Hey Descendants!
OMG, this is one of my favorite chapters!
We're so excited you all are finally here!
Happy reading!
Lots of Love,
-Dark-
"The fun has arrived!" Lilo sing-songs as she skips through the door with a blue plush pulled to her chest, its legs swinging-
Swinging?
He shakes his head.
Had he really-
What kind of stuffed animal had legs like that?
But yeah.
Whatever kind of toy it was, it had legs that were swinging as Lilo danced across the room to Carlos and Hiro's side.
Weird toy.
Not that Lilo carrying a toy was the weirdest thing he'd ever seen the woman do.
David's eyes widen as another figure dwarfs the doorway, having to bend his head slightly and turn to get his shoulders through the door.
The room suddenly falls silent as everyone stares up at the tall, broad man.
"A party." The man turns in his direction. His eyes guarded by a dark pair of sunglasses.
Sunglasses.
At night.
Okay, but why though?
Didn't that make it harder to see?
"Oh, lighten up, old-timer." Lilo snorts, "They're kids. People party. Remember fun?"
The man shakes his head as he shuts the door behind him.
"Fuck," Roy whispers nervously as he shifts back and forth and eyes the door.
Doug shakes his head, "No."
"I gotta go." Roy half apologizes before he takes off running.
"And where do you think you're going," The man asks as a hand slams down on Roy's back, snagging his collar before he can make it anywhere near the door, "Red?"
"Uh-uh-uh." Roy stutters, "Nowhere, sir."
"Good answer." He turns Roy around, "I'm told you're a kid. And kids party." He gestures to the rest of the room, "Go party."
Nani snorts as she walks over to the man, "Play nice, Bubbles." She punches the man's arm. "You're gonna give Roy a heart attack."
Bubbles?
That was Bubbles?
His new counselor?
The 'uncle' Hiro thought was going to get him and the rest of the VKs on a level no one else did?
How?
He slowly shakes his head as he takes a step back.
That guy screamed dangerous.
And it wasn't even his size that made all the red flags wave.
It was the way the man moved.
Like the air was afraid to get in his way.
And like he was trained to handle anything.
Weapons.
Villains.
Vks.
Troublemakers in general.
Oh, hell no.
"Cobra!" Hiro grins widely. "Glad ya could make it."
"I see." Bubbles raise an eyebrow over one of the dark lenses, "Mystery solved."
"Don't be like that. Our Chibi-chan didn't want Lilo to miss out on the fun." Hiro grins unabashedly.
"Did he?" Bubbles questions as he drops his head, clearly looking at Carlos.
His eye twitches, not liking how close the guy was to their Pup.
He and Mal end up moving simultaneously, slamming shoulder to shoulder between their fear-stricken Carlos and the overly imposing figure.
Named Cobra Bubbles.
Roy yelps at the sudden loss of his shield before he jumps behind Lonnie.
Bubbles looks around the room until his eyes land on Ben, "Ben." He greets. "I admire what you are doing here."
"Mister Bubbles," Ben smiles as he walks over, only to have Mal put her arm out to keep him behind her, "I am, so excited to finally meet you."
"As am I. And it's just Bubbles. Or Cobra." The towering man leans against the wall.
He and Mal exchange quick glances before he dips one shoulder.
Why would this guy even care that they were acting like a wall?
Did he even notice them?
He liked nothing about this situation.
He reaches behind him, grabbing Carlos by the wrist before he and Mal step back.
Mal had Ben.
Lonnie had Roy.
Where the fuck were Evie and Doug?
He glances behind him, nodding in approval when he finds Evie standing in front of Doug.
Not his favorite place for their Princess, but behind him and Mal was better than not.
And like hell was she going to give up Doug now.
He looks around the room again, not liking the silence.
Silent.
And all eyes on them.
"Cobra," David shakes his head, "C'mon. I'm sure Hiro didn't mean- Sorry," He rubs the back of his head as he shoots a glare at Hiro, "Hiro's an ass. I know how you hate crowds."
Crowds somehow formed near this guy?
And bothered him?
Something was capable of bothering this guy that screamed danger?
