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Chapter Text

The Stars Among Us

Chapter 1: The Stars Among Us...

Elmo woke up in a cold sweat, with only one thought on his mind...

—

He knew this mission would be hard, but when he first started his astronaut training he wasn’t prepared for what was going to come.

Obviously he was excited for his first real mission in space. A new planet was found amongst the galaxy - an intergalactic planet scientists referred to as palpatoo- and NASA recruited 4 astronauts for space training to go explore it. The training was kept a secret to only NASA, the United States government, and the recruits. Elmo was one of them. He was not aloud to talk to family or friends, or really anyone outside of the project; maybe to isolate them to get used to the feeling; or maybe just to keep the mission safe. Either way, it was a bit lonely.

They kept the recruits in a controlled area inside a camp far away from everything and everyone. It was referred to as Area 51.

The beds were stiff - and you could feel the wires underneath the foam mattresses- , the food was cold, and the recruits trained every day. Saying it was depressing would be an understatement...

Unfortunately for Elmo no one really seemed to care for his personality. I guess being a kindergarten teacher didn’t help much with space missions to other planets. So he didn’t make good friends with anyone there... no one ever seemed to match his energy.

—
When Elmo sat up straight in his bed he looked around to make sure it wasn’t real.

A vision of another planet, one he’d been to before.

-

Screams and cries filled the smokey air as he was being pulled back by a pair of larger arms, at least bigger than his; he had weak arms; his weak arms didn’t stand a chance when he tried to pull away. Elmo cried in his child form, just trying to reach out for only thing that mattered... But it was to late he was shoved into a spaceship and sent away, here; to this dumb planet again.

All he remembered was pain, and hurt. He felt himself crying as him and his so called family tried comforting him.

“ it’s ok Elmo, they can’t hurt you. We’ll be safe, they are gone.” Elmo’s mom tried to reassure him in a soft voice. How could she be so calm after that!

She wrapped him in a hug as the ship flew away from the burning planet they had just destroyed.

It was so stupid to him. His family said they were doing it for the greater good. As if burning peoples homes was good? They said they ‘just needed to make them look burned down so Prime wouldn’t come and actually burn them down’.

Elmo’s home planet was destroyed by Horde Prime, and his family was fleeing trying to find a safe place; but when they would finally start to settle down; Horde Prime’s ship would be on its way and they would flee again. That’s when Elmo’s parents decided they should try and trick Prime into thinking the planet was already destroyed. So he would leave the planets alone. Elmo thought that was dumb.

Little did they know Elmo actually grew found of Far Far Away, and maybe a little found of someone on it too..

But they just had to burn it down didn’t they. And it hurt. Elmo hurt.

-

Elmo usually had this nightmare, especially when he had a big day of training or really anytime the topic of space was brought into his life. But now this was it, the big moment; the day he would finally get on the rocket and fly of to palpatoo.

That nightmare didn’t help. It didn’t help the thought of him destroying other life! That wasn’t his place. But he was trapped in the memory, trying not to think about how his family could that.

He didn’t want to destroy palpatoo either, he didn’t want to.

—

Elmo’s anxiety was at an all time high as him and his crew mates boarded the rocket ship. He knew all the precautions, he was ready for anything. He had to be, or else... the nerves had gotten to him before but they couldn’t now. He had to be laser focused!

He watched the crewmen crawl into their seats and strap in. Everyone was adjusting some piece of equipment, and everyone was mentally preparing for what was to come...

—

This was it...

“10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2
1...
Take off”

The rocket rumbled and he tried to stay calm. It was taking off now and it was so violent as it shook. Elmo felt it lift off the ground.

He braced himself...

One of the crew members made a yelling noise, but it was hard to hear with the loud engine of the rocket, and the earplugs in.

Elmo was dizzy. He felt nauseous.

Soon his eyes fell closed and he went unconscious.

—
When he woke he fluttered his eyelids to make sure he was awake.

In front of him and all around him, were stars. Elmo looked around to see his crew mates doing the same as him. They looked around to see the stars, and distant planets.

They were no longer in the Earth’s atmosphere, they were in space. And maybe they would even make it to palpatoo. He could feel the pressure of space, even inside the ship. It was so familiar... he didn’t want to think about that.

Elmo just focused on his breathing techniques. That would have to work for now seeing how he had to help 3 other astronauts navigate the depths of space...

Chapter Text

Chapter 2: More Than One...

“Elmo.”

“Elmo!”

“Huh?! What?” Elmo said after his crew mate, Squidward , woke him up.

“Elmo, we need your assistance in the cabin.” Squidward was a serious astronaut. He was tall and had a fondness for cheesecake. He also had blue hair and was top of his class at space training.

“Is there something wrong? Are we going to Die!?”

As they both stood up, Squidward had a humorous look on his face. “Worry wart Elmo.” Squidward said holding back a laugh.

“Sorry.” Elmo mutter under his breath.

“Oh don’t apologize!” Squidward said genuinely concerned. “I like that scared look you have on your face.”

Elmo looked at the ground. He always have had a life devoted to worrying. He has never blushed when someone mentioned it, but hearing it from Squidward, it just sounded so much different.

Elmo had never been sure of many things before, but he always knew that he “like liked” Squidward. Not enough to tell him though.

Elmo has had way more then one crush before. Some of the people he liked, he was kinda obsessed with. One crush was Karli... Karli was a green Sesame Street actress. Her script was to be in foster care. Elmo and Karli are about the same age now, but they lost touch in their mid-20s’.

As Squidward and Elmo walked down the small path that leads to the front of the ship, Elmo yawned. He didn’t get a lot of sleep. Sure he fainted but he was also really tired. He was only dozing for one to two hours. Elmo sighed.

“ Don’t fall asleep on me now, man! We need you muscles for the tuff jobs.” Elmo laughed. He thought about how Squidward said “muscles.” He thought about a time when he knew that people thought he wasn’t that great.

—

The breeze was soft on his shaggy fur, Elmo could smell the flowers in the distance as he was running.

Him and a few other kids were playing tag outside. He finally felt free for once after being on Far Far Away. It was nice. Elmo loved the feeling of the fresh air in his lungs, and the padded ground on his feet as he ran.

He was laughing as he felt a tap on his shoulder. Oh no! Someone had tagged him... he looked around to see who it was, but they were already running away! Elmo was chasing after them, when he heard something being called out to him.

“You’re so skinny! How do you think you will ever catch up to him?!” A voice yelled from across the patch of forest he was playing in.

Elmo stoped running to look... It was a boy. Why was he being so mean, he didn’t look any stronger.

“I’m plenty strong!” Elmo declared.

“Hahaha... your voice is dumb too!” The boy laughed.

What? His voice was fine.

Then another one chipped up. “Yeah Elmo you look dumb too!” A girl said.

Why was she being mean too? She must have been the one to tag him.

All the kids - still spaced out- had stopped to look at Elmo and the boy. At some point people started laughing at Elmo when he walked away. He was so embarrassed, did he really sound dumb?

Elmo slumped his shoulders as he walked away from the kids. All he wanted to to was hide now.
Then an arm wrapped around him.
He looked up to see it was his best friend.

“Hi Shrek.” Elmo gloomed.

Shrek gave him a side hug as they walked back to the yurt Elmo was living in. “None of those things they said are true Elmo! Don’t let them get to you.” Shrek declared.

“Yeah I know” Elmo sighed. He looked up to meet Shrek’s eyes...

Shrek looked back at him longingly, as if he was searching for something in Elmo’s eyes...

“I have something to tell you.” Shrek said softly.

“Ok.” Elmo said back trying to Mach the tone.

His little body was lured into the yurt. They both sat down across from each other.

“What is it?” He asked.

—

When the cold air of space hit him, Elmo gasped.

“You alright, my man?” Berry Benson asked.

Berry was another crew mate. He was married to Venessa, she was also a member on the ship

. “Yeah..” Elmo said breathlessly.

He knew he spaced out because he and Squidward were in the cabin already and Elmo couldn’t remember walking there.

Elmo’s mind couldn’t focus on the mission. His head was full of thoughts about his past... why was he so caught up in this memory.

Chapter Text

Chapter 3: In Black And White...

As Elmo prepared to go outside and fix a transmission cord, he was in awe of space. When staring out a porthole he let out a small sigh. Space was a void of nothing. So beautiful, and so secretive...

“Elmo, you ready?”

Elmo held in a small yelp. It was Berry.

“..Yeah.”

Berry had been outside a ship 2 times before. This would be Elmo’s first time. Elmo was struggling to connect one of the air tubes, but decided to leave it alone since he had a lot of other things to do.

As Elmo had a hard time doing almost everything, Berry called Squidward over to help him.

“ Hey Elmo?” Squidward called, trying to figure out where Elmo was.

“In the back here.”

As Squidward walked over to Elmo, Elmo felt his face get hot. Squidward had slightly stripped down to just his t-shirt and is heavy duty pants.

Squidward walked over and bent down to connect the wires down by Elmo’s leg.

Elmo tried so hard to stay focused that he must have been clenching something. Squidward made a face at him, and continued working.

Venessa walked by when Elmo and Squidward were fixing his spacesuit. When she walked in, they herd a high pitched gasp and a “OMG you guys are such love bugs!”

Elmo was so startled that he twisted his waist, and that some how turned into his hips going forward. When Squidward’s face was hit by Elmo’s pelvis, Squidward stood up a walked towards Berry.

“Now you ready?” Asked Berry.

“Yep! Let’s go.” Elmo said in a rushing tone.

As soon a he closed the door to the exit- door, he saw Squidward running down the isle.

Elmo was rushing so much that it took him a few minutes to realize that he really was in space.

The star the distance planets. He gasped. Since this was Elmo’s first time out, Berry did the chore and let Elmo soak in the glory of space.

A minute later, Elmo gasped.

And gasped again.

He realized that he could barely breath. He choked swimming in the air to get back to the ship. His mind wasn’t clear. Instead of pulling on the rope, he just floated there, drowning in space.

“No.” Elmo thought.

“Not yet.”

Everything was blank after that.

-

“What?” Elmo gasped. “Happen?” Elmo was in bed.

“Oh! He’s awake! Elmo’s awake!” It was Venessa.

Berry came rushing in, followed by Squidward. A few seconds later. Elmo looked away after seeing him.

“Elmo!” Berry said happily. “Your air pipe wasn’t connected correctly so you couldn’t breath and fainted. I came out and pulled you back just in time.”

Elmo’s head was pounding like crazy. And he could almost swear that he say that little green boy again.

Elmo slept for about two hours. But when he got hungry, he stood up to get a snack.

