Chapter Text
" —rcolour blur
memories swim and taunt you,
but look into the lake,
shimmering like sm—"
Langa shoved his hand into his pocket to grab at his phone, blindly tapping at the screen until the music cut off. He yawned, tears forming in his eyes, then, with the pop of his jaw, he felt an earbud fall out of his ear. Langa tried reaching with his other hand to pull the second earbud out, but he was lying down in the most god-awful position. The other arm was tucked strangely behind his back, his torso twisted to where, somehow, his legs were facing up and his chest half-way pressed into the floor. He started to feel a knot at the base of his neck and just knew he wouldn't be able to turn his head all day, and something was burning his skin? It was so, so hot— Was he sweating? And his feet felt like television static in his shoes...
Shoes?
Langa inhaled deeply, filling his nose and lungs with the smell of salt and— and fish? Yeah, it was definitely fish , he decided, rolling over onto his back. He stretched out his boney and creaky limbs, feeling his calf muscles lock up for half a second, and then, the sound of gentle waves lapping against the shore finally found his ears. His heart stopped in his chest and Langa lifted his hands to his face, dragging them down over his eyes and rubbing just enough sleep away to squint them open, and
"Shi—", Langa's voice cracked due to misuse, his throat so dry.
It was blinding. The sunlight poured heavily into his eyes, erasing any traces of darkness left from the night. Langa groaned and dug the heels of his hands into his eyes, rubbing even harder this time before opening them completely. The view of the ocean was hazy. His vision slowly focusing, the spottiness fading. It was just after dawn, the sun already high in the sky and god, he had fallen asleep at the beach again. His skin most definitely looked more burnt and red than it was yesterday, which is to say it wasn't burnt and red at all yesterday. And there was definitely sand caked onto his clothes and exposed skin.
Panic started to kick in. Langa's mom was going to kill him, she was actually going to kill him. She's probably so worried, and furious . They had just moved to Okinawa and he was already ruining his mom's reputation, people were going to think that Nanako Hasegawa's son was some kind of beach bum, and she— they were going through so much already and he was going to make it so much more unbearable for her and,
Shit.
Langa was spiraling when he should be leaving . He quickly stood up, vision blurring again for just a moment, then dusted the sand off of his clothes while also trying to keep his balance, his feet still very much asleep. He just needed to catch the ferry before it left, and he could make it home in, what? About 20 minutes, maybe? Maybe?
"Damn it," he swore into his arm as he wiped away the sand that clung to his cheek.
His mom was definitely going to kill him. Langa gathered the few belongings he brought with him, shoving them into his tote bag while half-running to his mo-ped. He was nearly there, but distracted by the search for his keys, his foot caught into some loose sand, and he fell, hard, onto his knees and chin.
"Euughhh…" Langa moaned, letting the rest of his body collapse to the ground. He was pretty certain that he was bleeding, the sand having embedded itself deeply into his skin. The ferry would be gone before he even got there at this rate. There was no way he would make it and Langa had to accept that he would have to catch the next one, and that his mom would be even more pissed.
He started to push up onto his elbows, sand digging roughly into his skin, then fell again. "Fuck, I'm really starting to hate sand," he muttered as he finally lifted himself, using his hands this time, shakily back to his feet.
"If you hate it so much, why do I see you here every night, then?" Langa heard from behind him. He turned on his heel, almost tripping again.
It was a boy, no older than 13. He had black hair and was holding some kind of portable gaming system. Who comes to the beach to play video games? Langa thought.
"Oh, I– Uh. H-How do you know I come here every night?" Langa stuttered, his Japanese clumsy and stiff.
"My dads– Well, not really my dads, but they feed me and take me places and is that not all a dad is?" The kid explained, and Langa's heart sank a little.
"I don't really follo–," He cut Langa off.
"Aaanyway, my dads-but-not-really-my-dads come here to surf during the summer months, and so far, 3 out of the 6 days we've been here this week, you've been passed out on the beach. You're lucky the tide hasn't swept you away, you idiot."
"I'm not an idi–",
"Smart people don't pass out on the beach." He had Langa there. "Well, unless you just really like sand, but you just said you hated it, so, which is it? What's your deal?"
