"Ugh, I'm bored," Ace moaned, her back pressed against the rough trunk of a palm tree, the shade cooling her skin from the sun's relentless rays.

"I'm bored too," Morgan complained as he doused his pale body with seawater, letting it trickle down his broad chest and along the faint scales near his shoulders.

Ace rolled her eyes, a soft smile tugging at her lips. She liked Morgan. There was something about his carefree attitude and his quirky humor that made him an easy companion. Weird, sure, but weird in a good way.

"So, who's the guy with red hair?" Ace asked with a teasing lilt in her tone.

Blush bloomed across Morgan's cheeks, and he ducked his head, glancing toward the water. "That's Atlantis," he mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. "He's my..." He hesitated, the corners of his mouth twitching. "He's my friend... and my lover."

"Oh, so he's your boyfriend then?" she grinned, leaning forward with a knowing look.

Morgan's bashful grin exposed the dimples on his cheeks, as well as the sharp tips of his teeth. "Yeah, I guess you could call him that."

Before Ace could respond, a figure rose from the ocean's edge, cutting through the water with slow, deliberate strides. The sea's surface dripped off him, each step carrying an air of command. His hair was wet, slicked back to reveal sharp, regal features. His two muscular legs moved with the grace of someone who had mastered the balance between land and sea. A white cloth was tied around his waist, hanging just above his knees.

"Destan!" Morgan's face lit up with relief. "Does this mean I'm free to go to Atlantis now?" he asked, his grin wide with hope.

Destan's laugh was low and rich. "Yes, that poor boy's been pining for you all day."

Without a second's hesitation, Morgan's form vanished beneath the waves, his tail splashing a spray of cool water in his wake.

"Traitor," Ace muttered, wrapping her arms around her knees. She avoided looking at Destan as he approached and sat beside her, his body emanating warmth despite his earlier swim.

"Greetings, Aceso," his deep, smooth voice greeted her.

Her lips twitched at the sound of her full name. "What's up?" she mumbled, still staring at the sand between her feet.

"Are you hungry?" he asked.

Her stomach answered for her with a low, rumbling growl. Destan's eyes crinkled with amusement.

"I'll take that as a yes," he said, pulling a small woven bag from his side. He opened it and handed her a strange, but enticing, piece of food.

Ace took a hesitant bite, and her eyes widened with delight as the burst of flavor hit her tongue. "Oh my god, this tastes amazing!" she moaned, leaning her head back against the palm tree. "What is this?"

Destan's gaze lingered on her, captivated by the way her eyes closed in bliss and the small, satisfied smile that played on her lips. A warmth stirred in his chest—a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time.

"Do you like it?" he asked softly.

Ace nodded, her grin bright and genuine. "It's incredible. So much better than ramen noodles back at the dorms." Her nose scrunched up in distaste. "Ugh, ramen noodles."

"Dorms? Ramen noodles? What's this you're speaking of?" Destan's brows furrowed with confusion.

Ace laughed, her voice light like the sound of distant chimes. "Dorms are tiny rooms where students live while attending school. And ramen noodles... well, they're cheap, salty, and nowhere near as good as this." She waved the piece of food at him before taking another eager bite.

"This ramen... is it healthy?" he asked, genuinely curious.

Ace snorted. "Not at all. But it's cheap and it fills you up."

"That's unfortunate," Destan muttered, his gaze falling to the sand. His mind conjured images of starving youths forced to consume poor food just to survive. "There was a time when food became scarce for us as well. Pollution from man—oil spills—destroyed our feeding grounds. The water was dark and thick. It suffocated everything it touched."

Ace's heart ached at his words. "That must've been the oil rig disaster from a few years ago," she murmured. "A lot of people tried to help clean it up. My brother was one of them... before"—her voice trailed off—"well, before he lost his way."

Destan's eyes lifted, his surprise evident. "Humans... tried to help?"

She nodded, her face distant. "Yeah. Not all of us are bad. Some of us care."

"It's difficult to believe that," he said, glancing at her with a look of cautious curiosity. "Most of my life, I've only seen the damage your kind can cause."

"Humans can be reckless," Ace admitted. "But they're also capable of great kindness." She glanced at him, her eyes steady. "You're not so different from us, you know."

Destan's gaze softened as he let her words sink in. The gentle crashing of waves filled the space between them, and the air grew still with understanding.

"I'm sorry, Aceso," he murmured, his voice thick with guilt.

Her eyes flicked to him, confusion furrowing her brow. "Sorry for what?"

His hands curled into fists. "For taking you away from your kind. All I wanted was to save Ren. I... didn't think of what it would cost you."

Ace's gaze softened, her head tilting as she watched him. "You're doing what you think is right. Can't fault you for that."

Destan's heart swelled at her understanding, and for the first time, he saw her in a different light.

"You're stronger than you realize, Aceso," he murmured. "Not just anyone could adapt to all of this so quickly."

Her cheeks flushed slightly. "Don't give me too much credit. I'm just trying to survive."

"Sometimes survival takes more strength than battle," Destan said quietly, his gaze locked with hers. "And you're doing it with grace."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The sound of the waves filled the silence, steady and unrelenting. It felt safe, like the world had softened just for them.

In the depths of the ocean, Morgan's excited cry echoed like a song of joy as he wrapped his arms around Atlantis's neck, his tail curling around Atlantis's tail. "Oh love, of course I'll help! You've just made my day."

Atlantis's face flushed pink, his red hair flowing around his head like a fiery halo. "I'm sorry I told you so late, but Kai's been desperate for help."

Morgan's eyes glowed like twin emeralds. "Don't apologize, love. You've done well."

Atlantis's eyes met Morgan's, a warmth growing between them. Without warning, Morgan's lips pressed against his—soft, warm, and sweet. Atlantis's heart raced as he melted into the kiss, his hands finding purchase on Morgan's waist.

When they pulled apart, Morgan's grin was wicked and full of mischief. "I've been thinking..."

Atlantis pressed his forehead against Morgan's, his gold eyes staring into green. "What's on your mind, love?"

Morgan's grin widened. "We should meddle in Destan's love life."

Atlantis's smirk mirrored Morgan's. "That, love, is a brilliant idea."