Work Text:
Monday, 05:30 AM
Alarms should be outlawed.
Especially alarms that wake you up at the most ungodly hour on a Monday, fuck fuck fuck, why is he even awake–
“Good morning, darling.”
Ed opens his eyes and Stede is smiling at him, glasses already on, a book on his lap. Ed blinks several times, trying to get Stede’s face into focus, and it is like staring at the sun. Or that might be the lamp on the nightstand.
“Yourealreadyup?” Ed blurts. Stede runs his fingers through Ed’s hair, which definitely does not help with the whole waking up process. Ed closes his eyes, melting at Stede’s gentle and steady touch.
“I am just so excited about the road trip,” Stede sighs, and Ed hears the soft thump of the book being placed on the nightstand. “I keep going through our packing list in my head.”
Ed quickly reaches out for Stede, throwing his arm across Stede’s chest, bringing him closer. Ed’s nose is pressed against Stede’s armpit, and that makes him giggle.
“Oh, Ed,” Stede laughs. “Please get your nose out of there.”
“You smell good,” Ed mutters, because he does. Stede smells great , like soap and lavender and fresh linen and clouds and everything fresh and clean and lovely.
“We have to go to work at some point,” Stede says, shifting his position and snuggling closer.
“Hmm.” Ed opens his eyes, and now they’re face to face, chests pressed against each other’s. Ed drums his fingers softly on Stede’s lower back, feeling the warm skin there.
“Hey,” Stede smiles.
“Hey,” Ed echoes, leaning in.
The kiss is soft and chaste, a kiss just to say hello I am so glad you are here with me, yet it still manages to make Ed like his skin is on fire. Stede pulls away, and places a kiss on Ed’s nose, on his forehead, then on his nose again.
“You are so lovely,” Stede breathes. “My dear, I love you so much.”
“You do?” Ed asks, a smile tugging at his lips.
“Of course,” Stede says, kissing him again. “ You have taken more than my soul, you are the one thought of my life. ”
Ed moves his hand to Stede’s cheek, and keeps it there, slowly tracing circles with his thumb. “Who said that?”
“Napoleon Bonaparte,” Stede grins. “In one of his letters to Josephine.”
“Huh, who knew that angry short man could be such a romantic?” Ed snorts before leaning in to steal another kiss.
“Speaking of short, angry men –” Stede mutters against his lips, and Ed groans loudly.
“Don’t tell me you are thinking of Izzy right now,” Ed protests.
Stede laughs for a few seconds, his nose scrunched adorably, his eye wrinkles as endearing as ever. “You’re going to be late.”
“Fine, fine,” Ed sighs. “I’ll get ready.”
“Good man,” Stede smiles. “May I have another kiss, though?”
Ed pretends to give it some thought, humming to himself, and Stede laughs again, his body vibrating and warm as Ed kisses him over and over again.
Monday, 10:00 AM
Ed has always had an active imagination.
He first noticed it when he was a kid, his daydreaming always getting him in trouble at school, with many visits to the principal’s office. He’s smart, they’d tell his mom, he just needs to pay attention.
Perhaps he gets bored? Ed’s mum would ask, and they would never listen to her.
So Ed continued daydreaming, making up a world where his mum would want for nothing, where he would wear the same cool clothes kids his age did, where his dad would be a good guy.
Ed would draw blueprints in his head, about machines he wanted to build, finding up wild ways to use everyday components. Formulas, stats, numbers, lines, all of that. Those things were always constant and never ever boring.
College was somewhat interesting, kept his racing thoughts at bay, and kept him entertained. But then his dad died, then his mum died, he was broke, and that was that. His imagination was the only thing that saved him from the vortex of boredom, kept him going day by day until –
Stede Bonnet appeared in his life on a random Saturday six months ago, a flash of color in a dull, gray existence. He burrowed into Ed’s life unapologetically, covering every abandoned corner, making his blood run warm and his heart race like never before.
Ed fell in love, hard and fast.
