Hey guys!

We're so sorry about the late posting Dark has a shit ton of medical stuff going on right now and it's been difficult for either of us to find time right now. We love you guys and this story though, so we're hoping some of you are sticking with us through this shit show.

Much love

-Twisted

He was worried.

Frustrated and worried.

The whole point of him coming here with Deez was so that someone could make sure she took care of herself.

Which thankfully hadn't been as hard as he'd feared.

She responded every time he called out for her.

Hadn't returned to him- But responded.

More than he thought she would.

But-

Then there were the notebooks.

The frustratingly vague messages filled with urgency.

They'd found eleven boys.

Eleven boys in dire need of help.

Uma was pissed.

And scared.

Even through her clipped message he could tell.

Feel it in the sharpness of her handwriting.

Whatever happened to those little ones had been bad.

Like, really, really bad.

And there was nothing he could do to do help.

He'd been so excited about the thought of the notebooks.

A way to communicate, without having to be with each other.

But he hadn't thought about the waiting.

There was no guarantee that the other person was going to respond to you after they finished writing their piece.

So, then you just had to sit and worry with no context of what was happening.

He'd thought having nothing to go off of was nail-biting.

But this?

This was a different level of anxiety.

Frustration.

Did they stop writing because something bad had happened?

Were they okay?

Did they need help?

Every bad case scenario seemed to swim in his head, tormenting him until the next update.

He was split between worrying about Deez and the notebook.

The only reprieve he had was working on the anklet.

And even that was causing him concern.

He could usually block out everything to focus on carving, but with the current state?

He was worried about messing up the delicate pieces.

He lets out a heavy sigh as he leans against the wall before he inches towards the edge and looks in the direction he knew Deez was.

"Deez," he calls out, "You haven't eaten yet and you need to rest!"

Needed.

He'd given her plenty of time.

Longer than he'd thought himself capable of.

Though that probably had to do with her actually responding when he called for her.

But it had been long enough for him to put his foot down.

She needed food.

Water.

Rest.

And if she ended up passing out down there he'd never forgive himself.

He was her protector right now.

Even if he was only guarding her from herself.

He sighs in relief as he watches the glow fade.

"Yeah, that sounds good."

He blinks and sits up straighter.

Really?

He grins as he scrambles closer to the rock wall separating them.

Excited.

Shocked.

She hadn't argued.

He appreciated it, but it was more than that.

Years. It had taken them all years to get her to understand. To get that she was worth it.

That she mattered.

That she was loved.

Valued.

That it didn't matter if she were half god or half shark-

She was theirs, they were hers, and that's what was important.

Could finally see that she was something more than a key.

That, yes she was more than, but still human.

That despite her many abilities she still needed to eat.

Drink.

Sleep.

It was like a breath of fresh air he hadn't known he needed.

A balm to his turbulent thoughts.

And he wasn't even sure she was aware of the significance in her gestures.

The rock was still red hot beneath the steam when she hesitantly inches into view with her back pressed firmly to the rock wall behind her. "It's nearly there." She shouts over the wind and rain, "Letting it cool so I can see how it looks is probably for the best."

He grins down at her, knowing even if he couldn't make out her expression she could make out his head. "Awesome!"

He bet it was near finished.

She'd been going at it for what had to have been a day.

Or at least felt like it.

He glares up at the clouds above him, and then back to the lantern that was protecting the candles he'd been using to see by.

He was on the third of the ten they'd brought.

When he looks down again she was carefully climbing up to him, taking the time to fully form handholds for her feet.

This was fun.

Sitting.

Unable to help.

Watching as Deez fought the wind and rain to get to him.

He knew she was more than capable, he did.

But she was so tiny.

And light.

If she wasn't a demi-

He takes a deep breath before his nerves could get the better of him..

But she was.

And she battled her fears like Uma.

Face first.

Because she had to.

Because she knew how important her task was.

How vital it was for the others now under their care.

And it was theirs.

The whole family's.

It was a responsibility he still wasn't sure what to do with, but that didn't make it any less of a weight.

But he kinda liked it.

Protecting those less fortunate was something he'd always dreamed of, and he knew he wasn't the only member of their family that wanted it.

There was a reason Uma was so willing to embrace T into their world despite not knowing much about him.

He'd done the unthinkable-

Broke the Cardinal of their unspoken rules-

He'd dared to defy everything you were expected to be on the Isle.

Brazenly.

-with no regard for the consequences.

He was pretty sure that's what drew everyone to T like moths to a bonfire.

His defiance and even more so- his caring.

And Harry?

Harry had-

Finally!

