Picture This

Warnings and disclaimers: See chapter one
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Nathan knew his brother wasn’t ready to return to school but knowing Lucas as well as he did, arguing the point was futile. He half suspected his brother was only insisting on going back to relieve he and Karen of the stress of keeping an eye on him. They had two classes together but Nathan knew he had at least three more with his friend Skills. Then there was Haley and Brooke who he could count on to keep an eye on the stubborn teen.
Since Lucas had become a regular fixture in Nathan’s bed, Karen caved and let the boys room together. She did make a show of buying a second twin bed which she was pretty sure would get little use, but at least to outsiders it seemed perfectly normal. She was actually quite glad to have her living room back to normal. Nathan was a bit of a slob and for the two weeks he’d been with them, he and Lucas fussed like an old married couple about his messy ways.

Lucas was visibly nervous his first morning back. He’d hardly touched his breakfast and on the way to school when Nathan offered to stop for coffee, he nearly freaked. It was only after Nathan pulled over and got him settled down that Nathan figured out why his brother had reacted the way he did. Derek had drugged his coffee and though logically Lucas knew Nathan wouldn’t hurt him, things seemed to get jumbled in his mind. Nathan was just glad there was no practice today. He was anxious to get through the day and get Lucas back home.

“They’re staring at me,” Lucas whispered. “They all know.”

Nathan watched his brother hang his head low and keep his eyes focused on the ground. If they weren’t brothers, Nathan would have lifted his chin, kissed him and encouraged him to keep his head up. Instead, he gently placed a hand on his back and walked him to his locker. Haley caught him off guard when she ran up to welcome him back and he backed into Nathan as if trying to disappear inside of his brother. Nathan steadied him by the shoulders and Haley’s face saddened when she realized her mistake.

“I’m sorry. I just wanted to welcome you back. I’m sorry I didn’t get to see you much while you were home.”

Lucas relaxed a bit. “It’s okay. I know you were covering for my mom most of the time. Thanks.”

The first period bell rang and Lucas looked absolutely terrified to leave his brother. “Come on,” Haley said, taking his hand, “it’s time for us to mangle the Spanish language.”

Lucas tagged along, allowing Haley to drag him. He looked back at Nathan who was feeling like he’d just abandoned his toddler to preschool. When Lucas passed a group of students, they started whispering and Nathan was just seconds away from walking over to them and asking them what their problem was. Skills intercepted him.

“Just chill,” he said in his easy manner. “Folks will stop gossiping about what happened soon enough. In the meantime, I got your brother’s back.”

“Thanks man. I appreciate it.”

“How’s he doing anyway?”

“Not good. He’s thinking of coming back to practice but I don’t think he’s ready.”

“I don’t know, might be good for him to hang with the guys and get his mind off things.”

Nathan smiled. He often thought Skills had talent beyond the basketball court. He always seemed to know the right thing to say. He was a natural born counselor.

“Maybe you’re right. I just don’t want the guys saying anything stupid to him.”

“Like that’s gonna happen with you , me and Jake on watch.”

Nathan felt himself smiling for the first time since he woke up this morning. “Yeah, not even Tim is dumb enough to cross us.”

“Alright dog, I’ll catch up with you later.” Skills shook his hand and hurried down the hall towards his class. When the second bell rang, Nathan sighed and jogged to his Trig class just making it in before the door was closed.

Rumors were flying about just how far Derek had gotten with Lucas. Most of them were started by Rachel. Nathan had heard a few and he was praying Lucas heard none, but this was high school and rumors were a big part of the scene. It was lunchtime when Nathan finally saw Lucas again that day. He was sitting with Haley, Peyton, Skills and Mouth. Nathan joined them, noting how relieved his brother seemed to see him.

“How you holding up?” Nathan asked, taking a seat right beside him. He spared an angry glance at Peyton which both Haley and Mouth noticed.

“Okay I guess,” Lucas answered. He was staring down at his lunch, pushing the food back and forth with his fork. “Everybody’s staring at me.”

