Hiya Fellow Quarantined Descendants,
Twisted might be losing track of the days, but don't worry. I have alarms for update days. :)
So, last chapter T did a vanishing. Anyone think they know what happened?
Well, time to find out if you were right.
We hope you enjoy our latest chapter, 'Chains'
Don't forget to leave us a sign you were here, and check out the end of the chapter for Twisted's review and questions we'd love to know the answers to.
Lots of love
-Dark-
Harry shakes his head as he glares up at the overcast barrier.
He'd searched every hiding' hole he'd ever dragged T out of. Some he'd never seen T in too. Nothing.
As much as it would piss Uma off, he'd even gone to the church. He couldn't imagine why T would return there, but he'd checked none-the-less.
Nothing.
He'd been thinking of circling back and doing another pass when a thought hit him.
Had T left?
No.
That was just-
There was no way T could still be on the ship.
He'd tried to ignore the thought. Tried to follow through with his plan to double-check-
His feet clearly had other plans.
Deez asking if they were sure he'd left was what sealed the deal. The girl connected dots like Shrimpy played with rats. Sometimes it was useful, sometimes it wasn't. But it always was.
He should have trusted that niggle earlier.
Because he really hoped T was still on the ship. He'd take the tongue lashing from Uma, take the effort his family wasted and make it up to them. Anything. Everything.
Whatever it took.
He jogs up the gangplank, waving to James at the helm before he turns to head below.
Uma mentioned the letter yesterday, so maybe T had found his room. Seemed like the safest place to check first.
He takes the stairs two at a time before he catches up the lantern in the hall and lights it.
He wasn't getting his hopes up. He was just checking a hunch.
He slowly walks to the door before he gently tests the handle. Locked. He sighs before he leans his ear against the rough surface.
He smiles when he hears the soft clinking of glass on the other side.
Thank. The. Sea. Gods.
He lets out a sigh of relief.
"T?" He knocks firmly on the door, "Let me in."
It takes a moment, but eventually the door opens.
"Sup?" T opens the door wider.
He sags slightly against the frame, "Sup? That be how ya be ah greetin' me after ya be ah scarin' me half ta death?"
T lifts an eyebrow. "Apparently."
Harry shakes his head before drops his chin to his chest, "Apparently he be ah sayin'." He sighs before he straightens up, "Glad ya be ah findin' yer room an all, but-" He chuckles dryly, "ya could have been ah leavin' us ah note."
T lets out a deep breath before he rolls his eyes and fidgets with the handle. "Didn't think about it." He mumbles under his breath, "I thought I'd be back before you guys woke up."
"Ah, well, ya be ah missin' us by ah day."
T blinks.
"Aye lad, that be ah big difference." Harry crosses his arms over his chest, "I- I thought ya be ah leavin' me." he admits with a frown.
"Legit." T leans against the door, his head down as he kicks at nothing.
Harry sighs as he takes in the boots on T's feet. How he'd managed to pull them on without screaming out in pain- unless T was all stocked up on his numbing goop again. "Ya be ah knowin' that ain'nah gonna swim with Uma, aye?" He points out as he gestures with one hand at T's feet.
T takes a deep breath before letting it out. "Great." He shakes his head. "Add it to the list." He mumbles before he turns back to the table.
"T- I-" Harry groans before he kicks the door frame, "What can I be ah doin' ta help with this?"
T chews his lip as he studies the glass tubes. "With what exactly?"
"This!" Harry shakes his head as he gestures between him and T, "Us. You an' the family. Bein' here. Ya be ah nutter if ya think I don'nah be seein' yer misery. And even after we be ah talkin' yesterday, it don'nah be feelin' like I be gettin' through to ya. Not ah lick."
T sighs as he crosses his arms, "I just- look, we're still here." He frowns at the glass tubes still over the fire. "I'm just an asshole."
"But ya ain't." Harry shakes his head defiantly.
T raises an eyebrow, "I'm standing right here."
"Now ya be actin' an arsehole." Harry rolls his eyes.
"I know. I just said that..."
"I be knowin' ya T, ya ain'nah ah arsehole, ya just-" He shakes his head as he balls his hands into fists at his sides, "Ya just be ah actin' like one ta be ah pushin' them that care for ya away."
"This is the longest I've ever been around," T frowns, "Pretty sure I've always been like this."
"No, ya ain't." Harry punches his hand against the door, "This be ah new low ya be ah findin' yerself in, no matter how much ya be ah tryin' ta fake it bein' okay."
