The Loft | Dan Humphrey

blair-onhowtobelovely:

At some point or another it had crossed Blair’s mind that for two people who were trying to keep their engagement quiet until they told their family and friends, they weren’t exactly being subtle about it. The only saving grace of the nights adventure was that Blair, once again donning a pair of jeans and a shirt made from fabric she would have never actually worn without persuasion, had likely gone unnoticed by any gossip girl fanatics. Dan on the other hand had been less than subtle and though the thought crossed her mind that they would soon be receiving phone calls from the likes of Serena, Chuck, Nate ensuring them that he had not been the one to let their secret out Blair waited for a blast that never came.

She enjoyed their night candidly and unconcerned, though it was all a little silly, and she couldn’t help but laugh at how absurd they were acting, like teenagers rather then adults in their early to mid twenties. Blair reasoned with herself that she was spending too much time in Brooklyn and coming ever so slightly unhinged to excuse their behavior away. It was all fun and games and she liked that Dan showed her around and took her to his favorite places and introduced her to the people that he knew. The place where they had eaten dinner had even been plausible and the brunette wondered if Dan was attempting to up sell Brooklyn on the sly.

It hadn’t gone unnoticed by her that the question of her cabbage patch kid, an aptly named Blair, being comfortable living in Brooklyn was thinly veiled and ideally a question for her to which she had replied, “she’ll grow accustomed.” Blair loved Manhattan, there was no denying that but she had spent a lot of time in Brooklyn over the years that it had become less of something she disliked, and more something she continued to make smart remarks about out of habit. Not to mention that when things with Serena eventually went south, as Blair assumed they would, Brooklyn was the far safer option seeing as the two of them technically still lived together in the Waldorf penthouse.

Space would be key in the falling out. Parading around with Dan would be rude, insensitive to her friend’s feelings. Not being around would also be mean, but the time apart would do them good. Blair could only be thankful that Serena had gone to stay with Cece in L.A for the summer, working for her bitch of a boss that Blair still didn’t like. Serena was doing well though, having seemingly found a good place for herself, a career she was happy to have. It was rare that their successes were ever coinciding.

Blair often felt that her’s and Serena’s relationship was a constant fluctuation and tug of war over who got to be happy at any given time. They barely ever shared their highs and lows. When one of them was up you could almost constantly rely on the fact that the other was down. But at present Serena was excelling at work and Blair was getting married. It was almost the best it could get really, and Blair reminded herself to enjoy it all while it lasted, to try and make it last as long as possible. Who knew, maybe Serena would surprise her when she heard the news, maybe she would be happy for them. Maybe.

Casting her thoughts aside, it was far too early to be worried about anything, Blair slipped out of bed the next morning at an hour more equivocal to what she was used to, leaving a very much asleep Dan behind. She ventured around the loft barefoot, careful not to make too much noise while she clicked the door to Dan’s bedroom shut behind her, precariously balancing her makeup bag and a dress and shoes in her arms.

The morning sun filtered in through the lofts expansive windows in fragments, casting shadows and lights wherever it pleased that dappled Blair’s skin in contrasting colors and warmth. There was more light in Brooklyn, less towering buildings to bury her in shadows and the brunette conceded that for the summertime at least, they were liable to spend more time here.

Quietly and efficiently Blair went about making herself presentable, dressing in a simple summer dress and heels and pulling her hair into a ponytail that was forgiving of her loosened curls. Dan had taken care of breakfast yesterday, and though Blair was in no mood to cook herself, she wanted to return the favor, and also found that going out to get pastries provided her with just the right excuse to make use of her newly acquired key.

After her tour of Brooklyn last night Blair walked comfortably, looking as if she knew where she was going though truthfully she didn’t have the slightest clue. Finding her way back would be simple, it was a matter of locating the nice looking pastry shop they passed last night that was proving to be difficult. But luck was on her side and eventually after a few turns in the right direction Blair was greeted with the smells of freshly baked croissants and muffins that led her up the street and through the double doors of the quaint looking shop.

In many ways Blair realized staying in Brooklyn was like taking a holiday. Everything, with the exception of very few, was new and worth exploring and whether or not she uncovered any hidden gems in amongst the old buildings boasting reasonably priced items seemed relatively irrelevant. This whole part of the city was uncharted territory to her thus instilling the idea of a vacation. Manhattan, the penthouse, fifth avenue were a part of life as she had come to know it. Brooklyn, the loft, Dan were a part of the life Blair was pursuing.

 

Equipped with fresh coffee and a bag of assorted pastries that she placed on Dan’s bedside draw the brunette carefully settled herself over his waist, blankets separating them from touching and Blair holding her weight off him with her knees.  “Humphrey” she sang out, bowing down just enough to drop a kiss to his nose and another to each of his cheeks. Feathering his skin with kisses and trailing the tips of her fingers over his arms in the hopes of gently stirring him awake Blair whispered quietly. “I brought breakfast from that pastry shop you showed me last night and coffee” she tacked on, as if the promise of caffeine would be the clincher in enticing him.

To be honest, Dan had expected Gossip Girl to send a blast about the two of them going around the streets of Brooklyn. He thought that the sight of the two of them together would be news enough for Gossip Girl, but maybe he was wrong. Then again, she did have a knack for having the worst timing when sending out blasts. The truth was, he had sort of been hoping that there would be one, because at least that would lessen the blow somehow for when they finally tell everyone about their engagement. As of the moment, none of them even knew that they were together, and that made it all the more hard for him to think of an effective way to tell people without having them freak out or react negatively.

Blair is in his arms when he closes his eyes that night, attempting to sleep. He’s unable to though, because there’s a lot on his mind and he couldn’t seem to get himself to stop thinking. It’s late and she’s already asleep but he’s still wide awake so he gets out of bed and goes into his office to do what he loved to the most — write. He hasn’t done it in almost a week, and it feels a little weird when his fingers touch the keyboard. He’s missed it, but spending as much time with Blair as he possibly could right now was what he wanted more than anything right now.

It doesn’t take long before the words flow out with ease. He can’t remember a time when he had been so inspired. Well, he can, actually. It was right after he had kissed Blair or rather she kissed him, in the foyer at her penthouse.

The old screenplay he had been working on is tossed aside for a new idea that has been floating in his mind lately. The first one had been far too depressing anyway, and right now he’s not quite sure he’ll be able to capture and translate those kinds of emotions into words. He’s far too happy, and it reflects in his writing which coincidentally (or not so coincidentally) is about a petite brunette meeting an old friend again by chance after years of being apart. It’s late when he feels his eyelids starting to flutter shut, and he lazily makes his way back into his bed and in her arms.

It takes forever before he stirs, and even though all he wants to do is go back to sleep he’s unable to because his eyes are half-open and she’s there looking absolutely beautiful and now all he wants to do be lost in her. He barely registers the words that are coming out of her mouth but his senses are awakened by the smell of coffee. “What time is it?” he said lazily, realizing that Blair was already made up, before giving her a warm smile. “You look beautiful.” he adds, before his hands found the back of her head and pulled her in for a kiss. He drags her down and rolls them over, kissing her five times (he counted) before he catches a glimpse of the food awaiting him out of the corner of his eye.

“You went out in Brooklyn all by yourself?” he asked, clearly amused. “You are the best fiancee I’ve ever had.” he told her with laugh, even though she’s the only fiancee he’s had. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek before taking his pastries, taking note of the fact that she’d bought it from one of his favorite shops. He took one and handed the bag over to her and began to eat. “So tell me. How many wrong turns did you take before you finally made it to the pastry shop?” he asked teasingly. He knows that she knows he appreciates the gesture, his wide smile already giving him away.

The look on his face is completely serious when he says, “I think Cedric and Blair are getting along quite well, don’t you think?” he asked, gesturing over to the two dolls sitting behind them. “I mean, Cedric insists they’re not even friends and that Blair isn’t his type and won’t stop teasing him about his name but I don’t know…” he added thoughtfully. “I’ve honestly never seen him so excited before. Then again that may have something to do with the fact that Blair is his first friend. Or non-friend.”

The day goes by pretty quickly, and before he knows it, he’s donning a suit to prepare to go for early dinner and then to the Lincoln Center where they were there was a gala for an adaptation of The Age of Innocence. He remembers the disaster that was their high school play fairly well, but more than anything, he thinks about how ironic it is that he played Newland, Blair played Olenska and that Serena was May especially with how things had turned out. “Don’t worry”, he chuckled, as he stood in front of the mirror fixing his tie — the one that she gave him earlier, “I promise I called for Lily’s car service so that we won’t have to use my dad’s car.”

Dinner is at one of the places he knew was Blair’s favorite, and makes it a point to behave so that she’s unable to think of any sort of remark about him and his Brooklyn ways, but knowing her, she probably will anyway.

He offers his arm to her and he feels like he just won the first prize in a big contest, not that she’s a prize to be won, of course. The seats are good, because apparently being a best selling novelist has its perks. People actually know him, and it never ceases to amaze his little writer brain. He introduces her to some of his friends at work (only because they haven’t met her personally and not because they didn’t know her) and he hates so much that he has to say girlfriend instead of fiancee. He ends up introducing her as the love of his life, which he deemed safe enough and that way he wasn’t lying because he never wanted to deny who she is in his life, not for any reason.

The play brings back a lot of memories from high school. Some are good and some, not so much. He remembers that he was a part of the reason why Blair lost Yale and he’ll forever regret being stupid enough to think so highly of Miss Carr. He focuses more on the rehearsals though, and how much he hated the fact that he had to play opposite Blair Waldorf, of all people. He also remembers noticing that she smelled really nice for the first time then, because before that day she’d never been so close to him like that, and doesn’t fail to mention that to her right around when that part starts. He also talks about how his father and Jenny had teased him about making out with her on stage and him insisting that they didn’t and that he would never want to do that. Ever. He remembers a lot, and he shares most of them with her and the others, he leaves out because they’re things he’s sure neither of them wanted to remember.

The people at the back shushes him for making too much noise. So much for being on his best behavior.

“You okay?” he asked, as got up from their seats. “I’ve been thinking, how about we tell our families tomorrow? Or the day after? Whenever your parents are available.” he suggested, keeping his voice low. “And uh, I’m not sure how you want us to tell your father and Roman.”

The places empties out and he finds himself walking along the streets of Manhattan with her. “We’re walking home, by the way.” he tells her. “Yes, I’m aware that it’s roughly nine miles from here to the loft, but just trust me on this one, okay?” he turns his gaze at her and pleads with his eyes.

They walk silently for awhile before he starts talking again. “We can ask everyone to come over to the loft for dinner or I can always ask my dad if the penthouse is free. It probably is.” he continued his trail of thought earlier. “Unless you have other ideas?” he asked, looking over to her, knowing that she’s primarily worried about Serena. He is too, he wants this engagement to be a happy one for her, and he’d rather it didn’t cause a fall out between the two women. They talk, and they finally agree on how and when they were going to announce the engagement.

The sky was getting darker, and it was taking them forever to get to their destination because of their pace but that’s perfectly fine. He likes this. It feels comfortable. He looks over to Blair and wonders how her feet are doing. She looked stunning tonight, and he had told her several times already, but that doesn’t stop him from saying it again. It doesn’t stop him from taking a stab at how ridiculously high her heels were either.

“I think it’s unfair that I have a ring and you don’t.” he says out of the blue. He’s been talking non stop for almost two hours now and he’s not about to stop anytime soon. He glanced at her quietly before continuing to walk.

“So, there’s something I’ve been dying to do for the past two days now. Actually, thinking about it now I’ve been wanting to do it for two years now.” he tells her, stopping on his tracks as he turned to face her.

