Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Ed was working his usual schedule at his tattoo parlor. He, as long as he lived, had a random passion for flowers, especially orchids. They were his favorite. So with that passion, he had an idea at work. He would go to the florist and buy orchids to give to his customers after they had gotten their tattoo. So, as he planned, he went to the florist early in the morning and bought some orchids. When he got back, he put them in a vase with water and waited. He finally got a customer and he was excited to give him the surprise. “So, what would you like today?” Ed asked. “I would like an orchid on my right arm," the customer said. “You like orchids?” Ed asked as he grabbed his tattoo gun. “Yes as a matter of fact I do!” the customer said. Ed started to draw the tattoo on his arm while the customer said, “Ouch!”. “Are you okay?” Ed asked. “Yup! I’ve gotten many tattoos before.” “So what is your name?” Ed asked. “Stede,” he said. “Well Stede, I think you are very pretty today.” “Thank you very much! I tried to get ready fast so I could get here then go to work,” Stede said. “Well I think you did a great job in such little time,” Ed said. As Ed continued to draw the orchid, he stared into Stede’s eyes, mesmerized. Suddenly, he felt his hand shake. He zoned back in and saw that he made a squiggle on accident. “Oh my god I’m so sorry!” Ed said. “It’s perfectly ok! As a matter of fact, I kind of like it more this way. It’s… What's the word… Abstract!” Stede said, elated. Ed stayed focused the rest of the time and finished the tattoo.

“It's beautiful!” Stede said delightfully. “You really think so?” Ed asked. “Of course! Like I said, abstract art. Even the most popular art pieces are abstract or have mistakes! Take the Mona Lisa for example. Leonardo Da Vinci had to have made many mistakes and yet here it stands, the most popular art piece of all time.” “Wow, I guess I never thought about it that way. Thanks Stede!”. “Any time Ed,” Stede started to walk out of the building and Ed quickly remembered, “HEY STEDE!” Ed yelled while he was about to leave. “Yes?” “Here! An orchid.” “Thank you very much!” Stede said. Stede walked away and Ed watched as Stede walked to his car in the beautiful sunlight. When Stede had left the building, Ed murmured something to himself. “He is just… Amazing.” Ed got a few more customers but none of them were as special as Stede. He had finally completed his shift and realized he had run out of orchids.

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Ed needed to get more orchids to give to the others so he got in his car and went to the florist. When he got there, it was just around 2:00. The florist was called, “KRAKEN FLOWERS”. He stepped inside and closed his eyes and breathed in the fresh smell of flowers. Right when he opened his eyes he stood there, paralyzed. The only thing his eyes were able to see at that moment was Stede, working as a florist at the flower shop. He slowly walked up to Stede and said, “Hi Stede!” “Oh wow! Ed! I didn’t expect you to be here!” “Yeah, I ran out of orchids,” Ed said. “Well, Kraken Flowers has orchids, roses, violets and more! Any flower you need, we got it.” Stede said in a kind, soft voice. “Wow Stede. I can’t believe I haven’t noticed this before but, your voice is beautiful.” Ed said. “Thank you!” Stede said gratefully. Ed went to pick out a bouquet of orchids and thought about Stede. How he was kind, funny, cute, and into flowers. Ed finally thought to himself, “I’m going to ask Stede out.” So, with that in mind, Ed picks the perfect bouquet and checks out. When he was leaving the florist, Stede said, “Have a great day Ed!”. “Oh um, Stede?” Ed asked carefully, because he had never done this before. “Yes Ed?” “Would you want to maybe go out with me to get some coffee or a drink or um…” Ed starts to stutter and gets nervous he might mess up. “Of course I would Ed.”. “Okay! Um, what time is your shift?” Ed asks. “1 to 3,” Stede says. “Is 4:00 tomorrow ok?” Ed asks anxiously. “Perfect!” Stede says as he smiles. “Okay! I’ll come pick you up at 4:00 tomorrow for coffee, correct?” “Yup! The address is 1717 Revenge Road. Bye Ed!” “Bye Stede!” and Stede softly kisses him on the cheek.

