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“Alright then- l’ll leave you to it. Nice to meet you Ed.” Hank tipped his head again in Ed’s direction before walking away toward the house, giving Stede one last searing look before he disappeared.
Ed felt like a ticking bomb, trying to return to his task of shuffling hay but with a bit more sharpness in his movements and excessive force as he shoved the next scoop into a stall. He barely noticed Stede turning back, walking toward him, considering him- and the sharp pitchfork in his tense hands- carefully.
Who was he to keep Stede tied down? They didn’t own each other and Ed had made it clear he was trying- trying so hard to just focus on getting his life in order. Did that mean Stede had to be a fucking nun while he worked through it? No, of course not. He deserved joy more than anyone. Ed remembered their conversation in the canoe, his confession of the strange tangle of feelings for Iz- he had no right to be jealous or angry now. You can like more than one person at a time- Stede had said, so open, so flexible, so surprising in the way his mind worked.
Ed knew he didn’t have a leg to stand on- being so furious- but the flames of jealousy scorched him from within all the same.
When Ed finally looked up from his flurry of thoughts Stede was so close he could feel sweet warm breath brush his cheek. “What’s wrong?” Stede asked him so gently, with so much genuine concern that Ed felt the beast within scratching on all his inner walls.
He could barely contain it, staring into that face which held him so warmly, that had given him all the space he could ever need and more, that had nurtured him every step and asked for absolutely nothing except well-deserved respect in return. This week had been exquisite torture, a terrible dance. Stede was mere inches away, so close.. not close enough.
The thought reverberated through Ed’s mind, howling like a summer storm.
He stepped forward to close the gap…
…and Stede held his ground, his hands raising on instinct, grazing Ed’s shoulders as he softly gasped. They both drew in a ragged breath as Ed threw the pitchfork aside and took Stede’s face in his hands.
“What’s wrong? You wanna know what’s wrong?“ Ed tried to whisper, but it came out a strangled plea for mercy. It was rage and passion and every sharp-toothed emotion he’d been keeping chained down. Stede gulped, long and slow, pressing his eyes tightly closed as he grasped Ed’s wrists.
“Stede.” Spoken like a demand, a wisp of Blackbeard. “Look at me.” It wasn’t a suggestion. When Stede blinked open his eyes they shone in the dim light.
They both paused for what felt like an eternity, taking each other in, raw love flashing between them like vivid lightning.
“I need to kiss you. I need to have you.” Ed whimpered, swaying his hips closer, hands pawing down Stede’s neck as their lips merely brushed, throwing off sparks. “That’s what’s wrong…” Another shaky inhale drew between Ed’s lips. Stede watched his expression soften so dramatically and sharply it nearly ripped him in half.
“Can I? Please? Please Stede- I can’t do this. I can’t watch you walk away with him.” Ed begged, fingers trembling against Stede’s neck, grasping at his golden curls desperately.
Stede shivered, silent as he ran his fingers down Ed’s forearms longingly, caressing over the sweaty skin to where his work shirt was rolled to the elbow, slipping his fingertips just below the worn fabric before grasping tightly.
A thick tear spilled over onto Stede’s cheek as he fought to blink the rest back. “Ed, you have no idea how I’ve- You’ll always have me. If you want-“ Ed was on him before he could finish the rest of his thought, lips crashing into him like a tidal wave finding its way back to shore, rough hands pulling him desperately beneath the waves with him as they skated down Stede’s broad chest.
They stumbled together, like a beautiful waltz of finally unburdened pure want. Stede’s back slammed into a wooden post with a grunt, Ed pressing him firmly into it as he followed. He kissed eagerly along Stede’s cheek and into his golden beard, memorizing his gasps as he drew down along his jaw and onto his neck. “Can I take this off?” Ed barely breathed before latching onto skin again, carefully sucking a bruise above the collar line as his hands found the buttons of Stede’s shirt. Hank who? He thought smugly when he caught sight of his work, raking his teeth over it as a gasp from Stede’s lips drew into a moan. He yanked Stede’s hips in closer and he fell into the rhythm, grinding down while Ed pushed his thigh between Stede’s legs.
“Yes, please- ah!” Ed rocked his hips up hard, over and over with relentless need as he unhooked the first couple closures, tongue finding every new patch of skin.
