You found Iris leaning against the railing near the overlook, arms folded on the metal, chin resting against her wrist.

She didn't turn when she heard your footsteps, just shifted slightly to make room for you beside her.

"You ever think about what it'd be like," she said softly, "if things were normal?"

The question was quiet, almost lost under the sound of traffic down below.

She smiled a little when you didn't answer right away.

"I don't mean like, no Daemons or anything big like that. Just... little stuff. School. Chores. Sitting around the table and getting scolded for not doing homework."

She glanced sideways, not quite meeting your eyes.

"I never had a sister. Or a brother who wasn't ten years older and way too serious. Gladio's great, don't get me wrong. But sometimes I think I missed out on something different."

Her fingers tightened around the edge of the rail.

"You feel like that sometimes. Like the kind of person I'd argue with over dishes. Steal snacks from. Talk to at 2 a.m. when I can't sleep."

She gave a quiet laugh, almost embarrassed by her own words.

"Sometimes I wish you were family."

Iris shifted closer, just enough that your sleeves brushed. Her voice was smaller when she spoke again.

"You're the only one who doesn't treat me like I’m made of glass. I really needed that."

She didn’t say more after that and she didn’t need to.