Major warning! Attempted suicide and smut ahead. Please read at your own risk!
It had been a week since Four had left with Evelyn, leaving Tris to pick up the shattered pieces of her heart and live just for her unborn child. A child he was unaware about.
Tris wasn't doing well. Her friends tried, the doctors tried, hell, even Eric Coulter tried, but she was far too broken by the man who claimed to be her family. They all loved her and tried to get her to leave her previously shared apartment and take care of herself, but she had flat out refused.
She lounged lazily, eating when she had to for her prescribed prenatal pills. Her morning sickness was terrible and exhausting. She was unable to keep food or liquids down for even 24 hours. She felt weak and had fainting spells frequently, but being as stubborn as she was, she didn't go to the infirmary. Tris simply didn't care what happened to her.
The whole pregnancy became too much to handle, and Tris started deteriorating. Her body became weaker and skinnier despite the changes that were taking place due to her pregnancy, she looked sickly pale, with dark circles around her eyes and was worrying her friends.
She didn't care. Tris wanted to be left alone to sleep and get sick and do nothing all day.
Eventually, her friends got fed up with her bitchy attitude and they slowly stopped checking on her altogether after two weeks.
"Tris. He's gone, he left you, but we are here for you. You can do this. Think of your baby," Christina said softly, Marlene and Shauna nodding in agreement.
"No!" Tris yelled furiously. "You don't get to order me around! I let him manipulate me and look where that got me. No one will ever control me, not again. NO!"
"We aren't trying to order you Sweetie," Marlene said softly, stepping in front of a fuming Christina. It wasn't the time to dwell on what Tris had said. They had to help her. "We just want what's good for you. Come one."
"No. No. No, I don't want you all to baby me. I can take care of myself. You don't get to manipulate me and say it's for my own good," Tris sobbed, the pregnancy hormones giving her friends whiplash.
Shaune pushed a teary eyed Marlene backwards. "Tris. Forget him. What he did was wrong, so wrong. But don't let him ruin your life-" Tris cut Shauna off.
"GET OUT! ALL OF YOU!" Tris screamed hysterically. They kept reminding her of what he did over and over again. "Don't show your faces again. I have had enough. I DON'T NEED YOUR FUCKING PITY!"
The girls rushed out, too hurt by Tris's words to realize her regretful look and teary eyes.
Weak and pregnant, the depressed blonde tried to care for herself and her baby, but she was failing miserably. One day, Tris had had enough and decided to end it altogether since she thought that no one cared anymore. She filled her tub full of freezing cold water and sat in it, knowing that she could easily drown herself and die. No one would notice anyway.
And that is when he stepped in her life, despite her endless threats and curse words. He forced her to bathe, eat and take her medicines and made her rest. Tris struggled against him, but he had been persistent with taking care of her, insisting he didn't want anything in exchange for his care except her betterment.
Tris tried at first to ignore him altogether, pretending he didn't exist but complying with whatever he made her do. He did everything for her: he bathed her, spoonfed the petulant girl, even though she couldn't keep it down for more than a few hours, and held her in his arms during her nightmares despite her protests. He also took her to the infirmary due to the alarming condition she was in. Tris didn't want him to see her as the heartbroken, weak and dependent woman, but she was too weak to protest.
After about two more months, Tris was strong enough to walk around, despite her growing belly. She forced him to take her to the gym, where she worked out under his stern but caring gaze. He didn't let her do anything that could harm her or the baby and Tris didn't do anything reckless either. She ate healthy food, took her prenatal pills and did some light exercise while going for regular check ups in the infirmary, without giving anyone a hard time.
Over time, Tris got better and stronger and even started opening up about what had happened. It began with short, clipped sentences which progressed to blunt confessions to her talking completely and openly. He was proud of Tris and knew that shirking his additional responsibilities was proving its positive effects on her.
He talked openly to her too. He shared that he wasn't the perfect Erudite and that he used to pick fights with kids before he transferred. She found out his Erudite drive to be the best was the source of his rivalry with Four.
They became closer to each other and their awkward relationship changed from tentative hand holding to hugging and Tris found herself comfortable with him despite all the poor impressions of him that her ex-boyfriend had pumped into her.
Eventually, the pregnancy hormones made her crave something more than weird food combinations: the touch of a man. Tris didn't like touching herself and she wasn't one to sleep around. And after the ex-Dauntless prodigy abandoned her, she was sure every man was disgusted with her.
