It was still weird.

Being one on one with an adult.

Especially with an adult as smart as Yensid.

It was one thing when one of his family was with him, but when it was just them?

He got flustered.

He knew he wasn't an idiot.

It had taken his family and Carlos years to get him to see that, but he could.

He wasn't a genius like Carlos and Deez, but he wasn't the idiot his father and brothers claimed he was either.

That didn't make it any easier though.

If anything it just made him feel even more self conscious.

And the fact that Yensid could tell just made it that much more uncomfortable.

"You've become quite the artist." Yensid nods encouragingly as he returns the charm he'd been working on. "Does young Dizzy know of your skill?"

His brow furrows as he shakes his head.

Yensid chuckles, "did you know she makes jewelry herself?"

"She does?"

"Indeed," Yensid carefully perches on the side of the table, "she and Evie use to make matching outfits. Though I'm not sure if Dizzy has been very creative since Evie's departure."

His chest aches the minute the words are in the air.

He had his family to help with the loss of Carlos-

Had Dizzy had anyone to help her deal with losing Evie?

He turns towards the ship with a frown.

He couldn't count the number of times he'd been too upset to start a project.

Was that where Dizzy was?

His eyes narrow.

Not okay.

He turns back to Yensid, "I'll talk ta 'er when we get back." He grins.

"I figured you'd want to." Yensid nods as he continues to watch him with his stormy eyes, "I noticed there is a significant amount of magic around Faustina's ankle."

His brow furrows.

Significant sounded like a lot.

"Is that bad?" He can't help his concern.

Yensid shakes his head, "Not at all. Impressive. You and Deez work very well together to weave your intentions. Which for now is the best description I have for what it is you do."

His brow furrows.

Was-

Was Yensid confused about something?

Something that involved him?

"Oh," he rubs the back of his head, "um, thanks?"

"You're welcome." Yensid smiles, "I very much enjoy watching you work, I was never so good with my hands when it came to creative pursuits. But I have always been in love with the arts."

Heat brushes his cheeks as he chuckles, "T jus' thought if I had somethin' ta do with my hands I'd get in less trouble, an' I ended up likin' it."

"Well you certainly took a means of avoiding trouble and turned it into your own passion." Yensid turns to look around the room where many of his tools and supplies were waiting to be stored.

He can't help the snort that rises in him. "Sorry! I jus'- T never avoids trouble- but he went out of his way to make sure I did."

"I see the irony." Yensid agrees with a chuckle before he stands, "so what started as a means to keep you out of trouble now serves to help you protect the people you care about."

He blinks.

His art-

Protected people?

"Do the tattoos have magic too?" He blurts out.

Yensid frowns as he tilts his head to the side, "They do not. I was not aware that you were the one who did them."

He frowns as he looks at his hands in confusion.

But the swords and charms had magic-

He pauses.

"Yeah, but not with Deez."

"Ah," Yensid rubs a hand over his beard, "that seems to be a logical explanation. Your magic may only work with Deez. Or perhaps she somehow pulls the magical ability out of you."

A slow grin pulls at his lips.

He liked that.

The thought that Deez could literally pull magic out of him-

Just like he could make her light up in flames.

"Cool."

"It is, very much so." Yensid agrees, "I look forward to working with you all as we figure this out."

He scoops up his charm. "Me too." He stands up, "but if my magic only works with Deez, I'mma see if it's okay if I work with them."

Yensid waves him off with a smile, "Go on, if you don't mind I would enjoy seeing the rest of your set up, and then I'll join."

"Of course." He grins before he eagerly rushes to Faustina's workroom to find Deez.

She was going to love knowing she was the reason he had magic.

She smiles as she rubs her thumb over the last of the glass orbs, sealing the hole shut to trap her flames inside.

Twenty-one.

She'd managed to craft more than enough for the groups that would be heading out on the Isle.

And could easily make more if the groups expanded.

Now she just had to get them enchanted, keep her promise to Uma, and then they could finally go take care of the spell books.

She sets the bucket with the rest before she stands, "Didn't Yensid say he was coming back?" She asks when she spots Faustina pouring liquid into smaller bottles.

"He did," Faustina looks towards the forge, "though he's just as bad as the rest of us when it comes to tracking time."

She chuckles as she sets the bucket of flame swirling orbs on the table, "That is so true." She tilts her head to the side at the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs, "Though I hear-"

"Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeez!" Gil barrels into the room excitedly.

She blinks in surprise when arms suddenly wrap around her.

"Guess what!?"

