Disclaimer: I do not own "Gossip Girl."

Author Note: Set Post Finale. Fluff/Crack fic with a dash of angst. :P For Jackie (Blood Red Kiss of Death) on the occasion of her birthday. I hope this makes you smile, hon!

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"Chuck!" Eric's surprised voice had Chuck lifting his head from the drawer he was look through, "You're home!" The younger boy continued.

Chuck nodded, offered the kid a smile before going back to his search.

Eric walked into the room, tilted his head to one side, as he studied his brother. It was past 8 PM and he hadn't thought to expect Chuck tonight. But the older boy was here, wearing a collared shirt— un-tucked and rumpled, no jacket and no tie of any kind, his hair mussed and his hands digging through one his clothes drawers almost desperately.

"You okay?" Eric asked him, "Where'd you go?" There was no response, so Eric continued carefully, "I called you." And then because it really was getting old, he added, "More than once."

Chuck didn't look at him, "Have you been in here?"

"In where?" Eric looked around, "Your room?"

Chuck looked up, "Yes, this drawer specifically."

Eric frowned a little, "No I haven't."

Chuck frowned back and then started pulling clothing from the cabinet and dumping them on the floor.

Chuck Bass— throwing clothes on the floor.

"Are you okay?" He asked again when Chuck started mumbling to himself; something about fast and change her mind.

Eric took a step closer to him, "Chuck?" He called a moment later.

The other boy looked up, "Yes?"

Eric gave him a tiny, sarcastic wave, "Hi, are you okay? Where have you been? I called you." He listed dryly.

Chuck stared for a moment and then smiled a little, answered just as dryly. "I'm perfect. Europe. And I know."

Eric rolled his eyes, "Yeah, I know, Europe— I have the internet too; that's not what—"

But he trailed off because Chuck turned back to the drawer, emptied it of all clothes and then scowled at the bottom of it.

Eric sighed softly, considered the other boy for a moment and decided to plunge in. Because Chuck needed to know and god knew Mom wasn't going to tell him. "I have to tell you something."

"Okay, tell me." Chuck stated, shoving that drawer closed and pulling the one above it open.

"Okay…" Eric responded, watching for a moment as Chuck gave this drawer the same, rifle-through-toss-to-the-floor treatment, "Maybe…" he said quietly, "Pay attention just to me."

Chuck stopped, looked over at him; Eric looked back.

And then the older boy nodded and moved to sit on the bed.

The room was silent for a moment until Eric took a deep breath and spoke; words said on a rush of air, "Mom's engaged to Rufus and they moved in yesterday." He confessed, voice flirting with anxious.

Then he bit his lip and watched for Chuck's reaction.

Chuck looked at him for a long moment, then tilted his head to one side, "You called me to tell me this?" He asked softly.

Eric blinked, then made a motion with his hand— Chuck could be slow about things like this, "I called you for a lot of reasons," he said slowly, "Namely you disappeared, again, without telling anyone, again, and stopped responding to texts, again, and answering calls, again."

There was disapproval in his voice and worry in his eyes and Chuck grimaced a little. He looked down for a moment, "I was going to call back…"

Eric scoffed, forgot for a moment that he was supposed to be watching for Chuck's reaction, "But then a stripper stole your phone or something…?"

Chuck's head lifted quickly, "There were no strippers, don't go spreading that around…" he said, smirking suddenly.

Eric blinked at him, that smirk was a happy-smirk; not a pretending-to-be-happy smirk, but an actually-pleased-with-life smirk.

Not the reaction he had expected to this announcement.

"Okay…" he said softly, moving to sit on the bed next to Chuck, "What'd I miss?"

Chuck considered him for a moment and then confessed, "Blair told me— before… about Lily."

"Oh," Eric stated.

Chuck nodded, "Yeah."

They were quiet for a beat and then Eric asked, "And?"

Chuck shrugged, "It's not precisely unexpected."

"No," Eric agreed, "But… still."

"Yeah," Chuck agreed after a moment, "Still."

The silence between them was comfortably shared, both just sitting there contemplating separate thoughts together; and then Chuck continued, voice still quiet, "It's going to be… awkward..." he said then trailed off.

Eric waited.

Chuck picked it up a moment later, "… to see her married to someone else. It's like… she's… my Dad's… you know…?"

Eric bit his lip, nodded once; remained silent.

