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Stede’s thigh rested against Ed’s in the back of the ride share. He held the carefully wrapped charcuterie board tightly on his lap, anxious to preserve the presentation.
“I don’t think we need to bring anything,” Ed had said doubtfully twenty minutes earlier. “I mean, maybe the beer?”
“Nonsense!” Stede practically sang the word. “A gentleman never arrives empty-handed.”
Ed had scrounged up a striped shirt and a pair of leather pants that made Stede second-guess his decision to leave the apartment at all. Stede offered up his toy sword for Ed’s costume and produced a tiny plastic eye patch from the pocket of his frockcoat. “Louis insisted on taking this off before we reached the second house,” he explained. “Lucky I still had it on me, hey?”
As they rode toward Frenchie’s apartment, Ed fidgeted with the six pack on his knees. “So, uh, these guys, Lucius and the rest of them. You, uh, you know them pretty well?”
“Ah, well, I’ve known most of them since Alma started at San Augustine’s, but I haven’t really socialized with them much. Just at fundraisers, parent-teacher events, that sort of thing. More acquaintances than friends, I’d say.” Stede glanced at Ed. “You really haven’t gotten to know them since you’ve been working there?”
Ed shrugged. “Remember last week, when we talked about feeling lost?” He shrugged again and sighed a little. Stede slung his arm around Ed and pulled him close.
“Of course.”
Ed leaned his head against Stede’s. “Right. Well, like I said. I was in the Army for a couple of years and it … it wasn’t a good fit. I really thought it was what I was destined to do. So when I left, I kind of lost myself, you know? I ended up getting hired by this guy I went to high school with, Izzy, who ran a security company. It turned out to be more like hired muscle for some really bad guys. I – I did a lot of things I wasn’t proud of. I cut myself off emotionally from people, too, so I wouldn’t have to think about what I was doing, or about the trauma I’d been through earlier in my life. I wasn’t a good person back then, Stede.”
Stede scoffed in doubt.
“I’ve spent the last decade getting my degrees,” Ed went on. “Clearing background checks, working in schools and daycares, and doing a lot of therapy. It’s still really hard for me to open up and make friends … present company excluded.” His glance at Stede was almost shy. Stede’s eyes softened and he kissed Ed’s temple gently. “I’m glad we’re friends,” Stede replied with a hint of mirth.
“Getting this job was a big deal. Doing well at it and being worthy of it matter a lot to me. I didn’t want to seem unprofessional by hanging out drinking and partying or whatever with people I supervise, you know? Especially when I’m 15 years older than most of them.”
Stede nodded. “I think I can understand that.”
“But the more I think about it, the more I think refusing to ever hang out with them was overkill. I can go to a party with my colleagues once in a while and still be professional.” A pause. “And hey, now I won’t be the oldest one there, right?” He pressed his leg playfully against Stede’s.
_________________________________________
Ed scanned the buttons beside the door until he found J. French. BZZZZZ.
“Hello?” Frenchie’s voice crackled through the intercom.
“Uh, yeah, it’s Ed.”
“And STEDE!” trilled Stede, leaning in around Ed. Ed looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
The intercom crackled again. “Stede … Bonnet? Oh, right … so you’re … right. Okay, come on up. Yup.”
Stede frowned. “He sounded surprised. I hope it’s all right that I’m crashing the party, I didn’t think to ask if I could attend, I –”
BZZZZ. Click. Ed huffed once in amusement as he pulled the door open. “Yeah, I don’t think that reaction had anything to do with you crashing the party. After you,” he said, sweeping a mock bow.
“Hey now,” Stede smiled. “I’m supposed to be the gentleman and you’re the pirate, remember?” Ed followed him through the door and pulled him into a sudden, rough kiss just as it locked behind them. Stede barely managed to keep his grip on the charcuterie board. “Oh, I think we can take turns,” Ed whispered. “Now, where’s that elevator?”
This party is getting less interesting by the second, Stede thought.
_________________________________________
The sound of the party wafted down the hall. Still dangling the six-pack from one hand, Ed rapped on the door with the other. Frenchie opened it. He was wearing a frilly yellow shirt with an embroidered vest and brilliant sunset-orange velvet pants. He seemed taller than usual, and Stede looked down to note the heels on his boots. There was an electric guitar slung around his shoulder and a bandana tied around his head. Chains dangled from his neck. “Ah, Frenchie,” began Stede. “You must be –”
“Hendrix at Monterey, nice!” Ed said as they entered the apartment. “You gonna light this thing on fire later or what?”
