#but i mean we're only gonna be stayin there a year

[voidzphere]

How have you been, Killz?

so far ive been rlly stressed out w moving and constant packing + plannin for college and my professional art journey but i mean other than that i gained another badass bitch thumbz up emoji

jokez aside he'z rlly helpin me thug through rn. i dont think id be able to get past all this stuff w/o my prtnerz i love them sm <3

tldr im about to pass out and die but at least i got my pookiez with me ^_^ ty 4 checkin up on me ough it meanz a lot really

[chroniclesinlavender]

ENTRY 001: Dreams (Part 1)

Isaiah has an alarming dream.

Transcript below:

[Avlin nłzēwok'un nar īdsēravn aryú pi-lizt'n. Má ēzyi'ōf fl cni-lizt'n. (These are the stories known only to the Seraphim. Let not these events be forgotten.)]

???: [strained] Have to... keep it... together... can't stop... need to s-stay... need to foc... focus... have to keep it togETHEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRR!!

ISAIAH: ...and then everything fades away, and I wake up.

[Chronicles in Lavender. Art & Story by Koishi. ENTRY 001: Dreams (Part 1)]

[December 12, 2019. 3:40 PM]

ISAIAH: My heart's always pounding out of my chest, and I can't sleep for the rest of the night. Every single time, it always goes exactly the same. The same place, the same people... and it never feels like I have any control, or I'm really acting on anything. I'm sorta just... watching it happen, I guess.

DR. GARDNER: Do you feel like the date in which you have the dreams could be significant?

ISAIAH: I dunno, your guess is as good as mine. I just happens every month on the full moon. I don't know why or how, it just does. It's been so consistent that I can anticipate it coming. Sometimes, I would stay up all night from the anxiety, then the minute I fall asleep, they happen anyways. I've always had vivid dreams. They feel so real, and I can control them too. Like, like lucid dreaming. But when these dreams happen, I just feel... powerless. Got a pill I can take for that?

DR. GARDNER: I could, but stepping away from medication, I think this might be related to another significant topic we've yet to come back to? Specifically the topic of Tara? And I know it's uncomfortable, but I think at least addressing it may give a better understanding of these recurring nightmares. I think a lot of the themes you've described to me in your dreams; the lack of control, the sense of urgency, the need to "keep it all together", could all be tied to your trauma regarding your sister's disappearance. A way for your brain to process through the guilt you feel and the grief you're experiencing. Does that sound about right?

ISAIAH: [shrugs]

DR. GARDNER: It's hard, having to go through that. It feels impossible to carry that weight on you all of the time, but it's important to remind yourself that Tara's disappearance is not your fault. It may seem selfish, but some things are out of our control. So it's better to grieve and find a way to move forward. At the end of the day, your own mental health is something that you have to put first, or things like this will keep affecting you. Of course, we can move on if you'd like. How have your exercises been going?

ISAIAH: Oh... uh... I've been trying, and I've been goin outside more, too.

DR. GARDNER: That's good to hear! Tell me more about how that's been working for you.

ISAIAH: [in journal] Log date: 12/19/2019. 4:28 PM. I've just concluded my therapy session for this week. We talked about the usual stuff, depression and meds and self-affirmation. I brought up the dreams, but that ended up leading back to Tara. It's been four years since she disappeared. I've been trying not to think about it. It's jut too much right now. I though by now I'd at least be better about it. That I wouldn't feel so awful. I guess I don't, but I just feel nothing instead. I dunno if that's better or worse. Rather not dwell on all of that now. Either way, I'm hoping that this night'll be over soon. I hate these stupid dreams, it's like a puzzle and I'm missing a billion pieces to it. If I go to bed early, I can at least get the dreams out of the way. Or I'm hoping to. Not much to hope for as of late.

[some time later]

ISAIAH: Yo LiLi.

AMALIAH: Yoooo Isaiah, me and Andre gonna be stayin out for the night. We're hangin w/ some friends.

ISAIAH: Yeah sure, aight. How come you didn't text?

