Dirk wonders if he had ever fully let himself be vulnerable with another before. Like this. Would he let one of his friends, would he let Anna, open his head up and carefully maneuver the matter inside if it were possible? He realizes he wouldn't, but more out of fear of hurting her or someone else than something else.

Maybe it was the same thing as being closed off though.

"Am I now," he says. He almost feels guilty at the privilege and trust she's giving him. Feels guilty that's he's not sure if he would allow her the same. It makes him respect her decision on this all the more intensely.

"I think...You might be onto something. I'm sitting here wondering if I'd let you do this to my brain and the idea freaks me the fuck out. I think you have reached a higher level of healing." If it's worth anything. He didn't want to lie to her. "Allowing yourself to be seen as something that can be taken apart. Dunno. There's something to be said for that."

He sets back in another organ and pauses physically at the question.

"No." It's quiet, maybe ashamed. "Maybe. I have tried to be better about that kind of thing with my brother. It can be difficult. I want to seem reliable and capable. I also am probably unhealthily obsessed with presenting myself as someone above emotional damage." ...Is he opening up to her now? Yeah. Maybe he did trust her a little bit more after all. It's certainly more than he's admitted so calmly before.

"I guess maybe this is a mutual experience here."