Descendants 4

16

Back on board the Holy Trinity, the crew looks up expectantly at them as they climb on board. One by one their faces fall as they see the resignation in Carlos's eyes and tears in Jane's. They turn to Uma for confirmation and she shakes her head.

"Alright so what's the next plan?" Gill asks rushing up to the wheel and steering them away "I've heard rumors of a fountain of youth not far off the coast of Ireland" the ship moves slowly away from the island as the Lost Boys are still in shock and denial of the news, most have tears in their eyes.

Carlos climbs the steps and places a gentle hand on Gills bicep and the wheel

"Gill" he says softly "lets go home" Gill's tears starts falling then, he turns and falls apart on top of Carlos who despite everything holds him steady. The Lost Boys take Gill's crying as an okay sign and start crying themselves. Harry's eyes shine but he does his best no to cry and instead starts shouting orders.

"You heard the man set sail for Auradon!" Harry yells his voice thick with tears but even so it doesn't crack. The Lost Boys nod and go about their duties. Uma takes over the wheel and Harry joins the group that has gathered around Gil as Carlos, Evie, Mal, and Jay retell the story of the gods and the Fates.

When they get to the Fates everyone goes quiet and starts to whisper as if they were somehow able to hear them. The story seems impossibly short as they retell it, it seemed like an eternity while talking to the Fates, Victoria shudders at the memory. They are the celestial beings she never wants to see again.

"There's nothing to be done?" Harry says dejectedly now he tears escape his eyes and he lets them fall, Victoria places a hand on his knee and so does Daniel, he smiles at them and wipes his eyes. He wants to break down but he looks at Carlos who looks so strong and stable that it feels unfair to cry when the person who's dying is being so strong

"How long?" Gill asks still blubbering like a child he doesn't want to control the tears it feels like the only way he can express his love for Carlos and his pain.

"They didn't say specifically" Carlos says "a month at most"

"A month?" Gill's voice cracks there's so much to be done in a month and so little that can actually be accomplished. A month is nothing, not nearly enough time left to cherish one of their own.

"What about us?" Harry asks Victoria "where are we going?"

"Auradon" Victoria says "I need to go back to Vernelle for a quick visit, make some arrangements but I'll be back in a few days. You may stay at Auradon. That is, if we're welcome" they turn to Ben with whom they still haven't talked to about their power squabble.

"Anytime" Ben nods "but we need to talk when you come back"

"I have time now" Victoria smiles and she and Ben head down to her quarters.

"Any bets on the probability of Ben coming out with a black eye?" Carlos jokes, the others chuckle and wipe their tears away, they take deep breaths and finally start to feel a bit more calm, the tears at least have stopped.

"I say he gets a cut lip" Jay says

"You're both on, I'll go for a slap" Evie laughs loudly. Bets are placed and Jane and Evie even stand outside the door to see if they can hear anything but Victoria's warded it precisely to avoid eavesdropping. Frowning they go back on deck and wait the old fashion way.

Half an hour later they both emerge a bit stiffly but smiling, things have been cleared between them, whether that clearness is something Ben is willing to handle is something up to him.

Evie wins the bet and everyone begrudgingly hands their money over. She smiles and mock bows to them as she puts the money away.

"Mal can I talk to you?" Ben whispers in her ear, Mal nods and they disappear to their own cabin. Everyone watches them leave but don't say anything about bets because they don't want Victoria to know they bet on her own meeting.