I brought you here. That Chev guy called me when you passed out at his place-- only you never woke up. [And that would explain why she's here. And the flowers. It explains everything really. He still looks at her a bit concerned.]
Are you hungry? Do you want to take a shower or something, and I can make you something to eat? I think your Dom is already asleep. She's nice by the way. Brought you some flowers, too.
Yeah, I remember going back to Chev's, but not like that. [She doesn't need to clarify that, but still does anyway.] Everything is kind of a blur. I had a bit too much champagne. [Was that why she passed out for weeks?] I thought I'd remember new things if I did do a coma?
[His fussing is surprising, but reassuring. It helps make her soft in her response to him, aside from her worry he might be mad at her.]
Yeah, I think I need food and a shower. [Oh god her hair.] Eloise? [Wow. She didn't think she mattered all that much for flowers.] I'm glad you got the chance to meet her.
It doesn't always happen, I think. [He isn't going to mention that Daphne was in a coma, and he doesn't think she woke up with any new memories. But he's at least learned to keep his damn mouth shut now.
A hand runs through his hair, trying to feel better about all this.]
Yeah, well I kinda just let myself in here for most nights. [He gives an impish smile.]
Do you need help up? And any requests to eat? [It's been weeks since she has after all.]
Really? [She's touched and honestly surprised, given everything that happened.] You didn't have to. [But it means everything that he did.
It at least makes her feel special.]
Yeah, I think my legs might not work right away. [Food? She'd honestly chew paper just to get something in her stomach.] Pasta? I'd like to make up that Italian I missed.
[He's standing and offering a hand. He'll help get her to the bathroom and get her situated if she needs it. He really just does want her to be okay after everything that has happened. It's clear he worried about her.
The mention of the Italian has him almost wincing. He still feels bad for what happened, and he ended up eating the lasagna with Eddie.]
[She's wobbly and near collapses a few times, but his strong arm keeps her from the floor. Her muscles hurt with every move, but slowly, she can feel a bit of heat returning to her body.
She noticed the wince and gave an apologetic smile, not meaning to make him feel bad.]
Can we make up the time I missed spending with you?
[He keeps his arm around her, steadying her against him as they head into the bathroom. He's glad things sort of feel resolved between them, but some of it isn't. He still feels bad about how it all went down, but he's glad she's awake and mostly safe.]
Of course. You tell me what you need from me, and we'll make it work. [He lets her lean on the sink if she needs it before he's already bending down and starting the water for her. He has no idea what bath salts or bubble bath she likes, but he picks up one very expensive looking, pink bottle and dumps a little in for her.]
[She can usually read people pretty well, but nice and loving behavior is a bit weird, at least from sources outside of Serena. Doting like this didn't happen all that much. Maybe Dan? All of it has her head swimming a bit, surprised how much he cared about making her happy.]
That's my shampoo? [A really nice, expensive looking bottle, now dumped into the tub. She pointed towards the medicine cabinet.] I keep bath salts and bubble bath in here.
Oh. [Fuck. He shuffles back over to the medicine cabinet, trying to attempt to do something nice for her. He reads the labels and grabs a round disk instead.]
What is a bath bomb? Would you want one of those?
[He's picturing an explosion in the bathroom. He's not sure how that would work.]
[She reached for his hand, curling her fingers around his.]
You don't have to do this for me. [With a bit of a groan, she sat on the edge of the tub. The edge of her silk robe was dangling into the water, but it didn't seem to matter. She wanted to explain something to him, something that had been on her mind since she passed out.]
The thing that happened? You didn't do anything wrong. [She hoped he wasn't fussing just because he felt guilty, but with how much she's learned about him, she knows he's genuinely kind.] Can I tell you something?
[He's still looking at the bath bomb like it's the most interesting thing he's seen before she's drawing his attention back to her, taking his hand in hers. He drops the bomb into the water before looking back at her, shaking his head.]
