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“You’re staring again.”
“Wha?” Ed asks distractedly. Ah, mm, staring.
“Staring. At Captain,” Lucius says, following Ed’s line of sight. “He’s been stuck swabbing that part of the deck because you won’t look away.” Lucius looks at him pointedly.
Ed pretends to find the main mast very interesting before giving Lucius side eye. “I can look,” he says, gruffly.
He can, and he bloody well wants to. Stede is very lovely to look at. Lucius just doesn’t understand.
Lucius looks at Stede for a long moment before tilting his head and clucking his tongue. “I suppose I get it. I mean it’s the arms isn’t it let’s face it. Or the puppy dog eyes. Or that very spicy personality under all that soft earnestness.”
Okay. Maybe he does get it. Ed feels a little hot at the back of his neck.
“Look,” Lucius says.
Ah, finally getting to the point.
“It’s all very sweet and somewhat disturbing walking in on you both playing tonsil tennis on all available surfaces. A bit of a relief really. I just want to make sure that you’re not...” he considers his words before continuing, “reverting to staring wistfully and keeping all of your emotions inside because we know how that turned out-“
“Wistful?” Ed cocks an eyebrow. He’s still not too keen on discussing the whole ‘going kraken’ thing, so he avoids the topic, as much as he’s grateful the kid is even giving him the time of day now. He’s apologised and he’ll continue to make up for it still.
“Lustful, then. Just... you’re not just bottling everything up until you explode in a fantastical bout of sudden violence?”
Ed considers him for a moment. He’s asking a very personal question but if anyone deserves some transparency it’s Lucius.
“No. We’re good.”
He smiles, glancing back over to Stede who is now trying to pretend he’s not sneaking glances Ed’s way. When Ed looks at Lucius again the boy looks relieved. Ed relaxes, the tension that often surrounds them these days lessening as they stand in momentary companionable silence.
“Candles.”
“What?”
“The nice scented ones in the hold. I light one for me and Pete sometimes.”
Lucius looks at him pointedly again.
Oh... oh!... oh.
Ed scratches the back of his head awkwardly. “We’re not. Uh-“
Lucius rolls his eyes. The bloody cheek.
“I know. We all know, Jesus, the amount of kissing and light petting we’ve all been subjected to has been, a lot. But none of us have walked in on anything else... and, you’ve both been staring.”
Ed nods because all of that is true.
“So, candles?”
“Yep. Little bit of ambiance goes a long way. Might want to make use of that fireplace too. It’s bound to be chilly tonight. But I dare say you can find a way to keep Captain warm.” Lucius winks and then walks away with a parting ‘Don’t fuck it up!’
Candles, fireplace, romance. Can’t be too hard.
***
That night the crew not on shift pile into the galley to escape the frigid air on deck. They seemingly have some energy to burn off with the sea being fairly calm and their duties light, so the rum flows and Roach plies everyone with delicious pastry bites filled with sticky-sweet marmalade. Frenchy starts up on his lute and his singing has some of the crew either thumping a bass onto the tables or up and dancing round each other.
Ed notes Izzy is customarily brooding in the corner but even he seems to perk up a bit when Lucius hands him a drink and joins him. Good. Ed thinks. The kid has done wonders to pull him kicking and screaming out of his shell. It’s the first time in a long time he’s seen Izzy as close to happy as Izzy can get.
A warm hand on his thigh steals his thoughts and he notices Stede, where he sits to the left of him, has absent-mindedly placed his hand there, chatting away to Oluwande across the table.
Ed tries to listen to what Oluwande is saying, but the feeling of Stede’s thumb rubbing back and forth is taking up most of his brain space.
Ed’s not sure when things became this easy. When they first started to share something as simple as gentle casual touches after weeks of cold stares and arguments. Regardless, Ed can't imagine life without being able to close any amount of distance between them now.
Stede turns to him then, he’s flushed from the alcohol but no more than a little tipsy. He asks Ed’s opinion on installing a sauna, whatever the fuck that is. Ed nods because Stede can have whatever the fuck he wants, and he must have been staring at Stede’s lips for too long because he’s blushing a deeper pink, the kind that reaches the tips of his ears and if that isn’t cute as fuck.
Ed can’t resist, he curls his fingers under Stede’s chin and brushes his thumb over his bottom lip.
