#divergetnt

"No I haven't," I mumbled, fidgeting with the food in my hand, "It's not really easy to approach Eric with requests, let alone demands," I mentioned before taking another bite.

"You need to stand up for yourself, stand up to him," she insisted, taking my hand, "He can't treat you like this."

I let out a heavy sigh while looking away to the clock on the wall, "I should get going soon."

"Hey, I'm sorry," Rachel said quickly, giving my hand a squeeze, "I wasn't trying to upset you. Listen, I have tomorrow night off and my friend is throwing a party. We should go and dance, we won't have to talk about anything," she gave me a sincere look which made me smile.

"Ok," I nodded, "That sounds fun."

I had the office to myself for the day. Eric was at Erudite for a meeting and had taken Alexander as his shadow for a change. It was peaceful being alone, listening to the light tapping of the rain against the glass panes of the window. Unburdened by Eric's constant supervision I found myself taking more frequent breaks, stopping to lean on the sill and watch the gray clouds that hid the tops of the half decayed buildings.

This was Layla's favorite kind of weather, despite the popular opinion in Amity. Most everyone in the faction loved to be out in the warm sun singing and working, but she prefered when it'd rain and everyone would hide inside by the warm fire. She said it felt like the world had resigned to rest, with all normal activities impeded by the weather.

"Everything is prettier," she insisted one day as we stood under the awning, watching our classmates hurrying through the downpour, jackets and umbrellas stretched out above their heads. The truck back to Amity was at the market, about three blocks away from the school building. Usually we'd all walk together as group but today everyone darted out one by one as they built up the nerve to brave the rain.

"Ready?" I asked, looking at Layla as I gave her hand a squeeze.

"I don't want to run," she said, "Let's go slow."

"But we'll get soaked," I pointed out as she kicked her sandals off, tying them to her backpack.

"So?" she challenged. I smiled, following her example before she led me away from the temporary shelter of the overhang. We were instantly drenched as we waked. I can remember the way her hair sagged with the weight of the water, loosing it's usual round shape as drips fell from her dark curls.

The overcast clouds seemed to make the already gray city even more dull. From the wet concrete to the few glass windows that reflected the dark sky above, everything was desaturated as if the rain had washed away all and any color. Everything that is, but Layla. She was a splash of warmth against the cold, industrial environment. Her orange dress hung limp around her, the wet linen clinging to her skin. Her palm felt snug against mine as we purposely strode through the puddles, laughing as we kicked up the water.

We were the last to round the corner. The driver gave us a disapproving look for being late as we hurried to the back of the truck. The others reached out, helping to pull us up on to the now empty flatbed. We sat on the pallets that had previously held the food delivery as the engine roared to life. One of the adults pulled out a fleece blanket from her satchel and offered it to Layla and me. Wrapping it around ourselves, we snuggled closer. I rested my head on her shoulder as we leaned back, settling in for the bumpy ride back to the farm.

I sighed at the memory before returning to my current task at hand.

That evening I sat at the island in Mae's kitchen, slumped forward with my cheek resting on my palm as she marinated some chicken. She stood still, having stopped mid-motion to look at me with surprise. I eyed her face as she processed what I had just told her.

"So you slept with two people," she began, I nodded watching her slowly realize what I'd done, "Two people who you're pretty sure don't even remotely like each other, and you did it within twelve hours of each other?" I pursed my mouth, pulling my lips tight as I nodded again, looking away.

"Well I'll tell you one thing," Mae said, almost laughing, "No one can say you're not Dauntless material anymore," she joked.

"Oh come on," I scoffed rolling my eyes at her.

"Do they know?" she asked, still smiling to herself as she returned to her prep.

"Rachel doesn't know, but I'm pretty sure Eric does. I think he figured it out," I shrugged as the front door to the apartment opened.

"I'm home," Jason's voice called from the other room as Mae quickly wiped her hands off on her apron. "Oh hey Mott," he greeted as he walked into the kitchen, nudging my shoulder with his elbow as he moved around me to give his wife a quick kiss.

