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Kaos didn’t hesitate. “Redemption.”

That earned a breath from her, soft and full of weight. “Your turn,” she prompted.

“Question two,” he said, numbering the way she had. “What do you fear more—being seen or being ignored?”

“Seen,” she answered, then laughed like she hated how true it was. “Damn. That came out fast. Number three,” she said, regaining control. “If you could destroy one memory, would you?”

“No. Pain is proof.”

A pause. Then a splash. “God, that’s hot.”

“Question four,” he said. “Why do you touch everything like you’re trying to save it?”

“Because I learned very young that my touch has power, so I touch everything. Question five,” she hurried. “Why is your destiny pain and destruction?”

Kaos’s jaw tightened. He stared straight ahead. “Because it's why I was born. Question six. Tell me of a time when you used this touching power.”

She paused, just long enough to make him wonder if she’d answer. “There was a boy in the orphanage—George. He fought a lot. Was angry all the time. Everyone avoided him like he was contagious.” Her tone softened, shaded in memory. “One night, he got punished for fighting again. They locked him in thefurnace room—no blankets, no light. Poor thing was crying like he was next door to purgatory. So... I sat with him. And hummed to him until he stopped crying and felt better.”

Kaos angled his head toward the door, his Rage uncoiling, his Lust quiet. “That's not touching.”

Water splashed softly behind the door. “It most certainly was,” she countered. “My hands have power. But my power doesn’t need hands.” She wrapped the words in happy wonder. “Question seven. Wait… is it seven?”

He smiled. “Yes.”

“Tell me then…whydo you keep pain for proof? Who are you proving it to?”

Her delicate, demanding voice slipped right past the prison doors inside him. “I keep it for me. To remind myself of my destiny.”

He pushed his power closer to her, pausing right before the tub.

“That’s... kind of beautiful. And sad,” she added in a small voice that floated out with the steam. The water splashed around. “Okay, number eight. Who would you kill slowly, if there were no rules?”

Kaos chuckled lightly at how she’d stolen his turn without blinking. “Whoever made you think you had to shrink,” he said, voice low, final.

That silenced her. Utterly.

Water dripped. Breathing slowed.

“Nine,” he said. “What would break you completely, right now?” Kaos again glanced at the door when she didn't answer.

“If... you didn't see me.”

Kaos closed his eyes, feeling his pulse answer in ways language couldn’t.

“Ten," she whispered. “What are you ashamed of?”

“That I would forsake divine purpose just to be hers.”

Her gasp was sharp.

“Eleven,” he growled. “What are you doing to me?”

The silence burned through his every breath as he waited. “I’m… waking you up.”

They both breathed through the stormy confessions.

“Twelve,” she dared softly. “Would you come in here if I asked?”