"Please Eric… for me."
My plead has an instant reaction, his arm holding me back folds to let me closer and my hands reach straight for his injured arm.
He hisses slightly as my fingertips coat with blood and I look up at him worriedly, but he passes it off.
Somehow my hands know what they're doing as I peer closer, looking for bullet fragments. None. I look down and see the sticky blood transferred onto my own clothing around my abdomen, and lightly touch his cloth covered stomach.
"…do you think you could take this off?" I ask him, worried about him tearing an injury further by taking the tight t-shirt off.
"You only had to ask for me to undress." He says and I look down at the floor, knowing his smirk and the dust on my cheek forming.
"Eric," The slight wobble in my voice betrays me as I try to warn him to take this seriously, but he answers by carefully rolling his t-shirt up and manoeuvring it around his injured arm and off his body.
I'd never seen his bare torso before, and this wasn't the circumstances I'd thought of seeing it in. His defined chest is marred by a large slash, and his pale skin pink with blood. My teeth come out to bite my lip, and I keep my eyes off his face. If I can depersonalise this I'll focus better.
I quickly rush to the sink, grabbing a cloth by the side and deftly leaving the tap to run as I soak it with warm water. I quickly turn back to him, holding his gaze as I press it around the wound in order to clean it up. His jaw tenses, but he seems prepared for the pain, as I get a better look.
"It just grazed you… there's no sign of a bullet." I'd say he's lucky, but this is Eric, he most likely dodged as best he could. He lets out a light grunt of confirmation.
I move him to sit down on the edge of the bathtub and lean back against the wall, before quickly filling a glass of water and handing it to him, trying to ignore the bloody handprint on the glass.
"Drink, you need to stay hydrated." I tell him, before moving back to his wounds.
I deftly clean his wounds with the water, before biting my lip, doubtful. His wound needs to be sterilized to prevent infection… that means alcohol… which means pain. He's going to have to go to the infirmary eventually to get stitches, so I could leave that for then but there's no telling when he'll go…
"What is it?" He asks, and my eyes jump back up to him caught unaware. He just gazes at me serenely.
"… it needs to be cleaned, to prevent infection." I say briefly, not wanting to irritate him with the idea of the infirmary.
"Then do it." He says simply, and I nod my head at his order, moving to the first aid box in the corner. It's extensive, and I get the feeling he must not go to the infirmary at all with the variety he has here. However, I quickly get to work, and wince myself despite his silence as I clean the wound properly.
"Your blood loss seems reasonable, I'm guessing you kept pressure on it on the way back." I say, to fill the silence I want filled. He grunts in affirmation. "How long has it been?"
"Three or four hours." He tells me, and I nod slowly.
"Was the rest of the patrol successful?" I ask, and he nods lightly. "Were there many combat situations?"
"A couple, relatively simple. It was just the factionless building up in numbers in the northern outskirts, we were sent to disperse them."
"Were there any injured?" I ask, keeping my hands steady as the ghost against his wound.
"Not any caused by opposition, just a couple of idiots." He tells me, and I start to get bandages out.
His arm's reasonably simple, it's just like a deep cut, and I bandage it quickly yet firmly to keep the pressure up. His abdomen is slightly different though and as my fingers trail round his waist, I can tell my blush has deepened as my arms encircle him.
His skin, now clean as his blood lies down the drain in the sink, is almost sparkling as my blaring face lies barely and inch from his chest. I know my breath is catching, and I know he knows it too, but I can't do anything about it.
I finish tying the bandage, but even when I pull away slightly, my arms grazing his sides he stands. I'm caught completely off guard as he keeps me in his arms, while my hands are pressed against his chest in his hold.
"Eric?" I question, and he just looks down at me before pulling me closer, nuzzling his face into his hair.
Whatever frustrated thoughts I had of him before he left are forgotten, as I find myself snuggling further into his embrace. His good arm nestles comfortably around my waist keeping my body firmly against his firm, solid, very naked chest whilst his injured lies at my side.
