Nothing about this was going to be easy, and if she were being honest, she'd rather face a squad of soldiers.

Uma sighs, playing with Daniel's hair as she waits for James.

Harry was going to be pissed.

Worse, hurt.

Which she totally understood.

James had betrayed them. Had worked with Harriett for years. And she'd never known. Fuck, never even suspected.

Faustina said it was because Harriett wanted to keep Harry safe-

But she had a hard time believing that the cold-hearted bitch could care about such a thing.

Which was another problem. Her Bosun and that? Together?

It just didn't make sense.

She narrows her eyes, but it explained why Faustina and James shared the same color orb at least.

A little win.

She couldn't complain about a single thing with James.

Never, not once, had she believed him to be acting outside her or the ship's best interest.

And, more so, if she counted this as a betrayal on James' part, then what did that make Faustina and T's role in it?

Faustina hadn't mentioned how long they had known about the secret. But she'd gathered it had to have been some time from the things Faustina had shared.

And that bothered her too.

How was Harry going to take it once he put those pieces together?

Was it a betrayal?

She was torn.

On one hand, James was the most loyal member of her crew outside of her family-

But on the other-

She sighs.

This just wasn't going to be-

"Cap'n, Harry, Lil' Demon," James greets with a hesitant smile, his eyes dart around the cave warily, "you uh, wanted to see me?"

Time was up.

"Yeah," she shifts Daniel from her lap and stands, "you an' Harry."

James tilts his head before he turns to her First Mate, "what can I be doin'?" He asks a lot more certain once he didn't find Hades in the cave.

"We have a lot we still have to do, an' ain't any of it going to be easy."

"Aye," James nods with a stubborn set of his jaw, "I be doin' whatever ya be needin' Cap'n."

"Ya be needin' me an' James ta be headin' out or somethin'?" Harry asks, his brow furrowed.

"Not yet," She sighs heavily, before she turns to James, "something important ya been keepin' from us Bosun? I think it's best for Harry ta be hearin' it from you."

James studies her in confusion before his eyes slowly widen.

Harry alerts before he walks up beside her and then takes another step, "what be goin' on then?"

"Shydow?" James asks in concern.

She nods.

"I were wantin' ta tell ya, it just ain'nah ever seemin' like the right time since the whole world be turnin' 'ginst us."

She snorts darkly, "doubt it's the right time now, either, but it be needin' ta be gettin' done."

"Fair 'nough," James nods before he takes a deep breath, "mate," he turns to Harry, rubbing the back of his neck, "I be needin' ta be tellin' ya somethin' ya ain't gonna like."

"Listenin'." Harry states firmly.

"Jus' be knowin' it ain't like it be soundin'-"

Harry's eyes narrow.

"-and that T be knowin' 'bout it for years." James adds quickly.

She bites back her lip, not blaming James for sailing that ship.

"Aye?"

"But, ah," James grimaces, "it be 'bout yer sister, mate."

Harry sighs, "what CJ be ah doin' now?"

James shifts as he coughs awkwardly, "wrong sister."

"Aye?" Harry asks in confusion, before his face screws with concern, "what that bitch be havin' ta do with anything?"

She takes a deep breath, well this was starting off swimmingly.

James closes his eyes, "look, I ain't ever blamed ya for thinkin' that o' her. She ain't blamin' ya for it, either-"

"How the fuck you be ah knowin' what she be or ain'nah be blamin'?" Harry asks with a barely concealed growl.

"I know, cause I be, we be, involved."

James barely gets the words out before Harry decks him.

"Aye," James staggers back holding his jaw, "I be ah deservin' that."

"No!" Harry snaps, "ya be deservin' ah whole lot fuckin' more if ya be bein' in with that bitch."

"Pretty Boy," she steps between them, "be lettin' James talk, I be wantin' ta be hearin' it from him too."

Harry seethes before he turns around and walks to the closest wall and braces himself against it with his hands. "Fine, be regailin' us."

"I know this can't be easy for ya," James rubs the back of his neck again, "any o' ya." he looks at her, "but I ain't jus' bein' here for her for a long time."

