So, as of right now, my focus is on my TVDU, Grey's and 9-1-1 Lone Star fics. However, I wanted to write this for Roses_of_Magic, who always reads my fics, regardless of being in the fandom or not. She sent me this prompt a while back. I won't be returning to One Tree Hill fics, at least for now. Still, this is just something I wanted to put out there as I'm so grateful for everyone who supports my fics. This was supposed to be up in time for Christmas but some other stuff got in the way. Better late than never!
The lore/setting is pretty much the same as "Don't Grow Up Too Fast". Lucas is 4 years older than Nathan, rather than 3 months. So, in this fic, Lucas is 16 and Nathan is 12. Keith and Karen got married when Lucas was little. Dan died when Nathan was 5 and Deb took off. Keith and Karen adopted Nathan, who he now considers his parents.
Again, just a brief one-shot. I hope you all enjoy it!
Lucas grins as he pulls up the collar of his jacket. Brooke loaned him some makeup, so all he has to do is get to the bathroom. He glances to the driveway. His dad's truck is there, but not his mom's. Good. Keith won't make a big deal of it, even if he does see it.
He walks inside and starts the beeline for the bathroom. Lucas only makes it halfway down the hall when he hears his name being called. He spins around. Keith stands there, arms folded over his chest and an eyebrow arched. Lucas subtly glances down. There's no way he saw it that fast.
"Dad, hey," Lucas casually stretches his arm. "What's up?"
"What's up?" Keith repeats. "I could ask you the same thing."
"Huh?"
"Where have you been all afternoon?"
Lucas furrows his brows. He's old enough now to where he doesn't need to give his parents a play by play. Usually, a "I'm hanging out with friends" is enough. They trust him.
"I was with Brooke."
"Doing?"
"Uh…" Lucas trails off. "Just hanging out? Why?"
"Because you weren't where we thought you'd be this afternoon. Your mother tried calling you."
"My cell died. Dad, I'm really confused. I thought I didn't have to be home until dinner. We're going to the café, right?"
Keith sighs. Lucas sees a bit of disappointment in his eyes. "You forgot?"
"Forgot what? You're speaking in riddles right now."
Keith opens his mouth then closes it. For a minute, Lucas wonders if he's about to get a long lecture. The longer he stands here, the more likely it'll be that his dad will see his neck.
"If you didn't remember, clearly it's not important enough to you," Keith says.
Lucas frowns. "Are you mad at me?"
"No, bud." Keith shakes his head. "I'm not mad. Just…go on with what you're doing. We leave for the café in an hour."
"Okay…" Lucas pauses. This seems like a trap. "Dad, seriously, what did I forget?"
"It's like I said, Luke. If it's not important to you, I'm not going to ride your case about it. You'll figure it out on your own."
Lucas sighs. He tries to hide the irritation in his voice. Why can't his dad ever just tell him straight up? Why does there always have to be some kind of mystery to solve? Sure, he likes books, but this is one he'd like to skip to the ending of.
He heads for the bathroom and quickly applies the makeup. It's not a direct match, but it'll get the job done. At the very least, he draws less attention than the reddish purplish bruise that was on his skin.
Lucas is halfway to his own room when he pops by Nathan's. He leans in the doorway. Much to his surprise, his brother is sitting at his desk doing homework. Lucas checks his watch. 4:30 on a Saturday. Their parents usually have to con him into it by Sunday night or it'll never get done.
"You in trouble or something?" Nathan doesn't look up from his worksheet. Lucas takes a second glance to make sure he doesn't have his headphones on. "Hey."
He glances around and finds a soft basketball, gently lugging it at Nathan's head. His little brother glances up with an annoyed face then goes back to his work. Lucas frowns and takes a step further in the room.
"What bug crawled up your butt?" He pauses. "Is Dad mad at you too?"
"Nope," Nathan mutters.
"Oh. Well. I think we're leaving in a bit for the café." He drops onto Nathan's bed, which are covered in cartoon basketball sheets. "Do you want some help with your homework?"
