A/n: Thank you again, Mana-McC, Soleil Mar, and LockwoodT! Glad you guys read and reviewed! Okay, so I knew I had to crank this chapter out tonight before tomorrow. I'm going to the dentist tomorrow so if there's a 5th chapter that makes totally NO SENSE, it's because I was heavily sedated earlier. Lmao, so if I do, ooops. But if it's good, I'll leave it in. Just gotta let me know. Maybe it'll add some comic-relief to this nutty story. Enjoy!
Jyler meet behind The Grill.
Disclaimer - I don't own Vampire Diaries, characters, or make profit from this story.
Chapter 4
Straight Up
We were going to see each other. For once, I wondered how long I could keep referring Tyler and I as...we. We were going to meet behind The Grill. We were going to talk. We had to be honest. Of course, Jeremy really wasn't sure about that last one. He knew Tyler had something to explain, Jeremy just wasn't sure how far he'd go into the truth. To be honest, even though Jeremy had been so psyched to see Tyler, he was nervous. He knew he hadn't done drugs since he met Anna so his lust for Tyler couldn't have been drug related. He had tried all day to make sense of it all. Oh well, if I meet Tyler and something happens, then so be it.
Fuck. Where the hell is Gilbert. That punk had better not back out. I don't know if I could do this again. Tyler was beginning to panic. And at the same time, wonder why it was so damn important to him. You are not your Father. That's why. Tyler had been behind The Grill for 10 minutes now. Just as he was about to leave, Jeremy had shown up.
"So you wanted to talk?", Jeremy nervously said. In a few seconds Jeremy had taken in what Tyler looked like. He was wearing a black tank top, darkly washed jeans, had a dark brown leather belt holding them up, and as he got closer, was wearing the most delicious and intoxicating scent of cologne Jeremy had ever smelled. Okay, this is just getting too weird.
"Ugh, yeah. It's um, about today. In the library?", it sounded so much manlier when Tyler rehearsed it on the way over.
"Look man, I told you then and I'll tell you now, I won't tell anyone what I saw you read. It's no big deal. Just forget I even saw it. I have", he hadn't. But if it'd calm Tyler down, he'd say what he had to.
"No, no it isn't about the book. I just wanted to say in person that I was sorry. Didn't mean to push you, or what I called you. It's just, after the funeral, I've been revved up. Don't know why." Tyler wasn't sure if Jeremy even cared. But Tyler knew it was important for him to at least try and start over with Gilbert.
"Oh. Wasn't expecting that."
"Then what were you expecting?"
Jeremy hoped that Tyler wouldn't pick up on the fact that he couldn't look Tyler in the eyes or that he was sweating wildly. It wasn't gross or anything, just unusual for Jeremy. It had gotten quiet. Think, Jeremy. Say something. Fuck! Say anything.
"Don't know." Smooth.
"Anyway, just wanted to tell you sorry and that I wanna truce. No more bullshit." That was why Tyler had been so nervous. Jeremy didn't have to agree on anything. Much less a truce. Before Jeremy met Anna, Tyler and him fought all the time over Vickie. And when they'd fight, Tyler didn't go easy on him either. In fact, it was bloodier than any other fight Tyler had ever been in.
"What happened in the library, don't worry about it. And uh, yeah. A truce sounds good." What Jeremy really wanted to say was, you can push me again. Just to feel that strength one more time. And just as Jeremy thought about that tight hold Tyler had on him, he realized it. That's why. When Anna and I had wrestled together, she was stronger than me. Only 'cause of her Vamp strength, but still. That's why Tyler's hold on me felt so fucking good.
"Hey, do you want a burger?"
Jeremy wasn't sure if Tyler had said that too, or if it was just him. Tyler thought the same thing. They both laughed in unison, and went in.
As Jeremy followed Tyler to a table, he was so relieved to know that he finally knew why he wanted Tyler's hold on him so much. There was still a part of him that wondered why everything else about Tyler had drove Jeremy mad. The way he carried himself. The way he smelled. The way his jeans had rid so low and his abs had shown so deeply under his tank top. Oh. Hell. Am I, am I gay? Jeremy was so confused again.
"So um, how's Elena?" Well that was lame. Tyler was actually interested in knowing how Jeremy was doing. He knew Jeremy took it hard after his folks died, but just didn't know how to ask. He guessed that was the best way.
"She's uh, she's doin' pretty good. Spending time with Stefan a lot. You?"
"About what?" Tyler had almost forgot all about his dad. He quickly caught himself and said, "Oh, yeah, I'm good. My mom's takin' it pretty hard though. After The Founder's Day and all."
It had gotten awkward for a little bit. Just to break the silence Jeremy would've said anything. Apparently he did. Because he didn't even notice himself asking Tyler if he wanted to hang out after they ate. It was getting late so he figured Tyler would say no. Only, Jeremy had hoped otherwise. Had hoped a little too strongly actually.
As Tyler thought about what he should say, he just blurted,
"Yeah, sounds good."
Phew. Jeremy thought. He knew he was too anxious to eat his burger, but didn't want it to go to waste.
As the two boys ate in silence, they both noticed each other dodging glances. Tyler would look at his food and from his peripheral vision, could see Jeremy quickly glance at him. As soon as Tyler would look up, Jeremy had glanced down. This went on for the entire time. It kind of confused Tyler why he cared if Jeremy saw him look. Like Tyler was embarrassed or something. He knew it'd be a little weird if he just stared at Jeremy, so he refrained.
Tyler was proud of himself. He was proud that it went so smoothly. Glad that Jeremy took him up on his offer and even wanted to hang out. He pondered on what they'd do though. He hadn't really known Jeremy all that well. Beside from who he's dated and who his sister was, all Tyler knew was that the kid could throw a serious punch. Even to Tyler.
After they had finished their burgers and paid, they made their way to Tyler's car. His mustang.
Jeremy wasn't exactly sure what they'd do, but offered to do it at his house. The whole car ride there only consisted of a few sentences.
"You want to chill at my house?" "Sure." "Video games?" "Yeah what do ya got." "Halo." "Be prepared Gilbert, I kick ass in it."
Jeremy was anxious. He was too anxious. Since he realized why he desired to feel Tyler's strong grip around Jeremy, he still didn't know why he had noticed all the little things. Usually guys don't. Maybe Jeremy was just different.
"So uh, Elena's not here. She and Jenna went to some movie."
Jeremy had no idea why he told Tyler that. It wasn't like they were gonna do anything. Jeremy had no idea what was going on in his head. He knew he had experimented. Knew that the idea of two dudes didn't completely repulse him, but he was a million percent sure Tyler did NOT swing that way. Or if he did, Jeremy certainly didn't know about it.
A/n: The ending isn't all that great. I know, but hopefully you'll be curious to see what happens as they rival over the game. I've got something in mind. ;)
Read, review, suggest.
