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~ Ryuk In Person ~

COMMITMENT

He was almost insane when he finally made it to Fangtasia, his tires screeching as he pulled up, scaring vampires and humans alike as they filtered in and out of the club. He went straight to Pam's side, nearly forgetting to close the door to his car, though he knew that no one would be so suicidal as to touch it.

She smiled at him as she folded her arms, the PVC of her corset squeaking. 'Having a good night?' she asked, her lips curving into as smirk as she glanced to his fangs. 'Or not quite as good as you'd like?'

'Give me the clue,' he said, switching to Swedish as he noticed the glances that were shooting his way. He changed his voice, trying to sound more commanding, as if ordering her to check something. He looked meaningfully at a vampire that was just entering the club, seeing the way he cringed as though afraid he would be the next to loose his fangs.

Pam couldn't stop smiling.

'You're bound to like the answer you seek,

as your present lies so close to me.

Just take a stroll right down the road,

then turn the corner to your humble abode.'

'Drive my car back to my house later, will you?,' he said before disappearing in a gust of wind, taking only seconds to reach the gates, though he stopped a few feet from them. He took a breath, knowing that someone else had been here whilst he'd been out, her honey scent masked by another.

He floated to the top of the stone wall beside the iron gate, perching on top of it to stare down, seeing a car parked beside Sarah's. He looked a little closer, seeing the man that leaned against the blue bonnet as he shielded a lighter with his hand, only taking one draw of the cigarette before Eric darted to his side.

He snatched the stick from his lips, holding it before the wide eyed man. 'These are bad for you,' he said before he crushed it in his hand, hardly feeling the burn on his skin. 'I wonder…Does Sarah know that you've started smoking again, or did you decide to keep that from her even though you promised her you'd never touch another one of these after your grandfather died of lung cancer?'

'I'm not going to be lectured by you,' Jake said, pulling the packet from his pocket, cursing when Eric snatched it off him. He pursed his lips, taking a deep breath as he fought for calm. 'Give it back.'

'I don't think I should,' Eric said, turning to toss it over the fence.

Far, far over the fence.

'It would break her heart if she found out, and seeing as I hope she will one day trust me with her heart, I don't want you to fuck up.'

'All about you then?'

'Not when Sarah is the one who will suffer the pain of your lies.'

A heavy silence fell over them, their eyes locked. Finally, Jake said, 'I guess you're her boyfriend.'

'Eric Northman,' he said, offering a hand though he did not expect it to be taken. 'It's nice to meet you, despite the unfortunate circumstances of our first conversation. I apologise for my rudeness, but I do not take kindly to anyone who could hurt Sarah in any way.'

'Care about her that much?'

'I have lived a long time, and I've never loved anyone as much as I love her.'

'Are you even capable of love?'

A growl rumbled in his chest. 'Do not doubt my intentions toward your sister, not when we're about to celebrate six months, not when I plan to spend many, many happy years with her.'

'Up until she gets a few wrinkles around the eyes?'

'I will stay by her side until the day she dies – hopefully at the ripe old age of one hundred – and then I will join her.'

Jake laughed. 'As if. You'll dump her as soon as she loses her figure.'

Eric flashed his fangs, seeing a spark of fear ignite in Jake's eyes. 'Do not make me angry. I am beyond my limit of patience tonight, and you are testing me. Say one more thing to undermine the feelings I have for Sarah and I will throw you and your car through that gate and hope that the vehicle doesn't land on top of you,' he snarled, leaning a little closer, using his towering height. 'I love Sarah with all my being. I will be with her until the day she dies unless she asks for me to change her, and even then I will not change her until I feel no doubt in her mind.'

'How would you know if she doubts you?'

'On the night I met her, I saved her from a car crash–'

'–but that was–'

'–giving her my blood so that she could heal. I feel her emotions, Jake. I can take care of her when she is sad, make her even happier when she's having a good day and I will be able to tell if she is not ready to become a vampire if she asks.'

Jake stared at him, his eyes blazing with anger. 'Fine,' he finally snapped. 'I believe you, Eric. That doesn't mean I have to like you.'

'I gave up caring about other people's feelings a good few centuries ago, so it doesn't really bother me if you do or don't as long as you will think of her when I ask the question I hoped to ask under more…amicable circumstances.'

'What question?'

Eric took a step back, bowing a little though he did not quite feel that Jake currently deserved his respect. He looked up at him, clearing all anger from his features and hiding his fangs. 'I've been around for a long time, and although much of that has been as a vampire, I still have knowledge of many human traditions. So, as you are her brother, I respectfully ask for your blessing so that I may ask Sarah for her hand in marriage.'

