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Ed had made a single rule, one that Stede agreed on when they officially took Treasure in; She's not allowed on the bed. He was painfully clear about the rule and he was even able to write it down without any help from Stede.
(Which his boyfriend was very proud of and Ed got a lot of kisses after he showed Stede the written rule)
Treasure seemed to understand the rule, or at least understood it when he was in the general area. But every once and a while Ed would find bright orange hair on his mattress. All while Treasure and Stede play innocent.
Bastards.
A rough hit to Ed's side snapped him out of his thoughts. At some point without him realising, his attention wandered from training Roach in sword fighting, to glancing at the door that led to the lower level. Where Stede was most likely curled up near the fireplace, book in hand and Treasure without a doubt slumped over his shoulders or curled up in a ball on his lap.
Another hit to his side had Ed's full attention back to Roach. The younger man smiled wildly, eyes dancing with mirth, "We can call it a day."
Ed shook his head, "Nah mate, I'd rather teach you."
"Treasure's in one of those 'don't come near Stede or else' moods then huh?"
"Fuckin' nuisances that thing. I wanted to fuckin' kiss my boyfriend and what I got instead was sharp claws aiming to gouge out my fuckin' eyes." Ed huffed, "She's acting out more than the uszh."
"Mating season?"
"Nah mate, that's already past. This is different."
"Sick?"
Ed shrugged, "Hop' not. I don't know the first thing 'bout cat health."
"Is Stede feeling down? Upset? I heard that certain animals can pick up on humans emotions and react with empathy."
Ed brought himself to his full height, stepping into Roach's personal space, "You sayin' I make Stede unhappy?" It came out as a hiss, "Answer me! What'd you hear, boy?"
"Whoa, whoa, nothing I swear."
Ed tossed his sword aside, "We're done for the day."
He didn't wait for a reply. He was more focused on finding Stede and making sure he hasn't upset his boyfriend. The door to their bedroom was ajar, the room bathed in a lovely soft glow from the chandeliers. He expected to find Stede seated close to the warmth provided by the fireplace but the couch was empty.
"Stede?" He didn't get a verbal response but the comforter on the bed moved. That put Ed on high alert. Stede never went back to bed during the day. Unless there's a promise that Ed could make it worth wild.
He crossed the room in record time, gasping when he pulled back the comforter. Stede looked nothing like the man who woke him up with kisses with a wide smile, his skin glowing. No, this man laying curled up under piled high blankets, looks far too pale and sweaty, his fingers twitching restlessly, brow furrowed in discomfort.
It made Ed's chest tighten, "Stede? Stede, you okay?"
"Think I'm dying."
Ed brought a hand up to brush against his boyfriend's forehead. Quickly drawing back at the heat, "Shit, Stede, you're burnin' up!"
Stede didn't whimper but it was the closest thing to it. Ed frowned, leaning forward to press a kiss to Stede's check only to get sneezed on. Biting his tongue, Ed held back any words that could offend his boyfriend in his gross sick state.
"S'rry…"
"It's alrigh', I'm in need of a bathin' anyway. You too I reckon"
"'Mmm, that'll feel nice," Stede's nose scrunched up again, "Move-"
Ed tumbled backwards at the force of his boyfriend's hand hitting his chest. His face, by mere inches, was saved from another sneeze attack.
Ed righted himself and searched blindly under the blankets for Stede's hand, giving it a squeeze, "Thanks, love. Listen, I'm gonna find Roach and see if he got any herbs to help, m'kay?"
Stede hummed, squeezing his boyfriend's hand, or he thinks he did but his fingers feel too weak to move, "Have you seen Treasure? I scared her away with a nasty cough."
Ed's eyes danced around the room. He didn't even notice the feline wasn't with Stede. There didn't seem to be any trace of her in the room, not even sitting on top of Stede's robe on the chair, but Ed's not worried about it. His attention was solely on Stede, "I'm sure she'll turn up. Let me take care of you."
There was no doubt a word of protest building up, only Stede's eyes flickered close and sleep dragged him under before they could come out. Ed brushed away a sweaty strand of his boyfriend's hair before standing.
His bag leg twitched in discomfort but he's long past ignoring the pain. Besides, it wasn't like a tweaked leg was going to stop him from nursing Stede back to health. Hell, he could have both of his legs cut off and he'd pull himself across the world with only his fingertips until they bled, until the bone showed.
So it came at no surprise that when Roach informed him that they'll have to stop at the nearest civilisation to gather proper medical herbs, Ed had rowed himself ashore, the dinghy travelling faster than the thousands pound wooden vessel that's been his home for a few years now.
Merchants were annoyingly scarce on the small island he arrived on. There was little, if none, vegetation to help boost Stede's weakened immune system. Herbs bundled in small amounts as the selling men gave sympathetic looks to him as he bought everything they had in stock, bleeding them dry, yet he knew it wasn't quite enough.
It'll have to do.
