#leda house and the kraken verse

[dragonmuse]

Hi, it’s me with the never ending Leda House and the Krakenverse text dissection. I checked the timeline on this for when Lucius was 9, and it was somewhere around when Hornigold retired and when Izzy and Eddy stopped their situationship. I’m dead curious…was this Faith? Do we know what the message was?

OMG HELLO a LEDA VERSE ASK IN MY BOX! And it's such good timing because I was really thinking on Leda Verse today in a deeper way then I had in a bit.

I don't think it was Faith, only because I hadn't gotten to that point of understanding the cosmology of the verse as I was laying it out when I wrote this, but it is the first inkling that Lucius sees more than other people do. I loved playing with the idea of the psychic who absoutly refuses to be psychic. Lucius is so pragmatic and cynical that he will never really embrace that he has a supernatural connection of any kind.

If it was Faith (which I'm just stressing would be a major retcon because that's not where I was at when writing it), I think the only message she'd have for Lucius at that point was: just hold on. It gets better.

Gosh, thanks for this very well timed ask! <3

[dragonmuse]

Ahhh thank you so much! I love it!

Trick or Treat ficlet #1

This one is for @dragonmuse, who requested "something about living well." It is loosely set in their Leda House 'verse, where Oluwande is a drag queen who goes by the name of Teal Magnolia, and Jim is a drag kink who goes by The Menace. Set sometime when Jim and Olu are getting older.

--

The drag room was quiet when Jim slipped inside. At one point they'd talked about making it a spare bedroom, but in the end it made so much more sense to fill it with Teal's dresses. Even if they weren't worn as often nowadays, they were still important. Still loved. There were a few chairs in the room, and a table for sewing. In one corner stood a lovely little vintage vanity table they found while scouring an antique market. Oluwande was sitting at it now, staring at himself in the mirror.

Jim didn't say anything. They just slipped up behind him, curling loose arms around his shoulders. Oluwande's hands came up to take their hands, his cheek pressing against their arm.

"My hair's all grey now," he said, still staring at himself in the mirror. They knew him well enough to recognize that he wasn't necessarily upset. More - contemplative, and a little bewildered. "When the hell did that happen?"

"About the same time as mine." Jim leaned on him a little, resting their chin atop his head. Their hair, still short on the sides, curling a little now on top, was pure silver. They were still learning to like it. Maybe they'd dye it someday, a bright colour rather than their natural black. But maybe not. They kind of liked the grey, in the same way they liked the laugh lines around their eyes. Signs of a life well lived.

Oluwande finally looked at them. His face softened. "We're so old now."

They squeezed him a little, nodding. "Yeah. Who would've thought we'd make it?"

It's not entirely true. They always knew Oluwande would. But themself... well. They expected to die very young.

"I did," Oluwande said softly. "I always did."

Jim smiled and pressed a kiss to his hair. "This is why you're the smart one."

That got them a laugh. Oluwande leaned back into them, smiling properly now. "Think I should stop being Teal?"

They'd already pulled back so much. Too much else to do, especially with Jim running the agency now, and Oluwande managing the youth centre. But every now and then, they both danced again.

"Nah. We need more old queens. Matriarchs are important, y'know?"

His smile turned small and quiet. "Matriarch. I like that."

"Thought you would." They give him one last squeeze, but don't pull away quite yet. "You ready for lunch now?"

Oluwande nods, squeezing their hands. "Yeah."

Inbox Trick Or Treating for the curious!

[rockettransman]

dragonmuse just finished Leda House NO ONE TEXT ME

[alexisnoir]

Our Flag Means Death Fanfiction Recommendations

I haven't read OFMD fanfictions after season 1 but started when season 2 was airing. Now that season 2 is over, I went through few fanfictions I believe many of you may find interesting to read. Most of them are epic long, finished, posted BEFORE season 2 ended or right before it ended. They're modern AU's, different universes, different timelienes. Stories I've found, after reading few chapters I'll be immersed for hours to come. So here's my list, hopefully you'll find something to read yourself if you are fanfiction reader. With few of the stories I'm close to finishing them and others I just started. I have more stories I'd love to share but haven't read them since some are so long and still posting I'm scared to know if they will get finished after season 2. Hopefully they will.

The list with links:

Ed, Actually by BonnetPetit

When newly divorced and newly out Stede Bonnet is dragged to a rock concert by his assistant, he thinks it will be a fun night out and a chance to be more social after isolating himself. Little does he know, he is about to attract the attention of the legendary Blackbeard, frontman of Queen Anne's Revenge.

Their meet-cute hits a bit of a snag when an incident at the concert threatens the nationwide tour Blackbeard and his band are about to go on, putting Stede under a spotlight he never wanted or asked for.

I'm Used to Death by dimplyowl, That_Mothra

The 74th Hunger Games looms over the 12 districts of Panem. In District 12, Stede Bonnet, the son of the district’s only living victor, has been reaped from a pool of hundreds. In District 1, Edward Teach has volunteered for the Games in an effort to help his family. Both know that either death or victory waits for them in the arena. Neither of them expects a third option.

to a good home only by fluffy_miracle

In a world where alphas are second-rate citizens, Ed Teach, a more or less retired omega lives alone in a cozy house that is all his own. He hasn’t dated in years, not since he got out of an abusive relationship with his ex, Jack. He has some health issues that keep cropping up and he knows he will eventually have to deal with them, even if it means getting an alpha.