AMALIAH: Cuz I'm drivin? fuck you mean?? And you take, like, hours to text back.

ISAIAH: Yeah yeah nah, good point... Okay, I'll text if I need somethin-

AMALIAH: Whoa hold up, you good cuz? You sound like shit. Still gettin them weird dreams? I know it's a full moon tonight.

ISAIAH: yeah, but I also had therapy today, so I'm like, emotionally-drained.

AMALIAH: Goootcha gotcha. Well if you need me, just text. Aight I gotta watch the road. See you in the mornin, kay?

ISAIAH: Night, LiLi.

ISAIAH: Is anything going to be different? Anything at all? I thought bringing it up at therapy would shed some light on why I keep having these dreams, but of course it all goes back to Tara. I thought I would be fine by now. That I'd find a way to not let what happened mess me up. But I'm still here. Everything around me keeps going, but I'm still here. Still empty... why does it even matter? Maybe this is just it for me... just emptiness and guilt... walking through a haze as life passes me by. I'm so sick of it being this way. I just want something to change... I just want to change.

BUTTERFLY: Why Do You Chase After Me?

ISAIAH: I don't know. I can't remember anymore I've just been... running for so long... Why were you running?

BUTTERFLY: I Was Running From Something As Well, Something Too Hard For Me To Bear. But I Feel As If You Can Help Me Face It.

ISAIAH: How would someone like me be able to help? I'm empty...

BUTTERFLY: You Are Not Empty. You Are An Endless Multitude. And If You Help Me, I Promise To You What You Yearn For The Most.

ISAIAH: ...okay. I can do that.

BUTTERFLY: Then It Is Time For You To Wake Up, Isaiah.

ISAIAH: Something... changed.

[Ēzm̄fl īn-hōn pi-jalzègxa olsl... (To be continued in the next entry...)]

[ificouldhelpyouforget]

[16] 33's Coming Home With Me (Tim Riggins x OFC)

MASTERLIST | DWHI MASTERLIST

Warnings: none

Words: 2k

Panthers fans gathered around the team's bus while the football team mingled with family. Everyone was hyped to be going to State again and the energy surged through the gathering.

"Are you ridin' with us, Catherine?" Mrs. Taylor came over to me with Julie.

I nodded. "If you're still okay with it."

"Of course! We love your company."

Julie smiled. "We can talk about Matt and Tim."

I glanced at Mrs. Taylor, remembering the day Coach walked in on his daughter and Matt. Julie was horrified, but her parents were mortified. I didn't want our conversation to go down that path for her mom's sake. 

"Uh, yeah. We can talk about how great they're gonna do at the game and only that, Jules." I shifted my eyes over to Mrs. Taylor so she would catch the hint.

Julie rolled her eyes.

Both women looked past me and Julie grinned just as arms snaked around my middle.

"Hey, Tim," she said. Mrs. Taylor greeted him, too, though less enthusiastically as her daughter.

"Hey," he said back, kissing the side of my head.

I was so happy when Julie and her mom gave us some privacy.

"Julie's insistent that we talk about you and Saracen on our way to the stadium." I turned in his hold, brushing his hair back.

"Yeah?"

"My guess is we'll talk about Matt the most." My lips curled up into a smirk. "Saracen isn't too bad on the eyes, ya know."

Tim's lips neared my ear. "I would hate to miss my bus because I had to remind my girlfriend who she goes to bed with every night."

Laughing, I molded my mouth to his. "Don't worry, Riggins. She knows who he is and is very happy."

"Good."

I straightened Tim's shirt. "Are you excited? Senior year and y'all are off to State for a second time."

"It's great." His smile was sweet.

"I thought you'd be more excited," I said.

"Yeah, well I've gotta save the excitement for the game." He kissed my forehead. "I've gotta make sure I have enough energy to show off for my girl."

I rolled my eyes and hugged him. "I'll see you at the hotel, yeah?"

"You bet."

We kissed once more before we split off to our respective rides.

