Third person pov

The days went on and on, and soon Shota found himself taking the whole summer off. His agency didn't much mind. They encouraged it, with how much of a workaholic Aizawa had proven to be since he joined in with them. They didn't ask questions or make complaints. Nobody wanted to risk him changing his mind. It's not that they didn't enjoy having him there-- they all simply knew he needed a break, and now was one of the best times for him to take one. Though, when Present Mic called in asking if he was working this week and they broke the news, the shriek the blonde voice hero let out nearly shattered the receptionist's right eardrum. 

Honestly, Shota Aizawa had never been happier. His days were filled with sandy beaches and oceanic waves. With glimmering scales full of all his favorite colors, and a pair of sea-green eyes that made his heart pound and his lips stretch into a broad smile. He felt airy and light, and like there was nothing that could burden him any longer. It was refreshing. He was eating healthier and laughing more. He was more well kept than ever, even while sporting a beard. He kept it well-maintained. 

Aizawa didn't often splurge to buy things for himself. It's why he had so much money saved up to begin with. He was, essentially, a minimalist. The most expensive item he owned had to be his sleeping bag, which had served him dutifully throughout the years and still looked as good as new. A good and rational purchase, in his opinion. That was besides the point. Recently, he'd been buying a great number of things. A high-grade underwater camera for Atlantis, who'd used it greatly to take photos unlike any he'd ever seen from regular deep-sea divers. Foods from restaurants and bakeries that charged more than most regular places. Knick-knacks and games he and Atlantis could share.

All those had brought a smile to Atlantis' face. It made every dime spent all the more worth it. Watching his nose crinkle when he examined the games Shota brought, and his eyes light up when the smell of freshly baked goods hit his senses. It made Aizawa's day so much brighter. Things seemed less monotone nowadays. Colors around him were vibrant and popped out more. It was harder to be pessimistic when everything seemed so upbeat around him, and he found himself quite alright with that. It felt good to be happy for once. To be content. 

Now here he was again, at the pier he'd quickly become accustomed to walking onto despite the rickety nature of the structure. Atlantis was perched at the end, watching him curiously as he dropped his towel and bag down, balancing his new purchase on one shoulder. It was big, bright, and covered in banana-leaf print. A vibrant shade of teal peeked out between portions where the leaves didn't criss-cross, somehow managing to make it all the beachier. Aizawa had always wanted to learn how to surf. Now felt like the perfect time to do so.

"What's that thing?" Atlantis asked curiously as Aizawa lowered it into the water. Shota admired his intrigued expression momentarily. "Is it a small boat?"

"No, not really. It's called a surfboard." Aizawa answered with a half smile, fishing a magazine out of the bag. "This can give you a better idea of what it is. I've always wanted to learn how, and I've got good balance. What do you think?"

Atlantis beamed at him, taking the magazine curiously and opening it. Things made of material that wasn't waterproof always seemed to fascinate the merman. He'd never really seen paper before. Water did away with it far too quickly. Reading was a new experience. Atlantis wasn't all that good at it yet, but he could speak just fine, so he was beginning to catch on. Shota was a good and patient teacher, and would help him sound out some of the larger words. 

"Wow." Atlantis awed at the images depicting humans balancing atop boards just like Aizawa's, riding monstrous waves with their knees bent and arms out for balance. If anyone would be good at a sport such as this, it would certainly be Shota. He was lean and fit, and as he'd said before, extremely good at balancing. Atlantis felt excitement brew in the pit of his stomach, and his heart fluttered at the idea of Shota being closer to him and to the sea. "I can help you!"

Aizawa felt himself smile wider. Atlantis radiated back at him cheerfully, wonder in his eyes. Aizawa felt his cheeks heat slightly as he hopped into the water, watching the merman smoothly slide in after him. The sun was out and beating down, heating the water to a comfortable temperature. Atlantis' body twisted around his, their arms brushing as the merman took a closer look at the surfboard. Aizawa felt his chest clamp down around his heart, and tried to keep a disdainful scowl off his face. He was being ridiculous. As much as he'd grown to love Atlantis... he doubted the merman could ever feel the same. Mentioning his feelings would only pressure him. 