One day, while checking the classifieds for parts for his boat, Ed finds an ad about an alpha for sale. On a whim, he calls and finds himself with an alpha of his own in the next three hours. Stede is not what he was expecting, but there’s something about the sweet, most likely traumatized alpha that makes Ed want to keep him, even if it’s just to make sure he’s finally taken care of.

The Expectations We Hold For Ourselves by aspenspiratebrainrot

Mary said yes to going to sea, albeit only for two months, and so they go.

Jim, on the run from Spanish Jackie, splits from Oluwande and joins Blackbeard's crew in exchange for his protection.

Lucius, pickpocketing his way through Barbadian towns, somehow finds himself employed as part of a three-person crew.

Three weeks into the two months, The Revenge is attacked by Blackbeard, and Stede's hope of an exciting but ultimately peaceful voyage with his family are crushed. All that's left is for him to bargain for his family's lives, even if that means putting himself on the line.

The Definitive Leda House and the Kraken Verse by Vee (Vera_DragonMuse), Vera_DragonMuse

A modern AU that follows the entire staff of the drag bar named Revenge as well as their partners and the Bonnet children. Features drag shows, late in life coming out stories, romance in many forms, and as much found family as you could ask for.

The Underground by NymsShadow

Recently and amicably divorced Stede Bonnet is slated for a big promotion, when new hire Ed Teach swoops in and steals his job… and then his heart.

Candid Moments by meg_ofmd

Stede Bonnet is married with two kids. He works for his father, but knows this isn't his passion. He loves photography, but it's just a hobby for him. When his favorite photographer, Edward Teach writes a book about his life, he's tasked by his father with publishing it. Edward Teach is married to one of his oldest friends, Jack Rackham, but isn't happy. He's bored with his career and annoyed with his manipulative husband. He meets Stede Bonnet, who is publishing his book, and realizes he may have found his soul mate, but he's married.

Eureka by JaneSane

In the year 1888, Stede Bonnet, twenty seven years of age, holder of a degree in Political Economy (by the skin of his teeth and his father’s refusal to fund any further studies in Classics or History), lived life fairly well on his own terms. He was a little queer in his ideas, and in addition to the arts was an enthusiast in some branches of science. Those with a passing acquaintance, which was the most anyone would claim, called him a decent fellow enough.

Some stories are very explicit, some are less but still hold warning tags, so if you have any triggers you want to avoid, read the tags in the stories!

[internerdionality]

Therapist: And what do we do when the news is scary and depressing?

Me: Block the tags and go reread the Leda House and the Kraken 'Verse?

Therapist (smiles and nods): That's right.

[castletemprwine]

the way ofmd s2 literally has the same vibes as a drag bar au fanfic i read post-s1 like this show is so queer and they are such a family it's driving me insane. it's not just a show with a gay romance it's a QUEER show. anyway read leda house and the kraken 'verse

[our-flag-means-death-ao3feed]

AU of the AU: feels just like I'm falling for the first time

by Vera (Vera_DragonMuse)

Izzy hires Pete because they just need a body. Turns out Izzy needed a lot more than that.

Words: 19240, Chapters: 9/9, Language: English

Series: Part 37 of Leda House and the Kraken 'Verse

Fandoms: Our Flag Means Death (TV)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: M/M

Relationships: Black Pete/Israel Hands/Lucius Spriggs, black Pete/Israel Hands, Israel Hands/Lucius Spriggs

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting

source https://archiveofourown.org/works/48084274

[billowyy]

Our Flag Means Death Fic Recs 1

Here are some of my favorite fics I've read. Go read and give these creators some love!

White Flags and Patchwork Quilts by c_c_cherry (Gen)

After Izzy loses the weighted blanket the crew makes for him, he battles insomnia. The crew help him out.

This one is so lovely. Izzy hurt/comfort! They're a family!

darling, it's better by ShowMeAHero @andillwriteyouatragedy (Ed/Stede)

Stede's been sneaking out of bed every night and Ed wants to know why. Spoiler: it's because he's a mermaid and he goes swimming in the sea.

Fucking AMAZING. And it's a series!

Leda House and the Kraken 'Verse series by Vera_DragonMuse @dragonmuse (So many ships. SO many ships. Also Gen!)

"A modern AU that follows the entire staff of the drag bar named Revenge as well as their partners and the Bonnet children. Features drag shows, late in life coming out stories, romance in many forms, and as much found family as you could ask for."

Listen. This series is over 1 million words. It's so fucking worth it to read it all, or at least go through and read some of them. I've never loved OCs as much as I have reading this. There's some love for everyone in here.

romanticize a quiet life series by ShowMeAHero @andillwriteyouatragedy (Ed/Stede)

Ed and Stede have a baby! They're still pirating and experience a lot with their new family. Wait! Stede's pregnant again. Oh! And again!

