AN: So, I actually wrote this is a notebook first, and it ended up being kinda long, so I’ve decided to make it into two parts. Okay, I hope you guys enjoy this and I’m sorry if it sucks.
Next
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It had been a rough day for you. Initiation was piece of cake, and neither was having a soulmate. You felt bad for whoever they were, especially cause Peter got you pretty good. For the record, you did beat him, and he looked almost as bad as you did.
Initiation was over for the day, and boy, were you relieved. Once you returned to the initiate bedroom, you immediately plopped down on your bed and fell asleep.
He was in so much pain, not just from his soulmate, but because of who she actually was. (Y/N). He realized it once the fight between her and Peter had started.
Peter had been the first to attack. (Y/N) had dodged his attempted punch to her stomach and got him good in the jaw. He felt like his knuckles were splitting and realized that (Y/N)’s just did. They were red and raw and Eric grew sick to his stomach.
An initiate? His soulmate? Luckily for him, she had seemed to be one of the only ones who could actually stand him. Unluckily, if she found out, she may not stay that way. Eric then decided that that was what he was going to do. Not tell her and let her figure it out. (Y/N) was ex-Erudite, so it actually probably won’t take her too long, right?
Wrong. It took 3 weeks after Eric’s realization for you to finally get it.
Initiation was over and you and your friends were out celebrating. It was Christina’s idea of getting a Dauntless flame tattoo that led to the reveal. Eric was talking to Tori when you and Christina, the rest too wary to come inside the makeshift tattoo parlor, walked in. He was sitting on a table, his back towards you.
“Where did you want it?” Tori asked, holding a glass plate with what looked like little spiders on it.
“Right below the neck,” Eric replied pointing to the spot. Tori then told him to go to the back and that she would meet him when she was ready.
Eric got up from the table, turning to face you, in the process, you met eyes with him and saw his face contort in concern before whispering something to Tori. She nodded as he left to go to the back.
“(Y/N),” Tori called, looking at you. Your eyes widened and you slowly stood as the tattoo artist beckoned you over. You looked at Christina who looked just as unsure as you did.
Alas, you walked towards Tori. She offered you a kind smile to which you hesitantly returned. She led you to the back where Eric was waiting patiently, an attribute that clearly didn’t seem to fit him. He sat there rigid and trying to keep his hands busy. Tori left after giving you one last small smile leaving you with the mysterious tattooed and pierced man. He looked up at you and smiled. It was kind and sincere, but it made you suspicious.
“Hi,” he said, calm and casual, causing an unwary knot to form in the pit of your stomach.
“Hi,” you replied. You had tried for it to come out confident but standing alone in a room with a Dauntless leader left you scared. You more of choked on the world, rather than actually saying it.
“I’m sorry if I’m making you uncomfortable, but I have to show you something.”
“You’re not going to kill me?” your voice laced with skepticism.
Eric chuckled lightly, shaking his head. “Now why would I do that to my soulmate?”
“I don’t know, maybe you don’t like her or some--” you look at him wide-eyed, everything clicking in your head. He gives you his classic smirk while you shake your head. “No. No. No. No.”
“Ah, but yes.” His smirk turns to a smile from watching you struggle with the idea of being his soulmate. He gets up from his seat and begins to walk in your direction. “I’m actually surprised that it took you so long to figure out. Aren’t you from Erudite?”
You give him a pointed glare. “There’s a reason I left. And how can you be so sure that I am your soulmate?”
“Again.” said Four, for what seemed like the hundredth time.
You and Christina had been practicing different fighting techniques for the past hour and you felt like collapsing on the spot. Christina was steadily improving with each fight, while it seemed like you were getting nowhere.
“Get it together Y/N.” You whispered to yourself as you took your stance yet again. “You can do this.”
You planted your feet firmly on the mat and raised your arms back into position. Just then, out of the corner of your eye, you saw Eric walk ever so slowly towards your group. He finally took his place next to Four and crossed his arms over his chest. You quickly looked back to Christina as he turned his head to look at you. You could almost sense his eyes boring a hole into your head.
Focus Y/N. You took a deep breath.
“Begin.” said Four.
You quickly lunged forward and tried a right jab, but after an hour of practicing, Christina had become familiar with your moves and quickly moved to the left. Spinning around, she jabbed you in the back with her elbow. You quickly turned around to face her only for her to take a left jab to your jaw. You stifled a scream and momentarily swayed before standing still and rose your hands again. You could hear snickers coming from all around you.
“She’s done.”
“How many times has she been beaten today?”
“She’s pathetic, she can’t even win one fight.”
“If she can’t even win one fight, what is she doing here?”
The last comment hits you hard. You shake your head. Don’t let them get to you. Keep going. You try one last attempt to make a mark. You try a kick to her left side, but of course she anticipates this move as well and jumps out of the way and swings her foot, knocking your legs out from under you. Your head hits the mat with a sickening thump. You feel Christina crouch at your side.
