Thank you so much to Bamberlee for editing this chapter. Happy Anniversary to youuu! đź’–

Thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter. I think we have about four or five chapters left.

Have a good weekend everyone!

It's early in the morning when Eden's fingers sift through my hair.

She takes her time, quiet and concentrated as she works to find the stitches Daniel had done. Her touch is light, but careful, and there's truly no better word for her than gentle. I tried to size her up when she walked in. Eden had a dress that I swore everyone here owned, and the sweater thrown over it looked like something someone here had made. She slipped it off while she sipped her coffee and told me she was here to check on my stitches, and when she smiled, it was like looking at a future version of Everly.

She is just as slight, and it's hard to believe she has her own army of children, all clamoring for her attention.

This morning, the only person getting her attention is me.

She'd shown up unannounced, and brightly informed me if she could, she would take them out. I was pleased with this news, not because they bothered me, but because I loathed the reminder that someone had bested me. I didn't like Landon having anything on me, even if I now had the upper hand.

Eden still seems upset by the thought of my head being cracked open, and her pause is of discontent. Past having an issue with Landon, I'm not in any pain. The stitches aren't itchy nor do they hurt, and the head injury had given me a nice break from initiation. I'd spent a few nights falling asleep while Everly and I watched movies, and I'd nearly forgotten the discharge nurse said the stitches would need to be taken out.

Luckily for me, Eden said she knew what she was doing.

When she found what she was looking for, dark threads still pressed against my scalp, I was tempted to ask her about Harrison. Standing in the kitchen, she appears too soft for him. I try to figure out what the leader of Dauntless would want with a woman from Amity, or how he even had the time to come see her. Her hair is as long as Everly's, brushing my side as she picks up a small pair of scissors to snip the dark threads, and her shoes are impractical. She smells like lavender, but also like someone who'd stab me in the head if it came to it.

Maybe there was something to be said about Eden.

Maybe Harrison liked her because she was nice and pretty, but she could put up a fight. I suddenly wonder where she's from, or if she transferred here, and most importantly, did Hank care that half his kids weren't actually his. Eden is done before I can ask any of these rude questions she most likely would wave away. She sets the scissors down on the table, along with the threads, and I scowl. There's some dried blood stuck to the thread, and the strange sensation of faint stinging where she'd pulled them out.

"There you go. Your father did a nice job stitching you up. I would still be careful. Don't go bashing your head into any walls or anything," Eden comments, and her fingers press lightly against my scalp. She checks a few other spots, but she doesn't let go.

"Couldn't you have done them?" I try to look up and back at her, and I catch the quickest, faintest hint of a smile.

Loyalty is everything here.

Everyone should be loyal to their chosen faction, but with my words, I was forsaking my own father in favor of a woman who made her own medicine. The Erudite community would be clutching their collective pearls if they heard this, and the idea of growing up around someone so deeply rooted in science and rebuking his methods spoke volumes. I didn't have to yell that I was acclimating just fine, or that I understood not everything needed such drastic, sterile measures.

I was proving it. Mostly because I can feel the concern radiating from Eden, and it's a phenomenon I've never felt before.

Worry.

Pure, concerned, motherly worry.

Her fingers keep moving, checking for a missed injury or a cut Daniel overlooked, until she's satisfied their head neurosurgeon was able to complete such a minor procedure.

"I could have done them. But I was worried you needed attention further than I could give. Everly would never have forgiven me if something happened to you and I made the choice to keep you here. Some things are bigger than I can handle." Eden's hands drop away, and she sinks into the chair beside me. "How are you feeling? Better?"

"Yeah, I feel fine."

It's an odd moment. I dwarf Eden a few times over, but she's comfortable beside me. Her eyes flick up and down a few times, not the intense medical exam Daniel would have done, but enough to know she's making sure I'm not lying. When she's satisfied I'll live, she resumes sipping her coffee. She tilts her head at me, and I speak before I can stop myself.

"How did you meet Harrison?"

My question comes out exactly like I don't want it to- blunt and sharp and before I can think if she'll answer me.

Luckily for me, Eden must be expecting it.

"I saw him the other day. I just don't get how…. how or why –"

"Everly told me she explained about him," Eden responds quietly, unrattled as always. "He's a very good father. He's always worried about her. He wanted her to pick Dauntless. She told me once she'd go just to get away from all of us."

My eyes narrow, and Eden waves the comment into the air.

"She didn't mean it in a horrible way. Our house is very large, but very crowded. There's always someone home, a child needing something, or a chore that needs doing. As the oldest of the ones at home, a lot of that fell to Everly. It was never our intention. Everyone here helps out. But I think a life in Dauntless sounds more glamorous than baking bread with her brothers and sisters or helping with homework."

"She just told me Harrison lives in Dauntless and she rarely sees him." I walk a fine line between liking Eden and being nervous that her woo woo magic would land me with the same number of children, all clamoring for my attention. "How did you…"

"I met him while he was working. Years ago, he patrolled through here. We started talking, I brought him lunch, and before I knew it, I had Forrest and Everly. He planned on moving here. He said Dauntless is corrupt and he wanted to live somewhere quiet and less annoying. This was forever ago, and he's never really been able to get away," Eden explains with her stare on mine, and her shrug is slight. "I met Hank after not seeing Harrison for nearly a year. He wanted a family, heard I was struggling, and willingly took us in. He's raised Everly since she was three, but he's very aware of Harrison. The two of them get along just fine. That took some time, but I think it's understandable. It's not the usual situation, but we make it work."

"How is Dauntless corrupt?" I stare at the woman before me, wondering how she could possibly know such a thing. "What if he's not telling you the truth?"

"Harrison has no reason to lie to me. He told me it's a dark place, and it needs strong leadership, which is why he can't leave. They're tied to Erudite, and if that alliance slips, then who knows what would happen?" Eden pulls on her sweater, and her smile is still bright. "You were supposed to go there, yes?"

"Yeah, to become a leader." It's not so much a confession on my part, but a weird, uneasy admission. Her expression holds the faintest hint of disapproval, but I bet she dislikes any sort of conflict.

"Do you regret not going?" Eden leans in, and I wait for the urge to run to rise up. She's definitely not anyone I'd ever have talked to in Erudite, and had I chosen Dauntless, I probably would have assumed she was a lunatic, living in the woods with her hundred kids, thinking herbs and flowers cured things.

"I don't know." I answer honestly, exhaling heavily when Eden nods. "I didn't want to live there, and I was only going because someone else wanted me to. I could have made it. I know that. I'm not afraid of their initiation or their rules, I just…things are different now."

I say all this in a rush, word vomit I can't stop, and I don't even know why I'm telling her this. Truthfully, I sometimes wonder what could have been. But at the end of the day, I fall asleep beside Everly, and I would rather have her than an entire faction at my fingertips.

That was a shocking revelation.

One I just had.

"I don't want to leave Everly. I don't want to hunt anyone for my…. for Jeanine. I just want…."

"You just want what?" Eden asks curiously, but we both know the answer.

Everly comes into the kitchen right then. Her eyes widen in happy surprise when she sees her mother, and her smile is warm and sleepy. She pauses by the table to say hello. Her fingertips graze my arm, pressing an invisible claim right into my skin, and I look up to stare at her.

Everly is nothing but blacks, greens, a hint of blue, and a white dress not meant for fall. Her fingers still, pressing slightly, with all the arrogance of someone who'd touched me intimately, and she says hello to us both.

Only I answer her.

When I turn back to Eden, the look on Eden's face tells me she knows what I want. She smiles knowingly, and we both have our answers.

I know exactly why a soldier in Dauntless would fall for a woman in Amity and she knows why I won't leave here.

Forrest shows up exactly when May said he would.

At 9:45 in the morning, he strolls into the Dome like he owns the place and plunks himself down at the table I'm sitting at. I muster a weary hello, mostly because I'm not entirely enthused for today and because the coffee appears to be decaf. I figured I'd live. Our task this morning is to eat breakfast and then go and shadow one area we've enjoyed. The loose agenda is because of the Fall Festival. Everyone is tired from last night, and everything is pushed back to give people a chance to recover.

I would say it was warranted.

Everly and I wandered around the pumpkin patch for a while, then wound up in the hay bale maze. It was itchy and dark, and there was the mildest sense of terror as we worked our way through. I half expected something to jump out at us, but every so often, we'd find someone passing out candy and offering hints which would lead us toward the exit. We spent thirty minutes trying to find a way out, and ten of those in a dimly lit corner with my hand sliding beneath her dress and her lips pressed to mine. The frantic pace of desperation was at an all-time high. If I were someone else, I'd have given in by now. Everly clearly wants us to happen, and it is no longer because she is bored in her own faction or doesn't want to marry Landon.