"But ya were sent here, sent to me."

"Aye," He nods, "she be askin' me ta be watchin' out for Harry an' 'is new family."

She sighs as she presses her fingers to her temples.

James hadn't been the only one to show up and volunteer for her ship after she won. He'd competed just like the others had.

And in the end, she chose him after talking with Harry and Gil.

"I never be meanin' ta be hurtin' any o' ya." James sighs, "I jus' be wantin' me girl happy, an helpin' you three be an easy task. Yer all like gems hidden in the sand. She may ah asked' me ta join, but I be the one choosin' ta stay."

"What'ah ya mean chose ta stay?" She asks, needing to know.

"I ain'nah leavin' ya when all hell be breakin' loose. I ain'nah runnin' after her when she be helpin' bring them kids ta the ship. Fuck, I ain't even deckin' T for askin' her ta be joinin' up with Yu-"

Harry stares at James in disbelief, "T be askin' her ta what now?"

"Aye." James nods, clearly understanding that it bore repeating, "T asked her if she be willin' ta be our eyes inside the camps. An' I ain't be bashin' 'is head in. That be restraint, mate."

She frowns when Harry's face goes blank.

"So, aye, I be competin' ta be on this ship 'cause she asked me ta. But this is my home. The ship, this cove, all o' ya, ya made this home."

Despite herself, she can't help the warmth that fills her at the admission.

"I weren't expecting ta find that, an' I ain't willin' ta give it up, but she ain't ever asked me to neither." James pauses, "think she even be appreciation' how strong I be feelin' 'bout it. What I do here, an' my loyalty to ya, ain't ah bit o' it ever been ah lie."

She studies him for a moment, "aye, that I be believin'."

She could sniff out a lie like a shark could blood, and not once had she ever doubted James dedication to her and hers.

Harry sighs before he pushes off the wall, "aye. I ain'nah likin' it, but ya be right Uma, there ain'nah bein' such thing as a right time for this." He glares as he walks up to James, "I ain'nah sayin' sorry for the knock ta yer head."

"An' I ain't expectin' one." James holds up his hands.

"An' hopefully it be helpin' ya have better taste."

James lifts a brow, "be sayin' the one that be hot for the Shadow."

Harry shrugs, "better him than her."

Jame's lips twitch, "that be a matter o' perspective, mate. She may be a bitch, but she ain't ah unstable one."

She shakes her head, "ya good Harry?" She asks before they can argue facts.

Harry maintains his glare for another moment before he huffs and looks away, "aye."

"Good," she looks between the two, "shake on it."

Harry scowls but slowly reaches for James extended hand, "I still ain'nah be happy 'bout it."

"Didn't expect ya would be." James sighs as the two shake.

"S'long as we be ridin' the same wave."

She nods, satisfied that they could at least move that part of this behind them, before she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, "and now the second part o' this. Faustina be makin' a good point when we be talkin' last night, I think it's time we pull her-"

Harry turns to look at her in betrayal, "no, don'nah ya be sayin' it, Uma."

She sighs, "-out."

James turns to her with nothing short of relief, "really, Cap'n?"

Even Harry can't help his frown at the hope in James' voice.

"How the fuck we even be supposed ta find 'er?"

"T be havin' a system. 'Parently they be passin' notes."

Harry's scowl returns, "aye, o' course he be havin' that."

"When?" James asks.

"We need ta be havin' a meetin' ta be figurin' shit out before I be answerin' that an' be gettin' yer hopes up."

"When ya wanna have the meetin'?"

"I was thinkin' tonight." She offers, she knew her Pretty Boy.

Knew he was going to need some time to process.

James nods, "Yensid asked if I could be roundin' up volunteers that can read or knows anything 'bout magic, need anything from the ship while I'm there?"

She shakes her head, "I be needin' ta fish, Harry?"

"Nah. All good, Mate."

James nods, "aye." He grins, "then I be back with them that ain't scared o' the god."

"So none then?" Harry snorts.

"Them that be trustin' Deez an' Shydow be showin' interest."

"So Freddy, Celia, an' Dizzy then?"

