The second time Ed and Stede fell into bed together was far less platonic and innocent than the first.
Stede was clearly nervous and excited, but they worked together in bed the same way they worked to beat back the storm.
They were so deliciously in sync in a way that was deeply rare for anyone but those who'd known each other intimately for a long time. When Ed slid his hand over Stede's collar and dipped his head to press a kiss at the curve of his neck, it felt like the hundredth time he'd done it instead of the first. He knew the sound that Stede would make - a soft moan from the back of his throat that tumbled past pursed lips - before he made it.
Ed pressed his lips to play the instrument of Stede's arousal again. He was rewarded with a sound similar to the first, but exhaled with more abandon and with a delightful vibration of his chest.
Stede seemed to know just how to touch Ed without being told. He looked him in the eye as often as he could instead of staring at his body or the gallery of tattoos. He was making a very intensive effort to keep a connection between them, which was something Ed had been sorely lacking with his other lovers.
"Listen," Ed murmured as he draped himself atop Stede and bumped their noses together...
Stede stole a kiss and caressed Ed's back before he stilled and looked up at Ed with wide, enamored eyes.
It was a look that both thrilled and terrified Ed. What had he done to make someone look at him like that? Let alone someone who was a stranger only a little over a day ago?
"Mhmm?" Stede intoned as he gently swept a strand of Ed's hair up and over his ear.
Their trip to the bed had started with a flurry of stripping clothes worthy of an R-rated Hollywood spectacle. But both had calmed and slowed the moment they were undressed and could touch each other as more than acquaintances, and more than friends.
"I know I promised to teach you," said Ed as he shifted to rest his chin on Stede's chest. "But while I can improvise some lube, I don't have any condoms. Don't suppose you brought any?"
"Ah, no, no. I didn't bring any condoms on my solo glamping adventure. Which I'm on because I'm avoiding signing my divorce papers."
"Point taken," Ed rumbled. "Ah well. We'll just have to be a little vanilla to start. But not...too vanilla." He winked and grinned, his eyebrows arching up to his hairline, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "That fancy vanilla, with the little dark flakes in it. That's really rich and creamy. Goes well with apple pie."
"Vanilla bean?" asked Stede as he trickled his fingers down Ed's spine.
"That's the one." Ed made sure he was watching Stede carefully as he shifted enough to slide his hand down between them. He passed his hand between Stede's leg, then rubbed the inside of his arm in the sensitive spot where this thigh connected to his hip, making sure to graze the most sensitive part of Stede's body as he drew it up.
Ed felt the results of his work as their bodies pressed together, and he saw the results as Stede bit his lower lip.
"I think...vanilla will be just fine, thanks," said Stede hoarsely.
"One scoop..." Ed kissed Stede again and slid his hand down along the front of his stomach to grip him firmly, "...or two?"
What Ed expected was for Stede to lean back and let Ed do his work, which he was very good at.
Instead, Stede lifted his head, matched Ed's slightly manic grin, and reached down between them. "Two," he said, then quite fearlessly gripped in return.
"Fucker," said Ed fondly as his hips shifted forward.
What followed was a very, very thorough exploration of each other with all the enthusiasm of a horny teenaged relationship, and all the sickly sweet romance. It quickly became a game to see which one of them would find their new lover's erogenous zones first.
Ed got off to an early lead as he correctly guessed that Stede might like a little aggressive earlobe nibbling. But Stede made an unexpected point when he stroked Ed in juuust the right way to make his eyes roll back in his head.
"You like that, don't you?" said Stede. From another man, that would sound arrogant, but he just sounded so pleased that it was impossible to take offense.
"Naw, mate, I'm just a really good actor. Now, fucking do that again," Ed growled.
Stede obliged.
Ed grabbed handfuls of Stede's hair and stared him in the eye as he stroked him harder and harder.
If this was Stede being inexperienced and limited to mutual hand jobs, what would he be like when they widened and deepened their sexual menu?
Ed straddled Stede and kept up the mutual pressure, and the hand through Stede's hair. He tilted his head back and felt his hair tickle mid-back.
