Hey guys! Gonna start writing my author's notes at the bottom so you guys can get to the fic pretty easily.

Disclaimer: I don't own Divergent

January 10th: Tobias

School returned from break this past week and it's been somewhat hellish. I've barely gotten to see Tris because of our midterm exams, and last weekend her family went out of town for Nathan's 15th birthday. On top of this, thanks to my dad's new rules, Tris can't come over at night anymore.

We've just gotten enough time to hang out for 30 minutes here and there before we both had obligations to attend to. Mine being lacrosse practices getting heavier, my own midterms, and spending time with my father and Tiffany because he wants us to become more of a "family". Last weekend while Tris was away for her brother's birthday I got to meet Tiffany's kids from her last marriage. There's 3 of them, all about my age or older, and I didn't really know what to make of them considering they were very quiet and overly polite. Still, it was important to her and Marcus that we got along, so I did my best to be friendly. Tris always tells me I should work on being more sociable too.

Tris has been busy with her extra curriculars, her family, and her own midterms, which were probably much harder than mine considering she's in all Advanced Placement classes. I sort of breezed through most of my midterms, being that the only APs I take are macro and chem, and macro is pretty easy. Chem is a different story, but a certain blonde helps me study so I understand it far better than I used to. I took chem because I thought it might be good depending on what career I wanted to step into, but after enduring a whole semester in Ms. Matthews' hellish class now, I don't want any career having to do with it.

But basically, Tris and I have been swamped this past week, and we've barely gotten to even see each other, let alone do anything.

With everyone in my life, Tris's family, my own family, our large friend group, it seems as if birthdays are always popping up. And today is no exception. It's Will's birthday today, and he decided to just have a small get together at his home with Christina, Tris, and I. I'm not sure why he didn't want to invite the rest of the gang, but apparently it was Christina who pushed him to do anything to celebrate. I'm grateful for the invite, though, and for a chance to get to spend some time with Tris today.

She offered to pick me up this time, given that I'm usually the one who drives her places, and I couldn't refuse. Something about seeing her drive a car is pretty hot.

My phone buzzes with a text from her, letting me know she's waiting and I grab Will's present and head out. Tris and I decided to split on a nice gift for him, an expensive scented candle, and I told her I could wrap it after she made the assumption that my wrapping skills were less than amazing.

"Hey," I say, sliding into the passenger seat of her Lexus CT200h. It's black and sleek with some cute very Tris decorum inside of it. She's named it Sirius after her favorite Harry Potter character, which I find endearing. I hold up the perfectly wrapped candle for her to see and she makes a "psh" sound.

"Whatever, I could've done better than that… you surprised me though, Eaton," she grins before grabbing the neck of my shirt and pulling me in for a long hello kiss. Our first kiss in a couple of days, god I missed her.

"It's good to see you," I comment, connecting my phone to her auxiliary cord and putting my music on shuffle. 'Queen' starts playing and Tris grins as she pulls out of my driveway.

"It's good to see you too… I missed you. I think I memorized the directions to Will's house, he actually lives pretty close to school."

"Ugh, don't mention that horrendous place ever again," I groan.

"Aww, tough week?" She asks with mock pity.

"I've spent way too much time there these past few days with lacrosse practice going later than usual. And coach implementing mandatory training in the morning. On Wednesday I showed up at 6 am and I didn't leave till 7:30 at night!"

"Well, you're the captain. I'm excited for the season to start, though, and to get to watch you play." She grins at me.

Some anxiety raises in me at this statement, yes, I'm a fairly talented lacrosse player and I have a natural knack for athleticism, but I've never played for anyone, with the intention to impress them. One thing is clear, though, we cannot lose a single game this season. "I like your sweatshirt," I quip, gesturing to my lacrosse sweatshirt that she wears often. I wonder when the last time she washed it was.

"It's my favorite thing in my wardrobe, thank you for letting me steal it," she tells me, making a gentle turn at the intersection.

