Just Like Me

Words: 6314

Summary: (Mermaid AU, YES I LIKE WRITING MERMAID!PHIL AND MERMAID!DAN DEAL WITH IT!) Phil is a mermaid prince and falls in love with Dan - who he thinks is a human when really he has his own secret.

 Phil's head broke through the surface and he took his first gulp of pure oxygen. He breathed in excitement as he saw the world above the water - blue skies and fluffy white clouds which went on for miles. Phil had heard there was a city an hour's swim away and as his first day as a free Merman felt the need to explore his sea as well as cure his curiosity. When he learned about human beings he had always been curious. He wanted to see one up close but promised his father - the sea king, that he'd be careful.

After a long swim through the blue along with a little break to play with the dolphins, the city came into view. Phil's grin grew as he took in the world above water and how tall their buildings and construction went. Phil's palace was large but Phil had to really crane his neck to see the top of buildings. He made it close to the shore and was overcome with excitement when he saw many humans playing and relaxing on the sand. 

He didn't go close - he promised his father. Instead, he swam over to some rocks and watched from afar, astounded how these creatures could stand on two skinny legs which didn't look strong enough to hold up a whole body structure. Phil was so busy watching the people on the beach, he didn't notice another figure climbing across the rocks above him and searching rock pools.

Dan, an eighteen year old boy was stumbling across them, trying to seclude himself from everyone else. He was always alone, and he had a very good reason why. As these thoughts entered his brain he clutched at the necklace around his neck. He was an orphan, found on the doorstep of a young couple. They were his foster parents but even then Dan felt different to other kids but there was a reason why he stayed away and why his foster parents warned him to keep away. Th only other thing along with Dan was his necklace and he's worn it ever since.

Ever since he could remember was that when he made contact with water his leg would mould together and a tail would form. In other words he'd transform into a mermaid. Only he and his foster parents knew about it since they all tried very hard to keep it a secret. Dan had done an okay job of it and had avoided water around people at all costs. He was about to turn and leave when he saw a smudge of black out of the corner of his eye. He turned and narrowed his eyes when he caught sight of a head of pure black hair. He went right to the edge and peered over. "Hey." He spoke up, startling the other.

Phil jumped when he heard a voice directed at him. He stared wide eyed when he saw a human above him, looking down curiously. Phil gulped but couldn't tear his gaze away. For a different species he was strangely beautiful. His skin was a tanned honey colour and his eyes were a very peculiar shade of brown with swirls of gold and green mixed in. He was very tall and skinny along with brown hair which swept across his forehead, skimming his arched eyebrows. Phil thought Dan would make a very handsome Merman - no doubt the Mermaids would fawn over him if he had a tail. He lightly blushed at his thoughts.

Dan opened his mouth to ask what he was doing but was stopped when he looked into the bluest eyes he had ever seen. At least he thought they were blue because there were many colours swirling his iris - different shades of blue, green and some golden yellows. The boy was very pale and as noticed before, had extremely dark hair which was damp across his forehead. His chest was also on view showing off some broad shoulders and a little bit of arm muscle. Dan thought he was gorgeous. "U-um..." He stuttered, "What are you doing?" He asked curiously, trying to regain his thoughts.

"Nothing ... just having a swim." Phil replied and made sure his tail was hidden straight underneath him and wasn't anywhere near the surface. 

"You're a bit far out, are you sure the current won't pull you out to sea?" Dan asked.

"I'm a strong swimmer, believe me." Phil smirked a little and Dan just about swooned. He hadn't talked to a lot of people in his life time but he felt drawn to Phil a lot. Phil felt a similar pull and was confused at how attracted he was to the human. 

They ended up talking for a while, Dan sitting on the rocks above him whilst Phil remained in the water. Dan didn't know why he was suddenly so social but he felt like he could talk to Phil for hours and was extremely happy when he found out his name. Throughout their conversation he felt this fluttering in his heart and bit his lip. He knew he was crushing on Phil, he was sweet and not to mention hot as hell.

"Do you like the sea Dan?" Phil asked curiously, wanting to know everything about Dan. He wanted to know what humans did and especially wanted to get to know Dan, despite his father's warning. He felt like kissing this boy even though they hadn'y known each other for long. He still needed to find out what that was. 

