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Ed reclined in the elevator with a lazy smile on his face and a hand that played down against the opalescent shimmer of the skin tight dress, the flare of the train swirling around him when he shifted. The flash of silver caught his eye whenever he looked down, which made him smugly slide his fingers up over the top of the dress that pressed over his bare chest. The low dip in the cut meant that the silver chain that was attached between his nipple piercings was visible, but it just looked like a piece of decoration.
He looked good. Fuck. He looked more than good, he glanced up at the polished wall of the elevator and saw a glimpse of himself smiling smugly. He’d pulled his hair up into a messy bun with the tendrils artfully curled down along his cheeks. He had taken the time to adorn his eyes with eyeliner to make them larger and even had his nails done a shimmering pearl color laid with glitter. Nothing dark, nothing black, nothing fucking leather. He even had heels that were opalescent like the dress.
The fact that he was going to be attending the same event as Stede Bonnet only made it better. The last time they’d been in a room together Stede had smirked and commented that he would be attending the formal New Years Eve Ball that was the event of the year. It was a charity event, filled with frills and posh hob nobs, the sort of shit Ed hated. Except, Bonnet was coming and he would be damned if he let the man show up and Ed was left sitting at home in his PJs. Again. Counting down midnight with his cat. Again.
Just thinking about the blonde made his eye twitch and his shoulders tense with irritation. Three years ago Bonnet had stepped out onto the producer’s scene and made a name for himself. He put on the wildest fucking movies that Ed had ever heard of with most of them being queer or, at the very least, queer adjacent. Normally he would have been fucking delighted except Stede had, early on, said on record that Edward Teach could go suck eggs in hell when asked about him being in a role. And well, from there, things had been tumbling down quickly between them.
They didn’t feud in public, not really, though the rumors swirled about it on the edges of the news, nothing made it out. Instead, they mostly feuded through his agent and the fucker that apparently helped direct most of his movies. Lucius Spriggs.
Apparently, Bonnet viewed him as ‘toxicly masculine’ thanks to the action movies he’d been typecast into. Sure, he was in a movie about a guy who always gets the fucking girl, and fine, maybe it was one of those awful bro movie series’, but still! Ed was openly fucking bisexual, he wasn’t like that in real life! He’d always been firmly the opposite of Blackbeard, his character.
Let’s see him say I’m toxicly masculine tonight. He thought smugly as the elevator let out at the top floor and he stepped out with a sweep of his dress.
Ed liked a bit of gender fuckery, though he didn’t do it often. Izzy got pissed anytime he so much as wore a kilt, but he was done playing up black suits. No, tonight he was gorgeous. He was starlight and he had even put on a silver tiara on his head to add to the look. His throat had a spill of pearls and silver strands dangling from it that matched the dress perfectly. Even as he stepped into the front room he knew he was going to be the talk of the fucking event.
Ed couldn’t wait to see Bonnet’s face tonight. The man had been known to wear fancy frilly outfits, but he doubted Stede would ever wear something like this. He tried not to think about how good the man looked in the corset and pants suit that he’d been in at the last awards show. Because that was another irritating fact about Stede Bonnet, the man was hot. Not exactly a good thought to have, but he couldn’t help himself, the guy was good looking no matter what he wore. Nope, Ed was not gonna think about that. Instead, he swept into the room and felt the stirring of people looking at them.
“Christ, Edward, you said you’d wear the Armani.” Izzy’s voice made him smirk a little bit, his agent glaring at him while Ed made a point to sway his hips back and forth.
“Mm no, I think I said I’d think about it.” Ed purred and smoothed his hands down against the front of the dress. “What can I say, Iz? I felt like I needed something new for the New Year.”
“And that has nothin’ to do with fuckin’ Bonnet, right?” Izzy growled in frustration and pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is about fuckin’ image, you want an Oscar? You’re gonna have to fuckin’ clean it up a bit and that means—”
“Iz, I’m a fuckin’ lady! Do you think I’d do anything to tarnish my reputation?” Ed laid a hand on his chest, widening his eyes in affected innocence.
“Fuck… I can’t do this tonight. I’m serious.” Izzy’s voice held an edge to it while Ed grinned smugly, but he wasn’t looking at Ed. He was looking behind him towards the elevator. And Stede Fucking Bonnet in his dress.
There, behind him, stood one Stede Bonnet with a smile on his face and his stupid cute swoopy hair perfectly pulled back with white flowers adorning it. And Edward’s fucking dress. It was the same exact cut, right down to the low dip that formed a heart that was spread out across the broad expanse of the well-muscled dress. The waist was the same, the flow of the skirt was the same, the god damn form fitting waist was the same. The only difference was the fact the dress was done with gold opalescent against an amber backdrop and Stede had paired the dress with a set of elegant gold gloves.
He felt his face flush red in irritation as Stede practically swept through the hall with a smile on his face, gesturing animatedly to Lucius Spriggs. He barely clocked the young director, his eyes were on Stede who was smiling with a flash of his dimple, looking as charming and charmed as always. Ed stiffened the moment the eyes swept towards him. Stede’s expression was almost funny if Ed weren’t sure he had the same look, his eyes went wide and his jaw dropped.
“Edward.” Izzy’s hand grabbed his elbow firmly. “Don’t even think of starting shit.”
“He’s wearin’ my dress, Iz!” Ed snapped and bristled, only to see Stede’s face flush red.
“Jesus, fuck, whatever, you’re wearing it better, but don’t get your ass in trouble tonight. Just make it until the fuckin’ ball drops.” Izzy hissed out and gave him a firm pull.
At any other time Ed would have been rolling on the floor laughing at Izzy gritting out those words, but at that moment all he saw was Stede Bonnet sweeping around in his dress. This was the last damn straw.
Ed tried to be the bigger person for about half an hour of hobnobbing with people that would have gleefully ignored him if it weren’t for his fame and money. He hated these events and only Izzy kept him from doing something like flipping a table or lighting the damn place on fire. And nearly every conversation shifted to asking about his dress. And Bonnet’s dress. The comparisons clear, the cuts the same, the drape the fucking same, and okay, fine, Ed was not the bigger person.
~ ~ * ~ ~
“Can you believe it?! I told you we should have gone to Wee John’s Design, Frenchie is good, but I knew Teach would go there.” Stede fumed as Lucius hummed and took a large, and long, drink. “He did it on purpose, just like the damned awards dinner. Do you remember that snide comment he made about Moonglow? That movie was brilliant!”
“Mmhm, definitely was.” Lucius settled in as Stede felt his temper roiling under the surface.