"Would you like me to hold the board steady while you try and stand?" Atlantis asked. "Or, or, maybe I could make a small wave for you! And you could ride it sitting down. That could work. Can your legs be in the water when you do it, or do you suppose that would mess things up?" 

Aizawa blinked at him. 

"Make a wave?"

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

As it would turn out, Atlantis being a literal mythical creature wasn't the only thing magical about him. He could do so much more than just communicate with sea creatures, and Shota hadn't had a single clue! He hadn't even thought to ask, and now felt like an idiot. It was shallow of him to believe that was all there was to Atlantis' abilities. But it was better late than never, Shota supposed. He wanted to learn as much as he could about the merman. Honestly, Aizawa would never stopped being awed by him. 

He wondered when this would all end. The mere thought made dread pool in the pit of his stomach. Atlantis lived in the sea, and Aizawa on the land. The idea of Atlantis one day moving on made his heart clench. The merman had expressed his want to find his past pod, if they were even still around. He wanted to be with his people, and as much as that pained Shota, he understood. 

Atlantis could control the sea. It bent under his will, churning to fit his mood. It's why the ocean was always so calm when he came around. Atlantis was in a good mood whenever Aizawa showed up. The idea that the merman could sway entire tsunami's in his favor was startling, but amazing all the same, and it only made Shota fall deeper into the pit Atlantis' existence had created. He basked in the drop as Atlantis helped him balance on his board, talking about how sometimes the weather above the sea would also change for him. At first Aizawa had assumed it to be a quirk. With Atlantis' permission, he'd activated his own, but nothing happened. It really was magic.

That made everything even better, somehow.

Aizawa's hero training helped greatly with his balance on the Surf Board, and it wasn't hard for him to simply stand on it. It was when Atlantis rose some waves for him to ride that things got complicated. He was starting to get the hang of it, and it wasn't as though falling in was the worst thing. Atlantis would always shoot towards him and make sure he was alright, or pull him up if he hadn't swam upwards already. That, or he'd bend the water around him, and have it lift him back up and onto his board. It was entirely enrapturing. It made his failure more of a novelty than a disappointment. 

They continued going until the sun started to set. It was always at this point that they'd climb out of the water so Atlantis could show Shota what photos he'd taken and what treasures he'd found buried in the sand. It was a perfect close to their day, and together they could talk about and marvel over what the merman had collected. Both of them were satisfied with how far Aizawa had come in his attempts to surf anyway, so stopping wasn't an issue for either. In just a few days, Atlantis was confident his dear friend would be ready for him to create some larger waves.

Atlantis seemed more eager today as Shota pulled the surfboard from the water, shaking out his hair and sending salt water flying. He dove beneath the waves to retrieve his hoard from beneath the home he'd made under the dock. Aizawa had sunk beneath the waves before to view it, and it appeared oddly cozy despite it being under the water. Atlantis had formed a sort of nest in the sand, piling up rocks to create low walls that would shield him from view as he slept. It sort of hurt Shota's heart to know he slept under there alone so often. Maybe he could see about having him doze on the surfboard, and they could tie it to the dock where Aizawa could lay out his sleeping bag. 

The photos he took were stunning as usual. Some were funnier than others. He'd had some krill spell out Shota's name, and had instructed a few sharks to pose with large, sharp-toothed grins. A few sea turtles spun lazily in a perfect circle, and there were photographs of small fish and crabs that would usually hide in fear peeking out shyly from behind brightly colored coral. That was another thing Atlantis seemed to bring with him. Since his coming here, the coral colonies in the cove had been expanding at an astounding pace.

"Look, look!" Atlantis sprung from the water, causing Shota to look up from the camera curiously. He pushed himself up and onto the dock, his eyes shining with unspoken excitement. He looked ready to burst, his left hand carefully curled around something. Shota smiled, scooting over as the merman situated himself as close to Shota as he could get. The dark-haired man felt his cheeks heat as their shoulders brushed, and mentally cursed himself for being so irrational. A simple shoulder brush, and he was gone to the world? He needed to get himself together.

Atlantis was overjoyed. Filled with excitement, really. Shota was always bringing him things and trying to make him smile, and as much as that made his heart race and his stomach erupt with flustered nerves, he really wanted to do something back. To show he cared. He loved his new friend. It wasn't just because he was starved socially. Shota was an amazing person. He cared so much, and was dedicating so much time to Atlantis so he didn't have to be alone. He was genuinely entranced with him, and Atlantis was entranced right back. It only felt proper to bring him something too.

