Hey Descendants,

Happy Friday! We can't wait to see you later today on the FB Live!

But first, the new chapter :)

Lots of Love,

-Dark-

Uma drums her nails across the table as she stares at Harry and T, giving herself a moment to ponder their request.

T was doing better. She didn't like the fact he'd immediately started wearing boots the moment he was allowed to walk around- her drumming falters, before he'd been allowed to move around. She'd done her best to be understanding.

But the band around his chest-

She stifles a groan. Even with the books Yen Sid gave her to read about the subject, she was still confused about multiple personalities.

She knew T- well, T's body anyways- was female. But she couldn't bring herself to think of T as anything other than a boy. A sometimes idiotic and incredibly frustrating boy, but still a boy.

She blinks before her eyes land on Harry. Something had happened between him and T the night they'd initiated their two new members. It had been a long while since he'd last come to bed seeking attention like that.

Even if she hadn't been exhausted, he should have known better than to try and start shit before they talked to Deez about their 'family time'.

And then yesterday was strange too. Harry mentioned he was going to be working on a few things with T, but when he'd come up from the hold yesterday he looked like he'd been through the tombs with tic-tock on his heels.

What the fuck were these two up to? And why was Harry suddenly a big supporter of T getting shore leave?

"Uma-" Harry tilts his head to the side, watching her with his big blue eyes popping brightly under his signature coal smudging around them. It was the look he used to appear intimidating. To her, it would only ever be incredibly hot. "I know this be sudden an' all, but I could be ah usin' the back up for meetin' with this new contact. It ain'nah bein' nothin' big mind, but havin' ah shadow nearby be makin' me feel more settled-like."

T looks up from where he was leaning against the wall, infuriatingly as hard to read as usual with his hood up.

Her eyes narrow. "Fine. Both of ya just get yer asses back here around sundown. If there aren't any problems, we'll talk about this becoming a more permanent arrangement." She looks to T, "Understood?"

"Yeah." T nods. He salutes her before he pushes off the wall and turns to Harry expectantly.

"That be ah soundin' fair ta me." Harry grins before he walks over to kiss her temple.

"Oh, just go on before I change my mind." She threatens, but she couldn't keep her face stern enough.

Harry chuckles, "Aye Cap'n." He ruffles Deez and Gil's hair as he walks past them before tilting his head towards the door, "Ya comin'?" He asks T.

T doesn't need to be told twice as he falls in line behind Harry like a trained dog.

Deez bites her lip as she looks up from her workbook, "So, is this a bad time for me to negotiate for the ability to travel on my own?"

"No one's going anywhere on their own anymore." Uma groans as she folds her arms on the table and drops her head on them, "If you need shore leave you can go with Gil."

Wonderful. What the fuck had this started? Deez hadn't complained once about being on the ship until now.

"It's not like I can leave on my own anyway Uma." Deez points out as she pats her arm.

Uma sighs before she picks her head up and forces a smile, "Why don't you and Gil go and work on that after you finish your schoolwork?" It was the best she could offer.

"Swimming or walking on the docks?"

"Pick your poison. Either way, 'til you get over this fear you can't go anywhere on your own anyways."

What a conflicting feeling. On one hand, she obviously wanted Deez to come and go from the ship, on the other hand, she didn't want Deez to come and go from the ship. What a fucking mess. She honestly didn't want T off the ship either. But she knew better. If she hadn't given permission, she was sure T would've eventually taken off on his own anyway.

Deez frowns before she slips from her seat and walks over, "I didn't mean to upset you." She wraps her arms around her, hugging her from behind.

Uma reaches up to cup Deez's cheek. "You didn't upset me, Baby Girl." She assures her, "I just… We just got both of you to join us and it seems like all the two of you want to do is leave." Okay, maybe that wasn't one hundred percent true for Deez at least. But still, it's what it felt like right now.

"I'm sorry." Deez hides her face against Uma's hair.

"Don't be," Uma waves her off. "I know you were both super independent before shit hit the fan, it's only natural you'd still want that." She sighs. She'd known it before things had taken a turn for the worst. Ugh.

That didn't keep her from wanting to ban their fucked up version of hide and seek and anything that was even an iota close to it.

"But, that's not it." Deez frowns as she pulls back, looking up at her with sad blue eyes, "Or maybe just not all of it?" her brow furrows thoughtfully.

"It's okay if it is." Uma turns and pulls Deez onto her lap. "I know how much you both value your freedom."

Deez smiles up at her, "I can't speak for T, but I know Gil was right. Being here with you is its own freedom."

Her chest bubbles with happiness as she nuzzles her cheek against the top of Deez's head. "I'm glad you feel that way, I know sometimes it might not feel like it, but this is your home, not a prison. I know it has to suck that you can't come and go as you please, and I know how much you need your alone time." Her and T both, she sighs.

She knew it had been bound to come up sooner or later. Both the independents, the isle misfits, had done their best to stay outta gangs as long as they could. She was still pretty sure the only reason T had ended up agreeing, in the end, was because they'd saved his life.

Still, she'd take it if it meant keeping a better eye on him. Meant keeping him as safe as possible.

Deez though? Deez had been about to pick them before the shit Maleficent pulled. So, why shouldn't she have the freedom to come and go as she pleased?

She hides a small smile behind the younger girl's blue and white hair. Even if she did okay it, getting their Sweet Boy to agree to it was going to be a battle she wasn't looking forward to.

"Our home doesn't feel like a prison Uma," Deez shakes her head as she grabs her hand, "don't be silly."

She doesn't miss Gil's sigh of relief blending into hers.