Dan's heart beat sped up and he pulled his knees to his chest. He loved the sea and would go swimming in his Merman form all the time. He even played with some of the nearby dolphins and it was one of his favourite things but he never brought this up. "Not really, I tend to stay away from water." He replied, looking nervously at the water. He couldn't get a drop on him or Phil would know what he was.

"Oh, I love the sea. I love to swim, I do it all the time." Phil rambled, talking passionately about his favourite parts. Dan listened intently loving how passionate Phil spoke of the sea when he shared a lot of his views. 

"I really like spending time with you Phil." Dan suddenly blurted as the sun was beginning to set. They had been there all afternoon just talking. 

"I like spending time with you too Dan." Phil blushed and felt his heart stutter when Dan smiled cutely at him. He was definitely attracted to Dan and all he wanted to do was grab his face and kiss those perfect looking lips. He looked up at the sky and gasped. He had hardly noticed time going by and knew his father would be worrying about him. "I-I need to go Dan. My father will be wondering where I am." Phil stuttered, nervous to get going.

Dan panicked, not wanting Phil to slip through his fingers. Although he stayed away from people he REALLY liked Phil and didn't want him to disappear like everyone else. "Wait!" Dan pleaded as Phil turned to swim away. Phil turned back to him. "You'll come back right? We can meet again?" Dan asked a little desperately. He didn't have time to feel embarrassed. 

Phil grinned. "Tomorrow lunch time. You better be here." Phil explained before disappearing under the water, sinking to the ocean floor before swimming frantically. He had an hour to get back. Dan frowned when Phil went under water but felt happy at the thought of seeing Phil again. 

~

A week, that's all it took to fall in love. Dan was head over heels for this boy. He didn't think it could happen so quickly but whenever he looked into Phil's eyes he felt safe and at home and he always wanted to kiss him. However Phil would never get out of the water and Dan would never get in the water. They had a problem there. Dan couldn't kiss Phil if he was wet or he'd transform and he didn't want Phil to think he was a freak.

Phil loved Dan too, after their first meeting Phil realized Dan was his beloved - the one person made for him, his soul mate. He loved looking and listening to Dan's stories. He had a hard time holding himself back from embracing Dan and telling him how much he loved him. Their bond was strong and if either made skin contact they'd feel sparks. 

"Why don't you come out the water Phil?" Dan asked on that seventh day. He wanted to hug Phil or hold his hand but he couldn't as long as Phil was drenched. Phil panicked a little.

"Why don't you come in the water?" Phil smiled, trying to change the conversation. Dan frowned.

"You know I don't like the water Phil." Dan sighed and Phil hung his head a little. 

"I know, sorry Dan ... but I like it in the water and I don't really want to come out." Phil replied trying not to sound rude. Dan felt a little hurt, did Phil not want to be anywhere near him?

"It's alright, I'm used to people not wanting to be near me." Dan replied bitterly. Phil panicked when he saw Dan getting ready to leave. Without a second thought he reached further out the water and grabbed the front of Dan's hoody, pulling his forward. 

Dan yelped and held onto the rock as his front was pulled over the edge whilst Phil's face was meeting him halfway. Dan stared wide eyed as their faces were only inches apart. Phil was surprised at himself but couldn't help the want appear in his eyes when he saw that Dan's lips were so close to his. He only had to reach forward a little and they'd be kissing. He knew Dan would feel the bond too even if he didn't understand it. Dan's eyes drooped, he wanted to lean forward and claim Phil's lips. 

Phil gulped and moved further forward, lifting his hand up and cupping Dan's cheek, ready to pull him in. Dan's lips brushed Phil's but his eyes widened in shock as he felt Phil's wet hand on his cheek. Immediately he pulled away and without a second's hesitation he dove into the water and once his tail had formed swam away at super speed.

Phil was shocked to feel Dan rip away from his grip and was even more surprised when Dan plunged head first into the water. Phil blinked as he was sprayed with the splash of Dan's dive. After overcoming his shock he ducked his head underwater in panic but didn't see Dan in sight. He felt fright consume him at the thought of Dan drowning. Dan told him he didn't like the water which led Phil to believe Dan couldn't swim ... so where was he?

