Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Ed

Ed hated weddings. Not because he hated love, not that’s- oh, actually never mind. He hated that people had to make such a big deal out of their love life, some stupid public event to bother lonely people with. Cant you just be in love, have sex, or whatever, and stay at home? Wouldn’t that be better? You safe money, stress and don’t risk any unnecessary mishaps. Society, Ed thought bitterly.

He stared at the printed invitation that came with his mail this morning, dreading about it for at least half an hour before finally opening it.

Don’t get him wrong, he was happy for Jim, they were great employee, really reliable and intimidating, which helped with peculiar drunken customers. They worked at his Bar & Grill for almost two years and Ed frankly grew quite fond of them. That’s mainly the reason he didn’t throw that invite to the trash.

He read the text again.

He sighed, running a hand over his face. He pulled his phone out, checking today’s date. He’s got about a month or so. It’s fine. Everything is fine.

Everything is not fine. Somehow the month turned into a week and he still hadn’t got anything to wear. His formal clothes were limited to one white dress shirt, which had most of its buttons missing so it was shit.

“What’s up boss?” Fang asked him on one particular quiet afternoon, somehow sensing his sour mood. Fucking empath.

“Nothin’. Just thinking.” Ed grumbled, hand stroking through his beard nervously.

“Mm, and what got you so worked up?” Fang leaned on the other side of the counter, leveling with him.

“You know that’s Jim’s wedding’s approaching, eh?” Ed decided to share. He definitely could use some advice and Fang was the only person he could trust enough with it.

“Aye.”

“I’ve got shit to wear. Like, nothing I own seems up for the occasion, you know?”

“Ah. Just buy it then?”

“That’s one brilliant idea, but where? I dunno where to go and I’m pretty sure Hot Topic doesn’t sell black ties or whatever.”

“Hm. Check out the Gentleman’s Revenge?”

“What the fuck is this?”

“A fancy boutique, down the Ocean Avenue, pretty hard to miss. I have friends who work there, really good stuff.” Fang grinned at him.

Ed raised his eyebrows. “Hm, maybe I give it a go after work.”

“I’m afraid it may be too late. Go now, I’ll cover for you and tell Izzy to close.”

“Oh. Thanks, mate.” Ed straightened and turned to get his stuff from the office.

Stede

Stede was thumbing through the fashion magazine, looking for some sort of information when Oluwande appeared beside him, twitching nervously.

“What’s the word, Captain?” Stede raised his head to look at him, flashing a wide smile at his sight.

“Olu! I’ll save the congratulations for the big day, but I gotta say, I’m so happy for you!”

Oluwande smiled shyly.

“Thanks, Cap. So i take, you got the invite?”

“Just this morning.”

“Great. Actually- There’s something i wanted to ask of you. A favor. Actually, a request maybe-“

“Calm down, whatever that is you need, I promise to help you.” He patted the space next to him on the couch, a silent invite. Oluwande smiled and took a seat.

“Hah. Very kind of you. So I was thinking… Maybe, would you be interested in making us suits? I wanted something special for Jim for the occasion, but we can't find anything that catches their eye anywhere. I thought you might be interested in designing something?  Of course, we'll pay you.”

“Are you kidding me? Of course! I’ll do it for free, that’ll be a great honor,” Stede beamed at him, the magazine king forgotten.

“Oh, no, I couldn’t possibly-“

“Please. Take it as my wedding gift for the two of you.” Stede grinned.

Oluwande mirrored his smile.

“I hope it’s not too much of us to ask. I know it’s a short while-“

“Nonsense. I like working under pressure. I find myself most efficient at the times. I’ll do it, no problem.”

“You’re the best, Captain.” Olu nudged his shoulder playfully and got up.

It was true that Stede worked best under pressure. But this, it would have seem, was a lot of pressure. He fixated so hard on trying to come up with something suitable for the pair, so in the end he was running out of time and the projects with ideas were just piling on his desk.

There was a tentative knock on his door but Stede refused to acknowledge it, pencil moving fervently on the iPad’s screen.

“Boss? Your coffee,” Lucius slipped inside with a cup to-go in his hand.

“Thank you, please leave it over there,” Stede waved in the general direction of his desk, which actually was a mess. Sheets of paper scattered around and four other empty cups of coffee, left little no space for another one.

“Damn. What was the last time you got an actual sleep than a shot of caffeine?” Lucius grimaced, placing the cup somewhere where the wood of the desk peeked out.