The night wind is blowing gently against them and she looks more beautiful than ever. “I have loved you for three years now, and one would think that I would have gotten tired of it by now, tired of sitting around and waiting for something that a part of me believed would never happen. I think, if it were any other girl, I probably would have given up early on but it’s just impossible to stop loving you. I can’t help that you’re the first thing I think about when I wake up, even when we weren’t together yet. I wonder if you’re already awake, and then I think, of course you are. You were never one to sleep in unless there was something greatly bothering you. Then, you’d stay in bed all day.” he chuckled. “I wonder about what you’re doing, who you’re with, if you’re taking good care of yourself and sometimes, if you think about me too. I wonder what clothes you choose to wear today, and then I think about how you’d look good anyway, no matter what you end up choosing to wear.”

He breathes out, and continues, “And I can’t help that my thoughts are filled with you for the rest of my day. When I smell coffee, I remember you. When I see the couch at the loft, I remember all those nights we watched movies together. When I use the car, I remember our road trip for our Juliet take down. When I go out and see people wearing tights as pants, I remember you. When I see a boy and a girl bickering with each other, I remember us. Everything reminds me of you. And when I sleep, you’re the last person I think about too. I wonder if you’re sleeping late because you’re studying for an exam because I know how you take these things really seriously. You just… you barged into my life and took over it before I even noticed that it was happening. I hated it at first. You know, I kept asking myself ‘How could I possibly have feelings for her?’ and then the more I thought about it, the more it made sense.” he told her, he was rambling but he didn’t care.

“How could I not be in love with you, Blair?” he tells her, like it’s the most impossible thing in the world. “You are the most amazing person I’ve ever met. You’re just something else entirely, and even I don’t have the right words to describe what I think of you and how I feel for you. Here’s the thing, Blair. I’ll never get tired of loving you. If it took you two, five or ten more years before coming to me, I know that I would have waited for you. I can’t, and I don’t want to ever stop loving you and I won’t. And now… now I have the chance to know and not wonder. To know if you’re awake, and if you’re sad and if you’re sleeping properly. I don’t have to wonder about these things anymore, and I don’t want to ever have to.”

“I know you’re probably wondering what this idiot is doing, saying all these things right in the middle of Brooklyn Bridge. This bridge, Blair, it’s you and me. It’s Manhattan and Brooklyn. When I’m with you, it doesn’t matter where you’re from and where I’m from. You’re still you and I’m still me, but somehow we work, in ways that sometimes I still can’t figure out how, but we do. We fit perfectly.”

His hands reach inside his coat and he takes out a small box. “I know you’ve already asked me, but I wanted to ask you too.” he said, giving her a smile. “I’ve dreamed of this day for so long that I just couldn’t let it pass.” He’s still stubborn as ever, but he knows she’ll understand. He opens the box that held the ring that has been in his family for generations, gets down on one knee and looks up at the girl of his dreams. “Blair Cornelia Waldorf, will you marry me?”

blair-onhowtobelovely:

novelsforeignfilmsandcedric:

You just had to take the credit, didn’t you?

 as opposed to you not giving me any…?

Our kids are going to be beautiful, witty and strong like you are.

The Loft | Dan Humphrey

blair-onhowtobelovely:

In a way Blair found it incredibly touching that Dan’s idea of a sexual fantasy seemed to involve reimagining the past between them. On the other hand, sentimentality had been about the last thing on her mind at the time, even as she recited words she had read a million times before. The whole foray sprung to mind a confession, one better kept for later, when they were done, and when the opportunity presented itself the moment was gone just as soon.

Dan spoke instead and Blair listened intently, a quiet expression overriding her previously blissful one. She moved closer to him instinctively, not a word spoken on her end while she let him say what was on his mind, nestling into his body and rubbing circles into his skin. The vulnerability in his voice was surprising. Dan had never struck her as arrogant, but he certainly had confidence which was an attractive quality of his. He didn’t compare himself to the likes of Chuck, Nate, or Louis and think that he couldn’t measure up to them. He seemed secure in the knowledge that he could.

Hearing him speak as he was made Blair aware that she wasn’t the only one in the room with insecurities about their relationship, even if her’s pertained predominantly to Serena. Dan’s concerns were stemmed from self doubt, an unwarrantable fear that he would do something that would change the way she felt about him, but to Blair the notion seemed implausible. She couldn’t think of anything Dan would do that they wouldn’t be able to work through. They were both hard headed at the best of the times, fights would be natural. They wouldn’t always agree, and they wouldn’t always want to compromise, but Blair was sure that their willingness would always be in tact; at least, she preferred to believe it would be anyway.

Optimism on this front was Blair’s security blanket, and when the blanket was ripped from her by contradictive evidence then her personal insecurities were the guiding force behind her decisions. Her personal insecurities however weren’t liable to come into play anytime soon. Dan made her feel more than comfortable with herself, her body, her decisions. There was barely a warrantable trace of doubt in her mind that was relative to him and she wanted his mind to be as resounding with positive thoughts as hers was.

Waiting until she was confident Dan had said his piece Blair sat up more purposely, withdrawing herself from his side to enforce the seriousness behind the situation. She wanted to reassure him in anyway she could, but at the same time, not at the expense of having him think she was casting aside worries in favor of revelling in the simple pleasures of their current state of being.

“Humphrey” his name left her lips in a softly hushed tone, brows furrowing and lips pouting while she glanced over at him before staring down the hands she held folded in her lap. “We may not have always gotten along, and I may have voiced particularly unbecoming opinions of you in the past but that doesn’t change the fact that I’ve always known that you are a good guy.”

A scoff of laughter escaped her while she shook her head slightly, pushing her fingers through her heavily mussed hair. “Too good sometimes, too forgiving, too tolerant, too patient, too kind, impossibly deserving of much better then you often seem to get.”

Reaching for one of his hands Blair flashed him a smile. “You” she said, reverence already evident in her voice, “are a great man; one of the greatest men I have ever met and your biggest flaw is at the fault of others because you are rarely ever selfish. You unfailingly do what is best for the vast majority rather than any preferred minority or yourself and people will always take advantage of that fact. I have taken advantage of that fact” she reiterated, emphasising her words and punctuating her point by gesturing to herself.

“My point is there is no one else better suited, or more capable of putting my faith in then you” Blair explained, her dark eyes holding Dan’s strongly. “My confidence in you and the person you are won’t waver Humphrey so you’re just going to have to accept the fact that I love you and I’m not worried about us.” Smiling almost serenely Blair cupped Dan’s face in each of her hands, her expression growing serious once more. “There is nothing you can do that will make me give up on you.”

Releasing him from her grasp as he announced having something for her Blair’s lips pursed in an effort not to stretch into a painfully obvious smile of delight, brows rising curiously while she watched him reach for a small box on the shelf behind them. Her attention was drawn to its placement, Dan’s cabbage patch kid sitting on the shelf in amongst his books as a solitary remnant of his childhood. She reached for the doll, looking at it in consideration for a moment.

“I had Dorota bring mine over” she confessed sheepishly, gesturing to her own cabbage patch doll sat inoffensively next to her bag. “She can live on the shelf next to Cedric” she quipped, her gaze zeroing in on the box once more and placing Cedric off to the side and returning Dan’s smile while he presented it to her.

Tentatively lifting the lid and peering in before she had so much as opened it completely Blair felt the corners of her lips upturn in a bright smile, spying the silver colored key inside. Keys had never really been something Blair had ever needed. The Penthouse had no keys, elevator entrance refuted the necessity of them; the same had gone for Chuck’s place at the Empire, Serena’s suite at the Palace. She owned no car, and couldn’t drive anyway. The idea that she would ever be presented with a key to anyone’s place had never occurred to her and yet here Dan was bestowing her entrance to the loft, the ability to come and go as she pleased, or simply to come and never go. The latter of the two options was vastly more appealing, despite Brooklyn being the surrounding feature. Inside the loft it was only all too easy to forget the rest of the world.

”Dan…”

Blair looked from the key to him several times, her eyes going back and forth, struggling to find words sufficient to communicate the way she felt. “I’ve never had a key before, to anything” she stated dumbly, lifting the key from its place in the box and turning it over in her hands.

Scrambling from the bed suddenly and reaching for the shirt Dan had previously been wearing Blair pulled her arms through the sleeves and wrapped it around her, failing to fasten the buttons while she swept through the loft and to the door to slide the key into the front door lock. Turning it counter clockwise and hearing the lock click into place Blair suppressed the implicit urge she suddenly felt to let out a girlish squeal.

Returning to the confinements of Dan’s room with a broad grin and her excitement bubbling up inside of her Blair brandished the key proudly. “I’ll have to get a chain or something, so I don’t lose it” she spoke, her fingers absently touching to her collar as the thought of a necklace occurred to her. It was not a beautiful key, like her key to Hamilton house (that coincidentally, did not open anything) but a simple, long chain so she could wear it around her neck and keep it safe would more than suffice. The sentimental value of the key alone validated wearing it at all times.

“As it happens” Blair implored Dan from her place at the foot of the bed, not yet ready to join him once more. “I have something, things, for you too” she said candidly, dropping her key in the breast pocket of Dan’s shirt and dedicating enough focus to hazardously do up a select amount of the buttons that subsequently did not align with one another, but provided themselves as a viable means to keep the fabric from gaping open.

Retrieving her shopping bags from the days misadventures with Dorota, more purchases being made then she had intended but few of them being made explicitly just for herself, Blair bundled them up, depositing them all at the end of the bed and proceeding to extract the items inside. Tucking her hair behind her ear while she looked up at Dan, Blair smiled sheepishly, “nothing is wrapped, sorry.”

Setting aside the box that held Dan’s ring conveniently behind one of the other bags, she presented him with a shirt she had noticed while passing by a men’s store. The button down was a light lavender color, something she worried Dan may not be exactly thrilled about but that she was sure she could talk him around to along with a silk tie to match, darker in color but matching nonetheless.

“And for the record this is not me being passive aggressive about your taste in clothing” Blair immediately defended herself, “I just thought that as you are progressing in your career you’ll be doing more press and in need of more presentable clothing. Flannel is all well and good but everyone appreciates a man in a suit” she explained, taking the shirt from Dan and holding it up against him along with the matching tie. “And my man, well, he happens to look incredibly sexy in a suit” she entreated slowly, meeting his gaze with a coy smile.

Leaning in slowly and brushing her lips over his in a ghost of a kiss the brunette’s eyes sparkled wickedly while she cleared away the rest of the bags, holding the ring box behind her back until she had settled onto the bed next to him once more. “In fact Humphrey, you look so good in a suit that my own insecurities and jealousy manifested into a series of all consuming and paralyzing thoughts pertaining to the way other women look at you and led me to buy this” she went on, holding the box up.

Snapping it open and pulling the ring out from its cushioned slot Blair grabbed Dan’s other hand so she could slip the ring onto his third finger. “Not just because I want women to know that you’re already taken and to be filled with envy but because you said yes to me and I want everyone to know that I am the woman that gets to marry you.” The ring was simple, a wide band with a slightly smaller one overlaying around the centre, silver in coloring but platinum in design, not that she would mention that fact to him.

“And I realize that men don’t normally wear engagement rings and you don’t seem particularly inclined to any kind of jewellery for that matter” Blair pointed out tactfully. “But the idea of you sitting in one of your classes, or meetings with all these intelligent, usually gorgeous women who are married to their work and desperate for the company of someone who will understand their position, without having some sort of physical testament to ward them off will only make me worry about who’s flirting with you at any given time of the day” she explained in rush and a flurry of hand gestures. “And you telling them that you are engaged won’t stop them either” she added, her brows narrowing just slightly at the thought of it all. “At least with the ring they may be less inclined to start flirting with you in the first place.”

A smile played across Dan’s lips as he listened to Blair, and he tries his hardest not to insert some sort of remark in response to what she was saying. One way or another, he’s always known what she really thought of him. At least in his heart, he knows it anyway. Hearing her shower her with compliments is a little overwhelming for him though. 

Dan was a good person, or he tried to be. It was how he was raised by his father and it was one of the things he was most proud of. He’s strayed at times, but he always managed to find his way back to the right path.

