Work Text:
Day 1,811 - Tuesday 30th May 2028 midday
Ed: hey beautiful man
Ed: just letting you know I’ve arrived
Ed: just unpacking
Stede🏖️: Oh that’s great news! You made good time. What's the hotel like?
Ed: yeah the roads were pretty clear
Ed: the hotel is nice
Ed: bed is really comfy
Ed: how's the caravan?
Stede🏖️: It's a lot nicer than I was expecting. I haven’t been in one since the 1990s. They’re a lot different now! It's even got a bath!
Ed: wow!
Stede🏖️: Yeah. And my room has a proper double bed in it. I don’t have to construct anything before I can go to sleep.
Ed: 😂 cool
Ed: what are your plans for the rest of the day?
Stede🏖️: Well we're going to get some lunch, then Lucius wants to take some photos of the beach if the sun comes back out again. It was glorious on the drive up here, but the clouds came out in force the moment we arrived. I’m interested to see what kind of beach treasures are to be found on this part of the coast.
Stede🏖️: If the sun stays in, then we're going to take a walk around the area, see what’s here, and then just relax at the caravan for the evening. He’s got 3 more days to get the pictures he needs so he’s not too worried about the lack of sun just yet. What about you?
Ed: I'm meeting with the musical director this afternoon
Ed: then I need to practise for a bit
Ed: I think I’ve got it but I want to be sure for tomorrow
Stede🏖️: How are you feeling about it?
Ed: really good
Ed: I'm excited to play with the other musicians
Stede🏖️: I know you like the jobs where you're playing with others.
Ed: I really do
Ed: I feel like I can really lose myself in the music, you know?
Ed: like my mind is finally silent apart from the music
Stede🏖️: Okay, well if you’ve got plans, I'll leave you to it for now.
Ed: can we reconvene later for a chat?
Stede🏖️: Oh my gosh! I completely forgot about reconvening! 😂 Yes! Of course we can! I’m laughing so much at ‘reconvene!’
Ed: me too!
Stede🏖️: I’m really gonna miss you the next few days. I’m already missing you. But won’t it be wonderful to get back to texting like we used to?
Ed: yeah it really will!
Ed: I still wish you could have come with me but I totally get why you didn’t want to
Stede🏖️: I know. I wished I could have as well. Manchester is just such a big place. Too hard to avoid alcohol.
Ed: I know
Ed: maybe I won’t accept jobs that are so far away in future
Ed: stick to ones I can drive to on the day
Stede🏖️: Don’t be silly, Ed! You can’t turn down jobs you want to do because of me. I’ll survive without you for a few days.
Ed: I’m not sure I will
Stede🏖️: 🫂 You will. You’ll be busy with your music and you’ll forget all about me soon.
Ed: I could never
Stede🏖️: 😘
Stede🏖️: Well I better let you go if you’ve got a meeting to get to.
Ed: ok
Ed: I’ll text afterwards
Stede🏖️: Okay.
Stede🏖️: Oh I’m so excited! I didn’t realise how much I’ve missed the old days when we used to text all the time. Just communicating with words and not getting distracted by anything else.
Ed: yeah I know what you mean
Ed: I’ve really missed it too
Ed: it's making me really nostalgic for those days
Stede🏖️: I know it’s not Friday, but how about we have a takeaway and texting night like we used to???
Ed: yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ed: I know exactly what I’m gonna order!
Stede🏖️: Me too! Pizza!
Ed: pizza!
Stede🍕: 😂😂😂
Ed: oh my god it’s perfect 😀
Stede🍕: I really can't wait now! Let's agree to reconvene later then. And in the meantime, I'm gonna have butterflies in my tummy in anticipation. Just like the old days!
Ed: me too
Ed: chat later then beautiful
Ed: ❤️
Stede🍕: I can't wait, sweet man. ❤️
Day 1,811 - Tuesday 30th May 2028 early evening
Ed: hey beautiful man
Ed: I’m reconvening with you
Stede🍕: 😁 Best news I’ve had for days!
Ed: I’m ready to order
Ed: are you?
Stede🍕: Yes, but they don’t deliver so we’re going to pick it up. Can you give me about twenty minutes?
Ed: you are the love of my life and I would wait forever for you
Stede🍕: Oh Ed! You’re so cute! I’m hoping the pizza won’t take that long though 😂
Ed: 😂 good
Ed: I’m hungry
Stede🍕: I’ll text you when I get back.
Day 1,811 - Tuesday 30th May 2028 early evening - twenty nine minutes later
Stede⏱️: Okay, I’m back.
Ed: you’ve been aaaaaaaaages
Stede⏱️: No I haven’t! Twenty minutes!
Ed: more like half an hour
Stede⏱️: I’m sorry my sweet man. We got stuck behind a tractor on the way back.
Ed: 😂
Ed: Norfolk!
Stede⏱️: I know! Lucius was not happy at all. I’ve learnt some swear words I’ve never heard before.
Ed: 😂 what are they?
Stede⏱️: I’m not typing them into my phone in case my autocorrect learns them!
Ed: 😂😂😂
Ed: my pizza isn’t even here yet
Ed: so I’ve just been doomscrolling to kill time
Stede⏱️: 🫂
Stede⏱️: What were you looking at?
Ed: videos of cats
Stede⏱️: 😂
Stede⏱️: Do you remember that old app we used to spend hours on watching videos of horses having their tails brushed and sheep being shorn ?
Ed: oh yeah!
Ed: and people opening up those balls with the little miniature toy brands inside
Ed: 😂
Stede🐴: Oh yeah! I loved those ones!
Stede🐴: What was the app called? Tip Tap? Something like that?
Ed: no not tip tap
Ed: something similar
Ed: I can’t remember
Stede🐴: Hang on.
Stede🐴: TikTok. I googled it.
Ed: that’s it!
Ed: how much of our lives were wasted watching that?
Stede🐴: I dread to think. I used to love curling up with you on the sofa and just whiling away the hours together laughing at weird videos.
Ed: me too 🥰
Ed: we should start doing that again
Stede🐴: Yeah! I would love that.
Ed: oh my pizza is here
Ed: I just have to go down to reception to collect it
Ed: be right back
Ed: I’m back
Ed: have you already started eating?
Stede🐴: No! Of course not! I’ve been waiting for you.
Ed: I make you a home cooked meal every day and you still choose to eat cold takeaway food whenever you can 😂
Stede🐴: I'm sorry Ed! I love your cooking so much, but I can't help the things I like 😂
Ed: even though I’m still appalled by that I wouldn’t change you
Stede🐴: Well thank you. And I wouldn’t change the way you always put your freezing cold feet on me in bed to warm them up.
Ed: good
Ed: you have far too much body heat and it’s only fair you should share it
Stede🐴: I will always keep you warm my sweet man.
Ed: and I will always need you to keep me warm
Stede🥵: So you get warmth, and I get the satisfaction of keeping you warm?
Ed: yep
Stede🥵: Actually I like that! I’m not going to complain about it anymore.
Ed: yes you will
Ed: you love a good moan
Stede🥵: I love it when you moan 🥵
Ed: I thought we were re-enacting the early days of our relationship
Ed: when we were non-boyfriends
Stede🥵: We are aren’t we?
Ed: well you would never have sent me a message like that back then!
Stede🥵: 😂 Oh good point! I take it back then, and I’ll be on my best behaviour for the rest of the night.
Ed: I don’t know that we need to go that far…
Stede🥵: Oh?
Ed: maybe we could eat and have a chat
Ed: and then if you wanna tell me how much you love it when I moan you could do that
Stede🥵: Over text?
Ed: might be nice
Stede🥵: Nice!! 😂
Ed: well we’ve never done that before have we?
Ed: video call and phone call, but never text
Stede🥵: You’re right. Considering that’s how everything started for us, that’s a little surprising!
Ed: yeah
Ed: now we have the opportunity to right that wrong
Stede🥵: I sometimes think about all the messages we sent each other and I wish I still had them. I'd love to read them all back.
Stede🥵: I used to re-read them a lot at the time.
Ed: so did I!
Ed: it would be cool to read them again
Ed: actually I wonder whether they might have been backed up on the cloud
Stede🥵: You mean we might be able to get them back???
Ed: I don't know for sure
Ed: I'll have to have a look
Stede🥵: Oh I've got everything crossed you find them 😊😊😊
Stede🥵: Wait. Does that mean if we send each other sexy texts later they might be uploaded into the cloud???
Ed: sexy texts 😂😂😂😂😂
Stede🥵: Well what would you call them?!
Ed: I'm calling them sexy texts
Stede🥵: I would very much like to exchange sexy texts with you Ed
Ed: 😂😂😂
Ed: you're the only person in the universe who could send me a message like that and it makes my dick twitch
Stede🥵: Oh! 😂
Ed: I am so fucking honoured to call you my husband beautiful man 🥰
Ed: and I would love to exchange sexy texts with you, Mr B-T
Stede🥵: 🥰🥰🥰 I love you so much.
Stede🥵: I would have to be really quiet if we do that. The caravan walls are like paper. And it rocks even when you walk about in it.
Ed: oh that's gonna be a challenge for you
Stede🤭: I know! I might need to shove something in my mouth.
Ed: fuck…
Ed: at least let me eat my pizza before you put images like that into my mind
Stede🤭: 🤐
Ed: stop it!
Stede🤭: 😂🥰
Ed: anyway I don’t think Lucius would care if you were noisy
Stede🤭: No, probably not, but I would! I don’t want him to know what I’m doing!
