Hey Descendants,

Sorry this is a little later than I've been aiming for, but hey, since you're reading this I obvi overcame my case of the shinys.

Anyway, we hope you enjoy the chapter. Don't forget to leave us a hey to let us know you were here. :)

Lots of Love,

-Dark-

He frowns as he stares at the door to the Captain quarters.

Uma wasn't going to be thrilled by any stretch of the definition but…

He had shit he needed to do. And he wasn't as injured as Harry. He frowns, hands fisting in his pockets as pain shoots through him. Harry. The image of him lying motionless on the floor of that basement still made him nauseous. How the fuck hadn't he noticed his condition sooner? He could've gotten him killed. He hated this. Hated that feeling. Hated the responsibility that weighed on him.

So this time, he was going to try something different.

This time he was going to ask for Deez to come with him.

He knew Deez wanted to go out. Get some pictures, and stories to go with them. Knew that she wanted to go check in on Dizzy. Wanted to get off the ship. And as amusing as it was, she was a better pack mule than Gil- Who he still wanted to make sure got a hammer.

The trouble was just going to be getting the three to agree with it.

He takes a deep breath before he lets it out and slips into the room. He smirks as he makes it to a chair silently, and manages to perch on it without so much as one of the Sea Four looking up.

"Hey T," Deez calls out without looking up from her workbook.

"Oh come the fuck on!" He throws his hands out in exasperation. "How?"

"Dunno." Deez giggles as she looks up, "I just do."

"Hood." Uma hums, not looking up from the book she was looking through.

He glares at both of them before he huffs and drops his hood. "That's a bullshit answer and you know it." He grumbles petulantly.

"Yeah, I know." Deez frowns, closing her eyes before she hangs her head.

"Whatever…" T sighs.

"What's up with you T?" Gil asks as he looks up from whatever he was carving.

"Aye, it be ah bein' pretty early for ya ta be gracin' us with yer presence." Harry snorts, "Not that ya be ah hearin' me complainin'."

"But the 'tude makes sense." Uma smiles as she snorts.

"And here I thought I was being pleasant." He grins.

Uma eyes him before she shrugs, "I could see this being pleasant if ya just rolled out of the blankets."

He grins wider. He hadn't slept for jack shit last night. Every time he thought about closing his eyes all he could see was Harry sprawled out. Or the kids that were still getting hurt because some of the scum were still walking the streets. Or think about how the others had reacted when Harry originally brought him home. Or- He shakes his head. There had been a lot keeping him up.

"Yensid dropped off books for you and Faustina." Deez points out as she pushes herself off the floor, "I think he's excited to help her out with chemistry. He and Carlos loved all kinds of science."

"Cool." He smirks. "Bet I can get her to make some smoke bombs…" Or like, real ones. Or like poisonous gas...

"Carlos taught us how to make those." Deez claps lightly, "That was a lot of fun."

"Oh yeah," He smiles, he remembered Evie freaking out over the small stain that ended up on her skirt. "outta hair dye right?"

"All kinds of chemicals at the Curl up and Dye." Deez narrows her eyes thoughtfully, "But yeah, mostly hair dye." She frowns as she looks at her notebook on the table.

"So…" Uma looks up from her book to look at him. "What do we owe this visit?"

"Well, I know Hook's outta commission for a bit- And Deez had some shit she wanted to do on the isle, so… Can we go out?"

Uma groans as Deez's eyes widen and she rushes over, throwing her pale arms around her middle and knocking the book from her hand in the process.

"Please Uma! Please!" Deez begs.

Uma frowns as she looks between him on the back of a chair and Deez around her waist, "I-"

"Oi, out for a few days an ya already be ah replacin' me?" Harry slaps a hand over his chest with a wince, "Ouch mate."

"Seems like it, doesn't it?" He offers, hiding his amusement. "But talk ta me again when ya can be extra without the flinching."

"Baby Girl, give me a sec, and let me breathe." Uma rests her hands on Deez's head.

"Sorry." Deez takes a step back, pulling her arms behind her back, "I just, I miss Dizzy. And I need more pictures before I can send the notebook. And I need to make more glass to give the goblins."

"Right?" He grins. "I know it's been bothering you that we haven't gotten a chance to go out and get your shit done. And it's been like a week since I checked up on Diz or Freddie..."

Deez bites her bottom lip as she turns back to Uma, "Please?"

"Can I come too?" Gil asks with a frown.

He frowns, "I don't think that's the best idea." He'd wanted to work with Deez on her fear without eating his teeth in the process.

"If we're allowed to go, didn't Uma say you and Harry had to work on sailing practice today?" Deez tilts her head to the side.

Uma takes a deep breath before she lets it out. "I wanted us all to work on sailing today."

"Pass." He holds up his hand. "I'll learn when she's actually sailing."

Deez closes her eyes, "I want to learn Uma, I do. But, right now- I just, it's just-"

"I think it's more important for her to get that shit out to the Dragon Tamer, don't you? It's been like two weeks since me and Hook talked to them. I'm sure he's biting at the bit for pictures… Mal's a good artist, but fuck knows she never paid attention to a quarter of the people D writes about."

