Figured it was time to add another chapter to this, as I am starting to have an idea where I may want to take it.
Hope you enjoy, leave me a review at the end pretty please!
"We should get tattoos," Christina piped up at the end of breakfast. "Anyone feel like getting tattoos?"
"Sure," Tris replied evenly, glad for the distraction. Will nodded as well, happy to go along with anything Christina wanted to do. Unexpectedly, Christina turned her attention to Eric next.
"What about you Eric? Feel like coming along?"
Eric took a deep breath and let it out, trying for just a few moments of normality. "I would but I have paperwork to do. Or try to anyway," he muttered, not looking forward to a day alone in his office with his memories.
"Just initiate files?" Four asked him.
Eric nodded. "Yeah. Everything else can wait but I need to get those done. I still have to do Al's paperwork too," he groaned.
"I can do it if you want," Four offered easily. "I don't have anything else to do since he's got my place in the control room covered and I don't think you'd be able to focus very well today anyway."
"You would do that?" Eric asked incredulously.
"I remember what it's like to lose a parent," he said quietly. "I can't imagine losing your whole family. If I can help, I will."
Eric considered his offer. On one hand, it would be great to just have the day off, spend it in decent company and try to forget for a few hours. It was weird having Four offer to help him, but if he was telling Jeanine and her plans to go to hell then it wouldn't be bad to try to make an alliance. An idea formed in his mind as he thought of it. Eric didn't know how much Four may have figured out about Jeanine's plans, but he did know that Four had been snooping as of late. If he allowed Four to do his paperwork for him, he could give Four all the information he needed in the same stroke.
"That would be great actually," Eric told him. "There's some stuff on my computer I was going to show you anyway, but if you're in there you can just have a look through it yourself. It's buried but it's got your name on it." Eric lowered his voice so only Four would be able to make out his words. "Literally, it has your last name on it," he whispered. Eric dug his keys out of his pocket and handed them to Four discreetly, making sure that no one else noticed.
"That mean you're in?" Christina asked him.
Eric shrugged. "Sure, why not?" Tris shot him a warm smile, looking like she was honestly pleased that he was coming along with them. He didn't know why but the idea gave him a brief flare of happiness, the first he had felt since Jeanine had called the day before.
...
Tori was the only one in the shop when Tris, Christina, Will and Eric walked in, Eric behind the rest and looking slightly unsure of his presence among them. They were including him though, and that alone meant a great deal to him. No one had ever gone out of their way to be kind to him before, and the experience was strange for him.
Tori greeted the other three like old friends, particularly Tris, but her gaze grew reserved and cold when it fell on him. Clearly she didn't understand why he was with them.
"Eric," she greeted coolly. "You need something?"
He opened his mouth to respond, though he had no idea what he was going to say, but Christina responded before he could.
"We invited him along," she said casually, indicating herself, Will and Tris. "Distractions, you know..." Her voice trailed off, reminding Tori of the new gossip. She gave them a surprised look, eyes lingering on Tris, before shrugging.
"None of my business I guess," she said. "Unusual to find you spending time with anyone is all," she told him. She was right too. He was usually a loner, rejecting all company and friendliness. Or rather, no one wanted to spend the additional time with him. He knew why Tori was wary of him at least. He was younger than she, so hadn't been involved with her brother's death, but he was a part of the group that was. She had been wary of and cool toward him since he had joined leadership.
"Grief changes your perspective on things," he said evenly, meeting her gaze. "Changes your perspective on the people you spend time with." He paused. "And the ones you don't," he continued, shooting a glance the other three.
"Yes, it certainly does," she said carefully, giving him a confused look. "You here for something, or just tagging along?"
"I think I'm going to have something done actually," he told her. It was a spur of the moment decision, but it would get his mind off things. Pain generally did that for him. The more pain he was in physically, the less he could focus on the emotional pain.
"Alright, what are you thinking?"
Eric sat down on the chair in front of her, tugging off his shirt as he did and chucking it on the floor. "I want Dauntless fire across here," he told her, stroking his hand along the right side of his ribcage. "Real elaborate, good size."
"That's gonna hurt like hell," she told him bluntly.
"I know. That's the point," he admitted. Tori nodded, she understood.
"Anything else with it, or just that?"
"Yeah," he told her, the idea coming to him on the spot. "The symbol for Erudite, burning up in the middle of it."
Both of Tori's eyebrows raised at his statement and he met her surprised gaze levelly. She knew that Erudite was behind the hunt for Divergents, and what it meant that he wanted something so significant done.
"If you're sure."
"I am, I can promise you that."
...
The piece had taken hours, but Eric was determined to do it in a single sitting. Tris had sat on his other side the majority of the time, letting him squeeze the life out of her hand as Tori worked. He saw the way her eyes flitted to their entwined hands but ignored it, unconcerned about whatever conclusions she may be drawing. Eric waited until Tris got up to take a walk to speak quietly to Tori, first checking that Will and Christina were occupied with Bud, who had come in two hours previously.