"I know, it's just that I get this is frustrating for you. Maybe we can figure something out? So that you can get the alone time you need, and be able to call us once you want to get back on the ship."

"I just-" She sighs, "I miss being useful."

Uma frowns as she pulls back to study Deez.

She looked as lost as she did dejected, her usually hopeful face pinched as if she was holding in something painful, "Deez." She tuts her tongue as she runs a hand through her soft hair, "Baby, you're plenty useful on the ship. Gil, Harry, and I wouldn't be nearly as far in our school work if we didn't have you helping us trudge through it, and you organized the hold…" She frowns, as she plays with the faded blue ends of her hair. "But I guess it's only fair to the others on the isle that you get back out there and start writing about them again." She chews her lip. "So maybe you and Gil can go out and do that instead today? Go find some shit for you to write about." She turns to Gil, "If that's okay with you Sweet Boy."

Gil beams at her before he nods his head, "Yeah, we can do that."

Deez smiles before she throws herself against her chest, wrapping her arms around her so tight her back pops, "Thank you!"

Uma smiles softly, "Just make sure you two are back before midnight."

"Aye aye." Deez pecks her on the lips before she slides from her lap to run over to her little chest by the bed.

"Aye Cap'n." Gil stands up before he walks over and kisses the top of Uma's head. "Thank you."

"And don't forget to dress like T. We still don't want the whole damn isle knowing you're still here."

Deez nods as she stands up with the black hoodie and pants already in her arms, "Duh! I can't tell you how nice it is to not deal with Cora and Atilla's stupid tactics."

Uma frowns at the reminder. Fuck those two. "That means keeping your speed and strength under wraps too. And keep to the shadows, and other shit T does when he's on the isle." She wasn't sure what else he did. The realization bothered her slightly. She'd never spent much time with T outside of the chip shop.

Deez nods, but bites her lip as she looks over at Gil, "Does that mean we can't hold hands?"

Gil frowns before he shakes his head. "It'll be weird enough that he's walking with me."

How the fuck did T become friends with any of them exactly? Uma's eye twitches. "I'll put the crew through their paces today before sending some of them to the shop, but tomorrow I think it'll be for the best if we all go and make sure it's known that our territories are still ours." She frowns as she watches Deez get dressed.

"I think that's a good idea." Gil nods as he presses another kiss against Uma's temple.

"And we have to go back to the cove soon so I can show Uma what I can do now." Deez smiles as she tries to braid her hair the way Harry always did before she sighs and twists it into a rope before hiding it under the hood.

Uma's lips twist into a smile, "Sounds like a plan. We should go after we tire the crew out. I can have James stay back and we can have some quality family time. I'm excited to see what you want to show me." She grins at Deez, "And as an added bonus, it seemed to knock T out."

Deez grins up from under the hoodie dwarfing her as she walks back to them, "See, who needs to be able to come and go when all I have to do is talk to you."

Uma chuckles, "Now teach T that trick."

"I know my limits." Deez pouts, "Not a miracle worker."

"Well, that's not very reassuring." Uma sighs.

"He'll learn," Gil says with confidence as his hand falls to her shoulder and squeezes it gently. "Deez did."

Uma's hand comes up to cover his as she looks Deez over. "But Deez isn't an idiot."

"Thank you?" Deez tilts her head to the side, fighting the hood when it drops to completely cover her face, "I think?"

Gil chuckles as he releases Uma's shoulder and walks over to Deez. "Are you going to be okay in that?"

Deez huffs as she pushes the fabric back, "It's been a while since I've worn it longer than just getting to and from the cove."

Uma lifts a brow. "Maybe T can give you some lessons?" Then again, now that she thought about it, she wasn't sure how the fuck T ever saw anything anyways. It was rare that the kid's hood ever came down. It was kinda annoying. And it had taken her years to decipher his mood just based on his lips. Pain in the ass.

"It's fine, I survived in this for days on my own. I think the hood's just a little bigger than my last one."

"Were there any more in the hold?" Uma asks, "You're going to do a poor T impression if you fall on your face from being blind."

"I'm more of a mini T anyway." Deez shrugs, "But I haven't finished the inventory yet."

"Fair enough." Uma chuckles. "I can probably work on that while you two are gone as well."

"No." Deez frowns, "That's my job."

Gil chuckles as he drops a hand to Deez's head and ruffles her hoodie covered hair.

Uma gives her a small smile, "Okay, but now that T's off the isle again expect new shit to start showing up. So, we'll have to stay on top of it better."

"I'll finish it. I promise. I got it cleaned up and better organized, all we have to do is take stock." Her eyes narrow, "And label shit." She sighs, "But it'll get done, I won't let you down."

"Okay," Uma chuckles as she holds up her hands. It had been a while since Deez had been so passionate about a project. "I know you won't Baby Girl. I'll leave it to you."

Deez nods, "Thank you." She turns to look at the table, "I've got a couple of letters to send, unless you want to read them first."

"Nah, today's barge day. I'd hate for it to have to wait for next week."

"One is about me," Deez explains as she gathers pages from her pile, "I finally finished it."

"Good." Uma nods in approval. "Took you long enough."

Deez sticks her tongue out at her, "It's easier to write about you guys and things I see." She shrugs, "And you all keep pointing out how bad I am at seeing myself."

Uma frowns, "I know it's not easy Baby Girl," Thank you fucking T for pointing that out, "So thank you for writing it. I know our letters aren't going to do justice compared to what you write about us."

"But it made me happy," Deez admits in a small whisper as she ducks her head lower, "that you took the time."