There is something very real here despite affection and understanding not coming easily for me. In my old world, affection was a reward. A nod of approval, a hand on my shoulder, or Daniel throwing me a small and desperate smile as he told me to order whatever I wanted to prove he was proud of me. It was never just because. No one ever worried what would happen to me, and I couldn't think of a single time I was the center of anyone's universe.

Everly's affection is almost too much.

At times, it's overwhelming to know she likes me enough to want us together. The thought of being important to her is something that makes me uncomfortable, because I have the feeling I'll fuck it up. I am nowhere near as patient, nowhere near as truthful, and absolutely unlike everyone here. While there was the occasional dry comment or an amused glance at whatever was happening, the members of Amity truly enjoy living in the faction. Hank and Eden are happy in a houseful of children, Jerry is content with he and Landon existing here, and Carole and Howard probably could not function anywhere else.

Well, Carole might be able to.

She would be a horrifying force in Erudite, or I could see her storming through Dauntless, ready to murder whoever took one of her chickens.

I'm not so sure I can fit in here, and have it look authentic.

I have to say, despite my hesitation in picking Amity, the stigma of living in Amity was lessening day by day. Just like the warm, easy way I am able to live with Everly, I no longer feel like living here is a joke. I'd never been more tired than after working here, never felt more free than knowing I could wander outside, have a beer at a bar, buy a forest creature, or wander into the woods without a soul looking down at me. I would be given somewhere to live, not an apartment with roommates close to the labs, or a dark space in Dauntless. Rylan hadn't shown me anything about Dauntless that was appealing, and I imagined as a leader, he'd be given accommodations slightly better than the others.

I was being shown this faction is more important than anyone knows. If it shut down, whether by storm or demand for some respect, the other factions would be screwed. I am grudgingly appreciative of the hard work the community puts in, and the vigilance with which they look out for each other.

Even my talk with Eden this morning only reaffirmed living here is something I want. It isn't Dauntless, nor is it glamorous in any way, but it is where I chose. I had made an active decision to come here, and I'm not backing down.

I have no reason to.

Every so often, like now –as Forrest slips into the seat beside me and clears his throat –I let myself wonder what life in Dauntless would have been like. Certainly darker, more restrictive, and less fun. I doubt Rylan and Jason and Four went on a hunt for haunted candy, nor did they kiss anyone against a wall made of hay. They certainly didn't walk home in the dark, beneath pumpkin shaped decorations, only to have every single person they encountered tell them goodnight.

Logic tells me the Amity faction is somewhere I shouldn't belong. It just isn't me. I have no patience, no goodwill toward every person here, and no way of fitting in or being accepted for who I am.

The person holding my hand tells me otherwise. Every so often, Everly looked at me out of the corner of her eye, and I knew I'd be happy if I just let myself.

It's an odd thought, unlike me to even consider happiness as something obtainable, but I like it.

I also like this, Forrest elbowing me sharply and loudly asking if I'll go hunting with him. Even though Everly still looks sleepy as she slowly eats some toast, I know she's suspicious. Her mother's appearance wasn't concerning, but her brother's could seem fishy. She eyes Forrest warily, like she's aware he's not taking me hunting and she's resigned to going along with it.

I agree to go with him, and I finish my breakfast before Everly can ask why she isn't invited.

"Are you serious?"

The Amity army, or the Amity Action Alliance –as Forrest enthusiastically called it—is huge. I stand at the edge of an open field, surveying the view with great scrutiny, and it's hard to believe how many people are here. I had thought everyone was taking it easy this morning. Everyone had been slow moving in the Dome, but they are wide awake now.

"This is…. all these people are in the army?"

"It's not that many. CeCe refused." Forrest stops beside me, putting his hands on his hips and nodding at a few moving past us. "Ian said he's busy but he's not anyone we'd trust to fight. And Elisa is busy with Atlas. Cute kid. Have you thought about having one?"

I throw him a glare out of the corner of my eye, and he grins widely.

"Totally kidding. Though you might want to throw away all the tea Eden brings over for Everly if you want to wait to have any. Hey! May is already here and so is Harrison." He points in the distance toward the edge, and there they are, deep in conversation.

May looks just as intimidating as ever, dressed casually, and it's an odd moment when my stare lands on Harrison. It's weird to see him dressed in something other than the stiff Dauntless uniform. His flannel shirt and dark pants would fit in here, and so would his disheveled hair. The minute he sees Forrest and me, he makes a beeline toward us. His stride is just as authoritative as before, but there's an ease to him being here.

That ease dies when he stops right by me and instructs me to follow him.

Thirty minutes later, I regret not choosing Dauntless purely as an outlet for my pent-up aggression.

Harrison handed a select group of us guns and gave us a quick lesson on how to shoot them. Most of Amity knew how to fire the weapons already because they occasionally hunted. I learned it was a sport which divided the faction: some liked it, some absolutely refused to partake in anything so violent. Harrison rolled his eyes and told me the hunting was only of more dangerous animals. He mentioned bears, and a few things I wasn't quite sure were actual animals, then made a point to show me how the men and women here were very capable of shooting a loaded gun.

I loathed this disadvantage, even feeling a flash of annoyance at Forrest for not inviting me to go hunting for real, but I caught on quickly. It only took a few rounds of firing at the targets to figure out how to aim. When to expect the recoil of the gun. The stance Harrison insisted is required, and what actually works. By the time I used up the rounds of ammunition he'd assigned me, my arms held the faintest burn and my heart pounded.

The thrill wasn't lost on me.

It snuck up out of nowhere, both the high of hitting the target and the course of raw adrenaline at shooting. There's a strange power to holding a gun, and an even more intoxicating rush at being proficient at shooting with little practice.

"Nice," Harrison comments, standing with his hands behind his back. "Now do it while moving. Step back about a dozen steps, and fire while walking toward the target. It's harder if you're moving. Once you master that, you can practice shooting while running."

"Isn't that dangerous with everyone around?" I looked over at him, checking the safety on the gun he'd given me. They are heavy, cold metal pressed into my hand, but not intimidating. I find great satisfaction in this activity. I'm not worried I won't hit the targets. I have extreme confidence I can shoot it without missing, but I'm more worried someone will hit me with a stray bullet.

"You'll be running over there." He points to a field off to the side, away from the others. "Besides, the members can aim, and the transfers have blanks. I'm not dumb enough to give the newbies actual bullets. You think Trent and Trevor over there should be trusted with live ammunition? Please. I don't want to explain to Johanna why half her faction isn't coming back." Harrison snorts, and I decide I like him.

I reload the gun while he watches, and I hesitate for a moment. His eyes meet mine, and his smile is quick.

"You want to ask me something, don't you?"

I do.

A million things.

I have more questions about him than anyone, but I know I have to start slow.

"Actually, yeah, how's…Rylan. Things are going well?"

"Do you regret not picking Dauntless?" Harrison looks right at me, and he might as well be looking through me. My head tilts at the thought of him asking me the exact same question as Eden, and I have a feeling their connection is deeper than she lets on. "Your friend Rylan is fine. He's a pain in my ass and it's very clear he has no actual desire to lead the faction. But Jason helps keep him in line, and he's at least entertaining. I've never once wanted to train any initiation class, and I won't lie, I'm hoping it's over soon."

"What happened to Amar?" I back up a few steps, and he walks with me. "Four said he's missing."

"Four," Harrison repeats, and he looks entertained. "What a weird ass kid. He's not wrong, though. Amar's been missing for a few weeks now. He vanished in the middle of the night. Probably for good reasons."

"You know why he's missing?" I look at Everly's father, and he smirks.

"Of course, I do. He's hiding something. That's why he's missing. He didn't like Jeanine nosing around and she's been there far more frequently than normal and when he found himself on her radar, he took off. I don't blame him, but I don't have the time to be training an initiation class so I do blame him."

"What about the other leaders?" I aim the gun and Harrison nods in approval. I fire while walking, and while slightly more difficult than standing still, it's not impossible. "What about –"

"Max? Tori? Please. There are three of us, plus Lauren fills in from time to time. It's not enough. You were supposed to take some of the pressure off, but we know you weren't doing it because you wanted to. Jeanine made it very clear it was your path no matter what." He gestures for me to go back to where I was. "Farther back. You'll do it while sprinting."

"What about Rylan? Won't he help?"

I jog back a few steps, further this time, and Harrison looks like he's trying not to laugh at my question. All around us are members of Amity, men and women and a few initiates, all practicing shooting. The woods are loud with the echoes of the guns firing, and the more advanced ones cheering when they hit their targets. I imagine the difference between us and Dauntless is that Amity is celebrating their accomplishments. Dauntless will be trained to kill.

"If he doesn't burn down the whole faction, sure. He'll be of some help. Now run and fire. I have to go check on some of the others."

He waits impatiently while I take off, and he's right.

