Welcome to Wednesday fellow Descendants!

So, we've run into a little trouble with our Friday hangouts. Right now Twisted and I are not writing in the same house, so we're not sure how to do Dark and Twisted live. If anyone has a suggestion for us, please let us know.

But back to the chapter. This week we're checking in with Deez and Gil who are back at the cove. What progress is going to be made? And why accidental? We hope you enjoy.

Lots of love

-Dark-

Gil smiles as he holds up the newly forged sword he'd finally deemed fit for his captain.

The balance was nearly perfect.

The guard; gorgeous but strong, just like Uma.

The hilt was the real masterpiece though. He and Deez spent days carving and smelting creative additions most would envy.

His eyes sweep over the other swords they'd managed to create. He smiles at the two shortened great swords. It had been fun to test them out. It had been forever since he and Deez sparred.

Carlos's formula was perfect. His grin widens. He would've hugged him if he was here right now. The swords stayed strong through the clash. It was an amazing feeling as the sword's creator to feel how smoothly it moved, quickly slicing through the air with each powerful swing. He hoped that's how the others felt with their swords.

His grin falters as his eyes land on the last sword.

T.

His eyes narrow before he reverently sets Uma's sword on the anvil and walks over to T's. He hoped it was nothing but improved over the last one. After all, the only reason he found this passion was because of T.

He had only been too eager to take him up on his offer. Their swords had been laughable before, but now?

Not anymore.

All because T came up with a brilliant idea and figured out how to get it started and what they needed. Then Carlos, Deez, and to his surprise, even he collaborated to build the sharpest, sturdiest blades on the isle.

Sure it had been touch and go there at first. Every little crack and warp had tried to throw them off and make them give up. But together, they'd figured out how to solve nearly any issue.

He wasn't sure he'd ever felt so proud of himself, or so grateful to others. Without C taking such a huge risk, Deez trusting herself enough with her fire, and T dedicating half a month to knowing everything there was to know about smithing in the books he got, he never would have been able to create such beautiful pieces.

He wanted T here at the cove with them. Not laid out on the ship.

He wanted to hear Harry and T bantering while they tested the swords, not just the tang of the hammer as he beat back his fears and uncertainties.

He missed Carlos, Deez, and T conspiring new ideas for book club, ways to integrate better survival and safety into their perspective gangs. Missed them working on their own separate projects.

Everything had changed so quickly. So quickly and so many times.

He wanted to know how T, the kid he'd looked up to since he called him Dagger, got caught and ended up in his condition. How could that happen to him?

It wasn't easy to stand when the waves kept knocking you down. But as the anchor, he couldn't let the shifting sands beneath his feet waver his stance. He needed to stay strong and stable for Deez, Harry, Uma, and T. For his family.

He was pretty sure that was part of the reason Uma had requested they stay with Yensid.

To stay at the cove.

To stay away from them.

Uma hadn't wanted to expose them to the full extent of what happened. And part of him was grateful to her for that. He didn't want to see one of the people he looked up to and cared for in the shape T must be in. The rest of him was embarrassed that was the case.

Deez. Deez had only seen T's legs and he may not know a lot about medicine, but he knew enough about burns to know they usually didn't bleed, at least not until they were healing. He didn't want to think about what had caused that puddle of blood. He shakes his head as he shoves T's sword back in the sand.

He needed two people to test T and Uma's swords. Maybe he could get James and Harry to try them out? That would work. He grins. That way he'd know he wasn't giving them anything short of the best. He just needed to finish one last project.

He cracks his neck, rolling his head and shoulders before looking at the half smithed staff. They were running out of the metal T had collected, and without Carlos, he was worried they wouldn't know what metals were what to mix the formulas.

He was pretty sure that Deez would be able to figure it out. He just didn't know what was going to be more difficult, finding more metal or figuring out which metals they were.

Either way, they needed more materials if they were going to finish Yensid's staff and make the cannonballs.

He walks over to the hollowed out shelves to pull out their last two cubes to drop in the thick stone bucket Deez had constructed to melt metal in. Or at least he was going to before he hears his name screamed so shrilly it makes his hair stand on end.

He drops the metal into the sand as he bolts out of the cave.

"Gil!"

He hears again, with more desperation laced through it, making him curse himself for not being quicker on his feet. He skids to a halt when he finds himself staring at a water-filled pool in awe.

