Hey Descendants,

I'm not sure how it happened, but when I uploaded this chapter it didn't stick.

So now I'm putting it in it's correct place. Sorry for the confusion, hopefully things with T and Harry makes more sense after getting this chapter.

Lots of Love,

-Dark-

He shoves his hands in his pockets as he walks through the shadows. It had been a rough couple of days.

He should've been thrilled. He'd packed so much into the last couple of days. From finally getting the blowgun and darts he'd been promised, to making sure the Evil Queen could no longer get food from the commissary. He'd collected more black powder. Found more metal. Scared the shit outta the Queen of Evil- Again. He even checked on Dizzy and the others he looked out for.

Still, all he could think about was running. He'd hoped if he got some shit knocked off his list he'd feel better. He'd enjoyed practice with Harry. Both the chains and the kissing.

A chill runs down his spine at the memory of Harry's fingers running over his skin. Over the scars.

That had been it, it all stopped with that single brush, a single graze.

Shame had slammed into him like a chair to his face. The reminder of his failure-

He needed to prove himself worthy of them, the family. Of Harry. Of Faustina. Hopefully, that would make him feel like himself again.

It's all he wanted. All he wanted to do. Feel like his old self again.

So much had changed in such a short amount of time.

He'd lost so much in such a short amount of time. Respect. Value. Usefulness. All of it was gone. He just needed to prove he was competent again. Capable. Earn back his confidence.

He didn't need to be thinking about how Harry's hips rubbing against his made his mind go blank.

How could he even enjoy what Harry had been doing after everything that had happened to him? Why did it always make his stomach do weird shit? It was just a game, wasn't it? So he could best Harry with his own weapon?

This was so stupid.

His hand comes up to grip his arm.

He was so fucking stupid.

Uma was going to be pissed. Gil was going to be disappointed. Deez at least would probably be on his side, or at the very least understanding- But Harry? He shrinks in his hoodie.

He knew he was on day three. He hadn't slept, in fact, he'd gone non-stop since he'd fled. To try to forget about his embarrassment. But all his thoughts kept coming back to the scars. To the constant reminder of his mistakes.

He'd been so disgusted with himself the minute Harry had grazed one. So full of shame. Had needed to do something, anything to try to regain some worth.

Had he always liked affection and just couldn't admit it before? He bites his lip. He'd enjoyed it at the Howler. Kissing on the lips was a lot more… Intense? Far more intense than a simple peck on the cheek.

Was this something deeper?

Or was it the fact- He grips his arm tighter, that Harry had saved him?

Had saved him.

As in he'd needed to be saved.

He'd fucked up so badly he couldn't even be trusted to be by himself for more than two days- And even he could see that it was hurting them to even give him that. His stomach twists as his vision blurs slightly. Something in his chest burning despite the cold breeze. He'd ruined everything he'd built for himself.

His value.

Their confidence in him.

The ability to protect the one he cherished most. He squeezes even tighter. God only knew what Faustina had been forced to endure at the hands of the fucker that they'd called father. He'd been too weak. Too slow.

Too humiliated.

He rubs his eyes against his sleeve when it becomes too hard to see.

He'd fix it. He had too. He didn't have a choice if he ever wanted his family's respect again. If he ever wanted to respect himself again.

Ugh. Family. He drops his hand, eye twitching when he sees the blood before he wipes it on his pants. When he lifts it again, he looks at the compass. His finger tracing the forming scar, before he shoves his hands in his pockets again and glares at the ground.

Uma had always teased him about letting him join the ship- her crew. Had teased him about being part of their family. Maybe even being serious at the time. She'd said herself that he'd been valuable. But now?

Now, he was fucking worthless.

Now they felt like he was the one that needed protecting. He hunches as his stomach twists tighter. His hands twisting just as tightly his hoodie pocket.

He needed to-

"Hiya there."

He jumps, turning to find Harry leaning casually against a wall, well hidden in a shadow cast by the building across the filthy street.

"Oh, T. I be ah scarin' ya?" Harry asks with a completely fake frown.

"No." He quickly lies.

He chuckles darkly as he pushes off the wall, "Oh yeah? So ya be jumpin' for yer health then?"

He swallows as his hand grips his arm. His boots digging into the hard dirt with indecision. The urge to run nearly overwhelming. "How'd you know I was coming here?" God, was he becoming that predictable? Ugh.

"Now now, I can'nah be givin' 'way all my secrets." Harry chuckles again as he slowly approaches, "Where be the fun in that?"

He frowns as he takes a step back.

"Don'nah be makin' me chase ya, or I be ah havin' ta drag ya back instead o' comin' ta offer me services."

