Edward Teach Died on a Beach (OFMD)

Part 2: Chapter 25

Oh my God I think I'm actually a genius I haven't reread this since February and the way I portray the different characters is just *chef's kiss*

"That's a good boy," Ed cooed softly.

Stede held his breath for a moment. "You know, maybe we could stay a little longer."

Ed chuckled, smiling into Stede's shoulder. Despite the slight headache that clouded Ed's mind, he felt rather good. Stede smoothed down his hair.

"Pretty boy," Ed whispered.

Stede blushed.

"Crew will be up soon, though," Ed said quietly.

"I know," Stede whined.

"And we'll have all the time we'll need back on the ship," Ed said.

Stede hummed. "True."

Ed reluctantly untangled himself from Stede. Stede ran a thumb over the bite mark on his shoulder. He frowned softly, examining the purplish red mark. Ed felt Stede's thumb against it and took a shaky breath in.

"Don't say a word," Ed warned him with a smile.

Stede sat up. "It bled, though. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Ed began to pull his drawers back on. "I already told you that I wanted you to do it."

Stede sighed, sensing that they were at an impass. He began to pull on the clothes he'd pulled off last night.

"Vest is easier to put on than it was to get off," Stede said quietly.

Ed grinned. "Don't tempt me to take it back off again."

Stede felt himself blushing again. "You're right. The crew should be up soon."

Ed sighed. "Fine, fine."

A little while later, they slipped out of the room, pausing as they stopped to look at Sam. Sam had just come out of the room opposite them. He paused, opened his mouth as the door behind him opened, and then closed his mouth and briskly walked away. Frenchie froze, biting his lip.

"Mornin," Frenchie said quietly.

"Good morning!" Stede said cheerfully.

Frenchie flinched a little, yawning. "Yeah, yeah."

Ed smirked and then remembered he was holding a whole bottle of olive oil. Frenchie's eyes flicked down to it. He smirked and then walked quickly in the direction that Sam had gone.

Ed followed them hesitantly, holding the bottle of oil behind his back as Stede followed right behind him. They ended up in Jackie's bar. It was much quieter than it'd been the night before. Buttons was asleep on a table. Most of the crew had either left or slept somewhere else.

Jackie was sitting at the bar counting a pile of coins. Ed hesitantly walked up to her and set the bottle of oil on the counter. Jackie glanced up and then scowled.

"You're gonna have to pay for that," Jackie said.

Ed sighed. "Fine."

"Touching little song last night," she said.

"I know," Ed replied.

Spanish Jackie looked up at them. She stared at them for a while, smoking with her wooden hand. "Feels like the end of something, don't it?"

Ed sighed. "Yeah."

"Stede, I want you to know that Jim settled that favor you owed me."

Stede raised a brow. "How?"