#stmonstercalendar

[safk-art]

~ Aquarium + Trapped ~

Shark Billy was captured and put into an aquarium

@stmonstercalendar mermay bingo event

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[after-the-end-times]

Sasquatch isn't real and Steve's not a Banshee

Rating: G ◆ Words: 2k ◆ Tags: Established Relationship, Cryptid Road Trip, Banshee Steve Harrington, Human Eddie Munson, Being outed as not human by a friendly cryptid ◆ @steddiebingo Squares - Monster AU/ Road trip /Lake ◆ @stmonstercalendar - Banshee ◆ @steddie-spooktober Halfway to Halloween - Picnic Ao3

“Steeeve!” Eddie sung out, walking into their apartment, finding Steve in the kitchen. “Look what we’re doing this Spring Break!”

“Well, that’s Easter break and the kids are all heading home from college, so Dustin made a whole itinerary of activities and get togeth-”

“Yeah no, we’re not doing any of that. Look at this,” Eddie said, waving something around Steve’s head.

“Stop that.” Steve batted at the cloth Eddie had shoved in his face, yanking it from him. He opened it up to see a dish towel tourist map of all the supposed cryptids that resided in Indiana. “The fuck is this?”

“It’s our Spring Break plans!” Eddie pointed at the different creatures. “It’ll be like a little mini road trip just around the state! It’ll prepare us for this summer’s cross country road trip. And maybe we’ll see something cool or spooky!”

Amusement flooded Steve at seeing Eddie’s openly excited expression. “Fine, but you get to tell Dustin. And don’t get your hopes up about seeing any of them.”

“Yes!” Eddie grabbed Steve’s shoulders, hopping around him. “This is gonna be great! Let’s make some lists!”

Three weeks later, the truck rumbled under them as they set out on the road. The back end filled with coolers and suitcases, Eddie sitting shotgun with a real map, cryptid locations marked by red stars. Eddie had made a list of all the locations he wanted to hit, Steve had planned the most direct route to take, and Dustin gave them both an earful for missing most of his week of plans.

Their first destination lay just a couple hours down the highway. Eddie hoped to see Meshekenabek, The Monster of Lake Manitou. Steve knew Eddie wouldn’t see anything, but it’d still be a fun for him!

“So, you think we’ll see anything?” Eddie asked.

Steve palmed the steering wheel and reached a hand over to rest on Eddie’s thigh. “No, babe. You’re not gonna see anyone- thing. Anything out there. But we can still have a nice picnic and a nap by the lake.”

He tapped Eddie’s thigh, humming along with the song on the radio. He felt eyes on him, flicking a glance over, Eddie was staring at him in contemplation.

“What’cha thinking about so hard over there?”

“You keep doing that.”

Steve quirked an eyebrow toward him, brushing his thumb across his thigh and humming. “I guess, this is where I ask. Doing what?”

Eddie tapped Steve’s hand lightly. “Even while planning, you kept using pronouns for all the cryptids. And then you’d immediately be all shifty or try to laugh it off. So, I guess, this is where I ask. Do you know something I don’t?”

Steve smirked at the perfect set up. “Oh, babe, I know of things beyond your wildest imagination.”

Eddie laughed like Steve knew he would, hopefully distracted enough to move on.

“Steve, come on. We fought literal demon monsters in hell. We know a girl with actual real life powers. If you know that Sasquatch is real, you can tell me. Please tell me Sasquatch is real.” Eddie clasped Steve’s hand between his and held them up under his chin.

Steve knew he was making his eyes all big and wet, beseeching. Eyes Steve can’t help, but to always give into. Good thing he was driving, Steve was saved from the full force of that look. But he could still feel it, his heart and belly trying with all their might to make him look over at Eddie, to just tell him.

“Eddie. Look, I didn’t mean anything by it. Just because Hawkins happens to be a gateway to hell, doesn’t mean all that other stuff in your books, and dish towel, is real.”

Steve felt Eddie lower their hands to his lap, Eddie flipping it palm up, so he could trace Steve’s life lines. But he didn’t say anything. The sound from the radio filled the cab. It wasn’t tense, but Steve could feel Eddie thinking.

“Ok,” Eddie finally said.

They spent the rest of the drive bopping along to the radio, Eddie reading some paranormal books he’d checked out of the library. They passed through the town of Rochester and followed their map to the lake. They drove through a few neighborhoods until they found a spot to pull over.

Steve dropped the tailgate to slide the cooler to the edge, grabbing out some pops and sandwiches. Eddie grabbed his “Explorer’s Bag” holding a notebook, pens, sketching pencils, disposable camera, and polaroid camera. They walked down to the grassy edge of the lake, picking a spot to plop down. Steve got out their sandwiches, laying them on their baggies, and popped open his drink. Eddie stared out at the lake, waiting.

Steve took a bite of his sandwich. “So, what now? We just wait to for a sea serpent to pop up to say hi?”

“I don’t know, didn’t really think of this part.” Eddie glanced at Steve. “In my head, I guess we’d show up, see something suspicious and, I don’t know, track the clues? Maybe this wasn’t the most thought out plan. Should we just go home after this?”

“At least it’s pretty.” Steve nodded out at the lake. “I don’t mind road tripping just to see some nice spots. Bet a store in town has some touristy stuff we could pick up.”

“Yeah, ok.” Eddie didn’t look pacified, but at least he started eating.

Steve felt a little bad that Eddie wasn’t going to get what he wanted out of the trip, but Steve honestly didn’t mind just driving around the state, spending time with Eddie. They didn’t always get a lot of this kind of alone time, even living together, what with work and activities, Robin and Corroded Coffin.

“I’m gonna go grab the chips, hold down the picnic while I’m gone,” Eddie said, standing to run back to the truck. Steve looked back out over the rippling, blue lake, clouds reflected in its surface. It was so peaceful-

Splash

Steve tensed. It was probably just a fish or a bird landing, it definitely wasn’t-

Splash!

Steve stood, walking over to the lake, making it look like he was just enjoying the view. At the water’s edge, he glanced back to see Eddie hanging over the edge of the truck bed, trying to pull the dry food bag closer.

Steve leaned over the water, speaking low. “I’m not here alone, you need to stay out of sight.”

Splash

Water flicked up at Steve, wetting his clothes, sprinkling his face.

He wiped at his face, glaring. “Thank you for that, but no. I’m not coming in today. You gotta go.”

“Steve?” Steve flinched and turned to see Eddie walking back, hand halfway in the bag.

Flicking one last glare toward the water, Steve smiled back to Eddie. “Saw a bird scooping up a fish, pretty cool to see in person. You ready to head out?”

Eddie tilted his head, confused smile in place. “No? I just got the chips. Thought we were gonna enjoy this a little longer?”