“They’ll stop soon. A new rumor will surface and you’ll be forgotten.”

“I just feel like getting out of here. This was a mistake.”

“Lucas, we’re all here for you. Don’t pay these jerks any mind.” Haley reached across and patted his hand.

Lucas looked up at the support system surrounding him. These were his real friends. They’d gotten him through the day so far. Nathan was resting a hand on his shoulder. It exuded so much strength and warmth that Lucas thought he just might make it.

“I’m so sorry,” Peyton’s voice trembled. “I guess this is what I get for letting someone into my life.”

Nathan snapped. “You know what Peyton, this didn’t happen to you,” he yelled across the table, “it happened to him and yeah, everything you do does seem to come back to bite your friends in the ass.”

“Nathan man chill. This wasn’t her fault.”

Peyton was up about to walk away as Skills tried to calm Nathan down. Lucas was more mortified at the attention Nathan’s outburst was bringing.

“Stay with them,” Haley said, getting up to go after Peyton.

“Can we go home?” Lucas pleaded.

“Take him home,” Skills agreed, “My man Mouth and I will cover for you.”

“Thanks,” Nathan said, addressing Lucas’s friends. They were fast becoming his too. “Come on, let’s go home.”

Lucas followed silently back through the school and out to the parking area. Nathan was feeling guilty for causing a scene and yelling at Peyton, but his main concern was getting Lucas out of there. His brother remained silent during the short drive. Once inside, he headed straight for his bedroom, locking the door before Nathan could join him.

“Lucas, I’m sorry,” Nathan said through the door. “Please let me in. Let’s talk.”

Lucas was already under the covers by the time Nathan made it to the door. “Please Nathan, just give me some time alone.”

Lucas sounded like he was crying and Nathan was torn between kicking down the door and complying with his brother’s request. Since he was sure Karen would be none to pleased to see one of her doors off its hinges, he settled for retreating back into the living room. He called Karen to let her know he was home with Lucas. She was about to leave the café and rush home but Nathan assured her he had things under control. He suggested she call the school and explain Lucas’s absence instead. Karen promised to come home as soon as Haley showed up after school.

With nothing else to do, Nathan decided to fix some lunch. He’d noticed how Lucas barely touched his food and he hadn’t had much of a chance to eat himself. Karen kept her fridge and cupboards stocked so after figuring out what he was capable of making, he chose soup and sandwiches. He took down the tray Karen had used to serve Lucas and Peyton the day he moved in. Pulling together a nice tray of soup, sandwiches, some fruit and cookies, he ventured down the hall to what was now their room.

Nathan kicked the door twice with his sneakered foot while balancing the tray. “Lucas, baby, let me in. I brought you some food.”

Lucas lay in bed, covers over his head listening to the sound of his own stomach growling. Even though he was angry at Nathan for his outburst, he understood where it had come from. Hell, he’d even thought it himself but Peyton was his friend and he wasn’t about to throw that away because of a mistake. He wasn’t going to turn on Nathan either for being overprotective. He climbed out of bed and went to the door.

Nathan almost gave up hope until he heard the creaking of the bed springs and knew Lucas was up. He heard the cylinder turn and came face to face with steely blue eyes that softened the moment they saw his peace offering. Lucas took the tray and stood aside, allowing Nathan to enter.

“I really screwed up today,” Nathan said. He walked over to his bed, the one they rarely used and sat.

“Nate, I know you meant well but right now, I just don’t need anymore drama in my life.”

“I know.” Nathan patted the space next to him.

Lucas placed the tray between them and looked his brother in the eye. “Is this safe to eat?”

Lucas joking was a good sign. “It’s soup and sandwiches. Can’t really mess that up.”

Lucas picked up a neatly cut half and took a bite. He smiled at his brother nodding. “Pretty good.”

Nathan watched his brother polish off both halves before turning his attention to the soup.

“I take it you’re hungry.”

“I sort of missed lunch with my idiot brother threatening my idiot best friend.”

“Your idiot brother loves you very much.”

Lucas stopped eating and leaned across the tray. “I love you too.”

