I do not own the characters Stefan & Jeremy from "The Vampire Diaries."

Recap: Jeremy has longed for Stefan for awhile, or ever since Damon and Elena have slowly become an item. My story explores the burgeoning relationship between Stefan and Jeremy. If you like, please read and review.

Part 1 – "Just A Kiss"

Jeremy stood by the door frame, allowing his eyes to rest on the man who had recently infiltrated his dream world. Stefan was sitting in a chair, drink in hand, across from Damon and Elena, who were slouched on the sofa. They were dangerously close to one another. It made Jeremy wonder how close they had become. He knew Damon was infatuated with her, but he didn't know if Elena ever reciprocated the feelings. Elena was a bit hard to read when it came to her feelings, but it was borne out of her alarmingly high empathetic nature. She didn't want to hurt anyone. Jeremy understood and appreciated that, but it could get frustrating.

Especially, since he had been watching Stefan from a distance. Stefan always seemed to be waiting in the wings with Elena. But, now, with her so close to Damon, was he finally free?

As if thinking the same thoughts, Stefan suddenly looked in Jeremy's direction. They pierced right into his chest. Jeremy's breath caught, and his pulse quickened. Could Stefan sense that? Jeremy quickly averted his eyes and left the room.

Jeremy entered the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. He grabbed a cola from its depths and shut the door. He sensed someone's presence and turned around.

"Stefan!" Jeremy said; his breath caught in his throat. He heard the name waft across the space between them. "You startled me."

Stefan eyed him for a second, and then smiled. He stepped closer to the kitchen island, placed his hands on its countertop. He sat on one of the available stools and gazed over at Jeremy.

"What's wrong, Jer?" He asked with a barely perceptive, seductive tone lacing his simple question. How could Stefan radiate so much emotion and substance into one question? Jeremy was careful in his reply, afraid he might give away more than he wished.

"Nothing's wrong, Stefan," Jeremy began, "I just, well, it felt like it got kinda tense in there. You know, with Elena and Damon so, well, close." Upon voicing this final observation, Jeremy focused on Stefan's face. If he felt anything was amiss, Stefan didn't show it.

"Thanks for your concern," Stefan said, "But all's well in love and war, with us anyway. Elena finally chose. Whether it was the right choice… Well, only time will tell."

"How can you be so casual about it all?" Jeremy asked, "I thought you and Elena were 'forever and ever' when it came to love."

"Things change, Jer," Stefan said, once again using the affectionate nickname bestowed by Elena. It made Jeremy's heart skip a beat every time it was spoken. "When you've reached my age, you realize that the harder you try to keep things as they are, the faster they fall away from you. I still want Elena in my life. If I hold on to her too tightly, she'll only fight me harder. If it's Damon that she wants, so be it. Maybe he can give her what she needs right now." At that, Stefan stood up and was starting to head back into the other room.

"Wait!" Jeremy said before he could stop himself. Stefan stopped and turned to face Jeremy, his left eyebrow arched in interest. Jeremy swallowed thickly and searched the depths of his brain to find some reason to keep Stefan talking. He was such a quiet, reserved vampire unlike his outrageously loud brother, Damon. Jeremy had come to enjoy their muted talks and strange silences. It all felt so unabashedly wondrous. He enjoyed these fleeting moments.

"What is it?" Stefan asked now fully facing Jeremy. Stefan crossed back into the kitchen and stopped only a few feet from him. "Is there something else you want to ask me?"

With that invitation for response, Jeremy swallowed again. The lump in his throat stubbornly remained, unwilling to let him get out of this. He wanted this moment to happen. He wanted it to be this way. He wanted Stefan, but how to express what he wanted? How could he tell this creature, this serene and handsome creature, that he, Jeremy, was in love with him?

"I-" Jeremy faltered, unsure of how to continue.

"Yes?" Stefan beckoned more than that inquisitive response. He came closer still. Now, Stefan was a breath away from Jeremy. There was nothing between them now but a seductive space, no wider than two steps. Jeremy could feel Stefan's gaze, unyielding and steady. He felt the air become heavy, his pulse quicken, and the lights seemed to dim.

"I want to tell you-" Jeremy couldn't get more than that out. He wanted to fight the moment, the words that were trying to escape. Yet, simultaneously, he wanted Stefan more than ever before. He fantasized about this very instance ever since he found out about Elena and Damon. It was like a burden was lifted, and he could be free to not only like Stefan, but to lust him.

"Tell me what?" Stefan said, now uncharacteristically close to Jeremy. If Stefan had any body heat, Jeremy would've felt it now. Stefan's eyes, like black pools of the darkest obsidian, glistened by the fluorescent light and a strange glow had begun to spring from their depths. Was that his soul way down in there?

Before Jeremy could commit anymore of his lustful thoughts to words, Stefan leaned forward and kissed him. Their lips locked in an eternal embrace of desire, and thirst. An intermingling of scents, sounds, and sensations clashed into one, heady instant. Eyes closed, Jeremy's mind and body swooned with unending exhilaration. He was on a roller coaster ride out of time and space. The taste of Stefan, so luscious and precious, was enough to make Jeremy's knees buckle. He felt his body slip, but somehow remained upright. He realized something bracing his fall; it was the countertop. Stefan had gently pushed Jeremy against the counter, in a tentative successful attempt at keeping Jeremy afoot. Jeremy felt Stefan's strong hands on his back, keeping their bodies enmeshed. He felt Stefan's surprisingly warm body - so close, so inviting - and Jeremy realized only one thing. He wanted more.