Eric's POV
It felt strange. Walking the same hallways he had done nearly all of his life, the hallways he had grown up in and had walked through everyday. Except this time he wore black instead of blue, he wore piercings in his ears and above his eyebrow instead of glasses. The time he walked behind two of his Leaders for the last part of his Leadership Training and then he can get his Leadership tattoos and he knows exactly where they're going. Erudites part and scurry around them, curiously eyeing them, whispering possibilities. Eric remembers being like that: curious and awed as Dauntless strode past, strong and important. But now, now he just like that. He had gained a lot more muscle since Initiation started and has kept a routine since then to keep up his physique.
They had strolled straight into Erudite to the research labs to meet with Professor Douglas, an older man that Eric had always admired. Douglas wasn't as uptight and rude as the others in Erudite when it came to the other factions. He never overlooked the dependents that were obviously born for another faction, in fact he sort of adopted them into his own class when others were simply fed up with them, Eric being one of them as his aptitude for Dauntless was strong at a young age. Eric had thought that Douglas must have had to have transferred from Dauntless or even Amity to be like this. That said man was stood outside his lab door, talking animatedly to someone Eric didn't think he'd (hopefully) meet for another few years – five and a half to be exact. Eric shoves his hands into his pockets, resisting the urge to finger the band of his leather necklace. She stands in a pair of casual blue jeans, a blue blazer with the sleeve shoved up to her elbows over a white vest top and a pair of white trainers, slouching slightly as she points to a page in a book that's in Douglas's hands, talking rapidly. Her unusually coloured hair is braided away from her face and from where Eric is he can clearly see the gold blazing passionately in her eyes as she points something else out. 'Huh,' Eric thinks as they get closer to the pair. 'Dec was right.' A shot of guiltiness runs through him, there had always been a tiny part of Eric that didn't believe it when Dec – his best friend and brother – said his that his younger siblings' eyes glow gold. What a moron he is! Why would Declan lie about something like that?
A couple steps away and Eric can pick up bits and pieces of their conversation. Using the brain...Movement-Response tech...But gloves and a headset...Could project...Blocks. Whatever they're on about Eric has no fucking clue. Professor Douglas suddenly looks up and his face breaks into a grin.
"Max! Harrison! Long time no see! How are you both?" He asks enthusiastically.
Max smiles lightly, his dark eyes jumping from Douglas to the girl behind him. "Douglas it's good to see you again. We're here on business."
"Oh yes, that email!" Douglas turns around and hands her the book. "If you could finish the equations by the end of the week please Issy, that would be great?"
Issy grins as she takes the book and takes a few steps back, her eyes truly golden. "I can have it done by tomorrow. See ya Doug!" After she had winked playfully at Douglas she bowed her head in respect to himself, Max and Harrison before striding off. When Douglas guided them into his lab Eric couldn't help but think how much he loved her eyes.
xXx
Eric sighs as he walks through the Pit looking for one person. Its something that he has to do, its something that he needs to do. It's the night before the Choosing Ceremony and people are excited for the new batch. Eric knows two particular people who are ecstatic by the way Declan is knocking back the shots handed to him by Hugo in a bar that Eric had just passed. Just as he rounds the corner a small body smashes into him. 'Ah, just who I was looking for.' A small woman with red curly hair and brown eyes stands a step away.
"Kylie I don't want you anymore." His voice is sharp and his words are harsh. She tries to slide her hand up his arm but he rips it away and takes a step back. "No. You were never important to me, you were just something to pass the time." Her brown eyes flare up in anger and jealousy? Sadness? Hurt? Whatever it was he didn't care.
"Fine. You'll crawl back eventually." She snaps at him as she turns on her heel and walks away. He didn't know what he had seen in her, he wasn't into red hair and brown eyes. As he walked back to his apartment a pair of blue flecked eyes surfaced into his mind.
xXx
It was the end of the second week of initiation when Eric was sat on a table with Four, Declan and Hugo in the dining hall which was nearly empty. Eric listens as Four and Zeke discuss who shows promise in this year's class. Slowly the conversation dwindled down into silence until Four points accusingly to Dec and Hugo.
"You never mentioned that Issy tends to wander at night." Eric's head snap's up at that. 'Issy? What happened?' He shares a look of confusion with the older Vince brothers.
"Wandering?" Hugo askes incredulously. "Issy doesn't wander at night. Why? What happened?" Eric could see that their brotherly instincts were taking over.
"I was on the night shift last night when I caught her walking around at three am so I located her and took her back to the dorms." Four shrugs. "When I asked her what she was doing she said that she couldn't sleep."
