#is mermay still a thing?

[occudo]

A fish out of water story I just remembered last year I did some siren!jon and selkie!martin, so here is some more of them, for the end of May

[fuctacles]

prev

The drinks Steve had make them stop at a gas station midway back. Wayne doesn't intervene when he sees Steve stroll inside, but when he leaves and detours to the left, he raises his eyebrows and stubs out his cigarette to follow him.

He finds Steve with a payphone pressed into his ear. Letting the curiosity get the better of him, he leans against the wall nearby, and when he gets spotted, Steve smiles wide and wiggles his fingers at him. Wayne wiggles back, realizing Steve may be more drunk than he thought, so he comes closer.

"Who are you calling?" he asks in a whisper. 

"Eddie," Steve answers, leaning heavily against the flimsy piece of plastic shielding the phone from the elements. Before Wayne can react, someone picks up. "Hi Eddie," Steve croons into the speaker. "No, we're alright, I just wanted to talk to you--We're having fun." His eyes meet Wayne's while Eddie is talking into his ear. "Why can't I sleep with your uncle?"

Wayne presses his lips together. He hopes it doesn't end up in a bigger argument, because no matter what his dick may think, his relationship with his nephew comes first, always. 

Steve motions him to come closer. He hesitates for a moment, but steps into the cover of the phone booth.

"You can do what you want, really," he hears Eddie's voice on the other end. Even through the line, he sounds pissed. "I just don't want shit to be weird after. How are we supposed to hang out if I know you fucked Wayne?"

With a slight delay, Steve nods against the receiver. 

"But I'm--" He licks his lips, conflicted, glancing at Wayne again. "Eddie," he sighs, whines almost, like he's asking for something.

Wayne frowns, now wondering if there's something more than horny hormones fighting for attention in Steve's brain. 

"What?" Eddie bristles. "You're what?"

Steve huffs in frustration.

"I trust Wayne," he says eventually, eyes darting to the man in question and cheeks going pink. 

There's silence from all three of them.

"He's a good man," Eddie agrees with a sigh. "Just... Whatever you do, I don't want to know about it."

Steve frowns. 

"I won't do anything that would upset you." In his periphery, Wayne nods in agreement, though he doesn't seem to want to let his presence be known.

"Dude, I'm already upset!"

He winces. 

"Okay, fair. " He wets his lips, thinking how to appease his friend. "We should hang out, just the two of us. No Wayne, no Robin, no kids."

"Sure. That would be fun." He doesn't sound appeased at all.

The phone beeps in his ear, letting him know his time is up.

"Okay, uh, see you soon."

He hears Eddie make an affirmative noise before the line cuts off. Wayne eases the receiver out of his hand to put it back on the cradles. 

"He'll get over it. Come on, let's get you home."

Steve doesn't seem thrilled at the idea, but follows Wayne to his truck anyway. 

Once on the road with no safe way to jump out of the car, the older man clears his throat. 

"You said you trust me, on the phone."

"Mhm," Steve doesn't look up, picking at a loose thread on the cuff of his jacket. 

"What's that about?" he prods. 

It takes a while for him to answer.

"It's about men. Obviously," he scoffs tiredly. "I make a move on the wrong one and get my teeth kicked out."

"So I'm a convenient queer, huh?"

"What?! No!" Steve turns towards him, but lets out a relieved huff seeing his small, teasing smile. "You're cool and nice, and a good looking guy. Are you fishing for compliments?" he quirks an eyebrow at him.

"Well, if you're offering them..." The man grins. "You're not so bad on the eyes yourself."

Steve snorts, looking away to hide his blush.

"Thanks."

"Can't wait to tell everyone the cool kid thinks I'm cool, too."

"Don't be such a dad," Steve laughs, and the atmosphere finally lifts. 

"Hey."

"Hm?" 

"It's been a while for me, but I know some bars we could go to," Wayne offers as they approach the Welcome to Hawkins sign. "You could find someone else to trust.  And I could make sure you're safe."

Steve's been dozing off, but suddenly feels wide awake. 

"You'd be my chaperone at a gay bar?" he asks incredulously. 

"More or less," Wayne nods slowly. 

"Why?" Steve frowns. "What do you get out of it?"

"Peace of mind? Knowledge that one more queer kid is being safe?" He half-shrugs. "I may not be an active part of the gay crowd, but we should still look out for each other. And I feel partially responsible, as the first man you made a move on."

"Gosh," Steve grins sheepishly, feeling warm inside from Wayne's words. And outside, around his cheeks specifically. "You're such a dad."

"Shush, kid."

"This is not helping my crush, for the record."

"Oh, it's a crush now?" Wayne smirks.

"Shush, dad."