No wonder David said Cobra should be his choice if he ever had to go get T.
When he had to go get T.
The sidekicks would roll over in a heartbeat for this guy.
And there were very, very, very few villains that would dare think to tangle with him.
Okay, one.
And even this guy dwarfed him.
He thought Gil had been huge.
This guy was nearly as big as fucking Senior.
Senior was slender compared to this mass.
Nope.
He knew something was wrong.
Wanted nothing more than to believe David and Hiro, Nani and Lilo.
But this guy made electricity shoot through him.
Chilled him.
Scared him.
Cobra sighs, "I should've expected no less from Hamada." He turns back in their direction.
Even his voice sounded cold and dangerous.
Exasperated.
But still cold and dangerous.
He takes a deep breath when the man's eyes land on him, the sudden rush of air into his aching lungs making him realize he'd been holding his breath.
Stupid.
"This was one way to meet you all. I've been looking forward to this encounter." Cobra states, "Though I must say, for a group that grew up on an untamed Isle with no formal training, you move together like a coercive unit." His eyes drift to Lonnie, "But, I expected nothing less from a Li." He nods towards her respectfully.
His eyes narrow as he shifts to put himself more in front of Lonnie.
Not because she couldn't handle herself.
He just didn't like the way this guy was sizing them all up.
"Oh!" Lonnie blinks, "That's where I've seen you before!" She grins. "You're friends with my parents. Right, Commander?"
"Indeed." Cobra raises a hand to pull his glasses down, "I thoroughly enjoy their company and discipline. And your mother's tea."
What was happening here?
He felt lost.
His instincts were screaming this was a bad place to be, and the man in front of him was more dangerous than anyone he'd ever met before.
Maleficent didn't give off these kinds of vibes.
"Though I have to admit, it's been a long time since I was a commander." Cobra continues.
Why did this guy scare him?
His brow furrows as he looks around the room again.
This was not safe.
He catches David watching him.
"Sorry, brah," David rubs the back of his neck, only for all of them to turn at a scrape behind them.
"Dude," Hiro grins, "Sit, and stop pouting." He shoves the chair against the wall. "Here. Food. Chill."
Pouting?
"What the fuck am I missing here?" He snaps, wishing he had remembered to take a breath first.
He was getting stupid.
Slow and stupid.
One mistake, one missed opportunity to take a breath.
That's all it took to get dead.
But-
But David and Nani were friends with this guy.
Hiro was lolo, but he wasn't stupid enough to mess with a guy he-
What was he saying?
Hiro messed with Queen Leah.
And now he was telling this guy to stop pouting.
Pouting?
This man, who could easily kill everyone in this room without blinking?
Pouting?
Cobra pushes his glasses back up before he raises his hand over Hiro's head and drops it, anti-climatically with a dull thud.
And then, as if nothing had happened, he turns to him, "My apologies, Jay." He nods before he sits. "But, I'm going to need more clarification to explain the fuck you are missing."
He blinks at the sudden shift.
What?
Apologies?
He looks at Mal.
"He means how the fuck are you a counselor." Mal states. "Or why?"
He slowly nods before he points at Mal, "Yeah, something like that?"
Ben's lips twitch into a smile.
His heart was still racing.
Lungs still burning.
Everything in him was demanding that he get his people to safety.
All of them.
Everyone in the room besides Cobra Bubbles.
Lilo smiles as she skips into view before she steps in front of Cobra and whispers something before she steps away.
Leaving the blue plush to sit on top of Cobra's bald head.
"Ta-da!" Lilo beams at them.
Carlos snorts before he claps his hands over his mouth at the sudden noise.
But the Pup's laughter helped.
The Pup's laughter and Lilo's laughter.
Hiro was bent over as he cracked up, pointing at the stuffed animal Cobra Bubbles was still managing to balance on his head.
David's snort.
Nani's amused shake of her head.
And Lonnie.
Respectful Lonnie.
Giggling at the man she called Commander.
He watches Evie, but it doesn't take her long to dissolve into soft laughter at something Doug whispers in her ear.
"The fuck?" Roy slowly peeks over Lonnie's shoulder, only to snort.
Even Ben was struggling to not laugh.