"Well, we get new ones this year. And that one looks pretty good on you." It also is kind of a turn on getting to see my last name on her back and the number '4' underneath it.

"After this year's season is over, I'm taking that one too," she says, like it's something I just have to accept.

"You can have anything you want from my closet. I swear, all of it looks way better on you than me."

Tris comes to a stop at the stoplight and grins at me, "You're always welcome to borrow anything from my closet, too," she giggles.

"Hmm…" I tap my chin, "I really like that cream colored cardigan you own."

"Take it! It's all yours."

"Mmm… but I like it more on you, not me. You look perfect in anything." I'm not sure when I became this sappy guy, and a part of me wants to hit myself for sounding so cheesy, but I also know that Tris deserves to hear compliments like this daily.

She rolls her eyes in response, but it seems like a smile has also made its way onto her face. My spirits rise when I realize what 'Queen' song is playing right now and I begin singing along, incredibly off-key. "I've fallen in love, I've fallen in love for the first time, this time I know it for reallll. I've fallen in love."

Tris laughs, shaking her head, but she joins in with me as she makes another turn. "God knows, god knows I've fallen in loooove," we sing together, sounding awful. "It's strange, but it's truuuue, I can't get over the way you love me like you do, but I have to be sure, when I walk out that door… Oh how I want to be free, baby, oh how I want to be free… oh how I want to break freeeee."

After that I mimic the guitar interlude with my own air guitar motions, loving the laugh it gets out of Tris. Eventually, she turns into a neighborhood and pulls to a stop in front of a quaint little yellow house.

We exit the vehicle and I notice the panelling on the windows is peeling off, and the lawn looks like it hasn't been mowed in ages. It strikes me how lucky people like me, Tris, and the Pedrad's are. No matter what, we've always grown up in comfort and luxury, never having to second guess amenities that have become a privilege in today's society. I guess with all of our parents being rich and successful we take a lot for granted. I remember Tris mentioning to me that apparently Will is insecure about where he lives, and that's why he's only invited a couple of people over today.

Still, the neighborhood and his house has a homey and cottage feel to it, I'm excited to see him and possibly meet his family. Tris knocks on the door and a couple seconds later Christina swings it open. "Hey guys!"

We both greet her, Christina and Tris hugging tightly, and me giving her a curt nod. "Oh wow," Christina says, gesturing to the present in my hands, "That's some impressive wrapping!"

I grin cockily at Tris and she just mutters 'whatever' under her breath, lacing my fingers through hers as we follow Christina to what I assume is the living room. I see photos of Will, an older woman, and an older girl scattered throughout the home. I don't see any signs of a father figure, though.

"Hello!" Will greets us with a bright smile on his face. He's standing over a pot of something that smells delicious.

"Will, you are not cooking for us on your birthday," Tris says, her face dropped in awe.

He waves a hand, "Trust me. I love cooking, and I'm just happy to get to spend this day with you guys."

"Well, we got you a present," I hold up the wrapped candle, "Happy 17th."

"Aww, thanks guys. And damn, who wrapped that? That looks incredible!"

Tris mumbles something unkind under her breath and goes to sit next to Christina at the kitchen table. "So… what have you guys been up to?" She asks Will and Christina, who share a look at this question. "Nevermind, don't answer that! Will! What did Christina get you?"

"Oh, she's the best girlfriend ever… she got me Blackhawks tickets since she knows how much I love hockey."

Christina just shrugs proudly, but she's looking at him with a look of pure love. I know it well, it's the same look I give Tris everyday.

Tris gushes about how sweet that is and I approach Will in the kitchen. "What are we making?"

"I am making some garlic shrimp noodles if you're interested in being my sous chef."

Tris snorts audibly, "Tobias can barely pour a bowl of cereal, and that smells really good and I am very excited to eat well tonight so it would mean a lot if you didn't let him near the food."

I glare at her, "I can pour a bowl of cereal quite well, and also I am an amazing cook." I say, looking at everyone pointedly. They don't seem to believe me.

