Kinda hanahaki disease but with a (shark) hybrid twist
Kids scare each other by saying if their parents don’t really love you, you’ll start turning into an animal. And if you transform completely- you can never turn back.
No one takes it seriously and it’s thought as silly childhood story to keep kids well behaved.
So when Pedro a strange grey patch on his skin, he doesn’t think much of it. He thinks it’s just a weird looking bruise…until it slowly grows and spreads.
The skin itself feels wrong - slightly moist. But Pedro being avoidant as ever continues to ignore it. Then he starts feeling unusual pain in his back. And when he feels the bones of his spine, he finds they are starting to protrude.
He only finally concedes to see a doctor when his hands are starting to web together, making it hard to wear gloves and ride.
The doctor explains the childish superstition is real - but not completely in the way people are led to believe
The transformation doesn’t occur because the other person doesn’t love you, but because you believe they don’t love you. Which is why it’s actually pretty rare. It’s the body’s reaction to perceived rejection.
It’s usually an easy fix - just mend your relationship with the person you love and the changes will stop and revert back to normal. Even just close proximity and touch can reduce the effect.
But again Pedro is stubborn. He refuses to acknowledge who he’s in love with. Stating the doctor was wrong because he doesn’t particularly like or care about anyone but himself.
He gets his webbing fingers surgically detached, still in denial.
Everyone around can tell something is wrong. He’s snappier. He hides his chest and arms more. He’s in the hospital every other week.
Eventually even Fermin starts to be concerned.
He goes to talk to him, and the moment their skin touches, Pedro feels relief flood his body…
And worst of all, Fermin notices…