"We'll write more." Gil grins. "We'll probably never be able to write as much about you as you did us, but that's not gonna stop us from trying."

Deez keeps her head lowered as she folds and seals each letter, melting a glob of wax between her fingers before she presses her thumb into the small puddle.

Uma watches her with pride. She'd come such a long way since they were kids.

She'd gotten so much control over her fire. To see her willing to use her natural ability on the ship without freaking out was like a dream come true. She'd always had faith that Deez would never burn down the ship, but to see her melt the wax with so much confidence touched her in a way she hadn't expected. It meant the world to her that she was finally able to see that herself.

And the fact that she could control her temperature and flames so well- It just had her swelling with pride for the girl she'd always viewed as hers.

Her first. The first person who let her take care of them. She was so lucky she'd finally gotten her for real. No one would be able to take her from them again now that she'd been initiated. She was well within her rights to always go and get her now.

Deez was her's, and that meant the world to her.

T looks up at the temple, lip between his teeth as he sizes it up.

He'd followed Harry for about an hour or so, making sure there hadn't been a problem while he met up with his contact. And it was Harry, so of course there hadn't been a problem.

He wanted to keep following the other boy, but since Harry hadn't told him what the meeting had been about he wasn't going to poke. At least not yet anyway. Harry could handle himself.

His eyes narrow.

Unless he ended up in chains. He grimaces.

Yesterday had thoroughly fucking sucked.

Watching Harry try to pick those locks had been nothing short of painful. His knuckles turn white around his arm at the memory of feeling so helpless. It wasn't acceptable. Harry being unable to focus through his fear-

No. He shakes his head. Panic. He'd never been so sure of the difference.

They were going to have to fix that.

Next time they'd start smaller. Harry wouldn't be able to pick shit if he couldn't think, and he wouldn't be able to live with himself if something happened to Harry that put him in a situation he couldn't get out.

It made his stomach twist just thinking about it.

Ugh. Is this how the others felt about him? He wipes a hand down his face. He hoped not. But hope hadn't been his friend lately. Fucking damn it.

He looks over his shoulder, for the first time questioning this decision. Should he have left him? Harry had given him the go-ahead, as long as he swore to be back at the dock by sundown, but… Maybe he shouldn't have left him. He frowns.

Damn it.

He knew he wouldn't want to be followed. He bites his lip harder. Harry could handle himself.

He'd never seen the other boy freeze before. They couldn't all start questioning each other's competence. That would turn into a mess ridiculously quick and he'd be the first they'd turn on.

Ugh. Whatever. Harry'd been leaving the ship for years by himself. He'd be fine.

Right?

He didn't have a choice. Harry would be okay.

Right.

He turns back to the temple. He vaguely remembered making some type of promise to Harry about telling him when he was going to do this… Ugh. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been so indecisive.

But, it was Senior. A god that was prone to mood swings, and he wasn't sure what type of mood the god would be in today. He did too many things on a whim and was as unpredictable as the wind.

Kind of like Harry.

Still. He felt like a douche for doing this.

He just knew if he didn't show up, Senior was bound to come poking around again if he grew bored enough. He didn't want to put Deez, or the other three through that again. He wasn't sure how or why he'd managed to do it in the first place, but part of him did feel like it was his fault. The whole eye rape thing had just been a bonus to whatever the fuck was going on with the god.

Bored and Curious. He knew those two all too well.

Besides, it wasn't like Harry said he couldn't come here.

Today he just said to stay out of trouble. So… Yeah.

And technically this was like the opposite of that. He was preventing trouble. It wasn't because he was biting at the bit to know why the fuck the god had sought him out in the first place or anything.

Right? Right. He takes the steps two at a time.

"Firebug!" Hades greets from where he was casually leaning against a pillar, "Good to see you up, moving around, an, ya know, not dead."

"Sup?" T blinks. How long had the god been standing there exactly? Fucking damn it. "Right? Not dead is nice."

"Yeah." Hades rolls his eyes as he crosses his arms over his chest, "Mortals hate being dead. They get so clingy," His face pulls in disgust, "so needy. With their gross, slimy souls." He shivers, "Yeesh."

"Pretty sure most of them are like that while breathing." T deadpans as he walks over to lean against the pillar across from him.

"So-" Hades rolls his wrist expectantly.

"So?" T tilts his head to the side. "What?"

"Yowza." Hades slaps a hand over his face and pulls it down slowly, "I nearly forgot how dense you can be."

"Like a brick." T knocks his head. "So..This a boredom thing or more of a curious one."

"Why can't it be both?" Hades shrugs.

"Fair." T crosses his arms.

Hades tilts his head as he glares down at T, "Look, kid," He rubs the back of his neck before he shakes his head and gestures as if he were shoving something away, "You got shafted by Maleficent. Like rudely. Straight up shafted."

T falls silent before he sneers. "Hard to forget about that stupid cunt." How could he when she'd knocked down the first domino in his long list of failures.

"Right!" Hades nods as he holds his hands out towards T, "So, what are you going to do about it?" He grins wickedly, "What entertaining me things are you going to do about it?"

T tilts his head to his side as he narrows his eyes at the god. Huh, this totally hadn't been thinking that's where this conversation was going to go. "Well…" He frowns, "I've had a lot of time to think about it." Though admittedly he couldn't do much to her. She was the isle's Mistress. More importantly, she was Mal's mother, and as much as it confused the fuck outta him, he knew Mal wanted nothing more than the bitch's approval.

