A/N::More thanks to everyone who reviewed! Make sure you review because if nobody reviews well, I won't write anymore. Wow, I sound kind of selfish and demandy but oh well….On with the story. Actually this chapter is really just nonsensical drabble and I'm not too crazy about it…
Nathan lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, contemplating the events of that night. At first, when Lucas had slipped up in Nate's apartment, he thought Lucas a little strange, like he was just acting "emo." But when the blonde hastily left, and Nathan was able to see just how upset he was, some strange instinct came over Nathan. He felt, for whatever reason, that he had to protect the Roe son, to shelter him. Knowing exactly where he would find Luke, he headed for his car.
When Nate approached him at the River Court, it was clear that this problem was rooted far deeper in Lucas than his friend might have thought. So Nathan just listened, allowing the blonde to pour out his heart and soul. A year ago, Nate might have laughed at him, but now, he only wanted to comfort. He could sense that Luke had been keeping this inside for far too long. When the older teen explained the significance of Keith's desire to adopt Lucas, Nathan finally understood his grief; Keith truly was Luke's father. Nate had to refrain from hitting himself when the other boy made the comment about being a "bastard child." He didn't know what was wrong in his head, to label Lucas such a terrible thing.
Rather than think less of Lucas, Nathan respected him so much more. Lucas was always piecing together other peoples' lives, and he never asked for help, though he was clearly dying for it. Lucas wanted to appear strong, collect, and just happy in general, but inside he was hurting far worse than Nathan ever had. Every cruel thing he had done to him, all the pain he had caused to who he thought was his brother, it all overwhelmed Nathan, and he was amazed that Lucas was able to get past all of it; Nate didn't know if he could've been so righteous. Lucas was simply a good person, pure good, untainted by greed or malice. People like Luke were hard to come by. Now more than ever was Nathan glad that he had gotten Luke the tickets, he deserved them. He deserved a lot that he didn't have, namely a father. While Nate couldn't really help with that, he could provide Lucas with a best friend, a shoulder to lean on, a support system. There was always Haley, but it was clear that for whatever reason, Lucas's fears had not been confided to her. Though Nate had no idea why, his friend had picked him to open up to, it was Nate he chose to confide in, so Nathan decided in that moment that he was going to be the best friend he could be, even if it couldn't undo the torment he had put him through.
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The following day at school, Nate made his way to Lucas's locker to ask if he and Haley wanted to come watch a movie that night at his apartment. When Lucas spotted him approaching however, he quickly made off in the opposite direction. He must be ashamed or something, Nathan reasoned. He understood why. So Nate resolved to clear things up with the other teen after school, as there was no practice today.
Nathan stopped by Luke's house on his way to work. He approached the door to his room and knocked gently. After a moment, the door opened a little, revealing a disappointed looking Lucas.
"Can I come in?" Nate asked. Luke opened the door and allowed him in.
"Look, about last night," Lucas began, before Nathan cut him off.
"Don't, Luke. I'm not here about that, well sort of. See, what you said kind of made me realize some stuff." Nate explained.
"Some things," Lucas corrected.
"Whatever, shut up. I'm not good with words and apologies and stuff…"
"Things. And what exactly are you apologizing for?"
"Well…I never really realized how much shit I put you through." Nate began.
"Nate, don't worry about it," Lucas attempted to stop him.
"No Luke, the things I said to you, the things I did, the hazing…" Nate felt worse as he rehashed all that he had done. "I was a different person then, and I just wanted to say I'm sorry for putting you through so much."
"Now you're getting all sappy on me man," Luke said smiling, hitting his friend on the arm.
"How did you do it," Nate asked. "How did you get over everything I did, how can you forgive me?"
"You said it yourself Nate, you were a different person. You were all corrupted and stuff from Dan."
"Corrupted and things," Nate remarked with a smirk. Neither boy's sentence was gramatically correct, but Nathan got a kick out of attempting to correct Luke none the less. "And thank you."
"What for?"
"For giving me another chance." Nathan said.
"Well, you only get two, so don't mess this one up." Luke remarked laughing.
"All right, I've gotta split, I'm late for work," Nate said, standing up and walking to the door. "Do you and Haley want to come over and watch a movie tonight?" Nate asked.
"Alright," Luke responded, and Nate knew that he could do it; he could be the outlet that the blonde so desperately needed. He walked out of the door with a broad smile on his face.
