Fins & Friends

Eijirou's tiny feet slapped along the sand as he ran on the shoreline, looking for shells. He sees a giant conch shell and gleefully picks it up, dropping a few smaller ones in the process.

Listening to the sounds of the waves, he pulled away when he thought he heard a voice call back to him. He inspects the shell but doesn’t see anything interesting then he hears the voice again, but this time it’s from down the beach, so he rushes towards it. Peeking over the rocks, he lets out a tiny gasp when he sees the source of the noise.

Under a weighted fishing net was a girl about his age—or rather a mermaid. Eijirou stares in wonder. He’s heard of them from his mother and the fishermen on the docks, but he never thought he’d be able to see one in his lifetime.

Her tail is long and slender, more like a snake or an eel than a fish, and pale pink contrasts against the rich brown of her skin. She wails loudly again, trying to free herself from the net to no avail.

Eijirou watches, unsure of his next course of action until he hears male voices in the distance getting closer. Fishermen. If they see her, surely they’ll take her to the black market or worse. So he hops over the rocks, dropping all his shells, and runs to her. She cries out again when she sees him flailing wildly.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he reassures in a gentle voice, reaching in his pocket for his trusty pocket knife his cousin gave him. She watches through teary eyes as he starts to cut the net, babbling something in an unknown language at him.

The voices get even closer, and he starts to cut faster, including the pieces wound around her tail. The final thread snaps open, and he tosses the net aside. “You’re free!”

She wiggles her tail, trilling happily, then looks longingly at the water. The distance is quite far, she must’ve been pulled up by the tide, and she seems tired from struggling under the warm sun for what could’ve been hours.

So he picks her up in a bridal style in his scrawny little arms. She squeals in surprise and hangs onto his shoulders as he waddles them to the water.

“Hey!” A male voice shouts up the beach. They’ve been spotted. “ Stop !”

Eijirou runs, tripping over the sand but makes it to the water. He drops the mermaid when he’s sure the water is deep enough, but her sharp forearm fin catches on the gold charm necklace he got as a gift from his father. It plops into the water, and he cries out, searching through the water for it, but the waves have already pulled it and the mermaid away. Suddenly he feels his arm get yanked back, “You brat! Do you realize what you’ve done?!”

“Cost us a fortune ,” another man growls, looking out into the water. “You'll pay for this.”

The first man pulls his ear hard and takes him back down the beach and to his house after getting the information out of him. After a scolding from his parents about interfering with adult business, he’s sent to his room to mope. Still, he feels very pleased with himself that he helped someone.

Fifteen years never flew by so fast. Eijirou’s all grown up and returned to his hometown for summer vacation after moving away for school and work. He brought along his college friends Katsuki, Denki, and Hanta for a guys' trip.

After an eight-hour plane ride and a five-hour road trip, they finally arrive at the quaint little fishing town.

“As tired as I am, this was a great idea,” Hanta yawns as they leave the rental car.

“After I sleep for a day, I’m gonna meet some hotties ~,” Denki grins, snapping his fingers.

Katsuki rolls his eyes and takes his phone out of his pocket. “At least there’s service.”

“You’re gonna call your little girlfriend, Kacchan?”

“At least I have someone to call.” He puts the phone to his ear and walks away to the beach house entrance.

Eijirou unlocks the door, and they all step inside, oohing at the interior, a mix of rustic chic and modern chic.

“Dibs on the biggest room!” Eijirou announces and pulls his suitcase up the stairs to the master bedroom.

“No fair!” Denki whines, chasing after him but ultimately gets stuck with the smaller guest room downstairs.

Katsuki takes the other guest room, claiming his territory with his duffel bag. “Yeah it’s fine,” he says to his girlfriend on the phone. “No I didn’t forget about the rocks, I’ll bring you some.”

Hanta comes in to bother him, throwing his arm over the blonde’s shoulders. “ Iwaaaaaa, stop ruining guys week!”

Katsuki shoves him off. “Fuck off. No babe, you don’t have to—don’t hang up, wait! Dammit, see what you did!”

Upstairs, Eijirou texts his parents that they’ve arrived, and they tell him to come over tomorrow for brunch.

“There is a lot of mermaid stuff here,” Denki says from the kitchen, holding up a china plate with a mermaid painting on it. “It’s pretty, though.”

“Yeah they’re pretty popular here,” Eijirou tells him, reminiscing about the first time he saw one.

“Maybe we’ll see one!”

Eijirou shakes his head. “I doubt. they don’t come around people and now that there’s tourists, we’ll probably never see one.”

Hanta pats Eijirou’s back, “Why don’t you tell us again how you saw one as a kid.”

The others snicker.

“I did!” Eijirou protests. “I saved her from a net.”

“Pics or it didn’t happen, bro,” Denki teases.

“You guys are the worst. I'm going to bed.”

The next day, Eijirou drives his friends to his childhood home on the other side of the beach.

“Dude, you grew up here?!” Denki gasps, looking at the rustic yet slightly modern beach house. “It’s so cute.”

Katsuki takes a picture of it and sends it to Iwa because she loves houses like these, which makes him happy when she’s happy.

Knocking on the door, he hears a muffled voice inside before the door opens, and a woman a couple inches shorter than him comes into view.

“My baby! Oooh, you’ve gotten so big! I’ve missed you so much! Are these your friends?” the woman smiles.
“Yeah! This is Hanta, Denki, and Katsuki.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Kirishima,” Hanta smiles. “You have a lovely home, ma’am.”

“Aww, thank you. You boys must be hungry. Come in, come in.” She shuts the door behind them. “Tell me all about what you’ve been up to since we last saw you.”

“I decided to add physical therapy as my minor.”

“That’s great, sweetie! Anything involving a special someone?”

“No, ma, I’m not dating anyone,” he chuckles.“Yet.”

“Sora! Get in here! Eiji’s home for summer vacation!” Umi calls out.

Sora Kirishima’s tall frame ducked under the doorway as he made his way into the living room. “There’s my boy!” he grins, pulling Eijirou into a hug, patting his back. “Oh, you brought friends.”

“Yeah. Hi, dad. Guys, this is my dad.”

“Now I know why he’s a giant,” Katsuki mumbles.

They shake Sora’s hand one by one, wincing at the firm grip. “Nice to meet you all. Eiji, Mina and Jamie said they’ll meet you at the beach.”

“Mina? Jamie??” Hanta perks up. “ Friends of yours?”

“Mina’s our neighbor, and Jamie’s her partner. I can’t wait to see her.”

“Dammit, she’s taken?” Hanta pouts.

“Open relationship, Hanta,” Eijirou adds.

“I’m interested again.”

After brunch with his parents, Eijirou got a text from Mina.

Mina 🌸

>>Meet us near the fish fry

>>I have a yellow sunhat on

<<Alright, see you soon

Driving to the beach, Denki and Hanta bopped along to the playlist Eijirou had plugged in while Katsuki was on his phone, texting Iwa and looking for houses.

He parks in front of the docks, looking out the window to search for Mina. He thinks he spots her sunhat in the distance near the fish fry, and they all get out.

Carrying their beach stuff, Eijirou squinted before grinning when he realized he was right.

“Yo, Pinkie Pie!” he calls out, grinning when Mina turns around.

“Shellspotter!” Mina giggles, running towards his group. “Oh my god, you’re giant! When did you get so tall?”

“I’m not that tall.”

“You’re almost six-six, dude!” Denki calls out.

“Who’re they?”

“These are my friends from college. Katsuki, Denki, and Hanta. Guys, this is Mina and Jamie.”

“Hi,” Mina grins. “Nice to finally meet you guys.”

“Likewise,” Hanta smiles.

“Yo, can we hit the beach? My arms are getting tired,” Denki whines with full arms.

“Sure, Eiji said you guys wanted to ski?”

“Oh my god, yes!”

Mina leads them to a bait and tackle/boat and jet ski rental place nestled in the corner of the beach. Someone is sticking their head under the engine hood of one of the boats by the dock.

“Jamie!” Mina calls out. “They’re here.”

Moving away from the engine, a brown skin person with black shoulder-length dreads comes into view. Jamie wipes her hands clean from the engine oil on a rag and makes their way over.

“Hey, babe.”

“She looks so cool,” Denki mumbles.

“Thank you, but I use all pronouns,” Jamie chimes in.

“Sorry.”

“It’s alright. Which one of you wanted to jet ski?”

“Me!” Denki pipes up.

“Do you know how to ride one of these?”

“I do not.”

“Alright, lemme just go talk to my dad while you guys get comfortable and I’ll be right back.”

“Okay! We’ll be down by the guard tower.” Mina waves them off and takes the group down to the beach.

About a half hour later, Jamie returns in a bikini top and jean shorts with the keys in hand. “I got the keys to the jet ski. Be careful with it. The throttle is on the right side, and the brakes are on the left. If you fall off, climb back up from the back using the handles. Don't climb from the side unless you want the jet ski to fall on you.”

They show Denki the ski, pushing it into the water and handing him the red life vest.

“Don’t zoom off, start off slow then go at your own pace, got it?”

Denki nods so hard his head might fall off. “Yup!” He helps Jamie pull it into the water and sits on it before putting on the vest.

“Good luck.”

While Denki rides around on open waters, the group settles on the beach to relax.

“What do you guys wanna do?” Mina asks as she stretches out on the beach chair.

“Relax,” Katsuki hums, putting his sunglasses on.

“Probably build a sandcastle. Jamie, you wanna join?” Hanta asks, pulling out a collapsable bucket from the beach stuff.

“Sure, why not. Babe, you coming?” Jamie asks.

“I think I’ll stay here.”

“C’mon Jamie, let’s go.”

The pair take the stuff and head further down the beach. Mina coots her chair close to Eijirou. “Sooooo, what’s new? I’ve missed you like crazy, dude,” she prods.

“Not much, school stuff, work, it’s kinda boring not gonna lie.” Eijirou shrugs, looking over at Katsuki lying on the beach towel.

“Any interests in a partner?”

“Haven’t found the right person yet,”

“ Whaattt ?! You used to have such a huge crush on Mai when we were kids.”

Eijirou blushes. “Then she moved and I kind of lost interest.”

“Ha!” Katsuki cackles, looking out onto the waves. “Dunceface fell off the jet ski!”

They look in the distance and see Denki floating in the water, the ski sputtering to a stop a little ways away.

“Hopefully, he can swim to it.”

Denki starts paddling towards the ski, just reaching it before suddenly he’s yanked down into the water, disappearing from view.

“What the fuck?!” Katsuki shouts, taking off his sunglasses. “Did you guys see that? Where is he?!”

