A/N: We're getting closer to the truth. Well, part of it anyways. Enjoy this chapter from Tobias' POV and don't forget, today is Theo James' 31st birthday. Happy Birthday, Theo!
FYI, I posted a new smut in my Kinky Series - And...Action. Check it out.
10
Tobias' POV
We all watch Hana drag Tris into her bedroom and slamming the door shut. I look from Zeke to Uriah and they are both as perplexed as I am.
"What the hell is going on?" Zeke asks.
"I'd like to know that too," I say.
"Maybe we can," Uriah says and goes closer to Hana's bedroom door.
"What are you doing?" I ask. He climbs on a chair and opens an old, unused air vent.
"Listening in," he says grinning.
"You can't do that. Hana obviously wants to have a private conversation with Tris" I say.
"I know. She probably wants to scold her," Uriah's grin widens even more.
"Uriah," I say but then we stop arguing because we hear Hana and Tris arguing.
"Tris, you need to be more careful. Whoever did this wants you dead," Hana says and a cold shiver runs down my spine. What did she say? I look toward Uriah and Zeke and they look as shocked as I am.
"Hana, calm down. It's not like it's the first time," Tris says as if nothing.
"Tris, for anyone going so far as to slaughter a dozen children and leave a death threat for you written with their blood this isn't something to take lightly," Hana says. What? Zeke went pale and Uriah sat down while we listened to Hana and Tris talking.
"Someone killed a dozen children?" Zeke asks in a whisper.
"What about the death threat?" Uriah asks. I shush them to listen some more. I know it's wrong but now that we heard that I can't stop myself from wanting to know more.
"Hana, please, calm down. I need you strong. Liam and Evelyn are taking care of the building right now and they will get in touch with you tomorrow. Whoever is behind this will pay, I promise you that," Tris vows.
"Honey, you need to be careful. You have many enemies. I don't want you to get hurt," Hana says. Enemies? What enemies?
"What enemies?" Zeke voices my thoughts. I shake my head.
"Hana, I'm the Guardian. I had enemies even before I was born. That doesn't change a thing. I'm here for one thing and one thing only: to protect the innocent. I will gladly give my life for them," Tris says. Is she out of her mind? What is she talking about? What is this talk about guardians?
"Don't talk like that," Hana says and I can hear the sadness in her voice.
"Hana, you and I both know the life of a Guardian. We are not supposed to live long, happy lives, with everyday problems, romance, family. We are born to fight evil and keep the Gate sealed. I've accepted my fate a long time ago. As long as I breathe I am the Guardian and I will protect all mankind until my last heartbeat."
"Tris," Hana says sobbing.
"It's okay. I haven't told mom yet and I'd like to keep it from her as long as possible. I don't want to worry her. She needs to focus now on other things. Listen to me," we hear Tris say and hear some shuffling. "Something bad is coming. I can feel it. It's the same feeling I had before my battle with the Master and the encounter with the Monks. Whatever is going on is big. This isn't some lowlife demon. This is the work of someone both powerful and smart. This battle might be my last one," she says and my heart constricts. How can she talk about dying so easily, like her life doesn't matter?
"Don't talk like that," Hana pleads.
"Hana, we both know it's true. When, not if, I'm gone promise me you won't bring me back. Not this time. Let me rest. Let me be dead," Tris says. "I know that what you did was out of love and grief, but I'll tell you something I haven't told anyone before," she says and I feel guilty for listening. I feel guilty for what I've heard so far, but this seems even more private. I reach out to close the vent, but Zeke and Uriah hold me back. I struggle against them but they have a firm grip. "I was happy when I was dead. I wasn't trapped in Hell or in Limbo. I was happy, the happiest I've ever been and then I was pulled out of that happiness. I'm not blaming you," Tris says and I can hear her sniffling. "But what you did to me that day wasn't a rescue. It was a cruel punishment."
"I'm so sorry, sweetheart. But Natalie and I were desperate. My sweet child, you died in my arms and I couldn't do anything to take the pain away, yours or anyone else's. I can't imagine a world without you in it, my precious little angel," Hana says and I can hear her crying. I've never heard her speak like that to anyone. Tris jokes that I'm Hana's favorite, but it's Tris. It always has been.
"I'm not an angel, I'm just the Guardian and I'm just doing my job," she says. "I love you so much, mom."