"Right ya be, Cap'n. Them, an' CJ."

"Wha- Why?" Harry flings his arms in the air in defeat.

"Cause ya Hooks be cut from the same untethered sail."

"Ya be likin' it," Harry holds his arms wide, "clearly."

"Aye," James chuckles, "ain't no denyin' that."

"Wee Demon, ya ain'nah needin' ta be followin' me, I ain'nah plannin' nothin' stupid."

To be completely honest, he wasn't planning anything. Period.

All he could think about was his sister and James.

How often had he teased James about wanting to hunt him?

Teased him with long glances.

Ewwww.

How often had James only flirted back because he missed Harriett?

He should have been more upset about a fuck ton of other things, and he was-

So, why did that seem to be what pissed him off the most?

Daniel looks him over skeptically.

"Can'nah be stupid if I ain'nah even plannin'."

Daniel tilts his head, before he makes a cross with his fingers.

"Yeah, I would be ah lovin' ta chat with 'im, but Faustina be on babysittin' duty."

Daniel bites his lip as he falters in his steps, before he shakes his head and stares at him with resolve.

Would he be able to work with James after this?

He frowns.

He'd trusted James with his life multiple times. His life and his family's.

He takes a deep breath.

"K, ya may be right, wee Demon, I may be ah needin' ta chat with 'em." He ruffles Daniel's hair before he pulls the small boy into his arms.

The slight weight just made him feel a little more real.

"Ya be fine comin' with?"

Daniel goes still before he takes a deep breath and nods firmly.

"Thanks mate."

Daniel pats his head.

"I do be ah lovin' pats." He teases as he rubs his head against Daniel's.

Daniel rolls his eyes before he pats his head again.

Kid really was a mini T.

Down to the finest of details.

"I wonder how much o' the forge they be gettin' work done on." He ponders as he walks up the steps, "I ain'nah seein' Sweet Boy ever lookin' so torn afore."

Daniel curls into him and hides in the crook of his shoulder.

"Ya ain'nah still worryin' like over the god, are ya?"

Daniel shakes his head too quickly.

"So, ya do be a worryin'."

Daniel pulls back to glare at him.

"Heard kid, ya ain'nah bein' scared o' nothin'."

Daniel stares at him with determination with one firm nod.

Little liar.

He really couldn't blame the kid, only idiots weren't scared of the god.

Idiots and his Pirate Princess.

"No, it's gotta be longer, that length isn't gonna work." Gil offers.

"Yeah yeah yeah, workin' on it, Loverboy."

He and Daniel stare at each other in surprise.

Huh.

"And probably 'bout six inches wider." Gil adds thoughtfully.

"Wider, got it."

"Thanks," Gil states with a surprising amount of sincerity.

"Yeah, well, never thought to use my fire like this before. Kinda nice having a hobby that doesn't involve revenge on my brother."

"I have a lot. It keeps me outta trouble."

"Really? What else do you do?"

"Tattoos, carving, smithing, reading, drawing, playing music, jewelry makin', an Angel's teachin' me cart-o-graphy."

"Angel, huh?"

He walks in as the god rolls his eyes over Gil's shoulder.

"Yeah," Gil grins, "it's funny now."

Faustina snorts.

"Yeah, you should laugh. Pain and Panic got nothing on you."

"Mayhaps that's why you an' our Fire Princess be gettin' on so well."

Faustina greets him with a smile, "Aye, my Prince, that very well may be the case."

"Puh-lease. She loves that they worship the ground she walks on-" he tilts his head to the side, "actually, huh, that might be closer to true." His lip pulls back in disgust, "because hey, you all do the same thing. To her."

"Don't be jealous, my Lord. What your daughter has in our family and the Isle borns was hard won, and I'd hardly say she enjoys it. You however," Faustina eyes him speculatively, "live-"

"No, no, no, that was not an invitation for an outside opinion."

"If one doesn't want a response, my Lord, perhaps it would be best to keep one's thoughts, especially rude ones, to themselves." She smiles sweetly in response. "Lest they receive unsolicited commentary."

He can't help his snort when the god purses his lips, but notably doesn't continue to argue.