Seriously, they have so many babies in this series. I'm enjoying it so much. Crew as a family! Alma and Louis! I think about this series all the fucking time. I love it infinitely.

Ache by xylodemon @xylodemon (Steddyhands)

Izzy shows Stede how to take care of Ed's knee. Ed's had laudanum and is a bit out of it. Feelings are spoken about.

Beautiful. Being in Izzy's POV during this is so interesting. It's the beginnings of Steddyhands (established Ed/Stede) which is always fun.

[duckprintspress]

Creator Interview: Vee Sloane

Vee Sloane has been working with Duck Prints Press since our second anthology, when they contributed to And Seek (Not) to Alter Me: Queer Fanworks Inspired by Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing.” Since then, they’ve been a frequent contributor to our collections, and are always a delight to work with and read stories by.

Author Biography: Sloane has been writing in fandom as Vera/Vee Dragonmuse for twenty-five years, along with some traditional publications. They particularly concentrate on themes of found family in modern AUs.

Links: Tumblr

An Interview with Vee Sloane

(read more)

What do you consider to be your strengths as a creator?

I love to write dialogue and I like to think it’s my biggest strength! How characters communicate means a lot to me.

What do you consider to be your weaknesses as a creator?

Plots! I tend to be more interested in how people talk to each other and interact, so it’s easy to lose track of pesky things like major events and clues (I persist in writing mysteries even though I like to throw the actual mystery in as a b-plot).

Are you a pantser, a planner, or a planster? What’s your process look like?

I’m a total pantser. I very very rarely move around scenes once they’re done being written. I write in long linear stretches, often thousands of words at a go (with long dry spots between major projects) and for better or worse, I usually think my first take is the best take. I’ll trim back afterwards, make adjustments to wording, on a second and third pass, then off it goes into editing where it will get it’s just desserts and then a freshening up.

Which of your own creations is your favorite? Why?

I have some recency bias, but for original work, I am very pleased with the short story I wrote for the Aim for the Heart Anthology which feels very close to how I write in fandom. In fanfiction, I’m incredibly proud of the OFMD modern drag AU Leda House and the Kraken verse. It feels like the most mature version of my writing to date. (Editors note: these works are linked below!)

Which of your own creations is your least favorite? Why?

I wrote a piece of fanfiction twenty years ago that still occasionally gets attention. I keep it posted under my name because I don’t believe in abandoning work. But I know I failed while writing it. The comments just reflect a very different take away than I intended. It’s a good object lesson to have though that if you want readers to have a certain conclusion, you have to put in the work to make sure they can arrive at it without spoonfeeding them.

Do you like having background noise when you create? What do you listen to? Does it vary depending on the project, and if so, how?

I’m a parent, so I’ve just learned to write with whatever is happening in my house. When I’m alone, I listen to blessed silence. Sometimes a Southern Gothic playlist if I need some good ambiance vibes.

What are your favorite tropes?

Found family, established relationships, noir, and gothic horror. I write the last one the least often, but I love it so.

What are your favorite character archetypes?

Grump with a heart of gold, hands down. Tell me how this grumpy person is secretly the kindest one in a group or at least far kinder than people would guess. Bonus points if the person who figures this out is a jaded romantic match that is just more naturally charismatic so people tend to prefer more, but deep down is more cynical than the grump.

Share five of your favorite books. (You can include why, if you want!)

Imajica by Clive Barker: It’s a strange epic of a fantasy/horror book and I don’t even know if I’d recommend it, but it sank into me at a young age and never let go. It’s something about the fullness of the world envisioned, the intricate plot, and soulmates transcending time not always being a good thing.

The Golden Key by Kate Elliot, Melanie Rawn, Jennifer Robertson: Also a fantasy epic that spans generations, having three different authors gives the book a realistic feeling of moving through time. The magic system is fascinating and the play painting as a metaphor is really great.

The Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce: Alanna’s play with gender tapped unconsciously into feelings that I wouldn’t be able to identify for another twenty years.

Watership Down by Richard Addams: Rabbits struggling to survive and telling stories to comfort each other is just part of my writing genetic makeup now.

The Callahan Chronicles by Spider Robinson: Comic science fiction that concentrates on a found family brought together by story telling in a time traveller’s bar. Some of the morality and themes haven’t aged well, but there’s an overarching desire to convey that the secret to life is being kind to each other and I love that.

What are your goals as a creator?

My main goal is to provide somewhere to escape to for a bit as a reader. That’s how I prefer my reading and I want to give that to anyone who wants it. Everything else is gravy.

When you look at your “career” as a creator, what achievement would you most like to reach – what, if it happened or has already happened, would/did make you go “now – now I’m a success!”?

I thought once I published my first novel, I’d feel like I’d finally succeeded as a writer, but what I realized is that I value the community and connection in fandom more. There’s something about the immediacy of publishing and commenting that feels like a shared activity. Writing is very lonely as a hobby, so getting that instant feedback feels good. I have stats I can point to that feel like ‘success’ (here’s my big brag: one of my fics is still in the top ten most kudo’d for Destiel), but really it’s every time someone tells me they enjoyed something I wrote. The high from the big wins never last as long as you think they should. 

