“So why are you out and about in the dead of night?” Taylor asks as he starts the car.

Daryl lets out a light chuckle. “I'm a vampire now, Taylor. I am the dead of the night.” He says, trying to be clever.

Taylor smiles as he pulls out of the driveway and onto the road. “That was lame.” He says, feeling their situation getting back to the swing of things. Taylor felt that the tension between them could use a few more jokes.

Daryl smiles. Although the trust between the two had fractured a bit, if Daryl was being honest, this was a whole new phase in his life, and not to mention the history between the two, having someone along for the ride on this side of life would be… comforting.

The Demon Heart vampire family was very new to him, and their relationship had only really begun with them looking down on him like he was an animal. But Taylor wasn't wrong when he said that they weren't bad for vampires. Now that Daryl had crossed the Rubicon, the family was very willing to assist Daryl along this new journey. Unfortunately, Daryl wasn't quite satisfied with leaving his life in the hands of vampires. Like Charles had previously said, he grew up with some sense.

Daryl lets out a sigh. “I don't know, man. I just went out for a walk, and an hour later I found myself near your place. Thought I'd stop by to say hi.” Daryl says, his head turned to the passenger window, avoiding Taylor's gaze.

Taylor grins and takes a glance at Daryl avoiding his gaze, his grin only growing wider. “Man, just say you love me already.” Taylor says before letting out a laugh.

Daryl's pale face turns a shade of red and he immediately sends a sharp jab to Taylor’s shoulder. “Fuck off.” Daryl says with manly embarrassment.

"Hey," Taylor says, quickly raising a hand, to show off a simple bronze ring. “Always be your bro, man.” Taylor says, his voice a little heavy with emotion.

Daryl looks down at his own ring and felt a little dumb. It was like they were married. But he still had to respond. “Always be your bro.” Daryl says before looking back out of the window.

…

…

“So, what does a new Vampire Knight do in his spare time?” Taylor asks with a sip from his drink.

Daryl lets out a bitter laugh. “The family essentially told me to do whatever I want. As for what that is, I have no fucking idea.” He says, a hint of anger in his laughter.

Taylor takes chugs down the rest of his drink before asking, “How ‘bout we go on an adventure? We can look for some Mountain Climbers and have some fun.” Taylor asks, throwing out the first thing that came to mind.

“Fuck that, man.” Daryl says, firm refusal on his face. “I'm a fresh vampire, right off the grill, my dude. I have no business looking for the Mountain Climbers. You know an envoy came to reach out to the Demon Heart family? Unfortunately, they underestimated the vast difference between our bloodlines, and how absolutely fucking disgusting we find them. The family would have tortured them for days if it had been anyone else, but these sick fuckers would probably be into that, so they're being imprisoned and starved until their bodies betray them and they crumble.” Daryl says with disgust on his face. Now that he was part of the family, his understanding of the matter changed; as he saw it, there was no reason for the Mountain Climber bloodline to exist.

“Fuck.” Taylor exclaims, unsure how to feel about the matter, before deciding to change course. “Do you have a better idea, then? What do you want to do?” He asks, moving the conversation along.

Daryl sighs. “I have no idea, man. Fuck a few more chicks; I don't know. They asked a lot of questions during my young blood stage, and I still haven't been able to figure out any answers for a lot of them. I think I'm going to travel for a while or something. Anything basically, to figure some shit out about myself.” He says, absent-mindedly, before his eyes open slightly. Yeah, a journey sounds pretty nice. He thinks, intending to go through with it.

Taylor's eyes open a little in surprise. “So you're going to be heading out for a little while?” He asks, curious about where Daryl was going.

“Yeah, man. After this, I think I'm just going to start walking. I'll end up where I'll end up.” Daryl says with a smile.

“Fuck.” Taylor exclaims, seeing the seriousness in Daryl’s expression. “Alright, man. You do you. But keep your phone on you. If you ever need anything just call and I'll come running.” Taylor says.

Daryl smiles again. “Yeah, man. For sure.” He says with some relief. “Stock up favours while you can, my man. When I'm a Vampire Prince, I promise I won't forget the little guys.” He says with a laugh.

Taylor lets out a chuckle. “Says the vampire fresh off the grill.” Taylor says with a smile.