Jake followed his gaze as he straightened, the smallest smile on his lips. 'You do not have my blessing.'

Eric barely resisted the urge to wring his neck. 'This is not over,' he said. 'I doubt that you're just passing through, so I will see you again.'

'My answer won't change.' He pulled his car door open, slamming it with far more force than necessary before he pulled out in a streak of blue, heading toward Bon Temps.

Eric watched him for a moment, fingers curled into fists until his knuckles cracked. He let out a sneer as he closed the gates, feeling better once they were locked, knowing that Jake would not try to get back in.

Not when he had just pissed of a vampire.

He took a breath, honey filling his senses, taking his mind back to the reason he was so short on patience. He reached into his pocket, feeling silk and lace caressing his fingers as he walked to the door, opening it. He crept inside, so eager to see her and this gift that she promised, but at the same time he couldn't stop feeling…

Nervous.

He'd just asked her brother for his blessing and had been turned down. The rejection wasn't what had worried him though; it was the fact that he had finally voiced his desire to take Sarah in the ritual, to marry her.

He hadn't even told Pam.

He took a breath, pausing outside of their bedroom door. He couldn't hear anything, had no hint of what lay behind it, so he did something that stunned him even more.

He knocked.

The door opened slowly, but he didn't get a chance to look, his eyes covered by a soft hand as the smell of honey filled him, his body on fire at the delicious scent. He bit back a little growl, opting for a calmer tone as he said, 'don't you think I've waited long enough?'

'Not yet,' she said and he shivered as her hand moved down his chest. 'Do you have what I left for you at Bill's?'

'Front pocket,' he said through gritted teeth as her hand trailed slowly – oh so incredibly slowly – down to his belt and lower, dipping into his right pocket. 'Other one,' he ground out when she lingered there, fingers gently stroking his thigh.

'Oh, sorry,' she said and he could hear the smile in her words as she reached into the other, pulling the garter belt from it. He felt something go around his eyes. It was silk, the softness like a caress on his skin as she took his hand, pulling him forward. He nearly stayed at the doorway, his teeth clenched, his inability to see making him not only impatient but a little displeased. He was not used to allowing someone to have so much control over his movements, but he trusted her, knew that she was not trying to trick him when she carefully turned him, his legs meeting edge of the mattress.

He sat down, nearly reaching out for her when she pulled away from him, but her honey scent lingered. 'I must warn you, my patience is being greatly tested right now.'

'Just a little longer,' she promised. 'Now, close your eyes.'

He did as she told, squeezing them shut as he felt the silk fall past his nose, tickling his hand before it disappeared. 'Please, Sarah,' he said, hands balled in tight fists.

He felt a whisper at his ear. 'Open you eyes.'

He drew a sharp breath at the sight he was greeted with, his fingers digging into his thighs as he watched her walk slowly around the pole, one she'd obviously had installed while he'd been out. He scrubbed a hand over his mouth as she hooked her knee around it, spinning, back arched.

She was beautiful, the blood red négligée contrasting against her creamy skin, her gorgeous hair tumbling down her back. The garter was back in place on her thigh, teasing him, begging him to slide it down her creamy skin as she danced. It was not dirty, but sensual, her movements slow and teasing, only for him. He could feel a hint of nervousness as she glanced to him, but a smile lifted her lips when she saw his fangs flick out, the added confidence making her all the more sexier.

He couldn't hold back any longer, his body compelling him to stand. He went to her, stopping her mid-spin, reaching up to trail his fingers down her cheek, along her jaw. He smiled at her. 'You did all this just for me?' he asked, tipping her chin up.

'Happy anniversary.'

He bent his head, arm instantly winding around her waist to draw her tight against him. She moulded to him, trusting him to support her weight as her knees grew weak from his kiss. He groaned at her taste, had been thinking of it all night, so sweet and addictive as his hand slid down the thin silk of her negligee, cupping her generous curves to draw her body tight against him.

'Let me make love to you,' he whispered, his lips brushing her ear. 'Those clues, tormented me. I hated and loved every second of it, but I can't wait any longer.'

She shivered as she felt his fangs graze her skin, nipping at her earlobe. Her fingers tangled in his hair as he lifted her, urging her to wrap her slender legs around his hips, her body cupping him with aching bliss. He sat back on the bed, shedding his jacket, her fingers moving to undo his buttons. Her touch followed every inch she revealed, his muscles twitching wherever her hands roamed. She clutched at his shoulders as he claimed her lips, his fangs grazing as he deepened the kiss.

