#because apparently it's more dramatic to have people have weird contrived misunderstandings and never actually talk to each other

[sitzfleischh]

"You're not a fuckin' mermaid"

But that's it!! He isn't!! Stede is kind and sweet and good but that's not all he is. He hurt Ed. He's selfish and petty and prone to running away.

And Ed isn't a Kracken. He has done terrible things, yes, but that's not all he is either. He appreciates fine things, he cares deeply, he's passionate and intelligent and loving.

That's why they weren't ready to be together at the end of season one. They couldn't see all of each other. And they couldn't see all of themselves.

But they're ready now-- or rather, they're ready to start working to get there.

Ed's no Kracken. Stede's no mermaid. They're just two human beings who love each other and are willing to do the work to figure it out.