Rage filled his mind and body as he looked to Roxas. Ven picked up the freshly materialized sledgehammer, pointing it at the other as he heard himself say “You really should have stayed loyal, Roxas.”

Said boy didn’t have a comeback, he was merely looking for a way out of the school’s bathroom. Much to his dismay however, Ventus blocked the only exit. He’d locked it too of course. Wouldn’t want anyone to interrupt them.

He brought the hammer back down to his side. Roxas wasn’t moving. He wasn’t speaking. It was irritating. They were supposed to be friends. And yet, he sold him out and abandoned him. Just like that. It hurt. Immensely. What he was doing might’ve been wrong, and maybe he deserved to get sold out, to be stopped, but to be abandoned too? He wouldn’t forgive that. Not after he was sworn loyalty from the boy.

“I’m surprised. I actually don’t have a song to sing for you. Maybe I’m just too distressed.” Distressed? Correct. Tears did sting at his eyes. Why should he ever be surprised though. Humans were pathetic. They were fickle. No one should ever trust them. That’s where he went wrong. But this was perfect. Now he wouldn’t have to be nerfed by idiotic relationships. His closest friend sold him out.

He had to pay. Ven didn’t want him to, he’d much rather go back to being friends, but the way Roxas glared at him, he could tell that was a pipe dream. No matter, he’d be finished with this quickly.

Much faster than anyone should move, Ventus closed the distance between himself and his old friend. Roxas flinched back, but the blond already brought the sledgehammer up and over his head. Without a moment’s notice, he lowered down on Roxas’ head. The boy dodged, though just barely. Lucky him. That just brought about a retry. Ventus grunted as he swung again and again, throwing all his weight into each attack. It spun him around a bit, but the moment Roxas gained the upper hand to escape, Ventus put to use some of his other abilities. Namely his title as a wind god by stealing what air Roxas held in his lungs. He could have easily created a clone from illusions to prevent an escape, but that was risky. Besides, he was mad. Angrier than he’d ever been in a while. So choking him felt right.

Doing it with his abilities wasn’t enough though. No, so instead as his old friend crumpled to the ground. The god of wind allowed air back into the struggling child’s lungs. He was still down and recovering, but that was perfect. A perfect target for heavy weaponry like his.

Pulling the sledgehammer back up, Ventus brought it down hard on Roxas’ leg. The boy screamed and screamed as the sickening crack broke through the air. He’d feel bad if they were still friends, but Roxas tossed that away, and he didn’t need enemies. He’d vanquish them all.

The child was left whimpering and screaming at the top of his lungs. How pathetic. If not for the illusions, he’d be garnering quite the crowd. Somehow, his screams filled Ventus with joy. He really was pathetic now. He shouldn’t have been a bad friend though.

Ventus brought the hammer up and down once more, this time on the hand he tried to use to crawl away with. Roxas screamed again. So precious.

“That’s one broken leg and one broken hand. Let’s go for more.” The boy laughed. He prepared himself for another swing, this time against his other leg, and one more against the other hand. By then, Roxas was a mangled mess of broken limbs.

His breathing was quick and harsh as his body tried to comprehend all the damage. Fight back against it to no avail. It really was sad. He wished he could reach out and tend to the wounds he’d just created. Be friends again. Of course not though, this was the route Roxas decided to take in turning his back on him. He really couldn’t stand losing friends, especially being betrayed by them. So one final swing.

“You shouldn’t have done that.”

Ventus woke up with a start, gasping for breath as sweat coated his form. Probably didn’t help that he was always covered head to toe in baggy and hot layers. Where was he now though. A quick look showed him the dark image of his room. Did he fall asleep during the movie then? He supposed Terra or his dad could have carried him to his room. Or Aqua even. They were all pretty strong after all. His dad was buff for a doctor. It was kinda funny to think about. Just think that if his dad flexed, his clothes would burst off like in an anime. Ven was awed at the thought that continuously crossed his mind.

