Okay, it's been a very long time since I've updated. Sorry? Yeah, I know, your mad and excuses and apologies won't work. But double updates will! That's right, I have the chapter after this done already. (That's because I got really bad writers block during this one.) So review, review twice! Heading your opinions always helps me write.
Chapter 37
"So when you said that a few guests were coming over, did you mean our whole friend group?" Tris hisses from the coach, trying to get past the pain. Tobias just delivered the news that Uriah was coming over with Marlene. Zeke called ten minutes earlier. Christina called ten minutes before that.
"Well, at first it was just going to be Zeke and Shauna, but then news must've got around. Now here I am, making pigs in a blanket." He rolls up a hotdog into a crescent roll, and places it on the cooking sheet, done some what aggressively.
"Here let me help you." She starts to get up, grabbing a crutch.
Tobias looks at her sternly, but motions with a hotdog for her to sit down. The combination is rather amusing. "No, no, no, I don't want you to stress your scar and rip it."
"Tobias, I have been sitting around all day. I want something to do. Now, let me help with this or else you won't get to help me with my shower later." She looks at him dead in the eye.
It's been two days since her surgery. A week since the accident. During that time, Tris has only bathed twice. The day of the accident, and the day off the surgery, or else it was too painful. Today she decided that she would try it again, because she needs to keep her scar clean. The idea excited him, mostly because he's a guy, and things have been only, luke-warm, around the two lately.
He stares at Tris, watching her make her way over to him. She struggles with the crutches. She's going to rip something, and that's going to be hell. "Fine. But if you rip one of your staples out. I told you so."
Tris sighs preparing to give him the speech that he heard about a thousand times now. "For the last time, this staples are fine. They work better than stitches. They allow for an easier recovery than stitches. They're stronger than stitches. I will be fine."
"But they don't stop you from looking like Frankenstein's monster," Tobias says, earning a glare. "What? They're sketchy A.F."
Tris raises and eyebrow and starts laughing at what he just said. "Sketchy A.F.? Okay, Paige, whatever you say."
Tobias raises an eyebrow, "Did I really say that?" Tris nods. "Wow, Privates aren't going to let me hear the end of that, if I start saying that around base. I need to stop hanging out with my sister and drop that."
"If you keep talking like that, everyone will be making fun of you." She states standing next to him, grabbing a crescent roll and wrapping it around a hotdog.
"How long do I put these in for?" He grabs the sheet and opens the oven.
"Like 10-15 minutes."
There is a buzz that sounds through the apartment. Zeke and Shauna are here. Tobias hits the button, letting the two into the building. Tobias then runs into the bedroom to change out of his work shirt and into something else. He did it so quickly, it almost makes Tris jealous of his speed. And he complains of how slow he is, still after his surgery. She's slow now. And she hates it.
Zeke barges into the apartment, balloons and a banner in hand. Shauna follows with a cake. "What's this?" Tris asks, clearly confused and a little frustrated.
"You go to your bedroom, don't come out until we tell you. Have Tobias do the same." He stops to think for a second. "Keep yourselves busy, but not too busy," Zeke commands.
"We'll call you guys out when it's time. Just trust us," Shauna gently pushes Tris towards the hallway, where Tobias stands confused.
Zeke and Tobias speak silently with each other, there are no words, but facial expressions, and gestures. Impolite gestures that they only will show each other. Though, when they are done, Tobias helps Tris into the bedroom, where they'll get to be confused together. "I swear, I don't know anything about this," he says during the door as Tris gets on the bed.
"I figured you didn't," she sighs and gets comfortable, "I'm taking a nap. Tell me when they're done." Her head his the pillow. And Tobias hops on the bed next to her, jostling her around. She glares at him, and he gives her a cheeky smile.
"Are you really that tired?"
"No, but knowing our friends. They'll be here forever, then I will be tired. So, I'm going to take a nap, so I won't be tired later."
"You know I can just kick them out."
"But then that would be rude."