“Ed.” It’s a little bit of a protest. “Ed...” a little bit of an invitation.
The hand on Ed’s thigh moves to his hip without breaking contact, and Ed’s hand moves to the line of Stede’s jaw.
Stede is looking at him, eyes soft and sparkling with something Ed knows is reflected in his own gaze. There’s some magnetic impulse that makes him lean forward and press his mouth to Stede’s. Something electric in the way Stede responds. A gentle brush of lips then a gentle slide of tongue. It’s intoxicating, heavy with promise.
Of course, that’s when Wee John interrupts with a yell of “Will yous get a fuckin room” which has most of the room laughing. Including Ed as they break apart, and he has to keep gently touching Stede’s face to stop him from making a snippy comment.
Everyone goes back to their conversations or their dancing, Oluwande makes himself busy chatting to Jim, and Ed takes Stede’s hand, pressing a kiss to the back of it.
“That’s an idea though. We do have a very nice cabin for kissing in.”
“Ah, true.”
“And, maybe... other things?”
Ed knows Stede doesn’t always pick up on hints and veiled suggestions and sometimes it’s best to be direct, but he certainly seems to pick up what Ed is putting down with the way he perks up. The look he gives Ed is almost hopeful. Shit. Has Stede been waiting for him to make the first move this whole time??
Maybe Ed’s the oblivious one.
“Other things?” Stede’s voice is hushed and sweet and Ed wants to kiss him again.
“Yeah, y’know, stuff that involves kissing, bit less clothing. If you want?”
Ed fiddles with his half-full tankard. It has never been this hard to ask someone to bed before.
Jack only ever needed a look and he was bending Ed over a barrel. But then again, none of his interactions with Jack had ever felt like any of his interactions with Stede.
Wonderful, beautiful Stede who smiles shyly at him a nods. Starkly, Ed realises that they have time, and there’s no underlying guilt, no terrible misunderstandings, nothing holding them back now.
The thought makes him jittery, and he can’t keep the smile off his face. He presses another kiss to the back of Stede’s hand to vent his excited energy.
“Okay. Okay?”
Stede nods again and there’s no trepidation there, only something that Ed recognises as pure adoration. It’s a look Stede gives him sometimes when he thinks Ed isn’t looking, it’s a look Ed knows because he looks at Stede the same way. Seeing it now feels like Stede is baring himself a little more, allowing himself to be vulnerable and to let Ed see it.
It’s dizzying, frightening, wonderful. It has Ed on his feet almost tripping over himself.
“Give me ten minutes. Then come to the cabin?”
And because he can’t resist Ed gives him another kiss, this one just about suitable for polite company.
“Alright, yes,” Stede breathes between them, voice a little shaky.
Ed almost doesn’t want to leave him. But it’s not as though Stede can go missing again now. Or that he would. Not after everything. He’d chased Ed for months across the ocean and then chased him again once he’d found him.
Stede is right here and this is really happening.
Oh shit this is happening!
“Ten minutes,” Ed blurts before practically sprinting from the room.
***
After retrieving some floral scented candles from the hold, Ed kicks open the door to the captain’s cabin and sets to work.
He pushes mismatched stolen furniture around until he clears a good space in front of the fireplace, which he lights thereafter.
Warm the room, keep the chill out.
He drags the mattress from the bed nook to arrange it at a safe distance but close to the hearth along with all the blankets and pillows he can find which he artfully arranges.
Stede fucking loves soft things. Are there too many soft things? Fuck it. Never too many.
Love nest complete, Ed peruses Stede’s collection of oils in the bathroom before deciding to grab all of them, (Stede will know which one to use surely) carrying his hoard back to the cabin and setting the bottles and vials on the low table in front of the couch, ensuring they are within reach of the mattress.
Needs a little pizazz.
He grabs Stede’s precious potted plant and places it in the centre of the low table, fiddling with it until it is aligned perfectly knowing it will bother Stede if he doesn’t.
Looking good. Candles. Yes.
Ed places them about the cabin on various surfaces and lights them, taking in the sweet-spice scents of various flowers as the wicks burn. On extinguishing the lamps to only allow the light from the candles to illuminate the space, it does indeed set something of a languorous and sultry mood.
Good call, Lucius.