Phil searched the whole area from top to bottom fear consuming his every cell at the thought of losing Dan - his beloved and one true soul mate. He felt miserable that Dan had ran away from him and worried that Dan killed himself because of him. After an hour's search Phil sank to the ocean floor and cried into his tail, feeling loss overcome him. If Dan had somehow swam away to shore then Phil had still lost him because Dan, as Phil believed, hated the water and even risked his fear to get away from Phil. Phil's heart hurt and the water around him was silent as the fish and every other creature listened to their Prince's heartbreak. Even the neighbouring dolphins stopped their playing to comfort Phil.

~

Phil was sitting on his thrown, eyes red and shoulders slumped as his father went through the daily business of meeting the Merpeople of the kingdom and going over things that needed changed or improved.

"Phillip, sit up boy. Martyn will be here soon, we don't want you looking like that for when your brother comes now do we? Apparently he found his beloved and is going to take over the thrown so show some respect and congratulate his when he gets here." The king warned him. Phil sighed and sat up straighter although he felt crushed inside. He wanted to swim back to the city and see if Dan still came to their meeting place. 

Martyn soon arrived, getting a cheer from the crowd as he and his beloved swam to the throne and his and Phil's father. "Welcome back my boy and how nice it is to meet you Alaya. I've heard great things." The King grinned, kissing the mermaid's hand. Alaya beamed, looking lovingly at Martyn. Phil felt that stab of pain in his heart, he yearned for Dan's attention and his love. He frowned and internally laughed bitterly, it wasn't like it would work anyway -  a human and a mermaid.

"Phil, great to see you again. Still no beloved?" Martyn asked sympathetically.

"Nope." Phil lied but smiled none the less because he had missed his brother. "Congratulations on becoming King." Phil added.

"Don't be ridiculous brother." Martyn grinned. "No need to congratulate me, don't worry there's another Mer Kingdom at the other side of the world. That's where I've been for the last six months and where I found Alaya. Maybe we could go and find your beloved there sometime?" Martyn offered. Phil offered a weak smile.

"Thanks Martyn but I don't want to find my beloved." Phil replied, looking down at his lap.

"What?!" Martyn exclaimed then grabbed Phil's arm, dragging him away from other people's ear shot. "Why not? Don't you want that unconditional love?" He asked in confusion.

Phil's heart hurt. "No, I like being alone." He lied, he couldn't tell him he'd been seeing a human and that they were his beloved. Martyn would tell father and he'd be angry at Phil for disobeying him even though he was Phil's soul mate. Before Martyn could argue Phil broke from his hold and swam away at top speed to his and Dan's meeting spot just in case he came back. 

When he broke the surface it was pouring with rain and as he looked up at the rocks he felt his heart drop. Dan wasn't there, wherever he was he didn't want anything to do with Phil. Phil sniffed, he stayed for another three hours but Dan didn't come and the rain didn't stop. Phil gave up, he'd do Dan a favour and stay away forever if that made him happy. 

~

Dan sat in his bedroom with his head between his knees. Tears fell here and there as he longed to be back with Phil. He felt like his heart was calling out to Phil, to come find him. He couldn't leave the house because of the rain. He lifted his head from his knees and stared longingly out the window. He wanted to go back to the rocks just in case Phil did come back. He felt a sob crawl up his throat then exit his lips. He had never wanted someone as badly as Phil and now he had embarrassed him and probably made him feel horrible. 

He felt so happy when they were about to kiss and he had felt sparks where their lips touched and where Phil held his face. It was like Dan's body reacted when Phil touched him. 

The next day Dan ran out the house and down to the beach, hoping that Phil would still meet him there even if he had to wait all day. Dan felt his heart sink when he saw no head of black hair poking out between the rocks but didn't lose hope yet because it wasn't lunch yet and that was their usual meet up. 

~

He waited and waited and it was nearly six at night. His foster parents would expect him home soon. Dan sighed and looked out at the sea hopefully. He was about to turn and leave but he stopped and turned back. He bit his lip before shaking his head and diving head first into the water. A swim would calm him down.

He smiled when he saw his dark blue tail form before him and breathed comfortably under the water as he took in the blue. He swam round the reef before swimming out to sea more. He grinned when he heard the whines and clicks of the dolphins that lived in the area. One came right up to him and squealed at him. Dan grinned and stroked its nose. It swam away from him then back and around him. It repeated the action many times making Dan frown. 