“Denki!” Eijirou shouts, bolting from the beach towel towards the water, rushing in, and swimming towards where he was last seen.

A small crowd gathers to watch, murmuring worriedly. Eijirou looks around before submerging under the water but doesn’t see Denki anywhere. He pops back up and shouts Denki’s name.

Panic surges through him the more he searches to no avail until he gets a break, and Denki pops up, inhaling loudly and clinging to Eijirou.

“Shit, Denki! ”

“Get out of the water!” Denki yells at him, swimming frantically back to the beach.

The pair swim back until they can step on the sand. Immediately, Denki falls to the sand, panting loudly.

“Bro!” Hanta rushes over and kneels next to him. “Are you okay?”

Denki stares at the sky, pale as a ghost.

“Where’s your life jacket?” Jamie asks him.

“There…there was something down there. I felt it grab me and—and pull me down! I kicked it and it let me go but it grabbed my jacket.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Katsuki frowns.

“What did it look like?” Eijirou asks.

Denki thinks for a moment. “Like a person? I guess but it had a tail. Red . I think it was a mermaid.”

The people murmur quietly, some in disbelief, some in awe.

“A mermaid?” Mina repeats.

“That’s impossible….” Hanta mumbles. “You said they never come around people.”

“I know,” Eijirou hums. “That’s crazy. Let’s get Denki back to the house. Mina?”

“Yeah, I’ll go.”

“I better go get the jet ski,” Jamie groans, taking off their shorts and handing them to Mina.

Hanta whistles lowly as Mina stares at her partner walking into the water.

“Goddamn, I’m lucky,” she swoons.

“Damn right,” Hanta mumbles, staring at Jamie’s slowly shrinking figure as she swims out to get the jet ski.

Back at the house, Denki lies on the couch, obviously shaken by the terrifying experience.

“Sorry I doubted you, bro,” he tells Eijirou, who just smiles.

“I’m just happy you’re okay.”

“Thanks, man.”

Jamie and Mina step in from the kitchen with a large bottle and two cases of beer. “You guys ready to have fun?”

“Yes, please. Nearly dying has me in a party mood.” Denki sits up, excited.

Eijirou holds his hand up.“None for me. Not in the mood.”

“Me neither.” Katsuki adds.

“I’ll take his drink! Always willing to party,” Hanta grins, grabbing a beer from the case. “To summer!!”

The ones holding alcohol hold their own drinks up. “ To summer! !”

Around two in the morning, Eijirou’s door creaks open. He pulls his black hood over his hair and tiptoes past Hanta’s room towards the stairs.

He avoids the one creaky stair and makes it to the living room, freezing when he sees a figure sitting on the couch with their phone lighting up their face.

“Jesus!” Eijirou yelps.

“What’re you doing?” Katsuki asks, squinting at him.

“Uhhh—”

“Let me call you back, poprocks. Love you,” Katsuki tells Iwa on the phone, then hangs up. “Well?”

“Just, um, going out for a midnight stroll?”

“First of all, it’s two am. Secondly, who do you think I am, Dunceface? I don’t buy it. Where are you going?”

“I was gonna take my dad’s old boat and look for that mermaid Denki saw.”

“You seriously believe him?”

“He got yanked underwater, Katsuki. There aren’t any sharks around here, so what else is capable of doing that?!”

“He’s an idiot. He probably got caught on seaweed or old rope and thought he saw something else.”

“But his life vest was buckled on him. How did it get taken off? You can’t possibly explain that”

“You take it off if it’s caught on something, dumbass .”

Eijirou groans in frustration. “I’m going anyway.”

Katsuki rolls his eyes, stands up, and picks up his hoodie from the couch. “I’m going to make sure you don’t fuckin’ drown and get the cops on my ass. We better be back before my hearing aids die.”

The two of them get to the entryway, and Katsuki takes a complimentary tote bag from the hanger.

“What’s that for?”

“Rocks,” he says simply.

“Rocks?”

“ Rocks .”

Eijirou decides not to pry further. He drives them back to his parent’s house and parks down the street. They sneak to the beach where Sora’s rowboat sits on the sand.

Pushing off, they each grab a paddle and row slowly out into the open water where Denki nearly drowned and use their phones flashlights to look through the dark water.

“There’s nothing there,” Katsuki grumbles, “It’s too damn dark.”

“Maybe you were right. Denki probably panicked,” Eijirou sighs. “But I swear I saw a mermaid when I was a kid!”

“Whatever you say, Eijirou.”

Just as Katsuki and Eijirou get ready to turn back, the boat starts to rock as the waves begin to get choppy. “The hell?! What’s going on?!” Katsuki yells.

Eijirou looks over the edge of the boat and yelps when something thumps the boat, throwing him off balance and into the water.

“Eijirou!” Katsuki calls out, looking over the edge.

“Don’t worry, man, I’m f—”

Eijirou’s words were cut off as he was yanked underwater. His eyes shot open as the moonlight helped illuminate the water into a dull blue. Trying not to panic and suck water into his lungs, he looks down at his ankle and sees a hand holding onto it, the rest shrouded in swirling dark mass. He sees the red, and his eyes widen. ‘ I knew it!’

Thinking fast, he kicks it, and a muffled cry fills his ears as it pulls its hand away. Something shiny on its arm catches his attention. It reaches up at him again but goes for the front of his shirt, the shiny thing reflecting the light. When his eyes finally focus on it, he sees an armband of some kind with what looks like letter charms ‘ E.K’ hanging from it.

Tugging on the armband, he tries to pull it off, but that just makes the mermaid angrier as it flails its arm. He succeeds and holds it up, pointing to himself, then the necklace.

Just as the mermaid’s face comes into view, Eijirou’s vision starts to blur as he lets go of the air in his lungs and gets a breath of water, falling unconscious. The mermaid frowns, looking at the necklace in his hand but eventually grabs his collar and pulls him back up to the surface.

Back on the boat, Katsuki is about to dial the police when something pops out of the water, holding onto the side of the boat. He falls on his ass and watches it push Eijirou’s limp body into the boat, rolling him onto his back.

“What the…” Katsuki mumbles.

Popping your head out of the water, you pull yourself onto the boat, looking down at the unconscious human. Lifting your fist, you punch him right in the gut and trill as he coughs up water.

“Oh my god, mermaids are real!” Katsuki yells, looking at your sharp-clawed, webbed hands.

Eijirou regains consciousness, slowly opening his eyes to see you looking down at him, curls wet and flat.

“Give me that!” You hiss and grab the necklace from him, examining it. “You’re lucky it’s not broken.”

“Holy shit, you can talk ?!” Katsuki stares.

“Yes, I can . Stupid,” you sneer at the blond. “Humans talk all the time, so we’re forced to learn from listening to you bipeds ramble all the time.”

Eijirou sits up, pushing his hair from his face. “I know you.”

“That's impossible. You don’t know me.”

“Fifteen years ago, I was looking for seashells on the beach. You washed up on the shore, and you were tangled up in a net. I saved you and dropped my necklace. I can’t believe you have it.”

Your eyes widen, and you point at him. “ You . I remember you! You look different now. Wow !”

“So do you. You’re…ginormous! And your tail is red now, it used to be pink.”

“That was a long time ago. I was a baby . They get darker as we age.”

“That’s so awesome!” Eijirou grins.

Katsuki watches the interaction, stunned. “So you weren’t lying?”

“Why would I lie about this !” Eijirou gestures to you.

“I suppose you’d want this back.” You hold out the necklace for him. “It fell in the water, and I grabbed it, thinking maybe you’d come back and we’d find each other one day.”

“Keep it. It looks better on you and it’s too small for me to wear now.”

You smile at him, showing off sharp canines. “Sorry about trying to kill you. Too many humans have been coming around lately and making the place dirty .”

“Pollution is a big problem. You scared the hell out of our friend yesterday.”

You gasp, putting your hand on your scale-covered chest. “That was your friend? I’m sorry. But he kicked me in the face, so I suppose we are even.”

“I guess so. It’s been so long, though. I never even learned your name,” Eijirou chuckles, rubbing the back of his head. I’m Eijirou, and this flycatcher is Katsuki,” he chuckles, pointing to Katsuki, whose mouth is still agape.

“I’m y/n! Nice to meet you again, Eijirou and Katsuki .”

Eijirou shivers, “I should get to land and dry off. We should meet up again tomorrow!”

You nod. “Yes, tomorrow. I’ll push you.” With that, you slide back into the water and start pushing the boat towards the beach with their rowing.

“I’ll meet you at the pier,” Eijirou smiles as the boat starts to reach the shore.

“Not before high tide though, when no one is around.”

“Alright, we’ll see you then.”

Waving goodbye to them, you dive back into the ocean, your tail glistening as it breaks the surface.

“Believe me now, Katsuki?” Eijirou says smugly, not even caring about his soaking wet clothes.

“...Mermaids are real,” he mumbles. “I can’t believe it. I’ve gotta tell Iwa! Dammit, I didn’t get the rocks.”

At daybreak, everyone comes downstairs for breakfast, including Jamie and Mina, with a suspiciously happy-looking Hanta.

“Water,” Denki moans, grabbing a bottle from the fridge and inhaling it all in one go.

“You guys are dressed early,” Mina comments when she sees Eijirou and Katsuki.

“Didn’t get much sleep last night.” Katsuki grumbles.

“You guys won’t believe what we saw!” Eijirou grins.

“Too loud,” Hanta frowns, sipping the coffee. “What’s got you worked up?”

“We saw the mermaid that nearly drowned Denki!”

“What?!” Denki sputters, spitting out the water from his second bottle.

“That’s impossible,” Hanta responds. “When did you even see it?”

“Last night.”

“I thought you guys went to bed,” Jamie speaks up.

“This idiot tried to sneak out to prove a point and I followed him. Long story short, he wasn’t lying and he had to nearly drown to prove it.” Katsuki finishes and then sips his coffee.

“Turns out it was the same mermaid I saved as a kid! Small world, huh?”

“Are you sure you don’t have seabrain?”

“No, babe, I think he’s telling the truth. I believe him,” Mina smiles. “Now most of us are hungover so can we eat before we continue this mermaid talk?”

“I’ll show you. She said she’ll meet us after high tide today.”

Jamie groans. “That’s like seven o’clock. I have plans with my parents.”

“I’ll take photos, if that’s okay, Shellspotter?”

“Uh, I guess so,” Eijirou mumbles.

Katsuki rolled his eyes, looked through the fridge, took out some eggs, and then rummaged through the cupboards.

“Whatcha doin, Katsuki?”

“Making food, cause I’m hungry.”

