Chapter Text
Edward Teach stretched himself out on a couch, ignoring the view of the brilliant city skyline in favor of staring at a lineup of pictures on the coffee table with a mixture of irritation and interest. He wanted nothing more than to scoop them up and throw them in the bin, especially when he contemplated what he was doing with them in the first place. He fidgeted and pulled at the worn hole in his jeans, worrying the strands and making them worse. It was a bad idea. A terrible idea. Nothing good ever came mixing with alphas, even ones that were from a highly reputable service that had a pristine record of placements.
He’d come up in the world at a disadvantage the moment he’d presented as an omega, he’d known that. His father’s expectations that his pup would be an alpha marked the turning point in his life where he intimately learned just how dangerous they could be. Just thinking about it was enough to turn his scent sour and the urge to growl lifted in his throat, but he fought it. He’d been fighting it for nearly thirty years, after all, and he’d been the one to come out on top. The weak omega pup his father had tried to beat into submission had proven he’d never be weak. Never lesser. Never anything but confident in himself.
“You don’t gotta do this, Edward, find yourself a nice beta.” Izzy rasped from where he glared from the bedroom table. “Fuck, or another omega. Patch shit with Jack, even. Think about the shit that’ll happen if anyone finds out you’re sniffing after a bleedin’ alpha.”
“Shut it, Izzy.” Ed snapped out and rolled his eyes up at his manager and long time friend. “I didn’t ask for your opinion.”
He got a sour look in response, but it shut the man up, at least temporarily. For twenty years he had been a poster omega for those that never wanted to be treated as second class citizens. His music roared with anger and defiance, challenging the world and creating scandals that had dogged him his entire career. He poured every black memory into the songs, every heartbreak and every alpha that had ever made the mistake of thinking the scent of sweet pineapple and coconut meant that he was someone they could dominate.
No one dominated Blackbeard.
He sat up on the couch and let out a frustrated growl at the pictures again. They were all alphas with profiles attached to them, detailing their personalities, interests, even a little plastic envelope with a scent card. Spanish Jackie’s service provided elite level service to omegas and alphas in search of a companion for their heat or rut. She was highly recommended on every level, discreet and expensive, but it also meant those hired were ones that willingly took on the job. Eagerly even. And for the first time in his life Ed wanted to spend his next heat with someone more than a beta.
Show Jack what the fuck he threw away. He thought and tasted his scent growing sour and sharp with his anger, his sorrow.
Jack and Ed had been a couple on and off for years, even though the beta loved to strut around as if he were an alpha. It was a safe relationship, sometimes even satisfying, but as Jack’s career as a two-bit actor had begun to falter and fade, he’d gotten mean. He’d gotten pushy, trying to dominate Ed in a way that had finally resulted in a breakup so fantastic that the news cycles were stall talking about it. The picture of Ed’s boot on Jack’s chest, snarling down at him, was even being sold on his website at a premium. It didn’t show the tears later, the sharp heartbreak of Jack’s betrayals, the snide words that had found the cracks in Ed’s heart.
“Right, fuck this batch, toss me the next.” Ed snapped out at Izzy and scooped up the pictures restlessly.
He had a good six weeks until he was due to have his heat, the tour was stopping so that he could be at home in his own nest for it. Normally it’d be Jack, occasionally another beta lover or even an omega, that he spent it with. Blackbeard didn’t need to spend his heat alone, after all. But after Jack, he wanted to strike back. He wanted to shove the man’s face in what he wasn’t. He wanted an alpha. Not to date, fuck that, Ed had no desire to date or do anything more than enjoy his heat, but it would rankle Jack. It’d be a blow back for everything he’d said.
“You seriously wanna do this? You’re better than this shit, Edward.” Izzy said and tossed him another red envelope with SJ emblazoned on the front.
“Yeah, I do. Fuck, you know Roach said last time that I should see about having an alpha, at least for one heat, I’m too damn old for them to be as bad as they are.” Ed snapped out. “Doctor’s orders and shit.”
It still irritated him that it had been a recommendation, as if an omega couldn’t live without a fucking alpha. He got along just fine. Sure, it was rough while he was in heat, but he’d learned to manage with toys and a partner. Roach had even suggested at least having an alpha about in a more intimate setting outside of his heat, something to soothe his hormones. Even now he wanted to growl at the suggestion, especially since he was staring at potential alphas. He never enjoyed taking other people's advice.
