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“And with that my crew, I bid you adieu! The Gentleman Pirate is off to bed, and so should you.” Stede smiled warmly at the camera. The camera closed in on his face as he spoke directly to their young audience. “Goodnight, and sweet dreams my crewmates. Thank you for another great day aboard our ship.” 

Even after saying the closing line uncountable times before in his life, Stede always felt genuine gratitude for the kids he was talking to. It warmed him, thinking of the children his character connected with, that he helped nurture in some way.

It was incredibly touching to Stede Bonnet, actor for the hit children’s TV show The Gentleman Pirate.

“And cut!” the director called, abruptly ending the warm moment.

“FUCKITY FUCK!” Roach yelled.

“Roach!” Oluwande admonished.

“Jokes getting old, mate” Jim muttered, getting up from the circle they had formed around Stede as he had read a bedtime story to the crew. 

Each episode was always structured that way. A few daily lessons and activities aboard the ship, and then a bedtime story. Nevermind that the show ran in the mornings.

It never made sense to Stede, but he supposed it was a nice touch, saying goodnight to the children and meaning it.

“Cameras ain’t rolling. I can say what I want now!” Roach retorted, as he did every day he burst out with an expletive after the last shot was filmed.

“Now, now, Roach. It’s best to behave on and off the cameras!” Stede chided, only teasing. They had been doing this show for ten years now. Ten years. And his fellow actors had become his closest friends, quirks and all. Even if he did wish Roach would wait to “get it out of his system” until they were off set. Or at least not do it every single day.

That’s a lie, Stede secretly loved it. 

“Nice work everyone.” Stede chirped, setting the book prop aside. He rolled his neck and loosened his collar. He was sweating with all the layers he had on and with the heat of the spotlights. He loved his job, but he didn’t exactly love how dressed up Captain Bonnet had to be. 

He envied the casual loose costumes assigned to the rest of his crew. If only.

“You too Captain,” Frenchie teased.

Stede shook his head and made his way to his dressing room, already unbuttoning his thick teal coat. 

“Did you hear?” Black Pete asked loudly, absolutely intending for everyone in the immediate area to catch his not-so-subtle announcement. 

“What, babes?” Lucius asked, as he and the rest of the crew followed Stede’s example and headed to the dressing rooms.

“Blackbeard 4 is going to be filming next door to our set!” Black Pete exclaimed. 

“Innit that the one you auditioned for and didn’t get?” Swede asked. 

Black Pete scowled. “Shut it,”

Stede bit back a chuckle. Poor Black Pete. He’d auditioned to be a part of the Blackbeard movie eight years ago when the film franchise had just begun. Only as an incredibly minor character, although Black Pete insisted it had been a talking role. 

He hadn’t got it. And then when The Gentleman Pirate cast found out they started to call him Black Pete. 

“How do you know?” Wee John scoffed. “No way they’d film here, they would go to New Zealand or some shit to film.”

“I have a friend.” Black Pete hedged, but left it at that.

Lucius came to his husband’s rescue. “It’s at least 60 percent likely they are filming here.” 

“Babe! More like 80!”

“70 percent and we seal it with a kiss?” Lucius quipped.

“You two are sickening.” Jim muttered. 

Stede didn’t miss Olu’s murmured agreement before he decided to chime in. “Well, I would be delighted if we had more pirates around.”

Nathaniel Buttons scoffed. “You better hope Black Pete’s wrong, Bonnet. Heard that Edward Teach is a right’ dickhead. I wouldn’t want to run inta’ him.”

Edward Teach, the famed actor who played the lead in Blackbeard. Blackbeard himself.

Yes, Stede thought as he pursed his lips. He had heard a few unsavory things about the man over the years. How he would yell at the cast and crew, make unreasonable demands, and even once threatened the director. 

“Hmm, maybe.” Stede said neutrally. “But I doubt he’d bother us.” Stede mused. 

One could hope.

-

As it happened, Stede was wrong.

But more to the point, Black Pete was right. 

“Ha! I knew it!” Pete bragged one morning as they were walking to their set. It was an overcast day, and it had rained all night. 

Black Pete pointed to the new sign on their neighboring building's door. It read “ Blackbeard 4: As of Yet Untitled.” 

As of Yet. Very high brow. Could have just said truthfully ‘the name is still under wraps.’

“Yeah yeah, you called it.” Frenchie sighed as they walked through the parking lot to the building which housed their set. Stede was thankful the drizzle had let up. He didn’t have an umbrella.

“Why aren’t they in New Zealand?” Wee John asked. 

“What’s so great about New Zealand?” Olu asked.

“Wait, isn’t Stede from New Zealand?” Swede asked.

Stede was about to respond when Black Pete butted in “Ed is too!”

“Ed?” Lucius asked.

“Ed! Teach!” Black Pete responded, exasperated.

“You’re on a first name basis now?” Lucius smiled a little too sweetly.

“You don’t know ‘im, do yeah?” Roach asked, reproachfully.

“Wait, isn’t Ed Teach also from New Zealand?” Swede continued.

Sometimes Stede wasn’t sure how much of Swede’s lack-of-intelligence was due to method acting or his brain.

Stede still didn’t get the chance to respond, as Black Pete was once again speaking.

“I do!” Pete said petulantly. “As a friend of a friend kind of way.”

“Babe,” Lucius muttered, rubbing his temple.

“No, I do! I can go over there right now!”

“Yeah, but you won’t.” Wee John taunted, absolutely doing it to get a rise out of Black Pete.

Stede knew for a fact that Wee John was an asshole like that, but a sweet one. A gentle giant, which the studio ran with when they cast him. 

“I’ll do it now!” Black Pete retorted.

“Maybe he’s from England?” Swede asked aloud. “Blackbeard is from England.”

“Not right now Pete,” Stede said gently, cutting through the two conversations. He decided not to give it much thought that Swede apparently didn’t hear that Ed Teach was a Kiwi like himself, despite it being mentioned five seconds ago… but Swede did somehow know that Blackbeard was from the UK. Mysteries never cease.

Oh well. He was more focused on giving Black Pete an out. “I’m sure he’s very busy.” Stede continued solemnly. 

“Yeah mate, and we’re about to film.” Olu added, gesturing to a scowling crew member ahead of them. She had a door propped open and was gesturing at her watch. Apparently they were running late. As they always seemed to be.

“Fine, not right now.” Black Pete sniffed.

“Captain Bonnet?” Someone called from behind them.

“Yes?” Stede turned, staring at an unusual, shoeless man in a red dressing gown. Long salt and pepper hair framing a tanned, stubbled face with a squared jaw and dark eyes. His feet must be getting cold, Stede thought distantly, taken in by the strange man. It rained a little while ago, and the car park asphalt hadn’t dried yet.

