"It's nice," breathed Ed, as he leaned back and surprised his first mate as his head softly landed on his lap. "Taking a load off and all."
"I suppose," said Izzy, trying to hide how flustered he was by this intimate gesture from his Captain.
"Oh, loosen up, Iz," said Ed, looking up at his first mate. "We'll be back on the sea soon enough and doing what we do best."
"Whatever you like, Captain."
Ed found his attention captured by one of the cords of the string holding Izzy's sleeve and started absently playing with it.
"But what do you like?" said Ed.
"Sir?"
"Of course it's important to keep the Captain happy. And the crew, as we don't want a mutiny on our hands. But what about you, the First Mate? What makes you happy?"
"Serving you."
Ed frowned and hummed out a note of displeasure. "You didn't even think about it. You just spouted off something you think will please me. Stop being my First Mate for a moment, Izzy, and answer for real this time. What makes you happy?"
Izzy opened his mouth to reply before closing it again. He stared down at his Captain, briefly meeting eyes with him before looking away at the far-off waves crashing into the beach.
"You," said Izzy.
"Hmm?" said Ed, shifting his head to look at Izzy better.
"You make me happy, Edward. And I don't mean just as Blackbeard. Of course I am happy being with Blackbeard. But I enjoy being in your company. It makes feel... important."
Edward stared at his First Mate for a moment before a mischievous smile and twinkle in his eye appeared. "See, that wasn't so hard, now was it?"
"F*ck off," said Izzy, shifting uncomfortably.
"You do have feelings behind that rough exterior," said Ed, poking Izzy in the side.
"Edward..." warned Izzy.
"What? What are you going to do about it?"
"Don't make me regret doing something I shouldn't."
"Don't threaten me with a good time," said Ed, starting to poke Izzy more.
Izzy growled grabbing Ed's hands and pushing them into the ground above his captain's head as he leaned down, his lips hovering over Ed's.
"Don't test me."
"Maybe I want to," said Ed. "It's way too much fun."
A moment passed before Izzy closed the distance, a wave of thrilling warmth rushing through his body as he tasted the mixture of tobacco and rum on his captain's lips. He started pulling back as he realized what he had done but found himself leaning back into it as Ed chased after him, placing a heated kiss in response on his First Mate's lips.
"Ed..." whispered Izzy.
"Shh," said Ed, pulling his hands from Izzy's loosened grip and tangling them into his First Mate's black hair. "Just let it happen. I think we both need it."
