Dan's aware he's objectively attractive, has had it commented on many times.

He's feeling it now, which is strange. His nerves ease off, and just because he's now allowed, he leans in kisses Marcus briefly. It's going to go well, he realizes, because they want it to go well, and because they've really done all the most nerve-wracking things already.

"I'm almost ready," he says, "so come in, sit down for a minute. I think any lingering spirits have taken off out of fear I'm going to talk to them, for once." Everything seems different with Marcus near, like flipping a light switch and driving the shadows out.