“Ed?” Stede called, sitting on the bed and wringing his hands.
“Yeah, love?” Ed asked absent-mindedly. He had brought home a beautiful bouquet of wildflowers for Stede, but he just couldn’t find the right vase to put them in. Maybe—
“Can we talk?”
Ed turned around so fast he almost knocked one of the vases over and stared at Stede in shock. “You're breaking up with me?!”
“What? No! Ed, I just—”
He paced around the room, breathing hard. “I can’t believe you’re breaking up with me! I thought everything was fine!”
“Ed, I’m not—”
“What did I do wrong? Is—”
“Ed!” Stede interrupted, grabbing Ed by the shoulders. “I’m not breaking up with you.”
“You’re not?” Ed asked, wide-eyed.
“Of course not, you nut. I love you.”
“Love you, too,” Ed whispered and sat down on the bed, sighing in relief. “But if you’re not breaking up with me, why did you say ‘can we talk’ like that? You almost gave me a heart attack.” His eyes widened and he gasped. “Wait, did someone die?”
“No!” Stede answered immediately. “God, no. I just…” He shook his head. “Never mind, it’s not important.”
He tried to pull away, but Ed caught his hand and pulled him closer. “Hey, no. Stede. Come on.” Stede still didn’t meet his eye. “We talk it through, remember?”
“It’s silly,” Stede muttered, but smiled a little as he leaned against Ed.
Ed grinned. “Well, now I have to know.”
“Of course you do,” Stede sighed in mock-annoyance and cuddled closer to Ed. He was silent for a moment before he asked: “Do you remember how I told you I wasn’t really… interested in people? You know, sexually?”
Ed nodded, wondering where this was going.
“Well, I have been thinking about it,” Stede continued, “and while what I told you hasn’t changed, I think I would like to try… having sex… with you.”
He blushed a little and bit his lip when he finally looked back at Ed. “What do you think?”
“I—Stede, are you sure?” Ed sputtered. “You really don’t have to do this, especially not for me. Please don't force yourself to do something you you don't want—”
“I am sure. I may not be interested in sex the same way other people are, but honestly? It sounds fun, and I want to try.” Ed still looked unsure. “Ed, I love you, and I trust you, and I know I’m safe with you. I want to be close to you in every possible way. At least once.”
He leaned in closer and whispered: “Ed, I want this. I want you.”
“Stede Bonnet, are you flirting with me?” Ed asked, a little breathless. “Because it's working.”
Stede grinned. “Good.”