So, if you guys couldn't tell we're not doing great.
Dark is still suffering long term covid effects due to her auto immune issues, and I've been stuck in a limbo of depression and some shit I don't have the name for…
We have another 45 chapters ready to post, but if things continue the way they are…
I'm sorry guys, this is seriously not the way I was expecting life to go, and it fucking kills me. Writing is my passion, and we haven't written for real since November and that's being generous…
Sorry
-Twisted
He grins as he eyes the charms attached to the chain in his hand.
Finally.
It felt like he'd worked on the pieces forever.
Not that he was upset.
He'd wanted to make the anklet as perfect as he could for his Angel.
He chuckles as he closes his fingers around the jewelry.
He'd known, just known Angel hated wearing T's clothes, he'd caught her plucking at in distaste more times than he could count.
He hadn't even considered gathering her an outfit-
Which speaking of-
Seriously?
How had they ever mistaken T for a boy?
It was like night and day seeing Faustina in her new clothes with her makeup and hair done differently.
He'd be lying if he said he hadn't been completely blindsided by the change.
T was just so…
Not a girl.
And Faustina?
No one would ever question she was anything but.
He grins.
Like Evie.
So he was confident she would at least appreciate the anklet.
His eyes narrow.
Actually, now that he thought about it-
Didn't T have holes in his ears? Like one of them wore earrings-
He snorts.
Like T would ever be caught dead in jewelry.
He hated to compare them, but T was just as bad as Junior-
At least in that way.
Personally he liked the look of earrings on guys.
His nose crinkles.
Not that he like, liked guys-
Just the look.
He'd always kinda wanted one but he'd seen too many people with infections to know Harry would lose his mind if he found out.
It just wasn't worth it.
That and he wasn't sure what Deez would think of it.
He really wished Deez wasn't busy.
It'd be nice to have her opinion and approval of his gift-
And she offered to help him wrap it.
Like a real gift.
He smiles, it had been a while since Deez sent them a gift package-
Not that he was complaining.
Finally having her with them was the best gift she ever could have given him-
Not only that but she'd found his Angel.
He snorts, an Angel who liked to hide in the Shadows.
He'd been so worried for so long-
But now he knew, thanks to Deez and her persistent drive for stories. He doubted Faustina would've ever shared that memory otherwise.
Not when she'd been so surprised to find out he remembered it.
His Treasure.
His Angel.
And of course, his Kraken.
He drops his eyes back to his anklet.
Huh.
Why hadn't he-
He closes his eyes.
He'd been so focused making sure Faustina knew she belonged with them-
He hadn't even considered making something for Deez and Uma.
And Harry.
He couldn't leave out Harry.
His brother would throw a fit if he were left out-
His lips curl into a smile.
He'd always wanted to try working with leather.
And it'd be cool to make a bracelet-
And yeah, Harry would probably be upset he didn't get the 'shiny charms', but like hell was he going to be caught-
He grimaces.
T was going to kill him.
He shakes his head.
Not the point.
He wanted to make him, Harry, and T matching bracelets to compliment the girl's, and like hell were he and T going to wear something so flashy and delicate.
He'd never admit it outloud, but the idea of having his own personal claim on each of them made him grin like an idiot.
It'd be nice to beat Harry to something for once.
And for the first time in a long time, maybe even the first time, he was proud of himself.
Genuinely.
He'd put everything he was into getting every detail right.
Had destroyed so much wood.
Wasted so much metal-
Though admittedly waste was probably a harsh word since Deez always managed to melt it back down so he could try again.
They were so tiny.
It had been painstaking for him to learn how to be so careful since the pieces were so delicate.
And the patience he'd gathered from the detailed work?
He wasn't sure he'd ever felt so confident in his art before-
Now there was nothing left to do but hope his Angel liked it.
"I can get that." She quickly offers before she yanks the stack of boxes from Uma's arms.
"It's not a race, Baby Girl," Uma chuckles as she turns back to the dingy.
"Uh-huh," she calls over her shoulder as she carries the tower of Faustina's herb supplies out of sight of the pool cave.
She knew it wasn't a race.
