There is a persistent editing issue for this chapter while trying to transfer it from AO3. Please ignore the wider gaps in between sentences.
This is Challenge V, an Eris story.
Eric POV
"Max, we have a problem!"
"I know, Eric, but how did you learn about the test results already?"
I stop mid step and stare at Max.
"We are not talking about the same issue, are we," Max asks me wearily.
"I highly doubt it,' I snort.
"Just tell me," Max groans.
"Jeanine just hand delivered brand new fear simulators," I growl.
"Without asking us first?!"
I huff, the answer is obvious and I sincerely hope that was a rhetoric question.
"She had a van drive into the maintenance yard and ordered the guards to call one of us while her team unloaded. Oscar was the one they called and of course the traitor signed for the delivery and licked her ass before she drove off. He allowed her team access to our equipment and they took everything we had. There is just her new stuff left!"
Max stares at me for a long moment before his hand shoots out and he grabs his phone. He knows the number by heart and it seems his call was expected.
"I don't care! I have kids coming soon and you just took my equipment, leaving me with unrequested and unfamiliar shit that will determine the fate of a whole bunch of initiates," Max growls into the receiver.
He pauses, and the longer he listens to Jeanine, the higher his eyebrows rise.
"I want my things back and for you to follow protocol," he shouts, clearly exasperated.
"No, I am not allowing your scientists to conduct the tests. If my trainers and leaders can't do it then we will refuse to do fear sims all together!"
Max listens for a few more minutes before simply banging the receiver down and screaming obscenities at it as if it would care.
I decide to sit down and look through the files Max has on his desk, trying unsuccessfully to wait him out.
"And," I finally interrupt his tirade.
"She wants us to come and be trained in Erudite!"
Well, shit. We both know what this means.
"She is upping her game," I mutter.
"Yeah, and we need to get this shit sorted because as far as I know there will be people whose live depends on us figuring this out."
"Sure they are headed for Dauntless," I ask quietly.
Max never revealed his source to me but so far it has been almost spot on.
"Great. How many?"
"Three or four. Two of our own and two possible candidates for a transfer. Eric, we have to let Tris in on this."
I stare at Max before shaking my head.
"No, I can still interfere while letting her take the brunt of initiation. We just need to learn our way around Jeanine's new machines."
"You know she will be monitoring as much as she can before we catch her. And no, Eric. The news I received make you ineligible to supervise initiation," Max warns.
I mull this over for a moment before things finally click into place.
"Oh fuck," I curse immediately. "Shit, did time fly! Alexia is sixteen already?!"
"Eric, you will be twenty five next week, son. You left Erudite eight years ago," Max reminds me.
"Yes, but she was just a baby," I complain.
"Eric, your niece is one of those two likely to transfer here."
I nod while I try to remember my brother's little girl. All of a sudden I feel so old.
"I am sending Tris and Uriah to Erudite but at least Tris needs to know what is going on. She can't go in blind," Max warns and I grudgingly agree.
…
Tris POV
"So you will go and figure this shit out," Max double checks.
"I will. Honestly, all you needed to say was Jeanine is trying to screw us over and I would have volunteered." I grin just thinking about one upping Jeanine. "She honestly follows the belief that some people are bad just because they don't conform to her personal check list of allowing just one faction's attributes. I was raised in Abnegation by a Dauntless mother and an Erudite father. I am sure that, no matter how much they conformed to the Abnegation way of life, some things were still passed down to us children and I sure as hell have some habits that I haven't fully kicked after… wow, almost six years here. She is delusional thinking there won't be opposition and this is just taking it too far for Dauntless. I will talk to Uri and we will learn that new system like the back of our hand," I promise.
"I knew I could count in you," Max praises and gets up, ready to leave.
"Max," I call out when he is about to push the door handle down.
He turns back to me and raises an eyebrow in question.
"Don't even think that we won't talk about why this is the first time I am hearing about this when I get back from Erudite. For now it is best I don't know any more but be ready," I urge.
He simply nods and leaves me alone with my thoughts.
Forcing myself to not dwell on the matter until I am back in the compound, I shut down my computer and head out to track down Uriah.
I find him doing rounds in the dorms, checking off things from a rather long list on his clip board. Mentally praising myself for my detailed work, I walk over to peek over his shoulder.
"Are you sure you checked the toilets already? You didn't even reach the bedding yet!"
His face is more than telling but he will be delighted to hand the list off to Max to reassign someone else.
I look around the Dauntless born dorm and spot the still empty bench that will hold towels in a few hours.
"Come and sit with me," I order.
"Jeanine went and replaced all our fear simulators," I start, and Uriah's eyes widen. He knows what this means without me telling him. "Yes, we all know, Uri. Max is sending us to Erudite to either learn how to handle this new machine or get our old ones back. If we are not successful with either we won't be doing fear sims at all."
"What the fuck?! We can't have initiation without fear sims, Tris. That's like allowing Erudites to pass without an IQ test," he screeches.
"Great argument, remember to bring that up when we talk to Jeanine," I praise.
"Tris, seriously! Who the fuck let her do this? Eric," Uriah guesses.
"Oscar," I correct.
"Fucking pansycake!"
"I know,' I groan. "Eric and Max will make sure things are ready on our end but we are the ones who are in charge of initiation and currently expendable. Veronica will take over running the faction once we are back so we can teach Max, Eric and the others how to handle the new machines. Uri," I start, unsure how much I should tell him now and how much I should reveal once we are done. "Max thinks Jeanine is up to something, like trying to illegally gain access to data. God knows what experiments she has in mind… with her, nobody knows until after the fact. We need to keep an eye on things and if we feel there is something off we will force her hand," I urge.