T flinches as he drops his eyes to the floorboards shifting his weight. "Sorry." He frowns as he scuffs his boot back and forth against them.
"I don'nah be wantin' yer sorry."
T drops one arm as he squeezes the other to his side silent for several breaths, "I don't know what else to say…I wasn't trying to make something else you, or anyone else's, problem."
"We care for ya T. If ya be sufferin', it be our problem too."
"It's really not though."
"But it is though T." Harry shakes his head, "Ya be ah part o' us. Part o' this. Yer happiness, yer safety, it all be somethin' we be thinkin' about. Like ya always be ah doin' for us. Except now we ain'nah takin' no for an answer. Ya be belongin' with us sure as the Fire Princess ya be ah workin' so hard ta free."
T's knuckles start turning white around his arm as he stares holes at the boards beneath his feet.
"Stop." Harry orders before he takes the few steps separating them, one hand gripping the fingers digging into T's arm, "Ain'nah ya been hurt enough?"
T flinches at the touch, "Not for the right reasons." He mumbles.
"There ain'nah bein' no right reasons for ya ta be sufferin'" He snaps as he finally prys T's hand away from his arm, "Ya be ah wantin' blood?" He slaps T's hand over his forearm, locking it down with a hand over it, "I gladly be ah payin' it."
T immediately tries to take his hand back, "I don't want you to pay it." He frowns, "I don't want anyone to pay for my stupid fuckin' actions. There's plenty already. Yes, I fucked up, and then you guys were fuckin' forced to clean up my fucking mess."
"If ya be ah feelin' like that then ya should'nah been payin' for our mistakes."
T tugs at his hand again, doing his best to touch him as little as possible. "What fucking mistakes?".
"There be so many," Harry shakes his head, "But shovin' Deez down the well be near the top of the list."
T opens his mouth only to snap it shut, a huff leaves him as he shuts his eyes. "Better me than you guys."
"And better me than you." Harry holds their joined arms up, "So if ya be ah needin' it, do it. I be ah givin' ya permission, I can even be ah orderin' it. Whatever it be ah takin'."
T steps back, tugging his hand again. "I don't want to."
"Why? That be what ya be tellin' me, why ain'nah that good enough now that I be ah sayin' it?"
"Because you all mattered to each other, and at one point I thought I might matter too-"
"You do!" Harry pulls T closer, fighting to thread their hands together, "You matter to me. To Deez. To Gil. To Uma. You. Both of you. You both matter to us. Why the fuckin' sea hells would that ever be ah changin'?" He grabs T's chin, forcing him to look up at him, "Why?"
"Because I'm fucking disgusting and gods damn useless!" T shoots back, refusing to look him in his eyes.
"Ya ain't," Harry shouts sternly. Disgusting. The word echoes in his ears. He was all too familiar with the feeling. The shame. He'd feared T was stuck there.
"Yes, I fucking am. I'm a fucking failure."
"No. Ya ain'nah failure. An' ya ain'nah useless." Harry glares as he forces T's head back in an attempt to catch his eyes, "Ya be ah impatient little shit, I be givin' ya that. But ya ain'nah useless or failin' no one."
"Yes I did, I fucking failed her, I dropped the fucking ball, I couldn't even get outta stupid chains when I had my set, I wasn't fast enough, yeah, I fucking know. Add it to the list."
Harry furrows his brow. The chains? The chains in the basement? He takes a deep breath, "Ya be ah feelin' the failure because ya did'nah be ah bustin' yerself out?" He asks, unable to keep his voice even.
T's shoulders drop as he swallows, "I should've been fucking quicker. It shouldn't have been a fucking issue. I should've figured out if he had fuckin' allies. I should've done, and not done a lot of fucking shit, but yeah Hook, that would be at the top of the fucking list. Do you have any idea how much I've done to try to fuckin' learn different ways to fuckin make sure she, and the rest of you, can fuckin' survive this shit? It's fuckin' embarrassing. I'm a fucking idiot and a fuckin' hypocrite. And I'm not sure what is worse."
"I-" Harry bites his lip before he releases T, closing his eyes as he struggles with his resolve. His breath quickens, "I think I be ah seein'." Could he do it? Could he finally help T, even in a small way?
T takes a step back, his arm coming up to his bicep again as he looks away.
"Fine!" Harry shouts as he pulls his hands roughly through his hair.
"Told you." T's hand tightens around his arm, "I don't know why the fuck you guys want me the fuck around."
