Harry grins as he hears the lock pop open before patting Daniel on the back, "Look-it the Wee Demon, openin' his first lock."
Daniel holds the manacle in the air.
"Good job." Uma ruffles his hair.
"Very impressive," Faustina looks towards Daniel with a soft smile, "It took me much longer to figure out my first tumbler."
"But now-" Uma quickly takes the lock before he can finish clasping it on his wrist and says, "It's time you get some sleep."
Daniel purses his lips to the side as he points at the manacle.
"In the morning." Uma nods, "But I'm about to order everyone here to bed, which includes you."
"Oh, aye, Cap'n," he says quickly, tucking his picks back into his boot, "but afore ya be orderin' us ta bed, I still be havin' a Pirate Princess that needs tendin' an' talkin' ta."
He frowns when Faustina shrinks in her spot next to Gil, the only indication she had heard him.
Uma saw it too.
She turns to him with a frown, "aye, go take care o' my Beauty Girl."
He chuckles when Daniel jumps and makes a grab for the lock.
"Oh no," Uma snorts, "nice try, but I said they could have a moment. You need to sleep."
Daniel lets out a low huff as he crosses his arms and turns to Faustina with a pout.
Faustina blinks before she shakes her head, "Nuh uh." She says gently, "We told you Uma's the highest rank, remember? We all do as she requests, besides it's been a long day. You've already made a lot of progress, and it's bedtime. Promise," She glances at him as she bites her lip before she turns back to Daniel. "We'll be back soon. So behave for her, okay?"
Daniel stares at her as if they were having a contest of wills before he looks away and lets out a resigned huff.
For never saying a word, the kid was very expressive.
Daniel frowns as he turns to Uma before he spreads out his arms as he looks around the room before he points to Faustina.
Uma's eyes narrow before brightening with understanding, "Oh," she turns to Faustina, "Where are you sleeping tonight? The hammock, right?"
Faustina's eyes sweep over Gil and Deez before they land on Daniel, "Deez needs all the warmth she can get right now, so if it's alright with you, I'd prefer we sleep together."
"Don't be ridiculous, of course it's alright," Uma's lips split into a wide grin as she nods, "If you change your mind though, it's okay."
"Thank you, Captain." Faustina smiles before she gets up and goes to Daniel and kisses the top of his head before she stands and pats it. "Be good for Uma, Little Demon." She whispers.
He chuckles at Daniel's pout before he takes Faustina's hand and leads her from the room. "Already questionin' the Cap'n an' lookin' for allies, he be ah great pirate."
Faustina looks up at him and studies him for a moment before she sighs and a small smile tugs at her lips. "With you as a mentor, I've no doubt he'll be the cleverest one yet."
"Aye? I can be ah seein' it. He be havin' ah stubborn streak." He nods at a group walking towards the pool before he pulls Faustina toward her lab, "It be ah gettin' ah mite crowded, kind'ah wonderful, aye?"
"It's a good reminder of why we're doing this," Faustina offers, much closer to him than she had been as she eyes the group wearily.
He smiles as he slips an arm around her, "ya be bein' okay?"
She nods, "thank you."
"Ya be me girl," he says, lifting her onto the edge of a worktable, "I always be ah thinkin' 'bout you."
Faustina's eyes brighten as she smiles up at him.
"Love, don'nah be tellin' me ya ain'nah knowin' that." He runs his thumb along her cheek before reaching for the first-aid supplies on the wall behind her.
She drops her eyes as she fidgets with the tie of the wrap, "I-" she pauses, "I worry about it sometimes, whether or not you'll realize that I'm not worth the trouble. I know I-"
No.
Just-
He knew she'd been acting off, ever since he rushed her at the temple.
Too much.
It really had been too much.
All the fear, the uncertainty-
The relief.
Frustration.
He should have been more careful, or at the very least, more prepared.
He shuts her up with a finger to her lips, "I love you."
It was the only thing he could think to say.
Only thing he knew how to express in this moment.
He'd told her not to apologize, so it felt too late for that on his end.
But sea gods, he hoped he could get her to understand.
Pull her from the dark thoughts she clearly heaped on herself every time she was left alone.
