Greetings everyone. Welcome to my new project, a prompt story. It's something I've never done before and I'm quite unsure of how it will turn out, but at the same time I'm very excited. Each chapter is going to be a new prompt sent in by you guys, by now I have about ten and I hope there'll be more and more. You can leave your prompt in the review section or PM me if you have an account.
First prompt: The gang along with Dan and Vanessa at a romantic holyday resort for Christmas. Various pairings, NB centric with minor Chair, Danessa, Serenate.
The credit for this idea belongs to the amazing Enarmonios who sent in so many other ideas that I can't wait for you guys to read. Thank you so so so much! Xo
''Ouch.'' She hisses, her cup makes a loud clacking sound when she abruptly puts it down. Her fingers move to lightly touch her burnt lips and she winces slightly at the touch.
''I told you it was too hot.'' He chuckles in amusement. He puts his own cup of hot chocolate near to hers and watches her fiddle through her bag to find chap stick. His eyes linger on her petite form, he takes a minute to absorb her in. She is still the same old bitchy arrogant ball of snark. Perfect in every way imaginable. He curses himself silently for staring too long, when her eyes finally lift from her bag their glances meet.
''What?'' she asks in confusion. Immediately her hands go to her face. ''Is it that bad, is it swollen?''
''No, stop messing with yourself, your lips are perfect.''
Her brows rise at his comment, a teasing smile on her lips.
''I didn't mean it like that.'' He corrects himself. As if…
''Whatever.'' She muses, she finally lets go of her bag, setting it to her side. Her eyes move to the stunning view laid in front of them.
''It's pretty amazing, huh?'' she says, her voice is a lot quieter than before, her eyes can't seem to move from the view.
''Yeah.'' He mutters, only he isn't viewing the same thing she is.
''Archibald, you're staring.'' Suddenly she says. He could be imagining but her cheeks blush, making her naturally radiant skin look even better. God, what is it with him today. It started earlier that day when they arrived. Two days ago he thought he was going to spend Christmas with his so called family at the Vanderbilt's house. The bare thought of it made him shiver, but it's the best he can do really. This is his first official Christmas girlfriendless, even thought he thought he is quite independent, he had no idea what to do now that he is alone. It's all fun and games when you have a group of single friends to do crazy shit with, but when they're all taken and spend the holidays with their girlfriends the single one is left at his own mercy. Funny thing how he used to get so annoyed when Blair insisted on them spending every holyday together. He never appreciated it enough until at last he was alone. So he didn't have to think twice when Chuck called him two days ago with a simple ''Pack it up Nathaniel, we're going skiing.''
-Flashback-
He didn't even know who's going to be there or even where they're going, not like it mattered, anything to get away from home. Chuck picked him up with his limo, they went to get Blair and Serena and together they headed to the airport. Serena was her usual bubbly self while Blair was bitching since she stepped foot in there, a little more than usual which sparked his curiosity immediately. Things got a lot clearer when they arrived to the airport and his eyes caught a glimpse of no other than the Brooklynites.
''Hi.'' Vanessa greeted with a wide smile across her tanned face. Nate used to have a thing for her, like a lot…it still doesn't make sense to him. Awkwardly he smiles and nods in their direction. So three of his exes are there plus the guy who hated his guts because he had sort of a fling with his little sister…that's another one that doesn't make sense to him.
''I'm so glad you guys are coming with us, they have a spa up there, the three of us could get treatments every day.'' The bubbly blonde speaks.
Sometimes he thinks Serena is on crack, but there are also times he is so high he thinks she is the most reasonable person on planet Earth, well this isn't one of those times. Even if he brought his stash along there is no way he'd be able to pass through security.
''That's great-'' Blair comments with a forced smile ''-I'm gonna go vomit now.''
He couldn't help the chuckle that escaped at her not so discreet displeasure. She walks over to Chuck this time, wrapping her hand around his upper arm. He is talking on his phone, something about Victrola he thinks, which Nate finds funny because if he had a girl like that on him, that phone call would be the last thing on his mind. Ooh the irony.
''Well, looks like it's you and me this time-'' Serena says as she snuggles closer to him ''-just like old times. I think we can sneak in a bottle of Jack'' He tries hard not to let his surprise show, not as efficiently because his mouth shapes a frown. He chuckles slightly. Where did all of that come from? They've started acting like normal friends again like two months ago, it started when Blair's relationship with Chuck got heated and the two of them were left to each other's company. It was nice hanging out with her, obviously she thought it was nice too, more than nice.
