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Ed stared down at the paper at his feet, then up at the bird that had dropped it and down at the paper again. Something in Ed’s drunken mind was nagging at him. Did that bird look familiar? Or was he just going crazy? Both were possible, he’d been at sea long enough that he may have seen the bird before but after… everything it was equally plausible that the last thread of his sanity had snapped.
But then, he supposed, only a sane man would wonder if he was crazy.
Ed shrugged and leaned down to pick up the paper, trying to ignore the pain in his head that protested the move.
The paper appeared to have become crumpled in flight and there was now a wet footprint from Ed’s own boot, but it was otherwise legible. Not that he particularly cared about what it said as he stared down at Stede’s smiling face. It was a head and shoulders sketch with a starburst framing blond curls like a halo around his head. Something about the sketch felt… strange… but… sort of familiar? Unbidden, a collection of phallic artwork danced in his mind’s eye but… nah… it couldn’t be… the boy was dead.
‘Introducing’ the flyer proclaimed in bold font ‘Bubbles, the world’s only Merman. In Charles Town for a limited time only.”
Ed couldn’t help a snort as he read that. Seriously? Bubbles? But then something else filtered through his consciousness.
Stede had left. He’d left him, alone on that dock all night. Left him to join the circus and, what? Pretend to be a mermaid?
The page in Ed’s hand crumpled as it balled into a fist. Without giving himself a chance to think or change his mind, he started snapping orders at his crew. Setting a course for Charles Town. He would find Stede Bonnet and make him pay, if it was the last thing he ever did.
As Ed entered the tent, the first thing he noticed was the tank. There was a large tank filled with water taking up one end of the tent’s interior. Beside the tent was a stage where the ringmaster stood and there sitting on the edge of the tank as though to dip his feet in the water, was Stede.
There was a band of red around Stede’s neck, the wet leather of the collar he was wearing had rubbed his skin raw. His back was covered in a litany of scars but his front was a mass of cuts and bruises. Ed hissed with sympathetic pain as Stede slid back into the glass tank, he could smell the salt in the air and knew the cuts must have stung.
As Stede dove down into the glass tank, Ed finally got a look at his tail. It was beautiful and golden, shimmering in the light of the torches dotted around the tent. Ed had expected it to be something cheap and fake but this looked real. Real and damaged. Ed could see there were several places where scales were missing and the fins appeared to have been ripped and torn.
That didn’t seem to inhibit Stede’s movement though as he travelled through the water with the ease of one born to it. Which was odd, Ed realised, because Stede had insisted he couldn’t swim. It was another minute or two before something else occurred to Ed. Stede was holding his breath for a really long time.
As the show continued, Ed saw a small child, barely more than a baby, throw a toy into the tank from its mother’s arms. They must have seen the ringmaster dropping things into the tank for Stede to collect from the bottom and decided to join in.
As soon as the toy fell beneath the water’s surface, Stede was on it grabbing it as it drifted down through the water and bringing it back to the surface. He squeezed it out, Ed could now see that it was a bear and passed it down to the mother. She took it, thanking him profusely as the child reached out and touched Stede’s arm. Stede’s reaction was instantaneous, pulling back his hand as though he had been burned, shooting a worried glance at the now visibly fuming ringmaster.
It was at this point that Ed realised he’d seen enough. He couldn’t stand to see any more.
Ed pushed through the crowd, unable to take another second. As he stumbled out into the cool night air, he forced himself to take several deep breaths, trying to settle the rolling in his stomach through a sheer act of willpower.
How could anyone treat another person like that?
How could anyone treat Stede like that?
He felt a tap on his shoulder and spun, knife out and ready to stab whoever dared sneak up on him.
The person yelped. “Please don’t kill me.”
Ed blinked, lowering the blade. He knew that voice. The owner of that voice should be dead. “Swede?”
“Yeah. Wanted to make sure you hadn’t got lost. The crew are waiting for you.”
“The…”
“Come on.” Too perplexed to even question it at this point, Ed followed him.
As Ed entered the tent, he couldn’t help noticing how small and crowded it was. In the darkness, he could see as everyone turned to look at him. There was Wee John and Roach and Black Pete and… Lucius?
“Oh, finally.” Yup, definitely Lucius the sarcasm was unmistakable. “We need you to help save Stede.”
“But… if you’re all here, haven’t you tried rescuing him?” Ed asked as he took in the group of former pirates. He raised a hand to his chin but put it back down when he noticed how much it was shaking. Today had been a lot and he’d not had a drink for a while. Luckily, nobody else noticed.
