Soft whispering met Akaashi's ears as he woke up and he sat up slowly, confused. "What's goin on?"

Daichi looked over. "Nothing Akaashi. Go back to sleep."

Akaashi's eyes focused and he saw Kuroo. "Kuroo? Daichi what's going on?"

Kuroo looked over and he nervously smiled. "We're having some issues right now."

"We? Who is we?" Akaashi glanced at Sugawara, who was sound asleep still. He was turned away from the fire this time, likely to stop bed sores from forming. "What's going on, you woke me up."

"Bokuto needs some things."

"Like what?"

"Little kid's soap, toys, blankets, food," Kuroo said hurriedly. "But I need to break into a house."

Akaashi stared before sighing. "Why? You two already are stupid. I just want to know why."

"He's taking care of a kid right now and the poor thing had all his stuff left at home. I need to get him food but he's a sick kid."

"Is he able to go to another person's home? If so I'll help with feeding him. My little brothers are also picky so I can help. But I won't break into a house."

"I know, which is why I'm doing it." Kuroo took a deep breath. "He can leave the clinic but the social worker has to come with them to check out where he would sleep and if it's safe here."

"Got it. I'll go get food and Daichi can set up a room upstairs for him."

"Downstairs," Daichi responded. "Kid's got back and hip issues."

Akaashi nodded and grabbed his wallet. He got up and got dressed before finding himself in the baby food section at the store, picking up baby food in glass jars. He found chips suitable for children and bought rice and vegetables. He also grabbed sweets and juice before going back to Daichi's home and stuffing the cabinets with what he found.

Kuroo came back moments after him, panting. "I got his toys and blankets."

"Go put them in the room Daichi's in."

Kuroo nodded and put the things he'd grabbed up. Bokuto knocked on the door and Akaashi answered. Bokuto smiled warily at him. "You're up."

"I am."

"You know?"

"I bought him food."

Bokuto sighed. "I'm sorry to drag you into this. But he's hurting and I finally figured out how to help him medically."

"Where is he?"

"On his way." Bokuto walked around Akaashi and checked on Sugawara. "He looks a lot better guys."

Daichi nodded. "We've been taking good care of him."

Kuroo stepped forward as if he was a child telling their mother a secret. "Hey do you mind if I sit by the fire? My fingers hurt."

Daichi moved. "Go ahead and warm up."

Kuroo sat down and everyone watched the door. Yuuma's case worker knocked on the door and Bokuto answered, immediately smiling at Yuuma and lifting him up. "Hello there buddy!"

Yuuma held onto Bokuto and looked around. He yawned.

"You sleepy?"

"Mhmm."

"Let's go show Ms. Ito to your room." Bokuto led her to the room and set Yuuma down in the bed. Ms. Ito checked the room and the kitchen.

"Everything looks fine to me. Remember Koutarou, he needs to be watched at all times. He is still sick."

"I'm aware. I just want to keep him in my sight." Bokuto smiled. "He's going to be okay."

Akaashi walked over. "Is it okay if I feed him?"

"Soft foods for now. Thank you."

Akaashi nodded and found a jar of baby food. He went to Yuuma and sat by him on the bed. "I'm Akaashi. What's your name?"

"Yuuma." Yuuma eyed the jar of food. "What's that?"

"Carrots. Do you like carrots?"

Yuuma nodded and crawled into Akaashi's lap. "Carrots?"

Akaashi held up the spoon and Yuuma took it off the spoon. "All good?"

"Yummy." Yuuma sat himself up against Akaashi and Akaashi kept feeding him, smiling at his little hums of content.

"All full little one?"

Yuuma nodded and looked around. "Where Mr. Bo?"

"He's talking to the adults sweetheart. Did you want to go see him?"

"Mhmm."

Akaashi wrapped him in a blanket and brought him to Bokuto. "He wanted to see you."

Bokuto turned away from Kuroo and scooped Yuuma off the ground. He cradled him in his arms, smiling. "Hey, hey, hey... how does my little guy feel? Not as much pain?"