"If it ain'nah bein' too much ta be askin', can I be ah borrowin' me Pirate Princess?"

"Take her." Senior quickly volunteers Faustina as he turns to push her towards him. "Keep her. She's in a mood."

Faustina's lip twitches, "it seems my presence here is unwelcomed at the moment."

"Ta be fair, I liked ya here." Gil calls over his shoulder before he goes back to studying his workspace.

"I'm sure my Lord will be on his best behavior in my absence." Faustina turns to Hades, "right?"

"Absolutely. Loverboy here is a peach to work with. Now, please," he flicks his hand in an exaggerated shooing motion, "leave."

"Inform me if any troubles arise, my Lion?"

"Yeah." Gil immediately agrees. "Thanks."

"Yeesh, do you all hide behind her skirt?"

"No," Gil grins, "but we appreciate her, even when we question her methods."

Faustina smiles at Gil gratefully before she finally steps towards him of her own accord, "my Prince. Little Demon."

He shifts for Daniel to go to Faustina, knowing he usually preferred her hip to his, but frowns when Daniel lunges away from her.

Faustina pauses as she pulls her hand back with a frown, "my apologies, Daniel, I didn't mean to upset you."

Daniel's eyes widen as he shakes his head.

Faustina tilts her head to the side as she turns to follow the direction Daniel's eyes had flicked to.

He follows her glance, but the only thing in this part of the cave was the forge, and Senior standing rather close to Gil.

"I see," She states evenly. "Well, if that's the case, lead the way, my Prince."

"Ugh, gag." Senior shakes his head, "gross."

Faustina shrugs before she places a hand on his chest and passes him to head down the stairs.

Rare form indeed.

He waves to Gil before he takes off after her.

He frowns when she doesn't stop walking at the base of the stairs, but continues until she reaches the old cove cave.

Huh. How had she known this was where he wanted to-

Daniel surprises him when he lunges for Faustina the moment she turns to face them.

"Ya fickle wee Demon," he chuckles as he playfully musses the boy's sleek black hair.

Faustina smiles as she pulls Daniel to her protectively, "My apologies my Prince, you wished to speak with me?"

"Aye," he takes a deep breath, "I were wantin' ta know how long you an' T be ah knowin' 'bout James an' that bitch." He winces at his own tone.

Faustina flinches before she quickly bows her head.

"Sorry, sorry," he holds his hands up in front of him, "I ain'nah meanin' it like that. I ain'nah bein' angry. Me an' James be shakin' on bein' good."

Faustina frowns as she hesitantly looks up silent for a moment before she sighs, "At the time, we hadn't known how deep your feelings ran about her, if it helps, my Prince."

He nods.

And it did. He never talked about Harriett. Never wanted to.

And he could only imagine how finding out how bad things were between him and the rest of his family made T and her feel.

And after finding out, how worried they were about how he'd react.

Was there ever a right time for anything?

Faustina shifts, "I'm glad. I would hate for you and our Bosun's relationship to tarnish over this. He truly is loyal to Uma and the rest of us. T wouldn't have worked with him otherwise."

"Aye, once I be gettin' ah good punch in, I be takin' the time ta think on it."

Faustina purses her lips before she sighs, "I'd hoped better of you, my Prince."

"I do be feelin' ah mite bad 'bout it." He shakes his head, "if ya be thinkin' 'bout it, ain'nah it bein' punishment 'nough he be ah havin' the feels for her?"

"Isn't it punishment enough James was forced to choose between the person he loves and the people he respects?"

He tilts his head, "sure, I do be feelin' bad for 'im. There be loads o' reasons."

She looks at him with disapproval, "I know not fully the past between you and your eldest sister, that is true my Prince, but I do know since the time T found out about the two, she has done nothing but try to assist you from the shadows."

"Oh, now love, be comin' on. I be bein' right proud with meself for wrappin' me head 'round this so quick like." He pouts his lips as he tilts his head down and looks up at her, "I ain'nah even goin' ta places like the only reason he be ah still havin' the feels for her be bein' 'cause he ain'nah havin' ta be dealin' with her often like."

