Thank you all for the positive feedback everyone! Special thanks to Libra18j whose feedback resulted in this very long chapter - I hope it lives up to everyone's expectations :) As always I would love to hear your lovely opinions!
By the way I wrote a songfic, cheesy right? Check out 'I cannot lose what is not mine'!
I do not own Divergent or its characters.
Right on time Eric knocked at the door and when Tris opened it she gasped at the sight of her mentor. He was clad all in black with a dark red tie, his jacket was slung casually over his arm and the short sleeves of his black shirt showed off his well-toned upper arms. When she looked up at his eyes she noticed that he was checking her out as well.
She smiled at how he looked at her, he had never checked her out like that, at least not that she had ever noticed. When he finally met her eyes she moved to the side, "Come on, or do want to stand in front of the door forever?" She turned and grinned to herself when she saw him blink dumbfoundedly and thought that she might have seen a mild blush around his cheeks.
Tris went back in front of the mirror in the living room to finish her make-up. Looking down at herself she noticed how the knee-long black dress with the dark red ribbon around her waist complimented Eric's outfit and they represented Dauntless perfectly.
Eric leaned against the wall next to the mirror and watched her intently. Without looking at him she knew he was smirking and she had to focus on her reflection, otherwise she felt like she would blush wildly. With an exaggerated sigh he pushed away from the wall and moved around her to look her up and down from behind. Tris had to struggle to keep her hand calm not wanting to screw up the mascara. Not knowing what he was up to made her uneasy. He stood there behind her back for a few moments without saying anything and she was too close to the mirror to really see his face.
Her breath hitched in her throat when he brushed her hair to the side and his fingertips grazed the exposed skin on her shoulders. Her heart hammered in her chest as he took a hold of the zipper on the back of her dress, he pulled it up all the way up and brushed out some wrinkles in her dress.
When he took a step to the side Tris watched him quietly through the mirror as he stared down at her shoulders. He seemed reluctant to move away and didn't notice her watching him.
Though when she cleared her throat he looked up with a smirk, "That's a sight I have to get used to. My co-workers usually don't dress up for me."
Blushing furiously she exclaimed, "I am not dressing up for you!" He smirked in return, "Oh? Who told you to dress nicely?" She stared at him for a moment and his gaze didn't waver from hers. His nostrils flared from suppressing a grin and he was right but she didn't want to admit it, after all she originally wanted to wear pants and Christina had made her pick this dress in the end.
Tris didn't want to give him the satisfaction of victory but she didn't know what to reply either, so with a huff she finished her make-up. Checking her appearance in the reflection one more time she tugged her long hair behind her ears and let out an angry sigh. Her hair wasn't cooperating as usual and she was already nervous enough.
Pulling up her hair Tris was just about to tie her hair back but she froze when Eric chuckled low in his throat. She shot him a questioning glance through the mirror. He stepped to her side and crossed his arms over his chest, "Leave it open," he simply instructed and regarded her with mixture of amusement and dominance.
She did as he told her and wondered how she didn't really mind his dominant nature. He used to intimidate her during initiation but now that she was working with him so closely she saw him from another perspective. And while Four's tendency to authority scared her most of the times, it was different with Eric.
He sighed in exasperation and it made her blink out of her trance like state. His hand was on the doorknob and he watched her calmly, "Are you ready now?"
Nodding Tris grabbed her purse and after she closed the door she turned to Eric who was waiting for her patiently. They went up the stairs to the upper level in silence. Tris wondered briefly why they weren't going to the train station but Eric explained that Erudite provided cars for this event picking up all attendees of the event.
When they arrived at the parking lot Tris saw the impressive dark blue car with the Erudite symbol on the side. A chauffeur stood leaning against the car waiting for them and all of a sudden Tris felt special.
Sneaking a glance at Eric she imagined how this would be a date instead of an official event they had to attend. They would be driving to a fancy restaurant and spend a nice evening together. Maybe they would even dance and when the day was over he would bring her back to her apartment.