*****

"Who are you stayin' with, Catherine?" Mrs. Taylor asked, peering at me through the rearview mirror.

"Tyra is supposed to be my roommate, but she's working on her application essay. I think Landry is trying to get her to come to the game. If he can't, then I won't be rooming with anyone else."

"Are you thinkin' of sharin' with Tim Riggins?"

Heat rose up my neck and settled on my cheeks. "Um, he has a room to stay in, Mrs. Taylor."

"Mom," Julie whined. "Who cares if they share a room? They love each other, right Cat? I mean, they basically live together."

"Yeah, but there are rules, Jules. It doesn't matter if we love each other, we shouldn't share a room during a school trip," I said.

Mrs. Taylor glanced at me again. "And Tim is okay with obeyin' the rules?"

"He doesn't care much for them, but he cares about me, so he promised to behave."

"He stayed with you last time we were at State," Julie said. "You looked so cute sleeping together."

"That was different. We weren't datin'."

"So it's different that you are now?" Mrs. Taylor asked.

"Uh, yeah. Very different." I could see the realization cross over her face.

"Are you bein' safe?"

Julie groaned.

"Yes, ma'am. Always."

"Do you use whatever it is the right way every time?"

I couldn't keep my half-smile off my face. "I mean no disrespect, Mrs. T., but we are talkin' about Tim Riggins who's been with a lot of girls. He didn't get any of them pregnant, so I'm confident we're using protection correctly." I smiled at her through the mirror. "I appreciate your concern. It's nice to know someone is lookin' out for me."

"You're welcome, Catherine."

The Taylors were a family I adopted as my own once I figured out my own family wasn't close. I didn't come to Mrs. Taylor for life advice, but I listened to what she had to say to me as if she was my own mom. Julie was like a little sister I felt obligated to protect as she grew up. It pained me that she was trying to push her parents away. I hoped Eric and Tami saw me as someone who could mentor their daughter if she kept going down her rebellious teenage path.

"What's that smile about?" Julie asked. "Thinking about Tim?"

I shook my head. "No. I'm thinkin' about you and your family and how much y'all mean to me. Thanks for being my second family."

Julie instantly teared up and Mrs. Taylor smiled through the mirror.

"We'll always be here when you need us," Julie's mom said. "No matter where you go, we'll be here."

"I'm glad."

*****

I gazed at the sign I made. Before the game, me, Tyra, and Julie gathered in our hotel room with poster paper and all sorts of markers and photos. At the time, I loved what I put together for the game. Once I was sitting in my seat next to the girls, I felt like I pushed it too far.

"I can't believe I wrote this on a sign," I said to Tyra.

"You were pretty excited about it this afternoon." Tyra smirked at it on my lap. "I think it's cute."

In bold blue and yellow lettering, I wrote out, "33 is coming home with me." I even had a photo of Tim in his uniform on the poster. It was pretty embarrassing considering we were in a huge stadium where several hundred people would be filling the seats within the hour.

"I'm pretty sure I had a lapse in judgment. There's no way I can hold this up. What if people see it?" I curled it around itself.

Julie laughed. "I think that's the point."

I peeked at it again. "Do you think Tim will hate it?"

"The fact that it hints you're sleepin' with him, he'll love it." Tyra leaned back in her seat. "If you don't hold that up during the game, we won't be friends anymore."

"It does not hint at that and that's a little aggressive, Tyra."

She shrugged. "It definitely does. If it makes you feel better, hold it up when they come runnin' out. Tim might actually see it."

"Then you don't have to hold it up again," Julie said. "You are wearing his jersey."

And it was easy to tell it didn't belong to me. Even with it tucked into my jeans, it spilled over my waistband, covering my pockets. Tim thought it was adorable when he picked me up from my room for breakfast. Tyra and Julie thought it was hilarious.

"Fine. I still can't believe I made this."

"The girls need to know he's spoken for, right?" Julie grinned.

