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“I don’t really want to bother with it, to be honest.” Stede says, shoveling a fork full of chicken alfredo, hold the chicken, into his mouth. It’s quiet in the restaurant, candle lit and moody.
Ed watches him, eyes raised, picking at his penne. “I can’t tell if you’re kidding.”
“Why would I be kidding?”
“I just— I dunno. I feel like Valentine's day would be your thing, you know? You love shindigs.”
Stede pulls a face. “When have I ever shindigged?”
Smiling, Ed counts on his fingers, “Ah, well, when you first told me ya’ loved me, my birthday, your birthday, on easter with those fuckin’ ears—”
“You loved the bunny ears.”
“Sure I did. Still a shindig.”
Stede hmmphs. “Right. Well. I just think Valentine's day is a little outlandish, is all. I know you love me, you know I love you. I don’t know, darling. I’ve never really been a fan. It’s consumerist. ”
Ed nods. There’s a swoop in his belly. It’s fine. He doesn't even want a nice little gift, can do without one. Doesn’t even want any red roses. He’s already trying to push away the thoughts of the chocolate he was going to get carved into the shape of Stede’s face. Wouldn’t even need a reference picture, that’s how much he knows Stede, to the lines on his forehead and the slight curve in his lips, but if Stede doesnt want it then fuck everything, whatever, it’s fine—
“Ed?” Stede’s asking, absentmindedly tapping the back of his fork against the nice white tablecloth.
“Mhm?”
“Do you want to celebrate?”
Ed bites his lip. “Not if you don’t want to.”
“But do you want to?”
“Guess I had it in my head. But if it’s oh so consumerist—”
“No, no, ignore me.” Stede says. He’s got his stern voice on, still too soft to be even close to demanding, but far away from his usual questioning tone. “You know how I get. Let’s do it our way, hmm?”
“Our way…?”
“Just— Oh, I don’t know. Nothing grand, just some little gifts. More low-key? Romantic? More personal?”
Ed beams. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m happy with that. Any chance to spoil you.”
“Aww.” Stede smiles too, clicking his tongue, pink face getting pinker. “Samesies.”
“Samesies?” Ed repeats, holding back a laugh.
“I don’t know, you flustered me!”
“S’ this why you don’t like it? Get hot and bothered, hmm, sweet thing?”
“Ed that’s not—” Stede starts, blinking, looking everywhere but ahead of him. The restaurant is practically empty. Must be some interesting booths. Ed can feel his heart pick up. “Ah, would you look at that? Time for dessert.” Stede says, hiding behind the menu, flipping through as if he’s not going to order the lemon tart like he always does. Fucker. Cutie.
“Hey Stede?”
“Yeah?” He asks, voice muffled by the pages.
“Will you be my valentine?”
Hazel eyes peek up over top of the menu, and Ed doesn't have to see Stede’s lips to see that he’s smiling.
“Oh, darling.” He hears. “As long as you’ll be mine?”
Moving his foot forward, he nudges Stede’s own under the table, footsie. “Course. Always.”
Stede’s blush is spreading. Ed’s excited.
Low-key. Romantic. Personal.
There’s three days until Valentine's day, and Ed’s been reading through every website, thinking back to every conversation he and Stede have ever had, racking his brain for the perfect present that will fit Stede’s criteria.
Low-key. So he can’t, like, propose. Not that he was thinking about it. Or hoping Stede would ask him, first. They’ll have to talk about it, before Ed goes out looking for gold and turquoise diamond rings with little love you, sweetheart's engraved on the side.
Romantic. Ed’s good at that (Obviously). Personal. He’s good at that, too. He gets Stede— his quirks and his likes and his triggers. Knows the way he walks and what he says and how his brain works, or at least the best he can— Stede knows him, too, proves it every single day with his check-in texts and his caring attitude and his ability to somehow have a packet of skittles in his bag every time Ed has a hankering for them. Ed can be romantic. He can be so fucking romantic.
Ed ruminates over his gifts silently in the early hours of a Sunday, sun creeping through the gaps in his and Stede’s blinds as he adjusts to daylight. Stede sleeps deeply and soundly beside him— will probably stay asleep for hours more, if Ed’s honest— and Ed basks in it, taking the time to think.
“Love you.” He whispers to Stede, pointed into the silence. “Even though you’re a bitch to shop for.”
Stede says nothing, evenly breathing into his silk pillowcase.
“Are ya’ dreaming?” He brushes a little bit of hair away from Stede’s eye, where it’s so long it bugs him. “You should dream about what you want for your special day, babe, then tell me.”
Stede tucks in a little, reaching out to grab Ed in sleep. He pulls him in tight, leaving Ed to huff.