"I've also seen her a couple of times too. That time I had to check the camera on the offices corridor she walked straight into me. I got the same answer as Four did when I asked." Zeke admits with a cautious look to Dec and Hugo.
The brothers share a look of confusion before a twinkle of understanding flickers through and pain flashes on their faces. Declan sighs as he rubs his face. "When Issy was little she had insomnia. After – The first few months she'd wake up screaming or crying or both. Months after that she would sleep for a few hours before waking up and coming into someone else's room and layed there for the night. She had a routine where she'd go to a different room each night. By the time it came to my ceremony she didn't come into our rooms as much."
"And by the time it came to mine, she didn't come out at all, she was able to sleep through the night and was fine, almost normal, in the morning." Hugo adds. Silence settles on the table as they digest what the brothers said. A surge of protectiveness flowed through Eric for not only the brothers but for Issy as well. A thought popped into his mind as he looked from Dec to Hugo.
"What if," Eric started carefully. "She just got better at hiding it?" The brother's eyes widen and hurt flashes through their faces. The remaining three know that its best not to say any more and the subject drops just like the mood.
xXx
Eric leaned against some rubble as the twin prepared to climb the side of a ruined building. Himself and Four had decide to do something different today, something more realistic. There was no safety wires or padded mattresses at the bottom and yet they were raring to go just to see who could climb it faster to get the flag at the top. On the outside Eric know he looked like he couldn't care less what the outcome was but on the inside he was trying to calm himself down. 'Morons. Literally everything is a challenge with these two.' He huffed as Four counted them down and they were off. They had got to about a quarter of the way up before they started swearing at each other. Alec had slipped, jostling into Issy.
"You absolute guttershite!" Issy had shouted at him, causing a few of the initiates to laugh, even Eric felt his lips twitch up in amusement. The higher they got, the worse their swearing got. It was that bad that Four had started to blush and cough uncomfortably at how crude they were being. He was too busy enjoying Four's squirming that he missed why the initiates collectively hissed and gasped. His head snapped back up to see Issy struggling to steady herself. Once she had, Four called up to ask if she was alright but Eric didn't believe her when she answered with "fine". Eric watched, ready to bolt, as she looked up at her brother while he scrambled up and got the flag before scaling back down. He watched as Alec paused, level with his sister.
"Fuck!" Eric's eyebrow's furrowed down when Alec swore loudly as he shouted at Issy. "You fucking liar Issy!"
'That's it!' Eric pushed his way through the initiates to the wall and started to climb it quicker than either of the twins did. It wasn't long before he levelled out with both of them and the sudden flash of red caught his attention. Blood. Lots of blood nearly pouring out of Issy's hand and is that bone Eric can see? "Fuck's sake! When an instructor if you're okay answer with how you actually are. You win nothing by lying. Am I clear?"
Issy cringed as Eric shouted in her ear. "Clear sir."
"Alec, join Four on the ground and tell him to head for the tracks." Alec nods and with one last look at his sister, he climbed back down. Shuffling from the ground notified Eric that they had started to move out and with a quick glance down he saw their backs as they left. He turned his gaze back to Issy and pointed at her. "Stay." Eric began down, around and back up until he was on her injured side. He quickly surveyed their situation. How could he get her down without injuring her further. Eventually Eric put his arm around her waist and she stiffened a bit, enough for Eric to notice until she relaxed. "Put your arm over my shoulders, try not to get blood in my hair initiate." He said dryly causing Issy to laugh lightly as she did as he had asked. When he was happy with how she had her arm he turned his head to hers. "When I say, you move, okay?"
"Yes sir."
"Okay, go!" Simultaneously, they moved down the wall together until they reached the ground. Eric found himself reluctant to let her go but he unravelled her arm from his shoulders and Issy staggered on her feet as she leant against the wall. He noticed that Four had left some bandages with a scribbled note of the train times. Without saying anything Eric picked up the bandages, taking her hand in his and began to wrap it up. He didn't realise how rough he was being until he saw Issy wince. "Sorry." He grumbled. He slowed down his movements until he was sure it was bandaged enough. When he took a step back from her and picked up the timetable she cradled her hand into her chest. With a quick glance to the scrap of paper and his watch, Eric grabbed her other arm and pulled her to the tracks at a brisk pace.