“And last time he said that you threatened to take off his toe.” Izzy retorted while Ed pulled out the next batch. “But now that Jack—”
“Don’t fuckin’ say his name!” Ed snarled, lifting his head up with a glare as the other omega flinched. “Fucker is dead to me. Now either be helpful or get the fuck out!”
Izzy opened his mouth and Ed growled, putting force behind it. He’d worked on that growl. It would never hold the snap of command of an alpha, but it was intent and deadly all on its own. It sent the omega away with the sour scent of rotten apples in the air that made Ed crinkle his nose before returning to the offering of alphas.
They were good enough looking, he supposed, most of them designed to be model handsome, but the idea of them made him unsteady. Most of them were too perfect looking. He flipped through the batch, dismissing one with a cruel twist to his lips and another that was too muscular. It was only when he had gone through the final envelope that he found one to pause on. And that was one simply because the picture of alpha wasn’t cool or distant, or staring at the camera with scorching intent. The alpha was beaming with a large smile that showed a dimple and hazel eyes that looked as if they were laughing.
Huh, what’s your story, smiley? Ed wondered with a small smile before he flipped the picture over to look at the information.
NAME: STEDE BONNET
AGE: 46
PRESENTATION: ALPHA
SPECALITIES: Fashion, fine dining, art enthusiast, antiques, literature, history, bachelor’s in business, minor in art history.
LANGUAGES: English, Ecclesiastical Latin
Ed quirked his lips up in amusement as he read the small blurb above the QR code that linked to a video. The other alphas had listed things like their knot size or how they could use their tongues, dick length even. Nearly every one of them had been about bedroom prowess with a few comments about things like being discreet or able to socialize with the upper 1%. This alpha had listed bloody fashion as his specialty! Fine dining? Ecclesiastical Latin! It made Ed huff a laugh, which was enough for him to dig out his phone to scan the QR code to see the fellow in action. It read more like a resume for a job.
The video popped up the blonde-haired alpha immediately, his hazel eyes bright looking as they blinked at the screen nervously. He didn’t smirk or pose but fiddled with cufflinks off and on. He was even more handsome in video, animated and sweet with a small smile on his face. There were little pink points on his cheek as if he were blushing and Ed straightened up with interest.
“Ah, yes, hello! Stede Bonnet here! Ahoy!” The man chirped in a shockingly familiar accent. Probably why Jackie had included him when he was clearly not like the rest. “Umm, I suppose I should say hello, a pleasure to meet you! Is that right?”
“Oh my god, just… say things you want them to know.” A voice said behind the camera, a bit muffled and the man rolled his eyes.
“Well, that hardly tells me what to say, but anyway! I’m happy you chose to watch this, whoever you are.” Stede chirped brightly, looking so bloody cheerful that Ed felt as though he were looking at a golden retriever, not an alpha. “I’m afraid I’m a bit new to this, but I’ll start with things you should know. I grew up with strict etiquette lessons and in high society—ugh, snooty arseholes—and am well versed in proper manners and discretion. I’m a divorced alpha with two pups, but they remain with their—“”
“Stede, not in the video!” The catty voice said with frustration.
“Very well!” Stede grumbled and then gave a shy smile. “I am available for simple companionship as well as in heat services, but I prefer to have a friendship for the latter. I’m open to wearing scent patches for a companion’s comfort and prefer male presenting when possible. And, well, I’m not a fan of roughness or rudeness. Oh! And I do love books, so I’d love to just chat with someone who’s read—”
“Jesus christ.” The videographer sighed and Stede huffed before the video cut out, leaving Ed chuckling over the odd alpha.
That… wasn’t what he expected to find. The man had been so eager and sweet, not growling at the camera like the two videos he’d seen. Like Ed wanted some fucking alpha to growl at him. If he wanted that, he’d stalk around a bar. Well, not like he could, not with his fame. That’s why he was going with a discreet service, and this alpha seemed so bloody cheerful. And interesting. He hadn’t talked about how amazing he was in bed or even brought it up. He wondered if this Stede Bonnet would bring it up if he moved onto the in-person interview? Would he wait until he could get a sniff of Ed to begin growling and posturing?
