Nate's Darling

by Kittendragon

Years ago, Nate fell in love with a handsome, young pre-law student. But, he lost him, and was left with the heartbreak...and their only son... Whom he swore he'd protect... MPREG Don't like, don't read. This has major spoilers for both Angel and Leverage, as well as Nate/Lindsey slash and a healthy dose of hurt/comfort. It won't always be a "happy" story. Still here? Welcome!

4. Chapter 4

"Did you know that I was poor?" Lindsey asked, apropos of nothing. They were sitting in Nate's dorm for a change, food containers, law books, and insurance company applications spread across the floor in front of them. "Am poor?"

"No," Nate replied, sifting through his current application, something about a company named IYS. He'd heard of them before, but needed to do more research for the application. Lindsey nudged him with a foot to the knee to get his attention.

"I am, you know. Poor."

Nate looked up to find Lindsey half sprawled against the side of his desk, one long leg stretched out to nudge Nate while the other stayed tucked under the knee in a lazy runner's stretch. There was a book across his lap, as usual, and his eyes were only half open. But, Nate could tell that the relaxation in the sprawl was feigned. Lindsey sat too still as he waited for Nathan's reply, his writing hand perfectly poised over the legal pad at his side.

"That's fine, Lindsey."

"It's really not."

"It's not why we're friends."

Lindsey tensed. "Well, no-"

"No, I didn't know, when we met. Didn't know until you just told me-"

"But now that you know-" Lindsey started to shift, agitated, as if he needed to get up so Nate could get on with kicking him out. Nate rested a hand on Lindsey's foot to still him.

"Now that I know, I feel privileged-" Lindsey snorted and Nate's lips quirked, the irony of his word choice unintentional, but still not lost on him. "to know you trust me enough to tell me. You're still my friend. I still want tobe your friend. And no, if I buy you food in the future, it's not charity or pity. It's the same as it was before."

"And what was it, before?"

"A friend buying his buddy a meal because said buddy can't keep time and therefore misses the closing of every food supplier in the area."

Lindsey snorted, settling back into his sprawl, now more relaxed. "Yeah, okay."

Nate smiled, returning to his work.

A few minutes later, Lindsey piped up with a, "You know I'm on a full ride plus per diem here, right? I can afford food, now."

"So buy me dinner."

Nate pretended not to see the smile that Lindsey tried to hide in his notes.