They had five minutes until the train once they had got to the tracks so Issy leant against a wall, tilting her head back and closing her eyes. Eric stood not too far away from her with his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes wandered over her form. He didn't know what it was but he felt the need to protect her from the world. Thankfully, the train horn sounded as it came closer, saving him from delving deeper into those thoughts. Eric ran along the side of the train with Issy on his heels. Eric grabbed the handle and hoisted himself in before reaching down and pulling Issy in. She would have never made it in by herself, especially not with having to use her injured hand. Nodding her thanks, she sat by the door and watched the world go by. Eric watched Issy with a small smile on his lips before turning his attention to the world outside too.
Whereas Eric landed gracefully, taking two steps to steady himself, onto the patch of grass outside of the compound's entrance, Issy rolled with a slight hiss. She clutched her hand in her other as she winced, the pain evident on her face. Eric watched with slight fascination as she schooled her emotions and pushed the pain away. Issy stands up, squared out her shoulders and walked up to him. He was impressed with the control she had and when she stood level with him with determination in her eyes he nodded at her once and pulled her into Dauntless and straight to the infirmary.
xXx
Four had just finished writing up the pairings when the initiates walked in. Himself and Four had decided to keep the fight between the twins for the very last fight so today Issy was up against Kayden. He knew Issy had every chance of winning today's match like she did the others but the same thing could be said for Kayden. Both were currently undefeated, both hated to lose but Eric couldn't tell who would win. He wasn't nervous for her but he just didn't want her getting hurt.
Numerous eyes settle on the board and some gasp, either at their own pairings or their friends Eric didn't know. Issy is still searching the board when the Candor transfer, Bree, looks at her sympathetically, as does the rest of her friends. Eric pinpoints exactly when Issy realises who'd she'd be fighting today when her jaw drops. Eric watches as Cody and Noah clap her on the back supportively while Issy notices the looks her friends give her. Eric's eyes narrow at them, it's like they're not expecting her to win or there's a very small chance of it. His eyes narrow even more by the way Kayden looks at her. That look right there was something that Declan, and now himself, wanted to protect her from. Declan had more or less been told to 'go fuck himself' when he had mentioned wanting her to be safe. Eric likes that about Issy. The way she doesn't want things to be given to her, she wants to earn it, to work for it. Its something that Eric values in a person. Whispers bounce of the walls as Issy turns her attention to Four and himself. Four gives her a unnoticeable firm nod and her eyes flitter over to Eric. He can't help himself from silently challenging her as he juts his chin out. He's pleased when her expression changes into a more serious one as she closes her mouth, stands up straighter and puts her shoulders back and Eric nods at her with a small smile playing on his lips as he calls out the first match.
To Eric, the fights go quickly until Four calls out Issy and Kayden's match. Kayden saunters into the ring with a smirk on his face. 'I'd love to wipe that off for him.' Eric frowns as he takes his stance as Issy walks onto the mat and gets into her own. Before Eric finishes saying go Kayden's fist has already connected with Issy's face, forcing her knees into the mat. Shock is clear on her face but quickly morphs into anger as she sweeps his legs from underneath him. Getting up, she kicks him in the ribs and jumps back when Kayden gets up. Eric's fists clench as Kayden slams forward, breaking one of her ribs. In retaliation Issy breaks Kayden's nose, the crack sounds like music to Eric's ears and he grins. She grabs Kayden's leg as he raises it up to kick her and pushes him back and the second his back touches the floor he jumps back up to his feet, advancing once more. Issy moves before Kayden can, faking a right upper cut. Eric smirks, as does Issy, when he moves his face to dodge it. She already has a reputation with knocking people out with her upper cut, if her first fight was anything to go by. Her left fist connecting with his jaw then her right fist connects with the other side of his jaw and a final under cut. Kayden's head is pushed into her punches by her previous punch as she repeats the sequence again. Kayden growls, tackling her to the mat and she gasps. Before he can straddle her she kicks him twice in the groin and Eric can't help it when his thighs tense up in and he winces. That would have hurt but Eric grins at Kayden's pain as Kayden slumps to his knees and Issy smashes his head into her knee. Kayden staggers when he stands back up and his head rolls straight into her upper cut. To Eric's, and everyone else's surprise, Kayden only staggers back, grabbing Issy's leg as she throws out a kick and slams her into the ground. The crack of her ribs reverberate in the room and she cries out loudly. A hand grabs at Eric's arm as he takes a small step forward and he turns to look at Four. Four shakes his head when Eric pulls his arm out of his rip, turning back to the fight just in time to see Kayden stamping on her face. Her head lolled as Kayden carried on kicking her as Four called out for him to stop. Furious, Eric stormed onto the mat and gripped Kayden's collar, ripping up away from Issy and nearly throwing him to the other side of the mat. Eric blocked everything out as he crouched down and gently picked her up, holding her close to his chest as he walked from the room, leaving Four shouting at Kayden.
