Step

Another day of pain and annoyance. Izzy lays out on the sofa, cursing yesterday's dinner choice as Stede flutters around him, trying and failing to help. "Just fuck off Stede. Nothing you can do to help." As soon as it left his mouth, Izzy knows it sounded harsher than he meant.

Stede's face falling confirms he heard. "Alright, I'll leave you be..." Stede says, tone hurt as he turns to leave. Izzy reaches out and grabs his hand before he can run away. "Not what I meant, love. Just lay with me." Izzy says, pulling Stede close. "Please".

Awake at 3 am, Izzy wonders how he could ever forget that coffee after 2 pm keeps him the fuck up. He reads, but his eyes are too tired. He listens yo an audio book, but it's not boring enough. He puts on a podcast, but it's too boring, his brain bouncing off it back to internally whinging.

Sometime after 3:45 he finally fails asleep and wakes promptly at 8. Pissed and fucking tired and needing to take an urgent pee. He gets up, feeds the cat and scrolls for a couple hours, wondering if he should call today a wash. #izzyisme

#fangizzy #agere Soft days don't happen enough in Fang's opinion. Izzy denies and waits and fights them like he has everything in his life. But Fang is making progress. He's introducing little things into their lives bit by bit to make it easier on his love l. +

Fang chuckles and gets up, scooping Izzy into a hug while Izzy squeals. "Hungry Bunny? What sounds good for breakfast?" Fang asks, carrying Izzy on his hip to the kitchen. "Oatmeal! With berries and syrup and choc chips pease!" Izzy declares. "Yes, Boss. You got it. Sounds perfect." +

#fangizzy #agere Soft days don't happen enough in Fang's opinion. Izzy denies and waits and fights them like he has everything in his life. But Fang is making progress. He's introducing little things into their lives bit by bit to make it easier on his love l. +

Softer blankets on the couch. Applesauce pouches on the counter. Fresh, soft jammies an the top of the pajama drawer. New candles that smell of lavender and powder. Things Izzy sees and touches and smells everyday that show him softness isn't just okay sometimes, it's already here everyday. +

Izzy's eyes ache. Whether open or closed, it makes no difference. It's the third night in a row that he's still awake at 2am, brain too loud and racing for sleep, body too tired to fight. He contemplates his options. He has people to turn to these days, for help, for a fuck, for distraction,

He ends up with John at his back, carding fingers slowly through his hair and Fang chest to chest, Izzy's head nestled at his neck. "Can you...can you tell me a story?" It comes out softly, more breath than sound, but Fang nods. "Course, Boss, just settle in." "Once upon a time..."

Izzy's eyes ache. Whether open or closed, it makes no difference. It's the third night in a row that he's still awake at 2am, brain too loud and racing for sleep, body too tired to fight. He contemplates his options. He has people to turn to these days, for help, for a fuck, for distraction,

"Nah, Boss, let's just go to bed." Fang says giving Izzy a quick hug. "No thanks, Iz." John agrees, giving both men a kiss on the cheek. "All right, come on." Both take their shoes off and follow Izzy back to his bedroom. He sits on the side of the bed to secure his cane in its spot.

Izzy's eyes ache. Whether open or closed, it makes no difference. It's the third night in a row that he's still awake at 2am, brain too loud and racing for sleep, body too tired to fight. He contemplates his options. He has people to turn to these days, for help, for a fuck, for distraction,

Of his eyes. Bzzt WJ: Me too, be there in 10, Doll Izzy levers himself up to sitting, grabs his cane and starts making his way to the door, slipping on the slippers John made him last bday. Fang has a key, but John doesn't and it'd be fucking rude not to greet either of them no matter the time.

Izzy's eyes ache. Whether open or closed, it makes no difference. It's the third night in a row that he's still awake at 2am, brain too loud and racing for sleep, body too tired to fight. He contemplates his options. He has people to turn to these days, for help, for a fuck, for distraction,

Roach would bring him weed, and that's not unappealing, but he'd also get a lecture and probably a new tattoo he doesnt want. But what does he want? Quiet, safety, comfort, someone who will help settle his anxious thoughts. That leaves two options, both of who are most likely sleeping peacefully

Izzy's eyes ache. Whether open or closed, it makes no difference. It's the third night in a row that he's still awake at 2am, brain too loud and racing for sleep, body too tired to fight. He contemplates his options. He has people to turn to these days, for help, for a fuck, for distraction,

Izzy post top surgery. Ed was supposed to be his support person, but he flakes and sends Stede instead. Izzy is pissed at first but Stede is so kind and helpful and he doesn't seem affected by the gross body stuff happening. And he's surprisingly strong, able to pick Izzy up when asked. +

Thinking about ace Izzy after Ed and Stede leave. He's both the happiest he's ever been and also so fucking lonely. The crew is wonderful, but they're so new. Ed and his relationship was awful, but it was long and familiar. Dependable in the worst ways, but ways Izzy had grown accustomed to. +

And Pirates don't retire, they don't grow, they don't change. They just die when their time comes, same as it ever was. That was until Stede Fucking Bonnet. Bastard changed everything. Izzy really ought to kiss him for it someday.+

Thinking about ace Izzy after Ed and Stede leave. He's both the happiest he's ever been and also so fucking lonely. The crew is wonderful, but they're so new. Ed and his relationship was awful, but it was long and familiar. Dependable in the worst ways, but ways Izzy had grown accustomed to. +