She hums to herself as she sorts the fallen supplies she'd gathered to the center of the room into smaller organized piles.
It had surprised her. How much T had managed to store here through the years. She wasn't exactly sure what the importance of everything was, but she knew if he'd collected it he'd had something in mind for it.
Deez had done a great job organizing the hold. It wasn't exactly the way she would have sorted things, but she could at least figure out what she had been thinking. It was a shame that so much had been disheveled.
Though admittedly not as much as it could have been. Deez had been smart. Everything she already had organized had been secured tightly, whether by rope or net.
She chews her lip. She really wished she'd asked for the list before they'd left though. She felt bad she was going to have to pull everything out to be counted and most likely sorted again. She just hoped Deez wouldn't be too upset.
She doubted she would be but still-
It was frustrating to have your work undone.
She glances in the direction of the cabin with a sigh.
Not that she'd notice with so much on her plate because yes, absolutely they all had their roles to play but Deez-
So much was being asked of her.
She couldn't imagine, didn't want to-
The fear that had to be mounting, in her and Gil both, at the thought of returning to the cove.
The once beloved hideaway that had become a nightmare for them.
For them to have to return there, the place where they both nearly died…
Was an act of selflessness at it's finest.
She sighs.
It was no wonder the four of them wanted family time before they separated.
She shakes her head before she turns back to her task.
They'd offered for her to stay-
But she couldn't bring herself to. Not this time.
She wasn't sure she'd ever stop crying if she bore witness to the desperate need to show their love and affection for one another.
It was one thing to impose on them when they were just having a good time or decompressing-
But she just knew tonight would be more intimate.
An ode to their love and devotion to one another.
-and she'd hate to interrupt or intrude on such a moment.
Still, that hadn't made the decision any easier.
She sighs.
She was growing weary of constantly feeling torn.
But it would be foolish to not take full inventory before they headed back out for supplies-
It would prove useful in prioritization, though she'd forgotten to point out as much at the meeting…
Perhaps subconsciously.
It wasn't as if she-
Her eyes widen at the sound of footsteps and she scrambles to her feet. Her eyes searching the hold for a place to hide.
T was already going to be so upset with her that James had found out. The last thing she needed was for another person to know their secret.
When her eyes land on a shadow she darts.
She bunches her skirt in her hands nervously, lip between her teeth.
What would he do if one of the-
Stupid.
She was being so stupid.
She breathes out softly.
The crew was a thing of the past.
She releases her death grip on the fabric.
And no one would mistake her for T in these clothes.
This wonderful outfit Harry found for her.
How foolish.
To be so consumed with the future she'd forgotten the present, while the shadows and creaking had brought her to the past.
Heat licks her cheeks.
Embarrassing.
She sighs as her hand wraps around the cool glass of the potion charm.
She was fine.
This was stupid.
She was fine.
No one on the ship had any inclination to harm her.
She was safe.
Just giving into old habits.
She leans against the wall, letting out a sigh as the last of the tension seeps from her and an amused smile flits across her lips.
So when the shelf next to her rattles unexpectedly she yelps.
"Merooow?"
The confused mewling makes her snort before she takes a deep breath to calm her racing heart.
To be fair, it seemed she scared Shrimpy as much as the cat scared her.
"Oh." She breathes out, "you made it." She smiles as she kneels and pats the floor. "That's right," she encourages as the cat hesitantly comes forward, "that a girl."
Gil was going to be so happy.
Though he hadn't said anything in the face of all they were facing, she'd seen him silently looking for his faithful companion several times.
She grins brightly and scoops Shrimpy up the moment she's close enough, "good girl."
Silliness aside, she found solace in the knowledge that if T ever found out about this he'd be proud that seeking out the shadows had been her first instinct.
"T-"
She pulls Shrimpy to her tightly as she jumps, wincing when she feels claws in her shoulder.
She deserved that.
"Er, I uh- hmmm."
She lets out a sigh of relief before a new wave of heat floods her cheeks.
She was afraid of meeting someone new.
Of interacting with someone whom she hadn't yet been introduced to.
But it was just James.
This-
It was still new.
And made her heart race like the first time she'd left the tower.
But T trusted James just as much as he did the family.
She reluctantly releases Shrimpy before she stands and hesitantly steps forward. "Bo'sun." She greets softly. "My apologies, it's just me."
James stops as the light of his lantern spills across her, "Yeah, I were kinda hopin' it was you." He admits as he sheepishly rubs the back of his head.
"Oh." She tilts her head. "Did I do something?"
"Thank the Sea God's, ya can be loud enough ta-" He pauses with a grimace, "not that I be thinkin' ya be dumb- I mean, I heard ya squawk-" He groans, "wait no. That- not that ya squawked- more like squeak. Fuck, that doesn't help. That is ta say, um-" Another grimace crosses his face, "hi."
She frowns at his discomfort, "T," She closes her eyes as she forces herself to speak louder, "calls it screeching if that helps."
"That ain't nice," he laughs nervously before his brow furrows, "or accurate."
"I agree, if anything it would be a yelp."
James chuckles as he nods before he shifts, "Oh, I be twelve kinds o'-" he holds his hand up, offering her a small covered basket, "ya've been down here for hours and I thought you might be hungry."
"Oh. Thank you." She drops her eyes as she twists her hands together. "You didn't have to do that."
"Actually," James takes a deep breath, "I really did." He takes a step forward, still holding out the basket, "I uh, I owe ya an apology."
Her head tilts as she looks up at him curiously, but she takes the offered basket.
Truth be told she hadn't been thinking about it, but now that he mentioned it, she was hungry.
"I uh," He takes a step back and looks around the hold, "I guess I was starin' durin' the meetin'." He rubs the back of his head, "An' I'm sorry for bein' so rude."
"Oh." She smiles softly.
How sweet of him to worry about offending her.