"No, no." Yuuma stretched. "Carrot?"

"If you eat too much it'll upset your little tummy. I'll give you something else in a few hours to eat. Sound good?"

Yuuma whined. "Hungry."

Akaashi and Kuroo shared a glance of worry, each for their own reasons. Bokuto gulped. "Just a little bit, okay?"

"Bokuto remember man, he doesn't need the whole world," Kuroo stated softly. "It's okay to feed him later."

Bokuto looked at him, upset. "I know. I just... you know."

"I do know. Go sit down with him and I'll find something with carrots in it."

Bokuto nodded and sat down, covering Yuuma with a wing. Akaashi watched Yuuma and smiled at his little whispers. "How old are you Yuuma?"

Yuuma's head poked up and he smiled. "I'm five!"

Bokuto smiled. "He's five years and two and a half months old. Aren't you bubs?"

Yuuma giggled. "Five!"

Akaashi leaned down and pinched his cheek. "Tell me little one, when do you sleep? When the sun is out?"

"No! Hurts my eyes." Yuuma giggled at Akaashi. He squirmed. "Snuggle!"

"Snuggle?"

Bokuto pat Yuuma's back. "Do you wanna snuggle him? He's cuddly."

Yuuma faltered.

"What's wrong?"

"Ouchy."

"Is it your back again?" Bokuto questioned and set him on his stomach. He rubbed his back and sighed. "It's okay."

Akaashi's heart ached as he saw Yuuma whine in discomfort. "I can lay down with him if you want."

"Are you sure? Flare ups like this can be a mess if he gets too fussy."

Akaashi nodded and leaned down. "Can I have your hand?"

Yuuma gave Akaashi his hand and got up, immediately starting to sob and crumple to the floor. Bokuto rushed to get up and held him, digging through his bag. He found some Tylenol and prayed it would help before giving it to Yuuma.

Yuuma was lifted up by Bokuto and Akaashi tucked him in, worried as he cried. "Will it stop?"

"In a little bit."

Akaashi nodded. He laid on his stomach by Yuuma and stroked his hair gently. "Hey... look at me buddy. Do you want a warm bath? Will that make it better?"

Yuuma nodded, sniffling.

"I've got this one Keiji." Bokuto lifted Yuuma up. "The sun is gonna rise in an hour. Where are you sleeping?"

"With Sugawara."

"Good. I'm sleeping in here with him to monitor him and make sure he's safe."

Akaashi nodded and went to go lay against Sugawara's back. Hours after he had fallen asleep he heard footsteps and saw Bokuto walk by, upset.

He got up slowly and found him in the kitchen with a glass of water. "Kotarou?"

"Keiji. You need to be in bed."

Akaashi slipped himself between Bokuto and the counter and wrapped his arms around his waist. "Are you and Yuuma okay?"

"He's sleeping." Bokuto wrapped his arms around Akaashi. He felt so comforting and warm. Bokuto didn't ever hug people like this so everything felt better almost instantly. "Why're you awake?"

"I heard you get up and got worried."

Bokuto chuckled. "Look at you caring about me."

Akaashi yawned. "Let me lay down with you and Yuuma. I need to hold onto someone who actually moves in their sleep."

Bokuto tensed. "He's not moving?"

"He's just a still sleeper. He's alive and well."

Bokuto sighed in relief. He stood and took Akaashi's hand, leading him to Yuuma. Bokuto picked him up and laid down, letting Akaashi get settled before setting Yuuma down. Yuuma whined against Akaashi, pushing on his chest to get to Bokuto's wing. Akaashi laughed quietly and moved closer to Bokuto.

Bokuto set a wing over both of them and fell back asleep within no time. Akaashi placed his hand on his chest and felt his breathing. Bokuto was calm again, only his wings moving besides his chest. Akaashi stared at him for a moment as he slept, relieved that he was okay and just at peace. Bokuto felt to him what it was like to stare at a flame when you were tired. Warm. Comforting. Vulnerable.