Dallon massaged Brendon's scalp as the darker haired boy snored against his side. They had already carefully planned out their next collaborative piece. The next phase was simply organizing the finer details. For now, however, they could rest.

Dallon looked down at Brendon. The artist was such a good actor, but he was master criminal. At first, he didn't even participate in the killings; he just helped lure and manipulate victims.

Victims. Where they really victims? Dallon and Brendon tried to keep their subjects limited to those who hurt others. Abusers, those who so easily spewed out hateful words, or anyone who they could catch in the act...

Dallon shut his eyes as another memory came up from his thoughts.

Josh was nervously holding onto Dallon's hand. He bit his lip as his thumb slid over the back of Dallon's hand.

"I want to take a break before we start college." Dallon was saying, not fully registering Josh's nerves. "Maybe we could travel! I'd love to see some new places."

"Dallon..." Josh avoided looking when Dallon to face him, "We can't..."

Dallon tilted his head with curiosity. "Why not? I can ask for some travel money as long as I agree to go to school after."

Josh shook his head. He looked nervous. "You can, Dallon, just... just not with me."

Dallon blinked at Josh. "What do you mean?.."

Josh's free hand grabbed hold of his arm. He still refused to look at Dallon as he spoke. "I... I'm moving away for college."

Dallon looked at where Josh was holding his arm. It was just under the elbow, but covered by a long sleeve shirt under his hand. "What happened?" Dallon asked, noticing Josh stiffen with the question. "Josh, please, if something happened-"

"Don't, Dallon!" Josh yelled, pulling his hand out of Dallon's and rising quickly to his feet. He looked at the ground, but Dallon could see tears weilding in his eyes. "I was tol-Dallon, I can't..." He shoved his palm against his eye to wipe at his growing tears.

Dallon stood up, unsure of what to do. He reached out for Josh's hand, but the other boy slapped his hand away.

"I liked you, Dallon, but your dad's friends made a point. I'm sorry..." With that, Josh hurried away from Dallon, leaving him speechless.

His dad's friends? How did they even discover Josh and Dallon?.. What had they done to Josh?

Brendon rolled over in his sleep, pulling Dallon out of the memory. Brendon mumbled something incoherent before letting out a soft snore. Dallon smiled at the sleeping man.

"Babe." Dallon whispered, trying to wake Brendon. "Brendon, you only turn when you're dreaming."

"I'm not..." Brendon spoke with a breath of air.

"It's morning anyway, babe." A smile tugged at Dallon's lips as he tapped Brendon's cheek, "We need to begin setting things into motion."

Brendon tiredly opened his eyes. His coffee brown eyes looked like they could use a shot of caffeine as they slowly trailed their way to Dallon's eyes. "So soon?.. Even just a bit longer of being with you would be enough..."

Dallon pushed some loose strands of hair away from Brendon's face. "We'll have time after. I'm not leaving again."

Brendon yawned. He then scooted closer to Dallon, maintaining eye contact with the taller man. "What details are you hiding behind those eyes as deep as the ocean?" Brendon asked, tiredly.

Dallon let a small burst of air out of his nose. He leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to Brendon's nose. "The detail of what comes next, babe." He replied, "It's about time you met my friend."

---

"I actually get to meet him?" Breezy asked with excitement bubbling out of her voice, "I've moved up in the world!"

Dallon smiled at Breezy, "Yea, I really think he's the one, Breeze. I want your honest opinion."

The two were, in fact, walking along the dimly lit street on the way to Brendon's studio. Dallon did intend for Breezy to meet Brendon, but not fully in the way she expected.

Breezy awed softly, reaching her arms out to him for a hug. "Aw, Dally, look at you. I feel like a proud mom."

Dallon hugged her back with a laugh, "Just don't embarrass me like one, alright?"

"No promises." She winked as she pulled away from the hug. She giggled as she looked around the street. "So, which one's his?" She asked, "They all look so similar."