"I wasn't meanin' to. I'm just, uh, well, adjustin' I guess. But I ain't judgin' or nothing," He adds quickly, "incase that's how it felt." He bites his lip, "Though if she thinks you felt judged you probably did think that's what I was doing."
Ah. Deez.
She must have said something to him.
"So, I'm sorry."
"Thank you for the clarification," She believed him. He was being too awkward to be deceitful. "It's okay though, I understand…" She toes at nothing. "It has to be odd."
"I mean, ah little." James exhales in relief, "I uh, sorry, it's just. T. Like T is just T. We're kind of- well, we work well together. And give each other shit." A slow grin curves his lips, "And I abandon him to Uma a lot," His eyes widen as he looks to her and he holds up a hand, "but I swear he deserves it."
"I know he enjoys you too," She glances up at him with a small smile, "And I hold no ill will towards you, T loves trouble."
"Really?" James chuckles, "I always thought maybe he just put up with me cause I'm the Bosen, he can be hard to read sometimes."
She nods before she pauses and tilts it to the side. "You think T cares about titles?"
"Not the title so much as what I do. I was in charge of seein' to the repairs, so he had to work with me." He shrugs, "Like that kind o' thing."
She bites her lip as her eyes sweep over her face, "If he didn't like you he'd have snuck around you to do it alone. He," She pauses, "He respects you."
"Aye?"
She nods.
He rubs the back of his neck again before he looks away, "It's… is it weird to talk about him?"
She shakes her head, amused. "He's my brother. Or," she bites her lip, "at least I thought he was for a long time."
James' eyes widen as he turns back to her, "Oh! I guess that- That makes sense. Right? Like T is T, and you're not T-" A look of horror crosses his face, "I- Sorry, you're Faustina." He corrects himself as he runs a hand down his face.
She smiles as she nods her head. "It's okay. It has to be disorienting. It's our lives and I still find it confusing, if that helps. And you're not wrong, T is very much T, and I'm very much not."
"Yeah." He agrees before he face palms, "Not that that's ah bad thing." He drops his head back.
"I'm sorry," She frowns. "I- T doesn't like people, any people, knowing. He's really embarrassed. I'm pretty su-"
"Neither one of you should be embarrassed." She hears James say before he looks back down, "Sure, I'm bein' kind of an ass about wrappin' me head around this, but seriously, you shouldn't be embarrassed." He sighs, "Though that does sound like T."
"Thank you," She smiles, "I don't think you're being an ass. I think it's just a bit jarring. It's been a few months since we found out, and it still perplexes me. You just," She bites her lip, "stumbled into it, I guess would be the best way to put it." She places the basket on a crate before she turns back to him.
"I'm sorry, I promise it wasn't personal, T just really doesn't want people to know about me. And, I just, after this morning, I thought you deserved an explanation and I know you're one of the people T trusts so… When Harry asked if it was okay-" She drops her eyes. "I thought the truth might be less confusing than trying to figure out what you'd seen." She fidgets with her skirt, "I'm not sure if you looked more confused or concerned. But I understand either." She sighs softly.
James snorts, "I was a lot of things when I heard ya for the first time, but confused and concerned were definitely up there." He rubs the back of his head, "Ta be fair, everythin' is jarrin' right now. For all o' us." He sighs, "But thank you, for knowin' I ain't tryin' to be a jerk about this. I just, need ta make it click, I guess."
She bites her lip, "Thank you for making the effort- To understand I mean." She glances up at him, "You didn't have to come to find me. Didn't have to bring me food. But I really appreciate it."
She bites her lip, "I'm sorry, that's the way you found out… But," She pauses, "But, I'm happy you know. After," She stops herself. He didn't want to hear her life story, she drops her eyes, "It's just, just that, it's nice to be acknowledged." Her voice lowers. "For people to know I exist." She stares at the frayed and patched cloth draped over the contents of the basket, "I know it's selfish, especially when the situation is so confusing but… I can't help liking it, sorry."
James blinks down at her before he suddenly finds the lantern interesting, "Nothing wrong with wantin' ta be acknowledged and known." He bites his lip, "An if ya say yer like siblings, twins… I mean, that makes it easier to " He tilts his head to the side, "I mean yeah, it's like yer twins, just, never in the same room."
She nods not looking up from the bowl, "I always thought we were twins," She smiles, "And I like that other people, I don't know, make sense of it that way too, I guess."
"So, I mean, I haven't really known what to do about it, but there are a lot of girls on the ship lookin' for T, and no amount of tellin' seems ta convince them ya stayed with the others."
"I'm sorry." Her ears burn.
"No, I weren't saying it ta make ya feel bad." James quickly explains, "It's just, Harry mentioned that they weren't fans o' the adults in the crew knowin', but now-" he gestures to her awkwardly, "an' I mean, it be up ta you. I just, I was just lettin' ya know. Or," He chuckles, "maybe I'm askin' what ya want me ta do about it?"
Her face burns as her grip on her skirt tightens. The thought of others trying to hunt her down to talk to her was overwhelming. "I um, I, I, I'm n-not very good w-with l-lots of people..."
"Oh?" She hears the smile in his voice even though he wasn't looking at her, "I couldn't tell."
Her face burns hotter even through her smile, "Oh, and here I thought I was hiding it well."
"You had me completely fooled." He says, somehow containing the snicker until the end.
She can't help her giggle, feeling some of her tension drain.
They laugh together, but eventually, James rubs a hand over his face, "So, do me best ta keep 'em away then?"
"Please?" She asks hating the desperation in her tone.
"I can do that." He nods, "So, why don't you eat while I help a little? I got to know Deez's layout pretty well, so I'm sure I can make it easier."
"You don-" She pauses, he was trying. Trying so hard to make sure she knew that he wasn't feeling any type of way but confused. Trying so hard to understand.
