You say he's a child, but this Ven is a year older than the Ven you knew. It may not seem like much in comparison, but just as you said, this world is dangerous. And from what I hear they've had their share of dangerous situations to grow and mature from.

Though I agree that he shouldn't have been so careless with his private life, I also believe that this girlfriend has really given him someone to be responsible for other than himself. Protecting her has matured him more than you might realize, sir.