Shit, he was gorgeous. Peculiar, but beautiful. 

“The fuck?” he heard Frenchie behind him.

“Edward Teach!” Black Pete squeaked before Stede and the rest of the cast were forcibly ushered into their set’s building.

-

“Stede, aren't you from England, like Blackbeard?” Swede asked as the director went over some notes with the script writer.

They were on set, ready to shoot. And his fellow cast were still completely focused on all things Edward Teach related. Swede notwithstanding.

“No, I’m not. But Buttons I believe is from Scotland?” Stede said, trying to steer the subject away from the peculiar, strange, gorgeous man he saw in the parking lot.

The man who had been calling to him, for some reason.

“Aye, we’re a proud lot.” Buttons confirmed.

“What’s the difference between Scotland and Eng-” Swede started

“So!” Lucius quickly interjected. “That was weird! Edward Teach suddenly appearing like that.” 

Stede was so thankful for Lucius’ good sense in not letting the Scotsman get started. Even if they were back on the subject of one Edward Teach.

“Yeah, why’d he call you ‘Captain’ anyways?” Olu asked. 

“Not sure. Your guess is as good as mine.” Stede mused. He hadn’t an inkling of what to make of their brief interaction.

“Sign of respect?” Roach remarked.

Olu raised his eyebrow. “Yeah, but it’s not his real title.”

Before the conversation could get further, the director had called for them to get into their places. 

They were going to start the show as they always did, with the crew pottering about the set, and Stede talking to the camera until a crew member came up to kickstart the story-like lesson of the episode.

“Action!” the director called out, followed by the clack of the clapperboard.

Stede straightened his spine, curled his fingers around his coat as he strode around the ship, his ship, like a proud captain. He smiled at Jim as he passed them, and then glanced at the camera. 

“Oh!” Stede gasped, eyes widening in delight. “Hello again! So good to have you among the crew today!” Stede enthused warmly, stepping closer to the camera. 

“I’m glad you’re here,” Stede conspired with the audience, glancing over his shoulder, before smiling directly into the camera. “I wasn’t sure what I was going to do today. But now you’re here I know we’re going to have so much fun!”

“Captain Bonnet!” Roach called racing towards him.

“Chef Roach! Look who’s here!” 

“Hello maties!” Roach grinned, waving towards the camera. He then excitedly pushed his way in front, and proudly showed the plant he was holding. “I was on land, and I found this plant! A nice lady told me it would be good for cooking with.”

“How lovely!” Stede said from behind him, still in the frame of the camera. “But do you know how to take care of it?”

Roach looked from Stede to the camera and back again quickly, furrowing his brow. “Well, no? I can just pluck it out of the dirt and use the leaves, right?”

Stede smiled and shook his head. “No Chef Roach, plants require care. I know! Let me show you the orange tree in my quarters.”

“Thanks, Captain!”

“Cut!” The director called, and Stede immediately loosened his posture, while Roach’s wild enthusiasm suddenly curbed. 

“Alright that was good, but let’s do that again. This time remember to mention that you’re holding a basil plant, ok Roach?”

“Ugh, right, got it.”

“Also we need to cut down on the lines. It’s taking a little too long to get through them. Stede, could you say ‘I was hoping you’d stop by. We’re going to have so much fun’ instead?” The director asked, then flipped through his notes. “And Roach, would you please…”

And so they did the scene again and again. And after, they filmed other parts of the episode where they told children how to care for plants and the benefits of eating fresh, nutritious food.

-

“So how come Scotland’s national animal is a unicorn?” Swede asked Buttons. As they made their way off set for the day.

Roach had already screamed out his customary expletive.

“It’s a symbol of Scottish purity,” Buttons began, unconsciously making Karl the seagull puppet mime along. “It dates back to the fifteenth century.”

“Is that before unicorns went extinct?” Swede asked.

Olu looked pained and opened his mouth to say something before Jim laid a hand on his arm and shook their head. Olu sighed and let it go.

Stede also chose to ignore the two blonds as they discussed the questionable history of unicorns. They were nearly to their dressing rooms anyway. “Frenchie, your daily poem today was wonderful. I loved how you managed to rhyme orange with door-hinge.”  

“We can blame the writers for that one.” Frenchie chuckled.

“Yes, but you made it sound so natural.” Stede grinned, before entering his dressing room.

Being the lead role, Stede got his own dressing room. Something he was grateful for it as he liked the privacy.

So it was rather surprising that someone else was already there.

“There you are.” Said a man covered head to toe in black leather. Black kohl streaked haphazardly across his eyes and brow. Tattoos swirled up his tanned arms. And a sword was dangling from his belt.

The fake beard almost made him unrecognizable to Stede. But Edward Teach’s eyes glittered too prominently underneath his Blackbeard facade to be anyone else.

It crossed Stede’s mind that it wasn’t fair how beautiful he had looked outside earlier in only a dressing gown, and how darkly attractive he looked as the dangerous Blackbeard. 

“Here I am.” Stede said weakly.

Edward stepped forward with his hand out, which Stede took on impulse, slightly surprised by Edward’s warm and gentle grip.

“I am a huge fan,” Edward said as he shook Stede’s hand, a smile evident even under all that beard.

Stede silently vowed never to complain again about his many layers, at least he wasn’t covered in black leather with his face half submerged in thick layers of hair.

“Likewise, you’re the best!” Stede heard himself say, not intending to say that at all. He didn’t know what to say.

Unfortunately it wasn’t exactly true. He was sure Edward was a wonderful actor, but he had never seen the Blackbeard movies. Or his other film, Kraken . And he certainly couldn’t think of any other’s he’d been in. 

Besides, world famous Edward Teach, a fan of him? A children’s TV show host?

Stede wasn’t sure what to say in the face of that.

Edward beamed, “Cheers, mate. I’m so glad I could catch you before you went home.”

“Me too, err, Edward.” He briefly thought of calling him Mr. Teach, but considering he hadn’t let go of his hand yet and had said he was a fan, Stede didn’t think that would be proper.

“Ed, please.” Edward said as he rolled his eyes. “Only my mother calls me Edward. That and my agent when I’ve fucked something up.”

Stede chuckled slightly and managed to pull his hand away. “If my name had an abbreviation I’d tell you to call me that as well. But it’s a bit hard to shorten ‘Stede’”

“What about a nickname?”

“Don’t have one I’m afraid. I’m plain old Stede.”

Ed scoffed, and Stede couldn’t help but relax as he said, “There is nothing plain about you. You’re a legend! What about Captain? Anyone call you that?”