“Last night of course. Or, this morning? I’m fine, three hours is enough,” he muttered, erasing the vest pattern he didn’t like.

“Yeah, no, I don’t think it is. How about,” Lucius stepped over to him and reached for his iPad, “Ah, yes hello, that’s me, hi. I’m confiscating this. Go home, get some sleep,” Lucius turned the device off and hugged it protectively to his chest, in case Stede would try to get it back.

Stede only sighed and curled into his chair.

“I just can’t get this right…”

“Maybe that’s because you’re sleep deprived. Try getting few hours and then try again. I’m sure it’ll work out better,” Lucius placed a hand on his shoulder in sympathy.

Stede glanced up at him.

“I think maybe I might,” he got up and stretched, his stagnant bone cracking pleasantly. “But-“

“Don’t worry, me and Frenchie will close. I don’t want to see you stepping a foot in here any time today. Go get some rest. You can have it back tomorrow morning,” Lucius patted the tablet.

Stede didn’t seem up for the idea, but nodded nonetheless.

“Fine. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he turned around to get his jacked and his keys before heading out.

“Goodnight, Captain!” Lucius yelled after him, reaching for the forbidden cup of coffee.

Ed

Ed pushed the glass doors, making the bell jiggle above his head. He glanced around. The place indeed was fancy as fuck. He felt strangely wrong-footed in there, he didn’t actually fit in with the vibe with his all black attire, leather and the tattoos.

He wandered slightly further, taking in the interior. The parquet floor was cherry wood, and two crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. That’s an overkill, he thought to himself with a slight smile. It as one big room, separated in the middle by a half-wall. At the back was a corner with fitting rooms and soft looking, peachy couches.

“Hello, welcome to Gentlemen’s Revenge. How can I help you?” A man appeared at his side, all curly hair and beard with some kind of foreign accent.

“No, thanks, mate. ‘M just looking around,” he said, waving a dismissive hand in his direction.

“Very well,” the man nodded, turned on his heels and walked away.

Ed walked up to a section that was labeled as “summer linens”, when the bell at the door jiggled again.

“Lucius, I’m sorry, I know, but I just remembered. I have this folder that I would like to take with me? It’s on my desk, can I-“ a melodious male voice echoed from the doorway as a tall blond man, about the same age as Ed and dressed in a smart, navy blue three-piece suit walked in.

Ed found himself gaping at the man, clenching his fist around some soft fabric piece. Ed only reflexed when the man caught him looking.

Stede

He rounded on the counter where Lucius was seated, crossing his arms and glaring at him viciously.

“No. I’m not letting you anywhere near your office,” he said standing up. “Tell me how it looks like, I’ll go get it.”

“No it’s fine, I-“ He sighed, knowing better that Lucius would talk him down anyway. “It’s red, should be lying somewhere on my desk or underneath,” Stede said with exasperated expression.

“M’kay. Stay here,” Lucius snapped his fingers at him and made his way out to the back.

Stede huffed and placed both of his hands on his hips. He turned around to see how everything’s going and caught a glimpse of a bearded man, with long hair and leather jacked, standing out from the place like a sore thumb. He was also staring at Stede but averted his eyes once they met his.

Stede smiled and pushed himself from the counter, into the direction of a handsome possible-customer.

“Hello!” he greeted the man cheerfully, gaining himself a bit of startled look. “Are you looking for something in particular?” he asked, eyes following the man’s hand where it was gripping on some red silk robe.

“Ah. Yeah,” the man said, thumb brushing one last time over the fabric before letting it go. His voice was nice. Rough but warm, like a hot tea with honey.

“Oh, do you fancy a fine fabric?” Stede supplied with a smile.

“I guess maybe I do. Dunno,” the man looked hesitant before finally meeting his eyes.

“So what is it that you’re looking for?” he prompted, always happy to help.

“Hm, a suit. Don’t know much about the whole deal,” he grimaced and Stede chuckled.

He looked over to the other room where the formal wear was and gestured at the man to follow him.

“Can I ask what’s the occasion?” he asked, while they’re making their way to the display.

“My coworker’s wedding is in about a week. It’s kind of last minute,” he scratched the back of his neck when Stede gasped at him.

“No way! What a coincidence, my dear friend’s wedding is also in about a week,” Stede chuckled while searching for something, shuffling the hangers side to side.

The man huffed from somewhere behind him.

“So, is there any particular dress code?”

“Um, no. The invite mentioned something about optional black tie, but that’s about it. Jim said that I don’t really have to dress up, but-“

“Hold on,” Stede turned to the man in shock. “Jim? Jim Jimenez perhaps?”

