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Fics in Progress
The Remedy
Mellorine! Mellorine!
The Girl The Hamadian Conspiracy All These Things I Didn't Say How to Heal A Broken Heart
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Important Tags
#State of the Fic Updated every season where I talk about what is upcoming; what is current; and other such changes.
#Fics of Note- Just some of my more popular fics/fics I'm proud of
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One Piece Worlds
The various sub-categories in which my One Piece fic take place.
The Remedy: A massively sprawling One Piece Modern Day AU
Stories of One Piece- All about that canon exploration
Limes&Lemonade-ZoSan? SanZo? All that is here.
Challenge, Drabbles and Themed- Collections of ficlets and drabbles based on various challenges/themes or experimentation.
for the first like 14 years of my life i thought that the story of saint valentine and valentines day were a celebration of a massive gay polyamorous marriage and let me tell you, i was sorely disappointed when i learned i had massively misunderstood that story
i was told the basic story of “the king had made it illegal for young men to get married so that they could be drafted off to go to war (as married men with families were not, apparently)” and that “saint valentine thought this was cruel, and married the young men in secret”
what this was supposed to communicate to me was “saint valentine would marry young men to their girlfriends in secret as a priest at his own risk and thats why we celebrate valentines day”
what i got out of it was “saint valentine married a shitton of dudes so he could protect his army of husbands from having to go to war and it was beautiful and love can halt war in its tracks and thats why we celebrate valentines day”
and thats why the assumption that a child would automatically get a hetero interpretation of the story and the innate unclarity of the english language made me think that valentines day was about mass gay poly marriage until i was like fourteen and recited the story to a friend who stared at me like id grown three extra heads
My mother- who was a single parent raising me alone in my early youth- has never believed in baby talk. So when I was born, she started from day one talking to me and treating me like I was an adult.
As a result of this, I had rather high expectations of other adults from a very young age, and despised being talked down to. The worst was being asked sweetly and stupidly y over and over, “can you say “hello”?” in a way that felt like I was an animal being coaxed into performing a trick.
In my earliest years, I learned that using certain words and phrases could convince new adults to treat me the way I preferred. So to combat the annoyances of being treated like a subhuman idiot, I began purposefully expressing myself with a broad vocabulary.
My mother started teaching me how to read when I was three. By the time I was five, my favourite thing to read was Calvin and Hobbes anthologies, partly because I loved tigers, but mostly because in every other book I’d read, kids my age were written as stupid babies with no thought process or agency who nobody seemed to think of as capable of thinking or contributing. Calvin, though, was only a year older than me, and had a rich inner world, and was capable of speaking meaningfully and eloquently while still being a kid. Calvin was a kid the way that kids WERE, not the way adults saw us.
As a consequence of this, I think, I developed a prematurely warped sense of humour wherein- again, starting around age five- the funniest thing in the world to me was to approach adults and instigate conversations wildly beyond my age range. Like “oh, you’re slowing yourself down for me? Bold of you to assume I’m not already four steps ahead”.
I imagine this was probably very annoying, as I mostly didn’t actually have the experience or context to fully understand a lot of the subjects I was talking about and was mostly just imitating the persona of a mildly disinterested and somewhat philosophical old woman, but I genuinely understood enough vocab to bluff around the gaps in my knowledge long enough for the funny part to happen.
My preferences to spend more of my time fucking with adults instead of my peers slowly widened the already-existing gap between me and the majority of my schoolmates, which honestly didn’t bug me much because the two friends I DID have were way more fun than the rest of them anyways. But I was probably a bit emotionally stunted by this point anyways
Cut to me, age nine or so. Annoying know-it-all, deeply ironic, and the kind of kid who would rather lick a carrot peeler than suffer through the torture of meaningful emotional vulnerability with any adult ever
First real health class
We get the Puberty talk
Skin-peelingly awkward
Mr. Q, our fifty-ish something teacher, brings out a question box and a bunch of scraps of paper. Says he wants everyone to write down at least one question and he would pull a handful of them out anonymously to answer.
I cannot resist
We all submit our questions
Question one. “What is a vulva”
Diagram. Clinical and age-appropriate response.
Question two. “Is love nothing more than a chemical reaction designed to ensure the survival of the species?”
Long awkward pause
Teacher clears his throat
[This is hilarious]
Teacher speaks
“Uh…….”
“Well, um. I suppose… I love my wife. And I love my children. Or I would describe what I feel for them as love.”
