Zeke throws his head back and lets out a loud groan. Tris looks out the door to see him in the hallway by himself. He plops down leaning against the wall opposite of the room where Four and Tris are. They stop their conversation and turn towards him. Four quirks an eyebrow at him silently urging him to see them and elaborate. Zeke doesn't and lets out another melodramatic sigh. Tris rolls her eyes and adjusts herself on Four's lap so she can get a better look at Zeke. He looks past them with a slight pout. He glances back down and begins to trace patterns on his thigh. Tris glances at him then at Four questioningly. Four shakes his head and purses his lips. Either he is bored or he is sad. I can never tell with him. He takes another look at him. Zeke looks around without interest. Bored. Definitely bored.
"Should we ask him what's wrong," Tris asks. Four smiles at her. He takes her hand and starts to rub circles on her knuckles. She is so adorable when she is concerned. His eyes widen as the meaning of her question finally kicks in.
"He's just bored. Don't ask. For the love of God do not ask him!" Tris blinks in shock and tilts her head to the side. Zeke gets up from where he stands and takes a left down the hall. Tris watches him with a concerned look.
"Why?" Four shakes his head and kisses her neck to distract her. She makes a feeble attempt at stopping him. Through her haze she remembers why he was distracting her. She puts her hands on either side of face and slowly brushes her lips against his. She whispers why again. Four sighs and growls in frustration.
"Fine, I'll tell you! The last time he was this bored and I asked him...well it wasn't pleasant. I may have woken up in the middle of the pit in just a bra and boxers." Tris clamps her hand over her mouth to keep from giggling. Four in a bra is a very, very funny thing to imagine. He flicks her nose and scowls.
"Shut it. I was bored too and it seemed like a good idea at the time."
"Yeah, yeah whatever you say...Miss." Four pokes her in her side and she lets out a screech.
"It was one time little bits!" Tris scowls at the nickname. It was a stupid one he had given her after she had drunkenly told him she wanted one. Tequila is never a good idea.
"We should go talk to him." Four heaved out a sigh and stands up. He dusts off his pants and offers a hand to Tris. She takes it with a smug smile as he pulls her up. They walk out the room and down the hallway towards Zeke. Four looks down at Tris until she looks back up at him.
"You know I'm gonna say I told you so if you end up doing something stupid," Four states in his instructor voice. Tris just nods and continues walking down the hall. They finally find Zeke at a bar. He sits in a booth with a pitcher full of beer. He gazes around the bar with a mix of disinterest, boredom, and a little bit of sadness in his eyes. He finally sees them in the doorway. He waves them over with a half smile that doesn't reach his eyes. Tris plops down beside him as Four slides in from across. Tris slides her hand over Zeke's and gently pats it. Four pours himself a pint of beer and sips on it slowly. Tris stares hard at Four. He gazes back at her with confusion at her sudden hostility. She sighs and turns her attention back to Zeke.
"What's wrong Zeke?" He sighs and gives her slight smile.
"It's nothing. I'm fine." Tris frowns, unconvinced.
"No you're not, now spill it. Are you worried about Shauna?"
"Huh, no she's fine. It's just that it's uh well...it's my birthday and no one seems to remember. My mom didn't say anything or Uriah or any of my friends," he looks pointedly at Four," I mean yeah I understand a lot of shit has happened but I at least want some birthday wishes and a cake damn it! Is that really too much to ask for? It's like no one cares. Happy friggin birthday to me." He takes a long pull of beer, draining the last bit of it. He slams it on the table and excuses himself to the restroom. Tris slides out the booth. She slides back in to the far side once she sees he is out of sight. She glowers at Four and kicks him in the shin. He chokes on his beer and coughs for a couple moments. He mirrors her death glare and pours himself more beer.
"What the hell was that for," he hisses at her. The look that crosses on her face can only be described as disbelief.
"Are you kidding me!? Were you not paying attention? Everyone forgot his birthday including you his best friend! I know in Abnegation birthdays aren't really recognized but at least people said birthday wishes to you. You didn't even do that," she shouts at him. A few people turn around and stare at them for a moment. His glare makes them turn back around and go back to their previous conversations.
