sortinghat_logs | Catching up

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Catching up

WHO: Bro and Dirk Strider
TONE: Light, possibly sad maybe??
RATING: PG-13 for Strider language
WHEN: The evening of January 22nd
WHERE: The Three Broomsticks
WHAT: It's been a long time since Bro has seen Dirk, so the two of them are catching up.
STATUS: ongoing

Seeing that orange ink on the journals was pretty much the best thing that could've happened. It's been entirely too long since he's seen Dirk, and Jesus Christ he's missed him like burning ever since he's left. But he knew Dirk needed time. It sucked to see him go, but in order to process everything and move on, he knew that Dirk needed to go off on his own a while. It was just the Strider way. But despite that, it didn't stop him from worrying that Dirk might not come back. That was always sort of a constant fear for him, even if he never voiced it. He knew he fucked up by not telling them sooner, and he didn't blame Dirk for being angry and needing time to deal with it.

Boy did he know he fucked up. After the incident on the Astronomy tower, he knew that now more than ever. Maybe it was a good thing Dirk hadn't been there for that, in hindsight. It could've just screwed everything up even more. But that set in motion everything that needed to happen for him to realize he'd really fucked up somewhere along the lines, and his determination to fix that was stronger now more than ever. He's on the right track with Dave, and now he just needs to fix things with Dirk, too. Catching him up on all that, though... That would be a chore and a half.

But that's something to deal with later. For now, he just wants to catch up with Dirk and all that jazz. He's brought Dirk to the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade and they've just sat down and are waiting to order.

"So..." he murmurs after they've sat down. "How was it out there in the real world?"

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Bro should know better, at this point. After leaving for months, with barely no communication between the family, Dirk is going to be extremely attentive when he does finally return, and he's not going to let Bro get away with vague details. What kind of parent/former sibling would leave out details like that?

Still, the sheer casualness with which Bro says it means that it takes a moment to set in, but it's pretty obvious that he caught it, considering the look he gives Bro, one eyebrow raised, when he finally starts talking. "The usual, huh? I don't remember granting wishes as being quite normal."

Then, of course, before Bro can get away from the right topic, "Don't remember getting a boyfriend to be part of the usual, either."

Bro freezes. Shit, of course he couldn't get away from it. He knew Dirk was too attentive to miss out on what he said. He's trying not to be too nervous about it, but goddamn he can't really help it. Again, this is not an area he's ever... experienced before. He doesn't know how to talk about it, and if he's honest, he's afraid of how Dirk is going to react. Sure Dave already knows, and that went well enough, but... considering their shaky relationship right now, he's honestly afraid it might cause problems somehow.

He may be being paranoid, but he can't actually help it. Bro shifts around in his seat, absentmindedly shoving a chip in his mouth. "Well... Yeah, I guess that part really isn't the usual..." he murmurs. "Either of those things- but mostly the boyfriend thing, honestly. That... part is definitely the thing that doesn't happen often."

Wow he feels so awkward right now.

Dirk pauses in his line of questioning to take a bite out of another of his chips, then to take a third sip of his fire whiskey (it still burns, but he must be getting used to it, he doesn't want to make a face this time).

Now that he's watching, he's not likely to miss the way Bro shifts in his seat. And what he says, well, that's a beacon if ever Dirk saw one. He's used to Bro being so stoic, and today is completely flipping that on its head.

"So who is it?" He finally asks. "It's gotta be someone special, since this is so rare." It's a genuine question, not intended to mock- if Bro really wanted this dating thing to happen, he'd do it whether or not Dirk agreed with him, but it sounds like Bro wishes he would approve, so he is withholding his reaction. He can't help being a bit surprised by it. In all the time he's lived with Bro, he can't really remember any kind of serious relationship happening.

Sometimes he wishes Dirk weren't so perceptive, so that he could get away with being evasive at times like this. Then again, he also realizes he's being pretty shitty at being evasive. Maybe he's rust, or maybe he's just feeling that awkward about it right now. Who the hell even knows, really? But the truth is... Yeah, he does want Dirk to approve. He wouldn't really feel right about pursuing the relationship without Dirk's approval- even if he's had time to all but fall in love with Murdoc. He isn't sure if he would be able to pull away, but if he doesn't have Dirk's approval, then he would be pretty damn upset.

"He's... pretty special, yeah." Bro murmurs in response to that, a light smile playing on his lips as he thinks about Murdoc. It's hard not to smile when he thinks about him. "His name's Murdoc Donoghue, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."

