Eric hated Winter, the cold wet snow that would seep through his uniform, and the way he lost feeling in face from the bitter cold temperatures. He would rather stay in and drink a steaming cup of coffee while he read a good book, not many people knew about his stash of books and he would prefer to keep it that way.
That was however, before Aidan came into his life. Aidan, who was now enthusiastically tugging at the hem of his pants and chattering at him.
“Wic me pay snow.” Aidan stated as his brown eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Aidan, I know the snow looks fun but it’s not.” Eric argued lightly as he picked him up and sat down on the couch.
“No, Wic, me pay in snow.” Aidan insisted.
“No Aidan, we have plenty of games and books inside to play, wouldn’t you like to play one of those?” Eric suggested.
If the other members could see him now, The King of Dauntless, bargaining with a three year old. He would never be able to show his face outside his apartment again if anyone were to see it., He had garnered a reputation and he wasn’t about to let a three year old destroy all that.
Aidan’s bottom lip began to quiver and his eyes water.
“Wic, pease let Aiden pay.” Aidan whimpered in a small voice.
Eric looked his son in the eyes, and a very small part of his heart clenched at the tone, he hung his head and groaned.
“Okay, let’s go play.” Eric responded with a half smile that quickly turned into a grimace as Aidan let out a loud squeal and threw his small arms around Eric’s neck, the small part of Eric’s heart that had clenched at the tone in Aidan’s voice swelled with an emotion that he wouldn’t dare name.
Once Eric had dressed Aidan in his winter gear, Aidan was trying to drag Eric by the hand and with one last deep sigh, Eric locked the door and they made their way to the outside training area where many members had gathered already to have snow ball fights and just enjoy the weather. Eric thought it was such an Amity thing to do and previously would often sneer his lips at the people having fun.
Eric found a bench and motioned for Aidan to go enjoy himself while he gingerly sipped his steaming cup of coffee. When Eric stood up to put his cup in the bin, he felt a cold liquid begin to work its way down the back of his neck,causing a shudder to run through him. Spinning around, he looked and saw Aidan standing there with a wide grin on his face.
Eric reached up to the back of his head and just as he suspected, his once perfectly coiffed hair now stuck to his head lightly, and he snapped his eyes to Aidan.
“Did you throw a snowball at me?” he questioned Aidan.
Aidan nodded with a giggle.
Eric opened his mouth to scold him when he was assaulted with another snowball.This time he knew it wasn’t Aidan, and he quickly scanned his surroundings and saw Cam standing there with a smirk on her face.
Eric narrowed his eyes at her and crossed his arms.
“What? He made it look fun” she argued as she walked toward Aidan.
“Cam!” he squealed as he ran towards her.
She began laughing as he leapt into her arms, and his laughter grew louder as she twirled him around in the air.
Eric felt the corners of his lips upturn on their own accord as he began to chuckle lightly at their interactions.
Aidan pulled away from Cam and returned to building a snowman, while Eric and Cam sat on the bench together.Her presence was less annoying than it once was, she was fairly tolerable. He was pulled from his thoughts when Cam elbowed him in the ribs.
“What’s wrong?” she asked him.
“What do you mean?” he replied.
“You’ve got that look on your face.” she informed him.
“What ‘look’?” he asked her.
“The ‘I’m Mr. Big Scary Dauntless Leader’ face” she chuckled.
“Don’t you have someone else to annoy?” he asked her pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Aw there’s no one else I would rather annoy than you Leader Wic” she informed him.
Aidan bounded up to Cam and frantically pulled her towards his pile of snow. She chuckled as she knelt down to help him make a snowman, Eric lost himself for a moment while watching them, as he wondered what it would be like to laugh and smile, to feel joy while playing with Aidan. He never thought he would be capable of such feelings, but since Aidan had came in to life his world had begun to change. While casually glancing at his watch, he saw that several hours had passed and saw a now unconscious Aidan being carried by Cam, her lips curled in a soft smile.
“He literally just passed out.” she giggled.
“Thank you, I’ll take him.” Eric reached for his son, Cam hesitated.
“No, I can carry him up for you.” she suggested, the emotion in her eyes taking Eric by surprise and he slowly nodded.
