Hiya Descendants Family,

One more chapter posted, two more to go and that will be the end of Book Three.

I hope you're as excited as we are.

Don't forget to let us know you were here. Seriously, even a hello posted as a review helps us immeasurably.

We hope you enjoy the chapter.

Lots of Love,

-Dark-

Gil grins as he looks down at his finished hammer.

It wasn't the prettiest, definitely not the most flashy, but it didn't need to be. What really mattered was if it was functional, if he'd be able to defend his family with it.

He wipes the sweat off his forehead as he lifts the hefty weapon, testing out its weight.

His grin widens when he realizes how right it felt in his hands. He gives it a test swing and lets out a rumbling laugh at the ease of the action.

He could swing what had to be thirty pounds of metal as easily as he could pick up Deez.

He'd come such a long way since they'd first started Book Club.

His muscles.

His skill.

His understanding.

But best of all, Deez.

His grin widens. If he'd come a long way, so had she.

She could control her flames so much better now. He'd been able to see it every day they worked together.

And more, they'd seemed to know what the other would need without the need for words.

They'd gained a much deeper connection because of this, one that expanded beyond Book Club.

It was probably his favorite part of all of it.

How much closer he'd gotten to her.

His Treasure.

He just knew Carlos would be beside himself if he could see what they'd made of his formulas. Would be thrilled to know they'd progressed to more than just swords.

He missed the guy so much it hurt. Missed his silent presence and quiet support.

He never would have guessed when they'd met that the smartest kid on the isle would also be so kind and patient.

Especially with him.

But the pup had gone above and beyond, and the two of them became fast friends, just like Deez and T assured him would happen.

And T, the one behind the whole club- He wasn't sure if the other boy really knew how much this meant to him. He'd been so hard to read since he'd come back from the hell Harry had found him.

His eyes narrow and a frown pulls at his lips at the thought of that blood-drenched table.

He shakes his head, trying to dislodge the horrible scene from his mind.

He owed T so fucking much for more reasons than he could count. The club was just the tip of the iceberg.

He sighs. He missed the old T as much as he missed Carlos. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd heard T laugh. Truly laugh. His chest aches at the realization as he lets out a heavy sigh.

T. He didn't even know where to start with helping him. How to repay the debt he owed him, and it sucked. It had been so long since the last time they'd talked one on one.

If he were being honest, he knew he'd been avoiding it. He just didn't know where to start. How to deal with this new version of his friend. Or why he was being so hard on him since he'd come back.

He shakes his head again. It wasn't anything that couldn't be fixed, right? At the end of the day, T was still T, and as much as it stung, he knew T'd just roll with the punches.

That much, at least, was still the same.

They just needed to talk.

He knew it wasn't T's favorite, but he also knew T had never once run from him either. He nods with a small grin at the thought and chuckles at the realization that Harry would be frustrated if he ever found that bit out.

He swings the hammer one last time with a grin, chuckling as he tosses it in the air and catches the handle before he leans it against his shoulder more comfortably. He bounces as he bounds out of the cave, excited to show Deez and Uma the latest fruit of his labor.

He slows when he only sees Uma in the water. "Uma," He greets in confusion. "Where's Deez?"

"Sweet Boy!" Uma turns to him with a wide, excited grin, "She's under the water." She stands up on the seat she'd been sitting in to look out in the pool.

He chuckles, yet another thing to thank T for.

"On her own?" He asks as he lowers the hammer and walks closer to the pool. His eyes sweep it, grinning when they land on the billowing silvery-white and blue hair. She'd come so far in just a few short months. His chest swells with pride as he looks at Uma with a wide grin. "That's our Treasure, facing her fears almost like they're nothing."

"She certainly is." Uma beams as she rests her hand on his foot, as if in the moment she needed a physical connection. "She wanted to see how long she could hold her breath after I showed her how to sit on the bottom."

"Of course she did." He grins as he places the hammer on its head and sits at the edge of the pool, pulling Uma between his legs as he drapes his arms around her. "She loves proving things to herself, and this is no exception. She's been working so hard on it." His eyes settle on Deez before his chest warms.

