She bites her lip as she absently stares at the choppy water.

As wonderful as it had been to meet Freddie, Celia, and Dizzy-

It had been exhausting.

They were all so excited to meet her.

Which turned into a trial of patience to get them to focus on the task at hand when all they wanted to do was barrage her with questions-

Especially Celia.

She'd always known the girl to be wiser than her years, and shrewder still-

So at least she hadn't been taken completely off guard but-

It had been a turbulent sea to navigate, and though she was sure she had steered through the worst of it-

There was no way to discern what the little fortune telling grifter had picked up on, and what she hadn't.

She takes a deep breath.

Her only saving grace was that Celia tended to keep her lips tight-

Unless of course she thought the information was worth any kind of value, and god help her if the girl ended up holding something over T. She honestly didn't know how brother would take to that. Short of Mal, no Isle born had ever black mailed or extorted him before.

Still, as drained as she was, there was no way she could miss Harry's excitement.

She smiles.

Then again, you'd have to be deaf, blind, and dumb to miss her Prince's mood.

She couldn't recall the last time he'd been so zealous over something.

It was hard not to be caught up in his energy.

She chuckles.

Her Prince. So charismatic.

Clever.

Patient.

Handsome-

Her eyes shift to where he was animatedly speaking with Uma before her gaze sweeps over his face.

She still couldn't believe he liked her.

Couldn't understand it.

All she knew was that he did.

Blessed or lucky? She didn't really care.

All that mattered was he cared for her enough to take time to find her a proper outfit.

And-

She clutches on to the little potion bottle hanging around her neck like a lifeline.

Special.

He made her feel special.

They all did.

Everyone in their family was always so patient with her, which was so at odds with how she was raised.

It made her chest ache in a painfully addicting way.

She felt so humbled.

Honored.

She'd done nothing to deserve them.

Their kindness.

Their affection..

But she had it.

What she'd craved for so long.

Acceptance.

Honesty.

Love.

Respect.

She just wasn't sure how she could ever show them the extent of what they meant to her.

For god's sake, they were even building another lab for her.

One Deez deliberately carved out for her.

On top of the instruments Harry and Uma insisted Deez create for her.

And, though she could see its importance, she knew it went much deeper than that.

They genuinely cared about her.

Her happiness.

Her opinions.

It was still so confusing-

But, so very much appreciated.

Needed.

More than anything else, all she'd ever wanted was to matter.

To be noticed.

To be known.

For someone to care if he ended up killing her.

And she found it.

Found it in such a capacity it overwhelmed her.

Fortunate.

She was so fortunate.

Even with things as ugly and evil as the Isle had become-

With what she had done.

Witnessed.

She was fortunate to have them.

It was inevitable one of them would break sooner or later.

Her or T.

After all, how much could one really push away memories before they bit you?

How much evil could you witness before it became unbearable?

She blinks, pulled from her thoughts when the dingy hits land and gracefully maneuvers off the craft.

Harry, nearly bouncing as he circles her, grins before he takes her hand, "this way, me Pirate Princess-"

"Aye," Uma steps through an opening in the back corner behind the pool, "to her new workspace." She states firmly as she crosses her arms over her chest.

She smiles brightly as she too starts bouncing in delight.

Another work room-

And an open one!

She'd already started compiling a list of experiments she wanted to try.

Experiments that probably would've cleared the lower decks of the ship.

"Bu-"

Uma silences him with a hand and a glare, "let the girl get her bearings, Pretty Boy."

She looks between the two of them with a slight frown.

"Come on, Beauty Girl, this way. Yensid's been helping us set it all up, and Deez says she knows there was a twisty glass bit she hasn't finished yet because she can't remember how many loops it had."

She pushes aside her concern as she giggles.

She was tired.

There was a good chance she had misread that exchange.

Still…

It was hard to shake the tension.

"Of course Captain," She smiles brightly as she follows Uma, content to let the giddiness bubbling up and take the lead.

