[ that much is true. athena huffs out a soft laugh at minato's comment. there really are things you only realise when it's gone. maybe that's why it hurts her so much. it makes her fidget a bit as they walk, but eventually she puts both her hands behind her back just so he doesn't have to see how awkward she's being. ]

You don't just tell someone you love them for no reason. You think they're the one... Your soulmate. As if you were made for each other. [ it's what she meant by her destiny just then too. so that answers that. ] Merlin went home, but he'll be back. I'm not worried that I won't see him again.

[ when she says it, there isn't a hint of sadness. she really means what she says. and there's a pause before she continues with: ]

I-- I want to hold on to the idea that I'm here for him. That he's here for me. But we all have to go back home eventually, don't we? [ of course she has no idea what it'd be like for minato once all of this is over. she doesn't mean to hit a sore spot. ] I don't want to go home.