"I'll remember to mention it at your engagement party in a few years."

.

.

.

.

.

Five years later

"Oh no." Steve watches Wayne stand up from the table, hesitating with the spoon he's holding against the glass before deciding to go with the good old fashioned whistle to attract everyone's attention. A sudden memory flashes through his mind, but maybe...

"Now, don't worry..." Wayne sounds like the two drinks he's had already hit him. Steve told him he doesn't need the extra shots in them, but he didn't listen. "I'm not about to spring another mushy gushy love story on ya." He grins and someone, probably Max, murmurs a thanks to god. "But I want you all to know that this started because Steve was trying to hit on me five years ago."

"Oh god," Eddie groans next to him, sliding down in his seat. 

"And my boy got so jealous he barely spoke to me for a month. Tragically, it took him another month to figure out he's into men."

Someone snorts and Wayne grins. Only the top of Eddie's head is visible over the table now. 

"Exactly! But we got here all because of this," Wayne points a thumb at himself, "hot old man." 

And he winks, terrifyingly, at someone on Steve's side of the gathering. He doesn't catch who, though, but maybe that's for the best. There's a fiancé he has to fish from under the table anyway.

tags: @blasvemous @wheneverfeasible @phantomcat94 @divinelyjude @marklee-blackmore  @ajeff855 @holyangelstudentuniverse @dauntlessdiva

[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

[suzylind]

Mermay - Drift & Ratchet

With share determination, I pulled through last night to try and wrap it up all in one go!

I really wanted to finish this piece before the end of the month. Due to so many events taking place, time was running out, so I did one big pull to get it done no matter what.

Enjoy some "Dratchet" Transformer Mermay for this year!

[eggcromancer]

hi Eggie, I have a giftie for you :

Okay have a nice day 🫂💕💥✨‼️

Fish slippers! They're super cool!! Until a certain sea critter mistake it for a tasty snack, that is.... 🍽

[puppetmaster13u]

Because it is Mermay:

Originally did this art for one of @radiance1 prompts/story ideas, which also gives an idea of colors so.

[space-bowl]

TW: MILD BLOOD

Hook Line and Sinker

Happy Mermay! Decided to get done a quick comic, revisiting my Nautical Ink AU for the occasion. I have somewhat a grasp on the story so here's an introduction (may or may not do more with it later, same as the rest). Basically, two fisherman catch one hell of a fish and find out he's a washed up demon when he dries, go figure.

Also a new merm design for the titular character :D

Look at him, all grump.

and of course, a bonus doodle:

[cheaploafs]

I may have missed mermay but its okay because it will always be mermay so long as this au exists in my mind <3

Also full vers. without special bits undercut because Ivy’s tail is hugging him and its adorable <3

[maareyas]

Not as comprehensive design-wise as Silver was, but here's my take on a merhog Shadow ✨ Still some sort of half-alien experiment, but now his Chaos energy is just plain old nuclear radiation.

An aggressive merhog who haunts the remains of a deep sea research facility after an explosion wiped it out. He's the only one who can survive being in the exclusion zone, so it's been difficult for him to find new friends. (and food, but he's surviving off the radiation well enough)

[pistachi0art]

Caught that seal that was stealing fish- 🦭

[warriormoustache]

Every year I tell myself that I’m going to do something for mermay and every year I forget about it right up until the last day.

So here is a very rushed last minute project for mermay lol

In order: Ocellaris clownfish, oceanic manta ray, red lionfish, clown triggerfish, and quoyi parrotfish.

[fizzigigsimmer]

All The King's Men: Chapter 14

Happy Mermay!!!

Ages and ages ago Harle @a-redharlequinredharlequin made me a stunning fic collage for this fic. And then I went on a whole 2 year hiatus from the fic, got a new computer and misplaced my picture drive. I hope I'm able to retrieve the final, but they did such a beautiful job and the flub was mine. I feel like the beauty needs to be shared!

Summary:

When Prince Steve's father tries to marry him to a northern barbarian Steve will stop at nothing to escape and marry the woman of his dreams. But when Steve's plans to run away with Lady Nancy are thwarted by pirates, he comes face to face with Captain Billy Hargrove, formally of His Majesty's armies. Though his touch still makes Steve burn the same way, Billy is not the boy Steve knew at court and his secrets threaten all of Steve's loyalties and everything he understands about himself. Steve might be a prince of the realm but on the sea only one man is king, and Billy will stop at nothing until he claims Steve for himself.