"Shut up!" Harry snaps as his eyes narrow, "I- I can fix this. You- ya just be ah stayin' here." He shakes his head before he turns, "And I be tellin' ya ta stop hurtin' yer arm." He taps a fist against the wall next to the door frame, "Be ah good lad now, an be listenin'. I'll be back."
He could do this. T had finally given him a direction. A cause. He could help T find himself again.
He could do this… But not alone.
Something was off, and it was more than the fact they'd missed T being on the ship. He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen Harry filled with so much, anger wasn't the right word.
Conviction maybe? Harry rarely ever barked orders at him. So what happened between him and T to have him acting this way? He rubs the back of his neck as he continues to follow after his brother in concern.
He loved how passionate Harry could be. It was one of the things that he'd always appreciated about him. The fact that he always wanted to be the center of attention, but knew when to step down to let Uma or even him take a turn in the spotlight.
But when it came to days like today, when Harry was in one of these moods it made it difficult. His moods were as turbulent as a storm at sea, turning every which direction on a whim.
Whatever had happened between him and T must've made for the perfect storm.
Deez, for as many dots as she could connect, had been taken off guard at first. He couldn't blame her. He wasn't sure she'd ever seen Harry like this, ever.
She could tell something was off with Harry, but he was still trying his best to get her to understand right now wasn't the right time to be asking Harry questions.
Sure, he was curious too. And worried. Very worried. Still, throwing questions at Harry when he was in this state was just a recipe for disaster.
Not that she was doing a good job taking his cues. He sighs.
Deez frowns as she walks between Gil and Harry. "So, it um, sounds like you and T got into it?" She asks, her voice uncertain as she gravitates closer to Harry.
Gil shakes his head once when he catches her eye, but doesn't draw any further attention to it. He just watches Harry, curious himself.
"Aye. There be a wee bit more to it, but ya could be sayin' that." Harry answers curtly before he turns down an alley.
Deez frowns as she wraps her arms around herself, but she follows after turning to look at him.
He could see how worried she was. He couldn't blame her for wanting to help Harry. For wanting to understand. Asking questions was what she does.
What she had always done.
"Did T do something to make you angry?" Deez asks as if she couldn't contain the question any longer.
Gil bites his lip. For the love of the sea, he hangs his head back to stare at the barrier. Did she enjoy this? The clipped responses? The glares? The general tension that was currently their first mate?
Harry sighs, "I know ya be ah wantin' ta help, but-"
"You're afraid." She whispers, her eyes widening the moment the words leave her mouth.
Harry stops dead in his tracks before he looks back over his shoulder at her, his eyes flashing dangerously in a glare.
"Deez." Gil frowns in disapproval before he steps between the two. "Please. Just, please." He did not want to get into a fight with Harry right now. But so help him if Harry made her cry, he knew he wouldn't be able to stop himself.
"Keep up." Harry snaps before he turns back around and picks up the pace, his long legs eating distance quicker at his fast pace.
Gil swallows his groan at the look of hurt on Deez's face before he takes her hand and struggles to keep up with Harry's new pace. Not wanting to make any noise to draw Harry's ire back on either of them again.
The next time Harry turns Deez falters, her eyes glued to the tall bell tower looming in the distance.
He could see the questions burning in her eyes. The fear. He couldn't blame her. The building and its former owner had always made him uncomfortable. He could remember his father taking him and his brothers to the creepy church when he was younger. It had been… chilling. Some of the stories had been horrific and T's-
He just couldn't bring himself to say dad. T's whatever had scared the shit outta him. He'd been so relieved as he grew older to hear that he wasn't the only one. Even his brothers avoided the place.
Deez takes a deep breath before she drops her eyes to him. She blinks and looks away, but she starts walking again. Thankfully without asking any of the questions he could tell she wanted to.
When they get to the edge of the red lantern district and Harry doesn't slow though, that was when he decided he couldn't stay quiet any longer.
"Harry…" Gil frowns as he places a hand on Deez's shoulder to stop her from following him. "Where are we going exactly?"
He didn't understand why Harry would come get them to only bring them here. Especially after he'd already found T. His stomach twists with apprehension. Why were they here?
Harry presses his fingers to his temples before he turns back around to face Gil, "I can't- I have to get something, but I need you."
"Then tell me what it is, so I can get it. You can stay behind with Deez. You know, our Baby Girl." Before Uma fucking murdered the both of them for having her this close to the red lantern district.
Deez blinks as she tilts her head back to look up at him before she bites her lip and nods. "Is that okay?" She asks as she walks over to Harry and gently wraps her arm through his.
