"And this is where I'm sittin' my happy ass," Beam clicks his tongue as he perches on a large boulder. "Whatever the hell it is you an' yer family have goin' on with him, I ain't sure I fall under it."

"Sorry, mate." James claps his back, "I'm with 'im on this . As shitty as it be, I like life."

"Aye, I be ah gettin' it," he sighs, knowing they'd rather be in the camps than here, "I'll wave ya off if I be findin' T."

"'Preciated." Beam salutes him with two fingers.

He grins as he salutes the two and continues on.

Things were starting to get cramped back at the cove. And if they were cramped at the cove, he could only imagine how bad it was on the ship.

Ol' Man expansions or not, there was only so much room.

Later him problems.

He picks up his pace, grimacing at the soreness in his legs as he rushes to the temple steps.

Rush may have released him sooner than Gil, but hell if he wasn't sore from that chase.

"Guyliner," Hades greets, "Was waitin' for one of you to show up."

"Cause T be here?" He asks suspiciously.

"How's my Kitten?" Hades crosses his arms as he leans against the hall's entryway.

"Don'nah be playin' games with me, Baldy," He glares up at the god, "is T here?"

"Oooh look who's grown a pair." Hades chuckles, "you just keep surprising, don't ya."

He cups his hands around his mouth, "T!"

Hades rolls his eyes, "yeesh, okay fine he's here."

He glares at him before he turns and waves.

"Oh, that's why you-" Hades rolls his eyes before he pushes off the wall, "Fair." He props his fists on his hips, "Kitten?"

He growls, "She be recoverin'."

"Good, good." Hades nods, "and she um-" he rubs the back of his head, "Pain and Panic delivered the necklaces?"

His eyes narrow, "what necklaces ya be ah talkin' 'bout?"

Hades frowns, "the one's Firebug demanded she needed." He crosses his arms.

She needed?

His eyes widen as his stomach sours.

Had Deez been without her charm to ward off the memories?

Her charm to protect her from magic?

The shell Gil made her, so she could never forget where she belonged?

"If Uma be gettin' 'em, then they be where they be needed."

"I guess that's good enough," Hades sighs, "coming?"

What the hell?

"Aye?" He closes his eyes as he takes a deep breath before he follows.

Seriously, though, how had this happened?

How was he here, navigating the whims of the god of Death?

Because T was a fan of vague.

"It's probably for the best that you're here; I've got shit to send to your people," Hades says as he motions towards the room with the couches and overstuffed chairs,"and I've got stuff to do."

He watches as the god disappears up a flight of stairs before he rolls his eyes and races to the sitting room.

"T!" He calls out as he skids into the fire lit room.

A backlit figure stiffens before turning to him.

"Harry!?" Faustina plucks something from the tub she was kneeling beside, "what's wrong!? What happened? Why are you here?"

He blinks.

Faustina?

Why was she out?

Here?

And what-

He blinks down at the green eyes staring up at him.

He blanks as he looks between Faustina and the half drowned kid in her arms.

Their eyes-

He shakes his head.

"Why do you be here? An' where ya be ah findin' ah kid?"

Faustina frowns, "Deez?"

"She an' Gil ain'nah wakin' up."

"No changes then?"

His eye twitches.

"Wait- No, that sounded just awful-" Faustina steps back, "what I meant was-"

"Faustina, what the hell be ah goin' on? We be worryin' 'bout you and T, thinkin' ya be taken or hurt, but, yer here, and ya be taking care of ah kid," he fists his shirt over his chest, trying to stifle the pain thudding against his ribs.

Faustina flinches, "you're right, I handled this poorly. My apologies."

"I don'nah be wantin' ah sorry, we just be ah wantin' ya home. Where we can all be ah handelin' things together like." He takes a step towards her and reaches out with a shaking hand until he can cup her cheek, "cause we be ah family."

He really hadn't let himself think.

Hadn't looked past Uma's need.

Because now that he was here, looking at her-

It hurt.

It hurt more than he realized, finding her here at the temple.

He should be relieved they weren't wounded.

Was relieved.

But, it still hurt.

Faustina blinks back tears as she drops her eyes, "I'm sor-" she closes her eyes, "that's understandable-"

He jumps when a hand grabs his arm.

He'd forgotten about the kid.

He looks down into a glare before he's shoved.

It was just enough to make him shift his foot back, but it still takes him by surprise.

"Daniel!" Faustina scolds, "that wasn't nice. Harry has every right-"

Daniel shakes his head before he wraps his arms around her neck.