But it did feel better to keep busy.
Her eyes drift to the side passage that led to the forge before she continues on to the new areas.
Areas.
Either she was getting better, or she was burning hotter.
Because it hadn't been enough to make Faustina a new workroom.
She'd finished the strange vertical garden that ran along the top and bottom of the outside of Faustina's work cave and then instantly moved on to melting out a new cave on the other side of the new addition.
Gil must have become absorbed in his work, because he still hadn't called her up for lunch, not that she would bring it up.
Ever.
As much as she needed to constantly move, a lecture from Uma was the last thing she wanted right now.
Uma had enough to worry about.
They all had enough to worry about.
Every second that they weren't out on the Isle-
She quickly adjusts to stop the boxes from teetering before she takes a deep breath.
She wasn't cold, but she never failed to be taken off guard by the shiver running down her back each time her thoughts drifted to what happened.
What could still happen.
The horror of the memories muddled by the charm.
The things in those books-
No!
She drops her stack in the corner of the cave where the rest of the supplies were piled.
"Hey now, I ain'nah ever thought I be havin' ta tell you ta be gentle." Harry chides as he sets his stack down beside her.
"Sorry."
She'd meant to turn and leave it at that.
Wanted to keep moving.
Stay distracted.
But a hand on her shoulder and Harry's worried blue eyes coming down to her level had other plans.
"I'll be more careful-"
"Stop," Harry orders as he pulls her into a hug.
She lifts one hand, reaching for the path leading back to the pool cave before she sighs, drops her head against Harry, and wraps her arms around him.
She knew it wasn't a race to set Faustina's area up, but all she wanted to do was work on the globes of fire with Yensid.
The sooner they had warning, the sooner she could go destroy the evil books just waiting for someone to find them.
And the faster they finished this, the faster they could start that.
"Everything okay in here?" Uma frowns as she walks in.
"I-" she hesitates, waiting to see if Harry was going to jump in with an explanation, but when he remains silent she continues, "I got a little carried away," she admits, "Harry told me to slow down."
"Good." Uma nods as she deposits her load before she slings her arm around her shoulders, mirroring the way Harry was now standing beside her, "just a row or two more, then you and Yensid can get started on whatever it is you'll be doin' for those warning lights."
"Aye aye," she smiles up at Uma, "Captain."
There.
The smile that brought to Uma's face was one of her favorite things.
And certainly distracted her cousin from the concern creeping back into her eyes.
She turns when she hears footsteps coming down the stairs and smiles.
Gil usually sauntered, but right now his steps were more frantic-
Though not in a bad way.
He was-
Oh!
"He's finished!" She giggles, previous thoughts pushed aside as she rushes towards the stairs.
Harry and Uma share a look before smiles curve their lips as they turn to follow her.
"I wanna see!" She jumps in excitement as Gil races into view.
Months.
It felt like Gil had been working on this project for months and she was so anxious to see the finished product.
She knew it was going to be stunning.
After all, the last time Gil had worked so hard had been Siren's Song.
"Aye mate, be ah showin' us," Harry grins as he wraps an arm around Gil's shoulders.
"Fat chance," Uma crosses her arms. "Captain's share always comes first."
"But UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUmaaaaaaaaaa-" Harry whines, "I wanna be seein' it."
"And you can," Gil grins, "after Treasure and Cap'n."
She beams at her name-
At his name for her.
-and the fact he'd put her first.
Like she was important.
Uma purses her lips to the side before she sighs, "I'll allow it, she did help-"
"No fair!" Harry huffs, "She be bein' fourth-"
"An she also be the one helpin' him." Uma's grin slowly turns wider, "'sides, she's our Treasure ain't she? An' ain't the point of pirates ta chase treasure? So, when it comes to treasure-" she shrugs, "our Baby Girl be gettin' first look at the loot."
"N'yuh."Gil sticks out his tongue before he offers her the piece of art he'd been bent over for forever.
She looks down at their feet gathered in a circle, but her curiosity quickly beats out the embarrassment.
She cups her hands under Gil's, grinning at how silent the charms and links were as it pools in her hands.