I sighed and leaned forward to look past Julie at Tyra. "I know I should have asked you a while ago, but are you okay with this? Tim and I, I mean."

Tyra waved it off. "I had a thing for Riggins a long time ago. I don't mind you datin' him at all. Y'all have been together so long that it seems weird I ever had something with him."

"Really?"

"Yeah. You guys work together. Better than me and him and I'd say better than him and Lyla Garrity."

"You don't like Lyla very much," Julie pointed out. "Of course you'd pair Tim and Cat together before him and Lyla."

"Yeah, well..."

I chuckled and leaned back in my seat.

*****

I was on the edge of my seat the entire game. My voice was nearly gone as I screamed at them to get the football down the field. The Panthers were holding their own even with the scores even. Unfortunately, the game didn't end in the Panthers' favor. The stadium's volume cut in half as we felt the disappointment.

Mrs. Taylor led us into the locker room at the request of her husband once the team got in there. Friends and family of all the players gathered around the team still in their gear. It was quiet. Coach Taylor stood in front of everyone.

"Your friends and family are here because you played a great game." His eyes scanned over everyone. "We are proud of each and every one of you. We are proud of the way you played out there. Y'all should be proud of yourselves."

It warmed my heart when we applauded them. Some of the football players got teary-eyed at the praise. They made it to State because they worked hard. No one could deny their dedication.

Before Coach asked us to leave, I squeezed past a few players to get to Tim. He was still sitting on the bench with a forlorn stare. It went away the moment he saw me, a brilliant smile on his face.

"What a game," I said, leaning forward to kiss his forehead. "I'm really proud to call myself Tim Riggins' girlfriend."

His hugged my middle and rested his chin on my stomach. "Thanks."

"Are you okay? I know it's not quite how you wanted to end the season."

"Yeah, I'm okay." Tim's lips pressed against my stomach. "By the way, I liked your sign. I'm glad you want me goin' home with ya."

I blushed. "Ugh. I hoped you wouldn't notice. It's so embarrassing."

He chuckled.

Coach Taylor started ushering people out, so Tim kissed me shortly. "I'll see you later, Cat."

"Bye, Tim."

*****

Everyone went home after the game since there wasn't a party to celebrate. No one complained about it, ready to sleep off the loss.

Mrs. Taylor dropped me off at school, so I could catch a ride home with Tim. She bid me a good night before driving away with a sleeping Julie.

The team bus was in front of the locker room door and Tim was already heading over to me. He seemed a lot happier than when he first got on the bus.

"Good ride back?"

Tim pushed me back against his truck and captured my mouth. He grabbed my head, tilting it to deepen our kiss. I got caught up in the moment, pulling him by his waist so we were flush against each other. I zeroed in on how soft his lips were, how he knew exactly what to do with them to make my brain malfunction. It was one of the best kisses he ever gave me. My eyes took a few seconds longer to open when he pulled his lips away.

"What was that for?" I asked, trying to catch my breath.

"I love football and everything about it." He kissed me again. "Now football is over."

"Yeah, it is."

"I'm madly in love with you and everything you are. I want everything to be about you now. About us."

"Really? You're want to drop football just like that?"

"I've got something better right here."

A slow kiss.

"Okay. Let's focus on us."

"You are gonna focus on college, Barton, and I'm going to focus on you and making your life easier."

"No college for you?"

He shook his head. "I don't like school now and I don't expect I'll like it in college. I'm sick of caring about my grades."

"You don't care about them now," I giggled.

"Exactly."

"Okay." I stood on my toes to kiss him again. "I support your choice."

"Can I go home with you now?"

I nodded and gently pushed Tim away from me. I laughed when his hand brushed against my butt. He tried looking innocent, but the glint in his eyes gave him away.

Tim took my hand the second our doors shut. I leaned over to kiss him before he pulled out of the parking lot.

[izzy-b-hands]

The return of Calico Jack! Wound care! No, seriously, this gets NSFW in a very gross way. If that squicks you, I'd give this one a skip (tbh, it even grossed me out writing it, if that says anything lmaoo.) That's a TW for emetophobia, wounds, wound care, and surgery here.

