Disclaimer: Own nothing. Thank God.

Author's Note: WOW! This had taken me so long to update! I apologize for that, but I have had a serious case of writer's block. I think I'm back on track - hopefully I can update There You'll Be sometime soon as well. And I have to admit, writing Dair is a bit depressing after watching that terrible season finale, but I will carry on! This chapter is M at the end and AU after like episode 5x18 basically.

Thanks always for the great reviews and a HUGE thank you to Ivory for being an epically quick and amazing beta!

Enjoy!

Fragrance

"Humphrey may not always know how to properly groom himself, but he has always had quite the knack for smelling good."

The first time Blair Waldorf caught the scent of Daniel Humphrey's cologne was on the steps of the Met. That was early into the time that Dan had been thrust, unwelcome, into Blair's life. He'd practically been Serena's lap dog that entire time. It was getting old. Blair thought her best friend had better taste than to diddle with the scholarship case for more than a week. The brunette had voiced her arguments loudly for the first twenty-four hours, but then decided it was best to let her blonde friend get whatever it was she was doing out of her system. But then it week turned into another, which turned into a month. A month? Serena didn't keep lipglosses that long, what could this boy possibly possess that was better than a Chanel lipgloss?

Blair certainly didn't see a single thing.

Serena, herself, and their minions had just sat down to lunch when the goofy, unworthy, flannel wearing lovesick boy showed up next her best friend. Blair, always the queen, rolled her eyes and tried to ignore the dark haired boy. Just because Serena wanted to hang in the slums for a while didn't mean she had to. Her attention was turned toward the others, but that didn't stop the breeze from blowing from his direction and his cologne taking over her senses.

She had always assumed Dan smelled like Brooklyn and Blair found nothing appealing about Brooklyn. She highly doubted he wore anything besides the mediocre soap he'd use to bathe himself and she found it hard to believe that was a regular occurrence. And that was even when she thought about Dan Humphrey. Which was rarely. Almost never. Basically how ones thinks about that stray piece of hair that refuses to lay flat; with annoyance and only for the briefest of seconds.

Once the scent hit her nose she immediately tried to smell for it again, not obviously of course. Her attention left the story Penelope was lamely trying to tell and turned back toward Dan and Serena. She knew instantly that the new delicious scent must have been coming from him. She blinked several times before turning back to look at Penelope. Dan and Serena both too lost in each other to notice their stone queen's temporary break.

Blair's eyes might have been on her other friends, but her thoughts were still on the wooded, heady smell of Dan's cologne. Of course he would smell like some sort of lumberjack. It went with his casual flannel attire, after all. But it wasn't as appalling as she had once assumed it would be. In fact, it was quite alluring. It wasn't the sophisticated, stuffy scent that Chuck Bass wore to make himself seem older. And it wasn't the clean, crisp scent that Nate Archibald wore to keep with his golden boy façade. It was crisp, but with a citrus undertone that she only caught at the tail end. It fit Dan's character, but in all the positive ways.

Blair Waldorf would never admit it, but Daniel Humphrey's cologne was quite enticing.

The funniest time, in hindsight, that Blair Waldorf caught the scent of Daniel Humphrey's cologne was nearly four years later during their internship at W. At the time she had been completely mortified about wrestling around the floors of such a posh event with a Humphrey. She wasn't even sure what had gotten into her that night. Well, she knew what had gotten into her, but she had been surprised at just how off her game Dan could make her.

Blair was sophisticated. Blair had class. Blair was reserved during proper occasions. Blair was certainly in control.

Until Dan walked into the office at W.

Then whatever it was she thought she was melted into oblivion. Blair had worked hard to get this internship. Dan had probably mumbled on in his elitist way during the interview. Blair had dreamt of this opportunity since birth. Dan had probably just stumbled upon the ad in one of their college forums. Blair had been grooming for this moment since she played with her mother's lipstick. Dan just threw on a second-rate suit and a smirk. Blair deserved this - Dan deserved to watch in the shadows.

But then he'd actually been good at it. He actually worked as hard as she did. Blair didn't know anyone worked as hard as she did. He said all the right things, came up with all the right ideas, and managed to have class while doing it. Brooklyn was fighting with her toe to toe. Plus, to make things ultimately worse! Dan had never once tried to step on her to get to the top. In fact, he had helped her on several occasions and it made the fight that much harder. Blair was used to competition: she was best friends with a Greek Goddess that had a perfect smile and excellent backstabbing skills. Competition was second nature, but a competition meant that they both had to be in it for the fight. Dan obviously wasn't in it for the fight. He was in it for the learning experience. Of course, Humphrey was in it for the learning experience.