He sighs. "I really wanted to see if her horns were real. And steal her clothes and dye them pink. Make her feel afraid in her own home, ya know? Then make her as uncomfortable as humanly possible while disrupting her ability to get anything from the commissary. All the while ruining Cruella and the Evil Queens lives. I thought about what to do about Jafar too… But I figured it would be more insulting if I just did nothing. He's just so sad already… I figured pointing out how pathetic he was would be more poignant anyways…" He kicks at nothing. "Not sure how entertaining that would be to you… But was definitely going to set fire to shit along the way…"

"Cool, cool, coolcoolcool," Hades nods before he frowns, "except not doing anything to the big bad washed up ultimate power genie, but I can see how doing nothing to him would be an even bigger fuck you."

"Pretty sure it will make him paranoid too- I mean once I start marking his shit and stealing from him."

"So, no notions of turning slasher on me?" Hades frowns as he looks T over, "No slitting throats or maimings in your future?"

T tilts his head to the side. "Not to them." He eventually frowns. "At most humiliation, some starvation, and withdrawals."

"Eh." He shrugs, "I guess I can be wrong occasionally, burdened as I am-" He glares down at his cuffed wrists, "I really thought you'd go dark. Warned my Kitten about it a while ago." he snickers, "Seems she knows you better than she thinks- maybe it's another power manifesting, not that it does me any good."

T rubs the back of his neck. "If it is she's had it for years. And nope. Didn't even think about killing the core four's 'rents so much as terrorizing them and lording it over them… But I'm pretty damn sure I could."

"Wonderful." Hades walks over and slings an arm over T's shoulder, "Killing is so final, so… not entertaining." He starts guiding him into the temple, "Ya know what I'm saying?"

T frowns, "That you're bored enough without taking the fairy outta play?"

"Bingo." He pats himself down, "I'd give ya a prize if we weren't both stuck in this shitty place."

T snorts. "Mind answerin' a question instead?" He pushes his luck, "Like how one would weaponize poison? Doubt Yensid's about to give me that book."

Hades rubs his chin with one hand, "Weaponize poisons… Weaponize… Poisons…" He taps the air with his fingers, "Oh, I know this one." He chuckles, "PAIN! PANIC!"

T looks up at the god curiously. "Seriously?"

When the imps flit into the room, tripping over themselves and each other Hades holds his hands up, "Not now you morons," he groans as Pain trips and lands on Panic's tail, making the other imp scream in fear when he's pulled off his feet, "This is the help I have. I did this to myself." He drags a hand down his face again, "Worms! Go search for the case of darts and the glass pipe the kitten made."

Both of the imps turn and run off with a litany of "Yes oh most dubious one." and "Of course Dark one sir."

T blinks as his eyes follow the imps.

Hades throws his hands up in the air as if waving something off, "Don't get your hopes up, it's going to take them a couple of days to find anything in that room."

"Still, chopping off those fucking horns just became easier…" T looks up to him in confusion. "I'd like to think randomly drugging her would also make her paranoid as fuck. I was just going to stab her with leftover needles..."

"Disgusting." Hades nods slowly, "I like it. Mortals are so afraid of germs."

"I kinda live my whole life around what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." T deadpans.

"I see that." Hades narrows his eyes thoughtfully before he gestures wildly at T, "This whole, all of it just screams what didn't kill me makes me stronger. Or ya know, breaks my mind, whatever."

"Eh." T shrugs, "Way to cut hairs."

Hades snorts, "Cut-" He chuckles before he looks away, "Right. Speaking of cut and filthy worms," he sighs before he frowns and looks back, "It sounds like you uh- ya didn't get your satisfaction, or answers."

T scowls as he looks away, "Oh I think there's still plenty of satisfaction to be had once I get my hands on those disgusting ass mother fuckers." He comments darkly as he shoves his hands in his pockets. "Besides, like that stupid fuck woulda had them anyways. Fuckin' religious psychopathic dumb fucking cunt."

"What a mouthful." Hades shakes his head, "So look. I'm me, I like making deals. And I'm willing to make," He chuckles, "well, several deals with you. If you're interested."

T tilts his head to the side as he turns to look back up at the god, curiously. "Well. I've apparently learned no lessons here." He sighs as he drops his head, "I wanna know..."

"Great! That's just what I wanted to hear." Hades chuckles as he rubs his hands together. "Okay then-" He holds up one finger, "First. I want you to keep pushing my daughter. You've done well helping her grow and shit in the past, but now it's time to dig reeeal deep and really get creative. Make those new abilities flourish. Help me-" He brings both hands to his chest, "Help you." He holds his hands out to T as if offering him something. "Capeesh?"

Huh, T frowns. What an odd offer. It wasn't like he wasn't going to push her to begin with. "Right now I'm trying to get her to set fire underwater… I mean if she can turn rock to lava or whatever..." He shrugs again.

"I have seen her little slice of paradise she's built for you followers." He nods thoughtfully, "But I mean really dig deep, put her in danger, scare her, push her harder than you've ever pushed her."

T tilts his head. "Um..." He frowns as he looks down at his bandaged palm before he makes a fist and turns back to the god. "Pass."

Hades shrugs, "Fine with me. You don't want to do this for me and get something for it then I'll just have to pull her out of that cozy little family of followers she has and start pushing her myself. Oh, the deals I'll have to start back up. Ursula, I'm pretty sure ol' Honey Bun had something he wanted from her-"

"Did I say pass?" T interrupts him as all the blood rushes from his face, "I meant deal." He corrects himself. "I basically torture her anyways." He mumbles under his breath.

"Oh?" Hades snorts, "Glad to hear you've changed your mind, cause I've got this weird thing going on with her right now and I have no idea what to do with it, but still, glad to know you value your little Fire Goddess's happiness. Cause it would just break oh so many hearts if I forced her back here now."