'You're wearing far too many clothes,' she said, reaching to undo his belt buckle, eliciting a growl from deep in his chest as she slid the zipper down.

He flipped her on her back, leaping off her in a blur. He held her gaze as he stepped out of the grey suit pants, seeing the flash of desire that sparked in her eyes, his cock jerking when her tongue traced her bottom lip. He seemed to flash back to her, shoulders rolling like a predator as he crawled over her body, lips trailing over the skin that was not covered by the blood red silk.

'I think you may be wearing too much as well,' he whispered against her thigh, feeling the shudder that ran through her body, his eyes fluttering closed as he caught the heady scent of her arousal. He stared down at the silk panties and the thin string that looped over her hips his eyes drawn along it. He ran his hand along the inside of her thigh, revelling in the little gasp that escaped her lips as he stoked her through the silk, feeling her heat.

'Maybe I'll spend all night tasting you,' he said, hooking his fang beneath the string of blood red, tearing the lingerie from her body before he delved into her delicate flesh, laving over every inch of the silken skin. He settled her legs over his back, lifting her hips to his mouth as he gently drew the excited bud between his lips, sucking, licking, hearing a broken cry tear from her body as she arched against the bed. Her fingers tangled in his hair, nails scraping his scalp.

She had teased him. Now he would tease her.

He reached up, trailing his hand beneath the silk top to cup her breast, nails scraping her nipple as she writhed beneath his touch, her heartbeat sky rocketing, breath quickening. He slid up her body, tongue trailing over her skin, dipping into her navel before he continued up to her breasts, replacing his hands with his mouth as her legs wrapped around his hips again. He nipped at the rosy tips through the silk, feeling her shiver when he lifted her, sliding the material off to bare her body to his hungry gaze.

He groaned as she arched against him, the slickness of her core rubbing against his shaft. He ached with the need to claim her, body painfully hard, his fangs begging to be buried in her neck.

'Take me, Eric,' she said, breathless, beautiful, hands trailing down his ribs, fingernails scraping over his skin.

He claimed her lips, grinding against her, unable to stop a growl from rumbling from his chest as he slid between her delicate folds, coating his shaft with her slickness. Her moans filled his ears when he teased her with the head of his cock, barely entering her before he pulled back. He gasped as her nails sank deep, her breath coming in sharp gasps as he looked down at her. He watched the emotions in her eyes, saw the desire and love within her gaze and felt them filling his chest.

He threw his head back as he finally sank into her heat, slowly filling here arched his back, feeling the way her body tightened around him, seeming to embrace him with every thrust. Usually when he was so riled their union would be hard, fast, a desperate claiming that left them both sated and weak, but he did not want this to end, the feeling of complete and utter rightness as he took her with slow measured thrusts that had his eyes rolling back in his head, her pleasure like a drug as it flowed through him.

He kissed her carefully, not wanting to slice her lips with his fangs, but the passion within it was amplified as he dropped his body lower, skin tingling where their bodies touched. The sensation was heady, beyond anything they had ever experienced.

But his fangs still ached to mark her, his lips brushing over her skin, tongue darting out to taste her in preparation. She stretched her neck in invitation and he closed his lips over the spot that was always more sensitive, felt her breath hitch as he grazed the soft surface with his fangs, mouth filling with her sweet blood when he bit into her flesh.

She arched against him, the new angle of her body sending his thrusts impossibly deeper as drank from her, feeling her nails sink into his shoulder, one hand coming to tangle in his hair, holding him against her neck.

He pulled back, lapping at the blood that seeped from the bite, his lips moving to her ear. 'Bite me,' he said, feeling the first clenches of her body, her climax nearing. 'I want to be joined in every way.'

She worried her bottom lip for a moment before she nodded, no fear in her eyes when he lowed his head back to her neck, this time feeling her lips brush his shoulder. A shudder ran through him, a harsh cry escaping his lips when her teeth broke through his skin. He took her neck again, thrusts hard as she tightened around him. Her head dropped back, a cry wrenching from her lips as she climaxed, body nearly lifting from the bed as he wrapped an arm around her waist, lifting her hips to his as he wrung out the last of her pleasure, his body bowing to hers. A growl fell from his lips, turning to a roar as buried himself to the hilt, spilling deep inside her.

