Shirayuki's a hard worker, and sometimes pulling her out of her work seems almost impossible. Part of that is because she loves her job so much, and yet another part of it becomes something else. Perhaps the hard work will pay off down the line, perhaps this or that task would help to keep Zen alive on a day when he'll really need it, or maybe she's stockpiling up the hours just in case she can't one day.

And yet, as she's grinding herbs to make a medicine, she's surprised by a hint of color unrelated to her task, and she looks up. Zen's standing almost awkwardly in front of her, and yet Ryuu's still working hard off to the side, as if he doesn't notice or perhaps doesn't care that much. Garak's in her office, and Shirayuki realizes just how okay this all must be. Her hands pause at grinding the herbs up, and she looks up at Zen, at his sparkling blue eyes that easily catch her gaze, at his hands that are full of dried flowers.

"I asked Ryuu for help the other day." Zen's free hand goes to rest between his neck and his hair, a rubbing motion built up of nerves, "And he drew me a picture and explained the color of what would be helpful, and a gift for work is probably silly, but you love your job, so..."

And the sweetness of Zen's gesture hits Shirayuki like a tidal wave, and she isn't quite sure what she wants to do or say in reply. She half wants to jump up and hug him, because she's been trying to find one of the plants in his hand for a medicine for someone who really needs it, and that plant has been pretty much impossible to find. The others will help too, but that one in particular.

"Thank you." Shirayuki finally finds her voice and says. It deserves more than a thank you, but any other words aren't coming forward, and she is half sure that if she jumps up and hugs Zen, he'll drop the plants, and she might just lose the grinder and her herbs. "Right over here." She says, and finally gets up, sidestepping past her desk. And Zen follows her to a room in the back with all of their herbs organized, and she gestures to an empty table back then. "I'll sort them out later, though I know the one I'm going to be making into medicine tonight."

"I'm glad I found what you needed." And Zen looks so awed, like he always does at times like these, and Shirayuki wants to dive in and hug him, so she finally does. She squeezes him close, tries to tell him just how much this means to her. And though she knows she'll be pulling extra hours for sure today, they will be well worth it.

And already, Shirayuki's planning how she'll find a way to treat Zen to something great too. To find a gift for a prince seems impossible, but a picnic in the garden sounds like a way to pull Zen out of a stressful day and give him a break and a few moments with her. Shirayuki is filled to the brim and even overflowing with love and tenderness, affection that spills up and over.

She's still smiling even after she's walked Zen out of the pharmacy, even after she's said bye for now. It's a joy that crawls through her as she hurries back to her work, one that leaves a tender smile floating gently across her face.