#Mer!Steve

[bubblegumflavor]

"Finders keepers." was the first thing Billy ever said to Steve. Steve never complained. He knew from the start that it was him or no one, forever.

My final contribution to the @stmonstercalendar mermay bingo! Prompt: Courting ♡

This was so much fun! =D ♡♡♡

[fuctacles]

Sha-la-la-la-la-la, don't be scared

@stmonstercalendar bingo prompts: Lighthouse, science, offering T | 2.7k | Stayne | lighthouse keeper Wayne, kid Eddie, mer!Steve | Ao3

Lighthouse isn't a good place for a kid. Even if that kid doesn't seem to feel the same, inhaling book after book and fighting the howling wind with his little guitar for the title of the noisier neighbor. 

But orphanage isn't a good place for a kid either, especially when he has a perfectly alive uncle he could be living with. A lighthouse with an uncle is still a better deal than orphanage filled with strangers. 

Or so Wayne thought until Eddie misses lunch one Wednesday. Which would be within his nephew's normal behavior if he was inside, busy with one of his many hobbies, but right after breakfast, he's left to take a stroll on the shore. It's dinner time now, and that's more than enough time to round their small island. Before he makes it the whole village's problem, he goes on a search himself. 

Both their boats are still in place, one at the dock, and the other safely in the shed. He walks the length of the shore once, twice, knows Eddie wouldn't swim to the land, wonders if he got picked up by a friend, worries if he got kidnapped by a foe. Decides to radio the police station on land. 

"Stay put, Wayne," Jim tells him and he hates it. He knows he's right but he hates it anyway. "In case he comes back. I'll keep an eye here and send a search boat."

It doesn't feel like enough but he knows he'd get nothing if anyone other than Hopper had picked up. Eddie has been missing for only a few hours. 

Before he knows it, it's getting dark, and he's watching first flashlights light up on the shore ahead. A proper search team on top of the boat shining a beam at the water. Jim said they've also checked recent activity near the shore, but nothing suspicious stood out to them. 

Wayne wishes he could do more than just stay put and fuel his nerves with caffeine. He's going to take another walk down the shore in a minute, he's lost count which one it will be. The water laps below him and after years of loving the sea, it feels like it's mocking him now. Telling him it took the last of his family away. 

He decides to take the boat this time, before the night takes over completely. Doesn't even finish his coffee, just throws on some extra layers and flashlights and pushes into the water.

"Come on, boy, don't do this to me. Ya little rascal," he mutters at the rippling surface, rowing slowly and watching the world turn into darker hues of blue. He'll have to light his lamp soon.

It's when his lighthouse stands in his view of the shore, that he feels something is wrong. Hairs stand on the back of his neck and he senses danger he doesn't see. Suddenly it's darker than a second before, like the electricity from the town has been aiding him before, like he was now in the narrow shadow cast by his own house. He feels alone, vulnerable, and scared. The sea continues to mock him, splashing gently, serenely almost, against the sides of his boat. 

There's a splash, a cough, and he almost loses his grip on a paddle when he whips around. 

"Hi," Eddie says meekly, sopping wet and smiling shyly. 

"Jesus Christ!" Forgetting the paddles, Wayne launches at him, almost toppling the boat over. He grabs at his soaking clothes, pulling him into the boat and wraps his in his arms. "Where have you been, boy?! I was losing my mind!" He plants a kiss on Eddie's head, not minding the cold seeping through to his own clothes. "We have to get you warm, kid I got the police searching for you!" He laughs for no other reason than the worry leaving him with debilitating violence, leaving only light-headed relief. "Where have you been?"

"I was with Steve," Eddie answers, gripping him back just as tightly, though he can tell he doesn't feel the same distress. Fucking kid will kill him one of these days.

"Who's Steve?" Wayne frowns in confusion, finally pulling away. 

"Hi," a new voice pipes up. 

Behind Eddie, in the dark water, there's a man. A young beautiful thing, just as soaked as the kid. Wayne only stares, slowly, very slowly registering the webbing between the man's fingers, his hand raised in a wave. He gathers Eddie back to his chest.

"What do you want?" he asks, narrowing his eyes. Sea creatures don't just help you out of the goodness of their heart, they always want something. At his age, Wayne hoped he'll never have to face one, and if he did, that he'll be smart enough not to fall for their tricks. But ne never thought his Eddie would be at stake. 

Warily, he observes the merman swim closer to the edge of the boat, his fingers grasping the edge to peek over the hull. He grips this kid tighter, but he squirms around to be able to look too. 

"Touch my lips?" asks Steve the merman. It's not a demand, he sounds like a kid that's not sure what he's asking for, describing a toy only seen in passing or heard of. 

And yet, Wayne feels dread flood his old bones. 

"You want a kiss?" he asks, ignoring Eddie's childish giggle. Nothing good ever comes from kissing a non-human. (And sometimes, bad things come from kissing humans, too.) 

Belatedly, the mer nods, probably only assuming that what they have in mind is the same. 

"I saw humans do it on the piers," he says, cheek leaning on his palms. "As they part and as they greet. They seem happy. I want to try," Steve explains, but Wayne doesn't buy the innocent act for even a second. He knows the huge, dreamy eyes are just an act to trick him.

But he nods, clearing his throat, calculating. 

"Can I take him home first?" he asks. At least, when he gets sucked under the surface and drowned, Eddie will be safe on dry land, and soon, Hopped will come and find him.

"Of course!" Steve grins wide, showing off his sharp teeth. "You must have been worried sick! I'll be right behind you!" He waves to Eddie, who waves back before Wayne can stop him, and ducks under the surface. 

He can only stare at the rippling water left in his wake.

==

Wayne tucks Eddie under the thick blanket at the top floor of their house. He has half a mind to just lead him all the way to the top of the lighthouse, as far from the water ad possible, but he knows this is enough, and if mermaids could walk on land, no amount of stairs would stop them.

"If I don't come back soon, uncle Hop should come here later to check on you. Tell him I went to thank the mer that saved you." Hopper will know it means he's never coming back. 

Eddie nods. 

"Okay. Can you say thanks from me too?" he asks. 

Wayne smiles despite himself, wrapping the boy's wet curls into a towel. 

"Sure."

Suddenly, Eddie gasps, pulling out from under his grip. 

"Is this a date?!" he exclaims with excitement. "Can I have a mer uncle?!" 

He's already had a headache from a whole day of worrying, and now his nephews hyper-speed brain was trying to make it worse. He sighs.

"Explain?" he asks, having found out long ago it's way easier than trying to decipher Eddie's thought process by himself. And the kid is always more than happy to tell him.

"Steve wants to kiss you," Eddie explains giddily. "So it's a date, and if it's a date, then one day you could marry, and then I would have a mer uncle!"

Wayne blinks at him, stunned. 

"I don't think humans and mers can marry," he points out.

Eddie rolls his eyes so hard it looks painful.

"Since when do we care about law?"

"Since we have a kid to keep safe," Wayne points out, rubbing his hair hard and making him yelp. As Eddie untangles himself from the towel, his eyes soften. "I love you, kid."

"Yeah, yeah, love you too," Eddie rolls his eyes again. "Now go get me that mer uncle!" he demands, pushing him away.

"Get you?" Wayne raises his eyebrows, slowly letting the little boy push him towards the door. "How about you go and kiss him, then?" he jokes, one last time. 

Eddie hums in consideration. 

"Steve is pretty," he says, his cheeks flushing pink, and Wayne aches knowing he won't see this boy grow up and fall in love. He can only hope that after finding out what happened to him, he won't go seducing mers left and right. That could end up way worse than falling for a human boy. 

"I'm going, before you steal him from me. Wish me luck." Wayne steps over the threshold of the room. 

Grinning, Eddie gives him a thumbs up, then crosses his fingers for luck.

"Go get him!" he says, and Wayne commits his happy face to memory. 

Somberly, he walks down the long stairwell until he reaches the adjacent boathouse. An old, cobweb-covered light bulb is still lighting in the corner, deepening the shadows around him. As soon as his feet reach the edge of the pier, the mers head pops out of the water. 

If he didn't know any better, he'd think his smile is charming. 

"What's your name?" the mer asks, resting his chin against the pier.

Wayne scoffs.

"I didn't agree to give you my name. I think we're about to get close enough."

"Yeah," Steve smiles, excited despite Wayne's attitude.

"I know I'm in no position to ask for more," he grits trough his teeth as he forces his knees to bend so he can kneel closer to the mer. "But I'd prefer my boy not to hear or see anything."

"Oh." Steve's face turns ruby red. "Uh." He chuckles nervously. "Just the kiss is fine, really," he mumbles awkwardly, running his webbed fingers through his hair.

"Sure." It takes everything in Wayne not to roll his eyes at the blatant lies of a magical creature. "Let's get this over with."

He has no gods to pray to, so without dwelling on his sad life, he closes his eyes, leaning forward. Doesn't pucker his lips, knowing it's not really a kiss, and whatever the mer wants he'll just take from him anyway.

There's a splash of water and he braces himself to meet his fate.

Something wet and soft brushes briefly against his lips. The water splashes again. He waits, not wanting to give the creature the satisfaction of opening his eyes to see the monstrous form the creature might have turned into. Or find out he's surrounded by the blankness of death, though he doubts he'd be let go so painlessly.

It feels like an eternity has passed and he's almost about to open his eyes anyway, when his lips get touched the second time, the mer growing impatient.

Wayne's shoulders fall in resignation. He did say he would kiss him, so he reluctantly moves his lips, hoping it will speed up whatever the mer has in mind for him.

He kisses back. He's kissing a sea creature that will undoubtedly open its jaw wide any moment to bite his head off, or suck his vocal cords out.

It's hardly a kiss, Steve barely copying Wayne's minuscule movements, though with an eager enthusiasm. He pushes harder, hoping to stir him on, push his luck and speed up his own demise.

Why is it toying with him? Does it want to humiliate him first? Will he taste better like this?

He parts his lips and presses with his tongue and suddenly, there is no one to press against. He's falling into the water, finally.

It's arms and scales and fins wrapping around him, pulling him close to a solid chest. Wayne coughs out the salty water he barely had the chance to inhale.

"I'm sorry! Are you alright?" Steve's face is right in front of him, looking distressed. Up lose he looks less human, the hue of his skin all wrong, the scales shimmering in the dim light.

"Fucking kill me already!" Wayne trashes in his hold, his calm demeanor finally breaking. "Ya like playing with your food so much?!"

And finally, the mer breaks the facade, his eyes turning stormy for once and teeth baring in anger.

"You think I would eat you?! Like some low level barbarian?! I brought your kid back so he wouldn't get eaten and you think I would dig into an old man instead?!"

Wayne isn't so sure it's a ploy anymore.

"Just…" the mer huffs, angry and resigned. "Go back to your kid." He propels them back to the pier, rearranging his grip to help Wayne up on the deck instead of just holding him up.

As the anger on mer's—Steve's—pretty face turns to disappointment and hurt, Wayne decides to do something stupid.

"Wait." He turns his head with his hand, feels the contradicting textures of scales and hair under his palm, and leans in.

Steve doesn't startle when he licks his lips this time, but parts them, hesitantly but trusting, once again mirroring Wayne. Who now kisses him properly, not like he's expecting to be swallowed up at any second.

