“You’re always serious Basil,” Gus mumbled quietly, although then his eyes shot open at a couple things. First and foremost Basil hadn’t called him Gus in over a decade. If a smile broke out across his lips because he loved hearing his name come from his lips well, that was no one’s business but his own. Second, he hadn't been this playful since they’d been in Hogwarts, and while he adored the man with every fiber of his being, it was nice to see him let loose. To see him actually happy instead of that strange line that had been dancing for months. But he didn’t - couldn’t - expect him to stay like that and it was unfair for Gus to expect it. “I’m not pretending! You’ve been here for yea-” He protested again, although made no move to push Basil off as he wrapped his arms around him.

For what it was worth he missed hugging him. Hell, he missed hugging everyone. Gus had always been a touchy person, flinging his arms around everyone and anyone who would allow it, although he’d gotten better at controlling it as he’d gotten older. It became weird after a certain age. A chaste kiss was pressed against his nose and he leaned away from Basil and held his breath. This wasn’t fair. He knew he was still in love with Basil Foxwood and he’d give anything for this to be real, but it wasn’t. Then his lips were close to his and it took everything in him to not bend down and kiss him stupid. He had to remind himself this wasn’t his Basil, not here and now, even if mentally he seemed to be.

Even if he’d give everything past, present and future to hold Basil in his arms one more time.

Then another sentence came out of his mouth and Gus found himself blushing again. He uncurled Basil’s arms from his waist and sidestepped around the desk to put some distance between them. “I.. ah. Basil. This isn’t funny anymore. We haven’t done this in years. You… you were hit in the head with a spell, Foxwood. And I don’t know how to fix you. Not that anything is wrong with you! You’re perfect and I still lov-” Gus shook his head. His expression softened. “You’re perfect, Basil Foxwood.”

---

---