Author's note: Prompt by Tierry Leoine.

People lie. Whether human or vampire or otherwise, they all lie. Lie with words, lie with actions, lie with smiles, lie with scowls.

Loz doesn’t trust them.

He’s not as clever as his brothers, lacks the elegance and subtlety that make them thrive in House politics. He’s strong and fast and he’s trained himself to be a good fighter, and it’s not enough.

There is a gleam of pride in Jenova’s eyes when she looks at his brothers, a gleam that goes out as her gaze shifts to Loz. There is still love there, but also a tiny bit of disappointment.

People lie, but not with their eyes.

Sometimes, Loz wishes he could make his mother proud. That she would approve of him.

Other times, as he walks through Midgar’s darkened streets, he’ll see a warm smile and blue eyes gleaming with pride and he’ll be content, knowing that he’s already all he will ever need to be.