I normally don't update so fast, but I'm really excited to start a new story that I will be typing up over the next week or two, so I decided to update this one early. =]

Thank you to my reviewers! You guys are the reason I write, and I appreciate you guys so much!

Dora Istrazuje

JackHarknessstones

Thecupcakebat

Vampires assistant

So now, on to the story!

Chapter Two

Darren awoke in a motel bed, resting next to Mr. Crepsley, who was asleep. He rubbed his palms over his eyes, then ran his fingers through his hair. Another dream. They were in a clearing in some forest; Mr. Crepsley, as usual, dominating him. Darren felt the stirring in his groin and snarled, hopping up to splash his face with cold water. What was wrong with him? Ugh.

He dried his face and returned to the one-bed room, his eyes falling on his teacher. He quietly took the chair next to the bed and simply watched. He felt more alert after last night, when his teacher played that nasty trick on him. But he could hardly blame the man. When he saw how Mr. Crepsley was reacting to the absence of blood, fake as it was, he practically shoved the stuff down his throat. Darren groaned and shut his eyes. He had to think of something else!

They were only one night away from his home town, his old family. He stole a glance out the window and sighed. He would get to see how his family was doing, growing, yes, but as much as he missed them, he was most enjoying the closeness to his mentor through this trip. He was allowed to ride on his back all night, and –

All night. Darren growled, his face red. All night! His dreams, his horrifyingly vivid sexual dreams about the man he was riding at night! …He shook his head to rid himself of that thought. He prayed to the vampire gods he hadn't let anything slip from his mouth during one of those dreams! Or that his mentor could feel his arousal when carrying him… Charna's guts!

Darren was afraid. What did these dreams mean? What was love, really? Sure, he'd been pretty sure he liked Debbie Hemlock. In fact, at one point he'd dreamt of her, too. But this was… different. He constantly wondered about Mr. Crepsley. Strange thoughts, at that. Last night had proven how protective he could get over his sire. And the dreams continued to become more and more personal. Now, he began noticing small details about Mr. Crepsley that he never would have before. Personal habits, such as the position he slept in most, the way his mouth twisted when he was thinking about something deeply, and the smile that came to his face when he found something amusing. Sure, there were some things about the vampire that could turn people away, but Darren loved everything about him, even his-

Darren's eyes shot open, his heart pounding in his chest. Loved. Love. He couldn't possibly, there was no way! …Was there? He groaned as he realized what this feeling, this ache must be. Oh, the agony! He sat with his back straight, his eyes glued on his mentor. What was he supposed to do now? He sighed to himself, sinking back into the chair.

All Darren could do was wait until dusk, and pray his sire said nothing about what was going on…

-xox-

"Darren."

The half-vampire looked up into the eyes of Mr. Crepsley, but quickly averted his eyes. His thoughts still haunted him, and he was sure if he faced his sire he would turn into a tomato. "Yeah?"

Mr. Crepsley frowned, but said nothing. "Are you ready to leave?"

Darren nodded, still not meeting his eyes. He began to walk out, when Mr. Crepsley stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. "Darren, perhaps if you talk about what is bothering you, it will help you sleep."

The assistant froze, barely turning his head. "What?"

The vampire sighed audibly. "I have noticed you groaning in your sleep while we travel, and you tend to shift on my back." He noticed his assistant's stiff posture and his frown deepened. "Is it that you are dreaming of your family?"

Darren's face became warm. He hated lying to his mentor, but… "Y-Yes."

"Darren…" Mr. Crepsley's tone was warning. "We will not leave here until you speak about it. It is becoming difficult to carry you when you refuse to lay still." He became worried when Darren yanked himself away from him and completely turned from him, hiding his face. "Darren?"

The boy sighed, frustrated. He knew he couldn't lie, the vampire would see right through it, but how could he reveal something so personal? So… embarrassing? He had a feeling in his gut this wouldn't go well.

"I-I…" He growled in frustration and raked his hands through his hair. He closed his eyes, shielding him from the face he was sure his mentor would make. "They aren't bad dreams. I just… They… I mean it's about…" Angry with himself, he clenched his fists. "They're sex dreams! Dreams about bloody you!" He felt a stream of tears leak from his eye and he angrily swiped them away with his palm. The silence that greeted him was deafening, Instantly he wished the ground would collapse and he would fall to his death. Or a stray bullet would fly through the wall and straight through his heart. Or-

Darren felt hands wrap around his shoulders, meeting at his chest. He felt hot breath on his ear, making him shiver. "Darren," the deep, familiar voice sounded next to his ear. "I am glad you told me about this. I knew you were maturing, but I did not know, since you have dated women before."

Darren frowned, his head hung in shame. "I don't really understand it either. I think it's not really the… uh… gender but maybe the… person?"

Mr. Crepsley sighed against his ear. "Please do not think I hate you, or am repulsed by you. Quite the opposite, actually. However, you are young still, and I do not wish to hurt you until you are sincerely positive it is what you want."

Shocked, Darren turned around, still in his sire's embrace. "You mean you're not… freaked out? Mad at me?" At the shake of Mr. Crepsley's head, he continued. "Do you… Uh… Feel the same?"

The older vampire sighed once more. "Darren, I do care for you deeply. I would go as far as to say I love you. But until you are sure of your decision, I will not ask anything of you."

