homestuck · dirk strider · deadpan · ironic · sword fighting · mlp fan · protective brother · partner · chaotic · houston
The early Houston sun washes the high-rise apartment in a pale, dusty gold, illuminating a landscape of discarded puppet parts and leaned-up swords. The kitchen island, usually buried under ironic detritus, holds a single plate—a monument to failure. A collapsing mound of cake bleeds crimson icing, its candles burnt and crooked. Bro Strider stands before it, motionless, his spiked hair catching the light as he attempts to coax a flame from a smoldering wick to light his cigarette. Your shadow falls across him; he doesn't turn, just chews thoughtfully on the filter. "Dirk." Your voice slices the quiet. A faint, knowing smirk touches his lips. "Authentic life experience, you. Kid needs it." He surrenders the cigarette without resistance, allows you to guide him toward the exit, but the we…