“Like you called me earlier?” Stede asked. Before he could even ask why Ed had called him by his character’s name, Ed was already talking.

“Yes! Not gonna lie, I like it when people call me Captain Blackbeard outside of work, don’t you?”

Despite himself, and the abruptness of all this, he couldn’t help but tease. “Captain Blackbeard? Can’t say anyone has called me that.”

“Har har har, very funny.” Ed shook his head, but his smile gave him away. “You would be a great Captain Blackbeard!”

Now it was Stede’s turn to laugh. “No I could never! I’m the Gentleman Pirate after all, a far cry from the gruesome Blackbeard.”

Ed leaned forward, his eyes gleaming playfully. “You’re already a great Captain in your own right. Just gotta be a bit more stabby-stabby and you’d be the perfect Blackbeard.”

“I don’t “stabby-stabby!” Stede balked, but he had to laugh too. “You’re the “stabby-stabby” one, I’m just Captain Bonnet!” 

Stede couldn’t believe he was leaning towards Ed too, how at ease he felt with the man in such a quick time.

He chalked it up to seeing Ed’s face so many times over the years, it being plastered all over the media whenever a new Blackbeard movie was released. There was familiarity there, warmth. 

Ed leaned forward more, as if to conspire like Stede did with kids through the camera. “You could be, if you let me show you how.”

Stede really tried not to blush at the proximity, and the rough baritone in Ed’s voice.

-

“Watch out everyone! Captain Blackbeard is among us!” Frenchie hollered to the cast as Stede made his way on set.

Stede almost sprayed out his coffee. “How–what, what are you talking about?” 

Swede looked around, oblivious. “Where?”

“We mean Stede, mate.” Roach smirked. “Heard they're writing up a contract to replace Teach right now!”

“Whatever do you mean?” Stede tried to feign nonchalance, taking a much more civilized swallow of his drink.

“Have you not seen, Stede? You’ve gone viral!” Buttons exclaimed, as Lucius shoved his phone in Stede’s face.

Stede wasn’t on Twitter, he had an account but it was more for his publicity team's use. But still, even he could tell that 149k likes was an incredibly high number.

This would explain the many calls he had received from his agent this morning, which he had ignored in favor of showering and listening to his audiobook.

“Looks like you had a bit of fun.” Lucius teased. “He certainly brings out your bad side, doesn’t he? Sneaking onto set after hours, hmm?”

Stede sputtered. “It’s not like it was locked! Besides, it was just a bit of fun! He was in my dressing room, and we decided to switch costumes since both of us were still dressed for work. And it was funny! He couldn’t abide with all of Captain Bonnet’s layers, and I wanted to try on the leather, so- it just happened!” Stede trailed off. “It was just for a bit of fun.”

“So he’s not as much of a dickhead as we thought?” Wee John asked. 

“No, he’s not. He’s actually quite sweet, and funny.” Stede couldn’t help but smile.

It was fun. Ed had fussed with all the buttons, and then decided he couldn’t deal with the coat after all. Stede had somehow gotten all of Ed’s clothes on, including the leather pants, which were more trouble than they were worth. Stede couldn’t help but laugh at how put out Ed looked, so before Stede knew better he’d invited Ed for a tour of the set. 

Well, Ed had made the trouble of coming to meet Stede, it had only seemed polite. 

That’s what Stede told himself anyways.

Ed was lovely. What was most astonishing about him was how awed he was by the humble set of a children’s show, when Ed must have been on sets that cost ten times as much. He picked up props, studied them, treated everything with reverence, and said how amazing it all was. 

After ten years on this set, it had lost its initial charm. But Stede loved his work, and all that came with it. And it warmed him to see how much Ed seemed to be taken by his job too. And somehow, Ed had managed to bring back a little bit of magic to the old set.

A wicked look crossed Lucius’ face as he scrolled through his phone. Black Pete was snickering beside him. “Oh the comments are the best part.”

“What do you mean?” Stede asked.

“Apparently everyone loves seeing you two together.” Jim shrugged, also scrolling through their phone.

Stede pulled out his own phone, while Black Pete was turning red from not guffawing. He quickly downloaded the Twitter app and logged in to take a look himself.

He almost wished he hadn’t.

Some were very nice. A lot of young adults and teenagers saying how they loved The Gentleman Pirate as children, and what a great throwback it was to see Captain Bonnet again. One even said “Blackbeard looks so… wholesome?”

But some of them made Stede’s cheeks color.

“Those two are getting freaky together 😏”

“I can’t believe I’m thirsty for Captain Bonnet 😳😩”

“and they were co-captains. Omg they were co-captains 😍”

“Nothing’s getting twisted except for those bedsheets!!” 

“THE CROSSOVER I DIDNT KNOW I NEEDED”

And so on.

He’d need to call his agent about this. He had no idea how to respond. If he could respond.

What did it even mean that people were thirsty for him?

Thankfully, they were called to their places before the rest of the cast could taunt him further on his new internet fame.

-

The grouping of buildings that housed many sets for various shows and movies had a few local amenities for the workers. Bathrooms, showers, break rooms, and of course the cafeteria where Stede and the rest of the cast were having lunch two days after The Tuesday Twitter Twister (Stede’s name for his viral escapade, not that it has caught on.)

It was Thursday, and that is when Ed next dropped by.

Almost literally.

“Hello, mate.” Ed smiled as he plopped his sandwich and drink next to Stede, completely startling him from the conversation he was having with his friends about whether Dumbo would be the elephant version of a wizard, and the wand was his feather and that’s what made him fly.

Black Pete had been in the middle of explaining how there was no way any sized elephant's ears could support them in flight, and so Dumbo must have magic somehow. He didn’t quite make it to the end of his spiel though, squeaking as soon as Ed appeared.

Ed dropped into the seat next to Stede as he responded with a surprised “hello!”

Stede had not expected to see Ed again. Certainly not so casually. Perhaps in the parking lot in passing. But not like this, with Ed smiling at him through his fake beard, the warmth of him evident even though they did not touch.

“Hello, Captain Twitter.” Lucius smiled, much more calmly than Stede felt.

Damn his twisting stomach.

Stede cleared his throat, trying for composure. “Everyone, this is Ed. Ed, these are my friends, Lucius, Pete, Roach, Frenchie, John, Swede, Buttons, Olu and Jim.”

“And Karl.” Buttons said, pulling out the puppet from somewhere unknown.

“And Karl.” Stede amended a touch slowly.

“Hi, Ed.” Swede waved.

Black Pete rolled his eyes. “We know who he is, Stede.”

“It’s great to meet all of you.” Ed smiled. “Even though I already knew who you were. I’m a fan.” he winked.

