CHAPTER NINE
THANK YOU: Thank you all for your reviews, follows, favs and PMs, they really mean a lot to me and I'm so glad a lot of people seem to like this story! Thank you!
WARNINGS: *Divergent AU modern days* *A bit of a slow burn* *Characters may be OOC* and a lot of dialogs
DISCLAIMER: I don't own "The Divergent Trilogy" and I don't own "The Lord Of The Rings"
It was Sunday and Tris was driving to Lauren, James and Emily's house not to work but she was heading there to attend the family lunch and party to celebrate Emily's sixth birthday, she couldn't stop her smile thinking about that, her heart beating extremely fast with excitement and honor to have been invited to their family lunch and - in all honesty - even a little bit out of nervousness, not really because she feared she would felt out of place because she was used to the house and know Lauren, the kids and Tobias really well by now and she had always been comfortable around them but maybe, just maybe, meeting Emily and James' grandparents had her heart racing the slightly bit. Her excitement and her happiness were absolutely bigger tho, her smile just getting wider and wider and a pale red blush tinting her cheeks as she got closer to her destination, a lot of memories of the past two weeks swirling around her head, most of them involving Tobias and not really helping her keep her excitement under control... memories of delicate, forbidden and electrified touches; memories of rides home at night; memories of growing chemistry and sparkles between them. Thinking back at that she really couldn't keep her blush at bay, vivid memories and images flashing in front of her eyes, scenes she had dreamt at night and thought back at a lot in the past days, unable to stop her mind from heading there, her undisputable attraction more and more difficult to deny with each and every day.
Memories of her coincidentally meeting him at a bar a Saturday night when she was out with her course-mates to celebrate their positive results in the difficult and very important exam she had told him about while he was enjoying a few drinks with a couple of his friends - Zeke and Uriah - he introduced to her as she acquainted Cassandra and Alex to him. Memories of him looking extremely good in a pair of blue jeans and a partly unbuttoned white shirt, far more casual than the ones he was used to wear at work but not less hot-looking on him, memories of her mouth dry and her sudden warmth, memories of her skin burning under his touch when he had hugged her and her heart beating so hard she feared he could hear it when he leaned in and swirled one of her locks. Memories of his friends throwing knowing glances at him and obtaining cold and threatening looks back, memories of her embarrassment when she had realized he had told them about her, memories of the strong drink she had ordered burning in her throat as she drank it all at once. Memories of her giggles and his hands playfully touching her in what she had told herself a million time was a friendly gesture but felt oddly and excitedly intimate.
And even more memories of a couple days later when Chris had found out about him and things between them - not that there was something clear or defined in their relation if you can call it it - partly because of her ingenuity, partly because of her best friend's curiosity and partly because of a text... a Tobias' text. Yes sir, she had found it out because of a box of chocolates and a "Glad to hear it! See you tomorrow!" text, both coming from Tobias: the first one being a congratulation present he had given her the afternoon for her passing the exam - yeah, exactly the one they had celebrated the previous Saturday night - and the second one being a reply to a pic she had sent him, a pic of his box of chocolates half empty and a ton of little golden aluminium foils all over her kitchen table and the caption "My best friend and I enjoyed your present very much as you certainly can tell!". Yes, because that night once home she had invited Chris over because Tris knew her too well and knew those had always been her favourite chocolates and that had turned into a 'girly bestie night' and even more so when, while in the bathroom, her phone had emitted a ring and the screen had lighten up on the kitchen counter in front of Chris, the ID name surely catching her attention as she read "Tobias" and his text as well and, God knows how, she had unluckily remember a certain 'Uncle Toby' Tris had mentioned just once and at least a month before... Tris hadn't seen the end of it until like four in the night - or better morning - when Chris, finally happy with all the things she had managed to make her spill, fell asleep on Tris' bed. And just like that she had find out about him and, even if Tris hadn't told her a lot of things, of course she had gotten her attraction to him immediately and her denials to her best friend and herself as well had all been unsuccessful, in that moment Tris knew Christina wouldn't have left her alone about it and she had slapped herself for having invited her over and for that damn text because she knew her attempts to forget, deny her interest and stay professionally would been even more useless from then on.
