#ler!izzy

He still wasn't quite sure how Stede had dragged him into any of this. 

It hadn't been long, only a week or two, since Stede called him into his room, oddly similar to tonight. He'd asked for them to dine together, and well, Izzy didn't see much of a reason not to indulge his captain in his strange request.

They met in Stede's room for a surprisingly pleasant dinner, though Izzy felt unsurprisingly underdressed compared to his host's garish outfits, and he was well aware his table manners left much to be desired, but neither of those had been quite necessary for a pirate's life, and Stede didn't seem to mind, not when he was seemingly so enthralled by the company. 

Through Izzy teaching him how to fight, they'd grown fairly comfortable with each other, building up a rapport that was considerably less antagonistic than it had been before. They fell back into it over dinner with ease, perhaps more amiable than they'd ever been, and Izzy found himself even laughing at a few of Stede's jokes, though he hid it behind a strategic cough or two.

Neither of them realized, or cared, just how much they were drinking until they were stumbling around the room, hiccuping around their laughter, for once a genuine smile on Izzy's face.

Memories of that night were fuzzy, and what happened next wasn't entirely clear, but he crumbled under Stede's inquisitive gaze, his warm smile, his soft whispers, and he'd admitted something he shouldn't have.

Something he'd hoped that they'd both forget come morning, even when Stede squeezed his hand before he left, promising something about him being more included, more appreciated, before Izzy stumbled back to his own quarters, flushed from more than just the booze. 

He wished he hadn't admitted it. His jealousy when he watched his crewmates, or his captains, and saw the easy air around them, the casual touches and comfort; something about them made envy stir in his chest, thinking about the kind of relationship he hadn't let himself have for years, or maybe ever when he really thought about it.

Now, on The Revenge, it seemed more of a possibility than it ever had before. After breaking down, being vulnerable, Izzy was welcomed; something had shifted; whether it was in him or his surroundings, he didn't know, but it was a good change, no matter how uncomfortable it had been.

His relationship with the crew was different now. Friendly, because he'd finally allowed himself to be open to their friendship, and the change was more gratifying than he ever would've thought.

It was the most relaxed, most relieved Izzy had been in a long time, but he still wanted more, even if he felt he didn't deserve it.

He never would've pursued it ordinarily, admitted it to anyone besides himself, if his drunken self hadn't betrayed him entirely.

But that change, the change Stede brought on, was a good change too.

When they'd met again the next morning, Izzy more pissy than usual with his aching head, he thought Stede may have forgotten it based on his aimless ramblings filled with pleasantries that Izzy had to bite his tongue to sit through. 

Stede asked him again to meet him later in his room, and Izzy agreed; he hadn't expected what happened. 

He supposed it would be like the previous night, a pleasant conversation, perhaps a shared meal, a drink or two, though certainly not as much as they'd indulged it before.

And it had started that way. There was something about Stede, something that used to make Izzy's skin crawl, his anger, his annoyance overpowering everything else he felt about it, but now it only filled him with warmth, an easy, familiar feeling that allowed him to unwind. That must've been why he didn't suspect anything, certainly not when he and Stede shared a drink, casually picking at a tray of assorted snacks he'd prepared.

Maybe he should've; when Stede sat next to him this time, instead of sitting across from on the other side of his long table. It could still be ignored whenever they bumped shoulders or when one of them shifted slightly, their knees accidentally touching, or when they both reached forward at the same time, hands colliding for the briefest second before Izzy pulled back.

Until their food was finished, abs the conversation lulled, a not uncomfortable silence enveloping them as they nursed their drinks, and Stede, seeming to muster all of his courage, leaned into him, curling into Izzy's side and resting his glass on his shoulder with a content sigh.

Izzy stiffened, and his muscles didn't relax again for a long time, but they both kept the silence, and Stede didn't move.

His breath was steady, ghosting against Izzy's cheek and leaving a faint trace of Stede's wine, fruity and rich. While his hair was soft, delicate strands brushing against and tickling his ear, but he couldn't be bothered at the proximity, at his hair that was too lovely and soft and clean to ever belong to a pirate, yet here Stede was. Izzy wondered if it was Stede's pulse or his own that he felt, drumming violently against his skin, wondered if it mattered.

