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Ed dreams of the night when he became the Kraken. The terrifying sea creature that sailors and pirates alike shiver at the sheer thought of it. The dream starts off how it usually does. He’s sitting in the chair, watching his father argue with his mother who had always tried her best; whether it be making her family happy or supplying them with decent food to eat. That particular night, his father was disappointed with what she had gotten and slapped her before exiting the home.
In a fit of anger, he followed his father and took his life. Wrapping a rope around his father’s neck and pulling harder and harder until the man fell over and died. The clash of thunder echoes in his ears and the sensation of harsh rain stabbing his skin feels all too real. He awakens to the feeling of someone holding him in their arms and his first instinct is to grab the dagger he keeps on the window still. However, he doesn’t when he recognizes where he is and who is holding him.
Stede is holding the legendary Blackbeard in a gentle embrace. Ed’s head is on his shoulder and he’s running his fingers through long, gray locks in a soothing matter.
“You’re alright, darling.” Stede whispers, eyes closer and voice hoarse. “Everything is alright.”
They’re laying there together naked, and Ed can’t help, but feel incredibly vulnerable at the moment. He’s fucking blackbeard, not a child that needed to be comforted after a bad dream. What would people think if they found out the most fearsome pirate of the seven seas has nightmares and needs cuddles to feel better? Then, he remembers. No one is around aside from Stede. Beautiful and kind Stede who sees him as a person and not a monster, who forgave him so easily for attempting to murder him, and even, caused an entire boat to set fire because they disrespected him.
“Y’know, I never felt this safe with anyone before.” Ed says, eyes meeting Stede’s now open eyes. Gosh, his eyes were a more gorgeous shade of blue than the ocean. Stede raises an eyebrow in his half asleep state and Ed rolls his eyes. “Don’t give me that look, I’m trying to be romantic.”
“Not even with Izzy? I mean, he is quite something else, but-”
“I’ve never laid bare ass naked in bed with Izzy and willingly let him comfort me after a nightmare. And I don’t plan on that happening anytime, mate. Or ever, actually.” Ed cuts him off. He has a feeling that Izzy would jump at the chance of being in the same bed as him, but fuck that. Izzy was a tolerable first mate back then and now, he’s surprised no one has attempted to throw him overboard for a second time. Maybe the next time the man tests his patience, he’ll do it himself. The idea makes him laugh.
Stede removes his hand from behind Ed’s head and pushes away strands of gray. “Good because I wouldn’t let you.” He says with a cheeky smile, placing a soft kiss on Ed’s forehead, then nose, and finally, lips.
“You wouldn’t let me? I’m Blackbeard, I can do whatever the fuck I want.” Ed teases, snuggling closer to Stede and laying his face into the nook of the blonde’s neck. Stede doesn’t answer, the two now content with simply laying there together in silence; holding each other beneath the moonlight that shined through the window.
Ed waits until he believes Stede is asleep to speak again.
“I love you.”