Tobias, Four, hadn't just shattered her heart; he had broken her relationships and scarred her forever. But, with lots of help from her silent angel, she came out of her shell and though she knew she would never thank him verbally, in her heart, she would be eternally grateful.
He had been surprised when a skinny looking, petite stiff jumped first. She had fascinated him and afterwards the stiff, Tris, had challenged him everywhere. She was brave and selfless, her fiery passion for her beliefs was clearly visible in the form of a spark in her blue eyes.
The spark drew him to her and then somewhere along the way the fascination he had for her turned to respect and eventually admiration. He was hard on her, but he knew it would make her better, stronger and the increasing Dauntless ferocity in her eyes was an indication enough to prove his efforts true. He had tried to approach her many times, but stupid number boy had always whisked her away from him and warned her to stay away as if he was the plague.
She became wary of him, obviously following Four's advice, and kept him and his unidentified feelings at an arm's length. He never knew he felt so strongly for Tris until he saw her kiss the instructor on fear landscape day, in public, while the Dauntless cheered the newly initiated members.
He realised he had been jealous and bitter as Number boy had once again made him the second best. So, he ignored her, busied himself in leadership duties by day and got shitfaced by night, the combination of the two alarming his superiors.
Max, like the father he had never had, forced him to spill the beans and when he finally did, he loathed himself for breaking down, overwhelmed by his feelings of self-deprecation and vulnerability.
He vowed to forget the legendary Dauntless couple and treat Tris like he would treat any other Dauntless, by being an asshole, though he knew that he couldn't do that. So he tried avoiding her and it was easy since she wasn't working anywhere near the leadership offices.
He was a little hopeful that she might change her mind and try to get into leadership and maybe then he could save her from her over-possessive boyfriend and unhealthy relationship. Tris thought she was hiding her misery well, but Dauntless leadership had noticed and Eric tried to intervene.
Four realised that Eric figured out and used his physical advantage and deprecating taunts to get the young leader off his case. Eric tried one last time when she refused leadership, but she was too blinded by her deep affection for the prodigy to realize and had defended him. Eric decided to let her go, after all, being in love with someone didn't mean that they were your property. He Knew he had to let Tris go, which is exactly what he did, albeit reluctantly.
He saw Four snooping around and immediately became suspicious of his rival's escapades. He found out that the instructor was meeting a Factionless woman repeatedly. Every time there was a Factionless uprising, he would go and calm them down, and the Erudite in Eric realized that was their call for him to arrange a secret rendezvous under the guise of pacifying the faction outcasts.
He was visiting the infirmary one day when he overheard Tris and the doctor talking about her pregnancy and he became furious. That night Eric broke a bunch of punching bags, putting all the anger, pain and heartbreak in his assault on the lifeless bags.
He was woken after midnight by Max, who informed him about Four defecting to the Factionless. Eric should've been overjoyed that - despite not earning it - he had become the faction's best, but he felt numb as he recalled the news of his Tris' pregnancy. White hot rage coursed again through his veins as his recently awoken brain registered the fact that Four had left his pregnant girlfriend.
So for two long weeks, he tried to get her to care for herself, resorting to low tactics which basically were about her unborn child. He saw everyone draw away from her slowly and it hurt him to see her so lost. He knew she loved the man but he never realized how deep those feelings went.
It was like a slap on his face as Eric saw his dreams of having a future with Tris disappear, leaving him angry and confused since he hadn't figured out the nature of his feelings for her. He left her on her own.
It didn't take long for Eric to realize his mistake of leaving Tris on her own in her current emotional state. Some instinct screamed that something had surely happened in his absence; he hadn't heard from any of her friends he had pressed into reporting to him how she had been. So, he rushed to her apartment himself. There, he found her in a tub full of water, unconscious, and he went into overdrive. He couldn't lose her. He loved her and he allowed himself to admit it.
From that day onwards, he took care of her silently, resisting her harsh verbal blows. Where before he had given up when she pushed back, he persisted no matter what she tried to throw at him. As much as he hated it, he knew it wasn't the baby's fault that it was sired by someone as despicable as Four.
