Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

This was a terrible idea. There are a million things that can go wrong if she gets caught. By humans or other merpeople.

She should’ve listened to her Dad. He told her not to go near the shore. Her Mom always said no matter how nice they look you couldn’t trust humans. She sighed she knew she shouldn’t have done it but- but- she couldn’t just let him die!

She knew mermaids who watched people drown and did nothing but he looked her right in her eyes. He needed help! She couldn’t leave him there! So she did it. She saved the man the same age as her and swam him back to shore.

He was asleep when they got back but he was breathing so she knew he was okay. Ochaco put his head on her lap for a moment, she’d wait until he woke up and leave. He already saw her anyway. She looks at his perfectly half white and half red hair. She’d never saw a human with two different color hair before. It was so strange. She wipes some white hair from his face and looks at his scar.

What kind of wound was that? Ochaco had never seen something that could change the skin red like that. Whatever it was, it was so big! “Hmm, poor thing. This must’ve really hurt. All sorts of bad things happen to you, huh?”

He leans into her touch and she blushes a bit, pulling her hand back. She looks at him a little closer, “At least you’re really cute…”

He lets out a huff from his nose and the side of his lip twitches upward. Ochaco’s face explodes into a red flush and she lets out a gasp pushing away from him after realizing how close she was to his face.

He sits up and has the audacity to have a small smirk on his face. “You! You! You!”

“Shouto.” He says as if that answers anything.

Ochaco scowls pointing a finger at his chest, “YOU! How long were you awake!?”

He looks down to her hand as if he’s surprised for a moment before he gently pulls it off him but instead of letting go gently flips her palm and runs warm fingers over the small buds on hers. His eyes wander down her pink tail in awe and he says, “You’re amazing.”

She flushes further - if that’s even possible - and yanks her hand away. How can he say something like that with such a straight face!?

“Y-You!” She stutters unsure what else to say.

“Shouto.” He corrects. “May I ask your name?”

She really shouldn’t. It’s not like she’ll ever talk to him again. She can’t let her guard down just for a pretty face.

He lets out a gentle smile. “Please?”

“Ochaco.” Dang it.

“Ochaco.” He drags out her name like he’s tasting the sound of it on his lips like fine wine, and it feels strangely intimate. She can’t hold her stare of him any longer and finally looks somewhere else than his -shouldn’t be that pretty for a human- face.

He’s wearing an outfit she’d never seen before. Most humans she sees are out fishing and have dirty or tattered clothes, but he looked completely different. His- what was it called? The thing that goes around the body and shoulders to keep warm? Oh yeah! A cot!

His cot was a deep blue that matched his pants and he had all sorts of fancy stitching and gold buttons. He definitely didn’t work out at sea but to her she couldn’t understand what kind of labor would need such fancy clothing.

“What kind of work does a human do to have such tight fitting clothes like yours?” She finally asks in curiosity, making her speak more when she really shouldn’t. She doesn’t know why she hasn’t left yet. Something about him made her feel welcome despite his awkward staring. Like the feeling you get when you’ve come home after a long day.

Hmm, that’s weird. She’s never felt that with anyone before? Maybe it’s because he’s human? Either way, this along with the fact that she’ll probably be the last time she ever talks to a human is giving her a strange level of confidence to talk to him without formalities, “You look as though you’ve never worked a day of labor in your life.”

She looks back at his face and he’s in clear shock, did she say something wrong? She tilts her head to the side in a silent question and that seems to wake him from his stupor. “Ahhh sorry. I’m just not used to people talking to me like that. If my father heard someone say that to me he’d have their head.”

“He’d have my head for asking what you did for work?”

“No. For insinuating I never have.” He said leaning back.

“Have you?”

“No.” He smirked again looking out into the waters, “But I didn’t think it’d be so obvious that an entire different species could tell.”

Ochaco giggles slightly. Maybe she shouldn’t have been so blunt. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s nice to talk to someone who will speak their mind with me.” He watches as the water splashes up to her tail and she can see the gears turning in his head trying to figure something out. His eyes roam her body and she’s suddenly self conscious. She didn’t put on any beauty oils today. Her scales were barely shiny.

“What are you thinking?” She asks before she can stop herself.

“I’m trying to find a way to get you to stay in my company for just a little while longer.” He says looking straight into her eyes and she notices that his blue eye is just as rich in color as his brown.

She blushes and feels a shiver up her spine but in a good way? It’s a weird feeling to explain but she suddenly feels warm all over. Like the first spring current on her skin after she’s migrated for the winter to warmer waters. “I suppose I can stay a little bit.”

From that point on they start talking about everything and nothing at all. He asks her what it is like having a tail. She asks him what it is like having legs. They both question how they understand each other if mermaids and humans never talk.

Despite being so different they feel like they can understand each other like no one else can. Their home lives are completely opposites. Shouto only gets along with his siblings, his parents feel like they're in a whole other world. While Ochaco has no siblings and her parents are her whole world.

Shouto only has one person he can call his friend.The only one that he can talk to beside his family, his personal knight, Izuku. Still he feels like there’s a wall between them as Izuku always speaks to him formally and he can tell there are things he would never dare say to him even if it meant no harm. Such as when he would joke with the other knights. As a Prince he was surrounded by royals, escorts, knights, and guards. Despite almost drowning he said this was the freest he ever felt in his life.

On the other hand Ochaco only held back on what she said to people when she wanted to. Her family were bottom feeders for the kingdom, they did the hard work for the luxuries the kingdom was built on while getting paid the least. “Peasants” is what he said they were called on land. The only person she knew who worked in the palace was her best friend as well. He was a Shark Guard who she knew since they were guppies. He was a "big ol’ grump” as Ochaco called him, but was talented and hard working. Also if she didn’t know him since long ago when had his own chubby cheeks she’s sure he could be scary to anyone.

Even in all their differences they found they had a lot in common. They both had magic and had trained in it. Despite both having the most fun spending a day at a festival with their family. A cozy evening where they were able to relax with good food in their most comfy chair was an all time favorite. They both loved music and Shouto was curious to know what it was like underwater. Their best friends were surprisingly more similar than they originally thought.

The more they talked the more they felt as if this conversion was something they both didn’t know they needed. Getting out their vents, having someone who simultaneously has never been in a similar situation. All the while also being so emphatic that the other’s pains feel like their own. They should be polar opposites but they feel more attracted to each other than they do to anyone else they ever met.

He looks up at her and speaks slowly as if he’s not sure his own words actually explain what he’s thinking. “I’ve never felt so light around someone before. Is this a mermaid sort of thing?”

She giggles at his wording and tilts her head in question, despite sort of already getting what he’s trying to say but just making sure they're on the same track. “What do you mean by light?”

“As if there’s been a weight lifted off my chest and shoulders. Even though I never knew of you until today. It’s like a strong feeling deep in my heart that I know I completely trust you. As if. I know this sounds ridiculous but it’s as if... I’m finally at peace...” He says as if he’s trying to make sense of what he’s saying to her as much as himself “Do you understand?”

