It was a week later when Ivan brought home a knife for Mattie, specially made. Not that he wanted it to be more of a gift rather than a form of protection, but he wanted it to be suited for her personally. The metal had been exchanged for whalebone, it was not as strong, however it would not grow dull from salt water and it was lightweight.

The belt he got for it was made of the same material as rope, just in a shape that would be more comfortable to wear. If it were worn around her waist instead of her hips, then her dorsal fin would stop it should it start to slip. Mattie was surprised it was made from bone but decided that she liked it better this way and she was pleased with the way the belt fit.

)*(

The weather got colder after another two weeks. Winter was just around the corner and Ivan was back to fishing solo. He only sold fish if there were any good-sized ones but he mainly just fished for Mattie and himself. They were well stocked for the winter. Ivan wasn't the least bit worried about food or warmth. It was the boredom he was worried about; this was going to be his first winter since he was a child that he didn't need to work to get through the frozen season. He had already had trouble trying to come up for something to do during his free time.

Ivan had even asked Mattie if there was something that she wanted to try for a hobby and he would pick it up for her; she said sewing. He decided that he would try carving; he already knew how to work with larger pieces of wood and he liked to work with his hands.

The ladies around town and some of the younger girls had started teaching Mattie how to sew and make things like dolls lately to give her something to do while she had been recovering. She'd gotten her stitches removed by this point and could move around and lift things again, but she was still taking it easy for now.

However to Ivan's irritation, he had gotten sick. The runny nose, sneezing, coughing, annoying kind; a cold. Ivan didn't think that Mattie could catch it though, which was the only good thing about it. She'd been confused and rather worried at first before Ivan had explained it to her. After that, she'd relaxed a little but still seemed to worry.

"It will pass, no need to worry." Ivan coughed, his voice a little hoarse.

"I know, you've told me before, but I can't help but worry at least a little." She says with a slight smile.

Ivan just smiled, he knew all too well. But a day later Ivan got a fever and could barely walk about without falling over. Mattie fussed and fretted over him then. She tried to keep him in bed for most of the day and did her best to make things for them when it was time to eat. She was able to successfully make some porridge because she'd watched Ivan make it so many times. She burned her left hand a little in the process, but tried to keep the fact that she'd done so a secret from him for the time being.

The fever only continued to get worse; Ivan had ended up fainting when he had gotten up to go to the bathroom, collapsing to the floor.

That had upset her quite a bit since she'd been in the main room cooking at the time and all she'd heard was a thud. Mattie ended up burning herself again in her rush to take things off the burner and make the stove safe to leave alone before rushing into the other room to find Ivan on the floor. She could've sworn her heart leaped into her throat and she'd feared the worst before realizing that he was still breathing.

It'd taken her a few good minutes to calm down after she'd checked for injuries. She'd then remained by his side on the floor and didn't relax until he'd woken up.

)*(

Ivan blinked slowly as he awoke and was confused as to why he was on the floor. "How...? When did I?" His head was spinning and he realized that he still needed to relieve himself.

"You fell I think. I was cooking and heard a thump and found you on the floor." Mattie says with a worried frown on her face. "Are you okay? How do you feel?"

"Mattie?" Ivan didn't even know she was there. "I need to piss." He groaned and sat up slowly, too sick to care if it was too much information.

"Do you need help up?"

"That would be nice, thank you." Ivan took the help.

Mattie helped him up and then helped him into the bathroom. He shooed her away afterwards, having enough sense for that. Once he was done he stepped out to lie down on the frost-covered grass. It felt like needles at first, but slowly he was cooling down. She was fretting and followed him outside, crouching down next to him.

"You should go back inside. It's cold out." He mumbled before coughing. She frowned and went back inside for less than a minute before she returned with a blanket wrapped around her. She then went back to crouching next to him in worry.

"It's just a fever. It's easy to handle if I stay cool."