He set his phone down and dug into the little plastic envelope for the scent card, curious to see what he would be dealing with. Some alphas, after all, could smell awful to a keen nose. The moment he opened it up he drew in a breath and got a pleasant surprise. The scent of citrus and brandy filled his nose, slightly sweet and spiced in a pleasant mixture that had him flaring his nostrils wider. It was faintly stale since he had no idea how old the scent paper was, but it didn’t stop Ed from enjoying it. It was leagues away from the last one he’d scented that had been too sharp wine and something smoky.
Well, if nothing else, Stede Bonnet, you are unique. Ed thought and flicked his phone open to the app to arrange a meeting. At least we can have a conversation together.
~ ~ * ~ ~
Stede fidgeted at the small booth at a restaurant that he hadn’t been to since before he’d been disowned. It was expensive, but afforded a level of privacy with the enclosed dining area that would allow for clandestine talk without a risk of being overheard or caught on camera. Jackie had been firm about that part of the meeting, that the prospective omega was well known and preferred that it wasn’t public knowledge he was meeting with an alpha from the agency. He’d had that happen a couple of times, and that was fine too, some omegas wanted privacy and he could respect that.
He smoothed a hand down the purple silk of his tie and tried not to fiddle with it, a bad habit that he’d carried from his prior life as an heir and disappointment to his father. He still felt better if his hands were able to do something. The older alpha had spent years driving him down into the dirt, snapping at every hint of behavior that wasn’t becoming of a ‘normal’ alpha. His father had taken pains to prove to him that he couldn’t even have an omega as a wife, that Theodore Bonnet had been forced to find him a beta.
This isn’t about him! Stede thought firmly, hating how often his thoughts went to his father now that he’d finally begun his own life.
“You Stede Bonnet?” A rasping voice and the sharp scent of rotten overly sweet apples of an angry omega reached his nose.
“Ah, yes! That’s me!” Stede straightened up and tried not to crinkle his nose at the scent as a short goateed man entered the enclosed booth area. “And you are…?”
The omega looked angry and his eyes flashed with disgust as they swept over Stede in obvious judgement. Judgement that clearly found him lacking. Well, that was a look that was familiar enough. Stede had been getting it all his life. He was too softly built to be an alpha and lacked that spark that was supposed to exude dominance. Which was laughable, why should he walk around growling and snarling? There was no reason for it, not when he could just enjoy his own life and acknowledge that it didn’t matter if someone presented as an omega or alpha. It didn’t have to mean they had to be stuffed into some damn box.
As if the plumbing means that I need to carry myself like some puffed up idiot. He thought and tried to maintain a neutral expression, hoping this wasn’t who he’d been sent to.
“Boss’ll be here in a second.” The man grunted and glanced around, crinkling his nose up as if he smelled something awful. “Thought you’d be wearing scent patches?”
“It was requested that I go without for the first meeting.” Stede said stiffly and narrowed his eyes at the omega.
“Fuckin’ lovely.” The man growled and rolled his eyes before stepping back and glanced to one side as if to make sure he wouldn’t be seen. “Ponce.” The last word was muttered, but Stede still caught it.
He sighed a little and went back to tugging at his tie, pulling at it and trying to make himself look better for the client. He’d signed on with Spanish Jackie once he’d gotten a divorce from Mary and promptly been disowned by his father. It had been a month of changes as he had finally decided he was done spending his life trying to please a man that could never be pleased. He’d quit his job at the company, moved out of the shared manor house, made sure that the law protected Mary’s claim over their pups rather than making sure they remained under his charge. Oh, he still saw them, he loved them, but he never wanted them to put up with a man like his father.
Stede had savings, of course, but they wouldn’t last forever and he found himself being approached by Spanish Jackie. The alpha was a high power name in most upper class circles, dangerous and had a sharp business mind that many envied. He hadn’t ever thought about being a paid companion, after all, he barely had people that tolerated him without paying for the privilege. It was his name that had opened that door since Jackie had been amused at the idea of having Theodore Bonnet’s son on his payroll, and for his part, he enjoyed being social. He enjoyed being wanted.
Well, not so much wanted, as shown off in high society. He thought with a twinge of bitter amusement.