“God- Ed!” Stede was shocked to find he was panting raggedly already, tilting his wide eyes down to find Ed smirking back at him- playful and devilish. His own gaze turned mischievous as he breathlessly chuckled, wrapping his arms around Ed’s lower back tightly to still him. Ed watched as Stede’s eyes flicked toward the still open barn door tinged with embarrassment, as if jarringly and annoyingly being reminded they weren’t the only ones who existed on earth. Stirring with all the humbleness and terror of a teenager about to be caught with a boy in their bedroom.
Stede sighed anxiously, and Ed could see the frustration with his own worries written plain as day. If anything, it just made Ed smile harder when he bucked his hips up again, grinding harder and earning another stuttered whine from Stede for his trouble.
“Don’t worry-“ Ed whispered against his lips, undoing a few more buttons before dipping his head to lathe his tongue over one perfect ample tit and nipple. Stede keened sharply and gripped Ed’s shoulders, balling wads of cotton into his fists. “I’m not- it’s just- oh, ah-“ Stede wriggled beneath him, wiping one hand through the curls shaken loose from Ed’s braid. “Fuck- um.. It’s just that-“ Ed had finished lavishing attention to one nipple before he moved on to the other, sucking on it and drawing his tongue along it in firm swipes until it was a taught bud he could nibble beneath his lips. “Shit, Christ Ed please-“ Stede was gasping for air between whines, yet seemed still intent to get his thought out.
Ed could only grin wide and slow, a Cheshire smile as he stared up and feigned innocence. “Hm?” He mumbled, cocking his head as he ran his hands over Stede’s torso, now blissfully bare to him. “Wha’s that? Wha’s the matter?”
A belted laugh burst out of Stede’s chest, an unrestrained joy that Ed could feel reverberate against him where his cheek laid against his collarbone. “Just-“ Stede tried again to start again and got lost, smiling down at Ed’s bright eyes shining beneath long fluttering lashes.
“Maybewecouldgoupintotheloft? Perhaps? For some privacy?” He finally squeaked, turning his head up and to the side toward the ladder leaned against the stables. Ed followed his look up and into the enticing darkness above. When he met Stede’s gaze again his eyes were nearly blown black with desire.
“Oh- yes. Yeah.” Ed quickly agreed, dark and low, shuffling Stede off to the ladder immediately. They both giggled as Stede tried to shimmy up it, nearly falling several times in his haste and inherent clumsiness. “Could you just- hold the bottom please- Watch my boots- Yes thank you!” He chirped as Ed took firm hold of the old wooden ladder, barely restraining belly laughs while Stede finally managed to make his way up and over before disappearing into the dark.
How did Stede make things fall so smoothly into place? As if nothing had been wrong at all. As if everything was just fine again and they could simply laugh like love-struck teenagers. Ed desperately hoped, with every last breath he had, that it would last this time. He would do everything in his power to make sure of it. They could be ready to tear each other apart and Stede could still make him laugh and feel brand new.
It wasn’t long before a halo of yellow hair, flushed cheeks, and warm hazel eyes peered down, turning Ed to mush all over again below. “Coming?” Stede teased, narrowing his eyes suggestively.
Ed huffed, “Soon enough.” he lobbed back effortlessly. They shared a toothy grin for a beat- easy, just this side of corny, filled with a youthful giddiness that threatened to make them both burst. Ed couldn’t wait another moment, suddenly flying up the ladder with such force he nearly broke the old thing in half. When he reached the top he couldn’t prevent the absolutely filthy moan that broke unbidden from his chest.
Stede had laid his shirt down upon the dirty floorboards- of course, always the perfect gentlemen, couldn’t just fuck in the dirt- even though they had already done so upon an even dirtier boulder by the lake Ed mused- and the rest of Stede’s clothes were spilled over a haystack, miraculously shucked to the side in desperate haste- that is except for his boots and a dark leather cowboy hat.
He sat freckled and bare upon the light blue linen, attempting to lean back seductively with one leg stretched out and the other bent at the knee. It was a little awkward, so hot, and perfectly Stede in it’s utter absurdity. Ed wondered if he’d ever been more turned on in his life.
