Cherish || BlackBonnet

4

For non-mature readers, catchup: Ed and Stede resolved the issue through- erm- talking it out... and were having a nice morning together the day after when suddenly, they heard a clattering from above deck. Ed was about to go check on it when they heard a shout. Then, a gunshot.

Fearing for the worst, Stede hurried up with Ed after pulling on a dressing gown. Above deck, the crew was standing in a circle around a figure. Stede groaned in annoyance. Calico Jack stood proudly, gun raised to sky, and grinned at Ed. "Oi, mate, pleasure to be home."

He strode forward, raising an eyebrow at Stede's clothes, or lack thereof, and sneered, "Don't tell me... he's one of your flings?" Stede flinched, but Ed wrapped an arm around him. "Get out of here, Jack."
"Ah, I shan't, should you want to keep your pretty little pet safe."

Ed snarled, "You wouldn't." Jack smiled, "But I would." Stede stepped forward, between the two men. "Now easy there, gentlemen, let's not be too hasty" he turned to Ed, "it's ok, we have enough supplies for one more." Running a hand through his salt and pepper hair, Ed sighed, "It's not that but... I guess you're right." Turning to Jack, he sighed, "I guess you can stay for the week."

He punched the air victoriously, laughing, "We're gonna be best buds, Steve!"
"It's Stede."
"That's what I said!"
It was going to be a long week.

— — —

It was hardest overall for the co-captains, who had to share their room with him. At least they had the bed to themselves, but they would always catch Jack smiling smugly whenever they kissed or embraced. Uncomfortable, strained, and annoyed, they put up with him day after day until it was simply unbearable.

They began sleeping together in the auxiliary wardrobe, under the guise of being in a different room for privacy. It was much more refreshing alone with Ed, for Stede had it the hardest with Jack. He was always playing tricks on the poor man, such as putting salt in his favorite tea or setting traps throughout the ship to minorly inconvenience him.

And Ed, no matter how much he wanted to slip into his old habits with Jack, couldn't find it in himself to forgive him for what he had done. So whenever they were together, there was an awkward silence that Jack would futilely continue to attempt to fill, to no avail. On the other hand, Jack was enjoying himself to the fullest, tormenting the crew, shirking his own duties, and sleeping around all day.

On one of such days, when Jack was sleeping soundly on the couch, Ed and Stede had one of their rare moments together in solitude in the secret passages running through the ship. It was dark, musty, and smelled of the stale crumbs Frenchie spilled through cracks in the wood, but it was good enough for them to get just a bit of a break.

Stede set down the candle he was carrying, and spread a blanket over the dust. "It's like an indoor picnic!" Ed chuckled at his excitement, kissing his forehead affectionately. Quietly, they ate and whispered jokes to each other, treasuring their time like it was gold.