Sorry, we know, we suck, sorry...

He was going to kill T.

Making another deal with Senior involving Deez-

Making Harry an accomplice-

Worse, making Harry the messenger.

He huffs.

As if they wouldn't know.

He grimaces and holds Deez, unable to stop the flinch as something breakable crashes against the wall.

Again.

Reason number two to kill T?

Uma's rage-

Frustration over how little power she had in the situation.

Because as much he detested the idea-

Loathed it.

Why the hell would T-

Because it had to be T-

Tell the god about the state his Treasure was in?

His eyes widen at the sudden knock on the door as he swiftly shifts Deez to the mattress before he rushes to his feet.

"One sec!" He calls out as another item shatters.

Uma was too far gone in her anger to hear it.

Still, he makes a point to step on every creaky floorboard, the last thing he wanted to do was creep up on her.

"Uma?" He pins her to his chest, "Uma there's some-"

He sighs in defeat when the object in her hand flies and shatters against the wall before Beam immediately bursts into the room, dagger in hand. "What the fuck!? Is every-" He stops as his eyes sweep over the room and he kicks a piece of glass.

"We got a message-"

"Yeah, that's why I came knockin'." Beam closes the door behind him, "you're bringin' her, right?"

"Like we have. A sea gods fucking. Choice." Uma heaves, though she wasn't fighting his hold on her.

Beam eyes her up and down before he steps back.

Despite himself, he can't help his amusement.

Was it the Kraken's rage that scared him?

Or the fact it was an enraged girl?

Something he wouldn't have questioned if it weren't for the fact he'd burst in with a dagger in hand.

Like a certain Problem Child.

There were so many similarities there, not that he'd had any time to ask.

He sighs as he hugs Uma to him tighter, "I ain't gonna let her go 'til she calms down."

The corner of Beam's lip twitches, "heard." He looks around the room before his brow furrows, "where's the old man?"

He frowns as his eyes travel to the door.

"He left about an hour ago," He sighs.

He still wasn't sure what was going on with the Yensid-

But he hadn't missed the tension in the man's jaw, or the concern in his narrowed eyes.

Something was going on. He drops his eyes to Uma who was glaring up at him.

Her anger started after her conversation with Harry.

But the throwing happened when the old wizard left-

His eyes sweep over the broken items rolling around the floor, he was pretty sure it was both.

There was only so much his Captain could take before snapping.

"We're about there," Beam sighs, "James wanted ya to have the heads up."

"Mind staying behind on this?" Uma sighs before she relaxes a little against him.

"Nope," Beam yelps as he holds up his hands, before he blinks, drops them, and clears his throat, "what I meant ta say is, not at all."

He still couldn't wrap his head around the situation.

They'd gone to the temple to 'check' on the god, and now-

Now he was leading the strangest group to the cove.

T, the god, and not far behind the whimpering Imps that were somehow tripping over themselves with worry while flying.

And it wasn't helping that T insisted on keeping himself between him and Senior.

Or that the two seemed unable to stay silent.

It was nothing but snide comments and muttered mocking.

Though if he were being honest, Senior talking was better than the silent seething.

He sighs.

No wonder Uma insisted on moving to the cove, Senior would send everyone on the ship into hysterics on his best day, which this certainly wasn't.

He peeks over his shoulder at T, but there was no way to see if the god bruised his neck.

He'd nearly pissed himself over the god's sudden rage.

And, if he were being honest with himself, he would have promised the damn god anything to get him off T. On this side of things though-

Deez would understand. She always did.

Uma though?

He grimaces.

Gil.

Gil was probably having a full blown fit right now.

But what was he supposed to do?

The god was acting like he was on his deathbed-

He shivers.

And then T asked-

Fuck.

He shakes his head.

Senior didn't seem convinced that Deez could be affected the same way.

But, was she?

Soul sickness.

What would that do to their little Fire Princess?