The other dolphins seemed to agree with this one dolphin and swam further out to see, seemingly calling back to Dan. Dan frowned and followed them which seemed to be what they wanted because they began to swim again as soon as Dan followed them. Dan was curious as to why they wanted him to follow them but thought it was a perfect idea to get his mind off Phil for a while. 

~

"This here is Leah. She's lovely and maybe you two should spend some time together." Martyn tried to coax as Phil stared at him flatly. Leah was throwing Phil a flirty wink whilst twirling her long golden hair. She was definitely pretty but Phil's heart was for Dan only. 

"Forget it Martyn. Sorry Leah." Phil sighed before swimming away.

"PHIL! COME ON!" Martyn shouted after him but Phil ignored him and swam to the outskirts of the kingdom where all the exotic seaweeds, anemones and plants grew. Phil swam through them before sitting on the rocks. He felt his heart sink, yearning for Dan's company. He was tempted to go back to the surface and try again but it was clear Dan didn't want anything to do with him.

Phil sighed and looked down at his light blue tail with golden swirling through each scale. It showed that he was of the royal family. 

"Hello." A female voice spoke up. Phil frowned and looked up. He nearly rolled his eyes when he saw Leah gliding over to him with her pearly blue tail and long golden locks. Phil wanted to tell her to get lost but had to act politely as a prince.

"What is it Leah?" Phil asked.

"You're so alone. Are you sure you don't want my company?" She asked throwing him a dazzling smiled.

"Thank you for the offer but I'd rather be alone." Phil declined and began to swim further into the ocean. 

"Oh come on Prince Philip, you know you want me." Leah smirked swimming in front of Phil and advancing on him. "Everyone wants me but I only want you." She grinned, silver eyes blazing in determination.

Phil frowned. "I don't want you, I am for my beloved only." 

Leah narrowed her eyed, "Martyn told me you didn't want a beloved. Neither do I, I want you." She smiled seductively, running her fingers up Phil's chest. Phil cringed at her touch, the only one aloud to touch him that way was Dan.

~

Dan was a little worried now that they were far out at sea. Were the dolphins just trying to get him lost? They had never tricked him before.

"Where are you taking me?" Dan asked and received a bunch of clicks and whines he couldn't understand. However his questions were answered when he saw something unbelievable. He stared in shock at the underwater palace before him. He looked at the dolphins who looked to be encouraging him and nudging him.

Dan grinned and swam forward towards the rocks on the outskirts of the palace. He gasped and marvelled at the tall marbled and gold turrets and all the exotic fish swimming about him. It was amazing. He gasped when his eyes caught figures in the distance and he gaped when he saw them to be other Merpeople. He couldn't believe it, never mind barely decipher what had happened. There were other people like him?

He had to pick his jaw up from the floor as his eyes pretty much bulged out of his skull. He was pretty sure nothing could surprise him now. He looked at the family of dolphins and beamed. "Thank you for bringing me here." Dan thanked, earning another rounds of squeals and clicks before they swam away. Dan watched in fascination as Mer people of all different shapes and tail colours swam around the kingdom.

"Wow." He breathed. He tensed when he saw a Merman swimming out the palace and in his direction. He ducked down behind the rocks and peeked round the edge curiously. The Merman glided through the plants and seaweeds before slumping down on the rocks below him. Dan frowned when he saw their figure slump. There was something that seemed familiar about him even though he couldn't see their face. All he could see was a light blue tail, black hair and a pale back. 

He was about to introduce himself and ask if they were okay when another Mermaid swam towards him. Dan watched curiously. She was very beautiful with shiny golden hair and piercing silver eyes. No doubt she was his girlfriend or something by the way she was looking at him. 

"Hello." She spoke up. The man looked up as she approached him.

"What is it Leah?" The man asked and Dan frowned. Something about that deep voice made hi shiver with delight and a nostalgic feeling wash over him. 

"You're so alone. Are you sure you don't want my company?" She asked throwing him a dazzling smiled. Dan watched curiously as the scene unfolded before him.

"Thank you for the offer but I'd rather be alone." The Merman turned  and began to swim further into the ocean away from her. Dan's breath caught in his throat when he saw that beautiful pale face and those beautiful blue and green and golden eyes. It was Phil, his Phil.

