Happy Monday Morning Descendants!

We're back with another update for you. How is Harry going to handle T being MIA? Will Deez cave under the pressure of being the messenger for T? What was it Deez wanted to talk to Harry about?

We hope you enjoy the chapter, and don't forget to Join(ing) In below with a review. We look forward to hearing from you.

We just wrapped up an all-night writing session, gonna hit the hay for a couple of hours and then get back to it.

Wish us luck?

Lots of Love,

-Dark-

It hurt that T left like this. He thought they'd been making progress. He sighs as follows behind Deez, his eyes never leaving the back of her hood. Not that he thought she'd take off like T had, but he was afraid she might connect something and run after a hunch, thinking she knew where T could be. He wasn't losing both of them on the same day.

He was fast. He knew that. But he couldn't even beat T in a race, let alone Deez.

Damn runners. He and T were going to have a long talk when he got back. He'd make him promise to not pull a stunt like this again, since promises were so important to him.

Apparently.

Deez ducks around a corner, pulling him from his thoughts as he races to catch up.

Didn't he just say he didn't want this to happen? Like fuck was she getting away from him that easily. He grunts when he finds himself pulled into an alcove.

"You're making a lot of noise for being led to a secret hang out," Deez whispers as she frowns up at him.

"You be the one who be ah duckin' me," Harry whispers with a slight glare. "I be ah losin' enough family fer one day." He frowns.

She closes her eyes as she lets go of his jacket, "Sorry, it's just what we do- did. What we did to make sure we weren't being followed."

He nods as he drops a hand to her hood. "Jay be ah teachin' ya that one?" That sounded just like Mal's second. He was nearly as bad as T when it came to making sure his own family could survive.

Deez gives him a small sad smile, "Yeah, he did. It's so- ingrained, I guess? But I don't even think about it until it happens now."

"Aye." He sighs, "I be ah gettin' it. Jus' be throwin' me off is all."

"Sorry. But we're here." She points up at an old, beaten up, and nearly falling apart metal set of retractable stairs.

Harry nods as he studies the sign. Warning flying rocks, huh?

"Carlos and Jay tried to keep rocks thrown all over the place here, but-" She sighs as she looks around. "We might need to do this like T, or remember to bring something to throw next time."

"Aye?" Harry nods, "An' how T be ah doin' it?"

She peeks out, looking around quickly before she sighs, "Feel like giving me a boost? I've never been able to run up the wall or jump as high as T can."

"Aye, kid do be wiry." He nods before he picks her up and places her on his shoulders. "What ya need to be doin'?"

"He says I'm just lazy." She admits with a scrunched face as she with a surprising amount of grace climbs to stand on his shoulders before she surprises him further by jumping to hang from a small sign hinge.

"T be ah callin' everybody lazy," Harry grumbles. Kid had too much energy. "But ya be lookin' pretty spry ta me."

"Aye." She giggles before she starts swinging. After a few back and forths she drops her grip and kicks the sign.

His eyes widen in surprise as he runs to catch her, the creaking and groaning of gears working attracts his attention. "Clever." He nods before he heads up the stairs. "How they be ah closin' it?"

"It closes on its own after a few seconds, or it can be opened and closed inside," she explains as she fidgets in his arms.

"Huh." He nods, keeping her in his arms until he gets to the door. He places her down behind him. "Let me be ah makin' sure no one else be ah findin' this place, then ya can be ah comin' in. We can'nah be havin' ya surprise punchin' somethin' when ya be in hidin' and all." He winks at her.

Deez tilts her head to the side, but nods and turns to hide in the shadows.

He smiles before he slips through the door, hook and sword in hand. He quickly checks for any uninvited visitors. When he's satisfied no one else is present he signals for Deez to join him.

Once the door is closed he takes the time to actually look around. The tags on the walls were impressive. LiveEvil silhouettes each of their parents in their glory days, one on each wall where the assigned VK's must have spent most of their time. Each of their faces were carefully painted around the rooms. It was oddly sweet. He had no idea that Mal would actually do anything for her gang short of bossing them around.

