Wanderlust

13. Truth be told

John B stood wrapped in a towel, salt water dripped from his hair as he shivered. They both stood back in the chateau. Blair was now completely dry and in a pair of John B's sweats as her clothes had ripped when transforming in the water.

"I can help you dry off faster, if you want" Blair broke their silence hoping things won't have to stay this awkward.

"I'm fine" John B said wrapping his towel around him tighter. His eyes were red from being wide open in the saltwater.

Blair let out a sigh as she gathered her thoughts. "It was only a week into my Australia trip," Blair spoke as she leaned against the kitchen counter. John B stood across from her sitting on a stool. "I was hiking on an island with Hailey and some of her friends, and at one point we went our separate ways. I found myself near the beach, by the bottom of the cliffs. Oddly I felt drawn there. Like I was supposed to be looking for something. I came across a cave, I never felt more peaceful there, like it was home. There was a pool of water in the cave and when I went in, that's when everything changed. The moonlight shined through the opening at the top of the cave above me. The water in the pool glowed around me and something absolutely insane happened."

Blair smiled at the memory. It felt so long since she last was in that pool. She looked over at John B who was at a loss for words.

Blair stepped closer to him. "I really wish I could've told you sooner. I really just had no idea how." She played with her fingers anxiously.

"It's literally been eating me alive that I had to hide everything from you. I hated lying and making you feel betrayed. I missed out on so many things, Maybe if I had just told you sooner everything would've been better that way I-"

"Hey, hey, hey" John B finally spoke softly. "It's okay, I promise." He began to step closer to her but stopped when she hesitated seeing his damp hair and clothes.

"Here just let me" She quickly brought her hand in front of him and slowly curled her fingers into a fist. All of the seawater slowly evaporated from John B's clothes, skin, and hair. The heat she created made him feel a bit hot, but it didn't bother him.

Once he was completely dry, Blair dropped her hand. "Woah" John B dropped his now dry towel to the ground.

"I get it, I mean there's no easy way to say 'Hey I'm a fish now' so I know what you mean. I'm sorry I pushed you so much about it." John B looked down for a moment.

Blair nodded. "You had a right to know though. Being my best friend and all. I'd be pretty upset if it was you hiding something from me like that" She laughed. "Also, fish? I believe the term you're looking for is mermaid." Blair crossed her arms.

John B laughed "Sorry" Blair took a step forward and John B immediately engulfed her in his arms. She didn't hesitate to hug him back. They'd both let out a sigh of relief. Finding comfort in each other's arms.

"So how freaked out are you, seriously?" Blair asked him with her head still leaned against his chest.

John B rested his cheek on the top of her head. "Not gonna lie pretty freaked out but, I could get used to it." He smiled softly while he still held her.

Blair smiled to herself before pulling away to look up at him. "You don't know how much of a relief it is now that you know finally. I feel like things can be normal again. Sorta..."

"So does everyone know now?" John B placed a lock of Blair's blonde hair behind her ear. He admired it's silkiness, and rested his hand behind her head.

"Uhm, yeah I guess so." She began to feel a blush in her cheeks as John B stared into her eyes. 

John B's eyes lit up in realization. "You saved me." He smiled. "And that's how you left so fast. I couldn't stop thinking about it, I was so confused after all that but now everything makes sense."

Blair smiled back at him. "I'm glad I was able to save you."

They hadn't been this close in awhile. She could feel his warm breath, he still held her close to him. They were only inches apart.

John B didn't think about anything else in that moment besides the way her eyes glimmered like the ocean. His eyes drifted to her plump lips. John B began to lean in not wanting to resist anymore.

Before he could get any closer, "Wait, Pope." Blair spoke. She mentally facepalmed, letting her nervousness get the best of her. She'd ruined her perfect moment. Her first kiss with John B. She was going to slap herself now.

"Pope?" John B raised an eyebrow.

"He still doesn't know" Blair clarified.

"Oh.." John B let out a sigh of relief wondering what Pope had to do with their almost first kiss. "Ohh..." He said again when he realized she'd have to go through this situation all over again.

They let go of each others embrace. "Yup, that one's going to be interesting." Blair said.

~~~