He sighs in relief as he helps Deez up the rest of the way.

"Thank you," she sighs in relief as her warm arms close around him.

He snorts, "I should be the one sayin' that," he kisses the top of her head, "how's it coming?"

She didn't look nearly as bad as he'd feared she would.

A little tired. Most likely starving and thirsty. But not like she was about to drop at a strong gust.

He sighs as his earlier frustration dissipates.

He could see her.

She was safe in his arms.

Giving him some reprieve from his fears and worries.

Just like she always did.

He smiles down at her as he brushes her silky windblown hair from her face.

Their glint of light in the darkness-

His Treasure.

It didn't make his troubled thoughts completely disappear-

But it made it better.

Loosened his chest enough so he could breathe.

She smiles, "It's like this level, except a lot larger. I've started to scoop out the pool." She wipes at her nose before she looks up at him, "I'm glad I kept it low, it'll be easier to fill once I have the pool shaped right."

"Uma'll definitely appreciate that."

"It's why I work so hard," she grins as she looks around, "you said food."

He chuckles as he carries her towards the bags Uma had packed to the brim and slides down the wall. "I did in fact."

"I always forget how hungry I get when I use so much fire," she huffs as she pulls a chunk of hard bread from the bag and shoves it in her mouth.

"I think I get that. I usually forget everything when I'm workin' on something important."

And this was important.

And after their conversation on the ship, he certainly wasn't going to fault her for something he did.

"How's Faustina's anklet?" She struggles to ask around a mouthful.

He blinks, Faustina's-

Shit-

He looks around for the ship he'd been working on and sighs in relief when he spots it by the lantern. "I'm nearly done with home." He grins sheepishly as he shifts out from under her to gather it and drop in her eager hands.

"Wow," her eyes sparkling with wonder as she examined it closely, "you even got the wi-" Her brow furrows before she grins, "portholes etched into it." She smiles brightly. "This must have taken you forever to capture her so well." She stops a giggle with a bite to her lip.

"What?" He looks around in confusion, "what's funny?"

Her teeth scrape her bottom lip as she eyes him thoughtfully.

"C'mon Deez, please?" He pouts as he pulls her to his chest.

"I-" She watches him carefully, "I was just thinking about the table incident-"

Heat sweeps up his cheeks with a grimace.

That had been a day of trials.

Mostly of his patience.

Stupid small ass hammer and even stupider tiny screws.

"And admiring how far you've come since." Deez finishes before she gazes up at him, "seriously, this is beautiful."

More heat rushes his cheeks as he chuckles awkwardly and rubs the back of his head, "I've been workin' on bein' gentle since then."

It had certainly been a battle of discipline.

He was a lot of things.

More than he'd ever thought.

But delicateness was never a trait he considered himself capable of.

"It shows. You used to try to make me feel better about my fears of hurting Uma's ship with my fire by telling me you used to rip the door off the hinges. I still haven't seen that happen, not that I doubt you could."

He grins, "Uma said if I ruined one more door she'd make me regret it- So, I gotta lot more careful outta fear." He grins, "though T an' James have both helped since then-" He chuckles sheepishly, "we jus' agreed ta never tell Uma."

"Uma is good at being terrifying with her open ended threats," she snorts as she blindly reaches for more food in the bag, though her eyes never leave the tiny ship resting in the palm of her soot-streaked hand.

"Yeah," he nods solemnly.

Even T usually backed off at Uma's vaguer threats.

"Ew, I just realized how gross my hands are," She holds her hand out, "I don't wanna mess her up before you even give it to her."

He smiles as he accepts the charm, "Don't worry 'bout it Treasure, soot comes off."

"Did you use heat to get some of these details?" Deez asks as she pulls his hand close to her face.

He grins before he pulls his bag closer, "T found this an' got Carlos to fix it an' got it ta run off batteries for me. It was 'parently a set." He adds as he shows her the attachments. "It's kinda like tattooing wood."

"It's so hard to understand why people throw things like that away."

He pulls the pen to him protectively, "I ain't complainin'."

"Me either," she grins, "I love seeing you create things."

He chuckles as he brings her with him as he leans against the wall, "that's how I feel about watchin' you make your sculptures. It's mesmerizing." He tucks her in the crook of his shoulder. "And ya always get so passionate. It's…"

Beautiful.

"Pretty."

"I guess passion is just a family thing," she nuzzles her nose against his chest.

He smiles down at her as he rubs circles against her back, "never thought 'bout it, but yeah."

"Maybe that's what makes you guys," she leans back and tilts her head up to look at him, "what makes us, magical."

Us.