Eric walked as fast as he dared, not wanting to injure her further. On his way through the corridors he didn't meet anyone and he was thankful for that. Everyone knew that it was Four who carried the injured initiates to the infirmary while Eric watched the fights, it was their silent agreement. Eric didn't want Four anywhere near her now, let alone him carrying her as Eric did now. But Eric knew people would talk as to why it was Eric and not Four and people would undoubtedly make shit up that he was cheating her into Dauntless even if he had no say in her ranking but no one else but himself, Four, Lynn, Lauren and Max knew that. As he turned down another corridor Issy moved in his arms and groaned. He came to a stop, staring down at her and the first thing that Eric noticed was how blue her eyes were without the gold. Eric can't help but think how he likes her eyes even more now then when the gold blends into blue.
"Are you okay?" His voice is softer than its ever been, empty of any underlying threats or coldness. Her eyes flutter shut as she groans again. "Issy don't close your eyes," He finds himself pleading, almost begging her. Something he'd normally sneer at doing but not to Issy, never to Issy. "Look at me. Are you okay?" He repeats once she opens her eyes.
"It hurts." She moans, shuffling her head into his shoulder and Eric moves her gently in his arms.
"Where?"
"My ribs." Her answer is muffled by his top and he tries to control himself as her words hum against his skin despite the fabric of his top being in the way.
"Okay Issy, we'll be at the infirmary soon." They were silent for a few minutes until she asked to be put down so she could walk. Eric's hold had tightened, pulling her closer to him as he refused. Without her saying anything out loud, he knew exactly what she was thinking. "You're not weak for allowing someone to help you Issy. It just means that you're smart enough to know when help is needed."
She hums to acknowledge his words but doesn't speak for a while longer. "Will it drop much?" Eric has to turn his head to look at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Hmm?"
"My rank. Will it drop far?"
"It'll drop because of your loss but because you were on the verge of winning it shouldn't drop that much. You need to be thinking of your fight with Alec next week if you want to win."
Issy snorts. "You just want to win the bet."
"That too." He grins down at her as they enter the infirmary. Eric strides over to other side of the infirmary, heading into a private room. Normally initiates are put in a cot near to door with all the other cots but Eric has a feeling her injuries are worse than normal. Gently, he places Issy onto the cot in the room and then walks out again in search of Marlene. He finds her stood near the desk with a file in her hand. When she glances up her eyes widen in surprise.
"Eric! Is everything okay?"
"There's an initiate that needs checking on."
She hurriedly nods her head and she points to a male nurse. "Well Jake can –"
"No!" He cuts her off, not wanting him anywhere near her. "It's Issy." His voice gets softer by the time he says her name. Without waiting if Marlene will follow him, Eric walks back to the private room. When he opens the door Issy is trying to shift herself further up on the bed, stopping every few minutes as she winces and Eric strides over to help her. With his arms under her knees and around her back he lifts her up and moves her up the bed before placing her back down and moving back to standing in the corner. Issy looks up to the door to find Marlene stood there and Eric looks to the nurse as well, raising an eyebrow. Marlene blinks repeatedly before she walks forward to the other side of her bed.
"What hurts?"
"Ribs." Issy winces as Marlene carefully jabs them and raises an eyebrow.
"And what else?"
"What do you – Ouch!" Issy yelps in pain when Marlene pokes her left leg, the one that Kayden had grabbed. Eric shifts on his feet and looks between the two.
"Where else?"
"Face, prominently my nose. Back, left leg, right knee." Issy glares up at Marlene as she pokes each place and Issy responds each time with a sharp hiss with Eric tensing along with her.
"One fractured rib, two bruised and one broken. Nose not broken just bleeding. Leg and knee both badly bruised. Sit up." When Issy struggles to sit up Eric strides forward just as Marlene motions him to do so. He holds her forearms as she grabs his, pulling her forward as Marlene checks her back instantly cringes. Eric bits his check, he can't look at it without guilt swarming in his stomach and his grip tightens slightly. "Back very bruised, it's going to be sore for the next few days which is such a pity for tomorrow."
"Why?" Issy lifts her head to meet Eric's gaze. "What's happening tomorrow?"
"Visiting Day." Marlene answers before he can. "It was announced at breakfast." Marlene heads to the door. "I'll be back."
