Chapter 1

Tyler got to art class just in time. But because of that there was only one seat left, and it was beside Jeremy Gilbert. He reluctantly headed to Gilbert. Jeremy has seen Tyler around school, around town, and around Elena. His pompous attitude always brought attention to himself regardless of the situation. The extent of their interaction was mutual snubbing of each other. Tyler was a part of the football team, the mayors son, and a serial womanizer. Jeremy was a depressed teen who just lost his parents in a car accident who self medicated with drugs and alcohol. Not exactly compatible.

Though Jeremy never cared for Tyler, Tyler would often enter his thoughts late at night. He hated Tyler but he couldn't deny how handsome he was. How when he was in profile his strong back would curve seductively down to a small waist that would meet a round bum that betrayed many hours of working out and football practice. How his full lips might feel on his and the rest of his body. What it would feel like to run his hands over his taut muscles... The sound of Tyler plopping himself down beside Jeremy brought him back. Jeremy could feel the heat coming off Tyler's body. His presence made Jeremy hold his breath. The words, "What's up Fag? This is the only seat left, so don't go getting any ideas," easily and shamelessly fell from Tyler's mouth. He doesn't show that he's phased, trying not to betray his nature. "Yeah...I'm not pleased either. How 'bout you just not talk to me and you can keep your fag stuff to yourself okay asshole?" Tyler responds with a quick "Pft."

Jeremy has known he's liked guys for a while now. The only reason he fought so hard for Vickie was that it was his last chance to prove to everyone and himself that he was straight. He knew his desires; he fought them thinking he could perhaps change his ways, but every time he was with Vickie he would be thinking of men. Every time he kissed her he would be thinking of a Brazilian male model. Every time he had sex with her his eyes would be closed, wishing he was touching a body that was firmer and harder. He's been dogged about being gay long before he even knew what it meant; before he realized it was true. He's always been kinda shy and sensitive as a kid; he didn't like being a jerk and didn't go for football. He naturally rejected notions of what it was to be a man from his small town. He liked doing art and preferred to do solo sports instead of aggressive team sports. Elena was popular so she and her friends would protect him when they could. That only lasted so long; he couldn't just follow her around all day. Now that Vickie left town he realized that there was no escaping being gay now, but that was okay for the time being. He still had the image of being a druggie, a straight one at that. People would leave him alone-for a while.

"Okay class, the first assignment of the year is going to be portraits. You'll be doing them of your seat partner." Some groans and murmurs rise across the room. "Now, now, don't be like that, this is a classic drawing exercise that will train you to draw what you see, to really connect your eyes and hands, everyone needs to learn how to do this. All the great classical artists used this to hone their skills, and to produce some of the most timeless pieces of art. Besides, I'm your teacher, so just freaking do it okay? Fabulous!" Ms. Houston grins.

Tyler is the first to speak up. "Fucking great," he said. "I'm not that pleased either Tyler," Jeremy agreed. What a baby he thought. Tyler's eyes, from under his lowered brow, glared at Jeremy with contempt. He took shallow breaths from his slightly open mouth. Tyler gets up and as he walks out he tells Ms. Houston that he's going to the bathroom. Ms. Houston doesn't raise her head from her book and says, "Have fuuUUUUuuunnnnn." Tyler leaves the room.

As time passes Jeremy just doodles his hand in various poses.

From her desk Ms. Houston pipes up, "Oh yeah did I mention this is due next week? Yeah, I want to see where all of you are at so I can lower my expectations. Okay? Great!" 'Great!' Jeremy thinks. As he waits for Tyler to come back time goes by and it's nearly the end of class. Jeremy approaches Ms. Houston and says, "Tyler isn't back yet. Can I just join a different group or something?" he pleads. "Now," she looks down at her seating plan, "uhhh ...Jeremy," she smiles and interlocks her fingers in front of her and pulls herself forward, hunching her shoulders,"Tyler is a kind of person you will meet in life and you are going to have to learn how to deal with people like this-like him. Think of this as practice for real life," she smiles, "Just go back to your seat and wait for him to come back." As Jeremy reluctantly sits down the bell rings and the students file out the room quickly. After they all leave Tyler comes back into the room to grab his stuff.