It is harder. I run easily, and I shove a few trees out of my way. I jump over the broken branches on the ground with ease, and I keep going until he yells to fire. I aim the gun carefully, never taking my eyes off the target and pulling the trigger. I hit the target dead on, and his approval is immediate.

It's also incredibly important.

I don't know why.

I didn't pick Dauntless, and it's unlikely I'd ever end up there, but it's important to prove I'm capable of this.

"You sure you picked the right faction?" Harrison's stare burns against mine, and he glances back at the target. "I know Jeanine is an arrogant ass, but you're better than half the initiates. We've gone over this section of their training three times now. I've long prided myself on being able to teach battle strategy and reconnaissance theory, but half of them can't shoot for shit."

I don't know how to answer him.

I picked Amity to piss off my parents and my aunt, but I'd recently discovered Amity came with a lot of perks.

Including Harrison's daughter.

"I know you didn't. But you won't leave here because of Everly. I can tell by the look on your face."

I blink, and I realize I haven't said a single word. He gestures at the target, pinned to a tree, and there's a clear mark, dead center.

"It's a lucky shot. Obviously, I can fire a gun but so can everyone else here. This army…whatever it's for, doesn't hinge on me leading it. It could be led by anyone." I point out, and his smile is quick. "Forrest said not to tell Everly about today."

"I've done a lot in my days to try and keep her safe but inviting her to join an army is the exact opposite of safe."

"You don't think she can handle it?" I'm surprised, and even more stunned when he shakes his head.

"Oh, she can handle it. I think Everly is smarter than half the people here. But she's my only daughter, and I'll be damned if she winds up dead in the woods because she's fighting to keep her faction safe. Amity is safe. It's safer than anywhere, even Dauntless. The soldiers there are easily set off. She'd have been attacked simply for showing up. And here, she doesn't need to be out worrying about who's planning on attacking or if she can hit them. This army is to keep you and her safe. You understand?"

"Me?" I blink in confusion, and he moves closer. "You think I need an army to keep me safe? I don't. I can watch my own back. I can keep Everly safe."

"I'm sure." Harrison all but rolls his eyes. The gesture is impatient, like he's talking to a cocky little kid. "We both know Jeanine is going to come looking for you. She's going to drag you by your hair to Dauntless if it kills you. She doesn't need you alive to be leading the faction. She just needs your name there. She'll have Rylan do the dirty work and you'll take the fall. So…while Amity does need an army, and the factions do need protection, this is for your own good." He pauses, and the woods are loud as Jake and Ryan congratulate each other with loud screams of celebration. "Your aunt is looking for something, and that's what she wanted your help with. The faster you have a presence here, the better."

"What is she looking for?" I tilt my head, and he closes the distance between us with a single step.

"When the time is right, you take care of Everly. Johanna will make sure you're well known in the faction, and anyone's attempt to remove you will be very noticeable. You're to go to the market in a few days with Everly. Find the guy named Saul. He'll help you."

"Help me with what?"

I don't get any more answers out of Harrison.

He slams a dark, plastic card in my hand and takes off. He keeps his shoulders back, and he only looks over his shoulder once, to nod at me.

Then he takes off, vanishing into the Amity Army to yell at someone for shooting their friend in the side.

We return at lunch.

I walk back with Ryan and Jake, and we're surrounded by Trent and Trevor. Up ahead, Forrest and his friends walk quickly, and Lacey lingers in the middle, talking to May.

My morning flew by. Much like I would expect, Harrison led an informative and thorough training. It didn't take me long to catch up to speed, and when I walked through to ask him what exactly I needed to find Saul for, everyone turned and looked at me. The moment was odd; most fell silent, all of them turned to face me, and I swore someone saluted.

I kept going, but unfortunately, Harrison was gone. Forrest told me he had to be back at Dauntless, and it was obvious he hadn't let on to anyone there where he was going.

Now, the Dome looms in the distance, and Ryan nudges my arm to get my attention.

"Hey, you're good! Are you sure you aren't here as a spy?" He grins when I look at him, and my appreciation for him moves past him resembling Rylan. "I'd be afraid to have you point a gun at me. Have you shot someone before?"

"Never," I shake my head, and I push down the speck of unsureness trying to rise up. I'd already made my decision about picking Amity and staying here, but I couldn't ignore there was something to be said about having the skills to make it in Dauntless. "No one ever shoots anyone in Erudite."

"I would. If I lived there," Jake laughs. "Hey, you wanna eat lunch with us? Or do you have to meet Everly?"

"I'll eat with you guys. I don't have to eat with her." I shrug, but I would rather eat with Everly. "I don't even know if she's back yet."

"She's not," Lacey calls out, and I don't even know how she heard me. She slows her walk and joins our side. "I only know because I had to go to the infirmary after breakfast and she was heading there. She didn't look very thrilled."

"Probably not. She said it was rough the other day," I agree, and we reach the Dome faster than expected. "You staying for lunch?"

"I am. I wanted to talk to you anyway." Lacey side eyes me, making sure we have a moment of quiet. She lets Jake and Ryan speed up, and she sticks close by me. "There's something I've been meaning to ask you."

"Let me guess. You want to join my army?" I side eye her, and her grin is quick.

"I'm already in the army. I was going to say, if you need people to stand up at your wedding, on your side, I'm in. I know you don't have family here, so I'm willing to help out. I don't really know Everly, but you and I have hung out a few times now, and I'll be available. Just keep it in mind. I can be the best man, too."

"Excuse me, we were thinking we'd stand up with him." Ryan turns around to glare at her, then he walks faster, trying to get ahead of Lacey. "And you should stand on Everly's side."

"I've talked to Everly once. She told me I could cut ahead in the coffee line. Not exactly best friends, Ryan." Lacey shoots back, and Jake snickers.

"You guys are being dumb. I'm the best man. I know both of them." He walks even faster, and eventually, he and Ryan race each other to get to the door first. They collide into each other, and Cece, and her yelp is enough to send them scrambling.

"Amateurs. You need a professional, you call me." Lacey offers, and she and I slip past Cece, yelling for Jake to calm down. "Or…just come find me. I don't have a phone. Harrison said he'd get me one, but he hasn't followed through with that promise yet."

"Will do. I wouldn't worry about the phone. It's more trouble than it's worth."

I follow her to the long line that's formed, and I'm grateful for the noise of the Dome.

I have a lot to think about, and for once, I appreciate the ability to blend in.

The rest of my afternoon is spent with Jerry and Howard.

I wipe the sweat out of my eyes as the sun starts to sink, and he lets out a loud yell for us to start heading in. After eating lunch, I had little time to pick an area to shadow. I was wary to head back over to Daryl, and I didn't want to get stuck at the greenhouses. I would rather die than go see what was going on in the daycare or make potions with Eden, so that left Jerry and Howard, Carole and her chicken farm, or Johanna. Johanna was my highest choice, but unfortunately, she was nowhere to be found.

With some burning disappointment, I took off toward the fields.

Jerry and Howard were outside, deep in the corn fields, trying to bring in as much as they could with the team they had working. I joined them without any hesitation, and the hours passed quickly. There was a small crisis when they discovered some of the crops had been damaged. I wasn't sure if it was by a wild animal, one of the factionless, or a pissed off farmer, but they were uprooting the dead stalks and hauling them away. To my surprise, the section was large, and it caused some tension between Jerry and Howard when it was clear it couldn't be done in one day.

Even with the help of everyone, it took hours.

By the time I stumbled home, I was so tired I couldn't see straight. I felt strong, my arms aching and my back burning, and I tried to put myself in Jason or Rylan's shoes. I didn't have any broken ribs nor had I been punched in the face, but I had faced some fears of my own, and I was as exhausted as one could be. On my walk home, I internalized all this. I tried to imagine how things would be if I had chosen elsewhere. I kept picturing myself in Dauntless, lazily walking along the edge of the roof, and fighting day by day to survive. I conjured up an image of myself in a dark uniform, with shorter hair, strolling alongside Harrison.

By the time I got home, I'd created an entire alternate life but it all fell away when I walked inside to an empty house. It's deadly silent, and I call out Everly's name, hoping she's home.

I'm met with more silence.

"Everly?"

The panic I feel isn't really panic. It's something else, stemming from the deviation of her not being home. I've grown so used to her being here, coming home to her, that her absence is loud.

"Everly!"

I try once more, taking the stairs two at a time, and I nearly take her out when she walks out of the bedroom. Her eyes fly open and I catch her before I take her down completely. She grabs onto me and her fingers dig into my arm.

"Eric! Are you okay? Sorry, I didn't hear you. I was putting away some things Forrest brought over. He said you needed some clothes for when it gets cold." She tilts her head up to look at me, and her smile falters. "Are you alright? You look…really sweaty and tired."

"I spent all afternoon in the fields," I mutter, stretching my neck to the side to try and alleviate the burn. "Someone destroyed part of the crops so I helped clear them out. It took all afternoon."