Otherwise, some Stede and Jack bonding, kind of! Izzy is having a Fucking Time of it, but he's gonna be okay. And Ed is just my dear ray of sunshine trying to be helpful to everyone about this whole mess. Also, Roach deserves everything he wants and a pay rise because jfc does he have a task here.

Also there's probably some inaccurate wound care both current and historical here, but I did my best going off memory from clinic research courses and what additional research I could stomach before it made me feel sick lol. Pls forgive any major fuck ups 😅

---

"Steve!" Jack cheered. "Pull me up, buddy!"

Stede didn't mean to stare, but the gaping wound in Jack's torso was distracting. "Have...have you been floating out here this entire time?!"

Jack nodded. "Salt water stings like a motherfucker!"

"Ed!"

Ed trotted over and immediately gagged. "Jack, what the fuck? I thought you were dead!"

"You can't kill Calico Jack!" Jack cheered. "Not that easy! I am so dizzy!"

"How are you still just...floating?" Stede asked.

"Well Steve-"

"Stede," Stede corrected.

"Right, Sten-"

"Stede," Ed interrupted.

"Yeah, I know, Stebe!"

"That's not even a fucking name, you twat," Izzy spat, joining them at the rail.

"Izzy!" Jack grinned. "Didn't miss you."

"The feeling is mutual," Izzy snapped. "I have a harpoon-"

"Wait, what?" Ed asked. "Why? When did you get that?"

"Does it matter?"

"Little bit," Ed scoffed. "I've never found a harpoon."

Izzy stared. "We took out at least four whaling ships over the last two years alone."

"And?"

"Ed, where else would they have harpoons laying around?!"

"A harpoon store, I don't fucking know!"

"I think we're getting distracted from the main issue here," Stede interjected gently. "Izzy, do you happen to have two harpoons, and would you be interested in teaching me how to use one?"

Izzy's eyes lit up. "In this case, absolutely. Do only have the one, but we can pull it back out and let you take a turn."

"No one is harpooning Jack!" Ed shouted. "Mostly because he'd apparently survive it no problem."

"King of stayin' alive, baby!" Jack crowed. "Can y'all actually pull me up though? Keep getting these fish all nibbling on me. Tickles, but then it hurts!"

"Oh," Stede sighed. "Pull him up."

"With what?" Ed asked.

"If I may," Izzy said. "Once again, I'd like to suggest the harpoon-"

"Izzy!" Ed shouted. "Enough with the harpoon!"

"Fine, fine," Izzy muttered. "Almost no good situations for a harpoon, then you finally get a chance and no one wants to use it!"

"Oh for fuck's sake," Jim shoved them aside, one by one, and tossed down a large net. "Get in!"

"In the net?" Jack asked.

Olu jogged over and patted Jim on the back. "I know. Deep breath. He's probably fairly sick with that...hole, in him, so he's not thinking clearly."

Slowly, Jack crawled into the net. "Now what?"

"This," Jim replied, and yanked the rope holding the net tight. With Jack safely netted, they dragged him up and over the rail.

"Here," Jim sighed. "He's your problem now."

"Actually, he's my problem," Roach said as he walked over. "Isn't he?"

"You are our surgeon," Stede said with an apologetic smile.

"Yeah, yeah," Roach muttered as he bent down to free Jack from the net and examine his wound. "Okay, so...is that a fucking rum bottle? That's a fucking-"

He stood up and held up his hands. "Ed. I'll do my best, but I am guaranteeing nothing, because he's using it to store fucking rum!"

"Where else was I gonna put it?" Jack asked defensively. "Got a free extra pocket, why not use it?"

Stede and Izzy shared a glance as they gagged, but Ed knelt down to look closer.

"Jack, mate. That's not where that goes. Well, not like this at least. May I, um..."

He grimaced as he pulled the bottle free, only to jump up and vomit over the rail.