Anticipation burning low in his belly, Ed admires his handwork before divesting himself of his clothing. In his haste he unfortunately trips over a golden embroidered footstool (a much loved acquisition of Stede’s) and bangs his shin on the low table.
“Mother of fu-!”
It takes several moments to get moving again.
He’s still swearing and grumbling as he shrugs on Stede’s fuchsia gown over his naked form. The feel of silk on his skin manages to calm him somewhat. The gown is a little battered from wear now but Ed doubts he could ever part with it. It oddly means as much to him as Stede himself does. It’s been a great comfort, and still is.
Limping slightly, Ed wanders over to the large ornate mirror hanging on the wall closest to the door and neatens his half bun.
There. Sorted mate. Looking proper handsome.
Hmm. Ed cant help but wonder as he tucks away loose wavy strands and then runs a hand over the scruff of his short beard, if Stede would be into pulling hair...? The man is full of surprises so it’s not out of the question.
Getting ahead of myself here. One step at a fucking time.
Ed is just tying the robe closed when the cabin door creaks open and Stede peeks cautiously inside.
“Ed?” He whispers.
Ed opens the door further from behind it, startling Stede.
“Oh god!”
“Why are you whispering?” Ed whisper-shouts.
“Don’t do that!”
Stede swats at him, and Ed giggles and tries to dodge him.
His poor shin throbs unpleasantly and he winces.
“Ow, bugger.”
“What’s wrong?” Stede asks, face turning from amusement to concern.
Shit. This was supposed to be romantic, and here Ed is hobbling around like an old man.
“Nothing mate. Just, busted my bloody shin on the table,” Ed grumbles.
“Oh dear, is it your habit to hurt yourself while you’re out of my sight Edward?” Stede asks, looking amused again as he comes closer, offering a hand for balance (which Ed takes as he rubs his poor shin). “Got yourself slashed by a Frenchman last month, then there was that incident while you were cutting potatoes the other night.”
Getting clumsy in my old age.
“I just, really like the attention. You getting all concerned and fussing over me.” Ed bats his eyelashes as he straightens.
“Dear heart, I’ve clearly been neglecting you,” Stede teases. Then he looks around the room taking in everything. The gentle orange glow from the candles and the firelight. The nest of sheets, blankets and pillows, and the collection of fancy bath oils set out on the dreaded table. (Ed has no idea which ones are safe for their intended purposes).
“Oh,” Stede says, voice soft and buttery.
“Good oh? bad oh? Mediocre oh? I can take an honest review,” Ed says, heart thrumming a quick drum beat in his chest.
“It’s lovely Ed.”
“I’d have sprinkled some rose petals around, but uh, we don’t fucking have any. But I put your little plant on the table...” he points “I hope I did it right. Ambiance.”
Stede looks at him and his eyes are wet, tears glittering in the low light.
Shit.
“Shit. Stede, did I fuck it up?”
“No! No.” Stede wipes his eyes with his free hand and squeezes Ed’s with the other before looking at him again, lip wobbling for a moment. “It’s just, all so very thoughtful. Mary and I never exactly tried to set a mood. Not that it would have felt right anyway. I absolutely dreaded my first time, not her fault of course... But this, with you, this is so lovely. Thank you Ed.”
Stede gives him a watery smile and Ed can feel a prickling at the corners of his own eyes. “You’re going to set me off, you nut.”
Stede laughs and Ed cradles his face in his hands and wipes away his tears, brushing their noses together.
Stede tilts his head and Ed meets him in a kiss that goes from tender and sweet to heated in a matter of seconds. Stede’s hands roam over his chest (a favourite spot Ed is learning) and Ed pulls him in close.
Stede lets out a startled ‘oh’ and breaks the kiss to momentarily glance between them. When he glances back up at Ed his eyes are wide.
“That’s, um, under the robe, are you-“
“Naked? Oh yes.”
“Right, yes.” Stede looks less startled now and more soft around the edges, his hands smooth over the folds of the robe before the fingers of his right hand trace the seam down to where it’s belted closed.
Ed watches him reverently. Enjoying his attentions.
It doesn’t escape him that Stede is still new to wanting and being able to have. So Ed is happy to let him know it’s perfectly all right and that he can certainly have at Ed if he wants to. Because Ed would really bloody like that.