A ray of sunshine slid between the curtains as the gray haze of the hurricane gave way to clear, blue skies. The bedroom of the cabin was soon lit up with warm, late September rays of brilliant sunshine.
"You're so beautiful."
Ed pulled himself back from losing himself to pleasure to look down at Stede. As he did, his hair drifted forward. The sunlight spilled across Stede's chest and face as he smiled up at him with a mixture of lust and adoration.
Ed had been called many things by his lovers. Hot was a common one. Sexy? Certainly. Handsome, absolutely. Especially when he pulled his hair up into a bun and wore a perfectly tailored suit. But beautiful? And to declare it so with such sincerity?
"Fuck," Ed murmured. "This is a goddamn cliche, and I can't believe I'm saying this. But where the hell have you been all my life, you fucking delicious vanilla sundae?"
Stede managed to laugh with true delight, just before Ed leaned down to plunge his tongue past Stede's lips and applied himself entirely to getting him off.
—
The two men sprawled out in post-coital bliss after an impressive run for men their age, especially given how little sleep they'd gotten the night before. The release hadn't been exactly simultaneous - Ed was a little behind Stede - but it was nonetheless delicious. Or perhaps it was so satisfying because it was imperfect, and a little silly, and a bit sappy. And it very much reinforced and deepened the intense, distracting chemistry they'd both been wrestling with since Stede washed up on Ed's shore the night the storm began.
The sun was starting to dip in the sky and burned through the window so the pair of men who were tangled in each other could bask like cats in the sunbeam. It was a welcome reprieve from the sometimes too-hot crackle of the fire or the penetrating damp of the rain and humidity.
"We should get something to eat," said Ed as he ran his thumb along Stede's hairline. He curled his fingers under and dragged his knuckles down his jaw, skipping over bits of pale stubble. Ed was on his back, with Stede's head pillowed against his shoulder and one leg thrown over his hips.
"I..." Stede began. As if on cue, his stomach rumbled. "...well, my stomach answered for me. But I think I need a shower, first."
"Me too. You go first. I'll dig through the provisions and see what we've got."
Despite their plans, neither man moved. Ed closed his eyes and let himself feel Stede's heartbeat and breath. He bathed in the sensation of their naked bodies pressed together, legs twisted in the sheets, the heat of the sun almost too hot to stand as it burned through the pane.
Eventually, Stede stirred and stretched and got up onto his knees. "Pass my bag over, will you? It's just there by the side of the bed."
Ed rolled over and yanked Stede's massive backpack up onto the bed. As he did, something familiar caught his eye. He held onto the bag for a moment and stared into it.
"Just going to bring some clothes in with me. I'm sure I've got something clean in there. Ah...Ed?"
"Hmm?" Ed intoned.
"What is it?"
Ed reached out and nudged a t-shirt aside. He pulled out a dog-eared and rough paperback with a cracked spine. It looked like it'd been read a half dozen times at least.
"Oh, yes. A favourite of mine. The author tried something different with this one, and I don't think people really appreciated what he was trying to do. He really zoomed in tight on a single story in this brilliant world he created and told something quite personal and small. Don't get me wrong, his adventure stories are cracking fun, but this..." Stede tapped the cover, "...this one sticks with me. I love to read it while I'm travelling. The characters feel so comforting. And there's some brilliantly funny bits, too."
Ed's heart was suddenly hammering in his chest. He ran a finger over the well-loved cover, skipping over the title, which was No Sweet Revenge, and the author name.
Edward Teach.
"It's mine," he mumbled.
"I'm pretty sure that's my copy."
"No, Stede. It's mine." Ed flipped to the back and opened it to the page with the author bio. "I had a full beard when they took this, and I sort of...posed in a way I wouldn't in real life. I arrogantly thought people would stop me on the street if they recognized me."
Stede reached out and took the book. His brow knitted together. He looked from the author photo, which was small, in black and white, and Ed had a full beard instead of the current short one. It was also shot in profile. "You...you're Edward Teach?" and then he got more excited, to the point where he was actually vibrating. He laughed nervously. "You wrote this? You..." he stared at the book in his hand. "What are the chances? I've read all of your books. But this one's my favourite."