Uriah stares at me for a moment before a big grin breaks out, covering his whole face.
"So we are allowed to mess with Jeanine as much as we like?"
"With Max and Eric we already have the majority of the leadership team approving," I agree.
"Count me in!"
"Good, then give me that list and get packing. I am hoping to be back by lunch time tomorrow. The initiates will be here some time in the afternoon but we are both supposed to be at the net."
"And when are we supposed to train the others?"
"Do you plan on sleeping much," I counter, and Uriah winces.
"It was more the company I was hoping for," he admits.
"I'll make you a offer. Once you have an evening free I will make sure Marlene is off as well," I suggest.
"Fine," he huffs but we both know I did not even have to offer this and he would still have to do as asked.
…
Two hours later I am facing off with Jeannine. She seemed excited to see me when I walked into her office but she is not so happy now.
"What do you mean by threatening to call an emergency council meeting," she hisses.
"What I mean is to tell you that you are jeopardising a lot of dependents' futures by illegally removing my fear simulators from Dauntless the day before the Choosing Ceremony. I am accusing you of stealing Dauntless property and replacing it with untested equipment to be used on innocent children that deserve a fair chance at making it into Dauntless," I growl.
"Oscar gave me permission…."
"Oscar is one fifth of Dauntless leadership and not involved with initiation at all. Max is the head leader, he was the one to approve your invasion and the second person you should have consulted would have been me," I interrupt her.
"I don't know why you think it is your duty to look after initiation. Eric is the supervising leader and if he takes offence then he should be here, arguing his case and not you," Jeanine counters.
"I have been in charge of initiation for the last four years and Eric just helps out when needed. Once I was fully trained he was only a silent supporter and for good reasons. We don't want our initiates killed before their ranking ceremony when they piss him off on the day he got up with the wrong foot."
I raise my eyebrow and wait for Jeanine to argue my point. Eric's temper is well known and she has been present for enough tantrums to know what I am talking about.
"That man is unstable and a danger to our people!"
Oh no, she did not go there!
"Eric is an anally retentive, trained to be so from the cradle, ex - Erudite that transferred to Dauntless but expects everyone else to have a similar work ethic. Dauntless are proven to be more into interpreting their job description how they see fit and this results in sloppy work. Eric did a great job instilling fear and having them do better because they don't want to be caught by him. It works for us and means it's none of your business how we lead our faction," I lecture.
I can tell Jeanine is not convinced.
"Fine," I sigh, motioning for Uriah to get going.
"Wait," Jeanine calls when we are already out the door.
"Uri, wait," I order before turning back to Jeanine.
"I will return the old equipment to Dauntless but I want both of you to train on the new one tonight. You will see it is a better version." Jeanine beams with self confidence.
"We will train as soon as Max confirms our equipment is back and hasn't been tampered with," I agree.
"But that will take time," Jeanine wails.
"Not as much time as us learning our way around your new system," I caution. "Maybe you want to join us? Facing your fears again and again is such a fun bedtime activity," I tease.
"I will be there to monitor," Jeanine promises.
"Not what I asked," I grumble to Uriah when Jeanine heads back into her office, presumably ordering the return of our stuff.
…
True to her word, Jeanine returned our equipment and Max, Eric, Four and Lauren spent three hours ensuring everything was working the way it was supposed to.
It is now early morning and Jeanine seems to be looking for something that is just not there. I am not divergent, I am as Dauntless as they come these days, but Jeanine doesn't want to accept that.
"I have a few questions for you before we let you go," Jeanine finally concedes.
"I am not the most coherent at the moment," I caution.
"That's fine," Jeanine smiles brightly, seeing another advantage.
"Uri, a few questions and we can head home," I call out.
He walks over and plops down beside me, not bothering to cover his mouth when he yawns.
"That new system sucks," he wines and Jeanine huffs indignantly.
"It is an improved version, designed to make the fears more lifelike," she lectures.
"It was lifelike enough during my initiation. We don't want to have members needing counselling for the rest of their lives. We want them to acknowledge their fears and actively work to get past them, not scar them for life and hinder our progress as a faction. The way it currently is, I can not approve the use of your new simulators, Jeanine."
"But that's ridiculous! This is advanced technology, the best we have to offer and look at all the additional data you can get from the simulation. You have to use them, Tris!"
"No, I don't. In my opinion they are counterproductive to our goal as trainers. We know what we want to see in our members and the old simulators suit our needs better. Maybe Candor will be interested in them as a means to interrogate someone but they are not for us. I think it would be best if you had the new machines collected before noon so we can finish setting up before the initiates arrive at the compound."
Jeanine glares at me.
"I want a second opinion!"
"And you can have one after initiation is over. If you still want us to use new equipment then you have plenty of time to get us to sign off on it before the next Choosing Ceremony," I state calmly. "Now, this test is over and I want to call Dauntless," I request with steel in my voice.
Jeanine immediately stops arguing her point, clearly reading my growing ire with her insistence.
"I meant well. This is for the benefit of the whole city," she whines.
Deciding to ignore her, I call the control room, requesting transportation. I am fucking tired and the train is not the best choice right now.
…
"Hop in," Max shouts out of the passenger window when the truck pulls up in front of Erudite.
Uriah gives me a boost and I scoot over to make space.
"How was it," Max shouts over the revving engine.
"Tris told Jeanine to fuck off," Uri screeches loudly and I wince. "Told her we don't need the fears any more realistic and that we need our members sane and not needing counselling for the rest of their lives. They made us do the sims like ten times each while showing us how to work the new system."
"We don't need even a quarter of the data Jeanine is pulling out of the sims. She wants more opinions," I yawn. "Told her to work on her machines if she wants approval."
