I decided to do an extended version of the scene with Princess The Cat...simply because I like it. I changed the POV's a little and made it longer. Next chapter will be set in NY.
The morning sun is seeping through the curtains, reflecting in the glass surface of the dining table as they sit opposite each other finishing their breakfast. He doesn't say much and neither does she. Knowing that he is not exactly a morning person and besides she doesn't mind the silence.
They have created a comfortable routine over the past few days; waking up in their gorgeous suite that she has fallen head over heels with, having breakfast from room service and then on to the adventure of the day.
She is loving every second of it, loving seeing him happier than she has in a long time, but on the other hand still fully aware of the ever-present hint of darkness in his eyes. The memory of their interrupted argument a few nights back still clear in her mind. One part of her knowing that what they are doing could be viewed upon as running away from reality, knowing that he is avoiding thinking about a lot of things. Another part of her justifying it with the explanation that they need this, they need this opportunity to be Chuck and Blair, before taking on the rest of the darkness in his world. Their world.
And it is just so nice being here, being here with him. Thinking back on just exactly how nice waking up next to him was this very morning she can feel her cheeks redden. Hoping he will not have caught it from behind the Italian paper he is occupying himself with.
But of course he does. Sometimes she could swear that he has radar when it comes to things like that.
"Reminiscing, Waldorf?" He smirks, lowering the paper to catch her eyes.
"Don't flatter yourself, Bass"
"No need" He smirks "Hearing you scream my name is flattery enough…"
Her eyes narrowing at his remark yet she doesn't reply, because honestly they both know he is right. The lack of response from her side has him grinning as he puts the paper down.
"I will go down to the reception and see if they have everything ready" He declares, finishing the last of his juice.
*¨*¨*¨*¨*¨*
Walking towards the elevators there is suddenly an image flashing through his head causing him to wince. An image of himself - maybe eight years old - walking next to his father in the corridor of a hotel, not very different from this one. Struggling to keep up as Bart Bass hurries down the corridor, barking orders over his phone.
He can not remember what they were doing there - where it was or when – still the memory causes a shiver to run down his spine and he shakes his head to get rid of the feeling. Instead reminding himself of that morning, in this hotel, with her. Focusing on the present and shutting out the past. At least for now.
*¨*¨*¨*¨*¨*
She is sorting through the content of her beloved Birkin as a movement outside on the terrace catches her attention. Walking up to the glass door she sees that black monster she found him making acquaintances with yesterday. When the animal spots her it sits down on the stone banister and looks at her expectantly, blinking slowly with those big eyes focused fully on her.
She can not help but think that it doesn't look fully as dirty and shabby as she thought it to be earlier. When she comes to think about it, it is actually quite beautiful with its dark fur and eyes a light green colour, tilting its head expectantly at her. Still, when she finds herself reaching out to open the door and then stepping out she is confused by her own actions.
As she steps out the cat lets out a hopeful meow, leaving the banister it walks up to her and starts rubbing against her legs. At first she has to swallow a shriek as the cat's fur comes into contact with her bare legs.
"What are you doing?!" She spits at the small feline, stepping away from its attempted display of affection.
Having been so brusquely dismissed the cat is one again sitting down, watching her with those green eyes. Letting out a low hesitant meow before once again starting to rub itself against her leg.
The black fur surprisingly silky against her skin she actually finds herself not moving away this time, trying really hard not to think about all the vermin quite possibly invading her leg.
"Alright, so you are not filthy then, at least that is one thing in your favor."
As the cat repeatedly rubs against her leg she suddenly finds herself warming up to the affectionate treatment, bending down to touch it ever so gently on the head. The fur like silk underneath her fingertips but she can still feel just how skinny and malnourished it is, suddenly filled with pity.
"You poor thing" She coos whilst scratching the cat absentmindedly. Noticing old scars and other signs of battle she almost gasps with dismay.
"Poor baby, what have they done to you?" She coos "Did they envy you for being much prettier than they are? Because you are so pretty, yes you are. You are pretty like a princess"
The cat is rubbing against her scratching nails, arching its back – begging for more. As it does so the ribs are clearly visible through the fur.