She nods slowly because until this point it has all felt so natural she didn’t even notice. She’s heard of this before. It happens with mermaids but she’d never heard of it happening between a human and a mermaid. Well she did but all those were scary stories with terrible endings to scare young guppies to beware of humans. But this feeling with him wasn’t scary. It felt so perfectly right and when he reaches for her hand again she’s surprised. Not by the action itself but by the fact that she’s letting him and even more by the fact she wants him too. But is it really a surprise if it’s what she thinks it is?

She clears her throat suddenly awkward again with how bold he’s gotten and she feels slightly embarrassed. He looks up to her face and the sunset is coming down behind him casting him in an angelic orange light. His hair blowing with the wind and the intense stare coming from his eyes catches her in awe. “W-What are you thinking about?” She says almost like a whisper.

He moves his hand to brush a piece of her own blowing hair behind her ear moving a bit closer. “You’re beautiful.”

She feels a pang straight to her heart and she knows her face is as pink as her scales. Her mouth opens into a small oh and his eyes dart to her lips and being this close there’s no way she didn’t see the movement.

Holy Sea Goddess this was a bad idea. Like a really, really, really bad idea. Like trying to sway sailors to sleep when they all have their harpoons out, bad idea. But, on the other hand, there was something about him. Ever since she looked in his eyes and felt a jolt pass through her that told her to save him. Even now she somehow knew deep in her bones without any proof he wouldn’t hurt her. It was like she was drawn to him. He made her feel safe despite her knowing him for such little time.

She’d have to check for sure when she got home if this was what she thinks it was but for right now his eyes are going hooded and so are hers. He’s leaning in slowly for time to let her escape but she places a hand on his cheek to steer him closer. This was a terrible idea.

Yet, as his incredibly soft lips touch hers a comforting warmth fills her that she can't explain but feels so perfect like this is what she was always meant to do. She can’t for the life of her think of a reason why.

“SHOOOOUTOOO!!” That’s why.

The spell they were under to believe they were the only one's in the world was broken in an instant. They pull back instantly and he picks her up before she can say anything. He runs out far enough to place her in an area that she can get back to the sea surrounded by rocks. He places her down as gently as he can in the water in a hurry and cups her face looking back at the sound of several arriving steps. “I’ll come back here tomorrow, same time. Please come find me, Ochaco.” He smiles sadly before running to stop the steps coming any closer.

She wanted to stay but her brain finally started working on survival mode again and she found herself swimming away before she could be seen.

Chapter Text

“YOU WHAT!?!” The blond shark screamed loud enough for at least two of her neighbors to hear.

“Katsuki! Shhh! Calm down!” She tried to calm him down.

Which of course instantly backfired as he swam up in her face angrily. He didn’t scare her but she did have to admit the volcano of rage that just erupted throughout him trying to stay quiet during her re-telling of events was intimidating. “DON’T FUCKING TELL ME TO CALM DOWN WHEN YOU JUST DID THE STUPIDEST SHIT IN MERMAID HISTORY!!!”

“Okay OKAY but can you at least not yell!? You know what would happen if someone important heard you!”

He looked at her in disbelief and knocked his knuckles hard on her head, “KNOCK KNOCK IDIOT POLICE! I’m the ‘important’ someone that shouldn’t know about this dumbass! I’m captain of the GODDAMN guard for fucks sake! Where you dropped on you’re head as guppy or just BORN STUPID!!!”

She pouted and wanted to say something back but he was trying to be quieter and she shouldn’t push him when he’s this angry or he might blow up her furniture like that time he found out she showed the horrible poem he wrote for class when he was 5 to Kirishima.

“Okay first of, rude-”

“Yeah because we’re best friends because of my stunning personality!” He interrupted her it seems, just because he wanted to.

“Hey I wasn’t finished-”

“Seriously Ochaco what the FUCK!? You’re smarter than this! I know you are! What the hell was going through your head!?”

She was still pouting but she thought about his words. What happened back there? Yeah Shouto was good looking but that wasn’t why she stayed. She knew why. It was the whole reason she came to Katsuki instead of anyone else first. She knew he’d blow up. He blows up at everything, but he’s the only one other than Kirishima who would know if it was real. Katsuki was her best friend so of course she had to tell him first! Also when she was looking for Kirishima he was out, but that’s beside the point.

Though now that it was the best time to tell him she felt her mind sink into herself. How would he react? She hadn’t even reacted yet! She never let her emotions process. Instantly going to look for someone to tell before she let herself ride out her emotions.

Oh no. This was worse than she thought. What would he think? What would her parents think?! They’d ask as soon as they saw! How was she going to explain this? How was any of this supposed to work?

For all his emotional constipation he has Kastuki was quick to pick on her mood. He can tell the there’s something more and he asks, “What? What happened?” There’s still an edge to his voice but when she lowers her head to bump on her chest, no longer able to look at him, and even in her panic she can feel the worry coming off him.

She doesn’t say anything and he swears, “Did someone see you?”

“No! I told you that!” She said shaking.

“Ochaco what is it?” She began to whimper and he felt panic run over him.

“FUCK!” He hadn’t seen her this scared since she was little and that stupid whale shark bastered threatened to report her family for having fish that wasn’t caught by the palaces merchants. It was his fault actually. He brought them to her and her parent because they were hungry but it’s not like any of the members of the sunshine incarnate family would turn him in. In the end it was an easy fix, he just had to bite part of the fucker’s tail off and he never even looked at them again.

Yet, this involved humans there was nothing simple about it. If it was scarring her this much she couldn’t solve it on her own. Whatever this was had to be serious, “Did he hurt you? Did he touch you? I’ll drown and tear that bastard to Goddamn pieces!”

“N-NO it’s not th-that!” She cries lightly banging his chest with her hand. “He wouldn’t d-do that!”

“He’s human. Scum of the earth of course he would!” He fights with her.

“You d-don’t understand!” She wailed.

“FUCK then tell ME!” It comes out angry. He knows he should be more sensitive in the moment but he’s not like shitty hair. He can’t just act calm when he knows something bad is happening. He needs to face it, head on!

“H-He’s! We’re-”

“YOU'RE WHAT!?”

“LOOK AT MY NECK!” She said, pushing him away.

“WHAT ABOUT-” He was cut short when he saw it. The mark. Same one he had after he met Kirishima. A pink pearl.

No this couldn’t be happening. She was a mermaid. He was human. He looked at her and opened his mouth to ask but no words came out. She nodded, confirming his suspicions. Her mouth was in a firm line. When he finally spoke it was quick and harsh, “Holy shit….”

Now he knows why she’s freaking out. Now he was freaking out. A million thoughts went through his head. Many he’s sure had gone through hers. “You’re sure it’s him? You didn’t meet anyone else new today?”

She shook her head, “It’s him I know it.”

“How do you know?” He demanded.

“How do you know it’s Kirishima?” She questioned back.

