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Ed was in a bad mood. Stede noticed as soon as Ed walked through the door to the captain's quarters, slamming it shut with more force than necessary. The chandelier jingled and Stede looked up from his book.
“Oh, you’re here! Finally, back from the raid. What took you so long?”
Ed grumbled something unintelligible, and landed on the sofa with a heavy sigh.
Stede eyed him thoughtfully. His jaw was tense, and he was tapping his foot non-stop. In a few moments, Stede tried again.
“I’ve saved you some dinner if you’re hungry. It’s prawn curry, your favorite. And there is delicious fresh bread to go with that apricot marmalade for dessert,” he said, as gently as possible.
“Not hungry,” Ed’s fists were still clenched, and his eyes were shooting daggers. But at least he replied.
Stede left the comfy armchair to sit beside Ed on the sofa, itching to put a reassuring hand on his thigh, or at least give him a pat on the shoulder.
He wanted to ask what was wrong, but he was afraid he would be overstepping, or making it worse. Instead, he gave Ed space to fume some more. And soon enough, Ed let out a breath, and turned to Stede.
“I want to fucking stab him sometimes,” Ed confessed. “But that will prove the point.”
“Izzy?” Stede nodded knowingly. “Now, what did he do this time?”
“When we were raiding that Portuguese ship, he made a whole scene of how I had to kill their captain. To show them who Blackbeard was. But those guys were just merchants, and they didn’t do anything wrong. They weren’t even defending themselves, for fuck’s sake! We robbed their spices, and got some oils and flour and shit like that, and that was it. I really don’t fucking know how killing would’ve helped.”
“So you…?”
“I didn’t do it. Just shouted and threatened. Threw a knife, you know. The usual. Yes, the legend of Blackbeard has to live on. But I’m getting so fucking tired of it, Stede.”
Ed leaned back and rested his head on the edge of the sofa. He looked pained. Stede could just reach out and touch him, he was so close. He filed that thought for later. Instead, he said:
“I know. You told me on the first day we met.”
That made Ed look up and stare at Stede with pleading eyes.
Stede suddenly recalled that exact same expression directed at him, only from someone much younger. Much, much younger. Inspiration struck him and he smiled.
“Do you want to do something crazy?”
He noticed Ed’s tentative, matching smile underneath that unruly beard, as he tried to figure Stede out.
“Yeah,” Ed huffed out finally, and his eyes sparkled with the promise of something new.
“Very good then, let’s cheer you up!”
***
Ed found himself wearing only his breeches and a soft red robe. It had all these flowers and birds and pretty stuff on it. Stede had left him the robe and said he’d be preparing some sort of surprise in the main room, so he’d better change.
Ed fussed with the knee brace, and managed to remove it. Often he couldn’t be arsed to take it off even to sleep, and he’d wear it with the leather pants for days, until he began to stink. It’s only lately, when he got to know Stede, he started noticing how great it felt to be fresh and smell good, and to sleep with comfort. Now he enjoyed brushing his hair, and doing all sorts of hairstyles. He realized how much prettier his nails looked without grime underneath. How good it was to take a shower and rub oils into his skin.
He also started trimming the beard, and keeping it neat and styled (the first time Stede showed him how to do it, and it was agony — Stede’s fingers all over his skin, touching him so gently, his face so close, his breath warming Ed’s cheeks).
Izzy thought he’d mellowed, but the truth was, Ed loved who he was becoming thanks to Stede.
With tentative fingers, he touched the red robe, and felt the silk caress his skin. It was like a damn hug, and made him feel vulnerable and open. Surprisingly, it wasn’t a bad feeling.
Ed stood there, looking at himself in the mirror and truly seeing himself for the first time. Not Blackbeard, not the Kraken, not whatever bullshit was written about him in the fucking books. Just Edward Teach, staring back at him.
He got so lost in thoughts, he didn’t know how much time passed until Stede’s voice behind the door startled him.
“Ed, are you ready? Close your eyes!”
“Why?”
“Just close them! Did you do it?”
“Yeah,” Ed closed his eyes, feeling like an absolute madman. Blackbeard, the most fearsome pirate of the seven seas, was reduced to a half-naked state, and made to shut his eyes. Oh, the things he did for Stede.
“Good. Don’t peek! I’ll notice if you’re peeking!”
