fatealteration | (no subject)

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"Hey, looks like there's a town up ahead."

Reigen obviously saw it --- he was the one driving, so he saw just about everything. But Max wasn't sure that the others in the back had. She looked over the shoulder of her seat as she said it, making sure that her voice wasn't drowned out by the sound of the 80s citypop CD they acquired at the last town they ran into.

Max turned back around and squinted her eyes, trying her best to filter out the rays of blinding light that seemed to reflect off of everything.

"I think it might be near a beach, too," she said. "That looks like a seagull, right?" Max pointed at the figure of a bird flying overhead.

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Doppio scooted his feet in the dirt a little as he walked. "Do you...think she'd like me?"

"Grandma always liked my friends. She said it was because I had good taste in people."

"You do. And anyone who has halfway decent taste in people would be crazy not to like you, too." Doppio's voice grew more solid and certain. "Hitomi...I'm really glad we met."

"I am too." As bad as everything was right now, if this hadn't happened, she probably would have never met Doppio.

"Can I tell you something? Ever since we met the pastor, I've started thinking... maybe I can find my family too. I couldn't find a way back home on Gaea, but there's so many places here that my home has to be, too."

The rectory was coming into view, bringing with it the scent of lilies. "There has to be a way! And if there's anyone who could find out, it's definitely you."

"Yeah, but... I'm not sure that everyone could find their important people without me."

“Maybe not. Even so. I’m going to stick it out with you until you find your way back home.”

"You're going to stay with us?"

"Yeah," he answered with no hesitation. "I decided last night."

"What made you decide?"

"You did."

Hitomi blinked. "Me?"

Doppio paused as they reached the low fences surrounding the gardens. "I knew when we were walking together. Before...everything that happened. It was just...nice."

"Well... I'd be lying if I didn't say I was happy." That much was true; Hitomi was happy and as much as she tried to hide the growing smile on her lips, it still pulled at the ends of them. "I know it might be harder to get here a second time, but if you change your mind, I promise I'll help you find your way home."

“That would make it twice you’d help me!” Doppio exclaimed, straightening up to his full height - which wasn’t that much taller than her. “You’re always doing things for other people…! You should let someone take care of you sometimes.”

"Well... everyone's helping me all the time already. I don't think I would have made it this far just by myself. I don't even have a driver's license."

Maybe it was the cool embrace of the oak tree's shade, but Doppio felt a sudden surge of courage. He abruptly stopped in place.

"I want to be the one to take care of you."

Hitomi let out a nervous laugh. "The way you're talking... it's like something out of a manga."

"I mean--no--I mean--yes!" Doppio dramatically papped his own cheeks, his mouth having clearly gotten ahead of his better judgement.

'Wait. "Manga?"'

"I mean....is that a good thing?"

Hitomi wet her lips. She hadn't made things awkward, had she?

"I don't think so?" she said somewhat timidly.

Doppio folded his arms and nodded - clearly more than ready than to take her entirely at her assessment.

“Right, well…let me quit talking and start making good on my declaration.” Though he opened the door back to the rectory, he stepped back to let her pass first. “You can take first bath. I’ll make tea for after.”

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