Sookie realised last night wasn't a dream when she woke up to find Eric nestled behind her. He was sleeping quietly, his mouth pressed against her shoulder blade, arm thrown over her naked waist while his long legs lay securely intertwined with hers. One quick glance at the clock told her it was morning, and Eric wasn't going to be waking up anytime soon. Taking advantage of this rare peaceful moment between them, she reached down to grab his arm and wrap it around her chest.

It was easy to be hopeful when it was just the two of them hidden in this little enclave away from rest of the world. As long as they didn't let anyone in, nothing bad could touch them.

Turning around, she observed Eric for a while as he lay completely still next to her, not moving or breathing. Eventually she reached up to trace his features with her fingers, amused by how serene and angelic he appeared in his sleep - nothing like the snarky rascal that always had a way of getting under her skin. Leaning forward, she placed a soft kiss on his lips.

Soon she would have to get up and face reality, but – for now - she just wanted to cling to this surreal moment as long as possible.

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Sookie had just returned from work and was in the midst of climbing her porch stairs when she heard Eric appear behind her. A part of her had hoped he would just let things be after last night, but she knew him too well to know that would happen.

"Hasn't anyone ever told you it's rude to sneak out after a night of great sex without even saying 'thank you'?"

The deadpan humour in his voice almost brought a smile to her face but she stifled it and turned around to face him. His close proximity set her heart racing, especially since she was at eye-level with him thanks to her position on the porch. "I'm sure you've done it many times over the years," she retorted.

"No, I'm not a coward. There's no need for me to fuck and sneak out when I'm honest about my intentions beforehand."

"It's not like I forced you to come last night," she reminded him.

"You're right; there was no need for force." He cocked his eyebrow, and a wicked glint sparkled in his eyes. "And from what I remember, there were quite a few times you made me come last night."

A dark blush slowly spread across her cheeks as she remembered exactly what she was doing when Eric interrupted her. And from the knowing smirk displayed on his face right now, he was enjoying her discomfort. "Please don't embarrass me."

"Why would I do that?" The smile on his face stiffened, and he levelled her with a keen gaze. "Because you keep pushing me away but then get off on fantasies about me when you think I'm not around?"

And there it was: the anger that simmered beneath every conversation they shared these days.

"Look, I'm tired."

When Eric stepped up on the porch, advancing towards her, she retreated.

"No doubt from last night," he taunted suggestively, trapping her against the door.

"Eric, don't. Don't do this."

"Do what? Look at you? Talk to you? Touch you?"

She found herself unable to look away, transfixed by his piercing gaze, when he leaned in closer.

"I can smell the excitement rushing through your blood when I'm close to you," he whispered. "Like right now."

Sookie swallowed an audible breath.

"And I can feel every part of you aching for me to touch you."

He placed his hand on her chest, the very spot where her heart resided, and she exhaled a sharp breath in response.

"And when I'm inside you, I can hear your heart racing so fast I worry it's going to explode."

His hand slowly moved up until he was cupping her face, his thumb grazing her skin, before he rested his temple against her own.

"But I also realised something else about you last night."

Her breath hitched in her throat but somehow she managed to squeak out a response. "What?"

"You're completely terrified about being in love with me."

His spell over her was now definitely broken.

"Eric, let me go."

"The fear inside you is so strong it drowns out everything else."

She tried to push him away, shove him hard, but her attempts were futile; he didn't budge.

"Tell me why you're afraid, Sookie."

"You know why," she fired back, angry at him for pushing her for answers. "You've hurt people I love."

"No, that's not why you're scared," he stated directly, clearly unfazed by her words. "Don't lie to me."

Maybe it was the earnestness in his eyes, or maybe it was the fact she was just exhausted of always arguing with him, but Sookie found herself suddenly crumbling.

"Whatever it is, I can protect you," he murmured, wrapping his arms around her and holding her in a tight embrace.

"I'm not the one who needs protection, Eric."

"Meaning?"

She leaned back to gaze up at him, scrutinizing him, and he returned her intense glare. After a few seconds, she turned around to unlock the door. Taking his hand in hers, she led him inside and through the living room until they reached the kitchen. Staring down at the very spot which always appeared blood-stained no matter how many times she scrubbed it clean, she squeezed Eric's hand.

"This is where my Gran was killed."

"I know."

She glanced up at him. "No. You don't know, you've only heard. I came home and found her dead on the floor. Bloody, beaten. Dead. Murdered by someone who I thought was a friend but who hated me so much he came here to kill me but found her instead."

Eric remained silent, his face devoid of any emotion.

"See that spot over there?" she asked, pointing to it. "That's where Tara took a bullet for me. That was where I held her as she lay dying, shot by someone else who came here to kill me."

"It wasn't your fault."

She scoffed at his words. "Do you know how many times Jason and Lafayette have risked their lives for me?"

"Hopefully as many times as you have for them."

Sookie stared at Eric, the sinking feeling of despair growing in her stomach as she realised he didn't understand her at all.