A/N: So I'm not sure exactly where this is going or what's going to happen, fair warning. My plot bunny may become bipolar. Also, like most people, reviews are crack to me. I love them so please leave one!
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When Jeremy woke again it was still dark and though his head ached, it spun just a bit less. Stretching out his fingertips he could feel soft fabric. Tentatively he brought up both hands to his face, pleased to discover he was no longer bound. Had it all been a dream?
"Morning Gilbert, have pleasant dreams?" His eyes shot open under his fingertips. What the hell was going on? Mentally he scrambled, but couldn't come up with anything. With a slight click light flared into the room, temporarily blinding Jeremy. Once he blinked it away, he saw Tyler standing against the wall, arms crossed.
"Tyler?" Jeremy croaked his throat dry. "What's going on?" Tyler smirked in return.
"I could ask you the same thing." Slowly, Jeremy made the effort to sit up, holding his head in one hand and letting the other drop to the bed. Sheets slid down as he moved.
"Don't…don't mess with me man, okay? Just tell me what's going on." The raspy plea made Jeremy wince as soon as it hit the air.
"What's the last thing you remember?" Jeremy didn't want to talk about his time already spent in captivity.
"Leaving home…driving. I think-" he paused, forehead wrinkling. "I think I pulled over to sleep. I was so tired and I didn't want to stop for the night."
"You were sleeping in your car?" Tyler growled, pushing himself off the wall, "That's how they got you?" Jeremy let his hand drop from his head as anger ignited throughout him.
"Well how'd they get you?" Tyler frowned briefly before crossing his arms again.
"It's not important."
"I think it is."
"Whatever Gilbert." Jeremy was ready to fire back with something just as cutting but he paused as the entire room rocked gently.
"Where are we?" he whispered.
"We're off the coast." Jeremy let his eyes close as his stomach dropped.
"In a boat?"
"No, we're riding the back of a fat dragon, what do you think?" Jeremy didn't answer because he was busy lurching for the bathroom.
After he finished emptying absolutely everything in his stomach into the toilet Jeremy rested his head against his arm on the seat. He groaned slightly. Tyler leaned against the doorframe.
"Seriously, you're seasick?"
"Shut up you dick." He spit into the toilet and flushed it. "It's not like I chose to be here." Jeremy tried to stand and thought better of it, sinking back to the floor. He looked down at himself for the first time after a moment. He was still half naked. More accurately he was about eighty percent naked. Even his boxers had been replaced by extremely short shorts; they looked like they were made of leather. This had to be a nightmare. "Why do you get to keep your clothes?" There was no reply and when Jeremy looked over, Tyler had disappeared. Strangely, Jeremy wasn't relieved to see him gone. He sighed and rested his head on his arm again.
When Tyler came back he draped a blanket over Jeremy's shoulders and went back to the doorframe.
"I'll see about getting you some medicine," he said eventually.
"Thanks," Jeremy murmured, surprise showing on his face. Tyler scowled quickly.
"Yeah, whatever." Jeremy rolled his eyes and pressed his lips together tightly.
"Can we not do this whole 'I hate you, you hate me, let's argue and throw each other against things' right now?" Tyler sighed before dropping his arms and tucking his hands into his pockets. He lowered his head for a second and kicked the floor.
"Yeah, you're right I guess." Jeremy's jaw actually dropped open.
"Wait, what?"
"I just thought it would be easier," Tyler admitted, finally meeting his eyes.
Jeremy pursed his lips, forming the word carefully,
"Easier?"
"Don't you ever miss it?" Jeremy cocked his head to the side, trying to force the words to make sense in his head.
"Miss getting the shit kicked out of me?" his hand drifted to his neck of its own accord, "No Ty, I can't say that I do." Tyler shook his head and turned, walking away.