“I-I” He wasn’t sure how to explain it. He just knew. He knew after their first conversation. He knew when he had to leave him. He knew when he thought about his smile or his laugh. He knew when he heard his name on his lips. It was a feeling so confident despite having nothing to back it up. “I can’t explain it. I just do.”

“As if the life you were living before was only half as real until the moment you met them? Like the world has so much beauty you couldn’t see on your own.” Katsuki nodded, remembering having the exact same epiphany. “I feel so stupid. I’ve heard enough stories. I know these feelings are normal to have after we met, but I met him hours ago and I already miss him.”

“He’s kind and handsome and understanding. When I talk to him I feel like he really understands me and I understand him! Isn’t that crazy! He’s a human! Not just any human but a human Prince! We’re opposites! Or at least we should be…" She sighs putting her face in her hands, "Instead he feels like he’s just the other side of the same coin I’m on. I’ve never felt so vulnerable to let everything out while also being happy to be truly myself with him. And I know I can’t read minds but I think he felt the same.”

Katsuki’s mouth was in a tight, lipped frown when she looked back at him. “Your fated is a human.” It wasn’t a question anymore.

“My fated is a human.” She repeated.

They stay silent for a long moment before he blows out a half growl half exhale, “Well FUCK. Either this is the sea Goddess working in one of her ‘mysterious ways’ or you’re the unluckiest fish in the sea.” Ochaco snorted at that and his lip quirked. They laughed somberly for a second before she moved back in for another hug. He was never much of a hugger but she needed it.

That comment wasn’t meant as a joke. He really didn’t see many upsides to this situation. Katsuki knew he needed to protect her but had no idea where to go from here. However, one thing is for sure, “I need to meet this son of a bitch.”

Chapter Text

Ochaco didn’t mean to ignore Shouto. In fact she wanted to meet him again the next day as much as he did but she had a couple of problems. Now that she had a mark all of her friends and family were dying to meet her fated. A fated they all assumed was another mermaid. Of course they would. It was only heard in horror stories to be otherwise.

Her colony was small. So everyone knew everyone, which quickly turned the question of how she even met her fated. Ignoring Katsuki’s brilliant advice to tell her friends and family to “mind their own fucking bussiness.” Ochaco ended up doing something she hated. She lied to them. A lot.

She said she couldn’t introduce them because she had only seen them in a crowd so she wasn’t even sure exactly who it was. Which according to Mina was even more romantic. However, that left everyone to try to help her find her fated. She barely had alone time having all her friends and family trying to find them because they knew how much it hurt to be away from one’s fated. And they were right.

The more the days past the more she longed to see him again. The hours she spent with him went all too quickly in her mind as she replayed it over and over. She’d think of how he didn't laugh often but his mouth would quirk in an amused half smile that was charming all on it’s own. Or how he’d talk to her like he was just grateful to be near her. Whenever she remembered one of his wholehearted compliments, mind you said as they were merely facts he was stating, it made her heart flutter and her cheeks flush again.

How could she miss someone so much she knew so little about? Just as she started contemplating going back or leaving him behind for good she felt a jolt up her spine and a strong feeling to head west. Towards the shore. It was if something within her was begging her to trust her instincts, and start swimming. Ochaco contemplated for a while before she felt another jolt and she instantly moved like her body was being physically pulled.

She couldn’t help it; she started swimming westword as fast as she could. The more she went the stronger the feeling became. It was completely overwhelming and indescribable all at once. Just as she felt tired she heard something like her name being called. She followed it to a small boat. It couldn’t be…

She found a rock far too close to the boat if this wasn’t who she thinks it was. Again this was a very bad idea. She really shouldn’t. “Ochaco!” She sighed. Just a peak. She moved up to the rock and as soon as she reached the surface she saw him and she saw him jolt in place before turning straight to her. She felt it immediately as Shouto's eyes met hers. A sense of relief washed over her. A weight she didn’t know she’d been carrying was instantly relieved. He nearly hopped out of his boat reaching for her and she swam straight into his arms. He picked her up and put her on his small boat so he could hold her properly.

It only took a moment after they were settled to look into each other’s eyes before they collided for their second kiss. This should be too fast. It’s the first time she’s seen him in days. She should at least talk to him first before she kisses him. However, her body didn’t seem to get this message as she moved as close to him as she could, wetting his fancy clothes and wrapping her arms around him to just revel in the feeling of him finally being in her reach again.

These kisses were different from the one on the beach. It was hot and needy. Like they were trying to desperately make up all the time they long for each other apart between their lips. “I missed you so much.” He said through heavy breath and hurried kisses along her jaw as she whined and pulled on his hair.

She grabs his face and starts kissing it all over, trying to plant her lips on every surface. “I missed you too. I’m so glad you found me.”

They were like that for a while before just being content in being in each other's space again until he pulled back holding her by her shoulders, slightly shaking, “I was so scared. I thought I’d never see you again. I know this is a lot to ask as we’ve only met one other time but please never do that again.” She just looked at him, his eyes were full of hurt and he looked so tired. As if he’d been up for days worrying himself sick. By the way he acts he probably has.

Her heart aches at the sight, she never meant to hurt him. She knows humans don’t have fateds, it’s a gift granted to the mermaids. He must be so scared, so confused. With her she at least knew the signs from her parents and friends experiences so she knew the side effects and had nothing to worry about. Him on the other hand probably never heard of something like this before. It hurts her to think she left him alone like that.

She cups his cheek and he leans into her touch cupping his hand around her to secure it in place. “Shouto,” she heard him sigh at his name and lean further into her touch causing a pink flush began to arise, “I’m sorry. I didn’t come back to you.”

“Did I do something wrong?” He said softly.

She instantly cupped his other cheek to get his attention, “NO! Of course not! I wanted to. I did! I promise! You’re kind and handsome and amazing and wonderful to talk to and everything I didn’t know I wanted.”

“But?” He said sharp as ever and she moved in closer touching his forehead with his.

“No one can know about us, Shouto. My people would try to keep me away from you. Even if we’re fated." She sighed, thumb running softly over his scar, “You’re people don’t have a pleasant history at the sight of a siren.”

He frowned at that, “I would never let anyone hurt you Ochaco.”

She smiles softly, pecking his lips, “I know, Shouto. But you can’t be everywhere at once.”

He obviously didn’t like that statement from the way he pulled back and how his expression changed to stoic, probably trying to hide his true emotions. He stayed silent for a moment deep in thought before he turned to her again, “What is fated for us?”

“A ‘fated.’ Not something that is going to happen.” He looked at her in confusion. She sighed again, “A ‘fated’ is a gift to the mermaids by the Goddess of the sea. Every mermaid has a fated they meet sometime in their life. It is someone that is meant to be in their life. For some of us it’s family or friends when that’s the case they have a white pearl appear on their neck to signify they met each other.”

Ochaco pauses as both of them look for the matching marks on their necks. She stays frozen under his intense stare until he speaks again, “And when it’s pink?”

