[ He quirks a little smile. He'd so dearly love to say It's between you and God.

But that would sidetrack them, so he says instead, quite gently: ]

It won't be my first time taking confessions. There have been some pretty brutal ones, over the years. I don't startle easy.

[ He drops to sit on one of the fallen trees ringing their clearing, kicking thin snow off his shoes. When he looks to his new friend again, there's the weight of a promise in his voice. ]

I'll hold it in confidence.