Resurrection

Chapter 24: Captain

The night's festivities naturally come to an end for most of the crew. The alcohol has taken its toll on each crew member's stamina, causing them to surrender to drunken stupors one by one. Soon, in the dead of night, just two men remain on the main deck, bathed in their familiar moonlight.

"That was quite a party, don't ya think?" Stede remarks to Edward, pouring him a glass of water then sitting beside him on a large crate.

"Yeah . . . everyone looked really happy. Except, ya know, when I came along." Edward quips.

"Nonsense. I think everyone's just not used to seeing you, is all." Stede comforts. "Lest we forget, we were all trying to kill you yesterday."

"Thank fuck you all screwed that up." Edward chuckles.

Stede also chuckles in response, amazed that this plan that agonized him so much could morph into a lighthearted misunderstanding.

"I gather you saw Izzy today?" Stede asks.

"Yeah . . . I did . . . not even sure why I did. It feels like, I don't know . . . there's some kinda force that draws me to him every time." Edward contemplates. "He's awful at communicating, judgmental as hell . . . meanwhile, I find myself wanting his guidance. I fucking hate it."

"Old habits die hard, I suppose." Stede remarks. "Did he give you any good advice?"

"It seems like everyone knew what to do except me." Edward mumbles, feeling his heart rate pick up at the subject.

"In what way?" Stede clarifies.

"Izzy said I shouldn't have to choose between you and Saraghina, then you and Saraghina suggested the same thing. Funnily enough, I was the last person to hear about it." Edward explains.

"Huh. Interesting of Izzy to suggest something like that." Stede reflects.

"Yeah . . . I don't know, seems like he might be turning over a new leaf after all this. Very slowly, of course." Edward grumbles. "The way he said it wasn't quite as loving, he said I should have fun with you both until I send Saraghina home or you get killed."

"There's the Izzy I remember." Stede sighs.

"He was in a good mood- well, for him, a good mood. Saraghina left him her copy of The Canterbury Tales . Maybe that act of kindness made him feel like less of a fuckin' monster after last night." Edward explains.

"That's thoughtful of her." Stede says softly. "She's a sweet girl."

"Yeah . . . yeah she is." Edward reflects, just as soft.

"When did you realize you were in love with her?" Stede asks, truly curious.

"Similar to how I realized I was in love with you." Edward says, meeting Stede's eyes. "Her and I were on the main deck under the moonlight. She got drunk after three glasses of wine, and I finally got to see the real her. Ya know, not the 'her' that was terrified of me. She put her hand on my shoulder, and I felt her squeeze my bicep a bit, which I thought was kinda funny, but also really sweet. I wanted to kiss her . . . but I was just so nervous that I was gonna scare her, or do something she didn't want and make her uncomfortable. So that night, I came to terms that I wouldn't act on my feelings, but then of course she acted on her own feelings not long after. I just didn't want to spook her by being the one to initiate it."

"Wow. So the only thing that can take down Blackbeard is a pretty girl?" Stede jests.

"And a handsome man." Edward says lowly, staring deeply into Stede's hazel eyes. "You wanna know when I knew I was in love with you?"

"When?" Stede whispers, smiling. Edward grabs Stede's hand and starts stroking it with his thumb.

"We were on the main deck in the moonlight, like we are now." Edward explains tenderly. "Then, you tucked that little piece of fabric into my jacket. You told me that-"