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“Are you sure I'm going to like this?" Ed asked, eyeing the ropes in Stede's hands again.
They were silk, vivid pink, he personally chose them for this, and Stede had been excited by his choice.
However, now, with Stede standing this close with the ropes in his hands, things were becoming too real. He could feel his heart beating fast.
Stede eyed him for a moment, calm and patient, and Ed loved him for that, for giving Ed something to hold on to.
“It’s a trust exercise,” Stede started, nodding and caressing the silk between his fingers. “Like I said, it’s okay if you don’t like it- truly is- but I’d like it for us to try.” He smiled, that reassuring turn of his lips that got Ed’s heart to beat slower every time. “And who knows? You might surprise yourself with the outcome.”
Unlikely, Ed thought with a grimace, but refrained from saying out loud. He would at least try. For Stede, but also for himself.
Ed didn’t know if he could trust anyone enough to tie him up, but he couldn’t say that the idea never floated around in his mind. And if anyone stood a chance, any chance, at getting him what he wanted, it was Stede.
He was glad Stede wanted the same thing.
He felt a new surge of excitement coming from his lower belly as Stede approached him where he laid in bed, one soft step at a time.
“Is it necessary to do it naked, though?” He blurted out, looking down at himself, naked already.
Stede paused. “It’s… not. But I’d prefer this way. Again: trust.” Stede grabbed Ed’s wrist and dragged his thumb softly against the inside of Ed’s wrist. The touch sent shivers down Ed’s body. “But if you’re not comfortable, it’s important you tell me so.”
Ed nodded, “Could you take yours off?”
“Would that make you more comfortable?” Stede asked, already going for this cravat.
“I think so,” he mumbled, feeling a bit exposed for having to ask. Stede complied, taking off piece by piece of his clothing without looking or sounding mad about it. Like he would gladly take his clothes off for Ed if it made him feel better. “I love you.” Ed blurted yet again, and maybe he should start policing his mouth better from now on, because this was becoming embarrassing.
Yet the radiant expression that appeared on Stede’s face the moment those words left his lips made him forget all about embarrassment.
“I love you, too.” Stede tilted his head to the side and gave Ed a quick kiss on the lips. “Are you sure you want to try this tonight? We can do it another time.”
And Ed loved Stede a bit more for that. “No, I’m ready.” To find that he meant it was a surprise even for him. He felt relaxed, more so now that Stede had bared himself too. He eyed the silk, now the only piece of cloth between them, and thought about the implications.
He could already imagine what it would feel like, having it drag against his skin.
“Remember: green to keep going, yellow to slow down, red to stop.” Stede waited until Ed nodded before continuing. “I’ll need you to always answer me vocally, do you understand?”
“Yes.”
"Good." Stede smiled. He was next to the bed now, hovering right next to where Ed's head laid on a pillow. "What's your colour?"
Ed frowned, "right now?"
"Yes, I'd like to know now, before we start."
Ed thought about it, tapped into his jumbled feelings of excitement and anticipation.
"Green."
"Good, really good." Stede said again, and it made something inside Ed bloom. "I'm going to tie you now, alright?"
Edward nodded.
"Your words, please," Stede prodded.
"Oh—uh, yeah, sure." Ed felt his face heating up.
"It's alright, Ed. You can make mistakes here." Stede emphasised by placing a hand on Ed's chest, a silent reassurance. Ed calmed beneath the touch. "I'll be here to catch you when it happens, my darling."
Ed let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding and smiled at Stede.
Stede would catch him.
Stede was here.
“Do you want your hands tied behind your back or on your chest?” Stede asked. The hand that still rested on Ed’s chest slowly moved towards Ed’s arms, never once breaking contact. The constant brush of Stede’s fingers on his skin felt like an anchor, keeping him in place, away from drifting too much.
“Chest, please.”
