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Ed admires his appearance in the full length mirror in the hallway, he’s particularly happy with the outfit he’s created. How his purple top fits tightly across his chest, the way the leather pleated midi skirt swishes as he moves his hips. His dark curls pinned up in a sophisticated bun that Stede had helped with, and most importantly the ornate wedding ring on his finger. In some ways he can’t quite believe they’ve been married a year now, yet in other ways it feels like they’ve been together for a lifetime.
He finishes the look with some dangly gold earrings and black eyeliner before deciding that it’s complete. As he puts his boots on he realises that he hasn’t heard his husband for a while, normally Stede likes to talk as he gets ready, almost becoming background music to Ed’s routine. But right now that’s been replaced with a slight eerie silence and that often means trouble, that Stede has got into his own head about something.
“Love, are you ready?” he shouts as he climbs the stairs, but he’s met with silence. “Love?”
He eventually finds his husband sat on the floor of his walk-in wardrobe, well technically their walk-in wardrobe but Stede’s clothes take up the majority of the space, not that Ed cares, he normally steals most of the clothes anyway. He kneels in front of Stede who’s currently staring down at his hands, surrounded by shirts he must’ve deemed unsuitable for their anniversary date. “couldn’t choose what to wear,” he mumbles sadly.
Ed has had to deal with this many a time, Stede has this love for clothes, but that can sometimes mean he gets too into his head about what to wear, especially if the occasion is important to him. Ed gets it, he wouldn’t have used to, before Stede he was more than content to shove on a band tee, jeans, and his favourite leather jacket and call it a day. But Stede had taught him how good it could feel, the way he can express himself through his clothes in a way he never even knew he could before, it’s almost liberating.
“How about I help you babe? I did learn from the expert on how to put a good outfit together.”
That manages to get a small smile from his partner which Ed counts as a win. “Yeah, I’d like that thanks. Sorry I’m ruining our anniversary.”
That comment breaks Ed’s heart, he doesn’t do it as much now, Ed’s made sure that he never makes him feels guilty about his feelings, but still occasionally Stede will revert back to his old ways. But Ed knows how to help him, remind him that he’s allowed to feel.
Ed pulls his husband into a warm hug. “It’s okay love, nothing is ruined we can still get ready and go out, or if you’d rather we can stay in and get a takeaway?”
There’s a short pause before Stede speaks up again. “I’d like to still go out, if that’s okay?”
“Then that’s what we shall do, now let’s find you the perfect outfit.”
Ed smiles to himself as he watches Stede admire his outfit in their bedroom mirror. He’s almost back to his normal self, telling Ed about a nature documentary he’d watched earlier on sloths as he gets dressed, he could listen to Stede talk all day.
“You chose perfectly darling, I really do love this shirt.” Stede praises.
Ed had chosen a cream lace shirt that looks absolutely stunning on his husband, he can barely take his eyes away from Stede’s chest, paired with a simple pair of navy trousers that hug his calves beautifully, it makes the perfect outfit.
Stede turns around to look at his husband, letting out a small gasp. “Oh Edward, I was so caught up in myself that I didn’t even compliment how beautiful you look tonight.”
Ed feels his cheeks warm at the compliment. “Thanks love, you look beautiful yourself.” He pulls Stede in closer, their lips joining in a passionate kiss. “Ready to go?”
Stede smiles up at him “Yeah I am”
But first Ed has to go in for one more kiss, how can he not when Stede’s looking like that. “I love you.”
“I love you too Edward.”