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Stede felt like screaming. This tree was so bloody heavy. He shouldn’t have gotten the biggest, most beautiful one they had. He shouldn’t have gotten one at all. There was no point anyway; it wasn’t like anyone was going to be there this year to see it.
He knew he shouldn’t feel upset that he would be alone this year. He’d had the kids for Halloween, and it was all he’d wanted and more. They all dressed up as pirates and went “ravaging” the neighbouring flats and houses for candy. It was the most fun he’d had in ages. And then Mary even invited him to spend Christmas with them, but he declined. He wouldn’t be able to take seeing her and Doug being disgustingly in love in their matching ugly sweaters and pyjamas, drinking hot chocolate and eating cookies. He loved them both and was happy for them, but there was always the little devil on his shoulder whispering into his ear: “Why couldn’t that happen to me?”, usually followed by: “Because you’re Stede Bonnet. You don’t deserve love.” It didn’t help that the devil’s voice always sounded like a mixture between his father and the Badmintons.
“Fuck!” He let the curse slip out loud, trying to chase the bad thoughts away.
“Everything alright there, mate? Do you need help with that thing?”
Double fuck. (This fuck, luckily, only in his mind.) Of course, this would be the exact moment his beautiful neighbour would return home.
Edward Teach had moved into the building on the 9th of September. Stede remembered the exact date. You don’t forget the day you meet the love of your life. Did Ed know about it? No. The thing was, while Ed was definitely the love of his life, there was no way Stede was his. Stede didn’t get sexy leather daddies falling in love with him. He was destined to be alone or worse — getting hit on by sleazy men like his ex-coworker Ricky. He shuddered at the memory of his hand groping his butt. Luckily for him, his report to HR got quickly taken care of, and Ricky got kicked out without much hassle (well, he tried to yell something about revenge, but Jackie, the head of HR, intimidated the shit out of him so he just squealed and ran for the hills).
Edward was a true gentleman. He would never touch him inappropriately without consent. During their first meeting, he’d been struggling with a zipper on his teal jacket, the one with big golden buttons (just there for effect, not actually buttonable — hence the zipper). It was an old thing, but he loved it. It made him feel like a pirate captain. Ed immediately stepped in, offering to help him zip it up, starting their good neighbourly relationship. He’d tried to ignore how close Ed got, smelling like lavender, eyes sparkling. It was instant attraction for Stede, but the spark grew bigger and bigger with each encounter they had. Ed even offered to replace the zipper! A man who can sew? A dream man. Especially, since Stede was a bit of a clothes horse who embarrassingly never managed to learn how to sew; never managed to keep any lines or stitches straight, his things always coming out looking like a dog chew on it. At least he had the money for commissions. His friend Wee John had made him quite a few custom pieces, which he absolutely adored, and he was about to order a flowery waistcoat from him to have it ready for his spring wardrobe.
“Stede?”
Oh shit. He should probably reply to Ed’s question. But what was it? He looked up, hoping Ed’s face would tell him more, only for that becoming his biggest mistake of the day yet. Edward’s eyes were full of concern. Stede didn’t think he’d ever seen anyone looking this concerned about him. To his mortification, he burst into tears and couldn’t stop. Strong arms wrapped around him, surrounding him in warmth. He buried his head into the firm chest. Ed smelled like a mix of cinnamon, clove and cardamom. He must have been baking. Because on top of knowing how to sew, Ed was also excellent in the kitchen. He had the pleasure of tasting Ed’s excellent cooking on multiple occasions, and there wasn’t a single dish that didn’t taste heavenly.
BANG. That jerked them from their embrace. The tree fell down. He winced at the sound. “Sorry—“ Stede cleared his throat. Damn him for feeling so sensitive. “Sorry, I just—“ he gestured at the tree. A warm hand on his cheek stopped him from whatever he was about to do about the tree. Ed’s thumb moved to wipe some of the watery mess. Stede wanted to lean into it, into the comfort this simple touch provided.
“Hey, no need to apologise. Christmas can be a lot. Sometimes it’s okay to let it all out.” Stede was on the edge of breaking down again. Why was he so sweet? “Do you need any help with the tree?” Stede nodded. “Well, then let’s go!”
“I—“ Why did he stutter again? “I couldn’t keep you.”
Ed gave him one of his beautiful smiles. “You could keep me anytime.” And oh, how much Stede wished he could keep him forever.
The tree was so much easier to carry with two people. It now stood proudly in the corner of the room, ready to be decorated.
“Kids coming over for the holidays?
“Huh?”