Why was it filled?

Then it hits him where Deez must be.

Without thought he races into the icy brine, ignoring his chattering teeth and the stinging of the water as it laps higher and higher before he dives below the surface.

His eyes burn as he searches.

This thing wasn't that big! Where the fuck was she? His eyes widen when he finally spots white.

He kicks towards her, pulling her to his chest before he breaks the surface of the water with a gasp.

"Got ya." He holds a screaming Deez to his chest as he wades to the shallow part of the pool, completely unaware of the way his arms were trembling around the nearly drowned treasure in his arms.

His mind could only focus on one thing. Deez. He peppers kisses over the crown of her head as he holds her close. Whispering reassurances in her ears as he struggles to keep her pressed tight against him. "I-I've got y-ya bab-baby-y girl, you're o-okay. I'm n-not gonna l-let anything happen to you." He winces at his own attempts.

He was struggling to breathe, nearly gasping every time the water lapped higher at his chest. The frigid brine was a bitter reminder of where he was. Damn it.

But like hell was he letting her out of the water now, she'd be out of sight in seconds. In his state, he'd be next to worthless at keeping up with her. He wasn't sure he'd ever been this close to being a Gil-cicle.

Her screams eventually taper down to whimpers as her struggle against him ceases. Her arms wrap around his neck. "S-s-sorry." She sobs as she shakes in his hold.

And then, everywhere she was pressed against him warms.

Gil's whole body slumps as tension seeps from his shivering muscles. His head falls back as he presses her closer, curling around her heat. "Thank you," He sighs in relief as he kisses the top of her head. "It's okay baby girl, you're doing a great job. Look at you. You're in the water. I'm so proud of you."

Her arms tighten around his throat before one hand suddenly shifts to press to the wall behind him. "It's cold." She whimpers.

"I hadn't noticed." Gil teases.

Deez lets out a garbled noise of pure frustration.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding." Gil chuckles as he places a kiss to her temple. "Love you." He sighs in contentment as the rock behind him slowly heats up, warming his back. "You are a little genius. This feels great."

"Supposed to heat first." She half grumbles through another sob.

"I don't know, my muscles have never felt so loose before." He gives her a goofy grin as he cups her warm chin, staring into her glassy blue eyes before he thumbs away her tears. He kisses her forehead again. "I doubt this is how you wanted to show off your project."

Deez takes a deep breath as she stares back at him before she nods. "It just started filling, and- and I couldn't reach the top." She shakes her head, "And you just jumped in and saved-" She growls, "It was cold and you didn't-" She shakes her head, letting strands of wet hair fall to obscure her face, "I hate this!" She half screams as she trembles harder.

Gil tightens his hold on her, pulling her to him so their bodies are flush together as he runs his other hand over her head and through her hair. "I'd jump in every time if it meant saving you. Just like you would for me." He leans forward and kisses her, "And I know you hate the water, but I'm so proud of you. You're doing so great right now." He squeezes her. "I can't wait to see the look in Uma's eyes when she sees how far you've come."

She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath as she slowly shakes her head, "Is the water better?"

"Much, thank you." He nudges her temple with his chin. "You really are our little Treasure. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You wouldn't have to dive into freezing water to save my stupid ass." Deez points out bitterly.

"Aww, come on Deez, you know that rescuing damsels is my favorite thing to do." He tries to cheer her up.

Deez blinks before they lock eyes again. Slowly, painfully slowly, her furrowed brow relaxes and she half-smiles, "I guess it's dumb to be mad at myself right now. I just," She sighs deeply, "I hate this fear, and I hate that it keeps hurting my family."

"I think," he kisses her brow, "That we all have fears that we need to work on. Every one of us, and you're the first to take the steps to face them. That's more than any of us have ever done. Our fears are just better at hiding."

"It is hard to miss a fear of water when the majority of your family are pirates," Deez grumbles.

"Well, that's true, but it's what makes you even more of a precious Treasure. You're willing to face your fears so you can live with us. That's commitment, that's dedication. That's love. The fact we mean so much to you. That you're willing to brave your fear to stay? It fills me with this warmth I can't describe. But appreciate it so much."

Deez bites her lip as she shakily settles her hands on his shoulders. "I guess I never thought of it like that. I just-" She shakes her head before she looks away.

