Chapter Text
The next day was like the clouds lifting after a storm. Everyone seemed to be in a much better mood. The monsters really didn’t hold much resentment for Ericka after she had openly defended them and saved the Dark Prince himself. With a deep breath, she strode onto the deck like she had on that first day, greeting everyone, though this time she meant her politeness.
She bumped into someone ahead of her, and the figure turned around.
“Oh! Excuse me,” she said when she saw that it was Mavis. It felt strange to speak to her again after what had occurred down in the cavern just the other day.
“It’s alright,” Mavis replied, her tone not showing hostility. “I should be the one apologizing. I get really defensive when it comes to my dad. He’s been alone for so many years, and I just wasn’t sure about you.”
Ericka chuckled. “You were right - “ she began, but Mavis lifted a hand to interrupt her.
“It was really incredible what you did back there with the Kraken. If you hadn’t, I might have lost him forever.”
“Well, I guess the zing makes you do crazy things,” Ericka said.
“Yeah,” Mavis laughed. “That’s exactly what my husband Johnny says too.” Then she looked at Ericka with an apologetic expression. “I can see you love him, though. And I really want to see where things go with you two.”
“I'm hopeful to see as well,” Ericka said with a blush.
Mavis glanced at her and extended a hand. “So, no hard feelings?”
Ericka peered down at the hand and completely ignored it for a hug instead, sweeping the girl into her arms. Mavis gasped a little at first but then returned it.
“Of course no hard feelings. I should be the one apologizing to you. I’ve got a lot to make up for with your dad.” Ericka then released Mavis and looked at her. “Where is he, by the way?”
“I think he was out looking for you,” Mavis informed. “You might want to check the pool deck.”
“Great, I will,” Ericka replied. “See you around!”
“Same!” Mavis waved cheerfully as she walked in the other direction.
As she had said, Ericka found Dracula strolling around the pool deck where other monsters were lounging about, reading or floating lazily inside the pool itself. Drac spun around with a tap on the shoulder and blushed heavily at the sight of Ericka. “Ericka!” he exclaimed.
She giggled. “Yes, it’s me.”
“Right.” Drac was getting very nervous again. “S-sooo, what brings you here?”
Ericka snorted and interlaced their fingers. “What do you think ? Who says a girl can’t spend some time with the one she loves?”
Dracula’s face turned beet red at this, and she giggled. “Still getting used to that, huh?”
Drac nodded. “Most definitely.”
“Well, we’ll do it together, okay?” She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, and he nodded back at her with a wide grin.
“Okay.”
One hour turned to two. Then three. Then four. It was the most time during the trip that she had spent with just Drac so far. She learned all about his life at the hotel - his daughter Mavis, the arrival of his human son-in-law Johnny, his dhampir grandson Dennis, his various monster friends, his father Count Vlad - and all the wonderful experiences he had with them. Ericka in turn told him all about her life growing up with Van Helsing, and how much their legacy kept pushing her to train every day for new ways to kill Dracula. They laughed about all the failed plans of the past, and explored all the areas of the ship, including the secret chamber.
“Is this where you’ve gone off to hide and make plans?” Drac asked teasingly.
“Yep,” Ericka replied, pushing open the revolving door. It spun around and brought them inside a dark space, with a hallway that was illuminated with red light. Dracula almost shuddered at the sight.
“Don’t tell me you’re scared,” Ericka pressed.
The vampire shook his head. “Of course not!” But then, an odd scratching sound followed by a lowing noise startled him.
“What was that ?” he yelped.
The scratching sounded again, followed by some more of the deep lows. It sounded like howling. Then it came to Ericka’s mind.
“Oh my gosh, I totally forgot about them,” she mumbled.
“Forgot? About who ?” Drac asked.
She took him by the hand and led them further inside the chamber. “My great-grandfather and I, we may have uh… tranquilized your friends and stuffed them in a closet for some time.”
“What?”
Ericka grinned sheepishly and came to the door where the sounds were coming from.
“Hello? Is anyone out there? Hello?” the familiar voice of a male wolf called out.
“If anyone’s there, please help!” came the other familiar voice of a female wolf.
Ericka quickly helped Drac thrust the metal door open to its fullest. Dracula peeked inside.