Oh No
[Dawning realization that I have trapped myself and everyone in this room in a Feelings Talk]
[Panic and stare directly through the floor until he stops talking about his personal emotions regarding family and society and shit]
[Pain And Suffering And Hell because this is, in fact, what I signed us all up for, because boarding a plane to Alaska means that you are definitely going to Alaska, no matter if it was a joke or not, because the plane doesn’t give a fuck, because it is a plane and you are a moron]
The lessons in humour I learned that day have stuck with me ever since
Sincerity always wins
You Can Press The Big Red Button Whenever You Like But You Cannot Un-Send The Nuke
Lucius has dreams, small ones but they are his. Now he must make a choice to chase them and be himself or give in to the safer life his mum wants for him.
It is the summer of 2005 and, as usual, Stede Bonnet has a lot on his plate. Before going to his final year of Harvard, he must travel to Charleston, South Carolina for his Father's birthday and to help his cousin Nigel achieve his political goals by being the picture perfect family. But it's hard enough being picture perfect with a fearless seven-year-old and a two-year-old with no filter. Harder still when he and Mary have a hard time seeing eye to eye when they are both trapped in this life.
Hardest most of all when he still longs for Ed Teach, who is both close and so far away.
But Stede will power through, and not just for himself, but for his family.
Chapter 1: Waterfalls
Sunday marks the beginning of hell week that hasn't even started. Stede must balance two worlds; the world he has, and the world he wishes he had. But can he do both? Or will trying to do both end in disaster?
May 23, 2003 and Izzy Hands is stuck in his rut of a life, and is fairly certain he deserves to be there. His past his done, his future isn't worth thinking about, his failures he can't stop thinking about. He would rather just sit on his porch and brood. Unfortunately, knowing Stede Bonnet means there's a time limit on brooding; and Izzy is going to be cheered up whether he likes it or not.
And all the while that sparks fly, Ed Teach lingers like a ghost in the back of Izzy's mind.
Chapter 1: Once Upon A Lover's Song
After a rough day at work, Izzy has had it. He would like nothing more than to sink into his chair and let the numbness sink in. Unfortunately one Stede Bonnet has other plans.
Chapter 2: I'd Like to Visit the Moon
Once again, Izzy's life is turned upside down by the visiting Bonnets. It's nothing new for him, but this time, he is determined things will be different. There is no chance in hell he is going to allow Stede Bonnet to get under his skin. He will remain above it all.
He hopes.
Chapter 3: But I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Saturday dawns and Bonnet chaos hasn't changed, but some secrets come to light and some truths revealed. Izzy says what he has to, though it doesn't make things any easier. Especially now when he has a secret of his own.
Chapter 4: Honey, You'll Lose Me
Izzy is usually pretty good at keeping secrets, but as the Bonnet chaos around him begins to grow, he's not sure if he can, and honestly he's not sure if he should. All he knows is that when Bonnet leaves, he's never getting involved in anything ever again.
...no matter how much he may want to.
Chapter 5: The Voyage Home
For better or for worse, Izzy is going to be flying across the country to see a man he hasn't seen in three years. A man who might not even recongize him. A man who might not even care. A man who might be too far gone. But when there is nothing left to lose, there is everything left to gain.
Introducing the next phase of the Building Together Inn fic series with:
Little Bit of Sunshine
Rating: E
Summary: Stede has it all, the love of his life, a repaired roof that doesn't drip on him and mostly trustworthy day laborers that seem to respect him. But something is still missing. Something that he doesn't know how to say. Ed has his secrets too...
An Entry for AUPril day 18
Rating: T
Read @: Ao3
Summary: Pete Black is a man of mystery with many secrets. Not, you know, great ones, but secrets are secrets. However his biggest, and the one closest to his heart, might turn his boyfriend of two weeks, Lucius, off him. Can he bear to hide his heart? Or will he have to tell the truth by becoming... Fearless?
Stede, ambitious, yearning, lost in a life he doesn't know how to leave. Ed, musician, brilliant but jaded, rough past, future hollow. Young though they are, they're resigned to their lot in life.
But a chance meeting at a failed engagement party ignites a spark between the two of them. A spark that's difficult to deny even when their competing obligations makes it near impossible for them to be together.
And yet, somehow, in the wicked dance of time, they manage to meet again and again and again. Each time getting a little closer to something magical.
Because it's not the spark, but the fire you make from it that endures.
