"You like her, don't you Eric?" Tori teased, clinking her bottle of beer against his.
The heavily tattooed man rolled his eyes, then his shoulders. "What makes you say that?"
Tori smirked. "I have an excellent sense about things like this," she assured him, putting her shoes up on the other chair and taking a swig. "I mean, you always act like she's a goddamned angel when we talk. When have you ever treated someone like that before?"
Eric flushed slightly and crossed his arms, grumbling some excuse under his breath.
How sweet! Tori smiled fondly at the man.
Tris raised both her fists and stared determinedly at Eric, who was laughing just a little too loud.
"Truly," he asked incredulously, staring around the room. "You want me to fight her?"
Four was tense, his eyebrows lowered and lips turned downwards. He did not know the new-blood well enough yet to fear for her out of affection, but his heart was kind. He couldn't help but feel concern.
Eric shrugged and turned to Tris. The girl felt her sweat turn to ice water as they stared each other down and began circling. Eric stalked her like a predator while Tris seemed on the verge of running away. Just like prey.
Eric threw a punch, but it was weak and he knew it. He didn't have the courage to risk hurting her. Peter snorted.
"Just kill her already!" He shouted, and Eric made the mistake of looking away to scold him for interrupting the match.
Tris darted at him and Eric responded with automatic efficiency. He blocked her first and flipped her around, slamming the petite woman to the ground with a hard slap as her back hit the mat. A soft groan left her lips.
Four rushed over and inspected her while Eric stood frozen.
Pressing his hand gently against her ribcage, Four frowned as she let out a faint cry.
"Broken rib, possibly a minor concussion." He began to slap her cheeks gently. "Don't go to sleep, Tris."
Eric scowled at the ground.
"Everyone out!" His tone was harsh enough that any wayward recruits made themselves scarce quick.
A/N: Since I don't know if I like movie Eric or book Eric more, feel free envision what you wish.