"So what you two gossiping about?" he asked as he quickly dipped his finger in the marinade, tasting it as Mae lightly slapped his arm.

"Nothing really-," I started to say before Mae cut me off.

"Eric's being a jerk to Mott again," she explained as Jason gave a knowing nod.

"The guy's been the talk of the compound today," he mentioned as he climbed on to the stool next to me, "He got into some big fight in The Pit."

"What?" Mae and I asked together.

"With who? Are they ok?" she continued as Jason grabbed the loaf of bread from the center of the island, ripping off a piece.

"Some chick, it didn't got physical though. I was the one who noticed it on the cameras so I sent someone to intervene. Apparently she got one good slap before they broke it up," Jason elaborated with a shrug as he chewed on the bread.

"You think it was Rachel?" Mae turned, directing the question to me.

"I don't know," I groaned, holding my head with my hands while resting my elbows on the counter, "I really hope not, I can't imagine what they'd say to each other. I don't want to imagine."

The next morning I didn't see Rachel in the mess hall. I assumed she was using her time off to sleep in. I found my way to Eric's office where I was surprisingly, yet again designated to sorting the never ending pile of reports. I was left to my own functions for most of the day as Eric came and went. Thankfully I was on the downside of the sorting where I was returning the folders to their respective file cabinets and tossing the outdated reports.

I stood, humming to myself as I thumbed through the contents of the drawer. I pulled out the old folders, dropping their contents in the trashcan I had put next to be me before replacing each one. Eric had been in and out of the office all day but I paid him no mind. He had gone back to ignoring me as expected. We hadn't spoken out right since the train ride, though I'm not sure I had anything I wanted to say.

I was relieved when the clock finally struck five. I felt like I had been watching the minute hand all day, waiting for my chance to leave. I was quick to gather my things, throwing my pack over my shoulder as I turned towards the door. Before I could take a step I noticed the knob twisting, and without hesitation I knew who it was.

Eric eyed me as he stepped over the threshold into his office, "You going somewhere?" he asked as he stopped to stand in front of me.

"Yes," I replied, gesturing towards the clock, "My shift's over, and I'm going out tonight."

"Going out where?" he questioned as he slowly stepped closer.

I hesitated for a moment, but ultimately stood my ground, "I'm going to a party with Rachel," I declared, watching Eric's bemused smirk drop at my words. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go," I asserted as I pushed past him, pulling the door shut behind me before he could respond.

From the moment I arrived at her door, something seemed off about Rachel. She was quite as we climbed the stairwell to the party. I guessed she was tired and tried not to think about it, but once inside the crowded apartment her entire demeanor changed. Suddenly she was excitable and friendly, freely giving out hugs while greeting the people she knew as we made a bee-line for the drinks.

The kitchen table was littered with bottles of booze, varying in contents, type, and size. Rachel grabbed at the neck of a random bottle that was still mostly full, pouring a generous helping into two plastic cups, topping them off with a splash of mixer. She handed one cup to me before holding hers out.

"Cheers," she said, giving me an actual smile for the first time tonight.

"Cheers," I replied, smiling as I tapped the lip of my cup to hers. She linked her free arm with mine as I took a drink, leading me into the other room. Though the apartment was quite large, especially compared to the broom closet I lived in, the place was packed from wall to wall with revling soldiers letting loose. The crowd of bodies moved as one, jumping and swaying to the deafening music. Rachel turned to face me, stepping closer with a hand on my waist as she moved with the others.

"I love this song," she shouted in my ear before taking a big gulp. She pulled my hips closer to her, guiding me to move with her. I felt stiff and awkward, unsure of what to do. I copied her motions, trying not to overthink as I took another drink. Rachel spun around, pressing her butt into my hips as she guided my hand to rest on her stomach, holding her close to me. Her fingers skimmed over the skin on my arm as she trailed her hand upwards, her hips continuing to guide my movements. She brushed along my jaw bone prompting me to lean forward. She looked at me through her lashes as I let my lips just barely touch hers. I faltered unsure of what to do, still confused by her mood swings. Though our lips were tantalizing close, I still didn't know if she wanted me to kiss her.