Except for the teeth, his mouth feels like any other humans, and as long as he doesn't press on the sharp canines, they don't seem to be a problem. He moves and explores with his tongue and Steve quickly gets the hang of it, kissing him back. His hands tighten on Wayne's waist too, something he hasn't had in a while. It's really been too long for him if he's enjoying making out with a merman.

For someone without kissing experience, Steve is very nice to have under his palms. Alas, he has to push him away when he starts getting lightheaded.

"I need to breathe, boy," he says, gasping for air. "Not all of us have swimmer lungs." Humans don't have swimmer lungs, he reminds himself.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I kind of forgot." Steve's face goes red with embarrassment, but his eyes are blown wide, licking Wayne's ego.

"I'm sure you did," he chuckles, thumb stroking his collarbone, the side of his neck. "Bet you could go forever, huh?"

Steve bites his lip, his sharp teeth not so scary now that he knows how they feel under his tongue.

"Hmm, probably," he admits coyly, his eyes falling half shut, gaze zeroing back on Wayne's lips.

He indulges the mer with lingering, wet kisses that make him writhe against his body. Suddenly, he feels curious about mers mating rituals, and how different they bodies might be.

But he doesn't get to find out as Steve startles away from him, looking behind.

"A boat is coming," he says, and when Wayne follows his gaze, he recognizes the shape of a police boat turned their way. Hopper, coming to check in on him. Sure to chew him out for not radioing in that he's found Eddie.

Before he can react, Steve is putting him up on the pier and then ducking down so only his eyes peek out from under the water. Ready to flee, yet waiting.

"Thank you for saving my boy," he says first, pulling his legs up on the damp boards. "My name is Wayne," he finally admits, sure giving out his name will be a lesser of reckless things he's done tonight.

Steve swims up so his wide smile can be seen.

"Can I see you again, Wayne?" he asks.

He should say no.

"If you're ready for a nephew, come anytime."

The confused look he gets makes him chuckle, but the boat is getting closer, so he leans down for one last kiss which Steve eagerly leans up to catch.

"I'll explain next time."

Then Steve is gone, Wayne is left wet, shivering and confused, and has maybe ten minutes to get himself together before facing the chief of police.

@wheneverfeasible @blasvemous

[katyawriteswhump]

Of mermaids and soulmates 💖

For @steddiebingo prompt, “Mermaid,’ and @stmonstercalendar Mermay week 1 prompt… ‘Mermaid.’ I also plundered the Mermay bingo prompt list for inspiration and used storm, washed ashore, cave and... whump (okay that was going to be in there whatever I wrote, I fear, but the others got me going on this, thanks.)

Rating: M, WC: 3700; Tags: O!Steve, A!Eddie, mermaid Steve, fairytale au, some sexual content, pining, minor angst, hurt/comfort, sick fic, snuggles, fluff, tooth-rotting fluff, very literal happy ever after. Summary: Life was tough for Eddie and his fisherman uncle, Wayne. Then Alpha Eddie goes and makes it tougher, by falling in love with an Omega mermaid called… Steve?!? Read on AO3

The healing herbs are from amazing designs by @moonjelly69 and can be found in posts here and here. Thank you for letting me borrow them. They def leaked through from a far better place.

💖💖💖💖💖💖

Eddie found his Omega the morning after a really nasty-ass storm.

He woke with a gut-churning shudder that told him somebody he cared for was in danger.

Wayne was fine, tho’. He clattered in the cottage kitchen, which pumped out odors of fresh bread and bacon that would be their only meal today. The storm had lost them the profits of a whole night’s catch. Eddie grabbed his jean jacket and nudged past Wayne with a mumbled, “Not hungry,” then straight out onto the shingle shore.

“Eddie? What’s wrong?” called Wayne, from their doorstep.

“Nothing,” said Eddie, attempting a goofy grin and a flippant wave. Only that I’m going out of my mind. Like I do every day.  “Back in a sec.”

Eddie followed his nose, clambering between the debris, tracing that tiny wisp of salted-caramel and seagrass sweetness that threaded its way through the seaweed and brine.

He found Steve hunkered by a rock, curled into a ball. If it hadn’t been for his scent, Eddie might’ve missed him. A veil of wet hair covered his face, and he’d wrapped his arms tight around his shivering bare torso. His beautiful fishtail was folded in, and completely tangled in a segment of ugly orange trawler net.

Eddie absorbed this in a single heartbeat, hurried forward and crouched down. He gently touched the mermaid’s shoulder, who looked up with a very Omega squeak.

“Hey?” said Eddie, “Steve, it’s me, Eddie. You know me?”

“Uh… like we’ve not been fucking for weeks, dipshit?”  Steve’s voice shook with trembles them broke up altogether. “My tail… It’s all tangled up. Please help me?”

Eddie draped his jacket over Steve. “Christ yeah. I owe you one, remember?”

“I’ll always remember,” whispered Steve. Then he slumped forward against Eddie, completely out of it.

Eddie opted not to tell himself this couldn’t be real. Seeing was believing, huh? He lowered Steve’s head down onto soft sand and set about untangling his fishtail. He kept his hands steady—despite his fury—while using his penknife to remove the plastic cutting between Steve’s beautiful multi-color scales and fluttering tailfins. Then he scooped the fairly hefty mermaid into his arms and began his trudge back along the shore.

He was sick with worry.

If Steve hadn’t been hurt, however, he would be howling his joy to that wisp of a daytime moon. Finding his mermaid made a whole lot of sense, as if his whole life clicked suddenly into place. Plus, Steve was even cuter in real life than in his dreams.

He had seen Steve with his waking eyes before, only once.

He’d been fifteen and after endless bugging, Wayne had agreed to let Eddie assist him on the fishing boat. One night, a giant wave had swept Eddie from the deck, and the icy waters gobbled him deep.

He flailed, attempted to pull for the surface. Too late. His lungs burned. Panic blindsided him. In the inky darkness, the bubbles of his breath seeped from him, white light strobed before his eyes, and then…

…the kiss.

Okay, it was a kiss of life. Eddie was in no position to find it hot.

Still, after the first injection of lifesaving air, he noticed the softness of his rescuers’ lips. Then he saw a guy around his age with a floaty lion’s mane of hair, who wrapped a solid arm around him, and pulled for the surface.

The other boy appeared to have a fishtail.

Lack of oxygen sent you loopy, right?

They’d emerged among the choppy waves, yards from where Wayne leaned over the side of the boat, holding a lifebuoy and yelling his head off.

The mer-boy shoved Eddie forward. Wayne grabbed Eddie’s hand, hauling him to safety, while those other arms around him slipped away. “H-help the other k-kid,” gasped Eddie, flopping onto the deck.

Wayne gave him a look. The one that, in his kind-natured uncle, stood in for calling Eddie out for being dumb. From the corner of his eye, Eddie glimpsed a flicker of that fishtail between the foamy white horses, silvered and glittering with all the colors of the rainbow.  “Don’t worry, Eddie. He’ll be okay.”

Wayne believed in mermaids. Merfolk? Whatever the heck they were called. As for Eddie, he wanted to believe. Didn’t stop him wondering if they were both crazy.

A couple of years later, he presented Alpha and dated a few Omegas. None of them rocked his world, until Steve the mermaid—oozing adorable Omega vibes and bitchy as fuck—began starring in Eddie’s dreams. Which were as hot and horny as they were wet and sticky.

Also, heart-achingly real, which was… Yup, crazy.  In his dreams, he was fucking Steve, who for sure seemed to possess some kind of snug Alpha-dick lovin’ hole. But how could he fuck somebody who literally had a fishtail?

And who other than a crazy guy, not only banged mermaids in their dreams, but also snuggled and exchanged pillow talk after? One of Steve’s favorite topics was the songs that Eddie blasted from the boat while he and Wayne worked. He wanted to know everything about them, from the names of the groups to the kinds of instruments they played.

Apparently, Steve really liked Queen: “Don’t get me wrong, Eddie, I dig the thrash metal shouty shit—and ACDC hit some awesome resonances that send the whales cuckoo—but that Freddie dude can really sing.”

Finally, and maybe craziest of all, what kind of mermaid introduced themselves as Steve? Eddie wasn’t sure what sorts of names mermaids should have. It would be nothing as ordinary as Steve, right? Steve also explained that he was a mermaid— “Yeah, a mermaid, like is that a problem, you stupid mouth-breathing land-hugger?” 

He was also an Omega.

Eddie was fine with all of that and had never harbored any doubts about the latter.

At least, in his dreams.

During the day, Eddie had been pretty damn sure he was either going cuckoo as those metal-loving whales… or that his mermaid was totally stalking him.  He regularly caught a wisp of that caramel and sea-grass scent and was damn sure it was Steve, because it usually gave him a semi. There’d also been the mysterious gifts turning up randomly on deck—including a solid silver skull and crossbones ring that must’ve belonged to a pirate boss. Finally, there’d been that time his ghetto blaster skidded overboard. It’d been slid back beneath the ship rail, soggy, useless and with his Black Sabbath cassette ruined.

Hey, it was the thought that counted.

Now, here he was, carrying the guy of his dreams—a limp and senseless mermaid—home to Wayne. Who stood at the door of the cottage and ushered them in with a mumble of, “Ah yeah, makes sense. What a damn shame. I’ll get extra blankets, throw a log on the fire.”

Eddie lay Steve down on his own bed and stared.

Jesus freakin’ Christ!  Was he real? He was real! Steve whimpered desolately, and Eddie snapped his gaping mouth shut to lie down and gently wrap his body around Steve’s.

The mermaid’s torso was somehow soft and Omega and muscular and sturdy—all that swimming, Eddie supposed. Steve whimpered and rolled closer, and Eddie gently enveloped him the best he could, rubbing his cheek against Steve’s ridiculously soft fluffy hair, dropping kisses. Steve’s tail nestled into Eddie’s legs and their bodies notched together as if they were born to snuggle this way.

Eddie’s heart ached and he gulped back totally un-Alpha tears. Had he found Steve only to lose him.

No. He point blank refused that.

Wayne returned with the blankets, and also a first-aid kit and bandages, which he used to carefully clean up and tend to Steve’s tail. When Steve hissed and moaned in his sleep, Eddie pressed the mermaid’s head to his chest and rocked and stroked him.

Eventually, Steve’s trembling subsided. He sighed a few times, snuffling against Eddie’s throat, as if Eddie’s scent might revive him.

Then he slipped into a deep sleep.

“Eddie,” Wayne whispered from the doorway, a short while later. “C’mon, son, you can leave him for a moment. You gotta eat. I saved your breakfast.”

Eddie bit back a snarl. He didn’t want to leave Steve, not for a second, tho’ Wayne talked sense. He reluctantly unwound himself and joined Wayne in the kitchen.

Wayne’s worry was etched deep in every line on his brow.

“What is it?” asked Eddie.

“Listen, his injuries are infected. We need to act fast. I know the right herbs to cure him—thryssil, a sharp leaved water-plant with healing saliva, and blunova, dark blue berries that grow deep in cool sea-water caves. They’re rare and getting rarer. Hard to find these days.”

“We can’t buy something at the chemist?”

