"Do we have to have company over?" Dallon asked as Kenny tiredly went back and forth from the fridge to whatever he was cooking. "Isn't therapy enough?"

Kenny shot him a look. "You can't completely isolate yourself to just me and a therapist." He said as he turned down the temperature of the burner he was working over. "Breezy was on the phone with me yesterday when..." He paused, biting the inside of his lip. "She's worried about you too."

Dallon ran his fingers through his hair. "We could video chat or something. I just don't know..."

Kenny came over and took Dallon's hand. "Just a quick visit. One hour, tops." He flashed pleading eyes at Dallon, "You haven't really seen or talked to anyone besides me after what happened." He brought Dallon's hand up to his mouth and kissed it.

Dallon sighed. He knew his boyfriend was worried. How could he not worry after everything that happened? Even now, Dallon was constantly waking up from such realistic nightmares that Kenny had to talk him down. If he didn't care, he wouldn't still be dealing with him.

"Okay." Dallon nodded, "Only because I love you."

Kenny smiled. "Thank you, Dallon." He stepped closer to hold Dallon in a tight hug. "I'll make it up to you." He muttered through Dallon's shirt material.

"You don't have to." Dallon sighed, "I'm doing this for you and you don't owe me anything."

Kenny pulled back from Dallon with a frown. "I'll make it up to you." He repeated, looking Dallon in the eye. "I promise."

Dallon smiled at him. "You're too good for me." He leaned down to kiss Kenny, but a knock at the door sounded before their lips could connect.

"Breezy!" Kenny chirped, pulling back from Dallon to hurry towards the door. Dallon sighed, but followed. He wasn't exactly looking forward to the meeting, but maybe it would be good to see someone besides his boyfriend.

Greetings were already being exchanged at the door by the time Dallon was close enough to catch sight of their friend.

Breezy stood in the shade over their porch, smiling as she talked to Kenny. Her hair seemed darker than usual in comparison to her paler skin. She also wore long sleeves that went over her hands.

"Dallon!" She pulled Dallon from his thoughts with her warm greeting. "It's so good to see you."

"Please, come in!" Kenny gestured her inside.

Breezy hesitated, but stepped inside. She gave Kenny a quick hug before turning to Dallon.

"Let me go check on the food." Kenny said before rushing back off towards the kitchen.

Dallon smiled at Breezy as she rolled up her sleeves. "How have you been?" He asked with a shrug.

She laughed. "Me? Dallon, sweetie, who cares about me? How have you been holding up?" She rushed forward and hugged him,unintentionally making Dallon stiffen. Her skin was freezing cold where it touched his.

He got over his initial freeze and hugged her back. It was just the shock of not seeing any of his friends since what happened on top of everything else that had been happening. He wasn't used to quick movements yet.

"As fine as I can be." Dallon replied. He released his side of the hug, but Breezy's hold lingered just a few seconds longer.

When she finally pulled back, she tucked hair behind her ear. "Kenny was so worried about you." She whispered, glancing towards the kitchen. "He was losing it."

"I know." Dallon frowned, "I wish I could tell him what happened..."

Breezy cocked her head but, before she could say anything, Kenny called from the kitchen. Dallon gestured Breezy along and made his way to the kitchen.

Kenny had made stir fry. He served it in bowls along the high breakfast counter. He was rubbing his eye, but smiled when Dallon and Breezy entered. "Food is served."

"Oh, Kenny, you didn't have to." Breezy awed, "You look exhausted."

He shook his head. "I'm fine."

Dallon frowned. He hadn't noticed the tiredness in Kenny's eyes. Even behind the smile, he looked ready to pass out.

"Don't let it get cold, guys." Kenny said, claiming one of the bowls.

Everyone ate while exchanging conversation back and forth. It was casual, dancing around the real topic Dallon could tell Breezy wanted to ask about. Her eyes kept drifting over to him. He was glad to see his friend again, but he would be happy when the visit was over.

"I'm so glad you're okay, Dallon." Breezy said, resting her icy hands on top of Dallon's. "You scared everyone."

"Understatement." Kenny yawned. His eyelids dropped as he leaned against the counter.

Dallon scratched the back of his head. "I wish I could tell you what happened..."

"Like this?" Breezy asked, flipping Dallon's hand over. The symbol that had been burned onto his palm was tinted a deep shade of magenta. Dallon felt dizzy just looking at it. He turned away, catching Kenny's tired gaze.

His eyes seemed far away, as if he was already asleep with his eyes just barely open.

Dallon flipped his hand back over. "I don't know." He muttered, shutting his eyes. The dizziness was already fading with the symbol out of view. The symbol hardly ever made its way into his mind. It was like his brain wanted to avoid it.

"You really don't know who did that to you?" She whispered, tilting her head at him.

Dallon avoided her eyes. He wished he had protested more vigorously to having someone over.

"Tell me." She reached out and touched his cheek, sending shivers down his spine.

"It was nice to see you, Breezy." Dallon said, pulling away. "I think Kenny should lay down."

As if snapping out of a trance at the sound of his name, Kenny jerked up and blinked.

"I think you're right." Breezy laughed, "Both of you need to rest up." She stepped away from the counter, giving Dallon room to sigh in relief. "I'll catch you later." She shot a wink towards Dallon.

"Let me walk you to the door." Kenny offered, rubbing his eye.

"I'll do it." Dallon said before he could stop himself. He swore internally. "You go lay down."

Kenny frowned, but didn't argue. He said his goodbyes to Breezy and shuffled off towards the bedroom.

Dallon faked a smile as he walked with Breezy towards the door. Once there, they both stopped. "We'll see you later."

She nodded, smiling at him. "Yea. I'm really glad you're okay." She took Dallon's hand, squeezing down on the symbol.

Dallon cried out. Magenta flashed over his vision, coating everything. A hissing sound filled the air as Dallon's legs shook.

"Say your name!" Breezy yelled, "Let it back in!"

"No!" Dallon yelled back, pulling his hand away from her as he fell backwards. He hit the ground hard, shutting his eyes as pain shot through his body from where the mark was burned into his skin.

Cackling filled the air around him, slowly fading until there was nothing. Dallon opened his eyes to see that Breezy was gone. The front door hung open, letting in an icy breeze.

Dallon shivered, pushing himself up. "No..." He repeated to himself under his breath. He shut his eyes again as his hand began to throb. "Never again..." He whispered, though the words didn't register after he spoke them.