In The Dark

Title: In The Dark
Author: Angel Jade
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: child abuse, slash, rape, incest, language
Spoilers: S2
Pairings: Lucas/Dan, possibility of Lucas/Nathan in later chapters
Summary: When Dan gets too drunk to realise Lucas isn’t Nathan, serious skeletons come out of the closet. Nathan, meanwhile, is torn between protecting his brother and keeping his own skeletons well and truly hidden.
Setting: S2, while Lucas is living with Dan
Feedback: angel_jadeuk@hotmail.com
Site: http://www.badsideoftown.net/
Distribution: If you’ve had my permission before, you have it now. Anyone else, ask first please.
Disclaimer: I do not claim to own the characters in the fic, nor do I make money from borrowing them.
Author’s note: I know, it’s fucked up. Just don’t come complaining to me. The warnings are there for a reason. My timeline probably isn’t perfect, but I don’t have the episodes to check, so inconsistencies with the show should be put down to my terrible memory.



It happens at midnight. The door opens slowly, creaking as it shuts behind the visitor. Lucas’ eyes open wide, but he doesn’t move, his chest tightening as he feels the bed dip beside him. He doesn’t dare breathe, half-believing if he can pretend he’s still asleep, he’ll be left alone.

It doesn’t work and Lucas flinches as he feels his father lying beside him, too close for comfort. He smells that familiar scent of whisky, knows immediately that Dan’s drunk again.

“Nathan?” Dan whispers, his hand slipping over Lucas’ body, resting on the other side, effectively trapping him as Dan moves over, straddling his son.

Lucas can’t stay still anymore, he wants Dan off him. But when he looks up into his father’s eyes, he realises there’s nothing there, the eyes are cold and focused but there’s no life in them. “What are you doing?” He asks, nervously, already trying to crawl out from under his inebriated father.

Dan doesn’t hear him, just sways slightly, lacking the balance to sit up straight. “Be quiet, you’ll wake your mother…” He warns, reaching down to cup Lucas’ cheek. Lucas wonders if Dan even remembers Deb is away at the clinic, or if it’s just some sick joke. “This is our little secret, Nate.”

Then Lucas really begins to panic. Dan has no idea who he is, he actually believes he’s Nathan. “I’m not Nathan, I’m Lucas.” He states, loudly, hoping he’ll get through to him, stop him before he does anything really stupid.

Dan doesn’t even register the words, just leans down and attempts to kiss Lucas on the forehead. Lucas’ body finally bursts into action as he tries to escape, dodging Dan’s kiss and then punching him as hard as he can whilst still partially pinned beneath a man twice his size.

Dan looks as if he might just sober up for a minute, so Lucas desists, watching anxiously for signs of recognition. The blow takes a while to register, but once it does, Dan’s face contorts in anger. He grabs Lucas’ wrists and pins them down beside his head, before leaning down as close as he could.

“You should know by now not to fight me, son. You’re gonna pay for that.” Dan hisses, switching the wrists into one hand so he can use his free hand to rip at Lucas’ boxers.

“Get off me!” Lucas yells, his heart pounding so hard in his chest it feels like it might burst. “I swear if you don’t get off me I’ll call the police!”

Dan viciously forces Lucas’ legs apart and moves between them, easily manipulating the boy’s body into the right position. Despite Lucas’ frantic struggles, Dan remains the stronger man by far, overpowering his teenage son with little effort. “Be a good boy and take it, Nathan. I’ll go easier on you if you just take it.”

Lucas’ eyes sting with tears as he realises he has no way out. That this is going to happen whether he likes it or not. “Please, don’t do this…don’t…Dan…!”

Lost in his own little world, Dan grunts as he lines his erect cock up with Lucas’ hole, forcing himself inside with no preparation. Once inside, he uses his free hand to cover Lucas’ mouth, which is now screaming in pain.

“That’s it, good boy.” Dan coos, patronisingly. “It’ll all be over soon.”

