Third Person
Bohi, father of Sam and Selena, didn't believe in love at first sight. In his own words, the process of Love could be described in one word: Work.

He scoffed whenever he heard the phrase 'Love at first sight', mainly because the people it came from were new at love and relationships. They didn't understand they were just feeling the attraction and energy. That it wasn't love yet.

Bohi knew this, and kept telling himself this even as he met Olivia. She was another mermaid like him. Brown hair, green eyes and a tail to match. He had seen her from across the bar and she gave him a wink and started to walk over. That day- Bohi could always remember it clear as day- she wore a short, black dress and had necklace with a ruby on it. Golden bracelets shined around her wrists, and she paid no mind to anyone else in the bar but him. Had he been staring? Bohi could never remember, and Olivia only laughed whenever he asked, never giving a clear answer.

"Do you believe at love at first sight?" She asked, a flirty tone in her voice.

A pick up line. The male mermaid had known that when he heard it, but something made his throat close up and his mind waver. Something about the look in her eye as she examined him in all of his glory- a purple flannel that needed to be ironed, his blonde hair in need of being washed, a blue tail that had suddenly gone still as soon as she came over, blue eyes that couldn't stop staring at her, and slight bags under his eyes.

Bohi had gone to the bar to unwind after work, he hadn't cared about his appearance before but now he suddenly did. Now it was all he could think about was that he wished he at least took a shower or put on something a little nicer. Or that he could actually speak to her and- crap he still hadn't said anything!

"No." He answered honestly, then cringed internally. Not a great answer for someone who was looking for... Something. What did she want from me again? Sheesh, I'm the one guy here who looks like a mess, why'd she come over here?

To his surprise, she burst out laughing. Not a pity laugh, no. One that made her eyes have a gleam in them, one that told him she wasn't planning on leaving anytime soon. The green mermaid sat down beside him, further proving him right. She swiveled once in the rotating chair before facing him, head on, and with a wicked grin on her face.

"Gotta name?"

Bohi stared at her for a long while, squinting like she was a bright like shining right into his eyes. Eventually, he blurted out his thoughts. "Why do you want to talk to the one guy here who put no effort into how he looks and is drinking," Bohi lifted up his glass up, gesturing to it. "The most alcoholic drink on the menu? What does that tell you about me? Nothing good."

Another chuckle escaped her. Bohi decided that just maybe, he could hear that laugh for the rest of his life and never get tired of it. "Well, I just chose to sit by that one guy you just described with no intention of talking to anyone else, so what does that tell you about me? Nothing good."

Bohi couldn't stop it. A choking laugh erupted from his throat and he couldn't stop it for a solid minute. She joined him, eyes now brighter than ever. When he finally stopped, he looked up at her and said it. "Bohi."

"Olivia." She said back, holding out her hand for him to shake. "Now are you gonna share that drink or what? Even a small shot seems like too much for one person."

Bohi didn't say anything, just cocking his eyebrows up with a small smile on his face and sliding it over to her.

They talked until closing time. Bohi went home with a full heart, and her number.

---------------------------

A month into dating, Bohi finally asked her.

"Why'd you come sit with me anyways? When we first met?" It was sudden and had nothing to do with what they were doing. In fact, he was currently holding a menu and sitting across from her at a rather fancy restaurant. He blurted that out louder than he intended, and got a few rude looks before lowering his voice. "At the bar. You came over and sat by me. Why?"

"Doesn't sound like you've decided on fish or chicken yet, hm?" Olivia told him slyly, eyes flickered between him and the menu. "It can't wait?"

Bohi didn't answer. Truthfully, it could but he was too stubborn to admit that out loud. Olivia just snickered lowly and closed her menu, setting it down. Bohi mirrored her, waiting for a response, more eagerly than he meant to look.

"Listen, I've been to a lot of bars and met a lot of different people. You were the first one I'd seen that looked like utter crap and like he wanted to avoid every there, without even drinking much or having gone through a recent breakup or death in the family. Basically, you had no reason to look like a flaming garbage fire."

