Chapter 14: I'm Tris Eaton now
It was past two p.m. when Tris woke up and they sat down to eat. Tris was sitting between the two men and ignored the uncomfortable silence. She wondered what happened but kept her mouth shut. She didn't need to play referee between two idiots. Whatever happened between Tony and Tobias was theirs to solve.
Tris was thankful that Tobias ordered her the soup. The warm broth soothed her sore throat and gave her a warm, homey feeling. She sighed in contentment and leaned back in her chair. The silence was deafening and the tension was palpable. She couldn't take it any longer.
"What happened?" she asks.
"What do you mean?" Tobias asks confused.
"You two, you are so unusually quiet. I mean I know you don't like to talk much," she says to Tobias and then turns to Tony, "but you. Do you have a brain aneurism or something?" At that the billionaire starts laughing out loud.
"No, you sick little shit," he says between laughs. Tris rolls her eyes, while Tobias clenches his fists again.
"So, did you guys reinforce the apartment?" Tris asks, not caring for the insult.
"Yeah. Your hubby kept me company and even helped a little," Tony says winking at Tobias. Tobias grimaces and keeps eating. That man really gets on his nerves. "And I have to say, Little one, he is very patient. I hope you don't mind, I gave him the talk," Tony says.
"Talk? What talk?" Tris asks and looks from Tony to Tobias and back.
"The don't-hurt-the-Little-one-or-I'll-hurt-you talk," Tony says and takes a sip from his beer.
"Oh God! Tobias, don't listen to him. He likes to play protective big brother, but he probably failed to mention how often he got me in trouble, especially with my boss."
"Did not," Tony argues.
"Did to," Tris counters. "Leave him alone. He is a good guy," Tris says and looks at Tobias. She really means it. She didn't like him at first, but then again, she didn't like anything even remotely connected to him. But ever since the truth about her came out and she confided so much in him she got to know the real Tobias Eaton and frankly, he isn't that bad.
Tobias looks at her, surprised at the compliment, if you can call it one. But coming from her and seeing the bright smile on her face when she looks at him makes him return it and suddenly he feels a warmth spread through his body; a warmth like he never felt before. Whatever it was she was doing to him she did it well and, apparently, he was hooked on the drug known as Tris Prior. Nah, Tris Eaton. Huh, he never really thought of it. Tris Eaton. Mrs. Tobias Eaton. She was his, for all intents and purposes and thinking of the agreement they reached he cringes. Somehow, he didn't want this to end, whatever it was they had. He really started to like her and it wasn't like any of the relationships he had before. He could actually talk to her like to a buddy, she wouldn't judge him and she wasn't the crazy girlfriend type who controls every aspect of your life. But that's it. She wasn't his girlfriend. She was his wife and that only because of the arranged marriage. And then they all got kidnapped and the threat over his father's head. Tris probably saw all this as another mission, a covert operation that as soon as they eliminated the enemy would end and take her away from him. Did he want that? Her gone? No. Definitely not. But was he willing to really give it a try like his father wanted? Was he willing to open up to this woman and give her his heart to do as she pleased? Was he ready to get his heart broken? Would she break his heart?
Tobias is pulled out of his own thoughts when something hits his head.
"Tony!" Tris scolds. Tobias looks up and across the table to see a smirking Tony Stark.
"Seems like your boy toy returned to us," Tony says.
"Don't call him that," Tris whisper-shouts, her throat sore again from the effort.
"Don't tell me you don't bang him," Tony says in disbelief looking from her to Tobias. Tobias actually feels himself blush.
"Tony! Stop that. See? That's why Pepper is always upset with you. You never know when to shut the fuck up." Tris sits up and leaves the dining room quickly. Tobias looks from the billionaire to where his wife disappeared.
"Oops. I guess I went too far," Tony says sheepishly.
"I guess."
"Listen, Tobias. I'm just teasing. That's our thing. I really see her as a baby sister. My girlfriend, Pepper, she loves Tris and was the first to adopt her into our expanded, non-conventional family. Tris is like another Avenger, only cuter; don't tell her I said that. I really want her to be happy. And the truth is, I don't know you. For all I know you are some rich schmuck who just wants to get his dick wet. But that's my baby sis and I won't let you hurt her. Now, if you are genuine and take good care of her, I'm sure I can keep the Hulk from snapping your neck." At the mention of the green monster Tobias swallows hard.
"I have no intentions of hurting her," Tobias says after a while. "It wasn't my idea to get married, but what's done is done. I won't take it out on her. I'm just as much to blame as anyone else in this. But I did get to know her better. I don't hate or resent her. In fact, I admire her," Tobias says with a small smile.
"You do?" Tris asks surprising the men. Tobias looks a little surprised but then smiles.
"Yeah. I admire all you do, your courage, your determination, the love you feel for your family and your willingness to sacrifice. No one can teach you that. You either have it or you don't. You might act like a spoiled, obnoxious brat, but you have a huge heart and would do anything to keep the people you care about safe. You stand your ground and don't let anyone bullshit you around. You stood up to my dad and negotiated with him until you got the least troublesome result. You get knocked down and you stand up again, over and over. I wish I would be half as brave as you are," he finishes, the last part merely a whisper.