Ed: I really would love to exchange sexy texts with you but I'm really tired from a long day so could we revisit that idea tomorrow night do you think?
Stede🤭: Of course. Actually that gives me a chance to see if I can convince Lucius to give me some time in the caravan alone. Maybe he could go and take some photos.
Ed: oh good idea
Ed: and he'd definitely never guess the reason for you wanting the place to yourself
Stede🤭: You don't think he would?
Ed: no I think he absolutely would!!
Stede🤭: 😂
Ed: you might as well just tell him
Stede🤭: I don't think I could!
Ed: well I could
Ed: I'll text him
Stede🤭: Oh god…
Ed: is he with you now?
Stede🤭: No. I brought my food to my room. I feel a bit rude leaving him on his own, but he understands that we want to recreate our old takeaway nights. I think he’s gone to Facetime Pete and Fang. If he can get enough signal. It’s not the best out here. I don’t want to think about what they might be getting up to tonight… 🫣
Ed: not Izzy?
Stede🤭: Oh, maybe Izzy as well. I still can’t quite believe that development. I thought Lucius had better taste.
Ed: 😂 you’re such a bitch my beautiful man!
Stede🤭: Well.
Stede🤭: He’s worse. So passive aggressive.
Ed: he’s only playing with you
Stede🤭: I know you always say that but I’m not so sure. He’s never liked me.
Ed: he’s a tough nut to crack
Ed: he shows affection by being a dick
Stede🤭: Well he must be the most affectionate man I’ve ever met. Really fond of everyone.
Ed: 😂😂😂
Ed: what pizza did you get?
Stede🤭: Do you even need to ask?
Ed: margarita?
Stede🍕: Of course!
Ed: me too
Ed: how is it?
Stede🍕: Unfortunately it’s pretty good.
Ed: mine is too
Ed: I was really hoping for mediocre
Stede🍕: Do you want to know a secret?
Ed: of course I do!
Stede🍕: I brought the pizza slice plushie you gave me with me! 🤭
Ed: I love that!
Ed: ❤️
Ed: did you decide what you’re gonna do about your AA meeting on Thursday?
Stede🍕: Yes. I found one a couple of villages away. I’m going to go to that. I know we’re only an hour from home but I think it would just take up too much time to drive to my usual one.
Ed: that’s good
Ed: you need the time to relax as much as you can
Ed: you deserve it
Ed: you’ve had a busy term
Stede🍕: It has been a tough one. I just wish you were here with me.
Ed: I know
Ed: I’m sorry
Ed: I do too
Stede🍕: You had to take the job though. I know how much it means to you. So I don’t really mind too much.
Ed: 😘
Ed: I’ll make it up to you 😜
Stede🍕: Oh! I was going to say you don’t need to, but actually I’d like to hear more about what you have in mind…
Ed: well I passed a very interesting looking adult shop as I was driving through the city to get here
Ed: thought I might go in and see if anything takes my fancy
Ed: bring you back a souvenir 😜
Stede🍕: I hope you’ll send photos!
Ed: actually I thought I might keep it as a surprise
Stede🍕: Oh! Okay then. I suppose I can allow that 😚
Stede🍕: Maybe we could have a weekend shut in the house when we get back?
Ed: I am so up for that beautiful man 😘
Stede🍕: I still owe you that massage.
Ed: yeah you do!
Ed: we’re definitely having a weekend shut in!
Stede🍕: 😀
Stede🍕: I’m really glad Lucius’s job coincided with your booking. I’d have just spent the week moping about the house. I’m still gonna mope a little bit because I’m missing you so much, but I’ll be busy and I have things to enjoy.
Ed: yeah I feel the same
Ed: I really miss you already but I’m looking forward to the work
Ed: did you and Lucius get lunch?
Stede🍕: Yes. We shared fish and chips at a little seafront place.
Stede🍕: Oh my god!! We saw this bloke there and he looked exactly like that guy I accidentally went on that date with when we were first getting together!!!! Except this one was bald.
Ed: oh fuck!
Ed: I forgot about that!
Ed: 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Ed: what was his name again?
Stede🏸: Nigel.
Ed: that’s it
Ed: it is still baffling to me that you didn’t realise he was asking you on a date
Stede🏸: Well.
Ed: maybe it was him and he’s just lost all of his hair
Stede🏸: I did wonder that! It can’t have been him. He was with a woman and she called him Chauncey.
Ed: Chauncey?
Ed: what the fuck kind of name is that???
Stede🏸: It is rather unusual isn’t it? So it definitely wasn’t him. But he really was the spit of Nigel.
Ed: maybe he has a secret twin
Stede🏸: 😂😂😂
Stede🏸: That’s what Lucius said! It’s weird that we’re recreating the old texting days and I see someone that reminds me of that time.
Ed: yeah
Ed: strange coincidence
Stede🏸: The sun didn’t make a reappearance this afternoon so Lucius couldn’t get his pictures. We had a walk on the beach and I found some winkle shells.
Ed: now I’m thinking about your winkle 🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭
Stede🐚: Are you three years old?! Winkle indeed! 😂
Ed: did you find any cockles? 🤭
Stede🐚: 😂 Please! No, and I didn’t find a geoduck either, sadly.
Ed: what the fuck’s a geoduck?
Stede🐚: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoduck
Ed: fucking hell Stede! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Ed: I nearly choked on my pizza!
Ed: 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Ed: that can’t be real!
Stede🐚: It is! We don’t get them in this country though.
Ed: thank fuck
Ed: it’s terrifying!
Ed: I wonder if that shop I saw earlier sells things like that 👀
Stede🐚: 😂😂😂 I don’t know what I’d say if you brought me one of those!!
Ed: 😂
Ed: you used to be so timid
Stede🐚: You awakened something in me… 👀
Stede🐚: Anyway, how did your meeting with the musical director go?
Ed: oh she was great
Ed: she talked a lot about my work on other projects
Ed: I’m really hoping I’ll get to work on other things with her
Stede🐚: That’s wonderful! 🥰
Stede🐚: I’m so proud of you sweet man.
Ed: 🥹
Stede🐚: What else have you been up to?
Ed: hey Stede?
Stede🥺: Yeah?
Ed: can I talk to you about something serious?
Stede🥺: Of course you can. Is everything alright? Do you want me to call you?
Ed: everything’s fine
Ed: can we do it over text?
Ed: I think I’d find that easier
Stede🥺: Oh god, is it something bad?
Ed: no
Ed: it’s not bad
Ed: important, but not bad
Ed: I hope you won’t think it’s bad anyway
Stede🥺: You know you can talk to me anytime about anything Ed.
Ed: of course I know that
Ed: I’ve wanted to talk to you for a while now
Stede🥺 Really? Why haven’t you?
Ed: cuz I haven’t quite known what I want to say before
Ed: I still don’t quite have things straight in my mind
Ed: but I really wanna talk to you about it
Ed: and it kind of feels like there’s less pressure if I do it over text
Ed: so I’ve been waiting until now
Stede🥺: Do you think I would put pressure on you?
Ed: no, not you
Ed: I mean I’d have to find the right words and put them in the right order more quickly than I would over text
Ed: texting gives more thinking time
Ed: does that make sense?
Stede🥺: Totally. I totally understand, Ed. I’m just worried that there’s been something on your mind that you’ve wanted to talk about but you haven’t felt able to.
Ed: I haven’t really been ready until now
Ed: I’ve just had a lot of thoughts that have been swimming about in the soup of my brain
Ed: it’s taken a long time for me to work it all out
Ed: then when I knew we were gonna be apart for a few days I thought it would be a good opportunity to text you about it
Ed: texting worked so well for us when we first met
Stede🥺: It really did.
Stede🥺: Ed, you can tell me anything, good or bad. I’m always here for you. I hope you know that.
Ed: I do know that
Ed: I really do
Ed: I just needed a way to do it that gives me time to think
Stede🥺: Okay. Well I’ll listen to whatever you want to say.
Ed: thank you
Ed: ok
Ed: here we go then
Ed: I’m really nervous
Stede🥺: Me too. A little bit.
Ed: ok
Ed: I’m gonna try and say it then because I don’t want you to worry
Ed: you honestly don’t need to
Stede🥺: ❤️
Ed: I’ve had a lot of thoughts over the last few years about my sexuality
Ed: like, I know I’m demisexual
Ed: that’s not in question
Ed: I absolutely am
Ed: I’ve always said I’m gay
Ed: I thought I was happy with that word, but the older I get, the more restrictive and wrong it feels
Ed: like it’s not broad enough
Stede🥺: You have said some things about that before.
Ed: yeah
Ed: I’ve been trying to work it out for a long time
Ed: I don’t think gay is what I am
Stede🥺: You’re not gay?
Ed: no
Ed: I’m not
Stede🥺: Oh.
Stede🥺: What are you then?
Ed: I don’t know
Ed: please don’t think I’m telling you I’m not into you Stede
Ed: what I need to say doesn’t impact our relationship
Ed: at least it doesn’t change how I feel about you
Ed: I love you, and I love our relationship, and I love our future
Ed: please don’t doubt that
Stede🥺: I know all of that Ed.
Ed: so I’ve been thinking a lot about that, and then that led me to a lot of other thoughts
Ed: I don’t really know how to say it all or where to start, so I’m just gonna jump in to where my thinking is at the moment
Stede🥺: It’s okay, Ed. You can say whatever you want to.
Ed: I think I’d like you to use they/them pronouns for me
Stede🥺: Oh. Okay. Yes. Okay.