Wayne gave him another of those placid looks. “Mermaids are magical, Eddie—he’s a sprite of the ocean’s deepest magic, and the modern world has polluted him. We must find those natural medicines then… Look, you know better than I that he’s an Omega. The herbs alone won’t cut it unless an Alpha nurses him through the worst. And when you save his life, you’ll be bound to him. While he lives, you’ll never be able to mate another Omega. He would perish of rejection and grief.”

Eddie let the bombshell blast through him.

He got it. It should scare the bejesus out of him. What would happen when he went into rut? Did Steve have heats? Would they ever be able to have pups?

What would be the point of a mate if they couldn’t actually mate?

Yeah, the bombshell blasted through him. In its aftermath Eddie found he was totally ready to take the plunge with Steve, whatever their future may bring.

Screw being ‘bound’ to each other, as if it was something unwanted. He knew in that moment that Steve was his soulmate.

“I get it,” he told Wayne, with a shrug. “I honestly do, and it’s all fine. Where do we look for these herbs?”

They took turns sweeping the shoreline and every cave they knew. Wayne searched for longer. Steve slept more easily when Eddie snuggled him, than when Wayne sat with him, mopping his burning brow and holding his too-pale hand. The Omega’s fever grew worse, and he sniffled weakly, sweating and shuddering. Then the fever broke, and he settled, horribly quiet.

Two days passed, and he still hadn’t woken. His pulse grew thready and faint, his breaths horribly shallow.

When Eddie stroked his face, and begged him to wake, his lashes barely flickered.

His fishtail turned a bruise-like purple, spreading upward from the bandages he kept bleeding through.

“Stay with me, Baby,” whispered Eddie, “Please, Stevie, please?”

A putrid fishy scent began drowning the last shreds of his Omega sweetness, and Eddie sobbed shamelessly.

If Steve died, Eddie would be free to find an Omega he could have pups with. Apart from he wouldn’t. In his heart of hearts, he knew he could never take another mate, and that he’d only ever be happy with Steve. Then, as his tears disintegrated into snarls of vengeance against whoever dumped that nylon net, Wayne burst into the cottage:

“Eddie, I got them.”

Eddie unwound himself from Steve, reluctant but also dead keen to aid his uncle, who looked dog-tired, his wiry frame drooping. They mixed the blunova berries with the thryssil saliva and applied them in a poultice to Steve’s tail. The leftovers went into a cordial for him to sip when he awoke.

Wayne said ‘when,’ not ‘if.’  Eddie clung to that quiet optimism, as he slid back beneath the blankets to snuggle Steve.

The next few hours proved truly magical. Color returned to Steve’s face, and his breathing grew deeper and even. Eddie slid a hand beneath his head and lifted it, trying to coax him into sipping the cordial. At first, Steve barely opened his eyes, but hitched his lip and muttered, “too sleepy, get lost.”

Yeah, that was Eddie’s snarky little mermaid.

When he finally tasted the blunova, tho’, he sucked his lower lip, and whispered, “Yum.”

Soon, Eddie caught a hint of Steve’s sweetness returning. It mingled with the fruity medicines and Eddie’s own Alpha scent, which pumped madly as if trying to form a protective cloud around his Omega.

Finally, Eddie’s tension melted away, and he too drifted off into a deep sleep. When he gradually wandered toward wakefulness, something that felt like warm trickly honey was gliding down his chest.

His eyes flew wide and locked with Steve’s. Who was tucked cosily under his arm, and… Ooookay, yup, taking advantage of that position to lick Eddie’s chest, which was inked with many nautical and totally metal tattoos.

“Hey,” said Steve, jerking back, startled.

“Someone’s feeling better, huh?” Eddie beamed down at Steve, who’d retreated toward Eddie’s armpit, plying Eddie with large curious hazel-brown eyes and a surprisingly bashful smile. “How do I taste?”

“Not gonna lie. Could lick the salt off your skin forever.”  Eddie worshipped Steve’s playful smirk, then the way he swiped his tongue around his soft and super-kissable lips. Steve in turn flitted his attention to Eddie’s mouth. “There’s somewhere I’d like to taste more.”

“I reckon we can arrange that, Babe.”

Eddie hoisted his helplessly beached mermaid up a little, then leaned down for a tinglingly sweet and chaste kiss. Soon, Steve was parting his lips, whining for more. Eddie indulged him, offering a bit of tongue and working the kiss tenderly. As it lingered, he carefully blanketed himself around his Omega.

Eddie already needed Steve, like the air he breathed. They’d make this work. They had to. He ran his hand down Steve’s spine, kneading gently at the seam between his torso and his fishier parts, while Steve’s arm crawled tentatively up around Eddie’s neck.

They settled down beneath the covers for a lengthy sleep-in. Eddie left Steve only to fetch the food Wayne had left. He felt bad that Wayne had gone out fishing alone, and they’d lost several days earnings caring for Steve. His worry for his uncle and how they’d make ends meet, was one of the few things that clouded his happiness.

When Steve awoke, he asked Eddie to take him down to the sea. He was pretty sure it would make him feel better. Eddie wrapped him in fuzzy blankets and carried him to the softest sandiest dunes, where they settled to watch a stellar orange-pink sunset.

Eddie blasted a mixtape out of his new second-hand ghetto blaster, and they chatted like they’d known each other forever. Steve discovered he liked Bowie nearly as much as Freddie. All the same, they both knew they had to talk about serious stuff.

“So, yeah, I’m an Omega,” said Steve.

“I’m super aware of that.” Eddie’s whole body vibrated with Steve’s adorable and very Omega purrs, while Eddie’s hand wandered lower than before to caress the rounded curves of Steve’s hips and mermaid butt. The Omega purred harder for a moment then stopped altogether: “Now you’ve saved my life, you’re bound to me. Like I’ve been bound to you, since I performed those totally awesome heroics and saved yours.”

“Huh?” A sea breeze whistled around them. Eddie made sure no cold air leaked between, while the Omega’s tale made his chest pang.  Since Steve saved Eddie’s life, Steve had been ‘totally, idiotically obsessed’ with him:

“I followed your boat pretty much every day. Then my pack moved on, while I was chasing after you, and I never found them again. I presented Omega a few moons ago. It was scary at first, and I was going out of my mind with loneliness. Till I found I could get into your dreams. Being magical is pretty freakin’ cool, huh?”

“Pretty freakin’ hot. Why didn’t you pop up and say hi?” Eddie stroked the Omega’s hair from where it kept blowing across his face. Then he grinned and crossed his own eyes. “I mean, I kinda knew I had a creepy obsessed fan following the boat.”

Steve curled his lip. “I’m not creepy.”

“You’re creepy-cute?” Eddie cackled and Steve pouted. Damn, that was adorable.

“Look, it’s complicated!” Steve flipped his hand, giggling anyhow. “It’s not like I totally hid but I had to be careful! I mean, you seemed nice, I loved your vibes and the music, and your scent sent me loopy, but I heard stories about you leggy morons. You can be complete a-holes, tho’ after I’d managed to get in your head—”

“Clearly, not a creepy thing to do,” snarked Eddie, rewarded with that pout again.

“After I visited your dreams for a chat—oh, and literally got you off, you’re welcome, a-hole—I was pretty sure we were soulmates. I was psyching myself up to say hello, okay?”

“Okay,” said Eddie, grinning dopily. “Seriously, can you read what I’m thinking now?”

“Only works when we’re apart and you’re asleep, I think. I can guess, tho’.” He rolled his eyes then narrowed them. “Something Alpha-ish, like… you’re conflicted about what to do when you go into rut. You don’t want to ditch me. You also want pups badly. Listen, so do I. Mermaids and humans have been mating for centuries. I think we’ll be okay.”

“Okay.” Eddie could live with that. “Any idea how exactly?”

“No! When they taught sex ed to all the other little mermaids, I was probably off mooning over your sorry ass. When the right time comes, the magic of mother nature will show us a way, I guess. Anyhow, as much as I’d luuurve you to bang my fishy bones for real… I’m, ya know, getting over nearly being dead. My tail’s still kinda numb.”

Eddie could definitely live with waiting. They curled together into a cosy ball of purrs and growls, while night crept slowly across the beach.

Steve grew strong again quickly. After a few days, he came out to sea with Eddie and Wayne and swum alongside their boat. Eddie totally loved watching Steve swim, the swish of that magical tail, and those sexy shoulders and solid biceps, though he was already worrying about Steve getting tangled in their relatively eco-friendly net.

“Do I have to turn vegetarian?” asked Eddie, grimacing at their wriggling haul. “I’m mean, you’re kinda fishy, and now it seems—”

“Don’t sweat it,” said Steve. “It’s only the same as you eating other mammals.”

“I guess.” Eddie still felt uneasy, though fishing was his and Wayne’s livelihood.

“Oh! Almost forgot,” called Steve. “I know where there’s a ton of that sparkly shiny crap you humans get all wet and bothered over.”

After chugging their little boat along a white-water channel between some sabre-tooth rocks, Eddie and Wayne followed Steve into a hidden cave. Wayne streaked his flashlight across a glittering array of gold and silver treasure, literally spilling from a dozen old wooden tea-chests.

“See?” Steve bobbed between the boat and the treasure and tossed up his hands with a splash. “It’s where I found your ring. Figured you might have a use for the rest.”

“Yeah,” said Wayne, sounding choked. “Yeah, I think we might.”

Eddie was choked too—with a profound relief that the uncle he loved might be able to take life easy for the first time ever. For him and Steve, too, the future now seemed limitless, family or not.

The same night, as a full moon rose, Eddie felt it—that stir of heat in his blood that meant he was going into rut. Wayne had gone out to treat his girlfriend to a meal, and Eddie had just carried Steve back to their bed. He’d been looking forward to snuggles, and now…  Ugh!  He was gonna have to sleep by the hearth.  Or not sleep, more likely. By midnight he was gonna be humping the furniture, and he was troubled about what he might do if he totally lost it.

He was soooo hungry for Steve, and also mighty curious about how they were going to procreate. If it was rubbing against Steve’s tail or something, or fertilising eggs? Damn, they’d make it work, but Steve was still slightly fragile.  What if his inner beast took over and he rutted too hard while his Omega still healed?

With his heavy dick aching beneath a pair of loose jogging pants, he peeped around the door to see Steve tucked up in bed. Far from asleep. He was sitting up against the pillows, arms folded, and his head tilted, smirking.

Eddie was in too much of a hurry to ask why. He squeezed tight words from between his clenched teeth. “Listen, Babe, I reckon it’s best if I go spend the night on the beach.”

“It’s cold outside, numbnuts. Also, you reek of sex, and I dig it. You’re gonna come straight over here and get into bed with me.”

There was something in Steve’s wide, hopeful, giggly eyes that Eddie simply couldn’t refuse. Seconds later, he was sliding under the covers, vowing to himself he’d give Steve a quick squeeze and go.

Then he froze.

Steve rolled toward him and hitched the knee of what felt like a pretty darn human leg onto Eddie’s thigh. And between? Steve was already very wet, and a wave of his sweet perfume accompanied a fresh gush of slick. A loud rumble escaped Eddie before he could help himself—a groan of relief mingled with a hungry growl.

“Told you mother nature would provide,” whispered Steve.

Eddie slid a hand down to lightly finger absolutely everything required to satisfy an Alpha in rut. Steve smiled, kinda smug, and wrapped all four of his limbs around Eddie, nuzzling Eddie’s scent gland.

