Heya bitches!

I know, I know, we suck.

But I remembered to post this week, so please throw us a bone *begs*

It's been a rough couple of weeks, especially for Dark, for those of you who read these, you probably know Dark has several auto-immune issues-

It's been fucking bad.

Like really bad.

Like we haven't written in a month bad.

It's been fucking scary, and I miss the shit outta our time together but she's constantly sick…

Which sucks, but (worth repeating) is scary AF for me.

Much love and appreciation

-Twisted

He hated rushing.

But he also hated the idea of Deez being hurt.

It didn't need to be perfect.

It needed to protect.

That's what was important.

That it kept Deez safe-

A shield from darkness.

Evil.

Another bead of sweat drips down his face as he continues braiding the wire.

After he found out what it was he was making the chain for, he hadn't been able to shake the idea.

And the fact that there was nothing but a pebble standing between Deez and sanity terrified him.

No.

He glares as he shoves down that thought again.

Nope.

She couldn't lose this.

It couldn't get lost.

And she needed it.

It didn't matter why those things were facts.

Facts were just facts.

And the fact was that the pretty stone was a piece of his heart.

So in a pretty cage, where it would stay safe, was where it was going.

"Treasure," He holds out his hand for the next strand of metal, looking up when she doesn't respond.

He frowns as his gaze sweeps over her still form.

Focusing on her directionless gaze.

The way her nose flared with her fast but shallow breath.

The sheen of sweat on her forehead-

"Treasure?" He prompts quietly before his eyes widen and he presses the stone into her palm. "Treasure!?" He calls again as he pulls her onto his lap.

Shit.

When she's first passed it to him-

His heart clenches in his chest.

-she'd been so hesitant to let it go.

Hell, he'd been hesitant of her letting it go.

But Yensid said it would be alright as long as she stayed near it-

And it needed a home.

So, she'd given it to him.

Trusted him with it.

With herself.

Trusted him to keep her safe.

"Sorry," Deez presses her face harder into his chest as she wraps her arms around his neck, "sorry, I'm fine. It's fine."

"It's okay Treasure," he nuzzles her as he secures her to him, "there's nothing fine about this, you're allowed to be not fine about it."

"Then it's better now." She amends without pulling away, "I didn't mean to scare you."

"Treasure," He smiles, "you always scare me."

Her arms tighten, "I do not."

"I mean, a little. There's nothing keeping you tied here, I'm always a little scared you'll run."

Deez sighs as her arms slip away to fall at her sides, "I guess that's fair. I used to run a lot."

"Yeah," He kisses the top of her head. "And you're fast."

She pulls back just enough to let her forehead thud against his chest again, "well, I'm not running, and you're wrong if you think there's nothing keeping me here, so-" she thuds her head against him again.

He grins, "well, that's a relief to hear. I thought for sure you were getting sick of me."

"You wish."

"Treasure, you are one of my wishes."

She shrinks a little in his lap, her fingers absently tangling in her hair.

"Wanna talk about it?"

"NO!" Deez shakes her head and pushes against him to get up.

"Deez," He frowns as he releases her, "I was just offering."

"I know!" She presses a hand to her heart as she looks down at her feet, "I know. I just- no."

His frown deepens as he stands. "Treasure…" he sighs, "I'm sorry I offered."

"No. It's okay." She tangles her fingers in her hair again, "Thank you, I- it means a lot that you would, I just- I-" she twists and turns without looking up, "you um, you needed the next piece?"

This was killing him.

She was killing him.

It hadn't escaped his notice.

The fact she had refused to meet his gaze since she'd woken up, and up until now he'd been rather understanding of it.

In his opinion.

But- watching her now?

"I just need to thin it a little more," she bends to pick up the piece she'd dropped.

"Deez," He takes her hand and tugs her to him, before he firmly takes her chin with his other hand.

"I just need to finish it." She holds the thin strip up.

"Treasure." He states firmly as he forces her to look at him.

She shakes her head, her eyes closing before he can look into them, "please don't."

"Deez," He sighs, "I don't care. I need you to look at me."

She tugs against his hold, "I can't."

"Why?"

"Because. I mean, aren't you afraid of this too?" Flames gather at the corners of her eyes, "afraid of me digging into your head? Of knowing everything?"

"Treasure, if it's between you knowing my past or never looking into your beautiful ocean eyes again, I choose your eyes everytime."

