V & V - Rageous Oneshots

12. Don't Let The Glitter Biters Bite

I wake up, having to cough before I sit up. I feel groggy... and pretty tired. I look to my right, surprised to see Ven still here.

I wouldn't have blamed him if he had run off. I would have been sad, but I get it. I'm glad he's still here.

Ven: "Good morning."

Rollie: "Good morning."

My voice sounds deeper than I'd like it to. It reminds me too much of Fred's morning voice.

I've matured in ways that, I don't know, I don't like. I still feel mentally like I'm nineteen... even though I'm not.

Ven still has his pretty, high voice, which is nice to listen to. I sit on my knees and stretch before looking at Ven.

Ven sighs, holding his arms around himself.

Rollie: "You okay?"

Ven: "My stomach hurts. It's nothing; I think I've just been coughing too much."

I reach into my pocket and pull out one of the bars.

Rollie: "Here. This will help."

Ven: "I don't want you to have to give up your stash for me."

Rollie: "It's not a have to. I want to."

Ven looks at me, then gives me a small smile as he takes the bar. He eats it slowly, looking to feel better once he's done.

Rollie: "So, what do you want to do today?"

Ven: "I'm not sure. We have food, so I guess we can do whatever."

I nod and look out into the city. Apart from the destruction and chaos—the sounds of fighting and car alarms—it's still pretty to look at. Even though it's the bad part of Mount Rageous, it's still a part of Mount Rageous.

The remnants of what it used to be remains. It's important to try to find a little bit of good in anything down here. So, I like to nitpick what looks pretty and focus on that.

Rollie: "It's pretty up here."

Ven looks at me, then out to the skyline. He sighs as he holds his knees closer to his chest.

Ven: "Yeah... that burning building over there and flipped-over cars add to the ambiance."

I look at him, then laugh. That sounds like something I'd hear from him in the hallway.

It's nice to know he's still got some sass in him. He smiles as I laugh, something I also like to see from him.

I know I barely know him, but just seeing his smile makes me want to smile. He's still got a little of that charisma and energy that I was always inspired by in high school, so I want to bring it out as much as I can while he's here.

We stare out into the lower level before Ven speaks up again.

Ven: "You know... I used to feel really angry with my parents."

I look at him, realizing he might be opening up to me.

Ven: "I used to be furious with the idea that they could easily discard me. But then... once I really thought about it. It all made sense."

He sighs, coughs into his arm, then takes a minute to collect himself before he starts again.

Ven: "I've always been in competition with Velvet. Nothing was ever good enough for my parents if we didn't do it to one-up each other. Velvet was always smarter than me. She knew how to dress better and what would make my parents smile or laugh. She knew how to be the favorite... and that... I grew to hate her for."