He blinks, and realizes he has been daydreaming again. But now his daydreams are of real things, things that he’s done with Stede, plans that are actually possible. Ed snorts to himself, and goes back to writing down orders before Izzy comes back and starts riding his ass.
“So, at what time are you leaving tomorrow?” Izzy huffs as he slams the door to the office open.
“Hello, Iz,” Ed sighs. “Uh, around 7. Why?”
“Just wondering, that way I can keep track of how long it takes you to get to Vegas,” Izzy says offhandedly, dropping a bunch of folders in front of Ed.
“Okay, Mum,” Ed mocks.
Izzy crosses his arms, staring at Ed straight in the eye.
“Oh, should I not worry about you?” Izzy snaps. “I’m sorry, I just thought I’d spare some thoughts for my best friend and business partner, god forbid you two end up in a ditch somewhere–”
“Izzy, we’re adults, we’ll be fine,” Ed says. “Kraken has made worse and longer trips before.”
“I still don’t know why you aren’t taking Bonnet’s fancy car,” Izzy retorts. “Surely it’s a bit more dependable.”
Ed stops fiddling with the paperwork and frowns. “Iz, what’s going on?”
“Nothing!” Izzy says quickly, too quickly. “Nothing is going on for fuck’s sake.”
“Izzy.”
Izzy gnaws on his bottom lip for a second, then shrugs, defeated.
“Fine, I feel like you two are going to get married in Vegas,” Izzy says finally. “Which means you are not coming back.”
“Dickfuck, what the hell are you talking about?” Ed chuckles. “Even if we do get married there, why wouldn’t we come back?”
“I don’t know, you two are impulsive as fuck,” Izzy says, rolling his eyes. “Might give me a call and say, guess what, we are opening our own casino over here.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” Ed muses, and Izzy looks like he’s about to explode. “Aw, come on, Izzy. We are not opening a casino. Not yet, anyway.”
“Very funny,” Izzy scoffs. “But if you do elope, at least give me some warning.”
Izzy looks uncomfortable, looking everywhere but at Ed, his work boot tapping rapidly on the concrete floor. Izzy opens his mouth to speak, then closes it again, swallowing so hard that Ed can hear it.
“Would you be upset?” Ed asks. “If we eloped? If Stede and I got married? Is it because you hate him–”
“I don’t hate Bonnet,” Izzy says quickly. “I’m not his biggest fan, but I don’t hate him. He’s a fucking pain in the arse, but I don’t hate him. I can’t stand him sometimes, but I don’t–”
“Okay, okay,” Ed interrupts. “I get it.”
“Just let me know, that’s all I ask,” Izzy deadpans, and Ed knows that is the end of this particular conversation.
“I will,” Ed nods. “And Iz–”
The office door opens, and they both turn around at the same time to face it. A tall man with silver hair is standing there, holding his hand up awkwardly. He’s wearing a nice suit that gives him an air of importance, but his smile is kind and approachable.
“Hello, gentlemen,” he says. “I’m here to drop off my Audi, the brake pads need to be replaced.”
“Oh, right right ,” Izzy says, reaching for his clipboard. “Mr. Nielsen, yeah?”
“Mr. Hands, I talked to you on the phone, didn’t I?” Nielsen says pleasantly. “It is a pleasure to meet you. You look exactly how I imagined you.”
Izzy seems startled for a moment before regaining his composure. “Ah, yes. We talked. So, uh, the car.”
“Brake pads,” Nielsen nods.
“Okay, let’s see the car,” Izzy says, a slight crack in his voice. “Uh. Follow me, sir.”
“Sir?” Nielsen chuckles. “I could get used to that. But please, call me Matheo.”
Ed tries not to burst out in laughter when he notices the very vibrant blush on Izzy’s cheeks. He hasn’t seen Izzy blush or look this flustered in years, so he makes a mental note to tease Izzy later.
“Right, right,” Izzy says quickly. “Come on.”
Ed is still staring curiously at both of them, very aware of Izzy’s death glare towards him, and the two men step out.
Tuesday, 06:30 AM
“Absolutely not.”