There is a loud snort and I could have sworn it was Eric but from my position I can't see the driver.
"Jeanine kept hounding Tris about her aptitude test and the fact that her results were entered manually while she was sent home sick," Uriah screeches again, hyper from sleep deprivation, I would wager. "Told her to send the drink and individual component to our infirmary for allergy testing on her. Jeanine was blowing steam out of her…"
…
I am jostled awake when someone lifts me out of the truck.
"Shh, sleep," a deep voice murmurs into my ear and I simply sigh and snuggle in, too exhausted to care that I should be a better example.
…
I am sitting upright in bed, panting hard while vivid images of Jeanine strapping faceless children to her new fear simulators still flash in front of my eyes.
"Fuck," I groan, rubbing my tired eyes with my fingers.
"What the…" looking around I can see that I am not in my bedroom. It doesn't even look like one of my friend's spare bedrooms and I am wondering where I am and how I got here.
Oh, shit! I fell asleep in the truck and someone carried me. Was Eric really there with Max?
Looking at the clock I see it is already ten in the morning and the Choosing Ceremony starts in an hour. Jumping out of bed, I narrowly avoid getting tangled in the sheets and face planting. Pulling the door open I step into a living room. I can say with certainty I have never been in this apartment but it is obviously a leadership apartment.
Stepping further into the room I finally notice the man sitting in an armchair in the corner right beside me.
"Fuck," I hiss, raising my hand to calm my racing heart and erratic breathing.
"Still tired," Eric asks, looking at me intently.
"Jeanine didn't make leaving easy." I don't have to say more, his eyes show he understands everything I am saying.
"Thanks for taking one for the team," Eric says, surprising me. "Four said Jeanine already collected her stuff and our own is installed and ready to go."
"Maybe someone should sweep those rooms," I say offhandedly and see Eric's eyes widen. "What? Jeanine clearly wants data that has nothing to do with our ability to work through our fears. I wouldn't put it past her to leave some surprises in those rooms."
Eric nods and taps away on the tablet he is still holding while I shuffle from my left foot to my right.
"What am I doing here," I ask when he seems to be done.
"Huh?" He looks up startled, clearly still focused on his screen.
"Why am I here?"
"You fell asleep in the truck and the passcode Uriah told me to use did not work."
"I would never give Uriah my code… what did that little shit think he could achieve with that?"
"Payback for taking him to Erudite with you," Eric guesses.
"If that's the case he can kiss Marlene goodbye as they will be working opposing shifts for a while," I growl.
"Hey, I don't know what he was thinking, that was my guess," Eric cautions.
"It is the most logical explanation. Don't worry, I will find out. Thanks for letting me sleep here. It's late and I have a lot of things to get ready," I state, turning towards where the front door should be.
"Stay," Eric requests out of the blue.
I turn back around and notice for the first time that Eric isn't dressed for the day yet. A t-shirt and boxer shorts scream pj.
"Did you just get up,' I blurt out.
"No," Eric answers but follows my gaze. "This is what I wear at home."
"Oh, I did not think you were the type to stay in your pyjama after getting up."
"It's not my pyjama," Eric mumbles.
"Then what is," I ask, not immediately thinking about how inappropriate this question is. "Oh god, I am sorry. I am clearly not myself this morning, just ignore me while I head home," I urge and move once more to where the door should be.
"Sit down, Tris," Eric orders, grabbing my hand and pulling me over to his large sofa.
I sit and look at him, waiting to hear what he has to say.
"You can go back to bed for a few hours. We got everything covered and it's like six hours before you need to be at the net," Eric starts, clearly not expecting the conversation to go this way.
"I need to…"
"We've got it covered. You put yourself through hours of fear sims, you need the rest before the initiates rob you of more. Look, I am heading to bed myself for a while," Eric assures.
"So this is your pj!"
"Why are you so focused on what I wear in bed?! No, this is not what I wear in bed, I prefer to not wear anything," Eric growls.
I can feel the blush stain my cheeks but there is no denying I asked for it.
Before I can say anything to dig myself deeper into my hole I yawn loudly.
"That's it," Eric announces, pulling me off the couch and picking me up.
My screech is interrupted by yet another yawn and it is embarrassing.
Eric lays me onto the still warm sheets before sliding in beside me, pulling the duvet up, covering both of us.
"Close your eyes," he orders and I snort.
"It doesn't work this way, Eric."
"Shut up and close your eyes," Eric demands, throwing an arm out and pulling me into him.
"Why.. are you.. here," I ask, interrupting myself with a few smaller yawns.
"Because while you were in Erudite I checked our old simulators before double checking the dorms and equipment. I knew you would insist on it being done so I was being proactive. I am tired and we both need to sleep," Eric explains but it doesn't explain why he is in bed with me.
"Thanks but why are you HERE?"
"Because someone has to make sure you stay in bed!"
"And you volunteered?"
"Sleep, Tris," Eric orders, yawning himself. His whole chest heaves and I am jostled around.
Turning onto my side, I get into a more comfortable position while Eric pulls me closer.
"Tris," Eric whispers when my eyes close.
"Hmmm?"
"I need to show you a few things on the simulator tonight."
"Okay," I mumble, not bothering to open my eyes. He told me to sleep and I am going to.
"You need to be open minded and I may need a favour or two," Eric mumbles.
"Huh?" I force my eyes open and blink a few times to focus my gaze on him. I need to crane my neck in order to meet his eyes and that brings my chin close to his jaw. Our lips are inches apart, and while I swallow, Eric licks his lips, making me look right at them.
"My niece might transfer…"
I don't think Eric said anything else. My gaze never left his lips but my hand suddenly appears in my line of sight, tracing his wet bottom lip until his tongue runs over the pads of my fingers before it retreats and his lips pucker, kissing my still fingers.