Stede🥺: Well, that’s okay. I can absolutely do that.
Stede🥺: Is it just me you want to do that? Or everyone?
Ed: maybe just you for now
Ed: I just wanna see how it feels
Ed: if it seems more comfortable
Ed: more like me
Stede🥺: Well I can absolutely do that. Of course I can.
Ed: what do you think about it?
Stede🥺: I don’t really know. I know that you’re telling me a lot more than just the words you want me to say. I suppose it’s not the biggest surprise to me, and I get that it must be a massive thing for you to be thinking about it a lot, and for you to tell me. So I’m really thankful you were able to do that.
Ed: I’ve wanted to for a while
Ed: I just couldn’t find the right time or the right words
Ed: do you want to ask me any questions?
Ed: maybe that would be easier than me trying to explain how I feel to you
Stede🥺: I have so many, but they’re not really clear yet. I want to understand how you’re feeling. I don’t know how to ask that as a question.
Ed: I don’t fully understand how I feel about it yet
Ed: I’m feeling pretty exposed right now
Ed: a bit raw
Stede🥺: Well that’s completely understandable, Ed. It might seem to me like you’re just asking me to change the words I’m using, but for you, you’re opening up a part of yourself and telling me about a part of yourself that maybe hasn’t been visible to anyone else your whole life. That’s huge.
Ed: yeah
Ed: it feels pretty huge
Stede🥺: I just want to be able to support you in the best way I can.
Ed: thank you beautiful man
Stede😊: So are you non-binary? Is that what you’re saying?
Ed: I think so
Ed: I just know I don’t feel totally male
Ed: I don’t think I ever have
Stede😊: That must have been so hard for you.
Ed: I suppose
Ed: I think I’ve been carrying it round for so long I’m just used to it
Ed: I don’t think I knew there was anything I could really do about it before
Stede😊: Have you talked to Jim about it?
Ed: I haven’t talked to them seriously but I’ve asked some questions
Ed: I think they’d probably be able to make a pretty good guess where I was headed with them
Ed: but I wanted to talk to you first
Ed: I wanted you to be the first person I told
Ed: because you’re the most important person in my life
Stede😊: 🥹🥹🥹
Stede😊: I’m so honoured you wanted to tell me first.
Ed: I was the first one you told about your sexuality
Stede😊: Yeah. And I’m so happy it worked out that way.
Ed: me too
Ed: I know you’re going to need time to process things, but I’d really like to know how you’re feeling about it
Stede😊: Well, it doesn’t change how I feel about you, or how I see you. You’re still my Ed. If this makes you feel more comfortable and more confident in yourself, then I’m all for it. I’m happy you could tell me. I really am. I may be having a few tears right now, but they’re happy ones.
Ed: oh shit!
Ed: you’re crying?
Stede😊: Yeah.
Ed: so am I
Stede😊: Oh, Ed. I wish I could hug you. 🫂🫂🫂
Ed: so do I
Ed: you’re not upset I didn’t tell you sooner?
Stede😊: No. Not upset. I wish you had felt ready to. But I get why you didn’t. Look how long it took me to realise I’m gay and demisexual. I know something about having mixed up, confused feelings about the core of my being. Of course I’m not upset. I feel honoured you told me at all, and I’m so proud of you for taking that step. And I really think you should talk properly to Jim. I’m sure they’d be happy to support you to work things out even more than you have.
Ed: you wouldn’t mind if I did that?
Stede😊: No. They know so much more about it than I do.
Ed: I suppose
Ed: I just don’t want you to feel left out
Stede😊: Ed. Do you mind when I talk to Jackie about alcohol?
Ed: no
Ed: of course I don’t
Ed: she’s your sponsor
Ed: I can’t help you with that like she can
Stede😊: Exactly. It’s the same with Jim. So of course I don’t mind.
Ed: I will talk to them properly
Ed: when I’m brave enough
Ed: it’s kind of weird to be sharing these thoughts when they’ve been inside my head for so long
Ed: I think that’s why it’s easier over text
Ed: I don’t actually have to say them, but I can still tell you
Stede😊: I’m so pleased you did.
Stede😊: Can I ask why now? Why is now the right time for you to explore this?
Ed: I’ve been trying to think about that
Ed: I suppose I’m getting older
Ed: I want to live my life for me while I still can, you know?
Ed: I’m not trying to please other people anymore
Ed: and I suppose I just feel really settled in my life
Ed: I’m safe now
Ed: secure
Ed: plus I kinda wanted to get the wedding out of the way before I thought about it too much
Ed: like I didn't want the pressure of that to influence me
Ed: if I'd talked about it before then I might have been tempted to change my pronouns before I was ready, you know?
Stede😊: Oh yeah. Good point. You might have felt like you had to tell everyone so they could all use the correct pronouns for you on the day. I get why that would make you feel pressured to make the decision before you were ready.
Ed: yeah exactly
Ed: I’ve thought about it a lot since then
Stede😊: I hope you know I will support you with whatever you need
Ed: I know that
Ed: thanks beautiful man
Stede😊: I love you my sweet man.
Stede😊: Oh my gosh! Do you want me to stop calling you sweet man???
Ed: nope
Ed: no no no
Ed: definitely not
Ed: don’t you dare
Ed: even if I was wearing a ballgown and high heels, I’d still want you to call me sweet man
Stede😊: Is that something you might want to do, do you think? Wear different sorts of clothes?
Stede😊: It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about that. Or if you’re not ready.
Stede😊: We can talk about something else if you want.
Ed: no it’s ok
Ed: I have thought about it a little bit, but I haven’t wanted to put it into words even in my own mind
Stede😊: Well we don’t have to talk about it. I’m sorry if you didn’t want me to bring that up.
Ed: I don’t think I’m ready for that yet
Ed: so
Ed: I think texting about this has helped me say what I needed to say
Ed: but now I’m regretting it a little bit
Stede😊: Oh no! Why??
Ed: because I really want a hug
Stede🫂: 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺
Stede🫂: I wish I could hug you. Are you alright?
Ed: I feel inside out
Ed: I’m shaking a bit
Stede🫂: Did you take your favourite blanket with you?
Ed: no but I’m under the duvet
Stede🫂: Oh my Ed. I really wish I could be there for you.
Ed: I should have thought it through better
Ed: I only thought about the telling you bit
Ed: not what would happen after that
Stede🫂: Do you want me to drive up to you?
Ed: no Stede
Stede🫂: I really don’t mind. If you need me then I’ll do anything for you.
Ed: I know
Ed: but you were right not to come with me
Ed: there are 4 pubs and 3 off licences on the street the hotel is on
Ed: there’s a bar downstairs and a minibar in my room
Ed: I would never ask you to come here
Stede🫂: Oh.
Stede🫂: Gosh.
Stede🫂: That sounds like a lot.
Ed: exactly
Ed: you’re not coming here
Stede🫂: But I hate the thought of you on your own when you’ve just told me something so huge. I want to be there for you.
Ed: you are there for me
Ed: you always are
Ed: I know that
Ed: but you can’t be physically here
Stede🫂: Shit. I feel so useless.
Ed: you’re not
Ed: I couldn’t ask for anyone better
Ed: and I know you would drop everything in a heartbeat so you could come and be with me
Ed: but I can’t let you do that
Stede🫂: Okay. Yeah. I get that. It does sound awful there. I’m feeling a little anxious just from imagining it.
Ed: you’re better off where you are for both our sakes
Stede🫂: I see that. I just hate it.
Ed: I know you do
Stede🫂: Four days seems so long until I’m going to see you again. I don’t know how I’m going to manage knowing you’re going through so much on your own.
Ed: I really didn’t think it through did I?
Stede🫂: You’ve been doing so much thinking. And I think you made the right decision to talk to me over text. It feels like you’ve been able to say some of what you wanted to, and I’m sure it would have been a lot harder in person.
Stede🫂: Maybe just go into another room to do it next time though? Not all the way to Manchester.
Ed: oh my fucking god
Ed: I never thought of that!
Ed: I’m such a fucking knob! 😂😂😂
Stede🫂: No you’re not. You’ve just had a lot on your mind.
Ed: I could have waited till the last night I’m here
Ed: not the first fucking one
Ed: I’m an idiot!
Stede🫂: I really wish there was something I could do for you Ed.
Ed: you’re doing enough
Ed: you honestly are
Stede🫂: Do you want to talk about something different for a while? Or I could call you? I’m not sure the signal here would be good enough for a video call.
Ed: no
Ed: it’s ok
Ed: I’ll be ok
Ed: I don’t think I’d be able to say much
Stede🫂: Oh I really wish I was with you 🥺
Stede🫂: Let’s try talking about something else for a while. Take your mind off things for a bit.
Stede🫂: Did you see there’s a new chapter of Beyond the Horizon?
Ed: no!
Ed: when did that come out?
Stede🫂: This morning. Lucius read it to me on the journey.
Ed: 😂 seriously?
Stede🫂: Yes! He’s not bad at reading out loud, but he’s terrible at the voices.
Ed: no one does the voices like you do beautiful man
Stede🫂: 🥹
Ed: how did you convince him to do it?
Stede🫂: I think he’s just as much into fic now as we are.
Ed: your enthusiasm for things is very contagious
Stede🫂: That was very diplomatically worded. Most people would just say I’m overwhelming.
Ed: no they wouldn’t
Ed: you are not overwhelming
Stede🫂: Anyway the new chapter is lovely. Very fluffy and happy. A little bit of smut. Maybe you should read it because I think it might help you to settle.