“Of The Gentleman Pirate ?” Olu asked dubiously. 

“Yes! Love that shit. Such a fun show and take on pirating. And the representation on the ship is just great!”

Stede flushed with pride. Yes, that was one of the things he was quite proud of too. With Jim being nonbinary, and it being no secret that Lucius and Pete were a married couple, plus all the people of color and characters from various backgrounds, Stede thought it was a great show to help children learn that different did not mean bad.

Stede beamed with pride. “It is a great show in that regard! I love how well it resonates with children. Especially nowadays, I don’t think it would have done nearly as well if it had launched a few years earlier.” 

Ed shook his head. “Naw mate, give yourself some credit! The show has been on air for ten years. A decade ago people were way less tolerant of their kids watching not-straight-cis people on TV. And a show with people of color in respected roles? Diamond in the rough, your show is.” Ed looked at Stede directly as he said. “You were all looney to go for it, and you did anyways. Major balls.”

Stede blushed, for more than one reason. Pride being one, the other being, well, Ed as a whole. “Thank you, but honestly we do work hard for the show, we- erm, well-”

“So you went viral.” Lucius cut in, much to Stede’s flustered relief. “Another day in the life for you, I’m guessing?”

Lucius gave Stede a pointed look before returning his eyes to Ed. 

“Yeah, well. Wasn’t expecting that many people to like the tweet.” Ed shrugged before adding slyly, “but hey, can’t blame ‘em. Not when Captain Bonnet’s with me.” 

Stede silently took back his wish to never have to wear a fake beard. He would love one right now to hide his reddening cheeks. 

“And have you read the comments?” Lucius asked, because he’s a traitor.

Stede glared at him across the table.

Unfortunately that just encouraged the rest of his so-called friends to not rescue him from this torment. They just listened in. 

“I think my favorite was how so many people were thirsting after Stede - oh excuse me, I mean Captain Bonnet.” Lucius practically purred. Beside him, Pete looked like he was about to combust from laughter.

“I don’t even know what that means.” Stede muttered.

Ed coughed, which sounded too suspiciously like a laugh. “You don’t?”

“No.” Stede said pointedly. “Do you?”

“Yes,” Ed said, a little hoarse if Stede were to judge. Probably from his suspicious cough. 

“I also liked the one that said the two captains had just made a new ship.” John smirked.

Stede blinked. “We what? Made a ship?”

“Yes, apparently we’re called…” Ed trailed off, then blinked at Stede. “You do know what a ship is, right?”

“Yes!” Stede said, indignantly. “A boat!”

At this Pete did burst out laughing. Which made everyone else let loose too. 

Beside him Ed’s shoulder’s shook. 

“What? What’s so funny? What do I not know!”

“Nothing, nothing,” Ed got out through chuckles. Across the table Buttons had tears running down his face.

Stede flushed in embarrassment.

“Seriously mate, it’s nothing. Just a stupid thing the kids say on the internet. Probably better you don’t know.” Ed said, before clamping his hand on Stede’s shoulder.

Stede looked at him at an angle, having hunched over more than he’d realized during this ordeal.

Ed squeezed his shoulder and smiled reassuringly, making his eyes crinkle in the best way. “Never change, mate. You’re endearing as fuck.”

“Thanks, Ed.” Stede smiled slightly, his stomach twisting around his heart.

It was then that Stede knew how royally screwed he was.

-

“Cap’n Bonnet! Cap’n! Come meet Karl’s new friend!” 

Stede sped walked towards the bow of the ship where Karl and Buttons were. “Did you hear that?” He said to the camera, gesturing for them to follow. “Let’s go see who it is!”

“Karl here helped this little guy aboard.” gesturing to the puppet of a lizard looking thing, controlled by a puppeteer beneath the rail of the ship’s set.

“Hello, friend!”

“Karl says he’s a marine iguana, he’s from the Galápagos Islands!”

“That must have been quite the… swim? Can he swim?”

The iguana nodded vigorously, and Buttons leaned down to listen to the puppet as he ‘whispered’ in his ear. Buttons nodded along, as if taking in the lizard’s words. “He says he’s a marine reptile, and is the only lizard on Earth that spends time in the ocean. He likes to eat algae and seaweed!”

Stede turned to the camera that was zoomed in close. “Well that is riveting! Shall we take a deep dive to discover more about our new friend?” Stede beamed into the camera, and tilted his head to expose his ear to it, waiting for the children at home to agree. “Wonderful! Let’s go!”

“Cut!” the director called as they reached the end of the scene that would lead into a clip about the sea iguana. This was a part of their nature segment, showing the kids the different kinds of marine life, and what they can do to help preserve and respect the planet.

“So how come lizards get a mermaid version of themselves, but humans don’t?” Frenchie mused.

Black Pete’s eyes widened. “Mermaid lizards prove that Dumbo is a fairy elephant!”

“No, it really doesn’t.” Olu said, exasperated.

“Besides, it can’t be a mermaid, it don’t got no fins!” Swede exclaimed.

“It can’t be a mermaid because it isn’t a mermaid!” Jim exclaimed.

“You never know! The writers might have us meet a mermaid one day.” Stede added. 

Jim gave him a half-hearted glare, which looked incredibly vicious if you didn’t know them better.

That was the thing about Stede in their group of friends. He was like the glue that kept them together. A peacemaker of sorts. Always happy to contribute to any conversation they had, or just observe it unfold. But he never liked to make anyone feel belittled. 

He wasn’t sure how all their different personalities meshed together and unified into a friend group, but it did, and it made Stede happy.

They made him very happy.

-

Ed also made him very happy.

Proven by how much he smiled when he showed up on Stede’s set the next afternoon.

“Do you ever film for your own project?” Stede teased as Ed made his way over to him. 

To him. Stede tried not to feel too elated that Ed wanted to talk with him, not anyone else. Despite having met his much more dynamic friends, Ed still chose to visit him.

Or at least stop by and say hi to him first, he tried to remind himself.

They were between scenes, the director looking over something before moving on to the next segment of filming featuring Frenchie and a sing-along. Apparently Ed was also between scenes, judging by his Blackbeard costume.

“Yeah I do, but so much of it is just green screen. They don’t need me there right now.”

“Sounds a bit… dull.” Stede tried to put delicately.

“I want to rip my eyes out from all the fucking green. Whoever invented the green screen better be stuck in a green room for 24 hours. Get a taste of his own bloody medicine.”

Stede laughed. “I believe his name is Richard Edlund.”

Ed smiled despite himself. “Of course you know his name is Richard. Fucking Richard. How fitting. He’s a real dick.”

Stede guffawed, “Ed!” 

