Author's Note: It's gone 6 in the morning...

Thanks as always for your reviews xx

This chapter might be upsetting, so just to warn! x

Warnings: Language, upsetting themes, violence

"Dad, I'm hungry…"

No answer.

He knew not to ask again, unless he wanted the consequences, so he came away from the living room and walked back to the kitchen door, arms wrapped around his stomach. He wondered what he'd done this time for the kitchen to be locked. He'd gone without almost anything for lunch, without dinner, and now it looked like he was supposed to go without breakfast too.

Why?

He was sure he hadn't done anything this time.

Unless it was about his hair.

Again.

He walked back to the living room again.

"Dad…"

His father simply shifted in his chair slightly, and Riku flinched and backed away.

He went back to his room and tied back his hair in the hopes of making it less a topic of bother for his father, tucking it into the back of his shirt to hide it even more, before heading into the bathroom; at least he could get a drink of water.

He'd managed to hide a small amount of food, and he'd lasted that for as long as he could for incidents such as the kitchen being locked as punishment, but there wasn't any left now.

The water didn't help. He felt nauseous, and his stomach hurt worse. If he wanted food he was going to have to go out.

He made his way downstairs again and back to the living room doorway.

"Dad…"

Nothing.

"I'm going out."

Nothing.

Being careful not to sigh under his breath he stepped away from the living room and made to leave.

Except the front door was locked too.

This was new.

You can't lock me in. You can't…

Please.

"Dad…" He heard his own voice wavering as he stood in the living room doorway again.

His father sounded like he answered from between clenched teeth when he spoke, "I am getting so sick of your whining. Now is a very bad time. If you know what's good for you, you'll get out of my sight."

"You can't lock me in the house!"

"No?" His father stood up then, and Riku started instantly backing away, noting the change in his father's eyes.

"Dad, don't… Don't!"

"What else can't I do?" He easily grabbed his son and shoved him against the wall, hauling him up by his collar, "What else can't I do? Maybe if you start listening to me, and stop being the pathetic little shit that you are, I'll start listening to you."

"Dad- I can't- I- I can't breathe!"

"Look at you... D'you think I ever wanted to be stuck with you? Your mother had the choice: her, or you... She'd be disappointed. She gave up her life for you-"

He wanted to scream then. He wanted to scream until everything shattered around him.

No, that's not true.

She would have loved me.

She did love me.

She wouldn't be like this with me, not my Mom.

I just know it.

She wouldn't be disappointed.

Please, don't let her be disappointed.

I'm sorry that I'm not a good person.

Please.

Don't hate me.

Don't hurt me.

Bu he was unable to speak, let alone scream; his father's hand was pushing against his throat, and fighting was making it worse.

Dad, please.

Please don't.

XxXxXxXx

Sora's mum wanted to know why he was more interested in trying to juggle his toast than he was in eating it.

"I'm not really hungry…"

"What, my Sora, not hungry!" His mother only half feigned shock, "This is a first!"

Sora half smiled, "Yeah, Mom…"

She smiled softly, "Something on your mind?"

Sora looked down, "I'm just not hungry…"

"What's on your mind?" His mother carried on like he hadn't even replied.

"Mom! I said I'm okay!"

"You said you're okay… doesn't mean that you are. I'm your Mom. I know when you're just saying things to stop me snooping," she smiled knowingly.

Sora felt like crying suddenly. He wished he could tell her everything about Riku. Tears sprang to his eyes, "I'm not allowed to say."

"Why not?" she reached out and took his hand, "What's going on?"

"I can't say!"

Or maybe I should…?

Should I?

Riku made me promise not to.

"Sora, sweetie?"

He shook his head and left the table, jaw clenched tight to keep from crying as he made his way up to his room and buried himself under the covers. He didn't cry, because wasn't that why Riku had told him? Because he trusted him to be strong?

Where was Riku?

He tried calling again; all he got was no answer.

XxXxXxXxX

He hadn't excepted his father to let go this time. He curled up on the floor, choking, curling in on himself.

Everything hurt.

Old scars still burned, fresher cuts were bleeding again, and every bruise he had sang with pain. He was so broken that he wondered how he picked himself up everyday. Perhaps it was exactly that; it happened everyday. This was normal.

Except the door was still locked.

Or, maybe there was another reason to why he kept on going.

Sora.

He'd never cried in front of Sora before. Not like that. He hadn't ever planned to either, but that night he just couldn't hold it in. He'd tried so hard, but all it had taken was Sora's delicate touch on his arm to unravel him.

Except, he hadn't unravelled.

Sora had held him together. Held him so tight, but so careful, and he'd felt safe, and… loved.

"Get up." His father loomed over him again, "You get yourself up and clean, keep your mouth shut, and I'll let you out."

Standing, the dizziness that overcame him almost brought him to the floor again.