"Hey, can I ask you a question…?" Those few words never mean anything good. Especially when said by the one and only Dave Strider. I mean, Dave is always just a chill dude. I've hardly ever seen him stressed or embarrassed, or worried…hell, the only other emotion besides his usual apathetic nature is his cocky, dominant side. So when my best bro interrupted our usual morning pesterchum conversation with this very question, well, it was more than a little terrifying.
"Actually…nevermind. Forget I said anything. What were we talking about again?"
He must have thought I was offended or something since I still haven't responded to his first question as of five minutes ago. I try to fix my mistake right away.
"Nonono! I'm sorry I really do want to know what you were going to ask I was just, uh, caught off guard I guess. I mean I noticed you weren't really your normal self today. At least you didn't seem to be, but I guess the question still surprised me." My fingers are vigorously tapping across the keyboard now. He really was acting different this afternoon and I wouldn't be a good friend if I wasn't at the very least concerned for him.
"It's seriously the stupidest thing just forget about it." Dave responds quickly replies and waits for my reply. I can practically see his neutral face staring at his computer screen and chewing slowly on his lip. He does that when he's really nervous, which is rarely ever. But I still couldn't seem to get much out of him for a while after this.
"Dave seriously just tell me."
"Why do you even want to know?"
"Because I'm curious"
"Curiosity killed the cat"
"And satisfaction brought it back ;D"
"John"
"Dave"
"Egderp"
"It's Egbert you fuckmuffin."
"Oooh, that's a new one. Let's talk about how you came up with that."
"Dave stop avoiding the subject."
"What subject"
"The subject"
"I have no idea what subject you're talking about"
"Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaave."
"Yes John what is it"
"Uuughhh!"
"What is upsetting you John?"
"You are. Just tell me the truth already."
"You can't handle the truth."
"Dave Elizabeth Strider I swear to fucking god."
"No dude I'm being serious like this might not be something your fragile and delicate self can handle. I wouldn't want to stain the pure innocence of your youthful mind with one of my petty, shitty problems."
"I can handle it. I swear I can. Please, Dave, I really want to know. This seems important to you and I don't want to let you down here. Please?"
Dave takes an extra-long time to decide on his answer. It had been over an hour and I had by then given up and logged off for dinner, when he finally replied.
"…Okay."