“Is this because of the full moon?” breathed Eddie, nudging his already epic boner between Steve’s spread thighs. If this was only once a month, he’d take it.

“Nope. It’s because I’m ready and you’re ready. I got an idea it’s gonna happen a lot.” Then he turned deadly serious, cupping Eddie’s face. “I love you, Alpha. Please, fill me with our mer-pups?”

“Don’t beg, Sweetheart. I’ve waited my whole life for this. Gonna fill you with our mer-pups and gonna love you all. Love you so much.”

They melded then, like ripples on the water, and as Eddie’s waves crashed into Steve, Steve surged back against him. And they fucked and fucked and fucked.

Eddie and Steve moved to a glittering pink castle by the sea. They raised their pups with the help of Great-uncle Wayne, and they all lived happily ever after.

💕💕💕💕💕

my steddie fic on AO3

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Congrats! @madaboutmunson is only 3 prompts away from a black out! Check out their previous Mermay works:

All must meet the wave | poem

Prompts: Siren, Tentacles, Cryptid, Followed and Based on (fan)art

Heaven Beneath The Waves | Steddie | T

Prompts: Merrow, Atlantis, Divine and Pirates | Photo edit + mini fic

Good job! Keep it up!

A Very Good Fit

Fic for @stmonstercalendar #StrangerThingsMermayBingo2025

Using Prompts: Fashion/clothing, Yacht, First Kiss, Scales W/C = 6K

TW: Canon-typical swearing, Blood (very minor), Head Injury (graze), Near drowning Ao3 Link

He wasn’t supposed to, but he liked the humans. They had interesting things. More advanced than his basic materials, which were either natural or carved from what nature provided. By touch, he could tell they were derived, many times, from something natural, something from far into the earth, maybe even from beneath the sea. He knew it was dangerous if it spilt, but it also made things last forever. Most of it floated, but it could be weighed down. It was called plasteeque or something fancy like that, and on clean-up missions with his community, he’d sneak pieces back with him.

One of his favourite things was a large jackeet , or something, that was yellow. It made the rain bounce off and kept him warm and inconspicuous if he wanted to watch the humans from afar. He’d tuck his tail under it, and if anyone pointed at him, he just smiled and waved and picked up his fishing rod, with no hook or line, and they would wave back and carry on.

It had a little rectangular precious plasteeque brooch that had human letters on it. He knew a few, but not many.

As he saw the sun move in the sky, he knew it was time for one of his favourite humans. The one that brought the sounds he liked and sang like no siren he’d ever heard.

He tucked away his treasures into his bag, he’d heard it called that, which he tied around his waist and shoulders, and zoomed up to the surface, spinning excitedly through passing shoals and weaving through seaweed, until he broke the surface. He peered out carefully.

He didn’t like to be on land when this human was nearby. One, there wasn’t a surface in sight out here in the open ocean, and two, the sounds he brought with him made the water vibrate in ways that made him want to flip and twirl and dive, to them.

Regular as the currents, the boat turned up as the sun was setting, and already the sounds were loud. Some of it sounded like when boats scraped against rocks or their cages rattled in the storm. But it was the regular pulse he liked best.

And if he was honest, that wasn’t the sole reason he liked the human. He was handsome, too. He had long hair that flowed in the wind like the hair of his kind flowed underwater. He had big white teeth, but they weren’t scary or sharp. And he had big, round eyes, the deep colour of rich silt along river deltas. He would be a most excellent hunter. He sang along to the sounds, sometimes low, sometimes high-pitched like a whistle. One time, he screeched like a threatened gull.

Atlantis had music, but it was all voices in harmony and mostly for official ceremonies, or learning the Siren song. These sounds. This... human music was not like that.

He swam just below the surface so he wouldn’t be noticed. This time, he was on a yat , one of the ones with smaller sayuls . He must take care of boats, he always had dirt smudges on his face and hands.

He got close enough to press himself against the side of the boat so they couldn’t see him from above.

But today was a surprise. Today, the human wasn’t alone.

"You know, for an old-timer, you do waste a lot of your limited energy whining," his favourite human said, and he was carrying the silver box the sounds came out of. He felt so giddy he could flip.

"I dunno, Eddie. You sure it’s ok for us to be out here on this thing? It ain’t ours," the grey-haired human said. He seemed worried. Eddie. Eddie. That was his name. He burned it into his memory. It was so simple, and yet it worked.

"Could you untangle your panties for, like, two seconds?” Eddie whined. “I'm looking after the yacht. I can't sail this particular thing alone. That's why you're here. And if you're doing a spot of fishin' or I'm relaxin' while things settle down from little repairs and whatnot, so be it. That's the beauty of the open sea, Wayne. No cops." His favourite human laughed deeply. Wayne must be the older human.

The sounds started, and they were ones he’d heard before. He swished his tail to the vibrations and got so into it, his tail made a big splash. He quickly dove down again.

"Whoa, did you hear that? Must be some bigguns ‘round here. You know how to pick a spot, I'll give you that," Wayne said excitedly.

He’d heard something like that before. His heart sank a little that his favourite human might be one of those cruel people with barbed hooks.

"If you wanted to do your gross fishing, you shoulda brought your gear," Eddie grumbled as he rustled with some paper. "The only thing I wanna catch out here are some rays, a buzz, and some z’s."

He relaxed. Favourite human didn’t like to hunt the sea. He went up a few notches in his estimations.

"You’re crazy. Only a madman would fish here. Everyone knows it’s cursed," the older human said, and he could hear the genuine fear in his voice.

Eddie only laughed. "Those old folktales are why I come out here. And as you can see, it's peaceful. No monsters from the deep, no sudden storms or rough seas."

"Yeah, well, I'm gonna stick to my book, smokes, and beer, and not tempt any bad luck our way."

Until the sun went down, there was music and laughter and food, some of which he got to sample because Eddie fumbled it while talking animatedly with his hands. As he listened, it became apparent that the older human, Wayne, was Eddie's guardian, sort of, because he also overheard that Eddie didn’t really listen to him. Wayne fell asleep way before Eddie joined him.

Steve enjoyed the music and the hotdaurg . He wondered what land creatures they had hunted for these and how odd they must look. Like sea slugs, but very plain, brown, and not as squishy.

He almost joined them in slumber, curled up around the chain of their anchor under the boat, whilst Wayne rested across the seats and Eddie on top of the yat , but the feel of something approaching in the water put him on high alert.

The Jerkskees .

That’s what Eddie called them. Loud humans. Fast ones. The ones who ruined the quiet with shouting and roaring machines. But right now, they were quiet in their approach, in a squidgy boat using only paddles.

He thought they would pass, but they didn’t. Eddie and Wayne didn’t wake, and he began to panic. Nothing approached anything so quietly and secretly without ill intent, even if only mischief. The little inflatable boat drifted toward the yacht. Steve studied the ropes trailing overboard, saw the limbs shifting just above the surface. Definitely headed to climb aboard.

Quickly, he swam up, rocking the boat and brushing his long tail across the clumsy limbs of one human, who froze and screamed. Gracelessly swimming back to the other Jerkskee .

"No fucking way, dude! There is something down there! And it's big! I'm not risking it. No way!"

The boat began to move away, but all the commotion woke Wayne.

"Hey, get outta here!" he yelled groggily at the Jerkskees . "Eddie, wake up! Someone's tryin' to board us."

The small boat hurried away. Eddie didn’t wake. Wayne kept shouting until there was a thud, a gasp from the small boat that suddenly picked up speed, and then a loud splash.

The old human was drifting down into the water, but he wasn’t swimming. His limbs only moved with the water. Steve saw the small red ribbon of blood floating up and dispersing. He knew that was unsafe in these waters and hurried to scoop the man and get him quickly to the surface.

With all the commotion, he was certain Eddie would wake, but he could still hear his snores as he surfaced.

With all his might, he tried to push Wayne back up onto the yacht, but it was almost impossible without throwing him. He could also sense predators approaching in the water. This wasn’t safe for him or the humans.

He grimaced at the unfortunate decision he had to make. He blew air into the human, held it in for him with his hand, held him close, and dove down before surging back up at speed. He twisted, then rocketed upward. They burst from the sea and landed hard on the deck in a wet heap.

He was certain that would wake Eddie, but all there was was a snort, a pause in the snoring, mumbling, “Yeah, mhmm, autographs, later,” and then it resumed. This human could really relax. He was excellent at conserving energy. Another thing that he would normally adore about him, but right now, he needed his help.

He turned his attention to Wayne and started copying some motions he’d seen many times on land or boats when humans were pulled from the water.

The older man beneath him spluttered up the water and began to breathe and cough. For a second, he relaxed and then realised his tail would give him away until he dried off.

Quickly, he opened up his bag and put on the yellow plasteeque body cover. Using all his might, he pushed Wayne into a seat, and then himself.

The man opened his eyes a few times but closed them again, and Steve could see the wound on his head was only a small cut, nothing serious. But the man was shivering. He moved close to keep him warm until he could do more.

As his legs began to take shape while he dried off, he finally felt safe enough to wake Eddie.

He clambered unsteadily up onto the top of the yat . His heart was hammering in his chest. He never thought he’d be this close to his favourite human. The closer he got, the more beautiful he became in his slumber. And for the first time, he said his name, and it was almost overwhelming.

"Eddie", he said softly at first, but when there was no response, he pushed him slightly. Though he wasn’t built like a merman, his body was pleasantly firm to the touch.

"Wh-what? Wayne? Who the fuck?" Eddie sprang up so fast, his arms flailing. He almost went overboard, too, but Steve grabbed him in time and got rapidly hit with open-hand slaps for his efforts.

"Ow! That hurts," he complained, surprised he could express himself in human language, and equally impressed by Eddie’s power.

Eddie picked up a glass bottle and held it out threateningly.

"Get off my fucking boat, man, or I swear to God I’ll end you... Steve ."

Steve? Who was Steve? He turned behind him to look for someone else, but there was no one. He turned back and followed Eddie’s eyes to the brooch and noticed he had one too. He recognised most of these letters. E…D…ah! Eddie!

He smiled hugely. The brooch had given him a human name.

"Yes, Steve," he said proudly.

Eddie frowned, but the bottle lowered a little. He looked confused.

"Ah!" newly named Steve said. “Your guardian fell in the water. I helped. He is wet and cold now. He needs more help.”

"Guardian?" Eddie repeated, perplexed. "Wayne?" he said suddenly, panicking. "Wayne!"

He dashed off.

Steve trailed behind, smiling brightly at having his first human conversation, as Eddie flew across the yat , yelling in panic.

"Oh my God! Ohmygodohmygod," he yelled, and Steve saw Eddie hurry faster than a marlin, darting back and forth.

"Well, don’t just stand there!" Eddie screeched in that familiar distressed gull tone, but the expression was different, and Steve felt weirdly pulled to action, and he scrambled after the towels Eddie threw at him.

Eddie worked quickly, undressing and drying Wayne, putting him in new, dry and warm fabrics. The whole time, his face was in deep distress, but his hands moved fast and purposefully, even though his breaths were shaky. Steve marvelled at him. Wayne must be very important to him. Eddie was a very good caretaker.

Eddie picked up Wayne with unexpected ease. 

"You are very strong!" Steve said with a smile, and Eddie looked at him oddly as he took Wayne below deck.

Steve waited, listening. He could hear the older man was awake and thankfully talking, though it was in whispers.