He dropped to his elbows, rolling to the side, hooking her leg over his hip. He buried his face in her hair, placing a kiss on her temple, feeling the heat of her skin. He couldn't mask a smile as he pulled her closer, her breath falling rapidly against his collarbone.

'I don't think I can move,' she said, a little laugh escaping her lips. 'That was…'

'Beautiful,' he whispered, shifting until he could see her eyes, touching his nose to hers. 'I've never felt that before, that–'

'–connection.'

He smiled. 'I love you Sarah,' he whispered, reaching to take her hand, holding it tight in his.

'I love you.'

Looking at her, he wished that he'd had a kinder encounter with her brother, wished that he'd been able to ask for her hand, but it seemed that he would have to wait.

'I have something else for you,' she said, placing a quick kiss on his nose before she turned away from him, reaching for the bedside table. She pulled something from the top draw and he wrapped his arm around her waist, tucking her back against his chest. He stared at the velvet box, knowing that if his heart could beat it would be thudding out a march in his chest.

When she opened the top, he wasn't sure if he was relieved or disappointed as he stared at the matching silver, knowing that she wasn't going to propose.

Well, he didn't think she was.

A part of him wished that she would, if only so he could marry her without feeling obligated to seek her brother's permission, but another hoped that he could be the one to ask, to get down on one knee as he'd been dreaming of and take her hand in his.

'These are Claddagh rings,' she whispered, the silver flashing in the faint light of the candles. 'My mother was Irish, and she brought a lot of that culture into my life. She told me about the Claddagh rings she and dad wore when I was small, told me that the crown represents loyalty, the hands represent friendship and the heart represents love. She said that when I found someone that I loved more than any other, I should show them by wearing this commitment ring with the heart facing me.' She took the smaller band from inside the box, sliding it onto her slender fingers. 'It means I belong to someone.'

She turned her head when he shifted behind her, leaning on his elbow to look down at her. She smiled, a little nervous as she met the blue of his gaze, her heart stuttering in her chest. 'I belong to you.'

When words failed he kissed her, hoping to convey every ounce of love he felt for her, the desperate need to tell her that he was hers too. When he pulled back she was breathless, her eyes shining as she glanced to the hand that was wrapped tight around her waist. She took it, skin soft as she pulled the matching ring from the box, feeling him stiffen before she said, 'they're made of titanium, of course.'

She slid the band over his knuckles, along the length of his finger to sit as hers did, a smile breaking over his lips. 'I'm yours,' he whispered, kissing her shoulder before he turned her toward him, tucking her head against his chest as their bodies intertwined.

'Happy anniversary,' she whispered. 'I hope it was worth the chase.'

'Always,' he said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. 'I am curious about a few things though.'

'Like?'

'When did you install the pole and learn to dance like that?'

He felt the spark of embarrassment and the heat the coloured her cheeks when she said, 'this morning, and Sookie and I have been taking classes. It's a new fitness craze and it's quite fun.'

'I think it was the sexiest thing I've ever seen,' he growled, feeling his fangs flick out as he replayed it in his mind.

'Haven't you seen–?'

'Nothing compared to watching you,' he said, leaning back to hold her gaze, needing her to see the truth of his words. He traced the creamy skin of her leg, stopping when he reached the line of silk and lace. 'On top of that chase, with the garter as a teaser, I've never been more aroused in my life.'

'You must have been one horny vampire.'

'Possessive too,' he said, smirking. 'After tonight, I may be even more so.'

'I'm sure I can handle that.'

He nuzzled into her neck, lapping at the blood that stained her skin. The wound had healed, his blood taking care of that. Her fingertips brushed over the remains of her bite – the blood that smeared his shoulder – and he felt the little surges of emotions that warred inside her as she realised what she'd done. 'You didn't hurt me,' he promised, brushing her hair aside to follow the small trail of blood that ran the line of her neck.

'If you didn't heal, that would be some hickey.'

'And I would wear it with pride,' he said, a little growl in his voice as he nipped at her skin.

He would seek out her brother and ask again, but he would not take no for an answer. If he had to beg on his knees to gain Jake's blessing, then he'd drop down in a second. He would marry her, would do anything to show Jake that his love for Sarah was not temporary or flawed.

He felt her snuggle closer, a sigh escaping her lips. He lifted her, threw the cover aside and had their bodies entwined before she could take a full breath. He tucked her against his side, her head on his chest, fingers tracing lazy patterns over his ribs. He placed a kiss on her forehead.

Tomorrow.

Next Update: Sunday 12th of September