I based this modern AU off of something by goosetooths on Tumblr. In their AU, Stede is a divorced community theater director and Ed owns the bar where the theater company (the crew of the revenge) goes for drinks. This is technically the second fic I've written for this AU, the first being "Not Much Of A First Date."
"Alright, crew, gather round! Another great rehearsal! I do, of course, have some performance notes." Their director, and the owner of the theatre, Stede Bonnet stood in front of his crew with a possibly fake smile on his face.
"Aye, aye captain," Frenchie said, taking his spot by Wee John. Like the word "Wee" in front of his friend John's name, Frenchie and the others called Stede captain with an equal mix of affection and sarcasm.
"First and foremost, Jim, please don't actually injure people during the fight scenes. Pete, I know you were a last-minute addition to the play but please try to be off-book by the next rehearsal. Roach, I shouldn't even have to tell you that we can't replace the prop knives with real knives so please stop asking. John, I love the enthusiasm but not every scene requires the same level of passion, we can work on it one-on-one, other than that you're doing great. Oluwande, keep up the good work. Oh, and one more little thing, just a company policy, really. For the respect of myself and your fellow thespians, no having sex in the theatre."
The crew snickered and looked around, raising eyebrows at each other, trying to deduce who had been caught by the captain.
Someone could be heard muttering, "I'm not a lesbian," and someone else could be heard correcting, "He said thespian, dumbass," but it was hard to tell who said what.
Lucius, the stage manager, stepped forward.
"Yes, Mr. Spriggs? Do you have a question about the no-sex rule?"
Some of the others snickered, and Pete conspicuously stared down at the floor, but Lucius wasn't fazed.
"No, but your guest might." Lucius pointed into the audience and Stede noticed for the first time that Edward Teach had slipped into a seat in the front row.
"Oh! Ed!" Stede leaped from the stage, stumbling a little, and went over, and the rest of the crew took that as their cue to exit stage left.
"I didn't realize you were here or I would have said hello."
"No worries, I didn't want to interrupt your process."
"Well, my process has hit some speed bumps."
"You looked pretty good to me."
Stede's face burned, "Well, I'm not one of the actors…"
"I don't think they have anything to worry about. They have the best director in the world."
"Co-directors," Stede said, "the offer's still open, Ed."
"Ah, no, they wouldn't want me as a co-director… I just know stunt work, I'm not an artist like you."
"Nonsense. You're as much of an artist as me. We would be fortunate to have you working with us on this play and many more in the future."
"Already thinking about our future, huh?" Now they were both flustered.
"Well, I, uh…"
"What does your stage manager think about having co-directors? He's like your right-hand man, right?"
"Well, yes. And I brought it up to him the other day and he said it was… What was the word he used? Inevitable."
Ed laughed, "The Inevitable Stede and Ed. I like it."
"Oh my god, it's happening… Pete, come here, watch. I'll bet you money that Captain and Edward are about to kiss."
"You don't have money, dear," Pete reminded, coming up behind Lucius and wrapping his arm around Lucius' waist.
"Right…" Lucius frowned.
"And shouldn't we let them have their private moment? Maybe while they're distracted, we can have a private moment of our own…"
Now Lucius' smile returned, "Now you're talking."
"I don't know how Stede figured out we were hooking up backstage," Pete said quietly.
"You don't know it was us. He could've found anyone hooking up backstage."
"Yeah, but we're the only ones who definitely were."
"I bet he's gonna change his mind about the company policy the first time he wants to hook up with Ed in the orchestra pit."
"Ooh, we haven't done it in the orchestra pit yet," Pete said, his eyes lighting up.
"Too risky now, love. Let's hang out and run lines for a bit, maybe after everyone leaves."
"I'm starting to regret agreeing to be in this play," Pete grumbled.
"Aw, you're great. The best understudy I've ever studied under. Plus if you let me help you learn your lines you'll get to spend more time with me."
"Alright, but next play you have to audition as well. It's only fair."
"Deal."
"And you have to help me finish painting the sets later."
"Don't push it, Peter."
"I'll make it worth your while…"
"Yeah, okay."
As Stede and Ed snuck out the back, Lucius and Pete got cozy backstage, waiting for their moment to break company policy.