He and Mal exchange another look.
They still seemed to be on the same page.
How was someone this dangerous okay with Lilo putting a stuffed animal on his head.
How did someone this dangerous come to be called uncle?
By anyone?
"Strange Ohana?" He asks stiffly, looking to David for confirmation.
David nods, "The strangest." He grins as he walks over to put his hand on Cobra's shoulder. "He's just uncomfortable."
Cobra sighs.
"Uncomfortable?"
"I like knowing what I'm walking into."
"Me too!" Carlos happily raises his hand.
Mal takes a deep breath before her shoulders relax.
"Uncomfortable?" He repeats.
That was this man's uncomfortable.
Get near me and die?
A corner of Cobra's lip twitches, "Everyone has their flaws."
"That's not a flaw. That's a defense network." He glares as he crosses his arms over his chest.
Cobra covers a snort. "One which I may have over cultivated."
"Don't worry, Jay," Lilo smiles as she plucks her stuffed animal off Cobra's head, "one of the first things I wanted to know about him was if he'd ever killed anyone."
"He has." He points out.
There was no hiding that.
This guy had seen shit.
Had done shit.
It was why he was having a hard time looking at the guy, but also couldn't look away.
Cobra turns to look him over before he nods. "In a different lifetime."
He blinks.
A different lifetime?
Like he didn't do that anymore?
Like he was not in top shape anymore?
"That's supposed to make it better?"
Cobra's lips twitch again, "Doesn't seem like it." His eyes sweep over him again before he turns to David. "I understand why you adopted him."
"He's a good kid, brah." David grins.
Cobra nods, "I can see that."
"So, like not active anything?" Roy asks.
"Dude." Doug drops his face to his hands.
Cobra shakes his head before he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small card, "You and me need to have a talk, Red."
"Haha, nah, pass man, I'm soooo good with not doing that." Roy snaps his fingers before he claps his hands together.
He was starting to feel like something was seriously wrong with him.
Must be if the only other person in the room still treating Cobra like a threat was Roy.
"So, perhaps you think David can help you with a better poker face, Stoner?" Cobra raises a brow.
Roy blinks, "Did I say pass? I meant, when's good for you?" He walks over and takes the card.
Just him then.
While Cobra is distracted with Roy, he takes a few more steps back.
He needed a moment.
Something was wrong.
Wrong with the situation.
Wrong with him.
Whatever it was, he didn't like it.
Mal glances over and nonchalantly follows.
He stops her when he makes it to the bathroom door, "I'm fine, Mal, just-"
"It's weird," Mal whispers.
"Please tell me he screams danger to you."
"Oh, like on every fuckin' level."
"At least I'm not fucking crazy." He sighs in relief.
"Nope." She shakes her head before she shoots a glance towards the massive man. "So, if you ditch me with him in the room, I will hurt you."
"I'm not ditching. I'm trying to calm down." He rolls his eyes, "Before I do more stupid shit."
She studies him before she looks away and sighs, "Ya didn't do anything stupid, but go on then."
He nods as he opens the door, "Just-" He hesitates-
"Wait, Evie, don't-" Lilo cautions.
"He looks just like that picture you showed me, the one of your dog." Evie smiles as she runs her hand over the toy.
"Ahhh," Lilo grimaces, "Cause he is."
Evie jerks her hand away as if she'd been burned, "What!?"
He narrows his eyes as he observes Evie.
"It's okay, he doesn't bite." Lilo quickly reassures her, "Well, not in like years."
"Please tell me that's a bad joke." Evie laughs nervously.
He sighs before he pushes off the door and runs over to Evie, pulling her behind him as he stares at the stuffed animal sitting in the chair.
"He used to be a bad dog." Lilo pouts, "But now he's a good puppy. I promise."
"I thought he wasn't a puppy." Carlos furrows his brow.
"He is when we're in public." Cobra's voice carries as he shoots a warning glance at Lilo.
"I know! I know. Cobra. But they're all like pretty much ohana." Lilo rolls her eyes.
"I said public." Cobra shrugs.
"So Stitch can be Ohana member now?"
