Till death do us part - Blackbonnet, a 70s AU

1

Ed, formally dubbed Edward Teach, sat at a stool at the Brat. A famous gay bar south of Auckland, New Zealand. The 1970s were a new revelation in gay rights, after the stonewall riots of the 60s, people were slightly more accepting.

However, the homosexuals of New Zealand werent entirely welcomed with open arms. These bars were a way to escape the reality of the world, to enjoy themselves freely without fear of being caught.

Ed sat there drinking gin and tonic. People would often thing Ed of being a beer sort of fellow, but no, he usually settled for gin and tonic. There were many things people wouldnt know about Ed, people'd often only scratch the surface during interactions with the man.

Ed rose the glass of liquor to his lips. As he glanced around, his eyes landed to the entrance of the club...the most beautiful man he'd ever seen had walked in. He looked roughly the same build as Ed himself, flaxen-like, bouncy hair that you wouldn't call short. This man was clad in dress-corduroy trousers, shirt with a loosened tie. A jacket draped over his left arm.

Edward was stunned...this man hardly seemed fitting enough for this bar. But lord almighty was he attractive. Blue eyes and blonde hair... God only knows he would complete Ed's own tall dark and handsome ensemble.

To Edwards luck, the man sauntered his way over to the bar beside himself. Edward was internally grinning from ear to ear.

Ed, in confidence, shuffled closer to introduce himself to the man. "Hows it going mate, Edward Teach," Ed offered his hand, which the man shook politely.

"Stede... Bonnet, a pleasure."

"Quite the gentlemen aren't you Steve."

Stede deadpanned..."it's SteDe, prince charming." Ed was wide-eyed.

"My apologies mate."

Stede beamed and chuckled. "It's alright, happens all the time."

"Haven't seen you around here before Stede. You certainly don't seem the type who would come here. Where you from?"

"Oh no not often, see it's all new to me this sort of thing. I hail from Barbados, off the Carribean islands. Moved here when i was a boy."

"Ooh," muttered Ed.

Stede continued, "Recently divorced my wife of 7 years, left her aswell as my two children."

Ed listened intently.

"Thought experimenting was the way to go as a recently single man." Ed smiled slightly.

"Seems reasonable," laught Ed.

Stede continued, "how about you, you ever married?"

Ed shook his head. "No, never. Women were never on my agender, never as a boy, a teenager or now as a matter of fact."

Stede let out an 'Aah,' a nod in understanding. Stede looked down, he noticed a brace on Edwards left leg.

"The leg brace?"

Ed looked down, "Oh that, yes, see i was an engineer in the Vietnam war. A Captain in the Kiwi army, stationed up in Qui Nhon."

Stede was impressed, "wow that must've been terrifying. How'd you get the injury."

"I got caught in heavy fire once, the Viet-Cong were advancing closer to my unit. I got hit by a bullet and the laceration caused permenant nerve damage in my knee, along the ligament. Hence the brace. This was about a year ago now."

Ed hadn't felt so comfortable in oversharing in a long time. He hadn't seemed to feel so safe in someones presence a long time before Stede.

"There were long term complications, i often get a tingling sensation up my leg, the doctors found theres no cure besides painkillers to subside the pain."

Stede looked genuinely concerned, "my god that must be terrible."

"It's bearable now. Though the stress for it gave me this." He pointed to his grey beard. "I used to have the nickname 'blackbeard' when i was a teenager...not much anymore," he laughed.

"Love the beard, can call you the Silver Fox," smirked Stede.

Ed notcied they were much closer in proximity now, Stede was caressing Ed's arm comfortingly.

After hours of just chatting, it felt they had known eachother all their lives. Ed finally stretched and stood.

"Im absolutely knackered Stede, i might head out."

Stede looked disappointed ever so slightly, to which Ed noticed. "Care for a night cap at my place?" Stede agreed.

The men headed to Ed's apartment, where they sat and shared a bottle of wine amongst them.

In each a half drunken state, they both sat in silence. Ed knew, in spite of his alcohol-induced thought alteration. He did not want to let Stede go, he felt so safe in his presence, he knew he could open up without fear and ridicule. He felt this could be something.

Stedes hazy mind was brought back into reality went the soft lips of Edwards were harshly brought upon his. Stede kissed back eagerly.

They both, never leaving eachothers grasp, shuffled and made their way to Ed's bedroom, the door closing behind them.

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A/N wow...what an action-packed beginning ammirite xD i hope u like the layout and the story so far. I wanted the beginning like this so i could get on with the drama i thought out.

I aint writing smut at all...ill write the start but i wont go into detail bc its weird.

Plz lemme know what you think so far..i am a sucker for angst. So expect alot in future.