Work Text:
“Alright crew! It’s Week 4! Does everyone remember the new strategy we talked about?”
Stede looks around at his team expectantly, tilting his head at each of them to encourage someone to speak up.
“We…hit the ball over the net…?”
“Well, umm, yes Swede, that is indeed the point of volleyball. But remember the specific changes we talked about last week? Sand volleyball proves to be quite challenging, even for those with experience, like me! What about the points I sent out in the game summary email on Monday?” Stede asks.
“Oh god, don’t tell me we’re talking strategy. Was hoping to miss this little pep talk while we got the beers.” Roach sets two pitchers down at the patio table and Wee John follows with seven cups. “Hate to break it to you cap, but no one reads your emails about how to improve our rec volleyball team.”
“Oh, those emails?” Lucius chirps, looking up from his phone. “Yeah I have a filter on those that send them straight to trash.”
Stede huffs and rolls his eyes just as Oluwande tries to smooth over his teammates harsh words. “It’s ok cap’n! We can talk it through now. I’m sure we can incorporate some changes in…” Oluwande looks at his watch, “the next 10 minutes before game time!”
“Ha! Yeah right! You know who we’re playing this week right?” Pete sneers. “Only the best team in the league for 6 years running. There’s no way we’ll even come close to beating The Krakens, even if we had trained all week!”
“Wasn’t this whole thing just to have a little fun on Friday nights?” Wee John asks, pouring the last of the beer from the pitcher and handing them around to all the players. “You know I’m here to cheer you on no matter what, but you can’t expect a lot of wins when you’re just starting…”
“Yeah, I mean, you did bribe us all to join this league ‘just for fun’,” Oluwande points out.
“Fine! Yes, fine! Fun is something I’ve always encouraged!” Stede says, flustered. “But can we please at least try to set up our hitters a little more? Roach can absolutely crush it on the left and no one expects me as a strong side hitter so I really think we can surprise them with that. I just need some good sets on the net,” Stede finishes, trying and failing to not look very pointedly at Swede.
“Hey! I set just fine thank you! You just need to learn how to adjust! Plus a good set starts with a good pass…” Swede shifts nervously on his feet.
“Alright, calm down everyone. Let’s get out there and at least warm up. And look, the other team hasn’t even shown up yet! Maybe we’ll get lucky and win by forfeit!” Stede beams, hoping to buoy his team’s lack of confidence.
“Ugh, winning by forfeit: my dream,” Lucius groans as they all slip off their sandals and head onto the court.
________
The team starts stretching and doing some rudimentary warm ups that Stede taught them from back in his college days playing the game. It’s going on 5 minutes past the game start time when Stede approaches the ref.
“Are you sure I should pay you just yet? Looks like we could have a forfeit on our hands,” Stede says cheerily.
“Nae. The Krakens always run a bit late…Aye, her’ey come now,” says the stoney-faced ref, simply known as Buttons.
Stede turns to see six daunting figures breeze into the venue as if they couldn’t be bothered by something as simple as a Friday night volleyball game. Only one of them seems agitated, a shorter greying man wearing wrist braces and trying to hurry them along as he stomps up to the court.
“Jesus Iz, calm down. It’s just rec volleyball, don’t have an aneurysm.”
Stede had noticed the man known as “Blackbeard” their very first week in the new volleyball league. Who wouldn’t notice him? Tan skin covered with artful tattoos, flowing salt and pepper curls past his shoulders with a scruffy beard that matched. He’s tall and lean, but not perfectly sculpted like some of the gym rats who play. Strong legs and beautiful arms, and a very slight pouch of a tummy that he doesn’t shy away from showing off. Stede couldn’t help thinking ‘soft in all the right places’ whenever he caught a glimpse of it.
And if his beautiful physique wasn’t enough to stand out, Blackbeard’s outfits always made heads turn. Stede’s team was new this year but they had already heard the running joke about how many points The Krakens scored solely based on their opponents getting distracted.
Stede breathes a sigh of relief when he sees Blackbeard in his more typical black yoga pants and a purple crop top. Not that he isn’t gorgeous and distracting in that alone, but last week he was wearing the tiniest neon gym shorts that left nothing to the imagination. Stede literally lost his team a point when he couldn’t tear his eyes away from two courts over. He thought he made a good enough excuse but caught Oluwande’s knowing smirk once they had reset and prepared for the next volley.