“You’re cooking breakfast for us?” Denki gasps.

“No.”

“ Could you cook breakfast for us?

“Feed six mouths? Hell no!”

“I’ll help,” Jamie chimes in.

“Jamie makes the best pancakes!”

“At least someone’s pulling their weight around here…” Katsuki grumbles.

Eijirou is antsy the whole day, too excited to enjoy the second beach day. He just wants seven o’clock to get here already!

When it does, he and his friends pack up the stuff in the car and walk down to the end of the pier, where the water is deeper.

“This is so stupid,” Hanta complains, taking a swig from the coke can.

“She’ll be here!” Eijirou protests, looking around for any sign of you.

Just as Hanta, Jamie, and Denki start to turn away, a wave splashes them as your head pops up from the water. “Hi, Eiji!”

“Hi!” He waves back, and you paddle closer to the dock.

“She could just be some nude swimmer. Mermaids aren’t real,” Hanta scoffs.

You hold onto the wooden dock and pull yourself out so you can sit down. “Sorry I’m late, I had to catch food.”

“Giant…m-mermaid!” Mina gasps, staring at you. “You’re so tall I mean, long ! And so pretty! Can I take your picture?!”

“Picture? What’s that?”

Mina holds up her phone.“I take a photo of you and save it in my phone.”

“Photo? I know that tiny box thing, they fall in the water all the time and dirty it up.”

Mina just takes a picture anyway, sending it to Jamie.

Eijirou crouches next to you. “These are my other friends. You remember Katsuki. This is Hanta and Denki.”

“The one you nearly killed!” Denki huffs.

“My apologies, I didn't know you were his friend. Here.” You slink back into the water and pop back up a few moments later, holding a sole fish. “Peace offering, it’s good for you.”

Denki watches the poor fish flop around, gasping for water. “No…no that’s okay, I forgive you.”

You shrug and toss the fish back into the water.

“So, believe me now?” Eijirou says, smug as ever.

They all murmur in agreement except Katsuki.

“So are you like, the only one?” Hanta asks.

“Hm? No, there’s a lot of us but we don’t stay together. I stayed behind because I thought one day I’ll see Eijirou again. My family moved away towards warmer waters but I’m glad I found you,” you smile at Eijirou.

“I sorta feel bad now, keeping you from your family for all these years.” Eijirou pouts.

“It’s fine. I can find them again whenever I want. I’m so excited!”

Your happiness is contagious, and he grins.

“It’s getting late,” Katsuki comments.

“Will you be here tomorrow?” Denki asks you. “Ooh, we should go snorkelling so she can show us around.”

“Snor—kel?” You repeat, looking at Eijirou for help.

“It’s just swimming but with stuff to help us breathe.”

“Ahh, that’s the name. I’ve seen it before. Yes, you should come! I’ll take you a little further out so we can be alone.”

“We’ll get going so we can come back early,” Hanta nods before walking up the shore, muttering something in another language.

Denki follows after, leaving you with Eijirou, Katsuki, and Mina.

“I like your hair.” You point at Mina's head. “Are you a fae?”

Mina keeps looking at your tail in amazement. “Wait, fairies are real too?!”

“I’m real, aren’t I?”

“Oh my God!” she squeals. “Also, no, I’m not, unfortunately.”

“You look so much like one. Do all humans have vibrant colored hair?”

“No, mine’s dyed. See,” Eijirou parts his hair to show you his dark roots. “Special chemicals.”

“Mine too,” Mina agrees.

“Kat is a natural blonde though.”

You gasp. “Isn’t that bad for you?! What about your health?!”

“It doesn’t really affect us. But I do understand where you’re coming from. I had thousands of questions when I first dyed my hair,” Eijirou chuckles.

Katsuki taps at his phone and waits, tapping his foot impatiently.

‘ Oh my god, time zones Katsuki,’ Iwa groans.

“Babe! Babe you’re going to shit yourself when you see this! Put your glasses on!”

The voice from the tiny box pulls your attention away from Eijirou. “What’s he doing? There’s a person in the tiny box? Are they trapped?!”

“No, Katsuki’s calling his girlfriend.”

Katsuki crouches in front of you, holding his phone to your face. “Look!”

‘You’re showing me a girl? ’

“That’s the mermaid!”

“Hello, tiny box person,” you giggle.

‘You woke me up at three in the morning for this?’

Katsuki groans. “Show her your gills or tail or something, I dunno.”

You move your hair to the side to show off your gills and pointed, webbed ears. Iwa adjusts her glasses and registers what she’s seeing. ‘ Holy shit! You’re not pulling my leg, Katsuki?!’

“Nope.”

You spread your finger, showing the webbing between them, and wave. “The tiny box person looks tired, but she’s pretty. Who is she?”

“His girlfriend~” Eijirou snickers.

“What’s that?”

“Someone you love and spend time with.”

You nod in understanding. “Ahhh, your mate.”

“Not necessarily, but sort of the same concept.”

Katsuki backs away to talk to Iwa.

Eijirou scratches the back of his head. “We should get going but we’ll be here bright and early tomorrow to go diving.”

“I look forward to it,” you chirp happily. “Goodbye.”

You wave until they’re out of view before sinking back into the water, excited for tomorrow.

The following day, the group gets snorkeling gear from Jamie’s father’s shop and head down to the pier. Eijirou sees the top of your head lurking in the water and excitedly calls your name.

You pop up from the water, checking if the coast is clear before putting your elbows on the pier. “Good morning!”

“Woah..this is crazy!” Jamie chuckles. “She looks different in person.”

You stare at her. “I know you! I’ve seen you on those wood board things before.”

“You mean the surfboards? Yeah, I do that sometimes. Thank you for not drowning me.”

“I was considering it,” you say, smile not fading.

“…maybe this is a bad idea.”

“I won’t hurt you guys. Mermaids don’t eat people. At least not the ones that live around here. Tropical waters are the dangerous parts.”

“Wait, but we live by tropical waters….” Denki whimpers.

“Y/n, you’re scaring them.”

“Oh! Sorry, come on, there’s a reef nearby that I want to show you. Lots of yummy fish and shiny stuff.”

Pushing the boat off the beach, Eijirou rows out to the open water. You help guide them out further away from prying eyes. Swimming alongside them, you occasionally splash them and giggle when they whine.

“Here is a good spot to swim.” You tie your hair up and disappear under the blue water.

“Guess we’re doing this,” Katsuki mutters and puts his hearing aids in the special pouch of his trunks. “If she kills us, I’ll haunt you, Eijirou.”

“The fact that you used my real name makes me think you’ll find a way to do it….”Eijirou mumbles.

They each put on their goggles and jump in the water. Eijirou sees you swimming down towards the seafloor to grab something from it.

“Where’s she going?”

You come back holding something and show it to Eijirou. It’s an oyster. You pry it open and reach inside to pull out a large pearl.

“Woah!” Eijirou grins. “That’s amazing!”

You hold it out to him with a shy smile.

“You’re giving it to me?”

“Mhm. Thought you might like it.”

“I’m gonna get you something in return, I promise! This is beautiful, Y/n, thank you.” He puts it in his swim trunk pockets.

Your heart soars as he accepts your present.

Diving in after his friends, you watch Eijirou swim down towards the reef. Swimming after him, you chuckle as fish swim around his friends.

“Having fun?” you ask, but they look at you as your speech sounds garbled. “Can you not understand me?”

They just stare, swimming up for air. You surface and watch Eijirou and his friends push their goggles up. “You can’t understand me?”

“Not underwater, no,” Mina gasps.

“Where’s Eijirou?” Denki asks.

Eijirou’s red head pops up from the surface as he pants heavily.

“Where were you, dude?” Hanta asks.

“Had to get this for you.”

“Woah, it’s gorgeous,” Jamie smiles.

You gasp and take it. “Pretty!”

“I just saw it in the sand. Someone must’ve dropped it.”

“Thank you so much. I accept!” You hug him, trilling happily.

“You’re welcome.” He hugs you back. “Wait, what do you mean you accept?”

“You accepted my courting gift and gave me one in return. We’re mates now, right?”

He blanches. “What? No, I was just giving it to you cause I thought it was pretty.”

“Oof,” Denki mumbles.

“ What’s going on?” Katsuki signs at Denki.

“ Trouble in paradise,” he signs back.

“But I gave you a gift.” You whine, ears drooping. “That means we’re mates.”

“That’s not how humans do it,” Jamie chuckles.

“Did I do something wrong?” you whine.

“No!” Eijirou shouts. “It’s fine, we can pretend this never happened.”

You back away from him, embarrassed. “I’m going to go.”

“What? No, Y/n, wait!”

You ignore him and dive down, leaving them behind.

“Are we stuck here?!” Mina yells.

“Relax babe, I know the way,” Jamie helps her onto the boat. “So that sucked.”

“I fucked up…” Eijirou mumbles.

Hanta pats Eijirou’s back as they climb onto the boat. “I’m sure there’s a way to fix this.”

Katsuki replaces his aids, and the others fill him in. “Hm, not like it was your fault. She’ll get over it.”

Jamie punches him in the shoulder. “Don’t be a dick. Her feelings were really hurt.”

Denki nods. “Yeah, bro, just tell her what’s up and you’ll be friends again.”

“Assuming she even wants to see me again….”

“I’m sure she will. We should get back to shore before something gets us.”

Steering the boat to shore, Eijirou’s thoughts drift to your sad expression. ‘I never meant to upset her…how do I make it up to her?’

Back at the beach house, Eijirou fiddled with the large pearl you have him, mind filled with guilt, as he sat on the couch. “Maybe food? No, I can't cook. Maybe another gift? Do they make waterproof stuffed animals…” Eijirou mumbles to himself.

“Oi, shitty hair, you've been babbling like a fucking brook and staring into the void since we got back. Stop it.” Katsuki snaps.

Jamie pats Eijirou’s head. “Dude, you’re overthinking. Just tell her you’re sorry but you’re not interested, she seems cool and understanding. Unless you wanna fuck a fish.”

“I’m not interested but I’m also not not interested.”

“Ew,” Mina gags. “I mean I get it but ew to the fish part.”

“Isn’t that like bestiality?” Hanta cringes.

“Is it?” Denki adds. “I mean she’s technically human.”

Hanta hums, scratching his chin. “If it’s in the mouth then no, if it’s in the fish part then yes.”

“You guys are so fucking weird,” Jamie mutters.

“And stupid. Jamie, are you and Mina staying over again?” Katsuki asks. “I’m gonna get started on lunch.”

“Why not, I’ve done what I have to do today. Do you want help?”

“Sure, we can stay,” Mina smiles.