“And to think, I nearly cast him in it. It would have been a waste! The man can’t act without seventeen explosions going off behind him.”
“Clearly.” Lucius snagged another drink. Fine, perhaps he used his director a bit too much like his personal sounding board and personal assistant, but really! This was too much!
“And why the hell did he go with a star theme? It looks like we’re at a bloody dance together. It’s just rude. He should go and change.” Stede continued, his temper roiling unhappily beneath the surface. Lucius hummed an agreement. “Where doe she get the right to be so.. so….”
“Fuckable?” Lucius interjected.
“Exactly!” Stede snapped in automatic agreement and then jerked his head. “Wait, what?”
“God, you two seriously need to get over yourselves.” Lucius rolled his eyes and nudged him. “Didn’t you just say the other day you wanted to try and bury the hatchet?”
“W-well, yes, but that was before… He’s clearly copying my style!” Stede burst out and kept his eyes fixed on the starry dress sweeping around the room.
Stede still didn’t know how things had gone so off the rails. It wasn’t that he wasn’t used to being wrong-footed with people. His own father had written him out of the will, his ex-wife had nearly killed him (he wasn’t sure if that was metaphorically or literally) and he had always rubbed people the wrong way with his big ideas and wild leaps of logic. It was just, it was Edward Teach that had gotten wind of him and seemed to have an instant dislike of him. Edward Teach that had been a bit of a celebrity crush for him during the later years of his marriage and who Stede had, well… The less said about Stede’s viewing of some of his topless scenes the better.
Lucius had said he’d sent his agent over to pick apart Moonglow, Stede’s first big movie. The snide comments about the costume and the plot and the way Stede had snatched up on gender-bending roles had been too much. And right after Stede had mentioned in an interview how he had thought Ed had been poorly typecast in a role that promoted toxic masculinity and would shine in roles with more depth!
Give the man an accolade and watch him pick apart your passion project. He thought with a stiff glare as the night wore on.
Stede normally didn’t drink at parties like this, but he managed two glasses of champagne before he started to really glare at Teach. He, normally, prided himself on taking the high road. Well, Mary called it ‘being a doormat’ in a fond, if exasperated tone after their divorce when Stede had nearly caved to sticking under his father’s thumb. And now he didn’t feel much like a door mat.
He had been carving his way up in the movie industry for the past three years. He had too many people tell him that his movies were too much, too loud, too queer, too obscure to make it, but he knew better. The critics had begun to know better. And only one person had ever dug under his skin the way Teach had. And this was the final straw in their little game.
“Couldn’t come up with an original, Bonnet?” Teach drawled out with a smirk on his face as Stede turned around. “Thought that was your whole deal. ‘Originality.’”
“Teach.” Stede managed stiffly, wishing he’d heard Ed come up to him so he could have stalked off. “How was I to guess you’d finally figure out ‘fashion.’”
“Is that what you call the copy act?” Edward drawled out and there was an aggressive air to his words. “What’d you pay Frenchie? Double to figure out what I was wearing tonight?”
The words were low, dripping with mockery, digging salt into Stede’s wounds as he lifted his chin up defiantly. “Why would I want to copy you?”
“Dunno, seems you did.” Ed’s teeth were bared in a smile, his dark brown eyes glinted with challenge. “You were certainly fuckin’ seething at the Met Gala.”
“You mistake seething for rolling my eyes at a leather tuxedo.” Stede hissed, and tried not to think of how good Teach had looked in said tuxedo. The shirtless look beneath the coat had been breath taking. The memory made him glance down at Ed, seeing the low cut of the dress revealing a silver chain strung low between the panels. A chain that wasn’t on Stede’s dress because it wasn’t a part of the outfit, it was the same sort of chain he’d had on at the Met Gala, likely strung between the nipple rings on those lovely dusky—
Don’t get distracted! He told himself firmly, yanking his mind away from that line of thinking.
“Yeah, think you got the monopoly on fine things?” Ed’s voice dropped to a growl, low and dangerous.
“I think I have better taste.” Stede sniffed stiffly. “Actually I know I have better taste.”
Up close, Ed was gorgeous, silver coloring spread across the blue backdrop of the fabric that was subtly shaded lighter towards the bottom. The silver threads almost matched the silver in the hair that had been pulled up and Stede tried not to admire the scattering of makeup on the handsome face. No, not handsome, pretty, lovely, and all the worse for it being set on a man drawling out accusations that had absolutely no merit!
“Then why copy me?” Ed smirked as if he’d won something, that smug self-assured smile made Stede’s jaw clench.
“As if you had an idea worth copying, Teach.” Stede scoffed and then reached out to give the dress a tweak along the skirt. “Did you get this off Temu? Hardly the same quality as my own.” That seemed to hit a blow as Ed’s eyes narrowed and he saw a flush chase over his cheeks.
“Edward…” The rasping voice of his agent reached them both, but Ed’s brows shot up and his eyes narrowed.
“Oh poor fuckin’ quality, that’s rich.” Ed growled. “I have more riches than you can shake a stick at! That tux you hated was custom made and this dress was designed—”
“For me, actually.” Stede lilted easily and felt smug when Teach’s eyes narrowed. “After all, I at least put on proper accessories.” He dragged his hand over his silk gloves pointedly.
He was not going to back down. Teach was going to be the one to leave with his tail between his legs.
~ ~ * ~ ~
“Ed…” Izzy’s voice took on a tone of worry just as Spriggs seemed to decide he was going to get involved.
“Um, Stede, why don’t we go see about talking to that new writer you were gushing about.” The younger man came to take Stede’s arm, but Ed was already in motion.
“You’re rich, Bonnet, I’ll give you that. But it’s just eating at you I wear it with more style.” Ed hissed directly into that blonde handsome fucking face. Handsome? No, smug face. Smug face.
The tension grew by the moment, thick and palpable. Bonnet wearing the same fucking dress, with what looked like shimmery gold lip gloss on his lips. His smug fucking smile, like he believed Ed wasn’t rocking the fucking dress. How dare he?! Was he just trying to box Ed in like he’d been boxed in by every fucking character he’d ever played?!
They’d been dancing around each for three fucking years. Every time he looked at Bonnet he re-read that fucking comment about how Ed was just another piece of toxic masculinity being touted around Hollywood. Even in a god damn dress Bonnet was going to make it seem like Ed couldn’t have fucking facets. No, he was always going to be fucking Blackbeard. Well fuck that. The anger burned fine and clean and Izzy gripped his elbow tightly, ready to haul him back.
“Hardly.” Stede drawled and affected a posher accent. “I’m bored just looking at you.”
