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Reenie would be lying if he said he didn't feel much better after taking a hot shower and eating some food. The professor had prepared a delicious breakfast with the heat of an Arcanine, one Reenie noted to be extremely happy to be with the professor. Most of the pokemon loved their life with Kukui, getting to roam free on the yard most of the day or brush up on their attacks. It was amazing how these pokemon got along so well with the people of this town, but something about the communication between the two civilizations tugged on Reenies heart. He didn't understand why, but the happiness the pokemon radiated was so warm and nice, much like the heat of the sun in the place itself. Wherever he was seemed so peaceful, almost distant from the rest of the world… there was no place better to recover than here, Reenie thought. Somewhere nice and quiet, yet perfectly filled with both people and pokemon to combat any loneliness.
Apparently Reenies' clothes were practically destroyed when he washed up, so the professor had put out some clothes that he thought would match him. It turned out that the professor was much better at pokemon than he was at style, him and Lillie bickering about what to dress the mystery man in until they finally decided on a touristy Alola t-shirt and too-big cargo pants. The two things Kukui and Lillie could salvage from his old outfit were a strange planet looking necklace and what appeared to be a type of cube on a chain, the former going around Reenies neck. Without much use for the cube Reenie attached it to a belt loop in his pants, hoping that it would bring back some sort of memory.
One thing Reenie noticed, however, was a strangely shaped bandage in the center of his chest. It was larger than an average box bandaid, yet not big enough to be a full on cast or type of wrap around gauze. The thing right smack between his ribs was a little folded up piece of cloth, attached to skin with what looked to be medical tape. Even though somewhat strange Reenie shrugged it off, acknowledging it as something Kukui had placed to stop bleeding from a cut or other similar wound. Suddenly arriving on a beach with no help had to be damaging to his body, and Reenie decided it would be best to leave it on to stop any other bleeding or further injury.
It was surprising how much one's mood could be lifted with a little bit of cleanliness. After a few finishing touches to his appearance such as brushing hair and teeth Reenie felt as fresh as a daisy, and it was clear that Kukui and Lillie saw him the same.
"You look so different!" Lillie smiled, inspecting her handiwork. It wasn't much of a surprise that the girl had quite the expertise in fashion, admiring the outfit she had put him in with a look of pure pride on her face.
"Yeah, Reens!" The professor laughed. “Although I do think there’s something missing, yeah. Here. Put this in your hair. I bet it’ll look great!”
Kukui pulled out a pretty white flower, petals splaying out on the sides like the sun radiating around three yellow prongs in the middle. Reenie took it gently, pushing the soft thing behind his ear. He felt prettier already, spinning around in his new outfit. Lillie giggled, avoiding the green hair that sprawled out everywhere with his twirl.
“Thank you both, so much.” Reenie smiled, adjusting the hair around his flower. “I’m in your debt. I’m not sure what would’ve happened if I wasn’t saved, but I’m sure it would have been much worse than if you two had found me. So thank you, again. I’m forever grateful.”
Reenie swore he saw the professor sniffle as he spoke, wiping tears away from his eyes. Honestly, the man should’ve been more surprised as Kukui wrapped him in a tight hug, body heat pressing against body heat in a weird trap that Reenie wasn’t too sure that he liked. The feeling of skin against skin was still so foreign to him, and the way the motion trapped him in a way that he was unable to move from made Reenie look as uncomfortable as he felt.
“Professor, I don’t think he likes that much…” Lillie trailed off, slightly worried.
“Oh! Yeah, sorry Reens. I meant to ask first.” The professor gently put him down, leaving the dazed boy in a stumbling heap. “I might’ve been a bit too strong, yeah…”
Reenie smiled softly. “That’s alright. I would really do anything for you two, I owe you my life…” He said, pulling gently at his hair. The boy really did owe the two his life, they had saved it after all. Based in the state they had described him in within the first few days the boy wouldn’t be surprised if he wouldn’t have made it out alive if it wasn’t for the two saviors, giving him things to eat and a place to stay for at least a few days. Reenie would do any job or task they put him up to, no matter how weird it seemed. It was the least he could do.
“Anything, huh?” the professor mused, rubbing his chin with his hand. The professor looked lost in thought for a moment, Lillie looking equally as mindful as her counterpart. Suddenly Kukui leaped up with an idea, yelling much louder than was needed. “Got it! You said you can talk to pokemon, yeah?”
“I can, yes…” Reenie mused, a little worried what Kukui was going to use this power for. Honestly, Reenie was surprised that neither The Professor nor Lillie could communicate with the creatures, basing on their previously surprised expressions that nobody else really could either. Was he the only human that could converse with Pokemon? What a lonely life it would be to not be able to converse with other species, especially ones so different from your own. Reenie couldn’t even imagine what it was like.
“Well, how would you like to be my new assistant along with Lillie? As long as you two wouldn’t mind sharing a room, that is. I can get everything you need to live here, Reens. Bed and all. You just need to use this gift to help me and other pokemon, okay?” The professor smiled, the big bright one Reenie knew him so well for.
“You would… Do that for me?” Reenie mumbled, almost astonished. “You would let me live here? And let me talk to new pokemon every day?”
Kukui chuckled. “Of course I would, Reens. Even if you said no I’d get you to the best home I could find for you, at least until you get your memories back and can go to your real one. So, whaddaya say? Sound like a pretty good deal?”
Reenie could almost go up and hug professor Kukui himself. This sounded like the best job in the world, getting to do what he loved and getting paid in both housing and friendship in return. He almost didn’t have a choice but to say yes. The offer was too good to lose. No matter what else he decided to do Reenie would favor having a home with the Professor and Lillie than anything else at the moment, even if it meant getting his hands a little dirty to pay them back as much as he could.
Lillie, however, didn’t look so amused. A dark flash of pure fear crossed her face, followed by something that looked like anger then settling into her usual peaceful smile. Nobody but Reenie seemed to notice this, making the boy almost do a double take. Sure, sharing your room with a stranger a few years older than you was a bit odd, but Reenie hoped that in time the two would become great friends.
“Attaboy!” The Professor laughed, slapping Reenie’s scrawny back hard. “I’ll get the stuff right now. Do one of you guys mind washing the sheets on the futon? They’re a little bloody from Reenie.” The professor called before heading out the door, leaving the keys jangling in the lock.
Lillie waved softly, sighing as the professor closed the door to the house. The turn on her heels was sharp and almost threatening as she climbed up the lift, completely lost in her thoughts as she went to wash the blankets.
“W-wait,” Reenie called, pulling himself up the ladder. "I made the mess. I should clean it up."
Lillie blinked for a few seconds, almost as if taking in what he said. It was almost after a few moments that she realized Reenie was willing to wash the blankets, murmuring a thank you as she put them into his arms and stepped back down the ladder. Reenie followed suit, trying to keep the balance of both him and the heavy sheets as he wobbled down to the main floor.
"I'll show you where the washing machines are," She said, her tone as hard to read as the half scowl, half smile on her face. If he was being honest Reenie wasn't sure what made Lillie hate him so much already, but whatever he did he wanted to make up for it. Reenie understood he had to just let some people go, but he didn't think the girl who he was sharing a room with only living to hate him was the best scenario for him. Reenie followed the girl to the washing machine, feeling a bit of the dried red flake off in his hands. Did she act differently when he was unconscious? Did she care more, want to help some poor soul that almost died in the water? Did she only change after his personality showed, or was her hate rooted differently?
He would have to be patient. There was a high chance he was overthinking everything. Maybe everything was fine, he thought, ignoring the growing anxiety in his chest. It was fine.