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Stede enjoys the night watch.
It’s not something they’re expected to do as captains by any means, but he and Ed try their best to delegate all tasks equally and fairly among the crew, and sometimes that includes taking shifts for themselves. It’s really the least they can do every now and then to allow everyone else a few more hours of hard-earned rest.
Although he would much rather be fast asleep in bed with his arms wrapped soundly around his lover’s waist, Stede doesn’t mind having a bit of time to himself.
His days are always busy helping chart courses or going on raids or minding the crew. Despite living at sea, it’s not often that he has a moment to just stare out into the waves and let his mind wander. It’s nice. Serene.
What he doesn’t enjoy is the blistering cold weather they’re currently sailing through.
They were anticipating an unkind winter and had already set sail for warmer waters. But the air had taken a frosty turn early that morning, much earlier in the month than they were expecting. It wasn’t so unbearable during the day, with the sun peeking out through the clouds. Unfortunately, nighttime in the middle of the ocean in December means shifting winds and rough waters and frigid mist.
Stede is bundled up in layers of wool and linen, yet he’s still trembling against the wooden railing as he looks out onto the horizon. Thankfully, the waves aren’t terribly aggressive, and the Revenge is rocking peacefully back and forth against the current.
But Stede doesn’t let his guard down simply because there’s no storm approaching tonight. He still has his tired eyes peeled for any potential threats, any distant ships or nearby warning signals or—
“Stede?”
A familiar whisper and the soft patter of footsteps breaks Stede out of his thoughts. He whips his head around just as Ed draws near, ascending up the small staircase to meet him atop the quarterdeck.
He’s wearing only a pair of silk trousers in a shade of emerald green — Ed found an old multicolour stack of them among Stede’s other few remaining belongings in the auxiliary wardrobe when he first returned to the Revenge and he’d taken to wearing them to bed — and the pair of fleece-lined slippers Stede got for him as a gift when they made port about a month back. His hair is still up in the braid Stede did for him after their nightcap, although it’s much looser now, almost unraveled from its violet ribbon as a result of tossing and turning on his pillow. He’s wrapped up in his favourite fuschia robe, pulling it tightly around his body as he shivers against the cold breeze.
“Fucking hell,” Ed hisses. “You’re gonna freeze to the fuckin’ deck out here, mate.”
“You should be asleep,” Stede murmurs.
Ed makes a dismissive sound. “Can’t sleep without you. Bed feels too big.” He wraps his arms tightly around Stede’s middle, and oh, Stede instantly feels the heat radiating off his body. Ed usually runs hot, but with the contrasting frigid air, he feels like a furnace.
“C’mon, love,” Ed whispers. “Let’s get you inside, hm?”
Stede sighs. “Ed, I’m supposed to—”
“To keep watch, I know,” Ed grumbles, his breath hot on the back of Stede’s neck. “Well, you can’t exactly keep watch if you freeze to death, can you? And then what’ll I do? You gonna let some bloody winter chill take away my co-captain, make me a widower?”
Stede chuckles. “My darling, I’m fine, really,” he insists. “I’ll only be a little while longer. I promise. Go back to bed.”
“Babe, I can hear your teeth chattering,” Ed huffs. “C’mon, Jim’s taking over your shift in, like, half an hour. You’ve been out here long enough.”
Before Stede can open his mouth to argue again, Ed cuts him off, hooking his chin over Stede’s shoulder. “Look, you got that nice big fireplace in our cabin just for nights like this, right? We can cozy up under the blankets, snuggle up together, get you all nice and warm…” Ed’s voice is like soothing warm honey in Stede’s ear, carrying him away from the bitter cold.
“I suppose that does sound nice,” Stede mumbles. Ed hums a sweet little mhm into his hair, gently pressing a kiss there.
“Stede.”
“Edward.”
“Come to bed.”
Stede lets out a small sigh and finally relents. Ed keeps his arms wrapped securely around Stede’s shoulders as he guides them back down the stairs and into the shielding warmth of their quarters.
“C’mere, let’s get those clothes off,” Ed says, shuddering as he firmly shuts the door of the cabin to keep any of the cold evening air from following them. Stede looks flustered and slightly puzzled at the request. “And get you into something warmer. Jesus. I’m not that much of a whore, babe.”
