A/N: Hello! This is my first fanfiction, so I apologize in advance for the grammar and what not. The main character is a character I created that's from Abnegation, Lydia. Her initiation was a couple years ago so she's 20 and Eric is 22. Lydia ranked 2nd in her group but chose to work at as a tattoo artist to express her artistic abilities. She has never caught the attention of Eric, until now. No war. Also, this is probably going to be a slower relationship just because I like those more. :)

I only own Lydia. The rest belongs to Veronica Roth.

I lace up my boots while thinking of the day I have ahead of me. I have multiple tattoos appointments planned, and Tori even offered to work on finishing up mine later in the day. Four asked me if I would come and help him with teaching the initiates about shooting, an offer I couldn't resist. As much as I love my tattoo gun, I need to hold a real one every once in awhile.

After tying my last shoe I get up from my bed and cross the room to get to the back of the door. On the back of it lies a mirror where I give myself a final look before heading out.

I still haven't fully gotten used to being able to look in the mirror when and wherever I want. Abnegation, plain and simple, is far from what I am. I take full advantage of the mirror now, not just when I need a haircut. The whole "simple hair cut" idea left as soon as I sliced my palm over the dauntless coals. Since then I have dyed my hair practically every color of the rainbow but I always resort back to my natural caramel hair.

I walk through my dull apartment, to the front door. I remember moving in, I thought that by now, after 4 years of living here, I would at least have some decorations. The place looks sad. The walls bare, and the floors have nothing except a small couch and coffee table. The only real sign of life is the bright light that floods in through my ceiling to floor windows. I glance at the clock noting that I have to go. I pull open the door and make my way through dauntless, and into the pit.

As I enter the tattoo shop, Tori is already hard at work on her first customer.

"Hey Lyd! Come check out this tattoo I'm working on. It's pretty killer." She calls out. I walk over, my eyes landing on a huge tree twisting all the way up this man's back, each leaf is replaced by words that have importance here at Dauntless. "Oh man, that's awesome." I encourage before moving over to the counter looking through the planner to see who's first on my list.

"Oh, I had to cancel your 1:00 appointment and give you mine instead. Max called me for a meeting, and this was the only time Eric could come in for awhile so I gave him to you." She yells over the buzz of the tattoo gun. I roll my eyes and mumble ok.

I've never actually had a real conversation with Eric. That's not to say that he hasn't said things to me before because he has. "Stiff this, stiff that," Is basically what I heard all through initiation. He usually only lets Tori tattoo him, her being one of the other leaders. I don't hate Eric but he definitely has a cold and dark vibe to him that I don't really want to mess with. I cross out my previous one o'clock appointment and hope that his appointment goes well.

My first customers go by pretty quickly. Kalel, my best friend, stopped by to have her sleeve touched up. Kalel, a dauntless born, instantly took me in during my first days here. She passed her initiation 1 year before I came, and ranked 3rd.

I remember on the day that we got our final ranks, I didn't really have anyone to talk to to about how well I did. I didn't make a lot of friends throughout initiation, most of them hated me because of my 2nd rank. I met Kalel while I was looking for my apartment and ever since that day we have been pretty inseparable.

It's one o'clock on the dot when Eric strolls in. Tori has already left so it's just me, and now Eric. I pretend I don't notice him until he comes up to the counter. I scribble something down on the notepad to make it look like I was working, then look up to face him. I make eye contact with him. His gray eyes are cold looking, and hide a lot of emotion. I look away, trying to avoid eye contact again. He's wearing his usual black vest, and a black t-shirt that hugs his body, bringing out his muscles.

I'm not a small person, I lost a lot of my baby fat in initiation and I definitely got in shape, but I'm not someone most people consider small. Eric standing in front of me makes me feel small. I'm not that much shorter than he is, but he's built. All I have is the small bit of muscle from initiation and working out every day, it doesn't even compare to him.

"Hey, you can take a seat in the chair over there, I'm gonna go grab everything from the back." I mention before heading into the supply room. I grab the ink and the sketch that Tori drew up for him, and set everything on the cart by the chair.

"So, Stiff. You ranked 2nd and you choose to be a tattoo artist?" He says, a hint of disapproval in his voice. I'm not surprised by this question, I get asked this multiple times.

"Take your shirt off." I say, getting ready to apply the stencil.

He smirks, pulling his shirt over his head. "Demanding." He mumbles. "I like it." I place the stencil on the side of his stomach and back. I push down on it a little before peeling it off, his skin is surprising warm. I can't help but stare at his abs for a few seconds, but then focus on answering the question he previously asked.

"I'm a member of Dauntless, and have been for 4 years, so there's really no need for you to call me Stiff. Also, I chose tattoo artist because it's what I like to do." I say, bringing the tattoo gun to life and get started on his tattoo.

"As far as I'm concerned, I can call you whatever I like considering I am one of your leaders." He grumbles. I just roll my eyes and continue working on the task at hand. "Some people do appreciate being called their real name." I inform him. He smirks then turns his head to look at me. "And would you be one of those people?" He questions, his cold, dark eyes never leaving my face.

"As a matter of fact, I am."

He chuckles then turns back, looking at the designs all over the wall. The rest of the time is silent as I finish his tattoo, and I'm thankful for that. Once I'm done I wrap his side and lead him over to the counter. He throws his shirt back on and a part of me wishes he kept it off.

"I talked to Tori before she left and she said everything was already taken care of, so you're good to go." I inform him. I cross his name out on my planner and realize it's my last customer. "I'm assuming you know the drill for after care." I say, closing my planner. "Yeah, I got it. Thanks by the way." He says as he heads out the door.

I pick up the stuff I used for Eric's tattoo and put it away. His appointment went surprisingly well and I'm glad that it's over. He makes me nervous, almost uncomfortable. I flip the switch for the lights and lock the door before heading off to meet Four.