Disclaimer: I own nothing. Everything belongs to Descendants, or Ginny's AU. I'm just playing in it.
Wow this chapter took me a while to get out. I really struggled with this one. I don't exactly recall my thought process at five haha
I'm glad I split the chapters in to 2. Three THOUSAND words. Sheesh. And we're not even at the meat yet.
Still world building.
I hope you guys enjoy! Reviews/critiques or suggestions are welcome.
Mal held Hadie's hand as they made their way out of the Underworld. After their mom had given them the once over, she ok'd them to head to Ursula's. Estelle trotted alongside them as Hadie tried to match his sister's gait, her legs used to navigating the streets even though she wasn't that much taller than him. Mal's fae blood had only just let her break four feet tall at the age of eleven. Hadie on the other hand seemed to inherit their dad's height, already over three feet tall even though he was half Mal's age. He felt her let go of his hand and guide him by the shoulder as they moved into more public territory. Admittedly nervous himself, he felt his sister's hand tense as they approached the docks. She relaxed a moment later when they finally spotted her main crew.
"Mal!" Uma waved them over. Jay and Harry straightened up as they approached.
"Hey Little Lord," Harry greeted Hadie, grinning as Hadie pouted back with a glare.
"Aah, ignore him, Hadie," said Jay, wrapping an arm around the five-year old's shoulders. The thief offered a fist, which Hadie bumped enthusiastically. Harry simply laughed.
"Welcome to the Docks, Little Lord," the pirate waved a hand towards the ships behind him.
The motion caught Uma's eye, who had been busy talking to Mal.
"Hey mini, Cuz," she greeted. "Celia's already on board with the crew, so you'll be able to talk after the meeting."
"Alright," He mumbled. "I thought we were going to Aunt Ursula's?"
"Eh, we're close enough. We'll head there afterwards before your mom comes to pick you up. This meeting is just to introduce you to the rest of the crew," replied Uma.
Hadie tensed. The whole crew? He wasn't sure he was ready to meet so many people yet.
"Aww, you getting shy on us little bro?" teased Mal. She pulled Hadie close to her side as they all started to walk up the jumbled planks that were the docks. Uma fell in step with them, standing on Mal's other side where the edge met the water. Jay and Harry followed behind the godlings, their eyes constantly surveying the area.
"Don't worry about meeting them all individually yet, plenty time for that some other day. It's just important that they know who you are."
"ALL AT ATTENTION, CAPTAINS COMING ABOARD!"
More shouts rose up and Hadie could feel tremors beneath his feet as he walked up the gangplank. As they reached the top of the walk, he could see a little more than ten other kids scurrying around. Barrels and crates had been gathered and placed on the main deck in a half circle facing a cabin to their left. A girl that could only be Uma's sister was sat on the stairs' banister that led up to the helm above the cabin. She looked thoroughly bored as she shuffled a deck of playing cards.
A lanky, red-haired boy approached as the rest of the crew got settled.
"Welcome back, Captains," he greeted. He had his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showing of a variety of knots and scars across his arms.
"Hey, Henry," replied Uma. "Everyone present and accounted for?"
"All the Wharf Rats at least," Henry informed them. "Just waiting for Harriet's crew, now."
"We saw them on the way up, so they know to be here soon," spoke Mal.
With a nod, Henry stationed himself by the gangplank, keeping a lookout for the Hook sibling's crew. Once he had stepped to the side, Uma led the Rotten Four and Hadie up the stairs. As they approached, Celia kicked her feet back and forth, using the momentum to swing herself off the banister, landing in front of her older sister.
"About time you lot got here," The five-year-old girl crossed her arms and glared. "I was starting to get bored."
"Gods forbid that ever happens, Squirt," Uma rolled her eyes at her little sister. Noticing Harriet arrive out of the corner of her eye, she continued speaking, "Now c'mere, we need to get this meeting started."
The granddaughter of Poseidon pulled her half-sister close, and led her back up to the banister before the helm. The rest of their little posse lined up slightly behind. Though Estelle leaped up one of the boxes off to the side and sat down, staring out happily to survey in several directions.
"Alright, you lot!" called out Uma.
There was a brief scramble for all the Wharf Rats to take a seat. Behind them, Harriet and her small crew stood off by the main mast.
"I'll be brief. We have a newbie to introduce today, one you all need to keep your wits about every second they're around. One of us. Exactly to the same level I asked you all to watch over my sister, Celia, the first time she was here."
Uma glanced at Mal, signaling it was the co-captain's turn to step forward. Mal pulled Hadie forward, who looked on nervously. He didn't quite manage to peek over the banister, and had to use the low step box that Mal also stood upon.
"As you all know, I'm Lord Hades' errand rat."
Hadie tried to hide his grimace. Their parents had explained that Mal couldn't be open about being their daughter, in fear of Maleficent or some other idiot villain tried to make a power play. In the open of the Isle, he was the only child of Hades and Persephone. More specifically, the only child of Hades.
"As part of our deal, providing us provisions of food and water, we in turn maintain his side of the Isle. He's adding on to that starting today."