"You want to work out there?" Everly looks confused, mostly because we both knew that was hard, unending work and I'd never once declared I wanted to spend my days collecting crops. When I shake my head no, her fingers tighten.

"I couldn't find Johanna. I wanted to talk with her. I didn't mind helping, but…it was more work than I imagined. They never stopped and now I just want to go to bed. Everything hurts. Even my head."

"Give me a second, okay. I have something that will help," Everly lets go, stepping back with her stare still on me. "Wait here."

"Where are you going?" I ask suspiciously, ready to collapse into bed. I should shower first, but Everly heads toward the bathroom, opening the door while glancing back at me. She throws me a wide smile, one with more concern than I'd like, and I can't even imagine what she's planning.

"Just…wait there. I promise you'll like it."

"Fine." I groan, and I press my hands over my eyes. After a morning of rifle practice, talking with Harrison, then pulling up dead crops, I'm ready to do absolutely nothing.

What feels like an hour later, Everly returns and cheerfully gestures for me to follow her.

"You want me to take a bath? Are you serious?"

I stare down at her incredulously, and I wonder if she really thinks this will help. The air in the bathroom is cold thanks to the lack of heating, but it's warm next to the tub full of hot water. She's filled it with all kinds of things, bubbles and sweet-smelling soaps, and she's pulled out a few towels and dimmed the lights. It looks nice, but it's hardly something I'm interested in.

"Yes." Everly waits patiently, not at all insulted by my hesitation. "It'll help. I promise."

"No, it will not." I stare at her hopeful expression, and I scowl. "I'm not a child."

"Anyone can take a bath," Everly rolls her eyes at me like I am a small child. "Almost everyone who works in the fields gets worn out. It's why they rotate frequently. May told me the best way to feel better is to take a bath. She gave me all this stuff but I didn't choose to work there. My dad used to take us all the time and I saw how hard they all work." Everly gestures at the water. "So…I made it really hot, but you should probably get in soon."

"Me?"

I raise my eyebrow at her, and she smiles.

Sweetly.

"You get in first. I'll join you in a minute. I have something else to do really quick." She steps away, but her stare stays on me. "You'll feel way better if you do. I'm sure even the soldiers relax every once in a while. You don't have to kill yourself to make a point about how tough you are."

Her words hit a nerve, but I know what she means. Taking a quick shower and collapsing into bed as though my muscles aren't burning and my head doesn't hurt only to do it all over again tomorrow won't win me any awards. I hadn't even meant to stay as long as I did, but I wanted to do my part.

Even if it felt like I might die now.

The ironic part of the situation is Rylan and Jason had been fighting their way through initiation this whole time. Their days were spent doing not manual labor, but exercises meant to whip them into shape. Rylan didn't look terribly different from the last time I saw him, but there were some subtle changes. Much like myself, he'd lost the childish look to him. He'd always been fit but this was more extreme, like he had no choice but to work out.

Even Jason looked strong, ready to take someone down, or handle the factionless.

They both looked exhausted, and I doubt Dauntless offered bathtubs to soak in. I decide I'm being ridiculous, and I might as well take a quick bath and go to bed.

"Fine. I'll take your stupid bath."

I throw Everly a dirty look, feeling like someone might catch wind of this, and I'd never live it down. She's unbothered by my glare. She waits patiently, and her eyes light up like she's highly entertained by all this.

"I'll be right back."

"Again?" I stare as she leaves, and I reach for the collar of my shirt. I toss it aside, along with my pants and boxers. I stare down at the bath, wondering if this is a form of torture to get me to agree to work with her dad or push to have Landon banished. I'd meant to ask Harrison where he was or what he really thought of him, but I never got the chance.

Twenty minutes later, Landon is the last thing on my mind.

"Are you happy, Eric?"

Everly's head rests squarely in the middle of my chest. Her feet don't even reach the end of the tub, and she's almost fully submerged beneath warm, bubble filled water. Her hair is wet and clean. She smells like one of the flowers Hank taught us about, but I can't really remember the name for the life of me.

This whole situation, her sitting between my legs, lazily measuring my fingers, doesn't feel real.

When Everly returned, I had grouchily gotten into the bathtub. I wrongly assumed I wasn't going to fit. The water was hot, not entirely scalding, but hot enough that every aching muscle begged for me to sink lower into it. I leaned my head against the edge, impressed that someone in Amity had made a bathtub for someone taller than a fifth grader, and I closed my eyes.

I opened them when Everly's fingers touched my hair, and she told me she'd help me wash it.

I assumed this was another test, perhaps to see if I'd do whatever she said, or to prove I could go along with whatever would lead me to live in peace and harmony. My initial reaction was to decline. I could wash my own hair, and I didn't need her help. But I soon discovered the only reason she was in here was she felt bad about me being stuck in the fields all afternoon and she was determined to make it better.

I gave in when she poured water over my hair to dampen it. I flashed back to Atlas in Elisa's sink, until Everly worked the shampoo through my hair. Never in my life had anyone done this, other than the barber. He was a little more professional than Everly, and far less interested in whether or not I was enjoying myself. Everly was in no rush; her tiny fingers slipped though the longer parts first, pressing on my temples and working down, until I realized I was half asleep.

She kept going.

She worked downward, pressing on the taught muscles in my neck and the sore spots between my neck and shoulder. Her nails scraped my scalp, and her fingers coaxed me backward, so she could rinse my hair. I opened my eyes to see her smiling down at me, happy as ever. She did the same thing with the conditioner, something I rarely used, and by the time she was done, I was both about to fall asleep in the water, and in pure and utter agony.

She was lovely.

There was no way she'd burned Landon past refusing to marry him. I had never met anyone willing to simply exist alongside me, asking absolutely nothing of me other than to be with her. There were no demands, no shrieked phone calls or whispered schemes to get around my parents. The most she'd asked was that I let her sleep against me, and I'd have willingly done it anyway.

Which is why when she finished, I caught her by the wrist and insisted upon returning the favor. She froze. Her hesitation didn't stem from trying to figure out the logistics of the situation, but because she didn't want me to feel like I owed her anything. When I insisted, looking up at her intently and throwing her a tight smile, she finally agreed. I closed my eyes for just a second, and when I opened them, she was settling herself right between my legs, her dress tossed onto my clothes.

The sight of her bare skin was still shocking. She was much smaller undressed, the true size of her hidden beneath the pink dresses and ruffly sleeves. I'd held onto her once, in the lake, and maybe because we were outside she had appeared taller.

Here, resting against me, I have the overwhelming desire to keep her safe.

To keep her here.

To find a house for just her and me, to make sure no one ever came after her, and to stay there with her without Jeanine looking for either of us. Marry her, giving in to the Amity traditions they were gently encouraging, and have a life together here. I didn't care if it happened in a field of wildflowers, or in the middle of the woods, I wanted her and her alone.

The best and most ironic moment was when she took my fingers between hers and admired our hands together and it hit me that Everly didn't need anyone to save her. She never had. When I'd met her at the choosing ceremony, I got a glimpse of who she is. Brave and loyal, unafraid, even if it meant sacrificing her own happiness. She is unlike anyone I'd ever met. She hadn't asked me for much, nor did she expect me to blindly agree to everything in Amity. I felt like she understood my concern and hesitation, and even though she is from here, she wasn't insulted when I had a hard time agreeing to everything without question. There is a sense of realness to her, one that I assumed everyone in Amity was lacking.

"I can ask my dad when Johanna is back. I think she wanted to talk to you, anyway. He said they'll help you because Johanna keeps saying you have potential."

Everly pulls our hands up higher, and the difference is noticeable. My hand is much larger, tanner, and rougher. Her fingers are small, softer, and pale. She laughs when I flex my fingers, and she tries to make hers match.

It's a long shot, and a total failure.

"Would you want to work with her?"

"I guess," I agree, not wanting to argue over her trying to help me. I decide to indulge for a few minutes, and she seems happy. She wiggles back further, and her head falls back to rest against my chest. "Really, I don't know what area I should pick. Not a single person has offered to show me anything more about the chickens and I'm not sure Forrest is hiring."

Everly's burst of laughter makes her shoulders shake. My legs move closer to hers, and she pulls our fingers down toward the water.

"There's more than chickens. You should look into alpacas. There's a big market for them." Her answer is lazy, tired after her own day, and just as low as mine. "Rylan would like them. Sometimes they get free and they have a mind of their own. I think Jake had to chase one down the road once because it wouldn't stop running. It got pretty far before he caught it."

"Was it Carole's? Because I'd run from her too," I mutter, and I let go of her hand. I move one arm around her waist, and I bend my head down so my lips are by her cheek. "Has Howard considered faking his own death?"