Eijirou stays quiet the whole time, contemplating what he should do. It’s not like the two of you can be together anyway, but it doesn’t mean you can’t be friends.

It’s been a week since the incident, and Eijirou sat at the pier every day hoping you’d come back but to no avail. It was making it really hard to enjoy summer vacation.

One evening, as Eijirou walks down the beach, he feels something small hit his side. Looking down, he sees it’s a pebble. “What?”

Another one hits him.

“Hey!” You call, waving from the water, framed by the sunset.

“Y/n!” he grins, rushing towards you.

“Meet me by the wood thingy!” You call before diving back under the water.

“Wood thingy? Oh, the pier!”

Making his way to the pier, he smiles when you swim up to him, the tide helping you swim closer. You grab the edge and pull yourself onto the dock, huffing loudly. Eijirou sees a huge scar on your right side and tail. “What happened?”

You look at it. “I went to get something for us. Don’t worry, mermaids heal fast. Look.” You reach into the seaweed pouch hanging off your hip and pull out a white conch shell with red markings.

“Woah, that looks so cool! Pretty seashell.”

“It’s not just a seashell. It’s magic! My people always talked about it, but no one ever went to get it. It was too dangerous. But I survived the voyage, and it’s mine now.”

“What does it do?”

You look skeptical. “You rejected me cause I’m not human and this will make me human for you. But only for three days and…I can’t leave the beach.”

“I didn’t reject you cause you’re not human. I was just confused. You don’t need to change yourself for me, Y/n. You’re my friend. And this is your home.”

“I know, but I would like to hang out with you like normal. I know we can’t be mates, but that’s okay. I don’t mind staying, as long as you’ll visit?”

“Of course, I’ll visit! But if this is what you want, then I support you. So how does it work?”

You inspect the shell. “My mother always said just rub it but I’m not sure.” You rub your hand on the smooth side, wishing hard.

Nothing happens.

“Hm, maybe it’s not meant to be. I’m sorry for wasting your time,” you say sadly, dropping the shell on the dock. You turn and start swimming away, stopping when you feel something moving behind you. And it’s not your tail.

Looking inside the water, you choke when you inhale the water and start coughing, forcing you to resurface and gasp.

“I can’t breathe underwater. Eijirou, I can’t swim!” you shout as the redhead realizes what’s happening and jumps in the water, holding onto you. “Stop moving, relax.”

You let him pull you back to the pier and help you up, both of you coughing and gasping.

“Are you okay?” He asks.

You push your hair back to stare at him. “I think so. Where’s my tail?!” You wiggle your toes and touch your now smooth arms. “And my fins?!”

“I think the shell worked! You’re human!”

Reluctantly, you reach forward and poke your foot, jerking your hand away. “They’re so tiny. What do you call these?”

“Toes.” He looks away, his face as pink as a starfish. “Also you’re very naked.”

“Naked? What does that mean?”

“You don’t have any clothes on, Y/n.”

“That’s bad, right?”

“No? In public, yes.” He peels his wet shirt off and wrings some water from it. “Just wear this for now.”

You let him help you into the shirt and pull the material. “It’s uncomfortable. But it worked! I have foots!”

“It’s feet ,” he laughs. “This is crazy! I have to tell the others, let’s go to the house.”

He stands, fully expecting you to stand, but you clumsily wiggle your legs. “Help.”

He picks you up bridal style, hands under your knees. “So strong,” you say in awe.

“Thanks. I workout.”

“Whatever that means.”

Back at the house, everyone, including Mina and Jamie, was watching a movie on Katsuki’s laptop, casting on the small flatscreen.

“Shouldn’t someone go check on Eiji?” Mina comments. “He’s been out there a while.”

They all shush her.

“Jamie! What if he drowned or something?!”

Jamie puts their finger over her mouth. “Babe, he’s fine. Five minutes then I’ll go look for him I swear.”

They don’t have to because the front door clicks open and wet footsteps approach the living area.

“See, he’s fine.”

“Bro!” Denki calls, turning the light on. “Where have you been?”

Eijirou stands in the entryway, holding you, shivering from the cold. “Busy.”

“C-Cold,” you stammer, hugging yourself.

“Who is that?” Jamie asks.

“Hi guys.” You wave at them.

“No way, Y/n?!”

“Hello. I’m very cold.”

They get up so Eijirou can sit you on the couch, wrapping a blanket over your shoulders. “Ah, this is nice.”

“How did this happen?!” Denki gasps.

“Magic shell,” Eijirou says casually.

They all stare at him.

“What the fuck does that mean?!” Katsuki shouts. “Why does she have legs?!”

“Great legs.” Hanta says.

“Shut up! Explain.”

You show them the shell and the scar on your side, telling them the whole story and how you nearly died.

“Magic shell.” Mina says, checking it out. “Does it work on humans?”

You shrug. “I don’t know, they only ever told us about merpeople. It’s just for three days then I go back to normal for a weekbefore I can use it again.”

Mina sits next to you, poking your thigh. “Wow. This is crazy. So can you walk?”

“No, I don't know how. But I can do this .” You wiggle your toes.

“Okay, that’s adorable,” Mina coos.

“Apparently I’m naked too, which I learnt is bad.”

Hanta sits next to you. “Naked you say?”

Eijirou smacks his head. “No, don’t be a creep.”

“Ow!”

“We should get you in the shower before you get sick. Stand.” Mina instructs, holding your hands. You stand, unsure of what to do next. “Just one foot in front of the other.”

“Mm. I’m not sure about this.”

“You can do it. Just hold onto me.”

Holding onto Mina, your legs shake as you start to put some weight on them before they buckle, and you fall onto the ground. “Ow…”

“Are you alright?”

“No,” you mumble. “I don’t like this.”

“Walking is a bit hard, but you’ll figure it out after a while.”

“Wait until she figures out what stairs are,” Hanta snickers before whining when Jamie hits him on the head.

“Shut it.”

Mina helps you up and guides you towards the downstairs bathroom. “Oh wow!” They hear you exclaim.

Katsuki slaps Eijirou’s bare shoulder. “What the hell did you do?!”

“What was that for?!” he whines.

“You brought a fucking mermaid to the house! And on top of that, she has no idea how things work?!”

You gasp. “What is that? Rain?! Inside your cave?! Wow!”

“It’s called a house. And this is a shower.”

“Ohhh, interesting. Humans are so weird.”

Mina turns the shower on while you sit in the tub, pouring water on your head.

“What’s this?” You grab the shell-shaped soap and sniff it. “Food?”

“No no no! Don’t eat that.” She takes it away. “It’s to help you get clean.”

“I’m not clean?” you ask, tilting your head.

“Not what I meant, lift your arm.”

Mina rubs the soap all over you, avoiding your eyes, hair, and mouth.

“Ew, it’s slimy,” you gag. “Like jellyfish.”

“Just don’t let any of it get in your mouth, okay?”

Sneakily, you lick some off your hand and gag loudly, scrunching up your face. “This is poison! You clean yourself with this?!”

“I told you,” Mina giggles.

Touching your stomach, you frown when you realize something is missing. “Where’s my slit?”

“What?”

“Here.” You point at your stomach. “It’s how I pee, how am I going to pee?! Do humans not pee?!”

“Humans do pee, silly. It’s not that far up for us. Look between your legs.”

You obey, then look back at her in shock. “Wow! Wait, so it’s just there ? You can’t hide it? Do males have it too?”

“That’s why we wear clothes and no, they’re a little different. I’ll show you pictures.”

“Okay.”

After the bath, Mina wraps you in a fluffy white towel and tells you to wait while she gets clothes. You sit on the closed toilet, kicking your feet happily.

“Alright, we need boxers and a shirt. Where’s Eiji?”

“Shower,” Katsuki shrugs, typing on his computer.

“How was the bath?” Jamie asks.

“Great! She learnt a lot. I still need the clothes.”

Denki volunteers to get them, heading upstairs to get his biggest shirt and boxers. Mina helps you into the shirt, but the boxers are too small.

“Damn, you thick, ” she giggles, but you’re lost. “Might have to use Eiji’s since he’s the biggest here. I’ll ask him.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about but okay.”

Eijirou finally comes downstairs in his pajama pants and a black tank top. Mina stands in front of him. “I need boxers!”

“Excuse me?”

“For y/n. Her ass is too big for the others, so we need yours.”

“Uhh, I wear briefs, sooo….”

“Whatever, just get them.”

“Okay fine, geez.”

You’re in the middle of flushing the toilet repeatedly when she comes back with the briefs. “These should fit.”

She helps you into them, standing back to admire her work. “Perfect!”

“Hm, how restrictive.”

“What’s wrong?”

“This second skin—”

“Clothes.”

“Sorry. The clothes, they feel weird, but it’s fine.”

She gently shakes your shoulders. “You look great, trust me. I’ll twist your hair then you can come sleep at my place.”

“Twist my hair? What’s that?”

“You’ll love it, I promise.”

You spent the next hour with Mina in the bathroom, listening to her talk about her mate and other random things. Then she shows you her phone .

“Tiny box.” You murmur. Mina turns it on and opens YouTube, selecting a cookie decorating compilation. Your eyes widen. “ Wow ! What’s that?”

“Cookies.”

“Can we eat them?”

“Sure.”

You look at Mina before opening your mouth to try and eat the phone.

“Wait, no don’t eat my phone! Those cookies aren’t real right now! I’ll get you some tomorrow.”

“Oops, sorry.” You go back to watching. Mina finishes the twist and packs them into a bun, decorating it with the necklace you kept around your arm.

“Boom! No one can tell you’re not human.”

Looking up from the phone, you notice yourself in the mirror and tilt your head. “Is that another me?”

“No, that’s your reflection.”

“Ohhh! I look pretty,” you smile.

“You’re welcome.”

You hold up the phone. “You said you’ll show me the body parts!”

Mina snorts and takes her phone, tapping the screen a few times. “Here, watch this.”

You take it, and the video starts.

‘ The human genitalia is an interesting phenomenon…’ the male voice starts. You watch closely, face morphing into different emotions. “Why is it on the outside? Seems dangerous. And there’s only one?! Oh my Neptune.”

“What do you mean ‘only one’?” Mina asks

“Mermen have two penises with knots on the end for the breeding season. Humans only have one, seems ineffective but okay.”

“ Two ?! Weird.”

The guys sit up when the bathroom door opens, and you come out with Mina. “Here she is~” Mina sings.

The guys and Jamie turn their heads and look you up and down.

“Woah,” Denki smiles.

“I’m human!” You say happily.

“Con buen aspecto (Lookin good) , Y/n,” Hanta grins.

