#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

[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.

[dragonmuse]

(hell yeah it is! Say happy birthday to @cutestcloud​ who has amazingly beta’d upward of 450k and counting of Leda verse fic and ficlets.  They requested some Jim and Sweeney for their birthday and they shall receive it!)

They let themselves in with Lucius’ key. It had a thick wooden keychain with the word ‘Swag’ carved into it for no discernible reason. They had refused to ask when he handed it over, and Lucius didn’t offer up any explanation. Jim relegated it to the bin of ‘Black Weirdness’ which with the combined efforts of Pete and Lucius was very full and probably needed to be upgraded  to a full on dumpster at this point. 

The apartment was quiet, but for the hum of the fridge. There were no stray plates in the sink, no casually left behind pieces of clothing. Aside from the book case, there was no bric-a-brac to speak of. 

Boring.

Sweeney came trotting out of the bedroom, quick to butt against Jim’s leg, purring throatily. 

Jim bent down and held out their fingers so he could rub against those too, letting them knuckle over his head. “You better keep being this nice when I stuff you in the carrier.” 

Izzy had asked Read to do this, but she had reluctantly admitted that she had a test to study for and she would if he really needed her too until Jim just said they’d do it. Both of them had given Jim weird looks, but they didn’t hate the cat. 

The carrier had been left out by the door like Izzy had said it would. Jim hunted down one of Sweeney’s crinkly balls and tossed it so he’d give chase. They did that a few times, then tossed it so it would land near the carrier. While he was invested in pouncing, they got one hand under him and quickly scooped him, tilting the carrier at an angle so he was off balanced and shut the door. 

“That shit was easy,” they snorted. What was Izzy carrying on about? Sweeney meowed woefully at them. “Yeah, yeah, sad story. Come on.” 

Izzy had debated moving the appointment, but apparently the area vet was in high demand and while Sweeney never left the apartment voluntarily, his occasional involuntary jaunts to the office were apparently enough of a concern that Izzy wanted him vaccinated. Fuck, he was so paranoid, but Jim was not dealing with him getting all weird and wound up over nine pounds of sentient fur. 

So Izzy had gone off on the out-of-town case (ad  get in a sneaky night away with Lucius), Read could study and Jim was going to the vet for an animal they’d have to sticky roller off their clothes before going home so Oluwande wouldn’t sneeze for days. 

Sweeney meowed again. “Yeah, I don’t know either. Let’s roll out.” 

The weather was good and the vet wasn’t far, so Jim walked, ignoring looks thrown at the carrier. If someone wanted ot coo over the cute kitty they could do it in their own time.  Sweeney didn’t need that shit and neither did Jim. 

The front office was okay, the receptionist giving Jim a warm smile when they walked in. 

“Hi, who do you have with you today?” He asked in a sing-song kind of way. Izzy put up with this shit? 

“Sweeney,” they replied when it was clear an answer was expected. “He has a 3 o’clock appointment.” 

“Let’s see...and you’re...Izzy?” 

“Jim. He’s out of town.” 

“Okay, Jim, well it looks like all of Sweeney’s information is on file with us. You can have a seat and they’ll call you both in shortly.” 

“Thanks.” 

They sat down and set the carrier on the floor. Sweeney was full on crying now, meow after meow. 

“Seriously?” Jim sighed and picked the carrier up to look at him. He meowed again. “Fine, but you run off and I’m skinning you.”

Jim opened the carrier door, already planning how to make it seem like it wasn’t their fault when the cat wound up on the ceiling. Sweeney climbed into their lap and then before Jim could do anything, was up under their zippered sweatshirt. His nose popped out the top and Jim could feel him shaking against their stomach. 

Oh. Jim rested their hand under his butt so he wouldn’t slide out. Maybe Izzy hadn’t been being dramatic when he said Sweeney was scared of the vet. They stayed like that, holding still, and hyper aware of his fluttering heart against their chest. A burly guy in heart patterned scrubs came out from the back, 

“Sweeney?” 

“That’s us,” Jim got to their feet, hand still tucked under the cat. They felt ridiculous all of a sudden, but no one in the office blinked as they crossed the empty waiting room and inside. 

“I’m Mark, I’ll get Dr. Falcon in a second, but for now can you just stick him on the table so we can weigh him?” 

“Yeah sure.” 

That proved easier said than done as Sweeney velcro’d himself to Jim’s t-shirt. 

“Come on, bud,” they pet his head, “you’re better than this.” 

“According to his chart, he’s really not,” Mark said fondly. “You’re not Izzy, right? Jim?” 

“Yeah.” 

