A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop.

Over the course of the day, the two of them had moved out further since none of the fish were biting. (F/n) was mainly convinced that only clinglobs lived by the shore of the lake. She now stood on some rocks that peeked out from the deeper water. The middle of the lake was still far off, but if she fell in, there would probably be some good distance between the surface and floor of the lake. If the water was clearer, she would feel better about it, but she doubted that Will could influence the water to be so.

Seating herself on the rocks, she looked over to Will, who stood several feet away from her. She maintained a close eye on him in case he tried to push her in to get payback for earlier. He falling in, though, wasn't even her fault. Thankfully, he looked more focused on fishing for the moment.

As silence was about to continue, she decided to take a risk. "Will, that book of children's tales ... was it really your sister's?"

Instead of one of his cheery responses, he asked in an unnerving calm voice, "What do you mean?"

"You said it was your sister's, but when you mentioned that, you had a different tone in your voice. Usually, you're in a more optimistic mood when you talk about her despite all the complaining her friends and she make about your food. For the book, you seemed like you had recalled something unpleasant." When he didn't answer but tightened his grip around the fishing rod, she quickly added, "I'm sorry. It's none of my business. My curiosity got the better of me."

Taking a seat himself, he shook his head. "It's quite alright. I just made myself too obvious. I should've known that you would've suspected something. There's also the fact that you do observe me quite closely. You still don't trust me. Then again, who would immediately trust a man out in the middle of the woods?" He pushed his left fingers back through his hair.

Meeting her gaze, he sent a small smile her way as if to say that he was alright. She wondered, though, if he was debating to kill her then and there. "The book ... wasn't my sister's. It belonged to a childhood friend of mine. Unfortunately, they passed away ten years ago in an ... accident." As the word accident slipped past his lips, she noted pure rage burning in his eyes. It reminded her of Tarhuinn's look whenever he became inflamed.

When it vanished, she responded softly, "I apologize for asking. That must've been rough on you."

"It was," he simply answered. "You didn't know, though. There's no need to apologize. I had you explain your rough marriage to me. It's to be expected that I give you some more information about me."

"Would you like me to not read the book again, then? I wouldn't want to ruin something with precious memory value to it."

"No, I'd rather you utilize it. I haven't read its contents in awhile, so it's good to see it in use. I'm sure that my friend would've wished for that. Besides, I like you. I haven't laughed like I've laughed with you in quite some time. For that reason, I'd like you to read it even more."

His words took her a little off guard, and she didn't know what to say to them. She didn't like him back. If anything, she was just happy that she had received more information from him. There was the possibility that it wasn't true, but that angered gaze of his suggested otherwise. To her, that was no act, and something more than an accident must have happened to this childhood friend.

"Thank you, then." She fell silent afterwards. Out of the corners of her eyes, she still watched him. Since he was aware of her past observations, he probably could feel her current stare. His focus seemingly remained on the lake. Biting her lower lip, she didn't know whether she should say something else, but a tug on her fishing rod caught her full attention.

The supposed fish tugged harder, causing her to stand to her feet. It pulled more, and she planted her feet firmly to the rocks. She started to back up some, but the fish continued its fight to swim away. Swiftly, Will set his rod on the rocks and ran over. He stood behind her, resting his hands over hers and gripped the rod in the process. Will jerked his hands back with hers.

A trout was brought out of the water and landed on the rocks with them. Will gave her a congratulatory pat on the back before he crouched down and unhooked the fish. He kept it from hopping back into the water. "Looks like we have dinner now, but let's see if we can catch a few more," he voiced as his grin was back.

(F/n) remained hesitant, so she simply nodded in response. She grabbed another piece of bait from the bucket and attached it to the rod before putting the hook back in the water. After Will tossed the fish into an empty bucket for catches, he rested his right hand on her left upper arm. "Don't feel guilty about asking me that question. Let's just enjoy the rest of the day. We should be joyful; we have an amazing meal ahead of us."

"You're right." Brining a smile to her lips, she exclaimed, "Let's see who can catch more fish! I've already bested you with one."

"Well, we still have most of the afternoon left to us. I can still beat you."

No bets were placed, but both of them had forgotten them in the first place. If anyone were to walk by, they would find two individuals glaring at the water and asking a fish to come. The competition became more of a waiting game and hoping that the fish would choose their hook over their competitor's.

It was odd, though, for (f/n). She didn't think that she would end up in a friendly competition with a dangerous mage. There was also a genuine smile on her face since she was having fun. Will seemed to be in a similar condition. A grin covered his lips, and he kept chanting for the fish to choose his hook. He looked like a little kid, but she probably appeared the same.

Perhaps, this is how he was with his childhood friend. If that were the case, she might have decent odds at getting him to come with her. By Will permitting her to read that book further, it might mean that she was on the right path. She was getting on his good side. The question remained of whether that was enough, however. If it wasn't, she would be at a loss, and she might have to go down that other route.

In the end, the score was three to two, with her in the lead. Setting the end of her rod down, she rested her right hand on her hip and smirked victoriously. "Looks like I win. And already, the apprentice has surpassed the master. I'm looking forward to this amazing fish dinner that you've promised."

"It would appear that I'll have to accept that." He picked up the fish and bait bucket. "I'll put everything inside. It looks like it's about to rain soon, so you should head inside. Otherwise, that dress of yours might be too revealing for you."

Heat touched her cheeks as droplets of rain began to fell. Right now, it was a light sprinkle, but that could change shortly. She huffed and handed her rod to him roughly. "Pervert," she mumbled as she walked by. (F/n) was careful on the rocks, though, since she didn't desire to fall into the chilly water. His typical chuckle sounded, but she kept her gaze forward.

By the time that she reached the front door, it had begun to pour. Quickly, she went inside and closed the door behind her. She pushed strands of her (h/c) hair back before she placed some wood in the fireplace and started it. Will came in shortly after. Unlike her, though, he was soaked. He seemed pleased to have the fire going, but he headed into the bedroom. "Should I leave the door open for you?" he asked as he set the bucket of fish by the doorway.

Frowning, she countered, "Would you like to meet your dinner early?"

Holding his hands up in surrender, he laughed before he shut the door behind him. She finished with the fire and seated herself in her regular chair. (F/n) would've brought the fish over to the counter, but she would keep to her prize. Besides, she didn't want to be anywhere near him when he had a knife in his hand. The dagger in her boot, however, did provide her some comfort.

Remembering the dagger did bring a frown to her lips. It reminded her that Tarhuinn was left in the pixie camp and probably worried sick about her, yet she had been laughing earlier that day. She was making jokes with a man that would eventually try to kill and eat her. (F/n) wished to go to her husband and apologize; she desired to tell him that she was laughing because some of events had been genuinely hilarious and not because she was growing closer to Will.

Her right hand reached down to her boot, and she patted the side of it lightly. Soon, she would be able to go back to him. The max time that she would allow herself to stay here was a week, but she believed that it would be shorter than that. A couple more days and Will would hopefully be willing to come with her. "Just wait a little longer for me," she whispered as though Tarhuinn would hear her.