Chapter 4: To Confusion and Unfathomable yearning

The house despite its size had been full of tension for the last week. Ever since the night Kol and Jeremy had return.

It had taken him by complete surprise. The moment it all came back, he had been sitting in his chair reading, ignoring that his brothers were out doing whatever they pleased, when he felt like he had been slammed in to.

There was a shape pain and then his brain flooded with memories. When it was done, he had been panting and sitting with his head in his hands. Then he knew everything and he sped off towards the Gilbert house.

The events in the house had left him speechless. Not just him, but both his brothers seemed just as floored.

They had let Jeremy leave, and quickly made their own way out of the house before Elena could turn her wrath onto them.

That night they had agreed to give Jeremy time, he had been though a lot and it was understandable that he would need some space to work though how he truly felt. But as the days passed he could see his brothers growing impatient.

He knew they were worried, he was unsure if it was if Jeremy would change his mind or if it was because they thought something might happen to him without them near to watch over him.

Tonight, had hit a boiling part as Klaus told them he wanted to go deal with Elena. Kol had disagreed saying that if they threatened her that Jeremy would be upset. His brothers broke into an argument that had turned into physical fighting.

Finally, he had enough, he told them to leave the girl be and left the house.

Now he was walking aimlessly, not something he was prone to do. He had no set destination just left himself wander. As he entered a neglected looking cemetery he heard something smash against a stone.

Not sure why, he sped towards the sound.

He was surprised to find Jeremy throwing empty bottles at a headstone.

"Jeremy." He said.

Perhaps sneaky up on a moody hunter hadn't been his best idea because the young man turned around and launched the already broken bottle straight at his throat. Using his speed, he rapidly moved out of the way, feeling the glass brush just barley against his cheek. There was a slight sting as the glass sliced into him.

But it was minor enough that he could ignore it.

"Shit! Elijah, I'm sorry." Jeremy started moving towards him and stopped. Confused Elijah moved to walked to the human.

"No don't." the human took a step back, "Just stay there." His voice sounded broken. Causing him to worry, so he stopped and took a good look at the young man, only to find he wanted to move closer and hold him.

Jeremy's eyes where red and rimmed with tears, he checks looked raw from where he must have rubbed away tears. Elijah could also smell alcohol in the air around him. He felt anger at whoever had upset, Jeremy.

"Are you alright?" He asked, wanting to move to comfort the man but staying still so he didn't scare him off instead.

"I don't know." Jeremy mumbled. The hunter started to sway and fell onto the grass.

Moving silently, Elijah came and sat down next to him.

"What happened?"

Jeremy looked at him, "Do you really care?" the question took him by surprise.

"I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean?" But he did, he knew that Jeremy was doubting them. He held back the growl in his throat. Someone probably his sister had finally gotten into his head.

Jeremy exhaled, "About me?" he watched as Jeremy started picking pieces of grass out of the ground. The man didn't look at him as he asked.

"Jeremy." Still he didn't look towards him.

"Jeremy, look at me." This time Jeremy looked up, "I do care. I care that you are alone out here, and putting yourself in danger, I care that someone has said something to upset you, And I care about you." He reached out and took Jeremy's chin in his hand, "Please tell me what has you so upset."

He could see so much emotion flickering in the other's eyes, he felt Jeremy pull way. He didn't want to let go but for now he let him have his space.

"They all seem so sure, it's a spell. That you guys are just fucking with my head." Jeremy stood up and walked towards the broken glass around the head stone. He kicked a few pieces out of the way and started digging.

"You know my friend Vicki used to come out here, her and her friends, they would drink and get high. Anything to take themselves away from their lives for a while." Unhappy at the change in subject, Elijah stood up and moved closer to his friend has he dug around in the dirt.

"She used to bury, the stuff she didn't want Matt to find." It didn't take long before he pulled out a flask.

"See." He said as he held it up for Elijah to see. "Jeremy?" Elijah asked, trying to understand where this was going.

"She's dead now. Matt's little sister and my friend dead." Jeremy opened the flask and took a long drink. Choking as it went down. "Do you know why?" he asked when the coughing stopped.

He didn't but he had a feeling.

"Vampires." The disgust in Jeremy's voice caused Elijah to take a step back.

"Damon more importantly." The man snarled the vampires name, " I thought I had gotten past it you know, past that a friend of Elena as the reason she was gone. But then Bonnie starts in on all the horrible shit you and your brothers have done and why it's so likely you guys have down something to me. And I came out here to think, and you know what I couldn't get out of my head." He paused and took another drink of whatever was in the flask, "Vicki."

Elijah was truly at a loss as what to do. He wanted to comfort Jeremy but wasn't sure if it would be welcome.

"Here they are telling me how bad you guys are, while they hang out with him. Elena says she loves him and he is free to do whatever he wants but the thought that I could care for you guys the same way is impossible for them to understand." The hunter threw the flask at a nearby tree.

"And now they have me doubting it. Doubting everything and I fucking hate it." Jeremy started to cry and Elijah could hold himself back no more. He speed to the human and wrapped him in his arms.

He felt Jeremy struggle for a moment trying to break free of his hold, but Elijah was determined and stronger so he just held on until the other man wore himself out.

"I am sorry about your friend, Jeremy. I wish there was something I could do to make it easier on you but I cannot." He whispered into his ear.

"All I can give you is, that my feelings for you are true. As are Niklaus and Kol's." He rested his head on the top of Jeremy's, "Please do not doubt us."

He could hear Jeremy's breathing as it slowly started to slow down and beat at a regular speed. Still Elijah held him. He was not sure how long they stood there, Jeremy trapped in his arms resting against his chest, but at some point, Jeremy finally went to pull away.

Elijah with regret let the young man go.

"Fuck Elijah, what do I do?" He wasn't sure if he was truly meant to answer but he gave it a chance.

"You return to your friend's house, rest, let the alcohol in your system fade and then you give yourself a chance to decide if you believe me." He moved to stand directly in front of him, "Jeremy, I understand how confusing this is, and I am not promising it will be easy. Me and my siblings are not easy people to be around or be with, but we truly do care for you and want you to be with us. So please take your time and figure out what it is you want. Don't let your sister or friends make this decision for you. Because it is yours to make." He reached down and kissed Jeremy on the top of his head and sped off.

To the hunter, it appeared as if the vampire and disappeared into the night, put Elijah stay close and watched the human walk home, and only went home once Jeremy was safe inside Matthew's house.