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Chapter Text

This is the one song everyone 

would like to learn: the song

that is irresistible:

the song that forces men 

to leap overboard in squadrons

even though they see the beached skulls

the song nobody knows 

because anyone who has heard it

is dead, and the others can’t remember.

Shall I tell you the secret

and if I do, will you get me

out of this bird suit?

I don’t enjoy it here

squatting on this island

looking picturesque and mythical

with these two feathery maniacs,

I don't enjoy singing

this trio, fatal and valuable.

I will tell the secret to you,

to you, only to you.

Come closer. This song

is a cry for help: Help me!

Only you, only you can,

you are unique

at last. Alas,

it is a boring song

but it works every time.

— “Siren Song” by Margaret Atwood

A ship in deep waters is like a corroded coffin caught in a storm song. The waves and the wind dance against the ship as the sailors shouted and screamed. As the waters rise, so too does their terror. Only when their fear has reached its peak, do the sirens transform their tune. 

In their panic, sailors will jump overboard into the hungry jaws awaiting them. 

Sirens are creatures of lust, desire, hunger… But they’re insatiable. They’ll devour until that corroded coffin is nothing more than splinters. 

After the hunting song, their songs transform into the courting songs, the mating songs. Songs that Eds had never sung. His powerful black tail propelled him away from the carnage of the corroded coffin. He floated on his back, staring at the night sky. 

Sirens spend most of their lives in the deepest parts of the sea, only surfacing to savor their preferred prey and to court and copulate… 

But Eds had no interest in taking a mate. He was not like the others: he wanted something deeper. 

Sirens are more solitary than their counterparts, the merfolk. The merfolk are creatures of mirth, song, joy… But they’re often slippery. 

Further inshore, a pod of merfolk was sunbathing, glittering in the moonlight. 

Stev was not. He was swimming around the outskirts of the pod. He was not exactly welcome in the pod. 

But there was some safety near it. 

Ever since the two legs learned to travel upon the waters, the ocean seemed to shrink a little bit more, the ocean seemed a little bit more dangerous. 

Without the protection of his pod, Stev was endangered no matter what he did. If that weren’t enough, he couldn’t hear a thousand songs. The songs of the merfolk were little more than vibrations hence why he was banished. 

Hag and Jas hissed, batting Stev with their tails. 

Stev clicked oddly, but he made little more than strange sounds. He couldn’t hear the merfolk songs, sung too high and too softly for him to hear. All he could hear were the older songs of their people sung in lower tones. Sometimes, he could hear bits and pieces, but it was so hard to put them together. 

Hag and Jas growled deep within their throats and snarled. Their sharp claws ripped out his scales, cutting his tender tail. 

Stev whined but managed to push himself away from the sunning rocks. His tail stung, blood pooling in the waters. But he wasn’t able to stop and wrap seaweed around his injuries because Hag and Jas gave chase. 

They chased him far from the reef, far into the deep waters. 

Stev was exhausted. He could barely move his tail at all. He let the waves carry him further and further away. Floating, Stev stared at the stars, wondering if there were anything more…

Something smelled delicious. Salivating, Eds lurched forward, his fin cutting across the surface of the waves. Something glittered in the waves.

Sirens are sight hunters, so if the taste of blood was not enough, the iridescence of prey was simply too much.

Shiny, shiny, shiny. 

Stev squealed as something strong and powerful pulled him down. 

***

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Chapter Text

Over the seas to night, love,

Over the darksome deeps,

Over the seas to night, love

Slowly my vessel creeps.

Over the seas to night, love,

Walking the sleeping foam—

Sailing away from thee, love.

Sailing from thee and home.

Over the seas to night, love,

Dreaming beneath the spars—

Till in my dreams you shine, love,

Bright as the listening stars.

— “Sea Lyric” by William Stanley Braithwaite

Stev chirped frantically, writhing in panic as an ebony-scaled hand clamped over his mouth. He could faintly hear a song, deep and low almost like purring. A strange, false calmness stilled him until he glimpsed a dark, gray fin. 

A siren. 

He’d been caught by a siren. Fighting was useless, he’d never been a great warrior. His maimed body was proof enough. His scales were scarred and dull. He’d been starving, surviving, scavenging on crumbs of others for so long…  And he could almost hear, or perhaps to put it better, he could feel the confused huffs from the siren holding him captive. Even if he had the strength to make a break for it, the siren’s grip never faltered. Weakened from his panic, Stev collapsed on top of the siren. 

The water tinted dark pink because he’d hurt himself further in his panic. 

He wasn’t even sure where he was hurt, but he knew a death song was upon him. He was too far away from a cove or a nest of seaweed…

He’d die here. He couldn’t swim back to shore. He wondered if he could communicate with the siren at all, if he could beg it to kill him first. 

Sirens were ruthless with a penchant for playing with their food. 

And tonight, Steve was on the menu. 

When Eds felt the mermaid quiet in his arms, he released his mouth, but his other hand was firmly planted on the mer’s hip. 

The mer’s chirps were warbled, unintelligible as if he did not know how to sing. He tried to swim away, but Eds easily snaked his other arm around the little mer. All fight seemed drained of its body. As tremors racked its body, it chirped sad, warbled things. 

Eds gnashed its teeth as he saw sharks circling, attracted to the dark, bloody waters. He could see wounds littering the little mer’s body. Eds turned the mer’s limp body until he was cradling it in his arms. 

The mer’s long fins floated around them, iridescent in the moon’s soft glow. The mer wasn’t like any of the other mers he’d seen. It had old injuries and scars, imperfections, and there was kelp stuck in its long hair. 

Eds no longer wanted to eat him, no, he wanted to keep him like a prized pearl. Diving deeper, Eds swam towards his den. He’d collected all of his shiny things there, a true treasure trove. He lay his little mer on a bed of gold doubloons.

Safe within the wreck of a corroded coffin, the little mer could sleep without worry. 

Eds didn’t really want to leave him. Rumbling at the thought of returning to find the little mer gone or worse stolen from him, he licked the mer’s neck. He breathed in the mer’s sweet scent instead of ripping out its throat, nibbling and kissing to leave clear marks of his sharp teeth. He could stay like this forever, but he knew that the little mer could not. Its wounds were bleeding profusely. 

Eds swam as fast as he could to the seaweed fields. He used his sharp fins to slice strands of seaweed and kelp before swimming back to his den. 

A curious pale catshark had turned the mer’s hair into a makeshift nest. 

Singing a threat song, Eds eventually decided that it meant no harm, so he would allow it to stay. Though, if it were to upset his mer, perhaps, he could have it for a snack. Gently, he surveyed his mer’s body trying to determine the worst of the injuries which seemed to be his side where Ed’s sharp scales had likely worsened the wound. With the softest of kelp, he packed the wound, keeping a wary eye for any signs that the mer was coming to.

The small movements from its gills were the only indication that it still lived. 

Eds huffed. He’d be displeased if his mer died before he got a chance to play, to learn, to explore. 

The mer hadn’t seemed able to chirp, but maybe, it could be taught to purr. 

With the wound packed with kelp, he began to slowly wrap seaweed around it, tugging it so that it covered the wound best. He had to wrap it tightly. 

The mer’s warbled chirp sounded of pain as its eyes flew open. Its soft, clawless hand gripped Eddie’s calloused, clawed hand tightly. 

Eds clicked at him, trying to tell him that he didn’t want to hurt him. He wasn’t sure how different their songs were or if the mer could even register his sounds.

Their chirps were known to be in a much higher score. Their songs were more weightless like air or sea breeze while sirens’ songs were heavier like the depths stirred within a hurricane’s storm. One just as enthralling. One much more deadly. 

The mer’s eyes were cloudy with confusion. 

Eds held up the seaweed and gestured to its half-wrapped wound. Moving slowly so as not to scare the little mer away, he resumed his work of wrapping its wounds. Once he was satisfied that the mer would not bleed out, he sang to it, songs of friendship, of courting, of love? He wasn’t sure; he’d never sung such songs. He didn’t know how to sing like this, his voice breaking, hesitating. He’d never had a reason to sing like this before. He didn’t know why he sang such holy songs for this little mer he’d found other than this mer was different. 

This mer was his. 

Stev could feel the siren’s songs somehow. He didn’t understand them. He couldn’t hear them. But he could feel them. He could imagine how they should sound. As the siren continued to wrap his wounds in seaweed, leaning close, Stev’s back fitting perfectly against the siren’s chest, he could almost hear his song. 

And it was beautiful. It was rougher and rawer than any merfolk song he’d never heard. Imperfect, rich, sad, Stev’s eyes welled with tears shimmering against the dark waters around them. He tried to wipe his face, but his tiny movement, caused the siren to move until they were facing one another. 

He clicked, saying something Stev couldn’t hear, but gently, more gently than his nature allowed, he brushed Stev’s tears away. 

Stev couldn’t help but cry violently just like a hurricane song as he felt the siren’s arms wrap around him, pulling him close. 

Eds finished tying the last bandage snuggly around his little mer’s chest. Not about to let him go, hands snaking up his chest and hovering over his heart, his fingertips formed a cage, subconsciously protecting the heart his own heart had chosen. He pushed the mer flush against him, surprised that the mer allowed such familiarity as he fit so perfectly in the curve of Ed’s body. Purring, he traced songs upon the mer’s skin. 

It was the softest touch Stev had felt in a very, very long time.

***

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Chapter Text

Come, mariner, down in the deep with me, 

And hide thee under the wave;

For I have a bed of coral for thee,

And quiet and sound shall thy slumber be

In a cell in the Mermaid’s cave!

— “The Mermaid’s Song” by Hannah Flagg Gould

Eds nudged a scallop toward Stev, providing for his little mer. 

Stev bashed the scallop against a rock, trying to open it but with little success. His webbed fingers kept slipping because he hesitated, not wanting to crush his fingers, but he couldn’t hit the scallop hard enough to open it. 

Clicking, Eds tried to tell him how to open it, but Stev clearly didn’t understand him. Eds grabbed the scallop and ripped it open with his claws. With a toothy grin, he presented the open scallop to his mer.  

Steve flinched at the violent display. He shivered remembering those sharp claws holding him captive, completely at a predator’s mercy. 

But the siren’s eyes were kind, although toothy, he was still grinning. 

Stev tried to chirp his thanks as he hesitantly took the offered scallop. His smile was timid, uncertain. He could feel a strange rumble in the water, swirling around him. Squealing, he realized that his siren was purring. 

Eddie’s ears flattened at the mer’s silly song, but despite its high-pitched tune, he’d do anything to hear his mer sing so joyously. 

Stev was surprised when the siren suddenly torpedoed out of their den. He had thought they were playing like he’d seen other mers do…

But to his surprise, the siren returned with his arms full of scallops. He dropped them at Stev’s tail. 

Singing the soft and sacred songs of courting, Eds clawed open more scallops and offered them to the littler mer. 

Stev wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to let a siren fatten him up, but he was simply too hungry, too weak to deny himself such an easy meal. He’d not felt so full since he was a young pup. Once his parents, his pod realized that he was too different, that he could not sing he’d only been allowed the last scraps of a hunt. But once he was grown from a pup, he wasn’t even allowed that. Curling up on his nest of gold, he observed the siren who was messily finishing the last of the scallops. Chirping softly, his eyes drifted over the siren’s powerful and lithe body. 

He was scarred too, only his scars were not marks of weakness.

Hearing something curious, Eds looked up from the remains of his meal. 

His treasure could definitely sing, even if the songs were a bit strange. But he couldn’t understand Eds' responses.  Maybe he’d never learned? 

Eddie rumbled out a new song, curious and inviting. 

His mer tilted his head in an adorable display of confusion. 

Purring, he swam closer with gentle claws, Eds cradled his treasure’s face, singing a soothing melody to calm the mer’s nervous squeaks. He inspected his scales adorning his face, his eyes, his lips…

Beautiful. 

Leaning closer, he frowned as he noticed something wrong with his mer’s ears. A long scar ran from his temple to the base of his skull. The fins framing his ears were in tatters like tangles of kelp instead of the fin they were supposed to be. 

He wasn’t just hurt. He was mutilated. 

Eds sang a song of rage and sorrow. 

Stev didn’t understand it at all, but he felt a bubble of protectiveness wrap around himself. The anger was on his behalf… 

Eds nuzzled Stev’s neck, pressing gentle kisses against his ruined ears.

***

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Chapter Text

Voice of the sea that calls to me, 

Heart of the woods my own heart loves,

I am part of your mystery—

Moved by the soul your own soul moves.

— “Voice of the Sea” by William Stanley Braithwaite

Eds was determined to sing a new song, one his little mer could hear, feel… perhaps even sing again. But despite his best attempts to provide and cherish his little mer, there was one thing Eds simply did not know how to give him. 

Stev’s songs were trilling tragedies. He didn’t quite understand his melancholy. He’d never really been part of his old pod, and Eds treated him better than they ever had. But Stev was ever so lonely. He wasn’t allowed to swim very far from Eds’ den. When Eds swam out to fight, to hunt, to sing; Stev was very much alone. At least, he had his pale catfish shark who he’d affectionately name sung Mew. 

Eds always covered him with his scent before he left the den, clicking at him sternly. 

Stev squeaked and stuck his webbed hand out of the corroded coffin. 

Growling, Eds pushed his little mer back into the den. 

Sighing, the mer plopped onto the gold nest and crossed his arms. 

Eds frowned. He didn’t like that his mer was unhappy, but he didn’t know what to do. He rubbed his head against his mer’s and pressed his hand against his heart. 

Stev chirped, curling close. 

Purring, Eds squeezed him tight. He wished he could sing to him… But he couldn’t figure that out inside their den. He untangled himself, kissing his mer’s forehead before swimming away, but he looked back at that little mer one last time. 

Stev sang sadly, petting Mews. He didn’t like being alone. He wasn’t a pup! Why couldn’t he swim with his siren? He plopped himself half in, half out of their den, drawing songs in the sand. 

