Work Text:
Sookie went to Fangtasia just for some peace and quiet. It was ironic, she knew, but there were a lot less thoughts to hear with all the vampires around. She also liked how the blaring dance music drowned out the internal chatter.
She had her usual spot in the corner. She usually just ordered a Shirley Temple. No alcohol, but the cherries made her happy.
It took nearly three months for Eric Northman to approach her. He was the owner of the bar and sat atop a throne in the middle of the room like Nordic royalty. He had spent nights upon nights watching her. She was surprised it took him so long to speak to her.
Sookie felt someone looming over her and looked up. The vampire was so tall he blocked out the ceiling. His fangs were out.
“You’re a prostitute.”
“Huh?”
He smiled, showing her more of his white teeth. He leaned closer as if she needed help hearing him. “A prostitute.”
She glanced around, a bit scandalized. “Where?”
“Don’t plan dumb with me, woman.”
She stabbed at the ice in her cup. She didn’t like him calling her woman, no siree. “I’m just here for the quiet, that’s all.”
He raised his blond eyebrows. “The quiet? This place is louder than the opening night of le Rêve d'Egypte in the Red Mill. I should know, because I was there.”
She blinked up at him. She had said too much so it was best to just let him fill in the gaps.
He slid into the chair next to her. It was quite rude of him not to ask if he could sit down.
She folded her hands in her lap and waited for him to speak. He seemed to be waiting, too. His expression grew more sarcastic as the silence stretched between them.
“I have been watching you,” Eric said.
“I know.”
He raised a blond eyebrow. He didn’t like her sass, not at all. Then: “I could have you escorted out. I own this place. Every last person will do exactly what I want. All I need to do is lift my finger.”
She smiled brightly at him. “It must feel nice to be so powerful.”
Leaning in, he said, “It does.” The suggestion in his voice made her shudder. She made sure not to drop her gaze.
“I like this bar,” she said. “That is all.”
He didn’t move back. His cologne was bright and spicy. It was intoxicating. “I don’t like it when people lie to me.”
I don’t care what you like or dislike, Sookie thought, but she didn’t say it. After all, she prided herself on her good manners.
“I’m not a prostitute,” she said.
“So you did hear me.” Eric still loomed so close. His blue eyes were heated.
“I like being around vampires.”
Interest sparked in his expression.
“Don’t be nasty, Mr. Northman,” she chided. “Get your mind out of the gutter!”
“Sex is what brings most humans to Fangtasia. Surely, if there was nothing different about you, it would be the same for you.”
“I said I liked the quiet.”
“And I said I call bullshit.”
She sighed, then attempted a bit of sarcasm: “Shall I prove it to you, sir?”
“Prove that you are nothing more than an average human?”
“Ah huh.”
His mouth split into a predatory grin. “Yes.”
Somehow they ended up in his office in the back of the bar. She was surprised at how mundane it looked. No black drapes, no cobwebs hanging from the corners. There were a lot of beige file folders.
“Have a seat, Miss Stackhouse.”
“How do you know my name?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Because I had you followed. Now sit down.”
She crossed her arms and sat down. Her skirt was probably a smidgen too short. “That was uncouth of you to have me followed.”
“Do you take me for an idiot?”
“No … but why would you still think I was a prostitute after following me?” She was growing more scandalized the longer she thought about it. “I go to church! Every Sunday.”
“You are also a waitress in Bon Temps. And your house needed an upgrade about twenty years ago. Your car is pathetic.”
“You shut your mouth! I love my car!” (Sometimes, it was very difficult to keep her manners. Sorry, Gran!)
“If you are such a good Christian girl, then there’s no reason for you to be seeking out the company of vampires. Haven’t you heard that Reverend Newlin on the television?”
“I despise that man!”
Eric smiled at her. “Me too.”
She expected him to sit behind his desk and glower at her, but instead he went to his knees before her. He was so tall that it made him eye level with her.
“Miss Stackhouse …” he whispered, staring deeply into her eyes. He was trying to Glamour her.
She sighed again. She just couldn’t bring herself to pretend. “It’s not going to work.”
He glared at her. “Why the hell not?”
“Because it’s just not! Other vampires have tried and it hasn’t worked.”
His glare only intensified. “Who are these other vampires?”
“Mr. Northman,” she said.
“Call me Eric.”
“Eric. I’m not a threat, I promise. And I’m just plain ol’ Sookie Stackhouse, that’s it. I don’t mean nothing by coming into your vampire bar, really. I just want some peace and quiet.”
“I want to kiss you.”
“Oh.”
“I do. I want to kiss you. I want to take you to my bed.”
“To your coffin?”
“To my bed.”
She shivered. He was now leaning very close. “I—I—I’m not experienced, sir.”
Again, he raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“I’m not. And I don’t know if I want you to be the man to teach me things.”
“Sookie,” Eric whispered, nose now brushing her throat. “I’m a thousand years old. I’m exactly the man you want to teach you things.”
She squeezed her thighs together. She was already getting wet. “This is all quite sudden. I don’t know you.”
He hummed, then gave her throat a lick with his cool tongue. “You could get to know me. In my bed.”
She rolled her eyes, even as her body responded to his touch. “My Gran raised me better. She would roll over in her grave if I slept with a man I just met. And in his office.”
“I bet your gran did slutty things. And I bet she loved it.”
She almost slapped him. “You take that back!”
Laughing, he got to his feet again. He stared down at her, mouth still twisting in humor. “What do you want, Sookie?”
“I want you to take me out like a gentleman. Buy me dinner. I want to date like any other person.”
“Done. Does Saturday night work for you? Nine o’clock?”
She blinked up at him. “Um. Yes. That works.”
“I’ll pick you up at your place.” He winked. “Since I already know where you live.”