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Nathan woke up the next morning and flung his arm across the bed, reaching for the clock.
"Ouch…the hell? Nathan!"
"Lucas?"
"I told you to go to your own damn room. What are you, seven years old?"
"I fell asleep."
"What time is it?"
"About noon," Deb said, walking into the room.
"Hi mom."
"Hey Deb."
"Morning, boys. What, was there a monster in the closet Nathan?" Deb teased.
Lucas laughed and Nathan whacked him with the pillow.
"Ouch, such abuse today Nate."
"You asked for it."
"Yeah, yeah."
"Alright, do you want me to make you breakfast?"
"Wow. I have never heard that before," Nathan joked.
"Lucas do you want something?" Deb said, ignoring Nathan.
"Yes, anything is fine. Thanks."
"For me too please."
"Okay." Deb left the room.
"Crap. I have to pack still."
"I'll help you."
"And load the car…"
"I'll help you with that too."
"And say goodbye to Dan…?" Nathan said questioningly.
"Ah. Well you don't need for that."
"Come on, give it another try."
"Hell no."
"Why not?"
"I'm not the one leaving!" Lucas protested.
"Just try it, I want you guys to get along,"
"Why? Why does it matter so much?"
"Because I want a together, regular family."
"Our family is anything but normal."
"I know."
"Do you really want me to go?"
"Yeah, I would. I just want to know that while I'm gone you two aren't at each other's throats."
"Fine, but the first jackass thing he says, I'm out of there."
"Fine, fine."
"Hey dad," Nathan said opening the door.
"Hey…boys." Dan said, noticing Lucas.
"I just came to say goodbye before I went to camp."
"Oh that's right, High Flyers. This is going to be great, son. Make me proud."
"I always try, Dad." Nathan said.
"I know, son."
"Well, see you when I get back. Lucas, I'll meet you outside okay?"
"Wh-"
"It's okay, Lucas I want to talk to you."
"Okay," Lucas said after some hesitation.
"I'm sorry for cutting you off your medication. I know I have made some mistakes in the past, but I want to make them up to you."
"Now? After all this?"
"Yes. Can you give me that chance?"
"Why should I?"
"You really don't have a reason to…"
"Right. I don't." Lucas said, getting up.
"But I just need this chance," Dan said, reaching out and grabbing Lucas' wrist.
Lucas didn't know what to do. What could he do?
"Look, I know you've missed me in your life. Haven't you?" Dan asked, still gripping Lucas' wrist.
"I guess…sometimes." Lucas mumbled, not looking him in the eye.
"Look, I know you have no reason to trust me. I understand. I'll continue paying for your medication though."
"Is it a bribe?"
"No. I don't want anything to happen to you."
Lucas smiled a little.
"Well thanks," He said, getting up again.
"Lucas?" Dan said, grabbing Lucas' hand again.
"Yeah?"
"I am sorry." He said, putting his other hand on top of Lucas' hand.
"I know," Lucas said with a small smile, imitating what Dan had said in their previous visit.
Dan let go of his hand and Lucas left.
Lucas left the hospital room with a smile on his face. Why did this make him so happy? So he and his father had taken a few little steps in the right direction.
He couldn't deny it, he had always wanted this to happen in the back of his mind.
"How did it go?" Nathan asked, hitting a jammed vending machine, trying to get a candy bar.
"So much better than last time," Lucas said with a smile. He kicked the vending machine and got the candy bar loose.
"Awsome." Nathan said, breaking the candy bar in half and handing half to Lucas.
"Thanks."
They got into the car, and arrived back at the house. They went upstairs after greeting Deb to pack for High Flyers. Nathan had an early flight the next morning.
"How much stuff do you pack for 3 weeks?" Nathan asked.
"Dunno."
"Well I'll just toss in lightweight t-shirts and shorts. We'll probably get a uniform."
"Sounds good."
"I can't believe I'm actually going."
"It's about time. Maybe now you'll be worthing playing one-on-one against."
"Just keep thinking that big brother."
"Well, bye sweetie. Be safe and have fun!" Deb said the next morning at the airport. She hugged Nathan and went to the car while Lucas said goodbye.
"Knock 'em dead, bro. I want to hear all about it." Lucas said.
"You bet. Check in on my mom, will ya?"
"Of course."
"And Haley?"
"I remember what you said. I will talk to her?"
"And be like, subtle and stuff."
"Okay." Lucas said. He was about to hold out his hand to shake hands or slap hands, whatever, when Nathan hugged him. Lucas returned the embrace.
"I know we haven't had the best relationship in the world, but we're going to be good now and I…"
"I love you too Nathan," Lucas said, smirking.
"Right." Nathan said, smiling.
Deb came up with his last bag, gave him one more hug and he went to the boarding area. He turned to Lucas and gave him a quick nod before boarding the plane.
Lucas returned the gesture and got into the car with his own bags and returned to his own empty house.
Sorry for the delay! I am thinking of just having one chapter with Nathan away, or maybe have him come back in the next chapter after a time jump. Thoughts?