Lucas’ muffled screams continue throughout, his whole body shaking with hysterical sobs that barely make it past the hand guarding his mouth. His wrists hurt from the tight grip, but no amount of struggling can break them free. He forces himself to listen to Dan’s words, knowing it can’t last forever. He just has to get through this and he’ll never have to look at this man again. It’ll all be over.

“Such a pretty boy.” Dan whispers, placing empty kisses on Lucas’ neck, his thrusts gaining in intensity. “You feel so good.”

Lucas’ eyes clench shut, willing himself to pass out. He can’t take the pain, it feels like he’s being ripped open, and he’s sure he can feel himself bleeding. “Please, stop.” He murmurs. The sound doesn’t get far, but it’s the only protest Lucas has left in him, so he continues to plead for it to end.

Eventually, it does, and Dan comes with a feral cry, his body tensing before his grip on Lucas’ weakens. He looks down at his son, his vision blurry. “I love you, Nathan.”

Lucas doesn’t move, doesn’t speak or cry, just lies there and waits for Dan to leave. He feels like he’s in shock, his whole body is rigid with fear, his skin glistening with sweat. He doesn’t even want to think about what state he’s in down there.

Dan does eventually wobble off the bed, before staggering out, leaving the door open.

Lucas waits while the minutes pass by excruciatingly slowly. He’s shivering from the newfound cold in the room, his fingers weakly clawing at the sheets in order to dull the pain in whatever way he can. Once he’s sure Dan won’t return, he attempts to move, his body trying to fail him every step of the way. He knows he should call the police, end this now. He finally has a way to take Dan down for good.

But as he reaches for his cell phone, Lucas can’t dial the numbers. It’s not that he’s shaking too hard, it’s not even that he’s too scared to call in case Dan is nearby.

He just physically can’t.

And so he calls Nathan’s cell, hoping he’s right in thinking this sort of thing has happened before. It’s not the nicest of wishes he’s ever made, but he knows he can’t do this alone.

“Yeah?” A tired voice asks.

Lucas’ throat is raw from the screaming and he can barely breathe straight, let alone make the right sounds. He struggles to contain himself long enough to say two words.

“Help…me.”

There’s a pause on the line as Nathan realises who’s calling. “Lucas? Are you okay?”

“Nathan.” Lucas whimpers, desperately.

“Where are you?” Nathan asks, brotherly instincts kicking in and past disagreements forgotten instantly.

Lucas feels his resolve breaking, the tears start up all over again and his voice leaves him. He just wants this to be over…he’d told himself it would all be over soon, but it isn’t ending. So much for promises.

“Are you at my parent’s house?” Nathan asks, worriedly. His voice shakes slightly. “Did he…? I’ll be right over, okay? Just stay there, lock your door and wait for me.”

Lucas shuts the phone off, no energy to talk or listen. He does, however, force himself over to the door. He sees a latch; one that should have been turned in the first place. Hates himself because it wasn’t.

His fault.

He shuts the door and locks it, his knees giving way soon after. Lucas feels himself falling and does nothing about it. He just doesn’t care enough to try. As he sits there, partially on his side to ease the pain, his back against the door, Lucas closes his eyes and tries not to think about it. Instead, he pictures scenes from the happier days he’d spent as a child, with his uncle Keith and his mom…and Haley.

Just as he feels his body shutting down, he hears tapping on the door. He wakes up with a jolt of fear, glancing up to see if the lock is still working.

“Luke, it’s me.” Nathan whispers through the door. “Open up.”

Attempting to coax his heart down from his throat, Lucas reaches up and unlocks the door, sliding away just as Nathan opens it. The younger Scott looks round the door at his brother, practically lying on the door.

“Shit.” Nathan whispers, shutting and locking the door behind him. “Oh God, I’m so sorry…this is all my fault.” He looks over at the bed and sees blood, a sight which makes him want him gag. But just one glance at Lucas and Nathan realises he’s going to have to stay cool and fix this.