His eyes widen just as I gasp.
"Sleep," I order and close my eyes firmly.
I can feel him chuckle and then kiss my fingers again, gently pulling my hand down and laying it onto his chest, right on top of his rapidly beating heart, before covering it with his own.
Sleep doesn't come as quick as it should have, my own heart is beating so fast, my ears feel like they are under water. My mind is going over and over what just happened and what could have happened next.
"Stop it," Eric suddenly orders me loudly and of course I jerk just as my eyes shoot wide open. "Stop overthinking," Eric repeats and then his mouth moves down, his lips meeting mine in a rather gentle kiss.
I gasp at his forward action and he gets even more brazen, running his tongue over my lips before pushing in when I open my mouth on instinct.
And just like this we go from zero to full throttle. Eric's mouth is demanding submission and I gladly resign myself to the passenger seat.
I have no idea how long it has been until Eric slows the kiss down and ends it with a peck.
"We need to sleep," he reiterates and I chuckle darkly.
"I tried that before but now it will be impossible," I groan.
"Try," Eric orders and settles us back down the way we were.
I close my eyes, expecting to have my brain go over what just happened time and time again but to my surprise I feel myself drifting off almost immediately.
…
I wake up feeling finally rested, but my peaceful state of mind doesn't last long before I remember what happened in the past twenty four hours.
"Oh god,' I whine, and there is some movement beneath my cheek before I hear muffled laughter.
"I don't mind waking like this," Eric whispers with a sleep roughened voice.
I bury my flaming face in his chest and push my hands deeper into … oh shit!
"Hmmm," Eric compliments my action.
I turn my face and take a peek. Yup, there are my wrists, just peeking out of Eric's boxers.
"Great," I mumble, and Eric chuckles.
"It is," he agrees immediately.
I ball my hands into fists so I won't embarrass myself further but of course luck is not on my side. Instead of squeezing air I end up with some balls and a rather impressive dick in my hands.
Eric jerks and I let go, he whines in protest and I look back up into his face. His eyes are open and he looks right into mine.
"As much as I would love to take advantage of you right now, we need to get ready. We will talk later Tris, make no mistake. Once the initiates are settled we are going to sit down and clear the air. Are you with me?"
I nod.
"I need to hear you say it," Eric urges.
"Once the initiates are settled we will talk," I confirm.
"Good! Have Four give the usual talk when he brings them to the dorms after dinner. You are coming with me!"
"Okay," I agree, seeing that it just makes sense.
"Thank you!"
Eric kisses me gently before pulling my hands out of his underwear and getting up.
"It's after two, Tris!"
Oh shit!
And just like that I am rushing out of his apartment and into mine. The shortest shower I had since becoming a leader and a few minutes to get dressed later I am rushing through the cafeteria to the net, munching on the snacks I managed to grab.
"Overslept," Four asks when I approach him.
"Something like that," I agree and hear a snort behind me.
Turning around, I spot Uriah and stalk over to him while he slowly retreats.
"What the fuck were you thinking," I screech, and he turns to run but gets stopped by Lauren.
"I believe our leader asked you a question," she states sweetly.
"I didn't do it…. It wasn't me…. I mean, I was tired and thought it would be funny…." Uriah has no defence and he knows it.
"How about Marlene works a few nightshifts over the next three weeks," I suggest and he raises his hands.
"I am sorry, Tris, I really am. It was late and I was hyper and I just talked without thinking about what I was doing. Please don't punish Marlene for my stupidity. Nobody deserves the nightshift during initiation," Uriah ends and I nod.
"Lauren," I call, and she smirks at me.
"Uriah is all yours for the next three weeks," I promise, and she preens.
"Oh Uri, we will have so much fun with all the Dauntless-born thinking they are the shit! You are on babysitting duty," she declares and he groans, knowing what she means is he has to make sure they stay in the dorms at night and that there will be no pranks.
We all hear the train blare its horn and everyone quiets down at once.
"Who do you think is it this time," Lauren asks me quietly.
"I am still going with Abnegation," I declare.
"Then I will go with Erudite," she chuckles.
"Amity," Uriah calls from right behind me.
"Shhh!" There are a couple of voices calling out to shut him up immediately.
"Four," I ask.
"Dauntless," he answers after looking up at the sky for a moment.
"You know you lost as many times as I did with that," I remind him.
"You know what? I am changing my vote to Abnegation," he declares and Lauren whistles lowly.
"Feeling brave,' she teases.
"I am not afraid of losing a bet," he retorts.
"You would be if we put a wager on it this time," Lauren goads.
"No," I state firmly.
"Just something simple, Tris. Winner gets to choose one pairing for the fights," Lauren suggests.
I am mulling this over in my head.
"If someone's rank can be seriously affected I can veto," I declare.
There is agreement all around me.
Max's voice can be heard as he greets the new initiates.
I signal for everyone to get ready but nothing happens until suddenly….
"No," Uriah whines while almost everyone gasps.
There is a distinctive grey blur that comes rapidly closer until nobody can deny it is an Abnegation that just landed in the net.
I look at Tobias and there is the same trepidation I feel displayed on his face.
"It's been eight years," I whisper into his ear and he nods.
With purpose I walk over to where a boy was just pulled from the net by Uriah.
"Thank you,' he tells Uriah before looking around wide eyed.
I am taken back to when I landed in the net the first time, looking around, noticing the ten foot high platform I was on and the open cavern…
"What's your name?"
Uriah's question brings me back to the present and I walk swiftly to stand beside him, looking at the tall, lanky boy that tries so hard to not show how scared he is. His wide brown eyes are a dead giveaway.
