Dark Corners /// Fourtris AU

Chapter 1

November

Sweat beaded on my head as I hastily wiped down the puddle of spilled Jack Daniels on the bar. The tipsy mild aged asshole has knocked his entire glass over as he stumbled off the stool and into the bathroom. The place reaked of stale beer and mediocre meals, and as much as I scrubbed I felt like the stench would just stick to me. Tori shot me a sympathetic glance as she made her way to drop off the next meal.

The stale smell of nicotine washed over me, and I glanced up to find Eric leering at me over the bar. He chewed on a piece of tobacco, staining his already yellow teeth darker, and his glazed over eyes could tell me he was high as a kite.

"Prior. I was just looking for you," he swayed slightly, and I rolled my eyes as I continued scrubbing the counter.

"Well, you found me. Same place as I always am." I mumble. He scoffs, running his finger over the lip of the bar.

"Watch your attitude. Need I remind you who you work for?," Eric's father had bought the bar several years ago, turning management over to his son after he had moved on to other investments. Which basically meant that I was stuck with Eric as my asshole boss.

He waved a finger at me, as if suddenly remembering something important.

"I need you to close up tonight. I gotta date." I roll my eyes.

"She's a lucky girl, was she also high when you met?" He sneers at me, then reels back and spits on the counter.

"You missed a spot." I silently gag in my mouth as he walks away chuckling, and I quickly break out the disinfectant and wipe down the counter. Tori makes her way back over to me, handing me empty glasses to fill.

"You need to be careful. He's not gonna take your shit lightly one of these days. He'll posssibly be sober enough to notice." I chuckle before letting out a sigh. I hate this god forsaken job, but it's all I could find fresh out of college.

Within the next half hour, a few more people trickle in and out. I shake off countless drunk college guys, and clean up countless spills of various drinks. Around 9, a guy with dark tan skin and buzzed hair walk in and plops down at one of the stools, his face clearly showing he's distressed. Slowly walking over to him, he barley looks up at me as I take his order. Tequila. This is a rough night for him I guess.

Within the hour, he's downed 5 shots and 2 Jack Daniels. As the bar empties, he continues to sit as he washes away his sorrows. Around 10:30 I finally make my way over to him.

"Alright, you're at your limit I'm gonna need your phone." He grumbles as he pulls it out be his pocket, sliding it towards me.

"Call Four. It under the letter F." He giggles a bit at his own stupidity. I shake my head and quickly hit dial. The phone rings a few times before a deep voice answers.

"Where the hell are you?" I'm taken aback, but quickly compose myself.

"Hey, this is Tris from Crows Bar, I have your buddy down here, and I'm gonna need someone to pick him up." I hear swears at the other end of the phone, and a car door slams.

"I'll be right there. Please, don't give him anymore to drink." I scoff, slightly offended

"This isn't my first late night call, I know how to handle him." The guy on the other end thanks me and ends the call. The tan stranger glances up at me with a goofy grin.

"Thank you pretty lady. I would hit on you, but I am very much too in love with my girlfriend, who, if I know her, is probably losing her shit right now." I shake my head, Pouring him a glass of water.

"Not here to pry, but may I ask why all the booze?" He sighs, rolling his head as he spins on the barstool.

"I'm a bounty hunter, I hunt guys on bail and shit. And there was this one guy, I just....I had him," he snaps his fingers sloppily.

"And then asshole Peter goes and snatched him up....ITS MY FUCKING CASE. And he gets the fame and the glory... and you know what cap calls me? Lazy. Fucking Lazy." He begins to slurp down the rest of his water, and I pass him a napkin to wipe his chin.

The bell on the door rings, signaling someone has come in. The newcomer is tall, probably a good foot taller than me, and has the most amazing light tanned skin and blue eyes. His hair is a deep brown, and he wears jeans and a black jacket. His eyes scan the room, landing on me and I can't help a shudder of pleasure that goes through me. This guy is extremely attractive, no denying in.

His eyes move to his friend, whose head has collapsed on the bar. He sighs, running a hand in frustration through his hair as he crosses over to us. Glancing at me, he nods his head at the slumped figure.

"How many has he had?" I shrug

"I cut him off after five shots of tequila and two Daniels." He groans, rubbing his face, which supports an impressive stubble.

"Better than last time, I suppose." He reaches over, shaking his friend.

"Uriah. Uriah, it's time to go." The guy, whose name I've now learned is Uriah, sits up with a groan , his eyes lighting up at the stranger.

"Four! Man am I glad to see you. C'mere, gotta tell you something." He leans close to his face and lets out a giggle.

"I think...I think I might be just an eensy weensy bit drunk." Four shakes his head.

"Yeah man, just a little. Now get up, I told Mar you were sleeping at my place." Uriah stands up, but his face turns green, as he begins to lean forward, I grab the plug plastic bucket we keep under the counter and sit it in front of him, Four and I both taking a step back as he retches up the contents of his stomach. When he's done, I take the stinking bucket and wash it our while he and Four get cleaned up in the bathroom. After they return, Four supporting his under his arm, he slides me a twenty.

"I'm sorry for all the trouble. Is this enough to cover it?" I shake my head, sliding the money back towards him.

"Keep it, we all have bad days." I nod at Uriah, who is beginning to drift off.

"You should get him home. I'm closing up shop anyway." He nods, but sits as I shut down the lights and grab my coat. It's begun to snow lightly, and I mentally groan as I picture the five blocks I need to walk in this freezing Chicago weather. Four turns to me, and raises his eye brow.

"Do you need a ride, by chance? It's just, it's snowing and I dont know how far you may need to go..." he pauses, searching for my name.

"I'm Tris," I stick out my hand and he shakes it, offering me a smile.

"Tobias." I give him a puzzled look.

"Sorry, on his phone it said Four." He shakes his head.

"It's a nickname they gave me a while back, everyone calls me that. But please, use either." I smile

"Well, Tobias, thank you but it's only five blocks, it's ok." He shakes his head.

"I'm definitely not letting you walk five blocks in the freezing cold." He motions to the snow, which is falling a little heavier. I weigh my options, then sigh

"Fine, but I swear to God if you turn out to be an axe murderer I will kill you before you even get a chance to reach for the handle."

He lets out a deep belly laugh. "Good to know."

Interesting. Not at all how I expected this evening to play out