"It's math. You're not very good at it."
Lucas snorts. "Just because I'm better at English doesn't mean I suck at math. I get B's."
"Whatever."
Lucas tilts his head. Something has to be wrong with his brother. Usually, by now he'd be bugging him to shoot hoops outside or boot up the PlayStation. Since when does he care so much about his homework?
He hops up from the bed and grabs the soft basketball. Lucas makes a free throw over his shoulder into the little hoop attached to the wall. He pumps his fist when he gets it. Usually, that's good for a laugh. Nathan isn't even paying attention.
Lucas makes a face. He flicks the back of Nathan's head. That gets his eyes off the work. Annoyance is written across his face.
"What the hell?"
Lucas shrugs. "Why are you being so boring?"
"Why are you being so annoying?"
"Is that any way to talk to your favorite big brother?"
"You're not my favorite," Nathan mutters.
Lucas shrugs. "I'm the only one you've got."
"Knowing Dan Scott, who knows."
Nathan is getting to the age where he feels comfortable mocking their biological father. Dan doesn't come up often, but when he does, usually it's not serious. Right now, there's no air of sarcasm here.
"Let's not talk about him," Lucas says, trying to hide his disgust. "Why don't we go play NBA Live? I think we have time for a couple of rounds before Dad drags us out of here."
Nathan shakes his head and tries to go back to his work. Lucas grabs his shoulder. Nathan yanks away, pushing him back in the process. Lucas arches a brow and frowns.
"Nate."
"Get out of my room."
"What's with the attitude?"
Nathan scoffs, dropping his pencil. He swivels his chair in the direction of the door. "Dad!"
Keith is in there in a moment. He looks at his youngest with concern written in his eyes. Lucas holds back a scoff. His parents are way too protective over Nathan. He only needs to raise his voice one decibel and they worry he's hurt.
"Lucas won't leave me alone," Nathan reports. "I'm trying to do my homework."
Keith relaxes a bit. He glances at Lucas, some of that disappointment coming back. "Luke, go do something else."
Lucas blinks a couple of times, trying to make sure he's got a good grasp of what's going on. This is some Freaky Friday shit. Usually, he's the one calling for his parents to report that Nathan won't leave his room.
He looks at Nathan one last time. His little brother is focused on Keith, a slight pout on his lips. Their dad gives him a slight nod paired with a sympathetic look. He jerks his thumb to the door. Lucas hesitantly follows it. There's some soft mumblings in the room before Keith walks out and shuts the door behind him.
"What's wrong with him?" Lucas asks.
Keith shrugs. "He's trying to do his homework."
"Yeah, and it's Nathan. Last week, Mom had to threaten to take the PlayStation away if he wouldn't start."
"Well, I'm certainly not going to stop the boy. You'd hate it if he was bothering you."
"Yeah, but he's the little brother, I'm supposed to be annoyed by his antics. He's supposed to want to hang out with me all the time."
Keith opens his mouth but once again closes it. With no more than a shrug, he heads back for the living room. Lucas expels a dramatic sigh before heading into his own bedroom. He snatches up the hamper and heads down the hall. The washer is already in use, but will be ready for transfer in 5 minutes. He can wait.
Lucas glances at the basket already there. It's Nathan's stuff.
"Spoiled brat still gets his laundry done," he mutters under his breath.
At first glance, Lucas swears he sees his Keith Scott Autobody sweatshirt in there. A quick glance at the tag proves otherwise. Keith's just ordered them bigger for Nathan since he likes baggier clothes these days. As he goes to throw the sweatshirt back in, he spots a bright yellow t-shirt at the top of the pile. Familiar block lettering is scrawled across it.
Tree Hill Junior Basketball League
Lucas drops his basket and walks back into the kitchen. On the wall is the giant white board calendar that Karen purchased years ago. It keeps track of everything from the parents' late shifts to parent teacher conferences and of course, basketball games.