He stops short when he realizes they were already at the cliff.

"Fuck you can be such a bitch, ya know that?" T rolls his eyes before he separates from Senior to nudge him away from the stairs Deez had created.

His heart stops as T flashes him a shit eating grin.

Why wouldn't he want-

"Well, we're here." He turns to Senior, "ready?"

"Whaddya mean we're here?" Hades looks around the destroyed area.

"Well, the docks are gone-" T shrugs, "so there's really only one way to get to the ship now." He gestures to the cliff.

"We're not-"

"Ssshhh," T waves him off, "do you really want to drag this out?"

His brow furrows. He had mentioned they weren't going to the ship?

He drags a hand down his face.

No.

He hadn't.

Every sea gods damn time he tried to speak T or Senior would interrupt.

Fuck.

T wouldn't really push his luck like this…

Would he?

One look was all it took.

He would.

T's grin widens as he walks backwards- "Comin' or not?"

Hades snorts, "You're joking."

"Hey, you were the one who wanted to come out here." T shrugs, "not our fault this is the best we got."

Senior inches up to the side of the cliff and peeks over the side, "ew, that's disgusting."

T snorts, "so is your breath but you live with that too."

He snorts before he can stop himself.

"So," Hades narrows his eyes at him before he turns them on T, "we, what, jump down, into-" he rolls his eyes, "seriously, Posidien only knows what the fuck that is."

He looks between T and Senior before he glances at the edge again.

Was this T's plan all along? Get the god out here and then make him give up?

He presses his lips together to hide a smile.

Brilliant plan, though what did that mean for Deez?

Was she only exhausted, like the old man said?

"I mean, trash for sure. Probably sewage run off," T eyes Senior, "definitely sharks and crocodiles, but you shouldn't have issues with those. But you're right. Who the fuck knows? All I can say is it's thick. Like sludge almost." He grins, "so it'll probably cling to you for a hot minute."

"Ya know what, fuck it!" Hades glances back over the side before his eye twitches, "Nope. This isn't fucking worth-"

Hades rolls his eyes before he walks a few feet off, grumbling and muttering under his breath the whole time.

"I told you stupid imps to stay at the temple!" Hades snaps when he reaches Pain and Panic who were attempting, badly, to hide behind a boulder.

"We're sorry oh-"

"We just wanted to see-"

"I don't give a flying pegasus shit!" Hades growls before he kicks them, "How dare you want something!"

"So…" T tilts his head to the side, "are you comin' or not?"

"Not." Hades yells as he turns, ignoring the still tumbling imps, "she ain't worth me getting covered in filth."

His heart drops.

"Seriously?" T scoffs, "this is why you're a prick."

He knew better than to expect an Ov to help them, strange relationship with T or no, an Ov only looked out for themselves.

So why had he been so hopeful?

"Aye," he wipes his hands violently in front of him, "then just be ah goin' back ta yer damn temple. Sorry we be ah botherin' ya for shit ya ain'nah givin' fucks o'er."

Senior humphs, "the only thing I care about-"

"Is getting off this shit hole-" T scowls, "Yeah, we get it."

"And don't you fucking forget it. Until then, you're my fucking entertainment, and I ain't doing something so foul and beneath me to be entertained."

He tilts his head to the side when Senior, despite his outrage and the fit he was throwing, turns away as his shoulders slump.

T crosses his arm, "glad your daughter's sitch is entertainment for you." He scowls, "an' yeah, I know. I'll let ya know the next time I'm bein' a jackass."

Something else was going on here, but he wasn't sure he cared enough to find out what.

Let the god of death leave, it wasn't like they'd wanted him touching their Baby Girl in the first place.

That still left them with more questions than answers.

And he was going to have to tell Uma that.

"Can ya 'least let us know if ya think it's Spirt Sickness then?" T huffs.

"How? How can I tell you that? She's down there, and the only way to get down there, apparently, is through trash and disease. I might not be able to catch it, but it's still disgusting to feel that shit slithering."