Ed wasn’t sure which one of them started it. Maybe it was when Stede tweaked the points of the dress that hugged his chest. Maybe it was when Ed caught his wrist and the glove there. Whatever the reason, Stede was suddenly in his space and gripped the line of his dress with one hand and Ed had caught the low cut neck in his own. It was juvenile, it was stupid, but at the same time the tension crashed over them and there was a yelp as Spriggs got out of the way.
It wasn’t really a fight. A fight would be saying that they were flying fists, no, it was more a fucking cat-fight because Ed had one of Stede’s gloves in a hand and there was a pull that ripped along his skirt. The fucker!
“Oy! That fuckin’ cost money, Bonnet! Some of us earn our money and don’t get it given to us!” He snapped as he gave a pull right against the gold trimmed neck line.
“Pardon me, running from explosions and getting greased up is hardly earning it, Teach!” Stede snapped before Ed gave a sweep forward.
His heel caught the long train of Bonnet’s dress while the fight seemed to turn into something he would have expected to see on some bad reality show. It didn’t matter, he was incensed, pissed, how the fuck dare Bonnet think he could shove Ed into a box. There was a tearing sound and he got a flash of a broad bare chest, a rosy tipped nipple and he was rolled over, Stede huffing out as the tiara went clattering to one side and a flushed face glared down at him.
“Ohhh and you want to call what I do toxic? You’re fuckin’ toxic!” Ed snapped before he felt his hair falling free and he twisted.
He felt the skirt tear when he twisted the wrong way, and he didn’t care, not when Stede rolled to one side. There was a scattering of noises as most of the party went silent save for the DJ who was valiantly trying to keep the music going as two of the guests rolled around the floor with a scattering of curses and insults.
There was a shove and Ed got the upper hand, staring down at Stede’s flushed face and parted lips beneath him. The press of a hand was settled right against his chest and he saw that there was a sudden twitch to Stede’s lips. It was almost a smile, a glitter in his hazel eyes betrayed his amusement as Ed was suddenly rocked back and the fucker actually rolled him. It was quick, easy, as if Stede had enough muscle to fucking lift Ed up with ease and carry him around.
“PACK IT IN!” Izzy’s voice cut through the yelling as Stede shoved him down and the blond hovered above him panting, his lips parted and eyes glistened.
They were inches away, the line of Stede was pressed hotly against him as their eyes locked and he saw the glitter of humor hiding in the flustered face. That stupid handsome face with the flash of a dimple whenever he smiled and a body that felt solid pressed down against Ed’s chest, with legs that straddled his hips. And Stede’s eyes flicked down towards his lips. It was so quick, barely there and then gone, but holy fucking hell Ed saw it. He saw it and he wasn’t sure what possessed him, but he stopped struggling and licked his lips.
He realized that Stede had stopped as well, he was breathing hard and there was another flick down of the eyes as Ed felt the hand that had been gripping the dress smooth out. Warm silk clad fingers spread across his chest and rested just above his wildly beating heart as he tried to figure out just what was happening. He swallowed and his eyes drifted down to Stede’s lip. Soft lips, plush and soft, inviting in a way that should have been annoying considering who it was, but they didn’t look annoying. They looked kissable. Oh so deliciously kissable.
Stede moved first, his head dipped down so that Ed felt a hot ghosting breath against his chin, and holy fucking shit. Okay, this was happening. His breath hitched before tipping his head up, feeling Stede’s breath catch as their lips nearly touched and then…
Stede kissed him like a man drowning, the hot fierce press of lips worked against his own with a slide that made him groan out in pleasure. The world narrowed down to the feel of the lips that parted and his hand reached up to thread through gold curls as Stede made a noise deep in his throat. Ed tipped his head to one side as fingers dug down into his hair, pulling more free from the up do while a hot tongue swiped along the seam of his lips. Ed parted them and let out a growl of delight as his fingers dug down into the silky blonde hair.
Stede tasted like sweet champagne and cherry lip gloss, filling Ed’s senses while he lifted his head up to make sure their lips worked together. He felt the fingers dragging through his hair, pulling lightly, making sure he had room to pull back if he wanted. Because of course Bonnet would be considerate like that while the man flicked his tongue up in an expert glide that sent heat pooling low in Ed’s belly. He ran his teeth along Stede’s lower lip and heard Stede moan low in his throat.
“Oh… my fucking God.” Someone said. Lucius? Fuck if Ed knew, he didn’t care, he was drowning in the taste of sweet champagne from Stede’s sinful tongue.
“Uh… Sirs, we’re going to have to ask you to leave.” Someone else said and there was movement before Stede jerked back, his eyes snapping wide as if he’d forgotten where they were.
“Um, y-yes, of course…” Stede shifted and Ed felt his weight, warm and solid, shifting backwards. His cheeks were flushed, lips slick from their kiss and the hazel eyes never left Ed’s face. “We should—”
“Uh, yup, definitely should.” Ed rasped and licked his lips, tasting the lingering hint of cherry as Stede struggled up, his dress a wreck. Then again, so was Ed’s, but at least security had formed something of a barrier.
“Jesus, come the fuck on.” Izzy’s voice rasped in his ear, but Ed’s eyes remained on Stede’s, feeling the heat in the blonde’s eyes weighing on him.
“Yeah, come on, Bonnet.” Ed didn’t bother to hide the heat in his voice and was pleased when Stede’s eyes widened. “Think we’re kicked out and I’m not fuckin’ done with you.”
“Stede…” Spriggs’ was trying to catch Stede’s arm as a challenging smile curled that handsome fucking face that Ed seriously wanted to kiss again. If you couldn’t beat ‘em, fuck ‘em? Right? That was the saying?
Why not?
~ ~ * ~ ~
Stede wasn’t sure what had come over him, except he had been hovering above Edward Teach and staring down at the parted lips beneath the scruff of trimmed beard, and thought became action. He’d always thought Teach was attractive, but mussed and pinned beneath Stede’s wait, his eyes dark and flashing, he had been breathtaking. He tasted like spice and smoke, delicious, with a clever tongue that Stede wanted to experience again as Lucius seemed to realize that he was going through with a terrible idea.
Security, at least, seemed to realize that they needed to keep things from getting more out of hand since he and Ed were escorted to a smaller elevator than the one they’d come up in. Ed’s agent had remained behind, clearly trying to smooth things over, he hoped like hell Lucius was doing the same. He could only imagine the headlines tomorrow. But tomorrow was future Stede’s problem, present Stede was being pushed up against the wall of the utilitarian elevator and Ed slotted himself forward.
“The fuck was that, Bonnet?” Ed growled out low in his throat, a purring sound that made Stede’s breath catch.
