Hiya Descendants,
We're back for another Monday update. Due to life being the way it is right now, we're having to take a step back and only post on Mondays and Fridays. It's just for now though, and as soon as we're able to return to three updates a week we'll let you know.
But now, are you ready for some Cliffside Conversations? Oh, that's not the title of this chapter? Meh, close enough. Get ready for a jaw dropping T moment as well as some character growth.
Lots of Love,
-Dark-
He wasn't sure this was the best plan, but ever since he found out- He couldn't let it go.
Honestly, he couldn't believe how much Uma trusted him. He was sure that would end the minute they got to their destination, he'd stake his new sword on it. That didn't stop him from appreciating the trust while it lasted. It meant so much to him that after all of the shit he'd done she hadn't lost it.
She'd been silent nearly the whole walk, not that he was complaining. It was just odd for Uma. He wasn't sure he'd ever spent this long with her without talking. What was she thinking about? Did she know what he was thinking? No- There was no fucking way. She'd have killed him by now if she did.
He was pretty sure a normal person would probably be concerned by how distracted she seemed when they were about to do what he was planning. Then again he doubted a normal person wouldn't do what he was about to.
Seriously though, if she didn't kill him there was a good chance one of her boys would- That is if the impact didn't kill him.
Still. If they were all serious about facing their fears, he sighs.
He looks up at the barrier with a frown. He couldn't think of a better way than to face it head-on and once the idea popped into his head he couldn't get it out.
He's pulled from his thoughts when Uma suddenly stops and he walks into her. Oh. They were here. That was quick.
"I can do this. It's just a stupid climb down a fucking drop." Uma takes a deep breath.
"Of course you can." He assures her as they reach the edge of the cliff where the path to climb down was. "But seriously Uma," He takes her hand and guides her past it till they were near the outcrop of the cliff over the water, "Look at this." He says as he gestures to the view of Auradon. "Heights are totally worth it when it comes to this type of shit." He adds, though he was too busy looking down at the waves crashing beneath them to appreciate it.
Uma smiles as she looks out over the ocean, "Too bad it's blocked by the barrier, otherwise, you're right. This is a wicked view."
"Thought you'd like it." T turns to her with a small smile on his lips, letting her take in the view for a moment.
Yep. She was going to fucking kill him.
"So, how cold do you think the water really is? It's a bit warmer today than usual."
"Still cold enough to eventually kill." Uma frowns, "It's one of the things my mother likes to threaten the crew with when they fuck up." She furrows her brow as she looks back to T, "But the pool Deez made is heated, so it doesn't matter."
"Yeah, but that's not big enough to race in." His lips pouting.
"Race?" Uma questions, her voice hesitant as she tilts her head.
"Yeah," T nods, "I wanna work on how fast I can swim." He kicks at a rock. "And you're the fastest swimmer there is on this shit hole."
"So? We're all the way-" Uma closes her eyes as she swallows, "Up. Here."
"Yeah, but it's hard not to think about when I'm lookin' over it, and it just popped in my head. I wanna work on my speed. I mean, not that I'll ever be able to beat you, but you know how I love holdin' shit over Hook's head."
"T-" Uma swallows again before she takes a step back from the edge of the cliff, "I'm ready to climb down the cliff now."
"Fair." T nods as he turns to start walking away from the tip of the cliff, "C'mon then." He says waiting for her to be out of reach. "Thank you for trustin' me, I know bein' this high freaks you out, I just wanted you to see it." This was going to fucking suck.
"Thank Neptune." Uma lets out a sigh of relief as she turns and follows, "I was really afraid you were about to do something-"
"That being said, I trust you too." T smiles at her before he turns and bolts towards the edge, just like he had dozens of times- Albeit when it was a lot warmer.
"-stupid!" Uma screams as she grabs her braids in terror. She rushes towards where T had just been, feeling sick as she peeks over the edge of the cliff.
T fucking jumped! Jumped into the freezing-
She screams as she runs back a couple of feet before she turns back to face the edge.
She takes a deep breath before she closes her eyes and starts running.
If the fall didn't kill him-
One.
- or her-
Two..
- and if he survived the cold-
Three…
- when she caught him-
She opens her eyes in time to jump, screaming in terror as she clears the edge and starts falling towards the water below.
- she was going to kill him.
"Be comin' on Deez!" Harry pouts as he circles her, "Don'nah ya be ah wantin' ta have the water nice an' ready for when Uma be gettin' here?" He rests his fists on his hips as he stares down at her with a comically stern frown, "She be ah facin' her fears today too."