Her eyes widen as she looks up to meet his gaze, a slow smile pulls at her lips before she drops her eyes with flushed cheeks. Her legs start swinging happily from where they were hanging off the table.
"I ain'nah ever be for real claimin' ta be perfect, but I never be ah wantin' ta hurt ya when I don'nah be knowin' how ta be talkin'. An'," he rubs the back of his head, "I be ah findin' meself in that type o' mess ah lot with ya, feelin' things an' not havin' ah way to best tell ya what be ah goin' on here," he taps the side of his head with a closed fist, "so it don'nah be hurtin' ya here." He gently taps the end of a finger to her chest.
She wraps her hand around his finger and squeezes, "I don't expect perfection, my Prince, I genuinely just appreciate you giving me any sort of attention-" she pauses, "I just know I didn't handle this situation very well, and would like to apologize for being so remiss." She bites her lip, "I knew it didn't matter what I wrote, you would worry. But," she sighs, "I was very-" she shifts in discomfort as she falls silent for a moment, "I'm sorry, it was not my intention to abandon our family during a crisis."
He cups the back of her head with his fingers as he strokes his thumbs along her jawline, "an' I be ah understandin' that now. Ya be ah findin' Daniel. Ya be racin' ah clock afore ya be faintin'. I still ain'nah bein' too sure o' the why ya be ah hunkerin' down with Senior, but I do be knowin' it be ah good reason."
"He was sick when we found him," she frowns as she rubs her hand up and down her arm, "and I was worried what with his condition that he wouldn't…"
He tilts his head as he watches her struggle before he sees it.
"Ya ain'nah wantin' us ta split focus an' still possibly lose 'em both."
Faustina squeezes her eyes shut as she nods, "I really do apola-"
He stops her, but this time with a kiss.
How scared she must have been.
How torn.
He knew how much it meant to him to find another wee one still alive, he could only imagine how much it meant to her.
Her and T.
She wanted to save him.
Wanted Deez to be saved.
So in her determination, she'd found what she believed would give them all the best chances.
Watch Daniel while making sure no one else could catch the sick.
Give them the ability to focus on Deez completely.
Take Senior out of the picture for as long as possible.
He pulls back to stare into her eyes, "I be gettin' it. Why ya be doin' it." He murmurs as he presses his brow against hers.
"Thank you," she breathes out, "I was so worried you'd resent me for it. Resent him. Which is stupid. I know that. Know that you're not a bitter person. I'm sorry, I let the fear fester."
He takes a deep breath, "same though."
She smiles as she takes his wrist and tugs him closer, so she can kiss the corner of his lips, "I don't know why, but it makes me feel better knowing that you have similar doubts."
"It be frustratin', knowin' but ain'nah really knowin'." He frowns, "I think we all be gettin' 'em more. Like-" He sighs as he looks down at his hands, "like there be so much ah happenin', so much we ain'nah thinkin' could ever be ah happenein'," he shakes his head and looks up, "it be hard ta know what be possible an' what ain'nah bein'."
She studies him for a moment before she slides her hand into his, "we're tired. We're stressed. We have more responsibility than ever. I always think the worst about everything when I get this way…" she sighs as she squeezes his hand, "so I really appreciate you-" Her eyes meet his before she looks away with a blush, "I just really appreciate you."
He sighs in relief before he pulls her into a hug, "you too," he nuzzles against her hair, "I don'nah be knowin' what I be ah doin' without ya."
He could feel the heat radiating off her face.
"I'm sure you'd manage just fine, my Prince."
"Ya be ah liar." He snorts before he crushes her to his chest.
It still hurt, but now that he was looking at it, he wasn't sure he could tell where the hurt from coming from.
He was still terrified. Everything around him seemed to be conspiring to separate him from everyone he cared about.
But now, at the very least, he understood.
Understood that he was waiting for the next pain.
That Faustina was too.
And that they were all playing a losing game with those fears.
"I love you too," She whispers against his chest, "I hope you know that. I'm sorry I can't show you in the way the others do," she rests her forehead against his shoulder, "but I do. So much."
"I be havin' nothin' but faith in it, that ya be ah lovin' me." He kisses along her cheek until he pecks the tip of her nose, "an' ya be ah showin' me just fine."