When he spots a wall done in nothing but black and greyscale he pauses. This was nothing like the others. It takes him a moment to actually notice the hooded figure standing in the darkness. Huh. He touches the wall, surprised. He had no idea Mal had accepted T as one of theirs. He shakes his head before he drops his hand from the wall. Admiring art wasn't why they were here.

"I haven't been back since they left." Deez frowns as she walks around, her fingers lingering on different things around the room; a workout bench, a sewing machine, a stack of books, a can of paint.

He scans every flat surface for a letter, only to be disappointed.

She sighs before she turns on her heels and disappears behind a small screen. The wall behind it had been painted with blue and white flames in a silhouette of Hades surrounded by a stylized image of Deez glaring at the fire on her hands.

"He hasn't been here." She calls out, "The only thing that's been touched is my box. The rest is exactly where it was before..." her voice trails off.

Harry sighs, "I did'nah think he be ah leavin' ah note so soon after the last one. But it be good ta be knowin' where this place be an' how ta be gettin' in. Anythin' ya wanna be bringin' back ta the ship Princess?" he asks as he walks behind the screen. His heart aches when he sees how sad she looked being in her old home.

He walks over to her and puts his arms around her shoulders before he hugs her to his chest. "They be in Auradon, Baby Girl. An' if things be goin' right, we might ah be seein' them again." He knew his words wouldn't do much to lessen her hurt, but he couldn't stop himself from trying.

"I know." Deez nods against his chest, "I know it's stupid to be sad. I am happy they're out, I just… I miss them."

"Ya can'nah be helpin' yer emotions. I be ah missin' em too. Jay be one o' me best mates, an' the Pup be nice ta be havin' round." He picks her up and walks over to the beaten couch before he plops down to nuzzles against her.

"It be okay ta be sad over losin' half yer friends. I be ah understandin' that." He kisses the top of her head before he leans back, pulling her tightly to his chest. "It don'nah be lookin' like T be here at all yet." He sighs as he hugs her closer. "But I be ah comin' back later ta be stakin' it out an' be waitin' for him ta be showin' up tomorrow." He grins down at her. "Ya won'nah be losin' no one else." He promises her.

"Is Uma going to let you come alone?" Deez asks, "Gil says we're supposed to move in pairs now."

Harry's eyes sweep over her. "I be Number One. I be gettin' certain privileges."

He just shrugs when Deez looks up him unamused. "It be ah perk o' my position." That and the two newest family members were either hurt or hunted. "Give it a couple o' months an' I be ah sure ya be gettin' 'em too." He winks down at her.

"I don't think I like being alone like that anymore." She admits with a sigh.

"Aye." Harry nods, "I don'nah think anyone much likes bein' alone-" He frowns, "'Cept for fuckin' T." He rolls his eyes, not that T was ever really alone. But he didn't like the thought of Faustina coming out on the isle either. He doubted she knew how to defend herself. A shiver runs down his spine. He was going to have to work with her on that.

Deez frowns as she pulls back to look at him. Her eyes dark as she looks him over with her shimmery blue eyes that looked like they were seeing more than he wanted her to. "Everyone is so worried, and scared, and angry an-"

"The anger jus' be a way we be ah showin' our worry." He assures her as he pulls down her hood to play with her hair. "But if ya be ah wantin' there be ways ta be calmin' the storm."

"That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Aye?" He lifts a brow as he looks at her curiously.

"Yeah, there was a day you were at the cove with me and Gil, and you told me there were more ways than just talking to make people feel better."

"Aye. I be ah rememberin' that." He smiles as he nods.

"You said you'd tell me later." She holds a hand up, "Is it later enough?"

"Aye, that it be." He smiles widely at her. "But it be better ta be ah showin' than tellin." He stands up and sets her on her feet. "If ya be wantin' ta be knowin', we best be ah gettin'. Don'nah be wantin' ta worry Uma more than she already be. Lest we be abandonin' our Sweet Boy to the Kraken. They'll both be a happy ya be showin' ah interest." He winks at her. "We be talkin' 'bout ya joinin' us in the fun for a while now."

