AN: Thank you for all the reviews and alerts. You are wonderful!

Big thanks to keiman and kei for fixing my mistakes.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, characters belong to Charlaine Harris and Alan Ball.


Less Stubborn Mule

GPOV

The scent of sex was heavy in the air - the unmistakable sign that my child and Sookie had made peace and at least two of us had found some relief. I groaned, adjusting myself inside of my pants and dragging myself to the kitchen to put the bags on the counter. For the last two hours I've been tormented by the pleasurable experiences of both Eric and Sookie. There would have been nothing bad about it if I hadn't have been standing at the restaurant when a particularly powerful wave of pleasure had run though my body. To say that my waitress had been confused when I had moaned softly without any particular reason, would have been an understatement.

I could not hide the fact that I had been slightly disappointed that an invitation to Sookie's bedroom hadn't been granted to me. On the other hand, she had already had moved outside of her comfort zone far enough. Slowly, she will be opening up to the idea for having both of us as lovers and I was nothing if not patient.

Putting all the nourishments into the fridge, I could sense that Sookie had fallen asleep downstairs and Eric was… Determined? Possessive? Enchanted?

I walked to the bedroom and stopped at the entrance, watching my child with a soft smile. He was completely oblivious to my presence, his attention undividedly focused on Sookie and only on Sookie. I had never seen him looking so gentle and acting so caring toward a human as he did just then. Eric's fingers were moving soothingly through Sookie's hair, petting her and lulling to her softly.

He was captured in the moment and the look on his face was almost… like that of a man in love. A sudden surge of fear pierced my heart when I realized the consequences of it. If he is truly in love, then my fearless warrior has something that makes him susceptible – more vulnerable to being harmed. This small woman lying in his arms could be the end of him and the thought of it made me question the reason of Sookie Stackhouse being in our lives. She was an amazing person, but there is no one that I have loved more than my child.

"Godric?" I froze when I heard Eric's soft whisper. He was watching me cautiously, his arms embracing Sookie more firmly into his chest. Was he afraid that I'd hurt her?

"Forgive me…" I murmured, taking a small step back. "Don't mind what I was feeling a moment ago. I just got scared by… something."

He nodded, lowering his gaze, but still not moving away from his telepath.

"I understand. I had the same moment when I looked at Sookie and realized that I am willing to risk my life for her," Eric started quietly and I came to sit next to him, moved by his troubled expression. "I've been willing to do so only for you, Pam and Nora. Never for any human; they're so fragile after all. I thought that…" His fingers grazed over her smooth neck and Eric's long fingers closed around her neck gently. Sookie sighed in her dream and snuggled closer to Eric. " … maybe I should have just snapped her neck and had it over with once and for all." There was unmistakable anger in his voice, anger that he directed at no one else but himself. "But then I felt ashamed for even thinking so."

"You were just acting in the way that I've taught you…" I whispered softly, brushing a lock of his hair from his forehead. "I'm proud that you do not act like a…" I stuttered, looking for the right word. "Zombie?" My child snorted and I laughed. We got quiet quickly when Sookie mumbled something in her sleep. It only made us giggle harder, this time into the pillow though. Two ancient vampires fretting about waking up a young girl… I wished my Maker could have seen me – that would probably have made him spontaneously combust. "Forgive me for being such a fool." I told him a moment later, not explaining anything more – he knew exactly why I was apologizing. I have dragged Eric along the same road along which my Maker had pushed me. In his first year as a vampire, my Child was far different than he is now. He was passionate and hot-tempered and somehow I regretted teaching him to dull his emotions; he lost something- the essential part of himself.

Eric reached over Sookie and took hold of my hand, squeezing it to assure me.

"I was scared when I've noticed the changes in you, Master, but now I think it's been for the best. I like this… Godric," he added with a smirk and I couldn't stop myself from reaching over Sookie and planting a kiss on his lips. I groaned when I tasted her essence and Eric moved away, grinning at me. "She was superb," he taunted me, waggling his eyebrows and I growled playfully.

"I can imagine," I mumbled, lying down on the bed and trying to put some distance between me and Sookie's warm body.

"Sleep here," Eric offered and I wanted nothing more that to agree, but having Sookie's doubts in mind, I felt obligated to decline. "She needs to get used to you…" Eric continued, sensing where my mind was drifting. "By the way, I have to go to Fangtasia tomorrow." He looked down at the sleeping human and his eyes became darker. "You'll watch over her?"