Langa didn't really want, or need to explain to a child why he spent so much time watching the ocean, especially to one that was being a brat.
"I-I should really be getting back home. My mom is probably worried."
"I'd be worried too if my kid was snorting sand every night." The boy retorted.
"Okay. Well, bye." Langa turned and began walking, slower this time, to his mo-ped.
"Wait!" The kid yelled. "My name is Miya, what's yours?"
"Why does it matter?" Langa snapped, annoyed.
"It doesn't, I guess. But hey, you should come back tonight!" Was this kid trying to be friends with Langa? "There's going to be a full moon, and my dads are bringing me to watch it."
"I thought they weren't your dads." Langa said loudly, still walking away.
"Whatevvver." Miya groaned, "They said something magical happens, that– that you'll see something cool if you watch the moon rise directly over that rock out in the distance."
"Something magical? What does that even… Why are you telling me this?" Langa stopped and turned toward Miya, but looked passed him and out into the ocean, searching for the rock he mentioned.
"I don't know. You come here so often, I-I thought that was maybe why."
"Maybe it is." Langa lied, and after a long pause, "You said tonight?"
"Yeah! See you then!" Miya said excitedly and waved goodbye. He was running back towards two men, one with long, pink hair, and the other with green hair... He was very, very muscular. Langa swallowed.
"I never said I'd…" Langa started, but Miya was already too far away to hear him.
Langa had already planned on coming back this evening, mom-willing, but now that Miya expected him to, he almost didn't want to come back. Expectations meant possibly disappointing people, and he didn't want to burden anyone with that.
"something magical" Miya had said, though. What does that mean? Magic isn't real, he knew that. Maybe the moon was magical all on its own? Or maybe the water? Langa couldn't deny that he was curious. Life had been so dull and depressing for months now, and the ocean was his only solace. He didn't want to let go of that.
He sighed, closing his eyes.
"I'm not a burden, I'm not a burden." He whispered, deciding to not let his insecurities interfere with something that brought him comfort. What could he lose, anyway? Maybe he would see something magical, and if not– and most likely not, well, he at least made friends who found the waves as reassuring as he did, right? Maybe he wouldn't feel so alone here in Okinawa.
Langa started to leave again, the next ferry would be back in about 30 minutes. After making it to his mo-ped, he adjusted his tote bag tightly over his shoulder and put his helmet on. It would only take him about 5 minutes to get to the dock from here.
"Maybe I have time to get mom flowers," he mumbled, wincing to himself. It wouldn't suddenly make things better, but maybe it would ease the blow. So with tense hands, clenching hard onto the handlebars, Langa began driving, the ocean fading behind him.
Langa managed to stop for flowers. The man in the shop had been so nice, picking out flowers that were pretty and affordable that would "surely make ANY mom happy." Langa was grateful for him, but didn't really believe what he had said. It would only make his mom slightly less angry, if even, but he bought them, hopeful nonetheless.
He made it to the ferry with just enough time. It was mostly empty and the trip in total, from beach to home, took roughly an hour. Much longer than he had wanted, but he gathered his belongings and the flowers for his mom anyway, shaking as he walked to the door of their apartment. Before he could even fully unlock the door, it swung open and Langa didn't even look up before dropping down to his bloody knees and shoving the flowers out in front of him.
Langa didn't get into as much trouble as he thought he would. His mom was really angry at first, of course, but after a moment, she had gone quiet and sank down to the floor, throwing her arms around him. He should have been grounded, but ever since his dad… she was afraid to yell at him too much, she didn't want to lose him, too. And Langa had gotten away with a lot more things than he would like to admit. He needed to stop putting his mom through things like this. She was worried about him all the time, constantly getting calls from his school about him skipping class, him always coming home late.
So, he decided to just talk things over, about why he had been going to the ocean so often, and whatever other problems he had caused since they moved to Okinawa. And of course she understood. Of course she did. Why did Langa think she wouldn't? She was his mom and she loved him, and they were experiencing the same grief and loss. She would always be there for him, no matter what. She just needed to know where he was and if he was okay, and to "please just check your phone more often."
