Shoreline

6

While Ava slept Arthur read some of her books that she had written, he came to undertsand how passionate she was, and how she was ready to do what she could to save the seas and this was something he came to admire. He put the book down and gazed at her, he gently stroked a finger against her cheek, Ava began to stir and her eyes opened and met his. "Why are you staring at me?" she asked.

"Because you interest me," he said.

"I interest you?" she asked as she sat up slowly.

"Yes, I love how you have so much care for living creatures and the world around you." he answered.

"Well I have to do my part even if no one else is willing to bother." She said.

"You would have made a great Atlantean," he told her.

"Really? You think so?" She quizzed him.

"Yes," he said getting out of his chair and gently lay on the bed next to her.

"Erm did I ask you to lay on the bed with me?" She asked turning towards him.

"No, but here I am." He said gesturing to himself.

"And here you're not," she said and tried pushing him off the bed but failed and he remained, Arthur chuckled to himself.

"That was a waste of time wasn't it?" He mocked her.

"Worth a shot," she said and rolled her eyes.

"Do you not want me around?" He asked.

"Of course I do." She said, he moved closer but Ava slowly shuffled up the bed herself.

"Then why do you move away from me?" He inquired.

"Because I don't want you that close!" She exclaimed.

"Fine," he huffed, stood up and walked out of the room.

"Arthur!" She called, he didn't listen, he kept walking to his truck, he got in and drove to the lighthouse.

"Well done Ava, you idiot!" She cursed herself and rested her  hand on her forehead, she sighed and then lay down on the bed drifting off to sleep. Mera was stood in the garden and watched as Arthur left she could tell he was angry and so followed him home, she stood on the pier and as he emerged from his truck ran to him.

"Why did you leave her?! She needs your protection." She told him.

"Really? It seems she doesn't even want me in the same house as her!" He snarled and pointed to her house.

"You just have to be gentle with her, you're an admirer you need to take your time." She's not going anywhere except the ocean." Mera said.

"I see." He answered. "You may be right, perhaps running out on her wasn't the right thing to do."

"No it wasn't, but she's vulnerable now." Mera said and disappeared into the ocean. Arthur looked back at her house and then at the lighthouse and decided to return once he had calmed down. Ava was still asleep when she suddenly woke up as she thought she heard her front door open but it was just her paranoia, she slowly pulled herself out of the bed, she was in agony but she was strong and pushed through it. She walked to the kitchen and made herself a hot drink and grabbed a handful of painkillers.

She glanced at the lighthouse before returning to bed to rest.