Third person pov

Of course it had been too good to be true. Of course it had! There just had to be something that went wrong, didn't there? To think it would be something of this degree, however, made Aizawa genuinely question what higher being he'd pissed off. He'd have preferred Mic shatter every window in this house with his annoyance of a quirk to this. At least the damage would've been temporary-- easily repairable, something they could move on from. This, though? Aizawa is full of dread and some roundabout form of paranoid fear, because if he's learned anything teaching this year's Class 1-A, it's that none of them know how to mind their business. Least of all the problem child next door.

Kaminari Denki is now their next door neighbor, and that's about as living-nightmare as it could possibly get. Aizawa had moved here with full intent of this being their forever home. Of course it's only now that he comes to find out a living, breathing hellion lives a mere hop, skip and a jump away? Shit! He can tell Atlantis is amused by the somewhat overdramatic bout of depression filtering between their bond, but can you blame Aizawa? Just think about which student they're talking about here.

"He seems like a nice boy! I'm sure it'll be just fine, Shota." Atlantis chirped, patting his arm comfortingly. Aizawa sent him a pitiful look. If only Atlantis knew the half of it. His husband was perfect in every way, shape, and form, but the ignorance was there and this was the strongest it had ever been. Aizawa had known the moment he made eye contact with Kaminari just how absolutely fucked everything was. Even Hitoshi seemed somewhat aware that this was an issue, and he didn't even know Denki. 

"You don't understand. That brat's a walking headache that torments me every waking hour of class and beyond. Grading his essays is like trying to crack some sort of ancient code written in a language no one speaks anymore." Aizawa mourned the image he'd had of the peaceful life ahead of them. The only thing on the horizon now was endless pestering from his class when Kaminari inevitably spilled what he knew. "The class'll all know we're married by the end of the night."

Aizawa wasn't sure what was worse, living next to Kaminari or knowing he was going to tell the rest of the class every detail of his and Atlantis' personal life that he could sponge up for the rest of his days. He'd never know a moment of peace. He could go take the trash out to the curb right now and half of 1-A would know he'd done it and have a full photo collage of the events. Dealing with those problem children was hard enough without them flaming his Hawaiian shirts, which he already knew they'd be doing. Atlantis likes bright colors, and Aizawa likes Atlantis! What can he say?

"So he's nosy, can't mind his own business, and is a gossip." Hitoshi listed off in a drawl tone, looking exhausted by the mere thought. Aizawa nodded, face set in a scowl. He had nothing against Kaminari. The kid was doing about as well as you'd expect academically and was progressing decently in his heroics studies. That all had nothing to do with this situation. Kaminari having potential didn't mean Shota wanted to live next to him. Hitoshi sighed. "Great. So we just moved the biggest secret in Japan straight into his backyard, then."

Atlantis blanched slightly. When he said it like that, it did sound quite bad. He could feel Shota's dread and apprehension through their bond. It was beginning to make him a bit anxious too. Would they have issues? If it was a student of Shota's, surely they'd never intentionally do anything to bring them harm! But what if it wasn't intentional? What if he overheard or saw something and didn't realize the gravity, and then it increased until it became a crashing, unavoidable Tsunami?!

"We have walls around the pool! I-It'll be fine." Atlantis said, seeming a tad more concerned now. Aizawa reached out and took his husband's hand, giving it a good squeeze. They could figure this out. It wasn't that big a deal, right? "A-Are you sure he'll really be that interested in us? Teenagers are... are busy, right?"

A point, but this was Kaminari they were talking about. The kid already asked Aizawa wildly invasive questions about his life on the daily despite how constantly he got shut down. Problem child had issues staying on one topic for too long and was painfully curious, with little understanding of social boundaries. He liked to know things, as did his little group of friends. Mina Ashido in particular. That girl would cut off a limb for a good bite of gossip as far as Aizawa could tell, which was bad news for what was supposed to be Shota, Atlantis', and Hitoshi's picture-perfect life together. 

Aizawa knew it was illogical to get this put-out. They'd already moved in, and it's not as though moping like this was going to make the problem go away. It's just-- things had been so stressful lately. Atlantis had been having trouble sleeping, so focused on the idea of All For One being out there. He was scared, for himself and for Hitoshi, and for All Might and Izuku Midoriya too. This house was supposed to be their oasis. A place they could go to relax and feel at home. Aizawa wanted to make a life here with Atlantis in an anxiety-free environment. Kaminari simply did not fit into that mold.

Before Aizawa could make the executive decision to suck it up and accept that this was just the way things were, the doorbell rang and cut him off. The reverberating noise sounded startling like a death sentence, the bell tolling like one of those old ones you find in church towers. Hitoshi paused, gaze tumbling towards the door and brow raising. Atlantis jumped slightly, gaze snapping towards the direction of the door as well. Wait, did he even know what a doorbell was? Aizawa's apartment didn't have one and he didn't remember covering it in any of their Humans 101 crash courses. 

