Work Text:
Ed and Stede’s Big Gay Day Out
A beautiful day had dawned over the Revenge, bright sun beat down on the peaceful pirate staring out over the ocean, a soft breeze danced through his black and silver hair and rolled over the deck; the ship still where it sat anchored a little from shore.
“So, what’s the plan for today, Edward?” The crew had been given a day’s leave, but Ed wasn’t surprised to hear the drawl of his first mate as Izzy sauntered over to where he was leaning on the side of the ship.
Ed gave him a quick glance, clearing his throat as he looked back out over the sea.
“Me n’ Stede are going out” He mumbled, Izzy frowned.
“Excuse me?”
Ed sighed. “Me n’ Stede. Going out. To shore.”
“What the hell for?”
Ed ducked his head, avoiding Izzy’s glare as he replied.
“It’s a dateorsomething fuck off, whatever.”
“Ed- “
“Anyway, I heard Lucius say that you’re bad at fighting and your… cock’s tiny.”
Izzy turned with a growl, Ed smirking as he watched his first mate storm across the deck.
“I’ll burn this fucking ship down!”
Ed stared back out over the ocean as Izzy’s swears faded out into the distance. He was shaken from his daydream a second time by a gentler voice.
“Captain’s asking for you in his- your quarters er, Captain.”
Ed turned and smiled at Lucius hovering behind him. “Thanks, mate.” He gave Lucius’ shoulder a squeeze as he passed him, pausing to look back over his shoulder.
“Oh, you might wanna avoid Izz for a bit. On account of something I told him you said.”
“Well thank you very much!” Lucius left with a huff, off to vacate the ship as swiftly as possible as Ed strolled off inside.
Stede looked up at the quick double rap on the door, soft smile on his face as the all black shadow of his co-captain stepped in the room.
“Ready, Stede?”
“Ed! I was wondering where you were.”
“Well, someone had to go and check the crew hadn’t killed themselves. Or each other. Or just Izzy.” Ed said lazily as he crossed the room.
“…Have they?”
“Nah.” Ed said with a smile. “All accounted for.” He paused as he took in the blonde man in front of him. “You look good, man. Dressing down today?”
Stede tucked in on himself with a smile, nose crinkling the way it did whenever Ed complimented his appearance. He held out his arms to give Ed the full show, Edward taking in the dark breeches and stockings, simple shoes and an off-white loose shirt. He was holding a waistcoat; Ed having clearly caught him in the middle of dressing. It was a deep rich red and Ed gently took it from his hands, Stede turning as Ed slipped the garment over his arms.
“Stede Bonnet going out into society without a coat? What will people say?”
Stede smiled as he turned back to face Ed. “Well, I wouldn’t exactly call this society, but hm. Do you think I need one?”
“Nah.” Ed said, overacting a sweeping look of Stede’s person. “As much as I like peeling your layers off of you, this is good too.”
Stede’s smile grew. “Well maybe I’ll put on all the layers later and you can indulge to your fill.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” Ed grumbled as he touched Stede’s hip, pulling him in for a kiss.
“You hold me to everything.” Stede said as they parted, face entirely too innocent as he buttoned up his waistcoat. “Come along then! Time waits for no man!”
“Oh, Edward! Look at these!”
Ed’s head whipped round as Stede disappeared in a blonde blur, yet another fancy stall of the small market they’d found having caught his eye. Ed caught up to him at a modest looking stand full of various trinkets and accessories. Stede himself was cooing over a selection of scarves; Ed smiled at the sight.
“See something you like?”
Stede looked up with a smile, showing the baby blue and silver cravat he’d been looking at. “Just this, I’ll take this one my good man!”
The stall owner gave Stede a strange look but wrapped the cravat into the bundle he was already preparing.
“50 guinea.”
“Not a chance! I’ll give you 30.”
The man raised an eyebrow, smug look falling as he caught Ed’s eye, his gaze moving down to the glinting light coming from Ed’s hip, bouncing off his knife. The merchant gulped and nodded.
“25, last offer!”
“Sold!” Stede slammed the coins down on the table and gathered up his bundle. “A pleasure!”