“I don’t bite... I mean. Unless you’re into that,” Ed rumbles.
Stede makes some sort of squeaking noise at the back of his throat. “I don’t know. Is that a thing??”
“Everything’s a thing. You just need to figure out what kind of thing is your thing.”
Stede’s fingers trace the loose knot of the belt absently between them.
“I think you are.”
Ed snorts a laugh. “Thanks mate. Never been called a thing before.”
“You know what I mean!”
Ed smiles and despite the silliness (or perhaps because of it) he feels an overwhelming wave of affection for this man. “Yeah. I do.”
“As well as a thing, I’m also a Gentleman I’ll have you know,” Ed says, putting on a bit of a posh voice and doesn’t that just make Stede light up.
“Is that so?”
“Indeed! Learned from the best.” Ed offers his arm and Stede takes it with a gentle joyful laugh.
He leads Stede over to the end of the mattress and pulls the sheer drapes shut, enclosing them in the cosy space of the library (shelves now half filled with random books from half a dozen ships).
When Ed turns back to him he looks slightly lost and maybe a little overwhelmed so Ed cups his cheek and gently coaxes eye contact to centre him. “Hey, whatever you want. No pressure. We can just cuddle if you prefer.”
“I’d rather do more than that,” Stede allows himself, voice thick with the same emotion that’s trapped under Ed’s ribs.
He touches Ed’s hand at his cheek before gently reaching for the belt at Eds hips. Pulling at the silk, the material parts and Ed shivers under the heat of Stede’s gaze as Stede drinks him in.
Fuck.
It takes a moment for Ed to find his voice, hand sliding to Stede’s shoulder. He has to inject a little humour into things just to distract from the sheer magnitude of what is unfolding between them. He’s never felt so much for another person before. Not like this.
“Don’t get me wrong, mate, you look great, but I think you’re wearing far too many clothes. I can definitely help you with that, what with being a gentleman and all.”
Stede opens and closes his mouth a few times as he struggles to find his own words in order to play along. “Yes well, that would be quite lovely of you.”
“Quite lovely~” Ed parrots softly.
He drops his hand from Stede’s shoulder and walks his fingers up Stede’s sternum, popping a shirt button there on his breast, Stede having left a few open already. He’s more casual these days but Ed doesn’t hate it. Especially when he shows off more skin now. Tying ropes and carrying munitions in the sun.
Stede’s breathing changes almost immediately, the rise and fall of his chest more pronounced the more of his buttons Ed pops.
When his shirt falls fully open Ed takes him in for a moment. Eyes dark, hands clenching and unclenching at his sides like he’s not sure what to do with them. His pink tongue wets his bottom lip and that does it. Ed leans in to chase it, one hand coming up to tangle in Stede’s curls the other sliding down between them to fumble with the buttons on his breeches.
Stede lets out a small vulnerable noise but then his hands curl into the fabric of his dressing gown on Ed, anchoring them together.
Ed breaks the kiss to nip at his jaw earning another small noise.
“Stede, you can touch me.”
“Oh.”
Ed has to giggle at the mumbled ‘thank god’ before Stede’s hands find him beneath the drape of the material.
They resume kissing and Stede traces his form with amatory gentleness. Jack would be grabbing and pawing at him but Stede touches like he’s committing all of Ed to memory. He’s so unbearably sweet.
Stede gives his hips a gentle squeeze and Ed snorts a laugh into his mouth.
“Sorry,” Stede whispers sheepishly.
“For what? Go nuts mate. Feel free to squeeze me anywhere.”
He winks, and is delighted when Stede’s flush deepens, his chest now a rosy pink like his cheeks, and it only deepens further when Ed pushes his breeches from his hips which crumple to the floor around his feet. Having Stede bare but for his stockings and open shirt makes Ed swallow thickly, brain stuttering.
Ever the one to surprise him, Stede takes hold of the moment and propels them forward.
“I’d like to-“
“Yeah?” Ed says encouragingly.
Stede presses against him, sliding his arms around Ed under the gown to gently press at his lower back, the hard length of him now pressing up snuggly against Ed’s own erection.
Ed sucks in a breath at the same time Stede gives a breathless little ‘oh’.
