Fraternal

Nathan took a seat on the bed and processed everything. Weighing the pros and cons of joining the Winchesters. He and Lucas had already formed a strong bond with Dean and Sam because of their shared secret love for their own brothers. It would also provide the perfect excuse to start a new life, although starting one with Lucas would be fine, having Dean and Sam with them would be an added bonus. From what the Winchesters have told him of their 'jobs', he could see himself helping other people from such evil that plagues their lives. But his one and only concern would always be Lucas. Sure, Lucas appeared to have an athletic build, but his heart would be a constant issue.



"Personally, I wouldn't mind going with you guys, hunting whatever you two go after."



Sam could sense a conflicting issue, "But?"



"It's Lucas."



"I don't think he would have a problem with it. He seemed to take the existance the the supernatural rather well for a first timer." Dean quipped.



"It's not that. I have no doubt that Lucas can handle it, mentally. Physically, however, is another problem."



"Why? What's wrong with him?"



"He has a heart condition. It's called HCM. I can tell taking on werewolves and shit like that takes a lot of strenuous activity. And such activity wouldn't be good for him. The second day after I met him, we got into an arguement and he took off running. I went after him and found him in our dorm room lying on the floor, surrounded by his pills."



"And if running would cause such a reaction, going toe-to-toe with a pissed off spirit would be worse, right?" Dean asked.



"Exactly. I have Lucas to think about now. And with what my dad left me, and what I got by selling off everything but two properties, we now have more than enough to no longer worry about what to do for income. And whenever you guys need money wired to you, I'll gladly give it to you..."



"We didn't mention coming with us because of your money." Sam quickly interupted.



"I know. But it doesn't seem like your 'jobs' offer much of an income, if any. How do you guys get by?" Nathan asked.



"Pool hustling mostly." Dean answered.



"Look, if Lucas' condition wasn't a problem, would you two come with us?" Sam asked.



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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."



"Okay, I'll see you later sweetie." Karen said as Lucas left the cafe'.



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Nathan pondered Sam's question. Like he told them before, he didn't mind traveling with them. But everything came back to Lucas. He couldn't bare seeing his lover hurt. But he guessed Dean and Sam were in the same position. They both loved each other with their very souls, but they still fought dangerous things.



"I'd have to discuss it with Lucas first."



"Discuss what with me first?" Lucas appeared at the doorway.



"We were talking about you two coming with us on our hunts." Dean replied.



"Uh..." Lucas got the same look on his face that Nathan did when the Winchesters first mentioned the idea to him, and they were quick to realize it.



"Nathan told us about your, what was it...HCM?" Lucas only nodded, "And I asked him if your heart wasn't an issue, would you to like to join us." Sam stated.



"How could my heart not be an issue, HCM isn't that isn't gonna' go away."



"Not by conventional means no." Dean said.



"What are you taking about?"



"Let Dean and I do a little research first."



"Yeah. Hopefully we can find something to help you, that won't have negative consequences."



"N-negative c-consequences?" Nathan stuttered.



"Yeah. A while back, Sam found a way to save me from death. He brought me to a faith healer, which I originally thought was a bunch of bullshit. It turned out he was the real deal...to a certain extent."



"What was wrong with you?" Lucas asked.



"Coincidentally, a failing heart."



"Wow." Lucas paused, "What happened with the faith healer?"



"He had the power to cure the sick and wounded, but at a price. We didn't find out 'till later that on order for the faith healer to cure people, a human life had to be taken." Dean looked away from everyone, and Sam held his hand for comfort. He knew talking about this was hard for him, but it showed how much trust he put in the Scott brothers. Sam decided to finish the story.



"Even though we couldn't change what happened, and the faith healer's intentions were good...we still stopped him from performing more 'miracles' so that no other people would die because of it."



"This faith healer got what he deseved right?" Lucas asked.



"Actually he didn't know what was going on. It was his wife that was responsible."



"Why would she do that? How did she do it?" Nathan questioned.



"She did it because her husband was dying. So she did whatever she could to keep him alive. Including becoming incrossed in the black arts, dark stuff. She summoned a Reaper and bound him to do her bidding." Dean continued, "The Reaper would take the life of the person of her choosing, in her case, people she found immoral, like gay people, and people who approve of abortions, and that life would be used to heal the chosen person. She was claiming to be doing God's work"



"That's sick!" Lucas exclaimed.



"God help us from half the people who think they're doing God's work." Nathan said.



Dean laughed, "You know, I said the same thing."



"Really?"



"Word for word."



"So...what happened to the wife?" Lucas asked.



"The Reaper turned on her." Sam simply stated.



"Wow." Nathan said solemly.



"That's why we said we woulod find a way to heal you without the negative side-effects."



"You would really do that for me?"



"We would do it for both of you."



"I want you guys to know, even if you don't find a way to help me...I'd still like to join you guys."



"Lucas..." Nathan warned.



"Look Nate, I appreciate your concern. But I can tell you want this. You want to go with them. And I want to go wherever you go." Lucas kissed him lightly.



"If we don't find anything useful to help Lucas, he can stay behind from wherever we're staying at the time while Nathan, Sam and I go on the hunts. We'll provide him methods of protecting himself if nessessary."



"Please Nate?" Lucas begged.



Nathan looked in Lucas' eyes and saw his brother wanted this as much as he did, "Okay."



"Great, so...Sam and I will go into research mode to find what we can. We'll see you guys later. Don't do anything I wouldn't do." Dean gave Lucas and Nathan one of his famous 'Dean Winchester smirks'.



"I doubt there isn't much you wouldn't do." Nathan smirked back.



"Exactly."