Bohi stared at her. "Wait, how did you know I hadn't lost someone or anything?"

Olivia smirked like it was obvious. "You weren't crying, einstein. Plus, you confirmed it when I spoke to you. Just gave off this vibe, y'know? And I figured anyone like that was more interesting than anyone else there so I came over to talk to you."

She hummed pleasantly to herself. "And it's got me here so it must've been a good choice. Not to mention you said 'No' to my question, and nobody has ever done that. I like unusual, Bo. And you're just what I've been looking for."

Bohi couldn't speak again. When the waiter came over and asked for his order, his mouth opened but an inhuman sound came out before he abruptly closed it, alarmed and flustered. Olivia had big laughs before but never had she fallen out of her chair until now.

They caused quite a ruckus in that fancy restaurant but Bohi considered it one of the best nights of his life, even if Olivia would tease him for the noise he made for the rest of her life after that.

-----------------------------------

As Bohi had known, love never came without bumps.

Olivia and Bohi sat side by side on the couch, but didn't face each other. They had been arguing before but now came the silence. Where they both thought about their words and just couldn't seem to say anything.

Unlike all those times before, Bohi spoke. "I'll admit I still don't like it but... I understand." The green eyes looked up to meet his, even if he didn't meet her's. "I understand that this could be good for you I just... It's dangerous, Oli. The Overworld is so far away and full of dangers and I just..." He had trouble finishing. Bohi only ever seemed to get tongue tied around Olivia and while he didn't mind it most of the time, now it frustrated him.

She made him feel so many things at once and he wanted to voice all of it but he just... Couldn't. His own body worked against him and his mouth shut.

Olivia had to finish for him. "I know. I'll be gone for six months, and that's if I'm not successful. Longer if I am. I... I just can't work in a closed space for so long. There's only so much you can learn about people and other cultures within the walls of your own city, and this could be my only chance. They don't let people in and out too often."

Bohi nodded. A lump appeared in his throat, he knew she was right, he just wished she wasn't for once. Six months, the same amount of time they had been dating now. Six months with maybe a letter once every two, and no physical contact. A six month relationship couldn't last that distance. Both of them knew what it meant.

"You can g-oh." Bohi's voice broke off, and he swallowed to hide it even though both heard it, clear as day. Olivia moved to wrap her arms around him but he shook his head, pushing her away. "I-I'm fine." He told her, then cleared his throat. "I'm fine." He repeated, even if he didn't believe it.

"I'm sorry, I wish I could stay." Olivia whispered. Bohi believed her, he heard it in her voice and saw it in her eyes but that only made it worse. He didn't know why but the pain in his heart washed over his entire body and he had to hold himself back from tears. Olivia, however, let a few slide.

They were silent for a long time before she left. Still, neither could seem to say a word. Even on the day she left, Bohi could barely get 'Goodbye' out before his voice gave out.

He watched her leave. He stayed for a long time, even after she was gone, just staring at the portal. It wasn't logical- Bohi tried to get himself to leave by repeating that in his head but he stayed. Like he expected the impossible to happen and she'd come back through and throw her arms around him and they'd both cry.

Maybe he just didn't want to cry alone.

------------------------------

Three months had passed and Bohi was a mess.

His accountant firm saw his state and ordered him a vacation. Strange to most, but Bohi was one of their best and his work performance had gone down due to his mental state. He had only been out a week but he missed it. At least work distracted him for a couple hours.

Bohi laid around. He wanted to scream at himself to pull himself together and slap himself until he could, but all of his energy just drained away and he could barely even imagine it. They had only been dating six months, he shouldn't be moping this long. He should've been on his feet by now, but he wasn't. The blue mermaid was instead, motionless on the couch, with a half eaten bag of potato chips lying next to him.