Chuck turned to face him, "Or maybe you don't? You're used to this, aren't you? The changing husband's?"

Eric shrugged, didn't quite meet Chuck's gaze, because he'd never lump Bart in with the others.

"It's not…" he said softly, "Not used to itexactly… just…" he dropped his gaze to the floor for a moment, but when he lifted it he met Chuck's gaze directly, "I know how it works."

Chuck held his gaze and asked very seriously, "So tell me."

"Te—tell you?" Eric asked tentatively, surprise flickering over his face.

"I should know how works too, don't you think?"

And Eric stared, because the allusion to being around for more husbands, to being around, was practically unmistakable. Was Chuck really saying it?

Chuck shifted his gaze back to the floor, said ruefully, "Is there a pamphlet or something?"

The question surprised a small laugh from Eric and he shook his head, blinked away his surprise.

"There probably should be," he agreed, blowing out a deep breath and rubbing his hands together a little nervously, "Basically… every time you settle, she'll…" he paused and then shrugged, didn't know how else to put it, "She'll marry or divorce someone…"

There was another beat of silence; reflective, before Chuck turned back to Eric and arched an eyebrow at him, "Lily does know how to keep life interesting doesn't she?"

Eric blinked again; the pleased-with-life smirk was back. It didn't make sense.

"Chuck," he said warily, "You can talk to me… you don't have to— I mean, I'm not exactly thrilled with—" he cut himself off; sighed, "Jenny 24/7 is gonna…" he trailed off, started over, "You don't have to pretend. Just tell me what you're thinking."

Chuck tilted his head to one side, studied him for another second and then the smirk widened into a half smile, "I'm thinking, I'm lucky I can move out."

Eric cringed a little, looked away; well, he'd asked. "Oh."

And then Chuck leaned to the side a bit, bumped Eric's shoulder with his own. "Cheer up, kid. Lucky for you, your brother owns a conveniently local hotel."

Eric's head whirled to look at Chuck, He does?"

Chuck nodded once, seriously, "He does."

Eric didn't even bother hiding his grin, Chuck was totally saying it. "That's really great."

Chuck rolled his eyes at him.

Eric nodded, "It is." He enthused and then he said about the hotel offer, "I'm definitely going to need an escape suite. Thanks, Chuck."

Chuck shook his head a little, the kid was too sincere. "Was that everything on your mind then?" He asked him, moving to stand.

And Eric blinked, a realization washing over him. "Wait, Blair told you about Mom?" He asked.

"Yes. Serena told her."

"Oh," he said, then added, "Huh…" his voice tinged with amazement.

And maybe there was touch too much surprise in his voice, because Chuck sent him a quick dark glare, "It's not that unexpected," he accused.

"No! Of course not! Definitely not," Eric defended quickly, hands coming up in the air for a moment.

"It isn't," Chuck insisted.

Eric nodded, agreeing, and then smiled a tiny bit and asked, contradicting himself, "So you guys… talk, now?"

And Chuck's eyes went dark, "Not when I can help it," he answered, his voice dropping an octave.

Eric frowned a little, "Not when you can—?"

"I prefer for our mouths to do other things," Chuck cut in, gaze faraway.

"What?" Eric asked, for a moment not following where Chuck was going—

And then Chuck's gaze sharpened, and he was.

"No, wait—!" He nearly shouted, as his question hung between them; because he knew, Chuck would tell him.

The younger boy shook his head, "Not what as in what do you prefer—" he flushed a little, "I mean… what are you—" And then Eric's face cleared, eyes lighting up, "You told her you love her!" He concluded.

Chuck startled.

But Eric's smile was spreading, "That's great, Chuck!" The boy was saying, a hand coming out to touch Chuck's arm, "I'm really happy for—"

"How did you know… that?" Chuck asked him, cutting off the younger the boy's enthusiasm.

Eric's mouth snapped shut and he shrugged a little.

"Eric…?" Chuck prodded, "How did you know about that?" He asked. He hadn't told anyone about the cat-and-mouse game of I love you that he and Blair had played.

A smirk played around Eric's lips, "You mean the Blair-wanting-you-to-tell-her-you-love-her-and-you-not-doing-it thing?"

Chuck tilted his head, "Yes. That thing."

"The girls kinda… talk about it… a lot."

Chuck blinked at the kid, surprise rippling over him, "Do you… listen… to them?" He asked, eyes actually widening— because he'd never thought to get Eric involved in the game.