“Wayne? Wanda?” he asked tentatively.
Then, out of the shadows of the dark closet appeared a pair of wolves.
“Drac?” Wayne asked. “Is that you?”
“Yes,” the vampire responded. “Are you alright?”
“That depends…” Wayne said. “Is it safe to come out?”
“Of course,” Ericka piped up, making her presence known.
Wanda’s ears perked up. “Captain Ericka?” she questioned.
“Yep,” Ericka answered. “I guess there should be some explaining to do…”
Dracula intertwined his fingers in Ericka’s and gave her a reassuring look. The wolves caught on to the tender atmosphere between them and their eyes widened.
“Wait…” Wayne ventured. “Are you guys… together now?” he asked incredulously.
Dracula tightened his hold on Ericka’s hand and gave a nod with a small smile. “Yes. You could say that.”
Wayne and Wanda peered between the two a few times and then gave each other a surprised look. “Wow,” the werewolf said. “You’ll really have to tell us the full story sometime. But right now, I think we want to get out and stretch the legs some,” Wayne said, taking Wanda’s paw in his. He began to walk out, but then paused in his tracks, unsure of where to go from there. He turned back to them with a sheepish grin.
“Er… um… do either of you happen to know the way out?”
Ericka chuckled and answered the confused wolf. “Take the stairs on the right, and go up two flights. If you push the wall once you get up to the top, it should revolve around and you should be able to get out.”
“Right,” Wayne nodded. “Thanks.”
Then the two werewolves were out of sight.
Ericka looked to Dracula and chuckled. “Yeah, uh… sorry about that. Like I said, great-grandfather just wanted me to stow them away someplace quickly. You know, avoiding witnesses and all.”
Dracula smirked as she led them further along the corridor. “Yes, well… I hardly noticed they were gone, to be honest. I was distracted.”
“Oh?” she said teasingly. “And why is that?”
He laughed awkwardly. “Well, because… you were here.”
She giggled girlishly and gave him a playful smack on the arm. "Aren't you the most romantic," she simpered.
“Oh, that’s just me getting warmed up,” he said in mock seriousness. “I can get even more charming.”
“I’m sure you can,” she drawled suggestively.
They continued along the passage until they came to another pair of doors that were bolted shut from the outside.
He looked to her. “Your room?” he guessed.
She shook her head. “My great-grandfather’s.”
Dracula made a face. “He’s not in there right now, is he?”
Ericka huffed a little laugh. "No. As far as I know, he said he was going to try and make up with me by meeting every monster on board and offering his apology.”
“Oh,” Dracula said in surprise. “That’s nice.”
Ericka snorted. “Yeah, it is, but let’s just hope actions speak louder than words.”
The door was opened and the two stepped into the room. It was the exact way that it was left, with the wall of sea maps and newspaper clippings of Atlantis. Dracula stared at it and turned to her. “Van Helsing really took the time to plan this out… I always figured he just jumped into things without so much as a second thought.”
“Usually, most of the people in our family did. That’s why defeating you never worked,” Ericka explained. Then she glanced at him shyly. “I’m glad they didn’t… or else I’d never be standing next to my zing.” She gave a small smile as he drew her face toward his and kissed her sweetly. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed back eagerly.
When they pulled apart, Dracula murmured against her cheek. “Don't sell yourself short. I've been caught by the one Van Helsing who finally succeeded in getting me." Ericka feels his lips upturn in a grin as he speaks. "What do you want to do with me now?"
“Hmmm…” she thought with a hum. “I think I might have an idea…”
Pulling apart from him and taking his hand, she walked them toward the door of her own room, opening it and stepping inside. He takes in the surroundings, sees weapons and even more plans on the wall and then his eyes land on the poster of himself. It has knife marks, bullet holes, and something else of interest that catches his eye.
He gives her a questioning look and she peers over to see what it is, flushing in embarrassment at the sight of her own lipstick mark over his face in the poster.
“It’s… uh… much better in real life,” she assured.
This earns a laugh out of him and he pulls her in for a side hug. The contact however makes him gasp out and he clutches his side.
Ericka’s eyes widen in alarm. “What’s wrong?”