The door creaked open. Stede walked in, and took Ed’s hand.
Ed sucked in a breath at the sudden contact, feeling the tingling warmth spreading from his hand all over his body. He followed Stede into the living room.
***
Stede took Ed’s hand, and his heart sped up its rhythm, even though he wasn’t sure why. Probably because it was such a silly idea, and he was unsure if Ed would like it. So far, Ed liked all of his silly ideas, and has been nothing if not extremely enthusiastic about his whimsical hobbies. But this time, who knew?
Ed’s hand was warm and soft, even with the callouses, and why was Stede even noticing such things? He tried not to think too much about that. Slowly, he led Ed out of the auxiliary closet, and made him stand right in the middle of the room. He let go of his hand then, and briefly noticed how Ed tried to follow it on instinct, his eyes still obediently closed. Then Stede gently turned him to face his creation. He leaned closer, and whispered:
“Now you can look.”
***
At those words directed right in his ear, Ed shivered all over. He slowly opened his eyes, taking in whatever lunacy Stede prepared this time.
Apparently it was a bunch of pillows, curtains, blankets, and towels.
“Do you like it?” Stede asked breathlessly.
“What is it?”
“It’s a blanket fort! A fort made of blankets. Well, and other things. Pillows, rugs, and…”
Stede babbled on, but his explanation didn’t make any sense. Ed looked closely, and tried to see a fort, and sure, it did sort of resemble a construction. There were certainly blankets that could, in some way, be interpreted as walls. Also, there were pins and knots and rope holding all those pieces of cloth together in a curious way. But a fort?
“A fort?”
“Yes! You climb inside of it, and it turns into a safe little haven,” Stede gestured excitedly, in a typically Stede-like way.
“You’re mental. A fort like this would be destroyed in seconds.” Ed shook his head, “There is no moat even.”
“Oh, Ed, it’s metaphorical, of course! Come on, I’ll show you. It’s more exciting inside, I promise.”
Stede took another big pillow and laid it at Ed’s feet. Then he guided Ed to gently kneel on it, and shuffle forward. Ed’s eyes widened at such consideration. It would’ve hurt like a bitch to crawl on his knees against the wooden floor, and the fact that Stede remembered his injury and got a specific pillow, so Ed wouldn’t get hurt…
His heart was beating out of his chest at how thoughtful Stede was, so he didn’t even notice how Stede lifted the curtain and made Ed crawl into the small space of the blanket fort.
Once inside, Ed’s breath caught in his throat. It felt like he suddenly appeared in the belly of an exotic, yet tiny, palace. There were a few lanterns illuminating the seating area with the cushions. Stede managed to hang a line of cut out stars, and pinned a few flowers to the ceiling. The rug under Ed’s knees was the softest thing he’s ever touched. Everything was perched up on a few chairs that made the base for the fortification, so that the height of the fort reached just above their heads, making the space feel tight and cozy.
This was absolutely bonkers. No wonder rich people were so insane. Using pillows and blankets for this, instead of sleeping. But Ed couldn’t blame them. It was just a few things stuck together, but somehow the atmosphere was completely different, and he was starting to understand the appeal of this fort thing.
Stede was looking at him expectantly, and his whole self was so close, invading Ed’s personal space in the best way. Yes, his favorite thing about this fort, Ed decided, was that there was barely enough room for two grown men, and when they settled down on the cushions, Stede’s arm was flushed against his. They were half-sprawled in a cozy seating area, and Ed’s mind was spinning. It was like a little universe just for them. There was only a little crack between the blankets that hinted that there had to be something outside. But right now, the rest of the world didn’t matter one bit to Ed.
“So, what do you think?”
Stede was still looking at him, anxiously now.
“This is… Just…,” Ed was lost for words. He hoped Stede could sense how stunned he was.
“Isn’t it great here? Like our own little world,” Stede murmured, echoing Ed’s earlier thoughts.
“Yes, exactly!”
“And it’s easy to make, just lay down a few rugs, a few pillows here and there. Perch blankets on the armchairs. A couple of lanterns, some decorations!”
Ed just stared at it, then at Stede, who rambled on excitedly. He was so happy to be sharing something he loved with Ed, had been from the first day they met. It was exactly this enthusiasm and openness that made Ed absolutely defenseless to his charm.
