John pov~

I stared at The Fish Guy and blinked slowly. The water was washing up against his skin softly, making his hair move with the current. I kneeled down beside him and pinched myself, seeing if that actually worked like it did in books and movies. It did not; The Fish Guy was still there, and he still had a green tail. I noticed that the tips of his ears were a little pointed and had a few small green scales, like his tail. I once again admired the beauty of The Fish Guy, he really was hot. I sat down next to him, cross legged on the sand, water washing up by my feet as I stared into Fish Guy's face. His breaths were getting a little shallower and faster, and I started worrying.

I pulled out my phone to look it up, then realized most people don't think creatures Fish Guy existed, so google probably wouldn't be very helpful. I looked at the Fish Guy, then the ocean, and my marine biology student instincts kicked in.

I picked up Fish Guy bridal style and placed him on my blanket while I collected my stuff. I packed my bag, shoving everything inside hurriedly and slinging it over my shoulder. I wrapped the blanket around Fish Guy and carried him to my car, not really worried about someone seeing because there was no one else out. I set him in the passenger seat and fumbled with his seat belt for a bit before giving up and deciding to just be insanely careful. I put the keys in and drove back to my appartement, parking in the garage.

Here's where the tricky part comes in. I need to get him up without any of my neighbors noticing. I pressed the button for the elevator, heart racing. I reasoned with myself that there's probably not going to be any of my neighbors awake at 1:54 AM. But what if they were awake? What if they had a plane to catch? Or they had to go to the hospital? What if the dog needed to go for a walk? Or they wanted to go outside for a walk? What if someone was sneaking out? What if someone was sneaking in? I felt my heart beat faster as my worries caught up to me. The elevator showed up and I closed my eyes, worried there'd be someone inside. I opened my eyes and was relieved to see it was empty.

I got in and pressed floor 5, my arms getting tired from carrying Fish Guy. Elevators are scary on their own, plus the fear that someone would find Fish Guy, and the general stress of someone walking into the elevator... I was freaking out. The elevator showed me the numbers of the floors I passed and the tension melted a little every little digital number that flashed by. When the machine pinged and the doors opened on my floor, I rushed out, worried there'd be someone. There was no.

I took a deep breath before making my way down the passage, towards the stairs that were pressed up against the wall that led to my floor. The cold night air coming in through the open hallway. I instinctually stuck my head out of one of the archways, examining the distance between me and the cobbled courtyard that was five floors down. I got the urge to drop something down there and see what would happen. My phone? No, it would surely break. My keys? No, what if they got damaged and I couldn't get into my house? Fish Guy? That would be mean and stupid. I sighed, realizing once again I had nothing to drop. I retreated back to the hallway, finishing my walk to the stairs.

Once I made it to my floor and stood in front of my door, I pulled out my key and awkwardly unlocked the door. I walked inside and set Fish Guy down on my couch, rushing back to the door and locking it before running into the bathroom and filling up the tub. With slightly warm water. The ocean was cold, and Fish Guy appeared to live there, but I also didn't want him to freeze. I left the water running and raced to grab Fish Guy, bringing him back to the tub and putting him. The water flowed around him and made his scales gleam in a very pretty way. I worried for a second about him drowning, and then noticed he had gills on his neck, so he should be fine in the water. I grabbed a chair and a book and some music and sat down next to the tub, turning on Heathers and opening my book to the page I'd put my bookmark in. I then realized this was not the page I'd last read, and I'd apparently shoved the bookmark in randomly.

I flipped through the pages, trying to find the page by jumping along the sentences. I'd read about the literal heart of Jesus and Isaac's eye surgery. I'd not gotten to the trip to Holland though. I finally found my page and started reading again, getting lost in the plot.

—~•~—

I put the book down, sadness heavy on my heart. Even reading it for the fourth time is absolutely heartbreaking. (I wonder if anyone got which book I was referring to)

I noticed My Dead Gay Son was playing and sang along, for a little bit, smiling as I staged a scene. I spun around dramatically and argued with myself, playing all the parts. I sighed happily, sitting back down once the song was over. I checked on Fish Guy and noticed that the tub was about to overfill. Oops. I hurriedly turned off the faucet and looked at the petty green reflections Fish Guy's tail made in the water. I wanted to touch it, but considered the fact that those were his legs and it's weird to touch the legs of a random guy you find unconscious, whether or not they're pretty.

Then I remembered I'd taken him here to study him, and thought that touching his tail might not be too weird. But I still didn't, 'cause I'm a decent human being. Also, Fish Guy looked so peaceful and I didn't want to bother him, even though I'm aware he's unconscious and probably wouldn't notice.

I didn't know how to wake him up, and I desperately wanted to wake him up.

I stretched and smiled, realizing Candy Store was playing, and it's probably my favorite song from Heathers. I grabbed my phone, singing along with Chandler, and walked into the kitchen. I put some water in a pot and boiled it, grabbing a packet of ramen from the cupboard. I wondered what meal this could be. A late dinner? A early breakfast? Leakfast? Dinner-breakfast-food is what I went with, proud of myself for slipping a Coraline reference into my life.

After making my ramen I headed back to the bathroom with the bowl of noodles and my music.

"And step into my candy store." I sang, walking into the room.

I sat down on my chair and set my ramen and phone down. Then I looked at Fish Guy. He had his head resting on the side of the tub, and his eyes were open. They were a lovely shade of brown, and somehow reflected the ocean. Then it hit me.

He was awake.