Deez smiles at him before she takes another look around, "Do I have time to grab a few things?"

"Aye." Harry nods, "Let me be ah helpin' ya. Lil' thing like ya can'nah be carryin' a lot without it be drawin' attention."

"Can you grab the clothes and the box on my bed?"

"Aye, I can be ah doin' that." He nods before he heads to her room, once again admiring the painted image of their Fire Princess and wishing he could get a picture of it to show the others. "T still be ah havin' his camera?" He calls out. It was rare Uma could leave the ship, and he'd rather have her spend time at the cove.

"He hasn't said anything about it, but I think Evie has one now. She got mad that T wouldn't let her use all the film for selfies."

"Be ah bringin' it here for a tic?" He calls out as he finishes putting the clothes in the box.

Deez walks over to the bed and carefully sets four small wrapped bundles down before she runs off again.

Harry smiles as he picks up the bundles to carefully add them to the box. Their Princess really didn't have much to bring back.

"Found it." She calls out before he sees a flash and hears a whirring sound, "And miraculously it still has film."

Harry grins as he walks out of the room, "That be good." His grin widens as she passes it over. "I be ah thankin' ya Princess." As much as Uma hated the Newt, she'd still enjoy this. It captured Deez's essence perfectly. He walks back into her section of the hideout and snaps a picture of it. He flaps the small square that spits out, remembering something about how it developed faster like that.

She runs out of another corner of the room, the one with Maleficent's silhouette, with pictures in her hands, "Ready?" She asks as she slides them into a notebook and tucks it into a bag.

He doesn't question it as he walks over to take pictures of the rest of the paintings of Mal's family. He pauses when he gets to the one with who he was sure was T.

He snaps a picture of it but frowns when the colors were too dark to show up on the film.

Deez smiles as she walks up to stand with him, "This one took her forever to come up with. I think she just didn't want to admit she liked T." She chuckles, "It's one of her best. I think that pissed her off too."

Harry snorts. "I be ah believin' that. Gil be ah tellin' me bout the scene they be ah' makin' at the Howler. She could be ah right bitch, but if Jay an' the Pup be stayin' with her, she be havin' somethin' worth followin'." He grins down at her. "It be well done, I be gettin' why she might ah be pissed bout it."

"Mal is a good leader. She does it different than Uma, but she cares in her own way. She just knew she couldn't show it too much or it would get taken from her."

Harry looks around one more time with a frown. It was clear how much Mal actually cared when you knew where to look. "Aye. I be bettin' that be ah true."

"Mal blew up more than Uma does, maybe that's why Uma is scarier. You guys talked about it, but seein' it." She sighs as her hands tighten around the strap of her satchel bag. She shakes her head before she looks back up, "Ready when you are."

"Aye." He wraps an arm around her shoulders. "Let's be ah headin' out. Be ah surprisin' our family with yer interest ta be helpin' calm our storms."

Gil looks up from his drawing as Deez and Harry slip into the room. The look of pure joy on Harry's face makes him smile before his eyes drop to Deez. She looked so uncertain it made his chest ache. What was wrong? He'd thought they'd found another letter at first but… The look on her face made him doubt it.

So then, what was Harry so happy about?

He bites his lip as he watches the two curiously. What happened?

He sighs as he remembers the way Deez had run out of the room earlier after Uma had demanded to know what T had been thinking. Had she thought the Kraken's anger was directed at her?

He frowns. He'd have to pull her to the side and explain that later. Uma always got angry when she didn't have control of a situation, or when she was worried about something. And T had managed to do both.

He takes a deep breath. He didn't understand what T had been thinking, but he wasn't surprised by him doing this either. He didn't want to mention it to Uma or Harry, but he was surprised T has stuck around for as long as he did without disappearing on them.