Stede is standing there with his crossed arms, pouting. He looks lovely as the sun rises behind him, reminding Ed of one of those stained glass windows at the church his mum used to go to.
“You don’t want to drive Kraken?” Ed chuckles.
“And be held responsible for her possible demise?” Stede pouts. “Darling, there is no way I can drive her. It’s too much responsibility.”
“You just want me to do all the driving,” Ed winks. “I can see right through you.”
Stede merely smiles back but doesn’t say anything. Ed rolls his eyes playfully at him and continues loading the car. It isn’t a long road trip by any means, but Stede has packed almost every single outfit he owns, and Ed doesn’t have the heart to deny him anything.
And he can always end up wearing something of Stede’s.
Tuesday, 1:00 PM
You won’t have to follow me, only you can set you free
Ed puts on his sunglasses and continues humming, nodding along as Stede turns another page in the book he’s reading. Alma gave Stede the book during her last visit, and Stede has been stuck to it since.
“Have they figured out what’s going on with the train?” Ed asks, reaching for the volume knob.
“Not yet,” Stede mutters. “Alma truly picked a brain teaser for me.”
“I trust her taste,” Ed shrugs, glancing at the signs and aching for a stop. “Do you want to get some coffee? Tea? Next gas station is five miles away.”
Stede closes the book, and Ed can feel his eyes on him.
“Gas station coffee,” he jokes. “You know I love you, right?”
“You adore me,” Ed teases. “And I’ll make it up to you tonight.”
“Oh?” Stede is still looking at him, his curiosity so bright that it radiates towards Ed.
“There is a great burger place on this route,” Ed says. “They have these fancy sweet potato chips that you’re going to love.”
“As long as there’s cheese on them,” Stede points out. “You’ve created a monster, you know.”
“Call me Frankenstein,” Ed winks, speeding up.
Tuesday, 7:30 PM
“It’s so lovely to see all the stars,” Stede says suddenly, holding a chip close to his mouth. “You can’t see them like this back home.”
Home.
“I know a thing or two about stars,” Ed shrugs. He stares at his burger for a second before digging in, taking big bites. He swallows, but something still feels stuck in his throat, tears filling his eyes.
He is kind of grateful they chose to sit outside instead inside the diner, Ed doesn’t know if he could handle people around them right now.
“Ed…” Stede gives him a curious look.
“I had this book,” Ed starts. “I had this book about constellations that my grandfather gave to me when I was little. Andromeda, Perseus, Auriga…all of them were in it. I used to read it at the table, in my room, everywhere.”
Ed takes a deep breath, setting his burger aside. The wind is blowing, not hard enough to blow things away, but enough to ruffle Stede’s hair. Stede has forgotten about his food, the cheese congealing already on his chips, his eyes wide and focused on Ed.
“One morning I was reading it at the table, eating my cereal,” Ed says with a sad snort. “Can’t tell you what kind of cereal it was, but trust me, it was cereal. Dad came in, drunk after a night out, looking for a fight.”
The dining room is suddenly vivid, and Ed is back there, he’s back at the dining room table, eight years old with a book in one hand and a spoon in the other. His dad is screaming at him, pointing, his mum rushing in and standing in front of the table –
Ed blinks, and he’s back with Stede. The very few people around them are chatting happily and enjoying their food, and Ed focuses on wiping the excess grease off his fingertips with a napkin. He’s slightly shaking as he wipes one fingertip at a time, slowly.
Stede takes his hand, very gently, as if afraid to break it. He grabs his own napkin, and takes his time cleaning Ed’s fingers, just like Ed attempted to do so, one at a time, slowly.
“Was that before your dad fell off the roof?” Stede asks softly. Ed nods, and the unsaid confirmation of what caused Ed’s father’s death hangs between them.
“I’ve done a lot of shitty things,” Ed mutters.
Stede continues wiping Ed’s fingers, humming. “Yes, you have. But that wasn’t one of them.”
Ed looks at him, and Stede doesn’t look angry, doesn’t look upset. He’s just focused.
“I’ve done shitty things too,” Stede shrugs. “It’s how we deal with the aftermath that matters, and you’re a good person, Ed.”
