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The air is still in Hawkins tonight. No clouds, no moon, just stars and the thrumming quiet that fills the small town. Steve tosses and turns in an attempt to sleep, but it won’t come. He’s waiting for something…or rather…someone; every new moon for the past year, a voice calls to him like a whisper on the wind.
Every new moon for the past year, Steve’s followed the voice to the edge of Lover’s Lake. He knows it’s coming; yet he doesn’t wait by the water’s edge. The first and only time he did, his heart beat in anticipation only for his lover to stay hidden. So now, he waits.
As the night air cools, Steve gives up on sleep, throws back the covers, and reaches under his bed for a duffle bag. He starts to toss things into the bag before he remembers he won’t need them where he’s going. With a chuckle at his own expense, Steve dumps the bag out and sneaks into his mom’s closet. Sorting through the jewelry, he pockets a gold necklace, a diamond tennis bracelet, and about eight silver rings. His lover has a thing for shiny things and Steve’s last few gifts, while well received, haven’t screamed I’m in this for the long haul so Steve prays to anyone that will listen that these will be enough.
It’s then, that he finally hears the call.
So many souls that lost control
Where did they fall?
Into the deep, what do they seek?
Where did they fall?
With a dreamy sigh, Steve stumbles down the stairs and out the front door; the siren’s call pulling him forward. He has just enough awareness to snag the big paper bag in the kitchen before he leaves his house for, what he hopes, is the last time.
The closer to the lake he gets, the louder the song becomes; he feels the sand under his feet but doesn't pause. A s the soft waves lick his toes, he sends a silent goodbye to Robin.
A blur rushes to the shore, fingers wrap around his ankle, and he's yanked into the lake. He barely has the awareness to hold onto his package as he goes under.
Then why do we jump in?
Why do we jump in?
Under the water we die
It takes him a moment to realize the creature who grabbed him isn't his lover; but once he does, he's thrashing for the surface. Kicking his legs, flailing his arms, he curses himself for not heeding Eddie's warning and waiting for him on the bank.
The beautiful song cuts off as a deep snarl fills the lake water. The mer lets Steve go and swims away as fast as it can; a prey animal escaping a predator.
Strong arms wrap around Steve's waist and pull him to the surface where he gasps and sputters for air.
“Stevie! I told you not to go in the water without me!” Eddie's raspy voice growls. The mer waves his hands indignantly toward Steve's ankle where scratch marks mare the flesh.
“Sorry, Eds. I needed to see you .” Steve whispers the apology even though he has a dopey grin on his face.
“I know, love. I needed to see you too.” But he doesn't sound as happy as Steve does. He pushes the mer’s hair out of his face and forces their eyes to meet.
“What is it?” Steve mumbles. Eddie turns, lays back on the sand next to the human, and sighs forlornly.
“I’m not just a mer Steve. There's a reason my song calls you every new moon. There's a reason all the other mer’s are afraid of me.” There's hesitation here, fear of the unknown. Steve grabs Eddie's hand and holds tightly.
“I don't care what you are, I love you.” Steve smiles. Eddie doesn't return it, in fact he looks rather distraught.
“Oh no. No, please tell me you don't mean that.” The tears welling up in Eddie's eyes don't make sense to Steve, not if he's about to break his heart.
“I do mean it, Eds.” Is Steve's love really that bad?
“I’m sorry, this is all my fault.” With a sigh, Eddie finally turns back to Steve. “I’m a siren, Steve. I didn't realize until it was too late; you're not in love with me, you're just under a spell.”
Steve laughs at that, sure Eddie's joking; but the devastation in his eyes tells Steve he isn't.
“How do you know?” Steve whispers. With a sigh of resignation, Eddie moves his hair over his shoulder to reveal a pair of feathered wings. He flexes his tail, and it splits into two strong legs with talons at the end, more feathers sprouting until he’s covered in them.
He thinks back, remembers the first time he heard the song. He remembers being beckoned into the lake, confused but willing. Then, after a few hours spent with Eddie, he went home. He spent weeks dreaming of the mer…or the siren, before he heard the call again.
“I know about sirens Eds. Their spells don't last long once you're out of their range.” He says with confidence. “I spend weeks at a time away from you but I’m thinking about you the whole time. It may have been a spell that brought me here the first time, but I come back every new moon of my own free will.” Steve tries to be as sincere as possible.
“You can't know that.” Eddie whispers. With a scoff Steve hands Eddie the wrapped package.
“If it was just a spell, I would have realized that and taken precautions to prevent it. Tied myself to my bed, put ear plugs in, I certainly wouldn't have made sure to clear my schedule every new moon. And I wouldn't have gone to the market to get you this.”
In the paper, sits a huge Alaskan tuna. Whole and raw, just the way Eddie likes his fish. Eddie stares at it in wonder. He picks it up by the tail, and eats the whole thing, head and all in just a few bites. Steve’s pretty impressed.
“I also have these.” Steve murmurs as he hands over the dozen or so pieces of jewelry. “I’m hoping sirens like shiny things too?”
Eddie takes the rings and slips one on each finger, the bracelet goes on his wrist, but the necklace he somehow braids into his hair.
“I know I’ll forget about my life up here, and I know I can never go back. But, I don’t care.” Steve says.
“You’re serious, baby?” Eddie asks, almost shyly. Steve nods and grabs Eddie’s face in his hands. He leans in slowly, giving Eddie plenty of time to stop him.
“I know what it means to kiss you. I know, what will happen. I want it, I’m ready.” It’s a request, a gift, and a promise all in one. Eddie searches Steve’s face and must find what he was looking for because he sighs with a smile.
Eddie slips out of Steve’s hold and dives into the water, his wings tucking into his back and his legs reforming into a tail. He gestures for Steve to join him and with one final look at the trees, Steve dives.
The water fills his nose and lungs, but he refuses to hold his breath. It burns him from the inside out, his vision goes hazy, he looks around, and realizes Eddie’s gone. He’s going to die here.
As his eyes shut for the last time, he smiles. He can hear the song again.
Under the water we can't breathe, we can't breathe
Under the water we die
Under the water there is no one watching
Under the water we are alone
Lips press against his, they breathe life back into his tired body, and suddenly he can breathe again.
His legs fuse together into a long tail, gills split on the side of his neck, and he’s able to open his eyes without pain. Eddie stares at him. Concern, relief, and love, so much love, shine in his eyes.
“We can be together forever now, Stevie.” He smiles. Steve couldn’t think of a better future as he leans forward to kiss his mate properly.
Hearts will dream again
Lungs will breathe in
Wash away the sins
It's where it begins