"The Haircut" Edmund's and Regulus' first kiss for @futurequibblerjournalist
“You’ll have to ask Avery,” Evan quipped, barely holding back his laughter.
“No,” Regulus replied sharply. “He’ll never agree to help me.”
“Oh, but you’re so charming. I’m sure you’ll think of something,” Evan said, not even glancing up from his book, his smirk now fully visible.
“There has to be someone else.”
“Reg, I hate to admit it, but the only person who cares as much about his hair as your brother is Edmund.”
Regulus let out a loud, dramatic sigh.
“I hate that he was right,” he muttered, almost inaudibly, though Evan still heard him.
“Who was?”
“Fucking Avery,” Regulus spat, and Evan arched a brow, urging him to elaborate. “He made some uncouth remark about the length of my hair. Unfortunately, his observation was correct.”
“Is that why you’ve had a stick up your ass all day? Because Edmund ‘mama’s boy’ Avery didn’t like your hair?”
Regulus buried his face in his hands and nodded. While Evan seemed thoroughly amused by this reaction, Regulus was clearly frustrated with himself.
“I honestly cannot understand why you keep caring about what he thinks.”
“I don’t,” Regulus replied dryly, though not convincingly.
“Go fix your hair, Reg.”
Finding Edmund wasn’t difficult. Regulus knew exactly where he’d be—sitting on the same sofa, in what seemed to have been his designated cushion since their first year, reading whatever pretentious author he had in rotation.
Regulus walked directly toward him, feeling ridiculous. He knew Edmund would tell him to piss off. It was a waste of time to even attempt to—
“I’ll do it.”
Regulus’ spiraling thoughts were abruptly interrupted. He hadn’t even realized he was already standing in front of Edmund until the boy spoke directly to him—or rather, at him.
“You don’t even know what I was about to say.”
“Don’t insult me, baby Black. There’s only one reason you’d march up here, lost in thought, and head in my direction—to request my assistance in fixing your precarious hairstyle.”
“Calling it precarious when it simply needs maintenance—”
“Don’t interrupt me, or I won’t help you.”
Regulus couldn’t believe the sheer lack of basic politeness Edmund displayed. “Fine.”
“I thought a Black would have better manners.”
Regulus scoffed and bowed mockingly. “My most sincere gratitude, Mr. Avery Jr.”
Surprisingly, he caught the faintest curve forming at the edge of Edmund’s lips.
He followed Edmund to his dormitory, which looked exactly as he had imagined (not that he often thought about Edmund’s room). It was meticulously organized, adorned with a few decor pieces that were undoubtedly family heirlooms, and featured a chair whose worn cushion betrayed frequent use.
“Sit on the edge of the bed while I gather my supplies,” Edmund instructed.
Regulus complied. What unsettled him wasn’t sitting on the bed where Edmund slept, but the unexpected ease he felt in that space.
When Edmund returned, he carried a leather roll-up tool bag, which he laid neatly on the table beside him. Regulus watched attentively as Edmund carefully examined the contents. He found himself holding his breath—not consciously, but because Edmund’s precision was oddly calming.
“You are not to mock me, baby Black,” Edmund warned.
“I wasn’t going to,” Regulus replied, his tone genuinely earnest.
For the first time since they’d entered the dorm, Edmund looked at him directly. His eyes seemed to search Regulus’ face for any trace of hidden amusement his tone might have concealed. But Regulus’ sincerity held steady. Edmund’s gaze softened, just briefly, before he turned back to his tools and selected a pair of scissors.
Edmund pulled the chair next to his bed and sat directly in front of Regulus. Regulus’ breath hitched when their knees brushed—had they ever been this close before? And had Edmund always smelled this good?
He felt a wave of dizziness as Edmund’s thumb gently tilted his chin, holding his face in place while his other hand moved through his curls. Regulus glanced at him in panic, but it quickly became clear that Edmund was unaffected by the closeness. His focus was entirely on Regulus’ hair, his expression calm and meticulous.
“I promise I’ll be quick,” Edmund said softly.
Regulus swallowed hard, an uncomfortable feeling bubbling inside him as he realized he didn’t want this proximity to end.
“It’s okay,” Regulus managed to say.
Edmund had been right—it was quick, but it wasn’t rushed. Regulus watched in quiet awe as Edmund worked with care, his movements deliberate and precise, almost reverent.
“Can you look up for a moment?” Edmund asked, tilting Regulus’ face upward. Then, without warning, he blew softly against Regulus’ lips.
Has it been this hot the entire time? Regulus thought, his pulse quickening.
“All done.”
Edmund’s hands lingered on Regulus’ face but he was no longer looking at his hair, his gaze was fixed Regulus’ lips. He slowly lowered his hand but Regulus was already reaching for his wrist, pleading for Edmund to not deprive him from his touch.
For a boy whose words were always sharp, his touch was disarmingly soft—gentler than anything Regulus had ever known. For a moment, Regulus was filled with courage, still holding Edmund’s wrist he lifted it slightly and pressed a kiss against the thumb that had rested his chin just moments ago.
Edmund softly moved his hand to cup Regulus’ face, first brushing his lips, and tracing a path towards his cheeks. When Regulus’ newfound bravery faltered, it was Edmund who closed the distance.
His lips were tender, curious, pressing against Regulus asking him to kiss him back. And so he did, Regulus’ hands reached Edmund's waist and pulled him closer, wanting to taste more, to feel more, more, more, more.
Edmund drew back slightly, but Regulus’ greedy mouth wouldn’t let him. For now, nothing else mattered—not their parents, not their friends, not whatever waited outside those walls. Edmund’s hand dropped from Regulus’ face and tangled into his hair, tugging gently.
Regulus chuckled, “You just fixed it.”
“I don’t care,” Edmund blurted before kissing him again.
So I actually sat down to watch the BBC special of TT Boybands Forever cause I was really interested after the way Robbie talked about Gary being stitched up and also I just love watching this kinda stuff just finished the Boyzone Documentary. Let's just say I have thoughts - I'm going to put them in the tags (and I had a lot of thoughts). I'd say it's worth watching yourself and making your own opinion.