“What the fuck do you think we’re all doing here?” Lucius snapped. “We tried, he wouldn’t leave his tank! We got caught! We can’t get near him again!”
“Oh.” Ed frowned. “Why wouldn’t he leave his tank?”
Lucius sighed, sitting on a crate opposite him and running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know. He just wouldn’t. He… he didn’t even seem to recognise us.”
“How can I help?”
“The Ringmaster, he does these private showings. For the elite, the rich, the wealthy. They get one-on-one time with Stede.”
“And you’d sneak him out in one of these showings, clever. But… why me? I mean, of course, I want to help, but what makes you think I’d have any more luck? He left me, remember?”
Lucius shared a look with Black Pete, considering what he was about to say before turning back to Ed. “Look, I don’t know all the details. Not sure I want to, to be honest. But I don’t think Stede left you by choice.”
“What makes you say that?”
“When the ringmaster gets drunk, he likes to boast about how he got Stede. How some admiral sold him to the circus after, and I quote ‘snatching him from the claws of the terrifying Blackbeard’. Now he could just be full of it, but it doesn’t sound like he left willingly to me.”
Ed flinched as he heard the sound of a whip hitting skin from his position outside the tent. He allowed himself a moment to take a deep breath and adjust his purple suit before he pushed the flap to one side and entered. He approached where the ringmaster was standing, whip still hanging loosely in his grip.
“Ah.” the ringmaster greeted him with a smile. “You must be Mr…” he trailed off as he realised he had never actually been given a name
Shit. He hadn't given a name any thought. Can't use teach, someone might recognise him. A glance at the figure on the floor led to Ed saying the first name to come to mind. “Bonnet.”
“Well then, Mr Bonnet, this is my merman.” he gestured towards where Stede was still lying on the floor and Ed’s heart broke. There were red welts and cuts on top of the scars crisscrossing his back, shoulders shaking as he cried silently into a towel that was pressed to his face. The towel looked filthy but Ed wondered if it was the softest thing Stede had while he was there.
The ringmaster delivered a sharp kick to Stede’s ribs earning a yelp and forcing the blond to sit up. Ed finally allowed his eyes to track down to the shimmering tail. In the dim torchlight, it seemed to sparkle as though covered in glitter.
“As one of our special VIP clients, you get to see its special party trick.” The ringmaster explained with a grin. He gave Stede a smack on the head which must have been some sort of cue because it made Stede reach down and start drying his tail with the towel.
As he dried his tail, Ed could see it begin to shift and change. The orange scales made way to soft and supple skin. Or it should have. Ed could see that the skin wasn’t the colour he expected instead it was different shades of red and purple and black. The tail started to split, becoming legs, the fins rolling up to become feet.
Stede looked down at his toes, seeming to revel in having feet once more. Ed on the other hand felt nauseous. Stede had always taken such good care of his hands and feet. Moisturiser to preserve his soft skin and nails that were regularly maintained (once even by Ed). Now, on the other hand, they barely looked like feet. It seemed like every possible bone had been broken making them a shapeless mass of skin and muscle. The nails were all gone, leaving behind a bloodied mess where they had been torn off.
The click of a lead being fastened to Stede’s collar drew Ed’s attention back to the monster responsible for all this. He could only watch, trying to feign disinterest, as Stede was forced to his feet and dragged, stumbling, to where Ed was standing.
Stede looked at him for the first time since he entered the tent, he wouldn’t look at his face though, his gaze was focused further down. On Ed’s clothes.
Ed watched as Stede’s eyebrows furrowed, the corners of his lips turning down slightly. It was clear he knew that suit, recognised that suit, but his pain-addled brain was struggling to place it.
Stede reached out a shaking hand to brush against the soft purple fabric of the suit. Before his hand was an inch away, the sound of the ringmaster’s hand smacking Stede’s echoed through the tent. Stede yanked his hand back with a small whimper.
“What have I told you about touching guests without permission?” The ringmaster hissed as Stede curled in on himself. The ringmaster then turned back to Ed. “I’m so sorry. It’s normally much better behaved.”
“It’s quite alright.” There was a levity in his voice that he didn’t really feel. “It’s a nice suit, I understand the temptation.” Feeling Stede’s eyes on him as he spoke, Ed made sure to flash him a wink. Stede smiled, for what was probably the first time in far too long.
“Ed.” Stede breathed, quiet enough for the ringmaster to miss but it was enough to make Ed’s heart melt.
Ed didn’t get to savour it for long, however, as soon the ringmaster was speaking again. “One last matter before I leave you for your… private session, would you prefer it as is? Or clothed?”
