Work Text:
Stede is just browsing, wandering into a rabbit hole of increasingly niche arts and crafts, when he stumbles across the KrakenWorks channel one day. This creator's work is amazing! The colours! The designs!
The strong, capable hands
, says something in the back of Stede's mind by the time he watches the fifth or sixth video.
The artistry!
, says the part he's listening to by the time he reaches the tenth or so.
Such innovative artists deserve the support they get from clients, of course, but Stede's heart is racing when he clicks "add to cart" on his first purchase. Quite a bit smaller than most of the items Stede has seen on the mystery creator's TikTok channel, it's something he could use on himself without prior experience, he supposes, if he ever feels so inclined. Mostly, he tells himself, he's supporting a talented artist. That's certainly how he'll explain this and future packages arriving at the door. He chooses one of the simplest available colourways, a dazzling pearlescent silver throughout. Imagines the careful, tattooed hands from the videos packing it with care to be shipped. Once Stede hits "Place Order" and receives his confirmation, he has to take a few deep breaths and sit back in his desk chair until he feels the heat dissipate from his cheeks. Art, he reminds himself.
It continues like this. Stede watches new videos from the studio on TikTok twice a week. He learns far more than he'd ever realised there was to know about dildos and plugs and grinders and what have you. He’s mesmerised as pigments and glitter mix with liquid silicone and precise hands pour from the cup into the mould. Stede will never admit it, but sometimes he finds he’s impatient to watch the artist's hand curl around a mould to loosen it from the finished object. He leaves a comment on nearly every new video, thanking the good proprietor of KrakenWorks and usually sharing some tidbit he's learned from watching the video or from some googling he's done adjacent to the video.
Stede doesn't just go buying every pretty new item he sees from KrakenWorks. He's drawn to the metallic, glittery, and iridescent colourways, and each time a particularly compelling new batch is available, he selects a model he does not yet have. He doesn't get carried away. It's certainly nothing that will stand out on the credit card bill.
One day, the video is different. Instead of a handsome, familiar pair of hands on the camera, Stede first notices a cascade of black and silver curls. But when the video starts playing, that detail is quickly overshadowed by a pair of expressive brown eyes that he can't seem to look away from. The other thing is the voice - Stede realises that while many of these videos have had captions explaining the processes, they have never had narration. The proprietor's voice is a rich baritone with a Kiwi accent, which only adds to Stede's interest.
"Hey everyone, Ed from KrakenWorks here. This is a little weird, putting my face up here for you all to see, but I might as well, since I'm hoping to see some of you over the next couple months! As you may have seen on my website, I've just hired a couple of staff, and we've got studio space now! I'm going to be at a couple of expos this fall before being back here in Oakland for our Pride festival! I hope you can make it to one of these events. Everything from my website will be available for you to poke and prod and examine to your heart's content. It's gonna be a lot of fun."
Pride! Is Ed going to have a booth? Can he do that? Isn't Pride a family-friendly event? He’s been curious about it, and he has been thinking he should bring his kids some year for the cultural experience. It's important to make sure they know that he will be supportive if they should recognize themselves there. He supposes he should go once, maybe. Check it out. Know what to expect. He'll bring the kids next year.
***
Ed insists on keeping control of the social media accounts himself. He definitely doesn't trust Izzy not to scare away potential customers and Ed wants to get to know his new staff, Frenchie and Jim, a little better before he turns them loose on the socials.
There's one frequent commenter, CuriousGent, who’s a real weirdo but seems like a nice guy, if far too earnest not to catch Ed off guard every time. He's also got a customer he's 98% sure is the same person, since the "additional requests" field on each order is filled with kind, praising remarks in the exact same style as the social media comments. Today, there's a DM from CuriousGent, in the usual style.
CuriousGent: Very nice to 'meet' you, Ed! I had no idea you were in my area! Perhaps I'll head to Pride this year! And congratulations on the new studio space! I wonder, have you ever considered giving studio tours, perhaps to a small group of interested people, and perhaps doing a live demonstration of a pour? I believe your more zealous followers would find this a very rewarding experience, and perhaps you would, too! What do you think?
Fucking nuts, is what Ed thinks, to tell the truth. But this guy seems harmless enough. He's getting a little bored with success, and this could keep things interesting. Be a new challenge. He could get theatrical. A whole new dimension to his creative process.
***
Ed and Frenchie spend a day and a half displaying their wares, collecting newsletter subscriptions, and chatting with visitors to their booth before Ed sees him: reddish-gold waves glistening in the sun, a white t-shirt reading "Free Dad Hugs" in rainbow print stretched around sturdy biceps and a torso built like a fridge, and perfectly-sculpted legs in white skinny jeans that hide nothing. Turquoise boat shoes. Ed is going to climb this man like a tree. Dad Hugs at Pride has always struck him as an "ally" thing, but nothing else about the way this man dresses says "heterosexual".
The man sees the banner at the top of the booth and makes a beeline to the table. "Ed from KrakenWorks! I'm Stede Bonnet, it's lovely to meet you in person!"