"There you are! Where were you! I've been waiting forever!" Jeremy exclaims. "Whoa cool it, I'm not your boyfriend. I was just wandering around, not like it's any of your business." "Well this portrait is due next week and I have nothing done cause you were waaandering around, so yeah, it is my business. I don't want to start the year off wrong okay? I've had enough shit from you I'm not going to calm down okay?" Jeremy got into Tyler's face as he said this. Tyler was taken aback by the taller boy. He blankly stared up into Jeremy's flushed face. "WHOA okay, I didn't know." His breath billowed over Jeremy's face with the scent of peppermint. Jeremy's eyes softened slightly at the smell. His eyes narrowed again, his forcefulness restored. "Well now you do!" "I have a game today but we can meet after?" Tyler suggested, his face scrunching trying to figure out if that would placate Jeremy. There were always games on Friday. "Good!" "Gad, I thought stoners were supposed to be calm. Get a grip," he said; his composure comes back to him. Jeremy starts coming back down to his normal calmer self, his face relaxing. A hand rests on both teenage boy's shoulder, "That's what I like to see: Teamwork. See we can all get along when we talk it out, right boys? If we work together there is no way we can lose!" Miss Houston chimes in after having watched the whole exchange. Both boys look at her with quizzical looks. She responds by smiling and turning triumphantly to leave the room. Her shape finally disappears. "She's weird," Tyler says looking at the empty doorway. Jeremy smiles and says "Yeah, she's a funny one alright." Tyler turns to look back Jeremy's face. His notices his now longer hair. He likes it better than the short haircut he had last year, the soft side swept bangs frame his face well. Tyler's eyes drift down his face to his flush red moist mouth. His gaze traces the outline of his lips. Unconsciously he sucks in his bottom lip.

Tyler is slapped back into the present as Jeremy's questioning eyes borrow into his face. "Don't be late or I'll leave with out you, okay?" Tyler spits out. He swiftly grabs his jacket and bag; he leaves the room. The look on his face says 'what the hell' as he leaves the art room. Jeremy is left in the room with a dumbfounded look on his face. Jeremy whispers, "What an asshole." The phrase chases Tyler out of the room.

Jeremy arrives after the game. He waits, in the shadow of a tree, for Tyler's friends to leave him alone with his car. He's not that keen on standing in front of Tyler's friends and having them take turns insulting him to prove their straightness. When Tyler's friends leave, Jeremy slides from the darkness and approaches Tyler with a "Hey." Tyler turns around hearing the soft voice and sees the taller boy's figure half jogging towards him. "Oh yeah," Tyler said. His face looking downward, his mouth tight and his brow furrowed. He huffs out some air as he fiddles with his duffel bag. He shoves it into the back seat of his car, trying not to remember what happened in the art room. 'God what was that,' he thinks to himself. "Good thing all my friends are gone," he says. "Yeah good thing, I don't think I could keep up with all the witty banter you guys usually keep." "Ha, ha," Tyler delivers in a unimpressed monotone. "At least we're not a loser with no friends." "At least I can do basic math. Tell me, who dresses you all in the morning? Do you guys get a team rate or something?" Jeremy replies. "Hey do you want to do this or not?" Tyler says. Jeremy sticks his chin out and sports an uneven smirk knowing he's won this time.

Tyler gets in his car and waits for Jeremy. Jeremy stands at the passenger door and waits. Tyler rolls down the window and says, "Unless you want to draw me from there, you should probably get in." Jeremy gets in the car. He can smell Tyler. The way a guy smells after exercising. It gets to Jeremy, but he tries to just look straight ahead, drumming his thighs and nodding his head slowly. Tyler inspects Jeremy's smooth face and rolls his eyes and starts to drive.

They get to the Lockwood house. Mrs. Lockwood is in the sitting room looking over some papers now that she is the new Mayor. They step into the foyer and she greets them. "Oh I didn't know you were bringing someone over Tyler, you should have told me." "Oh sorry Mom I didn't know he would be coming over today. We have this assignment and we need to get it done for Monday, so we are just gonna be in my room working on it if that's okay?" Tyler says somewhat exasperated. "That's good honey, I'll send the maid up with some drinks and snacks," she says this looking over her reading glasses with a perky smile. Tyler rolls his eyes. "Thanks Mom," he says as he flashes her a quick smile with dead eyes. She scrunches her nose with a tiny smile while raising her shoulders forward. "Thank you for your hospitality Mrs. Lockwood," Jeremy chimes in. "No problem. Have fun," she replies in a sing songy way and looks back down to the pile of papers she has in front of her.

They walk up the long staircase; their footsteps echoing in the the high ceilings. Jeremy follows Tyler closely. After getting inside Tyler's bedroom Tyler drops his bags on the floor by his dresser. Jeremy takes Tyler's room in. It's big and spacious. He takes note of his room: desk, laptop, armoire, bed, bedside table, ensuite bathroom, shelves full of sports trophies, walls covered with girls in bikinis. The room is messy as expected. Clothes strewn around. Jeremy takes a seat on Tyler's king size bed.