A slow smile tugs at his lips.

She'd said us.

Including herself.

He chuckles as he tilts her chin up and kisses her deeply only pulling away once his lungs were begging for air. "I'd like to think so," he whispers against her lips before he kisses her nose.

She wasn't wrong.

There wasn't a single member of their family that lacked passion-

And yeah, maybe they weren't passionate about the same stuff-

But when it came down to it, they were passionate for each other's passions.

Deez blinks up at him before she takes a breath and shakes her head.

"S'wrong?"

"You know what's wrong," Deez scrunches her nose, "or right?" She shakes her head again, "whatever, you know what you did."

He studies her for a moment before male satisfaction washes over him with a goofy grin, "don't act like ya don't love it."

"I said right." Deez pokes his side, "never said I didn't like it, just that you know what you did."

"What can I say, I'm passionate about kissin' you, you of all people, dumb. It soothes my ego." His grin widens, "and makes Harry jealous."

She snorts and looks down, but not before he sees the faint pink coloring her cheeks, "I'm glad, about your ego feeling better, not about Harry," she sighs before she shifts to dig in the bag of food again, "he gets weird when he's jealous."

He snorts, "that's fair."

"But," Deez covers her full mouth with the back of her hand, "speaking of magic and passion, I wonder what kind of magic you put in her charms."

He tilts his head, "huh."

That was-

He hadn't even thought about that.

It was still so new-

Weird and new.

He frowns, "hadn't thought about that…Maybe Yensid can tell? If there is any I mean."

"There is."

He studies her.

That had been conviction.

"Can ya feel it or somethin'?"

"Now that I know what it is, yes. If I'm close enough to you, I can feel it when you're working." She smiles as she runs her hands over her arms, "I like it. Your magic feels soothing, like when you play music for me."

Like when he played music.

He sighs.

He'd loved his flute.

Loved how much work and care Deez had poured into it.

"Sorry, I didn't think about that, it just popped out."

"Shhh," He kisses the top of her head, "we made it, that's what matters."

"I'll make you another one."

Despite his resolve he can't stop from crushing her to his chest, "please?"

"And here I thought I was being selfish wanting you to have it again." She whispers against his shoulder.

"I like bein' able ta soothe all o' ya ta sleep. It makes me feel useful in a way that doesn't involve shootin' our family with drug laced darts."

Deez snorts before she hides her face against his chest. It silenced her, but he could still feel her shaking with laughter.

He can't help his own snort, "ain't gonna be funny when he figures out a way ta drug you."

She pulls back to wipe at her eyes, "oh, he's already drugged me, twice I think."

"That don't count," He blushes as he looks away, "I meant surprise drugging."

"To be fair, I didn't know it was going to put me to sleep. That part was a surprise."

His lip twitches, "that's what you get for agreein' ta something involvin' T without askin' questions."

"I was in a place," she shrugs, "and I mean how often does T ask anyone for anything? I was curious."

He closes his mouth, "I am glad he got you to us. I hated that we couldn't see you."

But now that he thought about it-

That had been the night T had thrown her at them as a distraction to-

Heat floods his cheeks.

-he'd never asked what.

"Me too. Things got a lot better after that." She leans against him before she taps the pouch beside them, "anyway, we should ask Yensid about the charms, he'd be fascinated to see them."

He grins, "first time I've ever fascinated a 'dult before."

She tilts her head up to look at him curiously, "that isn't the only thing Yensid finds fascinating about you."

His brow furrows, "really?"

What else was there to be interested in?

Especially for someone over six hundred years old?

"Duh," she grins before she lightly flicks his forehead, "he likes how sweet you are in spite of everything your dad put you through. He loves how lost you get when you work on something you care about. Finds it funny when you try to lecture a-" she pauses, "T. And him, now that I think about it. He enjoys watching you get excited about learning new things." She frowns, "really Gil, there's just so much to be enthralled with it's hard to narrow them down."

"Yeah?" His chest puffs as he sits up straighter, "you really think so?"

She nods, "You're amazing, Yensid doesn't just praise anyone for any old thing, you know. He really enjoys working with you, or he wouldn't request it."

Heat licks his ears as he averts his eyes, "thanks Treasure."

"All I did was tell you the truth."

"Truth or not," he strokes her back, "it's hard to believe someone finds me interestin', 'specially someone like Yensid."

"I guess it does take some getting used to. It took me forever to believe that he just enjoyed helping Carlos and me."

He kisses the top of her head, "it takes ya forever to believe anything good about yourself." he corrects gently, "but that's okay, I think it's the same for all of us. It's hard to see anything nice 'bout ourselves- Or was. Uma an' Harry kinda beat it outta me- It's jus' still hard to see it."

