Edward is in the crow's nest. Following his detour from the galley with the ship's cook-medic and the bland conversation with his crew as they utilized the Pirate Ring, he proceeded to the main deck for a getaway. Twice in one goddamned day, his first-mate has recalled to him their objective aboard the new ship: Massacre all occupants representing The Gentleman Pirate and embezzle the man's identity.

Yes, OK, he fucking gets it! There's no-need for repetition every two seconds. Geesh. The caveat is that he disregards the Plan.

In the crow's nest, he's on the far side, his body before the water that trails the ship in waves. The massive flag to his right benefits a shadiness from the booming sunlight as he adores his leather getup. He's 'bout defunct with the elaborate attire; he prefers the multicolored, exquisite silks and pieces of cashmere from Stede — and his two closets. He's been ascended for a minute and unmistakably heard the distraught calling of his crew, but he didn't give a fuck.

Edward fondly reminisces about the first time he finally met the infamous Stede 'Gentleman Pirate' Bonnet on the Spanish ship as the said man lay bloodied, wounded, and with a noose around his neck. Still, with heart-eyes and all, he desired the man. But, in the initial get-goings, he had to front as Blackbeard, you see, because the Mad Pirate was in a dreadful clash with the Spaniards and others that was speedily becoming sterile and mind-numbing. Be that as it may, he still had a reputation to uphold.

Regard the following: Blackbeard Carnages Spaniards to Retrieve The Gentleman Pirate. The blank space for his offenses on his Wanted poster is descending.

Stede Bonnet was briefly aboard the Queen Anne. Unfortunately, he wouldn't know about it since he was unconscious and near-death, and Blackbeard's Crew put concealing bags over the heads of Jim, Lucius, and Roach, so they technically don't know, either. Anne sailed back to the Republic to collect the remaining crew; the party transitioned to the Revenge. Edward and Roach tended to Stede in the captain's quarters while everyone else was under the beneficiary management of Izzy, Fang, and Ivan. To and fro the quarters went Blackbeard as he troubled the Revenge Crew with his friendliness, while Izzy Hands criticized and mistreated them with vulgar comments and directives and didn't quit a spare second not to broadcast to them that they'd been invaded. Edward toured the marvelous vessel yet found lavish consideration of the intricacies stored in Stede's glass memorabilia armoire in the hallway leading to his room. How fascinating.

Within the short window he's been acquainted with the other man, Edward confesses that it's been the most enjoyable time ever. The day the golden-haired roused and automatically summoned his crew, the detail displayed faithfulness to them. Stede's senses were unbalanced, so he didn't impulsively connect the dots and recognize that the Blackbeard sat alongside him in his bed. For the first time, the long-haired man naturally introduced himself as Ed and openly chitchatted until his personification was disclosed. Interestingly, the new information didn't break the seal; they continued as if nothing had happened. Stede politely requested Edward to wait outside the auxiliary wardrobe as he cautiously fitted into his white, embroidered shirt, black cravat, stockings, and the fab hot-pink/purple bottoms he rediscovered. Once he exited, they resumed their intimate conversation; Edward revealing that he was drained from pirate-captaincy while Stede fantasized about wanting to be like Blackbeard.

Then, their apparel swap transpired, and, goodness fuck, what an encounter that was. The Gentleman couldn't dress himself in Edward's leather getup, so the latter man aided him. Stede's no prude as he's always appreciated his body, but it was slightly discomfiting with his bloody bandages and aggravated, red ringlet around his neck as the notorious pirate dressed him. Hell, for Edward's sake, he felt as if he was on Cloud Nine as he intimately saw the other man down to his cotton briefs. The golden-haired man's body was — is — smooth, firm, and meaty, and he looked so fucking delicious in his slightly sweaty and musky leather getup. And, with everything unseen after, well — God, he'll do anything to revert to that day.

And don't even get him started on when he and Stede cosplayed as Godfrey and Jeffrey/Jeff. He recognizes that the man may be more deranged than he is. When you cut loose, you really cut loose, he'd expressed, and yeah, that's got to be the biggest understatement of the fucking century. Just a few days before that, Stede cheerfully stood epicenter on the French ship as Blackbeard plus his crew slaughtered them for educational purposes, and today, he didn't seem to bat an eye at his Art of Fuckery. Again: He's fascinating. With a sigh, Blackbeard inclines against the wood and readjusts the straps on his brace. He doesn't know what to do; he feels like he's been hypnotized or something by the other man (as if that's a problem). He's been loose with Stede and his crew, but he doesn't consider it a compromise, as Izzy's so-gently falsely depicts it.