Rachel closed the distance herself, capturing my mouth with hers. There was a hunger behind her kiss while she nipped my bottom lip. I slid my tongue past her teeth as my hand gripped her tighter. She ran her fingers through my hair, pulling my head forward as she tried to deepen the kiss, despite the awkward angle. She rolled her hips, grinding against me as she tugged on my hair. I groaned into her mouth at the sensation, focusing solely on her and the way she moved. I barely registered there was anyone else in the room with us as her soft lips moved against mine.

I was brought back to reality at a jarring rate when the song ended and she pulled away. I smiled at her, blinking a few times, watching as she took a drink.

"We should go see if anyone's playing some games," Rachel suggested as she took my hand. She crossed the crowded living room to a sliding glass door which lead to a balcony. There was a small group of people cheering on a dark haired guy as he chugged a beer, slamming the can on the table in front of him once he finished.

"Hey Rach!" someone called as I shivered in the cold air. I recognized the person speaking as Suz, the artist who did my tattoo. She sat at the small table encircled by people I didn't know. Suz scooted over, making room on the bench for us. "Perfect timing," she began as she gathered the cards on the table, "We're just about to start a new round."

"You know how to play?" Rachel asked, looking at me as Suz shuffled the playing cards and one of the guys put a new can of beer in the center of the table. I shook my head as I looked around at the others. "It's super easy," she started, "You know how to play Dauntless or Candor, right?" I nodded though it'd been years since I'd indulged in the playground game. "So if you draw black, you get Dauntless and have to do whatever the person holding the deck tells you. If you get red, you got to answer a question."

"That seems easy enough," I mumbled as I took a drink.

"At the end of your turn you put the card under the beer's tab. The person that cracks the beer has to down it. Then the game starts over," Suz added as she fanned out the cards in her hand, "Just watch and you'll get it soon enough," she held her arms across the table to a small girl in glasses, "Ok Pat, you first." The girl reached across the surface grabbing a random card without hesitation. She flipped it over in her hand to reveal the seven of hearts.

"Ooh, red!" Suz mused as she rubbed her chin, considering the options, "Ok I got one I always wanted to know," she began with a teasing smirk, "Is it true your full name is actually Patience?"

"Yeah it is," Pat replied with a sigh and roll of her eyes, "It's a stupid stiff name my parents chose. I couldn't wait to pick a new one when I transfered," she explained as she stuck the card under the beer tab. Suz handed over the deck, and Pat gave a quick shuffle before turning to the dark haired boy next to her, "Ok Josh, your turn."

"Ugh not again," Josh groaned as he revealed the ten of spades and Pat gave an evil laugh. It was easy to tell by her grin that she had a wicked idea in store as she leaned to the side looking over the metal railing.

"You see that apartment with the lights on?" She asked pointing to a balcony a storey below us. Being on the far side of the table, Rachel, Suz, and I, along with few others had to stand up to get a look at where she was pointing, "You have to climb down to that apartment and scare whoever is in there."

"That's a good one," another girl commented as we all waited for Josh.

"Easy," he dismissed as he pulled off his jacket, throwing it in Pat's face. He wrapped his hands around the railing and swung his feet over. He grabbed at the bars holding the rail up as we all leaned forward to watch. He easily swung from one bar to the next, before kicking his feet to propel himself the neighboring balcony.

"How's he going to get down?" I asked quietly, transfixed by his display of agility. Even for a Dauntless soldier it seemed reckless to free climb at this height.

"The idiot will probably just drop," Suz guessed before he did just that. Once he had positioned himself he let go of the bars in his grasp, letting himself drop about two yards before reaching out to grab the railing of his target apartment. We could hear him hiss at the pain at the sudden contact but he was quick to pull himself up and over the railing. He disappeared from view and it was silent on the balcony as we all held our breath in anticipation, leaning forward to try and see.

