Never Thought It'd Be Us (A Drake & Josh Fanfic)

Rated: T

Pairing: Drake/Josh

Summary: Audrey and Walter's fighting has been getting worse and worse. When they finally decide to get a divorce, Drake feels like his life is over. And what makes it worse is Josh seems to be alright with it. Eventual slash.

Chapter 1 - The Empty House (Posted 12 February 2011)

"I can't believe you, Walter!" Audrey screamed, red-faced and shaking with anger. "It's two in the morning! Where have you been?"

"Out having some fun, something we never do anymore!" Walter boomed.

The fight continued, increasing in volume with every passing minute. And Drake and Josh were in bed, awakened by the heated argument. Both knew the other was awake, but they pretended to be asleep, and they pretended the other was asleep. They pretended the argument downstairs wasn't happening, that it would never happen, and everything would be ok in the morning.

That's what they did every night. But the arguments were getting louder and stupider. Until one morning, neither Audrey nor Walter was home.

"Where do you think... they went?" Drake said. He couldn't bring himself to say mom and dad. But he didn't want to start thinking of Walter as anyone other than his dad. It felt so weird, like Drake was no longer allowed to claim him as his father. He was Josh's dad, as they were reminded of every night somewhere in the midst of an argument. But that wasn't the worst of it. The worst was feeling like he had no claim on Josh anymore. If Walter wasn't his dad, then Josh wasn't his brother. And if Josh wasn't his brother, then he had nothing.

Before Josh was in his life, Drake was lonely. He didn't know it then; it had taken his new brother to show him how lonely he was, and to take that loneliness away. Josh gave him the friendship he never knew he needed. He was his best friend.

And now Drake was wishing he'd shown Josh more appreciation. They were drifting apart, and he knew it was because of the trouble between their parents, but he couldn't help but feeling it was his fault too. He may not have been a terrible brother, but he didn't think he was a very good one either.

So he didn't try to push Josh into talking to him. He was grateful for a nod in response to a question. A one-word answer would make his day. And an entire sentence would make him feel high as a kite. What he wanted more than anything was a whole conversation, but he didn't plan on holding his breath waiting for it.

So when Josh said, "I don't know," in answer to Drake's question, Drake beamed. But he didn't say anymore. He knew those would be the only words he got from Josh that day, so he happily accepted the ration and went back to their room to grab his school bag.

Drake almost laughed at himself as he lifted the heavy backpack onto his shoulders. If anyone had told him a year ago that today not only would he use his school materials, but he would learn from them as well, he would have laughed at them for hours.

But that's what was happening. To take his mind off the fact that his family was falling apart, he devoted all his brain power to school. And he discovered that he actually understood most of what he was being taught. Considering all the years he never paid attention, he caught up pretty fast and was proud that he was getting the hang of everything. He even dared to think that someday he could be as smart as Josh if he kept applying himself and working extra hard. Not that he actually cared about school or anything, he just needed something to distract him, and he found that the better he did in school, the easier it was to keep the bad thoughts away.

Drake hauled his school bag down the steps and out the front door. They used to drive to school together, but Drake wasn't comfortable with that arrangement anymore. He felt bad expecting Josh to drive him. And he felt awkward waiting for him. And the silent ride all the way to school was like torture to him. So he left extra early every morning and walked to school. It didn't bother him. In fact, it made him feel proud of himself for being able to do something on his own, not having to rely on Josh for everything. And as much as he didn't want to think about it, it was probably good he was doing it now, since he felt pretty sure there would come a time when he wouldn't be able to rely on Josh for anything.