Your Halo Has A Screw Loose, Angel
Summary: Nate and Chuck discuss the options of the former…
Author's Note: So I know I haven't updated in an ungodly amount of time, and for that I apologize profusely. I had midterms and then Spring Break, and I never fell back into the writing state of mind. I wanted to start up again with a little ode to Nate and Chuck's friendship (my favorite on the show), so I hope you can take the fluff…
Ch. 25: It's Exhausting Being N
Hey, Upper East Siders. Gossip Girl here…
Spotted: The Scheme Queens wining and dining at Daniel, known to be a hot spot for lovers and Francophiles everywhere. If you were wondering which of the two our favorite destruction duo falls under, worry no more. Rumor has it C planted at least one big wet one on B by the end of the night. How brave, B, to show the world you're not ashamed of being the latest toy in C's collection. Or is B just the thing this bad boy needs to turn good? I'm dying to find out. The real question is: how does N feel about this development? He's already lost his golden girl (guess Brooklyn has some appeal, after all) and now his back-up plan's gone for good. But don't cry, my little Waspoid prince, you'll always have me.
XOXO,
Gossip Girl
Nate sighed as he let his head fall back onto his pillow, clicking off his phone and throwing it carelessly on his nightstand. Chuck had already talked to him late last night about getting together with Blair, and Nate had smiled and nodded for his friend, but that didn't mean it stung any less to read about it on Gossip Girl and have a picture of his best friend and his girlfriend figuratively smack him in the face. No, he immediately corrected himself. Not girlfriend—not anymore. And certainly not 'his.' He hadn't appreciated Blair enough for her to ever truly be his. He had spent his entire life in a hazy daze, occasionally being prodded in some direction by his parents, by Blair, maybe by an overly concerned teacher or two. Now here he was, waking up after the end of the world, as alone as he had been all along. Only this time, everyone on the Upper East Side knew about it. There was a part of him that felt relieved, happy that he no longer had to pretend for others or lie to himself. His dad was doing extremely well in rehab, he was finally speaking civilly to his mom again, Chuck was still his best friend, and Blair was glowing once more with that happiness he himself could never have given her. Sure, he had irrevocably lost Serena (Chuck had remembered to mention that, as well) without ever having her in the first place, but that was really for the best. He'd much rather a happy-go-lucky Serena with some other guy than one who was only the ghost of her former self with Nate.
But what was he supposed to do now? The idea of flying solo for the first time since practically kindergarten, while freeing and exhilarating, was already scaring the hell out of him. Sure, he and Blair had technically been broken up for well over a month now, but it hadn't really hit home that they would never be together again…until now, that is. Gossip Girl was right, he did always see Blair Waldorf as his back-up plan. And he hated himself for it. Oh, well, he thought. As Chuck would say to him, Time to get back on that horse and ride it hard. Not that he had ever truly been on the horse. Where the hell was he going to get some lessons? And when would he stop using ridiculous metaphors that got him nowhere?
Shrugging off the rest of his morose thoughts, he quickly changed into his uniform and headed downstairs to wait for Chuck's limo. He guessed they were probably going to have another one of their 'talks,' which had been occurring with increasing frequency in this version 2.0 of their friendship. Thinking it would be better to just get it out of the way, he initiated the conversation as soon as he stepped foot in the limo.
"So, looks like you're back to 'tapping that ass,' man. Feels good?" The mildly uncomfortable look on Chuck's face made Nate realize he should probably choose his words more carefully. He hadn't meant for his statement to come out as crass (or as bitter) as it obviously had. Besides, he clearly wasn't cut out to make those kinds of comments—they suited Chuck infinitely more. "Sorry, that came out wrong," he laughed a little to put his friend back at ease. "I'm just bummed I've only got Gossip Girl left to comfort me."
Chuck smirked, allowing Nate to breathe easy knowing all was well, but he still wasn't entirely sure of how this was going to work out for them. Blair was still mad at Nate, which would make it impossible for the three of them to hang out together. Serena was probably going to feel a little awkward for at least another week, which left only Chuck himself to fill up Nate's lonely days. Yet, as much as Chuck wanted to be a great friend, he also wanted to spend every moment he could with Blair and soak up the immense pleasure of her company. Even if he got Blair to forgive Nathaniel, they still wouldn't be able to act lovey-dovey around him (not that Chuck would ever do anything that could be considered lovey-dovey, of course). That meant Chuck was going to have to find his friend someone new to hang out with for a while. "Maybe you just need to get out of this scene for awhile, you know, man?" He said encouragingly. "Show Gossip Girl this shit doesn't get to you."
Nate responded with a pointed look, one that suggested Chuck was more worried about it not getting to Nate than he let on. The look was enough for Chuck to drop his macho act for a split second and ask, "You're not upset about this, right?"
Nate stopped to think about the question for a little bit. Sure he was upset, but it wasn't specifically because of Chuck and Blair. He was happy for them, really. It was more everything that surrounded their relationship. "Nah, man," he replied, "I think you're right. I just need to get back out there. Find someone new, you know?"
Chuck looked pensively at his best friend before drawling out, "Maybe not entirely new…"
Nate's head shot up. "What do you mean?"
"Well, you and little Jenny Humphrey have been spending an inordinate amount of time together, and I've got a hundred dollar bill that says she has one fat crush on you."
Nate laughed and looked away, somewhat embarrassed. He almost wished Chuck was right, but recent events seemed to have proven otherwise. "She's too deep into Blair's posse. She won't look back my way as long as Blair's still got it in for me."
Chuck pondered the situation as the limo pulled up to St. Jude's and the boys stepped out in all their glory. "What if there was a way to turn you into her Prince Charming? You rescue her from some distressing situation or something. Blair's not done torturing her, and she could use your assistance…"
Beaming at his friend, Nate cried out in mock-surprise, "And you'd be willing to help me, Chuck? Sometimes I really love you, man." He said it loudly enough that some of the other boys turned to look at them out of mild curiosity. Chuck just stared back at him, unwilling to make any response. "Come on, is that really how it's going to be?" Nate pleaded. "I'm putting my heart on the line here. Can't you do the same for me?"
Chuck turned his glowering gaze to the floor. "Don't be ridiculous, Nathaniel. We're not doing this here."
"What, are you ashamed of our feelings?"
The asshole was just going to keep it up until he was appeased, Chuck knew. Jeremy and several other boys were already starting to snicker, and it was pretty clear that everyone's phones were poised and ready to snap some shots, but Chuck thought it would still be better to give in before it got worse. "I love you, too, Nathaniel," he mumbled angrily.
"Say it like you mean it," Nate chided, clearly enjoying every second of his best friend's humiliation. Just think of it as my payback, he thought good-naturedly.
Chuck groaned, but then yelled forcefully, "I love you, Nathaniel Archibald. You are the Turk to my JD!"
"Unfair, dude. You would go and make yourself the main character," Nate pouted while pulling Chuck into a warm embrace full of pride and man-love. Phones and cameras went off all around them, and Chuck decided the only way to get Nate back would be to really work at Jenny Humphrey's social destruction before allowing his best friend to pull her out of the gutter.