Seeing Blackbeard each week, and especially last week, gave Stede more confidence in his own middle-aged body. Enough to do a little shopping, which led to his current outfit: a sleeveless muscle tank and navy athletic shorts that fell just above his knee and had miniature rainbows all over them.
The Krakens, late as they are, still take their time ambling onto the court and getting into place. Blackbeard walks over to the ref stand and lazily hands Buttons his cash fee for the game, then surveys the other side.
“We hav’ The Krakens versus The Gentlemen. We play 3 full games t’ 21. Get ‘em lined up.” Buttons calls from his seat above the court.
Beautiful deep brown eyes settle on Stede through the criss cross of the netting. “The Captain Gentleman, I presume?” a warm voice asks.
“You’ve heard of me?” Stede squeaks.
“Nah mate, he literally just announced the team names,” Blackbeard answers.
“Oh. Right. Name’s Stede. Stede Bonnet,” and he holds out his hand uselessly.
“Stede the Gentleman. Nice to meet you. Ed, Ed Teach.” And they shake hands. Stede’s is a little limper than he hoped for but nothing he could do about that, in the state he was. “Sorry now about the pummeling you’ll experience in the next 3 games.” Ed says confidently.
That seems to jostle Stede into reality. He’s always had a competitive streak and he wouldn’t be deterred just because his opponent was the human embodiment of Adonis.
“Actually I think you’ll find we put up quite a fight. We may look scrappy but our communication as a team is unparalleled!” Stede stands up straighter, practically challenging Ed already from the other side of the net. “We’re 2 and 1 afterall,” Stede says proudly, not mentioning that the 2 wins came from opponents who were absolutely way too drunk to play.
“Fascinating. Good luck, Stede.” Ed gives him a small smile and turns back to his team to get lined up.
Stede tries to shake the interaction by giving his team one final pep talk before they get into place.
“Alright, places everyone! I believe in us! Let’s just keep up our great communication like normal and I think we have a real shot!” Stede beams. They all put their hands in the middle (Lucius hovering his above everyone else with a limp wrist), and call out “Gooooo Gentlemen!” as they raise them in the air. It was the best cheer Stede could come up with in week 1 and no one had any desire to come up with something new.
Stede takes his place on the right side of the net and surveys The Krakens. A stout, strong looking bald man with a long white beard stands behind the serve line, waiting for Buttons to start the game. A shorter woman with long dark hair is in the middle of the back row, and seems to be having a push up contest with the person next to her. They are thin with a curly black mohawk and counting in Spanish before popping up to do some jumping jacks. Oh, to have a young person’s energy again, Stede thinks.
He compares those players to his back row, which consists of Pete, Lucius and Oluwande. Lucius is a bit of a lost cause, but does have some brilliant plays sometimes. What Pete lacks in skillset he makes up for in enthusiasm, always loudly calling for the ball and sacrificing his body before he lets it drop in bounds. And besides himself, Oluwande is the other player with some actual experience. He’s played in leagues ever since he moved to the city of Revenge and is honestly probably the only reason the rest of the team agreed to join. While they may not be showing as much physical energy as the Krakens, he is confident in his team.
In the front row for The Krakens there is a tall lanky man with an afro opposite Roach on the left side, currently doodling little designs in the sand. The short, greying, serious man stands middle, presumably the setter. Which leaves Ed. He stands directly across from Stede at the net and is casually pulling his hair into a messy bun. Stede tries not to stare.
Buttons blows the whistle and it startles Stede, just in time to see the ball soar across the net. The game is underway!
________
“Oh come on Lucius!” Stede cries as the ball soars past the boy, his hands covering his face and slightly cowering. “Don’t sidestep away from it!”
“I almost DIED! Besides, aren’t YOU supposed to block that?!” Lucius screams.
“I’m doing my best up here!” Stede huffs back, turning back to face the net as Ed slaps hands with his team, celebrating his spike.
“You need to spread your hands more mate,” Ed suggests as he lines back up opposite of Stede. “Just imagine that at the top of the net is a big, juicy ass you want to–”
“I know how to block a hit thank you very much!” Stede interrupts with a yell, hoping the blush on his face looks like exertion from the exercise.
