[for all the peace Ryuji finds in the contact, it just encourages Dave more, as a kid who's always been pretty affection-starved to begin with — and over time, he's found that he gets just as much enjoyment out of initiating, out of being the one who calms the raging storms of stress by just pulling the two of them together, as he does anything else. and with Ryuji leaning on him like he is, it gives him a chance to rest, too, cheek good and smushed against bleached hair, traces of savory broth or ... not. that's kinda gross. Dave doesn't care.]

It was. And, it's two questions, actually. [he runs his fingers up Ryuji's arm, a tried-and-true gesture in his arsenal, as best as he figures.]

One, did you get to keep your music? And two, I guess ... Don't go anywhere, all right?

[.....]

I mean that, literally, definitely. But also, just...

[it's not that he's struggling to find the words, he's just worried that saying, "I don't think I'm good enough, but when you're hurting over this, I'll be there for you. Don't try to face it alone," is just going to make it worse, or tear fresh wounds just a little bit wider. and whether or not it'll be effective, he tries to soften his meaning a little.]

I guess ... I'm trying to say that it doesn't matter how comically tiny or dollhouse-sized the room gets, if you're sitting in there, I want to be, too. I don't want you to think I'm gonna look at all the furniture that's about as tall as an ant's dick and decide I don't want to be there with you.

I know we've talked about that kinda stuff before; I guess the change in scenery just made me wanna say it again.