This screenshot makes me absolutely feral. You have Stede standing in front of the moon so he’s illuminated from behind, but his face is also lit up, probably by a lantern we can’t see (that’s what I’m assuming anyway). This shot is Stede as Lighthouse.
And then you have Ed, mostly in darkness, but his face is just being kissed by the moonlight coming from behind Stede and the lantern light that’s fully illuminating Stede’s face. As if the light is emanating from Stede, which makes sense if he is a lighthouse.
And the edging on the shoulder of Ed’s leather jacket (or is that a holster of some kind? can’t really tell… maybe someone else knows of some other screenshots that show it better) looks like a tentacle. So this one screenshot illustrates perfectly Stede as Lighthouse and Ed as Kraken, with Stede’s light just starting to light Ed up. Meanwhile Stede is in his red bird robe that symbolizes the brightness and color Ed has brought into his life.
the thing about stedward is they’re both told that soft things are for other people, freedom is for other people, and then they meet the type of person they were always told was free and that person is just as trapped as they are
ofmd ship name should be steddie. i’ll tell you why.
it’s not blackbeard in the relationship. after the kiss, he wants to be known as edward, ed. the crew call him eddie, right before izzy breaks him back into the kraken, right when izzy turns everything that should be seen as open and welcoming, a kind touch, into things that are to be hated, into something mocking.
that’s the last straw for izzy. “his name is captain, or blackbeard!”. no, it’s not. ed himself corrects that.
a theme of the show is finding yourself, creating something worth keeping, something you can hold onto, something of value, being allowed to be who you are without threat. having steady support, not hate and violence forcing you into things that aren’t sustainable, things that wear you down, not fickle and mocking that sounds polite but offers only pain.
By no means meant to be a comprehensive collection, but things are being produced so quickly in such numbers, here are my favorites of what I’ve read so far. I’ve limited myself to one per author, but keep in mind many of these writers have written several fics for the fandom. In no particular order.:
Aftercareby@perkynurples (M, 32K, WIP) - I have a tendency to avoid WIPs in favor of finished fics, but this one is worth it. A reunion of Stede and Ed with a slow working-through of their issues, both individually and as a couple. There’s so many insightful moments and symbols in this fic, I’ve been impressed so many times.
Time Makes You Bolder, Children Get Older by mtothedestial/ @summersteve (M, 13K) - I waited until this one was finished to read it and that was a lovely decision. It’s a Persuasion AU, and ABO and Ed and Stede fit into this world and this story so well. The author has a good track record with historical fics and it shows. This is just lovely, romantic, sexy, and perfect.
we came untarnishedby@propinquitous (E, 5K) - Smut set during the course of S1, but beautifully written smut. In this one, Stede is the more experienced because m/m sex was fairly common in the upperclass at the time.
on the bed of this blue ocean by kirkaut (T, 9K) - An Ed POV fic set after the end of S2, of him learning that Stede is dead, grieving him, and then deciding how to pick himself up and go on with his life. Deciding who he wants to be without Stede. Turning back from the Kraken and trying to reconcile himself into a more whole person. Only then to reunite with Stede.
Cleave the Pin by DarkIsRising (E, 7K) - Stede as he tries to return to Ed realizes he’s never been very good in bed and worrying about it with his crew. Only to be reunited with Ed and finding out he shouldn’t have worried. It’s a very funny fic with a sexy resolution.
Break down, it’s alright by rowenablade (E, 3K) - Just a really well done reunion fic with a good dose of angst and crying leading into soft resolution sex.
I’m Glad I Spent It With You by soft-october (T, 3K) - A reunion fix-it set pretty immediately after the end of the season, with the entire crew returning to the Revenge, reuniting with their lost crewmates, and an eventual conversation between Ed and Stede that leads to kissing. Definitely a comfort fic that includes everyone.
Close Quarters by FortinbrasFTW (E, 4K) - A pre-finale fic in which Stede and Ed are trapped in a small closet and Ed is claustrophobic and Stede manages to talk him out of a panic attack. And then there is kissing and fooling around and mild kink and nothing hurts.
Dryocampa Rubicunda by forestsprites (G, 2K) - Ed post-breakup working through his feelings, talking to a moth as therapy. Heavy on the angst without real resolution, but a well-done character piece.
Benediction by Springandastorm (T, 2K) -I can’t possibly convey this fic better than by quoting the author’s note: me seeing taika waititi play a silly little pirate: i need to write about him recontextualizing his traumatic relationship with his body through the divine act of being touched.
Unseen by Fyre/ @amuseoffyre (T, 4K) - Fyre has given so many gifts of fic to this fandom that it was difficult to limit myself to only one. But I chose what I think is my personal favorite, a fic in which Stede assists Ed in having a bath. It’s just so soft and sensual and has so much sexual and romantic tension that it has STUCK with me.
Edelweiss by draculard (G, 2K) Stede’s life, told through the language of flowers. Featuring angst and a reunion and resolution for Ed and Stede.
Bonus:
(I’ve literally never recced my own fic on one of my rec posts but I guess I’m proud of this one, and if it was someone else’s fic I’d rec it so, fine.)
Slow Dance by threerings (M, 1K) Post-reunion fic in which Stede and Ed negotiate their sexual relationship, the dynamics and pacing thereof.
I couldn’t help but think of the look on Stede’s face as he leaves shore. The peace of properly closing the last chapter of his old life and how like excited he is to start the next one with the man he loves. And being like oh boy you have nooooooooo idea what you’re sailing back to.
Im still in utter disbelief that we have an actual canon gay kiss, no queerbait, it’s authentic and it’s painful and it’s exactly what I wanted to see myself in. They’re flawed and rough and it’s REFRESHING!!!!
