Tris POV

I don't know how long I sit cuddled into Eric chest. He rubs soothing circles on my back and tucks my head under his chin. He is so much bigger than me and it hits me that his size terrified me until recently. It's so hard to believe there was a point in time that Eric terrified me, when I wanted nothing to do with him. I can't imagine my life in Dauntless without him anymore and I don't want to. It's so tempting to spend the rest of the day here, sequestered away from the rest of the world.

But I know I can't hide way from everything forever. I take a deep breath and slide off of his lap and settle next to him. He lets me go with a little resistance and I immediately miss his cool touch and comfort.

"So what were you up to before you had to deal with your daily dose of Tris drama?" I ask jokingly as I rest my head on his shoulder.

"Just trying to find ways to fill my day. I was thinking about hitting the tattoo shop to get a new piercing. What were you up to today?"

"I was taking a walk around the compound when I ran into Four. I just needed a little air and some time to think and the Chasm has become that place for me. I forgot Four occasionally hangs out around here." I sigh, thinking about how peaceful my morning was before I ran into Four and had to face my actions and his anger all over again.

"Well, we can't let Four ruin our day. You're welcome to spend the day with me if you want. Not that you have to. You are completely entitled to do whatever you want on your day off, of course-"

I cut Eric off before he can continue rambling, "Of course I'll spend the day with you, Eric. You wanna grab some food first? Knowing you, you haven't eaten today."

Eric gives me a look that says I'm right, but he doesn't want to admit it and I smirk. I stand up and reach out a hand to help him. He takes it and I pull him to his feet. Or really he stands up on his own and I pull his hand to feel like I'm helping.

As I turn to walk away, he pulls me back toward him and leans to talk in my ear, "For the record, I'll deal with your 'drama' whenever you let me."

With those whispered words, he pulls me from our little hidden alcove and into the real world before letting go of my hand. My heart pounds in my chest and it takes me a minute to catch my breath. I can still feel his warm breath against my skin and the goosebumps that followed. I idly wonder when his touch began to effect me like that, as I struggle to match the pace of his long legs.

I must really and truly be losing my mind.

We quickly come upon the cafeteria. By this time, there aren't many people milling around. A few nurses and medics getting off the night shift, a couple bartenders and a handful of control room workers resting for their break are scattered around and the line is short. I grab 2 blueberry muffins and 2 banana nut muffins on a tray while Eric gets us 2 cups of coffee. We spend most our mornings together nowadays, so I guess we have our routine down now. We meet at the table we normally sit at with the other Leaders and Ambassadors and he hands me my coffee as I hand him his banana nut muffins.

I take a sup of coffee and sigh. Somehow, Eric always makes my coffee perfectly. It's always better than when I make it myself which I guess is why he started making my coffee for me every morning. After mentioning how good his coffee was once, he began to bring me a cup every breakfast we ate together. We make idle chat while we munch on our muffins and take in the quiet that is rare for Dauntless. It is only in the early morning like this that the cafeteria isn't full of rowdy Dauntless laughing and yelling. As much as I love the liveliness and the sheer difference between Abnegation and Dauntless meal times, sometimes it is nice to sit and be able to talk without yelling or wondering if the people next to you can hear your conversation.

After we eat, we head to the tattoo parlor. When we get there, I say hi to Tori and Bud before taking a look at the new tattoo concept ideas hanging on the walls. Eric stands next to me, so close I am aware of his every movement but not close enough for us to actually touch, and nods toward the wall.

"Are you thinking about getting a new on?" he asks

I shrug before I answer, "Maybe. I like the idea of adding a few to my current collection but I don't know what I'd want to get. How about you? What piercing are you gonna add to your mighty collection of metal?"

He shoots me a look and I smile a little to let him know I'm just joking. I love his many piercings and how they accentuate his personality.

"I'm thinking about adding another ring to my eyebrow and maybe getting a few dermal piercings to behind my ear. If you really are considering a new tattoo, I think I have an idea for you."

All it takes is the look of interest I give him before he's dragging me around a corner of the tattoo shop and telling me to shut my eyes. I relish the feeling of his cold hands on my skin as I do what I'm told. When we stop, he positions me how he wants and when he's satisfied he tells me to open my eyes. As I do, my breath catches in my throat as I look at one of the most beautiful drawings I've ever seen. There in the journal he is holding up, is a picture of a phenix, rising from its ashes in a blaze of glory. Fire erupts all around it and its head is aimed toward the sky. The feathers are a mix of red, blue and purple.

"The phenix represents growth and renewal. She rises from her ashes over and over and comes back stronger every time. I can't think of a symbol that represents you more than a majestic bird that rises out of its ashes to forge herself as stronger and freer than she was before." Eric says, as he puts down the journal and takes a step toward me. I don't know if its the amazing drawing, the thought behind the suggestion, the way he's looking at me right now, or all three that makes me jump up to wrap my arms around his neck and pull him flush against me. I press my face into the crook of his neck and let out a breath before uttering,

"Perfect."

I wonder if I mean it or you?