Why can't you be like Olivia? She's stronger than this. She's probably out there doing amazing things and here you are. How are you supposed to get that girl to love you when you do things like this? At least try to meet her halfway. He scolded himself, rolling over and huffing. He really shouldn't be acting this way but he couldn't seem to pull himself out of it.

There was a knock at the door.

Bohi couldn't seem to remember if he ordered food or not. He sighed half heartedly, grabbing his wallet and wondered if he'd even be able to eat at all. His appetite had become next to nothing and all he wanted to do was sleep. Or at least try to, it felt like half the time, he just laid in bed, eyes wide awake and deep in thought.

Then he opened the door and his heart stopped. He had to be dreaming, but he pinched himself and nothing happened.

Olivia stood on the other side, with mascara that had stained on her face from tears and her usually, perfectly brushed hair, now tangled and greasy. Her eyes widened when his did and she threw herself into his arms.

He squeezed tight, another test that this wasn't a dream but she remained firm, now clutching the back of his shirt. Tears stained into his shoulders but he didn't care, not to mention he was probably doing the same.

"It's only been three months, why-"

"I could barely focus. Poseidon- I missed you like hell, Bohi. You stupid face, skepticality that love at first sight doesn't exist, all of those times you say 'That isn't logical' in a day and especially when you get all flustered around me and nobody else- and I just couldn't stop thinking that you might've found someone else who makes your speech all strange and- I had to come back." Olivia spoke quickly, then sighed deeply. "And I wasn't sure if you felt the same and then I looked at you just now and- maybe it's selfish but I'm glad you missed me too."

Bohi laughed, though it came out strangled and sounded like a choked sob. Maybe it was, Bohi couldn't tell. "Sometimes it's good to be selfish."

Bohi didn't want to live without her. The words left his mouth before he could think them through but he wouldn't take them back.

"Can we get married?"

Olivia let out a surprised laugh, burying her face into his shoulder. "I look like crap, why are you asking me that?"

"Because I look and smell like flaming garbage but you're still hugging me."

Olivia couldn't hold back a series of giggles that escaped her, eventually ending in, "I do."

"It's not time to say that yet."

"But now you know that once it is, I'll say that."

—————

Bohi struggled to get up, then finally gave up and waited until Olivia entered the room and saw the two weights on his back. She snickered loudly, making them mirror her and Bohi sighed deeply.

"My love, can you please convince the girls I don't make a good chair?" He said calmly, though there was a slight smirk on his lips. He never thought he'd be saying that.

"Hm... I don't know that I can, my dear." She winked, swimming over and settling down in front of him. She looked between him, and above him, then back. "Though, Girls, we wouldn't want to mess up his back would we?"

"No, Mommy!" The younger pipped up, climbing off his back.

"Maybe, it would mean he would have to stay home with us instead of going to work though!" The older seemed to grin.

"Well if he was here all day, do you think he'd allow our little tricks? You know how he felt about surprising the mailman." Olivia pointed out, putting on a soft voice in her tone.

Soon after she said that, all of the weight was lifted and Bohi sighed in relief, getting up and stretching. "You three really are a handful." He grumbled.

Selena grinned at him, the small, four year old mermaid, showing off the gap between her teeth. She had lost it after a bad fall when chasing down the neighbor's cat. Sometimes, she whistled when she breathed through it.

"Yeah, but you love us! You love us lots!" Selena squeaked. Bohi couldn't deny that, but tried to hide his smile and badly failed.

Sam, the older, nine year old aqua mermaid, laughed slightly, eyebrows raising. "You're a bad liar, Dad. Don't even try."

"He's never been a good liar." Olivia whispered to them, making his face heat up.

"Hey, I-! I didn't have a reason to, okay? Sue me, I'm not a trickster!"

"Sue you? Well I think you're guilty then. Here's your sentence." Olivia quickly pecked him on the lips, causing the girls to make a face.

"Gross, not in front of us!" Sam stuck out her tongue. "You two are too sappy!"