Ever the poster child.

It wasn't until they had ended up on the floor that Blair realized what she was doing, and more importantly where she was doing it. At the time she thought it was the shock of it all that brought her back into reality, but looking back she knew it had been the familiar, yet exciting smell of Dan's cologne. It wasn't the same exact scent from the Met steps so many years earlier that she had gotten so accustom to in high school. This was a more mature, evening scent that still held the same woodsy undertone.

What brought Blair back to reality wasn't how good she thought Dan smelled it was how instantly realized it was a new cologne he was wearing. She hadn't realized just how familiar she had gotten with his scent back in school and during their time at college. She didn't realize that every time she smelled that familiar citrus, woodsy smell she thought of Dan, whether or not he was present. She related it to him and it never once made her feel uneasy that she did so. It wasn't a smell she grew to dread or hate. It was a smell she correlated with being content. Being in good company.

Blair Waldorf would never admit it, but Daniel Humphrey's cologne was something of a staple in her life.

The safest time Blair Waldorf caught the scent of Daniel Humphrey's cologne was in a bar while she wore hideous New York City tourism gear and leggings as pants. To this day she still swears they were the only thing in the store even remotely appropriate. That was the day they'd really had their first fight that lead to Blair believing she might have possibly lost him for good. After everything they'd been through together, after all the times he'd stood by her side without one word edge wise, and there she was pleading with any sort of powerful being that she could find him in that hotel lobby.

It had been a stressful day, no one would argue with her on that. She nearly had to call off her wedding due to a video sent to Gossip Girl, but that probably would have been a blessing to hell she was in now. Now she was married to a prince who wanted nothing more for her to be a doll on his arm for the next year. She'd run and who was to blame her? She ran to the only person she could trust. The only person she felt had her back no matter what and then in the mix of things had forgotten to be grateful.

When she found him sitting at the bar she gave out an audible sigh of relief and hurried toward him. Her apology, as best of one she could muster, was heartfelt and sincere. She couldn't do this without him. She couldn't so much of what she'd done in the past year without him. Dan Humphrey had been Blair Waldorf's knight in shining armor while she trudged through the mess of choosing between the dark prince and the evil entrepreneur. It had literally been a fairytale nightmare and Dan had stuck by her without question and without asking for anything in return.

And when he swore he'd always be there for her she couldn't help but lean in to hug him. When she did she instantly felt safe and the weight of the world nearly lift from her shoulders. She still had a nightmare ahead of her, but she knew he'd be there and that's what mattered. She was weary, but she knew he'd be her fight when she had none. She was terrified, but she knew he'd be her bravery when she needed it the most. And as if to confirm all of those comforted feelings she felt, the light scent of his cologne mingled into her senses to reassure her. The scent that had once surprised her and lead her to associate it wit him now brought her the reassurance she needed.

Blair Waldorf would never admit it, but Daniel Humphrey's cologne was what helped keep her going.

The most memorable time Blair Humphrey caught the scent of Daniel Humphrey's cologne was just last night.

It wasn't when they were getting their pictures taken outside of the cathedral. It wasn't the time he pulled her in close as they danced to tell her just how beautiful she was to him. It wasn't during the time they had made their rounds to speak with all the guests in attendance. It wasn't the time he had leaned in to quickly kiss her neck before walking towards Nate's family as she continued to speak with her fathers. It wasn't during the time he stood behind her as they cut their cake. It wasn't during the time they rode in the back of the Royale Royce quietly, her legs kicked over his lap while she rested her head on his shoulder and he continually played with the rings that graced her left hand.

The rings that were a partner to his Harry Winston selection.

It wasn't until they where standing in the elevator that led to their suite for the night that she finally caught the scent of his cologne. And it nearly set her on fire. She had really just meant to lean in and snuggle his neck, doing whatever she could to be close to him. But as soon as she caught the familiar smell she had fallen in love with so many years earlier she lost it. She instantly let her lips touch the sensitive spot behind his ear before trailing lingering kissing along his jaw.