“I need a doctor.” Lucas moans, hoarsely. He hates that Nathan is seeing him like this, but the look on Nathan’s face is so much worse. It confirms what Lucas already knows. This isn’t the first time Dan has done this. “We need to call the police…”

Nathan doesn’t move, though everything Lucas has said is true, he just can’t do it. “I’ll get you cleaned up.” Nathan offers. “But just think about calling the police, okay? You haven’t thought it through.”

Lucas looks up at Nathan through tear-filled eyes. “He raped me!”

Nathan drops down to Lucas’ level. “I know…just, please, you have to keep this quiet. Both our lives will be ruined if you do this. I know this sounds selfish but this isn’t just your life you’re dealing with here. Something like this doesn’t go away! It’s gonna stay with you forever. People are going to know. Do you want that?”

Lucas shakes his head in confused disbelief. “But he has to…I can’t let him get away with this!”

Nathan sits down beside Lucas and puts his arm around his brother’s shoulders, removing it when Lucas tenses. “I’ll take care of everything. You can move in with me, you don’t have to stay here.”

“I don’t…feel well.” Lucas moans, feeling his body go limp. Before he can say another word, he finally gets his wish and passes out.

Nathan is there to stop his fall, carefully picking his brother up and carrying him to the bathroom.

*~*~*~*

The next morning, Lucas wakes himself up with cries of protest. He’s covered in sweat again, breathing as if he’d been running suicides all night.

“Morning.” Nathan says softly, sitting on the end of the bed, watching over him.

Still in pain, Lucas has no illusions that last nights activities were a bad dream. The shock still hits him though, and he doesn’t know what to do about it.

“Take those.” Nathan orders, pointing at the two pills sitting not far away from Lucas, next to a glass of water.

Lucas picks them up, looking them over. “What…?”

“Strong pain killers.” Nathan explains, standing up. “You’re gonna need them.”

Lucas frowns and takes them, eager to rid himself of the painful reminder. “What happened last night? Did I pass out?”

“Yeah. You’re lucky you did.” Nathan says, grabbing fresh clothes for him. “I got you cleaned up while you were out, so at least you didn’t have to suffer through that. Wish I’d been so lucky.”

Lucas can’t believe his ears. “But the police…you’re not supposed to…”

“Lucas, keep it down, he’s still in the house.” Nathan warns, feeling a twinge of guilt as Lucas flinches in fear. “I told you last night, its for the best we don’t say anything. He won’t even remember today, he never does.”

“Nathan, that was my choice to make, not yours!” Lucas accuses, angrily. “How am I supposed to go there with no evidence? Besides the fact my insides have been split in two. He’ll find a way to get out of it! At least before we had proof!”

“Luke, you’re not listening to me.” Nathan sighs. “He’ll get away with it anyway. And he’ll make things worse for both of us. It’s better this way, trust me.”

“Better for you, you mean.” Lucas grabs the clothes off Nathan and begins to dress, ignoring the stabbing pain as he moves as best he can. “You’re scared if people know they’ll talk about you. Make fun, maybe? I’ll take a little bullying any day to see that bastard rot in jail.”

“Shut up!” Nathan hisses. “There’s a lot more to it than that. Do you have any idea the stigma behind this shit? Do you really want to see the look on your mom’s face when she finds out? How about your next girlfriend? You think our friends will stick by us? Maybe they’ll try, but every time you look at their faces, you’ll see it. They’ll know. The guys on the team will know. The guys on all the teams in the state will know! Even if you leave town, it’s only a matter of time before it catches up with you.”

Lucas bows his head, wanting Nathan to stop making sense. This isn’t right and he knows it. “I just want him to die and leave us alone.” He whispers.

“He doesn’t own you, you can leave anytime you want.” Nathan reminds him.

“But he got custody…” Lucas argues. “What if he makes me stay? Nathan, I can’t stay here…”

“He’s not going to fight us on this. Not when we tell him what he did.” Nathan replies, not sounding as convincing as he’d like. The very mention of facing his father over this takes all his confidence away. But with Lucas’ help…

“I can’t do this.” Lucas closes his eyes. “I can’t face him, please don’t ask me to.”