Deez sighs as she rolls an orange ball of molten sand in her hands, "I will heat the water, Harry. I was just playing with some glass ideas until they got here."
"We still have some time before they meet us." Gil frowns at Harry from where he was sitting in the sand, "I like watchin' her make glass. It's cool."
"Aye. Cool be ah word for today," Harry complains before he throws himself down next to Gil, "Ah poor one. It still be too damn cold."
"Yeah," Gil agrees as he throws an arm around Harry and pulls him closer.
"Shh." Deez furrows her brow as she looks around, "I think I hear them."
Gil and Harry look behind them towards the rocks.
"That was quicker than I thought they'd be," Gil whispers as a grin lights up his face.
Deez stands and turns, tilting her head to the side before the glass she was working with suddenly slips from her fingers as she looks up in horror.
"What be wrong?" Harry asks as both he and Gil look up in confusion.
"They're up there." Deez points to the pinnacle of the cliff above them, just in time to see T leap. Seconds later they hear a blood-curdling scream.
Gil blinks as he stands up, his eyes narrowing before he starts running, "Deez, go heat up the pool." He orders over his shoulder.
Harry grabs her hand as he takes off running after Gil, "The pool Baby Girl."
Deez's eyes widen, "Oh my father! Uma jumped too!" She pulls her hand out of Harry's and rushes to the pool, slamming her hands down on the boulder to heat it. "Uma jumped!"
"Fuckin' shit!" Harry curses as he outpaces Gil, kicking sand up in his wake.
Deez watches as Uma lands in the ocean, but she couldn't say where T was. Somewhere in the screams of terror and the maniacal laughing she'd lost track of his jump.
"Fuck!" Harry yelps as he runs into the water, faltering slightly as it rises past his boots.
With her heart in her throat she strips out of her clothes and slowly gets into the shallow end of the pool. Heating the one boulder was going to take too long. She puts her hands on the walls and closes her eyes, focusing on heating herself.
"Sonovabitch!" Gil curses as he follows after Harry. The water lapping over his feet was frigid! He slows out of reflex as a shiver runs up his spine.
What the fuck had T been thinking with that stunt? He was going to strangle him. He'd seen T jump from that cliff too many times to chalk this up to an accident. His stomach lurched every time the other boy laughed as he fell. Like he didn't have a care in the world.
He was always fine. Always came up on the beach with a shit-eating grin and a cocky thumbs up. And usually, he made peace with that, only this time the water was also ice-fucking-cold as well.
And people thought he was an idiot.
"T! Uma!" Harry shouts before he yelps when a wave nearly knocks him over. "Ya be seein' 'em?"
Gil frowns as he catches Harry, his eyes scanning the ocean as he continues to defy his instincts and run further into the rough, frigid water. "No." He shouts over a crashing wave.
The two of them dive in after it reaches their hips and they start swimming towards where they last saw the two fall.
Hopefully.
"Uma! T!" Harry calls out hoarsely.
"UMA!" Gil bellows over the waves after he spits out a mouthful of salty water. He was going to kill T for this.
"Here," Uma calls back. One hand lifts into the air before it disappears from view again behind another cresting wave.
"There!" Gil pulls Harry by a handful of his jacket and points.
When the wave passes them they see Uma swimming towards them using one arm. The other was dragging T behind her in a stranglehold around his neck.
"GET THE FUCK OUTTA THE WATER!" Uma glares.
Gil winces at the order, conflicted. T had to be heavy with all those layers. He was a little relieved to see Harry fighting the same thoughts.
So when Harry does turn to listen to the Captain's orders, he sighs and starts following him to shore. He was going to kill T.
If he wasn't dead already.
"Uma be ah made o' strong stuff." Harry struggles to say as his teeth chatter with the cold.
"Yeah." Gil gets out between clenched teeth. That didn't mean he liked this. Not in the slightest. What the hell had T been thinking?
Harry stumbles as he reaches the shallows before he turns and holds out his hand.
"Thanks." He takes the offered hand, annoyed with the way his teeth were chattering. The urge to run to Deez's pool was nearly as overwhelming as his need to see their Captain and miscreant.
"Hug it out?" Harry chuckles, shivering as he wraps his arms around him.
"Yeah." Gil quickly pulls Harry to his side, wincing at how cold he was to the touch. Deez was going to be upset when she saw how blue their lips were.
"I said out of the damn water." Uma snaps as she swims up to them and tosses T with a wave.
He catches T with an oomph, all his anger at him draining when he sees T passed out and feels him shivering violently in his hold.
"I hope the pool is warm." Uma growls as Harry helps her to her feet, "Cause you three are gonna freeze." She pushes against their backs, forcing them to start moving again.