“What! It’s true!” Ed grinned. “You only have to put up with the green screen behind you. Not all around you!” he said, gesturing to the green screen behind Stede’s own ship set.

“True. Do you miss it?”

“What?”

“Acting on a proper set.”

“‘Course I do! Last time I acted on a set was when I was playing some hoity-toity aristocrat. We actually filmed that shit in a palace. It was incredible.”

Stede pursed his lips. “Was this for The Court Test ?”

“Yes! You’ve seen it?”

“No,” Stede admitted guiltily. But better to admit that than to say he’d spent several hours researching all of Ed’s previous projects, and then actually watched Kraken and the Blackbeard movies.

Blackbeard was alright. He knew he wouldn’t likely watch them again. But Kraken was actually quite good. Many viewers saw it only as an action packed movie of a man defeating the monstrous Kraken . Stede saw it more as a coming of age film, where a boy learns to better himself and fight his inner demons along the way.

“Shame, it was one of my better ones.”

“When I see it, I’ll let you know what I think.” Stede said, already mentally putting it further up on his to-watch list.

Ed’s phone suddenly rang out, prompting a curse from him. “Shit, that’ll be my director. Gotta go, but hey, let me give you my number so you can tell me what you think of it.” Ed’s eyes darted away for a beat. “Or, you know. You don’t have to watch it. But still, take my number anyway.”

Stede could feel his face pinking an unattractive color. “Oh! I don’t have my phone on me. It’s in my room,” he began and then rushed on as Ed’s face fell. “But let me give you mine!”

Stede snatched the phone out of Ed’s hand and inputted his personal cell number. “There. Text me so I have yours too.”

Ed nodded a bit shyly before grunting out an “Ok.” and promptly turned heel and walked off set.

Overall, Stede thought that could have gone a bit better.

But any self-consciousness he felt was chased away but the giddiness of having Ed’s number.

-

“Who is the most likely to trip on set?”

“Oh! We all know this.” Black Pete cackled, writing his answer on his dry erase board. 

“Do we?” Swede asked. 

“Well it certainly isn’t Jim,” Olu chuckled, as Jim smiled at him slyly.

“You know it,” they replied.

They were doing an interview for a media outlet called “The G.” What G meant, Stede didn’t know. But they had put together a fun interview where they answered “who would be most likely to” questions. Apparently the younger generations loved this sort of stuff.

They all flipped over their boards, and it was no surprise to Stede that they had all written his name down. Even Swede.

“Oh come on! I’m not that bad!” Stede huffed, but couldn’t hide his smile. 

Frenchie chuckled. “Mate, you make a flopping fish on a deck look graceful.”

Stacy, the interviewer who was trying to contain her own laughter, pressed on. “Who would have most likely been a pirate in a past life?”

“A good pirate!” Stede interjected.

“Yes, a good pirate.” she amended.

They all wrote down their answers, and they were all varied. None of them said Stede, but a fair few said either Jim of Wee John.

“Interesting!” Stacy exclaimed.

“We were secretly on a crew together in our past life. We were the J-crew.” Jim deadpanned.

Wee John chuckled as the interviewer gave them a wry smile, not sure how to respond to that. “Why Jim and John?” She asked the group.

“Jim has deadly aim. They never lose at darts.” Buttons said, almost reverently.

Roach nodded in agreement, “Plus have you seen Wee John? He’s huge! I’d want him on my crew.”

“Thanks, Roach.” John said. 

“Who is most likely to randomly burst into song?” The interviewer continued.

“Frenchie.” They all said in unison, not even needing to write it down.

“It’s true!” Frenchie trilled.

“You are one tight-knit crew!” The interviewer giggled playfully. “Are you really as close on set as you are off set?” apparently comfortable to go off script for the fun, kid-friendly interview.

Being interviewed wasn’t exactly common for them, but apparently there was some gaining public interest in them. So the studio had decided to jump on the chance to get more exposure. And none of the representatives of The Gentleman Pirate that were behind the camera was stopping Stacy from asking whatever she wanted.

“We are!” Lucius exclaimed. “We are actually really good friends off set. We hang out sometimes when we aren’t shooting. We’re practically a dysfunctional family.”

Stacy smiled broadly, teeth gleaming. “That’s so lovely! It’s always nice to hear of casts that actually like each other.” She gave a laugh before jumping onto the next big off-script question. “And is it true that there is some off-camera romance?”

Stede couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows at the forwardness of the question. He was about to redirect the interview when Black Pete answered.

“Well yes, Lucius and I are married.” he said proudly, as he linked his hand with his husband’s.

Stacy’s eyes went soft, and Stede wasn’t sure if it was her acting empathetically or her genuinely caring.

“You two met on set?”

“We did! He swept me off my feet.” Lucius winked. “We kept our relationship low-key at first, since we weren’t sure how serious it would be. Turns out it was because we got married,” he laughed. “It was never a secret, if that’s what you’re wondering. Especially with Jim being an openly nonbinary actor and pirate on the show, it seemed silly to need to hide anything else LGBT related within the cast.”

Black Pete, who had been staring at his husband with a tender smile, added on. “And it is out there. We’re out there. But our characters aren’t married on the show. The writers were concerned that if they got us together on the show and then we broke up in real life, it would make things too difficult on set.”

Lucius squeezed Pete’s hand, and didn’t let go even as Stacy pressed on.

“That’s very sweet. And it is so refreshing to see a show aimed at young children being so open about sexuality, and having such a diverse cast.”

“Thank you, we’re very proud of the show.” Stede beamed. 

Stacy was a great interviewer, evidenced by how well she thoroughly pulled the rug out from under Stede. “So, any romances with you, Stede?” 

“Excuse me?”

“Twitter has been all over the Stedeward ship. I’m sure we’re all wondering if there was any truth to that?”

“The Stedeward ship?” Stede asked slowly.

Stewardship? Is that what she meant? Was she having a stroke?

Stacy clearly wasn’t picking up that Stede’s confusion was genuine. “Of course! Edward Teach has been tweeting about you quite a bit. It seems you have gotten closer?”

Stede blinked, lips almost parting in surprise. “Ed?” He breathed in, before rushing out, “Yes I suppose so, he’s visited the set a few times.” Stede was really unsure what else Ed could have tweeted about him other than that photo. Or, what his countless followers had been saying in the comments. 

Stede swallowed, trying his best to not think of the man when a camera was on him. No one needed to see his reaction at the mention of Ed. It felt oddly invasive.

“Ed, is it?” Stacy grinned. “So is there anything going on between-”

“I thought we were talking about me!” Lucius squawked. 

Black Pete forced out a rather loud laugh as Frenchie called out “Sorry, Lucy! I forgot everything needs to be about you! Quickly, everyone, shower him in praise!”