He jumps back, keeping Evie pressed against him as he stares at the creature standing up.
The standing, talking, blue creature.
Lilo grins sheepishly, "Guess so." She walks over and takes his paw. "Evie, Jay, meet Stitch." She smiles.
"Hello." Evie smiles hesitantly as she looks around him.
"Hiii." Stitch opens and closes his paw several times.
"He's so cool!" Carlos grins as he dodges past him, "Can I pet you? I promise I'm nice."
Stitch sniffs him before he scurries up and onto his shoulder. "Pet Stitch now. Please."
"You are so soft and warm," Carlos grins as he runs his hands over Stitch's head, "you have to meet my friend, Dude."
"He is kind of cute." Evie nods as she slowly steps away from him.
"I thought so too." Lilo grins.
He frowns as he watches Carlos petting and scratching Stitch fearlessly.
Carlos.
He turns to find Mal with her mouth hanging open.
Oh good, not just him.
"Nope." He shakes his head before he walks off again.
He was not going to ruin this for Carlos.
Carlos, who was being braver than he'd ever seen before.
He loved it even as it terrified him.
He was so calm.
So happy.
He was rolling with it.
Finally.
After years of trying to teach the kid to roll with things, he was finally doing it.
"The fuck is happening?" Mal hisses in his ear as she clings to his wrist.
"Carlos is happy and brave, and I am not ruining that. I'm clearly the one with the problem, and Mal, you've never liked change."
She scoffs, "I-"
"I dare you to lie to me right now while all my nerves are on edge."
She huffs in indignation as she drops his arm, "Maybe a little." She turns away.
"Breath, you'll be fine." He shakes his head, "Strange Ohana, remember? I just, I just need to get myself straight or something."
Dangerous ohana. Scary, dangerous ohana.
No wonder these people took to them so quickly.
They were by no means the scariest things they'd ever seen.
She eyes him over before she sighs. "Right," She frowns. "Talk 'bout it later?"
He nods, "Duh, we all need to get on the same damn page."
She nods, "Good, go get your breather. I'll keep an eye on them."
He nods before he ducks into the bathroom.
This was stupid.
He takes a deep breath as he turns the sink on, watching the water run before he scoops some up to splash on his face.
David and Nani wouldn't have lied to him.
They weren't like that.
And Hiro was-
Hiro was very much like T, but T would never put anyone but himself in danger.
Himself?
Oh all-damn-day every day, but never anyone else.
And Lilo?
She was different, but that was one of the things he liked about her.
It wasn't just them though.
Lonnie relaxed once she recognized the man.
Doug never really reacted in the first place.
If Mal hadn't stopped him, Ben would have shaken the man's hand.
And even Roy calmed down.
He rolls his eyes.
Eventually.
What the hell made the hair on the back of his neck stand like that?
He looks up into the mirror as water drips down his face.
Everything.
Everything about the man had him on edge.
Had every instinct yelling at him.
He swallows.
The worst part of all was knowing-
Knowing! Beyond any doubt.
-that if he had to face off against Cobra Bubbles-
He wouldn't win, and Cobra wouldn't even break a sweat.
Not from a single man.
Not in a situation-
He laughs.
They'd been with friends.
The people adopting him and Carlos.
They'd been having a good time.
If they'd had music, it would have been a Howler.
He'd been having fun.
And then, just like that, it was like brushing up against the Isle again.
Except there were not many people on the Isle that gave off those kinds of vibes.
He laughs hollowly again.
And here he'd been picturing an adult version of Gil.
What the fuck was wrong with him?
Only Mal was agreeing with him, and no one was more paranoid than Mal.
That was never a positive thing.
He sighs as he grips the edge of the sink.
He needed to calm down.
Breathe.
Get his shit together.
He jerks away from the sink when he hears a soft knock at the door, pressing his back to the wall behind it.
Fuck.
He takes a slow, deep breath.
"Sup?"
The door clicks open before Lonnie slips into the bathroom.
He really needed to start locking doors.
"Hey," She smiles, shutting the door behind her before she leans against the wall.
"Hey." He sighs as he turns back to the sink and shuts the water off.
He hated this. Hated feeling so fucked up in front of her.
