The little plot bunny for this one came when I was watching the movie Anonymous but its nothing like the movie. This one will be a two-shot, possibly a three; I'll have to see as I write it. Please review and tell me what you think! I love reading your comments :) It's very, very AU and everyone is OOC.
Warnings: Slash, derogatory language and slang, religious references, homophobia
Disclaimer: I don't own The Vampire Diaries or the song "Blue Jeans" by Lana Del Rey. I got the Lyrics from DirectLyrics .com
He saw him again; he was wearing his black emo-looking hoodie and his jeans that were starting to fade and tear. But it was his face that captured Tyler the most; bruised, bloody and miserable; completely and utterly miserable.
Tyler often wondered why, of all the people he was surrounded by at school, he noticed Jeremy Gilbert the most.
Ever since Vicky disappeared to God-knows-where doing God-knows-what, he'd heard plenty about the youngest Gilbert. Apparently he pissed off one too many of his teammates and others he knew from his social circle because they were constantly roughing up the younger boy. It was a common sight to see Jeremy being jumped by three or four different guys and even more common to see him in the nurse's office.
He wondered when it started to bother him. Gilbert's well-being hadn't really been important to him until Vicky disappeared and that's when he started to notice how much the kid got picked on.
He had asked Matt one day when they were eating lunch and not surrounded by their testosterone driven team members why this was so.
"Because he turned Amy down when she asked him out and when she asked why, he told her he wasn't interested in girls, so now they treat him like he's got the plague," Matt had said with sympathy. Whatever he thought Matt would tell him, Tyler hadn't expected that. The kid had balls coming out in a little community that was predominately Catholic and participated in the Old Catholic rituals from years past, not to mention that everyone knew everyone's business quicker than the speed of light. It was after his talk with Matt that he noticed that Gilbert didn't sit with anyone at lunch and he barely talked to anyone at school, unless he was spitting insults back at them.
"It's stupid. He doesn't deserve that, no one does," Matt said with compassion. Of course Matt would feel bad. Matt felt bad for everyone, it was his job to be the one who felt something for those less fortunate than him, thought he wasn't very fortunate himself considering his father died, his mother abandoned him and now Vicky disappeared.
In all honesty, Tyler thought it best to leave it alone; there was nothing he could do to make his team back off. If they wanted to beat on Gilbert, that was between him and them. Though it often wasn't a fair fight and Jeremy often left more bruised and bloodied than when he came to school. If Tyler were him, he would've stopped going; then again, if he were gay, he wouldn't have come out in the first place. He sighed as he glanced at the clock for the third time in ten minutes; where the hell was Vicky? He knew Matt's sister was one to skip school but skipping town wasn't like her at all. He scowled; he needed a distraction and she was gone, of all times for her to disappear, it was when he needed her the most.
"So Mr. Lockwood, what is the domain of the function?"
Tyler blinked as he stared at Mr. Saltzman, also known as Coach Saltzman of the Mystic Falls Ravens. "Uh…"
"I didn't think so. Pay more attention, yeah?" he smiled and Tyler nodded. Of all the teachers he would have as a coach, Saltzman was top candidate. The man didn't have the capacity to be cruel which worked in favor on the field as well as off. Tyler's father, on the other hand, thought differently.
"That man doesn't know how to handle children and there are plenty of you he should sit in detention. You kids are so wild and rampant these days, you all deserve to be in there, reading every passage in the bible to help cleanse your impure souls."
Great, thanks Dad, Tyler thought sullenly. For someone claiming to be a humble man of God he was sure bitter. Unfortunately for Tyler, that bitterness was lost when he preached at mass on Sundays so no one else saw what he and Caroline went through.
The hands on the clock stayed stationary since the last time he checked them and he resisted the urge to drop his head and give up on rational functions and domain properties for the day. He needed to rest for the game tonight and all this wasn't helping. He found his mind wandering back to the Gilbert boy and if he would be coming.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
The crowd was cheering like a mad mob and the cheerleaders were perky as ever as they flew in the air left and right. Tyler let out a loud breath and he could see it; it was cold tonight and he had a feeling he would be sick at the end of the game.
"Lockwood, get out there!" Coach screamed at him and he spurred into motion, trying to focus on the game rather than his warm bed he couldn't wait to fall into afterwards. He turned to see Stefan Salvatore, quarterback and star player of the team and he nodded at him before taking his place at the left end as receiver. His father had been noticeably upset when he hadn't been picked as quarterback but Caroline told him to shut it and be happy he made the team. His sister was such a spitfire, just like their mother was.
