#mer!steve harrington

[steviewashere]

Want to Go Home With You (Bring Me a Home) Chp. 2

Rating: Teen and Up (May Change With Future Chapters) CW: None, at least for now Tags: Alternate Universe - Mermaids, Alternate Universe - No Upside Down, Hurt/Comfort, Dialogue Heavy, Took Canon Out Back And Pulled an Old Yeller, Mer!Steve Harrington, Fisherman!Eddie Munson, Packless Steve Harrington (kind of?), Soft Steve Harrington, Confused Steve Harrington, Lonely Steve Harrington, Steve Harrington is a Sweetheart, Eddie Munson is a Sweetheart, Steve Harrington Wants to be Loved, Mermaids with Animal Like Instincts, Future Propositioning, Lowkey Might Involve Some Omegaverse Aspects in the Future (Not Sorry)

Read the first part over here

Read the third part over here

Can also be read on AO3

🧜‍♂️—————🧜‍♂️ In the morning, right at 5:30, he prepares a thermos full of soup, dresses himself in his embarrassingly tall boots, and carries himself to the dock.

To where Steve will find him.

And sure enough, poking his head out of the water, is Steve. Beaming at him, sharp teeth, smile lines and all. His tail flicks under the water, glowing and heavy. “Eddie,” he greets brightly. “Found you.”

“You gonna keep me, Steve?” Eddie teases, righting his boat to stop before Steve. He hefts the net over, watches as Steve willingly climbs in, and grabs for his thermos. “Keep me and hide me with all your stuff?”

“Can I keep?” Steve asks, but it’s all too genuine.

Eddie, in turn, can’t find it in himself to continue to joke and tease. Blushing instead of answering as he pours some of the soup into the thermos’s lid. Hands it off and grins at how Steve sniffs. With his entire nose, scrunching the tip of it, furrowing at the scent. The slight tilt to his head as he realizes there’s warmth in his hands.

“Soup,” Eddie says, “fish soup. Brought you some of the warmth from my home.”

“Soup,” Steve echoes. “Made of love?”

He didn’t expect that question as he sipped at his own soup, choking on the liquid and small chunks of fish. His palm hits roughly at his chest to dislodge the food in his throat. And with a strained voice, “Fish, Stevie. But, sure, it’s made of love, too. My uncle helped me make it.”

Steve brings it up to his mouth. Latches on. Teeth grating against the metal lip, to which Eddie minutely grimaces at. And he chugs it back without chewing. Hefts it up to Eddie’s line of sight, gripping harshly to the still warm lid. Pressing it into Eddie’s bubble of space. And asks, “More? More love soup?”

Without answering, Eddie pours more into Steve’s cup. Though, before Steve has the chance to drink more back, he states, “Slow. You eat it slowly so you can taste it.”

A tiny drink, so small it’s almost nothing. Eddie is absolutely enamored. “Like that?” Steve asks, checking.

Eddie laughs low from his belly, which in turn makes Steve gaze at him—softly, yet passionately. “You can eat more, but don’t do it all at once. If you eat it too fast, you can make yourself sick. At least, I’m assuming. I don’t know how merfolk stomachs work.”

Steve brings the soup back to his lips, another small sip, and then cradles it close to his chest. He rests his elbows on the edge of Eddie’s boat. And stares unblinking at Eddie’s face. His lips stretch into another smile, sharp teeth glinting in the fresh sunrise. “You are the first human I have seen,” he states, “and I have met.”

“First, huh? You’re a lot more trusting than I’d expect. I can’t represent all of humanity, but I’m assuming the impression I’ve left is good?”

“Eh-die,” Steve says, choppy, testing the word once more. “You are like a pearl. A good thing.” He slurps noisily at his soup again, chewing open-mouthed, and swallowing with too much force. Eddie finds him so incredibly endearing. “We collect pearls. They are shiny and pretty. You are pretty, Eddie.”

He sits close to the edge of his boat and leans into Steve’s space, elbows on his thighs. Up this close, Eddie can map every mole and freckle, how the saltwater makes his eyelashes stick together, the slight way the light hits his magnificent tail. “Well, you’re a charmer, aren’t you?” Eddie questions, though it’s more to himself, as Steve looks on with mild confusion. But he beams again when Eddie adds, “You’re pretty, too. I quite like your tail, Stevie.”

A short trill. It makes Steve’s throat vibrate, Eddie can see how his muscles work to make the noise. “It is not a good color, but thank you.” He sips at the stew again as if Eddie’s world isn’t crumbling.

“Not good? Steve, these colors are gorgeous. Maybe I’m a bit biased, considering I don’t have a tail, but I can’t stop looking at it,” Eddie emphatically says. “I can hardly believe you’re real, yet here you are, being beautiful in ways I’ve literally never seen.”