"Oh come on Prince Philip, you know you want me." The mermaid smirked swimming in front of Phil and advancing on him. "Everyone wants me but I only want you." She grinned, silver eyes blazing in determination. Dan's eyes widened, first he felt jealousy course through every nerve in his body and glared at the mermaid trying to make a move on Phil. Second of all, did he hear right? Did she say prince? Dan could hardly believe his ears or his eyes.

"I don't want you, I am for my beloved only." Phil replied, frowning. Dan raised an eyebrow, what was a beloved? However he was happy that he didn't want her.

The mermaid narrowed her eyes, "Martyn told me you didn't want a beloved. Neither do I, I want you." She smiled seductively, running her fingers up Phil's chest. Dan felt the fire in his belly fuel the beast of jealousy. How dare she touch Phil like that. Dan felt this possessive feeling wash over him. He didn't even bother asking himself who Martyn was. 

Just then she leaned in to kiss him and Dan felt like killing her but before he could move Phil moved away from her. "Stop!" He spoke sternly and full of authority, making the mermaid's eyes widen in somewhat disbelief. "My first kiss is for the one I love and that isn't you." Phil growled making the mermaid scowl. 

Dan felt his heart flutter through the jealousy. Phil was going to kiss him ... did that meant Phil liked him too? Dan was so overcome with happiness he didn't realize two shadows looming over him and suddenly his arms were grabbed. He yelped and looked back to see two Mermen holding onto him. Dan turned back but Phil hadn't noticed and was swimming towards the kingdom.

"Who are you? You are trespassing." One of the Mermen snapped. "Are you a spy?"

"NO! My name is Dan, I-I'm not a spy, I swear!" Dan stuttered.

"You're coming with us, the king will decide what to do with you. You are expected to give him an explanation.

"KING?!" Dan exclaimed, panic settling in. 

~

Phil frowned as a guard told him to report to the throne room. Apparently there was an imposter and he had to be there for the trial along with Martyn and his father and mother. He took his place on his thrown to the far right of his father whilst Martyn sat on the left of their mother along with Alaya. Soon he'd be King and would take over their father's crown. 

A trumpet sounded and he was broken from his train of thought. He leaned on his hand and stared boredly at the doors. He let out a breath of impatience, he'd had enough crap for the day. When he turned to look back he immediately sat up straight in his chair and stared in shock. 

It was Dan.

"But how could that be Dan? HE HAS A TAIL!" Phil thought in shock. Dan was struggling against the guards and shouting, his dark blue tail thrashing about and his face going redder at the effort. He was now in front of the King and Dan's body stopped struggling as he looked up in fear at Phil's father. Before anything could be said Phil was up out his seat and swam towards Dan at top speed before crushing him in a hug.

The crowd gasped. "YOU IDIOT! I THOUGHT YOU DROWNED!" Phil shouted as he held Dan close to his chest. He didn't know why those were the first words that came out of his mouth but his thoughts were a mess.

"PHILLIP! EXPLAIN YOURSELF." The King demanded. Phil let go of Dan to look in his wide eyes before offering a small smile.

"I know him, he's not a spy." Phil spoke up, not taking his eyes off Dan once.

"How can he drown? He's a Merman!" Martyn asked. Phil couldn't answer that one, he turned to Dan. 

"I'm ... well I'm human?" Dan spoke up looking hesitant.

The King raised an eyebrow. "You are quite clearly not." He retorted.

"No, when I'm dry I live as a human but as soon as I touch water I transform into a Merman." Dan explained looking sheepish. Phil's eyes widened, is that why Dan left him? 

"What? I've never heard of this before!" The King frowned.

"If it helps ..." Dan spoke up timidly, "I was found with this round my neck when I was younger." Dan took the necklace from around his neck. Phil looked curiously at it as Dan held it up. 

The King's eyes widened. "That's from the kingdom across Martyn went to. I think I heard about a sea witch stealing a Mer child once. It must have been you if your statements are correct." Dan's eyes widened and he looked at Phil. "Someone escort ... what's your name?" 

"D-Dan." 

"Escort Dan to the spare room we'll talk about this in private. Everyone may resume what they were doing." The King announced. Phil watched as they escorted Dan away, he went to follow them but the King grabbed his arm. "Now Phillip." He started sternly and Phil gulped. "How do you know Dan?" He narrowed his eyes.

