Archive of Our Own ^beta

Izzy doesn't know what Blackbeard wants with The Revenge. To be honest, he doesn't particularly want to know the specific reasoning behind everything his captain says and does, as long as it benefits him in some way. And Izzy's known Blackbeard for years now; as obsolete as trust is on the seas, Izzy trusts Blackbeard. If he doesn't trust him to keep Izzy safe, he at least trusts Blackbeard to provide a good adventure which will leave them on top. And really, what more can Izzy ask for?

Blackbeard's quarters are shrouded in smoke and mystery, the air hanging thick and dark around Izzy's captain. As Izzy breathes it in, the heaviness settles comfortably in his chest, soothing the jagged edges. Comfort is just as useless as trust, here, but with Blackbeard, Izzy finds both, or finds as much of both as he still believes exists.

"Ah, Izzy," comes Blackbeard's voice from within the black cloud, deceptively good-natured. Izzy had seen him attack a naval ship earlier, determined and uncaring, his face a mask of blank anger. He doubts many of the men survived the extensive injuries the crew had inflicted apon them. The ship had been thoroughly ruined when they'd left, the crew even more so, a mess of raw flesh and blood and skin. And Izzy had led the attack, been proud to do so, and he would do it again, and again, and again. Blackbeard is the greatest pirate captain Izzy, at least, has ever had, and he has never been more eager to follow anyone's orders. That morning had been no different, and when Izzy had seen Blackbeard's glance of pride and satisfaction, Izzy had felt himself puff up a little, a small, pleased smile making its way onto his face.

If he has Blackbeard's approval, he is most certainly doing something right. And he would do anything for Blackbeard's approval. Give him anything he wants. Even if he has to initiate it himself, because in some cases, Blackbeard isn't willing to voice what Izzy knows he wants, what he needs. And that is how they have arrived at the current... situation.

"Captain. No sign of the Revenge just yet, I'm afraid."

Blackbeard sighs into his pipe, smoke billowing out and into the room, filling Izzy's lungs. "That's a shame,"

"Indeed. "

"It was a good attack, this morning,"

Izzy smiles. Of course it was a good attack. Blackbeard was leading it. He voices this sentiment, and feels a small squeeze of satisfaction when Blackbeard chuckles.

"I suppose I did lead it, you're right there, "

"Well, of course," says Izzy, and can't help but feel like they are tip toeing around what is really happening here.

Here are the facts: Edward Teach is incredible lonely. Izzy knows this better than anyone else, and, while he loathes and resents the fact (both in that the legendary Blackbeard should not feel such emotions as loneliness and also that he himself has for years tried, and failed, to soothe this with his own company), he also aches in sympathy. Izzy has spent his life alone, and so understands entirely, although he places less importance on the matter. He doesn't yearn for love and appreciation and closeness in the way that Blackbeard does, not in general.

Here is the second fact: Izzy Hands has been undeniably, unhappily besotted with his captain since he met Blackbeard, and would do absolutely anything to make Blackbeard happy. He also, as a consequence of this romantic attachment, would very muchly like to care for him and express this affection. He despises the idea of love and appreciation and closeness in general, but, when Captain Blackbeard in involved, there is nothing which Izzy would rather spend his days expressing.

Here is a final fact: Izzy Hands will do absolutely anything for power, and, since Blackbeard is the captain, in order to obtain and keep his power, Izzy needs to be on good terms with Blackbeard, the best terms. And therefore, Izzy needs to do things to Blackbeard, make him feel indebted to Izzy, reliant on him.

And therefore, after attacks, in the middle of long, dark nights, when Blackbeard finds himself shrouded in loneliness, it becomes Izzy's job to care for him. Blackbeard gets to pretend he is being truly loved, Izzy gets the opportunity to love him, and Izzy also gets the satisfaction of being entirely in control. Blackbeard, when unhappy, is weak and pliant and desparate for direction.

Today, Izzy is more than willing to point Blackbeard towards Izzy's lips, and Blackbeard lets himself follow this direction without delay. Usually, Blackbeard simply stands and lets Izzy softly kiss him. Today, with Izzy's hands on his shoulders, Blackbeard seems willing to lean in himself, going through the motions the two of them have become so familiar with these past few years. Izzy smiles, both at having history's greatest pirate letting himself be guided into kissing him and letting Izzy control his movements, and at having his Edward in his arms, even if his Edward is pretending he is someone else. Who else, Izzy has never known, but it's always been clear that he isn't enough for Blackbeard, that his devotion isn't what his captain is looking for, and Blackbeard will spend their time together pretending that he is not kissing and giving up control to his first mate, Izzy Hands, but rather someone else, someone Izzy has never managed to be.

No matter. Izzy prefers it like this. Like this, Izzy can take control, pull their bodies together and marvel at how tame Blackbeard seems under Izzy's control. As much as Izzy admires his Blackbeard when he is Blackbeard, when he is ruthless and cold and bloodthirsty, it only serves to make it all the more satisfying when Izzy effectively drains the anger, the energy, the luster from Blackbeard, and leaves him falling into Izzy's arms, leaning into Izzy's hand tangled into his hair, reluctantly returning Izzy's gentle kisses to his lips.

And sometimes, although he won't ever admit it to himself, Izzy lets himself close his eyes and pretend that Blackbeard wants fo be kissing him back. That he is in love with Izzy like Izzy is in love with him. That maybe, Izzy has managed to bring the great Blackbeard to his knees, but not by his willingness to be a placeholder, to provide affection when no one else is there to, but because Blackbeard appreciates Izzy enough to want to give himself up.

But it's an entirely useless action, so Izzy brushes it aside and instead decides to revel in his power, ignoring the sadness in Blackbeard's eyes and noticing the relinquishment of control to Izzy. He's in control, now. And really, what more can Izzy ask for?