Ed holds up his hands defensively. “Fine, right, sorry man. Just trying to help.”
“Edward, stop fucking around and giving the other team advice,” Izzy, the setter butts in.
“Iz, it’s 15-3, relax. We’re all just trying to have some fun here…”
Stede stops listening as the next ball is served over to his team. Oluwande passes it perfectly to Swede who sets up Roach. The tall man jumps with a crazed look in his eye and right before he hits he switches to his left hand and catches their blocker off guard, spiking the ball just behind him.
“YES Roach! Excellent sneak play!” Stede compliments.
“Impressive,” Ed mumbles as Izzy screams at their blocker for missing the shot.
“Cálmete,” Jim (the mohawk) says. “We know Frenchie’s got ups. That was just a crazy move. We got this.”
“Yeah that was sneakier than a cobra! Did I ever tell you about my run in with a cobra babe?” The woman with the dark hair is asking Jim just as Pete serves the ball. It lands in front of the distracted “snake charmer” as she continues her story and that’s how Stede learns her name is Archie. (It’s the first word out of angry Izzy’s mouth). Ed just laughs and steps to the sidelines to sip his beer.
________
The Gentlemen go on a little bit of a run after that. Swede shows off a killer serve he’s been working on, Stede gets a few shots in past Ed’s hands at the net and even Wee John helps on the sidelines by calling a ball out of bounds just as Lucius is about to stick his arms out for a pass. As it is, they lose the first game 21-13 and they all take a break as Izzy argues with Buttons about “unofficial line judges in the audience.”
“Woo-hoo team! We really dug out of that hole we were in at the beginning! We keep playing like that and we have a chance to win one of these games!” Stede is all smiles and positive thinking.
“You know what,” Pete says apprehensively. “I’m actually with captain here. It would be pretty cool saying we got one over on the Krakens. What do you say crew?!”
There is a surprising amount of good natured agreement. Even Lucius promises to put more oomph into it by the time their break is wrapping up and they need to head back onto the court. Meanwhile, Izzy is attempting to berate a distracted-looking Ed and Jim is working to calm Izzy down without much success. Frenchie, Archie and Fang (the bearded man with a killer underhand serve) are back on the sand and swapping more animal stories. Stede swears he hears something about “cats stealing childrens’ breath” as he lines up.
Once again Ed lines up opposite him across the net. “Decent showing in the first game, Bonnet. Too bad we were going easy on you,” Ed smiles devilishly.
“First game’s always a warm up for us,” Stede dishes back.
“Looking forward to seeing what else you’ve got up your shorts.” Ed winks and Stede is rendered temporarily speechless as Oluwande serves the first ball from behind him. He thankfully shakes it off just in time to pass a ball that Frenchie tipped over the net. Swede sets Roach and the lanky man pulls off another crazy hit that catches The Krakens off guard.
“Point Gentlemen!” Stede sing-songs as they get back into place.
Ed simply grumbles a bit and turns to his team to shout a bit of encouragement. His teammates look at each other in confusion and Stede makes a mental note that they’re onto something now.
________
The second game proves to be much more evenly matched between The Krakens and The Gentlemen. Lucius goes on a scoring streak with his incredibly inconsistent serve throwing the defense off kilter. Oluwande has no trouble passing the hits that are coming harder and harder from their opponents, and Swede dials in his sets to the point where Stede is reliving some of his college hitter glory days.
The Gentlemen do slip a few points during their weakest rotation (Pete, Lucius, and Oluwande in the front and Stede, Roach, and Swede in the back), but they somehow hold on long enough to get back to their original lineup.
After Stede executes a particularly stylish spike just past Ed’s raised hands that gives the lead to The Gentlemen, Ed slaps Stede’s hip on his way down from the jump. “Nice hit man,” and his fingers feel like fire through Stede’s waistband, for just the second they linger.
“QUIT FRATERNIZING WITH THE ENEMY!” the angry setter yells at Ed.
“Izzy, chill. It was a good hit. I can admit when someone gets past me.”
“Time out!” Izzy yells at Buttons. The rest of the Krakens groan.
“Oh c’mon man, only losers call time outs,” Archie complains.
“Get in here! We’re about to be losers if you don’t get your heads out of your asses!” Izzy screams as he forces the team to gather round him in the middle of the court.
