Chapter Text
Stede had always been a disappointment to his father. He had come out of the womb a disappointment, something that was further proven when he presented as an omega. Not that his father had any hopes of him being an alpha– which was what he had really wanted. No, his father would have settled for a beta, anything but a weak omega son. And then he got one.
“Fucking disgusting.” He had growled down at his son who was panicking as his first heat took him. “I’ll send in a servant to teach you what to take so this doesn’t happen again.” And he stalked out. Stede didn’t see his father for years after that. He was sent away to England, to a special school for rich omegas where they could still get a proper education. Stede was relieved to be able to study his flowers and books in peace. He never got his heat again, kept on a strict regimen of herbs that kept his omega mostly contained. When his father did come to retrieve him home, it was a disappointment for the omega, to say the least.
“Father.” He bowed his head in respect for his father’s alpha status.
“Humph.” He glanced up to see his father looking him over, scrutinizing him. “You didn’t grow up to look like much, but no one will care about that once they learn you’re an omega.” Stede bowed his head back down to hide the emotion on his face. He should have known he’d never be able to please his father. It didn’t matter how well he had done in his studies. And now the first alpha to see him since he became of age told him he was undesirable– and while it was his father and his word shouldn’t mean that much considering– it still stung.
He was eighteen. He was going home. And Lord knew what his father had in store for him. “I have a few friends looking to secure matches for the alpha children. I suppose if I sweeten the dowry, they’ll be tempted to take even a homely, stinking omega like you.” His father’s nose wrinkled. “I hear you’re fertile?” No one had told Stede he was ugly before. No one had said he had stunk. In fact, most people seemed to agree that he smelled like lavender and had a fetching smile.
“Yes, sir.” Stede mumbled, his head snapping back as his father slapped him.
“Speak up. You’re high bred. Act like it.”
“Yes, sir.” He enunciated this time, his cheek stinging.
“I’ve had your things loaded up on the ship already. It’s time to go.”
“I’ll just say my good–”
“It’s time to go.” His father interrupted curtly, nodding to the two men who grabbed Stede and forcibly dragged him through the streets to the dock. Stede was panting by the time they arrived, panicked by the use of force. He was a gentle soul, always had been, even if he was stubborn at times. His father’s forcefulness only served to drive a wedge further between them. “Lock him in his cabin.” His father ordered.
“No!” Stede was dragged away and thrown into his room where he remained for most of the voyage. At least, until the pirates came and descended upon them like the legions of hell Stede had learned about in school. They hacked and murdered and stole until they had Stede’s father at the edge of the blade.
“Please!” His father begged. Stede was peering through the hole in his door, excited and frightened by the wildness that had taken over the ship. He was thrilled to see his father so scared, begging, until he realized that if the unflappable Mr. Bonnet was scared, then he should be terrified. Someone kicked the door and he yelped, falling back on his ass.
“What’s in here?!” The pirate captain yelled. “Loot?!”
“Spare me, please, spare me. I’ll give you whatever you want.”
“You better have something better than all this.” The captain gestured to the ship and what they had found so far, piled up on the deck.
“Please, I have a son, an omega son. A virgin.” Mr. Bonnet pleaded. “I’ll give you his first time if you let him and I go after, back to Barbados.”
“A virgin omega?” The man asked in a quieter voice and Stede felt sick. He was interested. Who wouldn’t be interested? The fact his father was offering up his virginity was a testament to how dire the situation truly was. He had been planning all trip who he was basically going to sell Stede to as a bride. “Show me.”
Stede’s father was hauled up to his feet and dragged over by two pirates, dragged as roughly as he had forced his own son to be dragged through the streets. He pulled the key to the door from around his neck and handed it over to the captain who unlocked the door. He pushed the door open and saw Stede there on the floor, staring up at his father with a terrified expression.
“Well?” Mr. Bonnet pressed and the pirate captain laughed, unloosening his belt.
“He’ll do.” He stepped into the room with Stede and shut the door behind him.