Thank God she had managed to omit and keep some things for herself only because otherwize Chris would have started planning out their wedding that night and she wouldn't have seen the end of, like ever. The growing sexual tension had been left out of her story and that time in Lauren's kitchen as well... oh that time, just the memory had her swallowing hard, her hands gripping the steering wheel even tighter until the knuckles turned white and she shook her head forcing that thought out of her mind... the memory of his chest against her back, of him hovering her from behind, his hand reaching and pulling down the cup she had tried grabbing for the past two minutes, on her tiptoes her 'height' still not enough; memories of his abdominal muscles against her, memories of his hot breath on her neck and then - when she had turned around to face him - on her head, the feeling of is arms on the counter behind her, one on her left and one on her right trapping her; memories of their noses almost brushing, their eyes and mouths just a couple of inches apart and electricity running between them; memories of his intense gaze that had her frozen in place with her breath erratic. Memories of her strangled whisper "Isn't this forbidden? Or at least really unprofessional?" and his deep sexy voice "Probably, but I do not care", his answer leaving her breathless and flushed, her stomach tightening and fighting a soft moan that really wanted to escape her mouth. No, no, no. No way she was telling Chris that!
No, that had been left out but she hadn't been that lucky in many occasions: the previous afternoon she had been forced to admit and spill some other things because Chris wouldn't have let her go without knowing - for example - the 'valid excuse' why she couldn't join her at the beauty salon for a complete treatment on a ordinary Sunday morning… And she hadn't been pleased - their salon session suddenly looking far less appealing than some good juicy gossip and a 'love occasion' - until Tris had finally yet reluctantly admitted that Tobias had insisted for her to come and that, even if it had been Emily the one who had invited her and looked upset when she had told her that she would surely called but it was not really appropriate for her to attend a family lunch, it had been him to deny her stupid excuses and ask her to come, to be there… you can imagine Chris' reaction to this confession, Chris that was already in her operative mode trying to take each and every opportunity to learn more about him, pushing and encouraging Tris to make a move, hit on him or something, already ready to set them up herself if her best friend wouldn't done something soon.
Tris shook her head, slowing down her car to let a small family cross the road and silently prayed God Chris would never had the occasion to meet him and carry out her diabolic plan because she had already had plenty of embarrassing moments caused by her best friend and even a ton of bad gaffes she still got embarrassed over every time she thought back at then or one of the many came up during a fiend or family night. Chuckling trying to shake bad memories away she couldn't agree more with that famous author that once had told that 'best fiends are our greatest enemies when it comes to make fun of you' - jokingly and in a friendly way of course!
Focusing back on the street and her breathshe shook away all those pleasant and embarrassing memories trying to come back to reality, the shining purple and golden wrapping paper of Emily's present helping her as she fantasize about the little baby girl opening it and hoping she would have liked it even if she was quite confident about it: a book full of scores and songs for her piano practise and a handmade fabric doll she was sure Emily would loved despite Christina had tried to make Tris buy a more fashionable and girly one the previous afternoon but no, Tris had stood firm on her first choice and now driving to the party she actually couldn't feel more happy with her present, proud of her instinct and decision.
It only took her other five minutes to reach her destination where she parked next to Lauren's car and another small vehicle she had never seen so assumed was her parents' before stopping the live jazz CD she had been listening to and taking thirty seconds to look into the inside car mirror to make sure she wasn't a mess and took the opportunity to fix her hair a little bit even thought she knew for sure that it would have been slightly messy again because of the wind outside so eventually decided not to put too much effort into it, it would have been useless anyway so... Emily and James didn't even give her time to make it to the door and knock before they opened the door excitedly and urged her in, she was still on the steps when the two of them greeted her with their hands and joyful smiles, their eyes shining and a festive atmosphere surrounding them.
"Tris" "Tris" happy squeals welcoming her in, party decorations, lights and balloons all around them in the hallway as they wrapped her in a tight hug that screamed affection and trust before Tris stood up and, placing her present down for a few seconds, lifted Emily up in her arms and swirled her around a little bit making her chuckle "Happy Birthday Emily, happy happy birthday princess"
"Hello Tris, welcome" Lauren's voice broke the eye contact between them as Tris placed Emily back on her feet to turn her attention to the hostess, stepping forward to greet her as well with a smile and a friendly soft hug.
"Good Morning, thank you again for having me over. It's a real pleasure"
"The same goes for us, Emily's so happy you're here and she's not the only one..." she said throwing Tris a mischievous smile before adding "Speaking of him... He should arrive in a matter of minutes, he texted me he was running a little late but please now give me your coat and make yourself home as usual. Come, I'll introduce you to my parents, they're in the living room looking forward to meeting you since nobody seems to be able to shut up about you" she said and Tris blushed at her words, smiling softly at the floor before following James and Emily's mum through the hallway and living room, eventually reaching the one she was looking for. She was slightly taken aback by the sight of them, especially the tall and classy man who got up from the couch the second he heard someone coming in, immediately turning to face the door and rising his big hand in a matter of seconds at the sight of Tris who started at him for a second, impressed by the strong similarity between him and Lauren... two peas in a pod really, you barely could spot any difference apart from gender and age, absolutely impressive.