He turned towards the bleachers and saw said sister sitting on the bench next to her best friend Bonnie, clapping with the cheerleaders. He saw Elena fly up in the air before being caught by Rebekah and throwing her arms in the air like she was performing for the MTV awards. The whistle blew and he threw himself back in the game.
He couldn't really see where he was headed, the big mass of a tubby boy from the opposite team blocking most of his vision. He looked up and suddenly the football was cradled in his arms. He ran, faster than he had been and he saw the end in sight before something heavy crashed into him and everything went black.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
When he came to he was on his back in what looked like a blue life raft. He cringed at the bright lights as he was being pushed through the white hallways. He couldn't feel his feet, or his hands and he thought he should be panicking but as long as he wasn't in pain why should he complain?
The voices around him were muffled and distant, yet he heard the machines loud and clear, which he found odd. The beeping and ringing of every machine of the rooms he passed were loud and obnoxious and if he could lift his hands to cover his ears he would have done so. The raft came to a halt next to a table and four pairs of hands lifted him onto it. More lights; they were blinding and he wished someone would turn them off or at least dim them.
He tried to speak but the words wouldn't come out; probably the same reason why he couldn't feel anything from the neck down. Someone was holding an IV bag and Tyler surmised someone had stuck a needle into his arm. He blinked at the lights a few more times before he faded into darkness again, the voices muffled and calming, like the waves crashing along the shore of the ocean.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
When he awoke again, it was daytime; late afternoon by the look of it. He yawned and sat up, immediately regretting it as his back ached sharply and his head felt like it was on fire. He groaned and leaned back into the pillows; didn't they have comfier pillows?
"How do you feel?" a voice asked him softly and he jumped, startled that someone was in the room with him. He turned prepared to say something when his voice left him. The Gilbert boy was sitting in the chair next to his bed, his expression one of concern. The bruises had either healed nicely or they were covered up; Tyler suspected the latter. He never realized that he had brown eyes with flecks of green; then again, he'd never been this close to him. Beautiful he thought before he pushed the thought away and spoke, "Like I've been hit by a truck."
"Well I would say you were. The guy that hit you was twice your size," he chuckled and Tyler couldn't help but laugh as well. "I saw it all happen so I thought I'd come see if you were okay since I'm on my break."
Tyler frowned, "Aren't you a little…young to be working here?"
"Oh I just file papers and reports and all that. My mom was good friends with some of the nurses here so they gave me a job. It's not much but its extra cash you know?"
"Yeah," Tyler suddenly felt shy. He'd never talked to this kid before and he usually didn't have a problem with talking to new people…so why was he now? "I'm Tyler, by the way."
"Pastor Lockwood's son, I know who you are. I think everyone does," Jeremy laughed again. Tyler forced out a laughed; he hated that he was known as the preacher's son, therefore, by association to the preacher, he must be a goody-goody two-shoes and do everything he was told. Caroline proved, however, that that wasn't the case. "I'm Jeremy Gilbert."
"I know who you are," Tyler said and immediately wished he didn't; a dark look came over Jeremy's face and he let out a low laugh.
"Everyone does," he muttered before standing. "Well…hope you get better soon." He was gone before Tyler could say he didn't mean for it to sound…however it sounded.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
He was back at school by Wednesday; the tubby boy that had mowed him down had temporarily paralyzed him according to the doctor but he should be fine now. He felt better than he did before, especially when he had an excuse to stay home for two days after spending his weekend in the hospital. Caroline had spoiled him by making soup and sneaking away from school during lunch to check in on him. She knew their father would be busy at the church, too busy to see his injured son.
"Sometimes I feel like he doesn't care," Tyler had said to her one afternoon she decided not to go back to school at all in favor of hanging out with her older brother. He couldn't say he minded; he missed having company. "I think he hates me."
"Why? You're not the one that killed mom," she replied nonchalantly, stuffing another Oreo into her mouth. "If he hates either of us, it's me. You're the perfect golden boy who doesn't do anything wrong."
"You didn't kill her either…and I'm not perfect Caroline. According to him, I should be the quarterback and I didn't 'work hard enough and keep my faith in God' to make the cut."
