Yes, Stede seduced Ed, but also? Ed seduced Stede. He took care of him when he was hurt, and saw all his things, all the stuff he cared about, and loved it. He wanted to hear Stede’s stories! He sat with the crew and told stories of his own. He went on a treasure hunt. He valued Stede’s advice. He SHOWED OFF for Stede.
He listened to a man who was never listened to, he laughed with a man who never had anyone to laugh with him, he shared his knowledge and his skills totally freely and never mocked Stede for not knowing how to do something. He praised Stede when he tried and helped him when he fucked up. He apologized when he caused pain to a man whose pain was routinely ignored. He saved Stede’s life multiple times. He put his own body between Stede and anything that tried to hurt him. He gave Stede his first loving kiss.
Ed made Stede feel valued in a way he had never been valued, and it was all genuine. He seduced Stede as thoroughly as Stede seduced him.
