Chapter Text
A part of him wanted to see what would happen if he wasn’t outside by 7:30, wanted to see if she would actually come barging into his room to drag him out by herself, though he already knew she would. She’d been bossing him around from the moment they met, so he didn’t expect things to suddenly be different. So he was on time. Ten minutes early actually, but so was she.
“I thought you said 7:30. It’s only 7:20, Waldorf.”
“You’re here too, so I don’t know what you’re acting all smug about.”
“You just couldn’t wait to see me, now could you.” he said, grinning like an idiot.
She scoffed. “No, I couldn’t wait for breakfast. Now get in, I’m starving.”
- -
She catches him staring at her a lot, which usually she wouldn’t mind, except for the fact that it means she can’t look at him as much as she would want.
“Have you noticed we’re in a museum, Dan? I feel there are much more interesting things to look at, instead of incessantly staring at me.”
“A bit too girly for my taste.” He says jokingly, hoping it’ll get a rise out of her.
Instead she laughs, soft and easy, looking in his eyes. He quickly looks away.
“It really is a beautiful museum. I get why you love it here.”
“Just wait. My favourite is yet to come.”
- -
They’re in front of the Manet, right where she stood so many years ago, meeting her prince. She hasn’t been here since, thought it would be too difficult, too many bad memories. It kind of is.
But it’s the first time she looks to her right, and doesn’t find him staring at her. Instead, he is captivated by the art it seems, mouth slightly agape, at a loss for words, something that doesn’t happen often.
So she stares, takes him in, takes in how the years have changed him, shaped him into someone she doesn’t quite recognize. She supposes it’s the same with her.
Nothing is the same as it was back then. In some ways she’s glad for that.
“It’s.. It’s beautiful. I don’t know what else to say.”
“Humphrey not knowing what to say. Now that must be one special painting.”
Laughing, he finally looks over at her, catches her eye.
“Have you been here since, you know..”
She looks away from him, takes a deep breath.
“Since Louis? No, I haven’t.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah.. Oh.” She purses her lips.
“We can go, if you want. I get it, if you want to go.” he stumbles, clearly uncomfortable.
“No, I’m okay.” and for once, she means it when she says those words.
“I think I’d like to stay a little longer.
So they do, standing side by side, just watching, not saying a word.