Stede sits down on the chaise longue and shrugs off his coat. “Yes. Right. Of course. I knew what you meant. Don’t be silly.”
Ed giggles, leaning down to give Stede a quick peck on the forehead before retreating to the wardrobe to fetch Stede’s own robe.
Stede’s hands are shaking slightly from the cold, making it far more difficult than necessary for him to unlace his shirt. When Ed returns from the wardrobe, he kneels down in front of Stede, gently batting his icy hands away to work on the laces himself. He slowly peels off Stede’s boots and his stockings, then gently lifts his hips up slightly off the chaise to pull his breeches down.
It’s a common routine by now. It almost feels like a dance. But the usual heat of tearing off one another’s clothes just to press their bare skin together as quickly as possible is replaced by softness and warmth and the promise of comfort.
Once he’s completely stripped naked, Ed quickly wraps Stede up in his gold robe and helps him slip on his own pair of warm slippers. He brushes his fingers through Stede’s blond curls, muttering about how there’s fuckin’ ice crystals and shit in here, man.
“Just a minute, love.” Ed makes his way over to the fireplace — the same fireplace he claimed was absurd long ago but has since warmed many cold nights like this one — and sets it ablaze.
Stede knows Ed won’t let him do anything to help, so he simply stays put on the chaise and hugs his arms around himself to wrap the robe tighter against his skin, watching as Ed putters about the room like a man on a mission. He pulls the armchairs adjacent to the fireplace aside and drags over the lovely white fur throw rug that rests at the foot of their bed nook, spreading it out nicely across the floor. Ed then retreats into the auxiliary wardrobe, quickly returning with a massive bundle of all the extra blankets and cushions stored away there in his arms and dropping them down in front of the fireplace.
“Ed, you really don’t have to—”
“Shut up,” Ed says affectionately as he continues to arrange the cushions and blankets meticulously across the floor until they’re just right.
“Alrighty, now that all that’s taken care of,” Ed lets out a little sigh once he’s satisfied with their blanket pile, turning around and offering both of his hands to Stede. “On your feet, Captain.”
He pulls Stede up off the chaise longue and leads him over towards the fireplace. Stede slowly makes his way down onto the floor, basking in the warmth of the fur throw beneath him and the heat of the low fire quickly filling the cabin. Ed pushes him down gently so he’s laying flat on his back before crawling right on top of him.
“There we go,” Ed says once he’s settled in between Stede’s legs, adjusting his bad knee to a comfortable position. “That’s better, isn’t it?”
“Mm, much better,” Stede agrees, pulling Ed in for a sweet kiss. “Thank you, my dove.”
Ed snuggles up against his lover’s chest, wrapping his arms tightly around Stede’s middle and tangling their legs together.
After that, there’s a beat of blissful silence. The only sound is the crackling of the fire and their steady heartbeats. Stede begins to feel the same serenity washing over him that he felt staring out into the water.
Stede slowly rubs a hand up and down Ed’s back. “This is nice,” he sighs happily.
Ed simply hums in response, the sound vibrating against Stede’s chest.
Suddenly, Ed shivers. “Shit, your hands are freezing.”
It feels so instinctive, so natural for them to always be touching each other. It’s rare for either one of them to go longer than a few moments without reaching for the other’s hand or offering a reassuring touch or a gentle massage. Stede hadn’t even considered the fact that his skin is currently still ice cold. He abruptly moves his hand away from Ed’s back, scrambling to apologize. “Oh, I-I’m… I didn’t even think, I’m sorry. I should’ve—”
“No, no, no, no,” Ed says quickly, shaking his head. “Shit, that’s not what I meant, just… give ‘em here.” He holds out both of his own hands.
Stede blinks. “Sorry?”
Ed reaches over and adjusts one of the pillows under Stede so they can move to a half-reclined position, then nestles himself back between Stede’s legs, his back pressed against Stede’s chest. “Told you I was gonna fuckin’ warm you up, didn’t I? Give me your hands, mate.”
Stede wraps his arms around Ed’s shoulders, offering his chilled hands. Ed gently cups them in both of his, and the relief immediately falls over Stede. Like a soothing barrier of warmth.
“There we are, love,” Ed whispers, resting his head back against Stede’s shoulder. “Gonna get you nice and fuckin’ toasty.”
