Chapter 18: I like you
On Sunday, the Priors and the Eatons met their children at the apartment for lunch and a family afternoon. Tris and Tobias cooked together trying to have a normal married life. Well, as normal as it can be.
Evelyn and Natalie enjoyed seeing their children getting along so well and truly hoped the two would decide not to separate after that one year they agreed to stay married.
The men had some coffee on the large balcony discussing business, politics and their overall situation. It was odd to them to think of Tris as a spy and secret agent or that she is Inhuman or that all of them might be targeted because of her or Marcus. The uncertainty was more and more weighing down on them and they hoped soon to know more.
After lunch, the three couples decided to play Pictionary. They only played two rounds when someone knocked on the front door. Tobias got up and went to see who was disturbing them. He opened the door to find a tall red-head, dressed in leather and a bike helmet in her right hand.
"Aren't you going to invite me inside, handsome?" she asks. Tobias remains rooted to the ground, speechless. "Guess not," she says and walks past him inside. He quickly regains his composure and turns around to grab her wrist. At that she moves so quickly he barely registers and before he can even make a sound he lands on his back, thrown over her shoulder.
"Ow," he groans.
"Tobias?" Tris asks as she comes to see what all the fuss is all about. "Oh my God! What happened?" she asks seeing him lying on the floor and obviously in pain. She kneels down to check on him when a sight catches her eye. She looks up and a wide grin splits her face when she recognizes her friend and SO, Natasha Romanov. "Nat!" she yelps and jumps up, passing over Tobias's body and hugging the Black Widow. "What are you doing here?"
"Came to see my baby sis," the spy tells honestly. It was during their first meetings when Natasha decided to take the then rookie under her wing and soon became like a big sister to her.
"Come in. I'm so glad you are okay," Tris says seriously. "We need to talk, but later." Natasha gives a slight nod and follows Tris inside to be introduced to everyone.
"I'm fine, thanks for asking," Tobias groans as he gets up. Both women just left him on the floor. He goes to close the door and joins the others in the living room. To his surprise both his wife and the new arrival weren't in sight. "Where's Tris?"
"She and her friend went outside, on the balcony," Natalie tells him.
"Who is that woman?" Tobias asks curiously.
"Didn't you recognize her?" Marcus asks and Tobias shakes his head in confusion. "That's the Black Widow," Marcus says grinning.
"Wipe that grin off your face, Eaton," Evelyn says and smacks her husband's arm lightly, "unless you want to make me a widow."
"Come on, sweetheart. You know you are the only one for me," he pleads with her and tries to hug her. She pretends pushing him away but then gives in and they kiss.
"Aw, how sweet," Natalie coos.
"Gross," Tobias says and makes a disgusted face.
"Shut up, boy. You will be just like this once you are in love with your wife," Marcus counters and Tobias blushes a little. He quickly disappears into the kitchen to get some refreshments, despite no one asking for them, but he figures with the arrival of the Black Widow he could make some more coffee.
In the meantime, the two spies sit on the love seat on the balcony and Tris finishes telling Natasha about the dreams she has been having lately.
"Can you tell if they are visions or just dreams?" the Avenger asks.
"No. It's really strange. I mean, I only see an army of Terminators causing havoc. Did you ever hear of robots that went nuts and killed people? I mean other than in movies?" Tris asks sincerely.
"No. But maybe this is just an ordinary dream. You went through so much I'm not surprised your brain is making up monsters where there aren't," Natasha tries to comfort her. Truth be told, she doesn't know either and the idea that what Tris saw is actually a vision of the future is frightening. Perhaps Hydra is behind a new project. But Natasha notices that something else is bothering Tris. "There anything else?"
"I don't know. I keep having this one dream. I am restrained on a chair and men with masks hold Tobias in front of me. They are talking but I can't understand them. And then," she says and a single tear runs down her cheek.
"What is it, Tris?" Natasha asks concerned.
"Oh Nat, I think I did something stupid," she says and hugs her SO tightly.
Tobias witnesses the scene and wants to go outside to comfort his wife. He feels this incredible sharp pain in his chest every time he sees her like that. Why is she crying? Did Natasha tell her something upsetting? Or is it that Tris finally has someone to talk to about her situation? Is she crying because she had to get married to him?
But before he could crack his skull with more "what ifs" he sees Tris smile again. She seems so happy. Not forced, not faked; just genuine. He can't help it but smile too, but deep down he wonders if he could ever make her smile like that. And he realizes: he really wants that. He really wants to make her smile. He cares for her, more than he is willing to admit yet, but he cares for her.
Since they got married and he learned the truth about her he spent so much time with her, more than with any other woman before. And he wants that. He wants to be with her all the time. Whenever she isn't around he misses her. Whenever he things of getting something, he things of her and what she might like.