The walk up to his apartment was silent, Eric unlocked the door and pushed it open and reached once again for his sleeping son, this time Cam gently kissed Aidan’s head and handed him over, where he automatically curled into Eric and snuggled deep into his chest.
“Thank you” Eric said.
“You’re welcome…” she mumbled.
“Well I’ve got lots to do tomorrow so...Goodnight...Eric” she whispered the last part but Eric heard it as if she had shouted it.
She called him Eric, since adopting Aidan she called him Leader Wic, but when she called him Eric it hit him hard like a blow to the chest, he opened his mouth to wish her goodnight but she had already left, and Eric frowned as he closed the door to his apartment.
With Aidan snug in his bed, Eric couldn’t stop thinking about Cam and how she had called him Eric. It was the last thing on his mind as he fell asleep that night.
FIC SUMMARY: It’s Halloween in Dauntless and new father Eric decides against his better judgment to take Aidan trick or treating.
RATING: G
WORDS: 974
NOTES/WARNINGS: First of all I appreciate you all being patient with me, my life has been very hectic lately, writer's block is indeed a nasty thing, but I’ve conquered it finally. You guys are so awesome and I appreciate your patience. I hope you guys enjoy this.
If you are not and would like to be tagged in this or any of my future stories then let me know and I’ll add you to the tag list.
Eric mentally cursed whomever decided that Dauntless should celebrate the antiquated ritual called Halloween. Apparently it had dated as far back as the Celts, it’s alternate name being Samhein, but now it had been reduced to children going around the compound in scary costumes and begging candy from Dauntless members, candy that would filled their blood with sugar therefore turning them into little demons, which ironically fit the occasion. However, since becoming a single father, he decided that the idea wasn’t all that terrible.
Aidan had came into his life suddenly, and while Eric prided himself on not letting his emotions cloud his judgement, this little boy changed that. He found himself softening around the edges but he wouldn’t dare openly admit that to anyone.
That is why he finds himself on his knees helping his son into the little lion costume he had decided to wear for this year’s celebration. A part of him swelled with pride at Aidan’s decision, lions were king of the jungle and Eric was the king of Dauntless, his son would obviously follow in his footsteps.
“Wic” Aidan mumbled.
“Yes Aidan?” Eric asked gently.
“Wic Chick-Cheat” Aidan cheered.
“Yes, we are going trick or treating” Eric chuckled as he lifted the zip on the back of his son’s costume.
“Wic ove oo” Aidan chirped.
“Wic oves oo too” Eric whispered back before placing a kiss on Aidan’s forehead, to which Aidan giggled and wiped it off.
“Uck” he grumbles.“That’s my boy” Eric commented before scooping the boy up in his arms and heading out the door.
--
“Oh, Isn’t he the cutest?” a female Dauntless shrieked as she stood in her doorway with a bowl of candy.
The shrillness of her voice caused both Eric and Aidan to wince, Eric clenched his teeth and fought the urge to snap her neck right there.
“Chick-cheat” Aidan requests. his little voice causing a face splitting smile to grace her face.
“Here you go little one.” she giggled and placed a heaping handful into his bucket.
“Dank oo” Aidan politely replied.
Before the woman could say “You're Welcome” Eric abruptly turned and walked to the next set of apartments.
Every place they went to(,) they were assaulted by shrill noises of excitement; words like cute, adorable, and darling were hurled at them like deadly knives, and as they neared the last door, Aidan snuggled against him.
“Wic seepy” he murmured into Eric’s neck.
“I know buddy, last one I promise, ” Eric told his son.
Eric shifted Aidan to his left side and knocked on the door.
A beautiful woman appeared in the doorway, her cat like green eyes striking him like a punch in the gut, before he could help himself, his eyes traveled over her body. She was exquisite, her Dauntless uniform clung to her every curve, and for that Eric was grateful, noticing that her wild red hair fell past her shoulders in silky curls.
“Well, well, well, will wonders never cease? I never knew the King of Dauntless celebrated Halloween” she taunted, her full pink lips pulling into a smirk.
