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[throughthelookingmax]

"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.

Comments

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

Reigen’s lips twitched. Doppio definitely didn’t seem to hate it.

“It’s because until Max showed up, you were the only girl. In his own unorthodox way, he didn’t want you to feel like the outsider.”

[aoihitomi]

"Really?" That hadn't even occurred to Hitomi. "But now there's no reason for him to wear girls clothing."

[espresso_doppio]

"They fit pretty well!" Doppio piped up as he approached Max, fiddling with the bottom of his shirt. To his own surprise, he really liked the design on the front. The skull was macabre but he found himself drawn to it. The black sleeves also covered up his tattoos if he pulled them down far enough.

The jeans...took more getting used to. The only pants he had worn in awhile were Reigen's baggy ones, and those were extra baggy on him.

[throughthelookingmax]

"Whoa." Max let out a low whistle. "Looking good, Doppio!"

[aoihitomi]

Hitomi nodded in agreement. "You look very handsome."

[espresso_doppio]

Doppio rubbed his face, suddenly overwhelmed at being complimented by the pair of women. Pretty and adorable were one thing, but handsome was something else entirely.

“Oh…where’s Chid?”

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

Reigen nodded in Chid’s direction where he was getting a closer view of the coast by one of the shady trees.

“Careful, he may not recognize you at first.”

[espresso_doppio]

“Chid, be careful!” Doppio called as he jogged over. “Don’t get too close to the cliff. It’s dangerous!”

[princechid]

Chid spun around. "Don't worry, I'm fine." It was right when the last word left Chid's mouth that his eyes hit Doppio's form.

"Doppio?" he said questioningly.

[espresso_doppio]

"Yes?" Doppio paused and twiddled with his bangs. He had his long hair tied back into a braid instead of letting it flow loose. "I don't look that different, do I?"

[princechid]

"You look different, but I don't think it's a bad thing."

[espresso_doppio]

Smiling, Doppio took a seat beside the small boy. The more he focused on the coast, the more the memories came trickling back.

“This coast was developed by a prince. Since then, a lot of wealthy people have started settling here. When I was your age, I used to sneak out to look down at it a lot but I was never brave enough to walk all the way down by myself.”

[princechid]

A prince...

"I'm sure you wouldn't have any problems walking it now!"

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

“Hold on, hold on. Doppio-kun…are you saying you’re loaded?”

[espresso_doppio]

“No, no. No way. I’m not rich. I….”

…

“I…still don’t really remember…”

[aoihitomi]

"Well, you remembered that you were from here, right? Maybe once we have the opportunity to explore, more will come to you."

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

Reigen took another deep breath of the salty sea air and let the moment linger for a little while longer.

"Well...shall we make nice with the locals?" He headed back to the van and nudged Max, lowering his voice. "Hey. What do you think the chances are of one of those villas down by the water being open for a little squatting?

[throughthelookingmax]

Max had no idea, but she could find out. "I can go scout the area if you can chaperone the kids."

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

"You're a gem." Reigen watched her hike down towards the water. When he looked to the kids, what he noticed first was how Doppio was lingering where he sat and Hitomi beside him.

"Chid-kun," Reigen cleared his throat, "can you come help me clean up the potato skins in the van?"

[princechid]

"Yes, of course." Chid was nothing if not obedient.

[espresso_doppio]

It took Doppio a moment to realize he and Hitomi were alone. He suddenly felt awkward and he wasn't sure why.

"...Can I...be honest about something?"

[aoihitomi]

"Sure."

[espresso_doppio]

"I'm really nervous...I should be happy, shouldn't I?"

[aoihitomi]

"Well, I think it's normal to be nervous about the unknown. There's so many things it can be."

[espresso_doppio]

Doppio's shoulders drew up. "I'm nervous about me."