He blinks. "Oh…" His brow furrows as his lips purse. Because he couldn't handle it, He sighs.

"Aye. Ya be ah promisin' me mate." Harry reminds him before he tuts and shakes his head, "And ya be ah breakin' it."

He tilts his head to the side. What had he promised? His eyes widen. "Fuck."

Harry grabs his wrist, "So, I be comin' ta help where ya be ah willin' ta have me, but ya be needin' consequences for leavin' me behind too." His eyes narrow thoughtfully as he looks him over, "What ya be thinkin' those should be?"

"I don't really do the whole consequence thing."

"Aye, don'nah I be ah knowin' it." Harry rolls his eyes, "Course, now ya do, and ya be tellin' me what they should be."

He looks up at Harry. Was he being serious?

"I be expectin' ah answer by the time we be ah headin' home." He pins him with a stern look, "But for now, what we be ah doin'?" He releases T's arm before he grins and rubs his hands together, "Who we be fuckin' with next? Can' nah be lettin' ya have all the fun without me."

He grips his arm as his eyes sweep over Harry's face."I-"

"Arm T." Harry shakes his head.

He drops his hand. Before he steps away from Harry. Was he serious? He studies Harry's stern expression. It certainly looked like it. He sighs. Of course. His hand sinks into his messenger bag. "I-" He frowns, "I was going to replace her," He gestures towards Hell Hall with his chin, "makeup, steal another coat, and grab another trap or two." He shrugs. "And then get some other shit done."

"Aye?" Harry nods before he flings an arm casually around T's shoulders, "Be leadin' the way. This be soundin' fun."

"I guess."

"Well, I be followin' yer lead, so be ah lettin' me know when we be gettin' to the serious shit." Harry nods somberly, "I just be 'periciatin' ah warnin' 'fore we be shiftin' sails. Get some time ta be gettin' me shit straight. Fair?"

T blinks. "Fair…" He frowns, "But-" He rubs his neck. He usually just winged shit. "Yeah I guess I can figure that out. Most of it's boring though, so no big."

"Oh, borin'," Harry chuckles, "is that what ya be ah meanin'?"

He nods. "She isn't even home right now. She's at the spa. On the plus side, I know she has rum-"

"Oh, T," He presses a hand to his chest, "Ya be ah knowin' me so well mate."

He can't help the small twitch of his lips. "Sometimes."

"Aye." Harry quickly, lightly pecks his cheek, "An' I be sure we can be ah findin' some fun ta be havin', even in her empty home."

T shrugs, "Depends on what you define as fun I guess."

"Well, time with ya be fun." Harry shrugs, "So there be that."

T looks up at him, he was a lot of things, but he didn't think fun was one of those words.

"Come on, I be excited ta be ah seein' this side o' ya." Harry half whines, grinning as he tugs him towards Hell Hall.

"I was startin' slow, it's gonna be a while before I start putting broken glass on her bed." A slow, wicked smirk pulls at his lips at the very thought. He still hadn't forgotten Carlos' back. "But I'm sure we can figure something else out." He lets Harry guide him towards the house.

"This be yer thing, I just be along for the fun o' it."

"Yeah…" T frowns, hoping he didn't sound as skeptical as he felt. Along for the fun of it his ass.

"Hey now, I be ah meanin' it, T." Harry steps in front of him, "Ya be ah callin' the shots mate. I can be ah takin' care o' meself if worse be ah comin' ta worse an' we be ah gettin' separated-"

"I know ya can handle the old bat." T rolls his eyes, the problem was Harry couldn't trust him to do the same.

"But seriously mate." Harry frowns, "Your deal, your rules. Ya tell me ta be ah waitin', ah waitin' I will be."

T's eyes sweep over his face. "I'll keep that in mind…"

This. This was why he'd needed Uma's permission to be reckless. Why he needed the whole family in his corner before he could commit.

Messing with Cruella, stealing her precious furs, slashing her priceless art, even putting her vicious teethed traps in her bed had been one thing.

Even messing with the Evil Queen's make-up and stealing all her food, leaving nothing but the empty boxes for her had been fun.

But sneaking into Shan Yu's camp to steal black power was an entirely different kind of reckless.

Reckless, but also a little fun sounding.

He blinks, realizing he hadn't answered T yet. "Aye. It be soundin' dangerous ta be sure. But, if ya can be ah tellin' me the plan, I can be ah doin' that."

T tilts his head to the side, "Well, first we need to get rid of the coat."