After they talked, she helped him clean up, bandaging his knees and chin. She told him to be more careful, and that if he was going to fall asleep there, he needed to bring more supplies, like sunscreen, water, an umbrella, the list went on. So, together, they made a sleeping kit that he would carry with him whenever he went, just in case the nights lingered on with Langa still there.
"It's okay if you need space to work your feelings out. Just be smart and safe, and know that I'll always be around to help you with whatever you need. We have to stick together." His mom had said so affectionately, she loved him so much. She hugged him once more before heading to the kitchen to make breakfast.
While still at the table, Langa mentioned that he would be going back to the beach that night, and that someone had invited him this time.
"Oh, honey, I'm so glad you're making friends." She said, smiling all the way up to her eyes.
"Well, I–I wouldn't say they're friends, but I guess, maybe…" Langa lost his train of thought for a moment before finishing in English, because it was easier to explain that way. "I just met him today, he's just a kid, but... but I'm going to meet his dads tonight, and we're going to watch the moon rise over the ocean."
"Oh… dads?" She said cautiously.
"I mean, they– not really, they aren't his real dads, but they kind of are? I don't really know, but they said it would be really cool, so I think I'd like to go." Langa said, doubting whether he should have mentioned the dad thing.
"Okay, well– Well, just be safe, okay? Keep the sound on your phone up, and just call me if you need anything at all or, or maybe I should come with you…" She trailed off, frowning.
"No!" He yelped, almost sounding guilty for some reason. "I just, I mean. You don't have to do that. I promise I'll keep my phone volume up."
"Alright, well, don't forget the sleeping kit. Just in case!" She got up, and ruffled his hair as she grabbed his plate.
"I won't."
Langa spent the rest of the afternoon napping. He hadn't realized how tired he was until after breakfast, his body ached, probably from sleeping on the uneven ground for so long. He woke up every few hours, unintentionally, but it kept him from oversleeping.
After waking up a 4th time, he looked across his room and out of the window. The sun was setting, the orange light glowing like fire. He pulled himself out of bed and dragged his socked feet all the way to his closet. Langa studied his clothes for a moment before deciding to just wear some loose, black shorts and an old, blue band t-shirt that had a daisy and clouds on it. He reached for the shirt and the metal rod it was hanging on shocked him.
"Agghh, ouch," He whined, sucking on the shocked part of his hand for a second. He then reached for the shirt again, tongue sticking out in concentration, and cautiously tapped the metal rapidly before grabbing at the shirt, successfully this time. Langa's life was a never-ending obstacle.
After being essentially electrocuted, he was dressed and ready to go. Langa grabbed his tote bag and newly put together sleeping kit. He then headed to his mom's room to tell her he was leaving.
"Bye, mom. I'm headed out, just wanted to let you know first." He peeked into her room. She was asleep, cradling an old family photo. It was one of all three of them, huddled together on a ski slope back in Canada, Langa had been no older than 9. His mom didn't come with them often, but she had that day, and it was one of Langa's favorite memories.
He decided not to wake her, instead turning off her bedroom light and closing the door. He texted her as he walked out of their apartment, so she'd at least wake up to a text from him.
"Going to beach, see you in the morning", the text read. Then he sent a second text, "Love you."
He locked the door behind him, and Langa was on his way.
Langa arrived at the beach right as the sun was sinking below the horizon. He pulled his helmet off and set it on the seat of his mo-ped before making his way down to the shore.
His eyes searched up and down the sand before finally making out the shapes of three people sitting in beach chairs near the edge of the waves. His heart fluttered a little. He wasn't used to being around people.
Langa walked slowly towards them, giving himself time to calm his nerves and to remember how to speak in Japanese. Miya turned around right as Langa was practicing how to say, "Hello, my name is Langa, it's nice to meet you both,", and scrambled from his chair and running up to Langa.
"Hey! You came! I thought for sure you'd bail." Miya exclaimed. "Come meet my dads!"
Words evaded Langa, so he just followed Miya over to the water.
"Cherry, Joe, this is." Miya stopped abruptly. "Well, I don't know his name."