"Shit." Aizawa sighed, bringing a hand up to massage he temples. He felt shockingly defeated. Today had been a long one. "I'd bet money that's him."

"He has an electricity quirk, right?" Hitoshi's voice had the undertone of a rumble. Aizawa nodded, and Hitoshi smiled. Atlantis felt his heart drop just a little when he saw the boy's eyes flash with an ominous glow. "Good. This'll be easy, then."

Sirens are known to be tricksters. They're classified by their cleverness and ability to dupe and manipulate. Most are said to be particularly ruthless when they happen to feel like it, and as much as Atlantis adores his cousin, Hitoshi is no exception to this stereotype. It's not a bad thing, but Hitoshi's got that same look on his face that Atlantis has seen so many times before, so he knows whatever's about to happen is bound to be brutal. Shota seems to sense his sudden halt and peers at him curiously, gaze flickering back over to Hitoshi briefly when the mer stands.

Atlantis feels himself panic a bit as Hitoshi swipes Shota's cup of water as he goes. Should he stop him? No, surely Hitoshi knows what he's doing! Shota doesn't look worried. But he does feel worried. Or is that Atlantis' own worry getting reflected back at him through the bond? He's panicking a little too hard to comprehend. Shota gives his hand another squeeze-- this one grimmer than the last-- as Hitoshi reaches out and throws open the door. The only thing Atlantis can do now is hold his breath.

He and Shota lean forward a bit to peer out the door, quiet and really not wanting to be spotted. Sure enough, a shock of yellow is blatantly visible over Hitoshi's shoulder. Atlantis blinks, surprised. How did Shota know? He'd predicted it perfectly! He and his husband share a look, the pair of them frowning to one another in an act of mutual understanding. This is going to go one of two ways. Those ways being up and down. Knowing Hitoshi, Atlantis' hopes aren't sky high.

Kaminari honestly hadn't been planning on coming over, but he hadn't been able to help himself. That guy had answered the phone right when Kaminari had called Mr. Aizawa, and had looked right at him! What if... what if it was his teacher? He had to confirm! There was no way he could be left hanging like this. If Mr. Aizawa was his new neighbor, then that was... bro, it was totally crazy. Especially if he was married! Wait, that meant he'd called his teacher a psychopath for building walls around his pool. Which he was, but he never would've said it out loud if he'd known! Man, maybe this was a bad idea.

Only the guy at the door wasn't Mr. Aizawa. It was the dude he'd seen earlier-- the one his age, with the wild hair and exhausted expression. 

"O-Oh, uh, hi!" Kaminari's voice is a little high and a little squeaky. Hitoshi stares at him, looking properly tired tired and face unchanging. The electric blonde is clearly frazzled with nerves. Good, that's going to make this a whole lot easier. Hitoshi's got a whole plan concocted in his brain, and he doesn't think Atlantis is going to stop him. Not Aizawa either-- in fact, if nothing else, the underground pro would probably back him with his full support. Probably. "Sorry, I'm, uh, your neighbor! I-I was sorta wondering---"

"Did you tell anyone Mr. Aizawa is married?" Hitoshi cut him off, tone flat. Kaminari froze, mouth falling open and eyes going wide. The guy glanced behind him briefly, as though contemplating running, or checking to see if there was potentially someone else Hitoshi was addressing. Shota and Atlantis scooted closer to the edge of the couch so they could lean forward more, not quite wanting to commit to getting up. That meant they'd probably have to go all the way to the door too, and if Shota didn't feel ready to deal with Kaminari, Atlantis certainly didn't either.

"No! I-I mean, then that... that was really him? The guy in the ugly shirt was Mr. Aizawa?!" Kaminari sputtered out, looking like he'd seen a ghost. Hitoshi gave a smile that didn't reach his eyes and thrust the cup forward.

Kaminari audibly yelped as the cold water hit its mark, and Hitoshi's phone was out, snapping a photo before anyone could comprehend what was going on. The teen shoved the device back in his pocket and leaned forward, grabbing Kaminari hard by the wrist and yanking him forward. The other teen panicked, catching himself on the doorbell and letting out a startled spark just as Hitoshi released his hand. Not much of one, but enough for the lights to all flicker and then promptly go out. Aizawa glanced back at the rest of the house at the sound of everything powering down, quizzical. Atlantis just looked scared. His understanding of electrical wiring and its workings was rudimentary at best. 