"I don't care, I'm staying right here." To further prove her point she shifted the blanket around so she could sit on the ground without getting too cold. He gave her a weak smile before closing his eyes, shivering every now and then.

"You shouldn't get too cold either." She mumbles unhappily, moving closer to him.

"I don't feel cold Mattie, the shakes are from my fever."

"… That's not going to stop me from worrying." She pulled the blanket tight around herself.

"I know..."

She sat there quietly, though after a few minutes she tried to subtly press her burns to the frost covered grass without him noticing she was doing it, hoping the coldness would ease the burns.

The cold made Ivan's nose worse and his coughing more painful. After a few minutes she held the blanket close with her left hand and gently tugged his sleeve with her right hand. "Let's go back inside."

"All right." He said unhappily and stood up carefully, not wanting to fall over.

She stood and was quick to help support him so he wouldn't fall over. She then gently ushered him to the table and went to the stove to reheat the now cold porridge for them to eat.

Ivan smiled. "Once this is over, if you like, I can teach you how to cook."

She smiled weakly and nodded. "Yes please. This is all I can really make and only because I've watched you make it so much."

"It is a simple thing, but I'd rather eat it cold if you don't mind."

She nodded and served it to him cold before heating her own up and then sitting down with him to eat her own. She was careful to keep her burns out of sight. Ivan took notice that she was holding things awkwardly. "Mattie. May I see your hands?"

She paused in her eating and slowly put her spoon down before holding out her right hand for him to see. Ivan held her hand gently and looked it over before looking for her left. "Now the other one."

She slowly held her hand out in a loose fist but had the cloth of her dress pulled down over it so it was hidden. Ivan grabbed her wrist and pulled the sleeve away. He looked over the girl's hand before flipping it over to see her palm. Then he saw the burns. They were not horrible, but they still made him sad to see. "Why did you try to hide this from me? Do you fear me?"

She shook her head quickly, looking down at her lap. "No… I didn't want you to have to worry about it while you were sick." She mumbles sadly. "I just wanted you to be able to rest and relax without needing to worry about anything… that's all..."

"Hiding from me will make me worry." He let go of her injured hand in favor of the other. He kissed her hand softly and then brought it his face to nuzzle.

"I'm sorry…" Mattie says softly, pulling back her injured hand and letting him kiss and nuzzle her other one.

His face was hot and her hand just felt cool on his skin. " 's alright, I understand."

She looked up and gently pressed the palm of her hand to his cheek. "You still feel really hot." She says softly in worry. "Would a towel and cold water help any…?" She asks, suggesting the first thing that had come to mind.

He blinked at her with dizzy eyes. "I t'ink?"

She sighed softly. "Eat your porridge. I'll get cold water after you're back in bed. Okay?"

"No, stay."

"I can go get water on my own Ivan." She pulled her hand back and went back to eating her own porridge.

He felt so dizzy that he had a hard time eating, but he ate every last bite. When he was done eating she helped him stand and walked him into the bedroom. She gently ushered him into bed and tucked him in.

Ivan whined and kicked the covers off like a child. She smiled softly and leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead. "Stay in bed and rest. I'll be back soon."

"Mattie..." He reached out for her.

She put her right hand in his and squeezed it gently. "Rest." She coos softly. "I'm going to get cold water to make you feel better okay? I'll be right back."

He weakly nodded and lay down, but pulled at his clothes uncomfortably. He was sweating from the fever.

"Good." She smiled softly and left the house with a pail and her knife and belt. She quickly went all the way down to the water's edge and scooped up cold water with the pail and then walked home as quickly as she could without spilling the water.

When she came back, Ivan had discarded his pants to the floor, leaving him in his underwear and shirt. Mattie was a bit surprised to see that but came in and set the pail down by the bed before going and getting a towel. "I'm back Ivan." She says softly as she folded the towel up to be a long strip and then dunked it into the cold water. She then pulled it out and wrung it out some before putting it on his forehead.

He flinched. "Cold..."

