This was written for Sabi. She has literally been nagging me for years for this little tidbit so you can all thank her for it. I've had it sitting in my documents for well over a year. I guess, like Chuck Bass, I like to delay gratification. I wish you all a very happy and healthy 2020! Remember to be kind this year and always. xoxo

Chuck Bass stepped off the elevator and into what was once the foyer to his home. He'd only been at the Waldorf penthouse for less than a week but it felt like years. So much had happened in such a short span of time. The death of his father (for real this time), his marriage to Blair, his reinstatement as CEO of Bass Industries, the outing of Humphrey as Gossip Girl and that had just been in the last five days. He took a deep steadying breath as he felt his heart speed up a bit. There were moments when it all seemed like too much and it felt as if he may fall apart completely but then he remembered that he was married to the love of his life and immediately he was righted again. With Blair by his side he knew he could handle anything thrown his way.

He crossed the open space taking in the brightly decorated Christmas tree in the corner. Clearly the staff had been up here to decorate as they had in past years. He hadn't even thought about the fact that Christmas was only a couple of weeks away; they had all been too preoccupied.

Chuck entered his old bedroom. Everything was perfectly in its place and the space was immaculate. He glanced up at the girl scout painting above the bed silently wondering what Blair would say if he brought it back with him. He smirked as he opened the doors to his huge walk in closet. It was completely empty. Blair, ever competent, had made sure Dorota oversaw the removal of all of Chuck's clothing and personal toiletries from here to the penthouse. He knew he didn't need to check the drawers. Dorota was as thorough as she was loyal. Working all these years for the Waldorf women had seen to that.

He had come by to oversee a few hotel management things and to procure the contents of his safe. It was the one thing Dorota wasn't able to do.

He closed the doors to the bedroom as he made his way out into the living room. Crouching down he entered the code to the safe and heard the familiar click as it unlocked.

"Hey man."

Chuck turned his head and saw a very disheveled Nate coming out of his room and into the living room. He plopped down onto the couch running a hand over his face and through his hair.

Chuck scoffed as he pulled out a leather folio from the safe. He stood up untying it and glancing inside to make sure the papers that were supposed to be there were. "Rough night, Nathaniel."

Nate sighed, "Not in the way you're thinking. The Spectator's circulation has blown up. I was in meetings and taking phone calls until late."

Chuck laid the folio aside and bent over pulling more things from the safe. "Running a business is tough. Remember busy is always good."

Nate nodded silently as he watched Chuck empty the safe for a few minutes. "So, this is it then," Nate mumbled. Chuck glanced at him with raised eyebrows. "You're really moving out."

Chuck stood up staring down at his best friend since kindergarten. They had been through some tough times together but also some really great ones. Chuck thought back to high school before things got complicated. They had had so many good times. Having fun without a care in the world. There had been parties, women, Lost Weekends, travel, alcohol and drugs and zero responsibilities. As great as all that was he was so much happier today with the stability he found in Blair. He didn't have to pretend with her. She knew him better than he knew himself and she loved him in spite of it all.

"I'm married now, Nathaniel. And I have a feeling Blair wouldn't be too happy with me keeping my bachelor pad."

Nate stood up. "It's still weird to think of you two married. I mean, we all knew it would happen eventually but it feels so surreal."

Chuck laughed lightly. "Tell me about it. I woke up this morning and stared at her for at least fifteen minutes just to convince myself that she was real; that we were really together at last. Sometimes I still think I'm dreaming."

"I'll start looking for a new place today."

Chuck shook his head. "Absolutely not. The penthouse is yours for as long as you want it." He slid his hands into his pockets. "Besides I may need a place I can flee to once in a while. You know how Eleanor and Blair can get."

Nate laughed. "Yes, I do." He stood up. "I don't pity you one bit when they start getting into it."

Chuck nodded glancing around. This was really it. He was closing this chapter of his life forever. He knew there would never be another time in his entire life when he would be single and alone. There had been some amazing moments spent here but also some of his darkest times. He was ready for a clean, new slate.

Nate took two steps and embraced Chuck.

Chuck shocked, just stood there for a second, before slipping his hands from his pockets and clapping Nate on the back twice before squeezing his shoulder and pulling away. Physical contact that wasn't sexual was never his strong suit. He noticed tears in his friend's eyes.

"We're all going to be okay, Nathaniel."

Nate sniffled, "I know. I also know how Blair is and we'll probably never have another guys' weekend again."

Chuck laughed. "She can be a strong taskmaster when she wants to be. Not that I'm complaining. I thoroughly enjoy her cracking the whip." An employee from downstairs came off the elevator with a trolley and a box. Chuck nodded a thank you as the man brought the box over. "And I mean that literally as well as figuratively."

Nate rolled his eyes. "I don't want to know." He watched as Chuck filled the box with the contents of the now empty safe. "Do you have time for one last breakfast?"

Chuck closed the box. "Absolutely. Should we head to the club?"

"Yes. Just let me change quick." Nate rushed to his room returning ten minutes later looking like his usual handsome self.

Chuck still, after all this time, didn't know how his best friend did that; able to go from absolute dishevelment to JCrew model in minutes. He stood up taking one last glance around the place. "I'm ready. Let's go."

The two of them stepped onto the elevator. As the door closed they were both very aware that this was the closing of something but they also knew that some things would never change. They would always have each other's backs and they would always be family. A change of address couldn't change that.