“Fuckin lunatic.” Ed whispered as his eyes raked over Stede’s muscled form, a little tanned on his forearms from all the hard labor they’d been putting in the last week or so. It looked good on him, a proper farmer’s tan. Slim muscled thighs rolled into well-turned calves poured into the old boots. In the dark loft his eyes still glinted beneath the brim of the cowboy hat- that electric stare that Ed had fallen in love with at first sight.
Ed ripped at his own clothing as he crawled over on his knees, nearly tearing his shirt in his haste to get it off and then reaching immediately for his belt. Stede was shaking with warm laughter at his dramatic urgency, a rosy blush crawling up his chest and neck before dusting his cheeks. When Ed finally reached him, kneeling over Stede’s hips, ripping at his jean’s fly like a man possessed Stede gently laid his hands over his, catching his attention with the soft pause.
“May I?” He breathed, applying light pressure to push Ed’s hands away. They slipped off easily, palms landing upon Stede’s cheeks, one thumb swiping at his full lower lip. “Mmhm, yes, please.” Ed gulped, breath quickening as the buttons popped one by one with Stede’s careful undoing. “I’ve wanted to do this so.. god.. why haven’t I done this yet?” Stede breathed, to himself, licking the tip of Ed’s thumb almost absently, drawing it further into his mouth as his eyes tilted upward. Ed knew his hands were filthy- but Stede didn’t care. The man who had laid out his shirt like a blanket for him would also happily lick his dirty hands as if they were covered in honey… Ed had known it before, but now he was certain- he was a lost cause, absolutely head over heels can’t-even-wrap-your-head-around-it in love with Stede’s unique brand of madness.
Stede began to push Ed’s denim down his thighs as he stared unflinching upward until his hands abruptly paused, face drawn with a wave of sudden emotion. “I’m sorry Ed- you’ve done so well- I’ve seen it, in just a short week you’ve done so much work... And… And I’ve been a fool-“ Ed was gobsmacked, mouth falling open as he cut in “Mate- we’re doing this right now?” He was trembling with need, aching with it, but couldn’t find any part of himself angry. Stede was staring into him with such hopeless devotion.
Stede simply smiled and nodded, unfaltering in his gaze of affection. “Yes, now Darling. It needs to be said… before… Well- Just let me show you? Won’t you forgive me? For well- for not doing this sooner. I know you asked for space but-” It was a marvel, every time with Stede had so much talking but Ed simply couldn’t get enough- Stede’s voice flowing around his heart like silk. When before, with Iz, Ed may have been annoyed by any chatter at all and just wanted to skip to the main event- he simply couldn’t wait to hear what Stede would say next. He felt each word stoke the flame deep in his belly and send shivers to every inch of skin.
“I want to taste you. Can I? Please?” Stede whispered next, flushing ruby red.
Ed nodded back, slack jawed and overcome with desire, cupping a hand beneath Stede’s chin. Maybe after a while he’d learn how to use his own voice the way Stede did- could take him apart with an elegant phrase or two as well. He could learn, he would learn- he’d do anything to never lose this again.
“And…” Something darker swept over Stede’s expression, “please don’t hold back my dear. If I need you to stop- I’ll tap your hip… 3 times,” He tapped two fingers firmly against Ed’s hip, once, twice, and a third time “just like this… okay?” Ed nearly fell over as Stede finally dragged his jeans down to thighs, his cock hanging heavy between his legs, swollen and twitching with need already. Fuck, who knew negotiations could be this hot? Ed considered as he tried to nod again, before Stede reached forward and gripped him at the base, squeezing a firm pressure. “Ed.. words.” He commanded, a little smile quirking at the edge of his lips.
“Y-yup. Yes. 3 times. Got it.” He gasped back, one hand on Stede’s shoulder and the other firmly tangled into his hair, trying to fight the urge to nudge his lips just a little further.
“Good boy.” Ed shuddered. Oh. Oh fuck. His breath picked up into a soft pant. Well they’d have to review that later. Stede smiled knowingly before drawing the swollen tip of Ed’s cock into his eager mouth, licking his tongue into the slit and moaning against the velvety skin. Ed forgot himself immediately as sharp pleasure swept through his belly. His hips bucked forward, pushing farther into the impossible heat as he gripped Stede’s hair into his fist. Stede’s hand on his hip flexed before grabbing harder- and beyond all Ed’s wildest dreams- tugged him in deeper- releasing little breaths through his nose and moaning around the stretch of his lips as he worked himself lower and lower.
