Edward Teach Died on a Beach (OFMD)

Part 2: Chapter 23

Why do chapters disappear what happens to them

"How long are we planning to stay here?" Lucius asked.

"I don't know. A few days, I assume," Stede replied.

They were walking together toward Spanish Jackie's tavern. Ed trailed behind them, wrapped comfortably in a purple robe. The robe had a flower pattern on it. Ed's hair was tied behind his head with a purple ribbon. Stede glanced back at him and smiled; he looked beautiful. Despite his soft, flowy clothing, Stede knew Ed had a dagger strapped to his thigh. Ed was surrounded by the crew. They sang softly. Buttons and Frenchie hung on him. Buttons held a bottle of rum in his hand as he bellowed out the words to a folk song. Frenchie had his lute and was playing softly. Jim walked near Stede. They glanced over at Stede with a wide grin. Ed looked happy. Everyone looked happy, actually.

Stede was

"You're lucky I'm wearing drawers," Ed ng with the musicsang along to the song.

"He's already gone," Lucius said softly, turning to watch Buttons and Frenchie lift Ed onto their shoulders. "Actually, I think all three of them are."

Stede smiled fondly. "Well, at least they're having fun."

Lucius chuckled. Stede was the first to reach Jackie's tavern. When he pushed open the door, he was met with a chorus of laughter and singing. The tavern was almost packed. Stede couldn't say he was surprised; he knew the other crews would be here as well.

Vane was the first face he recognized. Vane stumbled past him, pointing at Ed as Buttons and Frenchie lowered him to the ground. Ed turned, swaying slightly as Vane approached him. Ed scowled.

"No, no." Ed said. "You get out of here."

"Thank you!!" Vane said with a grin. "You saved my life."

Ed scowled. "Only because I wasn't going to let Hornigold win. Don't... don't let me regret it."

Vane nodded rapidly. "Definitely."

Ed's eyes darted around the crowd. They locked onto Stede and darkened. He smiled mischievously and wandered over, quickly wrapping his arms around Stede's waist. Stede blushed softly.

Miraculously, though, nobody seemed to pay attention to them. Not in the way Stede was expecting. He was expecting the others to glance over at them with small frowns and whispers. Instead, they focused on themselves.

Stede smiled softly, pulling away from Ed and continuing through the tavern. Ed held onto his arm, quietly singing as he followed Stede. Toward the back of the tavern, Bonny and Mary were playing poker. They were playing with a few men that Stede recognized as Bellamy's crew.

Jim approached the table with wild eyes. "Deal me in."

Bonny and Mary grinned at them. Nearby, Spanish Jackie was telling a loud, dramatic story to Sam, who was listening quietly with a small smile. His cheeks were slightly red. Ed stopped abruptly, letting go of Stede.

"You need a drink," Ed said.

"Look at that!" Jackie said when she saw them. "You lived!"

"No, no. I'm...." Ed stared at Stede for a long time. "Jeff!"

Jackie glanced at Stede. "That's clever."

"And that's Thomas," Ed said, pointing slightly past Stede.

Stede frowned and turned slightly to look at the wall that he pointed at.

"Let's play poker," Ed said with wide eyes.