It didn't him take him long to respond to his wife's teasing. He gently cupped her face and pulled her into a dizzying kiss. His tongue easily found hers as he pulled her flesh against him. Her fingers racked through his neat curls and she moaned against his mouth when she felt his fingertips slid down the bare flesh of her back. She knew her husband's favorite part of her body was her back. He'd never been shy about admiring it and that had been mostly why she'd wanted a backless dress. The front of her dress was very modest, having a rounded neck that rested on her collarbones, and attached just behind at the base of her neck. But the lace was cut out in the back to create an alluring gap that she knew would drive her now husband mad.

Dan had just reached the discreet zipper at the back of her dress when the elevator stopped and the door opened into their suite. Blair pushed away from her husband with an inviting smirk and walked into their luxurious home for the night. Her hair was pulled up into soft curls, but several had fallen out during the reception and now left a stark contrast against the porcelain skin of her back that Dan had the sudden urge to kiss. Dan pushed himself off the wall of the elevator and was about to reach for his wife when he saw her starting to undo her dress. First she undid the button that held top together and then slowly - peeking over her shoulder at her husband - started to pull down the zipper.

Once the simple and elegant garment hit the floor all she was left with was her ivory colored heels and light pink lace panties. Dan's mouth literally watered and he quickly stepped forward to wrap his arms around her petite frame and began to kiss the base of her neck. Blair's head lulled back on his shoulder and her eyes closed in utter bliss. She couldn't remember a time when she felt this at peace and happy. She never wanted it to end.

And now it never had to.

When he reached her ear he mumbled things that made her blush and squirm with excitement. Her hands tightened around his fingers as she let them roam over her bare skin. He finally gripped her hips, directing her to turn and face him. When she did she gasped at the contrast she felt as her bare breasts came against the starched feel of his white shirt. She made quick work of removing his suit jacket and started on his tie and shirt. They were both anxious and it showed in their quick, stumbled movements. Within moments Dan's chest was finally bare against hers and their mouths met again for another passionate kiss.

Dan easily picked up his bride and moved her to the closest surface, a narrow side table that sat up against the wall near the elevator. Without thinking of the vase that sat atop it, he moved Blair onto it sending the glass shattering on the floor. They both laughed at Dan's obvious haste and inwardly noted they'd have to pay for that in the morning before they left. But it was soon forgotten by both parties when Dan's mouth latched on to one of Blair's taunt nipples. She threw her head back in pleasure, letting her legs wrap around him. She felt the heat rising in her veins and her need for him growing by the second.

When his mouth finished teasing her nipples, he slowly kissed a trail up her chest and back to her mouth. Blair welcomed him and gasped against his lips about just how much she needed him. Her hands put her words into action as she undid his belt and pants before pushing them down off his hips. Dan's control had been questionable all night, but when he felt her small hand grasp his harden erection he was gone. He groaned her name and made easy work of removing her last piece of clothing.

That was when Blair realized her heels where still on. She reached past him to remove them, but he stopped her. She smirked at his silent request and kissed him instead. Her husband was a gentleman in every way, but when it came to their love life he made no apologizes for his obvious kinks.

As he entered her Blair saw stars. This wasn't a time for gentle, drawn out lovemaking. They were both hungry and in need of release. They had been all night and Blair's stomach coiled at the deep, hard thrusts Dan made into her. Her nails dug into his shoulders and his lips attached to her neck. His hands were gripping her thighs so tight she was sure she'd have marks when they were finished, but she was beyond caring.

Her toes curled inside of her heels and her cries became louder as his pace quickened. His thrusts grew shallow and his breathing became ragged, and her hands grabbed his face to pull him into a hard, passionate kiss. Their tongues mingled together lazily and with no rhythm, but their bodies were buzzing. Blair felt herself falling over the edge and cried out her husband's name as she did so. Her head flew back and her nails drew blood on his bare shoulders. Several thrusts later, Dan followed her over the edge and groaned against her shoulder.

That was the first of many times that night. The others were slower, more lingered and cherished, but still just as passionate as the first.

The next day, Blair woke slowly from her blissful sleep. She smiled at the memories of last night etched in her muscles. Her eyes opened lazily and she was met with the form of her sleeping husband. He lay on his back, the sheet coming low on his bare hips. He was always handsome, but he was absolute perfection when he slept. Blair couldn't help but want to be closer to him. She scooted herself into him, causing him to stir and she smiled when he said good morning. She kissed his shoulder and snuggled into the crook of his neck, smiling at the lingering scent of his cologne.

"God, you smell good." She said with a lazy smile.

Blair Humphrey had to admit it; Daniel Humphrey's cologne was her undoing.

Author's Note: I'd love to hear your thoughts! And get your suggestions for G, H, & I!