"As Visiting Day is tomorrow all initiates have the day off. You won't be fighting again this week or any intense running. There will be certain restrictions on what you can and can't do, anything you're unsure of ask me." Eric doesn't want her to be moving for a few days even if Eric is there. Suddenly Eric remembers that he's due to be with the Dauntless borns in the next few days so she wouldn't be able to ask him. "Or Four." He adds, slightly pissed that she might have to rely on Four and not him. "Do you understand me?"
"Yes si– "
"Eric." He interrupts and Issy looks up at him confused.
"Pardon?"
"Don't – don't call me sir." She scans his face for anything else.
"Okay Eric." Inwardly he grins, he likes how his name sounds in her voice. Eric shuffles uncomfortably as he thinks of other ways he could get her to say his name. When the door opens to reveal Marlene carrying tub after tub of different salves Eric is both annoyed and almost thankful to be interrupted from his thoughts. She looks up just as Eric backs up a little bit, still supporting Issy in his arms. She comes over to Issy's side as she unscrewing the lid of one of the tubs.
"Right so, I need you to lean forward as much as you can while I rub this on your back. Brace yourself, it'll sting like a bitch." Eric watches Marlene takes out a large dollop of it. He doesn't understand why she doesn't just use the healing serum, it'd be quicker to heal.
"Is there anything in Dauntless that doesn't sting like a bitch." Issy huffs out a laugh before wincing. Eric smiles as he pulls her towards him. Issy hisses as Marlene applies the salves, her hands tighten around his forearms.
"Told you." Marlene smirks as she continues to rub it onto her back and sides before motioning for her to lean backwards and Eric moves with Issy, her arms still in his hands as he lightly pulls her back so Marlene can get to Issy's ribs. Eric's jaw clenches. Her ribs are nearly as bad as her back is. Eric holds onto Issy as she winces and cringes as Marlene rubs different salves and creams on her legs, knees and face before motioning Eric to put her back down. He can feel Marlene's eyes on him as he lets go of Issy so he glances back to the nurse. "I'll send yo the details like last time. Now, I need to speak to Issy and you need to check in with the transfers and Four. Go." Reluctantly, he takes a step towards the door and then another until he opens it, sparing one final glance at Issy before he closes the door.
When Eric gets out of the infirmary he breathes in deeply. He needs to find Declan and have a strong drink but he can't decide whether to do that before or after a cold shower. Sighing, he shakes his head, rubbing his eyes as he makes his way to his apartment.
xXx
The morning after Issy's fight with Kayden Eric walked with Declan to the infirmary. Dec had a pile of Issy's clothing in his hands, the loosest they could find with the help of Alec and Bree, and Eric had picked up her boots from where she had left them yesterday before the fight. They walk together while people pass, most likely on their way to the Pit and all of Declan's family were already there, all but Issy. When they entered the infirmary they were surprised to find no one at the desk. They both shared a look before walking to Issy's room to find the door slightly open and a male voice coming from inside. Dec pushes the door open quietly and Eric notices with a scowl that it's the male nurse that Marlene suggested yesterday.
"– You'd stop being a bitch maybe I could do my job." Eric growls lowly as Dec steps into the room, blocking Eric from view.
"What did you just call my sister?" Declan's voice hisses from the doorway. Eric takes a few steps back, knowing his friend can handle himself. "What did you just call my sister?" Declan repeats very slowly. Eric doesn't hear an answer and Declan steps back, his eyes cold as he stares at Eric. "Eric? Want to chip in?" Eric grins wolfishly as he walks forward. Declan steps further into the room and Eric follows after him, standing in the door way. Eric smirks when Jake noticeably flinches away from both Issy and himself. Eric looks between Declan and Jake before his eyes linger on Issy. He takes note of how she is nearly hanging off of the edge of the bed.
"What's your name?" Eric glares at Jake, he knows his name but Eric just wants to makes sure for future reference. The steel in his voice makes the nurse flinch again and Eric's smirk widens.
"J-Jake sir."
"And what are you doing here Jake?"
"I h-heard that a patient w-was in here and thought t-that they might need help."
Eric raised an eyebrow and glared. "That's funny. Do you know why that's funny Jake? It's funny because only Marlene is assigned to her, no one else and no one else knows of it but Marlene and the Head Doctor by order of Max. So that leads me to my next question of how you know of it?"
"I-I-I-"
"Also you have to take into consideration that somehow he got hold of the keys to this room." Declan pointed out. "Only Marlene was given those keys."
