Archive of Our Own

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I dunno, Eddie. You sure it’s ok for us to be out here on this thing? It ain’t ours," the grey-haired human said. He seemed worried.

Eddie. Eddie. That was his name. He burned it into his memory. It was so simple, and yet it worked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Jerkskees .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Yes, Steve," he said proudly.

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

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

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

He dashed off.

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

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

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

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

Eddie picked up Wayne with unexpected ease. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

" Jerkskees ," Steve added.

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

Wayne continued to eye Steve suspiciously. “Now, why would he call them that? That’s your name for ‘em.”

Steve watched in horror, as Wayne fingertips almost touched a few of his shedded scales on the seat next to him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“ Huh-elm ?” Steve questioned.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“WhatIMeanIsYou’reALittleBiggerBuiltThanMeSoTheClothesAreABit, uh, tight.”

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

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

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

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

“Steve will be Captain Eddie now?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Steve is being like Eddie,” Steve beamed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Steve looked sheepish. “I like the sounds.”

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

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

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

“Eddie is afraid of them?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Steve size,” he said plainly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Oh no,” Steve laughed and shook his head, “Eddie is very beautiful when he’s happy, on the ocean enjoying sounds.”

Eddie stepped closer, a hard-to-read look on his face. It's not something Steve had ever seen before on a human. “You think I’m beautiful?” Eddie's voice dropped in volume and pitch, barely moving his lips, and so quietly, Steve was sure it was only for his ears. And then he realised Eddie had tricked him into revealing the truth. He felt his face grow very hot.

He looked at Eddie and felt he had been well and truly caught. “Yes. The most beautiful.”

“On this boat?” Eddie asked cautiously.

The warmth from his face spread down his neck as he shook his head, “Out of all humans, Steve has seen.”

“How many have you seen?”

Steve took a deep breath and looked to the sky and threw his hand up, and swept it across the view of the stars above him, “That many.”

Eddie’s eyes followed Steve’s to the sky, and he blew out an exhale from his pouted lips.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Steve tilted his head, waiting.

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

“What is ‘mer’ to Eddie?”

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

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

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

Eddie brightened instantly.

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

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

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

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

“I could show you?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“You okay?” Eddie murmured.

“Yes. Okay. Very good. That was very good. Can I have another?” Steve asked quickly, and it made Eddie laugh adorably.

Leaning against the rail, arms folded, Eddie stood as if he had calmed the winds himself, and the music had faded to a gentle hum behind them. Steve was still at the wheel, looking impossibly pleased with himself.

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

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

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

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

By the time they moored the yacht, dawn was just beginning to brush the sky. Wayne hadn’t stirred much, bundled up and snoring softly below deck.

The disappointed glance they exchanged spelt out that they both knew without words that Steve could not stay in this form much longer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That was enough.

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

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

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

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