"No, but there's a theory that's what happened to Don," Everly answers, and one of her hands moves up, slipping behind my head. The water moves, small waves hitting the sides, and a few bubbles slip onto the edge. "I dare you to ask her about him. She gets really angry. Howard always comes to her defense, though. He must have really wanted her chicken farm."

Her words trail off when my fingers work down her side, and I reach the bone of her hip.

"Everly…what the fuck are you talking about." I ask flatly, moving my hand down lower, until it touches her thigh. She scoots back, sighing softly, and her legs move slightly. They fall to the side, touching mine. "Who is Don?"

"He was her…" she pauses, and I wait for her to say husband. Ex-husband. Scorned lover. Mortal enemy. "Well, he was Jerry's prized chicken. He lost him, and everyone thinks Carole had something to do with it. It was a scandal here for months. It was a nice distraction, though."

I stop when my fingers touch her inner thigh, the skin soft and warm, and I tilt my head. "A chicken. Don is a chicken?"

"Was a chicken. Forrest has a theory someone made him into chicken fingers. Probably Cece."

She sighs when I move my hand between her legs in a smug wave of confidence that I know what I'm doing. In a wave of regret, I find myself wishing I hadn't done anything with Ashley. Not that I want to be some inexperienced stiff, but Everly is much more appreciative than Ashley ever was. When my fingers graze lower, her gasp is immediate and soft, and her fingers tighten in my hair.

"Do you like chicken fingers, Everly?" I ask her very seriously, ignoring the impatient wiggle of her hips. I take my time exploring her slowly, and we're both well aware this would be more appealing out of the bathtub. But there's something to be said about the ambience of where we are; the lighting is warm and low, the water still holds warmth, and it laps with every movement of my arm. The creaky house is secluded and silent, a slice of respite from the busy buzz of Amity.

A soft sigh escapes from Everly, like she's been waiting all day for this.

"Yes or no?" I mumble, and Everly's feet press against my shins. Her tiny squeak of approval echoes in my ears.

"…. yes…"

It's not entirely clear if her yes is the answer to my question, or my fingers touching her right where she wants them to, but I don't care either way. I move my other arm slowly, reaching beneath the water to pull her back against me. My lips brush her cheek, down to her jaw, then her neck. There's a hazy moment when I wonder if Landon had ever done this to her, and the rare flash of jealousy burns all over again. It's not impossible to figure out what she likes, nor is it hard to figure out where to touch. My fingers move slowly, circling warm, soft, swollen nerves, until she whimpers.

"You're good at this," she mumbles, and her head falls back further. Her chest rises up with each inhale, and her eyes are only halfway open. "Don't stop."

I don't intend to.

She'd gotten me off the other night, and it felt like ages ago. I understood her curiosity and I completely approved of her methods. I'd planned on returning the favor, but there hadn't been a time when both of us were home, not exhausted, and not thinking about something and ending up lost in our own thoughts.

But now, I have nothing but time and I'm wide awake.

"You didn't answer my question," Everly asks, and her own hand joins mine. She moves it to where she wants it, and her breathing hitches when my fingers slide lower, so close they're nearly inside her. "Are you happy, Eric?"

I slide them in. Her whole body reacts, tensing up with want. I add another, but I wait until she groans, an alluring sound mixed with my name, before I nod.

"With you? Yes."

I press my mouth to her neck, sucking slightly as she hovers somewhere between consciousness and coming against my fingers. I can tell she's close; her body tenses up even more, her thighs shake, and even with the water, I can feel the slick wetness of her. The realization sends a thrill through me, and instantly I'm even harder than I was already.

Her hand leaves mine, and my eyes shut tightly when she takes me in her hand. The feeling is now familiar, and I bite down harder when she strokes up and down. The grunt of approval is low in my throat, vanishing into her skin. For a few minutes, there's nothing but the sounds of the water splashing, her uneven breathing, and me mumbling her name. I try to stay focused, keeping my fingers stroking in the direction she likes but it's impossible. I'm dimly aware of her feet pressing on my legs and the way she feels against me.

"Have you done this before?" She mumbles, and her voice sounds far away. She arches her back, gasping when I hit just the right spot. "Oh… don't stop."

I have to say, I'm impressed with myself. With everything going on –the water, the angle of my arm, and her slippery skin –I would think it would be impossible for this to feel good enough to come. But her breathing picks up, her body shoves back against mine, and the water drains from the tub enough for me to realize one of us has kicked the drain open.

It works.

Everly's hips rise up and I'm rewarded with the sight of her between my legs. Half covered in bubbles, wet from the water and my fingers, she groans as she pushes herself into a better spot. Her grip on me lessens, but I don't care. I pay attention to only her, watching her skin turn pink and her head fall back, and the sight of her throat exposed is appealing.

"So pretty," I lowly inform her, and it's a lousy word to describe the sight before me. I could think of a better one, but she's resumed stroking me, even though her eyes are closed and her thighs are trembling and my brain shuts down.

"Eric…"

There's something powerful about the way she says my name. It's the ultimate vulnerability to be in her position; naked, her legs pressed apart with my hand between them, groaning my name while she tries to prolong the inevitable. I like knowing this is the result of my actions. I like watching her lips part, feeling her fingers dig into my scalp, and the way her whole body is tensed and taut, just waiting for everything to feel too good for those blinding seconds.

There's also something powerful about the way she's openly comfortable with her and me. There is no hesitation on her part to touch me, no shame about being completely naked and writhing in my lap, and her only goal is for both of us to enjoy this night together. Her hand tightens as she gasps, and all it takes is a few more firm strokes for me to come right along with her. I don't even have time to be embarrassed about how easily I've just gotten off, or dryly comment about how this works since we're still in the bath and we can turn the water right back on. I come hard, just as hard as she does, and there is nothing but blinding euphoria. I faintly realize Everly's breathing is slowing down, and I faintly realize my own is choppy, and there's a different soreness to my legs now.

When the high lessens, I relax, bringing her back with me. She whimpers when I move my hand from between her legs and the sound is pleasing.

"Are you okay?" I ask, but I'm having a hard time thinking coherent thoughts.

My brain is elsewhere, high above this moment, thinking of ways to make this permanent. My conscious laughs at me, reminding me that I picked here out of spite, out of pure anger and utter resentment over being told what to do, and now I am being rewarded.

I wait for Everly's nod, slow and sated, and she quietly tells me we should turn the water back on and rinse off.

We don't right away.

We stay there until our skin turns cool, until the water is too cold to enjoy, and until my heart rate isn't sky high.

Then, and only then, do we rinse off, brush our teeth, and stumble to bed without a single word between us.

We don't need any.

"Eric? Eric! The coolest brother I have because Leif and Wesley are ignoring me? Hello? Are you guys awake?"

I open my eyes to the voice of Forrest, yelling from downstairs. I lift my head away from the pillow, and I realize Everly is sound asleep beneath me, with nothing on. We'd fallen asleep after the bath without getting dressed. There was no need. I followed her to bed in a daze, and I was out before she mumbled my name and pressed her lips to my cheek.

Now, my body reacts after spending the night pressed against her, and it takes me far too long to realize I'm in quite the predicament. I either shove myself away from her, raging erection and deep ache in my thighs, or I stay here and hope Forrest leaves.

"Okay, well either you're both dead or asleep, so I'll leave this here for you! It's breakfast! From our mother! Eric's mother-in-law!" Forrest yells louder, and I get the feeling he believes his helpfulness often outweighs how loud he is. "Also, in case either of you are awake, Zander would like to come over! He's driving everyone insane asking for Eric! BYE!"

He leaves as the door slams shut, and I groan at thinking I'd left it unlocked.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, behind the realization of how warm and soft Everly is, I realize he must have a key.

The crowd is immense.

I stand beside Everly with zero expectations. Her arm bumps mine as we wait along with the rest of the class, and there is a wave of energy rattling through everyone else. One glimpse in either direction spans the entire class, all eagerly awaiting their friends and family. I hadn't entirely considered how Visiting Day would work here, but it's not lost on me that most initiates in my class are from Amity, and their families live here.

Most wait with wide smiles as their parents find them, and the reunions are so loud you'd think they weren't living mere houses away. There are a few families who stick out —more dressed in stark blacks and whites, a few blues, and one lone woman in grey, and I ignore the unease of wondering if I will see anyone I know.

I've already decided I expect no one, and really, I could use a day off from the faction.

"Do you think Daniel will show up?" Everly asks the most obvious and pressing question, and she follows it up by peering curiously at me. "What about your mom?"

"Blythe would rather die than come here. I'm sure Daniel has a meeting or some surgery he just can't miss," I shrug, and I've decided I don't care either way. My words are sharp, and my tone matches. "I expect to have no one show up for me."

