Gentlebeard
Stede Bonnet/Edward Teach
The Gentleman Pirate Stede Bonnet and the legendary Blackbeard, finding love and acceptance in each other's arms.
What is Gentlebeard?
Gentlebeard is the fan-given name for the romantic pairing of Stede Bonnet and Edward Teach from Our Flag Means Death. With over 42,000 works on Archive of Our Own, it's one of the most popular ships in the fandom.
Why fans love Gentlebeard
Their tender romance between two middle-aged men discovering themselves creates heartwarming representation and emotional storytelling.
Most Popular Gentlebeard Fanfics
The highest-rated Gentlebeard stories on AO3, ranked by kudos.
Summer Fun, Summer Love
by DreamsOfJune (Victoriada)
The collection of drabbles written from Our Summer Means Death prompts.
[Podfic] "No Strings Attached" by ourfag, unclearatypicality
by happydaiz_pod (1happydaiz)
Blackbeard had spent thirty years becoming a legend. Ed Teach had spent just as long trying to survive being one.He's nearing fifty now, and something's got to give. When he meets Stede Bonnet at a bar, what starts as an unexpected acquaintanceship becomes something more neither of them knows how to
Pirate Torture
Completeby Tmmt
Ed tickle tortures Stede, but things turn steamy when he finds out Stede likes it. Second fic ever, woo!
Oh My Days
by CitrusSyndicate
Edward Teach has made quite a name for himself in Hollywood— directing, producing, cleaning up after Jack Rackham's messes— but he's lost some of the magic. When his friends Anne and Mary ask him to come to New York to produce their latest play, Ed finds a fast friend in Stede Bonnet, and maybe some
Tidebound
by meg_ofmd
Stede is a merperson. Ed is a centaur. They meet in a peaceful cave between their worlds when they’re children, and form a bond like nothing either of them has ever experienced before. One day, Vaelor Bonnet, king of Barbadia, and Stede’s overbearing father, finds Stede and Ed’s little hideaway, des
For a Good Time: Call
by LyndziM
After being kicked out of his home, former rich kid Stede Bonnet comes across a want-ad for a phone-sex hotline: Adventures Between the Lines. At $3.99 per minute, he could earn his rent, bills, and then some! He’s just starting to get good at it when a familiar raspy voice calls his extension. The
Battle of the Blades
by SeasNStars (ClaraHue)
Former hockey enforcer Edward "Blackbeard" Teach signs on to compete in a reality TV figure skating competition. His choice of partner and coach: figure skating legend Stede Bonnet.
Unconventional Methods
by PolitestMenace (GayPirateAficionado)
Hmm. Should Ed say what he’s thinking? He shouldn’t. He knows he shouldn’t. But he does anyway: “So. Uh. Know of one other thing.” Ed looks down, picking at the shark tooth on his jacket, trying to act cazh. He’s not sure it’s working. “Oh yes?” Stede sounds beyond delighted. His face brightens so m
sing us a song (you're the piano man)
by FPwoper
Edward Teach is fed up with his job as a concert pianist. He’s over having to play the same classical pieces over and over again to polite applause. When he walks into The Lighthouse, a newly opened queer bar, and spots a grand piano in it, he figures he might have found something new and exciting,
[Podfic] "According to Plan" by YellowMustard
by happydaiz_pod (1happydaiz)
“...Mr Teach?” “Mm-hm. Says right here, the substitute that covered your class yesterday was an Ed Teach.” Stede laughs out loud. “You mean to tell me,” he says, “that the substitute’s full, government name was Education Teach?” “Edward, I’d expect,” says Lucius, giving Stede a look ordinarily reser
Seven Days of Being a Trucker
by knoxdalton
Izzy lives a solitary life in his truck. Don’t pity him, he likes it that way. He’s free from expectations and commitments, even if the silence sometimes presses in too close. The only thing he truly dreads about the job is picking up hitchhikers: they wave him down, then fill the cab with pointless
Physical Touch
Completeby AlmaElson
Stede is a little jealous of how comfortable and natural Ed is with touch. Changing up their routine might just help him loosen up a bit.
Podfic of "A Little Restraint" by Fyre
by Kninjaknitter
Standing outside the centre, Stede stared at the handle of the door as if it might bite him.If he’d thought about it, he could have cancelled within the 24-hour cancellation window, but he hadn’t. He should have. He really should have. But it was too late now and he either had the choice of walking
Sweet Dreams, TN
by WolfofVulcan
Well that’s the day already going to shit. Ed thought as he watched a crew member drop a box with a loud thud. Thought it was going pretty well before this.“What the hell was that?” A voice called out from the bus before Izzy popped his head out. His face already scrunched up and ready to raise hel
Words of Affirmation
Completeby AlmaElson
Ed isn't exactly used to anyone complimenting him, and Stede just can't stop himself from showering him with praise.
down to the sound of a heartbeat
Completeby chaotic_neutral_knitter
"I should have been there with you," Stede said, voice rough. "If I hadn't left—" "Stede," Ed said, frustrated. He wiggled backwards out of Stede's arms and held his face in his hands, so that Stede couldn't look away. "It wasn't you leaving that did it. Stop thinking it was your fault." "Okay," Ste
No Strings Attached
by ourfag
Blackbeard had spent thirty years becoming a legend. Ed Teach had spent just as long trying to survive being one. He's nearing fifty now, and something's got to give. When he meets Stede Bonnet at a bar, what starts as an unexpected acquaintanceship becomes something more neither of them knows how t
Invitations
Completeby SquirrelGlider
Parties can be like magical worlds with their own rules and logic. Liminal spaces where the outside world doesn’t exist and you can dare to be a different version of yourself. Ed and Stede find quiet places to be together, alone, at parties and get to know each other. They may also find out a lot ab
{PodFic} Elbows on the counter By: Suchgreatheights
by OurFlagIsLove
The day they get married, the things he knows about Stede could fit on a post-it note. First: he’s fucking rich. Second: he needs a husband to stay that way. Third: he is built like a brick shithouse. Pretty eyes, nice hair. Penchant for weird socks. (Or: 5 times Ed doesn't tell his husband he loves
Affect/ive Explorations
by PolitestMenace (GayPirateAficionado)
Professors Ed and Stede are spending the summer together as planned. But how will cohabiting go for these two? With art by Sailor’s Ruin.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does Gentlebeard mean?
Gentlebeard is the ship name (portmanteau or nickname) for the pairing of Stede Bonnet and Edward Teach. It's used by fans to tag and search for fanfiction featuring this relationship.
How many Gentlebeard fics are on AO3?
There are over 42,000 Gentlebeard fanfiction works on Archive of Our Own.
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