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When Ed got home, he sat on the couch. He put on his favorite show, “A Pirate’s Life” and sat there anxiously, waiting for the day to pass. The next day came and he lay in bed, nervous and excited for tonight. “OH GREAT HEAVENS!” Ed exclaimed as he remembered something. He sprung out of bed and got dressed. He got in his car and drove as fast as he could to the tattoo parlor. He ran inside just as his friend Izzy was giving someone a tattoo of a Kraken, which reminded him of Stede. “Izzy! I forgot to tell you but here.” Ed said as he handed Izzy a vase of orchids. “What are these for Ed?” “I like to give them to the customers after they get their tattoos. Could you tell the others that too?” Ed asked. “Sure thing boss.” Izzy said as he put them to the side. “Thanks Izzy.” “Have a good day Ed.” “You too Izzy!” Ed yelled as he ran out the door. He drove back home and realized it was later than he thought. It was already 1:00. Stede’s shift had just started so that gave Ed just enough time to take a shower, get dressed, comb his hair, and be prepared. So, Ed walked to the shower, turned the temperature to just in the middle of hot and cold, undressed, stepped in, and rinsed. As Ed stood in the shower, he thought about the date. He finished his shower and dried off then went to his bedroom. He put on a nice purple suit to resemble an orchid. Ed loved that Stede was also a flower addict. He loved his personality and most importantly, he loved Stede.

So, after he put on his bright purple suit and tie, Ed got his hairbrush and started to brush. He made his hair wavy with curls. Just like Stede’s. He stepped outside the house and breathed in the fresh smell of the grass, sky, air, and flowers. He got in his car and checked his watch. It was 3:15 which gave Ed just enough time to go to Kraken flowers and buy some orchids for Stede. Ed checked his watch one more time to make sure Stede’s shift ended. Then, he drove to the florist and bought one bouquet of orchids. He was determined to find the perfect one for Stede because someone perfect needs something perfect. Then, he saw it. A beautiful bouquet of orchids. All different colors. Red, blue, green, yellow, purple, white, and pink. Then, once he stepped back into his car, it was already 3:45 because he had spent so much time looking. He put the address that Stede had given him when he confirmed the date into a GPS. “1717 Revenge Road.” Ed murmured to himself. Then, he drove to the address. He walked up to the door, hands shaking. Then, he knocked on the door. Stede walked up and opened it. “Hello Ed!” Stede said as he stepped outside. “Lovely day isn’t it?” “Yes Stede! What a beautiful day it is.” Ed said. “Well? Where to?” Stede asked. “I have found an adorable little cafe north of Main Street. “Perfect! I love cafes.” Stede said. “Before we go um… I got you these orchids.” “I love them!” Stede said enthusiastically. “Thank you Ed!” “Anytime Stede.” Ed said as he and Stede drove off to the cafe.