When walking down the hallway, Elmo noticed a small shelf that appeared to be full of things owned by everyone. They were boxes with everyone’s name on it. Elmo took out the box that has his name on it.

When he opened it was full of photos. In black in white.

All the photos were photos from his Sesame Street days, except one, it was of the boy who hugged him.

Just standing in the photo... smiling.

Why was he feeling this connection again?

Why did he have memory’s of him?

Why did he hang on to him so much?

He knew him.. When he was a boy.

Then Elmo heard a knock...

It was Squidward.

Chapter Text

Chapter 4: Locked...

It had been a few days since Elmo and Squidward had their talk in the storage room...

They mostly talked about the little ogre boy in his memories. And how Elmo was confused by the thought of him. But also talked about them. Them. Elmo and Squidward. Their thoughts, about each other...

—

...

“Look Elmo, I think you’re hot ok.” Squidward admitted after a pause of silence.

They stood there together in silence.
For awhile actually...

Elmo was getting flustered, he didn’t want to look anywhere but the floor.

“And I’ve been thinking that... for awhile now... “ Squidward spoke up to break the quiet air that filled the room.

Thank god no one else was there. But Elmo was still flustered. His face grew into a dark color now, blushing furiously.

He opened his mouth to say something back, but he stammered.

“Umm.. wow. Yeah uhh.” Elmo was taken back by his own words, or stutter; whatever you want to call it.

He closed his mouth to collect himself. Squidward just stood there waiting patiently.

“Yes!.. I mean, I think you’re hot too.” Elmo replied. He looked back up at Squidward. And for the first time ever he saw the, muscular; strong; intelligent man standing before him; actually blush...

-

It was a very interesting conversation, but they finally got to express their feelings for each other. But they didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. It was just a silly crush thing that they both got over.

They admitted that they thought they would look cute together and dropped it.

They both let it go. Got over it , right?

It had been almost a week since that happened. Elmo knew it was ok to talk about those feelings, about Squidward, especially to Squidward; but it felt so awkward!

Elmo just couldn’t help but fall for him. His shiny eyes. His strong muscles. That striking jawline. He was perfect. But Elmo really didn’t want to be a creep, certainly after they agreed they would just be friends.

I was hard though... because it felt like every time their eyes met, they would lock in place; just keeping them together forever.

It was sappy and crappy...

But sadly enough, true.

-

It had been a full week already since their conversation.

The mission to palpatoo distracted Elmo enough to not think about Squidward, plus he had everyone else on the ship too; but it was so hard to not think about him at night. It was wrong... Elmo knew that.

But every time they either brushed arms or looked at each other, there was so much longing Elmo felt. He wanted to just fall into those big arms and be wrapped up in a bundle of pure joy.

It felt like Squidward treated him so much nicer too! Did he feel the same way?
He didn’t... Elmo knew that. He knew that!
He. Knew. That.

He did.

Right?

Yes!

Yes!

No... yes. yes. yes!

Squidward didn’t think of Elmo as anything more than a friend. He just didn’t... and Elmo could live with that. Right? Right. He could.

Elmo could live with that! He had to. He needed to!

Elmo didn’t have a crush on Squidward... well he definitely did. That was fine! He just needed to not say anything or do anything to express that.

“Just stay busy with the mission” Elmo told himself.

Squidward does not like you! No! Ok.

He tried not to think to hard on it.

Me and Squidward do not like each other!

—-

Today Elmo tried space spaghetti for the first time. Apparently it was cooked months ago, but it tasted very fresh.
It was surprisingly very good!

Wile they were eating Venessa went through a run down of the plan...

Something about landing on a planet to deliver something...

Elmo remembers her saying something about ‘cargo in a few days’ and that was it. He wasn’t paying attention. How could he, when he had such a pretty face to stare at.

He was sitting across from Squidward... curse Squidward, with that darn perfect face.

Elmo tried his best to focus but looking at someone else focus was so much cuter!
Squidward would concentrate on Venessa, and take a bite of food; then look back at Venessa... Elmo couldn’t stop watching.

He thought for a second, maybe if everyone is so focused on Venessa I should probably focus too. But before he got the chance to make that decision himself, someone snapped him out of it.

“Elmo? Are you even listening?!” Venessa said waving her hand in front if Elmo’s face.

“I, um. . . Yeah.” Elmo sighed.

Elmo continued to take bites of his food wile he actually listened to Venessa. He did still get to look at Squidward, not like a fricking creep though...

Stop it Elmo! You are not a couple...

—

It had been a couple weeks since Elmo had the conversation with Squidward. He didn’t talk to anyone else about it. He could have talked to Venessa or something, she was good with advice; but no. He just kept it in his head, thoughts running circles in his head like a toy train.

Right now Elmo was keeping himself busy, by checking up on cargo. Tomorrow they were going to stop on a space force base on planet thulite to deliver supplies. So he had to check if everything was secure.

He was in the cargo room now, searching for any missing supplies; or anything odd.
Elmo was checking the different crates, when all of the sudden he heard loud foot steps coming down the hall. He finished checking the crates and finished in the room, checking off different boxes on the chart he was holding. When he looked back up he saw Squidward.

What was he doing in here?

Squidward took a few more steps until he was standing in front of Elmo. He had a grin on his face as he looked into Elmo’s eyes.

“Oh hi Squidward” Elmo tried not to blush, but it was so hard when them man of his dreams was making eye contact with him.

“Umm what’s up-“ Elmo started, but he was cut off by Squidward’s hand on his shoulder.

Elmo gulped, looking over at the hand that was placed on his shoulder.

“Can I kiss you?” Squidward whispered.

What? Did he actually say that?

Elmo wanted to so bad, but was conflicted. He shook it off. That didn’t matter when he had Squidward right here.

Elmo looked around to make sure no one was around, and then looked back to Squidward’s eyes with a burning passion.

“Yes.”

Squidward inched forward slowly and finally their lips met with anticipation...

Out of the corner of Elmo’s eye he could spot a crew mate passing by. It didn’t matter to him. He was locking lips with the hottest guy on the ship.

They pulled back, breathing slightly heavier than before.

Well... so much for not liking each other.

Chapter Text

The Stars Among Us

There it was... palpatoo.

The planet was beautiful, it was sprawling with vibrant colors; and surrounded by moonlight. It was probably one of the prettiest looking planets Elmo had ever seen.

Everyone was huddled over one of the windows in the ship showing a full display of palpatoo. There was no question that this place had other life forms, with the viridian lands and the blue waters... Everyone was so excited to explore.

The astronauts stared in awe as the ship moved closer to the planet. They quickly realized they actually needed to get onto the planet to explore it.

Berry hopped up from his position, running over to the control panel at the front of the ship.

Everyone followed him.

Berry tweaked around with a few different buttons and levers, and then looked back at Elmo; Venessa; and Squidward.

“Go put your suits on.” He said.

“Oh..”. He paused, lifting his pointer finger.
“Please make sure to connect the air tubes this time!” Berry directed towards Elmo.

Elmo blushed and turned back to get his suit on.

By now the four of them were in the storage unit pulling out their spacesuits and zipping them up. Elmo was putting on his boots, then his gloves. He adjusted the different parts.

Elmo looked over to see Squidward having some trouble with the zipper on his suit.
Without thinking Elmo practically leaped over to help him. That’s what friends are for right. I mean they kiss too right? Of course.

He walked over to Squidward’s front.

“Here let me help!” Elmo offered. His hands already darting for the zipper.

“Yeah, thanks.” Squidward mumbled.

Elmo struggled a bit to untangle it but he managed, and zipped it up to Squidward’s neck.

“There you go!” Elmo said right before giving two large pats on Squidward’s chest.

Squidward just looked at him and bit his lip.

Elmo looked back at him, his hand still on Squidward’s front. Their eyes met each other perfectly.

All Elmo wanted to do was kiss him again. His perfect lips... Squidward’s eyes we’re drilling into him. It felt like they were getting closer... So handso-

“Well I guess we should do this thing” Berry said sighing a bit.

“Yeah. Yeah! Definitely!” Elmo said trying to cut himself out of daze he was in with his hand on Squidward. He walked over to his seat and strapped in.

They were ready to go!

—

The ship was shaking, and Elmo’s eyes were glued shut.

With every violent thrust Elmo slowed his breathing, and impossibly held onto the hand holds by his seat even tighter.

Elmo felt a rocking motion, and then the strong pull on the ship released.
The ship was flying now, in the palpatoo sky.

Elmo opened his eyes and looked around to see that they were landing in a desert of some kind. The ship landed a lot smoother than it felt, definitely leaving marks; but still not a violent and shaky as Elmo expected.

After awhile the ship came to a full stop. Elmo and the other crew mates unstrapped from their seats and got up...

“We did it guys!” Berry exclaimed.

“I’m so proud of us!” Venessa said hugging Berry.

“We should contact headquarters.” Squidward said peering out the window only to see a gust of crimson sand and smoke.

The crew mates stretched out their limbs, and adjusted their helmets.

It took awhile, but after the large cloud of smoke dissipated; Elmo could see they had visitors; or should he say hosts...

Chapter Text

The Stars Among Us

Chapter 6: Etheria Part 1...

It was the week before Elmo landed. Etheria has been under the watchful eye of the princess alliance.

Adora and Catra are married along with Glimmer and Bow.

Since Horde Prime was destroyed, everyone has be slightly on edge. Every time someone hears of something dangerous, people practically wet their pants, in fear of of another war.

As the days pass, people got more and more used to the safety of the planet. It was getting peaceful now...

When Sea hawk invited Bow to go sailing, it caused some conflict.
—

“Sea Hawk! You can’t just go boating and not tell me! You’re the freaking king!” Mermista said chucking a pillow at him.

“But my dearest, your strong enough to handle it!” Sea hawk said before getting a face full of cushion.

“You were gone for 3 *bleeping* days!” Mermista stutters and walks out of the room in rage. “Your sleeping on the couch tonight.” She says after leaving.

Sea hawk walks over to the Etherian phone to call Bow.

“Bow, did Glimmer shout at you for leaving?” Sea hawk asks through the phone.

“ Um, yeah. She threatened to put me in the dungeon.”

“You two have a dungeon!?”

Bow let out a long sigh. “… it’s the spare room” He said with a weary tone.

“That’s your dungeon?” Sea hawk asked with confusion.

“Hey! We took away most of the cushions.” Bow said and then hung up.

“So much for another boys night out.” Sea hawk thought.

As he walked down the path that lead to the portal, one of the members of the sea floor walked up.

The sea floor is a club with a bar and stage. Their are only a few members in the club and sea hawk is one of them.

“Yo Mr. King! You getting drunk tonight?”