"Will you lower you voice Tris? I didn't say anything because it's not his birthday," he whispers.
"You mean he lied to me," she snarls. Four grasps her hand and rubs circles on her hand.
"Calm down little bits. He does this every year. Zeke gets drunk on the wrong date and confuses it as his birthday. You see the twenty-fifth of October was the day his dad died. His mom always threw a party on that day so he wouldn't be so sad. His birthday is actually the twenty-sixth. He just confuses the dates," Four explains. Tris mouths sets in a tiny o. She looks at Four apologetically then a look of horror crosses her face.
"Uh Four today is the twenty-sixth." Four just laughs and shakes his head.
"Haha very funny. Trying to scare me into thinking it's Zeke's birthday. It's supposed to be tomorrow. We have a party planned and his present is back at my place."
"No Tobias today is the twenty-sixth. I remember because yesterday you, Zeke, and Uriah got drunk in the memory of one of their relatives. You must've blacked out the date from yesterday." Four face turns horror-stricken. He drains the last of his beer and hops up from the table.
"Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit! Uh Tris keep Zeke busy for like the next hour. I'm gonna try and spread the word the party is moved up tonight. Damn it all!"
"Hey we might not be sure. Look at a calendar." They both turn their heads to see the twenty-fifth crossed out and the twenty-sixth circled. In sloppy and drunken hand writing someone wrote MY B-DAY Y'ALL!
"I swear I can never catch a break! Just um keep him busy like I said before. Get him super drunk if you have to. Oh charge everything on my tab and um don't let him go in his apartment. Son of a...I need a cake. The bakery is out. Just remembered not seeing any on our way. What am I gonna do," he exclaims. Tris stands up and wraps her arms around his neck.
"Easy. I'll go throw together a cake since we have all the ingredients. I'll just do it at his place so while the cake is baking I can decorate it. On my way I can tell Uriah to spread the word cause he was in the tattoo parlor last time I saw him. Everything will work out Tobias." She presses her lips to his in a quick peck and pulls away too soon for both of their likings.
"You are amazing. Did I ever tell you that?" He leans down and pecks her lips again.
"Not enough times actually. Now go be a good friend. Sit down, get him drunk, and keep him away from the apartment." She pats his cheek a couple times and runs off. He smiles at her retreating figure and slides back into the booth. How did he end up to be so lucky to have her? And where is Zeke? Please tell me he didn't pass out in the stall again. Luckily Zeke stumbles out with a giant frown on his face. He slowly totters over to Four and taps him on the shoulder.
"I don't feel to good man. I'm gonna go home." Four looks up to see that his face is flushed and his eyes are glazed. Four shakes his head. He stands up and throws Zeke's arm around his shoulder and warps his arm around his waist. He yells to Morris to throw it on his tab and drags Zeke out of the bar. "C'mon man, we're going back to my place," Four sighs.
"But I wanna sleep at my place," Zeke whines.
"You can lay down in my bed. I have aspirin and water and food at my place. Do you have any at yours?" Zeke shakes his head and leans heavily on Four.
"So it's settled we're going to my place. Besides it's closer dude," Four reasons with him. After a few more minutes of Zeke complaining he wanted to go back to his apartment and making Four stop so he could barf they finally make it to the apartment. Four hastily unlocks the door and lays Zeke on the bed. He shuts the door and heads to the bathroom. He grabs Zeke a glass of water and a bottle of aspirins. When he comes back in Zeke is sound asleep. He places it down on the nightstand beside him. He then walks into the kitchen and makes a sandwich for himself and Zeke. He tosses the sandwich in the fridge and grabs a piece of paper. He scrawls out a quick note and places it beside the aspirin and water. He tiptoes over to the bed and pulls out a box from underneath. He quietly places it on the nightstand as well. He heads out the door with a satisfied smile and closes it softly behind him. This is going to be a great birthday for him...I hope.