If it had been anyone but the Captain, she would have run past them to get to her new sanctuary.

But as it was-

She had to be mindful of decorum, and there was nothing she could think of that was more disrespectful than knocking their matriarch to her ass.

Harry silently falls into step behind her, though she could tell by the echo of his steps that he'd gone right back to bouncing.

She giggles before she finds his hand and squeezes as she flashes him a delighted smile.

It was hard to tell which of them was more impatient to get to her new space.

She listens eagerly as Uma points out the different paths and explains where they went.

The pool room.

The steps leading to Gil's forge.

Steps leading down to the old cave that was still underwater.

An empty room.

Her work room-

"Finally!" Deez falls to her back in exasperation, the glass tube of a distiller in her lap as glowing orange runs out of one hand.

She tilts her head.

Deez must have been intensely focused on her task if she hadn't heard them coming.

Which albeit not rare, was still curious.

She eyes her family, though which of them weren't right now?

"I remember at least three big loops," Deez states as she holds up three fingers, "but I also know it had more tiny loops all laying on top of each other before it dripped into a flask."

She smiles, "There's seven in total."

"Seven," Deez nods, sitting up before she glares at the escaping glass dripping to the ground beside her, "got it. I think this is the last one to replace your set," She continues to explain as she gathers the deceptively sticky looking mess, "but I made a couple extras of the others."

She smiles softly, "Thank you very much for all the work you've put into this, I really do appreciate it. It means everything to me." She glances around the room. "How much all of you care about me."

Harry grins as he hangs an arm around her shoulders before pulling her close, "Love, it be hard not ta be carin' for ya."

Her face burns as she drops her eyes.

Would she ever get used to hearing such beautiful sentiments?

"What our Pretty Boy be saying." Uma's gesture catches her attention.

She flinches when something shiny is suddenly in her face.

"I made ya this!" Gil blurts out,. "Well, me n' Deez." He amends with a blush.

"You designed it," Deez quickly adds without looking up from her glasswork, "you just asked me to make small pieces for you."

Her chest bubbles with warmth as excitement washes over her.

"You…"

Her Lion and Star Gazer made her something?

Her.

Not T.

Her.

She bites her lip as her sight begins to blur.

First, Harry going out of his way to find her a beautiful outfit and necklace.

Then Uma with the labs.

And all the effort Deez had poured into recreating her equipment-

And now this?

What had she done to deserve so much?

So many thoughtful gifts.

With trembling hands she tentatively wraps her fingers around the adorably wrapped package and pulls it to her chest lovingly.

"Thank you." She whispers as her tone wavers with emotion.

Humbled by their love.

Cherished.

Not even in her wildest fantasy had she ever considered herself worthy of being so cherished.

She giggles giddily as she presses the package closer to her heart.

Gil tilts his head to the side before he looks to Uma in concern.

Uma's curious gaze sweeps over her, "think she's just overwhelmed." She chuckles.

"I did warn you that she was going to lose her mind." Deez chuckles as she gently curves a glass tub into a spring shape.

Gil's brow furrows, "the gift ain't the box, Angel."

"I know," she smiles softly at his bewilderment, "but I know that whatever lies within it was crafted by the two of you."

"Oh," Gil grins as he lifts his hand to brush his thumb over her cheek.

She blinks as it leaves a warm trail.

When had she started crying?

Another round of giggles passes her lip.

Her Lion, always so sweet and caring.

Harry's arm shifts before one hand grips her shoulder, "come on now. Be openin' it."

"Please?" Gil adds anxiously. "I really wanna know what ya think."

Her cheeks darken as she nods, admiring the cutely wrapped box for another second before she carefully unwraps it.

"Angel," Gil whines after a moment.

Deez chuckles as she sets the diffuser aside and stands, "I promise it won't hurt my feelings if you rip the paper."

"But it's so pretty."

Uma snorts as Gil groans.

