‘Get off my ship’
Just thinking about this scene. Ed does have claim to the Revenge having commandeered it in 103. It’s how these things work.
If Ed really is the monster he thinks he is, he could say to Stede, ‘Only by the grace of Blackbeard do you still get to call yourself Captain.’ Ed could easily lay full claim to the Revenge, refuse to budge. Make Stede leave instead. Not sleep on a beach. But he doesn’t take the role even for a little while. And there are many reasons why, both good and not so.
And co-captains? It’s nothing to do with who captains the Revenge. It might help the crew’s confusion a little, but between Stede and Ed, it’s an unspoken emotional understanding telling Ed not to leave, that Stede wants him to stay.
Co-captains is a domestic partnership agreement.
Ed never lays claim to the Revenge until Stede isn’t on it anymore. And cedes control immediately once Stede returns - ‘I’m not captain anymore, you are.’
Even if it doesn’t always occur in the best of circumstances, I really like Ed’s respect for Stede’s captaincy.