The way Blair talked about him though, with such reverence and pure belief in the goodness inside him was both flattering and a little scary for him. Although Dan was nowhere near as terrible as some of the people he knew, he was no angel either and he was almost afraid that he wouldn’t be able to live up to being the kind of person that he wanted to be, to being the person Blair had just described. It was reassuring though, to know who exactly he was to Blair. Her words, if anything, only made him want to prove her right and show her that he is everything she thinks he is, and maybe, possibly, more.

He can see the sincerity in her eyes as she spoke the words he desperately needed to hear, and his eyes are almost glassy as he lets out a soft breath of relief. He gave her a smile of gratitude, his hands moving up to cover her small and dainty hands that rested on his face. He nods, taking one of palms and pressing a soft kiss before his lips found hers. At that moment, all he can bring himself to think about is how he is the luckiest guy in the world because Blair — she’s so much more than he had ever imagined her to be. He thinks whoever said nobody’s perfect would bite back their words if they get lucky enough to have the chance of getting to know her. She’s wonderful, and lovely, and he cannot help but be amazed by her.

At the mention of having Dorota bring her doll over, Dan’s mouth opens and he finds himself smiling and speechless. “Are you sure she’s okay with living in Brooklyn?” he asked, nudging Blair a little as he teased her. He won’t ever admit it, but it’s a question directed subtly at Blair herself too. He wants to ask her to come and live with him, for now anyway, until they find a place for themselves that’s good enough for her liking. He’s far too amused at the idea of their dolls living together on his shelf and so he gets out of bed and throws his pants on before making his way to her bag and picking her doll up. 

He misses the way Blair’s lips curve up upon seeing the key because he sits down on his side of the bed and takes both dolls in his hands and introduces them to each other. “Don’t tell him I told you,” he whispered to Blair’s doll, “But Cedric’s been dying to meet you ever since I told him about you last last year spring.” It wasn’t even a lie. Dan did have a tendency to do stupid things when he was drunk, and that particular night Nate had been out on a date so he had settled for having Cedric as his drinking buddy. 

Dan looked over as soon as he heard his name, and he gave her a warm smile as she spoke. He’s happy that she’s happy. He watches her throw his flannel on in a hurry, and he’s a little confused and a little amused when she walks out of his room. “Do you have any idea what’s gotten into her?” he asked the dolls. “Yeah, me neither.” he laughed. He moved some of his books to make space for the newcomer and he’s just finished sitting them next to each other on the shelf when Blair re-enters his room.

“Oh?” he asked, as he turned around to face Blair, wondering what she’d gotten for him. Dan wasn’t big on gifts, but he couldn’t help but be curious as to what she’d gotten for him. He moved over to the side of the bed, watching her button his shirt up and he can’t pinpoint if it’s the sight of her in flannel or if it’s because the fact that the buttons weren’t aligned that made her look unbelievably desirable. “I don’t know if it’s just me, but I think flannel looks so good on you.” he told her absentmindedly. 

Seeing her carry over the ridiculous number of shopping bags, he instantly stands up offers his help. He’s back on the bed and is peeking curiously through her shopping bags, wondering which one of them contained his present. “It’s not a problem.” he said, shaking his head when she apologized. The fact that she had thought of him was more than enough to make him feel special. 

A soft chuckle escaped his lips when Blair pulled out a lavender shirt. He should have guessed that much. “I never said you were being passive aggressive!” he told her, as he looked down to his chest and he loves the fact that she got the right size. “Okay, I might have thought that you were.” he admitted with a guilty smile. “Well, not to brag but I do look good in a suit, don’t I?” he told her and he makes a goofy sexy face to go along with it. He loves the shirt and the tie, and yes, even the color and it takes a lot of effort from him to say it out loud but he does. 

He takes her kiss, and then grabs the back of her head to pull her in for a more solid one before saying thank you appreciatively. He’s about to laugh when she starts talking about insecurities and jealousy because really, she should already know that no other woman held anything against her. He’s sees the box though, and his laugh is caught in his throat. Dan eyed Blair suspiciously as his gaze went back up to meet hers. 

“Are you serious?” he asked, his eyes widening and before he knows it, the ring is already on his finger. “Blair…” His eyes fall onto the ring and he had to admit yet again, the woman had good taste and he’s just so sure that it was costly and he doesn’t know how he feels about that. He wants to take it off and give it back to her because this is absolutely crazy and he’s supposed to be the one giving her a ring but he won’t because he doesn’t want to risk hurting her feelings. “We talked about this, remember?” he whined and pouted and gave her a disapproving look. “Besides, you know you don’t have to worry about other women right? I have eyes for you, and only you.” he promised. “And there is no one else that I find more intelligent and gorgeous than the one I’m looking at right now.” he assured her. 

“Then there’s also this one small fact that everyone I work with knows I’m head over heels in love with one Blair Cornelia Waldorf. In case you didn’t notice, my second novel was a love letter to you. The dedication front of the book even explicitly spells your name out.” he tells her teasingly. “They know better than to compete with my undying love for you.” he said dramatically but he looks at her seriously afterward. “You know that you’re the only one for me, don’t you?” he asked, all traces of teasing and kidding set aside. He needed her to know that there was no one else for him, not now and not ever. “The only one.”

He slid the ring off his third finger and placed it on his ring finger. “But if this makes you feel more at ease then I’ll wear it.” he said, giving her smile and a kiss. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, and if wearing this is what you really want then it’s what I’ll do.”

At that moment, he feels the urge to tell the rest of the world that he’s in love with her and so he forces her to get dressed quickly while he threw a shirt on. He grabs his sailor hat just because, and they end up at a store a few blocks from the loft. Dan insists that the place neither dangerous or germ infested. He buys them matching shirts, and it’s the kind that Blair would probably never be caught dead wearing but he insists, and points out that he’s wearing the ring she got him.

His shirt says “I love her” with an arrow pointed to the left, and her shirt says “He loves me” with an arrow pointed to the right. It’s cheesy as hell, but he’s excited because he’s always wanted to wear one of those ever since he first saw them. The old man who owned the store gives Blair’s shirt for free because he’s too happy to see Dan coming in with the girl he talked about far too much whenever he came by. “Finally got the girl, eh?” he nodded, looking over at Blair. “Yeah well, what can I say. I’m just that irresistable.” he kids, as he handed over some money. “Don’t ever let him go, young lady.” he tells Blair. “He’s a catch.” Dan merely rolls his head back and laughs.

They walk together along the streets of Brooklyn with his arms around her shoulder wearing the shirts that made people stop and look at them. Normally, he didn’t really care for the attention but today he loved it. He loved the way people whispered, some about how corny they looked and others about how cute it was. He can tell what some people were thinking. How did he manage to land a girl like that? In all honesty, he doesn’t know the answer to that either but that’s the last thing on his mind. He takes the opportunity to show her around Brooklyn, the place where he grew up. He took her to see his favorite stores, introduced her to some people he’d known since he was six and brought her to his favorite place to eat for dinner. 

By the time it was dark, he’d already managed to shout at some random stranger, “Yeah, she’s the love of my life!” and boast “This is the woman I’m going to marry!” to another, set the record for most number of and longest public displays of attention, and snapped about a hundred photos of them in Brooklyn. 

He’s elated and all smiles when the get back to his building, and they barely make it to the loft before he’s covered her mouth with his, kissing her intensely as his way of saying thank you for spending the day with him like this. 

blair-onhowtobelovely:

novelsforeignfilmsandcedric:

He’ll have the whole city chasing after him. ;)

 well, my genes did have to come into play somewhere :p

You just had to take the credit, didn’t you?

The Loft | Dan Humphrey

blair-onhowtobelovely:

As promised Dorota eventually turned up with a few of Blair’s things; a much more abundant overnight bag, a few garment bags, stuff from her bathroom, like her shampoo and perfume, more of her makeup then enough to touch up what she had previously had on.

Realizing that Nate, although seeking the truth in Dan’s voicemail, had likely come here to see Dan anyway Blair slipped into Dan’s room when Dorota arrived, the maid bustling in after her and helping her get ready before they each left the loft under the pretense of giving the two some time alone whilst taking some for themselves.

“Dorota and I are just going to pick up some things” Blair explained, tossing her dark curls over her shoulder and pressing a chaste kiss to Dan’s forehead. “And lunch” she added, her nose wrinkling in distaste at Nate’s choice in pizza while she reached out and squeezed his shoulder. With a last calling over her shoulder of ‘have fun boys’ the two women were out the door and swept into the backseat of a cab en route back to Manhattan.

Dorota was full of questions along the way; what had made Blair decide to ask him, what had they done that day, did Mister Humphrey like what she had packed in the previous night’s bag. All questions were answered with smiling lips and a sense of contentment that Blair knew would be shattered when she told Serena. Though her blonde best friend had generally been the more understanding of the two of them it had been something worth grappling with when she had learnt of Blair and Dan’s friendship and the memories of her reaction to that piece of information plagued Blair every time it so much as crossed her mind what a daunting task it would be telling Serena that they wanted, that they planned, on getting married.

She could already see a fall out, arguments, accusations of long held grudges and general behavior that would make each of them less inclined to want to get along with the other. She could practically hear Serena staking her claim and informing her that Dan had always been hers, like he was some sort of possession. It was a shame that Serena was single at present. Had she been involved with someone the brunette knew sharing her news with her would be much easier, although nowhere near a breeze. Getting involved with Dan Humphrey in any capacity had always meant, to Blair anyway, getting involved with his very detailed past with Serena.

Blair didn’t doubt that Dan no longer had feelings for Serena, none that she needed to be concerned about anyway, but with Serena it was hard to say the same. Serena’s romantic feelings came and went with the seasons, blossoming at any given time and withering away just as easily. Blair had once thought that she and Dan were as inevitable as her and Chuck, useless to fight against, laid out as fate, or destiny, or some other divine force that would excuse how poorly suited for one another they often seemed to be.  But things had turned out differently and she knew it would be naïve and foolish not to be prepared for a poor reaction from Serena who likely still thought that at the end of it all, she would wind up with Dan. Serena had once gone as far as calling Dan the love of her life and Blair knew that she believed in it whole heartedly.

How were you supposed to tell your best friend that you were taking that away from them?

Blair acknowledged that technically, she wasn’t taking anything from her. Dan had chosen her. Dan wasn’t in love with Serena, but that wasn’t how it would feel to Serena when she found out and though Blair worried for her reaction she felt baldly for being the woman that was the one to instill the feeling in her. Serena could have handled Dan marrying a stranger, her and Blair speaking poorly of her at family gatherings behind raised hands in whispers, but Blair wouldn’t be sharing in Serena’s displeasure, she would be the one causing it instead.

Thoughts of Serena plagued the newly engaged young woman while she and Dorota strolled around the shopping district, popping into stores that only barely held Blair’s interest. It wasn’t until they stepped into a jewelers that Blair came back to herself and looked eagerly at the glass displays of glimmering diamonds and bands wistfully, wondering what sort of wedding rings she and Dan might wear. As she walked around and continued looking just looking she assured Dorota she stopped when she reached the engagement rings, all boasting impressive cuts and large stones.

An engagement ring had been missing from her own proposal, as Nate had tactfully pointed out. People would, so far, have to rely on their world alone, which yes, was good enough but didn’t placate Blair all that much. When Dan went out no woman he came across would know. They would look at his hands and find no ring, consider him unattached, charming, because he was, handsome, because he was that too, and as the thoughts, unreasonable perhaps, began to manifest Blair found herself considering wide platinum bands and guessing at ring sizes and ringing up at the register and walking out with a satisfied and relieved smile. Now there was a ring.

Nate was still there when Blair returned, gliding through the loft to drop the considerably obscene amount of shopping bags she had acquired out of the way, Dan’s ring hidden in amongst the lot. Her enthusiasm to shop had returned once she had banished thoughts of Serena and had led her to a number of stores, new dresses and shoes brought while wondering what she would wear on this date of theirs that Dan had in mind for tomorrow.

Eventually, with the loft having emptied out, Nate saying his goodbyes and Dorota leaving seconds behind it was just the two of them once more and the subject of their engagement and the outside world pressing in on them. Blair let out a loaded sigh, reminded of her afternoon’s thoughts surrounding a certain blonde while she crossed the room to reach him, arms automatically falling around his waist.

