Chapter Text
Stede went about his day with Ed in his mind, was Ed going to throw the flowers away without even looking at the note? Or would he just show up only to reject stede more firmly?
Whatever the final decision was going to be, it was only an hour away.
__
Of course Ed was going to say yes for the date!
Stede was the first person in five years that actually made Ed want to be in a relationship! — of course he would never admit it out loud at the time.
Ed wore his long hair down, brushed and oiled, his natural curls coming through, dressed up the best he could, with a white shirt, blazer and a bow tie. He was juggling the decision between trousers and a long kilt style skirt. The fabric was heavy but it complimented his legs well. (He got it as a gift after a sexy photo shoot with a well-known designer.)
He wanted to be his best both looks and personality for Stede.
So he went with the skirt.
—
Stede had quickly gone to freshen up, washed his face and restyled his hair, he considered changing his clothes but there was no time so he settled for getting a fresh shirt and sprayed his favourite cologne. And rushed madly downstairs to his awaiting man.
—
Ed was standing at the entrance. He looked so lovely, the golden afternoon sun shining into his eyes, making them sweet like honey. Stede was enraptured, he could not believe this man had chosen him. Well he chose to go on a date with him— Stede decided not to fantasise beyond this, because it will crush him if it goes wrong.
“Ed! I’m— you’re here.” Stede gave him a wide eyed smile.
“Hello, Stede…” Ed said in a surprisingly timid voice, glancing at his boots. His skirt swayed in the wind.
Stede was wearing an almost matching shade suit to Ed’s. Just a lighter warmer grey, he lost his tie and wore a white shirt with the three first buttons undone.
Least to say Ed was also distracted. Stede paused for a second.
“I’m sorry about yesterday...” he started.
“It’s okay Stede, I was just upset. I'm sorry I upset you too. I know it’s not your fault… also thank you for taking care of me last night, it was nice eh….” Ed admitted and wriggled his hands behind his back. Like he was still searching for more things to say.
“Anytime!” And Stede really meant it. They smiled at each other sweetly before being nudged to the side by customers. They shuffled to a corner awkwardly. Both grinned awkwardly.
“Shall we head?”
“We shall.”
Ed hooked his arm around Stede’s elbow and they walked ahead. His hand squeezed the other’s arm in reassurance.
“I actually don’t know this area as well as others, do you have any suggestions-“ Stede stumbled
“Well, I was going to take you out to dinner, as a proper date.” Ed admitted. Stede raised his brow. Surprised. His cheeks tinted pink, suddenly not able to make eye contact.
“Were you?”
Ed nodded. His cheeks were equally as hot.
“Well, lead the way.” Stede grinned. Indescribable amount of joy washed over him. Ed grinned back at him. His breath caught in his throat.
As he led the way, he glanced at Stede, the image of his hair glowing in the sun and the smile he sent his way forever embedded in his mind.
__
Fortunately the restaurant was only two blocks away and so they arrived and were seated fairly quickly.
They smiled awkwardly at each other as the waiter poured them glasses of water.
“I assume you like the flowers?” Stede asked, a cheeky tone underlying his voice.
“Hmm..The lilies were nice but I guess I prefer peonies.” Ed said with a wink, obviously joking. Stede nodded, faking deep thought.
“I’ll note it for next time, anything else?”
“Well, I guess a box of chocolates could also do the trick.”
“Hmm, yes..” Stede pretended to write something on his hand.
“Or just… you, covered in chocolate.” That made Stede choke, Ed giggled. Stede smiled back, his cheeks even redder than they were before, he slightly covered his face with the menu in an attempt to calm down. Didn’t help that the extremely attractive man was brushing his foot along Stede’s leg. It made Stede shrink even more and if anyone accused him of squealing he would deny. (But oh man did he squeal.) Ed burst out a laugh, dropped his foot and grabbed the menu.
“Stede please,” Ed managed to squeeze through his laugh. His laugh was so infectious that even Stede started giggling.
After a moment Stede felt so easy in their banter, he felt like he shared this bubble with Ed, surrounded by his voice and his smell and his cute little giggle when something silly happens, like Stede clumsily knocking his fork over while speaking to the waitress, or Stede getting easily flustered.
They both ordered different dishes eventually, their excuse was so they could have a wider taste of the menu, but they both knew how much they liked being in the other’s space.
After the first bottle of wine Ed moved to sit by Stede’s side on the bench. His hand on the other’s thigh as they whispered in each other’s ears.
By the second bottle of wine Ed had the courage to ask Stede.
“Do you want to go home with me?” Ed whispered.
“Please.” Stede’s hopeful eyes staring back at him made him feel more confident in the suggestion.
—
They caught a taxi, ever since paying the bill they were connected with their hands on the other’s body, in the taxi Ed didn’t move his hand from Stede’s thigh, and Stede supported Ed’s weight as they got in and out of the car.
Ed guided Stede into his house, his house like any house in the area was tall at least three floors high, but unlike all the colourful houses his was white with black accents and security at the gate?
Stede looked around and realised he isn’t at the usual area, didn’t Ed say he was local? They didn’t drive long but they were certainly in a different neighbourhood. A much more expensive looking area.
Ed pulled Stede inside quickly, the man almost tripped and just as he caught himself from falling Ed pushed him against the closed door.
“Ed?”
“Can I kiss you?”
“Yes.”
Oh yes.
The first kiss was gentle, the wine still in their system making it a little clumsy, Ed caught Stede’s lip between his teeth and tugged lightly, drawing out a moan from Stede. His fingers clutching onto Ed’s jacket, the other’s leg between his. Brushing against his bulge, making him weak at the knees. Stede let go and his face in the other man’s neck.
“Ed please..” he begged quietly.
“More?”
“Yes please, Ed.”
“Okay, love.” Ed held Stede and guided him to the man’s bedroom, on the second floor.
Stede being completely enamoured in the man nearly tripped over the stairs at first, they laughed it off and continued into the master bedroom.
It wasn’t long until they were back in eachothers arms desperately pulling the clothes off the other, their lips locked throughout the motion. Ed slowly walked Stede backwards, until his legs bumped against the frame of the bed.
“Ed, wait,”
“Yes? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, I just— I thought I should let you know, I’ve never done this before.”
“Had sex?”
“—with a man…”
“It’s okay Stede, we’ll take it slow—“
“No! I don’t need to take it slow, but I just want you to know that I may not be as good as others.”
“That doesn’t matter Stede, I just want to be with you right now,” Ed grinned, holding Stede’s face in his hands, brushing his thumbs against the other’s cheeks.
“I promise whatever will happen, we’ll make each other feel good.” Ed ended it with a kiss, passionate enough to sweep Stede off his feet and onto the bed. Ed leaned above Stede on his elbows. He created a trail of kisses down to Stede’s open shirt, leaving soft marks.
Ed almost continued down to Stede’s trousers but he paused when he heard a sound come out of Stede, a noise that sounded suspiciously like a snore.
This cannot be happening.
“You fucking lunatic, freaking out and then falling asleep on me. Classic. I’m never letting you go.”