An Untold Story

XI

Walking into the cabin in the early morning after a storm Izzy stops in his tracks hearing soft cries "Ed?.." he asks to walk more into the room looking around. Not noticing him before at his desk he sighs walking up to him "Everything alright?" startled a bit as he turns around he stays quiet, sitting in a chair. "Is there anything else to this life?.." is the only thing Ed manages to say gripping his hair as he stares down at the desk. Not knowing how to answer he stutters "I-I- Uhm, what do you mean sir-" he interrupts quickly "There's no challenge anymore Izzy.. everything has gotten old.. everything has gotten too easy.. there's no more excitement to all this.. gettign everything so easily is fucking awful" he says standing up picking up something, throwing it lightly back down. Standing up he walks up to him, taking his face "Just breathe.. you'll be better later you're just getting into your head" he says with a small smile seeing him nod, getting hugged tightly he closes his eyes enjoying it for a brief moment until he pulls away.

"At this time.. he was having a mid-life crisis.. I tried to keep him as calm as I could so he wouldn't lash out and do something stupid.. but that was too late as a few more years rolled along" he says looking over at Stede implying something obvious. Standing up he sighs "At first I was angry.. I was upset that things were changing so fast that I couldn't control it.. I was upset that he had been swoon by you so easily.. I was angry that you didn't have to go through the hell that I faced with him to get to the calm and content time in our relationship.." he says getting worked up, walking a bit away to keep distance seeing Stede look over at him. "Eventually in my mind I had to accept that he was a better person.. and he needed to break off the one thing that was reminding him of who he was.." he grips the curtains beside the window his back towards Stede "And that one thing was me.." he looks over his shoulder with a sigh "The one thing molded from the hatred and the old values he had before meeting you.." he looks back out the window letting go of the curtain.

"When you left him alone at that dock.. and he came back he was a pathetic mess of a man.. I had never seen him so fucking weak.." he says getting angry as he turns to him. "But eventually he came around.. back to what I knew.. but it eventually became too much.. he became just as ruthless as he was when we met.. I couldn't bare the cycle starting again.. I couldn't go through that again.. " he says taking a breath to calm down, letting go of his fist. Staring at Stede he smiles a sad smile "So.. I guess it's bitersweet that you're back.." he walks up to him. Putting a hand on his shoulder he says seriously "If he starts hitting you.. or abusing you in any sort of way.. come to me.. I'll handle it.." Stede nods "Thank you" he nods back with a small smile. 

Suddenly the cabin door opens and Ed walks in. Stopping in his tracks he looks at the two of them knowing exactly what they were talking about just by the look on Izzy's face. Brushing it off he clears his throat "Izz you're needed on deck.." nodding they both watch him leave shutting the door. Clearing his throat Izzy fixes his vest walking across the room to the door, stopping he looks back at Stede "Oh and Bonnet.." seeing Stede look up quick "Thank you.."he nods with a smile. Smiling back a bit he leaves shutting the door behind him gently. After a few moments to process Stede gets up joining the rest of the crew on the deck, shutting the door behind him with a gentle click. 

The End