Chapter 5:

The idea of playing 20 questions with Chuck made Blair feel like she would be too exposed. It would give Chuck too much insight into her. Something she was dreading at this moment. She refused to give Chuck any more ammo. The last time she did, she ended up being utterly humiliated at brunch. An experience she rather not relive.

That is why Blair suggested they play the game known as hot takes. Seeing that Chuck was just staring, she continued. "Well, you are opinionated. I'm opinionated. You always believe you are right. I tend to know I have good taste and views. Seems like a game you and I would be great at." Seeing that Chuck was just giving her a questioning look. "I'll start. Seabird is severely overhyped. Beloved by many New Yorkers, but there is nothing new or innovative about the menu. Plus, is not like they excel in any one dish. Think about the last time you went there. Did actually ever want to go there? Did you even go back?"

Chuck took a moment to ponder. It was true he had gone once and never returned. People seemed to like the restaurant out of necessity. It was owned by a world-famous chef always visited by socialites, actors, and diplomats. Though no one ever raved about the food or drinks. One point for Blair. He took a swig of vodka. "Fine. But since the two of us have been called obstinate, if we manage to convince the other of our hot take, the other has to drink. I play your game. You play mine."

Blair rolled her eyes. "Yea, no not happening." She had consumed alcohol around Chuck before. Though since the last time she was around him and decided to drink she made some questionable choices, she thought it may be best not to chance it.

"Sacred?"

"I am not scared."

"Then what?"

"Then nothing." Blair was struggling to come up with a reason Chuck would understand. "I just. Worry about kidneys. Too much alcohol can't be good even for an alcoholic like you." She stated.

Chuck rolled his eyes. "Well, as much as I'm touched that you are worried about my health, my kidneys will be fine." Chuck gave her his signature smirk. "Now then if that was the only concern I will give you my hot take. Audrey Hepburn's movies are some of the best movies of all time." Chuck grinned.

"That's a fact. Not a hot take."

"Audrey haters might disagree."

"Low move." Blair grabbed the bottle. She winced slightly as the alcohol burned her throat. "Purple is the best color. Tic for Tac." Chuck knew her so-called hot take was a lie. He knew for a fact Blair liked baby pink as a child and royal blue as an adult. Not his signature color.

"Glad you are starting to agree with me." Chuck gladly took another shot. "Cinderella is the best princess." He knew Blair would have a lot to argue about this.

"Obviously false. She has no backbone. She lets people walk all over her. It clearly drew her to insanity. She talks to flying birds and mice. Don't even get me started on the whole moral message of the story. Kindness will be rewarded and selfishness will be punished. Hello, look at the real world. Kindness gets you killed not rewarded."

"Well Cinderella, I have to disagree. She did the most with what the world had to give her. She was dealt a shitty hand. She got everything she could ever want and more. She got her prince, revenge, and her freedom. Plus, if we really think about it, she may also be the strongest princess. She always stayed true to herself. People confuse her kindness for naivete and weakness, but it's her biggest strength. It would be easy to change and be mean in all the abuse she faces. No one would blame her. Instead, she chooses to stay true to herself. Her desire to continue being who she is gets her the prince and happily ever after; not her dress, nor her pretty face."

"I'm surprised. Who knew Chuck Bass was so passionate about a Disney princess?"

Chuck gave her a small smile. Deciding to extend an olive branch as a response. Chuck thought he would remind her of the reason behind the nickname she seemed to loathe so much. "Everyone always saw you as a princess. You wore dresses every single day of kindergarten. Never refusing a chance to wear a sparkly tiara. Not to mention you were always so obsessed with finding a prince. You were also determined from a young. So certain that you were going to get your happy ever after and no one could stand in your way. Nobody could change your mind. Not your mom, dad, or even our 3rd-grade teacher, Ms. Leon."

Blair was just staring at Chuck. She knew he had been the one to bestow that dreaded nickname on her, but never knew why. She knew why other kids called her Cinderella. Other kids just followed his lead. Serena loved the Cinderella movie. Therefore she loved the idea of having her best friend be Cinderella, so she to c Nate just followed what Chuck and Serena did. Now she knew learned Chuck's true reason. She, herself had always seen the nickname as an insult and just another way people wanted to get under her skin. Not anything close to admiration. She was at a loss for words. She wanted to say something, but she had no clue what to say. A thank you didn't feel right, but neither did arguing with him.

"I will say you aren't Cinderella, Blair. Don't get me wrong you. You do share some of her finer qualities. Such as her resilience and beauty. Though you resemble more of a queen than a princess waiting for a prince to save her. Queen B may be a better nickname don't you think?"