“We could, yeah. Orrrr we could drive into town, see where we could find a key chain or magnet with this mythical monster on it. Maybe find a bathroom before we head out.”

“Ok, but can w-” Eddie’s eyes went wide, mouth dropping open, bag of chips spilling to the ground.

Steve dropped his head in defeat. He knew what Eddie saw rising behind him.

“Steve,” Eddie whispered, eyes still locked behind him. “Walk toward me, baby. Slowly. There’s- there’s a- The Monster of-”

Splash!

Water drenched the back of Steve, droplets making it to Eddie. Steve sighed deeply and rubbed the spot between his eyes. “Yeah, uh, he doesn’t like being called that.”

Eddie’s wide eyed gaze moved to Steve. Steve held out his hand, wiggling his fingers like he always does when he wants Eddie to hold his hand. “It’s ok, I want you to meet someone.”

Eddie walked slowly toward him, eyes flicking between him and the large serpent at his back, until his hand was firmly within Steve’s. He tipped his head toward Steve, lowering his voice. “I know it’s the wrong time to say this, but I knew you were lying and keeping information to yourself. Now, is it- splash -he nice? Obviously, he can understand me.”

Steve huffed out a laugh. “Yes, he’s very friendly. Kinda the problem, actually.” Steve pulled him around so they both faced the creature.

“Eddie, I’d like you to meet Kevin of Lake Manitou. Kevin, this is my partner, Eddie.”

Kevin swam across the water toward them. Eddie jerked, stepping in close to Steve’s side, squeezing his hand tight. Steve swept a thumb over Eddie’s knuckles to reassure him, though he still glanced worriedly over at Steve.

Steve crouched at the edge of grass and water, pulling Eddie down with him. “Put your hand out. Like this.”

Eddie followed his lead, reaching out the hand not held tight by Steve over the water. Kevin came close, slipping smoothly up and out of the water to brush his head across Steve’s hand first and then Eddie’s.

Steve heard a tiny gasp from Eddie and looked over. Eddie was grinning, relief coursed through Steve as he watched Eddie petting Kevin’s head, flipping his hand under to scritch his chin.

“If you want, you can get take a polaroid. You can never show it to anyone, but you can take it.”

Eddie’s head snapped over to look at him. “You trust me with a photo? What if-”

“Eddie. ‘Course I trust you. I mean, maybe we wait to tell the kids til they’re older, but yeah. It’s just, I couldn’t tell you because it’s my duty to protect them all; from curious people, from hunters, from developers. It’s been my family’s job for generations going back hundreds of years.”

“So, what, you get to protect them ‘cause you’re, like, the only humans who know about them?”

“Uh, no.” Kevin lifted out of the water, resting his big head on Steve’s knees, offering support, Steve pet him slowly. He looked Eddie in the eye. “We’re, uh, we’re not exactly...completely...human.”

Eddie blinked at him, opening his mouth a few times before closing it. “You’re, uh, you’re- what?”

Steve ducked his head, scratching the back of his neck. “Yeah. My mom’s a Banshee, her whole side of the family is. My dad’s a human, though. Banshees are kinda, like, a warning system in our world. I don’t have all of Mom’s abilities, but I can still sense when something’s vaguely wrong or someone’s on the verge of death.”

Looking up, Steve wasn’t sure Eddie was breathing anymore. “You ok?”

Eddie’s distant gaze snapped backing into focus on Steve’s face. “This makes so much sense. All those times- And you knew in the Upside Down- Wow. Ok. Yeah, ok. But-” Eddie’s face fell, suddenly sad and worried.

“Eddie?”

“You said this has been your family’s duty, passed down for generations, but if we’re- You’ll need to, you know- I can’t give you- ugh.” he pulled a hand down his face.

Steve reached out, stopping him from shoving his hand into his hair to pull at it in frustration. “Eddie. I have cousins, it’s fine. Or we can find a surrogate. Robin’s kinda offered; though she said not until she’s established in her career. So, we have time. But...you’re fine? With the whole, you know, not human thing?”

Eddie tilted his head in confusion, before oh-ing in understanding.

“Honey,” he said, a wide smile overtaking his face, “I’ve loved you for four years now; you think a little thing like ‘not being completely human’ is going to change that? Not on your life, baby. You’re stuck with me forever.”

Steve’s cheeks hurt from how wide he smiled. “I like the sound of that.”

Eddie glanced down at Kevin, reaching over to scritch between his eyes, he suddenly gasped. “Wait! Does this mean Sasquatch really is real?!”

Based on this dish towel

[stmonstercalendar]

STRANGER THINGS MERMAY BINGO 2026

We're going a little smaller this year, with 3x3 cards. Again, both writing and any form of human-made art is welcome! If you're a swarm of roaches in a meat-suit, please reach out to me to discuss what being human really means.

Important for last year participants: your unfilled prompts from the 2025 card can be transferred! That idea you had but didn't get to? Now is your chance!

Rules:

Minimum word count is 300

You can combine max 2 prompts, but then the minimum is doubled to 600 words

You can write/art any ship any theme any genre (Yes, even that one!)

Tag the ships or characters in your work

Tag mature and explicit content, and put it under "read more"

Use "read more" for longer works as well

Warn your readers! If you don't want to spoil your work, you can be vague or use "chose not to tag"

"Author chose not to tag" means there may be disturbing content so proceed with caution

Minors are allowed to join, but please respect others' DNIs

Tag this blog

Post to the Ao3 collection

No AI/LLM

No character or ship hate

Schedule:

March 15 - April 30: Sign-ups. First cards will be sent out within a week and then as the sign-ups come. So the sooner you sign-up, the more time you have to prepare!

May: Posting time! Post before June 1st to be included in a masterpost.

December 31: Ao3 collection closes.

Indefinitely: Reblogs. Finish your card at your own pace and you'll be reblogged as long as this blog is running.

Don't hesitate to hit me up with any questions! - Monstrously yours, CJ

[katyawriteswhump]

Green is the hottest color, Baby 👽

Rating: M pushing E (for content matter rather than actual explicitness); Words: 1090; For @stmonstercalendar July prompt, Alien @steddiebingo prompt, ‘rimming,’ (phew, my last kink prompt! I am crawling towards the finish line on my card, so close, can't quit now, sorry world ;P) CW: (vague) spoilers for Aliens and Alien 3. Tags: steddie, platonic stobin, three-way snuggles, oral sex/licking, monster eddie, monster fucker steve.

👽👽👽👽👽

“Okay, I’m done here.”

Two minutes into the third ‘Alien’ movie, and Steve extracted himself from between Robin and Eddie, and launched himself off the couch.