To The Fic

[scoops-aboy86]

🧜‍♂️ Delayed Inheritance, pt 5

(pt 1, pt 2, pt 3, pt 4; also on ao3)

Eddie isn’t entirely sure how he got from bobbing along between swells at the surface to holding hands with the most enchanting creature he’s ever seen. A Prince, even. Of the land and the sea, somehow, as if simply one of those didn’t make him unattainable enough. All signs point to Steve being drastically out of Eddie’s league, and yet… Whenever their eyes meet, he feels like there’s this connection there. Steve may be swept away by the current of his far grander life at any moment, sure, but for now they’re just two young mermen circling the outside of a sunken ship that’s so teeming with kelp and ocean life it’s like it’s own little forest.

Holding, as previously mentioned, hands.

“I know it doesn’t look like much,” Eddie is saying, “but it’s so cool inside, you have to see.” With a squeeze of his hand and a grin thrown over his shoulder, Eddie adds, “And I know it’s technically a wreck, but she’s plenty safe, Stevie, I promise.”

The other mer squeezes his hand back as they continue to slow their approach to a reasonable speed, bunching up against Eddie a little because he’s still catching on to how to move in the water. “Thank you. I appreciate all you’re doing to help me, even though I’m just some guy you saved from the beach.”

Eddie’s free hand tugs absently at a lock of long hair. “It’s no problem, really. Don’t mention it.”

He doesn’t look at Steve while speaking because he wants Steve to mention it. But once everything is settled with this Nancy situation, there will be two kingdoms vying for Steve’s attention, and the guy should at least get to experience some of what the underwater world has to offer. A little natural beauty to offset the shock of uncovering an unexpected origin story of maternal loss, paternal betrayal, almost two decades of lies, and separation from his intended mate.

“It’s the most real thing anyone’s ever done for me,” Steve insists earnestly, washing away all of Eddie’s wandering thoughts and attempts at better intentions. “We met completely by accident but you knew just who I needed to talk to. And maybe you can’t help with whatever happens next, I don’t know, but you’re helping me pass the time anyway. And you call me Steve, and Stevie… I thought nicknames are something people earn, but you gave them to me right away. That’s really nice, Eddie.”

And, well. What is Eddie supposed to say to that? Oh, I went with Steve because I kind of blanked out partway through you introducing yourself because you’re so attractive and that’s all of your name I could remember for sure, sorry! Absolutely not, just like he’s not going to mention that that’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever told him.

“You just seem like a Stevie to me. Would you rather—“

“No, I like it,” Steve replies quickly. “Just—does this mean we’re friends?”

Eddie fights the urge to stop and curl his tail around Steve’s, because that’s way too intimate for an acquaintance of less than a day. Even though he knows Steve has no way of knowing that; Eddie would know. But it’s kind of heartbreaking to hear the caution and eagerness tumbling over each other in his voice. There’s no way someone like Steve doesn’t have other friends, is there? Even Eddie has friends, and he’s bottom of the crab bucket. And if not, he almost wants to tell Steve he should have higher standards.

“Of course we’re friends,” Eddie replies, more vehemence bleeding into his tone than intended but he’s selfish, grasping. (What does he think is going to happen? That Steve will take him along when he moves on to his bigger, better, princely life? Yeah, right.) “My rescues come with guaranteed friendship for as long as you can stand me, no exceptions.”

“That’s true,” pipes up another voice, making both of them start in surprise.

Eddie knew there was a chance some of his friends might be around, even though they didn’t have plans, and that’s… that’s fine. Cutting into his time alone with Steve, but he should be content with whatever he can get, really. He lets the annoyance go and stretches out his tail to wave his fins at Jeff, a dark-skinned cecaelia who returns the gesture with a few tentacles from where he’s peeking through the curtain of green that sways in front of the hole in the ship’s hull.

“Eddie likes to collect lost guppies,” Jeff continues, then gives Steve a curious once-over. “I don’t recognize you… You from around here?”

“I… sort of am?” Steve ventures. He glances at Eddie with wide eyes, still clutching at his hand uncertainly.

The sea might be his world by heritage, but he doesn’t know it—not like Eddie does. Something puffs in Eddies chest at being looked to for guidance. “It’s a long story. Jeff, this is Steve; Stevie, this is my buddy Jeff. We go way back.”

A school of small, silvery fish ribbon their out from where Jeff is holding the kelp aside, looping briefly around Steve so suddenly that he lets out a surprised, laughing little woah. And, okay, maybe Eddie is kind of entranced by the open delight on his face for a slightly noticeable amount of time. But of course Jeff catches on and pokes at Eddie’s tail fins with a smirk while Steve is still distracted.

Eddie brushes it off and clears his gills with a you saw nothing glare. “Are the other guys around? It’s kind of a long story and Steve’s kind of in the middle of a really long day, I don’t want to have to go over everything more than once.”