“And now I can walk.” You walk over to sit next to Eijirou on the couch. “See?”

“Good job,” he praises, patting your head.

“Mina showed me a lot of things on her tiny box.”

“It’s called a cell phone, sweetie.”

“Oh! Her cellphone!”

“What’d you learn?”

“That you can’t eat it. Also, I learned about cookies and cake, and that human males have one penis which is used for everything .”

“Why the hell would you show her that?!”Katsuki glares.

Mina shrugs. “She figured out that she has a—” She gestures to her crotch. “And got curious.”

“At least you didn’t show her any porn, right, Mina?” Jamie sighs as Mina looks away. “Mina…”

“She was curious! And it was softcore, no crazy stuff.”

“Softcore still has some freaky shit….” Hanta chuckles.

“Of course you would know,” Katsuki grumbles, rolling his eyes.

Eijirou shifts uncomfortably because of the way you’re looking at him with big eyes.

“Um, hi?” Eijirou chuckles nervously.

“Can I ask you something?” you ask.

“Um, okay?”

“Can I see your penis?”

Katsuki chokes on his water while Denki falls off the couch laughing.

You look at Eijirou and recoil slightly when you see his face is red. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No, it’s just…we don’t just ask people that.” He laughs nervously.

“Oh right, I’ll show you mine if you want.”

“That’s not what I meant,” he squeaks.

“I’ll show you mine ,” Hanta smiles.

“Ooh, yes, please.”

“ Nope!” Jamie grabs your arm and pulls you off the couch. “You’re staying with Mina and me.”

“Oh, alright,” you smile. “Wait, I don’t have those feet covers.”

“You’ll be okay. Your feet look a little smaller than mine, so you can have one of my old sneakers,” Jamie offers.

“Yay! Bye-bye,” you wave happily and follow Jamie outside. Mina says her goodbyes and also leaves.

“Hope she’ll be okay,” Eijirou mutters.

Denki sits next to him. “Soooo…you gonna hit that?”

Eijirou just stands up and heads upstairs.

The next morning, you come back with Mina. She’s given you one of her sundresses with a matching sunhat. You spend the whole walk swishing the dress, amazed by it. Jamie gave you a pair of old black flats, and you hate the restriction, but it’s not proper to walk around barefoot.

“Morning!” Mina smiles, holding your hand to pull you into the kitchen. “Isn’t she cute?”

“Morning,” you repeat, waving.

“Aw, she looks adorable,” Denki grins.

You hold the hem of the dress. “I like this one, not as restrictive.”

You stand next to Eijirou, hoping for head pats.

“Hi y/n,” he smiles but no pats.

“Hello, I like your dress.” You point at his T-shirt.

“It’s a shirt, not a dress,” he chuckles. “But thank you, I like yours too.”

He lifts his hand, but he’s just reaching for his phone. “My parents invited us for breakfast again.”

“And we’re bringing the fish?” Katsuki asks, watching you stare at Eijirou’s hand.

“Why not? She fits in.” He finally pats your head, making you smile. “We can say we met her on the beach. She’s a tourist. Easy.”

They watch you inspect the bowl of potpourri on the coffee table. You pick one of the brown chips and sniff it, opening your mouth.

“Nope,” Hanta holds your hand and guides you back to the dining table. “Those aren’t food.”

You pout. “But they smell yummy and I’m hungry.”

“Let’s go get food.”

“Fish?”

“No fish.”

“Hmph.”

After spending twenty minutes convincing you that the car won’t kill you, Katsuki and Denki kept you calm as you gripped onto the cushions for dear life.

Once they arrived at Eijirou’s parents' house. You glared at the car as you walked towards the front door.

Ringing the door, Umi answered the door smiling at the five young adults at her doorstep before looking behind them, noticing you glaring at the rental car.

“Oh, you’ve made a new friend?” she smiles.

“Y/n!” Eijirou says quickly. “We met her on the beach a few days ago, she’s a tourist too.”

“Hello,” You wave at her. “Your c—I mean, your house looks lovely.”

“Can she join us for breakfast?” Eijirou asks.

“The more the merrier,” Umi smiles.

Stepping back to let them in, Umi’s eyes notice Eijirou’s hand interlocked with yours as the five of them make their way inside. ‘Oh.’

“Hi. Umi, Eijirou’s mom. So, while Sora finishes making breakfast, I was wondering if I could ask you a couple questions, Y/n.”

“Me? Oh um, okay,” you mumble, pulling your eyes away from the singing bass mounted to their wall. ‘Humans kill fish then force their corpses to sing?!’

“How did you meet Eijirou and his friends?”

The group tenses, waiting for your answer.

“I was swimming out in open waters and bumped into him. We’re friends now,” you chirp.

“Oh, that’s sweet. You don’t seem to have a local accent. Where exactly are you from?”

“Uhhh…the tropics? Um,” You think of an island you’ve visited once. “Jamaica? Yes…”

“Hmm, alright. Why’d you come to visit our little town?” ‘She says she’s Jamaican, but there’s no accent….’

“Okay, Umi, this isn’t a job interview,” Sora chimes in. “Go easy on the girl.”

You look up at Sora in awe before looking at Eijirou. ‘Giant Eijirou…’

Sora sticks his hand out for you to shake. “Morning, I’m Sora, Eijirou’s dad.”

You stare at the hand, not sure what to do.

“Shake it,” Denki whispers.

You grab the top of his wrist, shaking his hand slightly.

“Oh my god,” Mina groans. “I should’ve taught her that.”

Eijirou chuckles as you try to shake his hand. ‘Cute.’

Sora pulls his hand away, confused. “Oookay, that happened. So, I hope you’re not allergic to anything because I made a large breakfast for the seven of us.”

“Do you have fish?” you grin.

“Fish is more of a lunch food….” Sora chuckles.

“Oh,” you mumble.

“I do have bacon though!”

“What’s bacon?” you ask.

“….Pork.”

You look at Eijirou for clarification.

“It’s pig,” he whispers.

“...what’s a pig?” you whisper back.

“Maybe we should’ve done more research.”

Katsuki facepalms. ‘No shit because teaching her about the human body and porn was the best idea.’ he signs.

Denki translates for Mina.

“In my defense! I taught her how to use the shower too, use the front door, how to use cutlery and how to brush her teeth.”

“Wait, what’s going on?” Umi asks, looking at them. “You had to teach Y/n?”

“Let’s just eat!” Eijirou says, changing the subject.

At breakfast, you stare in awe of the food. So many new things.

“Which one do you wanna try first?” Eijirou asks.

What’s that yellow mushy thing?”

“Eggs.”

“Ooh! I know what those are! I love eggs!” You clap happily and watch him put some on your plate. “They look different though.”

“That’s because they’re scrambled.”

“Scrambled? What does that mean?”

“Just eat them.”

You pick up the fork, clutching it in your fist, but Mina subtly shows you how to hold it and demonstrates using it.

“Ah, okay. I get it.” You copy her, eating some of the eggs. Your eyes widen. “ Good! ” And you start scarfing down more of the eggs.

“I’m glad you like the eggs,” Umi smiles. “Do you want some bacon?”

“Bacon? Yes please.”

Sora chuckles as he places some pancakes onto his plate.

Eijirou and the others chuckle as Mina hands you the dish filled with sausages and onions.

Mina scoops some sausages onto your plate and hers before handing the bowl to Eijirou, who clears about half of it.

‘He eats so much…’ you think and stab one of the meat sticks before sniffing it and nibbling on the tip. ‘Oh, this is good!’

Eijirou watches you eat the sausage before passing the dish over to Hanta. ‘Snap out of it Eijirou.’

“What are those fluffy circles he’s eating?” you ask, swallowing the sausage in your mouth.

“Pancakes,” Eijirou mumbles.

“Can I have some?”

“Dad, can you pass the plate of pancakes?”

When the plate is passed, you take one and nibble on it, humming in appreciation. “Humans have such good food.”

“I guess we humans do,” Sora chuckles.

After breakfast, the group ushers you out before Eijirou’s parents have the chance to ask you any more questions.

“So…that was something,” Denki chuckles nervously as they drive back to the vacation home.

“Fuckin’ fish almost blew her cover!” Katsuki growls.

“Don’t be so mean, Kat,” Eijirou smiles, patting your head and smiles when you lean into it and trill happily. “She tried her best.”

“When we get back to the house, we’re teaching her the basic stuff so stupid shit like that doesn’t happen again.”

“We should take her swimming, let her be around more people,” Mina suggests. “I have the perfect swimsuit for you.”

“Swimming? Yes please!” You clap excitedly and follow Mina towards her house.

“We’ll meet you on the beach!” Mina calls back.

“Bye bye,” you wave at the guys.

About an hour later, you and Mina walk down to the beach where the guys are already waiting.

“Hi, boys!” Mina calls out, walking in front of you.

You step out from behind Mina and play with the strap of your top.

You wore a white bikini with black palm trees, held around your body with jet black straps.

“Damn, you’re looking good, Y/n,” Hanta grins.

“Thank you,” you smile, looking over at Eijirou, whose cheeks are almost as red as his hair.

‘She’s stunning , ’ he thinks as his eyes roam your bathing suit. Eijirou clears his throat, “You, um, you look amazing.”

You smile at the praise before staring at the small buckets in his hand. “What’s that?”

“It’s a bucket. I was gonna build a sandcastle with Denki and maybe drag Katsuki into it.”

“Hell no,” the ash blond scoffs, hoisting his bag and going down towards the sand.

“He’ll come around,” Denki grins. C’mon, let’s have some fun!” Denki cheers.

The six of you head down onto the sand, finding a spot not too far from the water.

You hug Eijirou’s arm. “This is exciting! What’re we doing with the bucket thingy?”

“We’re building sandcastles. You stay here, and I’ll go get some water,” Eijirou tells you, but you keep holding him. “I have to go .”

“No.”

“Y/n, why won’t you let me get the water? I’m not gonna leave you. You can still see me, I just won’t be next to you.”

You look up at him and whine softly.

“Not even two minutes, okay?”

“Mm, okay.”

“Just hangout with Katsuki until then.”

“He called me a fish…he’s mean.”

Eijirou leads you to Katsuki’s towel and helps you sit next to him. “Just stay here.”

Katsuki looked up from his phone, stiffening when he saw you next to him. “Oi, shitty hair, why’re you leaving the oversized sardine with me?”

You hiss at the comment, making him lean away from you.

“I’m gonna get water for the sandcastle.”

“Then why not leave her with Dunceface?”