When did he become so dependent? He always prided himself with not getting too attached to other people. And now. She basically has him in the palm of her hand to do as she pleased.
More frightening was the fact he didn't want it any other way. He feels happy. Genuinely happy. And each time he imagines a time when she wouldn't be here, wouldn't be his wife, wouldn't be in his arms anymore makes him sad and angry.
He knew what it was. He knew it alright. But did she feel the same? Did she want that too? Could he trust her to tell him the truth? After all, she was a spy, well-versed in deceiving people for a living. But she never seemed to hide herself from anyone. She always told him the truth, as far as he knew. And she told him things no one else knew. Heck, he told her so many things no one knew about him. No, she was sincere. He could feel it.
He knows what he has to do. As a wise Jedi once said: "Do or do not. There is no try." Yeah, he would do it. That is his goal.
As the two women come back inside the parents immediately hover over them trying to get a closer look. They were fascinated with the Black Widow, especially the women. Before they knew about Tris being an Agent of SHIELD the Black Widow was their heroine. A woman who did a man's job and was badass about it too. Both Natalie and Evelyn dedicated their lives to their families, giving up careers to do so. They didn't have regrets about it, but it wasn't like seeing other women being this kickass like Natasha and Tris didn't inspire and empower them.
Tobias stands to the side, watching everything half amused by their parents. Tris notices him and leaves everyone in the living room to join her husband.
"Hey," she says almost shy.
"Hey," he replies with a small smile.
"Uh, sorry about Nat," she says and looks him straight in the eyes.
"Huh?" he asks at first but then remembers that he landed on his butt. He chuckles and shakes his head. "It's fine." Tris smiles back.
"They seem pretty excited about having an Avenger so close to them," Tris says turning around slightly to watch her mother and mother-in-law fist fight the air.
"Yeah," he says absentmindedly. "Listen," he says and Tris returns to look at him, "I was wondering if you would like to go out tonight?"
"On a date?" she asks raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah." Tris thinks for a moment before she nods her head.
"Where we going?"
"I thought since we pretty much skipped dating and got straight to business," he says and she chuckles, "we should go on all kinds of dates. That's why I was thinking to go out every evening this week."
"Seriously?" she asks raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"
"I'm not saying you aren't. Just wondering how you gonna manage work in the morning, date in the evening, sex all night for a week," she says with a wide grin. Tobias almost bursts out laughing but he can't deny that her suggestion sounds titillating.
"I'll manage," he promises.
"I hope you do. I'm not gonna let you off the hook." Without thinking he snakes his arms around her and places a soft kiss on her lips. Their kiss is as exciting as the first they shared. Reluctantly, both pull back very much aware they're not alone. Whatever this is between them, they don't want to get their parents' hopes up in case it doesn't work out.
By three in the afternoon Natasha says goodbye to her friend and promises to be back soon. Both the Priors and the Eatons leave as well. Marcus saw the two newlyweds kiss intimately but didn't say anything other than the parents should leave them be. Obviously, once they were all in the car they got very excited about the news.
Meanwhile, Tobias and Tris get ready for their date. They decided a movie and pizza should be best for their date. Neither wants anything fancy and a movie would be great. They can relax and just enjoy each other's company.
Tobias isn't ready yet to tell her how much he cares about her, but wants her to know he has all intentions to actually give their relationship a shot.
"What do you wanna watch?" Tris asks as they stand in line to get their tickets.
"You pick," he says smiling. He really doesn't care. He just wants to sit close to her and hold her hand. He wants to show her he cares about her and her feelings and opinions. He wouldn't be a douche to her. Ever. Well, not again.
"You sure?" she checks with a knowing look. She knew that guys hated romantic movies and so far she could tell Tobias wasn't an exception. "Alright," she says and pretends to think of what looked like the most romantic movie there. "How about the new Jennifer Aniston movie?" she asks. She could see how much Tobias tries not to roll his eyes at the news and smiles instead, a bit forced mind you.
While Tris stands in line to get the tickets Tobias goes to get their drinks and popcorn. By the time they meet up again, it's only a few minutes before their movie starts. Tobias goes to stand in line to enter the theater when Tris pulls him back.
"Wrong line," she says with a smirk. Tobias looking dumbfounded follows her only to realize they are entering to watch "Suicide Squad". A grin splits his face when he realizes she tricked him and that they will actually watch a movie they can both enjoy. But more importantly she knows he would rather watch this movie than yet another romantic comedy. Don't get him wrong. It's not like he hates the genre, it's just he saw too many when she was sick. After they sit down Tobias kisses her cheek. "What was that for?" she asks smiling.
"For not making me watch another Jennifer Aniston movie."