"Um?" Her lips purse to the side as she studies his excitement, "you couldn't have finished another anklet yet. So, I don't know, what?"

He grins, "you're the source of my magic." He kisses her nose.

"I'm the-" her brow furrows, "I don't understand."

"Yensid said that my tattoo's ain't magic, but everything we've worked on together is." He blurts out. "Like I said. Cause you're my source of inspiration."

She was part of his magic?

Part of why he was able to do the things he could?

It was so strange to hear something she'd always wanted was true.

She loved the magic of her family, and now she was part of it.

Had a part in it.

She smiles before she wraps her arms around Gil and buries her face against his neck, enjoying the way his laughter rumbled in his chest infectiously.

"I'm glad I can be your inspiration." She whispers as her fingers absently twist in his curls.

She loved this feeling.

The touch.

How safe she felt.

How warm she was with her face pressed to his pulse and his salty citrus and wood scent tickling her nose.

His soft brown eyes sparkle as he grins at her, "Is it okay if I work on the charms in here so they're like Angel's?"

"I'd like that," she shifts slightly to find the other girl, "what about you? It's your space."

"Of course, my Lion." Faustina smiles, "I'm sure that would make Captain's-" She pauses, "Oh!" She looks around before she skips to another station and picks up her workbook, "did you still want to see?"

She chuckles as she watches Gil puzzle over Faustina's altered mood.

"See-" Gil's eyes light up, "yeah!"

"Did I miss us studying lions?" She grins as Gil adjusts her to his side.

Faustina shakes her head as she settles next to Gil, "I just like drawing animals." She offers as she starts shuffling through the loose sketches in her book.

She catches half done sketches of faces and hands and grins.

"You and Mal would have loved each other."

Many of the notebooks Mal had were also filled with half done sketches.

Faustina pauses as she looks up curiously, "you think so?"

She nods, "Mal was hard to warm up, but she would have talked art with you until she thawed."

"What's that?" Gil asks as he shifts her on his hip.

Faustina's brow furrows before she drops her eyes to the book, instantly snapping it shut. "Right." She hugs the book to her chest as she fidgets in her spot.

She frowns, "It looked really pretty, was that Uma?"

Faustina eyes the two of them cautiously before she lets out a slow breath and slowly relinquishes her death grip on the book, "Sorry…" She drops her eyes and offers it.

"Why're you sorry?" Gil frowns as he sets the notebook in front of him and opens it to the first page.

Her eyes widen at the beautiful drawings of animals before she dives to the table for a closer look.

Birds.

Fish.

Strange looking horses.

She had a mini art zoo.

"Faustina! These are amazing!"

One finger traces the detailed plumage of a peacock.

"Yeah," Gil nods adamantly. "I didn't know ya could draw things too."

"Thank you," Faustina blushes.

Gil leans against the table, resting his chin on her head as they continue to look over the drawings, slowly flipping through the pages until they come across a lion roaring proudly.

"That's what they look like?" Gil asks in surprise.

A soft smile tugs on Faustina's lips as she nods. "You share a lot of qualities."

"Cool," he grins before he turns back to the page in admiration, "I liked your name before, but I really like it now. For big Shrimpys, lion's look strong."

A relieved sigh passes Faustina's lips, "I hoped you would."

She smiles at Faustina, "Is that why you were so worried?"

"No." Faustina sighs as she steps forward and takes the book back and flips through it before she places it on the table, "this is." She sighs, "I'-"

Gil's swift inhale interrupts as he slams his hips into the table, his chest firmly pressed against her back.

She twists to look up at him over her shoulder, "you okay?"

"Mhmm." He responds tightly.

She lightly pats Gil's hand as she turns back to see what made him act weird.

Oh.

T might hate the idea of family time, but Faustina didn't seem to mind it.

Not if she could watch close enough to get so much detail.

She giggles nervously as she looks over the image of the four of them in the bed, marveling over the faces Faustina managed to capture.

Gil's pure delight and deceptively innocent grin.

Harry's passion for being in charge, his determination to give as good as he got.

Uma's wickedly seductive smirk.

Her eyes wide with wonder and hesitation.

That's exactly how she'd felt too.

There was so much happening, so much she wanted to see and understand, but it was overwhelming, feeling so much while seeing the same thing happening for the rest of her family.

It was, strange to see herself so vulnerable, but they all were.

All their feelings and intentions were there, in this drawing.

"Angel?" Gil questions incredulously. "You-you drew these?"

"Are you upset?" Faustina questions.