That settles it, he's That Customer. Ed recognizes the name. Five minutes ago, he'd decided he needed to meet the DILF in the tight all-white ensemble. He'd come here hoping to meet CuriousGent. Ed considers his luck that the two people he was hoping to meet today are the same person. Good luck? Inconclusive.
"Nice to meet you, Stede! I take it you watch the videos, then!" Ed goes for a handshake. Stede has a nice firm grip. Maybe a little on the aggressive side. Determined to prove his masculinity? Ed doesn't mind. Stede's hands are soft, his nails well-trimmed, fingers free of calluses. And the way the muscles move in Stede's arm as he shakes Ed's hand is not something Ed is going to complain about witnessing, even if the view scrambles his brain a little. Also. Freckles.
"Ah, yes, and I comment rather zealously, I'm afraid! Absolutely dazzling, what you can do with your hands! And - and a bit of silicone!!" Hands, huh? That's where this guy goes first?
"And a dick-shaped sculpture," Ed adds with a smirk, to see how Stede responds.
"Which you've said you make, yourself, as well! Just incredible!" There isn't a hint of exaggeration in Stede's voice. The awed expression on his face looks genuine. Ed has
got
to find out if this guy is always this earnest.
"Hey, you know, I think" -I know- "it was you who suggested studio tours? Well, check it out!" Ed gestures dramatically at a clipboard on the table in front of him, stacked with tour interest forms. Stede goes digging in the bag on his hip, presumably to hunt for a pen, but Ed pulls a bright purple pen out of a box at his feet. "Here, you can use this one. And keep it! It's a souvenir," he adds, with his winningest smile.
Stede starts perusing the display models, as if he hasn't already bought most of the styles Ed makes. He reaches out, indicating one. "May I…?"
"Oh yeah! Pick it up, squish it, feel how heavy it is, that's what they're here for."
Stede grabs an item, a slightly U-shaped cylinder with suction cups on each end. "Oh my! Forgive me, Ed, I promise I'm not a prude, I'm just a bit, well. Still learning, you might say! Is this…?"
"Can make any two things double-ended that weren't double-ended to begin with, mate!"
Stede looks at the object as if it's just told him something confounding. "That seems…"
"If you and your partner are both into it, that is," he assures.
"Well! I'm not sure if that's…"
"It's not for everyone, that's totally okay!"
"It certainly-" Stede cuts off, seemingly unsure where he's going with this thought, blushing deeper with each passing second. "Well. If I had a partner to try it with, I'd absolutely purchase one!"
Ed's pretty sure he parses this remark. But more importantly, he notices that Stede's blush goes down his neck, past his collarbones, behind some golden-red chest hair peeking out from the deep v-neck of his t-shirt. No partner to try it with. Ed could correct that, if Stede wanted him to.
Stede ends up buying one of the double suction-cup extenders anyway.
Ed's getting a vibe like Stede is interested, and Ed thinks he's interested right back. So he writes his personal mobile number on a business card and throws it into the KrakenWorks-branded paper bag with Stede's purchase.
***
Stede finds the phone number when he gets home. Surely Ed can't be asking for a personal call?? More likely he just hasn't gotten around to changing his phone number on his business cards. Unless. Did Ed think he was flirting? Stede wasn't trying to flirt, but he's been told that sometimes, when he says complimentary things, they get interpreted the wrong way. No. Far more likely that this is Ed's new business number.
Stede adds the new dildo to his collection of toys he's been amassing over the last few months thanks to Ed's TikToks, and throws the business card in there too.
***
Ed's taking a moment to grab a cup of tea after uploading the latest demo video when his personal phone vibrates in his pocket.
Unknown number: Good morning Edward, I'd like to enquire about the specimen from your latest TikTok. It's absolutely beautiful, is it for sale?
Oh.
Oh
. It's
him!
Stede is texting the number Ed gave him last weekend! He quickly adds the number to his contacts before responding.
Ed:
sure is! I take it you're interested?
Stede:
Oh, yes! It will complement my growing collection nicely.
Ed:
I think you're gonna love it, mate. Might be my favourite design I've tested myself, 11/10
Stede:
Oh my! Well, I can't wait to see it in person! Shall I give you my shipping and payment details?
Wait a moment. Stede is definitely texting the
personal
number Ed gave him last weekend, about a
business
transaction.
Ed:
Wait! Before you go giving me more of your money, I should probably tell you
Ed:
This is my personal number.
Ed really needs to just turn off iMessage for everyone, because there is nothing he hates more than seeing those three dots appear and reappear when he's not sure if what he's said will be poorly received.
Stede:
Oh dear, I feel silly! I assumed the handwritten number must have been new since you had your business cards printed!
Ed:
Hey, it's just fine, mate! No worries at all. It's just that I don't usually do business at this number, and I thought maybe I should clarify. No harm done, though!
Ed:
Keeping work and life separate, you know?
Ed:
Since we're talking here, I'll just tell you: you can order this from my online shop, just select the 'custom order' option and say in the comments that it's for the one from today's TikTok video and I'll invoice you for $115.