Steve hums and wriggles in the net. Swaying back and forth. “Feel funny. Not cold with you, Eddie. You feel?” He snatches up one of Eddie’s hands and slams it onto his chest. His heart beats rapidly under Eddie’s hand and he’s wonderfully warm. “New,” he murmurs, awed.

“I can feel it, Steve. You must like it when I compliment you, huh? When I tell you nice things?” Eddie runs his thumb over Steve’s collarbone, relishing in his wiggling again. “You’re cute, Steve. Glad that you found me again.”

“Now I can keep? I find and I keep Eddie?” He’s looking on with such sincere earnest, a part of Eddie crumbles. There’s no way that he can safely transport Steve to his home, onto the land. Not only that, but Eddie can’t exactly live in the ocean.

“Steve,” Eddie sighs, heartbroken already as Steve deflates in front of him. “I can’t come with you and you can’t come with me. I’m a human, sweetheart. I’ve got lungs. I won’t be able to breathe under the water forever. And you’ll dry out if you stay on the beach with me. I’m sorry,” he explains solemnly. He wishes that there was a sufficient way for Steve to truly understand him. To get through that whatever bond they’re forming has to remain frozen here, in this little bubble, where Eddie indulges the quiet early morning and the calmest waves. But he can’t figure out a way to let him down permanently.

Almost doesn’t want to.

At his words, though, Steve finally falls silent. Eyes down towards the lid of the thermos. Gripping harshly to the cup, still. However, instead of a look of great sadness and despair, it’s rather one of thought and hope. Thinking of something, Eddie’s unaware of what, though. He busies himself with capping the thermos, setting it to the side, and grabbing for his fishing pole. He had to give an excuse to his uncle about needing the boat, may as well bring home the evidence.

Eddie fashions the rod with his best bobber and baits the hook with a worm—extra security. He shuffles away from where Steve is still resting in his net. And tosses the line out just a handful of feet in front of him. Sits back onto the nearest bench of the boat and waits with rod in hand.

While the air is silent around him and his eyes are out at the water, the net rustles. In his peripheral, he notices Steve chug the rest of his stew, aim the lid over his shoulder, and chuck it back down to the boat’s floor. He turns his head to face Steve. “Whatcha doing?” Eddie asks.

“Wait here,” Steve states, “be back with Steve’s stuffs.” And then he angles over the side of the net, grips to the rope-like edge, and somersaults himself into the water, disappearing with a heavy and loud splash. The water ripples steadily where he entered. Eddie’s lost in the motion of the waves, giving no care for his heaving rod. He steps towards the net again and watches with wide eyes.

Waiting, like Steve told him. Even though he could take his chance and bail. Turn away from this odd merman that wants to know him. Get back to land and map out a new fishing spot at a different dock. Yet, here he stands. Leaning over the edge of his uncle’s sailboat. Holding his breath for a mer that he didn’t think could be real until yesterday morning.

Only a few minutes later does the surface break. Steve’s wavy hair emerging first. Then his eyes and nose and pouting lips. His tail moves under him, flicking to his right then left, mimicking the movement of sharks most likely. But he propels forward to the net again. “Help?” He requests, though his voice croaks. “Want help, see Eddie.”

He lowers the net hastily and lets Steve clamber back inside. When he raises it again, they’re at eye level with each other. Noses almost touching. Steve settles back inside the net and rests his arms on the edge of the boat, crossed over one another. Eddie gives him space, but not before noticing that one of Steve’s hands are fisted, clearly holding something.

Steve snatches Eddie’s left hand and unfurls it. He splays his closed hand over Eddie’s, fills his palm, and then curls his fingers around the item. “My stuff,” Steve mutters, “not warm, but I love. You will love?” And when Eddie peers over, Steve’s eyes are impossibly large. His eyelashes are dew-dropped and there’s a fresh glisten over his irises. They’re inquisitive and cautious, but warm unlike his out-of-water hands.

Eddie finally looks at what Steve brought him.

In the well of his palm is a pearl. Small, slightly oblong, and off white in color. It shifts like the iridescent glimmer to Steve’s tail. Off white to a silver. There’s a small divot to the top of the pearl where Eddie’s thumb can perfectly rest. It’s the most beautiful thing he’s seen—outside of Steve himself.

He can’t form words, but his jaw drops ajar. Can’t rip his eyes away from it either.

“Special to us,” Steve murmurs in Eddie’s silence, “gift to other mer.” When Eddie finally glances back, Steve’s cheeks have flushed crimson. There’s a soft smile on his face and the slight appearance of one his teeth, biting into his lower lip—where it must be crooked against the rest of them. “You are nice,” he whispers, “and warm.”

“I—“ Eddie stutters. “I don’t know if I can accept this, Steve. These are…Pearls are rare and expensive to humans.”

“Ex—pen—sive?” Steve questions. His head tilts slightly, eyebrows furrowing. “Silly word, Eddie. Take pearl—gift from me for love soup.”

