Behind the Glass (Komahina AU)

Chapter Three: An Act of Kindness

When Hinata woke up, he saw bandages on his torso, tail, and his arms. He noticed that his gills were working again and quickly checked his ears. He was in the aquarium...it was small but it was enough. The water covered him entirely if he didn't move around. When he sat up, the water covered his entire tail and half of his stomach. However, he felt a pull on his arm. He was cuffed down with a long chain on the wall. He could also feel the cold metal in his mouth from the chain and lock.

"Well, well. Good morning, sleepyhead." In the early morning light, he could see the white haired male sitting in a corner. "We thought you were dead...it has been a week since you slumped over."

'A week?!' Hinata thought to himself. 'How severe were my injuries that I would lay unconscious for a whole week?!' That's when he noticed that he held a sharp knife in his hand. Hinata growled as he got closer, twisting the knife in his hand like he was ready to butcher someone. Putting his arms in front of his face, he braced himself only to feel the chain in his mouth loosen.

He looked up in shock as Nagito threw the chain away. Hinata couldn't believe it. Looking into the man's eyes, he saw something that the others didn't: some form of compassion. '...but why..? Why are so kind to me...despite being part of such a cruel way of life?' His mind boggled as they looked into each other's eyes once more. Hinata felt like his heart was gonna explode as his eyes welled up, but he did not cry.

"So...what exactly do mermen eat?" Nagito asked with a soft tone, scratching the back of his head while looking away. "We will be travelling for about three months, so we need to make sure we have enough to sustain you."

Hinata remained silent, still trying to figure the man out.

"Can you hear me?" Nagito waved a hand in front of Hinata's face. "Hmm...maybe you cannot understand me..."

"...shells..." His voice creeped up out of his throat very weak, but loud enough to catch Nagito's attention. "I eat...seashells...moss, and corals. I can tolerate lobsters, jellyfish, and shrimp too. No fish or octopus...makes me feel cannibalistic."

Nagito gaped in amazement. He had such a beautiful voice. That was the last thing he expected from him.

"Oh, I don't like eating red meat...but if I have to...I will." He admitted, looking away. His ears fell down in nervousness.

"Sure. Of course." Nagito said as he walked towards the door. Reaching for the doorknob, he turned around. "By the way, my name is Nagito Komaeda."

"Hajime...Hinata." The merman replied.

"Well, it is a pleasure to finally meet you...Hajime."

Closing the door behind him, Nagito saw some of his crew members waiting outside. They glared at him menacingly, sending bad vibes down his spine.

"Yo, White Mane!" Mukuro, Junko's sister, called out. "She wants to talk to you...I am warning you, though. She is pissed."

"About what?" Nagito muttered as he pushed by. He immediately stopped dead and turned to the girl. "Well?"

Mukuro ignored him and kept on walking, leaving Nagito in a state of annoyance. Grumbling, he put his hands in his pockets and trotted his way into the captain's quarters.
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"So...you getting all buddy-buddy with our newest asset?" Junko asked, feet crossed on her desk and knife in her hand. "My two favourite play things are getting along?"

"If you wanna get technical...who knows?" Nagito shrugged. "I mean, the guy has spent a week unconscious. He just woke up, for Christ's sake."

"But you did pour water on him." She smirked as Nagito remained silent. That smirk immediately faded into a look of malice. "I suggest you be careful where you step, Komaeda."

Nagito was taken back. It was the first time she ever used his name at all, which meant...nothing good was to come of it.

"I get what I want...and then we kill the son of a bitch. You get too attached or even plan an escape...you'll join it too."

"He has a name!" Nagito yelled. "His name is Hajime!"

"Christ..." Junko sighed. "So much for that...but I'll let it pass for now." She climbed on the top of her desk and placed her blade on his neck. "What's the matter? Feeling that dreadful feeling of despair yet?"

Nagito pushed the blade off and backed away. "You are going to try harder than that...Captian." He turned his heel and left the room.
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As the sun went down, Mikan and Nagito had managed to make enough food to last Hajime the trip. Bringing down a tray of sea shells for dinner, Nagito entered the room only to see the merman fast asleep fully submerged underwater. He looked so peaceful for the first time in so long. It made Nagito's heart jump, seeing a faint smile on his face. Tiptoeing, he placed the tray down onto a table near the box.

"Mmm?" Hajime groaned as his eyes fluttered open. Resurfacing, he smiled when he saw Nagito. A faint purring sound emitted from his gills as a sign of happiness.

"I'm sorry." Nagito said, looking down. "I didn't mean to wake you up. I just brought you some food." He picked up the tray and gave it to Hajime who scarfed all the shells down. He then nudged his head into Nagito's free hand. He obliged by lightly scratching behind his ears.

"You should get some rest, okay?" He said before taking his hand away. Hajime looked up at him and grabbed it. It felt so strange but comforting as Nagito ran his finger along his wet scales.

"Please...stay a little while longer..." Hajime asked timidly. "I don't want to be alone right now..."

Nagito smiled as he pulled a stool in front of the box and sat down. "Of course."
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To Be Continued...

A/N: As I don't have access to internet majority of the time now, updates will be in batches. :) I have internet now for one day as I am staying in a hotel...so get ready for a lot of updates.