Hey! As promised, this is Tobias's POV because I know EVERYONE wants to know what he feels for Tris at this point.

Disclaimer: I don't own Divergent

Tobias Eaton runs on time. To him, time is what separates the real and the fake, and grounds him back to earth. Don't be mistaken, though. He definitely believes that time is a construct… but it's a construct that helps him breathe. It is useful to him.

Growing up, he would count each minute until his father would leave for work in the morning. When he would go on business trips, though, those were his favorite days. Full nights in the home encompassed by silence and peace, and Tobias could do whatever he pleased, whether it be eating sugary cereal for dinner or walking through Millennium Park at midnight.

Though, time had frustrated Tobias Eaton as well. Like when his mother had up and disappeared when he was 6. She had come to his room in the middle of the night and told him not to be afraid, that she would be back soon and for him to be a good boy. After that he started counting the days, marking each one with a tally mark in his notebook. After all, how long was 'soon'? Another thing about time, it's relative. And by the time that Tobias was 11 years old and the notebook was almost filled, he decided it was no use. Time wouldn't help him now.

A few years later, his mother did reach out to him. But another reason that Tobias liked time was because it faded memories, dulled them down. She had sent him several letters and then followed him on his morning run to try and reconcile when he was 15, but at that point time had made her merely a stranger to him.

Now Tobias stares at the clock, waiting for Tris Prior to come home. The only thing that grounds him when he thinks about her is time. Ever since they met he's been aware of the exact minutes, hours, and days that they have spent apart. As she started becoming more important to him, he started to count them more consciously.

He's been staying at the Prior's for the past couple of weeks now, scared to face Zeke and Shauna. It's not like they've reached out to him anyways. He's thankful that Natalie Prior has been away on business for most of these days, but she's coming home for the holidays soon and he knows he needs to get out of here, though Tris and Maria both insist that they love having him over. Caleb Prior is a different story, however he's started to become less hostile towards him as the days go on.

A typical weekday in the past couple of weeks would be Tobias waking up and showering in the nice guest bathroom, shrugging his work clothes on and coming downstairs to see Tris and Caleb up bright and early in their school uniforms, eating breakfast. Maria would hand him a muffin and then he would walk Tris to school in the cold while Caleb took the car. Despite the weather, they both liked walking together. It gave them some privacy and some time to chat and get to know about each other. He talked more and more about his mom with her, though not too much about the aftermath of her leaving, more just the memories that he can remember about when she was there. Tris shared a little bit about herself as well, but Tobias could tell she was hesitant which saddened him. He wanted to know more about her, but even with what he does know already he's infatuated.

She's smart, bright, loyal, and extraordinary. And she has no clue. He's not sure how he would categorize his feelings for her… a crush? To him it feels much too deep to just call it that, and that scares him. She knows more about him than anyone else, which might be a little embarrassing considering they haven't been in each other's lives for long. He trusts her, though. She's seen a lot and has not shied away from him. She's his… friend.

After Tobias would drop Tris off to school he would make his way to the office, where time helped him once again, counting down the minutes until he could leave at 5 pm. Evenings consisted of helping Tris with her homework, learning new recipes from Maria, and watching movies together. After dinner, Tris would walk him up to the guest room and say good night. He didn't pull anything like kissing her on the cheek again. It was dumb and he shouldn't have done it in the first place, she looked taken aback, and why wouldn't she? They were just friends, though he can't seem to help himself around her, flirting and touching her mindlessly. He knew he was foolish.

Saturdays would consist of Tobias and Tris heading over to work together, Tris, so she can get her volunteer hours, and Tobias because it's his job. The project has started to come together pretty well now, and Tris has been a great help with the media side of it. It's obvious she has a knack for these things and she would be a talented journalism student. Based on the conversations that she and Tobias have had he can tell that she's still apprehensive about defying her mother, though he doesn't really have a leg to stand on considering that he still works for his father. After work they would grab coffee or go to the park or maybe see a movie. Through all of their crazy lives they both deserve to relax and unwind.

Sundays were spent lazily, watching TV and sleeping in. Maria made cinnamon rolls every Sunday and Tobias was her number one fan. Sometimes on Sundays Tris would lend him her pretentious literature that he found all too stuffy for his taste. Still, he'd give it a try because it was Tris and she is a person who enjoys intellectual conversations.