“What?” Stede shifted as there was a glide of a leg against his own, skirts rustling as the elevator doors shut. “Do you need a refresher?”
It really was an awful idea, but the touch of Ed’s lips on his own was electric, sending a thrill down him as he dug his fingers into the spill of silver and black hair. The fact that he’d had fantasies like this about Edward Teach when he’d been still married, trapped, fueled the surge of pleasure as their lips worked together and he pressed forward. His other hand curled along the curved waist and pulled them together, erasing any hint of space between them.
He had had a few whim prone dalliances since his divorce, frequently a bit lukewarm and awkward, but there was nothing awkward about the way he arched against Ed. Fingers curled into Stede’s hair before he turned and changed places, pinning Ed against the wall of the elevator as teeth teased Stede’s bottom lip. He felt a glide of a bare hand against his exposed back leaving hot trails against his flushed skin as Ed let out a groan when Stede slotted his leg between the other man’s.
Ed’s body was limber and eager, pressing against him with a series of arches that pressed them ogether, chest to chest. Hands grasped at his hips, pulling him forward hard enough he pulled his lips back with a punched out groan. His eyes fluttered nearly all the way shut as their bodies rocked together and Ed’s lips moved down his throat. He slammed his eyes shut as the scruff of a beard dragged against his throat before Ed sucked a hot kiss right above his pulse.
“Christ, Edward.” Stede panted out and twisted his fingers through the long silky hair.
“We doin’ this, Bonnet?” Ed growled against his neck teasingly, nipping up towards the curve of Stede’s jaw. “Think we just need to fuck it out, don’t you?”
I should say no. I really really should say no. He thought, and knew the moment he even had that thought he’d ignore it, because Ed’s tongue swiped against his lower lip with a silken glide.
“Yeah, I think maybe we do.” He responded before the elevator lurched to a stop. “Your place? Mine?”
“Neither. This is a hotel, Bonnet.” Ed gave a slow smile his eyes dark with heat. “Got a room I got ready in, that work?”
“Perfect.” Stede managed to breathe out before stepping backwards with a panting laugh.
Stede hadn’t had the best upbringing when it came to romantic entanglements as a teenager. At most, he remembered one very awkward party where he and Mary had made out, then he’d been violently ill thanks to far too much awful beer. He’d never stumbled through a hotel hall kissing and touching, sliding hands across a silk dress and letting out noises whenever Ed found new ways to touch him. His skin felt flushed and swollen, arousal burning through him as dark eyes swept over his body.
He was going to a hotel room with Edward Teach. He was an idiot. An idiot that was biting kisses down an elegant neck, drawing in the rich scent of leather and spice, clove?, on the air that had him groaning. The ruined dress was sagging down the slender chest and he saw a glimpse of the pierced nipples, the chain between them, alluring as he reached up to hook his finger beneath the silver and gave a gentle pull. Ed’s head dropped back against the door in reaction and Stede intimately felt the strain of the cock beneath the spill of the dress.
“Fuck.” Ed whispered against his lips, his eyes blown dark with desire. “Christ, let me get the fuckin’ door.”
“Of course, go ahead, darling.” Stede purred and gave another gentle pull on the chain, causing Ed’s breath to hitch. “I’m not stopping you.”
“Yeah, just… god damn..” Ed’s eyes fluttered shut as Stede thumbed along one pierced nipple, running a nail against it while he fumbled with the key card blindly behind him.
“Good boy.” Stede purred as he heard the click and the door swung inwards, spilling them into the lavish room together. “You do look ravishing in this, a shame I’m going to tear it off you.”
There was a flash of something in Ed’s eyes, darkness that flowed into raw lust that Stede understood all too well. “Ravishing, huh? Thought I was just another piece of toxic masculinity polluting Hollywood.”
Another kiss, dragging Stede in as he was half stumbling, moving his hands to slide up against the deep blue of the silk dress. “I said you played a toxicly masculine stereotypes.” Stede corrected and sucked an indulgent kiss against the elegant neck.
“No, you said….” Ed managed and Stede moaned as there was a hand that gripped his dress and yanked, tearing the fabric along the slit of the dress. “I was a toxic piece of… half-rated… trash.”
“I never…oh god..” Stede choked out as a hand pushed his dress up and scorchingly hot fingers slid along his upper thigh, tracing the thigh high stockings there. “I never said that.. I said the movies were trashy, and they… fuck, Edward! They are!” Stede’s finger ran up, thumbing against one nipple before tearing the top of the star-filled dress open wider. “You’re better than that!”
“Wait.. what?” Ed’s hand stilled just against Stede’s upper thigh, thumbing along the garters that held up his stockings. “No, you said I was part of the problem.”
“I did not.” Stede huffed out and snorted. “God, fucking look at you, Edward! You’re glorious in this, beautiful, breathtaking..” He trailed off and stepped back, sliding his eyes down the ruined dress with a smirk. “Even torn apart, you’re still…” He trailed off as he ran his fingers down the trail of tattoos on the golden skin.
Ed’s eyes went wide, the expression appeared nearly dumbstruck before faltering. The brief expression changing into something almost scoffing, disbelief clear on his face before he scoffed. “Literally have it in the paper, mate. You did that interview.” Ed growled and then pushed Stede back. “Think I’d forget that, Bonnet? First big debut and you took a shot at me.”
“Like you’ve not taken shots at me.” Stede growled and then gasped as Ed gave a pull against the dress, tearing along the seam. His legs hit the bed before he pulled Ed down into another kiss, hot and hungry as Stede dropped back onto the bed, pulling Ed right down with him.
~ ~ * ~ ~
Beautiful.
Glorious.
Breathtaking.
Bonnet’s praise was a heady thing as Ed straddled above him and felt hands pushing and tearing his dress from him. He finally pulled away from the kiss, staring down at the reddened lips before he reached back and undid the clasp on the back of the dress to shed it. He needed to shut the man up, because this was a hate-fuck, right? Right! That was it, just getting shit out of his system.
Ed’s fingers slid along the broad chest as he stood up just enough to shuck off his dress and Stede’s eyes ran over him. His pupils was blown wide, the gold puddle of the torn dress surrounded him as Ed worked the dress down lower. He gave a series of tugs, dragging the gold down further until he felt hands sliding against his legs. Ed’s eyes flicked down as he revealed every inch of the broad chest, the scattering of reddish blonde hairs that he ran his fingers through with a groan.
“Those tits, Bonnet, I knew you had a wide chest, but fuck…” Ed ran a nail against one nipple and savored the way Stede hissed out before a warm hand slid up over Ed’s ass, dragging over his panties. “No wonder you wear fuckin’ corsets and shit.”