He looks down at the forgotten supply box beside his hand.
Whoops.
"But, if ya be lookin' fer ah way ta show me now, ya could be ah playin' nice while I be ah changin' these."
Her lips twitch despite the hesitation in her eyes, "manipulation at its finest, my clever Prince."
"I do be yer clever Pirate Prince," he grins as he sorts the bandages and cleaning solutions, "an' ya know ya be ah lovin' it."
"I do admire it," She admits as mirth sparkles in her eyes, "it's an enviable skill."
"Whoa now, don'nah ya be gettin' any ideas, this be one of me specialities."
She leans forward and kisses the corner of his lips again, "I would never, my Prince."
Uh huh.
His eyes narrow, "ya be ah vixen, ya be knowin' that?"
Amusement reflects in her eyes as she pulls back with a smile, "and you love it."
"I dooooo." He admits unashamedly, "now, where do me vixen be wantin' me ta start?"
She sighs as she drops her head in submission, "my shoulder."
He nods before he looks for a knot, "how this be-"
He smiles when she holds up scissors.
"As of the moment, cutting it seems to be the most effective. Though, I would suggest coating the blade in alcohol first. The web gunks them up rather quickly."
He takes them from her before dousing them, "so, web? Ya be ah makin' web inta bandages." He chuckles as he slowly cuts through the wrap, "gotta be sayin', it be holdin' tight an' be lookin' like it ain'nah let sick in."
"And it lets the wound breathe," she smiles, "I coated the inside with my salve to keep it from sticking to itself. It really is quite versatile. I call it Weave."
"Huh," he leans in closer to her shoulder after he removes the last of the webs, "wait, how ya be ah gettin' ah burn like this?"
It was a welt the size of a rusty across her upper shoulder, but the skin, while healed over, was still red and flaky.
Faustina looks away, "why must you ask questions to which you know you won't like the answer."
"Cause I can'nah be turnin' the carin' off." He sighs, "why ain'nah I gonna be likin' this?"
She fidgets with the tie of the wrap again, "we got injured at the first camp the other night-"
This happened two days ago?
"Not overly, mind you, just enough that we thought it wisest to cauterize it."
He blinks before he points to the nearly healed wound, "so this were bein' one hurt, and then ya be puttin' ah burn o' top o' it."
Faustina shifts, "we used to have to do it all the time,"
He didn't want to, but the moment she said it his eyes trace her body, looking to every scar he knew she had.
Burns.
They were all burns.
All except her back.
His chest burns.
Had they always hid their injuries with burns?
Hadn't he known that?
The room around him darkens briefly.
Had he really forced himself to not think about it?
Forget that he himself had once used burns to help hide painful claims.
"My Prince?" Faustina prompts as she places both hands on his shoulders, "are you alright?"
He hadn't realized he wasn't breathing until her fear startles him to draw a breath.
"Sorry, just, realizin' I be ah knowin' part o' that."
She tilts her head to the side before her eyes widen, and she looks away with shame coloring her features.
"Wha- No," he grabs her elbows and lifts to get her to look at him again, "what I be ah sayin'?"
She shakes her head, "I'm sorry." she frowns, "we just didn't want Father to figure out T got out and burns were always the simplest way to cover T's escapades."
"Why that be ah makin' ya look upset?" He lets his hand drop to hover near the mark he'd help T erase.
She shifts, "I didn't know-" she grimaces, "I always thought it was T who got marked. He used to think they were cool, a," she sighs, "fuck you to our father." She lowers her eyes, "well the marks I gave him anyway, or at least that's what he told me…"
"An' there ain'nah bein' nothin' wrong with that." He lets one finger trace the scar left by the back of the red hot spatula.
Faustina doesn't look up as she nods, "I'm sorry if I upset you."
"Ya ain'nah upsettin' me," he assures her as he looks up again, "I be ah upsettin' meself 'cause I be ah pushin' the fact I be ah burnin' ya from me head."
She looks up at him curiously, "something both T and I greatly appreciate, knowing what I know now, I don't know how I was able to do it, time and time again, to our body." she shakes her head, "which is just asking for a headache."