He mumbles something too quietly for me to hear.
"What did he say," Lauren calls out and I sigh.
I feel someone step beside me, fingers twisting with mine, holding on tight.
"Enoch…"
I hear his whisper this time and look at Tobias who nods at me. He clearly doesn't want to use this name and I completely understand.
"You can pick a new name," Tobias states brusquely.
"Enoch was the son of Jared and Noah's great-grandfather," I state quietly and those brown eyes shoot over to me.
He takes a staggering breath and then nods.
"Jared," he declares firmly.
"Tris," Uriah asks.
"First jumper – Jared," I shout and the crowd cheers.
Jared looks relived and I nod for Uriah to show him how to get off the platform.
"Welcome to Dauntless," I say when Jared passes me.
He nods his head in acknowledgment and disappears.
I focus back on the net and the surprisingly empty air above.
"Was there just one," I ask jokingly.
"Maybe they are all waiting for him to shout that it is safe to come down," Lauren teases.
"That should give them negative points already," I growl.
"Hey, we can't all be first jumpers," Tobias soothes.
"But they can follow his example and be brave," I declare.
There are words of agreement before there is a loud screech, clearly a girl this time.
A bunch of blue fabric lands in the net and the moment I see the blonde curls I am reminded of what Eric said. His niece…
As soon as she stands in front of me I know I am right, the resemblance is there for everyone to see and I am afraid she will face extra challenges because of this.
I hear her introduce herself as Lexie when Lauren shows her how to get down.
One by one the initiates jump and finally Four and Lauren are able to take their charges with them.
…
"The poor girl looks just like Eric," Veronica states from beside me when I reach the cafeteria.
"No need to tell me," I huff. "We might need extra security or at least muzzle everyone and lock Eric away…"
"Only if you plan on locking yourself in with me," a deep voice whispers into my ear just as strong arms pull me back into a hard body.
"Congratulations, it's a girl," I state, turning around and glaring at him for the audacity to create this public scene.
Eric takes a step back, clearly surprised and not sure what I am saying.
Veronica's laughter has both of us turning her way.
"Do you need to excuse yourself from initiation as well, Tris? Looks like your soon to be niece just arrived," Veronica laughs out, wiping non-existent tears from her cheeks.
"We are not together," I growl and then elbow Eric when he nips my ear.
"Remember our date tonight," he asks me loudly.
"It's not a date," I hiss.
"Were you just using me for my body last night…. And this morning?!"
Eric tries to look hurt while Veronica chokes on her laughter. Serves her right.
"You were dressed," I growl.
"And yet you had your hands firmly inside my boxers…."
"Fuck me," Veronica screeches loudly, drawing everyone's attention to us.
"You said we would talk later," I hiss and he nods.
"It is later," he declares before bending down and shutting me up with a kiss.
My protests are swallowed by his tongue and when his hands press me against his erection I am melting into him instead of pushing him away.
"Nothing to see here, guys, grab your food and go," Veronica shouts and Eric groans, turning us and walking me backwards until my back hits a wall.
Good, we can stay here until the curiosity has died down and they forgot all about us!
"Why don't you take the evening off," Veronica calls but neither of us moves.
"Eric, let go of Tris and get out of here," Max orders. "The initiates are about to come in," he warns.
"Eric, I need help," Peter calls out and it makes me freeze.
Eric and Peter get along!
I bite Eric's lip and push as hard as I can against his chest. He looks at me with hurt and surprise.
"I don't socialise with people who like Peter," I hiss and scoot out from under his arm, kicking Peter in the shin when I pass him.
Veronica is at my side immediately.
"Tris?!"
"Give me a moment to work out what the fuck just happened," I hiss, and I can feel her hand squeeze mine before she falls back.
…
I see Tobias lead the initiates in seconds after Lauren drops hers off and walk to take a seat beside him.
"Are you okay," he asks me, clearly concerned about my agitated state.
"No," I growl.
"Alright," he drawls, picking up his fork and digging into his lasagna.
A plate of food and a fork are pushed in front of me before Veronica sits down on my other side.
"Eat," she orders.
I stare at the plate and then at her before looking back at Tobias.
"Talk or eat," he states.
"I don't know why he kissed me," I tell Veronica. "He did the same this morning after I woke up in his guest room," I add.
"Did you sleep with him?"
"I slept beside him," I correct.
By now I have Tobias' full attention, his food long forgotten.
"Who," he asks.
"He claimed you in front of everyone," Veronica says at the same time.
"Who," Tobias growls.
Veronica looks over her shoulder and starts giggling like a lunatic.
There is an influx of people and suddenly we are surrounded by initiates, Jared and Lexie sitting down opposite us.
"Who," Tobias demands to know one more time.
Suddenly another plate is dropped loudly onto the table, right in between Jared and Lexie and a muscular arm with a maze tattoo pushes them apart before squeezing in between them.
"We were not done," Eric declares, looking at me with clear challenge.
"Fuck off,' I hiss.
"Shut up and kiss me," Eric retorts, and I can feel Tobias freeze beside me.
"Why don't you go kiss Peter," I suggest and there is a symphony of gasps all around me.
"Not my type," Eric responds. "You know I prefer them blonde, blue eyed and feisty."
I kick my foot out, aiming for in between his legs but Jared hisses loudly, rubbing his leg beneath the table. I aim again and this time Lexie cries out.
"Fuck," I hiss before saying loudly. "Sorry, didn't mean to kick either of you!"
"No, you just meant to kick me. Your aim seems a bit off, Tris."
"Fuck you!"
"Come here," Eric orders.
This time my arm shoots out and Eric dodges it while I am grabbed from behind.
