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"Oooooh, that right there, that's perfect. Don't stop." Ed let out a guttural groan, sinking further into the pile of pillows. "Your hands are absolute magic."
Stede felt his cheeks heat up; he really hoped none of the crew was outside of the cabin right now. God only knew what they would be thinking if they heard Ed.
Especially since all Stede was doing was massaging Ed's bad knee.
A severe thunderstorm had forced the Revenge to drop anchor at a small cove, as sailing would have been too dangerous. Stede had noticed Ed shuffling slightly around the deck while they’d tied everything down before the storm started in earnest. Once the ship was secure, Ed's limp had become so pronounced, that he had to lean against Stede to get back to their cabin. Ed, grudgingly, confessed oncoming rain always caused his knee to swell up, making it painful to move about even with the brace.
Inside, Stede immediately lit a fire and had insisted Ed change out of his heavy leathers. He bundled Ed into a deep amethyst silk robe that absolutely complemented Ed's skin tone as well as a pair of loose linen pants.
They moved to the nook where Stede sat with his back against the window, Ed's legs draped across his lap. Slowly and carefully, Stede kneaded a peppermint balm around the inflamed joint.
But Ed's groans of appreciation soon turned to a hiss of pain when Stede found a particularly sensitive spot just above the kneecap.
Stede winced. "I'm sorry, love.”
"'S okay." Ed relaxed once more against the pillows. "You do this much longer and I'll fall asleep."
"Do you want to rest?" Stede asked, his movements slowing to gentle caresses.
Ed's eyes were already closed. "Yeah, that sounds great."
Grabbing a pillow, Stede gently tucked it under Ed's bad knee. When he started to scoot from under Ed’s other leg, Ed’s eyes shot open as he snagged Stede’s wrist. "Where are you going?"
Smiling softly, Stede patted Ed's hand. "I'm going to check on the crew and see if they need anything."
“But you need to stay. You’re my co-nappin.”
Stede let out an undignified snort. "I thought I was your co- captain ."
“You’re my co-nappin as well,” Ed insisted, his thumb now making lazy circles in Stede's palm. “It’s in the fine print of our contract. You are legally required to nap with me.”
“That sounds like a fake clause.”
“You’re a fake clause.”
Stede couldn’t help but laugh. When Ed got particularly tired and drowsy, he started to ramble about the silliest things.
Leaning over, Stede pecked Ed’s nose. “Edward Teach, you are the most adorable thing ever.”
But Stede only made it as far as swinging his legs over the edge of the mattress before Ed whined like a puppy.
“As your co-captain, I am ordering you to fulfill your duties as co-nappin.”
“Dearest, there are things to do,” Stede countered.
“What things?” Ed asked. “We’re parked in a cove, mate. There’s nowhere to go. The crew is probably keeping themselves occupied. I don’t hear screaming; they're fine.” He pulled back the blankets, a clear invitation. “Nothing wrong with taking a load off.”
Stede didn’t have anything against his crew members taking a midday snooze, especially those who had the nightwatch. But Stede himself hadn’t napped since he was five years old. His father had always called any adult sleeping in the middle of the day lazy and unmotivated. Besides, there was always something to do whether it be reading or studying flowers or rearranging his closet yet again. And now being on the high seas, well, he didn’t want to miss anything!
Night time was, simply put, for sleeping.
But Stede was powerless against Ed’s big brown eyes and that sweet little smile that only came out when they were alone together. How was he expected to say no to that?
Stede allowed himself to be pulled toward the nest of pillows where Ed lay.
Of all of the imagining and fantasizing Stede had for being in a relationship with Ed, he wasn’t prepared for one truly surprising thing: Ed loved cuddling; actually he was a rather aggressive cuddler. Big spoon, little spoon (though Ed really did prefer to be the little spoon), it didn’t matter much to Ed as long as he was pressed against Stede in some way.
Ed muscled Stede into laying down, resting his head on Stede’s shoulder and slinging his arm over Stede’s stomach. Stede pulled Ed’s bad knee on top of his own thigh so at least the joint would stay elevated. When Stede started stroking Ed’s hair, Ed immediately rumbled like a contented cat before dropping off to sleep.
Ed was right; there wasn’t technically anything he could do but wait out the storm. If anyone needed them they would come knocking. And Ed certainly needed more sleep, as Fang had told Stede the only time Ed slept was when he simply passed out from sheer exhaustion during their separation; even that was only a few hours at a time.
Honestly, who was Stede to deny Ed some badly needed rest?
Stede hardly noticed when he himself dozed off to Ed’s steady breathing and the patter of the rain against the window.
"Oi! I'm not a pillow, mate!"
Stede huffed, but did not move an inch from where he'd collapsed on Ed's back. "You use me as a pillow all of the time!"
"That's different."
"How?"
"It's in the co-nappins' clause. You're the pillow and I am the—"
"The snuggler?" Stede interrupted with a smile.
Ed grumbled. "No. I am…the person who uses said pillow."
"And when said pillow is another human, you are, in fact, the snuggler," Stede teased. He nestled his head between Ed's shoulder blades. "It's okay. Your secret of the big, bad Edward Teach being a secret, cuddly snuggler is safe with me."