"Ya be able ta do it 'cause ya be me badass Pirate Princess," He stares at her sternly, "but I were'nah meanin' ta pull us from talkin' 'bout yer injuries."
Or him from redressing them.
He carefully slathers ointment onto the mark and wraps Weave around it, "by the by, I be ah havin' ta thank me Lady for this."
She smiles, "she was quite amused about my intention for them."
"That be ah soundin' like her." He chuckles before he looks down to her hand, "so, what be happenin' here?"
She grimaces, "Mim threw T into a wall," she sighs, "and-" she closes her eyes. "It shattered in his hand." She frowns, "T really loved that thing too."
He tilts his head as he unwraps her hand, "what thing?"
"Oh," she blushes, "my apologies. His blow gun. It was in his hand when he got pinned to the wall."
His eyes widen.
T didn't have the blow gun anymore?
That-
That was a problem.
As much as having T dart him in the ass several times pissed him off, the thought of T going out on his own without it-
No.
"When, when Deez be wakin' up—" He nods firmly, "when she be wakin' up and feeling better, we can be gettin' her to make another," he says. "She be more than happy too be doin' it, I be ah knowin' it."
Faustina studies him curiously, "it would make him happy too. I never thought he'd hold any weapon over his daggers, but then he asked the Lord of Death for a way to weaponize poison's and it was over."
He sighs, "ain'nah gonna be lyin', I be happy knowin' he be havin' it. An' be worryn' 'til he be gettin' ah new one."
His brow furrows as he looks over her hand, which once again looked far more healed than he would have thought possible after only a day or two.
"Me too," She sighs as she stands, "it-"
"Whoa now," he drops the scissors as he steps in front of her, blocking her exit, "I be ah havin' one more ta be takin' care o'."
Faustina pauses, "I'm sure it's alright." She places her hands behind her back, "The other two are nearly healed."
His eyes narrow, "Love, 'fraid ya be bad at poker." He grabs her arm and gently pulls it towards him, "what be happenin' here?"
Faustina closes her eyes with a grimace, "we-" She pauses as he holds her arm still before she settles into silence.
Her eyes become distant as she stares at her arm blankly.
"Love?" He prompts when he feels her shiver.
"Mim really didn't want anyone near her lair," she explains simply with a shake of her head. She holds her arm as she looks away, "The Lord of Death intervened though, so…"
His eyes narrow as he tugs her closer when she tries to scoot back.
"So which is it then? It's most likely healed, or Senior intervened, and it wasn't that bad?" He asks as he watches her carefully.
"Well, I mean, Hades did intervene, and we did get weave on it-"
"Then there should'nah be ah problem with me checkin' on it." He points out as he holds up the scissors.
Faustina bites her lip before she sighs and relents her hand.
His heart was in his throat as he cut the bandage away.
He'd seen loads of scars on arms, especially here.
He'd seen more than enough adult nobodies in alleyways, holding blades to their inner wrists.
It was the reason he was so worried about it.
What had Mim done?
He winces as he gently tugs the sliced bandage off, noting the long cut down the center of her forearm.
It wasn't especially deep, but was that because it healed as much as the others?
"Mim be ah doin' this?" He asks as he carefully rotates her arm, so he can see it in the glow of the flame orbs.
If the bitch weren't already dead and gone, he'd have found a way, or at least would have wanted to find a way, to hurt her.
Faustina drops her eyes, "it was a safeguard I think, a snare meant to limit unwelcome guests."
He bites his lip as he stares at the wound, noting the jagged and straight sliced edge.
How deep had this gone?
"The screams wouldn't stop." Faustina whispers softly.
He looks up in concern.
"They kept begging for T to save them-" Her voice hitches. "I was able to pull myself out, but no matter how hard I tried, T-" Her eyes water as she bites her lip and looks away.
He blinks.
"Wait-" he shakes his head as he pulls her into the safety of his embrace, "shhhh, be givin' me a moment ta be gettin' this straight." He holds her close as he runs one hand over her hair.
Mim hadn't done this-
Mim created a magic that made the person-
It wasn't control like with Deez.
It was-
It was different.
It sounded like being trapped in your personal hell.
Trapped, with only one way out.