“I’m the best person,” Ed grins. Stede rolls his eyes at him and kisses Ed’s fingertips.
“You’re being sarcastic, but I’m right,” Stede says against Ed’s fingers.
Ed holds his breath, and everything and everyone disappears around them.
Tuesday, 10:05 PM
Ed spits into the sink, running his tongue over his teeth to make sure he did a good job brushing them. He listens to Stede shuffle things around in the room, and then he decides to look at his reflection.
He looks tired, which is understandable considering he’s been driving all day. But he also looks relieved; he hasn’t talked about his childhood this much in years. Ed has mentioned a few things here and there to Stede, but he had never talked about the dining room incident.
Ed steps out of the bathroom, and Stede is already wearing his striped pajamas as he fusses with something on his phone. Finally, classical music starts playing out of Stede’s phone, and he looks triumphant. The song is soft, but it feels heavy in Ed’s stomach, as if someone is playing a song of despair and loneliness.
“Edward!” Stede exclaims, extending his hand towards Ed. “May I have this dance?”
“Mate, this is not dancing music,” Ed blurts, but takes Stede’s hand nonetheless. “I may not speak Italian, but I know this is a fucking sad song.”
“Well, we are taking something sad and creating a happy moment with it,” Stede smiles, and pulls Ed close to him. “Just stay here with me.”
Ed rests his forehead on Stede’s, and they stay like that, swaying on the spot as the music plays.
“He’s singing about birds,” Stede whispers. “His country is cold and without sunlight, so the birds have left.”
“Can’t blame the birds,” Ed whispers back, and Stede’s laughs quietly.
“He also sings about his love leaving him,” Stede continues, his hand now on the small of Ed’s back. “His life is now tied to her, and he begs her to not forget about him.”
“I was right,” Ed says. “This song is fucking sad.”
“But it’s beautiful,” Stede smiles, and presses a gentle kiss on the corner of Ed’s lips. “You’re beautiful.”
“And fucking sad,” Ed snickers, and Stede shakes his head, laughing with him as they start to move. Ed turns them around and the back of Stede’s legs hit the bed, making both of them fall onto it, still laughing.
“I liked talking about the stars today,” Stede mutters, his finger tracing a line over Ed’s jawline. “I liked hearing you talk about it.”
“We should travel to the stars,” Ed says. “Find a comfy galaxy and build a home there.”
“Would be a bit cold, no?” Stede muses. “I’d need a good blanket. I’m sure other people there would need blankets too.”
“We’re the only ones in that galaxy though,” Ed frowns. “You’re already inviting other people to join?”
“I was just being considerate,” Stede explains. “We could start a blanket business. We’ve both got an eye for fabrics, and you’re quite good with your hands.”
Ed chuckles and slides his hands under Stede’s t-shirt, making him giggle.
“I know I’m good with them,” Ed says as his hands move to either side of Stede’s waist. He gently digs his thumbs into Stede’s skin, eliciting a soft smile from him. “Ed and Stede’s Space Blanket Emporium sounds pretty good.”
“Then people on Earth would start wanting them as well,” Stede says. “We’d be so busy with orders and would have no time for each other.”
“That won’t do,” Ed says, placing a kiss on Stede’s nose. “Maybe we should just watch the stars from here, yeah?”
“Yes,” Stede nods, eyes on Ed. “I have a better view here anyway.”
Ed leans in and kisses him, pulling him closer. They end up falling asleep soon after that, heart and limbs intertwined.
Wednesday, 4:00 PM
There is something quite lovely about singing along to Air Supply’s “All Out of Love” with the love of your life. Especially when the love of your life is dramatically singing it to you, his hair a mess because of the open windows in the car.
Ed is so in love it fucking hurts.
Wednesday, 8:40 PM
The bar is even cooler than Ed remembered.
He used to stop by all the time whenever he was working as a truck driver, trying to save up as much as possible to start his shop. He hasn’t been here in a while, but he’s still in touch with the owner, who he considers a friend.