“I would say all at once” Blair spoke, lifting her head from Dan’s chest to look at him, “but what if they all just stand there, shocked? It doesn’t exactly bode well for celebration. Then again, we could just mention it casually in passing, which would naturally encourage a slew of questions and get everything all out in the open immediately, the shock, the confusion.” Blair stopped herself short of saying ‘the hurt.’ She refused to feel guilty for being in love with Dan, even if at the cost of Serena’s feelings.

Breathing out a sigh once more the brunette buried her face in Dan’s neck, inhaling his scent and relaxing once more. The short amount of space in which Blair had been out with Dorota made her happy to return home, home being wherever Dan was even if it was Brooklyn. The time had barely been enough to deem missing him permissible and yet walking through the front door, carelessly, sure not to walk into anything she didn’t want to see, and seeing his face had been one of the best parts of her day.

Coming home to her fiancé was something that Blair could definitely picture herself getting used to and eventually coming home to her husband. By then she assumed they would have settled on a place to live, but for the meantime it was the least of her concerns and quickly one of the last things on her mind when Dan issued a comment about her bucket list. The brunette had wondered when Dan would pick up the bait and was impressed it had taken him until now to mention it.

Wearing a sultry smile and running her hands over Dan’s chest to hook her fingers through the belt loops of his pants Blair pressed a trail of open mouthed kisses to his skin, over his neck, his jaw, the spot behind his ear. “Never mind my bucket list” she dismissed, absently waving her hand and kissing him slowly. “I want to know what’s on yours.”

When Blair returned, Dan couldn’t help but look at Blair half confused and half amused. He was pretty sure she’d told him that she was going out to pick up only a few things right before she left with Dorota. Those bags and shopping bags certainly did not seem like a few things, although he probably should have known better anyway. Girls will be girls, after all, and Blair will be Blair. He’s amazed at just how much shopping the woman could do in such a short period of time. He thinks it’s crazy that she spends ludicrous amounts of money to buy all those clothes when she already has a closet filled with them but he loves her anyway.

What warms his heart though, is the way she just brings over all these things and places them in the loft like she lives there. He loves how comfortable she is in his home, so much so that the place could be mistaken for theirs and not his. He finds that he likes that, and he loves the idea of living together, and he can’t wait until they do.

Taking her in his arms, he gave her a warm smile while his fingers swept her hair back. She’s worried, and he can understand why. With Dan, the worst reaction he’d possibly get was a confused Jenny and a disapproving look from his mom. Even that seemed highly unlikely, since Jenny had always been a big part of Dan’s life and after his second novel was released it had been impossible to dodge questions from the young blonde. Though she wasn’t completely thrilled by the idea of her brother being in love with Blair, she had come to terms with it eventually. It wasn’t as if Jenny loathed Blair, at least not according to her. They just had their differences and issues that were never resolved. “I want you to be happy, Dan. I just hope you know what you’re getting into.” he remembers her saying. “I do.” he had assured his sister almost too quickly.

With Blair though, she risked losing Serena’s friendship and he can only imagine what it would be like for her. He knows how long they’ve been friends, and he knows all the things that their friendship withstood over the years. He hates that his being with Blair could ruin that friendship, but he knows that ultimately, it was Blair’s decision. He knew her well enough to know that she wasn’t one to act recklessly. Surely, the fact that she was putting her friendship on the line had already crossed her mind even before she came over last week, right?

His hands slipped around her waist, pulling her into a warm embrace. “I’ll hold your hand through this, and I promise you I will never let go. I know everything you are risking to be with me, and I want you to know that I do not take it lightly.” he said softly, before pressing a kiss on top of her head. He sighed softly. Even when they first became friends, it was the same thing. He wished it didn’t have to be this hard and he wished there was something he could do to make things easier for her. The Queen and Lonely Boy? Not exactly what everyone was expecting, and definitely not what most were rooting for. He knows that not everyone will take the news positively, but he could only hope, for her sake, that things don’t go too bad. He holds onto her a little tighter, rocking her gently in his arms. “You and me against the world.” he whispered. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but this I know for sure. No matter what, at the end of the day you’ll still have me. You’ll always have me.” He could only hope that it would be enough, that he would be enough.

He holds her, allowing the moment to settle in before he mentions the bucket list in an attempt to lighten the situation. He feels relief the moment he sees her smile, and he returns her kiss immediately. “Hmm?” A smile played across his lips while he continued to kiss her. He doesn’t exactly have a bucket list, although he can’t deny that he’s probably already come up with at least a hundred different scenarios within the last three years. “Well,” he says thoughtfully, “there is something…” he trailed off. He took her hand and led her into his bedroom.

Laying somewhere in the disarray of books above his bed was his copy of Inside. He took the novel in his hands and began to flip through the pages until he found what he was looking for. “I got your text and I came right over. What’s wrong?” he read, with a sly smile on his face. He handed the book over to her and placed his hands on both sides of her waist as he took a step closer to her. His eyes fall onto the words he wrote before moving up to her lips. “You’re the one that wanted it kept secret, not me.” he continued, remembering his own words with ease. He thinks it’s the sexiest thing in the world when she quotes himself to him. He makes love to her with a fiery passion, the way he would have if things had gone any further the night their lips met for the first time. Nervous, curious and overwhelmed with emotions that he didn’t want to admit he had yet but his actions betray him because he kisses her like she’s all he’s ever wanted.

“Can I ask you to do something for me?” he asked softly moments after he’s caught his breath. He sat up and pulled the sheets up to cover both of them. He leaned back against the large pillows and looked over to Blair. “Don’t ever give up on me.” he said, and he sounds more vulnerable than he wants to be. “I know how stubborn I can be at times, and I’m insecure about a lot of things and sometimes I might get jealous without warrant.” he starts, “And I know you and I know me and I know us. We’re going to argue about a lot of things and sometimes you’ll get frustrated with me but just… just always remember that I love you. You’re my life, Blair. You’re the most important person in the world to me and you have been for awhile now. I can’t imagine what it would be like if I were to lose you. And I’m telling you this now, not because I don’t believe in you but because I’m scared that one day I might do or say something to push you away and my pride.. it always gets in the way of things and I just..” he sighed and placed his hand on her thigh, stroking his thumb back and forth lovingly. “Don’t ever give up on me. I don’t think my heart could handle it.”

He leaned his head back, pausing for a moment before he spoke up once more. “I want to promise you, so bad, that everything’s going to be perfect but I know I’d be lying if I did. I’ll do my best though, that much I can promise you. I know you’ve been through so much, and yet you’re taking a chance with me and you’re trusting me with the rest of your life… the best that I can, Blair. I promise.” He placed his arms around her and pulled her close, his face buried in her hair and his eyes flutter shut. “I love you.”

“Oh, I have something for you, by the way.” he said, suddenly remembering the box that had been laying beside Cedric on his shelf for months now. He had meant to give it to her earlier that year, but she had been busy and his gift had been forgotten until recently. “Here. It’s not much but I want you to have it.” His smile is small and sweet as he handed her the box that contained the key to his loft. He’s not sure if it’s the best idea to ask her to move in with him because it is still Brooklyn, after all and though she’s gotten comfortable there, he’s not entirely sure she wanted to actually live there. This way, he’s at least able to let her know that he does want her here with him. “My loft is your loft.” he told her with a grin.

blair-onhowtobelovely:

novelsforeignfilmsandcedric:

But I like my hair…

I will confess, I do find your curls rather charming. If, when we have a child someday, we have a boy, I hope he gets them

He’ll have the whole city chasing after him. ;)

The Loft | Dan Humphrey

blair-onhowtobelovely:

Despite the rather intimate position they had been found in Blair had dealt with similar, albeit nowhere near as revealing, situations beforehand. Her days with Chuck had seen many an interrupted occurrence that had been poorly concealed, but concealed nonetheless, by an array of blankets and a well practiced poker face. While one might consider it shameful, embarrassing, or even something that was better swept under the rug and forgotten about the brunette merely reveled. Being with Chuck had taught Blair plenty of things, some good, some bad, most all beneficial. They had loved and hurt one another, but if there was one thing that Blair could take away from her time with Chuck it was definitely her sexual confidence.

Knowing that Nate had seen them as he had was something Blair refused to be ashamed of, and she certainly hoped that Dan would come to the same conclusion. It wasn’t as if they were doing anything wrong, or even as if they had been asking for a spectator; though, admittedly, Dan’s voicemail had been somewhat preemptive. Nate, on the other hand, should have known exactly what he was going to walk into. He had known Blair long enough, and surely Dan as well, to know that when either of them insinuated that they were going to be doing something bordering on a ‘need to know’ basis, neither of them were lying. Not to mention how improbable it was that Dan would have had the nerve to imply such a thing without her consent or blessing, or, as it were, her participation.

“There is more about Dan than his face that is priceless Nathaniel” Blair pointed out, shooting a smile in Dan’s direction with a heated glance. “His work ethic happens to be unparalleled.” Stroking the defined line of his cheekbone the brunette turned back to Nate, a coy smile playing on her lips. “Considering you heard Dan’s voicemail I presume” she began, “I refuse to write this off as accidental and as I’ve never really forayed into the realm of voyeurism before, so I think after today I can cross it off my sexual bucket list; thank you for that.” Blair spoke evenly, her smile never wavering. “Oh, and thank you” she added, speaking specifically to Dan, her thank you holding emphasis and her free hand tugging at the front of his shirt, lips capturing his in a kiss of gratitude.  

Nate’s words eventually pulled at Blair’s attention, perfectly sculpted brows being raised in his direction while she phrased her response. “I always look good” she said automatically, noticing the way his eyes drifted over her purposefully. She realized that her earlier comment had to be getting to him and beyond that made nothing of it. After all these years, torturing Nathaniel with his own ignorance was still an amusing way for Blair to pass the time.

Narrowing her eyes when Nate harmlessly poked fun at Dan her expression soon gave, a small burst of laughter escaping her at the mere idea of Dan at a gym working out. Athleticism was definitely not something she associated with him by any stretch. While trying to imagine Dan lifting weights or doing something else equally absurd she fell willing into his lap, pulling at the hem of his shirt to ensure the miniscule amount of decency she was able to obtain remained intact. Modesty surely had no place between her, Dan and Nate now, what with Nate being her ex boyfriend and having seen her very naked less then fifteen minutes ago but a repeat in any capacity was hardly necessary, regardless of the small thrill it had been to get caught in such a way.

Leaning back against the arm of the sofa and very much distracted from the conversation Dan and Nate were having the brunette was rather shocked when she felt Dan’s tongue running along her neck, eyelids fluttering in involuntary response. “Humphrey” Blair scolded, her voice far too breathless to really be effective, “if you intend on doing things like that you’re either going to have to get very comfortable with Nate or practice patience.” She smiled wickedly, the idea of picking up where they had left off and leaving Nate to his own devices not as daunting as it should have been.

The conversation soon took a turn however, Nate shooting a speculative glance at her left hand and Dan quickly ensuring that they were in fact engaged, despite the lack of rings in sight. It was the first time they had told anyone in person and Blair couldn’t help but smile and look at Dan adoringly. The exchanged look between them barely lasted, their smiles soon fitting together and each of them easily getting swept away in the kiss they shared, Nate’s presence only becoming problematic when he cleared his throat.

Blair was just about to tell him, in a rather miffed tone, that no one was making him stay when he threw out an exclamation of disbelief. His exclamation soon led to an accusation of them having been sneaking around and insult that Dan hadn’t informed him. Blair could only watch in amusement as Dan made no effort to deny Nate’s claims, instead assuring him that he was his best friend, and best man. The prospect of playing that role at their wedding seemed to brighten the golden boy’s disposition considerably, a grin forming on his lips that elicited one from Blair in response.