She got better under his care. She started eating, working out and her nightmares minimized. They even started talking to each other, what started from conversations about their family life changed to the topic of her current state and Eric was proud that she was doing a lot better. She was worth losing his leadership position. Eric had gone to Max to explain, not expecting him to understand, but Max had surprised him perhaps because of that almost fatherly affection he'd showed on occasion. Eric was allowed time off to take care of Tris. Like Eric, Max also knew that Tris was going through a rough patch and as a Dauntless, he was her family too.
"Tris?" Eric asked as he laid in her bed, spooning her. They hadn't had sex, despite wishing they did. Eric was reluctant in letting Tris out of his sight after her attempted suicide, which was why Tris mostly spent nights at Eric's apartment.
"Hmm"
"You should take care of your needs too, you know. I know the hormones are making you horny." He mumbled the last part.
"Who would want me, Eric? I know you are only staying with me out of pity. You should know that no one would want the Dauntless legend's left behind, worthless ex." He heard her breath hitch as she began to sob, inwardly cursing Four for making her feel so vulnerable and used.
"One man's trash is the other's treasure."
"What do you mean Eric?" Tris asked, unsure if she understood him right.
He sighed and pulled her closer and massaged her scalp softly, eliciting a soft moan from her. She felt him place a soft kiss on her exposed neck and involuntarily shivered. Tris swore she felt Eric smile at her reaction.
"Goodnight, Tris." Eric said softly, making her bite her lip to suppress a smile. She had felt the atmosphere change around them. His soft touches had soothed her and made her feel loved. She could admit to herself that she had some strange affectionate feelings for the leader. He must've lost so much for her already, Tris thought sadly. She wouldn't lie by saying that she wasn't glad he was there with her.
His words followed Tris throughout the day, when she worked out or ate in the cafeteria all the while ignoring the questioning eyes of Dauntless. What had he meant by that?
One man's trash is the other's treasure.
Tris knew he was right about her horniness but she hadn't done anything about it. She sighed softly as she rubbed her slightly swollen belly and made her way to Eric's apartment. She decided that she had to be bold and give it a shot. He was after all the one who initiated that conversation, so maybe it meant something.
Eric opened the door after a few soft knocks and an ear-splitting smile lit his face up as he took in the sight of Tris standing there.
He pulled her in and before he could do anything, she pushed the door close with her foot and pushed him against it as her lips claimed his in a hungry kiss, which he reciprocated.
Tris tangled her fingers in his hair as he lifted her up and guided her legs around his waist as he continued to kiss her. How many times had Eric wished for this? And now there, she was, wrapped around his waist as he kissed her passionately.
He walked to his bedroom with Tris in his arms as they kissed each other without abandon. Eric put her down on his bed gently and broke the kiss making Tris whine. He chuckled at her response.
"Are you sure you want this Tris? I don't want you to feel pressured for any reason," Eric said, concerned as Tris' eyes filled with tears at the memory of her first time.
"Make love to me Eric," Tris said nervously, fearing his rejection. He had been there for her through everything and she was taking a risk.
"Tris." Her name was a whisper on his lips, and she shivered at the huskiness of his voice.
She sat up and unbuttoned Eric's shirt, running her hands on the hard skin of his toned chest and abs. Eric made quick work of getting rid of her clothes, leaving her in her underwear as she helped him out of his jeans and underwear at the same time.
She sucked in a breath at the sight of his thick erection. He was bigger than Four. In fact Tobias had nothing in comparison to Eric.
Tris gasped as Eric started placing wet, featherlight kisses on her neck, moving downwards and pausing to lavish attention to the skin inked with her raven tattoos. He unclasped her bra, pulling it off her slowly as he marvelled at the sight of her pale mounds. He placed kisses all over her right and then left breast, flicking his tongue over her nipple which caused her to suck in a sharp breath.
"Eric," she moaned out, impatiently, making him chuckle against her skin.
He paid equal attention to both of her breasts then continued to place kisses, moving south towards her slightly pregnant belly.
"So beautiful," he murmured, nuzzling her belly as she blushed. Tris knew she wasn't beautiful, but if Eric said that then maybe she was.
He carefully slipped her panties off and was pleased to find her wet and ready for him. Tris squirmed against him and he used one hand to gently hold her down as he took her right leg and began placing kisses from her ankle towards her inner thigh, but avoided her womanhood. Tris moaned frustrated. She had never been this aroused and she felt she would burst if he kept that up.