“Oh, I’m still healing… from the attack,” he said. She is startled by this. Weren’t vampires supposed to heal much faster than humans? He must see the look in her eyes and offers an explanation. “It’s not too bad. Just a small ache, it’s nothing too bad that - “
“I want to see it.”
Dracula hesitates, but sees the unwavering look in her eyes. "Now?" he asks.
“Yes,” she said with conviction.
He nods in submission, sitting upon the edge of the bed and slowly popping open the eyeholes of each button of his Hawaiian shirt. Ericka seats herself next to him, curiosity shining in her eyes as she watches his every movement. Finally, he eased the shirt off his shoulders, allowing it to drop behind him on the mattress.
His body was even more stunning up close, a pale complexion stretched over a well-toned torso and broad chest, all topped with lean arms that seemed to be carved from marble. She has the strong urge to touch him, to feel the soft skin for herself.
She peered at him with a questioning look. "May I…?"
He nodded. Taking a breath, she carefully drew her fingers toward his chest, running the hand softly over it. The muscles were hard, and well-formed, as though she were feeling a statue rather than the cool skin of his body. She reveled in the dreamy expression that took hold of his face as she explored every pec with tender ease. Her hands then made their way to the purplish marks that had begun to bruise around his ribs where the Kraken’s powerful tentacles had wrapped around in a stronghold. He flinched a little under her touch, and she pulled her hand away, scowling. "It’s all my fault… “ she said angrily. “I'm so, so sorry Drac."
Tears began to pool in her eyes and he leaned toward her, pulling their foreheads together. “No,” he said, shaking his head. “Please don’t blame yourself, my sweet.”
“How can I not ?” she cried. “ I helped orchestrate the plan. I was the one who tried to poison you. I was the one who wanted to see you dead !”
She broke off with an anguished sob, embarrassed and ashamed for her actions. How could she have done this to him? She had almost lost her first and only love just because she wanted to please her great-grandfather. She had been selfish and stupid, and now he had suffered because of her. It seemed that her entire life had been spent trying to prove herself a capable woman, yet here she was, crying as though she were a small child again. But Dracula, the gallant man that he was, reeled her into his embrace and held onto her tightly, letting her cry freely against his chest. He rubbed her back softly and spoke into her ear. “That may be so, sweetfangs,” he said, “but you were able to push past those instincts. You did what you knew was best for monsterkind and humankind. You saved me from certain death, and in doing so, you saved your own heart. ”
She lifted her face up to his and wiped at her tears, still upset but determined to show some dignity. He cupped her cheek and kissed her softly. "I love you, Ericka," he whispered.
She smiled and kissed him back. "And I love you, Count Dracula."
The Count took it as his cue to press his lips against her once more, but this time the kiss turned heated with longing. Ericka wrapped her arms around him, holding herself as close to him as possible, bosom pressed against his bare chest and her fingers running through the silky black hair. He breaks from her, taking her bottom lip in between his teeth in a gentle nibble before drawing back and looking down at her with adoration. She looked up at him through half closed eyes, feeling completely content and safe.
"Stay with me, Drac," she breathed. "Show me just how much you love me, my zing."
Worry came across his face and uncertainty crept back into his tone. "Are you sure?"
Ericka nodded. "I want this," she assured him almost as a beg. "Please." She kissed him more passionately, and he gave in. Dracula returned her affection with fervor, his hands running up the side of her body and landing on the small golden buttons of her captain’s uniform. He carefully popped each one open and pulled the collared area down some, exposing her neck. The vampire licked his lips and then kissed her there, a light peck, before moving along the slender curve, nipping all the while. He bit down gently with his fangs a few times, careful to not break skin or draw blood, but it was enough to make her shiver in pleasure. She gasped loudly as he moved down to her collarbone, drawing away the uniform top away from her torso and down her arms until it was abandoned on the floor. A lacy bra lay beneath the garment, the firm cups enhancing the outline of her breasts. Drac's eyes drank in everything about the soft pink flesh... and then he caught sight of something else that stood out against her creamy skin.
Ericka followed his gaze and looked down, seeing the angry red birthmark that had always been there right over her heart. It was an unusual pattern, a raised sort of blemish that looked more akin to a scar. He peered up into her eyes with question.
“Have you been hurt?”
She shook her head. “No. It’s a birthmark. I’ve always had it there.”