Eric shrugged again, wider this time, the smile spreading, "If I get bored."

Chuck's staring lasted another moment, before an answering smile spread across his face, "Do they know?" He asked curiously.

"I've told Serena… I think she's forgotten…"

"Have you ever been caught?"

He grinned, "Not since I was seven…"

The room was silent for a moment, the boys staring at each other and then Chuck spoke, "Eric," he said, tone full of consideration, "I think you and I are in for a… lovely partnership this summer."

Eric laughed little, "We already have a lovely partnership Chuck. And I'm really proud of you for telling her you love her— that's really great."

Chuck's sly smile turned a little shy as he ducked his head a bit, "Yeah, well… it was time and—"

"How long exactly does it take to find— Eric!" Blair turned into the bedroom and her eyes went completely round when she spotted Eric. Her hair was down, mussed and headband-less; she was wearing a gold top with ruffled collar and a brown print skirt— both looking not nearly as pristine as her usual attire, and she was oddly flushed.

Eric smiled at her, "Hi Blair."

"Eric," she repeated his name, eyes flitting to Chuck, "Eric is here."

Chuck smirked, nodded, "I'm aware."

She came further into the room, eyes going back to the younger boy, "Aren't you— should you— I mean, I talked to Serena and— there's a dinner… your Mom and the," she paused to make a face, "Rest of them are out… and…" she trailed off.

Eric's smile widened, "I didn't go." He stated; the obviously hung in the air.

Blair stared at him, "Oh."

"They're going to the loft after. Apparently there's still stuff to pack."

"Oh."

"They'll be back late. Mom told me not to wait up."

She didn't reply.

"I didn't want to go; said I wanted to get ahead with summer reading."

She swallowed hard; still staring at him, taking in his t-shirt and his pajama pants, like his presence was just incomprehensible. "That's… industrious."

He smiled a bit, "And a lie."

"Oh."

He laughed a little and it seemed to break her out of her trance; she shook her head and teased, "Breathing Brooklyn free air while you can still get it, huh?"

"Something like that," he admitted.

The room was quiet for a moment and then Chuck stood from the bed, "So you haven't been in here?" He asked Eric again.

Eric shook his head, "Nope, why?"

"I'm missing something."

"You're missing it," Blair's squeaked, whirling towards him, "I agreed and now you don't have any?!" The pitch of her voice made them both cringe.

"I have some!" Chuck insisted, "Just not in here."

His gaze went to Eric again, "But there was some here. Has Serena been in here?"

Eric tilted his head to one side, "Excuse me while I check the footage of my hidden camera."

Chuck stared at him.

"I'm kidding," Eric said, "I don't actually monitor all of her movements."

"Someone has been in here," Chuck insisted.

"Maybe you used it," Blair hissed, "And forgot."

"I don't forget."

"Maybe you don't forget like you have some."

"I do have some, just not in here," Chuck repeated, more mildly now as he gave up the search in his room.

"What are you looking for?"

Eric's innocent question was met with absolute silence. Chuck and Blair met one another's gaze; Blair's eyes widened a little in panic, Chuck smirked.

He opened his mouth to answer his brother, but Blair beat him to it.

"Condoms!" She shouted, taking another step into the room.

Eric's eyes widened and he stood from the bed, "Okay then… well…"

Chuck laughed, "You'd rather he know we're having sex than—"

Blair rolled her eyes, "He knows we have sex! The whole world knows we have sex! Thanks to you and your Gossip Whore Self!"

"Actually, I believe it was Nathaniel who announced that particular tidbit."

"Okay, guys. I'm gonna… go to my room…" Eric interrupted, "And pretend this never happened."

"Ignore her, she's had a martini or four."

"Two, you Bass-hole, I had two."

Eric laughed at that and Chuck took the moment to shake his head ruefully and place a hand on Eric's shoulder, "Blair and I are having a night of confession and debauchery. I suggested something… herbal… to relax her, she agreed."

"Chuck!" She protested.

Eric stared at them, skeptical, "Aren't all your secrets on Gossip Girl now anyway?"

Chuck smirked, "Do you really believe that?"

Eric bit his lip, considered his brother and then Blair and then Chuck again, before saying, "Good point."

"Would you like to join us?" Chuck asked, squeezing his shoulder.

"Eric, can't join us!" Blair hissed, "Eric's a kid!"