On this particular Saturday, there's only one thing written in bright blue marker.
Nate's Game 2
"Crap," Lucas mumbles.
A slightly sympathetic voice rings out from behind him. "Finally hit ya?"
Lucas turns to face his dad. "Why didn't you just tell me?"
"Like I said, I wanted you to figure it out on your own."
He runs his fingers through his hair. "It slipped my mind."
"He asked you if you were going about 5 times."
"I know!" Lucas runs his hand over his face. Guilt builds up in him. "I don't know what happened. This morning, I totally planned on telling Brooke I couldn't hang out long but then…" He trails off, trying not to think about the makeup on his neck.
"You better not blame Brooke for this one, son."
"Of course I'm not!" Lucas quickly defends. "She didn't even know. I'm sure if she did, she would've insisted we went. This was all on me." He frowns. "He's really upset with me?"
Keith nods. "It was bad enough that your mom couldn't get away from the café, but at least she called. He was really looking forward to you being there, Luke."
Lucas bites his lip. "It was just one game."
"It was a big game. He scored 5 baskets, including the game winning one."
A bit of pride expels in Lucas' chest. Nathan's been obsessed with basketball since he was about 5. Forever a perfectionist, he spends hours practicing. The Scotts have a legacy in Tree Hill. One that Keith and Karen constantly hammer home isn't the be all, end all. Doesn't change that both boys are in love with the game. Nathan perhaps even more than Lucas.
"He didn't realize it at first, but once it was over and he saw you weren't there, he got pissed," Keith continues.
"How pissed?"
"The kind where he shuts down. I could barely get anything out of him. Your mom called and he wouldn't even talk to her."
Lucas rubs the back of his neck.
"Oh."
"Yeah." Keith sighs. "Look, son, I know you didn't do it on purpose. But this game was really important to your brother. You know he looks up to you so much."
"I do, I do. Look, I'll apologize, alright?"
"I don't think a simple apology is gonna be enough to fix this one, Luke. This is the first time you've no-showed without warning, but you have been blowing him off quite a bit lately."
"That's not…" Lucas trails off. He winces as he thinks of all the times Brooke, Peyton, Jake or someone else wanted him to do something. Without thought, he'd blow off whatever plans he had with Nate. "Okay, maybe I have. I just…"
"Have a life of your own," Keith interrupts. "Which your mother and I understand. We never force you to spend time with your little brother. Still, you need to stop making promises if you can't follow through. It wouldn't be fair in a normal circumstance, but you also know what Nathan has been through. He needs permanency."
Lucas nods. He gnaws on his bottom lip. He isn't sure how it even got this far. Usually, it's easy to blow off Nathan when he tries to insert himself into whatever Lucas is doing. This time, these are his own things. He wants Lucas to be a part of them.
"I've been a terrible brother," Lucas whispers.
"Not terrible," Keith says, patting him on the shoulder. "I mean, you're not Dan."
"That bar is so far on the ground, it resides in hell," he mutters, not missing his dad's snort. "Seriously. What am I going to do?"
"You'll figure out a way to make it up to him."
"Are you going to help me?"
"Luke, you're my son, and I love you more than anything. That being said, this is one of those messes you'll have to sort out on your own."
Lucas sighs. Of all the times he actually wants his parents' help, of course he's not going to get it.
But Keith is right. It is his responsibility. If he wants to be the older brother, he needs to act like it.
Nathan is quiet all through them leaving the house until they get to the café. Even there, all he does is briefly mumble "hi" to Karen before slinking down in a chair. Lucas receives a disappointed look from his mom, but she doesn't seem too upset with him. Keith has calmed down given his guilt, which feels good. If only Nathan would talk to him for 5 seconds and allow him to apologize. He only opened the door to his room when Keith said they were leaving.
Lucas attempts to say more to him throughout the meal, but Nathan keeps his eyes on his plate. Keith and Karen don't make much of an attempt to get him to do more. Eventually, Lucas drops it. Sometimes his brother can get even worse when agitated.