The kid was skinny, and smaller than any he'd seen in a long time.

Old enough to not be a baby wee one, but still young.

"Daniel?" He asks as he watches the way Faustina was trying to soothe the boy, "where ya be ah findin' 'im?"

His heart slams against his ribs.

Where?

Where else had they gone?

It wasn't like Hades was keeping young kids here, so-

Heat races up his throat.

"Not-" he shakes his head.

He hadn't gone into the cave, but just trying to get close to the place had been a nightmare.

Could she have found this kid there?

Faustina purses her lips and avoids his eyes as she silently nods, "he's sick." She states with a frown.

He flinches, "sick?"

"Aye," Faustina sighs as she walks back over to the tub, "you're shivering. Get back in the water, please."

He holds his hands up when Daniel glares at him before he slips into the tub.

"Daniel," Faustina chastises, "don't be rude. This is the pirate I was just telling you about. He's not going to hurt you."

Daniel splashes as he twists to point up at her.

"Or me." Faustina quickly amends. "I just did something foolish, and he's worried."

"Aye, about the worried part," he sighs before walking over to hug her, "only foolish part be not tellin' us what be goin' on. After that chase, an' knowin' we be on ah clock with Rush, and Deez-" he holds her tighter, one hand cupping the back of her head to him.

He just wanted to take her and run back to Uma.

Take her and never let go again.

But that was selfish, and he knew it.

"Sorry, Love, everythin' just be so fuckin' terrifyin' right now," he admits as his voice cracks.

Faustina squeezes him to her, "I know." She whispers gently as she kisses his chest. "I know it is, my love. I'm sorry I added to that. I wasn't thinking." She offers quietly.

"Then ya be okay ta be comin' home with me?" He asks before he looks down at the tub, "both o' ya?"

Faustina's lip twitches, "I was just telling him how amazing our family was," she looks over her shoulder at the boy, "his fever only just broke before you got here. I was getting him cleaned up before we were going to return." She sighs, "Pain and Panic are looking for clothes for him right now."

He tilts his head one way and then the other, "let me be ah tellin' Uma what be going on, an' that we be ah returnin' soon as we can."

"Of course," she nods as she squeezes him once before she steps away.

He smiles, feeling relief for the first time since waking up after a double dose of Rush, "then I can be ah seein' how ta be ah helpin' yer wee one."

Faustina nods with a weak smile before she walks to kneel beside the tub.

He frowns as he pulls the notebook out, but before he can think too hard, he launches into explaining the situation.

After the hundredth assurance that they would be setting out soon, and that yes, he would tell her before they left, he finally sets the notebook aside.

Uma was not okay.

Then again, were any of them?

He sighs as he looks up, but is unable to hide a smile when he sees Faustina towling the boy's hair.

It was just, so, normal.

Peaceful.

So long as he forgot where they were.

"Are you warm enough?" Faustina questions as she pulls up a hood to cover the boy's face.

He pauses.

When the hell had the imps been here? They usually brought a racket with them.

Had he really been that consumed with tempering Uma's fears?

"Good," Faustina nods before she stands, bringing Daniel with her as she turns to him.

"I see I be ah missin' ah lot," he chuckles awkwardly as he stands and looks the boy over, frowning at the sight of the bottle necklace around the boy's neck.

The one he'd found and gave to Faustina.

Daniel tilts his head to the side before looking down, one hand clasping the bottle before he looks up again.

He blinks a few times, but continues, "sorry I were'nah bein' helpful, but when we be ah gettin' home I can be given' ya ah proper hair cut, now that me Pirate Princess be ah cleanin' that mess up."

Daniel's eyes narrow before he turns to Faustina, his grip around her neck tightening.

Faustina's eyes soften, "I'll stay with you, but I think you'd really like having your hair taken care of. You keep blowing it out of your face."

"It do be me speciality," he winks before he looks up at Faustina.

There was something different about her.

Or maybe it was something different about the way she spoke with Daniel, "do ya be knowin' 'im?"

Faustina shakes her head, "no…" she frowns, "he must have been in Yu's territory-"

Daniel shakes his head.

"Oh?" Faustina tilts her head, "Cora's?"

Daniel's nose crinkles.

Faustina's brow furrows as she studies the boy for a moment.

"Ya be ah knowin' who yer parents be?" He asks, nearly snorting when the kid gives him a mean side eye before nodding, "look how it be hard ta be gettin' ah word in with this one."

Faustina's lips tilt in amusement, "you should see him with T."

