Chapter Text
The sails of the Revenge hung still and slack in the oppressive humidity of the northern Gulf of Mexico, now becalmed for the fifth day. The ship and her crew had been bound for Dauphin Island, a newly-formed French trading settlement at the mouth of Mobile Bay, named for the heir apparent of France, but the misfortune of the subtropical seas had befallen them. It was the danger of sailing these waters during summer, but Edward preferred trading with the French, who had yet to issue a bounty for the infamous Blackbeard. It was either Dauphin Island or New Orleans, and New Orleans was so far across the ocean, and so far up the river. They didn't have much to unload, raids had been light lately, the small island would do.
The terrible heat and uncertainty of their situation had everyone on edge. First Mate Hands was, of course, the angriest and most spiteful of all. Neither gentle chiding from Captain Bonnet nor stern warnings from Blackbeard were enough to temper his vitriol. Tensions ran high and it was only a matter of time before Izzy snapped. Spectacularly.
The Godforsaken sun was finally dipping behind the horizon, supplying a marginal measure of relief from the day's heat. A cacophony of shouts erupted from the galley. It was a shouting match between Izzy and Roach, the first mate lobbing personal insults at the cook because he hadn't de-brined the salt pork near well enough.
"Your fucking lazy ineptitude is going to kill us! It's too salty, you want us to all die of thirst? Fucking. Useless. TWATS!" The last complaint was interrupted as Izzy tripped over a carelessly left obstacle on the deck and came crashing down with yet more curses. Lucius and Pete, who were sitting with their backs to the rail and watching the sunset while shamelessly devouring each other with open-mouth kisses, made the mistake of tittering at the first mate's mishap.
"Do you two find something funny about all this? You think it's all fun and games, don't you? Maybe if you weren't trying so hard to fuck each other, all the time and instead act like the actual pirates at least one of you claims to be, then maybe you'd notice the line to the main sheet is lying across the Goddamn passageway, and not secured on the cleat where it's fucking supposed to be, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS!!"
Izzy turned on the rest of the crew, who had gathered on the deck with the approaching twilight. In the dim light, it was obvious Izzy had turned bright red and the poor angry bastard was in danger of popping a vein, which was the last thing they all needed. Lucius and Pete steeled their expressions but kept silent.
"I want to know. RIGHT NOW." Izzy shouted to no one in particular. "Or else! As soon as the wind picks up, I'm going to keel-haul every last one of you useless, fucking, bastards..."
"Mister 'Ands," Buttons interrupted, "Beg ye pardon, but best not be cussin such. The moon goddess already be feelin a wee bit vengeful, what with the eastern star and the moon so dark, and the calm don't bode well i-ther."
Izzy turned his full wrath towards this new target. The watchman stood stark naked at the rail, Olivia poised on his head.
"I will fucking curse as much as I fucking please in front of the fuckwit crew, you, your fucking bird, and most of all, your fucking moon wench!!!"
"Izzy, that's enough"
Izzy turned to see Edward wearing only a pair of beige-colored slacks. He was shirtless, the setting sun accentuated his strong shoulders and arms, woven over with so many tattoos. His hair was tied up in a bun, secured with... dear Lord... a pink ribbon? Of course, next to Edward, Stede Fucking Bonnet stood with his arms crossed over his chest. The posh twat actually wasn't even wearing a waistcoat, but the remainder of his ridiculous "ensemble", complete with pretentious leather shoes, was pristine as usual.
Izzy ground his teeth together and clenched his fists. He couldn't stand the way Edward looked at him. Usually, his gaze was filled with disinterest and mocking. Now it was filled with disappointment and irritation.
"Fine. This is on you, Edward." Izzy stepped into his captain's space, index finger shaking in an accusatory point. "I don't need any of you the way you need me to keep all their lazy asses from getting fucking dead day after day, maybe I should..." Suddenly, Izzy deflated. He knew any threat to leave would be empty, just more fodder for the crew to laugh at his expense, more fuel for Bonnet's awkward glances. There just wasn't any point.
Without another word, Izzy turned on his heel and disappeared below deck.