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Everything was over.
The Admiral's plot had been stopped. The Crown Prince Edward was safe, and those who remained of Stede's sailors would escort him safely back to the capital. And for now, the pirates allowed the naval soldiers shelter on the Artemis.
Stede doesn't ask Vane what on earth he'd wished for and why. Vane doesn't confront Stede about the tears that had formed when he'd seen Francis open his eyes. Just one more thing they won't talk about.
For people whose only interactions are based around trying to kill each other, they sure have a lot of those.
The next time they cross paths, out on the open blue waters, they will be enemies again. But for today, they'll sit together, eat together, not exactly getting along but not arguing either as Ed watches cheerfully.
It's just for Ed, Vane tells himself. He'd be upset if we started fighting.
Though he knows that's not quite right, he doesn't think about it further. It won't matter for long.
The strange way their lives have intertwined is too set for even this complete overturning of everything they'd lived for to shake it.
...Or so he'd thought.
He doesn't know how long he'd spent staring blankly out at the sea when Stede speaks, breaking their long silence.
"Vane."
Vane glances around. Ed had left without him noticing, leaving only the two of them behind. He'll try not to snap back this time, he doesn't have the energy for this after everything. "What."
Stede looks at the deck, not speaking. Vane considers getting up and walking off before any irritation can build up.
"...he took everything from me." So they are going to talk about what happened to Francis. Unexpected. Stede looks Vane in the eyes, finally. "But you gave it back."
Vane had, honestly, really hoped they weren't going to talk about this. Even he doesn't really know why he brought Francis back, it just... felt like the right thing to do. He doesn't know what to say. He doesn't respond.
"I'm not going to pretend this makes me dislike you any less."
"Good." He really does stand up now. If Stede wants to pick a fight, he can go argue with Francis. Vane's not doing it today.
"But, still. Thank you."
...Not picking a fight, then. He won't leave just yet. "Thank Ed for that."
It's not a lie, per se. If Ed hadn't stopped them from fighting amidst the burning wreckage of the ship, there wouldn't have been any wish, any resurrection, of anyone.
It was also thanks to Ed that he'd seen plainly just how much Stede cared for his subordinates. Not just Francis, that was a given, but the rank and file sailors. He fought back the despair, the brokenness, the complete loss of meaning that Francis' sudden death had inflicted. Because he had to save his crew.
In those moments, the two of them had been the same.
...And this is why he didn't want to think about it. Some things, it's easier to live without acknowledging.
Maybe he'll just change the subject.
"Ed's a good kid." Smooth.
Stede nods. "He'll make a good king one day."
Vane's all out of things to say again. Nothing's coming to mind that isn't rude, and he really doesn't feel like fighting.
The silence drags on as Stede stands up. "When that time comes," he walks up close, looks Vane straight in the eyes. "I hope you will offer his reign your support."
Stede, asking a pirate for assistance. Before today, it would have been unthinkable. Before today, Vane might even have laughed.
But today. Today, it doesn't feel even the slightest bit ridiculous.
So he nods. "Of course."
Stede steps backwards, nodding. Vane holds eye contact, and finds again he's without words. Once again, silence drags out between them.
Finally, Stede turns to leave. He stops, and looks back over his shoulder. "Then I'll see you around." And with that, he walks off.
Vane stands, now alone on the deck.
Maybe he was wrong after all. Maybe even their long-established animosity could change.
As with everything else, it somehow feels like Ed's fault.
Vane shakes his head and sighs, though he can feel himself smiling, and heads below deck to find his crew.