sea bass and sunset | renee & toby
There was a lot on this man’s mind. Renee allowed herself to get a good look at him, tilting her head to the side to view his expression more clearly. It was written all over his face – the stress of this new island and whatever else was going on with his life.
The brunette felt her eyebrows knit together in concern, Toby’s voice tugging at her heartstrings. His chuckle didn’t sound earnest in the least, and it only made the lines on her forehead become more prominent as worry settled in. It was like her to be so concerned for someone – even if she’d met them only a few moments ago. She pulled her knees toward her chest, hiding her chin beneath them. “I… I’m not so good with it, either.” A weary smile knitted across her lips as she spoke softly, hoping not to scare him away from divulging his emotions. “It’s the first time being away from my family for me, and… it’s a lot different, being on your own.”
Renee swallowed her embarrassment as she waved a hand toward him, as if she were wiping the conversation away. “S-Sorry, I’m not meaning to make it about me! I… can just relate, I suppose.”
She turned her eyes toward her fishing rod at the same time as him, his change in tone warming up her own expression. “Really? No wonder you knew this spot.” Renee grinned enthusiastically, reeling in her line and holding her rod up –it was beaten and old, but one that she’d brought from home. “It’s the best part! Relaxing while fishing is the best, and the sea breeze feels so nice, and you get to see the evening sun–!!” She paused abruptly, reaching a hand up to fluff her hair while a musical giggle escaped her. “S-Sorry, I got a little carried away.”
The way she curled in on herself, as if physically withdrawing from the stresses around her, did not go unnoticed by the fisherman. He watched her, sympathy tying a knot in his chest, and took another deep breath of the salt-heavy air. They were in the same boat (metaphorically speaking), two little fish in a big, blue, different sea. Unlike her, Toby hadn’t moved from his family--his uncle still called frequently, and he still visited Paolo and let the kid climb all over him. He was still on Leuda, where he’d always been. In that way, her problems felt bigger. He almost felt guilty for his stress.
“It really is different,” he agreed gently, mild smile finding its way back to his sunkissed features. “It’s okay. Don’t be sorry.” It was oddly relaxing to share his issues with another, regardless of his feelings of who was worst off. “Talk as you’d like,” Toby urged tenderly. “It’s not about me, or you. It’s just sharing.”
As Renee’s passion for fishing bubbled over in the form of laughter, Toby couldn’t help but suspect--hope--that they became good friends. Passion was such a beautiful thing, and the way it lit her up, brightened her eyes and her smile... It warmed him, just like the sunlight. He could only hope his passion could have a similar effect on others. “No, I don’t blame you,” he chuckled. “When you sit, and fish, and wait... it makes you see the beauty you might overlook, if you were busy with other things... if that makes sense.” He pushed his lips together and paused a second. “Kind of, um... a ‘stop and smell the roses’ type of thing... Except, more like... fish and smell the... fish, I guess,” he finished with a sheepish laugh.