My words sound bitter, but they've lost the sting they once would have brought. I wasn't struggling so much with what a shitty parent Daniel had been or rehashing my childhood. Even if I forgave him and vowed never to bring it up again, there is no benefit to him coming here. Our last interaction was pitiful and strained; he stitched up my head, begged me to stay, offered a weak apology—both in regard to my childhood and his brother, then pleaded to come see me.

He never followed through.

Not that I wanted him to show up in Amity for some weird family reunion, but I'm sure he had a day when he could have found a few free hours. We both knew he could come here, he just wouldn't. Work won out over everything, always.

There was also Blythe, who would undoubtedly lose her mind and demand he bring me back if he did show up.

In the end, they were in Erudite, and I was in Amity. I wasn't their family anymore, and they'd never been mine.

"Okay, well..." Everly is disappointed on my behalf, and the sentiment is too kind. I don't need her to be upset on my part. "Don't be sad. Who cares? I can get Forrest and he'll show up for you."

"He's already here." I point to where Forrest is waving enthusiastically from his spot by Hank. They both grin, and something clicks that I don't understand.

It's Ian beside them.

He waves even harder in my direction, then pushes his glasses higher on his nose and beams when I crack the least enthused smile ever. I can tell he's happy to be here. He's dressed up —a dark blue shirt and dark pants —and he sticks out with his clean-cut hair. I wonder if Elisa cuts it, or if he does it himself. Before I can ponder this incredibly important question, Elisa and Atlas appear, both looking around frantically.

She relaxes when her stare lands on me, and she points me out to Atlas. He grins, mimicking her wave despite having no real clue who I am.

I must be tired.

It takes me a solid minute to realize they're here for me, as my family.

"They're here to see you!" Everly's eyes light up, and she points at Ian and Hank now saying hello. "That's really nice of them."

"The surprise of the century," I stare at my uncle, the man I never knew existed let alone expected to tolerate, and I wave back.

I'm surprised to see Ian, but I have to admit, it's more surprising that I'm the absolute slightest bit pleased to have someone show up.

I try not to acknowledge the feeling, because it'll make it all the worse when he tires of this familiar relationship, but I go with it anyway.

We walk along with everyone else.

There's a rush as everyone naturally ends up in large groups, and most immediately take off for lunch. The schedule for Visiting Day is lax; everyone is to meet up with their families or friends and spend the afternoon with them. There are no assigned classes, no hurry to get back to whatever lesson we left off on, and no demanding or grueling pace to the day.

It's oddly freeing.

Out of the corner of my eye, Everly talks to Hank and Eden. She side eyes Zander hard as he hops around her in a circle, and I smirk when she subtly nudges him away from her, stopping his game of trying to step on her feet. His shriek of protest doesn't work this time; today is about Everly and her initiation, and Eden effectively shushes Zander and takes him by the hand. They wind up following a few feet behind us, Everly and her hair braided down both sides, and Eden smiling brightly any time I glance back. I focus on Ian beside me, yammering away as though I haven't seen him in week.

"I know I'm not your parents, but I was talking with Hank and he suggested you have someone show up so you don't feel left out." Ian walks quickly, and the two of us head toward the Dome. "I told him I'd be honored. After all, I am your uncle and you do live here now."

Elisa and Atlas trail behind, joining Everly and her parents. Every so often, I catch my name, spoken with a giggle, and it floats over to me like I'm supposed to hear it.

"You didn't have to, so I appreciate that you did. We both know no one else was showing up," I shrug, but it's friendly "You guys really didn't have to come. Did Everly put you up to it?"

"No! I asked Hank if he'd seen her and he said she's been busy. I assume he means busy with you." Ian throws me a conspiratorial glance, and he smiles. "He's really happy these days. He worries she'll up and leave. I don't know him well, but we had a few beers together the other day. Told me all about his wife, his million kids, but mostly Everly. Offered me some new plants for the house, too. Nice guy."

"Yeah, he is nice." I answer off handedly, and I tilt my head when someone rushes past us. I realize it's Ryan and Jake, running by with their families. They both yell a hello, and Jake and Ryan slow down enough to introduce their parents. It's a blur of hellos and I've heard so much about you's and do you want to come over for dinner and dessert and you better say yes because Ryan said you were really good friends before they hurry to catch up to everyone else. "Do you normally eat in the Dome? I don't think I've ever seen you here."

"Rarely," Ian cracks a grin. "Elisa eats really healthy and she prefers to make everything. We both come by sometimes, but it's easier to cook at home. Quieter, too. I'm sure you understand."

"It's definitely…loud." I pause when I see someone leaning against the entryway of the Dome, and he blends in well. "I'd rather eat at home than listen to everyone."

Ian agrees. "Yeah, just wait. It starts with that. Before you know it, you're a skilled chef, and CeCe's pizza just doesn't taste as good as your own. And Everly will get used to it and you'll both want to hang out with just each other. Far more romantic to eat at home than with Carole staring at you."

"No shit." I laugh, and I decide having Ian around for the day won't be so terrible. He's not my father, he doesn't even like my father, and he understands my desire to maintain some privacy. I might have lucked out with him living here, and there's a faint understanding between us, especially when it comes to the food here.

"Besides," Ian grins, "Carole sometimes volunteers in the kitchens. In fact, she's here today. She loves to see everyone from the other factions."

"Oh good." I retort, and I wonder if Ian would consider taking our food to go. "I can't wait. What's today's menu?"

"Goodness only knows, Eric. My guess? Chicken nuggets." Ian mutters, and we walk into the Dome with everyone else.

An hour later, I finish lunch while Ian talks about all the things he's going to teach Atlas.

It's a long list: hunting, fishing, the harvesting of solar power, cooking, building with blocks, engineering, farm animals, the alphabet, how to multiply in your head, genetically modified dinosaurs, how to own your own island. The list goes on for a while, until he reaches world domination.

He's a nice distraction. Elisa and Atlas have joined us, and it's an odd feeling to know she's my aunt. Compared to Jeanine, she's her polar opposite. She's quiet and kind, busy helping Atlas eat tiny, dinosaur shaped pasta she's brought along for him, while eating her own lunch. Every few minutes, someone stops by to congratulate her and Ian. Atlas is welcomed into the faction and the family without question; not a single person blinks at her taking in a factionless child, and not a single person presses if they'll have any more.

A few tables away, Everly eats with her family.

They are numerous, coming and going as they finish, and really only Zander is instructed to stay. He eats his lunch enthusiastically, downing watermelon and pasta like he's never eaten before, and stealing a few carrots off his mother's plate. His attention isn't on Everly at all, but on Harrison, cracking a grin when Zander loudly declares he won't eat anything purple.

It's quite the sight.

There, in the middle of the Dome, is Harrison, talking with Everly.

There clearly isn't a single second of awkwardness over her real father being here to eat lunch with her. He even sat close to her, occasionally leaning in to whisper something that would make her laugh. Her eyes lit up, she looked happier than I'd ever seen her, and she only frowned when Zander yelled out where is his uniform?

Harrison is dressed plainly. A plaid shirt, dark pants. He could easily pass as someone who lives here, and I wonder if he planned this. I wonder how he left Dauntless, if anyone stopped him or asked why he wasn't wearing black, or if he even cared.

He seems at ease with his decisions, and it is admirable how unafraid he is.

The only time he looked unsettled was when he said goodbye. The lunch came to a lazy closing when the kitchen staff emerged to clean up. They worked quickly, but cheerfully. The left-over food was rounded up and put away, and the plates and large bowls were brought back to the kitchens. I saw Landon for a single second, walking with a girl I don't know, wiping down the counters. He glanced at Everly once, then resumed his work with a look of boredom.

"So uh, you want to ask me anything else? Do you need anything? Are you and Everly doing okay?"

Ian's words bring me right back to Earth. I look up at him and Elisa, both waiting patiently, and even Atlas looks at me. I shake my head no and thank them for coming.

Their actions, while possibly prompted by Hank, are incredibly kind. It's a kindness that leaves me feeling uncomfortable, as though I am undeserving of anyone wanting me to be alright here, and I have no choice but to sit with it.

I also can't bring myself to tell him about Daniel. It feels like an odd, gross betrayal on my part, even admitting Daniel was the one who did the stitches. I figure I'll more than likely never see him again, so there's no point in bringing him up.

"I'm good. Everly is good. Thank you for…coming to eat lunch with me. I appreciate it. Both of you." It's hard to get the words out. They feel sticky; I was happy Ian had shown up, and while our conversation was superficial, his acceptance was very welcome. "Maybe Everly and I can come for dinner this week."

"Tomorrow?" Elisa asks, wiping Atlas' face clean. "I can make whatever you'd like. You just tell me."

"Sure, sounds good to me." I glance up to see Everly hugging Harrison goodbye, and there's a hint of everything on her face.

She closes her eyes tightly, pressing her face against his shirt, and after a minute, he shakes his head no.