His eyes widen, "he be ah knowin'?"

Daniel rolls his eyes before he nods.

"Daniel!" Faustina chides, "please."

Green eyes.

Slight red tint to his hair.

Freckled skin.

T's attitude.

And just as much of a talker as Faustina was when they first met.

"Ya know, he be ah lookin' ah awful lot like you," he looks between the two.

Faustina turns to him thoughtfully, "ri-"

"For me sake!" Hades' voice booms, "it's my damn temple, are you dressed?"

Faustina blushes as she looks away from him, "my apologies, Lord of Death, I'm decent."

Was that why the god hadn't come with him?

Because Faustina-

Had she kicked him out?

He sighs, unwilling to look at the question too hard.

"Finally," Hades grumbles as he walks in.

His eyes narrow as the god stares Daniel down before he walks over and slumps in his chair.

"Right," he shakes his head, "so, I guess thank you, for takin' care o'-"

Hades holds a hand up, stopping him in his tracks, "no, no, we don't say it out loud."

He frowns as he looks over his shoulder to Faustina.

"Would you like us to send a team back for the supplies?" She questions.

"Like anyone else in their right minds would be willing to come here," Hades rolls his eyes, "and the more trips you have to make, the more likely you'll be seen." The god sighs before he pushes himself to his feet again, "looks like I'll have to come along to help carry things."

No.

Just. No.

The last thing he needed was Uma to scare the living day terrors into the kids camping out at the cove. "Can-"

"My Prince," Faustina tentatively calls his attention, "he's offered to give us everything in his medical supply stores-"

Sea Gods, what deal had he missed being made this time?

"And in return-"

"There were no deals, I swear." Faustina steps back with a frown.

"I get it Guyliner," Hades crosses his arms over his chest, "you're stuck in your ways, you can't imagine I'm not stuck in mine, but, in case you haven't noticed," he throws his arms wide with a frown, "our whole teeny tiny existence is literally falling apart."

His eyes narrow.

That wasn't the problem.

The Isle was always falling apart.

Sure, it was more of a hell now than it had ever been before-

But, that never seemed to phase Senior before.

So, what changed for the god?

His eyes linger on his cuff.

Faustina frowns, "perhaps it would be best to inform Uma?"

"Aye." He sighs in defeat before he pulls the notebook out again.

Perhaps he should make sure Yensid was with her first, someone needed to make sure she didn't start throwing things.

Helpless.

That's how she was going to feel.

Even more helpless.

But, Faustina was right. Medical supplies were low, and now that there were so many under their command?

They couldn't afford to snub the god, even if he knew there were teeth.

"They'll be back any minute now."

Yensid watches as Uma taps her fingers across the table, clearly anxious.

He couldn't even blame her. Nearly an hour had passed since Harry informed them they were setting out.

And bringing guests.

He was quite positive that if things did not change, she'd end up with grayer hair than his.

At the very least he was happy T was returning; hopefully with her whole family together she'd be able to relax, if only a little.

"Why the fuck is Senior coming here!" Uma snaps as she slams her hands against the table.

"My apologies, Captain, but even with all my years of accumulated knowledge and wisdom, I'm afraid Senior's actions are elusive to me." He admits with a frown.

Even after looking over the notebook of Faustina and the gods' conversations, he still couldn't completely understand.

"Indeed, he himself might not know the answer to that query." He adds with a sigh, "But if I had to hazard a guess, it has something to do with the condition of Deez." He watches Uma carefully, knowing the young woman hardly wanted to hear it.

Uma growls as she slams her fist against the table. "Over my damn ship is that asshole going anywhere near my Baby Girl after what he did."

His heart pangs over her intense vehemence.

They still did not know everything that happened in the cave.

The only fact they knew was that Hades, freed from one cuff, managed to defeat Mim.

Freed by Deez, who was no longer healing the way she once did.

A frightening variable to an already unsettling equation.

Still, Uma's passion concerned him. It would be just as easy for the god to throw her through a wall if she refused to let him near Deez.

It killed him that he couldn't be of more use.

Even with all the magic he'd been siphoning, it still wasn't enough to face off against the god. It was time-consuming and straining to gather the magic needed to cleanse the taint tinging the magic that constantly crackled around them.

And he certainly didn't want to use foul energy, even in a secondary way, around these children unless it was life or death.

He might be able to explain the process of neutralizing and reverting magic back to a natural state before he damaged their trust, but he couldn't even stand the thought of the fear they'd show him if they felt a backlash to rival the ones they'd already felt.