Ed noticed that Stede was also wearing a thin yellow robe to match his red one, and his golden locks shone perfectly in the light of the lanterns. Ed couldn’t bear to look at him for one more second, afraid that his soul would set aflame with how much love he had for this silly little man. Where did Stede Bonnet come from, and how did he manage to turn his whole world upside down in just a few weeks?
It seemed like time slowed down, and soon they were sitting in comfortable silence, enjoying just being in the blanket fort.
“Made you completely forget why you were angry, right?” Stede asked softly, bumping his shoulder against Ed’s.
“Yeah, it did.” Ed said, amazed. He wasn’t sure why he was so mad in the first place, “I love it here. And this is your idea? This fort thing?”
“Well, blanket forts are quite a common thing, if you have kids. At least my kids adored playing in them,” Stede said, with a touch of sadness in his voice.
“Oh,” Ed looked at him, perplexed. Stede never mentioned having kids before. Or any family. Or a wife or any mistress. You’d need one of those to have kids, right?
Before Ed could ask any further, his stomach rumbled audibly.
Stede gave him a disapproving look, and without a word climbed out of the fort. Ed then saw a little silver tray getting shoved through the opening. Stede pushed it forward to reveal Ed’s dinner on it, then crawled in with a bottle of wine, and two glasses.
“Good thing I’ve saved you food! Without me, you’d starve to death,” Stede said.
“Thank you, mate,” Ed murmured, taking the lid off the bowl to find delicious curry inside. There were pieces of naan that Ed grew to love. And also there was regular bread and marmalade and a selection of cheeses. Never in his life has he eaten as fancy as he has in the past month, and he couldn’t wait to discover what other mind-blowingly tasty stuff Stede could show him. Life seemed so boring and monotonous before, but now there seemed to never be enough of things he could explore, together with Stede.
They settled down against the cushions, and Ed dove into the curry. It was still warm, and deliciously spicy just the way he liked it, and he enjoyed how nourishing it was. He must’ve been eating it with such a deep expression of pleasure on his face that Stede grabbed a piece of naan and dipped it in Ed’s curry, stealing his food. Ed didn’t mind, he briefly thought he kind of loved that cheeky side of Stede. He went as far as feeding Stede a juicy prawn from his fork, trying not to stare too much at how Stede opened his mouth and closed his eyes, how he made a satisfying sound around Ed’s fork as he swallowed the food down.
Stede then poured them both some wine, which, Ed had recently realized, was also a good drink, and he wasn’t ashamed to admit it after a lifetime of heavy alcohol. It still made his head buzz pleasantly, and filled him with warmth, and all without the devastating next morning consequences.
“So you have children?” Ed dared to ask, as Stede spread the marmalade on the bread.
Then he recalled the bedtime stories. And how Stede always encouraged the crew to do arts and crafts. And how he knew all their names, and what they liked. And the way he cared for them, when they got injured… Well, Stede was a proper dad, wasn’t he? The thought strangely made something inside of Ed melt.
“Yes, two. A girl and a boy,” Stede sighed, and there went that sadness again.
“But you’ve decided to become a pirate?”
“I do love my kids. But the life I led was unbearable. It wasn’t who I wanted to be. So I had to leave them, and my wife. I needed to find a new me, to find some excitement.”
“Got plenty of that at sea.” Ed said easily, and opened his robe slightly to gesture at his stab scar on his stomach. He thought he saw Stede blush a bit, but maybe he imagined it in the warm light of the fort.
They chuckled together.
Maybe it was the wine, or maybe it was the atmosphere of being in that closed off space together, but Stede continued talking, and Ed held his breath, listening more about this wonderful man who has managed to bewitch him in just a few weeks. He realized that Stede never told him much about himself, or of his past life, and he took to each new detail with great interest.
“...I always felt like there was a void inside of me, and I couldn’t fill it with anything. I had a feeling that the sea would cure me. I love it more and more each passing day. Now that you’re teaching me to be a proper pirate, I feel like I’m on the right path! Everything feels right now, you know?”
And Ed agreed silently. Everything felt right, here in this fort, eating food, being together. But then, his mind wandered again to Stede’s kids.
“So you were married?” Ed asked.