“I don’t think I can. My wife might get mad at me.”

“Duddddde! You can let her control you like that! I’ll see you later at the club man!”

Sea hawk was about to continue walking when he heard a radio broadcast about a ship landing in the crimson waste.

Sea hawk was shocked. He immediately grabbed his sailor outfit and changed In lighting speed. When he ran out he saw one of his many ships. After 11 minutes, he finally decided on the ship he called the “Deep Love.” He got it as a wedding gift from the princess alliance.

He hopped on just as Mermista walked out towards the dock.

She shouted something about “come back or I will set all the boats on fire!” Only for Sea hawk to reply with a “Oh honey! You would look amazingly wonderful doing that! Now off to go possibly die!” Sea hawk finished in a cheery tone.

“WHAT!?”

“Of adventure!” Sea hawk said as he sailed away ferociously.

“Oh, adventure my a-“ Mermista was interrupted before she could finish her thought.

“My queen! A ship has landed in the crimson waste! The princesses request you and the king’s help immediately!”

“I’m going to kill you Sea hawk!” Mermista said with a ferrous face on.

Chapter Text

The Stars Among Us

Chapter 7: Etheria Part 2...

He felt his tracker pad buzz...
“Sea Hawk you are needed in an emergency princess alliance meeting.” The speaker of his tracker pad emanated.

“The Crimson Waste huh?” His brain thought.

—

Before he knew it, Sea Hawk was riding away in his boat to the crimson waste to find a space craft he knew nothing about.
His boat was soaring through the water.
He didn’t know why he was so eager to go out into the desert, his mind was loopy.
He definitely shouldn’t have been aloud to drive.

The water stopped long before the desert even began.

Sea Hawk docked his boat, and set afoot on land...

—

It had been hours since he left Salineas, and Sea Hawk was wandering the crimson waste; out in the heat. He couldn’t search any longer or he would die of heatstroke.

His loopy brain started wandering back to his ship before it got lost.

Sea Hawk walked and walked, until he could finally see the familiar edge of his boat.
He scampered to thge dock and made his way to the water.

—

As Sea Hawk sailed away in the water, he slumped down with a dreary feeling in his heart. All he wanted to do was show someone his love...

Sea Hawk knew he shouldn’t do it, but the alcohol felt good when he drank it...
Maybe not after, but during it did. That’s all he wanted now. He just needed a bit of numbness to get away from Mermista, even if that sounded bad. It probably did.

Sea Hawk remembered the invitation to the club. Someone who actually wanted to spend time with him... Sea Hawk redirected his boat towards the portal.

The portal was connected etheria, to another planet his friends stumbled upon; wile they were on their road trip in space. Sea Hawk thought it was weird they called it a “road trip “ when there wasn’t a road, but it didn’t bother him. - unlike Mermista -

The people there called it Far Far Away, everyone there was a bit different than the people on etheria.

Sea Hawk usually went there whenever he was feeling down or just needed to escape. Most of the time he would do so in not the best ways. That was becoming more and more often now... Especially since he married Mermista

There was a club called the “sea floor”, and Sea Hawk found himself there a lot.

Sea Hawk could feel his eyes getting salty. He brought his hands up to his face, only to be met with wet tears.

He could really use a drink.

—

Sea Hawk’s boat made its way to stop at the port near the portal...

He got out and tied the ship up to the dock. Sea Hawk did his best to wipe up his tears, before walking towards the massive hole cutting through the universe.

There was always a guard next to the portal that asked you some kind of question before you were allowed to cross into Far Far Away. Today Juliet was there, already waiting for Sea Hawk to approach.

Sea Hawk walked up to the portal, and Juliet asked him the usual question.

“What is your favorite thing on etheria?” She spoke.

You’d be surprised by how many shapeshifters try to pose as people from the alliance, trying to get through. That’s why they have the questions.

Sea Hawk would usually say Mermista.
But for some reason he paused.
He knew he loved Mermista. But after that fight, he wasn’t sure.

“Mermista.” He replied back, knowing that was how he had to answer to get through.

“Have a great time, Sea Hawk!” Juliet said directing him to step into the portal.

He stepped in... “Yeah thanks...” he mumbled.

——

He was 6 shots down, when a voice called for him to down another.

Sea Hawk’s vision was already blurred...

The bartender poured him a shot and handed it across the counter. Sea Hawk tilted his head back, and felt the burn of the alcohol run down his throat. He winced as he sat the glass down on the bar.

He could hear people cheering for him.
Sea Hawk lifted his arms heroically, as he celebrated his victory ( he didn’t know what victory, but he was to drunk to tell)

He was stumbling out the club and towards the portal opening when all of the sudden he heard a news
broadcasting.

“A foreign spacecraft has landed in the crimson waste on etheria. Everyone please stay safe, and watch out for any unfamiliaritys.”

“Adventahhh!” Sea Hawk’s brain called out.

—

As soon a he stepped his foot through the doorway, Sea Hawk was being screamed at by his wife Mermista.

“Where the *bleep* were you!”she yelled throwing her arms up.

Sea Hawk opened his mouth, but was cut off.

“Are you f****ing drunk!” “You’ve got to be kidding me!” She screeched.

Sea Hawk looked around the living room, to see that most of the princess alliance was there. Everyone was awkwardly sitting down, trying not to look in any particular direction.

“Ummm... Sea Hawk we called you in for a meeting. Did you get th-“ Adora was cut off by a storm of yells.

“What were you doing!? This was an emergency, Sea Hawk.”

“Why are you here now?”

“Where the *bleep* have you been!?!”

“Uggggggggggg...”

Sea Hawk just stood by the entrance to the room as Mermista bellowed questions to him. His mouth was agape as he watched, and the guests quietly shifted in their seats.

“WE ARE OVER SEA HAWK!”

“OVER!”

Mermista stomped to the door and flung it open to exit. She didn’t look back as she slammed the door.

Everyone stayed still for a moment, trying to process.

“So....” Perfuma spoke up.

“That was ruff.”

“You mean rude.” Netossa corrected.

Everyone hummed and nodded in agreement. The elephant in the room was about to explode.

“We should go check with Entrapta on the ship...” Adora said said quietly getting up, and walking towards the door.

Everyone followed.

Chapter Text

The Stars Among Us

Chapter 8: Palpatoo Part 2...

As they watched people appear in the smoke, they geared up.

Berry was gathering testing equipment, and Venessa was adjusting Elmo’s, and Squidward’s helmets.

They were almost done , when they heard a loud bang.

Elmo’s shoulders jumped.

“Hello?” A yell came from outside the ship.

“Do they speak English here?” Berry questioned be for walking over to the door.

A few more knocks.

“Hello!” Berry called out.

Then a laugh came from the door.

Berry set the equipment down and pressed a dew buttons. They door started slowly lowering down.

A woman stood there, along with many other aliens and other human looking creatures.

Squidward, Elmo, Venessa, and Berry stared in awe.

Before they knew it the woman with purple pigtails as long as her body, started rambling questions.

“Umm..” “You know English?” Berry spoke.

“Of course I do. Everyone does.” She perked up.

“Huh.” Berry huffed astonished.

“Hi my name is Entrapta!” She spoke.

“Soooo... what is your space ship made of?”

“Where did you come from?”

“How did you get here?”

“What are you doing on etheria?”

“Are you from Far Far away?” Entrapta asked immediately.

“Umm.” “ I couldn’t tell you, earth, through space, is that what this place is called?? And what is Far Far Away? Berry answered.

Elmo froze.

Far Far Away...

He knew that place... did everyone here know that place too? How did they know that place?

—

After awhile of talking to Entrapta, a group appeared out of nowhere.

The first definable person, was a tall blonde, woman, like very tall. Maybe that was the normal height here? She was also carrying a sword. Elmo really didn’t want to die today, hopefully they wouldn’t murder him.

There was also a shorter woman with pink hair who looked very important some how.

A teenager with ice blocks on their hands.

A man who was wearing arrows around his back.

A woman with long blond hair and the power to control cacti somehow.

A very muscular woman with a scorpion tail.

A very handsome sea captain of sorts.

A woman with cat ears and to the looks of it sharp claws.

A woman with a capability to make wind.

Another strong woman, witch Elmo assumed also had magic powers.

Yep... they were going to die.

—

Berry was busy with Entrapta.

Venessa was busy with the people surrounding the ship, trying to get them to not touch.

Squidward was busy collecting samples.

And Elmo was busy watching the large group of people walk over.

All of them looked like they could kill Elmo in a second.

The blonde somehow got smaller, and had a change of close.

Like she devolved.

“Hey Entrapta what’s the situation?” She spoke to the purple haired woman.

“Oh hi Adora, they can speak english!” Entrapta said before talking to Berry again.

How did she look so calm? Elmo thought.

“Hi I’m Adora!” She said holding out her hand to Elmo, who was just staring.

“Oh um hi... Adora.” He said shaking her hand.

“Um, Elmo. My name is Elmo.” He said letting go of her hand.

“Nice to meet you Elmo! Where are you from?” Adora replied.

“How are you so calm about this?” Elmo questioned.

“Oh, um it’s happened a lot. I mean I’ve met aliens before. This is is somewhat normal. You’re not going to kill me or anything?” Adora laughed nervously.

“I was thinking you were going to kill me!”
Elmo exclaimed.

“Oh, hehe...” Adora finished.

“I actually came from earth. Have you heard of earth?” Elmo answered the question.

“I don’t think so. What are you doing on etheria?” She asked.

“Um we came to explore it. We’re not going to take over or anything!”
Elmo laughed.

“Ok cool, well me and my friends could give you a tour maybe...” she pondered.

“That would honestly be great!” Elmo said.

“Ok! I’ll have to check with my wife first. Nice meeting you, Elmo was it.” She said before rejoining the group to talk to Venessa.

That was a surprisingly great conversation! Adora seemed really nice. She also had a wife.

Hmm... Elmo thought was she also a raging homosexual like me?

To bad no one else knew about it except Squidward.

Well there was one other person he told. But he was long gone... Right?

Yes.

—

Entrapta Introduced the group. Apparently they were called the princess alliance. That was cool. They definitely had royalty here.

They also learned that they shouldn’t call this place palpatoo, but instead etheria. Elmo would probably have some trouble with that, he had been calling etheria palpatoo ever since he learned about the planet.

At some point she told them they could take off their helmets and breath the oxygen.

When Elmo did, and breathed in; it was the most refreshing breath be had ever taken. The air was soft and warm.
Even in the desert. It smelled like flowers almost.