Ed: Lucius read you smut?!
Ed: 😂
Stede🫂: I must admit that was a tad embarrassing. For me, at least. He was having a great time!
Ed: 😂😂😂😂
Ed: I wish I’d been able to see that!
Ed: I bet you blushed!
Stede🫂: You could say that, yes!
Ed: I thought we’d agreed you’d send me a selfie whenever you blush
Stede🫂: We did no such thing Edward! I know you think if you keep saying it you’ll wear me down eventually and get me to agree 😂
Ed: I’m not prepared to give up yet
Ed: I’m a very patient man
Ed: oh
Ed: shit
Ed: a patient person I mean
Ed: this is gonna take some getting used to even for me, isn’t it?
Stede🫂: Yeah. I think it might.
Stede🫂: Anyway, you are not a patient person!!!!!
Ed: I am!
Ed: I’m not very good at waiting when I’m waiting for something specific
Ed: like you taking 3 hours to fetch a pizza
Ed: but I am patient for longer term things
Stede🫂: It wasn’t three hours Ed! 😂
Ed: felt like it
Ed: but I suppose I knew I wanted to talk to you, and I was getting a bit anxious about it
Stede🫂: 🫂🫂🫂
Stede🫂: Are you going to read it?
Ed: yeah
Ed: I think that’s a good idea
Ed: I love that fic
Stede🫂: You’ll love the new chapter. Will you text me when you’re done?
Ed: of course
Ed: what are you gonna do?
Stede🫂: Well I daren’t disturb Lucius if he’s still on his call. I brought a few books. Might start on one of them.
Ed: are you ok though?
Stede🫂: Yeah. I’m okay.
Ed: alright
Ed: I’ll text you in a bit then
Ed: 😘
Stede🫂: 😘
Day 1,811 - Tuesday 30th May 2028 evening - the time it takes to read a new chapter of a fic later
Ed: oh my god
Ed: that was so good
Stede🫂: Wasn’t it?
Ed: yeah
Ed: I can’t believe the fandom is still going strong all these years later
Ed: people are still producing such amazing works
Stede🫂: I know. It’s astonishing. I couldn’t even begin to count how many times I’ve read about those two idiots falling in love, and I still don’t think I’ll ever have had enough.
Ed: I know what you mean
Stede🫂: How are you feeling now?
Ed: more settled
Stede🫂: I’m so pleased to hear that Ed.
Ed: how are you?
Stede🫂: I’m alright. Still processing things.
Ed: Stede?
Stede: Yeah?
Ed: what do you think my mum will say?
Stede🫂: Gosh. I really don’t know. Do you want to tell her?
Ed: yeah
Ed: I think so
Ed: I just don’t know if she’ll understand it
Stede🫂: Well maybe she doesn’t need to fully understand it. Maybe she just needs to know how you feel and how she can support you.
Stede🫂: I’m not sure I fully understand it if I’m honest. But I’m going to try my best to. And I want to learn how to support you fully.
Ed: you don’t need to learn anything
Ed: you already support me
Stede🫂: Well I don’t know much about gender identity. And maybe your mum won’t understand it, but surely she’ll try?
Ed: I hope she would
Ed: when I came out as gay she said she was disappointed in me
Ed: that was really hard
Ed: our relationship was really rocky for a long time
Ed: and I lost a lot of time with her because of Jack
Ed: I suppose I’m really scared that might happen again
Ed: I’m so happy we get on so well again and I can’t bear the thought of not having her in my life
Stede🫂: Yeah. You don’t want to rock the boat. But I know she loves you so much. And she’s glad to have you in her life as well. I don’t want to influence your decision, but I can’t see her being anything other than supportive.
Ed: I hope so
Ed: I just feel like it’s a risk I don’t know if I’m willing to take
Stede🫂: Well you don’t have to decide anything right now. And I’ll support you however you need with that.
Ed: I think I’d like you to be there when I do decide to tell her
Ed: I swear she loves you more than she loves me
Stede🫂: Don’t be silly Ed! We just have a lot in common.
Stede🫂: She loves you. I think she’ll be okay about it. But if you’re not ready to think about that yet, then that’s totally understandable.
Ed: I think I want to try out the pronouns at home and see how I feel before I make any more decisions
Stede🫂: That makes sense. Although I don’t speak about you in the third person when it’s just the two of us. I’d have to be speaking to someone else to do that.
Ed: oh
Ed: fuck
Ed: I hadn’t thought of that
Ed: shit
Stede🫂: I mean I’m happy to do it. I’d have to talk about you to myself within your earshot. Which does actually sound like a lovely thing to do! So I will do that if you think it will help.
Ed: 😂
Ed: that does sound a little weird
Stede🫂: Oh!! I know!
Stede🫂: I can talk to the pizza slice plushie about you!!!! 😁😁😁
Ed: oh my god
Ed: you actually would do that, wouldn’t you?
Stede🫂: Yes!!! In fact, I’m going to start practising doing it straight away!
Ed: 😂
Ed: you lunatic!
Ed: I love that you would do that for me beautiful man
Stede🫂: I really love the idea for myself. I love talking about you 🥰
Ed: I love you so much Stede
Stede🫂: I love you too sweet man ❤️
Ed: ❤️
Ed: maybe I need to tell some other people
Stede🫂: Only when you’re ready.
Ed: I think I’m ready to tell Jim
Stede🫂: Well that’s good.
Ed: maybe I’ll text them tomorrow
Stede🫂: Okay.
Ed: I’m really tired beautiful man
Ed: is it alright if we reconvene tomorrow night to exchange sexy texts?
Stede🫂: Of course it is. You should get some rest. You’ve got a big day tomorrow. I hope you sleep well sweet man 😘
Ed: thanks beautiful
Ed: I hope you sleep well too
Ed: until tomorrow, then
Stede🫂: Until tomorrow 🥰
Ed: 😘😘😘
Stede: 😘😘😘
Day 1,812 - Wednesday 31st May 2028 early evening
Stede🫂: Hey sweet man. I hope you’ve had a good day. Just wanted to let you know I have the caravan to myself if you still want to exchange sexy texts tonight 😜
Stede🫂: Fang has driven up and Lucius has gone to meet him for a few hours.
Stede🫂: Ed?
Day 1,812 - Wednesday 31st May 2028 evening
Stede🫂: Is everything okay Ed? I tried calling you.
Stede🫂: Ed? Please answer me. I’m getting really worried about you.
Day 1,812 - Wednesday 31st May 2028 evening
Stede: Hope you and Fang are having a good night.
Lucius Spriggs: Yes we are, thanks! We’re in a little place in the village.
Lucius Spriggs: Are you alright? Shouldn’t you be texting Ed?
Lucius Spriggs: Stede? Is everything alright?
Stede: I don’t actually know.
Lucius Spriggs: What do you mean? Has something happened?
Stede: I haven’t heard from Ed.
Lucius Spriggs: Shit. I thought you’d planned a text date?
Stede: We had. I’ve texted but Ed hasn’t texted me back. I’m not sure what to do.
Lucius Spriggs: That’s not like him, is it?
Stede: No. I tried calling but got no answer either.
Lucius Spriggs: Do you want us to come back to the caravan?
Stede: No, I don’t want to spoil your date night. I just don’t know what to do.
Lucius Spriggs: We can come back if you need us.
Stede: I appreciate that. Maybe Ed’s just delayed, or caught up doing something else.
Lucius Spriggs: Well what about if you give it half an hour and if you still haven’t heard from him by then, let me know and we’ll come back. I don’t like the idea of you being alone if you’re worried.
Stede: I want to say no because I don’t want to ruin your night, but I would really appreciate that.
Stede: It’s so unlike Ed to do something like this, especially when it was Ed’s suggestion. Ed’s usually so reliable.
Lucius Spriggs: Why are you texting like that?
Stede: Like what?
Lucius Spriggs: Saying Ed so much.
Stede: Oh. I didn’t realise I was. Sorry.
Lucius Spriggs: I’ll text you in half an hour to see what’s going on.
Stede: Thank you Lucius. I’ll let you know if Ed gets in contact in the meantime.
Lucius Spriggs: Okay. And if you feel like you’re worrying too much, you can text or call before then, okay?
Stede: Okay. Thank you.
Day 1,812 - Wednesday 31st May 2028 evening
Stede🫂: Please Ed? I’m so worried. I don’t know how else to reach you.
Stede🫂: I called your hotel but they said there was no answer when they called your room.
Stede🫂: I think I might have put my foot in it with Lucius. I couldn’t use any pronouns when I was messaging him to say I didn’t know where you were and he noticed. I’m really sorry, Ed. But I didn’t know what to do because I can’t get hold of you.
Stede🫂: Please just let me know you’re okay.
Day 1,812 - Wednesday 31st May 2028 late evening
Lucius Spriggs: Any news?
Stede: No. Still nothing. I’m so worried.
Lucius Spriggs: Okay. We’re gonna come back. Just so you know, neither of us have had anything to drink because we knew we were coming back to the caravan where you are. So you don’t need to worry about that.
Stede: 🥹 Oh Lucius. I don’t know what to say. Thank you.
Stede: I’m very emotional.
Lucius Spriggs: I know. We’ll be there in about 20 minutes.
Stede: I’m so sorry I’ve ruined your evening.
Lucius Spriggs: You don’t need to be. Do you want to keep texting while we’re on our way? Take your mind off things?
Stede: Maybe. If you don’t mind?
Lucius Spriggs: Of course not. Fang’s driving.