Something glittered where the sun broke through the ocean waters. 

Looking around, Stev couldn’t help but notice that his siren had quite a collection of shinies. Stev squealed happily. If he offered a shiny to his siren, then maybe, his siren would see that he was a good mer! Darting out of their den, Stev swam towards the shiny. 

Upon closer inspection, the shiny was something silver and sharp. 

Stev had never seen anything like it. He picked it up, squeaking in alarm as it cut his flipper. 

And then, the water was black! 

Squinting, Stev made out something green and squishy was stuck in the strange tentacles attached to the shiny. Humming softly, Stev began to untangle it. 

Two little eyes peered up at him, a little tentacle wrapping around his finger. 

Stev finally pulled it free, revealing a cecaelia pup, a mer with octopus traits. They were rare though, not usually accepted in mer pods. Likely the pup had been abandoned. Singing a pup song, Stev swam back to his den. He used his tail to make a proper nest with his siren’s doubloons. 

The pup watched him carefully, his little tentacles gently brushing against Stev’s ripped fins. 

Plucking seaweed and kelp, he tried to make the hard nest softer, but there wasn’t nearly enough greenery this close to the corroded coffin. Clicking, Stev stared at the green seaweed fields. He didn’t dare venture that far, especially not with a pup. 

The pup squawked something that Stev couldn’t figure out. Flapping its tentacles, it began to wrap its tentacles around Stev’s chest.  

Chirping happily, Stev curled around his pup in his cushier nest. He hugged the little green body. 

Successful in his hunt, Eds was swimming back to his territory when he smelled his mer’s scent away from their den. Growling, he pushed his tail harder, hurrying to check on his mer. Eds cocked his head at the sight that greeted him. His nose twitched at an intruding scent.

His little mer had rearranged their nest, adding kelp and seaweed… He was there sleeping soundly, but something squishy and green was wrapped around his chest and shoulders. 

Eds beat his chest, singing of war, anger, protection, vengeance… Who dared try to steal away what was his? He swam up to them, startling the strange creature who hid itself in his mer’s mane. 

Suddenly the water was black with ink?

Growling, Eds made a move to grab the intruder, but his movements woke his little mer. 

Stev couldn’t see in the inky waters. 

His pup! 

He felt a tiny tentacle pat his cheek. He realized his pup was cowering, hiding in his hair, terrified of something. Grabbing a fist full of shinies, Stev hissed, ready to defend the both of them. As the water cleared, Stev could make out the form of his siren.

Confused, they cocked their heads, relaxing slightly. 

Eds gnashed his teeth as two little eyes peeked through his mer’s hair. 

Stev growled, baring his teeth. 

Uncertain about what had gotten into his mer, Eds backed off. He bared his neck, showing that his mer was in control. 

To his surprise, his mer turned his back to him, reaching up to his hair chirping and cooing softly. He couldn’t help but relax, even if his mer couldn’t sing properly, the meaning was clear, warmth, safety, love. 

Stev slowly coaxed the pup from its hiding spot. 

Its big eyes locked onto Stev’s, its little tentacles wrapping around him tightly. Squawking, it flailed in excitement as it pointed toward the siren. 

Stev tried to sing that they were safe, but he wasn’t sure if he got the lyrics right. He gasped as the pup untangled itself from him and bouncily swam towards the grumpy siren behind them and wrapped his tentacles around the siren’s tail. The pup was an eager mass of limbs and tentacles, squawking and squeaking strange little sounds. 

Eds froze, a growl rumbling deep in his throat, but then he heard the most beautiful sound in the whole ocean: his mer’s laugh. 

Stev giggled at the shocked expression on his siren’s face and the curious expression on his pup’s face. He couldn’t help but think that they looked like a sire and a pup; he couldn’t help but feel a little bit more whole. His songs had been full of longing, but he hadn’t realized that this was what he longed for: a pod, a family. 

***

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Chapter Text

Ocean, mightier than the land, 

Wilful, turbulent, and wild,

Will you love a little child

And kiss her hand?

— “Ocean Mightier than the Land” by Annette Wynne

Eds’ arm was slung lazily around his mer. He glared at the little intruder who was blowing bubbles with his mer. But his mer’s happy purring filled their den. 

His mer was completely smitten with the slimy, squishy snack. 

Eds wasn’t even allowed to have a nibble…

But there was at least one thing the intruder was good for. Cecaelia were quiet creatures without a song, so they sang with their hands. 

Eds couldn’t make much sense of his songs, but his mer could. He watched as their hands sang, curious about what they were saying. He hissed as the little intruder grabbed ahold of his arm. He tried to shake it off, but it was too sticky! 

His mer growled at him for shaking the little cecaelia, making quite a few hand motions. 

Singing a confused song, Eds held his arm out, the little octopus hanging off him. 

Laughing, his little mer carefully untangled them, bringing that squishy, slimy thing into his arms. He nuzzled its little head, purring as best he could. 

The intruder stuck its tongue out at him. 

Eds glared at it. He sang suggestively, waggling his eyebrows at his mer, trying to steal back his mer’s attention.

Blushing, his treasure swam a little closer, their tails brushing against each other. 

Eds purred, pulling him closer. Courting songs were easier now, love songs on the tip of his tongue. He’d never thought he would feel love, but he cherished his little mer, he loved him. He just wanted to tell him somehow…

His mer chirped something at him, but Eds had come no closer at deciphering his mer’s warbled chirps. 

Eds shook his head; he didn’t understand. 

Exasperated, his mer hands sang as he tried, he so desperately tried to say something. 

But Eds couldn’t understand him. I cannot hear you…

And it was the little intruder who pointed to Eds and pointed to Stev. He squawked at Eds.

What! Eds snapped, flashing his teeth. 

And then, the intruder motioned something to his mer. 

His mer gasped in surprise. 

Eds hated their secret language! He wanted to sing to his treasure—

The intruder pointed to him and then pointed to his mer. It gestured back to them and then pointed to itself. 

Cocking his head, Eds tried to make sense of what it was trying to tell him. 

Squawking the little pup bouncily swam up toward his mer’s ears and then swam and pointed to Eds’ mouth before shoving its tentacles in Eds’ face. It hand sang to his mer who hand sung back. 

And finally, Eds got it. He couldn’t talk to his mer, but the pup could. Could the pup understand him? Tell him I love him. Eds watched carefully as the little octopus hand sang to his mer. He tried to copy the movements, but soon his hands were filled with his treasure. 

Stev lay his hand over his siren’s heart, singing haltingly of love. 

Eds kissed him, drowning in an ocean deeper than all the waters he’d drowned in. Pulling back, he looked to his pup, Eds. What’s his name? He watched as his mer and pup hand sung, but they didn’t know how to give his mer’s name…

Finally, the pup pointed to the sand. It squawked excitedly. 

Stev kissed his nose and wriggled away. He drew his name song on the sand, singing to his siren. 

Eds came closer. 

And there it was, his mer’s name song, Stev.

***

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Chapter Text

There’s something about

how the sea draws me in

much like your eyes

even though I know I could drown

I’m always going to try to swim

— “Even though I Could Drown” by Gemma Troy

Eds did not like the little intruder, not one bit. He didn’t like how it so cutely and innocently stole attention from him. 

Stev was enamored with the slimy thing. He name sung the intruder Dus because it liked to play in the sand, stirring up the dust in their den. 

Wanting his nest and his mate all to himself, Eds decided to dig out a little burrow for the intruder. 

But to his dismay, Stev still allowed the little intruder into their nest. 

Eds didn’t understand the concept of a pod. Sirens often abandoned their young. He had been on his own for as long as he could remember. He was a solitary creature who only needed his mate. But even Eds had to admit that his mer was happier than ever with the little intruder in his arms. He couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like when he held their pup… 

Stev sang softly as he tucked Dus into his burrow, covering him with a blanket of sand and seaweed. He swam out of their den to find Eds glowing in the moonlight. 

Crooning, Eds flared his fins and swished his tail suggestively.  

Chirping, Stev tilted his head, not sure what his siren wanted. 

Eds’ sheath strained, pheromones floating around them like water and oil.

Stev licked his lips. He’d never smelled anything so intoxicating. He felt his slit leaking pheromones of his own. 

Circling one another, they sang songs of courting, of loving, of mating. Mating songs were sacred, the only songs sung with the body, not the voice. 

Eds showed off his powerful tail, playfully splashing his mate. He pulled him close, brushing his tail against Stev’s.  

Stev twirled, dancing gracefully. He shivered as their scales rubbed against each other. 

Purring, Eds nuzzled the crook of Stev’s neck. His fangs elongated, longing to bite down and claim his mate to the depths of the seven seas. But first, he wanted to taste his little mer. He kissed the corner of his mer’s mouth. 

Stev chirped impatiently. He wanted more, more, more… 

Eds moaned as his mer captured his mouth, their tongues dancing. Eds could feel his mer’s sharp but tiny teeth. He couldn’t help but think of those teeth sinking into his neck. He’d wear his little mer’s mark proudly. He deepened their kiss, drowning.

Stev whined, not wanting to pull away, but his gills were burning. He gasped, hanging onto his siren wanting more, more, more… 

Kissing Stev’s shoulder, Eds lingered over the perfect spot for his mating bite. His sharp teeth grazed Stev’s sensitive flesh. And then he felt his mer’s tiny teeth on his neck, holding him in place with just a bit of pressure. 

They paused, pheromones floating around them, tails entangled, tying together, teeth waiting for permission. 

Mating like this was for life. 

Eds needed Stev to be sure, but Stev’s toothy hold never faltered. Growling, Eds pulled Stev closer, his claws digging into his mer’s side. He rumbled, caught in his mer’s song of want. 

His little mer wanted to mate him. His mer wanted him. 

Tilting his head, Eds licked his mer’s neck. He took Stev’s webbed hand and pressed it to his heart, pressing his other hand against Stev’s heart. He wanted him too. 

Synchronized, they bit each other, claiming each other to the depths of the ocean, the endless horizon, and their love unsung. 

Stev was filled with the music of his mate. He felt a closeness he’d never felt before. For Stev who had been as lonely as a whale who couldn’t sing, there was no greater pleasure than closeness. Pleasure crashed through Stev like a tidal wave, but instead of washing him farther out, it brought him closer to his love. His mate. Stev shuddered as he felt Eds pressing ever closer, his pleasure mingled with Stev’s own.

Eds lapped at the bite mark on Stev’s neck, the physical proof of their love and undying devotion. Despite his best efforts to go at the mer’s pace, his hips rocked against Stev’s needily.

Stev trilled at the sensation of Ed’s bulging sheath sliding across his scales, the movement made easier by the slick spilling from his own slit. 

Ed’s anatomy was so different from his own. 

Curious, Stev hesitantly slipped his hand down to press gently on the bulging scales. 

Eds pushed away, unable to think clearly when their tails were so close. He rumbled warningly.

Stev let out a low warble, frowning at his mate, hands reaching back towards his goal.

Eds groaned, too tempted by his little mate. He shook his head but the smirk on his face was fond, his eyes imploring Stev to slow down.

Stev grinned victoriously. He tried to reach back down but Eds’ hands wrapped around his own smaller wrists to still his movements. 

Once again, Eds traced his mark on Stev’s neck. It was marvelous to finally belong.

Stev gasped as Eds flicked his thumbs across the nubs of his hardened nipples and arched into his mate’s touch. 

Somehow, Eds knew his body better than even Stev himself. 

As more slick gushed from Stev’s slit, Eds’ eyes darkened hungrily. Teasingly tracing, Stev’s soft skin, Eds’ fingertips brushed against his sensitive scales, but he paused above Stev’s slit. He tilted his head, waiting for his mate’s permission. He didn’t have to wait very long though as Stev threaded his fingers with Eds and guided him to his unexplored depths. Eds wasn’t afraid to dive, but he held himself back. 

His mer deserved the utmost care. 

Pulling his mate even closer, Eds gently teased the soft scales around his mer’s slit before plunging in.

Stev was so very warm and tight, his body relaxing, opening sucking him in. 

Eds watched Stev’s face for any sign of discomfort or distress but found nothing but awe in his face. 

Trembling in his mate’s embrace, Stev gasped as his siren slipped a second finger into his slit. He’d never felt so overwhelmed, so flooded with love as something foreign rose like a great wave. 

As Eds worked in another finger, Stev wondered how much more Eds would give him until he was deemed ready. He squeaked breathlessly. 

Eds hummed, kissing the curve of Stev’s neck. He knew how impatient Stev was to be joined together, but it was too important to prepare him. 

Purring, Stev trusted him completely, loved him completely. 

Crooking his fingers, he hit against an untouched spot inside of him.  

Stev cried out, the wave of pleasure building and building, intensifying towards something Stev didn’t understand, but Eds mouth quirked knowingly. 

Relentlessly, he moved faster, not giving Stev a chance to fill his gills with water. He’d barely fitted his next finger inside Stev’s slit when Stev’s pleasure finally crested. 

Clinging to his mate, he’d never felt anything so powerful and all-consuming as his climax rocked throughout his entire body. 

Eds rumbled softly, singing lovingly, as his mate shook against him. He held him steady, waiting for the calm before the storm. Once Stev was ready, Eds brought Stev’s hand to his bulging shaft. 

Stev chirped nervously feeling Eds’ hardness freed from the confines of its shaft. He was afraid, uncertain how they would fit together.

But Eds kissed him gently, singing songs of comfort. He would never hurt his mate. 

Stev’s initial hesitation was dispelled. Mers were naturally curious and inquisitive, Stev couldn’t help but come closer. Carefully, Stev stroked Eds’ erection from root to tip, mesmerized with the softness of his satin skin and the hardness of his shaft. Stev felt empowered enough to continue exploring further, watching Eds shudder under his fingertips. 

