Work Text:
It was a fine afternoon. The captain’s quarters were quiet and a still recovering Captain Stede Bonnet was glancing out the window enjoying the view.
“So, what’ll it be today, Captain?” Lucius asked, perched on the edge of the couch, sketchbook at the ready. Ed had asked the boy to attend to Stede during these restful moments and Stede had taken full advantage of this daily quietude, just not in the manner that he supposed Ed had intended.
Stede opened his mouth to speak, but Lucius cut him off.
“Before you ask, I’m so done with the unicorn ones. I never studied equines and I’m just not pleased with the results, so stop asking.”
Stede sighed. “I thought they looked majestic enough,” he responded, adjusting his red dressing gown till he was convinced he looked just so. “That’s the centaurs out too then,” he added in a huffy tone.
“Oooo! I know! Maybe something with a baroque feel about it?! Or! Oh! Wait! Wait! There’s this painting called The Birth of Venus. I could totally do a take on that.”
"I don’t know much about fine art, but I do know what I like, and so far, Lucius, you’ve managed to hit the mark every time.”
“Ok. I’ll go with that then,” Lucius said as he began sketching. Stede cautiously parked himself next to him on the couch. Recovery from his injuries was taking longer than he had imagined, so he had to take extra care in how he moved about. He shifted closer and Lucius rolled his eyes.
“Captain, you know how I feel about the hovering.”
“I’m just trying to watch and besides, I always give you such great tips.”
“Captain, your tips…” Lucius brought his fingertips to his temples. “How can I say this? Your tips are always like ‘make his beard sexier’. Not very helpful, to be honest.” He once again engrossed himself in his work.
For a moment Stede didn’t say anything. He fiddled with his rings. He stole a coy glance at the paper. Lucius let out an annoyed breath and continued drawing. The drawing was taking shape nicely. The ocean, the giant scallop shell Ed was standing upon. And of course, the handsome nude figure of the man on display, hair blowing majestically in the wind.
“If you would just draw his beard sexier in the first place I wouldn’t need to ask,” Stede said to the floorboards.
Lucius stopped abruptly. “Quick question. Why are most of these nudes, do you think?” This was delivered with a level of sass that Stede was never sure how to reckon with.
Stede leapt from the couch like he was suddenly late for an appointment. He smarted from that and shambled to adjust some books on the bookshelf as casually as possible.
“Well, these are… Well, It’s artistic. Appreciation of the human form and all that. The rugged manliness of pirates,” Stede said, finally composing himself enough to face Lucius.
“Your cheeks are red now. Cute,” Lucius chuckled. “Ok, so if this is about the rugged manliness of pirates then I could draw other pirates for you, right?”
Stede gave him a withering look. “That doesn’t even make sense, Lucius. Blackbeard is THE quintessential pirate. Of course, the drawings are of him!”
“Shall I put this with the other ones then when I’m done? In the Secret Sketches of Ed Room? It’s getting a bit crowded in there, you know. I got a papercut on my cheek last time I crawled in.”
Suddenly both of their heads turned. There was some shouting and then someone outside was screaming for the captain.
“That’s Pete!” Lucius jumped from the couch and scampered out the door. Stede reeled close behind. The two huffed it to the deck to see what the clamor was about.
Lucius held a hand to his chest and tried to catch his breath. Stede braced his hands against his knees until his breathing became less labored. He held his stomach for a moment, wincing at the pain there. When he finally looked up, he noticed that Black Pete was naked from the waist down. Jim was beside him, knife at the ready giving him a look that said enough was enough.
“Capain,” Black Pete said with equal parts annoyance and mortification. “Jim stole my pants and underwear and threw them overboard and I demand action be taken.”
“Why did Jim steal your pants?” Stede asked in confusion, still holding his wounded gut.
Frenchie, who stopped organizing ropes nearby to weigh in on the action said, “After what he said, I’d have stabbed him.”
“You couldn’t have heard anything!” Black Pete said, pointing aggressively.
“I was standing right here. I heard what you said to them!”
Lucius rolled his eyes. “Sweetie, please, we talked about this. We need to think before we speak,” he said to Pete. Pete looked a bit abashed. He gave an apologetic look to Jim, who put their weapon away.
Stede was suddenly very quiet. His eyes were fixed on Black Pete but not on his face. Stede’s mouth opened a bit in shock.
Ed chose this moment to suddenly appear.
“Guys, I told everyone not to disturb the captain during his afternoon recovery nap. Do it again and I’ll throw you overboard!” Ed shook his head in amused dismay.
“Everything’s fine. Wouldn’t want anyone thrown overboard. I was just taking Pete to get some other pants.” Lucius said, giving Pete a little pat on the shoulder and a kiss on the cheek.
“The antics of this lot, am I right?!” Ed reached out to pat Stede on the shoulder. “You alright? You look sick.”
Lucius cast his gaze toward Stede. Stede was still staring.
“Captain?” Lucius said, giving him the side eye.
Black Pete, feeling the weight of the captain’s stare, moved to cover himself.
“Oh God,” Stede whispered, panic creeping across his face.
“See? You’ve upset your captain.” Ed insisted, consoling Stede with a gentle rub on the back.
Lucius, suddenly putting two and two together stepped between Stede and Pete. “Artists use references,” he said timidly.
“What’s he talking about?” Ed asked.
“Nothing,” Stede insisted with a gulp. “Nothing that can’t be fixed with a few more afternoon naps.” Stede said, giving Lucius a sidelong glance.