"Well see," James chuckles as he starts looking over the piles, "Thing is I also remember there being a bunch of extra herbs she stored, and since the workroom has a lock on it, and we need medicine anyway…"
She looks up at him, "Thank you," She smiles, "I'd really appreciate that."
"No big deal," James shrugs, "You've already done the hard part."
"It's still," She bites her lip, remembering how unkind people took to being called kind, "Thank you. For all of it." She says, hoping it sounded as genuine as she felt. He didn't have to make an effort, let alone so much of one. It meant a lot.
She kneels as she places the basket in front of her with a smile before she opens it to find a covered bowl.
It isn't unit she takes her first bite however that James steps away, clearly satisfied that she was eating
A habit T had instilled most undoubtedly.
She stops before she takes a second bite though, placing the spoon back to the bowl, "Um, sorry if this is overstepping, but T didn't know how to tell you." Her eyes dart to the shadows out of the reach of light.
Surely she'd hear if another started to approach, she'd heard James coming afterall.
Still-
Was it smart to speak about it so brazenly?
Or was she just being paranoid?
She sighs.
She loved her brother. She truly did-
But damn it T, why did he have to spread paranoia like butter on warm toast?
"I've um, we've actually needed to speak with you since we returned." Her teeth sink into her lip as her gaze returns to the door. "But T hasn't really been… awake much, and I've been-"
Scared.
Uncomfortable.
Obnoxious in her timidness.
She takes a deep breath, "unsure how to approach you." She frowns as her attention returns to him, "Has Uma spoken to you about how T woke after the quakes?"
She frowns as several emotions flit across his face, his concern most prominent.
"Whattaya mean woke?" He frowns, "I thought he were collectin' kids on the Isle."
"I see," she sighs, her heart heavy.
How miserable he must be.
The pain of the unknown had been nearly unbearable for her and here she'd been sitting with the answer because of her fear.
She was such a coward.
Weak.
"I apologize for being so inconsiderately remiss. I can't imagine the weight you must be carrying." She picks at her skirt absently unable to meet his eyes.
James's brow furrows before he follows behind her, the light of his lantern easily lighting her path, "I don't think I understand, what weight? And how would it be your fault if there were ah weight?"
"Silence has its place." She shrugs, "and as you've mentioned T holds his secrets close. Obnoxiously so in some cases. Though this time was sheerly him-" She digs her fingers into a fistful of fabric, "-us, being remiss. I swear your feelings matter to both of us- But we were being selfish-"
"The fuck were ya bein' selfish 'bout? From what I know T be collectin' a fifth o' the Isle."
"Because," She bites her lip, "we found the ones we love- while you've been fretting if yours is still alive."
If she were any less perceptive she would've missed the way his eyes widened and then narrowed.
"Frettin' if who be okay?" He asks.
She bites her lip before she searches the shadows again as she strains to listen, only to find darkness and silence.
She turns back to him, both hands bunching into her skirt-
"Your her-" Her voice lowers an octave at the concern and the slowly building panic crossing his features in waves.
"Ain't gotta her."
"Well, that's brave. I don't think any of them handle rejection well."
If she hadn't been watching his expression so closely she would have missed it, but she catches it.
The grin.
The soft scoff.
The narrowing of his eyes before the smile fades.
The dawning fear.
"I'm not-" she frowns, "I have no intention of telling them. Nor does T-"
James grimaces, "he be knowin' too?"
Her lips twitch, "do you really believe he wouldn't follow you on your excursions? You're the only one that left the docks. You. The only one who seemed to respect them? He was worried you were working with someone-"
"Ah, course the one time he be half right," James grumbles before he rests his forearm against the wooden beam overhead.
"He may not always be right, but he's always suspicious, vigilantly so. Especially when he thinks someone one of us cares about is in danger."
"So, this she then," James bites his lower lip, "she be okay? Out there doin' what she always be doin'?"
"Naturally," She smiles as she nods, "she was looking for their sister and Maddy, though I have no doubt she found others along the way to throw at T. I believe it's how we found so many, so quickly."
"How-" He shakes his head as words seem to fail him. After a few attempts he gives up and rests his forehead against his arm.
Her heart aches as she watches him, and hesitantly approaches him to gently rest her hand on his shoulder, "She's one of them, resilient and stubborn to a fault. I'm positive she's still hunting for hers, but she wasn't subtle in her demands that we look out for those we share affection for."
"Subtle ain't really her thing." He snorts
"Probably for the best-" She smiles, "it would have gone over his head otherwise."
"Th- Thank you." He whispers as a tear escapes from the corner of his eye.
"I'm sorry it took so long to let you know." She drops her eyes, "We were only separated for a short period. I can't imagine how difficult not knowing, or being able to search for this length of time has had to be for you." She pauses, "it shows how much you care for them, and understand her. I'd hate for her to have hurt you upon your reunion."
"I uh- Fair." He grins before he wipes his face on his sleeve and turns to her with a nod, "thanks. Just, thank you. It be meanin' ah whole hell of ah lot that you… Well, understand and told me. I know it would mean a lot to her too."
"You do so much for them, how could I not offer you reprieve from your worry." She bites her lip and boldly, in her opinion, squeezes his arm. "I can't express my gratitude for everything you've done. All the sacrifices you've made for them. I see how deep your love runs for her. How much she trusts you."
James blushes before he looks away, "I do, an' I suppose me bein' here does show that," his eyes widen before he turns back to her, "not that I wouldn't still be here-"
"The thought never crossed my mind, Bo'sun. It's clear how much you care for my family. She may have pushed you in this direction, but your dedication to them is your own."
"Hooks do be ah mite pushy." James sighs before he eyes her cautiously, "It might be good for ya to remember that too."
"I'll keep it in mind." She smiles, genuinely appreciating the gesture.
He nods before he clears his throat, "good. Just holler if ya ever need help- though after hearing you talk in front of others, maybe I should get a clearer gesture pinned down to know if you need help."