"Oh! Right, uh–," Langa said in English before correcting himself. "Shit. I mean... Hello, my name is Langa, it's nice to meet you both." It sounded so stiff, but he managed a smile, anyway.
"Hi, Langa! I'm Joe. And this is Cherry." Joe gestured to the person next to him. "Miya told us that he met you earlier. You're the one who knocks out on the beach every other day?"
"Oh, yeah, I guess so." Langa let out a strained laugh. How many people had noticed him doing that?
"Don't worry about it! Happens to the best of us, right Kaoru?" Joe elbowed Cherry, Langa confused by the different name.
"Absolutely not. Only to oafs like you." Cherry snapped.
"Come oooon, don't act like that in front of our new friend." Joe rubs at the back of his head. "Sorry about him, he's just… Well, he's just him."
"Ah, it's no problem." Langa said nervously. "So. So you're Miya's, uh, dads?"
"Huh?" Cherry and Joe questioned at the same time.
"You told another person we were your dads?! We aren't even together!" Cherry smacked Miya on the back of his head with a paper fan.
"I– I'm sorry? I don't, I mean I didn't know, I–," Langa stuttered. He was so nervous and didn't understand anything that was going on.
"You're basically my dads, so shut up. Both of you have baby-sat me since I was 4, and stop pretending you and Joe aren't married, Cherry. It isn't nice." Miya kicked at Cherry's shins.
"Why, you little–!" And Cherry started to chase Miya down the beach.
"I swear, they're both going to be the end of me." Joe leaned back into his chair. "Come here, kid, we brought a chair for you too!"
Langa stifled a smile. They had prepared for Langa, and wanted to make sure he felt included. He had forgotten how good it felt to just be thought of by other people.
"Thank you." Langa sat down, and they both watched Miya and Cherry until they tired themselves out and returned to their seats.
"So, uh, how long until the moon rises over the, uh, rock?" Langa asked, a little uncertain.
"Hm, about another hour. It's peaceful to just watch the ocean in the dark, too, though." Cherry said.
"Miya mentioned something magical? I wasn't," Langa chuckles, "I wasn't really sure what that meant."
"It's… it's hard to explain. Or you wouldn't believe us if we did explain it. You just have to experience it. This is our first time bringing Miya to see it, as well. So it'll be new for both of you." Joe said, something wistful in his voice.
"It's nothing bad, right? My mom and I… We just, well, she's already worried and I don't want to make it worse." Langa scratched at his head nervously, wondering if he should have accepted the invite of a complete stranger to a beach after dark.
"It's nothing bad! You're completely safe. Maybe we should have met your mom first." Joe laughed. "We should have known better."
"Yeah, you guys are total creeps for having a teenage boy meet you at the ocean at night." Miya joked, punching at Joe's arm.
"Don't make it weird, Miya! You invited him!" Joe pushed Miya out of his chair, not doing any real harm, though.
"You told me to!" Miya screamed as he fell.
Langa muffled a laugh with the back of his hand. His nerves were finally easing. They seemed like nice people, and he was glad they sent Miya over, even if it was embarrassing.
They sat there for a while, just watching the waves get closer and closer to their chairs, the moon slowly rising in the sky. Cherry had leaned in close to Joe, his head resting on Joe's shoulder and Miya had moved to the sand, resting his back against Joe's legs. They looked like a real family, and it made Langa miss his own family. He quietly let a few tears roll down his face, stifling a sob every now and again, but the ocean was loud enough to do it for him.
The other three talked amongst themselves, counting down the minutes to when the moon would be directly above the rock. It was down to about 3 minutes and they all straightened their bodies, watching intently. Langa copied their movement, wiping away any remaining tears from his face. He was so full of emotion, still, but sobered up so he didn't ruin the fun.
Finally, Joe started chanting, "10, 9, 8, 7," then they all joined, including Langa, "6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1." The moon had reached its spot above the rock.
The rock wasn't too far off in the ocean. It was pretty big and it was close enough to see with the naked eye, though a little hazy in the dark. Langa waited for something to happen, and after several minutes of nothing, he asked,
"So, what is suppos–," Joe cut him off.
"Shh. You don't want to be too loud." He whispered. "You might scare him."