Instead of giving him an answer, Blair took another shot of Vodka. As much as Blair always wanted to feel appreciated, sometimes when it came in the earnest form (especially from a Bass), she was stumped. So instead of saying anything else regarding that, she went on to a new hot take. "Oatmeal cookies should not be considered cookies. They resemble more of a breakfast bar than an actual cookie. No one even likes raisin cookies"

Chuck took a sip. He could see Blair was trying to derail the way the conversation was going. Chuck on the other hand like were it was going. Let the game continue. "Burlesque the sexiest shows. The other day I go my own personal show and this doll with a black mask proved my point. I could stair at her for hours." He teased Blair, knowing she wouldn't argue. She clearly had a certain fondness for Burlesque.

She sent him a smirk of her own. She knew what Chuck was up to and decided that she would go with the flow and live in the moment. Let her feelings, not her brain or fears be the ones in charge.

So that is how the game had gone for a while. The hot takes usually revolved around teasing and flirting with each other. Losing complete track of time. One of Chuck's hot takes was that Blair looks seductive in a slip-dress. She was not going to argue against herself. So she drank. Blair's hot take was that Chuck felt something other than just lust for the girl whom he meet at the Blind Rabbit. He wouldn't deny it. So he drank.

After finishing the entire bottle of liquor, neither could stop laughing and smiling. Things between the two felt lighter than they had in a while. It felt like they were kids again just hanging out. At that moment this felt good between them.

Blair looked into his brown eyes and she knew. She would eventually have to say it. Though she was great at turning off her guilt most of the time. Sometimes it wouldn't seem to leave her alone. Like now, with eyes staring back at hers. Not with the Vodka screaming to put everything out into the open. Blair decided it would be best to instead focus on an apology.

"I'm sorry," Blair said. Never specify what she was sorry for, but Chuck knew.

"I am too," He replied. Blair knew exactly what he was referring to.

The two slowly inched closely till their lips were centimeters apart. Neither knew if it was the alcohol or their unexplainable magnetic pull, but there was no denying the want in both of their eyes. And just like that space between the two was gone.

The kiss started sweet and innocent. But soon turned into one of passion and desire. Both were battling for dominance yet moving like a choreographed dance. Each kiss made them hungrier. Would either ever be satisfied? They were in their own world. Everything else did not matter. It was all about Blair and Chuck.

XOXOXOXOXOXO

It was 9 in the morning. Serena and Nate came to set their friends free.

"You don't think they would actually kill each other?" Serena asked. Having doubts about leaving the two of them together. Maybe, forcing them to talk things through may not have been the right approach.

Nate gave Serena the same speech Eric had given him yesterday when he was about to pull the plug on the whole plan. It was for their own good. Plus, neither would actually murder the other. There is no way to hide the body and the two are more likely to hire someone else to get their hands dirty.

Though Nate and Serena could not foreseen the imagine they were about to walk into. Both were shocked to spot their two friends spooning on the bed together.

"This is not what I meant when I wrote that they should kiss and make up." Serena whispered to Nate.

Quickly, Nate pulled out his phone and took a picture of the two. "Proof that neither of one of us is dreaming. Plus, we may need collateral if they try to kill us." Nate teased.

Chuck squinted his eyes. He was doing his best to adjust to the sudden brightness. "Nathaniel, your mother showed you how to whisper, right?" Chuck's arms still stayed wrapped against Blair.

Serena was tentative to ask. Though she needed answers. She did not want to assume and instead get verbal clarification. "So are we all friends again?" Though now may not be the best time to ask for clarification or play by play of the events from the previous night.

Chuck rolled his eyes. He knew the million of questions that were running through Nate and Serena's pretty little heads. Instead of saying anything else he just bent down and gave Blair a small peck on the lips. Her eyes instantly opened and looked at Chuck. "Morning." She greeted sleepily. Chuck's head pointed to their friends. Blair glared at the two blondes. "Look who finally decided to show up!" She said.

Trying to break the sudden tension "Serena, let's give these two a second to gather their things." Putting his hand behind Serena's back and guiding her out of the suite. "Breakfast is on me." He said with one of his million dollar smiles.

Author's Note

So whatcha think? Like it? Hate it? The two are finally making some type of head thanks to their amazing friends. The next few chapters will focus on their budding relationship. But a storm is brewing. Don't be fooled!

Thank you to everyone who has read these past few chapters and taken the time to write a review for this story. It means a lot to me. Have a great day or night! Until the next chapter.