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Izzy has spent his whole life living by certain rules, it’s how he’s managed to survive this long. There’s just certain things that pirates don’t do like holding hands or kissing in front of people. He’s tried to tell Bonnet this, but the man just won’t listen, he insists that there’s nothing wrong with it. Honestly sometimes it’s like the man wants to get himself killed.
The first time it happened, Stede had been giving the crew a talk before handing over to Izzy to give out that day’s orders. Once he’d finished he retired to his cabin, but not before giving Izzy a peck on the cheek, he doubts Stede even realised what he’d done. But the rest of the crew had, that day they’d spent the whole time teasing him about him every chance they’d gotten.
When he’d complained to Bonnet about it later, the blonde had just dismissed it, saying that everyone on the ship shares affection. Izzy had got frustrated that Stede still didn’t understand what it took to be a proper pirate, storming out of the cabin to spend the night in his own bed, something he hadn’t done for weeks at that point.
They didn’t speak for three days other than the odd word about the order of the ship. But then Bonnet had kissed him, this time in private, and it had all been forgotten. He had said he’d not kiss Izzy in front of the crew again, and Izzy was just glad it had been in front of those idiots rather than the rougher pirates he was used to.
The next time it happens, they’re on shore leave, the crew ending up in a tavern for the evening after Stede promised to buy them all drinks. Izzy had been standing next to Stede as they waited for their drinks, suddenly he’d felt a warm hand in his gloved one.
He didn’t miss the laughs from the other end of the bar, and he also didn’t miss the sad look on the blonde’s face as Izzy had pulled his hand away and walked off to their table. Izzy spent the evening feeling like he’d just kicked a puppy as he drank copious amounts of rum.
Stede had stopped trying after that, Izzy should’ve been happy, it’s what he wanted, but he found he missed it. He missed the hand on his back as he gave out orders, the small hand squeezes when Stede knew he’d been feeling overwhelmed. Stede even kept a small distance between them at all times they were in public, suddenly Izzy hated rules.
The less touch he had, the more he became aware of all the other’s on the ship, the shameless kisses Lucius and Pete would share on deck, Wee John and Frenchie holding hands as they walked through a market. Even Jim, who Izzy’s always considered a very private person, would occasionally give their partners a small hug or a quick kiss without a care in the world.
Izzy decides that he’s going to give it another go, not just for Stede, but for himself, for years he’s denied himself of so many things and he refuses to do it any longer.
They’re enjoying a few drinks on the ship, some of the crew are sat on crates swapping stories, Stede amongst them. Izzy takes a seat next to him, sipping his beer as Pete recounts an encounter he had during their last raid.
Once he’s got enough alcohol in his system to give him the courage, Izzy slowly moves his hand until it’s flush with Stede’s entwining their fingers together, he gets a small rush at how well they seem to fit. He waits for someone to say something, to tease him about it, but no one does. The only person that’s paying attention is Bonnet, the only one that truly matters.
“How does that feel?” Stede whispers when no one else is listening.
“Good, really good.” Izzy whispers back.
Maybe some rules were made to be broken.