"I'm… I'm fine," Athena said quickly, wiping at her eyes, though her smile remained. "It's just… you're… I don't know. I love that you… you feel that way about them. And you even shared it with me."
Azrael's eyes softened, and he reached across the table again to take her hand in his, his thumb brushing over the back of her fingers gently.
"Athena…" he murmured, voice low, tender, "I like them because they're my family, my brothers. But you… you're mine. And I don't want you to ever forget that."
Athena's chest tightened further, and she rested her free hand lightly on his, squeezing it. "I know," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
He leaned closer, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "And I like that you listen… even when I joke or tease," he added softly, his eyes locking on hers.
"Always," she said with a shy smile, leaning just a little closer.