He blinks when Deez shifts so fast the whip of her hair actually stings.

"We see it for each other, right?" She whispers against his ear as she hugs him tightly, "that's part of being family."

"Yeah," he returns the hug, "or at least a piece of it."

He'd thought about it for years.

Since the first time she'd mentioned it.

What made them magic to her, the girl who could set things aflame and throw things ten times her size. It had confused him.

It had taken him forever to realize she was comparing them to other gangs on the Isle.

That they, above all the rest, stood out to her.

His chest fills with a familiar warmth that always followed that realization.

The Isle's advocate-

The one who worked so hard to save everyone-

Had found them to be the ones deemed capable of magic.

She relaxes against him before she turns to stare out over the turbulent sea.

He sighs, content to follow her gaze.

"What'cha thinkin'?" He asks her after a long moment of silence.

"A lot of things." She blinks before she finally twists to look up at him.

He chuckles lazily, "O' course you are," He hugs her closer to his chest.

She gives him a small smile as she drops her hand to take his, "I, I was feeling guilty for just wanting to get it done. And for needing you here when I know you could be out helping them." her fingers tighten for a second before she relaxes again.

He frowns.

That sounded right.

His Treasure.

Always so concerned about everyone but herself.

It was one of the many things he loved about her.

"And then I was thinking how hard this has to be for you." She sighs, "I know you hate being alone. Hate sitting still when you could be helping them, and-" she purses her lips as her eyes drop to their joined hands.

"Treasure," He pulls her back to his chest, "I wanted to come with you," he reminds her, "I know how hard it is for you, being here again. I didn't want you to have to face that alone."

Or, you know, be separated from her in general-

At least any time in the next ten years.

"'Sides, I've got things to focus on. I'm nearly done with the charms, and-" he glances at the notebook, "We've been gettin' updates from the others."

She eyes the notebook before she sighs, "Yeah, I'm sure that's been not stressful at all."

He shrugs, "It's been a challenge, but I'm sure it's good for me for one reason or another." He nuzzles her.

"Trust me, you're patient enough, you don't have to test it."

"I don't know," He frowns, "Now more than ever I think it's best to work on it," he grins into her shoulder, "Sea Gods know the rest of ya aren't."

"Hey."

"I don't hear you disagreein'." He kisses the top of her head.

He watches her face turn thoughtful, "I can only work on so much."

"I wasn't judgin'." He assures her. "I'm jus' sayin' one of us has to be patient. Besides me an' Angel, we're pretty bad in that department."

She pouts before she shrugs, "Fair."

"I do my best."

"You do." She smiles as she relaxes against him, "you still want to hear what I'm thinking?"

"Always." He promises her with a lazy grin as he absently strokes her shoulder with his thumb.

"I was thinking I miss the night."

He looks out into the darkness surrounding them. "Treasure." He looks down at her in concern, "I- What?"

She chuckles as she shifts to look up at him, "This-" She gestures to the surrounding darkness, "Isn't night. It's just dark and storming. Outside the barrier it's day."

He tilts his head to the side, "You can tell?" He looks up to the gray sky with a frown.

She shakes her head, "not when you look straight up," she turns and guides their joined hands until she can point out over the sea, "but I can just make it out where the barrier and the sea touch. I can see the light on the other side."

He studies the direction she was directing him in for several moments, but sees nothing past the rain and occasional lightning. "Sorry," he shakes his head. "All I can see is darkness."

She smiles as she rests her head on his shoulder, "Which is why I miss nights with you."

"Oh?" He drops his eyes to her, "What about 'em?"

He asks curiously, though he was pretty sure he already knew the answer.

He missed searching for the stars with her too.

His eyes narrow as they drop to the lantern thoughtfully.

"I miss being in the crow's nest, or out on the sand, and not fearing the darkness because it was the only time we could see the stars on the other side of the barrier."

He smiles, "Me too…" He kisses the top of her head before he gently moves her. "Close your eyes?"

She does it immediately.

Warmth uncurls in his chest at the trust.

"No peeking." He teases.

"Well I wasn't even thinking about it," She grins without opening her eyes, "but now I am."

He kisses the tip of her nose as he runs a hand over her hair. "Resist the temptation."

"It would serve you right for giving me the idea."

"Don't be a brat," He taps her nose.

He quickly pulls several sheets out of one of her notebooks, letting them get wet before plastering them over every side of the lantern.

He punches several holes in a single piece and folds it over the top of the glass.

