"Why do you even keep me around..."
❝ Why do I–– ❞ The words are repeated, dark brows FURROWING as Davey doe his best to process the question posed. ❝ I don’t–– I don’t just ‘KEEP YOU AROUND’, man! I LIKE your company. I like Y O U! ❞ Davey says, a sad smile tugging at his lips. ❝ Don’t SAY shit like that, yeah? ❞ A hand rubs at Davey’s arm a moment, calloused fingers digging into dis- coloured skin. ❝ You’re IMPORTANT, Anthony. ❞
Davey HESITATES a moment, hand running through already-tousled brown hair. He is WORRIED about Chainey, honestly: the taller boy was always so self- critical. Though he rarely lets it show OBVIOUSLY, Davey knows him well enough at this point to be able to pick up on the subtle tell-tale signs. HOW- EVER, for Chainey to so CLEARLY let this self- doubt shine through –– well, it’s more than enough to make Davey EXTREMELY concerned. He doesn’t know what to SAY, how to H E L P: emotions and the like have never been his strong suit. They had never come easily to him, oftentimes feeling as if there was some kind of B L O C K between them and himself.
And so, Davey does what he knows –– what almost always makes HIM feel better. Strong arms are wrapped about Chainey’s thin form, fingers curling into the fabric of his sweater. ❝ You’re here ‘cause you’re IMPORTANT to me, okay? ❞ There is a moment’s hesitation, and then Davey speaks again, his voice a little QUIETER this time. ❝ ...I dunno what I’d DO without ya around, you know? ❞ he says, tone a little UNCERTAIN. He had felt SO ALONE before, so ISOLATED, even with Sam around: she had been there, but she had never really KNOWN what he was going through. Now, though, he has Chainey. Chainey understands, understands the STRUG- GLE, the sense of NOT BELONGING––
Now, Davey feels like he has somewhere that he belongs. HE ISN’T ALONE.
It isn’t just him against the world, now.