"What-" Gil whips his head to her, "No! I just- You, but then these, and I uh-"

She snorts before she covers her mouth with her hands, "I uh, sorry," she slowly drops her hands away, "I think it was just a surprise. T is so against, like, all of this."

Faustina shrugs slightly, "I find what the four of you do together beautiful."

"I mean-" She feels the flush on her cheeks as she looks back to the drawing, "you captured it, at least for me, perfectly."

Gil nods, "Yeah…"

Faustina smiles as she steps forward, "Then I think you both will really like these ones," she offers as she flips past a few pages.

She stops on a close up of her and Gil's faces.

The look on Gil's face-

She can't stop the snickering laugh when he wraps an arm around her waist and pins her to his chest.

Oh.

Oh!

If she was feeling a tightness and heat in her belly-

She turns back with a knowing smile.

His molten eyes meet hers before he groans, adjusts, and looks away.

She chuckles as she rests more against him.

How did they not already know Faustina drew like this?

She tilts her head before she turns to Faustina, "Harry doesn't know about this."

Faustina shakes her head, "I know I should've asked first-"

"No you didn't." Gil staunchly shakes his head. "You're good."

"Really good," she adds, "I just figured Harry not knowing was the only reason we didn't. He wouldn't be able to stop himself."

"Do you really think-"

Gil snorts. "Oh no, he's going to be upset."

Faustina's eyes widen in concern.

"That we got to see 'em first." He finishes.

She turns and lightly slaps Gil's chest, "don't you dare."

"But I got to." He grins mischievously.

She chuckles as she shakes her head, "If you want to poke-"

"I do." Gil nods.

Faustina covers her mouth, "Captain did say we needed to take a break-"

She blinks when she finds herself pressed against the wall with Gil's lips against her throat.

"But Yensid-"

Gil pulls back with a pout, "But Angel said…"

She frowns as she looks around the room before her eyes settle on the arch leading to the other unfinished room.

"Can you make sure Yensid gets the orbs?"

"Of course," Faustina nods.

She smiles before she taps Gil on the shoulder, "down."

"If I must," Gil sighs as he lowers her to the ground reluctantly.

She chuckles as she takes his hand and pulls him towards the other room, "Uma said I needed to rest before we could go take care of the books, I imagine you do too."

Gil's face lights up, "sure do."

She looks back at Faustina and mouths 'thank you'.

Faustina smiles as she waves, "Enjoy your rest."

She wasn't sure if this counted as rest, but until she was told it didn't-

"We will." Gil quickly assures her.

He smiles as a flickering blue light slowly grows brighter on the stairs.

"Master Yensid," Faustina greets with a knock, the cause of the light clear now that he could see a bucket illuminating Deez's signature flames. "Are you busy?"

His brow furrows, "not at all my dear girl, I was on my way back to your workspace," he assures her, "but I find myself needing to ask, where is Deez?"

"Getting some much needed rest," she smiles, "after all, our Star Gazer just poured her essence into making sure we would all be sensitive to the barriers' own flickers."

"Essence?"

That was an interesting choice of word.

One that flared his curiosity.

Especially as it had been Faustina to choose it.

His eyes drop to the beautiful orbs.

Faustina smiles as she places the basket on a stone table, and picks up an orb and he blinks when it glows brighter- "see?" she taps the orb, and he watches as the fire ricochets within its contents, "it's as if it's playing with you. Bright, spirited, and a bit impish if I do say."

He chuckles at the adpt description of one of Deez's many sides. "My turn to enchant them then," he looks up, "did the process seem draining or overly taxing on her?"

Faustina shrugs, "not overly so, though it was telling that she didn't argue to make more."

It was something that troubled him, knowing how many they were expecting her to make. And something he would have to keep an eye on, lest they worry the captain.

"I know you're eager to enchant these," Faustina frowns, "but I've been remiss on a rather extravagant detail in our affairs with the Lord of Death."

He rubs his chin, "remiss, or have we all been simply overwhelmed?" He looks her over.

If she was willing to walk away from her vast experiments to bring this to his attention, "is this a detail that requires privacy?"

Faustina sighs, "I just don't wish to upset her, and it very well might. She wants nothing more than his approval, and though it is something that would make her delighted to hear- It has clearly just irritated him. As if she'd chosen it herself to spite him. As is all things with him."

He raises an eyebrow, "for now let's focus on how delighted she will be then, the rest we can figure out as we go." he gestures for her to come more into Gil's forge.