Ed winds his arms around Stede’s neck and carefully shifts his hips once, drawing gasps from both of them. Stede’s skin has broken out in gooseflesh under Ed’s touch as Ed’s has under Stede’s. Like they’re on the precipice of a heavy storm, the air fizzing with hair-raising electricity.
Who fucking knew it could be like this??
“Oh that’s, quite wonderful.”
It really fucking is.
It’s the most intimate thing he’s ever done and nothing much physically has happened yet.
Ed threads a hand into Stede’s hair, the other holding tight onto Stede’s hip as he grinds against him, slow and precise. They’re smearing each others skin in pre-cum, short sharp breaths and the sound of skin on skin loud in the otherwise quiet room. It’s perfect. God.
Stede whimpers softly, closing his eyes to enjoy the feeling and Ed watches him ardently. Heart aching for this strange man he’d burn the world down for.
“Good?” He asks, because he wants it to be. He wants tonight to be nothing but the best experience for Stede.
Stede who opens his eyes and smiles at Ed like he keeps the world turning. He nods, eyelids fluttering when Ed gently scrapes his nails across his scalp under his curls.
“N-not just the obvious. All of it Ed, I- to feel you like this-”
He doesn’t have to finish that thought because Ed knows exactly what he means.
Ed kisses him until they lose themselves in the heat of it, clinging and grinding against one another until everything takes on an edge of tremulous desperation.
Ed groans and that seems to spur Stede on as he lowers himself to the mattress and tugs Ed down with him.
Wasting no time Ed slots himself between Stede’s legs leaning over him to kiss him silly among the pillows and blankets, now toasty from the warmth of the fire.
Stede’s nails scrape his back enough to dance on the edge of pain and Ed playfully pins Stede’s hands to the mattress above the halo of Stede’s curls.
He takes his time here, unravelling Stede with slow rolls of his hips. Sucking bruises onto the skin of his throat and chest as the man melts beneath him under the shroud of the fuchsia gown. Ed’s almost feral with the scent and feel of him, the warm electric brush of skin on skin. He licks a stripe between Stede’s pecs over soft golden curls of hair, mad to hear any noises he can coax from Stede’s lovely mouth. And coax he does, playing Stede like a finely tuned instrument, licking and sucking at his nipples while sliding a hand between them to stroke them together, slick velvet skin hot against his palm.
Stede is a breathless, sweaty, moaning mess by the time Ed sits back to admire his handy work and fucking hell the sight of him almost finishes Ed off right there.
Stede, stretched out and looking at him from under hooded eyes, arms loose above his head where Ed had pressed them, legs open and cock hard and flushed, red as his cheeks and chest. Ed wants to devour him.
Any more and things will be over too soon. So Ed slows the pace.
He breathes a quiet 'fuck' and takes one of Stede’s legs in his hands, lifting it, and while he maintains eye contact he takes the edge of Stede’s white silk stocking between his teeth and pulls, pushing Stede’s leg as he peels the delicate material down and off, dropping it from his mouth over the side of the mattress.
This was a lot sexier in my head.
Stede swallows hard, an audible wet thing, he covers his own mouth as though he’s afraid of any further noises he might make.
Oh?
Ed repeats with the other stocking and Stede watches him with dark eyes, biting a knuckle.
Ed files this reaction away for later consideration.
On baring Stede’s slender legs to the fire and Ed's touch. His hands glide up from ankle to thigh and he considers then his ridiculous oil spread on the table, squinting at the labels.
It’s a few scant seconds before Stede is leaning up on his elbows, grabbing a small bottle of amber liquid with a glass stopper and pressing it into Ed’s hand.
That makes things easier.
They lock eyes for a moment and Stede nods, quick and sharp, sinking back down again, observing Ed. Want clear in eyes. In the way his leg cants open a little more and his hands trail over his chest and belly in clear anticipation.
Ed gets a nice palm full of oil, letting it drip onto Stede’s skin, collecting in the divot next to his hip bone. He places the bottle on the floor and rubs his hand through the mess he’s made, fingers brushing teasingly against the base of Stede’s full cock.
Seeing Stede in such a vulnerable aroused state, looking at Ed with such desire, Ed feels imbued with confidence enough to let a little of Blackbeard leak out.
“Oh Stede. The things I’m going to do to you.”
Stede gives a little choked off moan and follows Ed’s movement with his eyes as Ed lowers himself, watching Stede right back as he takes him into his mouth.