"Better be," Ed mumbled fiercely, causing Stede to laugh.
They'd spent the morning with Ed literally showing Stede the ropes of the ship. Stede had insisted on learning the rigging, wanting to be a more learned captain. Ed had been reluctant to show him right up until the moment Black Pete volunteered to teach Stede. So they climbed all over the masts, adjusting sails and ropes, leaving them both utterly exhausted.
Ed had collapsed face first onto the new cushy sofa they’d pilfered from a French ship and Stede collapsed on top of Ed. Honestly he was glad that Ed lay down first because Stede wanted to be able to get up after he had a chance to rest. And there wasn’t a way for Ed to try to keep him from moving away if he was face down.
But Stede would get up in a moment. For now, he buried his nose in the soft purple fabric of Ed's slightly damp shirt, and took a deep breath, feeling his body melt even further.
"Are you sniffing me?" Ed asked.
"Yes," Stede hummed happily. "And you smell divine."
"I smell like a barrel of fish and dirty trousers.”
Stede simply shook his head. "No, dear heart." He indulged in another deep inhale simply because he could. Ed's leather jacket usually held the scent of tobacco and gunpowder. Without it on, Ed’s base scent filled Stede’s lungs and was absolutely wonderful. “You smell like the salty sea breeze and sand and sweat. I’d say we could bottle it up and sell it as a cologne scent in your gift shop—”
Ed cut in with, “I don’t think people want to buy Smelly Blackbeard Cologne."
Stede shook his head. “They absolutely would, and it would be a bestseller, but I am selfish and want to keep it all to myself.”
Ed didn’t respond, but the way his face turned red made Stede smile.
There was a knock at the door to which Stede brightly said, "Come in!" At the same time of Ed's light, yet gruff, "Fuck off!"
The door creaked open. "Well, thank God, you're on top of Ed with your clothes on this time, Captain."
Stede groaned at Lucius's greeting, burying his face in Ed's shaking back while Ed laughed. Lucius had unfortunately walked in on Stede and Ed together several days earlier. Clearly, as some form of punishment, Lucius decided to remind them of the incident every chance he got.
It worked because Stede's face felt hot and he couldn't face Lucius.
Stede heard the clatter of a tray being put down on the coffee table. "Roach made some blueberry pies so I was kind enough to bring some with your tea."
"Did you guys remember to poison my slice?" Ed asked, his voice muffled by the pillow.
"No, Roach thought you deserved a reprieve after you brought him the blueberries, but Pete and I did spit in it."
Stede still wasn't exactly sure how Ed was able to get Lucius to so much as listen to his apology for tossing him overboard, but Lucius had apparently been willing to talk. At least that was what Ed had told Stede over dinner one night while sporting a spectacular black eye. Ed and Lucius had slowly come to a tentative understanding.
Ed chuckled. "I hope that's all you and Pete did."
Lucius's voice was haughty when he replied, "Lucky for you, the two of us had already been below deck and—"
Ed let out a pointed groan. "Okay, okay! I don't want to know."
Lucius huffed in a way that Stede knew his hands were on his hips. "—had a piss. Honestly it's you two who are the sex crazed perverts around here now."
" Thank you , Lucius," Stede said and he could absolutely hear Lucius's smirk as he left.
The combination of the warm, buttery pastry and the crisp blueberries wafting nearby were decadent and clearly calling to Stede.
"My sweetness?" Stede asked, not even bothering to get up from his comfortable position. "Do you want pie and tea?"
The only response he got was a snore from Ed.
At the very least, Stede wanted to eat some pie. But Ed's inviting warmth and his steady breathing under Stede's cheek was more appealing and Stede was so very, very tired. He found it more and more difficult to keep his eyes open, let alone peel himself away from the safe haven of Ed's body.
A moment; he'd rest his eyes just for a moment.
Stede discovered a moment was relative when he woke up an hour later.
“Darling, are you even paying attention?”
"Zergb."
Stede chuckled. "I'm going to take that as a no."
Ed humphed before turning on his side and resting his head on Stede's arm. Stede softly chided, pressing his lips to Ed's hair. "You're supposed to be practicing your reading."
Stede had to admit the little blanket fort in their cabin was cozy. It was like their own private sanctuary away from the rest of the world. There was a crack in the blanket that acted as the entrance/exit to allow the sunlight in so they could read. Stede was absolutely not going to allow a candle in there with them.
"Because that's where you draw the line," Ed had snorted. "Not at that fireplace near the bookshelves in the wooden ship. But the fire hazard is really a single candle in a blanket fort."
They'd been working their way through a collection of short stories with Stede propped up against a pile of pillows and Ed propped against him. Ed claimed this was the best way for Stede to help him to read, rather than hunched over a desk. But it had turned into Stede doing the majority of the reading. Ed was well on his way to dozing off.
"I'm beginning to think I bore you," Stede accused lightly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind Ed's ear. "You seem to fall asleep every time we read."
