you must like me for me

my reputation's never been worse, so...

~!~ Hello readers! If you have been following my account, this is completely different from anything I've ever posted before. This is a warning that this fic contains sexual content. Do not pressure yourself to read this if that will be uncomfortable for you. Stay safe and I hope you are all having a good day <3 This fic occurs after the scene in S2 E5: The Curse of the Seafaring Life.

Stede was the Captain of The Revenge. And he finally felt ready to own it.

His mind had continued to wander back to the way Ed's big brown eyes had looked up at him, asking him to own his position as Captain. The way Ed's breaths had quickened as Stede valiantly tried to take a commanding tone. He was sure Ed didn't think he'd noticed, he must have thought that his sarcasm had covered up his obvious excitement. But Stede noticed. Oh, yes indeed, he had. And he hadn't been able to stop thinking about it.

"What would you have me do, Captain? To restore my reputation?"

Stede had no answer when he had been asked, but he certainly had one now.

Of course, it wasn't a useful answer. Just an inappropriate wisp of a thing, really. Not anything that would restore, well, anything.

Except for the raging hard-on Stede struggled to keep in control when he thought about Ed's gorgeous eyes, his beautiful mouth, his incredible hair, long enough to get a strong grip on, and--

Oh, but. They weren't there. And who knows if they ever would be again.

Stede understood that the collar with the bell made the crew feel safer, and, as their captain that is the thing he must prioritize most.

But it simply wasn't fair.

The way the collar brought the eye to Ed's attractive neck. More attractive than any other neck Stede had ever seen; with skin slightly prickly from stubble and muscles the tight collar accentuated that Stede just wanted to take a bite out of--

His head was swimming. He wanted his hands, his face, his mouth, anything and everything on Ed's neck. He wanted to worship him.

He wanted Ed to respect his Captain.

Stede's mind had played on repeat, "Right away, Sir!" Ed's slightly teasing smile playing accross his lips. Stede wanted that smile replaced with pliant lips, lips that showed respect to their Captain, lips that let melodic noises slip past.

He was Captain. He was in charge. He could... he...

It wouldn't be right, now would it? To order Ed to his chamber? He wanted him to come willingly, he wanted Ed to want him.

But... but it also wasn't right that Stede had to live like this! Constantly reminded, every time he heard the jingle of Ed's bell, no matter how far off, of how he would answer the question now.

"What would you have me do, Captain? To restore my reputation?"

Stede was Captain. Stede had power. Stede could have whatever he wanted.

Stede was a weak man. He had easily given in to many a whim in the past.

...

What's the harm in one more?

"Ed!" he called out the door of his quarters. Taking a few steps out, he called again, "Ed!!"

"What, mate?"

"Er... Report to my quarters! Immediately!"

Stede's heart rate quickened as the jingling of the bell became more and more distinct.

"Yes, Captain!" came Ed's reply, the jingling still getting louder as the man got closer.

He met him at the doorway of his chamber, where Stede was still standing. "I'm here. What do you want?" Ed said, eyebrows raised in anticipation.