gaydeviants

gonna be a short one today, friends. i have no idea where im going w all this, ive got a few more bits typed up but gotta actually…. fill in some stuff too, lol


Roach corners him in the galley the next morning as he’s gathering fruit for Ed’s breakfast. Stede looks up, surprised the other man is awake so early. He found it difficult to sleep after his time with Ed last night, and had risen with the sun, dressing in his gold robe, deciding to visit Ed earlier than normal.

“Good morning, Roach,” he says, knowing his smile is just a tad too big.

Roach yawns, before stuffing his hands into his pockets.

“Morning, Captain,” he says. “I need to talk to you.”

Stede’s taken aback, but he puts Ed’s dish to the side, turning to fully face Roach. “Of course. What’s on your mind?”

Roach sighs, looking nervous. “It’s about Edward.”

Of course it is, Stede thinks. Seems like everyone wants to talk to him about the merman lately.

“All right,” Stede says, waiting for him to continue. Roach hesitates.

“Speak freely, by all means,” Stede says with sincerity. He wants his crew to feel comfortable coming to him with concerns.

“Okay,” says Roach. “Well, listen. Do you think it’s… maybe time he went back to the sea?”

Stede feels a swoop of dread at the very thought, even though he knows he can’t keep Ed in his bathtub indefinitely. “What, er, what makes you say that?” he asks. Roach rolls his eyes.

“I’ve done all I can for him. He’s going to have some nasty scars, but he’ll be okay.” Roach seems flustered as he moves on to his second point. “Also…” He hesitates, before huffing, rolling his eyes. "I'm just going to say it. We all heard you last night. And that's great, if he's well enough for--for whatever you were doing--"

Stede’s face flushes hotly. Damn, he thinks, that was unprofessional.

"We were having sex," he blurts out, before his brain catches up with his mouth. When he realizes what he's said, he groans, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I apologize," he tries again, but Roach holds up a hand, waving off his apology as if it's unnecessary.

“Don’t apologize, it's not that. We hang out with Lucius and Pete, and Olu and Jim. We’re used to it.”

Stede supposes he has a point. Half of his crew is partnered up, he shouldn’t feel guilty for taking a lover himself. Even if it’s out of the ordinary.

“It’s not a problem,” Roach goes on to assure him, and the relief Stede feels is unreal. He still has a hard time accepting that the others accept him. “It’s just--well, you know. This isn’t his home.”

And Stede does know that, but it still makes him anxious to hear someone else acknowledge it. He sighs, running a hand through his hair.

“You’re right,” he says, looking down at the counter. “I'll discuss this with him over breakfast.”

Roach nods, looking relieved. Stede’s surprised how much the rest of the crew has come to care for Ed, too, in their own way, considering some of their initial reactions to him. But Ed won everyone over with little effort, which isn't actually all that surprising, after all. Stede understands better than anyone just how easy it is to fall for Ed.

“Thank you, Roach, for being so candid,” he says, and Roach nods again, before muffling another yawn.

“Why don’t you get some more sleep?” Stede suggests gently.

Roach laughs. “Probably a good idea,” he mumbles, rubbing at his eyes as he wanders off, leaving Stede with a lot to think about. He stares down at Ed’s breakfast for a minute, his thoughts racing.

He knew this day would come. He can’t keep Ed with him forever. But he worries what will happen to their relationship once Ed’s really got his freedom back. Will he be enough for Ed, once he has the ocean again? Those worries start to swirl in his head, but he shakes them away, determined to talk to his partner before he starts spiraling.

They’ll make it work.