It took everything Ed had not to stab the man there and then. How dare he call Stede it. Treat him like a commodity. How dare he even consider denying Stede the basic human right of clothing. “Clothed please.” Ed finally managed to growl through gritted teeth.
The ringmaster nodded. Heading towards a trunk at the side of the tent, he tugged hard on the leash when Stede failed to keep up, stumbling along as he was on mangled and broken feet. The ringmaster spent some time rummaging through the trunk before finally finding what he was after and throwing a pair of boxers at Stede. The bundle of fabric hit Stede in the face but it didn’t seem to bother him as he carefully pulled them on, trying not to overbalance as he shifted his weight to each unstable leg.
“Do you have anything else you can give him?”
“Why would I do that?” Ed could see a fine tremor running through Stede’s body, it wasn’t a warm night and the water on his skin was making his temperature drop further.
Ed couldn’t say that though, otherwise, the ringmaster might suspect something was up. “It’s hardly decent.” Was all Ed could come up with and he instantly regretted it when he saw Stede flinch. They’d have to discuss that later when Stede was safe.
“Is there anything else you need?”
“No, thank you.”
“Right, well here’s its lead, it should do what it’s told so long as you hold it. Water to watch it transform is over there,” the ringmaster gestured vaguely in the direction of a collection of water-filled buckets beside the tank, “but otherwise you have it for an hour to do as you wish.” With a final wink, the implications of which made Ed’s stomach turn, the ringmaster finally departed.
“Stede.” Ed dropped the leash he’d been holding and took a step towards him, hands fluttering over him but not coming close enough to touch.
“Ed.” Stede’s voice was quiet and had a rough edge to it but was still the most beautiful sound Ed had ever heard. Stede leaned into Ed’s hands guiding one to touch just above his left hip while the other was in his hair. Ed could feel the ridges and troughs that littered Stede’s skin, scar tissue, barely healed in several places, was a deep pink against his pale skin. Hair that had once been so soft from meticulous care was now rough and coarse from salt water and tangled to the point Ed wasn’t sure if it could be fixed. But it was still Stede. Much more gaunt and frail but still Stede. Ed still couldn’t believe that he was actually touching him. That the man he loved (but hated only this morning) was within his reach. “You came for me.” Ed’s heart broke at the surprise and wonder in his voice.
“Of course I did,” Ed replied. “I’ll always come for you.” Stede leaned into him, nuzzling into Ed’s shoulder as Ed wrapped tentative arms around his slight frame. “I’ve got you Stede. Always.” Ed whispered softly into his hair.
The disgruntled sound Stede made when Ed finally let go of him was almost enough to make him take him back into his arms but he knew they needed to leave. Ed took a step back, taking in Stede for a moment. “Look at you.” He murmured under his breath before shrugging off his jacket and putting it around Stede’s shoulders. “I don’t think you should walk on those feet. Can I carry you?” With a nod of confirmation, Stede was soon safely nestled in Ed’s arms once more before they vanished into the night.
The moment Ed’s feet hit the deck of The Revenge, it was like all the tension had drained from Stede’s body. Where he had previously been coiled as tight as a spring now he was as loose and limp as a rag doll. His head rested on Ed’s shoulder and he couldn’t find the energy to lift it. He wanted to see his ship, the place he and Ed fell in love, the only place he ever felt at home.
He would later be grateful for the fatigue, preventing him from seeing the chaos that had reigned when he was in far too much pain to deal with it.
He mumbled sleepily as Ed tucked him into bed, not even sure himself what he was trying to say.
“You sure you’re up to this?” Frenchie asked as they stood in the shadows overlooking the circus.
It was dark now, food and litter were scattered on the grass. The only light was from the performers’ tents on the other side of the field. But it was just enough for Frenchie to see Ed’s nod.
Jim appeared behind them, having returned from a reconnaissance mission. “Nobody else is around. Animals are kept by the accommodative tents overnight.”
“Good.” Ed took a step forward, out from under the tree line. “Let’s get to work.”
The morning papers would talk, as they always do. They’d talk of the tragic fire that destroyed the circus. The disappearance of the ringmaster and the charred corpse found in the wreckage of the mermaid tank. Many would think that the ringmaster had run off, torching the place to get the insurance. Others would just be grateful that nobody had been hurt, well nobody human anyway.
Only the crew of the now aptly named Revenge would ever know the truth. That as Stede slept soundly in his bed, the body of the still conscious ringmaster had been doused in alcohol and set alight. A gag in his mouth to dull the screams and his feet tied at the ankle to roughly resemble a tail. Better that nobody came looking. Letting the world think Stede Bonnet was dead was the best way to keep him safe.
