Catching up

[plushaeusrumpified]

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?"

Comments

[plushaeusrumpified]

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."

[toocoolforthis]

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."

[plushaeusrumpified]

"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?"

[toocoolforthis]

"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."

[plushaeusrumpified]

"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."

[toocoolforthis]

"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?"

[plushaeusrumpified]

"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."

[toocoolforthis]

"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.

[plushaeusrumpified]

"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.

[toocoolforthis]

"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.