Frenchie chuckled a little nervously. “Let’s see where the night takes us, right? Glad you made it. Here, let me get that beer into the ice bucket.” He looked at Stede with an odd glint in his eye. “Charcuterie – fancy! I’ll take that,” and grabbed the board with his free hand. “Will wonders never cease,” Frenchie muttered to himself as he headed for the kitchen.
Stede and Ed made their way into the living room. “Shall I grab us a drink?” Stede started to ask, when suddenly a voice interrupted him.
“Ed, hombre, I didn’t think you’d make it.” Jim’s voice was a gentle drawl. They were dressed in chaps, a fringed vest, and a black cowboy hat. “And Stede Bonnet, tiempo que no te veo. Haven’t seen you since –” they stopped, their eyes suddenly trained on Stede’s throat. A small, teasing smile played across their lips. “What’s that on your neck?” they asked.
“Oh, this?” Stede’s hand flew to his neck. “It’s a cravat, a sort of old timey precursor to the modern tie, such as a gentleman might have –”
“Naw, nah, man. That red mark. Is that like a –” Jim squinted theatrically. “Like a bug bite? It kind of looks like a little mouth-shaped sunburn.” They smiled again. A man in an Old West sheriff’s costume appeared behind Jim with two bottles of beer in his hands. He took in Stede’s confusion with compassionate humour. “Mi amor,” the man said, handing Jim a bottle. “I don’t think he’s familiar with the show.”
“¡Cállate con eso de ‘mi amor!’” Jim hissed, giving the man a peck on the lips.
“Right, right, or you’ll stab me?” the man laughed. He tipped his white cowboy hat. “Oluwande,” he said. “Pleased to meet you. And what my … AMOR … here is trying to say is that you have a very impressive hickey on your neck.”
Stede turned crimson. “You told me it was covered!” He whirled around to face Ed.
Ed shrugged. “Guess the cravat slipped.” He leaned in close to Stede’s ear. “And I’m nothing if not thorough.” Stede’s eyes slipped shut in spite of himself.
“Ay, get a room you two,” Jim laughed.
Stede collected himself and shook Oluwande’s hand. “Stede Bonnet,” he said. “My children attend San Augustine’s. I’ve known Jim here for, what, five years now?” Jim nodded. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Oluwande. I’ve heard so little about you.” Stede winked.
“Yeah, yeah, that’s not surprising,” Oluwande laughed.
“People don’t need to know everything about everyone,” Jim protested. “Madre de Dios.”
Oluwande ducked in to kiss them on the cheek. “Claro, mi media-naranj –” “DON’T,” Jim growled, shoving him playfully.
“Well, Stede Bonnet, and I assume Ed Teach, I’m happy to meet you both. I’m a career counsellor at Trinity College, and I’ve had the honor of this adorable menace’s attention for the last two years. Despite anything they might neglect to tell you to the contrary. Jim, shall we leave these lovebirds in peace and go see what Roach is up to in the kitchen?” Oluwande pulled Jim away with him.
“Do you think everybody knows about us?” Stede asked Ed.
“We did arrive together at 12:30 am, I think it’s probably obvious,” Ed grinned.
“Ah,” Stede allowed. “Well. Drinks?” He started toward a long table laden with bottles of beer, wine, and sodas. “We can just have one of ours, or –”
“No FUCKING way!” Stede spun around at the voice. A shorter man, apparently dressed as Joe Exotic, was barreling toward Ed. “I don’t believe it. The Kraken!” Stede glanced at Ed, perplexed.
Ed looked equally baffled. “Uh, do I know you?” he asked.
“It’s me! Peter Black?! God, you must have kicked me out of Geraldo’s 20 times back in the day, man!” Peter grabbed Ed’s hand and began pumping it up and down, thumping him on the shoulder. “Good times, right? God, the Kraken. What are you doing here?”
Ed extricated his hand and rubbed it on his thigh. He shot a confused look at Stede. Stede moved in front of him automatically. “Stede Bonnet,” he declared, towering over the man. He extended his hand. “How is it that you think you know my friend Ed here?”