“I think he found some people playing volleyball and he’s been over there the whole time and Mina’s out swimming with Hanta so…bye!” Eijirou explains before grabbing the bucket and running towards the water’s edge

Katsuki looks at you as you stare at him, unblinking.

“What?”

“I’d drown you.”

“…nope.” He turns off his hearing aids and sits back down, ignoring your gaze.

About a minute later, Eijirou carefully walks over, holding a bucket of water.

“Eiji!” you giggle when you see him.

“Did you have fun with Kat?”

“No! He can’t hear me cause he turned those thingies off.” You point at Katsuki’s ears.

“What’d you say to him?”

“Nothing. I want to do the castle thing!”

“Y/n…” he begins to chastise before sighing. “Ok, let’s go. Thanks Katsuki!”

You stand up and look down at Katsuki as Eijirou starts leading you a small distance away.

Katsuki flips you off before turning over.

You and Eijirou kneel in a good spot so he can show you how to build a castle. “Exciting!” You smile.

“Okay so there's many ways to make a sandcastle. We can do the old fashioned way with the bucket and make a mold or we can make drip sand.”

“Bucket mold!” you grin, holding up the other bucket.

Eijirou chuckles at your enthusiasm and nods. “Bucket mold it is.”

“So scoop up the sand with the shovel into the bucket then I'll add the water.”

Nodding eagerly you scoop the sand with your hands until he tells you to stop. “Now what?”

“I add some water,” Eijirou replies. “We mix it up then flip the bucket over.”

You watch him do it until the sand turns solid. Then he flips it over, tapping the bottom of the bucket, and lifts it to reveal a sand pile in the shape of the bucket. “Boom!”

“Oh wow!” You stare at it. “That’s it?”

“If we do it enough times, you can make a large one,” he chuckles.

“Let's do that!”

You both manage to make a few sizable mounds to join into one big one.

“This is so fun,” you chirp and pat the sand castle. “But I’m feeling dry in my mouth, I don’t know why.”

“That means you’re thirsty, Y/n. I’ll go get us a couple drinks. Don’t worry, I’ll be right back,” he smiles, patting your head before making his way to the boardwalk.

You whine softly then go back to making the sandcastle. ‘I’ll make this the best sandcastle ever! Eiji will love it!’

After getting two slushies, he comes back and sees you talking to a guy. You’re still focusing on the sandcastle but the guy persists.

“Whaddya say, cutie? You could come hang out with me and my friends instead of out here by yourself?”

“I’m not by myself.”

“You little boyfriend over there’s fast asleep, not even looking at ya.”

You look over at Katsuki who’s sleeping under the umbrella. “Ew. Boyfriend? Not him.”

“So, you’re single?”

“I have Eiji,” you smile and pile more sand on the castle.

“You keep mentioning this ‘Eiji’ guy but I don’t see him,” he scoffs

“Turn around,” Eijirou replies, holding the slushies. “You do now, so leave.”

The guy rolls his eyes and walks off, grumbling under his breath.

“Bye bye,” you say cheerfully.

Eijirou hands you the blue slushie. “Oh wow! It’s cold!”

“It’s a slushie, drink it.”

You put the straw to your mouth and slurp fast.

“No wait! Don’t—”

“This is horrible!” You yell, holding your forehead. “Why do you drink this?!”

“They taste good. Just don’t drink them so fast,” he snickers. “Wait a minute or two then try again, okay?”

When the brain freeze subsides, you try it again, slower this time. “Mm, I like this. Why is yours different?”

“I have a different flavor. It’s strawberry.”

“ Oooh, whatever that means. I’m having a good time.”

He smiles back. “Me too.”

“I added some stuff to the castle while you were gone! Look!” you grin, your teeth and tongue stained a light blue.

‘Cute.’ “Do you still wanna swim?”

“Yes please!” You stand, dusting the sand off your thighs and ass. “Do we get naked?”

“No, you can swim in these clothes.”

“Woah! Okay, let's go!”

“So do you want me to—”

You’re already running towards the water, falling face first into it and just floating and blowing bubbles. You look up with a gasp. “Forgot I can’t breathe.”

Eijirou joins you, splashing the water on his arms and torso. “Having fun?”

“Yeah! I love the ocean. Wish you could stay here forever.”

“I'll visit every summer and winter. Then after I graduate I could maybe move back here?”

“Mm, but we can’t be together. I’ll have to leave soon to find a mate and be with my family.”

“You have to leave?”

“Yes. It’s normal for us and I’m only behind because I waited for you. I was supposed to leave ages ago.”

“I'm so sorry. This is all my fault,” he sighs. “Can you still find someone?”

“Of course! Not to brag but I’m considered very attractive to males,” You say proudly.

“Yes you are,” Eijirou chuckles.

Denki comes back from his volleyball game and plops next to Katsuki. “What’s up, Kaachan?”

“Fuck off,” Katsuki grumbles, eyes shut.

Denki looks over at you and Eijirou in the water. “They’ve totally been eye fucking each other all day.”

“She’s a fish . A fuckin menace too.”

“She's not that bad.”

“She tried to kill you and threatened to drown me!”

Denki hums, wiggling his toes in the sand. .“She’s hot though.”

Katsuki groans and picks up his phone to watch some videos.

“Heyy,” Jamie greets them as they walk up to the umbrella in their swimsuit. “I’m done with my chores so I decided to join y’all.”

“Jamie!” Denki cheers. “Glad you made it!”

“Where’s Mina?”

“I think she and Hanta went to get food.”

“And the fish?”

Denki points at the water.

“Oh, they’re having fun.” They laugh and sit under the umbrella.

Mina and Hanta come back with handfuls of signature cheesy fries and fried salmon bites.

“Hey guys,” Mina smiles, handing Jamie the big plate of fries to hold. “I got some stuff for Y/n to try.”

“She’s swimming,” Denki mumbles around some fries. “With her new boyfriend.”

“New boyfriend?” Mina asks, then looks where he’s pointing. “Oh, aw. They’re cute together.”

“Too bad he can’t fuck a fish,” Hanta snickers. “Well actually…”

“Ew,” Jamie cringes. “Just no. I mean…” they scratch their chin. “This is confusing.”

“They’ll make it work, Eijirou’s an optimist,” Denki smiles.

Mina calls out for both of you to get out of the water and join them for food.

Eijirou puts a towel around you and over your head so you can sit.

“What’s this?” You point at the fries.

“Potatoes but fried and covered with cheese and onions and Tabasco sauce.”

“Ooh!” You grab one and eat it, humming happily and eating more.

“And salmon bites,” Jamie shows you.

“ Salmon ! I love salmon!”

“And a drink.” Mina gives you a pink can.

“I had a drink earlier. Eiji said it was a slushie. It hurts when you drink it quickly. We also built a sandcastle!”

“This is different. It’s alcohol . You are old enough to drink right? Will we get arrested?”

“I am much older than you think.” You count your fingers. “In human years I’m twenty-four but only forty in mermaid years.”

“ Forty ?!” Eijirou gasps. “That’s crazy ,”

“I’m still young!”

“You look great, bestie! What’s your secret?” Mina asks.

“I don’t know,” you shrug and eat more fries. You hold one up to Eijirou’s mouth and giggle as he eats it.

“Nom,” Eijirou mumbles, eating the fry.

You do it again and squeal softly when he makes the noise.

Mina cracks the cocktail can open and gives it to you. “Drink it slow, you’ll feel a little weird but it’s normal.”

You hold the can between your hands, hesitant but sip it anyway. “Sweet. I like it but it burns my throat a little.”

“Don’t drink it too fast. You’ll throw up,” Jamie warns and takes their own drink from the cooler.

“Cheers!” Hanta holds a beer up and everyone but you and Katsuki toast them.

“What’s that?” You ask Eijirou.

“A toast, you do it before drinking. Like this.” He clicks his beer can with yours.

“Wow. Cheers.”

Eijirou pets your head, listening to your quiet purring. The sun is starting to set and you’re all in the perfect spot to watch it over the water.

Giggling softly, you stare at Eijirou’s hair before looking at the red and orange sky. “Hehe, hey Eiji, your hair’s sky colored,” you smile.

“You’ve had enough of this.” He takes the can away and empties it into the sand.

“Noooo, the poor sand,” you whine.

Jamie sighs, playing with Mina’s curls lazily as they lay together. “Do you wanna go?”

“Mhm.” Mina nods.

“I’m gonna take Mina home and rest. Night guys,” Jamie calls out before helping Mina up.

“Night night, pretties,” Hanta sings, waving at them as they leave.

“The people I played volleyball with invited me to their house party,” Denki says and starts to stand.

“Ooh, I wanna go!” Hanta smiles, getting up too. “See you guys tomorrow.”

“Bye bye,” you wave at the two men walking away.

Katsuki starts to pack up his things. As the designated driver, he’s the only one sober. “Let’s go idiots.”

Eijirou helps you stand, catching you when you wobble a little. “Uh oh.”
“Hehe, spinny!” you grin and hold onto him. “Carry me, please.”

He easily picks you up, letting you cling to his body like a koala. Hoisting you up by your butt, his hands accidentally squish your cheeks and you squeak in surprise.

“I’m sorry,” he stammers.

“Hm? For what? I’m okay,” you smile.

“Oh, okay.”

Eijirou’s hands squeeze your cheeks again, his smile widening when you giggle. ‘She’s cute and sexy, damn.’

Katsuki drives the three of you back to the rental house. You sit in the backseat with Eijirou, staring at him the whole time.

“Are you okay?” he chuckles.

“I think you’re attractive,” You admit shyly.

“I think you’re gorgeous, Y/n.”

“Really?”

“Yup, the prettiest.”

“EIjirou…” you mumble.

“Can I kiss you?”

“Yes, I’d like that.”

Slowly leaning in, Eijirou’s eyes flicker from yours to your lips before closing the gap.

Eijirou’s hand wanders to your chest, squeezing one over the swimsuit. His thumb brushes over your nipple, making you gasp quietly. You squirm, the pressure between your legs building.

“I feel hot,” you mutter, pressing your thighs together. “I don’t know why.”

“That’s good, don’t worry about it,” he reassures you, squeezing your boob again.

“Oi! Don’t fuck in the car!” Katsuki scolds from the driver's seat. “Fuckin’ animals.”

Back at the house, Eijirou gives you a towel and a shirt in his room. “You can shower if you want.”

You hold the towel tight. “Can we do it together?”

“What?

“Use the water cave.”

“You wanna shower…with me?”

“Mmhm,” you hum.

“Oh, wow, okay. Let me just take my clothes off.”

You watch him slowly undress, first his shirt, then he pauses. “Can you not stare at me?”

