Alex awoke, the sun was in his eyes, but that wasn’t what had woken him. There was a splashing sound again, Alex rolled over and gazed towards the river. The fire had gone out in the night, but the coals were still warm, a thin spool of smoke snaked into the sky. Past the fire, Lilly sat at the edge of the river, hand poised to strike. Her tail shone in the sun, it's reddish fur and white tip. Her ears were alert, her eyes on the water.
Alex sat up, he watched as, suddenly she struck at the water. A smile tugged at Alex’s lips, she had once again come up empty-handed. Alex got to his feet, snagging the bag from beside the campfire, he walked silently to her side. He watched as she tried again, she was leaning in just the right way for her shadow to not trail over the water.
“You can’t catch fish with the skills of a fox while in the body of a human.” Alex spoke up, she jumped, her tail-fur spiked up and her ears laid flat. She turned quick, but relaxed as she saw him, grabbing her tail and smoothing the fur down in a fluent motion that made it seem like she hadn’t planned on attacking her surpriser.
“I’ve almost caught one.” She mumbled, causing Alex to chuckle, she swiped at him as a reward.
“Ok ok, here I’ll help you.” Alex admitted defeat, he got to his feet and leaped the river, he barely made it, one of his feet slipped into the stream. Alex gasped, it was cold, he shook his foot off and headed towards the bamboo growing in the streambed. He broke a piece off and dug through the bag he carried, pulling out some metal string-like material, there was a good material for making a hook as well, and pliers to bend it with.
Alex got to work, bending and tying, his finished product was a make-shift fishing pole. He leaped back over the river and sat down beside her, She was watching him closely. He dug his fingers into the dirt, fishing around for worms, he came up empty-handed. Alex gazed around for a moment before crawling over to a medium-sized rock, he rolled it over, several different species of bugs skittered away. Lilly made a squeaking sound, receiving another chuckle from Alex, the only reason he didn’t get swiped at again was that he was too close to the bugs for her comfort.
“Really? You fought those giant ants in the cave.” Alex exclaimed, digging his fingers into the dirt, chasing a worm that was trying to escape.
“That’s different, those were the size of a large dog, more like weird mammals than insects.” Lilly replied, inching away from him, Alex shrugged as he ripped the worm from its haven.
“Here, I’ll show you how to catch fish like a human, you know fish like worms right?” Alex asked, she shook her head, snorting in annoyance. She sounded upset, but her tail showed she wasn’t angry, her ears stuck straight up showing alertness but the real betrayer of her emotions was her eyes, they sparkled with affection and happiness.
“You have to hook the worm so that when the fish go to eat it, they get hooked too.” Alex explained, she watched as he threaded the worm on the hook, nodding and slowly moving back to sit beside him. He tossed the line in the water, sliding the pole into her hands, he settled beside her.
After a while of no bites Alex laid his head on her shoulder, of course, it was at that moment that the wire-rope bobbed.
“Quick yank the pole upwards.” Alex hissed, she reacted, immediately doing as he asked. After she yanked on the pole, the line began to pull, she pulled in response. “I think you got one!” She pulled, yanking the fish onto the bank, it was a large fish. It was blue and green reflective, it had a tail flipper like a dolphin rather than a normal Earth fish. It had three eyes as well, two on each side and one in the middle of what you’d call it’s face. It’s mouth was normal though, and from the looks Lilly was giving it, it probably wasn’t weird for this world.
“Good job!” Alex exclaimed, holding out his hand, she took it and he hoisted her to her feet. “Most people don’t catch a fish on their first try.”
“It’s my instincts.” She replied, confidently, Alex nodded but couldn’t stop from smiling. He helped her unhook the fish, Alex wrapped up the rod and slid it in the backpack. She hurried over to their campsite and began trying to reignite the fire. He followed shortly after, snatching a few sticks from the ground as he went.
“Here.” Alex spoke quieter as Marshal was still asleep, the sticks helped relight the fire and soon the fish was roasting.

Alex pulled the fish off the fire, and skewered it on a wooden stick, he crossed the campsite to where Lilly was sitting on a log staring at the large metal gates.
“It’s done.” Alex announced as he sat down beside her.
“How’s it taste?” She asked, her eyes still on the river, he smiled as he took her face in his hands and turned it towards him. Her skin was soft, but not as soft as her lips when he kissed her.
“Oh.” She replied, startled, “Thank you?”
“You caught it, so why would I be the one to take the first bite?” Alex asked, offering her the fish. She smiled, taking it from him, “Of course.”
Lilly took a large bite and a smile lit up her face, “It’s delicious!” She exclaimed, handing it to Alex who took his own bite. It was tender but full of flavor.
“Mmmhm, this is pretty good.” Alex replied, “Quite the catch.” Lilly straightened with the praise. “Don’t get a big head or anything, It’s just fish.” Alex teased.
“What are you two doing?” Marshal exclaimed causing Lilly to jump and the fish went sailing into the river.
“What’s with you, you’ve been on high alert since the jet exploded.” Alex pointed out, getting to his feet. He wasn’t angry, no, he was concerned. She only smiled and shook her head.
“I’m worried.” Lilly replied, but that was all she said, getting to her feet instead. She pressed her head against Alex’s chest, he sighed and wrapped his arms around her.
“This is probably rude, but your moments of weakness are the cutest.” Alex told her; she giggled, pushing away from him, the worry gone. Alex spread a fake smile across his face and chuckled with her, sometimes you have to hide your inner feelings to keep everyone else happy.
“Come on let’s go.” Marshal waved them over, Alex mounted his bike after Marshal mounted his own. Lilly hopped onto the back of Alex’s, her arms wrapped around him and her lips rested on his neck. “Let’s go.” She whispered, a shiver rippled goosebumps down his spine, this time the smile was real.
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