I Will Carry Your Burden:
Chapter 9-First Date
A/N: Okay everyone I have finally updated this story. Sorry about my long absence. I had a lot of things going on that included being sick, research papers for class, and a vacation. But finally here is the next chapter! Sorry about the lack of smut. I know I said there would be some but my creative bunny kind of hopped along a different path! :-) Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Vampire Dairies or the Characters!
Jeremy's POV
Why I had agreed to this I have no clue. Maybe it was my need for some answers so that I could possibly go back to having some semblance of a normal life. Or possibly it was the need to get away from my pestering aunt and sister. Of course the only reason that constantly wanted to come to the forefront of my mind was that for some reason I was drawn to Tyler. There was a nearly primal need to be close to him, and frankly that was quite frightening. I had been standing in this closet for the past hour trying to find something to wear. This was difficult when your wardrobe was limited and you didn't even know where you were going. Tyler's words still clung to my mind.
After much stress and uncertainty I decided to put on a black collared shirt and black jeans. It wasn't too flashy but it also wasn't overly simplistic. Hopefully it would be enough. After getting dressed I rushed down the stairs to avoid Tyler and Elena having an awkward moment. My sister meant well but she had already given me a hard time about Tyler and I didn't want her to get the chance to ruin this-whatever this was- for me. As a knock sounded through the house Elena gave me the "I don't approve of this Jeremy" look which I ignored like I always did. I rushed to the door and stepped out before Tyler could ask to come in.
"Let's go." I said as I walked past him to the car. He simply followed and didn't speak until we were pulling out of the driveway.
"So are you ready for our date?" I could hear the smirk in voice before I even looked at him.
I sighed. "As ready as I will ever be. So why were you sleeping behind my house?"
"Jer can we at least wait till we get where we are going before you go all Inspector Gadget on me, please?"
Instead of verbally responding I simply looked out of the window. The scenery soon changed and I could tell that we were no longer in Mystic Falls. The buildings vanished only to be replaced with trees and the sound of nature. Where exactly is he taking me and what kind of date is this? Part of me wanted to be concerned, but there was a feeling deep down that wouldn't allow it. Tyler made me feel safe for some reason and there was this undeniable pull that frightened me but I no longer wanted to fight it.
"A penny for your thoughts." I glanced at Tyler before looking forward and responding.
"I would like to think that my thoughts are worth more than that." Tyler smirked.
"That is true. So what invaluable thoughts are going through your mind?"
"I'm trying to figure out where we are going and why I-" I stopped myself before I blurted out what I was feeling towards the boy and embarrassed both of us.
"What?" I could feel his eyes on my face but I refused to meet his gaze.
"Nothing, just forget about it." Surprisingly he did just as I said. It wasn't long after this that we pulled off the main road onto a dirt path that went through the vegetation. Soon we were pulling in front of a cabin with a huge lake behind it. The view was beautiful. The moonlight seemed to dance across the surface of the water. The trees swayed gently in the breeze and the sound of crickets chirping was distinct. It was absolutely amazing. I had never seen anything like it. I had been born in the city and raised in the same place. Who would have known that nature could be so breathtaking?
"We're here."
"Where is here exactly?" I questioned as I tore my gaze from the scene before me. Tyler wore a smirk on his face as he stepped out of the car. I followed his lead not wanting to give him the chance to avoid my question. He began to make his way to the cabin then he stopped and looked at me.
"Aren't you coming?" He looked concerned like he was afraid that I was going to reject him. It's kind of late for that. We are kind of in the middle of nowhere.
"Yes, as soon as you tell me where we are." Tyler sighed.
"We are at my cabin. It's a place that I enjoy coming to when I want to….get away." I could hear the hesitation in his voice, but I could only focus on the idea that he was hiding something from me. Something that was essential to my life.
"You mean you're cabin as in belongs to the Lockwood family?"
Tyler chuckled. "No my cabin as in belongs to Tyler Lockwood. Mom and Dad bought it for me three years ago. It's kind of a hush up gift."
"Oh," That was all that I could manage. Tyler turned back around and this time I followed.