Her cheeks once more flood with heat, but she catches the slight smile and quickly realizes, much to her surprise, he was teasing her.
"And here I thought I had been disruptive."
"Glad ta know ya have ah sense o' humor too." He chuckles before his face shifts, "but serious like, let me know if ya ever have need of me."
"Thank you," she smiles up at him, "and know we extend the same offer-" she hesitates, "I know you know T, know he isn't going to listen to their wishes for long-" she sighs, "so if you ever wish to write a message… I know he would pass it for you- If you write it." She grimaces, "god only knows what he'd do if he had to quote you."
James opens his mouth before he frowns, "I uh, I should not know that. But ya ain't wrong that I be lookin' out for it. So, aye. If it's gonna happen no matter what," he shrugs, "an' ya seriously, neither, mind." He eyes her.
Her lip twitches, "if he is willing to face their ire with Hades- He certainly won't have any concerns with doing this favor- Especially if it's for you. He respects you deeply, and appreciates all you do for them. He might not understand the depth of your sacrifices- But he does understand the danger of your relationship with her."
"There just ain't been ah good time ta mention it." James rubs the back of his neck awkwardly, "but if ya be sure, then I'll be gettin' ta work on that note."
She tilts her head, "If you'd like, whenever you're ready, I'm sure he wouldn't mind partnering with you," she rolls her eyes, "if only to upset our Hook."
"Now that do be soundin' like T." He smiles before he looks around the hold again, "Guess I should be gettin' ready for me part of the mission and lettin' you get back to-" his voice trails off before he shrugs, "whatever it were that ya be doing."
"Going through inventory." She explains with a smile, "so we have a better idea of what we need to prioritize and to make sure we can keep track." She rolls her eyes again, "T might have added a lock, but only because I'm certain he's forgotten how many he taught- using that word loosely, to pick them."
James snorts, "aye, that be soundin' right."
"Doesn't it just."
"But he ain't wrong- I can be talkin' to the Captain 'bout addin' a new position to keep the provisions safe."
She smiles, "I'd appreciate that greatly, he's worrying about enough without adding concerns about curious eyes and sticky fingers."
"That be plenty fair," James nods, "don't forget ta eat. Can't have T's sister droppin' on us. You know how he gets."
"I think he'd find it more gratifying than anything else, it's rare he gets to lord things over my head- but I'd hate to worry the others. Thank you for your concern, it means a great deal to me that you would bother."
James looks away, "I- uh-" He rubs his neck, "O'course."
She tilts her head, curious to his sudden embarrassment as she studies him.
What had he been seeking from this exchange?
Had she done something untoward to him?
Or was it-
"I would be curious as well," She offers as she drops her hand.
She schools her amusement when he blushes.
"It were'nah jus' that-" he holds up his hands, "I be swearin'. I jus' I knew you could be yelpin' but…"
Her face burns furiously, "oh." She grimaces, "so, you weren't just teasing."
They really hadn't been able to hear her during the meeting.
She closes her eyes-
Which explained why only Deez and Harry heard her.
How mortifying.
"Uh, well-" James lightly grimaces, "Shydow seems ah right good name for ya."
She can't help her smile, despite the heat of her face as she nods, "I certainly can't argue it," she pauses, "but thank you, for caring enough to be curious."
"Aye," he smiles as he takes a step back, "an', so ya know, an' don't let T kill me over this, but ya look real nice in that."
She smiles at him, "thank you for risking his wrath over that. It feels nice to be able to dress like a girl again."
"We're mates, it's what we do." He chuckles before he points to the basket behind her, "ya best be eatin', or it's ah different threat we'll be catchin'."
She nods, "I would hate to upset her over something so trivial."
"Least one o' ya be havin' that sense."
She chuckles, "I promise I'll eat, thank you again. Please go on, now that your curiosity is sated I can only imagine you'd like to get back to being Bo'sun."
James grins before he waves and vanishes with his lantern, once more leaving her with piles to sort.
She smiles at his back as warmth fills her chest.
James. Always so thoughtful and kind.
She shakes her head before she turns to the basket and returns to her meal.
They were in no position to be wasting food, and T would no doubt need the energy.
Lord knows he wasn't getting sleep.
Faustina in a dress-
Faustina's smile while in a dress was priceless.
The pure glee.
The shift in her outward demeanor. Though that could have just been the several dozen less layers obfuscating her.
It nearly killed him when she'd grabbed a new stack of black layers and quietly excused herself to go change.
She wanted time to fill T in, and at the same time wanted them to focus on Gil and Deez.
Speaking of-
He sighs as he watches Uma still fretting over the both of them as she packs a sack for them.
She wasn't completely wrong.
They were all still sore about separating.
But, they were sore about all of them separating.
So even though he would be the one going out with T, he was still going to be missing Faustina.
Even if she would be 'present' in a way; a way that he couldn't see and didn't really understand, but a way.
He should be grateful, but it still felt odd.
Taking T out on the Isle knowing Faustina-
No.
He bites his lip as he squeezes his eyes shut.
He couldn't think like that.
Couldn't afford wind to fill those sails.
Or he'd start thinking of all the reasons none of them should be on the crazy Isle right now.
And knowing T, he wasn't the only one.
He was just more willing to shove it down and ignore it.
He turns when the door opens.
Speak of the imp.
"We're at the cove." T sighs in resignation as he crosses his arms and leans against the door.
He fights a grimace.
So soon?
He bites his lip as he turns to face Gil.
Did he get to say everything he needed to say to his brother?
To Deez?
Had Uma?
A tight smile pulls on Gil's lips as he gives a short nod. "We'll see you soon," he shoulders Deez's bag over his, "won't take Treasure long."
"I promise I am highly motivated to get this done as fast as I can." Deez quickly adds, her smile just as tight as she nods in agreement.
T snorts as he pushes off the door and walks over to drop his hand to Deez's head. "Don't think any of us were doubtin' that."