“Right.” Ed whispers. “ ‘Kay. I’ll shut up, hmm? Bugging you with my talking, I get it, off in dreamland—”
"Shutup…" Stede murmurs, not quite awake. “S’ early.”
“Shit, sorry. Didn't mean to actually wake you.”
Stede mutters something Ed can’t quite catch, just moves closer, tips his chin down to rest on Ed's shoulder. “Mhmm, presents.”
Ed rubs his arm, gently. He shuts his eyes, drifting off into images of flowers and candies and teddy bears holding big red hearts.
There’s two days until Valentine's day, and Stede feels on the edge of an actual panic.
“I don’t know what to do.” He says, head in his hands. “I’m awful. Of course I don’t have anything. This is what I was afraid of, you know, I’m such a terrible gift giver. Ed’s going to realize that and then he’s going to think I don’t love him and he’s going to— to— He’s going to leave me and he’ll just— he’ll just walk right out of our apartment because I’m a grown man who’s incapable of buying him anything at all.”
The shopkeeper looks forward sympathetically, crinkling up their nose. “Would it help if I chose a box of chocolates for you, sir?”
Stede nods, dejected.
“These are my favorites.” They whisper, pushing towards a blue box with a nice big gold ribbon. “Does your boyfriend like vanilla?”
“Yes. He likes everything except mint.”
“See?” They knock Stede on the shoulder. “You’re not awful. You know what he likes!” They hesitate. “It’s $20.65.”
Not good enough to make him stay, Stede wants to say, “Thanks.” He chokes out, instead, and pulls out his debit card.
There’s one day until Valentine's day, and Izzy is getting increasingly annoyed.
ed: {Photo} these?
ed: {Photo} or these?
ed: has to be perfect. i like the pattern on the second ones better + they're his favourite moth but idk what he would like better what do u think?
ed: please iz?? what fking one???? i’m lost out here >:(
Izzy rolls his eyes at the messages. He pushes away the thought of pressing block as he types back.
Izzy: i’m not helping you pick out your boyfriend’s fucking underwear, edward.
Izzy: get him flowers or something.
ed: boringgggggg
Izzy: he’d be happy with a candy bar if you said it made you think of him.
ed: that is sweet but unhelpful. and kinda untrue he’s picky asf.
ed: {GIF}
Izzy: don’t send me angry cats. i am telling you the truth.
ed: you still haven't answered my question
Izzy: ???
ed: what. ones. do. i. get.
Izzy: 🙄🙄🙄
Izzy: the second ones.
ed: moths, got it. good man.
ed: thanks :3
Izzy grumbles. Stupid fucking Stede Bonnet, brainwashing Ed like this. Though, he has seemed happier lately…
Izzy: no problem.
Izzy: {GIF}
ed: lol… thought u hated my angry cats… hypocrite…
Izzy: 🐱🖕
He smiles down at his phone before pocketing it, looking forward to the Valentine’s day of his own. Maybe he should get Roach something other than flowers…
It’s 7:52am on February 14th, and Stede’s hands are shaking. He should have just been honest, told Ed he’s actually incapable of showing his love, thanks very much, and a disappointment, and worse than that he’s shit at giving presents.
He traces his fingers along the edge of the basket he put together, nothing left to adjust. Everything’s placed as perfectly as it possibly can be, all bunched up together in a pink basket, just waiting for Ed to wake up. He was home late last night, the Valentines party at the bar ran long with everyone wanting strawberry-pink cocktails, and everyone wanting them from the hottest bartender, of course. Too bad for them, cause they’ll never have the pleasure of getting to see his “good coffee” morning face or hear his shower singing. Or, in this case, see him sleepily brushing last night's body glitter off his eyelids. It’s pink.
Stede gulps.
Ed’s card is pink. He thought it would be sweet to make Ed a cheesy, classic valentine, seeing as he seems to love the holiday so much, but it turned out looking like a child’s craft time disaster, with no time to fix. Ed’s gonna hate it. Ed’s gonna hate him.
Pushing his oncoming spiral aside, Stede gets started on breakfast. This is something he knows Ed will love— the man’s adoration for sweet treats knowing no bounds surely couldn't say no to cinnamon rolls, and themed ones at that. To Stede’s own chagrin, the recipe looks delish.
He starts with the spread, cinnamon, butter, sugar (and a little pinch extra, for good measure), and then the dough. It’s almost therapeutic, the knead and tug that the formation of it brings. The whole process of it brings him down to earth, again. The finishing touch— some beet powder, for pinkage, of course— makes the rolls look perfect in the pan.
8:29. Right on track.
