#act of grace

[ofmd-ann]

Maybe we can just... get away?

[crimson-and-clover-1717]

Why?

Both Ed and Chauncey ask why in relation to Stede.

Why would he create a special outing just for me?

Why do you all show such loyalty to him?

Answer - Because Stede is kind. Because he sees people. Because people matter. Piracy really is just the other side of the coin of Patriarchy, worlds steeped in cynicism and fucking each other over. Stede’s way is an antithesis to both.

Here’s the thing. Ed leans into the answer to why. Chauncey, and others like him, fail to do so, and it affects the outcome of their place in the narrative. Because you’ve got to embrace the answer to ‘why’ to succeed in this story.

Why? Because there’s another way, and it’s better.

[zulizenz]

Why is Stede so hard to draw?

[temporal-discounting]

I was just thinking about Stede's selflessness here.

Stede has literally just been told that if Ed does not sign the Act of Grace, he will be shot.

And yet, he very sincerely offers Ed an out, knowing full well that he would die if Ed chooses to take that out.

And then Ed's response? It's not "Yes I do", it's "I know I don't." He knows he has other options. But he chooses to sign 10 years of his life away to save the man he loves.

It's just such a beautiful scene.

[celluloidbroomcloset]

Never ever ever over Ed's hand moving up Stede's shoulder, like if he can just touch him, there's no way they can take him away.

The one time we see Ed panic and truly lose control is when he thinks he might lose Stede.

[robotsnchicks]

You know, as wonderful as all the moments between Ed and Stede are, I think my favorite, most heart-warming moment of the entire show is in episode 9 when the whole crew shouts about what a fearsome proper pirate Stede Bonnet is and they pan to Stede’s face and he is just so incredibly amazed and happy and he feels accepted and cared for and the found family vibes are so strong and then they finish the rhyme and yeah. It’s my favorite scene hands down.

[serpentarius]

will never get over Frenchie canonically making up the excuse that Stede’s journal is a “bit of fanfiction” about him and that he “can’t stop imagining him in all different scenarios. All totally made up” LIKE. HE IS JUST LIKE US FR

[googoogojob]

aloc

Traditional and digital artist

thanks to

Act of Grace: An OFMD Virtu-Con (@actofgracecon.bsky.social)

A free virtual OFMD con hosted over Discord on February 7th and 8th 2026. Panels, Artist Alley, Fanfiction Showcase, and more! More info and