"You think he's-," someone began before being cut off by a scream and the sound of glass shattering. There was another moment of silence before Josh stuck his head out over the lower balcony railing.

"Be there in a second, I'm gon take the stairs this time," he yelled as he gave us a thumbs up grinning and holding a tissue over what looked like a bloody nose.

The game continued on his return, with the next person drawing red. The deck was passed around the table as we drank and played, with everyone answering questions or following through with stupid tasks. With each draw the challenges get more risky and the queries more probing. Still no one held the deck up to me, so I sat quietly and watched.

The seal on the beer was about to crack as Rachel slid the eight of diamonds underneath the tab. She took the deck from a boy who'd asked her about her shoe size and fanned the remaining cards between her fingers while turning to face me.

"Ok, Mott, your turn!" she said with a smile. I reached out, hesitating as I let my hand hover over the cards before grabbing one to the left. I looked quickly before turning it around to show the others, I'd drawn the ace of hearts.

"Candor!" Suz shouted, "That's a question!"

I waited nervously as Rachel pondered. I felt anxious under the watch of everyone at the table as she thought. When she finally looked up at me the drunken, playful gleam in her eye was gone.

"Have you been with Eric?" she asked flatly, staring me in the eye.

"What?" I laughed as I looked around the table. Everyone else present had noticed the change in tone, "Of course, I mean I work for him, I'm with him all day."

"That's not what I meant," she returned, though I had understood her intention.

"I'm not talking about that right now," I replied quietly to her, more aware now of the other's scrutiny than before.

"You drew red, you have to answer," Rachel insisted. I took one last look around the table of her friends before I stood and left. I felt like there was a belt tightening around my chest as I shouldered my way through the crowd to the exit. Once in the hallway I leaned against the wall and let out a sob. I didn't understand why she would put me on the spot like that.

I heard the apartment door behind me open and close before she spoke, "I already know," her voice was cold and the last thing I wanted to hear, "Eric was eager to tell me all about it." She reached out to grab my arm but I jerked away.

"I know you didn't want me here," I spat at her, "I see that now, so I'm going to leave and you can go back to your friends to tell them how awful I am," I didn't wait for her response before I left.

I wiped at my eyes as I paused in the stairwell, standing at the door to the second level. It wasn't my floor but this was where my feet had lead me. I lived further up up but I found myself pausing, knowing Eric was just down the hall.

Sliding past the door I stepped as quietly as I could, realizing most of the apartments on this floor belonged to leaders and they were the last people I wanted to upset. Thought my vision was slightly blurred from the booze I'd had, I was able to focus on the silver '13' that designated Eric's apartment. I could tell he was awake by the light shining through the door jam. Holding my breath, I reached up and gently rapped my knuckles against the wood. Pulling my fist away I paused, unsure if I should knock again as I heard movement from the other side.

In a moment the door swung open to reveal a drowsy, shirtless Eric clad only in a pair of loose fitting sweat pants. I blushed, looking away, avoiding his scrutiny as he grinned to himself at the sight of me visibly upset and drunk on his doorstep in the middle of the night. He knew where I'd been and I'm sure he could guess by my tears why I was here.

"I thought you were going out tonight?" he asked in spite of the obviously evidence.

"Can I come in?" I requested, ignoring his antagonizing question as I stepped forward, closing the distance between us though he stayed still, blocking the entrance to his apartment.

"I thought you were out with Rachel?" he questioned as he looked down at me. I paused resting my hand on his chest as I looked away to my feet.

"We got in a fight," I replied in a mumble as I felt him laugh, the muscles of his abdomen shifting under my palm.

"A fight?" he teased in with a smug tone, "A fight about what?"

I turned my head up quickly locking eyes with him, "About you, ok?"

"And why were you fighting about me?" Eric asked as he leaned in, his face mere inches from mine. I shuddered under his attention, his words sparking a familiar buzz inside of me.