The man’s eyebrows scrunched together as his eyes widened.

“Y-yes? Do you know them?”

“Briefly. I know Oluwande, who happens to be their fiancé. Oh! Would you look at that, it appears we’ll be attending the same wedding,” he laughed in delight. The man grinned.

“It’s a good thing I came here after all,” he muttered, extending his hand. “I’m Ed,” he introduced himself. “Teach.”

“Stede Bonnet, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Stede flashed him another wide smile, squeezing his hand. It was rough, slightly calloused and his grip was firm. It send sparks down Stede’s spine.

Stede noticed in the corner of his eyes, that while they were exchanging pleasantries, Lucius had made it back with his folder and was glaring at him from the counter. Stede pointedly ignored him.

“Alrighty then,” Stede turned back to the hangers and pulled few sets. He then turned around to a small table, where neatly folded dress pants were lying. “Find pairs from this and that stack that fit you,” he instructed the other man.

Ed nodded simply, without a second thought, picking the pants. Stede made his way over to the fitting rooms and hanged them inside one of them. “Here, try them on,” he said, sitting on the plush couch.

Ed raised an eyebrow at him.

“You’re gonna wait?”

“Why, of course. I’m gonna make sure it’s the best fit for you,” he offered him another bright smile.

Ed looked puzzled for a second and Stede started beating himself mentally for being too forward, but eventually Ed looked at him slightly amused, smile pulling on his lips and went into to changing room, drawing close the curtain behind.

Stede glanced at the counter, finding Lucius still staring at him but now he looked smug and shook his head at him. Again, Stede choose to ignore him.

Chapter Text

Stede

His phone buzzed in his pocket repeatedly, slowly driving him mad, so he eventually gave in. With a frown he unlocked his phone and saw five separate messages from Lucius. He turned to look ever his shoulder and glare at him, but Lucius was hiding his face behind his phone.

He snickered to himself, shaking his head. That boy really was the bane of his existence.

He heard shuffling from the fitting room and someone draw the curtain to the side. He whipped his head immediately and his breath hitched at the sight.

Ed

Ed breathed hard and glanced hesitantly toward the hangers. There were two sets of suits that Stede picked up for him, one in a greenish sea color the other was in shades of black and purple. They looked extravagant and expensive, something he wouldn't ever have worn normally. But it's not as if he had anything to say now. Besides, the cute bizarre man had something about him that Ed couldn’t refuse him probably even if he wanted to.

For now he chose this green ensemble, consisting of matching dark pants, a white long-sleeve shirt, a vest and a jacket with an equal print of something that resembled shimmering fish scales.

He had never dressed in anything like that before, so it took him a while, all the fussing with buttons, he event put the vest backwards at some point, but eventually he was ready. He casted a fleeting glance at himself in the mirror and pulled back the curtain.

Stede sat staring at his phone, but when he heard Ed come out of the fitting room, he raised his head. In a flash, his face lit up with a smile, and Ed could felt his palms sweat. Not good.

"You look phenomenal! Turn around," Stede instructed him, twirling his index finger in the air.

Ed did as he was told and spun around, spreading his arms wide at the sides. "Do I?"

"Yes, absolutely! Hm. But I'm afraid that’s not it yet. Don't get me wrong, you really do look great in it, but green is not your color after all. No offense."

"None taken," Ed huffed a laugh. "Shall I go try on the other one?"

"Please, if you could," he said. Stede sent him an apologetic smile, as if by some miracle he knew how uncomfortable Ed felt at that moment. Or he read it from his body language, which probably gave him away.

Ed disappeared behind the curtain and took a moment to fumble with those clothes to get out of them. How can people go about their daily lives in this? How did Stede deal with this? It was beyond his comprehension.

He hung the green suit carelessly on a hanger and took the purple one in his hands. It was incredibly smooth, was it silk? Ed hesitated for a moment, then lightly rubbed the material over his cheek. Amazing.

He hurriedly put on the pants and even managed handling the dressing better with the same cut black shirt, vest and jacket. Suddenly a bow tie, in the same purple shade as the rest of the set, fell out from between the hangers.

Ed picked it up, but didn't put it on. He pushed back the curtain.

Stede rose from the couch and stared at him in stupefaction.

"Are you okay, mate?"

"This... Purple is definitely your color. Turn around?" He did that thing with his finger again.

Ed did.

"Everything fits? No pressure anywhere, no discomfort?"

"Everything is fine." Ed smiled half-heartedly. This set was definitely more to his liking.