He remembers when Oluwande Boodhari was a bartender, trying to keep up with Spanish Jackie’s outlandish demands. Now Jackie’s retired, and Oluwande owns the bar, which is incredibly well-deserved.
“Ed!” Oluwande shouts happily from behind the bar, beckoning them to come their way. Jim, Oluwande’s partner, is bobbing their head to the song that is currently playing while they mix a drink.
“Oluwande,” Ed says as they reach the bar. “It’s been so long!”
“Let me go over there, hold on,” Olwande says, slapping Jim on the back. He ducks under the counter and appears next to Stede, who jumps slightly as Oluwande beams at them.
“You look happy,” Ed notes as Oluwande brings him in for a hug.
“Yeah, man,” Oluwande chuckles. “Life is good right now. This is Stede, then?”
“Hi, nice to meet you,” Stede says, shaking Oluwande’s hand. “Stede Bonnet.”
“Oluwande Boodhari,” Oluwande smiles. “That’s Jim, my partner. They’re also the best bartender in the world.”
Jim smiles sheepishly and salutes them before going back to taking care of the patrons. Oluwande reaches behind the counter and places a bottle of expensive-looking rum in front of them.
“On the house,” Oluwande winks, leaving them a couple of glasses before waking away to help other customers. Ed opens the bottle, taking a quick swig and handing the bottle to Stede.
“Your turn,” Ed says. “Let’s celebrate.”
Stede takes the bottle of rum and drinks, a deeper drink than Ed was expecting, and he coughs loudly after swallowing.
“That’s good,” Stede wheezes, and Ed can’t help but place a big kiss on his forehead.
Wednesday, 10:03 PM
Jim wasn’t kidding when they said that reggaetón is “very sexy” music. Ed’s nodding along to it, watching some of the couples on the dancefloor literally grind on each other. He can make out some words here and there, but he mostly feels the beat crawling under his skin, making him want, want –
He turns to look at Stede, who has his eyes on him as he sips on a mysterious blue drink that seems to have appeared out of nowhere. Stede puts the drink down, licking his lips, his eyes still on Ed.
Fuck.
Stede takes his hand and pulls, and for a moment Ed thinks they’re about to go dancing. But they walk past the dancefloor, past the pool tables, and make their way to the restrooms. The stalls have tinted, textured glass, the people inside the stalls noticeable as flesh-colored blurs.
Stede pushes him against the wall, not caring that other people walk by them or are washing their hands right across from them. Ed finds himself not caring either.
The song is ringing in Ed’s ears, pure and unadulterated lust running through his veins, and he doesn’t know what to do with all this want. He wants Stede to bend him over, to suck him off, to get inside him, to –
“What do you want to do?” Ed asks breathlessly, and he suddenly wishes that the lighting here was a bit brighter, because he wants to see Stede clearly, see every single inch of his dashing face.
“I want –” Stede’s fingers tug at the lapel of Ed’s jacket as he noses the sensitive spot behind Ed’s ear. “I want you in my mouth, I want to–”
“Fucking kiss me,” Ed begs, and Stede does just that, wrapping his arm around Ed so he can pull him closer. Stede is kissing him fiercely, as if he wants to consume Ed in one go, licking his way into his mouth slowly but intensely. Ed bucks his hips forward, and they’re both so fucking hard he’s going to lose his damn mind.
“Stall,” Ed mutters, letting go of Stede’s lips for one second, and they clumsily make their way into one of the individual stalls. Ed wonders briefly if it makes any sense to lock the door, since people are going to see them anyway. Probably. He locks it anyway.
People keep coming in and out, not paying them any mind, and Ed feels free in a way he hasn’t in years, and he knows a lot of it has to do with the man that is currently struggling to undo his belt.
“Let me,” Ed mutters, but Stede shakes his head, his fingers now steadier and working the buckle.
“You’re so beautiful,” Stede gasps, unzipping the front of Ed’s jeans, his hand brushing over the hardness there.