Highly placed omegas would hire him for an evening, a week, a month to play pretend and parade him about on their arm. He could dress in his finest outfits, smooth talk as best as he could and feel vindictive amusement that his father was enraged every time his name appeared at an exclusive event. Eventually he’d stop this line of work, but it paid well and he was still hip deep in his own personal revenge. So far, his services had mostly been for escort service with only a handful of omegas that had been interested in him staying through their heat. And those had been regulars he'd escorted, not a stranger that had looked at him and decided they wanted to keep him for their heat. It made him a little anxious. Eager to make a good impression.
Stede nearly knocked over the candle on the table when another omega appeared so quietly it was nearly like magic, and Stede only managed to stop a fire from starting by lunging to grab the base of the holder. There was a huff of amusement from the omega as the alpha straightened up and swallowed to face his prospective client. He felt his cheeks flare slightly red in embarrassment at his own overblown reaction.
Don’t make an idiot out of yourself. He told himself sternly and tried to recover himself as he got a good look at the unique person that came into the booth.
The omega was all in leather from head to toe, nearly dripping with it, from pants that clung to long legs to a jacket that wrapped around a slender torso. One sleeve was missing entirely to reveal a golden skin arm decorated in a riot of tattoos, the largest of which was a serpent that wound around the forearm all the way to the wrist. Stede had never put much thought into how he felt about tattoos, but they looked good on the man who closed the partition behind him and cast a critical gaze over Stede from above a thick grey-shot beard.
“Ah, hello! You must be the omega that requested a meeting?” Stede chirped brightly and tried not to be obvious as he tested the air. Sweet pineapple and coconut filled the room, mouth-wateringly delicious and tropical while dark brown eyes fixed a long look at him. “I’m Stede Bonnet. Oh! You probably know that, but still, polite introductions and all. And you are?”
“I am?” The omega blinked slowly and his eyes widened subtly.
Stede tried not to feel silly in his lavender suit, his tie that was a riot of purple and blue, but it was hard facing an omega that clearly was comfortable in his own skin. His eyes were a deep rich brown, lovely above the sweep of his cheek bones and his expression was careful. He was probably expecting some sharp cut alpha, maybe one wearing leather, hard edges and dominant.
But if he did, why did he request me? My profile doesn’t have any of that. Stede tried to reassure himself.
“Your name?” Stede prompted and that got a soft scoffing laugh before the bearded omega shook his head, the long hair that fell along his shoulders brushed over the shoulders of his leather jacket.
“Huh, well, m’Ed, Stede Bonnet.” He extended his hand out to take Stede’s in a firm grip, fingerless leather gloves making the touch pleasant feeling, but almost impersonal. “Ed Teach.”
“Wonderful to meet you! Truly a pleasure! My, you do wear a lot of leather, quite dashing.” Stede said and his world became fixed on the tropical sweet scents, delicious and warm in the enclosed space. He carefully sat down, hoping to put the omega at ease even as he wanted to keep ahold of the hand. Just for a little while.
He’d never smelled such a sweet mix and it had him wanting to get closer to it. He found himself swallowing and carefully moving a hand down to brace against the edge of the bench to ground himself. The omega’s eyes flicked over him carefully and Stede thought they looked kind, not disappointed and he fought the urge to fidget.
“Same, quite the fancy outfit you got there.” Ed took his hand back and Stede reluctantly let it leave as the omega nodded towards his lavender suit. “Never seen an alpha in purple before.”
“Oh, most alphas are dreadfully boring.” Stede crinkled his nose up. “What’s wrong with a bit of color?”
“Mm, well, s’ppose that’s true.” Ed acknowledged and slid into the booth at last, leaving a good amount of space between himself and Stede.
He’d been around omegas all his life, he was aware of the sharp instinct to slide across the booth to get in closer to Ed, but he ignored it with an effort. He’d always hated how his father and peers would crowd unpartnered omegas. They always had to play those stupid games to drive home that they were big growly alphas. Stede remained on his half of the booth and fidgeted to arrange the silverware in neater lines.
“Gotta say, you stood out in the profiles Jackie sent over.” Ed said and propped his chin in one hand, raking another look over Stede. “She mentioned you’ve mostly done escort work?”
“Oh, ah, yes. Afraid I’m not quite everyone’s cup of tea for something as intimate as sharing a heat.” Stede admitted and crinkled his nose up delicately. “Not that I’m completely ignorant, of course! I assure you, I’m..” Stede felt his cheeks heating and his ears burning red. “I am adequate.” He flinched and wanted to take it back, that was hardly a rousing endorsement.