"Tobias, I'm a killer. Turn it as you will, but I've killed people. There's nothing admirable about that. When the truth about Hydra came out I started questioning whether I killed for SHIELD or Hydra. And you know what? It doesn't matter. I followed orders, no questions asked. No matter who gave the order and for what reason, I killed those people. Yeah, they were terrorists and criminals, but now I ask myself, did they really deserve to die? We could have arrested them. I could have apprehended them and delivered them to the authorities. I am the way I am because of my training," she argues and fights hard the tears that are forming in her eyes.
"That's the biggest load of crap this side of the world," Tony says outraged. Both Tobias and Tris look at him. "Tris, you did your job. We all have blood on our hands, whether we directly pulled the trigger or caused someone's death otherwise. You helped keeping the world safe. And I know from Fury and Coulson about your missions; not the specifics, they are too proud to share those with me," he says with an eye roll. "But you didn't kill innocent people. All your targets were dangerous and would have caused the death of thousands. You did what you had to do. And don't you dare say you are not a good person. We don't call you Angel because of the freaking wings, but because of your big heart. So, cut the crap, Prior!"
Tris listens intently to her friend and smiles. The tears have long started flowing down her cheeks. Moved by his words, Tris walks over to hug the billionaire. He immediately wraps his arms around her, but makes sure not to squeeze her to hard, minding her many injuries.
"Eaton," Tris says when she lets go of her friend.
"What?" Tony asks confused.
"I'm Tris Eaton now," she says with a small smile. Somehow saying her new name isn't as difficult and annoying as she first anticipated. In fact, she likes the ring of it.
"Oh, right. Forgot you are taken now," Tony jokes.
"Yeah. So, how's it going with the reinforcements?" Tris asks and Tony starts to explain what he did, while Tobias clears the table. Slowly, the billionaire and Tris walk around the apartment to inspect Tony's handiwork.
Tobias remains behind, trying to think of what Stark told him. He had no idea how loved Tris was by other people. But then again, he never really saw her with anyone other than her parents and the short time they spent at the Playground was nothing to help him understand their bond.
On one hand, he was glad to know that Tris had such good and loyal friends who would literally commit murder for her. On the other hand, Tobias was angry. How could Stark imply that he would hurt Tris? If anything, she was the badass bone-breaking, kickass super soldier, not him. But he could see Tony's point. As strong as Tris was on the outside, as fragile she was on the inside. She herself told him this much. The life she chose for herself, while honorable and brave, was also lonely and filled with hurt and pain. What was it that Tony said? If Tobias only wanted to get his dick wet? That wasn't it. He could have any woman he wanted, even as a mistress. But he isn't that kind of a man. And he really, really likes Tris. He wasn't lying to her when he told her he hoped they could be friends or even more. He understood their situation and he wasn't necessarily going to indulge his parents. But for the first time in his life he feels like he can be himself with her. He isn't afraid to open up to her or to share intimate things no one knows about. And he wants to be the same for her. He has no clue when it happened, but something changed after they said "I do". And that kiss they shared for the first time: electrifying and scorching. He never felt more alive than in that moment and each moment their lips connect anew.
He watches as Tris and Tony return to the dining room and joins them. They talk about some gadgets and gizmos and he just remains quiet not really understanding what they are talking about.
"Well, I guess I'm on my way," Tony says as he gathers his things and walks toward the front door. Tris lets him out with a last hug and the billionaire promises to return soon for another social visit. Tobias internally rolls his eyes at the news.
Once the front door closes, Tris turns around and walks toward her husband. She grabs his hand and leads him to their shared bedroom. Tobias isn't entirely sure what she's up to, but follows like an obedient puppy. She gets rid of her slippers and climbs into bed, beckoning him to join her. They lean against the headboard and Tris snuggles close to her husband, the latter wrapping his arms awkwardly around her small, injured frame.
"You okay?" he asks tentatively.
"Yeah. I'm sorry about Tony. He is a nice person once you get to know him, but he likes to put up a show." Tobias only hums.
Tris decided a while ago to tell her husband about the time she was captive. She tells him about what Ward did to her and her friends and how she learned to endure the pain. She finishes her story and allows everything to sink in. She knows she can trust him not to tell her parents, but she wanted him to know all this. Frankly, she doesn't quite understand why she wanted to share so much with this man, but something inside her, her gut, tells her this is the right thing to do.
Tobias remains silent. He tries to process everything she told him and finds himself torn between his own feelings. He is glad she is alright, safe and sound in his arms; furious for what this Ward did to her; angry with her boss who sent her on that mission; happy that she confided in him; weak. Yeah, he was weak compared to her. He needed to change that. But Tobias knows full well that Tris would never be okay with him getting super spy training. But she already agreed to show him some moves and help him get in better shape. It wasn't like he didn't hit the gym regularly, but that was more to look good, rather than training his body to withstand a beating. Or inflict one on others. He needed someone other than his wife to train him. Regardless of what she thought, the danger was still there. Who knew for sure that the threat hanging over his father would go away easily or that others wouldn't try to kidnap him again. He needed to be able to protect himself and his loved ones. Maybe he should ask Uriah for help. Yeah. Uriah was the closest thing he had to a professional soldier, other than his wife. Uriah Pedrad would help him be the man Tris deserved.