A/n: It is a bit lengthy, sorry 'bout that. I'm sorry it's taken me a little too long to finish this chapter. I'd write a little, then get stuck. Lol, but yay. The chapter's done! Woohoo!
Enjoy!

Chapter 22

Ignorance is Bliss

"The seasons' end will come before we know it and we need to do something different for a change. Some of our best players are graduating this year and this means we need to do something fun. There's a hotel already booked, we're going to a Virginia state college ball game. Cavaliers vs Boston College. Tickets are all paid for. Got a team discount and the fund raiser a couple months back helped. There's uh one thing though, anybody who's missed practice more than 4 times has to stay back. Sorry fellas, just gotta be fair." Says Tylers' football coach.

Coach O'reily. He came in the picture when Alaric was getting too busy with the whole Vampire ordeal. Of course the rest of the school didn't know that. He just claimed, "personal problems." The team seemed to like Coach O'reily fine. He was funny with his accent but a hard ass on the field. They'd been undefeated, so he respected the team and the team respected him.

Now the coach said something different but it was still football related so they weren't as ecstatic as he thought they'd be. But none the less, if it meant the foot ball team didn't have to train their asses off, they'd go and be thrilled about it.

"So, who's in?" The coach was the most excited one in the room.

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Tyler and Jeremy hung at Tylers' that day. His Mom was off trotting with some lawyer and his whole estate was empty. For the exception of the two of them. Who were still going the pace Jeremy was comfortable with. If anything happened, it'd go slow.

"A trip or whatever to Virginia State. Yeah, they're uh, playing against Boston College. It's this weekend. Thing the team's doin'."

Tyler hadn't really thought about if he was gonna go or not. Figured it couldn't hurt with the coach and team since he missed 3 practices already and wasn't performing his best. That was another thing that convinced him he relied on Jeremy. When they were going through, well whatever the hell it was, Tyler skipped practice and his head just wasn't in it when he did go.

"You should go. Hang out with the team. I know you haven't gotten to do that lately."

Based off of Jeremys' face, you'd think he was a 100% chipper about it. Tyler knew Michael couldn't go, but Jeremy didn't. What? Did he forget? It's not like anything would happen, god no. It almost killed Tyler the first time he lost Jeremy, he wouldn't do anything that stupid again. But Jeremy was being so closed off, Tyler had no idea what was goin' through his head.

The truth of the matter was that no matter what, if Michael was going, Tyler wouldn't. Even if Jeremy never mentioned it. It'd just make things too messy. A stupid trip isn't worth any more shit that could go wrong.

"Really?", Tyler let out a soft chuckle, "Well uh, it's not the whole team that's going. Guys who missed over 4 practices have to stay behind. No work no play, y'know."

The two of them sat on the bench that over looked the pond that was on the Lockwood estate. It had grown to be Jeremys' favourite place at Tylers'. It was peaceful. No one really walked out to it and the water was so clear you could see all the fish and everything.

It was quiet. Jeremy stared at the water and as awkward as it might have been, Tyler was staring at Jeremy. You didn't have to be a genius to read Jeremy. His emotions were like an open book. Just look at his face and you'd see a thousand words.

"He's not going, you know." Ah, fuck, Tyler thought. For all he knew, that could've been the last thing on Jeremys' mind. But Tyler at least liked to think he knew Jeremy. And Jeremy looked like he was in deep thought about something.

Jeremy snapped his head back to look at Tyler and the two remained silent for the next couple moments.

"Would that have made a difference?" This was the first time they were talking about it. Well, kind of talking about it.

Tylers' face was easy to read too. Of course it would! He cared about Jeremy too much to go if Michael went. Tyler knew he loved Jeremy. It wasn't something they talked about much because neither of them like to get too serious in conversation, but Tyler did love him. If he thought for even a second it'd make Jeremy uneasy, he'd say to hell with the trip all together. Simple as that.

"Ugh, yeah." Tyler says with much emphasis.

"Look, nothing would happen either way. But I um, I-I'd pass on the trip if you wanted me to."

Which was true. Tyler knew he was on thin ice already, if all it took was avoid a damn trip to make Jeremy happy, he'd do it. No matter what the reason.

They walked back to the mansion and upstairs to Tylers' room. That was one of the perks for having a mother who was more busy with other things than her own son; he didn't have to explain anything to anyone when he had Jeremy over.

As the two got to Tylers' room, Jeremy was certain of what he had to say. He'd never seen Tyler like this before and it threw him for a loop. He wasn't sure what to say at first.

"You should go. Hang with Matt and everybody. You'd have fun and plus, you and Matt haven't hung in a while either, best place to start."

