A/N I got some reviews for That Wine asking if I was going to write some more Circle one shots. Well, that inspired me to write another. So here I am. I always loved Tris and Briar's relationship, so this is just focusing on the day to day aspect. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own. At all. Unfortunately.


Watching Clouds

"It's rain today." Tris said squinting up at the sky. She hefted the basket on her arm. "Who's coming to the roof with me?"

All four of them enjoyed relaxing on the roof of Discipline Cottage, but only one enjoyed relaxing there while getting pelted with rain.

When she didn't get any eager replies of, "Yes, of course Tris!" She sent round a collective glare.

"But," Daja finally broke the silence, "Frostpine was going to teach me how to make...a bucket. Yes a bucket. Today."

Tris looked at her. Her tone flat, she said, "During the rest period?"

"Yes," Sandry nodded. "And I agreed to watch."

They both sent her charming smiles.

Feeling that things were about to turn for the worst, Briar cleared his throat a little. "I-"

"No." Tris interrupted. "No way. You're coming with me."

"But,"

"No. Rosethorn doesn't need you. You're free as a bird."

"But," He pointed helplessly at Sandry and Daja, who were grinning ear to ear.

Tris grinned, too. "They were quicker about it."


"Girls," Briar huffed, as he plopped onto the thatch roof.

"Oh, shush." She flapped her hand at him. "Sit back and enjoy."

He did as told. In truth, ever since she had first pointed it out to him, he had liked to watch the little wisps wiggle and puff up until they were fully fledged clouds. They laid in silence on their opposite sides, until Tris pointed and said, "Do you see that one? It'll be huge!"

Briar scrambled to her side, knocking her arm in the process.

"Ow! Watch it!" She complained.

"Don't be a bleater," Briar said. "Which one?"

She pointed again.

"You mean that blip, there?" He asked, incredulous.

"It's not a blip," She defended. "It may be a little small now, but it won't always be. "

He snorted. She was always so protective of her clouds.

"I bet that it won't get bigger than that one," He said pointing at an average sized cloud.

"I bet that it will." Tris countered. "What's your wager?"

He thought for a second. "Loser does the winners chores tomorrow."

She grinned. "You're on."

"Would you like to shake on it?"

"No, thank you."

He nudged her with his foot. "It's just a little spit. It won't kill you."

She propped her chin on her hand. "It's disgusting." Her nose wrinkled. "Completely disgusting."

He shrugged. "If you say so."

Gradually, the sky darkened, and then the first drop of rain came soaring out of the sky.

It landed right on Briars nose. He hopped up, and dusted off his pants.

"Where do you think you're going?" Tris demanded.

"Inside, where it's warm and dry. You should try it."

"Coward," She sniffed, "afraid to get your hair wet?"

"No," He said, cringing inside because it already was, "Just think of Sandry. She sewed these clothes today. I wouldn't want to spoil them."

'I am thinking of Sandry, and I think she would be insulted that you said her work would fall apart at such slight cause." She patted the spot next to her. It was already damp.

He sighed, and sat down.

"You lose." Tris said suddenly.

"What?

"You lose. Look."

A big black rain cloud was what she was indicating.

"You've got to be kidding." Briar said.

"I'm not. I've been watching it the whole time." Tris gloated. "I told you so."

"Great. More chores." He said. "I'm not staying for the entire storm."

"It's more like a drizzle," Tris supplied.

"I'm not staying."

"Of course you're not."

"I'm not."

"I know," She said, patting him on the arm.

I'm not, He thought at her, but of course he would.

He always did.


A/N Review?