Third person pov

If anyone were to look over, it would look like they were a family. Atlantis so clearly loved Hitoshi, his hand clasped tightly around the boy's as he tearfully blubbered about where he'd been and how he'd met Shota. The underground pro could only try and suppress his smile to the best of his ability, red spanning his cheeks as Atlantis sung his praises. Hitoshi seemed to find this all spectacular, constantly wiping tears from his eyes as he smiled at Atlantis. The grin he sported was so wide his face hurt, but Hitoshi didn't care. This was Atlantis. He couldn't believe he's actually managed to find Atlantis!

Aizawa was relieved to see Atlantis so happy. It made him feel things he didn't realize he could feel, and realize just how much he absolutely loved the merman. Shota would give everything for Atlantis feel like this all the time. He was so glad Atlantis had found Hitoshi. The teen clearly meant a great deal to him, and Atlantis seemed just... god, Shota could feel the joy radiating off him in waves. It made him giddy, and the love he felt towards the mer burst forth with new warmth. He smiled. 

"I can't believe you've been here this whole time!" Atlantis exclaimed for what had to have been the millionth time; though, Shota didn't mind, and Hitoshi definitely didn't either. Aizawa observed the General Education student keenly. He was a merman too, then? It was weird to think about, but aweing at the same time. "I just— oh, I've missed you so much, Hitoshi. And you've gotten so big! I just want to squeeze you forever!"

Hitoshi let out a watery laugh as Atlantis began to cry all over again. Shota squeezed his fiance's hand, unable to stop his own smile as he unlocked their apartment. He had a spare bedroom he'd be completely willing to give up if it would make Atlantis feel this way more often. He didn't know Hitoshi, and he didn't particularly trust the kid, but he didn't not trust him either. Atlantis absolutely adored him if his reaction was anything to go off of, and he doubted he'd want to be separated from him again. Hearing him talk about what he'd gone through alone all those years made Shota's heart squeeze in a painful manner. Atlantis must've been so lonely.

Atlantis wasn't sure his life could be more perfect. He was not only with the love of his life getting the chance to explore a whole new world, and now he'd found one of his long lost family members. If Hitoshi was on land, who else had ended up here? Was there a chance Atlantis' pod wasn't as dead as he thought it was? The mere prospect filled him with hope. The crystal that had given him legs in the first place hummed with encouragement. Him exploring seemed to intrigue it. It liked the idea.

"I'm so glad you found me." Hitoshi breathed, feeling like a weight had been taken off his shoulders. This was his home. His family. Everything he had been before he washed up on land. Everything he missed and longed for was right here. Someone who loved him— who knew him. Someone else who understood the ocean in the same way he did. He let Atlantis giddily pull him into that apartment. The purple-haired merman glanced at Aizawa's face, but it was void of any irritation. Instead, he looked happy. In love, for sure. Hitoshi could feel it and he was beyond glad. Atlantis deserved it. 

Atlantis wanted to do so many things! He wanted to catch up with Hitoshi, and marry Shota. He wanted to explore this new world, and he wanted to learn more about the medical field. His life was filled with so many interests and joys now. He hadn't really noticed how bland it was. Was this why the ocean had encouraged him to leave its salted waters? Did it know there was more out there for him? He liked to think so. The sea was a good caretaker to him. It had always been kind in its ways. 

"Shinso, what's your housing situation right now?" Aizawa found himself asking as Atlantis vibrated happily in place, his eyes dancing. Shota had seen Atlantis happy before, but never to this extent. He'd thought he'd witnessed Atlantis be overjoyed, but none of those moments compared to this. He looked so animated and bubbly, like there was nothing holding him down. Shota wanted him to look like that forever. To be that happy here on land. He hoped with everything in him that they could be that joyful with on another. Content and just... together. That's all he wanted.

Shinso looked surprised by the question, blinking at the teacher. He had never talked to Eraserhead, but he looked up to him immensely. Apparently he and Atlantis were madly in love, if their interactions so far were anything to go off of. Shota looked down at him with such fondness, and Atlantis beamed at him like he was the most important thing in the world. Hitoshi was glad. He knew Aizawa was a good man. Not only that, but without Shota, would Atlantis have found him? The idea of them not reuniting made him sick to his stomach. Now that he finally had Atlantis back, being away from him felt like a death sentence. He couldn't go back to the way things were.

Him being disconnected from the ocean made it clear a mer could survive without the water, but it was a drab existence. It felt like he was drowning. Like he'd lost his ability to navigate the waters of being alive. He could always feel the sea reaching out for him-- calling, but never able to reach and grasp him the way he wished it would. But now Atlantis was here, full of that same powerful magic Hitoshi had always loved. Healers had a strong presence and an even stronger connection to the sea. 