"Well, that's what family is for, to see things we would be blind to otherwise." He tilts his head to the side thoughtfully, "It's hard to see things that we're doing. Like I used to be confused about Uma kicking me outta the Chip Shop 'till I realized she was just trying to keep up our image and protect me from her mom." He frowns. It had been weeks since Uma had worked at the shop. He couldn't remember the last time she'd taken so much time off work. He knew she was sending members of the crew in her stead, but he was still worried about what the sea witch would do to her, if, and that was a soft if, Uma decided to go back.

He hoped she didn't. It would be nice to just focus on being a real family for a while.

His chest aches at the thought of his missing family. Uma and Harry were going to be sad to miss this. Not Deez almost drowning herself of course, but her first real swimming lesson.

He knew they were going to lose it over Deez's pool and T was going to be so proud of her for coming up with and executing such an awesome idea. Might even use it himself once he was better.

He shakes his head when he hears Deez sigh deeply, pulling himself from his thoughts.

"Being in the water isn't so bad when you're here," She grimaces as she pushes her hair out of her face again, "as long as you don't let me go."

He can't help the boyish grin that pulls at his lips. "Never." He promises her with a squeeze. "I will never let anything happen to you. Not if I can help it. You're our Treasure to be protected. Especially when it took so long for you to see you belong with us. I mean you've always been ours, will always be ours. So much so, even T could see it," he chuckles. "But to have you finally see it- It means the world to me- To all of us."

Deez smiles as she shakily adjusts herself in his arms, flinching every time the water lapped close to her throat.

"I've gotcha Deez." He kisses the center of her forehead as he adjusts his hold on her. He smiles when her legs reflexively wrap around his hips so he can support her better and ensure her head stayed out of the water.

"I know you do." She smiles, "You always have." She looks down at the water before quickly looking back up, "And, I don't think it was just me not seeing I belong," her brow furrows as she stares at him thoughtfully, "I think I've always been more comfortable as an observer, or something. Cause I've wanted to be with Uma for as long as I can remember." She sighs, "I guess it's more complicated than I realized because I did feel like I couldn't belong. My fire, my father, not liking the gang thing… There was a lot."

His brown eyes sweep over her, warmth bubbling in his chest as he holds her tighter. "Good, I'm glad you could at least see it." He kisses the corner of her lips, unable to help himself, wanting to chase away the small pout. "And of course it was more comfortable being an observer, being a part of something like we have- It takes trust, vulnerability, and an openness that's frowned on. It's not always comfortable to know you hurt or disappointed the people who love you. And we all love you. But it's going to happen, just know it happens less over time once you adjust to the new way to live. It's scary. And it's definitely uncomfortable, but it's worth it." He assures her, the tenderness in his voice surprising even himself.

"Trust me. I know." He lifts one hand to tuck her hair behind her ear. "I hope you tell Uma that. That you've always wanted to be with her. I know she'll lose her mind to hear that." He chuckles. "Because to Uma, you've always been hers." His thumb brushes her cheek gently. "As for complicated, things are only as complicated as you let them be. No one else felt like you couldn't belong, that was just your insecurities getting the better of you. But that's okay too. We'll help you see that you are worth it. That you're ours and belong with us. That all of us belong together and make each other stronger." He hugs her tightly.

"I-" She wraps her fingers into his hair at the back of his neck, though he couldn't miss the way she continued to shake, "It does take a lot of openness. And, and sometimes I don't know what's okay to talk about, what's going to hurt you or Uma and Harry. T got really good at," She sighs, "Being in the wrong place at the right time, but even knowing things about each other didn't make it easier for us to talk about things. I'm just," She shrugs, "I never know what to say about myself or what I'm thinking, or feeling. That's why that stupid letter was so hard."

Gil chuckles, "You'll adjust. I know it had to be easier with the Core. I don't think they were nearly as…" His eyes narrow, "Open, I guess, with each other as we are." He tilts his head to the side, "And you've gotta be missing them. I know I'm missing Carlos and even Jay. They were good people. I don't think any of us can really blame you not wanting to choose between the two of us. They needed you. Your gentleness, your innocence, your ability to see them for more than what they presented to the rest of the isle. You've always had the gift to see what's under the masks we wear. And I think we, all eight of us appreciate that or we wouldn't have stuck around this long. Wouldn't have fought over you like we did." He nuzzles his cheek against hers.

