Xavier tensed—he wanted to protect Hera, to keep Alexandre at a distance—but if Hera had already made a choice, he wouldn't contradict her. He knew her well enough by now: Hera was kind, sometimes too kind, and all of them had gotten close to her by tugging on that soft spot in her heart.
Athena, watching the scene unfold, arched a brow and smirked. Hera, catching her best friend's knowing look, immediately avoided her gaze. She could practically hear Athena's teasing words forming already and wasn't ready to face them just yet.