Dan soon began to explain everything, and she watched with bated breath for Nate’s reaction, curious as to whether or not he would think they were crazy. He reacted positively for the most part, only getting hung up on misguided details of their engagement that Blair was quick to put straight.

“Of course I wouldn’t have” she argued, “I knew you had a ring and besides” she continued, her voice growing suddenly smug. “Dan didn’t propose I did.” Smiling only all too proudly the brunette looked over to Nate with amusement all over her face as Dan pressed his lips to her cheek. “An it” she spoke elusively, “is none of your business. You’re going to have to try way harder than that to get the answer out of me, and I don’t think you would believe me if I told you anyway.”

Dan couldn’t help but smile back in response to Blair’s words, despite them not being directed to him. The fact that Blair had a sexual bucket list shouldn’t have surprised Dan, and yet it did anyway. He wondered what exactly was on that list, how long it was and how much of it had already been fulfilled by Chuck. A surge of jealousy went through him and he did his best to ignore it. He knows there’s nothing to be jealous about, and Blair has done nothing but show him that he was the one she wanted, that he was the one she loved. Still, with the amount of history the two of them had, it was hard not to feel like he has to compete. The fact that he had been her go-to guy about Chuck back then didn’t help. Dan was well aware of how strongly she had felt for Chuck. He hates how insecure he can be at times, even after all these years and even when he’s holding the girl of his dreams in his arms.

Chuck instantly becomes the last thing on his mind once he starts talking to Nate, and he’s half thankful that he had decided to drop by despite his bad timing. He’s still quite sure that Nate had walked in on them on purpose, but he doesn’t mind all that much. It is Nate, after all. He’s probably the only consistent friend he’s had aside from Blair through the years. In fact, he was the only one who stuck it out with him even when Blair managed to temporarily drop out of his life the last few months and he knows Nate meant no harm in his actions.

Dan flashes Blair a small smile when she scolds him. Half of him just wanted to go for the former, to completely ignore Nate’s presence and continue what they had been doing in his room earlier but the more sensible part of him told him otherwise so he decides to go with patience. It should have been easy for him, because Dan was, in fact, a very patient man but it’s not. Every second that passed was proving to be more agonizing than he thought it’d be. He doesn’t quite understand it, because in the past it wasn’t that hard for him to be satisfied but with Blair, it’s like close was just never close enough. He always wanted more of her to the point that it physically hurts when she’s not beside him.

His expression is filled with pride when Blair explains that she was the one who proposed, because really, how many people can say that Blair Waldorf proposed to them? Who would have ever even thought that someone like her would propose marriage to a boy at all? The fact that he was the one, of all people, on the receiving end of this only reminds him that he needed to stop being insecure about so many things. He laughs when Nate’s eyes widened at the latest bit of information, and he looks like he doesn’t buy a single word Blair said. “You proposed? Right.” he said, dismissing the thought almost instantly. It takes awhile and the whole story of how it all happened before Nate is half-convinced, and Dan decides half-convinced is enough for now.

Apparently, Nate has picked up a few tricks of his own and attempts to blackmail Blair, threatening to tell everyone about their engagement before they do. His face is all serious too, but Dan knows better than to believe that he’ll actually pull through with his threats. Nate may not be the brightest but he had a good heart and he knows he wouldn’t betray his friends like that. Still, Dan couldn’t help but make a threat (that he didn’t really mean) of his own, “Do that, and you’ll not only be fired as my best man but you’ll be uninvited to the wedding as well.” because the truth was, he liked the fact that he was the only one who knew of Blair’s tattoo. Not because it made him feel more special, but because it held significant meaning to him especially after Blair explained the reason behind the word she had chosen.

Nate is obviously frustrated, and he doesn’t understand why Blair just won’t tell him but he gives it up for now, figuring he’ll find out one way or another in the future anyway. They talk a little bit about the wedding, and a little bit about what’s new with Nate and a little more of this and that. “So, what are we having for lunch?” he asked, and Dan groans in response. “Come on. You’re already overstaying your welcome.” he says lightly as the back of his head hits the couch. Nate makes no effort to move though. “I’ve been for what, thirty minutes?” he says defensively, intent on staying and Dan doesn’t know why he’s volunteering himself to be the third wheel. “You’ve been here for almost two hours.”

Nate wins, and they order his favorite pizza for lunch. Dan somehow senses that Nate is feeling a little off, and when they get some time to themselves, he finally admits that finding out about him and Blair made him a little bit sad. Not that he wasn’t happy for them, he’s quick to add, but because he’s alone and he’ll have less time with Dan now that he had Blair. “Hey, you know I was just kidding earlier right? You’re always welcome to come here and hang out with us. Although hopefully next time you might want to call first before barging in.” he laughed. “I did call!” and they both burst out laughing.

They talk about Blair, and Dan can’t help but start rambling. He talks too fast because there’s so much to say and she’s perfect and amazing and she bought (well, stole) a sailor’s hat for him. He tells him about that night she came by at the loft, and how it was probably one of the happiest moments of his life, about how Blair told him she loved him and he could have died right then.

When it’s time for Nate to go, he refuses to admit that it makes him a little sad. It was always good to have him over to talk to. “That’s two down.” he says, when the door closes (and he locks it) and he turns to face Blair. “Do you think we should tell them one by one or should we just gather them up to announce our engagement?” he asked thoughtfully. Telling them all together would definitely be much easier, and could save them the confrontations that were sure to follow. The former had its benefits too though, and he couldn’t decide which was better.

“So, about that bucket list.” he mentions as casually as he can, but a devious smile creeps on his face again. “Maybe I can help cross out a few more of whatever’s on it today.”

blair-onhowtobelovely:

novelsforeignfilmsandcedric:

You and I both know you love my muppet hair.

I love you your hair could use some tidying Humphrey

But I like my hair…

The Loft | Dan Humphrey

blair-onhowtobelovely:

The modestly sized bathroom of the Humphrey loft boasted one benefit, small space and close proximity. Though Blair realized she needn’t require an excuse to be close to Dan if she wanted to be, it was nice to have one all the same. Dan assumed a close proximity to her regardless however, lathering up her hair with shampoo that she normally wouldn’t have even considered using if it weren’t for the fact that she were standing under steadily streaming hot water next to a very handsome, and silently persuasive Dan Humphrey. Who was she to criticize his taste for low end hair products, even if, under any other circumstance, she would have; right now, the brand of shampoo he was using on her hair was practically the last thing on her mind.

The brunette was more preoccupied with the startling length of Dan’s hair, soaked and pushed off his face. The very adorable curls he possessed sacrificed the length rather significantly and Blair couldn’t help but smile at the sight of his wispy tendrils of hair which only held onto a slight curve while wet. There was also the opportunity to explore Dan’s body more openly and modestly with soapy and wandering hands that garnered her attention, her ministrations only ceasing when Dan tapped her nose, which bunched under his touch, tickling because of the feeling of the bubbles he had left behind.

She barely had the opportunity to return the sentiment before his lips were on hers, effectively keeping her words behind her teeth. But as soon as they parted Blair offered Dan an adoring smile, tracing a finger along his jaw while the words spouted from her lips effortlessly, her head ducking to drop a kiss to his collarbone. A smile tugged at the corner of the brunette’s lips when she managed to recognize the song Dan was humming as the very same one she had sung for him last night and whether it were intentional or absentminded, it earned him another sound kiss, Blair’s fingers winding into the wet mass of Dan’s hair.

With each of their hair now free of shampoo and all bubbles rinsed down the drain Blair had been preparing to turn the shower faucet off when Dan caught her off guard by taking control, running lathered hands over her back soothingly. Her eyes had fluttered shut, succumbing to the instilled relaxation of Dan’s hands when he surprised her again, moving nimble fingers over her chest and down her body to where she wanted him most. A plush sigh fell from her lips, one hand lifting to wrap around the back of Dan’s neck to anchor herself in place, knees ready to buckle and legs on the verge of trembling and becoming useless to hold her up.

Luckily for her Dan was quick to assist her, with a hand to her waist and the other pressed against the wall, balancing the both of them while he thrust into her swiftly. It was rough and fast and made Blair’s blood boil just below the surface of her skin. Experiencing this side of Dan, that was animalistic, wild and untamed only made Blair more excited about getting to know him in all the ways she had yet to.

In a brilliant haze of lazy kisses and languid limbs the two eventually found their way back to Dan’s bedroom in a shuffle of crowded feet and towels. Blair had watched while Dan pulled his boxers up his legs, holding the towel that had covered him moments before in each of her hands and swooping in to begin drying his hair once each of his feet were firmly back on the floor. With the towel draped over his head like a hood she smiled at him prettily, tugging on the ends of the cloth while she rose on her tip toes, lips reaching his succinctly.

Not ready yet to relinquish the intimacy of their physical interaction Blair had no complaints when her towel was dropped to the floor and forgotten about. Finding herself lying back against the pillows of Dan’s bed with him propped between her legs she looked at him curiously, wondering what good he was to her down there where she couldn’t kiss him. Her unspoken question was answered soon enough with a simple and purposeful yet teasing stroke of his tongue that made her squirm.

Meeting his gaze and lifting a brow lazily she smiled; “And what might that be Humphrey?” she asked, her smile giving way to a devious smirk, “that not finishing what you start is incredibly counterproductive? Rude?” she suggested in a teasing voice, only to nod her agreement when he filled in the blank.

The devil worthy smile on Dan’s lips made Blair’s response catch in her throat, a guttural moan taking its place instead while her fingers sought purchase in the curls of his hair, brown eyes hiding behind their lids. Somehow it seemed a distinctly Dan thing to keep up a steady narrative while performing and so she wasn’t surprised when he began speaking once more. His words reached through her foggy thoughts, registering in coherency and eliciting a curious ‘Oh?’ in response.

While Dan quickly came to explain himself, his ministrations unrelenting and each course of action vying for her seemingly limited attention Blair lifted her head to look at him, saying, “or we could stay in.”

His following words were enough to bring her around however, the prospect of a date enforcing a strong sense of endearment in her for him, coinciding with the flare of desire that coursed through her all at the same time. With a timid nod of her head, a whisper of a ‘yes,’ Blair readily agreed with the idea, the idea of taking Dan out tomorrow having occurred to her early that day but forgotten in favor of staying at the loft with him all to herself.

All to herself, it seemed was asking for too much. Suddenly, through no volition of her own Blair was covered with a sheet, a voice that didn’t belong to Dan reached her ears and her eyes snapped open to find the culprit standing in the doorway to Dan’s room. Nate, leaning casually against the doorjamb, looked the picture of a boy at ease, arms folded across his chest and lips adorning an only all too amused smile. His comment easily led Blair to draw the conclusion that the golden boy must have paid a visit to Dan’s voicemail.

At the mention of learning how to knock Blair looked over to Dan with a smirk, “and you might consider learning how to lock a door” she pointed out , holding the sheet he had covered her with up to her chest. “And the last time you saw me in the… throes of passion” Blair stated boldly, looking over to Nathaniel smugly, “was awhile ago, and there is, in fact, something you haven’t seen.”

Watching Dan usher Nate out of the room and close the door behind him Blair dragged her fingers through her hair, processing exactly what had just happened. Shaking her head she couldn’t help but grin. “Awkward is certainly one word for it, interesting may be another you might think to try out” she replied, clambering from the bed with the sheet left behind. Gravitating towards Dan instantly she pressed a soft kiss to his neck, the underside of his jaw and finally his lips.

“You do realize this is because of your voicemail?” Blair remarked with a trill of laughter, accepting the shirt Dan bestowed her with and pulling it on quickly. With Dorota not yet having paid a visit the shirt was the best she could do, which she supposed was starkly more decent then Nate had seen her only moments ago. Pulling her underwear up her legs and looking over at Dan Blair smiled at him reassuringly; “don’t worry about it” she dismissed with a wave of her hand, “once he’s gone you’ve got me. When Nate gets home he has to try find Chuck’s black book or make nice with himself.”

Following him out to the living room she spotted Nate lounging on the couch, perfectly comfortable and still grinning to himself, no doubt thinking about what had just transpired.

