Edmund understood what Francis meant when he said he preferred to ask permission than apologize.  He nodded solemnly, and when his head buried in his shoulder, Edmund brushed through his hair like had been done to him.

"Me too," he agreed.  "We can't today - or right now, at least, but later.  Soon.  I'll hug you just like this for hours, I promise."

He meant it, too.  Now that he had this, and knew how good it was, Edmund doesn't know how he lasted so long without it.