Title: Pull Me Out From Inside
Notes: For corleones LJ, 404 words, originally a drabble (apparently my fingers got carried away?)
Disclaimer: I don't own Gossip Girl or the characters.
The first time they kiss, it's an accident of sorts. A few drinks, a stumble, a strategically placed marble pillar to catch their balance. Somewhere among the haze, a thought passes through that Humphrey isn't too bad at this kissing business. Two seconds later, the words Humphrey and kissing are resonating in her head. A disgusted sound, a shake of the head, clicking heels against the New York sidewalk, and she's gone.
(She lets herself have a 24 hour ban against any contact with him, and then it's back to occasional disdainful glares and barbed insults.)
(He lets her pretend she hadn't been kissing him right back.)
The second time, it's all her. He doesn't expect it, doesn't even have time to react before she's gone. Still, his lips taste just a little bit like Blair Waldorf, and he walks to the subway station in a daze.
The third time, he's the one at fault. They're at the opera with Serena and Jenny, and Dan doesn't even know why he's there. (Except that he really does and that reason is seated beside him and he sees her shooting sidelong glances at him throughout the performance) Everyone is nearly out the doors when Blair suddenly realizes she forgot her clutch in their box. And he "left a glove," too, so they'll just catch up in a minute.
They're up the stairs and around the corner before she speaks.
"What was that all about? You have your gloves, Humph-"
He never dreamed the day would come when he would have the (stupidity) audacity to kiss Blair Waldorf into silence.
She lands a half-hearted slap to his shoulder, even as the fingers of her other hand fist into the lapel of his jacket, pulling him closer. It's not a rough kiss. It's slow, soft, subtly passionate. His hand cups her cheek as he pulls back.
Her eyes are downcast, but she places her hand on top of his, letting her fingers run across his skin and find a place to settle in.
"Dan..." but she never finishes, and he understands just the same.
When they find her purse, she reapplies her lipstick (and lends him a tissue -- Plum Passion really isn't his color), and they're back out the door again, normal in all appearances, if a couple minutes slow.
The next day, she tells him "Hello," in the courtyard at school.
It's enough. For now.