His boots hit the deck with a loud echo, grip slipping in his haste to deliver the herbs to Roach so he can mix them into liquid form for Stede to drink. His body's shaking, adrenaline pumping through his veins at an alarming rate. He feels lightheaded, dizzy and nauseous.
"Cap'n, maybe you gotta sit down. You don't look too good."
Ed shook his head, watching Roach intensely as the medical chef grounded the herbs up, watering them down with clean water, "I'm good. Stede?"
"No changes. It looks like he came down with something, nothing serious thankfully."
"That's good right?" Ed asked with a hopeful look, "He's going to be okay?"
Roach poured the liquid into a cup, "Very good. You can do the honours. Make sure he drinks all of it."
Ed cradled the cup in his hands, like it was the most important thing he's ever been given. He spared a thankful look in Roach's direction before darting off to his bedroom.
Wee John was seated outside the door, "He sleepin' didn't wanna wake 'im."
"Thanks mate. I got it from here."
John sent him a soft smile and opened the door for him, then closed it after his Captain crossed into the room, giving the two privacy. Stede was exactly how Ed left him, curled up beneath a mountain of blankets. Ed went to take a step forward when a loud hiss stopped him in his tracks.
Treasure, having come out of hiding, was perched on top of the blankets, back arched in warning. She let out another hiss when Ed attempted another step towards her and Stede. If this was any other day Ed would give in and let her win. But as it is, Stede is in need of help. Help Treasure can't give him.
Ed braced himself and took a step, trying to ignore Treasure's warning growls as he tiptoed across the room. The closer he got, the louder she got, causing Stede to shift and mumble words into his pillow that Ed couldn't quite hear clearly.
"Listen here you lil' nuisance, I'm comin' over there whether you like it or not. So I suggest you fuckin' piss off before I shut you up for good."
Treasure didn't seem fazed by his words, instead she looked rather unimpressed at the lack of creativity in the threat. She stood her ground, golden eyes narrowed like she was daring him to come closer.
Ed huffed. That might have worked on him when she first boarded the ship, and well, any other day, but from where he's standing Ed can see Stede's brow pinched in pain and he'll do anything to ease that pain. Even if that means he'll lose an eye.
"The only reason I haven't thrown you overboard is cause for some fuckin' reason Stede is fond of you-" Ed's eye twitched when Treasure purred at that, "-but make no mistake feline, my priorities lay with Stede and I will stop at nothin' to save him."
Treasure cocked her head to the side with an expression that clearly conveyed both pity and if Ed is translating it correctly: 'how dramatic does one need to be?'. Nonetheless she kept eye contact as she climbed down the blanket mountain and tucked herself into Stede's side.
Ed proceeded with caution, the drink still held protectively in his hands, careful not to spill any over the rim. Treasure kept her eyes on him with every step he took.
Ed knelt beside Stede, gently pulling back the covers. Stede's floral robe was tucked halfway underneath his side. Huh, Ed remembered it being across the room when he left. He glanced over to Treasure who cocked her head to the side. Ed won't ever admit it but he's thankful for the kind gesture.
"Stede, love?" When no response came Ed clenched his jaw and shook his boyfriend's body, "Stede wake up, I got medicine for you. Smell like shit but it'll do the trick."
Stede groaned, "If it's the green drink, take it back. I'd rather die."
"You must be sick. Normally I'm the stubborn one." Ed joked. He looped an arm around Stede's back and slid behind him on the bed, Stede's back resting against his chest. Ed passed him the cup, "Drink. All of it."
Stede reluctantly took the cup and scrunched up his nose at the foul smell. He took a deep breath and figured it's best to get it over. In one big sip the glass was empty and tossed onto the floor.
Ed laughed, "You're cleanin' that up."
Treasure meowed in agreement.
Stede ignored both of them and settled himself in Ed's strong arms. Ed tightened his hold on his boyfriend, pressing a kiss below Stede's ear, chuckling when Stede huffed at the way his beard tickled the back of his neck. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Treasure climbing back onto Stede, stretching herself out across his chest. Her paws tucked into the crook of Stede's neck, her claws inches from Ed's face.
Bastard.
Ed couldn't see Stede's face but he knows his boyfriend well enough to know there's a satisfied smirk dancing on his lips. Treasure on the other hand is perfectly in his line of sight, smirking up at him. She goes so far as to shake her small body, fur flying everywhere covering half the bed in a coat of orange.
Ed rolled his eyes, and after checking that Stede's asleep, he bravely moved his hand down towards her. Maintaining eye contact he slowly and gently brushed over the fur behind her ear, not daring to press down any harder. "Thank you for being here for him."
Treasure closed her eyes, comfortable and content to sleep the day away, spread out across her owner's chest with her right cheek resting in Ed's warm hand.
With a yawn, Ed blindly adjusted the pillows behind him to lean back more. Whatever adrenaline he had left seemed to be wearing off quickly. Ed glanced down at Stede and Treasure who both looked relaxed and figured just for tonight he'll let the 'no cat in bed' rule slide.
She's still a bloody nuisance though.