Eira's POV

The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting a golden glow across the island. The soft hum of the algae stream filled the air, a reminder of the life it sustained. Eira knelt by the stream, her fingers trailing through the glowing water. She couldn't stop thinking about how much this island felt like home.

Kian stood nearby, arms crossed as he watched her. His dark eyes were thoughtful, his posture casual, though there was always a tension in him, like he was ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

"So," he began, breaking the silence, "what's the plan?"

Eira looked up at him, shielding her eyes from the sun with her hand. "I want to stay here," she said firmly. "This island is perfect for Lumen. The algae is here, and it feels… safe."

Kian nodded, though his brow furrowed slightly. "If you're staying, you'll need more than just the stream. The algae could drift away again."

"That's why I was thinking of building a dam," Eira said, her voice gaining momentum. "If we can trap the algae and create a small lake, it'll stay here. Lumen won't have to chase it anymore."

Kian's lips quirked into a half-smile. "A dam, huh? That's ambitious."

Eira raised an eyebrow. "You saying I can't do it?"

"No," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I'm saying we can do it."

The work began almost immediately. Kian gathered his crew, a group of hardened sailors with weathered faces and calloused hands, and explained the plan. They were skeptical at first—building a dam wasn't exactly in their wheelhouse—but Kian's authority left little room for argument.

Eira felt a pang of unease as she watched the crew. There was something about the way they looked at Kian, a mix of grudging respect and simmering resentment. She pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on the task at hand.

Together, they began hauling stones and logs to the narrowest part of the stream. Lumen watched from a distance, his glowing form blending with the algae as he lounged in the shade.

"This'll take days," one of the crew muttered as they struggled to lift a particularly large stone.

"Then let's get moving," Kian barked, his voice sharp. He rolled up his sleeves, revealing strong, corded arms, and hefted the stone with ease. Eira couldn't help but stare for a moment, her cheeks warming as she quickly looked away.

"You're blushing," Kian teased as he passed her.

"Am not," she shot back, though her voice lacked conviction.

As the dam began to take shape, Eira's confidence grew. She worked alongside Kian, their movements in sync as they placed stone after stone. Despite the grueling labor, she felt a sense of satisfaction she hadn't experienced in months.

By the third day, the dam was nearly complete. The algae pooled behind it, forming a small, shimmering lake that seemed to pulse with life. Eira decided to name it Azure's Heart, a tribute to its vibrant blue glow.

"This is incredible," Eira said, standing beside Kian as they surveyed their work.

"You're incredible," he replied, his voice low.

She glanced at him, surprised by the sincerity in his tone. For a moment, their eyes met, and the air between them seemed to shift.

Eira cleared her throat, breaking the tension. "We still need to build a hut."

The hut construction was a group effort, though Eira took the lead. She sketched a simple design: a one-room structure with enough space for her and Lumen. The crew worked tirelessly, chopping wood and weaving palm fronds for the roof.

By the end of the week, the hut stood proudly near Azure's Heart. It was modest but sturdy, with a wooden frame and walls lined with woven reeds. Inside, Eira arranged a cot, a small table, and shelves for storage.

"It's perfect," she said, running her hands over the smooth wooden surface of the table.

Kian leaned against the doorway, watching her with a small smile. "You're easy to please."

"When you've had nothing for months, this feels like a palace," she replied, her tone light.

Kian chuckled, though his expression grew serious. "You've done more than survive out here, Eira. You've built a life. That's not easy."

Eira looked at him, her chest tightening. "I couldn't have done it without you."

The words hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning. Kian opened his mouth to respond, but one of his crew called out, breaking the moment.

With the hut complete, Eira turned her attention to starting a small farm. She cleared a patch of land near the hut, tilling the soil with a makeshift hoe. Kian's crew helped plant seeds—herbs, vegetables, and even a few fruit trees.

The work was hard, but it filled Eira with a sense of purpose. She imagined the farm growing lush and green, a symbol of her resilience and determination.

"Think you'll miss the wild life?" Kian asked one evening as they sat by the stream, watching the glowing algae ripple in the water.

Eira shook her head. "Not at all. This feels right."

Kian studied her, his dark eyes unreadable. "You've got a strength about you, Eira. A fire. It's… rare."

She looked at him, her cheeks warming. "I think you're giving me too much credit."

"Not at all," he said, his voice soft. "I've met a lot of people in my life, but none like you."

The sincerity in his words took her breath away. She opened her mouth to respond, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, she looked away, her heart pounding in her chest.

As the sun set on Azure's Heart, Eira sat outside her hut, watching the last rays of light fade into the horizon. Lumen lay beside her, his glowing body a comforting presence.

Kian approached, his silhouette outlined by the golden light. He carried a plate of food, which he handed to her without a word.

"Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded, sitting down beside her. For a while, they sat in silence, the only sounds the gentle hum of the algae and the distant calls of seabirds.

Eira glanced at Kian, her heart heavy with unspoken words. She didn't know what the future held, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like she wasn't facing it alone.