Basil was glad Lissington acquiesced to drinking with him; it would have been lonely and a little sad to continue doing as much on his own but to admit that he needed the assistance of liquor to face Lissing didn’t sit right either. Still, as the other man’s fingertips brushed against his own, Basil couldn’t help but look down dumbly at them as the feeling of little sparks flared where their skin came into contact. For a moment, Basil remembered that feeling in the maze… The feeling of warmth and fullness that had encompassed him when Lissing had launched forward. It had vanished so quickly, leaving him wanting, that Basil had almost been able to convince himself it hadn’t happened in the moment. But at night, when that sneaking sensation came back to haunt his dreams, he was less able to set it aside. Today, as Lissing agreed that he was glad to have stayed and Basil’s gaze fell upon the funny little box chosing to deflect, Basil wondered what it would be like to feel that again… and this time in full. The explanation of the box was enough to distract him, momentarily, and Basil scrunched his brows together almost comically. A curious, inquisitive part of him wanted to prompt Lissing to let him help with the puzzle; Basil loved solving complex problems but the notion of it actually being a dark object and full of curses set him off it. He wasn’t sure how safe something like that could be in a proper home either, but he kept his opinions to himself. Lissing knew better than he anyways, and if the red-head was willing to admit that the box wasn’t dangerous, then Basil was willing to believe him. “N-no, don’t apologize,” he replied, quietly. “I’m… just glad you felt comfortable bringing it here with you.” He tried to offer a small smile. Basil knew mentioning Lissing’s family was hard enough, but to actually bring something special to him here (regardless of danger) well it said something. Basil didn’t know what, but, something.
Leaning into the other’s shoulder bump a touch, Basil looked about the rather large room. The fireplace was lit, despite the disgustingly warm temperatures out, but as it was one of the sole sources of lighting at this hour the house elf had enchanted it to keep cool. The blanket was also likely unnecessary in retrospect, but Basil glanced at it anyhow. He raised the glass in his hand a touch. “Well, er— cheers!” He offered with a small shrug before taking a sip.
The fire whiskey burnt on its way down but Basil welcomed the now familiar sensation on his slightly dulled senses. He reluctantly moved away from Lissington and sat carefully on the bed, hoping the other would either follow or chose a spot that was less uncomfortable than simply standing about not willing to touch anything. Basil knew it was because of Atticus that Lissing felt so stiff and unwelcome, and he hated it. A small frown touched the corners of the brunette’s lips and he cleared his throat. “You can sit,” he said gently. “Merlin knows you’ll need to sleep somehow and I promise the bed is more comfortable than the floor."