Dracula tilted his head back slightly and brought a hand forth to trace the outline. His touch was gentle, but the sensation sent shivers down her spine. They stood in a silence while he traced the lines until he seemed satisfied with what he found. “You are beautiful, Ericka,” he mumbled. Then his hands reached around her back, finding the clasp that held her bra in place. She let out a soft sigh as he slid it open, exposing herself completely to him. Ericka averted her gaze from him, too shy to gauge his reaction to her body and whether or not he was satisfied with what he saw. But her worries are quelled when Dracula lifts her chin up to look at him once more. She is struck by the emotion in his eyes.
"Ericka... you are gorgeous. There's nothing to hide with such a lovely body."
His words send butterflies dancing in her stomach, and she falls back onto the bed with anticipation of his next actions. He climbs atop her, burying his face between the valley of her breasts and inhaling her intoxicating scent. A small smile pulls at Ericka’s lips as he nuzzles further into her chest kissing the swells and making her moan softly.
He gently suckled on her nipple next, rolling the small pink bud on his expert tongue and lightly tugging at it with his teeth. She moans at the contact, eyes squeezed tightly shut as Drac continues to fondle and suckle on her breasts, leaving a trail of light marks along the flesh. The gentle tickling caused by his long nails on bare skin elicits more moans and pleasured groans from her, and she fought to keep her writhing body as still as she possibly could. He was just so damn good at this, far better than she could have possibly imagined.
“You taste nice,” Drac breathed, moving in to kiss her on the lips again. Ericka responds hungrily, kissing back as his tongue swiped against hers, causing them both to moan into each other's mouths. He eventually pulls away, bringing his attention next to the buckle of her slacks. With a few swift motions he manages it undone and pulls it away. His eyes remain locked to hers with an intensity as he takes the opportunity to slip out of his own pants and boxers. Dracula's naked before her now, the obvious arousal already evident in his erection. Ericka's eyes widened at the sight of him disrobed and she bit her lip nervously, unsure of how well she would be able to handle him being inside of her with how big he was. His eyes softened and he smiled sweetly.
“Relax, my blood orange,” he said reassuringly, running a hand up her thigh. “I won't hurt you. I promise,” He placed a soft kiss on her lips and she nodded slowly, trusting in his word and spreading her legs open some more. Drac kissed down towards her stomach, placing delicate smooches on her navel until he finally reached her panties. The material is drawn away easily, revealing slick, wet folds underneath. Curiously watching her reaction, he dips a finger into her throbbing sex. He smiles when Ericka lets out a small noise of pleasure and slightly arches her back. The teasing continues with light strokes for a few minutes, and then he replaces his fingers with his member.
The tip teases her vaginal lips for a moment before Dracula eased his way inside her tunnel. The penetration was painful and immediate. It took all her strength to hold off on crying out, and Ericka dug her nails into his shoulders as the feeling of him slowly pushing inside her spread throughout her body.
He stops after a moment, allowing her to adjust herself to the size of him. The initial pain ebbs away with each passing second, and reading her more relaxed expression, Drac allowed a gentle thrust against her. She shuddered at the contact, the sensation both pleasurable and excruciating for those first few pushes. And then the pleasure overrides any other discomfort in her body.
"Drac," she whispered, his name a breathy moan that rolled from her lips like silk as she clutched onto his shoulders harder. The vampire grunts in response, the sound reverberating through her body as the gentle pounding picks up pace. Her hips buck up toward him, encouraging him to venture deeper inside her still. She's close. Just a little bit further, and she can feel it. His hand finds hers and laces their fingers together. Ericka squeezes, her grip strong and desperate. This was what she had been waiting for, to be one with him. To give herself over completely to him and forget that anything else existed. The feeling builds in intensity within her until it reaches an unbearable peak. Her walls convulsed around his shaft as his name left her lips in a hoarse outcry. Drac thrusts into her once more, driving deep before letting out an explosive roar of ecstasy. She shudders beneath him as she feels his warm release pour into her core, filling every inch of her entirely with blissfully hot liquid pleasure. The feeling lingers even after he pulls out of her and collapses beside her on the bed, arms wrapping around her sweat-slicken figure and holding her close. Ericka hears him whisper a soft "I love you" before she passes out, utterly spent with exhaustion.