"Oops?" Deez half grimaces before she leans against Gil's side, "didn't think about that."

She bites her lip as she slides the box from the paper.

Her hands shake as she slowly removes the lid before she lets out a gasp.

Nestled in shredded paper and a soft piece of cloth was a chain with several charms attached to it.

She blinks as she stares at each meticulously crafted charm.

Beautiful didn't even begin to describe the exquisite piece of art in her hand.

How long had this taken him?

She looks up at Gil then to the box and back several times.

Speechless.

She was speechless.

Oh-

Had he made a mistake?

Surely he'd made this for Deez or Uma.

"Love," Harry chuckles tightly as he rubs her back, "I be needin' ya ta be breathin' for me."

She blinks as she turns to Harry in confusion.

Breathe?

Right.

She takes a deep breath before her gaze returns to Gil.

"Are you sure I can have this?" She asks hesitantly.

Reluctantly.

She certainly didn't want to give it back, even if it was a mistake.

"Of course Angel, I-"

A squeal of pure delight leaves her lips before she has a chance to swallow it as she holds the piece to her chest.

Gil rubs the back of his neck, "So you li-"

She leaps at him and wraps her arms around his neck as he catches her on instinct. "No," she kisses his cheek, "I'm besotted." She hugs him tightly.

A large lopsided grin appears on Gil's lips, "good," he nods as he squeezes her, "cause we're all-" He pauses, "what does besotted mean?"

"Um," Deez frowns as she tilts her head to the side, "that's a new one for me."

She glances around the room to find them all staring at her.

"Sorry, exceedingly infatuated." She pauses, "Love. I am absolutely in love with it, So very very much. I've never seen anything so absolutely stunning, My Lion." She hugs him again. "It's every bit as captivating as Siren's Song. You've really come such an incredible way, but-" She leans back, "I still love my ode to Shrimpy."

"Ya be ah seein' me hook?" Harry grins as he holds the real thing up.

She turns to Harry with a dazzling smile, "It's you personified by your sigil, how could I miss it, my Prince?"

"The potion bottle glows in the dark!" Deez excitedly points out.

"An' the Treasure Chest opens," Uma adds with pride, "our Sweet Boy really out did himself."

She shoots a quick smile at Gil as she excitedly pulls out the jewelry, the box instantly forgotten as she cups the delicate chain in her hands.

Another squeal leaves her as she holds it to her chest, taking a moment before she relinquishes her hold to inspect the Treasure Chest. She blinks at the intense detail of the treasure inside. "Gil," She looks up at him with pride. "My Lion…"

How much patience had this taken.

Dedication?

How many times had he remodeled each 'imperfect' piece?

When had he become so meticulous?

Able to focus on such a tedious task to the level of finesse?

She takes a deep breath in a poor attempt to regain her composer, overcome with a level of pride she never knew she could feel for another person.

She never would have guessed T's random idea and half thought out suggestion would bear such bountiful fruit.

Or that Gil would devote himself so thoroughly to any medium of art he could get his hands on.

"This- This is-." Her vision blurs, "Just thank such a breathtaking treasure."

She'd always kept tokens.

Keepsakes of memories and stories T had weaved for her-

But, this piece of art?

Was something she would covet like a dragon with its hoard.

She would put a smackdown on T if he so much as said a syllable about his thoughts on them wearing it.

Like she'd squashed his desire to do away with her necklace.

Gil blushes as he rubs his cap, "Of course." He grins sheepishly, "I know it's hard for ya sometimes. To remember your one of us. That you belong. Are needed. Our Beauty Girl. My Angel just like I'm your-" He pauses to study her. "Lion?"

She giggles, "They're powerful, fearless, protective, and loyal. With gorgeous manes- hair."

"Aye," Harry chuckles as he pulls Gil's cap off and playfully musses his blonde hair, "our Sweet Boy do be ah havin' beautiful locks, don'nah he?"