“Silk.” Stede murmured and smoothed his hand down Ed’s thighs, making him shiver before he slid down the bed, pulling at the dress firmly off Stede.
“Yeah, told ya mate, got facets.” Ed managed and then dropped down to his knees, licking down the line of Stede’s chest as he edged the dress down. “Hips up.” Ed’s eyes ran greedily over the soft belly, setting his lips against it with a hot swipe of his tongue.
Stede lifted his hips up high enough Ed could drag the dress down, revealing the length of legs that had his mouth watering. Christ, Bonnet was built just right. The muscular legs were wrapped in gold thigh high stockings complete with little garters that matched the sheer lace of his panties. His cock was pressed tight against the front, flushed and large looking as Ed slid down to kneel at the foot of the bed to mouth kisses along the fabric. Bergamot and lavender scent clung to his skin as Ed rolled his eyes up to watch Stede propping up on his elbows.
“I was tested.” Stede blurted out and a hand slid down, smoothing back Ed’s hair with an almost tender touch. “Um, two weeks ago, all clear, not been… ahhh with anyone in some time. If I can… christ Edward!” The words were lost as Ed mouthed kisses higher, nuzzling up against the inner thighs just against the taut fabric over Stede’s cock.
“I believe you.” Ed breathed out over the damp spot forming against the lace before he sucked hotly against the hard cock through the fabric. “Clear too, not been with anyone since.” Safety, yeah safety was good, but fuck it was hard to remember when he was reaching up for Stede’s panties to drag them down. “Got condoms, lube, but first, I’m gonna watch you writhe for me, Bonnet.”
He dragged the underwear down slowly and sucked in a breath as Stede’s cock sprang free. Pink and flushed, and fucking large enough to make him groan. He mouthed kisses up the shaft and felt the fingers sinking into the thick spill of his hair, digging down before Ed dragged his tongue right up along Stede’s slit. The musky salt taste of him was delicious, just like the whimper that he dragged out of Stede’s throat was delicious.
“Christ, you got a pretty cock.” Ed purred and licked a stripe from root to tip just to watch Stede lift his hips upwards.
He crawled back onto the bed, pinning Stede’s legs as he felt the fingers wrapping up through his hair. It wasn’t until he had Stede’s tip between his lips that he realized Stede was gathering his hair out of the way. It was considerate, and it might have been romantic, but no, this wasn’t romance. It was hate fucking. Purely a good hate fuck. Which was why he was sucking with slow languid pulls of his mouth down Stede’s cock, savoring the thickness pushing deeper into his mouth.
“God, just like that, Edward..” Stede groaned out and then arched upwards, rolling his hips upwards. “Fuck! That mouth!”
Ed hummed and fluttered his eyes closed. He had never imagined pinning down Stede’s legs and letting his cock sink into he back of his throat. He shifted his hip up and moved his hand down, pushing his heel down against the front of his panties, moaning softly. He was so hard it was almost too much and he pushed the fabric down until his cock sprang free into his own hand.
~ ~ * ~ ~
Stede felt the velvet heat swallowing his cock down and his eyes slammed shut while the hot dragging tongue swirled around the tip. He arched upwards and made himself look down at the sigh of Ed’s lips drawn tight around his cock, the slow drop came with a groan and he realized that Ed’s hand was beneath his body.
“Let me see, lift those hips, darling, I want to see how pretty you look fucking your fist.” Stede breathed out and the dark eyes snapped open to stare up at him. “Always.. ah shit.. paused the scenes with you like this, naked, god… you’re so much better in person.”
There was a hum and then a wet sound as Ed lifted his head with a lewd noise, a wet strand of saliva clung from his lips to the tip of Stede’s cock while his hand gave a gentle pump. “Fuck, Bonnet, you liked what you saw?”
“Of course.” Stede whined as the hand pumped against him and he twisted his fingers further into Ed’s hair. “You are breathtaking, more so like this, where I can see you properly.”
Ed shifted upwards and Stede swallowed as he got a view of the flushed cock hanging heavy between his legs. His eyes rolled up to meet Stede’s before his lips went back to work and Stede got the perfect view of his tattooed hand wrapping around his cock. He fucked his own fist lightly, twisting it slightly while his mouth swallowed down Stede’s length. The tight gripping heat caused a groan to punch out of his throat, gasping as there was a swipe of the slick tongue darting downwards to run right along his slit.
He knew this was supposed to be a hate fuck, a bit of blowing off anger and steam, but he couldn’t stop admiring the way Ed looked with his eyes marked in eyeliner and his legs wrapped in thigh highs that were patterned with stars and moons. His mouth ran away with him, he couldn’t stop it.
“God, yes, that’s right, look at how you touch yourself for me.” Stede panted out and reached down, sliding his fingers through Ed’s hair and got an eager hum. “So hard for me, so fucking good. Wanted my cock in your mouth, didn’t you?”
It might have gone too far but Stede was starting to feel his walls crumbling as Ed dropped his head down and took him to the root. Every hot velvety inch closed around him and sucked hard enough his back arched up, but he couldn’t look away from the eyes watering. He dug his fingers down further into the silvered hair and rolled his hips upwards, watching as Ed’s fist began to pull faster around his cock.
He had seen movies where Ed had been mostly naked, he was only human, after all. Before the damned feud had started up, he had to admit there had been a few nights he’d had the movies paused with a hand wrapped around his cock and used his imagination. His imagination had failed at the sight of Edward Teach hungrily bobbing his head, slick saliva coating his reddened lips as he swallowed Stede down hungrily. His body thrusting into his own fist in time with his head.
“I want to fuck you.” Stede breathed out, the words coming out before he could stop them. Ed froze and then pulled his head up with an obscene sound, his breath coming raggedly.
“What?”
“I want to fuck you.” Stede repeated, latching onto a surge of courage and latching onto it. “I want to know what you look like taking my cock. You’d be so gorgeous, so fucking good for me. Wouldn’t you?”
“Christ, Bonnet.” Ed breathed out and licked his wet swollen lips. “Yeah?”
“Yes. Fuck, do you know how many times I’ve thought about you on my cock?” Stede felt reckless as he confessed his fantasy. “How you’d move riding me? What you’d look like against a wall? My bed? God, even the backseat of a car.”
They were repressed fantasies that he’d had while married, but now he remembered staring at a younger Edward Teach and felt the burn of desire lick through him. Now that some Edward Teach had a hand wrapped around Stede’s spit slick cock and was giving it a slow pump up and down. The rich brown eyes were dark with desire and growing delight as Stede stammered out fantasies that he probably should have kept for himself. But fuck it, they were already here, weren’t they?
