Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Slice forward along the edge of the blade. Like this.” Jim demonstrated on a straw filled dummy staked into the ground at the correct height for an adult. “A few bloody lacerations will distract them enough for an easy stab attack.” They smoothly flicked their hold on their knife and turned it to stab into the dummy’s gut and then neck in one fluid motion.

“Where should I aim to slice?” Alma asked, thoughtfully considering the dummy. She held her dagger with the bronze hilt at the ready.

“Here and here are good artery spots,” Jim pointed with their blade.

Alma quickly attacked, her simple navy dress flowing as she leaped forward a step. Her hair was tied back in two braids Stede had put in himself earlier that afternoon.

“Absolutely terrifying,” Lucius stated to Ed and Stede as he stood near the other two watching from a bench. “I reiterate my belief that she’s the scariest Bonnet.”

Ed shifted his relaxed pose, leaning closer yet to Stede, arm along the back of the bench behind him. “I’d say The Golden Dagger is nearly ready to join the crew.”

“Hardly,” Stede immediately countered. “Also, Mary would kill us all.”

Ed huffed, “Mary hates the ocean. She’d never find us.”

“She’d figure a way.”

“What about slicing the throat?” Alma asked Jim, who proceeded to explain a bit too graphically the best ways of slicing it open.

Lucius nodded to himself. “Yep. This was the worst idea ever. She’s going to be a mini Jim.”

“And that’s a bad thing?” Ed asked.

“No, but I’m never getting Alma angry, that’s for sure.”

“Bonnets are pretty terrifying when riled up.” Ed cocked a grin at Stede.

“So I’ve been told, darling.” He winked and squeezed Ed’s thigh.

Louis came running up to them from the other side of Mary’s back garden, Oluwande following after a ways behind. “I found treasure!”

“Did you?” Stede wondered as he leaned forward to inspect the item held up to him. It was a small gold dove acquired on one of their raids. They’d hidden it ahead of time for him. “Oh, what magnificent treasure!”

Louis held the dove up to Ed. “Is it gold?”

Ed shifted on the bench to take it. He inspected it this way and that, chomping at the head and earning a giggle from Louis. Another tap of his finger to it and Ed nodded. “I think so. You’re a proper pirate digging up treasure like this.”

“He was quite good at readin’ the map,” Olu said as he came to stand beside the young boy, holding out the fake tattered map. “He spotted the landmarks real well.”

Lucius teased, “Then he’s already better than his father with maps.”

Stede grumbled.

“I did it by myself,” Louis declared. He had demanded no help from Ed or Stede and only begrudgingly allowed Olu to hold the map.

“We’ll have to hunt down another map for you next time we visit.” Stede took the dove from Ed and held it up to the dappled sunlight on the palm of his hand. “It’s rather marvelous, Louis. You’ll have to keep it safe.”

“It’s pretty,” Louis agreed. He took the dove from Stede and wrapped it in both his hands, holding it to his chest. “Yes, more maps. I will find it all.”

Stede cocked a grin at the boy. His enjoyment of it all was wonderful to see. “Who knows what other treasures lurk around this very house. I know only you can manage to hunt each down.”

Louis smiled brightly. “I will!”

“You’ll be a pirate king with all this loot.” Ed winked at him.

“Pirate king!” he squeaked, then turned to rush off to his sister. “Alma! Alma! Look!”

Olu watched with a smile as Jim and Alma turned to inspect Louis’ find. “We’re going to need a lot more trinkets.”

“Easily found,” Stede said.

Ed leaned back against the bench again and spread both his arms along the back of it, stretching out his crossed legs. “We should bring Frenchie and Wee John next time. They can make pirate flags.”

Stede leaned to one side to rest against Ed's shoulder. He played fingers along Ed’s leather trousers, quite content to lounge with his husband.

Lucius shook his head at Ed. “Somehow I don’t think you could pull Alma away from lessons with Jim.”

