towerofanimus | Circus of silence down at our feet

Characters: Dave Strider and Bro Strider
Setting: Bro's room in which I forgot the number hahhhh
Format: Either
Summary: Dave isn't very good at the whole ninja and making sure Bro is ok without having to confront the other. And he owes a certain conversation he's not too keen on having.
Warnings: Mentions of death. Emotions. Strider feels.

Dave was still feeling pretty guilty about what happened with his Shadow. He's taken to checking on Bro, using time loops to do it without getting caught. But once in awhile, he'll manually go by Bro's room to see how he's doing.

It was cowardly, but he wasn't really good at confronting this particular problem. After all. It was his fault again that Bro died. If he hadn't been a complete idiot, this could have been avoided. But it was too late to change that, and who knows if the results would have been better or worst. But he wanted to make sure the other was alright. Of course, he lost track of these things when the bodyswap happened. He was too busy with his own crisis to keep up with anyone else. And dying again wasn't something he was too thrilled about. Though, despite it being relatively painful, it was surprisingly not as traumatic. It didn't bother him. Only that he definitely owed Vriska a proper apology. Seeing a bunch of dead hims that weren't technically him is never going to not be kind of unsettling and it probably sucked more for her.

But for now...

He's just going to peek into the room Bro was assigned too. Just a quick peek than he's going to abscond like he usually does.

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Dave kind of awkwardly shuffles over to rest against Bro. Not quite hugging the other, but still in physical contact with. Dave isn't sure if hugging Bro would seem too desperate and he's not exactly an expert on how to do this physical affection shit.

It's kind of sad, because this shouldn't even be a problem. He should be used to hugging other people and being affectionate. He just...doesn't know how too. But Bro was offering, and that made Dave feel a lot better. Because the last thing he wanted to do was make Bro be accommodating to him.

Once Dave is laying against him, Bro's arms come up and wrap around him instantly. Like he's trying to shield Dave from the world. "I'm sorry," he whispered, just loud enough for Dave to hear. "That was shitty of me. I still stand by what I said, but... I'm sorry for yelling." He's quiet for a few long seconds after this, trying to decide how best to express himself. "I just... you're the most important person in my life. I hate seeing you hurt."

Dave just kind of scrubs at his eyes quietly. Not crying. Never crying. He's just got something in his eyes. He's a little overwhelmed that Bro would outright say that. It was never something he ever had to hear verbally, nor did he think he would ever hear verbally, so it's a pleasant surprise. Maybe a little too much for him, because this was Bro. Bro, who never says these things to him.

For Dave's sake, he's at least pretending not to know that he's crying. But damn, it kind of makes him feel like crying too. Fucking emotions. It'd be so much easier if he could just remain the strong one here, but it's hard when everything just. sucks so damn much. When he's got a crying, physically and mentally traumatized teenage son/bro thing in his arms. It kinda becomes taxing after a while and it's really damn hard not to break down a little. But he's still trying not to, even if it's hard. He runs his fingers up and down Dave's back slowly, comfortingly. He's said everything he can say.

At least he isn't making gross crying noises. Maybe some sniffling and occasionally rubbing at his face, but that's it. Or maybe it's worst because it just meant Dave was trying to hold it back in and trying to stop himself from showing it.

He just leans against Bro quietly, kicking his feet over the edge of the bed. There's a moment hesitation where Dave seems to have wanted to say something but didn't, but he finally speaks up. "Is it cool if I chill here tonight? I mean it's cool. I can head back to my room after. You probably have shit to do and I'm just like this solid rock that's getting in the way of you and your shit to do or something. I just. I thought I'd ask. Actually, nevermind, you probably have stuff to do so I'm just really wasting your time." Oh my god. He should have stayed quiet.

If Bro wasn't feeling so many emotions all at once and just didn't have room for exasperation, he would've let out an exasperated sigh. Because seriously, he'd just gotten finished telling Dave he was the most important person in the world to him. Bro honestly didn't know how Dave could get 'Annoying and in the way' out of that. But instead of sighing or giving Dave a hard time over it, he just. tightens his arms around Dave. "You ain't going anywhere." His voice was quiet but firm. It was clear he wasn't going to let Dave out of his sight any time soon.

Because he is being the most uncool kid right now. He is the opposite of being a Strider right now. He's like that dumb kid who tripped over his shoe laces and busted up his knee a bit and now he's making a huge deal over a little scrape. But he's glad that Bro isn't kicking him out or anything. He's really relieved. The fact that he relaxed a bunch probably indicated so. He didn't realize he was holding his breath. "Cool. Thanks."

"Mmh..." he murmurs, and after a few seconds he loosens his grip on Dave. But only slightly. Just enough so that he can start running his fingers up and down Dave's back in comforting motions. As the silence wears on, he's suddenly hit with a wave of tiredness. Maybe it's the fact that he just hasn't slept much lately, or just. Maybe it's he's emotionally exhausted. He really doesn't know, but all of a suddenly he can't stifle the yawn that escapes.

Dave had been fighting with tiredness the entire time, if Dave periodically trying to nod off was any indication. "Shit. Sorry. I can leave if you want to get some sleep or something." Because Dave is assuming that the other wants him gone than, and he's already making his way off the bed and to his feet to leave. Gotta let his Bro get some shut eye, right? And he's tired too, even if he's pretty sure he won't really get a good night's rest. He hasn't really for awhile.

Circus of silence down at our feet

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