Now it's a Friday afternoon and Tobias has gotten off work early. Tris is on her way back home from school and Tobias and Maria have spent the afternoon preparing a nice meal for her since she's officially off now for winter break. The seconds tick slowly on the clock, and as soon as it strikes three, Tobias hears the elevator doors open.

"Mmm, that smells amazing!" Tris's voice calls out, stepping into the kitchen. When she sees Tobias her eyes flash in surprise. "Wasn't expecting you back so early."

He shrugs, "I much prefer cooking with Maria to being trapped in that office all day."

Tris raises her eyebrows as she steps around the counter, shrugging her coat off. Tobias tries not to let his eyes linger on the bend of her waist or the curve of her neck for too long… nope, that is a very bad idea. "Well, I'm sure my mother would love to hire you if you're interested," she grins, standing across from him on the opposite side of the counter.

"Mr. Tobias is excellent chef! Muy bueno," Maria tells Tris who just rolls her eyes.

"Is it almost done?" He asks Maria, stepping over to the stove to look at the braised pork.

"Si, almost."

"Caleb está con Susan por el resto del día, así que no tienes que ponerle un plato para él," Tris says to Maria in near perfect Spanish. Tobias tries to comprehend the words in his head even though he took French throughout high school and only knows minimal Spanish. It's a shame, though, in America some of the hardest working people are Spanish speakers so he should make more of an effort to learn the language, however being around Maria has helped him a little bit with it.

Maria nods as she rushes around the kitchen to grab plates and silverware, Tris spots the confused look on Tobias's face so she translates for him, "Caleb's with Susan for the rest of the day so Maria doesn't need to put a plate out for him."

Tobias nods, maybe he'll get some alone time with Tris this evening then. He feels lighter, knowing that she's off for Christmas break now and the holiday season is in full swing with the charity event approaching.

"By the way, I did your laundry last night. This is like the third wash cycle you've done…" Tris tells him, raising her eyebrows.

Tobias presses his lips together. He's had to rewash and rewear his clothes a lot since he's been at the Prior's as he didn't pack much with him from his apartment. By now, the logical thing would be to head back home. If not to move back in, at least to get some more stuff out. Still he cannot bring himself to do it.

"Tobias, I think we should swing by your apartment today… I love having you here and stuff but you also belong with your friends… I'm sure they miss you."

"I doubt it," Tobias mumbles.

"Well, you never know until you talk to them. After our meal we're going over there… okay?" She practically demands this, her eyes wide and insistent.

Tobias sighs, but now feels more up to the task, knowing that Tris will be by his side. Everything seems less daunting with her next to him.

An hour later he pushes his apartment key into the lock, half expecting it to be changed by now, but alas, the door opens. He enters, Tris following close behind him and the first sight he sees is Shauna and Zeke snuggled up on the couch watching some reality TV show. When they see Tobias and Tris their eyes widen in surprise, and Zeke grabs the remote to mute the TV.

"Hi," Tobias says.

"Hey," Zeke responds, a regretful expression taking over his face.

Tris seems to read the energy in the room, because she says, "Hey, Tobias I'm kind of tired from the walk so I'm just gonna sit down in your bedroom for a bit."

Tobias nods at her and she shoots him one last encouraging glance before exiting the room. A part of him wanted her to say, but he knows that this conversation should be had alone with his roommates. He feels comforted by the fact that she's just down the hallway though.

"Is it okay if I sit?" Tobias nods to the armchair that they have.

"Of course, it's your home too," Shauna says.

"We didn't… expect you to be gone for so long," Zeke admits as Tobias takes his seat.

"And we noticed you were still making your rental payments while you were gone," Shauna adds softly.

Tobias lifts a shoulder. It's not like the payments drained him or anything and they know that now. In fact, Tobias could cover the rent for the entire apartment and still be fine. Zeke and Shauna have more pressing things to do with their money, but Tobias knows they'd be much too prideful to allow him to take on more than his share of the rent. He knows that while they struggle to make ends meet, they're satisfied with themselves and their hard work as college students who have part time jobs to sustain their rent. "Like you said, it's my home. Which is why I can tell when it's better for me to leave."

"You could've texted, man."

"You could've as well."