“Ah, well. Yes, unfortunately,” Stede looked at his hands. They had a few rings, but the ring finger was bare on both of them.
“Unfortunately?”
“It was an arranged marriage, for financial reasons. We were stuck in this situation without a say in it. Mary didn’t love me either.” Stede rubbed the nape of his neck in embarrassment, “Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids. But I think Mary wasn’t my person.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, it must've been shit,” Ed took another gulp of the wine, and wondered what he’d do if he was the one stuck with a wife and kids. The thought was completely strange to him. He certainly couldn’t judge Stede for leaving.
“You see, Ed, maybe it was silly of me, but I hoped… Well, I hoped I could marry for love,” Stede shifted closer to him, and his eyes were bright and big and Ed felt himself flush. He looked exactly like he did that night on the deck, when Ed lost his mind, and almost succumbed to his heart’s wishes, almost threw all caution to the wind and leaned closer to kiss Stede…
“Pirates marry for love, sometimes,” Ed said, his voice deep, nervousness tingling inside of him.
“They do?”
“Yep. Pirates’ lives are short, so it’s also a handy way to leave your stuff to someone you love.”
“Someone I love…” Stede said wishfully, and stared at his own glass of wine.
The tension was so thick, Ed could cut it with a knife. He felt the hairs on his arm stand up. His stomach was twisting itself in nervous knots, he thought he might pass out. At the same time, Ed knew that he had to seize his chance now. There was no reason to be such a coward, not when the moment was so perfect, not when Stede was the one who made this amazing fort thing to cheer him up, and saved him dinner, and smiled at him, and talked about love with such big earnest eyes…
With slightly trembling hands, Ed went to put the tray closer to the tent’s exit and out of the way, but suddenly felt a sharp pain piercing through his knee.
“Ouch, ow,” Ed groaned, hands immediately reaching for the injured spot. He yanked the breeches higher up his thigh to get right to the skin and pressed both thumbs to his knee to relieve the sharp pain.
“Oh, Ed,” Stede’s hand was on his immediately. “Let me.”
Ed was so stunned by Stede’s reaction that he simply watched, as Stede started massaging his pain spot with just the right amount of pressure.
“Am I doing this right?”
“Yeah, you are,” Ed blushed again, because Stede’s hand was there, right on his knee, so close to his thigh, and Stede was so oblivious to how his hands were all over Ed’s leg, so close to a part of him that was getting a little bit too interested in all these touching and proximity.
“Tell me when you’ll feel better,” Stede asked, and Ed briefly thought ‘Never, just keep going’.
It was pure torture, worse than the cat o’ nine tails, worse than walking the plank, worse than skinning someone alive. Stede’s warm hands on his leg, and his golden curls right in Ed’s line of sight, his sweet scent enveloping Ed whole. He was so close, and Ed was about to pass out. He had to say something so Stede wouldn’t realize how fast he was breathing.
“So what, what do you do in these, ah, these blanket forts usually?” Ed mumbled, while his brain supplied, ‘grope each other?’.
“Oh, we’d usually do whatever the kids wanted. I used to read them stories. Sometimes we’d braid hair and paint nails, but Alma wasn’t really into that. I feel like I was more into that to be honest, ha, isn’t that silly?” Stede smiled fondly at the memory, a little bashful.
“No, not at all. It’s sweet.” Ed replied immediately, and noticed how Stede’s massaging rhythm faltered momentarily.
“Do you think your family misses you?” Ed asked again, because apparently being in a blanket fort meant that questions wouldn’t stop pouring out of him. Maybe it was another magical thing about being in this thingy. It felt like all the words they said would be contained in this secluded space, just for them to say and hear.
“Oh, Ed. I don’t think so,” Stede bit his lip. “I’m sure they’re better off without me.”
“Don’t say that.” Ed said, his reaction instantaneous.
“Why?” Stede’s hands stopped, but he didn’t take them away.
He absolutely didn’t take them away. And now they were burning a spot on Ed’s thigh.
“No one is better off without you,” Ed said. Before Stede could scoff, or otherwise dismiss those words, Ed took the risk. “I’m not.”
“What are you saying?” Stede flushed a pretty pink color, his eyes flickered to Ed’s lips and then up to his eyes. His hands were still there, laying on Ed’s knee, so warm and inviting. It was driving Ed insane.