My squeal or surprise at finding Tobias and Veronica betraying me gives Eric the chance to grab me and he pulls me over the table and into his arms. His lips attach to mine and he doesn't let go until I surrender.
"I love you and I am taking you home for a long overdue talk," Eric whispers into my ear, standing up and holding me bridal style.
"Take over initiation, Veronica! Alexia, nice to see you again. Do me proud!"
With that, Eric carries me out of the cafeteria and all the away to his apartment, keeping me subdued with kisses and caresses that are irresistible.
Only when we are safely locked inside his apartment does he set me down while blocking the door.
"What the fuck was all that for," I hiss. "You just single handedly ruined both our reputations. There was absolutely no reason for such a display!"
"You mean it ruined your reputation to be seen with me," Eric double checks.
"You are not known for your sunny disposition and neither of us are known to be even friends," I remind him.
"Yet we fit rather well together."
I glare at him, crossing my arms for good measure.
"Even if you were the love of my life, I would balk at the idea to be with you simply because of the company you keep."
"Tris," Eric sighs, clearly seeing I mean business. "Sit down, we are going to talk although I hoped we could wait with that,"
He walks past me and sits down on his couch, waiting for me to join him.
"I was going to tell you later and not in so much detail but our circumstances have changed…"
I nod and he groans loudly, laying his head against the backrest.
"Remember all that Max told you about before you went to Erudite?"
I nod but he is not looking at me.
"Yes?"
"Well, when I took my aptitude test I was flagged to Max to keep an eye on should I transfer. I did and he made sure to be the one doing my initial fear landscape…"
Oh shit, I already know where he is going with that.
"I was flying through it and thankfully it was not about time but the amount of fears at that point," Eric sighs. "Max spent most of our time behind closed doors on coaching me how to stay under the radar. He suggested a few things to throw them off my scent, so to speak. Being an unapproachable asshole that thought his Erudite upbringing made him better than everyone else was my version of it. Challenging Four and losing to him was me ensuring I did not rank first. Initiation was a little more predictable at that time," he adds.
Jesus Christ, is he telling me Max encouraged him to become the menace of the faction? To forfeit the prestigious first place in order to avoid suspicion?
"Predictably, Four refused the leadership position, just like we expected, and I took it, knowing it would put me into a position of power, able to help others like me."
Eric pauses, seemingly waiting for me to say something. There is nothing to say just yet.
"So, two years went by and then Max got contacted again. This time there were a few possible choices, some more likely than others. You were flagged because of your manually entered test result and being sent home sick," he reminds me.
"I am not divergent," I say quietly.
"Yes, we agreed on that but we didn't know. Four did not flag you for anything and I highly doubt he would not have tried to help you had you been…"
"If Four knows, why did I have to go to Erudite," I interrupt.
Eric's eyes finally open and he looks at me, surprised at my question.
"Because he thinks it is only Veronica who helps Divergents. He knows too much and might have given away that he knows how to help people cheat the system. Also," Eric chuckles darkly. "Nobody wanted Jeanine to get a recording of that particular fear landscape."
Yeah, I can understand that.
Eric must have seen my agreement and continues.
"Until Veronica confirmed you were just extremely blessed and skilled when she trained you for leadership we kept an eye on you," Eric admits. "Okay, back to the actual issue at hand. Believe it or not, the person flagged as more or less confirmed was Peter…"
My mind goes into overdrive and I don't know what Eric says next.
"You fucking asshole," I screech and Eric looks at me in surprise.
"What?!"
"You told Peter to take a page out of your book and terrorise his fellow initiates," I scream.
Eric winces, I used the full capacity of my lungs to get that out but I don't fucking care if he goes deaf.
"Did you not listen to me?"
"I stopped listening when you said that Peter was confirmed divergent before entering Dauntless," I admit, crossing my arms to show him I don't care about it one way or another.
"Peter," Eric sighs. "Peter put his own spin to the suggestion of setting up an image of an selfish asshole that strifes to win at any cost."
"And who suggested defiling my bed with slurs? Who told him to bully me at every step, snatch my towel after I came out of the shower and get a few extra kicks in when he already beat me and I was clearly down and he the winner of our fight?! Who told him to shove a fucking butter knife into Edward's eye? Groping me and pushing me over the railing of the chasm in the middle of the fucking night just before stage three?!"
My voice kept rising with each and every recount of Peter's deprivation.
Eric is staring at me, blinking rapidly. Then he jumps up and runs into his bedroom. I can hear him talking on the phone but not what he is saying.
Getting up to leave I only make it a few steps before Eric is back and grabs me.
"Stay," he pleads but I shake my head.
"I can't stay here with you. Not after everything you just told me. Did you think knowing Peter is divergent would absolve both of you for your behaviour and actions? Eric, all I know now is supporting Jeanine's case more than yours," I state and Eric lets go like I just burned him.
This time he doesn't stop me when I leave.
…
I am locking myself into my apartment, thinking about what my future in Dauntless looks like now. Do I still have a place here? Everyone is supporting those that hurt me the most, hiding them, protecting them. It is painting a wholly new picture of Dauntless, one I am not proud to call my home anymore.
But what are my options? Siding with Oscar, Jeanine's little lackey?
That doesn't hold any appeal to me.
Am I willing to alienate myself from the other leaders, from Tobias, who clearly hid his knowledge from me? Can I find a way to lead my faction the way they should be led? Giving a hand to everyone who deserves it, not just selecting a few that will be protected at all costs, no matter the damage they cause to others?
It's a choice between steering the ship alone or choosing to join the Factionless. I, for once, am not willing to be forced out of my faction by a few misguided people. Resolving myself to choosing my friends and allies better, I start on a plan for the next few weeks. Once initiation is over I will have to change tack but now I have to help some children become adults.