Lucius Spriggs: Guess who I saw as I was waiting for the cab to pick me up earlier?
Stede: Who?
Lucius Spriggs: Nigel’s secret twin brother!!!
Stede: Oh god! Where??
Lucius Spriggs: On the caravan site!
Stede: Oh shit! Do you think he’s staying here?
Lucius Spriggs: Why else would he be there?
Stede: I still can’t get over how exactly like Nigel he looks.
Lucius Spriggs: I still think it is him. Changed his name because he’s up to something. Maybe he’s having an affair with that woman he was with.
Stede: Shit. Maybe. But he had a full head of hair when I last saw him. He can’t have lost all of it that quickly, can he?
Lucius Spriggs: I don’t know. I’ll ask Pete.
Stede: He didn’t seem to show any recognition of me when we saw him yesterday. But then maybe he wouldn’t remember me.
Lucius Spriggs: You remember him.
Stede: Yeah, but that’s because I inadvertently went on a date with him. That was quite a memorable experience.
Lucius Spriggs: 😂😂😂 It’s still one of the most Stede Bonnet things anyone’s ever done!
Stede: I know! I’d only ever been asked on one date before that, by Ed, and I never expected anyone to be interested in me at all.
Lucius Spriggs: I think he’d remember you, Stede. You’re very memorable. So either it’s not him, or he’s a very good actor.
Stede: I don’t know. He looks so much like him. He even sounded like him.
Lucius Spriggs: We need to do some investigating.
Lucius Spriggs: We’re about 5 minutes away but we’re just gonna stop to pick up some snacks. Anything in particular you want?
Stede: I don’t think I could eat anything. I’m too worried.
Lucius Spriggs: Alright. I’ll pick up a few bits in case you do want anything later.
Stede: You’re such a good friend Lucius.
Lucius Spriggs: See you in a few minutes.
Day 1,812 - Wednesday 31st May 2028 night
Ed: oh my fucking god
Ed: Stede
Ed: I’m so fucking sorry
Ed: I totally lost track of time
Ed: shall I call you?
Stede😨: Ed!!!! Thank god!! Are you okay??
Ed: I’m fine
Ed: I’m so sorry I worried you so much
Ed: are you ok?
Stede😨: I’m okay. Lucius and Fang are here.
Ed: Fang’s there?
Stede😨: Yeah. He drove up to meet Lucius to take him out so we could have our text date. Then they came back early because I was panicking.
Ed: fuck
Ed: shit
Ed: Stede I’m so fucking sorry
Ed: I forgot all about it
Ed: do you want me to call?
Stede😨: No, it’s okay.
Ed: I’m so sorry beautiful man
Stede😨: What happened? I called your hotel but you weren’t there.
Ed: no
Ed: I got chatting to some of the other musicians
Ed: and it turns out 2 of them are non-binary
Ed: they invited me to go out for a drink with them
Ed: so we went to a pub after we finished working
Ed: and my phone was in the bottom of my bag
Ed: I was just gonna have 1 lemonade
Ed: but it was so good to talk to some people who get it, you know?
Ed: and I totally lost track of time
Stede😨: Oh.
Ed: I am so so sorry
Stede😨: It’s okay.
Ed: no it’s not
Ed: I really worried you, didn’t I?
Stede😨: I’m okay now I know you’re safe. I’m always going to worry about you in a strange place.
Ed: I know beautiful man
Stede😨: You had a good time then?
Ed: yeah
Ed: I really did
Stede😨: Do you want to tell me more about it?
Ed: they both just totally got me
Ed: knew exactly what I’ve been feeling
Ed: it was so good to just be seen like that
Ed: they both used the right pronouns for me straight off
Ed: it felt so right
Ed: like I could finally be my true self at last
Stede😨: That’s so good.
Day 1,812 - Wednesday 31st May 2028 night
Lucius: Where the hell have you been? Stede’s been so fucking worried.
Ed: shit
Ed: I was out with some other musicians
Lucius: He thought you had a date planned.
Ed: yeah we did
Ed: I totally lost track of time
Lucius: He’s really upset
Ed: shit
Ed: I think he’s downplaying it to me
Ed: how bad?
Lucius: Tears and snot. Like a lot of tears. He even let Fang hug him.
Ed: oh fuck
Lucius: I don’t mind cancelling my plans for Stede. He’s my best friend. But we all could have been saved a lot of stress if you’d just let him know.
Ed: I know
Ed: I’m really sorry
Ed: I’ve just had a lot on my mind
Ed: thank you for looking out for him
Lucius: I’ll always look out for him.
Ed: I know you will
Ed: tell Fang I’ll call him tomorrow to apologise properly
Lucius: Okay.
Day 1,812 - Wednesday 31st May 2028 night
Stede😨: I’m so sorry I can’t give you that.
Ed: no Stede
Ed: don’t say that
Ed: you give me everything I could ever need
Ed: please believe me
Ed: Lucius just messaged me to say you’re really upset
Stede😨: I’m okay.
Ed: I don’t believe you
Stede😨: I’m fine.
Ed: where are you?
Stede😨: In my room.
Ed: where specifically?
Stede😨: In bed.
Ed: under the covers?
Stede😨: Yes.
Ed: are you crying?
Ed: Stede?
Ed: please tell me
Ed: I’m such a dick
Stede😨: You’re not a dick. Life’s a dick.
Ed: please tell me if you’re crying
Stede😨: A bit.
Ed: fuck
Ed: a bit or a lot?
Ed: Stede!
Stede😨: A lot then.
Ed: I’m so sorry I’ve been so self-absorbed
Stede😭: It’s okay, Ed. You’ve got a lot on your mind.
Ed: no it’s not ok
Stede😭: I understand you’d want to be around other people who understand you. I’m really happy you found that.
Ed: it was great but it doesn’t mean I don’t want to be around you Stede
Ed: you’re my husband and I love you more than anything
Ed: I always want to be around you
Stede😭: I think I know that really. I just feel like I’m no use to you right now. I wish I could help you, but all I’ve got is talking to a stuffed pizza slice about you. I’m sorry I can’t give you more, Ed.
Ed: don’t say sorry!
Ed: you have nothing to be sorry about!
Ed: you give me everything
Ed: honestly you’ve given me more than anyone ever has
Ed: I couldn’t ask for anything more from you
Ed: and you’ve been so supportive with this already
Ed: why do you think you were the first person I wanted to tell?
Stede😭: Oh.
Ed: I know this is all new to you
Stede😭: It’s new to you as well.
Ed: yeah but not in the same way
Stede😭: I promise I’ll try my best for you my sweet love
Ed: I know you will beautiful man
Ed: you don’t need to promise that
Ed: I know it
Ed: are you still crying?
Stede😭: A bit.
Ed: can you say why?
Stede😭: I don’t know. I feel like I’m not going to be enough for you anymore.
Ed: oh Stede
Ed: tell me what we are
Ed: come on
Ed: tell me what we are together
Ed: I know you remember it even when you’re upset
Stede😭: Of course I remember.
Stede😭: Strong as a bull.
Ed: we are
Stede😭: Sturdy as a rock.
Ed: yes
Stede: A force to be reckoned with.
Ed: 🥰
Ed: and the last one?
Stede😭: A match made in heaven.
Ed: a fucking match made in heaven beautiful man
Ed: don’t ever forget that
Ed: you are everything to me Stede
Ed: tell me you know that
Stede😭: I do. I do know that. And you’re everything to me.
Ed: I’m really sorry I made us miss out on exchanging sexy texts
Ed: maybe we could try again another night?
Stede😭: I can’t ask Lucius to vacate the premises a second time.
Ed: oh
Ed: yeah that’s fair
Ed: shit
Stede😭: Will you tell me about your day?
Ed: I will but I’d like to hear about yours first please
Stede😭: Oh. Okay. Really?
Ed: of course
Stede😭: Well I made breakfast for me and Lucius this morning, and then we went to the beach so he could get some photos. It’s been sunny for most of the day so Lucius wanted to make the most of it.
Ed: you made breakfast?!
Ed: I’m so proud of you!
Ed: what did you make?
Stede😭: I could have worded that better. I made toast and tea. Actually, Lucius made the tea while I made the toast. So I put some bread in the toaster.
Ed: that’s still breakfast
Stede😭: It’s not like one of your breakfasts though is it?
Ed: you don’t need to have an elaborate breakfast every morning beautiful man
Ed: anyway you are getting very good at scrambled eggs now
Stede😭: Yes. It’s only taken nearly two years of practice to not burn them 60% of the time.
Ed: hey, come on
Ed: you’re focusing on the negatives
Stede😭: Yeah. I am. Sorry. I’m just not feeling my best.
Ed: I know
Ed: what else did you do?
Stede🥺: Went in some shops. I got a bath bomb I thought we could use at the weekend.
Ed: ooh nice
Stede🥺: I saw a really nice t-shirt that would have looked perfect on you.
Ed: did you get it?
Stede🥺: No. I didn’t know if you’d want it now. If it’s the kind of thing you’d want to wear.
Ed: oh beautiful man
Ed: listen
Ed: I love it when you buy me clothes
Ed: because you always pick stuff I feel like myself in
Ed: like that shirt with the billowy sleeves
Stede🥺: Oh you look ravishing in that my sweet love
Ed: I fucking love it
Ed: I love everything you’ve bought me
Ed: and maybe I might choose some different stuff for myself in the future
Ed: but I still want you to buy me the stuff you want to buy
Ed: because you pick things I might not always spot
Ed: and so far I've loved every single one
Ed: and I always feel like myself in whatever you get me
Ed: it makes me feel really special
Stede🥺: You are special my sweet love. You deserve fine things.