"I love you, too," Hana says and I hear both of them cry. Uriah and Zeke finally let go of me and I close the air vent. I turn around and look into the stunned faces of my surrogate brothers.
"What the hell is going on here?" Zeke asks.
"Does any of you know what they were talking about?" Uriah asks.
"No, but I've listened in on two other conversations Tris had with two different guys, one of them was the guy who came by earlier. She talked about strange things and to be honest I don't know what all this means," I tell them.
"Should we tell mom we know? I mean, tell her that we heard what she talked with Tris?" Uriah asks.
"No," I say. "We need to find out more. Hana dragged Tris into her bedroom because none of them wanted any of us to know."
"Four's right. If we really want to know what's going on we need to keep this to ourselves for now," Zeke agrees with me.
"Alright, but I hate lying to mom," Uriah says.
"What? You lie to mom all the time. Just yesterday she asked you if you took out the trash and you lied to her face," Zeke says glaring at his brother.
"That's different," Uriah defends.
"Guys, stop it. They'll come out soon. We all agree to keep our mouths shut?" I ask and they nod.
"How are we going to find out more?" Uriah asks.
"Leave that to me," I say. Uriah is an initiate. He has other things to worry about. Besides now that I know that Evelyn is involved maybe I can find a way to get some information from her.
"Whatever you need, bro, just tell me," Zeke says and I nod. We hear the door open and Hana and Tris come out. They both look like they've been crying. So I heard right.
"You guys okay?" I ask them and the both nod.
"Let's eat, boys," Hana says.
We sit down and at first the tension is palpable. I look at Zeke and Uriah and I can tell they both want to ask them what is going on, but I don't want them to tip Hana or Tris off. Tris looks around, eyeing us suspiciously, but doesn't say anything. She is just about to say something when something catches her eye and she runs out of the room.
"What the hell?" Uriah asks.
"Tris," Hana shouts after her before she too runs out.
"You know, Four, I know we said we won't say a thing, but this is getting ridiculous," Zeke says.
"Zeke, give me some time to investigate. Do you really think that they would just tell us? If they wanted to they would've by now."
"Tell you what?" I hear Tris' voice behind me. Shit. I remain silent and continue eating my food. I look at Zeke and Uriah and throw them each a glare. "I asked you a question, Four," she says angry.
"Tell us what is going on," Uriah says quickly and I give him a dirty look. What the hell? Didn't we just agree to not ask them?
"Nothing is going on. Tris and I had a talk and we both got emotional," Hana explains as she sits down. I can feel Tris staring at the back of my head but I don't move.
"Well, in any case, mom, Tris, if you guys need anything we're all here for you. I know we haven't known each other for long, Tris, but I see you like part of this family, like the sister I never had," Uriah says to Tris and smiles.
"That's so sweet, baby," Hana says lovingly.
"Yeah, sweet," Tris says "I always wanted a sister too. Thanks so much Hana for Uri," she says and Zeke bursts out laughing.
"That's so true, dude. It's like you spend more time in the fucking bathroom than any girl I know," he mocks his younger brother.
"Ezekiel, language," Hana scolds. "Sweetheart, sit down and eat your food," she says to Tris. I hear her move and then she sits down at the table still staring at me.
"What?" I ask irritated.
"You have something on your face" she says serious.
"What?" I ask, not expecting that.
"A frown, Mr. Grouch," she says and starts laughing. What? Next to me Uriah laughs his ass off and Zeke soon joins in.
"Precious," Zeke says when he calms down.
"Mr. Grouch?" Hana asks.
"Yeah, 'cause his always so grouchy," Tris explains as she digs in. They are both putting on a show for us. I wonder how long they've been doing this. On one hand I'm upset that they would both lie, but none of them really owe me anything. Hana treats me like her son, but I'm not. And even if I was she is still entitled to her secrets. As for Tris, while we've spend so much time together, in the training room and at Hana's, we are still strangers. Whatever her secret is it must be big and I can tell it's not something she shares with people. On the other hand, who am I to talk? I have my secrets too. Other than a handful of people no one knows where I came from and who I really am. How can I be pissed with Tris not sharing when I myself am closed off?
"That's not very nice," Hana says and then looks at me apologetically.
"It's okay. I've heard worse," I say.
"Grump bag," Uriah says.
"Master Dickhead," Tris chimes in.
"Oh, oh. I know," Zeke jumps a little up and down on his chair making me smile at his silliness. "Fourplay," he makes a stupid pun. Tris and Uriah look at him shocked, while Hana glares.
