The other mers did bring gifts to them, though it was a few days before they were confident enough to swim into the aquarium. Aizawa and Elly were discussing plans for the upcoming merfolk exhibit when the gate opened and everyone swam in.
Although Kayama was meeting the marine biologist for the first time they were both comfortable enough around each other, helped in part by how close Aizawa was standing beside his mate.
"You're really walking around like that, huh? She's something special to get you to breathe air this much."
He snorted, laughing. "I told you she was nice, remember?"
"And pretty." She laughed. "You know that was how he described you to me? Your were pretty and you smelled good."
It was Elly's turn to laugh, and she giggled helplessly at the thought of the lovesick shark mer staring up at her under the sea. "I guess I'm lucky I smell good!"
"Hnf." Aizawa kissed her on the neck, biting gently. "I love you."
"I love you, too." She cuddled close.
"When's her heat?" Kayama suddenly shouted, splashing one fist onto the surface of the water. "I want to see some pups!"
"Kayama!"
"<i>What?</i> I'm gonna be the coolest auntie!"
"I don't think that's a tactful thing to say -" Yagi tried to reason with her but Hizashi cut him off with another, bigger splash.
"I'm gonna be an even cooler uncle!"
Cheerful madness ensued in the form of a party between the human and the mers.
In the months that followed, Aizawa was integrated into the aquarium schedule as part of a new installation on merpeople. The aquarium never said they weren't real, and he definitely inspired a lot of kids with a newfound respect for the ocean. For his part, the dark-haired man made sure to walk around on his legs as much as swim with his shark tail. He stayed with Elly after hours in her home, and gradually grew accustomed to human rituals and everyday objects.
Elly never really mastered speaking his language, but could understand it almost perfectly - except for some higher pitched noises she couldn't hear. She could assume when they were being spoken, however, and did quite well when she was in the water studying the creatures within by listening all around her.
And, eventually, they married legally in the human world. What came next wasn't always for everyone, but the couple wanted children, and, in time, that came to pass as well.
Several years later everything fell into place.
It was mid-morning in what had become known as the mer pool in the back of the aquarium. Elly was nursing their newest child with a tender expression while their oldest played around the water's edge.
"Look!" The other child yelled as he raced around, desperate for attention.
Aizawa watched his wife and daughter from the pool, his eyes soft. "Good thing our teeth don't come in until later," he quipped.
Elly shuddered. "Don't remind me, love."
He chuckled. "You'll be fine this time, too."
"Poppa, <i>look</i>!" The exasperated toddler stomped one foot on the ground impatiently.
Aizawa sighed and swam around in a circle until he saw their eldest running full speed into the pool. He plopped in head first, hands outstretched and cutting the water cleanly.
"Why, you little..." He dove under, ear flaps wiggling. "You think you can swim faster than me, you rowdy pup?"
The little one giggled and beat his tiny tail through the water, darting in and around the kelp as his father chased him. He lost interest, however, when he caught him twice.
"I got him, mom! I got him!"
"Yeah, you're a terror underwater," Aizawa huffed, out of breath.
"Quit swimming your father ragged, Same. We've got a visitor." She smiled and gestured at the gate.
"Uncle Zashi!"
The shrimp mer was propelled backwards from the tiny shark bullet slamming into his chest. "Oof! Hey, Sammy!"
"I'm a big brother now," he announced proudly.
"Oh? You get a promotion while I was gone?"
"It's a <i>girl</i>," he told him matter-of-factly. "She's little, and pink, and she screams a lot."
"Yeah, well, don't we all." Hizashi snickered.
"Zashi," Elly scolded him. "Come here and hold Namiko, hmm?"
"That her name?" He swam over, smiling gently at the wriggling bundle in her arms.
"Yep." She handed him the baby and he dipped her under to see how she adapted. Her gills split and legs fused wonderfully, the tiny mouth burping out the excess water in her lungs as she switched effortlessly to her other form.
"She's beautiful."
"I know," she sighed happily. "I'm glad they both share enough of Aizawa's genes to change. They can experience the best of both worlds."
"Yeah, and maybe some day our people will be like your family."
Aizawa leaped out of the pool and stripped the water off his tail in several practiced movements. He stood, hauling his son out of the water and swinging him into the crook of his arm. The little boy giggled and flexed his tail, flicking droplets everywhere as he changed back as well.
"I hope so, too," he said softly.
Elly sighed as he wrapped an arm around her. "It's going to take time," she said simply. "But if we can learn, why can't others?"
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