Ed: you're so brilliant Stede
Stede🥺: Okay. I’ll keep doing it then. If you’re sure. But you can tell me if I pick anything in a style you don’t like.
Ed: I will
Ed: I promise
Ed: you know me better than anyone ever has
Ed: I don’t think you’ll pick anything I won’t like
Stede🥺: Okay. Maybe I’ll go back tomorrow and get it then.
Ed: 🥰
Ed: I picked up something for you on my way out tonight
Stede🥺: Oh?
Ed: do you want to know, or do you want it to be a surprise?
Stede🥺: Was it from the adult shop?
Ed: 😂 no
Ed: I haven’t had a chance to go in there yet
Ed: but I will
Stede🥺: Tell me.
Ed: it’s a set of 10 Observer’s books
Ed: the person in the shop said she thought you’d really like them when I told her about your library
Stede🥺: Oh my god!! Seriously??
Ed: yeah
Ed: is that ok?
Stede🥺: That’s amazing, my sweet love! Thank you so much! You’re so thoughtful!
Ed: I kind of feel that’s not warranted today given how thoughtless I’ve been
Stede🥺: It’s okay, Ed. I know you didn’t do it on purpose. It’s really okay.
Ed: did you get anything for yourself?
Stede🥺: I might have done 😇
Ed: what did you get??
Stede🥺: Are you sitting down?
Ed: I’m laying on my bed
Ed: why???
Stede🥺: Brace yourself!
Ed: what the hell did you buy?
Stede🥺: I bought myself…
Stede🥺: 🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁
Stede🥺: A hoodie!!!!!!!!
Ed: oh my fucking god!!
Ed: you actually bought your own one after all this time of stealing mine??
Stede🥺: Yes!
Ed: what’s it like?
Stede🥺: It’s purple and it’s got a cowl neck and it’s so soft and cosy. It reminded me of you, and when I tried it on it felt like being wrapped in your arms. I suppose I was just missing you. I just had to have it. I’m wearing it now.
Ed: oh god that sounds amazing!
Ed: can you send a photo?
Stede🥺: Alright, but don’t look at my puffy face.
Stede🥺: Attachment: 1 image
Ed: 👀👀👀
Ed: UGH MY CUTENESS AGGRESSION HAS BEEN ACTIVATED AND I JUST WANT TO EAT YOU!!!!!!
Stede🥺: 😂😂😂 You silly goose!
Ed: 😂
Ed: seriously though, I fucking love it
Ed: but I hope you’re still gonna keep stealing mine
Stede🥺: Of course I am, sweet love! It’s so much better wearing yours than my own.
Ed: you could always give me that one, then steal it back
Stede🥺: Oh that is a tremendous idea!
Stede🥺: Ed, I’ve got you a gift. I’ll send you a photo of it.
Stede🥺: Attachment: 1 image
Ed: 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Ed: you could have taken a new picture
Ed: make a bit of effort to convince me
Stede🥺: Is it alright if I borrow it for tonight?
Ed: of course it is beautiful man
Stede🥺: Oh you were so right! It feels so much better already 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Ed: oh my god I love you so fucking much Stede!
Stede🥰: I love you too Ed 😘
Stede🥰: I’m starting to get sleepy, and you must be exhausted too. Will you tell me what you’ve got planned for tomorrow before we say goodnight?
Ed: I’m in the studio all day
Ed: I’m doing the mandolin parts in the morning and more piano in the afternoon
Stede🥰: That sounds cool
Ed: I’m going to do my hair differently for tomorrow
Stede🥰: Oh?
Ed: yeah
Ed: it’s an updo
Ed: one of the people I went out with did it for me and I really like it
Ed: they showed me how to do it
Stede🥰: Do you still have it in now?
Ed: yeah
Stede🥰: Can I see?
Ed: you want to?
Stede🥰: Of course I do.
Ed: ok
Ed: Attachment: 1 image
Ed: Stede?
Ed: are you alright?
Stede🥰: Fuck.
Ed: do you hate it?
Stede🥰: No! No I absolutely don’t.
Stede🥰: I hope this is okay to say, and please tell me if it isn’t, but you look so pretty. And your smile! You look so at ease 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Ed: 😳😳😳😳😳
Stede🥰: I’m crying again.
Ed: oh no Stede
Ed: why??
Stede😭: Because you just look so much like yourself. Like you’re totally at ease in your own skin. It’s so unbelievably wonderful to see Ed.
Stede😭: If it’s okay with you I’m going to change your contact photo on my phone for that one.
Ed: of course it’s ok
Stede😭: I feel like I’m falling in love with yet another part of you. I’m so proud of you my sweet love ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Ed: shit
Ed: now I’m crying
Ed: 😭😭😭
Stede😭: Is it okay I said you look pretty?
Ed: I really liked it
Stede😭: 🥹🥹🥹
Stede😭: Are you okay?
Ed: can you guess how I’m feeling
Stede😭: Tumble dried?
Ed: tumble dried
Ed: 😂
Stede😭: Me too, sweet love.
Ed: I’m so lucky to have you as my husband
Stede🧺: And I’m lucky you’re my spouse 🥰
Ed: fuck Stede
Ed: that gave me tingles
Stede🧺: What did?
Ed: you calling me your spouse without me even asking you to
Ed: and you keep calling me sweet love instead of sweet man
Ed: you said silly goose instead of silly man
Ed: shit Stede
Ed: what the hell did I do to deserve you?!
Ed: how could you ever think you’re not supporting me?
Stede🧺: Is it alright I’ve been saying sweet love? I know you said you like sweet man, but I wondered if you want to hang on to it because of its history and not because you like the words. I wanted to give you the chance to try a new version so you could decide. But if you don’t want me to do things like that then I won’t in future.
Ed: I thought I wanted to keep it, but I think you’re right
Ed: I just wanted the history of it
Ed: I really like sweet love
Stede🧺: 🥰🥰🥰 Do you want me to stick with that then?
Ed: yeah
Ed: I’d love that
Ed: thank you beautiful man
Ed: you’ve made me feel so comfortable and like it’s alright to just be me
Ed: you’ve just accepted it
Stede🧺: It is okay to be you. Of course it is. And I’ve barely done anything.
Ed: it’s scary to be myself
Ed: and you have done so much
Ed: maybe they’re only little things like words, but it shows how much you get it
Ed: I’m so fucking lucky Stede
Stede🥰: I’m the lucky one.
Ed: I better let you get some some sleep beautiful man
Stede🥰: You need sleep too sweet love.
Ed: can we reconvene tomorrow after your meeting?
Stede🥰: Yes. But if you want to spend time with your new friends then you should absolutely do that. I’ll still be here, but you’ll only see them for a couple more days. So I think you should prioritise that. Maybe we could reconvene for some bedtime messages, but if you’re free earlier we could chat then?
Ed: are you sure you wouldn’t mind that?
Stede🥰: Of course not. I want you to do what makes you happy, and finding out about yourself is clearly making you happy. Please just let me know what you’re doing so I won’t worry.
Ed: I will
Ed: I promise
Ed: I’m sorry about today
Ed: I really am
Stede🥰: It’s okay sweet love.
Stede🥰: I hope you sleep well
Ed: you too beautiful man
Stede🥰: 😘
Ed: 😘
Stede🥰: ❤️
Ed: ❤️
Day 1,813 - Thursday 1st June 2028 early afternoon
Ed: hey
Ed: I’m gonna go out again after work but I shouldn’t be too late back
Stede🥰: Okay sweet love. Do you want to message me when you get back then? However late it is.
Ed: yeah ok
Ed: I’ve gotta go
Ed: chat later beautiful man!
Stede🥰: Love you! ❤️
Ed: love you too! ❤️
Day 1,813 - Thursday 1st June 2028 late afternoon
Lucius Spriggs: Okay, I can see him from here. Can you?
Stede: Yes! He’s back on the main track. Fang, he’s heading towards you.
Kevin Fang: Oh I see him! He looks like he’s in a rush.
Lucius Spriggs: Alright. Standby. I’m gonna do it now.
Stede: Oh my god!!
Kevin Fang: Shit! Maybe it is him!
Lucius Spriggs: Maybe it was a coincidence. Let me try it again.
Kevin Fang: There’s no mistaking it.
Stede: None at all. Why would you respond like that to someone shouting the name Nigel if your name wasn’t Nigel?
Lucius Spriggs: It’s him! It’s got to be!
Lucius Spriggs: Pete said it’s possible he lost his hair that quickly. Could also be for reasons other than male pattern baldness.
Stede: Why is he calling himself Chauncey?!
Lucius Spriggs: I don’t know. But I really want to know!
Lucius Spriggs: You don’t still have his number do you Stede?
Stede: No. I blocked him.
Lucius Spriggs: But did you ever actually delete his number?
Stede: Oh. No! I don’t think I ever did! Hang on!
Stede: I’ve still got it!
Lucius Spriggs: Ha! Can you send me it?
Stede: Attachment: Contact card.
Stede: What are you going to do?
Lucius Spriggs: I’m going to text him. You two keep watching him and see what he does.
Kevin Fang: 🫡
Stede: 🫡
Day 1,813 - Thursday 1st June 2028 late afternoon
Lucius: Hi! Is this Nigel?
Nigel: Yes. Who’s this?
Day 1,813 - Thursday 1st June 2028 late afternoon
Lucius Spriggs: He texted back!
