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serpentarius · 3 months

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Anton and Viago want to #SaveOFMD

“Babe,” Anton calls out to Viago, who’s been lounging in the other room while Anton’s catching up on work. “Can you grab me the charger? Laptop’s dying and I’ve gotta finish reading these manuals tonight. Think it’s by the sofa.”

He hears Viago shuffling for a minute. But then, the silence drags on a bit too long, so the werewolf checks in again. “Vi? S’it there?”

No response, still. Barely any sound actually. Though after nine years of being together, and the most recent five of those living together, Anton’s learned that vampires are amazing at sneaking up on people, on account of being able to levitate and move at paranormal speeds. And the completely unnecessary need to breathe. Natural predators, them.

“You alright in there, love?” he tries again, voice tinged with a tiny bit of concern this time.

And suddenly, the vampire - his vampire - appears at the threshold of Anton’s study. He’s not floating, but walking slowly. His mouth is formed into what appears to be the biggest pout-frown Anton’s seen on him in months, maybe even years, and even from where Anton’s sitting he can see his eyes are glassy. He’s staring down at the phone between his hands (the Galaxy Note that Anton had bought him for his last birthday, equipped with a stylus since they’d learned that touch screens didn’t register vampire fingerprints), but he still isn’t saying anything.

“Babe!” Anton immediately gets up from his seat and goes over to him. “What’s wrong??”

He’s just put a hand to Viago’s face, the action silently urging the vampire to speak despite the tears now spilling down his cheeks, and puts his other hand on Viago’s shoulder.

“Anton,” Viago’s voice wobbles. Christ, Anton’s heart always feels like it’s been pierced when Viago is upset. “It has been cancelled.”

(Ficlet continues under the cut! Happy ending impending, I promise ❤️️)

He feels his own face twist with confusion. “What has, love?? What’s been cancelled?”

“Our pirate show,” and there’s a frantic panic in the other man’s tone, now, lips quivering and brows furrowed in disbelief. “Our beloved pirate show!”

“Our Flag Means Death?” Anton exclaims. He starts to shake his head, “No, no - what? No way, Vi, where’d you hear that?”

Viago’s cheeks hollow, as if forcing himself to hold back more tears.

“It is all over the news outlets.”

“What?” Anton repeats. “But I was just on Twitter a few days ago and it was - it seemed like a sure thing! Samson put up some not-so-vague posts on Instagram, and Jenkins was engaging with the fans–” “He is the one who has announced it!” and now, Viago has turned his phone toward Anton, and Anton’s eyes take a second to focus. He’s met with a picture of a familiar unicorn masthead, beautiful and backlit, and then he scrolls down to see the caption–

And his heart sinks.

OUR FLAG won’t be returning for a third season.

“What the hell,” he wants to yell, but it comes out as a soft, broken whisper instead. “No, what? This has to be a joke…”

The vampire shakes his head sadly.

“What the fuck?” and now, the werewolf feels the volume rising in his chest. "What's the network thinking, doing this?!"

Viago’s face crumples. Another shooting pain in Anton’s chest. “It is not a joke,” and he’s openly sobbing now, unable to hold them back anymore, and on reflex Anton pulls him close, wrapping one arm around his waist and placing his other hand on the back of Viago’s neck, letting him settle his face into the crook of his neck. “It’s not fair,” Viago muffles out, voice thick, “Why would they do this?”

“Christ. I really don’t know, babe,” Anton murmurs. He’s at a complete loss for words - his stomach is flipping and the upset is rocking his core, and he's angry, and off-balance, and there’s nothing he can say that can make this better. “I genuinely don’t know.”

Perhaps another partner would tell their sobbing significant other not to get so upset about a television show. That these things happened all the time, that this was just how the business went sometimes; that time would heal the wound, and that something new would eventually come and take its place.

But that’s now how Anton feels.

Since its release, Our Flag Means Death quickly became their thing.

