Heyo fellow Descendants!

You would not believe how many times I started to post this and got sidetracked!

The struggle was real, but I did it!

Go me!

We hope you enjoy this chapter. Slight trigger warning, the chapter is titled Consent because there will be a conversation about consent in context with rape. It's an 'if you squint' kind of thing, but we wanted to make sure the warning was there. I know I've dropped the ball a couple of times making sure that we had warnings, but the title reminded me this time.

Don't forget to leave us a message at the end, we always look forward to hearing from you.

Lots of Love

-Dark-

A small smile tugs at his lips as he looks up at the ship. It had been about two weeks since he'd last come to visit. He was sure that had given each of them the time they needed to at least start their workbooks.

He still couldn't believe how amazing these children were. How unique. Deez used to talk about the three so often. Still, he hadn't been ready for the amount of love and concern they shared for one another.

On an isle full of filth and vermin, it was shocking. How these children had maintained such compassion and understanding, it was a miracle.

The way they'd worked to keep T alive, to keep Deez and Gil safe from the worst of the injuries; the selflessness was touching. The Captain and her family were everything Deez had shared with him and then some. The level of trust between them would even be envied in Auradon, let alone the isle. Gil hadn't argued Uma's orders once, even though he was clearly concerned and worried. And the gentle way he handled Deez, the almost indestructible demi-god, was just sweet.

And Uma and Harry?

He'd never seen two people work better in silent unison. Quickly processing whatever he said, and following it to a T. He was sure without their dedication and constant diligence, T wouldn't have survived his sickness.

Speaking of T. His eyes sweep in the direction of the cabin. To have kept everything hidden so well for so long? To have been able to move still with the pain he must've endured on a regular basis if the old scars covering her body was any indication was nothing short of impressive. And terrifying. The amount of will the kid possessed. He shakes his head. It was a miracle he'd pulled through the abuse and torture he'd endured. Then to successfully fight the infection that followed? Either the boy or the girl refused to die. Maybe both. Shocked seemed like an understatement for how he'd felt when T had made it one day after another.

He'd wanted to come here, to this isle to help the children of villains. To teach them. To guide them to good when no one else would. But the Captain and her family had somehow figured it out on their own. All five were so unique. So different. So quick and intelligent. He'd never had the pleasure of enjoying everyone in a family before. He genuinely felt lucky to witness and be involved in their lives.

He slowly walks up the gangplank, waving at James before he knocks on the cabin door.

"That had better be-" The door snaps open and Uma blinks up at him in surprise, "Oh. Yensid. Uh, come in." She takes a step back.

"Yensid!" He hears Deez call out cheerfully before he feels her press against his side.

Being with her family had done wonders for her. She'd always been surprisingly hopeful despite being so sensitive to her surroundings. But now the affectionate girl he always knew to be hiding behind the defensive mask was thriving. "It's good to see you too." He greets her with a warm smile as he returns her hug.

His grin widens as he notices the pile of textbooks on the table, "I see you all have been working." He comments before he turns to Uma, "If the offer is still open, I would like to accept a room aboard the ship."

"Of course." Uma nods somberly, "I can show you-"

"I can do it." Deez quickly offers as she steps back, "You're better at explaining math than I am."

"It do be annoyin' ta be hearin' her say she don'nah be knowin' how she do it." Harry grumbles.

Gil frowns as he looks at Harry before he turns a guilty look to Deez, "Uma just breaks it down into steps that are easier to understand."

He glances around the room, looking for the missing member. Ah. That explained Uma's greeting. He nods, quelling his nervousness about T being out on the isle alone so soon. Had he run away? For as caring and compassionate as the usually stoic boy could be, being near others was not his thing.

Uma chuckles as she ruffles Deez's hair, "Okay, you show him the rooms he can choose from, while I show our boys how to math."

Yensid smiles at them, "Thank you, Captain." He bows his head slightly. "It's an honor and a privilege to have a room in your home."

"Glad to have you aboard." Uma nods firmly before she turns to the table and pulls Harry's book over.

He nods curtly, before he turns to Deez, "If you wouldn't mind?" He prompts her.

With a smile Deez opens the door, "Did everything fit in your magic bag?"

"What I needed." He chuckles. Always concerned. Always curious.

She leads him down the stairs, and with every step he notices her becoming more thoughtful.

His lips twitch. He knew that look. What was she worrying about? Stuck on?

"So, I think we have three empty rooms. One is here." She backs out of the way as a crew member hurries out of the room opposite where she was pointing, "James and a lot of the crew share those rooms though."

"Probably best if I'm not too close to the crew. I might make them uncomfortable since I won't be joining as a member so much as an advisor."

