Sooric

Sooric is the het ship between Eric Northman and Sookie Stackhouse from the True Blood fandom.

Season 1
Sookie visits the vampire bar Fangtasia for the first time to investigate the death of a friend and clear her accused brother's name. There, she sees Eric, the tall blond vampire viking, sitting upon his throne and taking the focus of the room. She asks her partner, Bill, "Who’s that?" and he replies "Oh, you noticed him, did you?" and she tries to explain "it’s not like that" but Bill assures her "everyone" notices Eric. Eric, being the owner of Fangtasia and Sheriff of the area, displays his authority by summoning Sookie and Bill.

Eric's somewhat amused but quickly gets to business. He sternly tells Sookie that any questions she may have, she must ask Eric directly. He willingly helps with her investigation and insists Sookie sit with him. Eric, intrigued by Bill and Sookie's relationship, asks Bill if he is attached to his "friend". Bill responds, "Yes, she is mine." and Sookie reiterates, "Yes, I am his." Eric, looking Sookie up and down, replies "What a pity…for me." Sookie keeps her eyes on Eric and soon helps him escape an imminent raid of Fangtasia. Before flying away, Eric tells Sookie he enjoyed meeting her and that she "will come again".

They meet again at Fangtasia when Eric enlists the aid of Sookie (a telepath) to read the minds of those that may have stolen from him. Sookie is snarky with him and Eric is frustrated. Sookie makes a deal with Eric allowing him to request her aid anytime he wants as long as he doesn't harm the person responsible. It's noted that Eric is already trusting of Sookie. In a turn of events, the perpetrator (a vampire) attacks Sookie and Bill kills them. As this is a grave offense in the vampire community, Eric offers to "take" Sookie in exchange for Bill’s transgression.

Season 2
Sookie is attacked and Bill rushes her to Eric’s bar to be healed. Eric continues to point out Bill’s unusual attachment to Sookie. Eric offers Sookie his blood. Bill steps in and Eric watches as Sookie feeds from Bill, still fascinated by them. Afterwards, Sookie discovers Eric has been keeping her friend, Lafayette, captive. Infuriated, Sookie slaps Eric. Unbothered and amused, Eric tells Sookie, "I'm glad you're feeling better. And may I add, that color suits you very well," referring to the red Fangtasia shirt she's wearing. She has no problem standing up to Eric and threatens him, which is not taken lightly. However, Eric quickly recognizes the opportunity and suggests an arrangement – Sookie accompanies Eric to Dallas where she can assist in his search for Godric, his maker, in exchange for releasing Lafayette. Sookie brazenly negotiates with him and they have a bit of a standoff, but Sookie never wavers and Eric somewhat appreciates the challenge.

In Dallas, the vampires argue over the best plan of action to rescue Godric from the Church of the Fellowship of the Sun. Sookie has a good idea, but Bill protests and Eric wants her to speak, and he listens to her plan. Sookie reiterates that she gave Eric her word and will continue to help him.

Eric’s fascination with the love between Sookie and Bill leads him to ask questions. Speaking with Isabelle, another vampire, he asks, "What is it you find so fulfilling about human companionship?" Isabelle, clearly reading between the lines, asks Eric how Bill feels about his interest in Sookie. Eric raises his brow, "I'm not interested in Sookie…", It's quite obviously the opposite and she says "Of course". Eric tells her, "Don't look at me like that."

Sookie's plan backfires and she is captured by Steve Newlin, the church leader. Eric discovers this and rushes to her aid. They plan an escape but it's not easy. Hiding, Eric and Sookie discuss how love and attachment clouds judgment, but she sees that beneath Eric's indifference, he cares deeply for Godric.

Eric walks out of hiding and Sookie tries to stop him. He turns around and moves close to her face. She looks directly in his eyes, then looks down as he whispers in her ear, "Trust me." She watches him go. He is almost immediately caught by Newlin who now plans to sacrifice Eric. They share a longing glance and Eric assures her he'll be fine, offering himself in exchange for Godric and Sookie's freedom. Newlin declines and chains Eric. Backup arrives just in time and Sookie runs to free Eric. Eric leaps to kill Newlin and Sookie screams for him to stop. He listens. Before leaving, Eric comes close to Sookie and asks, "Are you sure you’re ok?" They lock eyes as he leaves.

Later that night, a suicide bomber from the church turns up at their party. Eric jumps in front of Sookie, shielding her from the bomb with his body. However, always the opportunist, Eric deceives Sookie into unnecessarily sucking out the bullets from his chest, thus drinking his blood and linking them together. Eric can now sense her emotions. She learns the truth and calls him a monster. Bill informs her that she may start to feel an attraction to Eric as a consequence. Soon after, she has her first erotic dream about Eric: naked in bed, Eric is sweet and kisses her hand, telling her she'd make a good vampire—she could "trade the sun for moon and stars." Eric caresses her and they kiss. Much of their conversation parallels the changing subtext of their real life relationship; Sookie realizing Eric is capable of love, and Sookie finding love outside of Bill. She wakes up just as they begin to take it further and Eric states, "This is the beginning."

