Alright, there's lots of drama in this chapter-a not-so very conscious decision on my part! :) But I thought it ultimately flowed well, considering the build-up of emotion among the characters. So hopefully you lot enjoy it!
Dan was wheeling over a cart filled with hangers, ready to call on Blair to have lunch, when he realized that one of the doors to the W closet was left slightly ajar. His curiosity peaked when he heard Blair's breathless voice emanating from within.
"You can't be in here, Chuck," She said with a notable tremor in her voice.
Dan's eyes dilated when he saw Chuck Bass facing her, peonies in hand, and remorse written all over his face.
"My company invests a lot in the magazine. We can have all the time we want," Chuck argued almost desperately.
"No, you don't get it, I don't want you in here. Just please—"
"I'm sorry," Chuck blurted out quickly. Dan winced at the desperation in Chuck's voice.
It was so inconsistent with the cool and detached demeanor Dan was used to seeing Chuck with that he had to take a step closer to see if it really was Chuck Bass standing before him.
He couldn't see the expression on Blair's face, but the sight of her shoulders falling was enough for him to know that she was just as surprised as he was.
Dan watched closely as Chuck edged closer and passionately pulled Blair's hands into his.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for having…for having let you down, when all you've done was love and support me. Through so many fucking things. Christ, Blair, you were there when my father died, there when Bass Industries was first handed to me, there when Evelyn showed up, and you know what sounds crazy? You may not want to be here for me right now, but in my eyes you always are—it's because I can feel you, Blair. You never leave my thoughts. You're the voice in my head telling me to be a better person, but at the same time, forbidding me to ever change."
Chuck shook his head, like his words were finally settling in. "Because as fucking depressing as it sounds you were the first person who's ever truly loved me for who I am. You loved me more than my father did, and more than anyone ever will. And I know...I know that the things that I've done to you are far from being forgiven and you probably will never forgive me for having done them—hell, I will never forgive myself for doing those things to you, but I—Blair. I'm rambling," He chuckled to himself in disbelief, "For the first time in all twenty years of my existence, I'm rambling. And it's for you. I'm just so…sorry. I honestly wish I could find the right words to tell you how much I need you back in my life…" Chuck's grip on her hands tightened, as his breath grew harsher.
"It's just that…I love you, Blair."
Blair stared back at him incredulously, releasing her hands from his so she should clutch unto her chest, which was rising and falling at a rapid pace.
It was only when Chuck's eyes followed the soft cascade of her tears that she realized she was crying.
He was about to reach out and wipe them away with his thumb, when she stepped back in alarm.
She was growing increasingly breathless and the look of hurt in Chuck's face was proving too much for her. "I-I…"
"I love you, Blair," Chuck whispered sadly once more.
"I can't, I'm—" Blair shook her head, holding her hands closer to her chest.
Chuck was about to edge even closer, when Dan found himself swiftly walking in, ignoring Chuck's incredulous glare, and firmly putting his hands on Blair's shoulders to stop them from shaking.
She looked up at Dan gratefully, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing, Brooklyn?" Chuck barked, his nostrils flaring at the sight before him.
"You OK?" Dan asked quietly, still facing Blair with a worried expression on his face.
Both men watched as she nodded weakly. It took her a moment to speak again, as she was so clearly lost for words, but she somehow found the strength to tilt her head as if to signal she wasn't done.
"I'm alright. Thanks. I—Chuck," Blair hesitantly turned towards the brunette figure in front of her, studying the look of anger and despair on his face.
"You should…go. Dan and I have work to do," Blair said quietly, quickly averting her eyes away, so she wouldn't witness the crushing look on Chuck's face.
She felt sick to her stomach, ready to faint, but she found solace in Dan's firm grip on her shoulders.
The tension in the room had shortly grown even more palpable and, for a second, Dan was certain that Chuck would hurl himself at him.
He was already planting his feet firmly on the ground, anticipating Chuck's violent reaction, when he finally glanced over at Chuck.
Dan suddenly felt a foreign pang in his chest, when he saw just how defeated Chuck looked.
