Route 1

[espresso_doppio]

Doppio didn't like to complain...even when he really wanted to. He felt like he had a lot things he could have complained about--he got headaches more than the others. He got tired more than the others. He got carsick more than the others. Still, he didn't like to dwell on the unfairness. He felt lucky he had nice people and a warm place to lay his head down at night. When he thought about that, it helped keep things in perspective.

But right now...he really, really, really wanted to complain about Reigen's driving. It felt like they were constantly swerving or stopping--when it wasn't a rock, it was a ledge. He couldn't even look out the windows to orient himself...not that it would have helped. There was tall grass everywhere. 'It's not the Captain's fault. The road ran out miles ago.' But then the van lurched as it came to another hard stop and Doppio couldn't fight a groan as he swallowed down a wave of nausea. After several failed attempts to rise from his bunk, he had given up. He buried his head in the pillow and took a few deep breaths.

Comments

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

“No,” Reigen uttered reflexively.

[throughthelookingmax]

"No family, either?"

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

“I don’t see them often. Besides, my clientele and friends from college are all grown.” Reigen gestured at her insistently as he spoke. “My student’s a middle schooler for crying out loud. Just a kid. He needs me way more than any of them.”

[throughthelookingmax]

"Huh." Max let it linger in the air before she spoke again. "He must be pretty important to you."

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

Reigen didn’t look up from his mask. “We got separated during a work trip. He’s my responsibility.”

[throughthelookingmax]

"Hmmm... Why do I get the feeling that's not all of it?"

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

“What are you implying?”

[throughthelookingmax]

"I think you care about him a lot more than you're letting on. I'm a teacher too and I haven't really thought about my students for more than a few minutes."

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

“Well…you see, he’s not just my student. And I’m not just his teacher. It’s deeper than that.”

[throughthelookingmax]

"Is he... like a son to you?"

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

Reigen jerked like he was stabbed. “No, no. Do I look that old to you!?” He cleared his throat. “He’s my deshi.”

[throughthelookingmax]

"Don't have to be old to look at someone as your son."

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

“It’s not like that. He made a commitment to his learning and I made a commitment to his teaching. He shows up for me and I show up for him. And…I’m the adult. He trusts me.”

As he spoke, his eyes were going to the cooler under the table. His chest was thrumming unpleasantly. He took a deep breath.

“That’s how it is. I can’t leave him alone. What would I be teaching him about the world…about people…if I did that?”

[throughthelookingmax]

Max made a soft affirming noise. "You're a real good guy, you know that?"

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

Reigen blushed and rubbed his face hard when he realized he was doing it. "Yeah, well...you wouldn't say that if you knew me."

Without explaining, he just scooted towards the cooler and reached inside. "I'm gonna have a...what do you Americans call it...nightcap." He produced a can of beer and waved it at her. It had an elephant emblazoned on it and Reigen was pretty sure it was from Thailand. Somehow. "Wanna join me?"

[throughthelookingmax]

"Yeah, sure. I could use a drink." Not that Max really had the opportunity to drink all that much since she got here. "I have something to share, too," she said, digging through her pockets. She quickly produced a joint that she held proudly between two fingers. "But we'll save this for another time."

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

Reigen cracked a beer open to pass it to Max, squinting.

"Oh." He laughed. "Now, I know I may seem super cool and rugged and worldly, but this is my first time seeing one up close."

[throughthelookingmax]

"Really? Seriously?" Max stuffed it back into her pocket.

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

Reigen flushed and took a forceful swig from the can. "Do you know how illegal those things are in Japan? It's like being caught with meth. Hell, I even gave up smoking as soon as my student joined my office..."

[throughthelookingmax]

"And you say you're not a good guy," Max said, reaching out for the can.

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

"Smoke messes with your chi pathways, you know." Reigen passed the can back over, wiping his mouth and copping a cocky smirk. "That being said, don't take me for a coward or anything. We've shared wine and beer now--what's one more indirect kiss between comrades?"

[throughthelookingmax]

"You're such a nerd," Max said with an affectionate laugh. "Maybe somewhere along the way we can find someone for you to have a direct kiss with."

She took a swig of the beer. Then another. Then passed it back over to Reigen.

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

"Yeah, cause that's super likely." Reigen took a drink and rubbed one side of his face. He was already getting tipsy. "God...I don't even remember what that's like."

[throughthelookingmax]

"How long has it been?"

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

"Not since college."