How Allegiant Should Have Ended

Tris:

He's not there. Still groggy from sleep, I roll onto my back and push myself up so I'm leaning against the headboard. "Tobias?" I call. No answer.

I swing my legs over the side of the bed, and trudge out the door. As I walk down the hallway, I don't see any sign of him in our apartment. When the hall opens up into the living room, I notice that one set of keys is missing. He must've gone out. But he'll be back. Right?

My stomach growls, telling me that it's time to eat. I don't expect there to be anything in the fridge. We've only been here a day. Which is why I'm surprised to find a plate with eggs and pancakes in the fridge- abnegation food. There's a note.

VI,

I know it isn't much, but I don't want you to be hungry. Put the dish in the microwave for a minute and a half. I love you.

-IV

I bring the plate to the microwave, and set the time for a minute and a half. When the timer dings, I pull out the steaming hot plate and set it down at the table. I taste the eggs first, and finish them soon after. The two pancakes also go down easily. I grab a glass from the cupboard and pour myself a glass of water from the sink's tap. I feel much better.

After a few minutes of sitting on the couch and watching some reality tv show, Tobias runs in the door, out of breath. "Hey Tris!" he says, walking over to me. "You're up." He cups my head in his hands and presses his lips to mine. If every day of my life was like this, I wouldn't complain. My hands fall to his hips without a second thought, just a natural instinct. He pulls his head back just enough so that he can see my face. He's panting.

"Are you okay?" I ask. "You're out of breath. If you were running to get back to me, don't do that anymore. I can wait."

"No, no, Tris," he says between breaths. "I'm- I- I'm fine."

"Tobias sit down," I say, motioning to the couch. He does it without hesitation, and leans his head on the back of it. I plop down next to him. "You're sure you're okay?" I ask.

He smiles at me. "Never better."