Look, I know this is complicated. It's not all on you. Maybe we should have talked more or something. I never really meant to get this involved in the first place, but the last thing I want to do is hurt you. [He just can't promise he's going to be monogamous given the nature of this place.]
[Bubbles rise quickly, sweet smelling and multicolored. The bottom part of her robe was soaked, making the silk cling against her leg and hip. The heat was soothing to her aching muscles.]
I told you about my friends back home? I never told you about how my first real and long term boyfriend hurt me. Nate was in love with Serena. He was always longing for her even when he was with me. He slept with her at a wedding and chased after her when she was home.
I guess I had a knee jerk reaction. It just- it took me back. Him keeping reminders of her and hiding it from me, but never being honest. The Daphne thing- I don't care who you sleep with, but keeping some of another girl's stuff, it made me panic.
[He watches the level of the water and turns it off when it starts to get high, the bubbles overtaking everything. Steve does listen before crossing his arms and leaning on the bathroom sink.]
He didn't deserve you. [He speaks from experience. He really didn't deserve Nancy when he was being an idiot, and she found someone to make her happy.]
I didn't keep it as like a memento-- just so you know. You give me way more credit about how smart I am. I was literally naked in the Down, and she gave it to me, because well, it was a little inappropriate being naked in the first place. I didn't get rid of it, because it seemed expensive. If I ever did need to pawn it for like food or like deodorant, it was kind of good to have aa a submissive. [Blair knows how it can get here.] But I did forget it was back there, because I've been working more and haven't actually needed to pawn it.
I'm not saying we haven't been together-- I'm not going to lie to you, but I'm not keeping things around the apartment that other girls, especially some fancy shawl. I want you to know that. You're the only girl who has had things in my apartment that was there for an actual purpose. And I want you to know that means a lot more than some shawl I had my dick on. [And not for like sexy reasons. It was more humiliating which this city loves to prey on.]
[She gives him a small smile, her features soft and vulnerable. There was a lot of shame for how she acted, but his dedication to caring for her while she slept eased that pain. She hadn't pushed him away. That was enough to overshadow some shawl or some doe-eyed Jane Bennet wannabe.]
I know. I just kind of freaked out. I'm sorry.
She reminds me of Serena. They're a lot alike. [And her insecurity about that isn't hidden.] I don't like being this way. It's not the person I want to be.
[She pressed his hand against her cheek, letting out a deep sigh.]
[There was some guilt in it all, that something must have triggered her response. Plus she doesn't have anyone from home or someone to take care of her like she deserves if she's sick or something, so he tried to be that for her, even if they were not completely on the mend, yet. That's more important than some argument about a girl's piece of clothing to him.]
I'm glad you told me. I know it's not easy for you, but that's all I ask. Sometimes I'm dumb, and I don't just understand everything, but if you tell me, I'm a lot more likely to get where you're coming from.
[He moves closer and brushes some of her hair away from her face.] You're trying though. That's what matters. No one's perfect, and I'm not asking you to be. We just have to figure out all of this together. It's not easy, and it's not going to be, but you're worth it, and I hope you know that.
[He dips down to kiss her lightly, hoping she's not beating herself up too badly before stepping closer to the bath, agreeing to join her even if he was originally planning to start cooking.]
You're not dumb. [It was a soft protest, knowing what he meant. Talking about problems wasn't easy to begin with. Save for when she was younger, there was no one around that made her feel seen. Serena left, her father left and her mother was always gone. How was she supposed to compensate for that emptiness but to bury her emotions until they burst forth?]
I'll try. [There was a lot to talk about but at least the most important issue was addressed.
She felt a jolt at his words, staring up at him for a moment after he kissed her. 'Worth it'. No one had really told her that before. In this moment, she realized she loved him. He gave so much of himself, not just sexually but emotionally. He understood her as well, enough to still care even at her worst.
Getting to her feet, she removed her robe and negligee, dropping them in the laundry basket.]
Everything it's a bit easier when we're together. I hope you know it.