Ed's work line pings.
Unknown number:
so sorry for misinterpreting the number! yes, thank you Ed! I will order as per your instructions.
Those stupid dots in the text thread on his personal phone again.
Stede:
You'll have to forgive me, I'm a bit confused.
Ed:
No worries, what's up? Something not working with the custom order?
Stede:
No, sorry, it's only I feel like I'm missing something. You were giving out your personal mobile number on your business cards at Pride?
Ed:
That wasn't something I gave out to everyone, mate
Stede:
So you gave *me* your personal number?
Stede:
On purpose?
Ed:
I'm sorry if I overstepped there. It seemed like maybe you were interested, but now I'm not so sure. Was trying to leave it up to you, though.
Stede:
I see.
Ed:
I'm really sorry if I've made it weird. This was what I was trying to tell you before you had the chance to throw more money at me. Our conversation before was not binding in any way.
Stede:
Of course!
Ed's work phone pings with a notification. Someone has placed an order. And it's from Stede Bonnet, for the pour from the TikTok Ed posted this morning.
Ed's got no idea where he and Stede Bonnet stand, but any way you slice it, he's so fucked.
***
When it arrives, Stede stashes the box in a corner of his office until Mary is away visiting her parents and the children are both at sleepovers for the weekend. Once everyone's out of the house, Stede waits about an hour before placing the box on his desk and opening it. He lifts away the packing material until he uncovers a branded zip-top bag containing his order.
For some reason, this one feels like a gift from Ed. Perhaps that's why he feels the need to hide it from Mary, when he's made no such effort with the others. This one looks like it was made especially for him, to his taste, as if Ed had him in mind as he made it.
Despite the whimsical colourway of teal shot through with streaks of gold glitter with a frothy white at the base, the shape is rather more realistic than any he's ordered before. Looks like it's made for him, and… well, he hasn't even tried any of the others yet, so determined was he that he was simply supporting an artist. But now, he thinks of Ed's hands, thinks of Ed handling the toy Stede is holding at present, thinks of Ed.
Mary has always held that there is nothing wrong with fantasising. And Stede tends to agree—when Mary is the one doing the fantasising, that is. The concept of entertaining fantasies in the interest of self-pleasure is one that he's always had a bit more difficulty with. But he can push those feelings aside, just as he's always pushed feelings away when they've proven inconvenient, and enjoy his time alone and his new gift (that he purchased for himself) without needing to think too hard about it.
Stede brings the toy into the bedroom, finds some lube in Mary's bedside table, and gets out the array of toys he's purchased thus far. He starts with a narrow plug in a metallic purple. Coating the surface with lube, and opening himself a bit with the excess on his fingers, he pushes the tip against his entrance until it gives way and the plug seats itself fully inside him. It's… nice.
Besides some fingering in the shower now and then, Stede has never done anything like this before. Has been afraid of what it means, has been afraid of proving his father's insults right. He knows this is silly, because what does a sensation have to do with one's preference in partners?
Stede sits up and feels the plug shift inside him, and oh, that's interesting. Is it weird if he kind of wants to watch that video where Ed demonstrates how he mixes the materials for his creations? The implications don't need to be examined, he reminds himself. Just exist. Do what feels good. He opens up TikTok and pulls up Ed's page, finds the video in question. He watches Ed's hands, the strong muscles of Ed's tattooed forearms, a work of art creating a work of art.
Stede gives himself a few strokes, and can't help but imagine it's Ed's hand rather than his own. Imagines Ed is as attentive with him as he is to his creative process. He imagines the focused look of concentration that he hopes to bear witness to next week in the studio. It's intoxicating, imagining himself at the centre of that focus. He could keep exploring what he can do with this toy, would like to sometime, but at the moment he's feeling impatient and surveys the rest of his collection.
He removes the plug, and tries the other toys, opening himself up on one after another. A few of them he twists, or thrusts in and out a few times. One, with its curvature, is exactly right for stroking his prostate, and he has to force himself to move on. He needs to try the newest one. The one that looks made for him.
He pours some fresh lube into his palm and strokes the shaft a few times, and imagines how Ed's cock would feel in his hand. If he were preparing to take Ed inside himself instead of a toy. Then he's stroking himself with the same hand as he inserts the toy inch by inch, and allows himself to imagine Ed over him, covering him, holding him as he pushes inside Stede. It's too much almost immediately. He pulls the dildo out once and pushes it back in, pushing and holding it in place with his fingers as he strokes once, twice, and spills all over his chest. He melts back into the pillows, and by the time he catches his breath, he realises he's crying.
It's never been like this. Not with Mary, not with porn, not with his attempts to fantasise about women, not in his usual course of focusing entirely on sensation and avoiding fantasy. He has never once allowed himself to think of being with a man while pleasuring himself. He's not ready to talk about this with Mary. He's not even ready to talk about this with himself.
He's sure of one thing, though. He picks up his phone, and pulls up his text thread with Ed.
Stede:
Really looking forward to touring your studio next week, Ed!