"I just… thought you needed your space. And I thought you might hate us," Zeke mumbles.

"Why would I hate you guys?" Tobias asks incredulously.

"We know… we weren't very understanding. You've told us a bit about your dad in the past and we could sort of fill the rest of the blanks in," Shauna says, and Tobias shifts uncomfortably. "We were just hurt that we're apparently your best friends and we live together but we found out about your real life and job by accident. Do you not trust us? Or do you think badly of us?" She asks softly.

"Of course I trust you guys… I mean I could have lived anywhere else but I choose here with you guys because you're my friends. Some things are just hard for me to talk about… and I know that openness is important in a friendship but I liked you guys because you gave me company and didn't really ask those hard questions. You've been loyal to me no matter what."

"Yeah, well we sort of assumed that you would start opening up eventually… there have been a few occasions where we've gotten really worried about you."

Tobias knows they're referring to his tendency to drink himself senseless when things get rough. It's not a very good habit he supposes… he'll work on that. "I know, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have kept important things from you… I just didn't want to be treated differently because of where I came from. Being your friend… is the only time where people don't know me as my father's son and I have an escape from all that."

Zeke nods, "We should have been more understanding about that too, instead of just asking you to leave. I'm glad we know now, it's good to have you back man."

Shauna grins, "No more secrets, right? Your uncle isn't like… a member of the royal family or anything?"

"Oh, well no. But the queen is actually my godmother," Tobias deadpans.

"Hmm… very funny," Shauna looks back to the hallway that Tris disappeared into. "And… Tris?" She grins knowingly, "I have to admit that when you told us how you guys kept running into each other… it was pretty cute."

Zeke waggles his eyebrows and Tobias feels his face heating up. "It's not… I dunno… I've been staying at her's these past couple of weeks."

"So that's why you haven't been texting us… too busy… y'know?" Zeke asks cheekily and Shauna smacks him in the side.

"No… she's just… the only person who knew about both sides of my life from the get go and she never shied away. I just trust her a lot and she's a good friend. Don't wanna ruin any of that… besides she's not… interested. She has a whole future ahead of her," Tobias tells them, though he's also trying to convince himself to let go of the deeper part of his psyche that's attached to her.

"Mmm… I think you're mistaken about the not interested part," Shauna sings, "But… I mean we knew Tris was rich because she goes to that private school, you know, the same one that Hector attends on scholarship. But how do your parents know each other?"

Tobias scratches the back of his neck, "I don't know if she would want me telling you this but her mom is Natalie Prior."

Their faces both fall in shock. "No fucking way, I love that woman! She's Beatrice Prior?" Shauna asks in amazement.

"Yeah, but don't bring it up… she doesn't really like to talk about it."

"Yeah, yeah," Shauna waves a hand. "I can't believe you've been staying in Natalie Prior's penthouse. How is it? How's Natalie? Have you met her?"

Tobias sighs. It's a good thing they found this news out from him instead of Tris then, because he knows that Tris would be put off by Shauna's fangirling. "Yes, I've met her but only a couple of times. She's a nice woman. The penthouse is really nice too."

"That's crazy, man. I can't believe she's never said anything," Zeke says.

"Yeah, well she's a little self conscious about it and she's more than just Natalie Prior's daughter," Tobias says defensively.

"Oh, yeah. You so like her," Shauna grins. "Tris! Come out! We're gonna watch a movie!" She shouts down the hallway.

A couple seconds later Tris emerges from the bedroom and gives everyone a curious glance. "Is everything good here?"

"Never better," Tobias answers, smiling at her.

Tris smiles proudly, and Tobias knows that she should feel proud considering reconciliation would never have happened if she hadn't pushed him to come here. He's a bit sad, knowing that he won't be staying at the Prior's anymore and he can't maintain his regular routine there, but he needs to come back home. Besides, he and Tris are close enough now that they can hang out on their own.

"What are we watching?" She asks, scooting Tobias over on the arm chair and cozying up next to him. Instinctively he wraps an arm around her, and though he tries not to, he relishes the feeling of her warm skin beneath his fingertips and her lemony scent. Shauna gives him a knowing look.

"We watched a Christmas movie the last time, so why don't we watch one again?" Zeke says.

"Can we watch Elf?" Tris asks, "That's my favorite Christmas movie."