He pulls his notebook out.

Should he just show Senior the stairs?

Would it be better for them to have Senior check on Deez?

Uma would know what to do.

"So, like, that's it then?" T crosses his arms, "whatever, ya probably wouldn't've been able ta tell us shit anyways."

"Or you wouldn't have wanted to pay the price for it." Hades rolls his eyes, "IMPS!"

"For D's safety?" T cocks his head to the side, "Seriously? It's like ya don't know me at all."

Senior stops mid step before he stands to his full height.

He blinks at the motionless and silent god.

It was impossible to see his face, but he could see the skin around his jaw and neck rippling as if he were making faces.

He tears his eyes away, wanting to ask Uma what he should do before Senior decided to crush T's neck.

But as he looks down, Uma's handwriting appears.

"T-" he says breathlessly.

T reluctantly turns his attention from Senior to him.

She just woke up!

She's awake!

"She be-" the notebook nearly tips from his grasp, "she be wakin'!"

T grins at him, "then what the fuck are we waitin' for? This Prick ta care?"

Out of the corner of his eye he sees Senior sigh deeply before he turns around, "care? Oh, I care. Care that you assholes fucking played up my Kitten dying. She might be half mortal, but she's still a fucking Hades. I can't believe I fell for this." The god's eyes narrow at him, "you just wanted to get out of your deal."

T turns back to the god, "what can I say? Ya needed the exercise. There's life outside your temple ya know."

Senior scowls, "I hate you."

"Like it ain't mutu-," T scoffs.

"T, mate," he tucks the notebook away, "be leavin' it be." He tilts his head to the cliff, "be comin' on."

"Fine," he shrugs, "was done with his shit anyways."

He grabs T by the hand and tugs him towards the edge of the cliff.

"You're never done." Hades snaps as they jump.

But as they start to plunge-

For the briefest moment-

He could have sworn Senior looked, sad.

Her eyes widen as she hears a loud splash-

And then a second one.

What the-

She turns to see Harry breaking the waves, "what the fuck, Harry!?" She scolds over the blustering wind and rain.

"Hiya Cap'n," Harry waves before he paddles in place as he looks around, "I were thinkin' this be ah bein' the fastest way ta be gettin' here."

"The fastest…" Her eyes travel to T as he languidly follows the other boy, "get the fuck outta the damned water for ya both catch somethin'!"

T's eyes widen before he shoves Harry's shoulder, "ya heard her."

"I can dry them-"

"Fire Princess!" Harry grins as he makes his way to them, "ain't yer voice ah sound o' pure delight!"

Despite her anger over their entrance, she can't help the smile as she turns back to Gil and Deez.

Exactly how close had they been when her Baby Girl had woken up? She'd barely just finished writing to them.

"Yeah," T agrees as she helps Harry out of the sea before he follows.

Deez blinks as she looks at everyone gathering around her before she looks past them to the barrier.

She turns back to T and Harry, "where's the asshole?"

"He ah-" Harry's eyes drop to Deez.

"Was to prissy ta jump." T shrugs, "which fine by me-" He eyes her, "why? You complainin'?"

"You-" her eye twitches, "there are stairs!"

T turns to Harry expectantly.

"Don'nah ya dare be putin' that on me." Harry stabs a finger towards T.

"Baby," T huffs as he crosses his arms and leans against the wall, "What's the big deal? No one wanted him here anyways."

"So, why was my father here?" Deez asks quietly.

"Cause T's a fuckin' asshole," Gil glares at the boy in anger, "an he let him know ya haven't woken up in days," he hugs her to him tightly, "it's been scary. Ya weren't even warm."

She sighs as she walks back over to the two, "it's been-" She glances outside, "maybe a week?" She frowns, "it's been hard to keep track of time." She cups Deez's cheek, "we've been worried about you." Her eyes sweep over her pale face, "what's the last thing you remember?"