"I know it is." She spoke in a soft, soothing voice. "It should help your fever go away sooner though, so leave it there, okay?"

"Okay." He moved a little trying to get comfortable.

"I'll be right back." She left the room momentarily to get her sewing stuff and then sat on the edge of the bed and worked on that quietly. He drifted to sleep for a short while, but started to toss and turn; breathing heavily from the fever.

She took the towel off and re-soaked it and wrung it out a bit before putting it back on his forehead. " 'urts... hurts." He whimpered and hugged his sides.

"What hurts?" She asks softly, pressing the back of her cool hand to his cheek.

"Fire."

She pulled her hand back for a moment before placing both lightly on his arms. "There's no fire right now Ivan." She says gently.

"I didn't mean to. I didn't mean to." His whispering was becoming more fearful and his eyes were screwed shut. "P-please… Please... Not fire. Not fire."

That made Mattie's heart just ache to hear. "It's all right Ivan." She coos in a soothing tone, grabbing the towel and dunking it in the water again. Mattie unfolded it and wrung only a little bit of it out this time so it wasn't dripping and then gently moved his arm away so she could push up his shirt and gently lay the cold towel on his left side, thinking perhaps it would help to cool off where he'd been burned in the past. "There's no fire."

Ivan practically screamed in agony. His body was burning up from the fever so the cold cloth felt more like ice, but it was his thoughts that had the feeling confused with fire. His eyes weren't even open to see what was going on as he thrashed about in defense of the phantom pain.

She in turn shrieked and jumped in surprise, her eyes going wide. She'd quickly pulled the towel off and dropped it off to the side and hugged him tightly, trying to keep him from thrashing too much. "I'm sorry." She whimpers, her lips near his ear. She continued to apologize as tears welled up and started to drip from her eyes. She hadn't meant to hurt him more! She'd been trying to help but she only seemed to make it worse.

Ivan slowly stopped thrashing and just lay there panting and shaking. " 'm sorry, 'm sorry..."

"Shh, shh. It's okay Ivan. It's okay." She whispers, still hugging him. He opens his eyes for a moment, trying to look at her before they flutter closed and his body goes completely limp. She stayed where she was for a few minutes after that, just calming and collecting herself.

When she'd stopped crying, she pulled back and wiped her face off before leaning down and getting the towel. She slowly folded it up again and dunked it in the water, wringing it out well before placing it back on his forehead.

She then set her sewing to the side and got a washcloth and dunked it in the water before wrapping it around her burns to keep them cool. After that, she got some blankets from her room and made a little nest of sorts for herself on the floor beside the bed and curled up in it quietly.

She'd get up from time to time to get the towel damp again but aside from that she just lay there and ended up taking a nap for a while on accident.

)*(

Ivan awoke early the next morning; the sun wasn't even up yet, but he felt sick, like he was going to be sick. He stumbled out of bed, nearly falling into his dresser. He weaved around walls and furniture until he was outside. The frozen air felt wonderful and horrid at the same time. Ivan was not three steps from the door when his stomach had had enough and he heaved over, bracing himself on his knees.

Mattie was asleep in a chair on the other side of the bed. Hunched over and using her arms as a pillow, she was so tired from staying up practically all night that she didn't wake up right away. She woke up from all the bumping around Ivan had done and straightened up groggily, blinking in surprise when Ivan wasn't in bed.

She got out of her chair and walked out to see the front door open and peeked her head outside. "Ivan…?" She asks sleepily.

Ivan's stomach was empty now and he dry heaved a few times before he could answer her. "Mattie..."

She stepped outside into the cold. "Are you okay…?"

"I'm... feeling better now." He stood up straight and turned to walk back into the house. "Though a glass of water would be good."

She nodded and stepped back inside to let him in, closing the door behind them. She then went and got him a glass of water and brought it to him.

"Thank you." The cold air from outside was already beginning to wear off.

She nods and stifles a yawn before reaching up to feel his forehead; Ivan's fever was still dangerously hot and made Mattie frown in worry.