Nathan feels his heart sink. He sits down beside Lucas and puts a hand on his shoulder in comfort. Lucas doesn’t tense. He doesn’t even flinch. “I’ll fix this, Luke, I promise. I won’t let him touch you again.”

“Or you.” Lucas reminds him.

Nathan doesn’t answer. He just leans his head against Lucas’, knowing he’ll do anything to protect him. “I tried to warn you…I should have tried harder. I didn’t think he’d…this is all my fault. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s his fault.” Lucas argues, softly. “Not yours.”

“We’ll find a way to make him pay, Lucas, I swear.” Nathan promises, letting Lucas go. He stands up and looks down at his big brother. “Do you need anything?”

“I just want to leave.” Lucas mutters, finishing getting dressed. “And for these pain killers to kill the pain.”

”Give it time.” Nathan assures him. “Just get what you need, I’ll get the rest later.”

”I don’t want you coming back here alone.” Lucas says, suddenly paranoid. “Please, Nathan…”

”I’ll get Peyton to help. Don’t worry, we’re both safe from him now.”

Lucas gets his things together slowly and goes to leave. “What if he’s down there?”

“He probably doesn’t remember…”

”Probably?” Lucas interrupts, anxiously.

“He’ll just act like nothing happened if he does. Just don’t look at him and don’t make it look like you’re scared. We don’t want him to ask questions. We’re just heading to school.” Nathan explains. “You can do this.”

Lucas nods, fighting the bizarre urge to hold onto Nathan the whole way. He’s never felt so pathetic and scared before. He wonders how Nathan can just act like this is nothing, as if they were sneaking out to go to a party rather than to escape from their rapist father.

They have to pass through the kitchen in order to fetch Lucas’ school books and shoes. Lucas almost sinks behind Nathan as if his brother will protect him somehow. It’s cowardly, but Lucas just knows he can’t stand face to face with this man so soon.

“Nathan!” Dan smiles as they walk in slowly, neither able to look him in the eye. “What a nice surprise. To what do we owe the honour of your presence?”

Nathan puts on a brave face and throws a dismissive look at his father. “We’re going to school.”

Dan nods, as if he doesn’t quite believe him. “Did you sleep okay, Luke? I heard you screaming in your sleep last night.”

Lucas freezes and chokes on his words before he can get them out. Dan remembers, he’s sure of it.

“We’re late.” Nathan says, coldly, ushering Lucas away before he blows their cover.

“You have an appointment this afternoon, Lucas. Don’t forget.” Dan calls after him, intrigued by Lucas’ behaviour. He narrows his eyes, his thoughts remaining a secret to everyone but himself. Just the way he likes it.

*~*~*~*

“What appointment?” Nathan asks, once they’re away from the house and more importantly, their father.

“Nothing.” Lucas dismisses. “Just some doctor stuff.”

“Is this about the HCM thing? You got the all clear, right?” Nathan asks, picking up on Lucas’ defensiveness.

Lucas doesn’t want Nathan to know, but after everything that’s happened, he knows he needs to be straight with him. “I have it. Dan’s been paying for my medicine. I have to go back today to see if the meds are working.”

“I’m sorry.” Nathan sympathises, not sure what else he can say. “That’s why you’re living with him? So he’ll pay?”

Lucas nods. “That and he promised to leave Keith and Jules alone.”

“That fucking bastard.” Nathan clenches his jaw, wishing he’d just punched his father’s lights out when he’d had the chance.

“This is why I want him arrested.” Lucas explains. “He’s messing with everybody I care about. I came here to stop him, not that that’s going to plan…”

“We’ll find a way.” Nathan assures him. “Just not this way.”

Lucas agrees reluctantly. “I’m only doing this to protect my mom. And because you asked me to. As much as I want him out of our lives for good, I don’t want to destroy ours in the process.”

“You’re doing the right thing.” Nathan says, gravely. “Look, listen, do you want to blow off school today? You’re not exactly in any condition for it. How about we go somewhere and talk. Or take our minds of everything. Whatever you want.”

