Mabel trudged through the front door, her boots heavy with the weight of the day. The scent of salt and sea clung to her as she tossed her fishing gear to the side, letting out a long, frustrated sigh. You were waiting for her, perched on the edge of the couch, knowing from her expression that it had been a tough day.

She caught your eye and gave a weary smile, trying to hide the exhaustion that rippled off her in waves. "Rough one today," She muttered, itching her hair a bit that was in a small unkept bun. She walked up to you, sitting next to you.

"Just... everything went wrong today. The nets kept getting tangled, the weather was brutal, and I’m not sure how we’ll hit our quota this season." Her voice wavered, and you wrapped your arms tighter around her, offering comfort without words.

You stroked her back, slow and steady, as she began to relax in your embrace.

Mabel looked up at you, her eyes softening. “It’d be better if you were on the boat instead of those coworkers of mines. Their brains don’t work, I swear," She grinned a little, a bit of her usual spark returning as she tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. "Thanks for always being there for me, by the way.”