“That second film ended okay-ish. Ripley turned badass, she rescued the kid, who called her mommy, and… Look, I am sticking with the quasi-happy-not-quite-everyone-is-dead ending. Jesus Christ!” He hugged himself, pacing, before blurting out the real reason he was so messed up by their movie marathon: “Anyone else think whoever designed those nasty-ass aliens clearly had knowledge of the Mindflayer? Various other shit from the Upside Down?”

He stopped dead, scrutinising his mildly guilty-looking besties. Surely Robin too was reliving that moment in Starcourt, with Billy squaring up to the Mind-flayer and… Nope.

He didn’t want to go there again.

No way. No fucking way.

Eddie caught Steve’s wrist, and Steve let him tug him back down somewhere comfy and warm.  Robin hadn’t only stopped the VHS. She’d already extracted the cassette from the player.

“Honestly, didn’t think you’d get this far,” she said. “Didn’t realize how triggery it would be. Thanks, Steve.”

“You’re welcome,” mumbled Steve, wincing slightly.

Ugh, he should’ve muscled through. Unlike him, Eddie and Robin, particularly, loved scary movies. They clearly dealt with the obvious parallels with the Upside Down monsters, no sweat, plus Robin had a humongous crush on Sigourney Weaver.

It was done, tho’. His point had been made, and three-way snuggles, as always, settled his jitters. They watched ‘Mannequin’ instead, Steve with his head on Robin’s shoulder, and Eddie with his arms banded reassuringly around them all. While also petting Steve’s hair, which was quite an impressive talent.

Steve regularly wondered how the hell he did it. Eddie’s arms shouldn’t be much longer than his, if at all.

“Kim Catrall is nearly as gorgeous as Sigourney,” Robin said. “Would be top-tier hot, if her character spoke Ancient Egyptian Coptic.”

Steve smirked: “You and your foreign tongues.”

“I fucking wish! You just wait till I afford those flights to Paris, Dingus.”

Steve might’ve dozed through the rest of the film. He wasn’t sure. He was busy happily nosing Eddie’s remarkably scar-free neck. Either way, the movie was over in a flash, and he hated it when TV shows or films ended. Especially dumb ones stuffed with nauseatingly fluffy escapism. Reality crashed back, and the monsters poked him from the shadows.

Monsters that snatched his kids. His body felt achy and heavy.

It so often did.

Wasn’t so bad once Eddie asked if he could stay over.

“You still tense?” asked Eddie, when they headed up to Steve’s bedroom.

“I’m good.”

“Gonna take that as a ‘yes.’”

Steve sprawled naked and face-down on his bed, while Eddie moved in to give him a massage. And Eddie gave the best. His deliciously warm hands totally nailed those rock-hard muscle knots in Steve’s shoulders, soothed up and down his spine, and those clever fingers got everywhere. Steve had no clue how Eddie did it, and he was too much of a happily melting goop to care.

“You want me to dive a little deeper?” asked Eddie, hands dragging down to squeeze Steve’s butt.

Steve grinned into his pillow. “What d’ya think, Munson?”

“Mmmmm, mmmmmm. Yum, yum, yum!”

The blissed-out noises Eddie made while eating Steve out were always hilarious, fitting between slurps and twisty tongue-work that hit sweet spots inside Steve that seemed impossible. How could anybody get their tongue so far in, let alone pummel hard enough to give multiple orgasms? Christ, Steve hadn’t known guys could climax this hard and fast, yet there he was—clenching and weeping, fists balling and toes curling, spurting like a mad thing all over his wrecked bed. It was a relief when Eddie cut him a break, sliding his tongue back to tease lazily around Steve’s ring.

Steve—still drowning in post-orgasmic quivers—peeped back to dig the sight of his boyfriend licking him out.

Steve blinked. Blinked again.

Eddie’s gift of kickass oral pleasure was ongoing. His face, however, was not exactly buried in Steve’s butt-cheeks.

Nope.

Eddie kneeled upright on the end of the mattress, lapping away at Steve’s hole with a two-foot-long green proboscis that flowed seamlessly from his luscious mouth.

“Shiiiiiiit!”

…

Once Steve had finished screaming himself raw and having heart palpitations, snuggles with Eddie genuinely felt like a good idea again.

Maybe Eddie was gonna eat him. Or infest him with a baby alien that was going to burst out of his chest in an explosion of ‘Steve-look-away-from-the screen-right-this-instant’ gore.

It didn’t seem particularly Eddie.

“You’re an alien,” Steve said weakly, nose planted in another of its favorite spots, somewhere near Eddie’s armpit. “Since when?”

“Since always,” said Eddie. “Didn’t realize till the Upside Down. First time I died. And got better. And healed implausibly fast. Look, I’m still me, okay?”

“Okay,” breathed Steve. “Okay. Okay. Okay. Does anybody else know?”

“Wayne. He always suspected. I mean, Al had some real whacked-out girlfriends, and it was the 60s.”

“Riiiiight,” said Steve, as Eddie enfolded a second preternaturally long arm around him. Did that explain everything? Anything? His head was too achy and his body too trembly to know or much care.

“How do you manage to look so... human?”

“Not entirely sure. Apparently, I’ve got some kind of glamor.”

“Whut? Like a Playboy bunny?”

“Not exactly. Ask Robin. She’ll explain it best.”

“Does she know?”

“Think she suspects too.” Eddie hummed uneasily. “Steve, are you cool with this? Look, I didn’t mean for you to find out this way, particularly after the whole ‘Alien’ movie shitshow. Honestly, just wanted to view your mega-hot ass better. Didn’t realize how far back down the bed I’d rocked and rolled. Do we, uuuuuh… need to take a break or anything?”

Steve took a beat. A long beat, where he wound his arms tight around Eddie’s slender waist and inhaled deeply of Eddie’s reassuringly human sweatiness. At this point, only one question of grave importance sprang to mind.  “So that’s how you manage to, you know, delve so deep?”

“I’m telling you, man, it’s insane how dexterous my proboscis is! Tactile too. Like a two foot long erogenous zone in itself.”

“That’s pretty cool.” Steve flirted with a follow-up question concerning Eddie’s dick, then decided he’d had enough mind-bogglers for one day. He peeped up, waggled his brows. “You feel like getting back to it?”

Eddie’s grin flashed suspiciously neon-bright. “With pleasure, Babe.”

He returned to slaying Steve with impossible tongue-work and probably impossible multiple orgasms. When they both climaxed so cataclysmically hard Eddie’s glamor fell away, Steve whimpered, “Dude, you’re even hotter in green.”