Deez pouts as she thinks before her eyes narrow and she smacks her hand against Gil's chest, "you!"

Gil's eyes shoot open at the reprimand, apparently expecting it as much as the rest of them.

"I remember you jumping in the water when that- that weird-" her voice falters.

"Seriously?" T prompts with a deep frown, "that's the-" He stops at Gil's death glare. "Well, that sucks."

She shakes her head, "well it ain't good."

"It's okay," Gil offers as he kisses the top of Deez's head, "I can catch 'er up. Ain't like there's much-" He turns to Harry, "an' then you can catch us up?"

"Aye," Harry crosses his arms "I can be ah doin' that."

Gil nods in approval before he turns to T, "an' you," His eyes narrow, "G-"

"Wait," T shoves himself off the wall, "what'd I do?"

"Like you don't know," Gil seethes with a roll of his eyes.

"I really-"

She sighs, "can you jus' get your sister please?" She strains to get out before she gestures to a bag in the corner. "'Fore I have to pull 'im off you."

She was already sure the only thing that had saved them from that confrontation was the fact their Baby Girl had woken.

T looks between them in confusion before his shoulders slump and he heads to the bag.

She drops her eyes back to Deez, "an' as for you, ya ain't gettin' caught up on anything 'fore ya eat."

"Aye," Deez sighs reluctantly after whatever rebuttal she'd been about to share dies on her lips.

Subdued by the stern expressions she and Gil were shooting her.

"Good," She nods in approval, "then let's go home.

"Eat as much as you want, Baby Girl."

"Yeah, here. Ya want some of mine?"

A smile tugs at her lips.

Now if that wasn't love from a Lion, what was?

Not that she could blame them.

Deez always had a small appetite. But after the barrier had cracked? She'd tapered off her intake even further to share her portions with Gil.

Not that she could blame her Star Gazer, not when her Lion was used to eating double the amount of portions they'd rationed.

Not when she wasn't sure she needed to eat much-

She tilts her head as she watches the younger girl.

It wasn't the first time she'd found herself with the quandary.

Did Deez need to eat?

Was the decision to do so because of the insistence of those who cared for her?

Or rather, was it her anxiety that kept her from her hunger?

The numbers the crew had jumped to, only then to be cut off from gathering more provisions.

Sure, they had been able to procure hundreds of pounds of provisions-

But with their numbers?

Its potential growth?

They all knew they'd run out eventually without the barges; and who knew when those would return-

She frowns as she places her hand over her rebellious stomach.

If they returned.

It was the second unspoken rule for the new Isle they found themselves, the first being don't ask if you'd seen someone.

And she thought Maleficent's rules was bleak.

Now that things had taken a turn for the worse though? God only knew how much the demi was actually eating.

She sighs, the others weren't going to be happy when they figured that out, but it could be worse.

Then again, what couldn't?

Everything always had the potential to escalate, so many endless opportunities for the universe to revolt against them.

Every hypothetical she'd ever conjured always seemed to escalate the more she examined her endless concerns.

They needed to be ready for anything, because on an Isle full of villains-

She grimaces.

An Isle full of villains reunited with magic, anything was a possibility.

Which meant she needed to start going over the stories she'd read so she could start trying to theorize solutions.

Her chest aches

Which also meant she wouldn't be able to be with T as much, something she'd grown rather fond of.

She shakes her head when the back of her eyes start to sting.

"It just be so damn good ta be seein' yer baby blues." Harry's grin wavers as his fingers lightly touch the circles under Deez's eyes.

"Missed you too." Deez smiles.

She frowns, why was she so-

Ragged?

She hadn't moved once in her slumber.

If anything she would've thought Deez was going to be a lot more curious-

But she'd barely asked questions when Gil, Uma, and Harry filled her in on what happened over the last few days.

"Yeah," Gil hugs Deez to him securely and nuzzles her hair.