Tobias smiles. He's not usually the type of person who gets super into the holiday spirit, but he does enjoy this movie as well. It never fails to lift his mood and make him laugh.

"Elf it is, then," Zeke says and tries to navigate the remote to find it. Once he puts it on and the opening credits start rolling, Tris snuggles closer into Tobias, and god damn it, he knows he shouldn't do this but he can't help himself again. He places a soft kiss on the top of her head and to his surprise she looks up at him and smiles, her cheeks tinted pink. She grabs his hand and laces it with hers, running her small thumb over his deft one. Maybe she does want something more too.

Halfway through the movie Zeke's phone started buzzing insistently. "Fuck, Shauna. We forgot again…"

"Forgot wha-? Oh shit," Shauna says.

"What is it?" Tris asks, lifting herself up off of Tobias's chest, much to his dismay.

"Another family event. This time with my entire family and Shauna's as well… you guys are welcome to join, though." Zeke says.

Tobias feels daunted at the prospect of a lot of socialization, though he has already met Zeke and Shauna's families, just never been in the same place with all of them before. But he knows he owes it to them to attend this.

"Okay, sure… and Tobias isn't drunk this time so that's a plus," Tris grins.

"Oh believe me, if he came to this event while he was drunk it would be a disaster," Shauna says, wide eyed.

What's that supposed to mean?

Tobias's questions are soon answered as he stumbles face first onto the ice rink. I should have never come to this…

"You are so bad," Shauna's sister, Lynn, muses as she glides by him on the ice. Tobias glowers at her. No, he's never been one for recreational activities such as ice skating, mostly because he never learned in his childhood, and when there were opportunities for such things his father wouldn't allow him. He said it was a waste of time.

He grabs onto the side of the rink and pulls himself up, glancing around. It's fairly crowded right now, given that it's the holiday season and whatnot. He spots Zeke and Shauna, skating side by side. They're stumbling around a bit but they aren't doing as poorly as Tobias. Uriah and Hana are a couple feet behind them, Uriah looks more than capable on the ice and Hana is clutching onto him as if he's her lifeline. Shauna's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Larson skate next to them, chatting animatedly and looking over at Shauna's brother, Hector, who is doing tricks in the middle of the rink. Apparently he takes hockey lessons here. Not too far away from Hector are Lynn and Tris, laughing and talking. Lynn grabs Tris's hands and pulls her backwards down the rink. Tris maintains her balance pretty well, Tobias wouldn't be surprised if Natalie Prior implemented mandatory ice skating lessons for her when she was a child.

When they arrived at the rink, Tobias was excited to skate with Tris even though he might be horrible, but Lynn saw Tris and instantly struck up a friendship with her. It shouldn't make him this annoyed, he's glad Tris is making new friends, but as soon as they hit the ice the two of them dashed off without him. Whatever.

"Tobias!" He turns to see Hector skating up towards him.

"Hey, man. You look like you're having fun."

"Yeah, you look like you aren't."

Tobias grimaces, "Just getting the hang of it."

Hector grins at him, his curls bouncing back. He holds out a hand to Tobias, "Come on. Tris and I can help you learn your balance. We're both really good."

Tobias sighs. No more dignity left than to accept help from a 9 year old. He grabs Hector's hands and allows him to guide him over to the center of the rink. When they get there, Tris looks up at him, grinning. He smiles back, breathily, and takes a moment to admire her wide blue eyes that are pierced with adrenaline, and her face that's a pinkish color from the chill of the rink. She looks elated… Tobias likes seeing her this way.

"Heard you've been struggling," Tris tells him, raising her eyebrows.

"He is. He needs our serious help," Hector says to her.

Hector goes to his left side and Tris goes to his right, each grabbing one hand. Tobias feels the same thrill that he always does whenever he and Tris hold hands, even though their skin is separated by gloves this time.

"Hey, Tris. I'm gonna go get some hot chocolate, wanna come?" Lynn asks as she skates up and shoots Tobias a look.

"Maybe in a few minutes. Gotta help Tobias learn the ropes," she gives Tobias a lopsided grin that he can't help but return.

Lynn just rolls her eyes and skates off, obviously in a mood now. Tris furrows her eyebrows and Tobias feels bad for causing Lynn's hostility towards her, but come on, they've only known each other for half an hour.