Grayson's POV
The phone continued to ring as I waited, with little patience I might add, for the line to be picked up. After the fifth ring the voice that I had grown strangely accustomed to but loathed answered.
"What is it now Grayson?"
"I need to know what progress you have made." I heard him sigh.
"The boy has left town for the night and I could not follow his trail. I will pick up where I left off once he returns to Mystic Falls." What? He simply let the boy slip through his fingers without even batting an eye! Something needed to be done and quick!
"I don't have that much time! I need him here now!"
"Let's get something straight Mr. Gilbert. I said that I would take care of it. Now either you can let me do what has been requested of me or I can simply drain the boy dry and then come back for you. I have a lot of hungry followers to feed and they are getting quite impatient with me. The choice is yours but choose wisely." Then the line went dead. I could feel my hands shaking.
"I need a drink."
Tyler's POV
The look of complete awe on Jeremy's face had me smiling on the inside and honestly on the outside too. He seemed surprised to find the place completely furnished. There were two leather chairs that sat on separate sides of the room facing each other. The black leather couch that went with the set was facing the sixty inch plasma television that was mounted on the wall. Cherry end tables sat on either side of the couch and held lamps that were trimmed in solid gold. I watched him walk around the living room and then he turned to me and my heart dropped. The look of complete fascination was gone and had been replaced by one of suspicion and defenses. He was putting up a wall and that was the last thing that I wanted to happen. If I was to break this news to him, and be one hundred percent honest, I needed him to be open to me.
"What's wrong Jer?" He closed his eyes before he spoke.
"Nothing is wrong Tyler." He was lying. I couldn't understand how I knew that for sure, but I was positive that something was wrong.
"Jeremy, tell me the truth. Talk to me." I moved to where he was standing and caressed his cheek with the back of my fingers. "Jer, what's wrong?"
"We need to talk, because so much is happening and I need answers before anything goes further. Tyler I am tired of uncertainties, lies, and pain. I just….I need to know the truth."
I could understand his need to be rid of the confusion that was plaguing him. After going through so much in his past it was to be expected. I didn't want to be an additional burden with my secrets, but also didn't know where to start. Maybe I should let him lead the way. Then he can get his answers and I get my mate. I grabbed his hand and lead him over to the couch. We both sat down and I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. Jeremy was completely stiff and nothing seemed to be going the way that I had planned. By now we should be out back looking at the moonlit sky, Jer in my arms as we listened to the crickets sing their song into the night.
"So what do you want to know first?" He moved away from me and turned so that we were facing each other. This cannot be a good sign. Part of my wanted to protest but the other part didn't want to pressure him into anything. This had to be hard enough already.
"Why were you sleeping behind my house?" Well he really gets straight to the point doesn't he?
"My dad and I got into an argument and I stormed out of the house. My mind was still mauling the fight over and before I knew it I was standing outside of your house." I paused to take a shaky breathe. "Your window was in sight but the lights were off. Then I heard your panicked shouts due to your nightmare and I wanted to come to you…to be by your side. Something inside me was screaming for me to hold you in my arms and let you know that it would all be alright. But before I could even move I blacked out." That was one hard answer down only a couple more to go. Refusing to look up at Jeremy I moved closer and grabbed his hand. Absently I began to play with his fingers, waiting for his next question.
"What is going on between us Tyler?" I had to look up at that because I had not been expecting that question. Yes we needed to talk about what Jeremy was to me, but that wasn't the way that I had planned the question to be asked. "Tyler?" I pulled myself from my thoughts.
"Umm, yea that is the hard part to explain." Jeremy pulled his hand away.
"How hard could it be?"
"Very?" I said it as if it was a question which proved to be a mistake. Jeremy raised an eyebrow as he crossed his arms waiting for an answer. It's now or never.
"Well I feel a strong pull towards you. No matter where I am or what I am doing I can kind of feel your presence and that helps me make it through the rough days. Your wellbeing is very important to me and I don't like it when you're sad, angry, or distressed. There is this undeniable urge to keep you safe from any and everything. Basically Jer I can't seem to stay away from you or get you off my mind. And I don't want to." Jeremy blushed, but his shocked expression didn't last long as he narrowed his eyes at me.
