time and patience shot

“No, Melchior,” Moritz interrupts him with a small smile spreading on his features – it looks sad, Melchior notices. But Moritz’s smiles always look sad – “We talked about the French invasion of Russia and Napoleon and then you proceeded to use the last twenty minutes of class to explain why Tolstoy’s book was the only honest portrayal in fiction of what happened without forgetting about – let me quote you - ‘the ruthless wilderness of aristocratic society in the face of death, coldness and violence’”Melchior’s fingers brush the back of Moritz’s hand on the bed carefully, as if to not startle a frightened deer. “You listened to me,” he exclaims in a delighted breath and plants a soft kiss on Moritz’ cheek. “I am honoured.”