A knock on my door makes me pay attention to the present.
"Who is it," I ask when I am standing right in front of it.
"Veronica, Four is with me."
"Anybody else?"
"No!"
"Just a moment," I call out, going back into my bedroom and grabbing my throwing knives, putting two in my pockets, one under the cushion of the chair I plan to sit on and one behind the small bowl sitting on the table right beside the door.
Taking a deep breath, I finally open the door to two worried looking faces.
"What do you want," I ask, blocking their entry with my body.
"We would like to talk," Veronica urges.
"I think I heard enough over the last two days to know this is not in my best interest."
Veronica grimaces while Four softens his face.
"We are not your enemy, Tris. You know me, the real me," he reminds me.
"Do I, Tobias? Tell me, why did you take an interest in me in the beginning? Any reason you were the one to conduct all my tests," I challenge.
"Because I felt the need to protect you," he argues.
"You did a shitty job protecting me from Peter. I was already hanging off the fucking railing, saved by sheer luck from plunging down into the chasm and to certain death when you finally arrived; and believe me, I was just as aware then as I am now that you were surprised at what you came across."
Veronica gasps and looks at Tobias.
"What?! Why did you never tell me about this," she demands to know.
"Because Max and Eric would have pushed it under the proverbial rug just like they did with Edward's attack," he retorts.
I look at both of them and then open the door wide.
"Seems we have some catching up to do…"
…
Veronica says there are a few things she needs to check after an hour of going over everything that happened during initiation and all that I learned in the last two days.
Tobias stays on, talking through all the things that he knew and did not mention during our chat with Veronica. It seems everyone was keeping secrets despite trying to work for the same, presumably good cause.
I am snuggling into Tobias' soothing embrace, inhaling his familiar scent and wondering what happened to us when there is another knock.
"It's me," Veronica calls out.
"Come in," I shout, remembering Veronica actually does know my code.
Veronica walks in, followed by three visible bruised men that look rather subdued.
I don't move, simply raise an eyebrow at her and she smirks my way.
"Move," she orders and all men follow her to stand opposite to where I am still resting against Tobias on my couch.
Veronica huffs and sits down on my other side, putting my feet in her lap and rubbing the soles.
"Are you buttering me up?"
"I just want you relaxed enough to fully listen to what the three stooges have to say," she answers honestly.
Eric is glaring daggers at Tobias who is running his hand up and down my side.
"Stop that and start talking," I order him harshly.
It is Max who speaks first and his words of apology surprise me. I listen with rapt attention as they all put details and background stories to everything that I found going wrong.
It seems everyone has their share of mistakes to admit but what surprises me is the absolute clusterfuck they managed to create by simply thinking each of them knew best and did not consult or involve others.
"So, let me get this straight. All this shit was due to overconfident macho men thinking they knew better than everyone else," I recap.
"That's what it sounds like to me," Veronica agrees immediately.
"Edward was really Jeanine's spy, trying to kill you first?" I stare Peter down.
"Yes," Peter says harshly.
"And Drew and Al banded together to get me? I mean, I knew Al was misguided in his unreciprocated attraction but what did I ever do to Drew?"
"Seems like he really was the sadistic pig of the bunch," Peter agrees.
"Your perfect side kick," I remind him.
"I never expected him to be so into it and take it so much further," Peter admits. "I am sorry I was not able to get you out before it happened, so I did the best I could."
"You could have tried harder," I growl.
"It was too late to run for help. Eric was the only one I knew I could trust, Max stayed too much in the background to know he was behind all of it," Peter repeats his earlier argument.
Something occurs to me suddenly.
"Please tell me none of you passed that stupid idea on to my initiates," I beg, looking at everyone in turn.
"I didn't think it would work this time," Max admits, not denying he played with the idea.
"I am not involved with initiation," Peter reminds me.
"You work the control room, you have more access than a regular member," I remind him.
"I learned my lesson with Drew," Peter growls in annoyance.
"Yet to be proven."
"I was distracted," Eric smirks after I look at him.
"Right," I drawl. "Won't happen again," I promise and the others chuckle at Eric's face. He left himself wide open for that one.
"No, you need to distract me for the next three weeks so I can't fuck up," Eric says, his voice displaying his feelings of victory.
"Peter and Max can distract you while Four and Veronica help me with initiation," I counter.
"I doubt he had that in mind," Max snorts.
"Beggars can't be choosers," I remind them all before yawning. "It's late and some of us have to be up early for the first day of training. Good night," I state, expecting them all to take their leave. Nobody moves and I am getting annoyed.
"We need to find common ground," Veronica reminds me.
"You can do that but I am in need of some rest."
"Rest," Tobias whispers into my ear, pulling me close and grabbing the blanket from the back of the couch.
Eric is still glaring at him when I close my eyes, not giving a shit they are all here and talking.
…
"If you are staying then so am I."
I can hear two men growling words at each other as I slowly wake.
"Tris can sleep in, you need to be with the initiates, you are the official trainer," the other voice argues.
"Tris doesn't like to slack off," the first man argues.
"She had a few shitty days. After all she went through she deserves some undisturbed rest."
"Then why do you want to stay? Do you honestly think you won't disturb her? She is still pissed at you and will wake up with that fresh in her mind."
"I need to be there to show her I still want her."
"Good luck with that," the other voice chuckles darkly. "I am out of here so don't go blaming me when she kills you in your sleep."
Strong arms lift me up and lay me on something incredible soft, I sigh when I realise it is my bed. Snuggling into my pillow, sleep claims me again and I know no more.
…
I wake up feeling great. It's nice and warm and my nose is buried into my amazing smelling bedding.