The next day, Sookie struggles to keep her eyes off a visibly emotional Eric. He notices but doesn’t react. Bill punches Eric for giving Sookie his blood and Eric tells him "I'm part of her now". Afterward, Sookie witnesses Eric's heartbreak as Godric prepares to meet the sun. Sookie takes Eric's hand and assures him she will stay by Godric's side until the end. Godric asks Sookie to care for Eric in his absence. In another dream, after Godric passes, Sookie comforts Eric as tears of blood stream down his face and chest. She lays a hand under his chin and kisses him on both cheeks. Eric looks on in surprise and they kiss. His fangs become exposed and Sookie touches them.

Season 1

 * Plaisir d’Amour
 * Eric arrives at Sookie's work, Merlotte's, with Bill. He gives Sookie a look before leaving.
 * Eric offers (again) to take Sookie in exchange for helping Bill.

Season 2

 * Shake and Fingerpop
 * Eric being petty, books Sookie and Bill a hotel room with no bed.
 * Eric acknowledges that Bill means something to Sookie and he tells Bill, "what Sookie finds meaningful, I find...curious."
 * Bill asks Eric what he can give to him to release Sookie from her agreement and Eric replies, "nothing".


 * Timebomb
 * Eric joins in conversation with Bill and Sookie after hearing his name. They argue over the events of Sookie's capture. He tells Sookie she may one day find out how strong the bond between vampire and maker can be. Sookie's eyes move back and forth between Eric and Bill.


 * Frenzy
 * Eric asks Bill if Sookie has mentioned him.
 * The Queen talks with Eric about Bill being in love with Sookie and she says to Eric, "You probably are too" to which he quietly replies "I do not love humans."

Songs

 * i wish i was the moon today | NEKO CASE
 * eric and sookie’s first time


 * sookie kisses eric | NATHAN BARR
 * sookie and eric kiss on the porch


 * erics grief/the bleeds | NATHAN BARR
 * season two


 * bonehead | ONEPOINTSIX
 * eric fantasizes about sookie


 * iced ages | DJ ACUCRACK
 * sookie makes a deal with eric


 * sookie’s dream | NATHAN BARR
 * sookie dreams of eric for the first time

Quotes
"You obviously mean something to Sookie. And what Sookie finds meaningful, I find…curious."

- Eric to Bill

"Can you give me Sookie Stackhouse? That would be a tribute I would not soon forget"

- Eric asks Sam

"I care about very few people in this world. A small handful of vampires... and you"

- Eric

Fanon
Sookie/Eric are extremely popular in the True Blood fandom and the most popular ship of the series. Prior to the premiere of the show, Sooric had an already established following in the True Blood fandom as it is adapted from the Charlaine Harris book series, The Southern Vampire Mysteries, which began in 2001. Its biggest rival is Bookie, the ship between Sookie and Bill, established by the central love triangle of the series. This led to many fans passionately taking sides as "Team Eric" or "Team Bill" with no in between. Sooric fans felt that showrunner Alan Ball preferred Bill and changed the direction of the show and the influence from the books based on his personal bias, once calling Bill and Sookie "soulmates," which often caused drama among the fandom.

Many fanworks exist on livejournal communities and fansites. As the show began airing, Tumblr, Fanfiction.net, and AO3 started to become more utilized. On AO3, Eric/Sookie is the most written ship in the True Blood (TV) and Southern Vampire Mysteries tags and the number one ship for each character.

Fandom

 * FAN FICTION
 * Sookie/Eric (True Blood) tag on FanFiction.Net
 * Sookie/Eric (Southern Vampire Mysteries) tag on FanFiction.Net


 * FAN SITES
 * Eric & Sookie Lovers


 * TUMBLR


 * TWITTER


 * WIKIS
 * Eric and Sookie on True Blood Wiki

Trivia

 * Their first kiss occurs in the episode “I Smell A Rat” from season 3. However, they have kissed before in dreams.


 * ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
 * Eric and Sookie were named in Huffington Post's 'Best TV Kisses of 2011'
 * Their sex scene was ranked in Entertainment Weekly’s '24 Sexiest TV Scenes'.
 * In a TV Line Poll “Once and for All, Does Sookie Belong With Bill or Eric?” – Eric won with 75% of the vote.
 * Nerdist named Sookie/Eric the #1 ship of the series

Media

 * ‘True Blood’ recap: Eric and Sookie get steamy (LA TIMES • AUG 2011)


 * We Deserve One More Sookie-and-Eric Sex Scene on True Blood (Vulture • JULY 2014)


 * Eric & Sookie 'Shippers, Unite! (Bustle • JULY 2014)


 * ‘True Blood’: Eric and Sookie Earned That Full Moon (The Hollywood Reporter • JULY 2011)


 * Will Eric & Sookie Get Their Infamous Shower Scene? Comic-Con Delivers True Blood Answers! (E! News • JULY 2011)


 * 'True Blood' recap: Love is in the air for Sookie and Eric! (Sorry 'bout that, Bill) (TODAY • JULY 2011)