It was a brief introduction, sure, but Lovino felt a bit more comforted by the fact that these people were a lot like him. Not to say he was getting used to being in a mental hospital but.. It seemed just an ounce less horrible.

So, I'm in a group huh? At least they don't hate me yet. They probably will though. Everyone fucking does. He thought to himself, resting his head in his hands.

He was cut off from his thoughts as an unfamiliar voice made itself known.

"Alfred?"

"Yo!"

"The doctor wants to see you."

Lovino turned around to watch Alfred approach a new face - his was more soft and inviting.

"Who's that?"

"One of our other therapists, Emil."

"How many are there?"

"Five or six. Not including Doctor Feliks. But they switch sometimes."

He nodded, noticing out of the corner of his eye that Toris had subtly shifted in his seat.

"Is he scary or something?"

Antonio chuckled, winking at the Lithuanian who looked away embarrassedly.

"No, amigo. Toris here has a little crush on him."

"I do not!" He argued, cheeks turning red, "He's too blunt and rude. Why would I like him?"

Even Natalia managed a small smile of amusement.

"Oh, come on, you know you like him."

"I don't!"

"You do."

"I-"

"Look, I hate to interrupt, but you're fucking annoying." Lovino spat, rolling his hazel eyes in annoyance as the two slumped into their chairs, muttering apologies, "Can you just explain who everyone is?"

"Ah, sure. Over there," He pointed towards the silver-haired male who was leading Alfred, "Is Emil as I said before. He's pretty nice, but doesn't show much emotion. He's very sympathetic, but kind of awkward too.. Next," Antonio looked around and then pointed towards Mathias.

"I already know Matthias."

"Oh! That makes things easier. Then, that's Berwald." He directed Lovino's attention towards a blonde sitting behind the front desk, typing away at the computer with a scowl on his face. He had glasses perched on his nose and piercing blue eyes that were almost intimidating.

"He seems scary, but he's a softie at heart. He just doesn't know how to communicate well, and he really doesn't talk much. When he does, he has this funny verbal tick. And he has a thing for another worker right... There." Lovino saw another man come from a door and, smiling, he came behind Berwald and laid a hand on his shoulder. Berwald's cheeks turned pink, and he looked away as if ashamed about how he felt.

"That's Tino. He's super nice and is friendly to everyone. He sometimes starts crying when he hears our stories. But, he's also pretty stern about rules. And lastly, we have Lukas. Not sure where he is, but you'll know him when you see him. He's pretty cold and very strict. He doesn't have much tolerance for us, but at times he can be nice. Only if you're on his good side... And that's it for now."

"Grazie." Lovino murmured, trying to wrap his head around the different personalities of each therapist, and how he was going to convince them that he was fine to go home. He pulled his knees up to his chest, and the Spaniard next to him could sense his uneasiness.

"So.. Lovino, will you tell me a bit about yourself?" Antonio asked softly, tilting his head.

"Why?"

"J-Just to get to know you better, is all. Like, how old are you?"

"Why the hell should I tell you that?"

"I'm just curious, is all.."

Lovino huffed, looking out in front of him at a round table, "Fine. I'm twenty-three."

"I'm twenty-five." Antonio responded, smiling widely now. "Um.. What's your favorite food?"

"Are you kidding me?"

"What?"

"I'm Italian."

"So.. Pasta? I love tomatoes."

"Tomatoes?"

"Si. They're delicious."

"You're fucking weird."

He chuckled, nodding his head of brown hair, "I know I am. In a good way?"

"Think what you want.." Lovino replied with a shrug, snickering at his own remark, and surprisingly, Antonio laughed softly as well.

"Hey everyone, lunch is here." Tino said behind the desk, smiling at the newcomer and motioning Lovino to come up to him. "I don't think we've met. I'm Tino, nice to meet you!" Lovino awkwardly shook his hand, mumbling his name before going to get lunch in the line. They were all required to wash their hands first, and as protocol the ladies had to get their food first. Even though the only one currently was Natalia. Either way, they all went through and got their average-looking food. Lovino found a small table to sit at, and of course Antonio was the first to sit next to him.

"You just aren't going to leave me alone, are you?" He asked him, not even looking Antonio in the eye.

"Do you want me to?"

"Well I certainly like my space."

"Oh...I'll leave you alone then, si?" The Spaniard's voice got quieter as he spoke, and suddenly he stood up again, walking over to join Toris who was sitting with Natalia.

And once more Lovino was alone. But, this time, it was his own fault. He had pushed away the only person willing to talk to him.

"Dammit.." He cursed to himself, stabbing his food with his fork, and suddenly he was no longer hungry. He pushed the plate in front of him, looking around the dull facility and feeling sicker than before. "I guess I do belong here." He told himself, sighing with regret and anger towards himself, "I'm a fucking mess."

Thank you for the follows/favorites/reviews! They mean so much to me!

I hope you're enjoying it so far. Is there any way I could improve?

Until next chapter!

-Feli