“Yeah, they’re here.” Jeff ducks back inside for them to follow.

As soon as they’re alone again, Steve leans in close and whispers, “What should I tell them?”

“Whatever you want,” Eddie whispers back, stunned by the sudden proximity and almost going invertebrate-soft with longing. If wishes were fishes he’d close that small distance right now for a kiss, curl around Steve, never let him go… “It’s your story to tell. And we’re the local losers and freaks, no one’s gonna judge you for anything.”

Steve nods, then hesitates.

”Anything, Stevie,” Eddie adds, “really.” Almost wonders, for a second, if Steve regrets the loss of time alone together. If he feels the connection too.

“Can you… teach me how to greet them properly?” The look on his face is nervous and absolutely screams I want your friends to like me. I don’t want to make a mess of it again.”

He’s got a mate lined up, Eddie reminds himself firmly while taking a steadying breath. He’s sweet and he’s pretty and forget out of my league, he’s already spoken for.

“Sure.” Eddie smiles—it’s so easy to smile around Steve, no matter what else is going on in his wistful heart. “If you need an etiquette tutor down here, Stevie, all you had to was ask.”

“Not a tutor,” Steve corrects with surprising force. But before Eddie can get whiplash, he smiles back and adds, “We’re friends, right? You teach me this and I can teach you about handshakes, because that’s what friends do: help each other out.”

Yeah, Eddie is sure now that this prince (or, more specifically, the rapidly growing crush he has on Steve) is going to be the death of him.

(pt 6; also on ao3)

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

@hiei-harringtonmunson @hamiltonswiftie @grtwdsmwhr @ape31 @aceadoxography

@home-and-having-tea

[suzylind]

Guntz & Klonoa

Finally finished this one that has been laying in my folder half done for half a year! I like Klonoa, but Guntz takes the favorite spot for me!

I like my rivals themed art that I keep making/finding in almost every franchise I get interested in. This is yet another one.

One can also tell the difference between these two that this piece was not done around the same time when I started. Half a year does some changes.

[twstyuna]

Reluctant parent Crewel would make for a neat selkie AU methinks

Yuu as a selkie that gets stuck with him, because funny thing about Crewel is that despite being twisted from Cruella, I'm sure he can care for animals. He loves his dogs. He'd hated their unneeded suffering, even if he doesn't blanketly adore them all. Perhaps during a fashion show, he doubts the source of a fur piece's materials. One thing leads to another, his curiosity/snooping leads to the reveal that it was made from a selkie's pelt and now for reasons such as Fashion Knowledge and Stitching Knowledge and I Say So, even after authorities are involved, he ends up being responsible for trying to stitch the pieces back in a way that might allow their owner to use it again.

In the meantime there be a pup stuck with him, helping identify bits of themself and making sure he stitches their pelt back right. They are clumsily trying to do their best as a human and are fascinated by fashion. If he is beginning to feel reluctant about helping them get back into the sea, it is because his dear, terribly short-sighted dogs have decided Yuu is Part of the Pack, and so the boys will miss the pup. He certainly has no reason to idly imagine how it wouldn't be so terrible if even his best efforts fail, or if furs of the land would incidentally leave them stuck with him a little longer.

Or perhaps Crewel's the selkie helping this stranded little human. He may have no particular fondness for having a pup of his own, much less for humans and their hunters, but that does not mean he'd let a young human drown before his eyes. They somehow fell overboard and are barely keeping their head above water when he finds them. (Because it amuses me, and because dogs are predators but humans keep them anyway, I think it would be funny if Crewel had like, little pet spotted sharks. Maybe they led him to Yuu).

He helps Yuu to a little barren outcropping of stone that could only barely be called an island but which will help keep them out of the cold water, if nothing else. He's wary of approaching human ships, and it's hard to lead them to where Yuu is when he's a seal, so things are taking a while, but they're patient. They eat the raw fish he brings and are nice to his sharks. When he deigns to shed his pelt so he can tell them that he's trying to help them get rescued, they don't panic nearly as much as he thought they would and are polite enough to not make any attempt at his coat. He's oddly proud of them, when they start asking if he might brings things so they can attempt a raft to get closer to rescue, though the materials for such would be difficult to find. Still, he doesn't think he's particularly attached to them until he gets the sudden thought that perhaps he should lend them his pelt so he can accompany them on land, because they would surely take stewardship of it seriously, and he would like to make sure they actually make it to their family safe and sound. Alternatively, they get sick and he actually considers tearing the coat he is so proud of in two just so maybe they can survive the cold waves and he can bring them as two mangled half-seal things to a ship where they might find actual help.

[serpentinespider]

Charlotte's ultimate form....

(character uses she/her!)