Thanks for all the support on the last chapter! This is the second part of Tris and Tobias's Christmas, told from Tobias's POV :) After some deliberation there's going to be a third part of the Christmas chapter, too. And by the end of this chapter you will see why. I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Divergent

The road is practically empty, given that it's Christmas, and Tobias keeps casting furtive glances over to Tris as he drives. She is staring outside the window at the passing scenery with a small smile, rather pink cheeked. Tobias resists the urge to touch his fingers to his own lips. He kissed her. He really did it.

He was scared of another soft rejection, like the one he'd received from her at his future art gallery, but he could tell after they shared those sentimental words that she was feeling what he was. He knew as much since the Feeding America event, when they'd stayed by each other's sides and she helped him out of a bad situation. Lord, what did he do to deserve this girl?

He tries to ignore the constant reminders that her future is still very much ahead of her, that she applied to colleges nowhere near the city… and that she'd probably get accepted to them. They just shared one kiss, clearly she isn't going to put her entire life on hold for him. But what they have is the realest connection that Tobias has felt with anyone. It scares him because he can only imagine how much it'll hurt when she's gone. Don't get too ahead of yourself, Tobias.

Tori was really the one who urged him to pull the mistletoe stunt a few days ago. It was the day after the Feeding America event and the whole drama with Marcus had happened when he decided he wanted another tattoo. Usually he doesn't talk much during his appointments, but he had so much on his mind that day that he just spilled everything he was feeling for Tris out to Tori. She listened well, and mused that it was Christmas time soon, and that "mistletoe is always a good way to go".

His tattoos. He wants to show all of them to Tris. He's never talked about them with anyone, even when he would remove his shirt for sex and would get questioned by women about his them, he just deflected the inquiries. But now… he's found someone he can trust. And he feels like he can finally reveal some of his demons, and share things that he's kept inside for too long. He could open up more about his parents, too… but God, he wishes that she would do the same.

Back when he was staying at the Prior residence, he would discuss things about Evelyn with Tris. While Tris touched on her absent father a bit, she mostly steered clear of that topic. Tobias understands, the wounds are still fresh and he can tell that Tris has had somewhat of a scarring upbringing in their wealthy world, and being the daughter of one of the most influential women alive at that. He doesn't want to push her, and he senses that there are things that he can only imagine about her past, he just wonders if she trusts him. And if he's jumping way too fast into this. He needs to go slow, he can't get attached. They've been friends for a while, and he still wants to keep that energy.

"What are you thinking about?" Tobias decides to ask Tris to break the silence.

"Just thinking about how much I want a White Christmas."

Tobias laughs, agreeing with Tris as he eyes the barren roads. Chicago snows typically don't get heavy until January, and they haven't seen snow on the ground on Christmas day for a few years up here, let alone actual snow falling from the sky. He isn't one to fall over his heels for commercial holidays. He despises corporate greed (ironic, considering the company he works for) and the family aspect of Christmas never appealed to him, because well, he never really had a family. But it would be nice for some snowfall on Christmas day.

He pulls into the parking garage for his building, and parks his car in his regular space. He usually only drives this car once every few months or so, and today it took awhile for him to heat it up and defrost the windows because of how long it had been sitting here untouched. He's thankful that Zeke and Shauna never come into this parking garage, because if they did they would have a lot of questions about the expensive Bentley parked in their designated spot. But he's glad that if they did notice now, he could simply be honest. It feels good to not have to worry about keeping secrets at every turn.

He hops out of the car at a cheetah's pace and makes his way over to Tris's car to open the door before she can. She steps out, looking up to him and thanking him with a slight smile. She's so small, she barely reaches Tobias's shoulder, yet he knows how much power and passion lie in that tiny body. Without thinking too hard about it, Tobias cups his hands around her face gently and pulls himself down for another kiss. He feels it's been far too long since their last one.

Tris gasps lightly in surprise, clearly not expecting that, but her mouth moves against his in synchronization, and Tobias takes the time to memorize everything about how she feels as she touches her hands to his waist lightly. Once all is said and done, he pulls back, resting his forehead against hers. "It feels so good to do that now," he murmurs, wondering if the confession is dangerous.

Thankfully, Tris nods in full agreement, leaning up and pressing a chaste kiss to his cheek. "Come on," she says, grabbing all of their stuff from his car before closing it. She pats his shoulder as she heads over to the elevator, Tobias following her a few seconds after, slightly in a trance.

Tobias doesn't do well in tight spaces. You think he'd be used to taking the elevator up to his apartment by now, but everytime he feels a tightness in his chest, his hands clam up, and sweat beads across his forehead. He remembers the elevator ride up to his father's office a few weeks ago, which Tris helped him through by introspective conversation.

For some reason now though, he can't bring himself to talk, he just stuffs his hands in his pockets and tries to ignore the overwhelming sense of dread he feels. How does he let a little box have so much power over him?

