable; effortlessly shining and scattering an elegant aura.

Their solemn and genuine connection off-screen, no surprise that people speculated about a hypothetically proven romance off-screen. Actors have highly to each other with all of their Instagram posts about each other, their lightweight kisses happening off-screen, especially the interviews. Their seem-to-be love story fueled the whole fandom. Yet, neither of them ever confirmed anything beyond friendship. In the industry where co-stars eventually become a couple, the idea of Rutherford and Settle exceeding the gate of romance in a world not stimulated wasn’t too far-fetched. They’ve just gotten very supportive of each other; there was never going to be anything between the two but just mutual respect, and their sincerity to each other to the point where their performance had gotten perfectly real. Abiding the on-screen scenario, their chemistry off-screen is well-fated. For a few years they have this ineffable and wondrously-spent time in the making of Gossip Girl. (Writing this makes me heart horrendously break)

LASTING SENSE OF LOVE LEGACY

Gossip Girl ending in 2012, Kelly Rutherford and Matthew Settle remain most charismatic fan-favorite ship of the whole series. Their characters may not have the happy ending they deserve, but their love affair truly remains one of the show’s most compelling arcs. Even after today, rewatching their scenes feels just as nostalgic, comforting, and stomach-wrenching, as if the moment was timeless and never ended at all. While the actors have moved on to their next projects, fans can’t help but to expect a delusional reunion off-screen, or simply in real life, I am begging. Until then we’ll always have Rufus and Lily, a love story that proved that sometimes, the best romances are the ones that refuse to crumble down. Rutherford and Settle are soulmates, as they are described to have the most beautifully written narrative.