#phanplatonic

this is so them

    Dan sighed, shaking sand off his feet for the millionth time. He had no idea why he’d thought taking a walk along the beach was a good way to spend the day, but he was too stubborn to quit now.    Dan stared into the ocean, wishing he could go and swim. It was too late, and the water was too cold for it to work, but still. Slightly disappointed, he turned, and began to walk back, but something in the water caught his eye.    there was a buoy, four actually, tethered together with some waterproof string they used to mark off areas, next to a big fishing boat. That wasn’t what caught his eye though. For a second, Dan thought he’d seen a green flipper thrashing above the surface.    it was an opportunity to go swimming, sure, but the area was marked off limits. Dan Slowly turned back around, casting one last hopeful look at the buoys.     A head flashed above the surface. Dan  did a double-take, this time certain he’d seen it. no one else seemed to be out. Slightly giddy with anticipation, but just a tad scared, he dove into the surf.    Dan had forgotten: never dive into the surf.    mustering what little grace he had left, he pushed through the tides, and surfaced just beyond where they broke. He paddled out further, until he was right next to the buoys, where he made the mistake of looking back.     Dan was farther from the shore than he’d thought. Fatigue set in quickly, and he grasped the rope for stability. After he’d recovered from his brief bout of panic, Dan ducked under the rope, and squinted through the sea water.    A flash of movement caught Dan’s eye. He kicked towards it, and felt his way to it. It was a giant net, full of fish. but on a closer inspection, something else was in the net. What looked like a boy was laying, caught in the net. He wasn’t struggling anymore.    Dan quickly pulled himself up, gasping for breath. he needed a plan… Suddenly, a blaring horn erupted from the boat, startling Dan. A wire sound hissed, and The water beneath the boy’s feet seemed to rush upwards, pushing him away.    the net was being lifted. Dan swam to the net, grabbing the side of it.    “what the hell am I doing?!” He thought, feeling stupider by the second. He now clung to the net for dear life, hoping whoever was on the boat was blind or dumb. He closed his eyes as the fishing net swung over top of the boat, and ungracefully dumped it’s contents into a trough.    Carefully, Dan climbed down onto the deck, gingerly checking to see that he hadn’t been hurt. he hadn’t, so he walked over to the trough. The boy was there, but he looked… different. His pale face seemed to have gotten a large bruise, and his black hair was curling up in the cold air.    Dan ran a hand through his own curly hair, glad he couldn’t see it. Shaking the thoughts from his mind, he pulled the man from the pile of fish. Dan nearly dropped him after seeing his bottom half.    The guy had on normal swim trunks, but his legs where green and scaly, only four toes on each foot with thin webbing between them. Three sharp fins jutted from his calf. Dan swallowed, and whispered hoarsely,    “Wake up. wake up… sir?” The thing stirred at this, lazily pulling his head up.    “What happened?” He asked. Dan hastily explained all that had happened, then casually threw in, “So, What’s up with your legs?”    “What, never seen a merman before? suppose not, Mermaids are much flashier. My name’s phil by the way. You?”    “Dan. So, you’re a… Merman?” He repeated. Phil nodded, and then said, “I guess I own you a thanks. here. toss it into the ocean next time you need me.” He flipped Dan a sand dollar, and with a little wave, he jumped off the boat.    Dan sat for a moment, then got up and tossed the sand dollar into the sea. Phil reappeared, and with a smile, asked, “Miss me already?”    Dan smirked, and replied, “I guess a little. also, I might need a little help getting off this boat.” Phil laughed, and gave a whistle. Two dolphins bobbed up, squealing with joy. Phil swam off, leaving the dolphins there.    Dan jumped off the boat, diving into the water. Dolphin one scooped him up, and Dolphin two followed them. they brought him back to shore, still wailing with delight.     As Dan dismounted, Dolphin one shot off into the waves, and Dolphin two nuzzled against his hand. He had something in his mouth. Dan took in, and Dolphin two disappeared into the depths.    Dan looked at what was in his hand. Another sand dollar, with the words, call me. Dan grinned, more pleased with the turnout of his walk than before.