solemnlysworn | ohana means family and all that jazz

[Bro isn't sure. He just... Their relationship was so rocky, he isn't sure how David would feel about it, in the end. He'd like to think that he'd be fine with it, that if it was good for Dirk then that's all that matters. But he just... doesn't know. But Bro is selfish, and he just... he really wants Dirk to.

So it's the selfishness that makes him sound perfectly casual and confident.]

Nah, I think he'd be totally cool with it.

_{[If Bro says his dad would be okay with it, he has no other option but to believe him. Because could there really be another case? Bro knew his dad in ways Dirk didn't. And Bro wouldn't lie to him.

Instead of responding right away, he rolls over until he's able to latch onto Bro and give him an awkwardly positioned hug.]}

Okay...

Dad.

_{[And this is ok, because he was a spoilt brat and usually called David "Daddy" to his face. This is different. It's okay.]}

I just. I dunno if I can continually do it yet. Or I might slip up. But it's not really like I haven't thought about it before. I just don't know.

_{[He is the worst mumbler. Hopefully he can be understood.]}

[When Dirk begins to move, he shifts to make it easier, wrapping his arms around him the best he can when Dirk comes in for a hug.

When Dirk speaks, the butterflies just sort of explode in his stomach and he lets out a happy little laugh. It just... feels so good to hear it, like. He doesn't even know. It's just the best thing ever, because... he's always felt unworthy of it. Like being a dad was just a huge honour that he never lived up to.

And now he was, and it just. It's enough to make him wanna cry. Tears actually do come to his eyes, and a lump rises in his throat.]

Shhh... It's okay. It's really, really okay. Whatever's easiest for you, I just...

[He breaks off has to swallow, otherwise he would start crying. The tears do come a little more and a couple roll down his cheeks. When he speaks, it's a whisper that Dirk can only barely hear.]

Thank you...

_{[Everything just feels.... a lot better. It's like he feels completely accepted now, nevermind the fact that he'd been exactly that from the beginning. It's just. Different. Better. Especially since he already looks at Dave as his brother. He doesn't even see the slight biological differences anymore.

And in a way, it just really helps.

He knows no one else is ever going to be able to replace David. It's impossible, especially when Dirk only really has good memories of him now. They're on a pedestal that no one else can reach. But this is good for him too. Because nothing beats this sense of belonging he feels right now. It makes him cling to his uncle even tighter.]}

I love you.

_{[It's not even something they say a lot, at least directly. But Dirk just really wants him to know.]}

[They may not say it very much, but when they do it never fails to make Bro the happiest person ever. Really, it's just. The best feeling. He doesn't get why he was ever against saying it, why it always made him afraid to.

He clings back to Dirk just as tight.]

I love you too. Always have, always will. You're just as much my son as Dave, y'know?

_{[Dirk nods as an automatic response. He knows that in theory. But believing it? That's something different entirely. He just has always had a hard time believing it because he put that wall up himself, by constantly reminding himself of where he stood when he was at his really low points.

Nephew, cousin. Not son or brother.

When he has better moments, that's different. He can take pride in being called Bro's son or Dave's brother. He's just.

Dirk doesn't even know how to describe it.]}

Yeah, I know.

[He gives Dirk's back a rub and lets out a small, content sigh. This moment is pretty fucking perfect, guilt aside. In his happiness it's easy to convince himself that David wouldn't mind- because really, if they're both this happy, why would he? It's not like he can replace David. It's not like he wants to replace David. He really hopes that wherever he is, he knows that.]

Good.

[After a few moments, he pulls away and kisses Dirk's forehead.]

Now, y'want me to kick Sephiroth's ass for you or what?

_{[The need to hide his face after this is instinctive. He turns to his side to face the TV again before sitting up. He loves getting affection like this all the time. He wishes he could have it more.

But he doesn't know how to bring that up ever.]}

Promise you won't tell Dave that I had to get help?

[All Dirk would really have to do is ask and Bro would be all over it. But alas, Striders and their inability to express their feelings.]

No need.

[he scoots over, positioning himself with his legs on either side, so it's like Dirk's sitting in his lap. He reaches over and grabs the controller, wrapping his arms around Dirk so that he's hugging him, controller in front of Dirk's chest.]

Take my hands, it'll be like you're playing.

_{[Dirk shifts, leaning back against Bro. This is comfortable and as close to cuddling as he's ever going to get without finding a way to express himself.

He sets his hands over Bro's, but closer to the wrists where he's effectively out of the way for button mashing.]}

It's still kinda cheating.

No it's not.

[He leans forward slightly to rest his chin on Dirk's head.]

Because I say it's not.

[Bro really does like this. A lot. It feels good to be close to him, and since he's still not entirely down from the emotional high of the moment they just shared, he's in a really affectionate mood. So even if it's not outright cuddling, it's still awesome.

He begins to start the battle now though and on instinct, he tenses, instinctively hugging Dirk a little tighter.]

_{[It's easy to let a small smile grace his lips. This is really nice. Especially as a follow up to their previous conversation, this....

this kinda feels like a father-son moment.

and that's really nice.

He's on edge as soon as Bro starts playing, though, because he wants him to win so bad!! That and his adrenaline is rushing from the game.]}

You can be the boss this time, then.

_{[TR: this isn't cheating because Bro said so.]}

[Bro smiles at that.

And it really is like a father-son moment, which just makes it all the better for Bro.]

I'm always the boss.

[Despite how tense he is, he button mashes like a complete and total pro, dodging Sephiroth's attacks and whittling his HP down to 0 in no time at all, barely getting hit. It's less than 10 minutes later that he puts the controller down, Sephiroth defeated.]

I think it's safe to say Sephy's our bitch now.

_{[Consider Dirk amazed. He hasn't even been able to come close to this. He's been able to hold Sephiroth off, yeah. But that was mostly a half hour wasted dodging all of his attacks and not getting a chance to be on the defensive.

It's needless to say, Dirk's thrilled. He's that one step closer to reaching his trivial video game goal.]}

You're so cool.

[Doki.

No really, his heart kind of flutters there because that makes him feel good. His face kind of gets a reddish tint to it and he can't help but smile again, letting out a laugh.]

Nah, it's just random button mashing, no big deal. I'm sure you could've done it.

Nope, I tried and I couldn't ever get this far.

I still say you could've done it eventually. I'm the boss, remember? So that means it's true.

_{[You got him on this, so he's just going to lean back and tilt his head up.]}

Thanks.

ohana means family and all that jazz

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