He was fascinated that while his slit opened to receive, Eds’ slit opened to expand and give growing first with a shaft and then with a cock. To his surprise, Stev wanted everything Eds had to give him. He explored where Eds’ cock merged with his dark scales when he came across a slight dip in the otherwise rock-hard flesh. Pressing a delicate touch, he squeaked in alarm as the soft skin gave way to something sharp that pricked his finger. Withdrawing his hand quickly, Stev popped his bleeding finger into his mouth, giving Eds a worried glance. 

Eds pulled Stev’s hand from his mouth, giving the hurt finger a quick lick even though it had all but stopped bleeding. His song was soothing as he held up one hand to make a circle and slid his other hand through it, the thumb catching on the outside of the circle. 

Stev gave a wobbly smile and nod, understanding Eds’ meaning. Though mers didn’t have such anatomy, he was familiar with the concept of a breeding barb from other species. However, he’d never expected to experience one in real life, and it was more than a little daunting. 

Eds sang softly of desire, hoping to assure his mate that it would be pleasurable more than painful.

Stev let the dulcet sound of Eds’ song wash over him, easing away any further apprehension he had. With renewed desire, Stev reached down and stroked Eds’ long shaft until the siren was keening. 

Eds tried his best to maintain his composure as Stev sated his curiosity, but the sight of his sweet mate taking him in hand and reveling in every nuance proved to be too much for him. Reaching out with a firm hand, Eds stilled Stev’s motions, giving the mer a quick nod before moving Stev’s hand up to his shoulder. Once Stev’s hand held him securely to Eds’ body, Eds twined himself against Stev until his aching cock was lined up with Stev’s slit. Eds rubbed his cock against the slippery folds, his way eased by the slick that still coated Stev’s slit and surrounding scales. 

Eds paused, needing his mate’s assurance, but Stev smiled softly. He was ready. 

With their bodies pressed tightly against one another, Eds pressed forward, the slick heat of Stev’s body welcoming him with ease. 

Stev gasped, the feeling of Eds breaching him so different than when the siren had used his fingers, and so much better. He trilled and moaned happily as Eds continued sliding slowly into his body, wishing his mate would hurry up. He wanted, no; he needed, more. 

It took all of Eds strength to move slowly as he inched forward at a glacial pace. There would be time later for frantic, heated, mating. For now, he wanted tenderness and care for his mer’s first time. 

After what seemed like an eternity, Eds stilled, his cock fully seated in Stev’s hot channel that squeezed him like a vice. 

They were both overwhelmed, having never swum so deeply before. 

Eds knew he didn’t need much more to push him over the edge, but he was determined to wring at least one more climax out of Stev before he reached his own peak. 

Stev raked his soft claws down Eds’ back, impatient that his mate was moving so slowly. Rocking against his tail, Stev begged for more, more, more. 

If Stev had thought Eds’ fingers felt good moving inside him, they were nothing compared to his cock. The heavy, heated drag sent chills up his spine, his whole body alight with sensation as Eds moved their bodies in perfect harmony. 

The wave was growing once more, and Stev couldn’t wait for the crash of pleasure. He moved his tail to match Eds’ motions, chasing his release like an eel through tall grasses. 

Eds knew they were both getting closer. Stev’s channel clenched around him building up his own release. He wanted to draw things out, to take their time, but his sweet, feisty, mer had other plans for them. Eds matched Stev’s pace, drawing in the ocean that was them.

They climaxed together. Stev wailing breathlessly as he came; Eds growling thunderously as his barb descended and locked them together. 

Stev was so overcome by his climax that he barely registered the moment Eds’ barb locked in, a mild pinch lost amongst a sea of pleasure. But Eds’ shaft swelled, overwhelming Stev with a new sensation. 

Eds groaned as his body prepared itself to release his clutch into Stev. It was almost more intense than his peak as the first few eggs shot from him into Stev’s body. 

Stev looked at Eds with awe as he realized he could feel the siren’s eggs filling him. He hadn’t expected to feel it so acutely but as the heaviness settled low in his belly he reveled in it.

Eds couldn’t stop the release once it started, his body pumping his full clutch into Stev’s at a steady pace. He was lost to the pleasurable sensations and the almost feral desire to breed his mate. He shuddered as he emptied the last of himself into Stev. He knew it would be unlikely that any eggs took on their first time, but he hoped beyond hope that maybe one, or even a few, would take root inside his mate. 

Stev marveled at the gentle swell of his belly as Eds finished spilling inside him. He felt heavy and swollen, but a deep-seated instinct was finally satisfied. He was made for this, and he couldn’t help but hope that Eds’ eggs would take. He ran a hesitant hand over the bulge that curved out above his scales, pressing lightly and causing himself to moan with how good it felt to be so filled up by his mate.

Eds couldn’t keep his hands idle while Stev caressed his belly, reaching out to trace the gentle curve for himself. Silently he prayed to the old gods and the new ones that their mating would produce a pup. A melancholy song of longing and family on his lips. 

Stev was glad they were still locked together as Eds sang, wanting to be as close as possible to reassure his mate. He echoed his song as much of it as he could hear.

Eds kissed him as if he were holy, a thing to be worshiped. 

And for once in his life, Stev felt that he was.  

Time passed slowly while they waited for Eds’ barb to recede, the pair taking turns rubbing the swell of Stev’s belly until it was almost completely deflated back to its previous state and trading kisses all the while. 

Both secretly hoped they would be blessed with their own pup.

***

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Chapter Text

On a lazy summer day

I kin hear the ocean say

Sorter longin’ to the beach,

Wish— wish,

In a dreamy-reamy speech,

Wish— wish— wish! 

— “Wish— Wishin’” by Amos Russel Wells

Dus snuggled closer to his mama’s side just like he’d wanted to when he was a larva. When he’d hatched in a cold and empty nest, he hadn’t thought anything was wrong. But after watching the other mer species, he realized that he shouldn’t have been alone. He’d tried to integrate with different pods, hoping to have some semblance of protection or possibly family. 

But the other mers chased him off. They thought he looked too different, and they couldn’t understand his songs. 

Cecaelia were fairly smart and self-sufficient, so Dus learned to hide in abandoned shells. He taught himself to hunt, and he did just fine for himself. But he was just a pup; he couldn’t help but long for cradling arms to sleep in… He was lonely. He’d figured out that mers weren’t supposed to be alone. He’d observed mers in their pods, hell, even sirens supposedly solitary and lone creatures hunted together. 

Seashells offered a kind of shelter without truly being safe, but they were dreadfully cold. Dus curled into a tiny ball, hugging himself, afraid to sleep. The ocean was always dark, but at night, it became a void. Sometimes, Dus was afraid he’d be swallowed whole. Hiding in a seashell, one little tentacle tightly grasped a strand of seaweed. But not everything was dark. 

One day, Dus’ seashell was overturned, shaken until he slipped right out. He had squawked and hissed angrily, terrified—

A play song bubbled around him. 

Squeaking, Dus found two young pups, swishing their tails playfully. 

They weren’t cecaeli, but they weren’t normal mers either. 

One was a nereid, a seahorse mer. The other one was a sirenia, a manatee mer. 

They name sung themselves Wil and Mik. 

Dus did not have a name song yet. 

But Wil and Mik didn’t care. They just wanted to play and sing, even if they didn’t quite understand Dus’ songs. Somehow, those three little pups formed a pod of their own. 

Of course, Wil and Mik had to swim home, leaving Dus to his solitary shell. 

One night, Dus’ grip on his seaweed slipped. He was caught up in the churning and the upwelling of a great storm. It carried him away to waters far away from everything he’d ever known. When the storm finally cleared, Dus peeked out of his shell. 

He’d never seen waters so dark, and he could feel from the pressure that he was much deeper than the coral coasts. He hid in his shell until hunger drew him out. He thought he might be able to swim to the surface and figure out where he was, but he’d got caught in nets and hooks. Unable to break free, he hid in shinies, mimicking, flickering their colors. 

But then he’d been saved by his mama. He loved his mama more than he’d ever dreamt possible. He even liked his daddy, even if he were a bit grumpy, but he missed his friends. Did they miss him too? But as much as Dus missed his friends, he wouldn’t go back. He finally had a pod all to himself. He had his mama and his daddy. He wasn’t alone anymore. 

Dus purred as his mama hugged him close as if he could sense the churning waters in the young pup’s mind. 

Humming a lullaby, Stev poured his love into their den. He was plush against his mate, their tails entangled. 

His siren was sound asleep, dream singing. 

His pup was nestled in his arms. 

Chirping happily, Stev absentmindedly rubbed his stomach. He sometimes thought he could feel Eds’ eggs, and he wondered if they were growing. He wanted a clutch of pups, but looking at his two lovies, he knew he had everything he’d ever wanted. 

***

Eds had gone out hunting, leaving Stev and Dus alone. He couldn’t help but worry, but he could not deny his nature. Sirens were predators. If they did not sing their songs of death, their poisonous passions might bubble over. They were likely to hurt anything that dared come too close. Thus, Eds had to hunt; he couldn’t risk hurting his mer or even the little intruder. 

Stev and Dus were playing in the seaweed fields. 

Dus would change colors, making it harder for his mama to find him. He popped out of the sand, scaring his mama and squawking in glee. 

Stev loved his pup’s happy squeaks. He swished his tail, ready to pounce— But he was suddenly attacked by two small pups, growling and hissing. He batted them off, swatting them with his tail. 

The pups snapped at him. 

But then Dus squawked loudly. He placed himself between his mama and his friends. 

Wil and Mik chirped happily to find their friend. They bumped their heads together, purring and hugging.

Stev watched the pups reunite. He could clearly see his pup’s happiness, that he knew these little ones. But he couldn’t help being afraid that his pup might leave him. 

Dus bounced over to his mama, wrapping his tentacles around him. He squeaked at his friends, nuzzling close to his mama. 

Seeing that this strange mer was good, the other two pups came closer, sniffing and hesitantly cuddling close for warmth. 

Stev chirped curiously, scenting the pups to let his siren know that these pups were off-limits. Swishing his tail playfully, he threw up the sand in the water so they could play. 

The pups squealed. 

And so, Stev found himself an honorary member of a pups’ pod. 

They played and played and played some more until all four of them collapsed on top of Stev’s nest and fell fast asleep. 

And that’s how Eds found his mate in their nest surrounded by even more little intruders! He stomped his tail and hissed angrily. 

Stev peered up at him, pouting at having been woken up. He pulled his mate into their nest. 

Unable to resist, Eds snuggled up to his little mer. He was quite cross at having his den invaded, but his mer peppered him with kisses. Rumbling, Eds sighed. He just couldn’t win! He was even forced to be a pillow for three small intruders! 

Stev sang smugly, mischievously. He loved having a crowded nest, completely outnumbered by pups. 

***

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Chapter Text

A white mist drifts across the shrouds,

A wild moon in this wintry sky

Gleams like an angry lion’s eye

Out of a mane of tawny clouds.

— “La Mer” by Oscar Wilde

Eds was starting to think he couldn’t leave his little mer alone. He’d gone out just for a swim and came back to five pups in their nest! 

Stev at least looked sheepish as he rocked a strange, glowy pup. 

Eds snarled and thumped his tail, flashing his fins— quicker than lightning, a small pup had bit and shocked him. Howling, Eds tried to grab it only to be shocked again. 

Stev slapped Eds with his tail, baring his teeth. 

Eds growled, gnashing his teeth. 

But all five pups glared at him, protecting their mother. 

And how could he hate them after that? Well, he still could, but he could acknowledge that they loved Stev as much as he did. So, no matter how badly he wanted to eat them and scatter their bones around his den to ward off more pups from adopting his mer, he couldn’t. 

Stev would never forgive him, but even more than that, Eds knew that within this strange pod, his little mer would always be protected. 

Baring his neck, Eds conceded defeat. He pouted at his mer, trying to win forgiveness.

Stev sang warbly but eventually allowed his mate back in the nest. 

Lu tried to shock Eds again, but Stev stopped the pup with a good glare. 

One by one, Stev carried the pups to their burrow. Nuzzling, scenting, he tucked them into a bed of seaweed and sand. 

The little ones chirped at him, Dus explaining that they wanted a story. 

Hand singing, Stev told them of a sorrowful siren and a merry mer. He loved their little squawks and squeaks as they were enraptured by the story. Finally, he kissed them goodnight and swam back to his nest. 

Eds still looked petulant, but he happily pulled Stev into his arms. 

Stev sang softly of love, of family. He took his siren’s large hand in his small hand, marveling at how different they were. 

Eds’s hands were calloused and clawed. 

Stev’s were soft and silky. He moved Eds’ hand to lay against his stomach. 

Rumbling, the siren didn’t realize what his mer was about until the mer pushed his hand harder against his stomach. There, Eds could feel an egg! He couldn’t tell if there were more, but it was still early. 

Stev squeaked nervously. He was afraid… 

Eds hated pups. What if he wasn’t pleased? But Eds’ arms tightened around him, rumbling a song of cherishing and protecting his treasure, his greatest treasure.  

Tapping thrice on Eds’ chest, Stev conveyed, I love you. 

Eds kissed his little mer, expressing his love with his mouth, his hands, and his body. 

His clawed hands pressed gently into Stev’s still-flat stomach reverently. 

Stev wasn’t showing yet. He wouldn’t show for weeks, months, but the slight bump of the egg, their egg, was already making Eds feel all but feral. He loved his little mate so much, and their love had created this beautiful gift.

Stev would make a wonderful parent, Eds was certain. And while he had his own fears and doubts about his ability to parent a pup, he knew it was going to be okay because Stev wouldn’t tolerate anything but the best for their pup. 

Eds moved down to press a soft kiss on Stev’s skin, right above where their egg lay safely nestled in the mer’s body. 

Stev watched Eds’ movement with awe. All of his concern over how Eds would take the news disappeared as he watched his mate. 