Stede braced himself to have a look. "You've got your coin purse in there! Money is filthy, Jack, that's so bad for a wound!"

"Well, like I say, I was trying to be fuckin' resourceful!" Jack shouted. "But apparently that's not acceptable here!"

"There's resourcefulness, yes, but this..." Stede spluttered. "Come on now, Jack!"

"Side note, it has been stuck in there for some time," Jack said. "Izzy, you wanna be a peach and see if you can't get that out?"

Izzy was incredibly pale, but nodded. "Sure I will. With the fucking harpoon! What the fuck is wrong with you?!"

"As you can clearly see, I have a bad wound and my money is stuck in it," Jack said matter-of-factly. "Keep up, Jizzy."

"No need to be rude," Stede said, then steeled himself, reached forward, and tugged on the purse strings.

The rush of... something, that burst forth was the final straw for Izzy, with Olu and Jim catching him as he passed out.

Roach, on the other hand, was intrigued. "Huh. Well, you cleaned a lot of it out with that. Nice job, Captain."

Stede nodded, holding the disgusting coin purse out in front of him. "I'm going to be sick."

He tossed the purse aside and joined Ed over the rail, who had resorted to deep breaths in between fruitless retching.

"The smell is so bad," he murmured to Stede. "How the fuck is he still alive?"

"Not by the grace of any god," Stede replied. "Because that's just cruel. I know he's seemingly okay with it, but oh my god!"

"Okay," Roach sighed as he knelt back down. "For the sake of everyone else, we're gonna do this out here to help the stench."

"Smell of success, baby!" Jack grinned.

Roach laid a hand on his forehead. "Yeah, no, that's an infection and a fever."

"But I'm still alive!"

Roach nodded. "You most certainly are. Who wants to help?"

Stede helped Ed back up from the rail, and raised a hand. Mostly because the rest of the crew had immediately and understandably skedaddled, except for Olu, Jim, and Izzy. Though Izzy was still pale, leaning on Olu and looking like he might pass out again at any moment.

"Awesome, full care team!" Roach smiled. "No? Well, I'm excited for it. Usually doing most of this shit on my own, but this is one there's no way I can do without help."

"Can I have that rum back?" Jack asked.

Ed gingerly picked it up by the neck, and handed it over.

"Alright," Jack took a long swig. "Let's rock n' roll, motherfuckers!"

--

"That doesn't go there," Stede said with a heavy sigh. "At least, I don't think it does. That's his... gallbladder? I think."

The surgery had been ongoing for the last two hours, with minimal success. Mostly because what was left of Jack in that section of his torso was in a less than ideal state.

"No, that's..." Roach turned it one way, then another. "Nope, sorry, you were right. Okay, that goes here then. The liver-"

"I know that one," Ed said cheerfully, though he grimaced as he took it from Roach and squished it back into place.

"I hate every second of this," Izzy muttered, eyes cast away from the ongoing Jack puzzle. Jack had insisted Izzy hold one of his hands during the procedure, and for reasons unknown, Izzy had agreed. If Stede had to guess, it was likely because Jim and Olu had dipped out after the first organ was readjusted, and holding Jack's hand was one point of contact to focus on to keep from passing out again.

"I know," Jack said. "That's what makes it more fun for me, Jizzy."

"Enough!" Stede snapped, and pinched the side of what he presumed was Jack's pancreas. "We are trying to help you; could you at least stop that shit!"

"What shit, Stebe?"

He pinched again, and Jack yelped.

"Ed, he can't fuckin' do that to me!"

"Everyone shut the fuck up!" Roach screamed. "This bit is delicate!"

They watched as Roach pulled a few other things from the wound, much to Jack's delight. There was: a pocket watch ("Been looking for that!) A small crab ("That's Ed Junior!) A wanted poster for himself ("They did a real lovely job on that drawing of me, I had to save it!")

"Okay," Roach sat back on his knees. "Jack. I need you to listen to me."

Jack nodded.

"Do not put anything else in this wound. Ever."