“You… Make my life better,” Ed said, reaching out his own trembling hand to cradle Stede’s face. His heart was beating so wildly, and he felt like he’s never been more afraid in his entire life, not when he was in that deadly storm, not when there was a mutiny brewing on his ship, not when he was under the attack of the English navy. But he had to do it, it was now or never. It felt like his whole being depended on it.
He saw Stede suck in a breath, saw his eyes widen. He watched Stede’s smallest expressions closely, just to be sure. And then. Finally. Leaned in.
***
The next moment, Ed’s hand was cradling his face, and Ed’s lips pressed against Stede’s.
It shocked him to his very core, but soon Stede kissed Ed back, adjusting to the insistent and warm pressure. He had never kissed anyone with a beard before, it was so soft and warm where it tickled his face. He kissed and kissed, awkwardly pressing their lips together, marveling at how right it felt, until he was slightly breathless.
“You make my life better too,” Stede said finally against Ed’s lips, like it was a revelation. Because it was to him, at that moment. He realized it together with Ed’s world-shifting kiss. He felt giddiness filling him to the brim. He’s never been so simultaneously happy and flustered. Didn’t know where to put his hands that were, he now became aware, groping Ed’s thigh. He just knew that he never wanted them to leave Ed’s body.
So he shakily put them on Ed’s hips, and held him there, leaning into another kiss. Ed’s lips tasted like wine, and sea salt, and he smelled irresistible. Stede kissed him more, and Ed opened his mouth and licked at Stede’s lips, urging him to open up, and let him in. Stede did, surrendering to the sensation. Ed shifted closer to him, his robe falling even more open to reveal all of his torso and stomach…
And suddenly there was a tinkling noise as Ed knocked over his wine glass.
“Oh shit, man. It’s gone all over your fancy blankets.” Ed groaned.
“Who gives a crap?” Stede laughed, and insistently made Ed face him again, kissing him some more. It must’ve been one hell of a good kiss if Stede suddenly stopped caring about ruining fabric, but in that moment he absolutely didn’t care.
“Eager, huh?” Ed mumbled against Stede’s lips, and there was a smug smile on his face that Stede adored.
“I just, uh, I never knew that it could feel so good” Stede breathed out, like a secret meant to be shared only in blanket forts. There was a joyous sparkle in his eyes.
“Me neither,” Ed confessed, and Stede noticed that he was blushing, he was honest to god blushing like a teenager under that beard of his.
“Really?”
“Really-really. You’re something else, Stede,” Ed nuzzled at his neck a bit, kissed the warm skin there, and inhaled his scent some more. It was all so new and exciting, Stede felt like the entire universe stopped existing. It was just them, in this secluded place, and nothing else mattered except Ed kissing him with such reverence.
“You smell so good,” Ed growled against Stede’s ear, making him shiver.
“You too,” Stede murmured in return, and pulled the robe completely off Ed’s shoulders. “You’re so, so gorgeous, Ed.”
At that, Ed’s hands sneaked inside his robe too, touching the bare skin of his chest. His touches were so incredibly gentle against Stede’s overheated skin. Stede was barely breathing, impossibly turned on. He felt like a wall broke down, a wall to a room, no, a whole mansion of mind-blowing feelings and sensations that Stede never knew he could experience.
“What would you like to, uhm, do?” Ed asked.
“I don’t have any experience Ed, so, uh, I’ll gladly do anything,” Stede felt himself growing nervous and eager. He never thought it would be a possibility for him to explore this side of desire, never even thought he might experience it so intensely. He wanted so much, but at the same time had no idea what he was doing, and it made him even more nervous.
“How the hell did you make two kids, then?” Ed laughed, and Stede laughed too, though it should have been a sore topic. But everything felt so easy and natural with Ed.
“To tell you the truth, well, it was never about pleasure, that,” Stede confessed finally, “Never like this,” he put a hand on Ed’s chest, right under the hawk tattoo, and felt his fast heartbeat.
***
Stede’s hand was still on his chest, and Ed couldn’t help but reach for Stede’s lips again.
He was never a fan of kissing, what with his beard. And people wanting him to be rough and quick, and get to the point, not realizing that kissing could be the point in itself.
