The Tragedy of Al and Tris

[scribblemyname]

Thoughts on the tragedy of Al and Tris in Divergent. I was requested to write an Al/Tris fic over the holidays, and by chance, it’s one of the ones that fell by the wayside in the realities of too much life to do them all. I forewarned the requester that angst and tragedy was probably on the menu, and they did request nontragic.

But Al and Tris are tragic. Why?

It’s unrequited. It’s the guy that’s so sweet and you care about so much but can never return the feelings. It’s the guy that’s so hurt and just wants to put you both on the same level again. He’s scared. He’s one step away from factionless, and he chooses death instead because he can’t even have your friendship anymore. It’s the wrong choice you never meant to make. It’s horror and pain and fear and grief for all the good that once was and never could be again.

I don’t want to write this fic to be honest. There is no rightness to smooth over the pain. It just hurts, and I’m not a masochist. I’m glad Roth wrote it the way she did. It was real and honest and raw, and so is the book, but I just can’t go there again.

Originally published at Liana Mir. You can comment here or there.

Comments

[pygmymuse.livejournal.com]

I don't see how Al and Tris could ever be happy together. She wanted to help him, but she didn't feel that way about him, and realistically, I don't think she ever could. It was clear from the beginning where Al was headed, never to make it into Dauntless, and as much as Tris wanted to help him, he wasn't cut out for it, and she was, and that would always stand between them. Plus... after what he almost did to her, how could there be happiness? Maybe she could have forgiven him over time, but they didn't have time... by his choice.

[scribblemyname]

:nods emphatically: Yes, yes, yes. Even without the "situation," they made wonderful friends, but a pairing? No, I don't think so.

[lithiumlaughter.livejournal.com]

If anything, it would almost have to be an alternate take. As in, what would have happened if Al hadn't been part of the ambush, and had been the one who stumbled across it? He would have been ABLE to take them on; the guy proved he's strong, he just didn't want to use it to hurt people just to hurt them. He wanted to defend them.

Not that I think that would have been a better way to do it. Like you said, Roth wrote it the way she did, and it was beautiful in all its pain. You hurt for Al, and by the time he chooses to attack Tris with the others, and yeah, what he DID...I don't blame Tris for her reaction one bit, and I honestly believe she would have followed through with it. And again, you're right. There's no way to smooth it over.

I don't blame you for not wanting to go there. It simply doesn't work. Your requester wants softness where there can really, logically, only be jagged edges.

[scribblemyname]

our requester wants softness where there can really, logically, only be jagged edges.

This. Yes.