"I'm sure you can guess," I responded flatly, trying to hide the way he made me feel.

"Tell me," he insisted while keeping a tantalizingly close distances between our lips.

"Because," I choked out on impulse, "because I like you so much better when you're naked," I finally admitted, placing both my hands flat against his bare chest. We were so close I could barely see the self satisfied smirk Eric wore as he allowed me to push him into the room away from the entrance. I heard the door slam shut behind us as I captured his lips with mine, snaking my arms around his neck. I pulled at his bottom lip, humming at the sensation of his large hands wrapping around my hips. I felt everything, hyperaware of every inch of his skin that brushed against mine. I moaned into his kiss as our tongues wrestled and I pressed myself closer against him.

He pulled at my thighs, prompting me to wrap my legs around his waist as he began to cross the apartment to his bedroom. His fingers dug into the flesh of my bottom and I shivered at the feeling of his half formed erection as it teased against my center while he held my hips against him. I unconsciously shifted my body, clawing at his shoulders, eager just to feel more of him connecting with me before he let go, dropping me unceremoniously onto his mattress.

I felt a lurch inside me as I sat there watching Eric rub himself through his pants, eyeing me with a hungry stare. Just the thought of what he wanted to do sent a shiver up my spine. I shifted to kneel at the edge of the bed, tugging my shirt over my head as he stepped closer. With one hand he grabbed at the back of my neck, bending forward to pull me into a heated kiss. There was a quiver between my legs as he cupped my breast though the cotton of my bra, slowly massaging my flesh as our tongues wrestled.

My hands danced across his chest, frantic to touch every inch of his skin until eventually, my fingers found their way to his jaw. I pulled him close as I leaned back onto the mattress. Eric broke the kiss as he climbed on to the bed between my legs. His fingers felt cold against my skin, prompting goose bumps to form wherever he touched as he reached behind me to undo the bra clip. Leaving a train of wet kisses along my neck, he yanked off the undergarment without looking. Immediately, his lips encompassed the sensitive skin of my nipple. I arched into him at the sensation, moaning loudly as he teased me with his tongue.

Reaching down, I fumbled with the button to my pants, distracted by Eric's attention as he pinched my opposite nipple. I gasped at the slight shock of pain while he looked at me, grinning. Once he noticed my failing attempts he took over the duty of removing my pants. With a violent jerk the trousers were off my legs and onto the floor. Eric grabbed my wrists, pinning my hands above my head before returning to bite my neck, inciting me to unconsciously roll my hips against his.

"I like you like this," he whispered in a husky voice, his warm breath tickling my ear.

"Like what?" I asked, turning to look at him.

"Eager," he replied before crushing his mouth against mine. With his words I felt another lurch deep inside me. I hummed as he pushed his torso along mine, excited by just the weight of him ontop of me. I bit at his lips as I raked my nails across his scalp, feeling the vibrations of his moans through his chest.

Eric shifted his leg, pushing my knees further apart so he could grind his hips against mine. I broke away from him with a gasp, feeling how wet my underwear had already gotten. I was anxious for his touch and linked my legs around him, keeping his hips tight against mine. No part of me faltered or hesitated for a single moment as I gave in, following instinct rather than logic.

Eric shifted, grabbing my ass as he rolled onto his back, and suddenly I found myself straddling his hips. I bit my lip as I studied how he looked underneath me, with his erection nudging my center. Sheepishly, I rolled against him as my fingertips floated along the skin just above his waistband.

Eric let out a sharp hiss as he pulled at my waist, guiding me to lift my hips. I balanced myself with my hands flat on his abdomen while he reached with one hand, revealing himself from from inside his flannel pants. With his other hand he pushed on my thigh, directing me to lean back until the head of his dick poked me through my damp panties. I gasped, biting my lip and curling my fingers as he reached around my leg, moving the crotch of my underwear to the side as he continued to tease me. He stilled once he had himself lined up before pushing against my thigh again. I gasped as I sat back, easing him inside of me. Slowly but surely I moved, taking my time to adjust to his size.