Stede sat up and surged down, pulling Ed into a kiss that was hot and deep, pulling him in so that he could taste himself on the clever tongue. The swipe pushed in deeper and he groaned out, arching until he could move his hand down and push Ed’s out of the way. The moment he wrapped his fingers around Ed’s cock he swallowed a moan as the hips gave a thrust forward, as if Ed couldn’t stop himself, as if his body craved Stede’s touch. That sent fire lashing down his spine and he groaned before pulling his lips backwards.
“Yes, please, that.” Ed panted against his lips hotly, half straddling Stede’s waist. “Fuck, lemme just… lemme just grab some lube and a condom.”
Ed barely pulled away before Stede yanked him into another kiss. The man’s lips were soft and pliant beneath him as the warm body pressed against him, melting, igniting the heat racing down his spine. Gentle fingers pushed into his hair, nails ran along his scalp while Stede savored every last touch of lips and tongue. It was an effort to let him slip off the bed to retrieve condom and lube, but he managed it. Barely.
~ ~ * ~ ~
Ed was expecting this to be quick and dirty, filthy, the sort of shit you did with someone you could barely stand. What he hadn’t expected was praise that spilled past Stede’s lips and to be straddling the blonde’s hips, leaning forward on all fours while thick fingers worked to open him up. One hand was wrapped around his cock, a thumb swiped over the tip while Ed tipped his head forward and realized that everything about Stede was not what he fucking expected.
Stede was gentle. Stede was fucking patient. He didn’t rush sliding a finger into Ed with slicked up fingers, he took his time, sitting up so that lips pressed right between his shoulders. “God, you gorgeous man, relax for me. Just like that.”
“Can do… more than one.” Ed coaxed as Stede’s finger curled inside of him, a slow steady press that had him squirm.
“Hush, I want to take my time.” Stede sucked a hot kiss against Ed’s shoulder and he dropped his head forward. “So greedy for it. You’re nearly pulling my finger in.”
“Yeah, mate, s’cause I want more..” Ed tried to make it gruff, but it turned into a whine as Stede began to work a second finger into him.
The gentle stretch sent a shiver racing down his back before he rocked backwards, the slow stretch teasing him as he moved one hand down to wrap around Stede’s cock. Facing away from the other man meant that Ed didn’t have to worry about showing just how vulnerable he felt. The slow careful work of the slick fingers explored him, scissored and stretched him, left him breathing raggedly before Stede crooked his fingers in just the right angle.
Ed tossed his head back and felt Stede’s breath catch as he dropped his weight down onto the digits. The response came with a circling press that made his cock twitch in the blonde’s hand. His breathing became ragged while he nearly whined out in desire while his eyes slammed shut while Stede began to take him apart. His fingers trailed over the spit slick shaft as Stede groaned out, but didn’t let himself be distracted.
“Arch your back, that’s right, just like that, kitten.” Stede whispered and there was another roll of the fingers that had Ed’s entire body lighting up. “Look how well you take my fingers, god, you look perfect like this.”
“Bonnet.” Ed tried to make the name a growl, but it came out in a whimpering rush of need.
“Shh, fuck.” Stede’s curse came as Ed twisted his fist over the, frankly, impressive length of his cock. “So eager. Patience, dove, I’m thicker then these fingers.”
“Won’t know until you fuck me.” Ed whined and shuddered as he heard the click of the bottle of lube before a third finger began to work inside of him.
He had to release Stede’s cock, his hands moved to blindly grab at the bed as Stede nipped hotly against his shoulder, pumping smoothly over Ed’s cock. The finger slipped up higher, gathering up the wetness beading at his tip while he hunched his hips forward into a thrust. He wanted to turn around to face Stede, he wanted to taste those lips on his own again, devour the man like he was light and air. Which, yeah, he shouldn’t be thinking in the middle of a hate fuck, but it was starting to feel less and less like hate fucking.
By the time Stede curled his fingers and Ed was shuddering in place, he felt himself forgetting more and more why he was doing this. Kisses and nips ran down his back as he curved his back up, thrusting into the fist wrapped around his cock. His body was aching with desire as Stede expertly found the bundle of nerves inside of him to play over. The movements came faster, flicking out, time and time again, building until he was barely able to do more than writhe in place.
“So tight for me, so hot…” Stede panted out and Ed’s eyes opened to see the blonde’s cock twitching. “That I can see you like this, whimpering and panting, wanting.”
“Stede, please.” Ed choked out as he felt the slow thrusts building, rocking through him. “Want you in me.”
“You only want me in you? Or do you need me?” Stede’s mouth was a searing point of contact s the fingers curled through him again. “That’s right, treasure, just relax, just like that.”
“I fuckin’ need you in me.” Ed didn’t fight it, not when Stede’s voice was drenched in his own lust and need. “Want every fucking inch of you in me, want you to fuck me like.. like you fuckin’ fantasized.”
“That do it for you?” Stede’s words were hushed and Ed whined as the fingers drew backwards. “Thinking of how I’ve lusted for you, for years.”
“Yes. Fuck, Stede, take what you fuckin’ want.” Ed gasped out as the fingers slipped free, leaving him clenching around nothing. “Just…”
Kiss me again. He thought in the back of his mind before Stede’s touch slipped away and coaxed him forward.
He heard the tear of a wrapper and gave up, he turned around to straddle the well muscled legs. Legs that Ed very much hoped to have one day wrapped around his waist, and watched as Stede slid the condom over himself. It was a snug fucking fit, but it worked as he slicked himself up with a groan. His cheeks were flushed, his eyes were wide and dark, his hair no longer artfully arrange,d but a mess. He was just as undone as Ed was, maybe even more so.
“Just what?” Stede breathed out while Ed was already in motion, coming forward to properly straddle him, chests pressing together as arms curled around his waist.
“This.” He breathed out and their lips came together again, hungry and eager as he felt Stede moan into his mouth.
He was pulled in tight as he slid his arms over Stede’s shoulders, broad strong shoulders, and gave himself over to the dance of their tongues while Stede shifted him. He was lifted up with ease and he nipped Stede’s bottom lip, the taste of him making Ed swallow a groan. Stede was passionate, but there was something impossibly tender about the way he kissed. The gentle swipe of a tongue or the slide of the lips were partnered with hands that smoothed down Ed’s back.