“Shouldn’t you be heeding the warning of your dreams instead of wasting your time thinking about your dad being shirtless.”

Matir was here? That’s not surprising honestly. When wasn’t she really. He couldn’t find her, but it was dark and she was a black cat so.

“It’s always the right time to think about my dad being shirtless. For one thing, we’re not blood related. And another, he’s a jacked doctor. And finally, have you seen him? He looks like he could be on Spanish soap operas.”

“Why couldn’t I be tied to Vanitas…”

“Ooh, who’s Vanitas? A lover of yours?”

“No, he’s the sickly looking kid in school that constantly looks like he wants to trip you.”

“There’s a leper that wants to trip me at school?”

“I never once said leper. Where did you get that from?”

“You said he was sickly.”

“That could mean a lot of things, Ventus.”

“You mean like corona virus?”

“Now you’re just making things up. Corona is a type of beer.”

“Sounds like a virus to me.”

“And yet you’re a drunk when you get to college.”

“I sound so rad.”

“Your dream, Ventus!”

“You mean about me killing Roxas? What about it? Obviously it’s just a nightmare. I’d never hurt Roxas and he’d never hurt me. We’re the best of friends and I still owe him lunch sometime so if you excuse me, I’m going back to sleep so I can wake up for school and do just that.” On top of other things because he had to reconcile apparently being a drug addict. It wasn’t necessarily wrong since he dabbled in valium, but they really got the wrong idea. He’ll wake up and set them straight though. That was the plan. So back to sleep whether his cat liked it or not.

The next thing he found himself opening his eyes to was Goofy licking and slobbering all over his face several hours later. Ventus grimaced and swatted at him bleakly and tiredly. He pushed the dog’s muzzle back a bit, but there was a counter attack which even Pluto joined in on. They double teamed him, something he laughed jovially over.

Ventus pushed at them to stop, but they were relentless in pinning him down and showering him with disgusting loves. He adored every minute of it. He couldn’t stay in bed with his dogs forever though. He had school after all. Something he really really needed to get back to.

“Guys, please!” He cried out. Maybe they were as deaf as him. Oh look, it was Matir. Pretty kitty. Precious kitty. If he could, he’d reach out to her, but both dogs effectively laid down on his arms and torso. They sure did pin him down didn’t they. Now if only it was Ava. That would be amazing.

Even with all of his attempts, Ventus opted to simply forfeit and lounge in defeat. What’s another skipped day anyway? He clearly wasn’t needed at school by this point. Maybe his friends missed him though. He’d definitely have to check his phone for messages. That got him to power through the hold his pets had on him and push himself up. Finally, they moved too.

And he was allowed out of bed. A shame since Matir just showed up to love on him. Maybe he’d just bring her with in case things went badly. Not that they would. People were supposed to work things out right. Maybe not online where they could easily just block him the moment that he seemed a bit odd, he hated that. It ruined so many friendships in the blink of an eye. He just about gave up on online relations for that reason. But people weren’t like that in person right? They couldn’t be could they? They couldn’t block him or prevent him from trying to talk to them so he had the chance to fix things unlike online.

People really were cruel online. They just had to catch a whiff of the fact that he was mentally unwell and they ditched. The ones that said they’d stay never did either, they always left the moment symptoms arose.

So much for sticking with me through everything.

It left a bitter taste in his mouth, but he tried to get past it. He had other things to worry about after all. Things to fix and friends to make. He only went to school maybe twice so far so there was plenty more people to meet and befriend. Like that Vanitas kid apparently. The sickly boy that wanted to trip him for some reason. Maybe he had a crush on him. Maybe that’s why. That was adorable. Painful, but adorable.