"I'm sixteen," Eric stated, "Actually."

Blair froze, "Sixteen?"

Eric smirked at her, "Yes. You know," he paused, "Two years younger than you."

Blair gaped at him.

"Remember what we were doing at sixteen, B?" Chuck teased.

"I most certainly absolutely whole-heartedly do not," she spat him, "Particularly not in front of Eric."

Eric laughed, shrugged as he said wryly, "I could go for a drink."

"Of course you could," Chuck agreed, "Your domain has been infiltrated by the enemy."

"Eric can't drink."

The boys gave Blair one similar, too similar if you asked her, smirk and then Chuck looped his arm Eric's neck and tugged him out of the room, "Let's see what you're made of, kid."

"We are not going to see what he's made of!" Blair cried following them.

The apartment was quiet, just the three of them among boxes yet unpacked and the clutter of what had been.

"Do you two hear me!?" She continued, following them into den.

Chuck looked over at her from where he was opening the liquor cabinet. "I thought you were loosening up…?"

"I was, but—"

"Am I imposing on you, Blair?" Eric asked cheekily, because he never had, "Hindering your loosening…?"

"What?! No… just…" She sighed, "You're the little one."

Eric rolled his eyes and Chuck came up to Blair, handed her a decanter, "Be a dear then and pour the little one a scotch." He murmured.

She glared at him, then at Eric, then back at Chuck and snatched the decanter from his grasp. "Fine. But I don't approve."

"Duly noted, darling."

Eric rolled his eyes as he took the two glasses Chuck was handing him. "Oh!" Eric said brightly, remembering the pair's reconciliation, "Congratulations, B. I'm glad you two worked out your differences."

Blair eyed the younger boy, "You mean, that he finally admitted that I'm the light of his life and he can't bear to be without me?"

Eric nodded vigorously, "Yep, I mean that."

"My thoughts exactly," Chuck murmured, he was standing behind her now, one arm going around her waist, the other coming around in front of her so she could pour scotch into his glass.

She turned her profile towards him a little as she filled, first the glasses Eric was holding, and then his. Chuck took bottle from her then and moved to set it on the desk as Eric handed her a glass.

"To the end of high school," Chuck offered, standing beside Eric, across from her.

Blair nodded, raised her glass. Chuck's eyes were on her lips even as he raised his glass so the rims touched.

"Guys," Eric said, amused, "I'm still in high school."

"Hm," Chuck said, bringing the glass to his lips, gaze still fixed on Blair, "An unfortunate circumstance little brother."

The tip of Blair's pink tongue peeked out between her lips as she took a slow sip of the scotch.

Chuck was hypnotized.

Eric rolled his eyes again, "I think maybe I should go before you two… start."

Chuck blinked; Blair giggled, "Start what?" She asked.

Chuck smirked, reached out swiftly to wrap an arm around her waist and pull her closer to him, "Probably something like this." He said, his mouth covering hers.

"Oh god, yeah. Exactly like that." Eric huffed and downed the scotch in one swallow.

Chuck lifted his head and looked over, looked delighted when he saw Eric's empty glass. "Second round?"

Eric shook his head, "I think you two—"

"Well what else are you going to do tonight?" Blair cut in, looking at him with an arched eyebrow as she took another sip of her drink.

She was turned towards him now, her back against Chuck, his arm around her middle.

"Not watching that all night long," he countered, arching an eyebrow right back, "And didn't you just tell me that I was too young to drink anyway?"

Chuck moved to retrieve the scotch bottle, "Trust me on this, E. The more liquor in her, the better this idea will seem to her."

Blair glared at him.

"By tomorrow she'll think it was all her idea."

"Shut-up, Chuck." She hissed, but her eyes were sparkling with amusement.

"Would you care to make me?"

"I might."

And then they were kissing again and Eric sighed, moved to sit on top of the desk and wait for them to be finished. He filled his own glass and was considering the wisdom of downing the whole thing again when they came up for air.

They were staring at each other and he rolled his eyes again, lifted the glass towards his mouth.

Chuck's hand shot out and wrapped around his wrist, "Not so fast, kid."

Blair giggled, "Let's toast to E and his reign at Constance."

"I go to St. Jude's and I don't reign."

Blair giggled, again, took a deeper sip as she turned out of Chuck's hold, "Don't be silly, Eric, Jenny is going to be your figurehead. Why do you think I chose her?"