He strolled cheerfully from the stall, leaving Ed to give his own smug nod to the merchant before catching up (again) to Stede.
“That was an impressive discount indeed, I really haggled him down!”
Stede said, breathless from the fight; Ed merely smiled and gave Stede’s waist a subtle squeeze.
“You must’ve charmed him.” Ed replied, giving his trusty knife a pat.
Stede smiled warmly at him, a passing stall made him pause and an interested noise escaped him as he doubled back. Ed watched as Stede poured over the various creams and ointments, sniffing a few and eagerly testing others.
“Ed! Come smell this!” A fragrant perfume was held in front of his face and Ed’s nose wrinkled.
“Not really my thing, mate.”
Stede picked up another, waving it at Ed. “They have lavender…?”
Ed moved in close, letting Stede see his face as he nodded toward the vendor. “Like I said, not really my thing.”
Stede merely huffed, picking up a bottle with a dark label. “Here then, Sandalwood and Cedar. Far more manly and rugged.” He handed the bottle and a few other treats to the merchant, Ed frowned as he spotted the lavender perfume among them, Stede caught his expression as he paid and smiled, waiting until they were clear of the stall before speaking.
“Problem?”
“You got the fancy one too.”
“Well, we’ll save that one for our quarters, shall we?”
Ed would stab anyone who said he blushed. He cleared his throat before continuing. “You know you shouldn’t just put any old shit on your face.”
“After some of the things you’ve gotten on it.” Stede said offhandedly, a sharp eyebrow as Ed tripped.
“Didn’t hear you complaining.”
“Filth. A gentleman does not live in the gutter.”
“No but a pirate does.” Edward smirked, allowing his walk to gain more swagger.
“You just want to drag me down with you.”
“You’d love it down here.”
“Honestly Edward! Insatiable.”
Stede sighed as Ed wiggled his eyebrows, but slowed to fall back in line with him, the old pirate smiled softly as he felt Stede’s hand press at his elbow.
Ed looked around them, the two having wandered to the edge of the market. He spotted a hidden walkway a little way behind them and smirked, bundling Stede into the alley.
“Oh, really now! What’s all this about?”
Ed ignored his protests, sweeping in to kiss Stede, pressing close before ducking lower to snuffle into Stede’s neck. Stede pushed him back with a tut!
“Edward! Honestly, it’s just sex, sex, sex with you.”
“Like you’re complaining.”
“Horn dog.” Stede huffed, but Ed saw a smile tug at his lips. He moved to snuffle another kiss beneath Stede’s ear before mumbling. “Fancy going somewhere a bit more private?”
Stede smiled warmly, allowing Ed to steal him away.
They had walked for what seemed like an hour, trekked all the way to the other side of the island, but Stede wasn’t about to question it, Ed seemed to know where he was going. They were well off the beaten path when Ed stopped at what looked like the side of a mountain. Ed pulled aside the thick vines that were hanging down and revealed a small entrance.
“Hopefully it’s still here.” Ed mumbled mostly to himself as he held out a hand for Stede, leading him through the vines and into a dark cave.
“Ed?”
“Almost there, love.”
Ed was proven right as the light started to brighten, and Stede gasped as they stepped outside.
“Oh… Edward…”
Stede stared in awe as they arrived at a tiny cove, it had a small beach leading to a shallow sea pool. It was surrounded on both sides by rocks and a whole array of tropical plants and ferns.
“Yeah, thought you’d like it.”
Stede was turning around taking everything in, he spun back to Ed when he spoke. “I love it. It’s beautiful, thank you for bringing me here.”
“S’alright.”
Stede saw Ed shrug and kick at the sand and smiled, stepping up close to him. “I mean it.” He pressed a soft kiss to Ed’s lips. “Do I want to know how you know about it?”
Ed smirked. “Nothing rude, just used the cove as a hideout before. Remembered it when we came up on the island. Thought you’d enjoy it.”
“I absolutely will.” Stede kissed Ed again, just because he could before heading closer to the shore, flopping down on the sand. Ed watched him take off his shoes and stockings, losing the waistcoat next as he pushed his feet into the sand. He glanced up at Ed and patted the ground next to him for Ed to join him. Ed dropped down next to him a little more carefully, stretching out his leg and removing his brace.
