Title: After the game

Summary: Ok so I liked the idea that ShadowWolfDagger gave of them going to Tyler's first then Jeremy's, so here it is.

Normal disclaimers apply etc.

A/N: Sorry for the long update, I've had a lot going on at school.

Jeremy POV

This isn't happening. It can't be. It was like a mantra, constantly running through his head. He couldn't think of anything else as he carded his fingers through Tyler's hair, gazing out of the living room window. He turned his head, looking at the older teen that looked so frail, head resting in Jeremy's lap. His eyes stung with unshed tears as he thought back to when Tyler's life changed forever, just a few hours ago.

Flashback

Driving along, listening to the radio, Tyler couldn't think of a place he'd rather be. Sitting next to the guy he loved, after having almost declared it in front of his buddies, he couldn't be happier. He reached over and grabbed Jeremy's hand, interlocking their fingers and squeezing his hand. He turned to look at Jeremy and smiled at the dopey look on the younger boys face. I did that. I made him look like that, like he has everything he could ever want, ever need. To say that look filled Tyler with happiness was an understatement, he was fucking ecstatic! When he cornered Jeremy at school before the game, he never thought the younger boy would feel the same way. He was just glad the feeling was mutual.

Going to his house, telling his parents, was a huge risk but he was sick of hiding. It's the one thing all Lockwood's are born to do and he was done with it. No more hiding, not with Jeremy. If his parents didn't like it then he wanted nothing to do with them.

'This is it…here goes nothing Jere'. He looked over at the younger boy and tried to smile reassuringly, but it only came out as nervous.

'We don't have to do this you know…it can wait until you're sure you want this' He gripped Tyler's hand tightly and raised it to his mouth, gently kissing his knuckles. 'I can wait for you Ty'

'I know but baby I don't care about anything as long as I have you.' He leaned forward and kissed Jeremy, forgetting where he was and deepening the kiss, pulling Jeremy onto his lap.

'TYLER! WHAT IN GOD'S NAME DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING? GET OUT OF THAT CAR RIGHT NOW AND EXPLAIN YOURSELF!' Mayor Lockwood had come barging out of the front door when he noticed Tyler's car park up and the lack of Tyler walking into the house.

Both Jeremy and Tyler scrambled out of the car, Tyler looking like he might faint with the prospect of what his father might say, Jeremy looking like he might join him just by the look the Mayor was giving him. Tyler squeezed Jeremy's hand and Jeremy squeezed back.

'Well? What do you have to say for yourself? What were you doing? And who is this…thing?'

'Dad! You know who he is, he's Jeremy Gilbert and as for what we were doing, isn't it obvious?'

'So what, are you two…boyfriends? God Tyler don't tell me you're a fag. It's bad enough that you never do a thing I tell you and now you're gay? What did I do to deserve a son like you? A son who doesn't care about his family, only about himself?'

Tyler was squeezing Jeremy's hand so hard Jeremy knew there would be trouble if he didn't do something. He just wasn't sure what the best thing to do was.

'Mr Lockwood yes, Tyler and I are dating and no there is nothing you can say to stop us. As for Tyler being gay, why do you care? You've never given a shit about him before and now he's happy and in love you wanna take that away from him? My parents may be dead but they taught me that everyone has a chance to be happy no matter who it's with. And for your information, Tyler does care about his family. Every time he comes to school with a black eye or a broken nose it shows how much he cares coz he's willing to take your anger rather than let his mother suffer. So don't act like you know anything about him, coz although he's your son, you don't.'

The Mayor looked at Jeremy, assessing him, before he turned to Tyler. 'Get your shit and get out. I don't want you in this house any longer you hear me? You're no longer welcome here.' He turned and walked back inside, leaving the door open for Tyler.

Jeremy turned to Tyler, a look of shock on his face.

'Oh my God Tyler I'm so sorry, I never meant for this to happen!'

Tyler's eyes locked with Jeremy's and could see the look of horror that was caused by his father's reaction.