"Though I solidly support your thoughts on the matter, Captain-"

Uma shakes her head, "You know what she told me before this shit storm?" She snorts bitterly, "That she was starting to think her father thought of T as a friend, and because of that he was trying to do better, but he was confused about how to do it."

"I mean, trying is the key word in your sentiment, Momma Squid."

He sighs when Uma's eye twitches.

"Mighty Uma!"

"Beloved Captain!"

"What did I say," Hades snaps at the imps, "just drop what you brought and leave. So, drop it and leave."

Pain and Panic drop their heavy boxes, but they grab their tails as they inch more into the room.

"Don't you dare-You can visit when she's better, you loud obnoxious idiots." Hades orders harshly. "Now. Go. Back."

They both whimper before they flit out of the room.

"Speakin' o' loud and obnoxious." Harry rolls his eyes as he walks past Hades and sets the boxes in his arms down on the table, "sorry ta be keepin' ya waitin' Cap'n."

"Bag on the table, Senior." T greets as he walks through the entrance, with a bundle secured to one hip, and a box leaning against the other.

"For the wizard, I assume." Hades scowls as he carefully sets the bag on the table.

He grimaces at the energy seeping from the bag; of course, T found the black grimoire.

"I ain't touchin' that shit again," T scoffs as he walks over to add his box to the pile. "Umes." He nods in greeting.

As disgusted as he was of the bag, he couldn't help but note Uma's struggle.

The fight between wanting to hug T, and slap the back of his head.

The need for the god to leave.

Her curiosity over the bundle in T's arms.

"Is that, Daniel?" Uma questions softly as she walks closer to T while keeping a stern eye on Hades.

"Yep," T nods.

She smiles softly for a moment before she shakes her head, "why don't you let him hang out in the room while we deal with this out here?"

T looks down for a moment, "Ya sure? Might get nasty." He asks, before he looks up. "We're good."

Uma's face tightens for the briefest second before she nods and turns back to the table.

He nods and takes a deep breath before he strides to the table, carefully opening T's bag to pull out the disgusting book.

As gray as he'd gone, as far as he'd gone in his life in the pursuit of knowledge, he'd never broken the most taboo of magical laws.

He'd never killed to power his spells. Never used any blood but his own as a source of power.

Uma sighs as she crosses her arms, hip jutted to the side. "The fucks in the boxes?"

"Uh, well, I thought you might be able to use all the medicine and bandages and stuff." Hades explains as he bounces the tip of a finger against the table, "Ya know, more boxes collecting dust in the forgotten corners of the temple."

He can't help his amusement at the god's obvious discomfort.

Interesting. It seemed he'd grown even more confused, and dare he say insecure, since their last conversation.

He turns to Uma, understanding her suspicion.

"Why?" Uma demands, "We ain't makin' any deals." She shoots a withering glare at T.

"No deals," Hades holds his hands in defense, "no tricks, no loopholes, just stuff I don't need." He shrugs, "no big deal."

Uma purses her lips.

"May we have that in writing?" He asks.

"You know what, Beardy, that's fair." Hades shrugs in concession, "hey Firebug, you got any paper around here?"

"I gotchu," T nods before he heads out of the room, "try not to fuck up while I'm gone."

"Like I need a shit starter to keep me in line," Hades glares at T's back before he scratches a nail across the table, "and a pen! Not any of that pencil shit."

"Yeah, yeah." T dismisses him.

Hades rolls his eyes before he rests his arms on the table and starts fidgeting with his hands.

Uma lifts her brow, before she turns to Harry.

"Sorry Cap'n, I ain'nah havin' ah clue, 'cept he be askin' 'bout our Fire Princess."

He covers his amusement.

"Cool cool cool, I get it she's yours." Hades waves Harry's claim off, "the bigger point in your favor though is that she wants to be here."

Uma's eyes narrow suspiciously. "Since when're you so generous?"

"Good question, I'd say a better one might be where was this generosity years ago, but I'll take it." Hades sighs before he turns his hands palm up on the table, "look, I don't suppose you'll just take it and a signed contract that I want nothing in return? You know what, I'll even void what's owed to me on all other current deals."

Even he blinks.

What?

Uma stares at Hades incredulously.

"So Kitten doesn't have to come home unless she wants to. Firebug doesn't have to push her or bring her around. Doesn't have to keep me informed of his plans for my entertainment," Hades holds up a finger, "Though on that one I would greatly appreciate him continuing to keep me informed, so I can…" He clears his throat, "try to help."

