Title: Just Leave Me Here In Pieces
Characters: Blair, Eric
Rating/Word Count: T | 754
Disclaimer: 'Gossip Girl' belongs to Cecily von Ziegesar, Josh Schwartz, and the CW. No copyright infringement intended. Title from Backstreet Boys' In Pieces. (Great song. Perfect for Blair Waldorf & Eric van der Woodsen. It's a great character song.)
Warning: This story heavily features cutting and bulimia. I am neither, so I'm basing this on research (and I have a minor in pscyhology).
Author's Note: I love B and my baby (Eric). Duh. This is my favorite sibling-ship. I think it would benefit them both to have each other in their lives. Please let me know what you think!
Eric woke up confused. There was someone in his bed with him. A female? He sat up and looked at her, realizing that the brunette curls belonged to one person. "Blair," he muttered, the conversation from last night coming back. He groaned, knowing she wouldn't leave it alone.
He slipped out of his bed and walked to his bathroom, closing the door quietly, hoping Blair would stay asleep. He washed his face and then stared at his reflection, thinking about his life, his family. He snapped out of those thoughts when he saw her through the mirror.
"Morning," she greeted with a soft smile when their eyes met.
"I wasn't doing anything," he said defensively.
"I wasn't accusing you, Eric," she responded calmly, like she was talking to an 8-year-old instead of an 18-year-old.
After a couple minutes of silence, she moved, hopping onto the sink counter beside him.
"Are you going to stay here?" he asked her reflection, refusing to look at her.
"No. Eventually we'll move out of the bathroom."
"Funny," he deadpanned.
"Do you want me to leave you alone?" A hint of a smirk crossed her face.
"Yes!" he shouted.
She didn't even flinch. "If that's what you want…" she stood up and left the bathroom.
He sighed and followed. "Wait."
She paused and turned around.
"I know what you just did. I'm not Serena. I can spot reverse psychology a mile away."
"And yet you still called me back," eyes twinkling.
"Just to tell you I know what you did."
She nodded and left.
He watched her and went after her. "Why do you keep walking away?" he sounded annoyed and hurt.
"Make up your mind, Eric. Do you want me to stay or leave?"
"I…"
She moved toward him and hugged him tightly. "It's okay to ask for help."
He shifted, resting his head on her shoulder. "How'd you come to that conclusion?"
"The first Thanksgiving without my dad. I got into a power struggle with my mom. Ended up eating an entire apple pie in like ten minutes. I called Serena. We had fought earlier. She came immediately."
He pulled away, looking her over – she looked healthy.
After another minute, she spoke up. "Breakfast?"
He paled and frowned. "After that, I'm not hungry."
She nodded. She wasn't either, the memory and smell lingering.
It was then that Lily came into the hallway, dressed up for the day. She spotted the pair and took in Eric's appearance. "Darling, it's almost 11. Please get dressed."
Blair saw Eric's stance shift and flinched even before he spoke, knowing what was to come; she'd done the same thing hundreds of times.
"It's Sunday," he spat. "It means I'm allowed to actually sleep past nine. Hell, in some parts of the city, Sunday means I can sleep past noon."
"Eric, what is wrong with you lately?"
It didn't matter what she was actually saying; all he heard was judgment in her tone. "Nothing!" he snapped and stormed back to his room.
They watched him retreat before Lily turned to Blair.
Blair was at a loss. What was the right thing to do? She turned to Lily, but all she saw seemed to be annoyance instead of concern. She didn't know if it was her imagination; then again, for all the years that Serena and Eric stayed at her house… Blair made a decision. "He was up all night doing an English paper. He just needs sleep."
Lily nodded and, without a look back, went away.
The quick reaction let Blair believe she'd done what was best for Eric. But she was not going to let him get off the hook with her. She marched back to his room and opened the door.
He looked up with a glare.
"I just lied to your mother. Show some gratitude," she snapped.
He deflated. "Why?" he asked, confused. He was sure Blair was going to tell.
She shrugged. "Because she can't help you. You need more than the Ostroff Center. You need support. I'm here for you, Eric. Please know that. And if you ever need an escape house, my door is always open."
She walked over to him and kissed the top of his head. "You were up all night doing an English paper, hence the moodiness." And she left, but she still heard his whispered "thanks."
Blair knew he was having similar issues with Serena. Eric might not show up at the Waldorf penthouse. There was one place she had to go first.
.tbc.