“We have him marked down as skittish. If you don’t mind, I can help.” 

“Have at it.” 

Mark did something quick, there was a slight tug on their shirt and then Sweeney was on the table. Grey tail swishing and ears back, he was clearly already looking for a way down. 

“Got his weight,” Mark wrote quickly before the scale changed again. “Okay, let me get the doc.” 

Jim watched him go out the back door and when they tendered their hand to Sweeney again, he took full advantage and scaled their arm to perch on their shoulder, digging in. 

With a grimace at the claws, Jim dug out their phone and took a picture of him up there and sent it to Izzy. 

Jim: your cat is a coward 

Izzy: he found higher ground and someone that can compete in the knifes department with him.  just good tactics

Jim: how do I get him to chill out for the vet 

Izzy: you don’t. told you

Jim: he’s just freaked out the whole time? 

Izzy: yes 

Jim: how do you deal with that

Izzy: take him home and he chills out. 

Jim would bet that ‘taking him home’ met a very quiet fuss that probably included some weirdo over the top shit that Izzy would never confess too. 

“You’re spoiled,” Jim determined, then reached up to pet Sweeney gently. 

There was no one else in the room. No one could hear them. Jim started humming, low in their chest, a cascade of notes, more of a scale than a song. The closest thing they could make to a purr. Sweeney didn’t come down, but he did let them stroke his head and the trembling eased a little. 

A brisk looking woman came in a few minutes later, 

“Sorry for the wait. I know we’ve got a nervous patient. Do you think he’ll come down for us?” 

Jim plucked him off gently and Sweeney seemed a little more resigned to his fate before the vet took him firmly in hand. What followed was quite the infringement on Sweeney's dignity and Jim was starting to get why he wasn’t keen on being here. They didn’t really want to go anywhere someone put a thermometer up their butt either. The shots didn’t help. 

“Okay, he’s in great shape really,” Dr. Falcon made a notation on the chart. “Perfect weight, his coat looks great and even that tricky eye is looking good. If anything comes up on the blood test, we’ll call in few days. Any questions?” 

“No.” 

“Great! Just talk to Johnny at the front desk on the way out, but we should be good. Do you want a treat, handsome?” She asked Sweeney. He sniffed the offering, but refused to take it. “Fair enough. For the road then.” 

Shit. That meant Jim had to get him back in the carrier. How the fuck were they going to do that? All of Izzy’s ridiculous instructions made a sudden horrifying sense. 

They looked at the carrier, then at Sweeney. He was already gearing up to jump anyway. Fine. 

The receptionist made no comment. Jim zipped the sweatershirt up further and started the walk back, within a block, Sweeney poked his head out a little further to survey the the situation. Apparently he decided it sucked because before Jim could consider the possibility that he’d leap out into the street, he ducked back down and huddled up next to their ribcage for the entire walk back. More than one older lady gave them a melting look before Jim put together the picture as presented and tried not to gag. No matter what they did to themselves, slight person with a round belly apparently equaled pregnant person. Gross. 

It was a profound relief to sweep past the stoic doorman, get into the elevator and make it safely back to the apartment. They didn’t even have to unzip, Sweeney erupted out as soon as he got the scent of home and dashed to the couch to rub himself all over the suede as if the place might’ve forgotten who it belonged to otherwise. 

Jim: vet says hes all good

Izzy: thanks. 

Jim: np 

They called Oluwande while they checked Sweeney’s water and food just in case. Both levels were fine and Read would feed him that night. Jim did remember seeing a bag of treats and all things considered, they didn’t think it was that big of an invasion to fish them out. They found them, took a few and sat down next to him on the couch. When they offered them, steady flat hand, he daintily took them and crunched them into oblivion. 

They called Oluwande. 

“Hey, you almost done over there?” 

“Yeah, just about. Might be a few more minutes before I head out.” 

“Okay, I’m still at Roach’s anyway. He’s got leftovers from this video so we’ve got pork belly for dinner if you want it.”

“Hell yeah.” 

“Cool. So how’d it go?” 

“It was okay. Cat tried to make a new house in my sweatshirt.” 

“Hey, tell him that’s my spot,” Oluwande laughed and Jim grinned. “I get it though. Little cat brain, big scary doctor.” 

“Yeah, not like he gets out much.” 

“Huh. You know if he did it to you, it’s probably because he knows it’s safe there. So he’s probably done it before.”  

“I’d remember.” 

“No, I mean...” 

“...That’s fucking priceless,” Jim grinned. “You think so?” 

“I bet so,” Oluwande said solemnly. 