"Nah, we be knowin' the way ya be-" He cuts himself off with a cough before he can finish.
Uma didn't need the reminder that the pair of them seemed to enjoy working until they dropped.
"What he means ta say is don't make it too hard on Gil." T ruffles her hair before he pulls her into a side hug and whispers something to her.
"Oh." Deez's face furrows before she nods, "That's fair."
Gil narrows his eyes, "No. I don't like that. What was-" He points between the two of them.
"I'm with Sweet Boy," Uma agrees firmly as she eyes the two.
"A reminder to not be stupid?" Deez answers, her face comically confused.
"Jesus," T chuckles as he steps away from her, "What the fuck have we done to them?"
"I don't know, but I'm worried."
"Ya be ah riot, the both o' ya." He shakes his head before he walks up between Uma and Gil and throws his arms around their shoulders, "Don'nah be lookin' for teeth with T handin' out warnin's ta be smart."
He was pretty sure he knew what the warning was.
And that it involved Deez working with lava.
"Aye," Uma sighs, leaning into him for a moment before she pulls away. "That bein' said, T, no more secret warnings. Whole group warnings only."
He frowns when Deez clenches her jaw, but before he can comment she looks away.
T tilts his head to the side, "Kay…"
"Okay," He steps forward to switch the shoulders he was leaning on, "I think we be ah gettin' way too keelhauled o'er this splittin' up." He lightly pulls Deez and T to his sides, "Ain'nah bein' no harm in ah warnin'."
Gil blushes as he looks away, "Yeah." He sighs. "Sorry Treasure, T." He rubs the back of his neck.
Uma hangs her head, "I-" She sighs.
"It doesn't feel good to separate again," Deez states tightly, "but we agreed on the work that needs to get done."
"Aye," Uma lifts her hand to cup Deez's jaw gently, "That we did." She smiles tightly as her eyes drink in her features. Her thumb brushing her cheek lovingly.
"I be hatin' ta ask this, since it be seemin' ah mite obvious," He eyes the two bulging bags, "but do ya both be ah havin' everything?"
Gil chuckles as he readjusts the straps, "Yeah," He grins, "Uma thought of everything."
"And then some." Deez grins before she grabs Uma's hand and kisses her palm.
Uma bites her lip nervously, "But, I don't mind going through-"
Gil drops his hand on Uma's head, "We've got the notebook. An' the ship won't be far for long. It's okay."
"Right," Uma swallows again before she looks up at Gil with a small smile, "Thanks Sweet Boy," Her eyes drop to Deez, "Baby Girl." She hugs Deez tightly.
"Hey now," He automatically pulls T closer, "I be number one, I be wantin' ta get some o' that too!"
Uma chuckles as she extends one of her arms, "Who's stoppin' ya?"
"Me, if he doesn't let go."
"Guess I be ah gettin'-"
Before he can finish, large arms wrap around him and T, pulling them deeper into the family hug before they're pulled tightly to Gil's chest.
Ha!
Too late to be stopped now.
"You guys better take care of yourselves," Gil threatens lightly before the hold tightens, "or'll it'll be me an Deez lecturin' ya."
"And we're scary." Deez chuckles against his neck.
"Very," Gil grins.
Though he couldn't see her, he could hear Uma's chuckle, "the scariest."
He snorts when they nod in unison.
But yeah, they could be.
"We be ah promisin'."
A long hesitation makes him frown.
What was Gil waiting for?
"Ser-" Uma chuckles as she rolls her eyes, "Aye, Sweet Boy, I promise."
Gil clears his throat as he crushes them tighter.
"Wha-" T whines, "Oh. Oh! Promise!"
Gil nods before he sets them back on the ground, "Good."
Huh.
T's first family Gil hug went better than he'd expected.
Nobody yelped, in pain or surprise.
He bites his lip as he looks out the window, watching the strange green light flair before thunder peals, "You guys watch each other too."
Gil slowly lowers them to the ground, "C'mon," He takes Deez's hand and squeezes it. "Can't keep 'em waitin' forever."
Deez takes a deep breath before he watches her force a smile on her face.
A small one.
A trembling one.
But a smile.
"We're havin' family time when we all get back." Gil states.
States.
Deez frowns up at Gil, "No fair, I was gonna ask this time."
Gil grins down at her, "Should'ah been quicker." He winks at her.
He laughs as he claps Gil on the back, "Aye Sweet Boy, ya be ah beating me to the punch too."
Uma sighs, "It would probably help." She admits slowly. "An' if Sweet Boy an' Baby Girl are both pushin' it how can I say no?" A small smile curves her lips.
"Ya can't." The three of them say at the same time.
"Alright you two," Uma chuckles, "let's do this."
He leans down to pull Deez into his arms before he plants a kiss on her nose, "Now we be ah havin' somethin' ta look forward too when ya be finishin' up." He winks at her.
"Aye." She whispers with her lips against his cheek.
He smiles as he passes her to Gil, choosing to ignore the way she was shaking for now.
Gil wouldn't let anything happen to her, just like she hadn't let anything happen to him.
They had notebooks now.
If-
If anything happened, they wouldn't have to blindly search or blindly accept stupid evidence.
"An' for my sanity, just send'em a 'O 'now an' then, so they can keep their shit together." T crosses his arms.
"Orange," Deez blinks as she settles against Gil, "Safe. Oh, yeah, we can do that." She nods in T's direction, "It would be nice to get that from you guys too."
"I can do that," Uma quickly promises her, shooting a grateful look to T.
"An' remember you can light up now- So like steam it if it tries you."
"I doubt anything is going to get close enough to try me while I'm hollowing out caves."
"See, that's the spirit." T grins. "Fuck it."
Deez rolls her eyes, but there was no hiding her grin.
Or the way she and Gil blush when their eyes meet for the barest second before they look away.
No.