“Are you sure, Steve? I thought this was something special to you merfolk?”

Steve shrugs. Looks over Eddie’s shoulder, embarrassment unsubtle on his face. “I have no mer. No love. No warm,” he admits, ashamed. “You are my first friend, Eddie.” He closes his eyes just as a tear works its way down his cheek—the single track a same iridescent as the pearl and his tail. Shudders through a soft, rippling, broken trill. “I give a pearl to you. Maybe you will stay? Be my friend?”

Eddie snakes out a tentative hand. Cups Steve’s tear stained cheek and runs his thumb under his eye. Steve leans into the palm and over the boat, more into Eddie’s space. “Of course, Steve,” he swears, “of course I’ll be your friend.” A warm chuff puffs over Eddie’s palm and he smiles at Steve’s relaxed face. “I accept your gift. I’ll take it back home with me later and keep it safe and hidden. It’ll be our secret, Stevie.”

“Secret,” Steve echoes.

“Yeah, sweetheart,” Eddie coos. “Nobody else will know, just the two of us.” He works his other fingers into Steve’s hairline and scratches at his scalp. Surprised when Steve does something similar to a cat’s purr. Eddie’s arm vibrates with the sweet sound. “But I’ll see you as often as I can. And I can bring you more of my home to put into yours. I’ll be like…Like an honorary merman.”

Sweetly, Steve giggles. Nuzzling more into Eddie’s palm. “One day,” he murmurs, “warm home will be ours.”

And though Eddie believes that to be completely impossible, he lets himself think of a day where they’re something like roommates. Maybe even something more. Of sharing stories over hot dinners—Steve’s time in the ocean and Eddie’s time on the ocean. Their families and histories. Imagines holding each other’s faces just to gaze into one another’s eyes. As a sense of security, but warmth that seems to exude between them now.

“I’d like that,” Eddie states quietly. “Maybe one day you’ll feel the sand of my home.”

Maybe almost sounds like definitely.

🧜‍♂️—————🧜‍♂️ *cough cough* Steve thinks Eddie's propositioning him. *cough cough* Pearls are special in a very certain way to merfolk.

Taglist: @scoops-aboy86 @spectrum-spectre

[just-my-latest-hyperfixation]

Just add water - chapter 1

Read it on AO3

Because, see, that’s another weird thing about Steve. He never goes in the water.  Eddie isn’t the only one who’s noticed, of course. You don’t spend each and every summer at camp, right next to a fucking lake, and miss how one of the counselors almost physically recoils at the mere suggestion of swimming. Sure, Steve will sit on the pier and dangle his toes in the water, watch everybody else splash around with a tight little smile grazing those perfect lips. Sometimes he’ll even wade a bit, but never for long, and never any further than to his knees.  The kids have tried all sorts of things to get him in the water. From asking on an endless repeat loop, right up to bribery and outright begging, but Steve has remained firm in his refusal. Eddie still remembers that one notable incident, two or three summers ago, when some of the older campers ambushed him and tried to bodily shove him off the pier. How pale Steve went. How his entire face contorted with something that Eddie can only describe as raw terror. How he threw the kids off him, so hard that two went splashing into the water themselves and one landed rather harshly on the wooden planks of the pier. The way Steve’s fists clenched and his teeth gritted and his eyes glinted when he told them to never try that shit again.

[farfaras]

Okay but what about fake dating AU but NOT the way you think. Hear me out okay.

Steve being tired of Dustin telling him over and over to ask out Robin bc they’re obviously in love. Steve has enough and says the only thing that he thinks will get Dustin off his back.

“BECAUSE IM GAY DUSTIN”

“That’s not true!”

“I have a boyfriend!”

“Who?!”

“Jonathan!”

Jonathan is chill and agrees to fake date. They tell the party they’re dating. Steve has a gay awakening. But Jonathan is not his type really. Realizes he likes metal heads when he and Eddie bond about being queer. Eddie Munson is incredibly jealous. ‘HES ACTUALLY GAY BUT TAKEN KILL ME NOW’ Eddie and Jonathan almost get into a fight. Chaos, man, chaos.

First part now > here < !!

[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

[resande]

DTIYS

Help them out!

Info:

A killer on the run? Is Eddie being hunted?

This is an interactive DTIYS, let's call it that.

You can recreate in your style the original drawing, oor you can come up with ideas of how they can get out of this situation! Does Eddie have hidden powers? Is Steve armed? Who is the killer? Maybe someone else comes to the rescue!

You can use the tag #resandtiys and tag me.

Artists, writers, editors, whatever is your power, everyone is welcome!

Also, there is a bloodier (only on the shower curtain) version on my twitter, which is the main version of it. Check it out.

[fernandesart]

"Why is your heart beating so fast?"