Ven was quick to change, just as quick as he was to trip and fall on his face. To be fair, he’d been hopping while trying to put new pants on. How was he supposed to know he’d succumb to whatever the fuck was on the floor? Looking at it, why the ever loving fuck was there a rubix cube on the floor. He never openly played with those. Maybe in secret because they’re easy, but he didn’t need people knowing that. Oh, but it was such a mess. The mismatched colours just reminded him of his brain. Out of sorts and dysfunctional. Maybe that was why he decided to quickly solve it and toss it aside. No one bore witness so should be fine right.

Wrong. Someone stood in the doorway. A wide, bright blue eyed, tannish skinned child of maybe four or five with short black hair. There was a nervous yet grand smile on his face. Was...was this real? Who was this boy? Why was he in his house let alone outside his room. His mouth was open, but he didn’t appear to be saying anything, not that Ven would be able to hear quite yet. Oh, maybe he was another new hallucination like the kids from the hospital. Speaking of which, there was one now. The youngest one that shouldn’t have even been in the hospital. It all made sense now. Especially after the two kids interacted. That settled it, they were hallucinations.

No harm there then so he went back to changing. Afterwards he moved back to his bed to climb over and reach for both his phone and hearing aid, placing it in, Ventus looked through his messages. Odd, only Futaba pestered him. No one else did. Well aside from Emerald and Mercury wondering where he was. That was sweet of them. They wanted to meet up too. They went to his school right? He should hit them up when he got there. Actually, he should send them a quick text each, telling them to meet with him. Maybe with friends, this would be less nerve-wracking.

Message sent. He was so proud. Then he had to talk to Futaba. She probably knew, or maybe she thought he finally kicked the bucket. Looking through his messages...yep she thought he died. So nonchalant and casual about asking him too. Ven sent a text to prove his current existence.

Anyway, back to getting ready. That meant breakfast, but maybe he could skip out on eating for the day. He’d skipped out on a few meals, though he knew he had to eat with his pills so could he really get away with it? He could potentially not take his meds and be more awake. That would be nice. Too bad Aqua always handed them to him during each meal.

Can’t do anything in this house.

While he might say that, he was able to get away with quite a bit in said house. He’d pout all he wanted though.

Childishly pouting aside, he still had to go to school and fix everything, and be friends with everyone. So stoked for that. He could barely contain it. Such a resolve brought him barreling down the stairs. Those kids were downstairs as well, one of them, Isaac, was drawing in a notebook at the kitchen table.

So animated.

Not to say his other hallucinations weren’t. Though they typically just stood around or sat around so maybe this was more than he was used to after all. But hang on--

“What are you drawing, Isaac?” Aqua asked. She seemed doting on the young boy dressed in, was he still wearing the same sundress? How? How was he not a hallucination? He couldn’t be if Aqua was interacting with him? Then wait, what about Phoebe and Cole? What happened to them. And why was Isaac and an unnamed possible hallucination child at his house.

Actually, that brought his attention to said hallucination boy. He was sitting at the table, eating pancakes. Somehow, for a young child, he wasn’t getting syrup everywhere.

Nevertheless, perhaps a bit invasive, Ven reached a finger out and poked the small, tanned boy in the cheek. The boy smiled brightly back at him, not before swallowing of course. Thank god. Not even Ven knew to do that much though.

“Ven!” The child beamed. It was so heartwarming. He could just hug him and squish him. He looked squishable. But he was eating pancakes and Ven would be hard pressed to go to school covered in batter and syrup. Maybe another time, but now, no. He had things to do right now. And those things included getting to know these children.

“So I know Isaac because he was in the hospital with me, but who is this” he pointed to the small black haired child eating pancakes “and why are they enjoying breakfast before me?”

“Oh right, you fell asleep during the movie.” Terra. Was he reading the newspaper again? Ven could only assume he did it for the comics and sports. He doubted Terra could figure out what the other words meant. He was a little stupid sometimes. Definitely a meathead. And yet still no cheerleaders. Guess he was too nice and genuine for that. Everyone knew how people hated those types. For some reason. People would rather be around the types that were actually nefarious yet hid it well. He supposed he couldn’t blame them since they did blend in so well. It was disheartening though.