Kaminari gawked, eyes practically bugging out of his head. He pulled his hand away so fast you'd have thought he was burned, clutching it to his chest and looking properly horrified at the realization that all the lights behind Hitoshi had just gone out. He had just shorted out his teacher's brand new house. He had just used his quirk in his home room teacher's HOUSE, holy shit! This was bad. This was really, really, really bad. Who was this guy? What the fuck was even going on? Kaminari really hadn't meant to do that, but he hadn't expected to get grabbed with that much strength either! He'd almost cracked his skull open on the doorframe!

"Great. Keep it that way." Hitoshi said in a casual way. It almost sounded like an offer, but there was nothing but threat behind those eyes. Kaminari stared at him with eyes so wide they were about to fall right out of his head. "If I find out you told anyone, I'm telling all of UA that you pissed yourself on our porch and pasting this picture on every classroom door I can find. And we'll press charges for the illegal quirk usage on our property. And we'll sue for property damage since you just blew out our new house's entire circuit."

Kaminari shakily looked down to see that yeah. The water thrown at him did make him look like he'd pissed himself. Holy shit. Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit. Sue him? He hadn't-- again, what was even going on?!That had all been so unnecessary!  First Mr. Aizawa in dad sandals, now this? He was shaking so hard he was about to fall over, staring in absolute horror at the purple haired kid. Wow. This was really happening right now. He might feel humiliated if he weren't so shaken right now.  

"I-I-I--" Kaminari's voice stuttered out. The faint sound of talking came from further in the house, too hushed to make out, but Kaminari was way too preoccupied to pay any attention to it. "Y-You could've just a-asked."

"Insurance." Is all Hitoshi said, shrugging. Kaminari gazed at him in total shock. A sociopath. This guy was a sociopath! How could he so blatantly blackmail someone? And humiliate them? And then threaten them, even though all he'd been doing was coming over to say hello?! Kaminari opened and closed his mouth a few times, trying to gather himself enough to answer. He knew Mr. Aizawa was a private person and he had, admittedly, been planning to facetime his friends and tell them everything, but still! This was way too far! So, there was only one thing Kaminari could really do in response to this situation.

He burst into tears. It was the first time since this whole encounter that Hitoshi's face showed any real change.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hitoshi! You made him cry?! This was taking it too far!" Atlantis materialized out of thin air as Kaminari began to wail his fragile, broken little heart right out. Hitoshi innocently stepped to the side to make way for his cousin. Shota was hot on his husband's heels, stopping in the doorway as Atlantis stepped closer to his electric student. The mer pulled the moisture from the poor boy's clothing, discarding it off into the yard with a flick and willingly bringing the blonde closer. Like one might with a shivering dog that was afraid of thunder. "It's alright, little fish. Come here, come here. It's going to be okay. Don't cry!"

Aizawa and Hitoshi watched, dumbfounded as Atlantis embraced the very object of their stress. Kaminari didn't attempt to resist or try to figure out who in fresh hot hell Atlantis even was. He just embraced him back, burying his face in the mer's shoulder for comfort. It was an astonishing sight. A turn of events Aizawa didn't foresee. Atlantis' concern for Kaminari was clear as day through their bond as he rubbed the teen's back, giving Hitoshi a scandalized look. The purple-haired mer raised his hands in surrender. What could he say? Duty called and he answered.

"I-I-I-" Kaminari hiccupped. Aizawa let out a heavy sigh that made Kaminari start crying harder. Atlantis shot his husband a threatening glance, to which he also held his hands up in surrender. He wasn't going to admit out loud how brilliant Hitoshi's entire plot was or how well it was probably going to work, knowing Kaminari. The underground pro had a feeling his husband probably already knew anyway. Bond and all that. This was a big secret, alright?

"....I'm going to go find the breaker box." Aizawa seemed to decide, shaking his head. Hitoshi nodded in total agreement as Atlantis cooed over Kaminari like he was a stray animal that would simply die without love and comfort. God, Aizawa was hopelessly in love with him, but he was downright too good for this world. And Kaminari was too fragile, apparently. They'd have to work on emotional strength in class. Fuck, Aizawa did not want to be thinking about work on his first day in the new home he, his husband, and almost-kid shared. This wasn't what he'd envisioned. 

"I'll come with you." Hitoshi decided. He shot a quick glance back at Kaminari, eyes narrowing a bit. "Every. Single. Classroom. Door."

Kaminari gave another wail, and Atlantis hissed at them, swatting a hand in their direction like a defensive cat. Shota and Hitoshi got the memo, scurrying off like a couple of rats. Atlantis' irritation immediately dissolved in their bond, replaced by that same, warm worry he had for anyone in need. Shota's heartstrings plucked at it. He didn't deserve someone so good. Maybe the universe knew that and that's why it had sent Denki Kaminari to run interference. It tracked if you really thought about it. As though an ancient mer-man supervillain wasn't enough. Ugh. 

