The inspiration for this story came from the following quote:
"There was an episode where we were crashed out on the sofa after a big night out and they wanted me to wake up in my boxers, so I argued with them about it. I mean, first of all, who gets wasted with their buddy, and smokes weed and then strips down to their boxers before they pass out on the couch? No one does that. Why am I naked on my buddy's couch? It was weird so I fought it." Chance Crawford
What if the producers had their way? How would the season develop? The following is a reinterpretation of the first season including extended scenes, deleted scenes, and lost episodes. Enjoy.
--1--
Episode 2: The Wild Brunch (Extended Scene)
The ringing pulled him from his dream. It was a shame really it was just getting good. Waking was much more difficult than it should have been. Each ring of his cell pulled him further from the peaceful abyss and back in to the aching shell of his body.
"Hello?" Said in the groggy voice of someone who had partied to hard.
"Hi sweetie. Did I wake you?" Oh, the girlfriend. He couldn't help feeling a little resentful of her perky voice. She had matched him drink for drink but from her voice you would never have known.
"No, I'm up," he said.
"Well, get some strong coffee and jump in the shower, sleepyhead. Chuck's dad's brunch for his foundation is today at The Palace."
"Ah, great, of course," Life was scheduled around these functions. You would never get flack for what you did the night before as long as you showed up with a smile the next day. And he was good at it but at the moment he felt like anything would be better than putting on a suit and parading around in front of his dad's clients. He threw his phone on the table in frustration.
"Nathaniel! Keep it down! Some of us are trying to regain our strength," his friend called from the bed on the other side of the room. Nate started. Looks like I never made it home after all, he thought.
"You're dad's brunch is today," Nate said, wishing the throbbing in his head would go away, then maybe he could remember something from the other night. He stretched, trying to loosen his muscles. Even 12,000 couches weren't the most comfortable thing to sleep on, he thought grimacing. He eyed the huge bed jealously but if three sets of feet were any indication it was full.
"The alarm's set for nine," Chuck said. Nate smiled at his friend's mussed hair and the deep bags under his eyes, coupled with a huge black eye. At least there was someone who felt worse than him at that moment.
"It's ten." Chuck groaned. And Nate wondered again why brunches had to be so horribly early.
"Ladies, double time!" Chuck said and the two women who had been sharing his bed sat up on either side of him, looking immensely pleased with themselves. "Oh, unless... Nathaniel?" He said gesturing at the women who were climbing out of bed and giving Nate a great view of their lack of clothing.
"I'm good." Chuck knew that if he had wanted to enjoy them he would have the night before. It was strange having a friend like Chuck. Who ordered maid service and truly got it. "Actually," he said to the two beautiful women. "Could you two bring some coffee when you get a chance? And some water, lots of water."
"You want ice with that?" she asked Nate, glancing at Chuck's eye and throwing him a cheeky wink. "Looks like you could use some."
"That's enough, ladies. And I'll make sure to tell my father just how committed you are to the hospitality industry." Chuck said. They left without any fuss and Nate wondered for a moment if the night-time visits were actually specified in their contract. Chuck walked by and slapped him hard on the back as he passed.
"That kid popped you pretty good, huh? Never mess with a guy's sister," Nate said rubbing his shoulder. It hurt and he realized that he had lost his shirt and pants sometime during the night.
"If I knew his name I'd hunt him down and kill him." Chuck said completely deadpan. Chuck could be scary sometimes. He spoke in a way that made Nate wonder if they had grown up too fast. He picked up Chuck's scarf off the ground and ran it through his hands, wondering just what had happened last night. He remembered bits but the problem with a good night was not knowing just how good it had been. The buzz of the blender brought him back and reminded him that they had a brunch to get to.
"What, cause you kill people now? Are you gonna strangle him with your scarf?" He threw said scarf at Chuck who batted it away with a smile.
"Don't mock the scarf, Nathaniel. It's my signature."
"Just saying, death by scarf: Not that intimidating."