Stede let out a happy noise and brought Ed’s forearms together with a gentle, yet firm grip. He looped the silk rope once against Ed’s wrist and paused. His face was indiscernible under the dim candlelight, but Ed was sure he caught Stede’s eyes shining.
“Just as I thought,” he started, his voice a whisper, “pink looks gorgeous on you.”
Ed gasped and held himself back before he could do something stupid like preen over Stede’s words. His cheeks were aflame, but there was little he could do about it.
“I love it when you blush like this,” Stede commented, looping the rope another time against Ed’s wrists.
“Why d’you do it?” Ed heard himself asking.
Stede stopped everything all together and looked Ed in the eyes, searching for his discomfort. “Do what?”
“These… things you’re saying.” Ed averted his eyes. “It’s…”
It wasn’t that it was embarrassing, but frankly, Edward didn’t know how to feel whenever Stede said stuff like that. He wanted to squirm, but not in a bad way.
He never wanted Stede to stop.
“Does it bother you when I praise you?” Stede asked, laying Ed’s half tied arms back down on his chest. “I can stop if you want—”
“No, don't!" Ed added quickly before Stede got the wrong idea stuck in his head. "I don't… well, I suppose I just wanna know why."
"Why I praise you?"
"Yes."
"Because I like it, simple as that. And I like the look you get on your face when you think I'm not paying attention. Like you enjoy it but don't know how to ask for more, a smothered shiver, glossy eyes… seeing you like that… turns me on."
Ed moaned, surprised. He felt his cock twitch where it laid between his legs, but he didn't dare move, not when he had both hands half tied in silk rope, being pressed against his own chest by Stede.
"Are you done now? No more questions, darling?" His free hand caressed Ed's hair back before burrowing into it until his digits found Ed's scalp. He gently massaged it, and Ed felt all his tension melting.
"Yes, thank you."
"Good." Stede smiled proudly, and Ed felt his heart skipping a beat.
The hand on Ed’s hair slowly moved from his head, down his neck with the pressure of a feather. It slid from his arm to the ties on Ed’s wrists and this time Ed didn’t suppress the shiver when it came. He blushed when Stede hummed in appreciation.
Grabbing the rope again, Stede gently (yet firmly, always firm) wound it around Ed’s wrists until the rope was almost halfway through his forearm.
“You’re doing so good, baby.” Stede breathed out, delight clear in his voice.
“I am?” He blinked a few times. He didn’t think he’d done anything special aside from letting Stede wrap him like a gift.
“Don’t you believe me?” Stede asked back, not pausing as he turned the rope around and wounded it tight between Ed’s wrists, constricting Ed’s movements. He gasped at the pull of the rope and watched captivated as Stede worked the rope again and again between his wrists with deft fingers.
“I do.”
“So for now, you’ll only accept my compliments without doubting yourself. Are we clear?” Stede’s eyes bore into Ed, leaving him bare.
Ed nodded before correcting himself and adding, “Yes, Stede.”
“Good.” Stede brought Ed’s fingers to his face and kissed his knuckles, and the movement was so casually sweet compared to the knots around his wrists. “I just want to give you the best.”
“Alright.” Ed’s voice came out weak, but it was all the encouragement Stede needed to continue on with his task.
After he tied one final knot, he pressed Ed’s wrists back down against his chest and checked to see if they were too tight. They weren’t, it turned out, and Stede let out a happy noise.
“Can you try moving your arms for me, darling?” Stede asked in a low silky voice.
Ed did. He tried pulling at the ropes, getting free from it, but no matter what he tried, the rope didn’t budge. A moan surprised him by falling from his lips.
“Tell me, how does it feel?” Stede laid his hand on top of Ed’s lower belly. The pressure and the heat of his hand blinded his mind for a beat.
“It feels…good. It’s weird, it shouldn’t…” Ed struggled to explain. By all means being tied up with no way of freeing himself on his own should have made him panic, not relax into it. But Stede was there, looking at him with kind eyes, touching him with gentle hands. “I feel safe. It’s weird.”
