Pairings; Technically quietly implied DaveJohn, but some Dirk Dave brotherness technically shit I'onno.
Tiny bit of story twisting.
When John Egbert had learned that his online best friend of a couple of years was actually mute…well, he had wasted all of two days before he'd begged his dad for sign language lessons, and done everything he could to study extra hard online. Of course, he'd never told Dave that, naturally, and every year that went by that he didn't get to meet the other, he'd keep practicing, keep studying, just to keep himself fresh. Even as they entered the game and couldn't meet for another solid three years, he'd waited with his proverbially breath held until he could sign, standing infront of of his friend. 'It's so good to finally meet you.'
It didn't matter that Dave could still hear him, regardless, John wanted him to know. John wanted him to know how important Dave was to him, that he'd be able to talk to him no matter what.
Far into the future, but not too far, when their pathes finally crossed with the Alpha kids, Dirk and Dave were left with a quiet, awkward silence. John was quick to move away from Jake, who he was quickly making an amazing cinematic connection with, immediately noticing the awkward inner conflict his friend was having, even without words. "His name is Dave." He announced quite simply, giving a smile as he threw an arm around his best friend's shoulders.
"Oh, so-" Dirk started, taking only a few moment to deduce the problem. Lifting a hand to give a little rub at the back of his own moment in awkwardness. He'd never really had a chance to meet anyone with any sort of handicap, and he wasn't entirely sure of the etiquette involved. He'd never felt less ironically cool in his life, and he actually didn't want to be an ass about it to save face. "…I'm Dirk."
Dave paused for a moment, before giving a gesture, John watching as he translated- "He says, 'I know you're not him, and that I'm not him for you, but you know, if you can prove you're cool enough, I wouldn't mind being your bro.'" Same old Dave, he supposed, as blue eyes glanced up to Dirk.
The blonde smirked a bit, and pushed up his triangular glasses. "…I think he's the one who would have to prove he's cool enough." He challenged. A smirk slid across Dave's expression, and in unison, the two Striders drew their swords. John took a step back- Strifing required no words.