Stede curls in on himself, the muscles in his belly fluttering. He rises to his elbows to get a better view as Ed sets about working him. Jaw slack as Ed swallows him down again and again and again. Ed groans at the taste of him, the feel of him pulsing on his tongue, fire-brand hot.
“Ed, that’s- oh,” Stede squeaks.
This, Ed has done before and has had this done to him many a time. He’s a little bit of an expert if he says so himself (and he does).
Still. With Stede, it’s different. This isn’t a favour for a favour or a precursor to a hasty fuck in the hold. This is thoroughly enjoyable, taking in Stede’s every reaction which in turn stokes the fire in Ed’s belly.
The want that sears through him to the core is unlike anything. And it’s everything.
The way Stede is watching him, petting his hair until strands come loose from the ribbon holding it back, babbling nonsense words of affirmation and love at him. He absorbs it, keeps it, holds it in his heart because he knows Stede means every word. Even now when Ed has him by the brains, so to speak.
It’s as though they’re connected. Ed feeding off the flow of Stede’s pleasure. Drunk on it.
Stede’s legs are trembling now, threatening to close shut on him so Ed uses his dry hand to push them open, scratching his nails along the softness of Stede’s inner thigh.
Stede yelps, his cock twitches, and Ed has to lock his oil-slick fingers around the base and pull back before the fun is over.
He pants, hot breaths fanning over the leaking and spit-shiny head of Stede’s cock. The man himself looking dazed, his skin now shining in the firelight, hair beginning to stick to his forehead.
“Fucking hell Ed,” Stede breathes and Ed can’t help the soft laugh that bubbles out of him. A laugh which Stede mirrors.
This is fun.
It’s never been this fun.
“It gets better.” Ed affects his posh voice again. “If one were granted permission to further explore your nethers.” He smacks a kiss to Stede’s knee and grins as Stede laughs again, laying back and covering his face.
“My nethers are all yours my love,” Stede says, brushing his sweaty hair back from his forehead as he now grins back at Ed.
Ed's stomach does a wibbly thing at that.
'My love'. God. Look at him. Perfect.
Ed moves out from between his legs and wriggles into the blankets so that he’s pressed against Stede’s side, leaning up on his left elbow.
Stede watches him curiously, right hand now running fingers through the waves of Ed’s hair again.
“Hello,” Stede says with a soft smile.
“Alright? come here often?”
“No, first time.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yes. And I’m afraid I’m taken. You see my wonderful, thoughtful, handsome partner has agreed to show me a good time.”
“Has he now? I have to say, he’s very lucky. What’s your name again?”
“Stede. Stede Bonnet.” Stede pauses and then adds “Pirate Captain” with a playful haughtyness, fingers now lovingly running through the scruff of Ed’s beard at his jawline.
“Well, Stede Bonnet. Pirate Captain. I’m sad I’ve missed my shot, you’re a fucking knockout mate. And if you get bored of your fella, you can come on my deck any time,” he winks with a click and Stede laughs.
Ed kisses him quiet, muffling his own laughter and it doesn’t take too long for them to settle back into the mood (not that they’d ever really left it). Ed explores Stede slowly, oiled up fingers teasing at his nipples, making him gasp and arch and murmur Ed’s name against his lips.
The hand now back in Ed’s hair strokes and grips and flexes while the other twists into the blankets. Ed slides his hand slowly from Stede’s chest, down over his sternum, over his belly and lower still.
Stede gasps and Ed hums happily against his mouth as he palms Stede’s cock, one, twice, three times before he slips his hand through the remnants of the oil on Stede’s hip.
Stede’s hand is gripping his shoulder now in anticipation and Ed kisses his forehead.
“How are we doing?” He murmurs.
“Good-yes-really quite good,” Stede breathes.
Ed gently palms him again this time dipping his hand to rub his balls as well and Stede gives a full body shiver, pulling at Ed’s hair a little.
Ah, so he does pull hair. Good to know.
And pull he does when Ed works a finger into him, then two. Stede looks a little thoughtful, like he’s taking a moment to think on how it feels, and then Ed crooks his fingers with a grin and presses against that spot and Stede is pondering no more.
“I never- how can this!- Edward I’m going to die!” he pants, letting go of Ed’s hair to cover his face.