It was set out to be the worst December 22nd of young Stede Bonnet's life, the December 22nd that began his long road to an even longer life matrimony. But a chance meeting with a tall dark and handsome stranger is just enough to make Stede start questioning everything about himself. For better and for worse.
//A03
//Story Tumblr
It's almost the new millennium and Ed Teach, a senior now at Juilliard, is a rising star on his way to fame and, more importantly, money. But success is gained through hard work and a hard heart, and letting anyone in it more than just friends is a recipe for disaster; even if that someone is Stede Bonnet.
//A03
//Story Tumblr
May 23, 2003 and Izzy Hands is stuck in his rut of a life, and is fairly certain he deserves to be there. His past his done, his future isn't worth thinking about, his failures he can't stop thinking about. He would rather just sit on his porch and brood. Unfortunately, knowing Stede Bonnet means there's a time limit on brooding; and Izzy is going to be cheered up whether he likes it or not.
Sparks aren't meant to go out.
//A03
//Story Tumblr
It's almost the new millennium and Ed Teach, a senior now at Juilliard, is a rising star on his way to fame and, more importantly, money. But success is gained through hard work and a hard heart, and letting anyone in it more than just friends is a recipe for disaster; even if that someone is Stede Bonnet.
Part II of the Made for You Series
Chapter 1: Adagio
Juilliard is hard for most, but for Ed, the shining star under the auspices of Hornigold, it can be downright brutal. The three things that keep him going are his friendship with Anne, his own ambitions, and the secret song deep in his heart inspired by a gorgeous blond who he might never see again.
Chapter 2: Andante
Though the plane has landed with Stede none the wiser of Ed's identity, now due to snow and the lateness of the hour, Ed needs a ride to get where he's going. A ride which Stede can provide. Along the way old feelings and buried memories bubble to the surface. Ed might be single and Stede very very married, but some things are difficult to hide completely.
Chapter 3: Allegro
Alexandria Bay is probably a great place! Not that Ed has time to see it. Tired and dazzled as he is, the world doesn't stop because he needs a break and he still has rehearsals to get to. On the way he meets a couple of familiar faces, one he didn't think he'd see again, and another he wishes he could see a lot more of.
Chapter 4: Vivace
The day of the concert arrives and Ed's spirits aren't the highest they'd ever been. Fortunately, Stede comes to check in on him, and though spending a morning with the very married man is a recipe for disaster-- Ed really can't say no. After all, it doesn't matter how close you dance to the fire if you're okay with getting burned.
Chapter 5: A Piacere
It is finally time for the concerto, the beginning of the end, the end of the beginning. All of Ed's friends and enemies are gathered in one place...and all watching him. Ed will have to gather his courage and look to the ones that care for him most to find a way to play for himself.
An entry for JanAUary 6
Preforming Arts | Tentacles | ASMR
Rating: E
Read At: A03
Summary: Due to a long ago curse, at certain times of the year, Edward is transformed into an eldritch monster from the depths. Izzy, loyal to the end, has always taken care of him during these times and knows nothing can lift Edward's dampened mood except blood or sex. Now with Stede Bonnet in the picture, that remains much the same, except more sex than blood along with Stede's own special brand of sunlight that pierces through the gloom. Izzy has long since gotten used to this arrangement, which is fine because he loves Edward and will do anything for him even if he doesn't care for Stede.
Not even a little.
It was set out to be the worst December the 22nd of young Stede Bonnet's life, the December 22nd that began his long road to an even longer life matrimony. But a chance meeting with a tall dark handsome stranger is just enough to make Stede start questioning everything about himself. For better and for worse.
Part I of the Made for You Series
Chapter 1: Let it Snow
What better way to propose to your future (and increasingly pregnant) bride by hosting a surprise engagement party? Everything is all set for the big day and Stede is ready to commit to the life of being a married man very much in love with a woman-- when the sudden startling appearance of a tall dark and handsome stranger sets his world on fire.
Chapter 2: Dreaming of a...
December 22nd wasn't great, the 23rd is gearing up to be somewhat worse. But at least Ed was there and he tends to make things better. Maybe too much better...and there are some things about Ed that are too hard to resist.
Chapter 3: All I Want for Christmas Is....
Stede has never had a better December the 24th in his life. He's learning new things, exploring new ideas, and finding new ways to be with Ed. And he does want to be with Ed, oh, he does. He wants to be with Ed more than anything in the world.
Building Together
A series of fics taking place post season 2, wherein Ed and Stede build an inn, a relationship, and discover together where their lives will take them next.
