I'm gonna clean chapter 8 up a bit before completing this chapter.

Tobias POV

I smile. "Well, enough about me. If it's all right, I want to hear more about your parents. I want to know more about the people who brought into the world the most beautiful girl-woman-I've ever met."

She blushes. "Okay. I don't wanna seem like I'm bragging after what you just told me about your childhood but..."

"It's okay. Like I said on our first date I was never jealous of other kids' normal lives. At least I'll know that you were happy growing up. That's all that matters to me."

She smiles. "I really was happy. I guess I had a typical childhood. I wouldn't say it was picture perfect but nobody's life is. I wasn't exactly the perfect child either."

I raise my eyebrows at her, incredulously. "Oh really? I never figured you for a trouble maker."

She chuckles a bit nervously. "I got good grades in school but did play hookey a few times and when I was younger I'd get my brother, Caleb, in trouble a lot. We are less than a year and a half apart so we always fought for our parents' attention. There was a time when I looked up to him, but he ended up disappointing me."

"Unfortunately, I think we both learned the hard way of expecting those around us to be perfect people."

She sighs. "Unfortunately, you're right."

"So, where is your brother now? Does he still live in the city?"

"No, he moved in New York. He met a girl out there so he stayed to be with her. As far as I know they are still together. He usually comes to town around the anniversary of our parents death but makes a point to avoid me. He goes to the cemetery early and I go in the afternoon so we don't run into each other. We did run into each other once and that's why he made it a point to go early before he knew when I'd likely be there."

"That doesn't seem fair to me. It seems like he told you when you were allowed to go. You should be able to go whenever you want."

"I know. Luckily I can go anytime throughout the year when he's not around. I almost doubt he comes spontaneously any other time to visit. I just feel like he did exactly what I don't want to do which is leave our parents behind."

"That's his choice and he is the one that has to live with the consequences. You don't need someone like that in your life."

"You're right. I can't force him to be around if he doesn't want to be."

"Well, how about we forget about our families for a bit and have some Dauntless cake. And if you want we can go upstairs and out on the balcony. What do you say?"

She smiles. "I say that sounds like an excellent idea."

I gather our dinner plates and take them into the kitchen and leave them in the sink. Tris helps me put all the food away before I cut us slices of the cake. I lead the way upstairs with our slices in hand. I open the sliding door to the balcony and allow her to step out first. The air is cool but extremely nice for this time of year. I walk over to the small table and set down the plates as Tris takes a seat on one of the chairs. I take the one next to hers.

"It's beautiful out here. The view is perfect." Tris states.

"This is the part of my house where I come to think. No matter what I do, though, I can't seem to let go of my past."

"I'm sure one day you will be able to. It's not your fault what your father did."

"Thank you. Even though you know about it, you're not giving me this look like I'm a kicked puppy or something."

"Well, you're not. You are strong and brave, Four."

I smile. "Tobias. My name is Tobias."

She smiles. "Tobias. I love that."

"You can call me that whenever we're alone. It'll be nice to hear my name again."

She leans towards me and kisses me gently on the lips. When she pulls away she smiles shyly. I can tell she wants to say something.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"I noticed you have a tattoo on your back. What is it?"

I smile. "Do you wanna see it?"

She nods.

"Are you asking me to undress, Tris?"

She giggles, nervously. "Only partially."

I stand up and turn around as I lift my shirt over my head in one swift motion. Suddenly I feel shy. I bow my head slightly. I hear Tris standing up behind me.

"Wow. It's amazing."

I gasp when I feel her cold but soft fingers touch my skin.

"I got it when I came home from my first tour. Tori's brother George did it for me."

"What are these symbols?"

"They each represent a different personality trait. Everything I want to be as a person and as a soldier. The flames represent bravery, the joined hands for selflessness, the scales for honesty, the eye for intelligence, and the tree for kindness. The bigger flames point towards my heart. I partly got it to cover up the scars. You can still slightly see them and feel them."

"Well, I think you are all of those things."

I turn back around to face her. "I'm still working on kind."

"You are the kindest, warmest person I've ever met."

"Do you have any tattoos?"

"Yeah." She lowers her shirt slightly at the collar to reveal three birds just below her collarbone.

"They're ravens. Three for each member of my family, even my brother. I got it after the accident and after my brother left. Even though they aren't with me physically, I carry them with me here."

"You are amazing, Tris."

"So are you."

I kiss her lips and wrap my arms around her, holding her close to me. This is something I've never felt before. I think it's love.