I know these hands may work away
Don't mean I find no time for play

Share With Me The Sun - Portugal. The Man
And I'll Tell You for Why - TTNG
Runaway Houses City Clouds - Tame Impala

Nothing about Davide's life stands out in particular. Average parents, an average house, comfortable middle-class... Davide's life path was an open and expansive one but he found comfort within the mundane, small-town life and following in his father's footsteps when it came to the family's business. He never wished for more - a stark contrast to that boy who lived on the other side of the town and who became his best friend starting on their first day of kindergarten.

Luc and Davide's friendship took no time to go beyond friendship and into something almost brotherly. The fact that they were both only children certainly contributed. Outside of Luc, Davide had an expansive circle of friends with which he terrorised the town of Rina, where him, Luc, and the rest of their group were known as a wildly mischievous bunch. At least until Davide's mother caught wind of the boys' antics. She was a strict - but fair - woman who had no qualms with giving lectures about misbehaving and pulling a few ears. Growing up, Davide used to think he preferred Luc's mum to his own: she was lax in her parenting and let Luc do whatever he wanted. Only as an adult did he come to appreciate his mother's teachings.

While his mother was the responsible parent, Davide's father was an eccentric figure everyone in town (and the neighbouring towns) knew if not personally, through rumours. The man shared wild stories about exciting travels - embellished to such extent that one had to dig deep to find any truth - and was always more than willing to dish out business advice. He had made a more than comfortable living through beekeeping after all, so his reputation as a savvy business man preceded him. But none of that mattered to Davide because to him, his dad was an incredible role model and loving father more than anything else. Davide's most treasured childhood memories are of watching his father working in the field and, once Davide was old enough, of his father teaching him the ropes. Other treasured memories include the frequent daytrips and camping trips his father used to take him and Luc on.

Davide thus grew into an adult and embraced the simple life he had chosen. He thought nothing could surprise him or upset that balance - and then Luc announced he was leaving for Longbridge. The two had spent countless late nights talking about life and the future and while Davide understood that Luc wanted more than than what life in Rina could offer... The decision still came as a shock to him. But even so, Davide enthusiastically supported Luc as he left that town where they had spent almost twenty years together.

At first Luc's absence (the two still talked and sent each other letters frequently) was a jarring change of pace. Over time, it became the new normal. Davide began to take more of an active role in the family business - much to his father's joy.

So used had Davide become to his new responsibilities and life, that when, years later, Luc told him he was coming back, Davide was initially unsure how to feel. But that uncertainty did not last long because above all else Davide was exhilarated at the prospect of seeing his best friend again.

And the reunion did not disappoint. Their friendship had not wavered at all throughout the years spent apart and Luc had not changed at all either, Davide found out when the man explained his plan to make a documentary about Rina. But while their relationship had not changed, Davide had. He had become an adult for lack of a better term; he had to work and meet investors and customers and ensure the family business ran smoothly. He was not always available to help Luc, though he tried his best.

Davide was happy with that life, between working and spending time with Luc (be it filming or simply hanging out like they used to) he did not feel like he needed anything else. He certainly did not need a strange vagabond on a bicycle to ride into Rina and captivate Luc with grossly superficial charm.

Marcellin left a terrible first impression on Davide and his behaviour since has only made Davide more suspicious of the man. But, unfortunately, Luc fell madly in love with that vagabond and while Davide would like for nothing more than to make Luc see through Marcellin's lies, he learned the hard way that when Luc falls for someone, he falls hard. So Davide accepted that all he can do is tolerate Marcellin. Years of not seeing each other had no ill-effects on Luc and Davide's friendship, but Davide fears he will someday force Luc to choose between him or Marcellin - and he fears he may not be who Luc chooses.

And hot summer nights.
Walking through tall grass,
There's safety in here