Chapter 9

Tobias

Tris. She's the first thing I think about when I wake up. I look at the clock and it says 4 pm. We must have slept for hours. I look over to my side, but she isn't there. I sit up. "Hey there." She's standing in the bathroom doorway. She's got my black oversize t-shirt on that comes down just over thigh, showing off her bare legs. She must notice me staring because she tries to pull it down further, looking embarrassed.

"Hey beautiful," I say to convince her that she is.

"You don't have to pretend. I know I'm not." She walks over to the bed and sits down on the bedside.

"Hey," I say as softly as I can. "You are."

"Thank you," she says. "For that, but also for…" She pauses and smiles.

I wrap her in my arms and pull her down by my side. She laughs, and it's the most beautiful sound.

Tris

I lay in his arms for a while, taking deep breaths of his skin. Ever since he saved me from the attack, I have associated his scent with safety. I feel safe now.

"You think we should tell everyone about us?" I say.

"I don't know. What do you think?

"I think we should. It's been a few days since we became members now, and sooner or later they will find out. We won't be able to sneak around for much longer. And besides, I couldn't stay away from you for another day."

He laughs a little. "Well, then we'll tell them. Tomorrow, at breakfast."

"Okay, but how? What do we tell them?"

"We'll just have to improvise. We can't predict how they will react."

"I guess." I push him away and get out of bed.

"Hey, where you going?" He looks disappointed.

"We can't stay in bed the rest of the day. It's dinner in 20 minutes."

"You know everyone will be there. We can't eat together."

"I know, but it will be the last time. Then, when everyone knows, we can do whatever we want in public." He raises his eyebrows. "Well, not whatever we want. Almost." I grin. "Anyway, I'm gonna go and eat dinner. Coming?"

He doesn't answer. Instead he pulls the bedspread over his head.

"Alright fine. I will see you later then."

I put on some clothes and leave his apartment. It doesn't take very long until he's walking next to me.

"Couldn't stay away?" I say, bumping my elbow into his shoulder.

"Oh shut up."

Tobias

We walk to the dining hall together and she goes in first. I look around. I've walked these tunnels countless times. I remember trying to find my place here when I was an initiate two years ago. I didn't even feel dauntless when I became a member. I was first ranked, I got the jobs I wanted, I had friends, but I still didn't feel like I fully belonged. Not until she feelings I developed for her, I had never experienced before. She made me realize that being dauntless isn't just about fighting and being fearless. Loving her is dauntless. Wanting her is dauntless. She made me dauntless, and I will never be able to thank her enough.

"Four?" I turn around.

"Why are you standing out here?" he says frowning. What do I answer?

"Zeke. Hey. Who's it going?"

"I'm getting dinner. Why are you out here?"

"Um…" I look away. He's not giving up. I sigh. "Well, if you must know. Me and Tris can't walk in together so I have to wait a while."

He starts laughing. "Really? So you guys made up?"

"Yeah, we did."

"When? And how? Did she just apologize?"

"She had nothing to apologize for."

"Oh? Thought you said it was her fault you guys broke up?"

"I know I did, but I was angry and I didn't mean it. She just needed some time to think."

"What ever you say. So, how did you guys work it out?

He will read it from my face. I'm a terrible liar and he can always tell when I'm keeping something from him. If I tell a lie, he will know. I might as well share what happened. It isn't that big of a deal, just something I wouldn't normally share with anyone.

"Well we were practicing. I mean, I was teaching her and, um…" I clear my throat. "We, um…"

"Wait! You guys did it?"

"Shhh! Would you keep it down? People will hear you!"

"Did you?"

"No! Of course not. Look, she's not ready yet. We just… made up. I'm not giving you details."

"Alright then. Fine by me. So you guys are back on track?" A classic dauntless slang.

"Yeah, we are."

"Wow, so…" He pauses when the dining hall doors opens. Christina and Tris walks out and stop when they see us. Tris and I look at each other.

"Hey Four! What's up?" Christina says sarcastically.

"Nothing much." They must already be done with dinner. I just got so caught up in my thoughts, and then Zeke, that I forgot to go in. I then realize that both Christina and Zeke know about Tris and me, and she knows they do. I decide to do something bold. I lean in and kiss Tris on the lips. It's a quick one, considering there's an audience. When I pull back she looks surprised, as do Zeke and Christina. No one says anything.

"See you later?" I say to break the silence.

"Yeah, come by my place when you're done with dinner okay?"

"Okay." She kisses my cheek and then she takes Christina's hand. "C'mon Chris."

"But?" Christina tries to protest, but Tris drags her away.

Zeke is still staring at me. I laugh and go inside, and he follows.

See ya'll soon. Be brave! -s