Dave realized he'd fucked up right as the words left his mouth, but by then it was too late. He waited anxiously through the long moment of silence that hung between them, and then when Dirk spoke again he squeezed him tightly. One hand came up to pet his hair, while the other rubbed his back. "It's not scary on a broom," he said, trying to make it better. "Look at me, I probably fell about 400 feet and I took more damage from the steel ball to the head." He sighed. "I'll take you on my broom with me over the summer. And I'll even let you borrow my broom for flying class."