Erikson

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Eric P.O.V…

I stood next to Sookie uncomfortable with the growing crowd of children that were descending upon our home like locusts. They were loud, noisy children and they were everywhere; not a room was spared of the prepubescent preteens and I was surprised as hell at what they talked about when they thought no adults could hear them. Sookie beamed at a group of boys that greeted her sweetly, each ones heart rate accelerating, their blood rushing and staining their cheeks as they nodded politely before bolting away.

Erikson was scowling at a boy, a pustule faced, plump child, who was smiling cheekily up at Pam. Sookie's jaw dropped when Erikson reached out and slapped the back of the boys head. "Apologize," He demanded swiftly as I focused in on the conversation. "Now Bernard, that was rude," He ordered.

"I…I.. I'm sorry ma'am," Bernard stuttered eyes widening until Pam nodded stiffly.

"Now screw off and behave or go home," Erikson said, clearly issuing a warning to the boy before turning his eyes toward Pam. "I can't believe mom made me invite that dipstick." Erikson muttered to Pam who chuckled at his words. "Seriously I can't believe he asked you to flash him your fangs, creepy pervert." He scowled again, "and hell if he could of at least looked you in the eyes."

"Are you enjoying your party?" Pam asked, she had spent the last three weeks planning it. I could feel she was nervous about his answer.

"It's awesome!" He beamed. "It's not a kid party ya know…with no theme and all. I mean Bernard's mom tossed him an Avengers party, so everyone here feels so grown up with the music, drinks, heck even the cake is remarkable just simple black and silver and man the games," he wiggled his eyebrows up and down making Pam laugh again when his eyes shot over to the game of twister being played in the living room. "It's definitely a homerun Pam. Heck even some of the seventh grade babes showed up." Erikson said proudly, motioning to a small group of girls that were giggling together clearly waiting for Erikson to return.

Sookie had informed me that once we changed Erikson's bodyguard's routine from shadowing him everywhere to appearing more like additional school security that Erikson's popularity had skyrocketed. In just three weeks; he's had two different kids over, his phone was more active than mine, and twice now I have picked up the landline to hear a giggling voice asking to talk to Erikson.

"Well, why did Erikson slap that boy?" Sookie said waiting for me to explain, her arms crossed.

"Apparently the pubescent boy thought it was wise to ask Pam to flash him some fang." I said amused and a little proud at how Erikson handled the situation. Even if I was annoyed by the loud environment and consistent giggling chitter-chatter it wasn't nearly as bad as I had anticipated.

"Oh, Yes well," Sookie said baffled, unsure how to handle the situation.

"Erikson didn't hurt him and Bernard apologized. I am flabbergasted at how all these children gravitate towards Erikson." I said watching as Erikson paused once again on his way back to the older girls, stopping to talk with friends. I smirked as one boy stopped Erikson to high five him before joining Erikson on his trek back to the girls.

"It seems his healing has thrown his body into puberty." Sookie said a little sadly watching as Erikson laughed at something one of the girls said. "He's always been very charming and popular, but now he's handsome Eric, handsome and charming and little girls swoon when he smiles at them. He's packed on inches and muscles and his voice is changing… good god it's going to be a long couple of years." Sookie ranted quietly, her blue eyes narrowing as I chuckled not amused by my reaction.

"Excuse me, Sir," Peter said his voice remaining respectful, though it was obvious he wasn't afraid of me. Unlike the other children whose heartbeats increased on the rare occasion when they glanced in my direction. I knew of Peter, I recognized his scent, and his accent from his previous stays over. I had never been in his actual presence, but I've heard them talking as they played games and ate Sookie's meals.

"Yes," I said looking down on the waif of a child, messy dark hair, hazel eyes and physically he was tiny, probably even smaller than Erikson used to be.

"You're REALLY Eric Northman… The Northman," He whispered awed. "The Viking, the ruthless warrior…" He turned to Erikson who had suddenly appeared at his side. "You didn't tell me your dad was the King."

"I am," I said, my voice relaxing, catching his gaze I pulled him in, glamouring him, "Tell me how you know who I am?" I demanded quietly the little humans shouldn't know that kind of information.

"My Dad's maker is delighted that you finally overthrew Edgington." His eyes widened comically instantly knowing he had been glamoured. "Oh snap I can't believe I stumbled into that."

"And who is your father?" I asked lowly, Erikson looked expectantly at Peter, I was positive he was silently glamouring him. It was un-fucking-believable.

"Umm.." Peter said his eyes darting over to Erikson who nodded encouragingly. I bristled internally, patience, children need patience… or so one of those damn self-help parenting books I had read to try and wrap my mind around the fact that I was now somewhat responsible for a twelve year old boy had said.

