Oikawa stared at Akaashi, worried. He was staring blankly out into the night on the curb in front of the shop, shivering. "Hey babe?"

"What is it now?"

"Keiji's been outside for thirty minutes. Poor thing looks like he's freezing."

Iwaizumi looked up. "He was supposed to be gone forty minutes ago. What the hell?"

"I'm gonna go check on him."

"Okay, check if he needs a ride home."

Oikawa nodded and went outside. "Keiji?"

Akaashi turned and smiled. "Hi."

"Where's your ride at man? I thought you were gonna leave ten minutes before close tonight because Kotarou needed help."

"I was supposed to. I don't feel like walking home since I've been on my feet since five this morning. I'm sure he'll be here soon." Akaashi turned his eyes back towards the street. "Bokuto promised."

"Man Bokuto shouldn't be driving right now."

"He's not. His dad is picking me up." Akaashi gulped. "I'm sure he got caught up in work."

Oikawa glanced inside at Iwaizumi, who was nervously staring at them. "Do you need a ride home? Iwa and I were about to head out since everything is cleaned up."

"It's okay."

"It's really not. I don't like him taking advantage of you. Come on, come with us. We know where Ko lives." Oikawa set a hand on Akaashi's shoulder. "It'll be okay, let's go."

Akaashi stood carefully and waited, visibly anxious. Iwaizumi went out to his car and glanced at Akaashi staring at him. "Are you coming or not?!"

Akaashi nodded and got in the backseat. He held his phone and bag tight, trying not to cry out of pure embarrassment. He hadn't exactly learned the concept of humans embarrassing others on purpose yet but this was definitely on purpose and now he felt awful for it. Why would Bokuto's father do this?

"We're here," Oikawa stated softly.

Akaashi nodded. "Thank you." He went to open the door but realized it was still locked. He pulled again, urgent.

"Keiji is there something going on between you and Kotarou that we need to know about? I hate prying but something isn't right," Iwaizumi questioned.

Akaashi shook his head. "No! No! He's been helping me a lot. I promise it's just that something else is going on and-!" Akaashi pulled at the door handle. "Please let me out, you're making me very nervous!"

Iwaizumi looked at Oikawa. Oikawa hit the unlock button on his side and hurried to make sure Akaashi didn't run immediately inside. He held Akaashi tight, not letting him go.

"I didn't do anything. Please. Please just let me go."

"You look just about ready to go have a panic attack. If I know ANYTHING about his family, they aren't going to take kindly to that." Oikawa held Akaashi out by his shoulders. "Sit back down."

"I just want Kotarou," Akaashi managed to whimper out. "He's been trying to help me so much and they won't. I just need him. Please."

"I understand that. I can go get him, yeah? Just please sit down."

Akashi nodded shakily and sat down. The concrete was warm under him, which was somewhat calming. He still felt sick to his stomach and upset though, shaky.

A few minutes later though Bokuto was tiredly limping to him, his eyes filled with concern. He eased down to sit on the concrete and touched Akaashi's hand. "Hey, hey, hey... deep breaths. Let me know what's going on."

"He left me at the restaurant. I've been so tired all day and I just-" Akaashi's lip quivered for a moment. "I don't know what else to do. I've been helping so much and they keep being rude and ignoring me. I thought your mother loved me."

"Baby I'm sure she does-" Bokuto yawned. "Especially after you helped me out."

Akaashi started to actually cry and Oikawa leaned down, rubbing his back. "Easy there. You want some water?"

Akaashi shook his head, leaning into Bokuto's arms instead as they were extended towards him. Bokuto kissed his hair. "What else is it?"

"I keep hearing him say awful things when he's on the phone. It's always about me."

Bokuto tensed slightly. "Yeah?"

"He's so mean about me. He keeps calling me those words you told me were bad. Why doesn't he like me? I clean up for him and am so nice to him. I'm not any of those mean things because I love you."

Oikawa questioned the amount Akaashi had been sheltered. "What words was he calling you?"

"Kotarou said they were slurs. My father never said those sort of words so it was confusing- I just don't know what to say back."

Bokuto kissed Akaashi's cheek. "Both of them?"

"The words? Yes."

"Okay... how about you go to my room and get my hospital bag? Put all my meds in it and then go get that bag you bought yourself and put as many clothes as you can into it. And your bathroom stuff. I'll stay out here and talk to Iwaizumi and Oikawa."

Akaashi nodded shakily, not exactly understanding what was happening. He did as he was asked though and was met by Bokuto fifteen minutes later. Iwaizumi and Oikawa were both with him, collecting bags. Bokuto picked up Akaashi's heated blanket. "Keiji."

"Mm?"

"This too."

Akaashi took the blanket and folded it up. "I don't understand."

"I'll explain it in the morning. I'm really tired right now," Bokuto whispered. He went into the bathroom and grabbed anything else he needed. He picked up his lavender candle and chuckled softly. It was tucked into his bag beside his phone charger.