Shaking her head at the childish thoughts she heard her name being called. From a distance she saw Four who just arrived from an outside meeting himself and walked towards her at an angry pace. When he was in front she shrunk back.
"So, now you're dating?" he sneered in a low voice tilting his head in Eric's direction. She noticed that Eric opened the back door of the car but otherwise remained silently watching them.
Four was seething and Tris took a step back almost bumping into the car, "Four, this is not a date, if you chose leadership then you would probably know about this event! This is about meeting the other faction leaders and their new protégées!"
He chuckled darkly and came closer, she gulped wishing Eric wouldn't be here to witness how Four treated her, or maybe it was best that someone did finally see. She had always been too afraid to tell anyone how intimidating he could be when they were alone.
"You think he cares about you, don't you? You're so naive, he only ever thinks about himself! You'll regret trusting him!"
Tris sighed desperately but before she could open her mouth, Eric cleared his throat and just now she realized he had been waiting silently watching Four making a scene. His eyes were fixated on Tris and his grey eyes had seemed to have turned a shade darker as he regarded her calmly. Holding the door to the car open for her his jaws tightened visibly and without so much as looking at Four he addressed Tris, "We should leave now, we don't want to be late."
The authority in his voice gave her strength suddenly and without looking at Four she turned to get into the car. When the door slammed shut behind her she watched Eric brush past Four without another word and when he was inside the chauffeur drove off.
Tris was fidgeting with her hands when she noticed a tear run down her cheek. And just as she wiped it away hastily Eric scooted a little closer. His leg leaned against her thigh and she could feel his body heat even through the fabric of his pants. He grabbed her purse and whipped out a tissue, she stared at him dumbfoundedly and he frowned, "Why are you even crying for the loser?"
She grabbed the issue angrily and wiped at her face, "I'm not sad because of..." He cut her off roughly, "Then stop crying!" and with a softer voice he added, "Those people at the banquet want to see the pride of Dauntless," he pointed a finger at her face offering her an encouraging smile, "This is not what they want to see and I don't want to see you like that either."
His hand reached up to wipe away a tear she couldn't hold back, his thumb lingered on her cheek a brief moment and she leaned into the touch. But he pulled his hand back too soon, Tris took a deep breath and when she thought she had regained her composure she looked up at him. His face showed concern for a long moment but when she nodded he simply nodded back and returned to his seat.
After a few moments Tris noticed Eric bobbing his knee up and down seemingly more nervous than she was. She grabbed his knee and he immediately stopped, looking down at her hand he scowled. "Stop it, or I'll punch you!" Eric's face broke out at that into a wicked smirk as he looked at her, "Now that's the spirit!" Tris blushed and grinning to herself she tried to distract the attention away from herself, "Don't tell me you're nervous about this?"
"I'm not," he snapped and let out a long breath through his nose, "I'm just not looking forward to be socializing with people I don't know, that's all." She smiled affectionately at him, "You know the other Dauntless leaders." Lifting her hand from his leg she saw a strange emotion flicker across his face. Was it disappointment? As soon as it was there it was gone already and she offered him yet another smile, "And you know me, you can socialize with me if you don't like the others."
At that Eric sucked his bottom lip into his mouth, releasing it through his teeth he chuckled and averted his gaze. He nodded absent-mindedly and not saying anything looked outside the window. Tris saw his ears redden and grinned to herself even though she didn't quite know why.
Soon after they arrived at an enormous building with many cars pulling up. Tris watched in fascination as all the people buzzed around helping others out of the car. She had rarely been anywhere else than at Erudite headquarters and of course in Dauntless, so she didn't know much about what the city had to offer. Everything was decorated in the faction colours and symbols but mostly Erudite since they had organized this event. She was so caught up looking around that when Eric ordered her to stay seated she didn't protest.
When the door suddenly swung open she flinched for a moment but then she saw Eric holding out his hand for her with a faint smile and he helped her out of the car. A wave of nervousness washed over her once again when she saw the other faction leaders and their protégées. Every single one of them looked more professional than Tris thought she did.