She swallows, throat suddenly feeling dry despite only being out of the water not even 10 minutes, “It’s romantic. Someone we’re meant to be with. Grow old with. Someone we’re meant to love from the day we meet until the day we die.”

He lets out a huff from his nose, the small smirk she loves appearing on his face. “That makes sense. When I thought I’d never see you again I had a heart break I’ve only ever heard of in fairy tales.”

A pang of guilt shoots through her, “I’m sorry I left you alone. After someone finds their fated there is a longing to be in each other's company that can be very intense. I knew how you would feel but I had to be careful. I know humans don’t have fated’s. You must’ve felt so lost. B-But they’d never let me see you again if they found out! I don’t know what I’d do if that happened! Sea Goddess, I’m so sorry Shouto!”

She feels her guilt and anxiety filling her again. What were they going to do? How would he react? What if he wanted nothing to do with her anymore? That last thought made her heart crack and she felt salt water gather in her eyes. She hated crying above water. It felt like she was leaking.

As soon as she felt herself sinking further into herself Shouto pulled her close, wrapping her in a warm embrace. “Please don’t cry, we’ll figure something out. I’m not mad Ochaco. I actually have to apologize to you.”

“For what?” She sniffles but is already starting to relax in his arms.

He presses his lips into a hard lie before he speaks, “I did tell someone. My friend Izuku.” She stiffens but he pulls her closer, asking her to trust him and she lays her head on his shoulder signaling for him to continue, “I was so unsure what was happening. I thought for a while you had hypnotized me. How could I be in love with someone I just met for a couple hours? I was going crazy not being able to see you. So, I talked to the only person I could trust about it.”

“Izuku used to live on an island not far from here. He’d told me he’d met a mermaid boy when he was younger who he befriended and gave some of his fish to. He always had high opinions of merfolk and told me several occasions where he saved them from nets. So I told him about you. He told me other than siren calls merfolk couldn’t hypnotize and if you did it would only last until you stopped singing. He’s the one that helped me sneak out to you.”

She looks into his eyes, “Do you trust him?”

Shouto nods, “With my life.”

“Then I trust you.” She says taking his hand in her own and kissing it.

“I also told someone,” She squeezes his fingers between hers when she feels him go ridged, “He also has a pink pearl. I just need to make sure. He’s been helping keep my secret.”

“Does he know you’re here now?”

She laughs and shakes her head, “No he’s going to kill me when I tell him I came to see you again without him meeting you first.”

“He sounds very protective of you.” He smirks.

She rolls her eyes, “It’s annoying.”

“Do you trust him?”

“With my life.”

“Then I trust you.” He says, eyeing her lips again.

She really wants to lean in but she also has a feeling that if she allows herself to indulge in that particular pleasure she won’t come out for a while. What she tries to do is put some space between them and let him know that she’d like to talk more but instead she ends up nearly shoving him and yelling, “I want to know more about you!” In his face.

He blinks at her owlishly and her face explodes into a red flush. He can’t hold back a smile and laugh before she whines, putting her face and starts floating upwards. She realizes what she’s doing a second too late and releases her magic plopping back down to Shouto’s arms, rocking the boat in the process.

There’s still an amused smile on his face but now there's also a curiosity behind his eyes. “Was that your magic?”

She nods, “It cancels the weight of any object I touch. Underwater I can lift much heavier things but above water I have to be careful or whatever I’m lifting can suddenly become too much and cause a big splash when it comes back down. I almost got caught by sailors the first time it happened. I also get sick if I use it too much.”

“That’s amazing, I've never heard of magic like that before. My magic is ice and fire very common magic. Is yours common for mermaids?” He says in an awe and it makes her a little self conscious to talk about it, but also flattered at his interest.

“No, every mermaid's magic is different, yet another gift from the Sea Goddess.”

“Sea Goddess?”

“She is the ruler of the seas, the tamer of the tides, she’s what gives us life and gifts. She’s the one that gave us fateds, and she always leads us to them when it’s time.” Ochaco explained. “I can see how you don’t know her.”

“Actually I‘ve been studying the ocean and any information on merfolk I could get my hands on since I met you. Nobody believes it now but there was a time human and merfolk lived in peace and they all worshiped her. But…”

“She was betrayed.” Ochaco finished.

“Yes. I couldn’t find a solid answer why though. Do you know?”

Ochaco nodded again, “There was a sacred reef in the ocean. It’s where the original mermaids were created. The place is holy and is only visited to give an offering to the Goddess. There are every fish in the sea there and when the humans found out they only saw a chance for money. They were told never to fish there but the people were greedy and they came with many boats to outnumber the guardians.”

“The sea Goddess did not take this lightly. It is said with the first forced breath of air by scared sea life was the last breath of all the humans that came. From that point on humans and mermaids have lived apart. Everyone thought the sea Goddess hated humans, but I never believed that myself. She is a Goddess of blessings, life and love.” She takes his hand in hers, “And it turns out I was right, because she led me to you.”

She claps her hands together and makes space between them once more. “Now this is second time you changed the topic back to me. I really want to know more about you Shouto.”

He smirkes. “You’re smart as you are beautiful.”

She feels her face go hot, “Stop distracting me! Tell me something interesting about yourself!”

At this he looked away, his face going stoic. “I don’t feel like there’s much to say. I may be a Prince but my life is a bore. I wake up, mediocre magic lessons so I don’t ‘harm myself’. I eat breakfast, do paperwork for hours my father assigns me to keep me busy. I eat lunch, take lessons to take over the throne, free tim-”

“Wait, wait, wait!” He stops looking at her. “You’re next in line to the throne!?”

“Yes. Did I not tell you this?” He says tilting his head innocently like he didn’t just drop the surprise of Ochaco’s life.

“No! You didn’t! You told me that you were a Prince and your father was a harsh king. He was especially harsh on you after the disappearance of your brother but never in line for the throne!”

“Ah I suppose I did tell you a lot already. No wonder I have a hard time opening up more. Maybe I should work on talking about details that are important to other people first.” He pondered.

His wording however threw Ochaco off. What was important to other people. “Is it not important to you?”

He wouldn’t look at her now playing with her fingertips once more, “I suppose it is in a sense. As in I know that future is set for me whether I want it or not. When most people find out they treat me differently, either with respect or deception. I’m nothing more than the king to be, even my siblings treat me as something meant to be on a pedestal. Not on equal ground. The only one to do differently was my mother and then she was taken from me. Perhaps that was another reason I didn’t tell you.”

She noticed the somber tone in his voice and lifted her other hand to steer him to look at her. “Shouto, it was surprising, yes but I don’t think of you differently. I simply realized your life is much more different at home than mine. However, I think it’s fair to say that it's not necessarily a bad or good thing. Just different and I like you for your differences. It makes things more interesting don’t you think?” She rubs a thumb over his scar and once again he leans into her touch. Smiling softly she says, “I’m not sure if you noticed but I am very happy to accept our differences to come together. What about you?”

