#and izzy sparring with jim and teaching them how to sword fight

[luciuscodedswedeboy]

okay but consider: fang & izzy as jim’s new dads

[run-me-through-but-not-like-that]

i check your account way too often… but I have to see if anything new was posted! (✧ω✧)

as adorable as Izzy teaching reader how to sword fight is, how about a reader who’s already very skilled with a sword? like they spar and Izzy isn’t really expecting much but the reader is really good. it’s been a while since he’s been able to just enjoy a friendly match with someone since most of his fights are official duels or during raids?

thanks for all your super fun stories

A Friendly Duel:

The Co-Captains had finally managed to get Izzy to train the crew in sword fighting. He wasn't happy, especially when Stede referred to it as a 'bonding exercise', but Izzy knew that it was for the best. Most of the crew was useful, he might as well try to make them even slightly capable during a raid.

It was a little nerve-wracking, Izzy staring all of you down, preparing for the crew's first lesson. The first mate had decided on starting with one on one sparring with each of the crew, wanting to get a baseline of what they already knew and how skilled they each where.

So far, it wasn't looking good.

At least a couple of them could hold a sword and vaguely make the right movements, none could land a hit or effectively parry an attack though. Well, Jim had gotten a hand up when they pulled out their knife. Izzy had just given them a tired look and reminded them that they were supposed to be learning how to use a sword, but he at least complimented their initiative. Jim only rolled their eyes before stepping down, Frenchie step up for his turn.

Frenchie was fast on his feet bit his arms were far too loose, he was practically just waving the sword around. His footwork showed that he had potential though.

The bard finished his turn with a huff, Wee John telling him that he wasn't that bad, as he dropped himself down onto a barrel.

You were up next.

Unsheathing your sword, you spun it around in your hand, getting a feel for its weight, before getting into your fighting stance.

Izzy assessed your form before nodding, a glint of approval in his eyes, before he struck. You parried the attack with a finesse that surprised him before countering with a lunge of your own.

After a couple of minutes delighting in the familiar sound of clashing metal, Izzy took a step back. His head tilted to the side curiously, a small smirk playing on his lips.

"Surprised?" you asked, cocking an eyebrow at him. The crew may not have been the best pirates, but you knew your way around a sword fight.

"Pleasantly so," Izzy nodded before lunging forward, nearly catching you off guard. Still, you evaded.

"Give him hell!" one of the crew shouted as your sword clashed against his.

Jumping back, you flashed Izzy a smile and lunged forward again. Of course, he deflected.

The two of you continued like that, going back and forth. The crew cheered, rooting for you, enjoying the show. You danced around the deck together, sparks in your eyes and feral grins on your faces.

The crew had been so focused on the fight that they hadn't even noticed that Izzy was smiling until now. Actually smiling.

You had noticed it though, having to keep a close eye on him to avoid getting cut up by his blade. He was grinning, teeth on display, sharp and threatening. But the look in his eyes was almost playful.

Truth be told, Izzy was enjoying this. For once aboard this damned ship, he was actually having a good time. You were smiling too, having the time of your life, feeling the adrenaline running through your veins.

Izzy couldn't help but get lost in the dance. It had been so long since he had sparred with anyone like this, it reminded him of when he and Edward were still learning in their younger days.

This wasn't a real fight, no real consequences, just sparring. Playful, friendly. He didn't have to worry about the dangers of a raid or meeting the wrong end of a blade.

The crew's cheering faded away, there was nothing but the two of you and your swords.

"This is getting rather...intense. Should we intervene?" Stede asked, leaning into Edward, keeping his voice low. The rest of the crew seemed to be enjoying the show but he didn't want you to get hurt, he knew how Izzy could be.

"Definitely not. Iz loves this shit, they're having fun!" Edward was grinning as well, watching his old friend enjoy himself for the first time since they stepped foot on the Revenge.

Stede pondered that for a moment, turning back to the scene of you and Izzy chasing each other around the ship with a surprising amount of grace. It did look like the two of you were having fun...he had never seen Izzy smile before but he certainly was now. He wouldn't get involved.

The duel came to an end as you managed to pin Izzy's sword down and he caught your wrist, pinning yours down in return.

"...call it a draw?" you asked.

A smirk played on his lips for a moment, he looked younger when he seemed happy. "I can live with that," Izzy nodded, respect in his eyes, as he released you, taking a step back and sheathing his sword. You smiled, sheathing your own sword. "I think you can be excused from the crew's lessons, at least until they're on the same skill level as you. We're going to have to work from the beginning," he assured you, ignoring the displeased mumblings from the crew.

"Sure, but if you ever need an assistant teacher, you know were to find me," you offered. Izzy nodded, tempted by your offer. Having somebody else who was competent at these stupid ass lessons might actually make the whole thing more tolerable.

Either way, he was hoping this wouldn't be the last time he got to have a duel like that. He already felt lighter, younger.

Maybe next lesson, Izzy could use you to show the rest of the crew specific techniques. Maybe he'll ask if you want to some training outside of those lessons...

"Alright, Spriggs. You're up!" Izzy turned back to the crew, watching the scribe shift, unsure. Surely, Captain Bonnet would get him out of this whole thing.

"Don't kill him, Iz!" Edward called fondly, clasping a hand over your shoulder in a friendly manner.