"He sucker-punched me, I told you. Besides, better a broken nose than a broken heart." Nate's mind raced. How much did Chuck know? What had he said while under the influence?
"What? I didn't even talk to Serena last night." It was better for these things to stay far away from Blair and Chuck was friends with her too.
"Who said anything about Serena?" Chuck said. "But from your reaction maybe I should have."
"No, no, you definitely should not have. The less said about that the better."
"But it's so juicy," Chuck said grabbing onto Nate's discomfort. "The perfect boyfriend, the bestfriend who mysteriously disappeared. Do I sense a back-story there?" He disappeared for a moment under the bar, grabbing glasses, and Nate dropped his head into his hands.
"Yes, and no and there's just too much going on right now," he said with a moan. "Why did Blair have to pick now as the perfect time for us to prove our love? We've been dating for forever and it's just so much. All at once." Chuck slid into the couch beside him and passed him his famous hangover concoction.
"You should have taken me up on my offer last night. You're too young to be tied down. My free and happy way of life has served me well." Nate took a deep sip and grimaced at the sweetness and the gritty texture of the drink.
"There isn't room in this world for more than one Chuck Bass," Nate said and Chuck shrugged in agreement.
"Still my life does have it's charms."
"Yeah it really does," Nate said laughing. "Wait Chuck," he said, registering his friend's words. "What offer last night?" Chuck laughed and hit his red stripped leg against Nate's bare one. Reminding him that all he was wearing was his boxers and that it should be more uncomfortable to be so close to his completely dressed friend.
"Someone had a good night," Chuck said laughing. "When we came staggering home after the incident at the club. I was angry about that Jenny girl so I ordered us up some room service. The ladies. Tina and Tara, or something." Nate shrugged. "I have quite the, how should I put this, appetite, but I'm not greedy." Nate raised his eyebrows. "Okay, I am greedy but I always look out for my friends. I thought a little relaxation would take your mind off your troubles."
"And just give me another thing to feel guilty for. Great idea," Nate said sarcastically.
"I am one of the best," Chuck said, typically ignoring Nate's tone. "Well you were into it for a while, on this very couch if I remember correctly. But I think my attempted high-five may have been pushing you a bit too fast."
"Your what!" Nate asked outraged.
"Well you looked like you were enjoying yourself. All the noises and the half naked heavy petting."
"Oh fuck," Nate said massaging his temples. His drink forgotten on the cluttered coffee table.
"Yes well, nothing to worry about. Your virtue's safe, you freaked out and kicked everyone off to the bed, where I was forced to entertain the beautiful young things myself. I hope we didn't keep you up that long. The leggy one was quite the screamer."
"Well I don't remember if you did," Nate said still looking horrible. "I am never drinking again."
"Yeah, that'll last."
"Seriously, things like this will screw up my life Chuck."
"You simply have to learn to manage things Nathaniel, and to be discrete." He grabbed Nate's arm and turned him until the were face to face. Nate grimaced at Chuck's horrible morning breath. He was acutely aware of just how close they were which made him wonder how close they had been last night. "Life can be so full of pleasure if you let yourself live it." He leaned in very close. "You should try living my life for a day, I guarantee you'll enjoy yourself," he whispered into Nate's ear, raising goose bumps along his arms and making him shiver. Nate cleared his throat, trying to distance himself.
"Umm, Chuck. Where are my clothes?" Chuck pulled back laughing, the moment broken.
"You sure you don't want to wear that to brunch Nathaniel? I think you'd be a hit."
"Yeah I think I'll pass on that scandal." Nate said.
"They're around," Chuck said pulling a rumpled shirt from under the couch. "Come on, you can grab a quick shower and then borrow something of mine." Nate smiled as he walked to the bathroom. Chuck had a great way of taking his mind off of his troubles.
Chuck watched from the couch, resigned to second shower. His face turned serious as Nate left and his eyes slid down his friends back. Drinking in the site just like his hangover cure, with a deep, long, sip.