"Yeah, ewwww! He's got cooties!"

Olivia only laughed at them. "Well one day, you'll find even you like cooties and sappy things."

Sam pouted slightly. "I'm not falling for anyone. I'm gonna be rich and legendary! I don't need love!"

"Everyone gets lonely, Honey. Who knows? Maybe you'll surprise yourself. Love comes from all sorts of places. Sometimes, it even happens twice."

Selena gasped loudly, eyes round with wonder. "TWO SOULMATES?"

Bohi couldn't help but scoff at that. "Okay, I'm drawing the line, nobody gets two soulmates. You only get one, that's it. One shot at love."

Olivia gave him a look, the same one she gave him whenever he mentioned there was no such thing as love at first sight. Bohi couldn't explain it, but it was like she knew something he didn't. Especially now, it was almost more palpable than ever. It made him feel... Strange inside. A twisting feeling in his gut.

"What if your love dies?" She said it so suddenly that it startled him. The girls exchanged looks before backing out of the room.

Bohi blinked a few times fast. "What? I... What?" His brain spun, he didn't understand.

"What if your love dies?" Olivia repeated. Bohi swore she gulped slightly when she did. "Do you just stay alone forever?"

Bohi went silent, then looked down. He had forgotten until then that they both sat on the hardwood floor, though he didn't think it mattered. "Yes." He answered at last. "You have one shot. Once it's gone, it's gone. That's it."

Olivia's little look shone in her eyes again. Something was definitely wrong, that only increased in his mind when tears left her face. Only a couple, but it left Bohi breathless. "That's not fair." She sobbed softly, closing her eyes. "You shouldn't have just one if you lose your love early on! It's not fair to you!"

"Olivia!"

"And-and-and it's not fair to the girls, they need someone and-!"

"Olivia!"

"And it's not fair to me! How am I supposed to leave all of you behind like that! I can't do that, you- the girls- you both-!"

"OLIVIA!"

"I-!"

Only when he pulled her in close did she stop. It was abrupt, and she didn't make so much as a sound when he did. It chilled him to the bone.

He cleared his throat and asked the question he wasn't sure he wanted an answer to. Because he knew, it wouldn't be good. "What's going on? What are you talking about?"

Olivia swallowed. "I don't have much time left... I didn't want to make a fuss but-!"

"Make a fuss?" Bohi could barely even say it before his throat closed on him. He covered his mouth, trying to stop the sob that so desperately tried to escape him. No, no, no, she's gonna- "You find out you're dying and you keep it from us? How long has it even been?"

"Three months." Her voice barely a whisper. "I learned at my daily check up, they found something unusual with my body and- I've been taking medication but I'm not getting better."

"Three-!" Bohi swallowed, now covering his face for a moment. "You can't just... You can't... You can't..." Bohi couldn't even finish his sentences but Olivia heard all of them.

You can't just leave me out of this.
You can't lie about dying and not tell us.
You can't leave me.

"You have to promise me something." Bohi didn't try to speak, he just nodded. "Try to find someone again. You can wait a while but please, you can't be alone. Find someone."

"I can't. I can't find another you."

"I don't want you to marry another me or go looking for another me. There's only one." Olivia carefully took his face into her hands, looking into his eyes. "But you have to find someone. Someone who loves you, and can take care of you. Someone who makes you feel that special feeling again."

She moved her hands down, one laying on his shoulder while the other pressed to his heart. "They don't have to be a mermaid or witty or making you tongue tied. Just someone that makes you feel here again. Find them. Promise me you'll try."

"Oli..."

"Promise me."

Bohi was silent for a long time. He could hear the girls playing upstairs, unknowing to the mess they were in downstairs. He sighed shakily and nodded.

"Okay." He sucked in a breath, laying his head down on her shoulder, breathing it back out slowly. "I promise."

———————

Sam was twelve and Selena was seven when Olivia left them.

Bohi knew his promise but between work, taking care of the girls and trying to get over grief, he hadn't started yet. He was struggling to.

