Bubbles clutched her chest as she staggered home. Her hand supported her weight as she made her way through the alley. Her stormy expression kept any and everyone away as she burst back onto the sidewalks of Townsville. The noises of her fellow citizens droned in the background. Her only focus was to get home. Just a few more blocks...just a few more... Not for the first time, she cursed her sisters for forcing her to go to the new art show in town alone. They knew she wouldn't be able to resist seeing pieces by her favorite artist! It was a once in a lifetime event, but now she regretted not listening to Blossom. She had forgotten her bracelet in her haste to get to the showing on time. She could feel her limbs getting heavier as fatigue began setting in. I should've eaten before I left...

She rounded the last corner, bumping in to a familiar build.

"Oh! Sorry I wasn't watching where I was...Bubbles?" Bubbles froze at the familiar low voice washing over her ears. She looked up slowly, fighting not to let the smile burst onto her features. Looks like tonight isn't so bad after all.

"Boomer. What're you doing out so late?" He chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck as he averted his eyes from her exposed chest and back to her striking ocean blue eyes. Bubbles internally smirked.

"Butch wanted some ribs, and the only 24 hour joint is on this street..." He smiled shyly, and Bubbles had the strongest urge to take advantage of his kindness toward her. She clutched his shirt, looking up at him with a vulnerable expression.

"Boomie...we're friends right?" He sobered at the pleading tone of her voice. His arms circled her immediately.

"Of course."

"I need a favor. Can you come with me for a bit?" He followed her back into an alleyway, the ribs still clutched in his hand. Bubbles backed into a wall, pulling him with her. When she pulled him down to kiss her, the food dropped from his hand, forgotten. Boomer lost himself in the kiss, his arms coming up to grab at her waist. Bubbles broke it to kiss along his jaw, her destination clear. Boomer moaned as she lavished his throat with attention, his hands moving down to cup her ass. Bubbles's eyes glowed, but Boomer was far too occupied to notice. She opened her mouth with a hiss, biting where his neck met his shoulder. Boomer moaned, his arms slackening as she drank from him. It was only when his arms fell completely that she pulled away, licking the wound to close it. She caught him as he fell unconscious against her. She licked her lips, feeling more satisfied than she'd ever been. She shifted him against her, scooping up the ribs as an afterthought before taking to the skies. She left him in front of the Jojo residence, knocking on the door so he wouldn't be outside all night.

When she made it home, Buttercup teased her rosy complexion. Bubbles waved her off with a giggle, knowing how her sisters would react if they knew who she'd fed from. She breezed upstairs, finishing her night routine in record time. That night, she slept better than she'd ever slept.

Thanks Boomie.

Blossom watched her siblings like a hawk. Bubbles looked unusually healthy, while Buttercup had her usual Devil may care attitude. She focused solely on Bubbles as they ate. It was subtle, but her sister was frowning a bit as she drank.

"Something wrong Bubbles? The drink not to your liking?" Bubbles froze at the challenge in her sister's voice. Buttercup did too, looking between her sisters.

"What do you mean? It's fine." Blossom raised a brow, before pushing her sister's glass closer to her.

"Really? You've barely drank half. You know what happens if we get hungry through the day. This gets us through school."

"I'm just not that thirsty..." Bubbles realized her mistake a second too late. Blossom, never one to miss any detail, jumped at the tidbit Bubbles released by mistake. Blossom rose from her chair, while Bubbles raised her hands in a placating gesture.

"You're not thirsty?"

"Bloss. It's not what you think-"

"Why not? Because you got what you needed last night? And just who sated your thirst?" Blossom advanced on her sister as Buttercup watched, her eyes wide. Bubbles backed up until she ran into the bottom step, wobbling as she fought for her balance. Blossom's hands shot out to grab her sister in a vice grip. She leaned forward as Bubbles squirmed in a futile attempt to hide the truth. Blossom sniffed her neck, pulling back with a gasp.

"You still have the faint scent of blood. And you're way too satisfied...Bubbles you didn't." Bubbles stammered before sighing, resigned.

"It was just one time -"

"Bubbles! You know what this means! You know that was the one rule I enforced."

"I know, I know! But I was so hungry and he smelled so good -"

"Ugh! Bubbles!" Blossom threw up her hands, turning away from her. Bubbles groaned, yanking at her low ponytails.

"I know! I'm a weak woman! So sue me! But it can't be like the stories right? Blood from other people may not taste all that great anymore, but I should still be able to control myself! It's not like we hang out all that often anymore either..." Bubbles didn't notice the disappointment leaking into her voice, but her sisters did. Buttercup sighed, deciding to act as mediator this time.

"Well there's nothing we can do about it now. We'll just have to make sure they're not alone together. He shouldn't remember anything either." Blossom groaned again but nodded, knowing there was nothing they could do. Bubbles had started down a dangerous path, but as long as there were no repeats, she wouldn't exclusively crave Boomer's blood. Buttercup grinned, feeling proud that she'd stopped a fight for once instead of started one.

"Now, let's get to school."