He may have never been fond of the guy, but he knew exactly how Chuck was feeling—that rejection, that emotional blow to the guts, that subsequent feeling of emptiness.
Dan realized then and there that he finally found something in common with Chuck Bass, a revelation he never knew he'd make.
It was noticeable to everyone in the room, even to Blair, whose face was purposely tilted the other way, that a dark shadow had fallen across Chuck's face.
He shortly mumbled something incomprehensible, before thrusting the flowers at Blair.
Chuck knew she wouldn't take them, but he could at least try.
Her lingering lack of movement pained every bone in his body, but he found fleeting comfort when she finally turned to look at the peonies in front of her.
Blair's eyes were glued to the peonies on his hand; they were pink, just the way she liked it; lively and energetic, like she always longed to be; but she still showed no sign of accepting them.
More tears were spilling from her eyes, as the mere thought of meeting Chuck's miserable expression filled her with emotion.
The two stayed in that position for a couple more minutes, until Dan found himself hesitantly accepting the peonies on Blair's behalf, fully aware of how rigid her back had become.
Without saying anything further, Chuck finally left, brusquely swinging the closet doors behind him.
Dan was about to let out a sigh of relief, when he felt Blair's small frame instantly enclose against his.
He could feel the wetness of her tears seeping through his shirt, but Dan didn't care.
He simply encircled his arms around her and whispered soothing words into her ear, telling her that everything was going to be OK.
"Thank you…Dan," Blair breathed out weakly.
Dan felt her hot breath against his shirt. He let a small smile escape from his lips, almost expecting her to finally look up at him and scrunch her face in confusion.
"You know…that's the first time you've ever addressed me by my first name," Dan mumbled lightly, his expression quickly softening.
He felt Blair smile against his chest. "I guess, it was about time."
Dan gently buried his face in her hair. "If you want to talk, I'm here—"
Blair instantly pulled away, shaking her head feverishly. "No, I'm fine."
Dan could sense that her walls were coming up again, but he simply softened his expression and held her chin in place with his hand.
"Talk to me," he said quietly, as their eyes locked under the dim light of the closet.
"I'm fine," she repeated stubbornly, wiping away the remaining tears in her eyes. She quickly swatted his hand away and turned on her heel, only to realize that his other hand was still gripping her elbow.
"Let me go," she spat out, her eyes growing venomous by the second.
"Not until you talk to me, Blair. I know what you're feeling," Dan said with an earnest expression on his face.
He was about to let his other hand rest on her other elbow, when Blair violently shook away from his grip.
"We have absolutely nothing in common, Humphrey. Stop flattering yourself into thinking that you know what I'm feeling," Blair exploded, letting her brown curls bounce against her trembling shoulders.
"Blair, I'm only trying to help—"
"Why would I seek help from you? You can't even get your own life together!" Blair exclaimed, as her eyes widened in anger.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Dan spat out, suddenly tired of trying to hold her in place.
"You know exactly what it means! You just let Serena prance all over you and you stand there like the pathetic idiot that you are, letting her humiliate you with boyfriend after boyfriend—it's so pathetic, Dan! And I refuse to stoop to your level! I refuse to believe that we at some point walked in the same shoes, so don't you dare, even for a second, say you know how I feel, when you're too mesmerized by Serena to realize just how pathetic you are!" Blair shouted, as she swung her fists against his hard chest.
Dan let his mouth hang open for a second, but soon his eyes had dilated and he let himself get lost in the all-consuming fury boiling in his blood.
"Oh, really? I'm pathetic? You know what's pathetic, Blair? You trying to pretend that you aren't hurt, when it's so fucking obvious how broken you are! I may be stupid for waiting for Serena, but at least I don't cower away from what I feel! I don't back down and build a sick, little bubble to escape to! That's what's fucking pathetic, Blair! You're fucking pathetic!"
Blair stood there completely mystified. She was so taken aback; for a moment, Dan thought she had lost her voice. He could still feel his pulse racing, but the slight quiver in her lips instantly made him soften.
"Blair, I'm sorry—"
"Leave me alone," She spat out icily, before swiftly walking away from him.
"I'm sorry," Dan said quietly to himself, hoping for a short moment that she heard.