(A/N: Sorry, this is TINY. This must be so disappointing to a lot of people, because it's only 2,000 words and took well over a month to write. It's rubbish, really, and I feel terrible, but the truth is, I'm just not motivated to write this story. I have the motivation to write Faction High and the Language of Love and my one shots, but this is just a source of stress. I want to just call it off, but I know that Faction High will be coming to a close soon anyways, and the Language of Love is going to be finished soon too, so I'm going to persevere. About Faction High, it will be over in 10 chapters, at the maximum. I will 100% do a sequel of them on summer break, but I'm exceptionally proud of that story and I'm going to finish it on the same high note it started on almost 6 months ago. This will not be doing as well, but if I keep updates this long they may be up to weekly!)

I can't stop thinking about last night. I toss and I turn in my bed, for the second night in a row after it, because that's where my mind is focused. I only saw Tobias at work yesterday, so it's Tuesday night and I still feel like I need his presence. I keep wishing she hadn't called, because who knows where I'd be if she hadn't. His lips were so close to mine, we were both leaning in...damn that phone call.

Work has been going great too, and now I've finished organising that file I've started managing Tobias' inbox too. Apparently I'm doing a really great job, because they're considering me for a higher position. I think Tobias is trying to get me a job opportunity at his level, too, which I'm incredibly thankful for, but I don't think he knows I know. I know it's just a simple personal assistant job, but in the mere fortnight I've worked there, it's become the single best place I've ever worked at, completely destroying Walmart, Ihop and Target.

My mind is almost never off Tobias Eaton, his eyes are always branded in my mind, and though I have no problems with it, I still find myself getting all smiley and positive when they come back into my mind. I feel really silly, actually, because I have never been so attracted to someone in my entire life, but it's silly because though I think it's very, very likely the feelings are requited after our near kiss in my kitchen, but because he's my best friend. This is someone I've shared everything with, and that leaves me vulnerable. What if he has second thoughts, or the moment in the kitchen was a mistake?!

I realise now that I am very vulnerable to heartbreak. If he doesn't feel anything at all for me, or hates me or looks at me differently because of how I feel, would send me into a whirlwind of pain. I normally never let myself become this open, this easy to break, but I don't want to close off, because it feels like that whole, seemingly far off idea of actually becoming his girlfriend, is getting closer and closer. It's almost within my grasp, but I can't stretch any further, Tobias needs to do that. I find myself always thinking, even just in the back of my mind, that at any one moment he might ask me if I feel that way towards him, and the thought both thrills me and terrifies me.

If we did get in a relationship, it would be so different to Peter. It would be healthy, I'm certain of that, and probably a lot easier because I wouldn't have to be constantly trying to be something I'm not for him, but I detest the idea that our natural, loving bond now, as best friends, will just not work in a relationship. That being said, as much as I love him as a friend, my feelings for him as a boyfriend or love interest are just as strong, if not stronger. That's why I've stopped being so tense around him, though I do find myself having to remember that I need to wait, wait until he makes another move.


A week after said night of tossing and turning, I lie here on my couch, cackling my head off at the stupid jokes Tobias and I keep making. We're stuffing our faces in candy and soda, laughing over nothing. It feels perfect, just happy, just happy together. I just wish one of us would just have the guts to kiss the other. Not me, but I did see him staring at my lips a little while ago. I pretended I didn't notice, but I made a mental note to wear no lipstick again. Not that I wear it much anyways, but it really makes me feel confident to know he thinks I'm pretty.

It doesn't take long for us to decide to be really stupid and build a pillow fort out of my mattress and my pillows, which ends up with both of us just lying on my bed watching Disney movies and laughing and literally anything the other does, even if it isn't even remotely funny. Not long in though, we find ourselves much closer than we were before, my head on his shoulder. It's totally innocent, and could be entirely friendly, but our eyes keep meeting and I really want to kiss him...but I don't.

I shouldn't be so cocky and assuming, but by the look in his eyes I can tell he wants to kiss me too, but neither of us do. I don't know if he thinks it, but the thought in my mind is that as great as this moment is, it isn't THE moment. It's perfect, it is, but my mind is racing and my eyes are drooping.

"You just make me so goddamn happy, you know that?" he says, totally catching me off guard. All of a sudden I don't even care that I'm tired anymore, because I'm straightening up, and laughing with disbelief.