"Now you’re all sorted, I gotta get rid of that lunatic in a yellow rain mac. Seriously, can’t take you anywhere," Eddie grumbled.

"He’s still here?" Wayne’s voice was raspy, surprised.

"Yes, crazy Steve is still here. Hey! Where are you- Get back here!" Eddie yelled, but Steve could already hear Wayne’s slightly laboured breaths approaching.

"You’re the young man who saved me?" Wayne asked, inspecting every bit of Steve, then looking out at the water.

Steve nodded. “Yes. You fell. I caught you.”

Wayne eyed him carefully. "You’re not one from the dinghy."

" Dingeee ?" Steve repeated curiously. Wayne’s eyes scanned him and then the water again.

"Where's ya boat?" Wayne asked, narrowing his eyes. Steve felt his stomach churn.

"Don’t hav-" he started, but was interrupted by Eddie pushing past him and fussing over Wayne.

"Will you sit down! You've hit your head!" Eddie huffed and forced Wayne to sit. "Of course, he's from the dinghy. There’s nothing else out here. You think he was just swimming randomly in the middle of the ocean at night? Probably felt bad you got hurt, is all. Not like the rest of his dickhead friends."

" Jerkskees ," Steve added.

"Oh, it was those guys, was it?!" Eddie said, still fussing with Wayne and wrapping him in a coat.

Wayne continued to eye Steve suspiciously. “Now, why would he call them that? That’s your name for ‘em.” Steve watched in horror, as Wayne fingertips almost touched a few of his shedded scales on the seat next to him.

"What's got into you? Obviously, he heard me shout it at them on another day he was with them. Whatever the case, he stayed and saved your ass, if what you say is true. Though right now, I'm wondering if it is."

"It is true! I swam. Saved Wayne," Steve added.

"How d'ya know my name?" Wayne asked curiously.

"How hard did you hit your head? He’s been hearing me yell it at you. He probably knows my name too from you babblin' it when he was saving you or somethin'," Eddie said, his voice getting louder.

“Eddie,” Steve said with a big smile, then quickly covered his mouth. His sharp teeth might be frightening to a human. But Wayne wasn’t scared earlier. He padded over to a shiny bit of metal, saw his distorted face, and smiled toothily at himself. He saw that his sharp teeth were gone. He tapped their mostly flat replacements with his finger and giggled to himself. He still had four sharpish ones.

“See?” Eddie muttered to Wayne, exasperated. But Steve had already slipped from view.

Eddie looked around until he spotted him again. Steve turned his head and smiled widely, waving happily.

Eddie just stood there, blinking. His mouth opened and shut like a fish. Then, oddly, his face turned a little pink. He rubbed the back of his neck and muttered something under his breath before turning quickly to Wayne, who had started talking again.

Steve tilted his head, curious. He rubbed the back of his neck, then checked his reflection for any pinkness of the skin. Nothing. He tried mumbling under his breath, too, but it didn’t seem to do anything.

Maybe it was a kind of warning. Or a defence posture? Either way, he should show Eddie he wasn’t a threat.

He stood a little straighter, tucked his arms behind his back, and tried not to smile too big just in case.

“Eddie, that guy was not on that boat. There were two people. Two left. I don’t know where he came from.”

"Do you know how crazy you sound right now?" Eddie said through gritted teeth and took a breath. "Look, maybe one slipped into the water before the other one did, okay? Maybe he's some crazy night swimmer, who you, by the way, are lucky to have met. Whatever the circumstance, he saved you. I'll get us back to the harbour, and we'll all go home."

"How many guys do you know that swim in a rain mac?" Wayne asked with a laugh. "And he's sayin' weird things. Things you say."

"You know what? Let's just hear it. Let's just hear this crackpot idea you’re dancin' around, okay?" Eddie sighed, slapping his hands against his thighs.

Wayne scoffed from his seat, still wrapped in many layers.

“I’m tellin’ you. I think he’s one of them merfolk.”

Eddie let out a long, tired sigh and rolled his eyes and looked to the sky. “Christ, Wayne.”

But Wayne didn’t back down, even as he went below deck. “Don’t you do that. They ain’t just folktales. There ain’t no smoke without fire.”

Eddie shook his head and bent to gather Wayne's wet coverings up. Wayne stared at Steve for a long moment. He responded with a friendly smile and gave a small wave. Wayne sighed, then leaned back on what looked like softer seats.

“Well, alright. Fine. You win,” he muttered, settling deeper into the cushions. “He’s just some... stray fishin’ enthusiast with good timing and no boat. Nothin’ weird about that.”

Eddie stopped what he was doing. “I- I win?” He narrowed his eyes. “You’re being real chill about this all of a sudden.”

Wayne gave a slow, crooked smile, closing his eyes.

“I’m old, not blind. You can figure the rest out yourself. Just maybe don’t let the pretty mystery boy distract you too much and steer us into a reef while you’re too busy starin’ at him.”

Eddie froze. “What? I’m not- shut up. You need rest.”

“Yup,” Wayne said, already drifting. “Gonna rest. You kids go play sailor.”

“But I need- ” Eddie started, then grunted in frustration.

Steve didn’t want to upset his favourite human further. Eddie was still rattled from Wayne’s fall, his movements quick and snappy, his voice tight with leftover panic. He wanted him to like him, and so far, the only thing Eddie had liked was that he helped Wayne.

“Steve, help?” Steve chirped, approaching slowly, hands still behind his back, smiling with a closed mouth.

Eddie turned to him and looked him over. “Uh, yeah, I guess.”

Steve clapped his hands and attempted to spin around with delight, like he would in the water, but lost his footing. He was ready to fall with a bump when he felt something else instead, warm arms wrapped around him.

“Easy there,” Eddie said, but it was different. His voice was much softer than usual, and he was looking right at him. It made Steve feel like a thousand wild seahorses were charging around in his stomach. Eddie steadied him and then stepped back fast, clearing his throat and looking anywhere but at him.

“So yeah, if you, uh, just take the helm,” Eddie said, looking away and waving his hand.

“ Huh-elm ?” Steve questioned.

Eddie’s head whipped around, squinting at him. “You’re not from around here, are you?”

Steve shook his head. “No.” But he couldn’t lie to Eddie. “From under,” he said, shivering a little.

“Oh, you’re Australian!” Eddie said with some relief. “You don’t have the accent. I wouldn’t have known. Would explain the crazy night swimming, though.” Eddie stopped fussing with the boat. “Oh shit, sorry, are you cold? Uh, let me get you something.”

Eddie hurried away and returned with a bundle of human coverings. One was very familiar. He’d seen Eddie wear it. He grabbed the T-shirt with the lightning and chair on it and smiled hugely.

“Metallica fan, huh? It's a great album, though I’m starting to-” But Eddie’s words were cut short as Steve dropped his raincoat without hesitation and started pulling on the shirt. He got tangled, flailed briefly, then popped out of the neck hole, grinning at Eddie, whose mouth was wide open as he stared. Slowly, he offered the leg coverings to Steve.

They were so soft, Steve couldn’t help but squeeze them experimentally in his hands a few times before trying to remember how he had seen people putting them on.

“Guess Australians are a bit more, uh, free with their bodies?” Eddie cleared his throat again and turned in the opposite direction while Steve pulled on the soft clothing, stumbling a little. Then he returned to his friendly stance and waited for Eddie again.

Eddie eventually turned around, his eyes covered, and slowly parted his fingers.

“Well, they’ve done absolutely nothing to help.”

“Nothing to help?” Steve repeated, brows pushed together in deep concern.

“Oh my! Uh, uh...” Eddie seemed to be making short words, like he was stuck, or noises that Steve hadn’t heard before, then suddenly a whole bunch came out at once.

“WhatIMeanIsYou’reALittleBiggerBuiltThanMeSoTheClothesAreABit, uh, tight.”

Clothes. Tight. He knew that one. From the ones that looked like big seals from below. Their coverings were tight. So clothes were coverings. Yes! Steve patted his sides and hips with a smile. “Yes, tight. Very good fit.”

Steve watched as Eddie rolled his eyes and bit his fist, then took a deep breath.

“Why is it always the crazy ones?” Eddie muttered. “Listen, it's clear maybe you are from down under, but there’s still some language barrier here. So, um, you go there and steer with the wheel, you know, the bit that’s round and spins.” He made a circle shape with his fingers in the air and pointed at the part of the boat where Steve had often seen Eddie.

Steve could hardly believe his luck. The excitement bubbled up in him.

“Steve will be Captain Eddie now?”

Eddie nodded, then smiled bashfully. “Yeah, Steve will be Captain... well, Captain Steve now.”

Steve laughed, punched the air, and tried to spin around again, but this time he stopped himself.

“Steve will not fall this time,” he said, raising a finger.

A beautiful laugh burst out of Eddie, and it was so pretty to Steve, though its volume seemed to startle something in the distance. Steve quickly made his way to where he had been directed, and Eddie followed him.

Steve took in the huh-elm . He’d seen things like this before, but much bigger, ornate, and ancient, in shipwrecks. He raised his eyes to look for Eddie and almost jumped. He was much closer than expected, and his eyes were looking right into his. It felt like the lightning bolts on the body covering had been absorbed into him. He froze in place. Enchanted. Bewitched. He swallowed nervously. He half expected Eddie to look or move away, but he didn’t. If anything, he leaned in closer.

“So, I’m guessing you haven’t steered one of these babies before, huh?”

Steve just shook his head, a little disappointed. He’d seen people use them but didn’t know how they worked.

“Well, lucky for you, you haven’t gotta do too much, okay? Just put your hands here and here.” Eddie took Steve’s hands and placed them on the wheel, and the warmth of his touch almost made Steve melt. “Just hold this steady, and as long as the stars-” he pointed to the sky, and Steve mouthed the word, “ stay where they are, you’re doing a good job, okay? I’ll do the rest, and once we get going, I’ll come and help out.”

Steve felt like he was in a dream. He had a new name, new human coverings, clothes. He’d done a good deed and pleased his favourite human, and they had touched.

He stayed exactly in place as Eddie busied himself around the yat , and not long after, he felt the boat move. 

“Just keep her steady, okay?” Eddie’s voice rang out, and Steve gripped the wheel with all his strength. This felt important. Powerful. Like steering a coral chariot.

“Yes, very steady!” He called back, delighted to be in conversation with Eddie. But something was missing. This wasn’t quite right. Ah, the sounds were missing. They must be around here somewhere.

He saw Eddie disappear to check on Wayne and then return.

“Well, look at you! Looks like you’re about to sail this thing straight into a romance novel,” Eddie grinned, with his hands on his hips.

Steve felt proud, not knowing what Eddie meant, but he felt good. Standing tall, controlling a human device, wind in his hair, and the salty ocean aroma in the night air. The inky black waves shimmered beneath the brightness of the full moon.

“Steve is being like Eddie,” Steve beamed.

“Oh yeah? Maybe Wayne was right. Maybe you were spying on us.” Eddie smirked.

“No! Never a spy!” Steve said with a pout. “Didn’t want to scare Eddie.”

Eddie tilted his head and let out a little laugh as he folded his arms.

“You want me to take over, or are you enjoying being me? Because let me tell you, it ain’t no cakewalk!”

Steve looked for something that made the sounds. Then he saw the shiny box, found the button that looked the most used, and pressed it.

