It was a rare day off for the Dauntless initiates, and the compound was buzzing with excitement. The music was loud, drinks flowed freely, and the normally cold, shadowed training halls were alive with laughter and light. You’d come with a few friends, glad to finally let loose after the grueling weeks of initiation.

You moved to the beat, letting the music take over, laughing and spinning in the crowded room. It felt good to forget about ranks, points, and constant pressure, if only for one night.

Unbeknownst to you, Eric had noticed the moment you walked in. Leaning against the wall with a drink in hand, his gaze followed you through the crowd, lingering as you laughed and danced, watching with an intensity that went unnoticed by most. He’d been observing you since you got there, his usual cold gaze replaced with something darker, a look that made the air around him feel electric.

You could feel his gaze like a magnetic pull from across the room. When you turned, his eyes locked on yours, a silent, unspoken challenge passing between you. With a slight smirk, you held his gaze for a moment longer than you should have.

Moments later, you felt him close behind you, his presence unmistakable. His voice was low and smooth, close to your ear, sending a shiver down your spine. “Having fun?”

You turned, a teasing smile playing on your lips. “More than you’d think.”

“Good,” he replied, his tone dangerous and almost amused, his eyes not leaving yours. In the charged silence that followed, his hand found yours, pulling you away from the crowded dance floor to a quieter corner. The distance between you was almost nonexistent now, and the tension that had been building finally spilled over.

Without another word, you closed the space between you, and his hands found their way to your waist as his lips met yours. The world around you faded away, the music and laughter drowned out by the heat between you. It was impulsive, reckless even, but tonight, neither of you seemed to care about the consequences.