Harry sighs as he drops his hands from his face, "Aye." He nods as he takes her hand and rests the other on her head. "I need the chains. Chains and locks. Whatever is left down there."
He wanted chains? And locks. For what? Gil blinks but doesn't think to question it out loud. Instead, he just nods. "You two stay here." He uncharacteristically orders. "I'll be back soon." He states before he starts for the pizza shop.
"Thank you." Harry pulls them back further into the shadows, away from any prying eyes.
"I'm sorry." Deez apologizes as they duck behind broken crates. "For what I said earlier." She hadn't meant for it to pop out like that, she'd just been startled by her realization.
Harry closes his eyes as he takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, "Aye. I uh, I be sorry too."
Her eyes sweep over him. It wasn't like Harry to speak so unsurely. "You're worried about T. I understand." She bites her lip before she hugs him and buries her face against his side, "I shouldn't have bothered you." She listens to the frantic beat of his heart with a frown.
"Deez. It be okay," Harry immediately wraps his arms around her, "I- I were bein' ah arse. Don'nah be worryin' yer pretty head none. Sweet Boy be ah takin' ah heavy burden off me."
Burden? She frowns. What burden? What could have gotten under Harry's skin like this? What was he so afraid of? She was burning to ask, but didn't want to set him off again. Harry didn't scare her. She wasn't sure anyone in her family could. She could be scared for them, but not of them.
But what did T have to do with this? Everything was so confusing, which was strange.
So, what was she missing?
Harry sighs as he searches around their hiding place, gently pulling her with him as he looks through the cracks between crates and barrels. "How the hold be ah lookin' last night?"
"Like an absolute mess." She smiles at his change of subject. Safe was okay with her right now. She didn't want to upset him again. She was sure Gil would fill her in later if it was important.
"I be glad ya be helpin' Gil out. I don'nah think anythin' ever be ah botherin' me mate more than when he be ah findin' out he don'nah be ah likin' small spots." Harry chuckles softly, "I don'nah be ah thinkin' it helps him bein' ah big guy."
Deez smiles but it slowly drops to a frown, "It hurts to see him so scared." She admits as she pulls back to look up at him.
"Aye," Harry's jaw tightens, "It be ah hurtin' ta be seein' someone ya be carin' for bein' 'fraid."
"It can also shock you." She sighs before she bites her lip, "He's so good at helping me, Harry. He just, he keeps me steady and makes everything okay. And I'm scared that I'm not helping him like that."
Harry's lips tilt into a small, genuine smile, "That be our Sweet Boy. He be built of different stuff than the rest o' us. But, I be assurin' ya that ya be ah helpin' him. He don'nah even be ah likin' me an' Uma bein' with 'im when he be goin' down there. He be fearin' that we all be suckin' up too much o' the air. But he be goin' down there with ya without so much a peep."
"Cause I'm small." She smiles, "At least that's what he said."
Harry shrugs, "Don'nah be ah matterin' the reason," He shakes his head, "he be ah willin' ta be doin' it with ya, so don'nah be ah beatin' ya self up over it. There be enough o' that goin' round on the ship."
She frowns before she leans her head against his side again. He sounded calmer, but his heart was still beating pretty fast. "I'll work on it." She promises absently.
"Aye, ya be seein' ta it that ya do." He squeezes her to his side.
"Do, do you think you and Gil calm down the same way?" She asks as she pulls back to look up at him again.
Harry smiles again, "In some ways."
"Would a kiss help then?"
"Aye, who would'nah be calm after they be ah gettin' favor from a princess?"
She chuckles as he turns away again, still searching around their hiding place before she catches his face in her hands and presses her lips to his.
She could almost feel Harry's tension drain as he pulls her closer, wrapping his arms around her as he slides them further from view.
"Ah." He chuckles when she breaks the kiss, "Someone be learnin' me favorite subject."
She smiles before she leans against his chest, happier now that his heartbeat was more even, "I know it helps me and Gil, just wasn't sure it would help you."
"It be ah helpin' Uma too." He winks at her.
"I'll remember that." She nods, "But, Harry?"
He takes a deep breath, "Aye?"
"I know you don't want to talk about whatever this is, but if you ever do-" She sighs, "You always said the best thing about being in our family was that you didn't have to lie or hide who you are, and I know it took me a long time to get it, but I do. And, I'm here for you too."