Just another day. He kept telling himself. I just need more time. Give me another day.

————

Sam was seventeen and Selena was twelve at the time where Bohi met Ofelia.

Bohi had kept putting off shopping that when he did, he found himself with seven heavy bags to carry home. By himself.

Groaning, he was too stubborn to admit to the girls that he did need help with groceries and picked them all up. Slowly, he started to make his way up to his house.

Then, halfway there, he turned a corner and ran right into another mermaid in a rush and fell to the ground. The other got up quickly, then started to pick up his bags.

For a split second, Bohi thought he was being robbed. Then they spoke. "Aaaa! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it! Are you okay? Oh jeez, you're still on the ground, I didn't knock you out, did I?"

"M'fine." The Blue mermaid groaned, then found himself face to face with a female white tailed mermaid. Her eyes were a light hazel, and she had strawberry orange hair, up in a ponytail.

The white mermaid offered him a hand and hesitantly, he took it. She smiled brightly at him when he did. "Oh good, you're not hurt too badly! Sorry, I really wasn't looking where I was going!"

Bohi blinked once, then twice as he looked at her. He was getting a strange feeling but he brushed it off. "Got a name?"

"Ofelia!" She answered, holding out a hand for him to shake. "Do you need any help with your bags? Or anything to help you sleep? I know a few kinds of tea that work on me!"

Bohi paused. To help me sleep? "How... How'd you know I was having trouble sleeping?" He tilted his head.

Ofelia smiled slightly at him. "A mix of your slow reflexes and bags under your eyes." She began to carry some of the heavier bags, gesturing for him to lead. "So do you need any? You look exhausted, I wouldn't mind lending a helping hand!"

Bohi nodded slowly. "I wouldn't mind that... Do you believe in love at first sight?"

"Yes! Why?" Ofelia answered excitedly. "I think that love can sprout from anywhere at any time! Love has no rules, sometimes you need time and sometimes, well, you see them and you just know! Isn't that amazing?"

Bohi felt his heart speed up but he had one more question. "And do you believe people can have two soulmates?"

Ofelia paused but nodded again at that one, brushing a rebellion strand of hair over her ear. "I do. Sometimes, people's soulmates are taken too quickly. Some people get a second chance. Why do you ask? Are you afraid you won't get another one?"

"Who says I had another one?"

"Why else would you ask? People rarely do things without reason, even if they believe they do." The white tailed mermaid gave a soft smile. "You'll find someone again. Don't give up, Bo. Can I call you Bo?"

Bohi's throat began to close up on him. A deep feeling he hadn't felt in a long time sprouted and grew in his heart. For the first time in a long time, he felt hope for this promise he made.

"Yeah. Bo is just fine. Would you like to stay for dinner, Ofelia?"

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So I R̫̞̙̜̻̺e̞̳̰a̴l̨̞̩͕̤̦l̨̖̥͙͔y̦̕ wanted to give Selena and Sam's family some love and it e̘͓̮̕n̷̰͙̘͓̖̘d̤̗̕e̸̩͈̟d̼̣ up being this. I swear it was fluffy at f̻̥̺i̖̻̝͍̭r͏s̀t́ but then it just kinda... Yeahhhh, but it has a happy ending so it's fluff! See? T̵̯̘̲̱̟ot̪a̲̮̞̜l͇̭͇̦̭l̴̻̭̠ỵ̘̬̻͕̝͡ fluff

Anyways, I ḥ̨o̢͔̩̘̪̪p̮e you guys liked this! Be sure to comment what you think, for it f̪u̲̮͙͕͍̭͜e̡̹͚̣̮͎͍l̳̳̩͚̤̲͞ͅs͙̫̹ͅͅ me ̕g̹͇̣̬͍r̨̩͍͚è͎͎̟a̡t͉̗l̨͓̻̩y̧̹, and farewell!

—JustAnAtlantisWriter