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They make landfall at the Republic of Pirates and in seconds Ed’s groupies are swarming him. It’s overwhelming and without Ed’s grip on his arm, Stede would be dragged away like the tides. Eventually they end up at Spanish Jackie'z. She reluctantly allows Stede safely inside only because Ed vouches for him.
Stede's fully enjoying himself, delighted to watch Ed being treated as he richly deserves. Fans buying him round after round of drinks. It may have taken Stede well into his forties to finally acquire a friend, but the long lonely wait has been more than worth it. Truly Stede is a fortunate man to have befriended the legendary Blackbeard. Not only friends, dare he say...best friends. Ed's agreeing to be his co captain, surely must be a pirate's way of claiming such intimacy. At least that's how Stede feels about the matter.
Folks are regarding Stede curiously, but friendly like and no one's thrown a drink at him yet. "So you sail with Blackbeard?" One fellow asks.
"I do indeed, my good man," Stede says with a humble bow. That sends an appreciative murmur throughout the crowd.
Ed calls out. "This here's the gentleman pirate. Raise a glass to the coolest pirate I know."
Stede almost melts into the floor at the warmth of Ed's smile. His heart feels near to bursting from his friend's regard.
Stede is soon entertaining a small group of pirates with the tale of his and Ed's raid on a Spanish galleon and the thrilling duel Ed fought with the captain. They hang on his every word and roar in laughter at the punchline. Stede looks over and catches Ed's eye. He sends Stede a blindingly sweet smile.
Stede admires the way the tavern's lanterns pick out each strand of silver in Ed's lovely curls, the fine sheen of his beard. Stede's longed for a friend since boyhood, yet in truth he had no idea just how special such a relationship can be.
A fellow wearing a jaunty red scarf and matching eye patch saunters over, shoving Stede's companions out of the way. He gives Stede an appreciative once over, “What’s your name, sweetheart?”
Stede colors at the attention and startles when Ed is suddenly there, stepping between them. “His name is none of your business, dog.”
There’s a flash of fear in the man’s one good eye. “Sorry sir, didn’t know he was yours.”
“Now you know, so fuck off.” The man scrambles backwards and indeed does “fuck off.”
Stede looks at Ed with wonder. “Am I yours?” Stede asks breathlessly, eyes on Ed’s handsome face. The crowd around them a mere buzz of noise; the world seemingly to have narrowed until it’s just he and Ed cocooned together.
The muscles of Ed's arms flex enticingly as he crosses them over his chest. He squares his jaw. “Dunno, maybe?”
Stede vibrates with excitement. “Are you mine?”
Ed stance loosens, becoming more relaxed, cocky. “Definitely.”
“I think so too,” Stede whispers.
A slow grin spreads over Ed’s lovely full lips. He winks at Stede, the rogue. Ed has a rakish quality about him Stede can admit excites him. “So we wanna take this back to the ship?”
Stede bites his lip and nods, too flustered to speak.
“Was starting to think we’d never get here. Thought maybe you weren’t interested, just enjoyed flirting," Ed says dark eyes, vulnerable.
Stede snorts a laugh. “I didn’t know. I didn’t know we were flirting.”
Ed raises an eyebrow. “Ah, mate really? How? Why didn’t you? You’ve said some swoon worthy shit to me these past few weeks. You mean to tell me that wasn’t on purpose?”
“I thought we were friends,” Stede says, sheepishly.
“We are.”
“Just friends. I’ve never had a friend before," Stede says and knows he must be as red as a tomato. "I feel silly saying this to you, but I thought it was perfectly normal to notice how handsome one’s best friend is. Maybe even a bit sexy, especially in the moonlight.”
“Mate,” Ed chuckles. "I oughta go back and shake that one eyed bugger’s hand. Who knows how much longer we could have gone on like this.”
“Get a room!” Someone shouts. There's a roar of raucous laughter, but Stede doesn’t care when Ed’s looking at him like that.
Stede boldly takes one of Ed’s hands in his. “Shall we, er, take this back to the ship as you suggested?”
“Yeah, mate,” Ed says, his expression, tender. “Let’s go.”