Basil laughed as Gus grumbled about the age. He supposed thirty was a bit of a stretch. He hadn’t really thought through the statement much as he’d blurted it out, more of a spur of the moment kind of thing? If he actually sat back and looked at him, Gus was probably somewhere in his late twenties. Or mid. He looked awfully young for having so many smile lines and freckles though compared to what Basil was used to now. Perhaps it was the youthful spirit he’d never quite loose. “Either way,” he grinned. “You’re still the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.”
As the other reached for his face, Basil instinctively brought his hands up to rest on Gus’. He smiled then, sadly, maybe even a little wistfully. They’d never really talked about the future much, and yes… it was probably a little bit weird to do so here and now? But he supposed it was natural considering they were literally being confronted with it, visually. “I’m glad,” was all he managed to say, choking back any stray emotions that could ruin this sweet moment. He ought to have clarified. He ought to have said more. But deep down, somewhere Basil wasn’t sure was familiar to him anymore, he felt Gus’ words resonate. He’d have to save them and unpack it at a later date.
Gus pressed their foreheads together then and Basil grinned, a small laugh bubbling up from him as the other mentioned age again. “Alright already!” He exclaimed. “You’re not thirty, you’re a blushing seventeen just like me!” Then, with the laugh still on his lips, Basil threw his former promise out the window and leaned in to kiss Gus. His Gus.
The moment was as unremarkable as any non-first kiss could be, and as satisfying. There was no magic broken, no memory returned suddenly from the action. Instead, Basil felt a warmth pool in his belly and work its way down as he pressed needily into his redhead. He adored everything about kissing Gus; from the way it filled him with understanding, to the feeling of… well… whatever it was, love? no. growing inside of him. He tugged Gus impossibly closer, and hummed contently into the kiss breaking it only to laugh as he remembered they were still in Professor —’s bloody office!
“Gus,” he breathed out, a little raspily. “We have to get out of here before we’re found! I can’t loose Ravenclaw any house points this close to the cup!”