Check T not complaining about it affecting his shadow stalking.
But she gasps when she notices the charms.
She knew, or at least should have expected, how detailed Gil was getting. She'd seen the ship and all the little intricacies he'd worked so hard to include in it.
But she hadn't been prepared for this.
For how complicated and utterly beautiful each piece was.
She forces herself to take a breath.
To slow down, and really take this moment in.
Gil was such an artist!
It was hard to force herself to focus on one thing, but she settles for the locking clasp.
On the surface, it looked like the necklace clasps she'd helped Evie with so many times, but she knew this was something Gil made himself.
He'd wanted to make sure it wouldn't slip open and fall off while T was out being T.
It wasn't lost on her that the link keeping the anklet bound together was flanked by a dagger on one side and a potion bottle on the other.
As if he was reminding them that they were both important, and just as equally bound together as the rest of them.
It was a beautiful reminder of the way the family viewed them.
Everything about this piece of jewelry looked as if Gil meticulously thought it out.
The dagger looked like the one T always had on him. Simple, to the point, and wrapped in black.
Just like T.
The potion bottle on the other hand was beautifully delicate, and so very clearly girly. The tiny glass drop she'd managed to mold around a cave stone covered in the glowing algae was a perfect accompaniment to the ornate filigree.
Yensid had been all too happy to donate that particular stone to Gil's cause.
She loved the way he'd captured how different T and Faustina were.
It was hard to tear her eyes away to continue her inspection, but Harry's impatient huff helped.
There was a tiny compass carved from a button-sized circle of wood that looked exactly like the one Gil carved into the side of Uma's desk. The detail work was so small she could only imagine he'd used a sewing needle to carve it.
She smiles at the mermaid hanging beside the ship, easily able to tell who Gil modeled it after. The individual scales would have been the most impressive part if it weren't for the tiny braids flowing in Uma's current style. Yet again it left her marveling at how much detail her Night managed to put in something so small.
The hook was a perfect copy of Harry's, right down to the crack in the handle, the pitting around the base, and the ornate swirl pattern. Even the small ruby set in the butt of the handle was perfect.
She had no idea how Gil managed to replicate such seemingly insignificant details, but the sight of it made heat prick at her eyes.
As did the beautiful Treasure chest hanging beside the anchor.
Her eyes narrow before she looks up at the tattoo on Gil's upper arm.
It was as if the artist copied the small charm.
She looks back to her hand and the priceless charms.
Gil, on top of all the other impressive and gorgeous things he'd made, managed to copy his tattoo.
At first looks, it seemed to be a more simple design than the rest of the family charms, except it had a twisting line around the metal.
Intricate lines formed by individual needle points tapped into perfect formations.
Gem chips mounted smooth and flat into the artwork.
A tentacle.
The Kraken holding her anchor.
It was beautiful.
Her favorite one.
And then the top of the treasure chest, its tiny hinges that at first glance seemed to be nothing more than the attachment point to the chain, falls open to show a rainbow of gemstones and gold coins hidden within.
Her vision blurs.
Gil.
Her night sky, full of wonders.
He'd poured every ounce of himself into this.
All his secrecy made sense now.
He'd created a masterpiece.
Found skills she'd never even contemplated so he could craft perfect charms to represent them as a family.
He was-
Gil was so wonderfully deep, so moving with his care and thoughtfulness.
His attention to detail.
His patience with his craft.
She loved that about him.
Loved the way he could turn feelings into works of art.
Express himself so thoroughly with any material he could get his hands on.
It took her breath away.
She blinks at the burning in her lungs before she takes a deep breath.
Literally.
Her cheeks heat up before she quickly glances around.
That sounded-
Weird.
At least she hadn't said it outloud.
Arms wrap around her as she's pulled to Gil's chest, "like it then?" He hugs her tightly.
"I love it. It's-" Her chest aches as she shifts to hold the anklet up between them, "I need a better word than beautiful. Perfect? Dazzling?" She chuckles as she shakes her head, admitting defeat as she falls silent.
It was beyond anything she'd ever dreamed of.
More perfect than any coveted 'priceless artifact' Jafar could ever acquire.