"If you're quite finished playing Good Cop Bad Cop I'd like to get out of this room." All eyes turned onto Issy as she cuts across them. "What? It's boring in here."
Declan looked in between laughing at her and sighing in exasperation. "Fine but I see you anywhere near her again or even talk to her again I will make your life a living hell, am I clear." Jake nodded quickly at Declan and ran out of the room when Eric stepped to the side. Dec turned to Issy and smiled widely. It always amazed Eric how Dec's personality could shift within minutes. "Why didn't you read then if it was boring?"
"I was reading!"
Declan walked further into the room and placed a stack of clothes at the end of the bed. "Clean clothes. We'll be outside waiting for you okay." He walks forward a bit more to ruffle Issy's hair and kiss her forehead.
"Where's Alec?" Issy looked between them.
"Already down there with Mum, dad and Cara."
"Okay."
Dec and Eric left the room. Declan sighed as he closed the door. Eric leaned against the wall opposite the door and crossed his arms over his chest. Eric opened his mouth to say something when Issy shouted for her brother. "Dec!" The door was thrown open as Declan ran in.
"What? What is it? Are you okay?" Eric listened from the wall as Dec asked her numerous questions in one breath. He heard them mumbling to each other and Eric couldn't catch what it was until Declan yelled his name. "Eric!" Eric pushed himself off of the wall and into the room. Dec was stood by Issy with a tub of healing cream in his hands and Issy was clutching at her ribs. "Can you hold her forward please?" Eric just nodded as he strode over and gently grasped Issy's arms in his hands, pulling her into him. As Declan applied the salve to her back Issy hissed and held onto Eric's arms. Declan lathered on the cream just like Marlene had hours before. Once Dec was finished, Issy let go of Eric at the same time as he let go of her but Eric took his time letting go of her. "Anywhere else?" Declan asks as he screws the lid back on.
She took the tub away and replaced it with another. "Ribs please." Issy tried to sit up straight but yelped in pain and slouched back down. Without a word from either of them, Eric moved behind them and tenderly held Issy up once more. Dec shot a quick smile in Eric's direction before he crouched down onto his knees and applied the second cream to her ribs. When the cream touched her skin she flinched away mumbling that it's cold and Dec smiled. But when Declan rubbed over the rib that she broke Issy pushed away from them both and cried out in pain. Eric frowned with worry as he took a step back with her, his hands tightened reassuringly and pulled her into him more. Declan waddled forward on his knees, mumbling his apologies. Eric let her go and into her brother's arms after Dec had finished with the cream. His arms wrapped around his sister's body as she buried her head into Declan's neck and whimpered, sniffing silently.
"Are you sure you'll be fine?" Dec asked as he pulled away and Eric frowned again.
"Declan, I'm fine."
"Okay, we'll be – "
"Outside, I know." She tried to smile but it came out as more of a grimace.
For the second time that day, Dec and Eric left her room to allow her to get changed. Eric retook his place on the wall.
Declan rubs his hands over his face, mumbling. "Damn her stubbornness."
"Did you really expect anything different from the women who told Four to go fuck himself when he suggested she'd stand down from a fight from two Dauntless borns?"
"No, I suppose not." Dec laughed, shaking his head. "I still can't believe she handed them their arses. There were bets in the control room on who would win."
Eric grins at the memory. It had been the sixth week in and the Dauntless borns had to be in the training room at the same time as the transfers due to construction in the room Lynn and Lauren normally use. The transfers were training on the bags or lightly sparing as Eric and Four moved around correcting their stances. The Dauntless borns were practicing their knife work. Eric remembers watching Issy and Noah spar as Luke and Ollie made a sexist joke. Something along the lines of a transfer might be able to take on a Dauntless born in a fight but not two of them let alone a female transfer. Issy had stopped, turning to them with a glare. "Wanna bet?" She had asked them and they snickered in response. Four had gotten to them before Eric could and he told Issy that despite being undefeated in the transfers at the moment, its better to know when to stand down. Four had stressed stand down in his sentence and made Issy scowl. Eric came to a stop by Four as she told Four to go fuck himself and Eric couldn't help the gleeful grin that made its way onto his face when Four looked offended. Eric ordered all three of them into the ring, ignoring the glare Four sent his way. Eric had faith that Issy could win if she put her mind to it and win she did. By the end of the match Eric had to adjust his pants and clasp his hand in front of him to hide the tent in his pants. As soon as training was finished he had gone back to his flat to take another cold shower.
