The noise in his ears only grew more intense as Jo closed the gap between him. His own hand drifted up to meet hers, and it was only her utterances that prevented him from planting another kiss on her palm.

Zach’s lips parted, air whispering out as words very quickly dissolved into nothingness. His inexperience didn’t prevent him from recognizing what her invitation implied. It was something he’d been warned against, drilled into the minds of all young men and women of his standing. They weren’t married. They weren’t even properly courting.

Yet.

"Are...are you certain?"

Yet he wished to go with her. He wished for time to stretch on infinitely, just the two of them. He wished to--

Oh Merlin, did he even know how to?