“It means it’s working. I’m glad.” Stede caressed his thumb against the set of scars on Ed’s left flank absentmindedly, smiling down at him with pure admiration in his eyes. “What’s your colour?”
“Green.”
“I’m going to continue now, then.” And with another rope, lengthier than the last one, Stede started wrapping Ed’s shoulders. It felt a bit cold against his chest, but soon that chillness dissipated and all Ed could focus on was the pressure it brought.
Stede was almost on top of him now as he worked on interlocking diamonds on the centre of his chest, going down his body. He was completely focused, his furrowed brows a testament to how serious Stede was about this, and Ed could watch him like this forever.
Every graze of Stede’s fingers against his naked torso sent a new electric wave through his body, the flirtatious touches tempting and making Ed crave more. His head was swimming, dense with the feelings Stede was providing him. It was intoxicating, the lull of him working on Ed’s body with such delicacy, such love, it left Ed dizzy.
“Look at you,” Stede said once his movements ceased, voice cotton soft. “So beautiful. The rope suits you.” He pulled on it, and Ed felt his entire body being constrained by the silk rope. He couldn’t move his arms anymore, as they were glued to his sides under the careful administration of Stede’s work. Stede pulled again, this time firmer, and it left Ed breathless. “Do you like it?”
“I do.”
Stede hummed and nodded, “Good, I’m so glad.” He cupped Ed’s jaw. “You’re doing so great, so good to me.”
Ed felt dazed as he preened at Stede’s words. He kissed Stede’s palm, nuzzling it like a cat asking for pets. He felt no shame, there was no reason to feel it: Stede was there, Stede wouldn’t mind it.
In fact, he watched as Stede’s eyes grew darker with desire. His breath hitched when Ed kissed his palm again, this time poking his tongue out.
“You don’t know what you do to me,” Stede breathed out, moving his hand so he captured Ed’s bottom lip with his thumb. “You drive me crazy.”
Ed moaned, his eyelids growing heavier. “I do?”
“Yes.” Stede hunched forward and captured Ed in a kiss. He licked Ed’s lips until they parted, letting Stede lavish him with his tongue and lips. His eyes fell closed and he moaned when he felt the ropes stopping him from moving.
Stede’s hands found his body, and he pulled at the ropes sharply, making Ed shiver and jerk his hips up. He gripped Ed’s side and groaned as the kiss deepened.
“Stede, please,” Ed let out, desperately. “I need you.”
“I’m here, baby.” Stede said against Ed’s neck before he bit down, and Ed gasped at the unexpected pain. His eyes criss-crossed, and he couldn’t move, and it only added to the pleasure going straight to his cock, which by now was throbbing and straining against his hips.
His entire body was trembling, his mind was foggy.
“Colour?” Stede murmured, kissing and licking the spot he bit.
“Uh,” Ed panted, shifting his hips wildly as he chased any kind of friction. “Please.”
“Edward.” Stede’s voice was firmer now. “What’s your colour, darling?”
“It’s green.” He shivered as Stede moved away from him. “Where are you going?” He tried not to sound panicked.
A moment later Stede was back at touching him, cupping his shoulders and caressing his hair.
“I’m not going anywhere, I’m here.” Stede kissed his forehead. “I just got worried for a moment, everything’s good. You’re good.”
Ed whimpered at that.
“You like being called good, don’t you?” Ed could only nod. “Because you are. So good, so good to me.”
Ed choked out a moan as Stede wrapped a hand loosely around his cock, squeezing the head once before resting by the base. Ed’s hands struggled against the ties in a failed attempt to get his own hands around himself. Instead of that, Ed pressed his hips against the mattress before thrusting up on Stede’s hand, and he let out a shaky breath at the pleasure it brought.
“Say it.” Stede kissed the bruise on Ed’s neck, squeezing his hand around Ed just a fraction. “Say it back to me.”