👽👽👽👽👽

no pressure tag @wheneverfeasible 💕💕💕💕💕

my steddie fic on AO3 💕💕💕💕💕

[fuctacles]

Eddie's Adventures in Waterland: Through the Mushroom Ring

I wanted to write something for my top supporter on ko-fi, @dreamercec (Thank you so much and I hope you like it <3) She sent me this post and I was aiming to write something short and silly but it developed lore, I'm past 2.5k now and the month is almost over. So here's a little prologue.

T/M | 538 | Steddie | transfem Steve, fae/nymph/rusalka Stevie, referenced canon character deaths, implied non-canon character deaths, it is not angst i swear, meet ugly ? | 1/? (will be a one-shot) | Ao3 @stmonstercalendar 's march monster rusalka I'm aiming to hit "goodbyes" from my Steddie bingo card, it may get sad but hopefully not too angsty Divider by @heavenlayt

Eddie walks into the clearing on a complete accident. However, once he spots the obvious trap in the middle of it, his steps take purpose, leading him to the middle of the mushroom circle. He holds his breath. 

But nothing happens.

"Excuse me?" He throws his arms to the sides. "Am I not worth kidnapping?"

A woodpecker drills into a distant tree. Nobody answers. 

"Helloooooo!" Eddie walks the inner edge of the circle, worried it will disappear if he steps out. He cups his hands around his mouth as he yells, "ANYONE HERE? IT WOULD SURE SUCK IF A FAE TOOK ME RIGHT NOW! FROM INSIDE THIS FUNGI CIRCLE! WHERE I'M COMPLETELY ALONE AND DEFENCELESS!"

His smoker lungs give out quickly though, and he has to greedily restore the oxygen in them.

"You're too loud."

Eddie chokes on air, whipping around to find a woman looking at him with displeasure. A completely naked woman. He instantly looks up into the tree crowns, but...

"What the fuck?" 

The sky above is now distorted, like he's looking at it through decorative glass. Sunlight dances on the invisible membrane that resembles... water. 

"What the fuck," he repeats slowly, observing the unnatural movement of leaves, registering the pressure in his eardrums, the fog that settles over all the sounds. Decency forgotten, he looks at the woman again. Her thick brown hair float gently in a non-existent breeze, as if they were underwater. A mosaic of light dances on her pale skin, sunbeams distorted by the surface above them.

"Where am I?" Eddie asks, dumbfounded and in awe. 

"In the forest?" the woman answers like it's obvious. Which, yeah, but...

"Are we underwater?" 

"Sort of." She shrugs. 

"What do you mean 'sort of'?" He frowns.

She doesn't seem to like his tone. Something flicks in her eyes, irises deep like the sudden loss of footing in a murky water. He can feel them pull at his stomach in the same way.

"Leave. You don't belong here." Her voice is more distant now, coming through the cotton that's filling his ears. He swallows a couple of times to get rid of it. 

"I'm... not sure how?" he offers, looking around. He's still in the middle of the shroom circle, but realizes she's outside of it. As he's searching, his eyes finally catch on something he's been trying to avoid with all his might. "Holy shit," he breathes, feeling his cheeks heat in a clear give-away that he's finally took her in fully. 

"Leave," she repeats, her cheeks now darkened too, but he can't say if in anger or embarrassment. 

"I don't—" he repeats in frustration but cuts himself off, realizing she probably doesn't care. So he looks around again, eyes fixed firmly on the ground this time. Remembers how Wayne would unplug and plug back in the TV when it would act up, resetting it. Maybe he could apply it to magic as well.

Under the watchful eye of the woman (fae?), he inches backwards, to the edge of the circle. When his foot leaves the ring of fungi, nothing happens, but as he sets it down, he collapses into soft, muddy surface. His lungs fill with water instantly, and he starts drowning. 

my beloveds: @blasvemous @wheneverfeasible @phantomcat94

[tinytalkingtina]

Making a Splash

Rated T | 1.5k words | Ao3 link

Part 1 of this waterpark 90's AU that fulfills the "sapphic" and "Atlantis" Mermay Bingo fills for @stmonstercalendar

[Buckingham Fic] | Steddie Fic

Tags: pre-Chrissy/Robin, College/90's/no UD AU, Amusement parks, Lifeguard Chrissy, Pirate Robin, Robin & Steve friendship, Chrissy & Eddie friendship, Meet-cute, feelings realization, lesbians Robin and Chrissy, no one except Chrissy is safe from silly themed outfits in this AU, indirect mentions of eating disorder (chrissy is getting better)

Author's notes and bingo card are under the cut!

Chrissy sighed. Well, she imagined sighing anyway. Anyone looking up at the lifeguard tower as they sloooowly passed by on the lazy river wouldn't have seen her shoulders move in the slightest. Because even with two states and hundreds of miles of distance between them, Chrissy knew her mother would somehow sense her "losing her composure in public" and add another lecture to their weekly phone call.

Not that she wasn't forever grateful that she'd managed to find a job near her college campus instead of going back to Indiana for the summer. At least here, Chrissy didn't have to face any of her old friends, or ex-boyfriend, or her mother's bible group. They all expected her to slip into her former role as "Queen of Hawkins High" without issue on every visit. And like her old cheer uniform, she couldn't stand to squeeze into it for very long anymore. It had always been a size too small anyway.

But the lazy river was just that: lazy. Aside from the occasional kid waving at her as they passed by, Chrissy hadn’t interacted with anyone since her shift started hours ago. She envied Eddie, giving tours through the whole park all day, talking to people. Plus he got to see the penguin show all the time, Chrissy pouted to herself. She was still kind of sad they didn’t let the college hires work the animal shows, she wanted to hug a cute bird!

“Get your cockles, pirate’s booty, and mermaid’s purses!” A voice shouted from the “jungle”. (“Bamboo doesn’t even make sense for the Caribbean!” Eddie wailed in her head).

Chrissy blinked and rubbed her eyes, making sure she wasn’t completely losing it as a lady dressed up like a pirate complete with eyepatch emerged from the bamboo and started walking along the river. Hanging from her shoulders was a tray stacked high with the park’s themed snacks. The wobbling fake parrot on her shoulder looked like it was seconds away from taking a flight straight into the dirt.

Um. Okay then. How had the pirate lady missed that she’d left the lagoon, where the food stalls all were?

“Fresh fluffy clamshell madeleines! Try your luck, if you bite into one and find a pearl inside, win tickets to sit in the splash zone for the Atlantis Mermaid Spectacular, 7pm tonight! And a trip to the dentist.” Pirate Lady muttered the last bit to herself.

Chrissy blew her whistle to get her attention. She expected this lost pirate to calmly look in the direction of the sound and see Chrissy’s lifeguard tower. Chrissy would point in the right direction leading back to the food court and wave goodbye. The high of that thirty second interaction would carry her through the rest of her shift, then she would go home with Eddie and maybe actually eat two full slices of pizza for dinner this time.