Tell us about your pet(s).

I have an elderly cat called Bea for Bea Arthur. We adopted her already fairly old (age unknown) and she has no teeth. She still likes to play and gets the zoomies, but in between, she would prefer a long nap in the sun and head scritches.

If you could give one piece of advice to a new creator who came to you for help, what would that advice be?

I wrote a whole screed about this on Tumblr called ‘How to Be a Dirtbag Fanfic Writer‘ where I basically advocate that perfection is the enemy of done and if you’re struggling to write, drop your desire to create the most perfect thing ever and just post up whatever you have. Ugly, raw, but it’s finished. Every time you finish something and put it out into the world, you’re a step closer to becoming the writer you want to be. Holding on and polishing drafts can be a valid process, so this advice does not universally apply, but I would still encourage everyone to try it at least once.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

I got a lot of notes on my novel that the epilogue felt too sudden and neat. It’s better to leave a little ambiguity at the end of a story.

What’s the worst advice you’ve ever received?

Make an outline. It’s great advice for a lot of people! I’m not against outlines, but whenever I thought I absoutly had to have one, it’s tripped me up to no end. They just don’t work for my style. Best and worst advice is so dependent on the person!

Works Vee Sloane Wanted to Share:

How (thanks to Gabriel) Dean and Castiel (accidentally) raised each other (and Sam). Fandom: Supernatural. Ship: Castiel/Dean Winchester and Gabriel/Sam Winchester. Summary: In which, Gabriel meddles with the time line and Castiel becomes Dean’s angel rather sooner than intended.

What is True, But Not Ideal. Fandom: Game of Thrones. Ship: Jaime Lannister/Brienne of Tarth. Summary: In which Brienne meets the other Lannister first, becomes a bartender, makes a best friend, buys a convertible, and accidentally lives her best life.

Kiss My Lipstick On. Fandom: Our Flag Means Death. Ship: Blackbeard (Edward Teach)/ Stede Bonnet. Summary: Ed stumbles into a drag bar, then a relationship. He might as well fall into a fresh understanding of himself while he’s at it.

Stories Beneath Our Skin. Original work. Summary: Tattooing might have once been Liam’s passion, but he left it all behind along with ugly memories when he went to college. When his uncle’s health fails, Liam must come home at last to say his goodbyes. His days are spent at the hospice, leaving his nights to rake over the past. To fill those empty hours, he takes a job at Great Sin Ink. The close knit friendship of the workers there both intrigues and shakes Liam, who has spent the last four years keeping everyone at arm’s length. Neither Deb, the no-nonsense piercer, nor Goose, a manic tattoo artist, will let Liam get away with his isolationist ways for long. If it were just those two, Liam might have stood a chance — but there’s also Ace, the owner of Great Sin. He hires Liam despite a thin resume, and that is a kindness Liam can’t forget. The two start up a tentative friendship, learning about each other as the summer days melt into each other. Slowly, Liam reveals a tender heart underneath the wall of quotes he uses to keep everyone out. Unfortunately, life doesn’t stand still, and both Liam and Ace have hard struggles before them that might break them up before they can even get together.

Duck Prints Press Projects that Vee Sloane Contributed To:

And Seek (Not) to Alter Me: Queer Fanworks Inspired by Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing.” Story Title: The False Sweet Bait.

He Bears the Cape of Stars. Story Title: Escape Velocity From Fear.

Aim For The Heart: Queer Fanworks Inspired by Alexandre Dumas’s “The Three Musketeers.” Story Title: Wait and Hope.

A Truth Universally Acknowledged: Queer Fanworks Inspired by Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” (forthcoming). Story Title: The Iron Rose.

[ao3feed-blackbonnet]

by Vera (Vera_DragonMuse) A modern AU that follows the entire staff of the drag bar named Revenge as well as their partners and the Bonnet children. Features drag shows, late in life coming out stories, romance in many forms, and as much found family as you could ask for.   This version is for anyone who would prefer to read the complete series, including ficlets, in order, or would like one single story to download. No AUs are included. Words: 175075, Chapters: 22/?, Language: English Fandoms: Our Flag Means Death (TV) Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: Multi Characters: Blackbeard | Edward Teach, Stede Bonnet, Lucius Spriggs, Israel Hands, Black Pete (Our Flag Means Death), Wee John Feeney, Frenchie (Our Flag Means Death), Jim Jimenez, Oluwande Boodhari, Mary Read, Anne Bonny, Alma Bonnet, Louis Bonnet Relationships: Blackbeard | Edward Teach/Stede Bonnet, Israel Hands/Lucius Spriggs, Black Pete/Lucius Spriggs, Oluwande Boodhari/Jim Jimenez, Wee John Feeney/Frenchie, Alma Bonnet/Original Character(s), Louis Bonnet/Original Character(s), Anne Bonny/Mary Read Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Drag Queens, Gender Identity, Light BDSM, Found Family, Transfeminine Blackbeard | Edward Teach

[robinade]

More fun gay pirate art... This one is for Vera_Dragonmuse's fic, Kiss My Lipstick On. (Basically, what if the Revenge was Stede's drag bar where he also performs as Leda?? And Ed wanders in by accident but never really manages to leave again??)