Siren Song
Well, nothing is perfect, and while Stede can pretend the cottage by the sea is the happily ever after he'd hoped for, it seems a bit disingenuous. But maybe being not perfect is perfect in and of itself.
Rain Song
Love or not, building an inn tends to put a strain on relationships, especially with Stede's somewhat limited skill set. But he's not about to give up on them. And even if construction is not his forte, well, there are other things he's good at.
Frog Song
A holiday from building the Inn is what Ed deserves, and by God, Stede is going to give it to him. Even if it's just a picnic, and the food is less than stellar- that's unavoidable. But at least he can get them a spot with a great view. Surely, he can do something right.
Love Song
Ch. 1: Flower Song
Stede does his best to take care of Ed as Ed processes...everything. Their inn is still in shambles and Stede can't help but keep longing for the life he left behind, full of adventure and promise. But there is adventure and promise to be found here while Ed heals, and Stede is determined to help them both find a way to blossom where they've decided to be planted.
Ch. 2: Heart Song
Before Stede and Ed can get help to fix the roof, they need to talk to Ed's acquaintance, Lusca. But like most of Ed's old friends, Lusca carries baggage. And Stede still has plenty of baggage of his own. But Co-captains can surmount anything when they learn to speak from their hearts.
Ch. 3: Love Song
Intimidating men is hard work, and Stede is not sure that he's up for it. With Lusca being recalcitrant and Ed not being there, Stede isn't much sure of anything. He knows this whole situation would be better with Ed by his side, but keeping him a secret is a worry. And other worries too bubble underneath the surface, a kind of strange reflection he doesn't want to look too hard at.
Little Bit of Sunshine
Stede has it all, the love of his life, a repaired roof that doesn't drip on him and mostly trustworthy day laborers that seem to respect him. But something is still missing. Something that he doesn't know how to say. Ed has his secrets too...
And somewhere, a storm is brewing....
Little Bit of Rain
Ed is fine. No, really really fine. As fine as he can be. Sure Stede is hiding shit from him and sure it's a struggle to keep things going behind the scenes and sure he's not sure who he is anymore or if there was really a him to begin with... But things are fine, because Stede needs them to be fine, because Ed needs Stede to be fine.
After all, nothing is forever.
He just has to hold on, hold on, hold...on...
Little Bit of Happiness
Something is wrong with Ed and Stede knows it. Knows it but isn't sure what to do about it. At least not yet. But perhaps someone in the town across the river might know how to help Ed. Perhaps they even may see Stede for the stunning pirate captain he is and shower him with respect. Also he has promised the day laborers to help their friend.
Only what Stede doesn't see is that something is brewing, changes are happening outside of their little world of inn construction. And if he doesn't learn to look beyond his nose, he will come to regret where he ends up.
Title: Rain Song
Read At: A03
Summary: Love or not, building an inn tends to put a strain on relationships, especially with Stede's somewhat limited skill set. But he's not about to give up on them. And even if construction is not his forte, well, there are other things he's good at.
Snip:
But there was nothing whenever he checked. No sign of Ed at least. Just the tumbling grass and the stretch of sea, the endless horizon, and closer to home, Izzy keeping his silent vigil. Now the sun was bleeding into the sea and the wind had picked up, ruffling his hair and the waters, and he felt keenly alone, more alone than he’d ever been. Standing by himself in the doorway of a halfbaked proto-inn he didn’t even really want. Not without Ed there.
And perhaps Ed was never coming back. And perhaps Stede deserved it.
And perhaps Stede should leave too. Should just go off, catch a passing ship, start anew, start afresh- but for the first time he felt no joy in the thought, not even a vague optimistic hope that things would work out. Because even if they did…even if he became the greatest pirate captain there ever was…what did it matter without Ed?
An entry in: Building Together
If you enjoy, please like/review/share :)
After murdering his father, Edward Teach at 13, has nowhere to go but sea and the life of a pirate. Life under Captain Benjamin Hornigold is never easy. It can be bloody and brutal, but it can also be fun and daring, full of adventure and freedom, wild joy, crushing despair, friends and enemies... along with the basic highs and lows of just growing up.
Now he’s leaving his childhood behind, but adulthood comes with his own challenges and in his heart, the darkness which has lingered ever since that day at the own stone wall, is only growing stronger.
Told through five chapters of his life, Edward will find his place in the world or he will make it--
--and no one will be able to stand in his way.