Everything was so new and exiting.
He couldn’t wait to explore the planet, and get to know everyone. But first they needed to gather information about the planet. And that could take up to a week just collecting dirt samples, and it would take much longer to send them back to earth. Berry was so excited to examine palpa- etheria, but it would take forever.

Fortunately Entrapta had all of the information they needed in her - as she likes to call it - sanctum.

She just needed to go to her palace, and retrieve the data. This was perfect... hopefully. Elmo didn’t want to be murdered...

For now he had to focus on gathering intel...

Chapter Text

The Stars Among Us

Chapter 9: Meeting You...

As Elmo and the crew walked down the pathway to the kingdom of Glimmer. (Elmo didn’t know what to call all the places sense they were just castles to him) Elmo has never seen anything so grand. He just walked , dumbfounded.

“Um, are you hungry?” Said they man with the mustache and long boots.

“I, well.. um.” Elmo said frantically.

He was in awe of everything, including all the people. He wasn’t expecting people to actually talk to him.

“Yes, sir!” Berry said.

“We will get right on it!” Said one chef.

About 54 minutes later, the food came out. All the astronauts ate like pigs. Everyone was just staring at them all.

“So, mmph, did anything exiting or dangerous ever happen here?” Squidward asked.

Everyone was quiet for a few seconds.

Then, a snicker form the cat lady started a chain reaction of crazy laughter.

“Is, that a yes?” Elmo asked to his friends.

“I don’t know.” Vanessa said.

They where all confused. Then the laughter died down. They never really got their answer.

After their food, they where directed to their rooms.

Berry and Vanessa’s room was made of nice blues and purples.

Squidward’s room was full of pinks. He kinda groaned when seeing it.

Elmo’s room was this nice teal shade.

Everyone’s rooms where mostly the same, except for the color. After some socializing in the main area of the castle. Elmo picked up a book. The book was about a crazy cult like thing. It was called something like the horde.

Elmo sat there quiet, for the rest of the night.

About one hour later, Elmo was still in the room, reading. Then the mustache man walked in.

“Hello mate!” He said.

Elmo replied by saying, “Hi.. uh.. sir.”

“The names Sea Hawk.”

“Oh right. Sea Hawk.”

He sat there for a minute or so. Elmo and Sea Hawk where just staring at each other.

“Well, thank you Mr. Sea hawk. I best be getting to bed now.” Elmo said standing up and walking out.

As he was walking down the hall he heard Sea hawk mutter “I like it when you say my name.” Elmo blushed and walk down to his room.

—

Elmo was done getting ready for bed. He took of his shirt, only leaving his shorts. Elmo thought that the bed was super weird.

It was really mushy in some parts but hard on the edges.

Elmo always leaves the door to any room he’s sleeping in open a crack. Before he fell asleep, he saw Sea Hawk walk by. He was looking sad.

Thinking about what his life here could be, a question crossed his mind. “Does he have a partner? Is he in a relationship?” When Elmo asked that, he blushed and dozed off.

Chapter Text

The Stars Among Us

Chapter 10: Sleepover...

——

Elmo trough a price of popcorn at Shrek.

Elmo laughed.

“That’s what you get for picking the worst movie ever!” Elmo laughed in his child body.

Shrek chucked one of his own pieces of popcorn at Elmo.

“That’s what you get for not bringing your own pillow” Shrek giggled.

They both kept throwing popcorn at each other until they ran out. They both fell into a fit of laughter. They were laughing over nothing, just enjoying each other’s company.

This was Elmo’s first sleepover... His best friend, Shrek; had invited him over to his swamp. It was so fun being with him.

Almost too fun.

Shrek’s mom told them to clean up the popcorn so they could go lay down, and they did.

As Elmo was sweeping, Shrek folded the blankets and put the bowls away. They would both sneak a joke to each other as they cleaned, and would end up crying laughing again...

Once they were done cleaning they went to Shrek’s bedroom to sleep.

Elmo had to sleep in Shrek’s bed since there wasn’t a spare one.

As they shifted to get comfortable, Shrek whispered a goodnight and Elmo blushed.

Then he heard a-

*knock*

No that’s not what he-

*knock*

—-

Elmo stirred and opened his eyes.

*knock*

“Hey Elmo, can I come in?” He heard a soft voice call from outside the door.

“Um ok... hold on” Elmo replied rubbing his eyes.

Elmo took the covers off of his body and walked to the door. He stood in front of the door rubbing his eyes again.
As he opened it he saw Squidward standing in front of him.

“Oh hi Squidward.” Elmo said still sleepy, with a little rasp in his voice.

“Nervous about spending the night in an alien palace, on a planet you’ve never been on?” Elmo asked sarcastically.

Squidward looked at him longer, creating a pause.

“Uh yeah actually.” Squidward said awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.

“Um also there’s this weird alien thing, that keeps following me.”

Squidward moved out of the door frame to show a purple cat like creature, next to him. He gestured his hand to show the thing.

“I asked the cat lady about it, and she said it follows around new people it wants to keep an eye on. And also that it’s literal magic. “Melog” can you believe it!?” Squidward exclaimed, with his arm fully extended towards the creature.

Melog hissed like a cat. And glowed a red color, that faded as soon as Squidward pulled his hand away.

“Ummm...” Elmo was searching for words.

He looked up at Squidward who was bracing himself from the creature.

He looked really scared by the thing. It made Elmo blush.

Squidward looked back at Elmo.

“No.” Elmo replied.

He looked between the two. Squidward was trembling.

“Hey, why don’t we have a sleepover?” Elmo offered, gesturing his hand to the room.

Squidward nodded.

“And get away from that thing, yes!”

Squidward walked into the room and Elmo closed the door. Elmo turned back to see Squidward taking off his slippers, and setting them by the wall. Elmo looked over by the bed and it hit him like a brick, there was only one bed.

Squidward looked over at the bed, and then to Elmo. He stepped closer.

“I guess we’ll have to share.” Squidward shrugged.

“Yeah...” Elmo breathed out.

As they walked to the bed Elmo couldn’t help but get flustered.

They got in the bed, and pulled the covers up to their chests.

Elmo rolled over on his side to face the wall. He was bushing now. Darn that magic creature.

As he let his eyelids drift down he heard a whisper.

“Goodnight.” Squidward said softly.

“Goodnight” Elmo replied in the same tone.

After a minute he heard an even fainter breath.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.” Elmo whispered back very quietly, he didn’t want Squidward to know he was awake.

“Elmo did you say something?” Squidward spoke.

“Huh?” Elmo acted dumb.

“No did you here something?” Hopefully Squidward would buy it.

“No. I thought you said something. It must have been you breathing...”

“Ok.” Elmo replied.

And this time he actually dosed off, with a warmth in his heart.

The bed was starting to feel a bit more comfortable now...

——

When Elmo stirred, there was a warm light over his body. And a warm feeling too.

It was so nice to wake up in Glimmer’s kingdom. So soft and warm.

He was snuggled into the bed with an arm around his body...

Wait an arm!

Elmo forced his eyes open, and turned his head around to see Squidward cuddled into his back. A strong arm was around his waist, and soft hair was brushing against his neck.

Elmo recalled the night previous.

Right, they fell asleep in the same bed. A sleepover.

Elmo wanted to pretend that this never happened... but he also wanted to lay in the warmth of Squidward’s arms.

He probably wouldn’t be able to get out of bed without waking Squidward up himself, and that would be awkward within itself. So he put his head back onto the pillow that they were now sharing, and closed his eyes again.

He soaked in the weight of Squidward around him and relaxed for the first time, since... well... since Far Far Away...

A moment later he felt Squidward’s arm tighten around him, and then let go.

He didn’t want him to let go.

He felt Squidward get off the bed and walk over to his slippers. Elmo still had his eyes closed, and tried not to let Squidward know he was up.

Squidward opened the door and paused before leaving the room, closing the door again...

Why did Elmo not want him to leave.

Obviously he knew.

It was plain as day.

He was in love... why Elmo...

Why.

Chapter Text

The Stars Among Us

Chapter 11: Where Are You Now?...

It was about 2 days after Elmo’s crew had arrived. They spent that time touring the kingdoms, looking at the magic, and meeting all the people and animals there. They tried to study and figure out how it works, but failed drastically.

“What do mean you can’t come over today?” Squidward asked.

“I.. just can’t.” Elmo responded.

“Oh. Fine.” Squidward said in an sarcastically annoyed tone.

It was early morning, and Elmo was on the phone with Squidward. Squidward hung up without him saying anything.

“Yo, Elmo, ready to go?” It was Sea Hawk.

“Yeah.” Elmo said still wondering why Squidward hung up so abruptly.

“Let’s go die!”Sea Hawk announced.

“WHAT?!” Elmo said shocked.

“Of adventure!” Sea Hawk shouted and ran out of the room.

“Wait!” Elmo shouted, “where’s the boat?”

“Go down the hall and out that doorrr…” Sea Hawk said slow getting quieter and quieter.

“Ok!” Elmo replied laughing.

Later, both were on a boat. Sea Hawk promised to take him on a trip. Adora and Catra were planning to come but, both had to attend a press conference with Glimmer and Bow. So it ended up just being Sea Hawk and Elmo.
The sea was beautiful. Elmo had never really gone sailing before on Earth. He felt as if he had been before though.

—

“Shrek! You can’t tie a trick knot! Tie a real one!” Elmo said laughing.

“But Elmo!” Shrek replied, “You don’t want pirates to learn our amazing knot tying skills.”

“No! Tie a regular knot.”Elmo said getting annoyed.

Elmo was supposed to be the captain of the ship. Since it was his father’s boat, Elmo thought it was fair.

“Ok, Shrek! Tie the knot right or leave this crew!”

“Elmo! That’s not fair!”

“It’s my ship!”

“No it’s not! It your dads.”

“Close enough.”

“Well! I’m leaving!” Shrek said as he ran away.

“Fine!” Elmo said.

“Fine!” Shrek said still running.

“Fine.” Elmo whispered quietly.

A few days later, Far Far Away was lit aflame, and they never saw each other again.

—

Elmo decided to bring the book he was reading the night before.

“You know,” Sea Hawk said. “That’s a true story.”

“Oh.. wow. I was wondering why all of you where in here.” Elmo replied.

Elmo sounded calm, but he was really shocked. And Elmo had a burning question.

“.. where’s Mermista?”

Chapter Text

The Stars Among Us

Chapter 12: Octo Boy...

“We...” Sea Hawk drawled.

Elmo looked at him encouragingly. He nodded for him to go on, very impatient to learn the relationship statice of the captain.

Sea Hawk sighed.

“We aren’t, together... anymore.” Sea Hawk said sullenly.