Not long afterwards, Izzy excused himself, and they parted ways; this time, he had no excuse for his blush.

-

He didn't know why Stede kept inviting him, or why he kept coming.

It wasn't something he was familiar with. His family had never been awfully affectionate. And as he got older, as he became a pirate, the opportunities became fewer and fewer.

Most contact came during a fight, in the form of a sword or gun or swinging fist, where the only pleasure that could be found came from the adrenaline coursing through his body, the satisfaction of winning, of surviving. There were few other means that arose on a ship aside from boyish tussling, accidentally knocking shoulders with his crewmates, or the rare moments of intimacy when he let someone else, let Ed, tend to his wounds after a particularly bad fight.

But Stede Bonnet came along with his eccentric, unpirate-like ideals and continued to confuse Izzy the same way he had since the first day he met. Bringing that unnecessary frivolity with him and introducing everyone to lavish comforts they didn't want to forgo. 

That, he supposed, was why he continued to join Stede; he didn't want to give it up just yet.

Which was why he was sitting on his couch, thumbing through a book from Stede's library, which was still a horrible idea, even if it made for interesting entertainment, with Stede next to him, hand holding Izzy's as he thumbed through his own novel.

It was one of the more relaxing ways he'd spent an evening in quite awhile, or it would've been, if there wasn't one thing nagging him, making his mouth twitch as the uncomfortable feeling spread. "Stop that?"

"What?"

"The hand," he murmured, gesturing with his neck as he struggled to insert his bookmark with only one hand.

"Oh," he let go, a slight frown tugging at his face as he leaned away a touch. "Sorry."

"Not you. Just tickled a bit."

Stede paused, the smile returning with a playful twist, "You're ticklish?"

He grunted, eyeing him warily. "Guess so. Never really been before."

"I've gotten into a few good-natured scuffles in my time. It can be quite fun!"

"You like it?" He couldn't help asking, surprised at the sudden admission. 

"Well, I've certainly always enjoyed it."

Izzy huffed out a laugh. He supposed it wasn't that surprising; Stede always had been odd, and it was just like him to like that kind of thing, something so strangely cute.

Leaning back, his eyes raked over Stede, cautiously debating in his head. It was clear as day that Stede was comfortable with him; the only limiting factor seemed to be Izzy's own hesitance, his lack of familiarity with the casual touches Stede so readily gave. He was being quite open about his fondness for tickling, almost suspiciously so. And while Izzy had never even dreamed of tickling someone before, had never even been the one to initiate contact between him and Stede in a non-violent manner, he supposed that here, now, wouldn't be a bad time to start.

"Let's see it then," he shifted, angling his body as he leaned closer to Stede, searching his eyes for any tinge of desire, of excitement.

"Go right ahead!"

His smile grew, eyes brightening at the prospect, but there was an undercurrent of shyness there, weighing down his cheerful expression, matching Izzy's own nerves. 

Slowly, he reached his hand out, touch and hesitant as he dragged in along Stede's arm, grazing his silken shirt. While Izzy had never been tickled directly, he'd experienced it plenty of times through accidental touches brushing against his own sensitive spots, so he had a fair idea where Stede would be ticklish; he just didn't know how much he could handle, yet.

Keeping his touch light, Izzy placed a hand in his stomach, unable to help a smile at his small gasp, and gently dug his fingers in, scratching at him through the cloth. 

At his deep breath, Izzy's eyes flitted back up to Stede's face, taking in his widening smile, perhaps brighter than he'd ever seen it before, as a giggle erupted from his lips, more pushing through in a steady stream of laughter as Izzy brought his other hand up to squeeze Stede's sides.

"Pretty sensitive, aren't you, Bonnet?"

"I suhuhppohose!" He huffed out, hands clenching and unclenching in his lap, trying to stay still for Izzy.