"He claims she is not a deity of death." She offers once they're in the furthest shadows. "That she is 'muse touched'. And, though I can admit, my knowledge of Olympians is quite laughable. I am aware of the word. And if it's what I believe it is, well-" she smiles, "I think it rather fits."

"Indeed," he returns her smile, "and to hear my theory confirmed by the god is most helpful as well."

He'd begun to suspect her muse-like qualities years ago, though he'd had nothing as convincing as the effect she had on young Gil.

Ideas and problem solving were all he'd observed before, but what Gil was inspired to do was nothing short of miraculous.

Faustina looks up at him with hopeful eyes, "so it is true?"

"Though I am by no means an expert in the area, if the god and myself are of the same opinion on the matter, then I would feel safe believing it to be so." He runs a hand over his beard, "though it does raise the question of how."

She tilts her head, "why how?"

"Muses, like Gods, Fairies, and merfolk, pass their abilities down through a bloodline."

Faustina furrows her brow and stays silent for a long moment, "that is to say that she should only have been a deity of something in the realm of death? Or death specifically, because she's such a direct descendant?"

"I do not believe so. Heracles is by no means a king of gods like his father is. He has his own demi qualities once he chose to give up his god status." He frowns, "though perhaps that is not the best example given that he was born to two full gods. I suppose most Demis share many qualities and powers with their god parent, but not all chose to follow the path of their celestial parentage."

"I see, that is quite a lot to ponder…" Faustina frowns as she leans against the stone to stare at the sea thoughtfully. "Did you ever meet her," Faustina turns to him, "Deez's mother I mean?"

"I would not be able to answer that, as I do not know who her mother was." He admits sadly, "by the time I found out what was happening here and managed to secure the right to teach, Deez was already a small child."

One hand fists at his side at the reminder.

He had not been in the kingdom when the Barrier was suggested, and when he finally pulled himself away from his studies to show his support of Adam and Belle-

His support of Janice's school-

He'd barely given the barrier a second glance.

It was only by chance he was walking with Adam when the king was notified that the trapped villains were procreating and raising children.

Chance, or-

Fate.

Faustina sighs as she takes his hand and wraps hers around it, "you and T-" she shakes her head, "as powerful and knowledgeable as you are, you are but one person. And though yes, I do believe a single action can unfold a universe of possibilities and outcomes- I don't believe there was one that could've stopped what happened."

He takes a deep breath before he places his free hand over her's, "I appreciate that. I will admit, the memory of events-" he shakes his head, "they still trouble me at times. I have never really believed I was under the eye of the fates, but now-" he smiles, "I may not have been able to stop anything, but I believe I was compelled to be here to find you. All of you. This amazing family."

Faustina squeezes his hand as she looks up at him with a smile, "and we're all grateful for whatever brought you to us. We'd be lost without your experience and abilities."

He chuckles lightly, "well said my dear. Because perhaps in those regards, but certainly not in many others." He pats her hand, "but I digress and have taken you down my tangent."

"To be fair I may have nudged you in the direction," she shrugs as she gently drops her hands, "it was a rather odd question."

"Not at all, it was rather insightful." He turns to the bucket of fire orbs, "we know where young Deez gets many of her traits that she uses in her own unique way. But Muse touched? That is not a bloodline the three greater gods of Oylmpus have to pass down to their offspring," he tugs at his beard, "though the nine muses are rumored to be the daughters of Zeus."

"Huh," Faustina frowns as she turns back towards the sea.

It always delighted him to see the way their minds worked. To see them take in information and then make the best use of it.

He waits, but when she doesn't move or speak he can't help himself, "what is on your mind?"

"Currently, trying to compose a list of arts and compile them to deduce what the nine inspire, to figure out what the tenth's purpose is…"

He chuckles, "I'm not entirely sure it works that way, though again, I am by no means an expert."

"Oh," Faustina's cheeks darken, "God of Death is just so specific… I assumed they all…" She shakes her head, "if you have books on the topic, may I borrow them please?" She pauses, "after you peruse them that is. I'm sure you too have the desire now."

"I do, and luckily I have more than a few on Deities. I believe more than enough to share and trade as we read."

Faustina smiles, "thank you. I look forward to researching with you."

"Of course," he lightly pats her shoulder, "as do I. I enjoy the thrill of tabling half formed theories for now so that we may make more educated ones in our future discussions."

"I do so love those, and-" Faustina blinks innocently, "it might be the thing that inspires the others to do so as well."

Finally.

Sea gods fucking finally.

The crew and all their guests could at least float and keep their heads above water.

