A/N: After every episode, I'd always write a short fic because I'd be too frustrated with what actually happened in the show. I had the intention of posting them here, but the ending would always elude me. After a few days (and after the new episode has been aired) I'd finish the story, but then by that time the story would not be a part of anything anymore. So I'm posting them now, before the new episode airs on January 5. I made a couple and I will be uploading them all before that date. These stories are all Blair/Nate, with the necessary Blair/Chuck. Reviews are very much appreciated. Thanks! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl.

(This particular story I wrote sometime after the first season finale.)

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Chuck Bass had always been good at the big gestures. He knew how to throw a party for the whole Upper East Side, but he wouldn't know half of the people he was inviting. He would order a new batch of Hermes scarves before they reached the stores, but he would never bother to know what colour and pattern they were. He would always deck his suite with roses and scented candles at night, but forget the girl's name in the morning. Chuck Bass was the master of seeing the big picture, and only the big picture.

"You are the sweetest," he said, handing Blair a box of Godiva truffles. She met his devilish grin with a kiss.

Blair was high maintenance. She would throw a party for her Constance Billard class and make sure the embossed seal on the envelope was perfectly stamped. She bought shoes by the barrel, but the shoe collection in her closet would be organized by colour and designer. She made a mix-tape when she was about to lose her virginity to Nate. Blair Waldorf was extremely meticulous about detail, often so that she fails to see the puzzle within the pieces.

"You always hand out boxes of chocolates to all of your girlfriends?" Blair asked playfully.

"Well, considering that you are the only one I would call girlfriend," he smirked, giving her a quick kiss, "then yes."

Blair smiled and took a bite of one of the truffles. Her joy, however, quickly turned to surprise as she cupped her hand on her mouth and rushed into the bathroom. The box of truffles fell onto the floor, and Chuck, worried, rushed after her. She shut the door before he got there. The slam of the door brought a startled Nate into the room, followed by a worried Serena.

"What happened?" she asked, seeing the mess. "What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything," Chuck answered, sensing Serena's tone. "I got her chocolates and," he looked at the bathroom door, "I don't know."

"B," Serena called out, knocking. "Are you okay?"

"What flavour are these, anyway?" Nate asked, biting into one of them. He chewed thoroughly and shook his head. "Coconut?"

"Yeah, coconut and almonds," Chuck replied, "why?"

"Coconuts make Blair gag. Remember when we were seven and her mom made coconut ice cream?" Chuck gave him a blank look. "Come on, her face was all red and her dad had to break the bathroom door down to get her out of there."

"Oh," Chuck said, disappointed, picking up the truffles on the ground and disposing of them. He sighed mournfully and sat on the bed.

Serena looked at him, sighing. "I'm sure you meant well."

"That's alright, man," Nate consoled, "get her the hazelnut ones next time. She loves them. They match the colour of her hair," He found himself smiling upon saying that, and remembering how her silky hair ran through his fingers. "There's this place on twenty second that make the best hazelnut bonbons. Blair and I would always go there whenever—"

Serena's cell phone rang. Nate had to silently thank the caller; his statements made him sound reminiscent.

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"I'm fine!" Blair screamed, trying hard to mask the sound with the flushing of the toilet. She couldn't help it; she absolutely detested coconuts. She made her way to the counter and grabbed her toothbrush. More knocking from Serena.

"Remember when we were seven and her mom made coconut ice cream?" Blair heard Nate say through the door. She quickly spat out the mouthwash she was gargling and pressed her ear towards the door.

"Get her the hazelnut ones next time. She loves them. They match the colour of her hair." Blair bit her lip. Nate remembered. "Blair and I would always go there whenever—" she held her breath. She then heard Serena's cell phone go off. She wanted to kick the caller.

When her parents broke the news to her that they were having a divorce, she took her credit card and rushed out of the penthouse. She then practically bought Barney's, and, upon finishing, she went to the place on twenty second and bought the whole display of hazelnut bonbons. Nate found her there fifteen minutes later.

If there was one thing Blair hated, it was doubt.

When she went out of the bathroom, Chuck immediately apologized. He smothered her with kisses and embraces and sickly sweet words she didn't even know were in his vocabulary. She couldn't hear him properly, though, nor could she bear to bring her arms around him. She was too transfixed by the glittering emerald green eyes across the room. She smiled at Nate. Serena looked at them oddly, trying to piece everything together.

"Blair?"

Blair blinked, snapping out of her trance. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" Chuck asked, inspecting her.

"Yes," she said, caressing the side of her face. Nate had to turn away.

Serena noticed. "Chuck, Bart said we were supposed to be at the house ten minutes ago."

"Alright," he acquiesced. "I'll call you."

Blair smiled sweetly. She gave Serena a hug.

"Talk to him," Serena whispered in Blair's hair.

"See you, man," Chuck said to Nate, and he nodded.

"Come on, sis!" Chuck said sarcastically, laughing as he exited the room. Serena shook her head and closed the door behind her.

A few moments passed. Nate looked at Blair, who was still staring at him strangely, her head cutely cocked to one side. "I should go," he said, turning around.

"Wait," Blair said, as if a reflex, "I'll get my purse."

"Blair—" he didn't even know why he was stopping her, or what the hell he was still doing in her room. If it were all up to him, he and Blair would have been naked the very second Chuck and Serena stepped into the elevator and out of the penthouse. He missed how her skin smelled like vanilla, with her hazelnut hair...

"We're still friends, right?" she mused silently and a little bit sadly. It was awful, how they'd turned out. They used to be able to tell each other everything and now, now they couldn't even stand being alone together.

Nate smiled. "Come on," he said, opening the door for her, "I'm in the mood for hazelnuts today."

Blair smiled.

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