“I am so gonna ask him. Holy shit, that’s funny.” 

Izzy had absolutely let the cat sit in his sweatshirts. Hell, Jim now recalled, he’d stuffed little Sweeney into that hoodie pocket right on that first day. That had to imprint on the feline mind. 

“Tell me what he says when he does. Meet you at home in like an hour?” 

“Sounds good.” 

“Good. And Jim?” 

“Mm?” 

“You make me feel safe too. For what it’s worth. Doesn’t just work on cats.” 

“Oluuuu,” they whined. 

“Okay, I’m done. Bye!” 

“You suck, I love you.” They ended the call. 

“You good now?” Jim checked and scratched under Sweeney’s chin. He didn’t purr, but he did lean in for more, so they figured the two of them were square. 

They got up intending to leave and hesitated. There was no one here, but them. Even Izzy wouldn’t put cameras inside his own apartment. Probably. They squatted down, and gently touched their forehead to the top of Sweeney’s head. It was warm and fuzzy. He allowed it, staying still as they rubbed their head back and forth a little. They’d always wanted to know how it would feel and it felt pretty great. 

Moved, they dropped a kiss between his ears. 

“Don’t tell,” they muttered and got to their feet. They’d de-fur on the subway. It wouldn’t be the weirdest thing anyone saw today on the train.

its my birthday 😌

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.]

[quillyfied]

TOP 5 OFMD AUS (not counting yours which is PERFECT)

(Oh, you! Thank you very much!) Now, THIS is a top five I can sink my teeth into. In the GOmens fandom I did some pretty substantial fic rec lists back in the day, when I had things like energy and time, so picking just five is gonna be tough...I will do my best! There is such a wealth of creativity in this fandom!

First: Leda House and the Kraken 'Verse by @dragonmuse (Usually M, some E, some T). I got in on the ground floor on this one and have been on a beautiful emotional journey with it ever since. It's the drag queen AU that just won't quit. Running the gamut from screamingly funny to heartbreakingly poignant to quietly cathartic, there are even AUs within the AU sure to scratch as many itches as you care to manifest, all while maintaining a solid sense of character and voice throughout. Truly worth investing time and attention to, A+++++.

Second: adrift between the dreaming seas by teaDragon (M). Do you want a funky fairy tale vibe with talking animals, surprising curses, a Kraken with big doe eyes, and a deeply emotional journey to self-acceptance? Of COURSE you do. And you want some lighthouse imagery with that? YES. Put this in your eyeballs immediately, because trust me, TRUST ME, it's a keeper.

Third: The Nettles in the Garden Don't Go Away by JRaylin441 (M). Are you tired of the same old same old soulmate AUs? Just want something with a fresh twist? How about a side of the slowest burn imaginable, heaped with excruciating emotional growth and breathtaking poetic imagery? Don't skip out on this one, then, because if your goal in life is to Feel Things about your blorbos, it doesn't get more feelingsy than this bad boy right here. Drowning in the feelings, you might say. Still updating, just as a warning, but well worth the wait, in my opinion. You feel every second of these boys' growth arcs, and it does absolutely start at childhood and is taking us through canon--and hopefully beyond, but who's to say? A true gem.

Fourth: Catch Fish by Cesare (T). Let's get a little lighter with a series about catfishing and unraveling the plots thereof. Yes, this is less heavy than it seems, so far consisting of two fics covering the two sides of the story: first, Stede and Ed working through how Stede was tricked by someone using Ed's pics and catching some real feelings along the way, and then a prequel, showing Stede's emotional journey through his time being catfished. Funny and sincere and emotional, still updating both fics but a fantastic ride so far.

Fifth: A Minivan Called the Revenge by @duskoscrawl and @doctors-star (T). I am a sucker for kid AUs, and this one is the cream of the crop as far as "crew of Revenge is kids, Stede and Ed are their dads" flavors of kid fic goes. My only complaint is that I want more of it. Even without being super duper long, the emotional bonds between not just the dads themselves but the dads and their kids are really well-established and feel organic, and they don't pull any emotional punches either. Little bitty Buttons with his plush seagulls lives rent-free in my head forever.

(And a most honorable mention to saturday night lights by sometimeseffable (T), the American college football and color guard AU that tingles my brain in ways that just don't make sense for how much I don't care for real-life American football, but probably have to do with being friends with band kids for my entire adolescence and growing up in a football culture. Sweet and funny and going hard on the pining, which is what we're all here for! Still updating, but worth the read!)

There are so many more that are worth mentioning but I've already cheated with six recs so gonna stop while I'm ahead. Thank you!