Season 1 Episode 1
"She better not show her face again."
-Blair
"I'm actually hoping she will."'
-Chuck
Blair turns to look at the boy who materialized at her shoulder, although she already knows it's Chuck Bass. Of course she would recognize his voice, she's grown up with him by her side. And Nate. And Serena. But apparently, things are changing for Blair Waldorf, and she can't stand it. Her life is perfect the way it is. Well, the way it was before her best friend took her boyfriend's virginity and then fled the state while Blair suffered through her parents' messy divorce alone.
Chuck's bleeding steadily from his nose, but Blair is unfazed. Chuck getting punched in the face is certainly not out of the ordinary, but still, her gaze lingers on him for a little longer than it should. She should be looking at Nate, standing off in the corner brooding, taking long pulls of a beer. But honestly, Chuck pulls of brooding way better. And if Nate wants to pine after her best friend, what's the harm in her checking out his? It's not something she's never done before.
Blair is a good girl. Innocent and pure. But she's not repulsed by Chuck Bass in the way most girls of her status are. In the way most people are. She's always found him intriguing, mainly because even though she's known him almost their entire lives, she's never been able to figure him out. This puts her at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to their interactions because she can't be in control if she can't read his mind. With Nate and Serena, it's painfully easy. But with Chuck, well, she never did know what would come out of his mouth next.
Her gaze lingers there now. On the bow of his lips, pursed together in disdain. On the sharp angles of his jaw, which have started developing recently and rapidly, she's noticed. He has… potential, she thinks to herself. He could become something special. He could become a man. If only she could mold him properly, like she did with Nate. And look how well that turned out. It doesn't matter anyway. Even if she was in a position remake Chuck Bass, even if she could burn his signature scarves and exchange them for ties, wash his hair and style it neatly, trade in his sneakers for Italian loafers, she doubts even she can fix how twisted he is inside.
Of course, he's never actually made a pass at her. She's always been Nate's girlfriend, and Nate couldn't ask for a more loyal friend than Chuck. Maybe it was because she had Nate as a shield against Chuck's womanizing that she didn't mind the boy so much. Or maybe it's because he's dark and mysterious and doesn't give a damn what anyone thinks about him. Maybe it's because he's everything she shouldn't want. But Blair has everything she should want, and she still feels unhappy and unsatisfied.
When Chuck turns away from her and heads back into the party, she deflates a little, feeling something extinguish inside of her. She glances back towards Nate, wondering how in the world she's going to salvage their relationship, salvage her happiness. Because if there's one thing she knows, it's that she wants a fairytale ending, and Chuck Bass is no prince.
Season 1 Episode 2
"I can't believe Serena came to this brunch. I told her to stay away."
"Are you worried about Nate? Just a shot in the dark. I think you know what you need to get his attention."
Chuck smoothly brandishes a room key, which Blair immediately scrutinizes like it knows all her secrets. The girl's always on her toes. So… tightly wound. He'd like to see her loosen up for a change. He'd like to be the one to get her to.
"What's that?"
But she's Nate's, and Nate is his best friend. He hasn't so much as laid a hand on her in all these years, and he's not about to break now. He can have every other girl in Manhattan. He doesn't need Blair Waldorf. He'd be lying if he said he didn't want her, but anyone would be. She's hot. And he's Chuck Bass.
"The key to my suite, Nate's heart, and your future happiness…. I'm honored to be playing even a small role in your deflowering."
If he can't do it, then he can definitely help Nate get there. What's the point of having a best friend if not to help them get some ass? Plus, he secretly hates what Serena did to Blair, but that's not the kind of thing that motivates Chuck Bass.
"You're disgusting."
"Yes, I am, so why be shy? Just grab Nate and finish this. And report back with details."
His quip back is immediate. If it wasn't, Blair's comment might have been hurtful. But Chuck's no stranger to this kind of thing, and anyway, he knows what he is. Who he is. He's Chuck Bass. That's what he tells himself as he watches Blair grab her boyfriend and drag him into the elevator. He needs another glass of scotch.
Season 1 Episode 3
"Admit it. Even for me, this is good."
"If you weren't such a perv I'm sure the CIA would hire you in a second."
"Defending my country. There's a future I never imagined."
"With good reason… What is she doing there?"