“Look who’s talking, love,” Ed grins, running his hand over Stede’s shoulder, settling on his middle back. Ed pulls him closer, the kiss hot and filthy and breathtaking, and when Stede drops slowly to his knees it looks like the holiest of sights.
“Stunning, so stunning,” Stede whispers as he gets Ed’s jeans down around his ankles. He leans forward, his hot mouth teasing Ed’s clothed cock. Ed is going to fucking pass out on the spot.
They’ve done this many times, sex, fucking, sucking, making a mess out of each other, you name it. But every time feels new, every time feels impossibly hot and sweet and suffocatingly incredible. Ed loves Stede so much it burns him from the inside, immolating every single inch of him in the best way, and it’s so good. So fucking good.
Stede looks up, his nose brushing Ed’s dick and making him hiss.
“Honey, look at me,” Stede says.
“I’m looking,” Ed says, his hand on Stede’s cheek. “Fuck, look at you.”
Stede smiles at him, all softness and want and love, his eyes glassy with lust. He tugs at Ed’s boxer briefs, pulling them down over his knees. Stede gently places his hands on either side of Ed’s thigh, digging his fingers into the skin, burrowing himself in the muscle there, and lets out a pleased sigh.
“I will never tire of you,” Stede says sweetly before putting his mouth on him.
Wednesday, 11:05 PM
Stede is singing nonsense into his ear, and Ed is laughing, both of them dancing in circles with absolutely no proper rhythm. Stede’s fingers dig into Ed’s waist as they move around, still pressed close to each other, so close that they might be fused at this point. Stede places a big, sloppy kiss on Ed’s cheek before pulling away to look at him.
“You know this is a breakup song, yeah?” Ed chuckles, his hands now on Stede’s face, his thumbs pressing gently against his cheekbones. Fuck, Stede looks so good like this. “You’re a fucking lunatic.”
Stede smile is bright and fucking stunning, and Ed has to close his eyes for one second because he can’t handle all the love he’s feeling right now. And he might be too drunk. When he opens them Stede is still there, adoration etched in his face.
“ It’s not in the way you look ,” Stede sings, awfully off-key. “ Or the things that you say that you’ll do– ”
Ed kisses him, and Stede tastes like salt and tequila and dreams come true.
Thursday, 2:06 AM
“Well, that’s hardly fair,” Stede scoffs, still swaying a bit as he waves the stick at Jim. “You must be cheating!”
Jim chuckles, taking back their position on the table, ready to shoot. “Whatever, old man. I thought you said you were good at pool.”
Stede crosses his arms as Jim effortlessly wins another round, and then he turns to look at Ed, indignation all over his face.
“Jim is just trying to rile you up, love,” Ed calls. “You’re good at pool, Jim’s just way better.”
Oluwande snorts loudly next to him, almost dropping his water bottle. Stede flips both of them off before returning his focus to Jim, who winks at Oluwande before resuming their position at the table.
“God, I fucking love him,” Ed sighs. His eyes are fixed on Stede, who is still losing terribly. Stede, who has the strangest taste in music. Stede, who manages to make everything shine so brightly around him.
“Love, huh?” Oluwande says, passing the joint back to Ed.
“Love,” Ed nods.
“You gonna marry him?” Oluwande asks.
“Maybe,” Ed exhales deeply. “I don’t know if it will be a proper wedding thing, but I do know I want to be with him for the rest of my life.”
“I feel that,” Oluwande says, glancing towards Jim. “I don’t see myself navigating life without Jim. They are my forever mate.”
Forever. Ed never thought he’d had the luxury of forever with someone, but he looks at Stede and thinks that an eternity wouldn’t be enough.
“Fuck, I’m high,” Ed chuckles, shaking his head.
“We’re pathetic,” Oluwande tells him, patting Ed on the back. “You can sleep it off upstairs, we’ve got a guest bedroom.”
“Yeah, I don’t think either of us can drive,” Ed admits.
Jim wins for the tenth time, raising their arms in triumph. Stede’s jaw twitches but then he starts laughing, dropping his stick and burying his face in his hands.