"I bounce around foster homes." Hitoshi admitted. Atlantis cocked his head. What was a foster home? Hitoshi noticed his questioning look and gave a small smile. This one was a lot sadder, Atlantis noticed. "Ah, it's like... A temporary house. When you don't have a family, they put you with one for a little while to stay. Until you're old enough to leave."

Atlantis' crinkled expression smoothed out, and he nodded in understanding. Then, something new dawned on his face. If Hitoshi hadn't found a family here on land like he had with Shota, then did that mean he still needed one? He whirled on Shota with a bright smile that made the dark-haired man want to melt. Shota let his fiance take his hands, peering down into his stunning blue eyes. He was whipped. Totally whipped. And he was fine with it. 

"Hitoshi doesn't have a permanent family if he's in this fostering system!" Atlantis exclaimed. "B-But he's my family, so couldn't he—"

"Stay here?" Shota gave a half smile, and Atlantis jumped slightly in excitement. He gave a laugh as his fiance squeezed his hands. "I'll see what I can do."

Hitoshi's eyes went wide and round at the admission, and he looked between his cousin and Aizawa in shock. Was Shota serious? Did... was he okay with this? It was a big thing to let a teenager move into your apartment just because they were cousins with your fiance. And out of nowhere, too. But the idea of living with Atlantis happily, and having his family back... god, he felt like his chest was going to burst! Atlantis seemed to share the sentiment, letting out a squeal and capturing Shota in a tight hug. 

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Atlantis spewed out, eyes full of happy tears. He felt he had never known such joy, he was sure. Shota smiled down at him, bringing his hands up to wipe tears. "I love you so much."

"I love you too." Shota answered immediately, and Hitoshi felt himself become exuberant all over again as the realization crashed into him. Atlantis had someone he was in love with, and Hitoshi had his magic back. Atlantis had rejuvenated his powers with his presence alone, bringing it all back in a wave. As a siren and enchantress, that meant—

"You two want to get married, right?" The words left his mouth before he could stop them. He was too excited to stop himself. It was all happening so fast, he didn't want to revel in it. He just wanted more. Magic pulsed under his skin, rushing through his veins as Atlantis turned to him curiously. Aizawa gave a sure nod. "I can do it. I remember the ritual."

The merfolk had a ceremony if their own when it came to marriage. Humans were odd in their ways, never binding permanently even if they did stay together for life. A mer wedding was a lot different. More sacred and reverent in a way most would call religious. It was just their way of life, and it was a cherished one. They had magic that could bind. Magic dealing with love was more powerful than any other that the ocean could offer forth. Though Hitoshi had only ever seen one wedding in his time alive, it had been ingrained in his mind. Embossed in his very being.

He could see that the love between Atlantis and Aizawa was very real. It seemed almost tangible in the air between them as Atlantis processed his words, disbelief flooding his expression. Hitoshi remained steadfast, his expression set and determined. This he knew he could do. He could feel it in his bones. The ability swam in his magic, pushing out towards Atlantis and Shota was though asking Hitoshi to do it now. It could sense that it was meant to be, and the longer Hitoshi stood here, the more right he knew that sentiment was. 

Atlantis' eyes went wide and glassy at the prospect of being wed at sea the proper way. Of course he'd thought about it before, but prior to now, there hadn't been anyone to do it. It couldn't be him-- not only did he not have the ability, but it had to be performed by someone who wasn't going to participate in the wedlock. Marrying Shota the merfolk way would bind them. There'd be a connection that was more permanent and sure, like what the pearl offered, but so much stronger. They'd be able to find each other anywhere and at any time. They'd become hyper-aware of the others emotions and be able to sense them in every aspect. It was a beautiful bond. One not to be taken lightly.

But Atlantis loved Shota so, so much. He knew this was it. He knew he was sure. 

"Y-You remember?" Atlantis asked, hands slipping from Shota's as he turned to face Hitoshi completely. The teen beamed back surely, nodding as more tears began to fall. He couldn't seem to stop crying. "Oh, you remember! Hitoshi!"

"Ritual?" Shota looked heavily intrigued. Atlantis spun around once again, somehow managing to look even happier than before. Aizawa perked up hopefully, looking between them. "Like a wedding?"