This time, the surprise actually shows on Dirk's face, because of all the answers he was expecting, it certainly wasn't this one. "Professor Donoghue?" He's had classes with him before, surely Bro didn't miss their conversation about Dirk getting caught up in classes over the journals. Or maybe he was focused on this meeting, which isn't too surprising, considering how it started out.

Still, he can see the smile, and it probably means that if Bro weren't a Strider he would be beaming with the dumbest grin right now. It's hard to disapprove of someone when Bro talks about them like that. "How long has it been going on?"

How long had it been going on? Shit, that wasn't an easy question to answer, when you really got down to it. They'd known each other a while, but... Well, he could definitely tell Dirk when the feelings started, at least. It was a month or two after that though, that things got more... intense. And everything in between was a huge clusterfuck. But he'd promised not to lie to Dirk, and and withholding information felt a bit too much like lying for him to really feel comfortable doing it. He supposed... he could give Dirk the choice.

"I guess that depends," he finally says after a few moments of silence, mulling it all over. "You want the long story, or the short one? Because it's... uh, kinda straight out of some dramatic love story or some shit, if I'm perfectly honest."

"The long version," Dirk says immediately. He doesn't even have to think about it. Even if he and Bro hadn't just argued the way they had, he'd still want the long version. There's never a time when Dirk doesn't want the most details that can be provided. Which isn't to say he'll be asking any awkward prying questions. There are things he doesn't actually want to know about Murdoc and Bro's relationship. But the things he didn't get to see first-hand because he wasn't here, those details he wants.

In the meantime, he eats a few more chips, as he waits for Bro to work up the nerve to tell his cheezy romance novel story.

Bro had the feeling that Dirk would ask for the long version, but even so he still felt the weight of it hit him as he thought of how best to begin. To be honest he was a little afraid of telling the story, considering he didn't come off as the best person in the world. He could only hope that Dirk wouldn't judge him horribly for it. "Alright, well... I guess it started around September. He and I never really got off on the right foot- actually, we downright hated each other." He can't help but laugh at that, because god it's just so ridiculous in hindsight. They'd been so similar and that was their initial biggest downfall.

"I decided I really needed to change that, though. So I... lied. About not being able to swim, to try and get closer to him, because he was offering swimming lessons. Well, I had to take off my shades when the time came for it, and..." He smiles at the memory, an actual legit, genuine smile as he looks away from Dirk. He feels like a goddamn giggly teenager right now, and frankly it's kind of embarrassing. He wipes at his mouth, trying to get the damn smile to go away. "He ended up telling me my eyes were the most gorgeous ones he'd ever seen. It was kind of a big deal for me... considering nobody's ever said anything like that before. S'kinda one of those things people think are freakish, usually."

He isn't sure if Dirk's ever really gotten shit over his eyes, but for Bro those are one of his biggest insecurities, and the reason that Murdoc had been able to get through to him, by complimenting them. It made him feel accepted and... human. Instead of just some freak. "It just made me feel really fuckin' good, y'know? And that was when I realized there was more to him than just a huge douchebag." He stops, so that he can nudge around a chip or two, because now he's getting to the awkward part of the story. "The only problem was... uh. Well there was this guy who became the High Inquisitor. He was a huge dickhead and ended up threatening this woman with deportation... Well, Murdoc was in love with her. So he proposed marriage to save her from getting deported. So... I was chasing after an engaged man."

Yeah, that's the part that he feels awkward about. Don't judge him too hard, Murdoc. "It kinda became a competition, even if she didn't feel that way about him. He was kinda just pining after her. But it didn't matter, because I won. The High Inquisitor left and then she up and decided to leave too, so just like that the engagement was off. He and I were free to be with each other, and... I guess that's that. We've had our ups and downs- and goddamn was the down really fucking bad." He actually looks sad at the memory, and decides to give Dirk a small debriefing over it. "We had a fight a little after New Years. He considered himself better than me because he's a pureblood. It was really nasty, and I splinched myself apparating away. But we worked it out..."

And then he takes a drink of his fire whiskey, because he really hates thinking about that. But he's mostly done with the story, pretty sure he's covered everything there actually is to cover. "So yeah. I think that's everything. Any questions?"

Dirk is a teenager. He still has some respect for his Bro, but he's at the age where he's realized that just because Bro is his guardian doesn't mean that Bro is perfect. He doesn't know everything, he can't do everything, and he isn't infallible. This story wouldn't surprise him much even if Bro hadn't proved so strongly that he could make mistakes with hiding his relationship to them.

"Goddamn, this is like the worst romance novel ever," is the first thing out of Dirk's mouth. He doesn't even regret saying it, because it's true. It seems ridiculous that it actually happened.

