Chapter Text
Cal and Evie had been chattering away ever since Evie got to their house after the final show on Sunday afternoon. Adam could hardly get a word in edgewise but he was perfectly fine being the third wheel to the best friends who had barely seen each other since the summer. They went over the play in excruciating detail, caught up on everything they hadn’t had a chance to talk about, and of course, finalized the sketch that Cal had been working on for weeks.
“Alright, let’s see this and get it over with.” Stede said as the three teenagers giggled their way down the hall and into the living room. Cal proudly presented his sketchbook to his dad and Ed.
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Special shout out to the designer of this beautiful art! They are @sweet_potato70 on Twitter! Go check them out!
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“That’s beautiful Cal, I love it!” Ed exclaimed. “And speaking from experience, I can definitely say you won’t regret it.”
“Thanks Ed! So, can we book the appointment dad??” Cal turned to Stede with hopeful eyes.
“I can’t believe I’m giving in. A tattoo at 17…and your mother is really ok with this?”
“Daaaad! She would’ve let me get one last year! Call her if you need her to approve again.” Cal protested, but knew this battle was already won.
“Ok, ok, yes I know. You really should be thanking Ed.” Stede said.
“Thank you Ed!” All three kids chimed, making Stede and Ed laugh.
“Happy to be of service.” Ed smiled. Stede beamed beside him.
“Alright you three, you better hit the road if you’re going to make it back before trick or treating. You sure you don’t want to dress up and participate with Louis?” Stede asked.
“Ugh, no dad. We are way too old to trick or treat. We’re just going to walk around with him and steal a portion of his candy…as payment for our service.” Cal said, eyes glinting mischievously.
“Yeah good luck with that. You know I taught him how to stiff arm, right?” Ed asked. Stede snorted and the teenagers rolled their eyes.
After a few minutes of goodbyes, which included a brief lecture on safe and undistracted driving, as well as setting a curfew, the kids took off for the evening. Ed and Stede collapsed on the couch, exhausted from the weekend.
“Stede, I'm sorry again about Friday.” Ed sighed, laying his head on Stede’s shoulder.
“Edward, please, there is no need to apologize.” Stede said as he grabbed Ed’s hand and held it in his lap. “I’m the one who should be apologizing. I left you hanging for so long after we kissed. I can’t believe how insecure I was about my feelings.”
“Well, there’s something else that doesn’t need an apology.” Ed reassured him. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not right now. Lucius and Mary helped me through most of it. But thank you so much for being patient with me. Unfortunately I have a feeling that might be necessary for a while.” Stede said.
“Stede,” Ed started, and sat up to look directly at him, “please believe me when I say that when it comes to you, when it comes to us, I will have all the patience in the world. You’re the best thing that’s happened to me.”
Stede’s eyes crinkled and welled up looking at Ed. He opened his mouth but couldn’t quite get any words out, a choked noise escaped instead.
Ed leaned forward and kissed his soft, parted lips. He slipped his fingers through the hair at the base of Stede’s head and deepened their contact, trying to convey everything he said through this simple, yet beautiful gesture. They both sighed contentedly as their lips separated and they rested their foreheads together. Stede wanted to say something; he wanted to do lots of things to show Ed just how grateful he was…but this beautiful man just reassured him in the most gentle way that they would have time for all of that, and that there was no rush whatsoever. His exhaustion surfaced then and he couldn’t help but stifle a yawn.
“C’mere Stede.” Ed guided Stede down to rest on his chest and wrapped his arms around him. They laid quiet for a while until both men slipped off into a well deserved nap.
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Later that evening:
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“Well, look what the cat dragged in!” Lucius yelled as Ed and Stede walked into Queen Anne’s, hand in hand.
“Cat’s are evil, they steal children’s breath.” Frenchie said, to no one in particular.
Ed and Stede walked over to the table and complemented their friends on the wide array of costumes on display. Frenchie dressed as a witch, Swede as an opera singer, Pete as a pirate and Buttons as…a bird watcher? His parakeet was perched so perfectly on his head that to most it probably looked fake. Lucius was of course all done up in drag.
“And what the fuck are you two supposed to be?” Lucius asked, unimpressed.
Stede pursed his lips and looked like he was about to scold him for cursing. “Well we didn’t really have time to plan anything did we? So I’m an English teacher and he’s a football coach!” Stede said proudly. Ed waved his arms dramatically, displaying the two in their completely normal, everyday outfits.
“Oh my god, that is so lame.” Lucius said as he rolled his eyes and turned to go to the bar.
“Don’t listen to him, he is way too obsessed with Halloween.” Olu said as he walked over, Jim alongside him. Olu was all done up in his Ren Faire garb and Jim in their fencing gear. “We get yelled at every year for wearing stuff we already have instead of creating big elaborate costumes.”
“Yeah, although next year I would try just a smidge harder if you don’t want to get kicked out of the crew.” Jim told them.
Stede turned to Ed. “Well, I think we can figure that out before next Halloween.”
“I’ve got some killer ideas for couples costumes, mate.” Ed smiled. He grasped Stede’s hand, happiness spreading through them at the mere thought of the next year ahead, together.
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And another @sweet_potato70 design!!
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Epilogue...1 year later:
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