Once the water was gone Ivan gave her the cup back. "I'm going back to bed."

She nodded and took the cup, putting it back down. "Is it all right if I go into town later when it's light out?" She asks softly.

"I'll go with you." He mumbles, his throat killing him.

"No." She shook her head quickly. "I meant is it all right if I go into town on my own later."

"Mattie."

"Please? I'll take my knife and be extra careful." She pleads. "I just want to go to the doctor's and ask if they've got anything to make your fever go down and then I'll come right back home."

"... As long as you don't go anywhere where there are little to no people." He sighs. "Promise me you will be quick and to wake me up before you leave. If you don't come back within a half hour, I'm coming to find you."

She nodded. "Promise!"

"Thank you..."

She nods again and gently ushers him back into bed. She then sat down and picked the towel up off the floor and dunked it in the water, wringing it out before placing it back on his forehead. "Does that feel a little better?" She asks softly.

"What feels— oh, yes... it feels nice Mattie." He says softly, trying to keep his mind in place.

She smiles a little. "Good… I've been wetting the towel every so often to try to keep you at least somewhat cool but I don't think it's been very useful…"

"I'm sure it's helping somehow."

She smiled weakly. "I hope so. Now get some rest, I'll wake you before I leave later."

"I will." He mumbles before slowly falling asleep.

)*(

Mattie napped for a while as well, waiting until about eight o'clock before she gently woke Ivan up. She had her knife in her belt and some coins in her pocket in case the doctor wanted payment. "Ivan, I'm heading off now."

Ivan could only faintly nod. He couldn't speak; his throat was too dry. She made sure to leave him a cup of water where he could get it and re-wet the towel before hurrying out of the house and into town. She went very quickly to make sure she wasn't in any areas alone and soon got to the doctor's where she knocked on the door.

It took a few minutes before the door was answered. The doctor did not look like he was in a good mood this morning. "Can I help you?"

"I apologize if I woke you, but do you have anything to bring down a bad fever?" She asks with a worried and apologetic expression.

"Depends on the fever." He crossed his arms.

"Ivan caught a cold and then he got a fever and he's had the fever for about three days now and it's not going down any."

"Ivan?" The man look slightly surprised for a moment. "You sure it's a cold? Not an infection?"

"I don't know. He said it was a cold. He has a stuffy, runny nose and he's been coughing too and just this morning he um… emptied the contents of his stomach outside when it was still dark out. " She frowned in worry. "I've been dipping a towel in cold water and putting it on his forehead to try to help the fever, but it doesn't seem to be helping any."

"That man has gotten so many wounds I'm surprised he hasn't died from blood poison." He scoffed.

"Do you have anything to help with the fever or not?" She repeats, ignoring the doctor's comment.

The man, despite being shorter than her, glares into her eyes. "I do. But I do not give out important medicine for free."

"I know. I brought this much." She says, pulling the coins out of her pocket and holding them in the palm of her left hand. "And if that's not enough I also brought this..." She pulls out a small pearl she'd gotten on her last pearl dive before it got too cold out and held it in the palm of her right hand.

"Coins are enough. Wait here." He slammed the door shut. She nodded and pocketed the pearl before waiting patiently. Five minutes later he returned with a tiny bag. "Here, use it like you would tea. One tablespoon in the morning and a teaspoon before bed. Best to drink it with food, it tastes bad either way."

She nodded, handing him the coins and taking the bag and putting it in her pocket. "Thank you!" She says smiling before turning and running off home quickly.

)*(

When she got home, she put the pearl, her knife, and her belt back where they belonged and put the medicine bag in a safe spot. She then walked into Ivan's room, where he lay in the bed fading in and out of consciousness, seeing things that weren't there. "Ivan, I'm back." She calls out softly, returning to his side.

"Who...?" Ivan gave a surprised look when he saw her.

She gave a slightly puzzled look as she sat down on the edge of the bed. "It's me, Mattie."

