Summary: This is a songfic to expand on Nathan and Lucas' relationship as brothers. All of the friends are around 30 years old. The song is "If Something Should Happen" by Darryl Worley.
Disclaimer: I don't own the song or the characters. I own nothing.
Buddy, you and me go way back
Camp Lajeune, all through high school and before that
So I don't mind tellin' you, I'm scared to death
The doctor is goin' in on the 25th
It's the same thing my daddy had
Thank God they caught it fast
Nathan was sitting on the bleachers at the rivercourt staring out at the water. Lucas had left a cryptic message on his voicemail to meet him there. "It's urgent," he had said.
'I wonder what's up,' thought Nathan.
Just then, Lucas walked up behind him. "Hey, man. Thanks for coming."
They bumped fists and man-hugged. "No problem, Bro. What's up? You've got me all worried."
Lucas smiled a small smile. "Sorry to worry you, but I'm about to make it worse."
Nathan's smile faded slightly. "What's wrong? Is it Brooke? Or little Nate?"
Lucas shook his head. "No, they're both fine."
"Well then, what?" He stopped a minute, processing. "What's wrong with you, Luke?"
Lucas took a deep breath. "Well, you know that I got HCM from the ever-wonderful Dan." Nathan nodded. "I've stopped responding to all medications. I have to have a heart transplant, Nate. But it's a very risky surgery. They don't know if I'll make it."
Nathan felt like all the air had been knocked out from his body. "What? No, that can't be true. You're fine." He shook his head refusing to accept it. His brother? His only brother was most likely going to die? How did this happen? "What if you don't do the surgery?"
Lucas sighed. "I'll most likely have a fatal heart attack within the next six months or so."
Tears began to fall down Nathan's face. Why was this happening? What could he do to stop this? Lucas had to be OK. They had become so close; Lucas was his best friend, the most important person in his life, preceded only by his beautiful wife and their children: Elizabeth and Luke.
Lucas could hardly stand seeing his brother so upset and knowing he had caused it. He and Nathan were so close. They had been close since senior year of high school. He loved Brooke, and their sons, Nate and Braydon, of course, but he loved Nathan as well. It hurt him so much to know that he had hurt Nathan. "Listen, Nate. You're the first person I've told, and I'd appreciate if you didn't tell anyone yet, OK?" He waited until Nathan agreed, then continued. "I'm scared, Nate."
Nathan looked up at Lucas, seeing tears in his eyes as well. He stood up and hugged him. "You're gonna be fine, Luke. You're tough. You're gonna pull through this, and you'll be better than before. And I'm gonna be there to get you off your ass and working again, alright? Just like before, we're always there for each other. You gotta continue to be there for me, so you're not going anywhere, Big Brother."
They were quiet for a minute as they sat down, then Lucas look over at Nathan. "Hey, Nate… If something should happen…"
Author's Note: OK, there's the first chapter. Let me know if you like it or not!