“I am awful at this!” Stede shrieks, and Ed realizes both of them need to go to sleep, now. Stede drags himself towards Ed, wrapping his arms around Ed’s neck and sighing loudly. Ed threads his fingers through Stede’s hair, gently scratching his scalp.
Jim joins them and gives them a look that reeks of fondness, even though Ed knows they’re trying to disguise it as amusement. Oluwande smiles at Jim and then turns his attention back to Stede and Ed.
“Plus, Jim and I make an excellent revuelto, ” Oluwande says. “You guys definitely need to stick around for that.”
“Thanks, mate,” Ed nods. “We really appreciate it.”
Stede mutters something against Ed’s shoulder, his body warm and fitting just right against Ed’s.
Forever mate. Yeah, he’d love that. Very much.
Thursday, 3:16 PM
Stede groans as he leans his head against the window, his eyes closed. He’s on his fourth Gatorade, mumbling as Ed drives and tries not to laugh.
Hungover Stede is truly a sight to behold.
“We’re almost there, sweetheart,” Ed notes. Stede just grunts in response, and adjusts his sunglasses as he resumes pressing his forehead against the window.
Ed looks at the signage, realizing that they’re just an hour away from Vegas, and he smiles in relief. Stede will be able to lie down and sleep it off, and then maybe they can go out for a nice dinner once they’re both well-rested.
He also notices that he needs to get more gas, so when he sees a sign for the closest gas station he takes the next exit, looking into the distance to find the station. Ed finds it quickly, and parks the car next to the pump, trying not to wake Stede.
Ed decides to pay inside and get them a couple of waters in the process, but as he walks towards the store he notices there is a car wash attached to the station. He stands there for a second, looking at the cars making their way through the tunnel.
Stede, looking at him with so much want.
Ed, so far gone and he’s only known the man for a few hours.
Water and foam blocking the outside world from view, lips colliding, and Ed’s feeling so damn much –
Ed rushes into the store, paying for their waters and gas as fast as he can, and he runs back to the car. Pumping the gas takes longer than he expected, and Ed is itching all over, glancing at the inside of the car where Stede still sleeps.
The pump finally stops, and Ed puts everything in his place as fast and safely as he can so he can get in the car.
“Stede,” Ed mutters, gently tapping on Stede’s arm. “Babe, wake up.”
“I’m up,” Stede sighs. “Just resting my eyes.”
Ed chuckles as Stede stirs, yawning and stretching as he does so. Stede takes off his sunglasses, and his eyes look a bit bloodshot, but he still looks as beautiful as ever.
“We’re almost in Vegas, had to stop for some gas,” Ed explains. “There is a car wash there, I want to give Kraken a proper wash.”
Stede blinks at him, and then smiles widely.
“Oh, Ed,” Stede says, leaning in. “Such a romantic.”
“Guilty,” Ed smiles back, and kisses him. “Got you some water.”
Stede kisses the corner of Ed’s mouth before taking the bottle from him, looking grateful as he starts drinking. Ed starts the car, making his way towards the car wash, and he doesn’t know why he feels this nervous.
They get to the tunnel and go through the motions, and Ed groans when Bryan Adams starts playing through the speakers of his stereo.
“I happen to like this song very much, you know?” Stede teases, moving closer to Ed.
“You changed the tape while I was inside the station, didn’t you,” Ed snorts, shaking his head at Stede.
“Mhm,” Stede grins shamelessly, and pulls Ed closer to him.
Maybe making out to Bryan Adams isn’t too bad.
Thursday, 7:25 PM
Checking in seems to take forever, even if it’s only a few minutes, and they barely make it out of the elevator before Stede is all over Ed, kissing him, touching him. They attract a few curious looks as they make their way to the room and struggle with unlocking the door, but who fucking cares.
Ed closes the door behind them, and they start pulling their clothes off, moving towards the bed, and fuck, Ed feels like he’s about to explode. They land on the bed, Ed on top of Stede, both of them incredibly fucking hard.
“Kiss me,” Ed breathes, pulling Stede closer. He can’t ever get close enough, he just wants to dig his fingertips into Stede’s skin, live there, travel down his bloodstream and never leave.
