In The Dark

The whistle blows to signal the end of the game. Cheering the annihilation of the other team, the Ravens gather to congratulate each other, before heading back to the locker room.

Lucas is so buzzed, he’s forgotten Dan is even there. He catches Nathan smiling proudly at him and he feels so good he can barely contain his excitement. They change quickly, keeping away from the rest of the team so they can plan their evening together.

Nathan feels just like he did when he first realised he loved Haley, overwhelmed with how much its possible to need somebody. Seeing that look on Lucas’ face makes all the bad things fade away, for once they can look at each other without the guilt and pain and just be happy.

“Think we should order pizza?” Lucas asks as they head out, bags over their shoulders.

Nathan smiles at him. “Whatever you want. You were amazing out there.”

”What are you talking about? You won us the game!” Lucas argues, nudging his brother playfully.

“I didn’t mean the game.” Nathan explains. “Felt good, didn’t it?”

Lucas’ smile fades a little as he remembers. “At first it felt like my chest was going to explode, but yeah, it felt good. I’m thinking of making a habit out of it.”

”What? Standing up to Dan?” Nathan laughs.

“To everybody!” Lucas cheers. “I’m not letting anybody or anything get to me anymore.”

“Good for you.” Nathan wraps his arm round Lucas’ shoulder briefly, before letting him go. He stops suddenly and looks straight ahead, no longer smiling.

Lucas follows his gaze and feels his heart sink as he notices Haley standing outside the school, waiting for them.

“Can I talk to you?” Haley asks, timidly, casting a quick look at Lucas before returning her attention to her husband.

Nathan can’t take his eyes off her; the look of heartbreak is back on his face. Lucas feels the jealousy rise up so fast he thinks he might actually be sick.

“Luke, do you mind?” Nathan asks him, looking as if he’s asking nothing by wanting to talk to her privately.

Lucas nods with a tight smile and watches Nathan walk away from him. He can only watch them for a few minutes before it hurts too much and he has to leave. Without thinking, Lucas walks away, hoping to hear Nathan calling after him. He doesn’t.

Lucas reaches his truck and still Nathan isn’t following him. He looks over and thinks he can just about make out the figures in the dark, leaning in close. He can’t help but think they’re kissing and that thought is enough to make him want to cry.

Across the car park, Dan watches Lucas pace nervously by his vehicle, not realising he’s not alone out there. Dan fixates on his son’s movements, carefully checking the rest of the lot before stalking through the shadows towards his prey, still shaking with anger from Lucas’ behaviour earlier. He knows this is Nathan’s doing, this lack of respect Lucas has developed so quickly. The last thing Dan wants is two Nathan’s on his hands. It’s certainly hard enough dealing with one, though Dan is rather proud of the way he so easily coerced Nathan into their last encounter. This bond the boys are forming is proving to be very useful. Even so, Lucas should never have been allowed to leave home. He had the boy exactly where he wanted him, but he let him go. That would have to change.

Dan watches Lucas as the boy leans against his truck, seemingly annoyed for whatever reason. He’s just about to step out of the shadows and have some fun when he hears his brother’s voice approaching.

“Lucas! There you are. Been looking for you.” Keith grins, joining Lucas by the truck. “You okay?”

”Yeah.” Lucas forces a smile. “Sorry I didn’t stick around. Nathan and I have plans…or we did.”

Keith frowns, looking around as if he can feel his brother’s presence. “You…uh…” He forces himself to concentrate on Lucas, ignoring the sense of paranoia. “Your mom told me about the HCM. Nathan taking care of you?”

Lucas can’t help but smile. “Yeah, he is.”

Keith shakes his head in bemusement. “I never would have thought it. You and him getting on so well. As long as you’re happy.”

“I am.” Lucas answers, honestly. “I know mom doesn’t understand, but I need to do this, for a while.”

Keith nods. “Your mom’s going to talk with Whitey. She doesn’t think you should play in your condition. Neither do I.”

