The suddenness of it startles Stede awake and he is immediately ashamed to have dropped off-- dozed more like. He blinks down at Ed, surprised to find him there, but-- it's lovely really. Aside from the fact that his beard is tickly, the weight of him and the warm push of his breath makes Stede feel...oddly content.

It doesn't help that he's beautiful too. The terrible and terrifying Blackbeard, utterly relaxed, eyelashes feathered on his cheek, face relaxed. Stede hesitates a moment, making sure no one ca see before he gently brushes some of that soft hair from his face- then softly combs his fingers through it.

It awakens in him a feeling he'll try his best to forget, a kind of longing as deep and wide as the sea.

If only he could do this forever.