A/N: I dont own anything. Due to all the seriousness of the last chapter I think our two favorite people deserve a little fluff. ;p
As usual I don't own anything other then what I created. Enjoy, fave, follow and Review.
Chapter 6: Unspoken
Locking the door after saying her good-byes. One of them would be back in the morning to check in on her. Walking back she took in the sight of Eric. He had moved to the couch, she couldn't blame him it was more comfortable then the chair. Biting her lip, she hobbled back over and sat next to him. There was still a few inches between them and right now that was all she needed. Turning to him, she felt her resolve melting.
"Thanks for not letting me bleed to death."
"Its not like I had a choice."
"So you guys are going to find out who did this...and ship them off to Candor?" Pointing to herself. Her hair drying is soft messy waves of color. For a moment he was tempted to tuck her hair behind her ear.
"Are you still mad about the whole Peter thing?"
"I still can't believe you kissed that asshole."
"Did you even hear me last night?"
"I said I couldn't believe it. I never said I was still mad."
"Yeah I can barely believe it myself after what he said to me in the Pit."
"He asked you to be his wife or something didn't he."
"God no. I sent his ass back to the friend zone he tried to crawl out of." Smiling to herself, hissing as she gently wiggled to get comfortable. Somehow seemed much closer now.
"That is fucking priceless. I wish I would have seen his face." Eric laughed in response.
"It was a cross between butt hurt and stunned."
This time it was a really laugh. His laughter slowed when he caught her staring at him. And just like that he blurted something out before he could stop himself.
"I shouldn't have left you like I did last night."
"Maybe if you weren't being an asshole? What happened, happened. We can't travel back in time to change that."
Taking her hand in his, he gently stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. At first she tensed up, but quickly relaxed.
"I wish I could go back."
"To when? If you could go back that is."
"...Last night."
"Oh so you didn't want to win last night?"
"No after that."
"You wish you could go back so you could be my hero again?"
"Your hero, huh?"
She nodded, she couldn't find words, his touch was distracting. She barely felt the soreness and he shifted closer to her. Close enough where he was facing her completely.
"I think your bruises have bruises."
"Yeah and I must have a concussion to think I missed judged you." Sticking her tongue out at him as she giggled at his expression. Giving her that crooked smirked and got up. Stretched his arms and turned for the door.
"I think its getting late and you should rest. I don't need any of them coming back saying I did otherwise."
"With the way things have been going I strongly doubt that."
For a long moment it seemed he contemplated if he should leave or stay. Letting out a sigh, he changed direction and faced her once more. Towering over her like a giant, she sat in awe of him. She felt like she had turned to jello when he offered her is hand. Furrowing her brow as she looked up at him with slight confusion.
"How are things going?"
"Other then what happened?"
"Yeah."
Standing, she cleared her throat, unsure of where to start. She mentally damned him for making her feel the way he did. She wasn't sure if it was the hit to the head, the pain-killers, or a combination of all three.
"Things seem to be complicated."
"Care to explain?"
"One minute your amazing, then just like that you transform back into the asshole." Snapping her fingers, showing him a smirk of her own.
"Things are complicated. But its not like I pushed you into kissing Peter or grinding on that g..."
Shaking her head when he attempted to argue with her. Grabbing onto his arms, she caught him off guard enough to kiss him. Even with her eyes closed she smiled at his shock. Wrapping her arms around his neck as he wrapped his around her waist.
"Sometimes you need to learn when to just shut up."
Placing a gentle peck on his lips, she moved him out of her way. Hobbling slowly towards her room. This time not hesitating, he hurried after her. Wrapping one arm around her waist and draping her arm across his shoulders.
"Alright off to bed with you. Your no use to Dauntless if your crippled."
"Hey, that's not even funny."
"Does it look like I'm laughing smart ass?"