''Easy there party girl, we're not even there yet.'' He says as he tries to get her off his arm. Two years ago he would have killed to have her throw herself at him like that, then again this isn't two years ago and surprisingly enough, he isn't in to her as he'd like to be. Maybe he can change that. Everyone else is paired up, sure Humphrey and Vanessa are playing chicken but everyone knows how it always ends up, the same thing with Chuck and Blair or so he thought. Would it be so bad if he wanted to hook up with Serena and have fun like everyone else? They are young, attractive, rich people, what is there to lose? If only his body reacted the same his brain wanted it to. On contrary, every single time his eyes would reach Blair…oh there was definitely all kinds of mixed up reactions…none of them he should be feeling given the circumstances she is occupied by his best friend, not only that but they've tried being together twice and twice times it failed.
''Be nice.'' Blair feels Chuck's breath tickle her neck. She has so many inappropriate comebacks to his requests but settles for an eye roll. His hands wrap around her tiny waist, an action she hates -no girl likes for anyone to touch her stomach- but this is Chuck and she should simply let go. Things have been tense with them over the past few months. Being in different schools , not that Chuck actually attended school, made them spend much more time apart than needed in her opinion. She blames her out of limits imagination and uncontrollable jealousy. Chuck is loyal to me, he has changed it's a phrase she repeats to herself every night before going to sleep. The more she says it the more she's skeptical. It's nonsense, Chuck loves her, he let it slip the other day. It was in the middle of one of their sex dates. All blood drained from his usually pale face, making him look terrified. He wasn't the only one. Neither of them brought it up after that as Chuck immediately apologized for it, calling it pillow talk.
Annoyed and half angry Blair let it slip and simply shrugged it off. They haven't talked much afterwards, until he finally called yesterday, saying he's taking her to a romantic getaway. An hour after that Serena called, gushing about how excited she is to finally get to wear W's new sweater collection at their trip. THEIR trip. As in the three of them together? Serena filled her in afterwards when she stopped by her house. Nate was coming along. Well at least now Serena has someone to keep her company and Blair can have her romantic getaway. She was ecstatic when they sat in the car this morning, she had Dorota look up the resort and help her plan everything to the tiniest detail. She already had her festive Victoria's Secret lace underwear on(a girl must always be prepped). Her euphoria only lasted for ten minutes or so when Chuck muttered something about Humphrey. Her head rose up from her seat, she almost choked on the champagne she was sipping.
''Why would you mention his name so close to Christmas, are you trying to throw this?''
Chuck only smirks for a little while, then his face turns serious. ''Serena suggested for them to come, I owe her one.''
This is where things got downhill. So now she is here. A goddess in making, dethroned by a pair of Brooklynites. She nervously tapped her Louboutin wrapped foot as the security checked her bags.
''B-'' her best friend grabs her from the back ''-do you mind, Chuck?'' Serena gives him a 'go away right now' look to what he obeys.
''Oh my god, you look like what they use to mop floors-'' Blair remarks ''-did you stop using conditioner or something, because that is not-''
''-BLAIR!-'' Serena cuts her off. ''As much as I enjoy you complimenting me, I need your advice.''
''Yes, we should ditch Humphrey Dumpty and whatsherface.''
''Blair-'' Serena whines in a warning tone.
''Ugh fine, what do you need?'' she corrects herself with a forced sugary smile.
''It's about Nate-'' Blair's eyes immediately search for him through the crowd. ''-no! Don't look, don't look.'' Serena freaks out.
''All right, all right, I'm not looking-'' she did sneak a peek though, sure enough he looks like he's made of sugar and spice and everything nice. She nods approvingly to no one in particular. Her eyes quickly switch to Serena before she has a chance to notice her ogling. ''What about him?''
''He looks great, right? I mean he always looks great.''
Blair scrunches up her face at her friend. ''What are you-I thought you liked Humphrey-oh God, that is hard to say without wanting to vomit.''
Serena gives her a cold look which quickly softens up as she continues ''He is with someone, and he is past-''
''-That's the smartest thing you've said all day-'' Blair cuts in.
''Do you mind?'' Serena asks impatiently, when Blair nods she continues ''Anyways, Nate is attractive aaand he is here alone-'' she swirls a lock of hair around her finger as she muses out loud ''- I am alone.'' She suddenly stops herself, her eyes going wide ''You wouldn't mind would you-'' she grabs Blair by the shoulders ''-I didn't even think about that, I mean the two of you are-''
''Serena!-'' this time Blair cuts in ''-Nate and I are ancient. I'm with Chuck now-'' her voice wavers with insecurity, she brushes it off without a second thought ''-whatever you plan to do with him….or on him, It's fine by me.'' As she speaks she feels something sting at the back of her throat, the feeling is not new to her and the bare thought of recognizing it makes her sick to her stomach. Jealousy never burned so discreetly.