"And," He kisses away her confusion, "I know it hurts, even if you haven't wanted to mention it. Hurts that you can't see them anymore. Hurts that you finally got what you wanted, but didn't think about what it would do to you. Hurts that you miss them. And that's okay Deez. You're allowed to have your emotions. Allowed to feel those things. To talk about them. And sure, it might sting a little, but it's nothing that will change how we feel about you. If anything it's just a reminder of why we love you so much. Why writing letters is so important. We can't lose you, and now you don't have to choose. Don't have to hurt them, or us. It's simpler now, but painful. And I think I can speak for all of us when I say we understand."

Deez's blue eyes blink up at him as they turn glassy again, her face scrunches up painfully before she leans forward pressing her cheek to his, "I do miss them." She chokes out as her hands fall limp against his back.

"Deez…" He pulls back to cup her chin as he thumbs away the tears freely falling down her cheeks. "That's okay. It would be weird if you didn't. You love them, and in their own ways I'm sure they love you. I'm sure they're torn up leaving you like this, just like you're torn up about missing them… But this is what you've spent your whole life working towards, and the best we can do is hope they lay a good path for the rest of us to follow. That your letters, which I've noticed you've been avoiding writing, continue to reach the king. That this isn't a forever thing. That maybe one day, we'll see them again. And when we do, they'll be happy to see us too. But 'til then, no one's going to blame you for missing them."

"It helps, knowing you miss Carlos and Jay too," Deez admits softly.

"I think Harry does too," Gil admits softly. "Book club really helped to bridge our gangs together. And T mentioned he'd take the hit and drug Mal, and collect you and the others to bring to the ship if anything seriously big ever happened on the isle. And Uma never once told him off for it. Because she knows how much they mean to you."

Deez tilts her head to the side, pressing her cheek into his palm, "I didn't know that." She sighs as her eyes dip back to the water and she shivers, "Do we have to keep talking in the water?" She asks with a pout, "I feel like you're doing this on purpose."

Gil chuckles, "Maybe…" He kisses away her pout as he holds her closer to him, barring her from escaping as he shifts to the deeper end, careful to keep her head above the water. "It certainly takes you running out of the picture."

"I won't run!" She cries through gritted teeth as she twitches in his arms, which only makes him smile. He knew she wanted to fight him, but was too afraid of either hurting him or drowning. Knowing Deez, probably in that order.

"I'm just joking Deez." He assures her with a tight squeeze, "But look at how much more comfortable you've gotten since we started. You're doing so great right now, and are really making me proud of you."

She closes her eyes as she takes shallow breaths, "I'm not though." She blindly searches, patting and running her hand along his chest, shoulder, and arm until she locates his hand and presses it to her chest.

He frowns at the rapid thumping beneath his hand, before he sighs. "Alright…" He nods his head. "This has probably been enough torture for the day." He admits, "Besides, Uma'll be upset if she isn't here for your first real lesson anyways. For now, why don't we just spend each day easing into this? We'll spend a little bit more time every day in here while you get adjusted to the water, and let you realize it's not what hurt you…"

"Okay." Deez trembles as she nods in agreement.

Gil nods in approval before he braces himself to stand. It was going to suck getting out of the water if the cold stinging his face was any indication. He slowly makes his way back to the shallow end.

"Next time I get to warm it up first though." She whispers as she presses one hand to his cheek and slowly heats up.

"Sounds like a plan to me." Gil chuckles as he holds her closer, nearly curling around her for the warmth once he's completely out of the water before he all but races to the cave.

Deez smiles as she settles against Gil's side after throwing his jacket over him.

They needed to hit up the hangout if they were going to keep sleeping at the cove like this. She might not need pillows and blankets, but Gil did.

She presses her cheek to his chest and wraps an arm over him, happier with the warmth of his skin now that his jacket was acting as a blanket. She stifles a small giggle as he automatically pulls her closer, pillowing her head against his shoulder.

She loved nights with him. Loved how unafraid he was of her. Even in sleep, he wanted her with him.

That warmth he spoke of earlier was a constant blossom in her chest as well.

She turns her head and presses a kiss to his chest.

She'd kissed him before. Kissed Uma and Harry too. But this felt- different. She couldn't explain why, just that it was.