Atlantis leaned a little closer, bringing his closed palm up and unfurling it. Shota peered down at the small object, his eyes going wide and round at the sight. Sitting there in the palm of his merman friend's hand was a large, plump, golden pearl. It emitted a soft and comforting sort of glow. It seemed almost alive. Shota could feel something teeming within it. He just couldn't tell what that something was. 

"I enchanted it for you." Atlantis said, his voice quiet, and a smile in his voice. Shota felt his breath get stolen away, which wasn't uncommon when he was with Shota. "Golden pearls are rare. In my culture, they represent the power of the waters, and wisdom. The sea will always know you're a friend if you have this on, and if you ever need me, it will let me know." Atlantis said, gaze lifting so his eyes connected with Shota's. The man felt like he couldn't breathe, his heart thudding hard in his chest as he pearl was set in his palm. Atlantis closed his hand for him, gentle in his actions. Shota couldn't look away.

"Thank you." He managed to whisper, his free hand coming to rest on top of Atlantis'. "Thank you, Atlantis."

"You have nothing to thank me for. You've done far more for me than I can ever repay. I... I care for you more than I've cared for anyone in a long, long time now." Atlantis said, smiling and feeling nervous as he admitted it. Saying it out loud was elating, and he felt his heart soar as Aizawa's grip on his hand tightened. It wasn't an uncomfortable hold, but rather one that made him feel warm. Shota's eyes searched his further. The pearl thrummed with the magic Atlantis had bestowed upon it. 

Something between them shifted. It's not that it changed, but the way the atmosphere seemed to feel drew them both closer. Aizawa could feel Atlantis' cool breath fanning across his face, and he was sure Atlantis could feel his, too. They both were tensely silent, but not in a bad way. It was as though everything else melted away and left just them, the dock, and the waves lazily crashing against it. 

"Atlantis." Shota said, his voice so quiet he almost didn't hear it. The words slipped out before he could stop them. "I think I may love you."

Atlantis's heart skipped several beats, and he smiled as Shota's hand came up to cup his cheek. His hand was warm. Shota always was. Even when the sea was feeling clammy, he never failed to be a constant source of comforting heat Atlantis couldn't help but be drawn to. He never minded if the merman sat by him, even when his skin was wet and cool. He'd always scoot closer, and smile at Atlantis in a way that made him feel like he was the most important thing in the world. 

"I think I may love you too." Atlantis found himself whispering. He almost regretted it, him being a dweller of the sea, and Shota one of the land. But the smile on his friend's face washed any doubts he had away, and Atlantis smiled too, tears pricking at his eyes. He knew they were separated and could never really be together the way Atlantis wished they could, but he didn't care in this moment. This is what he wanted. This is what he had. 

Shota leaned forward, and Atlantis let his eyes slide shut as their lips collided. Shota's beard scratched at him, but not uncomfortably. His lips were rough and soft at the same time, holding a heat comparable to that of the sun. Atlantis' hands flew to Shota's shoulders, gripping them with just the right amount of force. Shota's hand raked through his damp hair, tangling in it as Atlantis angled his head more upward, allowing himself to melt into the foreign sensation of kissing. Sparks erupted across his skin, and his heart exploded with glee. The pearl in Shota's palm hummed. 

They parted after a few seconds that had felt like hours, winded. Shota rested his forehead against Atlantis', feeling like he might cry from the sheer amount of euphoria he felt. This was what it felt like to be in love. This was what Mic and Nemuri had tried and failed to get him to understand so many times in the past. They'd explained and explained. They'd tried to hook him up with guys and girls he didn't click with or like. But now, it was all falling into place. It was a feeling he wouldn't trade for anything else in the world. He loved his friends, and he cared for his students. But this... this was so much different. 

"Was that okay?" Shota asked, mind foggy. Atlantis bit his lip, trying and failing to suppress the grin spreading across his face. Aizawa smiled too, his softer and lighter, and less giddy despite the joy that had him bursting at the seams. In lieu of an answer, the merman instead leaned forward again. And that conveyed more than words could ever say.