Allison didn't know how to answer, hovering over Tris and looking into those wide, guileless blue eyes filled with such an innocent question. It was perfectly justified, too, because something like just...randomly kissing her was a good way to ruin a great friendship.

She couldn't say she didn't know, because she did. She couldn't say she couldn't help it, because she could have. She didn't have to kiss Tris, didn't have to take that risk...

"...it's how I feel." she finally replied, fingers running through Tris's hair again, smoothing it away from her forehead. And it was: kissing her, touching her, pushed the nightmares so far away she could almost forget them. It made her feel so brave and so still inside, she could almost forget she was ever afraid to fight, to lead, to stand against the threats the newly activated Nemeton would bring.

She wanted to lose herself in it. She wanted to lose herself in Tris, to anchor herself with her strength of sun-warmed stone, to free herself in the cage of Tris's arms.

The answer hung for a moment, as Allison licked her lips and felt a little frisson of excitement when she tasted Tris there.

That bright little thrill drove her to lean down and kiss Tris again, soft but open and eager as she shifted in bed, letting her body stretch out over Tris's, straddling her thighs so she wasn't crushing the other girl with her weight.