“They're very badly broken,” Roach said, giving Stede’s foot a poke with one hand and taking a drag of his cigarette with the other.
Stede winced and Ed gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “Is there anything you can do?” Ed asked.
Roach shrugged. “There are only two options the way I see it. I can either cut them off or try and set them. Setting them might work but they might have to be cut off anyway if it doesn't.” Roach explained, gesturing with his cigarette to emphasise his point.
Ed glanced down at Stede who had now turned white as a sheet. “What do you think love?”
“Set! Please.” Stede looked up at Ed, hoping for reassurance.
Ed nodded giving his hand another squeeze. “Set it is.”
“You sure? I have my knives right here and I'll probably have to do it anyway.”
“Roach…” the warning in Ed’s voice silenced the chef who quietly got to work, not bothering to hide his disappointment at not being allowed to cut off Stede’s limbs.
Ed took Stede’s hand in his, not even flinching when Stede squeezed it hard each time Roach moved his feet or bound them tightly to the splints.
“I knew it!” Frenchie grinned, waving his spoon around as he spoke. “I knew we had a mermaid aboard! That’s why we’ve been having so much bad luck.”
“To be fair,” Jim interjected, “We weren’t exactly having good luck when he wasn’t here.”
“Besides, you thought that Jim was the mermaid.” Olu pointed out before putting another spoonful of soup into his mouth.
“To be fair, Jim would make a good mermaid,” Roach added, spooning more of the soup into Swede’s bowl. “What’s the gender-neutral for mermaid anyway?”
Jim shrugged. “Don’t think there is one. It’s like huMAN it’s just the species name doesn’t matter what gender they are.”
“But don’t some animals have different names for different genders, like cows and bulls?” Olu suggested.
“Cows and bulls aren’t the same animals though.”
Jim rolled their eyes. “I’ll pretend you didn’t just say that. Maybe we should ask Stede what term he prefers.”
“That’s a good idea.”
Ed sat down on the edge of Stede’s bed and had just opened his mouth to say something when he was interrupted by a knock at the door. He’d barely got the door open when the crew forced their way into the room.
“Do you prefer merman or mermaid?” Jim asked, sitting down on the floor next to Oluwande.
“Well, I’ve never really-” Stede started before being interrupted by Pete.
“How do you change between legs and a tail?”
“Well it’s-”
“How come you’re a mermaid anyway?”
“Right.” Ed snapped, drawing the crew’s attention away from Stede. “If you’re going to ask questions, you need to stop interrupting and let him get a word in.”
“Thank you, darling.” Stede gave him a weak smile. Ed sat back on the edge of the bed and gestured for Stede to continue. “To answer the questions in order. I’ve never really thought about it, Jim. I can’t say I have a particular preference.” He turned to Pete. “It happens when I get wet. The legs become a tail when wet and become legs again once dry.”
“Can we see?” Pete asked, earning a shush from Lucius. “What? I was only asking! I’m allowed to ask!”
“Maybe another time,” Stede told him. “As for how it’s a trait I inherited from my mother.”
The crew threw a few more questions around before Ed ushered them out.
“You alright?” Ed asked. Stede nodded. “Stede, can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“You don’t have to answer, I just wondered. The ringmaster said that you were… sold… by an admiral…”
“Chauncey. He was the one that arrested us, wavy blade.”
“Right… I just wondered how you ended up there. And how he even knew that you…”
Stede sighed. “There was a ‘prank’ he pulled when I was a kid. I was unconscious and they dumped me in a boat and tied my hands to the oars and threw rocks at me.” Stede waved off Ed’s horrified gape and continued. “When the others started to get bored I was able to get myself out but I fell in the water. Chauncey was the only one to see.”
Stede took a deep breath, steadying himself before continuing. “That night, we were supposed to leave together… Chauncey was there… he woke me with a gun and… well… you know the rest. The circus is where freaks belong so…”
“Stede… I…”
“It’s fine.”
“No, it isn’t. I’m so sorry, Stede.”
Stede reached out and took Ed’s hand. “We’re both here now. That’s the main thing.”
“Once upon a time,” Stede began looking out over his crew as they nestled into their blankets for storytime. As stede sat on the capstan, book open in his lap, a hand drifted to Ed’s hair. He was already half asleep, his head resting on Stede’s knee. “There was a little mermaid called Ariel.”
This wouldn’t be the original story. Stede decided that the ending was too sad. He never understood why she had to die, why she couldn’t be with her prince.
Stede’s ending was going to be much better. After all, every good story deserves a happily ever after.