"I be so sorry ya be livin' through that." He whispers as he slowly shifts between his feet, gently rocking her as he continued to run his fingers through her hair, "I- I can'nah even be imaginin'."
He was going to have to actually thank the god later.
Because whatever his reasons for saving his Mate and girl, he had saved them.
He could hate the guy, but still be grateful.
She clings to him, face hidden in the crook of his shoulder as she nods in response.
Magic.
No matter how amazing it could be, the fact that it could also control a person's mind or body made him ill.
Deez, Faustina, and T experienced the depravity firsthand.
And if this was how Faustina, his cool, level-headed, grace under pressure Pirate Princess felt, and he couldn't even tell the depths of how much this hurt her-
He knew she'd never lie for anything less than a deeper hurt.
"Love, be talkin' ta me, please? Be lettin' me help chase this dark magic away." He presses a kiss to her temple as he continues his rhythmic rocking, "yer silence be ah scarin' me."
"Sorry," she breathes out, "sorry," she shakes her head.
"It ain'nah bein' real." He tightens his grip on her, "it be Mim conjurin' up things that be rippin' yer heart out."
What else could he say?
He knew she and T took the attack on wee Isle Borns personally, no matter how many times they all assured each other that there was no way they could have known to look for something like that.
Faustina takes a deep breath before she reluctantly pulls back to wipe away her tears. "I shouldn't have said anything, sorry."
His eyes narrow as he pulls her back and tips her head so he can stare into her startled eyes, "no. No me Love, that ain'nah bein' what ya be walkin' away from this with. I be ah sayin' I be here for ya, if ya be wantin' ta talk, or not talk, whatever ya be ah needin'. An' then you be ah sayin' thank you, an' promisin' ta remember that."
Faustina nods, "thank you," she exhales slowly, "I appreciate you being willing to listen, and extending that offer if I desire to speak to you, I'll remember that."
He stares at her a moment longer before he sighs and pulls her back into a hug, "I don'nah be wantin' ya ta ever think ya should'nah be ah sayin' anything ta me. I be ah wantin' yer trust, wantin' ta help when I can be, an if I can'nah be helpin', then I just be wantin' ta be near you. It, it be more than ah want, it be ah need. Aye?"
Faustina nods against his shoulder, "aye." She takes several deep breaths before she pulls back, "can we please return to the others?"
"Aye Love, if that's what ya be ah wantin', just be ah lettin' me bandage this," he sighs before grabbing the tin of ointment and a new Weave wrap.
She watches him quietly as he tends to her, "thank you." She offers when he finishes.
"Aye love," he smiles as they work together to clean up, "thank you for lettin' me. It do be ah makin' me feel better ta be ah knowin' how yer doin'." He winks before he sweeps her off her feet and into his arms, "don'nah be takin' this the wrong way. It be bein' cause I be wantin' ta, not ah cause I think ya be needin' me help."
She looks up at him with a small smile as she wraps her arms around his neck, "thank you for the clarification."
The feel of soft hands firmly kneading the muscles of his chest makes him smile.
This was new. He couldn't remember ever waking up to a massage before.
It felt nice.
Gil opens his eyes, blinking away the fuzziness of sleep, to find Faustina kneeling beside him.
It had to be her, T hated touching people.
"Oh," Faustina's soft smile greets him. Her hands still on his chest as she pulls back to sit on her feet. "Morning." She says as she lays her hands on her lap.
"Hey," he says slowly, still surprised to find that she was the one working on him, "you can keep working if you want," He wasn't going to complain.
He felt relaxed, well relaxed and groggy.
"Aye Sweet Boy," He hears Harry agree, "See love, I were tellin' ya he would'nah be mindin' the help none."
Faustina smiles at Harry before she turns back to him. "I can continue in a bit, I think once things catch up, you'll prefer the space."
"Catch up?" His brow furrows.
Oh, right. Something was wrong.
He was sore, so maybe that was why Faustina was massaging him.
But he was also groggy, as if he was fighting to stay awake.
Faustina chews her lip, before she sighs. "You ran an awfully long way, and brought her home, exhausting yourself in the process. Try not to move too quickly, okay? Stargazer, she's still not healed, and as much as you'll want to, you can't pull her close right now." She places a hand on his chest. "Alright?"