"Him...?" Langa furrowed his eyebrows. What does that mean?
Then, as if to answer his question, a bright, blue light shimmered from the water around the rock. The shape of the light changed and moved, almost as if the water was alive. Langa felt almost frightened, but also in awe. He reached his hand out to Joe's arm, clinging tightly to him.
"It's okay. Just wait a moment." He assured Langa.
How could there be more? And who was "him"? Something large started to move near the rock, it's body becoming bigger and bigger as it emerged from the ocean and…
It looked like a person.
Langa squinted his eyes. There were quick flashes of red, the blue light from the water illuminating something that Langa registered in his brain as hair. It was definitely a person.
The figure finally rested upon the rock, and Langa saw what looked like a tail. Iridescent green and blue sparkled from the person's lower half. His eyes went wide.
"A MERMAID? " Langa whisper-yelled, a little louder than he meant to. The figure snapped his head toward the sound and Joe quickly covered Langa's mouth with his hand.
"Be. Quiet." He whispered sternly.
Langa nodded, and nodded, and nodded until Joe removed his hand. Langa tried to steady his breathing, but it was a fucking mermaid. Mermaids don't exist, right? Langa knew mermaids weren't real, but there was a very real mermaid-esque looking figure sitting on a rock in the ocean, underneath a full moon, and it did not look fake to him.
The figure still had his eyes glued to them, and Langa was scared that even the smallest noise would scare him off. How could this be happening? This was in no way what he expected, but it was indeed magical, as promised by Miya, and he couldn't look away.
After several minutes, Joe and Cherry stand up. Langa started to panic internally, certain that the figure would disappear back into the ocean, but it didn't move.
"Stay here. And don't move, you two. Got it?" Both Langa and Miya nodded, not saying a word.
Cherry picked up a bag of something, it looked like it was from a convenient store, then he and Joe made their way into the water, wading further and further until it was at their hips.
The figure watched carefully, then dipped back down into the water, swimming towards Joe and Cherry. There was no denying that it was a mermaid the closer it got to shore.
Langa's mouth was gaping open. He blinked several times, trying to wake himself up from whatever bizarre dream he was having, but the reality in front of him stayed the same.
The mermaid finally reached Joe and Cherry, his hair floating just above the water, the most vibrant red Langa has ever seen. Cherry held out the bag he has brought over, the mermaid taking it quickly from him and opening it and even quicker.
It looked like food, and Langa's speculation was confirmed when the mermaid pulled something closer to his mouth and took several bites. Joe seemed like he was talking, but Langa couldn't hear the words, just sounds that were muffled by the waves. The mermaid was nodding, while eating what Cherry gave to him, then Joe turned around, waving towards Miya and Langa.
Langa glanced at Miya, then back to Joe and pointed at his own chest.
Joe beckoned him, nodding, and Langa slowly stood up and started walking towards the three of them. He was a little hesitant about getting his clothes wet, but remembered the extra clothes in his sleeping kit, so that wasn't an issue. He was still scared, though, of the unknown. This was the craziest thing to ever happen to him and his heart was pounding hard against his chest, he felt like it was going to burst through.
He dipped one foot into the water, then the other, but couldn't move passed that. He looked at Joe and Cherry, then to the mermaid. What if this was some sort of freaky sacrificial thing? That would be embarrassing, but he wouldn't be around to feel the embarrassment, at least.
"You can do this. It's okay." Langa encouraged himself and finally forced his feet to move again, taking it step by very wobbly step until he was just behind Joe, almost hiding behind Joe's very large body.
"Uh, okay. Sorry this is weird, hah, I'm sure you're freaking out right about now, kid." Joe chuckled, "Try not to be too shy, though. Come on out."
Langa let out a shaky breath, not realizing he had been holding it for so long. He inched out slowly from behind Joe until he was fully in view of the mermaid. He made him self small, not wanting to let himself be open and vulnerable.
The mermaid– or merman– was so beautiful. He had bright red hair, which Langa had already noticed from so far away. Freckles littered his body, like constellations on his very tanned skin. The moonlight caught his eyes, which were a deep honey color that complimented every aspect of his body. Langa glanced down into the water to confirm that he did, in fact, have a tail. It was long, the scales shimmering between blue and green in the bioluminescent light swimming around them.
