No one really understood why you did that. Bro had done some terrible things. However, you truly felt something different about him. They say a near death experience changes people and you wanted to believe that was true. You had come pretty close to it yourself and you knew you different now.

You wanted to believe things could be okay again and as you watched Bro cooking you breakfast, it felt like a real possibility. His back was to you and you could see the muscles in his back ripple as he scraped at the pan. You could smell something burning.

Bro turned to face you with a big smile as he tilted the pan over your plate. The pancake didn't budge. He pushed and scraped at it with the spatula til you had a pile of crumbled pancake bits, half burnt have underdone.

He looked upset but you smiled. As you poured syrup on the pile with one hand and caught a box of apple juice with your other, you felt nostalgic. You scooped up a bite and even though you hadn't eaten Bro's less than mediocre cooking in years, it tasted like home. You nudged at the chair next to you and he took a seat before picking his fingers into your food for a bite. You grumbled and swatted him away.

It was like nothing had ever happened.

Until he gave you a joking push and your guard was suddenly up, ready for his next punch. He watched you go rigged and his smiled fell. You looked afraid and he could tell.

He pulled his hands back and stared at you. You slowly settled down and felt so silly. "S-sorry…" You stuttered.

"No, I shouldn't have-" Bro took a breath, "It'll take a while...for your body to get used to me again."

Something about his phrasing brought heat to your face. You quickly shoved another fork full of pancake mush into your mouth.

You realized you hadn't learned much of Bro's personality since you spent your last few years together avoiding him. You were excited to see more of him emerging. He definitely reminded you Dirk, but different. It was almost like you could see some of Rose in him as well.

He's cool and aloof, but at the same time you could feel something softer in him. He tried to act like he was still some kinda father figure but you didn't see him that way anymore. You hadn't thought of him like that since you were little. Even the thought of him being your bro didn't surpass the way John and Karkat were also your bros.

Nevertheless, he tried to keep up this charade. He made you breakfast and for some reason had started calling you a lot of pet names. He'd let you beat him in certain video games (not Tony Hawk, that high score was his crowning achievement) and if he frightened you he gave you a free swing. You usually passed on those. You didn't want to hurt him. You didn't like to hurt people without a good reason. And if you did that, it would mean you were still holding something against him.

Deep down you knew you always would retain a little fear of him. But he was working so hard and this wasn't up to anyone else but you. Karkat had told you you were stupid. He had said Bro would just weasel himself back into your life then hurt you again. John had agreed and said that's what abusers do.

You had ignored them. Yes, Bro had abused you - but he wasn't an inherently abusive person. No one could convince you at this point that he was. Not while these terrible pancakes were waiting on you every morning and not while there were still neighbors houses that had yet to be covered in graffiti.

You knew he wouldn't be awake when you knocked on the door but you heard him drag himself up anyway to let you in. He wore his pjs (not the god ones because apparently those are dry clean only and he doesn't have time for that). His shades were a little lopsided and he only had one sock on.

"Rough night, lil man?"

Dave snickered and you entered the quiet house. His roommates were asleep thankfully and you dropped yourself onto his couch. You asked if he was hungry and offered to make some bacon and eggs. He shook his head but when you mentioned Bro Striders Famous ½ cooked pancakes he perked up. This kid had seriously the weirdest taste but, after all, that was your fault. He didn't know pancakes could be cooked any other way than half burnt half runny till he was at least 11.

You two ate the disgusting concoction before moving to the living room to watch the tube. You flicked through the channels and it was all reruns. You think it is anyway. Half the channels are human shows and half are what looks like trolls. There were a few that seemed to be new shows featuring both. You settled on some classic Seinfeld with the volume turned way down so you could narrate the show yourselves.

Your character seemed to be monologuing and you had turned into into a riveting story of a half man half skeleton. You got so lost in how hilarious you were you didn't notice Dave pass the fuck out.

When his character didn't get a voiceover you nudged him with your foot from the other side of the couch. He didn't stir.

You smiled as you looked down at him. It had been years since he had been this comfortable around you. He had let his guard down enough to fall asleep right in front of you. You smiled as you moved closer and picked him up slowly, trying not to wake him.

Your eyes were heavy as the light slowly filtered through your lashes. You couldn't feel your shades on your face and you felt the motion of being carried.

You remembered waking up early for breakfast with Bro then watching early morning sitcom reruns. You still weren't used to waking up as early as he liked to come over but it was the best time to avoid the dirty looks Karkat and John gave him.

You had a vague memory of "resting your eyes" for a moment during a commercial break. You guessed you had passed out and Bro was carrying you back to your room. You started to wiggle free of his arms but he was so warm. You tucked your face against his neck and through your half open eye you saw him smile.

"Dave?" he asked and you clenched your eyes shut. You could feel the rumble in his throat as he laughed. You felt heat spread across your face again.

Bro gently laid you on your bed, well, aside from bumping your head on the wall. You tried to ignore it and pretend to keep sleeping. As he started to move away you reached out for his hand. You don't know why, but you held him there.

"Dave?" he repeated and you tugged on him again. Being able to see Bro differently these past few days had been eye opening. Once you stopped idolizing him and assuming he was better than you, you understood him on a more personal, human level.

He had stopped being this idea and was a person. He had faults and weaknesses just like you. He had made mistakes and done so much to turn his life around. You looked up to him the same way you admired your other friends. And that's what Bro was now - a friend. Granted, a friend who kept trying to protect and parent you, but that's not how you viewed him. He was your equal now so there was nothing wrong with what you were about to do.

You tugged on his hand and your bright red eyes met the darkness of his shades. No words were exchanged as Bro leaned over you. You could feel his breath hot against your nose as he hovered a few inches away. You could feel him lean closer then pull back again. He was nervous. You thought it was cute.

You leaned up and connected your lips softly. You held yourself there for a few seconds before letting your head fall back to the pillow.

Bro's mouth was slightly agape and you could hear him breathing. You started to say something when he pushed your mouths back together and held your lip between his. His tongue smoothed over your lip and onto your teeth and it felt like your jaws had unhinged. He was breathing hard and your eyes were shut tight as your arms reached around him and found a place to rest.

Bro's hands had also found their way onto your upper body, supporting in keeping you off the bed. You held him so close to you until you felt the wetness slowly leave your mouth and it was replaced by panting and heavy breaths.