Summary: AU: International star and bad boy Four Eaton is sent home to fix his image after an incident with a reporter threatens to tank his career. Returning to a city he never wanted to see again, he is faced by terrors of his past, as well as old broken friendships. But Chicago isn't just a personal nightmare; along the way, he finds something that he didn't even know he was missing.
Okay, hello everybody!
The Regal Warrior got the quote/reference from last chapter 100% spot on! It was from The Breakfast Club, "neo-maxi-zoom-dweebie," which is what Bender called Brian at one point in the day. I had just finished watching the movie again before writing last chapter, so I felt like I had to throw it in there. I think this is probably the most obvious quote I've thrown into my story so far.
There's another quote in this chapter, as per usual! I don't think it's as obvious as last chapter, so here is yet another hint: it's from a book (a classic I'd call it), and it's one of my absolute favorites of all time.
A small explanation about this chapter being up after such a long break is in the bottom note.
Ok, enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 6: Tobias Eaton
I look in the mirror, as fix my hair one last time. Today is the day; I'm not putting this off any longer. It's been four days since my conversation with Christina, and I've filled my days with more charity events and volunteer work. I went back to the hospital once more, and helped at a soup kitchen downtown for a day. Anything I can do to make Four look better in Tris's eyes, I will.
I've known her for a little over a week. Somehow this one girl with a Penguins hat has invaded my thoughts, my day, and my heart. Her shiny cascading blonde hair was made for my hands to run through; her soft pale lips were made for me to kiss.
Her eyes.
People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for. With Tris, I didn't even know I was looking until I found her.
I've stopped denying myself of the feelings I have for her.
It's near impossible anyways.
But the one burden that hangs over the possibility of us could leave me in crumpling pain. Can she accept my life of fame? Can she accept me as a superstar?
Today I'll find out.
I make sure that my colored contacts are in, and grab my hat before heading out the door. I don't want to tell her in public; I'll bring her back here to show her the real me at the end of our day together.
After hailing a taxi and riding through the city, I am face to face with her front door. I knock twice, and then hear a shrieking from the other side and chuckle quietly to myself. Christina.
The door then opens abruptly and Tris stumbles out, almost running straight into me. Christina then says, "Have fun you lovebirds!" and before either of us have time to protest, she slams the door.
Tris looks up at me with shy eyes. "Sorry about her," she says, "Christina can get a bit insane sometimes."
I am about to respond when my breath catches in my throat. She looks absolutely picturesque with her shining hair strung into soft waves. Her face is glowing, and a slight flush is present on her cheeks. The soft pink tint on her lips matches the light top she is wearing, paired with a black detailed leather jacket and dark wash jeans. Stunning. I take her hand, and then we start to walk.
Dinner was perfect. We talked for hours about the basic things, favorite color and such. I took her to a small bistro closer to where I live. The food there was great; Zeke recommended it to me after I asked him for some suggestions.
I start to get nervous as we walk through the city back to my apartment. A lump rises in my throat when I just think about what I'm going to have to do. I still don't know how exactly I'm going to tell her.
Just then, I run into a man walking on the opposite side of the sidewalk. I mutter a quick sorry, then continue until he says, "That's no way to speak to your father." I stop in my tracks.
I turn around slowly, and come face to face with the man I've feared for years. I gulp; I cannot show any weakness to him.
"My apologies," I say and bow slightly, mocking him. I can see the anger ignite in his eyes.
He glances over to Tris. Don't look at her. You don't deserve to look at her.
"Who is this, Tobias? Another cheap skank from Hollywood?"
"What is he talking about Fred?" Tris asks next to me softly. I turn, and can see sadness and confusion written on her face.
"He's ly-" I start to say.
"Fred? Is that what you're going by nowadays?" Marcus interrupts, "I don't understand why you don't use your given name, but most anything is better than that goddamn stupid number."
"Number?" Tris asks.
"Oh, does the little tramp not know?" Marcus asks sardonically.
"Stop," I say quietly.
"What do I not know?" Tris asks me, annoyance very clear in her voice. This isn't how it was supposed to happen.
"I was going to tell you later," I say.
"Why are your eyes brown, Tobias?" Marcus teases.
"Stop!" I shout, "You have no business talking to me right now, or saying anything negative about her. I've already let you ruin my childhood, but I will not let you ruin this."
"Three? Five was it?" he asks.
"I will hurt you, this is your warning."
He looks me right in the eye. "No, it was Four. The self-absorbed superstar," he says.
I huff, but back away. He isn't worth the arrest and media trouble I am sure to get if I attack him, no matter how much I want to.
Tris is silent and still. "I'd still like to explain some things to you," I mutter as I start to walk away, motioning for her to follow me. "If you're still willing."
Her eyes flicker up for a second, but the look in her eyes says everything I need to know. I turn around, defeated, and start to walk away when I hear footsteps following me. I glance back, and Tris gives me a small smile. Inside, I flood with relief; I still have a chance.
Thankfully we are pretty close to my apartment already, so it's only another two blocks until we reach my building. The rest of the walk was nothing but silence, but Tris muttered a small thank you when I open the door for her.