Jeremy was on Tylers' bed smiling. Honestly, he was glad Tyler said what he did. That he'd stay if Jeremy wanted him to. But Jeremy didn't own Tyler. He'd feel weird telling someone not to do something. So he just encouraged Tyler.

Tyler was sitting in his computer chair watching Jeremy lay on his bed. He was glad they got that out of the way and he missed the sight. Jeremy did say they were taking it slow, but him on Tylers' bed made Tylers' heart race more than normal.

While Jeremys' eyes were slid closed and he was stretched across Tylers' bed, he felt a hot body start to press against his own. He didn't bother to open his eyes. He just responded to the mouth that surrounded his lips and he gave in to the temptation. Even when he smiled as they kissed, they still kept on.

They both missed this. How the others hands felt against their chest. Jeremys' kisses were sweet and soft while Tyler kissed with more lust. His lips were soft and they moved well with Jeremys'.

Tyler was on top lying on Jeremy as he began to feel the erection beneath him. The last thing he wanted to do was rush things but hey, Jeremy started it. Well, kinda.

Jeremy curved his neck to the right giving Tyler room to explore the soft area. Every time Tyler would glide his teeth along the others neck, it'd send Jeremy into almost a frenzy. He grabbed a hold to Tylers' hair as he pulled away to kiss his neck. Jeremy knew that when he ran his tongue along Tylers' neck and up to his earlobe that it made Tyler even more anxious.

Which hadn't changed. Tyler began moving faster as he glided his body back and forth over Jeremys' waist and erected area only causing friction between the two organs that were pulsating leading to that release. With Tyler being on top, he brought his hand and slipped it down Jeremys' denim jeans and wrapped his fingers around the boys' hard length. He rubbed with the strength and pace that he knew Jeremy would literally squirm for and simultaneously he latched his open mouth to the crook of Jeremys' neck. He bit lightly on his Jeremys' skin just enough to leave a mark for a couple hours. His tongue swiped over the soon to be bruise and planted soft kisses to any patch of skin on Jeremy that Tyler could get to.

Tyler removed his hand from Jeremys' begging cock only to rub his own erection and grind against the boys' beneath him. Jeremy propped his torso up with his elbows pushing Tyler to sit up allowing Jeremy to strip him of his shirt that at that point just got in the way. Lightly Jeremy began to run his fingertips across Tylers' pecks and abs rubbing the places he had missed the most. Tyler just remained there as he straddled the younger boy letting Jeremy do whatever he wanted to him. He licked the places his tongue craved for, his lips glided and ghosted the dents and lines that covered Tylers' fit body.

Tyler tossed his head back when he felt Jeremy lick one of his nipples and kissed all around it. That was another thing that got Tyler going. His legs began to twitch when Jeremy gently licked his chest and peck almost kitten-like. He wouldn't stay in one place for long. Jeremy would retract his tongue and start to kiss from Tylers' well-formed stomach up to his chest again and find Tylers' lips.

Both boys kissed each other as if it were a reunion of lovers. They had kissed before when Tyler saved Jeremy from falling off the edge but those kisses were almost sad. There were tears mixed with each kiss and cheeks were touched; it was one of those moments that you'd see on television. A moment so perfect that anyone would swear it was scripted. Now, however, wasn't the case.

A kiss wasn't brutal or sweet. It was like they were claiming territory all over again. Each bite mark Tyler put on Jeremys' neck was a symbol of ownership. And with ever lick and kiss that Jeremy skillfully planted on Tyler was a reminder that no one else knows how to make your body tense and heat up and vibrate the way I can with a simple suction to a certain spot on your body.

This time, as Tyler had Jeremy held on his bed and he motioned his body back and forth rubbing Jeremy just right, said a lot of things. I'm sorry. You're mine. Only I can make your leg shake and dick twitch

by just kissing you the way I know you like to be kissed. It also said, I love you.

The fact that they were both guys only made it that much hotter. Both of them were used to being the dominant one. Tyler was the more territorial of the two but Jeremy knew how to press all the right buttons.

With no words at all and through only action, Tyler and Jeremy shared secrets and territorial possession right on Tylers' bed. The two didn't go further than that, they both knew it wasn't the right time.

(That was them saying 'Bye', Tyler's going on the trip.)

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The football team left a couple hours ago and Jeremy had finished his assignments for school and everything already. He thought about going to The Grill but decided just to get something from downstairs.

He made his way to the kitchen and found Elena and Stefan at the counter talking and just being their nauseating selves. Even though the sight of the two made him sick a little bit, he realized he loved his sister and even her glued-to-the-hip boyfriend. They had both been there for him when he needed it and he hadn't forgotten.