"I'm always rude to Zeke, I'm surprised that he stayed my friend for so long."
Tris snorts at the truth of his statement. It's ridiculous but true. Both of the guys are rude to each other. Though for some reason they put up with each other because that's what they've always done. "I think that the two of you are Jack-asses to each other, and the fact that both of you can take it, and know that it doesn't mean anything, is why you two are friends. You two have also been through a lot of stuff together. You trust each other-"
"Are you analyzing my relationship with Zeke?"
"Yeah, mostly because it makes me think of something other then pain."
"Oh shit, you were supposed to take more meds. Do you want me to go get you some more?"
"No, well, yes, but I don't want to take any right now. I need to get past the pain-"
"Yeah, but I can't stand to see you in pain."
"Tobias-"
"What?" He runs his hands through his hair, that's getting thick and wavy again.
"Can you just hold me for a bit?"
He wraps his arms around her, not saying anything. Though nothing needs to be said. The two of them just lie there quietly, slowly drifting off to sleep later on.
"Zeke don't do that, they're sleeping." The sound of skin hitting skin wakes Tobias up. He doesn't open his eyes though, he wants to listen to it play out. It could be very interesting.
"Shauna, I'm only going to do that Four. We used to do shit like this to each other all the time. It will freak him out, but he'll laugh later on. At least I hope he laughs later on." Something hard, but soft lands behind Tobias. It's cold, very cold.
A scratching sound to his left, distracts him from Zeke. "Shit, Will, you were in charge of not letting the dog in here. Look what he did to the wall."
What did he do to the wall? That peaks Tobias's attention. For a second, he thinks that this is time to wake up. Do something about Rex before Tris finds out. Though the scratching sound stops and he hears no damage was done to the wall. So he shakes it off and slowly moves his hand toward the object behind him.
Pushing one eye open, he looks around, Zeke is looking out the door. Shauna is outside talking to Christina. Will isn't paying any attention, he's looking at the glass sculpture on the dresser. It's Tobias's, his mother gave it to him when he was young. They weren't allowed too many material possessions, his father moved all over the city, and too many possessions was to much of a hassle to bring around the city.
The object behind him was a water balloon. Tobias did that same trick to Zeke during training, more than once. Grabbing the water balloon, he takes it, and chucks it at Zeke. An explosion of water and green rubber explodes off of Zeke's back.
Zeke screams, and thrashed around. Will and Shauna jump three feet in the air at the sound. Zeke turns around and gives Tobias a look that could kill. "What? Try to get my by my own trick? You're smart enough to know that in a light sleeper," Tobias states with a shit eating grin crawling up his face.
"Then you know that I always bring reinforcement." Zeke chucks a pink water balloon at him. Tobias quickly grabs a pillow and deflects it. Though, it gets their bed all wet.
"You're going to die mother fuc-"
"What is going on?" Tris sits up in bed, rubbing her eyes. She looks at the wet spot in front of her and stops short. "Tobias why is the bed wet?"
"Ask Ezekiel."
"What?" She looks around the room, her eyes landing on Zeke. He's dripping wet. Water is getting all over the floor. "I'm not going to even ask. Just clean up the mess, and I'm going to act like everything is normal."
Zeke smiles, looking border line crazy. "That is exactly what I want to hear. Now, you two, get your asses ready, we've got a party to attend."
A towel is thrown at Zeke and he dries off the floor. Tobias shoos everyone out of the room, so they can quickly get ready for this so called 'party'.
Tobias and Tris walk spot of the room, and down the hall. They stop short, looking at the banner on the wall. It states: "Congrats on the Engagement, but Get Well Soon, 'Cause You're Going to Need Good Luck at California!'
"What the hell is this?" Tobias says gesturing to the piece of bedding hanging in front of them, it's red letters still slowly dropping down. It almost looks like they painted on it with blood. Tris's head snaps in Tobias's direction, and he raises his eyebrows at her.