”I figured she would.” Lucas says, dejectedly. “It doesn’t matter. I knew I’d have to give it up eventually. Today was a good last day.”

Keith places a hand on his shoulder in comfort. “You have a lot to offer, Lucas. You’re going to be okay.”

Lucas nods, sadly.

“You know where I am if you ever want to talk.” Keith adds. “Take care of yourself.”

Lucas watches as Keith walks away and decides to head back over to Nathan. After everything Nathan has done for him, he feels bad for acting like a child over this.

Dan steps out of the shadows as Lucas leaves, his jaw clenched.

*~*~*~*

“Nathan, I love you.”

“Just leave me alone.” No longer wanting to hear the same excuses, Nathan turns away from Haley and heads back over to Lucas. The only problem is, Lucas is no longer there. Nathan immediately panics. “Did you see where Lucas went?” He asks Haley, urgently.

Haley doesn’t answer fast enough, so Nathan takes off, praying Lucas is waiting at the car. Just as he turns a corner, he runs into his brother, slamming his shoulder into Lucas’.

“Fuck!” Lucas cries out, grabbing his shoulder. “Watch it!”

Nathan rubs his own shoulder, breathing hard. “Why’d you run off? I had no idea where you were!”

“Maybe you had more important things on your mind.” Lucas can’t help himself. And he immediately feels guilty when Nathan looks hurt. “I didn’t mean that…I was just…”

”Jealous?” Nathan interrupts. “No need to be. I love Haley, I always will, but she has a new life now. And so do I.”

Lucas isn’t so sure, but he smiles at Nathan’s effort. “Can we go home? It’s a little creepy out here.”

Nathan puts his arm around Lucas and kisses his forehead. “Better now I’m here?”

“Always.” Lucas replies, slipping his arm round Nathan’s waist. “And I think we should skip the pizza.”

Nathan looks at him and frowns.

“I have a better plan.” Lucas says, cryptically.

Nathan and Lucas get into Lucas’ truck and drive off, unaware of the figure still standing in the shadows, having heard every word.

*~*~*~*

The moment the door to the apartment shuts behind them. Lucas grabs Nathan and kisses him playfully, his hands slipping under Nathan’s t-shirt. Nathan takes a moment to get over the shock before he kisses Lucas back with even more enthusiasm. Until, that is, he begins to worry…

“Are you sure you wanna do this? I mean, we don’t have to…”

”Shut up.” Lucas demands, silencing him with another kiss. They’re so into it, Nathan doesn’t realise he’s backed himself into the couch. When he falls, they both do, intertwined and so preoccupied, neither really notices.

Lucas pulls Nathan’s t-shirt over his head before hungrily tasting every inch of skin he can get his lips on, ‘causing the younger boy to moan in appreciation. Nathan can feel himself hardening, despite his attempts to keep himself under control. He can’t help it; Lucas’ attack is drowning every ounce of willpower he has left. Before he gives in entirely, Nathan makes one last attempt to be the responsible one. “If we don’t stop now, I don’t think I’ll be able to…” He warns, his eyes closing in pleasure as Lucas teases his right nipple. “Lucas, are you sure…?”

Smiling at his brother’s protectiveness, Lucas moves up and kisses those lips to answer the question, then returns to Nathan’s chest, the kisses trailing down Nathan’s torso towards his crotch.

“Holy shit!” Nathan mutters, his cock harder than ever as Lucas begins to pull away the rest of his clothing.

“I want to do this.” Lucas explains, awkwardly. “As long as you don’t grab me and I can be on top, I’ll be fine.”

“Lucas, you don’t have to! We can do something else…” Nathan debates on forcing this to stop now, he knows they’re moving too fast and after Lucas’ success today, he really doesn’t want to see another set back. But when Lucas takes his cock into his mouth, it’s too late for arguments. Nathan throws his head back and clenches his fist at the sensation of Lucas’ tongue running down the underside of his erection. He does his best not to move too much, letting Lucas have all the control. It’s harder than he could have imagined, because all he wants to do is reach out and touch his brother, to show him just how good it feels. Instead, he resorts to showing his approval though the occasional verbal encouragement.