He pulls her back, studying her before he leans down to kiss her forehead. "I be ah rememberin' that. It be good ta be hearin' ya finally be gettin' that through that cute lil' skull o' yers. It's gonna be a family effort ta be gettin' T ta be doin' the same. "
"He'll get there." She promises as she takes his hand and laces their fingers together, smiling when he squeezes.
"That do be the hope." He smiles as he nods, though his grin was not reaching his eyes.
"You never gave up on me." She reminds him as she plays with his hair, attempting to tuck the unruly ends away from his sad blue eyes.
His grin widens as he chuckles, "That be true 'nough." He agrees as he bumps his head against her hand when she stops. "Did'nah be tellin' ya ta be stoppin'. It be ah calmin' me."
She smiles as she starts running her fingers through his hair again, "I love you." The more she said it to them, the more she wanted to. She loved the feeling in her chest she once feared, and she loved the way their eyes lit up.
"I be ah lovin' ya too Baby Girl. We all do."
"I know that now," She nuzzles her nose against his arm, "I just have a lot of time to make up for."
"Good," Harry nods in approval, "An' ya be ah havin' plenty o' time for that now that ya finally be ah choosin' ta be joinin us." He chuckles, "Good luck catchin' up with us, cause we won'nah be stoppin' any time soon." He winks at her. "But I'll be enjoyin' every minute of it while ya be tryin."
"Aye." She grins as she guides him to lean his head against her so she can use both hands to play with his hair.
"This be ah good start, Baby Girl."
Harry balls his hands into fists. He was going to have to explain this outburst to the others eventually.
But first, he had to face T again.
Hearing him fall apart over the fact he wasn't able to break out of the chains made him determined to not only make sure he could in the future, but he also needed to make sure their entire family would be able too.
One family member having a near-death experience while chained up was enough. The rest of them were going to learn from it.
And hopefully, that would be a step in the right direction for T as well.
So instead of reporting to Uma, like he should, he nods to Gil and Deez before he tightens his grip on the blackened chains and heads below.
He certainly was returning in a far better mood than he was in before. He owed a large part of that change to Deez and Gil.
Honestly, he'd never been more proud of their Baby Girl than he was when she softly confronted him and in no small way let him know it was okay. That he could talk to her whenever he needed to.
She was finding her footing in the family.
"T!" He knocks rapidly on the door.
It takes a moment, but T eventually opens the door. "Su-" T blanks as he jumps back when he sees the chains, "I stayed."
"You be ah wantin' this conversation out here or in there?" He questions as he answers for them by stepping into the room.
He tosses the heavy chains and locks to the floor at T's feet before he turns and shuts the door. "Ya be feelin' like shit cause ya could'nah be ah gettin' these off in time. We can'nah be ah havin' that, now can we?" He rests his hands on his hips as he watches the other boy.
T eyes the chains with the same look Deez had given Adelaide. "I-" He swallows as he hesitantly toes a lock.
"We can be ah practicin' gettin' outta these, and anythin' else we can be ah findin' that could be used against us. Be practicin' 'til they ain'nah bein' ah problem."
T's silent for a long moment as he stares at the chains, shifting his weight before his eyes sweep up and over to him.
Harry frowns as he watches T. He'd expected him to yell, or snap, or scream. Slap him even. But the silence was killing him, "T, be ah sayin' somethin'."
T chews his lower lip, gripping his bicep as his eyes drop back to the chains. His cheeks heat as a blush crawls up his neck and he mumbles something as he continues to toe the lock.
"Mate, I be ah wantin' ta help, but ya gotta be ah speakin' up." He sidesteps over the pile before he slowly removes the hand T was digging into his arm, "Ya can be ah talkin' ta me."
T doesn't look up as his hand twitches to move back to his upper arm. He takes a deep breath before he swallows. "Will you stay with me?" He mumbles again, his cheeks darkening.
Harry's heart fumbles over itself for a few beats before he rests his open hand on T's head, ignoring the flinch. "Only if ya will be ah stayin' with me when it be my turn. We both be ah needin' ta be skilled afore we can be ah trainin' the others."
T nods with a frown before he grabs his arm again and continues to stare at the chains.
"T, ya be ah needin' ta stop this." He gently pulls his hand away again.
T glances between Harry and his hand before he lets out a long sigh. "Right."
"And you'll be ah helpin' me make sure no one else in the family falls ta somethin' like this?"
T's silent, his brows furrowed. He opens his mouth before he shuts it and falls silent for another moment. "If you think it's a good idea."