Stede: Fuck! It can’t be him, he hasn’t left my sight and he didn’t touch his phone.
Lucius Spriggs: What????
Kevin Fang: Why did he respond like that when you shouted Nigel then?
Lucius Spriggs: I am so fucking confused!
Stede: Me too!
Stede: Maybe he really does have a secret twin!
Lucius Spriggs: Hang on, I’ve got an idea.
Day 1,813 - Thursday 1st June 2028 late afternoon
Lucius: Hi Nigel. You don’t know me, but I’m trying to get hold of Chauncey. Any chance you could send me his number?
Nigel: Who is this?
Lucius: It’s Lucy. He told me he’s told you about me. And he’s told me all about you.
Nigel: Did he? How did you get my number?
Lucius: Chauncey gave me it. He must have got your numbers mixed up.
Nigel: You asked if it’s my number. Why would you have thought it was my number if Chauncey gave you it thinking it was his?
Nigel: Who the hell are you? What the hell is going on?
Day 1,813 - Thursday 1st June 2028 late afternoon
Kevin Fang: Oh, he’s answering his phone.
Stede: He doesn’t look very happy.
Stede: Lucius, what have you done?!
Lucius Spriggs: Nothing… 😇
Stede: He’s shouting!
Lucius Spriggs: Well that’s confirmed that they definitely know each other.
Stede: God. They have to be twins! There’s no other explanation!
Kevin Fang: What are the fucking chances?!
Stede: I know! How random!
Stede: At least I know I’m not going mad.
Lucius Spriggs: Shall we follow him? See where he goes?
Stede: What, stalk the man? I don’t think so! We know who he is now, so our mission is accomplished.
Lucius Spriggs: Ohhhh. Spoil sport. 🙄
Lucius Spriggs: Fang and I are going to take a walk along the beach. Did you want to join us Stede?
Stede: Be the third wheel you mean? No, you boys go and have fun. I know it won’t make up for spoiling your date last night, but you should have some alone time.
Lucius Spriggs: Are you sure?
Stede: I’m sure. I’ve got my meeting a bit later anyway. So you can have the caravan to yourselves for a bit if you want.
Lucius Spriggs: Okay. Will you be alright?
Stede: Of course. I’ve got plenty of fanfic to read 😀
Lucius Spriggs: Are things with you and Ed okay now?
Stede: Yes. They weren’t not okay last night. Ed just got sidetracked.
Lucius Spriggs: Alright. I know there’s something going on, but I’m not going to push. I’m sure you’ll tell me when you’re ready.
Stede: What makes you say that???
Lucius Spriggs: Just little things. But as I said, I’m not going to push.
Stede: Thank you Lucius.
Lucius Spriggs: We’ll see you later then!
Stede: Have fun!
Day 1,813 - Thursday 1st June 2028 early evening
Ed added you to the group chat
Ed added Archie to the group chat
Ed: hey you two
Jim: 👀
Jim: Well this is a surprise, Teddy. A new group chat?
Archie: hey
Archie: what’s going on?
Ed: ha!
Ed: yeah
Ed: a new group chat
Jim: Just for us 3.
Ed: yep
Ed: just the 3 of us
Ed: the cool kids
Archie: too fucking right!
Jim: Any particular reason?
Ed: are you both busy?
Archie: I’m not
Jim: I’m not busy. What I am is intrigued.
Ed: good
Ed: that’s good
Ed: really good
Jim: What’s up Ed? Something going on?
Ed: um
Ed: kind of
Ed: yeah
Ed: something’s going on
Archie: you alright?
Ed: yeah
Ed: I’m alright
Jim: You don’t seem alright, man.
Ed: I’m nervous
Jim: Shit. Something serious then?
Ed: yeah
Jim: Ok. Take your time.
Ed: yeah
Ed: ok
Ed: so I kinda told Stede I’m non-binary
Jim: OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹
Archie: fuck yeah!!!!!!!!
Jim: That’s amazing news Ed!! So happy for you!
Ed: thanks
Jim: How are you feeling about it?
Ed: about telling Stede or being non-binary?
Jim: Both. Either.
Ed: I’m so happy I told Stede
Ed: he’s been so awesome
Jim: Never would have doubted that.
Ed: he’s done so many little things that are so thoughtful, you know?
Archie: isn’t he away with Lucius?
Ed: yeah
Ed: even from there he’s been great
Jim: That’s brilliant.
Ed: I haven’t told anyone else apart from 2 people I’m working with at the moment who are also non-binary
Ed: they’ve been really helpful and supportive
Jim: That’s great. You gonna tell other people though?
Ed: yeah eventually
Archie: what pronouns are you using now?
Ed: they/them
Ed: but only Stede and you two know that
Archie: 🫡 understood
Ed: kinda wanna get my own head round it before I tell more people
Ed: I’m sure people will wanna ask me questions and I need to know how to answer them
Jim: There will definitely be questions. We’re always here to help you with any of that stuff.
Archie: are you gonna change your name?
Ed: I haven’t really thought about that to be honest
Ed: I suppose it would be nice to have a gender neutral name
Ed: but I don’t think I’m ready for a big step like that yet
Archie: you could always go by Eddie
Archie: that’s a gender neutral name
Ed: fuck
Ed: you’re right
Ed: never thought of that
Ed: fuck
Jim: Want us to try it out for you?
Ed: maybe
Ed: yeah
Ed: Mum used to call me Eddie when I was little
Jim: Cute!
Archie: we can call you Eddie and you can see how it feels now
Ed: yeah
Ed: ok
Ed: good idea
Jim: So Eddie, you’re on a job right now, aren’t you?
Eddie: yeah
Eddie: in Manchester
Eddie: finishes tomorrow
Jim: Do you wanna get together at the weekend?
Eddie: not this weekend
Eddie: I want to spend it alone with Stede
Jim: Ohhhh okay. That’s enough information about that, Eddie!
Archie: 🙉
Eddie: 😂😂😂
Eddie: well I haven’t seen him all week
Eddie: and he called me pretty yesterday when I showed him a new updo I’d done
Archie: shiiiiiiit
Jim: How did that feel when he said that?
Eddie: oh god
Eddie: I don’t even know how to describe it
Eddie: it was really fucking nice
Jim: 😆😆😆😆😆😆😆 Fuck yeah! Gender euphoria!!!!
Eddie: yeah!!
Jim: What about during the week then?
Eddie: yeah that would be good
Eddie: give me time to work out if I have any questions
Jim: Just you? Or you and Stede?
Eddie: I dunno
Eddie: I really wanna involve him
Eddie: but I also have questions and things I wanna talk about that I’m not quite able to explain yet
Eddie: and I don’t wanna confuse things for him, you know?
Eddie: I don’t want him to feel left out
Eddie: this is all new for him
Eddie: he needs support as well
Jim: Yeah I know exactly what you mean.
Jim: Well how about if you and me get together first, and then when you’re ready, you, me, Archie and Stede can have a meet up.
Eddie: that’s a great idea
Eddie: you could both come round the weekend after
Eddie: I’ll cook
Archie: I am definitely up for that
Jim: Me too!
Eddie: great
Eddie: thanks you guys
Jim: You can text or call anytime if you wanna talk about anything specific or you have questions, Eddie.
Eddie: thanks Jim
Eddie: really appreciate it
Eddie: I’m gonna go and get some food, then I’m going out with the two non-binary musicians I met again
Eddie: they’ve been brilliant too
Archie: awesome!
Jim: That’s great. Have a good night Eddie!
Archie: yeah, have fun Eddie!
Eddie: 😀
Day 1,813 - Thursday 1st June 2028 night
💛🤍Sweet Love💜🖤: hey beautiful man
💛🤍Sweet Love💜🖤: are you back from your meeting yet?
Stede: Yes! I’ve been back for a little while. How’s your day been?
💛🤍Sweet Love💜🖤: oh it’s been really good
💛🤍Sweet Love💜🖤: the session went great
💛🤍Sweet Love💜🖤: I’m pretty sure the musical director is gonna offer me more work
Stede: That’s wonderful news!
Stede: In Manchester?
💛🤍Sweet Love💜🖤: London hopefully
Stede: I’m so proud of you!
Stede: So I have some fascinating news for you!
💛🤍Sweet Love💜🖤: 👀
💛🤍Sweet Love💜🖤: tell me!
Stede: So you know the guy who looks just like Nigel?
💛🤍Sweet Love💜🖤: his secret twin?! 😂
Stede: Yeah. Well it turns out he’s his secret twin!
💛🤍Sweet Love💜🖤: what??????
💛🤍Sweet Love💜🖤: no fucking way!!!!
💛🤍Sweet Love💜🖤: he really has a secret twin???
Stede: Yes!! 😂😂😂😂
💛🤍Sweet Love💜🖤: fucking hell!
💛🤍Sweet Love💜🖤: that’s nuts!
Stede: I know! 😂
💛🤍Sweet Love💜🖤: I spoke to Jim and Archie earlier
Stede: Yeah? How did that go?
💛🤍Sweet Love💜🖤: they were both really positive
💛🤍Sweet Love💜🖤: actually Archie asked me whether I’m intending to change my name
Stede: Oh. Do you want to tell me what you said?
💛🤍Sweet Love💜🖤: she said that Eddie is a gender neutral name
💛🤍Sweet Love💜🖤: and I dunno why I haven’t thought of that before
Stede: Oh yeah!
💛🤍Sweet Love💜🖤: they were both calling me that to see how it felt
Stede: And how did it feel?