“Rousing endorsement.” The omega smirked a little bit and quirked his eyebrow up. “What do you mean you’re not everyone’s cup of tea? M’not judging, mate, but figure s’good I know why you say that if I’m considering you.”
“Ah, yes..” Stede tensed and tried to put things into words but found relief in a waiter stepping into the booth to greet them.
He had no doubt that once Ed got a feel for him the omega would decline him, it wasn’t like this was the first time he’d been at a meeting like this. The waiter had scent patches on, but Stede could see the sharp canines that marked another alpha immediately. More to the point, he noticed the nose twitch and the waiter’s eyes slid towards the omega with interest. It wasn’t blatant, but it still set Stede’s hackles up and he fought the instinct to let out a low growl.
Don’t do that! God, you really are a mess. He thought ruefully as he fought the instinct to a standstill but sitting beside the omega had him bristling. He was better than that, he prided himself on being calm and collected.
Ed didn’t seem to pay attention to the brief look over, but he did pay attention when the waiter set the menu down in front of Stede and introduced himself. The pale eyes met Stede’s and flicked away politely as a smile spread on his face, acting as though Stede were the only one at the table.
“Welcome to The Grove, would you like to begin with wine? We have an excellent cellar, but I’d be pleased to go over some of the sweeter options with you for your companion.” The voice was professional and quick, cheerful even.
The young alpha didn’t even angle the questions towards Ed, simply Stede, the same sort of thing that he’d seen happen to omegas most of his life. He pursed his lips as Ed straightened up and the omega’s sweet scent turned slightly sour. Stede suppressed a surge of delight at the way Ed let out a soft growl that drew the waiter’s eyes back to him, the shock plain on his face.
“We’ll take the Chateau d’Yquem Sautrnes 2014.” Ed said in a low voice, his eyes narrowed as the waiter turned to Stede again as if to be sure. “It’s a sweet white, but if you’d like a red, I’d be more than happy to have that as well, Stede.”
“No, thank you, that sounds lovely, Edward.” Stede responded and relaxed back, fighting the urge to smirk. “I’d love if you’d order for me, I’ve never been here.” Stede added the lie easily.
“Um, right…” The waiter glanced between them, narrowing his eyes at Stede as if he’d done something wrong. Well, he probably had according to some ways of thinking, but not to how Stede liked to present himself and he ignored it.
He was more interested in the omega that gave a smile beneath the spill of his beard, his scent clearing into that pleasant sweetness again. The smile warmed Stede down to his toes and he was stricken that he was almost ridiculously drawn to the leather clad man. It wasn’t just idle enjoyment of the scent, there was a spark to him that Stede found enchanting. He drew in a deeper breath of the sweet scent, savoring the crisp notes of pineapple that made him want to duck his nose along the neck, sample it from the source.
Like piña colada. Stede thought and truly wished this were more than just a meeting. Still, he’d enjoy the company while it lasted.
~ ~ * ~ ~
Ed drank in the scent of brandy and citrus, it was even more alluring straight from the alpha who was just as bumbling and sweet as he’d been on video. He had expected to have some hint of disapproval when he’d interrupted the waiter turning towards Stede for their order. It was one of the things that grated on him when he was in an alphas company. If he were on his own, he would be talked to easily enough, but once he was near an alpha it was as if he was invisible. The approval he was given surprised him even more as Stede outright turned over ordering to him entirely.
Well, I saw his outline, he’s odd, that much is clear. Ed thought and took a sip of the wine that had been brought.
In person, Stede was striking in a quiet sort of way. He had muscle to him, a wide chest and strong shoulders, but he was soft along the stomach in a manner that Ed found appealing. He wasn’t trying to hide it, though his suit was quite flashy, he was simply at home in his own skin. There was no overt attempt to get closer to get a sniff of Ed, not even a compliment on his scent, which, he found strangely disappointing. He was sweet, in a strange way.
Izzy was so pissed off that Ed had finally told him to get the hell out of the restaurant. His manager had been sure that Ed would take Jack back or back down from using Jackie’s service all the way until he’d confirmed the meeting. Half the reason was Jack had shown up right after he’d short listed Stede and begun to try and make up with him as he always did. The whining voice, the hint that Ed was just overly touchy since he was on tour, the gas lighting and ways to blame Ed that Jack had caused a scene.
