Do you guys remember the dark ages when Supernatural and Sherlock were genuinely considered gay representation on this site like what the actual fuck were we on

OUR FLAG MEANS DEATH SEASON 2

OFMD FIC RECS 2 (blackbonnet edition) 

a big bad continuation of my top faves, following rec list 1. (edit: also see rec list 3.) there are some amazing WIPs being posted in the fandom as i write this, but i’m including only complete works on these rec lists so that readers can dive into stories without having to keep so many mental bookmarks active. WIPs will be added to future lists as they’re completed. all works are housed on AO3, most are rated M+, most are canon world and ships, with ed/stede focus. see individual works for warnings, etc.

multi-chap post-S1 fics (longform)

everything broken gets put back together again by ellemzee: an extremely well-written, in-character, emotionally complex S2 reunion story where an angry but determined (and fairly besotted) stede returns to the revenge with the crew, and a furious but pining (and barely coping) ed gives him a week to prepare for a duel to the death for command of the ship. as might be expected, things don’t go exactly as planned. all of the character relationships and interactions in this story are superbly written and believable, and there’s lots of comedic and emotional moments. a must read!

red sky by bazzle: an emotional, action-packed story that takes place over a short period of time and will nicely fill the better part of an hour’s read. stede finally returns to the revenge with his crew, but a resigned, unhappy ed won’t hear his apologies. it takes a deadly storm to bring down his walls and bring them back together. this fic had me on the edge of my seat (in a good way) the entire time — the suspense, the fear, the excitement, the uncertainty, and the tender longing of this story haven’t left me since my initial read, and i’m really looking forward to a reread.

half-agony, half-hope by lyricl: if you haven’t already gotten to this fic yet, you should — it’s recced often, for a reason. in this beautiful, energetic story, ed wrestles with his scorched feelings (and his old demons) as he burns the tenderly-worded letters that keep mysteriously appearing in his quarters. until, eventually, he begins to read them. a story full of adventure, reckoning, reconciliation, rebirth, lust, and renaissance for our two complex and compelling lovers. (side note: regardless of whether ed is or isn’t canonically literate, this story makes it not matter. your disbelief will be suspended, promise.)

he wishes for the cloths of heaven by auntieclimactic: a reunion fic with lots of drama and comedy, the obligatory swordfight, ed being a stubborn ass, stede being a cheerful dork, and an abundance of delightful dialogue from the entire cast. very witty, quippy, with great one-liners. the dramatic angst of this story is in perfect balance with its on-brand comedy. also, eventual sexytimes!

remissionem by eldritchidealogist: stede’s idea of his reunion with ed doesn’t go quite as planned. an angry, still-grieving ed has stede thrown in the brig, where stede has a difficult time getting through to him — until ed starts to visit him. the talking doesn’t go so well at first, but eventually ed’s walls come down, and the ‘real reunion’ is worth it. a complex and compelling stede pov story with lots of emotional turmoil and eventual tenderness.

captive of the pirate king by clairegregory: post-reunion, stede reads ed and the crew a bedtime story of their choosing… but hold on, this book isn’t one stede recognizes, and the narrative appears to be about two gentleman with a suspiciously familiar story to that of the revenge’s co-captains… what, exactly, is going on? hilarity and intimacy ensue. 

the importance of being edward by mrsnoggin: stede and ed reunite, but ed doesn’t want to talk it through, and he definitely doesn’t want stede to call him ‘ed.’ in the vein of ed being sullen and stubborn, and stede doing his sunny best to win back his man, this fic finds our two pirates fumbling their way back to emotional (and physical) intimacy through fits and starts, punctuated by bursts of comedy and connection.

one-shots, pwp, canon-esque AUs, and shorter post-S1 takes

you should probably leave by nikkifrey: written for the ofmd kink meme prompt “ed and stede attempt to have reunion hate sex but don’t follow through because they love each other too much.” that’s it, that’s the story. and though this may be a short pwp, by god is it one of the most succinctly satisfying things i’ve ever read. packs a fucking punch. i’m embarrassed to admit how many times i’ve reread this.

the world that borders the sea by thereluctantrose: a post-canon/AU/retirement-verse stede and ed, now living out their golden years off the coast of virginia, contemplate their last raid as pirates and how things might’ve gone very differently. this well-crafted, beautiful story will probably give you a few tears and also make your heart pound with its action-packed, suspenseful flashbacks. heartfelt, visual, and tender, this story is definitely worth a read.

a little death by totallyboatless: an amazing spec script for a S2 reunion episode. the script is for ep 4, with brief explanation of what happens in eps 1-3 beforehand. brilliantly conceived and written, comedic, on-brand, and hot. a must read!

weather the storm by one_more_page: time-loop AU, ed pov. absolutely excellent build throughout the story and rewarding emotional release. i really enjoyed ed’s internal struggle in this fic. it gets sexy, too!

and the seas are frozen in time by flashlightinacave: time-loop AU, stede pov. although this fic and the rec above are by different authors, they feel like counterparts. stede’s repeated failed reunion with ed has him struggling to figure out what he needs to do differently to escape the unexpected purgatory into which he’s been thrust — until ed suddenly joins him there. wonderful emotional buildup and satisfying conclusion.

