Chapter Text
Izzy floated in and out of consciousness. He lay on the cold, damp floor of some ship’s brig shivering. He didn’t recognize where he was - certainly no ship he’d ever been in before. He’d stopped actively bleeding from the sword that had run him through but the ache in his side told him that without some medical attention soon, bleeding was going to be the least of his worries.
His mind was a mess. What had happened? He was sleeping on Victory when he heard something out of place that startled him awake. Then there was the sound of fighting on deck, and he came out of his quarters. He had a knife in hand but did not expect that there was someone standing right outside his quarters, obviously waiting for him. He turned to fight them, bringing down his knife when a sword ran him through. Distracted by the pain, someone hit him over the head. That is what must have scrambled his brain. Where the fuck was he? He looked around. No other members of Victory’s crew were in the brig with him. He needed more information but for the moment, he was going to have to close his eyes.
~~
Israel Hands was born two days before Christmas. His mother said he was the best gift she’d ever been given. His father was less enthused about having another mouth to feed. They’d already had two older children - a boy and a girl - and that was all he wanted. His eldest son was everything a man like him could ever want. He was bright, respectful and a fast learner. His daughter would be helpful around the house taking care of womanly chores until she was married off. This newest babe was just a spare and he had very little interest in him.
His mother chose the name Israel. She was a kind woman who loved to sing and had an infectious laugh. She was determined that this child would grow up knowing he was loved and wanted despite her husband’s indifference.
His father was a blacksmith who served the town by creating and repairing everyday items such as pots, pans, and tools. His brother Emmanuel was old enough to already be an apprentice in his shop. They were not a wealthy family but they never went without necessary material things. And in his mind, the elder Hands was fulfilling his role by making sure there was food on the table. He had no desire to play a larger role in his young son’s life.
~~
Izzy regained consciousness and looked around the brig. Pirate Captain Black Sam Bellamy was standing in the brig looking at him.
“Sam fucking Bellamy. I have you to thank for the hospitality?”
“Sorry about the stabbin’ Izzy,” Bellamy said. “Have some new boys and they haven’t quite gotten the word about my policy on not harming folks.”
“What the fuck do you want Bellamy?”
“Well, I’d heard that life on… what’s it called now? Love’s Victory?” Bellamy spit on the floor. “What a fuckin’ crap name for a vessel. Heard your life was shit. Thought you might want to be rescued.”
“Then why the fuck am I in the brig?”
“You’ve always been a scrapper, Iz. Didn’t want you to get confused about my purpose. Figured it was safer to hold onto you here until we talked. I’ll have the boys bring you in some food and will have someone look at that wound. Then we’ll talk.”
Izzy started to say, “Fuck off..” but only managed to get the “F” out before passing out again.
~~
His father called him a “Momma’s boy.” He said he was weak and worthless. There was very little that the young Israel could do to please his father. For his part, his father largely ignored him, instead dedicating himself to his business and helping Manny learn.
Truth be told, he did prefer spending his time with his mother over the rest of the family. She taught him how to read, cook and do the planting. He enjoyed digging in the dirt and watching the plants grow. She taught him to sing and make up songs. Some of his happiest memories were singing with his mother in the gardens. Being so much younger than his siblings made for a very lonely childhood and his mother worked hard to fill that gap.
~~
Bellamy’s crew came down with some food and grog. The medic examined him and put some salve on the wound and gave him a couple of stitches. They gave him a blanket to try to make him more comfortable but still didn’t let him out of the brig. He was told Bellamy would be back down to talk to him later. He wrapped himself in the blanket and tried to warm up.
What happened after he left Victory? Was anyone else hurt? Did anyone try to stop them? More importantly, how was he going to get out of this?
He rolled over and fell into a fitful sleep.