She sighs as she steps closer and kisses his forehead, "You liked T despite him being, for a lack of a better adjective, T."

"That be bein' different. T be tellin' me not ta be fully trustin' him, an' he ain'nah ever breakin' me faith. Her, on the other hook-" he takes a deep breath.

She tilts her head, "I have no intentions of prying, my Prince, nor do I know the transgressions against you, but you can't deny we all suffer the burdens of our masks and reputations."

He lets his head fall back and stares at the ceiling, "aye. Aye, Love, I do be ah knowin' that."

She steps closer to him and traces his cheek with her fingers before she cups his jaw gently and guides him to look at her, "my Love, I didn't mean to upset you further, I know this isn't easy for you, and I don't know the depths of which she hurt you-" She sighs, "but as a sibling that has deeply hurt her brother, I just-" She frowns, "I might just be a slight bit defensive, and for that I apologize. I do care greatly for your confusion and struggle in this matter."

He was pretty sure she didn't sell T to a slave gang and use the money to save herself and her younger sister, but, they did all have their histories and burdens, so he couldn't fault her for seeing it that way.

He shrugs, "I just be ah tryin' ta be gettin' it outta me system afore I be havin' ta see her. Like 'er or not, she be Isle born. An' we be tryin' ta get all Isle born together."

She smiles as she leans forward and kisses the corner of his lips, "that's very respectable, my Prince, to see the situation in such a way, and for what it's worth, I'm proud of you."

"Can ya be bein' proud o' me an' we be shit talkin' 'er now an' then?"

Faustina's lip twitches, "if you only heard how me and T truly speak to each other, you would understand how deeply I know the desire."

He can't help the shiver running down his spine at the reminder.

He had seen them talk.

Once.

But it was enough to leave an impression.

"Then I can be ah livin' with that." He smiles.

She smiles up at him as she drops her hand, "happy to hear, my Prince, I wouldn't know what to do without you." She adds as she settles her Daniel-free side against him, "I know this isn't, and won't be easy for you, my Love, but I do so admire your acceptance, no matter how reluctant, of this considerably."

"What can I be ah sayin'?" He wraps an arm around her shoulder and pulls her and Daniel into a hug, "ya be havin' ah calmin' like influence on me."

Faustina chuckles as she nuzzles into him, "the fact I have any influence on you, despite the circumstances, is still so remarkable to me." She smiles up at him, "but I'm happy to hear I help, if only a little, to soothe you."

He kisses her forehead, "ya be helpin' ah heap more than ah little." He takes a deep breath, "she really be takin' T up on goin' full crazy an' joinin' the Yu army?"

Faustina nods, "aye, she wasn't favorable to the idea, for good reason, but in the end agreed that having someone work with our enemy would be our best course for survival."

The idea that Harriett would put herself in such an extreme-

Well, it wasn't fully out of character for her to do extremes, but for her to do it because it helped them?

Wasn't that what others were claiming she'd been doing the whole time?

"I'm not certain you wish to hear this, my Prince, but if it weren't for her, we would not have survived the earthquake."

"What?"

"She found us and woke us up just in time to prevent a building from crumpling on top of us."

The waves were suddenly silent compared to a strange buzzing in his ears.

Harriett-

His stupid and selfish older whatever she was with her different mother-

Saved T and Faustina.

Fucking Sea Gods loved their damn jokes.

But whether he liked it or not, he owed her.

Owed her big fucking time.

"Well, that be changin' ah few things, don'nah it."

Faustina sighs, "I'm not trying to belittle whatever she did in the past-"

He holds a finger to her lips.

"Ya be sayin' earlier ya would'nah be knowin' what ta do without me, an' I were only jokin' like." He shifts, releasing her shoulder as he moves to stand squarely in front of her, "well, I can'nah be imaginin' it neither. Without you. So, I can be ah livin' an' lettin' her be ah livin', cause she be savin' me from far worse than what she be gettin' me inta back then."

She falls quiet and studies him before her eyes slowly become glassy and she looks away.

"Ow!" He takes a surprised step back when Daniel starts pummeling his head.

