More SNIPPETS... enjoy
She feels worn and used like a hard day's work but it's all from being worked over by him. It's a blissful sleepiness that soothes her as much as the rhythm of his chest under her head. They're sticky and salty and going no where fast. She's learning he has a pattern. The lazy rubbing of her back to rouse her, the gentle push of a massage to wake her, and the persistent sinking of his hands lower and lower until she's as aroused as him. She doesn't have the heart to complain about how sore he's made her; she's coming to trust that the ache will pale in comparison of where he can take her.
He said he was okay, but no one believed him, least of all her. She could tell he was quiet because he was too focused on ignoring his fear. Disrupting that just edged him into irritation. She tried to give him an out, a way to say no gracefully, but he passed giving her the quickest of smiles as an assurance. If Zeke didn't know before, he seemed to get it now and pulled him aside and seemed to do the same thing, only to get the same response. At least Zeke was there to harness him in, and Tris to hold his hand as he waited, silent in the whooping crowd, the sweat eating through his shirt and steaming on his neck.
Christina had collected every bottle from the bathroom, dug them out of her bags and her dresser, and had them grouped on the table by name. She looked over the note and swept bottle after bottle into a trash bag. Tris crossed her arms and glared at the invasion. Each crutch she'd kept just incase, or as a backup. It wasn't like she'd have so many if she really was taking them all the time. A fact no one seemed to consider.
Four is drunk in a way that Lauren hasn't seen in years. In a way that makes him agree to almost anything and belligerent when she intervenes. What's worse, the pit is full of girls on the hunt, and he's been an elusive target the last few years. His admissions at Candor softened his reputation and each one wants him to fall in love with them, sacrifice for them, be fixed by them. And from her perspective, Lauren thinks he might let it happen even if its just for a night. Getting him out of the pit alone will be exhausting.
Tris never treats him like this. She doesn't flatter him or hang on him or press up against him. And he likes this. He likes that there are breasts being thrust at him and hands putting his hands on hips. He likes the tingle of whispers against the soft skin below his ear. He likes being young and dauntless and desired like no one has ever desired him. It feels powerful.