"That's not what I'm talking about," he said as he went. Jeremy waited a moment and sighed before slowly getting up and following him. Tyler sat on the edge of the bed and Jeremy stood in the doorframe Tyler had just left. "I miss how things used to be. I miss knowing the rules of my own damn life. I miss things being normal." He glanced at Jeremy then, face open for perhaps the first time. "It used to be so easy," he sighed, "sleep with whoever was willing, drink whatever's in the closest bottle, pick a fight with you, and avoid a fight with my dad." Jeremy shrugged before drawing the cover more fully around him.
"You can punch me if it would make you feel better…I guess." Tyler smiled slightly.
"No thanks. What would make me feel better is if you put some freaking clothes on."
"Believe me; I'd be perfectly happy to put something on." Tyler stood, walking to the door.
"My bag's in the closet. It'll just have to do. I'll go find you some medicine." Jeremy just nodded, trying to keep up with Tyler's flaring emotions. Tyler left without another word.
Jeremy's head began to spin again as the boat rocked. He groaned and went back to the bathroom. As soon as he was finished he went searching for Tyler's bag. It was a slim hope that there would be a cell phone in it, but he was willing to try. He took the bag back to the bed and dumped all the contents on it before searching the pockets. No phone. Clothes, a wallet, a toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant, was all that there was inside which meant that there was absolutely nothing useful. He could use some of the clothes at least. Jeremy tried to be grateful, he really did. He didn't quite make the cut. In the end he grabbed jeans and a t-shirt, heat flaring as he grabbed boxers as well. It was better than the shorts he currently wore; he would just focus on that.
He had to admit, he felt better when he was dressed. At least the bruises that dotted his skin were covered. This still didn't make any sense and the only thing he could do was wait for Tyler to return. He stuffed everything back in the bag and tossed it in the closet before sinking onto the bed. His eyes went to where Tyler's jeans rose, revealing about two inches of his ankles. He shook his head slowly. Tyler was too short. Sure, being taller was good when they were fighting, but normal or not Jeremy was tired of it. He ran a hand through his hair, missing the familiar weight of his ring. Glancing at his naked hand felt just as strange.
Tyler came back in, a white packet in his hand.
"You put this on your neck," Tyler said, holding it up. Jeremy fought the urge to roll his eyes.
"It goes behind the ear actually."
"Okay, you're welcome." Jeremy stood, taking it from him with two fingers.
"I'm sorry. Thank you." Tyler just nodded once. Jeremy went to the bathroom, glancing into the mirror as he applied the small, round patch. "Ideally, I'd have taken it a few hours ago, but I wasn't exactly planning on taking a cruise." Tyler didn't say anything for a moment, staring at his jaw.
"What happened to your neck?" he finally asked. Jeremy reached for the bandage that was no longer there.
"Uh, nothing. It's fine."
Jeremy left the bathroom, dropping his hand as he walked around Tyler.
"Don't lie to me." Jeremy sat on the edge of the bed, trying to act normal. It was easier with Jenna and Elena.
"I'm not."
"You really do not want to piss me off Gilbert."
"I'm not trying to Lockwood." He couldn't exactly explain that he'd been attacked by a vampire Elena doppelganger while he was trying to get a moonstone out of a tomb to break a curse. It wouldn't fly very far. Tyler's expression cleared suddenly and he crossed to the nightstand.
"You're doing this to yourself."
"Doing what?" Tyler reached into the drawer, pulling out a pair of handcuffs. Jeremy jumped off the bed and backed away quickly. "Tyler," he fought to keep his voice level, "what are you doing?" He shrugged, walking closer slowly.
"Only what I'm supposed to."
"What do you mean?" Jeremy wanted to find a way to stall whatever was happening, but words simply kept tumbling out of his mouth.
"I forgot to tell you," Tyler smiled dangerously, "you're my slave. I bought you and you'll do what I want you to…or I'll make you." Jeremy nearly choked on his own tongue.
"There's no need for that," Jeremy argued, holding out his hand in an effort to stop Tyler's approach.
"I disagree. I need information that you clearly have…because that looks like a vampire bite."
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