"Langa." Cherry said, breaking Langa from his trance.
"Ah–!" He squealed, blush rising all the way up his neck and creeping into his cheeks.
"Langa, this is… well, it's probably obvious by now, but uh, this is a merman, and his name is Reki."
"Reki." Langa breathed. "I mean, I–,"
"It's okay, you don't have to be nervous." The merman– Reki said. "Most people are surprised, or scared, which is, hah, understandable. But I promise I won't hurt you."
"I didn't think, I wasn't–," Langa's brain was short-circuiting. Japanese was getting harder and his thoughts swirled like fog in his head. "Your hair is very red, it's so beautiful." He blurted out, nothing else coming to mind.
Shit. Why did he say that?
Joe smacked Langa on the back, and Langa choked. His whole body felt like it was on fire.
Reki laughed, full and heartily, then floated onto his back. "Thank you, I think that's a first for someone just meeting me for the first time."
"I… Sorry." Langa's blush definitely deepened another shade.
"It's fine, dude, you won't catch me turning down a compliment." Reki seemed so confident and unafraid now, arms crossed behind his head, floating idly in circles while talking.
"We didn't mean to overwhelm you, Langa. We just, we needed someone to… if it's too much, we can go back." Cherry said softly.
"Needed someone for what?" Langa glanced between Joe and Cherry.
"Well, the summer months are almost over, and we won't be coming here too often anymore, and Miya is too young and…" Cherry trailed off.
"Reki can't survive on his own. He was born human, and one day, well… well y'know." Joe gestured down to Reki's tail. "We had someone who would come in the winter, but they've moved away. We would, but we have businesses to run, and we could really use an extra hand."
"What do you mean he can't survive on his own?" Langa questioned. Reki was a merman, after all. Couldn't he just eat fish? Or something? Isn't that what mer-people ate? Langa didn't actually know anything about them. Because they aren't real...
"Well, since I used to be human," Reki interjected, "I can't survive on what a normal mer-person might. I need proper food, and drinkable water. I can last for weeks without both, sure, but not forever. I need the extra help, and Joe and Cherry have been helping me for years." Langa caught onto a hint of sadness in Reki's voice.
"Okay…" Langa paused. "So you just need me to bring you food and water every few weeks?"
"Once a month. It doesn't necessarily need to be a on a full moon. It was just easier to keep track of things this way." Reki said, looking up into the sky. Langa looked up, too.
"I don't really have a great concept of time out here." Reki chuckled.
"Cherry and I love watching the full moon together, anyway. It's so romantic." Joe nudged Cherry with his elbow and winked at Langa.
"Romantic isn't the word I would use." Cherry scoffed. "You're always too loud, not to mention irritating."
"He loves me." Joe wrapped his arm over Cherry's shoulders and pulled him closer, and Cherry huffed out an annoyed breath, but made no attempt to wriggle out of Joe's grasp.
"So, can you do it?" Reki swam up to Langa, and Langa shifted his gaze from the sky and back to Reki.
Reki extended his hand out.
Langa nodded and lifted his hand hesitantly, moving to shake Reki's, but Reki grabbed it and pulled Langa into a hug instead. Langa lost his balance, his knees buckling, and he fell into Reki, water rushing into his face and up his nostrils.
He gargled under the water for a moment before being thrusted back into the open air, Reki's firm hands lifting Langa by the elbows.
"Whoopsies!" Reki squealed, "I didn't expect you to fall!"
Langa is still choking, heaving air back into his lungs. His throat burned from the sudden rush of water into his sinuses. Joe patted him on the back until the coughing subsided.
"I thought," Langa said, breathless,"that you were going to shake my hand."
"Why would I do that? Shaking hands is for old farts like them." He thumbed over his shoulder to Joe and Cherry.
"Watch it!" They yell in unison.
"Remember who takes care of you, you little shit." Joe said, ruffling Reki's hair.
"Yeah, yeah. Well, I have a new caretaker for now. And he's much younger, and cooler, so heh!" Reki stuck his tongue out tauntingly at Joe and Joe laughed.