“Nathaniel” Blair greeted him, “I had no idea you had voyeuristic tendencies.”

“But…” His attempt to defend himself fell short. Okay, so maybe Blair did have a point. He really should learn to lock the door to the loft. People were always letting themselves in like they lived there and though he usually didn’t mind, it would save him the trouble of getting caught in compromising positions and awkward situations such as this one. He was, in a way, grateful that it was Nate who had walked in on them though. God knows what he would have done and what kind of explaining he’d have to do had it been his father. 

Once the initial shock had subsided, it was easier for him to laugh with Blair about what had just happened. He lifts his hands up in surrender. “My fault, I know. I’m still keeping that voicemail though.” After putting on a pair of pants and a flannel shirt that he didn’t bother buttoning up, he greeted Nate with a small chuckle as he walked out of the bedroom, hands clasped together with Blair’s. “I hope you enjoyed the show.”

“Very much so.” Nate answered with a nod, followed by a laugh. “I had no idea I had voyeuristic tendencies either, up until now. Seeing the look on Dan’s face though, priceless.” He’s still grinning from ear to ear and Dan isn’t sure what to make of it. He only hopes that he’s not still picturing his naked girl in his mind. Nate was, as a matter of fact. Not because he was some sort of pervert though, but because he was trying to figure out what exactly Blair was talking about when she mentioned earlier about there being something he hasn’t seen before.

“You look good, by the way.” he said, eyeing Blair from head to toe. His eyes lingered on her exposed skin while he tried to figure out what was different. Oddly enough, Dan doesn’t feel the slightest bit of jealousy. He’s aware that it’s just Nate being Nate, although he’d still prefer if he kept his eyes up instead. “You on the other hand, are in need of some working out. Sitting behind that desk all day is not doing you any good.” he said pointedly, but Dan knows it’s just another one of his attempts to get him to go to the gym with him. 

“You know, I would go to the gym but there are a few things I can think of that I’d much rather be doing instead.” he answered, sitting down on the other end of the couch and pulling Blair sideways onto his lap. “For example,” he grinned before running his tongue along Blair’s neck because he planned to make this as uncomfortable for Nate as he could as his way of retaliating for cutting his alone time with Blair short. That, and maybe it would get him out of the loft faster so he can continue what he was doing five minutes ago. Nate doesn’t seem fazed though, not even a little. He supposed it’s just another one of the many things about Nate that he’ll never understand. 

Nate’s eyes land on Blair’s left hand, and he looks like he’s looking for something that isn’t there. “Yes, we’re getting married.” Dan told him as soon as he noticed where his attention was, after glancing quickly at Blair. It feels good to say it out loud, and his smile is wide right before he pulled Blair into a kiss that ended up longer than he intended. For a few seconds, he completely forgets Nate’s presence until he hears him clearing his throat. “I’m still here.” he cuts in as soon as he’s done processing what Dan just said, waving his hand in front of them. 

“I don’t believe you. I didn’t even know you two were dating!” he insisted, right before his eyes widened. “Oh my god. You’ve been keeping it a secret haven’t you? I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.” he said, looking at Dan accusingly. “I thought I was your best friend!” Nate looks slightly annoyed and very hurt so Dan is quick to defend himself. “You are my best friend. Which is why I’m asking you to be my best man.” he offers, and Nate’s expression quickly transforms into a huge grin. “Okay, you’re forgiven. Seriously though. When did this happen?”

“Well, apparently my second novel finally knocked some sense into Blair.” he laughed. He’s pretty sure Nate still hasn’t read his book yet and he wasn’t expecting him to anyway. “Just last week, actually. And we got engaged last night. No one else knows yet except Dorota though.” he told him, sure that this little bit of information would make Nate feel extra special. “And we’d appreciate it if you keep it to yourself until we officially tell the rest of the world.” He smiled and took Blair’s hand, placing a soft kiss in her palm. Nate looks genuinely confused as he turned to look at Blair. “One week? And you’re already engaged?” he asked. “I can’t believe you proposed without a ring!” he told Dan, “And I can’t believe you accepted! If I proposed to you without a ring, you never would have forgiven me for it!” he exclaimed, as he turned to look at Blair again. 

It doesn’t take long for Nate to finally come to terms with the news. He’s happy for them, and Dan expected that much. “You must be ecstatic.” he said, shaking his head as he grinned in amusement. Dan laughed. Ecstatic was probably the understatement of the year. There were no words to describe what he was feeling at the moment. “You have no idea what things I had to go through when he was pining for you.” he told Blair. “Once, he got so drunk and mopey that he ended up crying. I had no idea what to do with him. And then there was this whole month when he’d hit on all the girls that held any resemblance to you. Oh and —” 

“Okay, that’s enough.” Dan said, cutting Nate off. He really didn’t need Blair to know every single detail of those days, and besides, the last thing he wanted was for her to feel bad about it. The past was done and he’s happier than ever, and that was the only thing that mattered to him. The wait was definitely worth it, and he wouldn’t have had it happen any other way. 

Nate’s still glancing up and down at Blair every now and then, and Dan decides that he can’t take it any more. As much as he tried to tell himself that it’s nothing, he feels a little possessive of Blair. “You have to stop staring at my fiancée at some point.” He can’t help but smile at his own words. His fiancee. He likes how it rolls off his tongue so naturally. “You had your chance with her years ago and you blew it. Your loss, my gain.” he added, running his hand high up her thighs as his lips found her cheek. 

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” He looks guilty and apologetic, so Dan lets it go. “It’s just… what is it that I haven’t seen before?” he asked, his eyes darting back and forth from Dan to Blair, silently asking one of them to relieve him from his misery. Dan turned to look at Blair, remembering his promise to keep her tattoo a secret. 

The Loft | Dan Humphrey

blair-onhowtobelovely:

At the mention of Dan’s words ‘yes, actually’ Blair rose on her tip toes, elbows resting on the counter and brows rising curiously in anticipation of her job only for a coy grin to overtake her lips when he concluded his statement. She blushed prettily, hiding the color that had flooded her cheeks by bowing her head and pretending to fuss with her hair, mumbling incoherently about needing to wash it, and perhaps having it cut sooner than she had anticipated. Her feigned concern for her hair was soon forgotten when Dan pressed an all too brief kiss to her lips and returned to his task.

“I had no idea you were so…” Blair trailed off, considering her options before her nose bunched and she looked at him with slightly narrowed eyes. “…Cheesy” she concluded with an upturning of her lips. “You’re almost like a walking dictionary of cliché’s Humphrey.” Giggling softly to herself she gathered her hair over one of her shoulders, listening as Dan declared himself at her will for the day which only made her smile grow sly in response while she accepted the plate of food he put before her.

“You ought to be careful” Blair warned, glancing up at him briefly before her attention returned to the plate of waffles he had bestowed her with, eager fingers reaching for a knife and fork. “I’m known to take advantage of such generosities” she entreated with a grin, popping a forkful of food into her mouth and chewing slowly. While she ate, one train of thought devising a plan for the day, the other marveled over what she was eating.

Blair had attended numerous brunches over the years but she had never had waffles like these. Likely because Eleanor would always suggest the fresh fruit, the yogurt and direct her away from the pastries with reminders of her weight, dress sizes, expectations. She liked to think that this was not what she had been missing out on all these years; after all, waffles did fall under a Humphrey man’s jurisdiction didn’t they? No chef at The Palace, or any other hotel for that matter would make them quite the same.

Swallowing her mouthful and looking up at Dan Blair shrugged her shoulders indifferently, “I suppose I see the fuss” she said, brushing the waffles off before her smile widened and gave her away. “You can’t make these too often though” she remarked, her thoughts being momentarily silenced by Dan’s lips only to pick up just where she had left off. “I have a wedding dress” she said between another kiss, “lingerie” another, “that I’m sure won’t last long…” another and a grin as Dan offered words of his own that made Blair press her lips to his once more for just a moment only to return to her breakfast shortly thereafter.

Though Blair did her best to focus on the food in front of her the brunette was having difficulty, her distracted disposition showing when her knife and fork failed to work together due to her sights resting on Dan who seemed to be having some sort of internal discussion with himself that he appeared to be losing. There was a furrow in his brow that made Blair’s lips curve into an amused smile while she resisted the urge to reach out and smooth it away, she wondered what was on his mind.

It didn’t take long, however, before the inner workings of the young author’s mind where far from her own, fastly becoming preoccupied with the demanding kisses they were exchanging while he kept her pressed firmly between the refrigerator and his own body. Dan was quickly proving himself insatiable and as a byproduct rekindling the less than forthcoming sex drive Blair had been harboring since her days with the prince. The difference now was that Blair doubted there would ever be any permanent sense of satisfaction.

With flushed skin and an adjustment of her underwear Blair concluded that she was in fact satisfied, but only for the time being. Dan would do something soon enough that would have her silently begging for the same gratification eventually. She was relieved by Dan defending his lack of self control though, an impish grin finding her while she looked over at him. The expression Dan wore was comprised of a guilty looking smile and a mischievousness about the way he looked at her that Blair allowed to guide her towards him, pressing her hands to each of his cheeks while she kissed him soundly, a murmuring of ‘thanks’ being lost somewhere between his lips and her own.

While Dan tended to the dishes she sought refuge in his room, excusing herself to make a quick call to Dorota. The foreseeable amount of time they had together would undoubtedly be spent here as Dan had requested and Blair had happily obliged and the need for clean under garments and clothes would arise.

Hitting the number on her speed dial for her second mother Blair fell back onto the mattress of the bed she and Dan had shared last night, flopping onto her stomach with a whimsical smile while she recalled certain things, the ringing on the other end becoming background noise to her recollections.

“Miss Blair?” Dorota’s voice pierced through her reverie though her smile remained in place. “Everything okay? I not expecting hear from you today, I have breakfast with Vanya and babies, maybe go feed ducks” she began rattling off. Today however, nothing could get Blair down.

“Dorota” she cut in with a small edge of forcefulness. “Enough with your insipid rambling, I was simply calling to ask if you could at some point or another today drop off some things for me as I will be staying here with Dan for awhile to celebrate” she explained thoughtlessly, easing the maid’s concern for her day plans immediately.

“Celebrating?” Dorota queried on the other end, the last fraction of Blair’s sentence having not been missed by her.

Blair, realizing her mishap bit down on her lip while she considered the ramifications of telling Dorota. Surely no harm would be done. Her parents were in Paris and the Polish woman would keep her secret until Blair and Dan had told everyone themselves.

Clearing her throat and sitting with her legs crossed beneath her the brunette tugged at the shirt she wore, staling unnecessarily. “I… well, if you must know” she started in a coy tone that was thinly veiled with annoyance, mostly at herself for having slipped up, “I asked Dan to marry me.”

“But Miss Blair” Dorota spoke up after a moments silence, “you say proposals for desperate women with commitment phobic partners and no patience. You say that tradition is for man to propose, to buy ring, to take lead” she insisted, reciting words that registered with Blair faintly in remembrance. It did all certainly sound like something she would have said, she granted that much, but her miffed expression had settled already.

“Dorota!” she scolded, exerting some of her minor frustrations at her maid for momentarily putting a damper on her good news. “You’re missing the point” she continued, breathing out a sigh and feeling the tension in her face alleviate as her former serenity returned. “I’m engaged to a wonderful, gorgeous man, who thinks the world of me. What does it matter that I asked him? Waiting for Humphrey to ask would have taken too long; I simply took matters into my own hands and secured an engagement that was ideally inevitable. Now tell me you’re happy for me, please and I’ll forget that you questioned my actions” Blair requested, realizing that though it shouldn’t be of any importance, Dorota’s approval was as pivotal as her own parents; Dorota had far surpassed the role of merely her maid long ago after all.

“I always say I want you to find right love and if you find this with lowly boy then of course I’m happy for you.”

Laughing softly Blair shook her head. “Its lonely boy Dorota, Humphrey is anything but lowly. He is a critically acclaimed author now, you know” she boasted proudly.

