Edward Teach Died on a Beach (OFMD)

Chapter 17

"Listen, only some hard feelings, alright?" Jim said, shutting the door. "We just need to make sure you're not going to go anywhere. Or that you'll slit someone's throat. I don't trust you."

Ed nodded slightly. "That's fair."

Jim grinned. "Yeah. It is."

Jim slammed the door and locked it. Ed was sitting in the same storage room he'd locked Jim in. He laid back on the floor, closing his eyes. He was surprisingly content. He felt closer to himself again. He was still hurt and still a little angry, but for the most part, he'd shoved it all down. The kraken was quelled at the moment.

"Ed?" Stede's squeaky voice came from the hallway. He sounded uncertain. And nervous. Ed didn't want him to be nervous.

"Captain Stede," Ed said quietly. "I could get used to calling you that."

"It feels odd, though. I don't think I'm fit to be captain on my own, if I'm being honest," Stede replied.

Ed heard him sit down against the door. Ed sat up, moving to the door and pressing his back against it.

"Nonsense," Ed replied, turning his head slightly. "You managed to take down Blackbeard."

Stede chuckled softly. "Yeah, right. Blackbeard took down Blackbeard."

"No. Stede did. Ed helped," Ed replied.

"Are you sitting against the door?" Stede asked.

"Yeah, why?" Ed replied.

Stede slipped his fingers under the doorframe and wiggled them. "Look. Where are your hands?"

"That's my ass," Ed said.

Stede went quiet for a moment. Ed knew he was blushing. "Sorry."

Ed stood up and looked around. He spotted a bag up on the shelf by the door. He'd left it there for Jim, really, but evidently Jim wasn't tall enough to see that it'd been put there. He'd secretly wished Jim would escape.

He grabbed the bag down and rummaged through it for a moment. He drew out a few pieces of metal.

"Ed?" Stede asked sheepishly.

Ed knelt by the door, quickly picking the lock. After a bit, he heard the lock click. He set the metal pieces down and inched backwards, turning the handle. He pulled the door open.

Stede fell backwards, his head landing on Ed's legs. Stede looked up at him in surprise. Ed smiled weakly. He leaned down and put a hand on Stede's cheek.

"Stede, I'm sorry. I really am," Ed whispered.

"I'm sorry too," Stede replied, eyes sincere and full of sweetness.

Ed felt guilty again. The guilt gripped at his heart and made it hard to breath.

Ed leaned down stiffly, like he was being compelled to do it by some higher being. He gently touched their lips together. Stede's fingers found the back of his neck, his nose against Ed's chin. He felt the stubble on Ed's cheek rub his face. As Ed pulled away, he gently slipped his legs out from under Stede, putting a hand under his head and lowering it to the ground.

Ed rose to his feet and grabbed Stede underneath the arms. Stede gasped softly as Ed dragged him further into the supply room. Ed winced a little, trying to put less weight on his right shoulder. Stede gently reached up and touched his shoulder.

Ed flipped around and knelt down over Stede. Holding himself up with his left arm. Stede looked up at him with wide eyes, his face bright red. Ed raised his foot, kicking the door shut.