Uriah and Zeke smack each other. Shauna, separates the two of them with her when chair, then supplies the answer. "This is a party for you two. It's meant to congratulate you two on your engagement, says get well soon to Tris, and say good luck to you in California."
"And you had to kill people to write it out instead of just telling us?" Tris asks, looking back up at the creepy banner.
"I told you not to use red paint, but do you listen to me? No." Uriah says to Zeke.
"It was the only paint we had around the house that wasn't being used."
"Okay, well, you two stop fighting. This is supposed to be a light-hearted get together where we have fun and talk. So, we are going to have fun." Christina says. She loses her patience at the end, so she sounds crazy. The baby must be taking a lot out of her.
"Oh, by the way, we ate all of the stuff that you had in your oven. But the guacamole that Shauna made is amazing." Marlene supplies, mixing up a batch of margaritas.
"Well, if this is party, then I'm going to party. On my couch, with my Netflix, while you guys socialize around me." Tris's says, moving over the couch and grabbing the remote. She's been like this lately, either into things out not. Right now, she's not into being around people, but she's going to have to anyway.
Christina glares at Tobias, and he shrugs because he's confused too. But Christina goes to sit in the chair, probably to talk to Tris, and get all of the crazy, work drama that she's missed so far. Marlene finishes mixing the drink and takes one to go sit down by the other two.
Will snorts besides Tobias. He's so quiet, that Tobias didn't hear him come up besides him. It scares him a bit. "Some party." Will says.
"No kidding."
"The majority of the people here can't be drinking, but drinks were made anyway." He gestures towards the living room. "They're watching Netflix," and he gestures towards the kitchen, "and these two are going to be arguing all night."
Tobias clasps Will on the shoulder. The guy looks exhausted. "Will, I don't know about you, but I could really use a beer. Do you need one?"
"Yeah, I really need one."
Tobias goes to the refrigerator, grabbing for beers out and passing them out to the guys. He looks in the refrigerator one more time and sighs. They'll need groceries soon. All they have is beer, leftover Chinese food, and some pickles that have been in here longer than they've been dating.
"So Four, when are you leaving?" Zeke asks, gladly taking a beer from him.
"I leave for Georgia on May 25. Then, I leave from there to California on May 31. Training starts on June 2."
Zeke nods, then takes a long sip. "Shouldn't you not be drinking? Won't you have a test out something next week?"
Tobias's eyes grow wide, he spits the remainder of the contents out of his mouth, and the rest of the bottle down the drain. "Fuck." He whisper yells and tosses the bottle away. All eyes turn towards him as he wipes his mouth.
"Ladies, go back to your Netflix. Four just got reminded about a drug test that he had next week, and he had a moment. Nothing is wrong. Everyone should live after tonight." Shauna rolls her eyes, and Marlene tosses back her drink. Christina shakes her head, and Tris just sighs. All of them go back to their movie, and their gossip like nothing happened.
"Thanks," Tobias says cleaning off the counter top, where he spit out his drink.
"Yeah, no problem man. I just want to be there when you actually tie the knot. Speaking of which, who is going to be your best man?" Zeke asks picking his cuticles.
Tobias deadpans. That's the last thing that he's thought about. "Shit, I haven't even thought about that. Do you think Danny well officiate- no her family is going to want a church wedding, complete with a priest and everything." He scratches the top of his head. "Well, I don't know. Give me some time to think about it. I'll let you know once I figure it out."
"Well, even if I'm not, do you think Danny will let me plan the bachelor party? I mean, he's underage, so how much fun can that be?"
Tobias shrugs. "Probably, but no strippers. I'm putting my foot down on that. Danny well be super uncomfortable, and he's still adjusting to what people think of him. And-"
"Listen I got it. No strippers, I know that you aren't into that anyway, so the the of us decided on something already. I mean, we were going to do this already, but your bachelor party have us a reason to do this." He smiles wickedly at Uriah.
"What?"
"One word." Zeke says his grin getting scarier.