Peter hesitated, then shook Stede’s hand. “Well, I never called him Ed back then. He was one of the bouncers at this crazy bar, Geraldo’s. He was a total badass, too.” Peter stared over Stede’s shoulder at Ed. “We used to call him the Kraken, because he was always crackin’ heads. Remember, man? Things would be getting crazy in the bar, and then Geraldo would say ‘release the Kraken!’ and you’d be out there just throwin’ guys around and …”
Ed cleared his throat uncomfortably.
“BABE!” Lucius, in a very elaborate Carol Baskin costume, was suddenly at Peter’s elbow, pulling him back from Stede.
“Hey babe! Check it out, the Kraken!” Peter waved his hand enthusiastically at Ed.
“Umm. That’s my boss. Can we not embarrass my boss tonight please?” Lucius hissed.
“The Kraken is your BOSS?!” Lucius flinched. “OH! Oh, sorry babe.” Peter’s eyes shot back to Ed. “Uh, sorry man.”
Ed scoffed good-naturedly. “No, that’s all right,” he said. “I just wasn’t expecting anyone here to remember that nickname. It’s been a while, right?”
“Right!” Peter oozed relief. “Right! But man, so good to see you. So, you’re working in childcare now, that’s … uh … that’s unexpected … I mean …”
“Oh my GOD, Peter!” Lucius interjected. “Would you mind getting us some fresh ice from the freezer, sweetie?”
“Yes! Right! On it sweetie!” Peter hurried off.
“Oh. My. GOD,” Lucius intoned. “I love the man but REALLY. I am so sorry for that.”
“Oh, nah mate, it’s fine,” Ed began, as Stede chimed in with “seems a friendly fellow!”
“ANYway” Lucius went on, looking the two men up and down. “How long has this” an expansive wave of the hand, “been happening?”
_________________________________________
Stede pulled his overcoat tight around his neck against the damp cold. Ed wrapped his arms around him. His beard warmed Stede’s cheek.
“No pressure,” Ed murmured. “But you could come back to my place.”
Stede leaned back into his solid embrace. “Mmm. That would be lovely, but I really should be there when the children wake up. And they’ve been known to wake up very early.” Snowflakes were beginning to drift down, dancing under the streetlamps, flecking their coats and melting on the sidewalk. “I’ll drop you off and then head home.”
“When will I see you again?” Ed asked. No point in pretense.
“I wish I could say tomorrow,” Stede told him. “But I have the children all day and I don’t think we’re quite at that stage. Yet.”
“No, I know.” Ed’s voice was resigned.
“But listen,” Stede went on. “Mary and Doug won’t be back for another week. I’m picking the kids up all this week, and I’ll see you then. And if we plan ahead, we could probably persuade Nana to take them overnight next weekend. If you want,” he added as he turned to face Ed.
“I want,” Ed mumbled, his fingers already laced in Stede’s hair, his mouth already locked on Stede’s. The kiss went on forever, a silent exploration of each other, finding one another, until …
“’Scuze me, hi? Uh, you ordered a car?” They pulled apart reluctantly.
“Ah!” Stede was the first to recover. “Yes, thank you.” He opened the back door for Ed and slid in behind him. Stede gave Ed’s address.
“So!” Stede began. “It was a fun party, right?”
Ed’s hand found Stede’s thigh and slid upward. Stede’s head whipped around and he caught Ed’s gaze, intent and dark with lust.
“Yeah,” Ed said, his hand sliding further up. “It was a great night.”
“I thought Frenchie’s rendition of All Along the Watchtower was excellent,” Stede managed. His breath was coming in shallow bursts.
“Oh yes,” Ed replied. “He’s very talented.” He slid a little closer to Stede.
“Ah, yes. Yeah. Talented.” Stede exhaled sharply. “And Monsieur Rocher’s coq au vin was fabulous.”
Ed got his mouth into the soft divot behind Stede’s ear. “It was fine. Not the best I had tonight.” Stede held back a whine.
The car suddenly slowed and the hand wandered back down his thigh and squeezed. They were in front of Ed’s building. Stede bit his lip. “That was hardly fair,” he jibed.
“A little something to remember me by,” Ed winked. He got out of the car. Still holding the door, he turned back suddenly. “I love – d. I loved tonight,” Ed said, all joking gone.
Stede exhaled, a deep and serious sigh. His hazel eyes locked onto Ed’s. “I love – d,” he enunciated deliberately, “tonight as well.” He swallowed hard against the lump that was suddenly in his throat. “I’ll see you Monday.”
“Can’t wait,” Ed smiled.