Ed laughs. “Can’t die yet. I’m not allowing it.”
Stede nods, his hand ventures to Ed’s shoulder and then his cheek, gentle urging touches “Come on now Ed, please.”
His voice trembles and Ed’s heart aches at the sound of it.
Ed takes him in once more, sweat-shiny, damp curls thoroughly mussed, eyes blown black with pleasure. His gaze is molten hot and Ed melts onto him.
His fingers slip free and there is a good amount of kissing and rubbing against each other, limbs tangling.
Finally, finally. Ed thinks as Stede welcomes him into his arms.
Wonderful, brilliant Stede who tilts his hips and whispers ‘please’ and then Ed is filling him, sinking into the warmth of his body and they both gasp with it and cling to each other like they’re drowning.
“Oh, my, E-Ed. You’re...”
“Yeah?”
“You feel quite... Nice.”
Ed huffs a lock of damp hair out of his face.
“Thanks, said I'm open to reviews. Fill out one of those little cards at the end like you got the crew to do with Roach's summer medley.”
Stede wrinkles his nose. It’s cute as fuck.
“Will you ever stop teasing me about that?”
“Nah.”
“I was trying to be democratic!”
“Being a nuisance more like.”
“You-!”
“Me?”
Ed shifts his hips, slowly moves in and out of him and Stede loses the fight immediately, eyes pinching shut, breathing growing choppy.
“N-now that’s not fair.”
“Pirate mate. I’m always gonna play dirty.”
“Ed.”
“Mm?”
“This is more than nice.”
Ed’s pretty sure he’s never ‘made love’ before. Certainly hasn’t made the effort to court someone then lay out candles and make a cosy area for fucking. But that’s what this is, making love, he muses as he brushes Stede’s hair back from his forehead and kisses him quiet only to pull back to hear him again. Soft whimpers and hushed words of affection and, when Ed puts a little more force into the shove of his hips, loud cries that fill the cabin.
Ed plants his hands either side of Stede's head and Stede looks up at him, pleasure-drunk, nodding and breathing ‘yes darling, yes, yes, yes’ at him, nails scraping over Ed's, back, his ribs, then his hips. Ed can't form many words himself, the animal part of his brain in full control. He’s sweltering under the gown but he won’t dare stop to remove it. Every sound he makes in response to Stede’s desperate loving encouragement is from a place deep in his chest, dragged out of him by the drag of himself inside Stede, their heartbeats interchangeable. Tears prick the corners of his eyes and Stede drags him down for a hot, messy kiss, and when they break for air Stede touches his cheek, presses their foreheads together.
Stede’s burning around him like the flames throwing light over their shifting forms and Ed happily burns alongside him. He gets a hand between them and after three slick pumps Stede is whimpering, spilling over his fingers, onto their bellies, curling in and holding tightly onto Ed who follows on his heels, pushing deep into the fluttering grasp of his body with a deep groan.
Stede pets his hair and his face and peppers kisses on his cheeks and mouth as they catch their breath.
“Did I show you a good time then?” Ed pants.
“The best," Stede says weakly as he goes boneless under Ed, smiling as he closes his eyes.
***
After resting and cleaning up they spend the night comfortably wrapped up in each other, occasionally waking, sharing sleepy kisses and mumbled words, drifting easily back to sleep.
Morning breaks and Ed sprawls over Stede, pillowing his head on his chest as Stede runs his fingers through his hair, now out of the ribbon and flowing freely over his shoulders.
After a long moment of listening to Stede’s steady breathing and playing absently with a ring on Stede’s finger, Ed asks: “D’you think people are made for each other?”
“Like fate?” Stede replies, voice warm like the sun spilling in through the windows, reaching across the floor to their love nest.
“Yeah.”
“I don’t know,” Stede says, sounding thoughtful, “... sometimes it feels as though that might be true. With you I mean.”
“Like we were meant to find each other?”
“Yes. I think we needed each other, when we met.”
Ed leans up on his elbow to look at him.
“And now. And like, maybe forever,” he shrugs, heart thrumming like hummingbird wings, “Y’know, if that’s what fate wants, sounds good to me.”
Stede smiles at him adoringly and Ed’s heart soars.
“Of course darling. The two of us. To the end.”