Gil whines as he swats Harry's hand away before he sidesteps him and turns back to her. "I've only ever seen one as a rug."

"I can show you some drawings when we return to the-" She stops, "home. When we get home."

Gil nods in approval as he pulls her into a side hug. "I'd like that."

She smiles as she clutches her hands over her heart.

She really didn't deserve this.

Them.

But she'd happily take what they offered while she could.

She quickly shoves the dark thought away.

She wouldn't let the weight of responsibility for their impending future take this moment of time away from her.

She refused.

"Now-" Deez grins as she snatches Gil's cap from Harry's hand, "I know you've got some set up to do to get this place running, but would you mind if I hang out in here with you while I get started on the glass balls?"

She shakes her head, "Of course not."

"Thank you." Deez crooks her finger until Gil bends so she can tug the cap back into place.

"Ya be wantin' some help settin' yer work space up then?" Harry asks as he gently pulls her to him before he turns her to face the rest of the 'room', "cause I be thinkin' there be ah lot ta be workin' with."

She blinks as the reality of what she's looking at hits her.

She'd been so caught up in the family-

Her family.

Deez when she'd first walked in and then the gift-

But now she could see what it was her family was calling her workroom.

Warmth once more gathers in the corners of her eyes as she slowly looks around the open space.

The ocean view through the large openings melted through the walls.

The tables.

All the glassware.

Vials.

Beakers.

The storage spaces carved deep along the walls.

All her herbs, the ones they'd carefully bundled and the rest packed into crates and barrels were already separated around the room.

There was so much room.

So much she could work with.

It was all-

She was-

Shaking.

Jittery with excitement.

She turns back to Deez, "this is amazing," She smiles brightly.

Gil wasn't the only one who'd grown over the last year.

Deez's control of her flame had become impeccable.

"Thank you." She bows her head.

"Glad you like it." Deez grins, "there's a landing right over there that leads out to the wall garden you sketched. I did my best to make an easy to stand on ladder so it wouldn't be crazy hard to work out there."

"Really?" She asks, astonished. "You finished those too?"

The smaller girl shrugs, "It's not exactly what you drew, I had to improvise a little, but I hope it still works."

"I'm sure it'll work perfectly." She assures her, "the drawing was just to give you a general idea of what I thought would work best."

She'd be lying if she said it wasn't a struggle to wait to see it.

Admonishing herself for even thinking about doing something so rude.

But she was curious about what the final design was.

Deez smiles as Gil pulls her into his side. "Well, in case it doesn't, don't hesitate to let me know if I need to adjust something. I really don't mind, and understand why this is so important. Not that I wouldn't have made you one sooner if I had thought about it." She giggles as she turns to Uma, "I know how much Uma hates when you stay in your workroom alone."

Gil frowns, "there's six of us, there's no reason any of us should be alone." He huffs.

Uma snorts. "Aye, of course that's your take away Sweet Boy."

"What?" Gil's eyes lighten with amusement, "was there something else I was 'spose ta take from that?"

"Aye," Harry nods, "ya be makin' a good point there mate."

"You're both ridiculous." Uma rolls her eyes, though the smile betrays her annoyance.

"Only in the best ways though," Deez giggles.

She nods.

"You two are just as bad," Uma shakes her head, "encouraging them like that."

"Someone be havin' ta love what ya be creatin', Cap'n." Harry snickers as he shoulder-checks Gil.

"I've created monsters." Uma drags a hand down her face.

"Aye."

She chuckles when she realizes she wasn't the only one to agree.

Uma shakes her head, "how am I the one who ended up outnumbered here?"

"Because T isn't out." She smiles.

Uma pauses as she stares at her incredulously, her mouth agape though she seemed to be struggling to string an argument together.

"An' bein' on that wave-" Harry chuckles as he hooks her skirt and pulls her along behind him, "be ah tellin' us how we can be helpin' ya set up, Love."