"But I'm the reason she's dead," Caroline said firmly. "And that's why you think that? Please Ty, Dad loves you, he just….can't show it or something."
Tyler hated it when Caroline spoke like that; it was hard to get Caroline to understand their mother dying during her birth wasn't her fault. Their mother knew the risks of having another child and chose to deliver the baby rather than kill one of her children. A life for a life.
"I guess," he muttered, splitting a cookie open to eat the frosting. "He loves you too, you know."
She snorted, "Right, a daughter with average grades and a known slut in the community. If he loved me he wouldn't always be praying to save my soul from the second circle of hell. I can't compare to you Ty." She grinned, "At least he doesn't know where I go at night; I think he'd have a heart attack."
"He'd petition to have every club and bar in every city shut down if he knew," Tyler laughed. Caroline had a hobby of leaving around the time their father went to bed with a few of her friends and driving an hour or so to Richmond to go dance at clubs or bars when they could swing getting in. She invited Tyler every time but he always declined. It wasn't his thing, even though he really didn't know because he'd never been.
"You should come sometime Ty; it's like a stress reliever from this hellhole you know? I feel like I can be myself while I'm out there."
"Maybe someday," he said non-committedly. Sometimes he wondered if he got the chance to leave this town if he would ever come back. He didn't think he would.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Ever since their conversation at the hospital, Tyler wanted to talk to Jeremy again. He felt this insane urge to apologize to him for what he said. He didn't want to sound like a dick, like the assholes that bullied Jeremy every day. Matt was right; he didn't deserve to be treated that way. He hadn't talked to him for two and a half months and every day that ten minute interaction played in his head like a broken record. He saw him enough, getting beaten up and fighting back as best he could but he didn't want to be caught in the middle of it.
You know it's wrong his conscious often taunted him with this bit of information. He sighed as he went to his locker to get his book for his third period class. Then he took a detour into the bathroom; he had five minutes he could spare to piss, Spanish wasn't that important.
When he entered the bathroom, all thought of relieving himself went out the window when his eyes landed on Jeremy inspecting the latest damage to his face in the mirror. His first instinct was to turn around and use another bathroom but how long had he been waiting for a chance to talk to him? Granted he wanted Jeremy to not be cleaning himself up in the school bathroom but he would work with what he was given.
"Hey," Tyler said tentatively. "You alright?"
Jeremy turned to him and snorted, "I'm just peachy, can't you tell?" he turned back to the mirror, using a paper towel to wipe off the dirt and blood smeared across his face.
Tyler cringed inwardly; well what'd he expect? The guy was obviously not all right, he'd just been jumped for the hundredth time and he was cleaning himself off in the school bathroom, probably for the hundredth time, and now Tyler, someone who was a part of the crowd that loved to tear him apart, was asking him if he was alright when he obviously wasn't.
Tyler wondered if God like to stick him in these situations because he got a kick out of it or because he just didn't like him.
"Here," he had set his stuff down and went to Jeremy before he could tell himself it was a bad idea. He grabbed a fresh paper towel and turned Jeremy's head to him gently, wincing at the nasty cut in the corner of his left eye and bruise on his right cheekbone. He dabbed at it gently, noticing just how close Jeremy was to him and how his brown-with-specks-of-green eyes were watching him warily, as if he would suddenly start swinging on him.
Tyler decided he didn't like that and it needed to change.
"Who did this to you?" he asked softly. Jeremy tried to snort but it came out as a sad sigh.
"The better question is who hasn't done this to me."
Tyler finished with his eye and cupped his face gently to look at the bruise that was already starting to turn black. "You don't deserve this," he murmured gently. He cleaned the rest of Jeremy's face, silence taking over both of them. He threw the paper towel away and stepped back when he was done, wondering what the hell he had just done. He cleaned off another boy's face like a mother…or a girlfriend. What the hell?
"Thanks, that was…uh nice of you," Jeremy looked as lost as he was. It was suddenly too hot in the bathroom and he needed to get out. Instead he blurted, "I'm sorry…about what I said to you at the hospital, I didn't mean to sound…the way I did."
Way to go, Lockwood, probably has no idea what you're talking about. Do YOU even know what you're talking about? He supposed he didn't.
Jeremy blinked and looked confused for a moment, "What are you—oh…why are you apologizing for that?"