He looks down at his sketch of interlocking tentacles. He knew T had another personality. He just didn't know what his other half was like. So it was making it very difficult to figure out what to make the tentacle clutch onto for them.

He was pretty proud of the tentacle wrapped around the spyglass he'd come up with. His thumb caresses the tentacle as he once again found himself worried about their missing member. He sighs before he shakes his head.

"What happened?" Uma demands, not getting up from the table as her eyes bounce between the two.

Deez rolls her bottom lip over her teeth as she fidgets with a bag strap, "Can I put my stuff away?" She asks, holding a hand out.

Harry winks at Uma before he hands her the box, "Aye Fire Princess, ya be takin' care o' yer belongin's."

Uma furrows her brow as Deez runs to her chest in the corner of the room. "What. Happened?" She asks again as her eyes dart back to Harry.

"He were'nah there, and had'nah been there by the looks o' it. But I be knowin' how ta be gettin' in ta be ah lookin' for more letters, just in case." Harry shakes his head as he pulls out a small stack of pictures, "But I be ah thinkin' ya might be enjoyin' ah look at the place."

Uma's eyes soften as she shuffles through the photos in her hands. His eyes catching the expressions on her face, surprised to see her smiling so much over pictures of the other gang's hideout. It was an odd thing to be happy about.

When she catches him looking, she smiles and passes them over, "You'll appreciate these too Sweet Boy."

Gil smiles as he happily takes the photos. His eyes widen in surprise. He'd always known Mal was an amazing painter and sketcher, but the picture of Deez was near perfect. Everything about it, from her hair to her tight smile. It was just gorgeous. He grins. He remembered the way she'd always be hunched over a notebook drawing when they were at school together. She'd been working on her art for years. Honestly, the tags she painted were nothing in comparison to this. He was slightly surprised she even bothered. He knew Deez had meant something to her. But clearly he'd underestimated how much.

"And I be ah havin' an interestin' conversation with our Treasure." Harry adds with a grin, "If ya be ah interested in hearin' what she be wantin' ta be ah doin' for the family."

He looks up from the photo, as curious as Uma who was mildly glaring at Harry.

"An' what is that?" Uma asks before he gets a chance.

Gil recognized that look in Harry's eyes. His brother loved having a captive audience. And Uma was waiting on bated breath to hear what Harry had to say.

He was too. Harry loved to drag these types of things out. Which probably explained Uma's glare.

"Well, our Treasure here were wantin' ta be talkin' when I be ah findin' her in the nest," Harry chuckles, "Little did I be ah knowin' what she were ah thinkin' though."

"Which was?" Uma rolls her wrist, excited as she was frustrated.

"Well, when we be ah takin' ah moment for her at the hangout- Which did ya be ah knowin' how Deez be ah gettin' us in?"

He frowns, "No?" But clearly there was a story there that he wanted to know.

"Harry," Uma breathes. "Focus."

"Right ya be Uma, I don'nah be havin' time ta be ah tellin' ya how she be ah jumpin' from me shoulders ta be swinin' from ah wee metal hinge afore she be kickin' our way into the hangout down for us." He holds up a hand, "But don'nah ya be worryin' none, I be ah catchin' the Princess." He winks at Gil.

Gil turns to grin at Deez, "That's really cool, Deez. T'd be proud of ya for pulling that off."

"T's the one who taught me how to get in like that," Deez admits as she walks over with four small bundles to set on the table.

Uma's eyes the bundles curiously, "Pick up some forgotten treasure while you were there Baby Girl?"

Deez bites her lip, "I guess they didn't get a chance to pack anything, so I-" she shrugs.

Uma snorts, "That's cute. You stole their stuff. I'll clear a shelf for you to put them on."

"It's things I made for them." She whispers.

He smiles warmly as he pulls her onto his lap. "I miss Carlos and Jay too." He nuzzles her hair. "But then I remind myself where they are, and it helps."

Harry pouts, "Our Treasure be remindin' me that I be promisin' ta explain somethin' I told her ah bit ago."