The above image is Ed's ✨hypothetical✨ drag persona, The Kraken.

[dragonmuse]

For some reason I have this image of Alma getting her first period when she’s with Stede and him not handing it well.

(Hello October 2022 Anon, I thought about this one awhile and I think Stede will surprise you)

There was a spot of blood on the bathroom floor. Stede hadn’t been sure that was what it was right away, still gleaming wetly. He and Eddy used the upstairs bathroom for the most part now, but he’d come in to wash his hands. The kids were here, but Eddy had taken Charlie out for some errands and then  to fetch lunch. Only he and Alma were home. He grabbed a wet wipe and leaned down to mop it up. 

Alma had said she had a headache and retreated to her room twenty or so minutes ago. She hadn’t been obviously wounded and had been mostly fine only five minutes before. Before she’d gone into the bathroom. 

Mary had said something ominous recently about puberty that Stede had shelved into a dusty box in his mind. Now he was forced to take it down. 

He threw out the wipe and then went to her door. It was shut as it often was. Alma had liked getting a room in the townhouse, and Stede suspected being able to close a door was most of that. 

She probably did not want to talk to her father about her changing body, he decided. He should just respect the closed door. He turned around, heading back to the kitchen. After all, Eddy would be home soon and she would doubtless prefer Eddy’s comfort over Stede’s- 

Shit. Stede stopped in the middle of the room. 

Wasn’t that exactly how he had dealt with everything with the children before? Just relayed on Mary to handle anything that required real effort and hiding away from the hard parts? He’d resolved to change. 

Maybe Alma would prefer Eddy and would certainly rather have her mother, but Stede was the person who was here and he could at least acknowledge things. 

He knocked quietly on her door, “Would you like some painkillers, sweetheart? Or maybe a hot water bottle?” 

There was a long silence and then a, “Both. Please.” 

“All right, just a moment.” 

He had to find the hot water bottle upstairs (usually put into service for stiff limbs) and get the water hot enough for it which took a few minutes. That gave him enough time to search for appropriate doses of painkillers for a small-ish teenager and get the right amount accordingly. He brought both to her door, then knocked again. 

“Can I come in?” He asked. 

“Yeah, okay,” she said quietly. 

Stede stepped inside and on impulse, shut the door behind him. She had the blinds up and it was bright enough, even though none of the lights were on. Alma had huddled up into her blankets on the bed, looking faintly miserable. 

All of his discomfort at the idea that some arcane hormonal process was happening here disappeared. She was just a child, still, not some suddenly metamorphosed adult, no matter how large her vocabulary. 

“Here,” he handed her the hot water bottle, wrapped in a towel. “It should help with the cramps. Do you have water?” 

“Yeah, there’s some left from last night.” 

She ferreted the hot water bottle under the blankets and took the pills with a sip of water. Stede perched on the edge of her bed. 

“Is this the first time?” 

She nodded once. “How did you know?” 

“Just a lucky guess,” he assured her. “Do you need anything?” 

“Mom started making me pack stuff a few months ago just in case. I don’t know if it’s enough I don’t know how much I’m...” she trailed off. “This is so gross.” 

“I’m sure it feels unpleasant,” he hesitated. 

Mary had always handled her cycles the same way she handled everything: entirely without him.  When they had decided to have the children, she had just informed him over dinner that it was a good time and they had done the necessary with as little eye contact as possible. Sometimes, looking back, he was amazed she hadn’t done worse to him then sent a private investigator after him. 

“It sucks,” Alma huffed. “And now it’s going to happen to me all the time forever.” 

“Well. Not all the time,” he managed. He did know that much. “And I’m sure you’ll get used to it eventually.” 

“I don’t want to get used to it. I want it to not happen yet. I’m not ready,” she protested. “What do I need it for?” 

“Oh, well. If our bodies only did what we needed them too, life would be much more pleasant,” he sighed. “I don’t pretend to know how it feels, sweetheart, but why don’t we do a little searching and see if there’s things that might help you feel better right now?” 

“You think there are things?” She frowned. 

“I imagine with half the population suffering through it on the regular, there are at least some ideas out there.” 

There was not as much as Stede had hoped. Hardly anything he’d call universal or even hugely helpful. They did decide that chocolate was probably always in order and a movie would at least be distracting. 

“The hot water bottle is helping,” she declared as they migrated back out into the living room, though the blankets came with her. 

“Good,” he smiled. He’d done something correctly. He’d helped. “Let’s have hot chocolate, you pick the movie.” 

For once, Alma didn’t pick something with monsters and torture, so that was nice. He had no idea what was happening on the show, but she liked to explain things to him anyway, so by the end he thought he had a working knowledge of why familiar comic book characters were acting like they were in a film noir. Mostly. As long as no one asked him to prove it. 