He doesn't need to be told twice, now that he was sure that both of them were out of the choppy water.
"Deez be ah catchin' sight o' ya both and went ta be warmin' the water soon as she saw ya jump." Harry struggles to explain.
"Then move your asses quicker." Uma snaps.
Gil grimaces at her tone. She hadn't been that pissed in a while. When the pool gets in sight he skids to a halt when he doesn't see Deez. "DEEZ!?" Surely she hadn't gone in the water after them, right?
Right? He turns to the water in open-mouthed concern.
"The water be steamin' mate." Harry points out as he starts stripping with Uma's help.
He turns back to the pool, letting out a sigh when he sees Deez's blue eyes peeking over the side of the pool. He speeds up, not even bothering to strip as he runs into the water. He was already soaked anyway.
He moans as soon as the hot water laps over his feet before he rushes to the deep end, keeping T pressed to his chest securely.
Uma and Harry follow after him, letting out moans of their own.
"Sorry, I was scared I wouldn't get it heated fast enough." Deez frowns as she keeps her back pressed to the wall.
Gil shakes his head, "It's okay, just scared me." He admits before he looks down at T in concern. The other boy was still shivering violently as his teeth chattered behind blue lips. Damn it.
"Go stand with Deez, Harry." Uma orders before she kicks off towards the deep end.
"Aye." Harry doesn't argue as he swerves to go sit next to Deez. "Thanks Baby Girl."
"Is he okay?" Uma asks as she kicks to tread water beside him and T.
He looks at her with concern. "He's still knocked out and cold."
"Because he's a fuckin' idiot," Uma growls as she puts a hand to T's face.
"Yep." Gil nods in agreement.
"Be gettin' T over here!" Harry calls out, "Deez be radiatin' heat."
He doesn't need to be told twice. He and Uma quickly swim over to them before he shoves T at Deez and pulls Uma to his chest. He settles in the water with the rest of their family, the four of them huddling around Deez.
Deez holds T and closes her eyes.
"When ya be learnin' this?" Harry asks as he rests his chin on her shoulder.
"Um…" Deez purses her lips as she opens one eye, "Learn it worked in the water? Right now."
Uma groans as she leans her head against his chest, "No one tells T, he'll feel justified on two accounts."
"No kidding." Gil sighs as he looks at T's face, relieved to see some of the color coming back to his cheeks. Is that what this had been about? His eyes narrow before they widen. "Uma, you jumped off a cliff." He says in awe. She jumped off the same cliff she'd once nearly strangled him while he carried her down it.
"I didn't have a choice."
"I mean you did." Deez points out before she frowns, "But you're also you, so you didn't."
Uma groans, "Little fuck." She glares at T, "Said he trusted me right as he leapt off the edge."
Deez sighs before she closes her eyes, furrowing her brow before the water starts steaming again.
Harry pulls Gil and Uma closer, "How ya be ah feelin' Uma?" He asks as he looks her over, gently running a hand through her braids as they float in the water.
Uma sinks into the water deep enough her mouth is covered as her eyes shoot daggers at T.
Harry nods knowingly, "He be ah havin' a funny way o' showin' his support, but that is what he be doin'."
He was glad Uma couldn't see his grin at Harry's assessment. Now that everything had slowed down, and he was able to make sense of it, he at least understood why T had done what he had.
That didn't make it okay. But still, it was a relief to know T didn't suddenly have a death wish.
"T always has a good reason for what he does." Deez shrugs, "Sometimes it would be nice if he shared the reason though."
"Wouldn't it?" Gil sighs. She wasn't wrong. In all the years he'd known T, it was rare that he didn't have one reason or another for doing the stupid shit he pulled. "He's part of the family now though. He's gonna have to learn to warn people before doin' it."
Deez nods thoughtfully.
All four of them let out a collective sigh of relief when T sighs and curls around Deez of his own accord.
"We wanna be ah tradin'?" Harry grins at Deez as he holds his arms out, "Last I heard ya be wantin' ta show Uma somethin'. And you two should be ah gettin' hugs in on her, she be ah warmin' ya right up."
Deez nods as she passes T off to Harry before he pulls her to his lap to sit next to Uma.
"This is the second time T's gotten cuddly in a pool." He chuckles as he hugs Deez and Uma closer to him.
"I be likin' these odds." Harry chuckles.
Deez twists in Gil's lap until she can wrap her arms around him and Uma, "I hate when you guys are cold." she whispers against his neck. Everywhere she was pressed to him warms.