"Ah." She smiles sheepishly, "Well then there's one downstairs by T's room… But it's freezing, and smells, " Her nose crinkles. "But it has the most privacy. And there's a room attached to the kitchen-" her brow furrows before she corrects herself, "I mean the galley. It's not as private. But it smells much better and is warmer."

The bottom of the ship sounded awful on the joints, though it would mean having a better eye on T. But, T might run if he felt like he was under scrutiny. While the one by the galley sounded like it might be louder. "I think it would be best to choose the room by the galley." He smiles.

"Oh good." She walks down another few steps before turning down a hall, "That room has a window, so Gil won't have a problem coming to visit you."

"Ah." He chuckles, "That is good to know. I would like for all of you to be comfortable talking to me, so thank you for that advice."

She smiles up at him as she walks into the comfortable looking galley, "We're all working on stuff that scares us, but I'd rather Gil not have to face that every time he has a question." She pushes the door open and steps aside, "Besides, this room is just happier."

One of his brows raises. They were willing to admit they had fears to each other? And had the courage to trust one and another to get over them?

Once again he found himself floored. Where had these kids learned this? "I would also hate that." He nods before he takes his first look around the room, "Besides, this seems to be a bit more inviting."

The room was surprisingly large and even furnished. A small bed, a table with two chairs, and a chest of drawers were neatly arranged to give the occupant the most amount of room possible. He smiles, it had everything the cook of the ship would need.

He smiles at the children's thoughtfulness. Clearly they had already chosen this room for him, but had wanted to give him options to choose from. "This is more than generous. I will have to thank the Captain," He glances at her as he goes to one of the chairs bolted to the ground and sits. "So, what is bothering you?" He opens his bag as he starts pulling out stuff for tea.

Surprised Caribbean blue eyes blink back at him before she sighs, "Is it really that obvious?" She asks before joining him, slumping into the other chair with a disappointed pout.

"About as obvious as knowing T is behind you." He had felt the weight of the boy's eyes enough to recognize it. Or at least feel it. He takes the water bottle and fills the kettle.

"Oh." She furrows her brow before looking down at her hands.

"Do you mind?' He asks as he hands her the kettle. "I do always enjoy tea while we're having these conversations." Mostly because it gave her something to do with her hands.

Deez smiles as she takes the kettle, heating it to a low steam without a single flame.

"Much appreciated." He smiles as he finishes putting the tea bags into their preferred mugs. She had come such a long way with her control. Every time he saw her she seemed to have learned how to use her heat and fire in more creative ways. She'd certainly grown an impressive amount in that department. "So…" He pours the water. "What is bothering you?" He pushes the cup towards her.

"I-" she bites her lip as she looks out the cloudy window, "My father-" her eyes drop to the mug and she wraps her hands around it. "I don't know how to ask. But something is similar, about something my father finds disgusting, and something that happened to- some of my family. And my father- He's helping T with something, with people that do bad things. Which, I feel like it should worry me, but I don't feel worried." She sighs as she pulls her knees to her chest, "just sad, and hurt maybe? But I don't know why."

"You've connected a wide array of dots I see." He nods towards her, giving her room to think through to her inevitable question now that she'd gotten the dots out of her head.

"What does rapist mean?" She asks, her voice far calmer than he would have expected.

He blinks. This was the second time one of the children he'd claimed was asking him about rape. He closes his eyes as he takes a deep breath before he releases it. He opens them as he steeples his fingers together focusing on her main question. "It's a person who rapes someone." He sighs. How to navigate this. He didn't do the best job with T. "Do you know what consent is? What it means?"

"I think so…" She tilts her head to the side as she traces the edge of her cup, "Like how Uma wouldn't make me join, it had to be my choice?"

"Exactly like. Consent is when a person agrees to do something of their own free will." He steeples his fingers as he leans back in his seat. "So, forcing someone to do something against their will, hurting, torturing, humiliating, or causing pain to the person who says 'no' or fights to stop the question or actions."

Her brow furrows, "But, that's how the entire isle is. This seems-" She takes a deep breath, "heavier?"

"To an extent, but rape and rapists are taking something precious. Pure. Something no one can ever get back. Usually their victim's innocence. Their self-worth. Their light, and usually hope. It leaves them feeling ashamed, embarrassed, or powerless. It's an unforgivable type of abuse and one of the worst things one person can take from another."

Deez presses the mug to her lips, but doesn't tip it towards herself. It was a way she commonly took time to think. He takes a sip of his own mug, wanting to give her the time she needed to connect her thoughts or ask more questions.