“We’ve got fried chicken!” Eddy announced, after the door had banged open. 

“Dad!” Charlie zipped into the room. “Eddy and I saw a huge bird when we were walking by the park! I think it was a hawk.” 

“In the city?” Stede smiled at him. “Do you think so?” 

“Not sure,” Charlie admitted. “But it looked like one.” 

“Definitely wasn’t a pigeon,” Eddy agreed. “We’d need your eye to tell more, love. Tried to get a picture, but it was up fairly high.”

“We can look again tomorrow,” Stede told Charlie. “If it’s nearby. It may nest nearby and still be there.” 

“Okay!” 

“Go wash your hands,” Eddy ordered. “You touched every fence post and you need them for dinner.” 

“On it!” Charlie was dashing into the bathroom and Stede was all the more grateful that he’d caught the drop before. 

“You okay, twiz?” Eddy asked, depositing the bags on the kitchen counter, disgorging a feast from the depths. 

“Yeah,” she huffed. “I’m just got on a merry-go-round that I have to ride until my uterus falls out or something.” 

“I don’t think that’s how menopause works,” Stede frowned. “That seems a little dire.” 

“It is dire!” Alma groaned and threw the blankets back over her head.  

“I don’t know a lot about uteruses, but I am pretty sure they stay in your body unless you make an effort,” Eddy repressed a smile. “Sorry you feel crappy, kiddo. Need anything?” 

“No,” she said from under the blankets. “Dad took care of me, I’m good.” 

Eddy nodded as if this was entirely expected.  

Of course it was. Stede was her father. He’d just done what he was supposed to and no one was surprised by it. Not Alma. Not Eddy.   

He pressed his hand to his chest and hid a smile. “We read some good things about the application of ice cream, dear girl. Do we still have some left for after dinner?” 

“Oh yeah, bought that big tub of neapolitan last week and just ate the strawberry bit.” 

“Why didn’t you just buy a tub of strawberry?” Alma asked, blankets coming down to look judgmentally at Eddy. 

“Cause I like to have a little bit of chocolate and vanilla mixed in,” Eddy said as if this was entirely normal. Stede had forgotten that it wasn’t, somewhere along the way. “But I don’t actually like the chocolate and vanilla on their own with that brand.” 

“You’re so weird,” Alma declared. “Can I try that next time?” 

“Sure, if you can get the tub away from me fast enough,” Eddy snorted. “And good luck with that.”  

“Dad,” Charlie emerged, hands still visibly wet. “Can we play a game after dinner?” 

“You can dry your hands,” Stede got to his feet. “And yes. We’ll decide which one over food.” 

To his surprise, Alma consented to join the Uno game that raged after dinner, though she did say she was tired after and went into her bedroom at the same time Charlie did. 

Before she went home the next day, Stede would check the brand of products that Mary had bought for her and write it down. The next time she came, he would tell her that she had what she needed and just to let him or Eddy know if it was low.  

It seemed the least he could do.

[thetragicallynerdy]

nerdy's OFMD fanfic recs

I was going to send some fic recs to a pal, but then realized my list was super long, so I thought I'd write a list instead. All are Our Flag Means Death, and most Jim/Oluwande centric. I very rarely read anything that's not Jim centric in OFMD fanfic, so this list is heavily biased towards them as a character, be warned. I'm sticking it under the cut, but the categories are:

Top Ten (Twelve, actually, but who's counting)

Other SFW

NSFW - mainly smut, a few that are not pure smut but still NSFW

Reccing my own fics (aka stuff I wrote, because I'm not above that XD)

If you'd rather scroll ao3, most are also bookmarked by me here!

I've only tagged folks I know here on tumblr, (and only once in the list, because effort) please feel free to let me know if you recognize authors on here tho and I'll give them a tag! (Or if you're on here but I forgot your on tumblr pls lemme know jsksjks)

Top Ten (Twelve, but who's counting)

Listen most of these are written by my pals but I stand by the fact that my pals are amazing writers.

suck the rot right out of my bloodstream by @nevershootamockingbird – Jim, Frenchie, and Lucius, on the Kraken’s ship. Sad and yet so much hope. One of my all time faves. 7K.

some say it's a blessing by @swallowtailed – God. This fic. Literally made me have to lay down on my couch like a fainting lady in the 1800s at a certain point. Jim/Olu, soulmates who feel each other’s pain AU. 11K

what you take with you (what you leave behind) by @lovewithagirl – Jim/Ed, modern au, the world is ending. Listen. I love this fic with my whole heart, it gives me so many feels. 2K.