“Oh, I got us something. Might be a bit squashed now, sorry.” Ed fished the little wrapped bundle from inside his jacket. He passed it to Stede who let out a soft gasp when he opened it.
“When did you get these?!”
“When you were cooing over those jams.”
Stede smiled and picked up one of the little fruit tarts. “Using me as cover to swipe them?”
Ed shrugged. “Well, I wasn’t about to pay for them.”
“I should hope you weren’t.”
He lent over and gave the pirate a gentle kiss, before passing him the second sweet.
“Peach! Mm, I love a good tart!”
Ed bit his lip to hide his laughter, unwrapping his tart as Stede obliviously tucked into his own.
The two sat for a while, chatting casually and sharing their desserts. The sun had moved enough to find them, and Ed shucked off his jacket as he stared out over the water.
“Fancy a dip, Love?”
“That would be divine.”
Stede had barely removed his shirt when he heard a soft splash, looking over at a very shirtless Ed wading out into the water. He saw a familiar pair of leather breeches discarded on the beach and sighed. Ed noticed his pause and frowned.
“You coming in?”
“Oh! Yes, yes of course. Just a moment.” Stede answered swiftly but made no other rush to disrobe.
Ed moved closer to the shore, Stede saw his hips peak above the waterline and swallowed hard.
“No one’s gonna see you, love. S’just us.”
Stede sighed, nodding his agreement he removed the rest of his clothing, moving quickly to slip into the water. Ed’s smile widened as Stede came within reach, grabbing the blonde’s hand so he could tug him close.
Stede met him with a soft huff, relaxing as Ed slid his hands up his arms, skimming down his sides, coming to settle at his hips.
“I wish you wouldn’t do that to yourself.” Ed rumbled; voice low as his thumbs rubbed circles on Stede’s hips.
“Do what?”
Ed ducked his head, watching the swirls his hands caused in the water. “Try and hide yourself away from me. You’re fucking beautiful, mate.”
Ed continued to stare down at the water, only raising his head as a silent Stede’s fingers pushed gently at his jaw. Any retort he had ready was lost as Stede pressed a firm kiss to his lips, Ed pulled him in closer for a minute; letting go as he felt Stede try to withdraw.
“You don’t have to keep saying that; you know.”
Ed met his eyes now, seeing the awkward smile looking back at him. “I’ll keep saying it until you believe it.”
Stede’s smile warmed, and he tucked himself closer to Ed. “I am trying.” He said quietly as he rested his forehead on Ed’s shoulder.
“I know, mate. I just like reminding you, is all.” Ed hooked his chin over Stede’s shoulder, swaying them both softly in the water as Stede’s arms came to wrap around his middle.
“Swim time.” Ed said softly, letting go of Stede as he kicked out over the water. The weightlessness on his leg was joyful and Ed silently decided to do this more. Especially when he saw Stede treading water, the sun’s reflections on the water cast dancing lights across his face and hair. His very, very dry hair.
Ed smirked and restrained himself for all of twenty seconds before sending a wave in Stede’s direction.
“Ed!!” The resulting screech was totally worth the fuming look on Stede’s face, and Ed danced around in the water as Stede came for him.
“Oh no, your perfectly coiffed curls, whatever shall we splurk!” Ed’s words were lost on a gasp as he was tugged under the water by a lucky grab of his thigh. He surfaced a moment later, spluttering and soaked with his hair plastered to his face.
“Hey, oi! Cheat!”
“Oh no, your perfect hair! Whatever shall we do!”
Ed shot Stede a glare before he threw his head backwards under the water, his hair smoothing back off his face and oh. Now that was a look, wasn’t it?
Stede was almost too distracted to realise said attractive pirate was quickly advancing on him, dodging out of the way at the last second, laughing heartily as he swam away, Ed catching up to him and wrapping him up in his arms, ducking them both under the water.
The two popped back up a little closer to the shore, after sharing; in Stede’s opinion, a very ruddy romantic kiss beneath the waves. He blinked the droplets from his lashes and looked up to see Ed slicking back his hair again. He slipped up close, arms snaking around the pirate’s hips as he pressed in for a kiss.