The room falls into silence.

That was unexpected. Even he never would have guessed this outcome because of the Olympian's arrival.

And as hard as he tried, he couldn't think of any angles the god would benefit from being so gracious.

"What?" Hades shrugs, "Basic math here. If Shan Yu wins, everyone else loses." He presses his hands to his chest, "even me."

All three of them turn to watch T as he returns to the room and casually slaps a pad of paper and pen in front of the god. Then, to his surprise, jumps up to perch on the chair across from him.

"Idiot," T shakes his head, "what'd you do?" He places Daniel on his lap, one arm slung around his waist to keep him secure.

"I mentioned basic math, and I think I lost Guyliner." Hades chuckles lightly.

"I can be doin' math, ya barnacled crab." Harry glowers.

He shakes his head before he moves the bag in order to set the book down, but frowns at the awkward weight, "should I be looking for more in this?"

"Yeah, that stupid fuckin' dagger that skewed her is in there too-" T shivers, "Oh, an'-" He looks to Senior, "Dipshit has the voodoo doll."

"Correction, I very carefully carried the wrapped doll in the bag and set it down, gently."

His eyes narrow as he carefully removes the blood stained and blackened athame before delicately picking up the wrapped doll.

At least the god knew how touch and go an item like this could be.

"This was how she summoned and controlled Deez." He sighs.

For now, he carefully sets the doll on the table. "The magic is weaker with Mim's demise, thank you for that, Lord Hades."

"You're welcome." Hades breathes in deeply before he shakes his head, "It was not easy. Bitch took a lot of power into herself. And I'm still very crippled."

That was most unfortunate. And partially explained why Deez was in such dire straits.

The dagger and grimoire filled in the rest of the blanks. "It will take some time, but I can dispel the rest of the lingering magic connecting Deez and this doll, so she will not long be controlled by it, or harmed."

"Cool, cool, cool." Hades nods before he turns to the pad of paper and picks up the pen, licking the tip before he starts writing.

He turns to Uma, "this may sound strange, but would you mind having a pillow and blanket brought here for me?"

"Harry, ya heard 'im." Uma frowns, not taking her eyes off of Hades.

"Aye, Cap'n. Sir." Harry nods before he leaves.

The room falls into an awkward silence again, the only sound Hades scrawling over paper.

"Do you know what was done to my Baby Girl?" Uma asks, breaking the silence when Hades seems oblivious to her glares.

"From what I understand as of this moment, Mim intended to siphon her energy to power herself up, so to speak." He explains.

"Divine energy." Hades shakes his head, holding his tongue between his teeth as he finishes before he makes a flourished stab with the pen, "Mimsy was stealing divine energy. Sorceresses are always after that." He scoffs in disgust. "Knew a bitch once that was trying to become a god that way, man, I have never been so cold."

"Cold?" Uma asks before she can stop herself, "what fixed it?"

"Getting my pilot light back." Hades shrugs, "once we figured out what she was doing, an associate of mine assisted me. I don't know what the actual process was, but I felt zero to hero that day."

T tilts his head to the side as he studies the god thoughtfully.

He smiles. He knew that look. The two were concocting something. As to what, he had no idea, but he was sure it would be an interesting theory.

"I could try giving her some of my power, my energy, whatever the hell you wanna call it."

"I don't fuckin' think so," Uma scoffs, "you scorched her enough, thanks."

"I'm just trying to-" Hades growls before he fists his hands and slumps back in his seat, letting his head hit the tall back, "Fair," he sighs, "know the offer is there if you get desperate."

T nods.

"This be workin', Ol' Man?" Harry asks as he runs back in with his arms full.

He turns and takes the requested items. "Perfectly." He carefully wraps mummy like doll in the blanket before setting the bundle carefully on the pillow. He was going to have to be careful untangling that web of magic.

T turns his attention to the doll. "If we keep it near fire, would it help to warm her, or some shit?"

"Unless we keep a constant eye on it, heat could damage the doll, as I have no idea what makes up the inside of it." Still, like most of T's ideas, it had merits and was carefully reasoned.

"Heard." T nods.

"This dagger is also dangerous."

"Yeah no fucking shit," Hades waves his arms over the table, before he gestures to himself, "I'm scared of that thing."

Uma lifts a brow, "prove it."

Hades scoffs, "fuck no." His eyes narrow, "Wait. Huh? Wait, no, why?"

"I wanna know exactly what it did to my Baby Girl."

