Iwaizumi watched Kuroo sit and play with the water bottle at his table. Bokuto wasn't with him and he wasn't even on his phone. Just playing with his water.

He walked over, putting a paper plate down with two slices of pizza. "What are you doing? You look depressed."

Kuroo looked up, glaring. "Yeah?"

"Yes." He sat down. "Why are you moping? Shouldn't you be at work?"

"I'm on break."

"And where's Bokuto?"

"Took the day off. I think his mom went into labor."

"Great."

"Mhmm."

"Why aren't you happy? She's having a baby."

"It's just another reason as to why he stays away from me. First the homeless dude and now a baby! Yay!"

"Homeless dude?" Iwaizumi questioned.

"Long story." Kuroo set his bottle down and looked out the window at the sky. It was becoming cloudy fast so he likely needed to get back soon...

"I get it. But why are you jealous of a baby?"

"Have you ever had someone pay attention to literally everyone else without meaning to?"

"Yes."

Kuroo shook his head. "I don't think you get it."

"Tooru unknowingly led me on for three years only to realize he loved me just before we graduated. It was an absolute mess."

"Oh."

"Just tell him. It's not as difficult as it sounds. Hell, go ahead and just text him." Iwaizumi pointed to his plate, annoyed. "And eat."

"I'll be fine. This shit happens a lot." Kuroo took a bite of the pizza. Thunder cracked overhead, shaking the restaurant. He tossed it onto the plate along with five dollars and rushed to get to the aquarium. Bokuto called him and he answered, worried sick.

"Dude Akaashi is flipping th fuck out!"

"That's not nearly as important as locking up the aquarium!"

"We're in the aquarium!"

"WHAT?!"

"Yeah!"

Kuroo hung up and pressed his foot to the gas a little harder. He got to the aquarium, finding the key he needed. He locked up everything he could until he found his mother and father, who were calming down Gary. He was just a penguin but he was little and he got scared easily. "Oh buddy..."

Kuroo's mother looked up, brows furrowed. "He just needs someone with him. I've got it. Go finish up."

"Got it." He ran off and locked everything back up. He found Bokuto tucked away in the area with the jellyfish trying to calm Akaashi. "Is everything okay?"

"I'm not sure. He won't even attempt to move from here and I know you need to lock up."

"Oh God okay. Um. Shit." Kuroo leaned down and tapped Akaashi's shoulder. "Hey man, we gotta get you back to Bokuto's house."

Akaashi chirped loudly, shaking.

"How in the... you know what nevermind. Just lift him."

Bokuto shook his head. "No fucking way."

"What? Why?"

Bokuto gestured to Akaashi, who had his hands over his ears and on his knees with his forehead touching the floor. The real reason was not what he would say but rather pure fear. Was Akaashi going to hurt someone? "He's scared."

"I can see that."

"I have no idea what been up with you and suddenly not caring about people but it's stopping right now. Help me calm him down." Bokuto leaned down and pat the floor. "Hey, hey, hey."

Kuroo scoffed. "Go fuck yourself."

Bokuto glanced at him but didn't dare say anything. He rubbed Akaashi's back, gentle as to not startled him into doing something he'd regret. Akaashi sniffled, shuddering. "You okay?"

Akaashi eased up another arm. He was shaking and the rain was coming down harder. Bokuto eased him up and just held him close. Akaashi's mind was whirring with thoughts that he honestly didn't need to think of at the moment.

He missed his home. He missed his sister. He missed not having to hear the thunderstorms rolling by like army men as he laid on the seafloor. It was quiet and the ocean didn't quake. There he laid in the warmth of the water and slept for hours or hunted. Life was simple under the water but now he had to suffer through thunder and dry skin.

Bokuto lifted him slowly but surely until they were in the hallway, Bokuto trying to find Kuroo's mother to see if he could get some help. No one was around so he just went outside and grabbed the umbrella he had brought just in case. "Do you think you're okay to walk or run?"

Akaashi shook his head.

Bokuto set him down and held his chin. "Look at me."

Akaashi looked at him, taking shaky breaths.

"I'm going to need you to do your best to run. If you want to get somewhere nice and quiet and warm, we're going to have to run. Deal?"

"D... deal."

"Good job. Just keep a hold of my hand. I've got you." Bokuto held his hand firm. His eyes darted worriedly around. "Ready?"

Akaashi nodded. Bokuto started to run, Akaashi clinging onto him for dear life. Thunder cracked above them and Akaashi screamed, terrified.

"It's just thunder! It's okay!"

Akaashi ran faster, feeling the bandages come loose. He hated this. He hated everything about this situation and what had put him here. His own people had forced him out of his home and now he had to run from storms like the children swimming away from poisonous fish. This wasn't his home and Bokuto wasn't someone he knew he could trust yet despite the kind words of affirmation.

Bokuto noticed him stumbling and blinked away the rain pelting down. "We're almost there!"

Akaashi tripped over one of his feet, falling to the ground and just giving up. He sobbed, cold and tired by now. His legs were bleeding and he just wanted to escape.

Bokuto bent down. "I know it hurts, I know. But I will make it better soon."

Akaashi grabbed his hands, trying to say anything to get his point across but it came out in whines.

"Do your legs hurt? Is that it?"

Akaashi nodded frantically.

Bokuto took him under the arms and got him to stand. He lifted him again and bolted home. He went past his mother, who was sleeping on the couch with his father holding her. Akaashi was rushed upstairs and Bokuto turned on the tub to hot water. The smaller of the two was stripped down completely naked and Bokuto found their extra container of salt. He poured all of it into the tub and eased Akaashi into the water. "Do whatever you need, okay? Would you like me to leave?"

Akaashi held up a finger before gesturing over his body.

"Towel?"

"Mhmm."

Bokuto gave him a towel and Akaashi covered himself in it. He turned on his side, curling up as best as he could. Everything but his hip was submerged. Bokuto gasped as he started to change. Akaashi shivered when his body had changed and he turned over, relaxed. Bokuto's brows raised in suspicion. "Woah."

Akaashi's eyes, which were now a deeper blue surrounded by black and white softened. He smiled before covering his mouth. His teeth were meant to look scary and they might scare the only one who was helping.

Bokuto moved back his hand and held his chin, in awe. Akaashi's teeth were razor sharp and crowded his mouth a bit. They looked absolutely wicked to him though, almost like shark teeth. "That is so cool dude."

Akaashi yawned and part of his tongue stuck out. It was lined on the sides with very, very small black spikes.

"Woah."

Akaashi relaxed into the tub, watching Bokuto's eyes. He was just looking over him so it didn't at all feel like he was trying to hit on him like his victims did. This man couldn't ever be a victim though, not with the way he acted.

"Can I touch your tail?"

Akaashi shrunk back. His tail was very special to him, injured or not.

"Hey, hey, hey! It's alright, really! I don't need to. I was just curious." He smiled. "I'll leave you alone now, okay? You're probably exhausted."

Akaashi touched a nail to his hand. His own hands were no longer the fully human ones Bokuto had been used to so he startled.

"What is it?"

Akaashi closed his eyes, letting his head sink beneath the water. Bokuto just chuckled. What danger had he gotten himself into?