Even with him working more evening shifts these past few years–in an attempt to adjust his sleep hours to spend more time with Viago–the opposing nature of their natural schedules still weighed on them some days.

So having this shared interest together - something to look forward to, one of the few things they would never dare to participate in without the other - was lovely, and deeply special. Nothing could replace what this show meant to them.

It started out as quite a lighthearted viewing experience. They enjoyed the new episodes every week and giggled in delight over pirate shenanigans, and couldn't help pointing out the somewhat uncanny physical similarities of the actors playing Ed and Stede to Viago and Anton themselves.

It wasn’t until more than halfway through, though, that they realized a romance plot was building up between the leads. As the story progressed, there were more moments that pulled on their heartstrings, almost entirely in sync with each other. When Ed's eyes would light up around Stede, or when Stede tucked the red silk into Ed’s vest and told him you wear fine things well, Anton would glance over at Viago, and his chest would swell at the sight of him. Happy, beautiful, clearly very touched by it all, and just a second later, glancing right back at Anton with love in his eyes.

And then, the kiss. Anton and Viago had both been holding their breaths during the buildup, anxiously watching Ed and Stede talk through their feelings on the beach, hoping the moment was coming, and yet still rocked by pleasant surprise when it actually did.

But then, Stede didn’t show up to the dock. And Ed went back to the Revenge. And then, they were at the finale.

The pair of them were already emotional wrecks partway through the episode, and then suddenly they were screaming through their tears when the final shot closed on Stede in the dinghy.

"How the hell could they end it there!" Anton had yelled, now on his feet and just inches away from the television. “How could they end it like that??”

"I think that David Jenkins is an evil genius!" Viago had yelled back.

“Stede has to find Ed!” Anton continued. “I mean, they’ve gotta have a series two now, right? Right?”

“He has to find him,” the vampire had said with wide eyes and his hands clasped in front of his heart. “He has to!”

(Anton’s not ashamed to admit that, when they’d tumbled into bed together soonafter the finale, they held each other even tighter than usual. With every kiss, each breathless gasp and tangled limb and treacle-sweet term of endearment whispered into the other’s skin, the I love yous flowed freely from them, even long after their bodies were spent. Ed may not have known how Stede felt about him yet, but Anton had long ago made it his life’s purpose to never let Viago forget how much he loves him.)

The wait for the news on series two renewal was grueling, particularly because it seemed the network was taking a ridiculously long time to renew a show that was so clearly a hit, having already amassed a gargantuan fan base.

During these months, Anton had become somewhat obsessed and found himself on Twitter - an app he had previously avoided like the plague - only because it allowed him to monitor for any Our Flag-related news. Unfortunately it had become somewhat of an addiction, though luckily whenever Viago would ask what had gotten him so glued to his phone, Anton felt he could be honest, and Viago’s irritation would ease once he’d snuggle up to Anton so they could scroll together.

At long last, the series two news came, and the pair of them celebrated for the entire following week. Celebrations included a season one rewatch, Viago overindulging on blood bank baggies, and Anton overindulging in one too many rye and gingers. (And sex. Lots of sex.)

When series two finally aired, it was even better than ever, and they’d filmed it in Aotearoa! The couple hadn’t been able to make it up to Auckland to try and catch a glimpse of production while it was happening, but that hadn’t mattered much. It didn’t take away from the distinct, glowing sense of pride Anton felt, and he couldn’t wait to see the breathtaking landscapes of his home country dazzle the silver screen.

And it definitely didn’t disappoint. Even with the heartbreak of Izzy’s fate at the end, both he and Viago felt like this series had been an even grander rollercoaster than its predecessor. And in their hours-long discussions after the fact, they agreed that Ed and Stede being on their own for a little while was a good idea; that they needed the chance to be away from pirating to sort their own relationship out.

“They will return to the ship, though,” Viago had adamantly stated. "I do not think they will make very good innkeepers, after all. And I do wonder if that Frenchie will make a suitable captain…”

“Frenchie’s plenty capable, babe! Plus, he’s got a ship full of badasses to help him out if he ever slips up.”