"I don't know what I'm doing yet!" Deez shakes her head again, "I could kill you."

"No you won't." He states with a conviction he didn't know he possessed.

"My father is a full god and in control of his shit and he kills people with it, this is new for me, and I hate it."

"Your father isn't a fifth of the person you are. You'd stop it. You'd find a way. I know you would, Treasure."

"Night, if I could control this I wouldn't need you to make a necklace for me."

He grins as he releases her, "that's fair, I guess I can wait until you're wearing it."

"That's not-" She lowers her head before she stomps her foot, "no amount of memory modification is going to make me okay with hurting you."

"You're not going to hurt me Deez." He shakes his head. "But I understand why you're worried about it."

"Good," She crosses her arms over her chest, "because there is reason."

"There always is with you." He chuckles as he settles on the ground and pats the space next to him, "doesn't mean you don't worry too much."

She huffs before she turns away from him, her hands lighting up as she starts thinning the strip again.

"Don't be mad because you know I'm right."

"I worry the exact amount that is necessary." She stomps her foot again.

"I highly doubt that," He chuckles, "you over worry about everything." He grins, "must be a family trait."

"You're distracting me."

"And you're trying not to smile. Which is the bigger injustice?"

Her small shoulders slump as her head drops even further, "I don't know, the fact you know me too well, maybe?"

His grin widens, "thank you. It's something I pride myself in."

Deez sighs before she walks over to sit beside him, "you win this time, but I'm still not looking at anyone's eyes until I figure this out."

He studies her for a long moment before he sighs, "why must you ask me for the world?"

"Why must you ask me to risk everything?"

"Because I trust you Deez." He smiles, "you lived our entire childhood afraid of your fire but you never killed any of us with it. Just because your dad kills people with his, doesn't mean you'll do the same."

"You all get angry enough with me when I connect dots," Deez sighs as she puts the pulled wire on the ground in front of him, "I don't want this."

"I know that, Treasure." He sighs as he takes her hand. "I know this isn't fair to you, but we'll figure this out."

"I don't even know how I did it," her voice softens with each word until it was no more than a whisper.

"Well, when you're ready, we'll be here to help you figure it out."

She slowly nods, "I know."

"Good." He kisses her knuckles, "we will figure this out, Treasure. Together. You're not alone anymore."

"Trust me, I'm glad." She leans against his arm, "I don't want to be alone."

"I'm quoting that when you feel better."

"Don't be mean, that's T's job."

He chuckles as he kisses her head. "But it's my new favorite quote from you."

Deez chuckles before she starts poking his side, "will you get back to work on my necklace?"

"Okay, okay! Got it!" He laughs as he swats at her hands. "Back to work. On it."

"Well that's a weapon." Deez chuckles as she grabs another square of metal.

"Oh no, your undivided attention- please no!"

"Undivided and ticklish attention?"

"Ugh."

Ice sweeps through him as he jumps to his feet.

What the fuck was he doing here?

He steps in front of Deez protectively.

"Nice place ya got here, Kitten." Hades nods as he appears near the stairs, "I had no idea you could control your flames this well. From Paradise to cavern compound. That's quite the turn around."

"You can't have her," he glares.

"Oh really?" Hades blinks at him before he pops his fists on his hips, "and what are you gonna do about it, Lover Boy?"

"Gil," Deez grabs his wrist, "please. Don't do-"

His eyes narrow, "he isn't going with you."

"I asked what you're gonna do about it if I wanted to take her."

That-

Was a great question.

What was he supposed to do?

How could he keep her safe?

"Why are you here?" Deez sighs, but doesn't move from his side.

He lets out a deep breath as bile churns in his stomach.

There wasn't anything he could do.

Fuck.

But he couldn't let him take her.

Not right now.

He sighs in defeat.

"Good, looks like Lover Boy's thought through all his options and came up empty, good boy." Hades ducks as he walks into the room, "so, why am I here?" He taps a finger to his chin, "let's just say a little birdy told me you weren't feeling great."

Fucking T.

"So you're here to rub it in my face? Trust me, I know the drill. Mortal, not deserving of your name, broken, useless-"

"Treasure-" he glares at her, "stop."

"I mean, okay, faaaaaair," Hades grimaces as he slowly brings his hands together in a silent clap, "I have said those things in the past. But that's not why I'm here this time."

Deez takes a step back, her eyes locked with her father's as she shakes her head skeptically.