He arched his back as one of Stede’s hands dipped down and Ed’s cock pushed against the soft slide of his belly. He nipped Stede’s bottom lip playfully before he felt the slicked cock tip nudging against his empty hole. He panted out a breath and whined, achingly empty, feeling a confident hand on his hip coaxing him down until the tip caught on his rim and he pulled his lips back. He rested his forehead against Stede’s, swallowing a moan as he rolled his hips, feeling the delicious stretch and spread of Stede’s cock sinking inside of him.
“God, Edward.” The punched out moan left Ed giddy, his full name moaned from Stede’s parted lips was unlike anything he had ever experienced. “Like you were made for me.”
“Yeah?” He breathed out hotly, his eyes meeting the hazel ones as his back arched and he dropped his hips further. “Maybe I… I was… Fuck!”
Stede had chosen that moment to lift his hips, pulling Ed down with a moan as their bodies rolled together, and fuck, if Ed had been made for Stede’s cock, then Stede’s cock sure as hell had been made for him. The faint ache of the stretch was perfect as Stede rolled his hips upwards, giving a careful series of thrusts that fed more and more of his length home. Ed’s entire body was shuddering as he set his teeth lightly in the freckled shoulder to muffle his moan, his fingers curled against Stede’s back in a way he knew would leave marks.
He wanted to leave marks.
~ ~ * ~ ~
Stede muffled a moan against the curve of Ed’s neck, drinking in the feeling of the rolling hips pushing down against him. God, he was tight and hot, with walls that quivered as they clutched around Stede’s cock. The graceful arch of his back pressed down as their bodies moved and pieces of his core code seemed to be reworked, rewired, yanked out and thrown out on the floor and replaced with this. With Ed riding his cock, pushing him backwards until his back hit the backboard of the bed.
Nails dragged along his shoulders and he tipped his head back, rolling his hips up to meet the greedy thrusts. And god, was Ed greedy, eager, his hips a constant movement that sent sparks of pleasure through Stede. He tipped his head back as lips pressed down the column of his throat greedily. The graze of teeth was almost too much as Stede gripped Ed’s hips, thumbing along the tracery of tattoos before pulling him down to meet each thrust upwards.
“You perfect fucking man…” Stede gasped out as Ed bottomed out with a whine, his cock pushed up warm against Stede’s stomach. “Easy… easy… take a breath.”
“Don’t want a breath.” Ed mumbled against his neck, but Stede was holding on by a thread, the tight gripping walls nearly tumbled him over the edge.
“You deserve one, no need to rush.” Stede murmurs, trying to remember why the hell he’d been angry. Granted, anger was so far gone as Ed’s lips worked along his neck, the spot just beneath his ear that made his hips twitch. “Here, like this, pet.”
Ed whined softly as Stede pulled his legs up, pushing his feet against the mattress to help guide him, but the whine turned into a lust-drenched moan of pleasure as they began to move again. The slow roll of hips worked together, building up as he felt his cock being swallowed time and again in the inferno that was Edward Teach. He slammed his eyes shut and slid one hand down, gliding along the full cock that was rubbing against his stomach. Ed’s moan was low and lovely before his hips gave a drop, driving every inch of Stede into him.
“That’s right, just like that. Fuck you take my cock so well, darling.” Stede managed to gasp out and then Ed’s hips were lifting a little before Stede adjusted the angle. “Let me, let me watch you… please, I need to see you.”
It’s better than fantasy. In his fantasy he hadn’t realized just how enormous Ed’s eyes would look the moment the movement pushed Stede right over his prostate. He never could have imagined the breathy moans and the way the tattooed stomach tensed each time Ed dropped down against him. He certainly had failed to think about how it would feel to have the heat wrapped so tight around his cock that he had to struggle not to topple over the edge.
He kept his hand still until Ed’s his naturally began to fuck his fist, the rolling movements tightening and relaxing him around Stede’s cock as they found a way to move together. And oh, god, that was so easy. As if they were slotting together, two sets of a matched half, designed to match one another as Ed rode him. The sight of him leaning back with his head tossed back caused Stede to let out a low growl of delight, tightening his fist as Ed’s hips snapped up into it.
“Perfect, take what you need.” Stede panted and rolled upwards, swallowing as the movements became faster. “You looked so damn good tonight, perfect, god, wanted to strip that dress off of you immediately.”
“You d-did that, christ, Stede, right there! Right there!” The words came with a shuddering arch of the hips. “God, so fuckin’ full… just… just a little more.”
He began to pump a bit faster, his hand pulling in stripes along Ed’s cock, feeling the wetness coating along his fingers as he swiped along the tip. Stede’s world narrowed down to Ed’s rolling hips, the demand in them, the constant attempts to get more of his cock. The needy whines and punched out moans, the rolling hips moved faster, rocking as Ed was chasing his orgasm eagerly, greedily.
Stede pushed his heels harder against the bed before rolling his hips, much like had when they’d been fighting. Ed’s cry was a sharp, his eyes snapped open wide as Stede rolled him, feeling the stocking covered legs wrapping around his waist and squeezing down, holding onto him as Stede began to drive into him. He kept a hand on his cock, letting his strokes match the deep plunging thrusts of his hips.
“Fuck… fuck.. Stede!” The cry came as Ed’s ankles wrapped around his waist and Stede thumbed right over Ed’s tip.
“Come on, perfect, just fucking perfect.” Stede breathed out as Ed’s head tossed back and his entire body tightened around him.
He saw the moment that Ed went over the edge, his head tossed back as he cried out and he began to spill out over Stede’s fist as he fucked him through it. His hips rolled, building up speed, drinking in the way Ed’s lovely face went slack, his jaws parted and his head back. His walls contracted down, the sudden pressure wrapped around him, almost too much and he tried to hold off. Just a little longer, just one more moment to drink in the beauty of the man beneath him before he tumbled over the edge.
He found his lips claimed by Ed’s, hands plunged into his hair and yanked him down so that his cries were swallowed as the world exploded in pleasure. His hips snapped forward with one final stuttering set of thrusts before he fell over the edge. He felt the silken tongue swiping out, darting into his mouth eagerly, swirling and claiming him as he moved his hands down to grip Ed’s hips, pulling them up tight against him to ride out the moment of pleasure.
If this was the only time they did this. If tomorrow they went back to hating each other. Stede would hold tight to this moment of pleasure, moaning Ed’s name against hungry lips and teeth, trembling as he felt the way his hand smoothed against the curve of a tattooed hip. He couldn’t stop the possessive surge he felt as he drew his head back, panting and staring down at the fucked out look on Ed’s face, the lidded eyes, the expression that looked vulnerable.
“Beautiful.” Stede breathed softly down and watched Ed’s eyes widen, color flare across his cheeks. Stede was too far gone to care, the man was beautiful, and for the span of a night, had been his.