Stede clapped his hands delightedly. He then stepped closer to him, scanning him from head to toes, making Ed hot all of sudden. And very self conscious.

“There’s something missing… Ah, you’ve got it!” He pointed at the bow tie in his hand. “May I?” he asked, but didn’t wait for Ed to answer and just pulled it from his lose grip. Their fingers brushed, Ed immediately missed the feeling.

Stede stepped even closer to him, reaching over his neck to put the bow tie in it’s right place. Ed inhaled through his nose, eyes focused on the wall behind Stede’s head. When he was done, he walked few step backwards to examine him better.

“Now you’re all set. You look stunning,” Stede smiled at him and Ed just couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

The man was showering him in compliments all this time, Ed couldn’t remember last time someone said something so nice about him. Stede was so different from all the other people he knew. He was so nice it hurt.

“You’re just saying it to bribe me into buying this,” Ed said, dropping his eyes to the floor and fidgeting with the hem of the jacket.

“Well, is it working? Because I would be very disappointed not to see you at the wedding wearing this,” Stede smiled and his nose scrunched in the most adorable way possible. Ed could explode.

“Yeah,” Ed walked over to the fitting room, giving himself a one over in the mirror. “Yeah, I think I’ll go with this one,” he said, turning back towards Stede.

“Fab. Now, wait-“ Stede patted his pants pockets, as if he was looking for something, but didn’t found it at the end. “Alright, go get change and- I’ll meet you at the register. That is… Just wait before you go,” Stede pointed a finger at him and turned on his heels, before storming away.

Ed blinked after him, but decided to step back behind the curtain and change.

Once he was back in his old clothes, he crumpled the suit in a ball (he couldn’t fold things for shit) and headed towards the register. He was greeted by a young man, who all but beamed at him, before reaching for the clothes.

“Hi! Would that be all for you?” He asked, placing the suit on the counter and proceeded to fold it neatly. Ed just nodded. “Fantastic. Wrap as a gift or in a regular bag?”

“Just regular, s’fine,” Ed pulled out his wallet from his back pocket.

“Cash or card?”

“Card.”

When the transaction was completed, the boy handed him the receipt confirming the purchase.

“You have one week for a possible return, of course, with the receipt" he notified him.

At the same moment, Stede reappeared, approaching him from the side.

"Here. My business card, should you have any questions or be interested in something more. That is, in buying something more," he said, handing him a small card and bloody winked at him.

Ed had to bit his lower lip to prevent himself from smiling like a fucking lunatic.

“Yeah, thanks. I, uh. See you around,”

He turned towards the door, but still managed to see the boy waving at him.

"See you!"

Stede leaned towards him over the counter, whispering something, that made the boy roll his eyes.

Ed left the boutique with a bag in one hand and a business card in the other. And a silly grin plastered on his face.

Stede

He made it home around the closing time after all. Returning to an empty house after work will probably never get into his habit. He was used to the hustle and bustle of his children and ex-wife, and now, more than a year after the divorce was finalized and the moving out, he still couldn't stand the all-encompassing silence.

Yawning protractedly, he moved towards the kitchen, where he pulled grape juice and a few things from the fridge to make himself some sandwiches for dinner.

"Meow," a quiet meow knocked him out of his rhythm, when something fluffy nudged his calf.

"Oh, hello there. How have you been, hm?" Stede crouched down to pet Ned, his back arched as he leaned into the touch and started purring loudly.

Well, at least he wasn’t completely alone in here.

The ginger tomcat also yawned after which he began to mew.

“Would you like some cheese, my good sir?” Stede straightened back up and plucked a piece of cheddar cheese, then dropped it to the ground for the cat to eat.

Stede made himself some sandwiches, poured himself a glass of juice, after which he made sure there was something in the cat's bowls and busied himself with consuming his dinner.

Later, when he was laying in his bed, flipping through his folder with his reading glasses on his nose and a peacefully sleeping cat beside him, he heard his phone ping with notification oh his nightstand.

He reach for it, not even looking who it was from, assuming it was probably Lucius to bother him this late at night.

Stede almost dropped his phone on his face. He felt blush creeping on his cheeks, but before he got the chance to respond, another message came through.

Of course that what he meant, Stede you fucking idiot.

Stede turned off the phone and reached for the charger, plugging it in and put it on the bedside table. He also put away his folder and glasses. He stroked Ned one last time, which purred quietly, and finally lay down with the intention of falling asleep. Tomorrow is also a day.