I barely notice him lift me slightly off the ground with his good arm, carrying me out of the bleak bathroom and down to sit on the sofa, but as soon as I do-
"Eric don't your injured!" I panic, but he shushes me as he sits us down, lying me on his lap before pulling a fluffy blanket from the side over me.
"Just lie with me." His voice is gruff, and sounds slightly annoyed and my eyes widen as they're hidden from him. Could he be… embarrassed?
"I've had a fucking long night and I'm tired." He mutters, before his eyes flutter closed, my legs crested against his side, his arms sneaking up my jumper as I pull the blanket over his own shoulders in the cold room.
Selfishly, I let myself lie there with him, before I notice my own eyes fluttering closed. That is most unusual, what's happening with me.
Noticing his breathing hasn't deepened yet, I quietly whisper:
"Eric?"
He lets out a murmur of acknowledgment, and I tread carefully.
"Sleep the rest of the day okay? I can stay for now, but I'll have to go to training eventually." I say hazily, softly and slowly, giving him plenty of time to process my words. He makes a sound of protest, and I can't help the smile that pours from my face at the mannerisms his fatigued state brings.
"I'll come back afterwards… but I don't know how to stitch your wounds up." I tell him, though I'm pretty sure it's a lie. Though I don't remember it, I know I can do stitches, just not professionally, and I want him to be checked over.
He lets out another murmur of acknowledgment, and I press my advantage.
"So will you come with me to the infirmary? I want to make sure you can get all healed up." I murmur back to him hazily even putting a lace of a whine through my tone and looking up at his vaguely opened eyes. I know I'm using charm against him, but it's so he can heal up properly, and I can't help remembering him calling me cute in a drunken haze.
He doesn't say anything or make any noises for a good few moments, as he seems to think it over.
"…alright." He voice is husky in his sleepy state. "…but I get your evening." He says to me, and I nod against him. It's not even a compromise, I know I'd gladly give him my time.
It doesn't take long for him to doze of to sleep, and my eyes snuggle further against his soft skin as I admire his relaxed, sleeping state. The smile on my face doesn't stop at his soft breaths and vulnerable look, but as soon as I know he's in deep sleep, I look at the time and groan inwardly. It's five to seven. I'm surprised I even managed to patch him up that quick, and we haven't been lying here that long, but there's no way I'll be able to get to training on time.
I smoothly untangle myself from Eric, trying not to linger on the feeling of his skin against mine, whilst, adjusting his position slightly so he doesn't get any aches when he wakes up. I creep lightly towards the door, and open it, wondering if Axel was still waiting.
"Goodness, I was wondering if you'd ever come out!" Axel says, and I hush him as he takes a look inside Eric's apartment and sees him lying asleep on the sofa.
"His wounds are cleaned and antibacterial, but his bandages will need changing every three to four hours." I tell him quietly, and he nods. "I got him to agree to go to the infirmary after training, but I need you to change them in between, I can't leave training I'm already drawing enough attention by being late as it is."
"I got it, don't worry I'll keep him covered. Anything else?" He replies.
"Food, drink. And I suggest you slip some painkillers in there as well, two of the blue pack in his first aid box." I tell him. I pause for a second, before looking back up.
"We can talk about this later, right?" I question, and Axel smiles at me, putting a hand on my shoulder.
"Look at you, always causing me trouble…" He chuckles at me, but my expression doesn't change. "Yeah. Thanks for looking after him… he really needs it."
Before I can wonder about what he means he moves on.
"Tell Four I took you away to spar after training you that last time. It'll hide your tracks, change, and wash the blood off." He tells me, and I nod. "Oh! I forgot, what the fuck is his password?"
I smirk and laugh to myself. "Fuck." I say and his eyes just widen slightly, an easy smile on his face as I turn on my heel and jog quickly back to the dorm.
