Eric never felt so loved in his entire life. Never felt so important, as though he mattered enough for someone to love him. He knew that he was important in Dauntless as a leader, but to do what Tris just did, showed more than love. It showed determination and longevity. She was telling Tori and the world that he belonged with her and will do whatever it takes for the message to be clear. She was giving him, the relationship, everything that she had. It was also obvious that any cheating of any sort would break her, Eric saw throw her façade. Yes, she was proving a point to Tori but she was also showing her vulnerability. She didn't want to get hurt. The simple truth is the person you love the most is the person with the most power to hurt you. So Tris loved Eric but she was also scared of him because he controlled that power. He had to calm her fears because even though there's a certain truth to them, Eric would never jeopardize their relationship. He needed a better environment to talk to her, so instead of going back to the Pit Eric told Tris that he would rather go to her place. The road back was silent but intense. Each person lost in their own world yet holding on to each other: as they were walking, Eric would lean multiple times to kiss her on her forehead and Tris would just look at him lovingly.

Once they were in Tris' apartment, she went to the bathroom and Eric made his way to the balcony that overlooked the Chasm. The Chasm has always been an enigma to Eric because of his love of water. As a child, his parents would always take him to the community pool and once in the water he would pretend to be a water ninja. He just adored the water. However, he also understood how dangerous it could be. Therefore, he loved and feared the Chasm.

"These days you're just thinking more then usual, warrior. You're starting to worry me." He heard Tris tell him. She joins him by sitting next to him on the balcony and enjoying the view.

"Now I have things worth thinking about it." He states. He's just looking at her and playing with her hair. He leans and slightly kisses her. It was time to put her fears at rest.

"I know that you're scared of me straying and doing you wrong. I just want you to know that it will never happen. I wont do anything to ever jeopardize what we have. And about Tori…"

"When was the last time you fucked her? How long were you two together?" She quickly asks. She has always known that there was something between them but she didn't know exactly what.

"We were fuck buddies. I choose the word 'fuck buddy' instead of 'lover' because 'lover' has tendency to confuse people, to make them think that they loved each other. 'She was my lover' would mean that I loved her when that's not it. Yes, I do care for Tori as a friend and as a friend only. That's all we were and all we are now. The day you and I got together, she knew and she was happy. Well not true, she was mad because she wasn't the first to know but she was happy after." They both chuckled about that last comment. That was Tori, she was full of information so when she was left out of the loop it made her angry.

"Will it bother you if I stay friends with her?" Eric asks hoping that the answer would be no because he truly did care for Tori as a friend and he didn't have many friends.

"No it won't. She understood the message tonight, besides, I love her as a sister and I trust you."

"Thank you, baby. I have a question for you now: what was Four telling you?"

"As I told you before he said that he hasn't seen me for a while and then he asked me for a dance. Then you showed up."

"No, you guys were talking for a while, at least 10-15 minutes."

"He was just asking me about the prototype."

"And how would he know about that?"

"Because he goes on the same missions as I do." There. She gave him enough information to not continue asking her questions. The information did not make either her or Four.

"Who chose him?"

"I don't know. One day, when I was going he was there and he's been there ever since." There was a moment of silence. This made Tris uneasy.

"Just like I trust you Eric, you should be able to trust me also."

"I do trust you, I just don't trust him. He's had the hots for you since day one. He was your trainer and tried fucking you. What did he say about Amar?"

"Nothing, as you came he stopped. Who is he?"

"Let's not talk about him tonight. Four has it twisted, that's all." There was another moment of silence, so Tris decided to ask Eric the question of all questions.

"What do you think of Divergents?"

"Why are you asking me that?"

"Because I want to know."

"What is there to think? Some people think that they exist while others think that they are fairytales."

"I know but you didn't answer my question. What do you think?"

"I think that they exist."

"And?"

"And what?"

"Do you think that they are dangerous? Normal people? Should be killed? Should be left alone? Eric what do you think?" He never responded, but the question was heard as his jaw was clenching. He stopped looking at her and started looking at the Chasm.

"What if I were Divergent?" she asks, "what would you do?"

"I would ask you who else knows and then kill them." She gasped. Out of all the answers that she would imagine him giving her, that was not one of them.

He slowly turns to look at her and whispers, "There is nothing in this world that I wouldn't do to protect you. They're hunting Divergents and if you were one, I would protect you even if it means becoming factionless or killing the people closest to you and that include family members."

"If I were one and told someone, it would be someone that I trust like you and Christina. That's it. Christina wouldn't turn me in."

"You don't know that."

"Eric, she wouldn't."

"Look at me. If fucking Jeanine Mathews had a gun pointed to my head and told you that you can save me only if you divulge the identity of a Divergent, what would you do?" Once more Eric shocks her. With that type of scenario, what could she do? There's no doubt that she would do anything to protect Eric but would that mean killing a friend? He's waiting for an answer but she can't give it to him.

"You're thinking it but you can't say it out loud." Eric tells her. "Love is a man's biggest strength and biggest weakness. Just like you, I care for the Candor but if I had to choose between saving you and killing her, she would be dead. I know that you're thinking the same thing and you shouldn't be ashamed for it." He takes a breather and continues; "I know that you know that I'm not a man who talks about my feelings but I need you to know them. I love you, Tris. I love you with all my heart and soul, and I know that that sounds stupid but it's true." He stops just for a second as to sort out his thoughts. "I used to fuck a lot and when I say a lot I mean a lot. And it was good, so damn good but something was still missing. At night, before falling asleep, I would get so cold. I would put extra blankets on or even put the heater on, and I would still be cold. It's only when we got together that I realized that it was loneliness. When we sleep together, not even fucking but cuddling, I feel so warm inside. I have never once felt cold with you Tris, not once. So just like my cock belongs to you, so does my heart."

"God I love you." Tris tells him as she throws her arms around his neck and kisses him, "So damn much."

"I know that you're not ready to move in with me," he tells her, "but I want us to always sleep together at night. I don't care if it's at your place or mine, but at night I want us together."

"Of course."

"If you don't have anything planned for tomorrow, we can go to the community pool."

"I'd love that! The only thing is I'm planning to make you breakfast and Christina and Peter are going to come."

"Sounds fine with me. I have to admit that the idea of you cooking for me brings me pure pleasure."

"Your happiness is my happiness."

"I love you, Stiff."

"I love you too, baby." And with that last sentence, the cruel and cold Dauntless leader became a warm and loving Dauntless leader.

My apologies for the tardiness of this post. I sincerely hope that you enjoy it, even if it is short. In addition, would it be too much to ask to leave a review? I just worry that you guys might get bored with the story.