"Ezekiel, that wasn't nice," she scolds.
"Fourplay," Tris repeats and then smiles, before turning her head to me. "You do realize your best friend just opened up a whole new realm of teasing material for us," she asks with a devilish grin on her face.
"I'm still your instructor and your leader," I say serious and glare at her, but she doesn't flinch. This usually works, but she isn't scared at all.
"Woah, dude. Relax. I'm sure she was just kidding," Uriah says serious. Right. He is shitting his pants and I'm not even looking at him, while she just keeps grinning.
"Whatever you say, Fourplay," she mocks.
"Tris," Hana scolds.
"Come on, mom. It's just in good fun," she says still staring at me.
"I don't think Four finds it funny," she says.
"Then maybe he should have picked another nickname," she says.
"That's enough," Hana says. "All of you. We are here today to celebrate Four's promotion." Hana reaches out and rubs my left arm and I break eye contact.
"Huh, I win," Tris exclaims.
"Damn it," I hear Zeke mutter.
"Told you, bro," comes from Uriah.
"What's going on?" I ask.
"We had a bet going. Tris said she could stare you down, that you would break eye contact first. I said no way are you going to be beat my man, Four. And she was like damn right I will. And I was like wanna bet?"
"This doesn't count," I say, grateful that the awkwardness from before somehow faded away. "If you really want to see who's better we need to do it from the beginning. You up, initiate?"
"You betcha, Four," she says and then adds "play" to continue the mockery. I just roll my eyes. Somehow I can't be angry with her.
"Bring it on," I say. I stare at her and she stares back and I can tell that Zeke is checking his watch to see how long we'll hold the stare.
"Kids, please," Hana says a little amused.
"Come on, Ma. Let them," Uriah says. "I bet you Tris will beat him."
"What do I get if I win?" I ask with a grin.
"You can command me around for a whole day and I won't complain. And Uriah too," she says.
"Hey, why me?" Uriah asks.
"You gave me the idea," she says not breaking eye contact with me.
"Alright," I say.
"And what do I get if I win?" she asks.
"Unlikely scenario, so I'll let you decide what you get," I tell her.
"A bit full of yourself, I see," she mocks.
"I know I'll win," I say.
"In your dreams, pretty boy," she says and grins. Did she seriously just call me pretty boy? Is she flirting with me? "Alright," she resumes. "You can choose from the following options: (a) you wear a dress and strut around the Pit, (b) you make out with Zeke and I am allowed to take a picture and use it as blackmail material whenever I need or (c) you are my bitch for an entire week," she says. My eyes widen a bit but I don't break the eye contact.
"Seriously?" I ask her.
"Tris, that's not very nice," Hana scolds.
"Mom, this isn't about being nice. This is about who is better at staring the other down. This is basically a gender war. Who's better? Men ugh?" she says with a disgusted look on her face, which makes me raise an eyebrow and Hana chuckle. "Or women?" she says and smiles brightly.
"So, your making this little bet between us a gender war?" I ask her.
"Yup. Defending the males everywhere making you uncomfortable?" she asks mockingly.
"Nope. Defending the females everywhere making you uncomfortable?" I ask, using the same tone.
"Like crapping my pants," she says.
"Language," Hana scolds.
"There any rules?" she asks.
"What do you mean?" I ask furrowing my eyebrows.
"You know, rules. Like in any competition," she says vaguely.
"Uhm, no. Just staring. Whoever breaks eye contact first loses," I say.
"Good." A wide grin splits her face. What is she up to?
"Tris, no," Hana says seriously.
"Hey, he said no rules." Before I know what's going on I see Tris smirk devilishly and then lift her top and showing of her black lace bra. My eyes move for a split second from her eyes to her chest and that was it. I lost. "Huh. I win!" she cheers and jumps up making a ridiculous victor's dance. "I won, I won," she chants and Uriah joins her jovial outburst. Despite losing I feel myself smile and be happy. But then Uriah hugs her and lifts her up in the air. The mere image of Tris in some other guy's arms makes me jealous, even if he just said he sees her as a sister.
"Alright, that's enough kids. Tris pull your shirt down," Hana says and Tris does as told.
"Congratulations," I say, trying to sound offended, but I'm not. "Even though you cheated," I say.
"How exactly did I cheat?" she asks.
"Come on. Really? You knew you couldn't beat me so you pulled your shirt up," I say.