“I can’t blame her for wanting to spend time with them.” Olu cast a look at the trio. “Louis might like to make a flag, though.”

“You’re all trying to corrupt them both,” Mary cut in as she and Doug joined them from inside the house.

“Perhaps,” Stede answered with a grin, not moving from his relaxed pose against Ed. He took in the pair. Doug was a good man and he was glad Mary had found her own happiness. Despite her complaining, Mary still seemed happy to see them all once again.

“The treasure hunt was very nice of you,” Doug said warmly.

Mary teased, “Tattered edges and all.”

Lucius nodded at Stede, “You should have seen him with the candle last night carefully burning holes in the paper.” Olu chuckled beside him.

“It had to be a proper treasure map!”

Ed shifted a hand forward along the back of the bench to squeeze Stede’s shoulder. “It was, babe. Look at him.”

Louis was still animatedly telling Jim and Alma about his treasure hunt.

“Please tell me it’s not really gold?” Mary asked.

“Of course it is,” Stede answered, offended. “What sort of pirate do you take me for?”

“He doesn’t need an actual hoard of treasure, Stede.”

“I think he’d like bronze trinkets just as much,” Doug offered.

“And lie to him about it being gold? Never.”

Mary rolled her eyes.

Louis spotted the group and abandoned Jim and Alma to rush up to Mary. “Mum, look!” He held up the gold dove. “Isn’t it pretty? I found it!”

“It’s lovely, Louis. You’ll have to find somewhere safe in your room just for it.”

“I will!” He rushed off into the house.

“I didn’t mean right this second!”

“I’ll go help him,” Doug offered. He kissed Mary’s cheek before disappearing into the house to find Louis. Mary’s smile watching him leave was beautiful to see.

“Olu,” Jim called out. “Come help me show how to knock someone off their feet.”

“I hope I’m the one knocking you over and not the other way ‘round…” Olu replied with a worried look, walking over to the two.

Lucius cast a glance at Mary and then stepped to join the others. “I’ll just be over here. Hoping not to be Jim’s sparring partner.” He left the three of them alone.

Mary took in the reclined pair on the bench. “So. How is it being married again?”

Stede couldn’t help looking both utterly pleased and shy at the question coming from Mary herself. He faltered a moment on what to say without sounding rude about their own marriage but he couldn’t hide a widening smile. He ended up going with, “Spectacular.”

She smiled warmly back at him. “As it should be.” Then she cast a look at the house. “How long do you think it would be proper for a widow to… wait?”

Ed cocked his own pleased look up at her. “Until tomorrow?”

She shook her head as she looked back at the pair. “I’m asking seriously.”

“I’m answering seriously,” Ed countered. “The fuck does it matter? Stede’s been dead for months.”

“Yes well I should technically still be sadly mourning him for at least another year.”

“But I ran off on you,” Stede said. “Surely me abandoning things and then dying means it’s more proper for you to find a new partner. You’ve got two lovely children that need looking after. Property managed. All that nonsense.”

“I suppose that should help with how things look,” she sighed. Only to smile wonderfully. “I just can’t stand to wait. Not now.”

“Fuck ‘em if anyone complains. They’ll get over it.”

Stede squeezed Ed’s thigh. “Indeed. I think after how poorly things went with me… well none could blame you for swiftly moving on to something better.”

“You weren’t the worst ever and you’re a good father regardless,” Mary pushed back. “We just… weren’t good for one another but now we get to pick who we’re with.”

She was forever too kind to him but she was right. They were never a good fit but yes, they hadn’t any choice on their marriage. Now they got to choose. “You should simply do what your heart wishes, Mary. Don’t wait.” He told her earnestly, “Marrying for love is something else entirely, I promise you.”

She smiled at him but it didn’t compare at all to Ed’s adoring look at Stede’s words.

“So I’ve seen,” she said.

Ed cupped his far cheek as he leaned for a kiss. Stede closed his eyes and enjoyed the sweetness of it. This man was his. Somehow his. Forever his.

