Locked (Fourtris AU)

2

Imagining the castle as a small version from Beauty and the Beast.

She sniffled, shuffling away from the town and further out into the woods. Her whole body ached, and her skin had slowly turned blue. Snow continued to pile down from the fluffy clouds, hiding any warmth of the sun.

She knew there was nothing in the woods, but she'd be dammed if she weren't to find some sort of shelter. Her mother always told her that every person had a purpose in life, and she needed to find hers.

Her feet crumbled under her weight and she collapsed on the ground, her arm screaming at the effort. Hot tears burned her cheeks, and she couldn't find it in her to move any further.

She wiped her snot on her sleeve, prepared to lay there and freeze to death, but something willed her to look up.

And there it was. A small castle with iron gates that were open.

She pushed herself up, stumbling over to the vast doors that towered over her. She managed to knock three times before she blacked out.

---

Four Eaton was bored. He had locked himself in the damn castled ten years ago when he discovered something about himself and he hadn't been out since.  A kind lady by the name of Tori Wu bought him all needed supplies to him every two weeks on Sunday. She was his only connection to the outside world.

Imagine his surprise when three gentle knocks rang through his quiet place on a early Monday morning. His confusion turned to anger. No one should ever bother him, he was meant to be alone always. Whoever had the audacity to knock on any castle doors was a fool.

Prepared to slay, he yanked the broad doors open and sneered only to stop dead in his tracks. A girl lay at his feet, dressed in a thin  night gown, her hands cuffed behind her back. She was beautiful.

He immediately pulled his gloves onto his hands that sat on the long table that lined the hall, before lifting her gently in his arms.

He laid her on the rug in front of the fire before disappearing up the stairs into a bedroom, grabbing blankets and pillows. He made her a make shift bed in front of the warmth, taking his gloves off to melt her handcuffs. Four put his gloves back on, and adjusted her arms so they weren't behind her, causing her to shift in her sleep from the pain.

He frowned, knowing he needed to set her arm into place. He turned away wincing, gathering his wits before quickly putting her bone into place.

She jerked awake screaming, tears streaming down her cheeks as she sat up in confusion.

"Lay back down," he grunted. "You shouldn't move until you warm up."

She did as she was told, allowing him to cover her shoulders and chest with the layers of blankets. "Who are you?" she whispered, pain fading.

"None of your concern. Who are you?" he retorted, stretching out and resting on his palm that lay behind him.

"None of your concern," a ghost of a smile curved her blue lips that still chattered and shook.

"That's where your wrong, Miss. You knocked on my door," he looked away so she didn't see him smile.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but I needed help."

"Well, you're welcome to stay until the weather turns warm," he whispered before cursing himself for his stupid mistake. She couldn't know about him, she would expose him and he'd be poked and prodded like an animal. Then he'd get angry and things would turn nasty.

"I don't want to burden you," softly came a whisper that broke his thoughts as Tris saw his distress.

"It's not that you're a burden, I'm not the nicest person," he stumbled over his words.

"I beg to differ. You helped me, you could have left me at your doorstep."

He turned to hide his smile again.