You look at your feet. “Sorry, you’re just so muscley. I won’t look,” you mumble.

“You can take off your clothes too, Y/n. So it’s not as awkward.”

“Oh…right. Ok. I’ll do that.” You put the towel on the bed and start to undo the strings of the bikini top.

Eiirou’s eyes lingered as you undid the bikini bottom. “Is this okay?” you ask shyly.

“More than okay. You’re beautiful,” he breathes out.

“Thank you. So now what?”

“Can I kiss you again?”

“Of course.”

Eijirou leans, cupping your face, and kisses you again, leading you backwards, then stopping when you fall onto his bed. He pulls away and looks down at you. “Is this okay? Are you sure you want to do this?”

“You want to mate with me. That’s what’s happening, right?” you pant.

“Yes, well, not exactly. I don’t know how to explain it. Humans don’t have sex only to make babies. We also do it because we want to feel good.”

“Ohhhh, that sort of makes sense. So you want to mate to feel good?”

Eijirou looked away but nodded as his cheeks turned pink.

“Yeah, we can do that. But I’ve never done it before,” you confess.

He kneels on the bed and looms—almost dangerously—over you. “Don’t worry, I’ll make you feel good.”

He gently squeezes your tit, rolling his thumb over your nipple again.

“Eiji,” you gasp and squeeze your thighs together. “It’s happening again.”

“You’re okay, Y/n. Don’t worry, it’s a good thing,” he coos. Eijirou slowly opens your legs, seeing the slick starting to stick to your inner thighs. “You’re so wet already.”

“Wet? What do you mean?”

“That I can touch you more.”

You lift your head to watch his hand disappear between your legs.

Eijirou kisses your cheek as his hand rubs along your inner thighs. As his lips traveled down your neck, they made their way towards your chest, making a faint hickey on the plump flesh as his other hand toyed with your nipple.

“Ah, Eiji, m-my stomach feels weird. Is something wrong with me?”

“No, no, you’re okay, I promise. Look at me, Y/n. I’ve got you.”

You whine quietly, looking down at him as he kisses your chest. His middle finger touches your clit, making you squeal in shock and try to close your legs. “Relax.”

“I’m scared.”

“Don’t be scared. I’m here to help. Just take a deep breath and let go.”

He pulls away from you and scooches down the bed until he’s kneeling between your legs.

“What’re you doing?” You ask.

He spreads your legs open again. “Don’t worry, it’ll feel good.” He surges forward and tentatively licks your clit, trying to keep your thighs from snapping closed around his head.

“Eijirou!” You cry, gripping his hair. Your whole body feels tight and hot, making you panic, but it melts away the more his tongue works on you.

After hearing a restrained moan escape your mouth, he begins sucking on your clit. Your thighs close around him as you moan louder. “It feels good .”

He keeps sucking, and his thick middle finger prods your entrance. You’re wet enough for it to slide in up to the knuckle. He experimentally thrusts it in and out while he keeps on sucking and gets rewarded with loud noises from you.

A second finger grazes your entrance, and you gasp, not yet ready for the stretch, and push his head. “Please, slow down.”

He kisses your thigh and murmurs a little apology before he keeps eating you out. His finger curls up, and you feel pressure in your stomach.

“I feel like—like I’m going to pee,” you warn him, cheeks heating up from embarrassment. How could you want to pee now?

But he doesn’t let up; if anything, he moves faster, sucking your clit harder. One more brush against the roof of your pussy, and you let out a high-pitched wine, feeling the tension in your whole body snap around his fingers.

Eijirou watches your back arch and chest heave and winces when you tug his hair too hard.

He removes his finger and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. Pulling away, he slowly climbs over you. “You okay?” he asks, looking down at you.

You sit up suddenly, nearly head-ting him. “That was amazing! How did you do that?”

“I just did,” he chuckles. “I don't know…I did what your body wanted me to do.”

“Wow, you’re so amazing. Can you do it again?”

He hums, climbing up on the bed. “We can do something else . You wanted to see it, right?”

You nod, mouth dry, and watch his hand pull down the front of his shorts. You can’t help but gasp quietly when you see his dick. “It’s so big.”

He feels a little sense of pride. “You can take it, but first—”

You’re confused, watching him get off the bed and grab his backpack from the dresser. He pulls out a yellow square and shimmies his shorts all the way off. When he’s back over you, you ask, “What’s that?”

“A condom, so you don’t get pregnant.”

“Oh,” You pout. “I won’t. It’s not mating season.”

“But you’re human now, so we can’t take any chances.” He says and rolls the condom down his shaft. Your legs are spread open again for him to kneel between them. “I’ll go slow, okay?”

You nod, a little nervous. Eijirou rubs his dick against your slit to gather the slick before pressing the tip against your hole. It all goes in with barely any resistance, but you squeal in surprise, gripping the sheets.

Eijirou hisses softly as you squeeze around him. “Fuck, you feel so good.”

“Eiji!” you whimper, gripping his arm as you get used to the stretch. “Feels weird . Too much.”

Eijirou looks down at you as a tear slides down your cheek. Wiping it away, he kisses your forehead and strokes your cheek. “Just tell me when I can move, okay?”

You nod softly and whimper when he reaches down to rub your clit to get you to relax. You sigh once the dull throbbing subsides. “Okay, I think I’m fine now.”

He starts to move, but you get nervous again and try to close your legs, hiding your face behind your hands. “I’m sorry, it’s just so new.”

Eijirou cups your cheek, smiling down at you. “It’s alright, I’ve got you. Can I move?”

You nod softly and gasp when he starts moving.

“You okay?”

“Mmhm, don’t stop.”

Eijirou chuckles and keeps moving, softly rubbing your clit while picking up the pace.

You moan softly, gripping onto Eijirou’s shoulders. “Harder. Please, Eiji, mate with me,” you cry as you grind against his fingers.

“You like that, don’t you? You like how I’m fucking you?

You blink tearily up at him, confused. “W-what does that mean?”

He spreads your legs wider, letting him hit deeper inside you. “ That .”

“Ah! Eiji! Yes, don’t stop! It feels amazing,” you trill, squirming under him. His forearms hook under your knees, opening your legs up more when he leans over you to kiss and nip your mouth.

Whining loudly, you claw at his back and feel your body getting tight again. “I’m peeing again, Eiji!”

He pauses briefly but starts up again, this time at a steady pace, kissing you to quiet your worried whimpers. His dick nudges your sweet spot, making your eyes shoot open, and you cry out. He groans when he feels you clench around him, warm liquid splashing on his crotch and abdomen with each thrust. You’re embarrassed all over again, sniffling quietly.

“God, you’re so sexy ,” he groans, groping your chest. “I want you to do it again.”

With the back of your hand, you wipe your face. “But I peed on you.”

“It’s not pee, you came, and it’s hot , do it again for me, okay?” He smiles sweetly, and your heart flutters. “Mm, okay. But my legs are tired now.”

With surprising ease, he manoeuvres both of you so you’re sitting above him, and he’s sitting up against the wooden headboard.

“Get up for a sec,” he tells you, and you raise yourself up so he can reach between you to hold his dick up. “Ok, sit on it, gently .”

You obey and position yourself right over it, sliding down until you get to the base. You gasp in surprise and wobble a little, but he holds your hands to keep you steady. “Just move when you’re ready?”

You hum. “But how?”

“Up and down.”

Up and down, you mutter and hesitantly roll your hips off him, then back down. Eijirou groans quietly, squeezing your hands in encouragement. “Just like that.”

As if that was all the encouragement you needed, your whimpers, pleas, and moans are uncontrollable from there on out. You feel him deep inside. The tip of his cock digs and bumps against your cervix.

“Eiji, Eiji—!” You chant, trying to bounce faster on him. You bring his hands to your chest. “Touch me here, please.”

He squeezes your chest, watching them jiggle and bounce. He squeezes your hips and tummy, watching it squish under his fingers. His eyes are glued to your face, watching your expression change as he eases himself through your folds and into your warmth.

You cry out his name again, putting your hands on his chest for leverage. A shudder goes up his spine when you open your eyes to look at him, pupils blown wide. “Eiji, please fuck me,” you mewl as you curl your fingers. “Breed me, please. Want your pups.”

Eijirou’s thumb rubs against your clit as your head lolls forward. Leaning down, your chest presses against his and your mouth lingers near his neck. He groans in surprise when you bite down on the junction where his shoulder meets his neck, moaning quietly. “Fuck, Y/n!”

You whine when you realise your teeth aren’t sharp enough to secure the bite but kiss the spot anyway.

“So fucking hot, Y/n,” he groans, bucking harder up into you.

“Bite me, Eiji,” you moan and tug his hair. “Please, I wanna be yours.”

Eijirou leans towards you, pulling you in for a kiss and swallowing your moans before kissing down your neck and biting harshly on the juncture of your neck and sucking as you stiffen and grind against him. “Ah! Eiji, fuck me, yes, yes !” you sob as you cum.

Eijirou’s thumb doesn’t stop rubbing your clit as he fucks you through your orgasm while simultaneously chasing his own. “Shit, you’re so tight, Y/n, Fuck, I’m gonna cum,” he groans and pushes you up off him, gripping the base of his dick to stop himself from cumming.

You croon quietly in disappointment, “Why did you stop?”

“Didn’t wanna finish too fast.”

You sit up, pouting, and he thinks you’re the cutest thing ever. “Why? Is it not good?”

“What?! No, it’s fucking amazing. I just don’t want it to be over so quickly. Hold on a second,” he groans, panting softly and then looking between you at the condom. He hums, thinking. “You said you won’t get pregnant, right?”

You nod gently. “Mating season isn’t until the end of the summer.”

“I really hope you’re sure.”

“Hmph, I know my own body, Eiji.”

He reaches down and rolls off the condom, dropping it over the side of the bed. “Okay, get up.”

“Why? Did I do something wrong?” You whine.

“No, don’t worry, it's okay. I wanna switch. So lay on your stomach, then raise your hips, okay?”

Nodding, you do what he says. “Eiji?” you call out before gasping when his hands grip your cheeks.

“Don’t worry, you’re okay. But fuck, you’re so hot, Y/n.”

“Is that good?” you ask, looking at him from over your shoulder.

“Very good.”

Eijirou’s hands rub along your ass before one of them slips towards your clit, his fingers rubbing between your folds before spreading them and grinning as you clench around nothing. “You look so cute like this, Y/n,” he coos. “You still want me to fuck you?

You whine in response nodding your head before gasping as he repeatedly rubs your clit and spreads your folds. “Eiji, please!”

“Alright, since you asked so nicely.”

