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 but Bill assures her, and maybe himself, that 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 by the couple 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 that Sookie is his and Sookie reiterates. 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 that he's glad she's feeling better and that color she has on suits her 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 who is in a relationship, he asks her what she finds so fulfilling about a human relationship. Isabelle, clearly reading between the lines, asks Eric how Bill feels about his interest in Sookie. Eric raises his brow and claims he's not interested in Sookie. It's quite obviously the opposite. Eric tells her to not look at him 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 to trust him. 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 if she's OK and 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 that he is part of Sookie 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 3
Bill has gone missing, and Sookie suspects Eric is responsible. She rushes to confront him and instead crashes in on Eric having sex with Yvetta, a dancer at Fangtasia. Sookie gasps, "Holy S." Eric stops and asks Sookie if she sees anything she likes. He's now full-frontal. Eric provides Sookie with the alibi that he's been with Yvetta all night, and Sookie shocked that he could be doing this for six hours straight. Eric tells her she looks surprised but assures her he'll help find Bill even though he wants Sookie for himself.

Sookie gives Eric some clues into finding Bill, suspecting werewolves. Eric knows more than he lets on. The threat of werewolves puts Sookie in far too much danger for Eric's comfort, and he realizes that Sookie's love for Bill might prevent her from acting rationally. He confesses that her life is too valuable to throw away. He pauses, awkwardly stands up, and walks away. Moments later, Sookie cries to Eric, pleading for Bill's life. He asks her to stop as it makes him feel "disturbingly human." He stares, wide eyed, until they're interrupted, and she leaves. The next night, Eric stops by her house. Realizing Sookie is in need of protection, he explains why he is risking everything to tell her the truth about the werewolves. Sookie's voice softens and Eric hesitates but honestly tells her that he owes her. He did not intend to put her in further danger.

He inches closer to her, and she tells him that he won't distract her by talking nasty. He replies, "I already have." He asks if she's going to invite him in, and she lets him know that she's still Bills. He looks at her and then at her engagement ring and unfortunately agrees. His eyes slowly move back to hers, and Sookie doesn't look away. While waiting outside, Eric suddenly senses a werewolf in the house, and after initially getting a sassy response, he aggressively insists Sookie invite him in, which she then does without hesitation. The werewolf enters the house and Sookie shoots it with her gun but Eric leaps into the air and takes the bullet. The werewolf has information on something deeply personal to Eric regarding his past. Sookie screams, "Eric!" and the werewolf returns to human form and attacks him. Sookie shoots the werewolf in the leg and Eric drinks him to death. Blood all over the floor, he turns to Sookie and cheekily tells her he got her rug all wet. Afterward, Sookie waits with Eric as he buries the werewolf. He reiterates once again how dangerous werewolves are. She thanks him for saving her life. She asks how his bullet wound is and he smirks, making a reference to her sucking the bullets out – something she says she'll never fall for again. Eric walks Sookie home and warns her against getting involved in this werewolf business, saying, "you're no good to Bill or me if you're dead." Her devotion to another vampire deepens his admiration for her. She asks if he will feel when she's in trouble, and he assures her he will, but probably not fast enough.

Eric flies up to Sookie's window at night. They talk for a moment and she makes a joke, making Eric laugh. She invites him in and he asks how the search for Bill is going but she tells him he's not who she was looking for. She places a hand on his chest and says he smells like the ocean in winter. Surprising Eric, she says, "you played by the North Sea as a child." Confused and amazed, he asks her how she knows. Sookie suggestively replies, "I've got skills you can't even dream of, cowboy." She takes off his jacket and kisses him. He kisses her back, hands running through her hair and she pushes him onto the bed. Taking off her robe, she moves on top of him but Eric suddenly realizes it's not real and he's daydreaming at Fangtasia.

