Chapter Text
Prompt 1: I’m fine
“I’m fine” were the words Izzy invariably said when Ed asked him if he was alright after a raid. Without hesitation. Even if his blood was dripping onto the floor after some lucky bastard had managed to get too close.
At first the reason had been shame. Izzy felt ashamed for being caught by surprise, for not being good enough of a fighter. Ed and Jack used to make fun of him for being shorter and he had worked on his skills, pushed himself harder so that his size would not make a difference in a ship full of ruthless pirates, but he still would get hurt a bit too often.
Then, years later, the reason had been pride. Izzy had managed to become an excellent swordsman, the best of the Caribbean, some had started to say, and he wasn’t going to admit that some lucky sailor or some eager soldier had managed to hurt him. Blackbeard’s first mate couldn’t be seen as weak, no, sir.
“It’s fine, I’m fine,” Izzy had always replied, carrying on as if nothing hurt.
And Ed hadn’t insisted, hadn’t worried much, too excited about his next brilliant plan or the party they were going to throw in Tortuga. Too used to his invincible first mate not even sweating after a tough raid.
Then as the years went by, the injuries were more difficult to hide, but by then, it was a habit.
“I’m fine, everything is fine,” Izzy kept saying to himself, again and again, even after Edward had stopped asking.