The guilt builds up in Lucas as the meal drags on. As he encroaches on his teen years, Nathan definitely gets cranky and closed off, but usually it's when he's irritated with their parents. Keith and Karen baby him a fair bit more than they ever did Lucas.
Not that the older brother is jealous in the slightest. One, he enjoys the freedom that he's been entrusted with. Two, he understands. While Lucas was the one abandoned by Dan, he had loving parents from Day 1. Keith was always around and married Karen when he was 2. He doesn't know anything else. Nathan was 5 when Dan died but even those first few years did a number on him. Add in the fact that Deb pretty much dumped him on their doorstep when she couldn't handle things alone, the boy certainly has his issues. Add in dyslexia and a rough temper for good measure, there's no wonder why Keith and Karen are so protective.
Usually, Lucas is the respite from all that. He treats Nathan his actual age and lets him do what he does, at an age-appropriate level anyway.
This time, Nathan's irritated with him.
Halfway through the meal, an idea creeps up.
Lucas discreetly texts a few of his friends, making sure they all have plans for the evening. Usually, Nathan would love getting to hang out with them. Tonight, Lucas wants to make sure it's just them.
"Hey, Nate," Lucas says as they're starting to clear the dishes. "Wanna take a walk?"
Nathan shakes his head. Lucas glances at his parents. They exchange a brief look before turning to their youngest son.
"I think it'd be good for you to go with your brother," Karen says. "You two can spend time together."
"I don't want to," Nathan mumbles. "I just wanna go home."
"I know, but…"
Keith quickly jumps in. "But I have to head to the shop for a little bit and get some work done. Your mom still has to work. So, you need to stay with Lucas."
Nathan makes a face. "I can go with you."
"It's a dangerous job."
"Okay, so I'll stay with Mom."
"I'm going to be very busy," Karen fibs. "And it's too packed in here for you to sit anywhere. We need all the tables for customers."
Nathan doesn't look convinced. Both are lousy excuses. There's never been a time when Karen said that Lucas and Nathan can't hang out in the café. It's never been so booked to the point where there's no seats. Still, Lucas appreciates the lie.
"I can stay by myself," Nathan argues. "I do it all the time."
"Not for as long as we'll be working," Keith says. "Trust me, it'll be more fun if you go with Lucas, baby boy."
Nathan remains unconvinced. Still, his arguments stop. Lucas shoots grateful looks to his parents. He kisses Karen on the cheek. She squeezes his shoulder.
"Be careful," she whispers.
"I will, I promise." He grabs his sweatshirt and shoves it over his head. "Let's go, Nate."
Nathan leans into their father. Keith wraps his arms around him and kisses his cheek.
"You go on. Be a good big boy for your brother," he says, softly.
"Don't wanna," Nathan mutters.
"I know, but you will. Because you're my very good boy, yes?"
Nathan sighs, nodding into his shoulder. "Yeah, Daddy."
"That's what I thought."
Keith kisses the top of his head and gently nudges him to Karen. She gives him a hug and a kiss of her own. After a few "I love you's" and promises from Lucas to make sure Nathan goes to bed on time, the brothers leave the café.
It's only then Lucas realizes that Nathan isn't wearing one of his Keith Scott's Autobody sweatshirts. Instead, he's in a plain black one. Lucas glances down at his own hoodie that advertises their dad's shop. Usually, Nathan wants to match.
Tonight isn't one of those times.
Lucas leads Nathan towards the bridge. He keeps a tight hand on his shoulder as they cross over. Nathan tries to pull away, but he remains firm.
"This isn't the way home," Nathan points out.
"I told you, we're going for a walk."
"Yeah. A walk home."
"Nope. Big brothers get to pick the destination."
Nathan rolls his eyes. Lucas shakes his head.
"So, how was your game?" Nathan doesn't respond. "I heard you did great."
"If you know then you don't need to ask me, right?"