"I wonder where else…" he hummed, fingers dragging up towards his ribs, lightly pinching the crevices as Stede huffed. He was less ticklish there, but it was worth it to see the way his eyes crinkled, squeezing shut with a whine at Izzy's relentless pokes and prods to the area.

He continued exploring, marveling at how his armpits made Stede shoot his arms down, his resolve not to impede Izzy crumbling at the overwhelming sensations, while his neck made him scrunch up, looking oddly reminiscent of a turtle. Even his ears were ticklish, and quite sensitive to gentle scratches and traces, even more so when Izzy blew gentle puffs of air on them, making him squeal.

But his knees were probably his favorite spot. If only for the fact that when he squeezed it, the most adorably obnoxious snort burst from Stede, forcing him to bury his face in Izzy's shoulder in shame, while the other desperately tried and succeeded to produce the noise again. 

Gentle tickling seemed to get to him worse, if the way he shrieked when Izzy's nails glided against the backs of knees were anything to go off of. Even if it only produced quieter giggles compared to the full-bellied laughter Izzy knew he could force, it was better for watching Stede, seeing the miniscule changes in his expression, in his voice, and for allowing Stede to focus on Izzy's occasional teasing.

"Still having fun, Bonnet?" 

"Of… cohohuhurse!" He exclaimed, a tired sheen to his eye at how long it'd been, but his joy was much more prominent. 

Izzy opened his mouth but quickly snapped it shut, head swiveling around at the sound of the door opening,only to find Ed standing there, a confused grin hanging on his face.

"Is this what you two are always doing in here?" He laughed, stepping inside and shutting the door behind him.

"Ed!" Stede breathed out, face brightening again at the sight of his as he sat up straight, trying to smooth out his clothes, his hair, all while keeping his eyes locked on his partner.

Izzy stood up, taking a step away from Stede as his gaze flickered between the two. Would Ed mind him touching Stede like this? Stede had said it was fine, but he wouldn't want to overstep more than he already had, wouldn't want to take anything more from Ed.

"Well come on, mate," Ed faced Izzy, smile shifting into something devious as he walked closer, "why stop now?"

"You… don't mind?" He couldn't help asking, still not sure how he fit into a situation like this.

"Stede, you mind?"

"Nahat at all… I was just showing Izzy how fun tickling could be. He was much better than I would've thought!"

"Is that so?" Ed smiled, walking past Izzy to sit down next to Stede. "Think he's shown you enough yet, Iz?"

"Not quite. I think he still has a bit more to show us," he sat down on the other side of Stede, accepting Ed's acceptance of his role there. If it didn't bother Ed, then he wouldn't let it bother him anymore, even if he was sure everything between them wasn't exactly resolved yet.

Stede laughed nervously, glancing between them, "What else is it you want to see?"

"Mostly…" Ed hummed, grabbing one of his arms to wrench it above his head, waiting for Stede's nod of approval before digging into his underarm, "to see you laugh your ass off."

"Ehehehed!" He cackled, helplessly flailing, and Izzy took that as his cue, bringing his hands back down to squeeze at his thighs and knees.

If Ed wanted to push him, he could do that. And, judging from looking at them, Izzy guessed this wasn't the first time something like this had transpired between Ed and Stede. He only wondered if Stede had realized how awfully ticklish Ed was too, a secret Izzy had long since learned and guarded, but didn't seem inappropriate to reveal later, after they'd finished with Stede.

"Ihihizzy!"

"C'mon Stede, you keep saying our names like that. Just spit it out. What's on your mind?" Ed cooed, lightening up on his tickling to give him a moment to breathe.

"Ihihit's a lohot," he panted, grinning from ear to ear, "buhut it's fuhuhun."

"'Course it is. We're just getting started," Ed purred, delighting in how Stede's flush grew at his words, heart skipping a beat.

Izzy watched Ed kiss Stede's forehead, an uncomfortable pang shooting through him, until Ed turned back to him with a grin and wink, and together they resumed tickling Ed to bits.

-

"Good time, love?" Ed smiled afterwards, helping Stede to his bed.