What is there to be jealous about anyways? Serena can have her fun with Nate all she wants, Blair is with Chuck, the man she is meant to be with, the one who would move mountains to be with her… nothing can spoil this for her. Nothing.
''Yes, I understand.'' She hears Chuck mutter in to the phone. She approaches him carefully. One arm immediately goes around his shoulder, her head resting on the other side.
''Shit, I am so sorry Blair.'' He says in to her hair. Her face turns serious, asking for an explanation.
''Mark just called, from the Empire, this client from Japan who rescheduled last week is coming after all, I have to be there, this is my most important client-''
She doesn't even let him finish, she frowns angrily at him ''You're leaving?''
''I have to-'' he raises his voice ''-Blair-'' this time lower ''-this is serious, if we make this deal it could be the best thing ever to happen to the Empire. He is worth a lot of money Waldorf-''
''Reschedule.'' She requests angrily. This is supposed to be their getaway, what's got her through today was the thought of them being together, resolving their problems or at least drowning them in expensive champagne while he devours her in front of the fireplace. This should be the man ready to move mountains to be with her, he can reschedule. He must reschedule.
''One does not reschedule a meeting like that-''
''Then send someone to replace you, you are Chuck Bass and let's be honest, people have done most of the stuff for you.''
''Don't push it Blair.'' He warns with a cold look. They are grabbing attention from a few people nearby so he stands closer, trying to lower his voice ''Get your head out of your ass Waldorf, this is grownups world-''
''Chuck, Blair we have to go-'' Serena calls from distance. The arguing duo ignores her.
''What's that supposed to mean-'' she snaps angrily at him.
''It means that you live in this girly fantasy of life where everything is as you wish for it to be and everyone answers to you. Well that's not how real life works and that is not what's going to happen today.'' He finally loses it. Chuck Bass is a man of patience, but he's also a man of temper. Unfortunately so is Blair Waldorf.
''Don't toy with me Chuck, I have put up with one to many of your screwups. I should have known you're all talk, everyone says you're this innovative brave business man who has made a fortune by making great decisions while truthfully you're just a spoiled rich brat who has people do things for him.''
''Get over yourself-'' he yells after her when she marches away from him ''-while you're there why don't you also just get over the fact that I'm more successful than you.'' She stops her walk. Steadily with a death glare she turns around.
''You just can't stand me being better than you at something for once.''
It's the last thing he even gets a chance to say because the next thing he knows is her hand slamming against his freshly shaved cheek with all the force she can muster.
''Blair-'' Serena's voice breaks them up as she grabs Blair by her arm ''-What's going on?''
Chuck doesn't say his goodbyes, his driver is waiting by the door and his luggage is being carried away a few steps behind him. Blair doesn't move, she watches him walk away, burning imaginary holes through his entire body. She shakes Serena's hand off of her, slightly smoothing out the invisible creases on her dress.
''Nothing.'' She snaps. ''He isn't coming.'' She says quietly, trying to calm herself down. Serena looks at the exit then at her.
''Are you still coming along?''
''Son of a-ugh-''
''Blair?'' his voice calls, he walks over to her, bending down to hand over the passport that she dropped from her bag. ''Are you all right?''
When she gives him a narrow eyed look he decides to ask no more. ''Okay then.'' He is about to walk away, but she just looks so sad and miserable when she heads over to the elevator. It's Christmas Eve, their friends are out singing drunk karaoke, he was on his way to join them when he ran in to her. She bailed on them earlier that night, when Humphrey suggested a home cooked dinner, with an excuse of needing some time to herself. No one should be by themselves on Christmas Eve.
''Stop the elevator-'' his hand cuts in before the door closes. She gives him an odd look.
''Did you forget something, are you going up?'' She asks clueless. He gets in the elevator and holds the stop button.
''What are you doing?''
''Come have a cup of coffee with me.'' He asks throwing on the most charming smile he could manage, hoping it will work in his favor.
''It's too late for coffee.'' She says bluntly while staring out the elevator door. Her hair is slightly curled, the only makeup he can tell is there is her red lipstick, the vintage dress she is wearing makes her look like a star in one of those 50's movies she loved so much. Beautiful.
''Hot chocolate then.''
She is about to refuse, and he refuses to let that happen. His hand around her waist pulls her out of the elevator. ''It's Christmas Eve Waldorf, come have a cup of something hot with one of your oldest friends, I'll cry if you don't.''