"Good morning, I'm Marcus" he said shaking her hand, his voice deep and his good manners a little old-fashioned and chivalric but in a pleasant way, his face remaining serious.
"I'm Tris, it's a pleasure to meet you both" she said looking between Marcus and Tobias' mother who introduced herself as Evelyn with a motherly smile and a hug as if they had met before, Tris couldn't help but notice the difference Tobias had told her about during one of their long conversation on the cosy couch with nephew, niece and peluches playing on their knees: his mother all outgoing and cheerful, his father quite silent, closed off and authoritative but - as Tobias assured - a complete softie with his grandchildren: such a strict father he had once been, such a loving grandfather now, always ready to spoil Emily and James beyond limits… grandfatherhood had incredibly changed him in better and all thanks to two little creatures, after all Emily and James had managed to steal Tris' heart in a milliseconds: they were just irresistible!
"Hello Mum! Good morning Dad" Tris stood up from the couch at Tobias' voice and turned towards the man she hadn't even heard had arrived as he hugged Evelyn kissing her cheek as well and shook his father's hand before turning towards her, his lips immediately smiling widely as he took the few steps separating them and greeted her properly, staring directly into her eyes and tucking one of her locks behind her ear making her blush under his intense gaze in front of all his family… First of many many more oddly intimate touches and eye contacts of the day, starting with the table disposition arranged by Lauren who had of course sat the two of them side by side looking forward to occasions and opportunities to throw knowing looks at her brother, mischievous smiles often playing on her face whenever she saw a sparkle of chemistry between Tobias and Tris or even more when Tobias realized his arm had migrated and was now resting on the nanny's chair seat back without him controlling it…
Thank God she was not there when, busy in the kitchen where they were placing some dirty plates and glasses while the others were around the table where Lauren was getting ready to cut the cake, Tris started teasing him: "Wow Tobias, you look extremely sexy, that party hat really does suit you" she said unable to hold her laugher back any longer as she had just had a hard time not bursting into laughter in front of everyone since the moment Emily had handed a party hat to everybody to make it look more like a birthday party lunch and she had even gifted her favorite uncle and Tris with Hawaiian flower necklaces.
"And you're speaking?" Tobias asked laughing while pointing at the young woman in front of him who really looked like a clown or something in that moment, a funny expression adding characterization to her six-year old party look but in that really exact moment she couldn't look more beautiful to him, beautiful and amazing inside as well as outside: not only gorgeous but even cheerful, carefree, kind and lovely… a mix he hadn't been able to resist, a growing attraction he hadn't been able to suppress, a chemistry he had felt since the very first time, a warmth inside he hadn't been able to control whenever she was close, actions controlled by his instinct and heart, not his brain, he had been totally powerless to avoid, dominate and his mouth he had lost control over, his courage and confidence coming in waves replacing his awkwardness and seriousness for a few minutes, his voice forming words he hadn't planned on emitting… exactly what happened then, that day in Lauren's kitchen.
"Go out on a date with me"
Seven words, simple and rather short but meaningful and brave. Not a question, more of a statement. Seven words that surprised Tris not less than what they surprised Tobias, the one who had spoken. Seven words followed by a heavy silence broken by Tris' cheerfulness and teasing attitude - much more playful and courageous - a few seconds later.
"I'm sorry but I can't go out with someone who has never read The lord of the rings… You better do something about that" her chuckle leading him to breathe again and relax slightly.
"Okay" bending down he inhaled her amazing scent "challenge accepted" he whispered in her ear, his lips brushing lightly against her fairy skin before turning into a smirk at the feeling of her shivering at his action, under his hot breath on her neck and eventually taking a step back once satisfied putting some distance between them again, triumphant and blessing his liquid courage (coming from God knows where) that in a matter of seconds had done what his awkwardness and insecurity had stopped him from doing for the past two months. Unnecessary adding that his niece's birthday party had turned into the best he had ever celebrated, a plastered smile never living his face for the rest of the day - and night when he found himself grinning at the ceiling while in bed, very conscious of the new book waiting for him on his nightstand, a nearly one-thousand-five-hundred-long tome he had just bought - and his confidence and happiness suddenly boosted.
He had finally asked her out!
Thank you all, hope you enjoyed. Comments and reviews are always appreciated.
~OceanicGirl