The Mad Pirate's inner turmoil eases flat as he goggles at the water. Shit, he's at a standstill, which isn't good. Abruptly, he stands and expertly descends the ropes.

Buttons and Karl are at the wheel, and the bird chirps in his presence. As Edward cautiously eases towards the stairs, Buttons slightly turns and acknowledges, "Aye, Blackbeard, sir."

"Hi, Buttons," he adequately begins, then reminds, "There's no-need for the sir thing, mate."

The duo silently regards him, making him uncomfortable as he's scrutinized. It's like this for a few awkward seconds, and Edward isn't sure if the man will say anything else, yet, as he moves towards the staircase, the reply comes.

"I know all about you, Mister Blackbeard."

Reluctantly, Edward lifts a surprised eyebrow and replies, "Yeah, and what's that?"

"You and your lot are planning to slaughter us," nonchalantly responds Buttons as he resumes manning the wheel.

Seriously, what's with Stede and now Buttons being, like, five-million steps ahead of everyone? Unsettled, Edward kind-of plunges into Blackbeard mode without his approval, his right hand hovering above the dagger on his waistbelt. He cautiously eases towards the other man and questions with a baritone voice, "What're you talking about?"

Buttons unconcernedly peeks at the other man's hand hovering over his weapon and says, "You can draw it and attempt to end me right here, but we're already ahead of you."

"Who's we?"

"Don't worry about it."

Blackbeard aggressively sighs, racks his hand through his hair, and then reverts to Edward. He pleads, "Buttons, fuck. Come on, please. Look, I don't know what you think you know, but it's not correct; it's not why I'm here."

Karl starts talking shit or something 'cos he initiates a chirping tyrant from his perch on his owner's head. The first-mate-slash-navigator nods at the animal's remarks.

"Since you've been on our ship, you've accomplished nothing but destruction, so pardon me if I consider what you're saying to be a load of bullshit. My cap' enjoys having you aboard our ship, mostly 'cos he fancies you as a fella, and I'm sure you may feel the same; I can see why you or anyone else would. Regardless, my loyalty to him doesn't lay with his attachments as I'm beloved with the sea," Buttons expresses with an open-ended finish.

It's not a threat, per se, but when was the last time that Blackbeard discussed with a first-mate that wasn't his own to determine otherwise?

"So, what're you trying to tell me, Buttons?"

Buttons archly regards him and responds, "I'm not trying to tell you anything; you either understand or you don't. That's not my problem. When he became a pirate a few months ago, I was his first recruit, and as it were just the two of us upon this vessel as we sailed the sea for the others, he and I grew to know each other better than anyone else can accurately say in those weeks. He's not your standard pirate-captain, as he pays and feeds us, for one. But I'm not devoted and indebted to him because of that; he saved me from the Basket and appointed me his first-mate."

Edward's chest warms. Not only is Stede fascinating, but he's also a genuinely outstanding guy. What would've happened if Stede had accepted his proposal to board Anne? All of the anecdotes and retellings Izzy briefed him with, would there have been something of them with the duo in the same vicinity? Unfortunately, all he has for that scenario is his imagination.

Ivan and Fang emerge from below deck. Fang announces, "Boss! We've been looking everywhere for you!"

Edward gazes their way with a hand lift and signifies to the opposing first-mate, "Listen, I don't want to slaughter anyone on this ship; I don't think I ever one-hundred percent did, actually. I won't fib and say it wasn't ever on the table, but it isn't now. I like Stede a lot and don't want to hurt him."

With that, he descends the stairs and meets two of his crew members.

"Yep, Karl, he's infatuated with Captain Bonnet, there's no doubt, but he's also disassociated from his crew. Even if he doesn't want to harm us, we know that Izzy Hands, Fang, and Ivan intend to. Perhaps they don't want to see their captain happy, huh, Karl?" The bird chips and Buttons react, "Aye. We certainly don't do that here on the Revenge. Let's do whatever is necessary to keep the captain and the crew safe."