"I—I don't know," Tyler ended lamely. He really needed to shut-up and get the hell out of there before he made a bigger fool out of himself. "I just didn't want you to think that I agree with what they do to you. It's wrong."
"Well you're definitely the first person to tell me so besides Elena," Jeremy laughed and Tyler was surprised that it was genuine. "I appreciate that, Tyler."
Tyler pretended that he didn't shiver when Jeremy said his name…or that he liked it. He nodded and coughed lightly, "Well I—I guess I'll be going to class…"
"Let's get out of here," Jeremy said picking up his battered, black backpack and slinging it over his shoulder. "Let's go do something."
Tyler stared at him like he grew a second head with horns. "What—like ditch?"
Jeremy laughed again, "Yeah, like ditch. I'm guessing you've never done it before."
He hated the knowing tone in Jeremy's voice; he also hated that he was right. "Well…I don't like missing what's going to be on tests and there could always be a pop quiz…" Lame. Totally lame. Tyler didn't know why he talked sometimes.
Jeremy shook his head, "C'mon I know a place…and don't worry; Daddy will never know." He laughed as Tyler scowled at him but followed him nonetheless through a backdoor and back alley of the school.
They walked for about twenty minutes until they came across a large clearing that was almost the size of The Square. The Square was set in the center of town and usually where most live entertainment took place, including punishments. Tyler thought it was sick that their town still participated in such cruel and unusual punishments from the ancient Roman Catholic days but everyone else seemed to wholly enjoy it. It ensured that people keep the faith in God and weren't led astray by the Devil and other evils.
Tyler briefly wondered if Jeremy had been punished for coming out but decided not to ask. He didn't want to know what they had done if he was.
"This is one of my favorite places to go," Jeremy's voice snapped him out of his thoughts and he looked around at where he was. They had moved past the clearing and into a thickly wooded area. Tyler could see why it was his favorite spot; the trees were blocking the sun to provide enough shade but streams of light still came through the leaves, bathing the whole area in a soft green and yellow light. There was a mini pond a few feet from them and Tyler could see a couple of frogs swimming from where he was standing.
"How'd you find this place?" he asked curiously. Jeremy laughed darkly.
"When you're being chased by half the boys in school you tend to find interesting places to hide."
Tyler winced and set his stuff down by a tree. "Why do they hate you?" he didn't know why he asked.
"I'm sure you've heard the story; I turned down Amy MacMillan, she asked me why, told her I wasn't interested in girls like that but we could still be friends, she freaked out and told everyone and here we are."
"Do Elena and your aunt know?" Tyler realized that he barely knew anything about the Gilbert's home life, besides the fact that their parents died, even though he talked to Elena on a daily basis at lunch and in his chemistry class second period.
"Yeah. There's not much for them to do about it though…I'm surprised you're still here," he said mildly.
Tyler looked at him confused, "Why wouldn't I be?"
"You run with that crowd. That and you're the preacher's son…and I just told you I was gay. I thought you would've run for the school and gathered a mob to drag me to The Square to have me flogged."
"I…I don't see why it's a big deal," Tyler said carefully and Jeremy smiled at him.
"Are you gay?"
"What? No," Tyler answered quickly, ignoring the way his heart did a backflip at Jeremy's smile.
"Of course not. Your father would have a field day, I'm sure. He always tells me at Sunday mass that he prays for me…that God will find a cure for my illness. There obviously isn't a cure but I let him keep thinking it."
Tyler didn't know what to say to that and decided to keep his mouth shut. His father would do something like that; he believed that homosexuals were mentally disturbed individuals who could be saved if they repented and worked hard enough. They had just been led astray but if they allowed God into their minds and hearts they could still take their place in the 'Kingdom of Heaven.' Tyler thought his father had made that whole thing up just as a sermon but he wasn't alone in his thinking. The priests and bishops who came through their town sometimes often preached the same things to people and the same people ate it up.
"Are you a virgin?" Jeremy asked suddenly and Tyler let out a surprised sound.
"What—why are you asking me all these questions?"
"Just curious; want to see if you're really as goody good as you look."
Tyler snorted as Jeremy laughed, "Well…what do you mean by virgin?"
"I mean have you ever had sex, gotten a blow-job, a hand-job, anything."
"I…I've messed around with a couple girls," Tyler said coolly thought it was the opposite of how he felt. In reality, he'd only messed around with Vicky and even then, they hadn't really done anything; they certainly hadn't had sex. "What about you? Any girls—er, guys?"