"Tobias?" He hears Tris's concerned voice reach out to him, from somewhere distant. He should try to focus on that. He looks over to her, and instantly regrets it because he probably looks… he doesn't even want to know, because her eyes visibly widen once they meet his. He tries to narrow in on her gorgeous, innocent, face and forget the fact that this 30 second elevator ride is feeling more like 30 years.

"Are you alright?" She murmurs, setting their things down and stepping closer to him, taking his hands in hers. Something in his chest relaxes slightly at the contact, and he closes his eyes, trying to remember how it felt to kiss her, and the way she's comforting him now.

He threads his fingers through hers, "Mhm," he says tightly, feeling that he owes her an explanation, "I, uh- just don't do very well with small spaces."

She squeezes his hands gently, "That's okay. We'll be off soon, I promise. Can you do something for me?"

"Uh- sure."

"Breathe in slowly… yeah, like that, gently. One… two… three… four… five…" Tobias feels something in his senses clear as he follows Tris's instructions.

"Okay, now exhale," she says soothingly, "One… two… three… fo-"

The elevator dings, and Tobias hears the doors slide open. Tris steps away from him to grab their stuff, and he feels bare at the loss of contact, but better again when she latches her hand onto his and they step out of the elevator together.

He's at a loss for words as they approach his apartment door, but he still tries to find them, pushing his embarrassment to the side. Tris just saw him in one of his most vulnerable states and she didn't even bat an eye, she knew exactly what to do.

"Tris… I-" he swallows, turning to face her outside of his door, once they reach the apartment.

"I feel so stupid for not noticing your claustrophobia earlier… all those times we've been in elevators together and I-" she shakes her head to herself.

Tobias's jaw drops slightly at the fact that Tris is trying to blame herself for something in this situation, "Don't say that. This is not your fault," he tells her firmly.

She gazes up at him with a sad look in her eyes. It's not a look of pity, per say, but more a look of understanding.

"Every time I'm in an elevator it's a little bit different I guess. Recently, I've gotten better at ignoring it, especially when you're by my side… but I guess, after everything that's happened this past week… with my dad and planning out an actual future for myself… I'm more prone to anxiety."

Tris nods, pressing her lips together, "I hope that I helped in some way-"

"You absolutely did. I would not have gotten through that shitshow of an elevator ride if you weren't with me."

The corner of her mouth lifts, "I… used to get them a lot. Anxiety attacks. The breathing doesn't always help, but- it's something else to focus on, and clear your head with."

Tobias nods, his heart blooming now that she's finally started to be vulnerable with him too. He remembers when the roles were reversed when they first met and she was the one who was sharing with him, about how trapped she feels in this world. He wanted so badly to help her, back when he was trying to convince himself that he was doing alright too. Little did he know that she would end up helping him more than he could ever help himself.

Tobias fishes into his pocket for his apartment keys, but stops right before he's about to open the door. "It comes from my childhood. The claustrophobia."

Tris nods along, her blue grey eyes unwavering as she waits to listen for Tobias's story. Tobias has barely told her about what exactly Marcus put him through… he doesn't want her to look at him like he's a kicked puppy. But still, he trusts her. A lot. If he wants some semblance of a future with this magnificent girl, he'll need to open up about his past.

"Childhood punishment… if I behaved badly, I would get locked in our small broom closet without dinner. I would be in there… for hours most times."

Something clouds Tris's face, but it isn't sympathy. It's anger. She tries to make her expression neutral, but Tobias can see it.

"That's awful," Tris states, grabbing Tobias's arm gently. "Only a cruel coward would treat their child like that."

"Yeah… well that's Marcus Eaton."

"I can't believe my father was ever partners with that man," she says, shaking her head firmly.

"He didn't know. No one does. Marcus is a master manipulator, good at tricking people into seeing him as a hardworking and charitable man."

"Honestly, I saw right through him that first day on my birthday."

Tobias can't help but smile, someone else wasn't blind to his father's antics. "You did?"

"I'm well experienced with wealthy, self-centered fathers."

"I'm sorry about that, Tris," he says softly, "How many Christmases have you gone without your dad?"

"Uh, just one. Last year. It was rough. We're… getting through it, though," she scoffs lightly at herself, "Sorry, I shouldn't even be comparing my situation to yours."

"No, it's okay. Hey," Tobias wraps her in a side hug, because her left arm is occupied from carrying their things. She leans her head into his chest and the fresh rosey scent of her hair hits him in the face. "You know you've been through a lot… and so have I… but at least- at least we have each other."

Tris gazes up at him, a watery smile overtaking her gorgeous face. "You have no idea how grateful I am for that."