“Suits you.” He said softly as they parted, Ed stared at him blankly until Stede raised a hand to his hair. Realisation spread through Edward’s deep brown eyes and a sheepish smile tugged at his lips.
“Whatever, shut up.”
“See! It’s embarrassing!”
“Shut up.” Ed said again through a grin, pulling Stede in for a proper kiss.
The two ended up back on the beach, both back in their breeches (Stede insisted), Ed lounging back against a rock with Stede lying between his legs. Stede broke from the latest kissing session, sighing softly as he flopped over, settling back against Ed’s chest he smiled as he saw tattooed arms wrap around him.
“We should be heading back soon.” He said quietly, an eye on the sun.
“We’ve got a bit longer.” Ed replied, a gentle rumble against Stede’s ear.
The two lay there a while more, watching as the sun lowered to the horizon, the sky blooming first gold, then orange; fading into a hazy pink before either of them moved.
It was Stede who broke the peace, sitting up with a long stretch; sighing as he got to his knees. “Right, that’s home time I’d say.”
“I’d reckon so.” Ed agreed, getting to his feet with a wince. Stede was at his side before he could ask, brace in hand.
“Let me.” He said as Edward reached for it, and Ed’s heart throbbed as he watched Stede kneel before him, fastening the contraption into place.
“Bloody thing.” Ed grumbled as Stede got to his feet, accepting the hand held out to him. “Thanks.” Ed added as he tugged Stede in for a kiss.
“No need for thanks, love.” Stede smiled wide at him before retrieving the rest of their clothing. “Come now, as lovely as this beach is; I would very much prefer something softer beneath me.”
“Oh, you would, would you?” Ed replied with a smirk as his head popped out of his shirt.
“Oh, shush you.” Stede scolded, but he didn’t bother hiding his smile.
Ed grinned as he shoved on his boots, Stede pulled on his shirt, leaving his waistcoat open. “Suppose you’re right, wouldn’t want to miss story time. “
“Oh, but of course! The crew must be desperate to know what became of the prince!”
Ed shrugged on his jacket before stepping up close to Stede. “I heard he fell for a dashing rogue.” He grabbed Stede, dipping him dramatically. Stede laughed and batted away Ed’s kisses with light slaps to his shoulders. Finally, Ed relented, standing them both up straight.
“Fine, we’ll head back, don’t forget your shopping.”
“Oh! Speaking of!” Stede moved to the bundle before glancing back at Ed. “Eyes closed please!”
Ed raised an eyebrow at Stede for a moment but did as asked; hearing him return a second later.
“Hold out your hands.” Ed did and frowned as he felt a soft fabric placed in them. “You can open your eyes now.”
Wide brown eyes stared back at Stede before looking down at what he’d been given. They widened somehow further at the sight of the lush dark purple scarf draped across his palms. It was detailed in gold and just about the most decedent thing Ed had ever seen.
Well, after Stede.
“You got this for me?” Ed glanced up at Stede who just smiled in return.
“I thought it would suit you, more your colour than any of my things. Do you like it?”
Ed ran the soft silk through his fingers. “I love it. I love… you don’t have to buy me things.”
Stede tutted softly, hands closing over Ed’s and the fabric. “Nonsense. You deserve fine things, and I love the look of you in them.” He pulled gently at the scarf. “May I?”
Ed let him take the scarf, holding his hair out of the way as Stede expertly looped it round his neck.
“There now, see? Suits you.”
Ed smiled wide; puppy eyes strong as he tugged Stede in for a kiss. “You suit me.” He said softly as they parted.
Stede didn’t get chance to reply as Ed’s words were punctuated by a breeze whipping his hair into his face, earning itself a sharp fuck off! For its trouble.
“Just… would you indulge me one more thing?”
Ed tipped his head to the side, both fully aware that he could never refuse Stede anything.
The two arrived back to the ship as the moon settled firmly in the sky, Lucius complaining as Stede’s new trinkets were dumped in his arms. The rest of the crew welcomed them back and, if any of them noticed the rather fetching intricate braid falling down their newest captain’s back, none of them dared to mention it.