"I'm going to take a shower first. I'm all dirty and sweaty and naughty from the game," Tyler says. He grabs some clothes from his dresser. Jeremy watches Tyler pull out white briefs from his drawer. Tyler notices and quickly covers his underwear with a grey t shirt and grey pajama pants. Jeremy silently laughs to himself seeing Tyler slightly embarrassed. Tyler turns and goes to the bathroom. 'What a perv,' Tyler thinks to himself. Once in the washroom Tyler strips off his clothes and throws them into the hamper. He admires himself in the mirror, flexing and posing to show his muscles. He pinches at himself finding little fat. Satisfied, he then steps into the shower. The warm water feels good on his skin and sore muscles. His hands run along his body with soap. Streams of grey brown water trail off him. His mind wanders. Jeremy can hear Tyler washing himself. He imagines what it's like in there. 'NO!' he thinks to himself, 'This is Tyler Lockwood, a homophobic meat head. He's a jerk and he's always been a jerk to you, so it's best if you just get this over with and hope there aren't anymore group assignments.'

Tyler is about to step out of the bathroom shirtless but remembers Jeremy. He puts the shirt over his head. While he steps out he pulls his shirt down with one hand while towel drying his hair with the other. Jeremy sees Tyler pull down his grey shirt over his torso. Seeing just a fleeting sight of bare flesh. The shirt cannot hide Tyler's muscled chest and arms. "Like what you see Gilbert?" Tyler sneers under the hooded darkness of the towel and he lumbers towards his desk. Jeremy embarrassed looks down at his sketch book and his eyes wince in embarrassment. His cheeks warm and he turns away. Tyler reaches for the shelf over his desk for his sketch book. His shirt is kinda short and his pajama pants ride low on his hips, so a good deal of skin gets exposed when he stretches. Jeremy can't help but look at the tanned skin of his lower back. His eyes see the waist band of his briefs and then rests on his ass. The thin loose fabric of his pajama bottoms cling and conform giving everything away. Tyler comes down from his toes and grabs a pencil and eraser. With the towel still around his neck he walks over to the bed and sits cross-legged opposite Jeremy. Jeremy adopts the same pose and faces Tyler. "Are we supposed to smile?" Tyler asks as he throws off his towel. As it lands beside Jeremy the clean moist smell of soap and shampoo plumes around Jeremy's face. Jeremy inhales deeply through his nose and swallows. "Nah, I don't think it matters." Tyler flips through his sketchbook looking for a blank page. Jeremy is amazed that Tyler can actually draw. Looking at the drawings they are mostly of things that are around his room, a few hero figures in action poses. Tyler feels proud of his drawings and thumbs through the pages slowly to show of his skill. He finds a blank page and then lifts his head up to look at Jeremy. It's now Jeremy's turn to show his work. He flips through his book, it has lots of male figures. A lot of them. They are really polished and complete finished drawings. Tyler's eyebrows raises and his mouth is a small 'o'. "Don't say it," Jeremy warns. Tyler raises his hands up, "Wasn't gonna... you're good at drawing though." "Thanks," Jeremy says. "...even if you do draw lots of dudes," Tyler says. A small smile creeps across Jeremy's face. "Shut up!" Tyler smiles too. "I guess we should take turns drawing each other, so that our heads aren't moving up and down all the time while we try to draw each other," Tyler suggests. Jeremy is surprised, "Uh yeah that's a good idea." "You can go first," Jeremy says. Tyler agrees.