That was very out of character for Sea Hawk. He was always very optimistic, and cheerful. But now. Now he was just sad.

Elmo didn’t want to push on a sensitive topic, but his body betrayed him.

“How did that happen?” Elmo asked putting the book down.

Sea Hawk turned away from Elmo, and looked into the - now calm ocean -, and sighed longingly.

Elmo quickly walked over to the captain.

He set a hand on his shoulder trying to comfort him.

“Sorry.” Elmo apologized softly.

“It’s fine Elmo, I just... messed up you know?” Sea Hawk cried, his accent growing stronger.

“I’m not sure I do.” Elmo spoke, shifting to sit next to Sea Hawk; now with his arm wrapped around the captain’s shoulder.

“Ummm...” Sea Hawk breathed.

“What do you mean?” Elmo asked.

“Well... She kinda wasn’t ever involved in our relationship. It was a one sided thing.”

“Yeah...” Elmo tried to be understanding.

Sea Hawk was a bit more perked up now. “Girls never really matched my energy... Yeah, I had more of a thing guys anyways”

Elmo looked away. He obviously wasn’t having these thoughts. He told his brain to not think about his arm that was currently wrapped around a man.

“Yeah...” Elmo said even softer.

Sea Hawk looked over to Elmo, who was still looking over his shoulder. Elmo turned back to make eye contact with Sea Hawk.

They sat there. Looking at each other.
Sea Hawk smiled, and looked back towards to the water.

Elmo’s eyes lingered on Sea Hawk for a beat more, before looking back to the ocean himself.

“This is nice.” Elmo whispered. “Thanks for bringing me.”

—

A boat ride, and many shanties later; the pair was back at Glimmer’s kingdom; which he newly learned was called Bright Moon.

Sea Hawk docked the boat, and helped Elmo onto the land.

“Thanks.” Elmo mumbled, blushing a bit.

As they walked back to the castle, Elmo could see people chatting.

Glimmer, Bow, Venessa, and Squidward.

“Hello everyone!” Sea Hawk sang, as he violently waved his arm in the air.

“Hi!” Bow said.

Elmo gave them a wave, still clenching the book he was reading.

Everyone was smiling at them except for one... Squidward.

He was standing there with his arms crossed, and an anxious look on his face.

Elmo was slightly conflicted. Maybe Squidward didn’t really have a thing for him? He did seem kind of distant lately.

Elmo ran over to the group. Followed by Sea Hawk.

“Hey guys did you have fun on your trip? Sorry we couldn’t make it.” Glimmer said.

“Oh it was great!” Elmo began.

“Yes! You should’ve seen the water today!” Sea Hawk exclaimed.

Sea Hawk started ranting how fun the trip was to Glimmer, Bow, and Venessa.

Elmo stepped over to Squidward.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Elmo whispered into his ear.

Squidward’s eyebrows dimmed.

“Whats wrong?” Squidward whispered shouted, as if Elmo was an idiot.

“Alien planet?” Elmo Guessed.

“Nooo!”

“Then what?”

Squidward sighed.

“You.”

Elmo was genuinely confused now. Did he do something wrong? Push to far?

“What does that mean?!”

Squidward looked at Elmo with wide eyes.

“Tell me Squidward.”

“Huhhhhh...” Squidward sighed, cupping his hands in front of his face.

“It’s you. You and Sea Hawk. You have something going on between you guys?”

Elmo was not expecting that. Squidward was jealous.

“Uhh um.” He spoke taken back.

“So?” Squidward demanded.

Elmo looked over at Sea Hawk, and realized they were all staring. How long had they been doing that?!

Glimmer and Bow’s mouths were wide open. They all staired back at each other.

Squidward looked over and realized.

“Ummm” Squidward started.

“I’m gonna go.” He said pointing his thumb to the castle.

He was running off now. His legs taking him as fast as possible.

The group watched as he left, then back at each other.

“What was that about?” Venessa questioned Elmo.

“I don’t know.” Elmo lied.

“Yeah what was that about?” He heard Catra say, walking towards them.

“Why was Octo boy running off like that?”

“Seriously?” Glimmer spoke. “Octo boy?”

“What? It’s not like his real name is any better.” Catra defended.

Elmo let out a snicker.

There was a pause, before everyone directed their attention on Elmo.

“So” bow drawled out. “You gonna tell us or what?”

Elmo let out a sigh.

Chapter Text

The Stars Among Us

Chapter 13: Now You Know...

“Elmo?” Glimmer said after he sighed. “Are you two.. fighting?”

“I’m just.. we.. well he..” Elmo said.

Squidward had been mad at Elmo for some reason.

“Sorry, brb.” Elmo said.

“BRB?” Catra asked confused.

“It means “be right back.” Vanessa said.

“Oh.” Catra said in a annoyed voice.

As Elmo ran to squidward’s room, he heard a noise from the main room. When he looked he saw Squidward.. and Sea Hawk?

When he looked more, he noticed that Sea Hawk looked sorta uncomfortabe. And he also heard Squidward cooing at Sea Hawk!

“Squidward!” Elmo yelled out. “What are you saying to Sea Hawk?”

Sea Hawk stood up out of the chair he was sitting in.

“Oh, what the h*** Elmo. You don’t care about me any more. You can’t even tell me that you’re going on a date with someone else.”

“What? That’s the reason your flirting? Ugh!” Elmo said as he ran to his room.

He immediately grabbed a piece of paper and started writing.

“Dear my Etherian friends,
I believe that I have over come my stay. I will be taking the emergency shuttle back to Earth. My crew mates are welcome to stay as long as they want. But I need to get my study’s back to my home. And to clarify, I will be going back to matter what. Also if you are reading this, please let the others know.
Goodbye,
Elmo”

Elmo found some tape and pasted it to the door of his room.

He ran ultra fast to the ship. But he stoped in his tracks to loom at something that caught his eye. He looked and saw a big portal. He was in awe.

He ran towards it. The guard was asking people questions to let people enter. Of course Elmo wouldn’t know the answers, so he would have to sneak in.

He ran to the guard and said “Uh, King Sea Hawk needs your help!”

“With what?” The guard asked.

“With, uh, something classified!”

“Oh! I be right on it.” He said running off.

Elmo jumped through the portal.

“Wait,” that guard stoped, “where am I going?” The guard turned around but nobody was there.

“What?” Elmo yelled when in the portal

It was super weird. Only described as being in the.. skin of an edible water bottle. It was fragile and felt like you could break through it in a second.

Elmo just stood there, but bit by bit started walking forward.

When he started walking he felt sick. His head was pounding and his stomach was aching.

“Uhggg…” He groaned.

He flopped down on the ground and someone dragged him out.

“Hey buddy?” A strangers voice said.

“Hey,” Elmo croaked, “I know you.”
And then he fainted .

Chapter Text

The Stars Among Us

Chapter 14: Reunion...

As Elmo stirred he could feel a light warmth on his eyes. There was a golden glow that brushed across his face, and a soft breeze flowing through the air.

The pain of his head woke him up fully. Elmo opened his eyes and looked around to see he was in a cabin of sorts.

He could see a fireplace with a burning glow inside. A table with a full meal set atop. A few scattered chairs too.

Elmo was placed on a familiar recliner. It was reclined, so he was in a laying position.

He sat up looking around to find the person he most wanted to see. Well... he could say ogre.

Then there was a loud pare of feet stomping into the house, that Elmo could now recognize.

A hefty Scottish accent spoke up.

“You in here?” The ogre asked.

Elmo could already feel tears forming in his eyes. The only thing he ever regretted most was leaving him. How was he here.

The green man looked over to meet Elmo’s eyes. He stood there looking into them so eagerly. His eyes looked glossy, like he was about cry.

Elmo got off of the recliner, wincing from the pain. He took a few steps towards the ogre.

“Elmo?” The green giant whimpered.

Elmo sniffled. Now he was sobbing as many tears as his body would let him. Elmo flung himself at him, wrapping his arms around the ogres body.

The ogre held Elmo with his - now very muscular arms - and hugged him with as much passion.

Elmo pulled back his head to look up at him.

“Shrek?” He asked softly.

“Yes?” He responded.

At that all Elmo wanted to do was cry even more. But more than that he wanted to express his feelings for his long lost love.

“Elmo I-“ Shrek was cut off by Elmo pressing his lips into Shrek’s.

Shrek relaxed his muscles, and kissed Elmo back.

They had done this before, but never so eagerly. It was always a fake kiss. Just to hide their feelings that they obviously had.
Shrek had confessed his feelings one day to Elmo, and Elmo had done the same.
That had been only weeks before Elmo and his parents fled.

Now before he knew it Elmo was being pulled into another kiss, and another.
They were practically making out.

Elmo let go of Shrek.

“What am I doing here?” Elmo asked breathlessly.

“I found you in the portal to etheria. I can’t believe I did!” Shrek breathed.

“I didn’t think I would ever see you again!” Elmo exclaimed.

“Yeah. How did you even get this far in space?” Shrek responded.

Elmo paused to collect himself, and his breath.

“I’m an astronaut on another planet called earth!” He exclaimed.

“Wow...”Shrek replied.

“Oh my gosh! I have so much I need to catch you up on!” Elmo said.

“Same.” Shrek sighed.

———

“And then I woke up here.” Elmo said finished his story.

“Wow... wait. Why did you kiss me then? If you are with Squidward, or...” Shrek paused.

“Sea Hawk?” Elmo asked.

“Yeah.” Shrek looked down at the ground.

They were now walking through the woods around Shrek’s swamp, talking about their lives.

“What?” Elmo asked, cocking an eyebrow.

“Nothing.” Shrek muttered.

Elmo stoped walking. He looked at Shrek.

Shrek stopped too, still with his eyes on the dirt floor.

“You can tell me.” Elmo encouraged.

“Tell you what?” Shrek asked.

Shrek looked up to see Elmo looking at him.

“You know, about Sea Hawk.” Elmo said.

Shrek sighed.

“We were kind of a thing before him and Mermista got married.”

Elmo was silent. He looked at Shrek for a moment longer. There was an awkward tension between the two.

“Oh.” Elmo whispered.

Elmo could feel himself bush, so he turned around and started walking again.

Shrek paused before following him.

“Why was he so flustered by that?” Shrek thought.

Chapter Text

The Stars Among Us

Chapter 15: Find Elmo...

“GUYS, COME HERE!” Sea Hawk shouted.

Squidward was standing next to him, in front of Elmo’s door. They had found a note taped to the door. Squidward was holding the piece of paper.

They had just found it after trying to chase Elmo through the palace.

Sea Hawk heard a familiar thud on the ground behind him and Squidward. It was Glimmer and Bow.