He smiles at the shimmering dots above them, satisfied with his work before he scoops her up and rests her back against his chest, "There." He kisses her head again.

It was more stars than they'd ever spotted, but it was pretty the way the candle made them flicker on the makeshift ceiling above them.

He watches as her eyes open, staring at the light reflected in her flame blue eyes before her lips part in wonder.

"You made it night," She claps happily, "you made stars."

"Like the shadow puppets Harry used to make to tell stories," He grins as he tucks her into his side protectively as they both watch the faux stars twinkle above them.

"Thank you." He feels her lips press to his chest before she shifts just enough to reach across his waist and take his hand again, "this- This is perfect." She whispers as she nuzzles against his side. "You gave us a night."

"You missed them," he whispers back, loving her smile and the way her eyes lit up.

It never took a lot to get Deez to smile.

It was what he loved about her.

How easy it was for him to shift her mood.

He knew how hard this was for her, and to know he could offer her at least a sliver of peace in the hell she was forcing herself to be in?

It made coming out here worth it.

She suddenly giggles and sits up to stare down at him.

"Yeah?"

"You're Night."

He tilts his head to the side.

How was he night?

If anyone was night, it was T.

Shadows.

Mystery.

"Well, my Night."

Oh.

He grins.

Like a King's knight.

He chuckles, "Hardly."

Her lower lip pouts as her brow furrows, "yes you are. You-" her lips curve into a smile, "Think about it. Night can be scary or intimidating-" She gestures to him, "But it can also be magical-" She gestures to the twinkling stars on the ceiling, "And calm and soothing." She looks back down at him and taps one finger to his chest, "You are my perfect night sky, but you'll be upset if I call you that." Her brow furrows again, "Missing piece just sounded weird, so did Eraser. So you're Night."

He grins.

That's what she thought of him?

He caresses her jaw with his thumb.

Scary but calm?

Intimidating but soothing?

Magical?

"Night huh?" He kisses her nose. "I like it."

She was always trying to come up with nicknames for him.

"Guess that makes you a Treasure hidden in the dark."

"See, you really like it," She grins as she tucks herself against his side again, "you already mixed our names."

"I do," He chuckles, "It's poetic." He holds her to him tighter.

"Finally." She throws both fists into the air triumphantly.

He chuckles as he strokes her shoulder. "You're so funny sometimes."

"Well, you guys are so good at nicknames."

"Uma's good at nicknames." He corrects.

She shakes her head as she looks up at him, "You call me Treasure. Harry calls me Fire Princess, not my favorite but it's grown on me. Uma's Baby Girl. Even T calls me Stargazer. You've all come up with nicknames for me."

He chuckles, "Because X marked the spot."

She smiles, "Still, I've been trying for so long to find the right one for you."

"Well if you're a Stargazing Treasure, how could I not be happy to be the Night you gaze into."

"See," Her smile widens as she adjusts to stare up at the stars on the ceiling again, "worth the failed attempts and the wait. I love when you talk like that."

He grins down at her, "What can I say," he kisses her, "you inspire me."

Her blush warms his side as she hugs him.

"My beautiful Treasure," he sighs contentedly, "and her stars." He pulls her closer to his side, resting her head on the crook of his shoulder.

They fall into a comfortable silence as they stare up at his hastily thrown together night sky.

Night.

He smiles.

He loved it.

Loved that's how she thought of him.

He'd never viewed himself in that light before, never would have thought to.

But when she said it-

The way she put it?

It was... beautiful.

Evocative.

It was sweet that she'd been working so hard on a nickname for him.

He'd been alright with Eraser.

He loved how openly she could admit he kissed her stupid.

But Night?

He smiles as she murmurs something, but when he looks down he finds her eyes closed.

She must have been tired.

He adjusts slowly, pulling her to lay on his chest.

Tired and too stubborn to admit it.

Adorably so.

He holds her in place with one arm while he puts his other behind his head so he can continue to watch the flickering 'stars', as he watches her with a stupid grin.

Grateful for his Treasure.

Wasn't this a fluffy interruption?

It's not like Gil and Deez know what's going on.

Not really.

Just that T and Harry had saved some kids that were in need of help.

And that Uma was handling it.

Trust me, you'll really appreciate this moment of levity, so soak it up while you can.

If you couldn't tell some shit's bout to be going down.

Night.

What do you guys think?

We struggle so much with nicknames Deez can use for Gil, any ideas would be appreciated.

Anyways-

Those stars yo-

Isn't Gil just the fucking sweetest?

And Deez was captivated.

So thoughtful.

Wholesome really.

You're welcome.

Much love and shit

-Twisted