"I don't think we're fans of it either Baby Girl." Uma grins at her as she scoots closer. "If T thinks for a moment that there's not going to be consequences for that stunt just because I jumped, he's got another thing coming." She mumbles as she hugs Deez.
Gil lifts a brow when he notes T curl more into Harry at the comment and hides his smile. He turns back to the girls in his arms.
Something was still bothering him. His eyes widen when he finally figures it out. "Deez!" He grins down at her. "You got in the pool by yourself!"
Deez blinks up at him in surprise before she smiles, "I did. I was worried I wasn't going to get the water warmed fast enough, so I got in to try another way." She bites her lip before she hugs him, "I guess I was more scared for all of you than I was of the water."
He leans down and places a kiss on the crown of her head, pride shining in his eyes. She set her fear aside when she knew her family needed her. He knew how much she needed this. Needed to prove to herself that she could do whatever she needed to for the people she loved, scared or not.
Uma closes her eyes as she sags against him. "Great." She sighs, "No one tells T that either."
Deez chuckles before she transfers her hold to Uma, who immediately curls around her. "I'm so proud of you, Baby Girl." She nuzzles against her.
Gil watches the two with a soft smile, "I'm proud of both of you." He hugs them tightly. "You both were amazing."
"Aye. Ya be ah facin' yer fears head-on like an' beatin' them." Harry adds with a strained smile.
Gil keeps them tight in one arm and reaches over to pull Harry and T closer as well. "We're all workin' on it. Just seems like the girls are in the lead right now, but we'll catch up quick enough." His eyes drop to T. Uma was not going to be thrilled he was hearing this conversation but he couldn't deny the fact T had gotten results.
So far T was three for three when it came to helping his girls. He never would have thought to do something so reckless. He was going to have to ask T to help with his fear too. He knew from witnessing it he'd probably loathe every minute of it, but still… He looks down at Deez and Uma with a soft smile. He never thought he'd see the day Uma would jump off a cliff. Or Deez would purposefully get into the water without anyone around.
"Deez," He grins down at her, "Why don't you show Uma what you learned while we heat up. That way you don't have ta be afraid of anyone splashing or moving about?"
She smiles up at him before she leans her head back against his chest, "Look what Harry and Gil taught me."
Uma's eyes light up as she watches Deez float. "That's our Baby Girl!" She cheers as she settles between Gil and Harry with the widest grin on her lips.
"Ya know, when all things be considered," Harry smiles as he holds T to his chest with one arm and slings the other around Uma, "Today be one o' the best days ever."
"Shut it." Uma groans, but can't hide the smile in her eyes. She shakes her head before she turns to Deez, "Ya ready to learn something else?"
"Yes!" Deez kicks until she can reach his leg to use as a perch as she turns to face them, "What?"
All three of them chuckle at her enthusiasm before Uma leans to kiss Harry, and then him on the cheek.
"Here." She grins before she swims deeper into the pool, making sure it was still shallow enough for Deez to stand. "It's called a guppy paddle."
"Look-it the little Treasure swimmin' all her own." Harry cheers from his seat. He wasn't lying to Uma earlier when he called this one of the best days ever. He was holding a very snuggly T, who at this point he was sure was awake, and he was watching his family finally find some peace they deserved.
Uma had dreamt of this day since he could remember. And to see her enjoying it so fully made him smile. She deserved this.
Gil chuckles, his eyes not once leaving the two girls. "Good job Deez!" He grins at her. "You're doing great!"
T moves in his arms, his head turning away from his chest so he could catch a peek at the girls.
"I ain'nah complainin' none, mind," Harry whispers against T's ear, "But ya gonna pretend ta sleep all day?"
T nods slightly, not moving from his spot.
"Aye then." Harry chuckles as he presses his lips to the crown of T's head before he curls closer into him. Nope, couldn't complain at all.
"Is it okay if I join you guys?" Gil asks. "I'll be careful not to splash."
He chuckles when Deez holds her hand out to him and smiles.
Gil grins boyishly before he slowly wades over to them.
"Ya be sure ya ain'nah wantin' ta be joinin'?" He whispers against T's ear again, even though Gil was no longer in earshot, "I would'nah want ta be keepin' ya from playin' in the water without gettin' yerself frozen solid."
T tilts his head to look up at him with a blink. "You can go play if you want."
Harry furrows his brow. His lad was many things, but soft-spoken wasn't one of them, and he barely was able to make that out, "T?"
Faustina shakes her head slightly as she sinks slightly lower into the water, but doesn't let go of him.
"T ain'nah bein' that afraid o' Uma is he?" He chuckles as he gathers Faustina better in his arms.
Faustina bites her lip as her eyes narrow. "I think it was the shock."
