Chapter Text
The events of tonight have resulted in a major change in perspective, in more ways than one. Dracula, having already been against boats from the start vows in his mind that he will never go on a cruise ever again.
Though, that thought melts and drips out of his ears when Ericka Van Helsing takes his hand.
He looks to the side and down to her shorter figure with a look of awe. Her smile is shy but affectionate as she speaks to him.
Wait, she's talking and he wasn't even listening. "I'm sorry Ericka, could you repeat that?" He asks with a guilty smile, as she just looks at him with understanding. "I was saying its been a long night, we all should make our way to the ship and get ready for bed." Everyone seems to be in harmony as yawns and praise for sleep are heard all across the busted up dance floor of Atlantis.
Dracula and Ericka, however, don't immediately start their trek back to the ship. Standing in a comfortable silence as they watch all the monsters disappear into the casino, Dracula is the first one to break the silence with a nervous chuckle.
"So, You're a van Helsing." His smile is awkward but real as she cringes inwardly. Looking down she swallows a lump that tries to form in her throat. "I'm so sorry."
Taking both of her hands in a comforting way, he shushes her apologies. "Don't be so hard on yourself, family tradition is important to us, but you get to write your new legacy." His smile warms as Ericka takes one of her hands to cover the blush dusting her cheeks, but it does no good to hide the red tips of her ears. "What if my legacy is you?"
She says this looking up at him with half lidded eyes, her smile becomes timid but flirtatious and Drac has to fight the urge to kiss her. (It's too soon.) "I think that would be amazing." He says with a derpy grin. Her eyebrows raise upward at the crooked grin on his face and she cant help wrapping her dainty fingers around his cape to pull him down to her level.
A surprised noise escapes Dracula before he can catch it, but all his thoughts freeze as his brain registers her small soft lips against his cheek. Then his thought process doubles in speed; She smells like a saltwater breeze and lily of the valley, her lips feel like flower petals, and her eyes shine with mischief as she leans away from him, making his heart flutter.
"You are an angel...I-I mean you are very prettyful! No! I mean..." Her giggles stop his rambling as he smiles warmly at her. "You really are beautiful."
Her gaze meets his in surprise at his sincerity, they start to pull together like two magnets but are suddenly broken out of their bubble when a voice calls out for Dracula.
"Dad! We're going to grab a bite to eat at the cafeteria, you and the captain should join us!" Came Mavis' voice from the mouth of Atlantis, standing on the Krakens' tentacle. "And you better hurry on board before we leave your love bird butts!" Is the last thing she says before running to catch up with her husband and child. Dracula looks at Ericka apologetically, wanting to spend as much time with her as possible.
"Would you maybe, want to meet up tonight?" Her eyes light up like the stars and she speaks with restraint. "I'd love that very much. I promise I wont try to hurt you this time."
His smile is warm as he brings her into an embrace, "I know you wont do that, my sunflower." After he says this he can feel her face heat up against his neck and her heart beat pats a steady rhythm against his chest. "We should head inside before they leave us." he says with a chuckle. "Are you kidding? This is my ship, I'd even tie my grandfather to the side railing of the ship if he even tries to leave me." She says play punching the air.
"That's quite an appealing thought actually." Dracula replies jokingly as they walk across the "bridge" to the casino. "Don't tempt me Drac!" Came Ericka's bubbling laughter.
{As they made it back to the boat, the couple parted ways so Dracula could get to his cabin before sunrise.}
Ericka hums a random love-struck tune to herself as she lay in her bed, having just woken up for the evening, although there's still about an hour of sun left. She was already so used to the monsters sleep schedule she could practically live with them. Suddenly a thought occurred to her and excitement overtook her actions as she leapt from her bed and took off running barefoot across the ship to Dracula's room.
A wave of nervousness washes over her as she poises to knock on his door. Right as she makes the first movement to knock the door peaks open. "You're up a little early Ericka. I thought I heard footsteps stop at my door. Is everything okay?" He questions her while noticing her nervous stature, searching her for anything visibly wrong.
"Everything is okay, I just suddenly had an idea and I wanted to know your opinion on the subject." Dracula gulped. He motions for her to come inside and he sits on his bed, facing her he pats the bed in front of him inviting her to get comfortable. she sits in front of him, her legs crossed with her knees touching his. Taking his hands, she asks her question with a shaky breath. "What would you think about me living with you?"
And then he breathed...that's it? "You're nervous to ask me this? I think that would be amazing, I can call and have the suite next to mine set up for your arrival. I'll make sure you are always happy no matter what."
"How could I possibly refuse you?" He asked her with so much love and affection, Ericka didn't know how to hide the enormous blush covering her face, ears, and neck. "How could you not, when I almost wiped out your whole family?"
Dracula shakes his head and leans his face close to hers, touching their foreheads together, "People change, My hearts been feeling this way since I first saw you, and I know you love me now...right?" Her bewildered look erupts into a rosy hue and she nods, not having actually said it yet.
"Yes, I do love you Drac. If you'll have me, I'd love to go to Transylvania with you. Have you really loved me from the first time you saw me?"
Dracula chuckles shyly and blushes, "Well, you are my zing, and a zing is love at first sight."
Actually hearing him say it, sends butterflies fluttering in her gut and she shies away, looking down at her crossed legs. "You say I'm beautiful, but you don't seem to hear your own beautiful words." She says to him to which he ponders for a moment. "You may be right, But the words work on you right?" His words are playful to which she laughs lightly before a voice sounds over the ship intercom.
*Captain Ericka, Please come to the wheel house for new directions please.*
"That was grand father, he must need the coordinates so we can sail back to Transylvania to save everyone money on flight tickets." Ericka says as she stands, Dracula follows her to the door and grabs her wrist before she fully exits. " Ericka Van Helsing...may I kiss you?" His words were rushed but genuinely nervous as Ericka almost inaudibly gasps. "I never thought I'd be asked permission for something like that."
She stands on her tiptoes and closes her eyes, silently granting him permission. Dracula cups his hand on the side of her neck, his thumb brushing her cheek as he leans down to connect their lips in a soft but loving kiss. He is shy while pulling away so Ericka playfully bounces up to peck him once more on the lips before walking out of the room into the evening sunlight.
Before she bids him goodbye, she turns to wink at him, "See you tonight." And she is gone out of his sight until night falls and he can have a new first date with the women who has captured his heart.