Eijirou leans forward and kisses the back of your neck before lining himself and pushing in, groaning at the feeling, relishing in the lack of latex. “Shit, you’re so warm,” he shudders as you whimper.

“S-So big, Eiji. Move, please,” you beg. “Breed me.”

Eijirou grips your hips before thrusting. “Shit, Y/n.”

His hand moves from your hip to the middle of your shoulders, holding you down as he pistons into you, thighs slapping against your ass.

“Ah, ah, ah, Eiji! Yes, yes, yes, so good!”

Eijirou pushes his fingers into your hair, grabbing a handful of your twists and gently pulling them to lift your head.

“Oh, Poseidon, yes! Eijirou, just like that,” you hiss as he ruts faster into you, balls slapping harshly against your clit. “Don’t stop, give me your pups.”

“Yeah, you want me to breed you. Give you a kid or two, yeah?”

“Yes, yes, Eiji. Gonna pee, Eiji, ah!” Your feet kick weakly by his thighs, toes curling from pleasure.

“Go on, cutie. Cum for me. I’m right behind you.”

You cry into the pillow, cumming around him and dripping slick down your thighs onto the sheets.

Eijirou keeps thrusting until he cums inside, panting in your ear as he rests on top of you. “Fuck, that was amazing,” Eijirou huffs, looking down at you. “Are you okay?”

You nod and look at him over your shoulder. “Eiji…” you whine.

“Alright, let’s go take that shower,” he chuckles.

Pulling out of you, he climbs off the bed and scoops you up bridal style. “Wow, strong.”

He kisses your forehead, making you purr in delight.

After the shared shower, he wraps you in a fluffy white towel and looks for a shirt for you to wear.

“Do I have to wear the bottom skin?”

“The underwear? Not if you don’t want to.”

“Oh, I don’t want to.”

He chuckles quietly. “Sure, you can just wear the shirt.”

“But I want us to sleep naked. I like it like that.”

He blushes despite what just happened. “Sure.”

Both of you snuggle into the bed, you hugging him and snuggling his chest. “Night night.”

He pecks your forehead. “Goodnight.”

The summer flies by before you even know it and it’s time to go. Fortunately, you timed the shell use so you can say goodbye to him in the parking lot.

“I’m going to miss you, Eiji. Come back and visit, okay?” you whine as you hug him.

“I will, I promise.”

Mina holds your shoulders. “Don’t worry, we’ll take care of her.”

“I’ll try to come back next year. Same time and everything.”

“Bring your friend too,” Jamie jokes as Mina playfully nudges them.

“Jamie!”

Katsuki rudely honks the horn. “Let’s go, already!”

“Don’t bring him though,” you whisper, making Eijirou laugh. “He’s mean. Like dolphin type mean”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Bye, Y/n,” Eijirou smiles.

“Bye bye,” you sniffle, waving until he sits in the car and drives off. You fiddle with the charm necklace, already missing him.

Jamie pats your head. “Let’s go, Y/n.”

“It was nice while it lasted,” you smile sadly.

“Yeah, it was.”

A year later

Eijirou steps out of the van driver seat, stretching his arms over his head, stiff from the long drive.

Iwa follows after from the back, putting on her big round glasses. “Oh it’s pretty, way better than the pictures.”

“We’re back!” Denki whoops when he gets out. “Party time!”

Katsuki climbs out of the back, making his way towards Iwa.

Giggling softly, she holds his arm when he sleepily hugs her. “Hi Katsuki.”

“Let's get to the villa so I can take a fucking nap .”

“Dibs on the big guest room,” Hanta says and rushes inside.

“Asshole,” Katsuki grumbles before walking inside and dragging Iwa with him.

Eijirou pops the trunk, grabs some suitcases with Denki and tries to bring them inside before yelping when a pair of hands grab his shoulders.

“Hi Shellspotter,” Mina grins, effectively startling him. “Welcome back!”

“Thanks,” he smiles, hugging her. “How’re you and Jamie?”

“We’re great! Guess what?” She bounces on her feet.

“You’re pregnant?” He jokes.

“What? No, we're getting married !” She flashes the gold ring on her hand.

Eijirou gently grabs her hand and gasps. “Oh wow! I'm so happy for you!”

“Thanks. So, did you find someone back in the city, yet?”

“I haven't really asked him out on a date,” Eijirou mumbles.

“Go for it!”

“I will. Hey, how's Y/n doing?”

Mina squeals. “I’m so glad you asked! I saw her yesterday, she’s back for the summer and you can see her tomorrow.”

“Oh, great. I’m excited.”

Mina sees Iwa pass by inside and gasps. “Who’s that ?!”

“Oh that's Katsuki's fiancée, Iwa. You should come meet her. She's really nice.”

Denki comes back outside for the rest of the suitcases and smiles when he sees Mina. “Mina!”

“Denks!

They run towards each other and give each other the tightest hugs, waddling from side to side.

Eijirou and Denki lead her inside so she meets Iwa.

“Oh you’re so cute, I love your glasses.”

“Thank you.” Iwa smiles back. “I like your hair.”

Katsuki puts his arm over Iwa. “Fuck off, Pinky.”

“Hello to you too Kat, I learnt sign language because of you so you better appreciate me,” Mina fake pouts.

Katsuki rolls his eyes. “Whatever.”

Mina invites them for dinner at her and Jamie’s apartment before leaving them to unpack.

“I can’t wait to see Y/n,” Denki smiles.

Eijirou sighs. “Me too.”

The next morning, the group heads down to the beach to meet Mina and Jamie.

Mina standing in her white sundress and yellow floppy hat waves at them beside Jamie who's hair is black with red tips now.

Hanta walks over to them and grins. “Still as gorgeous as last year,” he grins.

“Flattery gets you nowhere, Hanta. But it's nice to see you too,” Jamie chuckles, pulling Mina closer.

“Morning,” Iwa greets them. “God, it’s hot.” She fans herself with her hand and puts her own sun hat on.

Katsuki reaches into the beach bag, pulling out a mini-fan to give her.

“Aw, thanks babe,” Iwa smiles, kissing his cheek.

“ Ooohhh ,” the guys swoon, and his cheeks start to turn pink.

“Shut up, you idiots.” He takes Iwa’s hand and pulls her down to the beach, looking for a spot to sit.

Mina checks her watch. “Y/n should be coming to the dock by now. Let's go.”

Walking the boys minus Katsuki and Iwa, they walk under the dock and wait until you come in.

Not long after, Eijirou sees the top of your head, recognising the gold chain in your twists. “She’s here!”

Your eyes peek out to scan your surroundings and you come closer. “Eiji! Hi!”

You dive under and pop up in front of them with a wide grin. Eijirou squats to pat your head. “Hey, I’m happy to see you again.”

“Me too, it feels like forever since I saw you. Your hair is so long now. And a different color at the top, wow!”

“Yeah, I grew it out,” he grins.

“Oh! There's some merpeople I want you to meet.” You look behind you and croon softly. A black head of curly hair pops out and a pair of big blue eyes follow. A large merman with three claw marks on his chest pops up behind you. “Hello,” he calls out, suspicious of the humans in front of you.

“Come closer,” you encourage him and he dives down before resurfacing next to you. “This is my mate, Sydney. Isn’t he handsome?”

‘Mate?’ Eijirou thinks. ‘Well I'm glad she found someone.’

“He’s cute,” Denki says. “And big .”

“I know,” you smile at your mate. He rubs his chin on the top of your head, purring loudly and making you giggle. “We met at the Great Barrier Reef during winter. He’s a Great White .”

They ‘ ooh ’ in amazement.

“Sydney, that’s Eiji, remember I told you about him?”

“I remember, nice to meet you.”

“You too.” Eijirou stretches his hand out but Sydney just stares at it. You nudge him. “It’s a human greeting, shake it.”

“I’d rather not.” Sydney huffs.

“Be nice. Eiji, I want you to see my baby.” You lift your torso out of the water to show them the tiny merbaby asleep, cuddled in your arms. “He’s a boy.”

They all stare at the bundle and coo as he yawns and opens his blue eyes.

“Oh my God, he's so small. What's his name?” Mina squeals.

“Eiji,” you say proudly.

Eijirou gasps. “You're naming him after me?” he mumbles.

“Still can't believe you're naming our pup after the human….” Sydney sighs.

You nod. “You were my first friend and you saved my life, twice. Like this, I’ll always have a piece of you with me.”

“Can I hold him?”

“You gotta come in the water, but sure,” you smile, moving back so he can come into the water. Carefully handing him over, Eijirou looks at Eiji.

The baby gurgles in annoyance at being shifted from his comfortable position but relaxes, tail swishing in the water.

Looking up at Eijirou, he coos softly and smiles.

“Hi little guy,” he smiles. “You're so small and cute.”

Eiji stares at his namesake, sucking on his thumb. His light brown little face looks just like yours.

“Alright, that's enough. Give me my pup,” Sydney glares.

“Sydney!”

“What?! I told you I never trusted humans. They're the reason my home is dying and also they're weird as Tartarus.”

“We’re not weird!” Denki huffs.

“But the human world is amazing!” You tell him. “I told you about it, and you promised to go on land to meet my friends.”

“Hmph, fine. I've got my eyes on you. Especially you, Red.” Sydney chuffs.

Gulping softly, he hands Eiji back to Sydney. “Do you still have the magic shell?” Eijirou asks.

“Oh yes, I kept it for your visit. I haven’t used it in so long though, I’m definitely out of practice with human stuff. And Sydney and Eiji have never been.” You touch the curls on your baby's head.

Mina gasps. “Jamie, let’s go get them clothes.” She pulls her fiancé away to their apartment. “We’ll be back!”

“Alright. In the meantime, do you want to go swimming?” you ask.

“We can do it when you come on land, I should go set up on the beach. Meet you there?”

“Of course, bye for now.”

Sydney rolls his eyes and dives under with your pup.

Eijirou holds your arm, stopping you from swimming away. He pulls you in for a hug before looking between you and the water.

“Is everything okay between you and Sydney?”

“He's just wary about humans. He's actually really sweet, honestly. Maybe try to bond with him and I'm sure he'll come around.”

“Alright. See you then,” you smile before diving back under.

“You good man?” Denki asks as Eijirou looks longingly at the water.

“Yeah, I’m good, just a little surprised.”

“Maybe you’re just a little salty that she moved on?” Hanta suggests.

“What? No way, I’m happy for her.” He thinks. “Maybe I am a little salty but whatever, it’s for the best.” He climbs out of the water.

Denki pats his back. “You’ll see her tonight, let’s go to the beach.”

Eijirou hums, looking back and smiling to himself.

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