Eric followed the same slow, dutiful path along her other leg. He had promised himself that if he ever got a chance with Tris Prior, he would treasure her.
When he reached her thigh, he breathed in the scent of her arousal. He had done that and he couldn't help but smirk, satisfied by her body's reaction to his closeness. Was she always turned on by him?
Eric wanted to taste her so badly and that is what he did.
He placed her legs on his shoulders and placed a soft kiss to her womanhood, making her shudder in anticipation. He licked at her heat in an achingly slow manner, savouring her taste as Tris squirmed in frustration. He had been teasing her and she was going crazy.
He licked and sucked softly, enjoying her moans of pleasure as he brought her closer and closer to an invisible pinnacle. Feeling her orgasm approach, Tris tugged at Eric's raven black hair to bring him right where she ached for him and he willingly gave her what she desired, flicking his tongue over her clit over and over again.
Screaming out in pure ecstasy, Tris's body pulsed under his eager mouth and Eric happily lapped at her juices.
She hadn't felt this way before. When Four had taken her, it had been for his pleasure. She'd never reached orgasm, not when she had been tensing for every thrust and cant.
Eric took his mouth away from Tris with a cocky grin on his face. Looking at him with hooded eyes, she smiled, a sated smile making his grin get bigger if possible.
In a sudden burst of confidence, she said, "Eric, please."
"Please what?" The teasing smirk remained on his face. He clearly was enjoying it.
With a dark blush on her face and neck, Tris whispered softly, "Make love to me Eric."
She thought he had not heard her, but he did and climbed on top of her.
With a look of pure concern he asked, "You sure?"
Tris nodded tentatively and that was all the approval Eric needed.
He kissed her passionately and she returned it with equal fervor, her hands tangling in his long black hair as their tongues battled for dominance. After a few moments, Tris surrendered to Eric and he massaged her tongue with his, stroking her cheek lovingly.
He pulled away and rested his forehead on hers, their breathing laboured by their intense make out session.
"Ready?" Eric asked one more time knowing if they started, he wouldn't be able to stop. He didn't want her to regret it.
"Yes," Tris replied in a surprisingly strong voice. "I trust you, Eric."
He pulled away from her and fished his bedside drawers for a condom, halting in the process when Tris's hand pulled him back.
"Tris-" Eric was cut off by Tris before he could say another word.
"I am already pregnant Eric, so it doesn't matter if you wear the condom or not," Tris replied, a blush beginning to show on her cheeks. "I have heard that it's better without a condom, only if- '' Eric's soft chuckle cut off her embarrassed rambling.
"Hey I would definitely not say no to that, but I haven't had a full physical in a while and I don't want to put your or the baby in any danger. So…." he trails off, not knowing how to diffuse the awkwardness.
Tris didn't give him enough time to think, pulling him close and kissing him hard which he happily reciprocated.
"Make it quick," Tris said, her voice thick with desire. Finding what he was looking for, Eric ripped the foil packet using his teeth and put the condom on while Tris watched in fascination. She never thought she would be comfortable doing this. And with Eric nonetheless.
Steadying himself on his elbows, Eric began pushing into her, slowly, only the tip making contact and thrusting bit by bit, to better accustom her body. Slowly, he started with shallow thrusts, repeating the motion until there were no lingering signs of discomfort. When she let out a low moan of pleasure, he picked up his pace, gradually increasing his speed and thrusting all the way in, making her moan loudly as his body rubbed against her clit.
Tris wrapped her arms around him as he thrust harder and faster, their breaths becoming laboured once again, eliciting a moan or whimper from her every few seconds.
Soon they were both moaning and panting and Tris was demanding him to go even harder and faster which he gladly obliged.
"Eric!" Tris screamed out, her orgasm ripping through her body as he released in her with a shout of his own.
He collapsed on top of her as they both attempted to catch their breaths. Eric rolled off her ,taking off the condom with a tissue and throwing it in his bedside bin. He pulled Tris to lay her head on his chest. She listened to his racing heartbeat, running her fingers along his leadership tattoos.
Taking both of her hands in his, Eric placed a soft kiss on each of her hands causing her to blush. It was the best both of them had had and even without speaking, they had a silent agreement to have as many repeat performances as possible.
Tangling their legs and entwining their fingers together, Eric and Tris fell into a peaceful slumber.