"T-" Harry turns him to face him properly, "I know ya were helpin' both gangs learn the things we needed ta be survivin'. I know ya be ah helpin' Deez too. Ya be ah knowin' more about the true evil o' this fucked up place. I be ah needin' yer help ta be makin' sure this-" He kicks the pile vehemently, the sound of the rattling making both of them flinch, "Never, ever be ah holdin' one o' us prisoner. I be needin' ya ta be helpin' me keep our family safe. There be less o' us ta be lookin' out for each other, and things be a feelin' heavy out there." He gestures towards the isle.
T chews his lip, his hand coming back up to his arm as he hangs his head. "I didn't say I wouldn't-" He closes his mouth as he squeezes his arm tighter and takes a deep breath. He looks up after a minute, his eyes much darker than they had been. "I don't want this shit," He kicks the lock he'd been toeing, "to ever happen to any of you."
"Ta be happenin' ta any o' us, ever again." He corrects before he once again pulls T's hand away from his arm, but this time he steps forward and pulls T into a hug, ignoring the way he stiffened, "I love you, T, an' I ain'nah givin' up on ya, ever. Ya be ah hearin' me?"
T looks up at him with a mixture of confusion and horror. "Why?"
"Ya be as bad at listenin' as ever," Harry chuckles before he rests his palms on T's shoulders and holds him back slightly, "Because I be ah lovin' ya silly. I ain'nah ever be makin' that ah secret."
T chews his lip as his eyes sweep over him with uncertainty.
Before he can injure his arm again Harry lets his hands slide lightly down his arms until he takes T's hands.
T frowns as he looks down at their hands before he looks back up. "You're fuckin' weird."
Harry grins, "Aye, but I be gettin' called worse afore, mostly by you."
T's eyes drop to the ground, his hand twitching as he chews his lip. "I did like pissing you off."
"Ya sayin' those days be behind us?"
"Doubtful, for different reasons…"
Harry sighs before he pulls T back into a tight hug, "I ain'nah goin' anywhere, ya be stuck with us for ah family."
"Do you seriously think that's really going to work?"
"Aye." Harry nods against T's ratted mop of hair, "I do. I know it ain'nah gonna be all smooth sailin' and windy days, but I know it be worth it. I hope ya be seein' it too."
"I-" T frowns as his eyes drop to their chests and he crosses his arms behind his back so there's as little contact between them as possible. "Well, it's not like my track record for seeing things coming is that great." He frowns as he shifts his weight, "And I mean... If you guys seriously want me to stay after all this whale shit, I hope I'll eventually be worth being here too."
It wasn't perfect, but he'd take it and be glad. "We do be ah wantin' ya T. We all be ah wantin' ya."
T ducks his head, his forehead hitting his chest with a soft thump, "I'm sorry I'm not acting more grateful for everything you guys have done- Are doin' for me."
Harry chuckles, "I think we all be understandin' T. Or tryin' ta understand. Don'nah be worryin' 'bout that." He sighs as he looks around the room, "I'll be ah movin' this," He tilts his head towards the pile, "'til we can be ah usin' it. But I were ah wonderin' if ya be ah plannin' ta be rejoinin' us in the cabin?"
"I mean," He rubs his hoodie roughly over the back of his arm anxiously, "I just wanted to give you guys some space, it's been weeks since Gil and Deez have been back, It's fucking weird knowing you guys have been separated for so long." He shifts.
"They were busy making swords," Harry shrugs, "But they made time for us."
"And, I mean, I get that but you four kinda… I know it didn't pan out, but I tried my best to get you four together for real…"
"T-", Harry shakes his head before he pulls T back slightly, "I can be ah tellin' ya right now, if it were'nah bein' for you, we would'nah be havin' Deez right now." He sighs, "She'd ah been taken by Maleficent and forced inta some new fuckin' deal if she did'nah be ah dressin' like ya and hidin' like ya. An I don'nah even know if we would'ah been able to figure out where she were, let alone be ah gettin' her out."
"I can show you the layout. I made a map of it and the dungeon, before..."
Harry blinks before he laughs deeply, "Ah map ya say?" He wipes the tears of joy from his eyes, "Ya be ah havin' a fuckin' map."
"Yeah? I think I made her a bit paranoid the day she woke up with me in her room playing with a knife, so… I made a map on the off chance I was right, to taunt her with it if she backed out of the deal. Stupid cunt."
How T couldn't see his value baffled him. This was the shit he missed about the kid. The sheer audacity. He made the self-proclaimed Mistress of the Universe paranoid by breaking into her room and playing with a knife. Made a map of the bitch's dungeon. He shakes his head, "All good ta be ah knowin', but did ya be ah hearin' me 'bout Deez?"