Her name was Cam, and she worked at the nursery taking care of the Dauntless newborns. She had been the one to take care of Aidan when his parents both died, and Eric would drop him off when he had leadership duties to attend to.
Eric fought the urge to lose his temper with the beautiful red head.
“It’s been a long night” Eric growled at her, her smirk deepened.
“Aww, you getting cranky Eric? I have some juice and cookies...perhaps a little nap” she teased, her eyes bright with mirth, Eric clenched his jaw and sneered his lips at her.
She held her hands up with a chuckle “At ease” she replied, and reached past the door frame and to produce a small treat bag with the Dauntless logo printed on it. Eric held out Aidan’s bucket and she placed it in with a wink.
Eric gave her a curt nod before turning to leave.
“Happy Halloween, Leader Wic” she retorted before closing the door.
As soon as Eric entered his apartment, Aidan was wide awake and ready to dig into his candy. Eric smiled and laid it out for inspection, critically analyzing each piece to make sure they didn’t pose a choking hazard.
Eric placed Aidan in his highchair, and Aidan eagerly patted the tray, ready for the first piece.
“You know I shouldn’t give you this stuff, it’s just junk” Eric stated to him, Aidan frowned and tilted his head in confusion.
“Nummy” Aidan replied.
“I know it’s yummy, but it’s not good for you” Eric argued as he unwrapped a soft peanut butter cup.
“Don tare” Aidan whined, his bottom lip protruding.
“You don’t, but I do.Against my better judgement, however...” he says with a sigh, handing his son the chocolatey piece of goodness.
Aidan squealed with delight before quickly devouring the sweet, and Eric couldn’t help but smile at the amount of chocolate on his son’s hands and face. He grabbed a wipe and quickly cleaned it, and Aidan growled in response, which caused Eric to draw back curiously.
“Tasm” he threatened, his fair eyebrows lowered in a scowl.
“Tasm?” Eric chuckled as he quirked a pierced brow at his son.
“No wipe me, fro you tasm” Aidan muttered, baring his teeth.
Eric boomed with laughter, “Are you threatening to throw me in the chasm?” he gasped between laughs.
Aidan nodded eagerly up and down as Eric unfastened the tray and picked him up in his arms. “You really are my little cub, aren’t you?” Eric asked.
“Wic cub” Aidan cheered before nuzzling into Eric’s neck.
After Aidan’s sugar high wore off,they fell asleep on the couch with Aidan cuddled to his chest, the Lion and his Little Lion Cub.
FIC SUMMARY: Eric finds a lost little boy and the fluffiness begins
RATING: F for Fluff
WORDS: 1,121
NOTES/WARNINGS: This was a request by the lovely @kiiiimberlyriiiicker1995 she requested a story about Eric finding a little boy and adopting him.
As usual a huge thank you to @anditcametopass for being my wonderful beta!
@iammarylastar @frecklefaceb @societalfailure @ashtotes @anditcametopass @sparklemichele (long live the queen) @mimigemrose @virgosapphire79 @insertamazingwords @pathybo @oddsnendsfanfics @jaijacked @audasia25
I’m sorry if I forgot anyone, if you want to be tagged in my future stuff.
It had been another grueling day at Dauntless and as usual Eric headed to the Leaders Training area to work off the tension. He removed his jacket and placed it on the bench; he began to wrap his hands before he squared up the bag and began his assault, imagining different faces, usually the ones that had worked him up that day.
But then he heard a whimper, and immediately stopped for a moment, his ears perking up at the foreign sound. He scanned his surrounding like any good soldier would, and when he couldn't find anything out of place, he resumed his punches.
“Top,” a small voice murmured.
That made Eric stop once again, his training kicked in and he began to patrol the room as the whimpering began to grow louder before it began to turn into cries and sniffles. His eyes darted to a darkened corner where the sound seemed to be coming from.
Eric approached slowly, until he saw a small boy about two years of age cowering in the corner. Eric knelt down slowly and reached out to the small child, the boy's big brown eyes widen in fear but Eric let a smile grace his lips as he nodded. The boy crawled to him as Eric's giant arms wrapped around the small body. The leader retrieved his jacket and wrapped the child up. He stiffened as the little child nuzzled into his chest.
