Second Chances (Eric and Tris)

The Truth is out: Part 20

The next morning Tris woke to the sound of Eric's phone going off. Eric groaned as he answered it. Growling his name he never uttered another word, just grunted, then hung up. Tris raised her head from his shoulder to peer at him with an amused smirk. "Morning sunshine." She said. Eric just grunted again in return. Pushing Tris back down by her shoulder, he flipped her over and reversed their roles. He pressed he weight on top of her as he used her chest as a pillow. Tris felt her cheeks flare up bright red and she was thankful that there was no one there to see her embarrassment at his casual affection. His hand was on her rib cage and was drawing lazy circles, and it was driving her to distraction and effecting her in ways she never knew before. Her hand combed through his messy curls before stilling on his neck. Tris could feel his heart racing. She was unsure as to why. She knew that she was not experienced much in the ways of relationships, but she did not think that they were in that much of a compromising position. Little did she know that Eric had been plagued by dreams all night, and he knew that by waking, the two of them were racing towards a conversation he was no longer anxious to have. He was afraid this was the last time that he would have to hold her. As much as his heart was determined to make sure that that never happened, his head was at odds with his heart. And all night his head showed him the possibilities of what could happen if Tris was in fact a divergent, like he suspected Four of being. The war inside Eric was hell and he was trying to put it off for as long as he could. However the inevitable could not be put off for too long. Eric felt that he was crawling out of his own skin. He was not a man of little action. He could not sit by and do nothing. He had to figure this situation out and come up with a solution. That was his way. Only then would he be able to move on and out of this hell that he had been trapped in the last 12 hours. With a deep sigh, Eric pressed his forehead to Tris's sternum. It was time to get this over with. Eric let go of Tris and pulled himself out of bed. Tris watched him carefully, worried. He pulled on some pants and a tank top and finally turned to face her. Dark circles were sketched under his eyes. "Eric? What's wrong?" Eric just shrugged.

"I guess we should finish our talk from last night as were interrupted." Watching her face carefully, Eric saw Tris's face fall just a bit.

"Oh. Okay. Let me just get dressed." With a nod, Eric walked out to make coffee, noting that it was barely 7am. Groaning, he rubbed his face. Finally given a day off and he couldn't even sleep in and enjoy it. The smell of fresh coffee soon filled the air. Tris came out, dressed in her normal work clothes. Guilt hit Eric.

"Oh, sorry, I should have told you. That was Max on the phone. He gave us the day off due to last night's incident. You can stay in comfortable clothes, you don't have to dress for work. I should have said something before you got dressed." Tris just shrugged.

"Ok, I'll just go change my shirt then, hold on." Within 30 second she was back, having switched to a comfy, baggy, off the shoulder black sweatshirt. Hopping onto the counter, she took the cup of coffee that Eric handed to her. They stood in silence as they drank their coffee. "You know Eric, I still mean what I said last night. I will support you in any way that I can, as long as you will let me. What happened to you was unacceptable and I would help you however I can to make it right and make sure that nothing like that ever happens again...to anyone." Tris said. Eric smiled weakly.

"I know Tris." His voice rough.

"Then what is it? You're upset. That much anyone can see. Do you regret telling me? What's wrong?" Tris put her coffee on the counter and got down to walk over to him. Stopping just short of reaching him she looked up.

"Let's go sit down. This isn't the most ideal place to talk, ya?" Without waiting for an answer, Eric walked to the dining room table and sat down. Tris followed but at a slower pace. Once she had sat down, Eric looked at her with his signature penetrating stare. "Tris, I know there is something that you're not telling me. I can feel it. You're holding something back and it is driving me crazy. I know that it is not your fault. Every time we go to talk we seem to get interrupted, but I need to know. Watching your reactions, there is something there. Please, be honest. You promised me that much." Eric kept his voice steady and for that he was proud of himself because he felt like begging her to just tell him what he wanted to hear. But his eyes deceived him. They pleaded with her and they had her transfixed. He watched as tears slowly swelled in her eyes, and he hated himself for causing them.

"You're going to hate me. I know it." With those words, his worst fears were conformed.

"Tris...."

"Please, let me get this out." Tris blinked and a few large tears, slowly rolled down her pale cheeks. Eric fought with himself. Half of him wanted to wipe them away, the other half was glad they were there. "Since I came here I have been terrified. I think I was drawn to Four because he said he could offer protection. But the more I got to know this place, I saw that I did not need that. I just needed to be me. I am not like them Eric, I would never hurt anyone." Openly crying now, Tris struggled to get her words out. Eric struggled to remain impartial. "I never knew what past divergent did. Had I known I would have struggled that much more the fit in and refused to admit, even to myself that I was one. All I know is that I did not test into 1 faction. I fit into 3. That is all I know. I have no thoughts or want for violence Eric. Please believe me. I choose Dauntless. This is my home. I love it here. I love the people here. I have never wanted to do anything to anyone, except to make sure that they were where they belong. The only person here who knows is Four and now you. I was terrified of telling you. I feel that you are never going to talk to me again." She looked up at his blank face and her tears fell harder. "You're going to leave me aren't you?" Eric sat there silently as he listened to her. She has confirmed his one of worst fears, but at the same time had soothed his other worst fear. He was so conflicted that he did not know how to deal with his feelings. He needed to get some of his feeling out. He stood up. Tris looked stricken.

"I need to go for a walk."

"Are you coming back?" Tris asked as Eric reached the door. Eric turned back around.

"I live here Tris." Eric said with an emotionless voice as he shut the door.