“Oh my god St-“ Ed reached one hand up, steadying himself on a wooden beam behind Stede’s head. “Stede you’ve gotta be- oh my fuck.” Stede chuckled, fucking chuckled around his dick, the vibrations drawing another sharp whine out of Ed chest. Stede pulled all the way back with a scandalous pop, gasping in enough air just to bitchily snap up at him “Like you mean it, Edward. Let me show you.” He laid his hand over the one fisted into his hair and sank back down immediately, all the way this time until his nose was nestled in dark curls and Ed could feel himself pushing at the back of his throat- which contracted and then relaxed, letting him sink in incredibly deeper. Ed’s hips flexed instinctually and Stede moaned, deep within his chest again, pushing his own head down by tangling Ed’s fingers with his own.
It was beyond the pale, Ed’s entire body lit from within as he began rolling his hips- at first in short little thrusts into Stede’s pliant mouth, but then in quicker snaps as the moans from both their lips melded together. He felt lost to it, body humming, his release imminent already- the whole time he was unable to tear his eyes away from Stede’s- glinting and god- happy as his lips stretched and drool dribbled down his chin.
“Stede- I can’t- I’m going t-“ He didn’t even recognize his own voice, so strangled and rasping with waves upon waves of pleasure as he continued to thrust hard into Stede's mouth.
3 taps suddenly fell upon his hip and cry ripped out of Ed's throat, body screaming to continue and crest over the top. Despite every physical impulse he shakily released Stede’s hair and drew his flushed cock from his lips. “Stede-“ He begged, openly, wantonly, cracked wide open. The great Blackbeard reduced to a sniveling mess in minutes.
“Shhh… Sit.” Stede breathed, licking his swollen lips and catching his breath as he slid out from underneath Ed, moving to his knees as he helped Ed into his place. “Good, good. So good for me.” There it was again- Ed shivered as he settled his back against the beam and ass onto Stede’s shirt, cock hard against his belly and legs spread submissive and vulnerable- as much as they could be with his jeans still shoved down around his calves. Stede didn’t move to take them off, only stood on his boots before settling back down into a straddle over Ed’s waist.
He took his cowboy hat off and placed it onto Ed’s head, caressing his cheek with the same unfiltered affection that always made Ed’s heart squeeze. He was speechless, caressing over Stede’s thighs as if worshipping a god.
“Darling-“ Stede whispered, leaning in to place soft kisses all over Ed’s face. “I want you to fuck me.” It was breathed in an impossibly soft voice, falling over him like a sweet spring drizzle. “I need you to open me up okay?” Stede sighed against Ed’s temple and drew one hand farther back, over the swell of his ass and then further, eyes fluttering, eyelashes tickling Ed’s flushed skin as fingertips rubbed against the rigged muscle of Stede’s entrance.
Words, Edward. Ed tried to remember through the haze, wanting to remember without Stede having to say it twice. “Of course- Yes, anything- Anything for you.“ He gasped, drawing his hand back to his mouth, licking along his fingers while holding Stede’s gaze. With delight he enjoyed Stede’s turn to be speechless, falling forward as he spread his legs a little more and arched his back. “G-good…” Stede whispered back, nuzzling their noses together.
Ed reached his hand back around, slick as he rubbed his fingers around the rim again. To his shock, he found one slipped in easily, catching Stede’s eyes with a raised eyebrow. “Ah yes.. well.” Stede gasped, pushing his hips back into the pressure with a little purr of pleasure. “…it’s been a long week without you Edw-” He broke into pleased chuckles as Ed moaned into his lips, burying his finger deeper, using his other hand to draw Stede down- down, down further still until their hard cocks pressed hotly together and drew a moan from Stede’s lips with a needy kiss.
He licked into Stede’s mouth as they lost themselves, grinding against one another while Ed methodically pressed another finger in, stretching, then drawing back and then thrusting back in again until he found the little bundle he was searching for. Stede clutched at Ed’s shoulders, arching his back and trembling with each thrust of Ed’s fingers, nearly screaming as a third joined and drew him further open- full but not nearly full enough- canting his hips back recklessly, and then forward again to grind against the delicious friction of Ed’s body and flushed cock.