Hadie could feel all the eyes begin to focus on him. It wasn't like he was a secret. The few times he'd been out and about on the Isle were on his mama's walks. Though his name wasn't exactly common knowledge. He couldn't recall a single time his mama had said his name aloud in earshot of anyone not in the know.
"This," Mal placed a hand on Hadie's shoulder, the closest amount of affection and comfort she could offer in public. "– is Lord Hades and Lady Persephone's son, Hadie. We're to look out for him when he's outside of their Cave."
Mal had to wait a minute for the mutters to settle. No one was upset, but she also knew they didn't really have a choice. This was Lord Hades after all. He'd even been by that morning for the weekly fresh water drop off. Then the crew wouldn't have to run to the restaurant all the time, they had their own supply.
"He's not allowed to go in other parts of the Isle, so there isn't really a need to babysit him. Neutral center of town, and Lord Hades' side only. Should that ever change, I'll let you know. Just know he's mainly my responsibility, as the errand rat, but if I'm not around it'll be up to you guys."
Hadie could see the other kids start to nod. Those were generally considered the safest areas. No one tried anything against kids, and most danger was at night. Otherwise, it came down to enemy gangs trespassing which was pretty rare. If he were honest with himself, he probably wasn't going to be out that much anyways. Not without Mal or mama. At least not for a couple more years.
"At least he'll be easy to keep an eye on," shouted a boy with black hair. "He's got Lord Hades' blue hair!"
"Only idiots would try to mess with someone so obviously related," came another shout.
"Especially now that the Wharf Rats have him covered!"
The mirthful laughs that followed helped Hadie relax. They all seemed nice. Chaotic, but nice. Waving shyly, he and Mal stepped down, letting Uma come back up.
"That pretty much concludes today. We'll have our actual meeting next week. Should any of you rats need us, we'll be at my mama's. And heads up, Lady Persephone is picking up Hadie from there and helping run Lord Hades' restaurant today. No overcrowding, but feel free to introduce to the little Prince if a chance presents itself."
Stepping back down, Uma dismissed the gathering. The crew's noise picked back up, chattering excitedly. Lady Persephone around at the restaurant meant extra food.
"Come on you lot, let's head to Mama's."
Hadie eyeballed Celia as they moved across the docks and into Aunt Ursula's restaurant. He wouldn't be eating here. Not when he could enjoy his parents' cooking in just over an hour. He instead accepted a cup of water from one of his aunt's many arms. Ursula and her minions might survive with salt water, but her patrons didn't. Since she was family and had taken a bit of her business, his dad had supplied her with fresh water too. Not that Ursula minded the loss of customers. Less cooking for her and more time to enjoy her soap operas. As the closest building to Auradon, she seemed to be able to get more than the dungeon and news channel. Not that she let anyone else see the tv in her room. Or see her room at all.
Glancing back at Celia out of the corner of his eye, he caught her looking at him. She was shuffling her deck again absentmindedly. The Rotten Four were joking around, messing with one of the unconscious patrons that had fallen asleep over their drink.
It'd be weird to just introduce himself, since they technically knew each other's names. It didn't help there were many other kids their age to practice social skills with. Fewer even made it past a couple of years old.
'Looks like she's bored enough to make the first move,' thought Hadie. Sure enough, Celia walked over. Her hands never stopping for a moment from shuffling the cards.
"Pick a card, any card," she said.
Deciding to humor her, Hadie picked one without a thought. 'Huh, Jack of Spades. Fitting.'
Celia moved her cards back together and split the deck in half. She then sandwiched the card in Hadie's hand, taking it back. The shuffling started back up again.
"So why haven't I ever seen you around before?" Celia said, trying to start a conversation.
"My parents' never really wanted me out by myself," he shrugged. "Isle's not really safe, y'know?"
"So, they're babying you?" she laughed. "The Isle will never be safe if you're not prepared for it."
Hadie couldn't help but feel embarrassed. He had heard the Isle was dangerous. Had seen some of its effects, at least distantly. But he never had to deal with the more ruthless villains. He didn't even have to worry about starving to nearly the degree the other kids did. Food would always be there. Family, would always be there. Lying and keeping his emotions in check the way his sister would talk about, just wasn't him.
"We're five, the same age as when our sisters were allowed to run rampart," he pointed out.
"Learn young, learn fast. Or you're dead," glared Celia.
Hadie glared right back. "Not me."
"Everyone dies one day," warned Celia. "This your card?"
His brow furrowed. Those weren't the cards she'd been using before…
The deck in her hands were tarot now. And the card in her hand was Death.
"You're hilarious," Hadie deadpanned.
"Better watch yourself," she warned.
"Or what?" Hadie couldn't help but scoff. He didn't understand what this feeling was. Indignant, insulted.
"My daddy drilled it into me, and he's never been wrong," the youngest daughter of Facilier stomped a foot. "Death. Comes. For. Everyone!"
Hadie couldn't help but just shake his head.
"Go ask your daddy who my dad is, because Death certainly isn't coming for me."
