(no subject)

[onceaviking]

Eric has been showering.
He's seated at his desk now, dressed in jeans and a tank top, with wet hair and bare feet.

And he's thinking.

Mostly about what he is going to do next. When he gets back.

Comments

[lazy_but_loyal]

The universe could disintegrate around them but she would still feel safe in his arms.

"You don't have to tell me that twice," she says wryly, as she slides her arms around his middle and tips her head back to look up at him.

"But I'll be fine. I promise."

[onceaviking]

"You better," he says and dips his head to rest his nose at the top of her head.
Smelling her hair.

Tightening his hold on her a little.

[lazy_but_loyal]

She turns her head to press her cheek against his chest.

"You know I will."

Closing her eyes for a moment when his arms tighten around her, she then adds,

"You have to promise that you'll be fine, too."

[onceaviking]

He closes his eyes tightly. Forcing down everything; every insecurity, every fear.
And when he speaks, there's arrogant certainty and self-assured swagger in his voice.

"Aren't I always?"

[lazy_but_loyal]

She sighs, knitting her brows.

"Eric..."

Raising her head, she looks at him. Searching his face, his eyes.

"Promise me. Please."

She's worried for him, worried that he's worried about her. Worried that he won't come back. Wishing that this weren't something to be worried about.

[onceaviking]

He cups her face between his large hands and looks into her eyes.
Hesitating.

And then he says, "I can't, Pam. But I will do anything in my power to keep you safe."
He can't give her his word. Not about this,
And he can't tell her why.

But perhaps she will think this is all about the dead Magister. And the Authority.

[lazy_but_loyal]

It almost pains her to feel his hesitation, to hear him say I can't.

She's not disappointed, no. She could never be disappointed in Eric. Because she still trusts him with all her heart. She has to.

She nods into his hands, reaching up to lightly curl her fingers around his wrists.

Whatever the Authority decides to do, they'll find a way to deal.

[onceaviking]

"And Edginton - likes me. We'll use that. It'll work for us."

For him.

[lazy_but_loyal]

She nods again.

"That makes sense. Maybe he could get the Authority off our backs if they come knocking."

She's starting to see why it would be advantageous for Eric to spend a little more time in Edgington's service, just to keep in his good graces.

[onceaviking]

"We can hope so. And he's a vain and egomaniacal fucker, so as long as I can listen to his incessant drivel and act suitably smitten we should be good."

[lazy_but_loyal]

She breathes a short, silent chuckle at that, lowering her eyes as she runs her hands down along his arms.

"Good luck with that. I haven't even been formally introduced and already I'm sick of him."

[onceaviking]

"The things I have had to do," he says, aiming for levity and not quite hitting the mark.

He runs his lips across the top of her head, letting the scent and the smoothness of her hair calm him. As much as it can.

[lazy_but_loyal]

With a little sigh of sympathy, she closes her eyes and goes still, except for her thumbs that sweep back and forth over the backs of his arms. She knows how much comfort he takes in her, just the way she is, so she would be here for him for as long as he needs.

"It'll just be for a few more days," she tells him. And herself.

[onceaviking]

"It will," he agrees.
This he can say without discomfort. Because it is not a promise hinged solely on his actions.

"In that regard, him marrying Sophie-Ann was fortunate. Now he directly benefits from both Fangtasia and my other duties here."

[lazy_but_loyal]

"Another royal leech, that's just great," she scoffs.

"You know, at this point, I really don't give a fuck where the money goes, as long as they leave us alone."

[onceaviking]

"That's the definition itself, I should think," he mutters before dropping a kiss at the top of her head.

"At least, you should be able to get back under their radar now."
He'll draw the attention away from her.
Dramatically.

[lazy_but_loyal]

"Oh, believe me, I'm going to lay so low that I'll practically be underground."

Maybe the extra security at the house is a welcome idea after all. Staying holed up while she's not working at the bar sounds like a great way to spend the immediate future.

[onceaviking]

"And you should toss everything from when -"
He can't say it. He can't say 'while you were tortured' because she never should have been. He should have protected her.

"Buy something new. Something nice."

[lazy_but_loyal]

She knows what he has in mind to say, but she's glad he doesn't. She's already moved on from that.

Instead, she was just thinking of doing some online shopping.

She grins up at him, sliding her arms around him, as pleased as a spoiled child.

"You read my mind."

[onceaviking]

He cannot not smile in return.
"I did," he agrees.

"Do you think, maybe, that you can find a corset?"
Seeing her at Halloween had been - yes.

[lazy_but_loyal]

She likes it when Eric smiles.

"I could..." she replies, playfully sly, biting her bottom lip.

She doesn't specifically shop for clothes that would please Eric (at least, not anymore), but she knows what he likes, and it doesn't hurt to keep his attention.

[onceaviking]

He moves his hands down and let them settle right where her hips begin their curve.

"It's bound to get you attention at work."
Which can be good. Or annoying.

[lazy_but_loyal]

How she dresses for work plays up the sexy vampire mystique. Then again, there really isn't anything mysterious about it because Pam is already a sexy vampire.

"Well, you know me. I like keeping the customers happy."

This can be taken several ways.

[onceaviking]

"You do have admirable work ethic in that department," he purrs in reply, pulling her a little closer.
And then he lets her go.

"Anyway, let me know when you are ready. We should probably head back together."

[lazy_but_loyal]

"So do you."

There was a time when neither of them would let go.

She simply leans back against the desk again and crosses her arms.

"I'll be ready when you are."