Fucking.
Fair.
Uma chuckles, "At least I don't have ta worry 'bout you two stayin' warm."
"Deez do be takin' all the heat with 'er." He chuckles before he stops short.
With how bad it was still raining-
He sighs.
With Deez at the cove, they were all going to have to be extra careful of the wet.
Wet led to sick.
And sick was the last thing they needed right now.
He forces a smile before he nods to T, grateful that he'd helped ease the tension between them as a family.
"Uma, be grabbin' ah blanket ta be coverin' Deez with while Gil be rowin'." He says as he opens the door to another peel of thunder rumbling overhead.
"Great idea." Uma nods before she rummages around in the cabinet, "Best ta just get this over with."
"You see them off an' be comin' right back." He orders as Gil steps out onto the deck.
Uma nods before she slips out to follow, closing the door behind her.
He takes a deep breath before he leans against the wall.
It was hard to let them go.
"Why aren't you going?" T questions as he uppends his bag on the table.
He shakes his head, "I might not be able ta be lettin' 'em leave." He admits as he presses a hand to the tightness in his chest, his eyes drawn to the mysterious contents of T's seemingly bottomless bag now on display.
A small jar of the remaining ointment.
Strips of fabric.
"Cause Captain's any better."
Pens.
"It ain'nah gonna be any better if both o' us be wantin' ta keep 'em." He slowly shakes his head, "I would just be ah makin' it harder on 'er."
Maps.
Small grease-stained bags.
Those he was familiar with. T's jerky was pretty good comparatively.
He didn't like the idea of them separating again. That was all.
None of them on the ship, everyone facing different parts of the Isle.
It was enough to make it hard to breathe.
His family, separated on the Isle.
Again.
Notebooks.
They had the notebooks this time.
He would be with T.
How many lock picks did T have? Cause that was a pile.
Uma would be with James. Who'd proven himself time and time and time again.
Half filled mirky bottles of water.
Scrunchies.
Vials of sleep drink.
He shouldn't be worried.
Whetstones.
But when had he ever listened to himself?
Were those gold pellets rolling across the table?
"Fair." T mumbles as he sorts through the maps and-
Lists?
"They'll be fine." He adds with a frown as he discards several of each.
He frowns as he picks up a crumpled up map of-
He rolls his eyes.
The hide and seek map they'd split into quadrants.
"Hide an' seek would be fun as fuck right now."
"Fer the two o' ya, maybe. With the Isle bein' so fucked like, it be ah whole new level of scared for the rest o' us."
"Well, yeah there's that I guess, but nothin' motivates findin' places like winnin'." He shrugs.
"I can be ah seein' that," he concedes.
Only because he knew there was no way in Davy Jones Locker they'd find time for it now.
"Though…" T purses his lips as he continues to sort the contents of his bag into piles.
Binoculars.
A thick glass dart gun.
Darts swishing with dark liquid.
A small pile of strange-looking folding knives, but the ones that had more than just the single blade.
They were always fun to find, but had the weirdest-looking additions hidden in the plastic handles.
And apparently broke easily.
Flashlight.
"The whole Isle is kinda one big game of hide and seek right now."
Lighters.
Batteries.
Another bag.
"That be right 'nough." He sighs.
And he'd only seen a small part of the damage.
His eyes narrow on the small, dull pellets spilling from a loosely tied bag.
Those he recognized.
"If ya be havin' those, do ya be ah havin' another one o' them guns stashed somewhere?"
"Those loud as fuck bastards?" T glances up at him with a frown, "Yeah, at the hangout."
He nods, "Did'nah think ya be leavin' any here."
"For those fuck-" He pauses, "Nope." He frowns.
He bites his lip before he slides into a seat to continue watching the fascinating process.
"Ya know, I never be ah gettin' ah chance ta thank ya." He plays with one of the melted globs of gold, letting it roll between his hand and the table, "For warnin' us."
"Why?" He asks incredulously, "Did it help?"
He frowns as he tilts his head to the side, "It be hard ta be explainin', but we both were bein' sore from fightin' the helm an' tired from the terror, I don'nah be thinkin' I would'ah been catchin' Tim's tone if it were'nah bein' for yer warnin'. Uma too. Afore it even be called out that they be plannin' ta take the ship, Uma an' I were on the same page 'bout it comin'."
T's jaw tenses as he nods curtly, crushing the fabric in his hand as he slams the other over an unraveled bundle of twine. "Fix this." He pushes the spool towards him.
Without thinking he begins to unknot the small rope.
It was nearly an unconscious act at this point. All the riggings for their ship came knotted off the barge, and then ended up being knotted together to get the length they needed.
He and Gil were both quick with rope.
A compact.
Small rocks.
"Fucking Seriously?" T's head hits the table.
He jumps and the twine slips from his fingers, "Fuc- T, what ya be swearin' sudden like o'er?"
"She just fuckin' left." He groans as he picks his head back up to look at the door, "Think I can catch up to her?"
He sighs as the reminder, "Why ya be ah wantin' ta draw it out more?"
"Cause I fuckin' forgot." He sighs as he shows him two crumbled and folded papers, "new rule. I'm not in charge of other people's shit."
"Why these be upsettin' ya?" He frowns, trying to read the writing on the outside of the two envelopes.
They didn't look like letters Deez had written.
"Cause, I'm an asshole." T scowls at them. "D's gonna lose her shit over those, I think the Dragon Tamer sent her mail." His head hits the table again.
His eyes widen before he snatches them from T's surprisingly pliant hand.
"And I probably got grease smeared on them." He groans.
He turns the two letters over as he stares at them.
One was written all fancy-like, but the other-
Jay.
Jay wrote a letter!
He giggles as he thrusts the letter from Jay back into T's face, "Nah, I ain'nah seein' grease, but I be ah findin' Jay's handwritin'."
