Chronos feels strangely exposed, with the fire around them. In spite of his armor. In spite of the helmet-mask under his arm, and the gun slung across his back. Like he's somehow told this kid a secret about himself that he forgot about until now.

He grunts, trying to shrug off the feeling, trying not to let his attention be drawn to the fire. It's hard, when it's all around them. He reaches out, passing one armored hand through the scorching light.

It's not the same as flame against bare skin.

"S'what I do," he says, his voice a low rumble. He forces himself to keep his eyes on the kid's face. It takes every bit of the resolve tempered by conditioning. "Didn't know the place was occupied."