"A couple," Jeremy said with a smirk, "you'd be surprised with who; people you would never think."
Tyler didn't know why Jeremy's sexual escapades bothered him but he ignored it. "Care to share?"
"Nope, they threatened to pretty much beat the life out of me if I did. And it's no one's business anyways."
True, Tyler admitted begrudgingly but now he was wondering who exactly Jeremy had fooled around with. He didn't know why; he decided to chalk it up to simple curiosity.
"You're different from how I expected you to be," Jeremy was looking at him thoughtfully. "I thought you'd be a lot like your teammates."
Tyler scoffed at sat against the tree across from Jeremy, "Please. I'm not nearly as testosterone driven as them. I actually have feelings…and a brain I use."
"You're like Stefan, minus the brooding," Jeremy laughed. "He's the only one of them I talk to that doesn't think I have a disease."
"Stefan's a cool guy. Nothing fazes him," Tyler found that a bit weird but then again, he had moved around a lot when he was younger since his brother was in the military and his parents were killed.
"Yeah…I'm surprised he puts up with Elena's craziness. She can be…a lot to handle."
"She's…enthusiastic," Tyler said thinking of the hyper girl. Elena was probably the perkiest person he knew. "Probably why he likes her."
Jeremy hummed but didn't say anymore. Silence enveloped them as they listened to the birds chirping and frogs swimming in the pond. Tyler couldn't remember the last time he felt this serene. He ignored the voice in his head that told him it had to do with Jeremy more than the sunny wooded area.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
After that day, it became a weekly occurrence for Tyler to ditch school once, sometimes twice a week, with Jeremy Gilbert. He had no idea why he'd become such a rebel, all he knew was that he was enjoying it. He was tired of being known as the 'golden boy who did no wrong' and he wanted to do something that no thought he would do. It was stupid but it sounded perfectly logical to him.
He was surprised he enjoyed Jeremy's company as much as he did. The other boy was hilarious as well as smart; they could talk about anything. Tyler used to think the only people who really understood him were Matt and Caroline but he was happy to add Jeremy to that list.
There was something else bugging him too. Since Vicky left some months ago, Tyler hadn't so much as looked at another girl. Since he started hanging out with Jeremy, he had no desire to. The boy was starting to invade his thoughts at school and dreams at night and it bothered him that he wasn't freaking about it. He wanted to talk to someone about it but word in Mystic Falls spread fast and he was sure if he told someone, everyone would know by the end of the day and he would very much like to avoid becoming a pariah like Jeremy. He knew Matt wouldn't tell but he didn't want to see his reaction, Caroline would probably squeal or something ridiculously girly and his father…he didn't even want to imagine what he would say if he found out his son was hanging out with the 'diseased homosexual.' So he kept to himself while he tried to figure out how exactly he was to go about…handling this kind of situation.
It didn't help that his father noticed something was off about him and brought it up at dinner one night.
"There's something different about you son. You seem…happier, you're smiling more than usual."
Tyler kept his head down and dug into his mashed potatoes, hoping the heat he felt spread across his face wasn't flashing a big 'Notice Me!' sign over his head. He saw Caroline's head turn to him out of the corner of his eye.
"Has he met a girl, Caroline?" Richard asked. She shook her head, "Not from what I've seen."
Tyler smiled gratefully at his plate.
"But I do see him talking to Jeremy and Elena a lot after school…do you have a crush on Elena?" she asked with wide eyes.
Damn his sister for being so observant.
"Jeremy Gilbert? The homosexual?" the disdain in his father's voice was clearer than a sunny day.
"He's not bad, he's a nice person," Tyler said, finally raising his head.
"He's possessed is what he is. Does it not bother you that he has a preference for other men? It certainly bothers me and it bothers me you associate yourself with him."
"I thought pastors were supposed to accept everyone as they are?" Tyler muttered to himself.
"What was that boy?"
"Nothing dad," he murmured.
Richard set down his silverware and looked straight at Tyler. "You're not to see him anymore."
"What?" Tyler asked, appalled. "Just because he prefers boys to girls?"
"I don't want people getting the wrong impression about you Tyler."
"And what impression is that Dad?" Tyler asked borderline scathingly. "Jeremy is a good friend, that's it!"
"Find a better friend…what about that boy Avery or Jackson?"
