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Stede’s eyes flitted open, slowly blinking, adjusting to the dim light. He can just make out Ed, looming above him with a concerned expression plastered over his face.
“You alright mate? I heard you yelling my name so i came-“ Eds hands rest gently on Stede’s blanket clad arm.
The realization hits. Stede’s expression moves from his lackadaisically confused state to one of panic, his eyes widen as he grips the thin layer of blankets between them tightly in his fingertips.
“Oh no, I-I’m fine. Don’t worry about little old me” Stede manages to stammer unconvincingly, his eyes following Eds hand as it reaches up to gently rest on his forehead.
“Mate, you don’t look okay. Your face is all flushed and your sweating a lot. Have you got a fever?” The hand moves to caress his cheek.
Stede shivers.
“I’ll fetch you some tea stay right here” Ed starts to stand as Stede protests.
“Wait! No I-“
Ed turns back, eyes locking with Stede’s. His gaze is piercing. Stede shivers again.
“-I’m not sick. I appreciate the tea but-“
“But what?”
“I just- I- Oh bugger! It’s embarrassing.”
Ed moves in closer. The warmth radiating from his body causes Stede to perspire more. He averts his gaze while Ed remains locked in, studying his face curiously.
“What’s embarrassing Stede?”
Stede doesn’t respond, instead he continues to stare down at the quilt that still lies covering his body. Ed moves even closer, reaching his hand out once again, this time gently caressing under Stede’s chin.
This gesture is met with a sharp gasp, they once again gaze into each others eyes.
“Stede, you can tell me”
Emotion overcomes him as tears begin to slide gently down the gentleman pirates face. Never before this moment has he felt this genuine feeling that someone loves him, that someone wants to care for him. It’s overwhelming.
“Oh mate-“ Ed starts but is quickly cut off by Stede’s arms pulling him into a tight and desperate embrace.
They stay here for a whole minute. Stede’s tears thoroughly soaking the shoulder of Eds purple shirt. Ed moved from a state of tense surprise to relaxing into the hug. Gently he begins rubbing circles into Stede’s exposed back.
Breaking the silence Stede pipes up, his voice raw and broken from crying-
“-sorry”
“Nonsense mate. Nonsense. No need to be sorry. Now whats bothering you?”
Ed sits back a bit, arms still propped up behind his shoulders, half supporting him as Stede has gone somewhat limp.
Stede hiccups “It’s silly now”
“No. I’m sure it’s not. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to but I’m here for you mate. What’s wrong?” Ed brushes Stede’s hair back from his forehead then returns to caressing his cheek. Leaning in a little closer.
Stede can feel his heart beating through his chest. His eyes lock with Eds as his ears begin to ring. His hands suddenly feel clammy as his mind begins to race. All his self doubt begins to pour in.
‘Can this really be happening? He doesn’t deserve this. After everything how could he deserve this? This is the legendary Blackbeard for fucks sake. He’s just some sad man who abandoned his family because he was bored. How can he- how- why? Why me?’
He’s barely aware that his body has begun to tremble uncontrollably.
Ed pulls him in to a tighter embrace. After a few minutes his body begins to feel supported, then he begins to breathe steadier, the shaking fades out with his thoughts.
Once again overwhelmed by emotion, Stede daringly lifts his hand to cup the back of Ed’s neck.
Ed stares down briefly in shock, but then his eyes warm, glistening with tears they both tentatively move closer and closer until their lips collide.
Gentle at first, the kiss builds in passion as each gains more and more confidence. Hands begin to explore each others bodies. Stede reaching under Eds shirt, he traces the scars that riddle his skin, finding his way up to his nipples, grazing by them experimentally. This is met with an approving moan. Ed frantically pulls the blankets away moving more comfortably onto the bed, resting his body over Stede.
Stede pulls him in closer, continuing to deepen the kiss as his fingers dig deeply into Eds back.
Eds hands move rapidly across Stede’s chest, one adventuring lower to the waistband as the other snakes behind his neck, tussling his hair.
Ed breaks the kiss abruptly, panting heavily hungry for air.
“You good with all this?” He asks, the last bit of insecurity from Ed looms before them.
“Yes. God yes. A million times yes” Stede replies confidently. Ed grins wildly.
“Then lets get these layers off” he enthusiastically rips his shirt off over his head, and makes quick work of removing his leather pants, they hit the ground with a thunk. Fully nude now, he moves back to Stede, who is shamelessly studying his body.
“Like what you see?“
“Yes” Stede squawked, blushing slightly.
Ed grins, his fingers moving back to the waistband of Stede’s pants, slowly he pulls them down, allowing Stede’s very erect cock to pop free. Stede gasps as Ed blushes slightly. Smiling warmly, he moves back in to kiss Stede gently. Their bodies now pressed firmly together, they proceed to rock desperately against each other.
Their gasps and moans echo around them as Ed’s hand moves between their bodies, stroking both of their cocks which are now slick with pre-cum.
Stede’s hands frantically grasps at Ed’s back looking for something to grip, as Ed digs his face firmly into the crook of Stede’s shoulder moaning Stede’s name over and over.
“Ah Ed I!- I think- I think I’m going to-“ with that Stede comes over Eds hand.
Ed continues thrusting for a moment then follows in suit crying out then falling limp over his chest.
Both exhausted from emotion, they drift off to sleep
__________________
A couple hours pass and morning light pours across the room.
Stede and Ed remain in their bed, curled up next to each other, still very sticky from the night before.
Ed is the first to wake, he stares lovingly at Stede, quietly stroking his hair until he stirs, turning towards his lover, he blinks his eyes open slowly and smiles.
Ed eyes Stede curiously “So what was that all about before”
Stede, still very distracted in the afterglow of the night before, lazily turns his head more towards Ed. Smiling blissfully he questions “What?”
Ed gazes at him, lovingly amused “Why were you calling out for me last night- you know, before- all of this?”
“Oh that?-“ Stede looks up sheepishly, grinning from ear to ear. “I was having a really good dream-“