"That were bein' ah mighty dumb idea." He grumbles as he adjusts his hold on her so they can both better see the rest of their family.
"Sorry." She ducks her head as she reaches up to the soaked hood.
"Nah nah nah-" He chuckles as he tugs it back, "We be with family. Ya ain'nah needin' that. And you don'nah be needin' ta be sorry."
"Sorry." Her eyes flit towards the others before she looks up at him, her emerald eyes boring into his intently.
Harry half snorts before he chuckles softly, "What ya be sorry for now?"
"For saying sorry."
"Ya be ah seein' the strangeness in that, aye?" He winks at her, "Ya be ah wantin' ta stay back or go play with the others?"
Faustina drops her eyes as she curls into him closer. "Stay, please."
"Aye love," He draws his legs up to push her even more onto his chest, "We can be stayin'."
"Thank you."
"Ya be shy then?" Harry asks as he rests his chin on her head, nuzzling softly against the wet strands of deep red hair.
Faustine blushes as she hides her face. "You're all here."
Harry smiles as warmth settles in his chest. "It be rare we all be ah gettin' ta be together like this. No school books, no sword or fightin' practice, no hardness in front o' the crew. Just, playin'." He chuckles at Uma and Gil's new game of Deez swimming between them, "Ya know what I be sayin'?"
Faustina looks up at him with a small frown as she studies him intently. "You can go play." She offers again, as she slowly pulls away from him.
"I be knowin' I can," Harry pulls her back, "But ya be ah snugglin' and I be likin' it here."
Faustina blush deepens as she curls back into him, "Thank you." She whispers against his chest before she leans her head against the crook of his shoulder to hide her face. "I like it too."
She breathes out so softly he nearly misses it. "Everyone looks so happy."
"Ya ever be wantin' it, just be ah sayin', T said he be ah leavin' ah letter for ya when I be offerin' it, but yeah-" he fidgets as warmth spreads on his face, "But, all me offers with T be standin' for you too. Needin' ta talk, or needin' ta not talk, snugglin', kissin', any sort o' practice," He grins down at her and winks, "I be standin' ready ta serve."
The heat from her blush blazes against his chest as she looks up, studying him with the same intense stare before she drops her eyes. "Thank you." She nuzzles against his chest, one finger absently tracing patterns on his arm. "I know you're busy. That means a lot to me."
"I ain'nah ever bein' too busy for family." Harry informs her, catching his finger beneath her chin to tilt her head back so he can stare into her beautiful ocean night green eyes, "Ya be hearin'?"
She surprises him when she meets his eyes. "Yes sir." She nods meekly.
He chuckles at the pleasant shiver her words send down his spine before he presses a quick kiss to the corner of her lips, "Careful now, ah pirate could be gettin' use ta such respect."
Her lips tilt into a smile, "It's well deserved." Her timid voice was as even as her gaze.
He tilts his head as he watches her. "Aye?" A slow smile curves his lips, "Ya know, it be ah soundin' like ya be ah knowin' all 'bout us, but I only be ah knowin' scraps 'bout you." He chuckles, "That don'nah be ah soundin' very fair."
She fidgets in his lap, "I guess it doesn't." She bites her lip, but her eyes never waver from his.
"It be ah soundin' to me like ya need ta be ah spendin' more time with me." He winks mischievously at her.
"I'd like that." Her lips slowly falter into a frown, "But I'm pretty dull."
His barking laugh slips out before he can stifle it, "Sorry-" He apologizes as he hugs her to his chest, "I did'nah be ah meanin' ta be makin' ya jump like the Pup. Just found cause ta be laughin'." He pulls back just enough to watch her again, "Pretty, aye, that ya be." He softly brushes strands of hair from her face, "But ya ain'nah bein' dull."
She blushes as she drops her eyes, her lips curling into a thoughtful frown before she meets his gaze again. "I- Thank you for thinking that, but," She bites her lip, "compared to T I'm boring."
"Ya only be ah thinkin' that because ya be ah princess in ah tower afore." Harry shrugs, "But ya be with us now, so ya be ah havin' lots o' freedom ta be findin' yerself."
Faustina pauses her tracing as she studies him with curious eyes. "I'm happy enough with-" She frowns as she bows her head, "Sorry," Her tone as soft as it was genuine. "I should have said it earlier. Thank you. For the room, and-" She swallows as she drops her eyes to his chest. "For bringing everything from my old one." Her eyes watering slightly, "You didn't have to do that. So thank you."