Stede chuckles, pressing a kiss to Ed’s hair. “I love you.”
“I love you more,” Ed counters playfully.
“Don’t start.”
The quiet settles in again. Stede shifts his hip a little, giving Ed more room between his legs. He stares out into the crackling logs of the fire, watching the embers glow as his mind starts to wander once more.
He thinks about the way the crew shivered as they attended to their tasks throughout the day. How they all moved slower, as if the cold was weighing them down. He thinks about the ailments bound to come with the frigid temperatures. He thinks about hypothermia. He thinks about the dangers of falling overboard into icy cold waters.
He thinks. And he worries.
“Alright, what is it?” Ed asks, brushing Stede’s knuckles with his thumb.
Stede turns his attention back to his lover. “Hm? What’s what?”
“You’re distracted.”
Stede hesitates before responding. “No, I’m not.”
Ed laughs. “You’re such a bad fucking liar.” He releases Stede’s hands and gives his leg a gentle smack. “Seriously. You’ve been staring out wistfully into the distance all night. For days. What’s bothering you, babe?”
“There’s nothing bothering me,” Stede answers softly.
“Stede,” Ed says in a warning tone.
“Edward, I swear. I’m fine,” Stede insists.
Ed pauses for a moment before giving Stede’s knee a gentle pat. “If you say so.” He knows when Stede’s lying, but he also knows when not to pry.
As Ed continues running his hand along Stede’s leg, slowly up towards his thigh, Stede starts to shift again. This time, Ed can feel a familiar heavy weight pressing against him. He rolls his own hips back once, just testing the waters, and he immediately recognizes the pressure of Stede’s half-hard cock pressing against his ass.
Ed grins, slowly grinding down against Stede once more, this time with more purpose. A small whimper falls from Stede’s lips, so quiet Ed wouldn’t have been able to hear it if their bodies weren’t pressed so close together.
As swiftly as he can beneath the blankets, Ed maneuvers himself around so he’s facing Stede and straddles his lap, pulling him in for a sweet, lingering kiss.
“Ed, what — mmph — what are you doing?” Stede laughs between kisses.
“What’s it look like I’m doing?” Ed starts working down Stede’s jaw. “I’m warming you up. That okay?”
Stede just nods. “I think so.”
Ed huffs out a little laugh as he continues his path down Stede’s neck. He moans softly as he sucks a bruise into Stede’s pulse point, rolling his hips down into Stede’s lap.
“Just relax,” Ed whispers, his soft voice spreading as much warmth through Stede’s chest as the fire. “Let me take care of you, yeah?”
All Stede can do is give a wordless nod, too distracted by Ed’s teeth grazing against his earlobe to say anything coherent.
Ed pulls back to look him in the eye. “I need words, love.”
“Yes,” Stede says softly. “Yes, anything. I trust you. Edward, please, just… yes.”
“Good boy.” Ed rises to his feet with a light groan and retreats over to their bed nook. Stede lets out a soft little noise as he leaves, a chill quickly filling the air again without Ed’s soothing weight on top of him.
He returns moments later, a small vial of oil from their bedside table in hand. Ed kicks off his slippers and shimmies out of his silk trousers, letting them fall to the floor. He’s completely naked except for the robe still wrapped tightly around him as he crawls back into Stede’s lap and greets him with another deep kiss.
“So here’s what I’m thinking,” Ed says against his lips. “I’m gonna open myself up, and then I’m gonna sit on your cock. And you don’t have to worry about a fucking thing. Does that sound alright, love?”
It sounds like fucking bliss.
“I’m… that’s, uh, yes, that’s… good. I think that’s good,” Stede rambles.
“Good. Very good.” Ed giggles, cupping Stede’s face and pulling him in for another kiss. It doesn’t take long for them to get lost in it, Ed sliding his tongue along Stede’s bottom lip as Stede slowly moves his hands down Ed’s thighs to grip his ass.
There’s no rush. There’s no urgency. They have all the time in the world.
Ed feels around blindly for the oil, not pulling away from Stede’s lips. He pops the cork off the bottle and pours a generous amount out onto his hand before reaching back to prep himself.