"Ya well…" T rubs the back of his head, "I've always been a dedicated follower…"

"So, you push, scare, whatever it is you do that makes her powers bada bing bada boom and when she makes improvements, you bring her to me so I don't have to track her down, interrupt her time with her followers or traumatize them. For that, I'll give you the darts and the tube to blow them out of, and when I find the originals, I'll pass them along to ya too." He grins wickedly as he holds his hand out, "So, whaddya say? Deal?"

Fuck, they were going to kill him for this. His stomach twists in knots. Which was worse? Him agreeing to this shit, or a random OV or, worse, Senior showing up to take her? T shifts in discomfort before he says fuck it and takes Hades's hand and shakes, "Deal."

"Cool, cool. And let me just say," He snaps his fingers and points at him, "sweet deal by the way."

"I've definitely made worse." He smirks through his stomach dropping. It was a sweet deal, Deez was under enough stress without Ursula slamming her tentacles against the ship. Still was it too sweet? What was the catch? He was sure there was one, but still better him than someone else.

Right? Right.

"I'm sure you have, I'm thinking one with a particular dark fairy leader maybe?" Hades chuckles.

"Yeah, and that ended so well for me last time." T looks him over curiously, "But better you than her, I guess." He rubs the back of his neck. "Besides if she gets wind of this it will get under that bitch's scales."

"I bet it will." Hades snorts, "Be a good lesson for her. Ya know, make deals and keep them." He jazz hands, "Shocker, people stop trusting you when you don't hold up your end." He rolls his eyes before he holds up two fingers between them, "Speaking of deals, care to make another?"

T sighs, "Kinda wanna hear it..." He kicks at nothing.

"Well, first I've got to ask if you plan to go after everyone else involved with your imprisonment." Hades clicks his tongue as he crosses his arms over his chest, "Cause I gotta say kid, for as much as you try to play the bad guy, you've got a soft spot for injustice."

T frowns as he studies the god, "Do not." He curls his fists by his side, "But yeah, was plannin' on it."

"Well then, you find the two henchmen and bring them to me, I'll give you the list of people they worked with, for, everything. You'll be able to scare the bejeezus outta the sick fuckos who are part of-" his lip curls as he flicks his hand, "that fucked up ring."

T stares at the ground as his thoughts drift to Harry. He'd already made it clear that he wanted to take care of those two disgusting fucks. And though so much of him had wanted to argue that they were his to deal with… He couldn't shake how Harry had reacted to those chains. That was what they did to him, and he could only remember flashes.

He wanted vengeance on those two fucks for what they had done to him so badly he could taste it. But… If he could get a list- Then he'd be able to get Harry at least a taste of the justice he so sorely deserved.

But could he seriously give up the two men who'd tortured them for what felt like months, had taken so much pleasure as they drowned and burned them? Who'd enjoyed humiliating them? Who'd… His mind goes blank as he shakes those thoughts from his head. For something he wasn't even sure would help Harry? Fuck. How could he be that selfish on the off chance it could? "If I did it I want the list of the fucks who took part, not just the people who worked under them..."

Hades shrugs, "Deal, in return." He holds a hand to his chest, "My entertainment, you have to keep me informed of your activities and movements so I know where to look."

"I'll do my best?" T frowns.

"Look, kid, if you're planning something, tell me. It's that simple."

"I love that you think I plan things." T deadpans.

Hades glares, "Well start learning. I'll take intentions. If you intend to do something, tell me."

"Alright, I can do that." T frowns. At least this one didn't involve his new found family he'd already found himself betraying on his first day out.

Better him than Senior though, right?

Great. "Deal."

"Deal." Hades holds his hand out.

With a sigh T holds his hand out, "Wait-" He pulls it back.

"Wait?" Hades snorts as he stares at their nearly clasped hands, "What else can you possibly want out of this?"

T's hand moves to his arm as he looks up at the god, "Harry should get to kill them, if he wants to."

Hades chuckles, "Oh, you're afraid my little soul searching party trick will end them." He narrows his eyes thoughtfully, "I'll get creative on my end, but you're gonna have to roll with what I say if the time comes. But hey, what do I care, bring crazed eye Guyliner with ya when it happens." He bounces his hand between them again, "Deal?"

Harry was still probably going to be pissed, but if this meant getting a list of at least most of the sick fucks roaming the isle, he could deal with the Number One's ire.

Huh. How did that work? Was Harry in charge of him now? And Gil? And Deez? Obviously, Uma was at the top, but still- He shakes his head. So not the time for those thoughts. "Deal." He takes the god's offered hand and shakes it.

"And last deal of the day, I have information about you that you don't know. I'll tell you, but in exchange, you have to tell me." Hades wiggles his eyebrows, "Meaning you report to me about my daughter. Every new ability and when her abilities get stronger. That's it." He keeps his hand out.

T blinks. What type of information did-

No. Didn't matter. No information was worth putting Deez in her father's path. It was one thing to agree to do what he was already planning on doing. Another thing entirely to spy on her. Not that he didn't already… But that was different, wasn't it? He'd never used the information to gain anything. He shoves his hands in his pockets. "Hard pass."

"Really? This is stuff I'll find out one way or the other. I just figured it would be better if you, the one already pushing her to get stronger, were the one telling me. I mean, you'd be thorough, other sources might not be, or I might have to show up for conversations with her, or even invite her home so we can have some bonding time."