"You don't have to ask," I told him, feeling slightly offended by this question. "She will be enjoying herself. I'm sure that she will not miss you." It was my time to taunt him a little and my child rolled his eyes.

"Let's go shower..." he offered simply, standing up and taking his time arranging a quilt over Sookie. It was so domestic an activity that I wished that I had a camera and caught it in a picture. "You're too grumpy with your balls full."

I huffed at my child, following him into the bathroom. "I can't believe that you have warmed Sookie's heart with those dirty lips of yours."

"But Master," he said innocently, dragging me under the shower spray. "I think those are my greatest asset." he whispered, trailing gentle kisses over my neck.

SPOV

I woke up unable to move, under the heavy quilt covering me and two bodies pushing on me from both of my sides. I should have been petrified, but honestly, I had suspected a stunt like this from Eric. I opened one eye and smiled seeing Godric's young face snuggled into the pillow. He was keeping his hands to himself, having them hidden under the comforter, but Eric, on the other hand, had my breast in his grip and one of his long legs hooked over my hip.

Shameless ass.

With a great effort, I untangled from my giant Viking and left to go to the bathroom to take care of my human needs and take some time to inspect myself in front of the big mirror. The picture I saw there surprised me. My neck was covered with hickeys and bite marks, my hair was tangled and messy and there were small bruises on my hips and another one on the inside of my thigh. I had had passionate sex with Eric, no point in denying it, but I didn't suspect that our lovemaking could have left so many marks on my body. I moved a little, trying to determine if there was any pain. There wasn't, although the soreness of my lady parts was far from comfortable. I have never felt like this after having sex with Bill. Our time together was quite boring, except for that night in the graveyard. This sex experience had resulted in giant bruises and bloody chafes on my back, not even mentioning the shame that I had felt at the fact that I had done something so intimate between the gravestones.

I did not feel shame today though. There was no regret that I have had sex with Eric. We did not hurt anyone with this…

This thought had barely crossed my mind when I remembered Godric and my cheerful mood disappeared. What the Hell are we going to do now? Should I consider a further relationship with him as well? Should I focus on upholding my… whatever it was with Eric?

I dragged myself under the shower thinking about the surreal situation I have gotten myself into. During my life as a telepath, I have never crossed a mind with a problem like that. Sure, there was a woman who was in a relationship with not two, but three men, but she was focusing on keeping them clueless about each other's existence. She was not offered to be in an open relationship…

Walking to the kitchen and being deep in my own thoughts that I almost missed a box laying on the kitchen counter. I frowned when I saw it sitting right next to the coffee maker and I cautiously took a glimpse at the attached note.

Sookie

One word written on the white paper made me feel as giddy as a teenaged girl. I opened the envelope, deciding to read it first rather than opening the box.

Dear Sookie,

Please try not to over-analyze things - I simply owe you this for my lack of control.

I'm waiting to see you wearing this dress and I hope that I guessed your size correctly (hopefully the manual measurement that I took last night proved to be useful). If it will fit you as nicely as I have imagined, it will be my pleasure to take it off of you.

E

I opened the box with a deep furrowed frown between my eyebrows. Inside of the box there was, in fact, simply a light blue dress. I took it out and raised it higher to look it over. Eric had not only guessed my size correctly, he had also picked out something that I would have bought myself. That is, if I could have afforded it, because judging by how soft the dress felt, it was made from high class material.

For some reason, the reminder of Eric ripping my dress off last night was more embarrassing than everything else we'd been doing and I blushed deep red.

The piece of cloth was beautiful – reaching to my knee, with a soft lace covering short sleeves with a cream belt around the middle. That's how Eric sees things? He's going to buy me something every time that we have sex?

Before I started to over-analyze things (just like Eric had predicted), I realized that he really owed me this dress. He ruined the perfectly fine one, one of the very few that were in my possession after the Maenad fiasco. And he definitely didn't get much poorer after buying me this. With this liberating feeling, I decided to put it on later and show Eric that I did, in fact, appreciate his gift.

It had to wait though because my stomach was screaming for some food. I frowned once more when I noticed another note, this time on the fridge. I took it off and smiled, reading Godric's words.

Dear One,

You have been sleeping peacefully after last night and I couldn't force myself to disturb your rest. As promised, I have obtained some nourishments for you – everything is stocked in the refrigerator. Hopefully the food quality will not be affected by time and temperature changes. If it would not be to your liking though, feel free to call Bobby, Eric's dayman. He will deliver anything that you may ask for.