"I ... I went to the surface a week ago and I went to the nearest city. I didn't mean for him to see me, but he didn't know I was a Merman until now. I didn't know that he could turn into one so when I tried to kiss him he jumped into the water and I thought-"

"YOU WHAT?" He bellowed. Phil winced. "YOU WERE GOING TO KISS A HUMAN? A MALE HUMAN?" He shouted in disbelief.

"But he isn't a human." Phil tried to argue.

"BUT YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT! WHAT IF HE WAS A HUMAN AND WHY A MALE? THERE ARE PLENTY OF BEAUTIFUL MERMAIDS IF YOU CAN'T WAIT FOR YOUR BELOVED-"

Phil felt the anger swell in his chest. What was wrong with loving a human anyway? "WELL THEN YOU'LL BE HAPPY TO KNOW HE IS MY BELOVED!" Phil shouted back, earning a gasp from Alaya and Martyn who were the only others in the room. Phil's father looked gobsmacked. "How dare you judge me by who I love. Even if Dan wasn't my beloved I love him. As my family you should support me and the way you are addressing me is making me sick. If you truly believe this then I don't want to be a part of this family! You truly disgust me!" Phil spat then swam out the room.

He needed to find and talk to Dan and ignored his father's protests that called him back. He swam up to the spare room where two guards were waiting outside. Phil nodded at them and they stood back letting him enter the room.

As soon as Phil swam in his eyes caught sight of Dan who was looking curiously round the room and admiring little things here and there. "Dan." Phil breathed, it was their first time alone for two days and Phil had missed him greatly. Dan swung round and stared wide eyed at Phil.

"Phil..." He replied, looking equally as shocked.

"You ... you were a Merman all this time?" I asked, not angrily - just in surprise.

"You can talk." Dan smirked. Phil grinned and swam towards him and hugged him tightly which Dan returned. Both shivered when they felt the sparks. "It's nice to hug you." Dan whispered, snuggling his face into the crook of Phil's neck, just holding him. They hugged like that for a minute or two before Phil pulled away giving Dan a large grin. 

"So now that we're both half fish ... do you want to go for a swim? I could show you the kingdom." Phil offered.

"I'd love to." Dan smiled and followed Phil to the open window, not that there was any glass. They swam right outside and outside the kingdom. Dan followed Phil for twenty minutes before Phil stopped and pointed to a cave. "There?" Dan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Trust me, it's great." Phil grinned and swam down and into it. Dan shrugged and followed him, going through a dark tunnel and following Phil's tail. Suddenly the tunnel went upwards and then both of their heads were above the water. Dan gasped as he saw the little pool surrounded by large crystal covered walls. "These are ocean crystals, it's what the crown jewels are made of. They only exist in here." Phil explained, grinning at Dan's astonished face.

"It's beautiful." Dan beamed and reached out, stroking across the gleaming crystals. Phil bit his lip and took off the necklace around his neck. It was one he made a week ago, the day before he met Dan. It had one of the crystals wrapped in a special sea string that dries out above the water and sit comfortably underwater. 

"Dan." Phil tried to get his attention. Dan turned round and stared as Phil handed the necklace to him. 

"It's a present." Phil grinned.

"It's gorgeous Phil. I couldn't though." Dan grinned.

"I insist, it's yours." Phil smiled and put it around Dan's neck before he couldn't ague. Dan blushed and smiled, fiddling with the crystal between his fingers and beaming.

"Thanks." Dan turned to Phil, adoration in his eyes. He'd never wanted to kiss Phil more. Phil frowned a little.

"Dan ... when you dove into the water ... it was because of the water right?" Phil asked, looking ready to get his heart broken. There was always a chance Dan didn't like him that way despite being beloveds.

Dan's eyes widened, "Well I thought you were human and thought you'd think I was a freak if you saw me like that so yeah ..." Dan trailed off, a little embarrassed and hoping the conversation was going somewhere.

"Ok, good." Phil nodded but didn't do anything, too anxious to try anything.

Dan decided to give him a push," I heard you talking to that mermaid ... Leah? You said you would save your first kiss for your beloved so ..." Dan implied.

Phil blushed, "You heard that? Well ... I was only telling the truth." Phil mumbled.

"What is a beloved?" Dan asked. 

"Um ... it's like a soul mate. One person made only for you and who will love you eternally." Phil replied, both of them gravitating towards each other.