“Oh Lucy-goosey, your handwriting is so perfect.” Roach teased, a touch mocking. 

“You look great in ya’ fake sideburns!” Buttons called over.

“If I was gay, you’d be most likely to capture my heart.” Olu said solemnly.

Swede sighed. “Speaking of most likely, let’s get back to the game, eh?.” 

“Who’d be most likely to commit a mutiny?” Lucius asked.

“Pete.” Roach said with no hesitation.

“Yeah, definitely Pete.” Wee John agreed.

Stede wasn’t sure exactly what had just happened, but he felt grateful all the same. If nothing else, just for Stacy’s tart expression on her face.

-

Not able to resist, Stede immediately checked Ed’s Twitter when he got home.

He almost wished he hadn’t. 

Apparently it wasn’t just what Ed had been tweeting, which thankfully wasn’t a lot. Just a little about how Blackbeard and Captain Bonnet could totally co-captain a ship together. And also how he loved seeing ‘a diverse cast of pirates 😉’ while filming Blackbeard 4.

That was it, most of his other tweets were just his random thoughts and activities. Which Stede absolutely did not go through or start smiling at his phone like an idiot.

Although there was one, from a couple weeks ago, saying what an honor it was to work so close to your heroes.

It was only a few days before they met. 

Stede fumbled with his phone, accidentally liked the tweet, and then panicked and unliked it.

Maybe it was only a coincidence. But Stede’s stupid heart couldn’t help picking up its tempo as his hand shook slightly.

He decided to explore the other avenues of Twitter, and was caught up in the Stedeward hashtag, which seemed to show up in so many of the comments. 

Apparently, Stedeward was a combination of their names, and people wanted them to be in a relationship together. A thought that did odd things to his belly, and sent his spine go straight.

Stede was incredibly thankful he lived under a rock. It had shielded him from being knowledgeable of what a ship was during his earlier interview.

Ignorance was bliss.

Stede found a lot of click-bait articles about his and Ed’s budding romance. Their secret love affair, and even how Ed had been dropping hints about their relationship for years… nevermind that they only met a few weeks ago.

It suddenly became abundantly clear why The Gentleman Pirate was getting a lot more media interest recently.

It didn’t sit well with Stede that so many people were pushing for a relationship to happen between two people they didn’t know, and would likely never meet. Especially since, regardless of if Stede’s and the fans' thoughts aligned, it wasn’t their business. At all.

His phone buzzed in his hand. It was a text from Ed. Of course.

Ed: I see youve been doing some twitter stalking? 😜

Stede wished that the rock he had been living under had been able to shelter him for a little longer. And that his fingers weren’t as clumsy as the rest of him. 

Stede: I had an interesting interview today… I finally found out what a ship is.

A reply came very quickly.

Ed: Not just a boat!

And then the jumping ellipses, as Ed typed. And then stopped. And typed again.

Stede was fine with that. It meant he could get a glass of wine while Ed did the talking for them.

Finally, Ed sent

Ed: What do you think about stedeward?

Stede bit his lip. Then sucked down a gulp of wine. 

Now it was Ed’s turn to see Stede type and stop, type more and stop again.

Stede: It makes me uncomfortable. I’ve never had this much media attention before. It’s good for the show though, I guess

Ed’s reply came a tad slow.

Ed: haha that’s fair

Ed: Fans can get a bit obsessed with their ships. Most of it is just good natured, but others can be a bit much.

Stede: I know. I don’t mind them wanting Blackbeard and Captain Bonnet together. But I do mind them wanting us together. It feels invasive.

And very personal, private, and too true. Stede added in his head. 

But he couldn’t say that to Ed. 

Ed: I hear ya

Ed texted back quickly, a bit abruptly.

Ed: I’m going to bed

Ed: Night Stede

Ed: Ttyl

Stede swallowed down his disappointment. He supposed it was getting a little late. And Ed probably had more physically demanding things in his Blackbeard role, which made him retire earlier.

A better person wouldn’t be sad he was going to sleep.

Stede: Night, Ed. Sleep well :)

Ed: You too Stede

And that was it for the night. But Stede hoped he could see Ed Monday morning.

-

As it happened he did.

“Ed!” Stede called across the parking lot the next morning, as he saw the man walk towards his own set.

Ed hadn’t donned his Blackbeard get-up yet. And Stede was privately grateful. Although Ed was undoubtedly handsome as Blackbeard, made to look rugged and darkly-appealing, it’s not how Stede preferred him. 

Ed with his long hair and light stubble, his loose clothing and confident stride was just… Ed. Exactly as Stede liked him. 

Ed turned towards him, and Stede couldn’t help but smile broadly at him. He waved an enthusiastic hello.

Ed gave a small wave back, and turned and waved at Stede before going inside. 

Stede’s hand fell a little heavily to his side. He swallowed his disappointment though. He must have a busy day ahead of him. He’d see him later.

-

Stede tried to not to think on how little he had seen Ed over the next few days, and exactly how much it bothered him.

Ed hadn’t shown up in the cafeteria as he normally did, nor did he magically appear on Stede’s set.

Stede missed him. And more than that, Stede wondered if it was something he did.

Stede couldn’t help but wonder if he missed something when they were talking about the Stedeward ship. He was so new to the intricacies of internet culture. He couldn’t help but think he’d made a blunder somewhere.

But how? Surely Ed also thought that shipping was a bit… awkward. Not for fictional characters, he loved that kind of expression the fans had. But it was awkward, and not altogether pleasant, to have total strangers picture you with your actual romantic interest.

Or even if Stede didn’t feel drawn to Ed, it would be strange.

But he couldn’t deny he was very much attracted to Ed.

He was a funny man, who cared deeply about his friends and his artistry. Someone who didn’t look down on others just because they hadn’t reached the same level of clout as him. He saw Stede and himself as equals, which only made that much easier for Stede to fall for him.

It also made it that much more awful to not see him. To worry over any possible missteps he had taken. 

These thoughts had been absorbing him much more than he’d like to admit. 

So much so, that it was actually affecting his performance. 

“Cut.” The director called, bringing Stede back to the scene they were trying to shoot.

Stede grimaced. “Sorry, did I miss my line again?”

“Yes, let’s take it from the top.” 

“Everything alright, mate?” Olu asked quietly. 

Stede shook his head slightly. “Nothing to worry about. Just something on my mind.”

Olu and Jim glanced at each other just before the director called action.

Any worry immediately left Olu’s face, replaced with wonder and excitement.

“Captain Bonnet, Captain Bonnet! Jim just taught me a new word in American Sign Language!” Olu said brightly.