After a moment, he frowns, and turns more serious. "This makes it sound like you're more invested in this than he is. Even without the pureblood douchebaggery. I dunno if I'd call it one-sided, but... You sure you've thought it through?"

He can't help but laugh at Dirk's first response, and he gives him a nod. Honestly, it's fucking true and he can't deny it. The whole thing has been one wild ride from start to finish, and it's definitely like a shitty romance novel. A shitty romance novel with an undeniably happy ending. Like Twilight, but with a healthier ending and not something stupid. Also considerably less sparkles, unfortunately. Bro wouldn't mind sparkling, but that requires too much effort, and Murdoc would probably not actually approve all that much. Ah well.

Dirk's second response has him pausing though, and... it's true. He's definitely thought of that. The whole time he was fighting with Murdoc, he couldn't help but think that maybe he'd gotten too invested in it. But the way in which Murdoc had apologized afterwards, and said he loved him? There's no denying the sincerity of it, even Bro could tell. Murdoc had proved himself and Bro couldn't doubt his sincerity. Murdoc had shown he was just as invested in it as Bro was.

"I've thought it through," he says after a moment's silence, giving Dirk a nod. "He jumped through a lotta hoops to earn me back." Bro shrugs after a second, "I'm not justifying it either, but he's been raised a pureblood his entire life. Me coming into his life shook up a lot of shit. He's had to get over prejudices he probably didn't even realize were a problem. We're workin' it out. I'm keeping him in check. But..." He offers Dirk a smile. "Your concern's appreciated and I ain't taking this lightly, either. I know how much he fucked up. But I'm giving him a second chance, 'cuz he earned it."

It's that moment of thought that convinces Dirk, more than anything Bro says. It's that moment, because Bro is taking a moment to think about it. He's using his head, not just his heart. The answer isn't 'but I love him' or 'but he loves me,' it's that they're making it work.

"Long as you're sure," Dirk says. "Just needed to make sure you weren't a stereotypical schoolgirl about this shit. Bringing dishonor on the name Strider."

"If I ever bring dishonor on the family name, I give you permission to usurp me and declare yourself head of the Strider family," he says with a lazy smile. "As it is now, all dishonor goes to our cow."
He takes a bite of his food, before following with a hearty chug to his fire whiskey. "So enough about my love life. Why don't you tell me more of what you got up to while you were off on your own. Any children I should be worried about?"

"Our lack of cow," Dirk says. "Doubt we could fit one into the apartment even if we wanted to. We'd do better getting a horse." He idly pets the little Rainbow Dash again. There have to be some miniature horses somewhere in the magical world, he'd bet. It would be really awesome.

He's totally rolling his eyes behind his shades, though. "Yes. There are two illegitimate children you should know about. I wasn't going to tell you because I didn't want you to worry."

"You're just sayin' that because you want a full sized pony," he says. He's onto you, Dirk. He's so onto you right now. You'd magic it's mane to look like Rainbow Dash. You're predictable like that.

And he would fucking love it.

He fakes a look of horror. "Oh fuck. Looks like you're gonna have to get a job to pay that fuckin' child support. You ever considered working with me on my puppet site? It pays good money, y'know. Gotta put food on the table for those little Dirklets out there."

"That's because a pony would be fucking awesome and you know it," he says. He's onto Bro, too. Ponies are just a thing that every Strider should want.

Dirk shrugs. "I wouldn't mind. I don't hate them the way Dave does." Honestly, he thinks they're entertaining. "Not gonna tell me to move out and be there for them too?"

"I'm neither confirming nor denying the awesomeness or lack thereof of a pony." And that's all he has to say on the matter.

And these are reasons why sometimes Dirk is his favorite. If only Dave could love puppets as much as they do. He's just going to give a wistful sigh at that and shakes his head lightly. "I just don't know what's wrong with him." He's mostly kidding. There's nothing wrong with Dave. "No fuck that though, I just got you back. You're staying."

"Damn. And here I was planning on running away to join the circus with her," Dirk says. He's joking. Their apartment and the castle are the two places he feels most at home, even when he does things like leave to travel. The apartment is the one home he's sure he's not going to have to give up, after all.

"The circus?" he snorts. "What would you gig be, the amazing weeaboo? Or the pony tamer? Maybe the world's strongest midget..." He leans back and gives it some more thought, idly nomming an a french fry.

"I'd have to be a midget to get that one." Dirk takes a careful sip of his fire whiskey, and refuses to get irritated about any jabs at his height. He's not short, he just hangs around with a mountain in human form most of the time.

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Catching up

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