His eyes widen for a moment until he leans into her space and they become hooded. No one had ever said that to him before. He never felt so accepted for being himself in his life. She saw him. Really truly saw him for who he was not for his birthright. For that he was eternally grateful. “I would go to the deepest, farthest ocean if it meant I could stay with you.”

She lets him move in so his lips touch hers again and she feels he’s stiff, probably still feeling vulnerable from everything. She makes it a mission to help him relax. Once again different from their previous kisses. These were soft and long, full with understanding and comfort. They didn’t talk but their bond kept them in sync. When he finally relaxed she fell into his arms and ran a soothing hand through his hair. “Now tell me everything. I want to know you.”

Chapter Text

Just like that a month passed by. They’d spend as much time with each other as they could and they began to know each other more than anyone else ever had.

She learned about his mother that he adored but was scared she hated him. He told her how she was sent away for hurting him and that’s how he got his scar. He’d always wanted to reach out to her but he was an adult already and as the years passed on, the more he felt they grew further apart. He’d never had the courage to go visit her. Saying if she would confirm his worries and say she never wanted to see him again his heart would never heal.

So Ochaco offered an alternative. To write her a letter. He said for every one of his birthdays his mother would write him one and Ochaco reasoned if his mother really wanted nothing to do with him why would she sign her name next to “with love”. He said those were always the highlights of his birthdays and he felt special that she’d still take the time to write him something. So, Ochaco encouraged him to return the favor.

The two weeks before her reply was returned were full of anxiety and worry from Shouto but Ochaco helped soothe him in more ways than one, but she found kisses were his favorite. From the way he talked about her she really doubted that his mother simply abandoned all love for him. According to him she was not only sent away because of what she did to him but because her sorrow of her actions caused her to crumble. He said he’d hear her wail into the night but he wasn’t allowed to comfort her. His biggest regret of all.

When the letter came Ochaco felt it in her bones that Shouto needed to see her. It was something they noticed over time, it must be part of their bond but when the other desperately needed the other it was like something beyond themselves were calling to find each other. The only downside was they couldn’t tell between a bad reason to need to see each other or a good thing so it was always a worry when one of them got it.

She quickly finished her work and rushed to their meeting spot hearing him call her as she got closer. He barely put out his arms to her before she jumped into them and knocking them into the boat. She checks every part of him for something out of place, before he reassures her he’s fine. He reads her the letter his mother sent and she cries tears of joy that he won’t allow himself to at his mother’s warm words.

Rei, his mother, would start to send her letters as well for Shouto to read to her after Ochaco had become a common topic for Shouto and his mother to write about. He told his mother she was a peasant and that’s why she couldn’t read or write, but she soon became a confidant between the couple. They could tell her almost anything, except the mermaid part of course. Ochaco enjoyed being part of Shouto’s life and in a way even meeting his family. She was just sad she couldn’t do the same.

Her friends and family had realized she had met her fated again by the way she acted. They said she just seemed to “glow” with happiness. When they asked her why she wouldn’t introduce them she had a list of excuses; it was complicated, he couldn’t meet all day, one of them had work. The list went on and on but she was lucky her friends and family were more than understanding.

Well almost all of them.

Katsuki had been bothering her about meeting Shouto from day one. She’d tried to keep him away as long as possible but it looks like 2 months was his absolute limit because he actually took a day off from his job to follow her around all day. Which was extremely annoying because she could barely go to the bathroom without him following her. Yet, also somewhat sweet because this is the one of the only days he’s taken off in the 5 years since he got the job. Second only to the day Kirishima proposed.

However, she had a feeling it wasn’t all warm feelings behind him taking the day off but rather an act of spite because she almost always visited Shouto when Katsuki was working, but whatever it’s nice to see he cares.

Which brings them to now. Katsuki is smiling like he just caught his prey so Ochaco’s not exactly excited for what he has planned for meeting Shouto. He wouldn’t tell her any details but just that he was going to make sure Shouto’s “worth it” whatever that means, but Shouto knew he was coming and he could handle himself if he needed to.

“No fucking way!” She hears Katsuki say after sniffing the water, snapping her out of her thoughts.

“What?” She says confused. As he continues to sniff, moving quicker toward their meeting spot.

“I swear on my mother’s life this better not be what I fucking think it is!”

“You really need to stop saying that so often.” Ochaco said moving faster to keep up with him.

“I know this smell anywhere. Goddamn nerd reeks of it since we were 5!” He said swimming so fast now it was hard to keep up.

“Katsuki, slow down! What are you talking about?” She sees him pop his head out of the water and the boat instantly starts rocking harshly. Oh no. She speeds up as fast as she can, “Katsuki don’t you DARE hurt him!”

When she finally arrives she sees a green haired man who was busy fighting off Katsuki trying to pull him out of the boat most likely to drown him or worse.

“Stop! Katsuki, STOP!” She says, trying to pull him off the man but he’s got him in a death hold.

“THIS GUY!?” He says now trying to push Ochaco away while still trying to drag the man out of the boat. Much to Ochaco’s dismay, doing a pretty decent job of it. “OF COURSE IT HAS TO BE DEKU!!”

“Kacchan wait! It’s not what you think-ack-hold on!” The man finally said, struggling to get out of Katsuki’s grip.

“Kacchan?” Ochaco looked at him and back at Katsuki. She hadn’t heard that nickname since he banned everyone from using it when he was 7. “Do you know each other!?”

Neither answered her but when Katsuki’s elbow came flying for her nose she got pissed. She knew he wasn’t really trying to hit her by the speed but just have her back up but it was still rude. Slapping him on the back of the head she activated her magic making him weightless and dragging him off the man fighting to stay in his boat. “OCHOCO PUT ME DOWN!!! I DON’T CARE IF HE’S YOUR FATED I GOTTA KICK HIS ASS FIRST!”

“We’re not fated!” They screamed in unison. Katsuki rage stopped short now floating so Ochaco was the only thing keeping him tethered.

Katsuki barely got out a grumbled “what” before there was a small laugh emitted from the one person in a different boat they completely ignored until this point. Confusion quickly turned back to rage as he lunged at Shouto, “Who the fuck are you? And who do you think you’re laughing at you half and half bastard!?”

Completely ignoring Katsuki much to his annoyance. Shouto looked directly at Ochaco and smiled gently, “You weren’t kidding when you called him a handful.”

Ochaco laughed hearing Katsuki protesting in the background and trying once again wiggling in her grasp. She let him go so he floats up high enough to look a little panicked before she claps her hands together and drops her magic. He lands right in front of her face first into the water. Shouto and “Deku” cringed but she rolled her eyes, “Don’t worry he’s been through much worse.”

Katsuki takes his time floating face down screaming into the sea before coming back up face red and pouting, swimming next to her, “You’re a bitch.”

“Only ‘cause you were acting like one first.” She sticks out her tongue and he audibly growls.

The humans watch in awe at their relationship. They’re so casual yet aggressive with each other, but it was also apparent they had a strong bond. “I know you said you two were close but I didn’t expect you to be this close.”