[Steve knows that Blair is leaps and bounds smarter than he is. He doesn't always think things through-- like keeping another woman's clothing in his closet. Those are the dumb things he does that usually mean nothing and never have any malice behind them, but that he's going to need explanation and reminders about. He doesn't catch on and often forgets. He thinks with his heart way more than he does with his brain-- or sometimes he just acts without thinking.
So he starts to strip out of his shirt. He's becoming a bit more toned now, working out several times a week now at the gym in the Down. But when he's down to his boxers, she speaks again and he's slipping them off before resting his hands gently on her shoulders.]
I do. I wouldn't be in this if I didn't want to be. Even if this place definitely makes it... less traditional. [He just knows that he likes being with her, and he's not going to do something to jeopardize that or hurt her (at least on purpose like overtly flaunting it in her face that he's sleeping with others despite the fact that they both have fulfilling sex lives).
He's moving then to step into the tub, the water nice and hot. He hasn't relaxed since she went into her coma, less so when everyone went missing including Eddie. He could use a moment to breathe himself.]
It's a complicated thing, isn't it? [She smiled softly, tilting her head to look back at him. This wasn't what she was expecting or even welcoming the idea of. He crept up on her and now it was painful to consider being in this city without him. Sadly, it was a possibility, but it was better to try than to deny herself happiness.
She followed him into the bath, leaning against his chest. The water was warm, the bubbles smelled sweet and he felt so sturdy and strong against her. This was how she would want to wake up. Someone she cared for to help her adjust, but to reassure her that her absence wasn't dismissed.]
You look after everyone, you need someone to take care of you.
I am trying to make it less so. [But he understands that feelings get in the way, that things happen to change how relationships start out. He has always tried to keep the lines of communication open in this regard, but it certainly doesn't make it any easier when the lines get blurred.
One she's in the bath, he wraps his arms around her, trying to make her comfortable and feel secure. He knows this can't be easy for her either.]
I'm okay. I'm kind of used to things randomly falling a part. [Usually in much more physically and life threatening ways.]
I know. I- [She bit her lower lip, ducking her head a bit, even though her back was to him.] I called you my "boyfriend" after our fight. I don't know why I did that. It just sort of felt right.
[She leaned her head back and sighed in relief, her nails lightly grazing his arm. She was cherishing him, almost worshiping his body. Apparently it had been a long time since they touched and she had much to make up for.
His skin was clear, free of her marks and scratches. It felt like a blank canvas or an empty closet. Tragic.]
I don't want to be that for you and I'm going to try to be better. [As hard as that was.] You mean a lot to me.
[He tenses up at the word 'boyfriend', not because he doesn't like the thought of being that, but the word just feels heavy on his shoulders. They were never supposed to get this close, but now that they are he doesn't really not want to be either.]
Funny how we both started this thinking we wouldn't get attached. [He really hadn't meant to with anyone since this place just didn't seem to facilitate those kind of relationships unless you were contracted.]
You mean a lot to me, too. [He leans in to gently kiss at her shoulder.]
Yeah, I really broke my rule. [And she's not sure if she really regrets that. Steve found a way to slip into her affections and show her how much she needed someone like this here. She'd been lonely, longing for someone to be close to, whether friend or something else.
Something else found her.] I don't mean to say the scary word. [She just assumes that might not be something he wants. They'd never really expressed what they wanted.]
[He pulls her body close to him, still not sure how he's feeling about labels. He falls quiet, but just wants her near right now. His mouth continues up her neck, sucking gently at a spot under her ear before he hums slightly.]
I didn't have any plans. [He was planning on sleeping there anyway, like he did a couple nights a week since she'd fallen asleep.]
[He's picked up on the spots that she's most tender. Kisses on her neck always make her weak in the knees, her eyes rolling back from a feeling of bliss. She shivered, her breath a bit more hars.]
Bed is less scary with you. [How she's able to talk right now, she's got no idea.]
