Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of sexual content and emotional abuse.

Psyche and Eros arrive back at the penthouse. Psyche is demoralized, aware that they have garnered too little support from the rest of the Thirteen. Eros promises that he will kill his mother rather than see Psyche hurt. When Psyche says that she would die to spare Eros that pain, he tells her that there is no way to spare him. He confesses that caring for her has changed him so much that he feels “human” when he spends time with her.

Eros makes them a meal, thinking of how badly he wants to create a family with Psyche. He believes that she cannot possibly feel the same and insists to himself that he must end their relationship to give her the future she truly deserves. Eros looks around the space, realizing that he is so in love with Psyche that he now sees his home entirely through their shared moments in it. Eros is tempted to distract himself with sex but realizes that their growing emotional bond deserves more honesty. He confesses, “I…want to hold you tonight” (320). Psyche promises once more that he will not have to harm his mother.