Hitoshi grinned, launching into an explanation that made his heart sing.

~~~~~~~~

The ocean was singing. It sung so loudly that even Shota could hear it. It anticipated what was to come, humming a tune that reached out to them and pulled them in closer. Hitoshi had told him what a mermaid marriage would mean. It was permanent. It wasn't something that could ever be taken back, and breaking the vow could easily mean death for the both of them. But Shota had never been more sure of anything in his entire life. He had never wanted anything more.

Atlantis was everything he hadn't ever realized was missing from his life. He was the sun and the moon and everything in-between. He was kind and caring, and loved Shota in an unconditional way the man hadn't realized to be possible. There wasn't a time he could recall feeling so cherished. There wasn't another person in his life he could think of that he cared for this much. There wasn't anyone he would sacrifice it all for. Not even Mic, and not even Nemuri. 

Shota never thought he'd be getting married in swim trunks. But that being said, he'd never thought he'd be married, period. Especially not to a merman. Atlantis smiled at him in the most stunning way as they made their way to the dock. Sea life was already gathering in preparation for what was to come. Dolphins chittered and Sharks weaved between schools of waiting fish, not daring to disturb the impending ritual by eating them. Sea turtles buzzed with cool excitement, and stingrays made swooping figure eights in the water. They were all ready. 

Going down to the ocean this time felt different to Hitoshi. Other times, he hadn't felt much of anything at all. Just a deep sense of longing and a heavy sorrow that had made his shoulders slouch and his whole body feel heavy. Now, things were happier and lighter. He could feel the ocean again. He could finally see the magic in the seafoam and in the arcs of the waves. Hear the whispers that drifted in the salt water. It was like he'd come alive again.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" Atlantis looked up at Shota, his eyes searching. "I know what I want, and what this will do. But it's... it's a lot more than what you humans seem to be used to."

"I'm sure." Shota didn't hesitate in his answer, his heart full of love and his mind clear. He almost wished he could've invited Hizashi and Nemuri, but he knew they wouldn't understand. Even he could feel how important this was. How serious of a commitment he was about to make. But he wanted it. Knowing that he'd be sealed to Atlantis for the rest of his life made him want to smile and never stop. It was like insurance that even if they ever did get separated, they'd always be connected and be able to find each other. Insurance that their love was real-- so much realer than everyone assumed. 

He knew everyone at work didn't believe in the nature of their relationship. He could tell by how they looked at them that they thought it was a fluke that wouldn't last. But Shota was sure. He had never known a love greater than the one he felt towards Atlantis. The prospect of spending his entire life with another person had never crossed his mind until he met and really got to know the merman. He'd always thought destiny was irrational. That things just happened as they did, and not for some greater purpose. But even he had to set that aside and admit that he and Atlantis coming across each other had to have been partially due to fate.

The ocean quieted as they approached. Atlantis let his hand slip from Shota's, jumping into the water with nothing but a towel around his waist. Shota and Hitoshi shared a fond look as the piece of fabric floated to the top, closely followed by Atlantis's beaming face. He breached the surface with his tail softly flexing beneath him. The sight of it took Hitoshi's breath away. Almost subconsciously, he reached towards his chest where the coral lay embedded. Atlantis' smile softened as he set his necklace on the doc carefully, pushing the sopping towel up with it.

"It's okay, Hitoshi." Atlantis reassured with a smile. "I promise I'll help you get your tail back."

Hitoshi felt his brief sadness get washed away by the promise. Mer didn't take those lightly. If Atlantis had said it, it was because he meant it. 

Shota dipped down into the water as well, feet immediately beginning to kick to keep himself up. Atlantis moved forward to help him, his smile shining as his soaked hair dripped with water. He joined hands with his fiance, looking into his dark eyes with heavy adoration. Hitoshi smiled, letting himself dip into the water. A part of him expected to sink. He'd never been good at swimming with just his legs. But surprisingly, the sea held him up. He didn't even have to paddle. It knew he needed to focus on this rather than not drowning.

"Are you sure?" Hitoshi asked. Atlantis nodded. Shota did too.

Everything went still and quiet. It was like all sound was sucked away, leaving the world deaf. The sea stilled, and Hitoshi's eyes began to glow as fresh power coursed through his veins. Atlantis felt tears fill his eyes as he gazed at Shota, who found himself also blinking back tears of joy as the realization finally settled surely in him. He was getting married. He was getting married to Atlantis-- something he'd only been able to dream of weeks before. But then Atlantis found that necklace, and now... now they were together.

"Lock hands and don't let go." Hitoshi's voice was soft, but it sounded impossibly loud in the silence. "Once I start, I can't stop. I know I can't. Are you sure this is what you want?"

"Yes." Atlantis smiled, his voice quiet and tearful as he smiled. Shota smiled too.

"More than anything." He agreed. Hitoshi smiled too. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, he began. And the world seemed to explode with color.