[He hummed against her neck as he peppered soft kisses down it, one hand moving up over her stomach to her chest. He isn't going anywhere, and he has every intention of making her comfortable and seeing to whatever it is she needed. If that was to lie in bed with her until they both fell asleep, so be it.
Of course his body and mind are a little more preoccupied right now, but he can convey it enough in actions. Steve holds her close to him, wanting her to feel just as needed as he does in this moment. He knows they probably both need that stability after everything that has happened.]
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Are you hungry? Do you want to take a shower or something, and I can make you something to eat? I think your Dom is already asleep. She's nice by the way. Brought you some flowers, too.
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[His fussing is surprising, but reassuring. It helps make her soft in her response to him, aside from her worry he might be mad at her.]
Yeah, I think I need food and a shower. [Oh god her hair.] Eloise? [Wow. She didn't think she mattered all that much for flowers.] I'm glad you got the chance to meet her.
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A hand runs through his hair, trying to feel better about all this.]
Yeah, well I kinda just let myself in here for most nights. [He gives an impish smile.]
Do you need help up? And any requests to eat? [It's been weeks since she has after all.]
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It at least makes her feel special.]
Yeah, I think my legs might not work right away. [Food? She'd honestly chew paper just to get something in her stomach.] Pasta? I'd like to make up that Italian I missed.
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The mention of the Italian has him almost wincing. He still feels bad for what happened, and he ended up eating the lasagna with Eddie.]
Don't worry about it. Okay? We'll make up for it.
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She noticed the wince and gave an apologetic smile, not meaning to make him feel bad.]
Can we make up the time I missed spending with you?
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Of course. You tell me what you need from me, and we'll make it work. [He lets her lean on the sink if she needs it before he's already bending down and starting the water for her. He has no idea what bath salts or bubble bath she likes, but he picks up one very expensive looking, pink bottle and dumps a little in for her.]
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That's my shampoo? [A really nice, expensive looking bottle, now dumped into the tub. She pointed towards the medicine cabinet.] I keep bath salts and bubble bath in here.
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What is a bath bomb? Would you want one of those?
[He's picturing an explosion in the bathroom. He's not sure how that would work.]
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You don't have to do this for me. [With a bit of a groan, she sat on the edge of the tub. The edge of her silk robe was dangling into the water, but it didn't seem to matter. She wanted to explain something to him, something that had been on her mind since she passed out.]
The thing that happened? You didn't do anything wrong. [She hoped he wasn't fussing just because he felt guilty, but with how much she's learned about him, she knows he's genuinely kind.] Can I tell you something?
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Look, I know this is complicated. It's not all on you. Maybe we should have talked more or something. I never really meant to get this involved in the first place, but the last thing I want to do is hurt you. [He just can't promise he's going to be monogamous given the nature of this place.]
You can tell me anything, Blair.
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I told you about my friends back home? I never told you about how my first real and long term boyfriend hurt me. Nate was in love with Serena. He was always longing for her even when he was with me. He slept with her at a wedding and chased after her when she was home.
I guess I had a knee jerk reaction. It just- it took me back. Him keeping reminders of her and hiding it from me, but never being honest. The Daphne thing- I don't care who you sleep with, but keeping some of another girl's stuff, it made me panic.
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He didn't deserve you. [He speaks from experience. He really didn't deserve Nancy when he was being an idiot, and she found someone to make her happy.]
I didn't keep it as like a memento-- just so you know. You give me way more credit about how smart I am. I was literally naked in the Down, and she gave it to me, because well, it was a little inappropriate being naked in the first place. I didn't get rid of it, because it seemed expensive. If I ever did need to pawn it for like food or like deodorant, it was kind of good to have aa a submissive. [Blair knows how it can get here.] But I did forget it was back there, because I've been working more and haven't actually needed to pawn it.