“Nice captain! We’re getting in their heads,” Roach says with a crazed look on his face. “Love getting in the enemies’ heads!”
“Ok great job everyone. We’re working really well as a team now! Pete don’t let them ice you out here, your serves are phenomenal.” Stede glances over at the score: 18-17. “Just 3 more points Gents, we got this.”
Both teams end their time outs with their own team chant – The Kraken’s much cooler and more intimidating and the players’ faces show true determination. Pete serves the next ball just fine but it’s quickly set up and slammed down by Ed, scoring a point and giving The Krakens the ball. Stede turns to give Ed a compliment on his hit and Ed is already staring forward, ready for the next play.
________
And The Gentlemen find out why The Krakens have won the league for 6 years straight. They take control of the ball and are relentless, scoring quickly and efficiently until the game ends, 21-18. Both teams walk off the court, one dejected, one celebrating like they’ve won the playoffs.
“Calm down now, we still have a third game to play…” Ed says, trying to keep his players in check and glancing over at the other team, circling around their table and beers.
Lucius groans as he sips his Whiteclaw. “Uhhh, why do we even have to play the last game! We lost the first two and there’s no way we can win now.”
“C’mon now! Not with that attitude we won’t!” Stede says encouragingly.
“Yeah I’m actually with Stede on this one,” Oluwande starts. “Those last few points were brutal but look, we got under their skin! We know what their worst looks like and I bet they can’t keep that pace for a whole game!”
“Yeah, and with Blackbeard flirting with the captain, we can definitely keep him distracted!” Swede says.
“Wha–well, I. …I don’t know what you’re talking about Swede!” Stede bristles.
“Wait, you weren’t doing that intentionally?” Lucius asks.
“Doing what?!”
“Jesus help us…” Lucius trails off. “Nothing! Just, forget we said anything. Keep playing exactly how you are Stede!”
The team left Stede standing dumbfounded for a moment as they walked back onto the court, doing their best to hype themselves up for the third and final game.
“See ya out there, Bonnet,” says a deep and quiet voice right behind Stede. He nearly jumps out of his skin and Ed glances backwards as he saunters onto the court. Stede visibly shakes his head to try to forget everything he just heard and makes his way out with his team.
________
The third game is even more brutal than the last four points of game two. But somehow The Gentlemen are keeping pace with The Krakens. Roach has gotten a read on Frenchies’ hits so that each one is either blocked or tipped gently to the eager passers in the back row. Pete is diving for anything even close to a boundary line and has more sand in his ears than seems medically advisable. Stede was hoping that The Krakens would get flustered again but if anything they seem more dialed in than ever before.
Izzy sets an absolutely perfect ball for Ed to kill, but at the last second he gently tips it over Stede’s wide-spread hands and it drops right on the line behind the captain.
“Cheap shot Teach,” Stede huffs, catching his breath.
“Point’s a point, Bonnet,” Ed smirks. “Besides, I had to. Looks like someone finally figured out how to block.” Ed holds his hands wide like he’s blocking and then makes an obscene gesture like he’s squeezing something rather round.
Stede feels his cheeks blush but keeps his composure. “Someone’s going to put you in your place!”
“Oh I would loooove to have someone put me in my place,” Ed purrs, his eyes dark and half-lidded.
“Oi! We hev a gam t’finish! Quit yer bletherin’ an’ serve!” Buttons screams.
Stede somehow channels the increasingly teasing comments from Ed into even more precise playing and soon both teams are neck and neck once again. Lucius somehow places a ball directly in the back corner of their opponent’s court and Izzy sputters and spits as he comes up from an unsuccessful dive in the sand.
“You’ll have to try harder next time, Dizzy Izzy,” Lucius calls, a little too full of himself.
Ed holds Izzy back like he’s done it a hundred times before as he snarls something about “kill that twat.”
The score is 20-20 (because of course it is) when Swede serves the ball over in an arching lob. Jim passes it easily and Fang sets to Frenchie just a bit outside. He punches the ball over Roach’s hands and a diving Pete can't get there in time.
“Point Krakens!! We win!!!” Cries Frenchie in excitement.
“Nae. Must win by two,” Buttons explains.