There were tears stuck in his throat with how much he was feeling. How much his brain was reeling that this was finally happening, Stede’s soft lips against his, not a feverish dream, but his reality. And it felt like sex has never been about pleasure for him too, not until this moment. It was just about satisfying a physical need, or playing with power. It was never intimate touches, never a body he desired and cherished illuminated by lanterns, never soft confessions and smiles, never pleasant nervousness melting away little by little under his lover’s careful touches.
Stede’s noises against his lips, his fluttering eyelashes, his little breaths of excitement and arousal against his lips were the sexiest things he’s ever experienced.
Ed wanted to devour him, but at the same time, he wanted this night to last forever, to take it as slowly as possible. Stede was kissing him so sweetly that Ed was melting in his arms. They kissed some more, until their limbs got stiff in the awkward angle, and Ed gently guided Stede to get closer, sit on top of him, urged him to climb into his lap, knees either side of his hips. Stede had to crouch impossibly close to him so as not to knock at the ceiling of the blanket fort, so Ed sprawled backwards a bit, and now Stede was lying half of top of him, their chests touching.
He tugged at Stede’s robe like it personally offended him and finally Stede took it off completely, and appeared in front of Ed in all his topless glory. Ed must’ve stared a bit too long, or made a weird noise, because suddenly Stede was crossing his arms on his chest, looking sideways. Ed didn’t hesitate one moment to reach for his arms and uncross them.
“Love your tits, mate,” Ed growled, before diving into Stede’s chest.
“My what?” Stede seemed genuinely perplexed, which quickly turned into an expression of bliss, as Ed started licking at his left nipple, sucking it wet and hard, at the same time giving his attention to the other one, rubbing it with his fingers.
“You never played with them?” Ed managed, in between licks, teasing Stede.
“I fucking should’ve,” Stede said, and Ed laughed at that reaction. It turned out it was so easy and fun to laugh with someone during sex, but Ed has never experienced that in his whole life.
“You too, want to… Want to do this to you,” Stede mumbled, as his fingers reached for Ed’s chest, cupping his pecks, touching him more insistently. With inhumane effort, Ed slowed down a bit, letting Stede touch and explore.
“I want you to tell me the story about each of these, and I want to remember them,” Stede said, tracing his fingers over Ed’s tattoos, studying them, as Ed’s heart swelled. Then he flicked a finger at Ed’s nipple experimentally, watched it harden with childlike fascination, while Ed looked at him, amused.
“You like that?” Ed asked, and watched Stede blush. God, the filth he wanted to say to make Stede blush even more, make him moan, make him scream.
His cock was at half-mast, and twitching at Stede’s mostly innocent touches. Ed couldn’t help himself, his hands traveled down Stede’s body, stroking the soft skin of his belly, tangling in the light hair of his happy trail.
“Oh, I can see that you do,” Ed giggled, pointing at how hard Stede was in his breeches, the sight of it utterly filthy and delicious. Ed really needed to get his hands on Stede, as soon as possible.
Ed thrust up grinding their cocks together through the fabric, and maybe it was a bit too fast, because Stede let out some sort of embarrassing yelp, and knocked over a lantern with his foot.
“Sorry, sorry, ah,” Stede scrambled off of him, to fix the light.
Ed took the opportunity to shuffle forward and hug Stede from behind, pressing a few reassuring kisses on his shoulders.
“Hey, relax. Don’t be nervous. I’m not going to do anything you don’t want to, okay?”
“Okay,” Stede breathed out, relaxing in Ed’s arms, “It’s just… It’s all so much, Ed.”
“I know, I know, love,” Ed gently kissed at his neck, as his hands sneaked under Stede’s arms, enveloping his middle, “We can take it slow.”
***
Love, Ed called him love. Ed’s hands were hugging him, Ed’s lips were kissing his neck and shoulders, his beard stroking softly against Stede’s skin. And it felt so easy. Just like breathing.
Stede felt like he might explore from so much love. It felt like he’s never been so aroused in his whole life. He briefly remembered how he had to take himself in hand to reach this state manually whenever he and Mary were trying for a baby, and how shameful and less of a man he had felt in those moments.
He has never felt like more of a man now, when Ed’s hand was stroking down his stomach tentatively, towards the obvious bulge in his too-tight breeches.
“Can I touch you? I want to make you feel good,” Ed whispered in his ear from behind, and Stede felt like he might reach his peak right then and there.