"I've been tellin' her to dress like me for years, she draws too much attention to herself. And I don't hide, I seek."
"Well, when she be ah goin' out now she be ah right mini-T." He grins, "So, I be glad ya be ah showin' her how ta be survivin' on her own."
"That was mostly Jay."
"Then why she be ah tellin' us she kept askin' herself what you'd be ah doin'?"
"Ugh." T groans, "Why the fuck would she do that? I don't even know what I'm doin' half the time."
"Maybe we don'nah be ah tellin' Uma that one."
"What, ya mean she hasn't figured it out yet?" T lifts a brow. "How?"
"Ya be good at makin' it up as ya go?"
"Tch." T crosses his arms, "And look where that fuckin' got me."
"I'm happy with ya right where ya are." Harry chuckles at the easy set up before he hugs him again.
T's eyes narrow at him before he sighs, "Through no means of my own."
"There ya go, sellin' yerself short again." Harry snorts, "Ya be ah walkin' down here all on yer own."
"And per usual it caused a shit show." T huffs.
Harry shrugs, "I can be ah admittin' we shoulda been checkin' the ship afore we be jumpin' to conclusions."
T chews his lip as his hand comes back to his arm as he looks away.
"What I be ah sayin'?" Harry scolds as he holds T's hand again.
"My bad…" T turns to look at the glass and metal wires on the table looking uncertain again, before he turns back, "I-" He frowns, as a blush spreads over his cheeks "I never said thank you… But, thank you. For grabbing Faustina's shit."
Harry slowly nods, "Uma were thinkin' you'd be ah wantin' the things ya hid, and well, ya always be ah swearin' by the stuff the glass things be ah makin', so we be wantin' it available to ya." He shrugs as he looks away, "I know it be hard ta be ah believin' right now, but we be ah wantin' ya ta be happy with us, and we don'nah be ah wantin' this ta be ah feelin' like another prison."
T grimaces as he drops his head in embarrassment.
"Hey now." Harry frowns as he ruffles T's hair, "It ain'nah like ya did'nah already be ah tellin' me. An', it ain't, right?" He was so torn over it. Wanting T to stay, the need to hold him close and never let him go versus the need to see him truly free.
He doubted he'd ever be able to reconcile the two opposing wants.
"What?" T scoffs, "Why the fuck would you even compare the two? This ship's been the only place I could really sleep for forever. You should know, your loud ass mouth's woken me up more times than I can count."
"Huh." Harry tilts his head. It made him happy to hear T didn't think of their home as a second prison, and that he'd been comfortable here for years. "That be good ta know, an' I suppose I be ah havin' ta keep it down now that I be ah knowin' I be the one wakin' ya up all the time." He chuckles.
T shrugs, "Not like I usually sleep much anyways. It was your home first, and I guess if I'm like officially moved in-" He blinks. "Not that I thought I lived here before."
"Ya did." Harry smiles, "Uma's always said ya be ah welcome here. But aye, ya be officially moved in."
T chews his lip as his hand twitches in his, "I don't know how I'm ever going to pay you guys back for everything you've done, but-"
"Family," Harry explains simply with a shrug.
T frowns as he studies their hands. "But, I really do appreciate all of it, even if I can't show it right now.." He kicks at nothing, "Did you ever find the map?"
Harry's eyes crinkle, "No, an' believe me I be ah lookin' everywhere for it."
"Ah," T scratches the back of his head, "I guess you have been pretty fucking busy since the howler, huh?"
Harry blinks, "I guess we have. I can'nah be ah believin' that were'nah bein' that long ago."
"Yeah, no kidding…" T's brow furrows before he blushes and looks away.
When T's eyes land on the chains he sees a look he's never seen on the other boy's face before.
So when T squeezes his hand tightly, all he can do is squeeze back and hope it's reassuring. "I'll be ah gettin' those somewhere safe 'til we be startin'." He explains as he backs up and starts gathering them.
"I think they're safest in here," T shakes his head, "It's the only room with a lock, and family or not, I still don't trust the whole crew, at least till everyone learns to pick them… And are constantly packing lock pics."
Harry sighs before he nods and shifts the pile to an out of the way corner, "I can be ah brinin' ya a blanket ta be ah coverin' them."
"Eh," T shrugs, "It's a good fucking reminder of what being a thoughtless ass hole gets you."