[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

[fishcalcart]

[steviewashere]

Want to Go Home With You (Bring Me a Home)

Rating: Teen and Up (May Change With Future Chapters) CW: None, at least for now Tags: Alternate Universe - Mermaids, Hurt/Comfort, Dialogue Heavy, Took Canon Out Back And Pulled an Old Yeller, Mer!Steve Harrington, Fisherman!Eddie Munson, Soft Steve Harrington, Confused Steve Harrington, Steve Harrington is a Sweetheart, Eddie Munson is a Sweetheart, Steve Harrington Wants to be Loved, Mermaids with Animal Like Instincts, Future Propositioning, Lowkey Might Involve Some Omegaverse Aspects in the Future (Not Sorry)

This is chapter one of ????. Also this takes place in Oregon because that's what I know and the idea of a merman living in an Indiana lake-beach is odd to me. So...bear with me. This is my first like actual alternate universe, completely separate from Stranger Things, so be nice.

Also, I've written Steve here as a merman who's had no contacts with humans—his English is choppy and his understanding of basic human communication is weird. If that's a turn-off for you, turn back now.

Read Part Two Here

Can also be read on AO3

🧜‍♂️—————🧜‍♂️ Fishing wasn’t the ideal career to be going into after high school, but Eddie had to do something while he waited for his dreams to kickstart. Granted, going into this business was easy because his uncle owned the local bait shack. But it didn’t make the job any more appealing in the end. Not even the many beaches he had the chance to truck out to. There was Cannon Beach and Seaside’s, but he stayed close to home in Newport’s.

The beach wasn’t anything super spectacular. Sure, there were parts of it inhabited by the native seal population, some of the areas overloaded with crab shells. And it was damn near majestic during the summertime. Eddie, however, didn’t see the gist of spending time there, though. Maybe it had to do with how every single one of his work days would go, the hours spent sitting in the serene stretches of water. But nothing was intriguing or worthwhile about spending his time there.

That is, until one particular early summer day.

June isn’t a busy summer month for Eddie and his uncle. It was the right temperature, but there was still the risk of storms. Heavy duty kind of storms. Business didn’t stop, though. He woke up at 5:30am, when the sun was still acclimating to the baby blue sky, and readied himself in coveralls, thick and tall rubber boots, and a bucket hat that protected his lopsided mop of curls. His hair remained back in a bun and his skin was doused with paste-like sunscreen. In one hand he carried a red fishing rod and in the other, an old black lunchbox transformed for tackle.

He went out to the docks. To the few run down boats. And climbed aboard his uncle’s tried and true, S.S. Lenore—a tiny thing, made for up to four people, overrun with nets and crusted muddy footprints, and equipped with a singular cooler. The engine always took a few pulls to start up, jostling and crunching like food run through a garbage disposal, but it did the trick. And then he was off.

Eddie always took the chance to float out for a handful of minutes. Sometimes fifteen. Sometimes ten. Set himself up stagnant in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nobody, with no chance in hell he’ll be interrupted. Today he just needed to get a cooler full of trout. Rainbow trout, to be more exact. They’re easy fish to gut and debone, good for baking in the oven, and stuffing full of herbs for marinated fish stew. He’d gone out previously to hoist in mackerels and herrings. This was the last trip he’d need to take for a good two weeks, but he was going to do a damn great amount of work for it.

“This should be good,” he mumbles to himself, just barely breeching the edge of his boat. The ocean underneath him moves in subtle pushes, rocking him lightly against itself. Its color is bright and shining—bluer, somehow, than the last time he visited just a few days ago. He can see schools of trout idling underneath the sheen of the water. And so he rigs one of his nets, tosses it over the side of his boat, and slowly sinks it into the water.

And he waits.

It isn’t until half past when he came out that the net begins to rustle. Tugging and splashing, but it doesn’t settle the way it does when it’s some regular trout. No, this threatens to topple Eddie straight into the cold depths of the water below. To sink his boat and turn it over of all its resources.

He grips to the ropes holding the damned thing up. Pulling at it hard enough to give him the starts of burns on his soft palms. And he heaves. Groaning with it. Panting unrelenting in the face of this thing trapped inside his net. Whatever he caught is surely not some common fish for his soup, this is something more—maybe even more dangerous. And he hadn’t thought to bring anything with him to ward off danger.

There had been one time where a shark got caught. Eddie happened to have a knife on him that time. He gave in, cut the ropes on the net, and let it free—which cost him the equipment, but luckily saved his life.

This is a time where having that knife would be spectacular. But as he hefts the net, he realizes that this creature caught is no ordinary thing. It’s not a shark. Not a seal. Not a school of fish. However, through the floundering waves around him, he catches on a fish-esque glimmer. Scales of some sort shifting with the catch of light breaking through.

He wrestles with the net for a few minutes more before eventually getting a good enough grasp to tie it down. Pulling up the rest with his hands, he’s met face to…tail with this creature. It has scales—pearl white and baby pink and pastel yellows—they shine iridescent in the high rise of sunlight. The end of the tail sports two fins, both of them crescent shaped, thicker towards the base of the tail, and spindly where it faces Eddie. Before he can stop himself, he’s poking at the scales, where they taper into absence at the creature’s fins. It’s then that the creature really notices him.

