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Edward Teach doesn't like going home early because of having a panic attack. The man found it embarrassing. He owns the restaurant, he wants to show his employees that he’s a stable man. When his best friend/manager, Izzy, saw him crying and hyperventilating on the gross floor in the back for 10 minutes, he pretty much kicked him out. So Ed had to walk past all his employees with red, teary eyes and smeared eyeliner. Ed hated it every time.
Ed walked into his house at around 11:50, 3 hours after he went to work. He tried not to make so much noise since his husband, Stede, wasn’t expecting him for 6 more hours. Ed slipped off his boot and went straight for the bedroom, he heard Stede moving around in the kitchen and usually when Ed got home from work he would greet Stede, but he was feeling too embarrassed to go to him. After throwing off his clothes, down to his boxers and throwing on his comfort robe Ed crawled into bed, pulling the blanket up almost over his face. Ed tried to get some sleep but his brain was too full of negativity to give the poor man a chance to sleep. After some time he hears footsteps towards him and into the room with you.
“Are you asleep sweetie? I brought you some tea, 7 sugars and a splash of milk.” Stede’s soothing voice whispered. Ed turned over to see his husband standing by the bed holding the cup of tea he was talking about. Ed sat up slightly and accepted the tea, enjoying the warmth of the mug in his hands. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“Couldn’t sleep.” Ed took a small sip of his drink. Stede always made Ed’s tea the best, the man had it down to a science and made it perfect every time. Even makes it better than Ed himself sometimes.
“I’m sorry sweetheart. Anything you want to talk about?” Ed shook his head. “I can leave to let you rest if you want me to.”
“No” Ed said simply, the last thing the man wanted was to be alone. “Will you sit with me?” Ed asked his blonde lover, who simply smiled and sat down on the bed next to his husband.
“I’m proud of you for coming home early, I know it’s not an easy decision to make.” Stede ran his fingers through Ed’s black and grey hair, just the way that Ed likes it.
“Wasn’t really my decision, Izzy was close to dragging me out by my hair.”
“He might not be my favorite person, but he’s good at knowing when you've hit your limit. Is there anything else you need from me darling?” Ever the doting husband. Ed thought for a second.
“Will you read to me? It always helps me sleep.” Stede smiled softly
“You know I’ll always read to you. Do you have a preference?” Ed watched as Stede walked over to the bookshelf that was against the wall next to their bed.
“Good Omens.” Ed requested as he finished drinking his tea.
“You always want me to read Good Omens, one day you'll get tired of me reading it to you.” Stede joked as he brought said book to the bed and got on the bed with his back against the bed frame. Ed placed his empty mug on the bedside table and snuggled against his husband’s shoulder.
“I’ll never get sick of my boys. Unless you're sick of reading it to me.”
“I’ll never get sick of reading anything to you, sweetie.” Stede placed a simple kiss on Ed’s forehead.
“Chapter 1, In the beginning. It was a nice day, all the days have been nice.” Ed barely heard Stede get through the first 2 pages before he closed his eyes and dozed off to Stede’s soothing, calm voice and fingers gently combing through his hair.