"Inflatables." Uriah says, his grin matching his brothers. Tobias bites his lip and stares at Zeke. Hard. Will awkwardly sips his beer, probably wondering if anyone ever ready pays attention to him. Uriah laughs a bit and continues, "Zeke and I got a friend who owes us big time."
"Let's just say, when the Pedrad brothers do something to save your ass, and you owe us. We will expect pay up at the worst time." Zeke says looking at Will, his evil grin making him look psychotic.
"Ezekiel, I told you no," Shauna pipes up from the living room.
"Ah Shauna, I really want to do this! Do you know how much fun it will be?"
"What's this?" Tris asks sitting up a bit. She looks a lot better than before. A lot less tired.
"Uriah and Zeke want to take your fiance through an inflatable fun run at Grant Park. I think that they shouldn't do it, considering someone always gets hurt, and he didn't exactly have the best track record with the not getting hurt part of life."
Tobias looks at Shauna, a bit offended. Tris just shrugs. "I don't care, he did go paintballing before you're wedding. He's still alive."
That captures Tobias's attention. He stares at Tris, trying to figure out something. Something that she knows, but wasn't supposed to know. Zeke is saying something in the back ground, but Tobias doesn't care enough to listen. "How did you know about paintball? I never told you about that- unless you were there."
All of the girl's eyes get wide. Shauna mumbles profanity, and her head snaps towards Tris. Tris just shrugs again. "Someone had to beat you. Our team won because of my guts." She said it so smoothly. Like she want harboring a giant secret that he want supposed to know about.
Everyone around them is quiet, watching it play out. "Wow," Tobias says in disbelief, "you listened to me rant about this asshole who took me down in paintball, and it turned out that asshole was you. Wow," he pauses for a moment, "I ain't even mad."
"I am. We lost to that little ninja. No Gurkha. That's what we referred to her as." Uriah says, shaking his head at Tris.
"Yeah whatever, we know that you're a sore loser. But, we had a plan. Zeke we talked this out." Shauna says, her eyes getting wide at Zeke.
Zeke rolls his eyes. "Yeah, have a girly shit kind of party. Do wedding rituals from other countries. But come on, let's be Dauntless, get our adrenaline running. I think that's where it's at. How about we do the traditional route and have separate parties."
"We can't have separate parties. It's requires both of them."
"Whatever. We'll just have to decide this later. I don't want to fight tonight. What are you guys watching?" Zeke moves to sit by his wife. He kisses the top of her head and wraps an arm around her shoulder.
Will does the same thing, making Tobias and Uriah shrug and go join the rest. Tobias ends up sitting on the ground by Tris's feet. His head rests against the arm of the couch, his arm is wrapped around his knee. Tris would almost describe him as relaxed. He hasn't been that way for a while.
"So do you two have anything planned for your wedding?"
"Other than the date?" Tris asks raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, God no." Tobias finishes.
"Wait-" Christina says sitting up, her arms out looking like she's trying to clear something up. "-you two have a date and you didn't tell me?"
"Pretty sure I told you that June 4, was going to be the day."
"Yeah you did, but you told her when she was exhausted." Will pulls Christina back a bit.
Christina scratches her head and sighs. "All I have had was baby on the brain for the last 4 weeks. Being without her had been very difficult." Will rubs her back, "but tonight, is like a trial night for our babysitter. Hopefully everything goes well."
Tris nods, not looking at Christina. Instead, her focus goes to the little tuft of hair on the back of Tobias's head that sticks up. Everyone else in the room is talking about something with the bar. As grin creeps on her face as she moves her toes of her good leg towards the back of his head. She runs them through the back of his head, and he instantly freezes.
Zeke's eyes move over to Tobias, a giant smirk crawling on his face. Tobias smirks too, then says the biggest inside joke between the two of them: "Zeke we didn't learn about this in basic training." The two guys lose it.
"Just go with it, you ungrateful barrow," Zeke says barely getting it out, he's laughing so hard.