"Hello, Jeremy. You hungry?" Elena hopped off of her bar stool and greeted him with her usual smile and a not so normal hug. Since he told Elena that he nearly fell to his death, she's been super nice to him and he with her.

"Ugh, yeah I'm starving. Have you guys eaten already." He opened the fridge and frowned to see the only thing they had were a couple bottles of water, a half a loaf of bread, some eggs, and not much else.

"Well we were going to The Grill if you want to come with. I'll get you a burger or something. Jenna won't be here til late so we could just have dinner there. It'll be fun." Elena was holding onto Stefans' hand and looking at Jeremy.

It was better than him having bread and water, so what the hell?

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The car ride was only a few minutes long and instead of turning up Taylor Swift like Elena would normally do, she just turned the radio to some classic rock.

As always, Stefan went to open Elenas' door. Jeremy actually admired how Stefan was so polite with her while not being completely annoying like the guys on television.

They went inside to find the place kind of empty. Jeremy didn't realize just how many jocks hung at The Grill so much. Made it easier to find a table though. Naturally Stefan slid in next to Elena and Jeremy sat across from them looking at the menu the waitress had left.

"What can I get you guys to drink?" Asked the waitress.

She got their orders and left to give them time to decide on the food.

Jeremy actually had fun. Stefan and him talked more than they usually did and Elena was even laughing with them. Eventhough Jeremy would never say it aloud, he liked to see his sister laugh. He remembered that when their parents had died, neither of them smiled for what felt like an eternity. Her smile was contagious and she seemed happy.

The three continued to laugh and ate what they had ordered earlier and once Jeremy was finished, he looked to see Elena and Stefan not even half way done.

"I'll be right back." He said as he smiled to the two and slid out of the booth.

Jeremy made his way to the restroom and felt his phone buzzing in his pocket. The vibration not only shocked Jeremy but made his thigh tingle in the motion. He had gotten a text from Melissa.

Melissa:

Sorry about the other day. I came back and saw you were kind of busy ;-p

Give me a ring if you want to hang later.

- Mel

He felt kind of guilty when he realized that he actually forgot that Melissa was there that day he almost fell. It was just that so many things happened that day that his mind was going in and out. He sent her a message asking if she was busy tomorrow. Jeremy was going to explain what she probably saw out in the woods. He began to smile remembering what happened.

As Jeremy walked out of the bathroom he glanced to see that Elena and Stefan were still eating and talking. So he decided to go over to play some pool and found a guy who was looking for someone to play against.

"Hey uh, you wanna play some pool?" He chuckled almost sweetly and continued, "Everyone I usually play with went on this trip today." Jeremy looked at the boy who seemed nice enough and figured, why not?

"Yeah, yeah sure. A game would be good." He smiled as he leaned in to get a pool stick from the wall and chalk for the tip. He honestly had never met this guy in his life but he'd rather play with a stranger than intrude on the love birds over there. He did have fun, but he could only handle them in small doses.

Surprisingly the two of them were having fun. When it wasn't Jeremys' turn he managed to get a better look at the guy he was playing with. He wasn't like eye-ing him or anything, Jeremy just noticed the guys' appearance. He had dark features along with a pretty good build. Probably a jock, he guessed. If so, the kid was the nicest jock Jeremy had ever met. And a pretty good pool player at that. His hair was brown and his eyes were dark like chocolate.

"So you go to school here?" Jeremy asked when he was watching the other boy taking his shot. Not trying to distract him but was curious that he'd never seen him before.

"Yeah, a senior. You? Don't think I've seen you around before." The guy looked up from the table and flashed his white smile to Jeremy. Ever since Jeremy discovered that he wasn't attracted to just girls anymore he had his opinion on guys as well. This kid was pretty damn good looking. He was tall, kind of muscular, smooth skin tone, and he was pretty friendly as well.

"Yup, got a couple years to go. Unfortunately." He laughed as he went to take his shot. He was solids and at that point, losing. But he didn't mind.

"Aah, it's not that bad. Your senior year will be the best. A lot less pressure from high school but then there's what to do afterwards. That part can be kind of scary."

"Oh, I bet. I've thought about majoring in art after I graduate, though." He said before sinking the ball he was targeting.

"Wow, are you- can you draw?" He asked Jeremy while he too was noticing how Jeremy looked. The kid hadn't been honest before. He knew who Jeremy was. He had heard a quite a bit about him, actually. Tyler used to talk about him often before that thing happened.

Yup, Jeremy was playing pool with Michael and didn't even know it.

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A/n: If anybody had any thoughts, let me know!
I'm REALLY excited about what's gonna happen in the 23rd chapter. I think you guys are gonna like it.
Anybody want to guess what's going to happen next? :D