Pirate Lady did not react the way Chrissy expected her to.

She let out an awful screech and jumped nearly a foot in the air before trying to run away, pastries flying everywhere. Her escape attempt was cut a bit short though. Maybe three steps into running, she tripped over a fake rock and fell straight into the river.

Shoot.

For the first time all summer, Chrissy dove into the lazy river’s chlorine-filled water for a reason besides deflated tubes or safety training.

Pirate Lady was busy sputtering and coughing as Chrissy swam up beside her.

“I’m so sorry! Didn’t mean to scare you.” Pirate Lady blushed as soon as Chrissy took her arm and guided the two of them to the bank.

“It’s okay! I didn’t see you, at all , and I have two left feet normally, but the eyepatch always throws me off and —” Pirate Lady cut herself off with some coughing.

“Is swallowing chlorine bad for you?” she asked frantically once she caught her breath. “Because I swallowed a lot of chlorine just now.”

“I think it’s okay, none of it got in your lungs right?”

“No. But are you sure you don’t need to perform CPR?” As soon as the words left Pirate Lady’s mouth she blushed even more.

“Oh! No, I’d probably break your ribs if I did that, Miss Pirate Lady.” Neither of them said anything for a minute. The fake parrot floated downriver slowly.

“I’m Robin. I work at the food court. I’m not actually a pirate, I promise!” Pirate Lady, Robin , blurted out.

“I figured with the whole costume and desserts.” Chrissy gestured at the soggy pastries sinking to the bottom. “I’m Chrissy, one of the lifeguards. You got a little lost, huh.” At that Robin scowled.

“The guys at the food court keep asking to see my ‘booty’, figured it was either wander to another part of the park or get fired for attacking someone with a cream puff.”

Chrissy giggled. That blush sure did bring out Robin’s freckles. They went so nicely with her bright blue eyes too. She wondered if asked nicely would Robin let her do her makeup all colorful and fun, like the mermaid actors? A nice dark red lipstick would make her lips stand out, all big and kissable and…

Oh.

Chrissy wanted to kiss the pretty girl in front of her.

For the first time ever, something in her life slotted into the place it had meant to. She’d never felt that swooping feeling in her stomach when she kissed her high school boyfriend. But the thought of kissing Robin was exciting. And terrifying. Also wonderful. Best of all, the thought of kissing Robin fit.

“Oh no, Steve!” Oblivious to Chrissy’s world shattering realization, Robin waded after her parrot and scooped up the very soggy bird. “They told us the birds shouldn't get rained on and wow , they were right. He looks so sad now. I uh, should probably get back and change out of this and try to bring Steve here back to life.”

“You won’t get in trouble for the tray, will you? I won’t tell, promise,” Chrissy asked anxiously. She’d just met Robin, she didn’t want to never see her again, not after knowing something could feel right . Robin shrugged in response.

“I know the guys in the kitchen, Argyle and Jon won’t mind covering for me so long as I cover for them when they want to go smoke. But umm, thanks. Glad you can keep secrets.”

Robin smiled again at her, this time with a little more unease. Shoot, could Robin tell Chrissy wanted to kiss her silly? She made her mouth move, falling back on midwestern politeness:

“You’re welcome! I hope that goes okay.”

Chrissy waved Robin off then returned to her perch in a daze. So this is what Eddie meant by “wretched gay longing.”

Shoot.

“Hey!” Robin burst out of the bamboo again, skidding to a halt right before she took another nosedive into the lazy river. “I know we just met but my best friend Steve-human Steve, not the parrot, well most of the day he’s a mermaid in the show but underneath that he’s got legs and none of that’s important I guess.”

Chrissy blinked but Robin continued rambling:

“Anyway he gets free tickets to the Atlantis Mermaid Spectacular and since he’s in the show he can’t use them. And you probably haven’t ever seen it since the waterpark closes before then right?” Chrissy nodded in confusion.

“Do you want to see it maybe? With me? Uh-unless you have a boyfriend! Because totally understand not wanting to ruin date night!” There was that blush again. Chrissy’s heart started beating faster. Maybe she didn’t have to be like Eddie, cursed to pine for the rest of her life.

“No boyfriend, no date nights. I haven’t explored much around Sand Beach after work either.” If anything, Robin got even redder.

“Oh! Well, Steve and I have lived here our whole lives so we could show —I mean, I could show you around too! If you want. There’s a drive-in that plays weird foreign films, oh and old lady O’Donnell’s dog just had puppies!

Chrissy broke out into a grin, the kind her mom would have chastised her for ‘calling attention’ to her big buck teeth. Robin didn’t seem to care though.

“I wouldn’t mind playing with some cute puppies. My next day off is Thursday.”

“Great! Thursday is my day off too! Okay, cool, it’s a... hang out , then! I’ll uh, leave my number in your locker, so you can call if you want?” Chrissy got the feeling this might be new for Robin too.

“Yeah, I’ll give you a call tonight, set it up.”

Robin gave a very uncoordinated wave then set off again. Watching her leave, Chrissy let herself have one excited shiver. She could smile and show her teeth, eat two slices of pizza, see the Atlantis Mermaid Spectacular. She could even kiss a pretty girl one day. The world wouldn’t end, and maybe, just maybe, she’d finally found a place for herself after all.

Thank you to @strangergraphics for the divider!

Author's notes

-This park is an unholy combination of a bunch of different parks, but takes place where Hershey's amusement park in Hershey, PA is. Sorry I made Robin and Steve from Pennsylvania instead of from Indiana haha, wanted them to be locals

-In this AU, Chrissy goes to Penn State for college. There she's outside of her mom's direct control and starting to figure out who she is as a person. Her and Eddie befriended each other after she has a panic attack trying weed for the first time. The two of them applied to Pirate's World: Blackbeard's Adventure because in part it was a way for Chrissy to continue to be free of her mom and in part truly because Chrissy fell in love with the zoo portion of the park

[alicetallula]

Steddie Spooktober 2025 - Week 3 : Boogeyman + Stranger Things Monster Calendar 2025 - 3rd Monster of October - Boogeyman - 31.10.2025

I decided to combine the 'boogeyman' prompt from both the @steddie-spooktober and the @stmonstercalendar :3 🎃

Steddie Spooktober 2025 : Week 1 - "Is that your blood ?" | Cozy | Cinnamon | Macabre // Week 2 : "Keep the mask on" | Burn | Scarecrow | Grave // Week 3 : "This place is spooky" | Creep | (k)night // Week 4 : "I didn't think that would hurt" | Claw | Chill | Tradition // Week 5 : "Really ? That's what got you ?" | Hunt | Goosebumps | Twilight