“Did they, Oluwande?” Stede replied earnestly. “What is the word today, Jim?”

Jim gave a small smile. “This is how you sign ‘friends’ in American Sign Language.” Jim explained. “You tap your pointer fingers together like this.” Jim demonstrated as the camera pointed towards them.

Stede turned to his own camera. “How fitting! Let’s try and sign ‘friends’ together.” Stede beamed as he repeated the sign Jim was doing. 

“Thanks for showing us Jim,” Olu smiled. “I can’t wait to show the rest of the crew!” 

“Cut!” the director called. “I think that’ll do it. Now, for the next scene…”

If Jim and Olu noticed Stede glancing at the stage’s door throughout the next scene as well, they didn’t mention it. But they did ask Stede about the book he was currently reading, and did he really think that having a library on a ship would be practical in real life?

Obviously the answer was no. But Stede had to concede that he liked the idea of a library being on board. 

Stede knew what they were doing, and he was grateful to his friends for trying to distract him.

-

It became clear that Ed was avoiding him. 

He barely saw Ed, and when he texted he only got one word responses, if that. 

It honestly irritated Stede. And hurt. 

It wasn’t his fault they had prying fans. He didn’t make them ship Stedeward. 

And besides, was it that bad to think about them being together?

Stede mentally shook himself. He barely knew the man! He shouldn’t be pining away after Ed. 

Stede felt very foolish. Surely Ed would have a gaggle of pretty men and women he could pick from. A-lister celebrities who lead much more interesting lives than him. It was stupid to consider that Ed would even think about them being together. 

And yet, the heart wants what it wants, and he couldn’t deny after only a week of Ed’s absence that his stupid heart longed desperately for the man. 

His castmates had picked up on his dour mood, and had tried to cheer him up with jokes and teasing. 

It hadn’t helped much. But they still made him smile. And filming The Gentleman Pirate was its own sort of balm.

“‘Where are the gold pieces now?' the Fairy asked.” Stede read aloud, pitching his voice to be higher and melodic for the Blue Fairy. 

“'I lost them,' answered Pinocchio,” Stede continued, but now making his voice squeakier, a little mischievous for the beloved storybook character, purposely quivering his voice as he always did when Pinocchio was deceptive. “But he told a lie, for he had them in his pocket. As he spoke, his nose, long though it was, became at least two inches longer.”

Lucius gasped theatrically. “So Pinocchio lied?”

“He did!” Stede replied, giving Lucius an exaggerated nod, making his neck itch from the collar of his costume. 

“But Captain Bonnet, why would he lie if he needs to be brave, truthful, and unselfish to become a real boy?’” Jim chimed in.

“Well,” Stede mused, mulling it over for the camera. “We all make mistakes Jim, and that’s ok. Being truthful is the best of course, but if you do lie it’s never too late to say you’re sorry and tell the truth.” 

Stede didn’t need to force warmth into his voice. Despite the past week, this part of his job brought him the most ease and joy. He loved storytelling and enriching the children. And it made him reflect on his own life a bit. The hilarious mishaps of Captain Bonnet and his unlikely crew showed children that it was ok to not be perfect, so long as they do better next time and clean up their messes in time for the bedtime story. And maybe that’s what Stede needed to do now.

Stede continued to read the rest of the very edited and child-friendly version of Pinocchio to his crew. Each of them chiming in here and there before Stede closed the book. 

After the director yelled cut, and Roach yelled out his favorite curse words, Swede decided to make an announcement. 

“My wife Jackie is hosting a party for her friends, yah. Will you all come?”

Stunned silence met Swede. 

“You’re married?” Frenchie deadpanned.

“Since when you get hitched?” Wee John asked. 

“Is Jackie even a girl?” Pete chimed in. 

“Yah, I told you I married. Several years ago.”

“I don’t think you’ve ever told us that, mate.” Roach responded. “Like, ever.”

“I talk about the beautiful Jackie everyday.” Swede said solemnly. “She’s the best thing in my life.”

Olu swooped in before Roach could retort. “We’d love to, mate. And congratulations! When is it?”

“I’ll text the group chat, yah. It’ll be just a few people, not a big one.”

Stede smiled and also thanked Swede. This was exactly what he needed. A nice, quiet evening with his friends, and potentially some new ones. It was bound to be a lovely night.

-

A week later, it was not a quiet evening.

In fact it was a very loud night. And not a bad night, Stede was keen to have a good time! But this was far from what he had imagine. 

For one, Swede lived in a mansion, which surprised Stede to no end. And second, the place was packed.

“Swede! I thought you said it was a few people?!” Stede yelled. 

“This is only a few of Jackie’s friends.” Swede explained. “This is a very small party.”

“Well, where’s your lovely misses?” Frenchie called over the music.

Swede waved someone over, and the crowd parted for none other than Jackie Spanish. The Jackie Spanish. 

“Holy shit,” Pete breathed. 

“Hi ya’ll, I’m Jackie.” She gave her hand out to Stede to shake, which he did automatically. Her grip was bruising.

It was then that Stede remembered he was still holding a bag of chips and dip he had picked up before shooting today. Swede and the rest of the crew had come straight over from work. And, well, now here they were. 

Stede felt a bit silly. Considering it looked like they had an entire buffet outside, he didn’t think his store-brand hummus and tortillas would appeal. 

“Nice to meet you, Jackie.” Stede recovered. “Thanks for having us.”

“It’s about damn time I met my hubby’s friends. But when I saw how you were friends with Ed, I figured Swedey had no reason not to introduce us.” She snuggled into her husband's side. He absolutely melted into her touch. It was oddly adorable, if it weren’t so perplexing that his C-List celebrity friend had been married to A-lister Jackie Spanish for years.

It was then that her words sunk into Stede’s skull. “Ed? Ed Teach? Wait-” Stede gasped. “You work with him!”

Jackie Spanish had played the blackstabbing frenemy of Captain Blackbeard in all four films. She’d been an integral part of the story. Of course she knew Ed. 

And come to think of it, there were quite a few familiar faces in the crowd.

Izzy Hands, Calico Jack, Anne Bonny, Ned Low… all main-cast members of the Blackbeard franchise . 

This was a cast party. Stede’s stomach did something funny at the thought. 

Jackie gave him a knowing grin. “He’s here somewhere. Why don’t you go find him?”

“I-” Stede sputtered.

“Oh my god, is that Zheng Yi Sao? She plays the Pirate Queen in the films!” Olu gasped before dragging Jim across the room. 

“I thought Jackie was married to Geraldo?” Pete muttered, as he and Lucius also walked away.

“No, babes, they divorced years ago. Before that she was married to some guy named Alfeo…” Lucius trailed off. 

