DAUNTLESS (Divergent sequil, no war)

chapter 18

"What do you think about this lot then?" I ask as we sit on the sofas in my room. I still can't get over the size of it. Or how I got to keep it. It wasn't supposed to be permanent but when I became a leader they said I could keep it. Tobias was offered a room here too but decided to keep his. He spends most nights here anyway.

"I don't like the first jumper." Zeke says. "I know his brother, he's just the same, the hole family are full of themselves."

"Who is his brother?" Tobias asks. He has his arm over my shoulder and he strokes my hair. I can't decide if I like it or not, it's different, but Tobias seems to like it so I guess it's okay.

"He's called Luke, he's the tall one with that big scar down his arm from the train incident, he walks around like he owns the place, his brother will be the same."

"I didn't like him," I say, deciding to joint the conversion, "he loves himself and expected me to drop and worship his feet as he volunteered." I wrinkled my nose and dismiss the thought.

"He was mouthing off about you when he got up." Eric says, smiling a bit, "Something about being able to make you scream... I didn't quite catch it, but he did call you a few choice names."

"You're already annoying initiates are you?" Tobias asks, squeezing me. "I'm proud" he laughs.

"What can I say? I don't mix well with people." I put my arm behind his back and around his waist.

"That's why we belong together." He kisses my head and I sink into him a bit more.

We are more relaxed together than we were this morning.

"If you two are getting soppy I'm leaving." Zeke says and stands up. Eric joins him, "See you tomorrow." He goes to leave then turns back to us, "Have you thought of any creative ways to wake your lot up? I want to terrify mine."

"Just send Eric in, his face was enough to terrify me every morning." He pulls a face at me so I stick my toung out, not caring how immature it is.

"I was thinking about shooting something... or is that too far?" Zeke asks.

"Do what you want, just don't kill anyone." Tobias says then he leans over me and kisses me. They leave without another word.

I lye down on the sofa and he places one leg on either side of me, pinning me down. We kiss for some time before he stops.

"I haven't forgotten about last night you know,"

"I know, but I have. I really can't remember it but I'm so, so sorry. It will never ever happen again." I place my hand on his cheek and feel his stubble beneath my fingers.

"I know, it's my fault, we shouldn't have played if I didn't want it to happen, but just so you know, if he ever touches you again I may kill him." I pull him down to me,

"I know, I'm counting on it. You feel like spending the night?"

"Sounds like a plan." I role out from under him, pulling him to the floor then lead him upstairs.

A familiar nervousness rekindles itself in the pit of my belly.

"Wake up time initiates. Sleep is for the weak, and if you want to survive here you can't be weak." I stand in the doorway and let Tobais wake them up, this is his section, I'm just here to 'stand around and look pretty' and 'sort them out when they prat around,' or 'train them when I'm too hungover or tired to bother'. Eric and Tobias are useless at delegating. But it will be my job to help with the simulations and train them to deal with them. I will be there shoulder to cry on... great.