"What's anyone doing there? It's a facility for the disturbed or addicted."
"You must have your own wing."
"You don't get nearly enough credit for your wit."
She beams at him. It's true. She's just as clever as Chuck, it's just that he's more practiced. The only time she really gets to have any fun conversations is when she's talking to him. Having a conversation with Nate is like talking to a ten-year-old, and it's even worse when he's stoned. But she loves him anyway. Despite his flaws. That's what love is, right? He's the perfect match for her, and there's no denying it. They've been destined to get married since they were in kindergarten.
"So this is your bed?"
She kicks him out without a second thought. She's Blair Waldorf, so she ends their little game of Words with Friends as soon as he starts inevitably dropping sexual innuendos. She's a lady, and she won't stand for it. Even more than that, she kicks him out because she hates losing, and she knows she can't beat Chuck Bass when it comes to talking dirty. Although… maybe with some practice…
Season 1 Episode 8
"If you're done with Blair, be done. Don't cave to your parents wishes if they're not your desires."
-Chuck
"Excuse me? Where's my boy? 'Seal the deal, tap that ass, money marries bigger money?'"
-Nate
"Look, I care about three things, Nathaniel. Money, the pleasures money brings me, and you. I'm just trying to have your back here. Your parents have been controlling you your whole life. If it doesn't end now, when will it ever?"
Chuck hasn't been able to catch his breath since Nate brought up giving Blair his mother's engagement ring. He couldn't even look Nate in the eye when he asked what he thought about it. If he did, Nate might notice how he really feels about the whole situation. He's good at projecting detachment, but he's never felt so… attached… to anything in his entire life. Until now. Until Blair. He hasn't slept since that night in his limo, and he can't tell why. Maybe it's because he feels like shit for betraying Nate. Maybe he has some sort of virus, because he's felt sick to his stomach since. Maybe it's just because he hasn't fucked anyone in the past… 24 hours. None of that would explain why all of these God forsaken feelings he's suddenly developed intensified when Nate mentioned Blair. His head is so scrambled that he can't tell left from right. But he does know two things. First, that he doesn't want Nate and Blair to get back together. That would make what he did even more despicable. Not just the fact that he had sex with Blair. They were broken up. It's more the fact that he liked it so much. And second, that he lied to Nate. He cares about one more thing. Blair Waldorf. He cares about her in more than a she-was-a-good-lay kind of way. Oh God. He liked more than having sex with her. He actually likes her. The feeling in his stomach picks up again. The… fluttering. It continues even after Nate goes, even after he dry heaves over his sink trying to get rid of it, after he's showered and changed into a fresh suit, and especially as his limo gets closer and closer to Blair's birthday party.
"Chuck!"
Serena calls his name when he arrives. He hardly hears her. He doesn't see her. All he sees is Blair. He follows her to the roof, where he probably would have made his way anyway. When she calls him out on his feelings, he regrets even showing up. He's Chuck Bass! He doesn't have feelings. She's right, the butterflies have to be murdered. But if he knew how to kill them, he would have done it already. Later that night, when she accepts his gift and his company, he's glad he didn't. He'd lose sleep for a thousand nights if it meant he'd get one minute with Blair.
Season 1 Episode 10
"Like the book says, she's just not that into you."
-Chuck
He wishes Nate would just drop it. Just forget about Blair. When they were dating, he ignored her, cheated on her, treated her like… like she wasn't a queen. But to Chuck, she's… important.
"Man, I have to find out if she's seeing someone. It's killing me. You guys are still pretty close, aren't you?"
-Nate
Goddamn it. He can't lie. Not to Nate. Not to his best friend. He ruins everything in his life, pushes away everyone who gets close to him, but he's at least managed to be a loyal friend to one person… up until now.
"Uh… yeah."
"Could you find out who she's seeing?"
"Me."
It just comes out. He couldn't stop it if he tried. He wants to scream it. Me! She's seeing me! He feels lighter, like the fist wrapped around his chest released its grip a little. But it doesn't last.
"Yes. Come on man, who better?"
Nate thought it was a question, not an answer. Fuck. He doesn't have the nerve to say it again. So he does what he knows best. Smirks, lies, and walks away before Nate can think twice.
"Who better indeed?"