Scooping her up in his arms and laid her on the bed. Tucking her in as if she was a sickly child. Old memories were starting to scratch the surface on his cold stone exterior. She snuggled deeper into the blanket, her eyes heavier then she thought. Catching his arm when he went to leave.
"I could carry you again."
"I don't think so."
"I'll see you later."
"Stay? I really don't want to be alone."
"You sure?"
Nodding, she softly muttered in reply as she shifted the covers on the other side of the bed. She watched him sit, slipping off his boots and jacket. He laid facing her, picking up the t-shirt as he smirked at her before tossing it to the floor. Rolling her eyes at him. He watched her fall asleep. Not long after he soon joined her. If anyone found out she was there and made a second attempt, he would be there to stop them.
Morning came, Rena had just got done having breakfast with Mason. Grabbing two muffins, she kissed Mason good-bye, before making plans for dinner later. Heading over to Hel's apartment, Sliding in her key, she paused. Gliding her free hand over the dents still embedded in the metal. Feeling herself start to get angry, she took a deep breath to calm herself and stepped in to Hel's apartment. There was no sign of her or any sign of her having been awake. Setting the muffins on the counter and started to make a pot of coffee. Cleaning up the half full bottles of water and food scraps from the coffee table and throwing it away. It was nearly eight and even though she knew her friend needed rest, she just couldn't wait.
Opening the door to Hel's bedroom, she found it dark. The black curtains drawn, keeping out the bright rays of the sun. Opening the door more, letting the light from the hall cast just enough to see the bed. She was not expecting to find her best-friend in bed with a dauntless leader.
"Holy fucking SHIT!?"
Quickly sitting up, ignoring the pain radiating through her so as fast as her wounded body would let her. "The hell is wrong with you, Rena, I'm sleeping." The blanket shifted, exposing Eric's sleeping face.
"Uh do you have any idea who the hell you have in bed with you right now?"
"Yeah kinda?" She looked blurry eyed over at Eric before returning her gaze to her freaking out friend. A tired smile played on his lips.
"Wait, Oh my god! Did you two hook up?"
"And we're only sleeping. I'm to sore to even think about getting laid, just so you know."
"You can't be serious right now."
"As serious as the beating I took yesterday. We will talk later I promise. But right now I'm way too tired and going back to sleep."
"Ugh fine but I brought you a muffin, but seems you already had breakfast. I'll see you later."
"Not even close. Thank you and please don't tell anyone about this."
"It's no ones business, this especially is not mine to tell."
Winking then rolled her eyes as she shut the door. Wincing as the door creaked just before the final click. Not wanting to be around when the pair finally did crawl out of bed, she flipped the coffee maker off and left. Bumping into Four as she headed down the housing stairwell.
"Hey where are you headed in such a hurry?" Rena didn't even realize she had pickup up her pace, much less for anyone else to notice.
"I didn't even realize, I was on my way home to change."
"Awful fast just to change?"
"I wanted to get started on my work-out."
"Alone? After what happened to Hel?"
"No, if I hurry I'm pretty sure I can get Mason to come with me."
"Good. Oh have you checked on Hel yet this morning?"
"Uh you could say that." She averted her eyes, she hated lying, especially to Four. Next logical route, go around it.
"So how is she doing? I was just on my way to drop off some paperwork at my office and head over."
"Don't!..." He looked at her with a raised brow. She shifted uneasily for a moment, antsy to leave. "...she's totally fine and is um asleep."
"Rena?"
"I really gotta go if I want to catch up with Mason."
"What's going on? You seem nervous this morning."
"No? She really shes asleep. Maybe just um see her later? She needs her rest."
"Alright. You better hurry."
"Thank you." Waved and rushed off towards her own apartment.
Four watched her til she was out of site, trying to understand what exactly Rena was up too or what she was hiding. Laughing and shaking his head as he continued on his way. Finding Tris in her office, he kissed the top of her head. Smiling as she blushed, making him return the smile.
"How is our wounded bird this morning?"