~ ~ * ~ ~
Ed felt boneless, sore, deliciously spent and barely able to move as Stede stumbled to the bathroom to dispose of the condom. It was a shock when he returned with a warm wash cloth. It was more of a shock when the gentle hands began to clean him up with tenderness he hadn’t even gotten in his last fucking relationship. He bit his lip and blinked, trying to figure out what Bonnet’s game was. Was it a game? Maybe it was just the afterglow of really good sex. Fuck, amazing sex. Mind-altering.
And Stede wasn’t snagging the remains of his dress and scooting out. He wasn’t avoiding looking at Ed. He wasn’t doing all the shit Ed was used to in a hook up. Hate-fuck. That’s what it had been damn it. Right? Even with all that praise that had made Ed feel warm and lovely, it had been nothing more than a way to work off aggression. That was it!
“You wore it better.” Stede said as he tossed the rag to one side, not moving to leave, but dropping down into the bed, still flushed and slightly breathless.
“Damn straight.” Ed tried to retreat to something he was familiar with, but Stede opened one hazel eye to regard him. His heart kicked into his throat. “You… you looked lovely too.” He offered softly. “Fuck, you normally do. I was just copyin’ I think, tryin’ to show I wasn’t just some stupid block head action actor.”
“Of course you’re not!” Stede lifted his head up immediately and hesitantly moved to touch Ed’s bare hip before he jerked back as if he weren’t sure he were allowed. Ed wriggled closer in invitation. “You’re beyond talented.”
His mind dragged back to the frantic conversation, the moment that Stede had looked shocked when Ed had brought up the piece that had called him a problem in Hollywood, how he was just another action hero doing the same problematic masculine shit any other person did.
“You, ah, kinda said different in that piece for E! A few years back.” Ed said slowly as he felt the slide of an arm around his waist. Stede still wasn’t making a move to leave.
“I did not.” The same denial as earlier, causing Ed to bite his lower lip and shrug a shoulder. “Edward, I really didn’t. I always hated that people kept casting you in those action movies. You were wasted in them. Remember that movie about WW2 you did? The way you showed such heartbreak and vulnerability? That should have earned you an Oscar, not movies about catch phrases and rescuing women with not a thought in their heads.”
“Wait, but you did. I saw it.” Ed shifted up, suddenly feeling vulnerable as Stede’s voice was filled with admiration, leaving him struggling to equate this man with the one that had been mocking him for years. “You told me I could go suck eggs in hell when they asked if you’d hire me.”
“I… oh, no! Ed!” Stede straightened up, his eyes going wide. “They were suggesting I cast you as this absolutely awful character in The Stolen Fern! It was just a parody of Hollywood heroes and they thought it’d be hilarious to have you in it. I told them they could go suck eggs in hell. I really wanted you in Moonglow, but your agent said you had better things to do than deal with another pandering queer movie.”
Ed shifted up as well, his eyes flashing a little bit. That sounded like Izzy, that definitely sounded like what his agent would do when faced with the idea of Ed being in anything that wasn’t hyper masculine.
“Woulda loved bein’ in that.” Ed muttered under his breath. “Just figured you’d written me off.”
“Never!” Stede moved, his hand slipped up to cup against the curve of Ed’s cheek, thumb tracing along his jawline. “If you didn’t get the hint, I’ve always been… ah… quite fond of you, Edward Teach. I’m sorry if you thought differently. You’re…” Stede huffed out a breath and ducked his head. “Intimidating, knowing you were so against what I was doing, well, it made me a bit bitchy.”
“Yeah?” Ed flushed a bit as he tipped his head into the touch. Stede was gentle, delicate, warm feeling as the fingers trailed against the curve of his cheek. “When you’re not bein’ bitchy at me, it’s kinda hot.”
“Oh.” Stede’s cheeks flushed hot red, lovely and sweet looking. “I truly am sorry, Ed. I just heard what Izzy said and then we met and you were so cold, but if you thought I was demeaning you, I can see why.”
“Well, didn’t know I was a featured fantasy for you.” Ed said slowly and shifted, sliding in closer, pressing Stede against the backboard as he let himself melt in against the warmth of him. “You gonna tell me what movies you paused?”
“God, no! That was… let’s forget I admitted that.” Stede huffed, but tipped his head down, catching Ed’s lips in a slow kiss.
He melted into it. Melted in the reverent way Stede’s hands slid over his hip and drew him in closer. He was pleasantly sore and spent. Normally he would have been eager to chase out his partner and get some sleep, but the feel of the broad chest beneath his palm, the swipe of Stede’s tongue. No, he was in no hurry to chase this man out of his bed. If anything, he wanted to keep him here. For a night, for a week, for a month.
He drew back from the kiss slowly and watched as Stede’s eyes fluttered open dreamily, the expression softening into something sweet. Ed licked his lips and drew in a breath.
“You can uh… stay? Tonight?” He offered breathlessly and watched the hazel eyes widen. “If you wanted, I mean, you can go if you want. S’not like you don’t live close by, but if you—” He heard himself begin to babble, unable to stop himself once he started and then Stede kissed him again.
And it wasn’t filthy. It wasn’t possessive or hot. It was gentle and slow, exploring him with a swipe of a tongue and a draw that settled them both in closer. He melted into it, sliding his fingers upwards so that he could card his fingers through the blonde curls. He wanted to live in the kiss, to set up shop, say fuck the world, and just find a new home on Stede Bonnet’s lips.
Sadly, he drew back far too soon to smile at Ed. “Yes, I’d… I’d like that.” Stede’s words were soft and then he licked his lips. “Perhaps we might have breakfast together tomorrow?”
“Bury the hatchet?” Ed ventured and Stede looked suddenly shy, uncertain, the hand on Ed’s hips smoothed down as if he were comforting himself.
“I was thinking more like…. A date?” The last two words were barely a whisper, as if Stede were scared to even let them out as a possibility.
A date with Stede Bonnet. He felt his heart kick up and his breath hitch while Stede’s eyes flicked away, as if he were too nervous to see how Ed would answer. There was only one possible answer, however. Just one.
“Yes.” Ed breathed softly. “Think maybe I’d like that.”
“Yeah?”
“Mmhm, I think so.” Ed’s smile grew a little wider before there was the sound of fireworks and yells that filtered even through the hotel room walls. “Happy New Year, Stede Bonnet.”
“Happy New Year.” Stede tipped his head down for another kiss, slow and sweet, syrupy and delicate, filling Ed’s senses and the first seconds of the new year with sweetness on his tongue and the warm glide of arms cradling him.
Not a bad start at all.