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The tattoo

It's this time of the year again. The noisiest day, the day the "newbies" become members of the faction. I could have taken Amar's place as a trainer as I did last year but I only did it to help him out. He and his boyfriend, Georges, wanted to get married and they could only do it during initiation, so I took his place, but I'm not doing it again ever. I couldn't bear to try to learn anything to these slackers.

So, this year, I didn't want to hear the word 'initiation'. Amar tried to talk to me about it, but I would run the other way each time. I'm happy to give a hand once in a while but that, never again.

As everyone has a free day tomorrow, the entire faction is hanging in the Pit. I take advantage of this moment to be with my friends and drink a beer, just like any 20-year-old would do.

I see a group of children running around group of adults. They can't be more than 8. They run next to the Chasm. My heart stops when one of them falls 2 meters away from the hole. He laughs and gets up to join his friends. Zeke lays his hand on my shoulder.

"You'll get used to it. Especially when it will be one of yours."

I shrug it off with a laugh.

"Yeah…"

Me? Having kids? No way.

Tonight, I drink with my friends. We are having fun, laughing, looking at beautiful women around us. Sam even leaves us for a second to flirt with some girl. Looks like it's working, she took his hand to guide him towards a dark spot in the Chasm. At least one of us is going to have a nice night. That's a thing I couldn't do. Spend a night with a girl and never see her again.

A group of friends walks by, two girls, two boys. One of the girls is pulling on the other's hand.

"Come on, Tris, you promised! We went through initiation; you have to get a tattoo."

The girl, Tris, runs into me and apologizes. I've started to push her away when I catch her eye. Her blue-grey eyes are freezing me. She smiles but is quickly taken away. I follow her with my eyes until a voice makes me jump.

"Pretty… a bit young for me but perfect for you."

"I don't need anybody."

Phil clings his bottle to mine with a smile. I try to think of something else, but the face of this blond girl is printed in my head.

"I'm going on a walk."

No one answers. I decide to go to the tattoo parlour. She is showing off her new tattoo to her friends. She made it on her right wrist, I can barely see the design, my blood turns to ice in my veins. She had a 'IV' tattooed. I look down to see the 'IV' on my left wrist.

That's how she proceeds? She pushes me to catch my attention then she gets a tattoo of my name on her wrist like me to make me believe she is the love of my life.

I throw my now empty bottle on the wall to explode something then go to my favourite place in the Chasm. I take a new beer bottle on my way before being alone. I really have a shitty life.

And that started when I only was an embryo. My mother told me I survived what could have been a miscarriage if she didn't go to the hospital. And I'm not talking about all the times she got beat up while carrying me.

Then I was born a month and a half earlier. My mother was locked down in the closet, I could have been born and die in this closet, but Marcus brought her to the hospital. Unfortunately, I was a boy because Marcus didn't want to have a girl. Had it been that way, I know he would have drowned me and buried in the garden.

Again, I'm not talking about all the times I almost died after his beatings.

My mother who is dead and finally isn't tries to get me in the Factionless army.

Women throw themselves at me because I am the 'Four' and because I turned down the offer to be a leader two times now.

I have almost no friends, the only ones are those I have thanks to Zeke.

My inability to flirt with away without offending her during the five first minutes.

And now, this girl tattooed my name on her wrist. Is she totally oblivious? Does she know it is permanent?

I hear footsteps behind me. Must be Shauna. I cast a glance behind me. Oh no, this stupid girl again.

She looks up and stops walking.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't think I would meet someone here."

"Yeah sure…"

She lifts an eyebrow and stares me down.

"What does that mean?"

I get up to confront her.

"You think I didn't notice that game you're playing? 'oh sorry, I didn't see you there' 'oh sorry, I didn't think I would meet someone.' I wasn't born yesterday, Tris!"

"Alright, first, I don't know what you're talking about, second, you are drunk."

"Yeah, and that, what is it? Care to explain why you tattooed my name on your wrist."

I pull her wrist with my hand to uncover her tattoo, showing mine at the same time. Identical.

Her eyes widen, I must admit she's a pretty good actress.

"I-I… how?"

"You know what? Keep your excuses for yourself. Just get rid of that."

I walk away from the Chasm to go in my apartment. On my way, I find Shauna leading a totally wasted Zeke to his apartment. They aren't dating but they should. They both have feeling for each other, unfortunately they don't know that.

"Need a hand, Shauna?"

"Please"

I wrap an arm under Zeke's shoulders and lift him up. He smiles and lays his head on my shoulder.

"Four! My buddy! I love you! You know that, right?"

"Yeah… yeah… I love you too."

Shauna follows us and unlocks his door to let us through. I drop him on his bed. Shauna takes off his shoes. I use the opportunity to fill a glass of water. When I come back, she is sitting next to him on the bed and caresses his hair.

"I love you too, Shauna… But not like Four. More."

