Disclaimer: If I owned Gossip Girl it would be all about Eric!

Promise Me

Eric van der Woodsen was staring out of his penthouse window, looking down at the people below. Eric wondered who those people were. How many were like him. How many had messed-up families like him. How many people had scars on their wrists like him.

"Eric," a deep voice interrupted his internal monologue "What are you doing?"

Eric turned to see his almost-step-brother, Chuck Bass standing behind him. "Just staring out the window, Chuck. It's getting cold outside."

Chuck laughed, "Yeah. Your back in New York now. No more warm, sunny Florida."

Chuck noticed a strange look on Eric's face. "Eric?" Chuck asked, "What's wrong?"

Eric shook his head like he was shaking himself out of a daze. "Nothing Chuck. It's just you said Florida."

Chuck was confused, "What did you hate Florida or something?"

Eric took a deep breath, "I wasn't in Florida."

"Where were you?" Chuck asked.

"The Ostroff Center." Eric finally responded.

"What were you visiting Serena or something?" Chuck questioned, remembering his discovery during Ivy Week.

"No. Serena wasn't in the Ostroff Center, Chuck. I was." Eric said, looking down.

Chuck was shocked, "Why?" He finally asked.

"Earlier this year I slit my wrists." Eric explained. Eric had no idea why he was telling Chuck Bass all or these things. It was Chuck Bass and Chuck was Chuck. As weird as it seemed though, Eric trusted Chuck more than most. He had known Chuck all his life and Chuck won't hurt him with this information.

Chuck finally spoke, "Why'd you do it?"

Eric just stared at him. "You don't have to tell me if it makes you uncomfortable" Chuck quickly said, fearing he had gone to far.

Eric shook his head, "It's just no one, well besides my therapist has ever asked me that. I guess I was just so lonely. Serena had just left and then Klaus and Mom split up. Then Mom moved us over to the empire and she was gone all the time and I was there alone. Eventually, I just got so mad at the world I picked up a knife and slit my wrist. I still remember exactly what I was thinking when I did it and the way my mom screamed when she found me."

Chuck was shocked not only by the things Eric told him, but the way Eric said it. Eric said it so frankly, almost as if it had happened to someone else. "Eric," he finally spoke, "Why didn't you come to one of us. We all would have helped you."

Eric shook his head, "You guys were all busy. After Serena left, I never saw any of you again. Sure if I'd pass you in the hallway you'd say hi. But honestly, after Serena left, it was like you all had gone with her. I really didn't see any of you again until Ivy Week."

The mention of Ivy Week sent Chuck's head reeling. Had he and Blair hurt Eric with their rash actions? "Eric?" Chuck asked gently, "Did we hurt you?"

Eric looked confused, "What do you mean?"

"At Ivy Week." Chuck clarified, "When me and Blair did that to you and Serena. Did we hurt you?"

Eric smiled a small smile, "No. I actually think you made me stronger. I was so mad that Blair had done that to Serena. It gave me my courage back to stand up to her."

Chuck smiled, "Good. Because I would never want to loose you. And I know everyone around you feels the same way. Promise me if you ever feel like doing that again you'll come to me?"

Eric laughed, "I promise."

Chuck paused for a second, "First things first. If you're going to be my little brother we have got to get rid of that ridiculous hair color."

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