The Prince of Mystic Falls

39. Lockwood Cellar

This chapter contains brief spanking M/m hand, references only.

Chapter Text

Jeremy felt strange being back in his old bedroom. It was a nice room, but not remotely like anything they had at the mansion. He remembered his mom painting it blue and decorating it with him before she died. Jeremy flipped through his old books and sketchbooks remembering the past. Yet this place didn't feel like home anymore.

"Hey Jer, you need anything? I thought we would just order pizza for dinner. Sound good?" Jenna called from the door

"Yeah, great. Jenna, you sure you're okay with this? All of us here," Jeremy asked shyly. His aunt was young and now saddled with the responsibility of three teens and a live-in boy friend.

"Jeremy, this is your home. You know that. And Alaric moving in to help, might not be a bad thing. Hint. Hint," Jenna winked holding out her left hand. Jeremy thought she meant she was hoping Alaric would propose, but he wasn't quite sure. He hoped things worked out for his aunt. He certainly hadn't made things easy on her when he lived here.

Matt was right down the hallway in the old guest room. This house was full of ghosts of the past. Elena's parents were always so welcoming to him. Matt had spent a couple of nights here, once when everyone camped out in the backyard. Another time, when there was a bad storm and it was late, Dr. Gilbert had insisted Matt stay. The next day they had a big breakfast of pancakes and waffles. Matt went home that day to his mom missing, the house trashed, and Vicky hung over. The refrigerator had been empty. It was like night and day.

Matt really didn't want to get too comfortable here. He also didn't want Tyler to trigger his curse by murdering him, but Matt hoped a solution would be found soon and they could all return to the mansion.

"Hey Matt, how you holding up?" Alaric said tapping on the door frame.

"Real good, Mr. Saltz-, I mean, Alaric. It's a little weird, though," Matt admitted with a shy smile, trying not to think about how Alaric had swatted him throughly with a wooden spoon the last time he saw him. A blush crept up Matt's neck. If Alaric noticed, he didn't mention it.

"I bet. Honestly, it's weird for me, too. Living here with you guys and Jenna. Since my wife died, I've been pretty much alone," Alaric mused.

"I'm sorry. I didn't even know you were married," Matt blurted out.

"It's okay. It was a couple of years ago. I know you lost your sister, too," Alaric said stepping into the room.

"Well, I don't know if I would say lost. Ever since I came back the night of the attack, I've been seeing her ghost. She wants me to help her crossover. I wouldn't or couldn't, and now she's mad," Matt confided.

"Oh Matt, that is awful. I really never used to believe in all this supernatural crap until my late wife Isobel told me about it. I did learn that to every magical type problem, there is a solution that can be found. Well, for a price. Like you came back, but now you're haunted. Can you try to make your peace with your sister and see if you can let her go? Maybe there is something you're not seeing? Does she want something else? Just thinking aloud. Never mind, this isn't my area of expertise. Well, it's almost time for the pizza. See ya downstairs in five?" Alaric said turning to leave.

"Thanks. I'll think about it. Maybe there is something I'm missing here. I'll be down," Matt said wondering if maybe Vicky just needed closure, or was there something else? Matt ignored Vicky as she yelled at him for letting her be stuck in the Other Side.

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Freya mopped the foreheads of the boys with a cloth soaked in an herbal remedy she cooked up. She had them in hospital beds and was trying to get some fluids in them. Just water and broths.