Harry runs his tongue over his lips as he shirks it from his shoulders, "Aye." He winks as he tosses it over an arm with a flourish, "Be needin' me ta be ah strippin' completely? I can be doin' that for ya, if ya be ah needin' it."

T looks him over, "I think your pants will be fine, but you should wear something darker. Also, put it back on jackass, it's freezing out here."

"Well, let's be ah gettin' to ah hidey-hole ta be ah hidin' this-" He sighs before he wraps his jacket around his silver hook, "And be findin' me somethin' more T, aye?"

"Funny." T deadpans with a shake of his head before he looks around with a thoughtful frown. Once he gets his bearings he nods in a direction and starts to walk.

Harry frowns as he follows after him until he recognizes the route they were taking, "Oh, yer closest be the Dragon's lair eh?"

"One of them." T shrugs.

"Deez be ah showin' me the way ya be teachin' her ta get in," He snorts, "It be surprisin' the hell outta me ta be ah seein' her hangin' from ah thin strip o' metal."

"She jump off of you?" He shoves his hands in his pockets.

He tilts his head to watch T for a moment, "Aye," He grins as he crosses his arms over his chest, "she be sayin' ya be disappointed in her for not gettin' the height ya can."

T's lips twitch into a grin. "She should be better at jumping with her weight." He shrugs, "But using someone as a sprint board works too."

Harry chuckles before he bends and hooks one of T's legs, "Ya know she be ah mite shorter than ya, and ya be all legs mate." He holds up his prize in demonstration, putting his other arm out to keep T balanced.

"It's not about height." He snorts, "It's about practice." He looks around. "Also, can you not in public?" He deadpans.

"Sorry." His eyes widen before he quickly releases T's leg.

T snorts as he pushes him playfully. "That's what I thought." His voice was dry, though he noticed his grin never so much as waived as they continued to walk.

Harry smiles, "Aye." T was right, they both had reputations to keep up, not that he cared so much, but he knew that image was all T felt he had right now. "I be keepin' it ah mind, Shadow."

T looks over his shoulder, "Much appreciated."

"Oh aye?" He taunts as he jogs ahead before turning to walk backward so he can face T, "How much?"

"A lot actually. It's been fun doing this with you."

The genuineness stops him in his tracks, though he manages to shift to the side before T could collide with him.

T looks behind him as he slides to the shadow, pulling him with him. One dagger already in his hand.

"Sorry, it ain'nah nothin' 'round. Just-" He shakes his head as he puts a hand over the one holding the weapon, "Ya really be ah meanin' that?"

"I usually say what I mean..." He looks up at him.

"Ya be sayin' that, but ya also be actin' in ways that be counter ta what ya say sometimes."

"So, I'm bad at expressing shit. Bite me." He explains in a dry tone.

Harry chuckles lightly before he takes a step back to give T space, even though their current closeness was his doing, "What were that 'bout meanin' what ya say?" he teases.

T tilts his head up at him.

Harry flashes his teeth in a wide grin before he nips in his direction.

T chuckles in a low tone before he turns to keep walking.

"I be havin' fun too, just so ya be ah knowin'." Harry whispers as he follows.

"I'm glad." He nods, "This would kinda suck if you weren't."

He purses his lips to the side as he tilts his head, "So, ya be thinkin' it might be fun ta be lettin' me tag along sometimes then? I know ya be needin' ta take care o' some things on yer own, but when ya can be havin' company, I be willin' ta be providin'."

T's silent for so long he's not sure the other boy was even going to respond.

"Thank you. For the offer and the understanding. If you want to, I would kinda like that." His tone drops even lower. "It gets lonely sometimes. We can only talk so much with each other and it's kinda draining, especially when I have to stay still for a while."

If they were anyplace else he would have whooped gleefully. But T had just cautioned him to remember their image, so he settles for a sly grin. "Then be considerin' it ah open offer, and know I'll follow your lead with your projects. Can'nah be ah havin' ya drained can we?"

"It's probably better if we're not." He reluctantly offers with a shrug. "I didn't think you'd let me lead anything after…" His hand comes up as he drops his head. "So, thank you for trusting me, and offering suggestions instead of just straight-up shutting me down." He shifts as his pace falters, "It really means a lot to me."

Harry tuts his tongue as he carefully knocks T's hand away from his arm, "I be sorrier than ya can be knowin' that I did'nah be seein' what ya be thinkin' were goin' on. I-" He sighs, "I know we be adjustin' ta this new situation, ta havin' ya bein' in the family an not just around. It were'nah fair ta be expectin' so much the way we were, and I know it be makin' ya think we ain'nah trustin' ya." He shakes his head, "But it just ain'nah bein' true. So, I were hopin' gettin' ta be ah part of the isle with ya be helpin' me understand the way ya be ah seein' things."