"Mattie. Sorry, it's hard to see you." Everything was in waves and moving, but it was just because he couldn't focus or keep his head up. "When did we get on a boat?"

Mattie sighed softly, re-wetting the towel and putting it on his forehead before answering. "We're not on a boat. You've just got a bad fever."

"Right, I forgot." He mumbled.

"Are you hungry at all?" She asks gently. "I've got medicine from the doctor, but he says you should have it with food."

"A little?"

She smiled softly. "That's good. Stay right here and I'll go make some porridge and get the medicine."

"Okay, be careful Mattie. I don't want you to burn yourself again."

"I will. You just stay in bed, okay?"

He gives a small nod. "Will be here."

"Good." She nodded as well and went to make porridge and mix up the right amount of medicine in hot water. She waited until the water was cool enough to drink and the porridge was done and cooled some before coming back into the room and setting the items on the dresser. "Can you sit up on your own or do you need help?" She asks gently.

Ivan was able to sit up, but swayed on the spot and it only made him feel dizzier. She sat beside him and steadied him, giving him a few minutes to get a little less dizzy before reaching and taking the cup of medicine. "This is going to taste really bad, but I'd like for you to drink all of it please." She says softly, holding the cup to his lips. She didn't want to hand it to him if he could possibly drop it.

He was hesitant because the medicine smelled rank, but it was Mattie who was asking and he couldn't say no. He took a small sip, just to taste how bad it really was, he felt like he was going to be sick again and coughed in disgust.

"Just drink it all at once and then you can have porridge to get the taste out of your mouth." She says with an apologetic look. Ivan frowned with a look that said please don't make me do it.

"Please?" She asks softly. "It will help you get better."

He groaned and gave a tiny "Fine." before he let Mattie help him drink it down. Ivan held his hand up to stop her a few times when it became to much and he thought he was going to puke. He didn't and when it was all gone he was really looking forward to the porridge. She put the cup down and grabbed the bowl of porridge and offered him a spoonful.

Ivan took the offering but bit down on the spoon so she couldn't take it back. She frowned softly. "Let go of the spoon Ivan."

"No." He grumbled and tried to take the spoon from her, but as weak as he was it was a harder task that it should have been.

"Would you like to feed yourself?"

"Yes, you'll be too slow and I really can't take the taste in my mouth anymore."

"Okay then." She says smiling a little and letting go of the spoon.

Ivan took the spoon and the bowl and quickly ate. He had a stomachache when he was done but he didn't care, the horrid taste was pretty much gone.

"Better?" She asks, taking the bowl and spoon back when he was done.

"Better. I don't want to do that again."

"Actually… there's more. You're supposed to have a tablespoon of it in the morning and then a teaspoon of it before bed at night." She says with an apologetic look.

"What?" Ivan looked horrified.

She nodded. "You're supposed to take it until your fever is gone."

"I hope it leaves now then." He grumbles and lies back down.

She smiles weakly. "As do I."

)*(

Ivan's fever was down within an hour and he had a clearer head. She checked on him and put a hand on his forehead. "Your fever is going down." She says with a smile.

"Yeah..." Ivan didn't look up at her, keeping his eyes on the wall and the covers up high.

"How are you feeling?" She asks tilting her head curiously.

"Better I guess."

"That's good." She smiled softly. "Do you need anything?"

"Some water would be good."

She nodded and went and got him a glass of water. Ivan waited, wondering if he had said or done anything in the past day or so. He didn't really remember from his fever being so high, but the last time this happened his Grandfather had told him how he had acted. It was embarrassing.

She came back with a glass of water. "Can you sit up on your own or would you like help?"

"I can do it on my own." Ivan held his hand out for the cup after sitting up.

"Okay." She nodded and handed him the cup. After the water was gone, Ivan sat there in an awkward silence for a good while.

"I... I didn't do anything weird did I?"

"No, not weird." She says shaking her head and picking up her sewing to continue it. "You were seeing or feeling things that weren't there for a time, but I think that was just from the fever."

