[From someone else, the pause would be unnerving. From someone else, there would be space for doubts to creep in, for tension to draw back into Edward's shoulders; for the easy, immediate thought that he doesn't belong somewhere clean and neat and lush like these quarters.
But it's Stede, and Stede's taken to looking at him like he's a rare book finally slotted back into its spot on the shelf.
That keeps Edward's entire being loose and more or less at rest. His fingers stretch idly against the sensation of being carefully cleaned, less intentional and more the absent contentment of a large cat coming to rest. His attention wanders for a few lazy moments, breathing in the space (focusing lightly on everything other than the oddly intimate feeling of skin brushing skin, of trusting himself to a gentle touch).]
no subject
But it's Stede, and Stede's taken to looking at him like he's a rare book finally slotted back into its spot on the shelf.
That keeps Edward's entire being loose and more or less at rest. His fingers stretch idly against the sensation of being carefully cleaned, less intentional and more the absent contentment of a large cat coming to rest. His attention wanders for a few lazy moments, breathing in the space (focusing lightly on everything other than the oddly intimate feeling of skin brushing skin, of trusting himself to a gentle touch).]
's nice.