"That sounds amazing." Dan commented, swimming closer and wrapping his arms around Phil's neck. "I really hope that I'm your beloved or I will have to steal that first kiss we nearly had." Dan added with a small burst of confidence. Phil beamed, feeling extremely happy.

"Who else would it be?" Phil grinned before cupping Dan's cheek and pulling their lips together. Dan kissed back eagerly and they both shared a passionate kiss in a secret pool surrounded by crystals.  Both boys thought it was extremely romantic. Phil held Dan tightly, a little scared he'd disappear again and even wrapped his tail around Dan's making Dan smile into the kiss.

"I love you Phil." Dan breathed as soon as they broke away.

"I love you too Dan, very much." Phil grinned and reattached their lips for a second kiss.

~

Dan and Phil swam back to the kingdom hand in hand, grinning like fools. They were just in the front door when two guards appeared. "Prince Phillip, your father wants to see you and Daniel in the throne room." He announced. Phil sighed and rolled his eyes, looking angry.

As they swam down the corridor Dan smirked. "Prince Phillip." He teased, popping the 'P'.

"Shut up." Phil grinned.

"I forgot you were a prince, are you going to be King?" Dan asked, looking surprised.

"Oh no, my brother Martyn is taking over the throne. Do you really think someone as irresponsible as me would take the throne?" Phil chuckled.

"I suppose." Dan joked, earning a playful shove from Phil before they reached the throne room. Phil breathed in to calm himself when he was outside the door. "Are you okay?" Dan frowned.

"Not really, Dad and I had an argument before I came to find you. He wasn't very happy at me going to the surface and nearly kissing a 'human male' as he put it." Phil replied bitterly, air quoting "human male".

"Oh, sorry about that." Dan sighed.

Phil shook his head, pulling Dan into a hug. "It's not your fault because A, you can't choose your Beloved and B, I would have probably fallen for you even if you weren't my Beloved. You're pretty irresistible." Phil grinned into Dan's hair.

"Thank you." Dan blushed, hugging Phil tighter. "You're quite a catch yourself." Dan laughed. Phil pulled away and kissed him again.

"I could kiss you forever." Phil sighed feeling blissed out.

"Me too." Dan grinned, pecking his lips to prove a point.

With that they connected hands again and Phil pushed the doors open, seeing his father and mother on the throne whilst Martyn and Alaya were sitting talking in the corner of the room. They both stopped however when Phil and Dan entered.

"Daniel, Phillip." The King addressed, gesturing to two seats in front of them. Phil narrowed his eyes and went to sit down with Dan, their hands still connected. "Now Phillip ..." The King started. "I just wanted to apologize about earlier ... I know I shouldn't have said what I said. It was judgmental of me and I don't want this to get between family. No one gets to choose their beloved so I apologize again." He sighed. 

Phil's eyes widened and Dan smiled, squeezing his hand. "Thank you ... and I'm sorry for disobeying your warning about not talking to humans. I didn't mean it but I'm so glad I did." Phil smiled and looked fondly at Dan who beamed back.

"As for you Daniel..." The King coughed. Phil gave him a warning glare. "I would like to welcome you to the family and inform you we are contacting the other Kingdom to find our parents. I'm sure they'd love to meet you." He smiled. Dan's heart beat sped up.

"Really?" He breathed in disbelief before a massive grin split across his face. "Thank you so much, it means a lot!" Dan rambled, small tears coming to his eyes. "I'd need to talk to my foster parents and explain what has happened. They helped keep my secret and raised me, they at least deserve to know." Dan explained and the King nodded.

"Welcome to the family Daniel dear." The queen smiled and she hugged both Dan and Phil. Martyn came over with Alaya, grins on their faces. 

"Nice to meet you." Martyn grinned, giving Dan's hand a firm shake and Alaya did the same. 

"I take it you two will be wanting to get married soon." The King addressed Martyn and Phil. 

Phil and Dan went dark red whilst Martyn grinned and hugged Alaya close. "Of course, as soon as possible." Martyn exclaimed, kissing Alaya.

Phil looked at Dan with worry in case he didn't want to. Dan looked shocked but smiled at Phil. "Maybe wait a few months." Dan chuckled but kissed Phil anyway, careful to keep it PG in front of the King and Queen.

"It's settled then." The King smiled.

"Yes it is." Phil grinned and kissed Dan once again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meh.

~HelloAnonymousWriter~