He gets started on the coffee next, and is just unwrapping a new mug he got for Ed, adorned with cute little bears and heart candies, when he jolts, a pair of warm arms wrapping around his middle.
“Morning, baby.” Is whispered into Stede’s ear, soft and sweet.
“Morning!” He replies, probably too awake and enthusiastic for Ed’s half asleep speed, but Ed just giggles.
“Happy valentines day. What’re you making? Smells nice.”
“Mmm, yes, it is the day isn't it?” he says, kissing Ed’s cheek. “Don’t look, yet. It’s a surprise.” Stede adds on as Ed faux-petulantly ignores him, bending down to peek in the glass of their oven.
“Ed!”
Ed’s hand’s go up, cat that got the cream. “Sorryyy.” He drags out. “Can’t blame me.”
“And why can’t I?”
Ed yawns, stretching. “Everything ya’ do is yummy.”
Stede feels razzled. “You have to stop that—”
“What, flirting?”
“No, I mean— Actually, no. Don’t stop. You’re…” He hesitates. “Yummy. Too.”
Ed pumps his fist, score, and moves back into Stede’s bubble.
“Gifts after breakfast?”
Stede nods, satisfied. “Yes, sure, go get settled,”
Ed murmurs something, still sleepy, and makes his way to the living room. Stede watches as he goes— his own PJ’s on Ed looking better on Ed than they ever would on Stede himself, tight in all the right places, but soft in the right ones, too. He looks comfortable, sinking into the sofa that used to be just Stede’s, now shared by the both of them and with two near overlapping imprints. Maybe Stede should've gotten him more soft night clothes. He almost forgets about the coffee, snapped out of his I love him I love him and I want to make him forever warm trance by way of a sharp kettle whistle.
He gets their plates ready— rolls now misshapen by heat, turned a more dusky rose than pink, because of course he can’t get them right, but no matter. Ed loves them, says he does as he gobbles up two for proof.
This may be our last breakfast together. Stede thinks. If there’s a single bead of sweet thrumming down his forehead, that's his business alone. I should just tell him my presents are deficient. He would understand. Maybe he'll kiss me before he leaves—
“Lemme bring you your prezzies.” Ed says, collecting both their plates as he stands up.
Words caught in his throat, Stede doesn't argue. He sits and awaits, honestly very excited, but half ashamed for the knowledge that whatever Ed’s gotten him is surely nicer. He reaches behind the couch to grab Ed’s gift, looking shabbier than normal under the yellow big light.
He waits, and waits, and doesn't feel like shit at all as he does.
Though—
When Ed comes through the doorway, red box in hand, Stede feels a little better. He looks so happy, beaming, his sweet smile widening as he sees Stede. He doesn’t even glance down at the gift Stede’s holding, just stares right at his face, brown eyes somehow shining bright in the dull room, hair tangly from sleep and still somehow falling perfectly down his back, framing his pretty face just right, and—
Oh, how Stede loves him. How terribly he loves him.
Ed hands him the box, beaming again. “You go first.” He tells Stede, thrusting the box into his hands. He vibrates on his feet, excited, and Stede tries to mask his nervous energy by matching Ed’s showing teeth in his smile.
He rips off the red paper, slices through the tape on a re-packaged cardboard box, and—
“Oh, my love.” Is all Stede can say at the sight of it. It’s his favourite chocolate, his favourite bath salts, favourite body cream, some small accessories, boxers with his favourite insect on them, and on top of it all movie tickets to—
“Moonstruck.” He murmurs.
Ed nods. “I know— I mean I know you’ve seen it, obviously, but it’s like a private screening. Booked out the whole theater, for the two of us. Ya’know, cause it’s your fave, but we saw it when we kinda really got serious, and it’ll be different in the theater—”
He interrupts Ed with a kiss, Ed melting into it happily. “I love you.” He says. “You— this is all of my favorites Ed, I can’t— how did you know the bombyx mori—”
“Lucky guess.” He says, grinning. “You said you don’t like the cheesy shit. Lemme get you what I know you like, then.”
“You’re so smart.” Stede praises. “Thank you, Ed. You didint have to do all that. Do you even like moon—”
“I like you, Stede.” Ed says, and it effectively shuts him up. “You’re my favourite, ‘kapeesh?”
He tips downwards, kissing Stede on the tip of his nose.
“Kapeesh.” Stede says into the air between them. "Thank you. I love it."
“Alright, alright, my turn.” Ed grins, putting out grabby hands.
“Okay– so I just have to preface this by saying that it’s my first time actually shopping for Valentine's day.”
“Uh-huh.”
“And— look. I’m sorry. Cause it’s not as good as your present. Nothing could ever be as good as your present. I went a more traditional route— so if you don’t like it I won’t be offended. It’s not— just know that I love you, okay.”