“A-are you going to hurt me?” Stede whispered, staring at the man’s boots. He flinched as the captain’s coat fell to the floor next to him. He wasn’t stupid. He knew what was about to happen. He couldn’t hide how he trembled as he was hauled up to his feet.
“First times usually hurt.” The captain stroked the side of his face. “But I’ll be gentle for ya.”
“Thank you.” Stede managed, two miserable tears streaking down his pale cheeks.
“I’m sorry you have shit for a father.” The captain added. “He should protect you better than this.”
“I’m an omega, sir.” Stede bowed his head as his shirt was split open and pushed down his arms. Rough hands rubbed against his smooth skin before the captain dragged his nose along Stede’s neck. “It’s my life.”
“Not at sea. Omegas are free at sea as long as they don’t get caught by stupid alphas like your father. You could sail with me…” The offer hung between them and Stede had the wild impulse to seize it with both hands and never look back. He loved the sea. Loved the idea of being free. But he didn’t know this man who was currently caressing his skin like he had never felt anything so fine. And the monster he knew was better than the one he didn’t.
“No, thank you, Captain– what’s your name?”
“Captain Hornigold.” Stede’s cloth belt was pulled loose and his pants were slid down so he was just in his undergarments and shoes. “Go to the bed.” The captain ordered. “You ever do this before?” Stede shook his head as he sat on the bed. “Take off the rest of your clothes. I’ll show you what to do.” Stede was relieved at that and hurried to obey, untying his shoes and pulling down his undergarment. The air was humid in the cabin, but he shivered as he realized he was naked with another man.
“Are you an alpha?” He asked.
“Does it matter?” Hornigold laughed. “I’ll forever be your first no matter what I present as.” He stepped over, sitting next to Stede on the bed. His hand rested on Stede’s thigh for a few seconds before it slid up and then down, touching Stede where he had never been touched before.
“Oh.” He stiffened and Hornigold laughed.
“The sea doesn’t matter what we present as and I’ve made it a habit not to ask or tell one way or the other. All that matters is my dick is going inside your cunt and you’ll know how to do this when it’s all said and done.” He softened at the scared expression on Stede’s face. “It’ll feel good.” He promised. “I ain’t going to hurt ya. I just want to fuck ya.”
“Okay.” Stede nodded as the captain pulled him up into his lap.
“You ever kiss anyone before?” He asked with a smirk.
“No.” Stede shook his head.
“Shit. You really are a virgin.” Hornigold chuckled. “No shame in that, little omega.” His cock was hard, rubbing against Stede’s entrance and Stede let out a little sob. “Shh.” Hornigold whispered. “It doesn’t want to hurt ya, just like ya. Likes how ya smell. Touch it, yea? Feel it.” Stede reached down and took it in hand, like how the books had shown at school. “Fuck, yea, little omega, just like that.” Hornigold leaned in and kissed him. Stede squeaked but he tried to replicate it back to the older man, something that seemed to endear him to the captain even more. “You sure you won’t come with me after this? I could give you a good life.” Hornigold lay him down against the bed, settling his body on top of his. He moved Stede’s hands off of him before opening Stede’s legs. A finger dipped in, rubbing, exploring until it found slick. “I can make you feel good every day of your life.”
“I can’t leave my father.” Stede whispered, bracing himself against Hornigold as the finger slid deeper. His body was welcoming the intrusion and he found his mind didn’t mind it as much either.
“I can’t change your mind?” Stede shook his head, gasping as Hornigold twisted his finger a little deeper. “Then I guess I better make this really good then.” Hornigold added a second finger, smiling against Stede’s lips as Stede’s body opened up for him. He put his cock in next and Stede whined as he was filled up. It felt good. It felt really good and he suppressed his moan into the sturdy flesh of the captain’s shoulder. “There ya go.” Hornigold coached him through the act of sex, how to recieve, and give back even under another man. It wasn’t nearly as bad as Stede thought it would be, which was probably the wickedest thought he had ever had. But it felt good as his body writhed under Hornigold, taking pleasure where he had been told there would be none. And when they both came, Hornigold had whispered in his ear. “No matter where you go, no matter who takes ya, you belong to the sea first and foremost.” And then he clamped his teeth down where he had no right biting. Stede had cried after that, cried as the captain left him, because he wished with all his heart he could go with him.