"Aye, I did'nah, but I be ah wantin' to." He nuzzles his forehead to her cheek, "And ya be welcome. I be figurin' if it were worth hidin' it be holdin' meanin' to ya both. An T be ah sayin' you be the one fixin' us up with all the remedies and ointments and such, so I- well, me and Uma be figurin' ya be ah needin' yer glass bottles an' such." He smiles as he sits up, "But I be glad ta know ya be likin' the room too. We were wantin' ta be sure ya had yer own space while ya be adjustin' to us."
Faustina glances up at him before she hugs him tightly. "I really appreciate the thoughtfulness. I'm- It's still overwhelming to be near everyone all at once."
"Aye, we can be ah mite loud." He grins as he looks up, his brow furrowing slightly when he notices Deez looking back at him. Before he can do more than shift, she nods and taps a finger to her ears. She turns back to Gil and Uma, giggling as she throws herself at them and starts begging to learn more from Uma.
Faustina glances over in confusion before she looks up at Harry with a small smile. "She has incredible senses, doesn't she? And such amazing gifts. When she ends up in Auradon she's going to change everything for the better."
"That be our Baby Girl." Harry chuckles, glad Deez had so easily read his situation and seemingly understood his desire to spend time with Faustina. He tilts his head, blinking down at Faustina, "She do be inspirin', so I'll be enjoyin' that view when it be ah happenin'." He smiles as he focuses on Deez again. She seemed so much younger when she was happy.
Usually, she looked like she was carrying the weight of the world on her tiny shoulders. Her eyes always looked older too. He believed it was because she saw more than the rest of them, made more connections, and understood more. But right now? Laughing and hanging off of Gil as she mimicked Uma's kicks made her look like the Baby Girl she was.
Faustina bites her lip as she looks between him and the rest of the family, "You really don't have to stay, I don't mind just watching. It's rare to see them all so carefree."
"I don'nah think our Sweet Boy would be 'perciatin' the level o' energy I would be brinin' if I were ta join them." Harry chuckles, "Deez just be ah settin' her fears aside, no need ta be splashin' them back in her face yet." He sighs contentedly as he settles back, "Ah 'sides, I be happy relaxin' an' chattin' with me own fortune right now."
Faustina tilts her head to the side as she yet again studies him with slightly unnerving intensity as if she were trying to unravel a puzzle.
Harry smiles as he stares into her eyes. Her eyes also seemed older, though it felt different than Deez. He couldn't fully explain it, he just knew that where Deez's eyes held an age beyond her years for reasons like making connections and understanding, Faustina's seemed to hold a different form of age. Deez's beautiful blue eyes could also blink back at him with wonder and innocence-
He presses Faustina into his chest at the sudden realization that her brilliant green eyes didn't. Her eyes were sharp, but hard. It hurt to realize that the bastard had snuffed that light out of her.
Faustina places her hand on his chest, her eyes sweeping over him with a small frown. "Are you okay?"
"Aye." He slowly nods before shaking his head to rid himself of the dark thoughts, "Just thinkin'." He pulls her close in a tight hug. He was glad he'd killed the old sick fuck. Anyone who would want to destroy something so beautiful didn't deserve even the lowest life the isle could provide.
She leans her head against his shoulder to gently nuzzle against him. "Thank you." She whispers with another blush.
"What I be ah doin' ta be earnin' this." Harry smiles as he wraps his arms around her, "I be sure ta be doin' it more."
She's silent for a moment, "For not being disgusted. I-" She bites her lip, her eyes glassy before she blinks the tears away. "It's just," She stumbles over herself, "thank you. It feels nice to be held by someone I care about, and I know cares about us." She leans her head against his chest again. "Especially since you don't really know me." She offers hesitantly. "So, thank you. For this. For your offer to do it again." Her voice becomes fainter as she continues, "It really does mean everything to me."
Harry tightens his hold, "I do be ah carin' for ya, and ya ain'nah done nothin' for me ta be findin' disgustin'." He nudges her head until she looks up, making it so he can claim her lips.
He'd do anything to banish her thoughts that she was disgusting. Was that what was wrong with T too? The reason he pulled away, the reason for the distance he was trying to put between them?
He pulls back enough to lock eyes with her, "Ya be listenin' ta me." He demands, not even caring that he sounded desperate, "We did'nah be doin' nothin' ta be deservin' what were done to us. Done to you. And what-" His eyes close, "Nothin' anyone be doin' can change how I be feelin' about ya. Both o' ya. It don'nah be changin' the way our family be ah seein' ya. I know, cause it never be makin' them treat me different." He presses his lips to hers again when he sees a tear leak from the corner of her eye.