"It's okay, man. Christina is horrible at cooking which is why she's not over here helping me. It's nothing to be ashamed of." Will says jovially, rummaging through his spiece cabinets.

Christina just shrugs like he's right but I glower at Tris, "I could have enhanced the meal."

"By what? Mixing up cayenne and paprika?" She remarks.

I look at her blankly.

"See, you don't know what those even are!"

"Alright, point made."

Tris gets up, "Will, I will assist you. I have lots of kitchen experience unlike these two."

He grins goofily at her, "Nice to have your assistance then. Take an apron!"

I grumble something not so kind and go to the kitchen table to take Tris's old spot as she begins dancing around the kitchen with Will. She doesn't seem offended by my remarks, she just gives me an amused look and blows a kiss at me. I catch it and then throw it on the floor and her face drops in mock sadness.

"I guess we're the rejects. Dating incredible and talented people." Christina comments to me.

I sigh, shaking my head, as I watch them splash oil and spices and vegetables into the pot. "It really is a tough life. I wonder what they see in us?"

"Oh, stop the pity party," Tris comments, not looking up from her task, "We can hear you. You guys are both amazing and wonderful and incredibly attractive. We see a lot in you."

I flash my teeth at her quickly and she just shakes her head at me.

"Will? Is that what you think?" Christina asks sweetly.

"Mmm, yes, of course!" He exclaims, as the fire from the stove all of a sudden enlarges and the liquid bubbles over from the pot. "That was not supposed to happen," he observes.

"I bet it was Tris's doing," I say jokingly.

"It really might have been. This recipe is kind of difficult to follow." She holds up a tattered cook book that was laying on the counter top.

"My bad, that cook book has been in my family for years and so it's a bit old and outdated. You sort of have to use intuition with this recipe rather than precision."

"Okay, you'll have to help me out then. Because I have no clue what I'm doing." Tris laughs nervously.

I watch her move about the kitchen a little less erratically now. It's an endearing sight. Several strands of hair have come loose from her ponytail, and she blows them away to keep them out of her gaze. Her face is pink due to the heat in the kitchen and her blue eyes are bright and alive, determined to tackle this recipe. I watch as she walks back and forth, my last name on the sweatshirt she wears that engulfs most of her small body.

"You're so in love," Christina says, watching me watch Tris.

"Well so are you," I shoot back.

"Yep," she responds, shamelessly. "We really are so lucky."

"Oh stop being so sappy," Will says, as he empties onions into the pot.

Tris is just looking down and grinning. She tells me often that she still cannot believe that I love her, and she'll never get used to me saying it. How could she not believe that? I feel like I'm pretty clear about my feelings and I've never acted this way with anyone before. I swear, she needs to see herself the way that I do. I'm not sure how to get her to, though.

My thoughts are interrupted as a young blonde woman breezes through the kitchen. She looks a lot like Will, with the same face shape and crease between her brow. Too young to be his mother so it must be-

"Oh, hey guys, this is Cara, my older sister. Cara, this is Tris and Tobias. You already know Christina of course."

Tris and I politely say hello to Cara who returns the niceties and then scurries over to Will, hugging him hello. "Smells amazing," she tells him.

"Thanks, Tris here has been helping me a lot."

"Oh, do you cook?" Cara asks her.

"A little," Tris says shyly, "Apparently not as much as Will, since I can barely keep up."

Cara laughs a little, "We usually had to cook our own meals growing up, so, we learned fairly quickly. By the way, Will. What time is mom getting home?"

"Her shift at the hospital doesn't end till past midnight, but she wants to be here to celebrate with us and Christina," he tells his sister.

Cara nods and approaches the table, hugging Christina hello. They seem to be friendly with one another. Christina's lucky, she only had one sibling to impress. I had a mini-army.

"It's nice to see him like this," Cara murmurs softly enough to us so that Will can't hear. She looks at me, "You know, Will is sort of the man of the house now, because our dad walked out on us when he was 5 and I was 11, and our mom has to work overtime at the hospital just to provide for us. I didn't graduate college until last year so now I finally got a full time job as a Software Engineer at Adobe."

