A/N: Some fluffiness…yes? Anyways, finally finished chapter 39 *smiles* super proud of myself. Drawing to a close…can you smell it yet?

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Tyler was the first awake in the morning and he was immensely grateful. By the tightness in his eyes he estimated less than an hour of sleep. That's okay though because Jeremy was still curled up against him like a puppy and his mother hadn't discovered it. Ever so slowly he transferred Jeremy to the couch, loosening the grip Jeremy had on his shirt before pacing to the kitchen. He wasn't trying to suck up, he really wasn't. But he figured he would make breakfast anyways. Tyler thought about it as he got all the things he needed for pancakes. Other than sneaking around, which had really been necessary, they hadn't done anything wrong. They loved each other. And the hot, amazing way that they decided to show that to each other wasn't anyone else's business. He was sorry his mom had walked in on it though. At lease he couldn't get Jeremy pregnant. The thought forced a smile to his face. He didn't need to be having kids anyways. He'd be perfectly fine with the Lockwood curse dying with him. He turned his head, smiling as Jeremy paced into the kitchen.
"Morning," Jeremy said tentatively, almost as if he was afraid something had shifted while he slept, and he was as of yet unaware of it.
"Morning babe," Tyler replied, wrapping one arm around him and kissing his temple. Jeremy sighed, snuggling into Tyler's side.
"Anything I can help with?" he questioned, breath fanning over Tyler's neck.
"Pancakes need made and the table needs set." Jeremy snatched the box of pancake mix from Tyler's hands. "And what exactly are you going to do with that?" Tyler questioned, propping his hands on his hips.
"Uhh," Jeremy stalled, glancing around the kitchen. "Do you have a mixing bowl?"

Tyler wanted to be frustrated, but he'd have to fake it and honestly he was just too tired. He went to the cabinet and pulled out the giant yellow bowl the cook used to use to make his birthday cakes. They'd let some of the staff go recently, while trying to deal with things. Tyler let the thought roll away from him, going to the drawer and getting a whisk before hitting the fridge and getting out butter and eggs. He placed everything on the island next to Jeremy and ran a hand along his waist before going to another cabinet and getting out plates.
"What do you want to drink?"
"Depends, what do you have?" Tyler went back to the fridge,
"Orange juice, milk, cranberry juice, or water."
"Orange juice is good." Jeremy started mixing the ingredients together. Tyler got glasses and set them on the table before filling a pitcher with orange juice and placing it next to them.
"So," Tyler said, pacing behind Jeremy and wrapping his arms around his waist, "you feeling okay?" Jeremy picked up the whisk and began mixing the ingredients together.
"Better now," he answered, leaning against him slightly. "What about you?"
"I'm still freaking out a little, honestly. I didn't want it to happen this way. I'm kind of terrified of what's going to happen when you leave."
"Me too." Jeremy stopped whisking and took Tyler's hand in his, placing it over his chest. "My heart's racing," he breathed.
"Maybe that's just because of me," Tyler responded. Jeremy laughed slightly.
"It's possible."
"I'll get the skillet ready," Tyler said, ghosting his lips over Jeremy's neck before crossing to the oven.

Pulling the skillet off the hook he put in on the counter next to the stove.
"Batter almost ready?" Tyler questioned, flicking a glance to Jeremy over his shoulder. Jeremy nodded before picking up the bowl and crossing to him. Jeremy set the bowl on the counter and stood next to Tyler silently for a moment.
"My dad and I used to do this," he said wistfully. "He always said the men of the house should let the women sleep in and make them breakfast once in a while. He used to flip the pancakes so high." Tyler pulled him into a hug as he said the words. He stroked the back of Jeremy's neck with one hand. Jeremy sighed before inhaling deeply. "I love you," he said. Tyler pulled back, pressing a kiss to Jeremy's forehead.
"Love you too."
"We should probably actually make these pancakes," Jeremy said, smiling. Tyler heaved a sigh,
"Yeah, guess there's no going back now."
"We've entered the pancake zone of no return," Jeremy agreed. Tyler finally dropped his arms, putting the skillet on the burner.
"Can you grab a spatula out of that drawer?" he asked, pointing. Jeremy returned with it and a ladle, slipping the ladle into the bowl of batter. Tyler melted butter in the skillet and once it was running around the pan in melted freedom Jeremy added the first of the batter. They worked side by side in comfortable silence until there was a giant stack of dark golden pancakes steaming on the plate. Jeremy carried them to the table carefully and set them down before falling into a chair. "I'm gonna go see if my mom's up," Tyler said, wiping his hands on a dish towel before turning towards the door. He froze then, missing Jeremy's reply as he met his mother's eyes. Her eyes crinkled slightly as she pressed a hand over her mouth. Tyler went forward to hug her, secretly terrified. "Mom, what's wrong?" Across the room Jeremy choked, half a pancake hanging out of his mouth when Tyler shot a panicked glance backwards.
"Nothing," she said, dabbing at her eyes, "I'm okay. I just…I can't even remember ever seeing you like this." Tyler let himself smile a bit.
"I'm happy Mom." She took a deep breath before pulling away.
"Tyler," she sighed. "I've done so many things wrong and I owe you so much. If this is a way that I can begin to fix the damage that's been done, I'll take it gladly." She patted his cheek before crossing to the table. "This looks good," she stated simply. Tyler dropped into the chair between them, smirking as Jeremy shoved the rest of the pancake into his mouth and chewed rapidly, trying to destroy the evidence. His mom smiled at both of them before getting up. "You forgot the syrup," she chided gently, "and the silverware."
"My bad," Tyler murmured wondering how long she'd stood watching them in the back of his mind. Jeremy shot him an encouraging smile before she returned.
"So," she said, "you two are really serious about this aren't you?"
"Yeah," Jeremy said, blushing slightly. Tyler nodded in agreement. She sighed quietly and served herself before shrugging.
"Well it's not my place to judge. You love who you love. The years have taught me that at least." Tyler let the veiled dig at his father go without saying anything. It wasn't as if he hadn't known his mother and his father were not in love. He had his doubts about whether they ever really were. He honestly couldn't picture his father loving anything. Not even an object that couldn't talk back or disappoint him.

The breakfast was awkward, but at least his mother made the effort to eat with them. Tyler appreciated it. Once finished she leaned back.
"You two get out of here. You're not grounded yet I suppose. I'll clean up this time."
"Really?" Tyler questioned. She arched an eyebrow.
"Before I change my mind…" Tyler glanced at Jeremy, who either looked like a fish out of water or a deer in the headlights, Tyler couldn't decide. Grabbing him by the hand he yanked him out of his chair, practically dragging him out of the kitchen.
"Thanks Mom. Love you!" Tyler yelled before pulling Jeremy out the front door.
"Where are we going?" Jeremy asked on a laugh.
"Doesn't matter," Tyler replied, "just get in the car."
"You don't want to try our luck and go drop the bomb on Jenna, do you?" Tyler laughed loudly.
"No, no I don't. I just want to do something fun with our unexpected freedom."
"So what did you have in mind?"
"Let's just drive." The possibilities were endless today Tyler decided. Half of him couldn't believe his mother was being so cool about all of this. The other half was insanely; freakishly grateful because he was pretty sure he and Jeremy had already been through enough. Thinking of all the problems did nothing but lead him to those yet to come. The full moon still lingered over his head. Figuratively and literally. More than anything he wanted Jeremy to be there with him. But he knew that wasn't possible. Even if it was, he wouldn't risk it. If something happened to Jeremy because of him, he'd never forgive himself. He didn't want to think about it for today. Today was just he and Jeremy. No werewolves, no vampires. Just the two of them.