T curls his hands into fists in his pocket as he scowls. Fuck. Why did he come here? This was so fucking stupid. "I'm not reporting to you about Deez. What type of follower do you think I am? I'd rather die, thanks." No information Senior had would be worth betraying the family he'd found himself a part of.

Hades pulls his hand back, "Interesting." He shrugs, but for a moment, T could have sworn he saw a smile, "I guess I'll just hold on to that tidbit for a rainy day."

"Great." T turns to look over his shoulder towards the exit and drops his hand when he notices how long the shadows had gotten. "Fuck!" He turns, "Nice sellin' my soul ta ya and all, but I gotta go." He spits out already starting to walk backward. "Talk ta ya later about things and stuff, kay?"

"What? Yer gonna deal and run?" Hades crosses his arms over his chest as he looks down his nose, "Rude!"

"Didn't pick me for my manners!" T waves over his back as he jets.

"Don't forget our deals." Hades's voice carries from the temple, followed by a rolling laugh.

"Neptune don'nah be lettin' this be ah mistake." Harry runs a hand over his forehead as he searches the crowd at the docks once more. The meager light from the broken lanterns hanging hazardously from poles hardly made a difference in the shadows coming and going.

Where the fuck was T? The sun had gone down behind the mountain nearly half an hour ago. He stifles a groan, no sense letting others see his distress.

But Uma was going to kill them both for sure.

"Here!" T pants as he lands in front of Harry from above, covered in sweat. "My bad!" He heaves, both hands on his knees as he sucks in his breath.

Harry shakes his head to cover his surprise before he grips T under his armpit and pulls him up, "Ya can be ah breathin' later," He whispers sternly as he starts running, pulling T with him, "We be needin' ta be at the ship."

"Right." T pants as he struggles to keep up with him.

Uma said around sunset. This counted right? Please let this count, or he and T were going to be banished to the ship for a month.

And that wouldn't work with his search.

He and T are gasping for air by the time they reach the ship. He only releases T once they hit the deck, where they both fall to the ground gasping and struggling to breathe.

James blinks as he walks over to them, "Ya okay?"

"Nope," T responds as he scrambles to his feet and runs to the opposite side of the ship, leaning over the railing before he throws up.

"Huh." James grimaces as he turns back to Harry, "Ya need ta spew chunks too?"

Harry shakes his head, "Be tellin' Uma we be back mate." He forces himself to say before he lays his head back to the cool wood of the deck.

"Ya can be tellin' her yerself mate, here she comes." James salutes him before he starts climbing the crow's nest as if his life depended on it.

Lucky bastard. Harry turns his head just enough to see Uma's boots walking up to him.

He forces a deep breath into his lungs, silently ordering them to be happy with the painful rush of air, "Cap'n!" He greets cheerfully. Well, as cheerfully as he could from the ground.

Uma looks between the two of them with a frown. "Cabin. Now."

"Aye." Harry takes another painful breath before he stands.

"Yep." T wipes his mouth as he trudges to the cabin.

Harry glares as he follows. He'd never been jealous of that stupid hood until this moment. He takes another deep breath as Uma slams the door shut behind her.

He looks around the room before his head drops. Shit, Gil and Deez weren't in here. There went that safety net.

T says nothing as he goes to lean against the wall, one foot against it before one arm over his stomach hunched slightly, his hood turned in his direction.

"You assholes are lucky I said around sunset." Uma glares between them.

"What made this-" She gestures to both of them, "happen? Why do you look like you were trying to outrun Scar?"

Harry stands up straighter, "Aye, ya be sayin' around, so when we be ah runnin' behind I be ah makin' us run the rest o' the way here." He explains with a frown, "Sorry if we be ah worryin' ya." he looks around the room again, "Everythin' else be okay?"

Uma looks from him to T suspiciously, glaring at T's hood, "Is that what happened?"

"What he said." T breathes out. "We were fuckin' around and we ran behind."

"Pull yer hood down and try that again." She snaps, crossing her arms over her chest as she walks over to stand in front of T.

T opens his mouth and snaps it shut before he reluctantly pushes the hood back. His flush face coated in a sheen of sweat."What he said," T takes a deep breath, "We were fuckin' around and ran behind."

Uma glares suspiciously, leaning in close before she sighs and turns to Harry, "And besides being stupid and losing track of time, no problems?"

Harry shakes his head, "Narry ah' one Uma."

T's eyes drop to the floor.

Fuck. He should have talked to T before getting cornered by Uma like this. Sure, he wasn't lying to her. But he also had no idea why T was running late. Or even why T looked like he'd been running for a long time.

Uma glares before she drops her gaze, "Great." She throws her hands in the air before she drops into her chair at the desk, "Fucking great."

T turns to Uma with a raised brow, before turning to him eyes furrowed.

Harry shrugs before he walks over to kneel beside Uma, "What be upsettin' yer winds love?"

"Oh, you know, T for once in his fuckin' life actually listened and now I have to keep my word to open this talk about our recent additions getting to come and go." She sighs

T pulls his hood back up before shoving his hands in his pockets.

"Ah." Harry takes one of her hands in his. Him and T asking Uma for time off the ship must have prompted Deez to do the same. That would explain her bad mood over them following her orders, and the obvious absences, "Our Treasure-"

"It's only fair I guess. It's just-" Uma's eyes bounce from his to T, "Look, it's nothing about you being able to handle yourself. It's about me needing time, that I apparently don't have anymore." She lets out a trilling growl.

T tilts his head to the side with a small frown.

"But," Uma sighs, "a deal is a deal-"

T's hand comes up to his arm, as his head drops. "Don't pirates call it an accord?"

Uma tilts her head to the side as she shifts in her seat to glare at T again, "You want more free time or not?"