"If you know of any initiates needing help... Laying low, shall we say... I can make sure they stay under the radar."
"Why should I believe you?" She asked him carefully, eyes on her work while they talked.
"Because I want revenge," he answered. "She had them killed because I wasn't doing well enough for her. But now she has nothing left to hold me with. I know you understand that."
Tori met his eyes briefly, and he could see the pain in them. Five years later and it was clear her brother's death still tormented her. "You'd be right about that," she admitted. "I'll pass along the message. Whether or not they trust you is their own decision, I won't be responsible for that."
"Fair enough."
There was a period of silence as Tori continued to work, Eric gritting his teeth against the pain. It was doing its job though, he didn't have enough focus to think of what had happened the previous day.
"So what's with the girlfriend?" Tori asked suddenly, feigning casualty. He could see that his response meant more to her than she was letting on, but chose to ignore it.
"I don't think that's the right word," he said with a strained chuckle. "I lost it and she happened to catch me. She may belong here, but she's still a stiff through and through," he said, somewhat affectionately. There was no maliciousness in his voice.
It was there, strung together in the same sentence that it all suddenly made sense. Tori's wariness of his presence among Tris and her friends, her interest in Tris herself and what Eric was doing with her. He froze as the realization hit him, and he felt like a moron for not seeing it before.
"Of course she's one of them," he muttered quietly. Something else hit him then. "You did her aptitude test didn't you?"
Tori was watching him carefully, a mask of careful indifference in place as she listened. "I did," she said eventually.
"What were her aptitudes?"
Tori gave him a long look before returning her eyes to her work without responding. She obviously didn't trust him that much, and he couldn't blame her for it.
"I'm not going to turn her in," he whispered. "I've been nothing but cruel to her since day one but she couldn't have been kinder to me last night. Even if I wasn't fully planning on telling Jeanine to kiss my ass I still wouldn't. I owe her, at the very least."
Just then the door opened and Tris wandered back in, walking up and taking her place back at his side. He slipped his hand gently into hers, marveling at the feeling of someone's touch being so gentle. No one had touched him the way she did since he was a small child, and he was finding that he couldn't get enough of the feeling. He squeezed her hand briefly and she returned the gesture, giving him a warm smile as she did. His heart thumped oddly in response, and he felt warmth flare through him. He could definitely get used to having her care this way.
...
Eric pulled Tris aside after dinner that evening, into a corner of the dining hall where they would be neither noticed nor overheard. He was completely unused to showing any sort of weakness, but even his pride wasn't strong enough to deny the fact he needed someone. And if he was going to let anyone be the person to hold him up, it was going to be her. For starters, she had already seen him at his lowest. She had given herself entirely to him the night before, and to top it all off he felt a connection to her. Somehow, the idea of opening up to her wasn't quite as terrifying as it would have been if she were someone else.
But that still didn't mean it was easy.
"Tris," he began awkwardly, unsure how to ask what he wanted. "I completely understand if you say no, but it was... Nice, having you there today. And I'm not sure I'm quite ready to..." Eric scratched the back of his neck uncomfortably as he continued. "Be, um, alone just yet... So I was wondering if you might, ah..."
Tris smiled gently at him as he fumbled for words, looking mildly amused at his discomfort.
"Do you want me to stay with you again?" She asked him quietly.
"If it wouldn't be too much of a bother, it would probably help," he said softly, not used to being so unsure of himself.
"Sure I can," she smiled. "Just let me grab something from the dorm and I'll meet you at your apartment. That okay?"
Eric smiled slightly and nodded, relieved he would have company. Hers, in particular. For some crazy, stupid reason he trusted her. He had no idea why, but he did.
"Knock twice, three times and then come in alright?"
...
Eric leaned back on his couch in his underwear, having said screw it after remembering that they'd worn much less the previous night. Heat burned through his veins at the memory, how soft and small she had felt in his arms and how deliciously tight she had felt around his cock as he pushed into her the first time...
Eric cut the thought off sharply, the last thing he needed was a boner right before she showed up. She had offered herself to him willingly enough the night before, but he wasn't about to assume that it meant he would be allowed more, nor would he ask such a thing of her.
He heard three sets of two knocks on his door then, and called for her to come in. The door opened hesitantly and she slipped inside, eyes freezing on his figure reclined casually on the couch. Shyly she walked over to him, setting down a pile of clothes before sitting down beside him. He held his arms out to her in a questioning gesture and she came to him willingly, seating herself on his lap and reclining against his chest.
Eric wound his arms around her small frame, sighing heavily as he did so. Though it didn't ease the pain in his heart, having her warm body in his arms made bearing the pain just a little easier.
"Thank you," he whispered in her ear. "I'm sorry, I'm not used to feeling weak," he admitted. He bit his lip then, the words had slipped out without his permission.
"Being human doesn't make you weak," she told him gently, turning to look him in the eye. "And neither does feeling pain. The fact you can admit that you need someone makes you brave, not weak."