Ochaco swims up to his boat and puts her hands out so he can pick her up and she suddenly realizes she should probably use her magic sometime to help him but she’s usually in such a hurry to be in his arms she doesn’t think about it, “Hello, handsome.”

He chuckles and kisses her forehead and then her lips, “How are you my love?”

“Great Goddess, get a fucking room!” Katsuki calls out but from the heat of his glare marking holes in her back she knows he’s watching her closely to see if she’s really okay.

She’s content in ignoring Katsuki but Deku doesn’t feel the same. “Kacchan be nice! I think it’s sweet.”

“Course you would, Deku. You Goddamn nerd!” This did pull Ochaco out of it.

“Katsuki, Deku?” She got both of their attention. “How do you know each other?”

“Yes, Izuku. I’d appreciate it if you enlightened me on this as well.” Shouto said moving so Ochaco could lean back against his chest while he held her.

“Ah I’m sorry. My lady, my name is actually Izuku. Izuku Midoriya. I am Prince Shouto’s personal knight. I’ve heard much about you. It’s an honor to finally meet you, my lady.” Izuku said, somehow perfectly able to kneel on a boat, placing a hand over his heart making Katsuki gag.

“I thought since you were bringing your closest friend, so should I. I hope you don’t mind.” Shouto pitched in before Ochaco could respond.

Smiling, she waved excitedly at the young man, “Oh you’re Izuku! Shouto has told me a lot about you! It’s nice to meet you as well!” She looked over at Katsuki who was uncharacteristically quiet and saw him deep in thought, probably analyzing every bit of this conversation. “How do you know, Katsuki?”

Izuku’s eyes light up, “I guess you could say we were childhood friends!”

“Haah!?” Katsuki finally chimed in, “We were never friends, you damn nerd!”

Ochaco sighed, this was going nowhere. “Katsuki, how do you know him then?”

He was silent for a moment before answering annoyed as usual, “Remember when I used to bring your family fish and you asked where I got it?” She nodded and he jut out his thumb in Izuku’s direction, “His family always had fish they couldn’t sell and he’d give it to hungry sea life. He’d give me some before I grew up and realized humans were shitheads.” He said that last part staring straight at Shouto. “Speaking of which. I need to talk to you!”

Shouto looked unfazed but she could tell he was a little tense. “Don’t worry I’m here.”

“No way cheeks, I mean alone. I need to make sure he’s even worth it, and if he can’t prove that to me without you holding his hand, how the hell am I supposed to trust you’ll be safe with this asshole.”

She’s about to protest when she feels Shouto put a hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay Ochaco, he’s right.”

“Ahh are you sure Sir? Maybe I should come with you?” Izuku said.

“No it’s quite alright. Why don’t you get to know Ochaco you both have been excited to meet each other.” He says then turning to Ochaco’s still unconvinced expression, and kissing her forehead in reassurance, “I’ll be fine. Whatever he has instore to prove my worth to you I’m happy to exceed it ten fold.”

She leaves him with a small peck and floats herself to Izuku’s boat as Shouto and Katsuki go off away from them. At first both Izuku and herself are worried but, other than the occasional glance at something Katsuki yells loudly enough to catch their attention, they start to have a nice conversation.

Izuku tells her how much she’s changed Shouto. Before he looked bored and so tired most of the time. Following the same schedule day after day Izuku said despite being groomed to become king he always seemed like he had nothing to live for, but when she came along everything changed.

Shouto would talk to him more and he expressed emotions he thinks no one has seen in him in his 24 years. Even when his face was stoic it seemed lighter than before and Izuku thanked her for that.

“There’s nothing to thank me for, Izuku.” She said smiling, “I may have helped Shouto but he helped me too. Before I always used to think I would always be stuck where I was. I was going to work the same work my parents do until the day I die. I felt alone stewing in my own thoughts that not even the closest people to me could understand me. Even though I had plenty to do everyday, part of me was wanting something more. That feeling was draining and my days grew sad.”

“Then Shouto came along and changed everything. He got me, as in completely understood me and it was so freeing to finally be heard. Our meetings gave me something to look forward to in my life that had become so mundane. Everytime I’m with him I can finally let free a part of me that’s been dying to get out! We don’t even have to talk. We can sit together in silence and as long as I’m in his arms I know everything is okay. Taught me how many things can be said in silence, a sense of peace you could say, He’s given me a reason to keep moving forward, to live, to love, and for that I’m eternally grateful.”

When she looked up at Izuku after realizing she went on a whole spiel she saw him tearing up. She’s in the middle of apologizing to him, and him assuring her he’s just happy Shouto found someone when they hear a large BOOM.

There’s a hot second where Ochaco tries to decide what to do without freaking out because she really should’ve expected this with Katsuki. Before she sees Katsuki go to bite off Shouto’s arm and hops out of the boat to stop him. She’s almost there when suddenly an iceberg appears out of nowhere and traps all of Katsuki but his head.

“What happened!?” Ochaco panicked, swimming into Shouto’s arms and checking if he was okay. Other than a few scratches he looked alright and she turns to scold Katsuki before she sees him struggling to free himself from the icy prison.

She stops for a moment before bursting into laughter and Katsuki rages harder saying as soon as he gets out he’ll “kick her ass too.”

When Izuku finally gets there he’s out of breath and once he’s caught up with the situation praises his Prince for his victory but this of course upsets Katsuki further, so Izuku starts helping him out of the ice as an apology.

Which leaves Ochaco and Shouto alone again. “What did you talk about?” Shouto said, brushing a loose hair from her face. He was completely ignoring the other two. Giving her a look that says he wants to get lost in a world that’s only theirs, and she’s happy to join him.

“Well we talked about our homes and our friends, but mostly we talked about you. Izuku was sweet and thanked me for coming into your life-”

“Which was correct.”

She giggles but shushes him, “Let me finish!” His lips quirked upward but he waited silently for her to continue. “And I told him he didn’t need to thank me because you’ve helped me grow just as much. If anyone is to thank it is the sea Goddess. It’s her that brought us together.”

“I’ll make sure to give her a nicer offering next time I come out.” He says. According to Izuku the fishermen always gave offerings to the Sea before going out as a thanks for allowing them to fish. It didn’t have to be something big, just something thoughtful such as food to feed the sea life or flowers, especially one’s close to the heart. So Shouto started giving offerings of banquets of flowers his mother always kept in the castle when he was young before he came to see Ochaco. He never knew if it was enough but he at least felt she needed to know how grateful he was.

“Well what did you talk about with mr. explosive murder over there?” She said tracing the outlines of the seams on his collar with her fingers, a little habit she’d gotten because the feeling of the dry fabric fascinated her, while rubbing her nose softly with his.

“You, how he’d kill me and everyone I ever met if I ever hurt you, if I could handle myself in a fight which lead to well…” He tilted his head towards the iceberg without breaking eye contact with her and she giggled to herself.

“Yeah sounds about what I thought would happen. But I’m glad you got to meet him. It feels like our worlds are a little closer now. In the future maybe we can even work on them intertwining.” She says weaving her fingers together with his. “It’ll take time but I’m okay with that as long as you are.”