"Don't even try to question what her problem is," Hector says, "She gets in moods all the time… okay, Tobias. Are you ready? We're just gonna push off from each foot. Right, then left."

Tobias nods, swallowing nervously, but trusting the company that he's in.

"Right," Tris says, and they push off, Tobias wobbling a bit. Tris steadies him.

"Left," Hector finishes, and they go in the opposite direction. After about 5 minutes of this, they both let go of Tobias.

"Time to do it yourself," Tris tells him. "I believe in you." Hector shoots him an encouraging grin as well.

"Yes Tobias! You got this!" Zeke shouts from across the rink, causing several people to look over at him. Shauna begins cheering as well and Tobias just shakes his head at them while Tris and Hector laugh.

Right, he pushes off, and surprisingly maintains his balance. Left. Damn, he doesn't fall on his ass!

He repeats this a few times, going faster, until he starts to slip a little. Tris is there instantly though, and grabs his arm before he completely loses his balance. "That was amazing!" She exclaims, and the rest of his group begins to clap for him, including the parents. Damn, you'd think he won an academy award or something.

"Are you ready to do a round with me?" Tris asks him excitedly.

Tobias sighs, "Ready as I'll ever be."

Tris and Tobias make their way to the edge of the rink now, though Hector remains in the middle, still practicing some moves. Tobias does fairly well, thanks to Tris's support and his earlier practice he thinks he's really starting to get the hang of this.

Uriah skates up to them. "Tris, you've been ignoring me," he pouts. Tobias feels a flash of irritation. He knows Uriah's flirtiness with Tris is mostly in jest and neither of them have any real interest in each other, but still, Uriah makes him and Tris pretend to be a couple for Marelene's sake but when she's out of sight he's back to being all over her. It irks Tobias to no end.

Tris laughs, "Sorry, Uri. Had to help this one," she nods her head over to Tobias who shoots Uriah a glare. "How are things with Marlene by the way?" She asks.

"Ugh," Uriah groans, "So slow. She's swamped with work and school, and sometimes I go into the diner to see her but she's always busy… we text a lot, though, but the last time I saw her was last week. We went to a movie."

"Well, just give it time. If you guys are meant to happen then it'll all work out," Tris tells him comfortingly.

"Yeah, well, I invited her today… but no response. And I've been trying to check my phone here but the service is so shitty… oh well," he says glumly, and Tobias actually feels a flash of pity for him. Uriah is notorious for being a player and leading both girls and guys on frequently, but it seems that he really likes this girl. Damn.

Tris grabs Uriah's hand with her free one. "You know what'll cheer you up Uri? Some hot cocoa, let's go."

The 3 of them skate out together, stumbling out of the rink and hobbling over to the concession stand. Tris has dropped Uriah's hand but still holds onto Tobias's which makes him smile.

Uriah places his order and then throws a couple dollar bills on the counter before grumbling and walking away. When Tris approaches she orders a hot chocolate with marshmallows and a pretzel. She fishes through her purse for some money but Tobias stops her. "It's on me," he tells her, and he can tell she's about to protest. "Imbursement for the ice skating lessons," he adds, and Tris just shrugs like she can't argue with that.

As Tobias places his order -the same thing that Tris got- he hears some excited chatter behind him and Uriah's happy voice. Wonder what's got him in a good mood now? He slides his card, paying for both him and Tris, and then hears Lynn's voice pipe up next to him. "What, are you her boyfriend or something?"

He's about to say no, but then he turns around and sees that Marlene has arrived, probably why Uriah was so happy a few seconds earlier. Marlene watches him and Tris with a smile on her face, probably thinking about how cute they are because Uriah lied and told her they were dating. Goddamn it. Tris shoots Tobias a nervous look. "Yep," Tobias answers, slinging an arm around Tris's shoulders. "I'm her boyfriend."

Lynn scowls, but Zeke and Shauna look very bemused at this. However, Hana marches up to him angrily, "How come this is the first that I'm hearing of this? Young man, you don't just get a girlfriend and not tell me."

"Oh, it was my fault. I didn't really want many people to know," Tris says quickly.

"I can't imagine why. You get a man like this," Hana nods towards a sheepish Tobias, "You tell the whole world! He is one in a million."