Iwaizumi and Oikawa carried things downstairs and to Bokuto's car. Akaashi rushed up behind Oikawa. "He can't drive."

"No but I can." Oikawa flashed him a smile and held up the keys. "Don't worry."

Akaashi nodded. He went back inside where Bokuto was leaning into the stairs, his oximeter on his finger. "Is something wrong?"

"Just checking something."

"Why?"

Bokuto shook his head. "Can you go to my car?"

Akaashi went back outside and heard screaming seconds later. Bokuto walked outside. "What happened?!"

"I said something my parents didn't like. They'll get over it."

Akaashi glanced to the front door where Bokuto's mother had swung open the door. Akaashi watched as Bokuto yelled at his mother, calling her things he had been told were downright disrespectful. He then watched him falter as his emotions caught up to him. "Kotarou!"

Iwaizumi rushed up and held him upright. "Either you shut up and calm down or get the rest of this out and pass out. Decide quickly."

Bokuto nodded. He stood a bit taller. "I hope you know those words had an effect on me too. I won't be disrespected! I don't care how old you are, you will not say harmful things to me or Keiji-" His eyes fluttered. "I'm sorry mom but I'm tired of this. I..."

"There we go." Iwaizumi eased a now unconscious Bokuto into his car. "Be easy driving home Tooru. His head is still injured."

"Of course. Keiji get buckled in man. We're gonna take good care of you." Oikawa got in the driver's seat. He glanced back and sighed at Bokuto curled up. "Poor guy."

"Where are you taking me?"

"To Daichi. Suga's there but it's fine. They've got an extra room."

"Are you sure-"

"Please just focus on Kotarou."

Akaashi looked down to Bokuto, who's eyes were slightly open. He ran his fingers through his hair and stayed silent. When they got to Daichi's apartment, Sugawara answered the door. Akaashi admired him from the spot behind Oikawa.

"Hey guys... just letting you know, Daichi's in bed. He was working with his dad all day and got tired. He does know what's going on though."

Akaashi kept staring. Pretty...

Sugawara noticed and smiled. "You must be Akaashi. I'm Sugawara."

Akaashi nodded. "Hello."

Suga stared for a moment longer before gently leading Bokuto inside. He was set on the couch. "Your sleep meds still in effect?"

"Yeah..."

"Gotcha. I'll show you the other room."

Akaashi stepped inside and saw Bokuto. He tried to go closer but was extremely worried by the looks of Sugawara. Something was off.

Bokuto looked up and smiled. "Keiji..."

Akaashi got closer only then and hugged Bokuto. They were led to a tiny guest room where Akaashi was given his blanket. He laid with it heating up next to Bokuto, watching Sugawara through the crack in the door.

"Babe get closer."

"In a moment."

"What's wrong?"

"Sugawara."

"What about him?"

"I can't... I don't know. I can't read him like I can others. He feels like a brother of mine and I hate it."

"Why?"

"Because it's nostalgic. He's just a human though and they don't really make me feel that way." Akaashi scooted back and Bokuto held him around his waist. "He is very pretty though."

"Yep. You are too."

Akaashi smiled. "Thank you."

"Hey..."

"Mm?"

"If you're not tired you can go out there and talk to him."

"But you're trying to sleep."

"It's fine. I promise."

Akaashi sat up, pulling his blanket with him. He stopped as he heard soft singing and his eyes softened. That music was nostalgic too. Bokuto noticed his stillness. "What's wrong?"

"That's... that's one of our songs..."

"Who?"

"My family. It was to comfort the little ones." Akaashi got up and hurried to the room door. He stared at Sugawara, who was whispering softly. "Kotarou are there others like me here?"

"Not that I'm aware of." Bokuto sat up. "Fuck it I can't sleep now. What's going on?"

Akaashi stayed silent, staring at Sugawara. Suga went quiet and looked up. He smiled. "Keiji, man, I can see you staring. What's wrong?"

Akaashi teared up. He was embarrassed again...

"Woah! Woah! It's okay I'm not mad about you staring! Easy, easy!"

Akaashi backed up a bit. "You just reminded me of home for a moment and now I feel like I'm being nosy..."

Sugawara stared back, both silent now. Bokuto got up and opened the door all the way. "Suga are you some magic siren creature?"

Sugawara's eyes flashed a deep black. Akaashi gasped. "He's the same as me!"

"You can't just blurt that," Bokuto mumbled. "Suga can you please get him to sleep? I know you guys have that ability."

Akaashi watched Suga from behind Bokuto. No wonder he was so pretty. Did Akaashi have that effect on people too?

Sugawara gestured to Akaashi. "Come here."

Akaashi walked over with his blanket. Sugawara sat with him on the couch and got him to sleep, humming softly as he scrolled through his phone. Bokuto slept in his bed, finally getting to set his head down. He loved Akaashi, he did. But the exhaustion was too much.