A sharp cry from the room jolts them out of their thoughts. "Issy are you alright?" Declan's voice calls out to her. It takes a minute until she replied back that she's 'okay' and once again Eric didn't believe her. A few minutes later and another cry came from Issy and louder this time. Declan slams open the door as she utters a loud 'Fuck'. Eric speeds into the room after his friend and his eyes zone on Issy. She was sat on the bed with her legs over the side, she was slightly leant forward and her hair covered her face so he nor Dec could see her face.
"What the hell are you trying to do?" Declan exclaims, coming to a halt to her side. "Issy?" Dec says softer, kneeling in front of her and places a hand on her knee while the other brushes some of her hair out of her face. Quietly she mumbles something to her brother. "Issy, you're not worthless or weak or whatever he tried to drill into your mind." Eric's fists clench, he knows exactly who he is. "You are none of those things. What I see before me is a strong, fiery young woman who stands up for the people she cares about. Who likes to prank and annoy people but will be there when they fall to help them back up again. Who doesn't stand down or back away from a challenge because she's too damn stubborn and loves proving others wrong. That is who I see right now and none of it is what Jeremy described you as." Eric tenses at their uncle's name. 'That bastard! Even from Erudite, he's still fucking with her life.' Eric would show her one day just exactly what Eric and the rest of her friends and family thought of her. Declan grinned. "So what's wrong pup."
"I can't get my boots on." Issy whispers loud enough for Eric to hear.
Declan just looks at her surprised before he starts laughing. A smirk makes his way onto Eric's face as he watches Dec laugh harder than Eric has seen. "Is that all?" He says in between giggles. He laughs harder when she pushes him away and into the floor.
"Declan!" She whines and her hair moves out of her face. Eric is pleased to see the twinkle in her eyes. When Declan doesn't stop laughing she turns to Eric. "Eric! Can you knock some sense into my brother?" Eric puffs out a laugh and steps further into the room.
"Betrayal sister." Dec puts a hand on his heart as he slowly stops laughing. "What makes you think I can't take him." Issy scoffs at her brother as Eric raises his eyebrows in Declan's direction. Before Eric can make a snarky comment about their initiation Issy starts to check him out. He stands straighter, alert and unconsciously flexing his muscles as her eyes roam over him. Issy then looks at her brother and raises an eyebrow at him. "Alright, alright!" Declan raises his hands at Issy and Dec wriggles his eyebrows at Eric when Issy isn't looking. Picking up one shoe up, Dec helps her get it on and tie it up before moving onto the next one. "I could've won."
"You could have also lost." Eric adds, earning himself a quick glare. He glances at Issy to see her biting her lip, stopping herself from laughing.
"He does have a point." Dec glares up at her as he finishes tying the last shoe's laces.
"What have I done to get you both to gang up on me?" Declan looked wounded as her glanced from them both.
"I'm your sister, it's kinda my job."
"I'm your best friend, it's kinda my job." Issy flashed Eric a wide grin which he returned when Declan groaned at them both.
"C'mon. Best get you to the Pit, they'll be wondering where we are." Dec held out a hand and she took it, allowing him to lead the way.
The Pit seemed fuller than what it was when they checked this morning. Not only can family and friends of this years transfers come to visit but also family and friends of those that transferred in previously or have transferred out. Eric didn't even bother looking for his parents, he knew they wouldn't come, they hadn't even come when he was in initiation or any year since. He never liked Visiting Day but it was always made better by Ella and Richard Vince, Dec's mum and dad. They had welcomed him with open arms, not caring who his parents were, just accepting him for being himself and Declan's best friend. Eric and Declan flanked Issy as she limped lightly between them as they walked towards a large table at the back. Often on Visiting Day, they took up this table. It was like everyone knew that this was their table and stayed away from it. Currently on the table was Blake, Hugo, Alec and Cara, the youngest female in the Vince family. Ella and Richard was stood talking to Max not far from the table. Max, having brilliant senses as well as timing turned to them, motioning to them as they got closer. Richard strides forward as Eric and Declan break away from Issy. Eric walks over to Max as Ella goes to the table and sits down. Declan joins them a moment later and Eric looks back as Richard pulls her into a hug. Her dad takes a hold of her arm and leads her to the table. She sits opposite to her mum and her dad sits on her right. Eric turns back to Max and fills him in about Jake getting into Issy's room this morning with Declan adding in his own thoughts. Declan nods to Eric and Max as he joins his family, sitting next to his mum as Max spots his own family as Max spots Lilah and his wife Marissa. Just as Eric was going to walk away, Ella called out to him.