"I knew you wanted to see this one, but couldn't. So, here we are."
"Thank you," he says and realizes that she was paying more attention to him and his desires than she led on. "Here's your popcorn and your 3D glasses," he says handing them to her.
"Oh shoot. I forgot to tell you to get me," she starts saying but then Tobias shows her a large bag of M&M's. Her smile was so beautiful that Tobias just had to kiss her. "Thank you." Their foreheads remain linked to each other and they both look into the other's eyes. Now or never, Tobias.
"Tris, I," he starts saying but then the movie starts. He sighs in defeat and promises to tell her later.
The movie is exciting and both have a great time, but the fact that he wants to tell her something so important gnaws on him. Would she agree? Would she be happy about it? Does she feel the same way? All these thoughts and what ifs just drive him crazy. The moment the movie ends he grabs her hand and they both hurry outside to get to his car and drive to his favorite diner.
Once Margaret takes their order Tobias looks at his wife intently as she scrolls through her phone. She didn't seem to pay attention to him which he found alright, since he needed a moment to think of what he wanted to say to her. Why was he so nervous?
"Babe?" she asks suddenly, pulling him out of his own thoughts.
"Hm?"
"What's wrong?" she asks, her face smiling but her voice sounds worried. She reaches across the table to hold his hand. He smiles a little.
"Uh, nothing. It's just," he starts saying and feels a lump in his throat.
"Just spill it," she says, letting go of his hand and leaning backwards, her eyes still trained on him, trying to figure out what it is that is bothering him.
"I need to tell you something." She nods. "And I need you to shut up while I'm doing it." She nods again. That's it. Now or never. "Tris, I like you. I don't know why or how, but I do. And I want us to try, just like my dad suggested. I know this sounds fucked up and all. But would you be my girlfriend?" he asks.
Tris looks at him as if he had a second head growing out of his body. What the hell was he talking about? Girlfriend? He likes her? She likes him too. He isn't as bad as she first thought, she had to admit that now. But she didn't think he liked her. Sure, they got along better and the sex was good. But she just assumed they were friends with benefits. No complications there. Right? Did he have feelings for her? Like romantic feelings? Duh, Tris, of course he does if he asked you to be his girlfriend?
"You want me to be your girlfriend?" she asks as if she didn't hear him right.
"Yes," he says and smiles.
"Uh, we're married," she says.
"I know. But that marriage was an arrangement we didn't really want," he says a little more serious now. "But I want you to be my girlfriend."
"Are you sure you want a real relationship with me? You know who I am and what I am," she says the last part in a whisper.
"Yes, I do. And you know who I am. Tris, I know this won't be a picnic, but I want us to try. We don't even have to tell anyone about it." He watches her as she thinks of what he is saying and decides to put his heart on his sleeve. "Babe, over these past weeks we became friends. I know we are and I know it's true and not faked. I confided in you and you in me. I know for sure that some of the things I've told you I have never told anyone, not even Zeke who has been my best friend for years. And I know you told me things you didn't tell others. All I'm asking is to give us a chance."
Tris remains silent. Before she could give any answer, their food arrives and they postpone their conversation. Or rather, Tris does. It's not like she doesn't care for him. Perhaps she cares too much already. But if her dreams are real she isn't sure if she could survive falling in love with him. On the other hand, Natasha is right. Dreams can be dreams. There is no actual science that could tell Tris that what she saw was real, a vision of the future. It could have been a trick of her mind, a nightmare and nothing more. And in the end, even if it is true, she was able to stop worse scenarios. Why not this one? Sure, Peter left her with this doubt in her heart. But she knows Tobias. More than she ever knew Peter. No, Tobias is different than Peter. There is no comparison between the two men.
"Yes," she finally says after she finishes her burger. Tobias stops mid-bite and looks at her befuddled. He wasn't quite sure what she was saying, given the fact she didn't say anything at all for quite some time.
"Excuse me?" he asks.
"Yes, I wanna be your girlfriend," she says and gets up. She slides in beside him and kisses his lips.
"Really?" he asks, a huge smile forming on his handsome face.
"Yeah. I mean, it's not like we don't live together or sleep together. But we do get along. I never thought I'd say it, but you are really great."
"Really?" he asks still smiling, but then frowns. "What do you mean you didn't think you'd ever say this?"
"Means, there was a small chance of those words leaving my mouth," she teases. "But, you seem like a nice guy. I might keep you. Until you screw up, anyway," she says with a smirk.
"Oh, I won't," he promises.
"You probably will. But you can then figure out how to make it up to me," she replies and kisses him again.
They decide to forgo the pie Margaret recommended for dessert and rush home instead. They have some celebrating to do and in any case, they would get their dessert.