“Honey,” Stede gasps before leaning in.
“I don’t believe in much,” Ed says. “But I believe in you.”
“Ed,” Stede whispers before kissing him. He tastes as sweet as ever, and Ed chases after the sweetness, tasting with his lips, with his tongue, with his teeth. Stede wraps his arms around his neck, noses brushing with every kiss. He is muttering against Ed’s lips between kisses, and everything feels impossibly, overwhelmingly warm.
“Darling.” Kiss. “Sweetheart.” Kiss kiss kiss kiss . “Love of my life.” Kiss. “My love.”
Ed can’t help it.
“Marry me,” Ed mutters, forehead pressed against Stede’s. He has flashbacks of that very first kiss at the car wash, their foreheads together, breathing heavily. Stede’s eyes are still closed, the lines around his eyes soft and relaxed, and he smiles.
“You mean it?” Stede asks.
Ed thinks about sitting at a breakfast table, eating cereal, feeling joyless. He thinks about his mother dying, holding her in his arms one last time, feeling joyless. He thinks about dropping out of colleges, plans put aside, feeling joyless.
He thinks about meeting Stede, all nervousness and awkwardness as he almost tripped getting out of his blue car. How Ed was gone done signed sealed delivered the moment their eyes met for the first time. He thinks about how Stede has had faith in him all along, faith in a faithless man, and Ed wonders if this is what it’s like to feel blessed.
“I fucking mean it,” Ed says desperately, and they kiss again, tongues sliding hot, hands tugging at clothes and impatience consuming them both. “Stede, you’re it for me. This is it.”
“This is it,” Stede nods, his body flush against Ed’s. “You’re it for me, too.”
“Yeah?” Ed gasps, feeling nothing but Stede’s hands all over him. “Even the boring parts?”
“I want it all,” Stede smiles. “Your mundane and your extraordinary. Everything.”
“You have it,” Ed promises. “You have me.”
Saturday, 11:00 AM
Ed opens his eyes slowly, sunlight making his eyes water a bit. They must have left the curtains open last night, which was obviously a mistake. He blinks a couple times and wipes his eyes before turning over to look at Stede.
Stede is still asleep, snoring softly, and Ed wants to kiss him so badly. He doesn’t, letting Stede sleep instead, taking this as an opportunity to take a shower. Ed takes his time, enjoying the way the hot water soothes his muscles, and smiling when he remembers why his muscles are so sore.
He finally steps out, wrapping a towel around his lower half, and does his best at drying his hair. It is still damp by the time he leaves the bathroom, and Stede is sitting up in bed, scrolling through his phone.
“Morning,” Ed says, and he can’t help the smile that takes over his face.
“Good morning,” Stede says, his face bright red as he tosses away his phone. “Mary is okay with us calling the kids later.”
“Great news,” Ed says as he sits next to Stede. Stede tucks a stray strand of hair behind Ed’s ear and leans in, kissing him deeply, taking his breath away. Ed kisses back with everything he’s got, and Stede tugs on the towel, removing it almost instantly.
“You’re a menace,” Ed breathes, feeling Stede’s hand wrap around his cock.
“I’m your husband,” Stede says quietly, stroking Ed slowly. “Or did you already forget about last night?”
Stede’s hand feels warm around him except for the cold, gold ring around his finger. Eloping at midnight at one of the strangest chapels in Vegas was the best wedding Ed could’ve hoped for. They could’ve gotten married at a fast-food drive thru and Ed would have loved it anyway, because he’d follow Stede to the end of the goddamn world.
“Never,” Ed grins. “Come here, my love.”
Stede’s lips linger over his for a second, and he lets out a chuckle. Ed can’t believe he gets to spend the rest of his life with this madman, with this beautifully infuriating man. Lucky bastards, both of them.
“Also, you’ve got 15 missed calls from Izzy,” Stede says casually before giving Ed the best kiss of his fucking life.
“Shh, just fucking kiss me again, and again, and again,” Ed mutters, and Stede does.