"Sleeping. Rena checked on her a little bit ago."
"She'll need to take a dose of those pain-killers soon. She'll wake up feeling like another truck hit her if she doesn't."
"For now I think we should let her rest. One of us will head over for lunch and check on her."
"Yeah, hopefully my trip to Candor is a short one."
"If we don't prepare them for the possible interrogation to come, we'll never hear the end of it."
"I know, I just wish we had more to go on. More suspects then just Peter."
"Has anyone figured out where he was when Hel was attacked?"
"Not yet, he gets back from patrol around lunch. That would be your best bet."
"What would his motive even be?"
"Hel told him she wasn't interested. Perhaps he took it the wrong way?"
"Thing is knowing him that can't be the only reason. Didn't they kiss not long before that?"
"Maybe. Is he seriously the only person we can think of that could have done it?"
"For now. okay we have go to stop before we paint him into a picture as a mass murderer before we have even questioned him."
"Fine. Hey have you seen Eric yet this morning?"
"No why? Isn't he off today?"
"Yeah but he was supposed to be checking through the Security Footage."
"You really should cut him a little slack."
"Why should I?"
"Because he isn't the man your marrying."
"Yeah lucky me." Her smile returned and she wrapped her arms around him.
"Don't sound too disappointed."
"I'm not, I just remembered that my big scary boyfriend is going to be my big scary husband." She smiled at him playfully remembering the nickname he had acquired during their time on the run.
"You should grab something to eat before you head out to Candor, the train will be here soon."
"See you when I get back?"
"Of course."
Sharing a quick kiss between them before she left.
Groaning at the sudden shifting of the bed. Her body stiff with soreness, as she felt Eric get up and leave the room. She wasn't to sure where he was going but was too way to sore to want to sit up and see. Slowly opening her eyes as she felt him return. He leaned over her with a bottle of water and pain pills. Gently urging her to sit up.
"Come on, sit up."
"Can I sit up...I don't know tomorrow or never. Never sounds great?" she told him with a huge pout.
"No, come on, I'll help you up." he offered her a playful smirk as he slowly helped her sit up.
"Rest is supposed to help, not make me feel worse once I'm awake."
"Pain is a sick bastard, but you've been through worse."
"That was a long time ago."
"And just like before your not alone."
"If you haven't noticed I'm never really alone, even then."
"And you didn't have a dauntless leader in your bed either."
"The beds in the barracks are so small, we would have never fit in it together." Sticking her tongue out at him, taking two pills from the little bottle and swallowing them with a huge swig of water. Rolling the bottle of water between her hands. Stilling her hands with his, he moved the water to the side table. She sat quietly as she watched him.
"You should eat something."
"I should and shouldn't do a lot of things."
"What sort of things shouldn't you do?"
"Feel like I have to lie."
"Lie about what?"
"How I feel."
"About what and to who?"
"Like Tris. If she would have been the one to find us asleep this morning..."
"If she did we wouldn't still be sitting here."
"and either one of us would hear the end of it."
"Someone stopped by already didn't they?"
"Kinda...why?"
"Well there is two muffins sitting on your counter that weren't there last night."
"Rena..."
"She freaked out didn't she..."
"Only a tiny tiny wee bit." Emphasizing the amount the small amount with her fingers.
"How did I sleep through that girly squeal fest?"
"Maybe you slept through it because we don't and didn't squeal."
"Oh I've heard your two squealing before." Propping himself up now on his elbow, watching each of her expressions change.
"I seriously doubt that. Maybe your hearing things."
"Maybe? If someone didn't have a knack for keeping me up all night."
"Hey I'm not doing it on purpose. Plus its not like I'm enjoying it."
"I know and I'm not complaining about a hot girl randomly showing up at my door in the middle of the night."
"Don't make me regret it."
"Oh I'll try not too. You hungry?"
"You don't have to eat with me."