"So, if that happened to someone, but they still have those things, that means they're really strong right?" Her watery blue eyes look up at him, seeking hope or reassurance, maybe even both, "Because even though that really hurt them, they're still kind, and care, and are protective?"

He sighs. "Very strong. It takes a lot to overcome that type of pain and loss of control." He smiles sadly. "Anyone who can overcome that level of hurt is a survivor. Someone who has faced true evil, but still finds good to cling on to in this world. All of those traits and then some, yes." He frowns, "It's very difficult to endure that type of abuse. So anyone who can rise above it is someone to admire."

"I do admire them." A tear slips down her cheek, "So much. It hurts to know people can do that. That someone can do something that- devastating to someone." She sets her mug on her knees, effectively hiding her face, "How can that be okay?"

He keeps his face composed. He hadn't even mentioned how the survivors were hurt and humiliated, and she was already so affected. So hurt and sad on her family's behalf. Like he'd just broken her. How she'd been able to maintain such a soft heart on this isle was a complete mystery to him. "Any sentient creature is capable of doing foul, evil, atrocious actions if they've been rendered helpless and beaten down for so long. Causing pain and fear makes some feel powerful, untouchable."

"It's cruel." Her voice breaks, "So much already happens here. I never knew-" She shakes her head, "I never understood the reason behind the pain. I just knew it was there."

"It is." Yensid nods, "Very cruel." He lets out a long sigh before inhaling. "I know this place was never meant for children. They didn't think of the long term consequences of their actions. It's not pleasant. And there are so many different ways to cause pain. It's hard not to notice once you see the pattern."

Her lips unexpectedly turn into a small smile, "You're doing it too, aren't you? Protecting me like they are. Like Pain and Panic have."

Shit! He lets out a deep sigh. "How astute."

"If everyone I trust is on the same page-" She curls into herself, "Then maybe I'm not ready to understand the full depths of what it means. I'm-" She tilts her head to the side as she falls into a contemplative silence.

He watches her carefully, knowing at any moment she could connect the dots to fully understand what it was she was asking about. And knowing that she would be devastated when that happened.

"I've never experienced it, the full meaning, and the thought of that much misery and cruelty makes my chest hurt more than I thought possible." She continues before she looks back up to him, "So, maybe I don't need to understand everything to know how amazing they are for surviving it."

"How very mature of you." He couldn't help his relieved sigh. " Thankfully you haven't, and I pray you never do. And I think everyone is glad for that. At least one of you hasn't experienced or witnessed the extent of damage from it. It's enough knowing it happened to so many of you already. You're a very wise girl, for being so young." He takes a deep breath. "They deserve nothing less for being able to overcome the hardships that came with being able to function. Especially without the right help. It's nothing short of incredible." He agrees. "I'm proud of you." He reaches over and as he places a hand on her head. " I know it hurts to just think people are capable of such cruelty. This is a very sensitive subject and you're making very wise decisions of your own accord."

"Thank you." Deez whispers before she reaches up and rests her fingers on his wrist, "I was- overwhelmed before. And I needed this. I know they would have talked to me. But it would have hurt them, because I wouldn't have known how to ask anything without it being a painful reminder of what they've been through. I know this can't possibly be easy for you, but I'm unable to explain how much I appreciate you for letting me ask hard questions."

He smiles down at her, his other hand cupping over his wrist to encourage her new response to touch, and reinforcing his. "You're welcome. As always I am more than willing to help guide you and answer the questions to the best of my abilities. You are all so inspiring. And you," He squeezes her wrist, "Have come so far despite the odds. Who would have ever guessed the girl on fire would be able to learn control. To grow from a child into a mature and level headed young woman." He couldn't bring himself to think of any of them as children right now. They'd lived lives that had made them so much older in such a short amount of time. It was heartbreaking. "How compassionate you've always been. Understanding. I've learned so much from you and the others. I am often humbled to be in your presence. You know how much this would hurt your family, how painful it would be for them to help you understand, and instead of keeping it to yourself, you sought out help. I'm truly honored to be your mentor. Though I do appreciate your appreciation." He smiles. Despite the heaviness weighing over them, he couldn't help but be proud of her and the choices she was making. When had she grown this much? Matured this much?

Harry taps his pencil absently against the table as he stares at the word problem, trying to read it for what felt like the hundredth time. The chewed up eraser bounces in rhythm to his irritation.

T promised.

Something was wrong.

He'd fucked up.

T promised he'd accept help with the OVs.

He lets out a growl of frustration before he sweeps his workbook and textbook from the table, knocking it to the floor before he throws his pencil to an empty corner of the room.

"Harry?" Gil frowns as he pulls Deez closer.

"He'll be back." Uma rubs her temples.

