Dan's done enough of his own research by now that he doesn't need to ask how important that is, and when he understands, really understands what he can do here, he clutches Marcus even more tightly. "It's attached to your body," he says softly. "Right? Right now, it only has your body. I don't think I could have done this otherwise."

He cups Marcus's jaw with one hand, and kisses him, stroking the pad of his thumb along the strong line there.

"I need you to trust me," he whispers. "I can do it. I can make it so you can speak, but it will be hard, for me to do and for you to see. I can give you an hour, maybe longer. I promise it's not a trade with the demon. I'm pretty sure I can do it, but I will need you to rescue me again." He can't help the smile, bittersweet even if the sweet is much greater. "This isn't self-sacrifice, either, by the way. Just-- just believe in me, like I believe in you. You're going to finish it, I know it."

Pressing their foreheads together, he exhales slowly. "Okay?"