Everyone was back on the ship.

Yensid was focused on the orbs Deez made.

Beam was working with a group to teach basic knife work.

James was doing the same with swords.

Which left them free to spend some time together.

He runs his fingers through his drying hair before he walks into the workroom.

Work cave?

"Love, please be tellin' me ya-"

He looks around the surprisingly dark cave with a frown.

Where were all the candles and burners?

"Faustina?" He calls out as he pulls his flashlight from a pocket.

All the glassware she used was empty, clean, and resting on tables along the wall furthest from openings.

The rest of the tables were clear.

"Faustina? Love?"

Had he missed her somewhere?

He knew Uma planned to go check on the forge, could they have all gone up there?

Heat flares in his cheeks.

They wouldn't do that to him.

Leave him out like that.

Would they?

The beam from his flashlight crosses over the opening to a room on the far side.

Maybe they were asleep?

He grumbles as he works his way to the arch, but stops when he hears a crinkle of paper.

He looks down and immediately takes a step back.

What was Faustina's notebook doing on the ground?

He bends to pick it up, but the light catches sheets of paper scattered on the floor.

What the fuck?

He kneels to add the loose pages to the notebook, but his hand freezes when he sees the drawing.

This was-

He blinks.

This was the first time Faustine stayed in the room with them.

One of Deez's first times.

His eyes travel over the picture greedily.

Wow.

Faustina told him she didn't have a problem with what they did as a family, but he hadn't been sure if she meant it, or if she just thought he wanted her to say it.

But after seeing this?

The details.

The looks.

She really was okay with all of it.

Why else would she draw it?

He picks up the next page, a close up of Uma.

Mmmm. He loved that look.

The way she rolled her bottom lip over her teeth.

The way she looked up from under her thick lashes and hooded eyes.

He takes a deep breath, but it does nothing for the race of his pulse.

His Pirate Princess was talented.

The next page is a close up of him, and it makes him grin.

It wasn't just his face.

She'd sketched the way his hand bunched in the sheets.

The way his leg looked when it was bent at the knee.

And he'd recognize the curve of his own ass anywhere.

There was something very erotic about seeing yourself drawn by the woman you love.

Reluctantly he adds the page to his collection before he picks up a picture of Gil and Deez.

This one looked different, though that could have just been because they were wearing clothes.

He looks around before he smiles.

Ah.

He was pretty sure this was the explanation of where Gil and Deez were.

Little deceptively innocent Fire Princess tugging a slightly confused, but hopeful Sweet Boy behind her to the other room.

He stands up and flashes the light in the other room just enough to see the two sleeping.

At least they'd listened to Uma.

He turns back to his trail of pictures, all too eager to follow the story unfolding on the pages.

And then he finds Faustina.

She was asleep with her pencil still on the page, a half done sketch interrupted by a heavy line trailing through the middle of it.

Uma mentioned she seemed a little jittery when she'd visited earlier, maybe she'd finally worn herself out.

He chuckles quietly as he sets the notebook and stack of art aside and slides down beside her, pulling her to his chest as he wraps one arm around her.

This wasn't the best place to sleep, and she was freezing, but at least it was time he got to hold her.

He'd pick her up eventually.

Take her to the blankets Uma had all set up for them.

She shifts to curl around him before she nuzzles his chest, "My Prince," she murmurs as a smile curves her lips.

He grins.

She talked about him in her sleep.

Did that mean he showed up in her dreams?

Neptune he hoped so.

He inches down more and pulls her closer, resting his hand on the back of her head as he traces patterns on the hand on his chest.

She breathes out softly as her eyes flutter open, "My Prince?" She questions voice thick with sleep.

"Sorry love," he whispers as he runs his fingers through her hair, "I ain'nah meanin' ta wake ya."

She yawns before she nods, "kay." Her eyes close as she curls closer to him with a content smile.

He lightly presses his lips to her head before he settles back.

He spots another page within reach and slowly picks it up.

Well then.

Blood rushes as he looks the drawing over, his eyes lingering on all the tiny details Faustina was able to pack in a single sketch.

He'd heard of other pirates hiding their skin horde. He'd gone out in search of several stashes that claimed to be legendary.

But looking at this?

He couldn't imagine how torn pictures in a grimy magazine could ever compare.

He quickly set the page aside, knowing his current problem would only get worse if he kept searching the image.

And he really didn't want to wake Faustina up.

And it wasn't only because Uma would keelhaul him.

He curls around his Pirate Princess, suddenly too comfortable to even think of joining the others.