The storm began to roll in around one am. Rain pelted the roof in a relentless drone. Lightning flashed through the thick, high windows of the gym, as well as, cracks in the boarded windows that lined the hallways. When thunder made it's entrance, everything seemed to shake.

Someone has tried to put music on a portable stereo, but it was drowned out by the combined noises of the storm.

The group had gathered in the middle of the gym. Lanterns surrounded them, like some sort of rather unimpressive summoning circle. Patrick sat up, watching the windows while Pete laid on the ground, playing with his fingers. Josh sat behind Tyler, wrapped in a blanket and hugging him tightly with giggles.

Brendon sat on the ground with Dallon's head in his lap. The gummi bears had kicked in awhile ago. Dallon didn't even seem to mind the sound of the storm outside. He seemed dazed and spaced out. All he seemed to want to do was be close to Brendon, which Brendon didn't mind at all. If it would make Dallon feel better, he was happy to do it.

"How bad do you think this one will be?" Pete called out, his voice echoing around the wide space. "I don't remember what category they put it in."

"They floated a few numbers, but I never heard a definite." Tyler replied. He popped open a can of something and held it out. Patrick took it with a signed 'thank you' before passing it to Pete. "Sounds pretty rough, though."

Dallon tugged at Brendon's shirt. Brendon looked down, meeting Dallon's wide eyes. "What?" He laughed, brushing a finger along Dallon's hairline.

"Does it sound that bad?" He asked. The grip on Brendon's shirt tightened with the question.

"You're fine, babe." Brendon promised, "It's okay."

Dallon nodded. "Okay." The grip loosened. He turned his head to the side and yawned.

"Let me get the pillow and blanket." Brendon laughed again. He gently guided Dallon into a sitting up position before climbing up and hurrying over to the duffle bags that remained by the bleachers. He grabbed their handles, hoisting them over each shoulder, and turned back to the group. He started walking back when he saw something out of the corner of his eye.

In the hallway that connected to the gym, there seemed to be a dark silhouette against the shadows. Brendon squinted at the figure. Everyone in the group was in the middle of the gym; who the hell was that? He tried to step forward, but froze with another clap of thunder. He blinked and the silhouette was gone.

He continued to stare at the empty space, unsure of what he had seen. There was no one else in the building, right?

After a moment of staring into the darkness, he shook his head and made his way back to the group. He sat down beside Dallon and dropped the bags at his sides. Dallon swayed from side to side while Brendon pulled out the blanket and pillows.

Dallon giggled as Brendon wrapped the blanket around his shoulders. "I love you." He continued to giggle, leaning forward to kiss Brendon's cheek.

Brendon turned his head to catch Dallon's lips on his. "I love you too." He smiled, "Now lay down, doofus."

"You're a doofus." Dallon laughed. He tightened the blanket around him and stuck out his tongue. However, he did lower himself to the floor, snuggling up to the pillows Brendon had placed down for him.

Brendon sat next to him. He focused down on Dallon as he began to doze off at first, but his gaze drifted towards the hallway. He was sure he had seen something in the dark. Had someone else snuck into the building seeking shelter from the storm that rated outside?

"Patrick's right." Pete pipped up from where he sat, "When this place was packed with people, it was almost like the storm didn't exist. It's way different with this place so empty."

Patrick nodded, signing something that Brendon couldn't pick up on. His face was too far from the light for Brendon to attempt to read his lips.

"Maybe if we weren't all so quiet." Tyler shrugged, "We could try the music again."

Patrick's face scrunched in response.

"We could try shooting some hoops." Pete suggested, "What did you and Josh do with the ball you had earlier?"

"WAIT!" Josh threw his arms in the air. "I forgot, oh my goodness, Tyler, laptop has movies."

"You've had a laptop this entire time and you haven't put anything on?" Brendon questioned as Josh began to crawl across the gym back to the bleachers.

Tyler shrugged. "I forgot."

"What movies?" Pete asked. He and Patrick scooted closer.

"No internet." Patrick signed. Brendon caught the word "horror" in the next sentence, but he missed the majority of it.

"He probably has a marvel movie or two." Tyler shrugged.

"Sold." Pete sat next to Tyler, holding his can out in a cheers style motion before taking a sip.

Patrick turned to Brendon, motioning towards Dallon. "He okay?"

"For now." Brendon smiled with a nod. He wished he knew how to fully communicate it without turning to the others, but Patrick seemed to understand.

Josh came hurrying back to the group, dragging a backpack behind him. "It has battery for a whole movie plus! What do you guys want?"

While the others peered into Josh's backpack, Brendon turned back to Dallon. He stared off into the distance with a small frown on his face. Brendon lowered himself to lay beside him. "Hey."

Dallon shifted his gaze to Brendon's face. "Hey."

"You still good?" Brendon asked.

Dallon took a moment to respond. "I'm thinking about it..."

Brendon reached out, placing his hand on Dallon's cheek. He could see Dallon's lip quivering just slightly as he rubbed his thumb back and forth. "I'm sorry. It was so long ago, Dallon, we're safe-"

"You won't die like her, will you?" Dallon's eyes snapped open with the question. He looked directly into Brendon's eyes. He still looked high, but there was dead seriousness in his gaze and words.

Brendon gulped. Dallon usually never talked so specifically about what happened, even in a question like this. Dallon hated bringing it up. Sure, he would watch out for Brendon during his antics and any situation like this he would put them in but, because of his trauma with storms like these, he was the one who needed care and distraction. Usually a simple check of "are you okay" sufficed. He had never asked a loaded question like that before.

"Dallon, we are safe from the storm." Brendon finally said, trying to hide his surprise from the question.

"That's what she had said too." He mumbled, shutting his eyes.

"Babe..." Brendon trailed off, unsure what to say. Dallon had to be hurting from his memories, but they had never tried to face the trauma head on together. Dallon's therapy had stopped years ago and he had just stopped talking about it. "I'm here, okay?"

There was no response. Brendon pulled his hand away from Dallon's face, noting how Dallon's expression had somewhat relaxed. He had fallen asleep with that question on his mind.

"Fuck..." Brendon sighed. He hoped Dallon wouldn't remember that. He hoped it wouldn't affect his dreams either.

He sat up, stretching with a yawn. It was late, but he felt wide awake. The storm still howled outside, attacking the building with all its might.

The others in the group were gathered around the laptop. Brendon could hear Marvel intro music playing on its speakers, though just barely from where he sat a short distance away. They had entertainment covered for the next few hours.

Knowing that, Brendon found his gaze drifting back to the hallway where he had seen the figure. Could someone else be here? He kind of needed to pee anyway... It would be a good enough excuse to go look around...

He turned to Dallon. His boyfriend slept soundly now. His mouth hung open just slightly to allow for the escape of his soft, even breaths. He leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Be right back." He whispered.

Brendon pushed himself to his feet. He walked to the edge of their lantern circle, grabbing the handle of one as he went. He announced his departure, though the others were fairly distracted, and continued towards the hall.