“I’m so sorry Y/N. I didn't mean for it to go too far.” She hoists you up. You open your eyes and see stars floating everywhere. You try to shake her off.
“I’m fine. Let’s go again.” You try to take a step and wobble a bit before she’s back at your side.
“Let it go Y/N. We can go again tomorrow.” she pleads. You shake her off again.
“No. I can do this.” You say. You raise your hands up. You can hear the snickers start again as you take your place on the mat. Christina looks to Four. He nods.
“Christina is right. You’re done for the day.” He motions for you to sit down on a bench. “Will, Al, you guys are up.”
Slowly, you walk towards the bench and sit down. Christina sits beside you and smiles sympathetically.
“We’ll try again tomorrow OK?” She pats your hand and stands up to go watch Will and Al. You stare down at your hands in defeat. You felt utterly pathetic. You had tried your hardest, but even that wasn't enough. Maybe you weren’t cut out to be in Dauntless after all. You sighed. No, you couldn’t think like that, you had to make it, no matter what.
“Aww poor Y/N, thinking about quitting? You should, it would make the instructors' lives much easier, as they won’t have to take the time to train someone who’s as hopeless as you are.” A sneering voice says. That voice, you recognized it as the one who made the last comment during your fight.
“Go away Peter. I’m not in the mood to deal with your crap.” you say. Peter had been picking on you from the moment he laid eyes on you. You and Tris were his favorite people to bother, but as of late he had been picking on you more and more. He stood in front of you, with a big smirk on his face.
“Just face it Y/N. You don’t belong here no matter how hard you try. You’re a pathetic nobody who belongs with the factionless.” he says crossing his arms across his chest. Don’t let him get to you. Just ignore him.
“Just go away.” you say. A weak attempt, but it was worth a try. Unfortunately, he was just getting started.
“I honestly don’t even know why you joined. You don’t have what it--.”
“I think she has exactly what it takes.” a voice says from behind you, cutting Peter off. A male voice, one you had heard before but could not place. Peter looks up and a glimpse of fear flashes before his eyes. With all of of Peter’s nagging, you hadn’t heard the heavy footsteps come up from behind you. You feel a strong hand rest on your shoulder as the voice continues.
“I think Y/N has exactly what it takes to be in Dauntless and Dauntless would be lucky to have her as a member.” The voice pauses for a moment and you can only assume that he is glaring at Peter because what he says next makes you catch your breath.
“If I ever see or hear, that you are bothering Y/N again, I will personally make sure you never reach the final stages of your training. Understood?” The voice says this with a sound of finality.
You couldn’t believe it. Who in their right mind would be sticking up for you, the weakest of the initiates. You watched as Peter nodded quickly, but respectfully before he hurriedly walked back to the group. Standing up quickly, your eyes widened in understanding.
Of course. It all added up. The heavy footsteps, the fear in Peter’s eyes as well as the respect shown before running off like a dog with its tail tucked between its legs. The details added up to one person. You spun around to look at your defender.
Standing there behind the bench, was Eric.
You didn’t know what to say. Eric had never really paid attention to you before, as you were among one of the lowest-ranking initiates.
“Why did you stick up for me?” you asked boldly, stepping closer to him. “Peter is right. I’m one of the worst initiates here. Why did you bothering sticking up for me when you know he was telling the truth?” The last part comes out as a whisper but you don’t look away from his piercing eyes. Eric stares back, not breaking his gaze. He places both of his hands on your shoulders and leans in close.
“Peter is full of crap. He doesn't know what the hell he’s talking about. I do. I’m the instructor remember? It doesn’t matter if you have the lowest score. With a little more work you'll soon be one of the top ranking initiates. I see potential in you. You are determined and driven to do the best that you can do and then go beyond that. You are the kind person we need here at Dauntless.” He leans back as he finishes his final sentence and removes his arms from your shoulders. You released a breath you didn't even know you were holding in. No one had ever encouraged or praised you the way he had. As you opened your mouth to thank him, you heard Christina calling to you.
“Y/N? It’s time to head back.”
You glanced back to where she was standing with Al, Will, and Tris.
“I’ll be right there.” you called. You turned back to face Eric and saw what looked like disappointment flash in his eyes but you weren’t completely sure.
You cleared your throat and gave a small smile. “Thank you Eric. For your support and encouragement. It means a lot.”
Eric smiled then quickly put on a serious face. “It’s no problem. I only wish to see you succeed.”
You quickly said your goodbyes and began to walk back towards the others.
“Y/N!” You turned around once more at the sound of Eric’s voice. “Yes?” you said.
“If you want any extra help with your training,” He looks at the floor before looking back up at you. “I could work with you tomorrow, after all the training sessions are finished if you’d like.” He says this with a small, but hopeful smile.
You smile back at him. “I’d love to.”
My very first imagine. I hope you guys enjoy it. :)