Huh?
He sits up and places his hand over her warm hand.
"Yeah," he agrees, his mind still foggy.
Ugh. He grimaces. Why did so much of him feel so sore? Why was Faustina warning him not to pull-
"DEEZ!" He looks around wildly before he finds her.
His heart slams against his chest, instantly aching as memories rush back to him like a hammer to the head.
His breath leaves him in a whoosh as his hand extends towards his Treasure before Faustina takes it and squeezes.
"We patched her up, Sweet Boy." Uma assures him as she shifts on the other side of Deez, her eyes opening as if she'd only woken up herself, "You seriously ran yourself into the ground gettin' her and then gettin' her home."
"How long was I-"
"A day and a half," Faustina squeezes his hand again, "Try not to move so swiftly. You're not hurt, but you exerted all your muscles. I'd hate for you to tense up all over again."
His jaw tenses.
Why did Deez feel so cool? His heart sinks, "How bad is she?" He asks, his throat dry.
Faustina and Uma exchange a concerned look, making his heart race.
"She's healing like one of us." Uma whispers as she sits up, carefully tucking the blankets close to Deez as she shifts.
He swallows as his eyes close and he takes a deep breath.
She'd been stabbed. Through and through.
He felt like he was going to be sick. "She's not-" He studies her. He shifts to move the blanket, but pauses. She was so cold already.
What the fuck had Mim done to her?
"Yensid put in an IV this morning so she won't dehydrate, and to make sure she doesn't get an infection."
"She can get sick now?" He asks tightly.
"We're not sure, but just to be safe…" Faustina trails off.
He swallows the lump in the back of his throat as his vision blurs.
What? How?
He blinks back his tears. What did this mean?
Why?
"She's healing though?" He asks tightly as he squeezes Faustina's hand to keep him from reaching out to Deez.
"Aye, Sweet Boy." Uma breathes out.
"We be checkin' this mornin' with Yensid," Harry adds, though he still hadn't seen him nearby.
"She missed her vital parts, remember?" Faustina prompts gently.
He breathes out, uncertain of what else to ask, "What can I do?" He turns to Uma, feeling lost, "How can I help?"
Uma smiles as she reaches over Deez to run her fingers through his hair, "You can rest." She cups his cheek, "and you can stay with her."
"You are a furnace in your own right, I'm sure she'd appreciate the warmth." Faustina adds softly.
"Right," He nods, "But I can't touch her?" He looks up at Uma helplessly.
"You can touch her, we just have to be delicate with her," Uma gently runs her fingers through Deez's hair, "once her hands are healed," She bites her lip, "I know how much it bothered her when she couldn't hold your hand before-"
His jaw tenses, at the memory of her scorched hands.
Fucking Senior. The asshole.
Just another way to torture his daughter, as if he hadn't done enough damage already.
His hand hovers over Deez's hair before he gently runs his fingers through it. He hadn't missed the way his hand trembled, though.
He was scared.
Terrified.
A sigh of relief escapes his lips as it feels as silky as ever. He gently caresses her cheek with a knuckle.
All he wanted to do was-
Faustina oomphs as he yanks her close to him and hides his face in her hair. It wasn't the same, not by a long shot. But it was something to keep him from doing something stupid.
"There ya go Wee Demon, ya be lookin' sharp as ah sword with yer new look." Harry chuckles before he hears movement across the room.
Curiosity stirs, but he can't pull his eyes off Deez.
The dark circles around her eyes. How dim her usually bright skin was.
She always glowed before, and he didn't mean with fire.
He'd never seen her look like this. Look so sick. Never even considered it.
It made everything he was ache.
How?
Was she ever going to be the same again? Could she? His stomach churns again as he presses Faustina to his chest tighter.
How was she going to react when she woke up?
He knew she'd always resented her abilities. Thought, wrongly, that she was a monster. But to have something so innate ripped from her? Her healing? Her invulnerability?
Fuck. He closes his eyes as he buries his face into Faustina's shoulders, losing his battle with his tears.
He doesn't even look up at the tapping on his back.
"It's okay," Faustina assures gently.
"Aye, Sweet Boy just be wantin' her comfort."