Stranger Things Monster Calendar 2025 : Monster of December - Krampus / Monster of January - Dragon / Monster of February - Incubus / Monster of March : Rusałka / Monster of April - Banshee / Monster of May - 1st Monster - Mermaid / Monster of May - 2nd Monster - Cecaelia / Monster of May - 3rd Monster - Siren / Monster of May - 4th Monster - Vodnik / Monster of June - Vampire / Monster of July - Alien / Monster of August - Kitsune / Monster of September - Ogre / Monster of October - 1st Monster - Ghost / Monster of October - 2nd Monster - Scarecrow / Monster of October - 3rd Monster - Boogeyman / Monster of October - 4th Monster - Gargoyle / Monster of October - 5th Monster - Reaper / Monster of November - Demogorgon / Monster of December - The Christmas Spirit

"'Cause this may be the last time you hear the boogie song" - Steddie - 31.10.2025

And of course I had to do something in the style of Tim Burton's drawings for Nightmare Before Christmas 😊💕 

Done using ink pens, alcohol markers, gel pens and Photoshop for the background, glow and pattern of Steve's clothes

AO3 post 1 / AO3 post 2 / AO3 post 3 / Bluesky post / DeviantArt post / Instagram post / Pillowfort post / Twitter post

[mugloversonly]

Rescue

Okay this one is for @stmonstercalendar Mermay Bingo prompts "Sci-fi", "shapeshifter", "kelpie". As well as the weekly prompt "vodnik". | rating: G | wc: 3443 | cw: NA summary: Captain Steve of the Starfleet vessel Loch Nora, responds to a distress signal from Commander Joyce of the Hawkins. There is a lot of Star Trek references in this so there are notes at the end! AO3

The ensign at the helm slowed them down to a quarter impulse as they entered the planet’s orbit. The beautiful water sat still like Earth’s ocean before a storm. Eerie, if Steve had to name it.

The planet itself was entirely water. As far as Steve could tell from the view screen, there wasn't a single foot of dry land. Only his best swimmers could be a part of the transport team.

If it wasn't for Admiral Hopper sending him on this rescue mission, Steve would be excited to discover this planet. But, no scientific exploration could be done until he found Commander Byers and brought her aboard.

Steve shuttered when he recalled the distress signal she sent out.

SOS. This is Commander Joyce Byers of the Federation. We are being held hostage on planet L365. Please hurry, I don't know how long they'll —

Then the transmission stopped. There hadn't been another sign from Joyce; technically Federation policy dictated the ship closest to the distress call answered, then called for backup if needed. But, Joyce was the whole reason Steve wasn't serving time in prison for a stupid mistake in the academy. His crew’s full of ragtag Starfleet officers whose careers Joyce had a hand in, they weren't going to abandon her.

The direct plea from Hopper sealed the deal. They all agreed to let Steve take the court martial if there was one, he's the captain of the Loch Nora, the rest of the crew was simply following his orders. But he doubted he’d be reprimanded; not with what he saw.

The Hawkins, was in pieces.

“Scan for life forms.” He demanded of Lieutenant Sinclair. She pushed a few buttons on her console; Steve wondered if he should bench her even though Erica could swim laps around him. Her brother is one of the missing and he’s worried she won't keep a clear head.

“Captain… come take a look at this “ She called. A glance at her mini screen shocked Steve to his core; relief and confusion war in him.

“Is that right?” There are over 3000 life forms, 150 of them match the bio-metrics of the entire Hawkins crew. “They’re all alive?”

“Affirmative, I attempted to lock on to them but there’s too much interference.” Lieutenant Henderson said, the frustration evident in his tone. Steve had no doubt the Vulcan re-calibrated the transporter about five different times before he admitted it didn't work.

“Commander Lox?” Steve turned to his first officer Jane. “Do you have any experience with this type of thing?”

“I encountered a planet like this a hundred years or so ago. It might have been this one actually. My host Kali, had to negotiate with the leader for some supplies. She found the people there to be kind but they're wary of strangers. I’d suggest we send down a small party but keep transporters locked on their location.” The trill said.

“Right, Sinclair, Henderson, Lox, you're with me. Wheeler you have the bridge.” He turned to the Lieutenant Commander.

“But sir, my sister's down there.” Mike argued.

“And would Nancy be happy to see you, or would she be pissed?” Steve raised an eyebrow even as he entered the turbo shaft.

“Sinclair’s going.” Mike insisted. Steve glanced to his side at the woman in question.

“Are you going to tell Erica no?” Mike slumped into the Captain's chair conceding the point.

“Your sister is a capable woman. My brother is an idiot.” Erica offered as she stepped into the lift.

“Transporter bay.” The lift lowered to the bottom level as Steve laid out the plan.

“When we get to the surface, I’ll swim down as far as I can while you tread water. Once they can't lock onto my signal, we’ll know how close to the surface we need to get the crew.” Waiting at the transporter bay was Dr. Buckley with a few respirators that she handed out quickly.

“Let me switch your translators to non-verbal mode.” She gestured to her ear and pulled out a tricorder. She ran the device over the right ear of the humans and Vulcan, and the left ear of the trill.

“Thanks, Robbie.” Steve smiled and hugged his best friend. “We’ll see you in a bit.” With that, he stepped onto the transporter pad.

A quick push of a button, and they were beamed onto the planet, submerging underwater.

“Everyone okay?” Steve asked. It was weird to talk to his team without actually speaking, but he figured he’d get used to it.

The three others nodded in affirmation. Steve began his dive, but no sooner had he sank did a green old man appear. He tilted his head in confusion until he heard Erica scream.

“It's a vodnik!” Steve had no idea what that was, but given her tone of voice and the way the thing charged at him, he didn't think it was friendly.

With a kick of his legs, Steve tried to escape it, but the vodnik was fast; faster than any creature Steve had ever seen.

Suddenly, a great white shark appeared and bit into the vodnik’s leg dragging it to the depths. A second shark swam directly for them but paused in front of the group and moved almost as if it was treading water.

“Are you a native to this planet?” Steve asked. The shark gave the approximation of a nod. Upon closer inspection, Steve realized this wasn’t a normal Earth shark, it had a few extra fins and the gills were in the wrong spot. Almost as if someone explained what a shark was, and this creature became it.

“What are you?” There was a sense of dread filling his stomach, and he didn’t have time for tact.

“Come with me.” It said. “I won’t hurt you.” The shark gave a wiggle and it transformed into a half-horse, half-fish creature, long curly seaweed-like hair made up it's mane. Attached to it’s flank was an enclosed carriage.

“Answer me first. What are you?” Steve said again.