"Shh… go to sleep now."

She kisses his cheek then continue to caress her hair. It doesn't take long for him to fall asleep. I take a step forward. She watches him with a small smile.

"You should tell him."

"I know but he isn't ready for a relation. He's a kid in his head."

"I tried to tell him his feelings are mutual, but he didn't believe me."

"I told you… a kid."

She sighs and gets up.

"I'll sleep on the couch to watch over him. Go home, you look tense."

"You're not wrong."

She takes my hand to lead me to the sofa.

"Tell me what happened."

"Nothing… a stupid girl tried to seduce me again."

"What did she do?"

"She tattooed my name on her wrist, like me."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Do you know her?"

"No, she's a new member. I think her name's Tris."

"Tough life when you're so sexy."

"Shauna…"

"I'm kidding… One day, you'll find a woman who will love you for who you are and not because you are Four and an handsome man. She will love you even after she'll know the story of little Tobias."

I look down and nod slowly. Shauna is the only to know my story in every details. Zeke knows what happened briefly.

"Thank you, Shauna. Promise you'll talk to him tomorrow?"

"Perhaps. No promises."

"Okay. Good night."

"Good night."

I kiss her forehead and lay a cover on her. I go back to my apartment to finally put a end to this day. Laying in my bed, I think of this woman, Tris. She was beautiful. Never I would have thought she was one of those girls.

Too bad.

I feel two small hands shaking me awake.

"Daddy! Wake up!"

"Hum…" I groan.

"Daddy! Mommy is hurt."

I open my eyes; my gaze is lost in two amazing blue pearls. What is shocking is that he looks like me when I was a child.

"What is it?"

Honey, I think we'll have to go to the hospital."

I look to a very pregnant woman who looks to be in pain. I don't think and approach immediately. I take her in my arms, it seems to be the right thing to do.

"Are you alright, babe?"

She kisses me briefly, all my hair on my body stand up. Then her smell it me, I knew her. My gaze falls on the raven on her collarbone then the number 'IV' on her wrist.

"The baby's coming."

I smile too and hug her.

"I love you."

"I love you too… but now we really need to go."

I see the little boy sitting on my bed. I take him in my arms, a powerful feeling of love runs through my veins. I am a daddy.

I wake up in a jump. It's only 2 in the morning. I fall back on the bed, confused. It is the first time I'm doing that kind of dream and it's the first time I'm dreaming of a particular woman. End this woman… I can't start dreaming of this easy girl in that way. That's impossible!

I eventually fall back to sleep but my spirit is confused by this strange dream.

The next day, I have to meet with Amar and Georges. They said they want to announce something important. I have to admit I'm not really enthusiastic because last time they announced something, I found myself being an instructor. I knock on the door; Georges lets me in.

"Amar, Four's here."

I greet him and sit on the couch. Georges looks nervous, that isn't looking great for me.

"We wanted to tell you something important."

"Okay… what is it?"

"We… we are adopting a kid."

Amar smiles at Georges who holds his hand. I've never wanted a kid myself but if they do, I am happy for them.

"Wow… I… congratulations!"

"Thank you."

"Do you know when?"

"We just signed the papers, she's coming tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? It's a girl?"

"We've been waiting for months. It's a little girl of almost 2 years. Her name's Lena. Her mother died giving birth and her father has been imprisoned six months ago for domestical abuse. That's also the reason why we wanted you to be her godfather."

I don't answer right away. I can't. My gaze is locked on them, waiting for them to tell me they are kidding. They aren't.

"You want me to be her godfather?"

"Yes…"

"Well, that's really kind of you and I am touched you thought of me, but I don't think I will be a good example for her…"

"Take some time to think of it… you don't have to answer right now."

"Ok, I'll do that."

"Thank you."

"Who will be the godmother?"

"Tori."

I smile but decide to hug them anyway.

"I'm happy for you. This little girl is lucky to have you both."

Georges is taking the bottle of champagne out of the fridge to celebrate the news. I take the advantage to speak with Amar.

We sit on the couch; I don't waste time.

"Tell me about this girl… Tris."

He smiles and tickles with the tip of his fingers.

"Hey… did you find yourself a girl?"

"It's serious Amar. Is she an easy girl?"

"Tobias! Don't tell me you want to take advantage of her!"

"No! Of course not!"

"So never say Tris is an easy girl. She's really nice and I would be surprised if she ever held hands with a boy in her life."

"Really?"

"She was an Abnegation."

"I don't get it… she seemed to know what she was doing when she flirted with me."

"Don't take it personally but your experience with women is inexistant, how could you be so sure she was flirting with you? I don't think it's possible coming from her."

"She bumped into me, stared at me with innocent eyes and apologized with a smile."

"Looks like a woman who saw you and got a crush when she saw your face."

"She tattooed my name on her wrist."

"Tobias?"

"No! Four. Now, she has the same tattoo as me."