“So,” Nathan said after retrieving his kiss, “ I think today went well. Shall we try again tomorrow?”

Lucas shook his head yes, reaching for one of Nathan’s sandwiches as well.

“Hey, that one was for me,” Nathan said, pretending to be angry.

“Sorry bro, I need to keep up my strength. I never know when I’ll need to back you up while you beat on defenseless cheerleaders.”

Nathan shook his head and got up.

“Where are you going?”

“To make more sandwiches. I have a bone to pick with Rachel as well.”

The sound of Lucas genuinely laughing was music to Nathan’s ears. He detoured from the kitchen when he heard a knock on the door.

“Who is it?” He called out.

“Deputy Hamilton sir. Just checking in to make sure everything’s alright.”

Nathan went to the door and looked out. The uniformed officer’s hat sat low over his eyes and his nightstick was drawn. Nathan felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He could see blond wisps of hair peeping out from under the hat and the slim frame looked all too familiar. He backed away from the door slowly.

“We’re alright. Everything is fine,” He said, reaching for the phone. He picked it up and it was dead.

“Fuck,” he mouthed. He reached for his cell. He remembered taking it out of his pocket and looked around the room wildly for it.

“Sir, can you open the door. I just need to verify everything is alright.”

“Sure, just a minute, I’m not decent.”

He ran to the kitchen and grabbed the sharpest knife he could find. He wasn’t sure if he should attempt to engage Derek in a fight or run and warn Lucas. If it was Derek at the door, he wanted badly to capture him and put Lucas’s fears to rest. He knew if he wasn’t successful, Lucas would have no warning and Derek might finish the task he’d started.

A fist pounded on the door again. Lucas came down the hall and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw his brother standing there with a knife in his hand, breathing harshly. As if sensing him there, Nathan turned. His eyes were wild with a mix of anger and fear. He stretched his empty hand out and Lucas came to him.

“Get something,” Nathan whispered and Lucas knew what he meant.

He grabbed his mother’s marble rolling pin and a small knife. He stood behind Nathan as the voice on the other side of the door threatened to break it down if it wasn’t opened. Nathan moved towards the door and nodded, indicating for Lucas to stand on the other side. Lucas’s eyes were like fire and ice, his skin was glistening from perspiration, his chest heaving up and down as adrenaline pumped through him. Nathan snatched open the door to find himself face to face with a female deputy. Her gun was drawn and she seemed just as startled as he and Lucas were.

“Drop you weapon,” she shouted. Both boys did as they were told.

Nathan tried to quickly say who he was and who his brother was. The deputy didn’t want to hear it. She had Nathan cuffed and Lucas on his knees with his hands behind his head. She called for backup.

By the time Karen got home, she entered to a sound she hadn’t heard in a long time, her son laughing.

“She could have shot me,” she heard Nathan say and then another fit of hysterical laughter broke out.

“I had your back man.” Lucas giggled.

“You had a butter knife.”

Karen stood in the door of her son’s room amused and bewildered by the upbeat mood.

“Mom,” Lucas said, seeing his mom in the doorway. “Nathan almost stabbed a cop.” He fell back on his bed laughing. Nathan proceeded to batter him with a pillow.

“Can someone tell me what’s going on?”

Lucas sat up again, folded his legs and held his stomach. “My brother can’t tell the difference between the voice of a woman and a deranged psychopath.”

“Your son,” Nathan interrupted, thinks baking utensils are weapons.”

“The rolling pin was marble. It could have done serious damage,” Lucas said defensively.

“Yeah, if you were in a bake off.” Both boys started laughing again.

“Mom, can you teach Nate how to use a cordless phone? That way he won’t panic and think the line’s been cut.”

Exasperated, Karen shook her head and informed them she brought food home from the café. She was sure over dinner, she’d be able to make sense out of what they were saying. The main thing was, they were safe and Lucas was laughing. She knew she had Nathan to thank for that. As she set out the containers and heard the laughter die down only to start up again, she had no regrets about letting her son’s brother…her son’s lover, move in.