In one fell motion, grand and heaving, the boat rocks. Teetering into flipping. The creature turns its head to him and…hisses. Like the guttural bubbling hiss of a harbor seal. It rocks in the net again, as it lunges towards Eddie.

Immediately, Eddie pulls his hands away and steps as far back as the boat will allow him. Granted, it’s only four feet in width, but that puts space between him and this thing. The thing that he calculates slowly with his eyes. Tail—yeah, he already knew about that. But then he rakes up to the torso of the fish like creature, where his tail is ombre with the glistening, golden skin of a nude torso.

“That—That isn’t right,” Eddie finds himself stuttering, surveying the torso once again. Sure enough, there’s skin. Dotted with moles and freckles. Dark brunette chest hair that could almost be mistaken as black. Toned arms and big, veiny hands. At the ends of this creature’s fingertips are short, curved towards the palms, white claws. Gills where its ribs are. And then Eddie goes to its head. Square-ish jaw, more freckles and moles, smile lines and baby crows feet. Thick eyebrows, triangular nose with a bridge that angles slightly to the left. Ears that threaten to point at the tops. Brunette hair that swoops to the right, falls to its collarbones, wavy and stringy with saltwater.

And its eyes.

Human eyes. Hazel, glowing honey in the sun. Long eyelashes. Drooping eyelids. Pupils that are pinpoint small, dilating with every hiss that leaves the creature’s throat.

A mermaid.

Eddie Munson is looking at a fucking mermaid.

Or…merman? It doesn’t have the seashell bra like all the mermaids he’s heard tales about, but maybe that’s just fable. He’s played all kinds of fantasy games, but he never thought what he described would be looking at him. Wild eyes and baby shark-like teeth, though without the second row. Hissing.

It struggles in the net again, lunging. Wrapping its hands on the edge of Eddie’s boat, squeezing at the metal material. The force of this merman’s grip enough to cause the edge to creak. Eddie’s stomach drops.

“Woah! Alright, okay!” He exclaims, hands up and placating. Briefly, he wonders if it has a good sense of smell and hearing. Like it can scent the excretion of his sweat even in the cold air. Or how his heart beats like the galloping of a race horse. “Easy! I ain’t—I’ve got no reason to hurt you!”

It seems to know what he’s saying, as it relaxes in the net for the first time. But it shoots him a pitiful, pleading look. Petulantly whining at him, though the sound is gargled.

Eddie wipes his sweating palms on his coveralls and takes a tentative step forward. “Easy,” he murmurs, “I’ll free you, but you have to stay calm.”

But the merman shakes its head. “No,” it croaks, “No free.”

Okay, so the guy speaks. It knows English. Even as choppy and awkward as it sounds.

“No free?” Eddie questions, “You don’t want me to free you?”

It shakes its head again. Whines, gargling again in the back of its throat. Its hands grip to the boat again, this time lugging some of its weight. As if it’s trying to…climb in.

Eddie startles back once more. “Hey, no,” he barks, “no climbing in. You can’t come onto my boat.” Though he wants to take it all back the moment he locks eyes again. If it didn’t have scales and gills, Eddie would almost think it was a sad puppy hybrid. He can almost imagine the droopy tail paired with the glistening, fearful, and pleading eyes. “Why shouldn’t I free you? My boat isn’t your home and I can’t take you back with me. You belong in the water.”

“Home,” the merman echoes, croaking. “Your home…warm?”

“Uh—“ What the fuck, he can’t help but think, exasperated. “—uh, sure. Home is warm. My, uh, home is warm. I live by the sand with my uncle, selling worms and cooking fish. The sun hits my skin every morning.” He doesn’t know why he’s answering the guy, but something in its stare, the broken words—Eddie’s allured. “Can you please answer my question? I’d like to go home. So, why shouldn’t I free you?”

The merman points a clawed finger at itself. “My home not warm. Cold.” Eddie nods along because—of course, duh, the ocean is cold. But it murmurs, “Love.” And now Eddie’s confused all over again.

“Love?”

Its voice is soft and sweet, curious. “You have love?”

Eddie shouldn’t be indulging this. He shouldn’t. But maybe the merman is a siren with how he’s drawn to answer. “I don’t have a partner, if that’s what you’re asking. But my uncle loves me. And I love him. That’s—I have love like that.”

It nods like it understands. Looks away over its shoulder, to the cold, salty water. And visibly shudders before facing Eddie again. “No love,” it says, pointing at itself again. “I no have love. No warm.” It tries to climb in again, even as Eddie’s moving to pry its hands away, but it holds tight and hisses again. “Want warm. Go with. Want to go. Go now,” it demands in a low timber.

