Akaashi coughed, stumbling a bit. How had he managed to get things so messed up?

He hadn't smelled rain in the air and had just gone to get some time outside. He was now trudging back home, his wings soaked and heavy. They were weighing him down and he was cold. The panic setting in from hearing others around was too much as well, knowing the shouts belonged to those who could easily tackle him and harm him.

He'd walked two whole miles away from his home and wasn't even halfway back by now. Sugawara had asked another friend of theirs to help him today so people were going to be looking for him hopefully.

"Last one to the post is a rotten egg!"

Akaashi glanced over before dropping to his knees quickly, dodging someone flying much too close to him.

"Woah are you fucking blind stop trying to fly into people!"

"Sorry!"

Akaashi looked up to see the barn owl man from a week or two beforehand approaching, shaking his wings to get rid of some of the water. He cussed under his breath and tried to tuck his wings closer so they wouldn't be as noticed.

"Dude has bright blue wings and you can't see him. Dumbass." He leaned down. "You good? You're soaked, man."

Akaashi edged away from him.

"Oh! You're the guy from the other day! Here, let me help you up."

Akaashi hesitated before taking his hand and standing slowly. He needed sugar and warm air. His wings were getting heavier and making him slouch. He wished he could shake the water out like those with feathers could.

"You okay? You need something to dry off with?"

Akaashi held up his hand, signing that he was fine. He glanced around and saw the group of owls, crows, and ravens. There was a fox here too, looking bored beside a man who looked like he was descended from a cat.

"I'm sorry I don't know any sign. Shit. Kuroo can you help?"

The other male looked up. "Eh?"

"He signed something."

"Oh." Kuroo stepped closer. "Hey, I'm Kuroo. You feeling okay?"

Akaashi nodded. Kuroo's eyes looked like they were piercing through him. Maybe it was just the slits in his eyes but he was pretty creeped out.

"Do you want to go dry off? Moth wings get super heavy, man."

Akaashi pinched his fingers in a no and glanced towards the way of his home. Bokuto stepped closer. "Where I saw you last was not anywhere near here. Are you close to home?"

Akaashi didn't respond for a moment. Would it be bad to respond with a no? Was that information he needed to know?

Kuroo turned. "Ah shit Tendou caught up."

Akaashi took this opportunity to run for his life despite the weight on his back. His wings flopped helplessly against his back and he struggled to keep going. He was going to have to stop soon with how low his blood sugar was.

"Hey wait!"

Akaashi turned and stumbled over a tree root. His back thudded against a fallen branch, knocking the wind out of him.

"Shit." Bokuto rushed closer and helped him sit up. "You okay?"

Akaashi debated on spraying venom but he felt really dizzy.

"Kuroo! Help me out!"

Kuroo hurried over and helped Bokuto lift him up. "Did he hurt anything?"

Akaashi tried to push them away but he couldn't move too well, weak and shaky. He needed something in his system and to dry off. He was going to get sick.

"Careful it looks like he's about to faint." Kuroo leaned down, trying to make eye contact with him. Thunder cracked overhead and Akaashi's eyes fluttered. "Hey, hey. Can you hear me?"

Akaashi nodded.

"We're getting you warmed up, okay?"

Akaashi's head dropped.

"Fuck. Get him back to the post."

Bokuto lifted him and moved his wings quickly to shake a good bit of water off of himself. "Should I walk or fly?"

"Walk. Wrap your wings around him."

Bokuto nodded and did as he was told. He got to a large oak tree and sat down in one of the swings on it. Someone from on top pulled him up and he rushed into the home with Akaashi. Kuroo lead him into the trunk of the tree, walking him down the stairs in it. Bokuto found the little room they used for their friends who hated heights and set Akaashi in the bed on his stomach.

"Be careful with his wings."

"I think I would know." Bokuto gently lifted one of his wings, heartbroken at the limp feeling in it. He must not use them much. He set a towel underneath his wing before getting the other supported as well. He got his own wings dry before lightly moving them, blowing the warm air at Akaashi.

"What do they eat?"

"Hm?"

"Moths."

"Fruits. Nectar."

"I think we have actual nectar upstairs. I'll get it in some water and get a straw."

Bokuto nodded.

Akaashi stirred slightly and stretched. "Mm..."

Bokuto backed up so he wouldn't scare him and waited.

Akaashi shivered slightly and grabbed onto his pillow.

"You okay?"

Akaashi gagged.

Bokuto grabbed a bucket and got closer. "Throw up in here so you don't suffocate."

Instead of listening to him he emptied his venom into the bucket, disgusted by the taste. Bokuto thanked whatever greater power was out there that Akaashi hadn't used that on him. He pat his back lightly and set the bucket aside.

"Easy, easy... you okay?"

Akaashi nodded slowly. His wings fluttered and panicked. They were heavy. Nothing around him smelled right or looked okay. He beat his wings harder.

"Hey, hey, hey! You're all good. They're drying. You got your wings wet!"

Akaashi stopped, halfway sat up. "Huh..."

"Your wings are wet. How do you dry them?"

"Fire," Akaashi mumbled. His eyes darted around the room. Bokuto helped him sit up and Akaashi stared at him. He felt dizzy.

Kuroo came downstairs and handed Akaashi the glass of nectar. "Here you go."

Akaashi sipped at the water, keeping his eyes on his surroundings.

"We're not gonna hurt you. You passed the fuck out outside and we're not gonna just let you get sick outside. Do you have anyone waiting for you at home?"

"Mhmm."

"Cool, cool. As soon as the rain stops we'll take you home."

"Hey I'm gonna go start a fire. It'll help his wings."

Kuroo nodded. He sat by the bed, watching Akaashi. He looked strangely calm. A bit shaky, yes. But he was calm. "There's nectar in the water."

Akaashi nodded slowly.

"Are you able to talk?"

"Mhmm."

"Want me to shut up?"

"Mm..."

Kuroo chuckled. He was so quiet. Bokuto walked down the stairs with a bundle of cloth. He smiled wide and crouched by Akaashi, holding out the bundle. "Hey."

Akaashi eased his cup down and stared.

"I've got you a change of clothes. Sorry if they're too big or small, some of them are mine. Some are a few others. Just tell me if you need anything." Bokuto went up to the stair entrance. "C'mon Kuroo."

Kuroo followed him up the stairs. Akaashi sorted through the clothes and tried them on. The pants felt fine. The shirt was a little big and the socks were a bit itchy. He grabbed a dry blanket and held himself. He needed something other than nectar. It tasted just like home and he was happy but he was still dizzy and tired.

Akaashi stumbled to the stairs and made his way up the stairs. He opened the door at the top and stared. There were so many people...