The sounds blasted very loudly, making him jump. Being that close was very different from hearing them in the water.

Eddie winced, rushed over, and turned a circle on the side.

“Jesus Christ, Steve, you tryin’ to wake up the entire ocean?”

Steve looked sheepish. “I like the sounds.”

“Yeah?” Eddie beamed at him. “Me too. But we don’t wanna wake any of Wayne’s sea monster friends now, do we?”

Steve knew what the sea was, but ‘monster’ he wasn’t sure of. “Monster?”

“Uh, like something scary and big.” Eddie bared his teeth in a deep frown and spread his fingers like they had webbing.

“Eddie is afraid of them?”

“What? Sea monsters? Nah.” Eddie laughed. “They aren’t real.”

“If they were? Would Eddie be scared?” Steve asked seriously, nervous that he was about to find out his true form was scary and disgusting to his favourite human.

Eddie’s face did something complicated as he looked at Steve, then below deck, then back again, before taking a seat.

“Well, that would depend. If they were trying to hurt me,” Eddie said, looking intently at Steve.

“No, they would never hurt,” Steve said defensively.

“Okay, well... something can be scary just ‘cause of its sheer size. How big are we talking here?”

“Steve size,” he said plainly.

“And do they look like Steve? Or do they look like, I dunno, a shark or octopus?”

Steve laughed incredulously. He gestured from his navel up. “Like Steve.” Then gestured from his navel down. “A mighty, beautiful tail. With very, uh, metal fins.”

Eddie narrowed his eyes. “I’m gonna need something stronger for this,” he muttered, pulling something out of his pocket and putting it to his mouth. He lit it, and it made the air smell sweet, like the usual smell from Eddie’s boats.

“Okay, let’s say that’s true. Why would I never have seen one?”

“Ah, very good at hiding. And smart. And fast.”

“Why would they hide? They’re beautiful and strong, right?”

“Yes. But humans hunt. Hurt for no reason.”

“Well, no arguing there. Some humans hurt anything. But what do these merpeople want with humans? Souls? Voices? Skin? Impregnation?” Eddie asked with increasing horror, and though Steve wasn’t sure what he meant exactly, it sounded bad.

“No! No. They look. Learn. And clean their mess.”

Eddie looked guilty. “Yeah, we do... do that, don’t we?” He said solemnly, his eyes still flicking over Steve. He got to his feet, tucking one thumb into the top of his leg coverings.

“What would a merperson find so interesting about me?” He asked softly.

It was easy to get lost, looking at him standing there, the moonlight highlighting his eyes and skin, the breeze moving through his beautiful hair.

Steve looked at him like it was obvious. “Because Eddie is good. Makes great sounds. No hunt. Laughs. Sings. When Eddie is happy, it makes others feel good too.”

Eddie’s eyebrows raised, “Someone would feel good hearing me laugh and sing? You sure they wouldn’t feel annoyed or want to throw something?”

“Oh no,” Steve laughed and shook his head, “Eddie is very beautiful when he’s happy, on the ocean enjoying sounds.” Eddie stepped closer, a hard-to-read look on his face. It's not something Steve had ever seen before on a human. “You think I’m beautiful?” Eddie's voice dropped in volume and pitch, barely moving his lips, and so quietly, Steve was sure it was only for his ears. And then he realised Eddie had tricked him into revealing the truth. He felt his face grow very hot. He looked at Eddie and felt he had been well and truly caught. “Yes. The most beautiful.” “On this boat?” Eddie asked cautiously. The warmth from his face spread down his neck as he shook his head, “Out of all humans, Steve has seen.” “How many have you seen?” Steve took a deep breath and looked to the sky and threw his hand up, and swept it across the view of the stars above him, “That many.” Eddie’s eyes followed Steve’s to the sky, and he blew out an exhale from his pouted lips.

“Well, if it’s worth anything… You’re very, uh, beautiful too,” he added, his gaze lingering on the stars a moment longer.

If he were in the water, Steve would’ve leapt out of it and flipped over in a spray of ocean waves. He was giddy with excitement. Instead, he gripped the wheel tightly, a huge smile spreading across his face.

“Eddie likes Steve? Like Steve likes Eddie?” He asked excitedly and then almost jumped back at how fast Eddie’s head snapped around, eyes narrowed.

“…You really mean that?” Eddie asked. “That I’m…” He pulled a strand of hair over his mouth, and blinked his eyelashes, and anemone would be jealous of, “Beautiful?”

Steve nodded slowly. “Yes. More when Eddie laughs. Or when you look at Steve, like now.”

“You’re gonna kill me, man,” Eddie laughed softly, a little nervous, spinning on his heel in a full circle. “Wayne’s gonna have an absolute field day with this.” He ran a hand down his face, then stepped forward just enough that Steve could feel the warmth of him in the cool night air.

Steve tilted his head, waiting.

“What about beautiful merpeople? You got a merwife or merhusband?” Eddie asked, voice casual but curious.

“What is ‘mer’ to Eddie?”

“I mean, where you’re from, are there other beautiful people like you? That you like? Do you have someone to, um…” Eddie scratched his head, “Someone to hold? Or kiss?”

Steve thought hard. It was true that others like him were beautiful, but it wasn’t the same. And “hold”, he knew his family would embrace him. But “kiss”, he wasn’t sure of. He had heard the word shouted sometimes when people were pulled from the water, but he didn’t understand why Eddie was asking now.

“Hmmm. Difficult. Yes, many beautiful. Yes, to hold.” Steve watched Eddie’s posture sink. “But not the same. Only Eddie makes Steve feel good.”

Eddie brightened instantly.

“Kiss of life? Like for Wayne?” Steve asked, unable not to beam back at him.

Eddie laughed, and Steve couldn’t help but join in. Watching him smile, seeing his eyes sparkle, it was his favourite thing in the world now that he’d seen it up close.

“Sort of,” Eddie said, stepping a little closer again. “When people think they’re both beautiful, and both feel good, and both agree to, they can kiss. It’s similar to the kiss of life, but not the same. It’s not for drowning. It’s for… feeling good.”

Steve looked confused, and Eddie must’ve seen it because he tried again.

“I could show you?”

And for the first time, Steve hesitated. Something felt different between them. The air was charged, like just before a storm.

“It’s not dangerous. Promise.” Eddie reached out and touched his arm, and Steve felt like he became part jellyfish at the warmth of it.

He locked on to Eddie’s eyes, searching them, and it felt amazing for some reason.

“If it is a good thing… Steve will try.”

For a few moments, neither of them moved. Then Eddie leaned in, slowly. His eyes had left Steve’s and were focused on his mouth now. A shiver ran down Steve’s spine.

He stayed perfectly still, wondering what would happen, and then their lips met.

It was soft and warm and made Steve feel like he was floating in the most peaceful lagoon. His eyes fluttered closed so he could relish the feeling, holding the wheel tightly to keep himself standing. The world slowed. For a moment, all he could hear was the water and wind.

Then, all too soon, Eddie’s lips left his. All that remained was a small noise of complaint from Steve.

“You okay?” Eddie murmured.

“Yes. Okay. Very good. That was very good. Can I have another?” Steve asked quickly, and it made Eddie laugh adorably. Leaning against the rail, arms folded, Eddie stood as if he had calmed the winds himself, and the music had faded to a gentle hum behind them. Steve was still at the wheel, looking impossibly pleased with himself.

“Well”, Eddie said softly, “I guess you don’t really wanna go back to the harbour now, huh?”

Steve turned, his smile gentle. “Steve can. Very good swimmer. And… hmmm… navigator.”

A huffed laugh from Eddie before stepping over to him. “Alright, Captain. Let’s take her home.”

They sailed under moonlight, trading kisses when Eddie wasn’t adjusting sails or keeping an eye on their heading. When he could, he stood behind Steve at the wheel, arms wrapped around him, his chin resting on his shoulder. Steve loved every second.

By the time they moored the yacht, dawn was just beginning to brush the sky. Wayne hadn’t stirred much, bundled up and snoring softly below deck. The disappointed glance they exchanged spelt out that they both knew without words that Steve could not stay in this form much longer.

He slipped back into his yellow raincoat, the one with the old badge still pinned to the chest. Eddie watched him with his hands in his pockets, eyes soft.

“You gonna be out there tomorrow?” Eddie asked, nodding toward the water.

“Eddie’s place,” he replied with a sure nod.

A gorgeous, shy, dimpled smile spread over his favourite human’s face, “Good. Eddie would very much like that.”

Steve waved goodbye, smiling too, his heart full, as he slipped into the water and regained his form. He decided to pack away his yellow coat in his bag so he could show off flipping out of the water in a high arc and landing with a loud splash just for Eddie, who was still gazing out after him.

He didn’t know how a human and someone like himself could be together. He couldn’t explain everything that had happened or might happen, and he didn’t need to.

All he knew was that tomorrow, Eddie would be there. Sounds blaring through the water. Hair flowing in the breeze. A smile on his lips, just like always.

That was enough.

The next day and the one after that, Steve returned to the same place at the same time, and always, his Eddie arrived, looking out eagerly across the sea for him.

A towel and a pile of clothes at the ready. A set of tapes, and arms as open and bracing as the ocean herself.

Steve still didn’t know what the days ahead would bring.

But he knew this. Eddie would be there, and Steve would never hide again.

[stevieharringtonwifeguy]

human researchers not realising merfolk have a kind of a/b/o situation so they put mer!steve and mer!eddie in a tank together and then get confused when suddenly they're overrun with baby mer

[inkstainedheartbeats]

Steve rams against the invisible barrier of the cage he’s been put in. His shoulder hurts and around him other mers tell him to stop. But they don’t understand. Those two legged bastards stole his kids. They’re his and he had made promises. SNAP! He ignores the pain. Ignores the scent of blood that is his wounds reopening. They took his fry. His babies. They took them. He pounds on the barrier, wailing warbles coming from his mouth. Two legged beings gather. They point and their odd language is muffled. He just wants his fry. Please. Please he can’t lose anymore pod members. He can’t be alone.

\\=\\=\\

Eddie watches as the newest “rescue” beats himself against the glass. Listens to his wailing. Flinching at each thud. No on goes up to the Alpha and it’s not just because he’s an Alpha. He’s a Lionfish. Sharp barbs fanned out and dangerous. His tan skin, what isn’t covered in bandages tell a story of pain. Eddie was born in this tank, one of the few fins folded in such a way that if he were released like his father was he’d be dead. Wayne had fought like hell- oh shit.

Hesitantly, slowly, he approaches. A raging Alpha doesn’t typically like it when another one approaches. Especially if the other Alpha is a shark.

“Please. Please, I can’t lose them too. Please.”

Eddie hadn’t seen his arrival. Adult mers were dumped into the enclosure, wounds and temperament be damned, pups usually went to the smaller pool up front until the humans were comfortable they wouldn’t be eaten alive.

“If you keep doing that the humans are going to think you’re dangerous,” he says softly.

The mer turns, teeth flashing in threat, head held high like Poseidon before his court.

“I am.”

“If you’re dangerous they won’t introduce any pups.”

The Alpha shrinks on himself. Like he’s approaching one of the actual sharks in the tank, ones he can see hovering held back by other mers, Eddie reaches out. Places a hand on the other Alpha’s shoulder. Draws him in for a hug.