Her lip twitches.

She wasn't sure Gil had released her in their absence-

But he certainly hadn't since she'd awoken.

"I-" Gil's cheeks darken, "we, didn't know what to do without you."

Deez turns in his lap to lightly pat his cheek before she rests her head against his chest, "it's over now."

She cocks her head at her wistfully forlorn tone.

Something about it seemed queer.

Her gaze shifts to search Deez's eyes.

So dark.

Her brow crinkles.

Sorrow swimming just behind her smile.

Pain keeping her facial features schooled.

Helpless in the way she clung to Gil.

Alone.

There was something lurking in those depths.

So… familiar?

Familiar but-

She frowns when Deez looks at her and immediately buries her face against Gil, digging her fingers into his vest as if she were scared he would leave.

Like he was her only anchor.

-off.

Anger.

Outrage.

Disgust.

Her eyes widen before she drops them to her lap as her grip on her skirt tightens.

Shit.

She'd gathered he'd had a hand in what was wrong with her-

But for them to share such similar gazes?

What had he done?

"If you have finished eating, my dear, perhaps you would allow me to look you over?"

Her eyes drift to Yensid.

Deez wasn't the only one hiding something.

Something concerning.

Something that almost had her family meeting the Lord of Death unchaperoned.

"It'd make us feel better." Uma encourages as she runs one hand through Deez's faded blue hair.

Deez slowly nods, but seemed as unwilling to leave Gil as he was to release her.

"I see," Yensid's lips twitch, "I believe we can still work like this." He turns to Gil, "if you wouldn't mind-" he gestures to their bed.

Gil sighs in relief and he nods before he and Deez slip onto the mattress.

She falls silent as Yensid tests her reflexes and asks her to perform simple actions.

"Very good," Yensid smiles as he packs his tools away, "are you in any pain?"

Deez shakes her head.

Yensid studies Deez for a long moment before he nods, "if that changes please do not hesitate to let me know."

"I will."

"Thank you," Yensid places a hand on her head as he smiles, "well my dear, from my limited medical knowledge and basic understanding of Olympian and Demi-god physiology, you seem to be recovering from the ordeal. Though-"

"What about magically?" Pops out of her mouth before she can curb her curiosity.

Yensid turns a knowing look on her before he nods, "I do sense a type of magical presence, though it is one I've always sensed. It has faded back to the level I am accustomed to seeing it at, but, yes, while Deez was unconscious that magical energy was stronger than I have previously witnessed it."

"Huh." She blinks, before she turns back to Deez quizzically, blatantly ignoring Yensid's look of curiosity.

Who reached out to whom?

"Do you know what the magic is?" Uma asks as she looks between Deez and Yensid.

Did she?

She watches Deez curiously.

She doubted it.

And if Hades' expression had been any indication, neither had he.

Which was odd considering he was the one that usually called upon whatever bond lay between them.

Deez shakes her head.

"That's okay. As I was saying. You appear to be doing just fine," Yensid smiles as he rests a hand on her head and musses her hair, "still, I would request you take it easy for a day or two."

"An' I order it." Uma adds with a firm nod, "In fact, let's all take two days to continue the tasks we have around the ship and with our new crew. Then we'll sit down to discuss our next move."

"I be ah secon'in' that." Harry taps his fist on the table, "there be ah few too many non swimmers for me likin'."

She smiles as she's pulled to Harry's side, heat flooding her cheeks when they make eye contact.

The relieved smile.

The way his eyes seemed to hungrily search her face.

His wink.

"Also, me Pirate Princess be ah needin' ta see the haul we be droppin' off for her."

Her eyes brighten as she turns to Uma hopefully.

It felt like a lifetime since she last worked with her beloved plants.

"I know ya have things you have to do to them before you can use them," Uma smiles, "so yes, that's your task."

"Thank you Captain," She smiles brightly.