Harry growls again as he jumps to his feet, "Oh aye, he be ah comin' back. He be ah comin' back with nary ah lesson learned."

Deez furrows her brow, tilting her head to the side as she followed his pacing, "So go teach him? Help him understand, or show him you're willing to let him take the time he needs."

Gil looks from her to Harry, before he sighs. "It's been three days. That might not be a bad idea. We started showing Deez what was okay, and that was before she joined the family."

Uma slowly nods. "That's true." She closes her eyes before she lets out a slow sigh. "Sweet Boy's right, we'll eventually get him behaving like a family member."

Harry turns on his heel, nearly losing his balance as he whips his head to stare at them. Like it was the most obvious answer in the world.

Was it? They had worked with Deez, reached to meet her in their middle. Was that what they needed with T? And if it was, what was the middle between them and where T was?

"He be used ta doin' things his own way." Harry shakes his head as he rubs his hand braced against the table over its rough surface.

"So was I. But you slowly showed me my way wasn't the only way, and wasn't even the best way for me." Deez reaches over to rest a hand over his.

"The difference is no one tried to hold him to any type of standard because there was nothing keeping him coming round." Uma taps her nails against the table. "Or he'd do something to distract us from the consequences."

"Yeah." Gil nods.

"We've been pretty remiss navigating that sea, have been for a while." Uma hangs her head.

Harry sighs before he looks at each of them in turn, "Aye." He slowly admits, "But-" He rolls his lips as he straightens up, bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet before he takes Deez's hand and kisses the back of it, "But ya be ah givin' me ah idea there Baby Girl." He drops her hand as he turns to kneel next to Uma.

"What's up Pretty Boy?" She caresses his cheek.

"I be ah needin' permission Cap'n. Permission ta be ah mite bit reckless." He admits as he cups the back of her hand, pressing it tighter to his face.

Uma tilts her head to the side as she purses her lips. She runs fingers through his hair. "How reckless?"

He grins at her before he stands again, "Aye. Like we be ah doin' afore with our Treasure, we be lettin' her lead us in how she be comfortable in talkin' with us."

She bites her lips between her teeth. "Do you think it'll work?"

"It be workin' ah fuck ton better than me ah lettin' him go on his own. I be ah holdin' him ta his promise ta be acceptin' me help with the OVs, but lettin' him be ah callin' the shots." He nods, feeling more confidant with each word, "Be ah thinkin' 'bout it Uma, he be sayin' he were 'fraid we be ah sayin' no, so he were doin' it and ain'nah tellin' us fuck all 'bout it. So, I can be ah showin' him that ain'nah gonna be the case."

Uma's silent for a long moment before she groans and drops her head. "I have no problem with you following him, and keeping him out of trouble. It's my preference. I don't have to like the idea to think you're right- But if he's going to do something too reckless-"

"I can be ah offerin' suggestions." Harry finishes.

"No. If you're making compromises for him, he can listen to you occasionally."

"But I be ah tryin' ta prove that I can be listenin', so when it be us in charge, he be listenin' even if he ain'nah likin' it."

Uma's eye twitches as she falls quiet before she takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "Fine, just make sure you bring our Problem Child back with you. He promised he'd sleep, and I have a feeling he hasn't been sleeping on the isle."

"I ain'nah lettin' ya down Uma." Harry tilts her chin up, kissing her deeply before he pulls away with a grin.

"See to it that you don't. I'll go along with this- But, let him know in no uncertain terms that his safety isn't a compromise."

"Aye Cap'n." Harry salutes her, "See Sweet Boy?" He turns to wink at Gil, "We can be ah bein' ah family that be open and trustin' and settin' ah good example."

Gil nods in approval. A proud smile on his lips. "I knew we could."

Sup with you?

Happy Yensid came back?

What did you think of the old wizards introspection? Agree with it? Or not so much?

Were you surprised he actually took Uma up on the offer to live on the ship?

That conversation between him and Deez was fucking rough to write. What did you think? Did he give a good explanation? Were you upset he wasn't more direct? Disappointed? Did we do an okay job describing consent?

What do you think about the second scene?

Sucks to be Harry right now. He's all over the place with his thoughts about T.

Do you agree with Deez's analysis that they should work more with T? About the rest of the family's? Do you think they've been too harsh expecting T to meet their standards so quickly? Or do you feel like they were right to do so?

Think it makes sense that Harry wants to follow T's lead? Think it's going to go well for him? Or is it going to take a shit?

Were you surprised Uma gave him the go ahead?

That last bit though. Think it was cute that Harry wanted Gil's approval? Like look, look, I can listen, please love me and give me the pets.

Much love and appreciation

-Twisted