A/N
Hi! I'm new to FanFiction and this is my first story. I know that the theme has been quite overused, but these are the FanFics that I most enjoy reading, so I decided to give it a shot.
Sorry for the pretty ordinary title, haha
*DISCLAIMER: Unfortunately I am not as successful and talented as the wonderful Veronica Roth, so I don't own the Divergent Trilogy and/or its characters.*
I hope you like the first chapter :)
Tobias and I lounge on the couch in our small, but cosy apartment, watching some movie (that Uriah recommended) on the flat-screen T.V displayed on the wall in front of us. An almost empty bowl of popcorn (an old, but traditional snack) and a half-eaten bar of chocolate sit next to the remote on the side-table a few inches away. It's a typical, relaxing night for us. I feel Tobias' arm wrap around my waist, and I comfortably bury the side of my head into his chest, closing my eyes.
For a few minutes I am only sub-consciously concentrating on the real world, relishing this moment that I'm sharing with my fairly new−and amazing, I might add−husband. I glance down at my left hand, admiring the simple, but beautiful ring that has taken claim of the third finger. I decide to use this quiet time to reflect on everything that has happened in my life. I've been involved in some pretty dramatic situations that have made significant changes as to who I am.
I can't believe that it has already been 4 years since I transferred from Abnegation.
I can't believe how lucky I am to be surrounded by wonderful friends, who I now look at as family. Christina, Marlene and Shauna are like the sisters I never had. They can sometimes get a little irritating with their girly minds, but there's no denying that I'm eternally grateful to them for being a part of my life. And there's Lynn too, although I'm not as close to her. I'm not too sure whether she actually see's me as a friend or dislikes me as much as she did during Initiation.
Oh, and who could forget about Uriah, jokester of the group? As much as we say that he's immature and needs to grow up, we don't truly mean it. Our group of friends would be completely dull without Uriah. Plus, he does have a sensible side to him and is always up for a chat. Uri's a perfectly suitable substitute for my pretty boring, Erudite brother, Caleb. Although I don't like to admit it, I do miss Caleb sometimes. It's understandable, right? For the first 16 years of my life, I spent every day with him. During the first year in my new Faction, I found it odd when I didn't see him every day. Since then, I've gotten used to it. I do see Caleb sometimes, though. On the rare occasion, he drops into the Dauntless compound for work.
Right, back to friends. There's Will, too. The perfect person to go to if you need some good advice. His Erudite brain is still in tact, you see. He's a brilliant listener and consulter, and always understanding of the people around him.
Zeke, on the other hand, is quite impatient and short tempered. But the good thing about him is that he never holds a grudge. That's part of what we love about him. He's a great friend to have, and not to mention, like a brother to Tobias.
Tobias. It's absolutely impossible to describe him within a couple of sentences, but I'm going to try. He's like two different people. There's Tobias, and then there's Four. Four is like a mask. Tobias is−to mention a few things−incredibly caring, and sensitive. And then he puts on the mask and BAM! Tough and difficult to read. To others, that is. I think that over 4 years, I've been able to master reading his emotions. The mask hides his past. That's what he wants, and I don't blame him for it. He believes that he'll turn out like his father, no matter how many times I've tried to tell him otherwise. Knowing that he conceals his past in front of other people, I can't help but always feel grateful for how much he has opened up to me.
I think that the 'personalities' of both Tobias and Four make up a truly amazing and complex person, and there's no denying how much I love him. I hope he knows that.
I'm interrupted from my thoughts when I feel Tobias shake with laughter, the sound vibrating through his chest like thunder. I haven't been paying attention to the film, but it must have been a funny part. Somehow finding the moment humorous, I laugh along with Tobias. After a few seconds I settle down again, tilting my head up to give him a light, but lingering kiss on the jaw, just because I feel like it.
With probably a quarter of the movie left to go, I hear three quiet knocks on the door. Tobias and I both look at each other, and he pulls a strange face, raising one eyebrow as if to ask emWho's knocking on our door at this hour? I can't help but laugh at his expression. He's right, though. It must be 10:30pm at least. This better not be one of those stupid Dauntless kids that run around knocking on people's doors and then dashing off to find a hiding spot while they await the frustrated yells of their victims. Knick-knocking, Uriah calls it. He's an expert at it, claiming to have discovered 'the technique'. Apparently he's practiced it for about 11 years. I'm not surprised, to be honest.
Tobias is about to get up to answer the door, but I stop him. "It's alright, I've got it." I say, lifting myself up from the couch. I open the door halfway, and my eyes make contact with the kind face that I know so well, but don't see very often.
