u should analyze Dirk and Dave's relationship :D

You know I could dedicate an entire blog’s worth of content to these two, right? Really, I could dedicate the blog entirely to every single individual character in Homestuck, but the Striders have some Dense dynamics. Bro was an awful influence in Dave’s life, he abused the boy, his attempts at toughening him up ended up making him despise the idea of fighting and the sound of metal and the sight of blood. Seeing as Bro was a ‘Hero’ figure to him for such a long time, he ruined Heroicism in his eyes. Dirk, on the contrary, idolized his Bro, knew of his feats and movies, but as excited as he was to meet him, he’s also just the most socially awkward person in the entirety of Paradox Space.

So we have Dave, with awful memories of his Bro, meeting with Dirk, who’s nervous to meet that figure he idolizes a lot. And curiously enough, they find common ground to talk- In their mutual hatred of what Bro embodies. For Dave, it was a figure of toxic masculinity and struggle through his life. But for Dirk, Bro is yet another Splinter. He can see himself in Bro- The manipulative tendencies, the seeming disregard for others, the lack of empathy when it’s all about ‘getting shit done’, Bro is all Dirk knows he could become if he’s not careful, and he absolutely despises it.

Getting reassurance that everything is alright from a Teenage, actually Nice version of the man that made his youth a nightmare is a good cathartic release for Dave, and having someone to remind Dirk not to become an asshole is a good reality check for Dirk. Solid Brotherly Action, 10/10, would Stride again.