Thread by @OurFlagMnsSteph

#noangstnov
Day 21: pet

Edward Teach had a lot of regrets. Big ones, small ones and every size in between. He knew he couldn't fix any of those mistakes. And he wouldn't given the choice. His past was set, and all of it led him to Stede.

Finding Stede was worth all the regret, all the torment.
But he could try and make amends. Slowly, carefully he thought through his crimes and he made a list.
First was Fang.
-----

The puppy was cute; small, pink and piggish. The mother had been one of those hairless beasts and the father a fancy English toy that had sewed its oats all over the island. It was scruffy and more friendly than was smart.

When he picked it up it wiggled its whole body in joy and tried to lick his face. Ed turned to Lucius, "What do you think? Will he like it?"
Lucius pet it's head and cooed over it.
"Oh absolutely, he'll cry over how cute it is."
Ed smiled. "Good, thank you."

They trekked back to the ship with the pup stuffed in Ed's coat, cuddled up against his chest. Fang was luckily on deck and Ed called him over.
"Brought you something, mate."
Ed reached into his coat and pulled out the pup.
Fang gasped and Ed saw tears well in his eyes.

"Really? Are you sure?"
There was fear and hope and Ed ached that he'd made his friend's first response be doubt.
"Yeah, I promise it's okay...I'm sorry for before, and I promise this one will be safe here."

Fang took the little dog and hugged it close, let it lick the tears from his cheeks and he grinned with excitement.
"Thank you, Cap, really."
Fang took a quick look under the pup's wiggling tail.
"She have a name?"
"Nope, that's for you to pick."

Fang thought a moment.
"Petal. She'll be Petal."
The joy on Fang's face was worth any mess she would cause.
"That's a fine name, mate. Go show her off."
Fang nodded and headed off.
Ed thought it was a good first step.

-End-

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