Dr. Edgar J. Bones

“Kids aren’t exactly my thing.” Regulus finished. Not that the girl was horrible, it was more her presence than anything else. He could hear everything now, Edgar made it nearly impossible not to. “I’ve not got much time for anything else, nothing serious.” Partly a lie these days given his lack of other jobs. He’d been grounded for a little while, nut it gave him more time to work on ways around the security measures that were put in place against him.

Ed shrugged.  “Who says it has to be serious?” he asked, treading carefully.  He looked around to make sure that no one was within earshot.  “Look, it’s honestly refreshing...”  He paused for a moment.  Edgar wasn’t willing to give this up quite yet, not when this opportunity was handed to him.  “You... are refreshing.”

How many times did Edgar end up taking someone to bed because he felt obligated or guilted into it?  How many times to Edgar end up taking someone home that was clearly too drunk to function because he worried more about the wellbeing of a stranger than his own?  It was exhausting most of the time, and Regulus made things easier on him. 

“Perhaps too hectic.” Regulus replied. They had stopped for a moment, Occasionally there would someone walking past at the end of the corridor, but other than that, they were alone. It was better this way after all.

“Whatever this was was fun while it lasted.” He started off. 

Ed nodded and exhaled slowly.  He hid the pang he felt at his words well, at least outwardly.  He couldn’t hide it in his thoughts though as he glanced over at Regulus.  “I suppose it was,” he replied.  

After a moment’s hesitation, he glanced away.  “I mean, we’re both adults here...” he started.  “I’m going to leave the ball in your court.  No pressure or anything, but it is fun... whatever this is.”

For a moment he was reminded of why he had stayed longer than expected, against his better judgement. There was a pause for too long, and the wave came back once more. It was a short exchange so far, but it needed to be addressed. One of them had to do it, he just hated that it would be him. “I know I haven’t texted. I’ve been busy.” Easy start.

-

Ed relaxed slightly, glancing back over at the other man.  He didn’t want to bring up the fact that Regulus left him on read.  If Regulus wanted to bring it up, he could, but Edgar wasn’t about to flat out asking him why.  Ed knew why, but it wasn’t his place.  

“I get it,” he replied easily, falling back into a natural cadence with his words.  “Life is hectic most of the time.”  He knew Regulus never would have texted again if they hadn’t bumped into each other (quite literally) because Edgar had this feeling that Ella ruined whatever the hell this might turn into.  “I haven’t exactly texted either.”

“Not exactly mine either.” He mumbled under his breath. He wasn’t sure why he was still there, but soon enough he’d be gone once more and Regulus could pretend that he didn’t exist. Of course there was still the nagging voice, one he needed to silence with something else. “Am I expected to see you here more often or was this a rare visit?”

Edgar offered him a wry smile.  “Only if you want me here more often.”  Fuck, why the hell did he say that?  The words slipped out of him so easily.  It wasn’t even as though he flirted with people that often, it simply felt natural.  

Immediately, Edgar looked away.  What did he do now?  Did he apologize for being an idiot and making things even more awkward?  Did he try to play it off?  It was a little too late for that.  “Yeah, I don’t come here that often, to be honest.”

Maybe he could play it off like he hadn’t said it.  Smooth, Ed.  Real smooth.

“It becomes easier to manage the longer you’re here.” Regulus commented, shifting the files in his arms. He half debated on walking away entirely. Certainly wouldn’t be the first time after all. “I’m heading out towards the main corridor.” He finally said, seeming to lock everywhere but him. The silence would have been welcomed, though really, Regulus could still hear the slight nagging at the back of his mind. The awkwardness was coming off in waves it seemed.

“If you’d like to follow me and not be trapped down here for the remainder of the day.”

Edgar shrugged. *This was honestly never really my scene," he admitted. "Too much politics." Not that there weren't politics at St. Mungo's, but there was definitely more at the Ministry.

"Greatly appreciated," he murmured. Seeing Regulus again sparked something inside of him that genuinely scared him.

“Thank you.” Regulus said briefly. He paused when he felt him for a brief moment before straightening himself out. “Right, I’m sure.” He commented, raising an eyebrow before getting up himself. Never had ghosting someone backfired as much as it did today. It seemed that was just his luck.

