"Let's go, my love, I have a surprise waiting for you outside."
Ed gives him a look from where he is comfortably laying on their new settee, with its colorful embroidered flowers and birds of paradise. Stede is almost sure Ed is going to refuse moving from the spot, looking very much ready to close his eyes and take a nap as the sunlight hits the sofa just right.
But he knows Ed and he knows his curiosity is stronger than anything else in the world, so he isn't that shocked when Ed, after a beat, gets back on his feet and follows him out of the front door of their cot by the sea.
Stede gives him a moment to take it all in, the bucket full of warm, clear water from the nearby creek, the wooden hairbrush with an elegant E carved in the handle Stede gifted Ed at the beginning of their relationship, the real beginning, the one without doubts and the constant threat of the English Navy. There is also a piece of lavender soap, since Stede made sure they brought all that was left on the Revenge with them after making landfall. Ed eyes the glass pitcher Stede has set next to the bucket, one Stede has gotten specifically for this, hoping it can become a ritual of sorts.
He has brought a stool outside too, and he starts gently guiding Ed towards it with a hand on the small of his back.
Ed sits down, still looking absolutely confused in a way that Stede finds equal parts funny and endearing.
"Well, exactly what it looks like, I am going to wash your hair for you!"
"You know I can do that myself just fine."
It doesn't offend Stede in the slightest, this automatic rejection, he knows well how hard Ed is trying to find a place inside himself and in his life for a touch that isn't agressive and demanding, how hard he is trying to accept acts of service as a way for Stede to show his appreciation for him, not as a mean to a hidden end.
"Of course, my love," and he is already gathering Ed's hair from where it falls gracefully across his shoulders, " and you know how much I enjoy pampering you, and you said this morning you needed to wash your hair so I thought..." He leaves the sentence unfinished, gaze focused on Ed's hair, wondering if Ed is going to call him out for trying to pass this carefully elaborated plan for an impulsive action.
" Do you want me to lean my head back a bit?" And only God knows how but Stede manages to tamper down his predictably too much reaction to Ed's words, not like Ed would mind his enthusiasm, and he simply gives him a:
Ed leans back and Stede doesn't waste a second before getting to work, using the pitcher to wet Ed's long hair, enjoying the little sighs coming from the other man at the touch of the water against his temples.
Then, Stede lathers his hands with soap, smiling brightly at the soft way Ed says " ohhh, lavender." as soon as the smell reaches him.
He gently scratches Ed's scalp, making sure to spread the soap evenly and, with that done, he reaches for the comb.
They are both quiet as he works, undoing any knots he finds along the way as slowly and carefully as possible, avoiding any snatching as he goes.
They are both so quiet, it's impossible for him to miss the way Ed's breath hitches and, when he looks down, he sees Ed has his eyes closed, a tear running down his cheek.
" Do you want to talk about it?"
Ed huffs, Stede almost expects him to say there must be something in the air making his eyes itchy, but Ed says, instead, " Was thinking about the last time someone did this for me," Stede reaches for the pitcher once more when he is satisfied with the state of Ed's hair and starts rinsing the foam away mindful of it not ending in Ed's eyes, " it was my mom." As much as he has opened up about his life, his childhood is still a sensitive matter.
Stede hums, waiting for him to keep going.
"It's nice." Ed says at last, and Stede won't probe at a wound that clearly is still healing.
He bends down to kiss Ed's forehead, " I am glad to hear that, Edward." He sets the pitcher down and, after getting rid of as much water as possible from Ed's hair, he reaches inside his pocket for the small vial of hair oil Ed usually uses, " I just need to oil your hair and we will be done."
A hand closes around his wrist and Ed opens his eyes to give him an upside-down look, pulling his hand closer to kiss his knuckles.
Stede smiles at him, " Anytime, my heart."