Eds looked up at Stev with tears glistening in his eyes, making their rich brown shine in the moonlight. 

Stev gave a gentle, questioning, half smile. Are you okay? He asked without words.

Eds nodded quickly, a broad smile splitting across his face. His joy was palpable as he slithered back up to pepper Stev’s face with sweet kisses.

Stev couldn’t help but giggle lightly, caught up in Eds’ happiness. 

Eds’ kisses slowed, trailing down Stev’s neck and becoming more heated as he went.

Steve let out a soft moan as Eds nipped lightly at the curves of his collar bones and the noise only spurred the siren on. 

Eds dropped back down, passing by Stev’s lower stomach with only a quick, cursory, kiss. This time his destination was lower. 

Eds wrapped his hands around Stev’s hips to hold the mer in place as he lapped over the delicate skin of Stev’s slit. 

Stev writhed at the feel of Eds’ long, slippery tongue undulating over his most sensitive place. Tiny sparks of pleasure shot up through his body and he was thankful for Eds’ strong hands keeping him in place. 

Eds was lost in the taste and feel of his mate on his tongue. It was like the sea itself come to life. 

He couldn’t be certain it was safe to mate with Stev again now that he was carrying their pup, so until he found out for sure, he would have to love on his little mer in other ways. 

Sirens were talented with their tongues, able to move them in hundreds of ways to help aid their songs. But Eds was never more thankful for this skill than he was as he laved over Stev’s slit. 

The more Stev tried to writhe in his grasp and the more vocal he became in his pleasure the bolder Eds became in his ministrations. Dipping his tongue in shallow rapid flicks inside Stev’s slippery hole. 

Eagerly Eds lapped up the slick Stev’s body was releasing, fervently chasing the heady taste. 

Stev had never felt such acute pleasure in his life. It was overwhelming in its power, and, with mildly embarrassing speed, Stev found himself at his peak. 

A sharp cry left Stev’s mouth as he came, the tightly coiled pleasure that had been building in his stomach snapping free and sparking through his body like lightning. 

Stev trembled against Eds’ tongue as the siren gentled him down from his climax, swimming back upwards to catch him right as he slumped over, spent from the powerful release. 

Stev sang a soft song of peace and contentment quietly against Eds’ chest as the siren held him close.

***

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Chapter Text

A gray day, and the gulls are gone.

Visor of mist o’er the sun is drawn.

The cordage creaks and the sails all strain,

The deck is drenched with the rushing rain, 

The waves leap strong at the struggling keel,

And the ship rides madly with plunge and reel.

But the sailors shout as they haul away,

And merrily sing, for it’s naught care they

For the wind that screams on the lee,

Or a gray day out at see.

— “A Gray Day” by Ruby Archer

Eds didn’t know how he’d found himself in this situation. He’d never known his mother, and he’d never been around expectant mothers before. Of course, he was surprised by how much cuddlier his mer was. Stev was always cuddly, but now, he wanted to cuddle all the time. And he didn’t just want to cuddle with Eds. He wanted to cuddle with Eds and all of the pups. 

Squished under a pile of pups, Eds couldn’t believe how the tides had changed. He loved his little mer more than he’d ever thought possible. Stev who was cuddly and grumpy and hungry. Stev who sang his warbled songs to their eggs. Stev who loved as deeply as the ocean. 

Carefully, Eds extracted himself from his clinging mate. He pressed a soft kiss against Stev’s forehead, smiling at the sight of Stev who was sound asleep in their nest, surrounded by their pups. Sharpening his claws, he was readying for a hunt. He knew they needed to move inshore soon, while Stev was still able. Hatchlings couldn’t swim well enough for the dark, deep waters, and if they waited too long, the journey would be treacherous for Stev. He was already putting on blubber, and he was much more tired than usual. With a pregnant mate and a pod of pups, Eds knew he needed to go hunting. He needed to be at full strength, and he needed to bring back a large meal to sate all of them until they were safely along the shore. Before swimming out, he grabbed Dus. 

The pup quietly hissed at him. 

Eds snapped at him. He pointed to Stev and then the pup, needing to know that they’d be safe without him. 

Dus bobbed in the water, daring to swim closer to the dangerous siren. The pup rubbed his head against Eds’ to share their scents and perhaps, their love. 

Eds gently pushed him away. He didn’t have the heart to hiss at the stupid intruder, but he dumped him back in the nest.

Stev pulled his baby close, purring in his sleep. 

Pushing into the dark waters, Eds didn’t look back. He didn’t. He hadn’t swum far when he sensed the serenades of sirens. Familiar, play songs he’d learned as a pup. 

Gar and Jef, the closest thing Eds had to a pod before Stev, whistled their greetings. All three of them had been abandoned in the shallows. It was sink or swim, and they’d had no one but each other. That was a strong bond. 

Eds whistled in return, bumping his tail against theirs. 

Their heads cocked as they smelled his little mer and the intruders. 

Singing of mate and pups, Eds couldn’t keep the smile off his face. He’d never sung so joyfully. 

Gar and Jef squealed, happy for their friend. 

The sirens were drawn by the moon’s song. Ravenous. Ravenous. Ravenous. They circled the corroded coffins, ravenous, ravenous, ravenous. Death songs. Hunt songs. Prey songs. 

Soon, the sailors would be the ones praying. 

Eds’ head just broke through the surface of the waters when he heard the fearful, frantic crying of a pup. Death songs were too sweet. Singing of pain, Eds sprung out of the waters and grabbed a sailor. 

A quick death was more than the sailors deserved, but there was no time to waste. With a bellowing roar, Eds ripped the sailor’s throat out, his razor-sharp teeth cutting through tissue and bone until the sailor’s head bobbed backward, barely connected to the rest of his body. Eds let the frenzy to hunt and kill overwhelm him. He’d repressed his nature for too long, but his very being was carnal, ravenous. He couldn’t fight it any longer, so Eds was lost to the power, the madness. He could hear screaming as Gar and Jef pulled more sailors from the ship. 

Blood filled the water around them, the formerly cobalt waves were now a bright crimson.

Eds sang of bloodlust as he sprang out of the water to grab another sailor from the ship, but this sailor refused to go easy though. Thrashing like a fish out of water, the sailor slammed against Eds’ body, slamming his fists as hard as he could against Eds’ ears. Ears ringing, Eds’ lost his hold on the sailor who started swimming away. But despite the ringing in his ears, Eds was still faster, pulling the man back towards him. He sank his claws into the meat of the man’s thighs, ripping through his flesh, leaving long bloody gashes down the back of the man’s legs. 

The sailor screamed in agony, unable to swim further, and so he pulled out his knife. 

Consumed with the death song thrumming through his veins, preoccupied with thoughts of tearing this sailor apart. Eds circled him, letting him feel like a caged animal before he struck. Just like the pup whimpering in fear…

But the sailor struck first.

It was all just a blur. A flash of silver and a burst of pain as the sailor’s knife pierced through Eds’ side. His blood was like dark, smoky tendrils mixing with the bright red of the sailor’s blood. 

Eds roared, a terrifying, unearthly sound. He no longer wanted to play with his food. The snap of bones, the squelch of flesh as Eds devoured the man with preternatural speed. The only thing left of the sailor was the knife, which Eds tossed down into the inky ocean depths where it could never hurt anyone again. The pain in Eds’ side was manageable, though he knew he’d need a little patching up when he returned home to his mate. At the thought of Stev and the pups, Eds sprang back up and pulled another sailor down for a quick yet another grisly death. None of these monstrous men would survive the night. They would never be allowed to hurt another of his kind, and they would never endanger his family. 

Sailors were pulled from their ships one by one as the sirens feasted. Their screams filled the night air, a horrific counterpart to the ethereal songs the sirens sang as they attacked. The songs were of war and death, but they sounded hauntingly beautiful to the sailors in the last moments before their deaths. 

But in the end, the slaughter was over all too soon. Eds was still frenzied, eyes blazing, and teeth bared, but there were no sailors left to devour. 

Gar swam over to Eds, calling gently across the water to assure Eds the fighting was done. 

A shiver ran through Eds as his old pod-mate placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, steadying him. Eds gave Gar a quick nod. There was still more work to be done. 

The ship was sinking, but the pup was still captured. 

Eds jumped onboard, dragging himself forward to where the pup was captured. He grabbed the bars, testing its strength. 

The pup squealed fearfully. 

Eds tried to sing of comfort and safety, but his voice was gravelly, raspy from the songs of pain and death. 

The pup cowered away from him, terrified of a siren twice her size and covered in blood. Siren pups learned early on that grown sirens couldn’t be trusted. Sirens often ate their young…

Not food, Eds sang softly. 

The ship shook, breaking apart. 

Eds braced himself against the cage. Pup, not food.

Lies! The pup hissed. 

Eds tore the cage door off its hinges. 

Squealing, the pup bit him when he reached for her. 

But Eds ignored the pain and scooped her into his arms. He cradled her to his chest, ignoring her flailing and thrashing. Her tiny claws and teeth tearing away at his flesh. 

Gar and Jef tilted their heads, not understanding why Eds would save a pup. 

Eds sang of farewell but seeing them again. He swam into the dark, deep depths, feeling sated and satisfied. He hummed like Stev did to the pups, hoping to calm the little fire, but she continued to fight him, despite her exhaustion. Eds sighed with relief as they reached the den. He was hurting, and he just wanted his mate. 

Stev chirped anxiously, smelling blood and distress. His jaw dropped open in shock when Eds dropped a squirming pup into his arms. 

The pup squeaked in alarm, but Stev’s warbled song was truly comforting with no dangerous undertones. She looked at him with wide eyes but wasn’t afraid anymore. 

Stev smiled. He rocked her back and forth, humming, humming, humming. 

Her eyelids fluttered shut. 

Stev placed her in the burrow with the other pups. He swam back to his mate who was bleeding. He frowned, pushing his mate against their nest, so he could better tend his wounds. Wrapping seaweed and kelp tightly around his wounds, Stev hissed angrily. He might not be able to sing properly, but there were other ways to tell his mate he was angry. 

Eds trembled as he was overwhelmed by his little mer’s emotions. 

Stev had woken with no idea where his mate was, and all he had felt through the bond was darkness and pain. He’d been terrified that Eds wouldn’t come home. Placing a hand over Eds’ chest, he listened to Eds’ heart song. 

Eds hissed, pushing through the pain, and pulled Stev into his arms. His voice was almost gone, but somehow, he sang of their love.

***

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Chapter Text

Whence they come and whither they go,

The wild sea waves, no man may know.

The spell of the moon

Is on their shoon,

She beckons them to and fro.

— “The Moon and the Waves” by Ruby Archer

Stev struggled to swim at the same pace as his mate and pups. His tail was tired already, and his gills were gasping, trying to catch his breath. Swimming out in the open like this was harder on Stev than the others. Swimming away from the first den, the first home Stev had ever had, was probably the hardest thing he’d ever done. It was probably the hormones, but Stev thought leaving their den was the greatest tragedy in the ocean. He felt as tumultuous as the waves at the thought of swimming back to the shallows. He was afraid of his former pod… Unable to hear anything as the waters washed over him, he recoiled fearfully when Eds touched him. 

Eds sang softly, confused by Stev’s emotions. He’d noticed Stev falling behind, so he’d meant to carry his exhausted little mer.

Stev warbled, voice shaking, but recognizing his mate’s scent and his rumbling vibrations, calmed him. He was nervous despite being surrounded by his pod; he didn’t feel safe. Stev found himself holding onto his siren like a baby otter. 

Eds growled, confused. Sirens were not sentimental creatures, not only were they solitary, but they rarely stayed in place. 

The ocean was meant to be explored, after all.

But the longest he’d ever stayed anywhere was their den. He wouldn’t miss it though; his home was Stev. He didn’t understand why it was different for Stev…

Laying against Eds’ body, Stev’s eyes fluttered close. He could feel the thump, thump of his siren’s heart. 

Eds kissed the top of his siren’s head before pulling away. Keep swimming.

Stev sighed. Trembling, he somehow managed to push his tail up and down. His tail hurt, and he was nervous because he felt blind. He had never swum like this before, and the water was so loud. Constant, confusing noise scared him. But he could see Eds and the pups ahead of him. He had to keep swimming for them. 

Perhaps, the strangest sight in the ocean: a siren, a school of pups, and a mermaid. 

Stev brought up the rear of their little pod. He squeaked in alarm as a small school of fish swam into him, one stray fin cutting his arm. 

Blood twirled in the water. 

Goosebumps scattered across his flesh… Something was wrong. Chirping, he tried to get Eds’ attention. Trying not to panic, he stopped floating in the water, trying to see what alerted every nerve in his body. 

Eds turned back, wondering if Stev needed him. He screamed, knowing Stev couldn’t hear him, couldn’t feel him. 

Stev was too far away! The shark was on Stev’s left side, his bad side, the side that was the most damaged… There was no way Stev would see the shark until it was too late. 

Feeling the change in the water, the pups turned around squawking and squealing in alarm. 

Eds hissed, demanding they swim behind him. 

They swam towards a garden of seaweed, hiding crying for their mother.

He sprung forward, having never swum faster in his life. He screamed songs of pure panic, trying desperately to get his mer’s attention. He prayed to the gods of the seas that the shark would realize its prey was not the easy meal it imagined. 

Who would strike first the shark or the siren?

Eds roared. Sirens weren’t the greatest predators in the ocean, and no matter how fast Eds swam, he’d never be fast enough. 

The shark hit, hard and fast. The force of the shark’s body colliding with Stev threw him backward even further away from Eds who was desperate to reach him. 

Stev saw a flash of silver circling around him, too quickly for him to make out what the creature was. He felt like prey… Something large slammed into him, sinking its teeth into the meat of his tail. Blood poured out of him, clouding his view of Eds who just wasn’t close enough… 

Steve cried out, pain overwhelming him…  

Eds growled as the shark released Stev’s tail, purposefully ripping the sensitive flesh further. 