“Come on, you know we go great together when you’re in heat. I’ll be right there to take care of you.” Jack had tried to wheedle, as if he had the stamina to keep up with Ed when he was in the thick of it.
He’d retorted that he was going to try an alpha this time and that had gotten his ex-boyfriend red faced and furious. So spitting mad that Ed had been grinning the entire time he put in the request for a private meeting with Stede Bonnet. Meeting the alpha didn’t mean he had to go further, fuck, even if he decided to take on the extended contract, that didn’t mean he had to keep him for his heat. But Jack wouldn’t know that. And Ed was starting to feel really fucking petty about the entire breakup.
Though, he’d never met an alpha quite like the one that was chatting happily about how he liked to make his own marmalade. He was bright and cheerful, only his scent and the occasional flash of his sharp teeth showed he was an alpha. He waited until there was a natural lull in the conversation before he returned to an earlier topic.
“Back to the question before..” Ed prodded lightly and tasted a faintly burnt aroma to the alpha’s scent as he sighed. “I am curious why you said you weren’t everyone’s cup of tea.”
“Well, I mean, obviously look at me.” Stede gestured down at himself with a laugh. “I tend to be a bit soft and I’ve never had the sort of personality that commands a room. I used to own a cat that wouldn’t even listen to me! And my interests in fashion and the finer things in life seem to get me black marks as well.” He grimaced a little bit. “I also won’t do… well, casual heat services. Which, I suppose is odd considering my line of work, but I enjoy the personal approach. Jackie has half her alphas set so they just show up for an omega’s heat and leave right after, it doesn’t seem terribly satisfying to either party.”
“Mate, you’re not bad looking, if that’s what you were gesturing at.” Ed pointed out and settled in as a new waiter, a beta, came with their first course. Good, he wasn’t going to stand dealing with a waiter acting like he didn’t exist. “And nothing wrong with wanting some connection. Fuck, always seemed a little weird just hiring a stranger same day or something. Honestly, your profile was the only one that seemed sort of honest, not just bragging yourself up.”
“Yes, well, I’m quite new to all of this.” Stede took a bite of the bruschetta and hummed a sound of pleasure. “Most of my escort work is because of my name. I’m clear at the start of any contract that it won’t help anyone, my father has thoroughly disowned me, but I think people hope it will open doors.”
“Yeah, Bonnet, like the Real Estate mogul?” Ed had done that much research, at least, he hadn’t been able to help himself when Izzy had snapped the name sounded familiar and not in a good way.
Stede Bonnet didn’t have many tracks online, he got the feeling that there probably had been articles about him, but they’d been removed. What he found was that he’d married a beta fifteen years ago and settled down, but in the last few years had broken all ties. The divorce was a minor scandal, but the real one was the fact he’d publicly quit his father’s firm and caused a legal battle involving some underhanded dealings overseas. It had been quite a row, with the company suffering a major loss once Stede had provided a few choice documents. After that, he was a ghost.
“Yes, that.” Stede grimaced a little and his scent became sharper, the burnt scent of upset growing until Ed shifted, fighting the urge to try and sooth him. “I’m just me, I was rather shut out of my chosen career thanks to my father, so I picked one I knew would get under his skin.”
“Wait.. you became a paid alpha, because it pissed off your Dad?” Ed paused and Stede huffed, but eventually nodded. “Fuck, that’s…”
“Idiotic, yes, I’m aware.”
“Nah, mate, that’s fuckin’ fantastic. My dad was a dick, so trust me when I say getting one up on another dick dad, well that’s just perfect in my book.” He took another sip of wine and Stede’s scent lightened again, god, he really did smell good. The brandy was layered and spiced, making him want to dip his nose into the man’s neck.
It was a reaction that surprised him. Most of the time he could ignore alphas, their behavior made it easy to resist even the baser instincts driven simply by scent. Stede just looked so pleased that Ed was smiling at him, his smile showed a flash of a dimple that was nearly biteable. And, yeah, sure, it helped that he had a dick Dad. Maybe not the same sort of dick that Ed had to deal with, but still, a dick dad.
“To the awful fathers club?” Stede asked and lifted his glass with a crooked smile that Ed returned before touching glasses in agreement and settled in as the next course arrived. The alfredo perfect looking with tender chicken sliced on top.