More beautiful than any necklace or tiara Evil Queen or Evie had ever worn.
It was amazing.
Faustina was going to lose her mind.
"Aye, it probably be all those, but ah we ain'nah be seein' it." Harry pouts, "so-"
Uma clears her throat, "Forgettin' somethin' Pretty Boy?"
Harry hangs his head, "she be the one hoardin' it." He huffs.
Uma's smile goes wicked, "An' she probably won't be the only one."
Harry whips his head up, "Uma! That ain'ah be bein' fair."
Uma chuckles, "pirate."
She smiles as she offers the anklet to Uma, "here."
"Ye-" Uma pauses as her gaze settles on the piece of art as she lets out a gasp. "Gil…" She breathes unable to pull her eyes from the charms, "this is… Is-" She turns to her, "no wonder ya struggled for words." She turns back to Gil, "Sweet Boy," her eyes water, "you really outdid yourself, I'm so proud of you." She smiles as she joins their hug.
Gil's eyes brighten as he loosens his hold to pull Uma in with them.
"That!" She stabs the air between her and Uma with a finger, relieved to hear a more coherent expression of admiration. "What she said. And... More." She rubs her temples before she flutters her hand dismissively, "just, ugh, still working on it."
"Oy!" Harry grouses, "I still be ah waitin' ta be seein'." He crosses his arms as he glares at them. "Be given' it ta me now." He holds out his hand, "ya ain'ah even be admirin' it any more."
She chuckles as Gil's rumbling laugh reverberates through her.
"I don't know…" He turns to Uma, "What'cha think Captain?" He asks, eyes swimming with amusement.
"Just give it to him so I can keep looking for the right words." She begs when Harry starts scoffing and mumbling about being number one, "he gets pitchy."
"That's an order if I ever heard one," Uma laughs as she tentatively offers Harry the anklet. As if she didn't want to relinquish it.
"Finally!" Harry grins as he takes the piece, "Be 'bout damned time numbah one be-" he stops short as his eyes settle on it. "This ain'ah even be bein' fair." He grumbles before he pokes at the charms curiously, turning them as he inspected each detail. "Sweet Boy-" He looks up in awe, "ya really be raisin' the flag on me." He chuckles, "this be makin' any in Auradon jealous."
Gil blushes as he looks between the three of them, "so, ya think she'll like it then."
Harry snorts.
"I don't have ta think," Uma grins cockily, "she's gonna love it."
"Aye mate." Harry nods, "she be squealin' like Dizzy when we be kissin', I be bettin' me hook on it."
She chuckles at the visual.
Uma eyes Harry incredulously, "I'll take that bet-"
"Mmm-" She grimaces as she turns to Uma, "don't bet too much, that's uh, that'a a losing bet."
Uma studies her curiously before she turns to Harry, "guess family time just slid off the table." She grins.
"Wha- No?" Harry holds up a disapproving finger, "That- No."
"Nope, ain't questionin' that level o' confidence." Uma smirks, "sorry Pretty Boy."
"We could be ah bettin' on who be ah doin' what next family time we be gettin'!"
Uma narrows her eyes thoughtfully, "nah," she responds after a minute. "Moments over."
"But Uma," Gil whines, "ain't it kinda a little bit of somethin' ta celebrate?" He pouts.
"No," Uma drops her mouth, "not you too." she sighs as she hangs her head back.
She smiles as she pats Gil's chest sympathetically before her eyes widen, "Oh!"
They might not get to celebrate with family time, but she did have something that could help.
She squirms until Gil lets her drop to her feet before she dashes up the steps leading to the forge.
She'd been collecting pretty and shiny things that looked like they would make nice wrapping materials in anticipation for this moment.
Presents were more fun when you opened them, at least that was what Evie always said.
"Treasure?" Gil calls out as he races after her.
"Baby Girl?" Uma follows.
"I just needed to get something," She calls over her shoulder as she digs through her hollowed storage 'rocks' until she finds the small basket of shimmering trash.
Between Uma collecting sea trash and Beam's Urchins collecting anything that seemed remotely useful, she'd had no shortage of things to sift through.
