What if Jean and Jeremy are not even together together yet, not officially at least. Jeremy is locked up in the Wilshires mansion after he failed his LSAT (i don't really know when Jeremy has to take the exam, but my guess is the upcoming spring. unless i'm wrong and it ruins the whole idea lol). The first night Jeremy spent there after the terrible and humiliating dinner he thought he wouldn't survive, that first night William knocked at the door to his room gently and then opened it slowly. Jeremy, who already tucked himself under the blanket in a desperate need to disappear, lifted his head and nodded at their butler to come in. William did, as quietly as possible, holding something in his hands. Jeremy looked at it curiously and then his eyes went wide. Even wider when William said "Mr. Moreau paid a quick visit. He asked me to give them to you". With that said William held out a simple bouquet of wildflowers. Jeremy felt his heart racing. He took the bouquet carefully and held his breath. They were mainly blue. Cluster lilies and small lupines but also some flashes of california poppies here and there. The bouquet was a little droopy and rushed but so pretty and meaningful, Jeremy felt a strong pang in his chest. "Is he still here?" Jeremy asked, forcing his voice to be normal, not whiny and needy. William shook his head. "I suggested that Mr. Moreau go back home before it's too late at night," the butler added and Jeremy understood the implication too well. "That's wise," was all Jeremy could say before pressing a tip of his nose to the flowers, inhaling deep. The smell of it, the single thought of Jean collecting them for Jeremy sent a shiver down Jeremy's spine, then legs, making his knees weak. Never in his life was he given flowers. Jeremy realized too late what he was doing, catching William's too understanding eyes and blushing, hiding his red face behind this beautiful bouquet. "Perhaps you need a vase for them. I'll bring it for you but first let me point out that you missed a note." Jeremy blinked dumbly. "A note?" "A note on the bouquet," William explained patiently as always and headed to the kitchen, leaving Jeremy baffled. He took a closer look and saw it. A small ragged piece of paper was attached to the bouquet with a purple hair tie, which Jeremy assumed was Cat’s. He smiled at that little detail and detached the note from it. Jeremy has seen Jean’s handwriting so many times there was no doubt it was really Jean who wrote the words. The way Jeremy’s heart clenched for the second time was bordering on dangerous. He wasn’t sure he could calm his own rapid heartbeat when he read the lines in French. "I'll remain by your side until the last flower dies." The art of killing Jeremy with beautiful disarming words, and Jean mastered it like no one else. How Jean could find the right words at the darkest hours, how he could feel what Jeremy craved to hear? Jeremy's hands were shaking by the fifth reread of a single phrase, as if he couldn't believe this was real. The note was tucked into a random textbook Jeremy had to hide under his bed. He reached for it every morning, he looked at it every night before going to sleep. Mathilda was choking him further, the flowers were slowly drying up. Until they were not. Not every one of them. A single iris seemed still fresh and alive, unlike other flowers collected in the wild. Jeremy didn't pay attention the first time but now he could see it perfectly. The iris was different. A few days later, after Warren was done signing papers meant to end Jeremy's entire exy career, Jeremy let William take care of the dead flowers, trusting him to make a dried bouquet out of them. The iris stayed with Jeremy though. A strong vivid flower, helping him through this nightmare, and a very special note. It's my last year, Jeremy thought. As a Trojan, but not ever. As long as I have him by my side, we are going to win.