"Just ahead." Dallon responded, nodding to a door just a few feet away. Breezy quickened her pace to get to the door faster, but Dallon reached out to grab her arm. "Wait! Just let me make sure he's ready?" Dallon asked, sheepishly.

Breezy haulted and nodded. "Of course! I'll just text Sara while I wait for you."

Dallon smiled at her before hurrying to the gate of Brendon's yard. He slipped quickly inside and shut the door with a sigh of relief.

"Is she here?" Brendon asked, peaking from around a canvas he was working on.

"Just outside." Dallon said with a nod. He walked briskly over to Brendon, wiping a spot of red off of the darker haired man's forehead with his thumb. "Are you ready?"

"Always." Brendon grinned, setting his art supplies down on a small table beside his canvas. Before Brendon could move towards the door, however, Dallon grabbed hold of his wrist.

"No harm is to come to her, understand?" Dallon stated, glaring at Brendon.

Brendon nodded, "Breezy isn't the target. She is simply part of the plan to hit the target." He said, softening Dallon's expression with his words. "I've got it covered." With that, he hurried over to the door and pulled it open.

That suave grin spread over his lips and an excitement filled his eyes as he gasped. "Oh lord, Dallon didn't say he was bringing a living piece of art with him! You must be the Breezy I hear so much about." He extended his hand to her. When she placed her hand on his, he quickly brought it up to his lips.

Breezy giggled, covering her mouth with her other hand. She smiled when she pulled it away, "You must be Brendon. Dallon's told me so much about you."

"He is sweet like that, isn't he?" Brendon turned to Dallon with an affectionate smile and a quick wink before looking back at Breezy. "Did he tell you about how he modeled for me?"

"No way!"

"Yes, come and I'll show you!" Brendon laughed. He still held Breezy's hand as he moved towards his studio building. He spoke rapidly to Breezy, who nodded in attempts to keep up.

Dallon smiled as he went to shut the gate leading into the small grassy patch of Brendon's space. He may not do it as often anymore, but Brendon could get a mind working in his favor if he really wanted to. If Breezy wasn't already under his influence, she'd be halfway there.

Dallon made his way over to the studio. He leaned against the doorway, watching Brendon work his magic.

The artist had Breezy observing his paintings of a star scattered landscape as he rushed words to her. "-The night is a time of calm and a time of slumber. Are you getting tired? Because, you should begin to feel tired as you begin to listen to me-like the night sky after hours of daylight-is that a yawn?"

As if on queue, Breezy yawned, followed by slowed blinks. Brendon grinned as he moved around her, continuing to talk. At one point, he stood behind her to whisper in her ear. While doing that, he gave Dallon signal to move closer.

Dallon stepped forward as Brendon stood in front of Breezy, who barely held her eyes open.

"You're just drifting through the night sky." Brendon told her in a soft voice, "As you drift, the more you'll feel like you're falling, but someone will catch you. Once you feel that you've floated far enough into the night sky and into my words, I want you to drop and sleep, understand? A beautiful mixture of blues and purples are almost within reach, but not until you let yourself fall..."

Breezy seemed to nod slightly before she went limp. Dallon quickly caught her in his arms before she could fall to the floor. Her head rolled to the side and her eyes were fully closed. Dallon carried her over to the couch Brendon had stashed by his spare supplies.

"What's next?" The darker haired man asked, walking over himself.

Dallon turned to him. "First." He bent down to kiss Brendon, who eagerly grabbed hold of Dallon's shirt. This sort of thing was something that always made Brendon eager for Dallon, which made it all the more stressful for the artist to carry things out on his own. Dallon knew that a simple tease now would allow near flawless results for the next phase of the plan. He bit Brendon's lip as he pulled back, only releasing it when Brendon whined softly.

"Get the next stage set." Dallon told Brendon as he swiped some of the darker haired man's hair out of his face, "Then we can have some fun."

Brendon's eyes lit up with excitement. "Done."