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Izzy doesn’t like Bonnet, not like that anyway, he’s learnt to tolerate the man - he’s his captain after all, but that’s definitely as far as it goes. Okay maybe they were spending more time together recently, but that’s perfectly normal for a captain and his first mate, despite Lucius’ insinuations on the situation.
There was that one time where Stede had asked him to stay for a whiskey after they’d finished chartering their next course, and why would Izzy turn that down, Bonnet always gets the best stuff. And if the two men slowly got closer as the night went on then that’s only because it was growing colder.
Tonight Izzy once again finds himself in Stede’s cabin, a regular occurrence, it is the cosiest room on the ship after all. He’s snuggled under one of Stede’s soft blankets on the plush couch when the door opens. Izzy doesn’t move to see who it is, too comfortable in his current position.
“Ah Izzy there you are.” Stede says as he enters the room.
Izzy’s relieved that it’s just Stede, he’s not in the mood to deal with anyone else right now. As reluctant as he is to admit it, maybe Bonnet’s company isn’t always that bad, especially when the man isn’t badgering on about something or other.
“Is that a problem?” Izzy grumbles.
“No of course not, you know I enjoy your company.”
Did he? He knows Bonnet tolerates his presence, and has for some reason allowed him to be his first mate, but enjoying his company seems a bit of a stretch. But then again, he thinks about the past few weeks, he thought Stede had just been inviting him on errands because he’s first mate but maybe he really does like Izzy’s company. That would be a first.
He finds himself lifting the blanket automatically as Stede sits down next to him, the maniac smiles widely at him like it’s the best thing in the world to share a blanket with Izzy Hands.
“Roach made me some treats, care to share them with me?” Stede asks, waving a small plate of pastries under Izzy’s nose.
“Go on then.” Izzy replies, taking one of the custard tarts.
As they share the sugary treats, Izzy notices Stede occasionally stealing glances at him.
“What?”
“Oh nothing.” Stede says, quickly looking away again.
“Spit it out, Bonnet.”
“I was just thinking… about us.” Stede replies eventually.
“Us?” Izzy asks, confused.
“Yeah it’s just we’ve been getting closer the past couple of months, I guess you could even say we’re friends.”
Shit had he really accidentally become friends with Bonnet? Well they have been spending more time together, and he hasn’t totally despised it, but friends feels a bit of a stretch.
“Life can happen so fast.” Stede continues. “One minute we’re fighting on deck, the next we’re sharing sweet treats under a blanket.”
Well Stede’s got him there he supposes, it probably isn’t normal to be cuddled up with someone you don’t like. Maybe he is in deeper than he thought.
So when Stede leans in closer he just lets it happen, allows the man to claim his lips. He finds himself kissing Stede back hungrily, a man starved for far too long. It feels good, really good.
At first he thinks it’s just because it’s been so long, it doesn’t matter who he’s kissing, but maybe he’s in denial about that part. It hits him, how the past couple of months he’s felt less alone. Yes it may partly be because the crew are warming to him, but Bonnet’s the one that’s been there by his side, even when Izzy hadn’t wanted him to.
Stede pulls away a little, breathing heavily as he presses his forehead against Izzy’s. “Izzy I think I’m falling in love with you and it’s okay if you don’t feel the same but-“
“Shut up, Bonnet.” Izzy interjects, kissing him again.
“So are you saying you feel the same?” Stede asks hopefully when they part again.
Izzy could lie, say he doesn’t, he could run away like he’s done before, hide his feelings from the world, from himself. But fuck it he deserves it, he likes this idiot and he wants to kiss his face off and cuddle on the sofa.
“Fuckin’.” He sighs. “Yes Bonnet I feel the same. Now kiss me again.”