Venus bit her lip, fists clenched by her sides. She didn't know how to comfort someone like Ryuzen — someone who had gone through so much, yet still stood strong.
"I... I didn't know, Ryu," she whispered, stepping closer. "I always thought you were just some cheerful idiot who joked around to lighten the mood. I never imagined you were carrying something like that."
She sat down beside him, the red glow of the setting sun washing over them both.
"You're wrong about one thing, though." Her voice was quiet but firm. "You say you'll never feel family again... but maybe you just haven't looked hard enough. Sometimes, family isn't what you're born into. It's what you build."
Ryuzen looked at her slowly, his golden eyes unreadable.
Venus turned her face away, flustered. "I'm not saying I'm your family or anything! Idiot..." she mumbled. "But... if you ever feel alone, just remember you're not. I'm here. We're all here now."
