Patrick surrounded himself with flames. He brought them so close that they playfully licked his suit. He was shaping a message within its dancing colors, but he was also attempting to keep spectors away.

"Distrust. Questions." Patrick whispered as he shaped the flames between his hands. "Watch. Distance. Fear."

The flames repeated his words in hushed, overlapping tones. They found it fun to repeat. It was what Patrick counted on.

"There's a very specific place you need to repeat that." Patrick said, smiling at the flames around him. "Can you do that for me?"

The flames eagerly responded. Their brightness burned, drawing closer to him.

He laughed, trailing his hand along it. "Don't burn yourself to ashes." He cooed, "Save your whispers for the target."

He continued to speak to the flames softly until they died down around him. Soon, all that was left was a small flame that zipped around him. It jumped into the air, drifting until it landed on Patrick's shoulder. His yellow eyes gleamed with accomplishment.

"Patrick?"

Patrick froze. He was already back to haunt him.

"Patrick, did I do good? I did what you said."

Patrick turned around to face the figure he had been trying to block with his flames. Pete's see through figure was floating there. The residual signs of the spell still drifted around his transparent eyes.

"Patrick?"

"Y-yes, Pete." Patrick turned away from the spirit. "You can move on."

The air shifted around Patrick. Pete floated in front of him with a tilted head. "I don't want to, Patrick."

"Well, you need to." Patrick snapped, looking down at the ground. "You're dead."

"So were you."

Patrick shut his eyes tightly. "I was never alive to begin with." He said, near whisper. The flame on his shoulder chirped softly and nuzzled against his neck. He cupped it in his hand and opened his eyes.

The spirit was gone.

It wouldn't be the last time it showed up, however. Patrick knew from experience.

---

Kenny sat in the living room in front of the fireplace with a cup of tea. Somehow, he and Dallon had traded places on who could sleep and who was wide awake. Kenny didn't mind, though. Sleep had to be a sign that Dallon was getting better, right?

Kenny sipped his tea, attempting to keep warm in the chilled house. Dallon was still in the bed, out like a light. Kenny had been so tired earlier in the day, but he felt wide awake now. He felt bad for being so out of it during Breezy's visit. Maybe putting everything he had into caring for Dallon was catching up to him.

Kenny set his drink on the table beside the couch and rubbed his arms. The room was so chilly. He would have loved to crawl back into bed under the warmth of the covers, but he was afraid to wake Dallon.

Instead, Kenny wrapped himself in the thin blanket that was usually drapped over the back of the couch. He snagged into the corner of the couch, letting his eyelids hang heavy. He was slightly warmer, but the chill now bit at his exposed nose. He hid his face in his hands in an attempt to avoid it.

He jumped at a wooshing sound seemed to swallow him. He pulled his head up and looked around the room. In the fireplace, flames had sprouted on the stacked logs.

Kenny looked from side to side. "Dallon?" He called out. He hadn't heard his boyfriend move around the room; he thought Dallon was still sleeping.

He turned back to the fire, questioning if he had started it. He couldn't have, though, he hadn't moved from where he sat.

"Hello?" Kenny called out, scooting as far as he could into the couch. "Who set the fire?"

Silence filled the air. Of course there was no answer. Dallon was asleep and Kenny was the only other person in the house. He relaxed slightly, letting his legs dangle over the side of the couch. He should put out the fire and just join Dallon in bed. It would be warmer with him. Maybe he wouldn't wake up if Kenny slipped ann arm around him.

Kenny pushed himself up from the couch and walked across the room. There was a bottled water just beside the fireplace which he picked up in order to douce the flames. He hummed as he unscrewed the thin lid and turned to the fire.

Sitting just in front of the fireplace with only a thin metal gate that kept the flames at bay was such a warm spot. Kenny just appreciated the heat for a moment. It engulfed him like a blanket, bringing out a soft sigh.

Jump in

Kenny gasped at the whisper he heard. It sounded as if it came from just beside his ear. When he turned, however, there was no one there.

"H-hello?" He called out, feeling his chest tighten. Was he alone? "Is someone there?"

Just us

Pay attention

Messages for you

Kenny's attention snapped back to the fire. Its glow seemed to have intensified since he had looked away. His eyes darted over its ever changing shapes as more whispers floated around him.

Is Dallon there?

Where was
he for you?

Where did he
go?

Can you believe?..

Kenny kept staring at the fire. Where those words coming from it? That shouldn't have been possible yet...

Trust the voices

Nagging nagging
nagging

They can't all
be wrong...

Kenny shut his eyes. His head was throbbing. He dropped the water bottle in his hand and held the side of his head. The whispers became more heated. Kenny could feel smoke encircling him as his brain pounded against his skull. Everything was getting louder.

And louder.

And louder.

"Ken?"

A hand was gently placed on Kenny's shoulder, and everything seemed to stop. The pounding faded. The whispers died. The smoke cleared.

Kenny tiredly opened his eyes.

He was sitting in front of the empty fireplace. Light shone through the windows and Dallon was by his side with a worried look. "Kenny? Are you okay?"

Kenny turned to him with a tired blink. "What are you doing up?" He asked.

Dallon frowned. "Kenny, it's nine am. What are you doing in front of the fireplace?"

Kenny shook his head. "It's late. I couldn't sleep and..." He turned back to the empty fireplace. It didn't look like a fire had been made in days. He turned to the windows, which were letting in fresh sunlight. "But... Where did the time go?.."

"Did you fall asleep sitting up?" Dallon asked, standing up. He offered a hand and helped Kenny to his feet.

"No..." Kenny shook his head, looking down at the fireplace. "No, it-it lit! There was..." He looked towards the water bottle they kept beside the fireplace.

Not a single drop had been spilt.

Without warning, Kenny burst into tears. Dallon nearly jumped back from the outburst.

"What's happening?" He asked through sobs as he sunk back to the ground. He held the sides of his head as tears continued go flow. "What's happening?"

Dallon crouched beside him and held him tightly. He let Kenny cry into his shoulder until it seemed he had used all the energy he had left. Dallon continued to hold Kenny during the silence.

He wished he knew what was happening. Not just to him, but now his boyfriend. He could only wish...