Ed imagined he could get off on just this- he was so close again before he knew it, mewling and writhing. Stede seemed to instinctively know to pull back just in time, grabbing at Ed’s wrist behind him to force him to stop. He was smiling when Ed opened his eyes, slowly pulling him out and placing his hand back onto his hip as their hot breaths filled the dark cramped loft.
“Ready cowboy? My darling Ed?” He smirked and crawled up closer into Ed’s lap panting and drenched in sweat, reaching down to angle Ed’s pulsing cock to his entrance, his other hand around the back of Ed’s neck as he trembled a little in his boots with anticipation. The sharp wooden heels scraped deliciously against Ed’s thighs.
Stede met Ed’s eyes then as he waited for his reply, hungry, full of delight, impatient need smacking him upside the head with fucking joy. “Always-“ Ed breathed- said it and meant it with his entire chest.
Just as Ed’s heart swelled from the smile that blossomed across Stede’s lips, the blonde rolled his hips back, pressing Ed smoothly into him in one motion until he was trembling and settled onto the bowl of Ed’s thighs, using his grip on Ed’s neck to draw him into a languid kiss only broken by their panting moans.
“Stede” Ed wailed as his head tilted back, scraping the bare wood behind him, grasping at Stede’s hips so hard he was sure to leave bruises, grinding his own up to move impossibly deeper, toes curling into the shirt twisted beneath them.
“Yes love- just like that” Stede gasped, and Ed nearly didn’t catch it, his head a dizzy spin of pleasure. Love. He said love. Before Ed could say anything back Stede drew his body up before throwing his hips back down, whimpering heedlessly as he began to set a punishing rhythm. Every time Ed’s cock filled him to the brim their bodies shivered together and strained moans blended between their lips. Ed knew he wasn’t going to last, having been brought to the edge again and again already, so close each time and now Stede was bouncing on him so hard the wood creaked below. Stede gripped the beam behind him and pinned Ed to the ground with each thrust of his hips, little tendrils of sweat dripping from his temples and turning his light beard ochre.
Not to be outdone, not about to finish by himself, Ed reached down and greedily grasped Stede’s untouched cock, forcing him fuck up into his fist with each upswing. “Oh Ed- oh god oh GOD-“ Stede cried but continued his unrelenting pace. He was so beautiful like this Ed was barely able to think, seeing his lover undone above him, looking just as wrecked as he felt.
The thick smell of sweat melded with the rich musk of hay and horses. Primal and raw as they raced toward the end together. Their eyes met again, sharp and beyond intimate as their movements took on a frantic wildness. They communicated through wanting looks alone, through a language of unmitigated longing. They had felt this raw magnetism from the start, drawing them into one another over and over. Nothing could be more natural.
Stede screamed as they both leapt toward their crescendo, rocking together as he came in brilliant white stripes over Ed’s belly and chest, one pearl perched upon the brim of the cowboy hat now precariously falling off the back of Ed’s head and mashed to hell against the wood behind him. Ed grasped Stede’s hips and held him tight as his own release quaked through him- harder and impossibly more brilliant than he’d ever known, Stede squeezing around him through it, drawing him in further as he throbbed within, sending them both gasping like dying men for breath and whimpering against one another while they scrambled for purchase.
When Ed finally came to, realizing he must of blacked out from bliss, he was lying all the way back with Stede slung over him, heavy and comforting- sticky with sweat and their love-making when he tried to shift a little beneath him- but humming contentedly against Ed’s neck all the same.
“Stede?” He finally asked, voice so small and vulnerable it made Stede snap his head up immediately. “Yes Edward?” His eyes were flooded with concern, fingers caressing across Ed’s cheek.
“I fucking love you.” He sighed, eyes welling up and wet. Stede released a long breath of relief and beamed down at him, his own tears beginning to build and threatening to drop. “Oh Edward. I love you so much.” Stede shook his head and leaned in, kissing him deeply- languid, spent, drenched with affection. “So much darling.” He whispered against Ed’s lips.
The loft was filthy, humid, barely comfortable- but they laid there a while longer, tracing loving fingers over sticky skin and whispering sweet nothings into each other’s flesh.
So long they never noticed the small lithe man who snuck inside under the cover of the falling darkness- with eyes like knives he slipped silently away again.
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