"Because you taught her how to exploit weaknesses and appear heartless?"

"That girl learned nothing from me, have you seen her clothing?!"

"And that hair cut?" Chuck added, shuddered dramatically as he released Eric's wrist and refilled his own glass.

"I'm not ruling." He pointed out, amused at their antics.

"Of course you are," Blair made her own point, "You're the only one of us left there."

Eric rolled his eyes, again; his retinal muscles were sure getting a work out. "Thanks for the vote of confidence B, but I'll stay out of the hierarchy thank you very much."

"Good choice," Chuck agreed, raising his glass.

Blair frowned a little at him, but raised her glass; Eric did the exact same thing.

"To the puppet master," he said eyeing Eric, "On the sidelines."

It was Blair's turn to roll her eyes, "You just want him to be the puppet master so he's like you." She accused, letting the warm alcohol slide down her throat.

Chuck swallowed his scotch, savored the tingle on his tongue. "What's wrong with that? You just want him to rule so he'll be like you."

Eric grinned, swirled the scotch in his glass, "Guys, I'm standing right here." He said, drinking his portion as well.

"So you are, Eric, so you are." Chuck agreed amicably.

"What shall we do now then?" Blair asked, her voice curious. And Eric blinked at her, wondered if she really had had four martini's.

Chuck smirked, topped off everyone's glass, "One for the road and then we're off…"

Eric blinked at him too, "How much had you guys had to drink before you came up here?"

"In the limo…" Blair said softly, dark eyes dancing over to Chuck's, and then she blushed.

Eric slipped off the desk and took a big step back, "Enough said, nothing that makes you look like that is something I want to hear."

"Bottoms up, fellas."

"I am not a 'fella', Chuck Bass." Blair scolded as Chuck and Eric tipped back their glasses.

Chuck stared at her for a moment and then smiled a little, "Bottoms up, Queen of my Heart," he paused, "Better?"

Her eyes lit up as she smirked at him and said, "Marginally so." And then she swallowed the finger of scotch in her glass.

"So where's Jonathon tonight?" She asked Eric, almost sweetly as Chuck began leading them from the room.

They were holding hands and Eric thought that was sort of adorable, but probably not a good thought to voice.

Blair's question took a longer time than he knew it should have to produce an answer from him. "Oh… um… he's on vacation… with his family… for a couple weeks."

"That's wonderful news," Blair said, oddly triumphant.

Eric frowned a little, interesting reaction. They were in the kitchen now.

"Blair and I were on our way to 1812… I came here to acquire some of my private stash," Chuck explained.

"But we can stay here now," Blair stated, reaching out and linking her arm through Eric's. "With Eric. He shouldn't be alone."

Eric looked over at her, pressed his lips together, eyes twinkling, "I don't really need a nanny anymore, B."

She scowled at him, "Those women were all incompetent anyway!"

"Chuck, what are you doing?" He asked letting Blair's outrage wash over him; her never liking any of his nannies was an old story.

Chuck was rotating one of the lower cupboards that held the kitchen appliances, examining each one with interest.

"Blair agreed. Can't have her disappointed."

She scoffed at Eric's side, "Right, like you've never done that."

Chuck looked over as he pulled out an appliance, a slightly disapproving line between his brows, "New dawn, B."

She smirked and Eric watched as Chuck extracted a package from the appliance and set it on the counter, then carefully unrolled it to reveal several neatly made joints.

"You hide drugs in our bread maker?!" He gasped, pulling away from Blair and taking a closer look.

Chuck gave him a level look, "Do we use the bread maker?"

Eric stared, openly awed, "Well, no."

The kitchen was quiet then.

"It's okay if you want to admit I'm brilliant." Chuck said gallantly into the silence.

Eric breathed a laugh just as Blair shrieked, "Don't you dare! There's already no living with him."

Chuck smirked, "Shall we?"

Eric's eyebrows rose almost to his hairline, "You agreed to smoke with Chuck?" He asked Blair, a little surprised.

She pursed her lips, "Are you agreeing?"

"Touché." He murmured.

Chuck sighed, "You two give this much more consideration than it merits." And then he handed them each one.

They each took it in their hands and stared at it and then each other. And maybe it was the alcohol or maybe it was the quiet or maybe it was the beginning of the summer… but why not seemed to circle around them, between them.

And then they shrugged. Why not, indeed.

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