Tyler scrutinizes Jeremy's face. He realizes how handsome Jeremy is. He's always though of him of Elana's little sissy punk brother, but now he's grown up a lot. 'Whoa why am I thinking this!' He focuses again on drawing. Tyler looks at his lips. Jeremy's tongue flicks out to moisten them. 'It's so pink,' Tyler thinks. Jeremy realizes the change in Tyler's gaze. He smiles a bit and twinkles his eyes at him raising his eyebrows quickly a couple of times. Tyler can feel like he's going to blush so he turns away. Jeremy is confused with what's happening. Are they flirting, or is he just making Tyler uncomfortable? "So you like movies?" Jeremy says trying to diffuse this confusing and potentially dangerous situation. "Ummm yeah I like Iron man and Inception. Like action stuff you know?" "Oh no way! Inception! That was a piece of crap. They make you learn all those rules and then they just throw it out the window in the end, literally! And with that budget they don't even show you people using their dream powers, even when they are going die. Come on!" Jeremy blurts out. Tyler turns back around. "You're nuts. That movie was amazing. It was such a mind fuck trying to keep track of all the situations and stuff, and how you don't know if it's real at the end." "If you say so," Jeremy says slyly. "Fine then what movies do you like?" Tyler shoots back. "I donno, good ones? Devil Wears Prada, Little Miss Sunshine, Hurt Locker, Doubt, Kings speech, Cube..." "Brokeback mountain?" Tyler interjects. "Actually I found it kinda slow..." "Really? I thought that it was kinda beautiful and sad." This surprised Jeremy. "Really you watched it?" "Yeah a girl wanted to watch it. She said we had to or she wouldn't let me touch her." "Classy Tyler, really classy" "Well Gilbert, I do have a heart. It was pretty sad that those guys had to hide like that." "Well that's ironic. Then why do you always call people fags?" "Well, just cause I have sympathy doesn't mean I care... or something...?" Tyler said confused. Jeremy winces in confusion. "What ever man." Jeremy's hips hurt from sitting on the bed like for this long. "I'm gonna lay down for a bit." Jeremy flops back on the large bed. He wondered why Tyler needed such a large bed seeing as he wasn't the tallest of guys. Jeremy contemplated these things so he didn't notice that his shirt rode up. Tyler noticed. He tried to focus on drawing, but his eyes kept drifting back to that strip of light skin. Each stolen glace lingered longer. Jeremy stretches his long body out further exposing himself. Tyler watches intently as the shirt rises above the navel. His palms get sweaty and his breath becomes bated. Jeremy arches his back. His face flushes and he lets out a low moan and sigh. As his middle raises off the bed Tyler sees his thin midsection from the side. His loose fitting shirt hangs down off his body. Tyler tries to peer into the darkness to see more.

Knock knock came from the door. Tyler's face snaps to the source of the sound. It was Dora the maid with the refreshments. Jeremy's body relaxes back down into the bed and watches Tyler open the door. His head rolls over and looks at Tyler's sketchbook. He takes the book in his hands and studies the picture with surprise. Not much of the shading was done but there was the outline of the face and hair. The most attention was done to the eyes and lips. The eyes had a really soft clear inviting way to them and the lips were full and plump looking. This made Jeremy feel funny; his chest felt hollow. "Thanks Dora," rang from behind Jeremy, causing him to place the book back quickly and move onto his back. Tyler returns with the tray, setting it on the bed. Jeremy rolls back over, smiling at Tyler. Pink lemon aid and sandwiches sat on the tray. "I'm really hungry. How 'bout you do me now while I eat some?" Tyler suggests. "Sure," Jeremy agrees while he laughed at Tyler's choice of words. "What is it?" "Nothing man. Don't worry about it." "NO. What was so funny?" "You said 'do me now'," Jeremy chuckled. "Wow Gilbert you really want to get into my pants don't you?" Tyler responded gleefully. Jeremy's face darkened into a scowl. "What ever Tyler. Just sit still while I draw you." Tyler's face formed concern. "Whoa calm down, I was just joking." "Yeah well it's not funny okay?"Jeremy lashed back. "Okay... Sorry..." Did Tyler Lockwood just say that? Did he just say sorry? Jeremy's face lightened slightly from his scowl.

The next ten minutes were quiet. Only the sound of Tyler's munching could be heard. Jeremy's eye movements are quick and rapid. His expression is focused and analytical. Tyler's face is uncomfortable. His eyes search the bed and floor for something he never finds. He is consumed in thought, then his eyes rest down to the left. "So," Tyler starts, "how is your drawing going?" The words hit Jeremy's face and pile in his lap. Jeremy shrugs. "Can I see it?" Tyler inquires, shyly examining Jeremy's face for a positive reaction. Jeremy's stone features finally relent. "Fine." Jeremy hands his sketchbook over to Tyler. Even though he's been fidgeting and making awkward faces the face he sees on the paper is one of contentment. A slight smirk and bright eyes. Jeremy's gaze washes over Tyler's face wondering what he's thinking, hoping that he approves. "Wow, you really did a good job Gilbert. You really make me look like... a... a... nice guy..." Tyler nods. "Yeah, well, I'm really good at drawing," Jeremy says picking at his fingers smiling. "You know I really didn't mean to upset you man..." Tyler's voice offers up. He holds out the taller boy's sketchbook to him. Jeremy moves to take his book back. He over reaches and touches Tyler's hand. Tyler's hand is surprisingly smooth and warm. Jeremy's hand lingers before he moves it to take the book back. They both try to ignore what just happened. "It's getting late; I have to go home. Elena really wants everyone to be present for dinners lately," Jeremy confesses. "We have to meet again. I'm free on Sunday around 4," Tyler says. "Umm okay, here give me your number so I can text you." Jeremy passes his phone to Tyler. Tyler punches in his number quickly. When Jeremy takes his phone back, making sure not to touch Tyler again, he's already holding his things and is ready to leave. "Do you need me to give you a ride home?" Tyler asks looking downward. "No it's okay I'll walk." "It's pretty far and it's late and cold." "Well if you want to." Tyler grabs a coat and takes Jeremy to his car. They start to drive off.