"Maybe I want too."
"You sure know how to make a girl feel special huh."
"It's a gift."
"Oh shut up...Wait ..Shit! What time is it?" She started to panic. Rena finding them was one thing, but what would happen if Four or even Tris for that matter showed up.
"Its...um...ten thirty." Lifting up the tablet just enough where he could see the time before turning back to Hel's growing panic attack.
"How mad would you be if I were to kick you out in half an hour."
"Well that depends."
"On what exactly?"
"On if you kiss me first." His playful smirk made it hard for her to hide a smile. Even with all her effort it did little to hide the blush, turning her a bright red.
"Seriously? You can't be serious."
"When am I not being serious?"
"Honestly I don't know. I've only ever seen one side of you til recently. One minute your this arrogant asshole with a huge chip on your shoulders, then just BAM!"
"That good or bad? And I am sorry for acting like a jealous fuck over nothing."
"Not totally bad. Of Peter? Why, when your clearly the hotter choice."
Rolling his eyes at her as she silently smirked at him. "Oh so your only interested in my body?"
"Oh no, then again I've only seen you without a shirt so I can't say." Her sarcastic remark cut short when she started to blush and giggle. In a blink he was close to her face, the shock stopping any giggles still threatening to escape. She let out a shaky breath, not sure if it was pain or something more. Gripping the top of the covers and braced herself. Cupping her face, he brushed his thumb gently over the bruise on her cheek.
Her head began to swim once again as his tongue licked at her bottom lip. Slowly releasing her grip on the blanket, she gripped his shoulder, prompting him to lean closer into her. Making sure he rested his weight on his arm and not directly on her. She was going to be beyond sore for a while and he did not want to make things worse. She ran her hand up his sleeve and gripped the top of his shoulder, soft sounds escaping her lips. She leaned back against the propped up pillows, gripping his the back of his neck with her free hand. Before long they were out out breath. Before long they had been tugging on each others shirts. This time he pulled away. She slowly sat back up, her head still swimming, her lips pink and slightly swollen like they had been that day in her office. She watched him in silence as he slipped his boots back on and got up. Blinking from her daze when he said her name.
"Hel?"
"Hmm?"
"I better go if neither one of us is ready to explain all of this to Tris and Four." He pointed between them. Leaning over her gave her a quick peck on the lips and slipped back out the door.
Sure enough Four had arrived twenty minutes after she heard the door lock after Eric left. She had barely managed to hide his jacket. Luckily she had spotted it on the floor when she got up to pee. Muttering to herself that he forgot it on purpose, probably hoping they'd find it and know he spent the night and most of the morning with her.
Carrying in a small box of food from the Pit's kitchen. Four went to wake her opening the door just as she managed to kick the jacket under the bed and out of sight. She would hit him later for it. She was not in the mood for explaining something she herself wasn't even sure of yet. Nor was she willing to sit through a lecture from Four or Tris on just how stupid or just how fucked up of an idea to even entertain the idea of wanting to be with Eric.
"Oh your up, have you taken you pills yet?"
"Yes a little bit ago. Did my favorite big brother happen to bring me anything to eat?"
"I'm like your only brother, yes food is in there." He said rolling his eyes with a smile. Patting her on the shoulder as she passed. Flinching as she took a seat in one of the bar stools by the counter.
"How are you feeling today?
"Honestly I'm not in the mood to be babied like a child. But how are you?" Her remark came off way harsher then she anticipated. She was sore and beyond cranky.
"Chill, I just want to know how your doing."
"I know and I'm sorry. I didn't get much sleep. Where's Tris this morning?"
"Errands at Candor. Oh? What time did Eric leave?"
"No to long after you guys."
"Werid, I wonder where he is?"
"Since when?"
"He was suppose to be looking into some leads but I haven't seen him."
"Oh?"
"Did you happen to catch the name of the girl Peter was talking too the last time you saw him?"