Lucas can feel the crippling fear in his chest, threatening to give him a panic attack. But for once he knows how to stop it, concentrating on the soft words from Nathan’s lips. This is the first time he’s ever done this and it’s possibly the scariest thing he’s ever willingly done, but it’s also making him harder than he thought possible.

“Fuck, I’m gonna come…” Nathan warns, his breathing becoming rapid and unsteady as the orgasm explodes through his body.

Lucas pulls away just in time, his hand replacing his mouth as cum spills onto Nathan’s muscled chest.

“I really wasn’t expecting that.” Nathan jokes, sitting up, looking for signs that Lucas is okay. He kisses him gently as he realises Lucas is more than okay. He’s smiling. He’s also sporting his own hard on, which he has neglected to attend to. “You want some help with that?”

Lucas blushes as Nathan’s hand carefully surrounds his cock, gently running his fist down the shaft and back up again. “Just keep doing that.”

”Not a problem.” Nathan smiles, gaining the confidence to speed up. “Does that feel good?”

”Yeah…” Lucas closes his eyes and leans into Nathan, hungrily kissing him as Nathan jerks him off. He’s already so close after watching Nathan come, it doesn’t take long for the orgasm to hit. He breaks the kiss and moans Nathan’s name as his own cum shoots across Nathan’s chest.

Lying back, Nathan smiles as Lucas joins him. “Why am I the only one in a mess?” He asks, wearily.

“Now we’re both messy.” Lucas leans into him, reaching back to take Nathan’s hand before dragging it over him protectively. “I trust you.” Lucas starts, his voice quiet but determined. “I know you won’t hurt me. But I’m still scared. Even without everything that’s happened, you’re a guy…and my brother…this is all very…new.”

”And terrifying, I know.” Nathan adds. “For me too.”

“So we go slow?” Lucas asks. “I know I kinda just sped things up there, but…we’re going to be careful, right?”

“Yeah.” Nathan answers, kissing the back of Lucas’ head softly. “Whatever you need.”

”What about what you need?” Lucas asks, frowning. “I’m not trying to make this all about me, I want you to say what you want. I should have to do things for you too.”

Nathan sits up slightly, looking down at Lucas. “You don’t need to worry about me, just concentrate on looking after yourself. I like how things are going.”

“Really?” Lucas asks, worriedly.

Nathan smiles and climbs over Lucas and off the couch. “Really.” He heads to the bathroom to shower, leaving Lucas to lie on the couch, smiling to himself.

Just as Nathan emerges in a towel, his cell starts ringing from the pile of clothes sitting by Lucas. “Get that for me, will you?”

Lucas hunts for the phone, finally pulling it free and opening it. “Nathan’s phone.” He answers, awkwardly. “Oh, hey Deb, you want to talk to Nathan? Are you okay? You just sound…okay, hang on…”

Nathan strides over and takes the phone, taking it with him to the bedroom. “Mom?”

When Nathan returns from the bedroom, he’s fully dressed and heading to the door. “I have to go out, just for a while. Are you going to be okay?”

”Uh, yeah, sure.” Lucas answers, pulling his t-shirt back on.

“I won’t be long. She’s just discharged herself from rehab and she needs a ride.” Nathan explains. He leans over and kisses Lucas quickly before heading out, shutting the door behind him.

Lucas finishes getting dressed, then looks at the phone and debates on calling his own mom. He picks the receiver up and eventually presses the first two digits but is disturbed by a knock at the door. Replacing the phone, Lucas jumps up, assuming its Nathan. “What, did you forget your keys again?” He laughs as he opens the door. It takes less than a second for the smile to drop as he realises it isn’t Nathan.