Ed pointed at the perfectly shaped two meter fir-tree. Of course, he would think that. Because what maniac would buy such a big tree to spend Christmas alone?
“No.” He swallowed the embarrassment down. “Just me, I’m afraid.” He expected Ed to laugh or to walk out to escape this pathetic, lonely weirdo, but instead Ed smiled. “Celebrating in style, I see. Would you possibly have room for one more?” Ed suddenly appeared shy. “I’ll bring cookies?”
“I—“
“Don’t feel pressured or anything. It’s just that we are both spending Christmas alone, so it might be nice to have some company. Not that there’s anything wrong with spending them alone. I mean it was probably what you wanted, right? You wanted to be left alone, to have some silence for once. Sorry for bringing it up. I’ll excuse myself now.”
“I’d love to.”
Ed’s face brightened, and Stede’s heart melted. “Really?”
“Yeah.” Stede couldn’t fight the smile spreading on his face. “That would be perfect.”
December 24th
“You know, I always found Christmas Eve so much more magical than Christmas morning. All of these lights - making the tree sparkle. The mystery of the night. Aaaaand I always hated getting up early.” Ed made a grumpy face at him.
“You should see my little munchkins every year. Four am is too late for them.”
“Noooooooooooooooooo,” Ed said, horrified.
“Yep,” laughed Stede before taking a sip of the perfectly creamy hot chocolate Ed made, “One year, Alma insisted on staying awake because one minute past midnight is apparently Christmas morning already.”
Ed pretended to think really hard about it before he leaned in. “I will have to agree with your daughter here. I think she’s onto something.” They both descended into giggles.
The big tree had been expertly decorated. The lights were set up in a perfect pattern — Ed had helped hang them earlier today. His handsome neighbour also brought five types of cookies for him to try and two plates of Christmas dinner. It was all so delicious, and it made Stede long for Ed even more. Maybe there was something about the saying: “The way to a man's heart is through his stomach”. Not that it was needed — he was head over heels for Ed already. Now stuffed with food and sipping on the hot chocolate, they were simply enjoying each other’s company.
“Stede?”
“Hmmmm?”
“Do you believe in fate?” Ed’s beautiful eyes were on him, looking intensely.
Stede shrugged. “If I did, then I would have to see fate as cruel or at least never on my side. Why else would she put me right next to the most perfect man who understands me and cares about me but will never love me back?”
“Why wouldn’t he?” asked Ed.
Did he—? Did he say that out loud? He froze. No. No. NO. NO. NO. This couldn’t be a reality. The fate must be cackling somewhere at his expense. Why did he have to ruin something good again? Why did he defile beautiful things?
A warm hand on his shoulder pulled him out of his spiral. Ed’s hot chocolate was now sitting on the side table and Ed himself was right beside him.
“You didn’t ruin anything, Stede.” Ed carefully took the cup from him, placing it beside his, but Stede barely noticed. Ed’s chocolate brown eyes were sparkling in the tree lights. “I think fate got you right where you belong. Because it just so happens that my perfect man is sitting right next to me too.”
Stede looked around, confused. There wasn’t anyone else…oh. “Oh,” he said, eyes wide. His heart was beating fast.
“Can I kiss you?”
Stede nodded. They both dived in with so much enthusiasm their foreheads bumped into each other before their lips could even touch. They burst into laughter. Before the giggles could die down, they both dived in again - this time succeeding.
Ed’s lips were warm and tasted of his homemade hot chocolate and home. Ed’s hands were warm when they slipped under his cashmere sweater, touching his bare skin. Despite the warmth, they were leaving a trail of goosebumps everywhere they went. Stede himself opted for the silky soft silvery locks to bury his hands in. It was perfection.
“Merry Christmas, Stede,” whispered Ed.
“Merry Christmas, love,” Stede whispered back.
Ed beamed. It was the most magical Christmas either of them had, well, yet.
One year later
Ed was napping on their sofa, curled around him like an octopus. They were wearing matching pyjamas with mermaids that Mary and Doug got them for Christmas.
Alma and Louis were already passed out in the guest bedroom after waking the house up at 3:50 to open presents, and who then discovered Ed had Just Dance and proceeded to challenge every adult to a round.
Ed passed out soon after them, and Stede didn’t have the heart to wake him up so they could move into their bed. Their bed… because it took them all of one month before they moved in together. And now there was a silver ring in Stede’s night table, waiting to be pulled out on the 31st so he could start the new year with his fiancée.
Maybe fate didn’t hate him. Maybe she truly put him right where he needed to be.