Shiny ribbons.
Torn and dirty paper with pretty designs and sparkles.
Handkerchiefs like the ones Evie used to carry around with her.
She'd done her best to clean her finds.
But nothing in this basket compared to the jewel they needed to wrap.
"What'cha doin'?" Gil asks as he walks up behind her.
She frowns at the basket in her hand, wishing she had something better.
Something wonderful to cover something so beautiful and precious.
But this was what she'd scavenged.
She turns and holds the basket of scraps out. "Evie would say something that grand needs a presentation."
Gil grins, "can ya wrap it for me?" he rubs the back of his neck, "It'll be prettier."
A smile steals over her lips as she nods.
It wasn't true.
Couldn't be true.
Not after creating something so perfect.
And yet she felt herself stand taller.
Gil was an artist through and through, but he wanted her help.
"Thanks, Treasure," He hugs her tightly, "for thinkin' 'bout it," he kisses her forehead, "an' for wrappin' it." He hugs her to him before he looks back to Uma. "So-"
Uma rolls her eyes, "so help me if ya say it Sweet Boy, one o' yeah beggin' be enough, thanks."
Gil pouts. "But Ummma-"
"I'll let you all discuss," she snorts before she holds her hand out, "I have a gift to wrap over and over until it's perfect."
Harry lifts a brow before he hands it to her, "I be knowin' ya be wantin' it too."
She smiles and crinkles her nose, "never said I didn't, but I'm also thinking about Faustina waiting on the ship to get over here, and how excited she is going to be when she sees this."
Which was true.
She was thinking about that and everything they had left to do.
So as much as she wanted to-
Like really wanted to.
She was afraid of the pictures flashing through her mind.
"Think we all are," Uma hugs Gil's arm. "Sweet Boy went above an' beyond."
Gil's cheeks darken.
"Aye he be doin' that!" Harry cheers as he slings an arm around Gil, "Sweet Boy be hidin' all them fancy skills he be ah havin'." His grin widens before he claps him on the shoulder, "Just be ah waitin' 'til our Tiny Princess be ah seein' it. Ya be gettin' ah two-fer screamin'."
Gil shoots him a toothy grin, "I can live with that."
"Good, because when we finally get out of here, Evie will make it three." She nods firmly as she lays the prettiest handkerchief flat and delicately rolls it around the anklet.
"If it makes it that long." Gil shrugs.
Uma's brow furrows as she tilts her head but it's Harry who speaks up first.
"Why ya be thinkin' it won'nah be lastin;?"
"On the off chance T 'loses' it."
Harry snorts and trills through a high pitch laugh before he shakes his head, "Sweet Boy, I don'nah be thinkin' anyone be stupid 'nough ta be testin' me Pirate Princess that'ah way. She be givin' ah real dragon ah good runnin' in the hordin' precious things."
She tilts her head to the side as she looks over the different papers.
She could see that.
No one ever told her where they found T's stash of treasures, but she knew T, or more accurately Faustina, kept bits and bobbles stashed in her workroom.
Gil's nose scrunches, "she did keep that scrap I called a cat."
Uma grins as she pats Gil's arm, "I remember seein' that. One o' the first Gil originals." She snorts, "at least ya didn't get a chance ta throw all of them away."
Her jaw drops as she turns on her heels, fighting her hair out of her face to maintain a glare in Gil's direction, "You said you only made one or two cats in the beginning."
She'd begged for one.
Begged.
Mal had her art and spray cans. But back then Mal hated her and refused to trade a sketch for something made of glass.
So when she found out Gil also created things-
"I did.' Gil rubs the back of his neck, "It was my first carving. You could barely tell it was a cat. I don't even know why they kept it this long." He drops his head, "and they won't let me remake it." He grumbles petulantly.
Uma shares a look with Harry as she pats Gil's arm.
"As I be ah sayin', she could be given' ah dragon ah run for their treasure."
She pouts but turns back to her task.
The cloth was great as a protection, but she knew Faustina would love the sparkle some of these papers had.
And she really wanted to make sure she got it right for Gil.