Genre: Gen
Type: Exploring Ed's backstory and how his choices and the weight of the world shaped him - both for the better... and the worse.
Warnings: Darker themes, violence, blood, trauma, Edward being an absolute menace to himself and others, cursing.
Updates: Bi-Monthly
Chapter Twenty-Four:
New Horizon Part IV: Parley
The first day of the parley and Ed is eager to prove himself as someone other than just a pawn in another man's game. But as his past and present start to tangle together and his own assumed responsibilities begin to pile on, Ed has to find a way to fulfil all his promises or buckle under the weight.
Read at A03
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Arc I
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Chapter One: The Boy
After all is said and done, the only place left for Edward is a wild unpredictable life at sea. Being a pirate under Captain Hornigold is not easy, becoming a pirate is even harder and Edward is not entirely sure he can do this.
Chapter Two: Demon Born
Everyone tells him to know his place until Edward is sick of hearing it. And his place right now is in the bilges. He doesn't have status, he doesn't have strength, he doesn't have anything that will help him rise above just a petty drudge that will probably be dead soon.
...or does he?
Chapter Three: Red Skies
Edward is determined to become something more than he is, even though he's the youngest and with little respect. As he navigates his way with crew and secrets to a better standing, other forces on the ship are conspiring around him to keep him down. A storm is brewing and Edward sits in the center of it.
Chapter Four: The Turning Tide Part I
Edward wakes up to find that though much has changed, much has remained the same. But time and tides wait for no one, and soon Edward will have a choice to make- whether to head toward the safety of shore, or be entirely swept out to sea.
Chapter Five: The Turning Tide Part II
In the town of Paradise, Edward has decisions to make, and as ugly truths come to light, he has to decide whether he is going to listen to the voices of others or carve his own path, no matter what course it takes.
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Arc II
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Chapter Six: This Side of Paradise
Ed is growing, whether he likes it or not. At 15-years-old dealing with his own changes and the changes of his friends are hard enough; but when Hornigold is forced to sail with the notorious Captain Flint to take down the Leviathan, Ed is going to find change is a lot harder and comes a lot faster than he is prepared for.
Chapter Seven: The Sea-Dog and the Walrus
Life aboard Flint's ship is even more annoying in on the Ranger. And even worse with the notorious quartermaster going by John Silver. Ed doesn't know what the old swashbuckler has planned, but can't completely trust him. As they draw closer to a sea battle that could change their fates, Ed must ferret out his enemies and learn to dance with his allies.
Chapter Eight: Against the Rising Tide
As the plans to capture the Dorter come to a head, Ed is determined now more than ever to learn how to dance and sway people the same way Feliciano does. If he can, he's sure that Hornigold will see his worth
But dancing comes with a high price and Ed might have to sacrifice parts of himself to pay it.
He has to work harder... Be better...
...And give up more.
Chapter Nine: The Devil's Eye
On the run from the Princess Anne, Ed and the combined crews on the Dorter have no choice but to flee into the dangerous waters of the Devil's Eye.
With the drunk Bill Bones in charge and Jack and Davenport uncertain in their command, it falls upon Ed to figure out where to go, what to do, and how to make it happen while navigating the waters of everyone's pride.
But a storm is brewing among the crew, and the greatest danger of the Devil's Eye may well come from within.
At Childhood's End
Sometimes growing up means leaving things behind
(ch. 10-13)
Part I: Storm Warning
In order to leave the Devil's Eye, the Princess Anne needs to be scuttled- and Ed is determined to be the one to scuttle it, no matter what he has to do.
But the storm that's brewing among the crew is growing stronger, and when it breaks...
Part II: Storm Rising
Free of the Devil's Eye, Ed and the combined crew of the Dorter make their way back to Blind Man's Cove. But the storm aboard is only growing stronger, and some lessons need to be learned in a way that can't be forgotten.
Part III: Storm Breaking
Blind Man's Cove at last, and though the tempest on the Dorter has passed, a new one is brewing on the island itself between Hornigold, Flint, new crew and old faces, Ed is facing a storm he can't stop- the only thing he can do is try to navigate it.
Part IV: At Childhood's End
Growing up means leaving things behind.
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Arc III
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Chapter Fourteen: Breaking Free
At seventeen, Edward is still as much as Hornigold's dog as ever, chasing pirate turned privateers all over the Caribbean. Though he has some life of his own in the residents of the rapidly growing Republic of Pirates, most of his time is dedicated to Hornigold's beck and call.
