You've never done anything to hurt me. Though you do have a continual habit of making my life more complicated, Athena Cykes. [Despite his apparent exasperation, though, he's not drawing away. Just the opposite -- he leans in closer, his voice growing quieter.]

But... That's not such a terrible thing. It has always been my own choice.

[He trails off, steel grey eyes less guarded than usual, and perhaps even a little curious, as he studies Athena. How she interprets that, he leaves entirely to her.]