Secluded

Rain

Secluded 13

Tris POV:

I followed Eric to a table with our trays of food. I'm still reeling from the public kiss earlier. I never thought to actually be one to like public displays of affection but with Eric it felt possessive and it almost felt like he was mine. It felt really good to be so comfortable with someone out and about.  And in Amity, I didn't feel judged and I didn't feel like we should have to hide.  I almost felt whole and it made me incredibly happy and giddy.

 I watch him sit down in front of me as I sit down.

"What?" he asks smiling.

"Nothing, nothing at all.... Well, to be honest. This is all a bit..." I start to say

"Too much?" he questions, I can tell his mood starting to deflate.

"No!  It's... amazing. I feel like I am floating on a cloud. Oh god, did I just say that?" I say laughing. He laughs with me and it almost looks like he feels the same way.

"I just feel, happy. The question I guess that is bugging me is... What are we?" I ask hesitantly, fiddling with my fork.

"What do you mean?" Eric asks

"I mean, are we... together? Or is this just temporary, or something "I ask not knowing what to say suddenly.

"It's whatever you want it to be. This whole, vacation of sorts feels like its making me a better person" he says

"More like giving you a break to organize your brain. You worked too much and being cooped up in a dark home will probably drive you crazy" I say starting to cut my food into pieces. He watches me intently.

"That's exactly how I felt. I don't know about anyone else but Dauntless started to make me feel like a bird stuck in a cage. It feels great being out here. I wonder if the Amity feel this free all the time. No wonder they are so happy" he chuckles.

"It'd be amazing to live here" I say drifting to a daydream.

"I would have to agree" he says quietly. We stare at each other and in that moment it felt like we were on the same page. It didn't matter what we were. All that mattered was our happiness. And what would come, would come. And I accepted that. We both wanted to feel free. Maybe he wouldn't want to be locked up in a relationship. I wouldn't want to take away any of his happiness. 

I grab his hand and look down at my food and smile.

After dinner, we both approach Johanna at her dinner table.

"Excuse us, Johanna, could we talk to you for a quick moment?" Eric asks.

"Oh yes, of course." She says standing.

"We were just wondering if everything was ready. We were going to head out now before it gets dark" I say.

"Yes, the truck outside my office door is waiting. Just knock on the door and a man named Jeffrey will be delighted to help. Do you have everything you need?" she asks.

"Yes" Eric replies.

"We never picked out the paint and I wanted to get a couple more things. I can hurry though" I say to Eric.

"Take your time, I'll meet you at the truck." He says. He kisses me on the side of my head and walks out of the cafeteria and towards her office.

"Seems you two have been making progress" Johanna says smiling.

"Yeah, we've learned to live with one another I suppose" I say, watching Eric walk away.

"If you ever need anything, Tris. Anything. You can come to me. I know Max won't let you have any contact with anyone while out here. But you can trust me." She says while putting her hand on my arm comforting me. I smile and nodded.