Ed gave him the small figurine two days ago, a delicate and colorful porcelain bird he handed Stede with a muttered " found this on a raid, don't think you had one like it before." A gift, a peace offering, his own way to say sorry, a moment of closeness that was over before Stede could even think of a way to say thank you, only able to watch Ed as he left the captain's quarters with a sigh, holding the bird safe between his two hands.
That same bird is staring at Stede from the wooden floor right now, after hitting him on the temple. Things are rocky right now, the sea as a storm approaches, the balance between him and Ed. Ed, who is currently rushing towards him, lifting his hands to touch his fingertips to Stede's temple, making sure he is okay, after all, despite it all.
Stede can see, under all the caution that is still keeping Ed away from him, his deep worry, it makes him forget about the way his head is hurting, " it's not the first time this happens to me," he confides, " there is an extraordinary amount of storms at sea."
Like he is witnessing a miracle, or the sun shining through the dark clouds after a rainy morning, Ed smiles, a small, reserved thing, and huffs out a quiet laugh.
" Only a lunatic would fill all his shelves with dangerous objects that can go flying around during a storm." Ed is still smiling, still touching him, gently.
" I thought you liked that about me." Stede dares to say, hoping he won't regret it in a second.
But Ed only huffs once more, shaking his head, " I still like it."
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