Season 1 Episode 10, Part 2, or The First Time Blair Broke Chuck's Heart
"Have you seen Nate?"
-Blair
"Nate was asked to leave. But here I am."
-Chuck
When he sees she's wearing the necklace he bought her, he can't help but smile a little, even if he tries to suppress it. When she lets him take her hand and lead her in a dance, he feels triumphant. He never wants her to stop touching him, even if it's just her hand resting lightly on his shoulder. He'll take it.
"I know that look. That's the look when your plan falls into place. You're enjoying this. You knew Carter was going to my house. You tipped off Gossip Girl. You ruined my cotillion on purpose. You did all this for you own enjoyment and didn't care what it would do to me. Which is exactly why you and I can never work."
Wait, what? No! That's… that's not what this look means. He just happy! Happy to be dancing with her! But she reads him so well. Maybe she's right. She is right. She hit the nail right on the head. She worked out what he did so quickly. Before he even realized what he as doing. But he can't let her know that.
"Hey, slow down there Waldorf."
"You make me sick. This thing between us, it's over. For good."
His heart had been sinking since she called him out for his scheme, but now it hits the floor. He feels like his on one of those carnival rides. The ones that rise painfully slow and then fall at the drop of a hat. That's what it's been like with Blair. Getting higher and higher, until now, when it all comes crashing down. He tries to get off, tries to stop feeling so much for her. But he can't.
"Blair, wait! I didn't mean to…"
He can't, so he has to try to save what's left of their relationship. He really didn't mean to hurt her. But he did. He did whatever it took to make himself happy. He schemed and manipulated and lied to the few people he cares about. Why couldn't he stop himself? Why doesn't he know better?
"Don't talk to me!"
He feels sick to his stomach. She wanted him to kill the butterflies. Well, they're definitely dead now. Something much worse has taken their place. He thought he hated that feeling. The feeling of actually liking someone. A girl. For more than just sex. But this is much worse. This is more than an uncomfortable fluttering. This is pain.
"Blair!"
She doesn't turn around. He tries not to chase her, he really does, but he goes after her anyway. When he sees her kissing Nate, he wishes he didn't. When Nate winks at him while Blair kisses his neck, Chuck feels sick. When they disappear together, he actually feels his heart break. He has to get far, far away from Blair Waldorf. If he doesn't, he's afraid of what might happen to him. He's afraid it's too late to do anything about it. He's falling in love.
Season 1 Episode 18
It was hard for her to ignore him since her pregnancy scandal. Harder than she'd ever admit. Sure, she lost her virginity to him, but that doesn't mean she had to fall in love with him. He's Chuck Bass, and Chuck Bass doesn't love the girls he fucks. It was a mistake letting him fall asleep holding her last night, which is why she throws him off of her as soon as she wakes up. Well, not as soon as she wakes up. She hesitates, reluctant to give up the safe feeling of his body wrapped around hers. But she does what she needs to do, pushing him to leave as quickly as possible while they spar back and forth. She's finally got him heading for the door, but the bastard won't shut up.
"They say if you love something you should set it free."
"They say if you hate something you should slam the door in its face."
"I love it when you talk dirty Blair."
She slams the door. Rolls her eyes aggressively. Breathes a sign of relief that he's gone. Then, she smiles a little. She can't help it. He has some… some weird effect on her.
She felt him crawl in her bed last night. She'd had a long day dealing with Serena and Georgina, and her mind was still spinning from scheming with Chuck. They did come up with a good plan. When she felt the mattress dip, smelled his cologne invade her space, she braced herself but didn't move. And he didn't touch her. She waited for him to do something violating, say something gross, but it never happened. So slowly, she let herself unwind. And when his breathing evened out in sleep, she relaxed into him, trying to fall asleep but feeling far too awake. After an hour of him sleeping like a rock and her trying not to wake him, she decided she'd go get a glass of water. It was getting way too hot in her room. She'd just rolled over, slightly out of his reach, when she heard him stir in his sleep. She paused, not for long, but long enough for him to throw his arm around her, follow by the tight wrap of his leg around her waist. She was pinned, and suddenly so, so tired. Her eyes fluttered shut, lulled to sleep by his warmth. Before she knocked out completely, she reached up and clutched his forearm, pulling his arm around her more securely.