Leda House and the Kraken 'Verse by @dragonmuse – The Drag Queen AU, feat transfem Ed. Really lovely series, and very long – a lot of the parts can be read as standalones up to a certain point. Feat. ace Frenchie and Wee John. The Jim/Olu focused one (they're in more than one, but there's one that's focused primarily on Jim's story) is a regular re-read for me. Different parts have different word counts, the whole thing + au's of the au is around 930K.

how the west was won and where it got us (a.k.a. the revenge ranch) by @yerbamansa – long series, starts very Jim/Olu focused and brings in the rest of the crew. Modern AU where Jim and Oluwande meet, and eventually make their way to a ranch Stede runs in the American west. I adore this series with my whole heart. Beautiful soft vibes, more focused on characters than plot. The whole thing is 137K.

drink of the feeling of quiet again by @alfalfairy – absolutely stunning Jim character study – focused on ‘Jim returns home to help Nana as she gets older’. Lots of healing of the relationship and trauma etc. (Alfalfairy has a few others that make it on the list, but this one sits in my heart) Long oneshot, 35K.

make your peace with weariness and let it be by anirondack – jim character study, focused on Catholicism and trauma from their childhood to post-canon. Absolutely stunning. A fic that I actually read in almost one go, which rarely happens for me, because I couldn't put it down. Second person POV. 19K

Transformative Work by mia_ugly, pinehutch – Frenchie/Olu, Frenchie/Jim, Jim/Olu. One of my fav OFMD fics hands down. Frenchie POV, really beautifully done. Heed the tags. 40K, smut in later chapters.

Oluwande/Jim collection by MintPepper – a series of their jim/olu stuff – all are fantastic. Some are smut, some not.

orange & teal by owlinaminor – Jim/Oluwande focused series, some NSFW, some not. Absolutely stunning series.

Trouble Me Always: Being A True Chronicle of the Early Deeds of Oluwande Boodhari, Outlaw Shipwright by zmayhem – longer fic, Oluwande’s backstory to meeting Jim and joining the crew. I absolutely adore this one. Finished multi chapter. 30K.

that unwanted animal by @yourlocal-charlatan - Jim/Olu, Jim focused – goes through some canon, as well as before canon events – I really love this one, it’s so fantastic. Multi chaptered, unfinished. 16K.

Safe For Work

my heart could break for a one-legged seagull (that’s bad luck) by thingswithteeth – Frenchie centric, post-ep 10, very good from what I remember.  10K ish,

March Into The Sea by cranialaccessory - post-episode 10, Jim on Ed’s ship, or “5 times Jim tries to kill Ed”. Fun, sad, but not too sad. 5.5K

May There Be No Sadness of Farewell by hopeless_eccentric – Jim gets top surgery. 1.5K

Disruptors by yerbamansa – SMAU focused on Stede and Ed in the tech industry. I adore this one!! 21K, completed.

Till Human Voices Wake Us, And We Drown by alfalfairy – short series focused on mermaid Jim (with fangs, and claws, and a thirst for blood) – I adore it. 8K total.

bitter like whiskey, sweet like wine by alfalfairy – Jim/Olu centric, from their meeting pre-canon through canon. Ongoing longfic, currently unfinished but semi-regular posting. One of my fav series. 72K

to be more than this devil inside of me by alfalfairy – Ed and Izzy adopt a 18 year old Jim  before they meet Olu. Young pirate Jim. Great series. Ongoing, updating semi-regularly. 40K.

All Ships Sail by UnscrupulousArtist – 5 times Frenchie and Lucius almost happened (and one it did) – cute, loved this one. Lots of mentions of sex, none on screen from what I recall. 6K.

set my body free by eldrai – another ‘Jim gets top surgery’ au, lotsa gender and dysphoria vibes. 1.5K

Spindrift by Acephalous – “Jim contemplates family, memory, and their duty to the dead.” 2K.

in the deep end by rabbitinrain – jim isn’t a mermaid, but oluwande is. Short and sweet. 3K.

Vodka x Orange by AtlantisRises – modern au, jim and olu working at jackie’s bar. Unfinished, hasn’t been updated in a while. 4 chapters so far. 5K.

the art of gift giving by Nanashi07  - jim and ed friendship, as they both try and figure out how to be partners to olu and stede respectively 7K.

come build your home in me by Fool_for_love  - long series, split between ‘during the kraken era’ and ‘post kraken era healing’ – each fic has a chapter with different viewpoints – pete, olu, izzy, jim, Frenchie, and Lucius I think? Very trauma and recovery focused.

so nice to have you back where you belong by SweetPollyOliver – lil Frenchie and wee john focused oneshot – “frenchie finds wee john’s doll after the crew is marooned and keeps it safe.” 1.2K

you should be so happy now by waveridden – Mary Bonnet gets taken captive on the Kraken’s ship. Fantastic fic, very Mary and Ed focused if I recall correctly. ~8K

not a mermaid by awenswords – Jim focused, gender feels a plenty. One chapter out of 3 written, not updated in a while. 2K.

the sea and you swim to meet me by stanzas – Jim and Olu centric Daemon au. One of my absolute faves, it’s a stunning little fic. 2K.

hoist up the thing, batten down the whatsit by SunsetOfDoom – Daemon AU – this bit is Jim focused, part of a longer series featuring the whole crew.

just the two of us by @jesperr-fahey – Jim + Frenchie friendship all alone aboard the Revenge post S2.

