It happens so quickly and in ways Marcus will never understand, but he's suddenly pulled from his own body somehow. At least, that's the closest he'll ever get to describing it. The pain fades, the exhaustion dissipates, and for a moment, wrapped in Dan's arms, he feels as strong and certain as he ever has before. The marks on his hands and wrists have healed and when he hugs Dan tight, his back doesn't protest the movement.

"I love you," he whispers and his voice doesn't crack, it isn't raw or broken. He sounds like himself. Maybe it's that this is how Dan will always see him or maybe it's that he wants to be this man for Dan, but whatever the reason, he's going to take it.

"I know its name," he says, but even here, no matter how good and safe a memory, he can't say it. His lips part as if to speaks, but the pain in his back flares and the word won't form. "I can't. It won't let me speak it."