"It's ridiculous how far she's come." He admits as he hugs Uma to his chest, "Not that I expect nothing less from our Treasure. Always exceeding expectations, that one." His chest rumbling from his laughter. He pulls Uma tighter to him, finding the cold refreshing after working in the heat for so long. "So, how long has she been down there?"

"She ducked under a few seconds before I heard you." Uma rubs her cheek against his knee.

He nods as he lazily rests his chin on her head. Warmth gathering in his chest as he holds onto her and looks down at Deez with pride. "Sorry if I interrupted any countin'."

"I forgot to start," She admits with a snort, "I was still marveling over her willingly putting her head under the water."

He chuckles, "No big, I'm sure she is." He tips his head to kiss hers. His eyes never leave the billowing cloud of Deez's hair.

A few seconds later he sees her hair sway, rippling strangely before she shoots up towards them.

Deez takes a deep breath as she breaks the surface of the water and clings to his leg. Before her forehead falls to rest against his knee he catches sight of her wide blue eyes.

"Great job, Baby Girl!" Uma grins with pride. "You did amazing!" She gushes as she runs a hand over Deez's hair. "Don't think I've ever been prouder."

"Yeah," He beams down at her. "Harry an' T are gonna be upset that they missed that."

"I'm going to need more practice," Deez smiles shyly when she looks up.

"Progress not perfection." He and Uma say at the same time. He meets her warm chocolate eyes before both of them burst out laughing.

"Seriously though Deez, that was amazing." Uma chuckles. "You've come such a long way. You didn't even scream."

"I learned not to." She sighs as she kicks in the water, "Water in your mouth when you're scared just makes things worse."

"I could see that." Uma grins at her as she continues to lovingly stroke her hair.

"I can't tell you how much water I choked on when I was learning." He chuckles.

Deez shivers and winces before her eyes dart to the side and she grins, "You finished it?"

"Yeah!" He beams. "I wanted to show you both before I tested it." He chuckles as she climbs up his leg before she pulls herself out of the pool. His arms gather her to his chest as he nuzzles against her wet hair.

A sigh escapes him as her warmth seeps into him.

Uma grins as she turns and pulls herself out of the pool before walking over to admire the hammer. Her eyes bright as she admires his work.

A low whistle leaves her lips, "It looks amazing Sweet Boy." She offers before her hand wraps around the handle and lifts it with a surprised huff. "Sea God's this is gonna do some serious damage. You've really packed on those muscles, this beast is solid as fuck."

Deez chuckles as she pats his shoulder, "Right?" Her eyes meet his as she bites her bottom lip before she turns back to Uma, "Let me try?"

"Have at it." He smiles as he places her back on the ground.

Uma chuckles as she walks over and hands it to her. "Of course."

"Oh wow." Deez's eyes widen as she holds the hammer out in front of her, "It's so much heavier than the sword you use."

He can't help his amusement at the sight.

The hammer dwarfed her.

No matter how many times she'd done it, watching her pick up objects twice her size never ceased to make him smile. "It feels better in my hands though. T was right, it's easier for me to swing than the sword. I'm excited to try it out."

Deez frowns as she tilts her head to the side, "How are we going to test it?" She hoists it up to rest against her shoulder.

Huh.

He hadn't thought that far ahead. He pulls himself out of the pool. "Good question." He murmurs as he rubs the back of his neck.

Uma snorts, "Yeah, I can't really picture you testing that out in a spar."

"Yeah, no." He shakes his head with a grimace. "That thing would probably shatter one of your swords. Not to mention send someone flying if I'm not careful." He chews his lip as he looks at the hammer with a frown. "Any suggestions?"

"Hitting a rock?" Uma snickers.

"What about rebar?" Deez proposes with a grin as she holds the hammer towards him in one hand.

He grins, even as he pulls the hammer to him protectively. "A rock would probably be too solid. So, I think rebar's a better bet." He didn't want to break it on its first trial.

Uma snorts. "Well, either way, I get to see those muscles of yours ripple in action. Though, just so we're on the same page, I think you'd chip the rock with that thing."

"I'll go get it!" Deez offers excitedly as she dances in place.

Before he can say anything, and much to his amusement, she darts off.

