AH collections

The apologies series (2)

Jeremwood
Word count: 26276
Chapters: 3

On the ninth day

     Jeremy sat on the floor of his room, his back resting against the bed. He was trying to keep his mind occupied by threading new purple laces through his Timberlands. Unfortunately, the task wasn't enough to distract him from his thoughts... or his hunger. His stomach growled loudly at him and he rubbed at the ache.

He had spent the last five days locked in his room. Self imposed isolation as his self imposed punishment. He really should eat something substantial though.

Michael and Gavin had come by a few times, knocking on the door and trying to get him into an all lads video game night. Jack also came by to check on him, knocking gently and asking if he needed anything. He just kept calling through the door that he didn't feel well and needed to lay down. Jack, being the sweetest criminal in the universe, had even offered to call Trevor, the team medic, for him. That actually did make Jeremy feel sick. He hated lying to his friends, but he couldn't let them see him like this.

He decided he would allow himself to come out when the evidence of his lack of self control faded. In other words, when the wonderful bruising on his neck fully healed. He was caught somewhere between needing them to be gone, and yearning for them never leave. Visibly they had faded, the only evidence was a tender feeling when he pressed on some of the worse areas. He was being ridiculous, but he was still irrationally worried the others would somehow be able to know anyway. He didn't know what he would tell them if they asked; but at this point he figured they wouldn't ask too much, if they noticed at all.

The real problem was Vagabond. He didn't know what the team's violent, murderous, enforcer remembered of the best night of Jeremy's life. Either way, he figured walking around with a neck covered in hickeys and the only explanation he could provide being "the man I got shot pulled me into his bed and ravaged me until I finally caved and sucked his dick while he begged to fuck me," would not be met with anything good.

Jeremy's stomach growled again. It felt like it was collapsing in on itself. He really needed to eat something besides the Ps and Qs he had been sneaking into his room after everyone else went to bed. He craved real food.

Jeremy looked over at the clock on his bedside table. The glowing face flashed a little after 10pm. He got up and pressed his ear against the door. All was quiet. He slowly opened it and peeked into he dark hallway. No one was around. If he was quiet, and quick enough, maybe he could sneak into the kitchen for a snack and get back without anyone noticing. After all, it was Friday night; most of the crew were probably drinking at the bars or halfway to the clubs by now. It was a risk, but he knew he needed to take it before his stomach ate itself.

He was barely three steps outside his door when he felt a strong arm wrap around his shoulders. Jeremy jumped and tensed, only relaxing slightly when his vision was flooded by floral print as he was pulled into a big hug.

"There you are!" Jack's big bearded face smiled sweetly down at him. "We've all been worried sick!" Jeremy spared a moment to be sorry he worried the youngest gent before he realized the danger he was in.

"Hey Jack. Sorry. I- uh- just haven't been feeling too well." He hated lying to Jack more than anyone and his stomach twisted itself into a bigger knot. Jack put a hand on Jeremy's face and tilted his head up to get a better look at him.

"Yeah, you look a bit clammy and pale. You need a good meal! When was the last time you ate?" Jeremy's silently cursed his stomach for betraying him and choosing that moment to make itself heard again. Jack let out a hearty laugh while Jeremy turned pink. "Well, I think that's my answer! Come on! Let's get you something to eat!"