She bites her lip, "It's okay, you know." She glances at him. "It says a lot about you."
Yep, a whole lot.
He was paranoid of the new guy.
The guy the only adults he knew how to trust thought of as family.
He shrugs, "I know it's okay. I do. I'm not trying to upset anyone or anything. It's stupid-"
"It's not stupid." She frowns. "It's great instincts."
"What, knowing that guy is dangerous?" He shakes his head.
"No, knowing how dangerous." She corrects.
His brow furrows as he looks up, watching her in the mirror's reflection, "It's stupid that I can't turn it off."
"Why do you want to?"
"Because-" He bites his lip.
Because he wanted to trust her.
Trust David and Nani.
Trust Lilo and Hiro.
"I, you guys aren't freaking out." He eventually says.
She shrugs, "Your Ohana knows him. My parents speak fondly of him. I was freaked too. I got chills when he walked in. Every fiber of my being screamed run."
He slowly nods, "Me too."
"It's not stupid to know when you're outmatched."
He grimaces.
Was that all it was?
He'd already thought it; already run through several scenarios.
Had already determined that if he was going to make any moves, it would be to save as many people in the room as he could.
As many-
In a room full of people he cared about.
He blinks.
As many people as he could, knowing he would never be able to save everyone.
Not against someone that skilled and dangerous.
"You're a warrior, Jay, and a protective one." She states with a small smile, "It's not stupid to assess a situation. To recognize a lost battle when you see one. Live to fight another day is a quote for a reason. You were on guard, but you knew better than to attack. I saw it. Saw you racing to find a way to make sure everyone could be safe."
"There wasn't one." He admits bitterly, "Not a way to keep everyone safe."
"There wasn't." She runs a hand up and down her arm, "And if I didn't know him, I'm pretty sure I would've gotten sick."
He was still trying to convince his stomach to stay put.
"It, it feels wrong though." He shakes his head slowly.
"What does?" She frowns, "The sickness?"
He shakes his head, "No, not trusting David. Or Nani. Hiro, Lilo, you, Ben."
"It's not about trusting us," She slowly walks over to him, and presses a finger to his temple. "That's something you know," She lowers her finger and presses it over his chest, "something you feel. But those things," She lowers her finger again and pokes his gut, "Can't beat out instincts."
"So I'm doomed to be fucking terrified of the guy I have to talk to about my issues and shit."
That sounded like a whole new level of anxiety.
"Only if you let yourself be," She frowns, "Base reactions, base instincts- You can't fight those. They're inherent to you. After you take some time, after the adrenaline has worn off, after you have time to evaluate the situation, it won't be like that. You'll be able to push past that initial shock, and, well, register the fact he's a threat, but he's not a threat to you." She drops her hand to take his and squeezes.
He stares at their joined hands for several breaths.
He had been trying to take a moment.
Get away from the blaring signals telling him everyone was in danger.
Part of him had known to try that.
He just hadn't been able to think it as clearly as she could explain.
He bounces their hands in the air and smiles before he pulls her into a hug, "Do you ever get tired of it?"
"Of what?" She asks looking up at him in confusion.
"Being so fucking smart and right all the time?" He squeezes as he lays his head against her shoulder, happy to hide his face in her hair, "Or maybe just calm enough to be level-headed in new situations?"
She nuzzles against him, "You have instincts, I have instincts with discipline. That's the only difference between us."
He snorts, "That sounds like a nice way of saying I'm wild and uncivilized."
"What's wrong with that." She chuckles before she kisses his head.
"A lot, obviously." He sighs, "You kept it together, and I was like a wild animal or something."
"If it bothers you, we can work on discipline?"
He frowns as he pulls back to look at her, "Yeah?"
She nods, "Trust me, it's definitely an art you can learn."
He takes a deep breath as he nods, "We'll have to fit it in around the swimming, and then everything else once I'm allowed to actually work out again."
Allowed.
"It scared me. Watching, frozen, unable to help. I don't think I've ever felt my heart in my throat before, but watching you get hit by her tail," She bites her lip. "I don't like seeing you hurt. And like fuck am I letting you hurt yourself out of stubbornness if I can help it this time."