He looks between the two in confusion, uncertain what to do.

"Then what do you want?" Deez eventually breaks the silence.

"Oh, I mean, I just heard you saw some pretty nasty things, and that you had some feelings on them-"

"Are you serious?" He stares at the god incredulously.

"Unfortunately, Lover Boy, unfortunately."

"She doesn't know how to use it yet, bye."

"Pfft, well yeah, I mean, of course she wouldn't know how to use it. I'm a god and I hate using it, I mean, yeeesh, so gross. And the way it just floods the brain? All the mortal and the coil and the death and the disgusting."

He immediately pulls Deez closer, frowning at the way she was shaking as he steps back, wanting more room between them.

Why-

"Are you serious!?"

He blinks in confusion at the familiar voice, but unfamiliar volume.

Faustina could be loud enough to echo?

He couldn't wait to see Deez in her new outfit.

Truth be told, this was probably his favorite thing he'd ever made.

This toga would definitely give their Fire Princess more of a pirate flare.

He was going to have to find more fabric so he could do something special for Faustina now.

Collecting a dress was not the same as making one.

He smiles as he ties the knot to keep the dingy in place, "be comin' on girls, I can'nah be waitin' ta see the way she be lookin'-"

"-I'm a god-"

He blinks as the small package slips from his fingers.

"Senior?"

Uma seethes as she glares daggers at the stairs, "Why the fuck is he-"

"Are you serious!" Faustina curses as she leaps off the dinghy and storms into the cave, her skirt snapping with each swoosh.

He freezes, nearly tipping into the water with Uma before they grab the ledge and pull themselves up.

"Did she just-"

He grimaces, "aye," and rushes for the stairs, "no time ta think, we be needin' ta stop 'er."

He takes off running, Uma on his heels.

"What did I tell you!?" Faustina snaps.

"Oh my me, you actually dress like a girl!"

Faustina snaps her fingers, "focus!"

"Right. Focus. Ooooon how good you look in a skirt?"

Faustina's voice darkens, "On why the hell you are here!"

"Oh."

His chest burns as he makes it up the last couple of steps, "Love, don'nah be-" he frowns when she smacks his hand away.

"Oh? Oh!?" Faustina scowls not taking her eyes off of Senior. "Are you seriously so thoughtlessly self-centered that you couldn't wait a few days?"

"Moi? Self-centered? Sure, maybe a little, but no, I was just in the neighborhood, wanted to see how faired this little slice of Olympus." Senior looks back over his shoulder and holds a thumbs up, "love the changes, Kitten. Seriously. Great job. Very impressive."

Was the god…

Was he praising Deez?

Faustina raises her eyebrow as she stares at the god unimpressed.

"Uncle, why are you really here?"

Clearly he wasn't the only one who didn't buy the encouraging act.

"What?" Senior turns back to them, but when his gaze lands on Faustina he winces.

"You know exactly what, Lord of Death."

"I- Well, I just thought-"

Did Faustina really have Senior, the god of death and the most terrifying threat on this Isle, stuttering?

"I'm listening." Faustina gestures to Hades. "by, all means, continue."

Uma seemed just as stunned beside him, her jaw moving slightly though she wasn't making a sound.

When he looks past Faustina and the god, Gil seemed torn somewhere between deadly intent and confusion as he held Deez to him protectively.

"Well. I just, you stopped writing back-"

"I told you I would update you, and that your presence would just make the situation worse."

"How am I making this worse? She's over there with her guard dog growling at me. Not a hair on either head touched. And I could have, he threatened me-"

"Oh, I'm sorry Gil, a teenage human, threatened you? My mistake,"

"Yes." Senior nods, "your mistake."

"Was I finished?" She snaps. "Normally I do nothing but entertain your tantrums, but I asked you kindly not to you you would only make the situation worse. And you ignored me. This isn't about you right now. This isn't about your feelings. You are a god, something you constantly lord over her head, and you are struggling with it. She is the priority right now, and if you ever want to be priority again, you will heed me when I say; Leave. Her. Alone."

"I just wanted to make sure I didn't break her!" Hades snaps.

"Why would you care if a new power was hard for me?" Deez suddenly asks.

"Precisely, why the sudden interest?" Faustina lifts her eyebrow.

"I-" Hades glares at Faustina before he turns his back on them to face Deez, "Kitten, I just. I didn't know. I was so focused on the soul playbacks that I didn't know, I mean, I've never even tried. I uh-" His hands fist at his sides, "why the fuck would you be so easy to connect with?"