Turns out Bill was at Russell Edgington's, aka the King of Mississippi's home the entire time and Eric is there investigating Russell for a secret but very personal revenge plot. They're both at the King's manor when Sookie is captured and taken by Edgington and his werewolves. Sookie foolishly tries to run toward Bill and Eric jumps in front of her. Bill asks Eric to get Sookie out quickly. Thinking on his feet, Eric comes up with a plan to somehow half pretend to use Sookie in order to enact his revenge on Russell. Sookie argues with him and he places his hand over her mouth to shut her up. Sookie has no inkling as to Eric's scheme and he doesn't tell her. In another room, she shouts, "So all that stuff about caring about me, that was just crap?" He tells her he never cared for her, maybe she dreamt it. He's frustrated and both confused. Sookie begins to mock Eric, imitating him and his previous kindness. Eric angrily tells her she means nothing to him and not to get in his way. She tells him she hates him and tearfully watches as he leaves.

At first, Eric attempts to dissuade Russell Edgington from his interest in Sookie but when he realizes it's no use, he has to come up with a new plan that involves her, but she can't know. During this time, Eric learns of the true nature of Sookie's powers and why everyone, including Bill, has been so interested in her. Sookie's blood allows vampires to walk in the sunlight. Eric then murders Edgington's lover and realizes retaliation is imminent. He makes a final visit to Bill and Sookie, where they argue, unaware of his situation. He's really there to tell them he won't be alive much longer. He looks to Sookie and says, "I wish you the best, Sookie Stackhouse" and looks at her for a moment before leaving.

The next day, Sookie has another dream about Eric. Asleep on the couch, she wakes up to him sitting there, watching her. She asks if his blood will ever wear off and she's tired of dreaming about him. He tells her, "It's not just the blood. You know you have feelings for me." She responds with "Ew." He kisses her, "You know you like this." She wakes from the dream.

That night, Sookie barges into Eric's office at Fangtasia and asks what he meant by not being around much longer. He tells her not to pretend she cares for him. They discuss Bill, and Eric tells her not to trust him. She asks why. Eric gets up from his chair and stands face to face with Sookie, head above hers. He declares, "If I meet the true death without having at least kissed you, Sookie Stackhouse, that would be my biggest regret." Sookie asks why it sounds like he's saying goodbye—because he is. He grabs her neck and kisses her. She briefly pushes, but then puts her arms around him and kisses back. After a long and passionate kiss, she comes to her senses. She realizes she needs to get back to questioning him but Pam interrupts for a "vampire emergency." Pam suggests using Sookie to get his revenge on Russell but Eric momentarily refuses as he doesn't want to do that to her. Pam cries that he'd choose a human over himself, over her. After thinking it over, he changes his mind and grabs Sookie and chains her up in the basement. She hates him once again. However, Eric devised a plan to trick Russell into thinking Sookie's blood will allow him to walk in the sun forever. He admits that she is actually part Faerie but leaves out the part that her blood works only temporarily. Russell makes Eric test the theory first. Eric places his hands gently on Sookie's face and drinks, as does Russell. He then heads out into the sun, willing to die. Sookie realizes Eric is going to sacrifice himself and she runs outside to save him, proclaiming she can't allow him to do this. Bill tries to stop her, and she finally yells, "You do not own me!" In the meantime, Eric's plan is working and he and Russell await true death in the sun when Sookie arrives and drags Eric back inside. She insists on giving Eric her blood so he may heal him from the burns.

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."

Season 3

 * Trouble
 * Eric finds out that Sookie is no longer Bill's.


 * I Got a Right to Sing the Blues
 * The vampire Lorena threatens Sookie; Eric stands next to Sookie and growls at Lorena.


 * Evil is Going On
 * Sookie sits in Eric's throne


 * Evil is Going On
 * Russell refers to Eric as Sookie's "precious Viking"

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 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
 * In a TV Guide article "Who is Sookie Stackhouse's Best Love Interest?—Eric was chosen.
 * In another poll from TV Line in 2018, they asked, "Were You Team Bill or Team Eric?"—Team Eric wins with 78% of the vote.

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)