What the hell was T doing? His eyes lock on T's hand digging into his arm. Something was off. He stands.

"Heard."

"I want you here just as much as you're gone," Uma warns.

"Right."

Harry crosses to T and pulls his hand into his own before he leads them to sit at the table, as if that were his only intention. "Let's be ah sittin' together ta be workin' out this accord." He holds his other hand out for Uma.

Uma huffs before she lets Harry pull her to the table as well.

T perches on the back of the chair next to him as he looks between the two, "What's there to work out? I have to spend as much time with you guys as I do on the isle."

"Like fuck that's the agreement." Uma snorts, "I want you back every day, no more dipping out for days at a time."

T opens his mouth to argue before he shuts it. "Heard."

"So for now, you can take half the day." Uma bites her lip before she continues, "Noon to midnight."

"But," T frowns, "Unless it's a barge day- It's easier for me to move at night. Can't we do like five to five or something?"

"So you can easily avoid sleeping with us I see." She glares, "And can avoid spending time with us by needing to sleep."

"I'm only avoiding one of those things." T frowns, "I like spending time with you. I haven't slept with you guys in days."

"Why don'nah we be ah tryin' it for a week ta be ah seein' if it be workin' for all o' us?" Harry quickly offers as he looks between T and Uma.

T smiles down at him before he turns to Uma, "Please? It's not that I don't like being with you four, I've just got a lot of shit to catch up on from when I was passed the fuck out. From gathering info to collecting metals for D and Gil. I'll make it work."

Harry lifts a brow as he stares at T. That was different. He wasn't sure he'd heard please ever pass over T's lips. He didn't know the kid even knew the word. T usually did what he wanted and then sought forgiveness after.

Uma drums her fingers against the table as she studies T for a moment deep in thought, "Fine, practically sundown to nearly sun up."

T perks up. "Really?"

"Yeah. Really." Uma sighs before she gives T a small smile, "You did what I said today even though I wasn't there to remind you. So, let's see how this new arrangement works." Her eyes tighten, "But know that fuck ups get hours reduced for weeks at a time."

"Heard." T nods. "Does this mean Deez can come with if she wants?"

Uma closes her eyes and lets out a deep sigh, "Yes, if she wants to head out with you, she can," She leans closer to T, "but I have to be told first. Hear?"

T salutes her, "Heard."

"And good luck convincing Gil he doesn't have to tag along," Uma adds with a shrug.

"You could've just said no." T sighs.

"But now it's your problem. She can go, they both can, but good luck if Gil's busy with something else."

T opens his mouth before he shuts it. "Fair." He looks between the two with a frown.

"And I shouldn't have to say this-"

"No hide and seek. Got it."

Harry nods silently in agreement.

"Not until I say so." Uma finishes.

"Heard." T grins, before it falters into a frown again.

Uma furrows her brow before she glares up at T. "Didn't we talk about the hood in the cabin?"

"We talked about it during the initiation."

Uma rolls her eyes before she looks up to Harry.

"T-" Harry sighs, "Ya should'nah be hidin' from us when we be ah talkin' in the cabin. There ain'nah bein' need for masks in here."

"But I-" He sighs before he brings up a hand to pull it down with puffed cheeks before his hand moves to his arm.

Harry immediately pulls T off balance, catching him against his side as he wraps one arm around the other boy.

Uma furrows her brow at the two, "Look, I know it's hard at first, but we work together in this family. We don't hide. It's something we all struggle with sometimes. Sea gods know Deez loves to hide behind her hair and books as often as she can." She sighs, "But, it'll get easier."

Harry nods as he turns back to T, "Aye lad. We be ah takin' it slow." He slowly releases his hold, allowing T to return to his perch on the back of the chair. "But it do be ah feelin' nice ta be able ta be yerself when ya be gettin' inside these walls."

T looks between them skeptically. "The hood is myself," He pouts.

"No, the hood is your mask." Uma chuckles, "You use it to hide your reactions and emotions."

T grumbles.

"Question?" Uma asks, her voice far too sweet for Harry's liking. She was really messed up over this.

T's eyes widen slightly, "No."

Uma snorts, "Okay." She shakes her head, "Look, I explained this to Deez, now I'm explaining it to you. This is your home. Not a prison-"

T winces, "I know that." He shifts on the back of the chair.

"Good. Because we've chosen each other. We've decided we're all worth supporting and strengthening. So, as much as you might not like it, I promise that not hiding with us will make you stronger in the long run."

T's eyes drop as he toes at nothing in the seat, "Heard."

Uma smiles, "But, since I have you both here. I've heard we can expect lock picking lessons soon."

Harry bites his lip before he sighs and slips into the chair T was perched on.

T looks down at him before he drops a hand on his head and absently plays with his hair. "I don't think that's happening for a minute." T frowns, "After the whole table thing, I think Imma have to try smithing some tools that won't break when Gil and Deez use them. But whenever you're ready Cap'n I've got a few padlocks for you to fuck around with."

"Ready when you are." Uma nods slowly, though she never takes her eyes off Harry.

"It did'nah be ah goin' well on me end," Harry explains after a long pause.

Uma frowns before she stands and walks over to sit on the table in front of him, taking his face in her hands "But you tried, Pretty Boy, and it sounds like you're gonna try again." She looks up at T.

"We need too." T looks down at Harry, "Now we just know to start," He tilts his head to the side. "Differently." He finally settles on. 'I already got a couple of ideas that might help the next time go smoother."

"Aye." Harry nods as he pats T's hand on his shoulder and one of Uma's hands on his cheeks, "Looks like we all be ah facin' fears now, an' be ah workin' them."

