this is her kingdom, an inheritance that you can’t deny

[justsookie]

Sunday nights aren't usually the busiest of the week, but for some reason or other, Semele's must have hit the tipping point after which only more and more people still filtered in through its doors. Even after a full night's sleep, Sookie's feeling the effects of running around serving twice as many people as she's accustomed to in a given evening, and it takes several cups of coffee to get her going once she's up. She's on her third when she decides to stumble over to Lafayette's apartment, wanting company but unsure who else is free at this hour.

Jason's hours are a lot more normal now that he's working for the police.

"Lafayette," she calls out once she's at the door, a large cup of coffee in one hand intended for him. Suddenly, she realizes that knocking isn't all that easy with both of her hands filled, so she briefly stacks one cup on top of the other before rapping her knuckles smartly on his door. "Open up, it's Sookie. You can feel free to bitch at me later, but please let me in."

Comments

[voodooqueer]

Lafayette gives a roll of his eyes. If Sookie were actually being a skank about it, he'd be the first fucking one to say so, but she really ain't. So he takes her invitation, throwing himself into the space beside her and pulling up close to slide an arm beneath her bed, laying on his side. "For once in my goddamn life after all these years," Lafayette says, "Ain't a damn thing up wif' me, and I want to keep it that way for a little while longer, so don't fuckin' jinx it, lady."

[justsookie]

Sighing in comfort as Lafayette sneaks an arm behind her, Sookie turns onto her side, burying her face against Lafayette's chest and breathing in the slight cologne remaining on his shirt. The weariness always seems to come out in Lafayette's voice now, in a way that she never remembers it doing when she'd just started at Merlotte's.

Sometimes Sookie feels like she's the one most responsible for it.

"You know what, you're right," she say softly, blinking more easily where her cheek is still pressed against his chest. "Things are finally calmer now that we're here and away from Bon Temps. I should learn to be happy with that instead of lookin' a gift horse in the mouth."

[voodooqueer]

"Sook," Lafayette groans, shifting a little beneath her only to get comfortable. Her head is warm over his heart, and he won't resist the urge to run a hand through her hair. He's proud of his kinky 'do, and gay as a fuckin' clutch purse at the Oscars, but there's something to be said for Sookie's long hair. Sure as hell nice to touch.

"Don't be feelin' guilty for bein' the way you is, now. How about you just do you, sweetheart, and I do me. We work it out, and we got yo' idiot brother out there doin' his Jason thang too."

[justsookie]

"I like you a hell of a lot more than I like me these days," confesses Sookie, though the tension has already started to ease away from her shoulders as she leans against Lafayette, breathing in deeply the scent of the cologne that he's wearing, something spicy and a little reminiscent of the incense he used to have burning in his room. "But I guess I'm selfishly glad for that. Better to be surrounded by the best people. I just have to hope that you don't get too tired of me anytime soon."

She drums her fingers on his chest, laughing lightly when his fingers thread through her hair. "You think you could be happy here, Lafayette? Like... really happy?"

[voodooqueer]

"Ain't sure I should answer that," Lafayette murmurs, frowning slightly as he concentrates on the drum of Sookie's fingers. It's about as honest as he can get without being a little too honest. He doesn't wnt to talk about his shit right now, and that includes talking about his shit where he still ain't quite over Jesus. How, outside of a moment, he isn't sure he'll ever be happy like that again, ever. Isn't sure he'll ever be able to get rid of whatever stains all that aftermath left on him.

He's done for now. Darrow's better than being pigeonholed back in the same town, the same house, where so much of it happened.

"Right now, I happy enough. You okay wif' dat answer? 'Cause you better be."

[justsookie]

It's not the answer that Sookie hoped for, but it's as good as she imagines it'll get for now. It might be as good of an answer as either of them can ever get, honestly, and Sookie doesn't feel like pressing too much on issues that she doesn't understand. She hasn't lost someone in the same way as Lafayette, someone beloved and someone with the potential of being a soulmate and partner. Exhaling, Sookie turns on her side and buries her face against Lafayette's shoulder.

"I like that answer," she replies honestly, nodding subtly against Lafayette's warmth. "I think it's the same one I'd give if you asked me. We should go out today. Out to the park, or to the countryside. Actually, the latter sounds kinda good after we've spent so many days thinkin' about work."