He wanted to respond. But something was confusing him.
It kinda sounded like they were assuring him, but the words didn't fit right.
He swallows again when he feels Faustina's hand run through his hair before she holds his head to her shoulder gently. His arms tighten around her at the sense of security.
It was going to be alright.
He wasn't alone in this.
Their family was here.
Even as stubborn as Deez was, her will power wouldn't be able to compete with the rest of their family.
Each as head-strong as the last.
He knew that each of them would do anything to keep Deez with them.
It takes him a moment, but he eventually gets his tears under control. As he pulls back, Faustina lets her hand slip from his hair.
"When you're up for it, I'm sure Deez would appreciate you playing her something, she's been getting a bit restless and I know how that always soothes her." Faustina whispers gently.
He nods.
Right. He could do that.
Play for her.
Play on his new flute.
It was one of the things that always seemed to calm her down in the past.
"I ain'nah gonna lie mate, hearin' ya play be soundin' good right now."
"Aye," Uma agrees softly. "Might be puttin' us all at ease."
He nods, silently apologetic, as he wipes his eyes off on Faustina's shirt.
"When you're feeling up to it." Uma adds.
"No, no-" He slowly releases Faustina, "I don't mind." His gaze shifts to Deez, whose eyes flit just below her lids. "I think she'd like it too." He breathes, wondering if the pain in his chest would ever lighten.
Deez.
If he was this scared- How was she going to react?
He knew that she'd always been stronger than him. That had never been more evident than the night she was taken from them.
Knew that she always let him take care of her, protect her.
Found it sweet, if not a bit amusing.
But how was she going to feel now?
Would she be as strong as before?
Fuck.
Was this going to be her new normal?
He didn't know much, but he knew Deez.
She was going to be so conflicted. Confused.
Maybe even resentful at the timing.
She was going to run, no matter the outcome.
Run just like she used to.
Was she still going to outpace him?
Would he be able to catch her?
The question leaves him torn.
On one hand, he'd be relieved she couldn't flee from them, their comfort.
But on the other hand, it would kill her.
Be just one more thing taken away from her.
He grimaces.
Just when she'd started embracing herself.
Her abilities.
Just when she'd figured out how to use them to their fullest extent. Testing them. Herself. Doing her damnedest to push herself to her limits.
It was going to hurt all of them to watch.
It was going to kill him to watch her beat and berate herself over this.
How often had they talked about her needing to be perfect? Needing to exceed expectations? Her need to control things? Her desire to help?
If any of her abilities didn't return… It was going to be a different type of hell.
For all of them.
"Sweet Boy?" Uma's concern pierces his thoughts.
He shakes his head, "Sorry." He pushes himself to his feet and looks around for his bag, but stops when he notices something clinging to Faustina's neck as she holds it securely.
Not something, someone.
Someone tiny.
"What?" He blinks as he steps closer. What in- "Did-Is that a kid? Like a real little kid?" He hadn't seen a child since the barrier cracked.
Where the hell did they find him?
Had they hit another camp?
And why was he in here with them? Not with the others they'd rescued?
He looks down at the bundle of shirt. He couldn't be older than four, and looked so- So skeletal it scared him. His eyes, both the orbs and the surrounding skin, were so dark it was startling. And so wide, like he was scared, before he tucks his head into Faustina's shoulder.
"Yes," Faustina smiles, "this is Daniel."
"Or Wee Demon," Harry grins, "dependin' on what he be gettin' up to at the time."
Faustina looks down, "Daniel, this is Gil. He's another member of the family. I know he looks scary, but I promise he's the sweetest person ever."
"You think I look scary?" He asks in surprise.
Daniel peeks out to look at him and nods slowly several times, clinging to Faustina tighter.
"Aye mate, why it be takin' ah wee one ta be showin' ya that?" Harry chuckles as he claps him on the back, "Ya be the smartest muscle I be knowin'."
He rubs the back of his head, "I don't feel scary."
Uma snorts from where he'd left her next to Deez, "You don't act it either."
"Aye," Harry nods with an amused smile.
"Looks can be very deceiving," Faustina offers softly. "But I promise he'd never hurt you."