It's completely empty, and I strip as I move towards my bed before putting on a new long sleeve turtleneck t-shirt and washing my hands, hiding the bloody jumper.
I look at the time as I run to the training room. 7:13.
I don't reach the training room, as sure enough Four's taken them running, and I stop to let the erudite girls and Lily pass before waiting for Four to come round.
"I'm…" I check my watch again, "fourteen minutes late. How many extra laps?"
Four frowns at me before nudging his head to get me to run beside him. He sighs slightly, before raising his eyebrows for an explanation.
"Axel asked me for a spar as soon as he got back, something like he didn't even get any action on patrol and was restless." I tell him, and after a few moments of pondering, nods.
"How about this, lap Jay thrice, and only three extra laps." He tells me, and I'm surprised, I thought he'd be harsher.
"And if I don't lap Jay thrice?" I question, and he smirks.
"Then you can do 56 extra laps on top of the 30." Four says with a smirk. I nod slowly, before taking a few deeper steps to stretch my muscles. I really don't want to run 86 laps today.
After a quick but thorough stretch, I'm off as fast as my legs will allow. I'm sprinting, I know I am, but if I can make it round fast enough in a long sprint before I get tired, then maybe I can just lap him really fast then take the ones afterwards really slow.
Not paying attention to any I pass, as soon as I see Jay for the first time, I slow my pace to give my legs a quick break.
"Where were you?" He asks, already in reasonably deep breaths. That's a good sign for me.
"I'll… tell you… later." I pant, before opening my eyes sharply. "See you… hopefully."
I take off once more, pumping my arms desperately. I'm not bothering to try and calculate the distances and times I need to make, my mind's in a mess anyway from this morning, so all I can do is go as fast as I can.
By the time I reach Jay for the second time, my vision is ridiculously hazy, blurring out as my eyes water, sweat coating my body.
I know time is running out, so I don't stop to rest as I continue past, my legs burning like nothing I've felt before.
Come on, just sprint, then I can rest, sprint.
My lungs gulp in air, and finally as I turn a corner I see Jay turning the next in front of me.
I'm running blindly towards him, and I can see Four in front of him looking back as my poor, poor legs close the gap.
As soon as I get past Jay and become level with Four, my pace completely disappears and I lean against the wall, barely dragging my feet across the ground in a slow walk.
"I did it… I overtook him thrice." I say to the towering figure in front of me, and just then Jay passes me.
"You're still nowhere near done." Four frowns at me, I can tell in his voice, by I smirk up at him.
"You said overtake him thrice… you didn't say anything about keeping that lead." I say smiling, as I pull my eyes open and wait for the oxygen to reach all my limps
Four sighs and grabs my arm, yanking me up and pulling me along with his fast stride until we reach the training room. I look at him confused.
"I thought I had to finish the thirty laps, Jay only just finished." I say indicating to Jay who is sitting next to my collapsed form.
"Someone called in a favour, you're let off." He tells me seemingly grudgingly, but there's a smile somewhere behind those eyes. I smile to myself.
"I'll have to remember to thank Axel… I don't think I could've made it without food." I say, before lying back on the floor.
"Wait, were you trying to overtake me?" He asks and I nod.
"Thrice, and he'd let me off the 86 laps I would've had to do for being late. Don't take it personally, you're the fastest anyway." I mumble.
"Just think of it as making up for all the extra laps you've done in previous runs." Four says.
"Why were you late anyway? Lily said she saw you head of with Axel." Jay asks and I take a good few long breaths before sitting up to face him.
"He wanted to spar, heard about my matches and remembered me from when he took training that one time." I lie smoothly, and Jay nods without a thought.
"Have you heard anything from Beth about Ben?" He asks quietly, as a few other initiates run through, and I raise my eyebrows.
"…maybe. Girl's code." I tell him, and he raises his eyebrows sarcastically.