She waits for him to agree but his mouth is in a tight line and his eyes wander somewhere far away. He does this every once and a while when he’s still hesitant to say something but as long as she’s gentle she’s usually able to coax it out of him. She reaches out tender hands to guide his face back in her direction but he still doesn’t look at her. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

He’s silent as he continues to avoid her gaze. She frowns, “Shouto, please look at me.” He can’t resist her plea and looks back into her worried eyes and instantly regrets his previous actions. He never meant to upset her.

He lets out a sad smile and says, “I’m sorry, love. I just thought of something unpleasant and it took me over for a moment.”

He kissed her left palm that was still on her face but she’s still worried and about to ask if he wants to talk about it until his kisses become more urgent and he starts pressing kisses up her arm to all the way to her neck and a bright red flush envelopes her face. “What are you doing!? There are other people-Shouto!” She nearly yells pushing him back after he sucked on her neck, eyeing to see if the other boys heard. Their boat has luckily drifted to an area where they’re mostly covered by some rocks. “Shouto! What’s gotten into you?”

“If I get lost in these thoughts they’ll overwhelm me and I feel like an empty shell. But if I get lost in you, I feel like I’m home.” When she looks into his eyes are wild and scared. Ochaco’s not sure what happened and she’d definitely approach this later but right now he needs comfort and she could give him that.

“Whatever you're thinking, we'll fix it. Together, okay?”

Shouto wants to agree with her. Wants to have her optimism but fix it? How can they fix the future? Even if their families met, even if their kingdoms made peace, they are still from two different worlds and no matter how close they come together there’s still a barrier between them.

He wants to be with her, not for a secret meetup, not in a boat. He wants to wake up everyday and see her face before the world. He wants to hold her in a way that’s not slightly awkward for one of them. He wants children with her. He wants to grow old with her but with his status to become the new king and her life bound to the sea, how could it be so?

How could he solve this? How could he tell her this plagued his thoughts even in their happiest moments? So instead he turns it away and he kisses her again and he thanks every God there is, that she lets him this time. He knows she’ll have questions and he’s not sure if he can avoid them like he did this time.

But for right now he lets his worries go, getting lost in her and everything else begins to melt away. He drowns himself in soft lips and sweet sighs and holds her as close as he can. Grateful just to be in the moment, because just like he said when he gets lost in her he feels at home. Like this is where he’s always meant to be, and for this moment, with her, everything is perfect.

So he makes a wish. One that he can stay with her like this forever. He doesn’t think much of it after, not even when he calms down and they finally part for the night, but when finally enters his room to sleep off the day there is a single golden pearl on his pillow and the flower that he had been gifting the Sea Goddess.

Chapter Text

Shouto wanted to tell Ochaco about the pearl but the next morning he was risen from his bed with urgency to meet the king and he really didn’t have time for anything but this upcoming headache.

When he comes to the dining room Fuyumi is there giving worried looks between him and his clearly upset father. “You called me, Your Majesty.”

“Sit we have much to discuss,” He said clearly, an order rather than a request. Shouto barely hid back a sigh and sat down while a servant brought him some food. He barely had the time to thank them before his father continued, “I heard you’ve been writing to your mother.”

Here comes the headache. He looks to Fuyumi who's giving him an apologizing look and he sighed. She was probably just trying to make small talk with father . It's not her fault he saw this as a problem. “Yes, and?”

“Is that where you have been sneaking off to?” He heard the tale tale sign of his father’s anger rising.

“What?” Shouto froze.

“I know you think you can do whatever you want but I am still King!” He slams his hand against the table, “I know you’ve been going out Shouto, I just don’t know where, and you are going to tell me or so help me you will never leave this castle again!”

Though his face went stoic he was panicking on the inside. His father could not find out he met someone and definitely couldn’t find out Ochaco was a mermaid. The kingdom most marketable trade was fish and the only thing ever stopping the boats that sold the fish were sirens. His father took every ship that went down, despite it being very rare, as a personal offense and ordered every mermaid to be killed on sight.

Even if his father had no problem with mermaids there was no way he’d let heir to the thrown be with one. The king fired the maid he’d thought Shouto had a crush on. Which wasn’t true but the idea that someone not of his class could catch the Prince’s eye appalled his father enough to take extra precautions from that day forward. Other than Izuku, Shouto hadn’t talked to anyone his age in a while. Which is why Ochaco and even Katsuki was a breath of fresh air. An escape from the life he’s trapped in.

He’ll be damned before that’s taken away from him too. However, he couldn’t say he was going to his mothers or his father would make sure that’s where he was going. It had to be something he couldn’t follow even if he wanted to. Then it came to him. He’d send an apology to the Lady in a letter for using her as an excuse.

“Shouto!” His father snapped him back to reality with a yell of his name, “Do not ignore me. Where are you going!?”

He turns to his father with a face that he hopes Ochaco never sees; Cold as ice. “I’ve been meeting someone. Lady Yamomo.” His father simply grunts telling him to continue but glaring so intensely as if saying ‘you better have a damn good reason for not telling me.’ His father wanted them together since they were children. She was the daughter of a Duke so she was royalty herself and of his class. There was just one problem: they didn’t love each other.

Their parents wanted them to marry so they tried. Multiple times, but it never worked out. They just weren’t meant to be as she said. Despite his father not caring about if his child was in love or not Yamomo’s parents did not feel the same. They refused to force her into a marriage she wouldn’t be happy in. So there wasn’t a thing the king could do.

“I’ve been seeing her in private. No one is supposed to know. She wants this to be between her and I. Without our parents involved to see if we were ‘right’ for each other. If she found out I was even talking to you she would see it as a betrayal and it could all be cut off.”

This was not the answer his father was hoping for by his expression but a small part of Shouto laughed because he knew his father couldn’t do a damn thing about it. The only thing is he seemed to be getting angier which was never a good sign and Shouto wasn’t going to comfort him. However, Fuyumi being the angel she is, swoops in to do it for him, “Isn’t that great news father? They finally have a chance! Shouto is coming of marrying age. It’s better we have someone we know will be a great Queen than finding someone who we have to train as well.”

His father seemed to calm at Fuyumi’s words but still sent a death glare at Shouto, “Do not mess this up boy! If you do not solve this problem this time I will no longer wait for you to find someone as I will pick them out myself. Do you understand?”

Shouto realizes in that moment he has also trapped himself but if it meant he could stay with Ochaco a little longer then it was worth it. So with a cold expression he lies straight to his fathers face, “Yes.”

-

Ochaco was expecting the day off the same day as her mother to be relaxing and it was for the most part. They went shopping for groceries, and they got a treat at one of the vendors, and they even went out for lunch to catch up. Which in hindsight Ochaco should have guessed would’ve brought up the topic of her fated but her mother still had her surprises it seems.

“So when can I expect grandkids?” Her mother posed like it was simply a comment on the weather.