I show him mine, but he just smiles.

"She didn't tattoo your name… this is her number of fears."

"What? She has the same number as me?"

"Yes. It hasn't been announced yet because the fear landscapes ended yesterday. But she really has four fears."

"Oh no! I think I owe her an apology."

"You went on full-Four mode, didn't you? You ought to learn how to talk to someone without getting pissed off. You'll get in trouble someday."

"I gotta go…"

"Kiss her for me!"

I watch him in horror, he just laughs.

"A hug?"

"We'll see"

I go to the tattoo parlour. If I do become this girl's godfather, I'll have to be Tobias. I'll have to undertake who I am. I notice the parlour is empty, everyone must still be asleep. Tori is sitting on her chair, sleeping. I hate to do that, but I need to talk to her. I gently shake her shoulder to wake her up. She slowly opens her eyes with a yawn.

"Oh, it's you. Want a tattoo?"

"Please. But I also would like to talk."

"Okay. What would you like?"

"I want a 'T' on my right wrist."

"A 'T', why?"

She starts a sketch of tattoos for me to decide which one I love the most.

"That's the first letter of my name."

"And what's your pretty name?"

"Well tried… godmother."

"Oh, they told you. I'm so excited! I can't wait to see the little princess. She will be spoiled! And… by the way, you said yes, right?"

"I don't know, that's a big responsibility."

"She will need you. You went through the same things."

"How do you know?"

My blood turns to ice in my veins.

"Don't be angry but Amar talked to me. He didn't want to betray you, but he let it slip and I dug for information. I mean, I saw your back and these marks had a story."

"She's too young to remember what happened when she'll grow up."

"That's what you think. I don't think you can forget this kind of thing. She is two, it's enough to remember."

"I have to think about it."

I choose a sketch and she starts her work.

"I have another question for you. Did you work last night?"

"Yes why?"

"Did you see the small blond girl named Tris?"

"Of course, I tattooed her."

"Did you tell her about my tattoo?"

"No, I didn't feel like I had to. And honestly, I think she know who you are."

"She didn't seem to recognize me. Anyway…"

She starts the tattoo and it only takes 5 minutes to do it.

"Here you go. I'm done. Need something else?"

"Nope, I'm good. I'm not a fan of needles."

"Say the guy with his back entirely tattooed."

"I had to. But thank you. How much do I owe you?"

"7 points."

I take a bill of 10 and pay.

"Keep the change."

I walk out the parlour and take a look on the new ink on my wrist. Tori never disappointed me and that's why she's the only person who ever pierced my skin. I feel a person in front of me which makes me look up.

I see Tris looking at my wrist then staring at me. Her gaze is hard on me.

"You blew out for a number, but you just tattooed the first letter of my name!"

"You don't even know what this means to me."

"Because you tried to know what it means to me?"

She walks away without waiting for an answer. For the first time, I do something that I've never done in my life. I chase after a girl.

"Tris! Wait!"

"What?"

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have reacted that way and more, I shouldn't have talked like that."

She watches me, her arms crossed.

"Thank you."

"And… hum… Congratulations… on your four fears. I'll have to find a new name now… Four isn't special anymore."

My comment earns me a smile.

"I'll leave it to you. Tris fits me well… so a T? Your name?"

"The first letter, yes."

"And what is your real name?"

I think about it a second, but her eyes spur me on, her smile makes me melt.

"We could discuss about that at diner… or just a coffee if you'd like."

"Diner would be great." She shyly says.

I find myself smiling too.

"Do you have an apartment yet?"

"No, I'll get it tomorrow."

"I can come get you at the dorm… around 7.15 PM?"

"Ok. See you later then!"

"See you later."

I jump when she takes my hand. My left one with her right, our identical tattoos mirror each other. Then I notice her left wrist is wrapped.

"Got a new one?"

"Yes… Bud did it when Tori did yours."

She is nervous and when I lift the bandage, I see she has a T too. The design is different, but the letter is the same.

She walks away with a wave.

Looks like Tris and me have more than one thing in common. It often happened that women emphasized the only common point we would have but with Tris, they just keep appearing without any of us looking for it. And I sincerely hope more are to come tonight because this, our story, could become a wonderful tale that's just waiting to be told.

Hope you liked this one like the others. Don't hesitate to tell me which one you want next. One of the following or another from my stories!

"Will you tell us a story?" Tris and Tobias had a beautiful and happy life. But the end comes always too soon. Now that he is alone, Tobias doesn't live. He survives. And his family realizes that too.

"Like sisters" I've never thought I could feel like that. Ever since she was born, my daughter was my world. Maybe it is time I let the woman in me live. Even if it's just for a second.

"Nocturnal escape" It isn't always a gift to find your man. For a normal person, it is the start of the most amazing story in your life. I thought so too. But when your name is Tris Prior, everything is always different and unexpected. Two-shot/ werewolves