Ivan breathed out a sigh of relief. "That's good to hear."

"I suppose so." She says with a nod. "I'm just glad your fever is going down."

"Me too, I don't like being a burden to you."

"You're not a burden Ivan." She says seriously, looking up from her sewing.

"I am when I'm sick like this."

"I don't mind taking care of you." She says, looking back down and resuming her sewing.

"You don't?" Ivan was a little confused.

"No. I don't."

"That's... strange."

She looked up again. "Why is it strange?"

"It just is." Ivan looked away. When everyone has hated you for so long, it feels wrong when someone doesn't.

"Well, I don't think it's strange." She says after a few moments of silence. Ivan just shrugged and played with his hands. Mattie insisted he relax and come bedtime she brought porridge and a glass of the medicine again.

He scowled at it, not wanting to drink it. Though he did because he couldn't stand the look Mattie was giving him. It was just as bad as the first time only watered down some. She gave him the bowl of porridge afterwards and Ivan scarfed it down; the taste of porridge was never so good.

When they were both done eating, she cleaned the dishes before coming to check on his temperature. He couldn't help but take notice that Mattie had again learned very quickly. It made him a little jealous.

She put her hand on his forehead before getting the towel wet again and putting it on his forehead.

"Why are you doing all this?"

"Because I want to."

"Because we're friends?"

"Because I care about you." She kneeled down, rearranging the blankets on the floor so it would be more comfortable to sleep on.

Ivan was quiet for a moment, hearing that hurt, but also felt very good. "I care about you too."

She smiled softly. "I'm glad. Now get some more rest, okay?" She lay down in her bed of blankets on the floor and tugged one of them over her to get some sleep.

"Mattie..."

"Yes Ivan?"

"Come here." He patted the bed and moved over. His face was flushed, but he told himself it was the fever. "I don't want you to lay on the floor."

"I don't mind Ivan. I slept down here the other day."

"Well I was out of it. I don't want you sleeping on the floor." Ivan pouted in irritation.

She sighed softly. "Ivan, don't fuss over it and just go to sleep please."

Ivan grumbled out something and rolled over to face the wall. "... Goodnight."

"Goodnight Ivan." She says smiling softly. She would have accepted his offer but it was too easy to relax and sleep all night like that. This way she would be able to wake up every so often to check on his temperature.

As for Ivan, he didn't move much at all in his sleep. Which meant that his fever wasn't too high and he was able to rest more peacefully.

)*(

Come morning she woke up and started to make them porridge and medicine. Ivan had woken up to the sound of metal on metal, it took him a moment to realize that it was Mattie cooking. He then lay back down and rested his eyes, but did not go back to sleep.

She ate her porridge while the water for the medicine was heating. A few minutes later she walked in with porridge and medicine for Ivan. "Good morning." She says softly, not sure if he was awake or not.

"Morning Mattie." He said as he sat up, glaring at the cup of medicine like it had wronged him.

She couldn't help but laugh a little at the glare. "I know, I know. It tastes horrid but it's bringing your fever down so you need to take it." She says bringing it over and holding it out to him.

"Yes, yes I know." He grabbed the cup and downed it as fast as he could, coughing afterwards. "Porridge, please."

She smiled and traded the glass for the bowl of porridge. "Here you go."

It was wolfed down right away and then he asked. "More?"

She took the bowl back. "Give me a moment." She says going back and getting him more before returning and handing it back. "Here you go."

"Thank you." It was a sign that Ivan was getting better with his appetite coming back.

"You're welcome." After he was finished, she took the bowls and washed them before coming and checking his temperature. Ivan kept his eyes on the bed through the whole thing.

"It may taste gross, but it is working. Your fever has gone down more." She says looking pleased.

"Hopefully it will be gone by this afternoon..."

"That would be wonderful." She says with a wide smile.

"Hm… and I wouldn't have to drink that anymore."