Her eyes never waver from his as she watches him with an intensity he was quickly becoming familiar with. "Yes sir," She swallows as she ducks her head. "Thank you." She adds, her sincerity unmistakable as the top of her head presses against his chest.
"Ya be loved." Harry nuzzles against her, "Both o' ya. Always be rememberin' ya be loved."
Deez checks over her shoulder before she runs down the stairs to the hold. What was she doing? Why did she feel like she was sneaking around the ship?
She sighs. Probably because she was. But she needed to ask T for a favor without the rest of her family around to talk her out of it. Because she'd end up letting them. She bites her lip as she stares down the hall to the only door that was always closed now.
Did she want to do this? She takes a deep breath. Her wavering fist hovering an inch away from the door. Uma wasn't going to be happy about this when she found out. She doubted Gil or Harry would be either.
But seriously, if T could get Uma to jump after him… Her head thuds against the door. She just wanted to be able to swim with her family without freaking out every time they wanted to play.
She wanted to be able to enjoy the water her family felt so at home with.
After a moment the door opens and a hand darts out to press against her head to keep her from falling forward. "Sup?" He steps aside so she could enter.
"Got a sec?" She asks as she walks into the room, quickly closing the door behind her.
"I mean," T shrugs, "I let you in didn't I?" He asks as he goes to perch on the back of his chair. "What'cha need?"
Deez smiles, absently crossing her arms over her stomach, "I know you're going to be heading out soon." She takes a deep breath, "I um- I think I need your help."
"I gotchu." T leans back on the chair, adjusting his spine before he sits up, "What'cha need, Princess?"
"Yesterday-" Deez closes her eyes, "I- I need what you did for Uma." Better to just get it out in case someone came looking for her.
T lays his arms over his thighs lazily before he leans forward with a thoughtful frown. "You want me to push you off a cliff? Cause I already know your ass ain't jumpin."
Her eyes widen as she shakes her head, "No! I mean," She groans, "Like we need you getting knocked out again." She huffs, "I need help going under the water. I can kind of swim now, get in the pool by myself, hopefully. But-" But all it took was a moment of missing her grip on the edge of the pool for the fear to rush back in, crowding her mind with panic. If Gil hadn't been there, hadn't kept his promise to keep her head above water. She frowns.
She could feel T's eyes on her before he snorts.
"I don't know how she's going to pay me back for the whole cliff diving incident." His lips pull into a smirk, "But as I said, if you're serious- I gotchu." He nods at her. "But it's gotta be just the two of us. Everyone else will get pissy and it'll just get in the way, or be utilized as a distraction by your sneaky ass."
"Duh." Deez rolls her eyes, "Why do you think I had to ask you alone." a slow smile spreads on her lips, "And I know what I'm capable of when trying to avoid things, thanks." She tightens her self hug, "Besides, how else are we also going to work on me using my fire underwater? Which I think I've got step one now."
T grins, "One, that's fucking awesome Deez, fuck yeah." He playfully punches her shoulder. "Two for one. Just making sure you were aware. Two, kinda noticed your lack of entourage." T chuckles.
"I knew Gil would either want to join us or would talk me out of it." She worries her lip bottom lip between her teeth, "Uma doesn't even want to acknowledge you got her to face her fear. And got me in the water on my own," She bites her bottom lip before she snorts, "Not to mention it got me to figure out how to heat the water myself, which is step one, by the way." She shakes her head before she throws her hands in the air, "And Harry… I'm pretty sure he'd just order me to stop talking crazy with you."
T snorts, "That checks. Badass." He laughs, "And yeah probably."
"And since I don't want you knocked out, or me talked out of this-" She gestures around the room, "Here we are."
T grins, "Betcha five notebooks that all three of them realize there are worse games than hide and seek." His lips pull into a smirk. "I like it. It's going to eventually bite me in the ass, but I like it."
Deez chuckles, "Don't worry, I'll take the blame when they find out. It was my idea."
"Tch." T snorts, "Yeah, but they're not gonna be mad over the idea as much as me executing it. And that's a noble notion, Princess, but we both know I'mma take the fall for this."
"I'm hoping that if I can get over it, they won't care how." Deez shrugs, "I'm still going to work on it with them, eventually."
"But they're going to put it off just as badly as you would." He points out.
"I'm hoping by the time they work on it with me, we'll have made some progress."
"Fair." T nods as he props his hand up on his chin. "Wanna try it tonight?"
"I-" Deez narrows her eyes, "I still haven't worked out how to get to the cove without anyone else. You already have a plan?"
"Yeah, I asked- And I think she felt backed in a corner after the whole freedom thing... So couldn't justify saying anything that ended in any other word than yes."