"Mum!?" I exclaim in a surprised, questioning tone. She grins at me, and I wrap her in a hug. A strange gesture for her, as a 'Stiff', but I hardly see her, so it seems fitting.
"Hi, Bea−sorry,−Tris." I laugh and invite her in.
"It's okay, Mum. You don't have to call me Tris if you don't want." She laughs at this.
"It's just that I'm so used to calling you Beatrice that I don't know if the habit will ever fade! I'll call you Tris whenever I remember though." she tells me.
"In the corner of my eye, I see Tobias reach for the remote to switch off the T.V. He rises from the couch and walks up to us to greet my mother. They give each other a handshake.
"It's good to see you Mrs. Prior." he states.
"You too, Tobias." she smiles at him, having to tilt her head up to see his face, just like me. "And please, call me Natalie, remember?" she adds.
"What are you doing here, Mum?" I ask, curiosity getting the better of me, as always. I wonder if the tone in my voice suggested that I didn't want to see her? "Sorry, I didn't mean for that to sound rude. I'm happy to see you, Mom." I clarify.
"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" she asks, unsure.
"No, not at all." I answer. I give her a look that asks her to answer my previous question.
"Well, they've asked representatives of each Faction to meet in Dauntless and stay for the week to sort some things out during a set meetings and such. Your father, working alongside Marcus, had to come."
I feel Tobias tense up at the mention of his father. Marcus is here, in Dauntless. I wonder how that will work out? I reach for his hand to hold, to let him know that things will be okay. His father frightens him, and he has no trouble allowing me to know that. He has trusted me with so many things, and for that, once again, I'm extremely grateful. My mother looks at Tobias sincerely, making me wonder if she knows the truth.
"Wait, where's Dad, then?" I ask, realising that he should be here too.
"Oh, he's unwell at the moment, so I'm taking his place for the time-being." she explains.
"Oh my God, is he alright?" I ask frantically, the worst case scenarios popping into my head. Tobias reassuringly runs his fingers back and forth over my knuckles. This gentle touch comforts me. I smile, remembering my parents doing the same thing.
"Don't worry, he's fine. Should feel better within a few days. He said that he's sorry. He really did want to see you Beatrice." my Mother tells me, humbly.
I nod in response. "No worries, I understand." Ever since I transferred, I've been grateful for any sign of acceptance towards me from my father.
"I have a massive favour to ask of you guys." Mum asks with a hint of embarrassment.
"Anything," I reply. I have absolutely no problem helping my Mum if she needs it.
"Well, I'm actually here a day in advance, but it's late at night, and the apartment administrators have finished work for the day, so I don't have access to the little apartment I'm meant to be staying in."
"Oh, no problem, you can stay here tonight." Tobias offers without a second thought. I nod in agreement.
"I don't want to inconvenience you. If you'd be going out of your way, then" she rebuts.
"Don't be stupid, Mum. It's no trouble."
"I feel awful though−it's not in the nature of Abnegation people to ask favours. You both know that."
"You're welcome here anytime, don't worry." Tobias adds, giving a well-mannered smile. My mother has a look of gratitude plastered on her face.
"Thank you." she says, genuinely.
"Have you been here before, Natalie?" Tobias asks, trying to remember if she'd ever visited the apartment.
"No, I don't believe so." she answers.
"Well, we'll show you around. Not that there's much to show!" I laugh, referring to the small size of our current home. We briefly walk around, showing my Mom the living space, bathroom, our bedroom, the little dining area, and the kitchen. It's simple and small, but it's served us well." Tobias says once we'd completed the shortest tour in history.
We all make or way to the living area and sit, my Mom and I on the double couch that Tobias and I were lounging on before. He takes a seat in the armchair.
"We're still waiting to be assigned one of the slightly bigger apartments for married couples. This one isn't really built for two people." I explain to my mother.
"Or a family." she says a second later, possibly giving us a hint. Her eyes flick back and forth between my husband and I. I look down as I feel a blush creeping up to my cheeks. Tobias and I have only ever briefly discussed having kids, because we imagined that time would come farther in the future, if ever. The whole idea of children frightens me.
"Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable! It's just that you're such a beautiful couple and I couldn't he−"
"Don't worry, Mum, it's fine!" I say quickly, trying to get out of the awkward situation. We all laugh together. "One day..." I say to put her at ease.
"One day." Tobias repeats softly.
After 15 minutes of idle chit-chat, I notice that my mother looks exhausted. "Hey, Mum, where d'you wanna sleep? Would you like to take our bedroom or−"
"No, honey, that's alright, the couch is fine. But thank you."