The assistant clung to his sire, his hands fisted in the familiar red cape and his face turned into the muscular chest. His words were muffled, and Mr. Crepsley had to ask him to repeat himself. Darren turned his face up, looking into his sire's eyes. "I… I just want to, uh…"

Mr. Crepsley understood his unspoken plea and lowered his lips to his assistant's. It was light, a mere brushing of mouths, a testing of the waters, and he pulled back. Darren's eyes were closed, as if waiting for more, so the vampire consented and lowered his lips once more. It was innocent, by all means, but to Darren it felt sinful. He felt as if it should have repulsed him, as if he should have run in fear. But instead, it made his heart ache and his legs slightly weak. He hated the feeling, but couldn't get enough. It seemed everything with Mr. Crepsley was a paradox.

The vampire pulled away and allowed Darren to bury his face within the red cape. He could hear Darren's heart beat, strong and wild. He knew he should pull away – Darren was still so young – but he couldn't bring himself to push the boy away. Something within him had longed for this for months, years even, and he couldn't hurt his assistant simply because he was young. He would have much time to learn and grow. Mr. Crepsley believed the only way to learn was to listen and experience, and though he didn't necessarily want to cause Darren pain, it was sometimes needed for the boy to learn. But this was something he could help him with – and possibly help himself in the process. Since meeting his assistant, he had slowly lost his rough edge – only around the boy, of course, but he realized he smiled more often, and brooded less.

Darren finally faced his teacher, a happy but confused smile on his face. Mr. Crepsley smiled down at him in return, allowing himself a moment of happiness. Darren grinned slyly. "Sooo, does that mean I can call you Larten now?"

The vampire chuckled. "You still need to respect me, Darren." At his assistant's look of disappointment, he continued. "But in private, I do not see any harm." He pulled away, glancing out the window as he strode to the door. "We should be leaving. Now perhaps you may have peaceful dreams."

Darren smiled as he walked through the door behind the older man, shutting it softly behind him. He hoped the vampire was right about his dreams.

-xox-

It was there, so real in front of him, as Darren watched his old family sit down in front of the television that night. They had arrived the previous night, but Mr. Crepsley had needed rest, so they stopped a little ways from town, camping out in a tiny motel with peeling wallpaper and musty bedspreads. He had gone ahead without his mentor, with the promise the two would join up after the sun had set.

Darren's sister, Annie, was beautiful. She had blossomed into a young woman, her eyes sparkling. His parent's looked older than ever. His dad especially. But they all sat around the television, ready to watch a movie before retiring to bed. He watched them. It wasn't jealousy that spread through him, but longing. He longed that for just one night, he could return and they could be a family again. Logically he knew that was impossible – they all believed him dead. But he could wish all he wanted – wishes never hurt anyone, had they?

Scratch that.

After an hour of watching his family from the windows, careful not to cast any shadows, Mr. Crepsley arrived, looking refreshed. His gaze was soft as he looked upon his assistant. "Darren, are you alright?"

The half-vampire nodded. "Yeah, I'm okay. I wish I could talk to them. Look at them – especially dad. He looks so worn out." He shook his head. "But that's okay, I know I can't."

Mr. Crepsley offered him a look of understanding. "Do you wish to be alone?"

Darren shook his head. "No, I'm almost done anyway. It looks like they're going to bed soon." They watched as the television was shut off, and the inhabitants of the house all went upstairs. Darren climbed up to the second floor, peering into Annie's window, Mr. Crepsley following him. Annie sat in front of her mirror, brushing her hair in rhythmic strokes. After a long while of simply looking at herself, she walked over to her bed and sat down, picking up a picture from her bedside table. She kissed it softly, muttered a quick "Goodnight, love you.", and snuggled under her covers. Darren observed the picture she had replaced, and felt himself tear up.

It was a picture of himself.

-xox-

Darren allowed himself to slide easily from his sire's back, landing with a small 'thump'. The half-vampire looked around, happy to be home. Mr. Crepsley gave him a side glance. "I am glad you got to return home, even for the short time that it was."

Darren let himself smile, and shook his head. "No, I went on a trip. But I'm home now."

Mr. Crepsley smirked, but said nothing. For a moment the two stood side by side, taking in the sights of the Cirque. "I will be retiring to my quarters soon."

Darren nodded. "Okay. I'll be there in a while. There's someone I have to see before I sleep though."

The vampire grunted. "I will make sure your hammock is still in order."

After muttering a soft thanks and watching his mentor walk away, Darren glanced around. The Cirque was just beginning to awaken, people slowly emerging from their tents and waking for the day. He was about to find something to eat when he heard a familiar voice calling his name. He turned and grinned as he watched Evra jog up to him.

"Darren, you're back! I thought you'd be gone longer than that."

Darren smirked. "I see how much you missed me, snake-boy."

"Snake man," Evra corrected. "And you know that's not it!"

The assistant laughed. "I know." He looked around. "I think I'm gonna get something to eat. I won't be able to feed until tonight."

Evra shrugged a scaly arm around his shoulders. "Great, let me come too. I'm up for some food! And you can tell me all about your trip."

Darren had to hold back a blush. "I'm not sure you really want to know everything, man."

The snake man made a puzzled face before letting his mouth drag into a grin. "I see, you met someone. Sly, Darren." He winked.

Darren's blush finally broke through. "Well, not really met someone, per say." At Evra's confused look, he just shrugged. "Maybe I'll tell you about it, when you're old enough." He started slinking away, then broke into a jog, laughing, as Evra began chasing him, calling him names, reminding him that he was the older one. Yes, it was good to be home.

End

Look out for my next Crepsley/Darren fiction, hopefully coming soon. =D