"You're the one doing this ship an' everyone on it a service." Uma smiles as she joins their arms at the elbows, "so, let me know if you need help."

"Anyone could do it, it hardly feels like a service when I find pleasure in it."

Uma chuckles, "So, being Captain isn't a service since I love it so much?"

She tilts her head to the side, "the difference, Captain, is that not everyone could wield your tentacles with such precision."

"Accurate." Gil quickly agrees, his nod emphatic before he turns to her in horror, "not ta say anyone can know herbs an' how ta use 'em as well as you either."

She chuckles, "No dear Lion, you are quite right. There is a very large berth between following a recipe and commanding an army."

"Nothing at all wrong with finding an art you're passionate about," Yensid smiles as he stands, "Though, Faustina, on the subject of feeling as though what you do can be accomplished by anyone, perhaps you would be interested in taking on an apprentice. I know Dizzy has approached me on many occasions with chemical compound questions."

She turns to Yensid curiously.

"I don't know about an apprentice, but I certainly agree it would be for the best if there were more adept at making my remedies."

Uma looks between them before she shifts to fully face her, "would you be comfortable with that? Dizzy and Celia were doing great with the littles, but now that we have Storm and her people, they often find themselves at loose ends."

Comfortable might be pushing it but-

"I think it would be for the best Captain."

She'd always adored Dizzy's love of chemistry, and Celia was quicker than most.

Both were incredibly responsible for their age, and she knew they'd both listen well-

She sighs.

-assuming they would be able to hear her.

"When you have time I would enjoy seeing your art as well," Yensid nods as he turns for the door, "but for now, Captain, I will happily take you up on that offer to rest as well. Though please do not hesitate to call on me for anything."

"Understood." Uma smiles as she relaxes her hold, "and, thank you."

"Of course."

"Night, ol' man." Harry waves before he closes the door.

"Um," Deez looks up at Uma, "it sounds like everyone's getting jobs-"

"You heard Yensid," Uma walks over to the bed and sweeps Deez's hair out of her face, "your job is to rest and take it easy."

"Even still, I'm sure she'd prefer being able to do something productive, Captain." She offers softly. "I believe we all would in her situation."

Gil rubs the back of his neck, but doesn't seem able to make eye contact.

Little hypocrite.

Uma nods thoughtfully before she tilts her head, "how 'bout ya give me the rest of today, and then tomorrow I'll let you go to the cove. I'll even collect sand for ya."

She smiles brightly as she looks at Uma with pride.

There was no way on this side of the barrier or the other that that statement hadn't taken a lot for Uma to speak out loud.

"Thank you," spills from her lips before she can think about it.

"That's what I was going to say," Deez smiles as she absently picks at the far too large shirt she was wearing, pulling the sleeve back up her shoulder.

She narrows her eyes curiously at the oddly familiar action.

One she'd seen Deez make before-

Oh.

"Are you missing your toga?"

Deez smiles, but quickly drops her gaze, "sometimes."

Gil eyes her thoughtfully, "you haven't worn-" his eyes widen, "oh." He sighs. "Maybe Pain and Panic can bring you one an' Harry an' Dizzy can help it fit."

"Actually," Uma smiles, "T has a few stored here already, it's one of the few things I'm actually sure of."

"Guys-" Deez smiles as she looks up at everyone, "that sounds wonderful, when we have time. For now, go get things done. I can, I can watch the notebooks and write." She tilts her head to the side, "actually, that might help a lot."

She narrows her eyes at the too-tight smile.

The effort behind the cheer.

Something was bothering her, and it wasn't just her sad state of clothing options.

She was seeking comfort right now.

Something familiar and soothing.

She knew Deez was keeping something from them-

And if the sinking feeling in her stomach meant anything, it very much had to do with the Lord of Death.

She blinks, speaking of which-

She runs her hand over T's bag.

-he was probably giving himself a him-sized migraine.

Emotionally stunted idiot.