"Yeah." T nods. "It was fuckin' dumb. I don't want any of you in that position."

Uma nods, "Looks like it's my turn."

T turns to Uma curiously.

"Our Kraken here be ah' learnin' she be fine with stickin' ta sea level." Harry grins encouragingly at Uma as he cups her jaw and caresses her cheek with his thumb.

T tilts his head to the side before his mouth makes a perfect 'o' and his eyes narrow in thought.

"Gil is working on his fear of small spaces with Deez, Deez is working on her swimming-" Uma's eyes brighten, "Which we need a family day at the cove soon. She wants to show me what she learned."

"Aye. We be ah missin' ya at our last outin'." Harry grins, "It were fun ta be ah testin' yer sword though." His eye darts to the sword hanging above the door.

Uma's eyes follow his as she stares at the blade lovingly. "I can't believe you guys actually fought with her."

"God damn it, I told them to make you two swords." T sighs. "You've always coveted shiny shit." He gestures to the golden plate with an image of a map he'd given to her years ago.

"I know what I like." Uma shrugs, "But I'm actually good with those two spending time at the cove making me another sword. It'll keep Deez busy. The hold's inventory is only so big a project."

"No worries," T grins, "I was plannin' on makin' it a bigger one." He adds before he studies Uma intensely.

Harry chuckles at the torn look on Uma's face, "Aye, ya should'nah be lookin' so excited 'bout that."

Uma sighs, "I'm not going to say no to more cargo."

"When do you think we can hit up the cove?" T asks curiously.

"Sometime in the next few days would be nice." Uma sighs, "I feel like I've already missed so much of her working on this fear."

"If you're up to it, I think me and you should walk there instead."

Uma frowns before she closes her eyes, "Yeah, that's a good idea. At least I'll have a reward waiting for me again."

"Awesome." T's eyes brighten to a lighter shade of green as he leans back.

Harry runs his fingers through her braids. The last time she'd faced the cliff Gil carried her down it.

He tilts his head back to look up at T. He'd been more than capable of handling him in the throes of pure panic. As long as he kept that up he was comfortable with him handling their captain. "I be ah havin' another meetin' tomorrow, so why don'nah we be going the next day?"

T nods. "That'll probably give me enough time to get more metal for Gil an' Deez."

Uma nods, "Sounds like we're all on the same page then."

Hey people!

Uma is sus AF about T leaving the ship, more so with Harry backing him. Think she has reason to be?

Oooh, gotta hate domino effects, and Deez wanting shore leave by herself is certainly one domino Uma didn't want to fall. The struggle is real for her. Being torn like that sucks ass- Smooth of her to brush off Deez's request by telling her no one is allowed to travel alone anymore, wasn't it?

Lolz, everyone hates Deez and T's games.

Uma is between a rock and a hard place when it comes to her new family members though, luckily for her however D is more than accommodating and had empathy for her position. D can be so understanding. What did you think about their compromise?

God's know it's not the first time we mentioned it but I'm pretty sure everyone who'd friends with T hates his fucking hood. What's your opinion on it?

It sucks to feel useless, so I can totes get Deez's unrest with not feeling like a participating member of the crew. Pretty sure others out there have felt less than. Thank god she has her family to lean back on, amiright?

The amount of pride Uma holds for Dees is so touching. She's so happy to have her cousin back for keeps. It was a sweet passage even if it had some bitter undertones. As much as Uma's happy with Deez's progress, she still has to deal with the fact that she's missed so much of it. Still, it was nice to have her be around long enough to acknowledge it. Did it tug at your heartstrings?

It seems the struggle is real for T in this chapter too. He's all over the place when it comes to what to do about Harry. It's not like he has much experience with that level of panic. PTSD is no fucking joke and these kids have zero resources for that anyways. What's your take?

Oh, fucking T making the worst decisions circa his first meeting with Ursula. What the fuck is up with him and his relationships with OVs anyways? Any guesses or theories?

Hint, it has nothing to do with magic.

Self-sacrificing idiot is the best description I have for T. Do you have a better one? Harry is going to fucking murder him when he finds out what he did. If Uma or Gil don't first. At least he feels guilty for this stunt, as well he should.

Think he has a point about Senior showing back up at the ship eventually? Or do you think he's being paranoid- Or overly curious? Didn't take him long to go back to Justification City though did it?

And just what the fuck is Senior up to anyways? He's being sus as fuck, almost as if he's concerned about T turning Dark, but not. Any theories?

Gods damn it, T can't learn a lesson to save his life. Two deals with Senior? What the fuck is he thinking? Is the urge to slap the shit outta him back? I know it is for me and Dark.

Oh Harry, you sweet naive pirate, thinking T would be back on time or make any kind of good decisions. Then again if anyone wants T to be back to his old self again, it's Hook. What do you think about his decision?

You ever run so hard you throw up? I have and it fucking sucks. T hit that pavement fucking hard.

I really love Uma scenes. They're always such a pendulum. And when editing it's a fun game to guess who mained her for the scene. What did you guys think of this one?

And we're back to that damn hood. Oh T's really pressing his luck in this chapter.

Overall it was a fun chapter to write. Was it as fun to read?

Let us know in the comments below!

With much love and appreciation

-Twisted

Covid Corner

Hoping and praying all of you and your families are healthy and safe. The better we stick to this shit the faster it'll pass. We just need to stick together and stay positive. And look at the bright side for all of us aspiring writers- We know what the beginning stages of an apocalypse would be like.

Silver linings people, there is always one if you look hard enough.