“Ok crew! No pressure, we got this!” Stede claps his hands and bounces a little to settle his nerves. He is encouraging and optimistic, but he’s in the middle back, a position he hates as it’s hard to take control and make plays at the net. But he believes in his team. They got this.
Jim serves a dagger over the net but Stede passes it up easily to the front row. Pete’s definitely not their power hitter but he gets it over. Archie passes the ball high into the air in the middle of the court and then Stede realizes what’s happening. But he’s a split second too late.
He sees the ball get perfectly placed in the middle of the back row, right in front of Ed, who’s placement mirrors Stede’s. Ed takes his approach, leaping through the air with power and grace like Stede’s never seen. He doesn’t have time to warn the front row. Can’t yell out to his team what’s happening. Stede marvels the perfect back row setup as Ed swings his arm around and down and suddenly the ball is getting larger and larger until…
________
“Do ye’ need a doctor boy?”
“I am a doctor! Well, sort of,” Roach’s voice comes in warbled, as if through water.
“Stede. Stede can you hear me?” a softer voice is right next to the side of his head. Stede slowly turns and Ed’s worried face swims into view. “Stede I’m so, so sorry. Please say something. Are you ok?”
“Guess it was me who got put in my place, huh?” Stede whispers with a grin.
A giant, sly smile spreads across Ed’s face as Roach rolls his eyes and calls out to the rest of the players. “Jesus Christ he’s fine everyone!” Then more quietly, “can’t believe you’re still fucking flirting after a shot to the head took you out. You two deserve each other…” as he walks away.
Ed helps him sit up in the sand and Stede realizes they’re the only ones on the court, the rest of both teams mingling at the tables just to the side on the patio. They’ve all started drinking and talking again now that they see Stede is okay.
“Wait! What happened?? Did we win? Tie? Can we redo the last point?” Stede asks Ed frantically.
“Ah, no mate. Sorry, you guys lost. Your team put up a fight though! Said you deserve at least a tie since the team captain got knocked out cold. Buttons and Izzy both had conniption fits though and threatened to get the rule book from behind the bar.” Ed gently brushes the sand off Stede’s back as he explains.
“Ah, shit,” Stede says dejectedly.
Ed starts to giggle. “You guys really put up a fight! Didn’t expect such a challenge…no offense.”
“Oh none taken,” Stede smiles.
“I really am sorry. Didn’t mean to make it a headshot man,” Ed sighs.
“Nah, it’s fine. I should’ve seen it coming. Never been a great back row player.” Stede works his way up off the sand, guided by Ed as they head off the court.
Ed places his hand on the small of Stede’s back as they walk gingerly, making sure Stede doesn’t have any dizziness or other injuries.
“I could help you out with that if you want…give you some pointers. Your hitting game is totally on point so no help needed there. I know you’re new to this league…if you want any training I could help you out.” Ed sort of trails off as he talks. Stede can’t understand why…unless…
“It’s okay Ed, you don’t owe me anything. I know you feel bad but I don’t require any pity parties,” Stede says bashfully.
“No man! That’s not what I meant! I–” Ed swipes a hand down his face and looks up at Stede, straight in his eyes. “I had a lot of fun tonight. Playing with you was more fun than I’ve had here in…days…weeks…maybe ever.” Ed smiles.
“Well that’s–” Stede starts.
“Let me buy you a…well, how about I get you an ice pack? We can talk it over for a bit. And make sure you don’t have a concussion or anything,” Ed looks around nervously.
“Thanks Ed. I’d love that.”
They finally make it to what has become one big table with all of their teammates crowded around it. Oluwande is chatting adamantly with Jim and Archie and Fang is giggling at something Lucius tells him. They all show sympathy for Stede and make sure he’s ok before he and Ed make their way to the two remaining chairs at the end of the table.
“Here we go,” Ed says as he takes a beer for him and an ice pack for Stede from the helpful server.
“Ed, I’m fine, I promise,” Stede says, but he can’t keep the happiness and appreciation out of his voice.
“Well, let’s just be extra careful then,” Ed says seriously. He gently presses the ice pack up to the back of Stede’s head, resting his other hand on the blond man’s broad shoulder. He gives it a little squeeze. “Besides, I need to make sure you’re all healed up so I can kick your ass again next time.”
“Bring it on, Teach.”