Jack sighed. "But-"

"No! No more anything in here, unless it's a salve or packing bandages!" Roach said sternly. "I will fucking sew you a bag myself if it keeps you from shoving anything else in here!"

"I know something Ed could shove in here," Jack winked.

Ed frowned. "You know that's too weird, even for me. Besides, I mean... it's a compliment, I suppose. Do appreciate that, but it isn't that big, and this wound is huge-"

"Please." Izzy swallowed hard. "Please stop. I am picturing it in my head, and I don't want to be."

"Fair," Ed nodded. "Roach, what's left?"

"Sanitizing, then wound packing, then we wrap him up and hope for the best," Roach replied. "And I'll be saving our liver stew for a different night."

"That would be best," Stede agreed. "Could even skip dinner tonight, or I probably will, at least."

"What about sewing him up?" Ed asked. "Shouldn't we do that?"

Roach leaned over and patted his shoulder. "Where exactly would I sew to what, man? I can't just create more skin for him."

"Got a bit of extra canvas, for the sails?" Jack asked. "Not skin, but would that help?"

Roach nodded hesitantly. "That actually might work. Izzy, can you-"

"Thank fucking god," Izzy cut him off and dropped Jack's hand, running off to find some spare canvas. Though at this point, Stede figured he'd cut apart their already flying sails if it meant the surgery would be over.

He returned with a large rectangular chunk, and dropped it by Roach before sitting back down to hold Jack's held out hand with a grimace.

"I can put you out for this bit," Roach said. "I mean, kind of. Better than being totally awake."

"I'm drunk as fuck; go for it," Jack nodded with another swig of rum.

Roach winced, and held a small bottle of antiseptic over the wound. "Count of three. One, two-"

At two, he poured it in.

Even Jack wasn't immune to that sort of pain, and it took all of them to hold him down until it subsided.

"There you go," Stede tried to smile, and wiped some sweat off of Jack's brow. "Almost better."

"That hurt worse than the fucking cannonball," Jack croaked.

"It'll help though," Ed said. "Now?"

Roach picked up a bundle of bandages. "Now, we pack. Just for a few days for now, to see if it soaks up any more infection hiding in there. At least, I've seen that work before."

"What about getting it back out?" Stede asked.

"Uh, well," Roach sighed. "This is why we aren't sewing him up right away. I want the canvas on hand and ready in case he does better than expected, but we'll have to clean and repack every day until then."

"This is fucking boring, and I wasn't hurting until now," Jack snapped.

"I can put you back in the ocean, if you want," Roach snapped back. "Shush!"

Jack looked appalled, but he did indeed shush.

"Almost done," Ed said as Roach worked.

"You're the one that got me hit, don't fuckin' play all nice," Jack grumbled. "Actually, all three of you fuckin' did this to me!"

Stede shrugged. Indirectly, they sort of had done so.

"Oughta kill you all," Jack growled.

"What did I say about shushing?" Roach asked. "Okay, now we need him up so I can wrap all the way around."

It took Izzy and Stede to pull him up, with Ed at the front ready to catch him if he fell that way. But finally, they were done.

"Gonna borrow your bed, Izzy," Jack said as he wandered off towards the closet Izzy had made into his room. "Hope you don't mind."

"I'll find you a new cot," Stede reassured Izzy. "We'll burn the old one once he's healed."

Izzy nodded. "Thank you."

"Of course," Stede said. "Besides, he'll probably...leak a little, as he heals, so-"

Izzy raced for the rail, barely making it before what little was left in his stomach reappeared.

"That one is my fault," Stede admitted. "Sorry about that, Izzy!"

--

"So I'm good?"

"I literally did not say that," Roach replied. "I said, Ed and Stede are going to hold you down while I sew the canvas on. It's going to hurt, and take some time because it's thick material. Then, we keep an eye on it for at least another week or two. Then, maybe, you'll be good."

"So, more or less, I'm good?"

Roach pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Hold him. Let's get this done."

