Chapter 5: Tobias
The sun wakes me up the next morning and I bring Tris' warm body closer to mine. She squirms a little bit trying to get comfortable and I can't help but smile.
Maybe there will always be a little bit of Abnegation in us but after last night I can't imagine there's much left. Eventually I give up and wriggle out of bed grabbing a towel for my shower.
When I get out Tris is awake and smiling and without thinking about anything else I kiss her.
"I'm going to jump in the shower do you want to go to breakfast after?" I nod and watch her naked form disappear behind the door.
Maybe six months was too soon to be living together, maybe it was too soon to have had sex but when Tris died everything that we could have done was gone and now we have the opportunity to live our lives together and I won't squander that.
After everything that happened in the past few months it was as if we had been together for years and while I knew after she died that a fire that burns as bright as hers couldn't last long, I know now that as long as someone is there to keep the fire going it will burn forever.
Her shower was quick and once she was dressed we left for breakfast, after every boundary had been pushed aside last night Tris had no problem dressing in front of me watching with glee at how hard I stared.
"After we eat could you help me work on my form? I feel like I'm out of practice." Changing into looser pants I agree and we're off to eat.
The training room has been practically all ours since we got back, only occasionally a few others will join in and go a few rounds fighting on the mats or shooting the targets to see who is better. But most of the time it's just us organizing and cleaning or trying to remember the best way to attack.
The rest of the time is spent in the offices going through everything, in meetings with Amar and George, or joking around with our friends. In no time the day before training started was upon them and I still felt entirely unprepared.
Waking the next morning we didn't bother showering since we would just get dirty anyway and ran down to breakfast. The room was buzzing with conversation and Amar had to call out a few times to get it quiet.
"I know that the factions are gone, and I know that Dauntless are no longer in charge of the protection of this city but we have offered our space and resources to help train the new police force. All of that, you already know." He shifted feet waiting for the big reveal. "What you don't know is that we are keeping some old Dauntless rituals in place, and the first two include jumping on the train and jumping to the net."
Cheers erupted from the former Dauntless who were more than excited to see their traditions live on.
"It won't be necessary to jump to join the force and those who don't want to won't have to but we are keeping this alive. George Wu is getting the new recruits now and will be here in the next twenty minutes, those who want to watch and more than welcome to join us at the net."
Everyone in the room jumped up and ran towards the net room, I grabbed a couple of muffins and toss the chocolate one to Tris before following them.
It took a few minutes to push through the crowd so we could get to where we needed to be and it was only a minute before the scream of the first jumper ran through the room.
We pull the net down and watch as a guy my age rolls out onto the floor. "What's your name?"
"Brian." He must have been a former Candor judging by his clothes.
"Go ahead and call it Tris."
I can see that this is something she waited for, and turns to the crowd. "First Jumper: Brian!"
The room cheered and pulled him forward into the group to celebrate before being pushed over to the extra mats where the recruits would wait. Taking turns with the jumpers Tris and I call out a total of thirty names before Amar and George jump down.
"All of them jumped?" I was expecting a majority to take the leap but not all of them, George nodded before running out of the room and I can't help but be impressed. "Alright, let's get this started then."
We turn to the group anxiously waiting and watching as everyone else filters out of the room. "Welcome to the Force," I say crossing my arms over my chest and watching Tris shove her hands deep in her pockets. "First I want to congratulate all of you for jumping." The group cheers, something I wasn't expecting. Surveying them I can tell there are more than a few Candor, Dauntless, and Amity, not many Erudite and even less Abnegation with the rest of the group, a majority, from the Fringe. "Secondly, I want to introduce myself. I'm Four."
"Like the number?" I can't help it and neither can Tris, we let out a laugh each remembering how Christina asked the same question.
"Exactly like the number." Stepping forward she inclines her head gaining the attention of everyone. "I'm Tris, we're going to split you up into two groups and train you separately. Whatever you've heard about Dauntless initiation is not relevant so forget it."
"What about the train and the jumping?" Someone called from the back.
"The train is the easiest way to get from the city to here, and the jumping is just fun." A few start to murmur. "Things like the fear landscape will no longer be a part of training, however, if you wish to go through the landscape you are more than welcome to ask one of us and we will put you through it."
"The bareknuckle fighting is also not going to be happening, here when you go through physical training you will wear the proper padding."
It's easy to list off all the rules and what's going to happen with Tris because we can basically finish each other's thoughts by now. And I know that she will be an excellent instructor. "Amar gave each of you a piece of paper when you go to the roof, anyone with a T go with Tris and anyone with an F come with me."
They shuffle through to get to each of us and with a wink Tris and her group is gone on the tour of the area.
"I'm going to take you on a tour but first are there any questions?"
"Yeah," a former Candor on the edge of the group speaks up. "That girl Tris, is she seeing anyone?"
There are a few agreements with the question and I smile, "She's much stronger than she looks, she's out of your reach." The insult is met with a groan and laughs but I want to tell them all that I'm her boyfriend and to stay away from her.
I lead them to the middle of the Pire, and then the Pit explaining the function of each building and what you can do in each. The Pit, obviously, it the more exciting of the two and holds their attention longer than the Pire. Next, I show them the chasm and explain that over the years more than a few have fallen, been pushed, or jumped to their deaths for various reasons and everyone takes a hesitant step backwards.
