Always

Chapter 6

***********Tobias**********

Telling her that her brother was dead was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Harder than watching my mother's fake funeral; harder than taking punishment from my father; harder than going through my fear landscape and facing the same fears over and over again. I watched as the light left her eyes when I told her the last speck of her family was dead. I watched as her eyes filled with tears when I told her the funeral would be held as soon as she was cleared from the hospital. I did my best to comfort her. I gathered her into my arms and hugged her. I kissed her head and whispered I love you again and again as sobs wracked her body. I held the girl I love so very much in my arms as she cried herself to sleep.

About a week later, Tris is given a clean bill of health, and is released from the hospital. The doctor suggests that she wait until the morning to leave, but she insists that she would leave that night. I think she wants some time in private before Caleb's funeral. So, we head back to the dorms that night. All week everyone has been checking in with Christina; asking if Tris was okay. Christina stopped in everyday catching her up on the latest news, and letting her know that everyone is worried about her. On our way back, Tris says a quick hello to everybody to assure that she was okay, but she keeps it short. She needs sleep in order to be ready for Caleb's funeral tomorrow. When we get back to our room, Tris kicks off her shoes and sits down on the bed.

"Why don't you lie down. I will go get you a glass of water." She nods.

"Okay." I walk into the kitchen and get a glass of water. I walk back into the bedroom to find Tris asleep; spread out at the foot of the bed. I smile to myself and set the water glass down on the bedside table. I walk over and scoop her up, laying her back down at the top of the bed.

"I love you, Tris" I whisper before lying down on the other side of the bed.

***

The next morning, I reach my arm out, my hand searching for Tris, only to find that I am alone. I open my eyes, blinking sleep away before I get up in search of her. I find her in the bathroom, standing in front of the mirror. Running a comb through her soft, blonde hair; she is lost in thought. I walk up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist, hugging her from behind.

"Are you sure you are ready for this?" She turns around and her eyes search mine.

She takes in a deep breath.

"Yeah, I think I am."

"I love you. You know that right?" She wraps her arms around my waist and lays her head on my chest.

"I know." She tilts her head so that she is looking at me, "And I love you." I duck my head down an bring my lips to hers, telling her everything I couldn't say out loud.