"He's thinking of asking her out, but was suggesting another night out just two of them." Jay tells me and we share a look, before I burst out laughing.
"What is he trying to say? Hey I want to date you to sleep with you?" I laugh, and Jay grins.
"Exactly what I said, but there's something up with him. He seriously likes her but something's holding him back, and it's not initiation, I have no idea what it is. Do you think it could be something from before?" Jay asks.
"What from Candor? We couldn't be sure, the only other Candor's are the brutes and we ain't asking them." I say, and he nods in agreement. "I don't think so though, he doesn't seem to have any attachment to that place. He said he doesn't have siblings, and his parents were the typical you lie you die Candors… no it's something else."
"Oh well, we'll think of something later, right?" He says and I nod as Ben along with Tom run in to a stop.
I make an excuse at lunch after grabbing a couple of apples and four muffins about going to the infirmary for a check up on my arm, and wind my way through corridors till I reach Eric's apartment. It seems to be deserted at all times really, but I guess the people who can afford to live here work all the time.
I knock lightly, before hearing no response I open the door, only to find Eric still on the sofa, though lying down horizontally.
I walk up to his sleeping form quietly, my eyes once again lingering on his peaceful face before chiding myself and leaning in to examine his bandages.
It seems Axel has changed his bandages once, so I go to the first aid box on the coffee table and ready new bandages. I ready myself as I unwrap his bandages. There's still no infection, but I quickly rewrap the wound, which seems not to have lost much blood.
"Ugh…hmm..?" Eric stirs, and I hush his with a soothing murmur as to not jog him whilst redoing his bandages. Once done however, I look back up to his face, and his eyes flicker open.
"You..." He moans, sounding very uncharacteristic of Eric. "I've missed you…"
His large hands grab at me slowly, and I let him pull me closer before I let out a light shriek of surprise as he pulls me down to lie next to him. His legs curl round my entire body, tangling through me, and I breath out shakily as his smooth skin slides against mine.
"Eric? Are you feeling better?" I ask as calmly as my voice box lets me.
"Mmhmm… much better now I have you here… so soft and squishy… I could just eat you…"
Right, that's it, I told Axel TWO of those blue pills, and I don't want to know how many Eric's had.
"Your cute little face and your pale shiny legs…mmm… and that dress you wore…mmm your boobs looked so good…" My face heats up to burning as his drugged mind continues to blabber, but I can't find it within myself to pull away from his ever-tightening hold.
His lips brush against my forehead, and his hands claw at my t-shirt hungrily.
"Did you think of me while I was gone…? I thought of you a lot… you look cute in a turtleneck…" He murmurs almost in a moan, and I gasp as his hands find their way up my t-shirt, warm skin against warm skin, as his other hand pulls down the neck of my top.
"These marks look so good on you too… all mine… just wait a bit…" He flips my body over him so I'm pressed between him and the sofa, and I find no part of me protesting as he snuggles against me, arms and legs stroking my body whilst his face nuzzles into my hair.
"I missed you too..." I find myself whispering, "I couldn't get you out of my head…" I almost sigh to myself, and I let my own hands trail their way over the ridges in his abdomen, ghosting up towards his neck.
"What am I waiting for?" I ask him, remembering how he brought up me needing to wait before as well.
"My fault… stupid loose ends I need to tie up… I want you to be special, special and all mine…" He mumbles further, and I realise despite his addled mind, his subconscious must still have a firm clamp on what he wants other people to know and what he doesn't.
"It won't be long though… I can't wait very long…" He murmurs again, and I look up to him as his lips brush over my forehead, brow and eyes.
The door slams open.
I can't move, Eric has me pinned to the sofa. Fuck who the hell is it, how can I explain this, what would it-
"Honestly I leave him alone barely an hour…"
I let a breath of air out as I recognise the voice as Axel. Of course, he's the only other person who knows the password anyway. What was I thinking… stupid Eric for getting me all panicked.