Faustina drags a hand down her face, "are you quite finished yet?"

"No, I didn't ask for that to happen! I didn't want to see that shit either!" Hades turns back to Faustina, "so what if I wanted someone else to feel miserable with? Souls are fucking disgusting, and that witch! That was- The things she's done!"

A hiss of annoyance leaves Faustina, "you selfish idiot, stop."

"What? It's not like any of this is news, she saw it all too!"

"Hades!" Faustina snaps.

"Wait." Deez holds her hands out in front of her, her chest rising and falling as she struggles to breathe.

Senior and Faustina both stop mid step, Faustina looking as if she were ready to roast the giant standing in front of her while Senior seemed to be-

Was he pouting?

"Are you saying you did this?"

He wasn't sure he would have heard her if they weren't standing in a cave, and yet her words made his heart ache.

He wasn't sure what was going on, but everyone seemed on the same page about not interrupting this.

"You did this to me?"

"I wouldn't say 'did' like that. I mean, come on, Kitten-"

"Did you shove those memories in my head!" Deez screams as white flames toss her hair out of her face.

"Oooh, that's new."

"Did you make me watch all those kids die? Make me watch the whole fucking ritual? Let me think this was some kind of new power I was going to have to deal with or leave my family before I killed them?" Blue flames run down her cheeks.

"I didn't make you think this was a new power," Hades crosses his arms over his chest, "you came up with that all on your own."

"You, you kept me from waking up! I knew someone else was with me. You wouldn't let me leave."

"To be fair, I did not know it was you," Hades shrugs, "and did you really want to wake up, cause you weren't struggling against it all that hard."

"Did I want to leave my freaking father to go back to my real family who actually care about me?"

"Kitten-" Hades smacks his lips together, "I know you're upset right now, but shut the fuck up."

"You are so unbelievable-"

"Do not talk to me like that!" Hades bellows loud enough to shake the cave.

Deez's eyes widen before she looks around, as if remembering where she is and who was around her.

He frowns when her flames die and she falls to her knees, Gil instantly at her side as he glares at Hades with venom in his eyes.

"Maybe it's a good thing you saw that." Hades stands up taller, "let you see what happens to mortals when they're caught by real evil."

"Out." Faustina glares at Hades with a look so cold a shiver runs along his spine. "Now."

"Fine. I was leaving anyway. Not like I care if she's a drooling mess on the floor. Fuck, I miss being able to instantly travel wherever I wanted, this whole walking thing is for the mortals."

He grabs Uma and pulls her back with him as Senior strides past and vanishes down the tunnel leading to the stairs to the cliff top.

"What the fuck?"

He nods, releasing Uma so she can run to Deez.

But he can't take his eyes off Faustina, who was still glaring at the stairs as if she could see through them to Senior.

"Breathe, Love." He whispers, afraid anything else would earn him a punch.

"I am breathing." Faustina snaps.

"Aye, I can be seein' that now," he agrees as he carefully pulls her into a hug, "but can ya maybe be breathin' without the death glare? He do be bein' gone now."

"Not far enough," Faustina growls, "wretch."

"Fair, that be fair."

Across the Isle wouldn't be far enough now, not after that.

How had Senior shoved memories into Deez?

And why on earth, hell, or heaven would Senior think anything he just did would help?

"Ya be okay?"

"It's not me I'm worried about." She breathes our turns to Deez with concern, "that was horrendously uncalled for and entirely unnecessary."

He squeezes her shoulder as he watches Gil pick Deez up.

"Let's go, I don't want anyone here right now." Uma orders.

He nods in understanding.

He wasn't sure why the god listened to Faustina, why he left at her demand, but he didn't want them to be here when the god finally realized he'd let someone talk to him that way.

Dead.

Dead.

Dead all over the place.

Who got whiplash from this chapter?

Who else is confused as shit as to what is happening?

How Deez got away with standing up for herself?

Where the fuck the sudden set of balls on Faustina came from?

Though, going back to the first scene, aren't Gil and Deez just the squee-est together?

He's really trying his hardest to get her to understand how much she means to him.

And is worried about how scared he about it.

Which, ya know, fair. I'd be fucking worried for a stranger if I found out they lived through something that horrific…

Much Love and Appreciation

-Twisted Sister