That is until he finds evidence of a mysterious new pirate making a name for himself on the high seas. A pirate that Edward can't help but be intrigued by. But to find out anything about him, he'll have to slip free of Hornigold's leash, and Ben Hornigold is not one to let go lightly.
Chapter Fifteen: The Mermaid and the Sunflower
Sailing with Jack is a mixed blessing. It's not like Edward doesn't enjoy partying and drinking and smoking weird shit but he can't stop thinking about the mysteries he's uncovered and what they could mean.
Convincing Jack to help out will already be a hard enough task without the recalcitrant Bellamy and Jack's feckless crew, but Edward is determined to try...
....while in his heart a darkness grows.
Chapter Sixteen: The Gathering Storm
Though life on the Tournesol is nothing like life on the Ranger, Edward will have to work harder than ever to reach his goal. Between the expectations of the crew, the hostages and even Jack; not to mention the growing threat of mutiny, Edward is left with little enough time to find himself- but then again, maybe he doesn't want to- because maybe he won't like what he sees...
Chapter Seventeen: Currents and Tides
As the journey continues, Edward finds that navigating the waters of Jack's crew and Jack himself is possibly the most difficult challenge yet, and while some things are still bubbling under the surface, both old and new, he barely has time to look at them and is not sure he even wants to
At least Anne is there as a steadying presence, which is good because things with Bellamy are starting to become a little...
...strange
Chapter Eighteen: Breakwater
The eastern side of the islands are dangerous, lousy with pirates and reefs and rocks, and, so far, sparse with information. But Edward is determined, even if it's difficult to balance the increasing neediness of Jack and the politics of the crew while not completely smothering his own ambition. Sometimes the line between ally and enemy blurs, and soon enough, Edward might be unable to tell the difference.
Chapter Nineteen: Uncharted Waters Part I: Making Port
Edward has to leave, he knows this, but it's not easy leaving a ship mid-voyage in unfamiliar territory. Still, the longer he remains, the more the lines strain and if he isn't careful, something, soon, is going to snap.
Chapter Twenty: Uncharted Waters Part II: A Night On the Island
Biscornu offers many things, from brothels to food to the night market, all ready to be explored. But as Edward stands at the threshold of something completely new, there are things inside him to discover that he's never had time to consider.
Every new beginning brings an end, and every end a beginning.
Chapter Twenty-One: New Horizon Part I: Under the Still Dark Moon
Emmanuel Wynn is a better host than Ed is expecting. He doesn't exactly fit in on the Melusine, but he doesn't exactly fit in anywhere. Sill, despite being a guest, there are still expectations weighing on him. And an enemy is an enemy, even one that wears a friendly face.
Chapter Twenty-Two: New Horizon Part II: Wide and Starry Sky
The more Ed tries to keep things together, the more things try to fall apart. But Ed is determined to do the impossible and, this time, he's not alone.
Chapter Twenty-Three: New Horizon Part III: Côte des Voyous
Just getting to Côte des Voyous is a challenge in and of itself. But when Ed finally arrives, he will meet old friends, make new enemies, and have before him the chance of a lifetime.
Title: Just Like a Pill
Read At: A03
Rating: M
Summary: Jack has done a million fucking stupid things in his life, but hanging out with Izzy has got to be the worst...and also the best.
Modern AU | Fluffvember Day 4 - Sharing a Bed | You Kept This?
Snip: But Izz was different. Izz was always different. Izz had been different since the moment Jack had laid eyes on him and asked Ed who the short fuck was and Ed had slipped an arm around them both, holding tight, and said Izz was a friend, a partner, and that they should get along and try not to fuck with each other too much and if they ever swapped spit to never let Ed know about it. Course Ed had been high at the time. Course they’d all been high at the time. High or drunk that was Jack’s motto because real life was shit.
But even floating in the stratosphere there had been something about Izz’s face, about the compactness of him, about all that anger and energy crammed into five foot eight inches of pissy old man- the embodiment of a terrier that nipped and barked and shook like shit during thunderstorms. But Ed didn’t know the last one. Izz had made Jack promise never to tell and though it would have been funny as shit to do it, he wouldn’t, not to Izz.
Another thing about Izz, Jack decided, told himself, reminded himself, was that he was a fucking furnace. Had to be with all that hair. And here Jack was freezing his fingers off and his nose off being all prim and proper like a fucking 1950s housewife on a fold out couch when he had his own personal furnace on the other bed.
But he also knew better than to startle a man who slept with a switchblade under the pillow.