"He—what? No, dad I'm not going to stop talking to Jeremy because you don't—"
"You will stop seeing him, Tyler!" Richard barked and Tyler fell silent, eyes wide.
"Just because he likes boys—" Tyler started but stopped when his father slammed his fist down on the table.
"Stop defying me Tyler! I am your father and you'll do as I say! Do I need to remind you of Commandment number four, the one that says you will obey thy mother and father?"
His father was truly scary when he was angry. Tyler was reminded why he always did what he was told and therefore dubbed 'the goody two-shoes.' But he was sick of it and he wasn't going to lose a good friend—you know he's more than that; his annoying conscience just had to throw its two-sense in there—because his father was paranoid.
"As of right now, you and Jeremy Gilbert are no longer friends. Do you understand Tyler?" his father said calmly, like he hadn't just thrown a fit two seconds ago. Tyler nodded his head and his father smiled. "Good. I love you son; I'm only looking out for your best interest."
Tyler nodded again, his appetite disappearing after that. He felt Caroline's eyes on him for another moment before she looked back down at her own plate.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Later that night while he was trying to get through his math homework, Caroline came into his room and sat on his bed, looking nowhere near ready for bed. She grabbed one of his pillows and hugged it to her, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything."
"You didn't know Care-bear. It's okay," he sighed and put his calculator down. He wasn't focusing anyways, his thought too preoccupied with Jeremy and his father's yells.
"You know…I'm seeing him tonight…and Elena, Matt, Bonnie and a couple others. We're going to a concert at a bar in the city and I have an extra ticket."
Tyler wanted to know how the hell Caroline seemed to know everyone before he remembered how small their school was. "I don't think that's a good idea."
She stared at him like he was stupid, "Seriously Ty? He's going to be there and you don't want to go?"
"It's not like I have a crush on him or something…and I don't want anger Dad more." His heart gave a funny stutter when he said the word crush and his conscious called him a big, fat liar. But if he had a crush on Jeremy, that would mean he was gay and he definitely wasn't gay. He messed around with Vicky for goodness sakes, there was no way he was gay.
"Suit yourself…but if you change your mind," she slid the ticket onto his desk. "I know he'd be really happy to see you. And you shouldn't listen to what Dad says; if you want to be his friend, don't let his words stop you. I don't think it'd be fair to Jeremy if you just suddenly stopped talking to him. He likes you Ty, don't be like the others and just leave him hanging." With that speech she left the room. Tyler looked at his homework and looked at the ticket on his desk, letting out another sigh. He really didn't want to stop being friends with Jeremy because his father didn't like him and it wouldn't be fair to him if didn't tell him why.
After making a decision he stood up and went to hop in the shower. He'd never snuck out before but it was never too late to try something new, right?
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
"I'm so happy you changed your mind!" Caroline squealed once they were safely in Matt's truck and driving to the Gilbert's residence a couple hours later. Matt smiled at him, "Dude I never thought I'd see you sneak out…ever."
"Yeah, you and a lot of other people," Tyler rolled his eyes; he was happy he changed his mind and decided that Caroline may have been onto something with this whole sneaking out idea. There was definitely the sense of freedom and being himself, something he definitely didn't feel at school or at home.
They pulled up to the Gilbert's darkened, one-story house and waited for a couple minutes. A figure ran out and hopped in the truck next to Caroline and Bonnie; Tyler felt his heart thump hard in his chest when the cologne Jeremy was wearing hit his nose. He smelled divine.
"Where's Elena?" Matt asked frowning.
"She went with Stefan on his motorcycle, said she'd meet us there," Jeremy grinned when he saw Tyler in the front seat. "Wow, I'm surprised you got him to come, Caroline."
"I know, he's turning into a rebel," Caroline cooed and Tyler rolled his eyes again as everyone laughed at his expense. He decided right then and there that he would be sure to keep ditching school and sneaking out as long as his father didn't have to know. Who knew, maybe he would take up drinking next.
As if his mind had been read, Caroline pulled out a water bottle, "I brought party favors, who wants some? Besides Matt—sorry buddy."
"It's all good, I have my fake," he said nonchalantly. Tyler gaped at him; Matt had a fake and never told him? Then a thought came to him.
"How are we going to get back if Matt's drunk?" he asked curiously.
"Jeremy doesn't drink much so he usually drives us back," Bonnie explained as she cracked open her own water-bottle of a pink liquid. "You want some Tyler?" she handed the bottle out to him.
