[ dave actually does understand isolation. they never left the apartment much; bro would take him out sometimes, occasionally, for shopping trips where dave wasn't sure he got much of anything of use. the hyperbolic training chamber was just another variation of isolation, though. when they were in the apartment bro was always there but dave could only rarely see him and if he could it was bad news. he understood very well what it was like to be alone.

john and rose and jade had been his water source.

even so. even so, he's uncertain how to handle any of it, and there are too many reasons why and none john knows. dave frowns, and then after a minutes pushes off the bed to stand. there's another hesitation before he walks over and crouches in front of john. ]

It wasn't your fault. [ this was not remotely the point of john's story but that's the part dave can process and acknowledge and address, in a quieter and more serious than usual tone. ] Rose would tell you the same thing. She will, if you ever say that to her. It wasn't your fault.