And even as pretty as this merman is, Eddie has to refuse. He shakes his head softly. Gently, he says, “You can’t. I—I don’t know you. And…I don’t have an ocean in my house. You’ll die if you come with me.”

“Steven,” it mutters.

What? “What.”

“Know me—Steven,” it says. “Know you? Name?”

Tentatively, Eddie relaxes again. Realizes that this won’t be an end all conversation. “My name is Eddie. It’s short for Edward,” he answers, “but I like Eddie more.”

It hums, observing. “Eh-die,” it sounds out. “Eddie,” it whispers. Without warning, it trills at him. High pitched, chirping and bubbling from the back of its throat. Smiling with the sound, squinting its pretty honey eyes. Something in Eddie stirs. “Like that,” it chirps. “Short and easy. I want.”

“You want a short and easy name, too?” Eddie clarifies. It nods at him, squeaking an affirmative thing. “How about…Hm, what’s a good name for Steven?” He ponders as the merman continues to look on at him, eyes bright and curious. “How about Steve? Is that good enough for you?”

“Steve!” It crows. Trilling again, higher pitched than the last, squirming again in the net, closer and closer to heaving itself into the boat. “Easy, easy, easy,” it says at him.

Eddie can’t help but chuckle. “So…Steve, am I able to call you a he? Like…His name is Steve?”

He nods at Eddie. Wriggling again as if he can’t contain his excitement.

“Well, now I know you, huh? It’s a shame I still can’t take you to my home.”

And now Steve frowns, eyes saddening again. “But…My home is cold. You have warm,” he says solemnly.

“I know,” Eddie murmurs, “but I don’t have space for you, Steve. Your home is in the water. If I take you out of the water for too long, you’ll die. You need the water.”

“I will see you again?”

Eddie shrugs. “If you see my boat again, you can visit me. How about that? And…what’s special about that, is that I can bring you things that aren’t in the ocean.”

“Man’s stuff?”

Befuddled, Eddie asks, “What are man’s stuff?”

“Stuff I see from up here. From Eddie’s home,” Steve answers. “I find and I keep and I hide. Nobody knows. Just Eddie. Eddie is nice, though. You make me happy.”

Humming, Eddie assesses Steve again. Smiles softly. “You’re nice, too, Steve. Even though you scared me earlier. But you were scared, too, huh? Caught in my stupid net.” He takes a careful step closer, standing over where Steve rests in the net still. He places a hand on one of Steve’s, tentatively, but purposefully. “But if you see my boat again, you can come visit. Maybe next time I’ll bring some fish soup? Do you eat fish?”

“Fish are tasty,” Steve says as a response.

Eddie chuckles again. “Okay, Steve. I’ll bring you fish soup. Tomorrow, though. I have to free you and go home, okay?” He reaches down for the ropes that he tied down earlier. Tugs on one of the knots and frees one side. Steve yelps.

“Promise you come back?” Steve meekly asks.

“Promise,” Eddie murmurs intensely, unraveling the last of the rope. “Look for Lenore. She’ll bring you back to me.”

🧜‍♂️—————🧜‍♂️ If you'd like to be tagged in future updates, let me know. Taglist for this is open <3

[just-my-latest-hyperfixation]

Coming soon on AO3 ...

Summary:

It's one of the unwritten laws of Camp Lovers' Lake, as solid and immovable as the official rules. Curfew is at nine. No swimmers or boats are allowed past the buoys.

And Steve Harrington does not go in the water.

-----

Or: Three times Eddie wonders what Steve's secret is, one time he learns, and one time he finds out a lot more.

[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?”

Permanent taglist(open): @penny00dreadful @pearynice @hitlikehammers @bookworm0690 @wonderland-girl143-blog 

@goodolefashionedloverboi @themagicalari

[farfaras]

First part to this prompt I posted the other day. This is gonna be eventual steddie (sorry, stonathan) and I’m really excited. Title from the song ‘nonsense’ by Sabrina Carpenter.

I think I got an ex but I forgot him

Part 1. (You’re here)

Part 2.

-

If he heard the words: Robin and in love, in the same sentence, with the melodious voice of one Dustin Henderson, one more time. Steve was sure he was gonna lose it.

Listen, he understands where he’s coming from. The kid just wants him to be happy. But he is! Dustin just doesn’t seem to get that. Happiness doesn’t only come in the form of a relationship. His teenage brain can’t comprehend that fact just yet. He wishes he did though, because he’s absolutely insufferable about getting Steve and Robin together.

No excuse or explanation he gives is good enough. Dustin still insists that he needs to try, that this is his chance at true love. Robin is kind of the love of his life, sure, but the platonic love of his life. His best friend, his soulmate, sister from another mister. All that jazz. Dustin doesn’t buy it though.