“If they aren’t returned to you by tomorrow, I’ll bug my favorite human.”

He doesn’t know this mers name. Just knows that he smells of the ocean, of salt and freedom and things Eddie has only dreamed of. He knows that despite being dangerous and deadly he curls up in Eddie’s embrace. Mate. Eddie’s never been good at this. Tends to run when he can, not that he’s fast. Amphitrite don’t let him mess this up.

[scoops-aboy86]

🧜‍♂️ Delayed Inheritance, pt 2

(pt 1; also on ao3)

In which Eddie rescues a new sheepie uhhhhh guppy? 1565 words.

Eddie is not a prince; he’s just Eddie. He barely remembers his mother, wishes he didn’t remember his father, and lives in a cave with his uncle not far from the shore. The local population is a little sparse, but he has a few friends. Sometimes they get up to stupid reckless shit, and sometimes they make music that sounds like a crashing wave colliding with a rock slide. (His uncle doesn’t understand why that’s fun but Eddie thinks it’s powerful and awesome. Like a primal scream.)

But he’s alone today, the day, the most important day in his life. He doesn’t know that’s what it is at first; he’s just floating on his back out on the water, bobbing passively between the ocean swells like the lone driftwood or stray seal he knows he’d be mistaken for by anyone watching. One flick of his long, black-scaled tail and he could be gone beneath the glittering ocean’s surface in an instant.

His ears are still beneath the water, so he hears the call when it comes. The fear-call, a chirruping subvocalization that no mer can fake, that his uncle has ingrained in him to never ignore… simply by answering Eddie’s own call once, when it had mattered the most.

Eddie dips under the water without even thinking, twisting towards the noise and then barreling towards it with a powerful kick, long hair streaming behind him in the water. It’s close to the shore, too close to the shore—dangerous, if there are humans about. And sure enough, as he closes in he can hear high-pitched shrieking. Focuses to put on even more speed so that when he emerges from the shallows to the surf he explodes out of the water, snarling a warning and baring his teeth. He reaches for the other mer, who is tangled up in something—not a traditional net, Eddie notes—and isn’t all that surprised when the mer tries to thrash away. Panic will do that. But Eddie is strong enough to drag him, even with the human fluttering about and still screaming while more approach at a run in the distance, back into water deep enough to cover both their gills and hopefully that will help him calm down.

It does not.

“Let GO,” the other mer bellows in Eddie’s face while still. Fucking. Chirping. “What did you do to me?!”

“Excuse you, I fucking rescued you,” Eddie retorts. He’s starting to realize that the not-traditional-net is a lot like those fitted things that humans wear to make up for their sad lack of fins and scales. The bottom piece of it is shredded and billowing out from the mer’s waist like wide strips of kelp, but the top is wrapped constrictively around his arms and torso, which must be why his breathing is still so ragged—his gills are constricted. So Eddie grabs it and rips.

“My shirt,” the other mer yelps, but the subvocalization stops as soon as he can breathe freely again. The thrashing lessens.

Eddie finally gets a good look at him and almost lets go in shock about how drop-dead gorgeous he is. Not just his face and eyes and shoulders and short hair that looks so silky and soft in the water, swaying around his head in the tidal current, but his scales. Glossy and perfect and a burnished bronze that glows with a deep warmth in the sunny water. There are little spots of them peppered all up his chest and down his arms, even on his neck and face, which is…

Well, Eddie has never seen anything like it before. He’s speechless, mouth falling open like he’s trying to catch krill.

The other mer blinks back at him and stills, and they’re both just staring at each other. Eddie knows how he must look—hair curly and wild from his reckless swimming, eyes wide, flushed from the surprise and exertion of it all—and yet the stranger is looking him up and down, gills barely fluttering as if he’s been struck breathless.

“So merfolk are… You’re real? Not just fairy tales?”

“Uh…” Eddie looks down at his own tail as if that will make the question make more sense. “Yes? No? You do know that you are…?”

Blinking, the other mer looks down at himself. His eyes—kind of sleepy looking, and all colors of the sea and land at once—go very wide and snap back up again. “Oh. I guess this why I was never allowed to down to the beach,” he says weakly, and that jump starts Eddie’s flustered brain back into action.

“Down?” Eddie points back the way they’d just come. “That’s up, dude. Did you hit your head or something?”

In a sudden one eighty, the stranger draws himself up all stiff. “What, did it never occur to you that someone might come from there?” he sneers, and hey. Eddie’s heard that tone from just about every teacher he’s ever had, tadschool through secondary, just because at the start of it all his father had been so busy grifting that his attendance had suffered and he’s felt several knots behind ever since.

Something must show on his face, because the other mer’s expression goes from cold to distressed. Just as suddenly as he went stiff, he shakes his head as if to clear it. “Sorry—Look, no one takes me very seriously at home.”

That strikes a chord; Eddie never quite knows if most mer treat him like silt because of his father or for other, more valid reasons. Like the other day, when some asshole had set their pod of dolphins on him just because he happened to wander by the wrong coral field at the wrong time. Fuckers nearly got him too, he still has a few tears in his fins from that close call.

“I’m from the castle, up on the cliff, you know it?” Now it’s his turn to point, mimicking the way Eddie flailed his own gestures, though he drops his hand almost immediately to rake it through his pretty hair. At that sight, Eddie lets go of the last little bit of indignance that had sparked briefly in his chest. “Er… I don’t know how I got a tail… or the ability to breathe underwater… but I guess if fairy tales are real then magic is real too, so… That explains it, probably.”

And… sure. Magic probably does explain it.

“Don’t worry about it,” Eddie sighs. “I’m widely considered something of an acquired taste, myself.” He offers a flourish of his raggedy tail fins in belated greeting—nothing too formal, he’d just rescued this guy from suffocating and gotten only a bit of bitchiness for his trouble so far. “I’m Eddie.”

The stranger brightens immediately, like he’s relieved, but instead of answering in kind he holds out his hand for some reason. “Prince Stephen William Otis Harrington.”

That’s… a lot of names. Now, Eddie has only a vague awareness of the mer royal family, but he’s positive that there are no princes in it. King Triton’s only heirs are all princesses and mostly older. Meanwhile, he’s also blinking dumbly at the offered hand and trying to make sense of it. There’s something niggling at him, it’s just on the tip of his brain…

Seconds creep by and the strange mer—Stephen, apparently—looks increasingly flustered. He looks down at his own hand, then at his own tail and gives it a wiggle that doesn’t mean shit. It’s like watching a baby trying to swim for the first time, though Eddie feels kind of bad for thinking that after Stephen had apologized for… well, Eddie’s not super clear on what, to be honest, but for what felt like a mean response, anyway.

Whatever, Eddie’s already forgiven him. How could he hold a grudge against the prettiest mer he’s ever seen, the new gold standard for attractive that he’ll measure everyone he encounters for the entire rest of his life?

“… None of my etiquette tutors ever covered this,” Stephen mutters.

“Mine either,” Eddie jokes, reflexively trying to cheer him up when the pained expression looks so out of place on such a face. “Um, can I see something, though? Just real quick.”

Gently, he takes Stephen’s hand and tilts it. The action makes his wrist fully visible and Eddie can’t help but gasp when he gets a proper look at what had pinged ever so slightly in the radar of his peripheral vision.

“Oh, that’s a birthmark,” Stephen explains, like it’s nothing. “Kind of weird, huh? The way it looks like an 8?”

“That,” Eddie says, stomach sinking in dismay because of course he would meet the most gorgeous merman he’s ever seen only to realize just how out of his league Stephen is, “is a sea serpent biting its own tail. It’s on the royal crest because everyone in the family has one.” He slides his loose grip down and taps at the mark with his thumb. “See the indents there? That’s where it’s biting.” And flicks his gaze back up to meet Stephen’s captivating, baffled face. “Whatever is going on, I guess you really are a prince, big boy.”

Out of his league, out of his depth… But Eddie rescued him, so now he feels kind of responsible. They need backup here.

Eddie needs to take him to Uncle Wayne.

(pt 3, pt 4, pt 5, pt 6; also on ao3)

Tag list (ask to be added/removed): @hotluncheddie @sofadofax @sweetiepeabob @wheneverfeasible @yesdangerpls

@hiei-harringtonmunson @oatmilk-vampire @hamiltonswiftie @grtwdsmwhr @theseaofdespair

@ape31 @aceadoxography

[fishcalcart]

[maikaartwork]

Oh no, poor Steve got stung by some weird sea creatures all over his back. It’s so good that mer!Eddie is there to check if he’s alright.

There is a different version of this piece over on my naughty birdie account and bluesky

[bubblegumflavor]

"Billy, what have you done?"

"I don't care how hard the punishment will be, I had to save this one..."

The ocean is deep and full of big secrets that can never be revealed to the tiny species called human. But when Billy's favorite human was about to drown, he just had to help him.

For the @stmonstercalendar mermay bingo ♡

Prompt: Size difference

[fuctacles]

Anchored

for @steddiemicrofic delay and @stmonstercalendar cecaelia week and yacht from my mermay bingo card T | 408 | Steddie | Robin's POV, established relationship (of some kind), implied possessive and obsessive Eddie, Cecaelia Eddie, co-captains Stobin AU | Ao3

"We're waiting for the weather report," the deckhand explains to a passenger while warily observing Robin storm down from the upper deck towards him.

"And what's the real delay?" she hisses, despite already knowing the answer.

His face crumbles in distress. 

"The captain's missing."

Robin growls. And starts stripping, handing him pieces of her clothing, which he instinctively accepts.

"Wha—"

"Give me half an hour," she says once she's down to a one piece swimsuit, and before he can react, Robin flips over the railing. 

He runs up and watches her swim away for a moment before he goes to find someone to report that not only is the captain missing but also, his co-captain just jumped the railing. 

====

Unlike some people, Robin never was on a swim team, let alone as co-captain. Playing the trumpet did help with lung capacity but she still hated Eddie's place. If she ever falls in love with a merlady, she's permanently moving into her place, because she's not doing a swim like this on the regular. 

She's always dizzy and out of breath when she breaches the surface inside the cave, which is a good thing for Steve considering how much she wants to yell at him. 

Pissed off and shivering, she walks by the smooth walls of stone, slowly not to slip on the puddles and algae under her feet. By now, the sight of the 'bedroom' shouldn't be bothering her, but she can't help the small tinge of anxiety by seeing her best friend in the arms of a creature that could easily snap him in half. (She once half-joked to him about it and got a dreamy sigh in response. Never again.)

Under, around, and over him, Steve is wrapped in an ever-moving mass of tentacles, one set of human hands cradling his face, and huge black eyes gazing at him with hunger that sends shivers down Robin's spine. He looks blissed-out, high out of his mind and content. She almost feels bad pulling him out of it.

"You lovebirds forgot the time?"

Eddie scoffs. He hates when she calls them that.

"Huh?" Steve reluctantly looks away from his lover. 

"You have a yacht to co-captain?" Robin raises an eyebrow.

Slowly, the fog lifts from his eyes.

"Oh. Oh shit, I'm sorry—!" 

She sees Eddie's grip tighten minutely, before slithering away from his body, letting him go with a soft yet possessive kiss. 