Her response is a strong eye roll, but he can see her lips twitching to a smile she's trying so hard to resist. ''It would be my greatest pleasure seeing that.'' She teases. A cup of chocolate with Nate or drowning herself in a bath of bubbles till she melts in to water. A tough choice, but he's looking at her with those deep blue eyes and how could one say no to that? Fine-'' she exhales ''-one cup and that's it.''
''One drink is all I need to charm you.'' He is feeling playful tonight, or maybe it's just her company, either way this is already far better than karaoke with the dysfunctional Brooklyn couple plus Serena who is probably blasting out Barbie girl.
''One, stop flirting with me-'' she nudges his shoulder ''-two, why aren't you in Serena's room, draining her in whipped cream or whatever.'' Her voice get's that bitter quality at the end, the same taste in her mouth. Easy there Waldorf, you're better than this.
''One, if you think this is flirting, you clearly haven't gotten the real Archibald flirt package yet-'' this makes her giggle ''-two, thanks but no thanks.'' But he has some other pictures involving whipped cream and a specific brunette in his mind. That escalated quickly. So he goes from completely uninterested and wanting to nail her best friend, to slightly jealous, to wanting to charm her because she looks great, to wanting to drench her in whipped cream, preferably in his hotel bedroom? Smooth.
''Let's just order.'' She swiftly ignores his remarks, it would be fine if she just left it there, but her brain kept poking and poking, lurking its curious snotty head out. ''I thought you liked Serena.''
''Liked.'' He emphasizes the past tense and picks up both of their cups.
-End of flashback-
She is quiet for some time now, he can almost see the machinery inside her head moving, if she gets in to her thoughts any deeper her head might explode.
''Do you want to talk about it?'' he asks carefully, he already knows the answer but tries anyways.
''About how your best friend is a bastard and I never want to see his arrogant face again unless on a platter? No thanks, I'm fine.''
He laughs at her snark. It's his best friend she's trash talking but honestly for everything Chuck's done in the past he deserves worse.
Something catches her attention and she looks away from him, he can see a reflection of light in her eyes. He follows them to the screen above the bar that is currently showing some Disney film. Blair lets out a sigh, her eyes falling back to his.
''Remember when we were little and we used to pretend we had our own kingdom?'' They both chuckle at the memory.
''Yes-'' he adds up ''- you and Serena would pull down your mother's satin curtain to make dresses out of it, and I had to wear a crimson towel around my shoulders to play a prince.''
''It was always the same game, Serena and I were the damsels in distress and you'd try to save both of us.''
''I always chose you, though.'' He points out.
Yes, Blair says with sad eyes. ''I never understood that, Serena was always better at playing a princess than I was.''
''Yes, she was the best princess-'' he stops and smiles ''-but I wanted a queen. That's why I always chose you.''
Her breath stops in her lungs, she can feel her eyes water and for what? A stupid childhood memory? This isn't like them at all. She quickly shakes her head, hoping he didn't catch the glistening in her eyes.
''Are you okay?'' Damn the man for being so focused.
''Yes, I'm just really tired and that girl over there is wearing tights as pants, my eyes are watering.'' She shrugs it off in the classic Blair Waldorf style. Suddenly she grabs her bag and gets up.
''Hey, wait. Where are you going?'' he runs after her. She doesn't bother to turn around, instead she speeds up.
''I told you I'm tired, I-'' she stops, her eyes are glued to something behind him again, a watch this time. Her lips curve up when she looks back at him ''It's past midnight.-'' she says with a light smile ''-Merry Christmas.''
''Merry Christmas.'' He says quietly his eyes watching her little form disappear inside an elevator.
It's past midnight on a Christmas Eve, you're in France. Your friends are still out singing karaoke, your best friend is on another continent and the woman you might still have feelings for is slipping away. What do you do? Go.
''I didn't order room service.'' Her annoyed voice speaks from the other side of the door. His foot is tapping against the white carpeted floor nervously as he waits for her to open. What is he even going to say? Not that much time to think about it now because she's opened the door and she looks rather confused.
''Nate? What are you doing here?''
''I-'' he shakes his head lightly ''-I don't know. But I know I can't just let you walk away when you're in a state like this.''
''A state like what?'' Her voice breaks mid sentence, a tear escaping her eye. She tries to wipe it away unsuccessfully because another one follows and another and another. The next thing she knows she's lying in the bed curled up by his side, while his hand brushes through her hair in a soothing manner.