"Oh?' Uma turns to him, "And what did you mention to her?"

"Well, Gil were tellin' her that talkin' be makin' people feel better." He slowly continues to explain.

Gil blinks before a slow smile forms on his lips. He remembered that conversation at the cove. Remembered Harry interrupting him by saying' there were other ways to feel better. "Really?" He asks as he looks down at the girl on his lap. Was she ready for that type of comfort?

"You said it only makes you feel better at the time, but-" Deez looks up at the rest of them, "Everyone is so stressed out and upset, and talking really doesn't seem to be helping right now, so I wanted to know what Harry was talking about."

Uma's eyes narrow before they widen as she turns to Deez with a warm smile. She reaches out to take her hand. "Of course our boy's brought up that part of family time." She chuckles before she turns to him and then Harry with happiness. "I think that's a great idea. We've been wanting to introduce you to it for a while, but weren't sure how to bring it up. Apparently, my boys beat me to the punch."

"I only be ah waitin' for her ta be askin'." Harry smiles as he holds a hand out for Uma.

He squeezes Deez to his chest, "You're going to enjoy it." He kisses the top of her head, "But it might be a bit scary at first."

"We'll take it slow," Uma assures her. "And be gentle," She shoots a warning glance at Harry before she continues, "But it'll feel amazing, we'll make sure you feel good afterward and make sure you're comfortable with everything first."

Deez looks up at Gil.

"We'll make sure you feel as loved as we do. And Harry's right. It'll help with the tension we're all experiencing. We've been waiting for this for a while now." He'd been wanting this for a while, a long while.

"What do I do?" Deez asks with a small smile.

The three of them share a glance before he stands up and gently places her on her feet. " Harry an' Uma can show you. It's kinda easier than explainin' it. Plus this way I can answer any questions or help ease any worry. It might look intimidating at first- But I promise you, it feels amazing. We can just sit and watch at first. So you can see what we're talkin' about- Then if you're still interested we can join them."

"It's all at your pace, Baby Girl," Uma adds.

Deez blinks, but nods.

"Don'nah be nervous Treasure," Harry smiles as he runs his fingers through her hair, "it be ah lot like kissin', ya be likin' that right?"

"Yeah, I do." Deez smiles up at Harry.

He smiles at the two of them. "And, if it gets to be too much, or you feel uncomfortable, we can slip out. We don't want to scare you, so if you want us to stop, we will. It can be overwhelming at first to feel so good, but it's worth the climb, promise." He assures her with a squeeze to his chest. "I know Uma wanted to walk you through how a girl should feel."

"Aye," Uma smiles, "It's like a pleasant fire in your belly. A kind of tingle. But don't get worried, it's not you catchin' ah' flame."

Deez tilts her head to the side as her eyes dance across their faces, "It sounds like you guys are excited, and it makes you happy and feel better, so-" She smiles, "show me."

Deez smiles as she stretches slightly, not wanting to ruin the peaceful moment she'd woken up in. She could feel where everyone was without opening her eyes, knew who was who, though she couldn't explain how.

She could get used to being the bottom of the sleep pile. To being the warmth for her family.

She'd had no idea what she'd been asking about when she told Harry she wanted to help make everyone feel better. Had no idea they'd been waiting for her to show interest. But last night...

Last night had been an experience she would remember forever. She knew her family was loving, but she had no idea the depths of their patience. How gentle and encouraging they could be.

At first, she'd been shy and awkward, unsure of what it was they wanted from her. Of how she should feel or act in the unfamiliar and very intimate situation.

But she loved them. Knew she belonged with them. So she listened. Watched.

Learned.

It had been a little confusing at first. But when Uma asked if she had the fire in her belly, when she pressed her hand over her belly where she was getting a strange feeling, she realized they were helping her understand the weird things she'd been feeling the past couple of months.

So she listened to them. She asked questions.

She followed their advice, followed their examples.

Trusted them.

Joined them.

