From this close, Stede's hair smelled softly fragrant in that refined way of his and warmth radiated off him. If he turned to listen, the blond curls occasionally strayed against his beard and Stede's smiling voice was evident in his tone and profile.
He nodded in agreement--Stede was, endearingly, figuring out the pirate thing. It was good to have him here, someone Ed could rely on--at least as much as anyone could rely on another person: good way to shoot yourself in the foot if pirates went around trusting other pirates. But they would need some sort of semi-capable crew if they were going to achieve anything.
He became keenly aware of their proximity when Stede's arm settled around his waist. The skin to skin contact sent a charged current, like St. Elmo's fire, crackling up his spine. The gentleman pirate had to have felt that too, right? But no. Nah, he kept right on talking. Ed could use a drink of rum. And an excuse to disengage.
They stopped--well, Stede stopped and Ed walked into him for a step before he caught on and turned his face away from Stede's to follow his gaze.
Ed was a bit of a magpie, even if his wardrobe wouldn't openly attest to it. With obviously intrigue, he took in the little shop with its clothing as bright as bird feathers and more vivid than anything Stede had in his auxiliary closet.
"Well, well--" His eyes lit up with glee, the plan to meet with the captain discarded momentarily in favor of this new, shinier distraction. Glasses were generally for the stiff and studious, but these-- There were purple ones that might match his undershirt. Might be...cool. Stede would look particularly fashionable in just about any of the colors, but the gentleman pirate wore most things well. "Maybe nothing as fine as your silks and cashmere, but I reckon we might find a bit of treasure here. Let's have a look, shall we?"
Rather than disengage, he used their positions to redirect Stede towards the shop.
no subject
He nodded in agreement--Stede was, endearingly, figuring out the pirate thing. It was good to have him here, someone Ed could rely on--at least as much as anyone could rely on another person: good way to shoot yourself in the foot if pirates went around trusting other pirates. But they would need some sort of semi-capable crew if they were going to achieve anything.
He became keenly aware of their proximity when Stede's arm settled around his waist. The skin to skin contact sent a charged current, like St. Elmo's fire, crackling up his spine. The gentleman pirate had to have felt that too, right? But no. Nah, he kept right on talking. Ed could use a drink of rum. And an excuse to disengage.
They stopped--well, Stede stopped and Ed walked into him for a step before he caught on and turned his face away from Stede's to follow his gaze.
Ed was a bit of a magpie, even if his wardrobe wouldn't openly attest to it. With obviously intrigue, he took in the little shop with its clothing as bright as bird feathers and more vivid than anything Stede had in his auxiliary closet.
"Well, well--" His eyes lit up with glee, the plan to meet with the captain discarded momentarily in favor of this new, shinier distraction. Glasses were generally for the stiff and studious, but these-- There were purple ones that might match his undershirt. Might be...cool. Stede would look particularly fashionable in just about any of the colors, but the gentleman pirate wore most things well. "Maybe nothing as fine as your silks and cashmere, but I reckon we might find a bit of treasure here. Let's have a look, shall we?"
Rather than disengage, he used their positions to redirect Stede towards the shop.