[There was usually a carelessness to touching or being touched by Stede. Hands caught at arms, elbows rested on shoulders, bodies drifted together for a moment's pausing close beside one another--and nothing ever really had to be considered, because touching would invariably happen in close quarters (and, presumably, between co-captains who had to live constantly in one another's orbit).
Holding hands (brief but lingering) had been intentional. The brush of Stede's fingers now is intentional, like a man working diligently over a much-loved sword or pistol to ensure its proper working order. It's...
It doesn't bear too much thinking on. Better, Edward suspects, to let his mind go pleasantly blank and enjoy, as best as he can, the gift of belonging in this place and time, beside this man.]
No. [The tension through his arm is brief, reflexive, soothed almost immediately under the gentle ministrations. The gore of their life didn't belong here. Besides, all that really mattered was] All made it back alive. [A shift, and Edward's head lolls around slightly to allow him to study the man standing over him thoughtfully.] We've seen worse.
[He's seen worse. (He's seen himself worse.) Stede didn't need to see even this much.]
no subject
Holding hands (brief but lingering) had been intentional. The brush of Stede's fingers now is intentional, like a man working diligently over a much-loved sword or pistol to ensure its proper working order. It's...
It doesn't bear too much thinking on. Better, Edward suspects, to let his mind go pleasantly blank and enjoy, as best as he can, the gift of belonging in this place and time, beside this man.]
No. [The tension through his arm is brief, reflexive, soothed almost immediately under the gentle ministrations. The gore of their life didn't belong here. Besides, all that really mattered was] All made it back alive. [A shift, and Edward's head lolls around slightly to allow him to study the man standing over him thoughtfully.] We've seen worse.
[He's seen worse. (He's seen himself worse.) Stede didn't need to see even this much.]