“I love you,” Ed says, final and patient. “It can’t be that bad. C’mon, gimmie.”
Stede hands over the basket, near hesitating. He watches as Ed carefully pulls out the card first, and Stede cringes at the harsh lines he made with his scissors, taking the place of smooth curves— but, to his surprise, Ed doesn't even notice. He reads Stede’s writing on the heart shaped paper, staring at it for a beat too long.
“It’s cheesy.” Stede excuses. “I— I’m sorry.”
“It’s fuckin great, man.” Ed says, giggling, as he traces his finger across the lettering—
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Are you a time traveler
Because I see a future with you
“A future, hmm?” He asks, and Stede nods. Of course, he does. That’s why he wrote it in the card.
Ed pulls out the next item from the basket, and gasps, actually gasps. It makes Stede jump.
“You got me a teddy bear?”
Stede nods. “It's juvenile, I can always take it back— "
“Shut up." Ed says. "And it’s holding a heart. Oh my god—”
Ed moves to see the bear in full, looking to where it’s been stitched, lettering spelling out Ed + Stede Forever.
“Stede I love him.”
“You really do?”
“Of course I do!” He’s up from his seat now, half sat in Stede’s lap, still fully transfixed by the bear. “That’s—” His voice cracks. “That’s so fuckin’ cute oh my god.”
Stede grins, moving aside a bit as Ed places the bear on the couch in between them, diving in to uncover the rest of Stede’s presents. The chocolate box earns a squeal, the roses earn a kiss, and the book—
“What is this?” Asks Ed, flipping through the thick pages, careful around the plastic polaroids. “Stede, what is this?”
“It’s us.” Stede answers, and maybe, just maybe, he forgets about his anxiety for a moment. He looks on to Ed, eyes misting, and carries on. “It’s photographs from our dates.” He points downward to a picture of shrubbery— “there’s the gardens where I fell and you had to carry me home,” — and a picture of the back of Ed, pointing— “And our first breakfast together, when I had to apologize for being so drunk,” — and a lovely looking pasta, “And that’s where you asked me to be your valentine. I know it looks very homemade— "
“Idiot.” Ed says, before leaning over the book to give Ed a real kiss. Stede’s lost in it for a moment before he pulls away, offended.
“Why am I an idiot?”
Ed huffs. He wipes his eyes. “How did you think I wouldn't like this all? I love it, Stede, I— I can't believe you thought I wouldn’t.”
“Ahh, it’s cliche.”
“It’s romantic.”
“It’s—”
“Stede.” Ed interrupts, finger threatening to truly shush him. “It’s amazing. Everything I wanted. You’re fuckin’ baller at Valentines day, babe.”
“Baller?”
“See, now you’ve got me flustered.”
He is, too, batting his eyelashes like he does when Stede says love you one too many times. Stede smiles at him, to settle. Stede pushes the bear and the flowers and the book and Ed’s lovely lovely care basket to the side. “Would you like another roll?”
“Mmm, yes please.” Ed says, “Ooh, wait.” He pulls at Stede’s sleeve before he can get out.
“What?”
“Don’t you want to grab a picture?” Ed asks, flashing a smile cozied up on the couch. Stede huffs, but pulls out his camera anyways. “There.” He says. Ed’s eyes are half closed and his hair’s a mess, though two of those cute strands fall perfectly in front of his face, seemingly placed there by angels hands. He's smiling the smile that Stede wants to kiss of, but wants to stare at forever. He’s beautiful. “For next year.”
ed: how was ur valentines
Izzy: it went well. what about you?
ed: {Photo}
ed: {Photo}
ed: look he wrote me a poem
Izzy: that is barely a poem.
ed: shut up no he’s really talented.
ed: {Photo}
ed: {Photo}
ed: and he thought i wouldn’t like it cause it wasn’t “personal” like yeah okay buddy i’d die for u. look at the photos they’re from all our dates like do u see that shit. plus flowers and chocolates he knows i like corny shit iz i’m done for.
Izzy: great.
ed: and he thought my presents were good too he loved them
ed: oh hold on wait
ed: {Photo}
ed: look at him isint he the cutest.
Izzy: i’m not calling Bonnet cute.
ed: nonono not him. the bear in his lap? so fucking adorable n he put our names on the heart part. like that thing is going to be with us forever and outlive us in a landfill and still say we r together forever until the end of time like is that not the best.
ed: i mean stede is cute too yeah not the point tho.
Izzy: suppose the bear is cute.
ed: so
ed: {Photo}
ed: {Photo}
ed: {Photo}
ed: pls :3
ed: would u help me pick out a ring?