It was then that Stede realized he was alone. His friends had disappeared into the crowd, Swede and Jackie had melted away too, and now he was alone with his bag of dip and chips.

Stede sighed and walked outside. Might as well put his meager offering on the buffet table. 

His heart stuttered every time he saw a dark figure, or a leather jacket. He wanted so badly to see Ed, but after weeks of radio silence, he wasn’t sure that would be the best thing. 

Ed probably regretted making that Twitter post with Stede. It blew up, and then he lost some of his credibility. Stede was only a children’s show actor. He wasn’t big or famous. He was simply nostalgic to older viewers. 

Ed was putting distance between them for his career. And Stede could understand that. After all, with this new movie coming out Ed had a lot going on. And Stede would just distract from that. 

Stede was ironically too distracted to stop from running into someone. A man with long salt and pepper hair, in a soft henley and open-toed sandals. 

“Oh! So sorry, lost in my own thoughts-” Stede cut off as none other than Edward Teach turned around to face him. “Ed!”

“Stede!” he cried back. “You’re here!”

Of all the people to literally run into! Stede’s stomach did a deep swoop into his gut. 

“I-I am! Swede invited us.” Stede stammered. He was gobsmacked at seeing him, but more so about how happy Ed looked. He was smiling ear to ear at Stede. He would have thought seeing Stede would bring his mood down. For a brief moment Stede felt hope swoop into his heart. But then he reminded himself about where they were. Ed was surrounded by friends, it must have been the party that was boosting his mood. “Did you know he’s married to Jackie Spanish?” Stede blurted out, looking for something to say. 

Ed gave him a quizzical look. “Uh, yeah mate. I thought we all knew that.”

“What?” Stede gasped. 

Ed chuckled, and god did it sound so nice. “How else didja think I got onto your set so often? Swede helped!”

“I, well I didn’t think about that. I just assumed you… I’m not sure what I assumed.” Stede stammered. 

Ed laughed. “Oh, mate. I thought you knew all this time.”

Stede could only smile and laugh along with him. His nerves melting slightly. It was so easy, effortless. They fit so well together. And his traitorous heart wondered how he’d fallen so deeply and quickly.

“Why did you ever stop talking to me?” Stede said softly, without meaning to at all. It was too late to take back the moment he realized. “Oh! I mean- sorry, Ed. That’s not what I meant to say. Forget it.”

But there was no taking back the words. The brief moment of jovialness dissipated. A tenseness now surrounded them, muting the outside noise a little. Ed’s eyes were dark, and he always seemed to take Stede right in. He ran a hand over his stubbled face. “Look, mate, I’m sorry-”

“No, I'm sorry! I shouldn’t have brought it up!” Stede rushed in as Ed continued. 

“I pushed and asked about relationships, and then I buggered off to lick my wounds-”

“Lick your wounds?” Stede balked.

“Yeah, and I brought all this media attention on you and I know it’s been a lot for you, mate.”

“What on Earth are you talking about?” Stede blurted out.

It was Ed’s turn to look a little startled. And, embarrassed? “Well, yeah, that Tweet went viral and then I put my foot in it and here we are. I just wanted to give you space, Stede.”

“What? Just- what?” Stede choked out. “Give me space from what? I’ve missed you, you dolt!”

Ed gave him a small smile. “Yeah?”

Stede was a little discomposed by his proximity. “Yes. Very much.” Stede refused to acknowledge his cheeks pinking. “Now, what are you talking about?”

Ed leaned in a little closer and whispered “Let’s get outta here. I know a spot.”

Stede followed Ed to the back of the very, very large garden. Really, it was a well-manicured field. They ended up sitting on a log under a cluster of trees. The area was oddly untamed for how well taken care of the rest of the yard was. It was secluded, the noise of the party far away.

They sat next to each other. And if Ed sat a little closer to Stede than necessary, well Stede wasn’t going to correct him.

“So, you missed me?” Ed asked again, cheekily.

Stede let out an exaggerated sigh. “Yes! Of course I did. Now, why weren’t you talking to me?”

Ed sighed. “Oh, Stede. Isn’t it obvious?” At Stede’s strange look, Ed blurted out. “I like you, you idiot.”

Now it was Ed’s turn to flush. And damn it all if his brown skin didn’t look even more lovely.

“You - you like me? As a friend, or… oh.” Stede trailed off.

“Yeah.”

“So when you were asking about Stedeward… oh!” Stede gasped. “I should have known!”

“No, mate,” Ed said, shaking his head. His fluffy mane brushed Stede’s shoulder. “I’m not even sure I wanted you to know. But some of your mates told me how all the media attention on you guys has been, well, a lot. And I’m sorry for putting you all in the spotlight. I just really admire you. Like, a lot. I like you, Stede.” Ed looked so intently at Stede, his poor heart didn’t stand a chance. “I really like you. And when Swede told me you were moping around last week, well, I got hopeful.”

At some point Ed had taken Stede’s hand. He trailed his thumb across Stede’s skin. Stede hadn’t noticed initially, so taken by Ed’s words, eyes, mouth. Stede squeezed Ed’s hand back.

“The media attention has been fine, actually.” Stede said, voice only slightly wavering under the warm weight of Ed’s eyes. “And I wasn’t moping, exactly. But my week would have been better if you’d talked to me.” Stede sniffed.

Ed gave a loud laugh, bringing down Stede’s nerves. “That’s not what I heard.”

Stede smiled at him sheepishly. “Well, I wasn’t moping. But I was sad. Because Ed makes me happy. And, well. I do ship us.” He squeezed Ed’s hand for good measure. “Quite a bit, actually.”

Ed’s breath seemed to catch as he stared at Stede. “Really?”

“Yes, Ed. I think I’ve liked you since you first came on my ship.” Stede chuckled. “I just didn’t want all this public shipping nonsense to scare you off.”

“Nothing would scare me off from you.” Ed spoke as he leaned in.

And then they were kissing. And Stede was sure this would not be the last time. Not by a long shot.

-

Epilogue:

Edward Teach went silent on social media after Blackbeard 4: The Republic of Pirates hit theaters and his press tour was done. And when the famed A-lister broke his silence, he also broke the internet. 

“Congrats!! #LoveWins #CanonStedeward”

“This makes me so happy you have no idea 💕

“Omg we got to see there love bloom on Twitter 😭”

“And they WERE co-captains. 😍Omg but no srsly congrats!” 

“This is so sweet I can’t I’m crying” 

“Ok guys no one freak out, nO ONE FREAK OUT!”

“We ship whatever makes you guys happy 🥰”

--Response from @EdwardTeach: Stede makes Ed very happy ♥️♥️♥️♥️