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It's been a full day now since Izzy Hands was captured by a crew they attempted to raid. How ridiculous was that, Israel Hand captured? Barely a week ago he wouldn't have thought it was possible. Three days ago he was once again promising Edward he'd never leave his side as they lay together in bed, enjoying the peaceful moments after making love. Just yesterday he fought for his captain, happy to die if it meant Blackbeard had triumphed once again.
But now he was here. Alone and cold, in the brig of some unknown ship, darkness surrounded him from all sides. Stripped of his weapons and most of his clothing he had no way of escaping. He hadn't been given food or water yet, so he was hungry and thirsty on top of all that. Were they going to leave him there to rot and throw his body into the sea? Would they come and feed him? Offer him to join their crew? Yeah, right, like he would ever betray Blackbeard like that.
Blackbeard... Edward... He was separated from his captain and lover for far too long already. Without the touch and the sound of Edward's voice, Izzy felt terrified. Edward had been his anchor, his light in the storm, his purpose. What was he without him? Another lowlife, good-for-nothing criminal, nobody, and there was nothing worse than that. He couldn't go back to that, not after searching for years, not after finding his place of belonging. He couldn't bear being alone again.
He needed to be strong. Survive this, escape and find his captain. His captain... Maybe for a second, he could pretend he was back on Queen Anne, back with Edward safe and sound. Izzy lifted his cold hand from where he was hugging his knee and pressed it to his face, eyes screwed shut just in case he could see his own body in the darkness. He slowly caressed his own cheek with the icy thumb, allowing himself to nuzzle into the touch. He tried his hardest to imagine it was Edward touching him, Edward giving him this small comfort in the silence of their room. He could see his face smiling down at him, laughing warmly at how easily Izzy would sink into his touch. He could almost hear Ed's gentle voice telling him how much he loved him, he could hear the quiet promises they'd exchanged. Their promise to love each other forever, in health and sickness, to always find their way to each other even from across the world.
Edward would find him. He would find him as promised. He'd save Izzy and take him back. Because he had to. He promised after all...
A loud yell from the top deck jerked Izzy back into reality. The reality of him being trapped, captured and left with his needs unattended in this cold, predatory darkness. His hand found its way back over his leg, trying to preserve some warmth as he waited. Waited for Edward to come for him. Because surely, Edward was already closing in on this ship. Following and ready to attack to get his first mate back. There wasn't any other way, no other outcome Izzy let himself think of. This had to be it. Because Edward loved him, he had for years. He wouldn't give up on him that easily. Izzy was certain.
"What now, Boss?"
"Republic of Pirates. I need a new first mate."