T shoots up and stares at the letter in wonder, "Jay?" He grins, one hand reaching for it before he shoves his hands behind his back. "Ha! And ya thought gold was valuable."
"It still be," He baps the letter against T's forehead before he stands, "But aye, it be hard not ta be readin' it for ourselves first."
Very hard.
But, it was clearly meant for Deez.
He was many things, but he wasn't someone who would take away from all the work his Fire Princess put into writing and sending out letters all these years.
T pouts as he rubs his forehead. "Yeah, well, your job to get it to her now."
He shrugs before he walks over to Deez's small trunk and carefully tucks the letters under something soft and grey, "Now she be ah havin' three things ta be ah lookin' forward to when they be makin' it back."
He smiles as he grabs his notebook and reclaims his seat.
Deez, there be a surprise in yer trunk when ya be getting back home.
-H
"There." He nods before he closes the notebook, "Now she'll know where ta be lookin'."
"Good call." T breathes out before he turns back to look at the table, his eyes moving to the notebook before he pulls it to him. "So, um, I know how much ya hate deals but-"
He takes a sluggish breath.
There was always a but with T.
"Hear me out, I think we could get into Hades' stores with this." His thumb taps against the pages.
He tilts his head to the side.
"The stores he be havin' the kits in?"
T grins, "Yeah."
He leans back in his seat, impressed. "What ya be ah plannin'?"
"Really?" T asks hesitantly.
"Aye, ya be makin' ah fair point 'bout them supplies just wastin' in the dark crevices of the temple."
T's grin returns "So, like, here's what I'm thinking-"
He narrows his eyes against the harsh wind and rain as he pushes the oars through the turbulent water, trying his best not to think about the terror his Treasure had to be experiencing right now.
Instead choosing to focus on how brave she was despite how she shook.
Swallowing her own fears for the greater good.
Like she always did.
He'd never admit how much it was killing him.
It couldn't have been more than a week since they'd reunited, and yet here they were already splitting up.
He understood.
He did.
Really.
They were in such a better position than so many.
A position where they could help.
Unite.
Protect.
It was something he felt proud of.
Bucking the status quo.
Finally doing the right thing.
Boldly.
Brashly.
Following the path Deez and T had paved for so long.
A path he knew the three of them had secretly longed to follow for so long, yet hadn't dared.
It just wasn't how things had been.
But now?
There was nothing stopping them.
So, why was he wishing there was?
He'd never considered himself to be a selfish person.
Had always done his best to, in his own subtle way, be good.
Runt of his family or not-
He'd always been bigger than most.
But he'd never seriously injured anyone.
Even in the gang wars he'd gone out of his way to make sure to use the flat of his blade.
Or would pick the quickest opponent.
It's why he'd always paired off against Carlos when they'd fought.
He was so slow compared to him, so one ever questioned why the smaller boy always made it away unscathed.
Yet here he was-
Wishing they could just stay together.
Actually appreciate and let the fact they'd all survived sink in.
And yeah, he'd held out hope.
Steadfast that they'd all made it despite all evidence to the contrary-
He would've cried when T tackled him in the Core's hangout if their Problem Child hadn't brought a monstrous spider with him.
Fucking T.
And he'd always thought Harry had been his psychotic brother.
He'd thought for sure they would've found Uma and Harry well before T and his Angel.
His lips twitch.
He'd never found T ugly-
Had never really thought of T in that light really-
But seeing his Angel in girl clothes and some make up?
It was embarrassing none of them had ever questioned T's sex.
And made him question how he'd never connected him to the girl in the alley.
It was startling.
The switch that had flipped.
He'd never questioned Faustina being his missing Angel. How else could she have known that story? Especially in such detail.
But barring the black hair-
It was like seeing a ghost.
It had taken everything in him to not blurt out how gorgeous she looked.
For as slow witted as he was, even he knew it would've looked weird to make such a claim in front of James and Beam.
And it had him questioning if that's why he occasionally caught her plucking at T's clothes.
His grin widens.
He'd grown up with twins.
Junior and Third were so similar people had a hard time telling them apart.
Their differences were small, but they were different.
Squeaky and Squirmy on the other hand were nearly as identical in personality as they were in their looks.
But T and Faustina?
They were like night and day.
And he loved both the dark and the light.
He glances down where Deez was hidden under a blanket and tightly curled around his legs.
It was poetic.
The light that shone in the females in their family was so at odds with Harry and T's darkness.
His nose scrunches.
Where did he fall in that spectrum?
He sighs.
It didn't really matter.
A sudden patch of darkness looming over them makes him reverse his paddling.
That had been both the longest and the shortest row of his life.
It was hard to gauge the distance when you could barely see more than ten feet.
Not that he was complaining-
He hadn't had this hard of a workout since the last time he'd been able to swing his hammer.
He makes quick work of righting the dingy, but pauses when he remembers there was no place to dock.
"Treasure?" He calls out over the wind. "I'm sorry but I need your help so we can moor."
Why hadn't they thought of this sooner?
Why hadn't he thought of this sooner?
Stupid.
Her grip around his legs slowly loosens; he could almost feel her forcing each finger to relax.
The moment her hands are free, Deez rips the blanket down her front, making her white and blue hair bounce out in wild waves, only to quickly end up plastered down from the weight of the rain.
He wanted so badly to lean forward and help her push the mass out of her face, but he didn't want to rock the boat now that he was clutching onto the cliff to keep them from drifting.
"Ugh, that's fair." Deez sighs as she shoves the curtain of hair back, "I can't believe I didn't think about that."
"None of us did." He frowns, as he looks over his shoulder.
Shit.
He swallows a groan.
And it wasn't like they could head back to the ship.
He could barely see ten feet in front of him, let alone the Revenge.
"But I've been thinking of all the ways I can make this go faster since Uma mentioned swim lessons, and now step one is-" Her head tilts to the side as she stares at the cliff side.
