In this AU, Ted is hiding a big secret: Ted is a merman on the run from Linda Denman. Ted is also trying to deal with his hidden feelings for Barney, and the toll being on the run is having on him. I have also posted this on Fanfiction.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12590922/1/It-isn-t-easy-being-on-the-run And Archive of our own: https://archiveofourown.org/works/10785066/chapters/23949534