"Tobias! That's so sweet of you!" I exclaim, hugging him tightly. This doesn't catch either of us off guard, because we hug for quite a while, just not caring. I love being in his arms, it's strong and secure and makes me feel safe. I don't ever want to leave him again. I'm totally floored by his words, they were so sincere and beautiful, even if they were totally blunt. He makes me so goddamn happy too, probably more so. Eventually, I fall asleep on his shoulder. I'm not fully asleep, but in that weird limbo where you can tell what's going on, even if it is a bit blurred. I hear him chuckle, and then feel him kiss my cheek. Suddenly I'm only half asleep, my mind focused on what he's whispering.

"You're so beautiful." he breathes, before moving all the stray pillows and blankets and foot packets and laying me down in the bed, kissing my cheek once more before pulling the blanket over me, and putting the rest away in my cupboard. I thank him silently in my head, but then fall asleep again.

When I awake the next morning, it takes me a moment to remember that kiss, how he called me beautiful, and all the things he said to me that make the butterflies in my stomach appear and that warm, stringy feeling in my chest spin out of control. I make my bed, looking out onto the beautiful skyline once again, before stopping when I see a post it stuck to the back of my converse boots, just as I'm about to slip them on with my clothes to nip out to get some coffee and a muffin. He knows me too well. I think to myself, as I peel the note away and read it thoroughly, taking in his loopy Ys and Gs.

Tris,

You fell asleep last night so I tidied your room and put you to bed. Hey, I was wondering, do you want to come to dinner tonight? We said we were going to do it on the first day you got here, but then you turned out to be my PA and it kind of slipped my mind. So, if you want, I'll pick you up at 7? Dress casual, it's not really a fancy place - just pizza. The baseball game's on tonight at 8 too, so if we hurry dinner we can go, I had 2 tickets but Zeke's wife's sister went into labour and they've all rushed out to Vancouver. Just wondering. See you at work!

-Tobias xxx

I try not to overthink the kisses at the bottom, but after the words he said into my ear last night when he thought I was asleep, I see that he might not have meant them in a friendly way. Which only makes me happier. Seeing as we haven't sent a letter to each other in 2 months (Yeah, I've been here 2 months - the time has FLOWN) I decide to put it in the stash of them I have in my side cupboard. I get a little sad to think that almost 20 years worth of letters is coming to an end, but I'd toss the letters for the real Tobias in real life any day. He's the same person either way, but it's just so much nicer to have him here, right ere where we can talk and laugh and not be apart.

I end up hurrying off to get that coffee and get to work faster than I normally would, just because I'm anxious and excited to see him again. Plus, I have to take notes in a conference today, about a particularly gruesome missing person case turned murder/kidnapping that they need to organise and present to a court so they can get a long sentence for the asshole who did it to the poor woman.

When I get there, I'm just on time, thank goodness. This is my first big job, and I really want to keep the good reputation I have, as a professional. Yet, it's getting really difficult, because when I walk into the staff room/break room, and see Nita standing next to the sink next to Tobias. Nita is one of those girls who looks at a guy like a piece of meat and doesn't care whether he's taken or not. Tobias isn't taken, but is clearly really uncomfortable by how close she's leaning, and how she's running her finger up his arm.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I'm having trouble accessing a file on your drive, Tobias. Can you give me a hand?" I ask, giving him a smile that communicates so much between us. He smiles right back, and excuses himself from Nita. For a moment she catches my eye, communicating a hell of a lot too. Hers says something like "Back off" while Tobias' says something more along the lines of "I really owe you."

When we step into his office, he sighs and smiles at me.

"Thanks. She's been driving me nuts. Did you get my post it?" he asks, and I chuckle, nodding.

"Yeah, I did. I'd love to see the baseball game, and go to dinner. This isn't a date...is it? I mean, I think it is but I don't know how that really works, especially with us, I mean we're best friends and everything-" I start rambling like an idiot, making rapid hand gestures and looking everywhere but at him. He cuts me off with a laugh and a hand on my shoulder.

"I'd like it as a date. And I get it, it's new territory, but I'd like to try it, if you would." he says sincerely, looking deep into my eyes. I simply nod.

"I'd like to try it." I say, and just as I think he's going to kiss me, he pulls away. I put and give him a confused look.

"Later, I promise." he says with a wink. Yeah, it better be later. I can't wait much longer.