"Yes, it was all quite lovely," he sighed dreamily, pulling him into a quick kiss. "But I do like it more when you're the one under me."

Ed reddened at that, laughing away his nerves as he glanced back at Izzy, who was awkwardly trailing towards the door.

"Where are you going, mate?"

"I thought it was time to excuse myself," he cleared his throat, averting his eyes. 

"No, no. Come here," Stede beckoned, and Izzy supposed he never really could say no to him that easily, certainly not now, so he swallowed and stepped closer and closer until he was standing by Stede's bedside.

Stede took a breath, reaching out for him, cupping his face, bringing his own closer, as he whispered, "May I?"

Izzy's eyes flickered to Ed's face, seeing only a smile and the slightest nod, not a hint of jealousy or resentment to be found. And so, he allowed himself to once again indulge in the luxuries that came along with Stede Bonnet, closing the distance between them to capture his lips in a gentle kiss.

Stede beamed at him when they pulled back, and he could only wonder if his face was as hot as it felt, practically petrified until Ed grabbed his hand, tugging him forward. "Come on, Iz. Get comfortable," he said, shrugging off his own leather jacket and slipping off his boots before he slid into bed beside Stede.

Even Stede's large bed was a bit cramped with the three of them, but Izzy thought it may have just been the best sleep he'd ever had. 

It was only affirmed by what he considered the best morning of his life as he woke up in the early hours, watching the sun stream in through Stede's windows, illuminating the two beside him that made it all feel so divine.

Alejandro was actually watching Noah. He could tell something wasn’t right with Noah, he could tell that Noah was very untrusting of him. And Al didn’t know why.

Alejandro got up and sat next to him. Noah didn’t notice and kept thinking to himself, almost dozing off.

“Noah? You ok?” Al asked, he acted like he cared but really he was trying to get blackmail or something out of him. Noah jumped a bit not expecting Al to be talking to him or sitting next to him

“Now I’m not, you’re talking to me.” Noah said sarcastically, slightly smiling when he saw Al needing to calm himself before speaking.

“Are you always this sarcastic?” Al sighed

“Depends, do you always ask dumb questions?”

“Noah you making it really hard to talk to you, friend!”

“Then don’t? I was just fine not talking, what makes you think I want to talk to YOU?” Noah growled, getting pissed at this point

“Somebody’s grumpy,”

"Whatever!" Noah sighed, leaving Al angry.

“Guys! Guys! Do you I could be the mama monkey and Noah could be my son and I’d have to pick the dirt off him like they do on TV?” Izzy exclaimed

“Woah! No, you are not touching m-” Noah was interrupted

“Izzy I love your creativity, I bet Noah would love it even more!” Al smiled at Noah expense. Izzy began pinching at Noah’s clothes acting like she was picking off dirt.

“Izzy you would make a great monkey mom!” Owen laughed

Al noticed Noah started to squirm and his eyes were all panicked. Izzy kept picking at Noah’s clothes, accidentally pinching his skin at sometimes. Noah would jump every time, almost curling in on him self.

“Noah? Why do you look so distraught my friend?”

Noah just shook his head, not risking a giggle to slip out.

“Uh oh Izzy! I don’t think Noah likes your act!”

Izzy turned to Al confused. Noah turned to Al with panic.

“No! No Izzy I did like it, very creati-tive, HEHMP!” Noah tried to pled but Al put his hand over his mouth.

“He lying Izzy!”

Izzy growled and dug her hands into Noah making him squeal. Izzy wasn’t even trying to tickle Noah, she was just mad.

“Uh oh, somebody’s about to find out Noah’s ticklish!” Owen whispered to Tyler.

“Noah’s ticklish?” Tyler said out loud.

“OWPHEN!!” Noah muffled under Al’s hand,

“Oh so that’s what that was!” Al said grabbing Noah’s hands and pinning it above him.

Noah shook his head violently, squirming around to try to get free. Al was very strong, and Noah was very weak, who knew!