Lucas nods, forcing a tight smile. “Yeah, I think that’s a good idea.”

*~*~*~*

Sitting on the edge of a picnic table by the sea, Lucas feels a calm washing over him, finally giving him blessed relief from the barrage of thoughts that have been going through his brain all day. He casts a look at Nathan, who is lying on the table, his shirt off, enjoying the sun. He looks just as peaceful, as if he’s never had to think of such things in his life. As if everything is perfect. Lucas envies him.

Nathan eventually opens one eye and catches Lucas looking at him. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” Lucas says, looking back at the sea. “Just enjoying the peace and quiet. Thinking things over.”

Nathan sits up and looks out at the sea, hoping to find the source of Lucas’ peace. He doesn’t, but then he’s always dealt with things differently to his brother. “Don’t wanna spoil the moment, but are you going to this appointment later?”

Lucas’ expression darkens once more, making Nathan feel guilty. “I don’t know. I have to if I want to stay healthy, but if he’s there…I don’t think I can act like noting happened.”

“So, don’t go. You can rearrange a meeting once you’ve told your mom.” Nathan suggests. “And you are going to have to tell her, especially once you run out of medication.”

Lucas doesn’t reply, just stares into nothing.

“Just let me know when you need more pain killers.” Nathan interrupts, softly. “I’d give you the bottle, but…”

“You’re scared I’ll take them all?” Lucas smiles. “I’m not suicidal.”

“That’s good.” Nathan smiles in return. “I don’t think I could handle losing you. Not now.”

Lucas actually feels safe when Nathan says that. Just like the beautiful seascape, Nathan numbs the terrible feelings in his stomach, a fact which makes Lucas want to reach out and hold his brother until the pain has all gone. But he doesn’t, under the circumstances it just doesn’t seem right. But he holds onto that feeling. Has a suspicion he’ll need it.

*~*~*~*

When their little excursion is over, Nathan takes Lucas back to the beach house before heading back to his old home. He assures Lucas before he leaves that he won’t go alone, but Nathan has little faith in his father’s will power; he knows no amount of protection will stop Dan from doing as he pleases.

He isn’t afraid of what his father might do, however. The few instances he has experienced his father’s sick behaviour can all be attributed to copious amounts of alcohol, just as the incident the previous night can be. They were all done at night, in bed. Nathan puts assurance in those little rituals. Dan will not attempt anything of that nature in broad daylight, whilst sober.

At least, that’s what he told himself.

He enters the house as if it's still his own, not announcing his presence, but merely heading up to Lucas’ room to pack. He's not disturbed as he quickly throws everything into the suitcases he has retrieved from the closet. It will not be enough to take everything, but he can at least take the important things.

“Does Lucas know what you’re up to?” A voice asks from the bedroom door.

“Dad.” Nathan is startled and it takes him a moment to replace the cool expression he usually wears so easily. “Just packing a few of his things, he’s staying with me for a while.”

Dan steps inside, his smile dropping. “Is that why he missed his appointment earlier? He’s suddenly decided to move out?”

“Dad, come on!” Nathan glares at him, his fists shaking he’s clenching them so tightly. “It was bad enough when I let you do those things to me. You really thought you could get away with it with Lucas? If you want to stay out of jail, I strongly suggest you stay away from both of us. And while you’re at it, leave Keith and Jules alone. Hell, leave everybody alone. You’re sick and you need serious help, you know that?” Nathan grabs the suitcases, his head spinning with what he’s just done. He goes to storm out, but stops abruptly when Dan grabs him by the collar and slams him against the wall.

“You listen to me, son.” Dan seethes in anger, his face excruciatingly close to Nathan’s. “What happened with Lucas was a mistake. And it never would have happened if you’d just stayed at home like I told you to. You remember what else I told you? About what’ll happen if you breathe a word of this to anyone else? Why don’t you make sure you pass the message on to Lucas? Because I won’t hesitate to make both your lives a living hell if you so much as think about calling the police. Do you hear me?”