He laughs breathily, glad that she wasn't overwhelmed by his words. The truth is he can feel his own heart being latched onto this girl's, and if the extent of his feelings are unreciprocated he may just very well be a fool. A fool who never had anyone, not even his parents' love, so when the first young woman who shows actual interest in him appears, he loses all sense of himself.

"Thank you, though," Tobias tells her.

"For what?"

"For not… looking at me like I'm helpless. For not pitying me."

"You don't warrant any pity. You're a strong, smart, compassionate young man. You've overcome a lot, and have a huge future ahead of you. If anything I'm envious."

"You have your future ahead of you too."

"Well," she shrugs, "I'm not sure what's gonna happen with all of that. And even if I do get to go to where I want for college, that's only the first step. Am I even gonna do well? Am I ready to be self sufficient if my mom decides she doesn't want to support me? Am I really capable of making my own name for myself, away from high society?"

"Yes," Tobias says without missing a beat, "Yes to all of those questions."

"You're awfully certain," Tris muses.

"It's cuz I know you, Tris. I know how intelligent and creative you are. You're brilliant, and you are going to live the life you deserve if I have anything to say about it. Like I said, you're an inferno."

Her mouth twists up, as emotion clouds her eyes, "Thank you for saying that."

"I only speak the truth."

Tris laughs, "Okay, well if I'm speaking the truth… I really want to get inside now because this hallway is freezing and my arm is about to give out from carrying all of our things."

Tobias obeys her wishes, turning the key that was already in the doorway and letting them step into the apartment. The temperature of the apartment isn't much better than the hallway, unfortunately, as Zeke and Shauna turned the heater off right before they left today. Even though they know about Tobias's wealth now and he insists that he can pay the heating bill, however much, they still refuse and want to live as sensibly as they can.

Tobias heads over to the heating system and turns it on, up a few degrees, before making his way into the kitchen to prepare some hot chocolate for himself and the woman he's currently falling for. Said woman sets all of their things down next to the couch before coming up behind him and wrapping her arms around his middle.

Tobias's heart soars at the contact. He's never had a real girlfriend before, so he wouldn't know the first thing about it, but whenever other women have tried to touch him intimately (cuddling after sex, lingering romantic kisses, holding hands) he never felt much or saw the point in it. But with Tris, every touch shared between them creates an excited pulsation in his chest. They have ever since he first met her when she collided face first into him at the tattoo parlor. He knew she was special then, but he had no idea how special.

He tries to ignore the feeling of her breasts pressed against his back and the rush of blood it sends into his pants. He places one of his hands over hers and uses the other to continue making the hot chocolate as he feels Tris nuzzles her face between his shoulder blades.

"Where are Zeke and Shauna?" She asks.

"With their families."

"You've been alone for a couple days?"

"Nah, we always spend Christmas Eve together, and it's pretty fun. Uriah, Lynn, and Hector come over and we sort of have a night with just the kids. But during Christmas day, Zeke and Shauna go to do family things and see their own extended relatives."

"And you stay here?"

"Well, they always extend the invite to me, but I don't wanna intrude on family time. I've never really been one for Christmas… my mom left and I don't really remember what it was like when she was here, and Marcus is a literal Scrooge… so," he shrugs.

Tris pulls away from him and hops right onto the counter, next to where he's preparing their drinks. "Christmases with the Prior's aren't very homey either, but this year was pretty fun."

"Oh, yeah? Wanna tell me about it?" Tobias asks her.

So as Tobias continues making the cocoa, Tris tells him about her Christmas. How she got drunk with her mom last night while watching infomercials, how she enjoyed spending her morning with Natalie, Caleb, and Maria, how her dad played an instrumental part in her expensive watch… and how that makes her feel conflicted.

"It's okay to miss him, Tris," Tobias tells her gently as he hands her beverage to her. He's pretty sure that he's past the point of missing his mother, but he can't deny the fact that he wishes she cared more… or that he had one parent who gave a shit about him.

"I just… I hate him so much, but I also love him, you know?"

"Yeah. I know," he says, watching her closely as she takes a sip of the hot chocolate. Tobias takes his own sip, and is pleasantly surprised at the fact that it doesn't suck.

When Tris pulls her mug away from her face, some of the whipped cream has descended onto her upper lip, and Tobias chokes out a laugh at the endearing sight.

"What?" Tris asks, eyeing him carefully.

"Uh, you've got some uh," Tobias gestures to his own upper lip. A blush darkens Tris's cheeks and Tobias watches as her tongue flits out to try and lick some of it away. The innocent act stirs desire in his belly, and as he watches Tris fail, he sets his mug down and steps over to her, taking her face in his hands and kissing her deeply.

She tastes like chocolate and the whipped cream and he subsequently uses his tongue to lick some of it away. While their earlier kisses felt sweet and comforting, this one feels sultry and sensual as she spreads her legs a little bit on her spot on top of the counter and he steps in between them.