Zeke POV
Zeke wakes up with a pounding headache. He squeezes his eyes shut to rid the bright lights from behind his eyes. He slowly opens one then the other to a dim room. He turns his head to the side to try to figure out where he is. Shit. Am I in another girl's place? Shauna is going to kill me. He slowly recognizes the words Fear God Alone painted on the wall. Oh I'm at Four's. Wait why am I here? His eyes land on the aspirin bottle and glass of water. He lets out a grateful sigh and snatches up the glass of water. He gulps down half of it in one breath. He then pops a couple of aspirins in his mouth. He swallows it down with the rest of the water. His eyes land a note quickly scribbled on wrinkled paper.
Zekey-bear,
Happy birthday! I didn't forget. I was planning something for later. Get off your ass and head over to your apartment babe ;) Hope you like your present.
-IV
P.S. Don't tell Tris I keep giving you pet names. She hates little bits still no thanks to you.
Zeke grins stupidly at the note. He hops off the bed and does a once over of himself. He cringes at the stain on his shirt. He swipes one of Four's tee shirts and throws it over his head. He cups a hand over his mouth and sighs. He nearly gags at what he ends up smelling. He heads into the bathroom and grabs the moth wash. With a quick swish and spit he heads out the door. When he reaches his apartment he hears music and people talking. He smiles to himself and jiggles the doorknob. Everyone starts shushing each other and yelling to shut up. Four slowly opens the door to a dark apartment.
"Oh hey Zeke what are you doing here," Four asks casually. A couple people start giggling.
"Nothing really exciting just wanted to go in my apartment maybe go to bed. It's been a long day. Not like you were planning something," he says raising his voice at the last part. A few people start to laugh quietly. Four cocks his head to the side then motions him inside. Zeke walks in as the lights are turned on. Everyone jumps out excitedly looking at him.
"Surprise!" Zeke squeals and jumps up and down.
"Oh my gosh you guys! You shouldn't have. I didn't even suspect a thing like wow. All for little ol me," Zeke gushes.
"Damn it! Who told him," Uriah shouts. Zeke smiles wolfishly at them.
"Four did. He accidentally told me when we got drunk last night. The ass-hat forgot the right date though," Zeke cackles. Everyone shouts at Four for ruining the surprise. He scowls at them and tells them to shut up and drink. Someone cranks up the music and people resume dancing. After a couple hours of dancing and accepting happy birthdays from people, he finally plops down on the couch. Four turns to him and flashes him a drunken smile. Tris leans against Four and talks animatedly to Uriah. They both start cackling about something hilarious.
"Enjoying the party?"
"Yeah. What happened this year man? You always keep me on point with my birthday." Four just shrugs his shoulders. Zeke leans over so he can talk quietly to Four.
"I loved your gift by the way," he whispers. He leans back and flashes him his underwear. It has stars on a swirled purple and black background. But the most important part is that they glow. Four laughs hysterically. They clink beer bottles and take a swig.
"Happy birthday bro. Now you can impress Shauna with your out of this world underwear." Zeke chokes on his beer and laughs along with Four. Pretty good last minute birthday party.
A/N: Yeah I don't own Divergent...blah, blah, blah. Hello there. Yes I am still alive. Will you guys accept my excuse of a bunch of school work and other crap got in the way? But here is a oneshot that is 2000+ words so don't hate me too much. :* I would give you all Dauntless cake if I could! To all my followers/ favoriters/ random pit stoppers, new and old thank you for staying with me! To all my reviwers I have your replies down below. To everyone else good bye and live life to the fullest until next time :)
Guest: Thanks. Hope you enjoy this one too 3
LegendLover94: Yeah, Zeke never had enough screen time in my opinion. He had so much potential as a character. Love him to death :)
xXHurricaneXx: And your comment brought me joy! :D Thank you so much :*
Claire DuPont: Thanks, that really means a lot! :)
Guest: THANK YOU! Hope this made you giggle some.
Guest: Thanks. Gah! I did mean FRIES :/ Darn typos!
MusicMyEscape-DemiGodSlytherine: Thank you :) Hope the wait wasn't too long :|
Guest: Thanks love. These are really great ideas! Look out for these in the future ;)