AN: Just an idea I had that fits with my head cannon of Duke and Nathan's childhood friendship. Set during 3.11 "Last Goodbyes" after Duke's interrogation with Audrey.

Penname: Milyko88
Title: Confession
Word Count: 500 words
Rating: T for brief mentions of child abuse
Spoilers: slight spoilers for 3.11 "Last Goodbyes"
Pairing: Nathan/Duke friendship only

Summary: "When Nathan looked up, Duke said one simple word, but both men felt the weight of his confession." Set during 3.11 "Last Goodbyes". Brief mentions of child abuse.

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and situations are property of their respected owners. I do not own Haven, I simply enjoy playing in their world.

Nathan cornered Duke as he walked out of the interrogation room. Duke glanced at Nathan. "Free and clear. I am who I say I am. Don't worry."

Nathan glared suspiciously at his one-time friend. "You may have Audrey convinced, but that doesn't mean I have any reason to believe you."

Duke opened his mouth, closed it again without making a sound. Nathan began to walk away.

"Laura Bernhart," Duke blurted out. Nathan paused, turned, and stared, confused by the man in front of him. "Tenth grade," Duke began to explain. "I broke my arm falling out of a tree trying to peek into Laura Bernhart's bedroom window. At least, that's the story I told everyone. You know the truth though." Duke looked at Nathan and hoped he would not have to continue. Nathan's face was guarded so Duke went on.

"You had just gotten your license. We celebrated by catching a late night viewing of some cheesy horror flick at the drive-in in Bangor. You were dropping me off at home when we heard a shout from inside the house."

"Duke…" Nathan interrupted. He remembered that night, remembered what happened next. Seeing the pain in Duke's eyes, Nathan opened his mouth to stop the conversation. Duke shook his head, closed his eyes, and kept going.

"Dad had come home, drunk as usual, was going off at Mom for some reason or another. We walked in right as he raised his hand to her. I stepped in the way. Dad shoved me. I bounced my head off the counter, landed on my arm when I fell, snapped it in two places." Duke paused, took a deep breath, and pushed on. "Mom snapped, told him to get out, surprisingly he did. I picked myself up and you drove me to the hospital. You went along with my story of falling out of Laura Bernhart's tree. You even said you stood watch so I wouldn't get caught."

Nathan chuckled. "I forgot about that."

"I never asked you to do that," Duke said.

"You didn't have to."

Both men stared off into space as silence grew between them, both lost in their memories of that night. Duke broke the silence first.

"I never thanked you for that," he whispered. Duke locked eyes with his old friend. Nathan rested his hand on Duke's shoulder and squeezed, what he hoped was gently.

"You didn't have to."

The two men continued to stare at each other until Nathan dropped his hand and backed away, looked at the ground and awkwardly shuffled his feet. Duke coughed and nervously rubbed the back of his neck.

"We good?" Duke asked.

"Yeah, we're good."

Duke walked away, stopped before he reached the station's main doors. "Nathan," he called and waited for the police chief to acknowledge him. When Nathan looked up, Duke said one simple word, but both men felt the weight of his confession.

"Thanks."

Nathan dipped his head in understanding, and Duke sighed before walking out of the building.