Daniel tilts his head when he turns back to stare at him, and then holds his hands up and slowly moves them apart.
"Aye," Faustina smiles, "A very big softy. Just like you be a wee Little Demon. Packaging varies."
Uma snorts before she shifts to lay next to Deez again, "give it time, you'll see."
"Aye," Harry grins, "though it be bein' a bit offensive ya not be ah scared o' me."
Daniel rolls his eyes before he points to his hair.
"Don'nah be rollin' yer eyes at me ya Wee Demon," Harry glares as he holds up a finger in reprimand, "I can be scary."
Daniel raises a brow, before a little smirk tilts at his lips and he cradles his arms.
Faustina actually snorts, blushing, before she clears her throat. "Daniel! That wasn't very nice."
He laughs when Daniel shrugs.
Where the hell had they found a mini-T?
"That ain'nah bein' funny you two, don'nah be encouragin' that."
Uma chuckles, "It was kind of funny."
Harry flings his hands into the air, "ain'nah even joined the family proper yet, and he already be turnin' me loves against me."
Faustina tries to hide her amusement as she leans over and kisses the corner of Harry's lips. "You like T well enough."
"I did'nah be sayin' I ain'nah likin' the challenge." Harry winks before he ruffles Daniel's hair.
He chuckles, "you would challenge a child."
"Ya ain'nah seein' how entertainin' this one be."
He looks between the three with narrowed eyes, "I think I'm gettin' a picture." His brows furrow.
Actually-
He blinks before his head tilts.
The hell? He looks closer at the three. "Um…" He studies Faustina. Hadn't they just found out about her?
How did-
It couldn't be right?
But-
The dark hair, the green eyes.
The sarcasm.
The extraness.
The unnatural silence.
What the fuck had he missed? "Shouldn't he be-" His eyes narrow.
No, Harry would've mentioned it, right?
He shakes his head. It had to be a coincidence.
"Huh." Uma draws his attention as he finds her staring at the three thoughtfully. "Definitely a picture."
"What be ah picture?" Harry pouts. "I be ah wantin' ta know."
Faustina tilts her head as she looks between him and Uma thoughtfully, before she looks down at Daniel and studies him for a moment. She blinks before she looks to Harry and back. Her cheeks suddenly on fire.
He turns back to Uma, "He's not though, right?" He asks, seeking confirmation with how unerring the sight was, as he rubs the back of his neck.
She shakes her head, "no, but-Weird right?"
"What be weird?" Harry whines as he looks around the room, "I be ah wantin' to know."
"Yeah," he nods.
Very.
He takes a deep breath as he brushes the thought away.
"Ya'll be down right mean," Harry grumbles before turning to a still violently scarlet Faustina, "what bein' wrong?"
"So, what song are you playing first?" Faustina clears her throat.
Right. That's what he'd gotten up to do.
He walks over to his bag and pulls out his flute. "Um, well, I made a song for her that used to help her sleep."
"Aww," Faustina smiles, "That's so sweet, always so thoughtful, my Lion."
"Thanks," he grins, before he settles next to Deez again.
Faustina nods, kissing Harry's cheek before she joins Uma, picking up a manacle as she settles Daniel on her lap. "Let's see how fast you can get it," she smiles encouragingly.
He watches as his entire family settles on the pile of furs.
His eyes drop to Deez; she was going to love this when she woke up.
Last time one of them was hurt and sleeping, they'd been separated.
This time though? As sad and upsetting as it was? It was nice to support each other.
Be with each other.
Lucky even.
Especially with all that had happened.
This could be so much worse, even if it should've been so much better.
But he'd take it. Appreciate it.
And if worse came to worse?
He'd help his Treasure see that too.
Bittersweet scenes in this one.
Gil's anguish is just heartbreaking, and Harry's concern so sweet.
Like how Faustina derailed the conversation, so she didn't have to mention how they'd managed to cauterize the wound that night?
But seriously, poor fucking Gil. That was seriously a shitty way to wake up-
Not the massage part, obviously, but the rest of it?
Gil loves Deez, truly and deeply, and he has every right to fear for her state of mind when she wakes up.
To be terrified for her.
Thoughts?
Questions?
Concerns?
Much love and shit
-Twisted