He moans into Stede’s mouth as he pushes the first finger inside. Stede pulls away to watch Ed work himself open. His face is already twisted up in pleasure, eyes squeezed shut with his bottom lip caught beneath his teeth. Stede gently presses their foreheads together. “Add another.”
They both know Stede’s not supposed to be in charge right now, but Ed can’t help but do as he’s told, his breath hitching slightly as he slides in a second finger. He curls the two digits and slowly rolls his hips down as Stede lazily kisses his neck.
Almost just as soon as he’s started, Ed stills his hips and pulls out his fingers. “Fuck, I need you inside me,” he says breathlessly.
“Ed, are you sure?” Stede raises an eyebrow. “I don’t want you to hurt yourself—”
“Shhh,” Ed silences him. He leans forward to wrap his hand around Stede’s cock, stroking him slowly. “I thought I told you no worrying tonight, lover?”
Stede opens his mouth again to protest, but as Ed circles the tip of his cock with his thumb, he lets out a low whine instead.
“There you go. Good boy,” Ed says sweetly.
He shifts forward and aligns himself properly. Ed lifts his hips and lowers himself down until the head of Stede’s cock pushes in his hole, pausing for a moment to adjust.
After a few moments, Ed lowers his hips slowly, slowly down, until Stede’s length is fully buried inside of him. They both groan at the sensation, and Ed rests his head on Stede’s shoulder.
“God, Edward,” Stede moans. “That’s… you’re perfect.”
“Feels so fuckin’ good, baby,” Ed whines.
They stay like that for a few moments, exchanging soft kisses and gentle touches wherever they can reach. They’re so impossibly close, as if their bodies have melded together into one. Stede runs his fingers along Ed’s scalp and Ed releases a small, pleasant sound, making Stede’s cock stir and reminding him of the task at hand.
“Edward?” His voice is gentle, as if he’s afraid of disturbing Ed from sleep despite both of them being wide awake. “Ed, should I… are you…?”
“Hm?” Ed leans back to look Stede in the eye, batting his eyelashes innocently. “Is something wrong?”
Stede tilts his head in confusion. “I just… I thought you said we were…”
Mercifully, Ed seems to pick up on what he’s implying. “Oh! Oh, yeah, no. See, I said I was gonna sit on your cock. And now we’re gonna stay just like this and you’re going to tell me all of those thoughts running through that pretty head of yours.”
“Edward…”
“And if you’re good for me,” Ed gently takes hold of his chin, forcing Stede to look him in the eye. “I’ll give you exactly what you need.”
“Fuck,” Stede gasps as Ed rolls his hips down once, a little taste of the friction and stimulation they’re both aching for. But it’s still not enough. “God, please, darling. I-I’ll be good.”
“Oh, I know. I know you will,” Ed purrs, draping his arms over Stede’s shoulders. “Now talk to me. What’s going on?”
Stede sighs, closing his eyes. “It’s… it’s silly.”
“Try me,” Ed huffs. But Stede continues to avert his gaze, and Ed begins to worry that this is all too much for him.
“Stede, are you okay?” Ed whispers. It takes a moment, but Stede nods his head. “Okay. You’re okay, love. Take your time, I can wait. But I’m not moving until you talk to me, so.”
They stay just like that for a few more minutes. Ed traces his fingers gently along Stede’s broad shoulders and arms, laying sweet kisses across his skin.
Eventually, Stede lets out a shaky breath and speaks.
“I.. I get so worried sometimes,” he admits.
Ed gently runs his fingers through the little hairs at the nape of Stede’s neck. “Worried about what, love? Is it the weather? ‘Cause I’ve been out here a long time, and I know it’s stressful, but we’ve survived winters way fuckin’ worse than this one.”
Stede gives his head a tiny shake. Of course he’s afraid of what this winter will bring. But it’s not about the cold, is it? Not really.
“I get worried about the next time… well, the next time anyone comes after us, honestly,” he explains. “The crew looked to me for guidance when the English invaded. And thank god you were there to save us all from certain death. But I’m supposed to be their captain, aren’t I? A-and I froze. I didn’t… I…”
“Open your eyes for me, sweetheart,” Ed instructs in a soft voice.
Stede pauses, eyes slowly fluttering back open. Ed gives him a sweet smile and a soft, encouraging nod. And fuck, with the warm golden glow of the fire cascading around him, he looks just heavenly. “I’ve got you, love. You’re doing so good. Keep going.”