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As Ed focused on the road while driving to the cafe for his favorite, breakfast for dinner, Stede was grinning with so much happiness he made Disney World look jealous. “You okay Stede?” “Never been better.” Stede responded with a soft voice. Again, in Ed’s head he was swarming with thoughts. “Is Stede the one? Do I really love him?”. All these thoughts were making him concentrate more on Stede than the road. He was about to swerve into a tree when Stede yelled, “ED! WATCH OUT!”. Ed zoned back in and swerved back into the road with such perfection, Stede was shocked. “I mean, I know you almost crashed but, you are an incredible driver when it comes to swerving out of the way.” Stede said as he sat there, shaken from what just happened. Ed focused on the road while he and Stede laughed. When they got to the cafe Ed got out of the car and walked to the other side. He opened Stede’s door and pulled him out. Ed kissed him as he pulled Stede out. Stede blushed as they walked into the cafe. They sat down at a table near the window and ordered. Ed got a croissant and Stede got a breakfast biscuit. As they waited for their food, they talked about flowers. “What is your favorite thing about flowers?” Stede asked. “One word Stede. Love,” “Why so?” Stede asked. “Love is a force of nature that brings everything together. It’s in you. It's in me. Everything has love for one another. Just like I love you.” Ed said. Stede and Ed both sat there. “I’m sorry Stede. I didn’t mean,” Stede cut him off. “I love you too Ed.” Stede said in a low voice, hard for Ed to hear. “You… You do?” “I do.” Stede said as he smiled. Ed and Stede both smiled and they got their food. “Thank you!” Ed and Stede said in unison to the waiter. They both took a bite of their food and looked up at each other. “OH. MY. GOD.” Ed and Stede said at the same time. “This is incredible.” Ed said as he took another bite. “I know right?” Stede answered. When they were done, (which was in a very short amount of time because of how good it was) Stede took out his wallet and Ed grabbed his hand. “I got it, Stede. I asked you out, I pay.”. “Thank you Ed.” Stede said. They both walked out of the cafe and Ed drove Stede back to his house. “This is why I love you Ed. You love everything I love, you’re nice, polite, and I was so glad when you came into my world.” Stede said kindly and lovingly as he blushed. “You took the words right out of my mouth.” Ed said and he kissed Stede one more time then drove home. When he got home he sat on the couch and put on “A Pirate’s Life”. He sat there, shocked. “Oh my god. I did it. I finally got someone who understands me and loves me for me.”. Ed walked to his bed and lay down there, motionless. “I love you Stede.” Ed said as he drifted off to sleep.

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One year had passed since Ed’s first date with Stede. He and Stede now partnered up and created a joint shop. One half tattoos, one half flowers. As both of their shifts ended, Ed walked Stede to his car. “Bye Ed!” Stede said. “Bye Stede!” Ed replied. Stede opened the door to his car and Ed said, “Wait!” “Yes?” Stede asked. “Um… nevermind.” He and Stede both laughed and drove home.

Ed was on his way home when he saw a jewelry shop. Ed turned around and drove straight towards it. The store was called “The Revenge of Jewelry”. Ed walked in and a man in a suit and tie greeted him. “Hello.” “Um, hi.” Ed said reluctantly. Ed waltzed around the store, as casual as could be, searching through rows of necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, and more. Then he saw it. A 14 karat gold ring with an emerald in the setting (also known as the part that holds the diamond), surrounded by diamonds. He asked the man how much it was and he said, “One thousand eight hundred dollars.” “Oh my”, Ed thought to himself as he thought about buying it. Ed put his hands on his face, slid them down and said, “I’ll take it!” enthusiastically, as if he wasn’t about to spend half his life savings. Ed inserted his card and the words on the screen read, “Purchase Complete”. Ed’s heart was full but his wallet was empty.

He drove back home and lay in bed. He thought about why he’d done that. As he drifted off to sleep he had a dream. Stede was there, shocked. Crying, even. “Stede, are you okay?” Ed asked. Stede was just about to turn to look and Ed awoke.”That’s why I did that.” He said. He knew what it meant. Ed got into his car and drove to Stede’s house. “STEDE!” Ed said. “Yes?” Stede asked as he sat on the porch, which was rather convenient. “Get in. We are going to the mountains.” Stede and Ed rode in the morning air and beautiful sunrise. “Why are we going to the mountains?” Stede asked, confused. “You’ll see.” Ed said back. They got to the mountains after a long car ride. Ed grabbed Stede’s hand and pulled him up and out of the car. They hiked up a little hikers trail and to where Ed needed to go. They got to around the center of the mountain on a cliff. “Ed what are we doing here?” Stede asked. Ed saw Stede shivering with his jacket on and gave Stede his also. “Seriously Ed. Why are we here?” “You have been with me for a year now and… you have made me so happy. So that is why I have to ask…” Ed bent down on one knee and pulled out the ring. “Stede Bonnet, will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?” Stede started to cover his face with his hands. When he uncovered his face he was crying, just like Ed’s dream. “Yes!” Stede squealed as Ed put the ring on his finger and they kissed. “That’s why you came here.” Stede said as he sniffled. “To get a perfect setting.” Ed and Stede both laughed. They went down the mountain and drove back home. From then on they lived happily ever after.

THE END.