Stede felt lost for words, so he took Ed’s hand in his own and put it on himself. Even through layers of fabric, he couldn’t believe how good it felt to have another man’s hand on his hard length.
“God, Stede,” Ed groaned, pressing closer into him, and Stede felt Ed’s hard cock against his lower back, “You’re so fucking hot.”
He was kissing behind Stede’s ear, and his hand was palming him messily, and Stede needed more, he needed more right that instant. He didn’t know where this energy came from. Just a minute prior he was so nervous, and messy, and maybe he still was, but now he felt the sharp desire overpowering him.
Stede managed to turn around in the tiny space of the fort, and reached for the buttons of his breeches, undoing them with more haste than effect.
He was so mad at the elaborate buttons, that he totally missed how Ed smiled at him, amused, and reached for his own breeches too. When Stede finally managed to take them off, he made an unconscious silly victory noise, folded them, and put them neatly on top of one of the chairs that served as a fortification. When he returned his gaze, he saw that Ed was sprawled on the pillows, completely naked, now stroking his own cock and looking at Stede with unhidden lust.
“Oh,” Stede was aware how painfully hard he was too. He wanted to hide, but at the same time he felt exhilarated and free, for the first time naked and unashamed and aroused together with someone who clearly wanted him so much.
“Come here, love,” Ed said, and Stede obeyed. Finally, he was in Ed’s arms, but in the haste of shuffling forward, he landed his knee in the marmalade spread.
“Shit, I can’t seem to get it right,” Stede covered his face in his hands, a wave of embarrassment prickle at his skin. Here he was, naked together with the most gorgeous man he’s ever seen in his whole life, and he had to make such a fool of himself.
“Hey, none of that,” Ed said through giggles. “You’re doing everything right.”
“I got marmalade on my knee, Ed, you can’t possibly say…”
Ed took Stede’s face in his hand and cut him off with an insistent kiss, until all those self-conscious words died down and Stede was kissing him back with abandon, moaning a little. They kissed until they were both breathless again, and Ed whispered against his lips, eyes half-lidded.
“See how hard I am for you?”
Stede then looked down, and realized he couldn’t take his eyes off Ed’s dick. It was so hard it curled towards Ed’s stomach, and there was precum leaking from the tip. Ed was stroking himself lazily with another hand, and it looked so scandalous, so pornographic, and the hottest thing Stede has ever seen in his life. He must’ve frozen in the spot, because soon Ed was nudging his nose against Stede’s cheek.
“Can I lick it off?” Ed asked, and it should’ve been a joke to alleviate the mood, but then it sort of wasn’t.
Stede took a hazy moment to realize he meant the marmalade, and nodded, curious.
Ed shifted downward with a mischievous expression on his face, and settled between Stede’s legs.
He started licking at his knee, eyes closed, looking like he was enjoying every drop of that delicious marmalade, and Stede felt himself shake a bit with anticipation. In the meantime, Ed was making some divine noises that were going straight to Stede’s dick.
When the knee was clean, Ed started leaving open-mouth kisses on his thigh, and god, who knew that this could be so hot? It was as if Stede was the continuation of dessert, a thing to be savored. Stede felt himself spread his legs, allowing more of Ed in, and put a hand on his head, tangling his fingers in that wonderful hair of his.
Ed kissed and licked thoroughly, beard scratching at the sensitive skin of Stede’s thighs, reaching higher and higher up his legs. Finally, Ed kissed up right to dip next to the spot where Stede was straining and hard for him.
“Is this okay?” Ed asked, reaching a hand to touch closer and closer to Stede’s cock, but still waiting for permission.
“Yes, god, Ed,” Stede mumbled, feeling like he was on edge already, “Please.”
Ed grinned and took Stede in hand, squeezing slightly at the base. Then he pressed a small kiss to Stede’s cock. It was such a little thing, but it still made Stede’s hips shoot up.
“Hey, hey, aren’t we eager?” Ed chuckled, and put a strong hand on Stede’s hips, keeping him in place. He stroked Stede’s cock with his other hand a few times, making Stede groan.
Then he sank on it again with his mouth, taking Stede’s whole cockhead in, licking at it and sucking and humming against it, like it was the most delicious thing he ever had in his mouth.