“I felt useless, Ed,” Stede continues. “And they were all so frightened, so… helpless. What if that happens again? What if someone else comes along?”
“Stede… we’re pirates,” Ed reminds him gently. “I mean, I’d love to tell you everything will be smooth sailing from now on, but it’s gonna happen again. It’s kinda part of the job.”
Stede nods. “I know. I know that. But the last time was different. We got lucky. I can’t… I can’t fail them again.”
Suddenly, Ed understands. He knows that fear. He’s felt it for himself. What if everything goes wrong? What if I can’t figure it out next time? What if everyone dies because I don’t fucking know what to do and they all find out I’m just a fraud?
He cups Stede’s face with one hand, stroking his cheekbone with his thumb. “Oh, love. I didn’t save the crew that day. We did. I screwed up too, remember. We’d all be fucking goners if it wasn’t for that fucking painting. I mean, really, it’s Mary we should all be thanking. But my point is, you’ve never failed them. And you never will.”
“You don’t know that,” Stede grumbles.
“Oh, I’m sorry, are you doubting me now?” Ed teases. “C’mon, mate. I know a lot of things. I know that you’re the most clever, most capable pirate I’ve ever met. I know that you’re stubborn as all fuck. I know that you would give your life for every single member of our crew. You’d…” His fingers dance across the bundle of scars scattered across the left side of Stede’s abdomen. “You’d give your life for me. Now I dunno about you, but that doesn’t sound like a failure to me. Sounds like a hell of a fucking captain.”
“Co-captain,” Stede corrects with a small smile.
Ed beams, leaning in to kiss Stede’s forehead. “Co-captain.” He presses another kiss to Stede’s cheek. “And as your co-captain…” Another kiss to his jaw. “It’s my job to take care of you.” He pulls back to peck Stede’s lips before pressing their foreheads together, his voice a sweet whisper. “You’ve done your job for tonight. Are you gonna let me do mine?”
Before Stede can respond, Ed adjusts his hips, letting out a small whimper.
“Darling?” Stede’s eyes go wide. They’ve been in the position for quite a while now, and Ed really hasn’t given much care to his knee. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah, yeah, ‘m fine,” Ed assures him. “Just… fuck, just felt good.”
Oh. Right. Stede had been so distracted by their conversation, he’d almost forgotten his cock was still buried deep in Ed’s ass.
Ed rolls his hips down, eliciting a low moan out of Stede as his cock stirs back to life. “Edward…”
“You were so good for me, love,” Ed purrs. “Now let me be good for you.”
Stede instinctively moves his hands to Ed’s waist as Ed continues rolling his hips forward in slow circles. Ed leans forward and starts nipping at Stede’s jaw, coaxing a stream of tiny whines out of him.
“Stede, fuck, you feel so fucking good,” Ed moans against his skin. “Your cock was just made for me, wasn’t it? Made to — oh, shit — to fill me up so fucking deep?”
“God, yes, just for you,” Stede gasps as Ed bites down on his collarbone, then soothes the mark with his tongue.
Stede tightens his grip on Ed’s waist, fingers digging into his skin. Ed slowly slides his hands down Stede’s shoulders to grasp at his arms, a soft moan falling from his lips as he clutches onto Stede’s biceps like a lifeline.
“That’s it, baby,” Ed keens as he starts grinding down harder on Stede’s cock. “You — fuck, right there — you’re so good. So fucking perfect for me.”
He pulls Stede in for a messy kiss, practically just panting and moaning into one another’s hot mouths as Ed rocks himself back and forth on his lap.
“Ed,” Stede pants. “Please, sweetheart. I need…”
Ed’s eyes are hungry and dark. “Yeah? What do you need? C’mon, tell me, love.”
“More.”
“Ask nicely,” Ed growls, halting his movements to an agonizingly slow grind.
“Edward, please,” Stede begs. “Please, darling. I’ve been so good. I’m yours.”
That’s all Ed needs to hear, pulling Stede in by the collar of his robe and rewarding him with another heated kiss. “And I’m yours.”
He slides one of the pillows out from behind Stede and gently pushes him down so he can lay properly on his back. Ed takes a moment to readjust himself, straddling Stede’s lap properly, before slamming back down onto his cock.