"Someone else obviously wants to see you flex." Uma chuckles.

He can't help himself as he lifts his arm to flex his bicep, "I know right? They're bigger than my brothers!"

"Sweet Boy, they're bigger than your father's." Uma points out with a chuckle.

He blinks as he drops his arm and stares at her, "Really?"

He'd always been the runt.

Always been the smallest. The weakest.

The girliest.

The taunt echoes in his mind before he shakes it off.

"You mean it?"

"For sure." Uma nods with amusement shining in her eyes. "We really need to get a mirror in our room. You've gotten huge in the best of ways. Let's see them try to call you a weaklin' now. Even Junior's jacket has grown tight on you. Haven't you noticed?"

He feels his cheeks heat up, "No, not that I think about it. Everything seems tight on me recently."

"Well, I promise you it's not from fat." She winks at him before she walks closer to trace her finger down his stomach with a moan. "I could point out your definition lines if you want." She tempts him as she licks his pec.

He shivers with delight as he pulls her closer, picking her up with one arm before he kisses her.

"Oh, are we doing family time?" Deez asks as she rejoins them with her arms full of rebar.

It certainly felt like the start of one.

"I'm down." He grins boyishly.

Uma snorts, "And have Harry in a tizzy when they get back? No, not that we can't have some fun when they do get back though." She winks, "So let's see what your rock crusher can really do."

"Yes!" Deez nods before she dumps the sticks of metal into a pile, "I would have been upset if you decided not to test the hammer out now." She pouts before she picks up a couple of similarly sized pieces and looks around with a frown before she walks off again.

He chuckles at their enthusiasm as he follows, Uma at his side.

He watches in amazement as she melts a rock before thrusting the rebar into it.

"Fuck," Uma breathes out in awe as she looks between the two of them, "The two of you haven't been fuckin' around. My Sweet Boy with his smithin', and my Baby Girl with her swimmin' and control. I feel like me, Pretty Boy, an' Problem Child' have been slacking." She chuckles.

"No, you've all been working on other things." Deez sighs, "Things that are just as important." She presses the palm of her hand to the rock before she steps back with a nod, "Give it a few more minutes and it should be cool enough."

He bounces in anticipation as he grips the hammer and steps away from the girls to give it a few test swings.

Deez chuckles, "So, I'll just get more set up then?"

"I don't know, it might break." He bites his lip as he looks between the hammer and the rebar melted into the sides of the boulders.

"Well, this is just the test right?" She frowns as she looks at the rebar still in her hand, "And you're going to need something to practice on…" She tilts her head as she slowly turns on the spot, looking around for something.

"Sweet Boy, if you made it, it can stand it." Uma grins as she smacks his arm before she turns to Deez, "Go ahead Baby Girl, Our Sweet Boy might be worried, but we know his beast of a hammer can handle it." She winks at her.

"I-" Deez smiles before she walks over and presses a small hand to the side of the cliff, "Hey uh, how high would a normal sword attack be?" She calls back over her shoulder before she takes an offensive stance, holding the rebar like a sword.

He tilts his head as he and Uma share a thoughtful look.

"Now that I can be ah showin' ya." Harry smirks as he hops down on top of the nearest boulder before he leaps down in front of them.

"Harry!" Deez smiles, dropping the rebar in the sand before she runs over to grab Harry's arm, "Come on, I think I have a good idea-" She tilts her head back, looking up the side of the cliff, same as him and Uma, "Where's T?"

"Oh, he be ah headin' out ta Maleficent's when ah Goblin be runnin' up ta us." Harry explains before he turns to Uma, "He be ah sendin' me back ta be tellin' ya." He grins sheepishly at Uma.

"Seriously Harry?!" Uma snaps, startling Deez into Harry's side, "We just-" She takes a deep breath before she continues in a softer tone, "We just talked to him about this shit! Just got him back with us after he ran off!"

He shakes his head with a sigh. "It's only been a few months Uma," He points out. "It's gonna take some time before he breaks that habit." He points out, feeling the need to defend T.

Still, he couldn't blame her for her concerned outrage.