Ed was in utter shock. No Sweet Revenge had been the poorest reviewed book of his career – and his most recently published one. The poor performance of that book, which was more personal and more cerebral than his other books, was why he'd fallen into a depression and fell behind on writing his next.
He stared at how well-loved the book was. He swallowed the sudden knot of emotion that constricted his chest. He was at a loss for words. He felt seen and understood by Stede before the latest revelation, but now that feeling was so intense that it was overwhelming.
Stede reached out and gently squeezed his wrist. "You're so very talented, Ed. And I'm glad I didn't know who you were at first, because I would have been a nervous, fanboying wreck. I'm glad I got to know you as Ed the man first, instead of Ed my author idol."
Ed sniffled and scrubbed at his face. "I uh..." his voice was shaking. "This book did so poorly in sales that I almost quit writing. Actually came here to give it one last go before I threw in the towel. A little writing retreat at the family cabin, y'know." He lifted a shoulder.
"Well, I think it's brilliant. I think you're brilliant. And you better write a follow-up or I'm going to be very cross."
Ed looked up to see Stede making a faux grumpy face, which turned into deliberate puppy-dog eyes.
"Well, we can't have that," Ed drawled. And then he kissed him.
—
After a dinner of hot dogs, salsa and nacho chips, Ed and Stede exited the cabin to survey the property. They did so hand-in-hand, and while passing a joint between them.
Ed felt warm, satisfied, and happier than he had been in years. His body was buzzing not just with the pleasant high from the pot, but from a very satisfying simultaneous handjob session. More than that, though, knowing Stede loved his writing, loved the book he'd been the most proud of, made him higher than any joint.
"Don't think we're going to be able to make it out of here without help. The road back here is tricky at the best of times and has gotten worse recently. Wouldn't be surprised if the bend by the creek is washed out. And if any of those bigass branches like the one that nearly hit my jeep are in the road, we'd need a chainsaw to get it out of the way," Ed kicked a fallen branch off the path toward the dock, then handed it back.
"Well, we'll make do," said Stede cheerfully as he took a drag from the joint. "Maybe you can even get some writing time in!"
The cabin had survived without damage aside from the leak in the attic, but most of the young trees around the property had been flattened. Several large branches had fallen too, but fortunately not on any structures. Surprisingly, the small dock into the lake was intact, though it would need repairs.
The water of Bras d'Or Lake was as calm as glass. It was about an hour before sunset, and the sky was beautifully red and streaked with long white clouds.
As Ed stepped onto the edge of the dock and tested the planks for sturdiness, an outboard engine roared from around the head of the bay. Within a minute, a small speedboat streaked into view. As the boat got closer, he recognized its captain, but not the man riding with him.
Ed swung his hand up in a high arc as the speedboat approached and pulled up alongside the dock.
"Oh thank Christ you're all right!" yelled Jake over the roar of the motor. He cut the engine and let the momentum carry it up to the dock. He tossed a rope up for Ed to catch. "Is that the other feller from Sandra's glamping dome next door?"
"Yep, that's him," said Ed with a grin as he clapped Stede on the shoulder. "Safe and sound. He got to me before the storm got too bad."
"Well that's a relief! Your road's a right bloody mess. Going to take awhile to sort. Oh, by the way this is my buddy Chris. Chris, this is Ed and this is...Steve?"
"Stede. Hello gents!" chirped Stede.
"Right, right. Anyway, glad to see yas in one piece. So, here's the deal," Jake hopped up onto the dock and moved toward Ed, "We got some seniors and some other folks hemmed in by branches and shit. If you're all right here, we've brought some supplies that should keep you going til we make sure those folks are all right. If you'd rather get out, you can hop in the boat with us and we'll take you back to town and we'll find a place to put you up."
Ed glanced over his shoulder at Stede. "What do you think?"