“Christ, Ed!” Stede’s hands manage to find Ed’s waist again, but all he can do is lay back and watch as Ed fucks himself on his cock.
Ed quickly gets himself into a steady rhythm, bouncing up and down on Stede’s cock at a sharp pace.
“Shit, look at you,” Ed breathes as he runs his nails down Stede’s chest. “You look so fuckin’ good like this, baby. Just laying back so pretty, letting me use your cock however I want. Fuck, maybe… maybe one day I’ll tie you up.”
A small, needy sound escapes from the back of Stede’s throat, and Ed gives him a wicked grin. “Oh, you’d like that wouldn’t you? I could play with you for hours, love. Warm your cock as long as I want. Make you so desperate for it ‘til you’re begging me to let you come. You’d give me whatever I need. You always do. Shit, you… you just want to make me feel good, don’t you?”
Stede nods. “Always. Yes.”
“Say it,” Ed commands.
“I just w-want to make you feel good, darling,” Stede mewls. “That's all I ever want.”
“And you do,” Ed whispers. “You’re so fucking good at it. So good to me. Fuck, I love you so much.”
“I love you, I… f-fuck, I can’t,” Stede sobs. “E-Edward, please, I need to come. It’s too much. Please let me come.”
Ed shakes his head. “Not yet.”
Stede whimpers, left utterly defenceless as Ed rides him. His pace is relentless, almost frantic. Ed throws his head back with a shout as Stede’s cock hits the bundle of nerves that never fails to make him go wild, so impossibly deep inside of him.
“Fuck, Stede,” Ed gasps. “You’re gonna make me come just like this. Gonna come on your cock without — ohhh, fuck — without you even touching me.”
Stede knows he isn’t supposed to be doing any of the work, but Christ. Ed is so breathtaking on top of him, mouth agape, making the neediest little sounds as he fucks himself. He grips onto Ed’s waist, holding him down so his cock hits right up against Ed’s prostate with each bounce of his hips.
“Oh, fuck, that’s it, I’m… I’m right there… fuck!” Ed digs his nails into Stede’s chest as he comes all over his stomach, thighs trembling from where they’re planted on either side of Stede’s lap as he rides out the aftershocks.
As he comes down from his own release, slowly catching his breath, Ed continues leisurely grinding down on Stede’s cock. “You’ve been so patient, baby. I think it’s your turn, hm? What do you say?”
“Yes,” Stede chokes, sliding his hands down to rest on Ed’s thighs. “Please, Ed. Please. I need to come inside of you. I’ll die if I don’t. God, please, just let me come.”
“Mm, such good manners,” Ed purrs. “One more time, angel.”
Stede lets out a desperate groan. “Fuck, Edward! Please!”
“Good boy,” Ed picks up speed again, skating his nails gently across Stede’s chest. “Yeah, come for me. Wanna feel you fill me up.”
Stede doesn’t hesitate, his hips bucking up slightly, fingers gripping tightly into Ed’s thighs as he spills inside of him with a loud cry. Ed moans, little praises of fuck, that’s it, good boy rolling of his tongue.
Ed collapses right on top of Stede, his half-hard cock still nestled inside of him. He rests his head down on Stede’s chest, both of them too spent to really care about the mess or the fact that they’re still laying on the floor.
“We should… we should probably move over to bed, shouldn’t we?” Stede eventually mumbles, mindlessly running his fingers through Ed’s hair.
“Mmph, in a minute,” Ed replies, voice muffled against Stede’s skin. “I’m cozy as shit here.”
A minute or so later, Ed takes hold of one of Stede’s hands, kissing his knuckles. “You okay? Wasn’t too much, was it?”
“It was perfect,” Stede assures him. “Thank you, darling. For all of it, I suppose.”
Ed lifts his head to look up at Stede, still resting his chin on Stede’s chest. “I meant what I said earlier, love. We’re a team. I’ve got your back and you’ve got mine. We… we keep each other warm. And I mean, yeah, shit’s probably gonna get messy again, but… fuck it. We’ll figure it out together, won’t we? Always have.”
Stede gives Ed a soft smile, brushing a stray silver hair out of his eyes. “Always will.”