He cried because he knew his father would not let him go and Stede would not be the reason his father died. “Edward, clean him up and calm him down. Work your magic.” Hornigold ordered as a stranger came in. He was young, about as young as Stede, and he was handsome. He looked over at the crying omega and stepped over, pulling Stede into his arms.
Stede tried to fight at first, but the alpha’s soothing scent filled his nose and he let the stranger hold him as the combined scent of leather and lilacs filled his nostrils.
“Shhh, it’s going to be all right. You and your father will make landfall by tonight.” And Stede cried harder at the life his father would give him. “Oh.” The young alpha clicked his tongue. “I’m so sorry, sweet one.” Stede whined at that, starting as a tub was dragged in, half-filled with soapy water. “Let’s clean you up, mate.” The young alpha pulled him gently over, coaxing him to sit in the water. “First time’s the hardest, I’m told.”
“It wasn’t hard at all.” And Stede cried harder until he had no more tears. The young alpha cleaned him up and then just held him, his skin warm under Stede’s salty tears. Stede had never really been comforted before, certainly not by his father. Certainly not by the likes of these two men. He glanced up at the young alpha, even distressed he couldn’t hide his curiosity. He’d never been close to another alpha, certainly not any near his own age, and none this handsome. He had dark curls and dark eyes, brown skin with small freckles near his eyes. He caught Stede looking him over and gently nuzzled the side of his face, rubbing some of his soothing scent against Stede’s skin.
Stede knew he was scenting him, knew he should protest, but he liked it. For whatever reasons, so very unlikely, this young alpha made him feel safe.
“I’d protect you if you were my omega.” The young alpha blurted out suddenly, very passionately. “I’d keep you safe.” Stede blinked back fresh tears because that was all he had ever wanted and no one had ever given it to him.
“I don’t know what to do.” He admitted after a moment had passed. “I don’t want the life my father has for me.”
“He’d take ya, the captain.” Edward said cautiously. “All you have to do is ask.” He ducked his head down. “Although he wouldn’t like how you’re looking at me.”
“I can’t.” Stede hiccuped. “I can’t.” He stressed, hoping the young man would understand.
“All right.” The young alpha soothed. “You’ll just have to find a way back to the sea when you’re ready, yea?”
“Yea.” Stede hiccuped again as the other young man pulled away.
“Let’s get you dried off and dressed. You’ll be on your way.” Edward paused. “Your father should treat you better, you know, mate.”
“I know.” Stede looked away, letting the alpha dry him off and dress him.
“That should do it.” Edward examined him with a critical eye. “Let’s get you back.”
“Wait!” Stede braced himself for a hit when the young man turned back to him. He curled up on himself, nearly falling back into the wall when the alpha approached him cautiously.
“What is it?” He frowned. “Are you hurt?”
“Can– can I have another hug before I have to go back out there?” Stede asked, his voice nearly a whisper, his body trembling so hard that the alpha was worried he might snap in half. Good gods. If the omega was that worked up over a hug– Edward closed his eyes. Rich assholes be damned, this was not how omegas were supposed to be treated. He had half the mind to steal this omega away anyway.
“Course.” He pulled him close and Stede whimpered, pulling him in closer. “Not many hugs where you’re from?” Stede shook his head and Edward made a commiserating sound.
“My dad sucked too.” He rubbed Stede’s back until the trembling had almost ceased. “Be brave, little one. You can always kill him if it gets too bad and run away back to the sea.”
“Okay.” Stede trembled again. He pulled back, studying the young alpha’s face, as if committing it to memory before leaning in and pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. He pulled free after that and headed back out onto the deck where his father was waiting, leaving Edward smiling in the cabin, a hand pressed over where Stede’s lips had been.