You shouldn't have had to. Say anything, I mean. To feel like your feelings mattered.

[ If it had been him and Minato, and them entering a relationship - as odd as that feels to even think about - had any chance of hurting Ken, they wouldn't have done it. Simple as that. They wouldn't have been miserable about it either. They knew what was more important. Looking at Ruka now, even just imagining her, young and hurt and vulnerable, makes him wonder how anyone could possibly look at her and not feel the same. ]

They matter. [ They mattered then, too, even if nobody seemed to think that way, even if Ruka herself doesn't seem to think that way. ]

You were all in a crappy position, [ he does admit, though, relenting. ] This place has those in spades. Especially when all anyone ever seems to want is to have someone else.

[ He frowns down at the paper, all of those scribbled out faces, that single image of Ruka left behind. He takes the sketchbook, grabs a pen and doodles a face beside her, a crude little grin on the head's face, floppy hair, and beetle horns sticking out behind him.

At least Ruka's got someone now. ]