There's a soft sigh, muted by the unexpected but always welcome kiss. Patience is easy for Charles to say, and easy for him to display, but Jacob isn't good at cooling his heels and waiting for the right moment. He knows that he should, he knows that really, it's much better to sneak off later, or wait till they're back in the quad. It's enough to calm the spark in his blood from becoming an inferno.

He knows that it doesn't mean Charles doesn't want him. Charles doesn't demand his attention only when he wants him for something, he doesn't turn him on and off at will like Jacob is a tool, a machine. Charles cares for him, Charles looks after him. And that makes the prospect of waiting not just bearable, it makes his anticipate it far more.

"Well, I suppose you must have a few other names on your dance card. Can't monopolise you all night."