💛🤍Sweet Love💜🖤: really good actually
💛🤍Sweet Love💜🖤: so I was gonna ask you if you would call me that too
💛🤍Sweet Love💜🖤: see how it feels
Stede: Of course I will! I think it’s cute and it really suits you!
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: thank you beautiful man 😀
Stede: I’ve been talking to my pizza slice about you
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: I love you so much!
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: what did you tell it?
Stede: How amazing you are and how much I love you.
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: 🥹🥹🥹
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: and what did it say to that?
Stede: Not a lot, but I could tell it agreed with me.
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: how could you tell?
Stede: I spend a lot of time around pizza. Suppose it’s just intuition.
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: 😂😂😂
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: you're a nut!
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: how was your meeting?
Stede: Okay I guess.
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: oh
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: not what you were hoping?
Stede: Well it’s never quite the same when I go to a new one. Always glad I go, but I like my usual one.
Stede: I called Jackie after it.
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: everything alright?
Stede: Yes. I just felt a little dissatisfied with the meeting.
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: did you tell her about me?
Stede: No.
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: because you didn’t want to, or because I’m not ready to tell more people?
Stede: Because you’re not ready.
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: Stede, you can tell Jackie
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: I want you to have the support you need
Stede: Are you sure?
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: yes
Stede: Thank you Eddie ❤️
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: oh that gave my butterflies in my tummy!!!!!!! 🦋
Stede: 😍😍😍😍😍
Stede: What do you think it will be like when you hear it for real? Not just over text?
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: fuck
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: I hadn’t thought about that
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: might need to make sure I’m sitting down before you say it the first time 😂
Stede: I’m so excited to see you tomorrow my sweet love 😍
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: I can’t wait to see you either beautiful man! 😘
Stede: Oh I went back to that shop and got that t-shirt I told you about.
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: 😊😊😊
Stede: Did you go to the adult shop in the end?
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: I did, but I feel a bit unsure about what I got
Stede: How come?
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: well it’s not really for both of us
Stede: Oh??
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: it’s something for me to wear
Stede: 👀👀👀
Stede: Can I see?
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: I’m really nervous to show you
Stede: Why?
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: well it’s not something I’ve ever worn before or even mentioned I might be interested in
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: you might think I’ll look ridiculous in it
Stede: I don’t think I will. You are gorgeous whatever you’re wearing.
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: 🥹
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: will you promise to tell me what you really think?
Stede: Of course I will.
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: even if you don’t like it?
Stede: I promise.
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: ok
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: Attachment: 1 image
Stede: Fuck.
Stede: Shit.
Stede: Jesus fucking Christ, Eddie.
Stede: 😵🫨🤯😲😍🫠🤤🤪🥴🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵💦
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: is that… good?
Stede: I will tell you now that I will not last long at all if you wear that!!!!! 🥵🥵🥵
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: 😳
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: really?
Stede: Yes, really. Fucking hell.
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: oh
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: well
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: I don’t know what to say
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: you don’t think it’s too feminine?
Stede: If you want to wear it, then it’s perfect.
Stede: I know we haven’t managed to exchange sexy texts this week, and I think I’m too tired to do that tonight, but I absolutely will be thinking about you wearing that before I go to sleep tonight 💦💦💦
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: fuck!
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: ok
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: well now I’m gonna be thinking about you thinking about that
Stede: You could always send me a photo of you thinking about me thinking about you… 🍆💦😜
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: yep
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: I absolutely will
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: will you send me one? 🍆💦
Stede: Yes my sweet love. Anything for you, you know that. 🥰
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: anything?
Stede: Anything.
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: do you have enough signal for a video call?
Stede: 👀
Stede: Let’s see, shall we?
Day 1,813 - Thursday 1st June 2028 late night
Stede: Sleep well my sweet love 😘😘😘
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: I absolutely will after that 😁
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: and I’m so glad I was on the bed when you called me Eddie 🫠
Stede: 🥰🥰🥰
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: can’t wait to see you tomorrow beautiful man
Stede: I can’t wait to see you either
Stede: I love you so much Eddie ❤️❤️❤️❤️
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: I love you too Stede ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Stede: 😘😘😘
💛🤍Eddie💜🖤: 😘😘😘
Day 1,872 Saturday 29th July 2028 early afternoon
Eddie: hey everyone
Eddie: I have some news I want to share with you all
Frenchie: 👀
Jim: Is it what I think it is?!
Eddie: 👆
Jim: 😁
Archie: 😁
Fang: 👀
Ivan: 👀
Izzy: Well? What is it?
Eddie: I would like you all to start using they/them pronouns for me, and to call me Eddie instead of Ed
Jim: Yessssssss!! Nice one Eddie!!!! 🙌
Eddie: cheers Jim 😊
Archie: 🥹
Frenchie: Sure! Congratulations mate!
Eddie: thanks Frenchie
Ivan: That’s great Eddie. Really happy for you!
Eddie: cheers 😊
Fang: I’m so happy for you Eddie! And proud of you! 🤗
Eddie: thanks bro 🤗
Fang: Does your mum know?
Eddie: yeah
Eddie: told her a couple of weeks ago
Fang: Good for you! What did she say?
Fang: If you wanna share.
Eddie: she was really positive about it
Eddie: Stede was there with me when I told her
Eddie: I think she’s quite happy to be allowed to call me Eddie again
Fang: That’s amazing news! I’m honestly really happy for you!
Eddie: 🥰
Fang: Izzy? You got anything to say?
Izzy: I’m really pleased for you Eddie. You deserve true happiness after everything you’ve been through. I know you’re already happy with Stede, and he’s been so good for you, but being able to show your real self is such a big step. I can’t wait to see how you grow in confidence Eddie.
Ivan: 🥹
Archie: oh fuck
Archie: Israel Hands making the whole group cry
Frenchie: 😭
Fang: 🫨🫨🫨
Eddie: shit 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹
Eddie: I don’t know what to say Iz
Eddie: that means so much to me
Eddie: thanks man
Izzy: You’re welcome my friend. I mean it.
Day 1,872 Saturday 29th July 2028 early afternoon
Stede: Hey guys!
Stede: So, I have an announcement!
Lucius Spriggs: Oh! I knew it!
Peter Black: You said something’s been going on babe
Lucius Spriggs: My intuition never lets me down.
Samba Roach: Hey Stede. Hope you’re alright.
Stede: I’m very well.
Stede: So, Ed would like to be called Eddie and for you to use the pronouns they/them for them from now on. They are non-binary and they’re finally ready to tell everyone.
Lucius Spriggs: Oh my god!!! That’s amazing news! I’m so happy for them!
John Feeney: That’s so so wonderful!
Nathaniel Buttons: Aye, that’s excellent news. Pass on my congratulations please.
Stede: Of course I will Buttons 😊
Peter Black: Go Eddie! 😁
Samba Roach: Great news! I’m really happy for them!
Stede: 😊
Lars Andersson: So good! And they are not your husband anymore?
Stede: We’re using the word spouse.
Lars Andersson: It is the perfect word. Many congratulations to you and Eddie.
Stede: Thank you Swede 😊
Day 1,872 Saturday 29th July 2028 early afternoon
Lucius Spriggs: Hey Stede, I just wanted to say again how happy I am for Eddie and for you!
Stede: Thank you Lucius!
Lucius Spriggs: How long have you been keeping this secret?
Stede: Eddie told me when we were in that caravan near Holkham.
Lucius Spriggs: I knew something was going on!!!!!
Stede: I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you before, but they weren’t ready.
Lucius Spriggs: Oh, I totally get that. I didn’t push to find out what it was because I thought it might be something along those lines.
Stede: Really?
Lucius Spriggs: Yeah. You stopped using any pronouns when you talked about them.
Stede: You noticed that??
Lucius Spriggs: Yep.
Stede: Well thank you for letting them have the time they needed before they were ready to share the news.
Lucius Spriggs: You don’t have to thank me. It’s the least I could do.
Lucius Spriggs: How is Eddie doing?
Stede: Oh Lucius, they’re so much more confident and happy. I’m so proud of them, and I see them grow every day. I can’t get enough of their smile 😄
Lucius Spriggs: That’s so wonderful!
Stede: And now they’re ready to tell everyone, I feel like a weight has been lifted because I won’t have to be careful what I say when we’re in public.
Stede: I didn’t think things between us could ever get any better, but now they’re able to truly be themselves, I feel like things have moved up yet another level. I love them so much I feel like my heart will burst.
Lucius Spriggs: 🥹🥹🥹
Lucius Spriggs: You two!! You’ve always been the cutest couple I’ve ever known, even before you were an actual couple. I’m so proud of both of you!
Stede: Thank you Lucius. That means a lot.
Stede: I was going to ask if you, Pete, Fang, and Izzy would like to come for dinner next weekend? Saturday? Eddie says they’ll cook.
Lucius Spriggs: I will check with the others, but I am a definite yes even if none of them can make it.
Stede: 🥰 Eddie will be pleased. Let me know what the others say.
Lucius Spriggs: Will do!
Day 1,872 Saturday 29th July 2028 early evening
Lucius: I am so fucking happy for you Eddie!!!!
Eddie: thanks mate
Lucius: You just keep making Stede happier and happier and I love that so much for both of you!
Eddie: he keeps making me happier and happier 🥰🥰🥰
Lucius: We're all available for dinner next Saturday. I'm really looking forward to it!
Eddie: me too!
Eddie: can't wait to see you all 🥰
Lucius: 🥰
Lucius: 