Author's Note

I didn't like what they did with Louis on the show. And I'm surprised at the lack of fics involving him. XD I ship Dair and Chair and Blouis... but this is for my frustrations with the last one specifically. (At least for now.) This chapter you've pretty much already seen. Dialogue is from the show but I trimmed it down. The next few ones will take the story in a different direction.

"You're still here..." Chuck's voice betrayed a hint of surprise. He hadn't expected -wouldn't have expected- anyone to wait that long, especially given his and Blair's history together.

"And why wouldn't I be?" Louis's gaze met Chuck's defiantly, though there was a hint of sadness in them.

"The party's almost over." There was no provocation in his tone, but Louis stood up now to look Chuck directly in the eye.

"I know, but Blair hasn't arrived yet."

"How can you be so sure she's coming?"

"Because I love her," Louis said, simply. "And it's just as important that I believe in her. I know she's scared, but she'll figure it out. And I'll be here waiting when she does."

The tension between the two of them stiffened, but when a voice interrupted them, Chuck's demeanor changed.

"You forgot your-" Blair walked in carrying Chuck's coat, eyes widening when she spotted Louis. Overlooking her obvious surprise, Louis delightedly rushed to greet her.

"I knew you would come!" A grin broke across his face and he leaned forward expectantly, but stopped when he saw her hesitation.

"I'm sorry it took me so long." her voice was sincere, but her expression worried him. "We need to talk..."

That wasn't what he had been expecting to hear.

Louis looked at the two of them, and Chuck's coat, and finally pieced it together.

"I see..." He trailed off, crestfallen.

"Louis..."

"Blair-"

"No, I need to do this myself." Blair ignored Chuck's interruption.

Louis looked at her expectantly, waiting for the words he knew would break hisheart.

"What I need to tell you is-"

"What she's trying to tell you is that you have my blessing," Chuck blurted out. "I couldn't be happier you two are getting married."

Blair snapped up in surprise, but quickly put on a smile as Louis shook Chuck's hand and pulled her into a hug. Louis seemed to be the only one who did not notice her smile waver.

"How do you feel about tonight?" Chuck asked, seeing her eyes brim with tears.

"Awful. In fact, I've never felt this way before."

"Guilt. I feel it too."

...

"I will always love you."

"And I will always love you," Chuck repeated, planting one last kiss on her forehead before letting her rejoin Louis at the foot of the stairs.

Their conversation, though brief, was exactly what they each needed to feel closure. Their actions that night had been in the heat of the moment. And though neither truly regretted it, they both felt it was for the best.

Blair and Chuck, Chuck and Blair- the world had seen their great love sizzle and explode over the years... but it was finally time to let go. They each made each other better people. And their connection would always be undeniable, but they just weren't meant to be. Blair loved Louis too. It was different. It was simple, pure, and not destructive. Chuck couldn't stand in the way of that, and he could only hope one day he would find something like that too.