Tris & Christina Oneshots {DIVERGENT}

Eve

C H R I S T I N A
My favorite time of year has come around once again. Christmas.

As a child, I loved putting the Christmas tree up in the corner of the living room, decked with colorful ornaments and bright lights. A mountain of presents wrapped in shiny paper laid beneath on a blanket of cotton that represented snow.

My mother would lift me high to the top of the tree so I could place the gold star on the tallest branch, that was until I got too heavy to carry, at which time I started climbing a ladder.

I would wake up Christmas morning and my mother, Rose, and I would sit around the tree with mugs of hot chocolate with a candy cane dipped inside while we tore into our gifts. Bits and pieces of wrapping paper cluttered the floor after being ripped to shreds by little hands.

My dog Chunker would roam around us, sniffing at our new presents--one of which he decided to pee on one year--and curl in my lap. My mother would buy him a bone for Christmas, complete with a red ribbon tied around it that he unraveled with his large teeth.

Chunker. I miss him. He was my childhood dog, given to me as a birthday gift when I turned four. He was just a puppy, still not housebroken. I raised him into an elderly dog, and I was heartbroken to leave him. He was twelve, and now I still wonder if he is still alive.

Taking the aptitude test ruined dogs for me for awhile. It hurt having to kill it, but now, I have what I call "dog fever." Tris won't let me have one. Being her former Abnegation self, she thinks having a pet is dumb and worthless. I beg and plead for one every once in awhile, but she still refuses.

Tonight, a week before Christmas, I try to ask again.

"Tris," I say, rocking back and forth on my heels as Tris reads a book on the couch, illuminated by the Christmas tree. "Can I have a dog for Christmas?"

She looks up, closes her book, and stares at me. "No. They make messes and bark too much."

I kneel before her and take her hands in mine, looking up at her innocently. "Please?" I ask. "I love you."

"No," she sighs. "They're too much work. Are you going to feed it everyday? Walk it? Give it baths?"

"Yes. I did it with Chunker all the time! Please? I get lonely here when you're gone."

I want to start whimpering and giving her the fake tears, but I realize, that would be silly and childish of me.

Tris kisses my forehead and opens her book again. This conversation is over. I sigh. My shoulders slump as I turn to face the tree. I stare at the presents underneath, wishing one was a dog.
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Our friends are supposed to come over tonight, as it's our first Christmas Eve here and we want to spend it together. As I'm tying my shoes on the bed, Tris walks in, smiling like she just saw the best thing the world has to offer. Her hair is tied back but a strand hangs loose at her cheek.

I'm really enjoying her Christmas glow. For someone who's never had a great Christmas, she sure is incredibly excited for it.

"I have something to give you before they show up," she beams.

My eyebrows raise as I stand up. She leads me into the living room and gently sits me down on the couch. The red and green Christmas lights twinkle in her bright eyes.

"Close your eyes," she says. I frown. "Close them. No peeking."

I clench my eyes closed. There's some shuffling and rustling, and I'm curious, but I don't peek. I'm not a fan of surprises, but if Tris, of all people, wants to surprise me, I'll let her.
I hear footsteps stand before me, and some more muffled rustling.

"Okay, open your eyes," she says, her voice full of glee.

My eyes crack open, and I see her holding a large red box. The top is ajar, gently lifted so there is a small opening on one side. It moves, and for a moment, I'm startled. Tris sets it on the couch beside me and urges me to open it.

I warily push the top off. My heart nearly springs into my throat when a wriggly ball of fur jumps out at me. I catch it in my hands as I fall back on the couch. A wet tongue licks at my face. I know this feeling. Chunker used to do this to me every morning.

When I'm done laughing, I look at it. It's a beautiful collie with dark brown and white fur and dark chocolate brown eyes. Tears prick at mine as I cuddle it to my chest.

"Tris! She's beautiful! Where did you get her?!" I sit up, still holding the yapping dog to my chest.

"From a friend I work with. His daughter couldn't handle her, so he asked if I wanted her," she says, rubbing the pup's ears.

I stand, gingerly place the yapping dog on the floor, and throw my arms around Tris. She giggles and curls her arms around my waist. Her sweet smell honeysuckle brings comfort to me.

"Thank you! Thank you!" I cry.

"Merry Christmas, Christina," she whispers, kissing my head.

The dog yaps, and I scoop her into my arms. Tris ruffles her thick fur between her fingers.

"What's her name?" Tris asks as I shift the wriggly puppy in my arms to cradle her like a newborn.

My eyes shift downwards, and she stares back at me with those beautiful puppy dog eyes, similar to the ones I give Tris. Her floppy tongue hangs out and licks my forearm.

"Eve," I say. "For Christmas Eve."

We stand before the glistening lights of our Christmas tree, hugging each other. Tris kisses my lips softly and gently rub's Eve's head. Eve yaps and reaches up to lick my face.

"Merry Christmas, Christina," Tris whispers, pulling me in for another kiss.
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A/N: It's been awhile since I've updated, but I wanted to post something in spirit of the holiday season. Happy holidays to you and yours!