Written by me in Greek and translated by my friend, and my biggest fan as she says, into English who insisted on sharing it with the world. Therefore, the story is dedicated to her, who always supported my writing.

"Just my luck!" Izzy murmured under his breath, laying face down in the sand, unwilling to get up, wishing that all of this was a terrible nightmare. Not that it could be any other kind of nightmare.

All that mattered to him was reaching the spot their map led to, along with Ed, to find the treasure it had promised them. But no! His plans were bound to be wrecked, just like the damn ship they had boarded. That cursed ship in which that fucking moron Stede Bonnet was a passenger on, along with his scribe Lucius Spriggs who as he told them was seeking adventure. It's not like he had asked him, rather Ed had because for some goddamn inexplicable reason he found him fascinating.

He had no clue why, and to be honest he didn't care to know. Just like he didn't care about the luck of the rest of the crew. Maybe they were still out in the open fighting with the waves or washed out on the shore of another island close by, just like them. On the other hand, they could have drowned. It mattered not to him.

Yet he cursed his luck because Stede Bonnet was still alive.

Hot sand was stuck on his wet clothes and his skin. Some of it had even found its way into his bearded chin. The leather garments he usually chose to wear were at many times uncomfortable, and right now this was one of those times. He was lying in that position, listening to the soft sound of crashing waves behind him and the different bird and animal sounds that inhabited the island from deep in the jungle ahead of him. For how long? He couldn't tell. To his dismay,the sounds weren't nearly loud enough to cancel out Stede's voice, which was still ringing inside his head.

"Honestly, I find it's a great surprise that a fearsome pirate like you doesn't know how to swim"

It's not like he was ashamed about the fact he couldn't swim. Of course Ed was the only one that had known, it was after all his secret but now so did the most utterly disgusting man in the seven seas, who also happened to be the one that saved him from certain death. For what he knew, he could be dead already and this was his personal Bonnet's cheerful voice reminding him that he can't swim was his eternal punishment. Of course, this would happen after everything he had done throughout his life. He would rather spend eternity in Ed's company, but he knew that would be his version of paradise. Except if he caught him giggling alongside Bonnet. That would be his torment.

For Blackbeard's shake! If he was actually dead, he would never see Ed again. Oh yeah, he was indeed in hell.

In the meantime, Ed, who had fully recovered, was standing over Izzy's body calling his name, but no answer came from him. He was getting concerned. "Izzy? Mate? Is he fucking dead?" He turned to face Stede for a moment before returning his full attention to Izzy who was still one with the sandy shore. He decided to kneel next to him and not indulge in his urge to start kicking him on his ribs to finally get a reaction out of him. After he made sure Stede's attention was directed to the scenery surrounding him and not on him,he bent down next to his first mate's face,shaking him lightly. "Israel? You fucking jerk if you are dead I'm gonna skin you and make new clothes out of you!Izzy!"

"Edward?" His gaze lightened for a moment,eyes shining when he finally sat up and got to look at him but the magic faded when he quickly remembered where he a swift move he grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, settling his face on a breathing distance from his own. Ed was used to the sudden explosions of Izzy's anger,which he sometimes allowed, so he made no reaction to his state. "It's your fault we are stuck on this island!It was all your idea!"

"To tell the truth you were the one that insisted on finding this though you are well aware of the rumours about gold carrying curses and the fact that all of this is blatant lies!"he snapped back as he wrapped his fingers around his wrists,slowly lowering his hands,making him understand the boundaries that existed between them were close to getting crossed.

Then he stood on his feet and offered his hand out to him to help him do the same."Now get up",that was an order. 'xpect if you'd rather lie here"

Izzy slightly growled before he took his hand and his boots hit the ground. Ed,classic Ed,wiped the sand off his face with a big smile on his lips. Izzy didn't know whether he wanted to kiss him or punch him. At last he took a step back,he was furious. "It still remains your fault too since you were the one to agree with never do that and now this...twat knows my secret."he hissed through his teeth. "You knew and that was enough"

"Tell you what mate,sometimes you can be very persuasive,especially when I am in a vulnerable state. Such as the time you made this proposition." He winked at him making Izzy's cheeks flush. He wished Ed thought it was because of his burst of anger. Truth is the moment came back to him and that made his pants suddenly feel tighter around him. It's the water,he thought,it made his pants shrink.

"Regarding your little secret,don't worry about it,he won't tell anyone. Your reputation remains perfectly intact because I am your reputation. Now come along"he threw at him,slightly frustrated,as he started stepping towards Bonnet's stared at him for a moment,a look of disgust on his he turned around and started walking towards the opposite direction. Rage sprang from his wounded pride.

Stede was walking in front of Ed,rambling about how his clothes were sticky and how he ruined his favourite silk didn't listen to a single thing,his attention focused on Izzy as he immediately sensed that he wasn't following behind him. He turned his gaze around just to make sure. Even though he was always apathetic towards him,it bothered him that things were so cold between them. They have been comrades for countless years. He was his first mate,for damn's shake. It was impossible for them to part. Coexisting with him was often the bane of his existence but a life without him was unthinkable. They complimented each other in all the worst ways.

He heard his own voice calling out his name but no reaction came from Izzy. Not until he felt his hand grabbing his shoulder turning him around to face him. Ed finally understood from the gaze he gave him what was bugging him.

"Come on now,you know how I m-"he started but was quickly interrupted.

"I know exactly how you meant it"he spat at him.

"I don't give a damn about my reputation, and you know that. I'm sick of this!"he stated as he held up his hands, making his frustration known.

"But I do, and I know I live under your shadow. It was my choice, but having you throw it in my face like a-"he paused mid-sentence and sighed as he brushed the edges of Ed's dark hair with his fingers.

"The reason I wanted to pursue this treasure hunt in the first place was to spend time with you, damn it! But noo! We had to end up in this godforsaken place, and it had to be with him!" He pointed his gloved finger at Bonnet who was sitting on the sand a few paces behind them staring out into the sea. At least he had shut his mouth for now. "Why don't we drown him in the shallows?''he suggested with a sudden burst of enthusiasm. "Let's do it together, nobody is gonna know..."and for the first time on this island a smirk appeared on the edge of his lips. He wrapped his hands around Ed's leathered top, knowing that this way he had his full attention.

"You can still spend time with , we are stuck here for now. I'm right here with you."he said, opening his arms as if to embrace him.

Izzy shifted his gaze towards his lips before locking eyes with him again." No you are not" he stated and turned his back on him, marching toward his previous destination.