“I’m a Kelpie at the moment.” The creature nodded at its form. “We don’t have much time, if you want to save your comrades, come with me.”

There didn’t seem to be much choice. If that other creature was a shapeshifter like this one, there's be no way to tell them apart if they separated. With a sigh, Steve swam to the carriage and got in, Jane, Erica, and Dustin followed close behind.

Inside the carriage, the four discussed the situation.

“What's the likelihood these are the same species as the founders?” Jane asked, right to the point.

“If they are it doesn't seem like they're in league with them. If they were they wouldn't be helping us.” Dustin said. The discussion continued around him until the carriage came to a stop.

The carriage dissolved around them and they were once again submerged in water. The creature was still in the Kelpie form.

“Is this your true form?” Erica asked, keeping voice quiet and calm.

“I don’t know that I have a true form. Your comrades said this was a form you’d be comfortable with.” The creature said.

“Are you the one holding our comrades hostage?” Jane asked. The creature huffed in irritation.

“Not exactly. Come, I will show you.” The Kelpie galloped forward into an underwater cave. The group followed and breathed a sigh of relief when they realized it was a habitable cave for them.

They climbed out of the water onto the bank and removed their respirators. Steve kept his eyes on the shapeshifter as he turned into a human man. Long curly black hair framed his face, with dark chocolate doe eyes staring at him in return.

“I’m not with the Dominion, if that’s what you’re wondering.” The creature said.

“Then who are you?”

“Your comrades have been calling me Eddie. You may call me that as well.” He sighed and gestured to the sand. Taking a seat himself, Eddie told them all that had happened.

“The Dominion are terrible. A group of us defected a while ago, about a thousand of your years. Those of us who didn’t agree with the war on single forms settled here; but, over time, some of us have changed our minds.” Eddie gazed out over the little lake.

“So the vodnik, he’s a shapeshifter who hates solids?” Steve asked.

“Yes. Your comrades call him Jason. He’s the one who crashed their ship.”

Eddie went on to explain that Jason and a dozen others made up a group of shifters who want to rejoin the Dominion but can't access the warp technology they used to get here in the first place. Eddie was the only one who remembered where the old ships were, and he was the only one who knew how to work the tech in the first place. Even if they got their hands on the ships, they wouldn’t know how to use it.

“So, why did he destroy the Hawkins?” Jane questioned. “Wouldn’t it have made more sense to attempt to steal the tech?”

Eddie squinted at the woman for a moment, a particular look on his face.

“Have we met before?” He asked.

“I once was a woman named Kali. Maybe you met her?”

Eddie snapped his fingers in recognition.

“Yes! We gave her some Duranium.” Eddie turned back to the problem at hand. “Anyway, from what I gathered from the first group, Jason tried to board the ship but the captain Joyce, refused to let him have control. Once everyone was evacuated she set the ship to self destruct. Thankfully, the majority of us here don’t hate single forms. We managed to make Jason’s group retreat and save the crew. They’re in a nearby cave like this one. But, we couldn’t get them home without leading Jason to the warp tech.”

Steve absorbed the information as quickly as he could. There had to be a way to save the crew.

“Your Commander Joyce is a fearsome woman. She refuses to leave until she helps us stop this civil war.”

With a huff of a laugh Steve hung his head. Of course she’d say that.

“Can you take us to her?” Steve asked. With a nod, Eddie beckoned them to follow him through a series of tunnels and through a network of caves. Eventually, they stepped into a huge underground room filled with light.

“Erica?!” Lucas called as he ran to his sister and pulled her into a tight hug. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“Rescuing you, duh?” She replied even as she pretended to wiggle out of his hug.

“Steve!” A voice called. Will Byers pulled away from the crowd and hugged him around the waist. “Mom knew you’d come.”

Joyce herself was in deep discussion with Nancy and two people Steve didn’t recognize. They must be other shifters.

“The one with the red hair is being called Max and the other is called Chrissy.” Eddie pointed. “The older man in the corner is Wayne. He’s…what you would call my uncle.”

“You guys have family dynamics like that?” Dustin asked, fascinated with their new friend.

“In a way.” Eddie began. Steve left them to it and made his way to Joyce.

“Everyone okay?” He asked. Joyce met his eyes with a tired smile.

“Kind of. The shapeshifters who saved us have been friendly and hospitable. The caves are coded in kelbonite. I’m assuming that’s why you’re here and didn’t just beam us aboard the Loch Nora.”

“That would do it, yeah.” Steve laughed. “But, I hear you’re trying to prevent a civil war.”

“They have warp technology, it doesn’t violate the Prime Directive.” Joyce placatingly raised her hands. “Besides, it’s in the best interest of Starfleet. This group of defectors didn’t know about the Dominion War until we got here; but, most of them don’t seem to agree with the founders and didn’t really care too much about the outcome. The ones that do agree with the founders want to avenge them.”

“So we have to stop them here.” Steve concluded. Steve looked at the small group of officers here, and the shifters in the room.

“So, what’s the plan?”

It’s Eddie who answered.

“Evacuate our allies. Any warp tech we have, take with us or destroy. Once we’re a safe distance away, we’ll blow up the planet.” The calm indifference in Eddie’s voice would scare Steve if he was on the enemy side.

“Blow it up?” Erica asked in confusion.

“If he was smart, Jason would realize he can shift into a warp capable ship. But, he’s an idiot so it hasn’t occurred to him; but the second it does…” Eddie didn’t finish, but the meaning was clear.

“We already set a bunch of bombs throughout the planet. Shoot one, and it will cascade to the next.” Nancy chimed in.

“How many of you are on the planet?” Steve asked.

“In total? 20ish. We’re usually a conglomerate.” Wayne spoke up. “But, those of us who don’t mind your type are few now. Jason convinced almost everyone to join him. The four of us you see here, plus Eddie’s three friends.”

The three friends, entered from a separate cave as if summoned. They introduced themselves as Gareth, Jeff, and Bear. Gareth was the other shark they saw on the surface.

“The seven of you are willing to leave your home?” Steve asked, a little shocked.

“The thing about us Stevie, is we’re a collective. Our home isn’t a place or a planet. It’s the link we share with each other. One that’s connected us even when we were a part of the whole.” Eddie smiled.

“We need to move quickly.” Jeff mentioned. He and Max led a group of Hawkins crew down one passage, Bear and Gareth went down a second, and Wayne and Chrissy took the rest through a third.

“We have ships prepared to get us all out. I taught everyone how to fly them, at least a little.” Eddie began as he led Joyce, Will, Lucas, Nancy, and the rescue team down a different shaft.

“Why did you set out a distress signal if you guys already had a plan?” Steve asked as they shuffled down the path.