Atlantis shushed Kaminari soothingly, keeping an arm around his shoulder and leading him into the house. They didn't have all their furniture yet by any means, but they had one of their couches in and that was more than enough. Shota really did care about his students. He loved to teach more than he would ever dare to admit out loud and truly wanted to see these kids succeed and achieve everything he felt they were capable of. He was just stressed about the merman secret, that was all!

"I very much apologize on their behalf, Kaminari. Hitoshi didn't mean any harm! He's just a little worried about Shota and I, that's all." Atlantis kept his voice low and reassuring. A tone he's comfortable with and has used well in his time on this Earth. It seemed quite effective, as Kaminari's tears slowed, and he seemed to respond a bit by looking up. "My name is Atlantis! I am your homeroom teacher's husband and Recovery Girl's... ah, yes, her apprentice! It's nice to meet you."

He beamed his best smile, watching Kaminari blink away his tears slightly and wipe at his cheeks. The blonde sniffled, seeming to take Atlantis in for a moment. He seemed distinctly confused. Atlantis didn't see why. Perhaps it was the thing Hizashi and Nemuri spoke of, about how he and Shota seemed like total opposites at first glance. That could explain why he was having trouble comprehending, yes? Atlantis really isn't sure, so he's just going to smile and hope it works out!

"Y...Y-You're really nice." Kaminari squeezed the words out, voice weepy as he wiped at his eyes some more. They continued to water anyway. The teen glanced around at their still-barren home, blinking. He turned his gaze back to Atlantis, eyes big, pleading, and scared. Atlantis felt his heart tug. "I-Is he really going to put u-up those photos?" 

Atlantis had no idea what he meant? Photo? Wait, the phones took those! Could Hitoshi really take them off the phone and put them on doors? Atlantis felt a bit nervous, glancing at where Shota had vanished upstairs. He couldn't risk saying anything too out of the blue so it was better to keep it vague. Things would get even more complicated if he was found to be weird, right? Yes, most certainly. He had to be as normal as possible as to not tip Kaminari off. Poor boy! Hitoshi had upset him far too much.

"Of course he won't!" Atlantis lied, struggling to keep the guilt off his face and out of his voice. Because Hitoshi would totally put pictures on doors as a form of revenge if Kaminari did go against what he'd demanded. Still, his words got the electric blonde to relax, so it was well worth it. Atlantis smiled, only faltering for a moment when the house whirred back on. The lights coming on so suddenly again made him blink a few times. He took a deep breath. Human technology was very terrifying! "Don't worry! I'll have a talk with him, okay? Now, have you ever had... it's called hot chocolate? It will make you feel better!"

"O-Okay." Kaminari bobbed his head, eyes a little shiny. He smiled a little at Atlantis, his tears fully stopped now that he'd been reassured. Atlantis was glad to see him bouncing back so fast. "Y-You're way nicer than Mr. Aizawa. I can't believe he got married to someone like you!"

Kaminari looked eager and happy, scooting a little closer. Atlantis beamed at him. Good! He was no longer crying. This was a good day. Shota had made Kaminari out to be rather irritating, but he seemed like a pleasant and upbeat young man! You were supposed to be friends with your neighbors, right? That's what Atlantis had gathered from all Hitoshi and Shota had told him. Making your neighbors cry didn't seem very friendly. 

"I can't believe it either." Atlantis chirped. A human and mer, linked for life. Shota had done so much for him! Atlantis didn't deserve him, honestly. He was endlessly grateful they'd met. Never had he loved someone so much, and never had he had such a dear friend in life. He never would've found Hitoshi without Shota, and he probably would've never had family like this again. "Now, let's go to the kitchen! That's where the heat box is!" 

That's not what a microwave was called, but Kaminari is a special brand of stupid and understood exactly what he meant anyway, and didn't think to question it. He bounced to his feet vigorously, trailing after Atlantis like an excited puppy. It was rare he was so positively received. Most people found him annoying and didn't hesitate to tell him as such, but this Atlantis guy seemed so nice and patient! Nothing like Mr. Aizawa, who was like, mega scary. So was that other kid, but Kaminari couldn't just turn down hot chocolate! Especially not from someone so nice. Maybe they could be friends. That would be pretty cool, right?

Aizawa and Hitoshi came downstairs to find Atlantis fraternizing with the enemy, Kaminari watching the mer somewhat-struggle to make hot chocolate with big, starry eyes that told them he wouldn't be leaving anytime soon. Somehow, their plot to scare Kaminari off had morphed into something else entirely. Now, Shota had a feeling it was going to be nearly impossible to get rid of the damn kid.

Shota wanted to be upset, but as happiness, contentment, and pride that he'd remembered how to use the microwave hummed through his bond with Atlantis, he couldn't find it in himself to be. And as tired as matter-of-fact as he happened Hitoshi was most of the time, even he couldn't be either.