I'm not saying we haven't been together-- I'm not going to lie to you, but I'm not keeping things around the apartment that other girls, especially some fancy shawl. I want you to know that. You're the only girl who has had things in my apartment that was there for an actual purpose. And I want you to know that means a lot more than some shawl I had my dick on. [And not for like sexy reasons. It was more humiliating which this city loves to prey on.]
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I know. I just kind of freaked out. I'm sorry.
She reminds me of Serena. They're a lot alike. [And her insecurity about that isn't hidden.] I don't like being this way. It's not the person I want to be.
[She pressed his hand against her cheek, letting out a deep sigh.]
Can you join me in the bath?
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I'm glad you told me. I know it's not easy for you, but that's all I ask. Sometimes I'm dumb, and I don't just understand everything, but if you tell me, I'm a lot more likely to get where you're coming from.
[He moves closer and brushes some of her hair away from her face.] You're trying though. That's what matters. No one's perfect, and I'm not asking you to be. We just have to figure out all of this together. It's not easy, and it's not going to be, but you're worth it, and I hope you know that.
[He dips down to kiss her lightly, hoping she's not beating herself up too badly before stepping closer to the bath, agreeing to join her even if he was originally planning to start cooking.]
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I'll try. [There was a lot to talk about but at least the most important issue was addressed.
She felt a jolt at his words, staring up at him for a moment after he kissed her. 'Worth it'. No one had really told her that before. In this moment, she realized she loved him. He gave so much of himself, not just sexually but emotionally. He understood her as well, enough to still care even at her worst.
Getting to her feet, she removed her robe and negligee, dropping them in the laundry basket.]
Everything it's a bit easier when we're together. I hope you know it.
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So he starts to strip out of his shirt. He's becoming a bit more toned now, working out several times a week now at the gym in the Down. But when he's down to his boxers, she speaks again and he's slipping them off before resting his hands gently on her shoulders.]
I do. I wouldn't be in this if I didn't want to be. Even if this place definitely makes it... less traditional. [He just knows that he likes being with her, and he's not going to do something to jeopardize that or hurt her (at least on purpose like overtly flaunting it in her face that he's sleeping with others despite the fact that they both have fulfilling sex lives).
He's moving then to step into the tub, the water nice and hot. He hasn't relaxed since she went into her coma, less so when everyone went missing including Eddie. He could use a moment to breathe himself.]
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She followed him into the bath, leaning against his chest. The water was warm, the bubbles smelled sweet and he felt so sturdy and strong against her. This was how she would want to wake up. Someone she cared for to help her adjust, but to reassure her that her absence wasn't dismissed.]
You look after everyone, you need someone to take care of you.
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One she's in the bath, he wraps his arms around her, trying to make her comfortable and feel secure. He knows this can't be easy for her either.]
I'm okay. I'm kind of used to things randomly falling a part. [Usually in much more physically and life threatening ways.]
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[She leaned her head back and sighed in relief, her nails lightly grazing his arm. She was cherishing him, almost worshiping his body. Apparently it had been a long time since they touched and she had much to make up for.
His skin was clear, free of her marks and scratches. It felt like a blank canvas or an empty closet. Tragic.]
I don't want to be that for you and I'm going to try to be better. [As hard as that was.] You mean a lot to me.
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Funny how we both started this thinking we wouldn't get attached. [He really hadn't meant to with anyone since this place just didn't seem to facilitate those kind of relationships unless you were contracted.]
You mean a lot to me, too. [He leans in to gently kiss at her shoulder.]
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Something else found her.] I don't mean to say the scary word. [She just assumes that might not be something he wants. They'd never really expressed what they wanted.]
Please stay with me tonight.
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I didn't have any plans. [He was planning on sleeping there anyway, like he did a couple nights a week since she'd fallen asleep.]
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Bed is less scary with you. [How she's able to talk right now, she's got no idea.]
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Of course his body and mind are a little more preoccupied right now, but he can convey it enough in actions. Steve holds her close to him, wanting her to feel just as needed as he does in this moment. He knows they probably both need that stability after everything that has happened.]
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