In the dark, she saw some of it, well hidden in nothing but the light from the hall filtering under the bedroom door, the digital display of her alarm clock...that admiration reflected back at her, that fear...that dusky shading of a blush in her cheeks, and for some reason it was the blush that made Allison smile just a little.

It made her feel braver, in that moment. She felt anything but dignified, she felt suddenly seventeen years old again. Young, oddly weightless, like she could float away without Tris's hand to anchor her down.

Only in these kind of stolen moments does Allison ever feel this way anymore: like a kid. Carefree.

Actually brave. Not willing to kill or die, but bold and wild and unfettered...

Taking a deep breath, she let her smile grow...let herself be brave...and closed the distance completely, mouth pressing to Tris's in a soft, chaste kiss.