Edward Teach Died on a Beach (OFMD)

Part 2: Chapter 2

Double upload because things disappear in odd and otherworldly ways

"Do you think I'm too boring for him?" Stede asked.

Lucius turned to look over at him. "I think you two balance each other out perfectly. And you're not boring. You're cautious."

Stede pulled his pillow into his arms. He knew Ed had noticed his concern about their plan. He couldn't hide his emotions like Ed could. Lucius gently touched his knee. Lucius shook it slightly and then mimed taking deep breaths in and out. Stede took a few long breaths.

"Good," Lucius said softly. "I do think we have to be a bit more supportive about all of it. Not just you. All of us."

"It just makes me nervous," Oluwande replied. "What if they don't let us go?"

Lucius mimed an inhale and exhale again. Oluwande reluctantly took a few deep breaths.

"What did you mean by saying we balance each other?" Stede asked.

"Well, look at all of us. We are the person in our relationships that is the... slow-to-warm type. You know what I mean? Each of them, Jim, Ed, and Pete, are very impulsive. We pull them back, they pull us forward. What do each of them have in common besides that?"

Stede glanced at Oluwande. Oluwande shrugged.

"They're insecure as fuck sometimes. They need our validation. So, even though I don't all the way agree with the plan, I'm going to support Pete. Why? Because if I don't, he'll internalize that and freak out about it. Why don't we want them to freak out?"

Oluwande shrugged again. Stede frowned deeply. Lucius rolled his eyes.

"Because they're going to be in a very high-stress situation. If we're dragging them down, it's going to affect everybody. I mean, Stede, you've noticed that Ed's been jumpy lately. He's taking your cue that you're nervous and he's overthinking it. He's especially prone to that. But we need him at his best right now, because any screw-up could go very badly. He needs to know that you're there for him no matter what."

Stede hummed, hugging his pillow tighter. "How do I stop being so worried?"

"Talk it out," Lucius replied, squeezing his knee. "Not as a crew. Just with him. Same for you, Olu."

Stede took a few more deep breaths. "You're right."

"I know," Lucius replied, glancing up as the door opened.

Ed stopped just in the doorway. Lucius glanced at Stede and nodded slightly at Ed. Oluwande stood up from his chair at the table and headed toward the door. Ed frowned, watching Lucius and Oluwande leave the quarters. He glanced at Stede as the door closed.

"What was that meeting about?" Ed asked, slowly approaching the bed.

Stede frowned. "I'm sorry."

Ed sat next to him, leaving about a foot between them. He didn't reply.

"I trust your judgement, Ed," Stede said with a sigh. "I'm just worried about you."

Ed sat back against the window. "I know."

"I want you to know that I know you have to do this and I support you. I'll try to be less anxious about it," Stede said.

Ed moved slightly closer to Stede, taking his hand. "Thank you, Stede."

"Am I too boring for you?" Stede asked.

Ed frowned immediately. He looked into Stede's eyes. "No. Of course not. I couldn't love you if you were boring."