"Brave." Deez chuckles before she looks over her shoulder at T's door. It sounded like someone was walking down the hall.
"Or stupid." T snorts, "I'm finding those lines run pretty parallel."
"You are remarkably you." Deez smiles as she slowly starts backing up towards the door, "But maybe not tonight. No need to make them suspicious."
"I am aren't I?" T nods, "You know how much I love to aim to please."
"You wouldn't have any of that ointment you make, or oils that would help with sore muscles, would you?"
"Yeah," He tilts his head slightly before he plucks something off the table and tosses it to her. "For Gil, I'm guessing?"
"Aye." She nods before she looks back up, "Thanks."
"Remember that."
"I will do my best."
"I'll hold you to it." T grins.
Deez nods again before she opens the door to find Gil holding his hand up like he was about to knock.
"Sup, Big Guy?" T nods at him.
Gil grins at T before he turns to look down at her in relief, "We were wondering where you'd run off too."
Deez smiles as she holds the tin up in both hands like a prize, "I asked T if more ointment was ready. I saw you rubbing your legs, and Uma said she'd teach me how to do massages like she does."
"Oh." Gil smiles as he drops his hand to Deez's head and gently ruffles her hair. "That's sweet of you Deez. I didn't think you could get sore from playing in the water, but my lower legs are crampin' something fierce."
"So, good time for me to learn then." Deez smiles as she takes Gil's hand. "Thanks, T."
"Any time, Enjoy the lesson." T nods at them as he hops off his seat and shuts the door behind them, with the click of a lock.
She pulls Gil with her back up the stairs, a little surprised at how well that had worked. She managed to get T to agree to help her, and she was getting to help Gil out while getting to spend time with Uma and Harry.
She felt a little guilty about hiding her new 'lessons' with T. But she'd seen the fear in Gil's eyes when she'd slipped. And she'd noticed he was less forceful with her swimming lessons now that he was working on his own fears.
And T was right. She would use any opportunity to get out of doing something she was afraid of. Her biggest fear was that wanting to win her family's approval would only be a motivation for so long.
Sup homeslice?
Gods, that first scene. I can't tell you how much I loved writing it and how much it made me laugh upon re-reading it. Was it exactly what you were expecting T to do when he asked for them to walk instead of taking the dingy?
Did the second scene make you anxious or make you want to laugh?
Uma is so fucking done with T's shit. Can you blame her? She even started barking orders at her boys.
I'm not sure if Gil is more pissed or concerned, and I wrote him. He is so fucking frustrated with the situation. Which do you think?
D says T always does things with good reason- Agree? Or disagree?
What did you think of Gil's realization that Deez put her fear aside in order to help her family? Poor guy has been on the front line of that girl feeling like she's not brave for years. Were you as happy as he was to see her prove to herself that she was more than capable of being useful, despite being afraid? Almost like she finally took her own advice.
Overall I thought the scene was cute. What do you guys think?
Sorry if the third scene was a bit confusing with the names at the beginning, but Harry thought it was T, when it was Faustina and that's what we agreed to do about it. Was it hard to follow because of it though?
Harry is so fucking proud of Uma and Deez, and I hope Gil's pride came through as well, did it?
Wasn't Gil asking to join them in the pool adorable?
Was anyone expecting it to be Faustina upon them waking up?
The interaction between Harry and Faustina was so sweet it hurt my teeth. Anyone else get a toothache?
Speaking of T's other half, what are you guys starting to think about her? She's so different than my usual mains. so any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
The end of that scene legit made me squee upon rereading it. Anyone else get hit by them feels?
Deez is so fucking adorable sometimes. Of course she'd feel guilty about 'going behind the family's back' to ask for T's help. Any thoughts?
T's response to her question had me making a snort of my own. Did any of you get a chuckle?
T's assessment of the question was full of assumptions, as T is one to do. Think he was close to the truth?
What did you think of Deez's plan? Think it will help with her feelings of uselessness?
T's bet made me roll, anyone else get a chuckle?
Much love and appreciation
-Twisted
Covid Corner
It's crazy I'm still writing these.
How are you guys doing? Hope you're staying sane through this shit show. And safe and healthy and shit. Quick roll call though. It's been a while since we've heard from a few of you. Just a hi will help our anxiety. Cough... QuintBrit... Cough... Bookworm... Cough... everyone else, you know who you are.
Small reminder, we're on at 6 EST on Fridays on our facebook page in an attempt to keep you guys entertained. Sometimes we even manage to be funny. So if you're bored or desperate for some human interaction with someone outside your house- Hit us up. We plan to be on for an hour. Gotta get back to writing. :)