Work Text:
Edward Teach looks around at the crowds that have gathered outside his new home as the town car drives slowly along the lane. He’s meant to be waving, but he’s mostly just gaping at them as much as they’re gaping at him. He can’t believe he’s actually done it; he won. He’s Prime Minister. The car comes to a stop outside number 10, the door opens, and Ed steps out, doing his best to smile at all the people who have come to watch him arrive at his new home for the first time. He thinks it’s a bit fucking weird, but he can’t say that to the voters.
When he finally makes it inside, he is greeted by Jim, his chief of staff, who introduces the house staff.
“This is Oluwande, the head of staff,” Jim says as Ed shakes the other man’s hand. “And these are the rest of the members, Buttons, your chauffeur.”
“Hello,” Ed says, smiling as he shakes the man’s hand.
‘Pete, groundskeeping, Roach, your chef,” Ed shakes each man’s hand as Jim introduces them, “And Izzy, sous chef and housekeeping. Frenchie and John are also on housekeeping, but they’re a bit busy at the moment.”
“Hi,” Ed says as he shakes Izzy’s hand, impressed he managed to get even that out, stunned and awestruck as he is by the smaller man.
“Hi,” Izzy says back, then looks a bit flustered. “I’m glad you won. I was rooting for you.”
“Thanks,” Ed says, smiling genuinely for the first time all day.
“Shit, I wasn’t gonna say that. Shit, now I’ve said shit. And I’ve done it again.” Izzy blushes the most beautiful red Ed thinks he’s ever seen.
“It’s alright,” Ed says as Izzy shoots a guilty look over Ed’s shoulder. Ed can just imagine what Jim’s face looks like. “I don’t mind.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Ed, realizing he’s still holding onto Izzy’s hand, gives it a squeeze and lets go, feeling the loss as soon as he does.
As the months pass, Ed becomes more comfortable with his staff and in his new house, and he begins to truly enjoy the moments he gets to spend with Izzy, though they’re few and far between. The American president is visiting, and Ed realizes he hasn’t seen Izzy in several days. He asks Jim, who shrugs and tells him it’s not their job to keep track of household staff and he should ask Oluwande if he wants an answer.
Ed sees Izzy later that day, and Izzy gives him a tight-lipped smile. “Sir.”
“Izzy, is everything alright? It’s just, I haven’t seen you in a couple days.”
“Fine, sir,” Izzy says.
Ed knows there’s something Izzy isn’t telling him, but lets him get back to work. An hour later, Ed walks in on the president and Izzy, standing very close, the president cupping Izzy’s face in his hand. Ed makes a strangled sound in his throat, and both men turn toward him. Izzy looks deeply uncomfortable, but runs before Ed can ask him what’s wrong or if he’s okay. Ed turns his anger on the president, saying some things he knows he’ll regret, but he can’t think straight; he just wants to find Izzy.
When he finally leaves the president, he wanders the halls aimlessly before finding Oluwande.
“Oluwande! Have you seen Izzy?”
Oluwande looks uncomfortable. “He quit, sir.”
Ed is stunned. “Pardon me?”
“He quit. About an hour ago, just handed in his uniform and said he couldn’t do it anymore. Bit disappointing, really, he was an excellent sous chef. Are you alright, sir?”
Ed can’t answer. All he can think about is Izzy’s face, how unhappy and uncomfortable he’d looked. And how Ed didn’t do anything until Izzy was already gone.
It’s Christmas, and even though it’s been more than two months since Izzy quit, Ed can’t stop thinking about him. He sits dejectedly on the couch in his office, opening Christmas cards from voters and reading each one, procrastinating on doing his actual work. It pays off, though, when he opens one and reads, his jaw on the floor.
Dear sir,
I'm very sorry about the thing that happened. It was a very odd moment and I feel like a prize idiot. Particularly because (if you can't say it at Christmas when can you, eh?) I'm actually yours.
With love,
Your Izzy
“Jim! Have Buttons bring the car round!”
Izzy, the genius man, had put his return address on the Christmas card, and Ed has Buttons take him there immediately. He’s surprised to find Izzy on his way out the door, until he remembers that it’s Christmas Eve and Izzy probably has plans with his family.
“Ed,” Izzy says, sounding as surprised as he looks. “What…what are you doing here?”
“I just opened your Christmas card,” Ed says, feeling slightly breathless at being near Izzy again after so much time apart. “I never thought you…I saw how uncomfortable you were with the president, I’m sorry you were put in that situation, I’m sorry you left before I could say anything.”
“Ed, it’s fine–”
“No, it’s not. I don’t ever want anyone in my house to be put in a position like that. I’m sorry that that happened to you.”
Izzy’s smile is soft and he can’t hold Ed’s gaze, looking at the ground by Ed’s feet. “Thank you, sir,” he says quietly.
“Hm, no, I don’t like that,” Ed says, tipping Izzy’s face up so he’s forced to look at him. “I liked it better when you called me Ed.”
Izzy flushes and Ed’s breath catches in his throat. “Ed,” he says, and Ed’s pretty sure he’ll never get used to the way Izzy says his name.
“Izzy,” Ed says, and leans in to kiss him.