And Steve’s tried everything! He even told Dustin about that time in starcourt when they were high off his asses. Told him that he confessed his crush to Robin but that she rejected him, and that they were best friends now and nothing else. He obviously left out the part where Robin came out to him. He’s never gonna reveal Robin’s secret to anyone. The only answer he got was that “It doesn’t even matter now! Things could’ve changed! You never know.” Steve knew. He knew that he would never be into his best friend like that, and she would never be into him. Apparently they were the only ones who knew that.

Because of all the fuss Dustin was constantly making, other people started giving their input. Thanks Dustin. They didn’t get it either, didn’t believe they were just Platonic with a capital P. They made sure they knew it too, the whole party, Nancy, Jonathan, Eddie. Not Argyle, he said that the energy between Steve and Robin was intense but completely friendly, almost like they were twins. Steve liked Argyle. Of course he had to be miles away.

Most of their friends dropped the subject after the second time Steve or Robin explained the nature of their relationship. Even if they weren’t convinced, they didn’t push. Except for one person. Yep. Dustin.

Who was currently harassing Steve at his job. He didn’t know what else to tell him. If family video wasn’t empty he would just ignore him to do his job but there was nothing to do. He couldn’t even sweep or anything because everything was already done.

“Okay well! There must be a good reason why you guys haven’t gotten together!” Dustin exclaimed. He is so fucking stubborn.

“I already told you, Henderson. We’re. Just. Friends.” He knew it wasn’t gonna do anything. It was just a routine at this point.

Dustin’s expression changed to determination. “Nuh uh. There’s a reason there. And I’m gonna find out!” Shit. Could Dustin figure out Robin? He doesn’t think so. But he’s starting to panic. What if he finds out? Robin doesn’t deserve that. He’d feel like it was his fault, and everything would go to shit.

“Okay! Okay! There is a reason.”

“I knew it! You have to tell me.” Dustin demanded. Well, Steve hasn’t thought that much ahead. He needs to come up with something and he needs to do it fast if Dustin is gonna believe it.

“Look, I haven’t told anyone this before.” Building suspense, nice.

Then, an idea popped into his head and it seemed like the perfect response to all of this. Or maybe it’s the only thing he could think of in such short notice. “I’m gay.” He blurts out. It made sense in his head, really. Robin doesn’t get outed, but she can still look at the reaction she might get when she comes out. (It doesn’t hold any kind of truth at all. Not one Steve can see right now at least.)

Dustin is just staring at him. “What? I don’t, you’re not, since when?”

“Since I was born?” It sounds like a question. Steve didn’t prepare for follow up questions to the reply he literally just crafted.

“There’s no way you’re gay.” At least he didn’t seem disgusted or upset? Is this a good or bad reaction?

“Are you not okay with it?” Steve dared to ask.

“What?! Of course I’m okay with it, I’m just. I don’t care, but you don’t really seem gay. It’s hard to believe.” At least he’s okay with it. He’s still being stubborn.

“Way to stereotype, Henderson.”

Dustin sputters. “Wha- can you even blame me? Who could believe you?”

The next words that came out of Steve’s mouth didn’t actually ask for permission to be said. “My boyfriend can believe it.” He said it so matter of fact that he surprised himself a little. The way he usually took the route of action before thinking was gonna bite him in the ass some day. Would that be today?

“Boyfriend?!! And you didn’t tell me? You don’t have a boyfriend!” He accused Steve. “Who is it?”

Oh. Shoot. Quick, brain. Who could be his boyfriend? Someone his age, that was single, and could be believed to be in a gay relationship.

“It’s Jonathan.” Why did he say that? He just broke up with Nancy, that would just seem like a messy situation. Also is he literally just doing what he scolded Dustin for and stereotyping?

“But he just broke up with Nancy.” Hmm. Did Dustin read his mind or something.

“It’s new. That’s why I haven’t told anyone.”

“Not even Robin?” Oh, crap. Is he gonna have to tell this to people? Well, he should probably tell Jonathan first that he is apparently in a relationship with him now.

“Not even Robin.” Dustin beamed at this.

“You know, even if you and Jonathan are kind of a weird sounding couple, and this is surprising… if you’re happy then I’m happy for you, Steve.” That was weirdly sweet of Dustin.

“Thanks, bud.”

After that and renting a movie, Dustin was on his way. He gave Steve a hug goodbye and hopped on his bike to go home.

Steve had a lot of things to get done now. And he hoped that the first one went well because he didn’t really have a plan B if it didn’t. What had he gotten himself into?

First things first. Asking Jonathan to be his fake boyfriend.

At least for a while.

What could go wrong?

-

Step 1. Get Jonathan to be his fake boyfriend.

Step 2. Probably get Robin in on it?

He’s not sure about that one. This situation was kind of embarrassing, he’d rather just share his embarrassment with the one person who is absolutely necessary. Also Robin doesn’t seem like the type to lie to their friends. Even if it was harmless.

Step 2. Probably get Robin in on it?

Step 2. Make a game plan.