Joe and Cherry really just become parents to any helpless kid. Langa almost felt jealous, but he was here, too, wasn't he? They must have seen how utterly pitiful he was and sent Miya over to investigate. Langa buried his face into his hands. He wondered if Reki had seen him, too, and his body felt even hotter.
"So, come back tomorrow night? And we can go over details?" Reki looked away from Joe, and back to Langa.
"I– yeah, I guess I can do that." Langa nodded, mostly to convince himself, then looked to Joe. "Will you and Cherry be here again?"
"I'm sorry, but we can't." Cherry said, matter of fact, offering no further explanation. Langa knew he wouldn't be able to talk them into coming with him.
"Oh… Alright then." Langa's heart sank a little. He liked being around them, even if it had only just been tonight that he had met them. Not to mention he was a bit nervous to come back and do this on his own.
Joe leaned down to look Langa in the eyes. "It'll be okay. Reki won't hurt you, in fact, I think you'll become great friends. Isn't that right, Reki?"
"Duh, of course we will, I'm awesome!" Reki reached up to high-five Joe, but Joe left him hanging.
"Yeah, sure you are. Just make sure to keep him safe when he's out here with you, alright? Wouldn't want his mom to worry."
"Fine, fine." Reki dropped his hand back into the water, looking bummed that Joe didn't high-five him back.
"So, ah. Same time tomorrow, then?" Langa asked, rubbing his arm nervously.
"Sure, it's much easier to see when the moon is directly overhead. But do what is most convenient for you, my dude." Reki reached for Langa's hand again, clasping their palms together this time, shaking Langa's hand gently.
Langa felt a shiver run through his body. He hadn't noticed how cold Reki's hand was the first time, almost icy.
"Aren't…" Langa's brain worked for a moment to find the words. "Aren't you cold?"
"Oh, I guess. I mean, I'm used to it now. Mer-people are supposed to be cold. I think." Reki pulled his hand away self-consciously and rubbed at the back of his head.
"Sorry, I didn't mean… It's not a bad thing. I was just wondering." Langa smiled, he didn't mean to make Reki feel bad.
"It's cool," Reki laughed, "Hah, get it? Cool because I'm cold… No?"
"Very funny." Joe said, not laughing.
"Pffft," Reki huffed, "Good thing I wasn't asking you." He didn't take his eyes off of Langa. "Well, okay, I'll let you get back to your cozy sleeping spot on the beach!"
"I– what?" Langa's eyes went wide. Reki had noticed him before.
"Goodnight, Langa! See ya tomorrow! Bye Joe and Cherry." And Reki ducked back under the water and swam deeper into the ocean.
Langa shivered, it was so cold, his clothes soaked. He pinched himself, feeling the sting on his arm. Then he did it again and again and again until he couldn't take the pain anymore. All of that actually happened. Langa met a merman and would be seeing him again. Tomorrow .
"You alright, Langa?" Miya asked, jolting Langa from his stupor.
"How. How did I get back over here?" They were back at the beach, standing in front of the chairs.
"You walked… Were you not listening to a word I said to you?" Cherry scolded him.
"Sorry. Sorry, I–," Langa's breath quickened and he felt like he was going to pass out.
"Hey, hey. Dude." Joe caught Langa by the arm, holding him upright.
"I have to go. I'm so sorry." Langa wanted to feel excited about everything, but he couldn't breathe, this was all too overwhelming and he needed to go home to his bed to think .
He leaned down to search for his phone in his tote bag for a moment before handing it to Miya. "Here, put your phone number in here, so I–I can contact you and your dads."
"Um, okay, I guess?" Miya took his phone and typed quickly into it before handing it back to Langa. "There."
"Thanks," Langa mumbled and grabbed his stuff, running to his mo-ped. His clothes were heavy and dripping with ocean water. There should be at least two more ferries headed out tonight, and he could make it to at least the last one.
"Langa, wait–!" He heard one of them yell, but couldn't tell who it was. His brain felt fuzzy. He just needed to get away.
He managed to slip his helmet on and key into the ignition, but then, his body started tilting sideways, and everything went black.