Izzy rolls his eyes, he can't help it. It's such a hot take on the whole situation and he is absolutely exhausted by it. Grabbing tight control of himself, he circles around to stand directly in front of Ed and look up at him.

"I have only, ever, served Blackbeard. It has been my honor, my absolute privilege to give myself to him."

Edward, though. Edward is on thin fucking ice as long as Stede is in the equation. And this promise broken is not a promise forgotten. Blackbeard would never have let it come to this. To the duel, to anything.

"Why are you protecting him, Edward. Why is it that you- that you adore him so- so-" the words trap themselves in his throat, threatening to become far too vulnerable. He shakes with the dam they build, stacking with more and more pressure.

"-so fucking much!"