A shout from Lucius cut through the moment. “This isn’t even fair, I’m not a swordsman!”

The three looked to see Lucius wielding a stick to fend off Alma’s dagger attacks.

“That’s the point,” Jim said. “You’re the best match for her.”

Lucius squawked as he narrowly parried and dodged a lunge from Alma.

“That’s not fair, mate!” Ed called out to them. “Lucius needs an actual weapon too.”

“No, I’d rather not stab a child today, thank you.” Lucius sidestepped another attack. “Though I’d also like to not be stabbed by a child today either.”

“She’ll never learn to parry if you don’t stab her back, man.”

“No one should be stabbing anyone today,” Mary ordered. “Alma, let him be.”

“But mum-”

“Yes, I think that’s enough lessons for today,” Stede joined in the call to end things. He shifted forward to stand, offering a hand to Ed to help him up onto his feet after.

Alma stood pouting while Lucius swiftly rushed away from her.

Stede came up to her and nodded toward the dummy. “So then. Show me what you’ve learned, young Golden Dagger.”

Alma brightened at the request and rushed over to the dummy again. She demonstrated. “I should slash here and here for the most distressing bloodshed to distract them, then here for an actual attack.” She sliced at the limbs before stabbing at its gut. “One stab to the gut and another to the neck once they keel over.”

Mary looked on more than a bit dismayed but Ed beamed a smile at it all. “Amazing.” Then he added, “Don’t forget to kick or slash at the balls if they’ve got any. That’ll keel anyone over.”

Alma lit up at the advice. “Right!”

Stede winced as she demonstrated that move as well.

“Fucking terrifying,” Lucius stated while hiding behind Mary.

“Scariest Bonnet,” Ed agreed with the most pleased of looks. Damn was he adorable. The proudest of step-fathers.

“And you’ve not cut yourself?” Stede wondered, glancing at Mary.

“Of course not,” Alma huffed.

“Only once,” Mary amended. “But she was getting it away from Louis so she gets a pass.”

“Exactly.”

“I’m so very proud, then.” Stede cast a look at everyone gathered around. There were far too many around for what he’d like to say to her so he reached out a hand. “Come on. We’ve got Co-Captain pirate business to talk about, madam.”

Alma tucked her dagger into a pocket in her dress before rushing up to take his hand. Stede squeezed it and started them away from everyone. Ed followed along to his other side as they left the secluded garden into some of the trees around the back of the house.

“So how did you get on with Jim?”

She bounced. “They’re amazing!”

“You couldn’t learn from anyone better,” Ed added.

“They know so much and they’re sooo good. I don’t think I’ll ever be that good.”

“You’ll get there,” Stede said. “Just practice plenty and listen to their advice.”

Alma looked unconvinced but answered, “I’ll take any advice from them.”

He paused their strolling and turned to her. “And how is everything else? With Mum and Doug and home?”

“Doug’s nice. He can’t do the voices like you can when he reads us stories but he’s teaching me how to paint with mum.” She took in the pair in front of her with lovely bright eyes. “And he makes mum happy. Just like Ed makes you happy.”

He couldn’t stop the widest of loving smiles down at her, his heart swelling. She did understand so wonderfully. “They do indeed. They each make us both so very happy.” He cast a look to Ed, who looked just as overwhelmed at Alma’s simple support. He turned back to Alma. “And are you happy?”

“Everything’s nicer at home. Mum laughs a lot more and you’re not sitting around sad reading books.” Stede winced at her blunt words but she continued, “I like that you came back and that you keep coming back. It’s fun to see you happy too.” She shrugged with a little smile. “Things are better this way, even if you’re not here all the time.”

“I think you’re right.” He squatted down in front of her, keeping her gaze. “I only hope you know how much you mean to me, Alma. I may always be off at sea but I will also always write and see you.”

Alma turned a bit shy. “I know. Just… never pretend to be dead again?”

Stede’s heart ached. “Never again,” he promised firmly.

