Basil was surprised by the small noise that escaped Lissington’s throat as he pulled away. If that was not a clear indication for physical consolation, Basil didn’t know what was. He happily resettled his hand on the other’s knee and watched, carefully, as the redhead shifted. Grey eyes narrowed at the comments that followed. “The past is not all you have left,” he stated firmly. Even as Lissing pushed the teacup aside and let it float towards the window, Basil watched the small motion skeptically. He knew the grief was going to take some time to overcome. He knew that it was going to be difficult to convince Lissington that he had anything else to live for if he felt like this, but he did. At the very least, he had to find something… for, for Basil. The brunette frowned at his own selfish thoughts. He did need Gus though, more than the redhead knew and more than he was able to admit in that moment.
It would seem something in his expression may have given his thoughts away however because the next thing Basil knew, Lissington was standing and hugging him. Instantly the brunette felt guilt knot in his stomach; he was supposed to be comforting Lissington, not the other way around. Even still, Basil wrapped his arms tightly around the redhead and held on for dear life. The least he could do was prove to Gus that he mattered here and now. And that Basil was grateful for him, always. Nose buried in the slightly taller man’s robes, Basil could hear his own heartbeat in his ears. He could feel Gus’ in his chest, from where they were pressed close. It was a quiet moment, one he would etch into his memory for some time to come. It felt like… coming home after a particularly bad experience out in the unfriendly world. It felt safe, and comfortable, and necessary for life - to hold Gus like this. How was it that something so simple, so right could be so… dangerously terrible? Basil tucked his face further into the other’s robes and pushed the thoughts aside.
Gus’ voice was quiet in his ear and for a moment, Basil’s heart skipped a beat. For a moment his traitorous brain interpreted that statement entirely differently than it was likely meant. Lissington certainly meant friends, not friends… didn’t he? Basil sucked in a breath, waiting to find out. He wasn’t sure in those few, heavy seconds, he could have denied the other anything.
Lissington stepped away from him and entwined their fingers making Basil’s heart skip another beat. He could feel his internal organs as if they were on fire under his skin. When Gus tugged him to the ground, Basil complied without a second thought. His brain was stalled, waiting, hoping. The other settled his head into Basil’s shoulder and the brunette… just sat there, non-responsive. It wasn’t until Gus’ voice broke the silence again that he seemed to snap back to reality. Tilting his head, Basil pressed his cheek against the top of Lissington’s. He nodded vaguely, heart hammering away in his chest. “I’d like to be there,” he replied gently. Then, thinking better of Lissington’s original question, he sighed.
“I think I’d like that,” he said. “Being… friends, again.” If there was an emphasis or implication on the word ‘friends’ Basil ignored it, despite his heart picking up the pace. “It’s hard for life to come into focus when we’re not…” he grappled for the right word. “In one another’s orbit,” he finally decided. There was another beat of hesitation and then: “It was terrible when you left, Gus… I don’t think I ate or slept for two weeks. Mother about died, and I went to a few clinics but… I don’t want you to ever have to go through that. Not with your father and certainly not with me.” He lifted the hand that was entwined with Gus’ and looked at it for a moment. Pale skin with freckles, on pale skin without. There was nothing particularly poetic about it, but it was finally comfortable. He raised their joint hands to his lips and gave the redhead’s knuckle a small kiss. “I promise I’ll be here to support you through it. You just have to let me.”
He didn't know, ultimately, what he was really saying or what he wanted. He just knew... in that moment, this was the right sentiment to convey. The one he wanted, all else be damned.