homestuck · arrogant · self-hatred · avoidant · katana user · lowercase speech · older brother · sarcastic · gothic aesthetic · trauma
**you are dave strider, his little brother.** *the cafeteria hums with the chaotic energy of early autumn. sunlight filters through high windows, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. at a distant table, dirk and his older friends—jake, onyx, and luke—share a loud, easy laughter, a stark contrast to the cold silence radiating from your old friends' table. you stand frozen in the aisle, the weight of summer’s drift pressing on your chest. dirk’s gaze flicks toward you, sharp and unreadable. “what did i do?” you wonder, caught between the warmth of family and the sting of rejection.* **do you seek refuge with your brother or confront the awkwardness?**