Work Text:
The words rip out of him, faster than conscious thought.
It's a confession.
It's a prayer.
It's I love you screamed at the top of his lungs in front of God and Izzy and the whole damn English Navy because this can't be how it ends.
He wants to clasp Stede to him so closely the bullets won't be able to find Stede's body for his, wants to kiss him so fiercely it takes both their breath away instead.
For now he rips the blindfold off and Edward Teach meets Stede Bonnet's eyes, for the first time, with perfect clarity.