"Fine, yah smelly gilt," Tobias returns, both dying of laughter again.
Everyone looks around at them like they are insane. They just might be, though no one said anything. Whatever it is, it is something that's between the two of them. Something that goes back, way back before any of this was a thing.
Tris looks around, all of her friends are sitting around laughing and relaxing. She would've never met some of these people without Tobias. Christina and Shauna proudly wouldn't have become friends. Marlene and Uriah probably wouldn't be dating. Zeke and Shauna would proudly be married, but would have only Uriah to entertain them.
Christina walks out of the room, her arms crossed over her chest. Rex comes running out of the direction that she went. Tris's eyes snap out of her right and towards Shauna. She's the only one who really is paying attention. Shauna manages to sign out that Christina went to go pump, and Tris nods. Rex hops up on the couch besides Tris, and cuddles besides her.
"That dog is definitely Tris's." Zeke says smiling at Tobias. Tobias just shrugs, looking up at Tris and Rex.
"I think that he's just protective. I'm protective of Tris, so he's protective of her too."
Tris's rolls her eyes and Zeke throws out a big fat, 'ahhh ain't he so cute!' In an obnoxious white girl voice.
"Christina wants to get a dog, I really don't." Will says, Uriah turns and stars at him.
"Why not?" Uriah whines.
"Something at makes a big mess, pips, and eats all your food? Then in the end dies. No thank you. Plus, it's just illogical."
"Will, many people call what you just described, children." Tobias says, not even containing himself.
Everyone laughs and Will turns bright red, right after being shot down. Shauna raises her eyebrows though, not reacting like everyone else. "Will, were you raised in an Erudite household?" She uses the slang that they call a lot of the doctors and scientists around the city.
"My mom was a geologist, my father a paleontologist, and my sister is a geneticists. So you could say I was raised in an Erudite household."
"You could say? When he was little, his parents took him on a vacation to sound kind of fossil bed in Nebraska. They spent five days there. His mother bored me with the details for a week."
"Thank you for spilling to everyone, exactly how boring my childhood was when I was young." Will states sarcastically,
Tobias shakes his head, laughing. "Will, I think I have you beat there. I wasn't allowed to watch TV as a child, or play video games, or even touch a computer. My grandmother thought they were the 'devil's tools'. They were turning children into selfish brats one click at a time." He pauses for a second, clearly thinking. "But you know, she could have a point. Well, whatever, the point is, the only friend I had until Junior High, was this stupid orange football that some neighbor kid drew a face on. It's name was Wilson Jr."
"Ah, Four, what a touching story." Uriah leans in, placing his hand on top of Tobias's knee. "The truth is, you still don't have any friends. We're all being payed by the government to be here with you."
"And my girlfriend?" Tobias asks raising an eyebrow.
"Isn't getting paid enough." Uriah returns, his face now showing a soft smirk.
Tris starts laughing hysterically, asking with everyone else. Tobias joins in too, after a while. He admits that he had it coming, but it doesn't hide how bright red his face is. Christina starts off with another snarky comment, sending everyone reeling.
Tris cuddles up in her bed, and Tobias comes in, only in his boxers and a pair of socks. "I got everything put away. How are you feeling?" He says stopping in the doorway, prepared for action.
"Fine, just tired. You should get to bed, you have a big day tomorrow." Tris pats his side of the bed.
Moving out of the doorway, he walks over to the bed, face-planting. "I wouldn't call actually going to work for a half of a day, a big day, but you know, it's whatever." The words come out shambled.
"It's not whatever, you love that job. It's my fault that you're not doing it."
Tobias flips over, then lays on his side to face her. "It's not your fault. Stuff like torn ACL's happen all the time. So, Ms. Prior, stop fretting about this and get some sleep. You're going to need it, since you go back to work tomorrow."
"Fine. I love you Tobias." She yawns out, closing her eyes.
"Yeah, I know. I love me too, but I love you more."
Tris probably would've retorted back, but she was too far gone.