[the absolute, unabashed sincerity behind that answer throws him off even more, and the tension he had suddenly feels searing, like he'd been stabbed. again.]
[there are no endless layers of irony to try to sort his way through; he doesn't have to spend hours agonizing over what Dirk really meant. he thinks, for a split second, that maybe he can take that answer at face value — that maybe it isn't a trick just to hurt him.]
[Dave doesn't say anything. he is frozen in place, painfully aware of how much time has already ticked by in total silence (infuriatingly, he can never escape time). and then, there's just the tiniest chink in the wall around him — he takes a step closer so that Dirk can take a can or two.]
[he is pretty sure this is going to backfire on him, that he's misread his bro or this teen version of his bro. but the little kid in him that's always been so desperate for a real brother, screaming in the back of his mind, has somehow managed to win for now. for the love of god, Dirk, don't let him down.]
no subject
[there are no endless layers of irony to try to sort his way through; he doesn't have to spend hours agonizing over what Dirk really meant. he thinks, for a split second, that maybe he can take that answer at face value — that maybe it isn't a trick just to hurt him.]
[Dave doesn't say anything. he is frozen in place, painfully aware of how much time has already ticked by in total silence (infuriatingly, he can never escape time). and then, there's just the tiniest chink in the wall around him — he takes a step closer so that Dirk can take a can or two.]
[he is pretty sure this is going to backfire on him, that he's misread his bro or this teen version of his bro. but the little kid in him that's always been so desperate for a real brother, screaming in the back of his mind, has somehow managed to win for now. for the love of god, Dirk, don't let him down.]