 Friendship (Derogatory) by peaktotheocean – Black Pete whittles Jim a packer. Great little fic. 1K.

i'll be a friend and a fuck-up and everything by iguessyouregonnamissthepantyraid – Jim Ed friendship, they set out to kill Blackbeard and it doesn’t go as planned. 6K.

and if my body is a temple (then this ruin is a mess) by sakutsu – Trans Lucius fic. 1K.

cut through my frozen heart (watch the blood spill, fresh and clean) by your_local_charlatan – little jim and olu centric h/c – jim’s hands hurt when it gets cold. Olu fixes it. Lovely little fic. 1.5K.

To Skin a Catfish by peaktotheocean – Frenchie focused, Jim is a cat. And also a witch. 3.5K

Not Safe For Work (Mainly smut)

pull me from the earth by MintPepper – Jim asks Lucius to draw them naked. Very lovely body positive stuff. M, not E, but still goes under NSFW. 4K.

Revenge Becomes Us by Anonymous – Jim centric character study. Absolutely fantastic. Contains some NSFW stuff. 10K

Ven Conmigo by DarkwingDukat (pushingcrazies) – jim/olu, facesitting.

Like Real People Do by Gwendolyn (storiesofchaos) – jim/olu, first time, 2.5k

Tengo una Obsesión by Anonymous – jim/olu, 2.1K

please don't call, i need another hour by exastris_scientia – jim/olu, modern au smut, lovely little oneshot. 2K

Living in Sin Situation (Complimentary) by SpaceJackalope – Jim/Olu, pegging. 3K.

I Think We're Alone Now by Ptolemia – Jim/Olu, 6K.

The More the Merrier by SweetPollyOliver – Wee John/Olu/Frenchie – 1.5K

Mermaids Singing, Each to Each by SpaceJackalope – Jim/Olu beachfucking, with a side of Lucius watching. Sweet little smut fic, great vibes. 1.5K

When Your Depths Resound by Bassarid – Jim/Olu, hammock sex. Great vibes. 1.5K

Oral Fixation by izzyxhands for suchgreatheights – modern au, Stede/Ed, trans leather daddy dom Ed. Very hot. 5K.

My Own Fic recs (aka ones I wrote, because I’m not above that)

to build a home by @lovewithagirl, @nevershootamockingbird, and myself – a series of oneshots in a shared modern AU where everyone is poly, and everyone is in love. Soft vibes, very family focused. Ed/Jim, Jim/Olu, and Ed/Stede are the main pairings (with lots of others thrown in)

and we will build a home from the wreckage – cowboy au, Jim/Olu centric, injured outlaw Jim gets taken in by farmer Olu. 22K ish, unfinished (updates slower than molasses in January)

Ask Me Anything: A TealOranges SMAU by me and @yerbamansa, can also be read at @askmeanythingofmd – modern jim/olu SMAU I’m co-writing, focused on Jim/Olu falling in love while figuring out how to kill alfeo de la vaca. Unfinished, updates on tumblr weekly (ish), on ao3 every few months.

i like to call myself wound (but i will answer to knife) by tragicallynerdy – series of Jim-centric h/c or whump oneshots. Fics in the collection vary from 1K-15K ish.

full of flowers and heart shaped boxes by tragicallynerdy – Jim/Olu, modern au where they go on their first date after months of being together. Comedy focused. 10K

There's a few smut ones on my ao3 account too, if that's your interest. Feel free to find them XD

Enjoy!

Tagging @frrenchie who was interested in some recs! Sorry there's so many XD

[quillyfied]

Well, uh. Had an idea about Leda and the Kraken doing the clothes swap. And rather than write it…I drew it. @dragonmuse has created such a rich and wonderful world, I didn’t really feel equal to trying to pay homage with my words, so making some silly art will have to do.

[our-flag-means-death-ao3feed]

AU of the AU: Somewhere Only We Know

by Vera (Vera_DragonMuse)

Izzy and Lucius meet in high school, changing the trajectory of their lives. The one where Izzy becomes a mystery author.

Words: 14072, Chapters: 5/5, Language: English

Series: Part 36 of Leda House and the Kraken 'Verse

Fandoms: Our Flag Means Death (TV)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: M/M

Relationships: Israel Hands/Lucius Spriggs

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting

source https://archiveofourown.org/works/48066418

[watercolourcritters]

Drag Queens Stede ‘Leda House’ and Eddy 'The Kraken’ from @dragonmuse‘ amazing Leda house and the Kraken ‘verse, which is a fabulous OFMD drag au that everyone should read! 

These two were so fun to draw! My first attempt at ballpoint pen art in a while, but it was fun to mess around with. I’m especially fond of how Leda turned out. I might try to do a few of the other queens and kings in this style.

[ID: two portraits, both drawn in black ballpoint pen, of Stede Bonnet and Ed Teach from Our Flag Means Death as drag queens Leda House and Eddy “The Kraken” respectively. Both are shown from the shoulders up, and have their hair down. Leda House has lighter eye makeup and beaded pearls on the tips of her long eyelashes, a dark lip, a beauty mark, and wears drop pearl earrings and flowers in her hair. The Kraken has darker/bolder eye makeup, a dark lip, and wears long tassle-y earrings. The artists’s signature reads hg ‘22. End ID.]