"It only burned her a little at first," Hades shudders, "but it started drinking her divine energy the second she flamed up."

He closes his eyes.

Deez had a reputation on the isle of being unable to control her fire, so everyone knew not to scare her.

Or, as Mim hoped, hurt her.

T drops his head as he holds Daniel closer to his chest.

Hades rolls his head to stare at T, "Knock it the fuck off, Firebug. I didn't know what it was until it worked, how the fuck were you supposed to know? Mim figured her out pretty damn fast when she couldn't get her to flame."

T looks away.

He raises a brow. Interesting. He had not expected the god to be able to read T so easily, let alone offer him some form of comfort.

That was a fascinating development.

"It's the downside of being a muse, on an Isle full of villains, while you also happen to be a demigod surrounded by power hungry filthy witches." Hades slams a flaming hand against the table in front of him.

He frowns.

He hadn't thought of the possibility that Deez was more than a muse for the people she cared about.

The idea that anyone around her could benefit from her inspiration was-

"Give me the dagger, Ol' Man." Hades sighs as he holds out his hand in resignation, "Momma Squid made a demand."

T tightens his grip around Daniel as he stares at the god in concern, to Uma, and then the god again.

He lifts his brow as he studies Hades.

What was it that made the god change his mind so fast?

Was it because T was blaming himself?

Or was there something else he was missing.

"What?" Hades scoffs, "trust me, this is easier than the alternative."

"Is it though?" T glares at the god.

He shakes his head, but picks the athame up with a finger and thumb to move it down the table.

Hades looks at it like most mortals would a snake before he holds his hand over it.

"So, just checking here," Hades hesitates as his fingers wiggle mere inches from the blade, "doing this isn't going to prove anything is it?"

"It might make me feel better." Uma glowers.

"That's actually kinda what I thought," Hades groans before he lays his hand on the blade over the dried blood of his daughter.

They all watch, but nothing happens.

"YEEESSSH!" Hades snatches his hand away, holding it to him like a toddler who just touched a burner.

"What be happenin'?" Harry questions as he and Uma step closer to the table.

Hades groans before he holds up his hand out towards them, "It sucked my energy out without me even doing anything." He stabs one finger towards the angry red welt across his palm, "I knew not to touch that thing, fuck."

"And that was in Deez!?" Uma demands.

"While I'm sure it hurt like hell to be stabbed, because you know, it was able to stab her, it didn't hurt like that until she tried to burn the witch."

"Aye?" Harry crosses his arms, "an how ye think it be feelin' for her when she be scorchin' her hands try'na take off the cuffs aftah that?"

Hades flings his arms in the air before he flops back in the chair again.

T lets out a long-suffering sigh, "it was pretty fucked."

"Yeah, I know," Hades groans, "I believe I even prefaced it with 'I know this is gonna sound bad'."

"But, in fairness," T continues with a groan, "he didn't seem nearly as pushy as he usually is. There was definitely an air of desperation, and if it hadn't come off, we probably wouldn't have made it out- Or even if we managed, would have to live in constant fear of her coming to get her again…"

"Whose side are you on," Uma demands as she shifts uncomfortably.

"I'm trying to be on my Kitten's side-"

"I was talking to him!" Uma snaps as she points at T.

"The fair one?" T responds hesitantly.

Uma's nostrils flair and she takes a step forward, but Harry steps in front of her, "Uma, we don'nah be havin' ta like it, but ya do be knowin' what our Baby Girl would be sayin' right now, aye?"

Uma growls, still glaring daggers at T who was hastily whispering something to Daniel after the boy growls back.

He takes a deep breath before he collects the dagger and walks back to the bundle and book. "I believe, and hope, that with time and study, I can restore Deez's divine energy."

"Cool, cool, cool," Hades breathes in deeply as he nods, "So- I uh finished the deal 'bout no more deals and null'n voidin' the ones already in place."

T frowns, "wait, does that include the one ya got with Tina?"

He hides his amusement at T's priorities.

Hades taps his fingers against the table, and finds himself curious when distress flashes for the briefest moment in the god's eyes, "s'pose that depends on Momma Squid."

Uma glares at the surface of the table before she twists to T, "do you want out of it?"

T eyes Uma skeptically, "you gonna be mad if I say no?"

"I would be pissed if you got out of it and then made another deal that wasn't as good," Uma rolls her eyes, "so just, be real. Do you want the deal to stay?"

T nods, "yeah."

Uma takes a deep breath before she turns back to Hades, "fine, that one can stay."