“Good.” She looked up at Ed. “And you have to keep him from really dying.”

“Of course.” Ed reached to gently tug at one of her braids. “If I don’t then The Golden Dagger will come get me.”

Alma smiled even as she said firmly, “That’s right, you better watch out!”

Ed’s eyes were beautifully big back down at her. “I wouldn’t live long without him, Alma.”

Stede reached to squeeze Ed’s hand, then turned to Alma and pulled her for a hug.

She reciprocated it gently before stepping back. “Can I see the boat next time you visit?”

Stede chuckled as he stood back upright. “Perhaps.”

“I could stay the night. Meet all the crew.” She pulled out her dagger from her pocket. “We could raid a ship!”

“The Golden Dagger’s not quite ready for that last part,” Ed laughed. “But we can manage the other two.” He took in Alma. “You need a holster for that dagger.”

Alma looked down at her dress and then her dagger. “I’m not sure how to make one.”

“Blackbeard will bring you one next time,” Stede promised on his behalf.

“Really?”

“Of fucking course,” Ed said. “A pirate needs an easy way to get at her weapons.”

Alma adorably brightened. “Yes!”

“Have you asked Jim how to clean it yet?”

“No. I should while they’re here.” She took both men in thoughtfully for a moment, stance very much like Mary, only to state plainly, “I’m glad you keep each other safe.” Without any more fanfare she rushed off back to Jim within the garden’s hedges out of sight.

“Another year and she’s definitely going on a raid with us.”

Stede shook his head firmly. “No.”

“Like you’re going to be able to stop her after a year training with Jim?”

“True. Perhaps Lucius is right in these lessons being a bad idea…”

“And deprive the world of the great Golden Dagger?” Ed snickered.

Stede rolled his eyes and kissed his cheek. He truly did adore how well Alma and Ed got on together. He was honestly fantastic with both children. He’d never have guessed the relationship he’d be able to build between the four of them. He was forever grateful. “Thank you for having me write them.”

Ed took his hand and threaded their fingers together as he turned fully to him. His deep eyes shone in the warm afternoon light. He swore he could see every emotion in those eyes. The way Ed had always looked at him… “Of course. You’ve helped me with even more.”

“I’d help my husband with anything.”

The joy that flickered through his gaze at the words was marvelous. “Same, babe. My husband is worth fighting through anything.”

“Together,” Stede amended.

Ed’s lips curled into a smile. “Together.”

Stede leaned in for a kiss, sweet and gentle. His. His husband. His everything. His Edward.

After decades not knowing himself, he’d somehow stumbled into true happiness.

How had he ended up here? How was this his life? A life of his own choosing. At sea and free. Friends and family who truly supported him. Those who understood him. An understanding of himself. Happiness and care. A drive to protect it all. And somehow the love of his life wanting him, needing him, promising him forever.

He broke the kiss as he whispered against Ed’s lips, so many overwhelming emotions swirling in his voice, “I love you, dearest husband.”

Their eyes met and he could happily melt at the other man’s feet. Ed hummed gently against his lips, his own voice warm and earnest, “I love you, husband of mine.”

“How am I so ridiculously lucky?”

Ed brushed their noses together. “We’ve both walked very hard paths to get here, Stede, and I would do it all a thousand times over to end up here again.”

He released a long breath. It was going to still take time to let go of feeling undeserving. “I would do anything to be right here.”

Ed shifted to wrap arms around him. “So we’re both where we should be.”

“Most certainly where I should, where I wish to be.”

“Where you’ll stay,” Ed said with conviction.

“Where I’ll always be. Side by side with my husband. Keeping him safe and mine. Fighting and striving and living. Just you and me against anything.” Then he added with a soft smile, “Until our final days.”

Ed’s eyes sparkled at every word but shone all the brighter at the final quote. “Yes. All of it, babe. Forever at your side taking on fucking anything. Until our final days.”

He kissed him.

Whatever the future brought them, he would face it with Edward by his side.

And that was all he ever needed in the world.