She tugs gently on the roots of his hair, and he groans, circling his arms around her as he pulls her as close as humanly possible. He knows his erection is pressed flush against her, and he wonders if this may be too fast for her, but then she rolls her hips against his and he loses all sense of himself.

Picking her up off the counter, he carries her across the room with her legs still wrapped around his waist, and presses her up against the wall, enjoying the surprised and pleasured gasp it gets out of her.

He kisses behind her jaw, sucking down her neck and nipping at a particular sensitive spot that makes her writhe and moan his name loudly. His pants are far too tight fitting for him at this point.

Keeping her balanced against the wall, Tobias looks back up to her, and he is certain that her gaze is mirroring his own. Her eyes are nearly black and glazed over with desire, her lips a bright pink color and her cheeks flushed. Why did they wait so long to do this? Tobias is glad that they waited a while, though, because there were things they needed to know about each other. And now he is certain that Tris isn't just a casual hookup. She's important to him.

"You're so beautiful," he murmurs, kissing her again while raising her up on the wall slightly. There's something so amazing about kissing. Tobias never thought it was anything special before, but now, as Tris's soft lips move against his own passionately, he understands why humans do it. The cruel heat stirring in his gut as he holds her as close as humanly possible, her soft gasps between kisses, the way that they're grasping each other so tightly that her lemony scent intermixes with his own.

After God knows how long, they finally pull away from each other, and Tris hops onto the floor, her expression euphoric. She wraps her arms around Tobias's waist, and he presses a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I think we got all the whipped cream off," he murmurs.

The laugh that Tris lets out in response is probably his favorite sound in the world.

Is observing someone who's asleep weird? Tobias wonders, as Tris inhales and exhales softly next to him on the couch, her eyes shut in a deep slumber.

After their makeout session, Tobias and Tris talked for a bit over their hot chocolate, and then he showed her their Christmas tree and small decorations. Probably nothing that Tris is used to at her penthouse, but she seemed impressed.

He then showed her the presents that Zeke and Shauna got him, a pair of fuzzy socks with dollar signs on them (they like to tease him for being a "rich boy") and a mug with his face on it. How they pulled that off, he's not sure.

He got them a nice coffee maker, because he knows it's the only time that they can't decline such a gift because it's Christmas. Besides, the gift is as much for him as it is for them.

After that he allowed Tris to connect her phone to his speaker and she played some Christmas tunes, even convincing Tobias to dance with her a bit to "All I Want For Christmas is You". It was cheesy and terrible but the most fun he's ever had in a long long time. In fact, this is the first Christmas he's ever enjoyed.

After they danced, he made lunch for them; 2 bowls of French Onion Soup which Tris enjoyed thoroughly. She commented that he should come and work for the Prior's as Maria's assistant, to which Tobias responded that if it meant he could spend more time with her then he was all for it.

After that, Tris turned on the Christmas channel, and A Christmas Carol was playing, so they laid on the couch together and watched the movie. Tobias spooned Tris, enjoying how she felt in his arms and took the time to press sweet kisses into her hair and on her cheeks. He could tell she was enjoying it, and thank God, because he never wanted to take his hands off of her. It's no use telling himself not to get attached, because he is. Very.

Halfway through the movie, Tris drifted off to sleep, so Tobias turned it off to not disturb her. Now, the sun is setting due to the short winter days, and Tris is still out like a light, her chest rising and falling. Tobias doesn't want to move to wake her, so instead he lays there with her, admiring her beauty and loving the feeling of being here with her.

She looks so unguarded, so childlike while she's asleep. He thinks back to the story about her butterfly tattoo and feels a stab of anguish for this girl. Like him, she's grown up with a lot of love absent from her life. She and her mother seem to be on okay terms… but Tobias can tell that the wounds cut deep with both of her parents.

She stirs a little, turning around in her sleep so that she's now facing his chest, and he takes the opportunity to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. He swears that she latches onto him tighter when he does so.

He's about to try and fall into a slumber of his own, when he hears knocking on the door. He knows it's not Zeke or Shauna, they'd be out all day and even if they weren't they have their keys.

It's probably not a package of any sort because it's Christmas day and delivery workers don't work today. Who could it be? His curiosity gets the better of him, so he gently pushes Tris to the side, trying not to wake her as he steps over her and back onto the floor.

As he's making his way to the door, the knocking comes again, and he's all at once intrigued as to who could be stopping by. Swallowing, he unlatches the door and yanks it open, and nothing could prepare him for the sight in front of him.

His mouth dries up, his eyebrows shoot into his hairline, and he stares at the woman in front of him in complete shock.

"Mom?"

Part 3 will be up soon. Definitely before Christmas as it is a Christmas chapter. It would mean a lot if you reviewed your thoughts for this chapter, and I hope you liked it.

-Kiki