"Nope but I have seen her before."
"Really where?"
"I've seen her maybe once in medical."
"What does she look like?"
"Blonde hair, brown eyes, maybe my height?"
"I think she might know something."
"Wait do you think Peter did this?"
"It's possible, it wouldn't be the first time."
"Not the first time?"
"During Tris' initiation. The rumor was he stabbed Edward in the eye."
"Butterknife?"
"Yeah, around the same time that kid Al killed himself."
"I remember that. Why wasn't Peter ever charged?"
"No proof and no one saw him do it. Can't just arrest someone on a rumor"
"Why didn't I know about this?"
"He helped out a lot with the whole Jeanine and Caleb thing."
"Caleb as in Tris' brother? Still I should have been in the loop about it."
"Its complicated. After all he did, a rumor was just a rumor."
"I'm going to kill that son of a bitch."
"Hel...you can't."
"Why the fuck not?"
"We don't know it was him."
"Fuck. Let me guess Peter is one of the leads Eric is supposed to be looking into."
"Yup."
"Why would he do this?"
"He has motive."
"Like what? Wait...me?"
"From what Rena said, you handed him his nuts with a smile on your face and didn't even lift a finger."
"That I did. I don't feel bad about it either."
"You shouldn't and you sure as hell didn't deserve what happened to you."
"I know thats what I keep hearing."
"Whats that about?" He pointed at her manhandling a roll, shredding it into chunky crumbs.
"How is it possible to want something that seems impossible?"
"Killing Peter?"
"No as much as I would enjoy that at this point."
"You know you can tell me right?"
"I want to, but its complicated."
"Don't tell me you have somehow have feelings for Peter."
"God no.-" Her face turned a pale shade of green and in that moment fought the taste of bile in her throat. - "I think I just threw up in my mouth a little thanks."
Nearly choking on his water with her reply, wiping the water from his chin as he laughed. Finally calming himself when he noticed her looking at him with a raised brow. She obviously didn't find it as funny as he did.
"Okay then whats complicated? Does it have to do with Eric?"
"Why what would anything have to do with Eric?"
"Because yall were what arguing during Capture the Flag about Peter."
"I'm not having this conversation with you."
"Tell me or I twist your little boo boo arm behind you and make you tell me."
"You wouldn't do that."
"I wouldn't unless I had too. You can trust me."
"Still doesn't make it any easier."
"Want my input?"
"Sure." Rolling her eyes as she tore into a piece of Dauntless cake.
"Eric like you and I'm starting to think you like him."
"Crazy right?"
"Not really. He tends to rub a lot of people the wrong way. Tris included."
"I am not telling her I think I have feelings for Eric. She wouldn't understand."
"She'll find out on her own eventually. If you two start dating, she'll have to get over it."
"Yeah if we start. I don't even know yet."
"You'll figure it out."
Finishing lunch and parting ways. She cleaned up, placing any leftovers in her fridge, and retreating back to her room. Picking up Eric's jacket from where she kicked it. Brushing off anything that might have stuck to it and laid it on the stool in front of her tiny vanity. Crawling on the bed, she grabbed the tablet. Moving to the messages. Seeing she had a good six missed messages. Reading them out loud as she went through them.
'Two from Tris, Three from Rena, and One from Eric.' Skimming through the ones from the girls, Tris apologizing for not being able to come, that she'd be back by tomorrow after work. The three from Rena were pretty normal considering what she walked in to see that morning. Replying okay ttyl. Nervously opening the one from Eric. Half expecting him to tell her she had to work on a Sunday and pretend like nothing happened. Once it loaded, she couldn't help but smile. He simply told her not to forget her pills and that he would be back after he was done running errands. Taking a deep breathe, she looked at the clock. It was still early in the afternoon and she was still tired. Part of her hoped Eric would lose his shit and beat the hell out of him. The other part just wanted it all to be over with, she wanted to move on.