The sensation was overwhelming in the best way. Stede thought he might black out any moment. He was not going to last. He had one hand lying uselessly on Ed’s head, and another one over his eyes, trying to hide just how much he was blushing. Ed licked and sucked with such reverence, it made Stede feel even more naked than he was. Every nerve of him was on fire, every cell was burning.
And god, he has never gotten a blowjob in his life, who knew that it could feel like this? Now he wanted Ed’s mouth on him at all times, every day. Ed’s devilish mouth, that could reduce him to a babbling mess so quickly, and lift him up to heaven.
“Fuck, Ed, fuck, ah,” he couldn’t help the curses, he felt himself getting close.
Ed didn’t slow down one bit. He was helping himself with his hand, and sucking diligently, a determined man on the job.
“Ed, move over, I’m going to…,” Stede moaned breathlessly, trying to yank him off.
But Ed just grinned.
***
“Don’t hold back,” Ed managed, and sank back in to catch every drop that Stede’s cock was shooting into his mouth.
Stede came with a loud moan that was probably heard all over the ship, and Ed couldn’t help but moan too around his dick. He swallowed Stede’s come like it was nectar, and wiped his hand on his mouth, cleaning his messy beard. Then he got up from his position slightly and admired the sight.
Stede was breathing heavily, his face pure bliss, his nipples hard and chest flushed, his eyes staring at Ed with such reverence, and there were tears pooling in the corners of them.
“Fuck, just look at you,” Ed’s hand reached down to palm himself once again. He was so hard from sucking Stede off, and Stede’s blissed out face wasn’t helping. The sight alone was enough to make him come.
“No, let me, let me, please,” Stede pulled Ed half on top of himself, with more force than necessary, and greedily reached for his cock, “Want to make you feel good, want to do this for you.”
“Not gonna last,” Ed groaned, as Stede stroked him with more passion than finesse.
“Fuck, Ed, you’re so gorgeous, so precious, I’m so lucky to have you,” Stede rushed it all out on what seemed like one breath, pressing kisses everywhere he could reach, “Want to see you come, love, please, come for me.”
And Ed did, he came all over Stede’s fist and his stomach, painting it in white streaks, moaning against Stede and riding the wave of his pleasure. He collapsed against his side, breathing heavily and trying to recall when was the last time he had an orgasm this intense.
It was so hot and stuffy in the blanket fort, the two of them forced to lay so close, but Ed wouldn’t trade it for anything. He hugged Stede’s middle, pressing even closer into him.
“Wanted to do this for a long time,” Ed felt drunk, and not on wine. He wanted to tell Stede everything, confess all of his secrets, tell him how his heart was so full of love for him. And he never wanted to leave the blanket fort.
“Really?” Stede traced Ed’s tattoos, glancing up at him.
“Really. Have you seen yourself? Wanted you from the first day I saw you,” Ed placed a small kiss to the shell of Stede’s ear.
“I’ve never felt like this before. You make me feel so sexy,” Stede giggled against Ed, and then suddenly hiccuped.
They both started laughing, and couldn’t stop, and Ed felt his heart swell even more.
“You are, love,” Ed said finally, wiping a tear of joy from the corner of his eye.
“Even with hiccups?” Stede asked, and hiccuped again. He buried his head in the crook of Ed’s neck, laughing, embarrassed, happy.
“Yes. You’re smoking hot. Irresistible,” Ed punctuated each word with a kiss. He rolled into Stede a little bit harder than intended, and one of the blankets of the fort fell on top of them.
“Oh. We did it so hard that the blanket fort collapsed!” Stede suggestively waggled his eyebrows, and burst into even more laughter, as Ed kissed his face whenever he could reach, unable to resist.
Stede was so soft, and pliant, and warm, and happy in his arms. But Ed wanted to see him blush even more. He let his voice drop an octave, and keeping intense eye contact, said:
“Stede, I’ll show you hard. The whole ship will lay in ruins when I’m done with you.”
“Well, I’m looking forward to that,” Stede blushed hard and unconsciously licked his lips.
The blanket fort was on the verge of full collapse, there were wine stains on the rug, the marmalade probably got in the curtains, and Ed was the happiest he’s ever been in his life. As he leaned to kiss Stede some more, he decided he absolutely loved this blanket fort thing.