You had been working at your local aquarium for some time. A friend of yours, Damara, helped you get the job. She had been in the same year as you and dropped out early, but you had luckily kept in contact with her. You were a vet and helped with check-ups and fixing up injured animals. You were also stationed to look after Cronus, a rare manta ray.

You were lucky to help the aquarium with the rarer creatures. You had known Cronus since he first came into the aquarium. You had become friends very fast.

As of right now you were sitting on a platform at the top of the tank which Cronus and Eridan called home. Cronus was leaning his arms on the top of the tank as you playfully pet his hair.

Cronus and his brother couldn't talk, but you usually understand the gist of what there trying to point out.

You notice the small sibling of Cronus, Eridan in the water. He bubbled up next to Cronus, looking up at you. You giggle at his grumpy expression; you reach out and pet him. He doesn't attempt to bite you so you take that as an ok and continue.

"You're so cute." you giggle.

"Hey (y/n)," Sollux calls, which makes Eridan hiss and disappear under the water, "I need you to help me!".

"Coming!" You call back.

You wave goodbye to Cronus as you get up and leave. Cronus frowns as he watches you leave.

~~~

After you had helped Sollux with an operation you did your rounds in looking after the other ocean creatures.

"Bye Fef." you giggle as you walk away from her tank.

She lets out a bubbly giggle and waves goodbye.

You walk over to Cronus' tank and gently tap on the glass, not loud enough to annoy or hurt them, but enough to get his attention. It doesn't take long for Cronus to appear in front of you.

You do what you usually do when you leave. You hold your hand up to your mouth, press a kiss to your fingers and press it against the glass. Cronus does the same and you giggle.

You take your hand away and wave as you walk out of the aquarium.

~~~

You had woken up by foolishly falling out of your bunk bed this morning so your arm was really sore. You decided to call the aquarium and tell them you would be late because you needed to check out your sore arm.

By the time you get to the aquarium you were a good hour and a half late. Although you were sure that your reason was understandable.

"Hey (y/n)," Sollux says as he walks up to you, he hands you a coffee. "What happened to your arm?"

You look down at your bandaged arm with a sigh.

"May or may not have fallen out of my bunk bed," you sigh, "I've pulled some shit in it and it'll be stuck it this bandage and sling for a while".

"Okay, I'll get someone else to do your rounds," Sollux sighs, "but you should check up on Cronus".

"Why? Is something wrong?" You ask.

"He wasn't too happy when you weren't there this morning." Sollux shrugs.

"OK, thanks" you say and walk off.

As you walk towards the tank, you notice that Cronus was waiting by the glass, most likely for you. As soon as Cronus sees you through the glass he grins and swims up to the glass. You walk up to the glass and smile. You point up and Cronus nods, swimming towards the platform. You climb up the stairs and sit down on the metal platform at the top of the stairs. You take your shoes and socks off and roll up your pants. You dangle your legs and sway them in the cool water.

Cronus smiles and lays his head on your lap. He looks at your bandaged arm and pokes it. You hiss in pain and he flinches, looking at you apologetically.

"It's all good." you giggle.

You sit there for at least an hour, talking to Cronus.

You hear the sound of glass breaking and look over to see one of the nearby tanks break, one of the creatures must have crashed into the glass. The platform you were sitting on begins to fall and you quickly jump into the water before it falls over and slams against the ground and broken glass.

You resurface and gasp for air. It was hard to keep above the water because of your injured arm. You feel an arm wrap around your waist, you look over to see Cronus holding you up.

"Thanks." you smile.

"(Y/n)," you hear Karkat, "are you okay?!"

"I'm fine!" You shout back.

"We'll get you out soon!" He shouts.

~~~

After about half an hour they get you out, you were shaking and pale. As you're carried away you wave to Cronus. He frowns and waves back.

"We'll get you some spare clothes and towels." you hear someone say, but you don't really pay attention, you were too tired.

~~~

It had been three days since the incident and you had been stuck at home for that time. By then your arm was okay and you could go back to work.

You grin as you walk in; you greet your friends and do your rounds before heading to Cronus' tank. You climb up the new stairs and sit on the platform. You use your hand to splash the water a little. It takes a bit but you finally see some violet.

The ray swam quickly up to the top of the tank, jumping out of the tank and hugging you. He practically crushes you as most of his body dives out of the water.

Your eyes widen when you hear him actually speak an English word.

"Safe."