He could see the truth in her words, though a part of him was still loathe to believe them. Her body was small and warm in his arms, and her natural scent was sweet and intoxicating. Her eyes were still locked on his, and her face was far too close. He felt his cock stir to life beneath her, and no matter how hard he tried he couldn't make it stop.
Eric's hands skimmed gently over her waist, and he could see in her eyes when she noticed his mood shift.
"Tell me if you don't want this again," he whispered, "And I promise I won't push it."
Tris bit her lip and didn't answer him, but he could see desire darkening her eyes.
"You have to tell me Tris," he coaxed gently. "Do you want this?"
"Yes," she responded, voice shaky and uncertain. It was all the confirmation he needed, however, and he brought her lips to his in a heated, passionate yet tender kiss. Her lips were still slightly unsure against his and he kissed her slowly in response, stroking his fingers along her face and across her neck. He felt her relax in his arms, sinking into the embrace and letting it consume her.
Eric moved her to straddle him, pinning his erection between their bodies as he drug her shirt over her head, her bra following it to the floor almost immediately after. She shuddered when he cupped her breasts, pinching and rolling her nipples gently between the pads of his fingers to coax a moan out of her. He felt her fingers trail down his chest and jumped slightly when she pinched his nipples between her fingers the same way had done to her own.
His fingers found the clasp of her pants, nimbly unfastening them and guiding them off her legs as he kissed his way down her throat, nipping occasionally. He slipped his fingers into the hem of her underwear and slid them off her as well, tossing them to the floor distractedly as his fingers found her soft, soaking flesh.
He grunted and then moaned as her small hand cupped him, squeezing slightly before tugging at his own underwear. He arched himself enough to slip them off, his cock bouncing erect and making the tip brush against her wetness.
"It'll still hurt a bit, but it won't be as bad," Eric whispered in her ear, nipping at her earlobe. She moaned as he tugged at it with his teeth, teasing her by trailing his tongue over the edge. "Are you ready?"
He felt her nod and clench her hands on his shoulders, and Eric guided her body down around him, moaning loudly as her tight heat encased him completely. He felt her fingers pinching into his shoulders and reminded himself to be gentle with her, wrapping his arms around her waist and stroking her back lightly as she adjusted to him.
"Move when you're ready baby," he whispered huskily. "I'll show you what to do."
He felt her shift uncertainly atop him, attempting to move but unsure how. Eric grasped her hips in his hands, guiding her hips up and then back down onto him to show her how to take control. After a few thrusts she seemed to catch on to the movement, raising up and sinking down in a hesitant rhythm while she attempted to discover what she liked. She was tighter than he was used to, and the feel of her bare, slick flesh against his own drove him half crazy as she began to ride him.
Eric's head fell back to the couch as she found a steady rhythm, and for once he wasn't shy about the moans escaping his throat. Usually he attempted to stay quiet, but there was something incredibly erotic about Tris riding him that made it impossible. It was also next to impossible to hold on to his stamina, and Eric could feel his release approaching with astounding speed. He grasped her hips in his hands and changed her angle slightly, allowing him to brush against a spot deep inside her that made her cry out into his mouth. He guided her then, helping her to hit the same spot with each thrust as they both came closer to their climax.
Tris's orgasm washed over her suddenly, making her throw her head back as she cried out his name. He watched her as he came, unable to help but notice how stunning she looked with her mouth open and her eyes fluttered closed. Dimly he noticed it was her name falling from his lips, which was a first for him. He never called girls by their names during sex, but with Tris it happened without a second thought and he found he didn't mind a bit.
She collapsed wearily on his shoulder when she finished, body slick with sweat and fluids leaking from her body. With shaky legs Eric stood, carrying them both to the bathroom and starting the shower. He didn't set her down until they were both under the hot water, staring at her in wonder as she stood with her head resting against his chest and her arms wrapped around her waist.
Eric leaned down and kissed her again, on an impulse he didn't know how to or want to control. Heat lingered in both of their veins, and it didn't take long for the passion to reclaim either of them. Her fingers tangled tightly in his hair as they continued to kiss, and it was in one single, smooth movement that Eric lifted her up and pressed her back to his shower wall.
Tris's arms wound tightly around his neck as he entered her again, wrapping both arms around her body and drawing slowly in and out of her. Each stroke was long and slow this time, filling her completely before drawing back and reentering. His fingers found her clit as his thrusts increased in speed, though each time he still pushed in to the base before pulling back once more.
Eric was wound impossibly tight when she finally shattered around him, legs clenching around his hips in much the same way her walls clenched around his cock and drawing an orgasm that much more intense from him in response.
Eric kept her in his arms as he gently rinsed their fluids from her thighs, turning off the now lukewarm water and carrying her to his bed. He stroked her forehead and cheek tenderly with his fingers, watching her chest rise as she breathed long and slow. He matched his breathing to hers, and had no idea which of them fell asleep first.