Her lips tighten in determination before she turns to him, "Keep her steady? Please?"
"I swear I won't let you fall in." He assures her as he readjusts his grip on the rock.
She takes a deep breath as she braces her hand on his knees so she can twist to face the cliff, "at least I've had plenty of practice."
Before he can ask she shoves her arms into the cliff, instantly melting the rock up to her elbows.
Ah.
Yeah, she certainly had plenty of practice melting stone.
He sighs when she pulls her arms free and quickly settles with her back to his legs.
For the first time he was grateful for the rain as he waits for the steam to stop rising and the red to cool back to gray. "Think ya can hand me the rope by your foot?"
Deez nods before she thrusts the length at him.
He doesn't hesitate as he quickly tethers them to the cliff side, easily finding where Deez joined her hands to form a tunnel.
He sighs, one hurdle down.
He looks up at the cliff.
Only fuck knew how many to go.
"How do we wanna do this?" He asks, his hand back on the rocks to keep the ship firmly steady.
He grimaces at her deep sigh.
"Guess I'm going up."
He frowns as he follows her gaze, but closes his mouth.
If she had been able to climb them both to the top with a dislocated shoulder in god only knew what weather condition, she could handle climbing in this.
It didn't stop his heart from pounding in fear.
Or his knuckles from going white around where he was keeping them anchored.
But-
If she said she could do it, he trusted her.
"Look, I know you'd probably be fine waiting in the boat but-" Her firm voice catches a slight waver, "um, can I please make a place for you before I get started on the pool?"
He frowns.
He didn't want her to waste her energy-
But he also didn't want her to be distracted, consumed with worry for him.
And on a more selfish level, getting out of the rain sounded amazing.
"I ain't gonna complain."
He smiles when he sees the relief soften the panic in her eyes.
Maybe not so selfish then.
"It won't take me long," She promises before she takes a deep breath and hesitantly uses his knees to stand.
He closes his eyes against her trembling, his free hand covering one of hers.
Dwarfing it.
"You're doing great," he smiles, "I'm so proud of you."
It was embarrassing that he wasn't sure he'd be able to do the same in the face of his own fears.
"Thank you. That means a lot right now." She flinches as the boat rocks and one knee slams back to the bottom of the boat, "I don't feel like I'm doing great, so yeah."
He carefully bends as he pulls her hand towards him, and places a firm kiss to the center of her palm.
Wishing he could do more.
Cursing that he couldn't.
"You've got this Treasure. I know you do." He encourages softly, knowing despite the rain and wind she could hear him.
And with any luck his sincerity.
Deez takes another deep breath before she slips out of her overly large shirt, leaving her in her grey, fireproof underclothes. She pulls her hair back and twists it until it wraps around itself on the back of her head.
He wasn't sure he'd ever seen her this serious.
"Please be careful." She whispers when she leans closer and wraps her arms around his neck.
He smiles as he wraps his arm around her and hugs her tightly, "You stole my line."
Deez pulls back enough to stick her tongue out at him, "You're the one in the water." Her eyes narrow as she turns slightly to stare at the waves as if they offended her.
He chuckles, "Fair." He concedes, "I promise, I'll be right where you left me when you finish." He offers as he presses his lips to hers. "Here. Safe. Waiting to kiss you stupid."
"Not too stupid. I still have to make a damn pool."
"Okay," He nods, "Only half stupid then." He grins at her.
She smiles.
Despite the rain plastering her hair to her face.
The waves rocking the boat.
The work she had to do.
And her fear.
She smiles.
He can't help the male satisfaction that curls in his chest, knowing that he'd been the one to put it there with one of the easiest promises of his life.
"I can still work half stupid."
"Duh," He kisses her forehead, "Even half stupid your smarter than most the Isle."
Her lips purse to the side, "I see what you did there, and when I'm not about to climb a cliff I'll take time to lecture you about that."
He grins, "Guess I'll have ta kiss ya three quarters of the way stupid then."
She snorts before she looks up at the cliff and then back to him, "You're so good at distracting." She kisses his cheek before she flings herself at the cliffside.
He chuckles as he watches her, "Like you don't love it!" He calls up after her.
"Didn't claim I didn't."
He watches her dig her arm into the rock face, each time pulling it back with a shake of her head before she adjusts and tries again.
When she nods and pulls back to look around before she drags her free hand over her arm he finally gets what she was doing.
She was looking for the original cave.
Deez drags a finger over the wall, etching lines into the surface.
She was incredible to watch.
Where her feet were braced against the wall there were small ledges where she'd obviously burned foot holds.
She was clearly taking her time to set her holds, waiting for the melted rock to solidify before she moved to the next steps.
She studies her drawing before she leans back as far as she can to look up.
How far could she actually see?
"I think I have a plan." She calls down, "But it might mean we have to move the dingy a couple of times."
"I can handle that," He calls back, relieved she'd come up with something.
At least one of them had a plan.
So James and F's convo…
It's funny-
We never meant for James to be such a pivotal character. We just needed someone Uma trusted on the ship for things to work.
What do you guys think about him?
How did you like the interaction between him and F?
We thought it was fucking adorable.
What about you?
Writing the Fam having to separate and jump into vital tasks so quickly after reuniting was hard as fuck.
None of the characters want to separate.
Except maybe T-
But that isn't anything new.
What did you think about Harry's thoughts on everything?
And, did the contents to T's bag sate anyone else's curiosity?
Dead.
T forgetting those letters-
Not that I can blame him. He and F switched that night and hadn't come back out til now.
I fucking love Gil.
He's a challenge for me to write- but it's so gratifying when I get it right.
What did you think about his thoughts on F?
Were you surprised that Gil stated they were having Fam time, and Deez pouted about not being the one to demand it?
Cute right?
Maybe?
Hopefully?
Much love and appreciation
-Twisted
P.S. We couldn't kill the cat.
(Duh. -Dark)