"Owen you knew Noah was ticklish?" Al asked, reaching to poke at Noahs sides

"Well, just look at him! He was squirming like a earth worm!" Owen joked

"NONONONONO!" Noah begged trying to dodge Als hands

"Noah stop moving!" Al grumbled, deciding to just sit on Noah's legs to keep him for moving.

"Owen I swear to god, once I'm out of this your so dead!" Noah threated, snapping his mouth shut as Al finally latched his hands onto Noah's sides.

“There we go! So Owen mind elaborating on what you mean?” Al yapped.

“Well, it was the first season and me and Noah had just met!-“

“OWEHEN!!”

“He was reading this book and I decided to cheer him up. It’s strange though, he gets weird after you tickle him.” Owen explained, turning to look at Noah to see his head hung in defeat and face burning red.

“Aw how cute,” Al teased moving spots randomly to try to get Noah to break.

“Huh, anybody wanna help me out here?” Al spoke

That one sectance alone sent shivers down Noah’s spine, it’s good that nobody in that room has ever tickled Noah, but that makes it worse.

Owen sat down towards Noah’s legs, Izzy sitting closer to Noah, and Tyler just there to keep his arms up and pined.

“Wow Noah, I never seen you this worried before. Something wrong?”

“Y-Yeah! You guys are about to gang up on me for no reason! I have a right to be scared!”

“scared of a little tickles?” Al said wiggling his fingers close to Noah stomach making him suck in to try to get away

“Stop thAHAT!” Noah squeaked as Al dove his hands straight to his stomach.

“Oh shoot, did we start already?” Owen asked jumping in to start tickling the top of Noah’s knee. Noah kicked out like a reflex every time Owen touched his skin

“GAH-hehehAHaHa! Quihihit ihit!!” Noah giggled

“There’s that nice laugh!” Al smirked

“Eheheahat. Shihihit!” Noah growled

Al scoffed in anger, sadly for Noah this just encouraged Al to get him back harder. Al moved his hands lower, underneath where his belly button would be. Owen moved his hands to his calves. the combo of spots made Noah insane, he needed something to take his mind off it.

“Aw poor thing, bad spot Noah?” Al teased

“FUhUhahuKIng STAhAHoP!!” Noah shook his head violently

“Izzy why don’t you join in?” Al asked

“Hmmm, that’s a good question! I was waiting for the right moment!” Izzy spoke softly fluttering her fingers around Noah’s neck and ears.

Noah squealed falling into a fit of child like giggles

“this is fun!” Izzy said

“Indeed,” Al agreed suddenly changing positions to squeeze Noah’s hips.

“FUHAHAHAHCK!!” Noah gasped bucking from side to side. Owen began to massage into both Noah calves, using his thumb to add pressure into the boy.

Noah screamed kicking out, cackling like crazy. Seeing Noah like this made Al feel two different things. First, satisfaction for Noah making a fool of him, and second, Awe for never seeing Noah like this ever. Laughing freely, well I guess not freely, he has no choice.

“GOHOHOHOHOD GET OFFFFFF!!” Noah begged

“I think Noah’s getting tired guys!” Owen spoke backing off

“Tried? Nah, Noah are you tired” Al jokingly asked

“SHIHIHIT! YES I AHAHAHAAMMM!!” Noah threw his head back

Izzy began to stop, which was a surprise to everybody. Turns out she just saw a rat run across the floor and needed a new ‘ally’.

“Al, you might wanna stop soon. I don’t think he can take much more” Owen said softly

“PLEAHEHEHEASE!!!”

“Fine, but he has to apologize!”

“FOHOHOR WHAHAT!!”

“For saying, implying, that it’s such a bore to talk to me!” Al said dramatically

“IM SOHOHORRY!! IM SOHORRY!! YOURE NAHAHAT A BOHORE TO TALK TOHOHOHO!!” Noah took in a breath of air as soon as Al stopped.

“There! Now was that so hard?” Al spoke

Noah just giggled back at Al, transitioning to the ‘weird’ Owen was talking about.

Noah spent the rest of the day, all smiles and giggles. When he woke up the next morning, he tried to forget anything abt the day before. ‘God I was such a headache!’