The shark continued to circle, throwing Stev around with its bigger body, batting him with its tail like a pup’s toy. Its terrible teeth tore off a chunk of Stev’s soft flesh. 

Desperately, Stev tried to swim away, but he was too weak to defend himself or swim away as the shark continued its attack. Screaming, Steve realized that he wasn’t going to make it. He hoped to see Eds or the pups one last time, but he couldn’t see his mate through the vermillion haze surrounding him. He had to be strong for his mate. For his pups. But as the shark lunged towards him once more, Stev’s world faded to black. 

Breaking through the cloud of red, Eds growled of impending pain, of death, of ruin. He roared in agony as he saw Stev’s body floating lifelessly in the water, pale and limp. Terrified he’d lost his mate and his unhatched pups in one fatal swoop, he had to push down the bubbling-up despair and fear and lose his hold on his endless rage. 

The shark, lost in the feeding frenzy had not noticed the other predator in the waters.

With his long, sharp claws, Eds slashed the shark’s tail, and the shark’s blood floated around them, as the shark’s gleaming eyes took in the siren. 

Tauntingly, Eds swam away, trying to get the shark away from Stev. He could not even think that he’d lost his little mer… 

With the shark chasing him, he could barely watch as his frightened pups swam out of their hiding place in the seaweed. Dus and Max led the small group of pups, their bravery, and love for their mama empowering them to move. As fast as they were able to they gathered Stev in their tentacles and arms, dragging him back to their hiding spot. 

It broke Eds’ heart to hear their terrified squeaks and pitiful cries. But heartbreak would not win this battle. 

The shark attempted to lunge at him, but Eds was faster, diving forward with teeth bared and claws slashing. He managed to swipe his clawed hand down the shark’s side and even managed to bite its fin before the shark retreated. 

Eds thought it was over. He thought he could go back to Stev and the pups, but the shark slammed into him, sending him spiraling into the cloudy water.

Eds had barely righted himself when he felt the shark’s teeth sink into his chest. He managed to pull back before the wound could get too deep, but he glanced down in horror as blood streamed from the large bite which had taken a hunk of his left pectoral and his nipple with it. With a howl of anger, Eds darted lightning-fast at the shark’s flank. His claws sank deep into the beast’s flesh like a spear, his hands sinking deep into its belly. Using all of his force, Eds pulled his hands in a wide sweeping gesture, ripping the shark apart with his rage. 

Eventually, the shark stopped fighting, but Eds didn’t stop. Possessed, he continued to claw at it, slashing it bit by bit. By the time Eds was satisfied, the ocean was blood red. Only the smallest bits of the shark’s carcass remained. Lost in the bloodlust, Eds didn’t understand the plaintive cries of pups… 

Pups, his pups!

And Stev, his little mer, his mate!

Eds dove through the waters, following the sounds of the pups’ cries until he found where they had hidden in the seaweed and reef. 

Max hissed at Eds’ arrival, calming only slightly when she realized it was him. 

Gently, Eds caressed Stev’s pale face, looking for any sign of life in his mate.

***

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Chapter Text

Up from the dark the moon begins to creep; 

And now a pallid, haggard face lifts she

Above the water-line: thus from the deep

A drowned body rises solemnly.

— “Moonrise at Sea” by Thomas Bailey Aldrich

The waves cradled the broken body of the little mer, lifting him ever upwards toward the moon. His soul lingered, crying to the sun, the moon, and the stars; to anything, or anyone who would listen. He wasn’t ready to leave his mate, his pups. His weak hand grasped his round stomach, voice breaking, he sang his warbled song, begging, crying, pleading for his pups’ lives.

And the moon heard his call. 

Mother to mother, both fearing for their child. 

The moon had been watching her little mer. She’d mourned with his lonely song and rejoiced with his love, and blessed them with new little life. For many cycles, she had been there for her little mer, silently singing along with his songs. She could no more lose him than he lose his pups. Losing her child, losing his children was too heavy a burden for the moon to allow. And so, in her infinite wisdom, the moon drew upon her power and crafted a spell so old that only the sea remembered it. Raising the tides, she pulled the little mer to a new fate. 

***

Eds knew Stev was fading. He could feel their bond draining as the ocean filled with blood. Every part of him was focused on trying to swim and hold onto Stev’s lifeless body.  , but the waters were restless with a storm. 

A wave crashed over him, and Stev slipped through his webbed hands. 

Screaming, Eds ripped open his own throat. He would never sing again.

***

Robin loved everything about California but especially the babes in bikinis. That was why she was up at the ass crack of dawn, running alongside the beach. 

Sometimes, Billy ran with her, but today, he was starting a job at an aquarium. He’d graduated with a degree in marine biology and was so excited to see the fish and mammals he’d studied up close and personal. 

Robin only had a year left till she’d be working there too. 

Billy and she had met in high school and bonded over their hate of Hawkins, their dream of leaving, and their love of the ocean. But that wasn’t all they had in common: they were gay. They understood each other, probably better than anyone else could.  

When Billy decided to move back to California, Robin didn’t even hesitate before jumping into the Camaro. Squinting, she noticed something beached, maybe a manatee? She ran faster, thinking that she could help somehow. 

But it wasn’t a manatee; it was a man!

He was naked which wow, even Robin could appreciate a physique like that. But he was unconscious and bleeding badly from large shark bites on his torso and legs. 

“Oh, god, please don’t be dead!” Robin babbled when she was nervous. “C’mon, manatee boy, you’re too pretty to die.” Breathing erratically, she remembered that she’d brought her radio, an old habit from when she lived in Hawkins. “Billy, come in! Billy, come in!”

Finally, the radio crackled with Billy’s voice. “What the hell, Robs, I’m at work.”

“It’s an emergency, shitbird!” Robin’s voice was unusually high.

“What’s wrong?” Billy asked. 

“I-I found a guy on the beach. He’s been attacked by a shark, and he’s bleeding really bad.” Robin’s voice shook as she explained. “Can you call 911?”

“Duh. Where are you?” Billy asked. 

“On the beach, just about a mile out from our place,” Robin said. “T-Told you, you should’ve come with me!”

But Billy’s line was silent. 

“Billy!” Robin was almost hyperventilating. She was trying to figure out how long it would take her to run back to their apartment and call the police herself…

Finally, his voice came through. “The ambulance is on its way. I’m gonna meet you at the hospital, ok? Robin?”

“Ok,” Robin said, relieved to hear his voice. 

“They should be there in a few minutes. You need to stop the bleeding if you can. Put pressure on the wounds.”

Robin nodded. Kneeling beside him, she used her jacket to put pressure on the chest wounds as they looked worse than the legs. 

He gasped, squeaking strangely.

Robin wasn’t sure what he was saying, but she caught one word, Eds . Maybe, he wanted meds? Whenever she was nervous, Robin babbled, so babble she did. “You know you’re like really pretty, and I’m not even attracted to guys. But like why are you naked? Are you one of those nudists? I’ve never gone swimming naked—”

Of course, that’s when the paramedics showed up. 

“Hi, I’m Chrissy,” one of the paramedics introduced herself. 

Blushing, Robin squeaked out her name. “I-I tried to stop the bleeding, but I-I babble when I’m nervous. Is he going to be ok?”

“You did a great job,” Chrissy said. “Let’s get him to a hospital.”

Robin nodded. She watched somewhat helplessly as the paramedics carried him into the ambulance. 

“You coming with?” Chrissy asked. 

Robin nodded. 

Chrissy smiled. 

As Chrissy and the other paramedic started working on him, Robin hoped he’d make it. She felt connected to him somehow. 

***

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Chapter Text

Grey rocks, and greyer sea,

And surf along the shore—

And in my heart a name

My lips shall speak no more.

— “Grey Rocks, and Greyer Sea” by Sir Charles George Douglas Roberts

Robin hated hospitals. She’d hated them ever since her best friend died… 

Billy squeezed Robin’s hand. “You don’t have to stay.”

“I-I don’t want to leave him alone, but you don’t have to stay,” Robin said softly. She knew how much Billy hated hospitals, especially since Max… 

“It’s fine,” Billy said. “I’m fine, really.”

Robin knew he wasn’t just like he knew that she wasn’t fine. “Do you think he’s going to be ok? He didn’t look good. I guess he looked good. I mean his body, not that it’s what I’m into, but I can appreciate it at least. But like he was super pale, and there was a lot of blood… Do you think he went skinny dipping? Like why was he naked?”

Billy shrugged. “I don’t know. Sharks usually take a bite at first to see if you’re something it wants to eat.”

“I know that, dumbass,” Robin snapped. “They don’t usually like humans or attack them because they think we’re a dolphin or a seal. But I don’t know… It looked different.” Robin had been replaying the scene of how she’d found manatee boy on the beach over and over while they’d been waiting. She knew what normal shark attacks looked like, yet something just didn’t make sense…

“John Doe?” A nurse asked. 

“That’s us!” Robin jumped to her feet. “Is he ok?”

“He’s stable, but I’m afraid that’s all I can tell you if you’re not family,” the nurse said.

“Can we see him?” Robin asked. “I mean if you haven’t found his family, he’s all alone. And nobody should be alone in a hospital!”

“Very well, you can see him.” The nurse sighed. 

Billy and Robin were quiet as they walked towards John Doe’s room. They were lost in thoughts of grief and sorrow, lingering still. 

Robin stopped in her tracks, staring at the hospital door. Her throat was suddenly dry as if all the waters had dried up. Instead of going into the room, she found a water dispenser and filled up a tiny, white cup. 

“You ok?” Billy asked. 

Robin nodded. She was ok. She was fine. She was freaking terrific… More determined than ever, she walked into the hospital room. “Oh, manatee boy.”

The boy, for there was no mistaking that he was around their age, was covered in gauze and hooked to cold and unfeeling machines like a fish trapped in nets. He was still unconscious, and he looked so young…

Robin couldn’t help but find similarities between her dead friend and this stranger. She took a deep breath, trying to settle her nerves. Needing a distraction, she turned to Billy who was staring intently at the monitors. “I wonder who he is. Why isn’t anyone here for him?”

Guilt washed over her. 

She hadn’t been there for him … 

“Why does he have two heartbeats?” Billy frowned. 

“Wait, what?” Robin asked, her brow crinkling. 

“Listen,” Billy said. 

Now that he mentioned it, manatee boy’s heart did sound a bit odd. 

“There’s an echo,” Robin said dumbly. 

Billy opened the boy’s chart and started flipping through it, skimming over the doctor’s notes. “Fucking hell!”

“What?” Robin asked again.

“He’s pregnant,” Billy said softly. “With triplets!”

“B-But that’s not possible. He’s a boy! A boy—I mean I saw his junk and everything!” Robin babbled. 

“He’s intersex,” Billy explained. “He has two sexes.”

“And he went surfing like that?” Robin asked. 

“Maybe, he didn’t know.” Billy shrugged. 

Robin started pacing. This was weird, right? Like what the hell was happening? Her foot caught on one of the wires and she tripped, spilling water all over John Doe. 

And what could only be described as a mystical, magical thing— John Doe suddenly had a tail! A freaking mermaid tail! “A-Are you seeing this too?” Robin asked Billy, hesitantly touching the scaly tail that was dry like a fish that had been out of water too long…

“W-We have to do something,” Robin said. 

“Be quiet!” Billy hissed. 

Voices carried into the room.  

“I need him moved today,” a voice said. “Before complications arise. I’ve prescribed a cocktail that will slow his heart. He’ll be pronounced dead which will allow me to continue my experiments.”

“What about his family?” Someone asked. 

“He’s a John Doe. Who’s going to care?” 

Billy slammed a hand over Robin’s mouth, keeping her quiet. 

“Doctors! There’s an emergency. We need you now!” Another voice exclaimed, drawing the voices away. 

Once Billy was sure they were gone, he released Robin. 

“We have to help him!” Robin exclaimed. 

“Let’s think this through,” Billy tried, but thinking wasn’t exactly Robin’s strong suit. 

“There’s no time! He’s a fucking mermaid, and he’s pregnant! We can’t let that creepy doctor turn him into some kind of experiment!” Robin pulled the plug. “He’s a marine creature, and he needs our help. 

Billy sighed. “Robs, we’d be breaking the law, probably. And how would we even get him out of here?”

Robin didn’t answer. She ran out of the room, leaving Billy with the unconscious mermaid, merman? 

“You’re about as much trouble as they come, huh?” Billy asked the unconscious boy. 

“How’s this!” Robin skidded back into the room with a wheelchair. 

Billy knew he couldn’t talk Robin out of this, and he couldn’t help but think of how hard he’d worked for his degree. He loved the ocean and everything in it. If he could help one of those creatures, he had to. Pulling out the needles connecting the boy to the IVs, he lifted the small boy and positioned him in the wheelchair. “Let’s hurry before they realize he’s gone.”

Robin thought it should be harder to steal someone from a hospital, but no one stopped them as they wheeled the unconscious mermaid out of the hospital. 

Billy placed the manatee boy in the backseat. “C’mon, Rob, we gotta go.”

Robin jumped in the backseat. “Hurry up then!”

They skidded away from the hospital and towards something neither of them expected. 

***

Stev woke slowly. He noticed first that he wasn’t wholly submerged. His tail was under shallow waters. His body bent and contorted to fit in this strange pool. Blinking, he was blinded by the sun, only the light was too bright and too harsh. His eyes couldn’t seem to focus on his surroundings, but he could feel that he wasn’t in the ocean. The waters were not mineral rich with the taste of salt. 

Where was Eds? Where were his pups?

A warbled song escaped his lips, but there was no rumbling reply. 

Robin had fallen asleep on the bathroom floor, beside the tub. She jerked awake at the mermaid’s song. “Oh, you’re awake!”

The mermaid didn’t seem to notice her, and Robin made the mistake of reaching out and touching its tail. 