He shrugged and took it; he'd been ditching class, he snuck out tonight to go to a concert he wasn't old enough to get into, might as well try alcohol. He took a sip of the pink-colored drink and wrinkled his nose. "What the hell is that?"
"Peach and raspberry iced tea mixed with Grey Goose," she laughed as he gave it back to her. "I heard guys prefer straight alcohol over mixed drinks."
"Don't know how, straight alcohol is nasty unless you're doing it in shots," Caroline took a long sip from the clear water bottle. Tyler wondered how many bottles she had to drink until she didn't cringe at the burning sensation that was still in his throat from his one sip.
"Hard alcohol is nasty in general," Jeremy laughed as Bonnie and Caroline protested immediately. Tyler listened to their banter until they got off the freeway when he became distracted by the city lights and the people who were still walking around this late at night. He'd only been out to the city a couple of times, his father didn't want to go much because he believed everyone in the city had no morals and they lost their souls to the evils of capitalism and prostitution.
The car came to a stop at a darkened park with a few street lamps on. Jeremy hopped out of the car on the same side as Tyler and he smiled at him, "I'm glad you came."
Tyler found himself smiling back, "Me too."
Jeremy was about to say something else before Bonnie and Caroline came around, already a bit tipsy and squealed into the night, "I can't believe we're here and were going to see her!"
Tyler laughed; his sister was as hyper as Elena when she had alcohol in her system. Speaking of which...a motorcycle had just pulled up behind the truck and Stefan took off his helmet after parking. Elena hooked hers on the handle and ran to the other girls. Stefan shook his head and walked to the guys, stuffing his keys in the pocket of his leather jacket.
"Just had to come in style didn't you man; too cool for the truck?" Stefan laughed as he shook Matt's hand and patted his back in greeting.
"Elena said we should, I didn't mind," Stefan said with a shrug.
"My sister has you whipped," Jeremy laughed and Tyler smiled; he never saw Jeremy this carefree when they were at school. Only when they were in their spot did Jeremy look like he was at ease. Tyler liked this side of him and he wanted to see it more often.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
The room was smoky and dark, the woman's sultry smooth voice washing over all her listeners, casting a heavy spell of seduction over them. They had found a booth in a corner of the room, Stefan and Elena were making out heavily in a corner of the booth, the beer Stefan had gotten for them using his fake long forgotten. Matt was pre-occupied with an older-looking woman at the bar and Caroline and Bonnie were in the middle dancing with some guys they met, leaving Jeremy and Tyler to sit at the other end of the booth, each nursing a beer slowly.
Blue jeans, White shirt
Walked into the room you know you made my eyes burn
It was like James Dean, for sure
You so fresh to death & sick as ca-cancer
You were sorta punk rock, I grew up on hip hop
But you fit me better than my favorite sweater, and I know
Jeremy was humming lightly and his fingers danced on the table, his hand close to Tyler's but Tyler wasn't inclined to move it at all. He felt a cool, buzzing feeling taking over him and he felt good. He guessed this was why they called it being buzzed; after drinking the first beer fast like Stefan and Matt told him to, they told him to go slow on this one so he could really feel it. He didn't know why he hadn't come out with his sister before tonight but he was glad he was starting now.
That love is mean, and love hurts
But I still remember that day we met in December, oh baby!
I will love you till the end of time
I would wait a million years
Promise you'll remember that you're mine
Baby can you see through the tears?
Love you more
Than those bitches before
"I can't believe I'm here right now, doing this on a school night!" Tyler took another sip of his beer and laughed; he was starting to enjoy the taste of it now. "My dad would kill me if he knew."
Jeremy laughed and took another sip from the copper-colored bottle, "Don't worry, Caroline's a pro at sneaking out and back in. She's never been caught; she won't start tonight with you."
"I didn't say I was worried about being caught…I wouldn't care if he walked in here right now because I'm having so much fun right now," Tyler tipped the bottle back and downed the rest of it, the buzzing feeling becoming more intense. He looked at his sister with her arms wrapped around a guy dancing in a way that would make their father curse out loud and suddenly he had an idea. "Dance with me."
He knew that the alcohol was making him not give a damn about anything right now and he really wanted Jeremy's arms wrapped around him. Jeremy looked at him amused, one eyebrow raised, "You want to dance?"