Ed hesitated, and felt his face heating up.
The hand around his cock suddenly disappeared and Ed let out a displeased noise.
“Say it, love,” Stede ordered, his stern voice driving Ed mad.
“I-uh.” He bit his lips.
“You can do it,” Stede encouraged, his hand once more finding Ed’s head and scratching his scalp, “you’re very brave.”
Ed almost purred at the grounding feeling of Stede’s fingers, his heart fluttering at Stede’s praises. “I’m good.” He mumbled quickly before he could think too much about it.
He was rewarded with a hand to his crotch, just over his pubic hair. He let out a frustrated groan.
“Louder, please.” Stede pulled on his hair a bit, making his breath hitch.
“Stede-” he started but Stede cut him off with a sharp pull of his hair, arching his neck back.
“I’m asking nicely, Ed. Don’t make me force you.”
And Stede acting so dominant and powerful shouldn’t have made Ed even harder, but it did. He cursed and struggled against the knots, completely at the mercy of Stede’s hands.
“I’m good,” he said louder. “I’m good, Stede.”
“Yes, you are. Good job.” He smiled proudly and wrapped his hand around Ed again, pulling a sharp breath from Ed. “One more time.”
“I’m good,” Ed moaned, arching his back from the mattress as Stede sped up. There were tears in his eyes now, his vision was blurry, but all he knew was the hot pleasure pooling in his lower belly as he fucked Stede’s hand in time with his hand.
“You’re so good,” Stede agreed before kissing him.
He came with a mewling groan, captured between Stede’s lips. His body spasmed at the force of his orgasm and Stede’s hand, still working him. Stede kissed his cheeks, and he noted for the first time how wet they felt.
When he blinked again, Stede was straddling his hips, his own hand around himself, moving at a fast pace. He had his eyes fixed on Ed, running from his chest, wrapped in pink silk, to his face, and a series of short moans fell from his lips.
Ed felt his cock jerking in a valiant attempt at getting hard again. If Ed hadn’t just come a couple of moments ago, this would have tipped him off. Stede looked so wrecked, his cheeks and ears red, his mouth slack. It was one of the most beautiful things Ed had ever seen.
“You’re so beautiful,” he told Stede, and it must have been all he needed because a moment later Stede was moaning and coming all over Ed’s chest. His thighs were trembling against Ed’s sides, so he collapsed down on the free space in the bed.
Ed didn’t know how long they stayed there only breathing, his mind still a bit foggy and slow, but he didn’t mind it, there was no reason for it. Stede was with him, pressing by his side, and with that in mind Ed almost drifted into sleep.
“Darlin, stay awake for me, please.” Stede breathed out, and he sat cross legged next to Ed. “I’m going to take the ropes off now, okay?”
Ed nodded.
“Words, please. It’s not over yet.”
“Alright, Stede.”
And so Stede began untying him. He started with the hands, holding them close to him as he gently pulled on the knots. He kissed the inside of each of Ed’s wrists once they were freed, murmuring soft nothings into his skin.
“You did so good for me, so good, Ed.” His lips dragged against Ed’s sore skin, but they felt nice.
He placed Ed’s hands stretched out by his sides to help with the blood flow before starting on the other rope. Stede never let Ed close his eyes as he was untied, always watching Ed’s reactions closely, kissing his torso and his chest as he freed it from the ropes.
“Thank you for this,” he said against a set of scars on Ed’s torso, kissing them softly, reverently. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Ed managed to say, fighting against the sleepiness that had a hold on him. His limbs were all heavy now; his eyes, drooping.
Stede turned Ed on his side once he got all the ropes off and cleaned them with a damp cloth. He spooned Ed from behind, holding him close, resting his hands on Ed’s chest and tangling their legs together. Ed let out a content sigh and melted right into the embrace.
They would deal with the dirty silk ropes come morning.