Playing for Keeps

A/N: This story continues with a fic titled Fraternal by rerickson. It's posted on this site so go check it out.

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Okay on with the show:



They stuck around long enough to answer questions, at least Lucas and Nathan did. Sam and Dean disappeared into the night. Nathan told as much of the truth as he could. He told about the incident with his father but left out the fact that his lover was also his brother. He admitted that his father had roughed him up and landed him in the hospital and that he’d decided to run away, get as far away from his father as possible.



The police surmised that Dan in a fit of rage found his son. They confirmed this by calls to a private investigator made from Dan’s cell. As best they could figure, Dan was in the middle of another assault on his son when a bear attacked him.



Lucas confirmed that he heard the screams and saw an animal but he wasn’t sure what it was. They were asked to stay a few days longer. Lucas took the opportunity to call Karen while Nathan told him mom about the alleged bear attack.



After a week, the ME went with a large unknown animal like a wolf or a bear as the cause of death. Nathan and Lucas were free to go. Deb made arrangements for her husband’s remains to be sent home and by the end of the week, they scheduled a memorial service. The official story Deb told was that Dan had gone to visit Nathan after their son had been mugged and hospitalized. While staying at a cabin he went for a late night walk and was mauled by a bear.



Lucas and Nathan arrived a day before the service and while Nathan settled in at home, Lucas went to see his mom. Karen was still angry about her son’s decision to be with his brother but she could also tell Lucas had been through quite an ordeal. She put her anger aside and listened as he told her everything that had happened. He never mentioned the word werewolf but he did tell her that Dan had tried to attack Nathan again.



“I’m glad he’s gone,” she said honestly.



“Me too. It’s just, to Nate he was his father and I don’t think he’s okay. He must be so confused about everything that’s happened. I don’t know how to help him.”



“Just be a friend and a brother.”



Lucas cringed at her words.



“I didn’t mean it like that,” Karen explained. “I meant outside of his mother, you’re all he has. Be there for him in whatever way you can.”



Lucas studied his mom. There was sincerity in her eyes and he knew she was trying to cope with his unconventional relationship with Nathan.



“Will you be staying here?” Karen asked.



“It’s up to Nathan. I don’t want to intrude.”



“Well,” Karen began, gently patting her son’s hand, “you’re always welcome here. This is your home, no matter what.”



“Thanks mom.” Lucas leaned across the kitchen table and hugged her.



“I’m going to go check on Nate. I’ll stop by later or call and let you know my plans.”



Nathan determined that his mom didn’t know about Karen or Lucas. He arranged for him to sleep in the room next to his. He decided not to let his mom know that the boy he brought home was his lover and definitely to skip the lover is his brother part completely.



The funeral was well attended by friends, acquaintances and even enemies of Dan Scott. Nathan wondered which group consisted the larger number of attendees. Later in the week, the will was read and Nathan found out he was relatively wealthy. Dan had left him the dealership, the houses and a rather sizeable bank account. Nathan wasn’t surprised that his dad left nothing to Karen. Things between his mom and dad were pretty bad. He was sure his father only did it to spite her. It didn’t matter; his mom had a great career and was from money herself. Besides, he had no intention of throwing his mom out on her ear. As far as he was concerned, the house was hers.



Nathan decided he needed time away from his Deb. She was beginning to drink more heavily since the funeral. He told her he would be staying at the beach house for a time. He took Lucas with him.



There was little to eat there since no one was using the house. Lucas made a call to his mom and she promised them that by late afternoon, they would have a basket full of some of her best foods from the cafe.



Nathan remained quiet and introspective. He clung to Lucas’s side but wouldn’t talk much about how he was feeling. Lucas suggested a walk along the beach. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore and the sea air always made him think better. He hoped Nathan would be able to sort a few things out.



They held hands as they walked barefoot across the wet sand. Occasionally Nathan would sigh or squeeze Lucas’s hand. Lucas waited. He wanted Nathan to talk to him on his own terms.



“I can’t believe he’s gone,” Nathan said, stooping to gather pebbles from the beach.



Lucas crouched down and helped in the process.



“He was my dad, in spite of what he did. I mean, he was wrong for what he did to us but...I don’t know.” Nathan let the smooth stones fall from his hand and back onto the sand.



Lucas sat, pulling Nathan down with him. He pulled him between his legs and let his head rest on his shoulder.



“It’s okay Nate. I know you need time to sort all this out,” he said, placing a soft kiss on his hair.



Nathan tilted his head back to look up at his brother. “I’m glad you’re here.”



He turned in Lucas’s arms and placed his hand on his cheek, leaning up to kiss him.



“There you two are,” came the familiar voice of Dean Winchester.



Lucas rested his forehead against Nathan’s and shook his head.



“What are you doing here?” Lucas asked, looking back over his shoulder at the two approaching brothers.



“We came to salt and burn your father’s remains,” Dean announced casually.



Lucas stood, nearly causing Nathan to fall into the sand.



“You what?”



Sam stepped in front of Dean for fear Lucas would take a swing at Dean.



“Why don’t we go inside and talk about this.”



Nathan stood angrily. “No fucking way,” he shouted. Nobody is touching my dad, you here me, nobody.” He stormed off towards the house.



“Can you please tell me what this is all about,” Lucas said more to Sam than to Dean.