My child is due to attend his obligations as sheriff tonight. I would like for us to spend this time together and I will drive you to the constructor responsible for renovating your house.

Please, do not leave the premises on your own. We are concerned for your safety after last night's events.

Yours,

Godric

I've read the note again, trying to decide if Godric's request to stay inside was too high-handed. He was polite in his demand, but on the other hand, he played me by mentioning their worry for me. After "last night's events, when I had ignored their guidelines", I thought bitterly. It was past noon already and I decided that I can find something to do for the next few hours instead of wandering outside. Focusing on the task at hand, meaning getting my stomach full, I opened the fridge and I was almost crushed by the boxes and boxes of food. A few of them fell on the floor and I cursed when a very nice burger ended up under my feet.

I was dumbfounded by the amount of food that Godric had purchased. I could have fed a whole army with it! But really, what should I expect from a two thousand year old vampire? I put some pasta on a plate and popped it into the microwave to heat up. It was still surprisingly good and I ate the whole box of carbonara, promising myself to not eat anything sweet later as my penance.

I glanced at the clock, sighing when it showed 2 PM. It meant that there are still three more hours until my vampires will be up and a whole three hours for me to get ready for the evening. So I went to shower and dress up in the dress that Eric had bought for me, getting ready to spend a night with his Maker.

GPOV

"Excited?" Eric asked when I was struggling with my clothes. Still, I had yet to find some time to freshen up my wardrobe and the only thing 'acceptable' (according to Eric) was a grey sweater and jeans.

"Mildly," I answered, simply getting dressed and ignoring Eric's big grin.

"You should go shopping…" he murmured when I reached for my sandals. I looked down at myself and cringed.

"Do you think Sookie will be embarrassed by my outfit?" I asked, worrying just a bit. I have never paid too much attention to what I was wearing. Vampires around me were accepting my linen outfits and even though they were outdated and probably slightly ridiculous, no one was brave enough to mock me. Trying to win Sookie over was an unexpected circumstance, one that might have required some fashion taste from me. Sookie was a beautiful young woman and beautiful young women pay attention to their appearances.

"By a sweater and sandals? I'm embarrassed and we're still underground," Eric told me brutally and I stymied a temptation of throwing something at him. He was correct; I did look ridiculous.

"Do you think she'll agree to go shopping with me?" I was fishing curiously, being for the first time in decades, at a loss.

"The sooner that you get rid of this monstrosity, the better. By the way, it will be a great opportunity for her to see you naked."My incorrigible child added some eyebrow waggling to prove his point.

"The Sun is setting," I interrupted before he was able to say anything more. "Let's not make Sookie wait, shall we?"

Eric shrugged and followed me, stopping for a moment when his phone buzzed. My child answered it and I frowned when I heard the voice on the other end of the receiver.

"Northman," a not fully matured male voice greeted my Child sharply. Eric's posture tightened and I felt my instincts tingle at the sight of him being uneasy.

"Andre," he answered smoothly. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?"

"Some interesting things have taken place in your area recently and I… and the Queen, wish to discuss it with you."

Eric remained silent, waiting for more but Andre got quiet and my child was forced to speak up.

"Will I be directed to her line or…"

"I will stop by tonight so you will be present at your… bar." I raised an eyebrow at the distain in the Queen's child's tone. He was disrespectful and lenient. Andre might have mocked Eric's business but I bet he liked the money which he collected as a tribute.

"I will be waiting." Eric said, not hiding the boredom from his tone. The line went dead and my Viking growled.

"What do you think he really wants?" I asked, sending him some calm through our bond.

"Sookie, of course," Eric spat. "I bet this worm Compton ran home and complained to Mummy."

"Do you need my assistance?"

"No!" Eric shook his head violently. "Your presence in my area is unofficial and I'd rather keep it that way for a few more days. There's still a chance that Andre doesn't know about you. Do not leave Sookie's side!"

I nodded. "Don't worry, I won't leave her for a moment," I assured him. "Keep our bond open though." I reminded him. "If anything happens…"

"Of course, Master." Eric bowed deeply and I sighed.

"Is she worth it?" I whispered, looking at the ceiling, at the point where I was sensing Sookie's presence. She was humming out of tune and I couldn't stop the smile that crept onto my face when she made a horribly false noise.

"I think she is," he answered, not leaving any room for doubts.

"Then you don't have to worry – I will be protecting her as fiercely as you would."


AN: Please, forgive Godric his doubts. After all: "the bond between a vampire and his maker is stronger than you can imagine" :)

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