This really isn’t the time to get distressed about previous follies.

“Dad brought them both home last night. Said Phil here,” pointing the black haired one, “was adopted by us so he’s our new brother.” There was a quick glare towards Ven “Be nice.”

That was beyond exciting. A new brother and school. Aww but wait, that meant he wasn’t the youngest anymore. Now he was the goddamn middle child. The worst position by far.

Dampened in mood, Ven huffed “That’s fine and dandy, but what about Isaac? I thought he was a figment of my imagination, but clearly not if you guys are interacting with him.”

“He and two others appeared before dad at work. The older two knew their home addresses so dad dropped them off. Isaac here, doesn’t know his address though so he’s stuck here while dad figures it out.”

“Oh, he’s a runaway so I doubt he’ll give it up. Something about religion or something.” That barely helped but it was the most he got. He was bad at listening to people, especially when three introduced themselves to him at once. But appeared at his dad’s work? How’d that happen? How’d they get out of the hospital in the first place. And without their parents? So many questions.

“Ven.” Terra again, why’d he look so disgruntled? Was that what that look meant? He wasn’t sure. He couldn’t read people very well. Everyone came off as threatening and hostile to him. It was tragic and terrifying to say the least. Always made him want to cower in his room or the bathroom. Maybe slit his wrists or drown in the tub to end this nightmare he called life.

That got dark fast.

Anyway, he shook himself from the distressing and distracting thoughts. “What?” Just as clueless as ever.

“You gonna eat breakfast so we can go to school? You still have to take your meds so as usual, you’re not weaseling your way out of it.”

“Is there really a point in me taking my meds, they don’t seem to work well enough. I still hallucinate, and I’m still paranoid at times.”

Terra bowed his head with a sigh, bacon dangling from his hand as his elbow was rudely placed on the kitchen table. Rather than be allowed to speak himself, Aqua went ahead for him, much kinder than he ever could. Not to say Terra often felt at ends with his brother, but the same thing over and over certainly exhausted him. Exhausted them all, but Ventus never seemed to learn anything. “We go through this all the time, Ven. You might still have symptoms, but they’re significantly lessened with your medicine.” She offered a soft smile. “I know they make you tired, but isn’t it better to be tired and able to leave your room?”

He really couldn’t argue with that one. Plus he’d gotten pretty used to running fatigued. Certainly dampened his senses, and if he was too low on activity, he’d fall asleep, such as at school like he’d done, was it the only times he ever went. God, he really had to pick up the pace.

Tight lipped and scowling, the blond boy groaned as he fought himself on the matter. His arms were crossed and foot tapped impatiently. “I’ll take the pills but no food.”

“They only work if you eat with them.”

“Now you’re sounding like Ava.” And Matir for that matter. Then again Matir had a lot of snark and condescension to her tone. And somehow it was still loving. That cat sure was a mystery to him.

Nevertheless, he grumbled a couple moments more before sighing with quite a bit of exasperation. His foot tapped more furiously too, as well as a finger tapping at his arms. All stopped when he gave in however.

It was in defeat that he sat down to eat with the rest of the family, though he didn’t actually mind the atmosphere. It was so jovial and filled with utter joy. It felt pretty amazing actually. So much so that he felt a bit of ease in eating. Probably helped that his grandpa didn’t happen to be around to criticise him for eating more than necessary, though to that man, anything was more than necessary to someone like Ven. Thanks to his illnesses, he was seen as less than human by that man, and he didn’t hide it in the slightest. An ill reminder, but he tried to focus on the now instead. And that meant eating with a family that wouldn’t criticize him.

Just as he was idly digging in, Terra spoke. “Ven, what’d you mean Isaac was a run away and at your hospital?”

Ven just sighed.