Edward Teach Died on a Beach (OFMD)

Part 2: Chapter 24

Oops I was gone for a month hehe

Stede and Ed stood next to each other, listening to a crudely recounted tale of their lives for the last few months. Lucius slowly wandered over. Lucius stood next to Stede for a while, listening to Buttons. Wee John began to sing as well. Stede noticed that Oluwande held a drum in his lap. Stede was sort of impressed. He was also a little uncomfortable with the fact that all of these people would know so much about him. It was one thing being the Gentleman Pirate, but this was a lot of personal things that Stede hadn't expected so many people would hear.

And then a revelation hit him like a truck; the song wasn't about him. Not in the eyes of the listener. It was about the Gentleman Pirate. And he was dead. So was the other guy (Blackbeard). Stede stood slightly taller.

Stede cringed at the mention of Calico Jack, though. He saw Ed shift uncomfortably. Stede's eyes locked onto Anne Bonny.

He'd almost forgotten. They'd been married. Stede frowned and glanced over at Ed, who shared a knowing look with Bonny for a moment. Stede just barely caught it, but it made him glance between them curiously. Ed noticed his sudden interest and hummed softly.

Ed abruptly remembered that Stede and Calico Jack had not exactly been close. Ed's smile faded as he listened. He didn't want to listen to this part. He figured he'd tune back in to the part where Stede finds him again. He went to the bar and got another drink, leaning against it for a minute or two.

"Odd talking about Jack again," Bonny said. She'd followed him over.

Ed took a long swig from his drink. "I know."

Bonny waved down the boy at the bar and ordered a drink. Ed glanced over at her.

"Here's hoping the bastard rots in hell," Bonny said, holding her drink up.

Ed grinned and clinked their glasses together. "He'll be keeping our seats warm."

"That truly would be my hell," Bonny replied with a grin, drinking.

Ed took a drink.

"I'm gonna go listen to this. I want to hear the whole story," Bonny said.

Ed sighed. "Can't. Already lived it. Feel guilty enough about most of it."

Bonny slapped him on the shoulder as she wandered back to the table with Frenchie and Buttons. Ed frowned.

Sometimes he forgot how similar he and Bonny were. Especially when considering Jack. Bonny had told him of her disappointment in Jack. She was disappointed in his childishness and his... everything.

Calico Jack Rackham didn't love people. He used them.

Behind him, Buttons continued singing. Ed closed his eyes, leaning against the bar. He felt a hand on his back. It rubbed gently and then tightened right on his hip. He knew it was Stede without having to look.

"You okay?" Stede whispered into his ear.

Ed shrugged. "Just hard to hear all of it."

Stede turned around suddenly as Buttons sang about their kiss on the beach just before Stede had left Ed. "I know what you mean."

Ed sighed deeply.

"You know, if it makes you feel better, it's not us."

Ed opened his eyes and looked over. "What?"

"Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet are dead," Stede said quietly.

Ed looked down into his drink. "Still feel bad."