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[parodeity]

DAVE STRIDER

consider this your warning about stairs. itll just keep happening bro. im telling you man

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[splinten]

I know. I get it, honestly. You asked, though, so I'll tell you anything you want to know about how I feel.

[He doesn't know what else there is to cover. He wants to formulate some version of the truth between them for fear that this might be the last time he can.]

Does a deal to tell me things help you, or does it hurt you?

[parodeity]

I don't know. Both, sometimes.

[splinten]

Okay.

[He turns over his shades in his hands.]

I want you to be able to hang out with me without worryin' about being dragged through somethin' like this. At the same time, I want to be able to listen to you and be there for you when you want or need me.

[parodeity]

It's fine if this helps you.

[ he doesn't give an opinion on the rest. ]

[splinten]

[Gently,]

I'm not who I'm worried about.

[parodeity]

Same here. S'why I shouldn't have said anything.

[splinten]

Disagree, but either way we're here. It isn't on you that things have changed, and it's okay that you have other-life baggage that affects how you see me. That's just how it is.

What helps you relax these days?

[parodeity]

Most recently it was hangin' out with Emil at the beach, and workin' on the shit we did after that. Before that? Colorin' sidewalk shit with Chiyo. Yato drawin' fan art. Getting new jobs.

[splinten]

Keeping busy?

[parodeity]

Usually. [ it doesn't always work, but as long as people let him distract himself it kind of does. ] You?

[splinten]

Basically the same. It's how I've always been and it hasn't really changed. It might have been how I was back in my apartment. Though I'm not as good at relaxing near people except around select individuals, same as it always has been. The family and close friends only.

[parodeity]

I used to find that relaxin'.

[splinten]

Now we're more dangerous than we aren't, though. [A light raise at the end asking for confirmation.]

[parodeity]

In most cases.

[splinten]

[There's a quiet nod.]

You still don't know what you need with me? What would help you best.

[parodeity]

I don't know what would help that I'm willin' to ask for.

[splinten]

Are you willin' to tell me what you won't ask for?

[parodeity]

How is that different from askin'?

[splinten]

Intention, essentially. You aren't making a request. [He kinda shrugs.] I figured that wasn't the important part to you and that you wouldn't be willing.

[parodeity]

Then why'd you ask? Yeah, I do know some stuff that would help, but it wouldn't...stick when it went away.

[splinten]

Because I haven't given up.

[So he had to still ask.]

And you can't trust it won't go away.

[parodeity]

Some of it also just ain't viable.

[splinten]

That might be true.

[And he's sorry for that. His thumb presses into a sharp edge of his shades as he thinks.]

We don't have to decide now. We can do somethin' mindless to try to clear our heads. Or we can not, and make our decisions now, and then do the rest of the day.

[parodeity]

Don't do that.

[splinten]

[As before, he stops everything he's doing and looks at Dave.] Do what?