I blink at her in shock, wondering why she's telling me all this. Christina doesn't look surprised, she knew all this of course, but I never realized how much Will has been through. I glance at him in the kitchen, laughing with Tris as they stir ingredients into the pot, and I gain a whole new respect for him.

"Sorry… you're probably wondering why I unloaded that on you…" Cara laughs nervously. "I know that if Will invited you over it means he probably trusts you a lot because he doesn't usually have many friends over here… but it's hard for him to open up about that, I know he would want you to know, though. So you can… understand him better," she smiles encouragingly at me.

"Yeah, I think Will would want you and Tris to know the truth," Christina remarks, watching them as well.

I nod. "Thanks for telling me then… he honestly has a really big future ahead of him given that he's first in our class."

"Oh, that runs in the family," Christina rolls her eyes and cocks her head toward Cara.

Cara shrugs modestly, "I graduated Valedictorian 5 years ago."

"No shit," I remark. Like brother, like sister I suppose.

"Tris's brother, Caleb, is second," I tell her.

"Oh yes," Cara pushes up her glasses on her nose, "Will often complains about what a know-it-all and a suck up he is."

Christina snickers and I can't help but smile. Caleb is like a brother to me now, but we have had our differences in the past. Plus, with him being my practical brother, I'm allowed to agree with Cara. He is a know-it-all, and the worst part is that he's not even self aware. It's just how he is. Imagine that.

"Okay," Will announces to us, "The preparation has ended, now we will begin serving."

I see Tris standing on her tip-toes to reach some plates high up in Will's cabinets. God, she's so short, it's adorable.

"Ooh!" Christina claps her hands. "Can we grade your presentation and the taste like they do on Food Network?"

I lean back in my chair, smirking. "I am also on board with this idea."

Cara grins, "I'm interested in partaking."

"Sure, but I bet we're going to get 10s all around." Will comments.

Christina, Cara, and I give each other knowing looks. "We'll see about that," I say.

After about 10 minutes of Tris and Will carefully arranging each plate, and us three judges watching them intensely, they carry our plates over to us.

Wow, they really did set up the presentation quite nice. But, we have to be scrutinizing. I put on my serious face and look up at Tris, who is smirking down at me. "What's so funny?" I ask, tilting my head.

She just shrugs.

"Christina, Cara, make a note that the chef is acting arrogant… Attitude matters as well," I say, shaking my head.

"Attitude matters as well," I hear Tris mock under her breath. I bite back a grin.

We observe our plates for a couple more minutes before Cara speaks up. "I'm giving mine a 9. Quality work, but the shrimp wasn't evenly lined up."

Will and Tris's faces drop. "They got out of line when we were walking them over here," Will says.

"Well, you should know better than to let that happen. Stop protesting or it's going to be an 8."

Tris and Will both look at each other solemnly.

"This is a 10 in my book!" Christina exclaims. "I can tell this was made with love, too." Her and Will exchange a gushy look. Geez, is that how Tris and I look to outsiders?

Everyone then turns to me expectantly, I look only at Tris, whose blue eyes are unwavering. "Well… while the presentation was… better than I expected, given the poor attitude of one of the chefs… specifically the shorter one…" she glares at me and I continue, "I was still inclined to only give it a 7. But what does presentation really mean? It could be how the chefs present themselves as well. This guy here," I gesture to Will, who grins proudly, "is a good looking dude. Easy on the eyes. And her," I nod my head toward Tris who is rolling her eyes, "She's drop dead gorgeous as well. Like, probably the cutest chef I've ever seen," Christina is making gagging noises, "Despite her somewhat bad attitude, I'm marking her up because she's so beautiful. I give it an 11."

Tris and Will high five, while Christina says, "Someone's getting laid tonight."

Tris just shakes her head at me, but she wears a wide smile. I try to give her a look that says, 'I meant every word, minus the bad attitude part, but not really', but I'm not sure how to convey that message with just my eyes.