~~
Israel was nine years old when he noticed his mother wasn’t well. She was tired all the time and her face had lost its color. She wouldn’t sing as often as she usually did. The laughter had left her eyes. He worked as hard as he could to help her keep up around the house so that his father wouldn’t be angry. It was just him and his Mom since his sister married and moved across town.
He wasn’t sure when he came to the realization that his mother was dying. She made him promise that he’d keep learning and that he would try to make something of himself. He cried and begged her not to go but she would shush him and tell him a story to distract him.
It was a Thursday morning when she died. He was alone with her and just laid his head on her chest sobbing and holding her until his father came back later in the day. He pocketed her favorite ring - a simple band with a small green stone - and pretended not to know where it was when his father went looking for it.
She was buried without ceremony.
~~
Izzy awoke to Bellamy banging on the rails of the cell.
“Oy, Iz, rise and shine.”
“Fuck you.”
“Good to see you’re as pleasant as ever. There’s comfort in continuity.”
“You going to talk me to death or let me know why the hell I’m here?”
“Told you. I rescued you from a miserable life.”
“Fucking hell, you twat. I mean why the hell I’m still locked up in the brig.”
“Well, I wasn’t convinced you’d be thrilled about how you were rescued. Was I wrong?”
“So you want to know if I wanted to be run through, knocked unconscious and kidnapped? Are you fucking nuts?”
“Yeah, sorry again about that. You know how hard it is to get good crew. Heard that the crew you were sailing with were a bunch of morons.”
Izzy found himself oddly protective in that moment of the Victory crew. He could call them morons all he liked but for Bellamy to do it was fucking gauche.
“They’re learning.”
“Can’t imagine you have much patience for that.”
Izzy didn’t respond. It was true - he wasn’t a patient man and had little tolerance for ineptitude. He was often challenged by Bonnet’s crew.
“So, for me to let you out of here I have to be convinced you’re not going to seek revenge on me or my crew.”
“Bellamy, look. I get that you thought you were doing me a favor. It’s fucking sweet of you,” Izzy said, his tone revealing his displeasure. “But you need to take me back to my ship. I’m still Captain Blackbeard’s first mate.”
“Heard he threw you over for some witless ponce.”
That hit a nerve but Izzy would be damned if he was going to let the fucking “Prince of Pirates” see that. He had strong feelings about Edward choosing Bonnet as his lover and partner but he still cared for the man and was not going to abandon him.
Izzy responded, “You heard wrong.”
“He didn’t shack up with the Gentleman Pirate? Didn’t spurn your affections? Come on, Iz, we’ve known since our days on the Marianne that you had a thing for him.”
“None of that is your fucking business, Bellamy. I’m loyal to Blackbeard. He is my Captain.”
“Izzy, why wouldn’t you want to sail with the richest crew on the seven seas? I’ll make it worth your while.”
“Wait… was this a rescue ? Sure you weren’t trying to steal me away from him?”
“Okay, you got me. I did have ulterior motives. I need a decent first mate, man. You’re the best there is.”
“And since you believed I was miserable, you just decided to grab me.”
“Pretty much how it was, yeah.”
“Yeah, I want to go back to my ship. Better leave me in here, mate.”
“Suit yourself. There’s just one problem. Pretty sure Blackbeard is out for blood and I’m not in the mood to die.”
“Consequences for fucking choices, man.”
“Yes, yes,” Bellamy waved him off. “Or maybe I’ll be able to convince you to change your mind.”
“Or maybe he’ll chase you down. Guess that’s a possibility.”
The one thing about pirates is that they love their tales. They are terrible gossips and so much can be overheard in taverns and other hole in the wall gathering spaces where rum tends to loosen lips. Bellamy was not above listening to the tales for his own purposes.
“According to what I’ve heard, Izzy, you did not endear yourself to Edward’s boyfriend. Maybe they’ll be glad to be rid of you. Heard you even ran him through once. He obviously feels safer with you gone.”
“Piss off, Bellamy.”
“As I said, suit yourself.” Bellamy walked out without another word.