Eric offered her the crook of his arm and she latched onto his arm, he had put on the jacket but she could still feel the warmth of his arm through the fabric. Clasping his hand over hers he leaned closer to her and when he whispered into her ear it sent shivers through her entire body, "You're fine, Tris, I'm here with you."
Tris was calmed by his reassurance while at the same time her heart started beating faster as he led her into the gigantic hall that was prepared to accommodate all the leaders of all factions. Enormous chandeliers hung from the ceiling and big round tables were set up. Each table had enough seats to have at least one of the five factions' leaders and their protégée sit together with people from other factions.
They were halfway into the room when they heard Jeanine call out for them. They all shook hands and Jeanine regarded Tris with an arrogant air she didn't know how she had deserved it. They were small-talking for a few moments until someone announced for everyone to return to their seats.
The banquet commenced and after a few hours Tris found herself talking to a leader in training from Abnegation. He was nice but he babbled on and on about her old faction, and she wanted to just turn around and leave him standing there. But her inner Abnegation told her to stay polite and listen to him. She would probably see him again in one of the faction meetings Eric had told her would soon follow after the banquet.
Tris' mind wandered and without knowing what she was looking for her eyes found Eric's through the crowd, he was staring right back at her and when their eyes met he smirked. He made a gesture with his hand as if to ask whether the guy bored her with his talking and she had to suppress a giggle. She nodded and rolling his eyes he gestured for her to follow him.
Tris took her leave and followed Eric onto a balcony, the air outside had cooled down but it was still warm. Eric leaned against the railing looking out over the city and she went to stand beside him. "Did the Stiff bore the Stiff to death?" She rolled her eyes but chuckled at his precise observation, "He wouldn't stop talking, thanks for saving me."
He nodded and sipped at his drink, turning around he leaned against the railing with his arms casually draped over the metal bar. He watched her silently for a few moments and when her gaze seemed to drift off he nudged her softly, "What's on your mind?" Just like so many times his husky voice made her shiver in a good way and she looked at him, she tried to smile but Eric didn't buy it.
"Hey listen, I'm your superior and I order you to tell me what's on your mind!" His face was so close to hers that she had to lean back and she laughed at his playful outburst, "How much did you drink?" He grimaced at the glass in his hand and put it on a nearby table, "Not enough to drown all of this out." He made a wide gesture and smirked when he leaned close to her again, "Anyway, now tell me, what's the matter?"
Tris sighed heavily looking down at her hands and before she could say anything Eric groaned, "Don't tell me number boy is still on your mind?!" She looked up at him to see a mixture of disbelief and something else she couldn't quite put her finger on cross his face. She blamed it on the alcohol but she couldn't get past the feeling that he seemed jealous, at least a little bit.
He raised his pierced eyebrow and she sighed again, "I was just thinking how Four turned down the position for the leadership training." Eric snorted and looked away but he let her speak. "So far it has only brought good things around for me. I have learned so many new things and you have been a great teacher so far." Eric smiled at her fondly but she was so immersed in her thoughts she didn't notice and continued, "He doesn't even care whether I'm doing good or not, he despises my wish to become a leader just because he hates you."
Tris looked up to see a bitter scowl on Eric's face and for a moment she was unsure on whether she should continue or not. He regarded her calmly and when she didn't say anything else he pursed his lips, "He just regrets that it is over with you."
She looked down at her hands biting her lip, "Sometimes I wonder whether it was the right thing to do." Eric scoffed and mumbled under his breath, "Right..."
Eric pushed away from the railing suddenly and grabbing Tris' hand he pulled her back into the room. He ignored that she was trying to pull away from him when she noticed that he dragged her to the dance area. And when they stood in the middle of many already dancing couples he turned to face her and unceremoniously pulled her against his chest.