“This is true. They have Zheng the Pirate Queen and Auntie, and Fang!”

“Don’t skimp on the merit for the rest of the crew,” Anton points out. “Even with Buttons gone, Jim and Oluwande know their way ‘round the ship. And Lucius is a proper pirate now, and you’ve got the veterans like Pete, Wee John, and Roach... plus, oh, they’ve got the Swede back too! And I dunno if Spanish Jackie’s ever sailed but I’m sure she could teach them a thing or two about something - man. They must be having a ball of a time on there.”

“Ja, you are right of course, my love,” Viago replies warmly, and he zones out for a moment, likely getting lost in the idea of the pirate family at sea. Then, suddenly, “Ooh, I have just had the best idea! We should make a party for Calypso’s birthday and invite all the others! We can decorate the flat and wear pirate-y costumes.”

“And buy a barrel of rum?” Anton adds cheekily.

“It would not be complete without that, of course. And of course, also a barrel of blood for us vampires.”

Anton grins at him. “Brilliant idea as always, love.”

Because yes, at this point, they had already successfully gotten the other vampires and werewolves into the show. The idea had initially been met with some resistance; Vladislav revealed he had a personal vendetta against pirates (Anton reminded himself to ask about that history at a later time), and Clifton only exclusively watched shows about crime, with lots of gore and violence to boot. (“But pirates are the ultimate crime-committers!” Anton had told him, which was apparently all he needed to trick Clif into it).

But by the end of episode one, every single one of them was invested. From there, they organized regular watch parties, and as they watched, Anton would think warmly of how their own mismatched group - the Te Aro pack and Wellington vampires, absolute misfits, so wildly chaotic and different from each other, and yet still able to become as close and loving as family over the years - were sort of like their own Revenge crew.

Oh, god, Anton thinks now, suddenly snapped back to the present. “Fuck,” he says aloud. “The others are gonna be devastated about this.”

Viago’s shoulders droop and he nods sadly. “They will be very upset. I am afraid Vladislav may go on quite a rampage once he hears of this.”

“Can’t believe how much he loves the show,” Anton can't help but chuckle fondly. “Even despite his messy past with Kristoffer Trondson.”

“Yes,” a small smile plays at Viago's lips. “I am proud of him for getting over his deep, intense hatred for pirates.”

The disappointment quickly returns, a creeping grey cloud of hopelessness and dread filling the room as the reality starts to sink in.

“Fuck. This sucks, love,” Anton exhales, suddenly feeling tears pricking the corners of his own eyes. “This really sucks.” Viago says nothing, only pulls him back into a crushing embrace, and they stay like that for a while.

The next day, Anton's sadness morphs into rage.

“Apparently the CEO at the top-top is some soulless corporate arshole,” Anton growls later that night, the harsh glare of the computer screen causing his eyes to strain.

He had barely been able to get through work today, his mind so distraught by the news of cancellation that he had to take himself aside and snap his brain out of it. Now, he's furiously sipping at his flat white while Viago hands him his blue-light blocking glasses. “He's a known homophobe, apparently, which - Christ, isn’t surprising at all, is it - and determined to burn the whole company to the ground! He’s gotten rid of everything of substance, Vi, just so he can get more money out of it. Absolute shithead of a man!"

Viago makes a displeased sound. "He deserves nothing but curses," he rumbles, but then his tone shifts into one of hopelessness. "So what it is we can do now? I am not ready to say goodbye to our pirates, Anton."

“I know, babe. I know how much they mean to you,” he sighs. “How much they mean to us. I mean... fuck, we still need to see Ed and Stede get married! And the rest of the crew needs to get back at Ricky, and kill the English, and just... ah. What a numpty fucking decision this was, not to renew."