Uma frowns as she watches Deez.

"Besides, when was the last time Baby Girl got to stretch her legs on land? Like a few weeks ago? C'mon Umes, I'll keep her to the shadows."

"Ya know T-" Uma shakes her head as she looks over to him, "It's not just where she is that's concerning me right now. I fuckin' know how you are with unfinished projects."

"Eh." He waves her off.

"You can use that 'eh' for bait, I'm not biting." Uma shakes her head.

"I don't think Krakens are stupid enough to fall for bait Uma." He grins at her. "But, c'mon, she has shit she's gotta do and Hook's out for at least another few days. I can't sit on the ship that long- I'll start doing stupid shit."

"Uma, please?" Deez slowly reaches out to hug Uma again, "We'll keep each other safe and out of trouble, and Gil can come pick us up tomorrow night at the cove."

"Please." He grins wider.

"Ya two ah keepin' each other outta trouble be about ah funny as Senior be ah thinkin' he be" Harry glares as he crosses his arms over his chest.

He opens his mouth before he thinks better about defending the god. "Hey," He frowns, "I've always kept her outta trouble, ya ass. X marks the spot, remember?" He sticks his tongue out. "It's not like we're gonna go play a game. We're just gonna go get her shit done."

"Please Uma. This way you three can work on actually learning the sailing stuff, and I won't get in the way."

"Besides, don't ya want D to keep up her rapport with the Goblins?" He blinks innocently.

"Okay you two, knock it off with yer fucking guppy eyes." Uma rolls her eyes.

"Why? Is it working?" He asks with a Cheshire grin.

Uma glares at him before she smiles and turns to Gil, "What do you think Sweet Boy? You're being awful quiet."

Gil takes a deep breath before he sighs. "I don't like it… I thought Deez was s'posed to stay hidden?"

"I'll be hidden." Deez frowns as she turns to him, "I'll wear T garb like I always do."

"Yeah, but then whoever you talk to will know." Gil frowns.

"And that's where I come in," T shrugs, "I'm familiar enough with all her followers and can keep her within earshot to get the stories without ya know, getting the stories. Except Diz…"

"And we don't even need to really talk to people." Deez turns to Uma, "It's just, my writing is more authentic when I write what I see."

"And, it's been a minute since it's just been the two of us chillin'. You can share her a couple o' days." He adds.

"We're a family T. We always share-"

"Then it's a yes then?"

"I was going to say some of us just never want to join in." Uma finishes with a glare as she crosses her arms over her chest.

"C'mon Kraken." He groans, "Just let her out to play for a few days."

"T! That's not-" Uma shakes her head at him before she turns to Deez, "That's not what this is. You know that right? This ship isn't a cage."

"It's not a cage Uma. It's home." Deez quickly agrees before she drops her eyes, "But I miss things, sometimes… Like being able to come and go on my own. And Dizzy. And Freddie and Cecilia. But, it doesn't mean I love you guys any less though, does it?"

"No. It doesn't-" Gil huffs as he looks between Deez and him, "It's just 'til tomorrow night right?"

"On our room." He swears. "I'll have her at the cove by nine."

Deez glares at him, "We'll have each other at the cove by nine."

"Sure. That." He waves her off dismissively. "We need to work on her shit too... " He frowns before he looks at Uma. "Can we bring Dizzy back to the ship?"

"Can we not take her to the cove?"

"Why not?" He lifts a brow. "I figured if we're gonna be there, they might as well join us and we could have some fun with her. She's lonely as fuck."

Deez glares at him.

"We have two days Deez, unknot the tunic." He grins, "Besides, I'm pretty sure tomorrows a barge day and I could use your help findin' metals for Gil's hammer. Two birds one stone. You can whip up your stories send em off to the prince, and help out Gil."

Deez blinks before she grins, "Oh yeah. I forgot that was tomorrow-" Her eyes widen before she dashes over to the table and flips through the notebook, "I forgot that was tomorrow and I wanted to get this sent!"

Uma hangs her head back and groans before she turns to Harry, "Got anything to add Pretty Boy?"

Harry's eyes follow Deez as she runs around the room, pulling out what bits of glass and metals she'd been working with before Gil stands up and walks over to pick her up. "Deez, breathe. I promise either way we'll get you to the barge tomorrow."

Harry sighs before he turns to Uma, "It be ah soundin' like the best plan, ta be honest. Deez do be ah needin' ta be ah gettin' that done. We all be agreein' it be important, even if we ain'nah ever gettin' outta here. An' it be ah bein' our dream ta be really learnin' ta sail."

He gestures to Deez who was struggling to get away from Gil, "B'sides look how happy she is, are you really gonna say no to that face?" He grins widely.

Uma grumbles under her breath. All he manages to catch is something about payback and guppy eyes.

"So, what'cha say Cap'n?" He does his best to hide his smirk.

