#anyway this was fun! my first ofmd ficlet! i hope you like it

[theclaravoyant]

AN ~ For @fictober-event's Fictober 2023 prompt: "It's not too late, let's go." A ficlet in which Ivan and Fang steal acquire a dog. ((her name is Polly, and yes she very much would like a cracker)) Masterpost of my Fictober OFMD fics

Set post-S1, but no S2 spoilers.

Fandom: Our Flag Means Death Characters/Relationships: Fang, Ivan, Fang x Ivan

Polly

Shore leave isn’t quite as much fun without Captain Bonnet’s generous allowance, but they do well enough on Blackbeard’s cache and reputation. It’s more than enough for a decent feed, at least, which Fang is thankful for as he tosses another bit of meat to his new best friend.

Said friend is a large dog with a solid build and a beautiful, wrinkled face he wants nothing more than to smooch. She’s skinnier than she deserves and has made a bed in the dirt with nothing but a heavy chain around her neck to keep her company. It’s the least he can do to share his - rabbit, probably? - and give her a scratch behind her flea bitten ears in return for the company.

Ivan looks on, bittersweet, as Fang gives the rest of his dinner over and gets up from the bench with a sigh. Their on-and-off-again First Mate is a stickler for being back on board on time and it had to end eventually, but it still hurts to see the usually cheerful Fang subdued and solemn as they make their way back through the market. There’s been a lot of terror and tumult in their lives lately - and sure, that’s their lot as pirates - but it had been nice to share a moment of kindness amongst it all.

But then Ivan thinks to himself, why does it need to be only a moment?

He stops in the middle of the pathway.

“We should go get her.”

Fang’s eyes light up, but then he frowns. He glances toward Izzy, who is watching them all back onto the ship with a hawkish glare. He hasn’t seen them yet, but he will soon.

“We can’t,” he says. “Ed- Blackbeard might have changed his mind but what if Izzy gets his knickers in a twist about it? Besides. It’s boarding time. ‘S too late.”

His shoulders slump, deflated, but it only makes Ivan feel more inspired in comparison. He nudges Fang, offering an encouraging smile.

“So what? Dizzy Izzy? Let him twist. Blackbeard’ll have his other foot if he comes for her anyway.”

“You really think so?” Large brown eyes, full of so much hope. He’s missed having a dog in his life. He’s so dearly missed letting himself love like that.

“Yeah!” Ivan encourages. “And if he doesn’t there’s always Jim. I reckon they would go to bat for her, eh? ‘Specially against Iz.”

Fang glances at where the mysterious assassin is boarding. They’d be ready to stab Izzy Hands over very little, he reckons. It’s somewhat heartening, and it helps to crumble his already weak resolve.

Ivan takes his hand, and that does it.

“It’s not too late,” Ivan insists. “Let’s go.”

They run back into the crowd together, to save themselves a friend.

#fictober23 #ofmd #our flag means death #fang #fang x ivan #ofmd fanfic #ofmd fic #let fang be a dog dad again 2k23 #clara's fic tag #prompt me stuff