Huffing indignantly, Ed rolled back slightly to eye Stede. "You are the least boring person I know," he said, before settling back into the crook of Stede's elbow. "Sorry, love. I really do want to read, but your voice is so soothing."
"Really?"
Ed nodded. "Makes me feel safe," he mumbled. "Never really slept long on a ship before. You never knew who might slit your throat while your eyes were closed."
Letting out a long, contented sigh, Ed relaxed further in Stede's embrace. "Not you though. You always make me feel good and safe."
Blinking away tears, Stede had to swallow hard at the sudden lump in his throat. That was— no one had ever said that about him before. Honestly, he didn't know what to do with that, really. To have that kind of trust bestowed upon, especially from Ed , was overwhelming.
But here was Ed, happily curled up in Stede's arms, dozing off for a late afternoon nap. And Ed didn't think twice about it. And he'd done it so many times!
Stede’s heart threatened to burst with affection for the dear man in his arms. There were no intruding thoughts as Stede’s eyes closed of their own accord. The book went slack in his grip, fingers barely holding on to it. Burying his nose in Ed's lavender scented hair, Stede fell asleep with a smile on his face that was still there when Ed shook him awake just before dusk.
"Come along, dearest, we're going on an adventure!"
"With the shortest treasure map ever?" Ed asked incredulously.
Stede beamed at him. "Sometimes one does not have to make things overly complicated to be devious.”
The ship had stopped in St. Augustine to stock up on oranges, once again. Sure the two of them could be helping the crew while they did chores for Jim's grandmother in exchange for fruit, but Stede pulled captains’ privileges and dragged Ed away from the ship.
They traipsed through the foliage, consulting the map Stede had Lucius draw up that morning. Thankfully, Stede wasn't distracted by the insects; he was just too excited about this outing.
Ed, however, swatted at anything that flew into his path. "Tell me what's adventurous about bugs?"
"Oh you never know what you'll find! There are so many species out there."
Ed grunted in annoyance, but Stede didn't miss the way his lips curled up. When they reached a branch in the path, the two of them stopped while Ed consulted the map.
Practically bouncing on the balls of his feet, Stede asked, "Which way?" As if he didn't have the map memorized.
Ed jerked his head to the right. "Looks like it's just through there."
"I wonder what we'll find!"
"Dunno, mate." Then Ed grinned. "But we better check the base of the trees. That's where all good pirates bury their treasure."
Stede's heart did a sweet flutter as they pushed their way through some brush. Once they reached the clearing, he gasped dramatically. "Look at this! Someone left the treasure out in the open!"
Stopping dead in his tracks, Ed stared, completely dumbfounded. "What's this?"
"A hammock!" Stede announced proudly, gesturing to the oversized blanket tied between two trees. "You said a nap was adventurous enough so a nap we shall have."
"Is this what you were doing this morning?" Ed asked and Stede just shrugged sheepishly.
In fact Stede had stolen from the ship before anyone was awake so he could stake out the perfect spot for the hammock. Finding the area was the easy part; actually getting the blanket tied up was a whole other matter. He had to go back to the ship to fetch Black Pete and Lucius to help him. The two crew members had the fabric put up in no time and Stede added a couple of pillows and more blankets for good measure.
Ed's beard wasn't as thick as it'd previously been so it was easy to see him work his throat a few times, like he was trying to tamp down on his emotions. Tentatively, he ran his hand over the cashmere that made up that hammock. Stede wasn't about to use any old linens laying around; Ed deserved the very best.
When Ed was quiet for too long, Stede cautiously asked, "What do you think?"
Ed finally looked up, his mouth widening into a smile. His dark eyes were warm and something flashed deep in them. "I think…" he trailed off shakily, before clearing his voice. "This might be too much treasure for one man."
Stede couldn't help his own delighted grin as he trotted over. "That's mighty generous of you, Captain."
Stede had seen his crew get into one of these dozens of times with relative ease so he assumed it wouldn’t be that difficult.
It was.
He narrowly missed falling on the ground, but luckily Ed was there to steady the wildly swinging hammock to keep him from tumbling out.
“This is why I had you get in first,” Ed laughed as Stede finally situated himself. “You would have sent us both falling.”
Stede grumbled as Ed climbed in with no issues whatsoever. “Right. It had nothing to do with you wanting to watch me struggle."
Ed settled with his back against Stede’s chest. “Not at all.”
Stede slung his arm over Ed’s shoulder, and Ed immediately took his hand to twine their fingers together. Ed relaxed all of his body weight against Stede as he sighed peacefully: a small gesture that spoke volumes, and meant the absolute world to Stede.
A feeling of tranquility settled over Stede as he closed his eyes. He could hear the other crew members in the distance yelling playfully at each other. The smell of the sea wafted off of the waves that gently crashed ashore. As he circled his other arm around Ed’s waist, Stede nestled his head against the large pillow.
They were quiet for a long time and Stede had almost drifted off when he heard Ed quietly mumble his name.
“Mmm?” Stede turned his head just enough to brush his lips against Ed’s temple.
“Best treasure ever.”
Stede gently squeezed him. "I agree… and the nap is nice, too."