"And where do you think you're going?" Ella questions and Eric turns around to face her. He points behind him, trying to think of an excuse like he does every year to give them some family time but Ella always sees through it.
"I've just –"
"No you haven't." She cuts across him and he scowls. "C'mon Eric, we go through this every year. Sit down." He huffs but can't stop the smile from coming onto his face when he sits next to Issy when she sarcastically says she loves Cara too.
Eric smiled as the family caught up on everything and anything, their parents and Cara crying softly at their group tattoo for Reece. When they start crying Eric and Blake exchange uncomfortable looks and they start to stand up. Blake muttered something about how they were intruding a family moment but were quickly waved back down when Richard said that they were just as important to them as their children are, stating that blood doesn't define family. They both sat back down and Eric could feel himself blushing slightly as was Blake. That prompted the conversation to turn onto Blake and Eric as Richard asked how their careers were going. Eric stated it was the same as last year and then he allowed Blake to take over. The twin's transfer friends came over and introduced themselves before leaving again. Before any of their Dauntless born friends could introduce themselves Ella had squealed loudly as Flare and her family came into view and launched herself at Flare's mum in such a way that other Erudite would have scoffed in disgust. Not like her or her family cared as they grinned when their mums fell to the ground, giggling like school girls. Flare's dad stood with a grin identical to Richard's as they watched their wives laugh and cry in happiness. Richard stood up and clasped hands with Flare's dad as Max and his family came to see what all of the commotion was for. Booming out a loud laugh, Max helped both women off of the ground. Eric looked down at Issy and saw the wide smile on her face. From his initiation day Eric had found out that Ella and Richard had grew up in Dauntless and had been best friends with Max, hence their close relationship. By their current display Eric gathered that Ari and Bella were also friends
After the mums calmed down, Ella gestured to the table where everyone else was watching with grins. Both Flare's and Max's family joined them at the table, it was a tight fit as everyone was pushed against each other. Eric noticed Issy wince and breath in sharply as people pushed to fit on the table so he moved his body at an angle, relieving her of the pressure on her ribs. Issy shot him a grateful look as he smiled at her.
Stories of the reckless childhood was thrown back and forth until it was time for her parents to leave. Eric helped Issy to stand as everyone stood and stepped away from the table. Eric watched from the sides as Ella and Richard said good bye to their friends before turning to their family.
"Why aren't any of you in relationships?" Ella stood with her hands on her hips as Declan, Hugo, Issy and Alec looked at their mum with their jaws nearly on the ground. Ella waved Issy and Alec off. "You two are excused for now as you're not members now." She turns to her oldest sons and points at them. "But you two, what are you doing with yourselves? Both myself and your dad are aging and I want grandkids before I die." Eric and Blake laugh as her children choke. Starting with Declan they hugged him tight, once the let him go Dec lifted Cara into a hug making her giggle. Ella pulled an unsuspecting Blake into a hug and Blake tensed before he relaxed into her arms. Turning the twins a sob broke out of Ella's mouth.
"My golden eyed darlings, I know you'll both make it, I know it." She dries her eyes and smiles almost feral. "I like the look of the family name Vince in the top positions so if anyone's in it kick their arses out of it." Issy barks out a laugh and clutches her ribs. Eric mentally agrees with her as Ella pulls them into a light hug and steps away as their dad takes her place. Ella walks towards him and Eric knows what's about to happened. She goes on her tiptoes to wrap him in a hug and he leans down to make it easier for her. After a moment he relaxes in her arms.
She brings her mouth to his ear as she places something in his pocket. "Don't stop looking after Issy. I know you used to have a guard follow her every time she left Erudite just in case something happened. I also know that sometimes you'd watch over her yourself." His eyes widen as they flash to Issy where she is stood with Alec watching them.
"I wouldn't even if Max ordered me to." He whispers back. "I care for her too much." Ella smirks at him as she pulls away and she joins her husband and her other daughter. Eric puts his hand in his pocket as Ella and Richard pull the twins into one last hug. His hand freezes as he touches something that he hasn't seen for eight, maybe nine years. He turns away from the twins slightly as he pulls out a tan leather bracelet that can be adjusted and in the middle is a small iron engraved plaque with a red bead both sides of the plaque that resembles solid fire. Eric spins around, placing the bracket carefully back into his pocket and stares at Ella with his mouth open in surprise. She winks at him as she leaves. As the Pit empties, he stands still with one hand in his pocket holding the bracelet and his other gripping his necklace that he's never taken off as he looses himself in his memories.