“Do you enjoy it? The work I mean?” Ed asked curiously as Stede actually pulled his napkin out to tuck into his lap.
“Honestly? Yes. I enjoy a bit of high life and moving in society, but I also enjoy having a chance to be someone’s companion or comfort.” Stede said slowly and took another bite of food. “We aren’t meant to be alone, there’s something very satisfying about scenting an omega who might need comfort or simply being the one they turn to when they’re in need. And it’s good to be… well wanted.”
Ed could sympathize with that. Wanted. He’d spent most of his life throwing himself into a role that made the world either want to be him or possess him. Years of striving to feel some sense of satisfaction and self-worth on the stage.
“Mmm you were married though?”
“Ah, Mary is um, perfectly lovely.” Stede’s scent flashed sharp again and Ed wondered if he practiced any level of control over those reactions. Perhaps he used scent patches and wasn’t used to someone picking up his emotions. “I simply, well… I prefer male presenting partners, and while Mary is a lovely beta, and we’re grand friends now, it never quite worked.” Stede cast him a weak smile. “Ours was an arranged pairing when I failed to attract a proper omega, you see.”
“Well shit, yeah, can get how that would be hard to deal with.” Ed mused and shifted closer, fuck it, he didn’t want to upset the alpha. “The thing is, I’m looking for a long-term contract. I know you have pups, but you’d be on tour with me for about five weeks before I’m going to go into heat. S’not ideal, but I am on the move a lot. We’ve got New York, Pittsburgh, Charleston, and Chicago shows lined up before we come back here.”
“The pups stay with her.” Stede said sadly and then gave himself a shake. “Though, I would ask for at least one break to see them.” He paused and blinked, his eyes were such a lovely pale hazel. “That is… you’re actually considering me?”
“Don’t act so shocked, mate, I’m not lookin’ for an alpha to growl all over me or try and scent mark me the moment we meet.” Ed shrugged his shoulder. “Honestly, I’ve had shit luck with alphas, prefer betas and other omegas, but I just ended a relationship and I’ve got only some weeks before I’m off tour for my heat, I figured I’d take a chance. And I can make sure you get a couple weekends free to see your pups easily enough.”
“I don’t growl all that often, as I said, I’m not exactly the sort of alpha most people want.” The alpha looked almost shy as he fidgeted and gave a small smile, it was kind of fucking cute.
“So, I’d prefer you to come with me on tour.” He said and folded his hands together on the table. “That way you’re not some fuckin’ stranger, and I know I can trust you when I go into heat. Not expecting anything more than companionship, I guess? For now?”
“Of course!” Stede brightened and then gave a wide smile that just barely showed the sharp tips of his canines. “I’m… I’m very pleased, Ed. Though, you mentioned a tour. You’re a singer?”
“Uh, yeah.” Ed gave a slow blink and lifted his brows as Stede seemed to be waiting for more information. There was no hint of playful coyness, just an open curiosity, utterly unaware of who Ed really was. Now that was fascinating. “You’ve heard of Queen Anne’s Revenge?”
Earlier, when he’d asked Ed’s name, he’d assumed it was because Stede didn’t want to call him Blackbeard. He was one of the most recognizable musicians in the world, perhaps the most recognizable. Infamous.
“A little, my oldest, Alma likes them, I think.” Stede crinkled his nose up a little bit. “I didn’t really get into their music, but she adores Blackbeard. I think she’s convinced she’s going to present as an omega, not that there is anything wrong there.” Stede actually let out the barest edge of a growl, a faint rumble. “No matter what her classmates might say.”
“Mate, I’m Blackbeard.” Ed said, ignoring the way the faint rumble sent an electric thrill down his spine.
Stede’s eyes widened and his mouth parted a little, staring at Ed as if he’d grown a second head. The omega couldn’t help but grin before Stede closed his mouth and flushed, pink chasing all over his cheeks and even to his ears. The blush made him even more adorable, adding another mark in the pro’s category.
Yeah, Ed was starting to think that this was a better idea than he imagined. Not only would this piss Jack off to the moon and back, but he was enjoying this odd alpha. It might be nice to have some company on tour that wasn’t his band or his manager. If nothing else, he felt that this was going to be a fascinating adventure, and he couldn’t wait to see where it’d go.