“What is it?” Glimmer said out of breath.

Squidward looked up from the note he was holding, and looked over to Sea Hawk. Sea Hawk encouraged him to go on with a nod. Squidward turned around to face Glimmer and Bow -who were still catching their breaths- ; and looked down at the note.

“Um... Elmo’s dead...” Squidward deadpanned.

“What-?” Sea Hawk said looking at the note in Squidward’s hands.

“I mean gone- gone! Yeah he left.” Squidward rushed.

Glimmer and Bow just stood there.

There was a pause between them.

“What do you mean?” Bow questioned.

“Yeah where is Elmo, I don’t understand?” Glimmer finished.

“Um... here.” Squidward said shyly, handing Glimmer the paper.

She took it in her hand.

With Bow hunched over her shoulder, they both read the writing.

After finishing she paused, and handed the note to Bow.

“So he’s in space.” Glimmer said, not really asking.

“We think.” Sea Hawk stated.

“We need to go check the emergency space shuttles then!” Bow spoke.

“You’re right. Will you be ok with me teleporting us there?” Glimmer said directing towards Squidward.”

“Will I WHAT?!” Squidward exclaimed.

Before Glimmer could say anything, Bow intervened.

“Glimmer are we sure we want to do that are selfs? We know nothing about this.”

She looked up at Bow.

“It’s fine. We have Squidward remember.”

She looked over to Squidward.

“Right?”

“Yes.” He replied.

“Ok great!” Glimmer exclaimed.

——

When they teleported to Elmo’s spaceship, Squidward led them to the emergency rocket boosters.

This was Sea Hawk’s first time in a space ship, it was so thrilling to him! It would be so perfect to just light on fi- nope!

Sea Hawk followed Squidward, who looked pretty annoyed; and looked around the ship as they found themselves in different rooms.

After a bit of walking, Squidward stopped in front of a door.

“You guys wait in here, this is where we keep them... I’ll go check.” He said before opening the door.

“Ok!” Bow replied.

Squidward closed the door. Now Sea Hawk was stuck in a foreign spacecraft, with two other people.

Sea Hawk walked over to an area in the room that appeared to have many storage containers. ‘This must be the cargo room’ Sea Hawk thought. He noticed some of the boxes had names on them.

He looked at one that read “Elmo’s Box”.

“This one’s Elmo’s.” Sea Hawk mumbled, taking off the lid of the box.

The first thing he saw was a picture printed in black and white. Sea Hawk picked it up to look at it better, and to his surprise he saw a quite familiar face. It was a little ogre boy.

“Sea Hawk!” Glimmer whisper shouted.

He turned his head around to see Glimmer walking over to him.

“Don’t touch anything!” She said grabbing the picture out of his hand and placing it back into the box.

She sighed, and put the top back on.

“I know!” He sang.

—

A few minutes later Squidward came walking back into the room.

“Guys, I don’t think he’s left yet.” Squidward exclaimed, a smile forming on his face.

“So are all of the rockets still there?” Bow questioned.

The three were on the edge of their seats.

Well... if they had seats they would be.

All Squidward did was nod his head, but that was enough for Sea Hawk to be squirming with excitement.

“I’m sure I’ll be able to find him.” He said heroically, flexing his muscles.

At that Squidward just glared at him.

“Where do you think he went?” Bow pondered.

They all stood in the spaceship, and thought.

“Are we sure he isn’t in the castle?” Glimmer asked.

“Yes.” Sea Hawk and Squidward said at the same time.

“Ok... well, he can’t be far.” Bow pointed out.

“Well we don’t know. Anything could have happened. Elmo could have just gotten someone to take him... to wherever.” Squidward spoke.

They all hummed in agreement.

No matter how much Sea Hawk thought, only one thought came to mind.

“...Shrek.”

“Huh?” He heard Glimmer say.

“What?” Sea Hawk questioned.

“What about him?” Glimmer said.

“About Elmo?” He guessed.

“Nooo. About Shrek.” She replied.

“Wait did I say that out loud? I mean- yeah Shrek- i mean no! I didn’t say that? What are you talking about...”

Glimmer, Bow, and Squidward just looked at him.

“Wait! Do you guys think he went through the portal?!” Bow said.

“What portal?” Squidward asked now very confused.

He didn’t answer his question, but instead asked one.

“Squidward, do you know who Shrek is?” Sea Hawk asked.

“Like... Elmo’s Shrek?” Squidward said before going completely quiet.

Then he spoke up again.

“If he knows Shrek is somewhere I guaranty he went there.” Squidward promised.

“I wonder if he knows.” Bow said looking over to make eye contact with Glimmer.

——

After teleporting to the portal to FarFarAway, they stood on the pathway.

“Guys maybe we should split up just in case he isn’t in there.” Squidward suggested.

...

“Ok. How about we go in groups. Me and Glimmer can look in etheria with the others, and you two can look in FarFarAway.” Bow offered.

“That sounds fine with me.” Glimmer said.

“I know FarFarAway pretty well, so we can go to all of the spots I know.” Sea said, slightly bragging.

“Ok.” Squidward spoke.

“Mission: find Elmo.” Bow said.

“On three guys!” Glimmer said.

They all put their hands on top of one another.

“1”

“2”

“3”

“Mission find Elmo!” They said raising their hands in unison.

Chapter Text

The Stars Among Us

Chapter 16: Surprise...

As Sea Hawk and Squidward walked together to the portal, Sea Hawk looked a little mad.

“Uh, are you good?” Squidward asked.

“Yeah..” Sea Hawk replied, “yeah man. Just annoyed. I shared one of my deepest secrets.”

“And what might that be?”

“Ha! I don’t just tell anyone.”

“What?” Sauidward tought. He was strangely offended by that.

When they got to the portal. Squidward gasped.

“What is it?” Sea Hawk asked and turned to see what he was looking at.

“Oh, you’ve never seen a portal before. Well.. Surprise!”

As they walked trough the portal, Squidward felt like throwing up. “What. Is. Happening?!” He yelled.

“You’re about to emesis!”

“What the h*** does that mean?!”

“It means throw up!”

“What?! No. I am not going to thro-“ Squidward Said right before he threw up.

—

“Squidward!” Sea Hawk yelled.

“Agh! What’s with the yelling?!” Squidward said back.

“Oh, I thought just saying your name wouldn’t work.” He said as they both sat up.

When they where walking around, Squidward noticed how all the people here.. weren’t people.

“Sea Hawk? What’s with all the people?”

“Oh. They are not people, there Ogres.”

“Ok..” Squidward said questionably. He had no idea what Ogres were.

“Ok. This is my buddy Shrek’s house. He’s good at doing things like this. He might help us find Elmo.”

Sea Hawk knocked on the door.

“Hello?” A deep voice said.

He was abou 6 feet tall and look fairly happy.

“My good fiend. What are you doing? We need you help to find a friend.” Sea hawk said pleasingly.

“Name?” Shrek replied in that dark voice.

“Elmo.” Squidward yelled.

Shrek walked forward. “Elmo? I know him.” He said and gestured to him.

“Surprise?” Elmo said.

“ELMO?! I thought you left!” Squidward yelled.

“I was! Am! I just ran into a friend!”

“You can’t leave! Or even say your leaving, then not!”

“Squidward! Shut up! Shu-..” Elmo could not finish. It was all in slow motion...

The way Elmo stoped suddenly.

How Shrek pushed Squidward out after.

And Sea Hawk, confused with it all.

The way people saw each other completely changed when Squidward slapped Elmo.

Chapter Text

The Stars Among Us

Chapter 17: Why Me...

“WHAT THE F*** SQUIDWARD!” Elmo yelled, stepping back into the door frame.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN!” Squidward yelled back.

Elmo scoffed at him. “You SLAPPED me!” Elmo said.

Shrek leaned over to help the burn on Elmo’s skin. He placed a hand on the mark. Sea Hawk was taken back, and Squidward was mad.

“Elmo are you crazy?!” Squidward started.

“N-“ Elmo was cut off.

“YOU SERIOUSLY WERE GOING TO TAKE AN EMERGENCY ROCKET ALL THE WAY THROUGH SPACE! LITERALLY JUST BECAUSE YOU SAW ME WITH SEA HAWK!” Squidward bellowed.

“I-“ Elmo was cut off again.

“THAT STUPID, STUPID, LETTER BROKE MY HEART.”

Squidward lowered his voice down.

“Elmo... I don’t know what’s going on between us, but I can’t do this anymore. You going off with Sea Hawk, then off to your long lost love; like I’m*bleeping* nothing. It’s pathetic how fast you move on, because I LOVE YOU ELMO! I REALLY DO! And I thought maybe, just a little bit; you might feel the same way. Because being stuck on a ship in outer space with you, was fun... we had our fun, but you keep ruining it. You just act like nothing is happening. You keep acting like we’re not even on another planet.”

Squidward sighed. He looked back over to his side, to see that Sea Hawk was staring at him.

Squidward looked over to Elmo, and Shrek.

“Squidward...” Elmo whimpered reaching out his arm towards Squidward.

Squidward turned around. He moved his head slightly back towards Elmo.

“I can’t believe you... we’re done.” Squidward stated.

Squidward took a step, and then another, and another. He was walking now. Into the woods that him and Sea Hawk emerged from. Squidward was becoming smaller and smaller.

Elmo was frozen in shock. After a pause, he brought his hands up to cover his face. His eyes were red, and filled to the brim with tears. He was sobbing now, more than he had ever sobbed in his life.

Shrek’s arm wrapped around Elmo’s back, as he tried comforting him.

“I- I am so deeply sorry Elmo. I’m... not sure where that outburst came from. I’m just glad I found you! We must go back to etheria. The others are quite worried.”
Sea Hawk said.

Elmo sniffled. He leaned into Shrek and started crying into his shoulder. They were now hugging again.

Shrek let out a breath.

“I don’t think he’s ready yet.” Shrek spoke.

Elmo lifted his head from Shrek’s body, and looked over to Sea Hawk.

“Where is Berry and Venessa? Are they looking for me too? I’m fine. Tell them I’m fine!” Elmo spoke.

“My dearest Elmo-“ Sea Hawk paused. He had only ever called Mermista that, saying it to Elmo caught him off guard... in a good way.

“Are you well? Shall I tell you a story maybe? That could cheer you up?” Sea Hawk offered.

“Ok, I really just need to sit down for a second. My face still hurts, and the tears are burning my skin.” Elmo said getting off of Shrek completely.

Elmo walked inside of Shrek’s hut, leaving Shrek and Sea Hawk together. Sea Hawk looked over to Shrek, and smiled nervously.

“Would you like to come inside?” Shrek offered gesturing to the door.

