Austin was tangled in the tree outside Ally's window. Her light was on, and Austin strained to see through the window.

Ally pulled her hair from its bun. Austin, seeing that she was awake, lifted his hand to knock on the glass.

Then Ally unzipped her dress and pulled it off with one swift movement. Austin almost fell out of the tree. He quickly looked away, inspecting the bracelets on his wrists as if he'd never seen them before. His face felt hot, even though it was cold outside. He counted to twenty before looking back at the window.

Ally was wearing a modest nightie and sitting on the edge of her bed. Austin watched her for several moments, taking in every part of her. If things went well, he could spend the rest of his life looking at her, as much as he wanted, appreciating her beauty. If things went badly, she would never speak to him again and he would spend his nights awake, missing her.

Ally put on a pair of headphones. She listened for a few moments, and then burst into tears. Her small shoulders racked with sobs, and the wisps of hair on the side of her face became wet and plastered to her cheekbones.

Austin didn't knock on the window. He pressed his hand to the glass, flat.

Ally looked up and saw him crouched outside. She didn't seem surprised, or scared. Blinking away tears, she crossed the room and stood in front of him. Austin had so many things he wanted to say, but he didn't move.

Austin was a knight, standing at the foot of the tower. Ally was the princess. The princess didn't let just any man into her tower. The princess only let the bravest, the strongest, and the most honorable man sweep her off her feet. Austin had strength and bravery, but he hoped above all things he had honor. Honor was what had caused him to break up with Mary-Lee. Honor was what made him look away when Ally was changing clothes. He hoped that she would see that in him.

Ally's eyes softened, as if she had seen something in his face that she liked. She pressed her hand to the other side of the glass, against his palm. They were connected, even though they were apart. For the past five years, they had always been connected.

Ally smiled. Austin smiled back, and they kissed through the glass, their mouths pressed to each side. They pulled away, laughing, and then Ally opened the window and let him inside.