"Banished to ah hammock in the cabin?"
T tilts his head to the side, "I'd hardly call that banished." He blanks, "I love E, but teaching that girl survival skills on the off chance she got banished was hopeless. I do not envy Jay in the slightest."
Harry smiles, "Jay be ah good'en. I know he be ah havin' ah way with his crew." He frowns, "I- I hope they be ah doin' okay."
T glances up at him with a small smile, "Between C and E, they're doin' fine. Carlos is probably owning at video games and E is working a machine that sews properly as we speak, and if those two are happy that means the other two are too." He states with a confident shrug, "At worse, they're probably kickin' themselves for leavin' Deez- But, ya know, you won in the end. You got the treasure."
"Aye, that we did." He nods as he crosses his arms over his chest and stands taller.
"Well not literally because you can't even find the map, but, ya know, ya got the one that matters."
"Ya be ah havin' yer mean streak back I see." Harry thumbs his nose at T. But it did make him feel better to hear T talk about Jay's gang.
He could see the small Pup playing video games. And the Blue Princess sewing up a storm. But, he wasn't so sure about Mal and Jay. Those two- or at least Jay- He shakes his head.
Maybe he just missed him. Missed their secret meetings and sword fights. He missed the unlikely friend he found in the second of Mal's gang. Even as rivals he felt better when Jay was out there. Knowing that if anything serious went down, Jay would find a way to tell him, same as he would for him. It was a strange realization to have right now.
T studies him for a moment before he nudges his shoulder, "I can set off bombs if you miss him that much."
Harry blinks, "Wh- You have bombs?"
"Well, I mean not yet. But me and C were lookin' into it before shit went down."
"No T. I be ah doubtin' you settin' bombs be ah gettin' us outta here." Harry shakes his head, "And I certainly don'nah be wantin' him comin' back."
"Just offering. I was still gonna fuck around with them either way."
"And I be ah notin' it." Uma was either gonna love this, or have a complete meltdown over it.
Either way, he was going to have to warn Gil first. He smiles, Gil and Deez.
Yo, sup with you?
Were you expecting T to still be on the ship? Or did you assume that's where he was going to be?
Anyone else ever find themselves in Harry's position? T's? Personally I've found myself on both sides of this particular coin. Frustrated like Harry. Self-loathing like T.
So what's worse being an idiot or a hypocrite?
Harry's so fucking happy to finally find out a way to help T. Are you hoping this helps T too?
Oh, how much I fucking love writing introspection and I feel, after rereading this, I caught Gil perfectly. Curious, but still loyal AF. What do you guys think?
Oh Deez, at the end of the day don't forget she's a journalist- She can't help if one of her go to's is poking to understand what's happening. Shame she can't read the room the way she can read people. I personally can't do either, so she's got one up on me- lolz. Anyways what did you guys think of her conversation with Harry?
And poor Gil- I've also been in his position where you feel like you're about to witness a train wreck but can't look away. It's so adorbz that our Sweet Boy is so concerned for Deez, trying to catch her attention.
Anyone else wince when Deez blurted out that Harry was scared? I know I fucking did.
Aww Gil is back to protecting Deez- Don't you love how they keep flipping?
Any surprise that Chains and locks are what Harry was looking for?
Harry and Deez's conversation was sweet. Deez is starting to open up more, and willing to be vulnerable with her family- even if it is just one a time. And that kiss was exactly what Harry needed to take the concerning wind from his sails. Wasn't it nice to see her like that? To see Harry assuring her even in the midst of his own issues?
That last scene though.
What were you expecting T's reaction to the chains to be?
Were you expecting T to ask Harry to stay?
Was it nice to see a glimmer of the old T?
And what about T's new coping habit? Not the best, but after living through that shit show- I needed to give him something to control- And self-harm just made the most amount of sense. My past isn't the best but, in comparison to T's it was fucking heaven- That being said, I self harmed for over a decade to cope with my own shit show.
Sorry if any of you can relate. So for those of you fighting your demons, just know it won't always be like this, there is a light at the end of the tunnel with the right support system. And if you don't have a support system, then drop the toxic people around you like a brick the minute you can and get the fuck away from them.
What a way to end a chapter right? Let us know what you think!
With much love and appreciation
-Twisted
Covid Corner-
Ugh. What is routine? Oh I know, something Twisted is in dire need of. Anyone else having issues with not having a schedule? Or not knowing what day of the week it is?
That being said, just know we're thinking about you guys and hoping you and yours stay healthy and safe.
2020=Shit Show