"Daniel!" She scolds as she pulls the boy away from him immediately, "that wasn't nice." She looks up at him apologetically, "sorry, I don't know why he would do that."

Daniel glares at him before he points accusingly in his direction, wipes at his eyes, and then taps his fingers against the top of his head.

Oh.

"Aye wee Demon, I be ah gettin' it." He holds his hands up in front of him, "I did'nah be ah meanin' ta make 'er cry."

Faustina blushes as she looks down at the boy in her arms, "Little Demon," she sighs, "I wasn't upset because he said something that hurt me. I was just-" Her cheeks burn a deeper red as she quickly glances at him before she just as swiftly turns her attention back to Daniel, "honored and humbled by his admission. It meant a lot to me, and I was overwhelmed." She kisses their latest addition's head, "but I appreciate your desire to protect me."

"Aye, our Pirate Princess be needin' all the protectors." He smiles at Daniel, "though, why ain'nah ya hittin' yerself after what ya be ah doin' earlier?"

He'd meant it as a joke, but the horror in Daniel's eyes had him stumbling to correct himself.

Faustina sighs, "did the Lord of Death do something to you?"

Daniel turns worried eyes on her as he vehemently shakes his head.

His eyes narrow.

"What the fuck he-"

"I see." Faustina interrupts with a frown before she turns to glare up toward the forge. "Fucking child."

Daniel waves his hand in denial.

Faustina turns to Daniel with a look of disapproval, "there are many appropriate times to lie, Little Demon-"

"But ya best be thinkin' real hard afore ya try ta be lyin' ta family." He nods firmly.

"Aye," Faustina agrees, "and certainly not when it comes to someone, god or not, threatening you."

He frowns in confusion, "why the god be ah threatin' ya anyway?"

Why a kid?

Faustina silently stares at Daniel expectantly.

Daniel looks between the two of them several times before he shrugs.

"Little Demon," Faustina frowns as she lowers Daniel to his feet before she kneels in front of him.

Daniel huffs before he shrugs again, crosses his arms over his chest, and turns away.

"Daniel," Faustina says slowly, "I promise on our family, that I-" she pauses, "we will protect you, but I would really appreciate you letting me know what he is so worried about he decided it would be wise to scare you, so I can rectify the situation."

Daniel continues to look away, his tiny hand coming up to grasp the fabric over his chest tightly, before he turns back with tears running down his face.

"Little Demon," Faustina's voice wavers as she takes his face with both hands and gently thumbs away his tears, "what did he do?"

Daniel slams his eyes shut and drops his head as his fingers twist around the fabric desperately.

His chest tightens as he watches the usually mischievous boy tremble in fear, wanting for all the world just to pull him close and reassure him that none of their family would allow harm to befall him.

He turns back to Faustina in concern.

"No matter what be ah happenin', ya be our's. Ya be bein' our Wee Demon." He puts a hand on Daniel's small shoulder, "ain'nah damn thing can be ah changin' that."

Faustina's hand covers his as she looks up at him gratefully before she returns her attention to Daniel, her eyes curious as they linger on his hand.

"What ya be ah havin' there?" He asks, hoping to give Daniel something else to think about for a moment.

Daniel glances at him with a quivering lip before he drops his eyes and curls protectively around his fist.

"Ok, ok, ya Wee Demon." He chuckles at the clear claim, "I ain'nah lookin' ta steal it, just askin' what ya be findin' comfort in."

Faustina's hand slips off of his with a frown as she pulls Daniel to her and kisses his head, before she looks up at him, "he's worried you'll be upset, and demand it be given back."

His eyes narrow, "upset?"

What would he get upset over.

He bites his lip as he watches Daniel.

Oh.

There'd been so much going on at the time-

"I be ah givin' that to me Pirate Princess as ah gift." He explains seriously before quickly continuing, "what she be ah doin' with it after like is up ta her. If she be ah givin' it to ya, then she be ah havin' ah reason."

Daniel glances up at him with a familiar look in his eyes. It was the look Faustina got every time she wasn't sure if he was being completely honest with her.