He grimaces at the memory but thankfully stops himself before he can rub a hand over the painful throb.
Painful because he'd tensed up and forgot to breathe.
"Fair." He clears his throat before he hooks a strand of hair and pulls it from her face, "Think you can do me a favor then?"
She tilts her head to the side, "Depends on the favor."
"I trust your discipline more than I trust my instincts right now." He admits with a sigh, "Think you can keep Mal out of trouble. She's paranoid. And it was, uncomfortable, seeing something with claws crawling all over Carlos, even if it was cool to see him so brave."
She nods, "I'll do my best."
He smiles, "That's all I need." He hesitates before he presses his lips to her cheek, "And, thanks. For following me. Knowing I wasn't, you know, completely okay and, yeah."
She blushes as she looks away, "As I said, I don't like seeing you hurt."
"That means a lot to me." He smiles, "And, just so you know, I didn't step in front of you because I thought you couldn't handle yourself. I just, the idea-" He shakes his head.
She smiles up at him, "If it helps, it didn't bother me when you did it."
He sighs, "It helps a lot."
On the Isle that would have told the enemy he thought she was weak, or that she was his weakness.
Or it could have told the enemy that she was valuable.
And she was. Valuable.
"Good," She nods, "You worry enough without adding that to your list."
He snorts, "Yeah." He takes another deep breath, "I'll be out soon. Promise."
"Then I best go keep Mal company," She nods before she turns, pausing for a moment before she turns and kisses his cheek, "You're gonna feel exhausted, and that's normal too, just so you know."
He smiles as he nods, "Thanks for looking out for me."
"Thanks for letting me," She smiles before she continues out the door and shuts it behind her.
It was nice to know Lonnie had his back.
Nice to know she cared so much about him.
He takes a deep breath as he lets his head fall back against the wall.
It did make him feel a lot better to know her alarms had gone off too, that she had understood what happened to him.
It helped to be able to label it.
He knew Cobra was dangerous.
He knew David and Nani wouldn't lie to him.
He knew Lonnie knew how to handle herself.
He just wasn't sure he knew it all at once.
Head.
Heart.
Gut.
He smiles at Lonnie's breakdown.
Was it that easy?
He knew he knew things.
He believed the things he felt.
But his instincts were so high it blocked the rest out?
He frowns.
That didn't sound safe.
He taps his fist against the side of the sink before he turns the water on again.
Being this on edge with Cobra still felt like a betrayal.
David and Nani were adopting him.
They had a strange ohana.
Cobra was part of it.
After everything they'd done for him, were doing for his pack and the others on the Isle, shouldn't that be enough?
And boom goes the dynamite.
That was certainly one way to make an introduction.
Hiro can be such a twat.
Surprised Cobra isn't a fan of parties?
LoLz
We definitely took some liberties with Bubbles. Mostly with his quirks.
Do you like how dry we made him?
And Stitch finally made his intro!
Don't get used to it. That little blue adorable monster is a destroyer of plot, so he's going to be in Hawaii for 99.99% of this fic. So enjoy what lil' bit of him you can.)
Cute right?
C letting him crawl over him without so much as a flinch.
Kudos Pup Kudos.
LoLz.
Jay being *narrows eyes* embarrassed? *Dark help me…* About being on Mal's paranoid as fuck page.
(I mean, yeah, a little embarrassed. But also confused. Twisted did a great job with Lonnie in this scene. I love the way she broke it all down for Jay.-Dark)
Loved writing Lonnie in this one.
What did you think of the bathroom scene?
Can't wait to hear your thoughts on this one!
Fave Quote:
"It's not about trusting us," She slowly walks over to him, and presses a finger to his temple. "That's something you know," She lowers her finger and presses it over his chest, "something you feel. But those things," She lowers her finger again and pokes his gut, "Can't beat out instincts."
-Lonnie
(Lolz, I see we both loved this.-Dark)
Fucks wrong with me?
I swear I'm not this arrogant in RL.
But I keep loving my own shit…
The fuck am I?
Senior?
Ugh.
Gross.
Much love and shit
-Twisted