So I always imagined a scene where Lucas would have to assure Nathan that he didn't resent him for being free of the heart condition. Plus I was annoyed that there was no scene where Nathan asked Luke to be his best man… so I combined the two in this thrilling one-shot! Enjoy, people!

Lucas was frowning at his laptop when he heard the tentative knock on the door. "Come in," he called, without looking up.

The door swung open, Nathan entering with his face drawn.

Lucas glanced up and smiled, before shutting his laptop and standing up. "Hey man."

Nathan nodded, his hands jammed into the pockets of his sweatshirt.

Lines of confusion appeared on Lucas's head. "What's up?"

Nathan pursed his lips. "Why didn't you tell me? About HCM? How is that fair, Luke?"

Lucas sighed with a nervous smile. "Because I didn't want to worry anyone."
Nathan pulled his hands from his pockets and gestured to himself. "Am I anyone? I know we didn't exactly get along over the summer, and I'm sorry about that. But… didn't I have a right to know?"
Lucas stepped towards him. "Why? So you could feel guilty, like you do now?" Nathan looked away. Lucas took a deep breath. "Nate, I didn't tell you because I knew how I would feel in your place. Guilty as all hell that I was free while someone else suffered through it. But it's not like that, Nathan!"

Nathan glanced up in surprise, leaning back slowly against the vibrant walls. "I feel so bad, Luke. Relieved that I don't have the worst legacy he could have given us besides being a jerk. Sad that you weren't so lucky, guilty that I'm still playing and living that life while you're… not."

Lucas ran a hand through his messy blonde hair. "Let me explain something to you, OK Nate? We may not have acted like friends in a while now, except for the last few weeks. And believe me, I'm grateful to those weeks. But the thing is… You were always my brother. Even when you refused to speak to me, even when I…" he winced slightly, "said some things I shouldn't have."

Nathan smirked.

"You are, and you always will be, my little brother, and you can deny that all you want, I'm not going anywhere. And as far as HCM is involved… I was relieved that you didn't have it, OK? I'm your older brother, and that means that I would rather I have this than you. I want you to go to college with Haley and play basketball. And you're going to need your heart for that. That's your life, Nate. Don't spend it feeling guilty."

The boys fell silent, leaning on opposite walls.

"I'm sorry." Nathan said quietly.

Lucas rolled his eyes. "For what this time? Was my 'you're my brother' speech not good enough?"

Nathan smiled weakly. "You're defiantly getting more sappy, I can tell you that. No, man, I'm sorry for denying you as my brother in the first place. I liked having you around, but the whole thing with Haley kind of… you know. I was so wrapped up in my problems that I couldn't see you were just trying to help."

Lucas crossed to Nathan and held out his hand with a grin. "Friends?"

Nathan clasped it and half-hugged him back. "No way, man. Brothers."

"Now what do you say to a game of NBA on Playstation? Pretty sure I can kick your ass on that, deformed heart or not." Lucas challenged.

"You're on." Nathan slapped him on the shoulder before pushing past him to the lounge.

Karen smiled from the kitchen. Boys.

Ten games, two fights and one amazing dinner later, Nathan stood up and stretched. "Thanks for tea, Karen, but I need to go now. Hales will be back from Peyton's soon."
Karen smiled kindly at the dark headed boy. "Anytime, Nathan."

Lucas clasped his brother's hand briefly and smiled down at the notes he was making on colleges.

Nathan pulled open the door and stepped over the threshold, and then paused. He slapped a hand against the doorframe and turned.

"Luke?"

Lucas glanced up. "Yeah?"

"Will you be my best man?" He asked tentatively, with raised eyebrows and a slightly nervous expression.

Lucas grinned. "Of course, little brother."
Nathan beamed back, hitting the doorframe one more time before exiting their house.

Karen put down the dishcloth and moved to Lucas, wrapping her arms around her son, who hugged her back. "You're a good big brother, Lucas Scott," she said, kissing his head.

He smiled back sadly. "I learnt from the best."