@petrifiedcrange // 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃𝐄
TOUCH a gentle touch like rubbing their back, hugging them, holding their hand.
Ed jumps a little as Stede's hand falls onto his back, but he quickly relaxes into the touch, even going so far as to tilt his head to the side to lean onto Stede's shoulder, sliding his hand to Stede's back to mirror the gesture. This shit is his favorite part. He loves the nice little touches, all the soft gestures he wasn't allowed to have before, but Stede wants those, like them, gives them to Ed freely and let's him give as many as he wants it return. He feels like a kid whose just discovered candy. Searching for how many it'll take to get sick.
Ed hums, pleased, and tilts his head so he can press a chaste little kiss to the curve of Stede's throat.
" Love you, " he murmurs, low and warm, and he offers another kiss, this time to his cheek, a hint of a smile to his lips. " My captain. "