"My Prince means it, my dearest Little Demon," Faustina coos gently before she presses another kiss to the top of his head, her eyes meeting his in the shortest of glances before they return to Daniel.

He could see how much it hurt her, feeling helpless to soothe Daniel's fear and worries.

Faustina bites her lip, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully before they shoot open, "did that," she pauses, "does that, belong to someone significant to you, Little Demon?"

Daniel sniffs as he looks up and nods.

His eyes widen, "I be ah swearin' I ain'nah stealin' it. I be findin' it."

Daniel's eyes widen before he holds up a hand and shakes his head. He pulls the small potion bottle from under his shirt and points at it, before he holds a hand above his eyes and looks around.

"Ya be lookin' for it?"

Daniel shakes his head before he points at the bottle again and repeats looking around.

Faustina stills, "are you… Are you seeking its owner, then?"

Daniel frowns before he slowly shakes his head. Once more he points to the bottle and looks around, but this time he also points to Faustina.

"This were lookin' for Faustina?"

Daniel nods.

Faustina's brow furrows before she pulls the boy off her lap and studies him intently, "Daniel," she asks, her voice soft with uncertainty, "do we- Are we-" her words grow tighter as she continues her examination, "blood?"

Daniel nods.

Faustina turns from the boy to look up him, lost.

He smiles before he taps a finger to his eyes, "ya know what, that ain'nah surprisin' me none. Knew ya had ta be related somehow."

Faustina nods mutely before her curious eyes return to Daniel.

"But, I do be curious to know what kin' o' related." He smiles as he gently rubs Faustina's back, "An' also how ya be ah knowin'."

Daniel sighs as he lets the bottle rest against his chest again and pulls a scrap of paper from his pocket. He takes a deep breath as he watches Faustina before taking out a stubby pencil.

Sister.

Faustina's brow furrows at the word, before her eyes shift from Daniel to the word several times.

Sister?

How?

He blinks in confusion, but Daniel didn't seem to need the follow-up question.

He plops to the ground and continues to write, his small hand moving fast, as if the words had suddenly been unlocked and were now spilling out of him.

Mom and Dad scared.

Baby stolen.

Hide me.

Talk about big sister.

Miss her.

Want to find her.

Nobodies.

Nothing they can do.

Bad guy take big sister.

Big sister Faustina.

Mom's necklace.

Necklace find sister one day.

If he was feeling as if he'd been punched, he could only imagine how Faustina was feeling.

He turns to Faustina to find her staring at the words as she grips the fabric of her skirt tight in fists that had white knuckles.

"Love," he tests in a whisper; though he wasn't sure if he'd meant to whisper or if he simply didn't have enough air to speak louder.

Daniel looks up at her with wide eyes and a trembling lip.

Sorry.

No cry please.

Faustina studies the page for another moment before she shakes her head and snatches the boy to her chest tightly, holding his head to her chest as she stares at the piece of paper, tears spilling from her eyes.

His chest felt as if he'd been hit by Gil's Hammer.

Faustina had been taken from her family.

Her real family.

By a fucking monster parading himself as some kind of holy man.

A family that couldn't do anything, had been powerless, to save their own daughter.

Taken by a bad man.

Chills run down his back.

Twist his stomach.

Faustina-

Faustina had grown up in her own circle.

Enslaved.

Hidden away by someone who-

He slams his eyes shut as he continues to stand guard over Faustina and Daniel.

No.

He couldn't follow that tide.

The monster was dead.

He'd made sure of that.

Faustina's eyes repeatedly dart back and forth as she reads the lines over and over again, one arm clutching Daniel as the other holds the paper so tight he feared it ripping.

So…

Daniel, Tina, and T are related-

And immediately too.

Any of you expecting that tie to be so strong?

Better question, and are you surprised by the contents of Daniel's note?

Fuck if my heart isn't going out to them right now-

How the fuck is one supposed to take that particular news?

Cause it doesn't seem like Tina is processing it well-

And, let's not ignore the Hooks-

What did you think of Harry's response to finding out the truth between James and his sister?

Let us know!

Much love and shit

-Twisted