The things they taught her; about herself and about each of them. She'd never considered how important her senses could be.

And they'd filled her senses last night. To the point of near overwhelming.

But for the first time, overwhelming had been a good thing. She was happy Gil had warned her though, and that Uma had cautioned her about the fire feeling.

She never felt her own fire trailing over her skin, but she felt flames where their hands had been. It was just another magical thing about her family. Magic she was part of. Magic she got to see when she touched them too.

This was what she'd been missing. Why she never truly felt like she'd belonged here, with them, before.

Gil, Uma, and Harry had an intimacy she'd always known was there, but never understood. Her realization last night had brought tears to Uma's eyes. But for the first time, she understood how to take the sting out of her words.

Understood how her actions could speak louder than words. Written or spoken.

She snuggles against Gil's hold on her, rubs her cheek against Harry's arm under her head, tightens her hold on Uma's hand.

She wanted to live in this moment, capture it and never forget it.

No wonder why the boys had told her that this was the best way to relieve stress for a moment. She'd never felt so relaxed. So happy to be touched, held. It was another level.

Just like Gil said it would be.

She sighs contentedly as she looks between her family before her eyes grow heavy again.

Sup Fam?

Seems like T might be giving Harry a new trigger for his PTSD doesn't it? Now he's paranoid Deez is about to do the same

Our favorite Hook is so heart-achingly bitter towards T right now- Luckily he has Deez to help pull him from his thoughts.

Seeing Deez reprimand Harry for once made me smile, it's so rare for her to be able to scold one of her family members. Talk about refreshing, amiright?

PARKOUR!

Sorry, couldn't help myself...

What did you guys think about Harry's thoughts on the Core4's hangout? His assessment of the paintings, and Deez's explanation of them?

Deez wants her family to feel better and distracted from their worry so badly it hurts, so of course she'd ask Harry how to help take everyone's mind off their current concern.

Family time. I know it's weird to call what they do together family time- But it's the isle, and they're not actually related. Anyone surprised Deez was the one to broach the subject?

How did you like Deez's explanation of Mal and her dynamics with her gang?

What did you guys think of Gil's introspection? It's been a while since we opened a scene like that, hasn't it?

Harry is the worst type of troll when it comes to telling good news. Ass.

Uma's smile, while she looked through the pictures, made me smile. I know the movie had them hating each other, but in our fic, she views them more as frenemies. Those pictures really had an impact on the Sea three, all of their opinions of Mal changed because of them. Funny how shit like that can happen after the fact, isn't it?

Lolz Harry derailed his own story, serves him right for dragging it out.

Were you worried about the Sea3 introducing Deez to family time? Were they soft enough with her? Or do you think it was too pushy? We're hoping for the former, but we need to know if it's the latter.

Deez found their magic, the piece she'd been missing this whole time. That intimacy that can only come from sharing yourself so completely with another person- Or in this case people.

What did you think of her introspection at the end? Did it make you smile? I personally thought it was sweet.

Now for the question, I'm sure you all knew was coming- Were you happy we didn't write out her first time being in a sexual situation? Do you wish we had?

(For anyone who worried, even after her first Family Time Deez is still a virgin. They were more focused on introducing her to the feelings and the reactions her body could have, a true, guided, coming of age moment. But even they don't want to jump in all at once with her.)

We're dying to know! Nearly literally- Cause more explicit shit could possibly be heading your way- They're unattended teens with hormones everywhere and knowledge that sex can be a great way to relieve tension.

Much love and appreciation

-Twisted-

Covid Corner

Hoping those of you in other countries are having better luck than us here in America-

Apparently, we can't stay home to literally save our lives. UGH.

Stay safe.

Stay healthy.

And don't forget, if you're bored you can always hit us up on Friday's for our Fireside Chats. Ask us some questions, watch us trip over ourselves to answer them. See our process as we stumble into new plot ideas in front of you guys and have to whisper to each other to write it down so we don't forget it. Friday's at six pm EST, at Dark and Twisted Sisters on Facebook.