"Can you help me out of here? Especially since it's your fault he's so high he won't let go!" I say, sarcasm thoroughly laced through my tone.
"oh… yeah… well I tried giving him two… but then he woke up while I was rebandaging… and was in a particularly foul mood…" Axel says guiltily and his face appears above me. "And I don't think you're exactly complaining right now."
I scowl at him, but he just grins and pulls Eric's arms back.
"Come on buddy… let the girl go despite her probably letting you, sexual assault won't look good on your record." Axel chides a mumbling Eric and I role my eyes.
"I've redone them again. Don't give him any more painkillers, I need him cooperative when I come back in a few hours to take him to the hospital wing." I tell Axel, and he replies with the usual.
"Depending on what you're planning I'd say he's quite cooperative right now!" He finishes with a chuckle and I can't help the smile on my lips.
"Honestly you weren't this suggestive before I was Dauntless." I tell him and he leans forward with his eyebrows raised.
"That's because I was watching my tail for verbally abusing a poor little amity girl."
I hit his arm as his loud laughter echoes through the room.
"He won't need any new bandages, the bleeding slowed well. Thanks for the thing with Four though, you got him in a good enough mood to let us finish training once we've gotten through the current box of targets, we'll only have around three hours after lunch." I say once more.
"No problem, that kid'll always owe me favours, but I don't like him to think that so be good." Axel says, taking a beer out of the fridge. "I'll probably stay here for a while, rest a bit. I was here most of the morning as well, you don't need to worry about him."
I'm about to retort, something about having no reason to worry about him, but there's a sudden seriousness in Axel's eyes, and my words die.
"I'll be back as soon as I can."
As soon as training's over I disappear before anyone can ask where I'm going and almost run to Eric's apartment. Despite his agreement, there's no way getting him to the infirmary will be easy.
"I'm back." I say after opening the door, and Axel is lounging next to Eric, who seems sobered.
"Good, let's go." Axel says immediately, and my eyes linger on Eric. I don't know whether I expected him to be embarrassed or irritated by his actions at lunch, but completely back to his usual demeanour wasn't what I expected.
"Come on buddy." Axel says, patting Eric's good shoulder as he stands up and moves towards me. I don't fail to notice Axel hanging back and busying himself in the kitchen.
"Are you still okay to go?" I ask softly, and he answers with a firm hand on my own shoulder, moving me out of the door.
The fast stride to the infirmary is what is was before, how it should be, no matter how distracted I've been by with less than subtle touches this morning and lunch.
"It should just be stitches and a check up…" I tell him and he nods. "They aren't too bad, no real surgery should be required, the bullet in your abdomen didn't veer off it's course.
As soon as the white of the infirmary comes into view I walk in slightly hesitant, but after a few seconds in the entryway a call is heard.
"Eric! Finally, we've had the reports!" It's Jen once again, and I have a trailing thought of why it's always her to find us.
There's a tick in Eric's jaw and it's completely evident- he does not want to be here.
As soon as Jen steps forward I move out of the way and almost completely hide myself behind a high cabinet.
"Two wounds, not major, no bullet fragments, clean and all, just need the stitches. Get on with it." Eric admits it very irritant as Jen quickly runs to the reception desk.
"Okay just give me a sec…" She takes a clipboard and moves closer to Eric… much closer… puts her hand behind his shoulder and before I can lurch forward, the needle is in his neck and he's bending at his knees.
MY BAE ERIC IS BACK! Honestly I was so conflicted with myself, I went with what would be a realistic relationship and let Eric and Avery have their time off and create real problems, but fuck I'm so glad he's back, I was missing all the skinship. I didn't plan the high on painkillers thing but when I thought about how Eric would react it wasn't as personal as I wanted… so yeah, that happened, and needed some more snuggling! Anyway I hope everyone enjoys, it turns out I didn't put that scene I wanted in this chapter, but it'll be coming up soon! Read and Reivew!