"Dad…um there's a reason Peter and I get along so well…" Erikson said slowly, pausing, forcing Peter to take over. "My father is Travis Whittler."

"His father is my sheriff of area two's newest child?" I asked startled, my startled emotions quickly morphed into anger. "And your still in contact with him, your father isn't even two years old. That's dangerous and idiotic."

"Just by computer, by Skype, please don't tell my mother." Peter said his chin quivering. "He checks in with me, ya know to make sure I got food because Mother forgets, he pay-pals me money so I can get whatever I want on-line and sometime he sends me cash and on Thursdays when mom's working late he has groceries delivered." Sookie gasped dismayed, no doubt her heart going out to the small child.

"What is it you need child?" I asked more reserved and with more patience than I had as Sookie wrapped on arm around my waist.

"Erikson and I became fast friends on his first day at school, then not long after we became friends Erikson confessed that his step-dad was a vampire to me one day when we were eating lunch. I told him about my dad, no one really believed me because he's supposedly dead and buried in the cemetery. I told my Dad and his maker Gibson that I had a friend someone that didn't think I was a weirdo. The other day Gibson told me to tell Erikson's mom that, 'A coup, coming fast and angry, that Oklahoma is cross and livid, that Gibson's maker Quinlan requested him to leave the state but it was not a command. He's not leaving, Gibson said you've had his loyalty since Russia." He snorted gently, "He totally has a vamp crush on you. He used to tell me bedtime stories, of adventures he had with you and he swears you wield a sword like a god among creatures."

I couldn't help my curiosity, if the boy was to be trusted I must know everything, "You speak as if you know Gibson personally. How?" I requested as Erikson nudged him encouragingly, I could feel the bond between us twinge, Erikson was empathically encouraging him.

"Well I've called the bloke Pops for years now didn't I." Peter said lazily, Erikson seemed to have him in some sort of trance, an emotionally confessing trance. "My dad and Gibson have been together for years, I must have been just a babe when they hooked up. When that man shot my dad for being a faggot vampire lover, Gibson tore that man's heart out of his chest then turned and changed Dad right then and there in front of me. He sobbed big bloody tears, he clutched me tight, so bloody tight and apologized over and over that I'd have to go live with her, that I couldn't stay with them anymore." Peter said, tears streaming down his cheeks, remembering it all.

"I believe you," I state, releasing him from my glamour. "I'll call them here. It's an admirable thing Gibson is doing, defying a makers request to stay loyal to the kingdom." The boy beamed. "Back to the party you two." I said easily, Erikson flashed me a smile, his abilities were amplifying.

"Oklahoma, she's angry," Sookie shivered.

"Shush this isn't your concern dear," I said soothingly.

"I worked for her for ten years Eric; she's cruel and calculated, a very successful Queen." Sookie said paranoid.

"And I am hundreds of years her senior. My pockets reach deeper, my subjects more vast and skilled, my friends ancient, powerful and wise. She's a greedy, spoiled princess who was handed the crown by default by her maker's unfortunate end. She's never known chaos and battle. Have trust in me." I said my words nothing but the truth. "A coup is never successful fast and angry. I can handle Oklahoma, Alabama and Arkansas if I have too but I doubt she's taken time to call on her allies. I'll have my men investigating this matter by midnight, no worries lover."

Sookie smiled tightly taking reassurance from my words. I kissed her fondly, loving the warmth of her against my cool skin. "Of all those vampires that fled when I was announced King we've replaced and almost doubled. Vampires are flocking to my kingdoms, to live under my rule."

"I didn't know," she said.

"It's been some of the tomfuckery I've had to deal with; evening out areas so a few weren't overrun. Erikson's gifts are growing." I shared. "He's amazing, our child. Honest, fair, compassionate, ruthless and protective and extraordinary mixture"

"He's something else isn't he," Sookie said and I snickered as she gasped loudly as the pretty little blond girl leaned forward and kissed Erikson's cheek. "Sweet Jesus I'm not ready for this…Glamour him into being a little boy for little while longer." She demanded playfully hitting my shoulder.

"Now, now lover he must grow up sometime." I said kissing her temple.

AN: Life been crazy… Peyton has been sick on and off all winter. If someone so much as sneezes on the other side of the town he comes down with something. It doesn't matter how much I clean, wipe, wash hands and toys he just seems to catch anything that pass through our doors. When I started writing Erikson… Peyton was just a few months old and I had no clue of his health trails to come. I apologize for all the delays but honestly I do try to up-date as much as I can… Erikson has been my happy 'just me' place this past stressful year. :D …. You guy rock my yellow and purple socks so remember to Review!