She squeaked at the sudden impact and looked up at him, "Eric," she whispered, "I can't dance." He arched an eyebrow, "Oh?" She gasped when she felt his hand grab her waist to draw her closer to him while his other hand held hers up against his chest gently and started swaying them in small circles to the slow music. With a gentleness she didn't know he possessed he moved his hand to the small of her back and she could feel the warmth of his palm through her dress.
His mouth was at her ear and he whispered softly, tickling the shell of her ear, "I can't either. No one will notice anyway." Leaning back to look at her he grinned, "Relax, Stiff." When he resumed their position with his head next to hers she tried to calm down and placed her free hand on his shoulder. Trying to ignore that his breath on her collar bone sent goosebumps across her skin, she watched the other couples over his shoulder. No one cared indeed and she tried not to care either.
For a fleeting moment she wondered what anybody would think of her dancing with her mentor but seeing that Lauren was dancing with Max' protégée she relaxed. When Eric spoke his voice sounded a bit worried, "Now is this better than musing on Four?" Tris could only nod since she couldn't think about anything other really than Eric being so different than Four in so many ways.
He chuckled and it vibrated into her chest, "I thought so, don't let him get to you." He drew back a little just to say, "He didn't deserve you in the first place," and then he resumed his position with his head almost in the crook of her neck. Tris grabbed onto his shoulder to hide the blush that crept up into her face as she felt every single breath of him tickle her sensitive skin. She sighed and felt his arm wrap around her back protectively, his hand was caressing hers, his fingers brushing over hers again and again. Closing her eyes she wished this night would never end.
They spent the rest of the night talking and laughing with Max, Lauren and their protégées until they called it a night and everyone returned to Dauntless respectively. Tris felt a little bit tipsy by then and was thankful that Eric hadn't drunk more so he could hold onto her as they went outside and a little wave of dizziness washed over her. He put his jacket over her shoulders and during the ride home she snuggled a bit deeper into the fabric that was still warm from Eric.
She looked over at him and while he was seemingly deep in thought she couldn't help but travel her eyes up and down his muscular arms. It was too dark to see every little detail but she knew the mazes on his forearms almost by heart. She was stuck in his deadly grip more than enough, the thought made her remember how soft the skin of his arms was. She wished she could lay in his arms, despite what Four always told her he didn't seem to be such a bad guy after all.
His chest rose with deep breaths and she wondered what was going on in his head now, but she didn't dare ask. He only sat next to her and they hadn't uttered a word since they left the event. So when he cast her a sleepy smile it made her heart flutter and she responded with a smile of her own.
Walking back to their apartments Tris felt Eric's hand on the small of her back, instinctively she leaned closer to him and noticed even through the fogginess of her mind that he did so as well. For a brief moment she even thought she had caught him breathing in her perfume.
When they arrived in front of Tris' apartment she turned towards Eric, "Thanks for the really nice evening. At first I was so nervous and that incident with Four..." she sighed. His eyes bore into hers rubbing the back of his neck and he watched her carefully. She smiled at him, "But thanks to you I was definitely enjoying this."
Tris bit her lip and leaning up she kissed Eric's cheek. Because he had shaved in the morning it was soft beneath her lips. Even though she wished she could linger she pulled back and caught a glimpse of him sucking on his bottom lip. Yet when she stepped away from him he had already released his lip and smiled down at her affectionately, "It's been my pleasure."
"Good night, Eric." His eyes bore into hers and he regarded her as if he wanted to say something. At last he muttered, "See you tomorrow, Tris."
She turned and closed the door behind herself and sank to the ground with an elongated sigh. A soft thud on the door startled her and she got up, the motion swapped Eric's jacket off of her shoulders. She stared at the jacket for a long moment, she had totally forgotten about giving it back. Looking through the spy she saw Eric leaning his forehead against the door, after a moment he turned and walked away.
Tris sighed and let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Her hand was trembling on the doorknob and eventually she grabbed the jacket from the floor. She cradled it to her chest and breathed in the distinct scent which belonged to Eric and it made her belly flutter once more.