Tom woke up and eyed the clock in Daria's room. 4:07 AM.

Crap. He had to get home before sunrise, or, well, it'd be really hard to explain to Daria and her parents why he had to stay in their house all day.

He reached over to wake up Daria, but hesitated for a moment. Here she was, nice and asleep...and vulnerable. And Tom was thirsty.

Oh, to be sure, he wouldn't kill her or turn her into one of the undead. (Not yet, anyway). He just wanted a little taste. One pint...two, tops.

Jane hadn't let him drink any of her blood when they were dating. Though they had never told Daria (due to the need of having to keep things like vampiredom a secret), it was one of the main reasons they had drifted apart.

Remembering Jane also led Tom to remember what she had told him after giving permission for the two of them to start dating. "If you drink any of her blood, Tom, I'll -"

"Yeah, yeah, stake me through the heart, I know."

"Wrong!" A sadistic grin grew on her face. "I'll drive a stake through your DICK!"

Even though the conversation occurred months ago, it was enough to make Tom involuntarily flinch, clenching his thighs together for protection. Unfortunately, the movement shifted the springs in the bed, which shook Daria.

Her eyes opened and she glanced at the alarm clock. "Oh God," she commiserated. "We've got to get you the hell out of here."

"Works for me," Tom replied, a little ruefully. Damned Jane.

XXXXXXXXXX

This is part of Fhujeth's supernaturally-charged Secrets of Lawndale AU, wherein a number of characters are creatures that go bump in the night (including Tom, a vampire). I strongly recommend her stuff!