After that, we each take a bite of the meal and give them our scores. Of course, we gave 10s all around. They did a fantastic job. Cara even said that it was better than Will's mom's.

Soon enough, Tris and Will join us, and we feast on the delicious dinner, joking around and poking fun at one another. Tris and I sit side by side, our legs pressed up against one another and our shoulders bumping together. I love this. I love her. Despite the past hellish week, and all the upcoming stress that I have to endure, she makes it all worth it. And knowing that I have many more moments like these in the future with her to look forward to… I will never take any of it for granted. Ever. And I'll probably never see it as "normal life", because to me, I'm one of the luckiest bastards ever. I'm never letting myself forget that.

After dinner is over, we help Will load the dishwasher, then sit in the living room for a good old game of Uno.

After Tris sends me her third "plus 4" card of the night, I groan. "Okay, someone's gotta reverse the order. Because I have a shit ton of cards that I've been saving."

"I got you," Will says, putting down a blue reverse card.

"Will!" Tris exclaims, "I thought we had a special chef bond!"

"Well, you thought wrong," I say, putting down a skip card. She kicks my leg and I laugh. She's pretty cute when she's mad.

"Hmm," Christina taps her chin and then puts down her own reverse.

"Yes!" Her and Tris high 5.

"It was a mistake trying to go against the girls," Will says to me, looking worried now.

Tris slaps down a plus 2.

"God damn it!" I groan, drawing 2 cards.

"Cara, I hate to do this to you…" Will tells her nervously, and then hesitantly puts down a green "plus 2".

Cara bites her lip and stacks her own yellow "plus 2", looking to Christina apprehensively. Christina hesitantly puts down another yellow "plus 2", and we all look at Tris, waiting for her to explode.

She's silent and still for a few seconds, and then she starts cackling. I freeze up because I know what's coming as she stacks down a blue "plus 2".

"Are… you… kidding… me…?" I ask. "Plus 8?!" I exclaim, and everyone in the circle absolutely loses it as I draw 8 cards from the pile, adding to my massive stack.

Tris rubs my back comfortingly through her laughter, "I'm sorry, watching that play out was the best thing that's ever happened!" She exclaims. "Will, we couldn't have done it without you!"

He inclines his head dramatically but when he sees the look on my face he changes his tune. "Sorry, I really didn't think it would get back to you, man. I mean you're right next to me," He tells me apologetically.

Just when I was thinking about how lucky I was earlier. God damn it.

Will goes to put down another card, settling with a blue 4 now, when someone's phone rings. I recognize it as Tris's ringtone and she flings her arm back to the table behind us to try and grab her phone. After a few reaches she's successful and she furrows her eyebrows at the call. "Sorry, guys… I usually wouldn't take this… but it's my dad."

She puts the phone to her ear, "Hey dad, what's up? I'm with Tobias and Ch-"

I hear some unintelligible words from the other line, and then Tris's face falls slack. "Um-" she says, her face crumpling like she's about to cry.

Her dad says some more words on the other end, and I catch the phrase, "Don't worry,"

Well, shit, by the look on her face, I'm worried. She takes a deep breath and composes herself, nodding. "Okay… I'll be right there. I love you." She says, and then hangs up.

Everyone in the circle is watching her expectantly and worriedly now, and I wrap a consoling arm around her shoulders. She falls into my chest, dropping her cards, and begins crying.

Christina is instantly behind her as well, patting her shoulders and whispering comforting words. "Tris," she says softly, "What happened?"

Tris pulls back, wiping some tears away from her eyes, she looks to Will embarrasedly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ruin your night… It's just… My mother… she's been in a car accident. I have to head over to the hospital right now."

OO! Cliffie ! Thanks so much for your patience, if you didn't hear yet, I don't have a set in stone update schedule until September 12th with everything going on. I'll be updating Million Dollar Bills next (not sure how long it'll take me) so keep an eye out for that! Tysm ily guys!

-Kiki

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