"I can't imagine why, either," Tris says, "I was just being foolish." She nudges Tobias gently and he can't help but grin, even under Zeke and Shauna's knowing gazes.

Hana pinches Tris's cheek, "You be good to him." Tris nods, biting her lip. "And you," she turns back to Tobias, "Treat her right. And with respect."

"Of course," Tobias says, desperately wanting this moment to end. He feels a certain fondness for Hana, she became somewhat of a second mother to him when he started hanging around the Pedrad brothers more and she never asked him too many questions about his past either. She seemed to understand very well that there were certain things that people wanted to stay hidden.

"Uriah," Marlene says, diverting the attention away from Tris and Tobias, "I've just been invited to a house party tonight with some kids from school… wanna come? No alcohol," She adds, glancing at Hana, even though it's obviously a blatant lie.

"Mom… can I?" Uriah asks hopefully.

Hana sighs, "Sure… be home by 11, though!"

Uriah nods and walks over to Zeke and Shauna to say goodbye before making his way over to Tris and Tobias. "Thanks for uh… keeping up appearances for Marlene's sake and enduring that whole thing with my mom," he whispers to them.

They both nod like it's nothing. "See you later Uriah," Tris tells him, "Have fun with Marlene." Tobias claps Uriah on the back, and Uriah grins gleefully at both of them.

"I will! Love you both!" He calls out, before skipping off behind Marlene. Tris looks after him, her head shaking in amusement.

"He forgot to get his hot chocolate," she laughs. Well, the Pedrad brothers aren't really known for their smarts.

"Well, the rest of us are going back to Shauna's parents house for some dinner," Zeke says, nodding towards Mr. and Mrs. Larson who are both fiddling with Hector's jacket, "Do you guys want to join us?"

Tobias can tell by the look that Tris gives him that she's had enough socializing for today, as has he. And besides, there's a place he wants to take her. "Please, please come!" Hector says to them.

"Sorry bud, I think we're both a bit tired. I'm gonna take Tris home," Tobias says, placing his hand on her upper back.

Hector looks down in dismay which causes some guilt to eat at Tobias, but come on, he wants some alone time with Tris now. Zeke and Shauna nod understandingly and Tris and Tobias say goodbye to everyone, and unlike Uriah, remember to grab their pretzels and hot cocoa before heading out.

Tobias shoots a text to his driver, telling him where to pick them up and drop them off. "So… surprise," he tells Tris, "I'm not taking you home… We're gonna go somewhere else if that's okay with you."

"Kidnapping me again?" Tris asks, referring to the time that he showed up at her school and dragged her into his car. He feels embarrassed looking back on that, he was quite brash to her. He can't imagine treating her that way now.

"It's ultimately your choice if you want to come… the destination is a surprise though."

"Mmm… I guess I'm in, Eaton."

He smiles. He was hoping she'd say that.

"Okay… so what is this place?" Tris asks, as they step into the dark an empty warehouse. Their footsteps echo off of the walls, and Tobias flicks on the lights.

The space is large, with two separate hallways that extend out from the back of the main room. The ceiling is high and fluorescent light bulbs hang down from it, flickering on and off. "Well… I bought this place a few months ago… I wasn't sure why as I couldn't think of any real practical use for it at the time. But I like the interior a lot, and it's in a pretty good location, so I dunno… it was just calling to me…" he scratches the back of his head, nervous to tell her the next part as it's something he hasn't really admitted to himself yet. "But then I realized what I wanted to do with it."

She raises her eyebrows curiously, "And that is?"

"Well, you know how I've talked about my interest and love of art with you…"

"Yeah."

"I was… sort of thinking about turning this space into a gallery… and I started thinking about it more and I realized that it's something I really want to try. I feel like it would give me a purpose you know, and I feel passionate about it." Passion. It's not something Tobias has felt often, to him life has been about putting one foot in front of the other and just getting through it. Sure, there will be some happy moments, but he slowly came to the realization that the world isn't like the movies. You don't usually get to follow your dreams, and when you do they're never what you thought they'd be. But recently, after Tris Prior entered his life, her eyes bright and insistent, waiting to do something, he realized that maybe there's more to life. Maybe he could pursue his passion.

"I think it's a wonderful idea," Tris tells him, beaming.