Lucas sighs. "Nate, I'm really sorry."
"Where were you?" Lucas doesn't get a chance to move his lips. "Let me guess. With Brooke. Or Jake. Or Peyton."
Lucas squirms a bit. "Brooke," he admits.
"And she gave you a hickey."
Lucas arches a brow, glancing down at him. "How do you know what a hickey is?"
"I'm 12, not stupid. Besides, that makeup doesn't match. I'm sure Mom and Dad are talking all about it."
Lucas frowns, tugging at the strings of his hoodie.
"When did you get so smart?" Lucas asks.
Nathan shrugs. "You get them a lot, especially after you hang out with Brooke." He makes a face. "That's so gross."
Lucas chuckles. "You won't find it gross one day, bub."
"Mom and Dad say I'm not allowed to kiss girls until I'm your age."
"Yeah, because you're the baby."
Nathan pokes out his tongue. "I'm not a baby."
"Sure."
Nathan pushes away from him after they get off the bridge. Lucas feels a bit of relief when he realizes someone left a basketball on the River Court. Given this was all last minute, he didn't even consider grabbing one from the house or the café. The sun is slowly setting above, but they still have some time. He takes a step back and holds it up.
"How about a little one on one?"
Nathan shrugs. "It'll be dark soon."
"Not that soon. Besides, there are lights." Lucas gestures to them. "We can play under those."
"You never let me do that," Nathan points out. "You said that's only something you and your friends do."
"We're friends." Nathan scoffs. "We are. Brothers are probably the best friends you're ever going to have. I'd say I'm a better friend than Tim, eh?"
Nathan rolls his eyes. "Tim doesn't break promises."
Lucas wants to point out that Tim is a bad influence who follows Nathan around to get him into trouble. There's been enough arguing this evening.
"I'm sorry, Nate," Lucas says again. "I shouldn't have forgotten about your game. I just got caught up with Brooke and the fun we were having."
Nathan folds his arms over his chest. "You never want to come to my games."
"That's not true." Lucas walks over and crouches down a bit so they're at the same height. "I love coming to your games. I just…" He trails off, squinting a bit. "I guess I've just had different priorities."
Nathan shrugs. "I come to almost all of yours."
"I know you do. Because you've been a better brother than me lately." Nathan frowns. His wide brown eyes are prominent right now when paired with his pouting lips. "The truth is, Nate, we're getting older. Which means that we're going to do different things. I have my own friends, so do you. But, that doesn't mean that we should miss these things. I promise, I'm going to go to your next game."
Nathan shrugs. "It's next Saturday."
"Then, I'll be there. Just me. I won't even bring Brooke."
Nathan tilts his head. "I like Brooke."
"Good to know. But, I want to do some things with just my baby brother. Though, of course, Mom and Dad will be there too. So, maybe at least once every other week, we can come here. Just the two of us."
"At night? And play under the lights?"
Lucas smiles. "Yup. So long as you're careful."
Nathan is quiet for a moment. Lucas discreetly switches from one foot to another. He never knew his biological father. They saw each other in passing maybe a couple of times. Karen rarely brings him up. Keith will, but it's usually in the context of brothers. Even before Dan ditched Lucas and Karen, the brothers had a tumultuous relationship. Not that either Lucas or Nathan would ever be like their biological father. It still is in the back of Lucas' mind that he wants to be a good older brother. He doesn't want him and Nathan to have a falling out that will last years, until one of them dies.
"Okay," Nathan concedes. "But only if you don't let me win."
Lucas gasps. "I never do that!"
"I've caught you, sometimes. I can win on my own. I got voted captain of my team."
Lucas ruffles his hair. "Alright, so, prove yourself, baby brother."
Nathan narrows his eyes. "Game on."
The two play, even after the lights come on. Lucas takes a break at one point to get permission from their parents to stay out a little later, which is quickly granted. Nathan is all too eager to stay out and play, reenacting his game winning shot for his big brother.