Ochaco reacted accordingly to this outrageous assumption by choking on her sweetened salmon. “MAMA!” She sputtered until she could successfully breath again. “We-we’re not ready for that!”

“You’re not?” Her mom said rubbing soothing circles into Ochaco’s back after her coughing fit.

“No! We’ve only known each other for a couple months mom! We’re not ready for that!” She says erratically trying to explain herself.

“I guess that is soon to most. Your father and I had you in our first month together. You can’t blame me for hoping to see some grandkids sooner than later!” Her mother giggled.

Ochaco would be more annoyed but she knew her mother meant well so she couldn’t find it in herself to be upset. She giggled back, “If it makes you feel better we have talked about it.”

Another half truth she’s gotten so used to saying these days. They did talk about it but not as in having kids themselves but Shouto wanted to know how new mermaids were born after realizing mermaids could not get pregnant.

She told him about the ritual that has been passed down from her people as long as she can remember. First there must be an offering of something dear to the people making a new life. It wasn’t the item itself that was important but what the parents were willing to sacrifice for their child. To make Ochaco her mother gave up a necklace that belonged to her grandmother, it was the last memento she had of her and she held it very dear to her heart. Her father gave a flower that can only be found after a long grueling journey but he took it just to make her.

Shouto said he wished that’s how humans made children as well. In his world humans didn’t always make children out of love, him being a prime example. Ochaco had a hard time wrapping her head around that idea. Why would you make a child if not to love and care for it? When he told her about how humans would abandon or even only have children for some sort of gain like he was her heart broke the slightest for all those children.

She heard humans could be so much crueler than mermaids but she didn’t have much of a glimpse of it until she met Shouto. Despite being a Prince he seemed to be born the victim of human cruelness. Even so he was so kind, a little naive, but he cared about his people and he cared about his family. He put doing the best he could with the little power he had to help the people of his kingdom even when it backfired on him.

He was selfless and in a world that can be so much crueler than hers she thinks that means much more than she originally thought.

“And?” Her mother gestured to elaborate bringing Ochaco’s thoughts back to the conversation at hand.

She blushed and played with her meal, not looking her mother in the eyes, “He said he’d love to… one day.”

“Do you want them?” Her mother smiled warmly.

“One day...”

“You really love him don’t you?”

“So much, Mama.” Ochaco sighs.

Her mother places a hand over her daughters and squeezes lovingly, “Then you’ll find a way. The sea Goddess does not make mistakes.”

Her cheeks heat up again and she squeezes back, “Thank you, Mama. I know that’s true.”

“I just wonder how the ceremony will work if he can’t stay underwater the whole time. How long can they hold their breath underwater?” Her mother hummed in thought.

Ochaco felt like her heart skipped a beat, “What?”

“Because for us we can stay a whole hour above water but I’ve never seen a human hold their breath longer than a couple minutes.” Her mother kept speaking as if she wasn’t shattering her whole world in front of her.

“What are you talking about?” Ochaco was finally able to get out.

“Your fated, sweetie. You know to make a child you have to be in sacred water. Can he swim? We could always teach him-”

“YOU KNEW!?” Ochaco burst out and when a dozen eyes looked her way she shrunk down and whispered to her mom, realizing this was a very private conversation, “Mama! You knew and you didn’t tell me?”

“Of course I knew, sweetie. It was obvious-”

Ochaco started to feel panicked, “Does anyone else know?”

Her mom finally catching on gets a more somber expression, “Ochaco what’s wrong? You know I don’t care about something like this.”

“Please mama! This is important! Does anyone else know!?”

Her mom pressed her lips into a tight line, probably debating what to say, “Not anyone that I know of, but your friends and father do know you're lying about something, sweetheart.”

Ochaco felt her head swimming. She knew she wasn’t a great liar but everyone knew something!? How was she going to keep this up? It was one thing if her friends and family found out. She doubts anyone would judge her for something like that but the crown is another thing. If anyone in the empire found out she was having a relationship with a human she’d be banished and despite her mothers high hopes for the kingdom she really doesn’t think they’ll care even if she’s fated.

“No one else can know. You have to promise not to tell anyone, not even Papa!” Ochaco said desperately.

Her mother looked long at Ochaco and her heart broke a little of how desperate her plea was. She was sure the kingdom would understand her daughter’s situation. They were fated and the Sea Goddess never made mistakes after all! However, she could not, would not betray her daughter and tell them anyway. This was important to her and what she believed was the off chance that she would be punished for having a relationship with a human, as a mother she would never be able to forgive herself for causing Ochaco pain.

A warm hand cups Ochaco’s cheek, “Ochaco, sweetheart. I swear on my life I will not say anything to anyone. I just want you to be happy and if me telling someone about your fated endangers that please, please believe me when I say that I would never do anything to hurt you. I love you.” She gives her daughter a gentle smile, “I’ll accept anyone you love as long as they are good to you. I’m here for you, Ochaco. Always.”

Ochaco’s nerves instant calm down but she feels a familiar tightness in her chest as she wraps her arms her mother with a sob. She doesn’t care if anyone is looking now. She didn’t realize how much she needed those words to be said to her. Katsuki knowing was a it of a relief but she knew he didn’t really approve of Shouto even after he met him. So, her mother saying she knew her fated was human and accepted that as long as she was happy, lifted a weight off her she didn’t realize she had been dragging her down.

“I want you and everyone in my life to meet him. I’ve told so little about him so no one would get too curious, but he’s amazing, Mama. Shouto and I come from opposite worlds in every way but everytime I’m with him he makes me feel like I’m home. We can talk about anything and even though our lives are so different we always understand each other. He’s part of my life now and I want to share how wonderful he is with all of you.”

"Well, you may not be able to tell anyone else but I'm here ready to listen." Her mother smiled gently.

Ochaco smiled back. It may not be exactly what she wanted but being able to really speak about him was better than she imagined.She told her mother everything about them. Ochaco said they were so different but how it often worked better for them than worse. He was quiet and only said things that he felt was necessary and on the other hand she loved to talk. Despite what other people would think it was nice. He liked to listen and she liked to fill the silence.

For some reason she never felt comfortable with silence, but with him she would often find herself relaxed enough to simply be happy being held in his arms. She often thought things through with emotions first and him with logic. When they shared how they thought it was originally odd but it helped him talk easier and grow closer with his mother. For Ochaco the logic helped her in her work and clever ways to see him.

There were much more examples that Ochaco could and did say but the point was all the same. They were on opposite sides of many scales but instead of one over powering the other they balanced each other out. She was fine on her own but with him she felt she could be her best self. He gave her a sight into another world. One where she wasn’t stuck a lonely bottom feeder forever and she finally feels whole. Everything feels perfect with him.

Which is why it is so much more painful when she’s reminded that it isn’t.

When she sees Shouto again Ochaco is overjoyed to tell him that she was able to tell her mother about him and she wants to meet him, but as soon as he pulled her into the boat she could see in his face something was off.

“Shouto, what’s wrong?”