A Mermaid for the Lonely

~ Learning to Fish ~

The early morning sun cast a soft, golden glow over the water, and the gentle rocking of Lyam's houseboat created a soothing rhythm. Sirène peeked curiously over the edge of the boat, watching as Lyam prepped his fishing lines. His brow furrowed in concentration, but he was smiling, his excitement infectious as he prepared to teach her something she'd never tried before.

"Alright, I think we're ready," Lyam announced, holding up the fishing rod with a proud grin. He motioned for her to come closer. "Ever used one of these before?"

Sirène shook her head, eyeing the rod skeptically. "Not exactly," she said, leaning in to examine it with a mixture of curiosity and hesitation. "I usually just... swim after fish when I need them."

Lyam chuckled, setting the rod in her hands carefully. "This is a bit different," he explained, guiding her hands to hold it properly. "We'll let the line out and wait for a bite. You have to be patient."

"Patient?" she repeated, frowning slightly. "Fish don't usually wait for you to catch them."

Lyam smiled, finding her slight confusion endearing. "That's part of the challenge. But it's also relaxing in its own way. You'll see."

She watched him demonstrate, releasing the line smoothly into the water with a flick of his wrist. The line sailed out gracefully before settling with a soft plop. Sirène studied his movements carefully, her brow knitting in concentration as she mimicked him. She tried releasing the line herself, but it tangled slightly as it dropped with an awkward splash.

Lyam laughed gently, reaching over to help. "A bit gentler," he said, his hand covering hers as he adjusted her grip. "Like this." He helped her cast again, this time with a smooth, graceful motion, and she beamed, pleased with her progress.

They settled on the edge of the boat, waiting quietly as the waves lapped against the hull. Sirène tapped her fingers against the rod impatiently, her gaze shifting back and forth between the water and Lyam.

"How do you stand it?" she asked, tilting her head. "Just waiting like this, not knowing if anything will happen?"

Lyam chuckled, leaning back with a relaxed sigh. "It's part of the experience," he replied, gazing out at the horizon. "Fishing is about the calm as much as the catch. It lets you clear your mind, think about things, or just... enjoy the quiet."

Sirène softened, watching his face as he spoke. There was a peace in him she hadn't seen before, a stillness that matched the vastness of the sea itself. "I suppose I can understand that," she murmured, glancing out at the endless blue.

They sat together in companionable silence for a while, Lyam's hand occasionally brushing against hers as they waited for a bite. Just as she was starting to get used to the stillness, there was a sudden tug on her line.

Her eyes widened, and she glanced at him in alarm. "Lyam, it's moving!"

"Pull up gently—don't let it go slack," he instructed, his eyes alight with excitement. He reached to guide her hands, but she was too caught up in the moment to notice.

She pulled on the line, her grip tight as the fish fought back, tugging and jerking the rod in her hands. "It's... strong!" she gasped, laughing breathlessly as she struggled to hold onto the rod.

Lyam grinned, laughing along with her. "You've got it! Keep going, just like that!"

With a final pull, she managed to bring the fish up to the surface, its silver scales glinting in the sunlight as it flailed at the end of the line. Sirène stared at it, awe-struck, before glancing back at Lyam, who was beaming with pride.

"See?" he said, his voice filled with encouragement. "You did it."

She looked at the fish, then back at him, a glint of mischievous curiosity in her eyes. "Do I... throw it back now?"

He blinked, stifling a laugh as he shook his head. "Only if you want to. But I was hoping we'd have a meal out of this one."

She tilted her head thoughtfully, then handed the rod back to him with a smile. "I'll let you handle that part, then."

Lyam chuckled, taking the rod from her and securing the fish. He watched her as she leaned back, her eyes still bright with the thrill of the catch. "How was it? Your first time fishing?"

"It was... exciting," she admitted, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I didn't realize it would feel so... alive."

He nodded, setting the fish aside before turning to her, his expression softening. "That's one of the reasons I love it. It's this little connection to the sea, even when I'm not diving in."

They spent the rest of the morning catching a few more fish, Sirène growing more confident with each cast, her laughter ringing out over the water whenever she managed to reel in another. As the sun climbed higher in the sky, they decided to call it a day, their small catch enough for a simple meal.

Back on the boat, Lyam started a small fire on the cooking station he'd set up, the smoky scent of roasting fish filling the air. Sirène sat close by, watching him intently, her fingers tracing small patterns on the wood as she absorbed the peacefulness of their moment.

When the fish was ready, they sat together on the deck, sharing the meal in comfortable silence. Lyam handed her a piece, and she took a tentative bite, her eyes widening as she savored the taste.

"It's... delicious," she said, surprised by how much she enjoyed it.

He grinned, watching her with a warm, contented expression. "I'm glad. It's not every day I get to share this with someone."

She met his gaze, her smile softening. "I'll fish with you anytime, Lyam."

They sat side by side as the day faded, basking in the warmth of the sun and each other's company, finding comfort in the simple joy of learning and living together.