“Dubrowski is closer to elevator. If anything, you’re finding yourself walking further into the department.” 

Edgar watched him for a moment.  “Wonderful,” he murmured, glancing down at his watch.  “This place is a maze, I swear.  One wrong turn and you’re somewhere you’re probably not supposed to be.”  Well, this was awkward.  

It had been a clear deal breaker, though there wasn’t necessarily a deal to be had in the first place. The one time he decided to stay and the reality of what he was dealing with reared its ugly head. Better to get out now. Besides, it wasn’t as though he had time for any kind of relationship. A couple good nights and that was it. Over done. 

Work pushed Edgar out of his mind quickly enough. Under his bosses’ watchful eyes, he worked diligently, what other choice did he have after all. Which was why he was transferring files between offices. Merlin forbid they should actually be up to date in their technology. He hadn’t even noticed the man coming around the corner, hitting into him and sending the files to the floor.

“Shit. Bloody files.” Regulus got down quickly to pick them up. Of course, just perfect. Exactly what he needed today after all. He looked up, shooting a look at the man before he realized who it was. Fucking perfect.

“You know that stalking is illegal, right?”

Edgar didn’t even realize who he was helping when he knelt down to help Regulus pick up the papers.  It was so ingrained in him to help people that needed it.  The other’s voice sent an unwanted chill through him.

“I wasn’t stalking,” he stated bluntly.  After taking a deep breath, he handed Regulus the pile of papers he managed to pick up, their hands brushing for just a moment before Edgar stood, his knee popping slightly as he stood up.

“Had a meeting with Dubrowski down the hall and...”  Why was he explaining himself to the younger man?  It shouldn’t matter that much.  

He grabbed his jacket and his bag and quickly apparated that way.  After the meeting, he made his way out of the room, but was so horribly focused on his phone that he made two wrong turns and found himself completely and utterly lost.

“Shit...”

There are goals to be have in life, Amycus finds. Money, he has down, but he’s not exactly unique in that regard. Looks, naturally, but money can buy looks. Lastly, then, power. Influence. It’s not so much a goal as it is a craving. And Amycus Carrow knows how to satisfy a craving. 

So when there’s a well-known, potentially genius healer who appears to be down on his luck and looking to forget about his woes for a while, who is Amycus to deny him? 

“I was just wondering the same thing about you,” he says, quietly, with just a bit of intimacy. There’s two ways this can go, he knows, either he becomes the shoulder to cry on, the good friend with the good drugs, or he becomes the drug.  “I don’t normally do this,” he lies, “But you don’t seem like the usual sad bastard at the bar, just a bit down on your luck. Let me buy you one of those, hmm?” 

Edgar sighed.  So he did look that pathetic.  Edgar was in a good place in his career, but his family life was non-existent, and that was all that he ever wanted in his life.  He always wanted kids.  He was gifted with two girls that he would still do anything and everything for.  Unfortuantely, in saving Lexi’s life, he lost both of them.

He studied the other for a moment.  “You buy this round, and I’ll buy the next, sound good?” he asked slowly.  His words were already slightly slurred, but he wasn’t one to accept free drinks from just anyone.  Usually, he was the one to offer to buy a drink first.

Tonight was just a bad night for him.

It was a bad night.  In fact, it was probably one of the lowest nights that Edgar experienced in a long time.  It was his daughters’ 10th birthday, and their mother (Edgar’s ex-wife) was throwing a huge party for them, and he was barred from attending.  Since she had custody, she could decide if he was allowed or not.  He did get to talk to his daughters (or, he spoke to Lexi... Ella wouldn’t even take the phone) and wish them a happy birthday, but other than that, there was nothing that he could do.  

Nothing except go to a bar down the road (not his usual either) and get so drunk that he forgot what day it was... maybe even who he was.  While part of Ed was tempted to go into work, he knew he’d make mistakes since he was just coming off of a double shift.

The man pounded back another shot of whiskey (also not his drink of choice, but it got him drunk much faster) and glanced over at the man next to him.  Did he really look that pathetic?  “Everything okay?”

Regulus: Its fine

Edgar: If that's what would be best for you, I won't argue.

Regulus: Perhaps more of a warning for next time

Edgar: I honestly didn't know she was dropping Ella off. I would have warned you if I did.