Sea Hawk cleared his throat.

“Thank you.” He said walking into the home.

Elmo was sitting on the recliner again, wiping his tears away.

Sea Hawk walked in, and Shrek followed him. Shrek closed the door and offered a chair for Sea Hawk to sit on.

“No thank you. I like to be agile when I tell my story’s.” Sea Hawk said.

“Okay...” Shrek replied sitting in the seat himself.

“Go ahead.” Elmo said.

—

“And that’s how I finished off four hundred solders with only my laser sword.” Sea Hawk said finishing his story.

He leapt off of the table, and landed on the floor. Sea Hawk lifted his arms heroically.

“Wow” Shrek drawled out. “Still got an amazing imagination I see eh?” Shrek joked.

Elmo snickered.

“So... you guys used to be with each other?” Elmo questioned. “That doesn’t make any sense.” He pondered.

Sea Hawk and Shrek looked between one another.

“You could say that...” Shrek said to Elmo, still making eye contact with Sea Hawk.

“What. What’s THAT supposed to mean?” Elmo said like a sassy little girl.

“Well...” Sea Hawk said slowly looking over to Elmo.

“Well what?” Asked Elmo.

“Your mom- I mean nothing- I- we were madly in love before Sea Hawk got married.” Shrek answered.

“Um- I know-...” Elmo began.

“Why don’t we start heading over to the portal?” Sea Hawk said awkwardly before running to the door.

“I’m gonna go too.” Shrek said pointing his thumb to the door, before running after Sea Hawk.

Elmo was dumbfounded.

“WAIT!” Elmo called out.

He jumped out of the recliner and ran out the door.

“GUYS WHAT THE HECK! COME BACK.” Elmo yelled out.

Elmo ran after them into the woods as fast as his injured body would take him. He could still see Shrek and Sea Hawk running away in the distance.

“Come BACK!” He called, reaching for them.

Shrek was almost was waddling because his body was so big. Shrek looked back at Elmo, still running. “I’m sorry.”

Elmo could barely hear him.

He was crying again. His body was slowing down. Elmo was panting, his hands were resting on his knees.

“Why me.” Elmo whispered.

—

Elmo was now sitting against a tree. He was lost.

Elmo couldn’t see Shrek or Sea Hawk at all. They had probably gone back to the portal, but Elmo didn’t know where that was. He was hopeless, and unable to tell where anything was.

Eventually Elmo got up from the ground. Leafs and dirt stuck to the back of legs as he lifted himself off of the forest floor. He started walking in a random direction, where the trees started to thin out.

Elmo sighed.

“So they’re madly in love huh? Wow that’s so great for them.” Elmo mumbled sarcastically.

He was walking, looking down at the ground now; talking to himself.

“I bet there off kissing now.” He said kicking a stone aside.

“Urg!” He huffed. He kicked another stone

“I have to stay calm!” He reminded himself.

He huffed and kicked another rock- it wasn’t a rock! It was a large boulder. Not even a boulder, a mound of dirt; like something had disturbed the ground.

He looked up to see that the large pile of dirt was larger than his head. Elmo stepped around to look at what was on the other side. He moved to see that there was a massive white capsule. There was a door on it.

Elmo stepped back to get a better look, when all of the sudden the door opened.
Someone stepped out of the craft.

Elmo was speechless.

A large yellow man-bird stepped onto the ground. He looked up to meet Elmo’s eyes.

“Elmo?” He spoke.

“Big-Bird what are you doing here!”

Chapter Text

The Stars Among Us

Chapter 18: Lost and Found...

“Big-Bird! I can’t believe it’s you!” Elmo said astonished.

“I... Elmo how are you here?” Big-Bird asked, eyeing the red man.

“I could ask the same thing. I haven’t seen you since Sesame Street!” Elmo said before giving Big-Bird a massive hug.

Still hugging Elmo, Big-Bird shut the door to the spacecraft he was in. After a pause Elmo stepped back from the hug, and stared up at the towering man.

“What is that thing you were in? Why are you here? What the heck is going on? Am I dreaming!?” Elmo questioned.

“No! Elmo calm down... I actually came here on a secret mission to explore this planet. Now tell me... how are YOU here?! Shouldn’t you be back on earth!” Big-Bird spoke.

Elmo sighed and placed his hands to cover his face. “Big-Bird, I’m on a mission too. But not to this planet. To a different one! There was a portal, and a love triangle that turned into a cube and then a line and then a triangle again, and I need to get back to etheria to leave but now I’m lost-“ Elmo took a big gulp of air. “And I can’t find my way back because the love of my life just ran off with my alien date, and I don’t know...” Elmo sighed.

“I’m sorry I got lost at “portal” I literally am so confused, but you look like you need help.” Big-Bird replied.

“Yes.” Elmo whined.

“Ok. I can help, we just need to get out of the woods first.” Big-Bird said.

“Thank you!” Elmo spoke.

Elmo and Big-Bird started walking off to a clearing away from the trees. As they walked they caught up.

“Sooo... how’s it going with you and Peppa Pig? Are you two still together?” Elmo asked to lighten the mood.

Big-Bird collected his words. He sighed.

“Well. The short answer is no. The long answer is that she kinda started murdering people, and then eventually her entire family started becoming serial killers. I had to break up with her. She was pretty nice about it though, it was mutual.” Big-Bird answered.

“Ah.” Elmo noted.

“But I am dating Nia now, she’s actually a ninja!” Big-Bird spoke.

“Nice.” Elmo said.

“Are you with anyone?” Big-Bird asked.

“Well,” Elmo didn’t really know. WAS he with someone? He wanted to be with Shrek. He wanted to be with Sea Hawk. Squidward... that was a big pill to swallow. Squidward had quite literally just confessed his love for Elmo not to long ago, in not the nicest way. In front of Shrek and Sea Hawk of all people.

Elmo wondered what they must be thinking now.

Especially Sea Hawk.

“Um.” Elmo started.

“Nope! Not really.” Elmo rushed, before looking at the ground.

Big-Bird sighed.

“We’re here!” He said.

“Finally!” Elmo cheered.

“Ok get on my back!” Big-Bird said squatting down so Elmo could climb onto his back.

Elmo walked around Big-Bird to hop on his back. He jumped on and tightened his grip with his legs. Elmo wrapped his arms around Big-Bird’s neck.

“Hold on tight!” Big-Bird said.

“Alright!” Elmo said before they lifted off the ground.

Big-Bird was flying now, his feathery wings were stretched out and flapping in the sky, as Elmo held on. The wind was so powerful against Elmo’s face.

“Ok tell me if you see were we need to go!” Big-Bird yelled.

“Okay!” Elmo yelled back.

A couple minutes in the air, and Elmo could already spot the portal. A massive purple and blue disc on land.

“Down there! It’s that purple thing!” Elmo pointed out to Big-Bird.

“Ok let’s go.” Big-Bird said flying down to the ground.

____

After landing Elmo and Big-Bird started walking around to find Shrek and Sea Hawk. They were walking and walking, but couldn’t find anything.

“Big-Bird! I don’t think I’ll ever find them!” Elmo whimpered.

“What! No. You shouldn’t give up! It’s not like they’re gone!” Big-Bird encouraged.

Elmo sighed.

“They might be looking for me in the woods!” Elmo said.

“Look just go back through the portal and back to wherever you came from! You can just wait for them there.” Big-Bird said.

“Yeah I will...” Elmo said.

“Look I gotta go. I hope you find them! It was so cool seeing you, bye!” Big-Bird waved, as he flew away.

“Bye!” Elmo called out.

Elmo walked to the portal. A guard was there.

“Hello. Who are you?” The guard asked Elmo.

“Elmo. Look can I just come through!” Elmo said very annoyed.

The guard perked up.

“Elmo!? People have been looking for you! Gosh wow... here follow me!” The guard spoke before walking off.

“Um ok?” Elmo said before following the guard.

As Elmo walked behind the guard, he went through the portal, then to a large boat docked in the water. The guard led Elmo up to the boat and helped him on.

“Wait. We’re going to Bright Moon in THIS!?” Elmo asked.

The guard paused and looked at Elmo.

“Of course! This is important.” The guard spoke.

Elmo smiled to himself. ‘I’m important’ he thought. Then he remembered that people are probably very worried. His smile faded.

After awhile of sailing they arrived at the kingdom of Bright Moon.

As soon as Elmo stepped off the boat and onto the ground a large group surrounded him. Berry and Venessa ran up to hug him immediately, and many of the princess alliance was behind them.

Venessa sighed.

“Elmo we’ve been looking for you everywhere! That was extremely dumb of you to try and leave!” She said.

“Do NOT do that ever again! We’re just glad you’re here now.” Berry added.

Elmo returned their hug before letting go of them.

When he looked up he could see many familiar faces. One of which was Squidward’s. Elmo stepped over closer to him. Elmo tried to give him and empathetic smile.

“Squidward I knew you loved me! At the sleepover we had I had-“ Elmo was cut off by Squidward’s scoff.

“Squidward I am so mad at you, but I’m not moping about it! Unlike you! Did you even tell anyone where I was? Cause I got lost out there! I was all alone in the woods on a different planet than you guys! It took a miracle to get me back.” Elmo said.

“You were just gonna let me go! Leave me! That’s so selfish Elmo!” Squidward spoke.

“You’re one to talk!” Elmo shot back.

They were staring each other down like they would kill each other in a heartbeat.

“Guys! Guys! I think that’s enough fighting for now. Why don’t we talk it out!” Perfuma stepped in.

Elmo and Squidward relaxed a bit more, but we’re still visibly upset. Squidward turned back.

“We found him. I’m gonna head to my room.” Squidward said calmly.

Squidward walked off to the castle leaving everyone with Elmo.

“Well... you’ll have to sort that one out later.” Perfuma stated.

“Ok. I’m really confused. Because when I first saw you guys, I thought you were a couple.” Adora spoke.

“Yeah same. That was unnecessarily dramatic.” Frosta said.

Elmo sighed.

“...Did you really try to leave? Why should you do that?” Glimmer asked.

Elmo paused. Everyone was looking at him for an answer.

“Yeah. But I can explain-“ He started before getting interrupted.

“GUYS!” It was Shrek, he was running towards them.

Shrek came running over to the group. He was panting and sweating more than Elmo had ever seen.

“Shrek? What are you doing here!” Elmo yelled.

“Guys Wait!” Shrek called.

“Um... who is that?” Perfuma questioned.

“Isn’t that Shrek?” Glimmer asked.

“Yeah. It is.” Elmo answered.

Before they knew it, the sweaty ogre was already next to them.