Celia proceeded to ignore him until his mama came.
Hadie was relieved when Persephone showed up early. With a quick bye to Mal's gang and a nod to Celia that went ignored, Hadie grabbed his mama's hand and started their trek to town.
"I take it that didn't go well, sweetie?"
Hadie blushed.
"Was it that obvious?"
Persephone pulled him to the side of the street and into a hug.
"Not everyone is immediate friends," she said, running her hand through his hair.
"I just…I get lonely sometimes, Mama," Hadie whispered, his hands clenching the fabric of his mother's skirt. "And Celia called me a baby!"
Persephone frowned. She knew on the Isle that it was all part of the attitude. Rude and tough. Even Hades admitted that they were overprotective of Hadie. They always would be. Where they hadn't been able to conceal Mal from the horrors of the Isle, they would do their best to make their son a diamond in the rough.
Kneeling further down, Persephone heaved her son onto her hip.
"I wouldn't mind if it were true, you're starting to get too big for me to pick up!"
The Goddess nuzzled his cheek, tickling him with her nose.
"Mama," pouted Hadie.
Laughing, Persephone restarted their walk to the restaurant.
"Maybe you can talk to Uma next time she comes by, ask her how to understand her sister more," softly spoke Persephone.
"Maybe," Hadie nodded, his head tucked into the crook of his mama's neck. He grimaced, thinking how adamant Celia talked about Death.
"Something else, my little torch?"
The little prince couldn't help but smile. It had been one of his parents' new nicknames for him after managing to create his own fireball a couple weeks ago. A pale blue flame, just like his dad's, danced across his fingertips near the end of one of their lessons.
Remembering Celia's words, he snuggled closer into Persephone's arms.
"She…she kept bringing up Death," his voice was quiet in his mama's ear. "How it comes for everyone."
"And what did you say in response?"
"That it wouldn't come for me, but then she pulled a Death tarot on me," panic began to creep into his voice. "She went on about how her dad was never wrong and that it comes for everyone and when I said she should learn who my dad is, she stopped talking to me the rest of the time I was there!"
The Goddess of Spring tightened her arms around her son. Being deities of the Underworld was hard enough on her and Hades as adults. But growing up around mortals and having to deal with Death even second hand? It worried them.
It worried them even more if Hadie couldn't gain the social skills they knew he'd need if he ever got off the Isle. And then he'd still have to deal with his friends eventually dying. Hades already had to deal with the isolation. Neither god wanted the same to happen to any of their children.
"If she brings it up to Uma or her father, you can expect her to come around," spoke Persephone.
"You think so?" asked Hadie.
"I'm positive," his mother smiled at him. "Now how about we get my growing little boy a snack while I help your dad in the kitchen?"
They walked through the restaurant, a couple of the Wharf Rats already huddling in one of the corners. Alone in the kitchen, Hades openly smiled at his wife and son. Taking Hadie from Persephone, he set their son on a tall stool next to the cubby counter. It was covered in papers that varied between more Underworld work and spreadsheets keeping track of supplies.
"We're going to get to work, short flames," his dad said as he cleared some of the papers into an accordion file that was under the counter. "I've got some fries you can snack on if you get peckish." He placed a thicker pile of papers on a further counter next to the kitchen pantry.
A kiss from his mama and a ruffling of his hair by dad, his parents set to work. They prepped ingredients and double checked their stock with the papers his dad had moved before.
Grabbing his mom's bag, Hadie pulled out one of his books about monsters and settled down to read.
It was a few hours after the lunch rush that the door could be heard opening again. Hades was helping Hadie practice his counting with the small amount of money brought in by the few adults, while Persephone kept an eye on the counter.
"H-hello?" sounded a small voice.
The family looked up to find a small curly pile of red hair peeking out from above the counter. Colorful ribbons tying it up.
"Hey there, hon, what can I get for you?" asked Persephone, leaning on the counter to get a better look at their latest customer. Wearing a colorful patchwork dress was a young girl about Hadie's age.
"Um, my mom gave me some money and said to ask if you had any chicken left?"
"We certainly do, two servings coming right up," Persephone turned to head into the kitchen.
"W-wait, mom only gave me enough for one serving!" exclaimed the girl.
"Didn't she tell you, hon? Kids eat free here," replied Persephone.
Hadie hopped off the stool as his dad got up to help his mom prepare the order. He quietly passed through the kitchen door that led to the front counter and peeked around the corner.
Eyes behind large round glasses stared back at him.
"H-hi," the girl said. "Are you here for food too?"
"My parents own this place, so I'm just hanging out today," answered Hadie. "I'm Hadie, what's your name?"
"That's great! Your parents have the best restaurant on the Isle. My grandma runs the shop next door," there was no stutter this time, just word after word pouring from the girl's mouth excitedly. "It's the Curl Up and Dye, haircuts and styling needs!"
'Wow she talks a lot,' Hadie thought. He couldn't help but smile though, her energy was…infectious, to say the least.
"Oh! I'm Dizzy, by the way. Dizzy Tremaine."