"You tell her Four," Zeke cheers me on.
"Nobody told you to ogle my boobs," she bites back and I feel myself blush a little.
"You tell him, girl," Uriah cheers her on.
"Despite that, how is it cheating when there were no rules?" she asks with a smug grin.
"Yeah, Four, how is it cheating?" Uriah asks, repeating her question.
"She clearly took advantage of her natural gifts," Zeke says toward his brother.
"I wouldn't call them a gift," Tris says grabbing her boobs and I swallow hard. Why is she doing that? Does she know how uncomfortable she makes me? God, I wish those were my hands. Damn it, Tobias. Focus.
"What are you talking about? You have some nice boobies," Uriah says.
"Really? I always found them small and unnoticeable," she says not looking at any of us. Hana rolls her eyes and goes into the kitchen.
"They are not small, they look good on you, firm and perky," Zeke says. What the hell? Everybody stop looking at her boobs.
"You think?" she asks.
"Yeah. Let me tell you something, a secret," he says. She looks up at him and waits to hear whatever he has to say. "I know that some think that we guys only like big boobs, but that isn't true. Do I look after a girl with big boobs? Yeah, 'cause it's hard not to. But I'm an ass guy. I mean I love Shauna's juicy butt," he confesses and Tris starts laughing.
"Thanks, bro," Tris says and gets up to hug him.
"No problem, sis. What are big brothers for?" he asks and kisses her cheek.
"I'm so glad you guys get along," Hana says as she comes in with a huge Dauntless cake she baked earlier.
"Ma, have I told you that I love you today?" Uriah asks.
"No, dear, you haven't," Hana says smiling.
"Well, I love you Ma," he says.
"I love you more, Hana," Tris says.
"No, I love her more," Uriah glares at her.
"You wish, you dimwit."
"What's going on?" Zeke asks.
"They're fighting over who gets to have the first slice of cake," Hana explains.
"Really mature, you two," I say.
"Oh, shut it, Fourplay," Tris says and gives me the finger.
"You know, I'm still your instructor and leader," I say.
"Not here. Here you are just Hana's little favorite baby," she says in a mock baby voice. At that Zeke bursts out laughing. "Whatever happens here stays here. Deal?" she asks and extends her hand for me to shake. I stand up and shake it. As I touch her warm skin an electric current runs through my whole body, waking me up. Too soon she retracts her hand and grabs the plate Hana is handing her.
After each of us has a slice of Dauntless cake, Tris and Uriah got their second already, Uriah remembers our bet. Of course, he did. If it doesn't involve his own humiliation he is the poster boy for good memory.
"So, Four. What will you choose as punishment for losing the staring contest?" he asks with a dumb smile.
"Right. I totally forgot about that," Tris says.
"Thanks a lot," I say and punch Uriah lightly. He grimaces but then grins again. He loves it that someone beat me.
"So, what will you choose, Fourplay?" she asks.
"What can I do to make you stop calling me that?" I ask with an irritated look on my face.
"Not a God damn thing," she says smiling and shows off her teeth, which are covered in chocolate frosting.
"You have something on your teeth," I say. She sticks her tongue out before running it over her teeth to clean them as best as she can. When she's done she looks straight at me and licks her lips slowly and then closes her eyes before she moans.
"Hm, chocolate," she says and Uriah laughs.
"Somebody who understands me. Finally," he says and eats his third slice of Dauntless cake.
If Tris wanted to get a reaction out of me, well, there is one, but she can't see it since it's covered by the dining room table.
"Four," she says and I look at her.
"What?"
"Your punishment," she says. Right. What should I choose? Well, I'm definitely not going to wear a dress or make out with Zeke. I swallow hard and close my eyes.
"I'll let you boss me around for a week."
"I said be my bitch for a week," she says and even though my eyes are closed I can hear the satisfied grin she must wear.
"Whatever," I say.
"And don't worry. I won't humiliate you in front of the entire faction," she says and I open my eyes.
"Thanks."
"I think I'll film it and broadcast it to the entire city," she smirks.
"You suck," I say.
"You wish," she counters and throws me off my game. Is she doing this on purpose?
"Kids, enough," Hana says.
After that we just talk about my promotion, initiation and the guys and Tris brag about childhood injuries as if they went to war and won medals. My childhood injuries are still there, on my back and in my heart and probably will never fade away.
A/N: Thoughts?