The Iron Soldier: A FourTris Divergent Story

Chapter 29

Four's eyes are wide open, focusing on mine, when I wake up the next morning. His face comes alive with a smile as he brushes a lock of hair off my forehead. "Hey, did you sleep ok?"

I wiggle under the blankets, reminding myself how warm and cozy I feel snuggled up beside him. "Yeah." I'm happy to see his face first thing in the morning, but I'm reminded all too quickly that he plans to leave me behind soon. My mood is instantly soured because I know if he does, I will follow him anyway. And when he finds out, he will be angry, maybe even be finished with me. It's a chance I have to take if it means helping him beat Eric.

His smile turns into a frown immediately as he recognizes the distress on my face. "Why don't we go get some breakfast?"

I roll over onto my back, staring up at the ceiling. I don't want him to see me cry. "I'm not really hungry."

"Well, that's too bad." He brings himself to a standing position beside the bed, pulling his pants on. "Because you need to eat. You're going to need some energy if you want to learn how to shoot."

My head whips around to face him. Did I hear that correctly? "What?"

He's smiling again as he walks to my side of the bed and sits down beside me. "You know, Tris, we haven't really known each other that long, but that doesn't mean I don't know what you're thinking."

I push myself up to a sitting position and fidget with my hands. "Oh?"

"We're not all that different, you and I. It didn't occur to me until last night." He raises his right hand and lets it rest on my cheek as he strokes it gently with his thumb. "Leaving you behind would've been the stupidest thing I could've done."

I swallow hard. "Why do you say that?"

"I could've take everything with me, your phone, your money, your ID, even your clothes. And I bet my life, you'd still find a way to follow me back. And since I don't want you hitchhiking in the nude..."

My heart beats faster in my chest, like I've just been caught with my hand in the cookie jar. "What makes you think that?"

He smiles at me with only one side of his mouth. "Because that's what I would do." In one smooth gesture he's on his feet again, grabbing the bags from last night's shopping trip. He tosses me a pair of yoga pants and a tank top, before pouring the rest of the contents onto the bed. "So I want you to get dressed, join me for breakfast and get ready to learn how to defend yourself."

I'm so happy, I completely forget my current state as I jump out of bed and leap into his arms, hugging him tightly.

He groans lightly. "Oh, Tris, you're killing me." His fingers run down my bare back, reminding me I'm completely nude. A shiver runs through my body and then a flashback of last night enters my mind. I want him again.

My breathing becomes shallow in a matter of seconds and there is no way he doesn't pick up on it. "I think we'd both enjoy breakfast more if we work up an appetite first." I smile, hoping he won't refuse.

"Yeah, I think you're right." He kisses me hard as we both fall back onto the bed.

I was right. After our workout in bed, I am more than ready for breakfast, as is he. I order an omelet, loaded with everything imaginable, and a side of home fries. Four has a tall stack of pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs and sausage. Honestly, I have no idea where he put it all, but he finishes every bit of his meal.

He looks over at me with a satisfied grin after taking his last bite. "So far, this has been a pretty great morning." I nod in agreement while sipping my coffee. "You ready to get serious now?"