They’d probably need to talk about how this was gonna go. Get all their facts straight in case there were any questions, which there were going to be. Plan how long this was gonna be for. He was getting a bit ahead of himself, but there was no plan B.

Step 3. Hope it’s believable.

He was already outside of the Hopper-Byers home. This shouldn’t be hard, Jonathan is a pretty understanding guy. He wouldn’t judge Steve, or make fun of him. At least that’s what Steve hoped. They’ve been developing a friendship for a while. Which has been going surprisingly well. Fuck. Was this gonna mess it up?

He got out of his car and walked to the door, knocking. El answered the door, she gave him a smile and let him in.

“Is Jonathan home?” Him asking for Jonathan wasn’t a rare occurrence nowadays, so El just nodded and pointed to his room.

He knocked to make his presence known. “Hey, Jon?” He opened the door and stepped inside the room.

“Hiya. What’s up, Harrington?” Jonathan grinned at Steve. Ah. Shit. He didn’t look completely sober. Must’ve smoked something earlier.

“Well, I wanted to talk to you. I’d rather wait until you sober up though.” Jonathan just gave him a thumbs up.

“Happy to have company.” Steve knew Jonathan was having trouble dealing with the break up. They had been together for a while and he thought that those two were gonna beat all the odds and marry each other or something. Maybe they still could find their way back to each other someday. Right now though, it probably sucked.

Nancy was off to college, Jonathan stayed here in Hawkins doing community college. There was no way of knowing how Nancy was taking it, she barely called and when she did it was kinda cut and dry. Although Steve supposed that was a way of telling she wasn’t doing so good either.

They hung out, doing nothing in particular. Just talking, listening to music and Steve sobering him up.

“Did you say you wanted to talk about something?” Jon asked. He looked sober now. Or as sober as his perpetual stoner face could look.

“Yeah… I kinda did something stupid.”

“Don’t we all.” Cute. Was he trying to make him feel better? It would’ve worked if what he did wasn’t as stupid as it was.

“No, seriously. I think this is the dumbest thing I have done.” Understatement.

“It can’t be that bad.” Jon’s words weren’t aligned with his face because it looked like he was starting to worry.

“It has something to do with you too.” With those words, Steve definitely made Jonathan start to worry. “Hear me out first!”

Retelling the events from earlier was excruciating. Steve has never felt this embarrassed before. It sounded so dumb saying it out loud.

“You really couldn’t come up with anything else? Like oh I don’t know. Saying you don’t like Robin like that?” It was like he wasn’t even listening.

“I tried that thousands of times! He wouldn’t buy it!”

“Why haven’t you just dated anyone else? To prove that you’re not hung up on her?” Interesting line of questioning. Honestly, it’s been a long time since someone has made him feel anything at all. No girl caught his attention like before. Has the upside down messed him up so bad that he can’t form romantic connections anymore?

“I just, I don’t really. Taking a break from dating sounded good to me.”

“Uh huh. Sure.” Jon didn’t believe him, whatever.

“Look I just panicked, spoke without thinking.”

“You know, I actually thought that Dustin was right about you and Robin before. But if you’re so determined to prove you’re not, to even come up with something like that.” Steve hated this. Was Jonathan getting a kick out of this?

“Are you amused? I’m kinda suffering here.” Steve lamented. “Can you just please help me?

“Oh god, what do you expect me to do? Pretend to date you to get Dustin off your back?” Yes. Please.

“Look! I only ask for a few weeks! It doesn’t have to be for long. Just, a few weeks of fake dating and then just say it didn’t work out and we decided to stay friends. All that cheesy stuff.” God, he was not being convincing at all.

Jonathan still looked skeptical. But at least he was considering it now. “I’ll owe you, big time. Whatever favor you want.” Steve offered.

Jon looked resigned now. He huffed out a breath. “I never thought my first boyfriend was gonna be Steve Harrington.”

“What?”

“Yeah. I always pictured a nerd or maybe a stoner.” He was confused now. Was Jonathan? “Yes, Steve. You should probably know if we’re gonna do this. I also like guys. And I’m assuming you’re okay with it, considering what you just asked.”

“Of course! Thanks for telling me. I’m glad you could trust me.” He was being genuine. Even if Steve was a little surprised, and now felt even more guilty about words he used in the past to insult Jonathan. All the past apologies seemed insufficient. Even so, he was happy that their friendship could develop into this.

“So? How is this gonna work? You really owe me now, you know.”

“Trust me, I know.”

So their friendship wasn’t ruined. Who knows? Maybe this could make it stronger.

[ent-is-indecisive]

Big post of the art i actually think is good

[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.

[xgumiho]

The poor sailor who stumbled into a cursed swamp stands no chance against this ancient siren who's looking for his long-lost pirate lover, Eddie the Banished.

Ending mermay with some eldritch mer!Steve.

© xgumiho | do not repost/steal/edit/crop