all the waves of the ocean by katonline: a post-S1, canon-divergent-esque story where ed sits beside a mortally wounded stede and contemplates the first time they found themselves in this scenario. warning: this story is devastatingly excellent and it WILL make you cry. buckets.

my boat is empty, my heart is empty by unfolded73: an ed pov journey through some missing scenes around pivotal moments in S1 and ed’s post-reunion reconciliation with stede. a poignant, well-done, and occasionally comedic read with great characterizations.

tell me something by vitruvianwatson: after ed’s panic attack in the bathtub, stede tells him a story to help him calm down — and yes, it’s a love story. this is such a tender little fic with great characterizations that makes one of ed and stede’s most intimate moments even warmer and more endearing. this is one of my favorite ‘missing scene’ stories!

bit o’ fanfiction, or: the crew ships it by waywarder: although stede and ed are minimally present in this fic, it’s still very blackbonnet-centric. a hilarious ‘will-they-or-won’t-they’ banter between the crew that i just have to include on this list for the sheer comedy and brilliant characterizations. you’ll laugh and aww aloud at this one — a wonderful short read!

deserves a quiet night by bazzle: post-reconciliation, stede grows increasingly anxious when ed won’t be intimate with him. our two favorite idiots learn to communicate properly, and find that their relationship is actually better than ever. warning: you may need to take a cold shower after reading this one.

OFMD FIC RECS 1 (blackbonnet edition)

quick compilation of some top faves as i make my way through the massive pool of talent and fics in this fandom. been wanting to do this for a while, and @thinkimkrakenup’s rec request got me moving on it. all works are housed on AO3, all are complete, most are rated M+, all are canon world and ships, with blackbonnet focus. see individual works for warnings, etc.

edit: also see rec list 2 and rec list 3

multi-chap post-S1 fics (longform)

turning tides and storm surge by fyre: S2 and beyond. engaging, heartfelt, humorous, tight writing with a plot-driven focus that spares no emotional detail. feeling a little sick after that S1 cliffhanger? here’s your medicine.

we were warnings by mia_ugly: the reunion fic so good i read it twice in one day. (yes, it’s really that good.) get ready for some emotional upheaval as ed makes sense of his feelings, as well as some gorgeous writing. don’t sleep on this one.

no one would riot for less by sacrificethemtothesquid: speaking of ed’s feelings, let’s take a look at them from S1 through a hypothetical reunion in a hypothetical S2, shall we? ed pov fic that’s so elegantly written it gave me full-body goosebumps and made me cry (several times, if i’m being honest). this fic is simply fucking marvelous. also now a podfic!

this ocean between us by sarah_hadeschild: a reunion fic with a twist: stede comes back to the revenge to find that ed is gravely ill and in need of care. lots of tender moments and misunderstandings ensue as stede and ed work their way back to level ground.

one-shots, pwp, and shorter post-S1 takes

two graves by trinityofone: fair warning, this short post-S1 fic is not a feel-good story — but it’s so elegantly written, so devastating in its bleak beauty, that you simply must read it. talk about hair-raising. i still can’t get this fic out of my head, months later. one of the best stories i’ve read in any fandom.

this is not your grave, get out by morian: part of the only proof the field existed series. in this story, a not-dead lucius helps ed sort through his post-breakup issues. lucius pov, well-developed dynamic, excellent dialogue, a bit violent. note: there’s no actual ed/stede relationship in this fic, but there’s plenty of talk about it.

never been sketched by luddleston: one-shot, on the lighter side. watch stede squirm as lucius sketches ed in the buff. a hilarious, sweet, and sassy read.

cabin pressure by entanglednow: stede and ed attempt to share the captain’s bed. supercharged, hot, trope-y fun. you’ll be biting your knuckles during this one.

good game by captainbonny: ed and stede play truth or dare. a sweet story with well-written dialogue.

more recs to come in the future!

i am unwell

#Queer agony

I would love you with our heads down

THIS IS WORSE THAN IF THEY SHOWED ME ED CRYING

HE STOLE THE CAKE TOPPERS AND MADE!!!! THE BRIDE!!!!! HIMSELF!!!!

"a group of the two of us"

friends i have perished i am deceased

my armenian father getting angry at a squirrel

“you are. stealink…. my nuts…”

mood

depression: who would ever love you?

me: 

a pride month reminder

cops do not, have never, and will never “belong” at pride.

if you believe that the police have any right to involve themselves whatsoever in our pride celebrations and demonstrations of solidarity, you are choosing to ignore the reality of institutional violence our people face to this day, and you are directly disrespecting our community’s foundational history. of lesbians being arrested and violated for crossdressing, gay men being entrapped and brutalized for cruising, trans women being assaulted and murdered by the police… the list goes on. the horrors and dehumanization the lgbt community has faced and continues to face at the hands of law enforcement are depressingly endless and absolutely appalling.

cops are not welcome at pride. they never have been and they never will be. stonewall was a riot. and we are still fighting around the world to this day. respect our history.