They'd attempted to sound proof the galley/surgery with a few towels tucked under the gap of the door, but even so Stede knew everyone could hear Jack shouting.

"It'll be done soon," Ed said softly. "I mean, not really, but if you pretend it will be, that might help."

"Just kill me," Jack mumbled.

"Now," Stede scolded. "You made it through us playing around in your guts, and you want to tell me you can't handle this?"

Jack blinked. "What?"

"You heard me! The impossible to kill Calico Jack can't handle a little needle and thread?"

"It is a rather big needle," Roach admitted.

"Shhh," Stede hissed. "Let's not remind him!"

"Can you hold my hand?" Jack asked. "I mean, not that I want a weirdo like Steve here touching me, but-"

Stede grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze. "Stede."

Jack nodded. "Stede. Thanks, man."

It felt like ages, watching Roach work and wiping sweat from Jack's forehead. Ed kept him in sips of rum to try and help distract from it, and helped mind the thread as more needed unwinding.

"Okay," Roach sighed, then grinned. "Welcome back! To... not having a giant hole in your torso."

Jack looked down. "Not bad. It's gonna stop hurting eventually though, right?"

Roach nodded. "We'll keep salves on it to stave off any infection, and some of them will help the pain. After that, there might be some residual aches here and there, but that's to be expected."

"Shall we get you back to bed?" Stede asked. "Can't imagine you want anything other than sleep now."

Jack nodded. "I don't wanna make things weird but, thanks again. All of you. Probably would have died eventually without this."

"That's not a probably, you would have died," Roach said. "You literally had organs all over the place."

"Yeah," Jack chuckled. "Sure did."

Ed took Jack's feet, and Stede grasped under his arms to carry him back to Izzy's room. There, Jack was out not more than a minute after they pulled a blanket over him.

"Think he'll be okay after we drop him off wherever he wants to go?" Ed asked as they walked back out to the deck.

Stede grabbed his hand and held it. "I'm sure he will be. He can stay here as long as he needs anyway, so we won't leave him anywhere until he's in decent shape."

Ed studied him curiously. "You still sort of hate him, don't you?"

"We are very different people, with very different interests and concerns," Stede said. "But...oh, I don't know. It's what I'd hope someone would do for me."

Ed pulled him in for a kiss. "Thank you. I know he can be an ass, and I'm not exactly happy with him myself after..."

"I know," Stede said. "Not exactly water under the bridge, but-"

He shrugged. "Better than before, at least."

--

"Get these today," Roach instructed. "Not tomorrow, not in a few days, today. You should be fine, but you'll want them on hand just in case. And if anything feels off, smells odd-"

"Go find a surgeon," Jack interrupted with a grin. "I listened!"

Roach smiled. "Alright. No more cannonballs to the torso, okay?"

"No promises!" Jack joked as Roach headed back to the Revenge. "So. Y'all don't wanna stay for a bit longer?"

"Are you going to miss us?" Stede teased.

"Ehh, I suppose I might," Jack blushed. "Not so bad, hanging out with all of you. Even Izzy."

Stede smiled, though he was grateful Izzy wasn't around to argue with Jack. He'd understand why, but, all the same. No, Izzy was near the beach, holding a Viking funeral for his old cot with the rest of the crew.

"We'll probably run into each other again," Ed said. "Hopefully not under the same circumstances though."

"Like I said, no promises, but I'll do my best," Jack said. "No, I think I'll wrestle a sea turtle, have some rum, then sleep out here under the stars."

"They have an inn," Stede said. "We could get you a room."

"Nah, I'm good."

"Well, if you need us, come find us," Ed said. "Easier said than done, but you know what I mean."

Jack nodded, clapped them both on the back, and wandered off towards the port's tavern.

He walked towards the beach with Ed, hand in hand, to join the funeral for Izzy's cot. "What are the chances he gets hurt wrestling a sea turtle?"

"Pretty decent," Ed frowned. "We should maybe stay the night."

"Just in case."