.An Incognito Relationship.
rating: T
pairings: CBN
status: in progress
length: multi-parter
author: nat.kat
summary: What if B didn't go back to N after the cotillion and spent the night with Chuck? And however will they keep a relationship like that secret?
note: Starts from a rewritten Hi Society, and continues with select similarities to later episodes.
.I wear a mask around everyone but you.
"You looked hot on Princess Theodore's arm today" He smirks at her, remembering their mandatory dance lessons that morning. She had, in fact looked ravishing, and he couldn't help but stare at her, lest someone notice and catch on to their secret tryst.
"Is that what I am to you? Just an accessory?" She smirks back, secretly wishing that he was her escort.
"Next to him, yes." He grins at her naughtily before proceeding to flip her over. "On me, you'd be so much more" He's trying to tell her that he wants to go public, something that both scares the shit out of him, and makes the butterflies flutter like mad.
She returns the sentiment, though she knows what he is trying to hint. She can't go public with him, not yet. "Yes, but I can't be on you, remember? Because you don't want Nate to find out, and I don't want anyone to"
He frowns momentarily, because he kind of does want Nate to find out. After all the times he hurt Blair, he wants him to know that she's found someone better.
"Unless you learn to behave yourself first," And all thoughts about rubbing his relationship in Nate's face vanish as she reminds him of their early-morning rendezvous.
He's about to reply that he can behave himself, when the elevator bell dings, and Blair's attention is captured.
As soon as Dorota announces Nate, he drops back on the bed, knowing that he can't compete with the golden boy.
She tries to ignore his swelling front as she smiles apologetically, hops off the bed and starts out the door
Hearing her heels clatter down the stairs, he creeps to the door, straining his ears to listen to their conversation.
"What are you doing here, Nate" Her voice is cold and detached, something Chuck is happy to hear.
Nate's words don't please him nearly as much.
"Well I, um, look you know after rehearsal, I just, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I mean the ball's something we've talked about doing together since we were ten years old. And I've given you every reason to hate me."
"True, but keep going"
Her tone is different now, and Chuck is worried that he was right.
As soon as Nate came with his smile and begged for forgiveness, she would go running back to him.
"And the Prince, you know, he's a great dancer and all, but is there any chance you'd go with me instead? For old times sake."
"Nate, after what you pulled on my birthday, the only thing we should be doing together is moving on."
Chuck smirks at this, maybe he was wrong after all.
"I know" He gives a faint chuckle, but continues, "Look, I haven't worn this sweater, in like, forever, and I just pulled it out this morning and found this."
Chuck knows what Nate is talking about, the green sweater, in which Blair had sewed her pin. He remembers Nate complaining about how the sweater was uncomfortable, and Chuck had just shut him up with a pillow thrown from the bed.
"That's my pin, I sewed it there so you would always have my heart on your sleeve"
He laughs, but this time it's a hopeful laugh, and Chuck feels a new worry blossoming in his chest.
"I know, I figured you might need it back, or something, if..."
Blair cuts right in, and he can almost feel Nate's triumph from the top of the stairs.
"No, it was a gift." He can tell what Blair's going to say next, yet he wishes she wouldn't.
"The Prince will understand, maybe we should go to the ball together, as friends"
"Absolutely" He can hear Nate's happiness, and something flares in his chest, and he doesn't quite understand it. Yet he still feels, jealous.
"But only as friends,"
"Just friends"
He looks away, and grabs his coat and scarf, before exiting the room and bumping into Blair.
She takes in his scarf and coat in his arms, and notes the pain in his eyes, yet she doesn't mention it at all.
"Where are you going?"
"Dinner, with Bart, I'll see you tomorrow." He avoids her eyes as he blatantly lies, then walks past her, down the steps.
She's on the landing, frozen.
She could swear she heard the strain in his voice, and wonders if he listened in on his conversation with Nate.
No, he didn't need to be jealous, they technically weren't in a relationship yet and Nate and her were just friends.
She brushes away the thoughts, though they linger uncomfortably at the back of the mind.
"Blair! Lovely to see you, dear" Lily's voice greets her as she descends the stairs, noting the many guests in her sitting room.
After giving Lily a quick hello, goodbye, she approaches her mother carefully.
"Throwing another dinner party, mother?"
"No, dear this is just a small dinner to celebrate my Bendel's deal. Will you be joining us?" She knows that "will you be joining us" is her mother's way of saying, "I hope you don't stay".
"Sorry, mother, I've got plans with S tonight."
She's about to head into the elevator as she notices something odd.
Bart Bass is coming out of the elevator.
Quickly stepping in his way, she plasters on her best society smile.
"Mr. Bass! Lovely to see you,"
"You too, Blair" His eyes dart around the room, looking for Lily.
"Will Chuck be joining you today?"
He looks at the petite brunette, puzzled.
"No, Chuck usually doesn't join me for dinner. I'm afraid he's got his own schedule." He chuckles without humour, and then spots Lily speaking with none other than Eleanor.
Blair smiles at him,
"Well, then enjoy the party, I'll be going now."
Chuck Bass has some explaining to do.
If there was one thing Blair Waldorf hated, it was lying. She herself never lied, no she danced and skirted her way around the truth, but she never outright lied. Unless it was completely necessary, of course.
As she pounds on Chuck's door, Chuck can't help but feel a tad bit intimidated as he recognizes the petite brunette, her curls askew as she yells at him.
"Chuck! Open up, I can hear you breathing on the other side!"
Feeling slightly déjà vu about the situation, he slips into his ass persona as easily as slipping on his scarf.
"Waldorf, a pleasure to see you as always, but I'm afraid we'll have to postpone this, ah, meeting. Dinner with Bart, if you must know."
"Don't lie to me Chuck! I just saw Bart at Eleanor's dinner party, are you going to be joining him there Chuck?"
Her brown eyes flash, as his are stricken with something similar to, guilt?
"I didn't think so, so the next time you lie to me Chuck, I'd think twice. I can't believe I trusted you! S was right, all along. You don't care about anyone but yourself."
She turns to leave, thinking that her part here is done.
"Blair,"
His whisper, feather soft, carries to her ears, and against her better judgement, she turns around.
"Why? Why did you lie to me Chuck? Why did you leave and lie about dinner?"
He doesn't notice the pain in her eyes, as anger boils up inside him.
"Why? I left because I didn't want to get in the way of you and your precious relationship with Nathaniel. I left because I realized that I am nothing to you, but a fuck buddy. You'll always go crawling back to Nate, even if he comes to you first."
He doesn't have a chance to react as her palm comes in contact with his cheek, and she turns n her heel to leave, tears burning in her eyes.
This time, he doesn't stop her.