“Actually Vanya tell me that Mister Dan make it on to bestsellers list with book he write about you but I will bring you things for your stay Miss Blair; you want me to pack anything specific? La Perla’s? Champagne?”

Concluding her conversation with Dorota Blair emerged from Dan’s bedroom with her phone left in her bag to be forgotten about in favor of giving Dan her undivided attention. It would be a simple task, too, she deduced, rounding the counter into the kitchen, her line of sight falling on the exposed skin of Dan’s back almost immediately.

With her return not yet made aware to him Blair leant back against the counter watching the muscles in his back while he continued washing dishes, oblivious to her. Dan had never been overly athletic looking as Nate had been, but there was definition where it should be, the contours of his body clearly communicating that he would be able to fend for himself in a fight. Blair personally wasn’t all too fussed over muscular men, finding the bulkiness of them off putting. Dan’s body was more than admirable and knowing what little she did of what he could do with it, was more than sufficient.

“Sorry” she spoke up with a small smile, coming to stand alongside him. “I wasn’t purposely avoiding helping you with household tasks” she explained, “I just needed to call Dorota to see if she could bring some things around for me and I may have accidently told her we were engaged but she’s very happy for us and I promise she has been sworn to secrecy” the brunette rushed to say in assurance and exclamation, not wanting Dan to think that she planned on taking away the opportunity for him to tell the people that mattered to him.

Moving into his arms willingly Blair slipped her arms around his shoulders automatically, reaching up to kiss him eagerly, her smile fitting around his perfectly and starting to widen when she felt Dan’s hand traveling under the fabric of her shirt. His hand was gone soon enough and Blair’s amusement became obvious when her very handsome fiancé chastised himself before pressing a chaste kiss to her lips and announcing that there was something he needed to do quickly.

Stepping aside to allow him to do whatever it is he wanted to get out of the way Blair couldn’t help but overhear Dan while he seemingly changed his voicemail. A scarlet hue leaked into her face while she payed close attention to the words he phrased, a swift smack to his arm and a horrified yet amused smile adorning her mouth. “What if your father calls you?” she insisted, covering her face with her hands. “The first time I am acknowledged as your fiancée to your family and it’s in reference to us… exchanging favors.”

Taking a moment to recover from the horror of realizing the possibilities Blair allowed her hands to fall away, a toss of her head scattering her thoughts away while more self indulgent ones took their place. Shooting Dan a flirtatious smile Blair slowly backed out of the kitchen, willing him to follow after her with a fleeting look over her shoulder. “Care to join me in the shower?” she suggested, reaching to pull the shirt she wore over her head and toss it behind her absently. “Perhaps we could add some truth to that rather bold statement of yours. I wouldn’t want anyone on your call list to think you were a liar now, would I?”

Dan could only smile to himself upon seeing Blair Waldorf bow down her head and begin mumbling some things he couldn’t quite make out because of his words. He wondered if she had any idea how adorable it was to see her like that. Blair was usually so confident and well, full of herself that he almost expected her to just own up to the compliment that he was giving her. Then again, even after all these years, Blair still never failed to surprise him and it was one of the things that drew him to her constantly. She was always so unpredictable, but in a way that he liked. The fact that such simple words like that could have have this kind of effect on her amused him to no end, and it was just one more thing, among millions of others, to love about her.

“So…?” his head tilted in anticipation of what she was going to say, and he instantly laughed out upon hearing the word she finally settled with. “Cheesy and cliché, huh?” He smiled and shrugged his shoulders, “Well, you only have yourself to blame for that, Waldorf.” he countered in his defense. “I don’t know what it is about you, but I can’t help but feel this… rush whenever you’re around me, especially now more than ever. Now that you’re finally here with me after all these years. Now that I can kiss you just because I feel like it. Now that you know how I feel about you. It’s just… it’s easy, not having to be careful about what I can and can’t say and what I can and can’t do because I might be crossing some sort of invisible line.” He gives her a warm smile before nudging at her to try the waffles. “It’s really good, I promise. And extra special because I made it with lots of love and thoughts of you in my mind.” he laughs, slightly teasing her, figuring he might as well go all in on being cheesy.

“I’m perfectly aware of that.” he nods in response to her warning. “But,” he started, pointing to himself as he looked over to her, “this newly engaged man is so over the moon right now, that he’s pretty much up for anything and everything.” What he really couldn’t wait for though, is to announce to the world that he was going to get to marry the girl of his dreams. He couldn’t wait to tell everyone that Blair Waldorf was in love with him and was going to marry him (soon, he hopes). Yes, him. Daniel Humphrey. Not golden boy Nate Archibald, not Chuck Bass and not that Grimaldi. His smile widens at the thought of being engaged to Blair. It’s not quite sinking in yet, and there’s still a small part of him that keeps thinking he’ll wake up soon and everything would be gone, but he knows it’s only because things were too good to be true that it’s almost hard to believe it’s actually happening. He grins at ‘wedding dress’ and raises his eyebrows suggestively at ‘lingerie’ and he’s lost the number of times his mind just completely blanked out today, and the day had barely even begun. 

He hears her come back into the kitchen but he doesn’t speak while he finished washing the dishes. He placed a quick kiss to her forehead before drying his hands, shaking his head a little. “I know you weren’t.” Knowing Blair, she would probably have loved the opportunity to boss him around and point out what he was doing wrong with the dishes this time around. He always seemed to be doing something wrong, to the point that he’s sure Blair just wants to pick on him. Not that he minds, because he quite likes it when Blair was being bossy around him. 

He instantly lights up upon hearing that Dorota approves. He knows that Dorota has played a big role in Blair’s life and for her to be happy about the news was definitely a plus. Hopefully, everyone else would take it well too. He’s not entirely sure how Jenny would take it, and likewise with his mother. He’s well aware that his mom had something against Upper East Side princesses, and Blair Waldorf fit the description perfectly. But maybe, just maybe, his mother would be able to look past her clothes and see Blair the way he does. Smart, headstrong, loving, and sweet. Of course, her family’s approval would mean the world to Dan too and he can only hope for the best. No matter what though, he was going to fight for her. No one was going to stand in the way of his future with her, and he was willing to go through great lengths to make sure of that. For as long as Blair wanted him by her side, for as long as she loved him, he was going to do whatever it takes to make her happy.

He’s excited and happily changing his voicemail when he feels her inflicting pain on his arm. “Ow!” he eyes are wide as he puts down the phone on the counter, a sheepish grin spreads across his face as he acts all innocent and like he doesn’t care. “So what if my father calls me? I’m sure he’ll be very happy for us, and will pretend not to have heard anything that may be inappropriate in the voicemail.” He’s babbling on about how the chances that his father would call him are slim to none when he catches Blair’s eye right before she takes her shirt off and it lands right on his chest. He stops mid sentence, mouth hanging open while he stares at the way her hair flow back into place, and how despite her small her frame, her legs seemed to go on and on. He’s still clutching his shirt close, and he can already sense the faint smell of her even in the brief time that she’d worn it. He loves the way she walks around the loft topless with such ease and confidence, almost as if she even owns the place. He finds it absolutely hot and such a turn on.

This woman will be the death of him, he thinks, as he follows her into his bathroom. Never mind self-control. And why was he even trying to control himself anyway? “Most definitely not.” he whispers into the back of her neck as soon as he catches up with her. 

Just because he’s feeling a little bit playful, he tries his hardest not to take her as soon as they’re inside his bathroom. He insists on being the one to wash her hair, loves how the bubbles run against her skin, takes a little of it in his index finger, smiles and bites down on his lower lip as he places the bubbles on her nose. “I love you.” he says, before leaning in to kiss her softly. “So much.” He absentmindedly hums the tune to the song she sang for him last night as he rinses her hair and then his. 

He turns her around so that her back is facing him, and he begins to run his soap-filled hands along her back, massaging her at the same time. His hands find their way to her chest before moving downwards, his fingers finding the sensitive area between her legs and he touches her teasingly while the running water washed the soft bubbles away. When he can’t hold himself off any longer, he bends her over just a little, one palm reaching out and resting against the tiles of the bathroom and the other by her waist and enters her from behind. He pounds into her fast, hard, deep, rough, like he wants to know how much she can take.

He thinks maybe they should have put off showing for later they fall into bed together. Her legs are parted and he lazily ran his tongue against her center. “You know what I realized?” he asked, pausing to look at her. “Being cooped up inside the loft is so much better when you’re around.” he tells her with a devilish grin before burying his face in between her legs once more. He’s kissing and sucking gently, slowly. “So I was thinking,” he mumbled against her, “We should go out.” He continued to tease her with little effort, his fingers playing at her center. “On a date.” He inserts his finger inside her gently. “Just because you’re my fiancée now doesn’t mean I’m going to start slacking off you know.” He replaces his finger with his tongue. “How’s tomorrow?” 

For about a second, he’s almost sure he heard someone knocking on the door but he can’t be too sure. He was, after all, too busy schtupping his fiancée to pay attention to anything else. He continues with his actions with a little more purpose, moaning against her as he tried to send her over the edge. He almost jumps up (he would have if he could) at the sound of Nate’s “Oh my god!” which is followed by his own voice saying the same thing. He quickly covers Blair up with the sheets, and he’s thankful he had enough sense to put boxers on. “So it’s true! I just had to see for myself.” Nate is laughing and Dan is glaring. “Dude, you seriously have to learn how to knock.” he said, shaking his head while he attempted to shield his fiancée from Nate’s view. “What, there’s nothing there that I haven’t seen before.” Nate says, trying to keep himself from laughing further but failing miserably. “Way to make things even more uncomfortable, Nate.” Dan moved to get off the bed, shoving Nate outside his bedroom before turning to face Blair. He opens his mouth and nothing comes out. What exactly do you say in a situation like this anyway? His hand scratched the back of his head. “That was awkward.” he said, as he took some clothes for both of them before moving to walk outside to see Nate.

The Loft | Dan Humphrey

blair-onhowtobelovely:

Blair hadn’t realized the extent of her exhaustion until it came to the time that they collectively decided to call it a night at an hour that was more correlative to morning. Despite her fatigue Blair didn’t fall into slumber immediately, instead lying in Dan’s modestly sized bed, nestled against his sleeping form reflecting over the days events. The inevitable conclusion that was drawn was that there was no pleasure more simple then starting and ending the day with Dan in bed. Waking up to find him next to her (even though he’d had the audacity to leave and return in a change of clothes) had set her day off on the right tone and it had only gotten better as the hours progressed.

Eventually, without having granted permission, or deemed herself ready, Blair had fallen asleep, her dark hair splashed out in mussed curls and waves on the pillow behind her and her face marginally obscured by the pillow she had snuggled into further as the night went on.

It was until the brunette felt a tingling sensation over her skin that she began to stir from her slumber, a smile slowly spreading across her pink lips while she registered Dan’s touch, his fingers at her stomach, his lips lightly brushing against her skin. Shifting on to her back and beginning to stretch her sleep fatigued limbs Blair’s eyes fluttered open to allow her gaze to drift over to Dan, who was sporting adorable bed hair and a smile that matched her own.

With a hum sounding in the back of her throat Blair nodded her head, echoing his greeting in a mumbled voice, her tongue still feeling thick in her mouth and sacrificing the intelligibility of her words. “I’ll stay” she stated agreeably, “as long as you want, I’ll have Dorota bring over some things.”

Slipping her arms around the back of Dan’s neck Blair beamed at the prospect of breakfast, sure that she was about to get a taste of the infamous Humphrey waffles she had heard so much about. The mention of telling their friends and family however merited the thoughts of how daunting a task it would be, what with the engagement being relatively out of the blue. “Gossip girl?” she suggested in a small and hopeful voice, lifting one eyebrow before Dan’s lips met hers.

Grinning into their kiss Blair tightened her hold on him to draw him closer. Meeting his gaze heatedly while she nodded her head slowly, “definitely more of this.”