Stede thought about it for a moment, then said, "Well," he clapped his hands. "If Ed will keep letting me impose, I think it makes more sense to stick around. I have to see if my car is still in one piece, for one. And there's plenty to do around here. There's damage to assess and some debris we can clear out on this end. But ahh, I'm guest here, so I'll leave it up to..." he gestured to Ed, "...the man of the house."
Something about that phrasing made Ed smile. He looked back to Jake. "He's right. We are starting to run a bit low on supplies since I only stocked up for one."
Jake re-seated his ball cap, then nodded to Chris who started offloading a cooler and a milk crate. "We've got that sorted, my friend. We got your..." he pointed, "...coffee, some bacon and eggs, some cans and such. A fresh loaf of bread. Some candles. Some veggies and stuff from our garden. We had to harvest what we had before the wind took 'er, so we've got plenty. Got some gas for your generator, a two-four of beer, and..." he reached over to take a soft-sided cooler from Chris, "...some hodgepodge, dinner rolls, and blueberry cobbler from the ladies at the Lion's Club."
"Great!" said Stede as he took the cooler. "What's hodgepodge?"
"It's a stew with all sorts of lovely vegetables and some heavy cream. Delicious. Stick to ya," said Chris.
"Wonderful. I look forward to it," said Stede as he shuffled over to pick up the jerry can of fuel for the generator. "This is great. Thank you. I'll start bringing this up to the cabin."
"I'll help ya there, bud," said Chris as he hopped up onto the dock and grabbed the milk crate and the case of beer.
Ed watched them go for a moment, then turned back to Jake. "This is real fucking nice of you. When we get back to town, I'll pay you back."
Jake snorted. "Now look, I'll take your money for the fuel, cause that shit's expensive. But not the rest of it. That's not the way things work around here. We look out for each other, specially when these big fucking storms roll through."
"I should've taken your advice to come into town, but by the time I'd decided it was a good idea to not be an idiot, the cell service went down."
"Glad you could admit it," said Jake in a friendly, ribbing way. He jostled Ed's shoulder.
Ed cracked a grin and looked over his shoulder where Stede and Chris were trying to get a look at the roof to see if the source of the leaks was obvious.
"Glad you got along with him. Sandra said he's a bit of an odd duck. She'll be so relieved he's all right. I saw the dome fell in from the wind and feared the worst," said Jake.
"He got a little scratched up, but he got to my door all right," said Ed. He couldn't hide the fondness in his voice.
"Listen, hopefully the Jesus cell towers will be up soon. But if they're not, we'll get you a radio or something, or at least take a spin by at noon and you can wave us down if you need something. Anything you're in need of that we can drop you by tomorrow?" asked Jake.
Ed was ready to say no, but then he looked up the path where Stede was gesticulating and reenacting his trek from the glamping dome to the cabin doorstep.
"There is one thing."
"What's that?"
Ed glanced back at Jake. "You wouldn't happen to have any rubbers on you, would you?"
Jake's face went through a parade of emotions when he absorbed what Ed was asking, then got to the why, then he too looked up the path at Stede. He stared for a long moment, then looked at Ed, eyebrows up. He waggled a finger back and forth.
Ed just nodded, bit his lip, and scuffed the ground.
Jake let out a low whistle. "Well, isn't that like some kinda movie? Yeah yeah..." the two words were said on the inhale. "Let's see here..." he dug out his wallet, then poked around until he came out with a little bundle of three condoms. He shook Ed's hand, and palmed them like he was tipping a valet.
Ed flicked the condoms around and slipped them into his pocket just as Stede and Chris made their way back to the boat.
"Chris thinks the wind might've pushed up some of the roofing tile. Things. I don't know a bloody thing about houses, but it sounded right to me," said Stede.
Jake just grinned at Stede, then ducked his head.
"There's no rain in the forecast, but hopefully the road'll be clear soon and I'll bring my truck down and have a look."
"Thank you, gents! The supplies will be very helpful," said Stede.
"Oh I'm sure they will," drawled Jake. "You boys take care now. You'll see us again soon." He paused, then grinned at Ed. "But not too soon."