Stev startled, curling into himself further, causing pain to constrict around his injuries. He hissed, baring his teeth. 

A two leg peered up at him. It was laying beside the body of water he was trapped within. “Easy, you’re alright. You don’t understand me, huh?”

Steve batted his tail, trying to splash the two leg. He thrashed, terrified—

Robin didn’t know what possessed her, but she pulled the mermaid into her arms and hugged him. 

***

His world is darkness. 

Eds shifted himself under his rocky bed, letting the sharp pebbles and rocks press viciously against his battered skin. Down in the inky depths of the ocean’s bottom, he couldn’t tell if he had slept for hours or days. He supposed it didn’t matter much now anyways. 

The rich scent of clams drifted past his nose and his stomach rumbled in protest. 

The pups must have left him food again while he slept. He refused their offerings every time, yet they still came back and left more. 

Eds wished they would keep the food for themselves, but the pups were stubborn. Just like their mama. 

A wave of agony washed over Eds and he reveled in the sharp suffering. 

The pups needed their mama. 

Eds needed his mate. But he had failed them, and now they all had to live with the consequences. He moved around under his rocks, careful to keep enough on top of him to keep his body weighed down. A world without Stev was like a world without sunshine, and so down in the black beyond of the ocean was where he would remain. 

A pulling sensation from his neck told Eds that his wounds had scabbed over again. Though his claws had ripped harshly and deep, his traitorous body persisted in trying to heal itself. It wasn’t enough that he would never sing again, he needed to keep this pain with him always. 

With shaking claws, Eds picked at the edges of the scabs that had formed, and he ripped them back one by one. The pain was searing but Eds worked until his throat was once again in bloody tatters. The scent of his blood clouded the waters around him, covering up the scent of the clams, and he hoped he could ignore his hunger for a little longer. Just a little longer, he prayed to a god he no longer believed in. If he could just hold out a little longer, his body would soon give out on him, and he would be released into the afterlife to be joined with his love. 

***

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Chapter Text

Why do we pity those who weep? The pain

That finds a ready outlet in the flow

Of salt and bitter tears is blessed woe,

And does not need our sympathies. The rain

But fits the shorn field for new yield of grain;

While the red brazen skies, the sun’s fierce glow

The dry, hot winds that from the tropics blow

Do parch and wither the unsheltered plain. 

The anguish that through long, remorseless years

Looks out upon the world with no relief, 

Of sudden tempests or slow-dripping tears, —

The still, unuttered, silent, wordless grief

That evermore doth ache, and ache, and ache, —

This is the sorrow wherewith hearts do break. 

— “Response” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

When Robin felt the little mer calm down, she let go of him. “Everything’s alright.”

A strange noise, almost a whale song, filled the bathroom. 

“You can’t understand a word I’m saying, can you?” Robin sighed. “What on earth are we going to do with you?”

Stev squeaked. He slapped his tail against the water, splashing water over the two leg. 

Giggling, Robin stared at him. “You’re really pretty, you know? Like a mermaid.”

Billy, having heard the strange noises, entered the bathroom. He stopped short at seeing the merman awake. “Woah!”

“I know right,” Robin said. “It’s amazing!”

Stev trilled curiously. He could hear a strange humming noise which in itself was unusual, but he still had no idea what they were saying. 

“Do you think he’s hungry?” Robin asked. 

“I don’t know, but I bet it’s been a while since he’s eaten. I think we have some sardines in the pantry.” Billy hurried to get it. 

Robin continued to chatter, unable to help herself. “I wonder if you eat sardines?”

Stev chirped when he smelled something delicious. Swishing his tail, he hesitantly took the offered fish. A bite had him squealing. It was too salty!

“I don’t think he likes it,” Robin commented not so helpfully. 

“We might have to run to the store and see if we can find something fresher,” Billy said. 

Hungry, Stev ate the salty fish anyway. Shifting in the shallow pool, he tried to get comfortable, but it was too hard and too cold. He sang brokenly of Eds, hoping that somehow, he would swim up from below him and drag him back to the depths. 

“He’s depressed,” Robin whispered. “We’ve got to get him back to the ocean.”

“I think it’s going to be more complicated than that,” Billy said softly. “His songs are a lot like whale songs.”

“So?” Robin asked. 

“He’s probably a pod animal,” Billy explained. “Even if we released him, he wouldn’t survive on his own. And I have no fucking clue how we’d find his pod.”

“What do we do then?” Robin asked. “It’s not like he can stay in the bathtub forever.”

“I think we should move him into the pool.” Billy sighed. 

Robin nodded. “I guess he’d be more comfortable at least. Do you think he can turn back into a human? Is it like H2O?” 

Billy laughed. “Do I think mermaids work like a silly tv show?”

“Maybe, it’s that easy.” Robin shrugged. 

“C’mon, let’s get him out of here.” Billy approached the tub slowly. 

The mer looked up at him. His eyes were curious. 

Carefully, Billy lifted the mer out of the tub. 

Stev squealed. He didn’t understand what was happening, and he squirmed.

“Easy,” Billy murmured. His voice was low like a rumble of Eds. “Robs, get the door.”

Tripping over her own feet, Robin managed to open the door so that Billy could carefully maneuver the mer outside. He walked down the stairs of the pool until the water was up to his waist and released the little mer. 

Trilling happily, Stev dived into the deeper water. It still wasn’t freedom, but he could stretch out his tail. 

“Imagine how much happier he’d be if we released him into the ocean,” Robin said. “If only, he could understand us, then he could tell us how to find his pod.”

“Even if we spoke the same language, I doubt he could understand us.”

“Why?”

“He’s deaf,” Billy explained. “He can’t hear a thing we say…”

“How the hell do you know that?” Robin asked. 

“Look at him, birdie, and use your eyes. His ears are covered in scar tissue and badly damaged. I doubt he can even hear his pod.” 

Robin started pacing. “So, what do we do?” 

“I don’t know. I guess we help him get better, and then, we try to find his pod.” How? He had no fucking clue. 

“How did he survive then?” Robin asked. “Do you think mermaids are able to care for the disabled? D-Do you think they have a form of sign language?”

“Maybe? They are humanoid, and we’ve no idea of knowing how intelligent he is.”

“Dolphins and whales are highly intelligent!” Robin added. “Stands to reason mermaid would be too.”

Billy sat on the pool steps and beckoned the merman to come closer.

Stev eyed the two leg warily. 

In sign language, Billy asked, Can you understand me?

Stev chirped and waved his hands excitedly. Eds!

Frowning, Billy tried again. He didn’t understand what the mer was trying to say. 

“What’s he saying?” Robin asked. 

“I’m not sure. It’s not exactly sign language.” He told Robin, and then he signed again. I don’t understand.   

Stev pressed a hand against his heart. Eds.  

Love? Billy asked. 

“Love?” Robin asked. “What’s he talking about?”

“I don’t know.” Billy tried again. 

Frustrated, Stev hand sung again. Deep waters. Mate. Pups.

“Your pod!” Robin grinned. She signed. Where?

Deep waters, Stev replied. Dark waters. 

Water? The two leg asked. 

Stev nodded. 

“He wants to go home,” Robin whispered. 

“Well, we know that already. I’m only understanding the gist of what he’s saying. There’s no way he can tell us where his pod is, and there’s no way he’ll even know where they are!”

How? The two leg asked. 

Stev sang sadly. Maybe, if he sang loud enough, Eds could hear him. 

Help. The two leg promised. Billy wasn’t sure how, but he’d find a way. 

“What’s his name?” Robin asked. She signed her question and then flapped her hands like a bird. Name?

Stev name sung her bird. Before he made a den in the dark, deep waters, he used to be friends with birds. Stev.  

“Steve?” Robin’s voice cracked. “B-Billy, I’m sorry. I have to go.” She practically ran into the house. 

Floating up on his back, Stev sang sadly. 

Billy patted Steve’s shoulder. “It’s not your fault. She lost her best friend.” Sometimes, Billy wondered if Robin would ever come up from air. She’d been dying ever since Steve died…

The little mer pointed to Billy. Name?

Bil. Billy signed.  

A bubble of mirth escaped Stev’s laugh. He giggled at such a funny name. 

Shaking his head, Billy wished he could understand the mer a little better. He’d love to learn more about the ocean from someone or something that actually lived there. 

***

Dus missed his mama. He bounced toward the moon, his little tentacles singing a silent prayer. He even missed his daddy. 

Go, Mike sang. We cannot stay in deep waters.  

Hissing, Dus glared at his brother. No. He needs us.

He is dead already, Max sang sadly. He will not rise from the depths, and he will never sing again. Without song, he cannot hunt. He cannot mate.

We cannot survive in these deep waters without… Will’s song broke off. He was filled with sorrow for the mother and father he lost. 

Go then, Dus growled. I will not leave him. 

You’ll die, Max warned. 

Dus ignored them and dived deeper. He found the siren buried under rocks to keep himself from floating. Somehow, the siren seemed smaller as if he’d been starved of love and hope. Dus could not sing like the other mers, but he tried a warbled tune, he had heard his mama sing. He tried because he could not give up on the siren because they were pod. 

Pearls slipped from Eds’ eyes as he heard Stev’s song on Dus’ lips.   

Dus curled against his sire. His little tentacles hugging him as best he could. 

Leave me, Eds begged. 

No, Dus made a promise to the moon. He would not leave. 

In the dark depths, there’s little to do but sleep, so Eds and Dus closed their eyes and dreamed of a little mer singing his warbled song. Mornings and nights do not exist that deep, but there is a time for the hunt. 

The siren would be dead, soon enough, but the pup was fresh and easy pickings. 

Dus squealed fearfully as something grabbed him and pulled him away from his siren. He tried to make himself smaller, so he might squeeze through this predator’s hold, but a giant sucker cup latched onto him painfully. 

Eds smelled blood in the waters. At first, he’d thought the pups had left him another meal, but then he heard Dus’ fearful cries. Screaming, Eds broke free from the rocks holding him down. He shot forth and into the jaws of the beast, and he ripped it apart with his bare hands. He had not sung in weeks, and he was consumed by hunger. 

***

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Chapter Text

But when you find love, I guess it’s really beautiful, or at least that’s what I read in magazines, and I don’t know as much as I say I do, but I know there’s a reason why everybody wants it so much. It’s the closest thing we have to magic. 

— from the movie Aquamarine

Billy held up a fish, grinning as the mermaid leaped out of the water to snatch it out of his hand. 

Stev was doing better. His tail had healed up, and he was putting on a healthy baby weight. He’d found some happiness with the two legs, but he missed Eds and his pups terribly. There was nothing to do but sing. He sang of Eds and their pups, of their golden den, of their mating and eggs. Stev sang and sang until his voice was hoarse. 

No one heard his song but the moon, and she carried his song to a siren in deep waters. Eds was leading the pups toward the shallows. He knew they could not stay in deep waters, and he could not bear to return to his den… So, they traveled inward where Stev would have given birth to their young… Without his song, Eds was struggling to keep all of them fed. Still, he would not allow his wounds to heal, each night, his claws ripped them open anew. Floating on his back, he stared up at the moon. The pups were sound asleep, holding onto him like baby seahorses or otters. 

The moon glowed and a song trickled down in the moonlight, a warbled song of longing and love filled the night sky. It was Stev’s song! 

Eds tried to sing, but his song was stuck in his throat. How could he find Stev, if he couldn’t sing?

***

Robin dangled her feet in the cool water of the pool. No matter how many afternoons she’d spent sitting by the pool, she never grew tired of watching the mer. She couldn’t help but remember the times she’d spent watching Steve swim. He’d been the captain of the swim team, and somehow, he’d drowned…

“We might have a problem,” Billy said, sitting beside her. 

“What?” Robin asked. 

“That doctor was at the aquarium today,” Billy whispered. 

Robin bit her lip hard. “Shit! What do we do?”

Billy shook his head. “We have to move him. If he found me at the aquarium, he can find me here.”

“I thought we couldn’t release him yet!” Robin glanced at the mer who was chasing his tail. “We haven’t figured out how to find his pod.”

“We haven’t, but we can’t let the doctor find him. M-Maybe, we can rent a boat or something and help him look for them.”

“Would that work?” Robin asked. 

“I don’t know.” Billy shrugged. “But we have to do something.”

Stev swam up to them, splashing them. His song was like wind chimes. “Bil! Rob!”

“Hey, Stev, you hungry again?” Billy asked. “I’ve got some fresh fish for you.” Throwing one in the pool, he grinned as Stev trilled and began to hunt.

“I guess it’s time to free Willy.” 

Steve squawked as Bil picked him up and took him out of the water. He thrashed, trying to escape. 

“Easy,” Billy said, trying to rumble soothingly for the deaf mer. 

Robin was trying to make the back of their truck mer friendly. She had a kiddie pool filled with salt water and two coolers with water and towels to protect the mer from the sun. 

Stev was less than pleased at his relocation, but he recognized that he was being taken somewhere in this large metal contraption. Maybe the two legs had finally understood he needed to go back home to the ocean, to his family! 

The engine startled Stev as the truck roared to life, and Robin looked back at him nervously.

“Hang on,” she told Billy. “He looks terrified. I’m going in the back with him.”

Billy let out an exasperated groan. “There’s barely enough room back there for him, let alone you!”

Robin was undeterred though and squeezed herself between the pool and the back window.  Ocean, she signed to the mer, Safety. 

Steve flapped his tail excitedly, singing of home and joy.

Robin grinned, knowing Stev had understood. “Let’s go, Billy!” She shouted into the truck’s cab, giving the glass two firm slaps. 

“Alright, we’re doing this!” Billy called back, putting the car into drive and slowly making their way out to the main street.

Billy had never driven quite so carefully in all his life. Every stop sign sloshed the water in the pool and had him cringing, hoping their aquatic passenger was okay. He could hear Robin rambling comforting nonsense as they made the short trek across town to the aquarium. 