“We needed the backup. Plus, there would be no way to prove we were alive and also not shapeshifters if we appeared suddenly in an old Dominion ship.” That was a great point, Steve had to admit.

Eddie fell back in step with the two and stared calculatingly at Steve.

“What?”

“You’re pretty cute. For a single form anyway.” Eddie flirted and winked.

“Is that a compliment?” Steve asked as Joyce sped up to give them some space.

“You don’t think I’m cute?” Eddie pouted. “Do any of these speak to you?” In a blink he transformed into a female version of his human form. Then just as quickly, he morphed into an Andorian, Klingon, Tholian, and Ferangi version. Even his Ferangi self had huge doe eyes and big curly hair, which looked a bit silly with the ears.

There was something interesting about his shifting nature, Steve had to admit. He wondered just how far that extended. Could he shift parts of himself into other species or was it all or nothing? The only understanding of their abilities Starfleet had any record of was from a Bajorian scientist’s research notes; and he wasn’t very thorough with the details.

“I think you’re cute in all those forms you took. Except Ferangi, but I’ve known too many shady Ferangi.” Steve shrugged.

“Really? You’re not into the ears?” Eddie touched his lobes and gasped in shock. “Why does it feel like I’m touching my…” He waved his hand at Steve’s crotch.

“That’s a great question. You’ll have to ask one when we get back to Federation Space.”

Eddie pursed his lips in thought, shifted back to his “human” self, and turned back to the conversation at hand.

“Listen, after I blow up my planet I’ll need a new one. We all will. I’ve heard the Federation takes in strays. Will they make room for us too?”

“Of course!” Steve exclaimed.

“Even though our people tried to kill you all?” It was said like a joke, but the insecurity was clear.

“You’re not the first people to defect from their genocidal species and join the Federation. I doubt you’ll be the last.” Steve sighed and decided to take a risk. “Until then, you can stay on my ship with me. You all can, I don’t mind.”

“You have enough rooms for the seven of us?”

“Well, one of you might have to bunk with me.” Steve said with a flirty smile. He had enough rooms, it wouldn’t be a problem. Besides from what Eddie said, they’d likely all share the same space to link. But, it was the principle.

“Well if you insist.” Eddie replied and bumped shoulders with him. “I wouldn’t mind sharing your room, big boy.”

They arrived in a big cave that held a huge purple ship next to another underwater lake. Steve gulped; it was obviously an older version of the Jem’Hadar ships. Steve wasn’t in Starfleet during the war, but they learned all about it in the academy.

“Commander Byers was correct, if you showed up in Federation Space in these without an escort, you’d be stopped.” Steve mumbled.

“Right in one, pretty boy.” Eddie giggled as he jogged toward the ship. With a flourish, Eddie waved the group into the ship as he got into position. He flipped a few switches and then sent a signal to the other ships.

“Everyone’s ready. But you are going to have to convince your ship not to shoot at us.” Eddie handed Steve the headset, that doubled as a view screen. From the academy he knew he’d likely get a migraine if he wore it for a while, but a few minutes should be fine.

“Let’s do it.”

The ship exited the cave system through the lake and out to the surface, where it met up with the other three. A huge squid appeared but Eddie quickly fired a few shots into it’s stomach. It sank into the depths as they pushed through the water until the Loch Nora was in view.

“We’re hailing them.” Eddie pointed at Steve once the channel was open.

“This is Lieutenant Commander Wheeler. Who are you and what business do you have on this planet?” Mike’s face filled Steve’s vision.

“This is Captain Steve Harrington. These vessels hold the Hawkins crew and allies. We come in peace.” He said. Rightfully, Mike didn’t trust Steve at face value.

“Tell me something only Steve would know. Something a founder wouldn’t torture out of you.” Mike glared. Steve sighed and pursed his lips.

“When I was dating your sister I accidentally clogged the toilet while playing ultimate barbies with Holly. I was so embarrassed about it that I pretended I was having stomach problems.” There was a muffled snort to the side and Steve squinted his eyes at Eddie.

“How is clogging a girlfriend’s toilet with a huge dump less embarrassing than playing dolls with her sister?” Eddie giggled.

“I asked him the same question.” Nancy joined in before she snagged the headset from Steve. “Michael Wheeler, it’s me your sister Nancy. If you don’t send a message to Starfleet informing them of the Dominion Ships returning home with us, I’ll tell Jane all about your little notebook.” At that, Mike paled and nodded quickly.

“Okay, you’re who you say you are. I’ll relay the message.” He quickly ended the message as Steve turned curiously to Nancy.

“What’s in that notebook?” Steve asked curiously, but she didn’t answer, only shrugged with a secretive smile.

The ships left the atmosphere and headed toward Federation Space. All but Eddie’s ship; which turned to face the planet.

“I’m going to miss it. It was my home for so long.” He sighed.

“There could be another way, right?” Steve offered, he just met the man, but he’d do anything to make him happy.

A soft sniffle is the only sound Eddie let himself make before he pushed a button on the console. A single photon torpedo shot into the planet’s water, but whatever it hit, activated the explosions all along the surface.

As the planet broke into pieces, Eddie flipped it the bird.

“Good riddance to those fuckers.” He set the ship’s course and leaned back against a ship wall. “So, tell me about my new home?” Eddie requested.

Steve smiled. He liked the sound of that.

“The Loch Nora is what I affectionately call ‘home to the Starfleet strays’” he began.

----------------------------------------------------

NOTES:

Trills can have a symbiote that retains the memories of past hosts. The trill will change it's last name to the name of the symbiote.

The translators Robin adjusts refers to the universal translator that is a common star trek tech. there's a few different versions of it in the universe so I went with the in ear kind and which side varies by species. All universal translators can be used through a telepathic link but they do not default to that.

Steve's backstory is based off of Nick Locarno Joyce is inspired by Captain Janeway L365= L class planets are nearly as hospitable as earth is for humans. founders= are a species of shapeshifters who are the main antagonist in the series Deep Space 9. Dominion= is what the founders cal their empire. Duranium= is material used in a whole lot of stuff in the Federation kelbonite= a metal that is notorious for blocking transporter tech of all kinds. Prime Directive= a Federation protocol to not get involved with the affairs of planets without warp tech. This includes preventing wars or anything even if asked. The shapeshifters are shown to be able to shift into warp capable vessels in DS9. The Bajorian scientist refers to a character in DS9 who did experiments on a shapeshifter. The Ferangi are known to masturbate with their earlobes. link= when a group of shapeshifters are one group. it's a pool mostly. Jem'Hadar= the soldiers bred and controlled by the Dominion

This is just something I couldn't fit in: Jason only defected from the Dominon because he wanted to be with Chrissy. Once he realized she didn't want him back he was just biding his time to dip and rejoin the founders.

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