"You like that? Maybe we should call you Princess, just like Princess Ann? Are you hungry pretty Princess?"
Remembering how her new furry friend had looked just as starving and skinny the other night she frowns a little, trying to come up with something she can do to help. A satisfied smile on her face as she remembers that revolting tuna bread spread that room service persists on delivering with their breakfast.
Opening the door carefully she sneaks back in, hoping he will still be out, and walks up to the dining table. A disgusted look on her face as she scoops some of the tuna on a plate.
"Here you go" She offers as she puts the plate on the ground in front of the cat. Smiling as Princess throws herself at the plate.
*¨*¨*¨*¨*¨*
"Well, well, well"
Oh crap; there will be no living with him now - is the first thought to cross her mind as she hears the sound of his voice, followed by a range of other not very ladylike expressions. She can hear the gloat in his voice and knows exactly what look is on his face with no need to find out for sure. Standing up straight she can not help but cross her arms across her chest defensively.
"What do we have here" He continues, as he walks through the door. That self-satisfied expression still on his face she curses herself for ever giving in to that conniving feline and her pretty eyes.
"And you gave me a hard time about patting the thing?"
She is well aware of her blushing cheeks but is hanging on to the last fraction remaining of her pride.
"I hate tuna, you know that" She snaps, but still a satisfied feeling in her gut as she looks down on the cat busy gulping down the tuna, paying no attention to her former favorite entering the terrace.
"And Princess looked really skinny and hungry the other day…" Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap.
"Princess?" That velvet voice of his, mocking her gently as he stands leaning against the doorframe "You NAMED the 'filthy, stray monster' Princess?"
And suddenly she is almost offended on Princess' behalf as he repeats her words from yesterday. That was kind of harsh referring to her as a filthy monster, wasn't it? Well, a lady is entitled to changing her mind, right?
"Princess…you know…" She tries, realizing there is no saving her face now, and not really caring that much about it anymore.
He walks up to her as Princess finishes the last of her meal, putting his arms around her from behind. As he rests his jaw on her shoulder she leans back against him.
"Only you, Blair" He snickers and she can not help but roll her eyes at the delight in his voice. Seriously, sometimes he still behaves just like the five year-old she knew back in kindergarten. "Only you."
As Princess finishes her meal she returns to rubbing herself against her legs, not paying any attention to Chuck standing there behind her.
"She likes me better" She teases him, turning around to give him a wink, trying to redeem some of her pride.
"Well, I guess that makes two of us" He replies simply, catching her chin between his thumb and index finger, planting a kiss on her lips.
*¨*¨*¨*¨*¨*
The tuna is not being sent back to the kitchen any of the following days. They keep sneaking out to the courtyard to feed their newly found friend - at one point coming close to hiding in some bushes as a gardener comes walking as they stand there watching Princess enjoying her meal. But Chuck gives him one of those you-do-not-tell-me-what-to-do-I-am-Chuck-Bass-looks and the man quickly scampers off, muttering under his breath about crazy tourists with their crazy ideas.
*¨*¨*¨*¨*¨*
"But who is gonna look after her?"
"You can not take her with you to New York, Blair" He repeats once again.
Seeing her look genuinely upset by the thought of leaving the cat behind he offers her a comforting smile, his arm around her shoulder.
"But…"
"Just imagine the look on your mother's face" He tries lightening the mood and is rewarded with a girly giggle when she pictures the scenario in her head.
"But she will be all by herself" Serious again, holding Princess in her arms "Who is gonna feed her when we are not here anymore?"
"She will do just fine, she is a fighter" He reassures her, reaching out to scratch the cat behind the ear, getting a purr in response.
"I guess.." She sighs, burying her face in the cat's silky fur "Or you could talk to that gardener…" Hope in her voice as she shoots him a pleading look. Puppy eyes and frown in place. He can never let her know exactly how well it works; there will be no living with her then.
He knows he will be speaking to the gardener before they leave, no doubt slipping a couple of euro bills too. He just might have to claim that he hasn't if she asks him.
*¨*¨*¨*¨*¨*