When she lifts her head up, looking disappointed and all too miserable, I know she's asked him to stay for a while.

"Let me talk to Everly but I'm sure that'll be fine," I glance past Elisa at Everly, and she crosses her arms over her chest while Harrison hugs Zander goodbye. Zander's meltdown is more or less expected, and his family is quick to stand up to head out of the Dome. He shrieks that he wants Harrison to stay, and Everly stands frozen in place, scowling at her little brother when Harrison picks him up to carry him outside.

When her stare meets mine, heavy and distraught, I suddenly understand why Hank is worried she'll leave.

"I'm fine."

She's not.

Her scowl had stayed on her face for the rest of the afternoon, tight and permanent. She's funny when she's angry; she's not very tall at all, and it's comical to see her violently washing the dishes or trying to put the dry ones away. Her anger is valid, but not appropriate in Amity. It consumes her, so much that she barely notices when I stand behind her, reaching around to turn off the scalding water she was using to scrub the sink.

"No, you're not."

"Yes, I am." Amity is defensive, holding onto to some long-seated regret over not choosing Dauntless in a vain attempt to be with her father. I can feel it radiating from her, the decision to stay in Amity eating her alive. "I'm not mad. I just…I wanted –"

"Did you ask him to stay?" I step closer, sliding my arms around her and pulling her back against my chest. Despite her protest, she moves willingly, until the weight of her is against me. "Did he say no?"

"He said he had a meeting at three so he had to go back. He said he'll try to come this weekend." Her words are sour, and I wonder how on Earth Harrison was able to leave her. I couldn't imagine having a family who wanted you around, yet you were separated by your duty and allegiance elsewhere. "I should have picked –"

"No. You'd be dead," I remind her, and I walk us back a step so she can turn around. "Did you miss the bruises on Rylan and Jason? Did you see what your mom was treating on Four? They look like shit and they're all strong! Do you really think you'd be able to fight one of them? And if you could, what's stopping someone else from killing you while you sleep?"

"You'd be there," she points out, and her eyes find mine. "We could have been friends there."

"Is that what we are? Friends?" I stare down at her, and my mind whirls. It clicks together every single moment we've shared and then some as I try to lessen her upset mood. "How do you know we'd have been friends there? How do you know I wouldn't have been fighting you?"

"We would have," she answers hotly, and I reach out to touch her cheek. Her skin is warm, and she has the audacity to glare at me. "Okay fine, I guess we aren't friends. I guess we're…we're…"

She trails off and her anger is not directed at me. There's a flash of realization that Everly loves her father very much, and every time he left, it hurt more and more. I watch as she struggles to keep it together, even when I bend my head down.

Anyone else would have reassured her things were fine. They were shitty in this second, because she wanted Harrison to stay, and he was back in Dauntless in a meeting that didn't take precedence over her but he was required to be in, and it would feel better tomorrow. He'd left before, and he would leave again.

Until he could live here.

"I don't want to be your friend, Everly," I mutter lowly, and our relationship shifts. It moves right along, furthered when I press my lips to hers. For a second, she stands there unmoving, still seething with anger over her dad leaving. Then she gives in, all at once, and it's an explosion of pent up feelings from today.

She lunges for me, her hands slipping into my hair and grasping on tightly, and her lips part. Even with her frantic actions, there's a softness to her. She's tentative when her tongue touches mine, and I feel her smile when she sinks against me. Her nails scrape my scalp when I reach for her waist, and I pick her up. I guess where the counter is, and I close my eyes when she's the one to deepen the kiss, and her legs wrap around my waist.

"What do you want to be then? My neighbor?" She gasps out when my mouth leaves hers and moves to her neck. There's a struggle when she tilts her head down, and I pry her jaw up and away. I attack the pale column of her throat, then the juncture of her shoulder, and I'm pleased at the red marks my teeth leave. It doesn't hurt her; her tiny whimper of approval hums in my ear, and she pulls me back, encouraging me to return. She goads me on when I shove the sleeve of her dress down, and it gives as far as it can.

I've seen more of her in the lake, in the bath, in our bed, but the sight of fabric shoved and straining against her skin makes something spark in me.

"Is this how you are with all your neighbors? Should I be worried?" I mutter, moving to the other side of her. I stop to kiss her roughly, taking her lower lip between mine, and she reaches for my shirt. Her fingers leave my hair to undo the first button, and there's a flurry of want when she manages to undo three more.

She's talented. She gets halfway down my shirt before I realize if we don't stop, we won't.

I decide I don't care.

I move to the bottom of her dress, fully prepared to rip it off her. My hands press wide over her thighs, greedily grasping onto her and slipping them up higher. My fingers graze her underwear, and I know it's frilly and pink. I touch the very side, the softest skin beneath the softest fabric when a knock on the door stops both of us. Everly leans back, wide gaze and flushed red cheeks, and her eyes are wild. Her lips part, swollen and wet from my mouth on hers, and her fingers still in the middle of my chest.

"Who is that?"

Her gaze flies up to me, and we both stay still.

"Eric?"

"I don't know. I guess we have company," I hiss, and I swear if it's Four, having wandered back here for Eden to treat his injuries again, or Rylan, having deemed himself in the wrong faction, I will lose my ever loving shit. "Fuck."

The knocking continues. I pull back to button up and straighten my shirt, and I try to fix my hair. I rake my fingers through it, staring at Everly on the counter. She's a sight to be seen; her skirt is up over her thighs, the top is halfway pulled down, and her hair is a mess. It's mostly out of the braids, tangled and waving over her shoulders, and had someone not knocked on the door, I would have fucked her right against these kitchen cabinets. There is no doubt in my mind.

Or hers.

"Tell them to leave." She demands sweetly, plucking at the top of her dress to pull it back up. "Go tell them you're busy."

"I will." I lean down to kiss her again, and her hands grab onto my face greedily. Her hurt from earlier is gone, replaced with hot, intense want. "Don't move. I'll be right back."

"Okay."

She eyes me up and down, and I smirk when her stare finds my mouth. When I'm sure I'm presentable, my hair somewhat more orderly, my shirt buttoned, and the burning pain of arousal has died down enough to be tolerable, I head to answer the door. The knocking continues, patient and unwavering, and I fling it open with a nasty 'What'.

I'm expecting anyone.

Landon.

Forrest.

Zander, himself, having teleported over with his underwordly evil powers.

Hank.

Jerry.

Carole, asking if we'd seen her most darling chicken, Bubbles.

Even Johanna.

Certainly not my father, standing there with his arms full of books, and one apprehensive, forced smile.

"He's here?"

"And what amazing timing he has," I sneer, and the conversation is lost on Daniel. Everly's eyes widen, and her cheeks are so red that if Daniel wasn't aware he'd interrupted anything, he should be now. "Daniel is here. But I'm not sure why. Visiting Day is over."

"I had a lot going on today. I wanted to come earlier. I tried to get Greg to take over for me, but he was in another surgery. Then I found out Camille is sick and she threw up all over the surgery room and it had to be disinfected and delayed everything by an hour. I wasn't expecting any of that." Daniel, now seated awkwardly at the kitchen table, glances around. "Is this your house? It this where you live?"

I close my eyes, trying to imagine why he's here and what he's thinking.

I'd opened the door to my father standing on the porch. He was dressed professionally, too formal for Amity and too stuck up to be dropping by. His arms were full of books –familiar looking titles and some new ones, and he had brought them as a gift. Unfortunately for him, it was a lackluster reunion of sorts.

His eyes widened when he saw Everly behind me, and he was reminded that she'd shown up as my wife, and he was seeing proof of her again. I'm not sure if he noticed how frustrated she looked. She's had more time to calm down, but there's still a tenseness to her shoulders and an irritation as she adjusts her dress again. Her neck is still red, and so are her cheeks.

They turn even redder when I smirk at her as she sits down by him, wary as ever.

"Yes, this is where we live."

Everly's emphasis of we warms my cold dead heart. She glares at Daniel, not immediately welcoming as he's hoping, and she stares him down like he's here to take me back with him. She side eyes him until he smiles, and it's clear she doesn't trust him.

She shouldn't.

"I see. Well, I…I've been thinking about what I would say when I saw you again. I'm afraid I'm…I'm not sure what to say. I wanted to make sure you're alright, and you are." He looks around again, then takes his glasses off to rub his eyes. "You're eating well? Sleeping okay?"

"Fine." I answer shortly, wondering what in the actual fuck he wants. "Why did you come here? Is Blythe with you? Where is she?"

I'm met with silence. Defeated, loud silence, until he sighs.