They spend the rest of the evening away from the computer, because everything Anton sees about the news is making his blood boil, and he needs to keep that shit in check - he rarely wolfs out at random anymore, but this one seems to be getting to him. They go for a lovely walk to the waterfront, and try to distract each other as best as possible, and settle in for bed in the wee hours of the morning.

It's not until Viago finds Anton, just a few hours later, sniffling on the couch with his phone out in front of him, that Anton realizes how deeply the hurt is settling into him.

“My love,” Viago joins him on the sofa, blinking a bit blearily. “What is it you are crying about?”

"Sorry, 'm sorry, babe," Anton wipes at his face, "I didn't mean to wake you, I just - couldn't stop thinking about it, and now I'm reading someone's post about how the show saved their life - helped them realize who they were, that they didn’t have to hide anymore, and it just - just made me…”

But he isn’t able to finish the sentence. Because Viago knows. They know each other so deeply, now, that they don't always have to speak out loud for the other to understand. Viago just presses him close, wrapping his limbs around Anton’s and slotting them together the way they’ve done so many times before. A perfect fit.

“I think that perhaps we should stay off the interwebs for right now, liebling,” Viago whispers gently, stroking his hair. “Because it is making us too sad.”

“Yeah,” and it comes out a bit choked, “Yeah. Think you’re right. Think we need to get our minds off this for a bit.”

A few days later, Anton gets a ping on his phone. A text from Stu.

Have you seen this? followed by a link.

Anton is confused at first, but then he clicks on the link, and his eyes go wide.

Hours later, he hears the front door click open; Viago's back from his visit with the vampires, and starts talking to Anton about some Vampire Council business, and normally Anton loves to hear about the wildly dramatic politics of the supernatural world but today, he just yells out at Viago to join him in the kitchen.

"Got something to show you!" Anton tells him, leaning over the island with his laptop open.

“What is it?” Viago asks curiously, shrugging off his white cape.

“Right, okay, so - I know we said we’d take a break from the internet, but look,” and once the vampire is standing next to him, he points to the screen.

He shows him the tab with the official petition, first. The link that Stu sent him. Renew as a Crew, it reads, followed by a short blurb. A petition that already has tens of thousands of signatures and counting.

Then, he cycles through to Twitter, slowly going through the newsfeed where they see multiple articles from major news outlets condemning the cancellation decision, and numerous trending hashtags about saving the show; countless initiatives and analyses from fans, advice on what the best course of action is to get the show back; letter-writing campaigns and posts tagging other networks to consider picking up the series, celebrities voicing their support, an endless amount of fanart and fanfiction, screenshots and GIFs and videos, posts from people celebrating the friends and community they've made through the show — “Look babe,” he feels his own eyes crinkling at the edges. He rests a hand on the small of Viago’s back as the vampire leans over him. “They’re not going down without a fight.”

Viago examines the screen, taking over the mouse and scrolling for a while. Finally, he looks back to Anton with a sparkle in those big, beautiful brown eyes, and a genuine smile that lights up his entire face.

“Then neither will we.”

Anton smiles back at him, and then makes a show of cracking his knuckles.

The ideas are already circulating in his head; he's already sent the petition to their immediate social circle, and considers sending it to the folks at work. He and Viago can start writing letters to the network, and send as many emails as possible - Stu could help with that tons, too, what with his IT background - Anton could even get in touch with the few film industry friends he has, see if they have any insider knowledge or advice. Maybe their little Wellington community could even start up a sub-initiative of their own.

“Let’s go get our damned men back.”

SIGN THE PETITION HERE! And follow Renew as a Crew on Twitter for more updates. Love you all! We can do this!!

#renew as a crew #this fic just flowed out of me because I love the show so much #I wouldn't have discovered vianton without it #our flag means death #viago x anton #flash fic friday #this is very meta and weird I know #but I couldn't help it!#these two are just as upset as we are #and they want to #save OFMD #vianton #wwdits #viago von dorna schmarten scheden heimburg #anton the werewolf #what we do in the shadows

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