Harry frowns when he collides into T, who'd suddenly stopped right in front of him. Luckily T catches him, steading them both as he feels T's eyes searching his face. His expression was shrouded in the hood he'd grown to despise through the years. His brow furrows as he waits, curious what T was looking for.

"Thank you." His voice was small, and tighter than he'd ever heard it as he turns and swipes an arm over his hood. "Just, thank you."

"For appologizin'?" Harry shrugs, pretending to not notice that T seemed to be crying even though all he wanted to do in that moment was wrap him in a hug and hold him to his chest, "Course mate, I be ah fuckin' up and hurtin' ya somethin' fierce." He sighs as he rubs the back of his neck, "Best I can do is try ta be makin' up for it."

"I-" He turns back down the alley. "I don't blame you. I fucked up something monumentally." He kicks a rock. "I- Just, thank you. For trusting me. It means the world to me that you... feel that way." He shoves his hands back into his pockets.

He brings a hand down on T's fabric-covered head, "Ya be ah mate worthy o' trust, sorry for not just showin' ya that from the beginnin'." He blinks before he chuckles and drops his hand, "Sorry."

T looks down at the dirt as he shrugs. "Did you really? Trust me to do shit from after you found my stupid ass? Even though you had to save it?"

"Aye. I ain'nah ever stopped trustin' ya T." He takes a step forward, his arms nearly pulling T towards him before he clears his throat and instead rests a hand on T's shoulder, "This whole public image shite be hard."

T looks up at him head slightly tilted to the side. "Gettin' sick of actin' drunk all the time?"

"Eh. I be actin' overly affectionate when I be pretendin' ta be drinkin'." He chuckles before he sobers, "But seriously mate. I ain'nah ever lost faith and trust in ya. Bein' scared ain'nah bein' the same as not trustin'. It were just me carin' for ya."

"Oh." He turns and continues to walk. "I've never found that to be true for me. But I've only really felt scared once… I think. And I didn't trust myself at all during it." His hand grips his arm. "Sorry, I don't usually travel with anyone so openly. I'd normally just take to the roofs…" He looks up with a frown, "And I know you could keep up, but it just seems like a bad idea right now so…" He shrugs, "I know it's gotta suck for you, to not touch, so thank you for respecting it."

So afterward he believed that any kind of fear showed a lack of trust. And when they were scared, scared because something they never wanted to believe could be possible suddenly was, he believed they didn't trust him. He blinks before falling into step again. "Thank you. For explainin', and ya know, knowin' I ain'nah doin' the touchin' ta piss ya off." He smiles as he holds a hand over the warmth in his chest, "I promise, me fear ain'nah bein' related ta trust. Ya've only been ah'feared once? Fuck mate, I be gettin' scared all the damn time. I just, be carryin' on in spite o' it."

T glances over his shoulder before he turns back to the road, hands back in his pockets. "I think she was scared enough for both of us…" He looks up at the roofs above them. "So, when I came around-" He shrugs. "I've read the books Yensid had, but I still don't get it. Me." He sighs as he continues to walk. "It's good to know that it means different things to us. It helps. It helps a lot." He pauses. "And I'm trying to get used to it, but I do know you're not just doin' the touchin' shit to piss me off. None of you do. And I've been workin' on it for years- I just- It got backtracked… I mean, I know a part of both of us actually likes it… But-" He drops his head. "We both have learned touch is gonna lead to pain and it's..." He shrugs.

Harry's hand convulses into a fist over his heart, "I be thinkin' that too, for a very long time actually. I might not be completely rememberin' everythin' that I be ah doin', or be havin' done ta me, but I can be rememberin' fearin' Uma. Fearin' ah tiny little white and blue shadow that were always bein' with her. Fearin' them puttin' hands on me or arms around me."

"Huh." He nods. "I don't think I ever feared it… So much as expected. Pain's been a norm for me since I can remember. I think for her too. Just ya know..." He swallows. "A different type." He rubs his neck, "I wasn't around for that. I always assumed it was just who you were." He's silent as they reach the alley the hang out was in.

"If-" Harry closes his eyes at the crack in his voice but continues, "If ya can be trustin' me again, I be likin' ta be tryin' ta show ya, both o' ya, that touch ain'nah always gonna be leadin' ta pain."

T grows silent.

He opens his eyes, fearful he'd scared T away again. But T was still there, walking in front of him. He just wasn't responding.

