Dark Corners /// Fourtris AU

Chapter 8

January

By the time midnight has rolled around, I've already had to kick out at least 4 drunk douchebags, all who had either puked on the bar floor or who have started a fight over table seatings. The bar is crowded tonight, mostly with drunk Bear fans who have crowded in to watch the playoffs and scream when they lose.

The atmosphere feels hot and sweat clings to my skin as I dodge around fans in brightly colored jerseys. The place reeks of beer and weed more than usual tonight, and looking around at every table I can see spilled beer every time a cheer rings through the bar.

I roll my eyes as another groan goes up around me at a missed pass. People yell at the TV, and fist slam on the bar counter. I start to prep a gin and tonic for the guy down at the end of the bar, who looks like if he has one more he'll pass out, when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and see Tobias's name pop up in the caller ID. I attempt to suppress a smile as I hit answer and sandwich the phone between my ear and my shoulder as I finish the G&T.

"Hey! Sorry if I'm bugging you, just wanted to check in to see how works going. I know this is usually when you would get a break."

"Nope, no break tonight. It's packed, and Marcy had to call out so its just me and Tori. And of course tonight is one of the busiest nights of the year."

"Jesus, that's awful. You know you're required at least a fifteen minute break by law, right?"

"Yeah, well, Eric isn't much of a law follower" I hear him huff in annoyance. I deliver the drink and start wiping up a spill of the countertop, filling him in quickly about the game and the number of people who have already gotten into brawls. By now, the game has almost ended so the bar is emptying quickly. I sigh, noticing the mess left behind.

"I gotta go, don't want Eric to get another stripe across his-"

"Across my what?" I jump and turn around, finally taking note that is leaning heavily against the counter, his eyes glassy and his entire body reeking of Fireball. He leans over, and I brace for a hit I think is going to come.

He snatches to phone from my hand, and as I grab for it I hear Tobias's confused "Tris?" Come through the speaker. Eric glances at the name and holds it up to his ear, putting his arm out to stop me from grabbing it back.

"Listen asshole, you can phone-fuck her later, but she's on the job so don't call back here anytime soon, got it?" He hits end as I protest.

"ERIC! What the actual fuck is wrong with you?" He leers as he tosses my phone back at me.

"Answer call on your break, not on your shift. Now get closing" He starts to stumble away, and the words tumble out my mouth before I can stop it.

"I haven't gotten a fucking break all day! How to fuck am I supposed to answer my phone on break when you haven't-"

The next thing I know his hand is gripping my upper arm so tightly I'm afraid its going to come off. His nostrils are flared, his hair is messy and greasy and his breath is hot against my face.

"The next time you raise your voice at me, you're out on your ass in the snow, do you understand?"

Fear courses through my body. This is not one of Eric's empty threats. No matter how angry he has gotten in the past, never once has he dared to touch me. I slowly shake my head, and he releases me.

"Clean up then get the fuck out of here."

I rush around, serving the last few patrons before flipping the sign to closed. Grabbing my jacket, I glance down at my arm and notice finger shaped bruises starting to form. I quickly shrug it on, and head towards to front door, already dreading the walk home, my finger shaking so badly from both the cold and anxiety running through my veins.

Pushing open against the harsh wind, I spot a dark car parked out front, and Tobias gets out the minute he sees me open the door. He rushes towards me and wraps me in his arms, and for the first time all night I feel like I can exhale. He cups the back of my head, gently pulling my head to look up at him.

"What the hell happened? Are you ok?" My body begins to shake and I close my eyes at the sensation of tears building. His grip on me tightens

"Tris...I need to know that you're ok. Did he yell at you? Did he-did he touch you?" My body begins to shake more, and Tobias pulls away.

"I'm going to kill him." He moves to head into the bar. I grab his arm and pull him back to me.

"You can't, he's not even here the bar is closed, he was drunk, he just grabbed my arm, that's it I swear." He turns back to me, eyes blazing.

"He fucking touched you, and I'm going to either kill or arrest his ass. I swear to God Tris-"

I just manage to let out a sob and collapse in on myself, hugging myself tightly.

"Please Tobias," I moan "It's my job, and its so late, and I am exhausted . If you want to do anything to make me feel better tonight, please just take away from here." His face falls, and he gathers me in his arms and rests his head atop mine.

"Ok. Hey, shhh. It's ok. Let's get you out of here, hm?" He leads me back to his car. When we are both settled in, we don't speak for a moment

" Do you wanna come back to my place, you can borrow some clothes, I can give you some company if you'd rather not be by yourself tonight." He flushes as he says it. My tears have finally begun to dry, and I ponder for a moment. I know that Christina is back at the apartment with Will tonight, and I'd rather not disturb her. I also know that Tobias is right, that I would rather not be alone tonight.

"Ok." I whisper. He starts the car and pulls away from the curb. We sit in silence for the ten minute car ride from the bar to his apartment. He parks the car in a reserved spot and opens the door for me. We still don't speak, but his hand clasps mine tightly as we ride the elevator up to the fourth floor.

When we enter his apartment, its dark. As he slips on a light in the kitchen, I can make out a large couch taking up most of the living room, a flat screen mounted on the wall. A bar separates the kitchen and the living room, and the kitchen, while small, is neat and cozy.

Tobias disappears into his room, reappearing with a towel over his shoulder and a large shirt in his hand.

"If you want, you can shower. You can wear this, if you like." He presses them into my hand and gently steers me towards the bathroom.

"Take as long as you like. There's an extra toothbrush under the sink." I smile, leaning over to kiss his jaw

"You're too good to me." He grins, pressing a kiss to the crown of my head. I shut the door, tie up my hair to keep it from getting damp, and hop in the shower, letting the warm water wash over my skin for a little while. When I get out, I quickly dry off and braid my hair before brushing my teeth and slipping on Tobias's shirt, letting it fall to mid thigh. I lift the collar and breathe in deeply, his scent filling my nose.

When I finally exit the bathroom I find Tobias sitting on the edge of his bed, already changed into shorts and shirtless. I go to stand between his legs, and he sets his hands on my waist.

"You feeling any better?" I nod, and he lets out a sigh, his eyes traveling up my body, settling on my arm where I'm certain he sees the bruises starting to form. His jaw tenses and he lets out a heavy breath.

"Hey," I cup his face, forcing him to look at me. His face is stony, but as I push his hair back, I can see him start to simmer down. I lean down and kiss him slowly, and I feel his entire body relax.

"I'm alright, ok?" He doesn't answer, instead choosing to pull me closer.

"Do you want me to lay with you, or do you want me on the couch?" I roll my eyes.

"What do you think the answer?" He grins. We both get underneath the covers, and he pulls me to him, my back against his chest and his arm slung over my hip. He turns off the light, and I feel his kiss the crown of my head.

"Goodnight, Tris."

"Goodnight Tobias."

For the first time all night, I finally feel safe and secure as I drift off to sleep in his arms.