Part of her felt guilty that she was so happy. So… So content. T had been so bad, and she knew he was awake now and mending well, but that didn't stop the conflicting feelings.

She was almost afraid of this ending. Of going back to the ship and starting that new life as a member of Uma's crew, not just her family.

She was scared she was going to fail. Be a disappointment. She loved Uma so much, and apparently all her cousin ever wanted was for her to join up.

But she was worried that the ship would eventually start to feel like a prison, or that she'd become nothing more than a burden every time she needed space.

Maybe that was another reason learning to swim had become such an obsession. She didn't want to fail her family ever again, and she didn't want the water to make her resent her choice to join them.

She thought she'd been building herself up for the moment she'd face the water for the first time in a place she could control, but that illusion flew out the window the second the stupid seawall breached. If Gil hadn't been close by…

She shivers. Stupid pool. Why had she made the one end so deep? She'd given herself way too much credit. Even with Gil, she wasn't sure she could ever face that side of the pool again.

She blinks when she realizes she's smiling.

Gil.

She chuckles, muffling the light sound against his side.

He knew her so well. Knew how to talk her down when all she could think about was running. Was willing to freeze while waiting for her to calm down and heat the pool. It hurt, but strangely made her happy too.

He promised to always be there for her. That he'd never let her go. And, she wanted that. She wanted her best friend who was willing to put his safety and feelings aside to help her overcome her fears; wanted the guy who admitted his feelings without shame to always be there with her. Wanted the protection he gave her.

But more than that, she wanted to be able to provide those things for him. She wanted to be his best friend too.

Her heart squeezes at the thought of Gil talking about his own fear of small spaces. It made her sad, some of her favorite places were small spaces.

Her brow furrows. Was that how he felt with her fear? Sad because he loved the water, dreamed of sailing the open seas?

Well, that put things into perspective. Tick another reason to kick this fear's ass.

She knew he was more than willing to help her, was there a way she could help him?

All she knew right now was that she wanted to try. She wanted to give him something as amazing and precious as what he gave her.

Sup?

This chapter had its ups and downs. Did you guys enjoy the ride?

THE SWORD IS FINALLY FINISHED!

Lolz, that took them long enough, didn't it? We're super stoked about Uma finally getting her blade. How do you think she'll react?

But damn, Gil's thoughts bout T though… What did you guys think? Elicit any feelings? Luckily Deez was there to pull him out of it.

Unluckily, it was by her scream.

What do you think about Deez's accidental progress? (yeah I'm back to trying to do that wordplay is fun and as lame as it is I like the challenge...)

Gil laid down a fuck ton of philosophy without even realizing it, what did you guys think about it? (I was in a weird headspace when I was writing him, so this one is for my curiosity.)

Deez is pretty charged in this chapter, looking forward instead of behind after her dip in the pool. What did you think of her connecting that if she's sad about him being afraid of small places then maybe they're sad she's afraid of water?

We're so happy that so many of you are on board with this ship! At first, Dark couldn't picture Deez with Gil any time we talked ships. She knew they were going to be best friends, but for a long time Deez was going to end up alone, or with yet another OC. But after doing my best to tweak the character while still leaving traits of his canon counterpart she watched Deez gravitate towards him and ended up loving the ship herself. Gil is one of her favorite characters in the movies, but she was always upset at the way they handled his character.

(Points for Twisted for taking my fav not main and making him even better though, right guys! -Dark)

Speaking of, thank you all for your positive comments on Gil, he's the most chill 'go with the flow' character I've ever written.

That being said,

What did you guys think of Deez's introspection? Did they make you all warm and fuzzy? Did it spark an interest in this ship if you were iffy on it before? Do you have a better understanding of Deez?

Do you think they're starting to realize they have feelings for each other? Growing up on the isle is complicated. Views on love and relationships are skewed. Do you think we're doing a good job showing that?

Let us know

In the comments below!

Much love and appreciation

-Twisted

SN: It's a moth of Quarantine for us- Not gonna lie we're kinda in a love-hate relationship with it, but we're trying to take full advantage of this time.

We know that might not be the same for all of you. So Quarantine shout out! Hope y'all are finding new ways to spend your time! And remember, it's a jungle out there. (cough Monk's theme song is #onpoint right now cough)