He was worried about T wandering off by himself too despite his efforts not to be. He hated the habit, but it was what T'd always done when he heard something of interest. It wasn't exactly a new concern, but he'd be lying to himself if he didn't admit his concern for T had intensified since he'd come back.

And he still couldn't bring himself to acknowledge that T and his Angel shared the same body. He shivers before he quickly shakes away the thought.

Not a good time to start either.

"Aye, Sweet Boy be ah makin' ah good point." Harry smiles at him in appreciation as his hand snakes out, grabbing Deez to pull her back to his side, "But ta be ah bein' fair, when we be ah gettin' the message that somethin' be up that not even the Goblins be knowin', his first thought be gettin' ah message to ya." He sighs, "I were kinda thinkin' it be best ta be rewardin' that."

Uma takes a deep breath, holding up one finger as she closes her eye.

He walks over to her and wraps his free arm around her shoulder, pressing his free side into hers as he squeezes her arm lightly in silent understanding.

"When can we expect him to come home?" Uma bites out roughly.

"Tomorrow night, we be ah pickin' 'im up at the beach where they be ah startin' the club." Harry offers.

"Oh, so you even worked in more sailing?" Deez hesitantly adds as she watches Uma.

"Aye." Harry turns to wink at her, "Ya need ta be workin' on gettin' yer sea legs," He turns to him, "You too Sweet Boy."

He snorts, "Thanks for throwin' us under that ship."

Deez eyes Uma in concern, "Can we work on that tonight and not be there when the Captain is justifiably yelling at both of you?"

Uma sighs, "Might be for the best." She glares at Harry.

"Ya ain'nah bein' ah very good shield," Harry grumbles.

"Compass." Deez smiles up at him as she points to herself, clearly more at ease with every calmly said word.

He snorts again, "She can't protect you every time you do something stupid."

"I really were thinkin' it be ah good thing that first thing he be ah thinkin' be that ya be needin' ta know-"

"Uh-huh." Uma frowns as she crosses her arms, hip jerking to the side.

"Specially after the conversation he an' I be ah havin'." Harry sighs.

"Uh-huh," Uma repeats, "We'll see." She adds skeptically. "It's your ass if he ain't there tomorrow Pretty Boy." She warns with a glare.

"So," Harry clears his throat as he steps away from Deez and pulls out his sword, "It be 'bout this height."

Deez frowns as she watches him before she blinks, "Right! Harry, Gil finished the hammer!" She grabs his arms and pulls him with her.

"Aye, it be ah kinda hard ta be missin' that." Harry chuckles nervously, not even daring a glance at their seething Captain.

"So we're making things for him to test it on." She explains before she stops him by the cliff and stoops to grab her discarded rebar.

Uma takes a deep breath before she lets it out, mumbling under her breath about letting him test it out on Harry.

He hides his amusement as he steps behind her and squeezes her to his chest before he turns them, catching Deez whispering something to Harry.

"Aye." Harry nods solemnly.

"Thank you." Deez smiles up at him, "Now, do it again."

Harry chuckles before he holds his sword up as if he were about to attack her.

He watches as Deez tilts her head back and forth before she turns to the cliff. She punches her flaming hand into the solid rock a little above her head before she slams the rebar nearly a foot into the softened hole.

He tilts his head in confusion before he grins, "Oh, that's a really cool idea!" He beams at Deez as she melts the red rock around the rebar before stepping away with a satisfied smile.

"Since you don't want to hurt anyone, but you still need to practice to get used to it." She smiles as she turns to them.

"You're really learnin' to use your fire in the most clever ways Deez," Uma smiles softly.

"Aye," Harry nods, "Glad ya be gettin' more comfortable with it."

"I-" Deez furrows her brow as she looks down at her hands, "I like being able to use it to help."

"Bet ya do." Uma smiles as she walks over and wraps an arm around her shoulder. "I'm with Pretty Boy," She sighs, "It wasn't like it was going anywhere no matter how much you might wish it would. It's wonderful to see you finally acceptin' it."

"Yeah," He grins boyishly as he shoots Deez a knowing look. "It's amazin' to see you light up with a smile."