After a lengthy discussion, Robin and Billy both agreed the aquarium was their safest bet. It would allow them to release Stev into a secluded area of the ocean, and they could use the small rescue boat they kept back there to follow Stev out into the water until he found his pod. Billy had pocketed the key on his last shift, no one ever used the boat anyways, so as long as he filled the fuel tank before he returned it, no one would be the wiser. It was fitting too; the area was normally used to release animals they’d rescued and healed back into the ocean. Billy mused that the use now extended to mermen as well. 

Billy swiped his keycard to gain entrance to the back drive of the aquarium, navigating the truck down the steep hill towards the beach. What should have been a secluded area, however, was teeming with men in white jumpsuits and one tall, silver-haired man in a black suit who was glaring directly at Billy and the truck. They were blocking the wooden fence that separated the drive from the actual beach. He’d planned to get out and unlatch it, but there were too many people in the way to even get to it now.

“We’ve got a situation here!” Billy yelled back to Robin. He recognized the doctor, Brenner, immediately. He should have known they were on to them. 

“Fuck!” Robin swore as she spotted the men. “Just drive!” 

“Through them?!”

Robin looked down at Stev, they had to risk it. “They’ll move, just DRIVE!” 

Billy locked eyes with Brenner, grinning ferally at the older man, and then stomping on the gas and jumping the truck into motion in a blink.

The men scattered, as Robin predicted, and Billy silently apologized to his employer as he rammed the truck through the white fence and onto the beach. 

Brenner was yelling at his men while Billy turned the truck around as gracefully as he could on the sand and then started backing down the beach into the water. He was going to regret this later, he was certain, but his truck was old and needed to be replaced anyways, so he kept driving until the whole back of the truck was submerged. 

The white jumpsuit-clad men raced down the beach, Brenner not far behind, and Billy barely had time to get out of the truck’s cab before he was fighting off four of them. “Get him out of here!” Billy screamed to Robin who was frantically trying to get the truck bed down to slide Stev out. Two more of the men made it past Billy and tried to scramble up the side of the truck, but Robin kicked and swung her arms as hard as she could to get them off. She was just about to return to Stev when a firm hand pulled her from the truck. 

Stev screamed in terror, his song filled with rage and fear as he watched while his newfound two-leg friend was pulled from the truck. He knew there was nothing he could do, none of his kind around to help even, but he called out all the same.

Robin shrieked as she thrashed, fighting the grip of who she now saw was Dr Brenner himself. She was never much of a fighter, but she had seen Billy get into enough scrapes to know what to do. She waited until Brenner had raised his free hand at her in a placating gesture, and then Robin Buckley threw the very first punch of her life. Fist collided with bone and snapped cartilage with a satisfying crack, sending Brenner reeling backward with blood gushing from his nose. 

With Brenner distracted Robin leaped back into the truck and finally, finally, got the back unlatched to pull the kiddie pool free from the truck bed. It was awkward and heavy, catching on to something as she nearly had it out. She swung blindly as a pair of hands grabbed the other end of the pool, only to see Billy jump back calling out a frantic “It’s me!” as he moved. 

“Shit, sorry!” Robin yelped, looking around to see what had happened and that Billy had joined her. Brenner and his men were retreating up the beach, and while she could hear him screaming into a walkie-talkie, she couldn’t make out his words. 

“Come on, we almost got him,” Billy encouraged, and together with one last pull, they freed the kiddie pool into the water. 

The moment Steve hit the water; it was like coming home. The briny water filled his gills, and he sent out a happy trill of relief to be back in his natural habitat. He hesitated, not wanting to just swim off from the two who had helped him so much, but recognizing he needed to get moving from the men who had come for him. 

“Come on,” Robin encouraged, motioning for him to go, “We got you to the water, now you’ve got to do your part.” 

“Get him moving and I’ll go get the boat,” Billy told Robin before he swam off in the direction of the aquarium’s small rescue boat. It wasn’t much, but it would do, and it was far enough from Brenner and his men that he could make it even if they caught on to what he was doing. 

Robin motioned frantically, signing the word as she spoke it, her tone desperate. “Go, go!” 

Stev gave her a sad smile, signed thank you, and then turned to swim back to his home and his family. 

“I love you, Steve,” Robin said, her words choked on a sob. It felt a little like losing her Steve all over again watching the mer swim away.

Billy turned the small boat’s engine on as high as it would go and sped across the water to Robin, pulling her up into the boat with him before Stev got too far away. 

“We have to make sure he gets back to his pod okay,” Robin told Billy between tears. 

“We will,” Billy promised her. “We will.” 

They were halfway out of the aquarium’s little cove when Steve halted his path, causing Billy to cut the engine and look ahead at what caused the abrupt stop. Two fishing boats filled with more white jumpsuit-clad men were closing in on the cove’s exit, blocking off their path with heavy fishing nets. Rage filled his veins; it was impossible now. Neither they nor Stev could get past the barricade of netting. They’d fought so hard, but now they were trapped between the nets and the men watching and waiting back on the shore. So close, and yet it had all been for nothing. 

***

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Chapter Text

O sea with good arms, loving and strong,

Folding the dear lands all the year long, 

Holding quite gently the mountain and tree,

And the birds that build nests, and the children like me. 

— “O Sea with Good Arms” by Annette Wynne

Stev had come across nets before, and while he knew it was near impossible, he had to try. With a song of war on his lips, he charged towards the waiting boats. He didn’t know where he found the courage, but he knew that if he did not get past the netting, he would never see Eds or his pups again. 

From the boat, Robin screamed, “No!” 

Billy grabbed her, keeping her from throwing herself in the water along with the mer. 

“Look.” Billy pointed to a dark shadow darting through the water like a torpedo. It looked almost like a shark, but something told him it wasn’t a danger to them. Its movements were too precise, too direct, and then it began shredding the nets to pieces.

“Holy shit!” Robin squeezed Billy’s arm, eyes wide with wonder, watching the dark blur in the water take down the netting with swipes of what looked like clawed hands. 

“We’ve got to get closer,” Billy told her, firing the engine back up and making their way across the short distance. 

They watched as Stev was able to slip past the now-destroyed netting and into the open ocean, the mer throwing himself into the arms of the creature who had destroyed the netting. The creature was almost human-looking with dark hair and the general shape of a man, but there was something distinctly not human about the rest of him. Despite the fact that the mer clearly knew and loved him, he was no more similar to the mer than he was to them, and something about him screamed predator. 

“Do you think that’s his family?” Robin asked in quiet awe.

Billy opened his mouth to reply, but a flash of red in the water caught his attention. It was red hair, familiar red hair. The words in his throat dried up… 

Max? But it couldn’t be. Billy’s kid sister Max and her best friend Dustin had died in a car accident. A drunk driver had driven them off a bridge. Both of the kids had drowned… Their families had never fully recovered from the loss of their children, taken from them so young. Billy had been drowning in grief ever since the accident. The red-headed girl was the spitting image of his Max, right down to the scowl on her face when she caught Billy staring. He could have written it off as a coincidence, but then a mop of curly brunette hair popped up on her right, and there was no mistaking that it was, inexplicably, Max and Dustin. 

“Max!” Billy sobbed, all but collapsing into Robin’s arms. 

Robin barely caught Billy as his knees gave out, but she managed to get both of them kneeling without completely toppling over. 

“Are you sure?” Robin asked even though she could see the resemblance clear as day herself. 

“It’s her.” Billy nodded; his voice hoarse. “I don’t know how, or why… but it’s her and Dustin.” 

“If that’s Max and Dustin then…” Robin trailed off, the agony of loss crashing through her, “Then it’s Steve too, isn’t it?” 

They watched as the mer finally pulled back from the other creature, welcoming the younger ones into his arms. A few more younglings popped up out of the water, one particular dark head of hair reminding Robin of the Byers boy who went missing a few years back and was never found. She couldn’t understand what magic had happened here, that their loved ones were seemingly now transformed into something new, but there was peace in her heart knowing Steve was able to live on somewhere out there. 

The mer turned back to Robin and Billy, a wide smile on his face as he signed the word family to them. 

Robin smiled through her tears, signing her love back to him and waving as he made to depart with his family. She and Billy sat for several long minutes as the little pod headed out into the open waters, waiting until they were out of sight before they were ready to leave. 

“They seem happy,” Robin whispered, almost to herself.

“They do,” Billy agreed. “I can’t explain it, but I’m glad they all have each other now.” 

“Me too. And hey,” she said with a sniff. “I’ve got you, and you’ve got me. We’re all gonna be just fine.” 

“Yeah, you’ve got me.” Billy gave her an almost genuine smile, sadness still lingering along the edges of it. “Now let’s get gone before they get us too.” And with that, Billy turned the engine and the pair started their way back across the water to the beach which was now empty of Brenner and his men. 

***

In a bed of seaweed, Stev found himself surrounded by pups, relentless in their need for attention and closeness. They’d all excitedly sung and signed over one another, telling him of their sadness and mourning while he had been gone; of their joy and mirth when they’d heard his fearful song from the cove. They’d followed his song and found him again, and they weren’t planning on letting him go ever again. Stev giggled and looked at Eds. His siren was morose and melancholic, afraid to even look away from him. They were lying side by side, separated by a pup pile. It was difficult moving around the needy pups, but Stev managed to press his lips against Eds’. He tasted like home, and Steve could drown in his taste and never get enough. Stolen kisses, rambling pups’ songs, and the all-encompassing love of a pod. 

Stev didn’t have the heart to shoo the pups off of him, especially after such a tearful reunion. One by one, their eyes closed, and they drifted into an ocean of dreams. Eds and Stev took turns carrying them off to the small cave they’d set up near for the night. Max was the last to nod off, the fiery little girl fighting sleep tooth and nail. Eds was a little proud of the fight she put up but was relieved when her eyes drooped shut for the last time. 

My love, Eds signed as he rejoined Steve in the shallow pool they were floating in, watching the moon high up in the sky. 

Stev sang back a short song of love and devotion, a smile on his face as Eds pulled him close. Unable to bear being apart any longer, Stev leaned up to meet Eds’ lips, unleashing all of the passion he’d restrained over the course of the evening. 

Eds met his passion with a ferocity of his own, kissing down his jawline and gently nipping at Stev’s throat as careful hands caressed Stev’s chest and baby bump. There was desperation in their movements, but reverence too. While Eds wasn’t willing to draw things out like he usually would, there was still tender, loving care in his every movement as he slipped his hands lower and lower until he was toying with the slit in Steve’s tail, teasing the sensitive entrance open with practiced ease. Stev’s body shuddered against Eds’ and he wrapped his arms around the siren's shoulders for support as he felt his pleasure building. Eds freed himself from the confines of his bulging scales and with a desperate gasp buried himself in the body of his love. Stev clung to him as he moved their bodies together as one, loving how careful Eds was around the bump so as not to squash it between them. He couldn’t ignore the jagged scars along Eds’ neck, clearly, his mate had been through something horrific in his absence, but he could wait on that story for another time. 

With reverent fingers, Stev traced the scars before following their path with his lips. Tears formed in Eds’ eyes as Stev pressed soft kisses across his mangled skin, of course, his little love would accept these new scars along with the old. There was nothing that could alter their love for one another, not time nor space, nor any worldly changes between them. Love and acceptance were radiating from Stev and it spurred Eds on, their motions speeding up and pushing them both ever closer to their peaks. 

Stev sang high and bright, of love and desire, his song breaking off into short bursts as he felt his pleasure nearing its peak. Eds always knew just what to do, and the siren ground their bodies together until Stev’s song turned to cries of pleasure echoing across the inky water. 

Eds was barely hanging on himself, but watching Stev come undone in his arms hurtled the siren over the edge of his own climax, and with a silent roar, he buried himself deep inside his love one last time, losing himself to the power of his own release. 

The moon looked down and smiled, stars twinkling in her eyes.

***

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Chapter Text

“Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting;

The soul that rises with us, our life’s star,

Hath elsewhere had its setting,

And cometh from afar:

Not in entire forgetfulness,

And not in utter nakedness, 

But trailing clouds of glory, do we come

From God, who is our home.” 

—The Water Babies by Charles Kingsley

Stev laid his ruined ears over Eds’ heart. He couldn’t hear a heartbeat like you and I, but he could feel it somehow. The pups were calm and still in Stev’s belly, which was strange compared to how they normally tumbled about while he started his day. The mer felt more pregnant than ever, his little pups lying low and heavy in his hips. Stev went to say something to his mate but a sharp, white hot pain lanced through his middle before he could utter a word. His belly clenched viscously, taking his breath from him as he tried to bear down and ride out the wave of pain. 

Eds noticed Stev’s panic immediately, the mer tensing in his arms, but despite his rumbles of concern, several long seconds ticked away before the mer slumped against him limply. 

Stev looked up at Eds with worry and disbelief in his eyes. He knew what this was, the babies were coming whether they were ready or not. The mer was just thankful that he was finally back with his mate now that their babies were ready to make their appearance. 

Time, Stev signed to Eds before pointing at his stomach. 

Eds’ eyes widened, surprise painting his features even more beautiful. 

Steve was so thankful he had his perfect, sweet, mate by his side for this. He knew it would be long and hard but it was the only way to make their little family whole. 

Eds held up a single index finger, signaling for Stev to wait before darting off in the direction of the cave where the little ones still slept. Stev knew the pups would be excited to meet their new little brothers or sisters, but they’d likely be impatient and frustrated with having to fend for themselves while Eds was watching over Stev through the delivery. 

It was with little surprise that Max took charge, rounding up the other sleepy pups and swimming back with Eds to check on Stev. The pups all took turns giving him long, drawn out, hugs, chirping and singing and signing letting him know of their love and excitement. Stev’s heart was so full that he found the strength to bear through the next contraction with little external reaction. He didn’t want to scare the pups, afterall. 