''Oh my god-'' she mutters, the sound of her own voice unbearable to her. Her head is pounding, or maybe it's just her heart trying to rip through her chest. She cracks open an eye, but the sunlight is too damn bright and she pulls a pillow over her head to ease her headache. When she first feels something move beside her she thinks it's a side effect from the strong headache. Then she feels it again, only this time she forces herself to take a look around.
''Oh my god-'' she says, this time louder. ''No. No. No. No! Shit.'' She covers her mouth with the comforter as the body beside her starts to move again. Not a second after his eyelids flutter open, his blue eyes meeting her brown ones in despair. At first they don't say a thing, none of them dares to move, the silence is defeating. It makes her head ache even worse so she speaks first. At the same time he opens his mouth to speak.
''No-''' she puts a hand over his mouth ''-don't even dare to speak. I don't want to hear a word okay? Nothing happened, all right? We had hot chocolate, you walked me to my room and you turned around and went back to your room. Nothing else happened, you understand?''
He nods and pushes her hand of his mouth. ''Blair-'' she is ready to shut him up again but he takes a hold on her wrist before she even has a chance to ''-Blair! Nothing happened anyways.''
She looks at him confused. He lets her hand go to push the comforter off of him ''I'm still fully dressed, so are you.'' He points over to her. She looks down, a crimson blush spreading over her cheeks. Why was she so quick with conclusions? A wave of relief washes over her, she lets her head sink back in to the pillow, a laugh escaping her mouth.
''Oh, right. Thanks god.'' She realizes it sounds rude so she quickly corrects herself ''I mean not that you're not attractive, you are, very very much- we've been there before and you know how this ends and-'' she is talking a mile per hour. He nods in rhythm with her words.
''Blair stop talking.'' He cuts her rambling off, sending her a smile of approval when she finally does. ''It's fine. I should probably go before someone comes to check up on you.'' He straightens his dress shirt as he gets up ''They were all really worried about you last night.''
''Only you came to look for me.'' A comment she should have kept to herself. She curses herself silently and strides in to the bathroom. He doesn't say anything for a while which makes her think he is already gone. The thought of it sends an awful feeling of emptiness inside of her, a feeling which like all the rest she decides to ignore. It's for the best. She undresses completely and slips in to a fluffy hotel robe. She is about to get inside the shower when she remembers she left her toiletry bag by her bedside.
Her heart almost stops when she walks in to Nate on his way out. ''Jesus-'' she grabs at her heart ''-I thought you left.''
''I did-'' his eyes trail to her half naked form. Breathe Nate, remember to breathe. ''- I forgot my phone so I came back.''
She nods, bringing her robe closer to herself. They stand there for a minute, simply staring at one another.
''Thank you for last night.'' She speaks suddenly ''If you weren't around it would have been the worst Christmas Eve ever.''
''Yeah sure, just wanted to make sure you're fine…which you are so I should go.'' And he really wants to, but the way she's looking at him, her eyes calling for his attention. His hands burn with the need to unravel her robe, touch the silkiness of her skin, kiss every inch of her perfect little form. His brain buzzes in, telling him to get the hell away from her. Then again, when does Nate ever do what his brain tells him to?
Leaning in he captures her lips, his fingers immediately tangling in her almond tresses. He expects to feel her tiny hands push against his chest any time, but seconds pass and those hands end up around his neck instead, pulling him in to a deeper kiss than he ever intended for it to be.
''Blair?'' A silent voice chimes in. They break apart like opposite sides of a magnet. Nate swears he never cursed anyone so badly inside his head as he did Serena at that very moment.
''Oh, Nate?'' Her face lightly drops when she sees him standing a few steps away from Blair…who was in a robe. Her cheeks burn and her stomach does flips, sickness spreading through her body. This time it has nothing to do with her hangover.
''Nate was just leaving.'' Blair says without a breath, without looking at either of them she turns around and heads to the bathroom.
''I'll be out in a second S, goodbye Nate.'' She says coldly and closes the bathroom door after her. She leans against the door, swallowing hard to keep her emotions down. Without a single breath she finds herself crying uncontrollably.
''Bye Blair.'' He says coldly. ''Merry Christmas.'' He mutters to Serena, slamming the door shut as he walks away.
So here's the deal. This is the first part of the story, I have a part two too which I can write now or later on through the story, it is up to you guys. I hope you enjoyed this and I hope Enarmonios likes the way I wrote it, I tried my best.
Think of it as my Christmas present to all of you. Please, please leave a review telling me what you think about this. It's my first time writing prompts and I'm kind of insecure about it. Your opinion would mean the world to me. Also if you have any requests for future prompts please send those too. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. Till next update (which depends on the feedback mostly) xo L