“It's okay, you're safe,” Eric said soothingly.
Eric shifted on his feet before sitting down and holding the child in his lap,
“Where are you parents?” He tilted his head down to peer at the child, who only frowned at him in confusion.
“Tell me where your parents are,” he commanded.
As the child flinched, his cheeks grew red and started to wail; Eric immediately realized his mistake and brought the child to his chest and rubbed his back soothingly. Eric murmured soothing words into his ear as he walked towards his apartment, the little child soon grew quiet and limp in his arms.
After Eric settled the child on his couch, bracing pillows around him to keep him from rolling off, he rummaged through his kitchen to try to find something for him to eat. He knew that he had teeth so a banana would have to suffice.
Eric was tapping away at his tablet browsing through the newest batch of reports of the initiates, when he noticed the child moving. The small head popped up and he rubbed his eyes and blinked slowly at Eric. His face crumpled slightly.
“M bite,” the child whimpered.
“Do you want food?” Eric questioned.
“M bite,” the child said louder.
Eric gave him the banana that he had cut into chunks for him, he happily stuffed one in his mouth, soon demanding another piece.
“You have to swallow that bite first,” Eric instructed.
The toddler frowned, and held his chubby hand out for another chunk. Eric gave it to him and soon, that was gone too; until soon enough, the little boy managed to put away a whole banana. The child has also managed to cover his whole face while he was at it.
“I think you need a bath.” Eric frowned at the child before picking him up.
The child recognized that word and started to flail and cry.
“No bats!” He screamed.
Eric marched determinedly towards the bathroom, the child screaming his head off.
“No bats!” He protesting once again his voice gaining in octave.
“Yes, bats,” Eric answered in a bored tone.
Eric felt a sharp pinch in his shoulder, and realized that he had been bitten, the Leader of Dauntless, had been bitten by a little monster.
“Did you just bite me? If you were an initiate I would have to thrown over the chasm” Eric growled softly.
Eric only had a shower so he stripped himself of everything, and then started to undress the baby who instantly melted in his arms.
“No bats!” The baby shrieked, his voice echoing off the tile.
Eric ran his fingers through his gelled hair trying to figure out how to calm him. He picked the child up and stepped in the shower, the shrieks of protest turn into giggles as the sprinkles hit him, he held his fingers out and squirmed as they hit him, his brown eyes looking into Eric’s cold gray eyes as Eric’s lips perked up at the corners just barely. If anyone saw him they would call it a smile.
Once he and the young boy were both showered, Eric changed into a pair of boxers and wrapped the little one in a towel, the child played with his chest hair, and Eric rubbed his back and began to hum, and before he knew he started to sing a song from long ago.
People smile and tell me I'm the lucky one
And we've just begun
Think I'm gonna have a son
He will be like she and me, as free as a dove
Conceived in love
The sun is gonna shine above
The baby’s breathing grew heavy, and so did Eric’s, as he fell asleep.
When Eric awoke the next morning, he heard a pounding on his door. He opened his mouth to snarl, but was reminded of the bundle in his arms, he walked to the door while cradling the baby. It was Max.
“Eric, we’ve -” Max started before his eyes widened at the site of the child.
“Yes?” Eric growled quietly.
“A child went missing from daycare” Max explained.
“Well, I guess he’s no longer missing,” Eric snarled.
“Where are his parents?” Eric asked swaying back and forth gently.
“He’s an orphan, his parents were killed during the last patrol, we’ve been trying to find a new home,” Max explained before a smile spread across his face.
“I’ll take him,” Eric spoke without a second thought.
“Are you sure?” Max questioned his eyebrows disappearing into his hairline.
“Yes.” Eric answered with a curt nod.
“Well then meet your new son, Aidan Christopher...Coulter,” Max smirked at the last part.
“We’ve already met, now get out.” Eric said, shutting the door in Max’s face.
Even as he walked away he could hear Max chuckling from the other side of the door. Eric rolled his eyes, before looking down to see Aidan’s curious brown eyes gazing up at him.
“So, I guess you’re hungry again,” Eric smirked again.
