Work Text:
Stede paused as he surveyed the cabin. Candles, lit. Pillow fort made in the library, check. Himself? Dressed down to a simple linen blouse, silk orange breeches, and his battle jacket.
Finally, the note. The note Stede had worked on all day in his own writing nook, tucked away from the crew all day. From Ed. But this was for Ed, all of it.
Placing the note neatly atop Ed’s favorite robe, Stede jumped as the cabin door suddenly opened behind him. “Mate, what’ve you been up to all day-“ the voice of Edward teach rang in Stede’s ears like a bell. Clear, inviting, all too disappointing to hear it cut short. Stede turned to see his beloved in a stand still. He couldn’t tell what Ed thought through his expression..
“Stede… Whats all this for?” Ed asked, stepping closer to stede, but still at an arms distance. “Today, October third, marks the day we had our first kiss.. I wanted to commemorate it.” Stede responded softly, fearing somewhere in his heart that Ed wouldn’t like it. That Ed would laugh at him. Though they had been reunited for a year now, and so desperately in love, Stede’s own mind couldn’t help but make him doubt himself.
But instead of a laugh, a shrug of the shoulders, or anything else he feared would come through, Ed broke the space between them and gently pressed his lips to Stede’s. They have kissed dozens of times since their reunion, since that time on the beach, but every kiss still feels like the first time. Electric, exciting, bursting at the seams with love and joy.. Stede sighed into the kiss as it grew deeper, he could taste orange and fine brandy on Ed’s lips.
Parting from the kiss for only a moment felt like parting for centuries, but Stede was on a mission. “Ed,” he began, as Ed began to trace teasing kisses down Stede’s jaw and throat. Stede chuckled. “Ed I’d love to get to the festivities, but indulge me for a moment.” Stede said, gaining Ed’s attention enough to remove his beautiful lips from Stede’s neck. “For you? I suppose.” Ed replied, pecking stede once more on the lips before letting go of Stede’s waist.
Stede smiled gently before resting his hands on Ed’s chest. “May I?” His question hangs on his lips, as if it were a prayer. Ed cracked a fond smile and nodded. As Stede began to unbutton the various buttons of Ed’s leather jacket, he felt the pirate let out a fond huff.
“Thought you said we weren’t getting to the festivities yet.” He teased, Stede lightly smacked Ed’s chest as the final button was undone, uncovering the rich purple shirt underneath. “Hush.” Stede responded. With the jacket off, Stede lead Ed by the hand over to their little nest. Unlike the pillow fort Ed had made before, this one was warm. It was open in the front, facing the lace curtains that covered the library. “Careful of your knee darling, you have the side with extra pillows.” Stede said, he couldn’t help it. The fiercest pirate to ever live, and Stede couldn’t help but worry about that bloody knee.
“Stede, you’re too good to me.” Ed said softly, that fondness in his eyes that could make an iceberg melt. Stede’s smile softened before leaning in to give Ed another gentle kiss. “Nothing in this world is too good for you, Edward.” Though he didn’t mean to, Stede’s reply was barley above a whisper as his lips stayed only mere inches from Ed’s. “I have something for you..” stede said a bit louder this time, pulling himself away enough to reach for the robe. He took the note off of it before setting the restored article of clothing in Ed’s lap.
“Stede..” Ed trailed as he carefully unfolded the robe. The kohl stains had been scrubbed clean, the various slashes and holes from Blackbeards knife had been carefully and seamlessly sewn up. Every blemish, stain, tear, and mark ceased to exist. Stede had personally mended to the robe for months now, waiting for this day.
“I did all I could, I hope you like it.. bugger almost made me pop my shoulder out of place a few times-“ Stede’s rambling ceased as Ed’s hands flew to his shoulders and pulled him in for a searing kiss. Stede made a small sound of surprise, before melting into the third kiss of the night. He could feel Ed’s heart and soul on display on this kiss, and it felt divine.
Ed paused the kiss for a moment, a brief but oh so long moment, as he pulled his shirt off and put the robe on. Before stede could say another word, Ed was back on him. Hands on every inch of his body, lips and tongue melting his mind through his own lips.
Fuck the note, for now.
Stede placed it beside the tray of marmalade and warm bread, and wrapped his arms around Ed.
“The robe,” Ed said darkly between kisses, as his mouth once again descended to Stede’s throat, “Stays on.”
Later, in the late hours of the night, with only candles being Ed’s source of light, he picked up the note stede had placed aside. As stede lay asleep, covered in marks bestowed upon him by Ed, Ed unfolded the parchment and leaned closer to a candle to read it. He smiled as he read the first few words.
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Dearest Edward,
In all of my life, I could not recall a time where I would say I was happy. Truly, and deeply happy. That is until I met you. You turned my life, my boring and expectedly short life, upside down. I’ve learned so much, laughed harder than I’ve ever laughed before, and smiled wider than I could ever dream. You are the moon, my biggest and brightest light in the dark sky. Every time I look at you, I feel as if my heart will burst out of my chest. As if it cannot take all of the love I have for you. You drive a fire in me, a passion I couldn’t recall having before you. I am absolutely, madly in love with you. All of you. Your kiss strikes a match within me, and your love keeps the flame burning bright and hot. I’d burn a hundred more ships for you, and slay a million more foes to keep you safe. This is my pledge to you, Edward. I love you. And I will never leave your side for as long as I remain on this fleeting planet.
Your lover, Stede.