When they reach the sign, he parkours up the side of the fence and wall before he leaps and hits the sign on his way down. He starts walking up the stairs. "I hate it." He frowns. "So much. Especially now that I've joined you guys." He hangs his head. "I've been all over this isle. I'm pretty sure I've watched everyone on it. No one, no group or gang is as affectionate as yours. It's part of the reason I kept coming back. It was fascinating to me." His snort is dark, "Never thought I'd ever join anyone, let alone you guys." he pulls out his hand to look at the compass. "It's kinda ironic." His grin deprecating. "But, um…" He takes a deep breath, "I think I'd like to work on it. At least for our family's sake…If you are bein' serious about your offer..." His hand comes up to grip his arm.

Harry grips the thin railing, surprised by his lightheadedness until he finally pulls in a gasp of air. When had he started holding his breath? Around the time he'd thought for sure T was going to say he regretted joining. He takes another deep breath, grateful for the new level of understanding T was giving him. "Aye. I be serious. I know ya already be comin' ah long way since I first be scoopin' ya up from ah brawl with ah whole group o' sidekicks. Ya were'nah much more than wide eyes and glares back then when I be forcin' ya ta the chip shop."

T sinks to a knee as he starts to pick the lock. He's silent for a moment before he glances at him. "You're always saving my ass." He shakes his head, "And pushing me out of my comfort zone." He sighs.

"Mate, ya did'nah be needin' me back then." Harry snorts, "Ya already be havin' them adults pissin' themselves. I just be givin' them an excuse ta be turnin' tail."

T snorts as he stands and opens the door, "Okay, covering my ass then. Jay too." He grins slowly, "Some of my favorite memories were crashing your meetings."

"Ah Jay." Harry smiles as he follows T into the hideout, his eyes instantly drawn to the murals on the walls, "Ta be honest, mine too." He stares at the wall dedicated to Jay.

T's eyes follow Harry's. "He's better off. They all are."

"I be ah knowin it," Harry nods as he wipes his bare forearm over his face, "Don'nah be makin' me miss 'im any less."

An arm hesitantly wraps around his waist as T steps closer to his side, "I get it. It fuckin' sucks. All of them were such a big part of my life… It just sucks."

Harry nods before he gently pulls T over to the same couch he'd comforted Deez on not that long ago, "I know we be ah havin' shit ta be doin', but can I- can ya be ah givin' me ah few minutes with ya?" He looks down at the couch, still connected to T by the warm arm around his chilled waist.

He could feel the weight of T's eyes on him, before T leans his head into the crook of his arm. The part of his face he could see red. "It's not like the powder's going anywhere." He mumbles.

Harry smiles before he sinks into the sagging couch, pulling T into his lap as he wraps his arms around him, "I be 'perciatin' this."

T nods but doesn't say anything as he turns to look at the mural across from them. The one with the shadowed figure silhouetted by swirling grey light.

He was going to have to find a way to thank Deez when he got back for putting this idea in his head. He knew they had a long way to go, but just this small shift in perspective had already done more in this conversation alone than all the yelling and scolding combined. This was progress. T was actually letting him in.

He knew how hard it was to do that, how hard it was to let people in. But T was trying. Not only that, T was doing. They were finally in a back and forth that didn't feel forced.

He looks down with a smile when he feels the tension slowly leak from T, before he feels all his weight against him.

Uma had mentioned T probably wasn't sleeping. Huh. Is this what Jay had meant? He'd never understood the advice that you just had to wait him out. He'd no idea T had run himself so ragged. But it made sense. He'd been running around with T since yesterday morning, and it had to be near afternoon now.

Before he can stop it a yawn cracks his jaw. Fuck. He was tired too.

Tired. And warm. And comfortable.

His head lolls to rest on the back of the couch as he catches sight of the bed Deez once slept in. Surely this place was safe for a snooze if the Dragon had let her crash here.

Not that it was going to matter in a few seconds.

But, it was good to know all it took for him to get T to sleep was asking for a moment for himself. He'd remember that.

He'd remember-

Yo,

So what did you think?

T is back to beating the shit out of himself again. That's always fun. Nothing like some fucked up self-worth to start the day, or in his case days. What did you guys think of his thoughts?

WTF? Harry wants T to come up with his own consequence, how do you guys think that's going to go?

What do you think of what T's doing? Are you worried about him? Or do you think he can handle it?

What did you guys think of the second scene?

Were you surprised T answered so many questions?

What about Harry's assessment that T was trying to let people in? Do you agree? Or think Harry's lying to himself?

How about the last bit where T fell asleep on Harry? Were you guys surprised T even went along with laying with him on the couch?

Looking forward to your responses.

Much love and appreciation,

-Twisted