Eric was lifting weights in peace when he heard grunting. He looked over and saw a boy beating the crap out of the dummy. He saw the kid take his shirt off and saw how big he really was. The boy has sandy blonde hair that was wavy. It was short on the sides and it looked alot like eric’s hair when he was a boy. He saw a giant dragon tattoo on the boy’s back. He was a 6 foot beast with a hard stare that could make anyone do anything he wanted. Eric was impressed with the force the kid had behind his right hook but he could have better form.
“Your legs are too far apart and shoulders need to be lowered” Eric said out of nowhere as he walked over to him. He was even surprized he was helping the kid. There was just something about him he wanted to help.
“What?”
“You will get a better impact with your sholders lower and legs closer together.”
Andre didn’t know what to say. He just stood there looking confused to why Eric Coulter the most feared leader of dauntless was helping him.“
’‘Oh. well good to know.”
“Good to know. That’s all you have to say?” Eric was a little peaved that he was offering advice to this kid and all he has to say is good to know.
“I didn’t ask for your help. I’m just letting off some steam not practicing for a fight.”
Eric all of the sudden pushed Andre.
“What the fuck man.”
“Don’t be stupid . You all ways have have to be ready for a fight. You are dauntless. Be a man and fight me.” Eric push the kid again and could see that look in his eyes. It was cold and calculating. The same one he got when his buttons were being pushed.
“ I know who you are. I’m not going to fight the leader of dauntless. It’s not a smart thing to do.” Andre wanted to beat his face in. If he was anyother dauntless born they would have. Most dauntless don’t think before they act. Andre was different and Eric knew this. He could tell Andre was strategizing a plan to get out before he threw a punch. He liked that. He liked that the kid was smart. Maybe a little to smart for dauntless. He had to tap into the anger that was boiling on the surface. Using the anger while being smart about it could really help Andre. That is what helped Eric get to the top.
“ Did your father not teach you how to stand up for yourself. Did your mother coddle you too much. You don’t deserve to be in dauntless. At this rate you’re going to fail initiation and be factionless trash.” He saw a switch go off and Andre lost it.
“You bastard. Don’t ever talk about my mother!” Andre lost it and started swinging. He knew it wasn’t smart but he couldn’t let some smug bastard talk about his mother like that. Eric was caught off guard with a punch to the face and then to the ribs. Eric countered the next blow to the ribs and threw a punch to Andre’s nose.
Andre felt a crack to his face and something warm dripping into his mouth.
Selena and Eric had a complicated relationship. They were more of fuck buddies then boyfriend and girlfriend and came as a shock when she got pregnant. Eric didn’t want any children so they both made the decision that she would raise the child on her own. Over the years Andre got bigger and becoming more like his father every day. Eric couldn’t help but to watch over him. He felt a small sense of pride when Andre was first in his class and won fights. He always asked about his father and she always told him the same thing.“Your father and I were a fling. He worked at the wall and I became a nurse. We couldn’t be together, He wouldn’t leave the wall. It’s his life.” He always wanted to find his dad and ask her why he left them. It scared Selena to death that Andre would find out the truth. Eric was mean and temperamental. Anytime he wanted sex he would just take it. Selena didn’t mind it when he was dominate in bed but couldn’t stand it outside the bedroom. She feel in love with him but he didn’t feel the same.She didn’t feel that having a baby around Eric would be a smart or safe thing . When it came time to call it quits it was hard and painful but she had a son to think of. Everything came to ahead when Andre was 15.
’‘Why won’t you tell who he is. I deserve to know’’
“I told you it wasn’t serious and he is at the wall. That is where his life is. Not here. Not with us” Selena said with tears rolling down her face.
“Bullshit. You’re a fucking liar. You just wanted me all to yourself. It’s not fair that i grew up without a father. If you won’t tell me i will find him on my own.”
Andre stormed out of the apartment while his mother begged him not to go. She knew this day would come but not so soon. She wanted to tell him about Eric after initiation.She thought that was when he could handle the truth. He had the look and same facial expressions of Eric when he was angry. Selena held out as long as she could and was going to tell him after he cooled off.
Andre ran. He ran until he stopped in the training room. He need to blow off some steam so he took out his frustrations on the punching dummy. He didn’t realize someone else was in the room with him.