I whined, feeling stretched to a breaking point by the time his dick was completely buried within me. His hands felt electric as they slid across my skin before his thumb came to rest on my clit. A shock rocked through me at the contact and my eyes shot open, staring at his self satisfied grin.

"I want you to ride me," he ordered as he continued to brush his thumb over the bundle of nerves. I dug my nails into his abs as my body followed his guidance, my hips rocking back and forth against him. His fingers tugged at my bottom and I raised my hips up, groaning at the feeling of him scraping against my inner walls. I continued to lift and drop myself against him as his hands roamed my torso, paying special attention to my breast. He twisted and teased my nipples as I moved, rolling my hips between each thrust so my clit brushed against his pelvic bone. I could tell Eric enjoyed this by the way his hips began to buck, jerking up to meet mine while his hands drifted south to squeeze my hips as his head lulled back.

"Oh fuck," he growled, his fingers digging into my skin as I moved, "Fuck, Mott, just like that," I froze abruptly, surprised by his words.

"Why'd you stop?" Eric asked quickly, his head shooting to look at me. He sat up, balancing himself with one arm on the mattress behind him. My hands drifted up his chest to his shoulders as he move, while I gnawed on my lip trying to stifle my grin.

"You said my name," I explained with a cheeky smirk. Without warning Eric wrapped his arm around my waist and threw me onto my back, quickly beginning to thrust at an unyielding pace as he dug his teeth into the skin between my shoulder and neck. I could feel a familiar tension building under my belly as I clawed at his back and wrapped my legs around his hips, trying to keep up with his erratic movements.

"Eric, oh god-!" I shouted while I buried my face in his sounder, clinging to his form as I was hit by my orgasm. My toes curled and my insides tightened around him as he continued, unperturbed while I trembled underneath him. It wasn't long before I could feel the muscles of his bottom clenching under my calves and he went rigid. He twitched inside of me as he came, groaning into my skin. He slumped against me as his body relaxed and the spasms receded. I made no effort to move from under his weight as his deep breaths tickled the skin of my neck, still tender from his aggressive bites.

After a moment Eric began to move, propping himself on his elbows as he looked at me, splayed across his bedding underneath him. With a quick kiss he pulled away, removing himself from within me. I shuddered at the loss as I watched him climb under the bed sheets before he lifted the covers up further and motioned for me to join him. I groaned as I moved, slightly sore from his treatment as I shuffled, curling up next to him and falling asleep once my eyes closed.

I was awoken in the middle of the night by a light. I didn't know what time it was but I could tell it was early by the dark skies through the window. I rolled over to find Eric out of bed and pulling on a t-shirt.

"What's going on?" I asked, rubbing my eye.

He looked over his shoulder for a second, the piercings moving as he quirked his eyebrow at me before he sat on the edge of the bed to pull on his shoes. "Nothing, I'm going to work out," he replied.

"Oh," I mumbled as I laid my head back on the pillow, idly watching the way the muscles of his shoulders shifted under the tight fabric of his shirt. I wonder vaguely if he was going to kick me out and tell me to go back to my apartment.

"Do you care about me?" I questioned in a quiet voice as he tied his laces.

He looked at me again, twisting slightly in his seat as he paused to think, "I guess you could say that."

I'm not sure what I expected him to say, I didn't think he was going to confess his undying love for me, but I still felt warm at the thought that he didn't despise me.

"Would you have ever told me if I didn't ask?"

Eric exhaled as he stood up and turned towards the bed, "No, probably not. Now go back to sleep," he ordered as he clicked off the bedside light. I watch the shadow of him move through the dark room to the exit. The door opened and closed and I found myself alone in his bed. All I could think of as I drifted off was that he had let me stay.

PART 1 - PART 2 - PART 3 - PART 4 - PART 5 - PART 6 - PART 7 - PART 9  - PART 10 - PART 11

The lyrics are from the song On the Scared Side by Black Eyes