"Eric…no, she's not here. She's in Erudite. She's got patients all day. Look, can you…do you think we could start over? I know you aren't happy with me and I don't blame you. I did my best and obviously, it wasn't anything great. So, I'd like to start over by supporting you here. I brought you some things to read, and I…I wasn't thinking you were really married but I'll bring something for Everly next time." Daniel pauses, and he looks over at her. "Or you two could come to Erudite. I could take you to dinner. Or we could…we could…at the very least I could explain about Ian. Please."

He stops talking, and the rejection is all over his face. For once in his life, he doesn't have the opportunity to make this go his way. He doesn't have any clout to throw in our faces, nor is Everly impressed by who he is.

He does have the advantage of her being partial to family relationships because she tilts her head, and her eyes burn with curiosity. It hits me she's comparing him to Harrison, and I can see the moment when I lose this argument because she doesn't want him to leave on bad terms.

"I can make you dinner right now. Are you hungry?"

Fuck.

I glare at my traitorous faux wife, and she ignores me. She stares at my father, and I swear she scoots closer when he doesn't answer.

"Are you really a brain surgeon?"

"Yes…. yes, I am." Daniel looks back at her, stunned. I wonder if he thought she was too naïve to know what such a prestigious position it is. "I've worked in Erudite my whole life. Neurosurgery was the first field I chose. I'm the top surgeon there, actually."

"Can I ask you something?" Everly faces him now, and she's transfixed on him and his terrible reasons for showing up. "If someone is having surgery, how do you get to the brain? You just…cut their head open?"

He blinks.

It's a comical sight when he realizes she moonlights as a serial killer, because his answer is hesitant. He glances over at me, and I shrug, and gesture for him to answer.

I'm not in charge of what Everly asks, and we both patiently wait for his response.

"There are methods we use, uh, along with a medicine to keep them asleep and monitor their vitals. It does take some skill. We're very careful while we…we make sure our incisions are precise. Let's just say that." Daniel pauses, and Everly looks at me out of the corner of her eye. She smiles at me, then returns to asking him how he got to Amity. When he answers he drove here, her eyes are wide. "Are you planning on having surgery, Everly? That's your name right?"

"No, I'm fine. And yes, my name is Everly," she smiles politely, and she stands up. "Would you like something to drink? I can make you something to eat if you're hungry."

"Um, well…if that's okay," Daniel hesitates. He knows this will either go horribly, or I'll wind up asking him to leave. There really is no in-between.

So when I nod, slow and not as furious as he's expecting, his expression is shocked. He leans back and he smiles hopefully.

"I'd love to stay for dinner."

"Were you ever going to tell me you had a brother? A brother who lived in another faction?"

I stare at Daniel in between my bite of spaghetti and meatballs, and his expression is as guilty as one would imagine. He pauses with his fork halfway to his mouth, and his sigh is heavy.

"I considered it. I just…I didn't expect you'd ever cross paths. I haven't seen him in years."

"Did you really just never talk to him again?" From beside me, Everly looks up at Daniel. She twirls some pasta around on her fork, and she smiles when he doesn't answer. "Ian really likes Eric. Why wouldn't you tell him he had an uncle here?"

"It's a long story and I'll admit it doesn't paint me in a very flattering light. Ian…Ian picked Amity because he was mad at me. He was mad at my parents for coming to a lecture I was giving, and when he went up to pick his faction, he looked right at them and picked Amity. He had everything lined up in Erudite. A job in the labs, a nice apartment, a girlfriend we all assumed he'd marry. He gave it up in a single second, and never looked back. I reached out once, because our parents passed away, and I…. I…."

Daniel hesitates, and for the first time in his entire life, my father looks uncomfortable.

"Well, to be honest, I blamed him. I didn't process their deaths very well. I somehow came to the conclusion they died because of his choice. They were heartbroken he left Erudite, and looking back now, I should have realized he left because of how he was treated. It's been made very clear to me with Eric choosing Amity. They said you get the same lesson handed to you over and over, until you learn it."

"So are you saying you're dying?" I stare at him darkly, and Everly chokes on her spaghetti. She coughs a few times, and Daniel's stare turns from exasperated to concerned. "Is that why you're here?"

"Eric!" She hisses my name, reaching for her water and taking a long sip. "That's not nice!"

"I never said I was nice," I mutter, but she doesn't believe me.

Everly shakes her head and elbows me in the side.

"Why did Eric not know about him?"

"Because I never spoke to Ian again. I met Blythe, got married, had Eric, and as time went on, it seemed like there was no point in mending the relationship. Every so often, I'd hear Ian was doing great. He liked Amity, he was thriving with his work, he was happily married. Dredging up the past didn't seem like it would have any benefit. I just…sort of left him out of my life."

"Like you did Eric?" Everly asks, and it's not at all innocent.

She looks innocent. Her eyes are wide and her lips are pressed together. Her hair falls over her shoulder and she waits patiently, but she knows what she's asking.

It's a bold move, but Daniel lets her have it.

"I made a lot of mistakes in regard to Eric, and I'm here to fix them." He announces firmly, and his stare returns to me. "If you're willing, I'd like to come back. Next week, I'm scheduled to visit with uh, Eden to go over some…. minor discrepancies in the clinic here. I could bring dinner. There's the steakhouse you always liked. Or I could…I could eat…. here."

He fumbles over the plan he's making up as he goes along, and I reject all of it. I don't particularly want him here. He's an indirect link to Jeanine. All it would take was her to realize why he was coming to Amity to try and bleed him for information, or worse, she'd tag along with him. Not to mention, my nights with Everly were strictly ours. I'd already reaped the benefits of having her assigned to live with me; she was bold and brave, clearly going after who she wanted, and I wouldn't at all be thrilled to be interrupted.

Again.

"Sure. I can make dinner again unless you want to bring something," Everly offers, and I scowl at her. She'd nearly destroyed the kitchen cooking this meal. Despite May's careful and clearly labeled instructions, Everly was seconds away from the whole house going up in flames. I'd turned off the smoke detector twice, and the third time, I gritted my teeth and asked her what she was doing.

When she said she was boiling water for the noodles, I had half a mind to stomp over and find May, and demand she help.

Fortunately, Everly somehow managed to cook dinner, and the smoke eventually cleared.

Now, she ignores me.

"Or if you'd like to bring dinner, that works, too. Actually, next week is Zander's birthday, so if you want to come on the same day, you can come for cake and ice cream."

"Wait, it's his birthday?" I glance down at Everly, and she nods. "Do we have to go? Are we expected to be there?"

"Yes, yes we are." Everly does her best to keep the shit eating grin from taking over, and I groan inwardly at the thought of spending any more time with Zander. Especially at his birthday party. "It'll be fine. His friends from daycare come, Forrest always brings drinks, and there's a high chance we can sneak out early."

"Zander is…?" Daniel blinks behind his large glasses, and he looks confused. "A friend of yours?"

"He's my little brother," Everly clarifies with a smug grin. "He's sort of a handful. His biggest dream is to live in Dauntless and be best friends with Eric. He loves him."

"No, he does not. He's a sociopath," I glower, and the sharp knock on the door is the perfect opportunity for me to think of a way out of this party. "I'll be right back."

"It's probably May. She said she was coming by with something for you." Everly calls out, and I hear her resume telling Daniel how every year, Zander gets a themed birthday party. This year's theme is Dauntless, and her mother has been working hard to make it come true.

I roll my eyes when I hear her inform Daniel Zander is very outgoing, and he'd love to meet someone from Erudite.

"Good fucking luck." I mutter, and I throw the front door open. "Hey, May."

"Sorry we're late. We got caught up when one of the generators went out. I thought we'd be over sooner," she apologizes in an oddly nice manner, and before I can ask her if she's hit her head, she gestures behind her. "Ian's here, too. We brought dessert for you and Everly, and I thought we could take a few minutes and discuss the plans for your meeting with Johanna. Ian, hurry up! I don't have all night."

She turns around and gestures wildly, and Ian jogs over to her. He'd been talking to someone I couldn't see, and his face lights up when he sees me.

"Oh shit…"

"Hey! Look, it's my favorite nephew! How's it going? Sorry, we're a little behind. Solar power is unpredictable. That much I can tell you." Ian walks right up the steps, and shoves right past me, ignoring the warning I'm trying to give him. "I'll grab some plates. I was thinking about what you should tell Johanna when you meet with her and…and –"

His words die right then and there.

He's quick. He'd made it to the dining room, to the rickety kitchen table someone has made, and the chairs Landon and his friends had brought over. I turn to see May's expression become confused, and we both watch as Daniel drops his fork right into his spaghetti.

No one moves.

Only Everly blinks, right as they say each other's name.

"Ian?"

"Daniel."

The names hang in the air, stunned and terse, as Everly stands up. She turns to look at me, wide eyes and parted lips, and we both know this won't go well.

It doesn't.

To the surprise of everyone, Ian walks right over to Daniel, and when Daniel starts to stand up to greet him, he reels back.

A second later, Ian roars his name, and the plates go flying.