[It's a testament to how far he's come that he doesn't shrink away instinctively, that his face even lights up a bit when she shows him a kind of affection, a comfortable intimacy he isn't used to receiving, even if he still feels like he's taking baby steps.]

I've... never thought of fishing that way. But you're right. [It's a kind of work that involves patience, luck, and a lot of life lessons along the way. He's a city boy through and through and he never really had that with his family, sketchy as his memories are of such a long time ago.] If you've done all you can, you've done all you can. It's always enough, even if the day doesn't choose to meet you halfway.

For what it's worth though, I've-- had a really good day. [He flashes her a small smile, and moves out of her way so she can finish with the sausage while he eyeballs the biscuits.] Well, night and morning, at least. [He should probably pop back upstairs and find his clothes soon, but he'll finish helping out in the kitchen first. And by 'helping' he means mostly not getting in her way.] You're going to have to kick me out at this rate. Although hopefully I'll be dressed before then.