Tyler keeps thinking about Jeremy's touch. He grips the steering wheel tightly. Jeremy is staring out the window. Tyler steals glances of Jeremy; his broad shoulders and strong chest. Tyler's gaze caresses Jeremy's smooth cheek then down across his jawline, culminating on his red mouth. 'God damn it," he thought, 'the fuck is this?' "You passed my house," Jeremy unknowingly interrupted, "it's back there." "Oh." Tyler reverses and pulls into the Gilbert driveway. They sit in the awkwardness that followed them from the Lockwood estate. Jeremy breaks the silence, "So yeah, that went kinda okay," referring to the project session. "Yeah," Tyler meekly hushes. Jeremy takes in what Tyler's said and nods to himself. Jeremy opens the car door and moves to leave. Tyler reaches out and grabs Jeremy's arm. The warmth from the firm grip radiates through the plaid button up Jeremy is wearing. "Wait..." Jeremy looks back into Tyler's pleading eyes. "What?" Jeremy says exasperated as he sits back down. Elena's voice rings out from the porch of the Gilbert home, "Jeremy! What are you doing? Are you okay? You're late!" She is a lone figure illuminated from above. She is grabbing her left arm, rubbing it up and down. Both boys look at her and then at each other. "I just wanted to say-" "Save it Tyler, don't worry about it." Jeremy urgently interrupts. "Look Gilbert-" "I'll see you Sunday okay?" Jeremy interrupts again, "And you can let go of me now Lockwood." Tyler looks down surprised to see he was still holding onto Jeremy; he lets go. Tyler watches Jeremy get up and close the car door. He watches him walk to an expectant Elena. Tyler can't hear what they are saying to each other but he see's Jeremy walk in first. Elena turns to look out at Tyler sitting in his car. She walks backwards, backing into the house, not breaking her glare on Tyler while she closes the door. Tyler deflates in his seat.

"Jeremy, what did he do to you? Are you okay?" "Elena it's okay I can fight my own battles. I'm a big boy now," Jeremy says defiantly. "Come on Jere. I know you. And I know when something is bothering you. I'm your sister. You can tell me anything. You know that right?" Elena strokes his arm. "I'm just trying to look out for you okay?" Elena sighs." Ever since Mom and Dad died things haven't been the greatest. Things are different. I don't want us to keep secrets from each other." "That's funny coming from you Elena." "Exactly. I kept a huge secret and it blew up in my face and I hurt you. That's what I want to avoid okay? I love you Jeremy... even though you are a huge brat. You are still my little brother and I don't want to see you get hurt. Especially by some idiot like Tyler." Jeremy is touched by his sisters concern. "Okay. Message received," he smiles, "but I better get to my room before this gets any mushier." Elena punches Jeremy in the arm. "You're such a little punk, you know that?" She smiles and hugs him. "Get out of here, you're already feeling softer." She pushes him away playfully. Jeremy scoots up the stairs to his room. The smile fading from his face as he recounts what just happened in his mind. As he lays in his bed his sense memory makes him feel the touch on his hand, the grip on his arm, and the heat from Tyler's body. The way Tyler smelled before and after he showered. The way Tyler's ass looked in his PJ's. Jeremy hugged his pillow. He knew he shouldn't be attracted to Tyler but he couldn't help it. Besides he wasn't such a jerk when he's not around other people trying to show off how tough he is.

Tyler opens the door to his room and shuts it. He leans back on the door and thinks, 'What's going on?' He kicks off his shoes and flops face down on the bed. He can smell Jeremy in his bed and he likes it.

He finds himself breathing in deep and grabbing at the sheets.

AN: The line about why Tyler needs to take a shower is clearly a joke. I'm not that delusional to write that and think it's okay.