sometimes thinking about Dennis Whitaker physically hurts. hasn't been home in years Dennis Whitaker, squatting in an abandoned hospital floor. suggesting it as a place to house patients immediately if it might help during a mass casualty, even though it threatened his entire life he'd managed to build.
kind Dennis Whitaker. Dennis Whitaker who offered himself up to be on the street team when he still didn't have a home himself, putting others first, eager to help. his parents are proud "I guess" and his brothers "kinda tortured me growing up." lonely, different, black sheep Dennis Whitaker.
"does a... dr macgyver work here?" funny ass line, yeah, but neurodivergent Dennis Whitaker, who grew up in a household of people who didn't believe mental illness was real. struggling, overstimulated, isolated Dennis Whitaker. Dennis Whitaker who helps others before himself because he doesn't think he's the kinda guy to need help.
"did I do something wrong?" Dennis Whitaker, who so desperately doesn't wanna fuck up the one real friendship he's had. who's used to a life of tiptoeing around volatile family members, making himself smaller, and feels his heart drop to his stomach realizing maybe he's allowed himself to be too much with Trinity, getting too close, speaking up too often. Dennis Whitaker who thinks it's always his fault. "stop talking? yeah."
Dennis Whitaker who is so desperate for praise. Dennis Whitaker who's been yelled at, bullied, so few people in his life any kind of gentle. Dennis Whitaker who grasps every "nice job, whitaker" in his greedy hands, clutching it to his chest, relishing in the rare pleasure of it. he's doing good, he's doing good, someone told him so.
Dennis Whitaker who so achingly badly wishes to be good. Dennis Whitaker who is already good.