"And you don't have to, kind of pushing my luck here already," Hades purses his lips to the side as he slides a finger from one side of the table to the other, "but I would like to know your plans when it comes to fucking with the camps."

"I'm cool with that," T nods.

"Seriously? We never know what distraction is coming, but you're willing to keep him informed?"

T narrows his eyes as he studies Uma with a frown, "Yeah, 'cause they're stupid and reckless an' he doesn't care as long as it's entertaining- Which, ya know-" He shrugs,

"Hey, I care." Hades frowns before he looks away, "I mean, I care if it's entertaining."

He looks between the god and T, though not surprising given their interactions, it was still interesting.

For as long as he'd been on the Isle, the god kept himself isolated-

So for him to develop an attachment with a mortal teen?

He couldn't help but be intrigued.

It would seem Deez was once again correct. T and her father had, strangely enough, become friends.

"I also said I would help when the time came, you know."

T furrows his brows, "and I believe she asked for it."

Hades nods, "she did mention it might be helpful if I were to add myself to your list of distractions."

"Huh," T tilts his head, "Cool," he grins, "but I meant when ya came to help with D."

"Oh," Hades looks around the room before he sits up straighter, "I did rush out the moment Arachne said she needed help."

"Don't gloat." T rolls his eyes.

Judging from Harry and Uma's reactions, it seemed reasonable to assume this was par for the course, as far as conversation between the god and T went.

"I'm not, I'm just saying, ya know. Shit went down, and I was there to put a stop to it. Makes me, like, a valuable asset." He flexes his fingers on his free hand, "and now I have part of my power to back it up. I'd be more than enough of a distraction to help Firebug get into the camps."

T's eyes brighten as a shit-eating grin spreads across his lip, "that would be interesting."

"Of course it would be," Uma sighs before she glares at Hades, "if he dies under your watch, or gets fucked over by you, I swear to every god that exists I am shoving that dagger through your eye."

"Poignant and crystal, and might I add vivid." Hades shivers.

"Good." She crosses her arms. "I didn't want it lost in translation."

"I fuck up," Hades gestures to one side of the table before he shifts to gesture at the other side, "I get stabbed with the god bane in the eye." He shakes his head as he settles in the chair, "no, I'm pretty sure that's not an image I'll forget anytime soon."

"Ya best not be," Harry glares at the god.

"So, I signed the agreement, sign if you want," He shrugs, "or not, either way I made it binding on only myself, if you do any part of the deals I will still pay up, but you are not bound to any agreement with me."

He nods at the look Uma shoots him before he walks over and picks it up, scanning the script for any loopholes.

"And I think I already know the answer to this question, but I am very uncomfortably worried right now-"

"No." Uma plants her feet wide and rests her fists on her hips.

Hades takes a deep breath before he huffs. "Can I at least get updates?"

Uma's face scrunches in disgust, "Since you have a notebook, sure, I'll let you know if she gets worse, and when she wakes up."

Hades pffts in a rhythm, "I'll take it." He taps his fingers on the table, much like Uma had earlier.

He hands the page back to Uma and nods. "Not a single loophole nor benefit to himself."

"Just like I said."

Uma sucks her teeth, before she groans again and turns to T. "I ain't signin' it."

"I got it," T shrugs.

"What the fuck won't you sign" Uma rolls her eyes as she watches T scratch the pen across the page to leave a lowercase t.

"Honestly, haven't found anything yet-" He responds absently, before he pops his head up, "Wait, was that rhetorical?"

"Well, now it falls under good to fucking know." Uma sighs.

"Well, if that's everything…" Hades stands up, "I should be heading out." He sighs as he rips the pages out of the notebook and rolls them to stick in his robes.

"Great," Uma stands, "bye."

Hades pauses as his gaze slides to Uma before he reaches out, seemingly following an invisible line with the fingers of one hand.

Like he was feeling a thread in the air.

In the direction where Deez was sleeping.

"I can't see her at all?" Hades asks quietly.

Uma huffs as she looks away, "I ain't tellin' her no if she wants to," she glares, "but only if she wants to."

"Fair." Hades sighs before he turns and walks up the stairs to the exit. He lingers for a moment, "Thanks for taking care of the Kitten." He calls back over his shoulder before he disappears.

He watches as Uma stares at the boxes on the table and floor before she turns to the items that were used to hurt Deez. She closes her eyes, "Seriously, this is too fucking much right now."

Harry walks over and hugs her to his chest, "don'nah I be knowin' it."