She laughed. "Yes, if your fever is gone you won't have to have anymore tonight."

"At least I'm not coughing or sneezing as much any more. My throat had just about had it." He rubbed his neck.

She smiled. "That's good as well."

"Mm. You haven't caught any of it have you?"

She shook her head. "I don't believe so."

"Good." Ivan then got out of bed and stretched. She watched him to make sure he didn't get dizzy and fall over. "I'm fine Mattie." His tone was firm. "I just want to go take a bath, I feel gross."

"Would you like me to go warm up the water?"

"I can do it."

"Okay then." She says with a nod.

Ivan didn't say anything else and went to clean himself off. He spent at least an hour cleaning himself good, but also was enjoying the water. A memory of the time Mattie and him had shared a bath came to mind a couple times.

She knocked on the door a few times to check up on him though spent most of that hour sitting near the door and sewing. This bothered him though and he was starting to get a bit annoyed. How was he supposed to enjoy his bath if Mattie kept knocking on the door? But she continued to knock every so often to make sure he was okay. "Will you stop that!? I'm not going to drown or anything!" Ivan snapped, though regretted it once his throat started to burn.

She flinched at his harsh tone. After that she didn't knock anymore but continued sitting outside of the door silently sewing. Ivan got out not too long after, dried off and dressed when he left the bathing room.

She was still sitting and sewing by the door quietly but didn't look up at him when he came out.

"I'm sorry for shouting."

"It's all right." She says quietly. "How are you feeling?" She stood up and set her sewing things down on the table.

"Good. The bath was nice. But I want to go for a walk now." Ivan was looking for his boots and coat. She came over and put her hand on his forehead to check his temperature. She then went to get her own boots and coat on.

"You're coming along?"

She nodded as she put her boots on. "Of course."

"Want to walk along the shore then?"

"I don't mind where we walk." She says, then putting her coat on.

"All right then." Ivan waited until she was ready before they headed out.

She held his hand quietly as they walked together, her knife and belt on her. Ivan wasn't too happy about her holding his hand, but he let it go and just tried to enjoy the walk.

After a minute or so she just let go of his hand and stuffed her hands in her pockets and walked with him quietly.

"... How did you know?"

"How did I know what?"

"About the holding hands thing." Maybe he was wrong and it was a coincidence.

"Oh… body language."

"Huh?"

"Body language. Your posture, the way you move, the way you were holding my hand, and other things like that."

"I see. I guess it doesn't work all the time does it?" He sighed a little and looked out at the ocean. His irritation had grown some.

"What doesn't? Body language or holding hands?"

"Body language apparently." Ivan grumbled. "It's useless; speaking is much better. It's to the point and you don't have spend your time guessing."

"No, from what I've been told, it works all the time. Some are just better at understanding it than others. Facial expressions are part of body language too, as are gestures."

"Well you seem to be alright at it."

"I think that's because we use sound and body language in the ocean." Ivan didn't reply to that and just kept walking. Mattie continued walking with him quietly, Ivan would glance down at her every so often, in his own way testing this body language out himself.

After a while she looked at him and tilted her head a little. "Yes?"

"Trying to read you, but it doesn't work." He said blankly, but didn't really care if he could.

She smiled softly in amusement. "It does, it just takes practice and I don't think you got much practice before I showed up."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ivan scowled a little.

"Learning body language requires interaction with people in situations other than just fighting, and buying or selling things."

"Not my fault they can't just move on." His voice was angry now.

"I know it's not your fault Ivan." She says calmly. "Don't get so defensive. I'm not accusing you of anything. You asked a question and I just answered it."

Ivan huffed and looked away. "I'm not angry at you. I'm just frustrated."

"I know."

Ivan turned around and started walking the way they came. "Let's go home."

"Okay." She turned and followed him.

)*(

By the next day Ivan's fever was gone, but his attitude hadn't changed, he was still so tense about everything and often got mad. Mattie tried not to do anything to make him mad and mainly just sat and sewed quietly.