"There is something that you are not telling me." He was a little too observant right now.
"I don't know how to tell you the next part." Jeremy shifted closer then spoke.
"Just tell me Tyler." I took a deep breathe. Here we go.
"Jer, I'm a werewolf and you are my mate."
"W-what? You're a were-werewolf? How stupid do you think I am?" He moved to stand so I grabbed his wrist to keep him near me. I willed my eyes to change and as his eyes connected with mine his expression changed.
"Jeremy, say something please!"
"Stay away from me Tyler!" He snatched away from me.
"I can't Jeremy! I didn't ask to be this monster! I didn't ask for you to be my mate! I didn't ask for any of this!"
"Neither did I Tyler." Jeremy said softly. Then he was rushing out the back door and out of sight.
Well that didn't go as planned. The wolf whined and I had to fight the urge to howl. Jeremy's words stung and the pain was deep but he was right. He hadn't asked for this and it wasn't fair of me to try and force it on him. I sat in that same spot for almost half an hour before I stood and made my way outside. Guess it's time I take him home and find a way to cope with this rejection. That is if there is a way to cope.
Jeremy's POV
Thoughts were escaping me and so were words. I had rushed out of the house because I feared not only what Tyler was but my reaction to it. For some reason I had wanted to stay there by his side. There was an urge that seemed to burn deep within to tell him that he had me forever and that we would get through this together. But shouldn't I have the opposite reaction. Shouldn't I be running away while freaking out or trying to have him committed into a mental asylum? I guess he wasn't crazy just not human. I didn't know if I was ready to deal with something of that magnitude. I had been beaten, verbally abused, abandoned for days on end, and even hospitalized. All those things paled in comparison to this. The guy I was falling for was a supernatural creature who could and possibly would rip my throat out as I slept.
Do you really believe that he would do that? Strangely I didn't, but I felt like I should. This was insanity, but I believed in him and I still wanted him. Well it looks like you have a decision to make. No I had already made my decision, now I needed to find Tyler to tell him what that was. Before I could calm myself enough to go back to the cabin I heard footsteps behind me. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. The tension was thick and I couldn't take it. Having him not talking to me had me feeling like I was suffocating. The silence had to end.
"I can take you home if you are ready to leave. I can tell that you are uncomfortable right now so I will wait for you inside."
"I'm not…I'm not uncomfortable Tyler." I lied. I wanted it to be true but it wasn't.
"Jeremy I can sense your discomfort." I turned around to ask him how but my expression beat me to it. "It's a mate thing. Being the werewolf in this situation I am sensitive to your emotions from the very beginning. If you were to accept me as your mate the same would happen to you."
"Tyler I don't want to run from you. I want to give this a try. I can't explain the connection that I feel to you but I can acknowledge that it is there. I'm not ready to lose that." Tyler rushed to me and before I could move his lips were gently brushing mine. The kiss was tender, something that I didn't think that Tyler was capable of. He pulled back first and I could see the lust in eyes, but there was something else there also.
"So ready to head back to Mystic Falls?" Honestly I wasn't.
"No…can we stay here tonight?" Tyler's face brightened with joy and I couldn't help but smile.
"Of course, but won't Elena and Jenna be upset?" Darn! I had forgotten all about Elena and my aunt.
"What time is it?"
"Almost eleven. Why?"
"Because I am just going to text to Elena and deal with everything else tomorrow."
"What about school tomorrow?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Oh come on. I have skipped school before. What's one day going to hurt?" I pulled out my phone and sent a text to Elena. As I slipped my phone back into my pocket I shivered. Tyler turned me around and pressed flush against my back. He wrapped his arms around me and immediately I felt warmer.
"It's like having my own personal heater." Tyler chuckled and then whispered in my ear.
"I will be whatever you want me to be." I couldn't help but blush at that statement.
Maybe things are turning around for me. Maybe…just maybe I can have a happy life in Mystic Falls or wherever Tyler is.
A/N: So what did you think? Please review! And don't hesitate to leave suggestions! Until next time! See ya later! :-)