Uma narrows her dark eyes at him before she stomps over to him, "T, I swear to any gods listening an' on my damn ship if you pull her into this list hunting-"

"Why the fuck-" He shuts his mouth. "Heard. Is that your only problem?"

"Unfinished projects and you don't mix well, T." Uma snaps in a whisper.

"I wouldn't do that." He frowns, "I just need to focus on something else so I don't go fucking nuts waitin' on Hook ta heal. Calm your tentacles." He tugs on one of her braids gently.

Uma shakes her head slowly before her lips crack into the barest hint of a smile, "Promise?"

"On my room-" He assures her. "I'll put myself on ship lockdown and sleep in here for a month. I ain't tryin' ta drag her into that shit, I swear."

"And we're all hanging out at the cove tomorrow?" Uma adds, "Before nine?"

"If that's cool with you…" He tilts his head to the side, "Didn't answer if it was cool if the mini-E can tag along."

"Of course it is. I've been jealous of Gil and Deez getting pampered, so if she wants to hang out with us a bit, I'd love that."

He smiles, before he jumps off his chair. "Thanks." He nods to Deez, "Get your shit, we're headin' out in five."

"You said yes?" Deez blinks.

"Like you couldn't hear." Uma smiles at her, before she walks over and stands on her toes to kiss her forehead. "Ya can be lettin' her go now, Sweet Boy."

"But first-" Deez turns and kisses him, wrapping her arms around his neck

Gil smiles as he kisses her back. His golden-brown eyes shining with something he couldn't quite place as he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss.

"Make sure T stays outta trouble." Gil brushes his lips against her.

"I can't keep the letter T out of the word trouble, it belongs there." Deez grins mischievously.

He snorts, leaving the two to their goodbye before he walks over to Harry and nudges his shoulder. "Try not to do anything stupid while we're out."

"Aye, same be ah goin' for ya an' our Treasure." Harry shakes his head before he looks back to Gil and Deez, "I be ah gettin' one o' those?"

"Has hell frozen over?"

Harry shrugs, "Maybe?" He taps his grinning lips with a finger.

He rolls his eyes before he leans over and kisses him. "Stupidest punishment ever." He whispers against his lips.

"Maybe ta you, but I be ah gettin' kisses more than ever, so I be ah feelin' like I be ah winnin'."

He rolls his eyes before he ruffles Harry's hair rougher than was probably necessary. "I'll keep 'er safe and outta sight."

"I know." Harry nods, "Ya always be ah havin' ah soft spot for her."

He holds his fingers to Harry's lips. That was an understatement. He had several soft spots in this room but he had always been softest with Deez. "Ssh, she might hear you."

"Too busy assurin' Gil and Uma I'm not stupid enough to do something stupid."

"She says, chiming in on the conversation." He rolls his eyes but doesn't bother to hide his smile. He drops his finger from Harry's lips. "Try to make sure you all get some sleep tonight." He knew they probably wouldn't. Even he wasn't sure how long it'd been since he and Deez had left the ship to go to more than the cove. Definitely weeks if not months.

Harry frowns as he looks Gil and Uma over. "We might be ah dosin' ta' night." He admits before he claims his chin, "But it don'nah be ah meanin' we don'nah be trustin' ya. Just that we be ah havin' ah hard time sleepin' without knowin' where both ya be."

He nods solemnly. He appreciated the words. The reminder. But after experiencing things from the other side of the coin, he finally understood.

He still wasn't sure why. Maybe never would. A part of him would probably always hate the fact it had come to it… But another part of him couldn't deny the warmth that spread through him at the thought the feelings he'd always felt for them were mutual. That despite all the times he'd fucked up- all the times he hadn't had the right words- all the times he'd made their lives more difficult, that they still loved and trusted him.

Damn it. "You guys really know how to set a bar." He sighs his hair ruffling turning into a tender caress without thought.

"Ready." Deez chirps from behind him.

"Yeah," He turns as he heads to the door. "Later."

"Woah woah woah, there ain'nah bein' no way ya can be ah bein' ready ah 'cause I ain'nah be gettin' ah hug!" Harry accuses.

He rests his hip against the cabin door, a small smile on his lips as he watches the three of them tackle Deez in a tight hug.

My dudes,

I know. I know. T chapters in a row? Promise we'll get back to the others, but, it just made sense chronologically to do it this way.

But damn, even I found this chapter cute upon re-reading it. Can only hope ya'll feel the same.

Bait.

Hook. Line.

LoLz.

Anyways…

Damn talking about laying it on thick. D and T together are ruthless with their guilt game. Love it? Hate it? Excited for the pair to go out?

It's a shame it's so rare for them to chill. When we initially wrote this, they were supposed to spend way more time together. Teach us a lesson to write a story without making preestablished relationships between our characters.

I have a boner for loners and Dark has a thing to make things bright in the, no pun intended, darkness.

So, what did you guys think?

Are T tactics as fun to read as they are fun to write?

And the antics. What do you think those two are going to get into?

Think T will keep his promise?

That D will be able to get her stories and talk to the goblins?

Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

Much love and appreciation

-Twisted