He felt for her. The burden of leadership was something he ran from often when he was younger. It was hard.

With leadership, everything was a balancing act.

One wrong move-

One fraction of a moment of distraction-

A simple miscalculation-

Faith in the wrong person-

-and everything could, and usually did, fall apart.

Uma was certainly feeling the burdens today.

"Faustina can sort the crap, you look like-You need to be with D and Gil right now." T offers.

Uma eyes sweep over T, before she sighs. "You sure?"

T nods. "Ya'll catch some rest. We got this," He looks down at the boy in his lap, "Right, Daniel?"

The top of the bundle nods in affirmation.

"Join ya'll when we're done?" T asks hesitantly.

Uma nods, "it would make me feel better."

T nods, "Then, yeah. We'll join ya once it's done."

Harry smiles over Uma's shoulder before he gently guides her from the room.

He rests a hand on T's shoulder, "Whatever it was that happened in the cave," He squeezes, "It's important to remember that because of you she's here, because of you-" he smiles down at the small green eyes staring back at him in fascination, and pauses.

His eyes jump between T and the boy's eyes.

Most unusual.

"-she's here," he continues, tucking a suspicion away for later, "and because of you I have everything I need to figure out how to help her."

T drops his eyes as he looks away, "thank you…"

He nods, patting T's shoulder a couple of times before he lets his hand drop, "I know your stance with Hades does not feel like a popular one right now-"

T pffts, "understatement."

"But something strange and new is going on with Hades. Deez has commented on it, started connecting dots if you will. So don't be discouraged, just keep doing what you believe is right in this situation."

T tilts his head to the side as he studies him, "You seriously trust my judgment?" He asks skeptically.

"I do. You are remarkably well-equipped to survive situations that others would normally not, and while your love of the new and unusual may not be appreciated by everyone," he winks, "I can appreciate the commonality we have."

A smile cracks on T's lips, "Thank you. I don't get many votes."

"My boy," He chuckles lightly, "You get more votes than you allow yourself to see. Just because they raise questions and render their own judgments doesn't mean it has to devalue your worth." He shrugs lightly, "that's just what anyone does when they're worried."

"People are worried a lot." T shakes his head, "But, thanks. For taking the time to, uh, let me know what I think is right, isn't wrong. I appreciate it."

He smiles, "Any time." He pats his shoulder again, "If I don't see you later, have a good night. And I look forward to meeting you at a better time, young one. But it's probably best to let you just hang out here with T, isn't it?"

Daniel nods as he clutches T's hoodie, only for T to secure him closer.

"You know where to find me if you need me."

"Yeah," T nods. "Night."

He collects the objects from the table as he walks past, stowing the book and athame in his satchel before he cradles the wrapped doll protectively.

As he's walking down the familiar path to the old cave, newly converted to a dock since the water level had steadied out, he can't help his smile.

T reminded him of a younger him sometimes.

Always in trouble.

Always awkward.

But with the best intentions.

He couldn't label what it was about T and Hades having a friendship that captured his attention, but it was something.

And his conversation with Deez, not so long ago, felt important as well; now more than ever.

She'd been so scared when she came to talk to him, terrified even.

He'd spoken truthfully when he told her that the stands of fate were sometimes hard to understand.

He'd also meant it when he told her she was so much more than a simple key to free her father.

He sighs. What were the strands of fate trying to do now?

They'd almost lost Deez to a foul witch of a woman.

T rescued a child.

He shakes his head to clear it. Perhaps he was seeing patterns where there were none, making leaps that weren't there.

Still, it all felt like something bigger. Something more. He'd lived too long to completely ignore the little niggles that sometimes warned him to look deeper.

Well, fuck.

If that wasn't forboding, the fuck is?

God there was so much fucking tension in this chapter.

Like so much, I was nearly suffocating on it.

Everyone is just at the end of their rope.

And, I mean, can you blame them?

It's been a whirlwind of a shit show since Maleficent left.

I know. I know.

I say that a lot but seriously-

It hasn't really stopped.

Sure these kids get occasional gulps of fresh air but-

This shit is fucking heavy.

Are we giving you guys enough breathers by the way?

What are you thinking of this book's pacing?

It's so fucking hard to keep track of. Like, seriously, hard.

Between the amount of rewrites, the rl shifts in perspectives and priorities-

It's been a rough fucking time of it and we'd really appreciate some thoughts on it.

This book is brimming with so much-

And everything is so chaotic.

Then again, such is life.

Much love

-Twisted