He smiles down at her, "You're not the only one with a scary parent, though."

"Oh…" she presses her lips together, "You're worried about… your dad. And what he'll say about all of this."

"Yeah… I'm scared." When Tobias moved out of the Eaton household when he was 18, it didn't go down well. There were no fists involved, as Tobias was more than capable of defending himself by that time, but that doesn't mean his father couldn't make threats. Eventually Tobias had worked out an agreement in which he would continue working for his father, so essentially he was trapped under his thumb still.

"Well, does he have to know?" Tris asks him.

"Running this gallery would take a lot of work. It would have to be my full time job and I wouldn't be able to work for Eaton Enterprises anymore."

Tris tilts her head. She does it often when she's thinking about something hard, Tobias notices. "Look, you've been giving me all this encouraging advice to follow my dreams, so I'm just going to shoot the same advice back at you… I really think you should do this. I mean, just seeing the way your face lit up when you were talking about it too… this is worth a try. And I know that you'd be damned good at it."

"But what if I'm terrified," he breathes out. Terrified of so many things… not just of his dad per say, but to actually try and live a fulfilled life and for it to fail or not be what he expected. To find out that he's bad at everything and is just better off being his dad's lackey.

Tris lets out a laugh. "I'm terrified as well, Tobias." He loves the way his name rolls off of her tongue. He could listen to her say it over and over again. "But… god damn it, if I'm trying to escape my hole… then you better try as well. We owe it to each other."

He looks down and nods. For Tris. He would try for her, he would. And just for a second, he allows himself to glimpse at a future. Of them. Together. After trying and succeeding. Whatever that future may look like, it fills him with a feeling of happiness and inspiration. For Tris.

He looks back down at her, and she is staring back up at him, that same bright and determined look in her eyes. The one that instantly drew him to her at the tattoo parlor. When he first met her, he could tell she was timid and nervous... but after getting to know her more, he realized that she's a dormant volcano. So much fire in her, just waiting to be woken up. He's watched her start to wake up now, and it's already a magnificent sight. His mind goes back to that butterfly tattoo and the meaning behind it, and his heart warms. Tris, with all the strength he sees in her, also has her own scars, and sometimes he forgets that she may be just as broken as he is.

He's aware of the distance between them… six inches. He leans in a little bit closer and now it is less than that. Her eyes are clouded with desire, she wants him to kiss her. He leans in a bit more, and then, she clears her throat. Maybe not.

"It's getting late so I should head home," she says softly, looking away from him.

Internally he is slapping himself for being so goddamn stupid. "Of course, Simon can drive you… thanks for… coming here with me. It means a lot."

"Yeah, of course," she smiles and then nudges him playfully. "We've got big futures ahead of us."

Though not with each other, I guess.

Officially a third of the way through this story WHOA. 21 chapters here and then a 2 part epilogue :) I do have a few more Tobias POV chapters planned, but the majority of the rest of the story is from Tris's POV. Just wanted to shine a light on his feelings for Tris and show you guys that he really is a softie :)

Sorry to tease you guys about the kiss oopsies… Also if anyone is wondering what a real life equivalent to Natalie Prior would be… think Vera Wang I guess, but more well known. She's sort of a self made woman, a feminist icon that people look up to such as Hillary or Michelle though she's not in politics so I don't think she would be their equivalent.

As for my Spanish that I've dispersed throughout the chapters, I am not a native Spanish speaker whatsoever. I have been taking Spanish at school for 5 years now, and I'm in IB Spanish currently, so I'm semi-fluent (better at reading and comprehending rather than writing and speaking) but if you are someone who knows Spanish well please don't be scared to correct me LOL. I know 3 different languages I guess, but I suck at all of them :')

Oh, and if you're wondering about Lynn and Tris, Lynn isn't romantically into Tris and that's not a subplot or anything. Trust me, I am not a fan of the 'gay girl pines after a straight girl with a boyfriend' trope :D wlw deserve to have romances with people who could actually be interested in them! I honestly just wanted to highlight Tris making new friends and Lynn's notorious bad attitude. I love Lynn though. Hopefully in the future I can give her a bigger role in one of my fics... just not this one unfortunately.

Thanks for all the support! PLEASE review it would mean the world! Appreciate you all so much.

-Kiki