The elevator ride is silent as well. I open the door to my apartment, take her coat, and then say, "You can sit on the couch in the living room, make yourself comfortable." I go the bathroom to take out my colored contacts, and take off my hat and jacket as well before returning.
Tris gasps when she sees me, and then takes a deep breath. "I'm sorry," I start softly, sitting down on the couch, "I was planning on telling you tonight. I'm also sorry that my father ruined it, and that you ever had to meet him."
I take a deep breath. "I hope you can understand why I didn't tell you at first. I can't really just go around telling everyone, and I had met you in my disguise. I didn't know if I could trust you yet, so it was easier to lie. Once I realized that I could, I tried to do everything I could to change your opinion of "Four" before I revealed myself."
"The charity stuff? That was for me?" she asks, and I nod.
"I- Everything else I told you was true for the most part. I don't really have an uncle that is in the music industry, I moved to LA when I was discovered. But everything else was true. I did grow up here in Chicago. I played hockey in high school. My favorite food is chicken parmesan. I'm the same person that I was before, you just found out what I do."
"It's a bigger deal than that, and you know it," Tris says.
"I know, I know it is, but I wish it wasn't. I hate the fame, and media in your face every chance they get, but this was the only career pathway for me out of this city."
"Your father?" she asks softly.
"He's a very influential man here, and he could've easily kept me here forever if I didn't get discovered. I had to get away from him, he is an awful, abusive person. He-" I start to choke up.
Tris scoots a little closer to me, and takes my hand in hers. "You don't have to say anything."
I give her a weak smile, and tentatively wrap my other arm around her. She rests her head on my shoulder.
"What is this?" Tris asks after a minute or so of silence. "What are we?"
I work up some courage, and then say, "I know what I'd like us to be."
She turns to face me. "And what is that?"
"I'd like to be the one who you can talk to about absolutely anything. I'd like to walk you to your door and kiss you goodnight every time until I can kiss you goodnight when you're cuddled up next to me. I'd like to be the guy you introduce to your parents one day. I'd like to be a good, proper boyfriend to you for a long, long time," I say. "If that's alright with you."
She laughs with such light in her voice, it's as if I just passed through the golden gates of heaven. "That's perfectly alright with me," she says.
I smile brightly, and then give her hand a small squeeze before pulling her up with me. "Ice-cream?" I ask her.
"Sounds perfect."
Tris Prior
All too soon our night comes to an end, and we are standing in front of my apartment door not wanting to say goodbye. He never put his disguise back on, and I peer into his deep blue eyes. They are truly breathtaking.
"I had a great time tonight," I say.
He smiles, the white toothy smile I've come to love. "I did too," he says, "Can I see you tomorrow?"
I nod. "I'll call you after my class."
"Great," he says.
I turn towards my door and start to unlock it when I recall something. "I remember you mentioning something about a goodnight kiss," I say cheekily.
He smiles really wide at this. "How could I forget?" He steps closer to me, and moves a strand of hair out of my face. Tobias looks into my eyes for a second, sets his hands on my waist, and bites his lip. I place my hands behind his head, and start to lean in closer until we meet in the middle.
He's a really good kisser. His hands on my waist send a shiver down my spine as our lips move in perfect unison. I start to run my fingers through his short hair, willing him closer. The kiss is intense, but also slow and loving all at the same time. It feels like hours but only seconds until we part.
I give him a small smile, then open my apartment door and go inside. I immediately sink to the ground from the jelly feeling in my legs and the energy coursing through me. That was a heck of a kiss, and I can't stop grinning.
Christina peers her head out of her room when she hears me, and then starts squealing when she sees the wide smile that won't leave my face.
"How was your date?" she asks.
I bite my lip. "It was... wow. He's- amazing."
Christina hesitates for a second. "Did he tell you?" she asks quietly.
"What?" I ask, trying to avoid her question. I don't know if Tobias wants Christina to know who he really is.
"You're lying, he told you. You took it okay?" she asks.
"Yeah, after the initial shock I was fine," I say. "Wait a second, how the hell do you know?"
"He came and told me a few days ago while you were at class. He wanted my advice about you, isn't that so sweet? Oh, it's so romantic! Tris, you have a boyfriend!"
I smile. "Yeah, I do."
Hope you all enjoyed. It's a bit longer than normal, and hopefully that makes up for the long period of time before this update. I finished my last exam this morning, so you can expect things to get closer to normal now.
A lot of personal problems recently have contributed to this late chapter. I'm sorry everyone, I really am. I'm not exactly sure if I want to talk about it at this exact second, but if you all are curious then I can put it in the next authors note.
Did you guys like the reveal? Marcus had to make an appearance at some point, and I've been planning this type of thing for a while. It was good to finally type it up into words.
REVIEW! Please, they honestly mean the world to me. With everything going on in my life recently, it's amazing to hear from you all.
FOLLOW and FAVORITE this story as well! Every time I get a notification about it, I smile.
Remember to look for the quote this chapter!
Lots of love