"Go be human. I'll wait."

tags: @wheneverfeasible @phantomcat94 @blasvemous

[ghostlynimbus]

POV: You're Steve Harrington and the sea monster you're letting chill in your pool is kinda hot though. 😏

(Mer Billy Art for my fic Son of the Sea, available on AO3)

[hbyrde36]

STWG Daily Prompt 5/7/24: Mermay

Rating: Gen | WC: 1929 | AO3

Eddie had always lived his life in fear of being caught, of being labeled a freak for more than just his love of Metal, Tolkien, and D&D—not to mention his less than heterosexual leanings in the romance department, but that was a whole other thing with its own set of worries.    

Now here he was quite literally being hunted, though not for any of the reasons he’d expected. The whole town thought he was a monster, and he was—

Just not the type of monster they were accusing him of being.

They thought he was a murderer. 

In reality he was just a scared boy who’d spent his whole life trying desperately to keep the family secret, and got caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

For the first time since he was little, Eddie found himself grateful for his deformity, on the night Jason and his buddies had finally found his hiding place, the boathouse, and he’d been forced to flee via lake Rick’s boat. He’d paddled quietly by hand, hoping to avoid notice, but of course they’d spotted him anyway. Then the motor had proved all but useless when he’d tried to start it, and suddenly the other boys were in the water coming after him, gaining on him, until Patrick— 

He didn’t like to think about that part, the second time he’d had to watch someone die such a horrible death at the hands of Vecna, even if the guy had been part of the mob calling for his head. 

Knowing what was coming, Eddie had quickly shucked his pants and shoes, tucking them under his arm just as the boat tipped, sending him crashing into the dark water. And there it was, that familiar tingle at the base of his spine, the sensation of pins and needles running up and down his legs as bones and muscle reformed, knitting themselves together in a new way to form a long powerful tail—skin giving way to glistening black scales that covered him from hips to fluke. 

In seconds he was clear across the lake, much faster like this in the water than he could ever be on land—so fast that Jason was still screaming out Patrick’s name as Eddie pulled himself up onto the shore, praying he would dry out quickly and get his land legs back, and somehow be able to get in touch with Dustin and the others. 

That should have been it, the closest he’d ever come to discovery, but no, it seemed Lover’s Lake wasn’t done trying to ruin Eddie’s life yet, because he was right back on it the next night, in that same fucking useless excuse for a boat. 

His legs had eventually returned, and he managed to steal a walkie and reconnect with the others, but just as he was starting to think things were looking up, they spiraled out of control again, and they wound up hunting the day into the night chasing an electromagnetic field that would lead them to a gate to the underworld. 

A path that eventually led them—you guessed it! 

Back to Lover’s Lake. 

Steve bravely volunteered to be the one to take the dive, as the self proclaimed best swimmer of the group. Eddie had done his best not to snort at that, any semblance of laughter dying suddenly on his tongue anyway as he’d watched, or rather, gawked openly, as Steve stripped off his shirt, tossing it pointedly right at him. 

Eddie gulped. 

It’d all been fine at first. Steve came back up, announcing that he’d found the gate they were looking for, only to be pulled right back down again by an unseen force—and did not resurface. 

Nancy jumped in first, Robin shortly after, and Eddie…

“Goddamnit! Son of a bitch! Oh this is so stupid, this is so stupid, this is so stupid—shit–shit–shit!”

Eddie jumped in after them. 

The water soaked through his jeans in seconds—jeans that he’d neglected to take off this time—and his body quickly got the memo that it was being submerged, the denim fabric shredding to pieces in the transformation. 

Great, that was going to be awkward later. 

With a whip of his tail, Eddie dove deeper. Nancy must have made it through the pulsing red hole in the ground already, but he could see Robin still struggling to swim her way towards it. He snatched her by the hand on his way by, pulling her down, and shoved her through the gate ahead of him, hoisting himself through, well, up and out right behind her. 

Nancy and Robin had taken up oars from somewhere, and were about ten feet away fighting off an air attack of freaky looking bat creatures, while Steve was laid out on the ground, struggling—choking, while one of the things had its tails wrapped around his neck. 

Eddie dragged himself, hand over hand, along the dry ground, the girls too busy to spare him more than a wide eyed glance, until he reached Steve’s side, and together they were able to pry the little fucker’s tail loose from his throat, while Eddie beat another one off Steve’s side with the end of his tail. 

When the last of the bats had been dispatched, and the group had collectively caught their breath, Eddie found three puzzled faces aimed right at him.

“Well, don’t stand there gaping at me, help him!” Eddie hollered, gesturing to Steve and his multiple bleeding wounds. 

Steve startled, looking down at himself as though only just realizing for the first time that he was actually injured, hissing in pain as his fingers ghosted over his chewed up sides.

Nancy leapt right into action, tearing a strip of fabric off the bottom of her shirt to use for wrapping his torso, as Robin watched attentively over the whole thing, holding Steve’s hand. 

But Steve couldn't seem to stop looking at Eddie, with this… unreadable expression. 

Eddie fought not to squirm. 

He knew what was coming. The second Steve was taken care of they would all turn on him with suspicion, with questions. 

But they never got the chance. 

No sooner was Steve patched up and ready to go, than a series of chittering calls sounded, a few close by, more off in the distance. Four or five of the demon bats surrounded the gate, cutting off their way back, and a swarm, dozens more of the creatures filled the sky, heading straight for them.

Robin wrung her hands as she stared out at the horizon. “We have to get out of here.”

She was right. They were too exposed out here in the open, sitting ducks.

Nancy looked around wildly, searching for a solution. “The woods!” She shouted, pointing towards a thicket of trees that just might provide enough cover to hide them.

“But, Eddie–” Steve began.

“Just go,” Eddie shook his head, dropping his gaze to the ground. “I–I won’t be running anywhere for a while, and you–” he cut himself off, gasping as he felt strong arms slide under his tail and around his back, lifting him.

“You’re one of us now, man.” Steve said, cradling him to his chest. “We’re not leaving you behind.”

Eddie threw his arms over Steve's shoulders automatically as the other boy began to walk at a brisk pace. “But you can’t! Steve, you're hurt!”

Steve looked Eddie right in the eyes, grit his teeth, and adjusted his hold. “Not too hurt to carry you. We’re gonna make it out of here. All of us. Okay?”

“Okay.”

When they were deep enough into the woods and fairly confident they were no longer being stalked by the army of evil overgrown flying rats, Nancy and Robin scouted up ahead a bit to figure out the way to the Wheeler house, while Steve and Eddie made their slow and steady way along behind them. 

“Thanks, by the way, for saving my ass back there.” Steve said after a while.

“Thanks for carrying me.”

“So,” Steve cleared his throat awkwardly. “How does it work?”

Eddie had never really prepared for this, never thought he’d have anyone to explain it to. “You, uh, you see the movie Gremlins?”

Steve tilted his head.

“Dude, don’t you work in a video store?” Eddie sighed. “You know, the furry little monsters with the rules? No light, no feeding them after midnight, and–”

“Don't get them wet.” Steve finished for him, nodding. 

“Bingo.”

“Is that why you always skipped gym class on swim days?”

“Be kinda hard to hide this thing, don’t you think?” Eddie flapped the end of his tail for emphasis, the force making Steve stumble. Eddie grimaced, heat rising in his cheeks. “Sorry.”

There was something so incredibly intimate about talking like this, with Steve holding him close, their faces only a handful of inches apart. It made his heart race.

Steve smiled, letting out a breathy laugh as he shook his head. “What do you do when it rains?”

“Rain is usually okay. My legs have to be completely soaked or submerged to start the change.”

“And right now your legs are..?”

“They’ll be back once I dry out.” Eddie bit his lip. “I’m sorry, I know it’s disgusting.”

Steve frowned. “Is that what you think?”

Eddie shrugged. “It’s what my dad always said. That’s why I live with my uncle Wayne now. Good ole Al kicked me out. I–uh, inherited the gene from my mom, apparently, and after she died and he saw what happened to me in the bath he freaked out. Said he didn’t sign up to raise a monster.”

“You’re not a monster, Eddie.”

“Look at me, Steve. If not a monster, then I’m definitely a freak,  just like everyone says I am.”

“I think you’re beautiful.”

Eddie scoffed. “What, you got a thing for dudes with tails, Harrington?”

It had to be some kind of joke. He was part fish for fuck’s sake. Slimy—gross! Even if, by some miracle, Steve Harrington of all people actually was some flavor of queer, he could never be into Eddie. Not really.  

“No… Just you.”

“What?”

“You are beautiful, Eddie. With and without the tail. I’ve always…” Steve halted his steps, holding him impossibly tighter as his gaze flitted between Eddie’s eyes and mouth. “I used to look at you, in school. I just didn’t understand why, but… I’ve done some growing up, and I think I get it now.

“Oh.” Eddie found his own gaze being drawn to Steve’s lips as well.

Steve leaned in, asking softly, “Can I?”. 

“Yes.” Eddie breathed. He couldn’t believe this was happening, it couldn’t be real. 

Steve closed the small distance between them, his soft lips so unsure at first, ghosting over Eddie’s for a moment before pressing in, insistent. Eddie melted into it, toes curling, and a sound, an embarrassing mix of a whine and a moan, formed in the back of his throat. 

They both pulled back from the kiss panting and flushed, and that was the moment Eddie realized—toes curling. 

He had toes again, and feet, and legs—

And no fucking pants on!

He was half naked, bare ass out in the air, being carried bridal style in Steve Harrington’s arms, in the middle of another dimension—all while being on the run for murder and trying to thwart an evil psychic wizard named after a D&D villain. 

Suddenly the kiss didn’t seem all that far-fetched. 

“Hey Robin?!” Steve called out. “Can we borrow your overshirt?”

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@goodolefashionedloverboi @themagicalari

[steviewashere]

If I said that I don't like my Mer Steve fic anymore and that I'm tired of writing it and that I'm considering scrapping it and just leaving it unfinished, would you guys be mad?

Because, uh, it sucks. Just gonna put it out there. That fic sucks ass. I don't know where it's going. I lost the plot after chapter two, if I'm being honest. And uh...it's just been sitting. Just been sittin' in my drafts folder. And I read it back from time to time and I'm just like, huh. Yeah. That's a plot choice I made, sure.

So............

Yeah...I think I'm done writing it. I think I've been done writing it for a long time now. Just. People loved it so much and all I could think was Oh, people love it so now you have to write it because this is what people want. But uh. I don't want it. I don't love it.

Also like. I hate the choice I made for Steve's choppy speech in it. I read it back and it almost feels like I'm being both unintentionally racist and unintentionally ableist. And I know for certain that wasn't my intention but. It just doesn't sit right, the way I made Steve use his words. Like the other choices I made for Steve, his appearance and his curiosity and his angst, that's...fine, I guess. But his speech pattern makes me feel like I'm being an asshole about something. Does that make sense? Am I being both unintentionally racist and unintentionally ableist by calling Steve's speech pattern unintentionally racist and ableist. Am I overthinking this? Is this my OCD trying to rear its ugly head? The world will never know.

But. Yeah. This is the decision I'm making. Maybe I'll return to the fic. But I think I wanna write a different mer fic in the future. Just...not this one. Definitely not this one.

This has been a long time coming. I should've made this decision months earlier. Because I've hated this fic for months. Oh well. Better late than never.

[ent-is-indecisive]

Big post of the art i actually think is good