Chapter Text
“Edward, wake up we’re having a day” Stede says brightly, opening the curtains, casting the room in a golden glow. Ed grumbles, he was having a lovely merstede based dream before he was rudely awakened.
“Hm, what is it today?”
“We are having a picnic, c’mon dear I’ve already filled the basket with delicious treats”
“Are there any of those yummy jam tarts?”
“Sure are, but you can’t have any if you don’t get up” just to sweeten the deal, Stede kisses his neck until he opens his eyes. “There you are” greeting him with a kiss.
“Here I am, where are we having this picnic anyway?”
“I thought we could row out to one of the nearby islands, maybe that one you showed me before with all the pretty flowers?”
This is what Ed loves about retirement, waking up to the man of his dreams, being able to go on adventures together. He’s not Blackbeard anymore, he’s just Ed, and Ed loves to take picnics with his boyfriend and eat too many jam tarts.
He kisses Stede one more time before getting up to get dressed, putting on a soft pair of linen trousers and a loose fitting shirt, tying his hair back in a ponytail.
The sun shines down on them as they take the rowboat over to the island. Ed watches the way Stede’s biceps flex as he moves the oars back and forth, the way the sunlight illuminates his golden curls. He’s so distracted he nearly misses the slight furrow to his brow, the way he worries his lip.
“Babe”
“Hm?”
“Are you okay?”
“Oh yeah, it’s nothing”
Ed decides to drop it for now, sometimes Stede just gets like this, gets in his own head about something, he’ll just keep a close eye on him.
Once they reach the island, they dock their boat and Stede carries the basket of goodies over to a grassy patch, carefully laying down the blanket he’d brought.
“Let me help you babe” Ed reaches down to start unloading the basket, only to get his hand swatted away by the blonde.
“No need I have it handled, you just relax dear”
Ed narrows his eyes in confusion but decides to just let it go, lowering himself down onto the blanket. He watches as Stede pulls out neatly wrapped packages of pork pies, cheese, various fruits, and of course the jam tarts Ed was promised, his mouth waters in anticipation.
“This looks delicious babe, can I take a pork pie or am I at risk of having my hand swatted away again?”
“Don’t be silly Edward” Stede scoffs, unwrapping the parcel and offering his boyfriend a slice which Ed takes quickly. He takes a bite, allowing the salty flavours to dance on his tongue.
Ed continues to tuck into the other delicacies on offer, whilst Stede on the other hand barely touches the food, simply nibbling on the same piece of cheese.
Ed can’t take it anymore, can’t stop feeling that maybe he’s done something wrong, but then why would Stede bring him on a picnic? Maybe he’s done something really wrong, maybe this is his last meal before Stede leaves him on this island. “Babe, whatever I’ve done I’m sorry”
That brings Stede out of his head “Oh Ed, my sweet Edward, it’s nothing you’ve done, I promise you” Stede can’t watch his boyfriend in this turmoil any longer, opening the picnic basket and taking something small out that Ed can’t identify.
Ed’s eyes widen as Stede kneels in front of him, gently taking one of Ed’s hands in his own. “Edward Teach, love of my life, our love has been as tumultuous as the waves we sailed on, but I wouldn’t have it any other way because it brought us to where we are now. Will you marry me?”
Ed leaps forward, causing them to both collapse onto the blanket in a fit of giggles. “You lunatic, of course I’ll marry you” peppering his partner’s face with kisses.
“Can I see the ring then?” Ed asks after a heavy make out session with his boyfriend, wait no, fiancé now, and doesn’t that sound delicious.
“Oh yes of course” Stede opens the box to reveal a simple gold band, watching in awe as Stede’s slips it onto his ring finger.
“It’s beautiful”
“You’re beautiful” Stede counters, kissing him again.