“Maybe we could just leave messages on everyone’s voicemail” Blair suggested, back tracking to the notion of telling their friends and family about their engagement. “Or the next time there’s some get together we could play an elaborate game of Chinese whispers. Oh, or what about we go with the plan we had to tell everyone about our friendship?”

Breathing out a sigh Blair unwound her arms from Dan’s neck and combed her fingers through her hair, a wide smile adorning her lips. “There’s always the option of just saying ‘hey we’re getting married!’” she pointed out, sure that despite the out of the blue engagement everyone would be happy for them, excited. Well, maybe there would be some problems with Serena, and Chuck might not necessarily take the news in stride, but surely they were past all the drama of who was once with who. Blair knew until the news was out a part of her would worry about the reactions of those that mattered to them, but for the time being she refused to let the unpredictable reception of their engagement alter her mood.  

Watching Dan retrieve another of his shirts for her Blair accepted it with a smile and thank you, proceeding to pull her arms through the sleeves and fetch underwear from the bag Dorota had packed for her overnight stay. The contents, as Blair had predicted, were not exactly sleep appropriate, unless one wanted to wake up with the imprint of a corset pressed into their skin.

“I’ve been wondering when I would finally be presented with the waffles” Blair replied teasingly, her voice rising in volume so as to reach Dan who had departed his bedroom and ventured to the kitchen. Reaching for her handbag she sifted through the contents until she came across her compact and flicked it open surveying her appearance in the small mirror provided.

Coating her seemingly permanent smile in a light coat of lip conditioner and coloring her cheeks with a small amount of blush Blair quickly threw her makeup back into her bag and headed out to the kitchen. “There’s a condition to me staying, you know” she sang out, her gaze flicking over her shoulder to look at him working in the kitchen from her place in the living room. “You have to keep working on that play I know you’re writing” she divulged, her lips curving into a smug smile while she began fingering through the vinyl sleeves that comprised what she was sure was Rufus record collection decorating the shelves.

Finding one, surprisingly enough, that Blair could deem listenable she pulled it from its place in amongst the others, taking care as she put it on. “Is there anything I can do?” she offered around a small smile, wandering over to the counter and leaning against the opposing side, keeping out of the kitchen unless Dan gave her a job to carry out.

Dan couldn’t help but smile at the fact that it hardly took him any effort at convincing Blair to stay over at the loft. So much has changed over the years and sometimes, he still can’t believe that things had somehow ended up in his favor. There were even times when he still couldn’t believe he had fallen in love with Blair, the same girl he’d called ninety-five pound bon mot tossing girly evil all those years ago.

He shakes his head and merely laughs at her suggestions as to how they can break the news about their engagement to their friends and family. There was no way he was going to miss everyone’s reactions to this, although if he was being perfectly honest with himself, taking the easy way out of this sounded quite appealing, especially if he could avoid any sort of confrontation with Serena about this. They weren’t exactly on speaking terms these days, save for some awkward greetings and polite conversations during family get togethers. Things had gotten uncomfortable when it finally dawned to her about two years ago that he was in love with her best friend. (He still couldn’t figure out how Serena was able to piece it out before Blair.) The argument that followed had escalated pretty quickly, and things were never the same after that.

He wondered briefly about Chuck. He wasn’t too sure where Blair stood with him these days, or if they even kept in touch. Chuck was always a subject he tried to avoid as much as possible, both for hers and his sake.

He grins as he made his way towards the kitchen. Of all the things he could have ever imagined on how he’d be living his life when he was younger, he never thought he’d be waking up without clothes on next to Blair, never thought he’d want to wake up with his arms sprawled across her tiny waist and face buried in her hair. Now, he thinks of his future and she’s there in every single scenario he pictures.

The waffles don’t take too long to make, and he’s almost done when Blair walks out of his room. He thinks she’s more beautiful in the morning and there’s something about the way she’s smiling right now that makes his heart beat faster. She’s a little less intimidating and a little more laid back. He finds that he likes that. He doesn’t remember her ever being this delightful after waking up before and he wonders if her seemingly (and almost unbelievably) great mood has anything to with him.

He pouts a little at her condition, because seriously. How could she expect him to get any writing done after yesterday, and with her walking in his shirt like that? Blair normally inspired him to write, but not today. Today, she was only doing one thing effectively, and that was distracting him from thinking about (or doing) anyone but her.

“Yes, actually.” he said, glancing at her for a second while he waited for the waffle iron to do its job. “You can stand right there and look absolutely gorgeous while I finish up with this.” He smiled, and then made his way over to her to gave her a quick kiss before continuing on with the waffles.

“I declare today as Dan Humphrey at Blair Waldorf’s service day which means you can sit pretty while I do whatever you ask of me.” he tells her as he hands over the plate of waffles that he had decorated with some fruits, after which he goes on to make them some coffee. “Think of it as a trial version of what being married to me would be like.” he continued, placing two coffee-filled mugs with nutmeg foam down on the table. “Because I plan on spoiling you and my future daughter with everything that you want.” he finishes with a small laugh.

He eats his breakfast in contentment, manages to steal a few kisses from her while he’s at it, puts down his plate sometime between his first and second waffle to make out with her and mumbles “I’m living the dream” against her pink and swollen lips.

He tells himself that he really needs to stop acting like a hormonal teenager and goes back to finishing his food but he’s not surprised when seven minutes and thirty four seconds later, he has her backed up against the refrigerator and is kissing her heavily. He completely forgets that Lincoln Hawk is still playing in the background, and it should be a little weird (or a lot weird) but he’s far too caught up in Blair to care at the moment. He doesn’t bother removing her clothes, only lifts her up, pushes her underwear aside and he’s inside her.

He gets defensive about his behavior all too quickly. Insists that he’s perfectly capable of controlling himself. Not when he was around her though, and he’s learning that pretty fast. He smiles guiltily but there’s a mischievous glint in his eye when he looks at her.

He washes the dishes (the way Blair taught him how) and wraps his arms around her waist afterward. “So…” he grins as his lips meet up with hers and his hands slip under her shirt but he stops almost immediately. “Self-control.” he reminds himself out loud. He gave her a chaste kiss before smiling at her.

“There’s just one small thing I have to do, and I’m all yours the rest of the day.” He lets go of her, takes his phone and records a new message for his voicemail. “Hey, it’s Dan. Please leave a message after the beep and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.” is replaced with “Dan’s too busy schtupping his fiancee Blair Waldorf to get to the phone right now.”

He’s positive no one’s going to call him on a Sunday, but he can’t help but hope someone would anyway. He puts his phone by the counter before turning his attention back to Blair. “All yours.”

The Loft | Dan Humphrey

blair-onhowtobelovely:

For the longest moment all they did was look at one another in a collision of warm chocolate and dark chestnut brown. The low light of Dan’s desk lamp and the warm wet sound of shallow breaths were the only things that kept them company. There were no candles or music, no flowers and no newly worn engagement ring to allude to the fact that their shared moment of passion was anything more. It was merely a knowing that flowed between them of understanding and love that more than made up for the fact that they were on a floor, in an office, with no pillows and no blankets. On the surface it might have seemed perfectly permissible as a lack of patience, but for Blair it was liable to be the most emotionally evocative occurrence of her barely lived life.

Every kiss lingered and every touch was doting and sweet. The words that were offered from one to the other held more meaning then simple words could possibly convey and Blair wasn’t sure she’d ever felt as loved or as cared for as she did in that moment. Dan was careful and gentle with her, so much so that the brunette wondered if there was a part of him that was a little scared like there was for her. Not scared of Dan, of course, or what they were doing but scared of the possibilities and unpredictability of life that would follow.

Blair was scared despite knowing she had no reason to be. The fear of this moment was having it now and not being able to know that she would always have it. There had been times when she had thought that she would always have Chuck, Louis, Nate. Blair had always loved with abandon, a lack of self preservation or concern and while this was no different the thought occurred to her that she really didn’t know how she would be able to cope if she lost this, if she lost Dan. This was more than the others had been. It was all consuming, deep, and touching to the very essence of her soul.

Her fear was quick to slip away, short lived but sure to arise every now and then when things seemed too good to be true as they did now. After all, what was love, what was happiness, without the fleeting fear of losing it?

Dan’s name escaped Blair’s plush, swollen pink lips in a whisper of air, her fingers tightening around his to the point that her knuckles were white with effort. It wasn’t her intention to hurt him that fueled the action, but the desire she had to be as close to him as was absolutely possible, knowing that too close was never close enough. His body weighed on hers, their skin stuck together with mingled sweat and tangled fingers and legs, an unbreakable gaze between them and Blair still wanted a more that was impossible to give or get.

But she was satisfied, contented and happy, a lazy smile adorning her lips and a haziness softening her eyes. Her body was languid, the limbs feeling gloriously disjointed and she glowed in the aftermath, returning each kiss with matched fervor. A soft giggle bubbled up her throat and past her teeth to fall against Dan’s mouth, her fingers curling into the wisps of hair at the back of Dan’s neck while she brushed her nose against his and kissed him once more. “Mm,” she hummed, “I am” she agreed, pressing her mouth to his soundly. “And you” she spoke in coyness, tapping a finger against his nose, “are everything.” The phrase, somewhat elusive seemed the only phrase that could possibly be fitting of his entirety. “vous êtes la seule personne qui ait jamais touché mon âme et je vous aime Daniel Humphrey.”

When time had passed and the reality of them being on the floor of his office registered in its impracticality Blair was thankful that Dan lifted her into his arms and relocated them to the bed they had crawled into many moments ago with the intention of sleeping. She nestled into him immediately, refusing of a breath of space to come between them at that point in time. Burying her head in the crook of his neck and shoulder Blair’s hand rested against Dan’s side, her fingers laying over the ribs she could feel just beneath his skin, her thumb absently stroking over the golden skin he boasted in a sweeping back and forth motion.

With her dark eyes hidden behind lids her lips curled into a smile of fondness while she listen to him speak about their future together and she breathed out a sigh before responding; “I want everything you want.”

Nestling her in his arms, he smiles as he continued to talk about their future together. It was almost funny how only a week ago, the life that he dreamed with Blair seemed so far out of his grasp and now, things were slowly falling into place and he’s never been more happy and excited about anything, not even for the recognition he received from releasing both his novels. There was nothing quite like the feeling of content that he felt at this very moment with her.

He makes love to her for the second time that night before he’s finally exhausted enough to stop rambling about anything and everything. His arms are wrapped tightly around her waist, legs tangled with hers when he falls into a deep slumber. The last thing he remembers right before he does is her scent, and how he could get so used to this.

She’s still sleeping when he wakes up the next morning. He opens his eyes lazily, and a smile instantly spreads across his face when his gaze falls onto her face. He shifts so that he’s closer to her and nestles his head in the crook of her neck. His fingers draw circles right below her navel, and he gives her light, feathery kisses until he feels her stirring.

“Good morning, beautiful.” He props up on his elbows and watches her with a sweet smile painted on his lips. His lips press against hers for a long and slow kiss and once she’s fully awake,  he attempts to persuade her not to go home just yet. “I just want you all to myself this weekend.” he reasons like a child. “Maybe even the whole week.” he attempts, grinning at her.

“I’ll make you breakfast, and then we can cuddle on the couch and watch movies all day…” He smiles and kisses her once more. “Maybe talk about when and how we’re going to tell our family and friends that we’re getting married, start planning our wedding?”

His hand brushed against her hair, and his lips are on hers again. “And maybe… more of this…” He kisses her a few more times before snuggling against her once again.

Having Blair Waldorf on his bed was most definitely the best way to start his day. It puts him in such a good mood that he’s unable to wipe off the smile on his face for the rest of the morning, afternoon, and even until it was time to sleep again.

He finally gets up from bed, fetches her a clean shirt and takes a pair of comfortable pants for himself. “We’re having waffles for breakfast.” he declares, as he exits his room, as if that wasn’t obvious enough. He smiles, even when he’s all by himself, and he’s positive he’s never had so much fun making waffles since his dad taught him how to for the first time when he was still a little boy.