"Are you sure you'll be comfortable?" Tobias checks.
"Yes, I'll be perfectly fine. You've shown me enough kindness tonight as it is."
"Mum, don't worry about it. You're welcome here, remember?" I say as I stand and walk a few meters to the storage cupboard.
I grab a spare pillow and reach up to try and get a warm blanket from the top shelf, but my height doesn't favour me. I try jumping, but still fail miserably. I hate being short, it's so annoying. I hear Tobias laugh gently in the background and I let out a huff of frustration as he walks towards me, easily reaching up to get the blanket. It's so embarrassing. Although, I'm sure my mother understands, seeing that she's actually shorter than I am, believe it or not. Tobias chuckles and gives me a quick kiss on the top of my head. I can't help but smile at that.
"You two are so cute, you know that?" my mother tells us and I let myself continue smiling.
"Um….thank you, I guess?" I reply awkwardly before walking back to where we were sitting.
My mother nods to us in turn and says, "Thank you so much, Beatrice. Tobias."
I set up the couch for her. "It's not a problem. Goodnight, Mom. Give us a shout if you need anything!" we both make our way to the bathroom, brushing our teeth and splashing our faces with water.
"Okay. Goodnight." she repeats.
Tobias and I turn away, and he places his hand on my back, guiding me in the direction of our bedroom. "Oh, and you two," my Mom adds. Our heads snap back to look at her as she grins. "No funny business in there, please!" I choke on invisible food and shake my head, trying to suppress laughter and erase the blush forming on my cheeks as I realise what she means.
I close the door of our bedroom and begin to get dressed in my comfy pajama pants and one of Tobias' t-shirts. Tobias strolls out of the tiny walk-in wardrobe, shaking his head when he sees me in his top, much too big for my small frame.
He slowly walks towards me, pulling me closer to him. He wraps his strong arms around my waist and says, "You look good, Tris." he smirks.
"Do you even remember the first time you said that to me?" I asked, referring to the time during my Initiation when he was pretty drunk, standing way too close to the chasm for my liking.
"Mmhhmm." he answers, before leaning down to place little kisses all over my face. Forehead, eyelids, nose, cheeks. He moves his face back for a moment and I am able to stare into his deep blue, swimming pool eyes. They are so easy to get lost in, but I could never become tired of looking into them. One of the many things that I find special about our relationship is the ability we have to create our own private conversations just using our eyes. No one else seems to understand it.
After a few more seconds of intense eye-contact, I place my hand on the back of his neck and pull his head down so that his lips collide with mine. He kisses me back instantly. It is a gentle, loving kiss and I feel myself bubbling up inside, my heart fluttering. I continue to wrap my arm around his neck and place my other hand on his chest, sensing his fast heartbeat. I lower my arm and guide it around his waist, slipping my hand just under the bottom of his shirt, running it up and down his lower back with my fingertips, able to feel his well-toned muscles. We stop, not wanting to get too carried away with my mother just outside the door.
Tobias places his hands on both sides of my face, leaning down to softly kiss me on the forehead. I breathe deeply, settling my arms around him again and resting my head on his shoulder. I inhale his distinctive smell, instantly reminding me of safety. We hug like this for a few minutes before he takes my hand and tugs me toward the bed.
He dives onto it and leans back onto a wall of pillows he has just created. I climb over his legs to my side of the bed. "Come here," he says, stretching his arm out. In response, I gather some of the cover and settle myself under his strong arm. Tobias grabs his thin laptop from the bedside table and we finish the movie that we had begun earlier, sharing earphones.
When the film ends, he puts the laptop back and switches off the lamp beside him. I snuggle myself deeper into his chest and I think I hear a sigh of content from him.
"Night, Tris." he says, and I move myself upward to give him a quick peck on the lips. I lean back down, placing my head on his chest once again, my ear just above his heart.
"Goodnight..." I reply.
"I love you." he reminds me.
"I love you too, Tobias." At this, I swear I feel his heartbeat speed up slightly. I smile to myself and situate my arm across his torso. Not long after, I drift off to sleep, listening to the faint sounds of Tobias' light snores in the background.
OK, that's it for this chapter. I certainly hope you enjoyed it! Whether you did or didn't, please take the time to quickly review and let me know. I need to decide if I should continue this story or not and your reviews will help me do just that!
Oh, and I'm open to suggestions for the next few chapters, because sometimes I lack ideas. At the moment I'm not at all sure where this story is going to go and I don't really want to follow the crowd too much, so fresh ideas would be fab.
Thanks again!
~ M.E.F.