Deez smiles before she turns into Uma's hug, wrapping her arms around the captain to hide her slight blush.

Harry clasps his shoulder with a grin, "Think ya can be ah showin' us what ya can be ah doin' with that thing now, Sweet Boy?"

"The other rebar should be ready." Deez excitedly starts pulling a laughing Uma, "Come on!"

He grins as he all but runs over to the rebar connecting the two boulders before he turns to his family. "Ready?" He asks, exhilarated.

"Aye." Harry chuckles as he wraps an arm around Uma and Deez's shoulders pulling them to his side as he pulls them further away and off to the side from him to watch.

He nods in appreciation before he turns to the metal and swings down before he can think about how the metal could send the head of the hammer flying.

His eyes widen with awe as he lets out a howl of excitement as he breaks the rebar with one heavy blow.

He pumps a fist, before he turns, "Did you see that! Did you see that!" He beams in excitement only to find Uma and Harry staring at him in awe.

"That was amazing!" Deez cheers as she runs forward.

He drops his hammer as he catches her and spins, hugging her tightly to his chest as he lets out a deep laugh.

His chest swells as a wave of pride washes over him, his head light with his excitement.

"Fuck mate," Harry shakes his head, "That be-"

"Fuckin' fantastic." Uma finishes for him as she blinks out of her shock.

He beams at them as he hugs Deez tighter to his chest. "Right?" He asks ecstatically.

"Duh." Deez chuckles before she wraps her arms around his neck, pressing her cheek to his as she plays with his hair.

"I knew it was gonna hold," Uma grins, "But fuck, I never expected you to bust through that with one fuckin' swing!" She runs up to him launching herself to hug him and Deez.

"Oi!" Harry smiles as he follows her, "Don'nah be ah leavin' me outta that." As he leaps to hang off his free side.

His chest puffs up as he raises his head, feeling heady as his confidence skyrockets when he realizes he doesn't so much as step back at the weight suddenly hanging off of him.

Deez smiles as their eyes meet, "You know, you still have the other rebar to test," She bites her bottom lip, "or we could always revisit that family time idea Uma mentioned earlier."

"Aye?" Harry grins. "We can definitely be ah revistin' that. Sweet Boy be deservin' a treat after that show."

Uma glares at Harry, "I should make you just watch us for that stunt."

Harry takes a sharp gasp, "Uma! Ya would'nah be ah doin' that to me, would ya?"

Uma pins him with a glare for a moment before she sighs, "I s'pose not, but only because we be celebratin' our Sweet Boy's success."

"Ya be ah Queen among sea trash, Cap'n." Harry lets out a sigh of relief before he lightly nuzzles his head against her hand.

He grins widely as he wraps his arms around Uma and Harry, trusting Deez to cling to him as he carries the three of them away from the hammer and broken metal. Once inside the cave, he pulls them together to fall on his back, nuzzling all of them as he squeezes them tightly.

"Since we're celebratin' Sweet Boy here, he gets whatever he wants." Uma purrs as she runs her hands over his chest.

He grins down at her, "I believe there was a mention of pointing out the lines of my muscles earlier."

Uma chuckles as she stands up, pulling Harry with her before they start undressing.

Deez bites her lip as she looks from them to him.

He winks at her with a boyish grin.

He knew she was afraid of flaming, but he knew in his heart that she wouldn't burn them if they managed to get her that hot again. That she wouldn't hurt them in that state.

He trusted that like he trusted her; fully and completely.

And if she didn't flame up, he was okay with that experience being just theirs.

After all, Uma'd already given them permission to spend the night. He was already planning ways to make her lose control like that again.

Finally!

A sweet, wholesome chapter turned a bit wicked!

That hammer though.

Jesus, Gil has come a long fucking way. And it's about time he recognized it.

Not that he was the only one to take that journey. The whole family has grown quite a bit since being reunited.

So, what'd you guys think?

About D being able to hold her breath, sit at the bottom of a pool, and drive her hand into rock like a pro?

About Gil's thoughts about T?

About Uma's mixed (*coughs* mostly angry *cough*) feelings about Harry's decision?

Did it make you guys squee?

Let us know!

Much love and appreciation

-Twisted