"C'mon Gilbert, I know you've danced before," Tyler teased. He glanced over at Stefan and Elena still making out before grabbing her beer and finishing it for her, earning a laugh from Jeremy.
"Slow down there man, don't wanna kill yourself the first time you drink."
"So will you dance with me? Or do I have to find someone else?" Tyler felt warm and so damn good right now; the only thing that could make it better was if Jeremy would sway with him. He vaguely realized that what he was doing would be considered flirting but the alcohol had put a muzzle on the little voice in his head, something he was grateful for.
Jeremy laughed and stood, holding out his hand, "Then let's dance, Lockwood. Show me your moves."
Say you'll remember, oh baby, say you'll remember
I will love you till the end of time
Big dreams, gangster
Said you had to leave to start your life over
I was like: "no please, stay here,"
We don't need no money we can make it all work
But he headed out on Sunday, said he'd come home Monday
Tyler grinned and slipped his hand into Jeremy's, allowing himself to be led to the makeshift dance-floor. When they found a spot, Jeremy turned and wrapped his arms around Tyler's shoulders while Tyler's wrapped around his waist. He thought it would be weird to dance with someone taller than him but he didn't mind or care as he looked up into Jeremy's eyes. He couldn't really see them in the dim room but he knew they were still brown with green specks and still beautiful.
Tyler felt it then; he was in denial before, trying to justify that what he felt for Jeremy was just brotherly love but there was nothing brotherly about the way he brought him closer to his body or about the thoughts he had about just leaning up and kissing him. He had never felt the way he was right now towards anyone, not even Vicky and he didn't know if it was because of the alcohol or because of the whole sneaking-out in general but he felt connected to Jeremy in ways that he couldn't even explain to himself. They continued to sway on the floor as the woman's husky voice set the mood and Tyler knew he would remember this night for the rest of his life. He would never forget how Jeremy made him feel.
I stayed up waitin', anticipatin' and pacin' but he was
Chasing paper
"Caught up in the game" that was the last I heard
I will love you till the end of time
I would wait a million years
Promise you'll remember that you're mine
Baby can you see through the tears?
Love you more
Than those bitches before
Say you'll remember, oh baby, say you'll remember
I will love you till the end of time
The haze taking over his mind was clouding his senses and his better judgment; normally that snide little voice in his head would comment harshly on his thoughts he had about Jeremy and make him feel ashamed. Now, however, his body was telling him to go for it just to see what it felt like. He leaned up and pressed his lips to Jeremy's chin for a moment before moving to his lips. Jeremy seemed to want to kiss him too; his lips parted immediately and their tongues met, cautiously at first, testing out the waters, before diving in all the way. His hands on the taller boy's hips tightened and Jeremy's hands went to his hair, massaging his scalp tenderly. Tyler was so busy exploring this new sensation and feeling the butterflies that were flying like mad in his stomach that he forgot to breathe and had to pull back for air. Not a second later Jeremy's lips followed his and they connected with his again, hands going from his scalp and wrapping over his shoulders again. Tyler fisted the back of his jean jacket, breathing in harshly as they kissed even deeper than before, making sure to thoroughly explore every part of Jeremy's mouth.
You went out every night
And baby that's alright
I told you that no matter what you did I'd be by your side
Cause Ima ride or die
Whether you fail or fly
Well shit, at least you tried.
But when you walked out that door, a piece of me died
I told you I wanted more-but that not what I had in mind
I just want it like before
We were dancin' all night
Then they took you away- stole you out of my life
You just need to remember...
Jeremy let out a moan into Tyler's moan and he responded in kind. There was no way he would be able to stop seeing Jeremy now, not after tonight, not after experiencing something with him that he was sure he wouldn't be experiencing with anyone else. He felt like a new person as they kissed in the middle of the dance-floor, a better person than he was before he walked into the bar. He honestly couldn't say he minded though; he welcomed the change. He was still Tyler Lockwood, just a better version of himself. He still believed in God and everything he was taught but he was experiencing another side of life, one he had been missing since his mother died. The missing part of him had come back and it was all because of Jeremy Gilbert.
Who knew that being bad felt so fucking good?
I will love you till the end of time
I would wait a million years
Promise you'll remember that you're mine
Baby can you see through the tears?
Love you more
Than those bitches before
Say you'll remember, oh baby, say you'll remember
I will love you till the end of time
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