'It's ok. I knew this would probably happen and I wouldn't want to be here if it meant I couldn't be with you. Remember what I said in the car, as long as I have you I'm fine.' He kissed Jeremy's forehead gently. 'Wait for me in the car; I'll be out in a minute.'

'Are you sure? I could come in with you if you want.'

Tyler shook his head slowly, 'I'll be fine, just wait in the car ok?'

Jeremy nodded his head and pecked Tyler on the lips, 'Ok.'

~x~

Tyler spent a total of fifteen minutes inside his house and came out with two duffel bags and a suitcase. He threw them into the back of his truck and climbed in next to Jeremy.

'Ok, so I'll drop you off at your house and then find somewhere to stay. There's gotta be some place around here I can crash for a few nights. Matt said something about one of the regulars at the grill owning a place around here…Bubba something I think.' He cast a glance at Jeremy who was looking at him as if he just said the sky was pink.

'You are not staying in some motel owned by some guy named Bubba. You're gonna stay with me and I don't care what Jenna or Elena say.'

Tyler had raised an eyebrow at Jeremy's comment about the name and then turned his gaze back on the road, his jaw set. 'What are they gonna say? I mean I used to beat you up practically every day and now we're dating? How screwed up is that?'

'Trust me, screwed up is my middle name.' He smiled when Tyler snorted and tried to cover it up as a cough. 'And they'll get used to it eventually.'

Tyler pulled up outside Jeremy's house and killed the engine. They climbed out of the car and slowly made their way up to the front door, hand in hand. Jenna came rushing out seeing them together and was about to start shouting at Tyler when she noticed their joined hands.

'Jeremy? Is everything ok? What's going on?' Her gaze flew between the two boys trying to assess the situation and coming up with nothing.

'Aunt Jenna can we go inside and talk about this? I don't think this is a conversation to be had outside.'

They explained everything, from telling Tyler's team mates to telling his parents and as they got on to how his father reacted, Jenna went ballistic.

'How can he say that?! That bastard‼ To his own son‼ God I wanna go over there right now and give him a piece of my mind. To say that to someone so young who needs their family and…'

She was cut short as a heart wrenching sob tore its way from Tyler's throat and he collapsed against Jeremy. Jeremy whispered soothing words in his ear, but it was like Tyler couldn't hear him. His body shook with each sob that made its way from his throat and he clung tighter to Jeremy. Jeremy's eyes misted over as he held on to Tyler, desperate to make him feel better and make everything ok.

End Flashback

Jeremy looked up as Elena came rushing through the door and stopped dead at the sight of Jeremy and Tyler on the couch.

'Oh God Jere, I'm so sorry. Jenna called me and told me what happened. Are you ok? Is Tyler ok? You know he can stay here right? Jenna told me on the phone that she'd be ok with that she just didn't have a chance to tell you before she went out with Mr Saltzman. Jere? Jeremy say something.'

He looked in to her eyes and was surprised at the love he saw, not just for him but for Tyler as well. 'It's all my fault. It's because of me that his dad kicked him out. How can he not hate me?'

Tears started to stream down his face and Elena pulled him in to a hug, mindful of Tyler asleep in his lap.

'He cares about you Jeremy, it's obvious. The way he kept you away from Vicki and was determined you wouldn't be happy with anyone else. He's wanted you for ages but he was too scared to do anything. I'm just glad you're ok. You'll both get through this, I know you will.'

He looked down at Tyler sleeping peacefully in his lap and prayed to God that Elena was right.

Finally‼ Again sorry for the long update but writer's block is a b****‼ Ok so I would love to hear what you think of this and I'm sorry if some of the writing is a bit sloppy but this has been floating round my head and I have finally been able to put pen to paper (so to speak) and it's done. There will be another chapter, not sure when but it will be here‼ I know blo0d StaiNed Rose loved the part where Tyler broke down so I put a bit more in here.

Please review‼

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