After a few brief snuggles, Max herded her siblings once again; this time to go find breakfast and leave Stev and Eds to the business of bringing their new siblings into the world. Stev was relieved watching their little pod swim off, a longer contraction tearing through him as they swam. This time he let out his agony, a song of pain and longing bursting free from his chest. As awful as the contractions were, he wanted desperately to meet his pups.

Eds stayed by Stev’s side tirelessly as the sun traveled across the morning sky above them. It felt like lifetimes to Stev as the contractions came closer and closer together, lasting longer with each one. In reality, it had only been a few hours, but Stev was quite ready to be done with everything already. 

Eds was wiping the faint sheen of sweat from his brow when Steve felt a tremendous pressure at his slit. It was like nothing he’d ever felt before and every fiber of his being screamed PUSH as the pressure intensified. Trusting his instincts, Steve gripped Eds hands and bore down, screaming as he pushed until he was breathless and worn out. He caught Eds’ wide-eyed expression and looked down, trying to see around his belly at what had Eds so shocked and fascinated. There wasn’t enough time though until that insurmountable pressure was back and Steve allowed himself another feral howl as he pushed and pushed and pushed. 

Suddenly, there was a sliding feeling and the pressure relented as he felt their pup slipped free, their little tail writhing angrily in the water that was tinged pink with blood now. Tears of joy tracked down Stev’s cheeks, one of their pups was finally there. Eds’ eyes glistened with unshed tears as he scooped up the tiny wriggling bundle in his arms and brought the babe up to hold close to his chest. Stev caught a glimpse of a beautiful black tail before the next contraction hit. So much for a break. 

The rest of the labor was a blur to Stev. His body knew exactly what it was doing and two more little pups burst into the world while Steve did his best to follow his instincts. Their last pup was resting in Eds’s strong arms as Stev’s labor concluded, the mer completely exhausted from his efforts.

Eds passed the pups to Stev who held them closely while Eds swam them all back to the cove where the rest of the older pups were waiting to meet their new siblings. The older pups swam around Stev and the pups excitedly, barely containing themselves while Stev finished nursing each of them before passing them to Eds once they’d finished. 

Eds took care of showing the older pups how to hold their baby siblings, Dus and Wil taking to the positioning naturally while Mik struggled to hold their little girl’s head up at the right angle. Max was surprisingly hesitant but the smile on her face as she held the tiniest of the pups made it clear she was just as excited as the others to meet her siblings. 

Stev watched on fondly as the older pups took turns with each of the babies. Blu was the eldest with Stev’s brown hair but Ed’s pale skin and dark tail. His mouth had the same set as Eds and Stev knew there would be sharp little siren teeth in there before long. 

Lu was their middle pup, a little girl with Eds dark hair and Stev’s tanned skin and shimmering golden tail. Her tiny features were sharp and reminded Stev of his mother’s side of the family. She was a wriggly little pup, barely content to hold her tail still for a moment despite not quite being ready to swim on her own.

Ro, their youngest pup, was named after Robin who Stev found he missed despite how short of a time they’d had together. He knew she was a good soul though, and Eds hadn’t argued when Stev named her. Ro was truly a mix of them both, even her golden tail had a single stripe of black wrapping through its scales. She was smaller than the other two, but just as curious as she looked at the world around her with bright intelligent eyes. 

It wasn’t long before the babies needed to nurse again and Eds begrudgingly rounded up the older pups to go find dinner for all of them while Stev took care of feeding them. They returned to Stev singing softly to the sleepy pups who were nestled safely against his chest. There was nothing quite as beautiful in the world to Eds and he poured that love and devotion into a long, lingering kiss to his mate. Carefully, he helped Stev settle the babies into a little nest of sea ferns so that Stev could finally take a moment to eat something himself. Max swam over as soon as the pups were settled in and sat guard by her siblings, refusing to move despite how everyone tried to assure her they were just fine and sleeping. Stev couldn’t help but love how protective Max was of them and left the girl to keep up her guard knowing she would join them for their dinner when she was ready. 

Life with three new pups in their already large family was easier than Stev had expected it to be. Eds was as attentive and loving as ever, that he had expected. But the older pups were so invested in helping that it eased the burden of caring for three new little lives on their parents. 

Dus had them up and swimming clumsily within a day, he and Wil spending hours teaching them how to move to get where they wanted to go. With wobbling fins and determined scowls, all three babies slowly sorted out how to propel themselves forwards and then moved on to floppy turns. Ro was a little slower than her siblings but she kept up the best she could. Blu was a natural and Lu was competitive almost to a fault with her brother. 

Stev watched fondly as the older pups played chase and hide with them in the safety of their little cove. He adored their babies so much his heart felt like it would burst and he sang out a high and lilting song of joy and family. The older pups who could join in did, and both Lu and Blu tried their best at warbling out little songs of their own. But Ro took longer to catch on. The tiny girl noticed everyone else had stopped playing and after looking around confused for a moment opened her mouth hesitantly, though no song came out. Stev watched intently, trying to feel for the vibrations of his young’s song, but nothing came through. 

“Ro” Stev sang happily across the water, hoping the little girl would recognize her name, but there was no look of recognition on the her face even as Stev tried again in vain. 

Dus knew something was wrong, a furrow on his brow and he swam up behind Ro and let out a few loud, sharp, noises of attention. Ro didn’t even flinch. 

Eds had swam back over from where he was building a better nest for the pups and watched on with increasing worry as their little girl continued to remain oblivious to all the sounds around her. He looked at Stev sadly, pressing a palm against Stev’s ears with a question quirking his brow. Stev nodded, heartbroken for their daughter who would never hear the beautiful loving songs of her pod. Eds pulled Stev in for a long hug before pulling back to sign, sign and teach with a determined look. 

Stev nodded, a soft sad smile playing on his lips. While he was saddened for his daughter, at least they already knew how to navigate around being deaf in a world of songs. He and Eds and the other pups would teach Ro all they knew of signing and how to read the vibrations in the water to better understand when someone was trying to get her attention. It wouldn’t be easy, but Stev knew they were up to the challenge.

Robin spent more time by the water than she used to, and that’s saying a lot considering they lived in a coastal town. Not far from their home was a small cove that she had felt drawn to ever since they’d released their merman back into the ocean. Billy hadn’t even teased her about her almost daily trips down to the water’s edge, he just made sure he had a big hug for her when she’d return from her walk. Some days Billy would go with her, both of them looking out across the water with the hope of catching even the slightest glimpse of those they’d lost. It was both more and less painful knowing their loved ones inexplicably lived on somewhere out in the ocean, all in a little pod of their own. A little pod of lost souls, she’d tried to joke to Billy one night. 

It was almost a month since everything had happened, and Robin was starting to believe that their merman had moved on to somewhere far away with his pod. Still, she made her evening walk along the shores of the cove, Billy trailing along beside her with his piercing blue eyes scanning the water for a glimpse of red hair. But it was a flash of brunette hair and gold scales that caught his eyes. He grasped Robin’s arm, pointing out across the water in muted shock.

A tiny pale face popped up between the waves, her brunette hair and aquiline nose reminding Robin of Steve despite the little girl looking like barely more than a baby or very young toddler. Robin gasped, clutching the drawstrings of her hoodie in shock. 

Not even a moment later a familiar head of glistening brown hair emerged from the water, the mer quickly scooping up the pup while giving her a well worn look of parental exasperation. Stev looked towards the shore and found they had visitors, his heart swelling to see his two human helpers. He gave a wide smile and wave to greet them and then let out a quick song to his family to see if anyone else wanted to see his human friends. 

Slowly, the rest of his pod popped up between the waves, Eds bringing their pups over so Stv could hold them close and show them off to Robin and Billy. 

“Holy shit… triplets,” Billy swore beneath his breath. 

Robin gave him a swift smack across the chest. “He found his pod, his family. We got him back to them before he gave birth.” 

Billy nodded, wrapping an arm around Robin who looked a little shaken despite her happiness. “We did. It all worked out.” His gaze lingered not on the mer and his babies, though, but on the girl with a headful of bright red hair who was looking at him like a puzzle she couldn’t quite figure out.

A lump formed in Billy’s throat as he hoped she didn’t figure out that particular puzzle. He wanted her to be happy with her new family, even if it had almost killed him when she was away. 

Robin’s eyes were shining with tears as she watched the pups swim and play, splashing happily in the water while Stev and Eds watched on fondly. It wasn’t long before the sun started to set across the ocean, the fiery oranges and pinks of sunset filling the sky. Both Stev and Robin looked reluctantly at each other, knowing their time was coming to a close. 

Goodbye, Stev signed. He wasn’t sure if he’d see his two legged friends again, but he was happy to have gotten to have them meet his little family and the pups they’d help to protect while still in his belly. 

Robin held back the sob that threatened to break free and forced a smile on her face while she signed back her own goodbye. 

One by one, all of the pups gave little waves before dipping back under the waves, swimming off to continue their fun underwater. Eds took the pups with him leaving Stev to give one final wave before forcing himself to dive back into the clear blue depths. 

“I’m so happy for him,” Robin choked out between tears, not even trying to pull back as Billy pulled her close in a tight embrace.

“Yeah, me to,” Billy agreed, “I’m happy for all of them. They have each other now and they’re gonna be okay.” 

“I know.” Robin sniffled inelegantly. 

“And we’re gonna be okay too.” 

Blinking the last of the tears from her eyes, Robin nodded, “Yeah, I think we are.” 

***

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Chapter Text

Shall I part my hair? Do I dare to eat a peach?

I shall wear white flannel trousers and walk along to the beach. 

I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. 

I do not think they sing to me.

I have seen them riding seaweed on the waves.

Combing the white hair of the waves blown back

When the wind blows the water white and black. 

We have lingered in chambers of the sea.

By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed of red and brown

Till human voices wake us, and we drown.

— “Shall I” by T.S. Eliot 

Stev tucked his babies in a nest of seaweed and kelp. Blu and Lu curled around Ro. They were so protective of their littlest sister. Smiling, Stev wrapped the seaweed around them to keep them secure and warm. Looking up, he found Max and Dus floating nearby, guarding over their little ones in their sleep. 

Swimming upwards, Stev joined Eds on the surface. Eds’ throat had never quite recovered; his songs were strained and painful. But the nature of a siren, their hunger and restlessness, demanded hunt , feed , blood . It had been an accident at first, Stev was mimicking the deeper songs of his siren. He was so used to their feel that he could sing them in his warbled way. 

Eds couldn’t sing, but Stev could. Eds needed to hunt, and Stev could help him. And so, a mute siren and a deaf mer began to hunt together. 

Siren songs were so much easier for Stev to sing because he could feel them, if not hear them completely. After the singing, he closed his eyes, grateful he couldn’t hear the screams. Sometimes, he remembered how afraid he’d been when Eds dragged him to the depths. Sometimes, he forgot that Eds was a creature of carnage. But Stev felt a little better when Eds delivered the head of the two leg who would have stopped him from coming home. He felt even better when Eds rescued another pup. A darling selkie pup with a soft fur pelt. They name sung her Barb and brought her into their little pod.

Stev missed the deep, dark waters of their true den, but Ro was still struggling to swim. She was so much smaller than her siblings, and she was weaker too. It was something Stev and Eds couldn’t help but worry about. But they had their pod, their pups, and each other. It was enough. 

 Teaching Ro how to survive was Steve’s main focus. He allowed Eds to teach the others how to hunt and swim with the current, but Ro couldn’t keep up. So, Stev was teaching her how to use the kelp forests to hide and eat. 

Ro squeaked, holding onto a strand of kelp. 

Stev was close by, but he beckoned for her to follow him. She had to get stronger… 

Her face scrunched in concentration as she tried to swim after him. 

With a song of encouragement on his lips, Stev cheered his smallest pup on. She had almost reached him when a school of fish darted past them. 

Ro squeaked as she was thrown off her course, just barely managing to grab ahold of a tendril of seaweed. 

Swimming towards her, Stev had almost reached her when two large mers barreled into him. Stev bared his small fangs. He could see them now, the same mers who had chased him from his pod so long ago. 

Hag and Jas beat their chests. 

Stev knew he had to draw them away from the kelp forests. He had to keep Ro safe… He sang a siren war song, hoping to confuse and hopefully scare the mers, and then with a powerful push of his tail he made a break for it. 

Hag and Jas chased after him. They were faster than him, especially with his ruined fins, but Stev wasn’t the starving little outcast they once knew. He used the sharp edges of his fins to slam into the chest of one of his attackers. It wouldn’t kill him, but it would hurt. 

 And Stev wanted it to hurt. He swung his tail with as much force as possible and slammed it against the other one. He could feel Ro’s warbled cries, and he was more determined than ever to keep her safe. But he was no match against the stronger mers. 

They soon overtook him, and Stev felt just as he had when he was a small pup, helpless to defend himself. They beat him against the coral and the rocks, tearing his fins even further, and unable to resist the pain, he screamed. 

But then his world became as violent as a hurricane when Ro precariously swam at his attackers. She sank her fragile fangs into Hag’s arm. 

The mer shook her off and grabbed her, shaking her—

Stev roared a song of death. He threw himself at Hag who in his surprise, dropped Ro. Digging his sharp-edged fins into Hag’s neck, he watched with glee as the light faded from his eyes. Jas’ song was too high for Stev to hear, but as he pulled his fins from Hag’s neck, he locked his eyes onto Jas’ and licked the blood off his fins. 

He saw a flash of gray, and then, even he could hear Jas’ screams as Eds devoured him. Before he could even react, Ro was clinging to his neck. Her little heart beating like a minnow. They were both pulled into Eds’ arms. He left Jas’ body to the other pups to finish, as he determined that both Stev and Ro were well.

Stev laid his head against Eds’ chest, knowing he was safe and beloved. He was no longer the helpless pup chased from his pod. He was no longer the mer who couldn’t hear or sing. He was Eds’ and Eds was his.  

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