Work Text:
It’s a peaceful night in the Bonnet-Teach household, both men cuddled up under a large yellow knitted blanket courtesy of their friend John, yet immersed in their own activities as light music plays in the distance. Ed is currently navigating his Animal Crossing island on the tv, cursing to himself as he runs away from a scorpion after his net had broken.
Stede sits next to him with a puzzle on his lap, Ed had bought him one of those lap trays last christmas after he’d complained that having to lean over the coffee table to do his puzzles hurt his back. Ed had bought him the puzzle too, a 1000 piece of a pirate ship on the vast ocean. He’s currently sorting through the blue pieces which he assumes are the sea, not quite realising quite how many there would be.
Stede occasionally looks up at the tv as he works, enjoying watching virtual Ed run around in his little leather jacket, shaking trees and catching fish. Knowing how soothing it is to his husband’s mind after a long day at work, how he can just shut off and immerse himself in this gentle game.
Occasionally he can feel Ed’s eyes on his, knowing that his husband is having similar thoughts, how important it is for Stede to have these evenings, a way for them to just exist in these peaceful moment they’ve carved for themselves. They’ve become regular occurrences since they moved in together all those many months ago, although the activities may vary, the calmness it brings never changes.
After a while Stede carefully places down his tray to make them both a hot chocolate, another part of their routine. Ed takes his gratefully, sighing as he has the first sip.
“Thanks babe.”
“You’re welcome darling.”
Instead of picking his puzzle back up, Stede sips on his hot chocolate as he watches Ed play, giving his own character a hot drink in The Roost. It reminds him of their first date in a local coffee shop in town, how nervous he had been, it would probably have helped if the server was a pigeon, although he’s not sure how hygienic that would be. Now look at them, happily married and in love, sitting together on the sofa sharing a cosy Friday night together.
“What you thinking about love?”
“Oh just about our first date, watching you in The Roost just made me think about it I guess.”
“Yeah it was kinda similar, well without the pigeon barista, guess that would be kinda unhygienic.”
Stede smiles. “I thought the same thing.”
“I was so nervous when we first met,” Ed admits.
“You were? I guess I was too nervous myself to even notice.” Stede chuckles.
“Yeah babe, I was kinda glad you went on that rant about moths, gave me some time to calm down.”
“Well I’m glad you appreciated my flirting efforts.”
“That was flirting?”
“It was meant to be.” Stede pouts.
“Well whatever it was, it worked on me, love.” Ed says, pulling his husband closer for a kiss.
“I guess in the end that’s all that matters.”