Down the hall I lead them to the dorm they would be using, I opted to have them use the transfer dorm so Tris didn't have to relive any memories from her time there. Telling them to change into the loose clothes we provided I say that I will take them to lunch and then to shooting practice.
The cafeteria is louder than the past couple of weeks but I'm still able to hear Zeke over anyone else joking with Shauna and Tris. Everyone follows me to the food line and follows me lead, I decide to shock them when I get to the table and plant a firm kiss on Tris' mouth.
"What was that for?" She asks swiping some of my beans.
"I can't kiss my girlfriend?"
"You can definitely do that." She continues eating watching my face.
Zeke speaks up being the one to ruin the moment. "He can kiss you all he wants Tris, but he did it to make a point to the new recruits." And suddenly my shoulder aches with a well-placed hit.
"Thanks Zeke." I choke out as they laugh, it might have been petty to show everyone she was mine, but it was fun.
After lunch Tris and I walk to the training room together laughing but part to opposite sides meeting with our groups. The guns are already lined up on the table filled with the dummy rounds and I picked up the closest one showing the group how to hold it, turn off the safety, and aim then tell them to pick up and gun and get to work on the targets.
It takes a bit of practice but eventually they all figure out how to best stand with their weight and aim.
"Hey Four, can I get a hand over here?" Tris wants a demonstration, so I tell my group to follow and watch for later.
Kicking off my shoes and pulling off my socks I step on the mat waiting for her to explain the basics of stance and how to hold your arms.
"One of the first things I learned while fighting is that a good first blow will often disorient your opponent, the jaw is a good place to hit but the throat or face is good too." She turns towards me and I watch as she steps forward and even though I try to block her arms the left one slips through and she slaps my throat. Going back to the original stance I try to knock her legs out from under her but she jumps and uppercuts my jaw.
The groups all watch laughing when she lands a hit on me and knowing that it will bruise I laugh too. "Also make sure to watch your opponents feet and eyes, they can give away the next move." Tris lunges at me trying to go for the stomach and instead I side step and grab her around the waist flipping her onto her back.
"How many fights have you lost Four?" Someone yells out as I help pick Tris off the mat.
"I was undefeated during my initiation," A few sighs from the ladies. "The only person to ever actually beat me in a fight is Tris."
"Which is weird because he's the one who taught me." She laughs and pats my shoulder thanking me for the help. "Alright everyone pick out padding and a partner and try out some of the stances."
My group goes back to the targets and continues shooting, I can tell they're more interested in the fighting but I assure them we will get to that more tomorrow. It doesn't take long for most of them to hit close to the middle of the target, but a few I have to help out and in the end I am proud of their work for the day.
After a few hours of shooting I teach them what to do if the gun jams or how to attack if there are no bullets left. Finally after that I dismiss them to dinner, they all run off but I stay to clean up the guns and sweep up the rubber bullets. Tris joins me silently and together we work until we leave for dinner as well.
"How'd the first day go?" Amar sits next to me his plate holding an impossible amount of food.
"Good, they're better at shooting than I would have thought. Then again most in the city fired a gun with the fighting." Looking out to the recruits I can't help but place them each into factions, it's a habit I need to break.
There are Dauntless who sit with their friends or family that are still here, Candor who say whatever comes to mind and I see some offended faces in the mix, Erudite who have to sit by themselves because no one trusts them, and Amity and Abnegation sit together smiling politely and talking quietly.
Tris is talking about her group who need practice with fighting but enjoyed watching her hit me. Without thinking I grab my jaw and I feel it bruising already.
"You let her hit you?" Zeke says from across the table, I nod and point to my jaw and he high fives Tris. "Way to go."
That night I grab a bottle of alcohol from the Pit and head down to the rocks, I don't really want to be alone but I don't really want to be with a bunch of people either. The alcohol burns as it slides down my throat and after a few mouthfuls I feel my head starting to get fuzzy.
"Thought I'd find you here," Zeke sits next to me keeping one leg bent and propping his chin on it. "Mind if I take a swig." I hand over the bottle silently and watch him drink more than he should in one go. "Something on your mind?" He asks after a little bit.
"Too much on my mind." I respond taking another sip. "I know what I want but I'm afraid that everyone will think I'm crazy or something."
He shrugs, "I guess it depends on what it is you want." I can barely look at him because he looks so much like Uriah but I make myself do it.
"I want to marry Tris." He mumbles something about it being obvious. "But I don't want her to think that I'm pushing for it or anything, I want it to be when she's ready. And I don't want anyone thinking I'm rushing into it for some reason."
I've only seen Zeke get serious a handful of times, I'm more comfortable with him being goofy but right now I need someone who knows me and can have a serious conversation. "I don't think anyone would think you're crazy, we all see how you two look at each other and we see what you've been through." He takes another sip. "You two have been through so much in the past few months that it would be ridiculous to think that you're relationship hasn't been tested enough."
"And what do you think?" The bottle is half way gone already. "You're my best friend I want to know what you think honestly."
His eyes meet mine and for a second I see a hundred emotions, but he focuses and they're gone. "I think that you two were made for each other and if you don't marry her I'll smack you until you do."
"That's very Candor of you." I smirk and together we finish the bottle and stumble back to the Pit.