Nathan bites back words that would only escalate the situation and simply nods, his eyes burning into Dan’s with pure hatred. “Tell me something.” He asks, as Dan lets him go. “Did you know it was Lucas? Or were you really so drunk you thought he was me?”

Dan throws Nathan a knowing smirk and walks out. “You tell Lucas if he wants his medication paid for, he can come and ask me for it.”

Nathan continues glaring at the door, shaken by the confrontation, but his anger keeping him going. “Like hell he will.” He mutters, collecting up all of Lucas’ things and heading back to the car.

*~*~*~*

Lucas is pacing the floor when Nathan finally returns. He rushes to greet his brother the moment he enters the door, helping him with the bags. “What happened? Was he there? Did he try to stop you?”

“One thing at a time.” Nathan insists, shutting his front door and heading to the fridge. “I need a drink. Want one?”

Lucas shakes his head, eager to hear the story.

“Dan was there.” Nathan answers, after taking a large swig of beer. “He asked what I was doing, I told him. He wasn’t…well, lets just say he’s not okay with it. But once I explained it to him…”

”Wait…wait, you explained what to him?” Lucas frowns. “Who was there with you? You took Peyton, right?”

Nathan looks sheepishly at Lucas. “I couldn’t risk a big fight in front of someone else. I knew he’d be there…and I said what I needed to say.”

“Which is?” Lucas urges.

“I haven’t been exactly truthful with you, Luke. I didn’t want to upset you anymore than you were already, so I told you Dan doesn’t remember what he does the next morning.”

Lucas doesn’t know quite what to say. He looks at Nathan accusingly. “So, he knows why I left? He knows that you know? This is just fucking perfect!”

“Calm down, he isn’t going to do anything about it.” Nathan assures him. “I told him if he stays away, we won’t go to the police.”

“We were going to do that anyway! He knows we’re not or we would have already.” Lucas fumes. “Now he has the HCM and the Keith/Jules thing over me and I have an empty threat of jail without any hard evidence.”

“I told him to leave Keith alone, it was part of the deal.” Nathan says, helplessly.

“Did he agree to this deal?” Lucas demands. “Not that it matters if he did, when has Dan Scott ever kept a promise?”

It’s Nathan’s turn to be silent, knowing he’s let his brother down, once again.

“Did he mention the HCM? He’s stopping the medication, right?” Lucas asks, worriedly.

“He told me to tell you…” Nathan pauses, knowing he should probably keep this from Lucas, but sure Dan will find a way to get the message across regardless. “If you want the meds, you have to go ask him for them.”

Lucas closes his eyes in absolute desperation. “I don’t have the money for this. I don’t know anyone who does! I can’t tell my mom I lied to her. What am I supposed to do?”

”You really need the medication?” Nathan asks.

Lucas nods, sitting down on the couch and feeling his world collapsing around him.

“I’ll sort it out.” Nathan says, cryptically. “Leave it to me.”

“How are you going to do that?” Lucas asks, sceptically.

Nathan shrugs. “I’ll figure it out. Just don’t worry about it.”

Lucas scoffs, knowing there is nothing on Earth that will stop him worrying about any of this big mess. “Do you really think he’ll stay out of our lives now?”

“Yeah.” Nathan replies, his eyes betraying his inner thoughts. “I’m sure he will.”

Lucas accepts the answer and starts to look through his things. Nathan, however, is lost in thought, looking for an answer that he already has. Problem is, he really doesn’t like it.

“I’m going out for a while.” Nathan says suddenly. “You going to be okay on your own?”

Lucas looks afraid, but swallows it and nods. “I’ll lock the door behind you. I’ll be fine.”

“I won’t be long.” Nathan tells him. “I just need to clear my head. I promised Tim I’d check in on him, he’s feeling a bit lonely since I’ve been…”

“Wallowing in self-pity over Haley?” Lucas adds.

Smiling in embarrassment, Nathan opens the door. “I’ll be back in a few hours.”

*~*~*~*


Continued in chapter 2