#;captainblack

@anhonourablecaptain | continued

“Keen?” Edward whirled around to face him. “Keen? You think I’m bloody keen to throw this away?” He pushed right up into Liam’s space, anger taking hold to protect himself from the pain this was causing him. “Alright, Li, I tell you what. If you can tell me, right now, when the last time we had an actual conversation was, what problem I had at work last week, or what fucking date passed by two days ago, then I’ll stay.”

@anhonourablecaptain | should be expecting this tbh

He could hear the murmur of his division from the stairway. Either a case had been closed or they were in mid discussion about something that had no relevance to the job. Either was possible. Brandishing a file in one hand he paused outside the doors and smiled to himself. It would take approximately eight seconds for the noise to stop once he walked in.

Beginning the countdown, he stepped through the doors into the main hub of Homicide. As he’d predicted, the noise immediately dwindled to a stop. Six seconds this time. They’re getting better. All eyes were upon him as he stalked past their desks. It wasn’t out of fear that they immediately silenced, of course - he wasn’t that kind of boss. It was respect that commanded their attention.

@anhonourablecaptain | continued

Ed was almost ready to head back to the kitchen when his phone buzzed again, and he grinned as he quickly swiped open the reply from Liam. "No promises." He murmured, lips curved into a sly smile. "Well, we'll see about that later, won't we?" Knowing Liam was probably working away whilst he wasn't around to stop him, he didn't bother with a reply of his own. The more work Li could get done before he got home, the less he'd have to do tomorrow.

@anhonourablecaptain | continued

Edward kept an arm firmly locked around Liam’s waist as he indulged in the third kiss, quite content to trade kisses for the rest of the night if the urge took them. It was difficult to admit, for a man who thrived on his own independance and had since he was a boy, but he had felt wrong ever since he’d sailed away from the prince. Like his world was suddenly off-kilter, and only Liam could balance it again. Love, he mused, was an utter bitch.

@anhonourablecaptain | continued

Ed gave Liam a smile as the door opened and he was ushered inside. He lingered, feeling awkward, in the hallway. This was stupid. He’d been here so many times. Just because it was Christmas didn’t mean it should be different. He shed his jacket, hanging it up by the door as Liam went on. “Great, thanks...” He offered out the carrier bag, fishing something out of it quickly and tucking it out of sight behind his back. Idiot.

“I bought the one I know Killian prefers. It’s a favourite of mine, too, but I figured it would go down well...” He wandered through to the Jones’ living room, hearing the sounds of Killian in the kitchen, and sat himself down on one of the sofas. The festive season had spread a little further in this room, but not by much. A tree stood in one corner, adorned in blue and white tinsel, and a string of lights. 

@anhonourablecaptain | continued

Ed quite happily leant in for the second kiss, perfectly content to spend the entire night trading kisses with his boyfriend if that's how the evening went on. He deepened this kiss, keeping it slow and soft, really savouring each moment that went by. When he did at last pull back, he drew in a breath that quivered, and gave Liam a smile that did nothing to hide his utter fondness for him. "Aye, Happy New Year, darling."

@anhonourablecaptain | continued

Ed breathed out a sigh of relief as Liam hung up, and he let the phone drop to the kitchen floor beside him. He gave his fingers a flex, testing the movement of his hand, wincing when another stab of pain went through him - and, thanks to that damned connection, through Liam too. He had to be careful. He didn’t want Liam to worry any more than he already was.

There was no way it was going to stop bleeding soon, and it was definitely going to need stitches. Probably even needed an x-ray or a scan of some kind to make sure he hadn’t done any damage that wasn’t visible. With a sigh, he wrapped up his hand in the cloth that was already stained with his blood, scooped up his phone, and pushed himself to his feet.

@anhonourablecaptain | continued

Ed was content to simply hold his partner whilst he settled whatever had put him at such unease, knowing even something so small as a hug would comfort him. As a man who wasn't typically very affectionate, when he did engage in displays of affection he did so with a great amount of feeling. He stroked fingers idly through Liam's hair, waiting for the explanation he knew would come eventually. This, he had learned very quickly in their relationship, was the best way to get Liam to talk. Hold him, let him have a moment, and eventually he would be ready to open up.