My hands are tucked in between two lumpy pillows and my legs tangled in the duvet. Arching my back I dig my hands deeper but a hard barrier in my back stops me in my tracks.
I wriggle a bit around and there is a loud snort.
"Fuck," I hiss when I realise I am once more in bed with Eric. "What are you doing here?"
"Making amends," he whispers into my ear and I shudder. "Buttering you up," he adds, moving the arm behind me until he can rub my back. "Hoping you will give us a chance," he adds, running his lips over my forehead.
I decide it would be in my best interest to finally open my eyes and meet his gaze head on.
"Let me make up for being a stupid prick that thinks he can solve all problems alone," Eric requests, summarising nicely the sleuth of my grievances. "We have a unique connection, Tris. Don't throw it away out of spite," he begs.
His lips move closer to mine and my breath hitches but I never turn my head away.
Eric's lips are gentle, probing my acceptance and there is a slow and steady progression to the heated kisses we shared yesterday.
I know what connection he was referring to, my body hums with an electric current running through both of us, making us one for the time being.
I open my lips and Eric eagerly pushes his tongue inside, connecting us on yet another level.
His hands pull me closer before roaming freely over my body.
My hands are still in his pants, but now I am aware it is not a lumpy pillow but one erect dick I am encountering. Gently wrapping my fingers around his straining flesh I massage him with up and down strokes, collecting liquid from the tip and using it as lubricant.
"I need you," he moans when I rub him faster.
"Hmm," I agree and pull my hands out.
"No," Eric whines. "Put them back."
"Shh," I soothe.
I am pulling myself up and on top of Eric, aligning us so I can kiss him while still rubbing my crotch against him.
"Yes," Eric hisses in triumph, grabbing my hips and jerking me harshly into him.
"Easy," I warn but he seems too far gone.
I push my hands onto his shoulders and slide up, disconnecting us where he wants me the most, kissing his lips, stilling his protests effectively.
I can feel his hands move beneath my ass and detach my lips so I can turn my head and check what he is doing.
"Fuck," I hiss when I see Eric pulled his boxers down and is jerking off. It is a big turn on to see him this desperate.
"Calm down," I order but Eric seems to be in a world of his own.
"Need," he grunts.
"You need to come," I conclude and roll off him.
Standing beside the bed I watch Eric twist his hands around his dick, pushing and pulling the foreskin, rubbing his thumb over the tip and staring at me with burning eyes.
Feeling brave, I strip naked and run my hands over my breasts, down my stomach and in between my legs. The visual is enough to bring Eric over the edge. He grunts and groans while he covers himself with thick streams of semen while his eyes are focused only on me.
"Mine," he growls, lunging off the bed and grabbing me. I am pushed onto the bed he just vacated and then he is all over me, sucking my nipples before running his tongue down the same path my hands took earlier. When his lips reach my folds, his hands take charge of loving my breasts.
It is my turn to moan and writher against him as he supplies me with pleasure.
"I need more," I moan when I am stuck close to orgasm but not reaching it.
Eric doesn't hesitate to shove two fingers deep inside my passage.
I scream his name when I am shoved over the edge and plunge down the other side.
"Shh," he soothes me and brings his lips back to mine. "I am here, we are good. We are good," he moans when his erection presses against my inner thigh.
"You are still in the doghouse," I growl.
"As long as I am in your doghouse I don't care," Eric replies. "Tris?"
I know I already made up my mind, and while things got fucked up, it didn't change things for me.
"Are you clean?"
My question clearly surprises Eric.
"I didn't have sex in years," he whispers into my ear.
If he is telling the truth, and I trust him to do so, then he had several check ups since.
"I am on birth control," I whisper and raise my legs, causing him to slide against my lower lips.
"Never done this before," Eric states, looking into my eyes.
"Sex?!"
"Made love and not using a condom. Are you sure?"
I tilt my hips and his tip pushes inside. We both moan in pleasure.
"Promise me I will be your last!"
"My last, the one and only to feel all of me," I swear and he plunges in, hitting me deeply and filling me to the brim.
"Fuck, you are tight," Eric grunts.
"You are a bit on the large side," I whine.
"Is that bad," Eric asks with a raised eyebrow.
"God, I hope not!"
He shuts me up effectively after that. No words needed, our bodies are doing the talking and they have a lot to say but the message that's broadcast loud and clear is that he is mine and I am hiss. Everything else will get sorted later.
I had to cut myself off. Almost 10 000 words and I went so off script, it isn't remotely funny. I wanted to write Natalie coming for Visiting Day and revealing she is the one supplying Max with information. I wanted Lexie and Jared to not only succeed but become a couple. I wanted Lexie to give her uncle some shit.
If I were to extend one story, this would probably be it.
So, for now this was the last update. I am out of stories for this project and plan on getting last year's Halloween and Thanksgiving stories out before they turn one. Don't take my word for it though, I learned that the stories I promise usually end up on the wip pile.
Prompts used:
'Regular' world; black; Eris; Uriah and Peter need to be characters in the story; Jeanine hunts Divergents; only Eric and Peter are Divergents; Tris and Four still ranked first; Eric is 24; Peter – friend or foe up to writer
Original plot idea (but clearly not written this way):
Max helped Eric cover his divergence by suggesting losing to Tobias and causing some trouble including being an asshole to everyone.
Eric used this method to help Peter during his initiation and when Peter attacked Edward (who threatened exposure after realising Peter was divergent). Eric and Max helped clean up that mess. (Bye, bye Edward)
Now Tris is in charge of initiation and Eric realises there is another divergent in the batch, causing him having to intervene once again and bringing trainer Uriah and leader Tris into the intimate group of people aware of things.
Those revelations, all of them, cause Tris to finally see Eric and voila …