“Why did you leave?! I was lost out there! You absolute fool!” Elmo spoke.

“I know. I know. Im sorry, I went looking for you!” Shrek responded.

“Shrek I can’t believe you would run off like that!” Elmo yelled.

Now everyone was invested in their conversation. They were all staring at the two in silence.

“Look I just need your help.” Shrek said.

“Why? Where’s Sea Hawk?” Elmo said somewhat sarcasticly.

“That’s the problem! He’s in trouble!” Shrek rushed.

Everyone froze.

“What! Where is he?” Adora spoke.

“ At the portal! I uhh-“ Shrek paused. “Um I did something... it doesn’t matter! But he ran away! Then I saw a massive bird swoop him off the ground! It was yellow and- you just need to follow me!” Shrek rushed.

“Ok but where is it!” Glimmer asked .

“FarFarAway! We need to go” Shrek demanded.

Chapter Text

The Stars Among Us

Chapter 19: It’s A Boy...

“It’s going to be ok. We need to get you to a hospital.” The large yellow bird assured Sea Hawk, as they flew through the sky.

The bird mumbled something else, but Sea Hawk couldn’t hear it. Sea Hawk was blacking out, his eyelids were drifting down.

“What’s.... humfff... uh mm going on!” Sea Hawk was unable to form the sentence.

“Just hang in there.” The bird said.

“Huuh ohh kay...” Sea Hawk mumbled, before closing his eyes.

The last thing he remembers feeling, was the wind on his face.

—

“Are you awake?” A mumbled voice spoke.

Sea Hawk was laying down now. He could smell the faint smell of hand sanitizer, and could feel small tubes on his arms. Sea Hawk opened his eyes, and looked around in the room he was placed in. It was a hospital.

“Excuse me! Where am I?” Sea Hawk asked.

The other person in the room turned around to show their face. They were a wolf in nurses clothing.

“In the emergency room. You have bruises and muscle damage on your face. Are doing ok?” The wolf spoke.

“What happened? Where is the big, bird man?” Sea Hawk questioned, sitting up a bit more.

“He actually checked you in, he left a while ago. He said you were punched in the face. Is that right?” The nurse asked.

“Oh um... yeah I was unfortunately beaten in the face.” He replied.

“By who? Do you know?” The wolf asked.

“By that jealous ogre woman! I think her name was Fiona?” Sea Hawk answered.

The wolfs eyes went wide.

“The queen punched you in the face?!”

“Yes I’m afraid.” Sea Hawk said touching his face slightly.

“This one’s a doozy.” The nurse replied.

“I am not quite sure what that means!”

The wolf nurse walked over to a water dispenser, and poured Sea Hawk a cup of water. They walked over to the hospital bed, and handed him the water.

“Here, drink this.” The wolf said.

“Thanks.” Sea Hawk said taking the cup.

Sea Hawk drank the water in one go. He sat the cup on the small bedside table next to him.

Before he had anytime to think, a large group of people stumbled through the the door. All of them were wearing pink and blue clothing.

“What are they doing in here?” Sea Hawk asked the nurse.

“Oh. We don’t have enough money, so we started renting out our rooms for events.” The wolf replied.

“Um, why are they in my room?” Sea Hawk questioned.

“Because we rented this room out.” The wolf replied, and then simply left.

“Um what? Why?” Sea Hawk tried saying.

The group started putting up decorations.

One man put up many pink balloons, another put up many blue ones. One woman layed out cupcakes on the table at the edge of the room.

“What are you folks doing!?” Sea Hawk spoke.

Everyone turned to look at Sea Hawk as if he was interrupting something. He made direct eye contact with one of them.

“Could you just quiet down for the party.” She said before going back to taping a banner to the wall next to the bed. Sea Hawk looked up to see what it said.

“It’s a boy!” It read.

“Are you seriously have a baby shower in my hospital room!” Sea Hawk belched.

“Just calm down. The baby will be here soon.” The woman spoke.

“I’m in pain! There is a wound on my face!” Sea Hawk replied.

The woman sighed and walked away from the bed.

After a bit, someone came in with a baby.

“Hey guys! Thanks for getting me all these presents!” She spoke.

Sea Hawk rolled his eyes.

—

Almost an hour had gone by, and the annoying group was still having a party like Sea Hawk didn’t exist. The nurse hadn’t come back to check on him at all.
He was left there lying on the bed, and if he spoke to loudly someone would tell him to be quiet.

Everyone who was in the room started to eat the different foods on the table. All of the sudden, the little baby boy started crying.

“Ugh I thought it couldn’t get any worse.” Sea Hawk mumbled.

“Ok I’m gonna go give this guy a na-“ the woman was interrupted by someone slamming the door open.

It was was his friends!

“Hurray!” He cheered.

Adora came through the door, and behind her was Glimmer, Bow, Perfuma, Frosta, and... oh no.

It was Elmo and Shrek.

“Sea Hawk! What happened to your face?!” Adora said running up to Sea Hawk.

“Why are all of you in here? We are having a baby shower!” A man in blue said.

“What are YOU doing in here?! This is a hospital!” Glimmer replied.

“My baby needs sleep!” The woman said carrying the baby.

“What the heck! I thought we were saving Sea Hawk? Not walking into A BABY SHOWER!” Frosta said sarcastically.

“Thank the stars you guys are here! They’ve been holding me in here with these people.” Sea Hawk said.

“We tried to make it as soon as possible, but we had no idea where you were.” Adora said.

“Ok you guys need to leave.” Bow said to the group.

“We paid to be here, you’re all ruining the party!” One man said.

Frosta made giant ice fists on her hands.

“Get out of here, or the baby gets it.” She said holding up her hands.

“Woah! Frosta that’s too much.” Adora said.

“Yeah, stop that.” Bow said putting Frosta’s hands down.

“Don’t hurt my baby boy!” The woman said running past Elmo and Shrek to leave.

“You all should go.” Perfuma said gesturing to the door.

The party stood there.

“Now!” She finished.

Everyone ran out of the room.

“Wow. What did we walk into?” Glimmer asked.

Everyone walked over to the bed.

“Shrek.” Sea Hawk said.

“I’m sorry I’m such an idiot!” Shrek said.

“You still haven’t told us what happened. What’s going on?” Glimmer spoke.

Elmo looked between the two.

“What happened!” Elmo demanded. “Why did you run off!?”

Sea Hawk sighed.

“Shrek will tell you.” He said.

“What!? That’s not- huhhhhh.” Shrek said stepping back.

Everyone was waiting for an answer.

“It was Fiona, she- well she just saw us and, she punched Sea Hawk.” Shrek said.

“Why would she punch him? weren’t you guys together a while ago?” Adora asked.

“Shrek. Tell me.” Elmo said.

“Um... we kissed. In front of her. I don’t know how it happened!” Shrek said.

Everyone gasped and made a unintelligible ‘oh no’s’.

“Why! Even after we kissed? You still had a thing for a MARRIED MAN?!” Elmo accused.

“I wasn’t technically married.” Sea Hawk pointed out.

“That doesn’t matter. You and Mermista only spilt up a few days ago.” Bow stated.

“Thank you.” Elmo said.

“We were a thing before! Plus it’s very complicated with Fiona! We got a divorce not too long ago, and I was hiding Sea Hawk from her. So I’ve been feeling this way for a long time!”

“Shrek that literally does not help at all.” Glimmer said.

“Yeah, I don’t know where you were going with that. Frosta added.

“Look I’m not even mad. I just- Sea Hawk? Did you feel the same?” Elmo asked.

“Elmo dearest, I did. But I feel for you too! This is just complicated.” He replied.

“I’m just curious. How do you even know each other, didn’t you guys meet today?” Perfuma asked.

Shrek and Elmo looked between each other.

Elmo let out a breath.

“We grew up together. It’s a long story.” Elmo said.

“Wait really? Glimmer asked.

“Huh?” Adora huffed.

“Wait. You two! You two really knew each other as kids?” Sea Hawk said.

“Yes.” Shrek sighed.

“This day is so exhausting!” Perfuma said.

“Yes! Can everyone just hold back on the drama for like two seconds please.” Bow said.

“It’s in my blood I guess.” Elmo said.

“How is everything so dramatic with you?” Frosta asked Elmo.

“Can everyone stop blaming me for everything!” Elmo said.

“Switching the topic, is Sea Hawk ok?” Perfuma asked.

“Yes! Sea Hawk are you ok? Do we need to get you out of here?” Adora asked.

“Yeah, do you need anything?” Glimmer asked.

“No.. but there is one thing.” He replied.

Chapter Text

The Stars Among Us

Chapter 20: Endings Be Like...

“Elmo? Really? I can’t go back to Earth. Your people hate me.” Shrek said.

“But Shrek! You don’t know that.”

“Elmo, they kicked me out for a reason. It’s not like they will just except me again.”

It was almost time for Elmo and his crew to leave. Him, Squidward, Berry, Venessa, Sea Hawk, and Adora would heading off to earth.

“Adora!” Catra yelled. “You forgot your, um,”

“Phone.” Squidward interrupted.

“Right.” Adora said back.

“Bye.” Adora said as she pulled Catra into a hug.

“Bye, you idiot.” Catra whispered, sniffling.

The crew, along with Adora and Sea Hawk, were walking over to the space ship.

“Mermista?” Sea Hawk walked over to her. She turned around and glared.

“My deare-.” He stoped himself.
“I- bye.” He said as he turned around and got on the ship.

“Sea Hawk,” Mermista started, “I- um, yeah. Bye.” She said and walked away too.

“Goodbye everyone! I promise we’ll be back!” Adora waved as she got closer to the ship.

The princess alliance watched them board.

“Be safe!” Elmo could hear Bow call out just as the door was closing.

Berry sighed. “Are we really doing this thing?”

“Yes! Let’s go!” Elmo rushed, strapping into one of the seats.

“Ok, cmon guys let me show you how to get into your seats.” Berry directed to Sea Hawk and Adora.

—

“5, 4, 3, 2, 1, lift off!”

The ship lifted off the ground, and they were gone.

—

“Elmo?” Vanessa called.

“Yeah?” He replied.

It was two hours into the journey home.

“Can you go into the closet and get the tiny screw driver? I’m fixing the coffee machine.”

“Yeah.” Elmo said and grabbed the door handle to the closet. He opened it.

“SHREK?!” There he was.

“What the heck are you doing here?!”

“Elmo?! “ Shrek yelled. “I thought this was a toilet! Get me off this ship. NOW.”

“Uh, what were you doing in the toilet for that long? You know what- it doesn’t matter. I think you’re stuck with us here on the ship.”

“CRAP.”

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The End?